cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mining the Electronic Medical Record to Examine Physician Decisions

The introduction of the electronic medical record (EMR) makes available more detailed data compared to paper records. In this chapter, we demonstrate how these data can be used to improve care and decrease costs by investigating the variability and timeliness of patient treatments. Several data mining techniques will be demonstrated, including link analysis (association rules) and text analysis. Six months of patient records were downloaded from the EMR from a hospital emergency department (ED). The dataset contained approximately 14,000 patient records and included all patient medications, charges, initial complaints, final diagnoses, initial triage, and length of stay. Link analysis was used to find the initial and most prominent connections in patient charges, meaning that if a patient A received charge X, then patient A also received charge Y. While not all patients will have that X–Y combination, the combinations found in the link analysis will have the greatest likelihood of occurring in the patient population. Once identified, additional drill down into the data can be used to examine the variability in charges as to when the X–Y combination occurs, and when it does not. Investigations of the variability can lead to a consensus of best practices. Text analysis is used to compress nominal data with many different levels so that meaningful data analysis can take place. There are so many possible combinations of patient complaints, charges, and medications that standard statistical methods cannot be used. Text analysis can reduce thousands of charges to dozens of classes of charges. Examples of analyses that demonstrate the ability of the methodology to discover ways of reducing costs and improving the quality of care will be demonstrated.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pediatric Trisomy 21: 30 Years of Experience from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry

Objectives To describe the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with trisomy 21 (T21), to identify risk factors for hospital mortality, and to compare outcomes with those of patients without T21. Study design Children under age 18 years registered in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry were included. Comparisons between patients with T21 and patients without T21 were performed using the χ 2 or Wilcoxon rank-sum test and multivariable logistic regression. Results The study cohort included 623 patients with T21 and 46 239 patients without T21. The prevalence of T21 was 13.5/1000 patients receiving ECMO. ECMO utilization in patients with T21 increased over time, with 60% of cases occurring in the last decade. There was no significant difference in survival between patients without T21 and those with T21 (63% vs 57%; P = .23). In patients with T21, independent risk factors for mortality before cannulation were a cardiac indication for ECMO support and milrinone use ( P ≤ .001 for both). Multivariable risk factors for mortality on ECMO included hemorrhagic, neurologic, renal, and pulmonary complications ( P Conclusion The use of ECMO in patients with T21 has increased over time. Patients with a cardiac indication for ECMO have higher mortality compared with those supported for respiratory indications. Despite differences in indications for ECMO, patients with T21 have similar hospital survival as those without T21; thus, by itself, a diagnosis of T21 should not be considered a risk factor for in-hospital mortality when contemplating ECMO cannulation.
Membrane isolation and cytoskeletal breakdown. II. Enzyme studies revealing cytoskeletal stabilization by FAD.

Abstract By definition the cytoskeleton must first be broken down before cell contents become extractable with water. Employing readily available enzymes as intracellular probes we have found that d -amino acid apo-oxidase promotes cytoskeletal breakdown in rat skeletal muscle, an effect reversed by the concomitant presence of FAD. We herefore conclude that FAD stabilizes the cytoskeleton against breakdown. A similar role for other nucleotide pyrophosphates cannot be excluded.
Thermostructural Analysis of the Sofia Fine Field and Wide Field Imagers Subjected to Convective Thermal Shock

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a highly modified Boeing 747-SP with a 17- ton infrared telescope installed in the aft portion of the aircraft. Unlike ground- and space-based platforms, SOFIA can deploy to make observations anytime, anywhere, in the world. The originally designed aircraft configuration included a ground pre-cool system, however, due to various factors in the history of the project, that system was not installed. This lack of ground pre-cooling was the source of the concern about whether or not the imagers would be exposed to a potentially unsafe thermostructural environment. This concern was in addition to the already-existing concern of some project members that the air temperature rate of change during flight (both at the same altitude as well as ascent or descent) could cause the imagers to be exposed to an unsafe thermostructural environment. Four optical components were identified as the components of concern: two of higher concern (one in each imager), and two of lower concern (one in each imager). The analysis effort began by analyzing one component, after which the analyses for the other components was deemed unnecessary. The purpose of this report is to document these findings as well as lessons learned from the effort.
Purification of basal bodies and basal body complexes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Publisher Summary The microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in Chlamydomonas is defined as the pair of basal bodies, the rootlet microtubules, the distal and proximal striated fibers, and the nucleobasal body connectors (NBBCs). In Chlamydomonas , three different protocols can be used to obtain isolated basal body complexes. All of the isolated complexes include basal bodies and proximal fibers, but they differ in whether they contain other structures. Removal of the cell wall is a required step in preparing basal bodies. Autolysin is an enzyme produced by vegetative and gametic cells for removing the cell wall. Vegetative autolysin is used in the shedding of the mother cell wall following cell division. Gametic autolysin is used in the shedding of the cell wall prior to cytoplasmic fusion of mating cells. The steps required for preparation of autolysins have been mentioned in this chapter, along with the solutions and isolation of basal body complexes and of flagellum-basal body complexes. The isolated complexes can be treated with pressure and then centrifuged to separate basal bodies and proximal fibers from the flagella and other fiber systems. The presence of ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in this protocol is important to retaining the flagella and basal bodies together in the early steps. Isolation of nucleobasal body-flagellum complexes is a method for isolating a more complex structure that contains nuclei. This protocol relies on the use of autolysin or on cell wall-defective strains. The chapter also discusses components of basal body complexes. The isolation of mutations that affect the MTOC may be accomplished by classic means. Potential mutant phenotypes may include flagellar assembly defects and conditional lethality. The advent of insertional mutagenesis makes it possible to screen for mutations that are tagged with transforming DNA, which should facilitate the cloning of the locus of interest.
Comparison of electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods for analysis of ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected sleepygrass (Achnatherum robustum)

Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins with an array of biological effects. With this study, we investigated for the first time the application of atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) as an ionization method for LC-MS analysis of ergot alkaloids, and compared its performance to that of the more established technique of electrospray ionization (ESI). Samples of the grass Achnatherum robustum infected with the ergot producing Epichloe fungus were extracted using cold methanol and subjected to reserved-phase HPLC-ESI-MS and HPLC-APPI-MS analysis. The ergot alkaloids ergonovine and lysergic acid amide were detected in these samples, and quantified via external calibration. Validation parameters were recorded in accordance with ICH guidelines. A triple quadrupole MS operated in multiple reaction monitoring yielded the lowest detection limits. The performance of APPI and ESI methods was comparable. Both methods were subject to very little matrix interference, with percent recoveries ranging from 82% to 100%. As determined with HPLC-APPI-MS quantification, lysergic acid amide and ergonovine were extracted from an A. robustum sample infected with the Epichloe fungus at concentrations of 1.143±0.051 ppm and 0.2822±0.0071 ppm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between these concentrations and those determined using ESI for the same samples.
Magnetism in matter before the discovery of quantum spin: Bohr's less well-known contribution to the transition from classical to quantum physics.

How does one explain magnetic effects in matter when one views matter as a collection of classical charges in motion? The answer is: not at all! This is one of the points that Niels Bohr made in his doctoral dissertation in 1911, two years before addressing the issue of the stability of the hydrogen atom. The result, later rediscovered by H.J. van Leeuwen was amplified and formalized in Van Vleck’s 1932 text on electric and magnetic susceptibilities and it is currently known as the Bohr-van Leeuwen theorem. We will review Bohr’s two derivations, one statistical and one based on the motion of individual electrons. We will then propose reasons why this result, unlike that on the stability of hydrogen, did not lead to a major development in quantum theory but, instead, had to wait until after the introduction of spin and exchange forces in quantum mechanics to become generally known. The classical-quantum discontinuity • Classical Theory (mechanics, field theory, thermal, ...) 1. Critical discoveries: x, α, β, γ, e (e/m), nucleus 2. h-bar effects: Planck, Einstein, Compton, ... 3. Atomic models and stability of matter (Old quantum theory: Bohr & Sommerfeld) • Quantum Mechanics (Schrodinger, Heisenberg, Dirac, ...) Did we miss something? Classical Magnetism (1) • B fields in vacuum: Maxwell’s equation • Lorentz’ force: F = q ( E + v x B ) • Magnetism in matter susceptibilities (~T) Curie 1895 OK Zeeman effect Lorentz 1896 OK diamagnetism Langevin 1905 OK paramagnetism Langevin 1905 ? & permanent magnets Weiss 1907 ? Classical Magnetism (2) Failures... Anomalous Zeeman effect Anomalously large molecular fields ... and demise! Bohr-Van Leeuwen theorem: Lack of relevance of classical theory & Need for quantum theory!
Effects of feed physical form and buffering solutes on water disappearance and proximal stomach pH in swine.

The effects of the physical form of feed on water disappearance and the effects of buffered water on proximal stomach pH in swine were determined in two experiments. In Exp. 1, 32 barrows were used to evaluate the water disappearance in pigs fed a finely ground and pelleted diet vs those fed a coarsely ground and mashed diet for ad libitum consumption over a 2-wk interval. There were four replicates with eight pigs per replicate. Average daily water and feed disappearance did not differ (P = 0.06 and P = 0.10, respectively). However, average daily water to feed ratio was higher for pigs on the pelleted diet (4.21 ± 0.31 L/kg vs 3.04 ± 0.33 L/kg; P = 0.02). The higher ratio for the pelleted diet indicated that this may be the cause of a more fluid digesta allowing reflux of irritants from the distal stomach to damage the pars esophageal region of the proximal stomach. In Exp. 2, four barrows (25 ± 2 kg) had gastric cannulas surgically implanted into the proximal region of the stomach. Pigs were given ad libitum access to a finely ground and pelleted diet. The experimental design was a Latin square. Water treatments included water (control), 200 mOsm NaHCO 3 , 250 mOsm NaHCO 3 , and 250 mOsm mono-dibasic sodium phosphate. Pigs were given a 4-d adjustment period, and pH measurements began on the morning of the 5th d and continued for 24 h under normal feeding conditions. Feed was removed and measurements were continued for 16 h. Buffered water raised the pH of the proximal region of the stomach compared to the control (P < 0.001). Average pH while consuming the water treatments was 3.65 ± 0.11 (n = 4) for water control, 4.86 ± 0.11 (n = 4) for the 200 mOsm NaHCO 3 , 4.63 ± 0.11 (n = 4) for the 250 mOsm NaHCO 3 , and 4.59 ± 0.14 (n = 3) for the 250 mOsm mono-dibasic sodium phosphate. Buffers also raised the pH of the proximal region of the stomach for the fed (P < 0.001) and the feed restriction (P < 0.01) phases of the trial. Water disappearance rates in pigs given NaHCO 3 were higher than in the control (P < 0.01). Average daily water disappearance for the treatments was 9.13 ± 0.74 L for the control, 13.56 ± 0.74 L for 200 mOsm NaHCO 3 , 13.77 ± 0.74 L for the 250 mOsm NaHCO 3 , and 10.33 ± 0.95 L for the phosphate buffer. The proximal pH of the stomach was increased by adding buffers to the water supply. Addition of NaHCO 3 buffers also caused increased water disappearance.
Shaping blended learning pedagogy for East Asian learning styles

Cross-cultural differences have a major influence on the way instruction is shaped and the way learning takes place within any classroom. In a blended learning environment, non-English-speaking trainees often need to adapt to the concept of computer-aided instruction or learning online while they learn how to cope with a new and different teaching style. For example, in a typical classroom, where interactivity is a goal, an Asian learner may have a difficult time overcoming his or her traditional role as respectful listener. An Asian learner who has never worked with computer-aided instruction may find it difficult to cope with learning the system while having to master the content delivered through the system. This paper examines learning styles preferred by Asian learners and how these preferred styles affect the delivery of a blended learning Aviation English program to be delivered in China.
Who should perform liver transplantation? Should that be the transplant surgeon, the hepatobilary surgeon, or the general surgeon? Part I: the transplant surgeon.

The surgical specialty of liver transplantation was born in 1967, when Dr Thomas Starzl performed the first successful orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) at the University of Colorado. However, it was not until 1983 when the National Institutes of Health consensus development conference elevated liver transplantation from an experimental procedure to the standard of care for patients with end-stage liver disease that liver transplantation became an accepted surgical specialty [1]. Over the last 25 years liver transplantation has rapidly developed and become defined as an area of specialized carewhose practitioners should have advanced training in multi-organ transplantation surgery and transplantation medicine. The transplant surgeon, a person with dedicated advanced post-general surgical training (2 or more years) inmulti-organ visceral transplantation, is ideally qualified to perform liver transplantation. OLT is a multi-faceted field requiring skill and aptitude with numerous surgical procedures in addition to in-depth knowledge of immunosuppression management, infectious diseases and critical care medicine. Not only has the surgical variations of liver transplant techniques (piggyback, living donor, auxiliary, multi-organ, etc.) increased, the proliferation of indications for liver transplant, as well as the expansion of recipient criteria has transformed the field from the singular deceased donor whole graft transplant into an intricate surgical and medical specialty. Furthermore, with the maturation and expansion of liver transplant centers and increase in the number of transplant surgeons, there is the increasingly important aspect of competency, performance and outcome based measures which are utilized as drivers of insurance contracting, reimbursement, and patient referral patterns, which will play a greater role in defining who will perform liver transplants [2]. Lastly, transplantation is a field that receives intense media scrutiny and if we as transplant surgeons are to continue to regulate and monitor our activities, than we must ensure that those
Transient Exergy Analysis for Solar Desalination Processes

An investigation of the transient entropy property term, entropy storage, for a desalination device was performed. It was illustrated that entropy production rates provide a means of comparing alternative energy solutions and a measure of their sustainability. To satisfy these objectives one needs accurate calculation of entropy production rates. It was confirmed that neglecting the exergy storage term is not a valid approximation for the hourly and daily averaged values of the second law analysis. For a solar desalination system neglecting the exergy storage terms introduced a maximum difference in the entropy production rate of 7.4% and a difference of 7.3% in the daily average. In the solar desalination process with heat recovery the second law performance is greater than that for the reverse osmosis process, the chief competitor, when the exergy storage terms are correctly included in the analysis. The results demonstrate that for variable energy sources such as renewable energy systems, the second law analysis provides a measure of the sustainability of competing system and that the exergy storage terms should be included in the analysis.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Further studies on the growth and differentiation of single, isolated cells of tobacco in vitro

Single cells of hybrid tobacco callus, isolated from germinating seeds, were grown individually in microchambers in the absence of any other cells, in fresh, liquid, coconut milk-medium. These produced a conlony of 50–75 cells in 10–15 days. In all instances the plane of the first cell division, and in most cases also that of the second division, were at right angles to the long axis of the cell. There was more variation in the size, shape and pattern of the second and subsequent divisions in single cells isolated from fresh stem pith and seed callus than those from old stem callus. Upon transfer from the microchambers to agar medium the colony of cells gave rise to a huge mass of callus tissue in about 3 months. In no instance did the cell colonies or any stages preceding them resemble or simulate any stages of normal embryogeny of tabacco. Single-cell clones obtained by this method from seed callus or fresh pith callus produced shoots with leaves and roots in synthetic medium with various indoleacetic acid-kinetin combinations. Normal plants established from the above cultures in the greenhouse flowered in due course of time. This method offers the possibility of producing a very large number of clones or identical plants in species where vegetative propagation is not otherwise possible, apart from its use in studies on the genetics and morphogenesis in higher plants.
Evaluation of Pressure Change While Steady-State Tripping

Excessive tripping speed in an uncased borehole increases the risk of having formation damage or influx of formation fluid (kick). However, if the tripping is performed at lower speeds, the operation requires more rig time. Hence, increased trip speed cuts expensive rig time. These opposing goals require thorough planning and optimization of the tripping operation to avoid operational problems and reduce financial expenditures. To maximize the tripping speed, accurate prediction of the pressure change occurring due to the axial pipe movement (surge or swab pressure) is necessary. The pressure change is influenced by the hole and string diameters, eccentricity, fluid properties and trip speed. The tripping speed is one of the operational parameters, which are regularly adjusted at the rig site.Analytical solutions exist only for special scenarios. The semi-analytical models for calculation of the steady-state pressure change cannot provide accurate predictions. They are mostly based on disputable assumptions which make the model to underestimate the pressure change. Most of the existing models are based on the parallel-plate approximation of the annular geometry. In another approach, the parameter, which reflects the amount of fluid which is dragged the direction of the string, assumed to be constant or calculated independent of the fluid viscosity.In this paper, accurate solutions were obtained from direct numerical simulation of flow in a cylindrical annulus with axial movement of the inner cylinder. The numerical algorithm is based on finite volume method and incorporates laminar flows of Newtonian, Power Law, Bingham Plastic and Herschel-Bulkley fluids. The method predicts the pressure change occurring in concentric and eccentric annuli with and without rotation of the inner cylinder. The goals of this work are to: i) study the influence of the eccentricity, fluid properties and tripping speed on the pressure change; and ii) evaluate the accuracy of the simplified approaches by comparing experimental data and numerical solutions, and determine their validity ranges.This paper presents a new method for finding trip-caused pressure change in the wellbore through systematic analysis of the numerical solutions. Parametric study was performed to examine the effects of different influential parameters on the pressure change. In addition, the results obtained from the numerical method are compared with the simplified solutions and the discrepancies are analyzed to show the improved accuracy of the new method.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The effect of early nutrition on satellite cell dynamics in the young turkey

Abstract Early posthatch satellite cell mitotic activity is an important aspect of muscle development. An understanding of the interplay between nutrition and satellite cell mitotic activity will lead to more efficient meat production. The objective of this study was to test the influence of the leucine metabolite, β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), and feed deprivation on muscle development in the early posthatch poult. Male Nicholas poults were placed on 1 of 4 treatments: immediately fed a starter diet with 0.1% HMB (IF-HMB), immediately fed a starter diet containing 0.1% Solka-Floc for a control (IF-No HMB), feed and water withheld for 48 h immediately posthatch and then fed the HMB diet (WF-HMB), and feed and water withheld for 48 h immediately posthatch and then fed the control starter diet (WF-No HMB). 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intra-abdominally into all poults to label mitotically active satellite cells. The pectoralis thoracicus was harvested 2 h after the BrdU injection. Immunohistochemistry for BrdU, Pax7, and laminin along with computer-based image analysis was used to study muscle development. IF-HMB poults had higher body weights (P
Shape-Memory and Shape-Changing Polymers

This article is a perspective that introduces several review articles in the field of shape-memory and shape-changing polymers. It is intended to emphasize the versatility of these materials as active, smart polymers as well as highlight the potential impact of these materials. The biomedical device industry commonly attracts these materials; however, examples for non-biomedical applications, such as origami structures and their recent attention are also discussed.
Expression of the Human Cytomegalovirus UL97 Gene in a Chimeric Guinea Pig Cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) Results in Viable Virus with Increased Susceptibility to Ganciclovir and Maribavir

In lieu of a licensed vaccine, antivirals are being considered as an intervention to prevent congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Ideally, antiviral therapies should undergo pre-clinical evaluation in an animal model prior to human use. Guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) is the only small animal model for congenital CMV. However, GPCMV is not susceptible to the most commonly used HCMV antiviral, ganciclovir (GCV), rendering in vivo study of this agent problematic in the guinea pig model. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) susceptibility to GCV is linked to the UL97 gene. We hypothesized that GPCMV susceptibility to GCV could be improved by inserting the HCMV (Towne) UL97 gene into the GPCMV genome in place of the homolog, GP97. A chimeric GPCMV (GPCMV::UL97) expressed UL97 protein, and replicated efficiently in cell culture, with kinetics similar to wild-type GPCMV. In contrast, deletion of GP97 resulted in a virus (GPCMVdGP97) that grew poorly in culture. GPCMV::UL97 had substantially improved susceptibility to the inhibitory effects of GCV in comparison to wild-type GPCMV. Additionally, GPCMV::UL97 exhibited improved susceptibility to another antiviral undergoing clinical trials, maribavir (MBV; benzimidazole riboside 1263W94), which also acts through UL97.
The long-term course of depression: development of an empirical index and identification of early adult outcomes.

Background Research on the long-term course of major depressive disorder (MDD) is hindered by the absence of established course criteria and by idiosyncratic definitions of chronicity. The aims of this study were to derive an empirical index of MDD course, to examine its predictive validity, and to identify the adulthood outcomes associated with a chronic course.
The Politics of Health Inequalities Research in the United States

In this article, based on a speech to the European Association of Health Policy, the author discusses the political context in which health inequalities research has historically operated in the United States. The discussion focuses on the limitations of research that uses income, consumption, and status as the primary categories of research practice, and demonstrates these limitations by critically analyzing The Health of Nations (by Kawachi and Kennedy). The author concludes that it is essential to use categories of analysis that focus on class relations as well as race and gender relations and their reproduction through the international and national institutions, to study their impact on the health and well-being of populations.
Evaluation of crystalline and chemically durable glass fibers for Erbium-YAG laser delivery systems

A power delivery system capable of delivering high energy densities of infrared radiation at 2.94 tm is required for the application of the Erbium-YAG laser in the medical industry. Conventional silica fibers have high intrinsic absorption coefficients in this spectral region, making them unsuitable for this application. Several alternative fibers were evaluated as candidates for delivering laser radiation at this wavelength, including single crystal fibers of sapphire and silicon, polycrystalline fibers of KRS-13, and glass fibers of fluorozirconate and fluoroaluminate compositions. For each of these, damage thresholds, fiber attenuation coefficients and maximum deliverable energies were determined. Commercially available fluorozirconate fibers proved to be the most promising candidates for this application, with a loss of under 40 dB/km and a damage threshold of over 1000 J/ cm2.
Wavelength diversity in free-space optics to alleviate fog effects

Free-space optical communication systems are adversely affected by weather conditions, especially fog. The objective of this paper is to examine the use of wavelength diversity in free-space optics to mitigate the effect of fog on the received optical signal strength. The source information was encoded and transmitted onto three carrier wavelengths obtained from different parts of the infrared spectrum: 0.85 μm, 1.55 μm, and 10 μm. The transmitted carriers traveled through two different simulated fog conditions, radiation and advection, before being detected and decoded by the receiver. Then, the multiple carriers were combined and processed using two diversity schemes: equal gain and selective diversity. The study was conducted using simulation software PcModWin by onTar Corporation. The results show an average power reception improvement in tens of percent, by comparison to the use of a single carrier. Hence, the increase of the received power translates into a distance improvement of at least fifteen percent.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 through p21-activated Kinase-1

Background Expressed in embryonic development, matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) is absent in most of developed adult tissues, but recurs in inflammation during tissue injury, wound healing, tumor formation and metastasis. Expression of MMP-9 is tightly controlled by extracellular cues including pro-inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM). While the pathologic functions of MMP-9 are evident, the intracellular signaling pathways to control its expression are not fully understood. In this study we investigated mechanism of cytokine induced MMP-9 with particular emphasis on the role of p21-activated-kinase-1 (PAK1) and the down stream signaling.
Candanbālā's hair: Fasting, beauty, and the materialization of Jain wives

Abstract Jain discourse on the body provides us with an opportunity to examine complex choreographies of ritual acts, which materialize the Jain body. The incipient moment of moving into womanhood is a key place for the materialization of wifely bodies. In order to understand this materialization, we must consider the ways in which discourses (here of wife-hood and nun-hood) shape the transition of Jain young women's bodies into the expected bodies (wives). The acceptance of the performative nature of the body among Jains allows us to examine the ways that Jain young women negotiate the seemingly contradictory discourses of wife-hood and nun-hood into bodies constitutive of both. Body practices suggest ways to explore the intersection of competing discourses and to destabilize the boundaries between them. In the Candanbālā Fast, Jain ritualized hair practices manifest the bodies (shaved nun and the luxurious long-haired bride) more overtly and the focus on the reiteration of the presence and discourse of loose, lovely hair enables these young women to negotiate the terrain of these seeming poles while maintaining the stated virtue of the celibate nun and the promise of the sexual and fertile wife.
Purchasing Competence and Its Relationship with Manufacturing Performance

SUMMARY This article develops purchasing competence as a valid construct and explores its relationship with different manufacturing priorities. An empirical study is conducted among purchasing professionals in manufacturing firms. The results of the research indicate that purchasing competence can be operationalized, developed, and estimated in a firm. Further, purchasing competence is found to have a positive impact on manufacturing cost, quality, and delivery, as well as new product introduction and customization performance. Purchasing integration, a component of purchasing competence, is found to relate to all dimensions of manufacturing performance.
Role of atrial natriuretic peptide in long-term volume homeostasis.

SUMMARY 1. Long-term volume homeostasis is linked very closely to long-term arterial pressure control through the renal-body fluid feedback mechanism. A key feature of this control system is the ability of the kidneys to respond to changes in arterial pressure by altering renal excretion of salt and water, often referred to as renal-pressure natriuresis. 2. Quantitative studies indicate that ANP secretion is relatively sensitive to changes in atrial pressure and that the rate of hormonal secretion does not adapt to continuous long-term stimulation. 3. Under normal conditions, the renal-body fluid feedback mechanism for arterial pressure control is very efficient in minimizing changes in body fluid volumes during alterations in sodium intake. Therefore, only small changes in atrial pressure and ANP secretion occur. Alterations in plasma ANP concentration within physiological levels have little effect on renal-pressure natriuresis and, therefore, have little impact on volume homeostasis. 4. When the renal-body fluid feedback mechanism for arterial pressure control is impaired and body fluid volumes are elevated, such as in heart failure, large increases in atrial pressure and ANP secretion occur. The resultant pathophysiological plasma levels of ANP exert sustained natriuretic effects and chronically shift renal-pressure natriuresis to lower arterial pressures. In the absence of this chronic effect of ANP on renal-pressure natriuresis, reduced arterial pressure in compensated heart failure would result in protracted retention of salt and water and additional increments in body fluid volumes.
B-Myc, A Proximal Caput Epididymal Protein, Is Dependent on Androgens and Testicular Factors for Expression

The myc family of transcriptional regulators carries out critical roles in the control of cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. The B-myc gene is a recently identified myc family member that has not been well characterized. Previously, we have shown that B-Myc inhibits the ability of c-Myc to transform cells and can inhibit cellular proliferation. Because B-myc is primarily expressed in hormonally regulated tissues with predominant expression in the epididymis, we examined in greater detail B-myc expression in the epididymis to ultimately understand potential roles B-myc may play in this and other hormonally regulated tissues. Herein we demonstrate that, in contrast to c-myc, B-myc mRNA and protein expression are highly regionalized with expression predominantly in the proximal caput epididymal region. Furthermore, in situ and immunohistochemical analyses show that within the epididymis B-myc mRNA and protein are specifically expressed by the epithelial cells and that B-Myc protein is localized to both the nuclear and cytosolic compartments. Castration and hormone replacement studies further show that expression of the B-myc mRNA is highly dependent on the presence of androgens and testicular factors. Finally, mRNA turnover studies demonstrate that the B-myc mRNA is relatively unstable with a half-life of 3.5 h. Taken together, the highly restricted and regulated expression of the B-myc gene suggests it may play important regulatory roles in the epididymis and perhaps other hormonally regulated tissues.
Price communications in online and print coupons: An empirical investigation

Online and print coupons use different media to communicate price information and, hence, are likely to be processed differently. This research suggests that the evaluation of coupons is a function of the interaction between consumers’ motivation to process information and the type of medium used to present the coupon. Using two different prices (high vs. low), the results show that motivated consumers are likely to process information in a print coupon more carefully than in an online coupon. Less motivated consumers, however, are likely to process information in an online coupon more carefully than that in a print coupon.
Shipping the Good Students Out: The Effect of a Fixed Charge on Student Enrollments

The usual substitution effect of a price change between goods is extended to substitution among differentiated products within a heterogeneous good in a manner useful for the introductory and intermediate courses. The example of student choice of course load is used.
Psychologic and social aspects of cardiovascular disease

In summarizing the evidence, it becomes apparent that several psychologic and social variables are related to coronary heart disease (CHD). Coronary prone behavior pattern, in particular the hostility component, appears to be related to the development and perhaps expression of CHD, whereas it is not reliably related to outcomes after CHD is manifest. Depression clearly has been shown to be related to outcomes after CHD has declared itself. Lack of social ties appears to be related to mortality, whereas emotional social support has been shown to be related to recovery from coronary events. It also seems apparent that there are subsets of vulnerable individuals who might be best served by targeted interventions. Interventions are proposed as suggested by the prevailing evidence. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00FV011 00010
Health and Social Profile of Older Adults With MS: Findings From Three Studies

Currently in the United States, approximately 45% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are older than 55. The majority of these people can expect to live as long as their age peers. This paper pr...
Open access overview "industrial experience"

Renesas Technology Corp. designers turned to OpenAccess to address the major design challenges with systems on chip for the automotive, wireless, digital consumer and industrial markets. OpenAccess provides Renesas with an industry standard database that has the capacity and performance needed for today's largest designs. The C++ API (C++ application programming interface) facilitates fast access to a unified data model for both logical and physical design. It enables an efficient level of access to the data model to integrate tools developed in-house with commercially available tools for translation free interoperability.
Hospital Preparedness for Chemical and Radiological Disasters

Hospital planning for chemical or radiological events is essential but all too often treated as a low priority. Although some other types of disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes may be more frequent, chemical and radiological emergencies have the potential for major disruptions to clinical care. Thorough planning can mitigate the impact of a chemical or radiological event. Planning needs to include all 4 phases of an event: mitigation (preplanning), preparation, response, and recovery. Mitigation activities should include the performance of a hazards vulnerability analysis and identification of local subject-matter experts and team leaders.
Role of dimensionality on spinal cord dendrites

It is important to focus on creating tissue-engineering platforms to promote dendrite outgrowth for nerve regeneration. To date, 2D and 3D collagen gels have been used to tissue-engineer neurons. However, no studies have compared the tissue engineering capacities of both gels of various concentrations on dendrite outgrowth. Here, we compared dendrite outgrowth on 2D and 3D collagen gels of various concentrations. Neurons plated in 3D gels showed a significant increase in number and neurons plated on 2D gels showed a significant increase in length. Future experiments will correlate the structure-function relationship of the gels.
Striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability in OCD with and without comorbid social anxiety disorder: preliminary findings

Dopamine D(2) receptor availability in the striatum has been reported to be low in generalized social anxiety disorder (GSAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it has not been studied in persons with comorbid OCD and GSAD (OCD+GSAD). D(2) receptor availability was assessed in 7 subjects with OCD+GSAD, 8 with OCD, and 7 matched healthy comparison (HC) subjects, all unmedicated adults. D(2) receptor availability was assessed with single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) to measure binding potential (BP) of the D(2) receptor radiotracer [(123)I] iodobenzamide ([(123)I]IBZM). Mean striatal [(123)I]IBZM BP was significantly lower in the OCD+GSAD group (72.58 mL/g, SD=18.17) than in the HC group (118.41 mL/g, SD=45.40; P=.025). Mean BP in the OCD group (93.08 mL/g, SD=36.90) did not differ significantly from the HC group (P=.247). Trait detachment, as measured by the Detachment subscale of the Karolinska Scales of Personality, was negatively correlated with D(2) availability across all subjects (r(s)= -.55, P=.013). Comorbid GSAD and OCD may be associated with decreased availability of D(2) receptors in the striatum, consistent with prior findings in GSAD. Prior findings of decreased D(2) receptor availability in noncomorbid OCD were not confirmed. Decreased D(2) receptor availability was also associated with trait detachment, supporting prior findings in samples of healthy subjects.
Concise Review: Mesoangioblast and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and mesoangioblasts (MABs) are multipotent cells that differentiate into specialized cells of mesodermal origin, including skeletal muscle cells. Because of their potential to differentiate into the skeletal muscle lineage, these multipotent cells have been tested for their capacity to participate in regeneration of damaged skeletal muscle in animal models of muscular dystrophy. MSCs and MABs infiltrate dystrophic muscle from the circulation, engraft into host fibers, and bring with them proteins that replace the functions of those missing or truncated. The potential for systemic delivery of these cells increases the feasibility of stem cell therapy for the large numbers of affected skeletal muscles in patients with muscular dystrophy. The present review focused on the results of preclinical studies with MSCs and MABs in animal models of muscular dystrophy. The goals of the present report were to (a) summarize recent results, (b) compare the efficacy of MSCs and MABs derived from different tissues in restoration of protein expression and/or improvement in muscle function, and (c) discuss future directions for translating these discoveries to the clinic. In addition, although systemic delivery of MABs and MSCs is of great importance for reaching dystrophic muscles, the potential concerns related to this method of stem cell transplantation are discussed.
Analysis of residual solvents in 2-[18F]FDG by GC

A gas chromatography method has been developed for the measurement of the residual acetone, ethanol and acetonitrile in 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F] fluoro-D-glucose (2-[(18)F]FDG), in accordance with the pending FDA revision on the drug. The detections limits were 0.1 ppm for all three solvents. Good precision and linearity were obtained over ranges spanning the allowable concentration levels proposed by FDA. The amounts of the three solvents in our routine 2-[(18)F]FDG products have been found well below the maximum permissible levels. The method is very amenable to quality control testing for the radiopharmaceutical.
Voltage-dependent caesium blockade of a cation channel from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum

Cs+ ions block the K+ conductance of a voltage-gated ionic channel derived from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and incorporated into an artificial phospholipid bilayer. The block follows a single-site titration curve with a voltage-dependent dissociation constant of 18 mM at +50 mV. Blockade observed with the macroscopic conductance can be fully accounted for by the reduction of the apparent single-channel conductance in the presence of Cs+. The voltage dependence is explained by assuming that Cs+ binds to the open state of a single channel on a site located about 40% of the way through the membrane from the cis side (the side to which the SR vesicles are added). The blocking site is accessible only from the cis side.
High temperature mechanical properties and high strength sheaths for powder-in-tube tapes

Abstract While conventional powder-in-tube tapes approach commercial application, new directions are being developed to improve the process. Here, two advances from conventional silver/BSCCO powder-in-tube are discussed: high-temperature mechanical deformation and high strength sheaths. Direct measurements of the constituent mechanical properties are reported. Preliminary results for titanium sheathed 2212 tapes are also reported. It is shown that hot-rolling and high strength sheaths are each important directions for future research. Furthermore, as hot-rolling improves the microstructure at the center of the core and high strength sheaths improve the sheath/superconductor interface, these two directions are synergistic.
Autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: There before you know it

Autoantibodies are an integral part of the process of classifying, detecting, and, at least in some cases, mediating autoimmune diseases. Since the discovery of the antinuclear antibody more than 4...
Unintended Consequences of a Standard Admission Order Set on Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Patient Outcomes

BACKGROUND Standard order sets often increase the use of desirable interventions for patients likely to benefit from them. Whether such order sets also increase misuse of these interventions in patients potentially harmed by them is unknown. We measured the association between a paper-based standard admission order set with a venous thromboembolism pharmacoprophylaxis (VTEP) module and use of VTEP for patients likely to benefit from it as well as patients with unclear benefit or potential harm from it.
A radiation-sensitive host function required for initiation of herpesviral protein synthesis.

Abstract No viral proteins were made if cells were irradiated with low doses (100 ergs/mm 2 ) of ultraviolet light before infection with herpes simplex virus, although host protein synthesis continued. However, when irradiation was delayed until 1 hr after infection early viral protein synthesis followed. Actinomycin added at 1 hr prevented viral protein synthesis, showing that the necessary viral mRNA was made after that time. Thus the uv-sensitive host function was required only during the first hour of infection, before the bulk of the early viral mRNA had been synthesized.
An Improved Model for Spatially Correlated Binary Responses

In this paper, we use covariates and an indication of sampling effort in an autologistic model to improve predictions of probability of presence for lattice data. The model is applied to sampled data where only a small proportion of the available sites have been observed. We adopt a Bayesian set-up and develop a Gibbs sampling estimation procedure. In four examples based on simulated data, we show that the autologistic model with covariates improves predictions compared with the simple logistic regression model and the basic autologistic model (without covariates). Software to implement the methodology is available at no cost from StatLib.
Screening for delirium on a general medical ward: The tachistoscope and a global accessibility rating

Abstract With a psychiatrist's standardized clinical diagnosis as the criterion, the “Hand-Held Tachistoscope” was 100% sensitive, but only 45% specific in detecting delirium among hospital patients on a general medical ward. For each true positive in this sample of 97 patients, there were almost 5 false positives. The 10 patients with clinically diagnosed delirium could not see the stimulus. This was also true for 24 of the 87 nondelirious patients. Performance on the tachistoscope was related to age and education. This was not true for another method of delirium case detection, the global accessibility rating. This rating was 90% sensitive and 95% specific when compared with the psychiatric diagnosis, and was stable across two days of ratings. The global accessibility rating warrants further evaluation as a simple screening test for delirium.