cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gap Junctions and NCA Cation Channels Are Critical for Developmentally Timed Sleep and Arousal in Caenorhabditis elegans.

An essential characteristic of sleep is heightened arousal threshold, with decreased behavioral response to external stimuli. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying arousal threshold changes during sleep are not fully understood. We report that loss of UNC-7 or UNC-9 innexin function dramatically reduced sleep and decreased arousal threshold during developmentally timed sleep in Caenorhabditis elegans . UNC-7 function was required in premotor interneurons and UNC-9 function was required in motor neurons in this paradigm. Simultaneous transient overexpression of UNC-7 and UNC-9 was sufficient to induce anachronistic sleep in adult animals. Moreover, loss of UNC-7 or UNC-9 suppressed the increased sleep of EGL-4 gain-of-function animals, which have increased cyclic-GMP–dependent protein kinase activity. These results suggest C. elegans gap junctions may act downstream of previously identified sleep regulators. In other paradigms, the NCA cation channels act upstream of gap junctions. Consistent with this, diminished NCA channel activity in C. elegans robustly increased arousal thresholds during sleep bouts in L4-to-adult developmentally timed sleep. Total time in sleep bouts was only modestly increased in animals lacking NCA channel auxiliary subunit UNC-79, whereas increased channel activity dramatically decreased sleep. Loss of EGL-4 or innexin proteins suppressed UNC-79 loss-of-function sleep and arousal defects. In Drosophila , the ion channel narrow abdomen, an ortholog of the C. elegans NCA channels, drive the pigment dispersing factor (PDF) neuropeptide release, regulating circadian behavior. However, in C. elegans , we found that loss of the PDF receptor PDFR-1 did not suppress gain-of-function sleep defects, suggesting an alternative downstream pathway. This study emphasizes the conservation and importance of neuronal activity modulation during sleep, and unequivocally demonstrates that gap junction function is critical for normal sleep.
Polyamide resin: a novel immunoadsorbent. I. Preparation of polyamide resin-antigen conjugates for use in a solid phase assay for radiolabeled antibody synthesized in vitro.

A solid phase assay for radiolabeled antibody synthesizedde novo in vitro has been described (1). The solid phase consists of antigen covalently bound to bromacetyl cellulose, a useful but difficult to prepare immunoadsorbent. Herein, we describe the preparation of polyamide resin immunoadsorbent and the procedure for coupling antigen to the polymer. Data are presented that show that polyamide resin-Ag‡ conjugates can replace bromacetyl cellulose-Ag conjugates. The usefulness of this easily prepared and inexpensive immunoadsorbent is discussed.
Priming the jury by asking for Donations: An empirical and experimental study

Abstract In 1995, Texas passed a law requiring that jurors be provided an opportunity to donate jury pay to a crime victims fund. In practice, courts present this opportunity before jury selection begins, priming the jurors about the needs of crime victims, which could bias jury decision-making. We report correlational evidence that conviction rates increased after this policy was imposed. To explore a causal link, we ran a laboratory experiment, finding that male jurors are more likely to convict a defendant after being given the opportunity to donate, while female jurors are less likely to convict.
Molecular characterization of the AP19 gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana: components of the Golgi AP-1 clathrin assembly protein complex

AP19 is the smallest polypeptide component of AP-1, the clathrin associated protein complex found in clathrin-coated vesicles of the Golgi apparatus. Two genomic clones that encode homologues of AP19 were isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana (AAP19-1 and AAP19-2). Analysis of their nucleotide sequences predict proteins of 162 and 163 amino acids with m r of 18 913 and 18 758 respectively. Amino acid sequence comparisons with mammalian, yeast and plant clathrin associated sequences indicates that the Arabidopsis genes encode polypeptides that are more closely related to the AP19 proteins associated with clathrin-coated Golgi vesicles than to AP17, which is part of the AP-2 complex of endocytic clathrin-coated pits. Ribonuclease protection assays showed that both genes are expressed in all Arabidopsis tissues throughout development. Constitutive transcription of AAP19-1 was confirmed in transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings and plants containing an AAP19-1 promoter::β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion by ribonuclease protection assays and GUS histochemical staining.
The Clinical and Financial Cost of SAMS

The clinical and financial cost of statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) for patients, providers, and the overall health system can be highly impactful. The high prevalence of SAMS warrants an assessment of the clinical and financial burden to patients, providers, and the health system. Clinical and financial costs include the need for additional laboratory testing, clinic visits, additional prescriptions or modifications of prescriptions, and potential to have cardiovascular (CV) events related to stopping or reducing the dose of statin therapy. Providers’ clinical and financial costs include increased utilization to educate, screen for, and modify therapy in order to treat and prevent SAMS in patients subsequently decreasing the ability to see or treat additional patients. The health system clinical and financial costs relate to decreased ability to see additional patients or increase access to patients if managing or assessing additional patients with SAMS, added resources for additional laboratory testing, and increased resources associated with treating new CV events in patients who have stopped or decreased statins secondary to SAMS and have subsequent CV events. A focus on preventing and managing SAMS requires a focused effort to ensure the increased clinical and financial costs do not overburden the patient, providers, and the health system as a whole.
Instructor and Instructional Effects on Students' Statistics Attitudes.

Using data from 23 statistics instructors and 1,924 students across 11 post-secondary institutions in the United States,we employ multilevel covariate adjustment models to quantify the sizes of instructor and instructional effects on students’ statistics attitudes. The analysis suggests that changes in students’ statistics attitudes vary considerably across statistics instructors. Instructor-associated changes instudents’ statistics attitudes are positively associated with instructional practices most proximal to tasks involving data as well as with instructors’ attitudestoward teaching their statistics classes. Moreover, instructor-associated changes in students’ statistics attitudes are positively related to changes in students’ expected grades. These findings lend support to previous qualitative findings about links between certain dimensions of teaching practices and students’ statistics attitudes. First published June 2020 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
Mechanisms of Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Cancer: A Prospective Study

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke with cancer. Methods We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study from 2016 to 2020 at 2 hospitals. We enrolled 3 groups of 50 adult participants each. The main group included patients with active solid tumor cancer and acute ischemic stroke. The control groups included patients with acute ischemic stroke only or active cancer only. The patients with stroke-only and patients with cancer-only were matched to the patients with cancer-plus-stroke by age, sex, and cancer type, if applicable. The outcomes were prespecified hematological biomarkers and transcranial Doppler microemboli detection. Hematological biomarkers included markers of coagulation (D-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin), platelet function (P-selectin), and endothelial integrity (thrombomodulin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [sICAM-1], and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [sVCAM-1]). Hematological biomarkers were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests. In multivariable linear regression models, we adjusted for race, number of stroke risk factors, smoking, stroke severity, and antithrombotic use. Transcranial Doppler microemboli presence was compared between groups using chi-square tests. Results Levels of all study biomarkers were different between groups. In univariate between-group comparisons, patients with cancer-plus-stroke had higher levels of D-dimer, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and thrombomodulin than both control groups; higher levels of thrombin-antithrombin than patients with cancer-only; and higher levels of P-selectin than patients with stroke-only. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Transcranial Doppler microemboli were detected in 32% of patients with cancer-plus-stroke, 16% of patients with stroke-only, and 6% of patients with cancer-only (p = 0.005). Interpretation Patients with cancer-related stroke have higher markers of coagulation, platelet, and endothelial dysfunction, and more circulating microemboli, than matched controls. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:159-169.
Industry Size and Regulation: Evidence from US States

What explains variation in the degree of regulation across US states and industries? We examine cross- sectional variation in state government regulation facing 81 3-digit North American Industry Classification System industries by matching novel data on regulatory restrictions at the state-industry level with data on state-industry characteristics. For most states, an increase in industry size is positively correlated with the extent of regulation. Additionally, for most industries, there is also a positive correlation between industry size and the degree to which state governments regulate that industry. When we control for unobserved heterogeneity at the state and industry levels, we find the extent of industry-level regulation is robustly correlated with the size of the industry. However, other industry factors, like average wages, average establishment sizes, or the distribution of establishment sizes, are uncorrelated with the extent of regulation. Taken as a whole, our findings are consistent with hypotheses for regulation that emphasize the fixed costs of establishing regulation or the salience of large industries and are inconsistent with hypotheses that suggest that regulation is influenced by firm size or industry-level concentration of establishment sizes.
Protamine Sulfate Is a Potent Inhibitor of Human Papillomavirus InfectionIn Vitro and In Vivo

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are transmitted through sexual or other close contact and are etiologically associated with epithelial warts, papillomas, and intraepithelial lesions that may progress to cancer. Indeed, 4.8% of the global cancer burden is linked to HPV infection. Highly effective vaccines protect against two to nine of the most medically important HPV genotypes; yet vaccine uptake is inadequate and/or cost prohibitive in many settings. With HPV-related cancer incidence expected to rise over the coming decades, there is a need for effective HPV microbicides. Herein we demonstrate the strong inhibitory activity of the heparin-neutralizing drug protamine sulfate (PS) against HPV infection. Pretreatment of cells with PS greatly reduced infection regardless of HPV genotype or virus source. Vaginal application of PS prevented infection of the murine genital tract by HPV pseudovirions. Time-of-addition assays where PS was added to cells before infection, during infection, or after viral attachment demonstrated strong inhibitory activities on early infection steps. No effect on virus infection was found for cell lines deficient in heparan sulfate expression, suggesting that PS binds to heparan sulfate on the cell surface. Consistent with this, prophylactic PS exposure prevented viral attachment, including under low pH conditions akin to the human vaginal tract. Our findings suggest PS acts dually to prevent HPV infection: prophylactic treatment prevents HPV attachment to host cells and post-attachment administration alters viral entry. Clinical trials are warranted to determine whether protamine-based products are effective as topical microbicides against genital HPVs.
Fat and Fatter: Crash Risk and Retail Trading

I estimate ex-ante crash probabilities for individual stocks via novel machine learning methodologies. In particular, I introduce imbalanced learning techniques to facilitate rare events prediction. I show that stocks with high crash probabilities tend to have lower returns. Further results indicate that at least a subset of retail investors, as proxied by Robinhood traders, tend to chase high crash risk stocks, which may bid up their prices and result in lower returns subsequently. Using Robinhood's introduction of commission-free option trading at the end of 2017 as a quasi-natural experiment, together with textual information from Reddit, I document causal evidence that retail participation significantly increases stock crash risk. This effect is stronger for small firms.
Cosmopolitan Spirituality: Rectifying Materialism

Basil Hallward’s reflections on beauty and intellect, triggered by his just finished portrait of Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde’s canonical novel from 1890, captured the conflicted sensibilities that so many thinkers of that era experienced across much of the globe. Intellect, or what cosmopolitan religious thinkers associated with the dehumanizing footprint of a rational-materialist worldview, objectified the human being and undermined, they thought, humankind’s cultural dignity and status that had been inculcated through a traditional religio-cultural habitus. From that viewpoint, only through the rectification of the imbalance between beauty and intellect, to retain Oscar Wilde’s idiom, could human dignity and spiritual integrity become reconstituted and, more importantly, reinscribed as the primary filter through which community consensus could be regenerated. The fractious and troubling consequences for human identity that had purportedly been caused by the era’s profane materialist epistemology became a predominant focus for many alongside the era’s broader sociocultural uncertainties. To put it differently, human distinction was no longer convincingly bolstered by, or beneficially linked to, spiritual modalities under the rubric of materialist culture and science, and thus became a vexing topic that cosmopolitan religious savants addressed.
Searching for the Prosocial Personality: A Big Five Approach to Linking Personality and Prosocial Behavior

The search for the prosocial personality has been long and controversial. The current research explores the general patterns underlying prosocial decisions, linking personality, emotion, and overt prosocial behavior. Using a multimethod approach, we explored the links between the Big Five dimensions of personality and prosocial responding. Across three studies, we found that agreeableness was the dimension of personality most closely associated with emotional reactions to victims in need of help, and subsequent decisions to help those individuals. Results suggest that prosocial processes, including emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, may be part of a more general motivational process linked to personality.
DNA- and adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into cardiac muscle.

This chapter discusses and compares two methods of gene transfer into the rodent heart: direct plasmid DNA injection and injection of recombinant adenovirus. The predominant use of direct injection into the heart has been to analyze promoter elements in vivo using reporter genes driven by the promoter element of interest. The second general use of in vivo gene transfer is to examine the consequences of expression of a given gene on the structure or function of the heart. This could involve expression of a mutant protein or ectopic expression of an isoform of a protein normally found in another setting. For these purposes DNA injection would not be efficient enough for most forms of phenotypic modification. Therefore, focus has shifted on the use of recombinant adenoviruses. Adenoviruses efficiently infect a large number of replicating and nonreplicating cell types. Their ability to infect nonreplicating cells makes them ideal for use in the heart, because adult cardiac myocytes are terminally differentiated.
QuasiStability Regions: Analysis and Characterization

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Quasi-Stability Region Characterization of Quasi-Stability Regions Conclusions
SensorBase.org: A Centralized Repository to Slog Sensor Network Data (KNO 2)

Center for Embedded Networked Sensing SensorBase.org - A Centralized Repository to Slog Sensor Network Data Nathan Yau, Gong Chen, Mark Hansen, Deborah Estrin Introduction: Sharing Sensor Network Data Sensor Data Logging Slog is a portmanteau of “sensor” and “log” and was coined to reflect the spirit of sharing of information represented by blogs. Blog user interfaces (e.g. Blogger, Wordpress) are very user- friendly; users can publish, delete, and set permissions on entries with little effort. We wish to create a similar interface and backend for slogging. Blogs have RSS generated on the fly for easy notification and syndication. Sensor Data Retrieval Once published, data or subsets of the data can be retrieved. Ability to search for data characteristics is vital. Similar to blogs, users should be able to subscribe to RSS data feeds on per project or per sensor basis to receive notification or summary statistics of data recently published. – Users should be notified when something out of the ordinary happens. Problem Description: Making many complex data types publishable and retrievable Different data formats such as numeric, text, images, video, and audio all stored and easily retrieved from one central repository Currently, much data exists as flat text files or floating in hundreds of folders on individual hard drives that is easily forgotten and cumbersome to share. Hence, the data is useless, and there is no point in collecting it; however if we can slog data to a centralized repository, and make it easily retrievable, data once again becomes useful. Proposed Solution: Slog data to one place and make it easy to retreive and use How Data is Slogged • To publish data, a user first creates a sensor network project, which is a bit like categories in blogs. • Data can be uploaded as XML or as comma-delimited text. Binary data can also be uploaded file-by-file. • Published data can be searched and retrieved via the user interface or via SOAP web services. Application Building on Top of SensorBase.org • Applications can easily be developed on top of SensorBase.org using SensorBase.org SOAP web services. • Data from different projects can easily be merged using simple database functionality. Future Work • Rule-based RSS notifications • Data visualization e.g. R, GIS, sparklines • More powerful data searching tools e.g. trends, thresholds, events UCLA – UCR – Caltech – USC – CSU – JPL – UC Merced
Full space-time clutter covariance estimation

For an airborne radar array, beamforming and detection are problems in both space and time. To null clutter, it is necessary to exploit both dimensions, and to do so optimally requires knowledge of the full space-time covariance matrix and the array steering vectors. This paper derives an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for the estimation of full space-time covariance matrices while simultaneously estimating array steering vectors. The EM approach iterates between estimating the spatial steering vectors and power associated with clutter scattering from different angles and the formation of a full space-time covariance matrix. The final result is an estimate of the set of array steering vectors and an estimate of the space-time covariance matrix. In practice, one would never need to form this covariance since all calculations could be performed using the SVD of the appropriately weighted clutter space-time steering vector matrix. The technique is capable of providing a positive definite estimate of the space-time covariance and complete array calibration with only a single space-time data sample.
Functionalization of polymeric organolithium compounds. Carbonation

The carbonation reactions of polymeric organolithium compounds with high purity, gaseous carbon dioxide have been investigated in benzene and benzene/tetrahydrofuran (75/25) solutions. The polymers investigated were poly(styryl)lithium, poly(isoprenyl)lithium, and poly(styrene-b-isoprenyl)lithium. In Benzene solution the products are a mixture of the carboxylic acid and the ketone (dimer). No tertiary alcohol product (trimer) was observed. In benzene/tetrahydrofuran solution, the quantitative carboxylation of chain ends was observed.
Privacy-aware dynamic feature selection

Big data will enable the development of novel services that enhance a company's market advantage, competition, or productivity. At the same time, the utilization of such a service could disclose sensitive data in the process, which raises significant privacy concerns. To protect individuals, various policies, such as the Code of Fair Information Practices, as well as recent laws require organizations to capture only the minimal amount of data necessary to support a service. While this is a notable goal, choosing the minimal data is a non-trivial process, especially while considering privacy and utility constraints. In this paper, we introduce a technique to minimize sensitive data disclosure by focusing on privacy-aware feature selection. During model deployment, the service provider requests only a subset of the available features from the client, such that it can produce results with maximal confidence, while minimizing its ability to violate a client's privacy. We propose an iterative approach, where the server requests information one feature at a time until the client-specified privacy budget is exhausted. The overall process is dynamic, such that the feature selected at each step depends on the previously selected features and their corresponding values. We demonstrate our technique with three popular classification algorithms and perform an empirical analysis over three real world datasets to illustrate that, in almost all cases, classifiers that select features using our strategy have the same error-rate as state-of-the art static feature selection methods that fail to preserve privacy.
The Effect of High Pressures and High Temperatures on the Properties of Water Based Drilling Fluids

Tremendous amounts of hydrocarbons are located in deeper formations where higher pressures and temperatures are experienced. Designing a proper drilling fluid that can tolerate such high-pressure, high-temperature (HP/HT) conditions is a challenging task. The work presented in this paper is focused on investigating the rheological behavior of water-based drilling fluids with different properties at extremely high pressure and temperature conditions using a state-of-the-art viscometer capable of measuring drilling fluids properties up to 600 °F and 40,000 psig. The results of this study show that the viscosity, yield point and gel strength decrease exponentially with increasing temperature until the mud samples fail. This behavior is the result of the thermal degradation of the solid, polymers, and other components of the mud samples. Increase in intermolecular distances due to high temperature will lower the resistance of the fluid to flow and, hence, its viscosity, yield point, and gel strength will reduce. Moreover, conducting this study led to the conclusion that viscosity, yield point, and gel strength increase linearly as the pressure increase. Pressure’s effect on these parameters, however, is more apparent at lower temperatures. Ultimately, the study concluded that the mud samples that were used, which are standard industrial types, failed at a temperature of 250 o F and that the combined effect of temperature and pressure on mud’s rheology is complex. Key words: Drilling fluids; HPHT; Rheology; Water based mud
The new database imperatives

The market for database systems as well as the science of creating database systems is shifting. The purpose of the paper and presentation is to outline some non conventional perspectives and to derive imperatives. Some of these perspectives will be shared by some, and some will be controversial: SQL as a language; SQL for business; SQL for scientific analysis; distributed computing; database storage; and Microsoft SQL Server.
Finite-element-based transfer equations: post-mortem human subjects versus Hybrid III test dummy in blunt impact

In the present study, transfer equations relating the responses of post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) to the mid-sized male Hybrid III test dummy (HIII50) under matched, or nearly-identical, loading conditions were developed via math modeling. Specifically, validated finite element (FE) models of the Ford Human Body Model (FHBM) and the HIII50 were used to generate sets of matched cases (i.e., 256 frontal impact cases involving different impact speeds, severities, and PMHS age). Regression analyses were subsequently performed on the resulting age-dependent FHBM- and HIII50-based responses. This approach was conducted for five different body regions: head, neck, chest, femur, and tibia. All of the resulting regression equations, correlation coefficients, and response ratios (PHMS relative to HIII50) were consistent with the limited available test-based results. Language: en
Emergency department evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma in children.

Purpose of review To discuss the emergency department evaluation and management of children with blunt abdominal trauma. The review will focus on both the clinical data that can help reduce the use of computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma and the evidence for the increased use of nonoperative management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Recent findings We will examine the recent literature focusing on the utility of physical examination, laboratory data and imaging (both ultrasonography and computed tomography) in detecting intraabdominal injury. Summary Recent research suggests that physical examination in combination with bedside ultrasonography may identify children at risk for intraabdominal injury. Screening laboratory data appears to be less sensitive to detect these injuries, but is useful in selected patients. Nonoperative management is appropriate in a majority of cases. Further research is needed to determine which low-risk patients with abdominal trauma can be managed with minimal or no exposure to radiation in the computed tomography scanner.
Dose parameters of 125I and 192Ir seed sources

As mandated by an NCI brachytherapy contract, we measured dosimetric parameters for 1 9 2Ir seeds and two models of 1 2 5I seeds. Measurements were with LiF powder in a water‐equivalent phantom. Data were corrected for background, sample mass, and finite detector volume. Selected parameters were also investigated through Monte Carlo calculations. Results are presented in terms of a dose parametrization that is described in detail, and are compared to published data. Our results agreed well with published data for relative quantities such as radial and angular dose dependence. Our measured value for the 1 9 2Ir dose factor was 4.55 cGy(H2O) cm2 mCi− 1 h− 1, also in good agreement with commonly used values. However, the measured dose factors for 1 2 5I seed models 6702 and 6711 were 1.18 and 1.06 cGy(H2O) cm2 mCi− 1 h− 1, values well below those in general use.
Lopinavir exposure with an increased dose during pregnancy.

Background:Use of standard adult lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) dosing (400/100 mg) during the third trimester of pregnancy results in reduced LPV exposure. The goal of this study was to determine LPV exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy and 2 weeks postpartum with a higher LPV/RTV dose.M
Evolving object oriented design, a case study

Handling the complexity of hierarchical Object Oriented Design (OOD) decomposition and dealing with the subjective nature of the supporting pictorial representations have historically been two relatively undeveloped aspects of the design methodology. By defining decomposition rules, a requirements allocation scheme, and an organized method of uniquely cataloging objects, the overall complexity of the hierarchical design decomposition process can be reduced. The addition of documentation standards, which are used to formally record and track the assignment of requirements, further reduces the complexity. The documentation standards also require that all relevant information concerning objects and operations, as well as their interactions, be formally recorded. The subjective nature of OOD pictorial representations can be eliminated by incorporating data couples and control arrow and using support documentation to record that information which can not be represented pictorially. The intent of this paper is to illustrate, by case study, method improvements to further evolve OOD. By incorporating these improvements into the OOD process, the portability, reusability and maintainability of the resulting software can be increased.
Influence of Antistripping Additives on Moisture Susceptibility of Warm Mix Asphalt Mixtures

Rising energy prices, global warming, and more stringent environmental regulations have resulted in an interest in warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies as a means to decrease the energy consumption and emissions associated with conventional hot mix asphalt production. However, the utilization of the hydrated lime and liquid antistripping agents (ASA) in WMA mixture makes these issues more complicated. The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate the moisture susceptibility of the mixtures containing ASA and WMA additives. The experimental design for this study included the utilizations of one binder source (PG 64-22), three ASA additives and control, two WMA additives and virgin, and three aggregate sources. A total of 36 types of mixtures and 216 specimens were fabricated and tested in this study. The performed properties include indirect tensile strength (ITS), tensile strength ratio (TSR), flow, and toughness. The results indicated that the hydrate lime exhibits the best moisture resistance for WMA mixtures, the liquid ASA additives can increase the ITS values of the mixtures but the liquid ASA generally exhibits a weak moisture resistance compared to the hydrate lime regardless of WMA and aggregate types in this study. In addition, the wet ITS values of mixtures containing WMA additives were lower than that of the mixtures without WMA additives.
Current Guidelines for Acceptable Surgical Margins in Breast Conservation Therapy

Patients treated with breast-conserving surgery for early stage breast cancer should preferably have a negative resection margin prior to postoperative radiation in order to minimize the risk for local recurrence. However, selected patients with focal margin involvement are still reasonable candidates for radiation without re-excision, particularly when the margin is at an anatomic boundary of the breast. Routine use of re-excision for close margins <1–2 mm is no longer routinely required—recent data have not confirmed a benefit to margins wider than no tumor on ink. Margins may have become of lesser prognostic importance in today’s environment due to improved preoperative imaging, careful surgical and pathological correlation, and modern systemic therapy. Clinical judgment is still needed in cases of close resection margins, such as when diffuse persistent disease is suspected, to weigh the need for re-excision prior to radiation.
Application of a uniform anatomic grading system to measure disease severity in eight emergency general surgical illnesses.

Background Emergent general surgical diseases encompass a broad spectrum of anatomy and pathophysiology, creating challenges for outcomes assessment, research, and surgical training. The goal of this study was to measure anatomic disease severity for eight emergent general surgical diseases using the uniform grading system of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). Methods The Committee on Patient Assessment and Outcomes of AAST applied the previously developed uniform grading system to eight emergent general surgical diseases using a consensus of experts. It was then reviewed and approved by the Board of Managers of AAST. Results Severity grades for eight commonly encountered emergent general surgical conditions were created: breast abscess, esophageal perforation, infectious colitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, perirectal abscess, pleural space infections, soft tissue infections, and surgical site infections. The range of grades from I through V, reflect progression from mild disease, limited to within the organ itself, to widespread severe disease. Conclusion This article provides a uniform grading system for measuring anatomic severity of eight emergent general surgical diseases. Consistent adoption of these grades could improve standardization for quality assurance, outcomes research, and surgical training.
The earth as a planet - Paradigms and paradoxes

The independent growth of the various branches of the earth sciences in the past two decades has led to a divergence of geophysical, geochemical, geological, and planetological models for the composition and evolution of a terrestrial planet. Evidence for differentiation and volcanism on small planets and a magma ocean on the moon contrasts with hypotheses for a mostly primitive, still undifferentiated, and homogeneous terrestrial mantle. In comparison with the moon, the earth has an extraordinarily thin crust. The geoid, which should reflect convection in the mantle, is apparently unrelated to the current distribution of continents and oceanic ridges. If the earth is deformable, the whole mantle should wander relative to the axis of rotation, but the implications of this are seldom discussed. The proposal of a mantle rich in olivine violates expectations based on evidence from extraterrestrial sources. These and other paradoxes force a reexamination of some long-held assumptions.
Mucin-hypersecreting intraductal neoplasms of the pancreas: A precursor to cystic pancreatic malignancies

Abstract Background. Mucin-hypersecreting intraductal pancreatic neoplasms were first described in 1982 and have been observed in increasing numbers since. They are observed primarily by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and are characterized by an intraductal papillary neoplasm that secretes thick mucin, causing pancreatic duct dilatation and obstructive pancreatitis. Methods. Twenty patients are presented, 14 male and six female, with an average age of 59 ± 11 years. All patients presented with abdominal pain, and most had nausea and vomiting, weight loss, and documented pancreatitis. Of the preoperative studies, ERCP was positive in all patients. Computed tomography scan, endoscopic ultrasonogram, and cytologic findings were less sensitive. Tumor markers were only positive in one patient. All 20 patients were treated surgically. Nine underwent Whipple procedure, one patient had a total pancreatectomy, and nine had distal pancreatic resections. The first patient in the series did not have a pancreatic resection, and his disease evolved into a lethal cystadenocarcinoma causing his death 99 months later. Results. Histopathologic findings were interpreted as borderline malignant in 17 of the 20 patients, and three patients had evidence of invasive adenocarcinoma. Two of these three patients had nodal or distant metastases at the time of diagnosis, and all three died of adenocarcinoma. Seventeen of the patients are alive and well, although two of three with positive pancreatic margins have had recurrent symptoms and have been successfully reresected. Conclusions. The mucin-producing intraductal papillary tumor of the pancreas is a newly described variant of pancreatic cancer. It presents with symptoms of pancreatitis and has a progressive but more indolent course than the more lethal invasive ductal cancers. Patients with unexplained pancreatitis should undergo ERCP investigation, and aggressive surgical therapy should be carried out because the prognosis for this lesion, when appropriately treated, is more favorable than the usual pancreatic cancer.
Thermodynamic analysis of GaxB1−xN grown by MOVPE

Abstract A thermodynamic model was applied to predict the GaBN MOVPE growth such as the equilibrium partial pressures, vapor–solid distribution relation, and growth efficiency. The delta-lattice-parameter (DLP) method was employed to determine the activities of the binary compounds. The large structural dissimilarity between BN and GaN results in a high interaction parameter of 70 730 cal/mol, indicating that GaBN deviates greatly from an ideal solid solution. A V/III ratio>100 is required for the growth of GaBN at 1000°C to avoid Ga droplets on the growth front. The growth of GaBN is controlled by the much higher Ga partial pressure than that of B over the alloy. The unstable regions in which inhomogeneous compositions are formed exist in the GaBN alloy based on the vapor–solid distribution relation. The predicted growth behavior of GaBN agrees well with the experimental data.
Nursing Homes for the Aged: The Human Consequences of Legislation-shaped Environments

Current federal legislation has established nursing homes as part of the medical health-care system rather than as community-based institutions. The associated regulations allocate resources and provide services in a manner that emphasizes meeting the medical requirements of the individual, often at the expense of his social and psychological needs. Further, the quality of life that can be provided in nursing homes receiving public funds has been determined in large part by the kind of bureaucracy mandated by federal legislation and the supporting state standards of operations required for certification. The resulting organization constricts the range of options open to the individual in such settings, fostering psychological and economic dependency. Considerations for an alternative, person-focused public policy are presented that would function to maintain a more optimal level of independence for the elderly.
Residential independence among older persons: community and individual factors

The objective of this study is to evaluate an expanded version of the resource model of living arrangements among older persons. This expanded model includes community-level measures of geriatric health services and housing market conditions. We employ the first two waves of the National Survey of Families and Households to test static and longitudinal fixed effects models of residential living arrangements. We find that residing in areas with higher levels of geriatric health care services increases the likelihood of residential independence, net of other contextual factors and individual characteristics. Our results show that housing market conditions are not related to levels of or changes in residential independence when control variables are included in the models. The results for the individual-level resource variables show that persons with greater economic resources, more children, and better functional status are better able to maintain independence and are less likely to die or live in a nursing home. This study shows the utility of expanding on micro-level approaches to understanding community living arrangements among older persons. Future investigations should include measures of the policy environment, transportation constraints and opportunities, and a more complete array of indicators of health and social services oriented toward helping elderly persons maintain their independence.
Inverse nonlinear finite element problems with local and global constraints

A general one-step method for solving inverse finite-element (FE) field problems is described. Several inverse types are presented, indicating for each which parameters of the problem are specified and which remain to be determined. Mathematical steps are outlined, taking into account nonlinear material characteristics. Examples for some inverse field problems, using first-order triangular elements for the two-dimensional magnetostatic Maxwell equations, are included to illustrate the advantages of the method. The formulation preserves the requirement of a given local flux or a global constraint parameter while yielding the design, i.e. the geometry of the devices. >
Conflicts between Local and Global Spatial Frameworks Dissociate Neural Representations of the Lateral and Medial Entorhinal Cortex

Manipulation of spatial reference frames is a common experimental tool to investigate the nature of hippocampal information coding and to investigate high-order processes, such as cognitive coordination. However, it is unknown how the hippocampus afferents represent the local and global reference frames of an environment. To address these issues, single units were recorded in freely moving rats with multi-tetrode arrays targeting the superficial layers of the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), the two primary cortical inputs to the hippocampus. Rats ran clockwise laps around a circular track partitioned into quadrants covered by different textures (the local reference frame). The track was centered in a circular environment with distinct landmarks on the walls (the global reference frame). Here we demonstrate a novel dissociation between MEC and LEC in that the global frame controlled the MEC representation and the local frame controlled the LEC representation when the reference frames were rotated in equal, but opposite, directions. Consideration of the functional anatomy of the hippocampal circuit and popular models of attractor dynamics in CA3 suggests a mechanistic explanation of previous data showing a dissociation between the CA3 and CA1 regions in their responses to this local–global conflict. Furthermore, these results are consistent with a model of the LEC providing the hippocampus with the external sensory content of an experience and the MEC providing the spatial context, which combine to form conjunctive codes in the hippocampus that form the basis of episodic memory.
Carrier-mediated sodium-dependent and calcium-dependent calcium efflux from pinched-off presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) in vitro

The influence of external cations on 45Ca2+ efflux from Ca2+-loaded synaptosomes has been examined. The synaptosomes were pre-loaded with 45Ca2+ by incubating the suspensions in potassium-rich media for 2 min. The suspensions were then diluted into “efflux” media containing a “normal” (5mM) K+ concentration; the content of Na+ and Ca2+ was varied, as noted below. Efflux of 45Ca2+ was measured for a 2-min period (except for “zero-time” samples), and was terminated by filtering the suspensions on 0.3μm cellulose acetate filters. 45CaCa2+ retained on the filters was determined by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. The difference between the 45Ca2+ in the “zero-time” samples (“Ca2+load”) and in the samples incubated for 2 min was taken as the 45Ca2+ efflux. 45Ca2+ loss into Ca2+-free efflux media containing ethyleneglycol-bis(β-aminoethylether)- N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) was markedly influenced by the Na+ concentration: nearly 80% of the 45Ca2+ was lost from the synaptosomes if the media contained 132mM Na+, but only about 7% was lost in 2 min if 97% of the Na+ was replaced mol-for-mol by choline. In media containing 1.2mM Ca+ and 132 mM Na+, the 45Ca2+ uptake by synaptosomes previously loaded with 40Ca2+ was significantly less than 45Ca2+ loss from synaptosomes loaded with 45Ca2+. Thus there was a net efflux of Ca2+ from the Ca2+-loaded synaptosomes; this efflux was, presumably, Na+ dependent. In media containing 1.2mM 40Ca2+ and only 4mM Na+, the 45Ca2+ efflux from 45Ca2+-loaded synaptosomes was significantly greater if most of the external Na+ (128 mM) was replaced isomotically by Li+ rather than by choline, guanidine or glucose. This observation may be evidence for a Ca2+−Ca2+ exchange which is promoted by Li+. Both the Na+-dependent and the Ca2+-dependent Ca2+ effluxes were inhibited Mn2+. The data are consistent with a Ca2+ carrier mechanism which can extrude Ca2+ in exchange for Na+ or for Ca2+, the latter being activated by Li+. These properties bear a striking resemblance to those of a Ca2+ efflux mechanism which has been characterized in squid axons. This mechanism may therefore have evolved fairly early on in the history of the animal kingdom.
Comparison of methods for extracting linear solvent strength gradient parameters from gradient chromatographic data

The linear solvent strength (LSS) theory of gradient elution is useful in the optimization of separations in high-performance liquid chromatography. While the fundamental parameters of this theory are defined in terms of isocratic behavior, gradient operation has been used previously to estimate those parameters to allow rapid optimization of the separation. In this study, various methods of extracting the LSS parameters from gradient retention data were examined. Sets of synthetic retention data were calculated directly from the equations of the LSS theory. When realistic experimental uncertainties were incorporated into these data sets, the LSS parameters used to generate the synthetic data were not recovered accurately unless special precautions were taken. For large molecules, an approximate LSS expression could be used to determine the solvent strength parameter with an error of less than 13%, which is comparable to or better than those for the other methods evaluated.
Synthesis and evaluation of heteroarylalanine diacids as potent and selective neutral endopeptidase inhibitors.

Abstract Heteroarylalanine derivatives 4 were designed as potential inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase (NEP EC 3.4.24.11). Selectivity over other zinc metalloproteinases was explored through occupation of the S2′ subsite within NEP. Structural optimisation led to the identification of 5-phenyl oxazole 4f, a potent and selective NEP inhibitor. A crystal structure of the inhibitor bound complex is reported.
NMDA receptors in sensory information processing

During the past year electrophysiological studies, particularly in the visual and somatosensory systems, have begun to uncover the specific roles played by NMDA receptors in the processing of sensory information. Many of the features of NMDA-receptor-mediated sensory responses reflect known properties of the receptor.
The many views of a process: Toward a process architecture framework for product development processes

A product or system development process is a kind of complex system, arguably even more complex than the system it produces. Yet, the models and tools used by systems engineers and program managers to plan and manage technical work—such as process flowcharts, Gantt charts, work breakdown structures, and text-rendered procedures—are less sophisticated and capable than the ones used to design the product system. When used, the various process models are often challenged to incorporate and maintain synchronized program information—e.g., they may be created by different subgroups in a program and based on different assumptions, and they may diverge as a program proceeds. Recently, architecture frameworks (AFs) have been used to help manage the complexity in engineered systems. An AF provides a portfolio of views of a complex system, each of which describes it partially and in a format meaningful to its users and their particular needs. This paper proposes the application of AF concepts to the management of the work done to develop a complex system product. The pieces of work and their relationships constitute a complex process. A portfolio of integrated and synchronized views of a single process model would seem to be preferable to the current state—a number of disparate and uncoordinated management models. This paper introduces a new application of AFs to development processes and suggests this area as one for further research and development in the systems engineering community. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng