cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wagons Ho: Forward on the managed care trail

This paper describes the impact of managed care on an academic medical center department of psychiatry. Like the pioneers before us, academic medical centers have often traveled wilderness paths, training new generations of psychiatrists and providing research about and new understandings of psychiatric illness; under assault from powerful competitive forces, we have all too often circled the wagons in an attempt to survive what we perceive as an onslaught. We describe the ways in which our academic medical center department of psychiatry has responded to managed care forces, in particular, the impact of managed care on residency training, inpatient services, outpatient psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological care, and faculty morale. We describe how we have worked closely with our medical colleagues, formed new committees, and initiated forays into capitated arrangements. Despite difficult external circumstances, we have been able to survive, regroup, provide leadership, and continue with renewed purpose.
Mitotic Chromosomes of Glossina pallidipes Austen

THE chromosomes of several species of tsetse-fly have been studied by Itard1. These include Glossina tachinoides Westwood and Glossina morsitans orientialis Vanderplank (Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood in the terminology adopted by Itard). Glossina morsitans orientalis is one of the two main tsetse-flies which occur in Rhodesia, and so I thought it worthwhile for comparison to study the other, Glossina pallidipes Austen. The G. m. orientalis material used by Itard originated in Rhodesia.
The hidden observer: final thoughts but not the last word

In this commentary, we respond to issues raised by reviewers of our paper concerning the hidden observer. We maintain the position that there are sufficient cues in the wording of the instructions to participants concerning the nature of their hidden reports to explain our findings and the findings from other flexible-observer studies. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BiP Maintains the Permeability Barrier of the ER Membrane by Sealing the Lumenal End of the Translocon Pore before and Early in Translocation

Abstract Secretory proteins are cotranslationally translocated across the mammalian ER membrane through an aqueous pore in the translocon while the permeability barrier is maintained by a tight ribosome–membrane junction. The lumenal end of the pore is also blocked early in translocation. Extraction of soluble lumenal proteins from microsomes and reconstitution with purified proteins demonstrate, by fluorescence collisional quenching, that BiP seals the lumenal end of this pore. BiP also seals translocons that are assembled but are not engaged in translocation. These ribosome-free translocons have smaller pores (9–15 A diameter versus 40–60 A in functioning translocons) and are generated when ribosomes dissociate from functioning translocons with large pores. BiP therefore maintains the permeability barrier by sealing both nontranslocating and newly targeted translocons.
Atmospheric Circulation Cells Associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation

Abstract Atmospheric circulation cells associated with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are described and examined using the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis field and the NCEP sea surface temperature (SST) from January 1950 to December 1999. The divergent wind and pressure vertical velocity are employed for the identification of atmospheric circulation cells. The warm phase of ENSO shows positive SST anomalies in the equatorial eastern Pacific and along the east coast of Asia and the west coast of North America, and negative SST anomalies in the off-equatorial western Pacific and in the central North Pacific. Associated with this SST anomaly distribution are variations of atmospheric zonal and meridional circulation cells over the Pacific. The equatorial zonal Walker circulation cell is weakened, consistent with previous schematic diagrams. The anomalous meridional Hadley circulation cell in the eastern Pacific shows the air rising in the Tropics, flowing poleward in the upper troposphere, sinking in the subt...
Quality-Aware Data Management for Large Scale Scientific Applications

Increasingly larger scale simulations are generating an unprecedented amount of output data, causing researchers to explore new `data staging' methods that buffer, use, and/or reduce such data online rather than simply pushing it to disk. Leveraging the capabilities of data staging, this study explores the potential for data reduction via online data compression, first using general compression techniques and then proposing use-specific methods that permit users to define simple data queries that cause only the data identified by those queries to be emitted. Using online methods for code generation and deployment, with such dynamic data queries, end users can precisely identify the quality of information (QoI) of their output data, by explicitly determining what data may be lost vs. retained, in contrast to general-purpose lossy compression methods that do not provide such levels of control. The paper also describes the key elements of a quality-aware data management system (QADMS) for high-end machines enabled by this approach. Initial experimental results demonstrate that QADMS can effectively reduce data movement cost and improve the QoS while meeting the QoI constraint stated by users.
Rule-driven defect detection in CT images of hardwood logs

This paper deals with automated detection and identification of internal defects in hardwood logs using computed tomography (CT) images. We have developed a system that employs artificial neural networks (ANNs) to perform tentative classification of logs on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This approach achieves a high level of classification accuracy for several hardwood species (northern red oak, Quercus rubra, L., water oak, Q. nigra, L., yellow poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera, L., and black cherry, Prunus serotina, Ehrh.), and three common defect types (knots, splits, and decay). Although the results are very satisfactory statistically, a subjective examination reveals situations that could be refined in a subsequent post-processing step. We are currently developing a rule-based, contextual approach to region refinement that augments the initial emphasis on local information. The resulting rules are domain dependent, utilizing information that depends on region shape and type of defect. For example splits tend to be long and narrow, and this knowledge can be used to merge smaller, disjoint regions that have tentatively been labeled as splits. Similarly, image regions that represent knots, decay, and clear wood can be refined by removing small, spurious regions and by smoothing the boundaries of these regions. Mathematical morphology operators can be used for most of these tasks. This paper provides details concerning the domain-dependent rules by which morphology operators are chosen, and for merging results from different operations.
Characterization of the protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit in endothelium: involvement in contractile responses.

We have previously demonstrated the direct involvement of a type 1 Ser/Thr phosphatase (PPase 1) in endothelial cell (EC) barrier regulation [Am. J. Physiol. 269:L99–L108, 1995]. To further extend this observation, we microinjected either the Ser/Thr PPase inhibitor, calyculin, or the PPase 1 inhibitory protein, I-2 into bovine pulmonary artery EC and demonstrated both an increase in F-actin stress fibers and a shift from a regular polygonal shape to a spindle shape with gaps apparent at the cell borders. Northern blot analysis with specific cDNA probes revealed the presence of three major PPase 1 catalytic subunit (CS1) isoforms (α, δ, and γ) in human and bovine EC. To characterize the myosin-associated EC CS1 isoform, myosin-enriched bovine EC fraction was screened with anti-CS1α and anti-CS1δ antibodies The anti-CS1δ antiserum, but not anti-CS1α antiserum cross reacts with the CS1 isoform present in myosin-enriched fraction and CS1δ was found in stable association with EC myosin/myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) complex in MLCK immunoprecipitates under nondenaturing conditions. Consistent with these data, overexpression of CS1δ-GFP construct in bovine endothelium followed by immunoprecipitation of CS1 with anti-GFP antibody revealed the stable association of CS1δ with actomyosin complex. Finally, screening of a human EC oligo(dT)-primed cDNA library with a probe encoding a rat CS1δ cDNA segment yielding several positive clones that encoded the entire CS1δ open reading frame and partially noncoding regions. Sequence analysis determined a high homology (≈99%) with human CS1δ derived from a teratocarcinoma cell line. Together, these data suggest that CS1δ is the major of PPase 1 isoform specifically associated with EC actomyosin complex and which participates in EC barrier regulation. J. Cell. Biochem. 79:113–125, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Strategies for potentiation of ethionamide and folate antagonists against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Antifolates inhibit de novo folate biosynthesis, whereas ethionamide targets the mycolate synthetic pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These antibiotics are effective against M. tuberculosis but their use has been hampered by concerns over toxicity and low therapeutic indexes. With the increasing spread of drug-resistant forms, interest in using old drugs for tuberculosis treatment has been renewed. Specific inhibitors targeting resistance mechanisms could sensitize M. tuberculosis to these available, clinically approved drugs. This review discusses recently developed strategies to boost the antituberculous activity of ethionamide and antifolates. These approaches might help broaden the currently limited chemotherapeutic options of not only drug-resistant but also drug-susceptible tuberculosis, which still remains one of the most common infectious diseases in the developing world.
Soil Morphology-Water Table Cumulative Duration Relationships in Southern New England

Although redoximorphic features (RMFs) are commonly used in place of direct observation to estimate the depth of the seasonal high water table (SHWT), little is known about the relationships between RMFs and the duration of the water table. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of how the expression of RMFs relates to the depth and duration of the water table in moderately welldrained soils of southern New England. The 20 soils studied included Dystrudepts, Quartzipsamments, and Psammaquents; of these, 17 met the criteria for Oxyaquic (8) or Aquic (9) subgroup classification. Water table levels were monitored for 18 mo from February to July of the following year to compare the depth and cumulative duration of the water table (cumulative saturation) to RMFs within soil horizons. Average seasonal high water table level (ASHWT) was correlated (p , 0.05) tothedepth ofthefirstloamy horizonwith.2%RMFs(r 2 5 0.65–0.72). Water table levels occurred within horizons with no RMFs for as much as 13% of the 18 mo study period. Mean cumulative saturation for soils with textures finer than loamy sand ranged from 3% for horizons with no RMFs to 36% for horizons with a depleted matrix. For horizons with textures of loamy sand and coarser, the mean cumulative saturation ranged from 8% for horizons with no RMFs to 45% for horizons with .2% depletions. (Percentage of cumulative saturation would have likely been less if we monitored for a full 2 yr, as the late summer and fall of the second year were not monitored.) Our results suggest that the abundance of RMFs increases as the percentage of time the water table is present within a horizon increases. Additionally, coarse-textured horizons are less expressive in regards to RMF abundance than are loamy-textured horizons with similar cumulativesaturation.For land-use decisions, soil morphology should be used to provide both an estimate of the depths of a defined SHWT and cumulative saturation.
A simplified method to determine the coverage dependence of surface diffusion coefficients

Abstract A new method to determine the coverage dependence of surface diffusion coefficients from coverage-gradient experiments is presented. The initial coverage-gradient employed is an evacuated circular region surrounded by a constant coverage. In order to demonstrate this method, Fick's second law equation was numerically solved using coverage-dependent surface diffusion coefficients. An analysis of the results demonstrates that the coverage dependence of the surface diffusion coefficient can be determined using a simple extrapolation procedure. The coverage dependence can be obtained for a wide range of functional forms for the surface diffusion coefficient. The extrapolation procedure requires only that the number of adsorbates that have diffused back into the initially evacuated region be measured as a function of time. This method should be useful in the interpretation of coverage-gradient surface diffusion experiments, especially those performed using laser-induced thermal desorption techniques.
The development and use of large scale information systems for plant operating experience and component failure data

Abstract The design of pressure components for very high levels of structural reliability involves taking account of three types of variations or uncertainties. These include (1) the normal range of materials properties measured under laboratory conditions; (2) the normal or calculated ranges of load and duty cycles; (3) the added range of variation in properties due to fabrication, environment, and aging, and the possible added range of load or duty cycles due to infrequent transient conditions. Direct testing and analysis can reasonably attain confidence of failure rates of 10−3/yr. The assurance of still lower rates - to 10−6/yr, desirable for nuclear applications, benefits from a combination of testing and analysis, but augmented by intensive use of actual field experience of failures or degradation found by inspection. The scopes and uses of two major data systems are described. These are (1) the Significant Events Evaluation and Information Network (SEE-IN), and (2) the Nuclear Plant Reliability Data System (NPRDS). Together these systems cover the cumulative experience of ∼1,000 unit-years of nuclear plant operation. Uses of these systems to refine operations, maintenance, rework, and in some cases design or specifications, is described.
Toward an understanding of the mid-infrared surface brightness of normal galaxies

We report a mid-infrared color and surface brightness analysis of IC 10, NGC 1313, and NGC 6946, three of the nearby galaxies studied under the Infrared Space Observatory Key Project on Normal Galaxies.
Structure of the Thrombopoietin Receptor in the Thrombocytopenia with Absent Radius (TAR) Syndrome

Structure of the Thrombopoietin Receptor in the Thrombocytopenia with Absent Radius (TAR) Syndrome
High-temperature reaction calorimetry of solid and liquid phases in the quasi-binary system Ag2S-Sb2S3

Abstract High temperature reaction calorimetry has been applied in a thermochemical study of solid and liquid phases in the quasi-binary system Ag2S-Sb2S3. Direct synthesis calorimetry of stibnite, Sb2S3, at 880 K and 768 K, from the elements yields a mean value for the standard enthalpy of formation, ΔH 0 ƒ, stibnite , 298 K = −129.72 ± 3.75 kJ mol −1 ; this value is about 12 kJ mol−1less exothermic than a previously reported value obtained by fluorine combustion calorimetry. The enthalpies of formation at 298 K of the sulfosalts α-miargyrite (AgSbS2) and hexagonal pyrargyrite (Ag3SbS3) from their endmember component sulfides (Ag2S and Sb2S3) were determined to be −4.1 ± 2.3 kJ mol−1 and −7.8 ± 0.8 kJ mol−1, respectively. The enthalpy of transformation of ordered monoclinic α-miargyrite to disordered cubic β-miargyrite at 298 K was determined to be +8.7 ± 1.4 kJ mol−1. If the equilibrium temperature for this transformation is equal to 650 K, this implies an entropy of transformation of about +13.3 J/K mol. Liquid mixtures of solid Ag2S and liquid Sb2S3 at 880 K were studied by solid-liquid reaction calorimetry, and by dilution calorimetry, with pure liquid Sb2S3. Measurements of the solid-liquid enthalpies of mixing yielded the following linear expression ΔH S-L mix X Ag 2 S = −6.35 + 13.33X Ag 2 S ( kJ mol −1 ) ), based on experiments with values of Xag2S ranging from 0.1 to 0.86. This equation is consistent with a symmetrical, regular solution model and implies that the heat of fusion of Ag2S at 880 K (for XAg2S = 1.00) is 6.98 kJ mol−1. Our data yield an average value for ΔCps-l, Ag2S of about 4 joules K−1 mol−1. The approximate partial enthalpies of solution of liquid Sb2S3, obtained from the dilution experiments, are consistent with the expression Δ H Sb 2 S 3 ≈ −13.33(X Ag 2 S) 2 kJ mol −1 .
Photomasks For Micron Geometry Transistors

Photomasks used to produce high frequency microwave transistors have unique and different requirements than do integrated circuit photomasks. Critical dimensions have a tolerance of ± 0.2 micrometers. In most cases the critical geometry is 1.0 micrometer or less. Defect densities are very lenient as compared to integrated circuits. We inspect to a 4.0 A.Q.L. In a two-inch square array we have on the order of 8,000 to 15,000 discrete device patterns. Inspection is made on a random sample as shown on the following table.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Recognizing the role of the physical body in palliative care

A goal of hospice care is to help the terminally ill live most fully while dying. Health care professionals must appreciate the role of the physical body in palliative care. This article identifies reasons we may hold mixed views about the body's worth and discusses relationships between the body and the human symbols of earth, air, fire, and water. These relationships suggest interventions which support the mind/body/spirit integration which is beneficial for dying persons.
P-selectin enhances growth and metastasis of mouse mammary tumors by promoting regulatory T cell infiltration into the tumors

Abstract Aims P-selectin is an adhesion receptor that is mainly present on endothelial cells and platelets. We investigated the role of P-selectin in the regulation of different T cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment, and how that influences the growth and metastasis of mouse mammary cancer cell line 4T1 in Balb/c mice. Main methods The 4T1 cells (1 × 10 4 or 1 × 10 5 ) were inoculated subcutaneously in the pre-shaved back skin of the P-selectin knockout (P-sel −/−) and wild-type (WT) mice. Mice were monitored twice weekly for the tumor growth measurements and survival studies. The tumors and the lungs were isolated for cytokine and T cell subset analyses at the end of the study. Key findings Mice lacking P-selectin had reduced tumor burden, higher survival and reduced metastasis compared to WT mice. Loss of P-selectin inhibited the infiltration of regulatory T cells and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10, and TGFβ in the tumors. Furthermore, the CD8 + T cells and effector CD4 + T cells were functional and exhibited enhanced infiltration into the tumors of P-selectin knockout mice compared to WT mice. Significance These results demonstrated that P-selectin is an important adhesion molecule vital for infiltration of regulatory T cells into the tumors. Thus, inhibiting P-selectin can have important therapeutic implications against breast cancer growth and metastasis.
The influence of human capital attributes in microenterprise training

This article compares the educational background and years of work experience of students entering a Microenterprise Training Institute (MTI) program. Hypotheses were developed and tested to determine whether human capital attributes (education and work experience) influenced students' ability to graduate from an MTI program, to submit homework on time, and/or contributed to a better score on an evaluation of their business plan. Results indicated that education level was a significant, positive influence on the ability to graduate and on business plan scores, but had no influence on on‐time homework completion. Work experience had no effect on ability to graduate, homework submission, or business plan score.
FROM COLONIALISM TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON PATTERNS AND POLICIES

ABSTRACT The transition of much of the world's population from a colonial status to that of political independence, and the concomitant problems of national development, lend themselves to geographical study, yet these important topics have been relatively neglected by geographers. The key to understanding this transition may lie in the almost universal dualism which characterizes most “developing” countries and regions at various scales. This dualism assumes marked geographical characteristics which cut across the rural and the urban sectors of developing societies. Appropriate locational development strategies must be formulated if national development is to take place and if the gap between the richer and the poorer countries is not to widen to insurmountable levels. Several types of applied and therefore relevant research are specified as a geographical research agenda for the future.
Genome-wide analysis of copy number variants in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex genetic disease, with many loci demonstrating appreciable attributable disease risk. Despite significant progress toward understanding the genetic and environmental etiology of AMD, identification of additional risk factors is necessary to fully appreciate and treat AMD pathology. In this study, we investigated copy number variants (CNVs) as potential AMD risk variants in a cohort of 400 AMD patients and 500 AMD-free controls ascertained at the University of Iowa. We used three publicly available copy number programs to analyze signal intensity data from Affymetrix® GeneChip SNP Microarrays. CNVs were ranked based on prevalence in the disease cohort and absence from the control group; high interest CNVs were subsequently confirmed by qPCR. While we did not observe a single-locus “risk CNV” that could account for a major fraction of AMD, we identified several rare and overlapping CNVs containing or flanking compelling candidate genes such as NPHP1 and EFEMP1. These and other candidate genes highlighted by this study deserve further scrutiny as sources of genetic risk for AMD.
Lifestyle risk factors predict healthcare costs in an aging cohort.

Background While the U.S. elderly population uses a disproportionate amount of healthcare resources, there is limited knowledge from prospective studies regarding the impact of lifestyle-related factors on costs in this group. The association was examined between smoking, drinking, exercise, body mass index (BMI), and changes in these risk factors, and healthcare costs after 4 years among 68- to 95-year-olds. Methods A total of 1323 participants completed annual surveys providing information on lifestyle factors (1986–1994) and health utilization (1994–1998). Healthcare costs in nine categories were ascertained from validated utilization. The relationships between risk factors and costs were examined in 2004 using linear regression models. Results Fewer cigarette pack-years and lower BMI were the most significant predictors of lower total costs in 1998 (p Conclusions Seniors who were leaner, smoked fewer cigarettes over a lifetime, reduced their smoking, or walked farther had significant subsequent cost savings compared to those with less-healthy lifestyle-related habits.
Adjustable Voltage and Frequency Polyphase Sine Wave Signal Generator

An adjustable-voltage adjustable-frequency polyphase reversible-phase sequence sine wave signal generator is described. This signal generator develops the reference waveforms, in this case sine waves, that are required in the control circuits of certain types of static dc to ac inverters and ac to ac cycloconverters. Digital and linear integrated circuits together with passive components are used to generrate the output signals. The output frequency is adjustable from 0 to 500 hertz; the output voltage is adjustable from 0 to 20 volts peak-to-peak. The phase sequence is reversible on command. The theory of operation together with steady-state and transient performance data are presented.
Induction of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and pisatin in pea pods by poly-lysine, spermidine or histone fractions.

Abstract Poly-L-lysine (1mg/ml) induces up to 10 fold increases in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and over 100 fold increases in pisatin synthesis in excised pea pods. Poly-L-lysine in combination with the known inducers actinomycin D(AD) (10μg/ml) and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase) (1mg/ml) complements the induction of PAL. Poly-L-arginine or spermidine when applied in combination with AD or RNase dramatically diminish induction of PAL by the latter compounds. Bovine histones of the types IIA, III and IV also antagonize this induction. These histones and spermidine, but not poly-L-arginine serve as moderately effective inducers of PAL and pisatin when applied singly. The induction of PAL activity is inhibited in the presence of cycloheximide (10μg/ml). These results suggest a direct role for certain types of histones and other proteins in the regulation of genic activity in higher plants other than as repressors.
The Influence of Connectives on Sentence Comprehension

Abstract The results of four experiments indicate that the presence of a connective like because increases the activation level of the first clause when placed between two clauses of a sentence. Immediately after reading two clauses that were either linked or not linked by a connective, subjects judged whether a probe word had been mentioned in one of the clauses. The recognition probe times to the verb from the first statement were consistently faster when a connective had conjoined the statements than when the statements constituted two separate sentences. Experiment 2 indicated that the reactivation of the first clause occurred at the end of the second statement but not at the beginning of the second statement. The results of Experiment 3 revealed that the reactivation effect occurred for related statement pairs but not for unrelated statement pairs. Experiment 4 showed that the reactivation effect also generalized to the connective although . In all of the experiments, the presence of a connective tended to decrease statement 2 reading times while increasing sentence wrap-up times and also led to faster and more accurate responses to comprehension questions, thus indicating increased integrative processing. The data supported a Reactivation Hypothesis that states that connectives evoke inter-clause integration and the reactivation of the first clause, and that these processes occur at the end of the second clause.
Obligatory processing of literal and nonliteral meanings in verbal irony

In two experiments, we tested the hypothesis that some portion of the literal meaning of ironic remarks is processed automatically, along with the intended meaning. In experiment 1, subjects took longer to judge the evaluative tone (positive or negative) of utterances used ironically than used literally, demonstrating that the literal meaning of the ironic utterances was accessed, and interfered with the nonliteral meaning judgment. In experiment 2, subjects took longer to judge the evaluative tone of the literal meaning of utterances used ironically than used literally, demonstrating that the nonliteral meaning of the ironic utterances was accessed, and interfered with the literal meaning judgment. These results support a multiple meaning model of irony processing in which both literal and nonliteral meanings are obligatorily processed. Results are also consistent with social-functional studies of irony demonstrating that the evaluative tone of the literal meaning of irony serves to mute the perceived tone of the intended, nonliteral meaning (Dews and Winner, 1995).
NPAS2 deletion impairs responses to restricted feeding but not to metabolic challenges.

Abstract Neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (Npas2) is a clock gene expressed widely in brain and peripheral tissues. NPAS2 is responsive to cellular metabolic state and mutation of this gene impairs adaptation to restricted feeding schedules, suggesting that NPAS2 is required for effective control of a food-entrainable oscillator. However, an alternative possibility, that NPAS2 is required for detection of metabolic cues signaling energy deficiency or for arousal of appropriate behavioral responses to such cues, as not been directly examined. Therefore, we examined the effect of targeted disruption of Npas2 on responses to several acute and chronic metabolic challenges. We found that under normal light–dark and ad libitum feeding conditions, Npas2 knockout (KO) mice did not differ from wild-type (WT) controls with respect to diurnal feeding or blood glucose levels, body weight or size or body composition. Furthermore, feeding responses to overnight food deprivation, insulin- or 2-deoxy- d -glucose (2DG)-induced glucoprivation, mercaptoacetate (MA)-induced blockade of fatty acid oxidation and cold exposure did not differ by genotype. However, KO mice lost more weight than WT during overnight food deprivation and when placed on a 4-h restricted feeding schedule, even though food intake did not differ between groups. Thus, it appears that NPAS2 is not required for detection of or behavioral responses to a variety of acute or chronic metabolic deficits, but is more likely to be involved in effective synchronization of feeding behavior with scheduled food availability.
Neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors: role of ventilatory time

Abstract Background Neurodevelopmental impairment is one of the most significant morbidities among CDH survivors. Purpose Assess correlation between ventilatory time (VT) and short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survivors. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted between 2008 and 2012. Assessment of mental and motor development was performed at 6 and 12months by Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development — 3rd Edition (BSID-III). ROC curve analysis was used. Results Forty-two subjects were included in the study. There was a significant inverse correlation between neurodevelopment at 6 and 12months and VT during first admission (p Conclusions VT should be considered an important marker to identify subjects at risk for short-term neurodevelopmental delay in CDH survivors. Early follow-up intervention therapy should be activated in every baby with a history exceeding 13days of VT.
Legislative Effectiveness and Majority Party Size: A Test in the Indiana House

M any political analysts believe that a legislative majority can be "too big," that the internal dissension resulting from so many legislators' sharing in the spoils prevents the party from being as effective as it might be with a smaller, but more cohesive, majority. Thus, Evans and Novak imply that President Eisenhower's "lateblooming determination" and his "trigger-quick use of the veto" were not the only reasons for the legislative ineffectiveness of the Democrats in 1959 and 1960. Another reason was that there were just "too many Democrats."1 Riker makes this same general argument in more explicit terms:
Alpha-tocopherol modulates genes involved in hepatic xenobiotic pathways in mice.

Abstract Hepatic proteins involved in xenobiotic pathways (Phases I, II and III) are responsible for the metabolism and disposition of endogenous and exogenous compounds including dietary phytochemicals. To test the hypothesis that elevated α-tocopherol intakes alter gene expression of hepatic xenobiotic pathways, mice were fed diets supplemented with either 1000 IU (+E) or 35 IU (E) all-rac -α-tocopheryl acetate for 4 months; liver RNA was isolated, and gene expression was determined using both whole genome microarray and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Hepatic α-tocopherol (173±18 vs. 21±1 nmol/g, mean±S.E.) and its metabolite (2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(2′-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman, 0.232±0.046 vs. 0.031±0.019 nmol/g) concentrations were approximately eightfold higher following the +E dietary treatment. In +E relative to E mice, gene expression of Phase I enzymes, P450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome P450 3a11 increased 1.6- and 4.0-fold, respectively; two Phase II genes, sulfotransferase 2a and glutathione S-transferase mu 3, increased 10.8- and 1.9-fold respectively, and a Phase III biliary transporter, Abcb1a, doubled. Thus, consumption of high-level dietary α-tocopherol simultaneously coordinated Phase I, II and III gene expression. These data demonstrate that increased hepatic α-tocopherol modulates its own concentrations through increasing xenobiotic metabolism, a process that may alter metabolism of other foreign compounds, such as therapeutic drugs and phytochemicals, in humans.
Cecal Microflora of Turkeys Fed Low or High Fiber Diets: Enumeration, Identification, and Determination of Cellulolytic Activity

Abstract Examination of cecal contents or bacterial cultures thereof from turkeys fed either a high fiber (HF) or low fiber (LF) ration indicated that direct microscopic counts of microbes were significantly higher in HF-fed than in LF-fed birds. There was no significant difference in mean colony counts between the two groups of turkeys. In both LF and HF-fed birds, 77% of the microbes were Gram-positive rods, 14% Gram-negative rods, and 9% Gram-positive cocci. The predominant microorganism was Eubacterium, but Lactobacillus, Peptostreptococcus, Escherichia coli, Propionibacterium, and Bacteriodes were also isolated. Percentages of Peptostreptococcus were significantly greater in HF-fed turkeys and of E. coli were significantly greater in LF-fed turkeys. Yeasts were routinely found in both LF and HF-fed birds, but protozoa were not isolated. Turkeys fed the HF diet harbored significantly higher numbers of facultative microorganisms than did LF-fed birds. In pure cultures from turkeys preconditioned to a HF diet, there was a nonsignificant trend toward greater cellulolysis than in pure cultures from LF-fed turkeys. In contrast, cellulolysis by mixed cultures from HF-fed birds was significantly greater than that in mixed cultures from LF-fed turkeys.
Cloud-scale Image Compression Through Content Deduplication.

As more images are uploaded to the cloud, it is imperative that pixel-wise redundancy between images be leveraged to minimize each photo’s memory footprint. We present an efficient cloud-scale digital image compression scheme for use in cloud image storage systems. Unlike current state-of-the-art systems, our image compression technique takes full advantage of redundant image data in the cloud by independently compressing each newly uploaded image with its GIST nearest neighbor taken from a representative set of uncompressed images. We leverage state-of-the-art video compression techniques in order to efficiently reuse image content which is already stored server-side. Our novel scheme scales to accommodate large datasets and is highly parallelizable for cloud computing. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm produces competitive image compression rates while reducing the computational effort by at least an order of magnitude in comparison to competing techniques, all while providing the necessary scalability for cloud-scale image compression.
AMBROSia: An Autonomous Model-Based Reactive Observing System

Observing systems facilitate scientific studies by instrumenting the real world and collecting corresponding measurements, with the aim of detecting and tracking phenomena of interest. Our AMBROSia project focuses on a class of observing systems which are embeddedinto the environment, consist of stationary and mobilesensors, and reactto collected observations by reconfiguring the system and adapting which observations are collected next. In this paper, we report on recent research directions and corresponding results in the context of AMBROSia.
bcl-2 overexpression promotes myocyte proliferation

To determine the influence of Bcl-2 on the developmental biology of myocytes, we analyzed the population dynamics of this cell type in the heart of transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing Bcl-2 under the control of the α-myosin heavy chain promoter. TG mice and non-TG (wild type, WT) mice were studied at 24 days, 2 months, and 4 months after birth. Bcl-2 overexpression produced a significant increase in the percentage of cycling myocytes and their mitotic index. These effects were strictly connected to the expression of the transgene, as demonstrated in isolated myocytes. The formation of mitotic spindle and contractile ring was identified in replicating cells. These typical aspects of mitosis were complemented with the demonstration of karyokinesis and cytokinesis to provide structural evidence of cell division. Apoptosis was low at all ages and was not affected by Bcl-2. The higher cell replication rate in TG was conditioned by a decrease in the expression of the cell-cycle inhibitors, p21WAF1 and p16INK4a, and by an increase in Mdm2-p53 complexes. In comparison with WT, TG had 0.4 × 106, 0.74 × 106, and 1.2 × 106 more myocytes in the left ventricle at 24 days, 2 months, and 4 months, respectively. Binucleated myocytes were 12% and 25% larger in WT than in TG mice at 2 and 4 months of age. Taken together, these observations reveal a previously uncharacterized replication-enhancing function of Bcl-2 in myocytes in vivo in the absence of stressful conditions.
Effect of Medicaid Expansions on Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care among Low-Income Adults with Behavioral Health Conditions.

Objective To examine the effect of Medicaid expansions on health insurance coverage and access to care among low-income adults with behavioral health conditions. Data Sources/Study Setting Nine years (2004–2012) of individual-level cross-sectional data from a restricted-access version of National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Study Design A quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design comparing outcomes among residents in 14 states that implemented Medicaid expansions for low-income adults under the Section §1115 waiver with those residing in the rest of the country. Data Collection/Extraction Methods The analytic sample includes low-income adult respondents with household incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level who have a behavioral health condition: approximately 28,400 low-income adults have past-year serious psychological distress and 24,900 low-income adults have a past-year substance use disorder (SUD). Principal Findings Among low-income adults with behavioral health conditions, Medicaid expansions were associated with a reduction in the rate of uninsurance (p < .05), a reduction in the probability of perceiving an unmet need for mental health (MH) treatment (p < .05) and for SUD treatment (p < .05), as well as an increase in the probability of receiving MH treatment (p < .01). Conclusions The ongoing implementation of Medicaid expansions has the potential to improve health insurance coverage and access to care for low-income adults with behavioral health conditions.
Squeeze me, hold me, tilt me! An exploration of manipulative user interfaces

This paper reports on the design and use of tactile user interfaces embedded within or wrapped around the devices that they control. We discuss three different interaction prototypes that we built These interfaces were embedded onto two handheld devices of dramatically different form factors. We describe the design and implementation challenges, and user feedback and reactions to these prototypes. Implications for future design in the area of manipulative or haptic user interfaces are highlighted.
A computer-aided design system for microelectromechanical systems (MEMCAD)

The authors describe the MIT microelectromechanical computer-aided design system (MEMCAD), in which selected commercial software packages are linked with specialized database and numerical programs to allow designers to quickly perform both mechanical and electrical analyses of structures either described directly, or derived from the design specification (mask data plus process flow). The system architecture, the various modules, and their present status are described, and present system performance is demonstrated with several examples. >
Organization for Internal Control and Coördination in the United States Army

Woodrow Wilson long ago recognized the value of the comparative approach in studying public administrative processes. Moreover, in recent years the recognized scope within which fruitful comparisons may be made has been considerably broadened, and public administration has benefited from studies of the experience of large-scale industrial, commercial, and other enterprises. Thus far, however, relatively little attention has been paid by students of public administration to the administrative experience of armies. Military organizations have long dealt with the problem of combining men and materials to produce coordinated and effective action. Out of centuries of experience have emerged certain doctrines, forms, and methods concerning control and coordination which are recognized and accepted by all modern armies. Details and applications change rapidly, but these basic concepts, which have virtually achieved the dignity of principles in their own sphere, change slowly, if at all.
Lack of neuropeptide Y attenuates the somatic signs of opiate withdrawal

Recent evidence suggests that neuropeptide Y (NPY) may be involved in the neurobiological responses to drugs of abuse. This study was designed to assess the possible contribution of NPY to opiate withdrawal behaviors. Here we report that mice lacking the NPY gene show normal conditioned place aversion to opiate withdrawal, but show attenuated opiate withdrawal somatic signs.
Friends and Strategic Agents The Role of Friendship and Discretion in Negotiating Strategic Alliances

Case study and anecdotal evidence suggest that strategic alliances often develop from interpersonal relationships between their founders. Research has generally ignored how these relationships shap...
Mechanism of Triclosan Inhibition of Bacterial Fatty Acid Synthesis

Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that inhibits bacterial fatty acid synthesis at the enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI) step. Resistance to triclosan in Escherichia coli is acquired through a missense mutation in the fabI gene that leads to the expression of FabI[G93V]. The specific activity and substrate affinities of FabI[G93V] are similar to FabI. Two different binding assays establish that triclosan dramatically increases the affinity of FabI for NAD+. In contrast, triclosan does not increase the binding of NAD+ to FabI[G93V]. The x-ray crystal structure of the FabI-NAD+-triclosan complex confirms that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between triclosan and both the protein and the NAD+ cofactor contribute to the formation of a stable ternary complex, with the drug binding at the enoyl substrate site. These data show that the formation of a noncovalent "bi-substrate" complex accounts for the effectiveness of triclosan as a FabI inhibitor and illustrates that mutations in the FabI active site that interfere with the formation of a stable FabI-NAD+-triclosan ternary complex acquire resistance to the drug.
‘New views’ on structure–function relationships in milk proteins

The molten globule state has been regarded as a major intermediate in protein folding. It is characterized by native-like secondary structure with a compact molecular size but little specific tertiary structure. α-lactalbumin under various denaturing conditions has been considered a paradigm of the classical molten globule state. It has been shown that caseins share many of the same properties and may therefore exist naturally in a molten globule-like state with defined secondary structure and limited fluctuating tertiary structure, which lead to their propensity for polymerization. The architectural concepts of tensegrity may be used to describe, in part, the structure of casein polymers.
Determinants of maximal O2 uptake in rats selectively bred for endurance running capacity

O2 transport during maximal exercise was studied in rats bred for extremes of exercise endurance, to determine whether maximal O2 uptake (V˙o 2 max) was different in high- (HCR) and low-capacity ru...
Paget-Schroetter syndrome: what is the best management?

Abstract Background . The evaluation of 312 extremities in 294 patients with Paget-Schroetter syndrome (effort thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein) over 30 years provides the basis for optimal management determination. Methods and Results . Group I (35 extremities) was initially treated with anticoagulants only. Twenty-one developed recurrent symptoms after returning to work, requiring transaxillary resection of the first rib. Thrombectomy was necessary in eight. Group II (36 extremities) was treated with thrombolytic agents initially, with 20 requiring subsequent rib resection after returning to work. Thrombectomy was necessary only in four. Of the most recent 241 extremities (group III), excellent results accrued using thrombolysis plus prompt first rib resection for those evaluated during the first month after occlusion (199). The results were only fair for those if seen later than 1 month (42). Conclusions . An early diagnosis (less than 1 month), expeditious thrombolytic therapy, and prompt first rib resection are critical for the best results.
Prevalence of chlamydial and gonorrheal infections among females in a juvenile detention facility, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Limited studies have shown high rates of gonorrheal and chlamydial infections among incarcerated adolescents, however, this population has not been routinely targeted for sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening. This study was done to ascertain the feasibility of screening females for STDs at a juvenile detention facility in Honolulu, Hawaii, and to determine the prevalence of chlamydial and gonorrheal infections in this population. Between January 2000 and December 2001, pelvic examination-based STD screening was offered to all female detainees, on selected dates. Specimens from multiple anatomical sites were cultured for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Endocervical swabs were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis using a DNA probe (GenProbe®). One-hundred one of 204 (50%) eligible females were screened. Fourteen of 101 (13.9%) females were screen positive for chlamydial infection, while six of 101 (5.9%) were culture positive for infection with N. gonorrhoeae. Three females were co-infected with both organisms. The high STD rates justify the institution of a routine screening program for this high risk and previously underserved group.
Diffusive transport across corrugated plates and tubes

The steady diffusion across a constant thickness corrugated barrier is analyzed through the intrinsic coordinate system. Perturbation solutions are found when the thickness is small compared to the minimum radius of curvature. For a given perimeter length, diffusive transfer is decreased, while for given maximum geometric dimensions, diffusive transfer may be increased by corrugations.
Host and Graft Glial Cell Activities Following Retinal Transplantation to the Adult Rat Eye

Transplantation of immature retina into adult retina is a model which has been developed rather recently (Turner & Blair 1986, Del Cerro et al. 1987, Aramant et al. 1988). The donor embryonic or neonatal (rat) retinal tissue is placed as an aggregate into a small retinal lesion site in the dorsal retina. The transplanted tissue continues to differentiate, developing most retinal layers. Neonatal, as well as embryonic retina, can be successfully grafted. However, embryonic day 15 (E 15) grafts tend to develop more distinctive laminae and to fuse better with the host retina in a fresh, but not a conditioned (previously made), lesion site (Aramant et al. 1988). In E 15 grafts, photoreceptor cells are frequently arranged around an external limiting membrane to form a “rosette” within the graft.