cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MMP12 Inhibits Corneal Neovascularization and Inflammation through Regulation of CCL2.

Following corneal injury, coordinated cellular and protein interactions occur at the wound site to restore tissue homeostasis. Regulation of this response is required to prevent the development of chronic inflammation, abnormal neovascularization, and fibrosis. The chemokine CCL2 and its primary receptor CCR2 are key regulators of the inflammatory and neovascular responses to injury. In this study, we investigated the role of macrophage-associated matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) in the regulation of CCL2 and CCR2 after corneal wounding. Using two corneal injury models, we examined the temporal and spatial expression of CCL2 and CCR2 in Mmp12−/− and wild-type (WT) mice. Our data showed that MMP12 downregulated CCL2 and CCR2 expression in a manner dependent on the timing and mechanism of injury. We also examined the effect of CCL2 on the injury response in Mmp12−/− and WT corneas. We found that macrophage infiltration and neovascularization following CCL2 blockade was significantly reduced in Mmp12−/− corneas as compared with WT corneas. These findings indicate that MMP12 inhibits corneal inflammation and neovascularization after injury through its regulation of CCL2.
Evaluating pain and comfort differences between the bulb and jamar dynamometers and establishing norms for the bulb dynamometer

Date Presented 04/06/19 This study presents norms for the bulb dynamometer for the older adult population. The study demonstrates that the bulb dynamometer is less painful and more comfortable to use compared to the Jamar dynamometer. Regressions show that age and gender have a significant impact on grip strength. Primary Author and Speaker: Rochelle Mendonca Additional Authors and Speakers: Colleen Maher, Jennifer Wright, Maribeth Keith, Aaron Simon, Angeline Danan, Rachelle Aningalan, Vien Phan
How Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Work

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly sophisticated, complex technology. Unlike radiography and computed tomography, which rely on ionization radiation, MRI uses magnets and radiofrequency (RF) pulses to generate images from protons in tissue. Herein, the most basic concepts on image creation will be discussed.
Global Hölder estimates for 2D linearized Monge–Ampère equations with right-hand side in divergence form

Abstract We establish global Holder estimates for solutions to inhomogeneous linearized Monge–Ampere equations in two dimensions with the right hand side being the divergence of a bounded vector field. These equations arise in the semi-geostrophic equations in meteorology and in the approximation of convex functionals subject to a convexity constraint using fourth order Abreu type equations. Our estimates hold under natural assumptions on the domain, boundary data and Monge-Ampere measure being bounded away from zero and infinity. They are an affine invariant and degenerate version of global Holder estimates by Murthy-Stampacchia and Trudinger for second order elliptic equations in divergence form.
Is There an Optimal Cutoff for Aspiration Fluid Volume in the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Abstract Background The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection is often challenging in the setting of low aspiration volumes, or in the presence of infection with a slow-growing organism. We sought to determine if an optimal threshold of aspiration fluid volume exists when cultures from the preoperative aspiration are compared to intraoperative cultures. Methods All revision total hip and knee arthroplasty procedures over 5 years at our institution were reviewed. Cases were excluded if they underwent joint lavage during aspiration, had an antibiotic spacer in place, were suspected of adverse local tissue reaction to metal debris, did not have an accurate aspiration volume recorded, or if there were no aspiration or operative cultures available. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate aspiration volume for identifying cases with identical aspiration and culture results. Results A total of 857 revision cases were reviewed, among which 294 met inclusion criteria. There were 45 cases (15.3%) with discordant aspiration and operative cultures. The mean aspiration volume for identical cases was significantly higher than for discordant cases (19.1 vs 10.2 mL, P = .02). The proportion of slow-growing organisms was significantly greater among discordant compared to identical operative cultures (52.4% for discordant cases vs 8.2% for identical cases, P Conclusion Aspiration cultures are more likely to correlate with intraoperative cultures with higher aspiration volumes, and the optimal aspiration volume is higher for slow-growing organisms.
Study on the variation in blood concentration of tetramine in human body

Objective To study the variation of blood concentration of tetramine in human body with acute tetramine intoxication treated with three different protocols and the levels in human body after discharge from the hos-pital. Methods The blood concentration of tetramine was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). All 101 patients of acute tetramine intoxication were divided into 3 groups (routine comprehensive treat-ment group,hemoperfusion group,blood transfusion group) according to their blood concentration of tetramine and clinical symptoms. The patients were followed up to monitor the tetramine levels in a year. Results The level of tet-famine in blood was decreased from 33.0(1.7～115.0)μg/L to 18.0(0.3～47.6)μg/L in routine comprehensive treatment group. The total decrement was 45.5 %. The level was decreased from 108.0 (54.0～290.0)μg/L to 26.0 μg/L in hemoperfusion group. The total decrement was 75.9%. The decrement was 20.0%～45.0% after each he-moperfusion. The level was slightly high after 24 h of hemoperfusion. The total decrement in blood transfusion group was 33.5%～60.0%. The level was <0.3μg/L in all 25 out-patients 1 year after their intoxication. Conclusion Routine comprehensive treatment,hemoperfusion,blood transfusion are effective in the treatment of acute tetramine intoxication. The degradation of tetramine in human body is slow. Key words: Tetramine; Intoxication; Routine comprehensive treatment; Hemoperfusion; Blood transfusion
Safety of Electrical Cardioversion in Patients with Left Ventricular Thrombus

Background Electrical cardioversion is an effective and safe procedure in most patients. While left atrial thrombus is an absolute contraindication for elective cardioversion, there is very limited data on cardioversion in patients with left ventricular thrombus. We sought to better study the safety of cardioversion in this population. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients with the diagnosis of left ventricular thrombus on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) at our institution from 2010-2019. Patient were included in the study if they had undergone cardioversion and had had a TTE 4 weeks prior or 2 days after cardioversion showing left ventricular thrombus. Medical charts were reviewed for embolic events within three months after cardioversion. Results Out of 790 patients, 39 were included in the study. Mean age was 59.6 +/-14 years. The reason for cardioversion was atrial fibrillation/flutter (n = 14), ventricular arrhythmia (n = 14) and defibrillation threshold testing during defibrillator placement (n = 11). Mean time interval between the TTE and the cardioversion was 6 +/-6.3 days. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 24%+/-10%. Left ventricular thrombus was mobile (n = 3), fixed (n = 32) or calcified (n = 4). During a clinical follow-up period of 87+/-35 days, 28 patients (72%) were treated with warfarin, 2 patients (5%) with a direct oral anticoagulants, and 9 patients (23%) with anti-platelet therapy alone. No patient had an embolic complication during the follow-up. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, cardioversion in patients with left ventricular thrombus appeared to be safe. Further larger studies are needed.
Finite rank perturbations of Toeplitz products on the Bergman space

Abstract In this paper we investigate when a finite sum of products of two Toeplitz operators with quasihomogeneous symbols is a finite rank perturbation of another Toeplitz operator on the Bergman space. We discover a noncommutative convolution ⋄ on the space of quasihomogeneous functions and use it in solving the problem. Our main results show that if F j , G j ( 1 ≤ j ≤ N ) are polynomials of z and z ¯ then ∑ j = 1 N T F j T G j − T H is a finite rank operator for some L 1 -function H if and only if ∑ j = 1 N F j ⋄ G j belongs to L 1 and H = ∑ j = 1 N F j ⋄ G j . In the case F j 's are holomorphic and G j 's are conjugate holomorphic, it is shown that H is a solution to a system of first order partial differential equations with a constraint.
Common and external iliac artery occlusion in Behçet's disease: a case of anchoring bias.

This report describes the case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of Behcet’s disease and complex regional pain syndrome of her legs who presented with severe pain and swelling in her left lower extremity. The patient was initially diagnosed with exacerbation of complex regional pain syndrome, which fit the symptom complex of hyperalgesia, oedema and skin temperature changes. However, after unsuccessful attempts at significant pain relief during admission, CT angiography demonstrated occlusion of the left common and external iliac arteries, a limb-threatening emergency. This case describes an example of anchoring bias, a type of cognitive bias in which there is a tendency to rely too heavily on an initial piece of information, the ‘anchor’, when making decisions. This report emphasises that clinicians should be aware of biases when making decisions and avoid anchoring bias by asking themselves if their diagnosis is influenced by any leading pieces of information.
Arbitration supports reciprocity when there are frequent perception errors.

Reciprocity is undermined by perception errors, mistakes that cause disagreement between interacting individuals about past behaviour. Strategies such as win–stay–lose–shift and generous tit-for-tat can re-establish cooperation following a perception error, but only when errors arise infrequently. We introduce arbitration tit-for-tat (ATFT), a strategy that uses third-party arbitration to align players’ beliefs about what transpired when they disagree. We show that, when arbitration is moderately accurate, ATFT is a strong subgame-perfect equilibrium and is evolutionarily stable against a range of strategies that defect, cooperate, ignore arbitration or invoke arbitration unnecessarily. ATFT can persist when perception errors are frequent, arbitration is costly or arbitration is biased. The need for third parties to resolve perception errors could explain why reciprocity is rare in other animals despite opportunities for repeated interactions and why human reciprocity is embedded within culturally transmitted moral norms in which community monitoring plays a role. Models indicate that reciprocity cannot evolve when errors lead to frequent misunderstanding between cooperators. Boyd and Mathew show that third-party arbitration allows reciprocity to thrive even when errors are common and arbitration is imperfect.
Simultaneous codon usage, the origin of the proteome, and the emergence of de-novo proteins.

Genetic coding generally uses only one of a gene’s two strands; its complement serving as template for replication. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, aaRS, apparently first emerged as pairs on bidirectional genes, in which anticodons in the template strand served as codons for an entirely different protein. Interpreting both strands in frame constrained such genes sufficiently that it was rapidly superseded, leaving only traces in the elevated pairing between codon middle bases in antiparallel alignments. Codon assignments actually promote using information from both strands in multiple reading frames. Related phenomena, known as overprinting, are widely associated with viruses. In-frame bidirectional coding and overprinting nevertheless imply different structural and functional relationships, and different roles in generating folded proteins throughout the evolution of the proteome.
Relativistic Quantum Chemical and Molecular Dynamics Techniques for Medicinal Chemistry of Bioinorganic Compounds

In this chapter we review relativistic quantum chemical and molecular dynamics techniques focused on drug discovery and predictive toxicology pertinent to bioinorganic compounds and chelates. We consider transition metal complexes of interest for therapeutic interventions of Alzheimer’s disease and several forms of cancer, especially ovarian and breast cancers. Hence transition metal complexes of curcumin, several analogs of cisplatin, and other second and third row transition metal complexes are highlighted as candidates for treating such diseases and in computer aided drug discovery. Next we have demonstrated the utility of relativistic quantum chemical tools for the studies of lanthanide complexes such as Gd(III) complexes with a number of multidentate ligands which are candidates for highly contrasting agents in MRI and Ce(III)/Eu(III)/Sm(III) complexes as a promising novel line of drugs for tuberculosis. We have also considered a variety of actinide complexes of interest in predictive toxicology and environmental bioremediation elucidating detailed mechanisms of interactions of uranyl and plutonyl ions with human serum protein transferrin and related microbial complexes of actinides exemplifying the significance of such relativistic techniques, especially in the context of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery involving the interactions of actinides with proteins and cells. We have not only reviewed relativistic quantum techniques but also hybrid computational techniques such as QM/MM ONIOM methods, quantum chemical optimization of geometries complexes, and hybrid quantum molecular dynamics methods for providing insights into protein–metal complex/chelate interactions. It is shown that one needs to consider multiple site or allosteric binding approaches to drug discovery in conjunction with relativistic quantum chemical studies even if they are carried out at relatively lower levels such as relativistic effective core potentials combined with density functional level of theory.
A Broadcasting Heuristic for Hypercube of Trees

Broadcasting is the process of dissemination of information in a network where a particular message is sent starting from an originator. The ultimate objective is to inform all entities of the network as soon as possible. Besides, the theory of broadcasting has been used in a wide range of applications. Although the problem has been proven to be NP-Complete for an arbitrary graph, it is tractable for a few families of networks, such as Hypercubes, one of the most successful large-scale parallel architectures. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic for broadcasting in a hypercube of trees in which each vertex of the hypercube could be the root of a tree. Not only does this heuristic have the same approximation ratio as the best-known algorithm and provide a good theoretical bound, but our numerical results also show its superiority in most experiments. Our heuristic is able to outperform the current upper bound in up to 90% of the situations, resulting in an average speedup of 30%. Most importantly, our results illustrate that it can maintain its performance even if the size of the network grows, which makes the proposed heuristic practically useful.
Radio-Frequency Transverse Susceptibility as a Probe to Study Magnetic Systems

The direct measurement of magnetic anisotropy in magnetic systems provides invaluable insights into the physical processes that enable researchers to engineer materials for a wide range of applications including spintronics, magnetic memory, hyperthermia treatments, and magnetic refrigeration. This chapter showcases the transverse susceptibility (TS) measurement technique using a self-resonant tunnel diode oscillator circuit as a versatile tool for the direct measurement of the effective magnetic anisotropy. We provide a brief history of the development of the theoretical description of TS followed by the evolution of experimental measurement configurations over the past two decades. The applicability of the TS technique to investigate magnetic anisotropy in different systems is highlighted. We summarize that the TS technique has proven to be a highly sensitive and reliable method that complements the conventional magnetic measurement techniques, thereby facilitating a comprehensive understanding of complex magnetic systems.
Assembly Language Tutor for the IBM PC and Compatibles

An introduction to hardware and software for the IBM PC and compatibles, including background in Intel microprocessors. Starting with the 8088 and 8086 microprocessors, this text details basic hardware and software configurations with the use of a debugging tutor and a full screen tutor monitor.
Taking It Big: C. Wright Mills and the Making of Political Intellectuals

Introduction1. Mills's Sociology and Pragmatism2. Mills and the New York Intellectuals3. On Mills's The New Men of Power4. White Collar5. On Social Psychology and Its Historical Contexts: The Origin of Psychology as an Independent Discipline6. The Structure of Power in American Society7. What Is a Political Intellectual?8. Taking It BigAfterword: Mills TodayNotesBibliographyIndex
Estimation and modeling of coal pore accessibility using small angle neutron scattering

Abstract Gas diffusion in coal is controlled by nano-structure of the pores. The interconnectivity of pores not only determines the dynamics of gas transport in the coal matrix but also influences the mechanical strength. In this study, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) was employed to quantify pore accessibility for two coal samples, one of sub-bituminous rank and the other of anthracite rank. A theoretical pore accessibility model was proposed based on scattering intensities under both vacuum and zero average contrast (ZAC) conditions. The results show that scattering intensity decreases with increasing gas pressure using deuterated methane (CD4) at low Q values for both coals. Pores smaller than 40 nm in radius are less accessible for anthracite than sub-bituminous coal. On the contrary, when the pore radius is larger than 40 nm, the pore accessibility of anthracite becomes larger than that of sub-bituminous coal. Only 20% of pores are accessible to CD4 for anthracite and 37% for sub-bituminous coal, where the pore radius is 16 nm. For these two coals, pore accessibility and pore radius follows a power-law relationship.
Using light scattering to evaluate the separation of polydisperse nanoparticles

The analysis of natural and otherwise complex samples is challenging and yields uncertainty about the accuracy and precision of measurements. Here we present a practical tool to assess relative accuracy among separation protocols for techniques using light scattering detection. Due to the highly non-linear relationship between particle size and the intensity of scattered light, a few large particles may obfuscate greater numbers of small particles. Therefore, insufficiently separated mixtures may result in an overestimate of the average measured particle size. Complete separation of complex samples is needed to mitigate this challenge. A separation protocol can be considered improved if the average measured size is smaller than a previous separation protocol. Further, the protocol resulting in the smallest average measured particle size yields the best separation among those explored. If the differential in average measured size between protocols is less than the measurement uncertainty, then the selected protocols are of equivalent precision. As a demonstration, this assessment metric is applied to optimization of cross flow (V(x)) protocols in asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF(4)) separation interfaced with online quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) detection using mixtures of polystyrene beads spanning a large size range. Using this assessment metric, the V(x) parameter was modulated to improve separation until the average measured size of the mixture was in statistical agreement with the calculated average size of particles in the mixture. While we demonstrate this metric by improving AF(4) V(x) protocols, it can be applied to any given separation parameters for separation techniques that employ dynamic light scattering detectors.
Shopping on Social Networking Web Sites

ABSTRACTAssuming that shopping is a business area into which U.S. social networks can expand, this study explores whether and how factors affecting shopping attitudes on social networking sites may differ according to product type. This study focuses on two types of items that social networking sites carry: real and virtual. It reveals that shopping services have different target consumers and factors according to product type. Age, usefulness, ease of use, security, and fit are critical in establishing favorable attitudes toward shopping for real items. For virtual items, gender, social networking site experience, ease of use, and fit influence the attitudes.
Perspectives on the Future of Manufacturing Engineering

Good afternoon. Thanks for inviting me to speak today. It’s a pleasure to be here with this group of internationally respected scientists and engineers. I recognize some of you from my involvement in the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Program.
Molecular Fuel Tanks

If a future hydrogen economy is to be realized, safe storage and delivery materials must be available. In his Perspective, Ward highlights the report by Rosi et al ., whose porous metal-organic framework materials show promise for hydrogen storage. The materials do not yet show sufficiently high storage capacities for practical applications, but can easily be modified to increase uptake. Furthermore, their high crystallinity allows the hydrogen absorption sites to be identified. This knowledge may be helpful in designing future hydrogen-storage materials.
Identification of Genes that Mediate Protection against Soybean Pathogens

Publisher Summary In the last 10 years, a variety of genetic and genomic approaches have been used to identify resistance and defense-related proteins in soybean. While several soybean Resistance-gene (R-gene) loci have been sequenced, only three resistance genes have actually been cloned. The relatively slow rate of R-gene cloning in soybean, relative to other species, is due to the limitations in transformation efficiency, the unavailability of mutants in desired resistant genotypes, and the complex nature of R-gene clusters in the genome. Due to the difficulties of cloning R-genes, much attention has been focused on identifying and characterizing downstream defense genes that could provide novel sources of resistance or identify pathogen vulnerabilities. This chapter focuses on the last five years of soybean disease resistance research by highlighting four soybean pathogens: Heterodera glycines, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Aphis glycines, and Phytophthora sojae. Disease resistance research for each of these pathogens has benefited from the recent release of the soybean whole genome assembly. In each case, scientists have used innovative approaches to combine genetics, functional genomics, and high throughput sequencing approaches.
Financial management of a large multisite randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST) received five years' funding ($21 112 866) from the National Institutes of Health to compare carotid stenting to...
The spatial variation of China's regional inequality in human development

China's regional inequality has been a hot research topic lately and most of the literature focuses on economic development. Since 1990, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has devised a measure known as the human development index (HDI) by combining measures of income, education and health. A major concern about HDI is that it is a national average measurement that ignores disparities within a country. This paper aims to explore China's regional inequality under the human development framework with three objectives: (i) to calculate provincial HDI in 1990, 2000 and 2008; (ii) to detect the spatial distributions of HDI as well as its three component indices; and (iii) to reveal the influence of China's transitions on regional human development. GIS and statistical methods such as coefficient of variation, Moran's I, and spatial regression are used in this study. The results illustrate that the overall disparity in HDI declined, but the spatial concentration increased; and the multiple transitions determined the changing patterns of human development. This research provides a broader context for studying China's regional development and has important policy implications. JEL classification: R58, I14, I24
Addressing the Issue of Fuel Filter Fouling with Recent Changes in Fuel Quality

The recent introduction of biodiesel blends to the U.S. market has coincided with an increase in the reported problems of fouling of fuel filters and fuel injection equipment, manifested in power loss, noise, vibration, and increased filter changes. However, the introduction of biodiesel has to a large extent coincided with the introduction of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and changes in engine technology, leading to higher fuel injection pressures. It is thus proposed that current incidences of fouling are not a problem brought about solely as a result of the introduction of biodiesel. A review of known fuel degradation mechanisms suggests that the effects of increased fuel pressure and also high shear environments should be examined as a probable cause of increasing deposit formation. Deposit formation on both fuel filters and injectors has previously been attributed to a variety of sources including: Biological contamination, both aerobic and non-aerobic, water contamination, adulteration with lubricating oil, fuel additive interactions, and biodiesel degradation. The deposits currently being encountered appear to be more akin to the high carbon content particles found in diesel exhaust than those previously described and are frequently found in the presence of deposit precursor molecules. This paper concentrates on the issue of fuel filter fouling, presents the analysis of currently encountered deposits, relates these results to some of the degradation mechanisms alluded to above, and suggests possible precursor molecules in fuels both pre and post stressing to support the proposed mechanisms. It is also shown that existing fuel quality tests do not correlate well with reported fouling propensity, suggesting that new test methods are required to ensure future fuels are fit for purpose.
Magma systems related to the Red Sea opening

Abstract Four distinct magma environments can be recognized in association with the Red Sea basin: 1. (1) mid-ocean ridge basalts within the present actively spreading axial trough 2. (2) basaltic dikes and layered gabbros within the extended Precambrian crust on the Arabian margin 3. (3) granites and rhyolites developed in the extended Precambrian crust; and 4. (4) plateau basalts asymmetrically distributed on the Arabian flanks of the Red Sea. These magmas developed as the result of the initial break-up of Africa and the establishment of an oceanic spreading center within the Red Sea. Original asymmetric continental extension occurred on east-dipping detachment faults in the Oligocene and caused MORB-like magmas to invade an extending Precambrian crust. Contemporaneous small-scale mantle convection initiated limited partial melting under the Arabian plate to form the undersaturated alkali-olivine plateau basalts. Slow extension through the Miocene allowed an evaporite basin to develop in the Red Sea, while small volumes of rift and plateau basalts formed on the Arabian plate. A small change in plate motion in the Pliocene initiated the seafloor spreading in the axial trough, where MORB magmas formed oceanic crust. Rise of the asthenosphere produced small-scale thermal perturbations under the Arabian plate controlled by an east-dipping master detachment fault. Small-scale mantle convection extended partial melting (2–5%) eastward under the Arabian plate producing more undersaturated diverse alkali-olivine plateau basalts. Distinct chemical and isotopic signatures of these four magma types lead to obvious actualistic correlations with the geodynamic setting.
Fluconazole binding and sterol demethylation in three CYP51 isoforms indicate differences in active site topology.

14α-Demethylase (CYP51) is a key enzyme in all sterol biosynthetic pathways (animals, fungi, plants, protists, and some bacteria), catalyzing the removal of the C-14 methyl group following cyclization of squalene. Based on mutations found in CYP51 genes from Candida albicans azole-resistant isolates obtained after fluconazole treatment of fungal infections, and using site-directed mutagenesis, we have found that fluconazole binding and substrate metabolism vary among three different CYP51 isoforms: human, fungal, and mycobacterial. In C. albicans, the Y132H mutant from isolates shows no effect on fluconazole binding, whereas the F145L mutant results in a 5-fold increase in its IC50 for fluconazole, suggesting that F145 (conserved only in fungal 14α-demethylases) interacts with this azole. In C. albicans, F145L accounts, in part, for the difference in fluconazole sensitivity reported between mammals and fungi, providing a basis for treatment of fungal infections. The C. albicans Y132H and human Y145H CYP51 mutants show essentially no effect on substrate metabolism, but the Mycobacterium tuberculosis F89H CYP51 mutant loses both its substrate binding and metabolism. Because these three residues align in the three isoforms, the results indicate that their active sites contain important structural differences, and further emphasize that fluconazole and substrate binding are uncoupled properties.
Treatment of ureteral calculi by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy UCLA experience

One hundred sixteen patients underwent extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for ureteral stones. In 108 patients, the stones were manipulated pre-ESWL whereas 8 patients underwent ESWL without prior stone manipulation. Ureteral lubrication using a 2% Xylocaine jelly solution greatly facilitated the retrograde advancement of the calculus or the passage of ureteral catheters alongside the stone. ESWL disintegrated all but 4 stones for an overall success rate of 96.6 per cent. It is considered that the combination of retrograde ureteral stone repositioning and ESWL is a highly successful alternative in the management of ureteral calculi.
La mancha del plátano: Language policy and the construction of Puerto Rican national identity in the 1940s

The present work seeks to identify sources of the persistent link between the Spanish language and national identity in Puerto Rico. By examining mass media discourse in the 1940s as a turbulent period of language policy conflict between Puerto Rico and the U.S. federal government, I suggest that the federal imposition of language policy without the consent or approval of local politicians or educators was influential in the construction of national identity that included language as a major defining factor. Local elites reacted to the colonial hegemony by defining Puerto Rican identity in opposition to American identity. The construction of identity in the 1940s is characterized by a cultural conception of nation that redefined national symbols, such as language, in social rather than political terms in order to avoid disturbing the existing colonial hegemony.
Assessing the impact of immersive simulation on clinical performance during actual in-hospital cardiac arrest with CPR-sensing technology: A randomized feasibility study

Abstract Aim Advanced simulation tools are increasingly being incorporated into cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. These educational methods have been shown to improve trainee performance in simulated settings, but translation into clinical practice remains unknown for many aspects of CPR quality. This study attempts to measure the impact of simulation-based training for resuscitation team leaders on some measures of CPR quality during actual in-hospital resuscitation attempts. Methods In this prospective, randomized interventional cluster trial, internal medicine resident physicians (post-graduate year 2) were randomized using a random number generator to participate in a 4-h, immersive simulation course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation leadership using a high-fidelity simulator with video debriefing prior to serving as resuscitation team leaders at an academic medical center. Objective metrics of actual resuscitation performance were obtained from a CPR-sensing monitor/defibrillator. Results Thirty-two residents were randomized to receive simulation training or no additional training between April and July 2007 and data were collected following 98 actual resuscitations between July 2007 and June 2008. CPR quality from resuscitations led by 14 simulation-trained and 16 control group residents was similar in terms of mean compression depth (48 vs 49 mm; p = 0.53); compression rate (107 vs 104 min−1; p = 0.30); ventilation rate (12 vs 12 min−1; p = 0.45) and no-flow fraction (0.08 vs 0.07; p = 0.34). Conclusions Although we failed to detect any significant differences in objective measures of CPR quality, we have demonstrated that CPR-sensing technology has the potential for use in assessing the impact of a simulation curriculum on some aspects of actual resuscitation performance. A larger study, performed in a setting with lower baseline performance, would be required to assess the specific simulation curriculum.
P‐96: Design of Liquid Crystal Displays with 10000: 1 Contrast Ratio over ±85° Viewing Cone

A computer simulation model based on oblique angle Jones matrix and Poincare sphere is developed for optimizing the design of film-compensated multi-domain vertical-alignment liquid crystal display (VA-LCD). According to this design, a contrast ratio higher than 10000:1 is predicted over the entire ±85° viewing cone for the four-domain VA-LCD. Potential application for LCD television is emphasized.
Extending Multiversion Time-Stamping Protocols to Exploit Type Information

Atomic transactions are a widely accepted approach to implementing and reasoning about fault-tolerant distributed programs. This paper shows how multiversion time-stamping protocols for atomicity can be extended to induce fewer delays and restarts by exploiting semantic information about objects such as queues, directories, or counters. This technique relies on static preanalysis of conflicts between operations, and incurs no additioiwal runtime overhead. This technique is deadlock-free, and it is applicable to objects of arbitrary type.
Testing for a cosmological influence on local physics using atomic and gravitational clocks

The existence of a possible influence of the large-scale structure of the Universe on local physics is discussed. A particular realization of such an influence is discussed in terms of the behavior in time of atomic and gravitational clocks. Two natural categories of metric theories embodying a cosmic influence exist. The first category has geodesic equations of motion in atomic units, while the second category has geodesic equations of motion in gravitational units. Equations of motion for test bodies are derived for both categories of theories in the appropriate parametrized post-Newtonian limit and are applied to the Solar System. Ranging data to the Viking lander on Mars are of sufficient precision to reveal (i) if such a cosmological influence exists at the level of Hubble's constant, and (ii) which category of theories is appropriate for a description of the phenomenon.
Wortmannin converts insulin but not oxytocin from an antilipolytic to a lipolytic agent in the presence of forskolin

Insulin is an important regulator of glucose transport and lipolysis in adipocytes. The present studies compared the effects of insulin in rat adipocytes with the effects of oxytocin and peroxovanadate, which mimic some effects of insulin. The antilipolytic effects of peroxovanadate and oxytocin were unaffected by 500 nmol/L wortmannin, which blocked the antilipolytic action of insulin. However, wortmannin, which is a relatively specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, did block most of the stimulation of glucose metabolism by peroxovanadate while having little effect on that due to oxytocin. Under appropriate conditions, it was also possible to demonstrate a lipolytic action of insulin, especially with low (0.1 to 1 nmol/L) concentrations of insulin after exposure of adipocytes to 50 nmol/L wortmannin. The data provide additional support for the hypothesis that oxytocin and peroxovanadate affect adipose tissue metabolism by mechanisms distinctly different from those involved in insulin action.
Human homologs of yeast Prp16 and Prp17 reveal conservation of the mechanism for catalytic step II of pre‐mRNA splicing

Pre‐mRNA splicing takes place in two catalytic steps. The second step is poorly understood, especially in mammals. In yeast, the splicing factors, Prps 16, 17, 18 and Slu7 function exclusively in step II. Here we report the isolation of cDNAs encoding human Prps 16 and 17 which are 41 and 36% identical to their yeast counterparts. The Prp16 gene is essential in yeast, and we show that a chimeric yeast–human Prp16 protein rescues a yeast Prp16 knockout strain. Immunodepletion of hPrp16 from splicing extracts specifically blocks step II, and the activity can be fully restored with recombinant hPrp16. Moreover, both hPrps 16 and 17 associate with the spliceosome late in the splicing pathway. Mutations at the 3′ splice site that specifically block step II do not affect the association of hPrps 16 and 17 with the spliceosome, indicating that these factors may function at a stage of step II prior to recognition of the 3′ splice site. Recently, the human homologs of Prp18 and Slu7 were identified. The observation that humans contain homologs of all four known step II proteins in yeast indicates that the mechanism for catalytic step II is highly conserved.
Mutual wear evaluation of resin composites when opposing enamel and dentin.

Mutual wear rates of resin composites and both superficial and deep layers of enamel and dentin were investigated by means of an in vitro wear test. Occlusal surfaces of extracted molars were ground flat to respective layers of enamel and dentin. Hemispherical-shaped styli (n = 8) made of microfilled and microhybrid composites were placed perpendicular to the finished tooth surface (600 grit) in the presence of tap water, and a two-body wear test (75 N load and 1.2 Hz) was performed for 100,000 cycles. The wear depths on both tooth and composite specimens were determined, and the data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Boneferroni test (p < 0.05). The values of deep and superficial dentin specimens against Esthet-X (530.2 ± 213.0 μm and 717.4 ± 309.6 μm) were significantly greater than those against Epic-TMPT (34.1 ± 17.6 μm and 29.3 ± 10.8 μm). The values of Esthet-X against dentin were the smallest (2.4–2.6 μm), followed by those of the same material against enamel (5.5–6.1 μm), and those of Epic-TMPT against enamel (7.2–7.9 μm). It was concluded that the wear rates of dentin varied with the type of composite used while those of enamel showed the consistency. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Hereditary gingival fibromatosis and growth retardation.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe two patients with hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and growth hormone deficiency and to review the literature on HGF and related endocrine abnormalities. Methods We present case reports of two patients (first cousins)—an 8-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy—with an existing diagnosis of HGF, who were assessed because of presumed growth failure. Both patients underwent growth hormone stimulation testing and more in-depth endocrine evaluation, including measurement of morning cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and prolactin levels as well as thyroid function tests. An ACTH stimulation test was also performed. Radiologic evaluation included assessment of bone age and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Results In addition to HGF, both patients had short stature, subnormal growth velocity, and delayed bone age but no abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Serum prolactin levels and results of thyroid function tests were normal. Subnormal growth hormone response was noted during hypoglycemia and pharmacologic stimuli with clonidine and levodopa. The female patient, who also had recurrent hypoglycemic episodes, had a suboptimal cortisol and ACTH response during hypoglycemia. On the ACTH stimulation test, she showed an inadequate cortisol response at 30 minutes but a normal response at 60 minutes. The male patient had normal morning cortisol and ACTH levels plus a normal response to ACTH stimulation. Both patients are responding well to treatment with growth hormone. The girl is also receiving cortisol replacement and has had no further episodes of hypoglycemia. Conclusion Although HGF has been described as an isolated finding, it can occur as part of a syndrome, including infrequent endocrine abnormalities such as growth hormone insufficiency. The cause of the growth hormone deficiency remains unclear in these two patients. We believe that patients with HGF should be monitored carefully for a prolonged period for growth as well as other endocrine abnormalities. (Endocr Pract. 2001;7:383- 387)
Teacher ratings of internal and external students in open and traditional class environments

Eleven open and 11 traditional school teachers rated the achievement and behavior of students in their third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade classes. On both measures, girls were rated higher than boys and internals higher than externals. Sex interacted with school environment, such that girls' achievement ratings exceeded those of boys only in open classes. A predicted locus of control by environment interaction was not found for either achievement or behavior rankings. The relationship of these results to those found in studies using standardized achievement test data, rather than teacher ratings, is discussed.
Laboratory studies of ion-neutral reactions in interstellar regions - Gas-phase equilibrium between HCN and NH3 in dense clouds

Laboratory studies have been conducted of ion-molecule reactions involved in the synthesis of NH/sub 3/, H/sub 2/O, and HCN in dense interstellar clouds, and the rate constants and product distributions for these reactions have been determined. The rate constant for the reaction NH/sub 3//sup +/+H/sub 2/..-->..NH/sub 4//sup +/+H is extremely slow at interstellar cloud temperatures, and this has some important consequences for mechanisms of NH/sub 3/ synthesis in these regions. Atomic C/sup +/ ions formed in dense clouds by the reaction He/sup +/+CO subsequently react with ammonia to produce the H/sub 2/CN/sup +/ ion, leading to the synthesis of HCN. The HCN is subsequently destroyed in turn by reaction with C/sup +/. In the case where HCN is both synthesized and destroyed by reaction of C/sup +/ ions, a simple, model-independent expression can be obtained for the relative abundances of HCN and NH/sub 3/. When we use our laboratory results for the rate constants and product distributions of the appropriate reactions, the ratio (HCN)/(NH/sub 3/)approx. =0.4 is predicted. This result in consistent with the observations. Thermoneutral exchange between H/sub 2/CN/sup +/ ions and HD is shown to be very slow, but the high (DCN)/(HCN) ratio observed in interstellar clouds (Wilsonmore » et al.) can be explained by enhancement in the (H/sub 2/D/sup +/)/(H/sub 3//sup +/) ion ratio. On this basis, a large deuterium enhancement is also predicted for the ''X-ogen'' lines, (DCO/sup +/)/(HCO/sup +/)approx. =10/sup -3/ to 10/sup -2/. (AIP)« less
Heat Exchanger Design for Ocean Thermal Difference Power Plants

This paper discusses variations in heat exchanger design and configuration for a class of ocean thermal power plants. Details of the heat exchanger models are summarized and analytical results for component and cycle variations are presented. A heat exchanger optimization program is discussed in detail and preliminary results for this study are given.
The chitin catabolic cascade in the marine bacterium Vibrio furnissii. Characterization of an N,N'-diacetyl-chitobiose transport system.

The disaccharide N,N'-diacetyl-chitobiose, (GlcNAc)2, is critical in chitin dissimilation by Vibrio furnissii and, as reported here, is taken up by a specific permease. Since (GlcNAc)2 is rapidly catabolized by V. furnissii, a non-hydrolyzable thioglycoside analogue was used: methyl beta-N,N'-[3H]diacetyl-thiochitobioside (Me-[3H]TCB). Me-TCB and TCB substitute for (GlcNAc)2 as chemoattractants and inducers of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. The [3H]Me-TCB uptake system was induced only by (GlcNAc)2 and by (GlcNAc)n that can be converted to (GlcNAc)2. The Km for [3H]Me-TCB uptake was 1,000. The only effective inhibitors of uptake were: (GlcNAc)n, n = 2-4 > cellobiose > (GlcNAc)5. In 50% artificial sea water (or sucrose/Na+), [3H]Me-TCB accumulation attained a constant steady state level because of efflux, a Na+-dependent process. The physiological implications of these results are considered.
Structural and immunochemical characterization of the acidic arabinomannan of Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Abstract A serologically active, acidic arabinomannan has been isolated from Mycobacterium smegmatis. The polysaccharide contains approximately 56 arabinosyl and 11 mannosyl residues, and 2 phosphate, 6 monoesterified succinate, and 4 ether-linked lactate groups. After saponification to remove succinyl groups, the polysaccharide can be separated into phosphorylated (55%) and nonphosphorylated (45%) forms, the former containing a little more arabinose and a little less mannose than the latter. The structures of these polysaccharides were investigated by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy and methylation analysis, before and after selective cleavage of furanosyl linkages. The phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms of the polysaccharide were found to have similar, if not identical, structures. The main structural feature of the polysaccharides is the presence of chains of contiguous arabinofuranosyl residues linked α-(1→5). These chains are attached at O-4 of arabinopyranosyl residues that are present in a core region of the polysaccharide that also contains mannopyranosyl residues. Immunochemical studies demonstrated that the polysaccharide is an effective, precipitating antigen with antisera from rabbits immunized with cell walls or heat-killed cells of M. smegmatis. The polysaccharide is, however, more effective as a precipitating antigen after removal of the succinate groups, and completely ineffective after removal of arabinofuranosyl residues. The polysaccharide therefore contains an important antigen in common with the arabinogalactan lipopolysaccharide of the cell wall of the bacterium, i.e., chains of contiguous α-(1→5)-linked arabinofuranosyl residues.
Malformations of the aortic valve in patients with the tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract Anatomic malformations of the aortic valve were observed in 5 of 45 patients with the tetralogy of Fallot studied at necropsy. In one, the valve was congenitally bicuspid and incompetent. A second had probable rheumatic aortic stenosis. Clinically insignificant fusion of 2 aortic valvular cusps was found in each of 2 patients, and a fifth had vegetative endocarditis without organisms. Aortic valvular lesions in patients with Fallot's tetralogy have been described only rarely in the past.
Pressure dependence of the re-entrant superconducting phase boundaries of (LaCe)Al2 and La0.8Th0.2Ce alloys

Abstract Measurements of the pressure dependence of the superconducting critical temperature (Tc) are reported for the re-entrant superconducting Kondo systems ( La Ce)Al2 and La 0.8 Th 0.2 Ce.