cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome Wide DNA Copy Number Analysis of Serous Type Ovarian Carcinomas Identifies Genetic Markers Predictive of Clinical Outcome

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. Ovarian cancers display a high degree of complex genetic alterations involving many oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Analysis of the association between genetic alterations and clinical endpoints such as survival will lead to improved patient management via genetic stratification of patients into clinically relevant subgroups. In this study, we aim to define subgroups of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas that differ with respect to prognosis and overall survival. Genome-wide DNA copy number alterations (CNAs) were measured in 72 clinically annotated, high-grade serous tumors using high-resolution oligonucleotide arrays. Two clinically annotated, independent cohorts were used for validation. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of copy number data derived from the 72 patient cohort resulted in two clusters with significant difference in progression free survival (PFS) and a marginal difference in overall survival (OS). GISTIC analysis of the two clusters identified altered regions unique to each cluster. Supervised clustering of two independent large cohorts of high-grade serous tumors using the classification scheme derived from the two initial clusters validated our results and identified 8 genomic regions that are distinctly different among the subgroups. These 8 regions map to 8p21.3, 8p23.2, 12p12.1, 17p11.2, 17p12, 19q12, 20q11.21 and 20q13.12; and harbor potential oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma. We have identified a set of genetic alterations that could be used for stratification of high-grade serous tumors into clinically relevant treatment subgroups.
Juror decision making for juveniles tried as adults: the effects of defendant age, crime type, and crime outcome

This study examined the influences of the crime type (person or property) and the crime outcome (mild or severe) on mock jurors’ verdict and sentencing decisions for adult defendants and juvenile defendants tried as adults. Jurors read a trial summary depicting a defendant charged with aggravated robbery or second-degree burglary. The crimes had either mild or severe damage inflicted on the person or property, and the defendant's age was presented as 14 or 24. Neither the defendant age nor the crime outcome affected jurors’ verdicts; however, jurors were more likely to convict a defendant charged with a crime against a person. Jurors recommended longer sentences for an adult defendant, a defendant charged with a crime against a person, and a defendant charged with a crime with a severe outcome. The discussion explored these outcomes and the role of bias in jurors’ perceptions of defendants.
Movin' and Shakin'

This is a case of a 14-year-old adolescent boy with a history of exercise-induced syncope who presents in status epilepticus after collapsing while running. On subsequent exercise stress testing, he was noted to develop runs of ventricular tachycardia, consistent with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. This case highlights the importance of cardiac evaluation in athletes with syncope, and also, understanding all therapeutic effects of medications.
Testable implications of coalitional rationality

Abstract In this note the core of an exchange economy with a finite number of commodities and agents is characterized by a family of polynomial inequalities. By the Tarski-Seidenberg theorem the core is, thus, a theoretical concept that can be formulated in terms of observables only.
Translational Research: The Path for Bringing Discovery to Patients

Translating basic research findings into therapeutic settings presents many scientific, logistic, and financial challenges for academic researchers. Here, I highlight some key insights for navigating such challenges based on recent clinical trials initiated by basic research from my lab.
Needed: A culture of masculinity for the fulfilment of human rights

Ruth Finney Hayward argues that the prevailing culture of masculinity leads to violence against women (VAW) and girls and puts the healthy development of the next generation at risk. Men and boys are being called on as partners to end gender violence, define new models of masculinities, and promote gender equality. The risks if they do not, and the benefits if they do, are explored.
Advances in high speed jet aeroacoustics

This paper provides an assessment from an experimental point of view of the present understanding of high speed jet noise primarily as it pertains to shock containing supersonic jet plumes. The nature of this assessment involves an examination of the complex flow and related acoustic field associated with this problem. A certain emphasis is placed on prediction of the near acoustic field to satisfy a motivation driven by a new set of guiding principles, namely the high performance tactical fighter and second generation space transportation vehicles. The review concludes that after weighing all the experimental evidence, only after consideration of the role of large scale coherent structure is adopted can a consistent unifying theme be achieved to physically interpret and properly predict noise generation by the fundamental mechanisms.
Spiralian model systems.

The “Spiralia” represent one of the three major clades of bilaterian metazoans. Though members of this clade exhibit tremendous diversity in terms of their larval and adult body plans, many share a highly conserved early pattern of development involving a stereotypic cleavage program referred to as spiral cleavage. This group therefore represents an excellent one in which to undertake comparative studies to understand the origins of such diversity from a seemingly common ground plan. These organisms also present varied and diverse modes in terms of their ecology, development and life history strategies. A number of well established and emerging model systems have been developed to undertake studies at the molecular, genetic, cell and organismal levels. The Special Issue of the Int. J. Dev. Biol. entitled “Spiralian Model Systems” focuses on these organisms and here, I introduce this clade, pointing out different types of studies being undertaken with representative spiralian model systems.
Differential expansion of the N-formylpeptide receptor gene cluster in human and mouse.

Abstract The human formylpeptide receptor (FPR) gene cluster has three members:FPR1andFPRL1, which are expressed in neutrophils and monocytes and encode seven-transmembrane-domain chemotactic receptors specific for N-formylpeptides, andFPRL2,whose function is unknown. The FPRL1 receptor is also a lipoxin A4 receptor. Using probes for the three human genes we have cloned six distinct mouse genes, designatedFpr1andFpr-rs1throughFpr-rs5,which form a cluster on chromosome 17 in a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 19.Fpr1encodes a functional receptor and is clearly the orthologue ofFPR1.BothFpr-rs1andFpr-rs2have higher sequence homology toFPRL1than toFPRL2; Fpr-rs1is 97% identical in amino acid sequence to a previously reported cDNA that encodes a lipoxin A4 receptor, whereas the putative ligand forFpr-rs2is unknown.Fpr-rs3, Fpr-rs4,andFpr-rs5appear to lack human counterparts and are most similar in sequence toFPRL1.RNA forFpr1, Fpr-rs1,andFpr-rs2is present in leukocytes, spleen, and lung, whereas RNA forFpr-rs3was detected only in skeletal muscle. We did not detectFpr-rs4orFpr-rs5RNA in any tissue tested. Moreover,Fpr-rs5has a stop codon in the protein-coding region corresponding to transmembrane domain VI and may not encode a functional receptor. These results suggest that the FPR gene cluster has undergone differential expansion in mammals withFPRL2, Fpr-rs2, Fpr-rs3, Fpr-rs4,andFpr-rs5arising after divergence of human and mouse.
The microstructural response of mill-annealed and solution-annealed INCONEL 600 to heat treatment

Samples of INCONEL* 600 were examined in the mill-annealed and solution-annealed states, and after isothermal annealing at 400 °C and 650 °C. The corrosion behavior of the samples was examined, analytical electron microscopy was used to determine the microstructures present and the chemistry of grain boundaries, and Auger electron spectroscopy was used to measure grain boundary segregation. Samples of different alloys in the mill-annealed state were found to have quite different microstructures, with Cr-rich M7C3 carbides occurring either along grain boundaries or in intragranular sheets. The corrosion behavior of the samples correlated well with the occurrence of grain boundary chromium depletion. Solution annealing at 1190 °C caused dissolution of all carbides, whereas at 1100 °C the carbides either dissolved or the grain boundaries moved away from the carbides, depending upon alloy carbon content. Low-temperature annealing at 400 °C had little effect on millannealed or fully solutionized samples, but in samples with intragranular carbides present, the grain boundaries moved until intersecting or adjacent to the carbides. Isothermal annealing at 650 °C caused carbide nucleation and growth at grain boundaries in fully solutionized samples. Chromium depletion at grain boundaries accompanied carbide precipitation, with a minimum chromium level of 6 wt pct achieved after 5 hours. Healing was found to occur after 100 hours. Solution-annealed samples with intragranular carbides present had more rapid corrosion kinetics since the grain boundaries moved back to the existing carbides. Thermodynamic analysis of the chromium-depletion process showed good agreement with experimental measurements. The Auger results found only boron present at grain boundaries in the mill-annealed state. Aged samples had boron, nitrogen, and phosphorus present, with phosphorus and nitrogen segregating to the greatest extent. The kinetics of phosphorus segregation are much slower at 400 °C compared with 650 °C.
Cell-cycle duration and sister-chromatid exchange frequency in cultured human lymphocytes ☆

Whole heparinized blood samples from normal human donors were grown in culture media containing 10 μg/ml of bromodeoxyuridine. Lymphocytes were harvested after 58, 70, 72 and 80 h and scored for sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) under a fluorescence microscope. SCEs which occured during the first and second cell cycles were counted in second or third generation cells selected on the basis of their chromosome fluorescence patterns. The results of a preliminary study showed the mean SCE frequency per cell at 72 h to be 9.0 for second generation cells and 7.8 in third generation cells (P < 0.01). A second study, using culture medium with heat-inactivated fetal-calf serum, gave similar results (9.4 vs. 7.8, P 0.001) at 70 h. Therefore, the difference in SCE frequency between second and third generation cells at 70 or 72 h cannot be attributed to heat-labile substances of serum origin. An additional finding in the second study was that SCE frequencies in third division cells at 70 and80 h were the samee as those of second division cells at 58 h but significantly less (P < 0.001) than the frequency in second division cells at 70 h. These data were interpreted as arising from at least two different lymphocyte populations; one group of cells that is either slower growing or slower in phytohemagglutinin stimulation, with a higher SCE frequency which does not reach second division until 70 or 80 h, and a more rapidly dividing (or more quickly stimulated by phytohemagglutinin) population with a lower SCE frequency which reaches second division at 58 h and third division by 70–80 h. Whether or not this hypothesis is correct, the data show that SCE frequency varies significantly with cell-cycle duration. Since some carcinogens have been shown to alter cell kinetics (Craig-Holmes and Shaw, Mutation Res. 46 (1977) 375), changes in SCE frequency which are caused by a change in cell kinetics must be considered a factor in determining the mutagenicity of an agent by its ability to increase SCE frequency.
Issues in the Assessment of East Asian Handicapped Students

The assessment of handicapped and limited English-proficient students of East Asian origin presents a unique challenge for those involved in the task of educational evaluation of these students. In...
Dynamic replication, an overview

Dynamic replication is a new technique for managing data in a distributed processing environment. It is a simple yet powerful scheme that addresses the major problems of distributing databases.This paper discusses dynamic replication and database distribution in three parts: First, several aspects of database distribution common to various techniques are described. Second, some capabilities of dynamic replication are emphasized, inasmuch as they are not available with other techniques. Third, an overview description of dynamic replication is given.
The Global Structure and Evolution of a Self-Gravitating Multiphase Interstellar Medium in a Galactic Disk

Using high-resolution, two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, we investigate the evolution of a self-gravitating multiphase interstellar medium in the central kiloparsec region of a galactic disk. We find that a gravitationally and thermally unstable disk evolves, in a self-stabilizing manner, into a globally quasi-stable disk that consists of cold (T 104 K), diffuse medium. The quasi-stationary, filamentary structure of the cold gas is remarkable. The hot gas, characterized by low-density holes and voids, is produced by shock heating. The shocks derive their energy from differential rotation and gravitational perturbations due to the formation of cold dense clumps. In the quasi-stable phase in which cold and dense clouds are formed, the effective stability parameter Q has a value in the range 2-5. The dynamic range of our multiphase calculations is 106-107 in both density and temperature. Phase diagrams for this turbulent medium are analyzed and discussed.
A patient with foot ulcer and severe metabolic alkalosis

We report a case of triple acid-base disorder with metabolic alkalosis as the primary disorder in a 65-year-old man due to ingestion and application to leg ulcers of baking soda (calcium bicarbonate). The blood pH was 7.65 with hypochloremia, hypokalemia, and prerenal azotemia. He was treated with isotonic saline with K replacement, and the patient improved without any adverse clinical consequences. We discuss the causes, mechanisms, and management of Cl-responsive (depletion) metabolic alkalosis.
Utility of impedance cardiography to improve physician estimation of hemodynamic parameters in the emergency department

Emergency physicians must often make assessments of complex hemodynamic parameters. To assess the utility of impedance cardiography (ICG) in the emergency department, the authors examined treating physicians' abilities to assess stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) by comparing the clinicians' estimates of these values to ICG measurements. Treating physicians were asked to estimate the SV, CO, and SVR of acutely ill patients as being low, normal, or high. ICG measurements of SV, CO, and SVR were also categorized as low, normal, or high. Physician estimates were compared with ICG measures for concordance. Changes of therapy initiated as a result of discordance between physician's estimates and ICG measurements were recorded. The treating physician assessments and ICG hemodynamic measurements were concordant in 62 of 101 (62%) cases for SV (kappa=0.068), in 53 of 101 (53%) cases for CO (p=0.125), and in 50 of 101 (50%) measurements for SVR (p=0.148). The low concordance suggests that treating physicians did not consistently estimate SV, CO, and SVR accurately. ICG provides noninvasive hemodynamic measurements of SV, CO, and SVR that offer clinical utility and potential value in the emergency department.
Safety of Pacemakers and Defibrillators in Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy

Background Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) (InReach iLogic system; superDimension Inc) is a relatively new discipline, with promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications in patients with lung lesions. Navigation is performed in a magnetic field and, therefore, has been considered relatively contraindicated in patients with pacemakers and automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (AICDs). Potential risks include altering the function and shutting off the device, device damage, lead displacement, and potential overheating. Over the past decade, there has been extensive literature about the safety of pacemakers in either the 1.5-T or 3-T magnetic fields used in current MRI scanners. Although the magnetic field used in ENB is significantly weaker, 0.0001 T or approximately equal to the earth's gravity, its safety in patients with pacemakers is yet to be elucidated. We present our initial experience with ENB in patients with cardiac implanted electrical devices. Methods Twenty-four procedures in 24 patients with lung lesions and permanent pacemakers were performed. A cardiac electrophysiologist and programmer were present during the procedure. At baseline, the pacers were interrogated, and ECG was recorded. Continuous cardiac monitoring was performed during the procedure, and at the end, the pacer settings and function were reinterrogated to check for any changes. Results The procedures were all successfully concluded. None of the patients suffered any arrhythmias or disruption to their pacemakers' function. Conclusion ENB appears to be safe when performed in patients with pacemakers and AICDs. Larger multicenter studies are needed to prove the final safety in this patient population.
Plasmonic Near-Electric Field Enhancement Effects in Ultrafast Photoelectron Emission: Correlated Spatial and Laser Polarization Microscopy Studies of Individual Ag Nanocubes

Electron emission from single, supported Ag nanocubes excited with ultrafast laser pulses (λ = 800 nm) is studied via spatial and polarization correlated (i) dark field scattering microscopy (DFM), (ii) scanning photoionization microscopy (SPIM), and (iii) high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Laser-induced electron emission is found to peak for laser polarization aligned with cube diagonals, suggesting the critical influence of plasmonic near-field enhancement of the incident electric field on the overall electron yield. For laser pulses with photon energy below the metal work function, coherent multiphoton photoelectron emission (MPPE) is identified as the most probable mechanism responsible for electron emission from Ag nanocubes and likely metal nanoparticles/surfaces in general.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin requires lipid microdomains for target cell cytotoxicity

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans produces a leukotoxin (Ltx) that kills leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)-bearing cells from man, the Great Apes and Old World monkeys. The unique specificity of Ltx for the beta2 integrin, LFA-1, suggests it is capable of providing insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of Ltx and other RTX toxins. Using the Jurkat T cell line and an LFA-1-deficient Jurkat mutant (Jbeta2.7) as models, we found the initial effect of Ltx is to elevate cytosolic Ca2+ [Ca2+]c, an event that is independent of the Ltx/LFA-1 interaction. [Ca2+]c increases initiate a series of events that involve the activation of calpain, talin cleavage, mobilization to, and subsequent clustering of, LFA-1 in cholesterol and sphingolipid-rich regions of the plasma membrane known as lipid rafts. The association of Ltx and LFA-1 within lipid rafts is essential for cell lysis. Jbeta2.7 cells fail to accumulate Ltx in their raft fractions and are not killed, while cholesterol depletion experiments demonstrate the necessity of raft integrity for Ltx function. We propose that toxin-induced Ca2+ fluxes mobilize LFA-1 to lipid rafts where it associates with Ltx. These findings suggest that Ltx utilizes the raft to stimulate an integrin signalling pathway that leads to apoptosis of target cells.
Measurement of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 Proteolytic Activity with Western Immunoblot in Acute Viral Diseases in Childhood

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a main binding protein for IGF-I and II (IGFs). During pregnancy IGFBP-3 proteolytic activity has been found in sera and it may result in an increase in IGFs bioavailability so that the maternal tissues and placenta can grow. The proteolytic activity has also been reported to be induced in catabolic conditions such as after surgery and the subsequent increase in IGFs bioavailability may be important in overcoming catabolic conditions. We have this time established the measurement of the proteolytic activity using western immunoblot. This dose not use radioabeled IGFBP-3 and takes less time than the previous method. With the new method we measured the proteolytic activity in children with acute viral disease. Significant results of IGFBP-3 proteolytic activity were obtained from 2 patients with measles, suggesting IGF-I and II might also be physiologically important in those patients.
Cloning and characterization of human ubiquitin-processing protease-43 from terminally differentiated human melanoma cells using a rapid subtraction hybridization protocol RaSH.

Abstract Defects in growth control and differentiation occur frequently in human cancers. In the case of human melanoma cells, treatment with a combination of fibroblast interferon (IFN-β) and the protein kinase C activator mezerein (MEZ) results in an irreversible loss of proliferative potential and tumorigenic properties with a concomitant induction of terminal differentiation. These changes in cellular properties are associated with an induction and suppression in specific subsets of genes that occur in a temporal manner. To identify the complete repertoire of gene changes occurring during melanoma reversion to a more differentiated state a number of molecular approaches are being used. These include, subtraction hybridization using temporally spaced cDNA libraries, random cDNA isolation and evaluation by reverse Northern blotting and high throughput microarray analysis of subtracted cDNA clones. In the present study we have used a novel approach, rapid subtraction hybridization (RaSH), to identify and clone an additional gene of potential relevance to cancer growth control and terminal cell differentiation. RaSH has identified a human ubiquitin-processing protease gene, HuUBP43, that is differentially expressed in melanoma cells as a function of treatment with IFN-β or IFN-β + MEZ. HuUBP43 is a type I interferon inducible gene that is upregulated in a diverse panel of normal and tumor cells when treated with IFN-β via the JAK/STAT kinase pathway. This gene may contribute to the phenotypic changes induced by IFN-β during growth arrest and differentiation in human melanoma cells and other cell types as well as the antiviral and growth inhibitory effects of interferon.
Cyclic vomiting and compulsive bathing with chronic cannabis abuse.

Cannabis is commonly recognized for its anti-emetric properties. However, chronic cannabis use can lead to paroxysmal vomiting. In some patients this vomiting can take on a pattern identical to cyclic vomiting syndrome. Interestingly cyclic vomiting syndrome has been associated with compulsive bathing which patients report can relieve their intense feelings of nausea and lessen their vomiting intensity. We report a case of a patient with chronic cannabis use who developed symptoms similar to cyclic vomiting syndrome who also engaged in compulsive bathing behavior as observed by members of the medical and nursing staff. The patient reported that frequent hot showers would prevent him from vomiting and also relieve his concomitant abdominal pain. Previous hospitalizations at our hospital for the same complaint also noted similar showering behavior. During the hospital stay, the patient agreed to engage in a outpatient drug rehabilitation program which he subsequently completed. Abstinence from cannabis use caused the patients vomiting symptoms and abdominal pain to disappear completely. Likewise, his compulsive showering behavior also ceased. Other investigators have reported similar findings in patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome who initially used cannabis to treat their vomiting episodes but subsequently found that it contributed to their vomiting. Our patient has lead us to conclude that in patients seen for chronic severe vomiting and abdominal pain which has no obvious structural or chemical etiology and which is accompanied by compulsive showering and/or bathing behavior a diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome with concomitant cannabis abuse needs to be considered.
Does activity limitation predict discharge destination for postacute care patients

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the ability of different domains of activity limitation to predict discharge destination (home vs. nonhome settings) 1 mo after hospital discharge for postacute rehabilitation patients.DesignA secondary analysis was conducted using a data set of 518 adult
Laparoscopic morcellator-related injuries.

Abstract Study Objective To identify and summarize all electric morcellator-related injuries published in the medical literature. Design Systematic review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Databases. Subjects Articles on morcellator-related injuries published from 1992 through February 2002, plus additional sources of information. Intervention Search of MEDLINE and referencing of the FDA device report database. Measurements and Main Results We were unable to locate any references to morcellator-related visceral injuries in the medical literature. Of 17 cases identified from the FDA database, 3 were excluded based on the trivial nature of the event (e.g., instrument did not function). The remaining 14 visceral injuries were to small and large bowel (11), kidney (2), pancreas (1), and major vascular structures (3). Identification of the complication was immediate in 10 patients, but was not until 4 days postoperatively in 1 woman. Three patients died. No device manufacturer or surgical specialty was responsible for a preponderance of the injuries. Conclusion These potentially fatal complications are unreported in the medical literature.
Comparing the payoff to vocational and academic credentials in Thailand over time

Abstract Using data from Thailand’s National Labor Force Survey, this paper analyzes the long-run earnings differentials for vocational and academic schooling at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The results show that vocational schooling offers consistently higher returns for men and women at the secondary and post-secondary levels. However, the returns to vocational and academic credentials vary substantially, both by gender and year. The primary conclusion that vocational schooling offers a higher private rate of return should be tempered by the understanding of the long-run decline in value of some vocational credentials and the potential growing importance of all post-secondary degrees.
Regulation of alkaline phosphatase activity in human cell cultures: Role of serum

Alkaline phosphatase activity in certain established cell lines of human origin (HeLa S3, Zimmer liver 4A, and H.Ep II) is controlled by the concentration of human serum in the culture medium. Enzyme activity is inversely proportional to the concentration of serum. The effect of serum is maximal in the absence of the basal components of the medium. During a 7-day growth cycle in serum a sequential depletion in enzyme activity occurs. Serum does not affect total cell protein content nor does it influence the activities of acid phosphatase, β -glucosidase, β -galactosidase, and N -acetyl- β -glucosaminidase. The effect of serum on alkaline phosphatase is reversible as evidenced by the normal levels of activity following the transfer of cells into regular medium and by changing the nutrient environment from serum to regular medium. Serum does not prevent enzyme induction by prednisolone and/or increased osmolality. The alkaline phosphatase of cells grown in serum has the same intracellular distribution and properties as that of control cultures.
An engineered allosteric switch in leucine-zipper oligomerization.

Controversy remains about the role of core side-chain packing in specifying protein structure. To investigate the influence of core packing on the oligomeric structure of a coiled coil, we engineered a GCN4 leucine zipper mutant that switches from two to three strands upon binding the hydrophobic ligands cyclohexane and benzene. In solution these ligands increased the apparent thermal stability and the oligomerization order of the mutant leucine zipper. The crystal structure of the peptide–benzene complex shows a single benzene molecule bound at the engineered site in the core of the trimer. These results indicate that coiled coils are well-suited to function as molecular switches and emphasize that core packing is an important determinant of oligomerization specificity.
Advances in Cervical Screening Technology

The Pap smear unquestionably is a successful screening test for cervical cancer. However, recent advances in technology have raised questions regarding whether the conventional Pap smear is still the standard of care. This article relates issues of screening and cost-effectiveness to the state of the art in thin layer preparations, cytology automation, human papillomavirus screening, human papillomavirus vaccines, and other cervical screening adjuncts. Perhaps nowhere in medicine is clinical decision making being more strongly influenced by market and other external forces than in cervical cytopathology.
MAP Kinase Pathway is Involved in IGF-1-Stimulated Proliferation of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells (hRPE)

Purpose: To investigate the mitogenic activity of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (hRPE) and to elucidate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and MAP kinase (MAPK) in the IGF-1 signaling cascade.Methods: Human RPE specimens were obtained from postmortem non-pathological eyes and cultured in vitro through several passages. Cellular proliferation in the presence of increasing concentrations of IGF-1 and IGF-1 + PD98059 (a known MAPK inhibitor) was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation; trypan blue exclusion studies (T) verified cell viability. Under the same experimental conditions, synthesis of VEGF was measured utilizing [14C]methionine immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemical methods as well as Western blot analysis.Results: IGF-1 stimulated hRPE proliferation, as demonstrated by [3H]thymidine incorporation. There was also an IGF-1-induced increase in VEGF synthesis as measured quantitatively by [14C]methionine-VEGF...
Preparation and Study of a Family of Dinuclear Ru(II) Complexes That Catalyze the Decomposition of Water

An approach is developed for the four-electron oxidation of water to provide dioxygen that involves the juxtaposition of two Ru(II) centers such that a metal-bound water molecule might interact with one or both of the metals. The key element in this approach is an appropriate bridging ligand that will hold the metal assembly intact through the full redox cycle. Various synthetic approaches to such ligands are described with the ultimate preparation of four closely related bis-tridentate polypyridine-type systems in which the bridging and distal portions of the ligand are varied. All of these ligands self-assemble with two Ru(II) centers bridged by a Cl ion in the equatorial plane and four axial monodentate substituted pyridines or N-methylimidazoles to form the well-organized catalyst complexes. These complexes are characterized by their distinctive 1H NMR spectra as well as an X-ray structure of one representative species. The photophysical and electrochemical features of these complexes are consistent w...
Optical phase shift measurement of carrier decay-time on thin semiconductor samples with surface losses

Abstract By means of numerical examples the analytical solution to the problem of the time decay of the luminescence from a periodically photoexcited direct-gap semiconductor platelet is illustrated. The effect of non-radiative losses at two sample surfaces is considered. The excess carrier distribution, the net excess carrier density, the internal radiative quantum efficiency, and the phase angle between the fundamental Fourier component of the photoexcitation input and the recombination output, which is the experimentally measured quantity, are discussed. Specific application of this solution is made for parametes representative of GaAs and GaAs 1−x P x at moderately high excitation levels ( δn ) > 10 16 cm −3 ). The results indicate that surface losses are important for surface recombination velocity s > 10 4 cm/sec. Other important parameters influencing the time decay of the luminescence, in addition to the bulk lifetime, are the thickness of the sample and the ambipolar diffusivity of the carriers, with the absorption coefficient at the excitation energy being relatively unimportant. For small surface recombination velocities, i.e. s 5 cm/sec, an exponential luminescent decay involving constant bulk and “surface” lifetimes is shown to be a good approximation.
A statistical and information analysis of aggressive communication in the mantis shrimp Gonodactylus bredini Manning

Abstract 1. 1. The aggressive communication system of the mantis shrimp Gonodactylus bredini was studied. The data from 1-hr observation periods involving interactions between homosexual pairs were used to analyse the distribution of acts within individuals and the distribution of acts by one animal following the execution of a particular display by the other animal. 2. 2. When distributions following particular acts were compared with the overall distribution of patterns, most were found to be significantly different. This indicates that particular sequences of behaviour were likely to occur. In the case of inter-individual sequences most behaviour patterns elicited a specific change in the behaviour of a recipient animal; communication was thus taking place. 3. 3. The frequency with which aggressive interactions took place decreased with time. There were also changes in the overall distributions of the various acts. Both these changes occurred concurrently with the establishment of a dominant-subordinate relationship. 4. 4. In the inter-individual sequences specific acts were statistically ‘directive’ or ‘inhibitive’ toward other acts. Changes in the acts toward which these were directive or inhibitive also occurred over time and were correlated with the formation of a dominant-subordinate relationship. The establishment of such a relationship, therefore, seems to involve at least partially changes in response to specific behavioural acts. 5. 5. Values for information present per act, information transmitted per act, and information per interaction per individual were calculated for each time interval using the data from the interindividual sequences. Information present (mean 2·73 bits per display) is similar to that of hermit crab acts, but information transmitted per act (mean 0·78 bits) and information transmitted per interaction (mean 1·82 bits) were higher. The higher value for information transmission may be the result of adaptation to cavity living and to potential injury (from strikes) during aggressive interactions. 6. 6. The rate of information transmission ranged from 0·013 to 5·46 bits per sec, a range similar to but somewhat broader than that of hermit crab transmission rates. The maximum rate is over twice that of the honey bee and three times that of the fire ant. Whether or not this reflects either the type of information transmitted or the means of transmission is not known.
Successful pregnancy rates achieved with day 4 embryo transfers.

Objective To assess the success of day 4 embryo transfers (ETs) following IVF at one institution. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting A university hospital IVF program. Patient(s) Two hundred nondonor, fresh IVF cycles. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure Outcomes of IVF. Outcome assessments after day 4 ETs included rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and singleton and multiple live births. Result(s) The overall live-birth rate was 54.4%. Implantation rates were highest in younger age groups, and similar in patients 35–40 years of age. Pregnancy and live-birth rates were similar across all age groups up to age 40 years. Multiple gestations were highest in women ≤40 years of age. Conclusion Acceptable pregnancy rates can be achieved with day 4 ETs.
Mechanical properties of MEMS materials

MEMS use materials such as polysilicon, which have been extensively characterized as to their electrical properties but not for their mechanical properties. The properties of aluminum are of course well known, but not for freestanding thin films. In a very real sense, the materials used in MEMS are new materials and require novel test methods. One cannot simply cut out a specimen and place it in a test machine; one must design the specimen to be attached to the substrate at some point yet free to deform. Measuring the small forces and displacements is a challenge, and it is particularly difficult to measure strain at the micro scale.
Murine cytomegalovirus containing a mutation at open reading frame M37 is severely attenuated in growth and virulence in vivo.

A pool of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) mutants was generated by using a Tn 3 -based transposon mutagenesis procedure. One of the mutants, RvM37, which contained the transposon sequence at open reading frame M37, was characterized both in tissue culture and in immunocompetent BALB/c and immunodeficient SCID mice. Our results provide the first direct evidence to suggest that M37 is not essential for viral replication in vitro in NIH 3T3 cells. Compared to the wild-type strain and a rescued virus that restored the M37 region, the viral mutant was severely attenuated in growth in both BALB/c and SCID mice after intraperitoneal infection. Specifically, titers of the Smith strain and rescued virus in the salivary glands, lungs, spleens, livers, and kidneys of the SCID mice at 21 days postinfection were about 5 × 10 5 , 2 × 10 5 , 5 × 10 4 , 5 × 10 3 , and 1 × 10 4 PFU/ml of organ homogenate, respectively; in contrast, titers of RvM37 in these organs were less than 10 2 PFU/ml of organ homogenate. Moreover, the virulence of the mutant virus appeared to be significantly attenuated because none of the SCID mice infected with RvM37 had died by 120 days postinfection, while all animals infected with the wild-type and rescued viruses had died by 26 days postinfection. Our results suggest that M37 probably encodes a virulence factor and is required for MCMV virulence in SCID mice and for optimal viral growth in vivo.
Curbing Craving Behavioral and Brain Evidence That Children Regulate Craving When Instructed to Do So but Have Higher Baseline Craving Than Adults

Although one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, developmental changes in food craving and the ability to regulate craving remain poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap by examining behavioral and neural responses to images of appetizing unhealthy foods in individuals ages 6 through 23 years. On close trials (assessing unregulated craving), participants focused on a pictured food's appetitive features. On far trials (assessing effortful regulation), participants focused on a food's visual features and imagined that it was farther away. Across conditions, older age predicted less craving, less striatal recruitment, greater prefrontal activity, and stronger frontostriatal coupling. When effortfully regulating their responses to the images, all participants reported less craving and exhibited greater recruitment of lateral prefrontal cortex and less recruitment of ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Greater body mass predicted less regulation-related prefrontal activity, particularly among children. These results suggest that children experience stronger craving than adults but can also effectively regulate craving. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying regulation may differ for heavy and lean children.
Agency theory and the financial crisis from a strategic perspective

The financial credit crash of 2007 and 2008, based on various explanations of debt derivatives and housing bubbles that caused many financial institutions to lend money to those who could not repay, has its foundations in agency theory and faulty business strategy. Agency theory is the conflict of interest that may arise between the agent (the Chief Executive Officer or CEO or other managers) and the principals (shareholders). This conflict can cause the firm – and ultimately, the shareholders – to lose money. In the eyes of the shareholders, the goal of every CEO should be to maximise shareholder wealth. Agency theory comes into play when the CEO does not act in the best interest of the shareholders. Investment banks are now trying to recoup funds from homeowners, only to find out that they cannot afford the payments; they are then stuck with a foreclosed home and have to try to sell it in an economy where house values have dropped in the last year. Examples from the mortgage, financial and automotive industries are cited to illustrate certain points associated with agency theory-based problems.
COMPLICATIONS OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION: A Bedside Approach

Although mechanical ventilation can save the lives of critically ill patients, it is associated with multiple complications. Some of them may be related temporally and not caused by ventilatory support per se, but many are a direct result of positive-pressure ventilation. The risk of barotrauma, for example, increases with mechanical ventilation, whereas nosocomial pneumonia relies on a variety of clinical factors, one of which is concurrent intubation. In a study by Zwillich and colleagues 37 prospectively examining complications in ventilated patients, more than 400 complications occurred in 354 separate episodes of ventilatory support, revealing how commonly complications arise. Traditional reviews of mechanical ventilation have presented complications arranged by organ systems. 8 23 26 34 In this review, the authors examine the topic in a problem-oriented fashion, based on selected acute problems for which a clinician may be called to the bedside. The first section focuses on special problems encountered during the initiation of ventilatory support. In the later sections, complications are presented in the context of new events in the previously stable, ventilated patient. The authors discuss the scenarios of hypotension, acute respiratory distress, repeated triggering of the high-pressure alarm, hypoxemia, blood from the endotracheal tube, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. As will become evident, there is considerable overlap among these complications, with many complications becoming possibilities in multiple clinical scenarios. When appropriate, the reader is directed to more in-depth discussions of topics contained elsewhere in this volume or in other sources.
Congestion-based peak spreading model

Peak-hour models are necessary to model transportation system changes (HOV lanes) and policy measures (peak-hour pricing) that vary by hour. It is evident that the temporal distribution of travelers has changed over the past several years, and this trend will likely continue in the future. Increasing congestion and the growing need for more flexibility in scheduling activities are thought to be the key motivators of this; the greater use of workplace flextime and the expanded operating hours of many businesses permit it to occur. A peak spreading model that accounts for congestion in determining the proportion of a.m. peak period vehicle traffic that will travel during the peak 1 hr is described. This model assumes that the proportion of the day's travel occurring during the a.m. peak 3 hr will remain stable over time. However, the proportion of the peak period's traffic occurring in the peak 1 hr is expected to vary with the level of congestion and trip length. Models were developed by trip purpose that ...
Prolonged Transesophageal Echocardiography Use in the ICU Maximizing Benefit, Minimizing Risk

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has gained increasing popularity in the operating room and intensive care settings. The use of TEE can often times diagnose pathology that is missed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE); in addition, it can be used as a guide to continuously monitor a patient’s hemodynamics, along with observing the direct cardiac effects of fluid and vasopressor therapy. We present a case of acute fulminant hepatic failure in the ICU, where TEE allowed a rapid diagnosis. We performed prolonged TEE monitoring (72 hours) of the patient to monitor the patient’s response to therapeutic interventions. We also discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of prolonged TEE placement in the ICU. In addition, particular strategies to optimize the benefit and minimize the risk of this exciting, yet underutilized, technology are discussed.
Statistical Inference of Moment Structures

The following material is focused on the statistical inference of moment structure models. Although the theory is presented in terms of general moment structures, the main emphasis is on the analysis of covariance structures. Identifiability and the minimum discrepancy function (MDF) approach to statistical analysis (estimation) of such models are discussed. Topics of the large samples theory, in particular, consistency, asymptotic normality of MDF estimators and asymptotic chi-squaredness of MDF test statistics are addressed. Finally, some results addressing asymptotic robustness of the normal theory based MDF statistical inference in the analysis of covariance structures are presented.
Dynamic Simulation of Radially Oriented Permanent Magnet-Type Electronically Operated Synchronous Machines with Parameters Obtained from Finite Element Field Solutions

A dynamic model for simulation of the transient interaction between radially oriented permanent magnet-type synchronous machines and their corresponding transistorized current source power conditioners is presented. Some key machine parameters used in this dynamic model were obtained from finite element field solutions. This dynamic model was used to obtain the transient interaction between a 15-hp samarium cobalt radially oriented permanent magnet electronically operated synchronous machine and its corresponding power conditioner. This machine was constructed for electric vehicle propulsion. Excellent correlation between various digitally simulated and actual test current and voltage waveforms, in various branches of the machine-conditioner network, has been achieved. These results are given. This modeling approach is applied to machines during the design stage, where the finite element modeling is the only way to obtain the necessary machine parameters for dynamic simulation. It is shown how such a combination of the computer-aided design tools can help in prevention of design mis-judgements that can prove costly to remedy once the hardware is in place. This is done through an actual design example of an additional machine being manufactured for electric propulsion applications.