cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of the Thyromimetic Agent Diiodothyropropionic Acid on Body Weight, Body Mass Index, and Serum Lipoproteins: A Pilot Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Context: Widespread thyroid hormone actions offer the possibility of developing selective thyromimetic analogs with salutary metabolic properties. Consequently, effects of diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA) on body weight, serum lipoproteins, and bone metabolism markers were studied in a prospective, controlled, double-blind 24-wk trial, which was primarily designed to assess treatment of stable chronic heart failure. Design: Eighty-six patients (aged 66 ± 11 yr, mean ± sd) were randomized (1:2) to placebo or an escalating DITPA dose (90 to 180, 270, and 360 mg/d) over 8 wk until serum TSH was less than 0.02 mU/liter. Patients were studied at 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 24 wk and after 4 wk off study drug. Only 21 DITPA-treated and 27 placebo patients completed the full 24 wk of therapy. Results: DITPA therapy lowered serum TSH levels and, to a lesser extent, serum T3 and T4, but there were no differences in clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism. Serum total and low-density lipoprotein choles...
Near-field to far-field transformation using an equivalent current approach

The equivalent current approach for computing far-fields from measured near fields is presented. In this technique, the radiating antenna is replaced by equivalent currents which reside on a fictitious surface which encompasses the antenna. The measured near-fields are used to determine the equivalent currents. Accurate far-fields over large elevation and azimuthal ranges can be found from measurements on simple surfaces, such as a plane. Numerical results are presented. >
Robustness analysis of controllers designed for active flutter suppression

In this paper different controller design techniques are studied for a linear model of a two dimensional thin airfoil. The controller design methods considered here are, LQG, gap metric optimization, loop-shaping via weighted gap optimization, mixed sensitivity minimization via H/sup /spl infin// design and robust performance optimization via /spl mu/ synthesis. The results of flutter speed analysis are compared for each of these controllers. Also, the effects of unmodelled delays on closed loop stability are discussed with simulation results.
Soil Test, Aerial Image and Yield Data as Inputs for Site-specific Fertility and Hybrid Management Under Maize

Several potential sources of information exist to support precision management of crop inputs. This study evaluated soil test data, bare-soil remote sensing imagery and yield monitor information for their potential contributions to precision management of maize (Zea mays L.). Data were collected from five farmer-managed fields in Central New York in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Geostatistical techniques were used to analyze the spatial structure of soil fertility (pH, P, K, NO3 and organic matter content) and yield variables (yield, hybrid response and N fertilization response), while remote sensing imagery was processed using principal component analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) spatial data processing and correlation analyses were used to evaluate relationships in the data. Organic matter content, pH, P, and K were highly consistent over time and showed high to moderate levels of spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that grid soil sampling at 2.5–5.5 ha scale may be used as a basis for defining fertility management zones. Soil nitrate levels were strongly influenced by seasonal weather conditions and showed low potential for site-specific N management. Aerial image data were correlated to soil organic matter content and in some cases to yield, mainly through the effect of drainage patterns. Aerial image data were not well correlated with soil fertility indicators, and therefore were not useful for defining fertility management zones. Yield response to hybrid selection and nitrogen fertilization rates were highly variable among years, and showed little justification for site-specific management. In conclusion, we recommend grid-based management of lime, P, and K, but no justification existed within our limited study area for site-specific N or hybrid management.
Measurement of Instrumental and Vocal Undergraduate Performance Juries Using a Multidimensional Assessment Rubric

Recent policy initiatives instituted by major accrediting bodies require the implementation of specific assessment tools to provide evidence of student achievement in a number of areas, including applied music study. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of a multidimensional assessment rubric, which was administered to all students performing instrumental and vocal juries at a private Midwestern university during one semester (N = 359). Interjudge reliability coefficients indicated a moderate to high level of agreement among judges. Results also revealed that performance achievement was positively related to participants' year in school (freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior), which indicates that a multidimensional assessment rubric can effectively measure students' achievement in the area of solo music performance.
Cardiac surgery in the octogenarian: evaluation of risk, cost, and outcome

Abstract Background . Nationwide, cardiac surgery is being performed more frequently in patients aged 80 years and older. Methods . One hundred four octogenarians undergoing a variety of heart–lung procedures were prospectively studied between 1995 and 1998 for comparison with similar patients aged 65 to 75 years (n = 351). Results . Octogenarians were more likely to be of female gender, and be nondiabetic than the younger group. The 30-day mortality rate for patients aged 65 to 75 years was 3.4% (12 of 351 patients), versus 13.5% (14 of 104) for patients aged 80+ ( p = 0.0004), which ranged from 2% (1 of 50) in nonemergent coronary artery bypass grafting to 75% (3 of 4) in double valve procedures. Complications occurring more frequently in octogenarians were severe low output state, reintubation, and atrial fibrillation. Elders experienced a longer intensive care (69.2 versus 43.3 hours, p = 0.002) and postoperative stay (10.09 versus 7.45 days, p = 0.001), and were discharged to a skilled nursing facility more often than younger patients (47% versus 21.1%, p = 0.0001). Total direct costs were $4,818 higher in the octogenarian group ( p = 0.0007). Conclusions . Although emergency operations and complex procedures carried high risks for the octogenarian, the majority of these patients can be offered operation with short-term morbidity, mortality, and resource use that only modestly exceeds that of younger patients.
Pancreatic cancer care quality measures in rural Americans

C.J. Chow , E.B. Habermann , Y. Zhu , A. Abraham, V. Dudeja , S.M. Vickers , W.B. Al-Refaie . Department of Surgery, University ofMinnesota,Minneapolis,MN,USA Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA, Minneapolis, MN, USA Introduction: Despite the fifty million people living in rural America, investigation into the impact of rural residence on the quality of complex pancreatic cancer care is noticeably absent. We hypothesize that patient rurality is associated with pancreatic cancer care quality measures. Methods: Using the 1996-2008 California Cancer Registry, we identified 8821 patients with stages I-IV pancreatic cancer. Rural residence was reported by the registry. Baseline characteristics were compared by rurality status. Controlling for covariates, multivariate regression explored the impact of rurality on stage at diagnosis, undergoing pancreatectomy for operable disease and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy for operable pancreatic cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression examined the impact of rurality on survival in the entire cohort. Sensitivity analysis and interaction testing were also performed. Results: Of all patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 15.2% resided in rural areas. Non-Hispanic white race, American Indian race, un/underinsurance and younger age were predictors of rurality. Our multivariate models demonstrated that rural residence did not impact stage of diagnosis (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.95-1.29), the likelihood of undergoing pancreatectomy (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.71-1.18) nor the receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy for operable pancreatic cancer (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.72-1.10). In addition, rurality was not associated with worse cancer specific mortality (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95-1.10). Conclusions: Our study found no association between rural residence and poor performance on selected quality measures. While we could not determine the hospital location where rural patients sought care, these results do suggest that rural patients benefited from the increased regionalization of pancreatic cancer care.
Self Crowding of Globular Proteins Studied by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to study the behavior of equine metmyoglobin (Mb) and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) at concentrations up to 0.4 and 0.15 g/mL, respectively, in solutions also containing 50% D2O and 1 M urea. For both proteins, significant effects because of interference between x-rays scattered by different molecules (interparticle interference) were observed, indicating nonideal behavior at high concentrations. The experimental data were analyzed by comparison of the observed scattering profiles with those predicted by crystal structures of the proteins and a hard-sphere fluid model used to represent steric exclusion effects. The Mb scattering data were well fit by the hard-sphere model using a sphere radius of 18 A, only slightly smaller than that estimated from the three-dimensional structure (20 A). In contrast, the scattering profiles for BPTI in phosphate buffer displayed substantially less pronounced interparticle interference than predicted by the hard-sphere model and the radius estimated from the known structure of the protein (15 A). Replacing the phosphate buffer with 3-(N-morpolino)propane sulfonic acid (MOPS) led to increased interparticle interference, consistent with a larger effective radius and suggesting that phosphate ions may mediate attractive intermolecular interactions, as observed in some BPTI crystal structures, without the formation of stable oligomers. The scattering data were also used to estimate second virial coefficients for the two proteins: 2.0 ×10(-4) cm(3)mol/g(2) for Mb in phosphate buffer, 1.6 ×10(-4) cm(3)mol/g(2) for BPTI in phosphate buffer and 9.2 ×10(-4) cm(3)mol/g(2) for BPTI in MOPS. The results indicate that the behavior of Mb, which is nearly isoelectric under the conditions used, is well described by the hard-sphere model, but that of BPTI is considerably more complex and is likely influenced by both repulsive and attractive electrostatic interactions. The hard-sphere model may be a generally useful tool for the analysis of small-angle scattering data from concentrated macromolecular solutions.
Incorporating a Watershed-Based Summary Field Exercise into an Introductory Hydrogeology Course

We have developed and implemented a summary field exercise for an introductory hydrogeology course without a laboratory section. This exercise builds on lectures and problem sets that use pre-existing field data. During one day in April, students measure hydraulic heads, stream and spring flow, and stream-bed seepage within the rural watershed of a third-order perennial stream in western Kentucky. Students calculate net specific discharge at various scales, map groundwater flow in the watershed, and calculate vertical hydraulic gradients at the mouth of the watershed, where the stream enters a reservoir (Kentucky Lake). Distinctive features of the exercise include hydraulic head measurements in large-diameter domestic wells and in piezometers installed in the reservoir embayment. Kentucky Lake is raised ~ 2 m shortly before the field trip, thus providing an analog of bank storage. Former students who responded to a questionnaire indicated that the exercise was worthwhile. The exercise was based at a biolo...
Motor Unit Number Estimation in the Assessment of Performance and Function in Motor Neuron Disease

Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is a unique electrophysiologic test used to estimate the number of surviving motor units in a muscle or group of muscles. It is used most frequently to monitor lower motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscle atrophy. Of particular interest is its use as an endpoint measure in clinical trials for these diseases. This article describes the principles of MUNE and the factors that need to be considered, and reviews several techniques that have been used in clinical trials and in monitoring progression. It then reviews experience with MUNE in clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscle atrophy and discusses how MUNE correlates with measures of function.
U.S. Agency Performance Reporting: Time to Clear the Crowded Management Space

For federal agencies to better manage and budget for their operations, Congress has enacted laws meant to address certain deficiencies. These laws require agencies to report on their progress in improving performance management, financial management, and information technology. Taken together, the laws require numerous reports, some of which are not as useful as they could be. In response to this problem, Congress has allowed agencies to consolidate their reports. An agency can now offer an integrated picture of performance in one report. Consolidated reporting can lead to better information for decision-makers in Congress, the executive branch, and the public.
Strengthening continuing education in community colleges

Community colleges share with more traditional collegiate institutions the need for stimulating continuing education.
BLOOD PARASITES OF TWO COSTA RICAN AMPHIBIANS WITH COMMENTS ON DETECTION AND MICROFILARIA DENSITY ASSOCIATED WITH ADULT FILARIAL WORM INTENSITY

The 2 objectives of this study were: (1) to compare parasite detectability in blood smears obtained from toe-clips versus the heart from amphibian hosts; and (2) to test whether microfilariae density is correlated with adult filarial worm intensity. We examined blood parasites of 2 species of amphibians, Rana vaillanti (n = 45) and Eleutherodactylus fitzingeri (n = 36), from Costa Rica collected during the summer of 2003. Separate blood smears were obtained from toe-clips and the heart during necrospy. Eight species of blood parasites were identified from R. vaillanti and 1 from E. fitzingeri. Each parasite species was counted in a 2 × 2.2-cm2 area on each blood smear, and the density of host red blood cells (RBCs) was estimated using a sub-sampling approach, allowing parasite infections to be expressed as individuals per RBC. The detection failure rate for toe-cut smears ranged from 71–100% (x = 92.3%) and from 0–9% (x = 2.4%) for heart smears, depending on parasite species. The density of RBCs was sig...
ν μ -ν e universality in charged-current neutrino interactions

A total of 1403 {nu}{sub {ital e}} and 179 {bar {nu}}{sub {ital e}} charged-current interactions with energies ranging up to 200 GeV were observed in a wideband neutrino-beam experiment using the Fermilab 15-ft bubble chamber filled with a heavy Ne-H{sub 2} mix. As a test of {nu}{sub {mu}}-{nu}{sub {ital e}} universality, these events were compared to samples of {nu}{sub {mu}} and {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} charged-current events obtained during the same experiment. The {nu}{sub {ital e}}-to-{nu}{sub {mu}} cross-section ratio was measured to be 1.09{plus minus}0.17, and the corresponding ratio for antineutrinos was 1.46{plus minus}0.34. Kinematic distributions and charged-particle multiplicities were also consistent with universality. The neutral-strange-particle production rate was measured to be (11.7{plus minus}1.2)% for {nu}{sub {ital e}} and (5.2{plus minus}2.2)% for {bar {nu}}{sub {ital e}}, in good agreement with the {nu}{sub {mu}} and {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} rates. The relative rate for {ital e}{sup {minus}}{ital e}{sup +} dilepton production by {nu}{sub {ital e}} was (0.82{plus minus}0.47)%, also consistent with universality. The rate for neutral-strange-particle production in {ital e}{sup {minus}}{ital e}{sup +} dilepton events is reported for the first time. The measured rate of 0.64{plus minus}0.45 agrees with the value expected from universality.
Packer: An innovative space-time-efficient parallel garbage collection algorithm based on virtual spaces

The fundamental challenge of garbage collector (GC) design is to maximize the recycled space with minimal time overhead. For efficient memory management, in many GC designs the heap is divided into large object space (LOS) and non-large object space (non-LOS). When one of the spaces is full, garbage collection is triggered even though the other space may still have a lot of free room, thus leading to inefficient space utilization. Also, space partitioning in existing GC designs implies different GC algorithms for different spaces. This not only prolongs the pause time of garbage collection, but also makes collection not efficient on multiple spaces. To address these problems, we propose Packer, a space-and-time-efficient parallel garbage collection algorithm based on the novel concept of virtual spaces. Instead of physically dividing the heap into multiple spaces, Packer manages multiple virtual spaces in one physically shared space. With multiple virtual spaces, Packer offers the advantage of efficient memory management. At the same time, with one physically shared space, Packer avoids the problem of inefficient space utilization. To reduce the garbage collection pause time of Packer, we also propose a novel parallelization method that is applicable to multiple virtual spaces. We reduce the compacting GC parallelization problem into a tree traversal parallelization problem, and apply it to both normal and large object compaction.
A comparison of plain versus multilooped arch wires in Stage I of Begg therapy

In order to overcome the reportedly undesirable side effects of using multilooped arch wires in initial stages of Begg mechanotherapy, a clinical study was conducted in which treatment procedure was modified for the mandibular arch in one group of patients, who received nonlooped or plain mandibular arch wires. This group was closely matched with respect to age, sex, severity of malocclusion, and particularly the amount of anterior mandibular crowding with a group of patients who received multilooped arch wires designed very closely according to the classically prescribed methods. Comparison of the two groups by means of cephalometric measurements of the mandibular incisors at the end of Stage I of treatment demonstrated that the IMPA increased significantly more (p = 0.01) in the multilooped arch wire group. The over-all treatment time was not significantly different in the two groups, although it took longer to resolve the anterior mandibular crowding when plain wires were used. On the basis of this study, it would appear that the use of plain rather than multilooped arch wires in the mandibular arch deserves a favorable consideration in early Begg therapy.
Epithelial Cell Hyperproliferation Induced in the Exocrine Pancreas of Mice by a Western-Style Diet

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a common cause of mortality in the United States, with an estimated 27 800 people dying of the disease in this country in 1996. Epidemiologic studies have suggested that Western diets containing high fat, high protein, and low calcium contents are associated with increased incidence of pancreatic cancer. Purpose: We investigated whether a Western-style diet containing increased fat content and decreased calcium and vitamin D contents would induce epithelial cell hyperproliferation (excess cell duplication) or hyperplasia (excess cell accumulation) in the pancreas, as was previously demonstrated in the colon and mammary gland. Methods: C57BL/6J mice at 4 weeks of age were randomly assigned to one of two groups of 14 mice each. One group received the control diet ad libitum, and the other group was given the Western-style diet ad libitum. After 6, 9, and 15 weeks on the diet, four or five mice per group were infused with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for 72 hours by use of subcutaneously implanted Alzet osmotic pumps. The mice were then killed, and the pancreas of each mouse was removed. In the exocrine pancreas with ductal secretion, the duct system (including interlobular and intralobular ducts and centroacinar [i.e., centroductular] cells) and acini were measured both histopathologically and immunohistochemically (BrdU) and were analyzed without knowledge of the source of the specimens. Two-way analysis of variance was carried out. All P values were generated from two-sided tests for statistical significance. Results: The number of pancreatic ducts (interlobular, intralobular, and centroacinar-cancer-prone regions in certain rodent models and in humans) and acini per mouse in the Western-style diet group was similar to that in the control diet group during the entire feeding period (P = .76, .32, .93, and .42, respectively). Statistically significant higher BrdU-labeling indices of the ductal interlobular and intralobular epithelial cells were seen in mice fed the Western-style diet than in mice fed the control diet during the entire observation period (P = .014 and .016, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference (P = .098) between both diet groups in the BrdU-labeling indices of the centroacinar epithelial cells. Conclusions: A Western-style diet induced pancreatic epithelial cell hyperproliferation in mice, further suggesting that increased fat content and decreased calcium and vitamin D contribute to the development of pancreatic neoplasms.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES, STRATEGIC SAVINGS, AND THE DOT‐COM BOOM AND BUST

Data from the dot-com boom-bust episode suggest that growth opportunities played an important role in explaining firms' financing strategy during this understudied episode. The low leverage of this sector was mainly driven by high growth firms which increased their leverage following the crash despite suffering a much larger fall in their market value. We present a parsimonious dynamic firm financing model where growth opportunities alone can generate the heterogeneous patterns in the financing and performance between high and low growth information technology firms prior to and following the market crash. The calibrated model also sheds light on the role played by monetary policy during that episode. (JEL G32, E22, E5)
Retroviral-Mediated Transfer of the Green Fluorescent Protein Gene Into Murine Hematopoietic Cells Facilitates Scoring and Selection of Transduced Progenitors In Vitro and Identification of Genetically Modified Cells In Vivo

We have investigated the utility of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to serve as a marker to assess retroviral gene transfer into hematopoietic cells and as a tool to identify and enrich for cells expressing high levels of the vector-encoded transcript. GFP, by virtue of a naturally occurring chromophore encoded in its primary sequence, displays autonomous fluorescence, thus eliminating the need for antibody or cytochemical staining to detect its expression. A bicistronic murine stem cell virus (MSCV)-based retroviral vector was constructed containing the GFP cDNA and a mutant, human dihydrofolate reductase gene. High-titer, ecotropic retroviral producer cells free of replication competent virus were generated and used to transduce murine bone marrow cells by cocultivation. Within 24 hours after completion of the transduction procedure, a high proportion (40% to 70%) of the marrow cells were intensely fluorescent compared to mock-transduced cells or cells transduced with a control retrovirus. Erythroid and myeloid hematopoietic colonies derived from GFP-transduced marrow were easily scored for retroviral gene transfer by direct in situ fluorescence microscopy. Clonogenic progenitors expressing increased levels of antifolate drug resistance could be enriched from the GFP-transduced marrow population by fluorescence activated cell sorting of cells expressing high levels of GFP. In vivo, splenic hematopoietic colonies and peripheral blood cells from animals transplanted with GFP-transduced marrow displayed intense fluorescence. These results show that GFP is an excellent marker for scoring and tracking gene-modified hematopoietic cells and for allowing rapid selection and enrichment of transduced cells expressing high levels of the transgene.
Current Evaluation and Management of Syncope

Case: A 75-year-old woman was referred for recurrent syncope. Over the past 12 months, she had had 10 episodes of brief (less than 1 minute) loss of consciousness with rapid recovery. She has known coronary artery disease and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting 2 years ago. She had diabetes mellitus that was well controlled with insulin. Her physical examination was normal, including orthostatic blood pressures. She has been admitted several times to different hospitals for the evaluation of recurrent syncope. Electrocardiograms have shown left bundle-branch block. Holter monitoring, electroencephalograms, and head computed tomography scans have been negative. Neurology consult believed that there was not a neurological cause for her loss of consciousness. A thallium stress test was negative for ischemia, and an echocardiogram showed normal ventricular function. Syncope is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness associated with a loss of postural tone and spontaneous recovery not requiring electrical or chemical cardioversion. Syncope has a large differential diagnosis, is difficult to evaluate, and can be disabling. There are subsets of syncopal patients with a high risk of sudden death. The central issues in the evaluation of syncope are establishing the cause of syncope, deciding whether the patient needs to be admitted, and treating the causes of syncope effectively to reduce recurrences and potentially improve patient outcomes. The first issue to resolve is whether the patient had syncope. Dizziness, presyncope, drop attacks, and vertigo are easily distinguished from syncope because these symptoms do not lead to loss of consciousness. Seizures, however, are often difficult to distinguish from syncope. Features useful in separating seizure and syncope are precipitants, prodromal symptoms, complaints during the spell, and symptoms after the episode. Loss of consciousness precipitated by pain or occurring after exercise, micturition, defecation, and stressful events is generally due to syncope, whereas aura may precede …
Conformations and thermodynamic properties of sulphur homocycles. II. The fluxional S+ 8 radical cation

According to both UB3LYP/6-311G* and UMP2/6-311G* calculations, the lowest energy conformer of the S+ 8 radical cation possesses Cs symmetry. However, there are three other structures with low relative energies that do not exceed 6.5 kcal mol−1. These conformers, which are found to be very prone to pseudorotation, are predicted to interconvert readily. The fluxional nature of S+ 8 is expected to facilitate its reactions with organic species where a specific conformation is demanded by steric constraints, which may explain its high reactivity towards PAHs with crowded hydrogen atoms.
MULTIPRODUCT PRICING IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: A PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALYSIS

The empirical analysis of multiproduct pricing suffers from a lack of clear theoretical guidance and appropriate data, limitations which often render traditional regression-based analyses impractical. This paper analyzes ticket, parking, and concession pricing in Major League Baseball for the period 1991-2003 using a new methodology based on principal components, which allows inferences to be formed about the factors underlying price variation without strong theoretical guidance or abundant information about costs and demand. While general demand shifts are the most important factor, they explain only half of overall price variation. Also important are price interactions that derive from demand interrelationships between goods and the desire to maximize the capture of consumer surplus in the presence of heterogeneous demand.
Fast assignment of 15N-HSQC peaks using high-resolution 3D HNcocaNH experiments with non-uniform sampling.

We describe an efficient NMR triple resonance approach for fast assignment of backbone amide resonance peaks in the 15N-HSQC spectrum. The exceptionally high resolutions achieved in the 3D HncocaNH and hNcocaNH experiments together with non-uniform sampling facilitate error-free sequential connection of backbone amides. Data required for the complete backbone amide assignment of the 56-residue protein GB1 domain were obtained in 14 h. Data analysis was vastly streamlined using a ‘backbone NH walk’ method to determine sequential connectivities without the need for 13C chemical shifts comparison. Amino acid residues in the sequentially connected NH chains are classified into two groups by a simple variation of the NMR pulse sequence, and the resulting ‘ZeBra’ stripe patterns are useful for mapping these chains to the protein sequence. In addition to resolving ambiguous assignments derived from conventional backbone experiments, this approach can be employed to rapidly assign small proteins or flexible regions in larger proteins, and to transfer assignments to mutant proteins or proteins in different ligand-binding states.
Erroneous Silencing of the Mitotic Checkpoint by Aberrant Spindle Pole-Kinetochore Coordination.

To segregate chromosomes during cell division, microtubules that form the bipolar spindle attach to and pull on paired chromosome kinetochores. The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is activated at unattached and misattached kinetochores to prevent further mitotic progression. The SAC is silenced after all the kinetochores establish proper and stable attachment to the spindle. Robust timing of SAC silencing after the last kinetochore-spindle attachment herein dictates the fidelity of chromosome segregation. Chromosome missegregation is rare in typical somatic cell mitosis, but frequent in cancer cell mitosis and in meiosis I of mammalian oocytes. In the latter cases, SAC is normally activated in response to disruptions of kinetochore-spindle attachments, suggesting that frequent chromosome missegregation ensues from faulty SAC silencing. In-depth understanding of how SAC silencing malfunctions in these cases is yet missing, but is believed to hold promise for treatment of cancer and prevention of human miscarriage and birth defects. We previously established a spatiotemporal model that, to the best of our knowledge, explained the robustness of SAC silencing in normal mitosis for the first time. In this article, we take advantage of the whole-cell perspective of the spatiotemporal model to identify possible causes of chromosome missegregation out of the distinct features of spindle assembly exhibited by cancer cells and mammalian oocytes. The model results explain why multipolar spindle could inhibit SAC silencing and spindle pole clustering could promote it—albeit accompanied by more kinetochore attachment errors. The model also eliminates geometric factors as the cause for nonrobust SAC silencing in oocyte meiosis, and instead, suggests atypical kinetochore-spindle attachment in meiosis as a potential culprit. Overall, the model shows that abnormal spindle-pole formation and its aberrant coordination with atypical kinetochore-spindle attachments could compromise the robustness of SAC silencing. Our model highlights systems-level coupling between kinetochore-spindle attachment and spindle-pole formation in SAC silencing.
Biomechanics of the Shoulder

The glenohumeral (GH) joint has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the human body. As such, it has inherent instability, as its great range of motion is afforded by the lack of bony restraint. Its functional structure permits significant rotation while maintaining the humeral center of rotation to within 1–2 mm with respect to the glenoid. Limitation of translation during active shoulder motion occurs through complex interactions between passive structures (ligaments, capsule, labrum, articular surfaces) and active structures (rotator cuff muscles, biceps brachii muscle, deltoid), which produce a concavity-compression effect of the humeral head on the glenoid. The humeral head has an articulating surface area that is approximately three times that of the glenoid despite a similar radius of curvature, which means the humerus is only loosely constrained by the glenoid bony anatomy. Simple geometry shows that dislocation of the humeral head from the glenoid fossa should require a translation approximately half of the sum of the glenoid and humeral head axes in the direction of dislocation. In the normal shoulder, passive and active stabilizing mechanisms prevent such translations. As the shoulder changes position, different structures are responsible for stabilizing the GH joint. Damage to various anatomic structures can produce shoulder instability through different mechanisms. For example, the mechanics of atraumatic multidirectional instability are usually very different from those of posttraumatic unidirectional anterior instability.
C-Peptide and Type 1 Diabetic Encephalopathy

Diabetic encephalopathies are recently recognized complications affecting both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients [1, 2]. With the increasing incidences of both types of diabetes, the central nervous system (CNS) complications are likely to increase in frequency. Similar to other so-called microvascular complications, diabetic encephalopathies differ in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, suggesting differences in underlying causative mechanisms [2]. Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular multiinfarct dementia [3–6].
Medical Planning for Mass Gatherings: A Retrospective Review of the San Antonio Papal Mass

There are limited data available and no recognized standards or guidelines for providing emergency medical care at large public event The organizational planning of emergency medical care for the 1987 San Antonio Papal Mass was reviewed. Medical care was provided using a multi-tiered system. The San Antonio EMS system played a leading role in the design, administration, and implementation of this medical care. An analysis of the types and frequencies of emergency medical problems encountered by health care providers is detailed. The total attendance was approximately 100,000, 1.5% (1553) required medical attention, and 241 were evaluated on-site by physicians. The majority of medical problems encountered were managed by non-physician, health care providers. Severe environmental conditions with a heat index exceeding 102°F were responsible for 174 cases (72%) of heat-related illness. A total of 55 patients required transport to local emergency department. There were no cardiopulmonary arrests, major injuries, or deaths.
Scattering of 0.627-μm light from spheroidal 2-μm cladosporium and cubical 4-μm NaCl particles

A digital polar nephalometer has been constructed to measure the intensity and polarization of light pulses scattered at 94 angles from 9° to 176° from monodisperse aerosol particles of controlled shape. The dye laser gave 20-kW, 4-nsec pulses at 0.627 μm. Data from polystyrene latex spheres agrees with Mie theory within about 10%. Data for spheroidal and quasi-cubical particles are shown. It is found that the backscatter from nonspherical particles of size parameter ≈10 differs significantly from that for the best-fit sphere, so that a tumbled irregular particle is not equivalent to a sphere.
Divestiture: Americans Revolt Against U.S. Policy in South Africa

The purpose of this essay is to explain American foreign policy towards South Africa and the current divestiture movement which is sweeping the country. This movement may substantially influence American foreign economic policy towards South Africa.
Embolisierendes Aneurysma einer persistierenden A. ischiadica

Es wird der Fall einer persistierenden, unilateralen, kompletten A. ischiadica mit einem embolisierenden Aneurysma beschrieben, welches rezidivierend zu inkompletten Ischamien am linken Unterschenkel gefuhrt hatte. Eine 66jahrige Patientin erhielt dann bei kompletter Ischamie des linken Fuses einen femoropoplitealen PTFE-Bypass unter distaler Ausschaltung des Aneurysmas. Die Thrombosierung von distal nach proximal konnte aufgrund fehlender Rupturgefahr bei einem maximalen Durchmesser von 3 cm abgewartet werden. Seit 1832 wurden 114 Falle persistierender A. ischiadicae, bei 25 Personen bilateral verlaufend, publiziert. Im fruhen Embryonalstadium wird die Blutversorgung der unteren Extremitat zunachst uber die A. ischiadica gewahrleistet, spater bildet sie sich zuruck und begleitet als Vas comitans den N. ischiadicus. Entwicklungsstorungen konnen zu einer persistierenden A. ischiadica fuhren, die mit dem klinischen Bild einer Claudicatio intermittens, Aneurysmabildung mit rezidivierenden Embolien oder einer Ruptur einhergehen kann. Gelegentlich fuhrt sie zu einem pulsierenden, glutealen Tumor und zu einer Kompression des N. ischiadicus.
Making Effective Use of Multicore Systems A software perspective: The multicore transformation (Ubiquity symposium)

Multicore processors dominate the commercial marketplace, with the consequence that almost all computers are now parallel computers. To take maximum advantage of multicore chips, applications and systems should take advantage of that parallelism. As of today, a small fraction of applications do. To improve that situation and to capitalize fully on the power of multicore systems, we need to adopt programming models, parallel algorithms, and programming languages that are appropriate for the multicore world, and to integrate these ideas and tools into the courses that educate the next generation of computer scientists.
Bile acids: their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and role during fat absorption.

Bile acids play a critical role in facilitating the absorption of nearly all poorly soluble, relatively nonpolar compounds from the intestinal lumen into the intestinal mucosal cell. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that bile acids also may act to augment movement of lipids from the mucosal cell into the intestinal lymph [1]. A thorough understanding of bile acid metabolism, therefore, is important for considerations of the normal process of fat absorption and for the elucidation of the causes of certain disease states in man manifest by malabsorption of fat.
Connexin26 gap junction mediates miRNA intercellular genetic communication in the cochlea and is required for inner ear development

Organ development requires well-established intercellular communication to coordinate cell proliferations and differentiations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that can broadly regulate gene expression and play a critical role in the organ development. In this study, we found that miRNAs could pass through gap junctions between native cochlear supporting cells to play a role in the cochlear development. Connexin26 (Cx26) and Cx30 are predominant isoforms and co-express in the cochlea. Cx26 deficiency but not Cx30 deficiency can cause cochlear developmental disorders. We found that associated with Cx26 deletion induced the cochlear developmental disorders, deletion of Cx26 but not Cx30 disrupted miRNA intercellular transfer in the cochlea, although inner ear gap junctions still retained permeability after deletion of Cx26. Moreover, we found that deletion of Cx26 but not Cx30 reduced miR-96 expression in the cochlea during postnatal development. The reduction is associated with the cochlear tunnel developmental disorder in Cx26 knockout (KO) mice. These data reveal that Cx26-mediated intercellular communication is required for cochlear development and that deficiency of Cx26 can impair miRNA-mediated intercellular genetic communication in the cochlea, which may lead to cochlear developmental disorders and eventually congenital deafness as previously reported.
Reconsideration of contemporary U.S. drug policy.

In their recent book Drug War Heresies: Learning From Other Vices, Times, and Places (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), MacCoun and Reuter challenge the continuation of contemporary U.S. drug policy. Depenalization and legalization of illicit drugs are evaluated as alternatives to U.S. prohibition policy, with harm reduction (mitigation of social damages) as the criterion for guiding drug regime change. The appraisal encompasses an analysis of underlying philosophical and social mechanisms of current U.S. policy as well as drawing analogies from a comprehensive review of American vices and also Western European governmental interventions into illicit drug activities. What is apparent is that the evaluation and the available evidence entail substantial complexity and do not readily present unequivocal positions. The evaluation also strongly indicates that considerable difficulty would be encountered not only for the implementation of alternative regimes but also for the engagement in open political discussion of prohibition alternatives.
Flash Flood–Producing Storm Properties in a Small Urban Watershed

AbstractThe structure and evolution of flash flood–producing storms over a small urban watershed in the mid-Atlantic United States with a prototypical flash flood response is examined. Lagrangian storm properties are investigated through analyses of the 32 storms that produced the largest peak discharges in Moores Run between January 2000 and May 2014. The Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis, and Nowcasting (TITAN) algorithm is used to track storm characteristics over their life cycle with a focus on storm size, movement, intensity, and location. First, the 13 June 2003 and 1 June 2006 storms, which produced the two largest peak discharges for the study period, are analyzed. Heavy rainfall for the 13 June 2003 and 1 June 2006 storms were caused by a collapsing thunderstorm cell and a slow-moving, low-echo centroid storm. Analyses of the 32 storms show that collapsing storm cells play an important role in peak rainfall rate production and flash flooding. Storm motion is predominantly southwest-...
Value of an Integrated Grid

Abstract The integrated grid leverages the optimal combination of local generation, energy storage, energy efficiency, and new uses of electricity, with central generation and utility-scale storage, in order to provide society with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. It is characterized by connectivity, rules enabling interconnection, and innovative rate structures that enhance the value of the power system to all consumers, while blending the most valuable generation, storage, power delivery, and end-use technology services, including distributed energy resources, is tailored to meet local circumstances. The chapter emphasizes that simply being connected to the grid does not constitute an integrated grid.
Estimating loaded, inclined walking energetics: No functional difference between added and body mass

We used external loading and surface inclination as experimental tools to: 1) test whether the metabolic cost of transporting body mass and torso mass are equal during walking, and 2) to develop an algorithm for estimating walking metabolism in the field. Rates of oxygen uptake were measured in ten physically active volunteers during constant-velocity treadmill trials (0.6–1.4 m·s−1) on four grades (0–9°) under three loading conditions (1.0–1.31 times body mass). Walking metabolic rates (Egross-Erest) increased systematically with speed, load, and grade to span values from 2.2 to 14.2 times measured resting metabolic rates. When walking metabolism was expressed in relation to the total mass carried, loaded and unloaded metabolic rates were nearly identical across all conditions. The equivalent costs of transporting one kg of body and external mass allowed formulation of a promising estimation algorithm requiring only total mass, speed, and grade as inputs (R2=0.98; SEE=0.37 W·kg−1; n=360 trials).
Crystal growth and characterization of Hg-based chalcogenide compounds(Conference Presentation)

In this work, two Hg-based chalcogenides were investigated in detail to reveal their potential capability of radiation detection at room temperature (RT). Cs2Hg6S7, with a bandgap of 1.63 eV, which is designed by the dimensional reduction theory proposed by our group, were prepared and characterized. α-HgS, with a bandgap of ~2.10 eV, as a precursor used for the ternary compound synthesis, was also proposed and further investigated. For Cs2Hg6S7, the crystals tended to crystallize into needle form with small grains. Here, the conditions of Bridgman melt growth were optimized to obtain relatively large single crystals. The slight excess of Cs2S as a fluxing agent during growth was found to facilitate better crystallization and large grains. Interestingly, no inclusion or secondary phase was found in the as-grown single crystals. The improvement of bulk resistivity from ~10^6 Ωcm to 10^8 Ωcm was also achieved through the control of stoichiometry during crystal growth. For α-HgS crystals, both physical vapor transport and chemical vapor transport methods have been applied. By modifying the transport temperature and transport agent, single crystal with size about 3x1.5 mm^2 was grown with resistivity higher than 10^11 Ωcm. Photoluminescence (PL) revealed that multiple peaks observed in the 1.6-2.3 eV range and excitonic peak from for α-HgS single crystals were observed indicating good crystalline quality. Finally, the planar detectors for both crystals were tested under Co57 gamma ray source. Both of the crystals showed reasonable gamma ray response, while α-HgS crystals could respond at a relatively higher counting rate.
The Rational Peasant: The Pocitical Economy of Rural Society in Vietnam

(1981). The Rational Peasant: The Pocitical Economy of Rural Society in Vietnam. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 277-280.
Clinical decision-making to address poor outcomes in persistent horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A case study.

ABSTRACTBackground: Horizontal semicircular canal BPPV (HSC-BPPV) can occur in 10–30% of BPPV cases. Lower success rates are reported for HSC-BPPV. The apogeotropic form of HSC-BPPV is more difficult to treat, as 5–40% of cases are described to be refractory to repositioning maneuvers. Purpose: To describe the assessment and treatment of a patient presenting with HSC-BPPV and to demonstrate the potential use of Forced-Prolonged Positioning (FPP) as a home exercise program (HEP) for persistent HSC-BPPV in an elderly patient. Case Description: An 89-year-old female referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of BPPV. She experienced dizziness with positional changes and was found to have apogeotropic form of HSC-BPPV. Intervention: To supplement maneuvers performed in the clinic, the patient was provided instructions for the FPP as her HEP. With continued symptoms and positive positional tests by week four of treatment, the patient was instructed to switch the FPP with the opposing ear directed toward the...
Raymond Pace Alexander: A New Negro Lawyer Fights for Civil Rights in Philadelphia. By David A. Canton

Canton’s engaging narrative tells the story of Raymond Pace Alexander (1897–1974), a prominent Philadelphia African American attorney who has been overlooked and perhaps forgotten compared to his fellow "New Negro” lawyers such as Charles Hamilton Houston, William Hastie, and Thurgood Marshall. It is a valuable contribution to the fields of legal history, civil rights history, the history of African American lawyers, and community studies of African Americans in the twentieth century.