cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limitations of endoscopic ablation in Barrett’s esophagus

In the last 5-10 years, endoscopic ablative therapies have been gaining ground as treatment for Barrett's esophagus associated with high-grade dysplasia and early cancer, and they are becoming the most preferred technique over surgery as the standard of care. These therapies are associated with a lower rate of complications and mortality than surgery; studies have found them to be safe, effective and tolerable. Endoscopic ablative therapies are not, however, without their drawbacks. There is a paucity of data on long-term efficacy, and direct comparisons of the different modalities are lacking. Unlike surgery, current data suggest that endoscopic ablation treatments may not be curative in all patients, so patients require ongoing surveillance and acid suppression. Questions remain regarding durability as well as factors promoting recurrence after endoscopic therapy. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on ablative therapies in Barrett's esophagus to describe the modalities currently available and to provide an understanding of their limitations.
The Mechanism of Dienoyl-CoA Reduction by 2,4-Dienoyl-CoA Reductase Is Stepwise: Observation of a Dienolate Intermediate†

The chemical mechanism of the 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase (EC 1.3.1.34) from rat liver mitochondria has been investigated. This enzyme catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of 2,4-dienoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thiolesters to the resulting trans-3-enoyl-CoA. Steady-state kinetic parameters for trans-2,trans-4-hexadienoyl-CoA and 5-phenyl-trans-2,trans-4-pentadienoyl-CoA were determined and demonstrated that the dienoyl-CoA and NADPH bind to the 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase via a sequential kinetic mechanism. Kinetic isotope effect studies and the transient kinetics of substrate binding support a random order of nucleotide and dienoyl-CoA addition. The large normal solvent isotope effects on V/K (D2OV/K) and V (D2OV) for trans-2,trans-4-hexadienoyl-CoA reduction indicate that a proton transfer step is rate limiting for this substrate. The stability gained by conjugating the phenyl ring to the diene in PPD-CoA results in the reversal of the rate-determining step, as evidenced by the normal isotope effects on V/KCoA ...
A Multivariate Examination of Parent Involvement and the Social and Academic Competencies of Urban Kindergarten Children.

The primary objective of this study was to obtain a multidimensional picture of parent involvement in kindergarten. Participants in this study were 307 low-income, ethnic minority children and their primary caregivers in a large, urban school district in the Northeast. Results revealed that kindergarten parent involvement dimensions (i.e., from the Parent Involvement in Children's Education Scale; Fantuzzo, Tighe, McWayne, Davis, & Childs, 2002) were congruent with those established with preschool (Head Start) parents. Multivariate relationships were found between kindergarten parent involvement dimensions and children's social and academic competencies. Parents who actively promote learning in the home, have direct and regular contact with school, and experience fewer barriers to involvement have children who demonstrate positive engagement with their peers, adults, and learning. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 363–377, 2004.
Simps: Secondary ion mass image processing system

A secondary ion mass image processing system (SIMIPS) is presented as a quantitative image analysis tool, with emphasis on an efficient man-machine interface. The combined applications of digital image processing and pattern recognition ensure an intelligent problem-resolving scheme and optimal extraction of information. The system performance is evaluated, and typical applications are presented to illustrate the versatility and usefulness of SIMIPS in analyzing digital images.
Analysis of triacetone triperoxide by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry by electron and chemical ionization.

The explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) has been analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and sub-nanogram detection limits are reported by ammonia positive ion chemical ionization (PICI), electron ionization (EI) and methane negative ion chemical ionization (NICI). Analysis by methane PICI and ammonia NICI gave detection limits in the low nanogram range. Analyses were carried out on (linear) quadrupole and ion trap instruments. Analysis of TATP by PICI using ammonia reagent gas is the preferred analytical method, producing low limits of detection as well as an abundant (greater than 60% of base peak) diagnostic adduct ion at m/z 240 corresponding to [TATP + NH4]+. Isolation of the [TATP + NH4]+ ion with subsequent collision-induced dissociation (CID) produces extremely low abundance product ions at m/z values greater than 60, and the m/z 223 ion corresponding to [TATP + H]+ was not observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B88LYP/DVZP level indicate that dissociation of the complex to form NH and TATP occurs at energies lower than peroxide bond dissociation, while protonation of TATP leads to cleavage of the ring structure. These results provide a method for pico-gram detection levels of TATP using commercial instrumentation commonly available in forensic laboratories. As a point of comparison, a detection limit of 15 ng was obtained by flame ionization detection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of supplemental corn vs. corn fortified with soya-bean meal or urea fed with low-quality mixed grass hay on forage intake, particulate passage rate and neutral detergent fiber digestion in beef heifers

One experiment was conducted to determine the influence of supplemental corn with either nonprotein nitrogen or plant protein on dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion, feed intake, particle passage and forage intake by beef heifers. Mixed grass hay (Agropyron spp./Bromus spp.) was fed ad libitum and animals received either a supplement of cracked corn (CON), corn and soya-bean meal (3:2; SBM) or corn and urea (19:1; UREA). Twelve yearling crossbred heifers (average initial weight 256 kg; four per treatment) were randomly allotted to one of the supplement groups (0.63 kg per head day−1) in a split-plot design with three sampling periods. Fecal output, particulate passage and forage intake were measured and used to estimate DM and NDF digestibility. Forage or total intake, particulate passage rate, gastrointestinal DM fill, intestinal transit time and gastrointestinal mean retention time were unaffected (P>0.10) by supplement. Dry matter and NDF digestibilities differed (P<0.05) among supplement groups with SBM resulting in the highest and CON the lowest digestibility.
Towards a Rational Design of an Asymptomatic Clinical Herpes Vaccine: The Old, the New, and the Unknown

The best hope of controlling the herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) pandemic is the development of an effective vaccine. However, in spite of several clinical trials, starting as early as 1920s, no vaccine has been proven sufficiently safe and efficient to warrant commercial development. In recent years, great strides in cellular and molecular immunology have stimulated creative efforts in controlling herpes infection and disease. However, before moving towards new vaccine strategy, it is necessary to answer two fundamental questions: (i) why past herpes vaccines have failed? (ii) Why the majority of HSV seropositive individuals (i.e., asymptomatic individuals) are naturally “protected” exhibiting few or no recurrent clinical disease, while other HSV seropositive individuals (i.e., symptomatic individuals) have frequent ocular, orofacial, and/or genital herpes clinical episodes? We recently discovered several discrete sets of HSV-1 symptomatic and asymptomatic epitopes recognized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from seropositive symptomatic versus asymptomatic individuals. These asymptomatic epitopes will provide a solid foundation for the development of novel herpes epitope-based vaccine strategy. Here we provide a brief overview of past clinical vaccine trials, outline current progress towards developing a new generation “asymptomatic” clinical herpes vaccines, and discuss future mucosal “asymptomatic” prime-boost vaccines that could optimize local protective immunity.
Brownian motion of colloidal spheres in aqueous PEO solutions

The Brownian motion of colloidal spheres in aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions ranging in concentration from 0.2 to 15 wt % is measured with diffusing wave spectroscopy over more than 6 decades of time. The measured colloidal sphere mean-squared displacements are shown to satisfy the generalized Stokes−Einstein relation that relates the particle mean-squared displacement to the polymer solution shear modulus as the microrheological creep compliance calculated from the colloidal sphere Brownian motion was found to agree with that measured by mechanical rheometry. The microrheological zero shear viscosity concentration dependence for the entangled solution regime, η ∼ c4.7, is in agreement with that reported by others from mechanical rheometry measurements on polymer−good solvent solutions and is stronger than the tube model prediction, η ∼ c3.9. Essentially the entire deviation between the predicted and measured entangled solution regime zero shear viscosity concentration dependence is accounted ...
Slow collisions of H- and D- with Na and K.

Relative cross sections for charge transfer and electron detachment in collisions of H/sup -/ and D/sup -/ ions with Na and K atoms have been measured in the energy range from 2 to 300 eV. Measurements of the differential elastic cross sections for collisions of H/sup -/ with Na are also reported for energies around 10 eV. A two-state perturbed-stationary-state calculation has been performed and compared with the experimental results and a previous calculation.
Specification of glancing- and normal-incidence x-ray mirrors [also Erratum 34(11)3348(Nov1995)]

We discuss the specification of x-ray mirror surfaces in terms of their imaging perlormance and express the results in terms of quantities that are directly accessible from laboratory profile measurements. Procedures are illustrated by strawman examples in glancing- and normal-incidence geometries.
Recent progress in turbulent mixing

The purpose of this note is to summarize recent progress of the authors in understanding turbulent mixing. We consider both Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) instabilities and mixing. Numerical simulations, theory and analysis of experimental data are combined to reach our conclusions. Three challenges that serve to organize our results are: (I) To compare to experiment when most experiments did not measure initial conditions. (II) To remove the effect of models and base science on fundamental equations. (III) To investigate high or infinite Reynolds (Re) regime for which the existing laboratory experiments may have diminished relevance. The results summarized here raise the possibility of verification and validation (V&V)/uncertainty quantification (UQ) for high Re simulations of RT/RM mixing.
An update on robotic thoracic surgery and anesthesia.

Purpose of reviewMinimally invasive surgery involving the thoracic cavity continues to increase. With the introduction of robotic systems, particularly the da Vinci robot system more than 10 years ago, thoracic operations have been performed with some provocative results and limited, defined advanta
Ambiguous fluidity and rigidity and diamonds that ooze

If white hemicircles rotate over the edges of a black diamond, there occurs an ambiguity of rigidity and motion. As the hemicircles obscure the vertices of the diamond, the figure transforms from a diamond to a rotating, nonrigid cross made of a tar-like fluid. When the corners reappear, the stimulus again becomes a rigid, solid diamond. Visibility of the vertices implies rigidity. If white squares are rotated, fluidity is not perceived. If the diamond has sawtooth edges and the hemicircles are rotated, no fluidity is perceived. Similarly, if illusory contours suggest the amodal completion of the vertices, rigidity is maintained.
Changes in DNA and in nuclear and nucleolar dry mass and area in senescing parenchyma cells of corn cob and stalk tissues

Corn (Zea mays L.) cob and stalk parenchyma tissues were used for a study of senescence using quantitative interference microscopy and quantitative Feulgen cytophotometry. In both parenchyma tissues, nuclear dry mass (NDM), nucleolar dry mass (NoDM), nuclear area (NA), and nucleolar area (NoA) increased during cell elongation and then decreased prior to cell death. These changes were more distinct in corn cob parenchyma tissue than in stalk parenchyma tissue. DNA content (determined for cob parenchyma, center section, only) decreased over the entire study period, slowly at first, them more rapidly. Because NoDM and NoA trends in cob parenchyma tissue were similar to those of NDM and NA but with earlier decreases, we conclude that nucleolar degeneration is an early event in corn parenchyma cell senescence. Loss of DNA also occurs earlier than loss of NDM in cob parenchyma tissue. It is further suggested that the increases in NDM as DNA content decreased represents nuclear protein and RNA content increases prior to senescence. However, no indication of nucleoli degeneration was found in stalk parenchyma cells even though NDM and NA decreased prior to cell death.
Synthesis, structure and properties of a N3 tridentate bis-imidazolyl ligand with copper(II)

Abstract The synthesis of a new tridentate ligand, bis[2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl] amine, [B-MIMA], is described. The compound has been characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and forms complexes with various copper(II) salts. Crystallographic studies have been completed on the blue product from the reaction of B-MIMA with copper(II) acetate, [Cu(B-MIMA)(CH3COO)](ClO4) (6). Crystal data for 6 are: triclinic, P1, a = 5.176(2), b = 8.489(3), c = 10.066(3) A, α = 95.09(5), β = 95.72(3), γ = 102.37(4), V = 427.1 A and Z = 1. The structure was solved using the Patterson method which revealed the position of the copper atom and successive difference Fourier syntheses which revealed the location of the remaining atoms. The atom positions were refined by least-squares methods producing a final agreement factor of R = 0.021 and Rw = 0.029 for 1897 observed reflections. The structure consists of a polymeric acetate bridged network of distorted square-pyramidal copper(II) ions. The five coordinate geometry around each metal ion is a result of the bonding of three nitrogen atoms from the B-MIMA ligand and two oxygen atoms from different acetate ions. The acetate ions act as bidentate ligands bridging different copper ions and the resulting extended bridging network extends out the crystallograhic a axis. Spectroscopic, magnetic and electrochemical properties of the complex are described and compared with related compounds. The solution spectroscopic properties of 6 suggest that the square-pyramidal geometry of the metal ion in the solid-state is not retained in solution.
Removal of the Solar Component in AVHRR 3.7-µm Radiances for the Retrieval of Cirrus Cloud Parameters

A numerical scheme has been developed to remove the solar component in the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) 3.7- micrometer channel for the retrieval of cirrus parameters during daytime. This method uses a number of prescribed threshold values for AVHRR channels 1 (0.63 micrometer), 2 (0.8 micrometer), 3 (3.7 micrometer), 4 (10.9 micrometer), and 5 (12 micrometer) to separate clear and cloudy pixels. A look-up table relating channels 1 and 3 solar reflectances is subsequently constructed based on the prescribed mean effective ice crystal sizes and satellite geometric parameters. An adding-doubling radiative transfer program has been used to generate numerical values in the construction of the look-up table. Removal of the channel 3 solar component is accomplished by using the look-up table and the measured channel 1 reflectance. The cloud retrieval scheme described in Ou et al. has been modified in connection with the removal program. The authors have applied the removal-retrieval scheme to the AVHRR global area coverage daytime data, collected during the First ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) Regional Experiment cirrus intensive field observation (FIRE IFO) at 2100 UTC 28 October 1986 over the Wisconsin area. Distributions of the retrieved cloud heights and optical depths are comparable to those determined from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) visible and IR channels data reported by Minnis et al. Moreover, verifications of the retrieved cirrus temperature and height against lidar data have been carried out using results reported from three FIRE IFO stations. The retrieved cloud heights are within 0.5 km of the measured lidar values.
Mitochondrial RNAs are abundant in the poly(A)+RNA population of early frog embryos☆

Abstract Mitochondrial sequences have been identified within a set of cloned complementary DNAs that had been copied from poly(A)+RNA of two embryonic stages of Xenopus laevis ( Dworkin and Dawid, 1980 , Dworkin and Dawid, 1980 , Develop. Biol. 76, 435–448 and 449–464). Mitochondrial sequences were found to be highly abundant in gastrula stage poly(A)+RNA sequences; in tadpole RNA their relative abundance is reduced severalfold. Mitochondrial sequences account for the most abundant poly(A)+RNA molecules in the gastrula population. The high abundance of mitochondrial RNA in early stages may be the consequence of the accumulation of large numbers of mitochondria in the egg.
Eyelid conditioning at low US intensities and eyeblink threshold

In Experiment 1 eyelid conditioning was obtained for females but not for males, using an air puff capable of supporting 4 mm of mercury. In Experiment 2 thresholds for blinking to an air puff were obtained for 26 Ss, and 60 classical eyelid conditioning trials with an air puff US of 17 mm were administered. The rank order correlation between threshold and percent CRs during acquisition was not significant.
Post‐Mortem Changes in Muscle III. Histochemical Observations in Beef and Pork

SUMMARY The activity of 17 or 18 specific enzymes in the longissimus dorsi muscle of five beef and 18 pork carcasses was followed by histochemical procedures. Beef samples were removed from carcasses within 10 min up to 20 days port-mortem, and pork samples within 16 min up to 24 and/or 48 hr post-mortem. The beef carcasses were submitted to so-called normal cooling procedures. However, one side of each of 13 pork carcasses was placed at –29°C, while the other side was subjected to 37°C for the first 41/2–5 hr post-mortem. In beef muscle, the histochemical activity of lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, TPN diaphorase, and DPN diaphorase showed a steady decrease with increasing time post-mortem. Reactions for both alcohol dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase were very weak or entirely absent at 48 hr post-mortem and all subsequent sampling periods. Positive reactions for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase were observed in the initial samples only. No acid phosphatase, leucine amino peptidase, or 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity was detected in any of the samples. In pork muscle, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and DPN diaphorase was slightly weaker at both 0 and 24 hr post-mortem than similar activity in beef muscle. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity was weaker than that observed for the above enzymes, while the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase was of intermediate intensity. Traces of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity were observed in only a portion of the initial samples. Similarly, weak reactions for beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase were observed only at 0 hr post-mortem. None or only weak activity was observed for malic dehydrogenase, and TPN diaphorase activity was unexplainably absent from all samples. Moderate levels of cytochrome oxidase activity were observed at both 0 and 24 hr post-mortem. LTDPG-glycogen transferase was completely inactivated by the 37°C treatment post-mortem, but the treatment had a less marked effect upon phosphorylase and branching enzyme. The presence of acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in muscles of 7 carcasses suggested that a degenerative condition existed in these muscles.
Hydrolysis of sex pheromone by the antennae of Trichoplusia ni.

Les antennes du mâleTrichoplusia ni (Hubner) degradent la pheromone femelle sexuelle, (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol acetate en donnant l'alcool correspondant deux fois plus vite que les antennes de la femelle. La pheromone elle-meme est hydrolysee plus rapidement que 6 isomeres et proches analogues. Les jambes des mâles degradent aussi la pheromone.
Palynomorph Distribution and Depositional Environments in Glen Rose Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Somervell County, Texas: ABSTRACT

The Glen Rose Formation (Lower Cretaceous) contains a microfossil flora which is useful as a paleoecologic tool. Examination of measured sections and three mapped terrigenous-clastic units shows that gymnosperm pollen and dinoflagellate hystrichospheres are useful in diagnosis of subtidal and supratidal conditions if coupled with lithologic evidence. Fern spores and angiosperm pollen were of limited use in paleoenvironmental interpretations. Percentage-distribution maps of gymnosperm pollen and hystrichospheres for three units in a terrigenous clastic sequence in the Glen Rose of Somervell County show an increase of hystrichospheres and a decrease in gymnosperms toward probable open-water sediments. This suggests that palynomorph number is influenced by distance from source area. Hystrichosphere morphologic types were found to change with depositional environment. Barb-spined forms commonly were associated with shallow-water open-marine sediments. Straight-spined forms commonly were associated with sediments deposited in shallow brackish-water. Angiosperms, fern spores, and certain hystrichospheres were not related clearly to depositional environments inferred from lithologic evidence and other palynomorphs. Distribution of these microfossils may be explained by wind- and water-current fluctuations during deposition. Particle characteristics, such as settling velocity and size sorting, also may have influenced their distribution. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1835------------
The social sub-optimality of competitive elections

One of the common normative assumptions about elections is that competitive elections are inherently good, and non-competitive elections are problematic. This paper challenges that assumption. At the level of individual elections, competitive elections produce either sub-optimal results or trivially optimal results, but competitive elections are never uniquely optimal. In aggregation, competitive elections for a set of offices are inherently sub-optimal. From a procedural perspective, the circumstances in which competitive elections are appropriate are rare, and from a diagnostic perspective, we cannot conclude that there are problems in the electoral system based on a lack of competition. In the context of social choice theory, competitive elections are not inherently good.
Responsivity to decreasing sucrose concentrations following septal lesions in the rat.

Abstract The effect of septal lesions on consummatory responding for sucrose was examined in two experiments. In both experiments it was found that the lesion did not prevent the occurrence of an abrupt decrement in consummatory responding subsequent to a decrease in sucrose concentration. The results also indicated that the opportunity for comparison among different concentrations may be an important factor in determining whether a septal rat licks more or less than a control for a given concentration of sucrose. A third aspect of the results indicated that septal rats are less sensitive than controls to the post-ingestive consequences of sucrose intake. The data are discussed in terms of an incentive model of septal effects.
Ultrastructure of the salivary bladder of the nine-banded armadillo

The nine-banded armadillo possesses a salivary bladder which is a dilated portion of the main duct of the submandibular gland at its origin. The wall of the bladder is composed of an epithelium, a submucosa and a thick coat of skeletal muscle. The ultrastructure of the epithelium reveals that it is complex and consists of three cell types: 1) principal cells, 2) light cells, and 3) basal cells. The general organization of the epithelium suggests that it is a transporting type of epithelium such as that found in the amphibian and reptilian urinary bladders and the mammalian gall bladder. The submucosa is composed primarily of densely-packed collagen fibers. The skeletal muscle is very vascular and richly innervated.
Urodynamics of the Neurogenic Bladder

Many patients with neurogenic bladders require careful monitoring in order to decrease the risk of infectious and renal complications. Urodynamic testing, with particular attention paid to detrusor pressures, is helpful for risk stratification in these patients and provides key information when assessing effectiveness of treatments. This article reviews the history, indications, and contemporary parameters for urodynamic testing in the neurogenic population.
Girls and science: A review of four themes in the science education literature

Despite valuable syntheses of the field of gender and science education, there has not been a systematic, comprehensive review of the literature on gender and science education in recent years. We examine the literature pertaining to girls' engagement in science and develop four themes (equity and access, curriculum and pedagogy, the nature and culture of science, and identity) that we believe provide a coherent picture of the different kinds of approaches happening currently, while at the same time allowing for discussion of how ideas in the field have progressed and changed over time. We present new questions and approaches for further research that arise when applying insights from these themes to ongoing work in gender and science education. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 971–1002, 2008
Paxillin and hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone 5 expression and distribution in control and Alzheimer disease hippocampi.

Hydrogen peroxide-inducible-clone 5 (Hic-5) and paxillin are members of the group III LIM domain protein family that localize to both cell nuclei and focal adhesions and link integrin-mediated signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. Prior in vitro studies have implicated paxillin in β-amyloid-induced cell death but little is known about the expression and function of Hic-5 and paxillin in the brain. We performed a blinded retrospective cross-sectional study of Hic-5 and paxillin expression in the hippocampus of Alzheimer disease (AD) and control subjects using immunohistochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The analysis included assessment of the expression of phosphorylated isoforms of paxillin that reflect activation of distinct signaling pathways. We found changes in the subcellular distribution of Hic-5, paxillin and specific phosphorylated isoforms of paxillin in the AD brains. Hic-5 and phosphorylated isoforms of paxillin colocalized with neurofibrillary tangles. Paxillin was predominantly found in reactive astrocytes in the AD hippocampi and activated paxillin was also detected in granulovacuolar bodies in AD. These data indicate that these important scaffolding proteins that link various intracellular signaling pathways to the extracellular matrix are modified and have altered subcellular distribution in AD.
Making the alternative the mainstream: Maintaining a family-centered focus in a large freestanding birth center for low-income women☆

The BirthPlace program in San Diego, California, is an example of a successfully “mainstreamed” alternative maternity care program. It was developed to address an access to prenatal care problem in the county, and it has successfully integrated four systems of care: 1) a private practice of nurse-midwives and obstetricians, 2) the public community clinic system, 3) the tertiary university hospital, and 4) a freestanding birth center. It provides a model of care that, if replicated, could be an answer for ensuring universal access to maternity care in the United States. The BirthPlace program primarily serves a public-funded, Hispanic population, with certified nurse-midwives as the primary providers. The program's greatest challenge has been to maintain a personalized, family-centered focus, which has been the hallmark of freestanding birth centers to date, in the face of large numbers of clients and low reimbursement for care. The program has addressed the challenge of increasing access and cost-effectiveness while ensuring family-centered care through decentralized clinic management, informed consent, culturally sensitive care, and appropriate use of technology. However, in the face of an ever-changing health care system, balancing these issues will remain a constant challenge as we reshape our maternity care services.
Bonded Polymethacrylate Stationary Phases for Open Tubular Liquid Chromatographic and Electrochromatographic Separations

Using a new procedure developed in our laboratory for the preparation of thick polymethacrylate films bonded in fused silica capillaries, crosslinked polymeric stationary phases were synthesized in situ in 25-mm-i.d. capillaries. The effect of monomer and crosslinker concentrations on the resulting polymer film . was studied by open tubular capillary electrokinetic chromatography OTCEC . using p-hydroxy benzoates parabens as test solutes. Retention of analytes showed interesting trends versus monomer and crosslinker concentrations, exhibiting max- ima at certain combinations rather than a continuous increase in capacity factor with increasing concentration. Because the electroosmotic flow can arise from both exposed silica and polymer surfaces, the flow velocity did not exhibit an obvious trend versus monomer andror crosslinker concentration. Open tubular liquid . chromatographic OTLC separations were also achieved using head pressure as the driving force for bulk flow, without employing a high-voltage power supply or micro LC pump. Q 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. JM icro Sep10: 99)105, 1998
Phase 2 trial of single-agent gemcitabine in platinum-paclitaxel refractory ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective There is a need to find agents with activity in platinum and taxane refractory ovarian cancer to be employed as second-line therapy in the malignancy. Limited clinical trial experience has suggested that gemcitabine possesses activity in this clinical setting. We wished to further define the level of activity of gemcitabine in women with well-characterized platinum/taxane refractory disease. Methods Patients with ovarian or fallopian tube cancer or primary carcinoma of the peritoneum, whose disease had either failed to respond to a platinum and taxane treatment, or had responded but the "treatment free interval (TFI)" was ≤3 months, or if the TFI was >3 months and they had been retreated with the agents and not responded (or experienced a TFI of Results A total of 51 patients were treated on this trial. The initial dose level (1250 mg/m 2 /week) resulted in excessive toxicity (fatigue, fever/chills, bone marrow suppression). The modified starting dose (1000 mg/m 2 /week) resulted in a more acceptable side effect profile. Eight patients (16%) with measurable disease ( n = 4) or evaluable disease by CA-125 criteria ( n = 4) achieved an objective response (median duration of response: 4 months; range 2–13 months). Conclusion Single agent gemcitabine possesses modest, but definite, activity in patients with well-characterized platinum/taxane resistant ovarian cancer. It is reasonable to consider this drug for second-line (or later) treatment in this clinical setting.
Dose-Dependent Effect of Endothelin-1 on Blood Flow to Normal and Collateral-Dependent Myocardium

Background Plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) increase during ischemia and could potentially contribute to impairment of myocardial blood flow (MBF). Because collateral vessels demonstrate enhanced responsiveness to certain vasoconstrictors, blood flow to collateral-dependent myocardium could be particularly sensitive to increases in ET-1 levels. Methods and Results Studies were performed in 13 dogs in which collateral vessel development was produced by fluoroscopic embolization of the midleft anterior descending coronary artery with a hollow plug 4 to 6 weeks before the study. MBF was measured with radioactive microspheres at baseline and during 30-minute infusions of ET-1 (1, 10, and 100 ng/min) into the left main coronary artery. Because ET-1 stimulates endothelial prostacyclin release, aortic and coronary sinus levels of ET-1 and 6-keto–prostaglandin F1α were measured at the end of each infusion. ET-1 increased MBF from 0.82 mL·min−1·g−1 at baseline to 0.92 mL·min−1·g−1 at 10 ng/min (P<.05), which c...
Facile one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles stabilized with bifunctional amino/siloxy ligands

A method for the direct one-pot synthesis of amine-stabilized gold nanoparticles using 3-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine (TMSP dien) is described. The amine groups of this bifunctional molecule act as a stabilizer for gold nanoparticles as they form by reduction of HAuCl4. Highly stable gold nanoparticles with sizes tunable between 8 and 20 nm can be readily obtained. This method is quite simple to implement and environmentally benign as there is no need to add an external reducing reagent. The incorporated siloxy functionality was subsequently used to form a silica shell around the gold particle.
Induction of a lysogenic Escherichia coli with alpha and deuteron particles.

Abstract Alpha and deuteron particles can induce a lysogenic strain of E. coli. The cross section for induction correlates with the number of nuclear bodies in the cell. Cells that have been killed by ionizing radiation can still be induced. On the basis of target theory a thin (50 A.) physical structure with cross section 8 × 10−10 sq. cm. for log phase cultures is deduced as the carrier of the constraint against phage synthesis.
The inhibition in vitro of bacterial DNA polymerases and RNA polymerase by antimalarial 8-aminoquinolines and by chloroquine

Abstract The effects of various 8-aminoquinolines, two of their hydroxylated potential metabolites, and chloroquine on the in vitro activities of DNA polymerase of Micrococcus luteus (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) and of Escherichia coli and RNA polymerase of E. coli were determined. The antimalarial 8-aminoquinolines (including primaquine, and two hydroxylated potential metabolites) inhibited the activity of each bacterial DNA polymerase, and the levels of inhibition were not decreased appreciably by increasing the DNA concentration. Although the inhibition by chloroquine of the DNA polymerases was markedly decreased as the Mg 2+ concentration was increased, the inhibition by the 8-aminoquinolines was insensitive or only moderately sensitive to variations in the Mg 2+ concentration. At low Mg 2+ concentrations (0.3–0.6 mM), the inhibition of the DNA polymerases by chloroquine exceeded the inhibition by any of the 8-aminoquinolines but at higher Mg 2+ concentrations (1.4–7.0 mM) the inhibition by several of the 8-aminoquinolines approached or exceeded the inhibition by chloroquine. The inhibition of M. luteus DNA polymerase by the hydroxylated 8-aminoquinolines and chloroquine was markedly decreased by increases in the polymerase concentration. For M. luteus DNA polymerase, it was concluded that the inhibition was predominantly due to the interaction of aminoquinolines with the polymerase although a lesser contribution from the interaction of the aminoquinolines with the template (or primer) DNA was not excluded. No differences were observed in the inhibition of E. coli DNA polymerase by samples of dextrorotatory, levorotatory, and racemic chloroquine. With the exception of chloroquine and pentaquine, the aminoquinolines had little effect on the activity of E. coli RNA polymerase, and the inhibition of RNA polymerase was much less than the inhibition of the DNA polymerases.
On the stability of vibrations of a particle in a plane constrained by identical non-linear springs

Abstract This is a study on the stability of movement of a particle subject to displacement on a plane and linked to two supports fixed by identical non-linear springs. It is demonstrated that even a slight “softening” non-linearity completely modifies the characteristics of the stability of the system.
Some New Laser Processing Applications In Microelectronics

Currently widespread commercial applications of laser processing in the microelectronics industry is limited to resistor trimming by micromachining, link blowing for the repair of very large memory circuits, mask repair, and wafer labeling. This paper describes several potential applications for laser processing which are being investigated at Texas A&M. The areas are given below with a brief summary of the results.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Research issues and opportunities affecting the competitiveness of agribusiness firms.

A framework is provided which will facilitate continuing dialogue regarding needed research thrusts to enhance agribusiness competitiveness. Competitiveness research, at the individual firm level, focuses on increasing the differentia advantage of firms. Efforts to assist firms in anticipating and responding to changes in their business environment, as well as work to increase internal decision-making capabilities, can lead to enhanced performance. Although considerable impetus exists to concentrate on urgent empirical problems, conceptual contributions which assist in understanding and recognizing changes in the agribusiness sector will have long-run payoff.
Genetic variation in GPBAR1 predisposes to quantitative changes in colonic transit and bile acid excretion.

The pathobiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is multifaceted. We aimed to identify candidate genes predisposing to quantitative traits in IBS. In 30 healthy volunteers, 30 IBS-constipation, a...
Distinctive patterns of microRNA expression in extraocular muscles

The extraocular muscles (EOMs) are a unique group of muscles that are anatomically and physiologically distinct from other muscles. We and others have shown that EOMs have a unique transcriptome and proteome. Here we investigated the expression pattern of microRNAs (miRNAs), as they may play a role in generating the unique EOM allotype. We isolated RNA and screened LC Sciences miRNA microarrays covering the sequences of miRBase 10.0 to define the microRNAome of normal mouse EOM and tibialis anterior (TA) limb muscle. Seventy-four miRNAs were found to be differentially regulated (P value 500. Muscle-specific miRNAs miR-206 and miR-499 were upregulated and miR-1, miR-133a, and miR-133b were downregulated in EOM. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis was used to validate the differential expression. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify potential miRNA-mRNA-protein interactions and integrate data with previous transcriptome and proteomic profiling data. Luciferase assays using cotransfection of precursor miRNAs with reporter constructs containing the 3'-untranslated region of predicted target genes were used to validate targeting by identified miRNAs. The definition of the EOM microRNAome complements existing transcriptome and proteome data about the molecular makeup of EOM and provides further insight into regulation of muscle genes. These data will also help to further explain the unique EOM muscle allotype and its differential sensitivity to diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and may assist in development of therapeutic strategies.
The Unfailing Certainty Of Textbooks

A learning objective should describe what students should know or be able to do at the end of the course that they could do before. 1 The focus of this paper is to look at just three widely utilized models: The Boston Consulting Group Matrix, Break-even Analysis, and McNair’s Wheel of Retailing.
Proper estimation of sensitivity and specificity.

I write to express concern about the diagnostic accuracy statements of Eda et. al. concerning a new Johne's disease enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (2). The diagnostic sensitivity of this new ELISA for bovine paratuberculosis, reported to be 100%, was based on only 64 (according to the Materials and Methods) or 51 (according to the Results) Mycobacterium paratuberculosis fecal culture-positive cattle. Fecal culture-positive cattle with fewer than five colonies on culture were discarded from the dataset, which might explain the different numbers in the Materials and Methods and Results, but this is unclear in the paper. While the authors speculate that these very low fecal shedders of M. paratuberculosis “might arise from pass-through bacilli,” there is no legitimate basis for excluding these cattle from sensitivity analysis. No other reports on ELISA sensitivity for bovine paratuberculosis have done this. There is no way to ascertain if these cattle were truly infected or if such fecal culture results represented “pass-through” (i.e., the cows were not infected and M. paratuberculosis from the environment was simply in transit through the gastrointestinal tract). Only 38 cows from a single herd in Japan were used to estimate ELISA specificity. Moreover, the authors state in the Materials and Methods that this herd was selected because it had been annually tested and found to be ELISA negative (assay source not specified) for 5 consecutive years. It is no surprise that these cattle were again found negative for serum antibodies to M. paratuberculosis by the new ELISA. The cattle population chosen for specificity estimation was biased, i.e., preselected for absence of serum antibody, too small, and all from a single herd. Studies with statistical validity use more than 400 animals from multiple herds for ELISA specificity estimation (1, 4, 5). Prior publications document herd-specific variation in M. paratuberculosis ELISA specificity (1). For these reasons, the claimed specificity of 97.4% is tentative at best and has a large 95% confidence interval (94.78 to 99.9%), a statistic that should have been reported. Meaningful evaluation of immunoassays requires testing large numbers of subjects representative of target populations for diagnosis. For infectious diseases such as paratuberculosis, the infected and noninfected populations must have well-defined, objective, unbiased case definitions. Furthermore, receiver-operating characteristic curves and likelihood ratios should be used to complement sensitivity and specificity estimates (1, 3). In summary, given the small and biased cattle populations tested and methods of data interpretation, the claims of a highly sensitive and subspecies-specific ELISA for bovine paratuberculosis by Eda et al. must be considered tentative at best.
Diffraction tomographic imaging with photon density waves: an explicit solution

An explicit formula is derived for reconstructing tissue inhomogeneities from scattered photon-density waves. When intensity-modulated light is used as a source, such waves obey a Helmholtz equation with a complex wave number. A process of analytical continuation in the spatial-frequency domain is used to make this wave number real, whereupon inversion formulas based on conventional diffraction tomography are applied to invert the data to yield an image. In this way an explicit solution to the inverse problem can be derived within the Born approximation. Here the spatially varying quantity imaged is a linear combination of the transport scattering and absorption coefficients. Data are assumed measured at one modulation frequency, but multiple modulation frequencies could in principle be used to generate independent images of the scattering and absorption coefficients.
A taxonomy of equilibria in probabilistic coalitions

A model is presented where uncertainty exists concerning whether agents work together in a coalition or work alone, capturing the uncertainty for group behavior in political, economic or distributed computing systems. The uncertainty is modeled as a probability of group formation and the performance of the system is modeled as payoffs in a simple game matrix. Both the level of uncertainty and the game payoffs determine the type of equilibria in the actions of the decision-makers. All equilibria are classified into one of three types where each type creates a different level of difficulty in the agents' decision-making. >
A model predictive control approach for a parallel hydraulic hybrid powertrain

In this paper, a model predictive control (MPC) approach is presented for solving the energy management problem in a parallel hydraulic hybrid vehicle. The hydraulic hybrid vehicle uses a variable displacement pump/motor combination to transfer energy between the mechanical and hydraulic domains and a high pressure accumulator for energy storage. The proposed controller observes the gas and brake pedal positions to estimate the desired wheel torque. It regulates the engine throttle command, pump/motor displacement, and applied brake force to track this desired torque while optimizing the powertrain efficiency. Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of engine dwell time and accumulator capacity versus on the overall vehicle fuel economy.
Low-dose carbon monoxide inhalation prevents development of chronic allograft nephropathy

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is the primary cause for late kidney allograft loss. Carbon monoxide (CO), a product of heme metabolism by heme oxygenases, is known to impart protection against...
Dynamic Class-based Control for Improving Perceived Voice Quality

Traditional network-level quality of service (QoS) techniques are efficient from a network perspective, but they have not provided a QoS that is satisfactory to users. This paper proposes a dynamic class-based scheme to enhance user-perceived voice quality. Its main strength lies in its careful consideration of users' perception of quality and mapping it to specific values of multiple network parameters such as delay and packet loss rate. It then dynamically assigns higher priority to voice traffic that are closer to delay and loss tolerance so as to improve their chances of meeting deadlines and loss constraints, which in turn increases the quality of voice traffic transmission over IP network yielding QoS satisfaction both for VoIP users and service providers.
Expansion and Activation of Natural Killer Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells can kill a wide range of cancer cells and are a promising tool for cell therapy of cancer. NK cells cytotoxicity is regulated by a balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals. Interleukin-2 is known to increase NK cell cytotoxicity. Although many cytokines have been studied in efforts to induce durable NK cell expansions, most reports indicate a rather modest effect and the requirement for additional stimuli. We found that contact with the K562 myeloid leukemia cell line, genetically modified to express a membrane-bound form of interleukin-15 and the ligand for the costimulatory molecule 4-1BB, induced vigorous expansion of NK cells from peripheral blood. Based on these findings, we developed a method for large-scale clinical-grade expansion of NK cells. This method is currently used to expand allogeneic NK cells for infusion in patients with leukemia and solid tumors. We here summarize methods for expansion and activation of NK cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as clinical-scale methods to produce NK cells for immunotherapy under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) conditions.