cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A rapid algorithm for processing digital physiologic signals: Application to skeletal muscle contractions

Abstract Quantifying mechanical output is fundamental to understanding metabolism that fuels muscle contraction and more recent attempts to understand signal transduction and gene regulation. The latter requires long-term application of exercise protocols that result in large amounts of data on muscle performance. The purpose of this study was to develop software for automated quantification of skeletal muscle contractions. An in situ mouse sciatic nerve stimulation model was used to produce contractions over a broad range of frequencies and recorded as both digital and analog signals using a PC analog to digital converter board and chart recorder, respectively. Spectral analysis of the noise components formed the basis for designing a smoothing Chebyshev filter. Algorithms implemented in custom software identified twitches and estimated baseline levels from the smoothed signal. The time to peak force, peak force, tension-time integral, and half-relaxation time were determined for each twitch after baseline correction. The automated results were compared to those obtained from manual measurements of the analog signal. Bland–Altman analysis of the parameters computed from digital signals compared with the corresponding measurements by manual planometry demonstrates the agreement of the digital processing algorithm with planometry over a wide range of twitch characteristics. This program may also be used to study the mechanics of other preparations from isolated muscles, human proximal limb performance, and other digital physiologic signals. Adaptation of the filter function is required to apply the analysis to another experimental apparatus with differing noise characteristics. A full version of the program and instructions for its use are available for download at www.rad.msu.edu .
Fixation of carbon dioxide into the carboxyl carbon of glycine.

IT has been observed that carbon dioxide is a precursor to the carboxyl carbon of glycine in incubations with a hen-oviduct mince. Carbon 2 of the glycine is completely unlabelled when determined as the formaldehyde domed one complex obtained after ninhydrin degradation. Carboxyl-labelled acetate is also formed in this system from carbondioxide1. Acetate 1,2-14C, however, was found to be a poor precursor to glycine, although it was converted to glutamic acid much more efficiently than carbon dioxide.
The GTPase Rem2 regulates synapse development and dendritic morphology.

Rem2 is a member of the Rad/Rem/Rem2/Gem/Kir subfamily of small Ras-like GTPases that was identified as an important mediator of synapse development. We performed a comprehensive, loss- of-function analysis of Rem2 function in cultured hippocampal neurons using RNAi to substantially decrease Rem2 protein levels. We found that knockdown of Rem2 decreases the density and maturity of dendritic spines, the primary site of excitatory synapses onto pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. Knockdown of Rem2 also alters the gross morphology of dendritic arborizations, increasing the number of dendritic branches without altering total neurite length. Thus, Rem2 functions to inhibit dendritic branching and promote the development of dendritic spines and excitatory synapses. Interestingly, binding to the calcium-binding protein calmodulin is required for the Rem2 regulation of dendritic branching. However, this interaction is completely dispensable for synapse development. Overall, our results suggest that Rem2 regulates dendritic branching and synapse development via distinct and overlapping signal transduction pathways. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 71: 374–389, 2011
Safety and cost of hyperhydration for the prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients.

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a major cause of morbidity after bone marrow transplantation. Traditional methods of prevention have included mesna (2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate) and bladder irrigation. We report the use of hyperhydration as an alternative to these prophylactic measures. One hundred consecutive patients who underwent autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation received high dose cyclophosphamide with hyperhydration using 5% dextrose normal saline at the rate of 250 ml/h and furosemide to maintain a urine output of >150 ml/h. Seventy-one of these patients also received high dose cyclophosphamide as mobilization chemotherapy. There were no episodes of hemorrhagic cystitis following mobilization chemotherapy. The incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis after transplant conditioning was 7% with 2 patients developing clinically significant hemorrhagic cystitis; one was a severe episode. The cost of hyperhydration was US$ 20 per course as opposed to US$ 1,500 per course for mesna, based on acquisition costs at our institution. We conclude that hyperhydration is a safe, inexpensive means of preventing hemorrhagic cystitis associated with high dose cyclophosphamide in bone marrow transplant recipients.
Policy algebras for access control the predicate case

This paper deals with the algebra used to compose access control policies of collaborating organizations. To maintain a conceptual coherence and to have a common basis for comparison, we seek a framework that can be viewed at different levels of abstraction. In [21, 22], we presented a propositional version of the algebra that can support algebraic manipulations of uninterpreted policies. This paper extends the algebra to many sorted first order predicate case. The predicate version can be used to reason about first order properties of security policies from their components. We show how to compose and reason about security properties such as those used in role based access control models usually specified using second order (set) quantifiers in languages (see RCL2000 [1]). We also show how different application specific notions of consistency and completeness can be formulated as sentences in our many sorted first order logic and propose a Hoare calculus to reason about them.
Atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) catalyzed by copper complexes with N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) ligand

Abstract Synthesis, characterization, electrochemical studies and ATRA activity of copper complexes with N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) ligand in the presence of ascorbic acid as a reducing agent were reported. [CuII(TPEN′)Br][Br] (TPEN′ denotes tetracoordinated ligand) catalyst showed a very low activity in ATRA of CBr4 to 1-octene, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and styrene in methanol, which is a typical solvent used for ATRA reactions employing ascorbic acid. On the contrary, the yields and stereoselectivity towards monoadduct formation were dramatically increased in slightly polar but aprotic acetone. Based on molecular structures of isolated [CuII(TPEN)][BPh4] and [CuII(TPEN′)Br][Br] complexes, as well as UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetry studies, an equilibrium was proposed involving inactive [CuII(TPEN)]2+ and ATRP active [CuII(TPEN′)Br]+ cations The halidophilicity of the bromide-based deactivating complex ([CuII(TPEN′)Br][Br]) decreased approximately 750 times upon changing the solvent from acetone (KBr = 3000 ± 230) to methanol (KBr = 4.1 ± 0.1), explaining poor catalytic activity in methanol. In acetone, [CuII(TPEN′)Br][Br] complex was nearly as active in ATRA reactions employing ascorbic acid as previously reported [CuII(TPMA)Br][Br].
Oxygen Desaturation During Sleep as a Determinant of the “Blue and Bloated” Syndrome

Certain patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be classified as blue bloaters or pink puffers. Recent studies suggest that physiologic changes during sleep contribute to the clinical expression of these syndromes. To investigate this, we monitored four blue bloaters and six pink puffers during one night's sleep to determine the incidence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and of arterial oxygen desaturation. There were no significant differences between the two groups for sleep period time, awake oxygen saturation, or the number of episodes of SDB. Blue bloaters had lower baseline oxygen saturations, more episodes of arterial oxygen desaturation, and larger falls in oxygen saturation and spent more time at low levels of oxygen saturation while asleep. We propose that the degree and the duration of sleep hypoxemia of blue bloaters but not of pink puffers may contribute to early pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale.
Recent clinical progress in virus-based therapies for cancer

As our knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer expands, viral vectors have been increasingly studied as potential antitumour therapeutic agents. With their ability to invade and replicate within target cells, viruses have been utilised as oncolytic agents to directly lyse tumour cells. Viruses can also deliver their genetic payload into infected cells, allowing for the repair of defective tumour suppressor genes, disruption of oncogenic pathways, and production of cytokines that activate the immune system. Finally, viruses encoding tumour-associated antigens can infect dendritic cells, triggering the development of a tumour-specific immune response. The ability to engineer viruses with high levels of tumour specificity and efficient rates of infection has enhanced the safety profile of these agents, allowing for the development of viable therapeutic options that have been examined in the clinic, either alone or in conjunction with more conventional therapies. This review highlights the principles under...
The behavior of human neutrophils during flow through capillary pores.

The passage times of individual human neutrophils through single capillary-sized pores in polycarbonate membranes were measured with the resistive pulse technique, and results were compared to those obtained from the micropipette aspiration of entire cells. Pore transit measurement serves as a useful means to screen populations of cells, and allows for protocols that measure time dependent changes to the population. Neutrophils exhibited a highly linear pressure/flow rate relationship at aspiration pressures from 200 Pa to 1,500 Pa in both the pore and pipette systems. Cellular viscosity, as determined by the method of Hochmuth and Needham, was 89.0 Pa.s for the pore systems and 134.9 Pa.s for the pipette systems. These results are in general agreement with recent values of neutrophil viscosity published in the literature. Extrapolation of the observed linear flow response revealed an apparent minimum pressure for whole cell aspiration significantly above the threshold pressure predicted by Evans' liquid drop model. However, whole cell aspiration was achieved in both the pore and pipette systems at pressures below this extrapolated minimum, although the calculated cellular viscosity was greatly increased. The implications of these two regimes of cell deformation is unclear. This behavior could be explained by shear thinning of the material in the cell body. However the origin of this phenomenon may be in the cortical region of the cell, which exhibits an elastic tension that may be deformation rate dependent.
Principle of frequency-domain balanced structure in linear systems and model reduction

Abstract In this paper a novel model reduction technique for linear time-invariant systems is presented. The proposed technique is based on a conceptual viewpoint regarding the balancing of the controllability and observability Gramians of a multivariable system in a given range of frequency. The conditions for the stability of the reduced model are also provided. From a real-time applicability viewpoint, the frequency-domain balanced structure provides an attractive approach to the model reduction of large scaled systems. The simulation results establish the effectiveness of this proposed method compared to the effectiveness of existing techniques.
Near‐Earth satellite magnetic field measurements: A prelude to Magsat

A new era in near-earth magnetic field measurements will begin with NASA's launch of Magsat in September of this year. Magsat will provide the first truly global geomagnetic survey since the Pogo (Polar Orbiting Geophysical Observatories) satellites, Ogo 2, 4, and 6 of 1965–1971; it will also provide the very first global survey of all vector components of the geomagnetic field. Therefore this seems an appropriate time to review previous magnetic field experiments on nearearth spacecraft. These were designed to map the main geopotential field originating in the earth's core; to determine the long-term temporal, or secular, variations in that field; and to investigate those short-term field perturbations that are due to ionospheric and magnetospheric currents. While analyzing data from the Pogo satellites, Regan et al. [1975] discovered that the loweraltitude data contained separable fields which were caused by crustal anomalies, thus opening the door to a new class of investigations.
Oblivious routing in fat-tree based system area networks with uncertain traffic demands

We study oblivious routing in fat-tree-based system area networks with deterministic routing under the assumption that the traffic demand is uncertain. The performance of a routing algorithm under uncertain traffic demands is characterized by the oblivious performance ratio that bounds the relative performance of the routing algorithm with respect to the optimal algorithm for any given traffic demand. We consider both single-path routing, where only one path is used to carry the traffic between each source-destination pair, and multipath routing, where multiple paths are allowed. For single-path routing, we derive lower bounds of the oblivious performance ratio for different fat-trees and develop routing schemes that achieve the optimal oblivious performance ratios for commonly used topologies. Our evaluation results indicate that the proposed oblivious routing schemes not only provide the optimal worst-case performance guarantees but also outperform existing schemes in average cases. For multipath routing, we show that it is possible to obtain an optimal scheme for all traffic demands (an oblivious performance ratio of 1). These results quantitatively demonstrate the performance difference between single-path routing and multipath routing in fat-trees.
Semantics-based automatic composition of geospatial Web service chains

Recent developments in Web service technologies and the semantic Web have shown promise for automatic discovery, access, and use of Web services to quickly and efficiently solve particular application problems. One such application area is in the geospatial discipline, where Web services can significantly reduce the data volume and required computing resources at the end-user side. A key challenge in promoting widespread use of Web services in the geospatial applications is to automate the construction of a chain or process flow that involves multiple services and highly diversified and distributed data. This work presents an approach for automating geospatial Web service composition by employing geospatial semantics in the service-oriented architecture (SOA). It shows how ontology-based geospatial semantics are used in a prototype system for enabling the automatic discovery, access, and chaining of geospatial Web services. A case study of the chaining process for deriving a landslide susceptibility index illustrates the applicability of ontology-driven automatic Web service composition for geospatial applications.
Scientific research, museum collections, and the rights of ownership

This article examines the question of how can museum professionals and the interested public resolve the competing claims of traditional ownership and continuing scientific research in relation to museum collections.
Direct detection Doppler wind lidar: ground-based operation to space

Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSE) conducted by organizations and reseachers around the world indicate that accurate global wind profiles observed by a spaceborne Doppler wind lidar (DWL) have the potential to significantly improve weather forecasting, hurricane tracking, and global climate studies. Accurate wind profiles from airborne and spaceborne platforms will also have national defense and homeland security applications. In this paper, we will first give a brief review of the history and status of Doppler wind lidar development. Then we will present some results from GroundWinds, a ground-based direct detection Doppler wind lidar (D3WL) technology development and demonstration testbed sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We will describe our plan for observing winds from 30 km looking down as part of the BalloonWinds program. We will then use GroundWinds as references to discuss the feasibility and requirements for a spaceborne D3WL in the context of an initial point design. We will discuss Raytheon's internal research and development (IRAD) plan with the objective of developing a prototype space-qualified laser as an engineering model and risk reduction laser for a spaceborne Doppler wind lidar.
Expert systems at the navy center for applied research in artificial intelligence

Abstract The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, DC, began operation in 1923 in response to a suggestion by Thomas Alva Edison that “The government should maintain a great research laboratory … In this could be developed … all the techniques of military and naval progression without any great expense”. NRL initially contained two research divisions: radio and sound. It now consists of 15 research divisions encompassing a very wide range of technical specialties. One of NRL's newest research groups is the Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence (NCARAI), where significant effort is being made to transition artificial intelligence technology out of the laboratory and into service. Many of the research projects conducted by NCARAI are producing expert systems technology directed at broad problems within the Navy. Several of these systems are now mature and the efforts made in selecting problem domains, development, packaging, and distribution may provide useful insights for others.
Oral clotrimazole (CLZ) decreases presystemic metabolism of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 substrates

Although human hepatocytes usually provide an accurate estimate of drug metabolism in vivo, oral CLZ appears to induce CYP3A4 in vitro and inhibit CYP3A4 in vivo. This discrepancy indicates that predicting the effect of a drug on CYP activity in vivo from hepatocytes may be limited. Therefore, we investigated the effects of oral CLZ on CYP3A4 activity using midazolam (MDZ) as a specific probe. Ten healthy volunteers randomly received oral CLZ 10mg 3 times daily x 5 days or no treatment (C) before their study visit. The study included 2 inpatient (oral MDZ 2mg) and 2 outpatient visits (IV MDZ 0.025 mg/kg) with the visits separated by 2 weeks. Blood samples were drawn at the following times: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 24 h after oral MDZ and 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 h after IV MDZ. The plasma concentrations for MDZ were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography and were fitted to a non-compartmental model. The maximal plasma concentration (CLZ 18±7.8 vs. C 12±4.7 ng/ml; p<0.025) and area under the curve (CLZ 55±12 vs. C 42±14 ng*h/ml; p=0.040) for oral MDZ increased after receiving CLZ. In contrast, CLZ did not affect the pharmacokinetic parameters for IV MDZ. The plasma concentrations of CLZ and 1-hydroxyMDZ will be determined, as well. In summary, CLZ increases the systemic absorption of orally administered CYP3A4 substrates, but does not affect the systemic clearance of IV administered CYP3A4 substrates. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P31–P31; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.117
Calcium release via activation of presynaptic IP3 receptors contributes to kainate-induced IPSC facilitation in rat neocortex

Abstract We examined the mechanisms of kainate (KA) induced modulation of GABA release in rat prefrontal cortex. Pharmacologically isolated IPSCs were recorded from visually identified layer II/III pyramidal cells using whole-cell patch clamp techniques. KA produced an increase in evoked IPSC amplitude at low nanomolar concentrations (100–500 nM). The frequency but not the amplitude of miniature (m) IPSCs was also increased. The GluR5 subunit selective agonist (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (ATPA) caused an increase in mIPSC frequency whereas (3S,4aR,6S,8aR)-6-(4-carboxyphenyl)methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (LY382884), a selective GluR5 subunit antagonist, inhibited this facilitation. Philanthotoxin-433 (PhTx) blocked the effect of KA, indicating involvement of Ca2+-permeable GluR5 receptors. No IPSC facilitation was seen when Ca2+ was omitted from the bathing solution. Facilitation was observed when slices were preincubated in ruthenium red or high concentrations of ryanodine, but was inhibited with application of thapsigargin. The IP3 receptor (IP3R) antagonists diphenylboric acid 2-amino-ethyl ester (2-APB) (15 μM) and Xestospongin C (XeC) blocked IPSC facilitation. These results show that activation of KA receptors (KARs) on GABAergic nerve terminals results is linked to intracellular Ca2+ release via activation of IP3, but not ryanodine, receptors. This represents a new mechanism of presynaptic modulation whereby Ca2+ entry through Ca2+-permeable GluR5 subunit containing KARs activates IP3Rs receptors leading to an increase in GABA release.
Duties Owed to Organizational Citizens – Ethical Insights for Today’s Leader

Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) has been widely recognized as a contributor to improving organizational performance and wealth creation. The purpose of this article is to briefly summarize the motives of many employees who exercise OCB and to identify the ethical duties owed by organizational leaders to the highly committed employees with whom they work. After reviewing the nature of OCB and the psychological contracts made with highly committed employees, we then use Hosmer’s framework of ten ethical perspectives to identify how OCB is viewed from each of those ethical viewpoints. We offer six propositions about OCB that relate to building employee commitment and trust.
Influence of Age on Utilization of Supplemental Fats by Young Turkeys

Abstract Male poults were fed diets containing 0, 4, 8, or 12% tallow or 4, 8, or 12% animal-vegetable fat blend (A-V Fat) from 1 day to 8 weeks of age. Supplemental fat improved 8-week body weight and feed efficiency, irrespective of fat source. Fat retention (fat consumed-fat excreted) was not affected by fat level or by fat source after 2 weeks of age. At 2 weeks, fat retention by poults fed tallow was less than that of poults fed A-V Fat. Fat retention increased with age, irrespective of fat source or level. Fat retentions ranged from 66.4 to 83.7 at 2 weeks and from 90.8 to 96.5 at 8 weeks of age. Changes in metabolizable energy (ME) values of the fats with age paralleled those of fat retention, whether ME were estimated by multiplying fat retention percentages times gross energy of the fats or by regression analysis of changes in diet ME associated with increments of fats. On the basis of changes in diet ME, the ME of tallow was 6808 kcal/kg at 2 weeks and 8551 kcal/kg at 8 weeks. Analagous values for A-V Fat were 7114 and 8924 kcal/kg, respectively. Fatty acid analysis of dietary and excreta fat indicated that, as turkeys aged, improvements in retention were greatest for palmitic and stearic acids, especially in the instance of tallow. Fatty acid binding protein (FABP) assay of intestines from poults fed no added fat, 12% tallow, or 12% A-V Fat showed that fat level did not significantly affect FABP activity. There was, however, a marked increase in intestinal FABP in 6- and 8-week-old poults as compared with 2- or 4-week-old poults.
Stochastic space transforms in subsurface hydrology — Part 2: Generalized spectral decompositions and plancherel representations

In earlier publications, certain applications of space transformation operators in subsurface hydrology were considered. These operators reduce the original multi-dimensional problem to the one-dimensional space, and can be used to study stochastic partial differential equations governing groundwater flow and solute transport processes. In the present work we discuss developments in the theoretical formulation of flow models with space-dependent coefficients in terms of space transformations. The formulation is based on stochastic Radon operator representations of generalized functions. A generalized spectral decomposition of the flow parameters is introduced, which leads to analytically tractable expressions of the space transformed flow equation. A Plancherel representation of the space transformation product of the head potential and the log-conductivity is also obtained. A test problem is first considered in detail and the solutions obtained by means of the proposed approach are compared with the exact solutions obtained by standard partial differential equation methods. Then, solutions of three-dimensional groundwater flow are derived starting from solutions of a one-dimensional model along various directions in space. A step-by-step numerical formulation of the approach to the flow problem is also discussed, which is useful for practical applications. Finally, the space transformation solutions are compared with local solutions obtained by means of series expansions of the log-conductivity gradient.
A note on realization of decision networks using summation elements

Frequently engineering considerations place limitations on the size of decision making systems and on the resources of the system designer. The pertinent high order probability distributions may be unknown and it may not be possible to measure and/or store these distributions in their entirety; some type of approximation is then necessary. One type of approximation that has been studied previously involves measuring and storing several of the lower order component distributions and using these to approximate the high order distribution, using the criterion of maximum entropy. This note considers the related realization problem for binary distributions. By a realization of such an approximation is meant a physical network with the following properties: (1) Its inputs are the variables on which the decision is to be based. (2) Stored within it are the lower order component distributions on which the approximation is to be based. (3) Its outputs (one for each possible decision) are approximations to the high order distributions sufficient to make the decisions. The realization problem for maximum entropy approximations is particularly simple because of their functional form. Maximum entropy distributions are always products of functions of the variables in the given component distributions. Therefore, the logarithms of these distributions are sums of functions of these same variables and hence can be easily realized. It is shown that networks consisting of diodes in the form of “and” gates and resistors in the form of summation elements can realize any probability approximation satisfying the maximum entropy criterion.
Spatial analysis of alcohol-related motor vehicle crash injuries in southeastern Michigan

Temporal, behavioral and social risk factors that affect injuries resulting from alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes have been characterized in previous research. Much less is known about spatial patterns and environmental associations of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. The aim of this study was to evaluate geographic patterns of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and to determine if locations of alcohol outlets are associated with those crashes. In addition, we sought to demonstrate the value of integrating spatial and traditional statistical techniques in the analysis of this preventable public health risk. The study design was a cross-sectional analysis of individual-level blood alcohol content, traffic report information, census block group data, and alcohol distribution outlets. Besag and Newell's spatial analysis and traditional logistic regression both indicated that areas of low population density had more alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes than expected (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between alcohol outlets and alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes using distance analyses, logistic regression, and Chi-square. Differences in environmental or behavioral factors characteristic of areas of low population density may be responsible for the higher proportion of alcohol-related crashes occurring in these areas.
Atomic Physics and Related Subjects.: Communications to Nature .: Electron Affinities of the Elements

Atomic Physics and Related Subjects.: Communications to Nature .: Electron Affinities of the Elements
H-chondrites - Trace element clues to their origin

RNAA is used to determine the abundances of 20 trace elements in four H4, two H3, two H5, and two H6 chondrites from the British Museum, as a contribution to a multiple-method study of these objects. The results are presented in tables and graphs and analyzed in terms of the inhomogeneity of the parent bodies and the depletion of volatiles in the higher petrologic types. Features observed include siderophile depletion in H3 chondrites; systematic variation of siderophile abundance pattern with petrologic type; volatile depletion as a primary feature; mineralogy consistent with accretion at 420-500 K; and the factor-analysis groupings siderophiles (Os, Re, Ir, Ni, Pd, Au, and Ge), volatiles (Ag, Br, In, Cd, Bi, and Tl), and alkalis (Rb and Cs).
p53 protein overexpression in low grade dysplasia (LGD) in barrett’s esophagus: Immunohistochemical marker predictive of progression

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The presence of low grade dysplasia (LGD) within Barrett’s esophagus (BE) has a multitude of ramifications. Identification of markers that could risk stratify LGD would be of great clinical benefit. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the prognosis of the immunohistochemical overexpression of p53 protein in BE colocalized to LGD. METHODS: Consecutive BE patients in whom LGD was found had a repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy within 8–12 wk per an ongoing prospective study. At each esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a therapeutic scope was used in conjunction with the Seattle Biopsy Protocol. Patients were observed until development of multifocal high grade dysplasia (mHGD), presence of an HGD dysplasia-associated lesion or mass (DALM) lesion, or frank adenocarcinoma. p53 protein overexpression was determined by computerized immunoquantitation using image analysis software on step serial-sectioned specimens of BE segment(s) harboring LGD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were made on the ability of p53 staining colocalized to areas of LGD to predict progression to mHGD, HGD DALM, or cancer during prospective follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-eight BE patients with LGD were observed for a mean of 41.2 ± 22.5 months. During this period, five of 48 patients progressed to mHGD with a focus in which intramucosal cancer could not be excluded (one), mHGD/DALM with one or more foci in which intramucosal cancer could not be excluded (two), cancer (one), or mHGD (one). Twelve had persistent LGD and 31 had regressed to no dysplasia. p53 staining was positive and colocalized to areas of LGD in 4/31 of patients that regressed, 3/12 that persisted, and 3/5 that progressed. Kaplan-Meier curves differed significantly between p53 positive and negative patients for outcome defined as progression of LGD. CONCLUSIONS: p53 colocalization with LGD at index LGD diagnosis is a risk factor for progression of LGD. This can potentially be used to risk stratify BE LGD patients in terms of surveillance intervals or enrollment into secondary prevention studies.
Research and Development Activities and Trade Specialization in Japan

Abstract This study uses panel data on Japanese manufacturing to develop stylized facts about the impact of R&D activities on trade. The results indicate that the impact of R&D is not fully contemporaneous. The paper attempts to treat R&D as a stock variable, rather than as a flow variable as previous research has done. For the end of the sample period, Japan is found to have a comparative advantage in goods intensive in total, privately funded, and applied R&D activities, and a comparative disadvantage in publicly funded and basic R&D intensive goods. J. Japan Int. Econ ., June 1996, 10 (2), pp. 150–168. Institute for International Economics, 11 DuPont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Prognostic Significance of DNA Content in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

The prognostic significance of cellular DNA content of epithelial ovarian cancer as determined by flow-cytometric analysis of paraffin-embedded tumor blocks was investigated in 87 patients. Seventy-five percent of tumors were DNA aneuploid and 25% were DNA diploid. The survival at median follow-up for patients with DNA diploid tumors (68%) was significantly longer than for DNA aneuploid tumors (49%; P = 0.003). The other prognostic factors which significantly affected survival were stage (P < 0.0001), tumor grade (P < 0.006), and residual disease at completion of initial surgery (P = 0.0005). When patients were separated into low-stage and advanced-stage disease, DNA content was a significant prognostic variable for survival in Stage I and II patients (P = 0.05). In Stage III and IV patients, DNA content had no independent prognostic significance. There were 33 patients who underwent second-look surgery. Seven of 15 patients (47%) with negative second-look surgery were DNA aneuploid, whereas 17 of 18 patients (94%) with positive second-look surgery were DNA aneuploid. Therefore, there was a much higher likelihood of positive second-look in the DNA aneuploid group (17/24) compared to the DNA diploid group (1/9) (P = 0.003). In addition for those patients with negative second-look surgery, none (0/8) of the DNA diploid tumors recurred; however, 3 of 7 (43%) of the DNA aneuploid tumors recurred and died. Cox proportional/hazards analysis showed that DNA content is an independent prognostic factor for survival in epithelial ovarian cancer. Aneuploid DNA content in ovarian tumors is also correlated with more aggressive biologic behavior, and therefore, a worse clinical course.
Comparison of combustion sources for sulfur chemiluminescence detection

Three different types of SCD combustion source have been evaluated for use in the chromatographic analysis of atmospheric sulfur compounds. The conventional FID source and the newer inverted burner source were found to be less sensitive and less stable than the flameless design. Overall, the flameless source was superior for use with HRGC-SCD.
Estimating the Number of Persons with Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration in the US Population

There are many challenges for determining the prevalence and incidence of frontotemporal lobar degenerations (FTLD). Consequently, the number of cases of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) or primary progressive aphasia (PPA) in the USA is unknown. Our objective was to derive a consensus estimate of bvFTD and PPA prevalence and thereby to estimate the total number of these syndromes in the USA. We identified five prevalence and three incidence studies of FTLD based on passive surveillance and seven studies of survival in FTLD. Data from these studies were used to estimate the number of cases of PPA or bvFTD in the USA. Because prevalence and incidence estimates outside of the 45–64-year age range were either not available or widely divergent, we used data from clinical and pathological series to estimate the proportion of FTLD cases aged 64 years. The prevalence estimates in the age categories of 45–64 years old have ranged from 15 to 22 per 100,000 person-years in studies where both bvFTD and PPA were identified. The incidence estimates for the same age group ranged from 2.7 to 4.1 per 100,000 person-years. Using a survival rate of 6 to 9 years from onset and rates from the incidence studies, a calculated prevalence estimate (prevalence = incidence × duration) was similar to the previously reported prevalence rates. We estimated that 10% of cases were less than age 45 years and 30% were 65 years and older. We estimate that there are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 cases of the cognitive syndromes of FTLD in the USA. The main threat to the accuracy of the estimates is the difficulty in diagnosing the clinical syndromes that comprise the FTLD group of disorders.
An Exploratory Study of Reading Comprehension in College Students After Acquired Brain Injury

Purpose This exploratory study builds on the small body of existing research investigating reading comprehension deficits in college students with acquired brain injury (ABI). Method Twenty-four co...
Endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications

Cardiovascular disease is a major complication of diabetes mellitus, and improved strategies for prevention and treatment are needed. Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis and clinical expression of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus. This article reviews the evidence linking endothelial dysfunction to human diabetes mellitus and experimental studies that investigated the responsible mechanisms. We then discuss the implications of these studies for current management and for new approaches for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Active search, mediation, and the manipulation of cue dimensions: Emotion attribution in the false feedback paradigm

The present experiments investigated the mechanism(s) that produce the false feedback effect. Although the present studies replicated the basic phenomenon, previously proposed mediators of attention and arousal did not appear related to the effects obtained. In Experiment 1, change feedback slides were rated significantly higher than no-change feedback slides (F(1, 39)=11.88,p<.01). Correlations showed that both arousal and nonarousal feedback cues produced active search and influenced stimulus ratings. Attention or arousal differences between change and no-change feedback should not result in equal cue effects. In Experiment 2, feedback rating differences were eliminated by presenting less differentially ambiguous situational stimuli. These findings suggested that important factors in the emotion attribution process may be the relative ambiguity and subjective salience of both situational and physiological cues.
Tensile properties of directionally solidified Al-Si eutectic

Al-Si eutectic alloys have been directionally solidified in a horizontal resistance heated furnace. The temperature gradient, G, ahead of the solid/liquid interface was kept fairly constant at 80°c/cm, while the growth rate,R, was varied between 0.28 and 131 μm/s. Microstructural studies show a definite alignment of the rod-like Si at low growth rates. At growth rates higher than 14 /μm/s the microstructures appear irregular, although some preferential orientation of the Si rods parallel to the growth direction can be observed. Tensile tests show higher values in both yield and ultimate strengths than was found in previous investigations, most likely due to the careful sample preparation prior to testing in the present work. The yield strength increases with the growth rate up to about 14 /μm/s, and only a slight increase is observed at higher rates. The ultimate strength also increases with the growth rate, but shows less tendency toward saturation. Superposition of hardness and yield data show excellent correlation, while comparison between hardness and ultimate strength shows higher hardness than ultimate values with decreasing growth rates.
Phase IIA Clinical Trial to Test the Efficacy and Safety of Toremifene in Men with High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Men with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) evident on prostate biopsy are at high risk for the eventual development of prostate cancer. The ability to reverse high-grade PIN may reduce the incidence or delay the development of prostate cancer. Toremifene (GTx-006, Acapodene trade mark ) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has been shown in the transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer to eliminate high-grade PIN and reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. This study was aimed at the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of toremifene in men diagnosed with high-grade PIN. This was an open-label, phase IIA clinical trial that enrolled 21 men (mean age, 64.7 years) with evidence of high-grade PIN on biopsy within 6 months of entry into the study. Eighteen of these men (86%) completed toremifene treatment (60 mg/day orally for 4 months) and then underwent follow-up prostate biopsy (8 cores) to determine high-grade PIN status. The effect of the drug on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), percentage of free PSA, testosterone, estradiol, and quality of life was also measured. After toremifene treatment, 72% of these 18 men (vs. 17.9% of historical controls) had no high-grade PIN on subsequent prostate biopsies. Mean PSA trended higher, and percentage of free PSA was increased. Quality of life was not significantly affected by treatment. There were 3 mild adverse events, and no serious adverse events. Toremifene appeared to reduce high-grade PIN in this small, exploratory trial. The drug was well tolerated. A double-blind, dose-finding, randomized, placebo-controlled phase IIB/III study is currently open to further study toremifene's activity against high-grade PIN and prostate cancer incidence.
Structural characterization of antigens encoded by rabbitRLA-11 histocompatibility genes

Products of rabbitRLA-11 histocompatibility genes were isolated from rabbit lymphoid tumor cells (RL-5) and characterized. The tumor cells were grown in culture with radioactive amino acids and were lysed by treatment with the detergent NP-40. Glycoprotein molecules were isolated by affinity chromatography using immobilized lentil lectin. Chromatography on purified sheep anti-rabbit beta-2-microglobulin yielded a 43,000 dalton glycoprotein fraction, designated RLA-11gp, which was noncovalently associated with beta-2-microglobulin. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis using radiochemical methods allowed assignment of 28 of the N-terminal 35 residues. The data revealed 89% homology of the RLA-11gp N-terminus with that of the human HLA-B7 and 82% with the mouse H-2Kb histocompatibility antigens. Comparison of the RLA-11 gp N-terminal sequence data obtained in this work to sequence data reported for major histocompatibility complex antigens of other species revealed no amino acid substitutions unique to the rabbit antigens.
Reducing the Surface Degradation of Aluminum Extrusion Dies During Preheating

Aluminum extrusion dies are usually made from H13 steel that is ferritically nitrocarburized to minimize wear and pick-up. Before being placed in the extrusion press, the dies are preheated to minimize thermal shock at the start of the extrusion cycle. During the preheating time, the nitrocarburized layer oxidizes. Some of this layer can break away during extrusion leaving marks on the product. Although inerting the preheat furnaces with nitrogen has been found to reduce the oxidation, it does not solve the problem completely. Experiments have shown that a small addition of ammonia to the preheating protective atmosphere could eliminate oxidation and prevent nitrogen loss from the surface nitride layer.
Market segmentation for customer satisfaction studies via a new latent structure multidimensional scaling model: Research Articles

It has been well documented in the marketing literature that customer satisfaction is critical to any businesses' success. However, it is far less clear as on how marketers comprehend customer differences in customer satisfaction evaluations, and leverage such understanding in forming their marketing strategies. Only recently have researchers begun to explore the notion of individual or segment differences in the formation of overall satisfaction judgments.To extend the exploration of unobserved customer heterogeneity in customer satisfaction studies with multiple attributes, we propose a latent structure multidimensional scaling (MDS) model to visually depict unobserved customer heterogeneity with respect to the theoretical components of customer satisfaction judgments. Our model is developed on the basis of the well-established expectancy–disconfirmation theory of customer satisfaction. We describe the proposed MDS model and discuss the technical aspects of the model structure and maximum likelihood estimation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of polymer glasses vitrified under stress

How stress or strain imparts mobility to glasses is a scientific issue linking ideas of jamming and the glass transition across colloids, granular materials, polymers, and molecular glasses. Here, we address for the first time how stress applied during vitrification, formation of the glassy state by a temperature quench, affects the subsequent stability of the glassy state, even after the stress has been removed. Using entangled polymers that are easily manipulated mechanically above the glass transition temperature, we find that the resulting polymer glasses become less stable, exhibiting a higher physical aging rate, when stress is applied while rapidly cooling the polymer films. The data show an initial plateau value at low stress, before transitioning rapidly to a higher aging rate at larger stress. These results are suggestive of the glassy system being left trapped in a less stable, higher energy state with faster physical aging rate when stressed above some minimum value during vitrification.
Child and Adolescent Depression in the Family

There are numerous individual, familial, and environmental factors that impact the onset of depressive disorders in youth. This article presents an overview of these factors and describes our own research evaluating a possible model of how disturbances in family functioning could lead to the development of depression in youth. Given that families are often implicated in the development and maintenance of depressive disorders in youth, it has been argued that maximally effective treatments for youth should include families. Thus, a review of empirically evaluated treatments that involve parental/familial participation for youth with depression is presented. These treatments vary widely in number of meetings, format, and content. Finally, it is proposed that the greatest benefit to including a parent or family component is improving the maintenance of treatment effects. To support this hypothesis, data from one of our own investigations is presented.