cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Radiologist Performance in Breast Cancer Screening Using Digital Breast Tomosynthesis vs Digital Mammography.

Importance Many US radiologists have screening mammography recall rates above the expert-recommended threshold of 12%. The influence of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) on the distribution of radiologist recall rates is uncertain. Objective To evaluate radiologists’ recall and cancer detection rates before and after beginning interpretation of DBT examinations. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included 198 radiologists from 104 radiology facilities in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium who interpreted 251 384 DBT and 2 000 681 digital mammography (DM) screening examinations from 2009 to 2017, including 126 radiologists (63.6%) who interpreted DBT examinations during the study period and 72 (36.4%) who exclusively interpreted DM examinations (to adjust for secular trends). Data were analyzed from April 2018 to July 2019. Exposures Digital breast tomosynthesis and DM screening examinations. Main Outcomes and Measures Recall rate and cancer detection rate. Results A total of 198 radiologists interpreted 2 252 065 DM and DBT examinations (2 000 681 [88.8%] DM examinations; 251 384 [11.2%] DBT examinations; 710 934 patients [31.6%] aged 50-59 years; 1 448 981 [64.3%] non-Hispanic white). Among the 126 radiologists (63.6%) who interpreted DBT examinations, 83 (65.9%) had unadjusted DM recall rates of no more than 12% before using DBT, with a median (interquartile range) recall rate of 10.0% (7.5%-13.0%). On DBT examinations, 96 (76.2%) had an unadjusted recall rate of no more than 12%, with a median (interquartile range) recall rate of 8.8% (6.3%-11.3%). A secular trend in recall rate was observed, with the multivariable-adjusted risk of recall on screening examinations declining by 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9%-1.5%) per year. After adjusting for examination characteristics and secular trends, recall rates were 15% lower on DBT examinations compared with DM examinations interpreted before DBT use (relative risk, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.83-0.87). Adjusted recall rates were significantly lower on DBT examinations compared with DM examinations interpreted before DBT use for 45 radiologists (35.7%) and significantly higher for 18 (14.3%); 63 (50.0%) had no statistically significant change. The unadjusted cancer detection rate on DBT was 5.3 per 1000 examinations (95% CI, 5.0-5.7 per 1000 examinations) compared with 4.7 per 1000 examinations (95% CI, 4.6-4.8 per 1000 examinations) on DM examinations interpreted before DM use (multivariable-adjusted risk ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.11-1.33). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, DBT was associated with an overall decrease in recall rate and an increase in cancer detection rate. However, our results indicated that there is wide variability among radiologists, including a subset of radiologists who experienced increased recall rates on DBT examinations. Radiology practices should audit radiologist DBT screening performance and consider additional DBT training for radiologists whose performance does not improve as expected.
Gender Differences in Scientific Communication and Their Impact on Grant Funding Decisions

Why are women underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, and innovation? Using a sample of Gates and NIH grant applications submitted by a common pool of US-based academic researchers, we implement a range of text analysis methods associated with gendered language. We find that despite significant institutional differences, there are consistent gender differences in scientific communication. By contrast, we find starkly differing impacts of these text characteristics on funding outcomes across our institutional settings. Our findings suggest that institutional reform is likely to be a viable strategy for increasing gender inclusion in science and technology.
A retrospective, observational study of perampanel in refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus.

Abstract Introduction The outcomes of administration of Perampanel (PER) which is a β-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and Super-refractory (SRSE) were previously reported in small cohort studies and case reports. We report efficacy and side effect results of an observational cohort of 75 patients treated with PER for RSE and SRSE. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study of patients with RSE admitted to the neurocritical care unit between April 2017 and September 2019 who received treatment with PER. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a definite response to PER, which was defined as clear resolution of the ictal pattern and/or seizures within 72 h of delivery of PER which was the last administered antiseizure medication (ASM). Secondary outcomes included the percentage of patients other response types (partial responder or non-responder), as well as the rate of adverse effects. Results A total 75 patients were included in our analysis. PER was initiated as the median sixth ASM at a median initial dose of 12 mg. For the primary outcome, 31 (41.3%; 95% confidence interval 31.0%–53.0%) patients were classified as a definite responder. Seven patients (9.3%) experienced an adverse effect that was attributed to PER, with the most common being sedation in four patients. Conclusions In our retrospective cohort of RSE, we observed a definite response rate of 41.3% within 72 h of PER initiation. PER was well tolerated with few documented adverse effects. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the role of PER in treating patients with RSE.
Change of Scene: The Geographic Dynamics of Resilience to Vehicular Accidents

Most have experienced the impact of vehicular accidents, whether it was in terms of increased commute time, delays in receiving goods, higher insurance premiums, elevated costs of services, or simply absorbing the daily tragedies on the evening news. While accidents are common, the complexity and dynamics of transportation systems can make it challenging to infer where and when incidents may occur, a critical component in planning for where to position resources for emergency response. The use of response resources is critical given that more efficient emergency responses to accidents can decrease the vulnerability of socio-economic systems to perturbations in the transportation system and contribute to greater resilience. To explore the resilience of transportation systems to disruptions due to vehicular accidents, a location modeling approach is described for identifying the origins of optimal responses (and associated response time) over time based upon the location of known accidents and response protocols. The characteristics of the modeled response can then be compared with those of the observed response to gain insights as to how resilience may change over time for different portions of the transportation system. The change in the location of the optimal sites over time or drift, can also be assessed to better understand how changes in the spatial distribution of accidents can affect the nature of the response and system resiliency. The developed approach is applied to investigate the dynamics of accident response and network resiliency over a three year period using vehicular crash information from a comprehensive statewide database.
History of Antenna Technology at the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico [Historically Speaking]

The Arecibo Observatory first opened in 1963 and has been a marvel of engineering ever since (Figure 1). It has been a monumental instrument for scientific research in the fields of astronomy, planetary radar, ionospheric probing and high-frequency (HF) heating modification, and optical probing of the atmosphere.
Deployment Dynamics Analysis of an Origami-Folded Spacecraft Structure with Elastic Hinges

Self-actuated deployable space structures present a novel challenge for deployment dynamics modeling efforts, where the system-level influence of strain energy components must be captured. Here, th...
Putting Software Engineering Education in its Place

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the status of Software Engineering Education in the United States. Software education has traditionally polarized to two curricula, Computer Science and Information Technology. Computer Science is a discipline based in the theoretical arena. Information Technology is a discipline that focuses on the application of software to the solution of problems in such areas as business, medicine, education, and communications. As the application of software has become more integrated with hardware, the discipline of Software Engineering is emerging. The computer systems developed in this discipline are typically embedded systems. Organizations that develop embedded systems require software professionals who can interact with the engineers that develop the hardware component of these systems. Therefore, these organizations are indicating to the universities what curricula they would like to see in place, particularly at the undergraduate level. The purpose of this paper is to support the notion that Software Engineering will eventually meet the needs of most organizations.
Some astrophysical implications of second-order effects in the V--A theory of weak interactions.

The astrophysical implications of a previous attempt to evaluate the second (and higher)-order terms in theV-A current-current theory are considered. The pair annihilation process is analysed in details; then it has been found to which extent the second-order terms contribute in the presence of first-order effects. Also a treatment of the second-order contributions has been made in the case of absence of the first-order process (eνe)→(νee),i.e. absence of the diagonal interaction. Furthermore other processes are briefly discussed in respect of the relevance of second-order terms. The physical situations in which second-order terms may give observable effects are indicated, while the hypothesis of absence of the diagonal interaction is found in contradiction with the observations.
The Clinical Pathology Laboratory And Its Relationship To A Hospital Information System

The role of the laboratory is seen as an intrinsic part of the total hospital operation. The author regards it as one of the distributed data processing centers within a well planned and well-organized hospital information system. This paper presents a definition of current hospital information systems classifications and introduces the issue of combining a dedicated system in the laboratory as a Class A System into a Hospital Information System defined as a Class B or C System.
Variational analysis of the mouse and rat eye optical parameters

Rodent models are increasingly used to study refractive eye development and development of refractive errors; however, there is still some uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the optical models of the rat and mouse eye primarily due to high variability in reported ocular parameters. In this work, we have systematically evaluated the contribution of various ocular parameters, such as radii of curvature of ocular surfaces, thicknesses of ocular components, and refractive indices of ocular refractive media, using variational analysis and a computational model of the rodent eye. Variational analysis revealed that not all variation in ocular parameters has critical impact on the refractive status of the eye. Variation in the depth of the vitreous chamber, thickness of the lens, radius of the anterior surface of the cornea, radius of the anterior surface of the lens, as well as refractive indices for the lens and vitreous, appears to have the largest impact on the refractive error. The radii of the posterior surfaces of the cornea and lens have much smaller contributions to the refractive state. These data provide the framework for further refinement of the optical models of the rat and mouse eye and suggest that extra efforts should be directed towards increasing the linear resolution of the rodent eye biometry and obtaining more accurate data for the refractive indices of the lens and vitreous.
Optical modulation by the isolated retina and retinal receptors

Abstract 1. Optical image transfer characteristics of fresh, isolated, flat preparations of rod and cone retinas were studied and image modulation, similar to that of an optical fiber bundle, was observed. 2. The quality of photoreceptor orientation is of importance in the measurement of the MTF and the resolution limit. Misorientation and disturbance of receptor cells lead both to a decrease in the MTF and measured resolution. 3. The MTF and total light transmittance of retina change in time after clamping the optic nerve. Our results are similar to those previously reported by Enoch and Glismann (1966). 4. A discussion of the interaction between the grating image and the mosaic structure of the retinal receptors has been presented.
The Natural History of the So-Called Aneurysm of the Membranous Ventricular Septum in Childhood

Fifty-six children with isolated membranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) included in the National Natural History Cooperative Study for Congenital Heart Disease were studied at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Center to determine the occurrence and natural history of an associated "aneurysm of the membranous septum" (AMS). These patients represented a wide range of ages and VSD size. Each child was evaluated by two cardiac catheterizations four years apart, with regular clinical examinations in the interval. The diagnosis of AMS was based on angiographic criteria, and as such may encompass several distinct anatomic lesions. Twenty children had AMS at the first catheterization; all were over age two, and all but one had a pulmonic-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) of less than 2.0, with normal intracardiac pressures. Four years later, repeat catheterization revealed only minor changes in Qp/Qs and angiographic appearance of the aneurysms in this group. Twelve new cases of AMS were also demonstrated at the second...
Improvement of Fast Fluid Dynamics with a Conservative Semi- Lagrangian Scheme

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a simple and efficient conservative semi-Lagrangian scheme (SL) for solving advection equation in fast fluid dynamics (FFD), so FFD can provide fast indoor airflow simulations while preserving conservation for energy and species transport. Design/methodology/approach – This study thus proposed a mass-fixing type conservative SL that redistributes global surplus/deficit on the advected field after performing the standard semi-Lagrangian advection. The redistribution weights were designed to preserve the properties of conservatives and monotonicity. Findings – The effectiveness of the conservative SL was validated with several test cases, and the results show that the proposed scheme is indeed conservative with negligible impact on the accuracy of the standard solutions. The numerical tests show that the proposed scheme was indeed conservative with negligible impact on the accuracy of the flow prediction. Originality/value – The FFD with conservative SL can ...
Use of Vis-SWIR imagery to aid atmospheric correction of multispectral and hyperspectral thermal infrared TIR imagery: The TIR model

The atmospheric correction of thermal infrared (TIR) imagery involves the combined tasks of separation of atmospheric transmittance, downwelling flux and upwelling radiance from the surface material spectral emissivity and temperature. The problem is ill posed and is thus hampered by spectral ambiguity among several possible feasible combinations of atmospheric temperature, constituent profiles, and surface material emissivities and temperatures. For many materials, their reflectance spectra in the Vis-SWIR provide a means of identification or at least classification into generic material types, vegetation, soil, etc. If Vis-SWIR data can be registered to TIR data or collected simultaneously as in sensors like the MASTER sensor, then the additional information on material type can be utilized to help lower the ambiguities in the TIR data. If the Vis-SWIR and TIR are collected simultaneously the water column amounts obtained form the atmospheric correction of the Vis-SWIR can also be utilized in reducing the ambiguity in the atmospheric quantities. The TIR atmospheric correction involves expansions in atmospheric and material emissivity basis sets. The method can be applied to hyperspectral and ultraspectral data, however it is particularly useful for multispectral TIR, where spectral smoothness techniques cannot be readily applied. The algorithm is described, and the approach applied to a MASTER sensor data set.
Proteoglycan-induced arthritis and recombinant human proteoglycan aggrecan G1 domain-induced arthritis in BALB/c mice resembling two subtypes of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To develop a simplified and relatively inexpensive version of cartilage proteoglycan–induced arthritis (PGIA), an autoimmunity model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate the extent to which this new model replicates the disease parameters of PGIA and RA. Methods Recombinant human G1 domain of human cartilage PG containing “arthritogenic” T cell epitopes was generated in a mammalian expression system and used for immunization of BALB/c mice. The development and progression of arthritis in recombinant human PG G1–immunized mice (designated recombinant human PG G1–induced arthritis [GIA]) was monitored, and disease parameters were compared with those in the parent PGIA model. Results GIA strongly resembled PGIA, although the clinical symptoms and immune responses in mice with GIA were more uniform than in those with PGIA. Mice with GIA showed evidence of stronger Th1 and Th17 polarization than those with PGIA, and anti-mouse PG autoantibodies were produced in different isotype ratios in the 2 models. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies were detected in both models; however, serum levels of IgG-RF and anti-CCP antibodies were different in GIA and PGIA, and both parameters correlated better with disease severity in GIA than in PGIA. Conclusion GIA is a novel model of seropositive RA that exhibits all of the characteristics of PGIA. Although the clinical phenotypes are similar, GIA and PGIA are characterized by different autoantibody profiles, and the 2 models may represent 2 subtypes of seropositive RA, in which more than 1 type of autoantibody can be used to monitor disease severity and response to treatment.
Selective mobilization of fatty acids from the adipose tissue of obese hyperglycemic mice

Abstract The fatty acid composition of the triglycerides of the fat pad has been determined in normal and obese hyperglycemic mice. After starvation the fat pad triglyceride of normal mice showed a significant rise in the proportion of oleic acid, and no change in the proportion of linoleic acid. In contrast, starved obese hyperglycemic mice showed no change in oleic acid and a significant increase in linoleic acid. Preliminary evidence is presented for a mechanism whereby linoleic acid might be retained due to decreased activity of monoglyceride lipase and recycled back to triglyceride in the adipose tissue of obese hyperglycemic mice during starvation.
A Piecewise Linear Time-Varying Model for Modeling the Charging and Discharging Processes of a Lithium-Ion Battery

A piecewise linear, time-varying model for modeling the charging and discharging processes of Li-ion batteries is introduced in this paper. Such a model consists of a group of piecewise linear model segments, whose parameters are adapted online over time. Thus, the combined overall model is capable of modeling nonlinear time-varying processes, such as a Li-ion battery charging and discharging processes, quite well. Modeling results of both simulated test data and actual test data gathered from a high-power automotive-grade Li-ion cell are presented. The close matches between actual and model-predicted behaviors demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling approach and indicate the potential usefulness of such models for a battery management system.
Laparoscopic pneumodissection: Initial clinical experience

Abstract Objectives We evaluated the efficacy of a new laparoscopic dissecting instrument that fires intermittent bursts of high-pressure carbon dioxide to separate tissue along natural planes. Methods The pneumodissector (PD) was used in 2 patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures. Serum creatinine and bicarbonate were measured before and after the procedure, and arterial blood gases were measured before, during, and after use of the PD. Subjective assessment of the ease of dissection with the PD by the first assistant was recorded. Results Acidosis and hypercarbia were not observed with use of the PD. The PD facilitated dissection along the iliac vessels, around the kidney, and in the renal hilum. Conclusions The PD is a feasible method for rapid, blunt dissection during laparoscopic procedures.
Subacute Onset of Abnormal Gait and Head Drop in a 3-Year-Old With History of Extreme Prematurity

A 3-year-old boy who had been a 23-week premature infant had subacute onset of abnormal gait, which progressed to generalized weakness with severe weakness of neck extensors. He had U waves on electrocardiography. His serum potassium was 1.8 mmol/L. The patient had a gastrostomy tube due to chronic feeding issues and was treated with inhaled albuterol for chronic lung disease. When his oral intake regressed, his family administered one of his oral supplements through the gastrostomy tube; the supplement was low in potassium. This feeding regression continued for several months. He had no additional gastrointestinal or renal loss of potassium. He had frequent exacerbations of his bronchopulmonary dysplasia. His history suggested he had chronic potassium depletion and that albuterol may have led to further potassium redistribution, exacerbating his hypokalemia. As more extremely premature infants survive with chronic feeding and respiratory issues, this presentation may become more common.
Social class differences in children's comprehension of adult language

Twenty-five mothers of all social class levels were asked to tell, as if to a 6-year-old child, the stories suggested by several cartoon picture sequences. These stories, tape-recorded, were played to a hundred 6-year-old white male children of high and low social class levels, who were then asked standard comprehension questions about their content. Analysis of the comprehension scores revealed significant main effects of social class of adult speaker and of social class of child listener but no interaction of these two variables. Further analysis of transcriptions of the stories revealed two characteristics, namely the factual information included in the stories and the use of nonstandard grammar, which seemed to mediate the effects of both social class and speaker IQ on comprehension.
Automated integration of substation IED data to generate event reports for protection engineers

A complete system solution for automated integration of substation Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) data to generate a customized event report for protection engineers is presented in this paper. Detailed strategy for IED data processing and information exchange to meet the needs of protection engineers is proposed. An Implementation approach is discussed next followed by a simulation case used to generate a sample report format.
A High-Rate Spectroscopy System for Use with Ge(Li) Coaxial Detectors

A high-rate gamma-ray spectroscopy system with a 40 cc Ge(Li) coaxial detector is described which utilizes a direct-coupled recycling preamplifier, a unipolar Gaussian filter amplifier with only one differentiating network, and a pileup rejector and baseline inspection circuit, to yield excellent resolution. A family of resolution curves is shown as a function of the input count rate (from 50K cps to 175K cps) and of the actual data acceptance rate. For an input rate of 100K cps and an acceptance rate of 5.5K cps the FWHM and FWl/10M for the 1.33-MeV peak of 60Co was 2.2 keV and 4.24 keV, respectively. The system lends itself to high counting rates by eliminating the need for pole-zero compensation and baseline restoration.
Glazed Lunar Rocks: Origin by Impact

The glassy coating of lunar rock 12017 is enriched in 15 trace elements relative to the crystalline interior. It apparently consists chiefly of shock-melted rock, somewhat richer in rare earth elements and alkali metals than rock 12017 itself. The glass has been contaminated by about 0.5 percent carbonaceous-chondrite-like material or, alternatively, by a mixture of 0.06 to 0.3 percent fractionated meteoritic material and approximately 10 to 15 percent local soil. The glazing seems to represent molten material splashed from a nearby meteorite impact and not in situ melting by a sudden increase in solar luminosity.
Assessing the occurrence of eleborative inference with recognition: Compatibility checking vs compound cue theory

Abstract In previous research, we have used delayed item recognition to investigate the information about elaborative inferences that is generated during reading. Recently, Potts, Keenan, and Golding suggested that results from recognition experiments are not determined by information encoded during reading, but rather by information calculated at the time of the recognition test. They proposed that test items that represent potential inferences from studied sentences are compared to the sentences at the time of the recognition test, and performance on recognition is a function of the compatibility of the test items with the sentences in memory. In this article, we present both theoretical and experimental results that argue against this compatibility-checking hypothesis. In Experiment 1, on-line lexical decision is used to demonstrate that relations between sentences and test items that affect on-line performance do not affect performance in delayed recognition, as they should according to the compatibility hypothesis. In Experiment 2, it is shown that subjects' ratings of compatibility do not predict recognition performance. It is concluded on the basis of the experimental results that the compatibility hypothesis does not account for delayed recognition performance. In addition, a review of theories of recognition memory shows that the compatibility hypothesis is not consistent with the temporal dynamics of processes in these theories.
DBT, FAP, and ACT: How empirically oriented are the new behavior therapy technologies?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy have recently come under fire for “getting ahead of their data” ( Corrigan, 2001 ). The current article presents a descriptive review of some of the actual evidence available. Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have a small but growing body of outcome research supporting these procedures and the theoretical mechanisms thought to be responsible for them. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy has a limited research base, but its central claim is well substantiated. The claims made in the published literature about these technologies, at least by their originators, seem proportionate to the strength of the current evidence. There is no indication that those interested in the new wave of behavior therapy innovations are less committed to empirical evaluation than has always been the case in behavior therapy.
IMPACT OF CORPORATE INSIDER, BLOCKHOLDER, AND INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY OWNERSHIP ON FIRM RISK TAKING

The nature of a firm's risk-taking behavior can significantly affect corporate performance. In an agency context, we examined the influence of equity ownership structure upon corporate risk taking....
Structural-Kinetics of the Switch-1 Loop and Neck-Linker Elements Explains the Distinct Molecular Physiologies of Kinesin-1 and Kinesin-5

Microtubule motors control a diverse collection of physiologies, including cell division, organelle traffic, and microtubule dynamics. Kinesins use ATP hydrolysis to power a chemical cycle that performs mechanical work. Recent, high-resolution crystallographic and cryo-EM reconstructions, single molecule mechanics, and solution kinetics studies, led to a general mechanochemical scheme for kinesin motors (Clancy, Nature Str. Mol. Biol., 18, 1020-7, (2011)). Nucleotide binding engages key structural elements, including switch I, switch II, and the P loop. Yet, how conformational changes in these switch elements lead in turn to corresponding changes in the microtubule binding domains and the motor mechanical elements (the neck linker and cover strand) remains enigmatic. Likewise, it remains unclear how the thermodynamics and kinetics of these structural transitions differ between two kinesins with very different physiologic roles. We tested two predictions of the model proposed by Clancy et al: the neck-linker gates nucleotide binding; and, coordination between the neck-linker and switch-1 fine tunes the enzymology of specific kinesin motors. We have used a recently developed technique_transient time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer_which enables us to detect transitions between multiple structural states, measured with time-resolved FRET during a biochemical transient. We engineered probe-pairs to report the structure, kinetics, and equilibrium constants for nucleotide-driven structural transitions in the neck-linker and switch-1. We then compared these transitions in kinesin-1 to those in Eg5 (kinesin-5). Our results show that: 1. neck-linker docking gates nucleotide binding, as predicted by Clancy et al., and in both classes of kinesins, 2. The state of the neck-linker controls the conformation of switch-1, and 3. differences in the equilibrium constants for neck-linker docking during the microtubule bound, ATP stimulated working-stroke, explain the unique force dependence of Kinesin 1 and Eg5.
Caloric equivalents of some plant and animal material : The importance of acid corrections and comparison of precision between the Gentry-Wiegert micro and the Parr semi-micro bomb calorimeters.

Orthogonal regression equations of caloric density on the time of collection are given for several materials of ecological interest. Ninety five percent of replicate samples were within ±1% of the mean cal g-1 using a Parr adiabatic semi-micro bomb calorimeter, while agreement was 2.8% using the Gentry-Wiegert bomb calorimeter. Weight specific acid corrections for low ash content biotic material decrease with increasing sample weight. The acid correction is more important using the Parr calorimeter (equal to 20–30% of the technique variation) than with the Gentry-Wiegert bomb (equal to 10–20% of the technique variation).
Competitive adsorption of lutein from soy oil onto rice hull ash

Adsorption of lutein from crude soybean oil onto acid ash prepared from rice hulls displayed Freundlich-type isotherms. Different isotherms were obtained depending on the amount of adsorbent used. Addition of isopropanol to the miscella and water deactivation of the adsorbents decreased lutein adsorption. These observations suggested competitive adsorption based on polarity. Triglycerides were adsorbed to a greater extent than lutein, probably due to their larger concentrations. These findings parallel the adsorption behavior of silicic acid.
Interaction of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (L-DOPA) as a coordinating ligand with a series of metal ions; reaction of L-DOPA

L-DOPA is an important neurotransmitter that is found in the brain and as a hormone in the circulatory system. We report in this article the similarities and differences in behaviour of this important neurotransmitter as a chelating agent among some divalent and trivalent metal ions using potentiometric titration in aqueous solutions at 25.0 ± 1.0°C. The careful and detailed potentiometric titrations of L-DOPA with Al3+, Cr3+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ are discussed and compared. UV-Vis-spectroscopy is utilized for both the free L-DOPA and for the Fe3+/L-DOPA system. The characteristic peak due to the π → π* transition of the free L-DOPA at ∼280 nm (e280 nm = 1927 ± 65 M−1 cm−1 between pH values of 2.0 to 3.0) disappeared when the iron solution was added to the L-DOPA sample in the same pH range. For the Fe3+/L-DOPA system we have observed a new peak at 470 nm with e470 = 800 ± 50 M−1 cm−1. These comparison studies of the similarities and differences among these di- and tri-valent metal ions shed light on thes...
Mitral valve reconstruction for mitral insufficiency

Mitral valve reconstruction is now the procedure of choice for many mitral regurgitant lesions. Early enthusiasm and technical advances in plastic reconstruction of the mitral valve were overshadowed by the development of prosthetic and bioprosthetic valves. With long-term follow-up studies came the realization that the complication rates of prosthetic mitral valves and the durability of bioprostheses were less than ideal. The use of annuloplasty rings and standardization of mitral repair techniques have made these procedures more universally reliable and the excellent results reproducible. Due to the pathological diversity of mitral regurgitation, many different techniques are used to correct the various lesions. Many centers are reporting hospital mortality, survival, freedom from thromboembolism, freedom from reoperation, freedom from infective endocarditis, and freedom from valve-related complications results that compare favorably with those following mitral valve replacement. The preservation of the papillary muscles and chordae tendinea during mitral reconstruction, as well as a lack of foreign materials, contribute to the enhanced systolic function with improved survival and lower complication rates following mitral repair compared with replacement. With improved results and technical advances, the indications for mitral repair have expanded to encompass a broader diversity of lesions and earlier operative intervention.
The thermodynamic stability of MgII-porphyrins in aqueous solution

Abstract The thermodynamic stability of Mg II -porphyrins in aqueous solution at physiological pH and room temperature was investigated in relation to the mechanisms of the reactions which lead to their formation and utilization in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Mg II -copro-, meso-, and protoporphyrin esters were prepared from the corresponding porphyrin esters and Mg(C10 4 ) 2 in anhydrous pyridine and afterward hydrolyzed in a basic methanol-water solution to yield the Mg II -porphyrin free acids. Aqueous solutions of Mg II -porphyrins in the pH range 8 to 10 were examined spectrophotometrically and shown to be unstable with respect to dissociation to the metal-free porphyrin. The dissociation was observed in a variety of chemical and biochemical buffers indicating that formation of the porphyrin free acids from their Mg II -chelates was not dependent on the complexing power of the buffers. The extent of dissociation appeared to be independent of the number of carboxylic acid side-chains although the overall rate of dissociation was significantly slower with the chelates of meso- and protoporphyrins than with coproporphyrin. A detectable concentration of Mg II -porphyrin could not be observed at equilibrium under these conditions and at a limiting concentration of added Mg II . It is concluded that Mg II -porphyrin free acids are thermodynamically unstable with respect to dissociation in an aqueous environment. These studies explain the lack of incorporation of Mg II into porphyrins in aqueous solution, a fact previously attributed to a high activation energy for complex formation. The significance of these results to the biosynthesis of Mg II -porphyrins is discussed.
Oligohydramnios, cause of the nonrenal features of Potter's syndrome, including pulmonary hypoplasia

This report strongly supports the following hypothesis: The nonrenal features of Potter's syndrome—the altered facies, aberrant hand and foot positioning, late fetal growth deficiency, and pulmonary hypoplasia—are all secondary manifestation of prolonged fetal compression due to oligohydramnios. The oligohydramnios is usually due to renal agenesis or some other defect in the urinary system such that urine production or flow into the amniotic space is grossly deficient. In support of the above hypothesis examples are cited of infants who had renal agenesis, but for unusual reasons did not have oligohydramnios; they did not have the nonrenal features of Potter's syndrome. Furthermore, instances are cited of infants with normal urinary systems but oligohydramnios secondary to prolonged leakage of amniotic fluid; these infants had all the nonrenal features of Potter's syndrome. The authors recommend the term oligohydramnios tetrad for these secondary features rather than the term Potter's syndrome, since the latter designation as it is commonly employed does not represent a primary diagnosis. The oligohydramnios tetrad may be a nonspecific feature in a number of different disorders.
Homeobox genes and skin development: A review

Homeobox (HOX) genes are a gene family that encode information critical for the normal embryologic development of many different organisms, including vertebrates. HOX genes encode transcriptional regulatory factors that bind to multiple different genes and thereby determine the developmental fate of a cell. The role of HOX genes in the development of skin is undetermined but, based on information from other organisms and recent experimental data from skin models, it is likely that this class of genes is important for the normal development of skin adnexae, pigmentary system, and stratified epidermis during embryogenesis. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize what is known about HOX genes and to familiarize the reader with recent insights into how HOX genes may function in skin development.
OUTCOME OF MECHANICALLY VENTILATED INFANTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CP) AND RESPIRATORY FAILURE

Previous studies have documented a 75-85% mortality rate in infants (≤12 mos.) with CF who initially presented with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (RFMV). Five infants with CF and RFMV as their initial presentation were cared for between the years 1980-86 at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Clinical presentation of each case (age, physical exam, ABGs, CXR findings, tracheal cultures, days ventilated) was similar to previously reported studies of infants with CF and RFMV. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of these infants with age matched CF infants who never had RFMV. Three age matched controls with CF and born between the years 1980-86 were selected at random for each case. Most recent Schwachman's scores (SS) were obtained independently by two investigators. Interobserver differences in SS were not significant. All study cases were alive from 1-6 years after the episode of RFMV. Their most recent mean SS was 82.0 (range 79-95). In comparison, the recent mean SS of the controls was 78.0 (range 50-95). There was no difference between group SS (t=0.54, NS). We conclude that the outcome of infants with CF whose initial presentation is RFMV is not as grave as once thought, if indicated, infants with CF and respiratory failure should be ventilated.
On the Appropriateness of the Correlation Coefficient with a 0, 1 Dependent Variable

Abstract This article deals with the use and misuse of the correlation coefficient when the dependent variable is of a dichotomous 0,1 nature. It focuses particularly on problems relating to curvilinearity and the nature of the prediction being made. The prediction of consumer purchases from reported subjective probabilities provides a vehicle for illustrating problems discussed. It is noted that with a 0,1 dependent variable, the correlation ratio is likely to be a better measure of the degree of relationship than the coefficient of determination because it is free of restrictions on the functional form of the relationship. The article then considers the mean error probability and the average conditional entropy as alternative measures. Finally, the article emphasizes that the purpose for using the relation between the independent and dependent variable should govern the development of an appropriate model and the measure to be used for deciding which of several independent variables is best.
Composite mobile genetic elements disseminating macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae emerged in the US and globally during the early 1990’s. The RNA methylase encoded by erm(B) and the macrolide efflux genes mef(E) and mel were identified as the resistance determining factors. These genes are disseminated in the pneumococcus on mobile, often chimeric elements consisting of multiple smaller elements. To better understand the variety of elements encoding macrolide resistance and how they have evolved in the pre- and post-conjugate vaccine eras, the genomes of 121 invasive and ten carriage isolates from Atlanta from 1994-2011 were analyzed for mobile elements involved in the dissemination of macrolide resistance. The isolates were selected to provide broad coverage of the genetic variability of antibiotic resistant pneumococci and included 100 invasive isolates resistant to macrolides. Tn916-like elements carrying mef(E) and mel on the Macrolide Genetic Assembly (Mega) and erm(B) on the erm(B) element and Tn917 were integrated into the pneumococcal chromosome backbone and into larger Tn5253-like composite elements. The results reported here include identification of novel insertion sites for Mega and characterization of the insertion sites of Tn916-like elements in the pneumococcal chromosome and in larger composite elements were characterized. The data indicate that integration of elements by conjugation was infrequent compared to recombination. Thus it appears that conjugative mobile elements allow the pneumococcus to acquire DNA from distantly related bacteria, but once integrated into a pneumococcal genome, transformation and recombination is the primary mechanism for transmission of novel DNA throughout the pneumococcal population.
Human uropod bearing lymphocytes: Isolation of a factor from human milk that abrogates the uropod inhibitory protein from human serum

Summary Previous studies have demonstrated a factor from human serum or plasma that regulates uropod formation in peripheral blood thymus-derived lymphocytes. This study describes the isolation and partial purification of a factor from colostrum and mature human breast milk that abrogates the uropod inhibitory protein (UIP) of serum. The antagonist is protein in nature since trypsin and protease destroy the activity. Thermal inactivation experiments indicate a relatively heat stable protein with complete inactivation occurring only after heating at 75° C. Gel filtration of the milk antagonist on Bio Gel A 15 M demonstrated a peak of biological activity in the void volume indicating a molecular weight of greater than 15 × 106 daltons. The milk antagonist is not associated with the cream fraction of milk or with the acid precipitable casein fraction. Finally, the antagonist could be neutralized with anti-whole human milk in a dose dependent fashion. The physiologic role of this antagonist is not known; however, the ability to regulate lymphocyte deformability suggests that the protein may be important in controlling the traffic of lymphocytes to the mammary gland.
Target- and maturation-specific membrane-associated molecules determine the ingrowth of entorhinal fibers into the hippocampus.

In this study the role of membrane-associated molecules involved in entorhinohippocampal pathfinding was examined. First outgrowth preferences of entorhinal neurites were analyzed on membrane carpets obtained from their proper target area, the hippocampus, and compared to preferences on control membranes from brain regions which do not receive afferent connections from the entorhinal cortex. On a substrate consisting of alternating lanes of hippocampal and control membranes, entorhinal neurites exhibited a strong tendency to grow on lanes of hippocampal membrane. These tissue-specific outgrowth preferences were maintained even on membrane preparations from adult brain tissue devoid of myelin. To determine the possible maturation dependence of these membranes, we examined guidance preferences of entorhinal neurites on hippocampal membranes of different developmental stages ranging from embryonic to postnatal and adult. Given a choice between alternating lanes of embryonic (E15-E16) and neonatal (P0-P1) hippocampal membranes, entorhinal neurites preferred to extend on neonatal membranes. No outgrowth preferences were observed on membranes obtained between E19 and P10. From P10 onward there was a reoccurrence of a preference for postnatal membrane lanes when neurites were presented with a choice between P15, P30, and adult membranes (>P60). This choice behavior of entorhinal neurites temporally correlates with the ingrowth of the perforant path into the hippocampus and with the stabilization of this brain area in vivo. Experiments in which postnatal and adult hippocampal membranes were heat inactivated or treated to remove molecules sensitive to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C demonstrated that entorhinal fiber preferences were controlled in this assay by attractive guidance cues and were independent of phosphatidylinositol-sensitive linked molecules. Moreover, entorhinal neurites displayed a positive discrimination for membrane-associated guidance cues of their target field, thus preferring to grow on membranes from the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus compared with CA3 or hilus membranes. Heat-inactivation experiments indicated that preferential growth of entorhinal axons is due to a specific attractivity of the molecular layer substrate. The data presented demonstrate that outgrowth of entorhinal fibers on hippocampal membranes is target and maturation dependent.
A parallel triangular solver for distributed-memory multiprocessor

We consider solving triangular systems of linear equations on a distributed-memory multiprocessor which allows for a ring embedding. Specifically, we propose a parallel algorithm, applicable when the triangular matrix is distributed by column in a wrap fashion. Numerical experiments indicate that the new algorithm is very efficient in some circumstances (in particular, when the size of the problem is sufficiently large relative to the number of processors).A theoretical analysis confirms that the total running time varies linearly, with respect to the matrix order, up to a threshold value of the matrix order, after which the dependence is quadratic. Moreover, we show that total message traffic is essentially the minimum possible.Finally, we describe an analogous row-oriented algorithm.
Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor Gene Expression in the Embryonic Rat Intestine after Low and High Dose Cocaine Exposure In Utero

Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor Gene Expression in the Embryonic Rat Intestine after Low and High Dose Cocaine Exposure In Utero