cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TRAKR - A reservoir-based tool for fast and accurate classification of neural time-series patterns

Neuroscience has seen a dramatic increase in the types of recording modalities and complexity of neural time-series data collected from them. The brain is a highly recurrent system producing rich, complex dynamics that result in different behaviors. Correctly distinguishing such nonlinear neural time series in real-time, especially those with non-obvious links to behavior, could be useful for a wide variety of applications. These include detecting anomalous clinical events such as seizures in epilepsy, and identifying optimal control spaces for brain machine interfaces. It remains challenging to correctly distinguish nonlinear time-series patterns because of the high intrinsic dimensionality of such data, making accurate inference of state changes (for intervention or control) difficult. Simple distance metrics, which can be computed quickly do not yield accurate classifications. On the other end of the spectrum of classification methods, ensembles of classifiers or deep supervised tools offer higher accuracy but are slow, data-intensive, and computationally expensive. We introduce a reservoir-based tool, state tracker (TRAKR), which offers the high accuracy of ensembles or deep supervised methods while preserving the computational benefits of simple distance metrics. After one-shot training, TRAKR can accurately, and in real time, detect deviations in test patterns. By forcing the weighted dynamics of the reservoir to fit a desired pattern directly, we avoid many rounds of expensive optimization. Then, keeping the output weights frozen, we use the error signal generated by the reservoir in response to a particular test pattern as a classification boundary. We show that, using this approach, TRAKR accurately detects changes in synthetic time series. We then compare our tool to several others, showing that it achieves highest classification performance on a benchmark dataset, sequential MNIST, even when corrupted by noise. Additionally, we apply TRAKR to electrocorticography (ECoG) data from the macaque orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a higher-order brain region involved in encoding the value of expected outcomes. We show that TRAKR can classify different behaviorally relevant epochs in the neural time series more accurately and efficiently than conventional approaches. Therefore, TRAKR can be used as a fast and accurate tool to distinguish patterns in complex nonlinear time-series data, such as neural recordings.
The Cerene Cryoablation Device for the Treatment of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: 36-Month Outcomes from the Clarity Study

Study Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel cryoablation device (Cerene Cryotherapy Device, Channel Medsystems, Berkeley, CA) in premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) due to benign causes. Design A prospective, multi-center, single-arm, open-label study. Setting 8 sites in the USA, 1 in Mexico, 2 in Canada. Patients or Participants 242 Intent-to-Treat women, 25 to 50 years of age, with HMB, uterine sound ≤10 cm, and endometrial cavity between 2.5 to 6.5 cm. Interventions The Cerene single-use disposable device, delivered a 2.5-minute cryoablation of the endometrium. Analgesia and local anesthesia were administered per investigator discretion: 97% of subjects received a paracervical block with or without oral medications, 3% IV sedation, and none received general anesthesia. 180 USA treatments were performed in the physician office setting and none in the operating room. Subjects were evaluated through Month 12 and long term at Month 24 and 36. Measurements and Main Results 201 women were evaluated at Month 36. 88.6% (178/201) reported amenorrhea, a lighter than normal, or normal period. 91% (182/201) reported no or slight limitations in life activities in their Menorrhagia Impact Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. 85% (171/201) reported premenstrual symptoms (PMS) at a low frequency (none, rarely, or sometimes) in their PMS Impact QoL Survey. 84.5% (153/181) of subjects who reported level of satisfaction at the final study visit stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment outcome. 7% (17/242) underwent a post ablation intervention for menstrual bleeding. Conclusion The Cerene endometrial cryoablation device maintains safety and effectiveness for the treatment of HMB through the long-term study visit at 36 months. It is a global endometrial ablation technique that can be performed consistently in the office setting requiring minimal anesthesia or analgesia.
Managing Complex Software Projects

Managing any large development project is a challenge. When the system under development incorporates vast amounts of software, the management challenge is made much more difficult. When that software must perform at rates dictated by external events, when its successful operation involves human-machine collaboration to make decisions in the presence of uncertain data, and when system failure cannot be tolerated, then the difficulty in managing the development to a successful conclusion is beyond most managers’ ability.
Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of ReOMe2(bipy)X complexes

Abstract The complexes cis- and trans-ReOMe2(bipy)Cl, where cis or trans refers to the Me–Re–Me regiochemistry, were observed to react as follows: (1) with the alkylating agents RMgCl (R=CH2SiMe3 and CH2Ph) and RLi (R=Me) to give ReOMe2(bipy)R, and (2) with the alkoxides NaOR′ (R′=Me and Et) to give trans-ReOMe2(bipy)(OR′). The complex ReOMe2(bipy)CH2SiMe3 was observed by 1H NMR spectroscopy to undergo trans to cis isomerization, which proceeded via reversible first-order kinetics, with ΔH°=1.60(4) kcal mol−1 and ΔS°=3.7(1) eu. At room temperature, ΔG°=0.5(1) kcal mol−1 and Keq=0.42(2), indicating a weak thermodynamic preference for the trans isomer. The activation parameters for the trans to cis isomerization were ΔH‡1=26(2) kcal mol−1 and ΔS‡ 1=10(7) eu, and those for the reverse cis to trans isomerization were ΔH‡ −1=27(2) kcal mol−1 and ΔS‡ −1=14(7) eu. Treatment of a mixture of cis- and trans-ReOMe2(bipy)CH2SiMe3 with anhydrous HCl gave ReOMe(bipy)(CH2SiMe3)Cl; similar treatment of ReOMe3(bipy) and ReOMe2(bipy)CH2Ph gave cis-ReOMe2(bipy)Cl. Exposure of ReOMe(bipy)(CH2SiMe3)Cl to AgPF6 in acetonitrile-d3 gave the cationic nitrile adduct [ReOMe(bipy)(CH2SiMe3)(CD3CN)][PF6].
The Amino Acid Sequence of the Qβ Coat Protein

Abstract The amino acid sequence of the coat protein from the RNA bacteriophage Qβ has been determined. Tryptic peptides which were obtained from the oxidized protein accounted for all of the amino acid residues in the protein. The sequence of the tryptic peptides was established by a combination of enzymatic fragmentation and Edman degradation. The tryptic peptides were ordered on the basis of overlap peptides obtained from chymotrypsin and thermolysin digests of the protein. The Qβ coat protein contains 131 residues, 2 more than the f2 or R17 coat proteins. The f2 and Qβ coat proteins have only 30 residues in common, even if five insertions and five deletions are allowed in the comparison. The regions of identity are clustered in intermittent stretches 3 to 5 residues in length near the middle of the sequence.
Effect of fairness in model checking of self-stabilizing programs

Existing approaches for verifying self-stabilization with symbolic model checker have relied on the use of weak fairness. We point out that this approach has limited scalability. To overcome this limitation, we show that if self-stabilization is possible without fairness then cost of verifying self-stabilization is substantially lower. The practical meaning of this observation is if the extra effort required to verify self-stabilization under weak fairness is not necessary then the state space reached by model checking of self-stabilizing programs could be substantially larger.
The constraint database approach to software verification

Based on constraint database techniques, we present a new approach to software verification. This new approach has some similarity to abstract interpretation that uses various widening operators; therefore, we call the new approach l-u widening. We show that our lu widening leads to a more precise over-approximation of the invariants in a program than comparable previously proposed widening operators based on difference-bound matrices, although l-u widening can be computed as efficiently as the other widening operators. We show that constraint database techniques can compute non-convex program invariants too. Finally, we give a compact representation of addition-bound matrices, which generalize difference-bound matrices.
Applications of symbolic manipulation in control system analysis and design

A review of the applications of symbolic manipulation in computer-aided control system analysis and design (CACSAD) is given. The research reviewed includes applications of symbolic manipulation languages, such as Macsyma and REDUCE, of logic programming (Prolog) and of Lisp. Application areas reviewed include nonlinear and optimal control, robotics, aircraft control, and spacecraft control. A computer program that combines symbolic manipulation and interactive graphics into a user-interface for control system analysis and design software is presented. The program serves as a tool for research on the integration of symbolic, graphical, and numerical computation for CACSAD on a microcomputer. Elements of the program include a graphical user interface, a model structure editor, a transfer function editor, a symbolic transfer function finder, and an output formatter. >
Insulin and insulin-like growth factor expression and function deteriorate with progression of Alzheimer's disease: link to brain reductions in acetylcholine.

Abstract Reduced glucose utilization and energy metabolism occur early in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and correlate with impaired cognition. Glucose utilization and energy metabolism are regulated by insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and correspondingly, studies have shown that cognitive impairment may be improved by glucose or insulin administration. Recently, we demonstrated significantly reduced levels of insulin and IGF-I polypeptide genes and their corresponding receptors in advanced AD relative to aged control brains. The abnormalities in gene expression were accompanied by impaired survival signaling downstream through PI3 kinase-Akt. The present work characterizes the abnormalities in insulin and IGF gene expression and receptor binding in brains with different Braak stage severities of AD. Realtime quantitative RT-PCR analysis of frontal lobe tissue demonstrated that increasing AD Braak Stage was associated with progressively reduced levels of mRNA corresponding to insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II polypeptides and their receptors, tau, which is regulated by insulin and IGF-I, and the Hu D neuronal RNA binding protein. In contrast, progressively increased levels of amyloid beta protein precursor (AbetaPP), glial fibrillary acidic protein, and the IBA1/AIF1 microglial mRNA transcripts were detected with increasing AD Braak Stage. Impairments in growth factor and growth factor receptor expression and function were associated with increasing AD Braak stage dependent reductions in insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II receptor binding, ATP levels, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) expression. Further studies demonstrated that: 1) ChAT expression increases with insulin or IGF-I stimulation; 2) ChAT is expressed in insulin and IGF-I receptor-positive cortical neurons; and 3) ChAT co-localization in insulin or IGF-I receptor-positive neurons is reduced in AD. Together, these data provide further evidence that AD represents a neuro-endocrine disorder that resembles a unique form of diabetes mellitus (? Type 3) and progresses with severity of neurodegeneration.
The pitfalls of inguinal herniorrhaphy: Surgeon volume matters

Background There is currently little information regarding the impact of procedure volume on outcomes after open inguinal hernia repair in the United States. Our hypothesis was that increasing procedure volume is associated with lesser rates of reoperation and resource use. Methods The database of the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System was queried for elective open initial inguinal hernia repairs performed in New York State from 2001 to 2008 via the use of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Surgeon and hospital procedure volumes were grouped into tertiles based on the number of open inguinal hernia repairs performed per year. Bivariate, hierarchical mixed effects Cox proportional-hazards, and negative binomial regression analyses were performed assessing for factors associated with reoperation for recurrence, procedure time, and downstream total charges. Results Among 151,322 patients who underwent open inguinal hernia repair, the overall rate of reoperation for recurrence within 5 years was 1.7% with a median time to reoperation of 1.9 years. An inverse relationship was seen between surgeon volume and reoperation rate, procedure time, and health care costs (P < .001). After we controlled for surgeon, facility, operative and patient characteristics, low-volume surgeons (<25 repairs/year) had greater rates of reoperation (hazard ratio 1.23,95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.11–1.36), longer procedure times (incidence rate ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.21–1.24), and greater downstream costs (incidence rate ratio 1.13,95% CI 1.10–1.17) than high-volume surgeons (≥25 repairs/year). Conclusion Surgeon volume <25 cases per year for open inguinal hernia repair was independently associated with greater rates of reoperation for recurrence, worse operative efficiency, and greater health care costs. Referral to surgeons who perform ≥25 inguinal hernia repairs per year should be considered to decrease reoperation rates and resource use.
Association between attributes of a cyclist and bicycle seat pressure.

ABSTRACT Introduction Bicycle seat pressure is thought to be the principal risk factor for bicycle seat injuries such as erectile dysfunction; however there is a lack of understanding regarding the characteristics of a cyclist that predict bicycle seat pressure. Aim The purpose of this study was to determine if select attributes of a cyclist are associated with seat pressure during stationary bicycling. A secondary purpose was to determine which of the associated attributes were the best predictors of seat pressure and if they were consistent between two different seats. Methods There were two data collection phases to this correlational study in which 40 males between the ages 20 and 50 years volunteered. For the first phase, select attributes of the cyclist (age, weight, flexibility, experience level, and ischial tuberosity width) were measured. The second phase required participants to ride a stationary cycle ergometer while pelvic tilt angles and seat pressures were measured on two different traditional seats. Main Outcome Measure The main outcome is the mean and peak bicycle seat interface pressure over the anterior and total seat. Results Body weight explained up to 50% of the variance in mean total seat pressure ( P = 0.001). Regarding peak total pressure, pelvic tilt angle and flexibility explained 43% and 17% of the variance, respectively, for the two seats tested ( P = 0.01). Conclusion These results indicate that predictors of mean seat pressure are not the same for peak pressure. Body weight alone accounted for the most variance in mean pressure whereas pelvic tilt and flexibility accounted for the most variance in peak pressure. These variables related to seat pressure may give some guidance to cyclists and clinicians who intend to prevent or alleviate the symptoms associated with bicycle seat injuries that include erectile dysfunction. Bressel E, Nash D, and Dolny D. Association between attributes of a cyclist and bicycle seat pressure.
Maternal and fetal morbidity associated with uterine rupture of the unscarred uterus

Objective We sought to report obstetric and neonatal characteristics and outcomes following primary uterine rupture in a large contemporary obstetric cohort and to compare outcomes between those with primary uterine rupture vs those with uterine rupture of a scarred uterus. Study Design This was a retrospective case-control study. Cases were defined as women with uterine rupture of an unscarred uterus. Controls were women with uterine rupture of a scarred uterus. Demographics, labor characteristics, and obstetric, maternal, and neonatal outcomes were compared. Primary rupture case outcomes were also compared by mode of delivery. Results There were 126 controls and 20 primary uterine rupture cases. Primary uterine rupture cases had more previous live births than controls (3.6 vs 1.9; P P P P P P P P = .001). Primary uterine rupture cases delivering vaginally were more likely to ultimately undergo hysterectomy than those delivering by cesarean (63% vs 9%; P = .017). Conclusion Although rare, primary uterine rupture is particularly morbid. Clinicians must remain vigilant, particularly in the setting of heavy vaginal bleeding and severe pain.
Usefulness of a medical support assistance on CPAP compliance

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Device handling often gives rise to difficulties and its acceptance can be influenced by cultural and psychological factors. The aim of the study was to assess the adherence to CPAP therapy with and without early medical support assistance, consisting of motivational reinforcement and emotional support in the first month of therapy. Forty patients undergoing counseling and a one year follow-up on a quarterly basis were included in the study. Of the 40 study patients, 20 (group 1) underwent medical support with telephone interviews for the first month of therapy, and 20 (group 2, the control group) remained without medical support assistance. During the telephone contacts, medical staff helped the patient in the process of acceptance of chronic therapy and to overcome any problem, with the assistance of the Home Care Provider Company “Vivisol”. The two populations were homogeneous for age, severity of illness and BMI. Average treatment adherence in the first month (days of therapy with at least 4 hours per night on the total number of days of activation) was 77.5% for group 1 and 55.7% for group 2 (p=0.022). Therapy adherence decreased in the following months in group 1. At second trimester compliance was 66.7% for group 1 and 58.3% for group 2 (p=NS), and at fourth trimester compliance was 54.3% for group 1 and 56.3% for group 2 (p=NS). A medical support assistance is able to determine an improvement in CPAP therapy compliance, but it is necessary maintain it over time.
Comparative hemodynamic effects of OPC-18790 and dobutamine in patients with advanced heart failure

OPC-18790 (Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Rockville, MD), a novel positive inotropic agent, produces titratable hemodynamic benefits in patients with advanced heart failure. In such patients, OPC-18790 has been shown to acutely increase the cardiac index, while reducing systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular filling pressure, without an associated increase in heart rate. This study was performed to compare the acute hemodynamic effects of OPC-18790 and the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, dobutamine, in patients with advanced heart failure. OPC-18790 and dobutamine were compared on successive days in 13 patients with worsening New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure. The mean (+/- SEM) left ventricular ejection fraction was 15 +/- 2% (range, 6-29%). Pretreatment hemodynamics were: heart rate, 96 +/- 2 beats/min; mean arterial pressure, 77 +/- 3 mmHg; cardiac index, 1.80 +/- 0.10 L/min/m2; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 27 +/- 1 mmHg; mean pulmonary arterial pressure, 41 +/- 2 mmHg; and systemic vascular resistance, 1,732 +/- 152 dynes.s/cm5. At infusion rates yielding comparable increases in the cardiac index (5 micrograms/kg/min for 2 hours for each drug), OPC-18790 produced significantly more favorable effects on heart rate (-2 +/- 3% vs 11 +/- 4%; P = .01), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-32 +/- 4% vs -17 +/- 8%; P = .04), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (-14 +/- 3% vs 6 +/- 11%; P = .06), stroke volume index (48 +/- 8% vs 29 +/- 7%; P = .02), stroke work index (70 +/- 11 vs 42% +/- 12%; P = .03), and rate pressure product (2 +/- 4% vs 14 +/- 4%; P = .05). The hemodynamic profile for OPC-18790 differs from dobutamine, with OPC-18790 exhibiting no increase in heart rate, greater preload reduction, and an increase in cardiac performance at a lower estimated metabolic cost.
Students' Early Mathematical Representation Knowledge: The Effects of Emphasizing Single or Multiple Perspectives of the Rational Number Domain in Problem Solving

This study examined changes in 26 fourth-grade students' early conceptions of rational number representations as a function of receiving one of two curricular interventions. The first group of 12 students received a curriculum that emphasized constructing knowledge through extended problem solving with a single perspective of the rational number domain based on part-whole relations. A second group of 14 students received a curriculum that emphasized a more conceptually diverse multiple perspective view of the domain through problem solving with operator and ratio relations. Analyses of the students' rational number knowledge before and after the interventions indicated that students in the single perspective group produced organizations of knowledge that more frequently diverged from a formal domain analysis than those produced by students in the multiple perspective group. Further, students in the single perspective group increased their focus on superficial surface features. Alternatively, students in the multiple perspective group demonstrated an increased focus on operations that more frequently reflected the underlying mathematical relation conveyed by the representation. The findings indicate that an early exposure to more diverse perspectives of rational numbers assists students in developing more interconnected and viable representation knowledge for rational numbers.
Bridging: Locating critical connectors in a network

This paper proposes several measures for bridging in networks derived from Granovetter's (1973) insight that links which reduce distances in a network are important structural bridges. Bridging is calculated by systematically deleting links and calculating the resultant changes in network cohesion (measured as the inverse average path length). The average change for each node's links provides an individual level measure of bridging. We also present a normalized version which controls for network size and a network-level bridging index. Bridging properties are demonstrated on hypothetical networks, empirical networks, and a set of 100 randomly generated networks to show how the bridging measure correlates with existing network measures such as degree, personal network density, constraint, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, and vitality. Bridging and the accompanying methodology provide a family of new network measures useful for studying network structure, network dynamics, and network effects on substantive behavioral phenomenon.
Diffusion of Modern Software Practices: Influence of Centralization and Formalization

Centralization and formalization have previously been employed in research designs investigating organizational innovation. The results, however, have been mixed. Three arguments are raised toward explaining this inconsistency. First, innovation is a multi-phased process in which the influence of centralization and formalization could be expected to differ. Second, as innovations may vary with regard to their compatibility to individuals in organizations, the expected influence of centralization and formalization may also vary. Third, organizational innovations may be directed toward particular vested interests, such as the technical or administrative core. Accordingly, the influence of centralization and formalization may also vary. This paper reports on a study which examines the influence of centralization and formalization on organizational innovation given the arguments given above. The effectiveness of employing structural overlays to overcome the conflicting forces often arising between organizational processes and particular organizational behaviors-such as innovative behavior-is investigated as well. Managers of 49 software development groups responded to a questionnaire assessing the influences of centralization and formalization on the initiation, adoption, and implementation of six modern software practices MSP within their software groups. Three of the MSP were technical in nature and three were administrative. The technical MSP were viewed as being incompatible to the technical core. Two structural overlays were investigated regarding their ability to improve the diffusion process: the existence of a formal body responsible for identifying MSP and introducing them into the software group; and, the assignment of computer specialists to projects as "set" teams.
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Impact of Donor Source on Survival

Abstract We studied the relative impact of donor source on outcomes following myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for adult patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). In this single center study, 138 patients aged 18-61 (median 31) years underwent myeloablative conditioning followed by allogeneic HSCT. Stem cell source was an HLA matched related donor (MRD) in 90, HLA matched unrelated donor (URD:M) in 15, HLA mismatched unrelated donor (URD:MM) in 14, and HLA 0-2 (A, B, DRB1) mismatched umbilical cord blood (UCB) in 19 patients. At the time of HSCT, 70 patients were in first clinical remission (CR1), 57 in CR2, and 11 in ≥CR3. Twenty-one patients had T-lineage disease; 43 patients (31%) had high-risk cytogenetics of either t(9;22) (n = 33), t(4;11) or t(1,19) abnormalities, with the remainder (69%) having normal cytogenetics. White blood cell count (WBC) ≥30 × 109/L at diagnosis was documented in 33%. Demographics and disease characteristics were similar in all 4 groups except all UCB recipients were treated since 1996 and received growth factors. Overall survival (OS) at 3 years for the UCB group was 66% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44%-89%) compared to 27% (95% CI 17%-36%) in the MRD group, and only 13% (95% CI 0%-31%) and 14% (95% CI 0%-33%) in the URD:M and URD:MM groups, respectively. Similarly leukemia free survival (LFS) at 3 years was better in the UCB group at 61% (95% CI 38%-84%) than 27% (95% CI 18%-36%) in the MRD and only 13% (95% CI 0%-31%) in the URD:M group and 14% (95%CI 0%-33%) in URD:MM group. Relapse rates at 3 years were 5% (95% CI 0%-15%) in the UCB group compared to 26% (95% CI 16%-35%) in the MRD, 20% (95% CI 1%-39%) in the URD:M groups, and 0% in the URD:MM groups. Transplant-related mortality (TRM) at 3 years was the lowest in the UCB group at 34% and higher in the other donor groups: MRD 47%, URD:M 67%, and URD:MM 86%. In multiple regression analysis, 5 independent risk factors were significantly associated with poorer OS and LFS: use of URD:MM (relative risk [RR] 2.5, 95% CI, 1.2-5.1, P = .01), ≥CR3 at HSCT (RR 3.5, 95% CI, 1.2-9.6, P = .02), WBC ≥30 × 109/l (RR 1.9, 95% CI, 1.2-3.0, P = .01) at diagnosis, recipient and donor (R/D) cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive (RR 3.8, 95% CI, 2.0-7.4, P
Automated estimation and variance reduction for steady-state simulations

We present an automated procedure that interfaces with SIMSCRIPT II.5 simulation experiments to derive point and interval estimators for steady-state parameters of stochastic simulations. The procedure combines the nonoverlapping batch means method of output analysis and the control variates variance reduction technique. Batch size and control variates are selected automatically.
The integration of DFSS, lean product development and lean knowledge management

Design for Six Sigma, lean product development and lean knowledge management are three effective methodologies in improving a product development process. The performance of a product development process can be measured by product value, product quality, product development lean time, efficiency and product life cycle cost. Design for Six Sigma can greatly improve product value and quality. Lean product development and lean knowledge management can help to achieve better product development lead time and efficiency by reducing wastes. Lean knowledge management can also help to improve product value and reduce product life cycle cost by adopting better technology and practices. These three methodologies are complementary and should be integrated.
A fundamental study on the role of collector in the kinetics of bubble–particle interaction

Abstract As an air bubble approaches a gold surface, a thin liquid film (TLF) is formed in between. The excess pressure ( p ) of the liquid in the film determines the rate of film thinning, which is of critical importance in flotation. In the present work, we have measured the kinetics of film thinning using a modified thin film pressure balance (TFPB) technique by monitoring the interference patterns using a high speed camera. The results were analyzed using the Reynolds lubrication theory. It has been found that initially a TLF thins by the curvature pressure ( p cur ) created due to the bubble deformation and subsequently by the disjoining pressure (Π) created by the surface forces in a wetting film. The results show that Π > 0 on a hydrophilic surface and Π
Increasing hatchability of turkey eggs by injecting eggs with pyridoxine

Abstract 1. In field trials, eggs from two flocks of Large White turkey hens were injected with about 0.2 ml saline solution containing 600 μg of pyridoxine hydrochloride in order to examine its effect on hatchability. 2. Also, in an aseptic laboratory trial, eggs from Large White turkey hens were injected with 0.2 ml of saline solution and 0.2 ml of saline solution containing 600 μg of pyridoxine hydrocholoride. 3. In field trials, hatchability of pyridoxine‐injected eggs was 4.6% higher (P<0.05) than the control (non‐injected) eggs. 4. In the aseptic laboratory trial, hatchability of pyridoxine‐injected eggs was 4.2% higher (P<0.05) than saline‐injected and control (non‐injected) eggs.
Housing Price Volatility Changes and Their Effects

We examine significant volatility shifts in regional housing price changes, adapting a method of Haugen, Talmor and Torous (1991) independent of predefined sampling blocks. We identify 36 volatility events, most of which are purely regional, but three of which are national. We find significant associations of volatility events and economic conditions, especially national and regional income growth, inflation, and interest rates. During an initial adjustment period after a volatility shift, realized housing returns move opposite to volatility. We find evidence of significant interregional diffusion of volatility increases, but not of decreases. New insights on links between economic conditions and housing volatility and returns should be of value to household investors and mortgage investors.
Formation of Lead Niobates in Molten Salt Systems

The formation mechanisms, phase stability, impurity incorporation, and morphological characteristics of lead niobates obtained by molten salt synthesis were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive analysis. Results indicate that PbO is the fastdissolving component of the constituent oxides and that the formation of lead niobates initiates at the surface of Nb2O5 powders. Reaction rates were faster in molten salts when compared to those of solid-state synthesis. Significant morphological differences were observed between the powders prepared by both solid-state and molten salt synthesis. At low PbO/Nb2O5 molar ratios, reaction between starting powders and molten salts resulted in the formation of NaNbO3, along with potassium incorporation into lead niobates. Orthorhombic PbNb2O6, monoclinic Pb2Nb2O7, and fcc Pb3Nb3O8 phases were stabilized using molten salt synthesis, while only rhombohedral PbNb2O6 and Pb2Nb2O7, and tetragonal Pb3Nb2O8, were obtained by solid-state synthesis. Molten salt compositions containing PbO/Nb2O5 ratios of 2 and 3 resulted in the stabilization of phases different from those obtained using solid-state synthesis. For a PbO/Nb2O5 ratio equal to 3, Pb5Nb4O13 observed in solidstate synthesis was not found in the products of molten salt synthesis.
The role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human sulfur mustard (HD) toxicology.

The authors applied in vitro models of controlled damage to human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs), human skin fibroblasts (HSFs), and human breast skin tissue (HBST) to examine the mechanism respons...
Cancer Carepartners: Improving patients' symptom management by engaging informal caregivers

Previous studies have found that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can effectively manage their own symptoms when given tailored advice. This approach, however, may challenge patients with poor performance status and/or emotional distress. Our goal is to test an automated intervention that engages a friend or family member to support a patient through chemotherapy.
Mutual antagonism between interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on fibroblast-like synoviocytes: paradoxical induction of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha receptor expression.

We recently described mutual antagonism between IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha on human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). TNF-alpha inhibits IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR expression and IFN-gamma blocks TNF-alpha-dependent synoviocyte proliferation, collagenase production, and GM-CSF secretion. To study the mechanism of antagonism we have analyzed the effect these factors on the expression of cytokine surface receptors.125I-Labeled cytokine binding was measured on cultured FLS and the results were analyzed by Scatchard plots. Unstimulated synoviocytes expressed 9300 ± 1560 IFN-gamma binding sites per cell. A single class of high-affinity receptor was observed (K d=4.5±2.5×10−10 M). TNF-alpha did not competitively inhibit125I-IFN-gamma binding. When FLS were incubated with TNF-alpha (100 ng/ml), there was a paradoxical 49.5 ± 5.6% increase in the number of binding sites for IFN-gamma (P=0.001), with no change in theK d. Unstimulated FLS also expressed 2850 ± 700 TNF-alpha receptors per cells, with a singleK d consistent with the lower-affinity TNF-alpha receptor (7.4±0.2×10−10 M). IFN-gamma did not directly interfere with TNF-alpha binding. Preincubation of FLS with 100 U/ml of IFN-gamma resulted in a 28.9 ± 9.0% increase in TNF-alpha receptor expression (P<0.008), with no change in theK d. Low levels of the soluble 55-kD TNF receptor were detected in FLS supernatants. IFN-gamma did not effect soluble TNF receptor production. These data are the first demonstration of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha receptors on FLS and show that TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma increase the expression of each other's receptor. Therefore the mutual antagonism between these two cytokines must occur through a postreceptor mechanism.
Urologic considerations of placenta accreta: a contemporary tertiary care institutional experience.

Background: As the incidence of cesarean delivery has increased, we are experiencing a higher incidence of subsequent placenta accreta and the associated complica
Entomogenous nematodes for control of subterranean termites, Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Laboratory and field studies were done to determine the efficacy of entomogenous nematodes in preventing or eliminating eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), in the laboratory and infestations of Reticulitermes spp. in the field. Nematodes tested in a laboratory study were two strains (Breton and All) of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (= Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser), S. bibionis (Bovien), and Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks, and Hirschmann). The same nematodes were tested in field studies except that the Mexican strain of S. feltiae was used instead of the Breton strain. In the laboratory study, termites quickly moved from a nest container through a tube containing a mixture of sand, vermiculite, and water to reach a chamber in which nematodes had been released. After 9.5 wk, termite survival rates in the nematode treatments and in the untreated controls did not differ significantly. In field studies, nematodes did not eliminate or control termites either in a simulation of soil treatments under concrete slabs or in logs naturally infested with termites.
Effect of high-dose corticosteroid therapy on blood flow, evoked potentials, and extracellular calcium in experimental spinal injury

High-dose methylprednisolone (15 to 30 mg/kg), administered 45 minutes after severe contusion injury (400 gm-cm) to cat spinal cords, rapidly reverses the typical posttraumatic ischemia that occurs in spinal injuries. White matter blood flow improves despite the systemic hypotension associated with bolus intravenous injections of such massive corticosteroid doses. In addition, this treatment facilitates extracellular calcium ionic recovery in contused spinal cords, and salvages evoked potential activity that is lost in untreated cats. These data suggest that high-dose corticosteroid treatment causes local vasodilation of spinal cord blood vessels. The consequent blood flow increase may account for the beneficial effects of high-dose corticosteroid treatment on both functional recovery and histopathological appearance of injured spinal cords.
Increased sensitivity to glucose starvation correlates with downregulation of glycogen phosphorylase isoform PYGB in tumor cell lines resistant to 2-deoxy-d-glucose

Background As tumors evolve, they upregulate glucose metabolism while also encountering intermittent periods of glucose deprivation. Here, we investigate mechanisms by which pancreatic cancer cells respond to therapeutic (2-deoxy-d-glucose, 2-DG) and physiologic (glucose starvation, GS) forms of glucose restriction.
Substrate and Substrate Analog Binding to Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase: Electron Paramagnetic Resonance as an Isoform-Specific Probe of the Binding Mode of Substrate Analogs†

The binding of arginine analogs to endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, NOSIII) perturbs the environment of the high-spin ferriheme in a highly ligand-specific manner. Using electron paramagnetic resonance as a probe of heme ligation geometry, four categories of high-spin complex could be distinguished. These are analogous to the four classes of high-spin complexes, stabilized individually by the binding of L-arginine, N-hydroxy-L-arginine (NHA), N-methyl-L-arginine (NMA), and N-nitro-L-arginine (NNA), which we have previously reported for the other two isoforms. Each of these species is five-coordinate and retains the axial thiolate ligand but each differs in its ligation geometry. N-Methyl-L-arginine is a relatively poor inhibitor of eNOS, and the NMA complex of eNOS differs from the N-methyl-L-arginine complexes of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, NOSII) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, NOSI) in that it is of lower rhombicity. We previously showed that inducible nitric oxide synthase, which binds NNA less tightly than eNOS and nNOS, could not form the lower rhombicity NNA complex characteristic of nNOS. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase readily forms such lower rhombicity complexes, which correlates with the tight binding of NNA to this isoform. Arginine and tetrahydrobiopterin promote loss of the flavin free radical EPR signal, while arginine analog inhibitors stabilize the radical; this suggests that the residual flavin radicals can serve as a source of reducing equivalents for slow turnover in the absence of endogenous reductant.
Binary aspects and particle multiplicities of the fragments from natAg+340 MeV 40Ar deep inelastic collisions

Abstract Deep inelastic fragments from the reaction nat Ag+340 MeV 40 Ar have been studied in coincidence. Charged particles (10 ≦ Z ≦ 32) were detected and identified in Z by means of a ΔE − E telescope, while the complementary fragments were detected in a one-dimensional, solid-state position-sensitive detector. Both in-plane and out-of-plane correlations were measured. The results confirm the binary nature of the deep inelastic process for this reaction. From the measured energies and angles of the fragments and the atomic number of one of the fragments, it was possible to determine the total mass loss due to the de-excitation of the fragments as well as the total evaporated charge at symmetry. An iterative procedure is discussed which enables one to determine the masses and kinetic energies of the fragments before evaporation, as well as the total number of particles evaporated by each fragment. The widths of the in-plane and out-of-plane correlations agree with the results of the iterative calculations, as do evaporation calculations which are based on the charge equilibrium model. The experimental results support the charge equilibrium model and indicate that thermal equilibrium is achieved between the fragments at fixed mass asymmetry.
Regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters and cholesterol efflux by glucose in primary human monocytes and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. This may be partially attributable to suppression of macrophage ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter mediated cholesterol efflux by sustained elevated blood glucose concentrations. 2 models were used to assess this potential relationship: human monocytes/leukocytes and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM).10 subjects (4 F/6 M, 50-85 years, BMI 25-35 kg/m²) underwent an oral glucose challenge. Baseline and 1- and 2-h post-challenge ABC-transporter mRNA expression was determined in monocytes, leukocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In a separate study, murine-BMDM were exposed to 5 mmol/L D-glucose (control) or additional 20 mmol/L D- or L-glucose and 25 ug/mL oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL). High density lipoprotein (HDL)-mediated cholesterol efflux and ABC-transporter (ABCA1 and ABCG1) expression were determined.Baseline ABCA1and ABCG1 expression was lower (>50%) in human monocytes and PBMC than leukocytes (p<0.05). 1 h post-challenge leukocyte ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression increased by 37% and 30%, respectively (p<0.05), and began to return to baseline thereafter. There was no significant change in monocyte ABC-transporter expression. In murine BMDM, higher glucose concentrations suppressed HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux (10%; p<0.01) without significantly affecting ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression. Data demonstrate that leukocytes are not a reliable indicator of monocyte ABC-transporter expression.Human monocyte ABC-transporter gene expression was unresponsive to a glucose challenge. Correspondingly, in BMDM, hyperglycemia attenuated macrophage cholesterol efflux in the absence of altered ABC-transporter expression, suggesting that hyperglycemia, per se, suppresses cholesterol transporter activity. This glucose-related impairment in cholesterol efflux may potentially contribute to diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.
Operator Experience and Accident Risk

It has long been recognized that the risk of operating motor vehicles declines as operator experience increases, even when operator age is deconfounded. In this paper, causal analyses of accidents involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are reviewed in order to explore the role of experience in accident patterns. Factor attributions made by evaluators from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission were sorted according to the reported ATV experience of the person operating each vehicle at the time of an accident. Counter to some expectations, the proportion of accidents attributed at least in part to each major category (e.g., operator, mechanical, or environmental factors) did not change appreciably with operator experience. In addition, most of the proportions attributed to each of a series of possible operator-related factors did not change, with several generally expected exceptions. Implications for understanding and reducing accidents are considered.
Positive margin rates following breast-conserving surgery for stage I–III breast cancer: palpable versus nonpalpable tumors

Abstract Background Margin status is a significant risk factor for local recurrence. We sought to examine whether the method of tumor localization predicted the margin status and the need for re-excision for both nonpalpable and palpable breast cancer. Methods We identified 358 consecutive breast cancer patients who were treated with breast-conserving therapy (BCT) from 1999 to 2006. Data included patient and tumor characteristics, method of localization (needle versus palpation), and pathologic outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used for data summary and data were compared using χ2. Results Of 358 patients undergoing BCT, 234 (65%) underwent needle localization for a nonpalpable tumor and 124 (35%) underwent a palpation-guided procedure. Patients undergoing palpation-guided procedures were younger and had larger tumors at a more advanced pathologic stage of disease than those undergoing needle localization procedures (P 0.05). Overall, 137 patients (38%) had one or more positive margins: 90 of 234 (38%) who had a needle localization procedure and 47 of 124 (38%) who had a palpation-guided procedure (P > 0.05). The number of margins affected did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion Although patients with palpable breast cancer had larger tumors than those with nonpalpable breast cancer, the incidence and number of positive margins was similar to those who had needle localization for nonpalpable tumors. Improved methods of localization are needed to reduce the rate of positive margins and the need for re-excision.
Using split-gate structures to explore the implementation of a coupled-electron-waveguide qubit scheme

We explore the use of the split-gate method to implement coupled-electron waveguides (CEWs), for possible application as a scalable qubit in quantum computing. Electron switching in these structures is found to be strongly influenced by structural asymmetry, which appears to arise quite naturally when using the split-gate method to implement complicated nanostructures. The consequences of the asymmetry are shown to depend strongly on the manner in which the input and output ports of the device are configured, and include unwanted decoherence due to geometry-induced scattering of electrons into regions outside of the classical current path. An approach to eliminating the influence of this asymmetry, to allow the realization of a 'balanced qubit', is also explored.