cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Divergence in Californian Vegetation and Fire Regimes Induced by Differences in Fire Management across the U.S.-Mexico Boundary

The very different dynamic in BCA stands in remarkable contrast with that on the California side. The BCA fire regime may serve as a model for SCA, prior to the establishment of modern suppression. Baja California’s more natural fire regime and low labor costs provide an excellent opportunity for baseline research on fire and fuel management in Mediterranean-type regions. Given the public’s reluctance to see valuable forest resources burn on public lands, reducing fuel loads manually, rather than allowing fire to do it, is widely seen as a viable option. Permitting the harvesting of fuels as an economic activity for local populations would be consistent with the “Mexican modality” for biosphere reserves. This would provide an opportunity to turn the Sierra San Pedro Martir into a natural laboratory where different strategies of fire management could be tested side by side under nearly natural initial conditions.
T-Cell Blast Crisis in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: Immunophenotypic and Molecular Biologic Findings

T-cell blast crisis in chronic myelogenous leukemia is rare. We examined three patients (ages 35 to 72 years) in whom T-cell blast crisis developed 11 to 36 months (mean, 25 months) after diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia and who died 4 to 12 months (mean, 7 months) thereafter. Two patients had diffuse lymphadenopathy, and the third had marked lymphocytosis (white blood cell count 217,000/microL, with 90% circulating blasts). In all three patients, neoplastic cells had the appearance of lymphoblasts and were immunoreactive for T-cell markers by immunohistochemical or flow cytometric analysis or both. Molecular diagnostic studies revealed the presence of a bcr-abl oncogene rearrangement in all three cases, but none exhibited a clonal T-cell receptor delta, beta, or gamma chain gene rearrangement. One case exhibited deletion of the J delta 1 region of both delta chain genes. The significance of these findings is discussed, and they are compared with those of other reported cases of T-cell blast crisis in chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Murine Cardiovascular Development

The fascination of developmental processes is how the complex structures that characterize advanced organisms can arise from a single cell. As with any system, the key to its understanding is to first define its component parts and then devise experimental strategies to test their function. Experiments in the early days of the discipline manipulated cells and tissues in frog eggs and chick embryos to demonstrate the role of cell inductive or determined behaviors in the formation of embryonic structures. The advent of the molecular era of science witnessed a renaissance in experimentation in developmental processes. Various cloning and gene expression-profiling techniques have allowed for the identification of many gene products that are expressed in the heart early in development. The completion of the sequencing of a number of genomes means that most or all of the genes will have been identified. The challenge now is to understand how a gene-based regulatory program controls the proliferation, differentiation, death and migration of cells in a regional and temporal-specific manner so as to form the mature four-chambered heart.
Comments on the Appropriateness of Extended Resection in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Radical lymphadenectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma is a technique described by a number of Japanese authors as a potential method for improving surgical outcome. This operation has come into vogue at the same time as gastric cancer is appearing at a markedly earlier stage; the improved results claimed most likely are the result of the earlier disease encountered rather than the change in operative strategy. In most other cancers, lymph node metastases are indicators, not governors, of survival, and trials of radical or extensive lymph node resections have failed to improve survival in breast, lung, esophageal, colon, and thyroid cancers and melanoma. It would be unusual if a totally different biologic relation of lymph node metastases were found in gastric carcinoma.
One Screening for Ischemic Heart Disease, Lung Cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systems Biology Bridge for Tobacco and Radiation Exposure

The article discusses CT imaging (Computed tomography) and how it can be used in disease screening. Particular focus is given to how CT scans can diagnose problems including heart disease, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Details relating to the risks of tobacco and radiation exposure are also offered.
Sports Dentistry and Public Health: Rules, Policy, and Politics

Public health measures have a long history, going back at least to the ancient Romans who implemented sanitary laws in conjunction with their sewer and water projects. Unfortunately, the process of generating public health laws, rules, policies, and regulations is not simply one of implementing the recommendations of the scientific community. Rather, it is a political process, where other considerations such as financial benefit, expediency, and special interests can act to hinder or foster the adoption of practices that may or may not be supported by the best available evidence. Sports dentistry is no exception to this. There is significant evidence which supports the use of mouthguards for many sports, yet in both requirements and practice, this protective equipment is not being used to the extent that the scientific community recommends. There are many organizations which have authority over various aspects of organized sporting events. Additionally, in the United States, each state has the ability to set its own public health agenda. Internationally, various countries have addressed the public health aspects of sports dentistry in their own ways.
Parameterized Fragility Assessment of Bridges Subjected to Hurricane Events Using Metamodels and Multiple Environmental Parameters

AbstractA vulnerability assessment of bridges subjected to hurricane events is beneficial to policy makers prioritizing their critical assets for inspection, maintenance, and retrofit. The proposed...
Subversive Completions: Turn-Taking Resources for Commandeering the Recipient’s Action in Progress

This article explores the practice of “subversive completions,” whereby one speaker produces a grammatically fitted completion of another speaker’s unfolding turn so as to subvert the action of the...
2.03 – Thermal Actuation

Thermal microactuation is based on thermal expansion or shrinkage of the structural materials subject to temperature changes. Typically, the thermal actuator can provide both large force (up to several millinewtons) and large displacement (up to several hundred micrometers), and the actuation voltage is low (<20 V). This chapter summarizes the basic theory, performance criteria, and reliability of a thermal actuator and covers solutions or mitigation methods for its main issues such as power consumption, thermal isolation, and response speed. Furthermore, thermal actuation has proved to be an enabling technology and has found various applications such as biomedical imaging, label-free biosensing, cellular manipulation, drug delivery, microfluidics, single-neuron monitoring, optical and wireless communication, microoptics, ultrafast optical pulse shaping, nanoinstrumentation, and nanoscale material characterization. Some specific devices or systems for these applications are described in this chapter as examples.
NRP1 cripples immunological memory.

Durable responses to immunotherapy require the development of robust CD8+ T cell memory. A new study indicates that NRP1 differs from other checkpoint receptors as it functions as a checkpoint for the generation of memory.
Inmates' Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health Problems: A Comparison by Sex and Age.

The present study explored the impact of both age and sex on inmates’ self-reported physical and mental health problems. The inmates were older adults (55 or older) and housed in one of four correc...
Migratory Labour and the Politics of Prevention: Motility and HPV Vaccination Among Florida Farmworkers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US and causes a number of cancers that are preventable through vaccination. The HPV vaccine requires multiple injections, and vaccination completion rates are low among low-income and minority groups. Low rates are exacerbated by structural impediments that prevent vaccination among some populations, such as Latinx (a gender-neutral way to refer to Latino/a) migrant farmworkers. This chapter focuses on how agricultural labour mobility and vaccine policy converge to constrain Latinx migrant farmworkers’ ability to get the HPV vaccine for their children. Using the theoretical lens of motility, the chapter examines how heightened mobility associated with agricultural labour results in never-materializing efforts to complete HPV vaccination for children of migrant farmworkers, despite potential to do so. Overall, our chapter shows how, paradoxically, increased mobility results in a type of public health “stillness” or “stuckness” in being unable to obtain a preventive public health measure due to larger structural obstacles.
Evolving Role of Liver Resection in Selected Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Abstract Background More effective chemotherapy regimens combined with metastasectomy have improved overall survival (OS) in several cancer populations. The value of liver resection (LR) in breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) remains controversial. We sought to investigate the role of LR in BCLM as a therapeutic option in patients with isolated liver metastasis. Methods The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for patients with BCLM diagnosed from 2010 to 2014. The primary outcome was the OS. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression were performed for intergroup comparison. Results A total of 9244 patients with BCLM were included. The median age was 58 y (IQR 49-68 y). Of them, 2632 (28.5%) patients had isolated liver metastasis, 1957 (78.2%) received chemotherapy, 93 (3.6%) underwent LR, and only 83 (3.2%) received chemotherapy and LR. Median OS for the entire cohort and for patients with isolated BCLM was 18.3 mo and 29 mo, respectively. Chemotherapy with LR was associated with superior OS compared to chemotherapy alone (69.7 versus 49.2 mo, P Conclusions This is the largest series thus far assessing the role of LR in patients with BCLM. LR plus chemotherapy may be associated with acceptable outcomes in selected patients with BCLM. LR should be considered in patients with isolated BCLM who had a good response to systemic therapy.
Agronomic Practices and Performances of Quinoa under Field Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is one of the most popular emerging food crops in the Andean region. It is tolerant to environmental stresses and characterized by interesting nutritional traits. Thus, it has the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security in marginal environments. In this study, we conducted a systematic review integrated with a bibliometric analysis of cropping practices of quinoa under field conditions. The analysis is based on published data from the literature relating to the period 2000–2020. A total of 33 publications were identified, revealing that scientific research on the agronomic practices and performances of quinoa under field conditions is still limited. Africa, Asia, and Europe were the leading research production sites in this field and together provided over 81% of the total scientific production. There were no papers from the Australian continent. The number of papers screened dealing with tillage and weed control management was very limited. The keyword co-occurrence network analyses revealed that the main topics addressed in the scientific literature related to the effect of “variety” and “deficit irrigation”, followed by “water quality”, “fertilization”, and “sowing date” on seed yield. Results from this study will permit us to identify knowledge gaps and limited collaboration among authors and institutions from different countries. Salinity, sowing density, and sowing date were the agronomic interventions affecting productive response the most.
CD47 Deficiency Ameliorates Ocular Autoimmune Inflammation.

Autoimmune uveitis is a sight-threatening ocular inflammatory condition in which the retina and uveal tissues become a target of autoreactive immune cells. The CD47 is a ubiquitously expressed transmembrane protein which plays multiple roles in fundamental cellular functions including phagocytosis, proliferation, and adhesion. Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), one of the CD47 ligands, is predominantly expressed in myeloid lineage cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) or macrophages, and CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway is implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. Our current study demonstrates how CD47 depletion is effective in the prevention of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), an animal model of human autoimmune uveitis, in animals deficient of CD47 (CD47-/- ). Systemic suppression of SIRPα+ DCs in animals deficient in CD47 resulted in the inability of autoreactive CD4+ T cells to develop, which is crucial to induction of EAU. Of interest, retinal microglia, the resident immune cell of the retina, express SIRPα, however these cells were not operative in EAU suppression in response to CD47 depletion. These results identify CD47 as a significant regulator in the development of SIRPα+ DCs that is vital to disease induction in EAU.
The Pathophysiology of Afterload Mismatch and Ventricular Hypertrophy

Afterload, easy to describe in words (but hard to measure) is the force against which the heart must contract in order to empty and generate cardiac output. Many common conditions including hyperte...
Open Slots: An Economics Analysis of Sponsored Listings on E-tailing Platforms

Inspired by the popularity of the advertising model at search engines, many online retailing platforms have added a new revenue stream of advertising (i.e., sponsored ads) to their traditional commission-based business model. While this new hybrid model is intuitively appealing, questions on its relative value to the traditional commission-based model have not been carefully examined. In practice, despite being embraced by top retailing platforms, sponsored ads are still quite rare among the majority of e-commerce platforms. It is of both theoretical and practical interest to examine whether adding sponsored ads is always economically attractive to retailing platforms. Toward this goal, we study the merits of the hybrid model relative to the traditional commission-based model by incorporating consumer search behavior, product characteristics, and seller bid behavior. We find that, while the hybrid model often weakly dominates the commission model, strict dominance only occurs in specific settings. A key reason is the substitution effect between the commission and advertising income. Furthermore, we show that the reverse - the commission model strictly dominates - can happen, depending on consumers' search costs and sellers' placement. Our findings suggest that platforms should carefully examine their seller and consumer profiles before implementing the advertising service.
Evolution and analysis of dynamical neural networks for agents integrating vision, locomotion, and short-term memory

The use of evolutionary approaches to create dynamical "nervous systems" for autonomous agents is becoming increasingly widespread. In previous work, we have successfully applied this approach to chemotaxis, walking, learning, and such minimally cognitive behavior as visually-guided orientation, object discrimination and pointing. In this paper, we extend this approach to the integration of visually-guided orientation and walking and to an object orientation task that requires short-term memory. In addition, we examine the neural dynamics underlying the operation of some of these evolved agents.
Parallel Newton-Krylov-Schwarz Method for Solving the Anisotropic Bidomain Equations from the Excitation of the Heart Model

We present our preliminary results from applying the Newton-Krylov-Schwarz method for the simulation of the electrical activity of the heart in two dimensions. We use the bidomain nonlinear equations, using a fully implicit time discretization scheme, and solving the resulting large system of equations with a Newton based algorithm at each step. We incorporate anisotropy into our model, and compare the results of using various conductivity ratios between the intra-cellular and extra-cellular domains. We also compare our results with previous work that has been done using less precise techniques, such as explicit and semi-implicit schemes, and less detailed models, such as the Monodomain model, and isotropic as well as quasi-isotropic Bidomain models. The results are obtained using PETSc of the Argonne National Laboratory.
Epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertions in advanced lung adenocarcinomas: Clinical outcomes and response to erlotinib.

Background EGFR exon 20 insertions (exon20ins) represent approximately 10% of EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinomas and are associated with resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Clinical outcomes compared to patients with sensitizing EGFR mutations are not well-established.
Topology error identification for the NEPTUNE power system using an artificial neural network

The goal of the North Eastern Pacific Time-Series Undersea Networked Experiment (NEPTUNE) is to construct a cabled observatory on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing the Juan de Fuca Tectonic Plate. The power system associated with the proposed observatory is unlike conventional terrestrial power systems in many ways due to the unique operating conditions of cabled observatories. The unique operating conditions of the system require hardware and software applications that are not found in terrestrial power systems. This paper builds upon earlier work and describes a method for topology error identification in the NEPTUNE system that utilizes an artificial neural network (ANN) to determine single contingency topology errors.
Fundamental and Operational Glass Transition Temperatures of Composite Resins and Adhesives

Data are presented on the thermomechanical response and electrical conductivity of two commonly used epoxy materials, Narmco 5208 resin and RB 398 adhesive, as a function of increasing temperature. The overall conformity of the results shows that the second-order Ehrenfest-type glass transition temperature, designated as T 2 , governs the onset and evolution of changes in viscoelastic and electrical response as well as thermal expansion. The general features of this behavior are described with a five-element spring-and-dashpot model. The values of T 2 , and two other Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF)-type parameters for the description of viscoelastic response above T 2 , can thus be derived from a single thermomechanical or electrical conductivity experiment conducted at constant heating rate.
Reducing stereotype threat in order to facilitate learning

Recent stereotype threat research has demonstrated that negative stereotypes about women's math ability can impair their mathematical learning. This experiment extends this research by examining whether presenting “gender fair” information can reduce learning decrements (on a focal and transfer task) and if the timing of this information matters. Women (N = 140) and men (N = 60) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: control, stereotype threat only, stereotype threat removed before learning, and stereotype threat removed after learning. Compared with women in the control condition and women who had stereotype threat removed before learning, learning and transfer were poorer for women in the stereotype threat only condition and women who had stereotype threat removed after learning but before learning assessment. Men's learning and transfer were unaffected by condition. These findings suggest that a manipulation that can reduce performance deficits can also reduce learning decrements if it is presented before learning occurs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of core-ring-intensity-ratio to fiber speckle-hologram sensing

A fiber speckle-hologram is formed by two coherent light fields, in which a speckle field emerging from a multimode fiber combines with a convergent reference beam. When the speckle-hologram is illuminated by the same speckle field from the fiber, a high intensity correlation peak is reconstructed. If the fiber is subjected to some status changes, the correlation peak gradually decreases and disappears. The main objective of this paper is to use a `core-ring-intensity-ratio' technique to analyze the correlation peak so the fiber status changes can be determined. An experimental demonstration to confirm this relationship is also given.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Light requirements for proton movement by isolated chloroplasts as measured by the bromocresol purple indicator

Abstract ATP formation by isolated chloroplasts is due to the proton gradient phenomena, according to Mitchell. The number of protons moved per electron pair transported and per photon absorbed is related to the number of protons required to produce each ATP. Thus, a critical test of the Mitchell hypothesis is the quantum yield of H + transport. Bromocresol purple, a pH indicator, can be used to measure the pH external to isolated chloroplasts accurately and rapidly. The action spectrum (with pycocyanine as the electron acceptor) appears to be that of a System I-linked reaction (high above 700 nm). The quantum yield has been calculated to be 3.5 ± 0.1 H + hv from 640 nm to 690 nm and 6.7 ± 0.4 H + hv above 700 nm. The action spectrum of the efflux of H + occurring in the dark, which is usually identified as being equivalent to the steady-state influx, has the same shape as that of the influx. The quantum yield, however, is reduced by 0.5. Therefore, Photosystem II seems to affect both the initial influx and dark efflux. The H + photon and H + e 2 for the initial influx are too high for the Mitchell hypothesis. Only the H + efflux in the dark from 640–690 nm has an H + hv of 1.6 which agrees with the theory of Mitchell.
Review: dietary interventions, with or without exercise, promote weight loss more than advice alone.

M J Franz Ms M J Franz, Nutrition Concepts by Franz Inc, Minneapolis, MN, USA; marionfranz@aol.com What are the most effective interventions for weight loss in overweight and obese adults? ### Data sources: PubMed (1997 to Sep 2004) and reference lists. ### Study selection and assessment: English-language, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated weight loss interventions in overweight or obese adults and had ⩾1 year follow-up. 80 RCTs (n = 26 455, mean age 23–69 y, 0–100% men) met the selection criteria. At baseline, mean weight was 77–131 kg and mean body mass index was 29–43 kg/m2. The interventions included advice only (28 RCTs), exercise (6 RCTs), diet (51 RCTs), diet plus exercise (17 RCTs), meal replacements (7 RCTs), very-low-energy diet (11 RCTs), orlistat (13 RCTs), and sibutramine (7 RCTs). No RCT on …
Halothane attenuates nitric oxide relaxation of rat aortas by competition for the nitric oxide receptor site on soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Abstract Endothelial cells play an important role in the regulation of vascular activity through the release of endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) now believed to be nitric oxide (NO). NO and the NO donor drug nitroglycerin relax vascular smooth muscle by stimulating soluble guanylyl cyclase leading to elevation of intracellular levels of cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP). Halothane has been shown to inhibit the action of NO on blood vessels. This study was designed to further investigate the mechanisms by which halothane attenuates NO-induced vascular relaxations. This was done by examining the effects of halothane on nitroglycerin and NO-induced relaxations in the presence and absence of the inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase, methylene blue and 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY 83583). Thoracic aortas from anesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats were excised and cut into rings and the endothelium was removed. The aortic rings were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs solution and equilibrated at their optimal passive tension. When a stable plateau of contraction was produced by EC60 concentrations of norepinephrine, increasing concentrations of nitroglycerin or NO were added to the baths to relax the rings. This contraction–relaxation procedure was repeated three or four times. In some baths halothane was administered by a calibrated vaporizer 10 min before beginning the second procedure. Either methylene blue or LY 83583 was added to the baths 20 min before the third procedure. The combination of halothane, methylene blue or LY 83583 was added before the fourth procedure. Halothane, methylene blue or LY 83583 significantly inhibited nitroglycerin-induced relaxation individually. Halothane and LY 83583 also significantly inhibited NO-induced relaxations (5×10−9–3×10−8 M and 5×10−9–3×10−5 M, respectively) individually. The combination of halothane and methylene blue or halothane and LY 83583 significantly inhibited nitroglycerin-induced relaxation, also, the combination of halothane and LY 83583 significantly inhibited NO-induced relaxations. Halothane, methylene blue and LY 83583 treatment led to rightward shift in the concentration–effect curves. Halothane, in combination with methylene blue or LY 83583, produced inhibition equivalent to the sum of their individual effects. The present study demonstrates that the halothane, methylene blue and LY 83583 attenuate nitroglycerin and NO-induced relaxations of endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings. This suggests that halothane, methylene blue and LY 83583 may act through competitive antagonism at a common site of action on soluble guanylyl cyclase in the EDRF/NO relaxation pathway.
A formal conceptual model for rights

Emergence of different digital rights management (DRM) systems and various rights expression languages (RELs) has led to problems with DRM interoperability and smooth flow of content across different content management systems. The complexity, varied scope, undefined boundaries, and lack of formalism in current RELs pose some of the biggest challenges in addressing DRM interoperability. In this paper, we define a formal language neutral conceptual model for rights expression statements that provides a platform upon which rights statements from different RELs can be mapped, reasoned, and manipulated.
Examining rounding error in least absolute values regression computations

Two techniques for detecting inaccuracies in least absolute values (LAV) regression computations are presented and discussed. Examples of the use of the methods are given. The techniques are shown to apply to the more general case of M-estimation.
Task-Based Configuration Management for Modular Serial Robotic Manipulators

Modular robotic systems have become popular in recent years due to the ease of reconfigurability to satisfy varying task requirements. Due to the nonlinear nature of the actuator performance parameters, it is often difficult to map component specifications to the overall system performance making it cumbersome to use these parameters to design the system. Specifying system requirements based on task specifications, on the other hand, provides greater insight into how the system must perform in order to complete a given task and the resources required to achieve this performance. In this paper, we present a method for optimal design of modular robotic manipulators using a finite set of actuators to execute various tasks. Three different tasks — material removal, welding and a pick-and-place operation — which have different requirements in terms of the force, speed, precision and energy required to perform them, are considered. A set of five actuators is used to form different serial robotic manipulator configurations whose ability to accomplish the task is then evaluated using various performance metrics. A sequential filtering method is used to eliminate infeasible manipulator configurations and the remaining feasible set of manipulator configurations are then optimized using the weighted sum and compromise multiobjective optimization methods to determine a Pareto optimal manipulator configuration to accomplish each of the three tasks individually, in addition to a fourth manipulator configuration that is capable of accomplishing all the three tasks.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Comment on “cross sections for sputtering of p(2 × 2) oxygen on Ni(111) by 5–200 eV Ne+”

The structure observed in the 5–200 eV Ne+ ion induced sputtering cross sections σ for the p(2 × 2) oxide phase on Ni(111) is interpreted in terms of electronic sputtering. Two qualitative mechanisms are suggested as explanations for the unexplained structure in the σ versus kinetic energy curves, suggesting that the structure represents electronic desorption processes that are superimposed on a smooth momentum sputtering curve.
782-5 Balloon Angioplasty, Palmaz-Schatz Stent, and Directional Coronary Atherectomy for Restenotic Lesions: Retrospective Comparison in a Single Center

Both Palmaz-Schatz stents (PSS) and directional atherectomy (DCA) are reported to be suitable for treating restenotic lesions and claim to decrease subsequent restenosis. The purpose of this study was to compare in hospital outcome and follow-up (FU) of these two technologies with balloon angioplasty. Records of 1087 patients with restenosis that underwent elective (PSS) implantation (116 patients, 122 lesions). DCA (103 patients, 108 lesions), balloon angioplasty in 868 patients, 965 lesions) from January 1988 to March 1994 were reviewed. Mean follow-up was 1.22 ± 0.73 years. PSS DCA Balloon P Lesion success (%) 117 (95.9) 102 (944) 920 (95.3) 0.87 MLD post (mm) 2.87 ± 0.67 2.84 ± 0.77 2.20 ± 0.96 0.0001 In hospital death (%) 1 (0.9) 0 (0.0) 4 (0.5) 0.63 O-Wave MI (%) 2 (1.8) 1 (1.0) 15 (1.8) 0.85 CABG(%) 5 (4.3) 3 (2.9) 30 (3.5) 0.84 6 months follow-up PTCA(%) 31 (35) 30 (31) 247 (31) 0.74 CABG(%) 19 (22) 21 (22) 141 (19) 0.58 Recurrent angina (%) 34 (37) 34 (34) 340 (42) 0.25 Death (%) 9 (8.5) 4 (39) 37 (4.3) 0.14 Download : Download high-res image (74KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusion Although a larger lumen was obtained with PSS and DCA, this was not associated with a significant reduction in revascularization, recurrent angina or death at six months. Event free survival curves reveal overlapping and low event free survival at 3 years.
SURFACE-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR LASER STRUCTURES FABRICATED BY MICROLITHOGRAPHY

Vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers are semiconductor microcavity lasers created by epitaxial growth and surface processing technologies which exploit new 3-dimensional architectures. The physical properties of these microcavities are intimately related to the geometry imposed on the semiconductor materials. The surface-emitting geometry is ideal for fabricating 2-dimensional laser structures by optical and electron beam lithography. These structures include large area, phase-locked arrays with shaped beams for higher power applications and 2-dimensional nanostructures such as photonic lattices for controlling microscopic optical properties. This paper reviews the basic physics of epitaxial surface-emitting laser cavities and recent technical advances in the microfabrication of 2-dimensional surface-emitting laser arrays and photonic lattices.
Partial oxidative pyrolysis of acid infused red oak using a fluidized bed reactor to produce sugar rich bio-oil

Abstract Acid infusion of lignocellulosic biomass as a pretreatment prior to fast pyrolysis has been shown to significantly increase the yield of sugar in the products. However, under these conditions char formation increases forming large agglomerates that clog the reactor and eventually interrupt operation of the system. In the present study, partial oxidative pyrolysis of acid infused red oak was performed in a fluidized bed reactor at 500 °C with the concentration of oxygen in the sweep gas ranged from 0 to 8.4 vol% in an effort to mitigate char agglomeration. The addition of oxygen reduced char agglomeration by up to 88.9% compared to the control run during pyrolysis ensuring continuous run of the reactor. Moreover, the addition of oxygen increased the total sugar content in the bio-oil to as high as 20.62 g/100 g biomass. Stage fraction 1 (heavy fraction) of bio-oil obtained from oxidative condition contained up to 67% of hydrolyzable sugar and it was less acidic compared to standard pyrolysis.
Relation of bone mineral density to frequency of coronary heart disease.

Coronary angiography was performed because of chest pain in 198 patients (146 women, 52 men; mean age 66 years) who had dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans of the spine and left hip because of suspected osteoporosis or osteopenia. Of the 198 patients, 53 (27%) had osteoporosis, 79 (40%) had osteopenia, and 66 (33%) had normal bone mineral density (BMD). Obstructive coronary artery disease with >50% narrowing of ≥1 major coronary artery was present in 40 of 53 patients (76%) with osteoporosis, in 54 of 79 patients (68%) with osteopenia, and in 31 of 66 patients (47%) with normal BMD (p
Modified spectral editing methods for (13)C CP/MAS experiments in solids.

The spectral editing approach of Zilm and coworkers utilizes polarization, polarization inversion, and spin depolarization methods for enhancing or suppressing NMR spectral lines in solids. The proposed pulse sequences allow nonprotonated C, CH, CH(2), and CH(3) types of carbon resonances to be separated from one another and identified accordingly. The former method tentatively separates the nonprotonated C and CH(3) peaks with a cutoff shift of 35 ppm. This shift is a reasonable demarcation shift for a preponderance of organic molecules, but exceptions do exist that could constitute a serious drawback in a few instances. The new approach separates the nonprotonated C and CH(3) carbon peaks unequivocally using modified pulse sequences similar to those of Zilm. Further, both the CH only and CH(2) only spectra, respectively, can be acquired directly from combining so called (+) and (-) sequences using different spectral delay periods and pulse parameters. The (+) and the (-) pulse sequences produce signals for the nonprotonated and methyl carbons that have essentially the same amplitude but opposite phases. These spectra, combined with the previously reported CH(3) and nonprontonated C only spectra, offer a complete spectral editing technique for solid samples. Examples of these spectral editing methods are provided for 3-methylglutaric acid, fumaric acid monoethyl ester, and two complex natural products: methyl o-methylpodocarpate and 10-deacetylbaccatin III.
CARDIOLOGY: Assessment of systemic and pulmonary baroreceptor function in intact and unanesthetized fetal and newborn lambs

Baroreceptor response have been observed in exteriorized fetal lambs, but ther have been no quantitative studies of changes with maturation in fetuses in utero. In 9 fetal and 3 newborn lambs an inflatable balloon catheter was passed from the femoral artery into the descending aorta. In 7 other fetuses inflatable balloons were placed around the pulmonary artery (PA) or the aortic isthmus. Vinyl catheters were positioned in a brachial or carotid artery, and catheters and ECG leads were exteriorized. Arterial pH, PCO2 and PO2 were normal in all studies. Reflex bradycardia in response to blood pressure elevation by balloon inflation was measured repeatedly for several weeks. Baroreceptor sensitivity was expressed as the regression coefficient of the beat-to-beat relationship between systolic (SP) and pulse (PP) pressure, and the subsequent R-R interval (R-R) or heart rate (HR). In over 100 observations we found: (1) elevation of systemic but not main PA pressure elicits reflex bradycardia; (2) reflex bradycardia could be elicite in all animals but was frequently absent in fetuses less than 120 days gestation; (3) reflex bradycardia was blocked by atropine but not influenced by propranolol; (4) in fetuse the regression coefficients of SP or PP vs. R-R increased with gestational age, but not when SP or PP was correlated with HR because of the lower initial HR in older fetuses; (5) lambs had significantly higher regression coefficients for all correlations than fetuses. We have not yet evaluated if baroreceptor response depend on gestational age and initial HR in combination.
Kimball to Be Nominated to Lead USGS

Suzette Kimball, who has served as acting director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since February 2013, will be nominated to be director of the agency, U.S. president Barack Obama announced on 9 January. If Kimball's nomination is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she will lead the science agency, which has more than 8000 employees and an annual budget of more than $1.1 billion.
Methylation analysis of a plasmid containing a mammalian cell cycle regulatory sequence after transient transfection into the host cell.

Abstract A hamster genomic sequence containing a cell cycle regulatory sequence derived from a histone H3.2 gene was transfected into K12 hamster fibroblasts in the form of plasmid DNA prepared from dam + E. coli . Analysis of the plasmid DNA recovered 72 hr after the transfection revealed that it was resistant to Mbo1 but was sensitive to Dpn1 enzyme digestion, suggesting that this plasmid had retained its dam E. coli methylated sites and was therefore unable to undergo replication following transfection into homologous host cells. These results were discussed with relation to a previously described yeast cell cycle regulatory sequence which was functionally linked to an autonomous replicating sequence and was located near a yeast H2B gene.
Induction of trabecular meshwork cells from induced pluripotent stem cells

Purpose Loss or dysfunction of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells has been associated with the development of pathologically elevated IOP, and it is conceivable that replacement of damaged TM cells could restore function to the TM. We propose that the use of TM-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) created from a patient's own dermal fibroblasts offers the best solution to this challenge. Here we demonstrate that mouse iPSCs can be induced to differentiate into TM-like cells suitable for autologous transplantation. Methods Directed induction of stem cell differentiation was achieved through coculture of mouse iPSCs with human TM cells for up to 21 days. The resultant TM-like cells (iPSC-TM) were characterized morphologically, immunohistochemically, and functionally. Results The iPSC-TM cells closely resembled cultured human TM cells morphologically and began to express many markers of TM cells while ceasing to express pluripotency markers such as Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2. Functionally, these cells developed the ability to phagocytose particles. Finally, exposure to dexamethasone or phorbol 12-myristate acetate caused a distinct increase in the production and secretion of myocilin and matrix metalloproteinase-3, respectively, behavior characteristic of TM cells. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that iPSCs can be induced to assume a phenotype that resembles native TM cells in many important aspects. Not only do these cells represent a valuable research tool, but transplantation into glaucomatous eyes with elevated IOP may also restore function to the TM, resulting in re-establishment of IOP.
Pressure-Enhanced Near-Infrared Breast Imaging of Normal Subjects

Fast frame rate frequency domain tomography of normal breast tissue showed correlation between applied pressure and total hemoglobin, water and scattering amplitude, but no significant changes in tissue oxygen saturation and scattering power
Human Olfactory Communication of Emotion

Nonhuman animals communicate their emotional states through changes in body odor. The study reported here suggests that this may be the same for humans. We collected underarm odors on gauze pads from 25 young women and men on two different occasions. On one occasion the donors were induced to feel happy by viewing an excerpt from a funny movie whereas on the other, separated by a day, they were induced to feel afraid by watching an excerpt from a frightening movie. One week later, 40 women and 37 men were asked to smell several different bottles, some of which contained underarm odor pads collected during the happy movie, some contained underarm odor pads collected during the frightening movie, whereas others contained unused pads (control odor). Each odor was identified on two separate tasks that involved identifying the odor from among three odors and identifying it again from among six odors. Data were the number of women and men who identified an odor correctly on both tasks. When asked to select which bottles contained "the odor of people when they are happy," women chose the correct bottles for both tasks significantly more often than chance. Men chose the bottle which contained the body odors collected when women (but not men) viewed the happy movie more often than would be expected by chance. When asked to select which bottles contained "the odor of people when they are afraid," women and men both chose the bottle that contained the body odors collected when men (but not women) viewed the frightening movie more often than would be expected by chance. The finding suggests that there is information in human body odors indicative of emotional state. This finding introduces new complexity in how humans perceive and interact.
Autoxidation of the furan fatty acid ester, methyl 9,12‐epoxyoctadeca‐9,11‐dienoate

The objective of this study was to identify autoxidation products of methyl 9,12-epoxyoctadeca-9,11-dienoate (F9,12). Previous work has shown that F9,12 is a product both of autoxidation and singlet oxygen oxidation of the methyl ester derivative of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). F9,12, 95% pure, was synthesized from methyl ricinoleate. The synthetic F9,12 was heated at 50°C in sealed tubes containing air. Each tube contained 6 mg F9,12 and 1 mg methyl stearate as an internal standard. Samples were taken at 4.5, 7, 23, 46.5, 69.5, and 93 h. The oxidized F9,12 was dissolved in isooctane and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC), GC-direct deposition-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and GC-electron ionization mass spectrometry. CLA methyl ester was oxidized in a similar manner. Under these conditions, the half-lives of CLA and F9,12 were 40 and 35 h, respectively. Oxidation products of F9,12 that were identified included: 5-hexyl-2-furaldehyde (I), methyl 8-oxooctanoate (II), methyl 13-oxo-9,12-epoxytrideca-9,11-dienoate (III), methyl 8-oxo-9,12-epoxy-9,11-octadecadienoate (IV), and methyl 13-oxo-9,12-epoxy-9,11-octadecadienoate (V).
A framework for allocating clients to rate-constrained multicast servers

Forming multiple multicast groups is a technique often used to deal with the problem of heterogeneous client capacities by allocating clients with different capacities to different groups. In this paper, we investigate the problem of allocating clients to constrained multicast servers, which, similar to clients, have different capacities. We explore several interesting issues caused by these constraints and propose a framework for generating optimal solutions to the allocation problem. We evaluate the method by simulation and show a substantial performance gain of our algorithm over those considering the server constraints separately.
Local error estimates in the numerical solution of y"=f(x,y)

Chakravarti and Worland have proposed a class of algorithms far the numerical solution of equations and systems of equations of the form y'' = f(x, y), y(x 0 ) = y 0 , y'(x 0 ) = y' 0 . This letter presents a modifications of these methods to provide automatic estimates of the local truncation error.
A forthcoming cross-sectional atlas correlating CT scans with anatomical structures.

Abstract With the development of the whole-body CAT (computerized axial tomographic) scanner, a need has arisen for a cross-sectional anatomy book that correlates actual CT scans with detailed anatomical structures. This article describes a forthcoming cross-sectional atlas using CT scans of normal living human volunteers. After a preliminary discussion of such considerations as some fundamental differences between cross-sectional anatomy and conventional anatomy and the relationship between cross-sectional anatomy and computerized tomography, there is an explanation of the textual format. This section includes a description of the presentations on the pages, the use of color in the scans, and the use of certain advanced features of the ACTA-Scanner, the scanner used for the atlas. The final part of the article illustrates sample scans and a diagram from the forthcoming text.
Smooth muscle specific disruption of the endothelin-A receptor in mice reduces arterial pressure, and vascular reactivity and affects vascular development.

Abstract Aims The role of vascular smooth muscle endothelin A receptors (ETA) in development and normal physiology remains incompletely understood. To address this, mice were generated with smooth muscle-specific knockout (KO) of ETA. Main methods Mice were homozygous for loxP-flanked exons 6–8 of the EDNRA gene (floxed) or were also hemizygous for a transgene expressing Cre recombinase under control of the smooth muscle-specific SM22 promoter (KO mice). Key findings Genotyping at 17 days postnatal yielded a 10:1 ratio of floxed:KO mice. Smooth muscle actin staining of embryos at day E10.5 revealed increased tortuosity in dorsal aortae while E12.5 embryos had mandibular, vascular and thymic abnormalities. Mice surviving to weaning developed and bred normally. ETA KO mice aged 2–3 months manifested EDNRA gene recombination in all organs tested. Aortas from KO mice had a > 90% reduction in ETA mRNA content, but no differences in ET-1 or ETB mRNA levels. Addition of 0.01–100 nM ET-1 to isolated femoral arteries from floxed, but not KO, mice dose-dependently decreased vessel diameter (up to 80% reduction in the presence of ETB blockade). Intravenous infusion of ET-1 into floxed, but not KO, mice increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) (by ~ 10 mm Hg). Telemetric analysis revealed decreased MAP in KO mice (reduced by ~ 7–10 mm Hg) when fed a high salt diet. Significance Smooth muscle ETA is important for normal vascular, mandibular and thymic development and is involved in the maintenance of arterial pressure under physiological conditions.
Building the "Bridge": Linking Gerontology Education to a Local Retirement Community.

There has been a substantial increase in the number of aging-related educational programs in the United States over the last two decades. Many of these programs utilize an experiential-learning approach, such as intergenerational service-learning, to train gerontology students to work effectively with older adults. This paper presents a model of training called the Bridge program, which is based in experiential learning and incorporates some of the broader goals of service-learning. Launched in 2003, the Bridge program involves graduate students residing in a retirement community for at least one academic year. The main goals of the program include: educating the students and the public about the aging process, recruiting future gerontologists, providing research opportunities for the Bridge students, and contributing to the retirement community. Evaluation of the program reveals several critical issues for successful implementation.