cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE We conducted this study to ascertain whether chronic inflammation secondary to chronic pancreatitis (CP) has any association with myocardial infarction(MI). METHODS Data were collected from a commercial database (Explorys, Inc, IBM Watson, Ohio). Adults with the diagnosis of "chronic pancreatitis," based on Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms, were included in the CP group, and the rest of the patients were included in the non-CP group. The prevalence of MI was compared in both groups, and statistical multivariate model was performed. RESULTS A total of 28,842,210 patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence of MI was 14.22% in the CP group as compared with 3.23% in the non-CP group (P < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for MI in CP group was 1.453 (95% confidence interval, 1.418-1.488, P < 0.0001). Hypertension was a strong predictor for MI in the CP group with an OR of 3.2 (95% confidence interval, 3.0-3.5), followed by chronic kidney disease, older than 65 years, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcohol abuse, smoking, White race, and male sex. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that CP is associated with comorbidities, which can increase the prevalence and OR of MI.
Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim Despite good overall outcomes in most patients undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), there is still hesitation about performing an IPAA in older patients due to the comorbidity burden and concern about incontinence. The aim of this work was to identify short- and long-term outcomes in older patinets undergoing IPAA to determine the perioperative safety and long-term functional success of IPAA in older patients. Method A literature search was performed for all publications on IPAA in adults aged ≥50 years that reported short- and long-term outcomes. Data extraction included demographics, 30-day outcomes, long-term functional outcomes and pouch failure. Data were further separated by age group (50-65 and ≥65 years). Outcomes were compared between age groups. Study quality and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results Of 1053 publications reviewed, 13 full papers were included in the analysis. The overall 30-day morbidity and mortality rates were 47.3% and 1.3%, respectively. Thirty-day postoperative rates of small bowel obstruction and pelvic sepsis were 7.6% and 9.9%, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 62 months, rates of pouchitis, incontinence and pouch failure were 13.9%, 17.5% and 7.5%, respectively. There was no statically significant difference in rates of short- or long-term functional outcomes based on age 50-65 versus ≥65 years. Conclusion Increasing age did not increase the rate of short- or long-term outcomes, including pouch failure. These data suggest that the decision for IPAA construction should not be based on age alone.
Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the CNS as initial presentation of HIV infection: A case report

Abstract Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the central nervous system (CNS) is a rare entity. Most primary CNS lymphomas are of B-cell origin, including those associated with HIV. We report a case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with worsening headaches and was subsequently diagnosed with primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK positive of the CNS. On further workup, she was also diagnosed with HIV. This is the first reported case of primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK positive of the CNS in an HIV-positive individual.
Presence of Specific Periodontal Pathogens in Prostate Gland Diagnosed With Chronic Inflammation and Adenocarcinoma.

Background Intraprostatic inflammation is frequently observed in the prostate and linked to prostatic diseases, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and cancer. The etiology of prostate diseases is unclear. Periodontal diseases are associated with an increased risk of prostate diseases. In men, chronic prostatitis and moderate/severe periodontitis have significantly elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Treatment of periodontal disease reduced PSA levels in men. The presence of periodontal pathogens deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was identified in the prostate fluid of prostatitis patients. These pathogenic bacteria might have the potential to trigger prostatitis progressing to prostatic adenocarcinoma. The mechanism(s) explaining the etiology of association between periodontal disease and prostate cancer remains unclear. However, the presence of periodontal pathogens has not been analyzed in the prostate gland. Objective To identify and compare the presence of specific periodontal pathogens in the areas of BPH, inflammation, and cancer of the prostate glands diagnosed with malignancy. Materials and methods Whole-mount radical prostatectomy sections from men (n=30) were identified for BPH, inflammation, and cancer areas and marked for tissue procurement. The tissues were subjected to DNA isolation and analysis of microbial DNA and total bacterial load for the following pathogens, including Porphyromonas gingivalis strain ATCC 33277, Prevotella intermedia strain B422, Treponema denticola strain 35405, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. fusiform strain, Tannerella forsythia strain ATCC 43037, and Campylobacter​​​​​​​ rectus strain ATCC 33238performed real-time PCR. The universal bacterial primer pairs were used to detect genomic DNA (gDNA) from the total bacteria present in the samples. All species-specific primers were designed to target the variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Data were analyzed using the 2-ΔΔCT method, statistically validated using unpaired t-test and ANOVA test. Results A total of 90 samples of prostate tissue specimens were analyzed for periodontal pathogens; only one pathogen (F. nucleatum subsp. fusiform strain ATCC 51190) showed a significant difference compared to the expression of S. epidermidis (internal control). In particular, F. nucleatum expression was 9, 11.9, and 10.3-fold higher in BPH, inflammation, and cancer, respectively, at p-value 0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference between F. nucleatum (folder change) among the three areas (p-valve>0.05). Conclusion Fusobacterium nucleatum is identified in the prostates that harbor cancer, chronic inflammation, and BPH.
The Spine in Skeletal Dysplasia

The skeletal dysplasias are a group of diseases characterized by an intrinsic abnormality in bone form. The clinical presentation is usually short stature, but there is tremendous variability in the degree of this and other disabilities encountered. The spine is frequently involved and the disturbances can in general be categorized as stenosis, deformity, or instability. The instability involves the upper cervical spine, and surgical stabilization is often required to prevent spinal cord injury. Stenosis can occur at the foramen magnum, the cervical or lumbar spine, and may also produce neurological impairment. The deformity takes the form of scoliosis or, quite frequently, kyphosis. The clinician must anticipate the known associations with the various dysplasias and perform appropriate diagnostic screening procedures. Activity can then by customized to ensure participation and safety.
Time-Frequency Signal and System Analysis: Generalized TFRs Via Unitary Transforms

This chapter discusses the time frequency signal and system analysis. It begins with an alternative presentation of the concepts of analytic signal and instantaneous frequency (IF) with emphasis on the physical constraints leading to the mathematical model that is used to define the analytic signal. The chapter then describes the key issue of cross-terms generation for a better understanding of their localization in the time–frequency domain for a given signal. The quadratic superposition principle is used to explain the mechanism generating the cross-terms and the subsequent trade-off between cross-term reduction and increased localization. As an alternative to the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and the ordinary Wigner-Ville distribution, a Wigner-Ville distribution decomposed via the Gabor expansion is introduced. The resulting representation is known as the Gabor spectrogram. One of its major advantages is that by altering the order, the resolution and cross-term interference can be easily balanced.
A Parallel ASIC Architecture for Efficient Fractal Image Coding

Fractal image coding is a compression technique with many promising features, but it has been primarily placed in the class of archival coding algorithms due to its computationally expensive encoding algorithm. Though fractal coding has been extensively optimized for speed, it is still not practical for real-time applications on most sequential machines. The problem with fractal coding lies in the large amount of pixel block comparisons that are required, which makes fractal coding better suited toward parallel systems. At the same time, VLSI area has become a much less important constraint in chip design due to better fabrication techniques and smaller micron technologies. This has lead to a recent trend for designing parallel subsystems and including multimedia ASIC circuitry on general purpose CPUs. In this paper, we will present a parallel ASIC array architecture for use in fractal encoding that performs a full domain quad-tree search in near real-time for standard sized gray scale images. The design is also scalable so that larger images can be encoded faster by adding chips to the array. In designing this architecture, we include novel optimizations at the algorithmic, architecture, and circuit levels.
Comparative analysis of the Arabidopsis and rice expressed sequence tag (EST) sets

Large numbers of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have now been generated from a variety of model organisms. In plants, substantial collections of ESTs are available for Arabidopsis and rice, in each case representing significant proportions of the estimated total numbers of genes. Large-scale comparisons of Arabidopsis and rice sequences are especially interesting due to the fact that these two species are representatives of the two subclasses of the flowering plants (Dicotyledonae and Monocotyledonae, respectively). Here we present the results of systematic analysis of the Arabidopsis and rice EST sets. Non-redundant sets of sequences from Arabidopsis and rice were first separately derived and then combined so that gene families in common between the two species could be identified. Our results show that 58% of non-singleton ESTs are derived from genes in gene families common to the two species. These gene families constitute the basis of a core set of higher plant genes.
Phosphoglyceric acid mutase. A computer simulation study.

Abstract By digital computer simulation, it was shown that a sequential mechanism for the 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid-dependent (DPGA-dependent) muscle phosphoglyceric acid mutase reaction cannot be disproved by kinetic analysis of the available velocity data, contrary to the suggestion of Grisolia and Cleland (Biochemistry, 7, 1115 (1968)). At the high concentrations of DPGA and 3-phosphoglyceric acid (3PGA) used in the experimental velocity assay, the rates of product formation calculated from the sequential and the ping-pong mechanisms were found to be very similar; possible experiments to distinguish them are suggested. A sequential mechanism model (supported by other types of experimental data) was fitted to the velocity data over the range 0.5 µM to 6 mM DPGA and 1 to 40 mM 3PGA. Calculated kinetic parameter values are presented. Competitive substrate inhibitions required 2 molecules of 3PGA bound per molecule of apoenzyme, and 1 of DPGA bound per phosphoglyceric acid mutase-DPGA complex. At high 3PGA and DPGA the enzyme protein is modified into a form with an increased turnover number as a function of 3PGA and DPGA concentrations. Binding constants depend on the ligand concentrations, in accord with experiment.
Convolutional Error Decoding with FPGAs

In today's receiver technology, the S/N improvement provided by error correction circuits is indispensable [MB95]. This article discusses what types of convolutional error-correcting decoders are suitable for an FPGA realization. The requirements for the implementation are taken from the low-frequency paging system described in [MBW95]. The complete pager decoder must fit in an XC3090 FPGA.
Zonula Occludens-1 Is a Scaffolding Protein for Signaling Molecules Gα12 DIRECTLY BINDS TO THE Src HOMOLOGY 3 DOMAIN AND REGULATES PARACELLULAR PERMEABILITY IN EPITHELIAL CELLS

Zonula occludens proteins are multidomain proteins usually localized at sites of intercellular junctions, yet little is known about their role in regulating junctional properties. Multiple signaling proteins regulate the junctional complex, and several (including G proteins) have been co-localized with zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the tight junction of epithelial cells. However, evidence for direct interactions between signaling proteins and tight junction proteins has been lacking. In these studies, we constructed Gα-glutathioneS-transferase (GST) fusion proteins and tested for interactions with [35S]methionine-labeled in vitro translated ZO-1 and ZO-2. Only Gα12directly interacted with in vitro translated ZO-1 and ZO-2. Using a series of ZO-1 domains expressed as GST fusion proteins andin vitro translated [35S]methionine-labeled Gα12, we found that Gα12 and constitutively active (Q229L) α12 (QLα12) bind to the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of ZO-1. This binding was not detected with SH3 domains from other proteins. Inducible expression of wild-type α12 and QLα12 in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was established using the Tet-Off system. In Gα12-expressing cells, we found that ZO-1 and Gα12 co-localize by confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitate. Gα12 from MDCK cell lysates bound to the GST-ZO-1-SH3 domain, and expression of QLα12in MDCK cells reversibly increased paracellular permeability. These studies indicated that ZO-1 directly interacts with Gα12and that Gα12 regulates barrier function of MDCK cells.
Implementing Closed Domain-Specific Languages

A closed domain-specific language (DSL) is a stand-alone, declarative language designed to provide powerful and flexible software solutions specialized to a particular application domain. The users of a closed DSL are expected to be engineers or designers expert in the theory and techniques of their application domain, but who may be naive as programmers and who may not have the expertise, time, or inclination to design their own software. A good DSL will capture both the nomenclature and the semantics of the application domain. We contrast closed DSL's with open DSL's, which are also useful, but for a different community of users. An open DSL denotes crucial abstractions of an application domain directly in the notation of a wide-spectrum programming language, possibly enriched with syntactic extensions. It supports the semantics of the application domain through a specialized library of combinators, usually written in the host language, although they may also be provided by linkage to a foreign-language library.
Subjectivity in Compensation Contracting

This paper examines the role of subjectivity in compensation contracting. The main focus of the compensation contracting literature has traditionally been on explicit compensation contracts of workers whose individual contribution is relatively easy to observe. These studies have provided important insights into incentive provision and contract design. Although many of these insights remain valid when compensation contracts include subjectivity, supervisor discretion introduces many additional issues. This paper summarizes and synthesizes extant research on subjectivity in compensation contracting, and provides new insights that will help stimulate future research.
The genetics of alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Twin studies have established that there are substantial genetic influences on alcoholism (0.5-0.6) in both men and women. Our knowledge of behaviors predisposing to alcoholism, including anxiety and impulsivity, is advancing rapidly through animal and human studies. Although alcoholism is often comorbid with other substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, recent studies have shown that, with the exception of nicotine, the heritability of alcoholism is largely substance-specific. Increasing understanding of the neurobiology of addiction has identified neural pathways in which genetic variation at candidate genes could influence vulnerability. Some functional variants of these genes have been identified. Recent linkage analyses in humans and rodents have pointed to genomic regions harboring genes that influence alcoholism. Refinement of clinical phenotypes and use of intermediate phenotypes will improve chances of gene identification. All these advances in the understanding of the genetics of alcoholism should facilitate the development of more accurately targeted therapies using molecular diagnostic approaches.
A distributional approach for causal inference using propensity scores

Drawing inferences about the effects of treatments and actions is a common challenge in economics, epidemiology, and other fields. We adopt Rubin's potential outcomes framework for causal inference and propose two methods serving complementary purposes. One can be used to estimate average causal effects, assuming no confounding given measured covariates. The other can be used to assess how the estimates might change under various departures from no confounding. Both methods are developed from a nonparametric likelihood perspective. The propensity score plays a central role and is estimated through a parametric model. Under the assumption of no confounding, the joint distribution of covariates and each potential outcome is estimated as a weighted empirical distribution. Expectations from the joint distribution are estimated as weighted averages or, equivalently to first order, regression estimates. The likelihood estimator is at least as efficient and the regression estimator is at least as efficient and r...
Indanones and indenols from 2-alkylcinnamaldehydes via the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of geminal diacetates.

When treated with Ac2O at rt in the presence of 4−6 mol % FeCl3, 2-alkylcinnamaldehydes are converted to 2-alkyl-1H-inden-1-yl acetates through the intermediacy of gem-diacetates. Methanolysis of the indenyl acetates yields the corresponding indenols. Saponification yields 2-alkylindanones, providing, in effect, an intramolecular acylation employing catalytic levels of acid.
Are research schools necessary? Contrasting models of 20th century research at Yale led by Ross Granville Harrison, Grace E. Pickford and G. Evelyn Hutchinson.

This paper compares andcontrasts three groups that conductedbiological research at Yale University duringoverlapping periods between 1910 and l970. YaleUniversity proved important as a site for thisresearch. The leaders of these groups were RossGranville Harrison, Grace E. Pickford, and G.Evelyn Hutchinson, and their members includedboth graduate students and more experiencedscientists. All produced innovative research,including the opening of new subfields inembryology, endocrinology and ecologyrespectively, over a long period of time.Harrison's is shown to have been a classicresearch school; Pickford's and Hutchinson'swere not. Pickford's group was successful inspite of her lack of departmental orinstitutional position or power. Hutchinson andhis graduate and post-graduate students wereextremely productive but in diverse areas ofecology. His group did not have one focusedarea of research or use one set of researchtools. The paper concludes that new models forresearch groups are needed, especially forthose, like Hutchinson's, that included muchfield research.
Knowledge or Certainty? A Reply to Cziko:

In an Educational Researcher article, Cziko (April, 1989) questioned contemporary approaches toward the conduct of educational research, especially those involving experimentation. He justified the need for reform by appealing to the inherent unpredictability and indeterminacy of behavior and went on to suggest greater reliance on descriptive research. Cziko drew unwarranted conclusions about the feasibility of experimentation from his premises about indeterminacy, and he misrepresented some of the implications of quantum mechanics, evolution, chaos theory, and individual differences for the study of behavior. Cziko’s framework leads one to have little reason to conduct any kind of research, descriptive or otherwise. Contrary to Cziko’s view, when used appropriately, contemporary research methods provide the intersubjectively available framework necessary for scientific understanding.
Multi-point boundary value problems on time scales at resonance

Abstract We study the nonlinear second order differential equation on a time scale u ▵ ∇ ( t ) = f ( t , u ( t ) , u ▵ ( t ) ) + e ( t ) , t ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) ∩ T , subject to the multi-point boundary conditions u ▵ ( 0 ) = 0 , u ( 1 ) = ∑ i = 1 m α i u ( η i ) and u ( 0 ) = 0 , u ( 1 ) = ∑ i = 1 m α i u ( η i ) , where T is a time scale such that 0 , 1 ∈ T , η i ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) ∩ T , i = 1 , … , m , and f is a continuous function satisfying a Caratheodory-type growth condition and e is a Lebesgue integrable function. Our existence results are obtained by applying a coincidence degree theorem due to Mawhin.
Pike and salmon as sister taxa: Detailed intraclade resolution and divergence time estimation of Esociformes + Salmoniformes based on whole mitochondrial genome sequences

article i nfo The increasing numberoftaxaand loci inmolecular phylogeneticstudiesof basaleuteleostshas brought stability in a controversial area. A key emerging aspect to these studies is a sister Esociformes (pike) and Salmoniformes (salmon) relationship. We evaluate mitochondrial genome support for a sister Esociformes and Salmoniformes hypothesis by surveying many potential outgroups for these taxa, employing multiple phylogenetic approaches, and utilizing a thorough sampling scheme. Secondly, we conduct a simultaneous divergence time estimation and phylogenetic inference in a Bayesian framework with fossil calibrations focusing on relationships within Esociformes + Salmoniformes. Our dataset supports a sister relationship between Esociformes and Salmoniformes; however the nearest relatives of Esociformes + Salmoniformes are inconsistent among analy- ses. Within the order Esociformes, we advocate for a single family, Esocidae. Subfamily relationships within Salmonidae are poorly supported as Salmoninae sister to Thymallinae + Coregoninae.
Teacher Certification Testing: Perspectives and Issues.

The increase in the number of states using some form of competency testing prior to the certification of teachers is substantiated by Flippo in this article. The author includes an update on teach ...
Hemodynamic improvement following a single dose of oral phentolamine. Administration in patients with chronic low output cardiac failure.

Hemodynamic studies were made in 15 patients with chronic low output cardiac failure before and following a single dose of oral phentolamine (150 mg). After two hours significant (P
Complex systems: Spatial signatures of resilience

Predicting when the dynamics of a complex system will undergo a sudden transition is difficult. New experiments show that the spatial distribution of organisms can indicate when such tipping points are near. See Letter p.355 The behaviour of complex systems near tipping points, where a small change can lead to a large shift in the state of the system, is notoriously difficult to predict. Recent studies have identified temporal factors such as recovery time and changes in size and timescale of fluctuations that precede some tipping points. Lei Dai et al. grew populations of the budding yeast that were spatially connected through controlled dispersal between nearest neighbours, and looked for spatiotemporal patterns that anticipated population collapse after perturbation — the introduction of sucrose solution more highly diluted than its surroundings. As the distance from the diluted patch increased, yeast population density increased towards a steady state. The distance required for recovery by connected populations was much greater when populations were close to collapse. This work introduces the concept of 'recovery length' as a spatial counterpart to recovery time, and as boundaries between regions of different quality are ubiquitous in nature, many systems in the oceans and on land might be expected to be subject to such spatial instability.
Determination of transport parameters in amorphous NiP by infrared reflectivity and hall measurements

Abstract We have measured the reflectivity in the spectral range 0.02–2.5 eV and the Hall resistivity up to 150 kilogauss of samples of electrodeposited amorphous Ni-P at room temperature. Analysis of the infrared data show that the density of states and inverse scattering time (1/τ) both decrease as P content is increased from 15 to 26 at. %. This result is consistent with rigid band models predicting d-band filling in this P concentration range. Hall measurements are complicated by magnetic enhancements which cause the Hall coefficient to change signs at about 23 at. % P. Measurements in the lowest concentration sample where separation of classical and anomalous Hall effect is possible indicate that the carriers are electron-like (negative classical Hall coefficient). The best quantitative estimates still imply a factor of 5 discrepancy between the IR and Hall determination of carrier density of states.
A transferable Urey-Bradley force field and the assignments of some mixed halomethanes

Abstract A study of the transferability of Urey-Bradley potential constants has been carried out with eighteen halomethanes: CX4, CX3Y, CX2Y2 and CX2YZ, where X, Y and Z are the appropriate halogens. By using 38 force constants, good agreement between the 121 observed and calculated frequencies has been obtained in these molecules. The results lead to the reassignment of several fundamentals in CF2I2 and CF2Cl2, and confirmation of assignments in CX2YZ: CF2ClBr, CFCl2Br and CFClBr2; CX2Y2: CF2Br2 and CCl2Br2; CX3Y: CF3Cl, CF3Br, CF3I, CCl3F, CCl3Br, CBr3F and CBr3Cl; CX4: CF4, CCl4, CBr4 and CI4.
Van Vleck response of a two-level system and mesoscopic orbital magnetism of small metals

We evaluate the mean value of the van Vleck response of a two-level system with level spacing distribution and argue that it describes the orbital magnetism of small conducting particles.
Tracked 3D ultrasound in radio-frequency liver ablation

Recent studies have shown that radio frequency (RF) ablation is a simple, safe and potentially effective treatment for selected patients with liver metastases. Despite all recent therapeutic advancements, however, intra-procedural target localization and precise and consistent placement of the tissue ablator device are still unsolved problems. Various imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) have been tried as guidance modalities. Transcutaneous US imaging, due to its real-time nature, may be beneficial in many cases, but unfortunately, fails to adequately visualize the tumor in many cases. Intraoperative or laparoscopic US, on the other hand, provides improved visualization and target imaging. This paper describes a system for computer-assisted RF ablation of liver tumors, combining navigational tracking of a conventional imaging ultrasound probe to produce 3D ultrasound imaging with a tracked RF ablation device supported by a passive mechanical arm and spatially registered to the ultrasound volume.
Describing a Robot's Workspace Using a Sequence of Views from a Moving Camera

This correspondence describes a method of building and maintaining a spatial respresentation for the workspace of a robot, using a sensor that moves about in the world. From the known camera position at which an image is obtained, and two-dimensional silhouettes of the image, a series of cones is projected to describe the possible positions of the objects in the space. When an object is seen from several viewpoints, the intersections of the cones constrain the position and size of the object. After several views have been processed, the representation of the object begins to resemble its true shape. At all times, the spatial representation contains the best guess at the true situation in the world with uncertainties in position and shape explicitly represented. An octree is used as the data structure for the representation. It not only provides a relatively compact representation, but also allows fast access to information and enables large parts of the workspace to be ignored. The purpose of constructing this representation is not so much to recognize objects as to describe the volumes in the workspace that are occupied and those that are empty. This enables trajectory planning to be carried out, and also provides a means of spatially indexing objects without needing to represent the objects at an extremely fine resolution. The spatial representation is one part of a more complex representation of the workspace used by the sensory system of a robot manipulator in understanding its environment.
Effect of nickel(II) on DNA-protein interactions.

Alterations in DNA-protein interactions (DPI) may play an important role in carcinogenesis. Although the mechanism of nickel carcinogenesis is unknown, nickel reportedly affects DPI. A microfiltration, nitrocellulose filter assay was utilized to study DPI in intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in isolated nuclei. Prior to exposure of CHO cells or isolated CHO cell nuclei, DNA and proteins were radiolabeled using3H-thymidine and35S-methionine, respectively. Nuclei were exposed to NiCl2 in 10 mM HEPES buffer (pH 6.8). CHO cells were exposed in either complete or a salts-glucose medium. Following exposure, nuclei or cells were incubated at 37°C for 20 min in a high salt lysis solution; aliquots were loaded onto nitrocellulose filters and washed with a low salt solution. DNA (3H) retained on each filter was normalized to protein (35S) bound on the filter. Exposure of either whole cells or isolated nuclei to increasing, noncytotoxic concentrations of NiCl2 resulted in a dose dependent decrease in DPI. The effect of nickel on specific DNA-protein interactions was examined using a band shift assay and a cloned satellite DNA sequence. Nickel inhibited specific protein binding to the satellite DNA probe. The results of these two independent assays, which were conducted at physiological pH, indicate that NiCl2 inhibits specific DNA-protein interactions.
Prostate cancer: risk versus benefit of lymph node dissection during prostatectomy.

The lack of standardized nomenclature and level 1 evidence has led to controversy regarding pelvic lymph node dissection during radical prostatectomy. However, the knowledge of metastases presence and location can be valuable to guide therapy. Including internal iliac nodes in standard dissection can improve metastasis detection, with minimal added risk of complications.
Expression of magnus tonic neck reflexes in distal muscles of prehension in normal adults

Abstract The potential influence of Magnus tonic neck reflexes on distal muscles of prehension was examined by the use of a hand dynamometer. Results indicate that head rotation away from the active hand results in a significant increment in flexor strength, in accord with the tonic neck reflex pattern. Similar effects were seen in the dominant and nondominant hand, in males and females, and across all ages tested (18–40). These results, together with others, contribute to the view that basic reflex mechanisms may play an important role in complex behaviors.
Evaluation of Prerigor Freeze‐Dried Beef in the Manufacture of Dry Fermented Sausage

Experiments were designed to determine the acceptability of prerigor freeze-dried beef in the manufacture of dry fermented sausage. Several chemical and physical variables were measured on dry fermented sausages prepared using (1) prerigor salted, freeze-dried, (2) prerigor unsalted, freeze-dried, (3) postrigor salted, freeze-dried, and (4) postrigor frozen beef as ingredients. Results showed that fat and moisture content, total shrinkage, Instron firmness and panel scores for juiciness, texture, and flavor were not affected to a large degree by treatment or rigor state of the beef ingredient. Generally, freezedried beef was found to be equal to conventional beef for dry sausage production regardless of when the freeze-dried beef was salted.
Relationship of spectral noise levels to psychophysical scaling of vowel roughness.

Direct magnitude estimation (DME) and equal-appearing interval (EAI) ratings of perceived roughness and spectral noise level (SNL) measurements of isolated sustained vowel samples (/a/ and /i/) wer...
Parallel arc-allocation algorithms for optimizing generalized network

Two parallel shared-memory algorithms are presented for the optimization of generalized networks. These algorithms are based on the allocation of arc-related operations in the (generalized) network simplex method. One method takes advantage of the multi-tree structure of basic solutions and performs pivot operations in parallel, utilizing locking to ensure correctness. The other algorithm utilizes only one processor for sequential pivoting, but parallelizes the pricing operation and overlaps this task with pivoting in a speculative manner (i.e. since pivoting and pricing involve data dependencies, a candidate for flow change generated by the pricing processors is not guaranteed to be acceptable, but in practice generally has this property). The relative performance of these two methods (on the Sequent Symmetry S81 multiprocessor) is compared and contrasted with that of a fast sequential algorithm on a set of large-scale test problems of up to 1,000,000 arcs.
Liquid holdup and pressure drop in the gas¿liquid cocurrent downflow packed-bed reactor under elevated pressures

Abstract An experimental investigation of the residence time distribution, liquid holdup, and pressure drop in a gas–liquid downflow packed bed reactor with porous particles operated under elevated pressures is presented. The effects of the two-phase flow rates and reactor pressures on the external liquid holdup and pressure drop are discussed. A mechanistic model, which accounts for the interaction between the gas and liquid phases by incorporating the shear and velocity slip factors between phases, is employed to predict the external liquid holdup and pressure drop for the experimentally covered flow regime. The involved parameters, such as shear and velocity slip factors and Ergun single-phase flow bed constants, are calculated from the correlations developed via neural network regression. The model's predictions and the experimental observations at elevated pressure are compared.
Running With a Powered Knee and Ankle Prosthesis

This paper presents a running control architecture for a powered knee and ankle prosthesis that enables a transfemoral amputee to run with a biomechanically appropriate running gait and to intentionally transition between a walking and running gait. The control architecture consists firstly of a coordination level controller, which provides gait biomechanics representative of healthy running, and secondly of a gait selection controller that enables the user to intentionally transition between a running and walking gait. The running control architecture was implemented on a transfemoral prosthesis with powered knee and ankle joints, and the efficacy of the controller was assessed in a series of running trials with a transfemoral amputee subject. Specifically, treadmill trials were conducted to assess the extent to which the coordination controller provided a biomechanically appropriate running gait. Separate trials were conducted to assess the ability of the user to consistently and reliably transition between walking and running gaits.
Intramolecular Lewis acid catalyzed heterocycloaddition reactions. Cyclization of ketone heterodienophiles in the dihydrotropone series

Abstract Ketones were found to efficiently participate as heterodienophilic partners in intramolecular Lewis acid catalyzed cycloadditions with the diene system of dihydrotropone to ultimately generate substituted hydroazulenes.
CHARMM fluctuating charge force field for proteins: II protein/solvent properties from molecular dynamics simulations using a nonadditive electrostatic model.

A fluctuating charge (FQ) force field is applied to molecular dynamics simulations for six small proteins in explicit polarizable solvent represented by the TIP4P-FQ potential. The proteins include 1FSV, 1ENH, 1PGB, 1VII, 1H8K, and 1CRN, representing both helical and -sheet secondary structural elements. Constant pressure and temperature (NPT) molecular dynamics simulations are performed on time scales of several nanoseconds, the longest simulations yet reported using explicitly polarizable all-atom empirical potentials (for both solvent and protein) in the condensed phase. In terms of structure, the FQ force field allows deviations from native structure up to 2.5 A (with a range of 1.0 to 2.5 A). This is commensurate to the performance of the CHARMM22 nonpolarizable model and other currently existing polarizable models. Importantly, secondary structural elements maintain native structure in general to within 1 A (both helix and -strands), again in good agreement with the nonpolarizable case. In qualitative agreement with QM/MM ab initio dynamics on crambin (Liu et al. Proteins 2001, 44, 484), there is a sequence dependence of average condensed phase atomic charge for all proteins, a dependence one would anticipate considering the differing chemical environments around individual atoms; this is a subtle quantum mechanical feature captured in the FQ model but absent in current state-of-the-art nonpolarizable models. Furthermore, there is a mutual polarization of solvent and protein in the condensed phase. Solvent dipole moment distributions within the first and second solvation shells around the protein display a shift towards higher dipole moments (increases on the order of 0.2-0.3 Debye) relative to the bulk; protein polarization is manifested via the enhanced condensed phase charges of typical polar atoms such as backbone carbonyl oxygens, amide nitrogens, and amide hydrogens. Finally, to enlarge the sample set of proteins, gas-phase minimizations and 1 ps constant temperature simulations are performed on various-sized proteins to compare to earlier work by Kaminsky et al. (J Comp Chem 2002, 23, 1515). The present work establishes the feasibility of applying a fully polarizable force field for protein simulations and demonstrates the approach employed in extending the CHARMM force field to include these effects.
PATTY FORMATION METHOD, THICKNESS AND WEIGHT EFFECTS ON PROPERTIES OF COOKED LOW‐FAT BEEF PATTIES

Effects of patty thickness (0.95 and 1.27 cm), weight (90 and 113 g) and type of patty fill method (traditional gravity fill = FF and twisted through holes into mold = TF) were evaluated using low-fat (10%) ground beef. An increase in patty thickness from 0.95 cm to 1.27 cm, resulted in a decreased (P<0.01) sensory firmness and peak load (Newtons) and increased (P<0.01) initial juiciness. TF fill method and 1.27 cm thick FF treatments improved tenderness and juiciness over 0.95 cm thick FF patties. This study revealed that improvements in tenderness and juiciness of low-fat beef patties can be attained through use of appropriate patty formation procedures.
Explicit Heuristic Training as a Variable in Problem-Solving Performance

This chapter presents the results of a small-scale research study conducted at Berkeley in 1977–1978 to explore students' mastery of five heuristic strategies. It describes the problem-solving processes of seven upper-division college students working a series of problems that can be solved by the application of one or more heuristic strategies. In the study, two small groups of students were given practice on and shown the solutions to a set of problems that could be solved by heuristic methods. The amount of time working the problems was identical for the two groups and the solutions they were shown were nearly identical. Pretests and post-tests were given individually and the students were recorded as they worked the problems out loud. Two comparisons of pretest-to-post-test gains, with regard to two different scoring procedures, indicated that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group. More important, however, are the results provided by the protocol data. Explicit heuristic instruction makes or can make a difference with regard to problem-solving performance.
On a recurrence principle for a class of stochastic hybrid systems

For a class of stochastic hybrid systems, we characterize the sets to which bounded solutions converge. We show that each sample path converges to a weakly totally recurrent in probability set. This characterization is often tighter than the usual assertion that a solution converges to a weakly invariant set. Consequently, the results here can be viewed as a generalization of the invariance principle, to a broad class of stochastic hybrid systems that admit non-unique solutions.
The multifacet graphically contracted function method. I. Formulation and implementation

The basic formulation for the multifacet generalization of the graphically contracted function (MFGCF) electronic structure method is presented. The analysis includes the discussion of linear dependency and redundancy of the arc factor parameters, the computation of reduced density matrices, Hamiltonian matrix construction, spin-density matrix construction, the computation of optimization gradients for single-state and state-averaged calculations, graphical wave function analysis, and the efficient computation of configuration state function and Slater determinant expansion coefficients. Timings are given for Hamiltonian matrix element and analytic optimization gradient computations for a range of model problems for full-CI Shavitt graphs, and it is observed that both the energy and the gradient computation scale as O(N2n4) for N electrons and n orbitals. The important arithmetic operations are within dense matrix-matrix product computational kernels, resulting in a computationally efficient procedure. An...
Ligamentous contributions to pelvic stability in a rotationally unstable open-book injury: A cadaver study

Abstract Introduction Due to the orientation of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), as the symphysis widens in an open-book pelvic ring disruption, it should displace inferiorly. The purposes of this study were to reconfirm this inferior displacement and to evaluate the relative contributions of the pubic symphysis (PS), the sacrotuberous/sacrospinous ligament complex (STL/SSL) and the anterior sacroiliac ligament (ASIL) to pelvic ring stability in a rotationally unstable open-book injury. Methods For each of 6 cadaver pelves, the right hemipelvis was fixed to a table and the PS was sectioned. Under fluoroscopy, a manual external rotational force was then applied through the unfixed, left ilium. At the point of maximal displacement, a permanent AP image was obtained. With magnification corrected, horizontal (H) and vertical (V) displacements were measured. The pelves were then divided into two groups of three each. In Group 1, the PS release was followed by sectioning of the STL/SSL, and then the ASIL. In Group 2, the PS release was followed by sectioning of the ASIL and then the STL/SSL. The above described technique of manual manipulation and radiographic measurement was repeated after each stage of ligament release. Results The displacement after initial PS sectioning was not significantly different when comparing Group 1 to Group 2. In both groups, a significant and progressive increase in displacement was noted when the PS (H and V; p p Conclusions The PS and ASIL are important in maintaining pelvic ring external rotational stability. However, the SSL/STL has little, if any, effect in this regard. Due to the orientation of the SIJ, external rotation of the hemipelvis, as in open-book injury, will show inferior vertical, as well as horizontal, displacement on the AP radiograph, despite the PSIL being intact.
An Ethical Dilemma in Home Care

Abstract When an elderly couple refuse home care services offered by a family agency, the ethical issues that arise encompass respect for autonomy and dignity, providing beneficence, and justifying paternalism. This paper discusses each of these ethical principles in the context of determining the decisional capacity of elderly clients. The resolution of the conflict is deeply influenced by the client's decision-making capacity. Social workers need to balance the relative weight of each principle and monitor the couple's changing circumstances as they address the ethical dilemma of whether or not to respect the client's autonomy.
Abstract B60: Prostate-derived factor/macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene: A mediator of prostatic inflammation

Prostatic inflammation is recognized as a potential initiating and potentiating factor in the development of prostate cancer. Prostate derived factor (PDF), also known as macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene (NAG-1), was first cloned in a screen for genes involved in macrophage activation and as a gene induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in colorectal carcinoma cells. These findings suggested that PDF may play a role in inflammatory processes. Previously, we identified an inverse relationship between PDF staining and inflammation severity using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis in human prostatectomy samples suggesting a role for PDF in prostatic inflammation. Here, we extended these findings by examining the histologic compartment and inflammatory cell types that are potentially affected by PDF in the prostate. We found that a significant inverse relationship exists between PDF staining and CD3+ (T cells), CD4+ (T helper cells), CD8+ (cytotoxic T cells), and CD68+ (macrophages) cells in both the epithelial and periglandular compartments of the prostate. Linear correlation analysis using PDF and inflammatory cell marker staining showed moderate negative correlations with r values ranging from −0.47 to −0.52 and −0.43 to -0.46 in the epithelial and periglandular regions respectively (p < 0.006). To identify a potential mechanism for the role of PDF during inflammation, we studied the effect of PDF on NF-kappaB activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Increased expression of PDF was accompanied by a decrease in NF-kappaB minimal promoter activation. In addition, increased PDF expression resulted in decreased activation of the NF-kappaB-regulated promoters for COX2 and IL8. These findings suggest that PDF may suppress prostatic inflammatory responses by inhibiting expression of key genes mediating inflammatory responses in human prostate. Citation Format: Ramon J. Whitson, Erin Genova, Kathleen Torkko, Francisco G. La Rosa, Julie Kelly, Storey Wilson, James R. Lambert, Marshall Scott Lucia. Prostate-derived factor/macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene: A mediator of prostatic inflammation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr B60.