cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reaction of Dichloromethane with Pyridine Derivatives under Ambient Conditions

Pyridine derivatives and dichloromethane (DCM) are commonly used together in a variety of different applications. However, DCM slowly reacts with pyridine and a variety of other representative pyridine derivatives to form methylenebispyridinium dichloride compounds under ambient conditions. The proposed mechanism (two consecutive SN2 reactions) was studied by evaluating the kinetics of the reaction between 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and DCM. The second-order rate constants for the first (k1) and second (k2) substitutions were found to be 2.56(±0.06) × 10−8 and 4.29(±0.01) × 10−4 M−1 s−1, respectively. Because the second substitution is so much faster than the first, the monosubstitution product could not be isolated or detected during the reaction; it was synthesized independently in order to observe its kinetics.
Enhanced Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in High Grade Human Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinomas

Studies in human and animal models have shown that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is up-regulated in several epithelial carcinomas including colon, breast, and lung. To elucidate the possible involvement of COX-2 in human bladder cancer we examined the expression of COX isoforms in benign tissue and in bladder carcinoma specimens. Paraffin embedded tissues from 75 patients with urothelial carcinomas were immunostained with specific antibodies raised against COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 expression was detected in smooth muscle cells in both benign and malignant bladders. COX-2 immunoreactivity was absent in benign tissue and in specimens with low-grade urothelial carcinoma (0/23). In contrast, expression of COX-2 was detected in malignant epithelial cells in 38% (17/47) of specimens with high-grade urothelial carcinomas. Expression of COX-2 in high-grade bladder cancer was confirmed by radioactive in situ hybridization using a COX-2-selective riboprobe. Both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed COX-2 expression in a small subset of malignant cells. COX-2 mRNA was also expressed in three out of seven malignant urothelial cell lines. These data demonstrate elevated expression of COX-2 in a high percentage of high-grade bladder carcinomas, suggesting a possible role of COX-2 in the progression of bladder urothelial carcinoma and supporting its potential as a therapeutic target in human bladder carcinoma.
Face shape of unaffected parents with cleft affected offspring: combining three‐dimensional surface imaging and geometric morphometrics

Structured Abstract Authors – Weinberg SM, Naidoo SD, Bardi KM, Brandon CA, Neiswanger K, Resick JM, Martin RA, Marazita ML Objective – Various lines of evidence suggest that face shape may be a predisposing factor for non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P). In the present study, 3D surface imaging and statistical shape analysis were used to evaluate face shape differences between the unaffected (non-cleft) parents of individuals with CL / P and unrelated controls. Methods – Sixteen facial landmarks were collected from 3D captures of 80 unaffected parents and 80 matched controls. Prior to analysis, each unaffected parent was assigned to a subgroup on the basis of prior family history (positive or negative). A geometric morphometric approach was utilized to scale and superimpose the landmark coordinate data (Procrustes analysis), test for omnibus group differences in face shape, and uncover specific modes of shape variation capable of discriminating unaffected parents from controls. Results – Significant disparity in face shape was observed between unaffected parents and controls (p < 0.01). Notably, these changes were specific to parents with a positive family history of CL / P. Shape changes associated with CL / P predisposition included marked flattening of the facial profile (midface retrusion), reduced upper facial height, increased lower facial height, and excess interorbital width. Additionally, a sex-specific pattern of parent-control difference was evident in the transverse dimensions of the nasolabial complex. Conclusions – The faces of unaffected parents from multiplex cleft families displayed meaningful shape differences compared with the general population. Quantitative assessment of the facial phenotype in cleft families may enhance efforts to discover the root causes of CL /P.
Human B-1 cells are not preplasmablasts: analysis of microarray data and other issues.

To the editor: We recently reported that human B-1 cells express the phenotype CD20+CD27+CD43+CD70−.[1][1],[2][2] Covens et al[3][3] now assert that B cells with this phenotype resemble plasmablasts and thus represent preplasmablasts. Their conclusion rests to a large extent on microarray data
Macroglossia and ankyloglossia in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

Since the recognition of the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome was first noted in 1963, the number of associated anomalies has vastly increased. The rate of appearance of this abnormality is 1 in 13,5000 births. This article presents a case that includes macroglossia and ankyloglossia along with a bifid uvula and a submucous cleft of the palate. A discussion of treatment follows.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE WATER BINDING IN GELS

The water-binding properties of four gelling macromolecules (carrageenan, agar, potato starch and gelatin) were studied through measurement of the vapor pressure of water in the gels, suction pressure and Flory-Huggins x-value developed by the gel, and reduced mobility of water protons as measured by the spin lattice relaxation time from NMR. The difference in water binding between gels could be explained based on hydrogen bonding of water to specific sites and between water molecules; induced water-water interactions due to hydrophobic regions on the macromolecule; and dipole interactions of water with the ionic sites on the macromolecule. The suction pressure method shows carrageenan and agar to be the best water binders at low concentrations which is illustrated by a decreased x-value with increased concentration. Gelatin and starch show opposite behavior. The NMR results indicate a different order of water binding due to the difference in cooperative bonding. In this case agar was the best water binder at low aw and gelatin the poorest. This study shows the difficulty that could arise in using only one index of water binding.
Identification of the cell population responding to DNP-GL in lethally irradiated strain 13 chimeric guinea pigs reconstituted with strain 13 bone marrow and (2 × 13) F1 lymph node and spleen cells

Abstract The ability to respond to DNP-GL was successfully transferred to lethally irradiated, nonresponder strain 13 guinea pigs protected with syngeneic bone marrow and immunologically reconstituted with (2 × 13) F 1 lymph node and spleen cells. An analysis of the origin of the lymphoid cells involved in anti-DNP antibody production and antigen-mediated stimulation of lymph node cells in vitro was performed in the chimeric animals. It was found that both functions depended entirely on the presence of the (2 × 13) F 1 donor cells.
Chlorophyll photosensitized electron transfer reactions in lipid bilayer vesicles : generation of proton gradients across the bilayer coupled to quinone reduction and hydroquinone oxidation

— A chlorophyll-containing small unilamellar lipid bilayer vesicle system with a sulfonated quinone molecule (MQS) in one aqueous compartment and a sulfonated hydroquinone molecule (H2QS) in the other has been investigated, using laser flash photolysis and steady-state irradiation, as a means of storing light energy in the form of a proton gradient across the lipid bilayer. Under optimal conditions, an efficiency of 39% based on the chlorophyll triplet state quenched has been achieved for vectorial electron transfer across the bilayer; this corresponds to a quantum yield of 23% based on absorbed photons. As a consequence of irradiation by a single laser flash, 0.2 μM of protons were taken up by quinone reduction (MQS H2MQS) in the outer compartment. The same number of protons were released in the inner compartment by hydroquinone oxidation (H2QS QS). Since the volume occupied by the vesicles was only 1/1000 of the total volume of the sample, the local concentration of protons in the inner compartment was 1000 times larger (i.e.≅ 200 μM), resulting in the generation of an appreciable proton gradient across the bilayer.
Toward a rational design of peptide inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase: structure-function and modeling studies.

Mammalian ribonucleotide reductase, a chemotherapeutic target, has two subunits, mR1 and mR2, and is inhibited by AcF1TLDADF7, denoted P7. P7 corresponds to the C-terminus of mR2 and competes with ...
Objectives of undergraduate medical education in musculoskeletal surgery and medicine.

The Medical School Objectives Project is an initiative of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) that is designed to reach a general consensus within the American medical education community on the “skills, attitudes, and knowledge” that students graduating from accredited American medical schools should possess before beginning postgraduate training. Since its inception in 1997, the Medical School Objectives Project has published special reports addressing specific topics in medical education. The goal of these reports is to outline these learning objectives and the educational and assessment strategies that might be put to use in their implementation. Titles of previous reports issued by the Medical School Objectives Project include “Medical Informatics and Population Health,” “Communication in Medicine,” “Basic Science and Clinical Research,” “Quality of Care,” and “Genetics Education.” These reports are available online at www.aamc.org/meded/msop/start.htm. The underlying philosophical thrust of the reports, and of the Medical School Objectives Project, is the belief that mastery of their content might result in physicians who are altruistic, knowledgeable, skillful, and dutiful. In order that the critical importance of the mastery of musculoskeletal medicine and surgery would be appreciated by medical educators, the Committee on Medical Student, Resident and Fellow Education …
Extension of micro-Raman spectroscopy for full-component stress characterization of TSV structures

In this paper, we extend the micro-Raman technique for measurement of all three normal stress components around the through-silicon via (TSV) structure, as compared with the traditional technique of measuring the sum of the normal stresses. In this technique, a high numerical aperture (NA) objective is used to observe the two additional lattice vibration modes (Mode 1 and 2) together with the conventional longitudinal optical mode (Mode 3) so that all three normal stress components can be determined separately. [1] In our micro-Raman system, all the three vibration modes become measurable with numerical aperture (NA) exceeding 0.40 and with spectral intensities increasing with NA. The relatively weak signal strengths of Mode 1 and 2 necessitate careful calibrations of the signal-to-noise ratio and the optimization of the laser power level. This led to a choice of NA of 0.85 with 100× objective in the experiments. This method was applied for a full characterization of the stress components in a 2 by 2 array of blind copper TSVs with 5 μm diameter, 55μm depth and covered with 2μm oxide. The accuracy of Raman measurements was calibrated as a function of polarization configuration, laser power (2mW to 10mW). The experimental results show a good agreement with FEA simulation.
3D Traction Stresses Activate Protease-Dependent Invasion of Cancer Cells

Cell invasion and migration that occurs, for example, in cancer metastasis is rooted in the ability of cells to navigate through varying levels of physical constraint exerted by the extracellular matrix. Cancer cells can invade matrices in either a protease-independent or a protease-dependent manner. An emerging critical component that influences the mode of cell invasion is the traction stresses generated by the cells in response to the physicostructural properties of the extracellular matrix. In this study, we have developed a reference-free quantitative assay for measuring three-dimensional (3D) traction stresses generated by cells during the initial stages of invasion into matrices exerting varying levels of mechanical resistance. Our results show that as cells encounter higher mechanical resistance, a larger fraction of them shift to protease-mediated invasion, and this process begins at lower values of cell invasion depth. On the other hand, the compressive stress generated by the cells at the onset of protease-mediated invasion is found to be independent of matrix stiffness, suggesting that 3D traction stress is a key factor in triggering protease-mediated cancer cell invasion. At low 3D compressive traction stresses, cells utilize bleb formation to indent the matrix in a protease independent manner. However, at higher stress values, cells utilize invadopodia-like structures to mediate protease-dependent invasion into the 3D matrix. The critical value of compressive traction stress at the transition from a protease-independent to a protease-dependent mode of invasion is found to be ∼165 Pa.
Scanning Acoustic Microscopy of SCS‐6 Silicon Carbide Fiber

Scanning acoustic microscopy of SCS-6 silicon carbide fiber reveals large radial variations in acoustic reflectivity associated with the chemical composition and microstructure of a given fiber region. Rayleigh wave fringe patterns observed in each of five subregions are used to calculate the average Young modulus of that subregion. The Young modulus is found to increase monotonically from 40 GPa in the carbon core to a value of 413 GPa in the stoichiometric SiC region. The effective Young modulus of the fiber as a whole is estimated from the moduli of the individual regions and it is compared with mechanical measurements reported in the literature.
Forecasting federal budget deficits: how reliable are US Congressional budget office projections?

US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasts of nominal government expenditure, revenue, and deficits as well as nominal gross national product are examined for their reliablity. Critics contend ...
On radio-star visibility fades and the aurora

Abstract Evidence is presented showing that VHP visibility fades at high latitude are a direct manifestation of the auroral disturbance phenomenon, at least at night near solar minimum. Photometers were employed to record auroral luminosity near the line of sight to a radio star. Auroral light was detected during all visibility fades that occurred under clear-sky conditions during six and one-half months of observation. A detailed discussion is given of an event that displayed particularly close relation between development of line-of-sight luminosity and measured changes in the structure of the scattered radio wave.
Are All Red Algal Parasites Cut from the Same Cloth

Parasitism is a common life strategy throughout the eukaryotic tree of life. Many devastating human pathogens, including the causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis, have evolved from a photosynthetic ancestor. However, how an organism transitions from a photosynthetic to a parasitic life history strategy remains mostly unknown. This is largely because few systems present the opportunity to make meaningful comparisons between a parasite and a close free-living relative. Parasites have independently evolved dozens of times throughout the Florideophyceae (Rhodophyta), and often infect close relatives. The accepted evolutionary paradigm proposes that red algal parasites arise by first infecting a close relative and over time diversify and infect more distantly related species. This provides a natural evolutionary gradient of relationships between hosts and parasites that share a photosynthetic common ancestor. Elegant microscopic work in the late 20th century provided detailed insight into the infection cycle of red algal parasites and the cellular interactions between parasites and their hosts. Those studies led to the use of molecular work to further investigate the origins of the parasite organelles and reveal the evolutionary relationships between hosts and their parasites. Here we synthesize the research detailing the infection methods and cellular interactions between red algal parasites and their hosts. We offer an alternative hypothesis to the current dogma of red algal parasite evolution and propose that red algae can adopt a parasitic life strategy through multiple evolutionary pathways, including direct infection of distant relatives. Furthermore, we highlight potential directions for future research to further evaluate parasite evolution in red algae.
Stroke after Aortic Valve Surgery: Results from a Prospective Cohort

Background—The incidence and impact of clinical stroke and silent radiographic cerebral infarction complicating open surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) are poorly characterized. Methods and Re...
Lyme Borreliosis (Lyme Disease): Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology and Prospects for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Lyme borreliosis is a systemic infection caused by the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by tick bites and maintained in a delicately balanced ecological cycle. Recent increases in the population densities of tick hosts, the abundance of ticks and the proximity of man to natural tick habitats have led to an escalating worldwide incidence of Lyme borreliosis, and nonspecific clinical manifestations have yielded significant misunderstanding of the disease. After entry, B. burgdorferi activates local inflammation, yet evades host defences and facilitates dissemination by potentially masquerading with host components such as plasmin and complement. The extent of tissue injury is determined by the aggressiveness of host inflammation and immunological reactions, as well as by genetic attributes of the spirochaete. The clinical presentation can be highly varied, including early manifestations that are limited to erythema migrans and ranging to disseminated infection with arthritis, carditis, cranial nerve palsy, peripheral neuropathy, meningitis, or other manifestations. Diagnostic tests have improved, but are unhelpful during certain stages of infection. Therapy varies depending on the degree of involvement, and recovery is usually rapid and complete. Post-treatment clinical manifestations in the absence of evidence for active infection are still poorly understood. The understanding of how B. burgdorferi survives in the environment and interacts with human and mammalian hosts has improved. However, further advances in prevention and therapy depend on continued investigation of the ecological risks and improved understanding of the pathobiology of this obligate bacterial parasite.
Analysis of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma During Ascending and Transverse Aortic Arch Surgery

Background Coagulopathy is a common complication after ascending and transverse arch aortic surgery with profound hypothermic circuit arrest (PHCA). Blood conservation strategies to reduce transfusion have been ongoing and involve multiple treatment modalities in modern cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) as a blood conservation technique to reduce blood transfusion in ascending and arch aortic surgery. Methods Between 2003 and 2009, we retrospectively reviewed 685 cases of ascending aorta and transverse arch repair using PHCA. A total of 287 patients in which aPRP was used (aPRP group) were compared with 398 patients who did have aPRP (non-aPRP group). Perioperative transfusion requirements and clinical outcomes that included early mortality, postoperative stroke, renal dysfunction, prolonged ventilation, coagulopathy, and length of postoperative intensive care unit stay were analyzed. The data were analyzed by mean and frequency for continuous variables and qualitative variables. To account for potential selection bias, 2 types of propensity analysis were performed. Results In both unadjusted and adjusted analysis, perioperative transfusions were fewer in the aPRP group compared with the non-aPRP group: (3.9 units fewer packed red blood cells, 4.5 units fewer fresh frozen plasma, 7.9 units fewer platelets, and 6.8 units fewer cryoprecipitate). In all analyses, postoperative morbidity (stroke, duration of mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit stay) were significantly improved. Hospital mortality rate was not significantly decreased. Conclusions The utilization of aPRP was associated with a reduction in allogeneic blood transfusions as well as a decrease in early postoperative morbidity during repairs of the ascending and transverse arch aorta using PHCA.
Endogenous electric fields may guide neocortical network activity.

Summary Local field potentials and the underlying endogenous electric fields (EFs) are traditionally considered to be epiphenomena of structured neuronal network activity. Recently, however, externally applied EFs have been shown to modulate pharmacologically evoked network activity in rodent hippocampus. In contrast, very little is known about the role of endogenous EFs during physiological activity states in neocortex. Here, we used the neocortical slow oscillation in vitro as a model system to show that weak sinusoidal and naturalistic EFs enhance and entrain physiological neocortical network activity with an amplitude threshold within the range of in vivo endogenous field strengths. Modulation of network activity by positive and negative feedback fields based on the network activity in real-time provide direct evidence for a feedback loop between neuronal activity and endogenous EF. This significant susceptibility of active networks to EFs that only cause small changes in membrane potential in individual neurons suggests that endogenous EFs could guide neocortical network activity.
Structure and electronic properties of α-quartz from SiO4 and Si5O4 models

Our calculations using an atom superposition and electron delocalization quantum chemical approach show significant shifts in orbitial energy levels and populations distribution comparing SiO4 to Si5O4. Bond lengths and net atom charges shift less, and in either case correspond closely to measured properties of α-quartz.
Optimal lossy segmentation encoding scheme

In this paper, we present a fast and optimal method for the lossy encoding of object boundaries which are given as 8-connect chain codes. We approximate the boundary by a polygon and consider the problem of finding the polygon which can be encoded with the smallest number of bits for a given maximum distortion. To this end, we derive a fast and optimal scheme which is based on a shortest path algorithm for a weighted directed acyclic graph. We further investigate the dual problem of finding the polygonal approximation which leads to the smallest maximum distortion for a given bit rate. We present an iterative scheme which employs the above mentioned shortest path algorithm and prove that it converges to the optimal solution. We then extend the proposed algorithm to the encoding of multiple object boundaries and introduce a vertex encoding scheme which is a combination of an 8-connect chain code and a run-length code. We present results of the proposed algorithm using objects from the 'Miss America' sequence.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The non-GM crop regime in the EU: How do Industries deal with this wicked problem?

Abstract In the European Union (EU), genetically modified (GM) crops are regarded as a socially-sensitive technology. At present, GM crops are rarely cultivated in the EU and non-genetically modified ingredients dominate the EU market. However, most consumers are unaware of the fact that many genetically modified ingredients (GMI) are present in EU supermarkets in spite of this virtual ban on GM. For example, eggs, meat or milk derived from GM-fed animals are marketed without a GM label. Moreover, the EU political landscape has failed to create a stable and predictable environment in which to either implement or reject GM crops and their applications. As such, the present non-GM crop regime in the EU presents a tricky and challenging environment for agribusiness companies to determine their GM business policy. Few academic studies have analysed this industry perspective on the current EU non-GM crop regime. In this paper, we therefore analyse which discourses influence the GM business policy of agribusiness companies that are active on the EU market and how these discourses influence the decision-making process of several agricultural industry sectors on whether to include or exclude GMIs in products for the EU market. The paper outlines three discourses that shape the discursive space of GM crop applications in the EU from an industry perspective, (i) GMIs as an agricultural payoff; (ii) GMIs as a marketing threat; and (iii) non-GM crops as a preset end goal. The paper also discusses how these discourses influence the GM business decision-making process for several agricultural industry sectors, these being the agricultural biotech industry, the compound feed industry, the food manufacturing and marketing industries, the potato industry and the organic farming sector. Accordingly, our research classifies the present non-GM crop regime in the EU as a “wicked problem”, due to the high level of conflict, discord and complexity involved. Wicked problems cannot be solved, but only managed. Therefore, this paper proposes a different type of solution to break the impasse, either in favour of or against GM crop applications, by demanding multi-level stakeholder engagement instead of the current supply-chain-focused mode-of-action in industry. Nevertheless, it is necessary to adapt our knowledge about governing the particular dynamics of wicked problems, and this presents a highly complex - albeit interesting - challenge for future research.
Cooperative Binary Relaying and Combining for multi-hop wireless communication

Cooperative communication can achieve diversity gain and increase the channel capacity. This paper proposes a novel cooperative scheme called Cooperative Binary Relaying and Combining (CBRC) for multi-hop wireless networking systems where the nodes cooperatively demodulate high-order modulated signal symbols with low-order robust modulations. Low-order demodulation schemes make partial decision at each relay node and avoid propagating the errors that can result from high-order demodulation schemes in conventional cooperative relaying. Therefore, CBRC supports high bit rate transmission at high-order modulations over low SNR links. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the bit error rate performance of CBRC and conventional cooperative strategies. The results show that CBRC can significantly improve the performance.
Natural language processing

Natural language processing has two primary roles to play in the storage and retrieval of large bodies of information: providing a friendly, easily-learned interface to information retrieval systems, and automatically structuring texts so that their information can be more easily processed and retrieved. This article outlines the organization of a natural language interface for data retrieval (a “question—answering system”) and some of the approaches being taken to text structuring. It closes by describing a few of the research issues in computational linguistics and a possibility for using interactive natural language processing for information acquisition.
Chorioamniotic membrane separation following fetal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: As the volume of fetal surgery cases has steadily increased, an increasing incidence of chorioamniotic membrane separation (CMS) has been noted. Due to the potential adverse consequences from this abnormality, we reviewed the last decade of experience with fetal intervention at our institution and examined the incidence and outcomes of fetuses given this diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of 75 fetal surgery cases at our institution was performed. Variables analyzed included preoperative, operative, and outcome data. Postoperative ultrasounds were evaluated for the presence of CMS. RESULTS: Excluding operative deaths, the incidence of CMS was 47%. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in time to delivery (7 vs 5 weeks), cases using a perfusion pump (80% vs 60%), and number of trocars (2.13 vs 1.54) in cases of CMS versus those without. Ultrasounds showed normal to high levels of amniotic fluid in 97% of cases. There was an increased incidence of premature rupture of membranes (63% vs 45%), preterm labor (57% vs 38%), and chorioamnionitis (29% vs 15%) with CMS, but no difference in mortality rate. CONCLUSION: CMS is a frequent finding following fetal surgery. It is associated with significant morbidity but is manageable with close follow-up in a hospital setting. Following fetal surgery, the finding of CMS can be a life-threatening complication that warrants further study to understand its etiology and prevention.
Effects of pubovaginal sling procedure on patients with urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency: would they do it again?

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the cure rate of stress urinary incontinence, long-term effects on other lower urinary tract symptoms, and quality of life in a cohort of patients who underwent pubovaginal sling procedures for treatment of incontinence related to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and urethral hypermobility. Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of 57 patients with 90% follow-up who underwent pubovaginal autologous fascial sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence related to urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. Objective postoperative urodynamic evaluation was performed in 34 (60%) of the cases. Telephone interviews to assess quality-of-life parameters were performed in all cases. Results: The mean follow-up period was 42 months and the median follow-up period was 34 months, with a range of 0.5 to 134 months. The age at the time of the sling procedure ranged from 18 to 84 years, with a median parity of 3.0 (range, 0-6). Preoperative body mass index ranged from 19.5 to 39.1 kg/m 2 . Five percent of patients had detrusor instability before the operation. Forty-one percent (41%) of the patients who underwent postoperative urodynamic evaluation had voiding dysfunction. The postoperative objective cure rate for stress urinary incontinence was 97%. Of all patients 88% indicated that the sling had improved the quality of life, 84% indicated that the sling relieved the incontinence in the long-term, and 82% would choose to undergo the procedure again. Conclusion: Construction of a pubovaginal sling is an effective technique for relief of severe stress urinary incontinence. Voiding dysfunction is a common side effect. Despite this problem, a significant number of patients would elect to undergo the procedure again. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:14-9.)
An implicit high-order hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

We present an implicit high-order hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for the steady-state and time-dependent incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The method is devised by using the discontinuous Galerkin discretization for a velocity gradient-pressure-velocity formulation of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with a special choice of the numerical traces. The method possesses several unique features which distinguish itself from other discontinuous Galerkin methods. First, it reduces the globally coupled unknowns to the approximate trace of the velocity and the mean of the pressure on element boundaries, thereby leading to a significant reduction in the degrees of freedom. Moreover, if the augmented Lagrangian method is used to solve the linearized system, the globally coupled unknowns become the approximate trace of the velocity only. Second, it provides, for smooth viscous-dominated problems, approximations of the velocity, pressure, and velocity gradient which converge with the optimal order of k+1 in the L2-norm, when polynomials of degree k?0 are used for all components of the approximate solution. And third, it displays superconvergence properties that allow us to use the above-mentioned optimal convergence properties to define an element-by-element postprocessing scheme to compute a new and better approximate velocity. Indeed, this new approximation is exactly divergence-free, H(div)-conforming, and converges with order k+2 for k?1 and with order 1 for k=0 in the L2-norm. Moreover, a novel and systematic way is proposed for imposing boundary conditions for the stress, viscous stress, vorticity and pressure which are not naturally associated with the weak formulation of the method. This can be done on different parts of the boundary and does not result in the degradation of the optimal order of convergence properties of the method. Extensive numerical results are presented to demonstrate the convergence and accuracy properties of the method for a wide range of Reynolds numbers and for various polynomial degrees.
Spread and maintenance of a disease in a structured population.

The patterns of interactions among different groups of individuals in a structured population is an important factor affecting the ease of establishment of a disease and the rate of spread of the disease in a population. A model for the spread of a disease in such a population is described. The model considers two levels of interaction: interactions between individuals within a subpopulation because of geographic proximity, and interactions between individuals of the same or different sub-populations because of attendance at common social functions. Analysis of the model leads to sufficient conditions which determine maximum subpopulation sizes in order to guarantee extinction, as well as minimum subpopulation sizes which allow the disease to be maintained in the population. These conditions are inequalities relating the removal rate of infectives to the infection rate of susceptibles. Results are discussed for both idealized movement patterns and for the spread of hepatitis A among day care centers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In addition, the basic structures of the contact matrices necessary to extend the model to deal with vector-borne diseases and with sexually transmitted diseases are discussed.
Immunochemical Detection and Identification of Protein Adducts of Diclofenac in the Small Intestine of Rats: Possible Role in Allergic Reactions

Idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions are unpredictable, target multiple organ systems, and often become life-threatening events. Although the causes of idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions are not known in most cases, evidence suggests that they may be mediated through immunological mechanisms. It is generally thought that for a drug to lead to an immune response, it must first become covalently bound to a carrier protein. Since most drugs are unreactive, it is usually a reactive metabolite that is expected to form covalent adducts. However, it is not clear why more people do not develop immune reactions against drug-protein adducts. One possible explanation is that orally administered drugs may lead to oral tolerance in most individuals through mechanisms similar to that found with orally administered antigens. However, very little is known regarding the interaction of drugs with gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the small intestine, where oral tolerance can develop. As an initial step to test this hypothesis, we have investigated whether diclofenac, a commonly used nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, can lead to protein adducts in rat small intestine. Diclofenac was administered to rats by gastric gavage. Immunoblot analysis of small intestine homogenates and isolated enterocyte subcellular fractions with drug-specific antiserum revealed 142-, 130-, 110-, and 55-kDa protein adducts of diclofenac. The 142- and 130-kDa adducts of diclofenac were identified as aminopeptidase N (CD13) and sucrase-isomaltase, respectively, by amino acid sequence analyses and by their reactions with protein-specific antibodies. The adducts were localized by immunohistochemistry and found primarily in the mid-villus and villus-tip enterocytes and also in the dome overlying Peyer's patches. Similar adducts were detected immunochemically in villus-tip enterocytes of animals treated with halothane or acetaminophen. These results show that intestinal protein adducts of drugs can be formed in gut-associated lymphoid tissue where they may lead to the down-regulation of drug-induced allergic reactions in many individuals.
Quality of Life Improvement with Sublingual Immunotherapy: A Prospective Study of Efficacy

Due to its excellent safety profile, ease of administration, and economic considerations, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is becoming a preferred form of allergen specific immunotherapy. The efficacy of SLIT is still debated. The purpose of this act of practice trial is to evaluate quality of life outcomes in patients treated with SLIT. Fifty one patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis demonstrated by skin testing completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) at initiation, at four months and at 10–12 months of SLIT. Significant improvement (P < 0.05) on six of seven domain categories of the RQLQ questionnaire was noted. Total RQLQ scores also showed significant improvement. This study supports SLIT as a modality effective in controlling allergic symptoms.
Older Americans' Dining Out Preferences

ABSTRACT Continuing growth of the older population segment has forced restaurants to prepare for dynamic social changes in the U.S. As the number of older Americans increases, physical and psychological changes associated with aging impact their dining out behavior. A survey of 407 Americans aged 55 and over was conducted in August 2001 in Indiana to determine how older Americans make eating out decisions. Results of this study suggest that older Americans are more likely to dine out for socialization than convenience. This paper provides useful information for restaurants to understand the growing older market and to make marketing plans.
Influence of Column Material on Efficiency in High Speed Liquid Chromatography

Abstract The influence of column tubular material on column efficiency in high speed liquid chromatography has been examined. For good reproducibility in HETP, the columns were first packed dry with Corasil I (28–37μ) and then heptane saturated with 3,3′-oxydipropionitrile was flown through the column. When steady state conditions were achieved, the % loading of stationary phase was 1.1%. It was found that column materials of precision bore and seamless stainless steel, aluminum, and copper gave equivalent efficiency results for retained and unretained components. Teflon coated aluminum columns were not reproducible, in regard to HETP.
A new parametric test for the structure of risk preferences

Abstract A moment-based test of constant relative and partial relative risk aversion as defined in Pratt and Menezes and Hanson (1970) is proposed. The test is very general in the sense that it does not hinge on a single random variable nor on the linear asset model. The test is for a particular specification of ‘almost homogeneity’.
The role of gesture in memory and social communication

This study asked whether: (1) adults process representational gesture and (2) gesture is remembered over time. Forty-five college students (ages 22–38) were each randomly assigned to watch a set of Speech Only and Speech + Gesture video stimuli (containing statements that were extracted from social conversation) either in an immediate or delayed condition. After watching the videotape, participants were asked to write recollections of the video stimuli either immediately after watching the videotape or thirty minutes later. We found that gesture was processed along with speech and that unlike speech, it was less likely to deteriorate over time. Moreover, speech stimuli that were accompanied by gesture were significantly more likely to be recalled than speech stimuli occurring without gesture. These results suggest that gesture is processed by adults along with speech during communication and that gesture might have a different status in memory than speech.
A Longitudinal Study of Students Completing Four Years of UCSMP Mathematics.

This article reports on the achievement and attitude aspects of a study comparing students who had the first 4 years of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) secondary curriculum to two distinct groups of comparable students, an age cohort and a mathematics course level cohort. A case study design with schools in three different sites (one urban, two suburban) was used. Three instruments were given: a Mathematics Level I Achievement Test from the Educational Testing Service, a 30-item Applications Test, and a 25-item Student Opinion Survey. At two of the sites, the UCSMP students outperformed both the age and course level cohorts by substantial amounts on both the achievement and application tests. At the third site, both comparison cohorts outperformed the UCSMP students on the achievement test, but results on the application test were mixed. At all three sites, there was little difference in the attitude items except on items concerning calculator use.
Insulin receptor and IRS-1 co-immunoprecipitation with SOCS-3, and IKKα/β phosphorylation are increased in obese Zucker rat skeletal muscle.

Abstract Aims We evaluated if selected pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or the protein suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3) could account for decreased insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) activity in the skeletal muscle of the obese Zucker rat. Main methods Eight lean and eight obese Zucker rats ~ 4 weeks of age were obtained and allowed to feed ad libitum for 4 weeks before undergoing hind limb perfusion in the presence of 500 μU/ml insulin. Key findings Insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle PI3-K activity and 3-O-methylglucose transport rates were reduced (P Significance Increased IKKα/β and JNK serine phosphorylation may contribute to increasing IRS-1 serine phosphorylation, while concurrent co-localization of SOCS-3 with both IR-β and IRS-1 may prevent IRS-1 from interacting with IR-β. These two mechanisms thusly may independently contribute to impairing insulin-stimulated PI3-K activation in the skeletal muscle of the obese Zucker rat.
Tetramethylguanidine: A new solvent for titration of weak acids

Abstract The use of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG) as a solvent for the titration of various phenols is described. The glass-calomel electrode system is employed using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide or tetramethylammonium hydroxide as the titrant. The effect of water on the electrode system is discussed. The commercially available solvent may be used without further purification.
Power System Reliability Evaluation Using Stochastic Load Flows

This paper presents a simulation procedure for bulk power system reliability evaluation. The operation of the system under forced or scheduled outages of circuits and/or units is simulated via a stochastic load flow. An efficient stochastic load flow methodology is presented, which computes circuit loading and bus voltage probability distributions from a given load probability distribution. The output of the stochastic load flow is utilized to compute the conditional probability of system failure according to predefined criteria. Circuit overloads and bus undervoltages/overvoltages are utilized as system failure criteria. The frequency and duration method is employed to compute bulk power system reliability indices. Upper and lower bounds on the reliability indices are computed, which converge to the true values of the indices as the number of contingencies simulated increases. The paper presents simulation results with two systems: (a) a small 9-bus system to demonstrate data requirements, and (b) the 500 kV/230 kV system of Georgia Power Company to demonstrate the applicability of the method to actual systems.
Morbidity and mortality risk among the "forgotten few": why are girls in the justice system in such poor health?

The present study assessed the physical health of a population of girls sentenced to custody in a large US State via medical examinations and clinical assessments in adolescence and young adulthood. Findings indicated that injuries, obesity, and sexually transmitted diseases were the norm, with over 50% of the population meeting criteria for each of these health problems. A dose–response relationship was documented between childhood victimization and injuries and injury risk in adolescence and self-harm, HIV risk, physical health symptoms, and hospitalizations in young adulthood. The relationship between childhood victimization and poor adult physical health was fully mediated by health-risk behaviors in adolescence. Clinical and policy implications of the high mortality and morbidity risk among female juvenile offenders are discussed.
Food deprivation-induced increases in hoarding by Siberian hamsters are not photoperiod-dependent

Siberian hamsters increase food hoarding in response to chronic food restriction and food deprivation, conditions that lead to a loss of body mass and fat. Therefore, the first purpose of the present experiments was to test further the effects of food deprivation on food hoarding by varying the length and order of repeated fasts to address the following questions: 1. Does the magnitude of the food-hoarding response increase as food deprivation length increases? 2, Is the effect of good deprivation on food hoarding experience-dependent? Second, we were interested in testing the effects of short winter-like days (SDs) on food hoarding. We tested this by measuring food hoarding in long days (LDs) and SDs during baseline conditions and after food deprivation to address the following question: Does SD exposure increase baseline and food deprivation-induced hoarding due to the naturally occurring SD-induced decreases in body fat? During each experiment, we were interested in determining how hamsters utilize their food hoard (i.e., add to it and eat from it). Our results extended those of our previous studies in showing that: 1. Food-deprivation length and the initial food-hoard size were not related to one another; 2. The maintenance of food-hoard size was proportional to the length of the fast; 3. The effects of a bout of food deprivation on food hoarding were dependent upon the lengths of previous fasts; 4. Baseline food hoarding was not different between LD- and SD-exposed hamsters; 5. The maintenance of food-hoard size, but not the initial fast-induced increases in food-hoard size, were increased in SDs; 6. Hamsters ate approximately 25-33% of their daily food intake from the food hoard under all conditions, with the degree of food replacement increasing as fast length was increased; and 7. The typical SD-induced decrease in food intake was reflected in the food eaten from the food supply found outside the burrow, but food eaten from the hoard was increased. Collectively, the results of the present experiments suggest that the initiation of food hoarding may be associated with short-term fluctuations in energy metabolism associated with fasting, but that the more long-term decreases in body mass (fat) are involved in the maintenance of food-hoard size.