cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image-Guided Renal Intervention

The role of interventional radiology in the management of renal malignancy has expanded in the past 2 decades, largely because of the efficacy of image-guided ablation in treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Clinical guidelines now incorporate ablation into standardized RCC management algorithms. Importantly, both radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation have shown long-term durability in the definitive treatment of RCC, and early outcomes following microwave ablation are equally promising. While selective renal artery embolization has a role in the palliation of select patients with RCC, it can also be used to minimize complications in the ablation of larger renal masses.
Experiments on nonlinearly transformed matched filters

Experiments on nonlinearly transformed matched filters for optical correlation are provided. Experimental results for the images tested indicate that nonlinear matched filters produce good correlation perlormance in terms of correlation peak intensity, signal-to-noise ratio, and peak-to-sidelobe ratio. The sensitivity of the k'th law nonlinearly transformed filter to rotational changes of the input signal is investigated. It is shown that for the images presented here, up to a certain degree of input signal rotation, a highly nonlinearly transformed matched filter may produce a larger peak-to-sidelobe ratio than a conventional matched filter.
Optical Particle Counter Measurement of Marine Aerosol Hygroscopic Growth

A technique is developed for the determination of the hygroscopic growth factor of dry particles with di- ameter between 0.3 and 0.6µm and is applied to measure- ments made during the second Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus experiment (DYCOMS-II). Two opti- cal particle counters are utilized, one measures the aerosol size spectrum at ambient relative humidity and the other si- multaneously dries the aerosol prior to light scattering de- tection. Growth factors are based on measurements made in the region of the Mie scattering curve where scattered light intensity increases monotonically with dry and wet particle diameter, i.e. D<0.9µm. Factors influencing the accuracy of the measurement are evaluated, including particle drying, refractive index and shape. Growth factors at 90±3% ambi- ent relative humidity in marine airmasses 400 km west of San Diego, California range between 1.5 and 1.8. This suggests that a significant fraction of the particle mass, between 40 and 70%, is either non-hygroscopic or weakly hygroscopic.
Neonatal Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Mechanisms, Managements, and the Outcomes

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a multifactorial disorder with heterogeneous etiologies and potentially long-term debilitating outcomes. We review all available evidence regarding the current strategies for management of intracerebral hemorrhage. It is clear that prompt detection and treatment does affect the outcome; nevertheless, prevention of intracerebral hemorrhage remains the best strategy.
Repair of injured spinal cord using biomaterial scaffolds and stem cells

The loss of neurons and degeneration of axons after spinal cord injury result in the loss of sensory and motor functions. A bridging biomaterial construct that allows the axons to grow through has been investigated for the repair of injured spinal cord. Due to the hostility of the microenvironment in the lesion, multiple conditions need to be fulfilled to achieve improved functional recovery. A scaffold has been applied to bridge the gap of the lesion as contact guidance for axonal growth and to act as a vehicle to deliver stem cells in order to modify the microenvironment. Stem cells may improve functional recovery of the injured spinal cord by providing trophic support or directly replacing neurons and their support cells. Neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells have been seeded into biomaterial scaffolds and investigated for spinal cord regeneration. Both natural and synthetic biomaterials have increased stem cell survival in vivo by providing the cells with a controlled microenvironment in which cell growth and differentiation are facilitated. This optimal multi‒disciplinary approach of combining biomaterials, stem cells, and biomolecules offers a promising treatment for the injured spinal cord.
National identity and perceived discrimination predict changes in ethnic identity commitment: Evidence from a longitudinal study of Latino college students.

The current study tests the hypothesis that the influence of perceived discrimination on ethnic identity commitment is moderated by national identity (a person's psychological affiliation to their country of residence). A positive direct effect of national identity on ethnic identity commitment was also predicted. Analyses are based on a sample of Latino college students in the United States followed across eight consecutive semesters (N= 97; Mage= 18). In support of the hypotheses, a significant interaction was found between discrimination and national identity. In particular, perceived discrimination in the first year of college was positively associated with changes in ethnic identity commitment across the college years among participants with a weaker national identity, but negatively associated with changes in ethnic identity commitment among participants with a stronger national identity. Higher levels of national identity were also associated with greater increases in ethnic identity commitment over time.
α-Keto acid metabolites of organoselenium compounds inhibit histone deacetylase activity in human colon cancer cells

Methylselenocysteine (MSC) and selenomethionine (SM) are two organoselenium compounds receiving interest for their potential anticancer properties. These compounds can be converted to β-methylselenopyruvate (MSP) and α-keto-γ-methylselenobutyrate (KMSB), α-keto acid metabolites that share structural features with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor butyrate. We tested the organoselenium compounds in an in vitro assay with human HDAC1 and HDAC8; whereas SM and MSC had little or no activity up to 2 mM, MSP and KMSB caused dose-dependent inhibition of HDAC activity. Subsequent experiments identified MSP as a competitive inhibitor of HDAC8, and computational modeling supported a mechanism involving reversible interaction with the active site zinc atom. In human colon cancer cells, acetylated histone H3 levels were increased during the period 0.5–48 h after treatment with MSP and KMSB, and there was dose-dependent inhibition of HDAC activity. The proportion of cells occupying G2/M of the cell cycle was increased at 10–50 μM MSP and KMSB, and apoptosis was induced, as evidenced by morphological changes, Annexin V staining and increased cleaved caspase-3, -6, -7, -9 and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase. P21WAF1, a well-established target gene of clinically used HDAC inhibitors, was increased in MSP- and KMSB-treated colon cancer cells at both the messenger RNA and protein level, and there was enhanced P21WAF1 promoter activity. These studies confirm that in addition to targeting redox-sensitive signaling molecules, α-keto acid metabolites of organoselenium compounds alter HDAC activity and histone acetylation status in colon cancer cells, as recently observed in human prostate cancer cells.
Baroclinic Eddies and the Extent of the Hadley Circulation: An Idealized GCM Study

TheHadleycirculationhaswidenedoverthepast30years.Thiswideninghasbeenqualitativelyreproduced in general circulation model (GCM) simulations of a warming climate. Comprehensive GCM studies suggest this widening may be caused by a poleward shift in baroclinic eddy activity. Yet the limited amplitude of the climate change signals analyzed so far precludes a quantitative comparison with theories. This study uses two idealized GCMs, one with and one without an active hydrologic cycle, to investigate changes in the extent of the Hadley circulation over a wide range of climates. The climates span global-mean temperatures from 243 to 385K and equator-to-pole temperature contrasts from 12 to 100K. Baroclinic eddies control the extent of the Hadley circulation across most of these climates. A supercriticality criterion that quantifies the depth of baroclinic eddies relative to that of the troposphere turns out to be a good indicator of where baroclinic eddies become deep enough to terminate the Hadley circulation. The supercriticality depends on meridional temperature gradients and an effective stability that accounts for the effect of convective heating on baroclinic eddies. Astheequator-to-poletemperaturecontrastweakensortheconvectivestaticstabilityincreases,convective heating increasingly influences the thermal stratification of the troposphere and the supercriticality. Consistent with the supercriticality criterion, the Hadley circulation contracts as meridional temperature gradients increase, and it widens as the effective static stability increases. The former occurs during El Nino and may account for the observed Hadley circulation contraction then; the latter occurs during global warming.
Cytoplasmic γ-actin contributes to a compensatory remodeling response in dystrophin-deficient muscle

Dystrophin mechanically links the costameric cytoskeleton and sarcolemma, yet dystrophin-deficient muscle exhibits abnormalities in cell signaling, gene expression, and contractile function that are not clearly understood. We generated new antibodies specific for cytoplasmic γ-actin and confirmed that γ-actin most predominantly localized to the sarcolemma and in a faint reticular lattice within normal muscle cells. However, we observed that γ-actin levels were increased 10-fold at the sarcolemma and within the cytoplasm of striated muscle cells from dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Transgenic overexpression of the dystrophin homologue utrophin, or functional dystrophin constructs in mdx muscle, restored γ-actin to normal levels, whereas γ-actin remained elevated in mdx muscle expressing nonfunctional dystrophin constructs. We conclude that increased cytoplasmic γ-actin in dystrophin-deficient muscle may be a compensatory response to fortify the weakened costameric lattice through recruitment of parallel mechanical linkages. However, the presence of excessive myoplasmic γ-actin may also contribute to altered cell signaling or gene expression in dystrophin-deficient muscle.
Who Believes Us?: Understanding Managers’ Agreement With Human Resource Research Findings

Because research-supported human resource (HR) practices appear to positively affect organizational outcomes, it is important to understand the factors that impact managers’ agreement with HR resea...
A New Point Mutation in the 3,5,3′-Triiodothyronine-Binding Domain of the c-erbAβ Thyroid Hormone Receptor Is Tightly Linked to Generalized Thyroid Hormone Resistance

Two different mutations in the c-erbAβ thyroid hormone receptor have recently been reported as genetic abnormalities responsible for the syndrome of generalized thyroid hormone resistance (GTHR). We have now found in a third kindred, D, in which GTHR is inherited as a dominant disease, a new point mutation in the T3-binding domain of c-erbAβ. A guanine to cytosine base substitution at nucleotide position 1305, which altered codon-335 from glutamine (CAG) to histidine (CAC), was found in one allele of 10 affected members and was not found in 6 unaffected members. This C-1305 sequence was not present in 106 random alleles, indicating that it was a mutation in c-erbAβ, and it was tightly linked to GTHR in kindred D, with a maximum logarithm of the odds score of 4.19 at a recombination fraction of 0. The tight linkage result confirms that GTHR maps to the c-erbAβ locus in multiple kindreds. In view of the tight linkage between the C-1305 mutation and GTHR, and that this mutation is a nonconservative alteratio...
Hylomorphic Attitudinal Spirituality: Psychometric Properties of the Spiritual Typology Inventory

Our hylomorphic attitudinal perspective is an alternate view of spirituality. Herein we posit a priori that spirituality is essential to human nature and it can be studied in a taxonomical sense. We argue that spirituality disposes us toward what is good and truthful as we live our lives; how we involve ourselves with our immediate reality imbues how we experience life. We argue that spirituality and religiosity are not congruently human phenomena. And, we disjoint spirituality from religiosity against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) conflated codification of these constructs via loss of faith. We explain spirituality is inherent to humanity instead of religion, and it substantiates all human phenomena; organic and intellectual. We also report two studies. Study 1 established initial confidence of content validity of the Spiritual Typology Inventory (STI). Study 2 examined the STI’s emergent psychometric properties: acceptable internal consistency coefficients (α = .949), test–retest reliabilit y coefficients (r xy = .759), and exploratory factor analyses (factor loadings > .30). These properties adduce acceptable stability and construct validity for our inventory’s conceptual scales (α = .910, r xy = .770; α = .917, r xy = .667) from an adequate sample (n = 1,080) and stability subsample (n = 619). These psychometric properties evince our theoretical assumptions that spirituality is fundamentally human and it can be viewed as complementary types of a fundamental spiritual profile. Our inventory stands as a useful assessment tool for research and clinical practices in health care disciplines.
Formal derivation of optimal active shielding for low-power on-chip buses

Passive shielding has been used to reduce capacitive coupling effects of adjacent bus lines by inserting passive ground or power lines (shields) between the bus lines. Active shielding is another shielding technique, in which the shield is allowed to switch depending on the switching pattern of its adjacent bus lines. This work formally derives the optimal active shielding logic function for minimum power dissipation. It is also shown that this optimal active shielding architecture depends on the ratio of coupling to ground capacitance (/spl gamma/ = C/sub c//C/sub g/). Optimal active shielding is shown to provide up to 25% reduction in bus power dissipation compared to conventional passive shielding. A sub-optimal active shielding architecture with simpler hardware is also proposed. Simulation results show that using the sub-optimal shielding architecture leads to less than 6% bus power penalty compared to the optimal active shielding logic circuit.
Surgical Management of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

The appropriate treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma remains controversial, but surgery is the principle treatment of the primary tumor in all current protocols. The surgical controversy is how much to remove, with or without irradiation given pre- or postoperatively. There are no definitive answers yet, and oncologists of the future are likely to look back at our work and wonder why we did what we did and marvel at our ignorance. From this perspective, I will discuss the role of surgery in the management of patients with soft tissue sarcomas as of 1987.
Abstract 10731: Mmp14-dependent Paradoxical Link Between Obesity and Atherosclerosis

Both high and low BMIs are associated with the increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD); however, the molecular mechanism that underlies the U-curve association between BMI and CHD remains unknown. MMP14, also known as MT1-MMP, is the major membrane-type collagenase that regulates fat mass and function in vivo. The loss of Mmp14 renders mice lipodystrophic, whereas Mmp14 heterozygous mice are protected from high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Moreover, macrophage MMP14 regulates collagen content in atherosclerotic lesions. We hypothesized that Mmp14 haploinsufficiency should protect mice from diet-induced atherosclerosis. Method: We crossed Mmp14 heterozygous mice (in C57/BL6 >10 generations) to ApoE -null mice (Jackson) and fed the offspring [HT- Mmp14 (+/-)/ ApoE( -/-), and WT- Mmp14 (+/+)/ ApoE( -/-)] atherogenic Western Diet (D12109) for 12 weeks since age 8 weeks (male, N=9 each). We defined the relationship between obesity and atherogenesis by assessing atherosclerosis with Oil-Red-O en face staining of whole arterial trees/aorta, vascular collagen content with Sirius red staining, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) gene expression with qPCR, and statistical analysis with ANCOVA. Results: HT mice displayed 40% reduction of fat mass relative to WT on Western Diet and decreased fasting insulin level (HT 3.8, WT 11.8 mU/L). Fasting LDL levels were similarly elevated in both groups (HT 349 ± 71, WT 359 ± 78 mg/dL). Contrary to our hypothesis, HT mice displayed increased plaque area particularly in abdominal aorta (HT 7.9 ± 0.8 %total, WT 1.5 ± 0.4, p=0.0008). Sirius red staining demonstrates increased collagen deposition and thickened vascular walls in HT mice. In both genotypes, MMP14 expression in eWAT positively correlates with fat mass (HT, r = 0.6, WT 0.7) and negatively correlates with the degree of atherosclerosis (HT, r = -0.65 HT, WT -0.75). ANCOVA suggests that Mmp14 allele dose associates with increased fat mass (p=0.0075) and decreased atherosclerosis (p=0.01). Together, these results suggest that MMP14-dependent pathway may act as the major modifier of the paradoxical link between fat mass and the risk of atherosclerosis.
Antiretroviral Drugs-Loaded Nanoparticles Fabricated by Dispersion Polymerization with Potential for HIV/AIDS Treatment:

Highly active antiretroviral (ARV) therapy (HAART) for chronic suppression of HIV replication has revolutionized the treatment of HIV/AIDS. HAART is no panacea; treatments must be maintained for life. Although great progress has been made in ARV therapy, HIV continues to replicate in anatomical and intracellular sites where ARV drugs have restricted access. Nanotechnology has been considered a platform to circumvent some of the challenges in HIV/AIDS treatment. Dispersion polymerization was used to fabricate two types (PMM and ECA) of polymeric nanoparticles, and each was successfully loaded with four ARV drugs (zidovudine, lamivudine, nevirapine, and raltegravir), followed by physicochemical characterization: scanning electron microscope, particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, and in vitro availability. These nanoparticles efficiently inhibited HIV-1 infection in CEM T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells; they hold promise for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The ARV-loaded nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol on the corona may facilitate tethering ligands for targeting specific receptors expressed on the cells of HIV reservoirs.
A Rapid Method of Staining Ultrathin Sections for Surgical Pathology TEM with the Use of the Microwave Oven

A rapid microwave method is described for staining ultrathin sections for surgical pathology transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three sets of Epon sections of human heart biopsy were mounted on unsupported 200-mesh Rhodium-coated copper grids and were stained with uranyl acetate (UA) and lead citrate. The first set of grids was stained for 15 seconds in each solution with the aid of a microwave oven, and the second set was stained routinely for 30 minutes in UA and 10 minutes in lead citrate at room temperature. The third control set was stained for 15 seconds in each solution without microwave bombardment. The overall image quality of the TEM micrographs generated by the "quick-stained" microwave enhanced sections was better than routine stained and control sections. The microwave-treated sections have more contrast, less artifacts in the form of precipitate, and a more uniform overall staining.
Abstract 2734: Genome-wide analysis of direct Nkx3.1 target genes

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL NKX3.1 is an androgen-regulated, prostate-specific tumor suppressor gene that is essential for development and maintenance of the prostate gland. Loss of Nkx3.1 expression results in the formation of premalignant lesions called prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions (PIN). With additional mutations, these PIN lesions will progress to invasive carcinoma and eventually to metastatic disease in which there is currently no effective treatment. The specific mechanism(s) by which Nkx3.1 suppresses prostate tumorigenesis remains unknown. Previous gene expression profiling studies in Nkx3.1-deficient mouse prostates have shown aberrant expression of many genes that may be involved in prostate tumorigenesis. However, it is unknown whether these genes are direct targets of Nkx3.1 in vivo. To identify direct Nkx3.1 target gens, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to identify Nkx3.1 binding sites in the genomes of a human prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) as well as the normal mouse prostate. We obtained 7 to 15 million uniquely mapped tags each from Nkx3.1 ChIP-seq using LNCaP cells or Nkx3.1+/+, Nkx3.1+/−, and Nkx3.1−/− mouse prostates. This led to the identification of about 8000 Nkx3.1 binding sites in the genome (the Nkx3.1 cistrome). The binding site data were integrated with gene expression profiling results from Nkx3.1 mutant mice to yield a core set of “direct” Nkx3.1 target genes. One gene in particular that is upregulated in Nkx3.1 mutant mice and in human prostate tumors and bound by Nkx3.1 in our ChIP-Seq studies is the receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) gene. Ramp1 is a single transmembrane protein that is required for trafficking of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor to the plasma membrane. The CGRP receptor binds CGRP, a neuropeptide that has been shown to promote cancer progression. Current studies are focused on whether RAMP1 expression in human prostate cancer cells function to promote tumorigenesis. Given that Ramp1 is localized to the plasma membrane, data from my project may provide support for investigating Ramp1 as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer or for imaging prostate lesions. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2734. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2734
An Expanded Model of Status Dynamics: The Effects of Status Transfer and Interfirm Coordination

Organizational status is shaped by a firm's choice of exchange partners and the material outcomes of relationships with them. Prior research on status dynamics has shown that status is transferred ...
Perissolestes Paprzyckii, a New Perilestine Dragonfly from Peru (Lestidae: Odonata)

After publication of revisional notes (Annals 34 (3): 658–688, 1941) on the Perilestinae, in material purchased from Ward's, were found 14 males and 1 female of this new species which had been collected by Pedro Paprzycki of Satipo, Peru, in the valley of the Rio Satipo, a small tributary of the Urubamba. Male and female run in my key (1. c, pp. 663–665) to remotus . I christen this species with the striking name of the collector.
Untangling the Predictive Nomological Validity of Employee Engagement: Partitioning Variance in Employee Engagement Using Job Attitude Measures

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive nomological validity of employee engagement using a set of three job attitudes commonly linked to employee engagement. Prior research concern...
Online Reporting of Military Sexual Trauma.

ABSTRACT Case finding and treatment of military sexual trauma (MST) remains a serious problem in military and veteran populations as well as in the civilian population. This report provides descriptive examples, with statistics, of persons serving in the military or while living/working on a military base when they experienced unwanted sex. Males, more than females, never disclosed MST before online survey, had more physical injuries as a result and reported chronic disturbing thoughts of the experience. Undisclosed and unreported intrafamilial childhood sexual experiences were cited before an MST by some respondents. Interprofessional collaboration is recommended between military nurse practitioners and behavioral health clinicians as well as innovative strategies using telecommunication and online counseling.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Reciprocity, Negotiation, and the Choice of Structurally Disadvantaged Actors to Remain in Networks

Drawing on existing theories of social exchange as well as self-categorization theory, we consider how two forms of direct exchange influence whether structurally disadvantaged actors choose to stay in the micro-structures that disadvantage them. We posit that (1) the exit opportunity is more likely to result in disadvantaged actors coming to view their network as a group if there has been a history of reciprocal, as opposed to negotiated, exchange and (2) this psychological group formation should account for disadvantaged actors disproportionately choosing to remain in reciprocal exchange networks. We also consider whether the information actors have about the alternative network affects this choice. Findings from two laboratory experiments generally support our argument that for disadvantaged actors, psychological group formation mediates the relationship between exchange form and staying in networks.
Effect of Adenosine Triphosphate on Contractility and Adenosine Triphosphatase Activity of the Rabbit Urinary Bladder

There is circumstantial evidence that ATP may be an excitatory neurohumoral transmitter in the urinary bladder of several species. Muscle bath studies in vitro demonstrated that exogenously applied ATP can produce a dose-dependent contraction of the rabbit urinary bladder. These studies indicate that the concentrations of ATP necessary to stimulate bladder contraction are significantly greater than one would expect if ATP were acting through a neurohumoral receptor system. The purpose of our study was to compare the contractile action of ATP on isolated strips of urinary bladder with the ATP hydrolysis activity of these strips. The results from these studies demonstrate that, over the time course of the contractile effect of ATP, less than 0.1% of the ATP present in the bath is hydrolyzed by the tissue. Thus, the requirement for high concentrations of ATP for contractile stimulation cannot be ascribed to ATP hydrolysis by the tissue. Additionally, it is interesting to note that β,γ-methylene ATP was approximately 100 times as potent as disodium ATP in its ability to stimulate contraction in the rabbit urinary tract. This difference in potency is probably a function of the structure of β,γ-methylene ATP rather than its resistance to hydrolysis by ATPase.
Femoral and Tibial Deformity Correction and Consecutive Lengthening over an Intramedullary Nail (FAN-LON)

Lengthening over an intramedullary nail (LON) for the treatment of limb-length discrepancies (LLDs) and fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) for the treatment of deformities of long bones, such as the tibia and the femur, can provide satisfactory results (Bilen et al., J Bone Joint Surg Br 92:146–152, 2010; Eralp et al., J Bone Joint Surg Br 86:1065–1068, 2004, J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 90:181–194, 2008; Herzenberg and Paley, Tech Orthop 12:250–259, 1997; Kocaoglu et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 88:2137–2145, 2006; Kocaoglu et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 91:152–159, 2009; Paley, Clin Orthop 250:81–104, 1990; Paley et al., Tech Orthop 12:260–275). Both techniques have the advantage of intramedullary nailing, as they prevent fracture of the regenerated bone or loss of correction and/or lengthening. External fixators are commonly used for the treatment of patients with concomitant limb-length discrepancy and deformity. We combined fixator-assisted nailing and lengthening over an intramedullary nail for the treatment of this specific group of patients.
The Effects of Clouds on Climate as Deduced from Simple Models

This paper shows how the relationship between cloud longwave emittance and cloud albedo is pertinent to the estimate of the influence of clouds on a simple hypothetical climate system. It also shows, that using a simple coupled ocean mixed layer-atmosphere model, the relative partition of the solar radiation into the visible and near infrared components is important not only to the temperature of the mixed layer but also to the sensitivity of the mixed layer to changing cloud conditions.
Settlement Machinery in Public & Private Enterprises in Kerala

Industrial relations play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining industrial democracy. But, modern industrialisation has created a yawning gulf between employers and workers because of the absence of worker's ownership over the means of production. The resultant industrial conflicts ultimately led to work stoppages in the shape of strikes and lockouts affecting both to the stock holders and stake-holders. An amicable and early settlement of industrial disputes is very necessary for the continuous development and smooth functioning of industrial activity. A fair and independent machinery for the peaceful settlement of industrial disputes is a pre-requisite for the establishment of good industrial relations, argues the author.
Discrete event performance prediction of speculatively parallel temperature-accelerated dynamics

Due to its unrivaled ability to predict the dynamical evolution of interacting atoms, molecular dynamics MD is a widely used computational method in theoretical chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. Despite its success, MD is only capable of modeling timescales within several orders of magnitude of thermal vibrations, leaving out many important phenomena that occur at slower rates. The temperature-accelerated dynamics TAD method overcomes this limitation by thermally accelerating the state-to-state evolution captured by MD. Due to the algorithmically complex nature of the serial TAD procedure, implementations have yet to improve performance by parallelizing the concurrent exploration of multiple states. Here we utilize a discrete-event-based application simulator to introduce and explore a new speculatively parallel TAD SpecTAD method. We investigate the SpecTAD algorithm, without a full-scale implementation, by constructing an application simulator proxy SpecTADSim. Following this method, we discover that a non-trivial relationship exists between the optimal SpecTAD parameter set and the number of CPU cores available at run-time. Furthermore, we find that a majority of the available SpecTAD boost can be achieved within an existing TAD application using relatively simple algorithm modifications.
A LEAN approach in processor platform validation (PPV) effective test interface unit (TIU) performance improvement

This paper describes the innovation & creativity with LEAN approach for PPV TIU performance improvement. PPV is CPU's platform validation product screening to confirm product functionality in actual customer computer systems running MS Windows, Linux or other operating systems and software, Test Interface Unit (TIU) is type of custom interface for product testing based on customer requirement. While LEAN is the relentless pursuit of adding value for the customer, waste elimination, and continuous improvement from a standard at the point of activity by everyone, everywhere, everyday. The Intel house of LEAN systematically identifies the root cause(s) of problems in a business process and seeks to effectively eliminate them through an iterative approach to process improvement by 4 LEAN rules and 5 LEAN principles (Fig.1).
Development of a Pre-admission Screening Checklist to Minimize Acute Discharges from an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Introduction: The aim of this study is twofold. Firstly, it attempts to examine the causes of the patient discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) to an acute care hospital. Secondly, it is intended to develop a Pre-admission Screening Checklist (PSC) and examine its utility in minimizing the acute discharges to improve the care quality. Materials & Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed, examining the data from the patientsâ�� medical charts admitted to an inner-city IRF over a 6-month period. A PSC was developed and implemented as a part of admission record review prior to deciding on the patient admission to the IRF. The PSC included information relevant to the patientâ��s medical condition, rehabilitation potential, and the risk of acute discharge, which was completed over a 4-month period. Results: According to the results, the rate of acute discharge in the IRF patients was 15.7 in the 6-month period prior to the implementation of the PSC, which included 549 referrals and 86 patients. Additionally, the PSC was applied for 324 referrals over the subsequent 4-month period. Out of the patients that were reviewed using the PSC, 37 cases were acutely discharged from the IRF during their rehabilitation (11.4). The most common reasons for acute discharge were heart diseases, sepsis, and change in neurological status. Conclusion: As the findings indicated, the PSC is a useful instrument that can improve the care quality by identifying the patients at the risk of acute discharge before admission to the IRF. The PSC can be a useful adjunct to the efforts made to prevent acute discharges from the IRF by creating a standardized assessment that optimizes the care.
The Memory Labyrinth: Systems, Processes, and Boundaries

This topical quote was continued as “in the end that’s all there is.” In a sense this highlights how memory makes us uniquely human. As the human mind is the most complex creation in the universe, it stands to reason that memory embodies to a large extent this complexity. When memory fails in the end for some of us, a large portion of our being human also fails. In dementia some basic forms of memory do still exist and function, and functioning begins to rely more and more on stereotypical unconscious rather than recent autobiographical memories. During our whole lives unconscious memories allow us to function in an ever changing world by, for instance, jumping at a loud (potentially dangerous) noise, moving a piece of food to our mouth, or choosing a candy for unknown reasons from among dozens available. These unconscious memories seem to be implemented in the very core of our brains, and the question of whether consciousness can exist in the absence of memories is one of terminology. Certainly, conscious memories can be absent in the presence of consciousness, but a sine qua non of consciousness is the presence of working memory (memory of the here and now, even if the here and now is never remembered).
Elevated serum estradiol levels in artificial autologous frozen embryo transfer cycles negatively impact ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between serum estradiol (E2) levels during artificial autologous frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles and ongoing pregnancy/live birth rates (OP/LB).
Performance of non-traditional hyperglycemia biomarkers by chronic kidney disease status in older adults with diabetes: Results from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background In people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), HbA1c may be a problematic measure of glycemic control. Glycated albumin and fructosamine have been proposed as better markers of hyperglycemia in CKD. In the present study we investigated associations of HbA1c, glycated albumin, and fructosamine with fasting glucose by CKD categories. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed of 1665 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants with diagnosed diabetes aged ≥65 years. Spearman's rank correlations (r) were compared and Deming regression was used to obtain root mean square errors (RMSEs) for the associations across CKD categories defined using estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine albumin:creatinine ratio. Results Correlations of HbA1c, glycated albumin, and fructosamine with fasting glucose were lowest in people with severe CKD (HbA1c r = 0.52, RMSE = 0.91; glycated albumin r = 0.39, RMSE = 1.89; fructosamine r = 0.41, RMSE = 1.87) and very severe CKD (r = 0.48 and RMSE = 1.01 for HbA1c; r = 0.36 and RMSE = 2.14 for glycated albumin; r = 0.36 and RMSE = 2.22 for fructosamine). Associations of glycated albumin and fructosamine with HbA1c were relatively similar across CKD categories. Conclusions In older adults with severe or very severe CKD, HbA1c, glycated albumin, and fructosamine were not highly correlated with fasting glucose. The results suggest there may be no particular advantage of glycated albumin or fructosamine over HbA1c for monitoring glycemic control in CKD.
Intraocular Neurilemmoma Arising from the Posterior Ciliary Nerve in Neurofibromatosis: Pathologic Findings

A classic neurilemmoma was found in the eye of a 31-year-old man with known neurofibromatosis. The pathologic features of this rare intraocular tumor were examined histologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally. Contiguity of the neurilemmoma with its nerve of origin, the long posterior ciliary nerve, was clearly demonstrated. Expansion of the nerve by proliferating Schwann's cells was present.
A new mitotic activity comes into focus

During mitosis, each duplicated chromosome must be accurately attached to the microtubule spindle, which pulls the chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell, where they are segregated to daughter cells. A number of mitotic kinases orchestrate mitosis to ensure accurate segregation, including cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), the Polo-like kinases, and the Aurora kinases ( 1 ). The kinase ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related), which is involved in DNA damage responses during interphase of the cell cycle, has also been shown to prevent chromosome segregation errors ( 2 ). However, this role of ATR was presumed to be an indirect effect. On page 108 of this issue, Kabeche et al. ( 3 ) unveil a mitosis-specific ATR activity that ensures proper chromosome segregation and that this activity is dependent on a specific three-stranded nucleic acid structure known as an R loop.
Indexing the Quality of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Dispersions Using Absorption Spectra

We have found that absorption spectra of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dispersions can be accurately represented as linear combinations of two underlying spectra. One, assigned to purified well-dispersed SWCNTs, is structured; the other, assigned to impurities and aggregates, is diffuse. To assess the quality of SWCNT dispersions, a small set of visible and short-wave IR spectra are first measured for a dispersed sample as it is purified by centrifugation. Those data are analyzed using a simple arithmetic process to estimate the pair of underlying component spectra. Then the spectra of other sample dispersions from the same SWCNT source are fit as linear combinations of the two component spectra, giving coefficients that provide a simple metric for sample quality (the S-index). We have validated this approach with measurements of fluorescence intensities, particle abundances, length distributions, and emissive aggregates in samples containing SWCNTs from three growth sources dispersed by high-shear ...
Incorporation of fluorophosphate in apatite

Abstract The fluorophosphate ion has been widely used as a source of fluoride in dentifrices because of its anticaries properties. Because it is isoelectronic with sulfate, which is known to replace phosphate in apatite, fluorophosphate could be expected to react similarly. In an attempt to incorporate the fluorophosphate ion into hydroxylapatite, calcium and strontium hydroxylapatites were synthesized in both aqueous and nonaqueous solutions in the presence of fluorophosphate. The corresponding fluorophosphate salts (CaFPO3 and SrFPO3) were also synthesized and found to decompose over time to their corresponding fluorapatites. Samples were characterized using solid state 19F NMR, percent fluorine analysis, and unit cell parameter analysis. Hydrolysis of the fluorophosphate ion in various solutions was determined using solution 19F NMR. The presence of hydroxylapatite or calcium ions in an aqueous solution of fluorophosphate at 80 °C and pH 7 or 9 resulted in significant hydrolysis. Inclusion of Na2FPO3 as a reactant, along with calcium or strontium nitrate and sodium phosphate, produced only fluorapatite, a result of the hydrolysis of the FPO32− ion. With a larger ratio of fluorophosphate to phosphate and longer digestion times, the corresponding fluorophosphate salt (e.g., CaFPO3) formed in addition to the fluorapatite. Attempts to incorporate fluorophosphate into hydroxylapatite using nonaqueous solvents resulted in apatites with a larger weight percent of fluorine, but there was not sufficient evidence to conclude that the fluorophosphate ion was incorporated. The use of nonaqueous solvents, including DMSO, anisole, ethanol, several ionic liquids, 1:1 mixtures of anisole in glacial acetic acid, and 15-crown-5 ether in acetonitrile, produced apatite or fluorapatite with no evidence of incorporation of FPO3. It is convenient to explain the failure of both aqueous and nonaqueous syntheses by assuming that the fluorophosphate ion, perhaps in an unstable apatite phase, serves to provide fluoride to the apatite channel while the displaced hydroxide reacts with the fluorophosphate to form phosphate for the formation of fluorapatite.
A Framework for Incorporating the Network-Wide Fundamental Diagram into Large-Scale Emission Estimation

Background Estimation of vehicular emissions is one of the main challenges that planning agencies and municipalities encounter. This is particularly the case for large cities that typically struggle with congestion problems. Microscopic models are widely used to estimate the vehicular emissions. These models assist system planners in proposing strategies to control the level of emission. However, applications of these microscopic models are limited to estimation at the facility-level or small networks. To estimate emissions for large-scale networks, which is a major challenge for city planners, macroscopic models are typically proposed. However, these models fail to consider traffic flow dynamics. This study proposes a mesoscopic approach that is capable of estimating emission for large networks, as well as capturing the effects of traffic flow dynamics. Methods The concept of network-wide fundamental diagram (NFD), which relates network-wide average values of traffic flow and density, has recently gained popularity among urban transportation planners. NFD is used to monitor the traffic flow state at network level and subsequently apply different control strategies to prevent flow breakdown and congestion. In this paper, we extend this concept to include network-wide traffic flow characteristics in the estimation of vehicular emissions. Based on this relationship, system planners can estimate the emission level simply by monitoring NFDs under different demand and supply conditions. To this end we integrate an existing microscopic emission model with a mesoscopic traffic simulation tool to calibrate and validate a network-wide emission model. The network-wide emission model is calibrated through linear regression based on the average traffic flow, traffic density, and vehicle types proportions. Results The model is calibrated for the metropolitan network of Chicago that includes around 4,800 links. Simulation results under various scenarios using the actual traffic data of fifteen days are used to calibrate and validate the model. To this end, trajectory data for about 800,000 simulated vehicles are analyzed. The results demonstrate satisfactory calibration of the model and successful validation with acceptable deviation between emissions estimated using NFD and emissions calculated using the microscopic model. Conclusions The proposed framework in this study successfully showed that for a large-scale network, the vehicular emission can be estimated using NFD with enough accuracy. Also, a 3D diagram which incorporates the traffic flow state into the network-wide emission is characterized. The results of this study enable system planners to monitor emissions generation and find optimal policies to control the level of emissions in large cities.
The TALLYHO Mouse as a Model of Human Type 2 Diabetes

The TALLYHO/Jng (TH) mouse is an inbred polygenic model for type 2 diabetes (T2D) with moderate obesity. Both male and female TH mice are characterized by increased body and fat pad weights, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia. Glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia are exhibited only in males. Reduced 2-deoxy-glucose uptake occurs in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of male TH mice. While both sexes of TH mice exhibit enlarged pancreatic islets, only males have degranulation and abnormal architecture in islets. Endothelial dysfunction and considerably decreased bone density are also observed in male TH mice. The blood pressure of male TH mice is normal. Genetic outcross experiments with non-diabetic strains revealed multiple susceptibility loci (quantitative trait loci) for obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia. In conclusion, TH mice encompass many aspects of polygenic human diabetes and are a very useful model for T2D.
Towards a Risk-Based Approach to Achieving Data Confidentiality in Cloud Computing

With the advent of cloud computing, data and computation outsourcing is fast emerging as a dominant trend for both individual users for personal data management as well as for enterprises wishing to exploit the cloud to limit investment and costs in IT. A fundamental challenge that arises when entities outsource data is the "loss of control over data". The paper focuses on the privacy and confidentiality implications of loss of control. Techniques/mechanisms to ensure data confidentiality have been studied in the literature in the context of database as a service DAS. The paper identifies new opportunities and challenges that arise in the context of the cloud. In particular, the paper advocates a risk-based approach to data security in the context of cloud computing.
Matrix metalloproteinase 9 is induced by the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 transactivator.

Type IV collagenases, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9 are implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. In patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), poor prognosis due to development of local and distant metastasis has been reported to be predicted by antibody titers against the Z protein which is an AP-1 family transcription factor encoded by the EBV BZLF1 immediate-early gene. Here we report that in patients with NPC, expression of Z in tumor cells correlates with advanced cervical lymph node metastasis which may suggest that Z affects tumor invasion and metastasis. We therefore tested if Z would induce expression of type IV collagenases. Transfection of Z expression plasmid into the C33A epithelial cell line increased expression of MMP9, but MMP2 expression was unaltered. Mutational analysis of the Z protein revealed that, in addition to all three functional domains of Z (dimerization domain, DNA binding domain, and activation domain), the carboxyl terminal 17 amino acids which stabilize the Z protein were necessary for induction of MMP9 expression. Analysis of the MMP9 promoter demonstrated that only AP-1 site close to the transcriptional start-site was essential for transactivation by Z. Previously we reported that Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) stimulates MMP9 expression (Yoshizaki et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1998; 95: 3621–6). Thus, Z together with LMP1 may contribute to invasion and metastasis of NPC by inducing expression of MMP9.
Thoracic Air Leaks

Description: Thoracic air leak refers to a collection of gas outside the pulmonary space. A variety of disorders are included in this category including pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pneumoperitoneum, and subcutaneous emphysema.