cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of radiographic readings in the emergency department

Abstract Objectives A review of radiology discrepancies of emergency department (ED) radiograph interpretations was undertaken to examine the types of error made by emergency physicians (EPs). Methods An ED quality assurance database containing all radiology discrepancies between the EP and radiology from June 1996 to May 2005 was reviewed. The discrepancies were categorized as bone, chest (CXR), and abdomen (AXR) radiographs and examined to identify abnormalities missed by EPs. Results During the study period, the ED ordered approximately 151 693 radiographs. Of the total, 4605 studies were identified by radiology as having a total of 5308 abnormalities discordant from the EP interpretation. Three hundred fifty-nine of these abnormalities were not confirmed by the radiologist (false positive). The remainder of the discordant studies represented abnormalities identified by the radiologist and missed by the EP (false negatives). Of these false-negative studies, 1954 bone radiographs (2.4% of bone x-rays ordered) had missed findings with 2050 abnormalities; the most common missed findings were fractures and dislocations. Of the 220 AXRs (3.7% of AXRs ordered) with missed findings, 240 abnormalities were missed; the most common of these was bowel obstruction. Of the 2431 CXRs (3.8% of CXRs ordered), 2659 abnormalities were missed; the most common were air-space disease and pulmonary nodules. The rate of discrepancies potentially needing emergent change in management based solely on a radiographic discrepancy was 85 of 151 693 x-rays (0.056%). Conclusions Approximately 3% of radiographs interpreted by EPs are subsequently given a discrepant interpretation by the radiology attending. The most commonly missed findings included fractures, dislocations, air-space disease, and pulmonary nodules. Continuing education should focus on these areas to attempt to further reduce this error rate.
Donor-related malignancies

Donor-related malignancies have been intermittently reported since the beginning of human organ transplantation. Although reported mortality is high, cases of tumor regression after cessation of immunosuppression have been recorded. Data reported to the Transplant Tumor Registry of the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database allow calculation of donor-related cancer incidence. In a cohort of 34,933 cadaveric organ donors that yielded 108,062 organ transplants, there were 14 donors with malignancies that resulted in 18 donor-related tumors. The donor-related tumor rate (14/34,933) is 0.04%, and the organ-related tumor rate (18/ 108,062) is 0.017%. Donor-related tumors have been classified as donor-transmitted tumors, in which the malignant cells were transferred with the donor organ to the recipient, and donor-derived tumors, which are de novo tumors that develop in donor hematologic or lymphoid cells that accompany the transplanted organ. There were 13 donor-transmitted tumors (13/108,062), for a donor transmission rate of 0.012%. Six of the 13 recipients of donor-transmitted tumors died from the tumor, resulting in a tumor transmission (6/108,062) death rate of 0.005%. Reports of and problems with specific donor-related tumors such as malignant melanoma, choriocarcinoma, primary central nervous system malignancies, renal tumors, carcinoma of the lung, Kaposi's sarcoma, and hematologic and lymphomatous malignancies are detailed. Strategies for prevention of donor-related malignancies are described, as well as treatment options for recipients with donor-related tumors.
NEWTON'S METHOD AND MORSE INDEX FOR SEMILINEAR ELLIPTIC PDES

In this paper we primarily consider the family of elliptic PDEs Δu+f(u) = 0 on the square region Ω=(0, 1)×(0, 1) with zero Dirichlet boundary condition. Following our previous analysis and numerical approximations which relied on the variational characterization of solutions as critical points of an "action" functional, we consider Newton's method on the gradient of that functional. We use a Galerkin expansion, in eigenfunctions of the Laplacian, to find solutions of arbitrary Morse index. Taking f′(0) to be a bifurcation parameter, we analyze the bifurcations from the trivial solution, u≡0, using symmetry arguments and our numerical algorithm. The Morse index of the approximated solutions is provided and support is found concerning several existence and nodal structure conjectures. We discuss the applicability of this method to find critical points of functionals in general.
Effect of Cardiac Surgery Patient Characteristics on Patient Outcomes From 1981 Through 1995

Background Previous studies have demonstrated increased risk in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), but the effect of this increasing risk on outcomes has not been well documented. The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate patients who had CABG from 1993 to 1995 (group III) and compare them with patients from 1981 through 1987 (group I) and 1988 through 1992 (group II) to determine if the trend toward higher-risk patients continued and (2) to evaluate what effect risk had on in-hospital outcomes. Methods and Results Data were collected prospectively on patients undergoing CABG. Patients from the three time periods were compared by use of univariate and multivariate statistics. Risk models for mortality were developed by use of logistic regression. Significant changes were noted in the three time periods, with risk increasing over time. Increased risk was associated with increased mortality in group II, but mortality declined in group III despite the continued increase in patie...
Towards a Computational Model of Lignocellulose: Molecular Simulation of Lignin

Atomic-detailed computational models of lignocellulose can complement experiments in understanding its structure and dynamics. Here, we present results of Molecular Dynamics simulation of the plant cell wall polymer lignin. Polymer theory is employed to interpret these results. Finally the steps towards a realistic model of lignocellulose are discussed.1. L. Petridis and J.C. Smith (2009); A molecular mechanics force field for lignin; Journal of Computational Chemistry 30 457-4672. R. Shulz, B. Lindner, L. Petridis and J.C. Smith (in print); Scaling of Multimillion-atom Biological Molecular Dynamics Simulation on a Petascale Supercomputer; DOI: 10.1021/ct900292r
Body mass index: relationship to clinical, pathologic and features of microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer.

Abstract Objectives. There is a well known association between obesity and endometrial cancer. We sought to examine the relationships between body mass index (BMI), as a measure of obesity, and known demographic, clinical, and molecular characteristics of microsatellite instability and MLH1 promoter methylation in a cohort of patients with endometrial cancer. Methods. Corpus cancer specimens were prospectively obtained from 473 consecutively enrolled patients between 1992 and 2004. Clinical and pathologic data were extracted from review of the medical record. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was evaluated in all tumors, and methylation of the MLH1 promoter was determined for MSI positive tumors. Results. The median (SD) age and BMI were 64.8 years (11.9) and 33.5 (9.4), respectively. Histology included 376 endometrioid (79%), 69 serous/clear cell or mixed (15%), and 28 sarcomas (6%). Median BMI was 32.4 for endometrioid, 31.0 for serous/clear cell or mixed, and 27.8 for sarcomas ( p =0.14). BMI was negatively associated with age at surgery ( p p =0.02). In relation to molecular features of endometrial cancer, BMI was significantly different between MSI positive tumors compared to MSI negative tumors (30.3 vs. 32.7; p =0.02). MSI was also significantly different between tumor histology, occurring with a higher frequency in Type I than Type II tumors ( p Conclusions. The majority of endometrial cancer patients are obese. Those with higher BMI are more likely to be younger, present with early stage disease, and have MSI negative tumors.
Soluble factor(s) from bone marrow cells can rescue lethally irradiated mice by protecting endogenous hematopoietic stem cells

Objective Ionizing radiation–induced myeloablation can be rescued via bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or administration of cytokines if given within 2 hours after radiation exposure. There is no evidence for the existence of soluble factors that can rescue an animal after a lethal dose of radiation when administered several hours postradiation. We established a system that could test the possibility for the existence of soluble factors that could be used more than 2 hours postirradiation to rescue animals. Materials and Methods Animals with an implanted TheraCyte immunoisolation device (TID) received lethal-dose radiation and then normal bone marrow Lin − cells were loaded into the device (thereby preventing direct interaction between donor and recipient cells). Animal survival was evaluated and stem cell activity was tested with secondary bone marrow transplantation and flow cytometry analysis. Donor cell gene expression of five antiapoptotic cytokines was examined. Results Bone marrow Lin − cells rescued lethally irradiated animals via soluble factor(s). Bone marrow cells from the rescued animals can rescue and repopulate secondary lethally irradiated animals. Within the first 6 hours post–lethal-dose radiation, there is no significant change of gene expression of the known radioprotective factors TPO, SCF, IL-3, Flt-3 ligand, and SDF-1. Conclusion Hematopoietic stem cells can be protected in lethally irradiated animals by soluble factors produced by bone marrow Lin − cells.
Two-dimensional gel analysis of cyclic AMP effects in cultured S49 mouse lymphoma cells: protein modifications, inductions and repressions.

Abstract In this study, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to analyze the responses of cultured S49 mouse lymphoma cells to incubation with analogs or inducers of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Putative phosphorylations were detected by charge alterations in proteins labeled with 35 S-methionine and, in some cases, confirmed by labeling with 32 P-phosphate. We assessed the relative stabilities of proteins affected by cAMP, the periods of susceptibility of proteins to cAMP-dependent modification and any cAMP-mediated changes in protein synthesis or stability. Five proteins (of about 650 resolved) behave as expected for "orthodox" substrates of a cAMP-activated protein kinase: both newly synthesized and prelabeled forms of these proteins are subject to modification; this modification involves an acidic charge shift of about one unit; and cAMP-mediated conversion of these proteins to their modified forms is virtually complete. The acidic forms of at least three of these proteins also exhibit cAMP-mediated increases in 32 P-phosphate incorporation. Each protein comprised less than approximately 0.005% of cellular protein. Under basal conditions they appear to be phosphorylated to an extent about 20–30% of that found in fully stimulated cells. Nine proteins show cAMP-dependent changes in rates of synthesis with six inductions and three repressions. Most of these changes are of a magnitude of about 3 to 5 fold, and reach their maximal extents after about 4–5 hr of exposure to dibutyryl cAMP. In addition to the phosphorylations, inductions and repressions mentioned above, approximately 12 other reproducible cAMP-dependent changes in protein patterns are observed. Mutant cell lines deficient in catalytic activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase show none of the changes in protein pattern attributable to cAMP.
Aging and osteoporosis in breast and prostate cancer

As people with cancer survive longer, and as the US population ages, skeletal effects of cancer treatment are becoming more pronounced. This is particularly true for breast and prostate cancer survivors because of the high average age of patients with these malignancies, the propensity of older adults in general toward the development of osteoporosis, and the wide use of therapeutic agents in these cancers that negatively impact bone health. Various therapies used in the treatment and prevention of cancer may cause decreases in bone mineral density and an increased risk of debilitating fracture, even in the absence of bone metastases. Aging is both a baseline risk factor in the development of osteoporosis and bony fracture, as well as a predictor of poor outcome after fracture. A variety of mechanisms may be responsible for the development of bone loss in patients with breast or prostate cancer. Cytotoxic chemotherapy may directly exert long-term toxic effects on bone. Chemotherapy and endocrine therapy can induce hypogonadism, leading to an increased rate of bone loss. The risk of skeletal events in older adults due to cancer therapy should be appreciated by all oncologists, geriatricians, and internists. The following review may serve as a guide to the skeletal side effects of cancer therapy in older adults with breast or prostate cancer, how to screen for treatment-related bone loss, and how to best prevent and/or treat skeletal events.
Personality and Emotional Correlates of Self-Reported Antigay Behaviors

This study examined the relationship between the emotional response of homophobia and selected personality and self-report behavioral variables. Scales 4, 5, and 9 of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory were related to the affective components of homophobia as measured by the Index of Attitudes Towards Homosexuals (IAH; formerly Index of Homophobia-Modified) and self-report of past aggressive behavior toward homosexuals as measured by a Self-Report of Behavior Scale (SBS), specifically developed for this study. Data from 80 male subjects were subjected to a canonical correlation analysis. The first cannonical correlation showed that high SBS and high IAH are correlated with adherence to traditional masculine values, not faking good, impulsivity, and social maladjustment. The second canonical correlation indicates that a combination of high scores on Scales 9 and 5 is associated with elevated SBS scores, but decreased IAH scores. These data suggest that among young men certain personality chara...
Fracture Track Bone Healing Measurement through an External Fixator

Approximately 30, 000 tibia and femur fractures require external fixation costing the medical industry $75.6 million. Monitoring fracture healing via X-rays is one of the major costs associated with post-operative recovery. Fracture Track is designed to provide a more objective method of measuring a bone's ability to tolerate full, unsupported weight and reduce the need for periodic X-rays. This non-invasive device utilizes a sensor secured to an external fixator and will ultimately reduce costs by $50.4 million annually.
Racial variation in treatment preferences and willingness to randomize in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT).

STUDY DESIGN Analysis of baseline data for patients enrolled in Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT), a project conducting three randomized and three observational cohort studies of surgical and nonoperative treatments for intervertebral disc herniation (IDH), spinal stenosis (SpS), and degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). OBJECTIVE To explore racial variation in treatment preferences and willingness to be randomized. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Increasing minority participation in research has been a priority at the NIH. Prior studies have documented lower rates of participation in research and preferences for invasive treatment among African-Americans. METHODS Patients enrolled in SPORT (March 2000 to February 2005) that reported data on their race (n = 2,323) were classified as White (87%), Black (8%), or Other (5%). Treatment preferences (nonoperative, unsure, surgical), and willingness to be randomized were compared among these groups while controlling for baseline differences using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS.: There were numerous significant differences in baseline characteristics among the racial groups. Following adjustment for these differences, Blacks remained less likely to prefer surgical treatment among both IDH (White, 55%; Black, 37%; Other, 55%, P = 0.023) and SpS/DS (White, 46%; Black, 30%; Other, 43%; P = 0.017) patients. Higher randomization rates among Black IDH patients (46% vs. 30%) were no longer significant following adjustment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, P = 0.235). Treatment preference remained a strong independent predictor of randomization in multivariate analyses for both IDH (unsure OR = 3.88, P < 0.001 and surgical OR = 0.23, P < 0.001) and SpS/DS (unsure OR = 6.93, P < 0.001 and surgical OR = 0.45, P < 0.001) patients. CONCLUSIONS Similar to prior studies, Black participants were less likely than Whites or Others to prefer surgical treatment; however, they were no less likely to agree to be randomized. Treatment preferences were strongly related to both race and willingness to be randomized.
The effects of coronal holes on the propagation of solar energetic protons.

Abstract The accurate prediction of the start of a Solar Energetic Particle Event (SEP) is a high priority for space weather forecasters. The Space Environment Center (SEC) has recorded parameters related to SEPs since 1976, and that list includes a total of 134 events for the period 1976–1997. The onset times of individual events are variable, especially SEPs originating from the solar eastern hemisphere. An examination of the data shows the full set can be divided into two families — those that begin at the geosynchronous satellite at a time consistent with what would be expected for activity from a given heliolongitude, and those whose onset is later than what accepted forecast techniques would predict. There are 21 “long onset” events in this historical record. Seeking to understand what factors distinguished the slow-to-arrive events, Helium I 1083.0 nm observations were examined for the presence of coronal holes at the times of the SEPs. It was found that all SEPs with long onset times had a coronal hole situated between the flare site and the footpoint of the interplanetary magnetic field line connecting to Earth ( Kunches and Zwickl, 1997 Solar-Terrestrial Predictions-V, Hiraiso Solar–Terrestrial Research Center, Ibaraki, Japan). This coronal hole configuration is important for accurate predictions, although the hole may serve as merely a proxy for the plasma conditions that actually affect the propagation and acceleration of the protons. Since coronal holes are easily identifiable using Helium I and other wavelengths, operational forecasters can employ this technique to improve their predictions of SEPs.
The Stigma of Psychiatric Disorders and the Gender, Ethnicity, and Education of the Perceiver

The purpose of this study is to determine how the demographics of perceivers influence their stigma of people with mental illness or with substance abuse. A nationally representative sample (N = 968) was asked to respond to a vignette describing a person with a health condition (schizophrenia, drug dependence, or emphysema) and his/her family member. Consistent with our hypotheses, women were less likely to endorse stigma than men. Participants with higher education were also less likely to stigmatize than less educated participants. Contrary to our expectations, nonwhite research participants were more likely to endorse stigma than whites. Implications of these findings for better understanding the stigma of mental illness, and the development of anti-stigma programs, are reviewed.
Charge-induced clustering in multifield particulate flows

The present work extends recent results in Zohdi (Int. J. Solids Struct., in press; Proc. Roy. Soc., in press) to develop models and robust solution strategies for the direct simulation of the dynamical flow of charged particles undergoing simultaneous contact, surface reactions and heat transfer. Emphasis is placed on the possibility of particle clustering which can lead to the formation of cluster-structures within the particulate flow. A recursive ‘staggering’ solution scheme is developed, whereby the time-steps are adaptively adjusted to control the rates of convergence within each time-step, and hence, the error associated with the incomplete resolution of the coupled interaction between the various fields and associated constraints. Representative numerical simulations are provided in order to illustrate the character of the model and the solution strategy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal-Acid Complexes with Members of the Tetracycline Family I: Introduction

Metal-acid complexes with a number of members of the tetracycline family have been prepared for chemical and biological evaluation. The studies reported here indicate that these preparations exhibited properties not displayed by the uncomplexed antibiotic. The most interesting properties characteristic of selected complexes in this series include enhanced solubility at pH 4.0–7.0, enhanced alkaline stability, reduced acute toxicity, reduced tissue irritation and rapid tissue diffusion, and enhanced blood levels.
Chemical and thermal structures of a xylene-based CVD reactor to synthesize carbon nanotubes

The profiles of temperature and major species concentrations of a CVD reactor were measured and the overall rate constant for the gas-phase reaction was calculated based on the measured data using the Benson and Shaw reaction mechanism. Despite the fact that the mechanism is based on relatively short residence time (order of 1 s) and our CVD is based on longer residence time (order of 100 s), our study showed that the mechanism could be used in the temperature range lower than 1073 K. This finding supports the use of the Benson and Shaw mechanism in our previous computer simulations.
Urinary ammonia content as a determinant of urinary pH during chronic metabolic acidosis

Abstract During the course of metabolic acidosis, the urine pH initially falls but then rises to levels that seem inappropriate to the degree of systemic acidosis. We investigated the factors responsible for the reduced urinary acidity during chronic metabolic acidosis, using fasting as the model of acidosis and varying the serum bicarbonate concentration by acid or alkali supplements. The rise in urine pH was found to be greatest in those with the most profound acidosis and least in those with milder degrees. This paradoxical relation-ship could not be related to improvement of systemic acidosis, external potassium deficits, acidification defects, or increases of nonvolatile buffer excretion. The factor which correlated with the rise of urine pH was the urinary content of ammonia. This observation suggests that the urinary ammonia concentration may determine, rather than be determined by, the urinary acidity during chronic metabolic acidosis. Addition of ammonia to segments of the nephron with large secretory reserves for H+ should not elevate urine pH. Since the collecting duct is the only segment of the nephron shown to have limited H+ secretory capacity, we propose that the alkalinizing effect of ammonia on urine pH during prolonged acidosis is due to augmented addition of basic NH3 to the collecting duct by diffusion from the loop of Henle. This view is compatible with the concept that ammonia entering the proximal tubule may be excreted by this route.
Effect of hypophysial stalk transection on luteotropic hormone secretion in the rat.

The effects of hypophysial stalk transection and mechanical stimulation of the hypothalamus on luteotropin (LtH) secretion were compared in 75 female rats. Stalk section, accompanied by an effective barrier to vascular regeneration, brought about continuous secretion of LtH, expressed by a persistent pseudopregnant state (10 rats). Representative animals exhibited a decidual reaction to uterine trauma as late as 74 days postoperatively. When the stalk transection was ineffective, due to faulty placement of the barrier, only a temporary pseudopregnancy ensued and vaginal cycles returned after 8-37 days (15 rats). Simple mechanical stimulation of the median eminence region during vaginal estrus was followed in all cases (11 rats) by temporary pseudopregnancy. On the other hand, cycles were uninterrupted in 10 of 12 animals by comparable manipulation of the temporal lobe. When performed during diestrous day 1, mechanical stimulation of the hypothalamus also resulted in pseudopregnancy (in 5 of 6 animals). Du...
Enhancements in the second generation DIII-D digital plasma control system

This paper will discuss alterations and enhancements of the real-time digital plasma control system (PCS) which were recently developed at DIII-D. These enhancements greatly increased the performance and scope of the control system after a successful upgrade from the previous VME-based version. A specific goal of these enhancements was to incorporate the charge exchange recombination spectrometry diagnostic for plasma rotation control. Enlargement of the PCS includes additional motional Stark effect channels for improved current profile control and a series of real-time data displays. Performance improvements include increased computing resources, multi-threaded parallel processing, and 11 μs cycle times for the resistive wall mode component feedback.
Statistical Behavior of Echoes from Swimbladder-Bearing Fish at 2-4 kHz

Measurements of broadband acoustic backscattering by swimbladder-bearing fish have recently been made over Georges Bank, a shallow-water region off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A seismic source, towed by a ship just above the schools of fish, was used to transmit chirp (linear frequency modulated) signals downward toward the fish. The system, which is most sensitive over the range 2-4 kHz, swept through the range of frequencies, 1-10 kHz. The echoes were especially strong at frequencies near the swimbladder resonance of 3 kHz. The measurements were done in conjunction with net tows in order to ground truth the echo data. The echoes were processed with a matched filter, achieving high signal-to-noise ratios and range resolutions of approximately 20 cm. As a result of this resolution, fish very near the seafloor were resolved. The filtered echoes were partitioned into various spatial windows and analyzed both in the time domain and frequency domain. Of particular interest was the statistical behavior of the echoes. The schools were highly patchy and the statistics of the echoes varied according to whether a set of echoes were from within a patch, or spanned across the patches. The echoes are shown to be strongly non-Rayleigh when the sonar is sweeping across the patches. Net tows and swimbladder-resonance data indicate that all targets are mono-size and mono-specific. Thus, the fluctuations in the echoes are a result of a combination of interference between random phase echoes from individual targets, local variability in numerical density of targets, and effect of beam pattern associated with individual targets or patches of targets smaller than a sonar footprint
Particle-hole and particle-particle RPA ground state correlations

Abstract We show that the expression derived by Kuo et al. to sum the particle-hole ring diagrams yields the quasi-boson correlation energy. This requires correction for double counting in second order. For the particle-particle ring series we give expressions for the correlation energy, wave function, norm and occupation probabilities and show that the quasi-boson approximation is valid. The formulae are illustrated by simple models.
Effect of Naturally Occurring Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Infections on Experimental Challenge with Major Mastitis Pathogens

Abstract The influence of pre-existing Staphylococcus sp. IMI on development of new IMI after experimental challenge with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae was studied. The IMI data were analyzed from five trials in which quarters were challenged with major pathogens incident to studies of teat dip efficacy. Prior to each trial, quarter IMI status was determined, and new IMI were enumerated during challenge. Percentage of new Staph. aureus IMI in uninfected quarters was 3-fold that of quarters already infected with Staphylococcus sp. Of quarters that were initially uninfected, 13.23% acquired new Staph. aureus IMI, and 4.49% of quarters infected with Staphylococcus sp. became infected. Conversely, the percentage of new Strep. agalactiae IMI in quarters infected with Staphylococcus sp. was 1.5-fold that of uninfected quarters (8.38 vs. 5.52%). The percentage of clinical Staph. aureus IMI in uninfected quarters was higher than for quarters infected with Staphylococcus sp., but percentages of clinical Strep. agalactiae IMI were similar among IMI statuses. Geometric mean SCC prior to challenge were 87 × 10 3 for uninfected quarters and 260 × 10 3 /ml for quarters infected with Staphylococcus sp. Quarters infected with Staphylococcus sp. were less susceptible to Staph. aureus IMI, but more susceptible to Strep. agalactiae IMI.
Generalized Hamilton-Jacobi transformations: Gauge and diffeomorphism constraints.

Newman and Rovelli have introduced generalized singular Hamilton-Jacobi transformations to solve the gauge and diffeomorphism constraints in the Ashtekar formalism. However, this solution does not have a Minkowski space limit. Starting from the linearized constraints, Goldberg and Robinson were able to find a solution, but their solution cannot be related to that of Newman and Rovelli. In this paper, the linearized solution is generalized and the Newman-Rovelli result is modified to have a Minkowski space limit. Unfortunately, the scalar constraint remains an unsolved problem.
A Bayesian approach to batch process scheduling

The problem of decision timing in the context of batch scheduling is addressed in this paper. The representation of time in any scheduling model affects the number of integer variables and the convexity of the model. The usual procedure in batch process scheduling is to divide the scheduling horizon into equal size intervals to achieve the required accuracy. This construction generates a formulation with a potentially large number of binary variables. In this paper, the time events arising in the schedule are modeled directly, and thus the use of binary variables over periods during which no changes in system state occur is avoided. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear program (MINLP). The Bayesian heuristic (BH) approach is used to implement a global optimization algorithm which effectively solves the resulting model. Computational comparisons using two text examples are made against a UDM (uniform discretization model) formulation. The results suggest that the BH approach combined with the nonuniform time discretization formulation shows promise for the solution of batch scheduling problems.
Molecular dynamics simulations of isolated helices of myoglobin

The apo form of myoglobin has two non-native stable states that have been experimentally characterized. Investigation of these states has suggested possible folding pathways for myoglobin. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations on solvated isolated helices of myoglobin to investigate the relationship between the intrinsic stabilities of the isolated helices and the structure and folding pathway of apomyoglobin. Analyses of hydrogen bonding and fluctuations from simulations at 298 and 368 K are used to explore the relative stabilities of the helices of myoglobin. The ordering observed is A approximately G approximately H > B > E > F, which mirrors both the experimental equilibrium and kinetic data available for apomyoglobin. The experimental observation that a subdomain comprising helices A, G, and H is an important early intermediate and our result that these helices are the most stable suggest that the intrinsically more stable helices form early in the folding process and that this significantly influences the folding pathway.
An experimental test of three choice shift hypotheses

The present experiment pitted three choice shift hypotheses against each other in an attempt to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses and find support for those remaining. Ss responded three times to the 12 CDQ items, once as a pretest and twice following presentation of homogeneous sets of three arguments which advocated either a risky or a cautious position. The risk-as-value, relevant arguments, and conformity/attitude change hypotheses generated three separate predictions for the Ss' responses. Results mirrored the prediction of the relevant arguments hypothesis: New information, whether contained in cautious or risky arguments, caused a shift toward the type of argument presented. The risk-as-value and the conformity/attitude change hypotheses could not explain the present data.
A Storyteller's Story: One Student's Journey

Everyone has a story. As a documentary filmmaker, it is an honor to collect and tell stories that may not otherwise be heard. My roots in oral history prepared me for a career as a documentarian. T...
Neuronal bungarotoxin blocks the nicotinic stimulation of endogenous dopamine release from rat striatum.

Abstract Nicotinic receptors in the brain are receiving increased attention due in part to the recent cloning of receptor subunits and to postmortem studies revealing alterations in receptor density associated with Alzheimer's disease. The peptide neurotoxin neuronal bungarotoxin (NBT) has been shown to block nicotinic cholinergic responses in autonomic ganglia and in retinal ganglion cells. These findings suggest that NBT may be a useful probe for studying nicotinic receptors in the brain. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of NBT on the nicotine-mediated enhancement of endogenous dopamine release from rat striatal slices. It was found that the transient increase in dopamine release caused by 100 μM nicotine was completely blocked by 100 nM NBT, indicating that NBT is a functional nicotinic antagonist in this system.
Interactions of veratrum alkaloids, procaine, and calcium with monolayers of stearic acid and their implications for pharmacological action.

The interactions of veratridine, cevadine, veracevine, and veratramine with monolayers of stearic acid show marked differences. Veratridine and cevadine, at concentrations that are known from potential, ionic flux, and other measurements to affect living membranes, react strongly with the film and appear to cause an "interfacial dissolution" whereby both the alkaloid and the stearate leave the surface. Veracevine at the same concentration does not interact with the film. The veratramine reaction is weak, much like that of the local anesthetic procaine. The veratridine and cevadine effects are antagonized by 10-3 M Ca++, low pH, and 3.7 and 7.4 x 10-3 M procaine. These differences among the veratrum alkaloids and the antagonisms parallel effects observed in living systems. Such parallelism suggests that similar physical interactions are involved in the stearate film and in natural membranes.
Liver-specific loss of β-catenin blocks glutamine synthesis pathway activity and cytochrome P450 expression in mice

There is accumulating evidence that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is involved in the regulation of liver development and physiology. The presence of genetic alterations resulting in constitutive beta-catenin stabilization in human and murine liver tumors also implicates this pathway in hepatocyte proliferation. In the present study, we generated hepatocyte-specific beta-catenin knockout mice to explore the role of beta-catenin in liver function. Conditional knockout mice were born at the expected Mendelian ratio and developed normally to adulthood, indicating beta-catenin is dispensable for essential liver function under normal breeding conditions. However, the liver mass of knockout mice was 20% less than those of mice in the control groups. Expression analysis revealed loss of genes required for glutamine synthesis in knockout mice. Loss of the liver glutamine synthesis pathway did not affect the blood ammonia level in mice fed a standard diet, yet, knockout mice showed significantly elevated blood ammonia levels with high-protein dietary feeding. Furthermore, the expression of two cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP1A2 and CYP2E1, was almost completely abolished in livers from hepatocyte-specific beta-catenin knockout mice. Consequently, these mice were resistant to acetaminophen challenge, confirming the requirement of these cytochrome P450 enzymes for metabolism of xenobiotic substances. In conclusion, in addition to regulating hepatocyte proliferation, beta-catenin may also control multiple aspects of normal liver function.
Clinical guidelines for sperm cryopreservation in cancer patients

No clear clinical guidelines exist on how to counsel male cancer patients about fertility preservation. Detailed counseling is recommended before treatment when issues of collection and storage need to be highlighted. Concern about the quality of sperm collected before and/or after treatment in terms of assisted reproduction is needed, and the potential outcomes should be discussed early as part of cancer survivorship. The discussion should be sensitive and tailored to the ethical situation based on the age of the patient, the severity of the illness, the need to initiate treatment, and genetic risk. Cryopreservation should be attempted/achieved before cancer treatment is initiated. Cryopreservation should not be performed during treatment or for some time after treatment because of the chromosomal and structural damage to sperm from cancer treatment. Contraception should be instigated during this period.
Momentum-transfer dependence of the Lyman-Birge-Hopfield and the K-shell preionization lines in the nitrogen molecule by means of high-energy electron-impact spectroscopy

The generalized-oscillator-strength (GOS) distribution for the Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) and the K-shell preionization lines in the nitrogen molecule, obtained with electron impact energies of 25-28 keV, are reported for the momentum-transfer range of 0.5-3.1 a.u. The results for the LBH were found to be in agreement with previously published low-energy experiments and also the most recent theoretical predictions. Possible reasons for problems encountered in previous high-energy electron spectroscopic experiments are discussed
The Soils of Tomorrow—Soils Changing in a Changing World

Edited by Carmelo Dazzi and Edoardo Costantini. Catena Verlag, Reiskirchen, Germany. Advances in GeoEcology. 2008. 728 pp. Hardcover, €139. ISBN 9783923381562. This massive volume is made up of an editorial, a resolution, and a selection of 51 peer-reviewed papers from the fifth International
Adsorption of Ag, O2 and N2O on AG/RH(100)☆

The adsorption of Ag on Rh(100) at 300 K is characterized by uniform growth of at least the first two monolayers. The desorption is characterized by two distinct peaks. The lower temperature state shows zero order kinetics and a desorption energy of 65.9 ± 0.6 kcal mole−1 while the high temperature state shows first order behavior. The activation energy is slightly coverage dependent. Our data do not allow a unique description but a pre-exponential factor of 8.9 × 1012s−1 and an activation energy of 66.0−1.5θ Ag kcal mole−1 is quite satisfactory. AES analysis can be used to establish the Ag coverage over the first monolayer. The initial dissociative sticking coefficient for O2 is 0.8 at 530 and 680 K on clean Rh(100) while that for N2O drops from 0.48 to 0.21 over this same interval. The saturation O(KVV) signal from O2 is twice that observed for N2O. The LEED patterns at saturation are c(2 × 2) and p(2 × 2) for O2 and N2O respectively. Simple site blocking models adequately describe the influence of Ag on O2 and N2O chemisorption.
Differential effects of a foreperiod countdown procedure on simple and choice reaction time.

Subjects responded to the onset of a red or green stimulus light by pressing a key. In a simple reaction time (RT) block, they responded to the light onset without regard to its color. In a choice RT block, they pressed a left or right key depending on the stimulus color. Within each block, half of the trials were “countdown trials,”; i.e., a sequence of lights provided precise information concerning the passage of time during a constant 2-sec foreperiod. The other half of the trials involved the identical constant foreperiod, but no countdown information was presented. Data analysis revealed significantly faster reactions on countdown trials, with choice RT shortened more than simple RT. Results reflect subjects’ imperfect timekeeping ability and suggest that readiness affects the central-processing phase of information processing.
Main coolant instrumentation for high-performance pressurized water reactor power plants

New pressurized water reactor designs are obtaining higher efficiencies and smaller physical size by operating primary coolant loops at higher temperatures and pressures. Since the ultimate temperatures and pressures are limited by the critical point of water and instrument errors, highly accurate process-type instrumentation is required and the instrument engineer becomes an important member of the reactor design team.
Acute Sexual Assault and Evidence Collection in the DNA Era

Approximately 70 000 reports of sexual abuse in children and adolescents are substantiated each year. Many of these cases present to the emergency department for assessment. Knowledge of which cases require emergent evaluation is essential. This article will provide a description of the steps in the assessment of acute sexual assault in children and adolescents including components of the patient interview, proper interpretation of physical examination findings, indications for sexually transmitted infection screening, and prophylaxis as well as forensic evidence collection, assessment of a drug-facilitated sexual assault, and when a report to child protective services and law enforcement is appropriate. A case of acute sexual assault will be used to illustrate pertinent points.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RACE AND CLASS IN RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION

Some observers believe that the significance of race as a factor in residential segregation has declined since passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which declared racial discrimination ...
Demonstration of current drive by a rotating magnetic dipole field

A dipole-like rotating magnetic field was produced by a pair of circular, orthogonal coils inside a metal vacuum chamber. When these coils were immersed in plasma, large currents were driven outside the coils: the currents in the plasma were generated and sustained by the rotating magnetic dipole (RMD) field. The peak RMD-driven current was at roughly two RMD coil radii, and this current (60 kA m -2 ) was sufficient to reverse the ambient magnetic field (33 G). Plasma density, electron temperature, magnetic field and current probes indicated that plasma formed inside the coils, then expanded outward until the plasma reached equilibrium. This equilibrium configuration was adequately described by single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium, wherein the cross product of the driven current and magnetic filed was approximately equal to the pressure gradient. The ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure, β, was locally greater than unity.
Loss of calcareous microfossils from sediments through gypsum formation

Abstract Laboratory experiments with fresh marine sediments demonstrate the dissolution of calcareous microfossils (foraminifers) and the production of “authigenic” gypsum. Slow oxidation of iron sulfide in the presence of oxygen drives the following reactions: 1. (1) 4FeS + 9O2 + 6H2O = 4FeO(OH) + 4SO2−4 + 8H+ or 2 FeS 2 + 7 1 2 O 2 + 5 H 2 O = 2 FeO ( OH ) + 4 SO 2− 4 + 8 H + 2. (2) H+ + CaCO3 = Ca2+ + HCO−3 3. (3) Ca2+ + SO2−4 + 2H2O = CaSO4·2H2O Three-month experiments resulted in minor to total dissolution of different species from estuarine and open ocean sediments. Elphidium ustilatum was the most resistant to dissolution whereas Elphidium subarcticum was the first species to disappear completely. Agglutinated foraminifers are nearly completely destroyed largely because of bacterial decay of the test binding agent. Loss or partial loss of species may occur either in conditions of storage after collection or because of changing environmental conditions (primarily oxygen levels) at the sediment—water interface.
Overexpression of Cyclin D3 Improves Decidualization Defects in Hoxa-10−/− Mice

Uterine decidualization, a crucial process for implantation, is a tightly regulated process encompassing proliferation, differentiation, and polyploidization of uterine stromal cells. Hoxa (Homeobox A)-10, a homeobox transcription factor, is highly expressed in decidualizing stromal cells. Targeted gene deletion experiments have demonstrated marked infertility resulting from severely compromised decidualization in Hoxa-10(-/-) mice. However, the underlying mechanism by which Hoxa-10 regulates stromal cell differentiation remains poorly understood. Cyclin D3, a G(1) phase cell-cycle regulatory protein involved in stromal cell proliferation and decidualization, is significantly reduced in Hoxa-10(-/-) mice. The expression of cyclin D3 in the pregnant mouse uterus parallels stromal cell decidualization. Here, we show that adenovirus-driven cyclin D3 replacement in Hoxa-10(-/-) mice improves stromal cell decidualization. To address our question of whether cyclin D3 replacement in Hoxa-10(-/-) mice can improve decidualization, both in vitro and in vivo studies were completed after the addition of cyclin D3 or empty (control) viral vectors. Immunostaining demonstrated increased proliferation and decidualization in both in vitro and in vivo studies, and in situ hybridization confirmed increased expression of decidualization markers in vivo. Placentation was demonstrated as well in vivo in the cyclin D3-replaced animals. However, fertility was not restored in Hoxa-10(-/-) mice after d 10 of pregnancy. Finally, we identified several downstream targets of cyclin D3 during decidualization in vitro via proteomics experiments, and these were confirmed using in situ hybridization in vivo. Collectively, these results demonstrate that cyclin D3 expression influences a host of genes involved in decidualization and can improve decidualization in Hoxa-10(-/-) mice.
Reoxidation of Reduced Uranium with Iron(III) (Hydr)Oxides under Sulfate-Reducing Conditions

In cultures of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G20 the effects of iron(III) (hydr)oxides (hematite, goethite, and ferrihydrite) on microbial reduction and reoxidation of uranium (U) were evaluated under lactate-limited sulfate-reducing conditions. With lactate present, G20 reduced U(VI) in both 1,4-piperazinediethanesulfonate (PIPES) and bicarbonate buffer. Once lactate was depleted, however, microbially reduced U served as an electron donor to reduce Fe(III) present in iron(III) (hydr)oxides. With the same initial amount of Fe(III) (10 mmol/L) for each iron(III) (hydr)oxide, reoxidation of U(IV) was greater with hematite than with goethite or ferrihydrite. As the initial mass loading of hematite increased from 0 to 20 mmol of Fe(III)/L, the rate and extent of U(IV) reoxidation increased. Subsequent addition of hematite [15 mmol of Fe(III)/L] to stationary-phase cultures containing microbially reduced U(IV) also resulted in rapid reoxidation to U(VI). Analysis by U L3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectrosc...