cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Acute Leukemia: US Perspective

The role of myeloid growth factors (GFs) in the management of acute leukemias has been evaluated extensively in multiple clinical trials. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have been given prior to, concurrently with, and/or sequentially after the chemotherapy with the goal of reducing the duration of neutropenia and consequently, the incidence and severity of infections, as well as improving the rate of remissions and overall survival (OS). GFs have also been studied as chemotherapy-sensitizing agents, in an effort to recruit dormant myeloid stem cells into the sensitive phase of the cycle. Additionally, GFs, shown to stimulate proliferation and differentiation of leukemia cells in vitro, have been evaluated as monotherapy in patients with acute leukemia.
Response Speed of Negative Capacitance FinFETs

We report on the measurement of a 101-stage ring oscillator (RO) consisting of state-of-the-art 14 nm FinFET devices with a ferroelectric gate layer that exhibits negative capacitance. We show that the gate stage delay as a function of applied voltage can be directly modeled from DC characteristics of the individual NC-nFET and NC-pFET devices that constitute the RO, thereby demonstrating that there is no slowdown of the NC effect at the highest speed tested - per-stage delay as small as 7.2 ps.
Highly permeable carbon molecular sieve membranes for efficient CO2/N2 separation at ambient and subambient temperatures

Abstract Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes offer key advantages over current polymer membranes for challenging gas separations. Excellent plasticization resistance and high selectivity with low permeance loss at subambient temperatures also make CMS attractive for potential hybrid post combustion CO2 capture technology. Here we describe highly permeable ultra-thin skin CMS (ULT-CMS) membranes with CO2 permeance >3000 GPU at 35 °C and >2500 GPU at −20 °C with 2-3x increase in CO2/N2 selectivity at subambient temperaures. Dual layer polymer precursors fibers comprising Matrimid® with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a pore forming polymer, are used to create a substructure support, while 6FDA/BPDA-DAM polymer comprises the thin sheath layer. Two different skin thickness and outer diameter polymer precursor membranes were prepared by varying the spinning parameters to study the effect on CMS performance. Polymer precursor membranes were pretreated with 10% VTMS (vinyltriethoxysilane) to avoid substructure collapse and 0.1% DETDA (3,5-diethyltoluenediamine)/TMC (1,3,5 Bezenetricarbonyltrichloride) hybridization treatment is used to heal nanoscopic defects before pyrolysis. The precursor fibers, pyrolyzed at 550 °C, create highly permeable CMS membranes for CO2/N2 separation with high selectivity at ambient and subambient temperaures as noted above.
Systematically Mitigating the p38α Activity of Triazole-based BET Inhibitors.

The Bromodomain and Extra Terminal (BET) family of proteins recognize post-translational N-e-acetylated lysine modifications, regulating transcription as "reader" proteins. Bromodomain inhibitors are interesting targets for the development of potential cancer, inflammation, and heart disease treatments. Several dual kinase-bromodomain inhibitors have been identified by screening kinase inhibitor libraries against BET proteins. Although potentially useful from a polypharmacology standpoint, multitarget binding complicates deciphering molecular mechanisms. This report describes a systematic approach to mitigating kinase activity in a dual kinase-bromodomain inhibitor based on a 1,2,3-triazole-pyrimidine core. By modifying the triazole substituent and altering the pyrimidine core, this structure-activity relationship study enhanced BET activity while reducing the p38α kinase activity >90,000-fold. A BRD4-D1 cocrystal structure indicates that the 1,2,3-triazole is acting as a N-e-acetylated lysine mimic. A BRD4 sensitive cell line, MM.1S, was used to demonstrate activity in cells, which is further supported by reduced c-Myc expression.
Frederick Douglass’s Utopia: Searching for the Space of Black Freedom

Very little research on African American utopianism extends into antebellum writing and overlooks the presence of utopian desire in slave narratives. This chapter examines the relationship between utopia and space in two of Frederick Douglass’s autobiographies, arguing that Douglass presents the desire for a better future as dependent on an appropriate space. It concludes with a reading of The Heroic Slave to demonstrate how his utopian desire continued to be expressed in fiction during his time as an abolitionist. While The Heroic Slave ends with a naive endorsement of life in a British colony, it emphasizes Douglass’s continued attention to the role of space in fostering utopian desire while demonstrating the limits to his own utopian imagination about the space of black freedom.
MBD-seq - realities of a misunderstood method for high-quality methylome-wide association studies.

The majority of methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) have been performed using commercially available array-based technologies such as the Infinium Human Methylation 450K and the Infinium Meth...
Evaluation of hair follicle parameters using TrichoScale Pro© in healthy dogs: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Trichoscopy, in combination with image analysis software, is a readily available, efficient diagnostic tool for assessing hair follicle parameters of people in vivo. Systems designed for use in human dermatology must be evaluated and validated with animal skin/hair before they can be used for veterinary applications. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the use of a commercial software package for image analysis of canine hair follicles and to define hair follicle parameters. ANIMALS Thirteen client-owned healthy dogs. METHODS Trichoscopic images at x20 magnification were obtained from three shaved body sites (left dorsal head, left thorax, left flank) over a five day period, then analyzed by the software. RESULTS The image analysis software was able to identify microscopic changes in hair length on a daily basis, calculating a mean hair growth rate of 0.065 mm/day. Each of the three body sites had consistent hair growth rates across all days. Anagen and telogen percentages were consistent at each body site by Day 2 (48 h post-clipping). Data for mean hair thickness, and primary and secondary hair percentages also are reported. CONCLUSIONS Although it provides less useful data for canine hair coats than for human scalp hair, the system evaluated provides an easy, noninvasive, rapid means for assessing several important canine hair follicle parameters: daily hair growth rates, anagen and telogen percentages, primary and secondary hair percentages, and mean hair thickness. This diagnostic tool could serve to establish breed-specific hair coat standards, evaluating hair follicle changes in various canine alopecic conditions and monitoring coat-promoting treatments in dogs.
Prolonged Blood Circulation in Rats of Nanospheres Surface-Modified with Semitelechelic Poly[N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide]

Semitelechelic poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide]s (ST-PHPMA) containing one amino end-group and differing in molecular weight were synthesized by radical polymerization in the presence of 2-aminoethanethiol (AET) as chain transfer agent. These polymers were covalently attached via amide bonds to the surface of nanospheres based on a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, maleic anhydride, and methacrylic acid. When compared to unmodified nanospheres, those with the surface modified with ST-PHPMA possessed a decreased protein (albumin, IgG, fibrinogen) adsorption in vitro, an increased intravascular half-life as well as a decreased accumulation in the liver after intravenous administration into rats. The higher the molecular weight of the ST-PHPMA, the more pronounced the changes in these properties. The results obtained have clearly demonstrated that covalently attached ST-PHPMA chains are efficient in decreasing the biorecognition of negatively charged (hydrophilic) polymer surfaces.
Comparison of the accuracy of Rayleigh-Rice polarization factors to improve microfacet pBRDF models

Microfacet BRDF models describe how light reflects off surfaces. Previous analysis found unpolarized data fitted to a microfacet BRDF model that approximated wave optics factor, Q for Fresnel reflectance and geometric attenuation terms was found to be more physically accurate. This work builds on those findings to examine pp and ss polarization cases individually, discovering that pp parameters fit the data better than ss parameters in 13/14 cases. This is accomplished for a variety of materials at different incident angles, and trends are determined to guide future work in refining microfacet pBRDF models.
Structured Alternating Minimization for Union of Nested Low-Rank Subspaces Data Completion

In this article, we consider a particular data structure consisting of a union of several nested low-rank subspaces with missing data entries. Given the rank of each subspace, we treat the data completion problem, i.e., to estimate the missing entries. Starting from the case of two-dimensional data, i.e., matrices, we show that the union of nested subspaces data structure leads to a structured decomposition U = XY where the factor Y has blocks of zeros that are determined by the rank values. Moreover, for high-dimensional data, i.e., tensors, we show that a similar structured CP decomposition also exists, $\mathcal {U} = \sum _{l=1}^{r} \text {a}_{1}^{l} \otimes \text {a}_{2}^{l} \otimes \cdots \otimes \text {a}_{d}^{l}$ , where $\text {A}_{d} = [\text {a}_{d}^{1} \cdots \text {a}_{d}^{r}]$ contains blocks of zeros determined by the rank values. Based on such structured decompositions, we develop efficient alternating minimization algorithms for both matrix and tensor completions, by enforcing the above structures in each iteration including the initialization. Compared with naive approaches where either the additional rank constraints are ignored, or data completion is performed part by part, the proposed structured alternating minimization approaches exhibit faster convergence and higher recovery accuracy.
Dialogue with Europe, dialogue with the past: colonial Nahua and Quechua elites in their own words: edited by Justyna Olko, John Sullivan, and Jan Szeminski, Louisville: University Press of Colorado, 2018, 363 pp. (ISBN 9781607328339)

Dialogue with Europe, dialogue with the past opens by making the arresting point that although indigenous elites have been omnipresent in the recent literature on colonial Latin America, they have ...
Dealing with Challenges Encountered in Delivering Fetus during Cesarean Section

Lower segment Cesarean section is the most common obstetric operation. There is a considerable rise in the rate of Cesarean Section (CS) worldwide.That is because of rising indications of primary CS. CS is considered to be a safe alternative as compared to complicated and difficult vaginal delivery. One-fourth of all primary CS are done in second stage of labour. Many times baby delivery during CS may be challenging. This requires obstetrician to have an expertise to deal with such challenges or else there can be complications to both mother and baby. To circumvent such catastrophes all possible complications should be anticipated and accordingly a plan of delivering baby should be decided and executed with apt technical skill.
Endocrine Complications Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Endocrine complications are common after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and are overall highly treatable. Identifying patients at risk for endocrine complications can guide screening practices. Transplant-related risk factors include prior chemotherapy, radiation exposure, immunosuppressive regimen, glucocorticoids, and chronic GVHD. Screening at risk patients can lead to early diagnosis and treatment.
Predictors of Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Experiencing a Knee Dislocation: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.

Knee dislocations (KDs) are devastating injuries for patients and present complex challenges for orthopaedic surgeons. Although short-term outcomes have been studied, there are few long-term outcomes of these injuries available in the literature. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that influence mid- to long-term clinical outcomes following surgical treatment of KD. A review of the current literature was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify clinical studies published from 2010 to 2019 with a minimum 2-year follow-up that reported outcomes following surgical treatment of KDs. Ten studies (6 level III, 4 level IV) were included. At mid- (2-10 y) to long-term (>10 y) follow-up, concomitant arterial, cartilage, and combined meniscus damage were predictive factors for inferior Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores when compared with patients without these associated injuries. Although concomitant neurological damage may influence short-term outcomes due to decreased mobility, at longer follow-up periods it does not appear to predict worse clinical outcomes when compared with patients without concomitant neurological injury. Frank and polytrauma KDs have been associated with worse mid- to long-term outcomes when compared with transient and isolated KDs. Patients who underwent surgery within 6 weeks of trauma experienced better long-term outcomes than those who underwent surgery longer than 6 weeks after the initial injury. However, the small sample size of this study makes it difficult to make valid recommendations. Lastly, female sex, patients older than 30 years at the time of injury and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m2 are factors that have been associated with worse mid- to long-term Lysholm and IKDC scores. The results of this review suggest that female sex, age >30 years, BMI >35 kg/m2, concomitant cartilage damage, combined medial and lateral meniscal damage, KDs that do not spontaneously relocate, and KDs associated with polytrauma may predict worse results at mid- to long-term follow-up.
Vasculature-on-chip for Assessment of Bioresorbable Scaffolds and Endothelial Barrier Integrity.

ABSTRACT Endothelial cells adhere to one another through junctional structures formed by intercellular adhesion molecules. These intercellular proteins regulate barrier function in response to the hemodynamic shear rate and enable the selective passage of solutes and fluids across the endothelium. After endovascular device implantation, the endothelial barrier is compromised and becomes discontinuous, which increases permeability, allowing transmigration of leukocytes and lipoproteins and leading to the accumulation of lipid-laden foamy macrophages in the subendothelial space. Drug-coated bioresorbable vascular scaffold implants have been associated with unexpected thrombotic complications, which were not predicted in animals because of dissimilarities in endothelial regeneration and realignment between animals and humans. The development of a microengineered, microfluidics-based system of patterned channels lined with human endothelial and smooth muscle cells perfused with blood allows for the evaluation of endothelial function and barrier integrity. This review highlights the translational potential of vasculature-on-chip, which recreates the microphysiological milieu to evaluate the impact of drug-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds on endothelial barrier integrity and to characterize polymer biodegradation behavior and drug release kinetic profiles over time.
The mouse bone metabolome is sexually dimorphic and is associated with whole bone strength

The material properties of bone tissue depend on the activity of remodeling bone cells, but the impact of bone cell metabolism on bone tissue is uncertain. To date, the metabolome of bone has not been evaluated for cortical bone, bone marrow, or whole bone including both tissue types. Furthermore, it is of particular interest whether the cortical bone metabolome reflects the sexual dimorphism observed in cortical bone material properties. We hypothesized that the metabolome of cortical bone differs from that of bone marrow, and that the cortical bone metabolome is sexually dimorphic. We first evaluated the metabolic profiles of isolated cortical bone, bone marrow, and whole bone for 20-week female C57Bl/6 mice (n = 10). We then compared metabolic profiles for isolated cortical bone from a separate group of 20-week female and male C57Bl6/mice (n = 10 / sex). Femurs from the same mice were evaluated for flexural material properties. Strength groupings (high strength males, high strength females, low strength males) were utilized to inform comparisons in the isolated humerus cortical bone metabolome. The metabolome of isolated cortical bone, bone marrow, and whole bone are distinct. The isolated cortical bone metabolome is also distinct between males and females. The female mice show evidence of lipid metabolism, whereas male mice show evidence of amino acid metabolism. Finally, 12 metabolic pathways were differentially regulated between bones that differed in strength. High-strength bones from both male and female mice included metabolites associated with tryptophan and purine metabolism. Taken together, these data demonstrate the power of metabolomics to provide insight into the effects of metabolism on bone physiology. These data add to an intricate picture of bone as an organ that is sexually dimorphic both in material and metabolomic profiles.
Management of Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department.

Purpose of review Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults and is responsible for 600,000 emergency department (ED) visits each year in the USA. Over 60% of these patients are admitted to inpatient units. The prevalence of AF is increasing, resulting in higher numbers of AF-related ED visits and inpatient admissions. These trends underscore the need for improvements in the efficiency of AF management in the ED. Recent findings Several treatment protocols have been developed to address challenges associated with AF management in the ED, including: initiation of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, cardioversion, and arranging for outpatient follow-up. Studies of these protocols have demonstrated that they can be utilized safely and effectively. Published treatment protocols for AF in the ED have been shown to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and improve adherence to guideline-directed OAC therapy. Widespread adoption of AF treatment protocols could improve patient outcomes and reduce the costs associated with inpatient AF treatment.
Storage allocation strategies for data path synthesis of ASICs

In this paper, we concentrate on the storage allocation problem in datapath synthesis. Datapath allocation techniques can be classified into two main categories: iterative/constructive; and global. Storage allocation deals with determining the number of registers that are needed. Registers are used in datapaths to store values that are generated in one control step and used in an other. When lifetimes of such values do not overlap, they can then be mapped on to the same registers. Just as in the case of functional unit allocation, storage allocation also affects the steering and interconnection logic. Therefore storage allocation must take into consideration minimization of such logic. Storage allocation does not necessarily deal with register allocation. In lieu of registers, register files or memory units can be used to decrease overall area. >
Active Transport of Na + and K + by Red Blood Cells

This chapter on active transport is intended to be a rather prac-tical treatment of the subject in terms of what active transport is, how it can be distinguished from other types of membrane trans-port, and a survey of some of its characteristics. The idea that active transport occurs stems from the fact that cells are able to accumulate and maintain large concentration gradients of per- meant ions across their plasma membranes. Because of the ubiquitous occurrence of such processes in living cells and tissues, our purpose can best be served by limiting our discussion to the membrane transport of the cations, Na+ and K +, and using information derived mainly from studies on human red blood cells. Thus, it is hoped that our considerations of basic principles in one cell type will emphasize those features common to all cell types rather than those differences which distinguish one type of cell from another.
Negotiating Cohesion, Inequality, and Change: Uncomfortable Positions in Local Government by H. Jones

Seldom does an author attempt to uncover and articulate the relationship between humanity and policy development. However, in her book Negotiating Cohesion, Inequality, and Change: Uncomfortable Po...
Probing CuI in homogeneous catalysis using high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Metal-to-ligand charge transfer excitations in CuI X-ray absorption spectra are introduced as spectroscopic handles for the characterization of species in homogeneous catalytic reaction mixtures. Analysis is supported by correlation of a spectral library to calculations and to complementary spectroscopic parameters.
Line following for a mobile robot

A mobile robot has been designed which incorporates line following, obstacle avoidance and speed control. The line following algorithm images two windows and locates the centroid of the brightest target in the window. From these two centroids and the knowledge that the points are in the ground plane, the equation of the line is developed. The angle of the line and minimum distance from the robot centroid are then calculated and used in the steering control. This robot was designed for the 1995 Automated Unmanned Vehicle Society/Society of Automotive Engineers contest and won first place in the design competition.
Larger laboratory colonies consume proportionally less energy and have lower per capita brood production in Temnothorax ants

Colony size can affect individual- and colony-level behavioral and physiological traits in social insects. Changes in behavior and physiology in response to colony growth and development can affect productivity and fitness. Here, we used respirometry to study the relationship between colony size and colony energy consumption in Temnothorax rugatulus ants. In addition, we examined the relationship between colony size and worker productivity measured as per capita brood production. We found that colony metabolic rate scales with colony size to the 0.78 power and the number of brood scales with the number of workers to the 0.49 power. These regression analyses reveal that larger ant colonies use proportionally less energy and produce fewer brood per worker. Our findings provide new information on the relationships between colony size and energetic efficiency and productivity in a model ant genus. We discuss the potential mechanisms giving rise to allometric scaling of metabolic rate in ant colonies and the influence of colony size on energy consumption and productivity in general.
Autologous cellular therapy for traumatic brain injury: Mechanisms of action

METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to rightsided LC. Animals received either 1 mL NS or 5 105 allogeneic MSCs IV after LC (N 4-8/group). After 24 hours, animals were sacrificed, BAL was performed in right and left isolated lungs. Neutrophils and Lymphocytes were counted with a hemocytometer (%cells WBC), homogenized lung tissues were assayed by milliplex bead assay for multiple cytokines including IL-6 and IL-1beta and compared to control lungs from uninjured animals. Values are reported as mean SD, **p 0.01, *p 0.05 by ANOVA TukeyKramer.
Synthesis and molecular structure of {[Se(CH3)3][(CH3)AlCl3]}n: A novel two-dimensional layered organoaluminum-selenium polymer

The crystalline product {[Se(CH3)3][(CH3)AlCl3]}n was prepared from reaction of SeCl4 with A1(CH3)3 in heptane. The organo-main group polymer crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell parametersa=11.218(3) A,b=11.119(3) A,c=9.915(2) A,β=107.82(2)°,V=1177.4(5) A3, andDcalcd=1.54 g cm−3 forZ=4. Least-squares refinement based on 1195 observed reflections I>3σ(I) in the range 3.50°<2θ<45.0° led to a finalR factor of 0.036 (Rw=0.047). The asymmetric unit contains one selenonium ion, Se(CH3) 3 + , and one organoaluminum anionic species, (CH3)AlCl 3 − . Secondary interactions (Se⋯Cl) serve to link the ions along two dimensions to form infinite layers. Thus, {[Se(CH3)3] [(CH3)A1C13]}n may be regarded as a layered organoaluminum-selenium polymer. The mean Se-C bond distance is 1.921(5) A while the mean C-Se-C bond angle is 99.1(4)°. The independent Al-C bond distance is 1.927(8) A while the mean Al-Cl bond distance is 2.166(7) A.
Testing of digitally assisted adaptive analog/RF systems using tuning knob — Performance space estimation

Testing of adaptive analog/RF systems is challenging as any test procedure must ensure that the system adapts correctly to external perturbations (process, workload) without incurring the excessive test time associated with iterative tuning procedures. This problem is made worse by the increased number of adaptation settings (“tuning knob values”) and the requirement of measuring specifications at all of these settings. In this paper, a new test technique is proposed that allows the closed loop performance of the adaptation procedure to be predicted from a set of open-loop tests. The optimal knob settings where the system should be tested in open-loop are found using a gradient based search algorithm and optimized test signals are generated such that the error in performance prediction across different tuning knob settings is minimized. The results of these tests are then mapped to the performance of the adaptive system which is validated implicitly without incurring large testing and tuning costs. Simulation results and hardware measurement results prove the validity of the proposed technique.
Variationally derived 3-field finite element formulations for quasistatic poroelastic analysis of hydrated biological tissues

Hydrated biological tissues are often modeled mechanically as poroelastic media with intrinsically incompressible solid and fluid constituents. Unlike many engineering materials, these tissues may typically experience finite deformations during normal, physiological activities. Accurate and efficient finite element formulations are required to solve large problems of experimental and clinical relevance. This manuscript describes two new 3-field (u-p-W) mixed finite element formulations based on Lagrange multiplier and Augmented Lagrangian representations of the saturation/incompressibility constraint. As a precursor, the continuum mixture theory for finite deformation, quasistatic poroelasticity with constituent incompressibility is first reformulated within the variational framework of the principal of virtual power. In doing so, the equivalence of the continuum mixture theory and Biot formulations for this problem is established. The improved performance of the mixed formulations over an analogous 2-field (u-W) penalty formulation is demonstrated using axisymmetric numerical examples.
Ruminal phosphorus disappearance from corn and soybean feedstuffs.

Abstract Byproducts of corn and soybeans have high phosphorus (P) content, but little is known about their P disappearance in the rumen of lactating dairy cows. In situ disappearance of P from corn and soybean feed-stuffs was determined in 2 experiments. In the first experiment, 3 ruminally cannulated lactating dairy cows were used to estimate in situ P disappearance of 9 feed ingredients that included 3 sources of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDG; DGa, DGb, DGc), corn, corn germ, solvent-extracted soybean meal, (44% CP; SBM), expeller soybean meal (SoyPlus; SP), extruded soybeans (ES), and soyhulls (SH). Nylon bags were incubated in the rumen of each cow for 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48h. The water-soluble fraction of P (A P ) was greatest in DDG (mean 82.1%) followed by corn germ (77%), with SH having the least A P among all feedstuffs (45%). The remaining feedstuffs (SBM, SP, ES, and corn) were similar in A P (64.2%). The slowly available fraction of P (B P ) was greatest in SH (45.6%), lowest in DDG (13.5%), and intermediate, averaging 31.4%, in SBM, ES, SP, and corn. The effective disappearance of P (ED P ) was greatest for DDG (93.5%), whereas corn germ, ES, SBM, and SP followed with an ED P of 93.3, 88.0, 87.5, and 87.0%, respectively. The ED P was less for corn and SH than for the other feedstuffs at 83.3 and 69.1%, respectively. Rate of P disappearance was similar for all feedstuffs (16.2%/h). In the second experiment, 3 new sources of DDG (DG1, DG2, and DG3), and one wet distillers grains with solubles (WDG) source were incubated for 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36h on replicate days in the rumen of 2 cannulated lactating dairy cows. Fraction A P varied from 82.7 to 90.3%, with that in WDG being the least soluble. The WDG source had a greater B P fraction (15.8%) compared with the DDG sources (9.5%). The WDG had the lowest ED P (88.1%), whereas the DDG varied from 89.7 to 92.7%. Corn and soybean byproducts tested, with the exception of SH, have high ruminal P disappearance as measured with the Dacron bag technique.
Estimation in the piece-wise constant hazard rate model-when the data are grouped

An extension of a model described in Coivert and Boardman (1976) Is Introduced lor the case when the data are available onl"r at certain time Periods. Exact and approximate maximum likelihood estimators for the parameter of the piece-wise exponential model are obtained for the general case when the interval spacings are not equal. In the special case when the Interval spacings are constant within each of the"pieces"in the model, exact maximum likelihood estimates are obtained. An example from an industrial life test illustrates the procedures in the special case when only two pieces are assumed.
Structurally similar oxidized phospholipids differentially regulate endothelial binding of monocytes and neutrophils

We previously have demonstrated that oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC), a component of minimally modified low density lipoprotein (MM-LDL), activates endothelial cells to bind monocytes. 1-Palmitoyl-2- (5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (POVPC) and 1- palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (PGPC), which are present in OxPAPC, MM-LDL, and atherosclerotic lesions, were shown to have a major role in the activation of endothelial cells. We now demonstrate that these two highly similar molecules have dramatically different effects on leukocyte endothelial interactions. POVPC is a potent regulator of monocyte-specific endothelial interactions. Treatment of endothelial cells with POVPC increased monocyte binding by inducing the surface expression of the connecting segment 1 domain of fibronectin; no increase in neutrophil binding was observed. In addition, POVPC strongly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-mediated induction of neutrophil binding and expression of E-selectin protein and mRNA. This inhibition was mediated by a protein kinase A-dependent pathway, resulting in down-regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. In contrast, PGPC induced both monocyte and neutrophil binding and expression of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. We present evidence to suggest that the two phospholipids act by different novel receptors present in Xenopus laevis oocytes and that POVPC, but not PGPC, stimulates a cAMP-mediated pathway. At concentrations equal to that present in MM-LDL, the effect of POVPC dominates and inhibits PGPC-induced neutrophil binding and E-selectin expression in endothelial cells. In summary, our data provide evidence that both POVPC and PGPC are important regulators of leukocyte-endothelial interactions and that POVPC may play a dominant role in a number of chronic inflammatory processes where oxidized phospholipids are known to be present.
Detection of KPC-2 in a Clinical Isolate of Proteus mirabilis and First Reported Description of Carbapenemase Resistance Caused by a KPC β-Lactamase in P. mirabilis

An isolate of Proteus mirabilis recovered from blood cultures of a diabetic patient was shown to be resistant to imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem by disk diffusion susceptibility testing. Amplification of whole-cell and/or plasmid DNA recovered from the isolate with primers specific for the blaKPC carbapenemase gene produced an amplicon of the expected size which was confirmed to be blaKPC-2 by sequence analysis. Transformation of a susceptible Escherichia coli host with plasmid preparations from the isolate generated a transformant for which the MICs of all of the carbapenems tested were increased three- to fourfold. We believe this to be the first report of carbapenem resistance in P. mirabilis caused by the acquisition of blaKPC.
Delay discounting is associated with substance use in college students

This study investigated whether a measure of delay discounting was associated with substance use variables in a sample of college students. Participants (N=47) completed a substance use survey and a delay-discounting measure that asked them to make a series of choices between a fixed amount of hypothetical money to be delivered immediately and a larger amount to be delivered after a range of delays. Discounting values were significantly associated with a number of substance use variables, most notably age of first alcohol use (r=-.34; P<.05), age of first smoking (r=-.51; P<.05), age of first marijuana use (r=-.48; P<.05), number of times "passed out" from alcohol use (r=.73; P<.01), and total number of illicit drugs used (r=.32; P<.05). Individuals reporting more illicit drug use and younger ages of first use tend to discount the value of future hypothetical rewards more steeply than their peers.
Induction of fibroblast proliferation by interleukin‐1 derived from human monocytic leukemia cells

Human interleukin-1 (IL-1), free of contaminating lymphokines, was isolated from cultures of purified monoblasts from a patient with acute monocytic leukemia. Partially purified IL-1 (diafiltration, ultrafiltration, and isoelectric focusing) stimulated proliferation of subconfluent human fibroblasts in vitro. Further purification of IL-1 by high-resolution gel filtration- and anion exchange-high performance liquid chromatography revealed that fibroblast proliferation activity could not be separated from IL-1 activity (thymocyte proliferation), suggesting that both activities are the properties of a single molecule. Fibroblasts and thymocytes exhibited a similar sensitivity to the proliferative effects of IL-1. These findings suggest that macrophages participating in inflammatory reactions in vivo might release IL-1, which could function to expand fibroblast populations at sites of inflammatory reactions, by acting as a fibroblast growth factor.
Organizational impact of information technology: a leadership course for IT

A course on leadership in Information Technology is distinct from a management course. While the latter is focused on implementation, the former focuses on larger organizational issues and the impact and use of IT. Because it supports the understanding of IT and its effective use, the "Organizational Impact of IT" course is appropriate for more than just IT students or professionals. This is a survey of components covered, including strategic use of IT, IT as an integration enabler, the impact of IT on organizational design, processes, work and workers. It also considers IT leadership as an issue in itself.
Evaporation of components from a miscible solution

Abstract Considerations are given to the simultaneous evaporation of both components in a miscible (binary) solution based on the properties of related components. Rates of evaporation of several binary systems of nonpolar organics and of polar organics with water in unstirred solutions were determined and interpreted using the model previously proposed. This study presents an approach to assess the evaporative loss of the volatile solute and solvent components from a (miscible) solution that may become a source of concern as a health risk.
Biomedical research on health and performance of military women: accomplishments of the Defense Women's Health Research Program (DWHRP).

In 1994, Congress provided $40M for biomedical research on issues of importance for military women. This supported 104 intramural and 30 extramural studies and launched an era of research to narrow the knowledge gap on protection and enhancement of health and performance of military women. Projects addressed issues specific to female physiology (e.g., gynecological health in the field, maternal malaria), problems with higher prevalence for women (e.g., marginal iron deficiency, stress fracture), and issues of drug and materiel safety that had only been extrapolated from studies of men (e.g., chemical agent prophylaxis, fatigue countermeasures). Several important assumptions about female physiology and occupational risks were found to be astoundingly wrong. Hormonal changes through the menstrual cycle were less important to acute health risks and performance than predicted, exercise did not increase risk for amenorrhea and consequent bone mineral loss, and women tolerated G-forces and could be as safe as m...
Molecular characterization of Cladium peat from the Florida Everglades: biomarker associations with humic fractions

The accumulation and preservation of peat soils in Everglades freshwater marshes and mangrove swamps is an essential process in the ecological functioning of these ecosystems. Human intervention and climate change have modified nutrient dynamics and hydroperiod in the Everglades and peat loss due to such anthropogenic activities is evident. However, not much is known on the molecular level regarding the biogeochemical characteristics, which allow peat to be preserved in the Everglades. Lipid biomarkers trapped within or bound to humic-type structures can provide important geochemical information regarding the origin and microbial transformation of OM in peat. Four lipid fractions obtained from a Cladium peat, namely the freely extractable fraction and those associated with humin, humic acid, and fulvic acid fractions, showed clear differences in their molecular distribution suggesting different OM sources and structural and diagenetic states of the source material. Both, higher plant derived and microbial lipids were found in association with these humic-type substances. Most biomarker distributions suggest an increment in the microbial/terrestrial lipid ratio from the free to humin to humic to fulvic fractions. Microbial reworking of lipids, and the incorporation of microbial biomarkers into the humic-type fractions was evident, as well as the preservation of diagenetic byproducts. The lipid distribution associated with the fulvic acids suggests a high degree of microbial reworking for this fraction. Evidence for this 3D structure was obtained through the presence of the relatively high abundance of α,ω-dicarboxylic acids and phenolic and benzenecarboxylic compounds. The increment in structural complexity of the phenolic and benzencarboxylic compounds in combination with the reduction in the carbon chain length of the dicarboxylic acids from the free to fulvic fraction suggests the latter to be structurally the most stable, compacted and diagenetically altered substrate. This analytical approach can now be applied to peat samples from other areas within the Everglades ecosystem, affected differently by human intervention with the aim to assess changes in organic matter preservation.
Environ-friendly approaches to densely functionalized β-lactams

Abstract A convenient approach to densely functionalized α-allyl-β-lactams has been developed using organometallic reagents and α-keto-β-lactams. Indium mediated Barbier reaction in aqueous media proceeded with a higher level of diastereoselectivity and chemical yield than zinc mediated Barbier reaction in anhydrous organic solvents.
Gender and Acculturation Influences on Physical Activity in Latino Adults

Background: Studies examining physical activity levels have used samples primarily composed of non-Latino Whites and have focused on leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Additionally, few studies have investigated differences in physical activity between Latino men and Latina women, or the relationship between acculturation and activity. Purpose: To examine the subjective and objective physical activity of Latinos and gender differences in physical activity and the extent to which LTPA and non-LTPA were predictive of overall accelerometer physical activity. An additional objective was to examine the relationship between acculturation and different types of physical activity. Methods: Data were obtained from 155 Latinos (n = 86 female, n = 69 male). Comparisons were made between Latino men and women. Results: Latino men participated in significantly greater occupational and overall objective and subjective physical activity than Latina women; however, women participated in greater household activity. Regression analyses demonstrated that recreational, occupational, and household activity were significant predictors of overall accelerometer physical activity for the complete sample. Among women, recreational and household activity were significant predictors; however, overall accelerometer physical activity was not significantly predicted in men. Additionally, it was demonstrated that acculturation was related to occupational activity, but not to recreational activity. Conclusions: These results suggest that gender differences in physical activity are present among Latinos and that acculturation may be a correlate of various types of physical activity.
Quality (r)evolution – guidelines and practical implementation of quality management: the U.S. perspective

All clinical laboratories in the United States were required for the first time in 1992 to comply with universal minimum regulations: the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA'88). The CLIA'88 regulations precipitated revolutionary and evolutionary changes based in both total quality management and continuous quality improvement principles. The regulations specify minimum requirements for personnel, quality control, and proficiency testing. Under quality assurance, the requirements are more individualized and allow laboratories to meet the needs of their customers while being in compliance with the regulations. Biannual inspection is integral to CLIA'88. However, laboratories can choose other federally approved, "deemed" professional organizations, with regulations equivalent to CLIA'88. Selection of one of these organizations allows for some flexibility in the application of the requirements, and eliminates having federal CLIA'88 inspectors perform the inspection. Since CLIA's inception in 1992, inspectors have noted a decline in the number of deficiencies cited. An improved level of proficiency testing performance also indicates that better quality test results are being provided to clinicians. The quality evolution and revolution will continue in the United States, and a major impetus will be health care reform's mandate to reduce cost.
The demand side of support for radical right parties

This study examines the link between individual attitudes and voting for radical right parties in 16 European countries, using the European Social Survey (ESS). This study includes, in a single model, several different components of the radical right political platform in order to test which components are more strongly found among radical right voters. Using the initial assumption that the anti-immigrant message of radical right parties should be attractive to individuals with similar predispositions, I use the ESS to find evidence that radical right voters are attracted to these parties because of the political message of immigration attitudes and anti-democratic attitudes. Further, depending on the context, social conservatism is associated with radical right support. In sum, radical right support is based on multiple factors with immigration attitudes as the primary consideration, with populism and social conservatism playing a minor but significant role.
Results from the PTI's studies of the spectral angular diameters of Mira variables

A dedicated program of measuring angular sizes of Mira variables using the Palomar Testbed Interferometer has resulted in more than 13,000 measurements of over 60 stars. With visibility data in five channels across the K band, atmospheric extension and sources of opacity are evident in the dataset. Using multiple-epoch narrow-band data, phase lags between wavelength-dependent angular size cycles indicate spatial extent of molcular atmospheres. A spectral angular diameter classification system is developed, based on the recurring shapes of the spectral traces seen in the dataset, which correlates to spectral type. A period-radius relationship is explored, and a refinement on the estimation of angular sizes is made.
Omission of temporary diversion in restorative proctocolectomy — Is it safe?

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and functional outcome of restorative proctocolectomy (RP) without diversion. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent RP without diversion for ulcerative colitis (82 percent), familial adenomatous polyposis (12 percent), and indeterminate colitis (6 percent). The perioperative course and functional outcome of these patients were compared with another group of 50 patients undergoing RP with diverting ileostomy during the same time period (1989–1991) and closely matched for age, gender, surgeon, diagnosis, extent and duration (median, 10 years) of colitis, prior colectomy (∼22 percent), steroid use (40 percent), type of pouch, distance of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis from the dentate line (median, 1.5 cm), and the duration of follow-up (median, 12 months). All patients had a stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis without mucosectomy and a smooth conduct of the operation. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Anastomotic leaks and pelvic abscess were more common in patients without ileostomy (7/50 or 14 percentvs.2/50 or 4 percent); 8 of these 9 patients were taking ≥20 mg of prednisone/day. Septic complications requiring relaparotomy (6 percentvs.0 percent), prolonged ileus, and fever of unknown origin (10 percentvs.4 percent) were also more common in patients without ileostomy. Despite similar functional results at 6 weeks and at 12 months after initial pouch function, patients without ileostomy had a poorer quality of life index (5vs.8; 10 being best) in the early period (0–6 weeks) of pouch function. CONCLUSION: In equally favorable cases, RP without diversion is not as safe as RP with diversion, especially in patients taking ≥20 mg of prednisone/day.
More than just the "Q-tip sign".

Abstract In the early days of transesophageal echocardiography, the "Q-tip sign" was occasionally mistaken for a left atrial mass. This area is now well recognized as a normal anatomic landmark dividing the left atrial appendage from the left upper pulmonary vein. However, in this report we describe 2 patients in whom pathology was found in this area, which should not be overlooked. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2001;14:832-3.)