cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased sensitivity of cerebrohepatorenal syndrome fibroblasts to antimycin A

The effect of four mitochondrial electron transport inhibitors on the growth of normal and cerebrohepatorenal syndrome (CHRS) fibroblasts was studied. Compared to normal fibroblasts, CHRS cells demonstrated a fivefold greater sensitivity to antimycin A, an inhibitor of the cytochrome bc1 complex (complex III), but equal inhibition by amytal, rotenone and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide. The results suggest a primary or secondary functional deficiency at mitochondrial complex III in fibroblasts.
Screen and Clean: a tool for identifying interactions in genome-wide association studies

Epistasis could be an important source of risk for disease. How interacting loci might be discovered is an open question for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Most researchers limit their statistical analyses to testing individual pairwise interactions (i.e., marginal tests for association). A more effective means of identifying important predictors is to fit models that include many predictors simultaneously (i.e., higher-dimensional models). We explore a procedure called screen and clean (SC) for identifying liability loci, including interactions, by using the lasso procedure, which is a model selection tool for high-dimensional regression. We approach the problem by using a varying dictionary consisting of terms to include in the model. In the first step the lasso dictionary includes only main effects. The most promising single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are identified using a screening procedure. Next the lasso dictionary is adjusted to include these main effects and the corresponding interaction terms. Again, promising terms are identified using lasso screening. Then significant terms are identified through the cleaning process. Implementation of SC for GWAS requires algorithms to explore the complex model space induced by the many SNPs genotyped and their interactions. We propose and explore a set of algorithms and find that SC successfully controls Type I error while yielding good power to identify risk loci and their interactions. When the method is applied to data obtained from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium study of Type 1 Diabetes it uncovers evidence supporting interaction within the HLA class II region as well as within Chromosome 12q24.
Prognostic factors for survival of patients with bidimensionally measurable metastatic hormone-refractory prostatic cancer treated with single-agent chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND A range of response proportions have been reported using the same single-agent inpatients with hormone refractory prostatic cancer. To assess whether these results were due to imbalances in prognostic factors, the authors evaluated a series of prognostic factors for survival in patients with prostatic cancer treated with chemotherapy. METHODS Complete data sets were available in 146 patients, in whom 27 individual variables were considered in univariate analysis. Significant factors (P < 0.05) were then evaluated using regression analysis along with transformations of the data to obtain a Cox and exponential model. The derived model was then evaluated on an independent data set from the National Cancer Institute treated with suramin. RESULTS In univariate analysis in order of significance, the serum alkaline phosphate (0.0018), serum lactic dehydrogenase (0.006), prior radiation therapy (0.007), serum aspartate amino transferase (0.02), presence of liver disease (0.033), and pretreatment Karnofsky performance status (0.04) were associated with survival. In the regression analysis, only the log-transformed lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and normal versus abnormal alkaline phosphatase were significant. This model was confirmed with an independent data set from patients treated with the putative growth factor inhibitor suramin. CONCLUSIONS This analysis emphasizes important factors that can be used to stratify patients in future phase II and III trials.
Gradient expansion of the kinetic energy density functional: Local behavior of the kinetic energy density

Abstract Calculations with Hartree—Fock electron densities for the rare gas atoms He through Xe show that the gradient expansion for the kinetic energy functional, T [ϱ] = T 0 [ϱ] + T 2 [ϱ] + T 4 [ϱ] + … = ∫ t (ϱ)ϱ dτ, approximates the kinetic energy by averaging over the shell structure present in the true local kinetic energy density, t (ϱ), and that the accuracy of the gradient expansion improves with increasing atomic number. Components of t (ϱ), t 0 (ϱ), t 2 (ϱ) and t 4 (ϱ), are exhibited and discussed. The defined function t (ϱ) is everywhere positive.
An athlete's feet

I started playing tennis when I was 2 years old and began competitive tennis by 8. My top priorities were always tennis and academics. Through dedication and hard work, I became both an exceptional student and athlete. In addition to being a highly dedicated tennis player, I was also an intense athlete. That meant that I spent much of my time in wet, sweaty socks. I thought these were the prime ingredients for my developing athlete’s foot. As soon as the fungal infection would flare, once again, I would buy some cream from a local pharmacy for temporary relief. One of the hardest decisions in life, as an adolescent, was choosing a college. Where did I want to spend the next 4 to 7 years of my life? Did I want to remain in the same hometown where my friends and family lived, or did I want to stray, far away from home, to become a more independent and self-sufficient adult? For me, this decision was even harder when I was choosing colleges that offered superior academics and an outstanding tennis program. After a year of contemplating these options, I limited the field of possible choices to 3 universities: Northern Arizona University, University of Houston, and the Air Force Academy. No college decision is easy, but I finally decided to attend the Air Force Academy, where I could simultaneously compete in Division I College Tennis, obtain an excellent education, and serve my country. When basic training started in June, just after high school graduation, I really started struggling with my foot problems. We cadets had to wear big black army boots at all times, not to mention the black socks. In the second of 8 never-ending weeks of training camp, I had a flare of
Reduction in density of transverse tubules and L-type Ca2+ channels in canine tachycardia-induced heart failure

Objective: Persistent supraventricular tachycardia leads to the development of a dilated cardiomyopathy with impairment of excitation–contraction (EC) coupling. Since the initial trigger for EC coupling in ventricular muscle is the influx of Ca2+ through L-type Ca2+ channels ( I Ca) in the transverse tubules (T-tubules), we determined if the density of the T-tubule system and L-type Ca2+ channels change in canine tachycardia pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. Methods: Confocal imaging of isolated ventricular myocytes stained with the membrane dye Di-8-ANEPPS was used to image the T-tubule system, and standard whole-cell patch clamp techniques were used to measure I Ca and intramembrane charge movement. Results: A complex staining pattern of interconnected tubules including prominent transverse components spaced every ∼1.6 μm was present in control ventricular myocytes, but failing cells demonstrated a far less regular T-tubule system with a relative loss of T-tubules. In confocal optical slices, the average % of the total cell area staining for T-tubules decreased from 11.5±0.4 in control to 8.7±0.4% in failing cells ( P <0.001). Whole-cell patch clamp studies revealed that I Ca density was unchanged. Since whole-cell I Ca is due to both the number of channels as well as the functional properties of those channels, we measured intramembrane charge movement as an assay for changes in channel number. The saturating amount of charge that moves due to gating of L-type Ca2+ channels, Qon,max, was decreased from 6.5±0.6 in control to 2.8±0.3 fC/pF in failing myocytes ( P <0.001). Conclusions: Cellular remodeling in heart failure results in decreased density of T-tubules and L-type Ca2+ channels, which contribute to abnormal EC coupling.
Drying of a porous medium with multiple open sides using a pore-network model simulation

Abstract Pore-network models are employed frequently to study drying in porous media as they, unlike continuum approaches, provide insight into the pore-scale phenomena prevalent during the drying process. Drying characteristics of a 2D rectangular pore network with two opposite sides exposed to the air are investigated numerically, while ignoring gravitational and viscous forces as well as the liquid film effects. The invasion percolation (IP) algorithm is applied to simulate the slow capillary-dominated drying process under isothermal conditions. The drying characteristics of such a network are compared with those of the same network with only one side exposed to the air (the case typically studied in the literature). The results obtained from this novel configuration show that the exposed surface of the network with two open sides dries faster in terms of actual time but requires a larger number of time-steps. Also, the number of thus formed liquid clusters and consequently the number of meniscus pores inside the two-sides-open network is higher than that of the one-side-open network. Therefore, the evaporative mass-loss rate for the network with two open sides is much higher than that of the network with one open side. The study yields some new insights into the evaporation dynamics of networks with multiple open sides.
Race and Venous Thromboembolism Nature or Nurture

Conventional teaching is that a racial gradient exists for the frequency of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the United States. Asian Americans have the lowest risk, and blacks have the highest risk. Hispanic Americans and Americans of European ancestry have an intermediate risk, with Hispanic Americans having less frequent VTE than those of European but non-Hispanic heritage. The most apparent paradox is that blacks have the highest rate of VTE, even though they rarely carry the prothrombin gene mutation or factor V Leiden mutation, 2 genetic abnormalities that predispose to VTE. Based on genetic profiling (nature), one might have predicted that blacks would have a low rate of VTE. In 1 study, in comparison with individuals of European ancestry and adjusting for age and sex, blacks had a 30% to 60% higher incidence of VTE than European Americans.1 This finding suggests that environmental and socioeconomic factors and perhaps healthcare disparities (nurture) play an important role in determining the risk of developing VTE. Article see p 1502 In New York City, 578 consecutive out-of-hospital fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) cases were investigated by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.2 All underwent autopsy, toxicology, microbiology, and genetic testing. Race-adjusted incidence rates per 100 000 people per year were as follows: blacks 3.73, whites, 1.15, and Hispanics, 0.93. The percentage of PE deaths in comparison with the New York City population was as follows: blacks (58% versus 25%), whites (25% versus 35%), and Hispanics (16% versus 28%). Obesity was 2.5- to 3-fold higher in fatal PE cases than in the New York City population as a whole. The observation of race correlating with VTE frequency has been accepted with little disagreement or critique. One compelling cross-sectional study challenges existing dogma and shows that the topic is far more complex than initially thought. …
Mechanical design optimization of a package on package

In the past decade, compact components such as Chip Scale Packages and flip chips were the work horses of miniaturization. However, emerging applications are now demanding even higher packaging density. In order to fulfill this requirement, three dimensional packaging was evolved. Advantages of three dimensional packaging structure include minimal conductor length and eliminate speed limiting inter chip interconnects. In order to reduce signal delays and to increase heat dissipation, lot of solutions like through silicon vias, thermal vias, stacking were implemented. Stacked packages are finding applications ranging from high-end servers to mobility products. Most common applications of stacked packages include high performance memory, DRAM, logic-memory stack, system in a package etc. Stacked packages can be package-on-package or die stacked (with several dice inside the same casing) or both. The thermo-mechanical design of package on package is very complex and often requires elaborate models and analysis with considerable CPU time. In this paper we have considered a package with both die stacking and package on package. In the first part of this study we considered a variety of cases resembling the applications that stacked CSP can go into. In this study, we have considered various geometries to optimize the design mechanically in thermo-cycling loading. The optimization function for this study is to minimize the package height without compromising its reliability in terms of thermo-cycles. “Package on package” family of packages is expensive to operate and to fabricate hence a prior simulation of various geometry of interconnects is necessary to understand how the package is going to behave in terms of number of cycles. In this study we have considered different thicknesses of die, die attach, top substrate and bottom substrate to optimize solder joint fatigue life. In this study SAC405 is considered.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Photoemission of positronium from Si.

We have observed that the amount of positronium (Ps) emitted from the surface of p-Si(100) is substantially increased if the sample is irradiated with 532 nm laser light just prior to the implantation of positrons. The energy of the emitted Ps has a constant value of ∼0.16eV and is independent of the Si temperature and the applied laser fluence, while the photoemission yield depends on both of these parameters. These observations are consistent with Ps production via a previously observed excitonlike positron surface state that is populated in response to the production of electron-hole pairs in the Si. Possible applications of Ps photoemission include probing surface electron dynamics on Si, the generation of ultrashort Ps or positron pulses using ps lasers, and efficient production of Ps in cryogenic environments. © 2011 American Physical Society.
Nicotine administration enhances NPY expression in the rat hypothalamus.

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between cigarette smoking and body weight. In rodents, a negative correlation between nicotine and body weight has been reported, but this observation was largely derived from studies where relatively high doses of nicotine (∼12 mg/kg/day) were used. In the current study, we showed that a negative relationship also holds for low doses of nicotine that are comparable to that consumed by average human smokers (<6 mg/kg/day). We also demonstrated that 14 days of nicotine administration (4 mg/kg/day) reduced average daily food intake by 19.5% (P<0.01) in the free-feeding nicotine-treated group compared to saline controls. No significant differences in body weight were detected between the nicotine-treated and pair-fed groups. To determine whether the effects of nicotine on food intake and body weight were related to neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression, semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and radioimmunoassay were utilized to measure NPY mRNA and peptide levels in various regions of the hypothalamus. Significantly higher levels of NPY mRNA (ca. 20–50%) and peptide (ca. 24–69%) were only detected in the nicotine-treated groups. In addition, significantly higher NPY contents were also obtained in two hypothalamic areas of pair-fed control animals. In summary, our data suggest that the pharmacological effects of nicotine on food intake and body weight may be mediated by changes in hypothalamic NPY levels, a neuropeptide that is pivotal to the hypothalamic regulation of food intake.
A season for midwinter immunology.

Immunologists gather at Asilomar each January in a pleasant and informal setting to discuss recent findings on the development and regulation of immune responses.
Packing Principles of Thioether Derivatives of Triarylamine Silver Salts

Tris(4-methylthiophenyl)amine, 1, has been crystallized together with three silver salts, AgOTf (silver trifluoromethane sulfonate), AgClO4, and AgSbF6. The resulting crystal structures have been d...
A semi-empirical MO study of a series of amide, imidic acid, and imidate isomers

Semi-empirical SCF MO calculations at the MINDO/3 and MNDO levels have been employed to estimate the relative stabilities of a series of amide, imidic acid, and imidate isomers of general formula C3H7NO. The results obtained here illustrate that sufficient quantities of imidic acids may be present during the photolysis of their more stable amide isomers to provide photochemical access to a low-energy enolic excited state which could after the photochemical behavior of the amides.
326 CONSTRUCTION OF A SPLICING-DEPENDENT SELECTABLE MARKER FOR GENE TARGETTING

Gene targeting in mammalian cells plays a crucial role in biotechnology. These experiments are characterised by low rates of homologous recombination and high rates of random integration. Therefore, many fibroblast colonies must be screened to identify a targeting event. To dramatically reduce the survival of random integration events, we have developed a splicing-dependent selectable marker strategy by introducing a mutation in a codon-optimized G418 resistance gene (mNeo). This mutation could be corrected upon homologous recombination. Since the C-terminal region of aminoglycoside phosphotransferase (AphII, Neo/Kan resistance) participates in formation of the active site of this enzyme, we hypothesised that addition of even one amino acid at the C-terminus would render this protein non-functional. To test this hypothesis, a mutation was introduced in an E. coli AphII expression vector that converted the stop codon of AphII to tryptophan (X265W, TGA > TGGTAA). This mutation was confirmed to inactivate AphII by independently characterising the G418 and Kanamycin resistance (or lack thereof) provided by the X265W mutation. To evaluate this mutation in mammalian cells, two intronless mammalian expression vectors were constructed that differed by the presence or absence of the X265W mutation. G418 resistance was only provided by the wildtype sequence, thus confirming that X265W inactivates AphII in mammalian cells. An identical mutation was then introduced into a eukaryotic expression vector based on mNEO. Further, the sequence was extended to create a 5′ intron splice site (TGA > TGGTAAGAGTT). This region was designed to direct splicing between the first and second G residues thus removing the G in the third position of the W codon. The 3′ intron splice sites was then designed to provide an A residue as the first base of the next exon so that successful splicing would correct the mutation by recreating an appropriately positioned stop codon (TGA). To evaluate this strategy in mammalian cells, two plasmids were constructed that harbored the X265W mutation embedded at the 5′ splice site of a downstream intron. In one plasmid (pSC3-G) the first base of the downstream exon begins with a G residue resulting in inactivation of AphII. In the other plasmid (pSC2-A), the first base of the downstream exon begisn with an A residue forming a stop codon that allows for active, wildtype AphII. These plasmids were transfected into porcine fetal fibroblasts and subjected to selection with G418. A positive control plasmid and pSC2-A produced colonies that were too numerous to count. A negative control plasmid and pSC3-G produced no colonies. It can be concluded that the X265W mutation can be corrected by splicing to an exon that begins with an A residue. This splicing-dependent selectable marker may prove useful in gene targeting experiments when the site of modification is followed by an exon that begins with an A.
Fostering Social Work Gerontological Competencies: Qualitative Analysis of an Intergenerational Service-Learning Course

This article describes the development and qualitative student outcomes of an intergenerational service-learning course designed to promote social work gerontological competencies. Efforts focused on creating a learning environment to actively promote learning opportunities for students and older adults. The course was hosted at a local, private, not-for-profit senior housing location where older adults were invited to actively participate in the course activities. A total of 37 undergraduate and graduate students completed the course. Content and narrative analysis was conducted using text from a final structured reflective journal assignment. This analysis identified themes related to the "explicit" and "implicit" pedagogy of the course that details students' educational growth. The results of this study indicate that intergenerational service-learning coursework may help foster geriatric competencies among graduate and undergraduate students. The benefits of utilizing social work gerontological competencies to guide course objectives, content, and student outcomes are discussed.
Preliminaries to the body-cover theory of pitch control*

Summary Preliminary theoretical and empirical work suggest that increased thyroarytenoid muscle activity may either increase or decrease fundamental frequency, depending on cricothyroid muscle activity and a new cross-sectional area parameter. This parameter is defined as the ratio of muscular tissue in vibration to total tissue in vibration. Canine laryngeal nerves were stimulated to measure vocal-fold length changes. These data, combined with previously reported tissue density, passive stress, and passive frequency data, were used to construct a set of curves predicting canine fundamental frequency from thyroarytenoid and cricothyroid muscle activity and the area ratio. The results suggest that high cricothyroid muscle activity and small area ratios tend to cause fundamental frequency lowering with increased thyroarytenoid muscle activity.
Effect of Wireless Communication and Entertainment Devices on Simulated Driving Performance

An analysis of the effect of wireless telephone communication using text and voice modalities as well as an Apple iPod on lane keeping, speed, speed variability, lateral speed, and lane position variability was conducted with a driving simulator. Participants (young adult licensed drivers) drove in an unusually curvy simulated driving environment while using wireless devices, controlling an iPod, and participating in conversations and word games. As expected on the basis of previous research, lane-keeping performance was robust for voice communication tasks; however, the text messaging and iPod tasks that required significant manual manipulation of the device resulted in significant decrements in lane-keeping performance. In addition, all wireless communication tasks and the iPod task resulted in significant increases in speed variability throughout the driving scenario. Lateral speed increases occurred for all wireless communication tasks other than the cellular phone conversation as well as the iPod tas...
TU-C-211-02: Characterizing the Dynamic Range and Noise Performance of a High-Resolution EMCCD-Based X-Ray Detector Having Large Variable Electronic Gain Enabling Use in Both Fluoroscopy and Angiography

Purpose: To quantitatively characterize the dynamic range and noise performance of a new custom‐built, 1k by 1k, 26.4 micron square pixel, high‐resolution, solid‐state EMCCD‐based x‐ray detector. Methods: We performed two sets of experiments: higher‐exposure angiographic imaging with lower gain ( 200). For each experiment, 150 flat‐field images are acquired over the range of exposures for each multiplication gain. Average signal digital number (DN) versus exposure, and average variance (DN) versus exposure or signal are plotted and linearly fitted to quantitatively characterize the electronic gain, background or dark noise equivalent rms electrons, and instrumentation noise equivalent exposure (INEE), respectively. Results: For the low gain measurements, the noise electron rms value and INEE decreases with increasing gain virtually eliminating the effect of read‐noise, which is the main source of noise for conventional detectors. When the gain is increased for the low exposure measurements, dark noise from dark current and clock induced charge (CIC), which are constant with gain, become dominant and set the detection limit. With the same procedure, an additional experiment is performed to evaluate the dark noise and INEE at high gain with cooling. At room temperature, the dark noise is 1.03 e‐ rms and the INEE is 1.46 microR. Cooling the sensor effectively reduces the noise electrons (0.66 e‐ rms at 200mA pelticooler current and 0.50 e‐ rms at 400mA pelticooler current) and INEE (0.52 microR at 200mA pelticooler current and 0.33 microR at 400mA pelticooler current). Conclusions: The EMCCD‐based x‐ray detector with large variable gain has linear performance over a wide range of exposures with a low noise floor that can be further decreased by moderate cooling. The INEE for this unique detector is substantially less than the 2 to 3 microR of conventional flat panels. Support: NIH Grants R01‐EB008425, R01‐EB002873
Tacit knowledge of manufacturing workers and managers about learning environment, corporate safety culture and professional competences

This study explored the interrelationships between a learning environment, personnel competencies, and safety culture of four small size manufacturing companies. A concept of creative tension was used to elicit the tacit knowledge of workers and managers related to their perceptions of organisational learning, competencies and safety culture. A total of 195 workers and 43 managers participated in the questionnaire study. The results were analysed using structural equation modelling; the analysis showed strong positive correlations between the levels of creative tension associated with organisational learning and safety culture, as well as between the levels of creative tension associated with organisational learning and personnel competencies for both workers and managers. The study results support the importance of organisational learning promoting safety culture in small size manufacturing companies. Both workers and managers associated the development of their professional competencies with increasing organisational learning capabilities of their companies.
Neutrino Factory Accelerator R&D: Status and Priorities

This paper summarizes the status of worldwide Neutrino Factory R&D efforts. Activities are categorized as simulations, component development, and system tests. An indication of R&D tasks that remain to be accomplished is also given.
The evolution of mechanical circulatory support at the Texas Heart Institute

Since the 1960s, total artificial hearts (TAHs) and left ventricular assist device (LVADs) have developed in parallel with heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure. In 1969, Cooley first implanted a TAH clinically as a bridge to transplantation. In 1976-79, our institution tested an intraabdominal LVAD, the first to be used clinically as a bridge to transplantation. In 1981, Cooley again implanted a TAH as a bridging device. Beginning in 1982, the Jarvik-7 TAH was used for long-term support in five patients, but serious complications undermined confidence in this application. Nevertheless, the Jarvik-7 was successful as a bridging device in >100 cases. Its successor, the CardioWest TAH, is undergoing clinical testing for bridging. The HeartMate pneumatic LVAD began clinical trials in 1986 and became commercially available 10 years later; the electric version entered clinical trials in 1991, becoming commercially available in 1998. The Jarvik 2000, a small, axial-flow LVAD designed to minimize surgical complications and eventually provide long-term support, is undergoing initial clinical studies here and abroad. The AbioCor is the first totally implantable TAH to transmit power and control transcutaneously, potentially allowing tether-free existence. This TAH is being evaluated in patients ineligible for transplantation.
Evaluation of ultrasonic scaling unit waterline contamination after use of chlorine dioxide mouthrinse lavage.

Background: An infection control problem in dental operatories which is not fully controlled is waterline contamination by heterotrophic mesophilic bacteria. These bacteria are present in water supplies as a planktonic phase and adhere to the lumen of tubings as a biofilm comprised of their external cell surface glycocalyx and by production of extracellular carbohydrate polymers. The adherent film is most difficult to remove. The accumulated planktonic phase can be reduced significantly by flushing water from the lines before use in patient treatment, but will return when the equipment is idle through the accumulation of more planktonic phase and by slough of the biofilm surface-adsorbed phase not yet enmeshed in the carbohydrate matrix. Chlorine dioxide has antimicrobial activity against many bacteria, spores, and viruses. It is used in water supply treatment as a disinfectant and slime preventive and has an advantage over chlorine in that carcinogenic trihalomethanes are not generated. Methods: This stu...
Christ and the Spirit: "Filioque" Reconsidered:

The author argues that the western church undervalues the Holy Spirit through its adherence to the insertion of the word filioque ("and through the Son") into the Nicene creed. In contrast to this subordination of the Spirit to Christ, the biblical witness bespeaks a non-hierarchical relationship among all three "persons" of the trinity. Jurgen Moltmann shows how the essential affirmations of the eastern and western churches can be incorporated in a more fully nuanced statement more in line with the biblical witness. By recovering a sense of the equal valuation of the Spirit and the Christ, the western church can integrate structure and vitality more completely.
Influence of asymmetric recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation on vibration, acoustics, and aerodynamics.

Objectives/Hypothesis Evaluate the influence of asymmetric recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) stimulation on the vibratory phase, acoustics and aerodynamics of phonation. Study Design Basic science study using an in vivo canine model. Methods The RLNs were symmetrically and asymmetrically stimulated over eight graded levels to test a range of vocal fold activation conditions from subtle paresis to paralysis. Vibratory phase, fundamental frequency (F0), subglottal pressure, and airflow were noted at phonation onset. The evaluations were repeated for three levels of symmetric superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) stimulation. Results Asymmetric laryngeal adductor activation from asymmetric left-right RLN stimulation led to a consistent pattern of vibratory phase asymmetry, with the more activated vocal fold leading in the opening phase of the glottal cycle and in mucosal wave amplitude. Vibratory amplitude asymmetry was also observed, with more lateral excursion of the glottis of the less activated side. Onset fundamental frequency was higher with asymmetric activation because the two RLNs were synergistic in decreasing F0, glottal width, and strain. Phonation onset pressure increased and airflow decreased with symmetric RLN activation. Conclusion Asymmetric laryngeal activation from RLN paresis and paralysis has consistent effects on vocal fold vibration, acoustics, and aerodynamics. This information may be useful in diagnosis and management of vocal fold paresis. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 124:2544–2550, 2014
Resilient Detection in the Presence of Integrity Attacks

We consider the detection of a binary random state based on $m$ measurements that can be manipulated by an attacker. The attacker is assumed to have full information about the true value of the state to be estimated as well as the values of all the measurements. However, the attacker can only manipulate $n$ of the $m$ measurements. The detection problem is formulated as a minimax optimization, where one seeks to construct an optimal detector that minimizes the “worst-case” probability of error against all possible manipulations by the attacker. We show that if the attacker can manipulate at least half the measurements $(n\geq m/2)$ then the optimal worst-case detector should ignore all $m$ measurements and be based solely on the a-priori information. When the attacker can manipulate less than half of the measurements $(n , we show that the optimal detector is a threshold rule based on a Hamming-like distance between the (manipulated) measurement vector and two appropriately defined sets. For the special case where $n=(m-1)/2$ , our results provide a constructive procedure to derive the optimal detector. We also design a heuristic detector for the case where $n\ll m$ , and prove the asymptotic optimality of the detector when $m\rightarrow\infty$ . Finally we apply the proposed methodology in the case of i.i.d. Gaussian measurements.
The prenatal sonographic appearance of enteric duplication cysts

Enteric duplication cysts are rare lesions, and relatively few cases have been diagnosed prenatally. We report two cases with a distinctive presentation. One, a duplication of the antrum of the stomach, was adjacent to an extralobar pulmonary sequestration. The other, a duodenal duplication, appeared as a thick-walled right lower quadrant cyst. We observed distinct peristalsis in this cyst, a finding that helped us make a firm diagnosis of enteric duplication.
OX40 engagement and chemotherapy combination provides potent antitumor immunity with concomitant regulatory T cell apoptosis

Expansion and recruitment of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (T reg) cells are mechanisms used by growing tumors to evade immune elimination. In addition to expansion of effector T cells, successful therapeutic interventions may require reduction of T reg cells within the tumor microenvironment. We report that the combined use of the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) and an agonist antibody targeting the co-stimulatory receptor OX40 (OX86) provides potent antitumor immunity capable of regressing established, poorly immunogenic B16 melanoma tumors. CTX administration resulted in tumor antigen release, which after OX86 treatment significantly enhanced the antitumor T cell response. We demonstrated that T reg cells are an important cellular target of the combination therapy. Paradoxically, the combination therapy led to an expansion of T reg cells in the periphery. In the tumor, however, the combination therapy induced a profound T reg cell depletion that was accompanied by an influx of effector CD8+ T cells leading to a favorable T effector/T reg cell ratio. Closer examination revealed that diminished intratumoral T reg cell levels resulted from hyperactivation and T reg cell–specific apoptosis. Thus, we propose that CTX and OX40 engagement represents a novel and rational chemoimmunotherapy.
Cerebral structural abnormalities in obsessive-compulsive disorder. A quantitative morphometric magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: A previous pilot study of only posterior brain regions found lower white-matter volume in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder than in normal control subjects. We used new cohorts of patients and matched normal control subjects to study wholebrain volume differences between these groups with magnetic resonance imaging-based morphometry. Methods: Ten female patients with obsessivecompulsive disorder and 10 female control subjects, matched for handedness, age, weight, education, and verbal IQ, underwent magnetic resonance imaging with a 3-dimensional volumetric protocol. Scans were blindly normalized and segmented by means of well-characterized semiautomated intensity contour mapping and differential intensity contour algorithms. Brain structures investigated included the cerebral hemispheres, cerebral cortex, diencephalon, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, amygdala, third and fourth ventricles, corpus callosum, operculum, cerebellum, and brain stem. Anterior to posterior neocortical regions, including precallosum, anterior pericallosum, posterior pericallosum, and retrocallosum, with adjacent white matter were also measured. Volumes found different between groups were correlated with Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale score and Rey-Osterieth Complex Figure Test measures. Results: Confirming results of our earlier pilot study and expanding the findings to the whole brain, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder had significantly less total white matter but, in addition, significantly greater total cortex and opercular volumes. Severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and nonverbal immediate memory correlated with opercular volume. Conclusions: Replication of volumetric white-matter differences suggests a widely distributed structural brain abnormality in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Whereas determining the etiogenesis may require research at a microscopic level, understanding its functional significance can be further explored via functional neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies.
The Politics of Medical Necessity in American Abortion Debates

As anti-choice adherents have transitioned from a scattered movement in the early twentieth century to an organized political interest group in recent decades (Mohr 1978), American abortion politics has moved to medical rather than political ground. Accordingly, advocates of safe, legal abortion have become mired in interpretative debates over abortion's medical necessity rather than its political value. To be sure, this turn was not the product of a strategic plan hatched by pro-choice feminists, but was foisted upon them by judicial and legislative developments that created political contexts to which they were forced to react. Nonetheless, these medical necessity debates have obscured—and sometimes eclipsed—more forceful political arguments, replacing self-authorizing political claims—such as political and human rights, choice, reproductive freedom, and bodily autonomy—with arguments for abortion's medical necessity.
Radiometer and Profiler Analysis of the Effects of a Bore and a Solitary Wave on the Stability of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer

Abstract This study uses data from a microwave profiling radiometer (MPR), along with 915-MHz wind profiler, Doppler radar, and surface data to quantify the kinematic and thermodynamic effects of two wave features, an undular bore and a soliton, on the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) at high temporal resolution. Both wave features passed directly over the MPR and the wind profiler, allowing for detailed analyses. The effects of the wave features on the convective environment are examined, and convective initiation (CI) associated with the wave features is discussed. The undular bore was illustrated well in Doppler velocity data, and profiler measurements indicated that it produced four wavelengths of upward and downward motion. MPR-derived time–height sections of potential temperature and mixing ratio showed an increase in the depth of the stable boundary layer, along with a decrease in stability, partially associated with mixing of the NBL. The soliton produced a temporary decrease in the depth of the NBL...
Inpatient diabetes: review of data from the cardiac care unit.

ABSTRACT Objective: To review prospective and retrospective studies in an effort to assess the effect of glucose control on outcomes in critically ill populations. Methods: Results from recent prospective and retrospective studies are presented and analyzed in detail, with an emphasis on patients with myoc2ardial infarction. Results Retrospective observations show that, with the routine use of percutaneous coronary interventions, hyperglycemia continues to be a risk factor for mortality. In 2 prospective studies using glucose-insulin-potassium infusion, glucose levels did not reach target, and the results of both trials were negative with regard to the primary endpoint, mortality. However, progressive hyperglycemia was a risk factor for death in both prospective studies. It is an interesting paradox that diabetes actually may be protective for myocardial infarction. Although the reasons for this are not clear, one study showed that patients with diabetes were more likely to receive insulin for any given blood glucose level. Conclusion A study using variable-rate intravenous insulin infusion should be commissioned. In the meantime, clinicians should strive to achieve the best-possible glucose control in all patients with acute myocardial infarction and hyperglycemia. While we improve our understanding of the basic roles of glucose and insulin in modulating inflammation, we must aggressively treat hyperglycemia to the national goals for this population, which would substantially improve outcomes. (Endocr Pract. 2006;12[Suppl 3]:27-34)
Differential Serologic Response to Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma Arginini in Lambs Affected with Chronic Respiratory Disease

An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the levels of antibodies to Mycoplasma ovipneumoniaeand M. arginini in lambs with chronic respiratory disease. Sera were obtained from lambs in several flocks at various stages of the clinical disease and tested with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-treated M. ovipneumoniaeand M. arginini whole cells and a crude capsular extract of M. ovipneumoniae as the antigens. There were low levels of antibody to M. ovipneumoniae in flocks sampled at the early stages of infection, whereas increased levels of antibody were present in lambs from flocks that had apparently re- covered from the clinical disease. Slowly rising titers of circulating antibodies to M. ovipneumoniae were confirmed by sequential bleeding of lambs during the course of the clinical disease. However, antibody levels of M. arginini were more likely to increase earlier in the disease process. There was significant cross-reactivity between the 2 SDS-treated antigens in both the ELISA test and western immunoblotting. In contrast, the crude capsular extract was specific for detecting antibodies to M. ovipneumoniae. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MO) is one of the most commonly isolated microorganisms from sheep with respiratory disease worldwide. 4 Recently in this laboratory, this microorganism and M. arginini (MA) have been routinely recovered from young lambs with a respiratory disease that has been termed the ''cough- ing syndrome.'' The condition is associated with a se- vere paroxysmal cough, leading to rectal prolapses. This syndrome is widespread in the midwestern states of the USA, with morbidity and severity variable among flocks. The disease is chronic and persists for several weeks in most affected lambs. There is some evidence that the extended persistence of the MO or- ganism in the respiratory tract of these lambs and the chronic nature of the disease may be due to failure of the immune system to generate protective immunity. 10
New Protein Footprinting: Fast Photochemical Iodination Combined with Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mass Spectrometry

We report a new approach for the fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP) whereby iodine species are used as the modifying reagent. We generate the radicals by photolysis of iodobenzoic acid at 248 nm; the putative iodine radical then rapidly modifies the target protein. This iodine-radical labeling is sensitive, tunable, and site-specific, modifying only histidine and tyrosine residues in contrast to OH radicals that modify 14 amino-acid side chains. We iodinated myoglobin (Mb) and apomyoglobin (aMb) in their native states and analyzed the outcome by both top-down and bottom-up proteomic strategies. Top-down sequencing selects a certain level (addition of one I, two I’s) of modification and determines the major components produced in the modification reaction, whereas bottom-up reveals details for each modification site. Tyr146 is found to be modified for aMb but less so for Mb. His82, His93, and His97 are at least 10 times more modified for aMb than for Mb, in agreement with NMR studies. For carbonic anhydrase and its apo form, there are no significant differences of the modification extents, indicating their similarity in conformation and providing a control for this approach. For lispro insulin, insulin-EDTA, and insulin complexed with zinc, iodination yields are sensitive to differences in insulin oligomerization state. The iodine radical labeling is a promising addition to protein footprinting methods, offering higher specificity and lower reactivity than ∙OH and SO 4 –∙ , two other radicals already employed in FPOP.
Endocrine Manifestations of Eating Disorders

The endocrinopathies associated with eating disorders involve multiple systems and mechanisms designed to preserve energy and protect essential organs.
LOW TEMPERATURE AND THE ORIGIN OF CRYSTALLINE SYMMETRY

This is a status report on the classical problem of determining the origins of crystalline symmetry in low temperature matter.
Resource driven synthesis in the HYPER system

A global optimization strategy for design synthesis is presented. This strategy, which drives the transformation, allocation, assignment, and scheduling phases of the synthesis process, uses a resource utilization table to estimate the quality of the solution and to select the next step to be taken. The technique is implemented in the HYPER system, a synthesis environment targeted at high-performance real-time systems. The effectiveness of the techniques is demonstrated with a number of examples. >
Poor agreement between endoscopists and gastrointestinal pathologists for the interpretation of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy findings

Poor agreement between endoscopists and gastrointestinal pathologists for the interpretation of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy findings
Thermoelectric Properties of Selenide Spinels

Many compounds with the spinel structure type have been analyzed for their thermoelectric properties. Published data was used to augment experimental results presented here and to select promising thermoelectric spinels. Compounds studied here include Cu0.5Al0.5Cr2Se4, Cu0.5Co0.5Cr2Se4, Cu0.5In0.5Cr2Se4, and CuIr2Se4. Many exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity of about 20 mW/cmK, independent of temperature. Preliminary results are given for two series of compounds that were selected for further study: GaxCu1-xCr2Se4 and ZnxCu1-xCr2Se4.