cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Posterior sagittal rectal myectomy for persistent rectal achalasia after the Soave procedure for Hirschsprung's disease.

Abstract For the management of persistent rectal achalasia after the Soave endorectal pull-through procedure, we have used posterior sagittal myectomy of the remaining aganglionic rectal muscular cuff, and have had satisfactory outcomes in five patients. Via a posterior sagittal skin incision, the posterior aspect of the rectal muscular cuff is reached. With the striated muscular comlex retracted downward, the level of the dentate line is identified on the posterior wall of the rectum with the aid of the surgeon's finger inserted inside the anorectum. Two parallel longitudinal incisions are made on the rectal muscular cuff to create a muscular strip which is elevated and excised; the distal end of the myectomy strip is at the level of the dentate line and includes a part of the internal anal sphincter muscle. During the last 4 years, we performed this procedure in 5 patients with remarkable relief of constipation, distension, and enterocolitis. The advantages of this procedure include: (1) less technical difficulty than the transanal approach, (2) avoiding colostomy, and (3) promising results.
Induction and suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the non-human primate.

Abstract Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was induced in Rhesus monkeys and a baboon following intradermal inoculation both with purified myelin basic protein and homologous central nerve tissue in Freund's complete adjuvant. Weight loss and neurologic signs of muscular weakness, ataxia, and ocular disturbances developed as early as 2 weeks following injection. Unlike rodent species, foci of gross necrosis were seen which localized predominantly in the brain stem and cerebellar white matter with occasional foci occurring in the cerebrum as well. Histologically the lesions consisted of perivascular infiltrates of mononuclear cells; in severely affected areas parenchymal infiltrates contained a substantial proportion of polymorphonuclear cells. Demyelination was coextensive with the area of inflammatory cells. Immunofluorescent studies revealed perivascular binding of gamma-globulin, albumin and complement components suggesting increased cerebrovascular permeability in affected monkeys.
The stress dependence of the creep rate of a uranium-loaded graphite☆

Abstract The stress dependence of the creep rate of a uranium-loaded graphite was measured. Each sample was tested at 2500°C and a given stress until the creep curve was well established, and then the stress was suddenly changed to another value. With the assumption that no instantaneous dynamic structural change accompanied the change of stress, the creep rate immediately after the change of stress was compared to the rate immediately before the change and related to the change of stress. In this way, the structural differences that normally complicate the analysis of results from several different samples are eliminated since prior creep time and strain, porosity, etc. were identical. The creep rate was found to be proportional to the six-and-one-half power of stress. From this it is concluded that Nabarro-Herring stress-directed diffusion creep was not the rate-controlling process. Some published tensile creep data for uranium-free graphite are examined with regard to the stress dependence of the creep rate. This dependence is found to be the same as that for the uranium-loaded graphite.
Perinatal dental development in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

The synthesis of both ontogenetic and phylogenetic data should provide the ideal explanation of morphologic variation, but for the primate dentition, this has not yet occurred. Information concerning growth and development of primate teeth is lacking, in part because of the paucity of specimens. We have therefore examined the deciduous second molars (dm2) and tooth buds of the permanent first molar (M1) of 12 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), aged 6.5 months of gestation to 4 postnatal months. The ordering of cusp calcification was identical to that of other primates. By regression analysis, correlations of mesial and distal widths with buccal, lingual, and mesiodistal lengths were low, most probably because of decreased rates of change (slopes) and the relatively small sample size. Correlations were, however, greater for mandibular than for maxillary dentition and higher for age than for body weight; for both the dm2 and M1, distal moieties increased faster and were more highly correlated with other dental variables and age than were mesial ones. Comparison with data from humans revealed both differences and similarities in the absolute size and growth rate of dental moieties during the perinatal period. As the reasons for ontogenetic variation become understood for individuals, species, and higher taxa, the phylogenetic implications of differential growth should become clearer as well.
Small cell carcinoma of the cervix: treatment and survival outcomes of 188 patients

Objective To determine the clinicopathologic factors associated with survival in neuroendocrine small cell cervical cancer patients. Study Design Patients were identified from a review of literature with an additional 52 patients from four hospitals. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used for analyses. Results Of 188 patients, 135 had stages I-IIA, 45 stages IIB-IVA, and 8 stage IVB disease. A total of 55.3% underwent surgery, 16.0% had chemoradiation, 12.8% radiation, and 3.2% chemotherapy alone. The 5-year disease-specific survival in stage I-IIA, IIB-IVA, and IVB disease was 36.8%, 9.8%, and 0%, respectively ( P P = .04). On multivariable analysis, early-stage disease and use of chemotherapy or chemoradiation were independent prognostic factors for improved survival. Conclusion Use of adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation was associated with higher survival in small cell cervical cancer patients.
Recapturing the essence of spirituality: a letter to the guest editor.

It is a great pleasure to see an increased interest in spirituality and mental health. In the shadow of 9/11, a devastating tsunami, and hurricanes, and with the continued uncertainty of world even...
Catalytic Alkaline Oxidation of Lignin and its Model Compounds: a Pathway to Aromatic Biochemicals

Catalytic oxidation via the application of molecular oxygen and copper complexes is a useful pathway toward valuable low molecular mass compounds from in situ or waste stream lignins. In this study, two dimeric β-ether model compounds, one β-ether oligomer, and a milled wood lignin sample from Loblolly pine were catalytically oxidized. Yields and stability of the aromatic aldehyde and acid products were measured. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were used to monitor structure/composition and molecular mass changes of the lignin before and after catalytic oxidation to study the degree of depolymerization and structure of the residual lignin. Oxidized units appear to be derived from β-aryl ether, phenylcoumaran, and biphenyl ether components. To date, this method breaks down the lignin polymeric structure reasonably effectively, producing low molecular mass products; this work also highlights some of the issues that need to be overcome to optimize this approach.
Thermoplug measurement of wheel tread temperature during operational testing

High speed tread braking on certain commuter rail cars led to localized shallow tread cracking. Measurement of the temperature gradient into the wheel tread under service conditions was required to confirm the cause and to evaluate potential solutions. This paper describes the tests conducted and the unique instrumentation for measuring the thermal gradient within the wheel tread and is based on a report by Cameron Stuart entitled 'Thermal Measurements of Commuter Rail Wheel Under Revenue Service Conditions'.
Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy for esophageal cancer

Abstract Background . To examine the efficacy of the Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy for esophageal carcinoma prior to the widespread use of preoperative chemotherapy and irradiation, we reviewed our experience. Methods . We reexamined the cases of 220 consecutive patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy for esophageal cancer from January 1992 through December 1995. Results . There were 196 men (89.1%) and 24 women. Median age was 65 years (range, 29 to 85 years). The results of pathological study showed adenocarcinoma in 188 patients (85.5%), squamous cell carcinoma in 31 (14.1%), and leiomyosarcoma in 1 patient (0.5%). Postsurgical staging was as follows: stage 0 in 10 patients, stage I in 19, stage IIa in 38, stage IIb in 28, stage III in 111, and stage IV in 14. The operative mortality rate was 1.4% (3 patients), and complications occurred in 83 patients (37.7%). Follow-up was 98.6% complete. Median survival for operative survivors was 1.9 years (range, 32 days to 8.7 years). The overall 5-year survival rate was 25.2%; it was 80% for patients in stage 0, 94.4% for those in stage I, 36.0% for those in stage IIa, 14.3% for patients in stage IIb, 10% for those in stage III and 0% for patients in stage IV. Conclusions . Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy for esophageal cancer is a safe operation. Long-term survival is stage dependent. The low survival associated with advanced cancers should stimulate the search for effective neoadjuvant therapy.
Stability Monitoring Using Voltage Perturbation for DC Distributed Power Systems

The stability issues in nonlinear systems such as multi-module power electronics systems, especially DC distributed power systems, are often dealt with by employing the impedance criterion. However...
Spanish America in Eighteenth-Century European Travel Compilations: a New "Art of Reading" and the Transition To Modernity

By the mid-eighteenth century sixteenth-century Spanish American testimonies on the New World suddely lost credibility with European audiences. This study seeks to explain this curious episode and traces it to new developments in ways to create and validate knowledge in early modern Europe. The genre of travel accounts proved instrumental in undermining the authority of Spanish accounts. Editors of travel compilations developed a "new art of reading" that privileged "internal" over "external" criticism. If in the past editors apportioned credit according to the number, character, and social standing of witnesses and favored knowledge gathered personally through the senses, by the mid-eighteenth century editors read accounts in the light of contemporary social theories : those accounts that proved inconsistent with the theories of political economy were dismissed. The reliability of sixteenth century Spanish eyewitnesses on the grandeur of the Aztec and Inca civilizations was called into question because these witnesses were deemed incapable of regulating their perceptions through reason (good taste). Since the new art of reading deployed by editors of travel compilations emerged out of a close dialogue between Europe and its colonies, this study shows the deep colonial roots of European modernity.
L.S. Vygotsky as the Founder of a New Approach to Instruction

L. Vygotsky formulated the concept of 'development-generating learning' that was later elaborated by his disciples and followers. According to this concept, school instruction from the very beginning should be based on a process of supplying students with the systems of general essential knowledge in certain fields. This knowledge is acquired by students in the course of specially organized activity aimed at mastery and internalization of the processes underlying this knowledge. It was shown in a number of research projects that the Vygotskian approach to instruction ensures a high level of acquisition and transfer of knowledge, and facilitates the students' cognitive development.
Precision measurement of the orthopositronium vacuum decay rate using the gas technique.

The vacuum decay rate {lambda}{sub {ital T}} of orthopositronium (1{sup 3}S{sub 1}) formed in a gas has been measured to be {lambda}{sub {ital T}}=7.0514{plus minus}0.0014{mu}s{sup {minus}1}. Measurements of {lambda}{sub {ital T}} in four different gases, all in agreement, are averaged to obtain this result. As systematic tests, two entirely separate digital timing systems are simultaneously used throughout the experiment; the cross section for collisional quenching of the long-lived 2 {sup 3}S{sub 1} excited state is determined; {lambda}{sub {ital T}} is redetermined in two of the gases (N{sub 2} and Ne) using only high-gas-density measurements; and the collisional quenching rate of water vapor, the major residual gas contaminant, is directly measured. The final value of {lambda}{sub {ital T}} from this gas experiment, which represents a factor of 4 improvement in accuracy over previous measurements, is 9.4 experimental standard deviations above the theoretical value.
Examen du lien entre la lecture de livres et le développement du vocabulaire chez l'enfant préscolaire.

Cette recherche porte sur l'etude du lien entre la lecture de livres et le developpement du vocabulaire chez des enfants prescolaires. Dans ce but, trois nouveaux outils ont ete developpes pour mesurer la connaissance qu'ont les parents et leur enfant de la litterature enfantine. Ainsi, ces outils sont des mesures indirectes de la frequence et la variete de lecture aux enfants. Notre methodologie s'appuie sur l'idee que les parents qui lisent beaucoup et les enfants a qui on lit beaucoup devraient avoir des connaissances plus grandes que ceux qui lisent moins. Les parents ont aussi repondu a des questions portant sur leurs habitudes de lecture aux enfants. Un echantillon de 80 parents et enfants a participe. Les resultats montrent clairement que les nouveaux outils predisent mieux le vocabulaire des enfants que les questions habituellement utilisees en recherche. Enfin, il existe toujours un lien entre la lecture et le vocabulaire des enfants meme lorsque le niveau d'education des parents, leurs propres habitudes de lecture et le niveau d'intelligence des enfants sont controles statistiquement. Ces resultats sont en accord avec l'hypothese que la lecture est benefique au developpement du vocabulaire des enfants.
How often were you absent? A review of the use of self-reported absence data

For a number of reasons, self-reported absence data have often been used in research in lieu of records-based data. Forty-three studies that present self-reported absence data are reviewed. The purpose of the research is discussed, as is the rationale for using self-reports. The author considers the nature of self-report measures, including the time span of report, the response format, and the requirement for attributions as to cause. The psychometric properties of self-reported absence are summarized in terms of reliability, validity, and accuracy. Theoretical perspectives relevant to absence self-reports are presented. The author makes a number of recommendations for measuring, reporting, researching, and publishing self-reports of absence
Mutagenesis Studies toward Understanding the Intracellular Signaling Mechanism of Antithrombin

Summary. Background: Recent studies have indicated that antithrombin (AT) possesses both anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic properties. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the intracellular signaling activities of AT using wild-type and mutant serpins that have reduced anticoagulant activities due to mutations in either the reactive center loop (RCL) or the heparin-binding site. Methods: Direct cellular effects of the AT derivatives were compared in the LPS-stimulated endothelial cells by employing permeability and neutrophil adhesion assays in the absence and presence of pertussis toxin (PTX) and siRNAs for either syndecan-4 or sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1). Furthermore, the roles of prostacyclin and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in modulating these effects were investigated. Results: Both wild-type and the RCL mutant, AT/Proth-2, exhibited similar potent barrier protective activities and inhibited the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Indomethacin abrogated both activities. The heparin-binding site mutants, AT-K114E and AT-K125E, did not exhibit any protective activity in either one of these assays, but a potent pro-apoptotic activity was observed for the AT-K114E in endothelial cells. Both PTX and siRNA for syndecan-4 inhibited the protective effect of AT, but the siRNA for S1P1 was inconsequential. Conclusions: The interaction of AT with syndecan-4 is required for its prostacyclin-dependent protective effect through a PTX-sensitive and non-S1P1-related Gi-protein coupled receptor. The RCL mutant, AT/Proth-2, with a markedly reduced anticoagulant but normal protective signaling properties, may potentially be developed as a safer anti-inflammatory drug without increasing the risk of bleeding.
Mathematical analysis of spontaneous emergence of cell polarity.

Cell polarization, in which intracellular substances are asymmetrically distributed, enables cells to carry out specialized functions. While cell polarity is often induced by intracellular or extracellular spatial cues, spontaneous polarization (the so-called symmetry breaking) may also occur in the absence of spatial cues. Many computational models have been used to investigate the mechanisms of symmetry breaking, and it was proved that spontaneous polarization occurs when the lateral diffusion of inactive signaling molecules is much faster than that of active signaling molecules. This conclusion leaves an important question of how, as observed in many biological systems, cell polarity emerges when active and inactive membrane-bound molecules diffuse at similar rates while cycling between cytoplasm and membrane takes place. The recent studies of Ratz and Roger showed that, when the cytosolic and membrane diffusion are very different, spontaneous polarization is possible even if the membrane-bound species diffuse at the same rate. In this paper, we formulate a two-equation non-local reaction-diffusion model with general forms of positive feedback. We apply Turing stability analysis to identify parameter conditions for achieving cell polarization. Our results show that spontaneous polarization can be achieved within some parameter ranges even when active and inactive signaling molecules diffuse at similar rates. In addition, different forms of positive feedback are explored to show that a non-local molecule-mediated feedback is important for sharping the localization as well as giving rise to fast dynamics to achieve robust polarization.
High-temporal contrast using low-gain optical parametric amplification.

We demonstrate the use of low-gain optical parametric amplification (OPA) as a means of improving temporal contrast to a detection-limited level 10−10. 250 μJ, 500 fs pulses of 1053 nm are frequency doubled and subsequently restored to the original wavelength by OPA with >10% efficiency.
Effector-induced structural fluctuation regulates the ligand affinity of an allosteric protein: binding of inositol hexaphosphate has distinct dynamic consequences for the T and R states of hemoglobin.

The present study reports distinct dynamic consequences for the T- and R-states of human normal adult hemoglobin (Hb A) due to the binding of a heterotropic allosteric effector, inositol hexaphosphate (IHP). A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique based on modified transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy (TROSY) has been used to investigate the effect of conformational exchange of Hb A in both deoxy and CO forms, in the absence and presence of IHP, at 14.1 and 21.1 T, and at 37 °C. Our results show that the majority of the polypeptide backbone amino acid residues of deoxy- and carbonmonoxy-forms of Hb A in the absence of IHP is not mobile on the µs−ms time scale, with the exception of several amino acid residues, that is, β109Val and β132Lys in deoxy-Hb A, and α40Lys in HbCO A. The mobility of α40Lys in HbCO A can be explained by the crystallographic data showing that the H-bond between α40Lys and β146His in deoxy-Hb A is absent in HbCO A. However, the conformational exchange of β109Val, which i...
1,5-Anhydroglucitol: a new predictor of neonatal birth weight in diabetic pregnancies.

Abstract Objective To determine whether 1,5-anhydroglucitol is predictive of neonatal birth weight. Study design A retrospective cohort study including 85 pregnancies complicated by diabetes (Type 1 = 37, Type 2 = 24, gestational = 24). Women had simultaneous hemoglobin A1c and 1,5-anhydroglucitol measurements every 4–8 weeks throughout pregnancy until delivery. Neonatal birth weight was evaluated by standardized z-scores. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine an association of 1,5-anhydroglucitol with neonatal birth weight z -score. Results Type 1 diabetic patients had the lowest mean 1,5-anhydroglucitol of 3.5 mcg/mL (SD = 1.6 mcg/mL) and highest mean hemoglobin A1c of 6.5% (SD = 0.74%) compared to gestational diabetic patients who had the highest mean 1,5-anhydroglucitol of 6.7 mcg/mL (SD = 3.8 mcg/mL) and lowest mean hemoglobin A1c of 6.0% (SD = 0.94%). Mean 1,5-anhydroglucitol values were significantly different between diabetes types ( p z -scores did not differ significantly between diabetic types ( p = 0.38). Multivariate linear regression showed a negative association between log-transformed 1,5-anhydroglucitol and birth weight (coefficient −0.82, 95% CI −1.19, −0.46). Conclusion In pregnancies complicated by diabetes, low 1,5-anhydroglucitol was associated with increased neonatal birth weight. 1,5-Anhydroglucitol may be useful in the assessment of glycemic control in pregnancy in addition to A1c.
Assessing pre-service teachers' quality teaching practices

The purpose of this study was to design and validate the Assessing Quality Teaching Rubrics (AQTR) that assesses the pre-service teachers' quality teaching practices in a live lesson or a videotaped lesson. Twenty-one lessons taught by 13 Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students were videotaped. The videotaped lessons were evaluated using the AQTR. The results indicated that the AQTR established ecological and construct validity and demonstrated a high degree of inter-rater reliability and internal consistency. It was concluded that the AQTR was a psychometrically supported measure.
Comparative Foreign Policy: Fad, Fantasy, or Field?

All tlhe signs are pointing in the same direction: as a television commercial might describe it, "Comparative Foreign Policy is coming on strong for the 1970s!" A few undergraduate and graduate courses with this title are now being taught.' Several conferences on allied topics have recently been held2 and a couple of these have even resulted in the appearance of publications on the subject.3 Occasionally a paper is delivered4 or book published5 which
Polarized luminescence of Pb2+ in NaCl

Abstract We have used high precision polarization measurements to establish that the 315 nm emission band in NaCl:Pb2+ is due to comparable concentrations of complexes with tetragonal and with orthorhombic symmetry, whereas the equivalent (350nm) band in KCl:Pb2+ is predominantly due to centers of tetragonal symmetry. 380 nm and 460 nm emission bands observed in NaCl:Pb2+ come from centers with trigonal symmetry.
Recent scientific results from Chandra HRC GTO program

RecentScienti cResultsfromtheChandraHRCGTOProgramStephenS. MurrayaandtheHRCScienceTeamaHarvard-Smithsonian Centerfor Astrophysics60 Garden Street,MS-2Cambridge, MA02138ABSTRACTThe Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) has now b een in orbit a little over three years.During that time, theHigh Resolution Camera (HRC) Science Team has b een carrying out a program of science observations makinguseofallthecapabilitiesObservatory withparticularemphasisonHRCforhigh resolution timing, and high resolution imaging.In this review of Chandra science, wepresent highlightsof the past three years of observations including detailed studies of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), discovery ofa pulsar in the Sup ernova Remnant 3C58, and studies of X-ray emission from the nearbyAGN Centaurus A.Keywords:X-ray astronomy, Chandra X-ray Observatory,HRC, pulsars, AGN, galaxies1. INTRODUCTIONThe Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched into orbit on July 23, 1999 ab oard the Space Shuttle Columbia(SST-93) and reached it op erating orbit (10,000 x 140,000 km) ab out twoweeks later.After systems activationand checkout the rst X-rays were observed on August 12, 1999 heralding a new era of high resolution X-rayimaging and sp ectroscopy.Nowslightly more than three years later, Chandra has observed several thousandtargets and returned truly unique and outstanding data for scientists around the world to analyze.An overviewoftheobservatory,itscomplementscienceinstruments,andp erformancecanbefoundinanarticlebyWeisskopf et al..1The Chandra observing program includes a guaranteed observing time (GTO) comp onent for the InstrumentPrincipalInvestigator(IPI)teamsthatallowsforbroadscienceprogramstobecarriedoutduringthe rstseveralyearsofthemission.TheHRCScienceTeamhasusedGTOprogramtoobtainb othand ACIS (Advanced CCD Imaging Sp ectrometer) data in various instruments op erating mo des that test ourunderstandingoftheinstrument,andextendtheiroverallscienti cusefulness.Theseobservationsincludeexcitingsciencesuch as:detailedstudiesofthenuclearregionM31,our nearestneighb or spiralgalaxy;asearch for, and discovery of, a pulsar near the center of the Sup ernoa Remnant 3C58; and resolving the complexX-ray emission from the nearest Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN), Centaurus A.2. M31-ANDROMEDAGALAXY:THENUCLEUSANDTWOYEARSYNOPTICSTUDYThe HRC and ACIS detectors on Chandra were used to monitor X-ray emission from the central region of M31,searching for X-ray transients and resolving the complex emission from the nucleus.Figure 1 shows the centralregion of M31 obtained by summing up 8 individual short exp osures (4 to 9 ksec) of the nucleus spread over twoyears (1999-2001) whichwere carried out as part of the HRC GTO program.The true color shows regions ofsoftest (or co ol) emission as red, and hardest (or hot) as blue.Further author information:(Send corresp ondence to S.S.M)S.S.M.:E-mail:ssm@head-cfa.harvard.eduThe HRC Science Team includes L. David, R. Di Stefano, M. Elvis, G. Fabbiano, W. Forman, M. Garcia, J. Grindlay,F. Harnden, C. Jones, A. Kenter, A. Kong, R. Kraft, M. Markevitch, J. McClinto ck, F. Seward, P. Slane, H. Tananbaum,A. Vikhlinin, M. Ward
Elevated Affective Lability and Poor Response Inhibition: An Investigation based on Emotional and Non-Emotional Go/No-Go Tasks

The aim of the current study was to test the association between affective lability and the magnitude of response inhibition deficits using four different versions of go/no-go tasks that were compo...
National survey of geriatric psychiatry fellowship programs: comparing findings in 2006/07 and 2001/02 from the American Geriatrics Society and Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs' Geriatrics Workforce Policy Studies Center.

Objective To document the development of geriatric psychiatry (GP) fellowship training in the United States through 2008. Methods A cross-sectional survey of the 56 U.S. GP fellowship programs was conducted in summer 2007. Longitudinal data from the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges' National Graduate Medical Education Census and data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were also analyzed. Results Thirty-seven (66%) of 56 program directors responded. The number of fellowship programs has decreased over the past 7 years. During 2006/07, 72 fellows were in training, as compared with 94 fellows in 2001/02. Application rates declined significantly with a mean of 4.3 applications per program in 2006/07 as compared with the mean of 10 applications per program in 2001/02. The fill rate for first-year GP fellowship positions dropped from 61% in 2001/02 to 48% in 2006/07. During 2006/07, 67% of programs reported having two or fewer first-year fellows and 16% had no first-year fellows. Seventeen programs reported having no United States medical school graduates as first-year fellows. Conclusion The number of GP fellows in training has declined by 23% from 2001/02 to 2006/07. This decline has occurred at the same time when the number of older adults continues to expand rapidly. It is critical that an adequate number of geriatric psychiatrists be trained to support and educate general psychiatrists in the care of the elderly. Specific strategies need to be developed urgently to stimulate interest in careers in clinical and academic GP.
The economics of Cain and Abel: Agro‐pastoral property rights in the Sahel

The complementarity of the economic systems of nomads and farmers is often overshadowed by the conflicts inherent in the competition over the control of land. The conflict is one of property rights. A dynamic programming model of the West African Sahel is presented that simulates the emergence of a dual economy based on the comparative advantage of the farmer and the pastoralist. The model illustrates that exclusive private property rights have no claim to optimality. The analysis of risk in an intertemporal framework suggests the optimality of another type of property right ‐ the right to flexible adjustment typically claimed by the pastoralist. Multiple property regimes provide optimal settings for farmers and pastoralists.
Improved mortality of the Formosan subterranean termite by fungi, when amended with cuticle-degrading enzymes or eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors

Formosan subterranean termites (FST) were exposed to strains of Beauveria pseudobassiana (Bpb) and Isaria fumosorosea (Ifr) to determine virulence of the fungi. Once lethality was determined, sublethal doses of Bpb were combined with enzymes capable of degrading the insect cuticle to measure the potential to enhance fungal infection. Bpb applied to FST in combination with proteinases and a chitinase caused increased mortality over the fungus alone. Mortality was enhanced when Ifr was applied to FST in combination with a chitinase isolated from Serratia marcesans. A lipase isolated from Pseudomonas cepacia, when combined with Ifr, also resulted in greater mortality than all control treatments. FST were also exposed to the eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors (EBIs) dexamethasone (DEX), ibuprofen (IBU), and ibuprofen sodium salt (IBUNA), in combination with Ifr. Combining Ifr with IBUNA caused significantly increased mortality on days 6, 7, and 9. Cuticle-degrading enzymes and EBIs may have potential to enhance the pathogenic effect of a fungal control agent against the Formosan subterranean termite.
Enhancement of Bradykinin and Resensitization of Its B2 Receptor

We studied the enhancement of the effects of bradykinin B2 receptor agonists by agents that react with active centers of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) independent of enzymatic inactivation. The potentiation and the desensitization and resensitization of B2 receptor were assessed by measuring [3H]arachidonic acid release and [Ca2+]i mobilization in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected to express human ACE and B2 receptor, or in endothelial cells with constitutively expressed ACE and receptor. Administration of bradykinin or its ACE-resistant analogue desensitized the receptor, but it was resensitized (arachidonic acid release or [Ca2+]i mobilization) by agents such as enalaprilat (1 micromol/L). Enalaprilat was inactive in the absence of ACE expression. La3+ (100 micromol/L) inhibited the apparent resensitization, probably by blocking the entry of extracellular calcium. Enalaprilat resensitized the receptor via ACE to release arachidonic acid by bradykinin at a lower concentration (5 nmol/L) than required to mobilize [Ca2+]i (1 micromol/L). Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting the ACE N-domain active center and polyclonal antiserum potentiated bradykinin. The snake venom peptide BPP5a and metabolites of angiotensin and bradykinin (angiotensin-[1-9], angiotensin-[1-7], bradykinin-[1-8]; 1 micromol/L) enhanced arachidonic acid release by bradykinin. Angiotensin-(1-9) and -(1-7) also resensitized the receptor. Enalaprilat potentiated the bradykinin effect in cells expressing a mutant ACE with a single N-domain active site. Agents that reacted with a single active site, on the N-domain or on the C-domain, potentiated bradykinin not by blocking its inactivation but by inducing crosstalk between ACE and the receptor. Enalaprilat enhanced signaling via ACE by Galphai in lower concentration than by Galphaq-coupled receptor.
Transcriptional Profiling Reveals that Daptomycin Induces the Staphylococcus aureus Cell Wall Stress Stimulon and Genes Responsive to Membrane Depolarization

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic that has recently been approved for treatment of gram-positive bacterial infections. The mode of action of daptomycin is not yet entirely clear. To further understand the mechanism transcriptomic analysis of changes in gene expression in daptomycin-treated Staphylococcus aureus was carried out. The expression profile indicated that cell wall stress stimulon member genes (B. J. Wilkinson, A. Muthaiyan, and R. K. Jayaswal, Curr. Med. Chem. Anti-Infect. Agents 4:259-276, 2005) were significantly induced by daptomycin and by the cell wall-active antibiotics vancomycin and oxacillin. Comparison of the daptomycin response of a two-component cell wall stress stimulon regulator VraSR mutant, S. aureus KVR, to its parent N315 showed diminished expression of the cell wall stress stimulon in the mutant. Daptomycin has been proposed to cause membrane depolarization, and the transcriptional responses to carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and nisin were determined. Transcriptional profiles of the responses to these antimicrobial agents showed significantly different patterns compared to those of the cell wall-active antibiotics, including little or no induction of the cell wall stress stimulon. However, there were a significant number of genes induced by both CCCP and daptomycin that were not induced by oxacillin or vancomycin, so the daptomycin transcriptome probably reflected a membrane depolarizing activity of this antimicrobial also. The results indicate that inhibition of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, either directly or indirectly, and membrane depolarization are parts of the mode of action of daptomycin.
Two-Dimensional Schemes for Clocking/Timing of QCA Circuits

At nanoscale, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) defines a new device architecture that permits the innovative design of digital systems. Features of these systems are the allowed crossing of signal lines with different orientation in polarization on a Cartesian plane, the potential of high throughput due to efficient pipelining, fast signal switching, and propagation. However, QCA designs of even modest complexity suffer from the negative impact due to the placement of long lines of cells among clocking zones, thus resulting in increased delay, slow timing, and sensitivity to thermal fluctuations. In this paper, different schemes for clocking and timing of the QCA systems are proposed; these schemes utilize 2D techniques that permit a reduction in the longest line length in each clocking zone. The proposed clocking schemes utilize logic-propagation techniques that have been developed for systolic arrays. Placement of QCA cells is modified to ensure correct signal generation and timing. The significant reduction in the longest line length permits a fast timing and efficient pipelining to occur while guaranteeing a kink-free behavior in switching.
Ku86 Variant Expression and Function in Multiple Myeloma Cells Is Associated with Increased Sensitivity to DNA Damage

Ku is a heterodimer of Ku70 and Ku86 that binds to double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs), activates the catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) when DNA is bound, and is essential in DSB repair and V(D)J recombination. Given that abnormalities in Ig gene rearrangement and DNA damage repair are hallmarks of multiple myeloma (MM) cells, we have characterized Ku expression and function in human MM cells. Tumor cells (CD38+CD45RA−) from 12 of 14 (86%) patients preferentially express a 69-kDa variant of Ku86 (Ku86v). Immunoblotting of whole cell extracts (WCE) from MM patients shows reactivity with Abs targeting Ku86 N terminus (S10B1) but no reactivity with Abs targeting Ku86 C terminus (111), suggesting that Ku86v has a truncated C terminus. EMSA confirmed a truncated C terminus in Ku86v and further demonstrated that Ku86v in MM cells had decreased Ku-DNA end binding activity. Ku86 forms complexes with DNA-PKcs and activates kinase activity, but Ku86v neither binds DNA-PKcs nor activates kinase activity. Furthermore, MM cells with Ku86v have increased sensitivity to irradiation, mitomycin C, and bleomycin compared with patient MM cells or normal bone marrow donor cells with Ku86. Therefore, this study suggests that Ku86v in MM cells may account for decreased DNA repair and increased sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapeutic agents, whereas Ku86 in MM cells confers resistance to DNA damaging agents. Coupled with a recent report that Ku86 activity correlates with resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, these results have implications for the potential role of Ku86 as a novel therapeutic target.
Evaluation and Imaging of the Patellofemoral Joint

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is an enigmatic entity, with multiple causes resulting in diverse presentations requiring variable treatments. Specific and accurate diagnosis of the etiology, based on physical exam and imaging, is essential to creating an effective therapeutic approach for successful return to function. This article presents a systematic and comprehensive exam strategy and highlights the relevant radiologic findings.
Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A New Standard of Care

The treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the setting of intracranial large artery occlusion (LAO) with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) is associated with low rates of recanalization and high rates of neurological morbidity and functional dependence. Endovascular intervention, particularly mechanical thrombectomy, is a promising therapeutic adjunct to IV-tPA for the treatment of acute LAO. However, until recently, its efficacy has been controversial. In this brief review, we analyze the criticisms of three negative randomized controlled trials (RCT) of endovascular stroke treatment and evaluate the results from seven positive endovascular stroke RCTs that have recently been presented or published. IMS III, MR RESCUE, and SYTHESIS Expansion were three RCTs that failed to show a benefit from endovascular stroke therapy. Major criticisms of these studies included a lack of routine screening for LAO, resulting in the selection of AIS patients without LAO for endovascular intervention, and a low utilization rate of modern endovascular thrombectomy devices, leading to substandard rates of successful recanalization. MR CLEAN was the first phase III RCT to show a significant clinical benefit from endovascular stroke therapy. The dissemination of its findings elicited a cascade of positive results from, to date, six additional endovascular stroke RCTs, ESCAPE, EXTEND-IA, SWIFT PRIME, REVASCAT, THERAPY, and THRACE, which were halted prematurely for efficacy. The cumulative evidence from these studies shows an overwhelming benefit from the endovascular treatment of acute LAO, therefore effectively establishing a new standard of care for the management of AIS.
Proteomic study reveals a functional network of cancer markers in the G1-Stage of the breast cancer cell cycle

Background: Cancer cells are characterized by a deregulated cell cycle that facilitates abnormal proliferation by allowing cells to by-pass tightly regulated molecular checkpoints such as the G1/S restriction point. To facilitate early diagnosis and the identification of new drug targets, current research efforts focus on studies that could lead to the development of protein panels that collectively can improve the effectiveness of our response to the detection of a life-threatening disease. Methods: Estrogen-responsive MCF-7 cells were cultured and arrested by serum deprivation in the G1-stage of the cell cycle, and fractionated into nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. The protein extracts were trypsinized and analyzed by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (MS), and the data were interpreted with the Thermo Electron Bioworks software. Biological characterization of the data, selection of cancer markers, and identification of protein interaction networks was accomplished with a combination of bioinformatics tools provided by GoMiner, DAVID and STRING. Results: The objective of this work was to explore via MS proteomic profiling technologies and bioinformatics data mining whether randomly identified cancer markers can be associated with the G1-stage of the cell cycle, i.e., the stage in which cancer cells differ most from normal cells, and whether any functional networks can be identified between these markers and placed in the broader context of cell regulatory pathways. The study enabled the identification of over 2000 proteins and 153 cancer markers, and revealed for the first time that the G1-stage of the cell cycle is not only a rich source of cancer markers, but also a host to an intricate network of functional relationships within the majority of these markers. Three major clusters of interacting proteins emerged: (a) signaling, (b) DNA repair, and (c) oxidative phosphorylation. Conclusions: The identification of cancer marker regulatory components that act not alone, but within networks, represents an invaluable resource for elucidating the moxlecular mechanisms that govern the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells, as well as for catalyzing the development of protein panels with biomarker and drug target potential, screening tests with improved sensitivity and specificity, and novel cancer therapies aimed at pursuing multiple drug targets.
A unified model for evaluating the safety integrity level of safety instrumented systems

This paper proposes a new figure of merit (FOM) for evaluating safety integrity levels (SIL) for safety instrumented systems (SIS). Currently, SIL ratings are based on two separate tables - one for low process demands and one for high process demands. The proposed FOM, probability of an accident as a function of time, PAC(t), unifies the two separate tables into a single table and extends the concept of risk reduction factor (RRF), which is currently only defined for low demand applications, to high demand applications as well. Using PAC(t) as the new FOM explicitly includes the process demand rate in the model and therefore, permits the effects of different demand rates on the safety performance of a specific SIS to be quantified. The model also allows for the inclusion of diagnostic coverage and on-line repair so that the effects of these parameters can also be quantified. Finally, using PAC(t), the maximum time of periodic inspection (TI) permitted before the SIS moves to a lower SIL rating can be easily calculated. A number of examples illustrate the application and usefulness of PAC(t) as the defining FOM for SIL evaluation.
The Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Consumption on Mammary Carcinogenesis

The consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Studies in animals and in vitro have demonstrated mechanisms that could explain this apparent effect, but clinical and epidemiological studies have returned conflicting results on the practical benefits of dietary n-3 PUFA for prevention of breast cancer. Effects are often only significant within a population when comparing the highest n-3 PUFA consumption group to the lowest n-3 group or highest n-6 group. The beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic on the risk of breast cancer are dose dependent and are negatively affected by total n-6 consumption. The majority of the world population, including the most highly developed regions, consumes insufficient n-3 PUFA to significantly reduce breast cancer risk. This review discusses the physiological and dietary context in which reduction of breast cancer risk may occur, some proposed mechanisms of action and meaningful recommendations for consumption of n-3 PUFA in the diet of developed regions.
Evaluations of Warmed‐over Flavor during Chill Storage of Cooked Broiler Breast, Thigh and Skin by Chemical, Instrumental and Sensory Methods

Broiler breast, thigh and skin were cooked to 80°C, stored at 2°C for up to 5 days, and evaluated by chemical, gas chromatographic (GC) and sensory methods. Water and fat content of cooked meat did not change during storage. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values and levels of major headspace volatiles increased throughout storage time. Intensities of cardboard, warmed-over, rancid/painty, and overall off-flavor characteristics increased. Skin showed the least changes. Breast and thigh meat differed in GC profiles but were similar in sensory scores after 1 day and in TBA values after 2 days of storage. Both TBA and headspace GC measurements are associated with the off-flavor development.
Long-term relations among fire, fuel, and climate in the north-western US based on lake-sediment studies

Pollen and high-resolution charcoal records from the north-western USA provide an opportunity to examine the linkages among fire, climate, and fuels on multiple temporal and spatial scales. The data suggest that general charcoal levels were low in the late-glacial period and increased steadily through the last 11 000 years with increasing fuel biomass. At local scales, fire occurrence is governed by the interaction of site controls, including vegetation, local climate and fire weather, and topography. At subregional scales, patterns in the long term fire-episode frequency data are apparent: The Coast Range had relatively few fires in the Holocene, whereas the Klamath–Siskiyou region experienced frequent fire episodes. Fire regimes in the northern Rocky Mountains have been strongly governed by millennial- and centennial-scale climate variability and regional differences in summer moisture. At regional scales, sites in present-day summer-dry areas show a period of protracted high fire activity within the early Holocene that is attributed to intensified summer drought in the summer-dry region. Sites in summer-wet areas show the opposite pattern, that fire was lower in frequency than present in the early Holocene as result of strengthened monsoonal circulation then. Higher fire-episode frequency at many sites in the last 2000 years is attributed to greater drought during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and possibly anthropogenic burning. The association between drought, increased fire occurrence, and available fuels evident on several time scales suggests that long-term fire history patterns should be considered in current assessments of historical fire regimes and fuel conditions.
On the formation of bubbles in gas-particulate fluidized beds

The method of characteristics is applied to the nonlinear equations describing two-phase flow in a fluidized bed. The method shows how a small disturbance changes with time and distance and can, eventually, produce a flow discontinuity similar to a shock wave in gases. The parameters entering the analysis are the amplitude of the initial disturbance, the wavelength of the original disturbance, the particulate pressure function, the particulate size, the uniform fluidization voidage, the uniform fluidization velocity, the fluid viscosity, the particulate density, and the fluid density. A parametric study shows that the following factors delay shock formation: a decrease in particulate size, an increase in bed density, an increase in fluid viscosity, and a decrease in particulate density. Experimental data on bubble formation in gas-particulate fluidized beds show that these same factors delay bubble formation. It is concluded, therefore, that the shock front and the bubble front are one and the same thing.