cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oppression and racial slavery: Abolitionist challenges to neo-republicanism

The neo-republican conception of freedom as non-domination has emerged as a powerful framework for conceptualizing the dynamic relationship between power, democracy, and constitutionalism in modernity. Despite this, I argue that adaptations of republican freedom to the problem of slavery displace attention to race and foreclose more productive ways of addressing how racial slavery constitutes a distinct form of oppression. To illuminate the limitations of neo-republicanism, I turn to the political thought of abolitionists David Walker and Ottobah Cugoano. Both utilize comparative histories of race and slavery to reveal the specificity of modern slavery as a form of oppression, which cannot be captured as an issue of domination in the technical sense of the term. They thus pose challenges to neo-republican theory for its failure to fully appreciate the historical differences between ancient and modern slavery. To do so would illuminate how neo-republican theory faces severe limitations in providing an adequate conceptualization of oppression in the case of racial slavery.
Contemporary Use of Radial to Peripheral Access for Management of Peripheral Artery Disease

Compared with femoral access, transradial access for percutaneous vascular intervention has demonstrated several advantages, including lower risks of access site complications, faster patient recovery time, and lower health care costs. This has led to a growing interest in utilization of transradial access as the primary access site for certain peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs). This review outlines the rationale for transradial access for PVI, offers tips on equipment selection and special procedure-specific considerations, discusses challenges and barriers to widespread utilization, and highlights the latest developments in the field. Recent development of longer balloon and stent shafts and guiding catheters have made transradial access feasible for a larger number of PVIs, including internal carotid, vertebral, subclavian, and innominate; renal, celiac, and mesenteric; and aorto-iliac and superficial femoral artery disease. Despite these advances, there remain limitations with transradial access for PVI mainly due to the small size of the radial arteries and the distance from the radial arteries to the target vessels. In addition to new devices, there has been the development of newer approaches to limit radiation exposure, prevent radial artery spasm, and avoid radial artery occlusion. The benefits of radial access for vascular interventions have been well established. With ongoing innovation and studies demonstrating effectiveness and safety of this approach, “radial first” for peripheral interventions has a bright future and may someday become the standard of care for certain peripheral interventions.
Regulation of muscle stem cell function

Abstract Regeneration of skeletal muscle is a finely tuned process which is depending on muscle stem cells, a population of stem cells in skeletal muscle which is also termed satellite cells. Muscle stem cells are a prerequisite for regeneration of skeletal muscle. Of note, the muscle stem cell population is heterogeneous and subpopulations can be identified depending on gene expression or phenotypic traits. However, all muscle stem cells express the transcription factor Pax7 and their functionality is tightly controlled by intrinsic signaling pathways and extrinsic signals. The latter ones include signals form the stem cell niche as well as circulating factors such as growth factors and hormones. Among them are Wnt proteins, growth factors like IGF-1 or FGF-2 and hormones such as thyroid hormones and the anti-aging hormone Klotho. A highly orchestrated interplay between those factors and muscle stem cells is important for their full functionality and ultimately regeneration of skeletal muscle as outlined here.
A SUMMARY OF THE GLASGOW CONFERENCE ON SOVIET ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES

A meeting of the Advisory Panel on a major research project entitled “Soviet Environmental Policies and Practices: Most Critical Investment Priorities” was convened in Glasgow, Scotland on March 12 and 13, 1988. More than a dozen specialists from Britain, West Germany, and the United States participated. The meeting was hosted by the Institute of Soviet and East European Studies of Glasgow University. The results are summarized below.
The Heart Has Its Value: The Death Penalty's Justifiable Persistence

This short comment responds to Susan Bandes' assertion that putting emotions "at the center of the debate about [capital punishment's] fate" will lead the death penalty to "die a well-deserved death." On the contrary, reengaging with emotion will reinvigorate capital punishment. Capital emotions are more nuanced than Bandes suggests in distinguishing which killers are so evil that they deserve the ultimate penalty. She prefers the warm-and-fuzzy emotion of empathy, but offers little justification for squelching the visceral capital emotions. Perhaps Vulcan criminal justice would not need to vent outrage at the worst killers, but human criminal justice must and inevitably will.
A multilayered story of memory retrieval.

The successful retrieval of learned visual associations requires coordination of multiple brain regions involved in the encoding and association of visual images. In this issue of Neuron , Takeda et al. (2015) use a combination of modern recording and analytical methods to eavesdrop on this process.
Airborne Ocean Surveys of the Loop Current Complex From NOAA WP-3D in Support of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Abstract : At the time of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, the Loop Current (LC), a warm ocean current in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), extended to 27.5 N just south of the rig. To measure the regional scale variability of the LC, oceanographic missions were flown on a NOAA WP-3D research aircraft to obtain ocean structural data during the spill and provide thermal structure profiles to ocean forecasters aiding in the oil spill disaster at 7 to 10 day intervals. The aircraft flew nine grid patterns over the eastern GoM between May and July 2010 deploying profilers to measure atmospheric and oceanic properties such as wind, humidity, temperature, salinity, and current. Ocean current profilers sampled as deep as 1500 m, conductivity, temperature, and depth profilers sampled to 1000 m, and bathythermographs sampled to either 350 or 800 m providing deep structural measurements. Profiler data were provided to modeling centers to predict possible trajectories of the oil and vector ships to regions of anomalous signals. In hindcast mode, assimilation of temperature profiles into the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model improved the fidelity of the simulations by reducing RMS errors by as much as 30% and decreasing model biases by half relative to the simulated thermal structure from models that assimilated only satellite data. The synoptic snapshots also provided insight into the evolving LC variability, captured the shedding of the warm core eddy Franklin, and measured the small-scale cyclones along the LC periphery.
Cathepsin D is membrane-associated in macrophage endosomes.

Previously we identified an acid protease activity which was located in the endosomes of rabbit alveolar macrophages (Diment, S., and Stahl, P.D. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15311-15317). In this study, the endosomal protease is identified as cathepsin D by immunoprecipitation with polyclonal antibodies raised against rabbit cathepsin D and by NH2-terminal sequence. In order to elucidate the mechanism for targeting of cathepsin D to endosomes, we first examined the membrane association of cathepsin D with light (rho = 1.05 g/ml) and heavy density (rho = 1.1 g/ml) vesicles from Percoll density gradients. After sequential washes, 8.4 and 21.9% of cathepsin D activity remained associated with heavy and light density vesicles, respectively. This membrane-associated cathepsin D could not be solubilized in either buffer at pH 5.0 containing mannose 6-phosphate and EDTA or in buffer at pH 10.6. Solubilization required the detergent Triton X-100. To determine whether membrane-associated cathepsin D was found in endosomes, the enzyme was radioiodinated within endosomes and lysosomes with internalized lactoperoxidase. The membrane-associated form was detected in endosomes, but much less in lysosomes. Biosynthetic studies combined with the same extraction procedure revealed that macrophage cathepsin D is first synthesized as an inactive membrane-associated precursor. The precursor is processed to an active, membrane-associated form and then to the active soluble form found in lysosomes. Our studies provide evidence that 1) cathepsin D is in endosomes of macrophages; 2) cathepsin D is transported to endosomes as a membrane-associated form; and 3) the membrane-associated form is a biosynthetic precursor for the soluble form found in endosomes and lysosomes.
Contraction of abdominal wall muscles influences size and occurrence of incisional hernia

Background Incisional hernias are a complication in 10% of all open abdominal operations and can result in substantial morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether inhibiting abdominal muscle contraction influences incisional hernia formation during the fascial healing after laparotomy. We hypothesized that decreasing the deformation of the abdominal musculature would decrease the size or occurrence of an incisional hernia. Methods Using an established rat model for incisional hernia, a laparotomy through the linea alba was closed with 1 mid-incision, fast-absorbing suture. Three groups were compared: a sham group (sham; n = 6) received no laparotomy, and the saline hernia (SH; n = 6) and Botox hernia (BH; n = 6) groups were treated once with equal volumes of saline or botulinum toxin (Botox, Allergan) before the incomplete laparotomy closure. On postoperative day 14, the abdominal wall was examined for herniation and adhesions, and contractile forces were measured for abdominal wall muscles. Results No hernias developed in the sham rats. Rostral hernias developed in all SH and BH rats. Caudal hernias developed in all SH rats, but in only 50% of the BH rats. Rostral hernias in the BH group were 35% shorter and 43% narrower compared with those in the SH group (P Conclusion In our rat model, partial paralysis of abdominal muscles decreases the number and size of incisional hernias. These results suggest that contractions of the abdominal wall muscle play a role in the pathophysiology of the formation of incisional hernias.
Industrial behaviour patterns: A new dimension for planners

Abstract The analysis of industrial behaviour patterns and the factors which control them is an excellent tool for forecasting and planning. The paper presents the behaviour pattern which the high (new) technology industries such as the aerospace, chemical, computer, electronic, instrument, nuclear, and advanced material and transportation industries, have been following for the past 25 years. The petrochemical industry is used as an example.
Antenna measurements 1900-1980

Summary form only given. The author briefly reviews the history of antenna measurements beginning with the work of Hertz and Marconi. Requirements for antenna testing are also discussed.
Cigarette Smoke Alters Human Vitamin E Requirements

Vitamin E is a lipophilic chain-breaking antioxidant that prevents lipid peroxidation. Although cigarette smoke is a potent source of oxidative stress that depletes vitamin E in vitro, it is unclear whether it has a similar effect in vivo, particularly in humans. Therefore, this review will discuss the role of cigarette smoke on gamma-tocopherol (gamma-T) nitration, its effect on alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) biokinetics in smokers, and the changes in the synthesis, plasma concentrations, and urinary excretion of the vitamin E metabolite (CEHC; carboxy-ethyl-hydroxy-chroman). Last, the possibility of CEHC as a biomarker of vitamin E status will be assessed as will the question whether smokers have increased dietary requirements of vitamin E.
Propaganda and the rhetoric of the American revolution

One method of analysis which might provide new insights into old orations is to regard them as exercises in propaganda. This method is discussed here and applied to five orators who spoke before and during the American Revolution.
The role of octacalcium phosphate in subcutaneous heterotopic calcification

Comparison of lattice parameters and morphology of some of the microcrystallites in a subcutaneous heterotopic calcification reported by Daculsi et al. [1] with those of heat-treated octacalcium phosphate (OCP) suggests that OCP is one of the mineral phases in dense globules and one of the precursors for the apatite.
Does surfactant type cause a differential proinflammatory response in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome

Introduction The objective of this study was to compare the pulmonary inflammatory response of premature infants with respiratory distress following instillation of one of two commonly available surfactant preparations.
Connexins 26 and 30 are co-assembled to form gap junctions in the cochlea of mice☆

The importance of connexins (Cxs) in the cochlear functions has been indicated by the finding that mutations in connexin genes cause a large proportion of sensorineural deafness cases. However, functional roles of connexins in the cochlea are still unclear. In this study, we compared the relative expression levels of 16 different subtypes of mouse connexins in the cochlea. cDNA macroarray hybridizations identified four most prominently expressed connexins (listed in descending order): Cxs 26, 29, 30, and 43. Two of these connexins (Cx26 and Cx30), both belonging to the β-group, were investigated for their molecular assemblies in the cochlea. Co-immunostaining showed expressions of Cxs 26 and 30 in the same gap junction plaques and their co-assembly was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation of proteins extracted from the cochlear tissues. The heterologous molecular assembly of connexins is expected to produce gap junctions with biophysical characteristics appropriate for maintaining ionic homeostasis in the cochlea.
Tumor-targeting amino acid auxotrophic Salmonella typhimurium

We have developed an effective bacterial cancer therapy strategy by targeting viable tumor tissue using Salmonella typhimurium auxotrophs that we have generated which grow in viable as well as necrotic areas of tumors. However, the auxotrophy severely restricts growth of these bacteria in normal tissue. The S. typhimurium A1-R mutant, which is auxotrophic for leu-arg and has high anti-tumor virulence, was developed in our laboratory. In vitro, A1-R infects tumor cells and causes nuclear destruction. A1-R was initially used to treat metastatic human prostate and breast tumors that had been orthotopically implanted in nude mice. Forty percent of treated mice were cured completely and survived as long as non-tumor-bearing mice. A1-R administered i.v. to nude mice with primary osteosarcoma and lung metastasis was highly effective, especially against metastasis. A1-R was also targeted to both axillary lymph and popliteal lymph node metastasis of human pancreatic cancer and fibrosarcoma, respectively, as well as lung metastasis of the fibrosarcoma in nude mice. The bacteria were delivered via a lymphatic channel to target the lymph node metastases and systemically via the tail vein to target the lung metastasis. The metastases were cured without the need of chemotherapy or any other treatment. A1-R was administered intratumorally to nude mice with an orthotopically transplanted human pancreatic tumor. The primary pancreatic cancer regressed without additional chemotherapy or any other treatment. A1-R was also effective against pancreatic cancer liver metastasis when administered intrasplenically to nude mice. The approach described here, where bacterial monotherapy effectively treats primary and metastatic tumors, is a significant improvement over previous bacterial tumor-therapy strategies that require combination with toxic chemotherapy. Three promoter clones engineered in S. enterica typhimurium were identified to have enhanced expression in bacteria growing in tumors relative to those growing in the spleen. The expression of therapeutics in Salmonella under the regulation of one or more promoters that are activated preferentially in tumors has the potential to improve the efficacy of Salmonella tumor therapy. Exploitation of the tumor-killing capability of Salmonella has great promise for a new paradigm of cancer therapy.
System and customer impact: considerations for series custom power devices

The growing interest in power quality has led to a variety of devices designed for mitigating power disturbances, primarily voltage sags. One class of these devices is the series device. The size of a series device (SD) is usually described as having a certain percent RMS magnitude voltage injection capability. The required RMS magnitude is usually taken from measured data or the results of a circuit model simulation. These results can be graphically illustrated using magnitude versus duration matrices or curves. Due to the one cycle averaging effect of the RMS calculation, waveshape, transients, and phase shift are not adequately described, and thus does not accurately predict the necessary injection capability required of the series device. Careful consideration must also be taken when applying a series device onto a system. The series device acts as an additional energy source on the system. The device must coordinate with other protective devices to prevent damage to other loads on the system, particularly upstream loads. The series device requires a continuous current path to insert energy, so protective devices must be arranged accordingly. However, a load upstream of the series device and downstream of the protective device creates a potential for reverse current flow through the upstream load.
Investigation of Organophilic Montmorillonite Clay Inclusion in Zearalenone-Contaminated Diets Using the Mouse Uterine Weight Bioassay

Previous studies with low-pH montmorillonite (LPHM) clay exchanged with alkylammonium compounds showed that these organo clays were quite effective in sorbing the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) from aqueous solution. The potential toxicity of these types of clays, in particular hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) LPHM, led to the investigation of the sorption efficacy of clay exchanged with a less toxic primary amine analog, hexadecylamine (HDA). Isothermal analysis studies showed that HDA LPHM was able to bind ZEN, but less effectively than HDTMA LPHM as evidenced by a significantly lower Freundlich K (63,900 vs. 845). The in vivo effectiveness of these two clays to bind ZEN was tested utilizing the mouse uterine weight bioassay. At a dietary inclusion level of 0.25%, the clays did not have a negative impact on overall animal health as measured by final body weight; however, they did not protect the animals from the estrogenic effects induced by 35 mg ZEN/kg in the feed (i.e., the uterine weights were not reduced in comparison to ZEN alone). In fact, the HDTMA LPHM group showed an increase in uterine weight that was more than the ZEN treatment group. When the animals were fed 0.5% clay, both exchanged clays (i.e., HDTMA LPHM and HDA LPHM) resulted in decreased body weight gain. The uterine weights of ZEN-fed animals (either alone or in combination with clays) were not significantly different from each other. In contrast, the uterine:body weight ratio showed a dramatic increase in the groups fed exchanged clay + ZEN compared to ZEN alone. These results suggest that alkylamine groups may assist the transport or uptake of ZEN and result in an enhanced toxicity from contaminated feed. The findings from this study clearly demonstrate the need for careful testing of all mycotoxin-binding agents before their inclusion in the diet.
New constraints on the evolution of Carolina Bays from ground-penetrating radar

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data for the Savannah River Site (SRS) in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina, combined with geological, archaeological, and ecological data place new constraints on the evolution of Carolina Bays. Extant SRS bay morphology formed mainly during the Holocene and did not involve migration of bays across the landscape. Multiple periods of bay-rim accretion with intervening intervals of erosion may characterize the longer-term evolution of the bays. Bay evolution, however, did not involve significant modification of the Upland Unit underlying the region. During fluctuating, but generally open water conditions, breaking waves along bay shorelines eroded and transported sediment which was subsequently exposed for deflation during periods of low water. Deflation and transport of sand into standing vegetation along the margin of the bay depression created a rim in the form of a parabolic dune lacking obvious internal stratification. Simultaneously, infilling occurred by shoreline erosion and transport from adjacent elevated surfaces. This, coupled with growth of emergent vegetation, resulted in decreased hydroperiod, wave energy, shoreline modification, and rim accretion. Transport of some rim sediments back into the bays via alluvial and colluvial activity created wedges of infilling sediment during waning stages of evolution. The apparent contradiction of bay orientation with respect to prevailing winds might reflect seasonal changes in water level and wind direction: southwesterly winds during spring high water causes NW-SE elongation of the bays, whereas northwesterly winds during lower water in the fall and winter account for nearshore deflation and rim accretion along the east-southeastern bay margins.
Effects of prostaglandin E2, forskolin and cholera toxin on cAMP production and in vitro LH-RH release from the rat hypothalamus

The present study attempts to elucidate the possible role of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the function of the neural luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) apparatus. To this end, in vitro LH-RH release from superfused hypothalamic fragments and cAMP production by hypothalamic P2 membrane fractions were measured. Immature female rats (day 28) were ovariectomized and implanted with Silastic capsules containing estradiol (235 μg/ml). Two days later, animals were sacrificed and the mediobasal hypothalamic preoptic area (hypothalamic units or fragments) were removed. To examine in vitro LH-RH release from superfused hypothalamic fragments, effluents were collected into tubes on ice at 10-min intervals and LH-RH concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Following a 50-min control period, a step-wise increment in several doses of PGE2 (each dose for a 50-min interval) evoked a dose-related increase in LH-RH release. PGE2 induced significant (P<0.01) increments in LH-RH release at doses of 5.68 × 10−7, 5.68 × 10−6, and 5.68 × 10−5 M, respectively. When adenylate cyclase activators, such as forskolin and cholera toxin were infused in a step-wise manner (each dose for a 50-min interval) following a 50-min control period, a dose-related increase in LH-RH release was also obtained; forskolin and cholera toxin significantly (P<0.01) stimulated LH-RH release at doses of 1 × 10−4 and 5.4 × 10−10 M, respectively. These two substances were ineffective in stimulating LH-RH release when hypothalamic fragments were superfused in calcium-free plus EGTA (10 mM) containing medium. An intermittent infusion of dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP: 1 × 10−7 M, 10-min on, 20-min off) resulted in rhythmic LH-RH release from median eminences superfused in vitro. In separate experiments, to examine adenylate cyclase activity, P2 membrane fractions from the mediobasal hypothalamus were preincubated with appropriate test agents. Adenylate cyclase reaction was initiated by adding adenosine triphosphate. After a 15-min incubation, the reaction was terminated by boiling, the supernatant recovered and subjected to cAMP determination by RIA. The following results were obtained: (1) in vivo E priming of ovariectomized animals significantly increased basal adenylate cyclase activity of P2 membrane preparations as compared to those from unprimed rats; (2) known adenylate cyclase activators, such as forskolin and cholera toxin clearly produced a dose-related increase in cAMP production; and (3) PGE2 at the concentration of 5.68 × 10−6 M stimulated cAMP production. It appears that cAMP and PGE2 may be involved in the activation of the LH-RH neural apparatus. It is tempting to postulate that PGE2 may stimulate adenylate cyclase to increase intracellular cAMP levels which, in turn, trigger the release of LH-RH from the median eminence nerve terminals.
Utilizing diffraction imaging for nondestructive wafer topography measurements

Real-time process monitoring has been a primary concern of the semiconductor industry for a number of years. In an attempt to provide higher yield and performance it has become accepted that the monitoring of the etch step is critical. This is the primary motivation for the development of a real time process monitor with particular attention paid to wafer monitoring at the surface. To this end, the use of the results of diffraction, in particular, diffraction from 3-dimensional gratings is proving to be a viable technique for real time, process monitoring. Thus, the primary focus of this paper is to present the progress made toward the development of a non destructive, real time, optical metrology based system for direct wafer monitoring, utilizing the results of diffraction from a grating structure. The results of experiment and simulation will also be discussed.
Effect of temporally patterned TNF-α delivery on in vitro osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on biodegradable polymer scaffolds

Recent insight into the critical role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in bone regeneration has heralded a new direction in the design of tissue engineering constructs. Previous studies have demonstrated that continuous delivery of 50 ng/ml TNF-α to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured on three-dimensional (3D) biodegradable electrospun poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) microfiber meshes stimulates mineralized matrix deposition, a marker of osteogenic differentiation. Since TNF-α exhibits a biphasic pattern of expression following bone fracture in vivo, this study aimed to investigate the effects of temporal patterns of TNF-α delivery on in vitro osteogenic differentiation of MSCs cultured on 3D electrospun PCL scaffolds. MSCs were cultured for 16 days and exposed to continuous, early, intermediate, or late TNF-α delivery. To further elucidate the effects of TNF-α on osteogenic differentiation, the study design included MSCs precultured both in the presence and absen...
Effects of Pentachlorobiphenyl on Growth of Nutrient Enriched Phytoplankton from Lake Michigan

Abstract A natural phytoplankton community, sampled from Lake Michigan, was used to assay the combined effects of pentchlorobiphenyl (PCB) and nutrient enrichment. The phytoplankton production stimulated by nutrient enrichment was reduced by the presence of PCB, which resulted in differential effects on species growth rates. Phytoflagellates and small diatoms exhibited greater sensitivity to PCB than most species of green algae. The widespread PCB contamination in the Great Lakes may alter species composition and reduce production of the phytoplankton community.
Multi-task compressive sensing with Dirichlet process priors

Compressive sensing (CS) is an emerging £eld that, under appropriate conditions, can signi£cantly reduce the number of measurements required for a given signal. In many applications, one is interested in multiple signals that may be measured in multiple CS-type measurements, where here each signal corresponds to a sensing "task". In this paper we propose a novel multitask compressive sensing framework based on a Bayesian formalism, where a Dirichlet process (DP) prior is employed, yielding a principled means of simultaneously inferring the appropriate sharing mechanisms as well as CS inversion for each task. A variational Bayesian (VB) inference algorithm is employed to estimate the full posterior on the model parameters.
Human health risk assessment of endosulfan. Part IV: Occupational reentry and public non-dietary exposure and risk

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released revised draft risk assessments for the pesticidal active ingredient, endosulfan, just 2months apart, in November 2007 and January 2008. The exposure estimates, critical to risk assessment, were calculated by each agency using dissimilar approaches in certain aspects. The scenarios for which exposures and risks were estimated also varied somewhat between the two agencies, although there were substantial overlaps that allowed specific comparisons of exposure and risk estimates. Reasons underlying major differences in estimates of exposure for field workers working in treated crops (reentry exposure) are discussed in this paper. Differences in dislodgeable foliar residue levels calculated by CDPR and USEPA, reflecting endosulfan residues encountered by field workers entering treated orchards and fields, contributed the most to discrepancies in reentry exposure estimates between the two agencies. Additionally, because of differences in legal mandates CDPR estimated exposures for members of the public exposed to endosulfan in ambient air and when swimming, whereas USEPA did not. Exposures calculated for bystanders adjacent to a pesticide application suggest a potential health concern, but estimated swimmer exposures did not.
Care fragmentation in the postdischarge period: surgical readmissions, distance of travel, and postoperative mortality.

Importance Despite policies aimed at incentivizing clinical integration, few data exist on whether fragmentation of care is associated with worse outcomes for elderly patients undergoing major surgery. Objective To determine whether postdischarge surgical care fragmentation is associated with worse outcomes and whether distances between hospitals explain differences in patient outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants We used the 100% Medicare inpatient file for claims from January 1, 2009, through November 30, 2011. Data on hospital structural features, including zip code of location, were obtained from the 2011 American Hospital Association Annual Survey. We identified patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, pulmonary lobectomy, endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, colectomy, and hip replacement. Main Outcomes and Measures Thirty-day surgical mortality. Results A total of 93 062 patients who underwent the surgical procedures of interest were subsequently readmitted within 30 days of discharge; 23 278 of these patients (25.0%) were readmitted to a hospital other than the one where their procedure was performed. Patients who were readmitted to a different hospital generally lived farther from the index hospital than those who were readmitted to the index hospital (20.7 vs 7.4 miles, P P Conclusions and Relevance Of older US patients undergoing major surgery, 1 in 4 is readmitted to a hospital other than the one where the initial operation was performed. Even taking distance traveled into account, postsurgical care fragmentation is associated with a substantially higher risk of death. Focusing on clinical integration may improve outcomes for older US patients undergoing complex surgery.
Mimo capacity dependence on realistic cross-polarization and branch power ratios

The dependence of channel capacity on cross-polarization and the branch power ratio is established over a wide range of both realistic and idealized values. An existing empirical model is adjusted to avoid self-contradictory results for cross-coupled, but uncorrelated energy. Typical ranges are highlighted for realistic channel measurements from the literature, and extreme cases are identified. The value of a peak capacity measure is established and compared with the outage and average capacities. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1384–1388, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23360
Changes in mitogen-activated protein kinase in cerebellar granule neurons by polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as additive flame retardants and have been detected in human blood, adipose tissue, and breast milk. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the effects of PBDEs are similar to the known human developmental neurotoxicants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on a molar basis. Previously, we reported that PBDE mixtures and congeners, perturbed calcium homeostasis which is critical for the development and function of the nervous system. In the present study, we tested whether environmentally relevant PBDE/PCB mixtures and congeners affected mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which are down-stream events of calcium signaling in cerebellar granule neuronal cultures. In this study, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK)1/2, a widely studied MAPK cascade and known to be involved in learning and memory, levels were quantitated using western blot technique with phospho-specific antibodies. Glutamate (a positive control) increased pERK1/2 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner reaching maximum activation at 5–30 min of exposure and at doses ≥ 10 µM. Both Aroclor 1254 (a commercial penta PCB mixture) and DE-71 (a commercial penta PBDE mixture) elevated phospho-ERK1/2, producing maximum stimulation at 30 min and at concentrations ≥ 3 µg/ml; Aroclor 1254 was more efficacious than DE-71. DE-79 (an octabrominated diphenyl ether mixture) also elevated phospho-ERK1/2, but to a lesser extent than that of DE-71. PBDE congeners 47, 77, 99, and 153 also increased phospo-ERK1/2 in a concentration-dependent manner. The data indicated that PBDE congeners are more potent than the commercial mixtures. PCB 47 also increased phospho-ERK1/2 like its structural analog PBDE 47, but to a lesser extent, suggesting that these chemicals affect similar pathways. Cytotoxicity, measured as %LDH release, data showed that higher concentrations (> 30 µM) and longer exposures (> 30 min) are required to see cell death. These results show that PBDE mixtures and congeners activate MAPK pathway at concentrations where no significant cytotoxicity was observed, suggesting that perturbed intracellular signaling including MAPK pathway might be involved in the initiation of adverse effects, including learning and memory, related to these persistent chemicals.
Winter Movements of Four Fish Species near a Thermal Plume in Northern Minnesota

Abstract During winter 1975, 17 yellow perch (Perca flavescens), 6 northern pike (Esox lucius), 3 walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum), and 2 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were equipped with radio frequency transmitters to compare their winter movements near the thermal plume of a power plant. The mean home range sizes, in hectares, were northern pike 19.0; yellow perch 13.4; largemouth bass 3.7; walleye 2.2. Northern pike and yellow perch had mean home range sizes larger than the discharge area. Mean water depths at fish locations were as follows: largemouth bass 0.8 m; northern pike 1.2 m; yellow perch 1.6 m; walleye 3.5 m. Largemouth bass preferred the warmest locations near the discharge point. Yellow perch were most often located in the peripheral areas of the discharge bay while walleyes were most often located in the deeper center area. Northern pike moved over the entire discharge area. All species except largemouth bass moved freely between discharge-affected and unaltered waters. The averag...
Comparison of Tantalum and Hydroxyapatite Coatings on Titanium for Applications in Load Bearing Implants

Over the years hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings have been used to improve biologic properties of Ti-based load bearing metal implants. However, applicability of HA coated implants is subjected to physical stability of the HA phase and mechanical integrity of the coating-substrate interface. In this study, we have compared the microstructure and in vitro cell-materials interactions of newly developed laser deposited Ta coatings and radio frequency (RF) induction plasma sprayed HA coatings on Ti substrate. In vitro biocompatibility study, using human osteoblast cell line hFOB, showed equally excellent cellular adherence and growth on Ta and HA coatings. Quantitative assay of cell survivability on these coatings showed that the Ta coatings provide comparable initial cell attachment to that of HA coatings. Microstructural analysis of the coatings showed strong metallurgical bonding without sharp interface between the Ta coating and the Ti substrate, while the interface between HA coating and the Ti substrate was sharp. The interface microstructural features and in vitro cell-materials interactions of Ta coatings on Ti clearly demonstrate their potential to replace HA based coatings for enhanced/early biologic fixation. Other significant benefits of these dense Ta coatings include high toughness, strong bonding with the substrate, and long-term stability of the interface.
Green Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Highly Fluorescent Benzothiadiazole and Fluorene Derivatives

A group of highly fluorescent 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivatives (BH0−BH3), including two fluorene derivatives (AB2 and C01) were synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical, spectroscopic, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) properties of the compounds were determined. Benzothiadiazole derivatives BH1, BH2, and BH3 show reversible oxidation and reduction waves and produce strong green ECL in nonaqueous solutions. This ECL could be seen by the naked eye, even in a well lit room. The fluorene derivatives, C01 and AB2, also produce bright, easily observable ECL. Since the ECL spectra are at essentially the same wavelengths as the photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and the energies of the electron transfer reactions are greater than the singlet state energies, we propose direct formation of the excited singlet state during ion annihilation. BH0, which shows a quasi-reversible oxidation wave, only produced weak ECL via direct annihilation but gave strong ECL with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a corea...
Evaluation of a rapid agglutination method for detection of equine red cell surface antigens (Ca and Aa) as part of pretransfusion testing

Background: Blood typing before transfusion minimizes the risk of transfusion reactions and prevents immunization of the recipient against incompatible RBC antigens. The major RBC antigens that warrant identification before packed RBC or whole blood transfusions in horses are Ca and Aa. Standard blood-typing protocols are time-consuming (2.5–3.0 hours) and impractical in emergency settings. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether equine RBCs could be typed for Ca and Aa antigens using sera from horses with RBC antibodies in a modified rapid (15 minute) blood-typing protocol. Methods: Serum was obtained from a horse with anti-Ca antibodies and from another horse with anti-Aa antibodies. The presence of agglutinating antibodies was confirmed with antibody screening. Venous blood samples, collected in citrate–phosphate–dextrose, were obtained from 21 horses of various breeds. Samples were blood typed in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Hematology Laboratory using standard methodology. Washed RBCs from each of the 21 horses were incubated individually with anti-Ca and anti-Aa sera at dilutions of 1:4, 1:8, and 1:16 for 15 and 30 minutes at room temperature and 37 °C. Results: Of the 21 horses, 13 were identified as Aa+/Ca+, four were Aa+/Ca−, two were Aa−/Ca+, and two were Aa−/Ca−. All 17 Aa-positive horses had a positive agglutination reaction at all dilutions of anti-Aa serum, incubation times, and temperatures, while all Aa-negative horses were negative. Each Ca-positive horse had a positive agglutination reaction at all incubation time points and temperatures up to the 1:16 dilution of the anti-Ca serum. All Ca-negative horses were negative at all times, temperatures, and dilutions of anti-Ca serum. Use of the modified protocol on 26 hospitalized horses resulted in accurate typing, based on complete antibody screens. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that equine RBCs can be blood typed using a rapid (15 minute) protocol, at room temperature, for the presence of Ca and Aa antigens using equine-derived antisera. This technique may be beneficial for pretransfusion testing of equine patients in an emergency setting.
Common migraine: a review and proposal for a non-vascular aetiology.

Summary A brief review of the literature related to migraine headaches is presented. Information is presented on the epidemiology and diagnostic criteria of migraine headaches and is followed by a discussion on the problems inherent in the current classification system. Previously proposed vascular mechanisms of common migraine are discussed in the light of recent non-supporting data and a possible link between common migraine and orofacial pain dysfunction syndromes is proposed. The role of oral behavioural patterns and related muscular/ temporomandibular joint problems are advanced as probable factors related to common migraine. The discussion focuses on the need to distinguish classic from common migraine headache sufferers in assessment and treatment outcome studies, as well as suggesting future avenues of research.
Malignant liver tumors

Primary malignant liver tumors can arise from different components of the liver, such as hepatocytes, bile duct epithelium, neuroendocrine cells, and mesenchymal cells. A specific diagnosis frequently can be suggested from imaging studies, but biopsy remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis of liver tumors. Clinical history of chronic liver disease, known risk factors, or other diseases are of great importance. Patient's age is also an important discriminating feature because several tumors such as hepatoblastoma, mesenchymal hamartoma, and infantile hemangioendothelioma, are found predominantly in pediatric populations, whereas cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are rare in pediatric populations.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the neonatal piglet brain.

Appeal for the domestic pig as a preclinical model for neurodevelopmental research is increasing. One limitation, however, is lack of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for brain volume quantification in the neonatal piglet. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate MRI methods for estimating brain volume in piglets. The results showed that MRI and manual segmentation reliably estimated the changes in volume of different brain regions in 2- and 5-wk-old piglets. Substantial increases in the volumes of all brain regions examined were evident during the 3-wk period. MRI can provide accurate estimates of brain region volume during the neonatal period in piglets. A piglet model that can be used in longitudinal studies may be useful for investigating how experimental (e.g., nutrition, infection) factors affect brain growth and development. Anatomic MRI data (non-longitudinal) were acquired 2- and 5-wk-old piglets using a three-­dimensional T1-weighted magnetization-prepared gradient echo (MPRAGE) sequence on a MAGNETOM Trio 3T imager. Manual segmentation was performed for volume estimates of total brain, cortical, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellar, and ­hippocampal regions. The MRI-based hippocampal volume estimates in 2- and 5-wk-old piglets were validated using histological techniques and the Cavalieri method.
Plasticity of Supporting Cells in a Stem Cell Factory

In this issue of Immunity, Omatsu et al. (2010) provide new information on the CXCL12 abundant reticular (CAR) cells that support hematopoietic stem cells and lymphoid progenitors in bone marrow. CAR cells can convert to adipocytes and osteoblasts, additional cells known to regulate hematopoiesis.
Gain-Enhanced Monolithic Charge Pump With Simultaneous Dynamic Gate and Substrate Control

This brief presents a gain-enhanced complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) charge pump (CP) circuit via dynamically controlling the gate and substrate terminals of each pMOS pass transistor. The proposed control strategy enables the CP circuit free of the threshold-voltage drops, the body effect, and the floating substrate terminals of pass devices. The on-resistance of each pass device is also reduced to improve the gain and the power efficiency of the CP circuit. Implemented in a 0.35-μm single n-well CMOS process, the proposed four-stage monolithic CP circuit can operate with a supply voltage down to 0.9 V and deliver a maximum output current of about 100 μA. The proposed CP circuit also achieves a high voltage gain of 4 with two complementary-phase nonoverlapping clock signals.
On increasing the persuasiveness of a low prestige communicator

Abstract It has often been demonstrated that subjects will assume that a high prestige communicator is a more expert and honest person than is a low prestige communicator. Consequently, a high prestige communicator is usually assumed to be more effective in convincing others of any opinion he advocates than is a low prestige communicator. In this paper we proposed that the abstract credibility of a communicator is not the sole determinant of potential effectiveness. We proposed that any communicator, regardless of his prestige, will be more effective and will be seen as more credible when he is arguing for a position opposed to his own best interest. than when arguing for changes obviously in his own best interest. (Thus, in some cases, a low prestige source could be extremely effective—in fact, even more effective than a high prestige communicator.) Two experiments were conducted. Both experiments supported the above hypothesis.
Enantioselective [4 + 2]-annulation of chiral crotylsilanes: application to the synthesis of a C1-C22 fragment of leucascandrolide A.

The asymmetric synthesis of a C1−C22 fragment (2) of leucascandrolide A is described. Synthetic highlights include the construction of the C9−C22 pyran fragment using a formal [4 + 2]-annulation of a chiral organosilane. A diastereoselctive Mukaiyama aldol was used to introduce the C9 stereocenter and complete the assembly of the macrocycle's carbon skeleton.
Rheologic impairment of the microcirculation during decompression sickness

Abstract Eighteen dogs exposed for 1 hr to 5% 0 2 , 95% N 2 at a pressure equivalent to 200 ft of seawater were decompressed to sea level pressure within 10 min. One hour after decompression a severe impairment of mesenteric microcirculation with pronounced erythrocyte aggregation was evident. Small bubbles frequently appeared but passed through the microcirculatory channels without apparent difficulty. Bubble emboli were not observed. The blood viscosity 1 hr after decompression, compared with the precompression viscosity, increased by 24% at a shear rate of 230 sec −1 and by 63% at 5.75 sec −1 . Changes in viscosity were accompanied by significant increases in hematocrit and in partial thromboplastin times. Euglobulin lysis times were significantly shortened 1 hr postdecompression. Partial thromboplastin times of normal dogs not subjected to compression and decompression became significantly prolonged after their plasma had been foamed by shaking in air. Information provided by this study and related evidence from other laboratories indicate that bubble embolism is not a significant factor in production of the microcirculatory aberrations of decompression sickness. However, introduction of large gas-liquid interfaces could be responsible for altering the components and rheologic characteristics of the blood.
Paralogs and mutational robustness linked through transcriptional reprogramming

A recent analysis of genome-wide expression patterns and regulatory motif content of paralogous yeast genes strongly suggests that mutational robustness (backup) between paralogous genes is achieved via transcriptional reprogramming of one paralog to compensate for the loss or silencing of the other.