cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiosensitivity with Par-4 expression in prostate cancer.

No Abstract AvailableCommentary to:Title: Par-4, A Pro-Apoptotic Gene, Inhibits Radiation-Induced NFκB Activity and Bcl-2 Expression Leading to Induction of Radiosensitivity in Human Prostate Cancer Cells PC-3Authors: Damodaran Chendil, Anindita Das, Swatee Dey, Mohammed Mohiuddin and Mansoor M. AhmedPage Numbers: 152-160
Retinoic Acid Receptor β Stimulates Hepatic Induction of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 to Promote Fatty Acid Oxidation and Control Whole-body Energy Homeostasis in Mice

Activation of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) with all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) ameliorates glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in obese mice. The recently discovered fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatocyte-derived hormone that restores glucose and lipid homeostasis in obesity-induced diabetes. However, whether hepatic RAR is linked to FGF21 in the control of lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis remains elusive. Here we identify FGF21 as a direct target gene of RARβ. The gene transcription of Fgf21 is increased by the RAR agonist RA and by overexpression of RARα and RARβ, but it is unaffected by RARγ in HepG2 cells. Promoter deletion analysis characterizes a putative RA-responsive element (RARE) primarily located in the 5′-flanking region of the Fgf21 gene. Disruption of the RARE sequence abolishes RA responsiveness. In vivo adenoviral overexpression of RARβ in the liver enhances production and secretion of FGF21, which in turn promotes hepatic fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis and ultimately leads to increased energy expenditure in mice. The metabolic effects of RA or RARβ are mimicked by FGF21 overexpression and largely abolished by FGF21 knockdown. Moreover, hepatic RARβ is bound to the putative RAREs of the Fgf21 promoter in a fasting-inducible manner in vivo, which contributes to FGF21 induction and the metabolic adaptation to prolonged fasting. In addition to other nuclear receptors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and retinoic acid receptor-related receptor α, RAR may act as a novel component to induce hepatic FGF21 in the regulation of lipid metabolism. The hepatic RAR-FGF21 pathway may represent a potential drug target for treating metabolic disorders.
A comparison of mechanical properties of some foams and honeycombs

The mechanical properties of foams and honeycombs are compared using a normalizing procedure and it is suggested that ideal closed cell foams may be comparable or superior to honeycombs.
Influence of glyphosate, crop volunteer and root pathogens on glyphosate-resistant wheat under controlled environmental conditions.

BACKGROUND: The herbicide glyphosate has a synergistic effect on root disease because of increased susceptibility from reduced plant defenses resulting from the blockage of the shikimic acid pathway. Could glyphosate-resistant (GR) wheat cultivars and glyphosate application in-crop increase the risk of damage from soil-borne pathogens? Growth chamber experiments were conducted with two GR wheat lines and their corresponding glyphosate-sensitive (GS) parents and four pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn R. oryzae Ryker & Gooch, Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) v. Arx & J. Olivier var. tritici J. Walker and Pythium ultimum Trow). Treatments consisted of different herbicide timings and planting of crop volunteer to mimic management practices in the field. RESULTS: GR cultivars were not inherently more susceptible to root pathogens than GS cultivars, and application of glyphosate did not increase root disease. When crop volunteer was grown in close proximity to GR cultivars, the timing of glyphosate application had a profound effect. In general, the longer the crop volunteer was left before killing with glyphosate, the greater was the competitive effect on the planted crop. Both R. solani and G. graminis var. tritici reduced plant height, number of tillers and root length of the GR cultivars in the presence of crop volunteer with glyphosate application. CONCLUSION: To minimize the damaging effects of these pathogens, producers should apply glyphosate at least 2–3 weeks before planting GR wheat, as currently advised for GS cereals. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative evaluation of powder and tableting properties of low and high degree of polymerization cellulose I and cellulose II excipients

Low and high degree of polymerization (DP) cellulose II powders have been prepared from Avicel® PH-102 and Solka Floc® 40NF (low and high DP cellulose I powders, respectively), respectively, by treatment with sodium hydroxide (5N) for 24 h and their powder and tableting properties investigated. Cellulose II powders, compared to the respective cellulose I counterpart, exhibited lower crystallinity, true density, and specific surface area. They were denser and showed higher moisture uptake. The Heckel analyses revealed both low and high DP cellulose II powders to be less ductile than the low DP cellulose I powder and more ductile compared to the high DP cellulose I powder. The crushing strengths of low and high DP cellulose II powders were comparable to that of the high DP cellulose I powder but lower than the low DP cellulose I powder. When compressed to comparable crushing strengths, the low and high DP cellulose II compacts disintegrated faster in comparison to the corresponding cellulose I compacts. Low DP cellulose I and II powders, compared to the high DP cellulose I counterparts were more sensitive to magnesium stearate. Magnesium stearate decreased the disintegration times of low DP cellulose I compacts but had no effect on the low and high DP cellulose II and high DP cellulose I compacts. In conclusion, low and high DP cellulose II powders, despite their different powder properties, show similar tableting properties, leading to the formation of rapidly disintegrating compacts. The low and high DP cellulose I excipients, in contrast, differ in their powder properties as well as tableting characteristics.
EIGENTENSORS OF LINEAR ANISOTROPIC ELASTIC MATERIALS

In this paper a method of construction of the eigentensors for the anisotropic elastic-material symmetries is presented and applied to determine the eigentensors of each anisotropic elastic symmetry. The eigentensors for the anisotropic symmetries are shown to have the same important properties as those possessed by the eigentensors of isotropic elasticity
Region processing of ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic induction for handheld landmine detection

An analysis of the utility of region-based processing of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) is presented. Algorithms for re-sampling GPR data acquired over non-rectangular and non-regular grids are presented. Depth-dependent whitening is used to form GPR images as functions of depth bins. Shape, size, and contrast-based features are used to distinguish mines from non-mines. The processing is compared to point-wise processing of the same data. Comparisons are made to GPR data collected by machine and by humans. Evaluations are performed on calibration data, for which the ground truth is known to the algorithm developers, and blind data, for which the ground truth is not known to the algorithm developers.
Estimated Cause-specific Survival Continues to Improve Over Time in Patients With Chondrosarcoma

Background Conditional survival measures change in the risk of mortality given that a patient has survived a defined period of time. This has yet to be reported for chondrosarcoma of bone. This information should be of interest to the clinician and helpful in counseling patients with chondrosarcoma.
Sensitive Indices of Improvement in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

It is often difficult to demonstrate objective evidence of physiologic improvement following a pulmonary rehabilitation program, despite subjective increases in exercise tolerance. In an attempt to identify sensitive indices of improvement, we studied resting and exercise lung function extensively in 15 patients (age range 45 to 73) with severe chronic obstructive lung disease before and after a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The six-week outpatient rehabilitation program consisted of exercise at 70 percent of the maximum predicted heart rate and diaphragmatic breathing for 20 minutes three times weekly. There were no significant changes in resting pulmonary function following exercise training. Exercise measurements were unchanged after completion of the program, with the exception of two parameters: heart rate and arterial lactate levels. The observed small but significant reductions in exercise heart rate and blood lactate levels following training may be due to conditioning of skeletal muscles, although respiratory muscle conditioning may be a contributing factor. Measurements of blood lactate may be a useful marker of conditioning in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who complete a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
An information processing theory of human decision making under uncertainty and risk.

Computer-based experiments were made to observe and record the verbal behavior of subjects making decisions in quantitative task environments under uncertainty and risk. The subjects exhibited different categories of mental representation of the task environment. These representations form the basis of their search and optimizing techniques.
Weighted korn inequalities in paraboloidal domains

A weighted Korn inequality in a domain Ω ⊂ ℝn with paraboloidal exit II to infinity is obtained. Asymptotic sharpness of the inequality is achieved by using different weight factors for the longitudinal (with respect to the axis of II) and transversal displacement vector components and by making the weight factors of the derivatives depend on the direction of differentiation. The solvability of the elasticity problem in the energy class (the closure of\(C_0^\infty (\bar \Omega )^n\) in the norm generated by the elastic energy functional) is studied; the dimensions of the kernel and the cokerned of the corresponding operator depend on the exponents∈(−∞, 1) in the “rate of expansion” of the paraboloid II.
Sleep and the medical profession.

Purpose of review This review addresses the way in which sleep physiology influences the medical profession and health care delivery. Recent findings The training process for the medical professional has undergone dramatic changes over the past century. In recent times, however, the complexity and level of care delivered has out-stripped a trainee's ability to forego sleep and is compromising both physician and patient safety and thereby threatens the foundation of the profession. Recently, significant strides have been made in our understanding of sleep loss and consequences to physicians-in-training. Nevertheless, the implementation of changes fostered by such findings faces numerous conceptual and practical obstacles. This review updates the reader on recent evidence for changing the way medical professionals are trained, and opines on how solutions generated from such research should be embraced. Additionally, the deficiencies in our current understanding of sleep and medical training are identified so that future research can be undertaken in such areas. Summary Acknowledging the defects in our current system of training physicians and enacting further changes is sorely needed to improve patient safety and the well-being of physicians-in-training.
EXAFS study of yttria stabilized cubic zirconia

EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) studies of cubic (ZrO2)1−x(Y2O3)x are reported for the concentration range 0.09<x<0.4. When the trivalent Y ions are substituted for the tetravalent Zr ions, O2− vacancies are also introduced for charge compensation. However, the distribution of the O2− vacancies in the structure is not known. In this EXAFS study, systematics of disorder and vacancy distribution on the oxygen sublattice are monitored from both the Zr and Y sites as Y, and hence O2− vacancy content, is varied. It is observed that oxygen vacancies occur adjacent to both Y and Zr ions but preferentially in proximity to Zr.
"Proenamel → Enamel → Polypeptides": A Concept

Our laboratory is interested in determining the number of enamel protein gene products which characterize the ameloblast phenotype, and to what extent these proteins are degraded as a function of enamel maturation. Many investigators have reported a large number of heterogeneous proteins within the enamel matrix (Eggert, Allen and Burgess, 1973; Weidmann and Eyre, 1971). One explanation for this apparent heterogeneity may be the uncertain age of the analyzed enamel matrix; specimens may have undergone degradative processes associated with enamel maturation. To overcome this difficulty, our laboratory selected 26-day embryonic New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit incisor and molar tooth organs to isolate enamel protein(s). At this developmental stage it is possible to identify newly-secreted enamel matrix proteins.
Nonadiabatic vibronic dynamics as a tool. From surface nanochemistry to coherently driven molecular machines

Resonances are ubiquitous in molecular heterojunctions and in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments. In the former environment, resonance tunneling is essential for favorable wire-length-dependence of the conductance and is often the mechanism underlying conductance enhancement through application of a gate voltage. In the latter environment, resonance tunneling has served to develop a powerful vibrational spectroscopy. Resonance conductance is often strongly nonadiabatic; in the course of the tunneling event, electron energy is channelled into vibrational modes and triggers molecular dynamics. The qualitative physics underlying current-driven, resonance-mediated dynamics in molecular electronics is very simple, and is familiar from related phenomena such as gas phase electron-molecule scattering and photochemistry on conducting surfaces. Equilibrium displacement between the initial and resonant states translates into vibronic coupling in the language of the Marcus theory of electron transfer; it produces a nonstationary superposition in the nuclear subspace that evolves during the resonance lifetime. Upon relaxation the system is internally excited and interesting dynamics is likely to ensue. While the underlying physics is very general, the single-molecule STM and molecular heterojunction environments open unique and exciting opportunities. The former introduces the possibility of determining resonance lifetimes through fit of experimental voltage dependencies to a quantum mechanical theory. The latter introduces the possibility of developing coherently driven molecular machines, a new form of nanolithography, and a new means of manipulating the conductivity of molecular-scale devices. We briefly review the theory of current-driven dynamics in molecular-scale devices, discuss the results of ongoing research on surface nanochemistry and molecular machines, and sketch a variety of potential applications.
WHO'S IN THE CAR? PASSENGERS AS POTENTIAL INTERVENERS IN ALCOHOL-INVOLVED FATAL CRASHES

This article assesses the promise of motor vehicle passengers as interveners to prevent drinking and driving. It describes data from the U.S. Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), which indicate that most alcohol-involved fatally injured drivers (70% of males, 66% of females) were not accompanied by "adult" passengers (16 or older), and alcohol involvement among those passengers present appears to be high (80%). Nonetheless, in approximately 5% to 10% of cases it appears that sober or relatively "unimpaired" passengers could have served as interveners in alcohol-involved driving incidents. Passenger interveners may hold the most promise among teenagers, where passengers in general and unimpaired passengers in particular appear to be most prevalent.
Evidence for a Structure-Function Relationship in the Activation of Calcineurin by Metal Ions

Abstract Kinetic parameters for the metal ion activation of calcineurin at 30°C were found to be correlated to the formation constants (log K 1 ) of the activating metal ions (Mn 2+ , Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ , and Mg 2+ ) with the substrate para -nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP). Metal ion activation measured by k cat / K act increased with increasing formation constant, although this correlation failed to explain the lack of activation by other metal ions having similar formation constants with pNPP, Ca 2+ , and Sr 2+ , for example. An empirical model describing metal ion activation was developed by inclusion of another constant for the metal ions, the hydrolysis constant (p K a M-H 2 O) of water coordinated to the metal ion with an increase in the p K a related to decreasing activation. The resulting two parameter equation improved the relationship between metal ion properties and enzyme activation. Nonactivating metal ions have the highest values of K a providing a possible explanation for their failure to cause activation. Derivation of the two-parameter equation inferred that the two properties of metal ions may be important determinants of the role(s) of exogenous metal ion in calcineurin catalysis.
Activation energy and entropy of dynamic fatigue of pristine silica optical fibers

Subcritical crack growth in fused silica can be modeled as a stress assisted chemical reaction between water and strained bonds at the crack tip. The stress influences the crack growth rate by reducing the free energy of the activated complex. In principal, the stress changes both the activation enthalpy (energy) and entropy; however, the influence of stress on entropy has generally been ignored. The dynamic fatigue behavior of `pristine' optical fiber can be used to determine the fatigue kinetics parameters with unprecedented precision. It is shown that the entropy contribution is at least as significant as the enthalpy and therefore should not be ignored.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Acquisition and Performance of a Problem-Solving Skill

The acquisition of skill in the performance of a three-phase code transformation task (3P-COTRAN) was studied with 20 subjects who solved 27 3P-COTRAN problems during each of 8 successive sessions. The purpose of the study was to determine the changes in the 3P-COTRAN factor structure resulting from practice, the distribution of practice-related gains in performance over the nine measures of the five 3P-COTRAN factors, and the effects of transformation complexities on the 3P-COTRAN performance of subjects. A significant performance gain due to practice was observed, with improvements in speed continuing even when accuracy reached asymptotic levels. Transformation complexity showed no effect on early performances but the 3- and 4-element transformations were solved quicker than the 5-element transformation in the problem-solving Phase III of later skilled performances.
Veterans Administration Cooperative Study Group on Hypertensive Agents: Effects of Age on Treatment Results

In three double-blind studies of 1,396 hypertensive patients, the age-related effects of hydrochlorothiazide or bendroflumethazide were compared with those of propranolol, nadolol, or captopril, given singly or in combination with a thiazide. Patients in each treatment group were divided into those aged 55 to 69 years and those aged under 55. Whereas no age-related differences were apparent with propranolol, nadolol alone, or captopril alone, in all three studies the blood pressure-reducing effect was found to be greater in the older group of thiazide-treated patients than in the younger thiazide-treated group. The antihypertensive drugs studied are at least as effective in older as in younger hypertensive patients and the antihypertensive response with diuretics is greater in older patients than in younger patients.
Ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning induces further delayed protection in transgenic mouse cardiac myocytes over-expressing adenosine A1 receptors (A1AR): role of A1AR, iNOS and KATP channels

In this study we examined the hypotheses that over-expression of the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) in transgenic mouse cardiac myocytes (A1AR-tgm) induces cellular protection against subsequent sustained simulated ischemia (SI); that the cellular protection induced by over-expression of A1AR in A1AR-tgm is mediated through inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and KATP channels. Sub-lethal simulated ischemia (SSI) and the A1AR agonists chloro-N 6-cyclopentyl adenosine (CCPA) or (2S)-N 6-[2-endo-norbornyl]adenosine (S-ENBA) induce further, delayed cytoprotection, additional to the existing protection in A1AR-tgm. Cellular injury and cell viability was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or creatine kinase (CK) into the medium and the amount remaining in the cells. The cellular resistance acquired by cardiac myocytes due to the over-expression of A1AR was reflected by the reduced release of LDH (in units/liter) from 44.94±1.46 (wild-type mouse cardiac myocytes, wt) to 29.59±2.83 (A1AR-tgm, P<0.001). Conversely, LDH release from A1AR-tgm increased to 42.53±2.23 (P<0.01) on exposure to 5-hydroxydecanoate (a mitochondrial KATP channel blocker), to 45.93±2.90 (P<0.01) on exposure to S-methylthiourea (an iNOS inhibitor) and to 56.04±3.00 (P<0.01) on exposure to glibenclamide (a KATP channel blocker). Treatment of A1AR-tgm is with SSI and the A1AR agonists chloro-N 6-cyclopentyl adenosine (CCPA) or (2S)-N 6-[2-endo-norbornyl]adenosine (S-ENBA) decreased the release of LDH from 46.44±0.57 (A1AR-tgm) to 42.08±0.48 (A1AR-tgm plus SSI, P<0.05), 38.03±1.16 (A1AR-tgm plus CCPA, P<0.001) and 32.77±0.58 (A1AR-tgm plus S-ENBA, P<0.001). Our data suggest that the A1AR has a cytoprotective effect against subsequent sustained SI in A1AR-tgm and that the cellular protection induced by over-expression of A1AR in A1AR-tgm depends on iNOS and KATP channels. Further, SSI and the A1AR agonists CCPA or S-ENBA induce further, delayed cytoprotection in A1AR-tgm.
Institutional dimensions of social exclusion in the welfare state: An assessment of trends in the Netherlands and Germany 1985–1992

Abstract The concept underclass has become widely used to describe and analyse new conditions of poverty and marginality in the United States and increasingly in Europe as well. Yet, the concept remains ambiguous and subject to debate. This article contributes to the debate. Locating the underclass in the theory of citizenship and social class, the author examines the connections between social citizenship rights and the institutional structure of two corporatist/continental European welfare states, the Netherlands and Germany. She then examines the changing institutional context of several dimensions of social citizenship rights, in particular, unemployment benefits, social assistance and housing, to assess the degree to which these institutions may exclude economically weak populations. Although the Netherlands and Germany are representative of the continental European welfare state, the institutional structures and networks that provide the benefits of social citizenship to economically weak population...
Patent ductus arteriosus complicating the respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants

In 46 preterm infants with RDS the patency of the ductus arteriosus was established by single film aortography or by clinical diagnosis and confirmation at surgery. The estimated left-to-right shunt through the PDA by aortogram correlated well with the heart size and the clinical diagnosis of heart failure. In 14 infants massive cardiomegaly and heart failure with a PDS occurred before the appearance of a heart murmur. Twelve infants had severe RDS and 34 had mild or moderate RDS. Massive cardiomegaly occurred significantly earlier in infants with severe RDS. It is suggested that ductal ligation is indicated when an infant with massive cardiomegaly requires IPPV and whose aortogram shows that all of the contrast material is in the pulmonary arteries and none in the aortic arch. A heart murmur may or may not be present.
Variation of manganese, dissolved oxygen and related chemical parameters in the bottom waters of Lake Mendota, Wisconsin

Abstract The increase of Mn concentration and the simultaneous depletion of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters (hypolimnion) of Lake Mendota, Wisconsin were studied in situ . Considerably higher Mn concentrations were found in the hypolimnion compared to Fe, despite a sedimentary Fe/Mn weight ratio of 19 : 1. Laboratory equilibration studies under anoxic conditions indicated that pH was an important parameter involved in the release of Mn from the sediments. This was also implied by the Mn and pH data measured in situ . Possible mechanisms involved in the release of Mn from the sediments including desorption of Mn from oxide substrates, reduction of Mn oxides and dissolution of carbonates and sulfides are discussed.
Does Green's Word Memory Test really measure memory?

This study investigated whether the Multiple Choice, Paired Associates, Free Recall, and Long Delayed Free Recall subtests of Green’s Word Memory Test (WMT) were sensitive to memory impairment after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 107 persons who passed performance validity criteria on the same instrument. Whereas several of the California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition indices demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with coma duration, and also showed statistically significant mean differences between TBI severity groups, none of the four WMT memory subtests did so. It is concluded that, although the WMT is an excellent performance validity test, it is not sensitive to memory impairment after TBI.
Cone-beam tomography: recent advances and a tutorial review

Cone-beam tomography is the science of forming images by inverting three-dimensional divergent cone-beam ray-sum data sets. The impetus for its application is its three-dimensional data collection abilities, which result in (1) significant reduction in the time needed to collect a sufficient number of data to produce a three-dimensional image and (2) elimination of the inaccuracy due to misalignment of cross sectional images. On the other hand, the divergence of cone-beam data has hindered its application. Because of the divergence, the theory that has been developed for fan-beam and parallel two- and three-dimensional tomography does not provide a totally adequate means for analyzing or inverting cone-beam data. Consider the following: In practice, as the data are collected, the vertex of the cone is movedalong some path about the object. Which paths, if any, provide enough information to make an inversion possible? Suppose by some means enough information has been obtained. How does one derive an exact formula for inverting this data? To answer these questions a new theory that takes into account the threedimensional divergence of cone-beam data needs to be developed. In 1985, a paper was published in which several advances in the theory of cone-beam tomography were made. A tutorial review of the results given in the 1985 paper [B. D. Smith, "Image reconstruction from cone-beam projections: necessary and sufficient conditions and reconstruction methods," IEEE Trans. Med Imag. MI-4, 14-28 (1985)] will be given here. This review will include the advances that have been made since that time. Additionally, a brief review of the contributions made by a number of other researchers will be given.
Thermal residual stresses in a silicon-carbide/titanium [0/90] laminate

The current work formulated a micromechanical analysis of a cross-ply laminate and calculated the thermal residual stress in a very thick (0/90)(sub 2n) silicon-carbide/titanium laminate. Results were also shown for a unidirectional laminate of the same material. Discrete fiber-matrix models assuming a rectangular array of fibers with a fiber volume fraction of 32.5 percent and a three-dimensional, finite-element analysis were used. Significant differences in the trends and magnitudes for the fiber, matrix, and interface stresses were calculated for unidirectional and (0/90) models. Larger hoop stresses calculated for the (0/90) model indicate that it may be more susceptible to radial cracking when subjected to mechanical loading than the unidirectional model. The axial stresses in the matrix were calculated to be slightly larger for the (0/90) model. The compressive axial stresses in the fiber were significantly larger in the (0/90) model. The presence of the cross-ply in the (0/90) model reduced the constraint on the fiber, producing radial interface stresses that were less compressive, which could lead to earlier failure of the fiber-matrix interface.
Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children.

Background: Laparoscopic nephrectomy in the adult population is reported with increased frequency. We present our initial experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy in children.
James Deetz (1930–2000)

1991 Semiotics in the United States. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. 1991 American Signatures: Semiotic Inquiry and Method. Oklahoma Project for Discourse and Theory, vol. 6. Iris Smith, ed. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. 1994 Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics. Toronto: Toronto University Press. 1999 My "Short Happy Life" in Finno-Ugric Studies. In Snow, Forest, Silence: The Finnish Tradition of Semiotics, Eero Tarasti, ed. Pp. 16-25. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Characteristics of High and Low Self-Esteem in the Elderly.

Self-esteem is fundamental to the elderly's experience of life. To examine what background and personality characteristics were associated with low and high self-esteem in the elderly, 250 men and women age sixty-five and older were studied. Elderly with either high or low self-esteem did not differ with respect to age, income, education, or living-arrangement. However, the low self-esteem group had poorer self-reported health, more pain, and higher disability. The low self-esteem group had significantly higher scores on depression, anxiety, somatization, and a more external locus of control orientation both with and without health variables controlled. These data suggest that intervention may be a viable aid in promoting better feelings toward the self for persons over age sixty-five.
Immunologic mechanisms of alcoholic liver injury.

Clinically, the association of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) with circulating auto-antibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, antibodies to unique hepatic proteins, and cytotoxic lymphocytes reacting against autologous hepatocytes strongly suggests altered immune regulation with an increased activity toward normal self-proteins (loss of tolerance). Experimentally, there are several immune responses generated specifically recognizing self-proteins that are modified by metabolites of alcohol. These data strongly suggest that immune reactions may play a significant role in inducing and sustaining an inflammatory cascade of tissue damage to the liver. Additional support for this comes from the observation that the histological appearance of livers with ALD is that of a chronic active hepatitis-like inflammatory disease. Therefore, the hypothesis that immune mechanisms are involved in recurrent alcoholic hepatitis, although not summarily proven, is reasonable, supported by clinical and experimental evidence, and the subject of this article.
Stem Cell Therapy for Cardiac Repair Ready for the Next Step

Coronary heart disease and heart failure continue to be significant burdens to healthcare systems in the Western world. In the United States alone, there are 7.1 million survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) and 4.9 million people living with congestive heart failure (CHF).1 Despite recent advances in medical and device therapy for heart failure, the incidence, hospitalization, and mortality rates continue to rise. After receiving a diagnosis of CHF, 1 in 5 patients will be dead within 12 months.1 Therefore, any new treatment modality that benefits heart failure patients has the potential to result in a dramatic improvement in health outcomes and substantial cost savings for the community. Response by Oettgen p 352 The possibility of using stem cell–based therapies for people suffering an acute MI or living with CHF has captured the imagination of both the medical and popular communities. Since early reports in animal models >10 years ago,2,3 the stem cell field has made enormous advances in moving toward clinically applicable treatment options, and we now stand at the dawn of a new therapeutic era. An abundance of preclinical data demonstrate safety, feasibility, and efficacy, justifying the current entry into clinical trials of stem cell therapy in humans.4–8 This position, however, is extremely controversial, with some arguing that trials are premature because mechanistic insights are insufficiently addressed.9,10 Here, we argue that properly conducted rigorous clinical trials are a key and appropriate next step not only to start the long process of therapeutic development but also as an essential component in the process of understanding the scientific underpinnings of cardiac regeneration and its therapeutic utilization. The field of regenerative medicine will advance through the parallel conduct of in vitro/animal model studies and clinical trials, the latter frequently guiding the former. The publication of Menasche et …
Fabrication of Flexible One-Dimensional Porous Silicon Photonic Band-Gap Structures

Photonic crystals are periodic dielectric structures that have a photonic band gap to control the propagation of light in a certain wavelength range. This property offers a means to manipulate photons in the same way as electrons can be controlled in an atomic lattice. Porous silicon is an ideal candidate fo r the fabrication of photonic crystals because of the availability of a variety of silicon micromachining techniques. One-dimensional photonic crystals with customized parameters can be economically fabricated using porous silicon multilayer structures with periodically modulated porosity. Despite the structural non-homogeneities, porous silicon fabricated on a p-type Si substrate has optical properties similar to a dielectric material with a single effective refractive index. The exact value of the refractive index for each layer depends on its porosity. An engineered porosity can be obtained by changing the etching currents during the anodization process. This results in a modulation of the refractive index. A stack of alternating layers with high and low porosity produces a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). Various designs incorporating multilayer porous silicon structures with an optical Fabry-Perot resonator and coupled microcavities are under development and can serve as an optical filter. Prototypes of such free-standing structures with 21–200 stacked layers to be used as DBRs, Fabry-Perot resonators or coupled microcavities are being fabricated. These structures are coated with polystyrenesulfonate on their backsides to increase mechanical strength and at the same time maintain flexibility. In this work, reflectance spectra of these porous silicon multilayers with and without polymer on the backside were measured. Simulations of the multilayer one-dimensional photonic crystals were performed to predic t the reflectance spectrum and optimize their structures before the fabrication and to compare to experimental data.
Evaluation of Key Success Factors Influencing ERP Implementation Success

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application is often viewed as a strategic investment that can provide significant competitive advantage with positive return thus contributing to the firms' revenue and growth. Despite such strategic importance given to ERP the implementation success to achieve the desired goal has been viewed disappointing. There have been numerous industry stories about failures of ERP initiatives. There have also been stories reporting on the significant benefits achieved from successful ERP initiatives. This study review the industry and academic literature on ERP results and identify possible trends or factors which may help future ERP initiatives achieve greater success and less failure. The purpose of this study is to review the industry and academic literature on ERP results, identify and discuss critical success factors which may help future ERP initiatives achieve greater success and less failure.
Hypertension: a case of the gratuitous rider.

Life in the thirteen colonies seemed constrained by another country’s laws. In Boston and elsewhere, this at first was a small price to pay in return for greater personal freedoms. Why only Puritans were granted privileges to vote and hold public office, however, was a contradiction. But the rallying cry for all of Beantown was ‘taxation without representation’. Duties imposed on imported goods caused frustrated patriots to dispatch cargoes of tea into their Harbor in the winter of 1773. Thanksgiving in South Boston, Thursday, November 25, 1993, was shared with family. It also served as remembrance when native Americans and European immigrants would break bread together. For Dr. Nick O’Donnell, resident in internal medicine, it was a time to reflect on patients seen during his tenure with the hypertension (HT) service. Ms. F., a 26-year-old, had presented with weakness, polyuria, BP lSO/lOO, a high-pitched bruit in the right epigastrium, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Nick suspected renovascular hypertension. Right renal artery stenosis, likely due to fibromuscular dysplasia, together with suppressed renin production from the left kidney, was found. Angioplasty relieved the obstruction; BP improved but only normalized months later. Nick knew HT was secondary to an activation of the circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system @AAS), initiated by the ‘endocrine’ kidney. However, once renal perfusion was restored, why didn’t arterial pressure normalize immediately? This must be related to arteriolar remodeling. Was this created by I-IT or RAAS? Insights might arise from Mr. R., a 25year-old with aortic coarctation (coarc). His upper extremity/thoracic development and arterial pulses
Segmentation induced by scale invariance

Perceptual organization is scale-invariant. In turn, a segmentation that separates features consistently at all scales is the desired one that reveals the underlying structural organization of an image. Addressing cross-scale correspondence with interior pixels, we develop this intuition into a general segmenter that handles texture and illusory contours through edges entirely without any explicit characterization of texture or curvilinearity. Experimental results demonstrate that our method not only performs on par with either texture segmentation or boundary completion methods on their specialized examples, but also works well on a variety of real images.
Improved hepatic arterial phase MRI with 3-second temporal resolution.

Purpose: To assess 3-s temporal resolution for arterial phase bolus timing on dynamic liver MRI. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing fluoro-triggered dynamic gadoxetate enhanced liver MRI with standard Cartesian k-space LAVA (Liver Acquisition with Volume Acceleration) were compared with 61 consecutive patients imaged using spiral k-space LAVA reconstructed at 3-s temporal resolution with sliding window reconstruction. For qualitative analysis, bolus timing, hepatic artery branch order visualized, and overall image quality were evaluated. For quantitative analysis, contrast to noise ratio between aorta and liver parenchyma, aorta and portal vein, and signal intensity ratio between aorta and liver parenchyma were calculated. Results: MR fluoroscopy triggered single phase standard LAVA produced optimal arterial phase timing in 35% patients, compared with 88% with Spiral LAVA (P < 0.0001). Spiral LAVA had superior bolus timing scoring 2.0, compared with 1.0 with standard LAVA (P < 0.0001). Overall image quality and hepatic artery branch order visualization scoring were superior on spiral LAVA, compared with standard LAVA (P < 0.001). The aorta to liver parenchyma signal intensity ratio was also superior on spiral LAVA, compared with standard LAVA (2.8 vs. 2.2; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dynamic liver MRI bolus timing improves using 3-s temporal resolution. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1129–1136. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experiences with high-level parallel programming systems

A programmer developing software for parallel systems usually is responsible for the management of low level issues such as communication and synchronization. This is potentially problematic from the perspectives of correctness and portability. This paper considers an alternative approach, namely, the use of high level parallel programming systems. We report our experiences with implementing parallel simulation problem using two very different programming systems: Poker, a high-level tool for parallel programming, based on the programming language C; and Janus, a concurrent logic programming language. Overall, our experience was that the use of such high-level tools greatly simplified the task of developing parallel programs for "ordinary" programmers. While the fundamentally different programming paradigms underlying the two systems resulted in implementations with very different code, our overall conclusions of the strengths and weaknesses of the two systems were remarkably similar. This suggests that the abstractions supported by a high level parallel programming system are fundamentally more important in achieving good programming solutions than the particular underlying programming paradigm. >
Zeta potential measurements of zeolite Y: Application in homogeneous deposition of particle coatings

Zeolite membranes are typically grown from thin coatings of sub-lm size zeolite particles on porous supports. The particles have the function of seeds in forming a dense zeolite membrane by a secondary growth process. This study focuses on how seed layer coatings can be optimally produced, crack- and agglomerate-free, by dip coating from stable dispersions of nano-crystalline zeolite Y. Surface charge and colloidal charge stabilization were optimized by adjusting the pH to 11.5 at a low ionic strength. The coatings were formed in a combination of film and slip coating on quasi-homogeneous flat porous a-Al2O3 supports with a typical surface pore diameter of 40 nm. The optimum pH was established with zeta potential measurements of the dispersion. Optimum conditions resulted in excellent homogeneity, <500 nm thickness of the seed layers with a deposition technique that makes it possible to coat large areas. This makes this process suitable for the production of thin, defect-free, and stable supported zeolite Y membranes by subsequent secondary growth.
Reverse Selection in a Japanese Quail Line Previously Selected for 4-Week Body Weight

Abstract After 38 generations of individual selection for high 4-week body weight in a Japanese quail line (T) fed a 20% protein diet containing .2% thiouracil, a reverse selected line (TR) was established by selecting quail in the T line with the lowest 4-week body weight. The TR line was thereafter provided with the same nutritional environment as the T line and selected for low 4-week body weight for 5 generations. The mean 4-week body weights of T line quail increased only slightly from generation 38 through 43. The 4-week body weights of the TR line, however, showed a definite downward trend. The difference in 4-week body weight between the T and TR lines in generation 43 was 15.2 g.
Limited Field Establishment of a Weed Biocontrol Agent, Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), Against Old World Climbing Fern in Florida - A Possible Role of Mite Resistant Plant Genotypes

ABSTRACT The leaflet galling mite Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki & Boczek was released on Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) in 63 plots in Florida from 2008 to 2009. Mites transferred onto field plants in 34 plots, but failed to establish populations in the majority of plots. Leaflet galls were observed in only six plots, and in only two plots did mite populations persist for >12 mo. Bates of mite transfer onto field plants were similar for methods using direct transfer of galls versus approaches using passive transfer of mites from infested plants. Often leaflets on some L. microphyllum plants were heavily galled by F. perrepae, whereas leaflets on intertwined stems of other L. microphyllum plants were ungalled but exhibited a characteristic browning and scorching of the leaflet tips. Living mites were consistently present on the undersurface of scorched leaflet tips on ungalled plants, suggesting that this damage might be caused by mite feeding on L. microphyllum genotypes that did not support induction of l...
Karp-sipser on random graphs with a fixed degree sequence

Let Δ â¥ 3 be an integer. Given a fixed z â +Δ such that zΔ > 0, we consider a graph Gz drawn uniformly at random from the collection of graphs with zin vertices of degree i for i = 1,.i¾ .i¾ .,Δ. We study the performance of the Karp-Sipser algorithm when applied to Gz. If there is an index I´ > 1 such that z1 =.i¾ .i¾ . = zI´-1 = 0 and I´zI´,.i¾ .i¾ .,ΔzΔ is a log-concave sequence of positive reals, then with high probability the Karp-Sipser algorithm succeeds in finding a matching with n â¥ z â¥ 1/2-o(n1-e) edges in Gz, where e = e (Δ, z) is a constant.
MALIGNANT SOMATOSTATINOMA PRESENTING WITH DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

High circulating levels of somatostatin (SRIF) were detected in a patient with a metastatic tumour after development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Fasting insulin and C-peptide levels were markedly suppressed, but plasma glucagon was not suppressed below normal. Progressive cachexia ensued; at autopsy a poorly differentiated non-small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma metastatic to liver was found. Small gallstones were noted. Electron microscopy of tumour tissue showed neurosecretory granules and tonofilament bundles. Immunohistochemical staining of tumour cells was diffusely positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, bombesin-like immunoreactivity, and calcitonin with focal immunoreactivity for SRIF, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and epithelial membrane antigen. Column chromatography of plasma and tumour extract revealed five or more peaks of material with SRIF-like immunoreactivity (SRIF-LI): predominantly SRIF-28 and intermediates in tumour extract, and SRIF-14 and an intermediate between SRIF-28 and SRIF-14 in plasma, DKA in this case of somatostatinoma syndrome may reflect differential effects of tumour production of larger molecular weight SRIF forms on insulin and glucagon secretion.