cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dermatologic Toxicities from Monoclonal Antibodies and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors against EGFR: Pathophysiology and Management

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition has now been well established as an effective treatment for various cancers. The EGFR belongs to the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors which regulate tumor cell differentiation, survival and proliferation. Activation of EGFR drives tumorigenesis in lung, head and neck, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Irrespective of the type of cancer being treated and the mechanism by which tumor EGFR drives tumorigenesis, the major side effect of EGFR inhibition is a papulopustular (also described as maculopapular or acneiform) rash which occurs in about two thirds of treated patients. Interestingly, this rash has been commonly correlated with better clinical outcomes (objective tumor response and patient survival). The pathophysiology of dermatological toxicity from EGFR inhibitors is an important area of clinical research, and the proper management of the rash is essential to increase the therapeutic index from this class of drugs. In this paper, we review the dermatologic toxicities associated with EGFR inhibitors with an emphasis on its pathophysiology and clinical management.
Vertex Operators of Admissible Modules ofUq(C(1)n)

Using our recent bosonic realization ofUq(Sp2n), we construct explicitly the vertex operators for the level −1/2 modules ofUq(Sp2n) using bosonic fields. Our method contains a detailed analysis of all theq-intertwining relations.
Allergic Encephalomyelitis: A Hyperacute Form

The hyperacute form of allergic encephalomyelitis is characterized by its short incubation period, 100 percent incidence, overwhelming severity, and high mortality and by the massive quantities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, fibrin, and edema fluid which infiltrate the central nervous system. The hyperacute form has been produced with the aid of aqueous pertussis vaccine as an adjuvant. This is the first reproducible laboratory model for human acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy.
Harvey Cushing's Early Experience with the Surgical Treatment of Head Trauma

The evolution of techniques to manage patients with head injuries has served as the basis for the treatment of other neurosurgical disorders, including brain tumors, intracranial infections, and cerebrovascular disease. In the nineteenth century, advances in anesthesia, asepsis, and cerebral localization slowly took hold and created the groundwork for modern neurosurgery. To better understand the advances in the treatment of brain injuries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, we examine relevant historical literature and, through the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives, we review Dr. Harvey Cushing's patient records (1898-1909) in the Johns Hopkins Hospital surgical archives. The original case histories of 10 patients (6 in detail) who suffered head injuries and underwent treatment by Cushing illustrate some of Cushing's early attempts at intracranial surgery. We also examine the influences on Cushing as he developed into a leader in the new era of modern neurosurgery.
Properties and immunocytochemical localization of three retinoid-binding proteins from bovine retina

Cellular retinal-binding protein (CRALBP) complexed with 11-cis-retinal has several properties characteristic of a visual pigment. Interaction of the protein and retinoid results in a bathochromic shift in the absorption spectrum of the chromophore from 380 to 425 nm, accompanied by a decrease in the extinction coefficient (25,000-15,000 M-1 cm-1). Illumination of the complex results in the progressive loss of absorbance at 425 nm and an increase at 375 nm, consistent with the production of a geometrical isomer of retinal that lacks affinity for the binding protein. Analysis by HPLC of the retinoids after illumination reveals that the basis of the spectral transition is a photoisomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal. Only small amounts (less than 10%) of 13-cis-retinal are produced during the photoisomerization, showing the stereospecificity of the process. Although CRALBP has the spectral characteristics of a blue-sensitive visual pigment, there is no evidence that this is related to its function. This protein may serve as a model for the interactions of 11-cis-retinal and protein. Eleven-cis-retinol bound to CRALBP is a better substrate for esterification by microsomes from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) than all-trans-retinol bound to cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP). The product of the reaction, retinyl ester, does not remain bound to either binding protein but becomes associated with the microsomal fraction. Esterification is the first described process, occurring in the dark, by which retinoids can be removed from CRBP and CRALBP. Antibodies to bovine CRBP have been produced in rabbits following injection of the performic acid-oxidized protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Plastic choices: Consumer usage of bank cards versus proprietary credit cards

Using survey data from retail and gasoline cardholders, we examine the substitution of general purpose (bank) cards for proprietary cards and how issuers can predict which consumers are most likely to substitute. Convenience and rebates are the primary reasons for using a bank card. However, consumers use their proprietary gasoline cards to keep purchase records and proprietary retail cards to obtain better service. These results help explain the growth in popularity of “co-branded” cards.
Electrocardiographic patterns of proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion in ST-elevation myocardial infarction may be modified by 3-vessel coronary artery disease

Background The electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern of ST-segment deviation in myocardial infarction is integral to the proper assessment of the location, extent, and functional significance of the infarct but may be modified by the underlying coronary artery anatomy.
Experimental measurement of Ag vapor polarizability using optical interferometry and x-ray radiography

In this paper we present an experimentally measured value for the linear polarizability of Ag neutral vapor generated by exploding fine wires. The polarizability $\ensuremath{\alpha},$ index of refraction $\ensuremath{\eta},$ and the neutral vapor volume density n are related by the expression $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\simeq}1+2\ensuremath{\pi}n\ensuremath{\alpha}.$ The neutral vapor density was obtained from x-ray radiographic images taken using an X-pinch backlighter. The index of refraction was measured using an air-wedge shearing interferometer. The polarizability of Ag is obtained from these two measurements and compared to the theoretical predictions. Factors that can affect the measurement accuracy are also discussed.
A (somewhat) new solution to the variable binding problem

To perform automatic, unconscious inference, the human brain must solve the binding problem by correctly grouping properties with objects. Temporal binding models like SHRUTI already suggest much of how this might be done in a connectionist and localist way by using temporal synchrony. We propose a set of alternatives to temporal synchrony mechanisms that instead use short signatures. This serves two functions: it allows us to explore an additional biologically plausible alternative, and it allows us to extend and improve the capabilities of these models. These extensions model the human ability to both perform unification and handle multiple instantiations of logical terms. To verify our model's feasibility, we simulate it with a computer system modeling simple, neuron-like computations.
The effects of fillers and extenders on the cure properties of phenol–formaldehyde resin as determined by the application of thermal techniques

The techniques of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to examine the effects of the addition of various fillers and extenders (clay, pecan shell flour, and wheat flour) on the curing mechanism of a phenol-formaldehyde resol. The DMTA results indicated that the curing process was unaffected by any of the additives. The DSC thermograms showed a single exothermic peak that was not influenced to a great extent by the fillers or extenders. Comparison of viscosity measurements and gel time determinations showed slight differences in the physical properties of the uncured resins
Capturing Consumer Preference Through Experiential Conjoint Analysis

Traditionally, consumer preference is modeled in terms of preference for the aesthetic and functional features of a product. This paper introduces a new means to model consumer preference that allows for the experience of and interaction with a product to account for not only for how a product looks and functions, but also how it feels to use it. Traditional conjoint-based approaches to preference modeling require a user to judge preference for a product based upon a 2D product representation or a feature list. While the aesthetic forms and functional features of a product are certainty important, the decision to buy or not to buy a product often depends on more, namely the experience or feel of use. We introduce the concept of experiential conjoint analysis, a method to mathematically capture preference for a product through experience-based preference judgments. Experience-based preference judgments are made based upon the use, or simulated use, of a product. For many products, creating enough physical prototypes to generate a preference model is cost prohibitive. In this work, virtual reality technologies are used to allow the subjects an interactive, immersive, and realistic product experience, provided at little investment. The results of this work show not only that preference judgments of the interaction of a 3D virtual product representation can be used to generate accurate preference models, but that non-experiential judgments of the same product’s 2D forms lead to the generation of different preference models. Further, the virtual reality experience is found to provide an advantage in the form of confidence, information, and/or realism. Such experiential-based preference models provide previously unavailable design insight with which to inform the design generation process.© 2013 ASME
5-Hydroxytryptamine does not reduce sympathetic nerve activity or neuroeffector function in the splanchnic circulation.

Abstract Infusion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in conscious rats results in a sustained (up to 30 days) fall in blood pressure. This is accompanied by an increase in splanchnic blood flow. Because the splanchnic circulation is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, we hypothesized that 5-HT would: 1) directly reduce sympathetic nerve activity in the splanchnic region; and/or 2) inhibit sympathetic neuroeffector function in splanchnic blood vessels. Moreover, removal of the sympathetic innervation of the splanchnic circulation (celiac ganglionectomy) would reduce 5-HT-induced hypotension. In anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, mean blood pressure was reduced from 101±4 to 63±3 mm Hg during slow infusion of 5-HT (25 μg/kg/min, i.v.). Pre- and postganglionic splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity were unaffected during 5-HT infusion. In superior mesenteric arterial rings prepared for electrical field stimulation, neither 5-HT (3, 10, 30 nM), the 5-HT1B receptor agonist CP 93129 nor 5-HT1/7 receptor agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine inhibited neurogenic contraction compared to vehicle. 5-HT did not inhibit neurogenic contraction in superior mesenteric venous rings. Finally, celiac ganglionectomy did not modify the magnitude of fall or time course of 5-HT-induced hypotension when compared to animals receiving sham ganglionectomy. We conclude it is unlikely 5-HT interacts with the sympathetic nervous system at the level of the splanchnic preganglionic or postganglionic nerve, as well as at the neuroeffector junction, to reduce blood pressure. These important studies allow us to rule out a direct interaction of 5-HT with the splanchnic sympathetic nervous system as a cause of the 5-HT-induced fall in blood pressure.
Intermediation costs and capital flows

Abstract In this paper, we modify the standard neoclassical model by incorporating financial intermediation in order to deliver returns consistent with the observation that capital primarily flows to middle income countries. We build a static contracting framework where costly intermediation together with an adverse selection problem have quantitatively important effects on capital flows. When intermediation costs are ignored, the model behaves like the neoclassical model in terms of capital returns. However, when intermediation costs are considered, returns to capital in middle income countries could exceed those in poor and rich countries—high costs of intermediation cause poor countries to concentrate their investments in projects with low returns, while the standard neoclassical effect lowers returns in capital-rich countries. When we embed the return function from the static analysis in a two-country dynamic model, there is capital outflow from a poor country that removes capital controls and becomes open. Even though the closed economy dominates in terms of capital employed in production, it is the open economy that dominates in terms of income, consumption and welfare.
The crystal structure of the Escherichia coli MobA protein provides insight into molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide biosynthesis.

The molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is found in a variety of enzymes present in all phyla and comprises a family of related molecules containing molybdopterin (MPT), a tricyclic pyranopterin with a cis-dithiolene group, as the invariant essential moiety. MPT biosynthesis involves a conserved pathway, but some organisms perform additional reactions that modify MPT. In eubacteria, the cofactor is often present in a dinucleotide form combining MPT and a purine or pyrimidine nucleotide via a pyrophosphate linkage. In Escherichia coli, the MobA protein links a guanosine 5′-phosphate to MPT forming molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide. This reaction requires GTP, MgCl2, and the MPT form of the cofactor and can efficiently reconstituteRhodobacter sphaeroides apo-DMSOR, an enzyme that requires molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide for activity. In this paper, we present the crystal structure of MobA, a protein containing 194 amino acids. The MobA monomer has an α/β architecture in which the N-terminal half of the molecule adopts a Rossman fold. The structure of MobA has striking similarity to Bacillus subtilis SpsA, a nucleotide-diphospho-sugar transferase involved in sporulation. The cocrystal structure of MobA and GTP reveals that the GTP-binding site is located in the N-terminal half of the molecule. Conserved residues located primarily in three signature sequence motifs form crucial interactions with the bound nucleotide. The binding site for MPT is located adjacent to the GTP-binding site in the C-terminal half of the molecule, which contains another set of conserved residues presumably involved in MPT binding.
On-line discovery of flock patterns in spatio-temporal data

With the recent advancements and wide usage of location detection devices, large quantities of data are collected by GPS and cellular technologies in the form of trajectories. While most previous work on trajectory-based queries has concentrated on traditional range, nearest-neighbor and similarity queries, there is an increasing interest in queries that capture the "aggregate" behavior of trajectories as groups. Consider, for example, finding groups of moving objects that move "together", i.e. within a predefined distance to each other, for a certain continuous period of time. Such queries typically arise in surveillance applications, e.g. identify groups of suspicious people, convoys of vehicles, flocks of animals, etc. In this paper we first show that the on-line flock discovery problem is polynomial and then propose a framework and several strategies to discover such patterns in streaming spatio-temporal data. Experiments with real and synthetic trajectorial datasets show that the proposed algorithms are efficient and scalable.
Reconceptualizing Emotion Regulation

Emotion regulation is one of the major foci of study in the fields of emotion and emotional development. This article proposes that to properly study emotion regulation, one must consider not only an intrapersonal view of emotion, but a relational one as well. Defining properties of intrapersonal and relational approaches are spelled out, and implications drawn for how emotion regulation is conceptualized, how studies are designed, how findings are interpreted, and how generalizations are drawn. Most research to date has been conducted from an intrapersonal perspective, and the shortcomings of this approach for understanding emotion regulation are highlighted. The article emphasizes major conceptual and methodological steps required for a fuller description of the process of emotion regulation.
The Road to Rebellion: Class Formation and Kansas Populism, 1865-1900

In the late 1800s an unprecedented coalition of American farmers rose to challenge the course of national politics. Aspiring to a society in which justice and equality were the norm, the farmers galvanized thousands of voters, causing two dominant political parties to reshape their agendas. Yet by 1900, the movement was virtually dead. Scott G. McNall analyzes why America's largest mass-democratic movement failed. He focuses his inquiry on Kansas, the center of the agrarian rebellion that led to the creation of the Farmer's Alliance and, later, to the founding of the People's party. Integrating new historical accounts with original analyses of census data, Alliance membership records, and speech transcripts, McNall restores these Kansas voices, revealing their struggle against an entrenched class system, indifferent political parties, and economic hardship. McNall rejects the traditional view that blames the failure of the Alliance on a turn to mass-based electoral politics, but rather sees the move into national politics by the Farmer's Alliance as part of a rational strategy to better wage their fight for economic justice. The Kansas populists failed, he argues, because of their inability to embrace a broad, working-class base, to provide an effective alternative vision, and ultimately to create a distinct class organization. Debates about how classes come into being, or how democracy is to be realized, cannot be settled in the abstract. McNall's recreation of this heroic struggle is a model in the analysis of class formation. At the same time, "The Road to Rebellion" is dynamic social history, which holds vital lessons for structuring and realizing alternative political agendas today.
Uptake of amino acids and ammonia at mid-gestation by the fetal lamb

Fetal uptakes of amino acids and ammonia via the umbilical circulation were measured in single pregnant ewes at mid-gestation (range 66-81 days). There were significant net fluxes from placenta to fetus of ammonia and twelve amino acids (in decreasing order: glutamine, glycine, alanine, proline, lysine, arginine, threonine, valine, leucine, tyrosine, asparagine, isoleucine) and net fluxes from fetus to placenta of glutamate and serine. The estimated serine flux was 139 mumol day-1 (g fetal dry wt)-1. Comparison with late gestation data indicated a similar pattern of amino acid exchange. However, the relatively large placental uptake of fetal serine was a distinctive feature of mid-gestation. The net fetal uptake of amino acid nitrogen was 2.83 +/- 0.66 micrograms N (mumol O2 uptake)-1, or 18 mg N day-1 (g dry wt)-1. This uptake was similar in magnitude to the combined fetal requirements for nitrogen accretion and urea synthesis and represented approximately 32 and 43% of fetal carbon and energy requirements, respectively.
A method for approximating the density of maximum-likelihood and maximum a posteriori estimates under a Gaussian noise model.

The performance of maximum-likelihood (ML) and maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimates in non-linear problems at low data SNR is not well predicted by the Cramer-Rao or other lower bounds on variance. In order to better characterize the distribution of ML and MAP estimates under these conditions, we derive a point approximation to density values of the conditional distribution of such estimates. In an example problem, this approximate distribution captures the essential features of the distribution of ML estimates in the presence of Gaussian-distributed noise.
In vitro and in vivo inhibition of sucrose synthesis by sucrose

Abstract The inhibitory effects of sucrose on rates of sucrose synthesis by sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) from the maize scutellum and on net rates of sucrose production in maize scutellum slices from added glucose or fructose were studied. Scutellum extracts were prepared by freezing and thawing scutellum slices in buffer. The extracts contained SPS and sucrose phosphate phosphatase, but were free of sucrose synthase. SPS activity was calculated from measurement of UDP formation in the presence of UDPG, fructose-6-P and sucrose. The ranges of metabolite concentrations used were those estimated to be in scutellum slices after incubation in water or fructose for periods up to 5 hr. UDPG and fructose-6-P also were added at concentrations that saturated SPS. At saturating substrate levels, sucrose inhibition of SPS was less than that when tissue levels of substrates were used. With tissue levels of substrates and sucrose concentrations up to ca 166 mM, sucrose inhibitions of sucrose synthesis in vitro by SPS were similar to those observed in vivo . However, as the sucrose concentration rose above 166 mM, SPS activity was not inhibited further, whereas there was a further sharp decline in sucrose production by the slices. It is concluded that sucrose synthesis in vivo is controlled by sucrose inhibition of SPS over a considerable range of internal sucrose concentrations.
Challenges to american public administration: complexity, bureaucratization, and the culture of distrust

In the United States, the development of public administration has depended on its different historic challenges. There have been periods characterized by much contemplation of “why things don’t work,” when one hears more about the problems of the field than about solutions. In contrast, solutions become the center of discussions during periods of optimism. Public Administration in the United States has seemingly entered an era of reform over the past decade. Such an era is characterized by a major change in attitute, particuarly towards two challenges, those of complexity and bureaucratization. The treatment of these challenges has gone from pessimistic views of the mid-1970s to the current more proactive approaches. Public administration in the United States has always had to contend with its low level of legitimacy, but every so often the level of distrust would decrease enough for the nation's leaders to carry out needed reforms. Such a time is approaching as public administrators in the United States...
Fetus in fetu: a case report

A fetus in fetu is defined as a condition where a parasitic twin is found included within the body of its partner [8]. This is a report of a fetus in fetu treated successfully in a 4-mounth-old boy that fulfilled all the criteria of the disease. A brief review of the literature is also included.
EE service course redesign: A three-year study

Electrical engineering service courses at the University of Kansas have been modernized over the past three years from a “one-size-fits-all” format marked by student disinterest and low attendance to multiple courses that are tailored to the needs of specific majors in the other engineering fields. A focus session in 2005 with faculty from the other engineering departments resulted in a three-hour service course on electric circuits and machines tailored to the needs of architectural and civil engineering students in fall semesters (05 to 08). A different service course on circuits, electronics, and instrumentation has been developed for mechanical and aerospace engineering students in spring semesters (06 to 09). An associated one-hour lab is offered during spring semesters. Motivational features include a grading procedure based on daily short quizzes and block exams and (2) occasional classroom presentations of student-driven mini-cases on topics such as resistance strain gauges that demonstrate applications specific to the other engineering fields. This paper both consolidates and expands Works-In-Progress papers presented at the most recent three FIE Conferences by (1) identifying the contributions of laboratory exercises, (2) providing comparative data not previously available, and (3) describing newly revised motivational features.
Solar System Abundances and Condensation Temperatures of the Elements

Solar photospheric and meteoritic CI chondrite abundance determinations for all elements are summarized and the best currently available photospheric abundances are selected. The meteoritic and solar abundances of a few elements (e.g., noble gases, beryllium, boron, phosphorous, sulfur) are discussed in detail. The photospheric abundances give mass fractions of hydrogen (X ¼ 0:7491), helium (Y ¼ 0:2377), and heavy elements (Z ¼ 0:0133), leading to Z=X ¼ 0:0177, which is lower than the widely used Z=X ¼ 0:0245 from previous compilations. Recent results from standard solar models considering helium and heavy-element settling imply that photospheric abundances and mass fractions are not equal to protosolar abundances (representative of solar system abundances). Protosolar elemental and isotopic abundances are derived from photospheric abundances by considering settling effects. Derived protosolar mass fractions are X0 ¼ 0:7110, Y0 ¼ 0:2741, and Z0 ¼ 0:0149. The solar system and photospheric abundance tables are used to compute self-consistent sets of condensation temperatures for all elements. Subject headings: astrochemistry — meteors, meteoroids — solar system: formation — Sun: abundances — Sun: photosphere
NSTX protection and interlock systems for coil and powers supply systems

NSTX at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) requires sophisticated plasma positioning control system for stable plasma operation. TF magnetic coils and PF magnetic coils provide electromagnetic fields to position and shape the plasma vertically and horizontally respectively. NSTX utilizes twenty six coil power supplies to establish and initiate electromagnetic fields through the coil system for plasma control. A power protection and interlock system is utilized to detect power system faults and protect the TF coils and PF coils against excessive electromechanical forces, overheating, and over current. Upon detecting any fault condition the power system is restricted, and it is either prevented from initializing or suppressed to de-energize coil power during pulsing. Power fault status is immediately reported to the computer system. This paper describes the design and operation of NSTX's protection and interlocking system and possible future expansion plans.
A climatology of warm‐season mesoscale convective complexes in subtropical South America

This study extends investigations of mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) over subtropical South America (SSA) by describing the physical characteristics of MCCs during the austral warm season (October–May) for 1998–2007 in SSA. Within the nine warm seasons, 330 events were documented. An average of 37 MCCs occurred each warm season and reached a maximum cloud-shield size of 256 500 km2, and lasted 14 h on average. Although 85% of the MCC population occurred over the South American continent, the remaining systems that occurred over the adjacent Atlantic Ocean were significantly larger by nearly 30%. These findings show MCCs in SSA are larger and longer-lived than shown in previous work. Compared to the United States, MCCs in SSA are significantly larger with longer durations. Unlike the US systems, these events do not exhibit much poleward migration throughout the warm season. The highest frequency and concentration of MCC cloud shields are centred east of the Andes Mountains between 20°S and 30°S over Paraguay, northern Argentina, and southern Brazil throughout the warm season. As a result, relationships between latitude, and MCC maximum extent or duration are weak or non-existent, respectively. There is, however, a moderate positive relationship between duration and maximum extent. Ultimately, MCCs in SSA are large, long-lasting events that possess great potential for contributing significantly to precipitation totals across the region. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Low micromolar intravascular cell-free hemoglobin concentration affects vascular NO bioavailability in sickle cell disease: a computational analysis

In sickle cell disease, the changes in RBC morphology destabilize the red blood cell (RBC) membrane and lead to hemolysis. Several experimental and clinical studies have associated intravascular hemolysis with pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease. Cell-free hemoglobin (Hb) from intravascular hemolysis has high affinity for nitrixc oxide (NO) and can affect the NO bioavailability in the sickle cell disease, which may eventually lead to pulmonary hypertension. To study the effects of intravascular hemolysis related cell-free Hb concentrations on NO bioavailability, we developed a two-dimensional mathematical model of NO biotransport in 50-μm arteriole under steady-state sickle cell disease conditions. We analyzed the effects of flow-dependent NO production and axial and radial transport of NO, a recently reported much lower NO-RBC reaction rate constant, and cell-free layer thickness on NO biotransport. Our results show that the presence of cell-free Hb concentrations as low as 0.5 μM results in an approximately three- to sevenfold reduction in the predicted smooth muscle cell NO concentrations compared with those under physiological conditions. In addition, increasing the diffusional resistance for NO in vascular lumen from cell-free layer or reducing NO-RBC reaction rate did not improve the NO bioavailability at the smooth muscle cell layer significantly for cell-free Hb concentrations ≥1 μM. These results suggest that lower NO bioavailability due to low micromolar cell-free Hb can disturb NO homeostasis and cause insufficient bioavailability at the smooth muscle cell layer. Our results supports the hypothesis that hemolysis-associated reduction in NO bioavailability may play a role in the development of pathophysiological complications like pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease that are observed in several clinical and experimental studies.
The role of causal connections in the retrieval of text

In two experiments, subjects read a series of passages, each containing two target concepts that appeared in widely separated positions within the passage. Following each passage, the time to retrieve each of these concepts was recorded. Several measures from both the Kintsch and van Dijk (1978) model and Trabasso and Sperry’s (1985) causal analysis were derived to predict retrieval time. Regression analyses showed that substantial proportions of variance were accounted for by measures derived from a causal analysis. Neither physical position nor measures based on the Kintsch and van Dijk model accounted for significant proportions of variance. Following Experiment 2, a reanalysis of O’Brien’s (1987) results revealed that the number of causal connections to an antecedent was a significant predictor of antecedent search time. Results are discussed in terms of a spread of activation through an integrated text representation in which causal connections play a major role.
Energy scaling and beam quality studies of a zigzag solid-state plastic dye laser

Studies of the energy scaling and beam quality improvement of a long-pulse laser pumped solid-state dye laser using a unique new zigzag optical configuration are presented. A beam quality of 1.7 XDL was measured using an unstable optical cavity at a laser output of 200 mJ. Single pulse energies as high as 1 J have been achieved. The laser has been operated at 5 Hz with an average output of about 250 mJ for runs up to 200 pulses.
Fluctuating viability selection on morphology of cliff swallows is driven by climate

The extent to which fluctuating selection can maintain evolutionary stasis in most populations remains an unresolved question in evolutionary biology. Climate has been hypothesized to drive reversals in the direction of selection among different time periods and may also be responsible for intense episodic selection caused by rare weather events. We measured viability selection associated with morphological traits in cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) in western Nebraska, USA, over a 14-year period following a rare climatic event. We used mark-recapture to estimate the annual apparent survival of over 26 000 individuals whose wing, tail, tarsus and bill had been measured. The fitness functions associated with tarsus length and bill dimensions fluctuated depending on annual climate conditions on the birds' breeding grounds. The oscillating yearly patterns may have slowed and occasionally reversed directional change in trait trajectories, although there was a trend over time for all traits except tarsus to increase in size. The net positive directional selection on some traits, despite periodic climate-associated fluctuations, suggests that cliff swallow morphology in the population is likely to keep changing and supports recent work contending that selection in general does not fluctuate enough to be an effective driver of stasis.
A Reply from HHMI

### To: The Editors of The Journal of Cell Biology : The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) recently announced a policy on Public Access to Publications for its investigators and Janelia Farm Research Campus scientists ( ). This policy
Gene Expression and Proteomic Analysis of Pancreatic Cancer: a Recent Update

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease for which little progress in early diagnosis or treatment has been made for many decades. Better biomarkers are urgently needed for early detection while the cancer is potentially curable. Recently, expression profiling, including gene expression profiling and proteomic profiling, have demonstrated new opportunities to investigate crucial events underlying pancreatic tumorigenesis and to exploit this knowledge for early detection and better intervention. This review will discuss and compare recently published data on this topic. With the completion of the human genome sequencing project and the continued progress in technologies and bioinformatics tools, global analysis of gene and protein expressions in cells and tissues is becoming feasible. Differential expression profiling in cancer compared to normal or non-cancerous tissues allows for the parallel analysis of the genes and proteins that are expressed under such disease settings, leading to discovery of dysregulated genes/proteins that are biologically significant or responsible for the disease. Such efforts can potentially lead to the discovery of important biomarker candidates for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States (1), with one of the worst survival rates of all cancer types. While there has been considerable improvement in the genetic and proteomic understanding of the top three cancers in the US (breast, lung and colon), the fourth most common cause of cancer death (pancreatic) has not been adequately studied. Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in 30,000 patients in the US every year; only 200 of these patients will still be alive one year later. Therefore, the study of genetic and protein events that lead to neoplastic progression in the pancreas is important from both scientific and clinical stand-points.
Social Exchange and Equity Determinants of Relationship Commitment

The present study examines the explanatory power of alternative determinants of relationship commitment derived from the social exchange and equity perspective. We hypothesized that relationship commitment varies directly with relationship outcomes, outcomes relative to the attractiveness of alternatives, relationship satisfaction and duration. We also hypothesized that commitment varies inversely with relationship inequity and that females would be less committed to their relationships than would males. Using self-report data from college students dating one person exclusively and multiple regression procedures, we found clear support for the first set of hypotheses, marginal support for the effect of inequity, and no -support for the hypothesized gender difference in commitment.
Establishing advanced implant annealing for the 65 nm technology node

An essential requirement for the continued scaling of CMOS technology is the ability to fabricate junctions with decreased depth and increased abruptness without compromising the maximum activation level of dopants. Reduction of ion implantation energy has been instrumental in meeting this requirement and will play an important role in the future. However, advances in annealing technology continue to be critical in order to realize the potential benefits of lower energy implants. Spike anneals, in which the wafer only spends 1 to 2 s within 50/spl deg/C of the peak temperature, are playing a key role in 130 nm and 90 nm node technologies. These anneals have proved successful in mitigating enhanced diffusion effects. They have enabled superior junctions by allowing annealing at higher temperatures to increase electrical activation while limiting diffusion by virtue of sharper temperature-time profiles. Employing temperature-time profiles of greatly increased sharpness can extend this principle further. We have used a flash-lamp based system to investigate the evolution of dopant profiles and the associated damage structure following low-energy ion implantation. Peak temperatures of values up to 1300/spl deg/C were used while the sharpness of the temperature-time profile was sharpened in to the sub-millisecond range. Profiles with significantly reduced junction depths have been obtained without compromising high active concentration. This method has the potential to produce profiles with improved abruptness but we show that this is sensitive to the choice of implantation conditions. Under optimized conditions it is now possible to take full advantage of reducing implantation energy and produce profiles that can be expected to enable device technology at the 65 nm node and beyond.
NEW EVIDENCE ON ASYMMETRIC GASOLINE PRICE RESPONSES

In a 1997 paper, Borenstein, Cameron, and Gilbert (BCG) claim that gasoline prices rise quickly following an increase in the price of crude oil, but fall slowly following a decrease. This note estimates an error-correction model with daily spot gasoline and crude-oil price data over the period 1985–1998 and finds no evidence of asymmetry in wholesale gasoline prices. The sources of the difference in results are twofold. First, we use the standard Engle-Granger two-step estimation procedure, whereas BCG used a nonstandard estimation methodology. Second, even using BCG's nonstandard specification, the use of daily rather than weekly data yields little evidence of price asymmetry.
Comparison of Primary Coronary Stenting to Primary Balloon Angioplasty With Stent Bailout for the Treatment of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

This study compares the immediate and long-term outcomes of a primary coronary stenting strategy with primary balloon angioplasty with stent bailout in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). One hundred forty-seven consecutive patients who underwent primary balloon angioplasty with stent bailout (n = 94) or primary stenting (n = 53) for AMI were clinically followed for 8.1 +/- 5.7 and 8.5 +/- 4.5 months, respectively. Immediate results, as well as in-hospital and long-term ischemic events (death, reinfarction, and repeat revascularization) were compared between both groups. Angiographic success was 91.5% in the balloon angioplasty group and 94% in the stent group. In-hospital and late follow-up combined ischemic events were 22 of 94 (23%) versus 0 of 53 (0%); p < 0.001 and 33 of 78 (42%) versus 13 of 53 (25%), p = 0.04 for the balloon angioplasty and stent groups, respectively. At 6 months, the cumulative probability of repeat target lesion revascularization was higher in the balloon angioplasty group (47% vs 18%, p = 0.0006) as was the probability of late target revascularization (36% vs 18%, p = 0.046); the cumulative event-free survival after 6 months was significantly lower in the balloon angioplasty group (44% vs 80%, p = 0.0001). This study demonstrates that a primary stent placement strategy in patients with AMI is safe, feasible, and superior to primary balloon angioplasty with stent bailout. Primary stenting results in a larger postprocedural minimal luminal diameter, a lower early and late recurrent ischemic event rate, and a lower incidence of target lesion revascularization at follow-up.
Manubrial Fracture with an Associated Innominate Artery Injury

A 21-year-old man was a restrained front-seat passenger in a high-speed head-on motor vehicle crash. Initial chest radiograph showed an abnormal mediastinum (Fig 1); subsequent contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) angiography showed a mediastinal hematoma and innominate artery dissection (Fig 2). Sagittal reformatted images demonstrated a manubrial fracture immediately anterior to the vascular injury. Conventional angiography confirmed the innominate artery dissection and also showed an additional left common carotid artery origin injury not seen on CT (Fig 3). These injuries were confirmed and repaired at surgery. In blunt chest trauma, sternal fractures are uncommon, seen in 8%-10% of patients in 1 series 1 and 1.5%-4% of patients in another. 2 Risk factors for sternal fractures include seatbelt use in motor vehicle collisions and advanced age. Indeed, the incidence of sternal fractures has increased 3-fold since the standard use of across-the-shoulder belts. 2 Before widespread seatbelt use, sternal fractures were most often seen in motor vehicle accidents where the patient’s chest had direct contact with the steering wheel upon deceleration. In older patients, sternal fractures tend to be isolated injuries. Younger patients have a more elastic and pliable chest wall, so the energy of impact tends to be transmitted to the underlying soft tissues more readily. Thus, the energy required to fracture the
Maintenance evaluation-a missing link?

A discussion is presented of the maintainability/maintenance characteristics of a US Air Force electronic countermeasures (ECM) aircraft pod. The task was threefold: define and analyze the pod failure modes and their maintenance characteristics; determine the methodology and statistics associated with fault selection and recommend how many and which items/modes to fault; and provide a fault consequence analysis and develop fault simulation tools to force specific performance degradations for test purposes, without causing equipment damage or subjecting personnel to safety hazards. The methods used for each of these tasks are described, and the results are presented and assessed. >
Antioxidant Micronutrients and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Colorectal Adenoma Patients: Results from a Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Previous epidemiologic observational and experimental studies investigated the potential of antioxidant micronutrients to modulate cancer risk, but these studies produced inconsistent results. In this pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (n = 47), we assessed the effects of an antioxidant micronutrient combination (800 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate, 24 mg beta-carotene, 1.0 g vitamin C, 200 microg l-selenomethionine, 7.2 mg riboflavin, 80 mg niacin, 60 mg zinc, 5 mg manganese) given daily over 4 months on oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with a history of sporadic colorectal adenoma. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6, and F2-isoprostane concentrations were measured using ELISAs, and cystine (CySS) was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma TNF-alpha concentration decreased in the active treatment group by 37% relative to the placebo group (P = 0.002), and CySS decreased by 19% (P = 0.03); however, interleukin-6 and F2-isoprostane concentrations decreased in antioxidant-treated nonsmokers but increased in smokers, although these findings were not statistically significant. The decreases of TNF-alpha and CySS were more pronounced in nonsmokers. These data suggest that (a) an antioxidant micronutrient cocktail can modulate biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in humans and (b) the effects of antioxidant micronutrient supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress may differ according to smoking status.
Commentary: Pitfalls in the Use of Brief Screening Measures of Coping

The construct of coping has become a central component of empirical research in pediatric psychology. This burgeoning interest in coping reflects a shift in the field towards assessing adaptive functioning in both chronically ill children and children with acute medical conditions. Unfortunately, there is no consensus about a "gold standard" measure to assess coping in pediatric psychology. The lack of a gold standard is due, at least in part, to the fact that there are many different definitions of coping and that the emphasis on type of coping varies markedly from study to study. Even in circumstances where two studies examine the same coping strategy or coping style, the items tapping this coping strategy are often quite different. Clinical researchers also are typically interested in examining a number of factors (e.g., the health care delivery system, family factors, and certain individual traits) in addition to adaptive mechanisms, such as coping, when studying adjustment in pediatric patients. Thus, brief measures of coping are often desired. The Kidcope (Spirito, Stark, & Williams, 1988) is an example of a screening measure of coping for the clinical researcher. The Kidcope contains 10 common cognitive and behavioral coping strategies designed to cut across situations. At the same time, it was recognized that these coping strategies would not be appropriate for all situations, and that there would be times when additional items would be needed to examine certain questions. The items were not categorized into any higher order structure because the function of a particular coping strategy was believed to vary by situation. Clearly, the brevity of the Kidcope has been its greatest appeal.
Gastric emptying time and absorption of simple and complex carbohydrates in Macaca mulatta

Recent studies of nonhuman primates have shown that the amount and type of dietary carbohydrate influences the development of atherosclerotic lesions. In an effort to examine the gastrointestinal handling of simple and complex carbohydrates, measurements of gastric emptying times and uptake of C14 labeled carbohydrates were made for six female Macaca mulatta. A significantly smaller volume of sucrose solutions remained in the stomach after 60 minutes than solutions containing an equal amount by weight of dextrin. Similarly, when solutions of equal osmotic pressures but unequal weights of sucrose and dextrin were used, a significantly smaller volume of the sucrose solution remained in the stomach after 60 minutes. These findings are consistent with the idea that breakdown of dextrin by pancreatic amylase results in an increase in osmotic pressure of the intestinal contents and a slowing of gastric emptying. No significant differences in the levels of glucose or total C14 labeled carbohydrates were found in the peripheral blood following ingestion of C14 labeled sucrose or dextrin. This finding suggests that although an initial difference in the rate of gastric emptying of these carbohydrates exists, other factors, such as the rate of production and activity of pancreatic amylase, activity of intestinal disaccharidases, and intestinal mucosal transport, tend to equalize the rate of absorption of these sugars.