cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transduodenal sphincteroplasty in the management of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreas divisum in the modern era.

Background Surgical management of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreas divisum is controversial. In the modern era of therapeutic endoscopy, pain persisting despite endoscopic sphincterotomy and anatomy that makes the ampulla endoscopically inaccessible prompt referral for surgical transduodenal sphincteroplasty (TS). A retrospective review of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreas divisum patients who underwent TS for refractory pain in a recent time period was undertaken. Study Design The medical records of all patients who underwent TS for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreas divisum at the Medical University of South Carolina between January 2001 and December 2005 were reviewed. Longterm outcomes were assessed by a standardized written questionnaire and the SF-36 version 2 Quality of Life Survey. Results Sixty-eight patients underwent TS (median age 43 years, 54 women). Fifty-one had earlier endoscopic sphincterotomy; 17, with previous gastric surgery, did not. Operative morbidity was 10.3%, with no mortality. Forty-five patients (66%) completed the questionnaire; 62% had improvement in pain, without reintervention, over a median followup of 42.5 months (range 16 to 75 months). There was a trend toward more favorable outcomes in patients with earlier gastric surgery (no previous endoscopic sphincterotomy) compared with others (90% versus 54%, p=0.06). Multivariate analysis showed chronic pancreatitis (odds ratio 0.11 [95% CI 0.02 to 0.68; p=0.02]) and younger age (odds ratio 3.9 [95% CI 1.32 to 11.53; p=0.01] per decade) were independent predictors of poorer outcomes. Conclusions Good longterm outcomes with low operative morbidity can be obtained with TS in selected patients, including those with postgastric bypass, but younger age and chronic pancreatitis appear to predict poorer outcomes.
On the descriptive power of simple precedence grammars

Simple precedence and other precedence-based grammars are traditionally defined to be without productions with the empty right-parts. Generalizing the simple precedence grammars to include productions with the empty right-parts, yields a class of grammars that defines exactly the deterministic context-free languages. Using a family of iteration theorems, it is shown that the descriptive power of the generalized simple precedence grammars increases directly as the number of the productions with the empty right-parts increases. That is, the number of productions with the empty right-parts induce an infinite hierarchy upon the class of deterministic context-free languages. The class of languages in each layer of this infinite hierarchy is characterized in terms of their number of “counting schemes” and required “middle markers”.
Potential gene therapy strategies for cancer stem cells

To be maximally effective, therapy of cancer must be directed against both the resting stem cells and the proliferating cells of the cancer. The cell populations of both normal and cancer tissues consist of resting stem cells, proliferating transit-amplifying cells, terminally differentiating cells and dying (apoptotic) cells. The difference between normal tissue renewal and growth of cancers is that some of the transit-amplifying cells in the cancer population do not mature into terminally differentiating cells, but instead continue to proliferate and do not die (maturation arrest). Because of this the number of cancer cells increase, whereas the cell population of normal tissues remains a relatively constant. Conventional radiation treatment and chemotherapy kill the actively proliferating transit- amplifying cells of the cancer. Differentiation therapy, using specific targeted inhibitors of activation, effectively induces differentiation of the proliferating transit-amplifying cancer cells. However, even if the proliferating cancer cells are completely inhibited or eliminated, the cancer stem cells may restore the transit-amplifying population, so that clinical remission is usually temporary. The hypothesis presented in this paper is that successful cancer therapy must be directed against both the resting stem cells and the proliferating cells of the cancer. This may be possible if specific stem cell signals are inhibited using gene therapy, while at the same time attacking proliferating cells by conventional radiation treatment or chemotherapy. With advances in approaches using specific inhibitory RNA, such combination therapy may now be possible, but critical problems in delivering the inhibitory effect specifically to the cancer stem cells have yet to be worked out.
Thyrotropin releasing hormone: enhancement of DOPA activity in thyroidectomized rats.

Abstract This study demonstrates that TRH potentiated the behavioral effects of DOPA-pargyline in thyroidectomized rats as well as in normal rats. This behavioral effect of TRH therefore can be considered to be independent of the thyroid gland in the DOPA potentiation test. Possible mechanisms and clinical implications are discussed.
Electrocatalytic activity of sulfur-modified platinum electrodes: selective electrogenerative oxidation of ethanol to ethyl acetate

Abstract Ethyl alcohol can be converted to ethyl acetate selectively at a reduced sulphur dioxide-treated porous platinum black anode in an electrochemical cell which generates D.C. power. The cell incorporates an acid electrolyte with an untreated porous platinum black/oxygen cathode. The reaction may be general for formation of esters from straight chain alcohols of two carbon atoms and higher. Secondary alcohols are selectively oxidized to ketones. For both oxidations, carbon dioxide formation is eliminated.
Skeletal muscle cells: from local inflammatory response to active immunity

The skeletal muscles are the major living component of the human body. They are constituted by stable cells, the myofibres, and by adult multipotent stem cells, the satellite cells, which can multiply to regenerate and repair the damaged tissues. Injections of DNA in muscle cells have been used to produce recombinant proteins with opposite goals: somatic reparation of genetic defects, which needs to elicit no inflammatory or immune response, and DNA vaccination, which needs a robust immune response. Because of possible therapeutical interventions, a growing body of information is being produced dealing with every aspect of the myofibres during inflammatory and autoimmune responses: skeletal muscle-antigen presenting cell (APC) interaction and intrinsic APC capabilities of myoblasts and myocytes, the response to released cytokines and their endogenous production, the regulation of Toll-like receptors and major histocompatibility complex expression. According to these data, the muscle tissue is now emerging no longer as a passive bystander, but more as an active player that, when correctly manipulated, can drive tolerance or immunization to these de novo produced proteins. In the present review, we summarize the recent developments on the control of muscle immune function.
CD8α+ Dendritic Cells Improve Collagen-Induced Arthritis In CC Chemokine Receptor (CCR)-2 Deficient Mice

Objective Dendritic cells (DCs) have long been recognized as potential therapeutic targets of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Increasing evidence has showed that DCs are capable of suppressing autoimmunity by expanding FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), which in turn exert immunosuppression by increasing TGFβ-1. In the SKG mice, activated DC prime autoreactive T cells causing autoantibody production and an inflammatory arthritic response. Recently, we reported that CC-chemokine receptor-2 deficient (Ccr2−/−) mice had impaired DCs migration and reduced CD8α+ DCs in the C57Bl/6J mice strain and that these mice were more susceptible to collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA), compared to wild type mice. To examine the mechanism by which DCs contribute to the increased susceptibility of arthritis in Ccr2−/− mice, we tested the hypothesis that CD8α+ DCs are protective (tolerogenic) against autoimmune arthritis by examining the role of CD8α+ DCs in Ccr2−/− and SKG mice.
Vibrational spectra of defect and alloy atom complexes in amorphous silicon films

Abstract This paper provides a structural interpretation for the 0-induced ir absorption bands in a-Si:H:0 alloys. For films with C(0)∼0.1 to 1.0 atomic % and C(H)∼5 atomic %, there are three 0-related ir features, at 2090 cm−1, 980 cm−1 and 780 cm−1. These are all assigned to a local atomic arrangement in which the H and 0-atoms are bonded to a common Si-site. The mode at 780 cm−1 strongly couples SiH and Si0Si motions and is a unique signature of a particular local geometry. The other two vibrations are decoupled SiH (2090 cm−1) and Si0Si (980 cm−1) stretching motions whose frequencies are determined by near-neighbor induction effects. Substitution of D or F for H changes the degree and character of the coupling, whilst substitution of Cl removes it completely.
Frontal polymerization with encapsulated initiator

Frontal Polymerization (FP) is a process that converts monomers into polymers by means of a propagating spatially localized reaction front. In the simplest case, a mixture of monomers and initiator is placed into a test tube and upon initiation of the reaction at one end of the tube, a self-sustained wave develops and propagates through the tube. Monomer/initiator systems can suffer from a limited pot life, meaning that over a period of time the systems will spontaneously polymerize before they can be used. One way to avoid the undesirable spontaneous polymerization is by microencapsulating the initiator. A mathematical model of nonadiabatic FP waves with encapsulated initiator is presented.
A random-walk interpretation of incentive effects in visual discrimination

Previous studies have shown that changes in stimulus discriminability and changes in reward density affect pigeon reaction-time (RT) distributions in different ways. A random-walk model ("RWP") accounts for these differences and assigns a single parameter to each of the independent variables. This paper briefly reviews the model and illustrates its findings with hue discrimination data. A new analysis then presents fits to data showing that increased reward for stimulus "A" lengthens RT of pecks to an alternative stimulus "B", and that this effect on RT distributions is much the same as the effect caused by reduction of reward to B. RWP account for both effects by changes in its "bias" parameter. The remainder of the paper comments on the relations between reward, RT, incentive and bias.
Collagenolytic activity of snake venom: The effects of enzyme inhibitors on the collagenolytic and trypsin-like enzymes derived from Crotalus atrox venom

1. 1. Eleven enzyme inhibitors were tested for their effects on the collagenolytic and trypsin-like enzyme activities derived from Crotalus atrox venom. 2. 2. Venom collagenolytic enzyme activity was inhibited completely by potassium cyanide and EDTA and partially inhibited by cysteine. 3. 3. Venom trypsin-like enzyme activity was inhibited completely by diisopropylfluorophosphate, 87 per cent by diethyldithiocarbamate and 70 per cent by cysteine.
Bureaucracy and grants-in-aid

The theoretical literature evaluating the impacts of intergovernmental aid programs has involved the more-or-less straightforward application of the theory of consumer choice. It is assumed that the community is maximizing the utility of the median voter or the utility of the median voter as perceived by political decision-makers.1 For matching grants, which imply a reduction in relative prices, the total expenditure on the grant-aided good will increase (decrease) by an amount greater (less) than the grant if the price elasticity of demand for the grant-aided good is price elastic (inelastic). For unconditional grants, the change in expenditure on the publicly supplied good will be less than the full value of the grant as long as private and public goods have positive income elasticities. The voluminous empirical literature has attempted to measure the relative magnitudes of these coefficients.2 The purpose of this note is to suggest the applicability of the public choice theory of bureaucracy in understanding the growth of intergovernmental grants. Because of the complexity and diversity of the federal grants program we limited the discussion to the federal-state Medicaid program. Medicaid began on January 1, 1966, as an attempt to encourage states to provide coverage to the 'medically needy'. Under Medicaid the federal government's matching share is inversely related to state per capita income. Shares range from a minimum of 50 percent to a maximum of 83 percent. Since its inception the actual rate of growth of the Medicaid program has far outstripped original estimates. From 1970 to 1978 federal funds for Medicaid have increased at an annual compound rate in excess of 20 percent. Niskanen, in his important book, developed an economic model of bureaucratic behavior indicating bureaus tend to oversupply their output. In analyzing the sources of government growth Borcherding states 'that the growth of government has been 40 to 50 percent faster than would be
Bacterial products primarily mediate fibroblast inhibition in biomaterial infection

Purpose. The stimulation of fibroblast growth is essential for the normal healing and tissue integration of biomaterials. The local elevation of proinflammatory mediators in infected perigraft fluid (PGF) may inhibit this growth. We sought to determine whether infected PGF inhibited fibroblast growth, and, if so, whether this was primarily dependent on the biomaterial, bacteria, or host. Methods. In vivo Dacron or expandable polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts, sterile or colonized with slime-producing (RP-62A, viable or formalin-killed) or nonslime-producing (RP-62NA) Staphylococcus epidermidis (1 x 10 7 CFU/cm 2 ), were implanted in Swiss Webster mice, and the PGF was harvested at 7 and 28 days. Antibodies to tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1α, interferon γ (7 μg/day), and indomethacin (50 μg/day) were administered by microinfusion pumps for 7 days and the PGF was harvested. Inhibition of the proinflammatory mediators was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. The non-treated, heat-treated, or trypsin-digested in vivo PGF was incubated with an in vitro [ 3 H]thymidine murine fibroblast (ATCC CCL-12) proliferation assay. Results. Fibroblast inhibition was significant at 7 and 28 days with infected PGF incubation compared with sterile and was not dependent on bacterial slime production or viability. Dacron sterile PGF did not significantly inhibit fibroblasts compared with control, whereas sterile ePTFE stimulated (P < 0.05) fibroblasts. Treatment of the PGF with proinflammatory cytokines, heat, and trypsin failed to reverse fibroblast inhibition in the infected state. Conclusion. Biomaterial infection is associated with fibroblast inhibition that is dependent primarily on bacterial products and not the host or biomaterial. Conservative intervention strategies for graft infection need to address the problem of poor healing as well as bacterial clearance.
HgCdTe Liquid Phase Epitaxy: An Overview

The need for large area HgCdTe material of good crystalline quality for IR detectors and advanced focal plane arrays has prompted research in thin film HgCdTe. Although several techniques are currently being explored, liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) appears to be the most promising. A HgCdTe LPE approach is defined by the growth solution or melt, the growth mode, and the mechanics of bringing the substrate, usually CdTe, in contact with the melt. Growth of narrow bandgap Hgl_xCdxTe alloys is obtained from both Hg-rich and Te-rich melts. An additional post-anneal step in a Hg atomsphere is required for n-type conversion. Equilibrium cooling and isothermal growth are the most frequently used growth modes. Each mode requires careful determination of the liquidus temperature to obtain films with reproducible characteristics. Isothermal growth from a large melt offers the inherent advantage of a more uniform alloy composition in the depth of the film. The three customary methods of bringing the melt and substrate into contact are: 1) dipping the substrate into the melt, 2) sliding the melt on and off the substrate, and 3) tipping the melt on and off the substrate. Of the three, tipping appears to be least suited for a production process. In their present state of development, Hgl_xCdxTe epitaxial films with carrier concentrations typically in the range n = 5-10 x 1015 cm-3 are routinely obtained. In some cases, values in the high 1014 cm-3 range have been reported. Advanced focal plane array structures for long wavelength applications will require material with n < 4 x 1014 cm-3. Judging from the present state of the art, this goal will likely be attained within the next few years.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Low-frequency depolarized light scattering from fluids☆

Abstract A theory of the low-frequency depolarized-light scattering spectra of fluids of nonspherical molecules is obtained. The intensity of the scattered light is proportional to the polarizability-density autocorrelation function. For small frequency and wave vector the behavior of this correlation function can be obtained using the Selwyn-Oppenheim theory. The pertinent variables are the usual hydrodynamic variables, the angular momentum density and the polarizability density. We obtain explicit general expressions for the sharp components of the VH and HH spectra at low frequencies. These expressions include k and temperature-dependent fine structures which contain dynamic correlation functions between the anisotropic polarizability density and the microscopic stress tensor. When terms of zeroth order in the wave vector and second order in the time derivatives of the polarizability and the spin are larger than terms of O ( k 2 ) we derive simpler expressions.
Multiple temporal components of optic flow responses in MST neurons

Neurons in monkey medial superior temporal cortex (MST) respond to optic flow stimuli with early phasic, tonic, and after-phasic response components. In these experiments we characterized each response component to compare its potential contributions to visual motion processing. The early responses begin 60–100 ms after stimulus onset and last between 100 and 250 ms, the tonic responses begin 100–300 ms after stimulus onset and last for as long as the evoking stimulus persists, and the after-responses begin about 60 ms after the stimulus goes off and last for 100–350 ms. A neuron’s tonic responses were evoked by specific optic flow stimuli: over two-thirds of the 264 neurons showed tonic responses evoked by two to five stimuli, whereas only 15% responded to either all or none of the stimuli. The tonic responses continued with stimulus presentations as long as 15 s, with their directional preferences being maintained throughout stimulation. However, the tonic response to a given stimulus was seen to change in amplitude when it was presented in random sequence with different sets of other stimuli. Thus, the tonic responses might convey substantial information about optic flow patterns, which continue with prolonged stimulation, but can be modified by the visual context created by other visual motion stimuli. Only about one-third of the 264 neurons had early responses that were selective for specific stimuli. In neurons yielding at least one early response, that neuron was most often activated by all the visual motion stimuli. After-rsponses occurred in only half the neurons, but they were more often specifically related to particular optic flow stimuli, regardless of whether those stimuli had evoked tonic excitatory or tonic inhibitory responses. The presence of early and after-responses complicates the interpretation of activity evoked when one stimulus immediately follows another. However, under those conditions, early responses and after-responses might contribute to signaling changes in the ongoing pattern of optic flow. We conclude that several components of MST responses should be recognized and that they potentially play different roles in the cortical analysis of optic flow. Tonic responses show the greatest specificity for particular optic flow stimuli, and possess characteristics which make them suitable neuronal participants in self-movement perception.
Stereological analysis of spherical particles : Experimental assessment and comparison to laser diffraction

Spherical polymer particles in five different size ranges from ∼2 to 200 µm were measured by optical microscopy/image analysis of polished cross sections. From the two-dimensional (2-D) section-size distributions, two stereological techniques were employed to determine the three-dimensional (3-D) particle-size distributions: the classical Schwartz-Saltykov (SS) method, further developed by Takahashi and Suito, and the technique of Harayama, which was applied by Basak and Sengupta (HBS). The objectives of this study were to assess the viability of image analysis and the SS or HBS techniques as quantitative particle analysis methods and to compare them to laser diffraction (LD) of loose powders. It was found that the image analysis/stereology (IA/S) and LD results agreed within about 15 pct over most of the size range studied. Moreover, the IA/S technique accurately estimates experimental particle-size distributions with nonsymmetric or multimodal characteristics. Stereological parameters were studied, such as the number of size classes (histogram step intervals), and methods of displaying the size distributions were compared to develop best practices. The effect of oversight of small particles, which is an area of concern with stereological techniques, was also investigated in terms of changes to the mean and standard deviations of the 3-D particle-size distributions.
4-Fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide, a selective photoaffinity label for type B monoamine oxidase.

Abstract The effects of 4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide (FNPA) on types A and B monoamine oxidase in rat brain cortex were studied using serotonin and phenylethylamine as substrates respectively. FNPA competitively inhibited the oxidative deamination of both serotonin ( K i = 3 μ M) and phenylethylamine ( K i = 0.78 μ M) in the dark. Upon photoirradiation in the presence of FNPA, a photodependent inhibition of type B MAO activity resulted. This photodependent inhibition was apparently irreversible since there was no recovery of activity upon washing of the photolyzed FNPA-enzyme mixture. Additional evidence for the photoinduced covalent binding of FNPA to type B MAO is that non-competitive inhibition kinetics resulted after photolysis. The specificity of the photodependent incorporation of FNPA to type B MAO was shown by the protective effect of phenylethylamine and by decreased [ 3 H]pargyline labeling after the enzyme was photolyzed with FNPA. Under the same experimental conditions, only minimal photodependent inhibition of type A MAO by FNPA was found. The observed difference in the efficiencies of the photodependent inactivation of the two types of MAO by FNPA suggests that there is a conformational or a structural difference in the active sites of the two types of MAO. The active site of type B MAO could be characterized by utilizing FNPA as a photoaffinity labeling probe.
THE OCCURRENCE OF BACILLUS INFLUENZAE IN THE NORMAL THROAT.

1. The frequency of occurrence of Baculus influenzœ in the throats of normal individuals has been as great in the period subsequent to the epidemic of influenza as it was during the period of the epidemic. 2. Bacillus influenzœ may persist in the throats of healthy carriers for a considerable period of time. 3. A considerable proportion of individuals not exposed during the epidemic has been found to carry Bacillus influenzœ in their throats. 4. Oleate hemoglobin agar has been found to be a very satisfactory selective medium for cultivation of Bacillus influenzœ from the throat. To give optimum results it should have a reaction of from pH 7.2 to 7.5.
Ammoniacal Silver Staining of Embryonic Chicken Cells and Chromosomes

Abstract Ammoniacal silver stains the cytoplasm of reticuloendothelial cells, microglia of the brain, and blood monocytes, as well as nuclei in lymph nodes of mice and humans (Black and Speer, 1958). In 1960, Black et al., used ammoniacal silver (A-S) to study the acid-extractable nuclear proteins (AENP) of cancer cells in mice and humans. While the AENP was shown to be histone, it was not established if the AENP was histone in toto or in part. In 1964, Black and Ansley applied the A-S technique to the salivary gland chromosomes of Drosophila melanogastor, and established that A-S stained histone of the polytene chromosomes in a selective way, i.e., different bands were distinguished with different staining intensities. This study sought to adapt Black and Ansley's technique (1964) for the study of embryonic chicken cells and chromosomes. The possibility of revealing chromosome structure and histone localization in avian chromosomes was considered. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Single Comb White Leghorn chicken was used in this study. The following tissues were employed: Whole embryo at 3 days of incubation (D.I.), posterior limb buds at 4 D.I., brain at 4 D.I., liver at 6, 8, 11, 13, and 14 D.I., and kidney at 8 D.I.
Patterns and dynamics of shorebird use of California's Central Valley

Surveys of California's Central Valley between 1992-1995 document it as one of the most important regions in western North America to migratory and wintering shorebirds. Populations averaged 134,000 individuals in August, 211,000 in November, 303,000 in January, and 335,000 in April. Of 33 species, the 10 or 11 that averaged over 1,000 individuals each season accounted for 99% of total numbers. Managed wetlands, agricultural fields (especially rice), and agricultural evaporation ponds held the most shorebirds. Species varied their seasonal, geographic, and habitat use of the Central Valley, primarily in response to changes in water availability from rainfall or management practices and latitudinal variation in habitat availability mediated, in part, by climate. In the record rainfall year of 1994-1995, shorebird numbers increased 74% between November and January, primarily from coast-to-interior movements of the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) and local habitat shifts of Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus). Although the Valley's shorebirds face threats from poor or toxic water quality, changing agricultural practices, and habitat loss to urbanization, they should benefit from current efforts to increase flooding of rice fields and to secure a stable high quality water supply for wetlands. Development of a sound conservation strategy is crucial for the preservation of shorebird populations in the Central Valley, as this agriculturally-dominated landscape is among the most altered in North America and remains vulnerable to strong economic and population growth pressures that may impact shorebird habitats in the future.
The Summer‐time vertical humidity‐gradient over the cold water of the San Juan Archipelago

During the past three summers (1938, 1939, 1940) observations have been taken of the vertical humidity-gradient in the lowest meters above the sea-water at several locations near the Oceanographic Laboratories at Friday Harbor. Though the observations have not been continuous, owing to the instrumental equipment and the labor involved, the periods selected were typical of summer daytime-weather and the places from which data were obtained were representative of the condition prevalent above the water of the Archipelago. Instrumental arrangement and observational procedure—Because of the contaminating effect on air-temperature of any size vessel and the lifting and crowding of air-layers flowing over the boat, the nearest approach to the optimum observation-condition is from a raft with as little freeboard as is consistent with safety (see Fig. 1). Accordingly, one was built of heavy logs and a mast stepped at one end. The freeboard was approximately 20 cm.
Parametrically amplified MEMS magnetometer

This paper demonstrates how parametric amplification can improve the system wide signal to noise ratio (SNR) of MEMS resonant force sensors. Experiments demonstrate how parametric amplification increases the mechanical sensitivity of a Lorentz force based MEMS magnetometer. This increase in mechanical sensitivity amplifies both the Lorentz and Brownian forces. The RMS displacement caused by the 39 nT/√lHz Brownian noise floor is amplified from 13.75 pm to 283 pm. In this study a maximum stable magnetic field sensitivity increase of 51 times was achieved which has an equivalent amplification to a linear resonator with a quality factor (Q) of 40,000.
Poly(p‐benzamide). II. Thermal behavior and crystal transformations

The thermal behavior and crystal transformation of poly(p-benzamide) are reported. Modification I contains both solvent (N,N-dimethylacetamide) and LiCl in its crystal lattice. Modification II is likely to form a complex crystal with LiCl, whereas crystalline modification III contains neither solvent nor LiCl in its unit cell. The crystal transformation temperature from modification I to II is 214°C, and the crystal–nematic transition temperatures of modification II and III are 475 and 544°C, respectively. Modification III can be obtained from II by heating above 475°C and cooling, or by washing with water. It can also be obtained from modification I by washing with water and annealing.
Tangle Complexity and the Topology of the Chinese Rings

This paper discusses a question in complexity of untanglement of graph embeddings in relation to the well-known Chinese Rings puzzle. A series of examples is described in which the complexity of untanglement is conjectured to rise exponentially as a function of the structural complexity of the associated graphs. Possible relations with biological and physical systems are discussed.
Cellular distribution of 16S acetylcholinesterase.

— Multiple molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7), in crude extracts of various tissues from the rat, were distinguished by velocity sedimentation analysis on linear sucrose gradients. Skeletal muscle samples containing end-plate regions showed three different forms of AChE with apparent sedimentation coefficients of 16, 10 and 4s. The 16s form was not detected in non-innervated regions of skeletal muscle, large intestine smooth muscle, whole brain tissue, red blood cells or plasma. Spinal cord, a predominantly motor cranial nerve and mixed (sensory and motor) peripheral nerves contained 16, 10, 6.5 and 4S AChE. Ventral motor roots, supplying the sciatic nerve, contained these four forms of the enzyme, while corresponding dorsal sensory roots were devoid of the 16S form. The 16s-AChE confined to ventral roots can be attributed totally to motor neurons and not to Schwann cells composing these roots. Whether the 16s-AChE presently found in motor nerves has chemical identity with that found at motor end-plates is the basis of future experiments.
Mapping Evapotranspiration and Drought at local to Continental Scales using Thermal Remote Sensing

Using thermal-infrared imagery from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), a fully automated inverse model of Atmosphere-Land Exchange (ALEXI) has been used to model daily ET and surface moisture stress over a 10-km resolution grid covering the continental United States. Monthly anomalies in the ALEXI moisture stress fields show good spatiotemporal correspondence with standard drought metrics, but at significantly higher spatial resolution due to limited reliance on ground observations. In a disaggregation mode (DisALEXI), the model can also generate moderate to high-resolution (100-103 m) flux maps over targeted scenes using thermal images from platforms like Landsat and MODIS. In combination, the ALEXI/DisALEXI package facilitates scalable ET and stress mapping in a framework like Google Earth, zooming in from the continental scale to sites of specific interest. Given NASA's decision to discontinue TIR imaging capabilities on the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, however, we face an impending gap in our ability to map moisture status at the critical sub-field scale (~100 m), which will adversely affect active water management and drought monitoring applications worldwide.
The Arginine-Rich Domains Present in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat and Rev Function as Direct Importin β-Dependent Nuclear Localization Signals

Protein nuclear import is generally mediated by basic nuclear localization signals (NLSs) that serve as targets for the importin alpha (Imp alpha) NLS receptor. Imp alpha is in turn bound by importin beta (Imp beta), which targets the resultant protein complex to the nucleus. Here, we report that the arginine-rich NLS sequences present in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 regulatory proteins Tat and Rev fail to interact with Imp alpha and instead bind directly to Imp beta. Using in vitro nuclear import assays, we demonstrate that Imp alpha is entirely dispensable for Tat and Rev nuclear import. In contrast, Imp beta proved both sufficient and necessary, in that other beta-like import factors, such as transportin, were unable to support Tat or Rev nuclear import. Using in vitro competition assays, it was demonstrated that the target sites on Imp beta for Imp alpha, Tat, and Rev binding either are identical or at least overlap. The interaction of Tat and Rev with Imp beta is also similar to Imp alpha binding in that it is inhibited by RanGTP but not RanGDP, a finding that may in part explain why the interaction of the Rev nuclear RNA export factor with target RNA species is efficient in the cell nucleus yet is released in the cytoplasm. Together, these studies define a novel class of arginine-rich NLS sequences that are direct targets for Imp beta and that therefore function independently of Imp alpha.
Quantum optics: Enhanced quantum light generation

The use of a specially designed cavity to enhance the intensity of femtosecond ultraviolet pulses dramatically increases the rate at which non-classical states of light can be produced.
Economy-class ion-defying ICs in orbit

Space can be hostile in the extreme to the electronics in the hundreds of satellites now being readied for launch into low orbit. This paper describes how, now more than ever, satellite designers need an economical method of protecting their circuits from permanent damage and transient failure caused by the radiation belts that surround the Earth.
Broiler breeder age and dietary fat influence the yolk fatty acid profiles of fresh eggs and newly hatched chicks

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the combined effects of breeder age (36-, 51-, or 64-wk) and different dietary fat sources (3% added corn oil, poultry fat, or lard) on lipids in fresh egg yolks and yolks of newly hatched chicks. Isocaloric breeder diets were altered by the inclusion of different types of dietary fat such that the poultry fat and lard diets had the highest levels of saturated fatty acids when compared to the corn oil diet. Fresh egg yolks obtained from 36-wk-old breeders exhibited higher levels of palmitoleic acid when compared to the levels observed in fresh egg yolks of 51- or 64-wk-old breeders. Furthermore, these levels decreased significantly by 21 d of incubation only in eggs from 36-wk-old hens. At 36 wk of breeder age, the levels of oleic and arachidonic acid were higher in yolks from hatched chicks than in previous fresh egg values, regardless of type of added dietary fat; whereas the level of linoleic acid was higher only in yolks from hatched chicks compared to those of fresh eggs from 36-wk-old hens fed 3% added corn oil. These data suggest that breeder age influences the utilization of yolk lipid by developing embryos, and that the type of fat provided in the diet may have an additional influence.
p-channel quantum-well heterostructure MI/sup 3/SFET

A p-channel heterostructure MISFET-like device based on a quantum well with an underlying impurity layer is discussed. The device is based on an AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure with a recessed-gate geometry and uses Zn-diffused refractory-metal contacts. The 4100 cm/sup 2//V-s hole mobility obtained in this inverted-interface structure at 77 K is comparable to that achieved in normal-interface AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures. Transconductance and K-factor values as high as 52 mS/mm and 140 mS/V-mm, respectively, are obtained at 77 K in p-channel FETs with 2.0- mu m gate lengths and 6.0- mu m source-drain spacings, representing state-of-the-art values for p-HFETs at similar dimensions. >
Hepatocellular carcinoma survival in uninsured and underinsured patients.

Background The incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. The purpose of this study is to establish baseline survival in a medically-underserved population and to evaluate the effect of HCV seropositivity on our patient population. Materials and Methods We reviewed clinicopathologic parameters from a prospective tumor registry and medical records from the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD). Outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests. Results A total of 298 HCC patients were identified. The median survival for the entire cohort was 3.4 mo. There was no difference in survival between the HCV seropositive and the HCV seronegative groups (3.6 mo versus 2.6 mo, P = 0.7). Patients with a survival <1 mo had a significant increase in αfetoprotein (AFP), international normalized ratio (INR), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and total bilirubin and decrease in albumin compared with patients with a survival ≥ 1 mo. Conclusions Survival for HCC patients in the HCHD is extremely poor compared with an anticipated median survival of 7 mo reported in other studies. HCV seropositive patients have no survival advantage over HCV seronegative patients. Poorer liver function at diagnosis appears to be related to shorter survival. Further analysis into variables contributing to decreased survival is needed.
Simulation methods for linear fractional stable motion and farima using the fast fourier transform

We present efficient methods for simulation, using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm, of two classes of processes with symmetric α-stable (SαS) distributions. Namely, (i) the linear fractional stable motion (LFSM) process and (ii) the fractional autoregressive moving average (FARIMA) time series with SαS innovations. These two types of heavy-tailed processes have infinite variances and long-range dependence and they can be used in modeling the traffic of modern computer telecommunication networks. We generate paths of the LFSM process by using Riemann-sum approximations of its SαS stochastic integral representation and paths of the FARIMA time series by truncating their moving average representation. In both the LFSM and FARIMA cases, we compute the involved sums efficiently by using the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm and provide bounds and/or estimates of the approximation error. We discuss different choices of the discretization and truncation parameters involved in our algorithms and illustr...
Output Loss and Recovery from Banking and Currency Crises: Estimation Issues

Relatively few studies in the financial crisis literature have attempted to examine the connection between financial crises and the real economy, in part due to concerns regarding an appropriate methodology to use in estimating output losses associated with a crisis. Among these studies, two methodologies (a dummy variable approach and an output gap approach) are employed to capture the magnitude of output reductions. The analytical comparison in this study suggests that the latter approach is preferred, but is itself subject to many controversial estimation issues. The estimated output losses for individual crisis episodes seem to be sensitive to how these estimation criteria are defined. This study also provides a review of empirical studies that investigate crisis-response policies and domestic regulatory and institutional structures that allow governments to respond in a timely and effectively manner to crises, thereby reducing the severity of output losses.
Cognition and Instruction: Toward a Cognitive Theory of Learning

Contemporary cognitive psychology has focused upon problems of perception and memory, an emphasis that has led to an apparent decrease of research in the area of learning.1 A reasonable question to ask, therefore, is whether the cognitive movement has neglected the study of learning, or whether cognitive psychology has incorporated the concept of learning, but has done so under a different terminology.
National Trends and Outcomes of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

ABSTRACT Purpose To elucidate trends in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) use and outcomes over the course of a decade, including predictors of inpatient mortality and extended length of hospital stay. Materials and Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was interrogated for the most recent 10 years available: 2003–2012. TIPS procedures and associated diagnoses were identified via International Classification of Diseases (version 9) codes, with the latter categorized into primary diagnoses in a hierarchy of disease severity. Linear regression analysis was used to determine trends of TIPS use and outcomes over time. Independent predictors of mortality and extended length of stay were determined by logistic regression. Results A total of 55,145 TIPS procedures were captured during the study period. Annual procedural volume did not change significantly (5,979 in 2003, 5,880 in 2012). The majority of TIPSs were created for ascites and/or varices (84%). Inpatient mortality (12.5% in 2003, 10.6% in 2012; P P P 80 y, black race), and sequelae of advanced cirrhosis (comorbid hepatocellular carcinoma, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy). Conclusions National TIPS inpatient mortality has decreased since 2003 while procedural volume has not changed. Postprocedural outcome is a function of patient demographic and socioeconomic factors and associated diagnoses. Independent predictors of poor outcome identified in this large national population study may aid clinicians in better assessing preprocedural risk.
A phase I/II study of nevirapine for pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV-1 transmission in uninfected subjects at high risk.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and trough levels of three pre-exposure prophylaxis regimens of nevirapine among HIV-1-uninfected subjects at high risk for HIV-1 infection. Methods: A phase I/II trial (HIVHOP 101) in which 33 such uninfected subjects received a 200 mg tablet of nevirapine once weekly (cohort A, n = 12), twice weekly (cohort B, n = 12), or every other day (cohort C, n = 9) for 12 weeks. Clinical signs/ symptoms, laboratory parameters, and nevirapine trough levels were assessed at entry and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 weeks, with a follow-up sample at 16 weeks. Results: No subject experienced clinical symptoms attributed to nevirapine, including rash. There were no significant changes in liver enzyme levels from baseline to week 12 in the three cohorts, except for glutamyl transpeptidase in cohort B. Median nevirapine trough levels at weeks 1 and 12 were 119 ng/ml (range, < 25-205) and 135 ng/ml (range, < 25-1065), respectively, for cohort A, 569 ng/ml (range, 135-2641) and 431 ng/ml (range, 42-2454) for cohort B, and 1942 ng/ml (range, 1214-2482) and 943 ng/ml (range, 262-5281) for cohort C. No subject became HIV-1 antibody positive by week 16. Conclusions: A single dose of nevirapine taken once weekly, twice weekly, or every other day for 12 weeks was safely tolerated by the subjects in this small study, and resulted in nevirapine levels well above the IC 50 (inhibitory concentration of 50%: 10 ng/ml) over the 12-week period in nearly all evaluable subjects.
GPR prestack amplitude recovery for radiation patterns using a full wave-equation, reverse- time migration algorithm

Summary While reverse-time, prestack migration (RT-PSDM) has become a common imaging method in seismic exploration, its use has remained relatively limited in GPR applications. Antenna radiation patterns have a significant impact on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data amplitudes. Radiation patterns must be properly accounted for in quantitative amplitude analysis. Here, I use a full waveequation RT-PSDM algorithm to investigate the potential to correct multi-offset, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) amplitudes for antenna radiation pattern effects. By including the earth-air interface in the source wavefield estimation, the radiation pattern effect is removed at the reflecting interface. Further, geometric spreading and attenuation due to conductivity are naturally corrected in the RT-PSDM framework.
Cancer Websites you can use: people living with cancer.

People Living With Cancer (www.plwc.org, Figure 1), the patient-oriented website posted by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), has emerged as one of the preeminent cancer patient education sites, and for good reason: It offers excellent site organization, easy navigability, and useful information.
The Authoritarian Dynamic: Manipulating Threat and Reassurance: Data and Methods

Most of the empirical investigations to follow draw upon three different data collections – the Durham Community Survey 1997 ( DCS97 ), the Multi-Investigator Study 1999 ( MIS99 ), and the Cultural Revolution Experiment 1995 ( CRE95 ) – for which I was fortunate to be among the original investigators. Thus in each case I had the opportunity to include a tremendous array of variables (including many original instruments as well as variables infrequently measured on standard social science surveys) and to embed a number of experimental manipulations, all specifically designed to test my hypotheses (see Sniderman et al. 1991 for a discussion of the advantages of this approach). Each dataset employed in this work has its own corresponding appendix, providing full details and exact descriptions of data collection, variable measurement, and scale construction, as well as univariate statistics and the complete results of analyses. These appendices (lettered A1, A2, A3, B, C, D, and E) do not appear here in the hard copy due to space limitations, but may be found online on the worldwide web at 〈www.KarenStenner.com〉. Tables and figures that are numbered appear in the corresponding chapters in the text (e.g., Table 5.1 appears in Chapter 5), while tables and figures that are lettered can be found on the website in their respective appendices (e.g., Figure B.3 can be found in Appendix B).
A System Dynamics Approach for Sustainable Water Management in Hospitals

Hospitals are a major stakeholder within the healthcare system and a large consumer of water resources. A goal of water sustainability related to hospitals is to effectively manage the use of water, while balancing factors related to the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental. This paper discusses a systems thinking approach applied to model various factors and factor relationships associated to hospitals and water sustainability. A causal model representing key factors and factor relationships is shown. A system dynamics simulator is presented that illustrates the behavior of various factors associated to hospitals and water sustainability and assists decision makers in comprehending the impacts of their decisions. Simulator results based on actual hospital data are also provided.