cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association Between Body Mass Index and Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with Edwards SAPIEN™ 3 TAVR Valves: A Single-Center Experience.

Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can be complicated with a high-degree atrioventricular block requiring a permanent pacemaker (PPM) in 5% - 25% of patients. Association between body mass index (BMI) and pacemaker implantation has not been extensively studied. We compared standard BMI classes with the odds of requiring a PPM implantation in patients undergoing TAVR with Edwards SAPIEN™ 3 valves (ESV3) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA). Methods Our study involved a single-center retrospective cohort analysis of 449 patients undergoing TAVR from December 2012 to April 2018. First, we excluded patients with a TAVR procedure done with valves other than the ESV3 (127 patients). Second, patients with a prior PPM or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (37 patients) were excluded. Finally, patients with an aborted procedure and surgical conversion were excluded (16 patients). The final sample size was 269. The primary outcome was pacemaker implantation. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test, T-test, and adjusted logistic regression. Results Of the 269 patients (50.6% males; mean age of 79.5 ± 8.7 years; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score: 6.2), pacemaker implantation was performed in 17 patients (6.3%). Time to pacemaker implantation was 1.3 days. Patients were divided into four categories based on their BMI: as underweight (BMI 30 (13 vs. 4, p = 0.037). After logistic linear regression, the odds of getting a PPM after TAVR were significantly higher in patients who were overweight (odds ratio (OR): 12.77, p = 0.024; confidence interval (CI): 1.39 - 17.25) and obese (OR: 15.02, p = 0.036, CI: 1.19 - 19.92). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that increased BMI is a possible risk factor for a high-degree atrioventricular block in patients receiving ESV3.
An Empirical Study of the Application of Lean Tools in U.S. Industry

AbstractLean manufacturing involves implementing a variety of tools and practices for the purpose of reducing waste and increasing an organization’s overall productivity. The movement toward lean t...
The Jersey Émigrés: Community Coherence Amidst Diaspora

Nearly 4000 emigres settled on the Channel Island of Jersey during the revolutionary era. Many of them sought refuge from civil strife and received aid from Britain. This chapter demonstrates the conditions of migration amidst uncertainty. Even as officials spoke of the emigres as a coherent community, imposing legal and political categories that defined their status, they were not teleological figures. Rather, these emigres were subject to conditions of diaspora—construed in relation to the tensions between homeland and host-land—an uncertain space in which they, in turn, constituted their own subjectivity. Who were these emigres? Under what conditions did they seek Jersey as a refuge, given its location between Britain and France?
miRNA125b Downregulation: A Review of the Novel Paradigm of Psoriasis Epigenetic Regulation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-protein coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Change in miRNA expression has been identified in various diseases, including psoriasis. Our narrative review provides an updated overview of current research on miRNA125b and its role in psoriasis pathogenesis. We used the keywords "psoriasis, "microRNA," "miRNA," "miR," and "stRNA" to identify and select studies in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases from inception to March 2018. The references cited by the retrieved literature were reviewed to broaden our search results. miRNA125b downregulation leads to aberrant proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, which is a primary pathology found in psoriasis. Understanding the epigenetic alteration of miRNA125b expression and its underlying molecular mechanisms will help in identifying pathogenesis, diagnosis, and possibly curative treatment of psoriasis in the future.
Vulnerability Prioritization, Root Cause Analysis, and Mitigation of Secure Data Analytic Framework Implemented with MongoDB on Singularity Linux Containers

A Vulnerability Management system is a disciplined, programmatic approach to discover and mitigate vulnerabilities in a system. While securing systems from data exploitation and theft, Vulnerability Management works as a cyclical practice of identifying, assessing, prioritizing, remediating, and mitigating security weaknesses. In this approach, root cause analysis is conducted to find solutions for the problematic areas in policy, process, and standards including configuration standards. Three major reasons make Vulnerability Assessment and Management a vital part in IT risk management. The reasons are, namely, 1. Persistent Threats - Attacks exploiting security vulnerabilities for financial gain and criminal agendas continue to dominate headlines, 2. Regulations - Many government and industry regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), mandate rigorous vulnerability management practices, and 3. Risk Management - Mature organizations treat vulnerability assessment and management as a key risk management component [1]. Thus, as opposed to a reactive and technology-oriented approach, a well-organized and executed Vulnerability Management system is proactive and business-oriented. This research initially collects all the vulnerabilities associated with the Data Analytic Framework Implemented with MongoDB on Linux Containers (LXCs) by using the vulnerability analysis testbed with seven deferent analyzing tools. Thereafter, this research work first prioritizes all the vulnerabilities using "Low", "Medium", and "High" according to their severity level. Then, it discovers and analyzes the root cause of fifteen various vulnerabilities with different severities. Finally, according to each of the vulnerability root causes, this research proposes security techniques, to avoid or mitigate those vulnerabilities from the current system.
Unbiased Proteomic Profiling Uncovers a Targetable GNAS/PKA/PP2A Axis in Small Cell Lung Cancer Stem Cells.

Summary Using unbiased kinase profiling, we identified protein kinase A (PKA) as an active kinase in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Inhibition of PKA activity genetically, or pharmacologically by activation of the PP2A phosphatase, suppresses SCLC expansion in culture and in vivo. Conversely, GNAS (G-protein α subunit), a PKA activator that is genetically activated in a small subset of human SCLC, promotes SCLC development. Phosphoproteomic analyses identified many PKA substrates and mechanisms of action. In particular, PKA activity is required for the propagation of SCLC stem cells in transplantation studies. Broad proteomic analysis of recalcitrant cancers has the potential to uncover targetable signaling networks, such as the GNAS/PKA/PP2A axis in SCLC.
Microwave Materials Characterization of Biodegradable Glass

Biodegradable glass is a special category of glass that is widely used in biomedical engineering for the repair and regeneration of soft and hard tissues and other rehabilitation purposes. This type of glass degrades when implanted inside the human body and gets absorbed by the body without producing any harmful effects. Hence, these types of glasses can be potentially used as a substrate for fabricating implantable and temporary biomedical sensors. However, in order to be able to design and simulate these sensors, it is critical that the dielectric properties of these biodegradable glass substrates are known. To this end, the dielectric properties of anhydrous sodium tetra borate biodegradable glass are characterized along with those of a commercial glass slide using the open-ended waveguide method. In addition, the fabricated biodegradable glass substrates and the commercial slide glass were tested for residual stress development and surface roughness, which plays an important role in determining the accuracy of the measured data.
Maximising Time in Therapeutic Range with Vitamin K Antagonists in LVAD Patients

Purpose Time in Therapeutic range (TTR) is the percentage of time an anticoagulated patient has an INR between 2-3. While studies have demonstrated a link between low TTR, bleeding and thrombosis, the mean TTR in a VAD population is between 45 and 65%. We implemented a new anticoagulation protocol using point of care devices (POC, coagucheck©), with patient education and empowerment to control their own VKA (vitamin K antagonist) dosing. Methods Before discharge all VAD patients received anticoagulation education including drug and food interaction. Depending on INR stability, patients measured INR every 2-3 days and sent a text message to the VAD team for the appropriate VKA dose. After a minimum of 2 months post VAD, if the patient and team felt comfortable, VKA dosing was delegated to the patient. Patients updated the team weekly. Results Between February and October 2020, 24 patients were included (29% HM3, 71% HW, one Bi-VAD (HW)). Median follow-up was 131 days (IQR 88-163), cumulative follow up time was 3087day or 8.5 years. Median TTR was 90% (IQR 83-97), median INR 2.41 (IQR 2.2-2.4). INR was measured 3.6 times / week (IQR 3.3-3.8). In 15 cases (62%), the VKA dosing decision was delegated to the patient. Median TTR during patient management (96%, IQR 90-97) was significantly higher than the TTR during medical control (83%, IQR 78-88) (P Conclusion A TTR higher than described in the literature is achievable in VAD patients using a POC device. If prerequisites are met, VAD patients can be empowered to control their VKA dosing with excellent TTR.
Surgical Correction of Hematoma of the Penis in Bulls

Rupture of the tunica albuginea of the penis of bulls occurs at a very predictable location, i.e., on the dorsal aspect of the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure (7). The rupture probably occurs as a result of extreme bending of the erect penis during an inept copulatory thrust. The location of the rupture has been described as the point at which a fulcrum (the preputial orifice) is applied to the erect penis (5). However, experimental rupture of 25 cadaver penises with hydraulic pressure at the predicted site with or without bending indicated an intrinsic weakness at the rupture site (3). The tunica albuginea has been described as focally thinner at this point ( 4). The angioarchitecture of the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure with its relatively large cavernous spaces (1) may also contribute to the predisposition. The force for the rupture comes from within the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) and may be facilitated by the proposed bending. Whereas normal copulatory CCP pressure frequently reaches 200-400 lbs. per sq. in. (psi) (2), the pressure required for the rupture of cadaver penises was ca. 1486 psi (3). At rupture a jet of blood under this pressure serves as a highly traumatic force, which accounts for the severity of the lesions encountered on surgical exposure. The blood tears and displaces the surrounding elastic tissue layers and collects en masse along variable planes of the elastic tissue. The blood may invade the sheaths of the retractor penis muscles. The sensory nerves and vessels dorsal to the penis are vulnerable to injury. The resultant hematoma formation in the excavated surrounding tissue gives the clinical condition its popular name.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signalling in the brain: From neural circuits and metabolism to therapeutics.

Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) derived from gut enteroendocrine cells and a discrete population of neurons in the caudal medulla acts through humoral and neural pathways to regulate satiety, gastric motility and pancreatic endocrine function. These physiological attributes contribute to GLP-1 having a potent therapeutic action in glycaemic regulation and chronic weight management. In this review, we provide an overview of the neural circuits targeted by endogenous versus exogenous GLP-1 and related drugs. We also highlight candidate subpopulations of neurons and cellular mechanisms responsible for the acute and chronic effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor agonists on energy balance and glucose metabolism. Finally, we present potential future directions to translate these findings towards the development of effective therapies for treatment of metabolic disease.
TaNS-DDRF: A 160-MHz Bandwidth 6-GHz Carrier Frequency Digital-Direct RF Transmitter for Wi-Fi 6E with Targeted Noise-Shaping

Noise-shaping is essential for Direct Digital to RF (DDRF) transmission but filtering of Out of Band (OOB) quantization noise is difficult at 6 GHz for Wi-Fi 6E. We present a filter-free DDRF architecture that introduces targeted noise-shaping (TaNS) to meet the spectral mask. TaNS attenuates quantization noise at offsets between one and ten times the bandwidth by moving it far out-of-band. The prototype is fabricated in 28nm CMOS with an active area of 0.022 mm2 and shows the feasibility of 64-QAM modulation up to 281 Mbps.
Root Mass and BA Affect Offset Formation in Hosta

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effects of root mass and benzyladenine (BA) on offset formation in hosta. Stock plants of two cultivars, ‘Francee’ and ‘Frances Williams’, were divided, and offsets were placed in either small, medium, or large root mass groups. Offsets were potted and, when surface root development was evident, half of the plants in each root mass group received a foliar spray application of 3000 ppm BA, while half served as BA controls. Offset formation was positively correlated with increasing root mass, regardless of BA application. BA stimulated the outgrowth of axillary and rhizomic buds in both cultivars. Offsets on plants treated with BA were at a more advanced stage of development (SOD) than offsets on BA controls, but root mass did not affect SOD. Root mass, but not BA, affected whole plant growth index, which increased with increases in root mass.
Evidence of Competition in the Leveraged Buyout Market

We investigate the current leveraged buyout market in an effort to determine if the current market is overheated. Our evidence indicates that premiums paid in recent years are lower than those paid in the previous buyout wave of the 1980s. Furthermore, after controlling for firm-specific characteristics, we find that we are able to explain the cross-sectional differences in current premiums, and that there is little evidence of overpricing in the current market. We show evidence to indicate that buyout funds are targeting larger firms which indicates the pool of buyout targets is expanding. We also examine bank loans used to take firms private to determine if current targets are riskier firms than in years past. Our findings indicate that the price of risk, as measured by the credit spread, has increased since the buyout wave began. Loan maturities are shorter for riskier deals in the buyout wave than in the years prior to the buyout wave. These findings indicate that banks are becoming more sensitive to the underlying risk of buyout targets.
Induced Changes in Female Germ Cells of Drosophila. VII. Exchanges Induced in Different X Chromosome Regions after X-Raying Oocytes and Oogonia.

Following exposure of germ cells of female D. melanogaster either to 3000 to 4000 r or to no dose of x rays, induced exchanges involving proximal or distal regions of the X chromosome were detected in F/sub 1/. The genetic markers employed in the present and earlier work permitted the determination, for cells in different stages of oogenesis, of induced exchanges involving four regions of the X chromosome ( gamma -spl, f- car, car- su-f, and su-f-right telomere). From the results of various tests of recombinant F/sub 1/ in these experiments and others, it was possible to estimate the relative contributions of point deletions, half-translocations, pseudo-crossovers resulting in the formation of attachedX's, and crossover-like exchanges (composed of crossovers and/or pseudocrossovers) to the induced exchange rates observed. The results support the view that x-ray-induced recessive lethal mutants in oocytes typically arise as the result of events which involve only a single strand of a tetrad. (auth)
Ectopic Meningothelial Hamartoma of the Scalp

A 7-month-old male infant presented with a 2 month history of a solitary, well circumscribed, 1.2 cm right parietal scalp lesion. An MRI excluded intracranial extension of the lesion. Grossly the excised lesion was tan-grey, soft to rubbery with focal areas of hemorrhage. On histology, the lesion demonstrated elongated strands of haphazardly arranged fibrous tissue and meningothelial elements with clusters of plump, cuboidal epitheloid cells extending along connective tissue planes in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The meningothelial elements were intimately admixed with mature adipose tissue and proliferation of small to medium sized vessels. The overlying epidermis was unremarkable. No mitotic figures or areas of necrosis were identified. The meningothelial cells were positive for Vimentin and Epithelial Membrane Antigen. S-100 protein was negative and CD-34 was positive only in the endothelial cells. The gross, histologic and immunohistochemical features are consistent with ectopic meningothelial hamartoma of the scalp. The meningothelial elements characteristic of this entity are believed to arise from displaced, ectopic meningothelial rests in the scalp and are thus regarded as simply representing a proliferation of the hamartomatous process.
Visual target tracking and extraction from a sequence of images

Presents a methodology for visually tracking and extracting targets from a sequence of images (video). The methodology presented in this paper consists of a combination of algorithms, such as heuristic segmentation, edge detection, thinning, region growing, fractals, feature extraction, graphs with attributes, etc., appropriately selected according to the existing situation, such as moving target/still camera, still target/moving camera and moving target/moving camera. The new contribution of this paper is the combination of algorithms in a human-like feedback geometric approach for processing low-resolution information from consecutive images. Simulated results of the methodology are presented.
Disturbance observer based hybrid impedance control

Examines a control algorithm that utilizes a disturbance observer based acceleration tracking controller to realize a robust hybrid impedance control of a robot manipulator. Pure impedance control and edge following simulation results are presented.
Application of Direct Immunofluorescence for Skin and Mucosal Biopsies: A Practical Review

This is a practical overview of the use of the application of direct immunofluorescence, written in telegraphic style, based on the author’s personal experience, and supplemented by a recommended reference reading list, conceptual diagrams, and illustrative examples.
Mutations in the N-terminal regulatory region reduce the catalytic activity of Csk, but do not affect its recognition of Src.

In addition to the C-terminal catalytic domain, Csk is a protein tyrosine kinase that has an N-terminal regulatory region that contains SH3 and SH2 domains. The role this region plays relative to the function of the catalytic domain is not clear. To study its role, we introduced either deletion or site-specific mutations within this region and analyzed the effect of such mutations on the catalytic activity of Csk and its ability to phosphorylate/inactivate Src protein tyrosine kinase, its physiological substrate in the cell. Deletion of the SH3 domain and the SH2 domain resulted in reductions of kinase activity by 70 and 96%, respectively. Mutations within the SH2 domain that abolished its ability to bind phosphotyrosine did not result in a significant loss of kinase activity. Mutation of Ser78 to Asp, located between the SH3 and the SH2 domains, resulted in a reduction of over 90% of the catalytic activity. The reduction in specific activity is not the result of any apparent physical instability of the mutants. Kinetic analyses indicate that the mutations did not affect the Km values for ATP-Mg or the polypeptide substrate. The ability of the mutants to phosphorylate and inactivate Src is directly correlated to their kinase activity. These results indicate that the regulatory region is important in optimizing the kinase activity of the catalytic domain, but apparently plays no direct or specific role in substrate recognition.
Modelling physical-biological coupling in the ocean: the U.S. GLOBEC program

EVIDENCE continues to accumulate that the Earth’s environment is changing. The change is not localized, but extends from the tropics to the poles, and is apparent in the atmosphere, on land and in the ocean. Some of these shifts are thought to be anthropogenic (e.g. ozone depletion at high latitudes, increasing concentrations of “greenhouse” gases), but paleoclimatic records also suggest that the Earth has experienced significant climatic changes in the past. We do not know whether many of these changes occur cyclically, stochastically, episodically or represent long-term trends. We have little knowledge about time scales characterizing most of these changes. Some clearly are relatively short-lived (e.g. El Nina/ Southern Oscillation events), while others may operate over very long time scales (e.g. incorporation of carbon into the deep sea). Researchers who study these changes are engaged in attempts to verify the existence, magnitude and causes of these shifts. One of the great and important challenges facing scientists is using the discoveries of these researchers to predict the direction and magnitude of the responses of the Earth’s biota to current climatic shifts. The U.S. GLOBEC (GLOBal Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics) program is a research initiative organized by the oceanographic and fisheries communities, and supported principally by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that aims to understand how changes in the global environment are expected to affect the abundances and production of animals in the sea. The specific approach of this program is to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms by which the ocean’s physical environmental affects abundances and productivities of planktonic forms or stages of marine animals. There are two main arguments that support this approach. First, the great majority of marine animal species are either entirely or primarily planktonic (e.g. calanoid copepods), or have key developmental stages in the plankton (e.g. larval fishes and the meroplanktonic larvae of benthic
A complex mechanism for inducer mediated tau polymerization.

The accumulation of polymers of the microtubule associated protein tau is correlative with increased neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and other related tauopathies. In vitro models have bee...
INSULIN-SENSITIVE TARGETING OF THE GLUT4 GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER IN L6 MYOBLASTS IS CONFERRED BY ITS COOH-TERMINAL CYTOPLASMIC TAIL

The GLUT4 glucose transporter appears to be targeted to a unique insulin-sensitive intracellular membrane compartment in fat and muscle cells. Insulin stimulates glucose transport in these cell types by mediating the partial redistribution of GLUT4 from this intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane. The structural basis for the unique targeting behavior of GLUT4 was investigated in the insulin-sensitive L6 myoblast cell line. Analysis of immunogold-labeled cells of independent clonal lines by electron microscopy indicated that 51-53% of GLUT1 was present in the plasma membrane in the basal state. Insulin did not significantly affect this distribution. In contrast, only 4.2-6.1% of GLUT4 was present in the plasma membrane of basal L6 cells and insulin increased this percentage by 3.7-6.1-fold. Under basal conditions and after insulin treatment, GLUT4 was detected in tubulovesicular structures, often clustered near Golgi stacks, and in endosome-like vesicles. Analysis of 25 chimeric transporters consisting of reciprocal domains of GLUT1 and GLUT4 by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that only the final 25 amino acids of the COOH-terminal cytoplasmic tail of GLUT4 were both necessary and sufficient for the targeting pattern observed for GLUT4. A dileucine motif present in the COOH-terminal tail of GLUT4 was found to be necessary, but not sufficient, for intracellular targeting. Contrary to previous studies, the NH2 terminus of GLUT4 did not affect the subcellular distribution of chimeras. Analysis of a chimera containing the COOH-terminal tail of GLUT4 by immunogold electron microscopy indicated that its subcellular distribution in basal cells was very similar to that of wild-type GLUT4 and that its content in the plasma membrane increased 6.8-10.5-fold in the presence of insulin. Furthermore, only the chimera containing the COOH terminus of GLUT4 enhanced insulin responsive 2-deoxyglucose uptake. GLUT1 and two other chimeras lacking the COOH terminus of GLUT4 were studied by immunogold electron microscopy and did not demonstrate insulin-mediated changes in subcellular distribution. The NH2-terminal cytoplasmic tail of GLUT4 did not confer intracellular sequestration and did not cause altered subcellular distribution in the presence of insulin. Intracellular targeting of one chimera to non-insulin-sensitive compartments was also observed. We conclude that the COOH terminus of GLUT4 is both necessary and sufficient to confer insulin-sensitive subcellular targeting of chimeric glucose transporters in L6 myoblasts.
Indocyanine green enhanced co-registered diffuse optical tomography and photoacoustic tomography

To overcome the intensive light scattering in biological tissue, diffuse optical tomography (DOT) in the near-infrared range for breast lesion detection is usually combined with other imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, x-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging, to provide guidance. However, these guiding imaging modalities may depend on different contrast mechanisms compared to the optical contrast in the DOT. As a result, they cannot provide reliable guidance for DOT because some lesions may not be detectable by a nonoptical modality but may have a high optical contrast. An imaging modality that relies on optical contrast to provide guidance is desirable for DOT. We present a system that combines a frequency-domain DOT and real-time photoacoustic tomography (PAT) systems to detect and characterize deeply seated targets embedded in a turbid medium. To further improve the contrast, the exogenous contrast agent, indocyanine green (ICG), is used. Our experimental results show that the combined system can detect a tumor-mimicking phantom, which is immersed in intralipid solution with the concentrations ranging from 100 to 10 μM and with the dimensions of 0.8 cm×0.8 cm×0.6 cm , up to 2.5 cm in depth. Mice experiments also confirmed that the combined system can detect tumors and monitor the ICG uptake and washout in the tumor region. This method can potentially improve the accuracy to detect small breast lesions as well as lesions that are sensitive to background tissue changes, such as the lesions located just above the chest wall.
The effects of management inertia on the supply chain performance of produce-to-stock firms

Abstract This article examines the impact of inertia on the management of the firm's supply chain operations and the effects it can have on a produce-to-stock firm's ability to respond to external market pressure and develop corrective strategies. The research methodology used is based on earlier Catastrophe Modeling that looked at inertia in organizational design, competitive pressure, and competitive response. The model demonstrates how latent variables, such as customer pressure and supply chain inertia can influence a finished goods supply chain management's response under various conditions. The model was tested and validated using questionnaire data gathered from a sample of members of the Council of Logistics Management. The model was used to estimate individual finished goods firm inertia response estimates. We incorporate these estimates in a brief examination of three produce-to-stock firms from the sample to give readers an idea of the usefulness of the approach in examining supply chain inertia.
Ab initio molecular orbital study of the mechanism of SO2 oxidation catalyzed by carbon

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed on the possible pathways of the carbon-catalyzed oxidation of SO2 by O2/H2O to form sulfuric acid. Both zigzag and armchair edge sites of graphite, with and without surface oxide, were considered as the possible active sites. For the sites with oxide, both isolated and twin oxides were included. MO calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)//HF/3-21G(d) level were used for calculating the energies of SO2 adsorption, oxidation and hydration. Based on these calculations, three viable pathways emerged, and all three took place on the zigzag edge sites. Hence the armchair sites were not viable sites. On the bare surface, the only possible pathway involved the formation of a sulfurous acid intermediate. Thus, SO2 was first adsorbed on the bare zigzag sites, followed by reaction with H2O to form H2SO3, which was further oxidized by O2 to form the end product. On the zigzag edge site with isolated oxide, both pathways with either SO3 or H2SO3 as the intermediate are possible. Chemisorption on the edge sites containing twin oxides was not viable. This latter result explains the seemingly conflicting results in the literature regarding the dependence of SO2 adsorption (and oxidation) on the amount of surface oxygen.
Moral Status, Speciesism, and Liao’s Genetic Account

This paper offers several criticisms of the account of rightholding laid out in S. Matthew Liao's recent paper 'The Basis of Human Moral Status'. I argue that Liao's account both does too much and too little: it grants rightholder status to those who may not deserve it, and it does not provide grounds for offering such status to those who arguably do deserve it. Given these troubling aspects of his approach, I encourage Liao to abandon his 'physical basis of moral agency' account of moral status and instead adopt a position closer to a traditional 'speciesist' view.
Madura foot masquerading as a hemangioma

Mycetoma, also known as Madura foot, is a rare soft-tissue granulomatous infection caused by Actinomyces or true fungi. The MRI "dot-in-circle" sign has been described as a characteristic finding of mycetoma. This sign represents spherical T2 bright masses containing central and intervening low-signal-intensity foci. However, other soft-tissue masses can have similar appearances. We present a case of a Madura foot that was erroneously given the imaging diagnosis of soft-tissue hemangioma due to the presence of serpiginous enhancing masses with the "dot-in-circle" sign (believed to be due to phleboliths).
1420 INFANT WEIGHT AND CARBON DIOXIDE ACCUMULATION IN INCUBATORS

Potentially excessive CO2 accumulation in infant incubators has been reported by Gale, et al (Pediatrics 60:453, 1977). Because of the potential significance of this finding, we measured C02 concentrations (% v/v) with a Beckman LB2 infrared analyzer in Air-Shield model C-86 (AS) and Vickers model 79 (V) infant incubators. Measurements were made over 90 minute periods with all portholes closed. Samples were obtained near the infant's forehead, away from the stream of exhaled gas. Each infant served as his own control in the two incubators. 15 infants weighing 3000 gms (2957 gms ± 153) were studied at 30, 60 and 90 minutes. [CO2] was elevated above the nursery environmental level (0.03%) for all infants studied. Our findings are (mean ± SE†): Potentially significant CO2 levels may accumulate when larger Infants are placed in incubators. CO2 levels were higher in the V incubator compared to the AS in both groups.
McCullers's Cousin Lymon: Quasimodo Southern Style

A testament to the power of Carson McCullers's fiction is that scholars and readers alike typically accept the ubiquitous freaks, deviants, and outcasts in McCullers's works. Thus, when one summer ...
Design of a monolithic piezoelectrically actuated microelectromechanical tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

We report the design of a monolithic piezoelectrically actuated microelectromechanical tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The main advantages of piezoelectric actuation compared with conventional capacitive techniques are improved wavelength control, reduced external and tilt losses, and lower power supply voltages. The details of the piezoelectric actuation scheme for a 980-nm VCSEL with a variable air gap are described. A tuning range of ?35?nm can theoretically be achieved with a 3-V power supply (2× reduction from that of electrostatic actuation) by use of a 250-?m-long cantilever beam. The proposed actuation mechanism is insensitive to the pull-in phenomenon, therefore improving wavelength control and reducing threshold current. Drastic improvements in power efficiency make it ideal for low-power applications such as all-optical communication, chip-scale atomic clocks, and biological studies.
Franck-Condon integral for bound-free transitions between harmonic and flat potentials using exact wavefunctions

Abstract The spectral features of electronic transitions between a bound upper state and a relatively flat lower state may be modeled using harmonic oscillator and particle-in-a-box wavefunctions. Evaluation of the Franck-Condon overlap integral yields an expression for the spectral intensity as a function of transition energy which displays the characteristic broad and narrow fluctuations. The very good agreement between these results and those obtained from a semiclassical WKB treatment supports the applicability of the WKB method to problems involving realistic potentials.
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy as the most appropriate treatment for most T3 laryngeal carcinomas.

andconcurrentplatinum-basedchemotherapy.Theresultsshowedthat concurrent CRT increased organ preservationratesbutfailedtoshow a survival advantage. Duringthistime,operativeorgansparing treatment strategies popular in Europe gained increasing acceptanceinNorthAmerica.Supracricoidpartiallaryngectomy(SCPL) was shown to be an effective treatmentforselectT3carcinomasofthe larynx, resulting in acceptable functionandexcellentlocalcontrol.Inaddition, as experience grew with transorallaserresectionforearlyglottic and supraglottic carcinoma, the techniquewasappliedsuccessfullyto more advanced lesions. With the coexistence of surgical andnonsurgicalorgan-sparingstrategies the definition of “organ preservation” itself became contentious.Somewouldarguethatunless the larynx was left wholly intact, a treatment could not be considered organ preserving. Simply considering form without function is naive. In reality, any treatment that preserves laryngeal function, the ability to breathe without permanent tracheostoma, swallow without aspiration, and speak without implement, should be considered organ preserving. Therefore, concurrent CRT, SCPL, and transoral endoscopiclaserresectionmayallbeconsidered organ-preserving treatment strategies for T3 carcinoma of the larynx. Although very effective, SCPL and endoscopic laser resection can only be offered to a properly selected subgroup of patients with T3 laryngeal carcinoma and require a
Learning From Personal Experience What's Needed in Information Literacy Outreach: An Engineering Student Returns to Her Alma Mater as an Engineering Librarian

An engineering background may not be required for successful outreach projects; however, when coupled with a review of the relevant literature of sci-tech librarianship, it can certainly facilitate buy-in from the faculty in a way that promotes the American Board of Engineering and Technology mandates to foster lifelong information literacy skills in their students. After having established rapport with the faculty through providing them with specially tailored research and current awareness support, library outreach was then directed toward graduate students. Success with these two influential groups is now being used to expand both in-person and wireless opportunities to grow the fact-finding confidence and competence of the undergraduates they teach and advise.
Interarticulator coordination in dysarthria: an X-ray microbeam study.

Articulatory discoordination is often said to be an important feature of the speech production disorder in dysarthria, but little experimental work has been done to identify and specify the coordin...
Expression of immune response genes in the stifle joint of dogs with oligoarthritis and degenerative cranial cruciate ligament rupture

Abstract Dysregulation of immune responses within joints plays an important role in development of inflammatory arthritis. We determined expression of a panel of immune response and matrix turnover genes in synovial fluid collected from a group of dogs with stifle oligoarthritis and associated degenerative cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture ( n = 27). We also studied synovial fluid gene expression in dogs affected with other forms of degenerative arthritis ( n = 9) and in the stifle joint of healthy dogs with intact CCL ( n = 14). After collection, synovial cells were pelleted and RNA was isolated. Relative expression of cathepsin K, cathepsin S, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), invariant chain (li), toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2), and TLR-9 was determined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Data were normalized to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as an internal control. Relative expression of cathepsin K, MMP-9, TRAP, and li was increased in the stifle synovial fluid of dogs with oligoarthritis, when compared with the stifles of healthy dogs ( P P P
Genetic instability in human T-lymphocytes

Abstract Mutations arising in vivo in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase ( HPRT ) gene of T-lymphocytes provide a measure of mutation induction in human somatic cells. Studies of measured background HPRT mutant frequency (MF) values show wide inter-individual variation. At the extremes are individual with ‘outlier’ MF values, i.e., non-exposed individuals with MF > 100 × 10 −6 [Robinson et al., Mutation Res. 313 (1994) 227–247.]. The elevated HPRT MF in one well-studied outlier is due to the in vivo expansion of mutant cells possessing an identical T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement pattern. We report here that this in vivo expanding TCR clone shows multiple different HPRT mutations and thus possesses a mutator phenotype. Other individuals with T-cell mutator phenotypes have been found, suggesting that this phenomenon may contribute to the extremes of variation in HPRT MFs in the human population.
Evolution of the Corticotropin-releasing Hormone Signaling System and Its Role in Stress-induced Phenotypic Plasticity

Developing animals respond to variation in their habitats by altering their rates of development and/or their morphologies (i.e., they exhibit phenotypic plasticity). In vertebrates, one mechanism by which plasticity is expressed is through activation of the neuroendocrine system, which transduces environmental information into a physiological response. Recent findings of ours with amphibians and of others with mammals show that the primary vertebrate stress neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), is essential for adaptive developmental responses to environmental stress. For instance, CRH-dependent mechanisms cause accelerated metamorphosis in response to pond-drying in some amphibian species, and intrauterine fetal stress syndromes in humans precipitate preterm birth. CRH may be a phylogenetically ancient developmental signaling molecule that allows developing organisms to escape deleterious changes in their larval/fetal habitat. The response to CRH is mediated by at least two different receptor subtypes and may also be modulated by a secreted binding protein.
Safety and clinical efficacy of golimumab in the treatment of arthritides

Golimumab is a human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha monoclonal antibody that was recently approved for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. This review covers the published clinical trial data on the use of golimumab for the approved indications mentioned above with respect to efficacy and safety. The various ongoing trials for golimumab have yielded promising results in terms of efficacy and safety in methotrexate-naive and -resistant patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in patients who were previously treated with other anti-TNF agents. In addition, the efficacy of golimumab in psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis has also been demonstrated. The real safety information will be available only once the drug has been used in many more patients, who frequently have comorbid conditions.
A library of noviosylated coumarin analogues.

The DNA gyrase inhibitor, novobiocin, was recently shown to inhibit Hsp90 via a previously unrecognized C-terminal ATP-binding site. Previous structure−activity relationship studies identified key moieties that appear important for Hsp90 inhibitory activity. In an effort to provide a more efficacious lead compound, a parallel library of noviosylated coumarin analogues was prepared.
Information-optimized imaging system design

Imaging systems have historically been associated with visual applications. Example applications include conventional photography, satellite imaging, and scientific visualization. Performance metrics relevant to these applications have traditionally been focused on visual quality and for such applications many conventional optical design metrics (e.g., worstcase spot size) can provide acceptable performance.[1] Recent imaging applications however, have broken with this tradition and are concerned with information-sensitive performance metrics (e.g., bit-error-rate). Examples of such imaging systems include those used in page-oriented optical storage, optical interconnects, and various forms of task-specific imaging (e.g., target recognition).[2][3] The ubiquitous nature ofdigital imaging modalities has made the need for fidelity-sensitive imaging system design even more apparent, with sensors and signal processing hardware k outpacing the perfonnance of low cost optical components. An information-optimized imaging system is one that takes as its primary goal the information throughput of the system. Notice that this goal can be very different from that of forming a "pretty picture." In this paper we limit our attention to binary-valued objects and within this framework we consider two cases. The first case will focus on diffraction-limited imaging systems whose performance is quantified via the average pixelwise mutual information. In section 2 we define the information-theoretic space-bandwidth-product (SBP) of such a system and demonstrate the existence of an optimal object configuration. The second case we consider is more realistic and includes the optical aberrations that characterize real world lenses. In this case we use the average bit-error-rate (BER) of the output image to quantify the overall imaging system performance. In section 3 we present the results of this case along with a comparison between some information-optimized designs and those based on more conventional design metrics.
Divided Cities in the Middle East

continuestopromoteresearchonurbansociallifebeyondthe United States, featuring three articles on Jerusalem and Beirut, divided cities in theMiddle East.This introduction places the articles in the broader context of two prominent urbanthemes. One is the distinctiveness of the ancient and ever-changing cities of the MiddleEast. Cities in the region certainly differ among themselves, but share some commonali-ties in history, spatial structure, political organization, and culture. However, that distinc-tiveness is eroding under the external influences of globalization, international politics,and neoliberal policies. The second theme in these articles is that of divided or contestedcities. The authors apply more general theories of social and symbolic boundaries tourban sociology as well as theories of the social construction of urban space, its represen-tational force and cultural significance. In Beirut and Jerusalem, contests over space arenot merely conflicts between exchange value and use value, productive capital and col-lective consumption. Although class struggles are occurring and gated communities arespringing up in the region, more deadly are conflicts about ethnonational identity andspiritual values, sovereignty and the sacred. Divided cities are polarized over religion,ethnicity, even nationality, so that conflicts over space, territory, and “turf” go beyondthe rough and tumble of interest group pluralism, the class, ethnic, and racial clashes sofamiliar in U.S. urban politics. Although American cities do periodically erupt in com-munal violence, race riots and gang wars do not compare to the protracted fighting tocontrol sacred sites between organized sectarian militias in the Middle East. Those com-batants split cities right down the middle, with social boundaries marked by barricades,checkpoints, and walls. Europe has not escaped these deadly conflicts over urban space:Belfast, Mostar, Nicosia, and Sarajevo come to mind. Thus, Beirut and Jerusalem addressgeneral theoretical issues for urban sociologists and cities beyond the Middle East. Theyalso offer lessons about boundary-making processes generally.
Ion implantation of surgical Ti6Al4V alloy

Abstract Ion implantation of nitrogen into surgical Ti6Al4V alloy (where the alloy composition is given in approximate weight per cent) dramatically improved the corrosive wear performance of the alloy. Experiments made use of a special apparatus designed to simulate pertinent chemical and mechanical aspects of the sliding interface between the alloy head and the polyethylene cup of an artificial hip joint and, at the same time, to provide an electrochemical measure of wear rate. Profilometer measurements and Rutherford backscattering experiments in conjunction with ion-implanted markers were also used to assess wear. All evidence points to a marked improvement in wear rate due to the ion implantation treatment. The samples and the wear product were analyzed by ion backscattering of helium and hydrogen ions. A speculative reason for the improvement is discussed.
Echinocandin antifungals: review and update

The echinocandins are a new and unique class of antifungal agents that act on the fungal cell wall by way of noncompetitive inhibition of the synthesis of 1,3-beta-glucans. All agents of this class are of parenteral formulation, with no oral preparations available. Caspofungin (Cancidas) was the first approved echinocandin, followed recently by micafungin (Mycamine) and anidulafungin (Eraxis). The precise role of the echinocandins in the antifungal armamentarium is still unfolding. Caspofungin is approved for the treatment of candidal esophagitis and candidemia, salvage therapy of Aspergillus infections and for empirical therapy of febrile neutropenia. Micafungin is likewise approved for candidal esophagitis, in addition to antifungal prophylaxis for hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Anidulafungin is also approved for treatment of candidal esophagitis, as well as therapy of candidemia. There has been anecdotal use of these agents to treat less common fungal pathogens, as well as limited use as a component of combination antifungal therapy. The echinocandins are an important addition to the antifungal armamentarium in the treatment of fungal infections in both immunocompromised patients and those with normal immunity.