cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stromal Progenitor Cells from Endogenous Adipose Tissue Contribute to Pericytes and Adipocytes That Populate the Tumor Microenvironment

Epidemiologic studies associate cancer with obesity, but the pathophysiologic connections remain obscure. In this study, we show that obesity facilitates tumor growth in mice irrespective of concurrent diet, suggesting a direct effect of excess white adipose tissue (WAT). When transplanted into mice, adipose stromal cells (ASC) can serve as perivascular adipocyte progenitors that promote tumor growth, perhaps helping explain the obesity–cancer link. In developing this hypothesis, we showed that ASCs are expanded in obesity and that they traffic from endogenous WAT to tumors in several mouse models of cancer. Strikingly, a comparison of circulating and tumor-infiltrating cell populations in lean, and obese mice revealed that cancer induces a six-fold increase of ASC frequency in the systemic circulation. We obtained evidence that ASCs mobilized in this way can be recruited into tumors, where they can be incorporated into blood vessels as pericytes and they can differentiate into adipocytes in an obesity-dependent manner. Extending this evidence, we found that increased tumor vascularization (reflected by changes in tumor vascular morphology and a two-fold increase in vascular density) was associated with intratumoral adipocytes and elevated proliferation of neighboring malignant cells. Taken together, our results suggest that ASCs recruited from endogenous adipose tissue can be recruited by tumors to potentiate the supportive properties of the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5198–208. ©2012 AACR.
Perfect Stages of Fusarium oxysporum and of Fusarium solani f. pisi still Unknown

A YEAR ago Buxton1 reported the development of red, Nectria perithecia after ultra-violet irradiation of a culture of Fusarium oxysporum f. pisi (Linf.) Snyd. and Hans. He stated that the fungus causes typical wilt of pea, was re-isolated from the reddened vascular tracts of wilted plants and that, therefore, there could be little doubt but that this homothallic Nectria is the perfect stage of that particular wilt-inducing Fusarium isolate (that is, F. oxysporum f. pisi).
Validating clusters with the lower bound for sum-of-squares error

Given that a minor condition holds (e.g., the number of variables is greater than the number of clusters), a nontrivial lower bound for the sum-of-squares error criterion in K-means clustering is derived. By calculating the lower bound for several different situations, a method is developed to determine the adequacy of cluster solution based on the observed sum-of-squares error as compared to the minimum sum-of-squares error.
Toward Determining a Dynamic Impedance Boundary Condition

Computational modeling can be used to increase the understanding of fluid dynamics and offer predictive capabilities when used in vascular surgery planning. An important consideration for studies including the pulmonary vasculature is the impact of pulmonary impedance due to respiration and vessel compliance [1]. Currently, the outlet boundary conditions for this type of model consist of a flow profile or constant pressure. These boundary conditions do not reflect the geometry of the lung, effects of respiration, or the compliance of pulmonary vessels. To improve the accuracy of computational modeling of the pulmonary circulation, a dynamic impedance boundary condition will be developed that can be used to accurately represent respiration effects and provide information regarding wave speed and reflection in compliant arteries.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Retinal micromovements, the visual line, and Donders’ Law

Abstract PURPOSE: To report the relationship of the retinal micromovements to the visual line and to confirm the validity of Donders' Law. METHODS: Two video cameras suspended from a headband were used to record eye (video-oculography) and head movements. Eye positions in held gaze and following various trajectories to a target were recorded in five normal, young subjects. The videotapes were analyzed off-line using a computer algorithm. RESULTS: Retinal micromovements cause the visual line to trace a zigzag pathway across the foveola, which has an approximate diameter of 350 μm (about 2 degrees). The mean micromovement was about 10 μm in 33.3 msec. The cumulative effect of successive micromovements may move the visual line across the foveola from edge to edge depending on the elapsed time. When the visual line reaches the edge of the foveola it changes its direction. When the eye resets to the same target by different trajectories, the visual line may alight up to about 350 μm from its original location anywhere within the foveola. CONCLUSIONS: Donders' Law is upheld because for each direction of gaze, and regardless of the trajectory used to reach that direction of gaze, the retina has a constant orientation to an index head plane at any given moment in time. Failure to consider that the micromovements cause a shift in the position of the visual line within the foveola may account for the exceptions to Donders' Law found by contemporary researchers using invasive recording techniques.
Study of Microstructural Effect in Particulate Composites

The effects of random and non-uniform particle distribution on the damage initiation and growth leading to a crack were investigated for particulate composites using a multi-scale technique. Damage was described at the constituent material level (i.e. micro-level) and the results compared well qualitatively and quantitatively with experimental observation. Non-uniform, random particle distribution yielded sporadic crack initiation and growth within a uniform tensile specimen. No local crack propagated beyond a certain size. Breakage of the specimens was not caused by the continuous growth of a single critical crack. Instead, coalescence of neighboring sporadic short cracks resulted in breakage of the specimens. Computer simulation indicated that random particle distribution affected the strength of the composite significantly, but as expected, not its effective stiffness.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT CLOSURES ON THE HYDRODYNAMICS OF BUBBLE COLUMN FLOWS

ABSTRACT Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are performed for two-dimensional bubble columns to examine the effect of different interfacial force closures on the computed liquid velocity and gas holdup profiles. In this regard, six different drag closure relationships and three different virtual mass formulations are incorporated in the framework of the Los Alamos National Laboratory's code CFDLIB. The Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model is used. The results are compared with the experimental results of Mudde et al. (1997), the gas holdup correlation of Anabtawi et al., (2003), and CFD simulations of Pan et al. (2000). With the exception of one, all the correlations studied give good agreement (within engineering accuracy) between the computed results and the experimental data.
A Hospitalization from Hell: A Patient's Perspective on Quality

Patients usually cannot assess the technical quality of their care; however, examining a hospitalization through the patients' eyes can reveal important information about the quality of care. Patients are the best source of information about a hospital system's communication, education, and pain-management processes, and they are the only source of information about whether they were treated with dignity and respect. Their experiences often reveal how well a hospital system is operating and can stimulate important insights into the kinds of changes that are needed to close the chasm between the care provided and the care that should be provided. This article examines the case of a patient admitted for ankle arthrodesis due to severe hemophilia-related arthritis. The surgery was successful, but the hospital stay was marked by inefficiency and inconveniences, as well as events that reveal fundamental problems with the hospital's organization and teamwork. These problems could seriously compromise the quality of clinical care. Unfortunately, most of these events occur regularly in U.S. hospitals. Relatively easy and inexpensive ways to avoid many of these problems are discussed, such as reducing variability in non-urgent procedures and routinely asking patients about their experiences and suggestions for improvement.
Detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene using microcantilever sensors

Abstract We report the gas phase detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) with a SXFA-[poly(1-(4-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-5,5,5-trifluoro)pent-1-enyl)methylsiloxane]-polymer-coated microcantilevers. These studies show that a detection sensitivity of 300 parts-per-trillion (ppt) could be achieved within a few seconds of exposure of the sensor to the vapor stream. The response is reversible and the sensor coating has been shown to be able to withstand repeated exposure to varying levels of DNT concentrations over a year.
Comparison of competing designs for delay-short calibration standards at WR-1.5

Two competing delay-short calibration standard designs for WM-380/WR-1.5 rectangular waveguide (500–750GHz) are evaluated. Quantitative estimates of the connector uncertainty are made and it is shown that an end-milled design out-performs the shim design. The effect of each standard's repeatability on calibration uncertainty is used to determine corrected measurement uncertainty for an eighth wavelength verification standard.
Chronic pain secondary to disability: a review.

Background: Until recently, very little has been written regarding chronic pain as a secondary problem in persons who already have a physical disability, despite the potential for pain to increase the negative impact of what may already be a very disabling condition. The purpose of this review is to summarize what is currently known concerning the nature and scope of chronic pain as a secondary condition to disability, specifically spinal cord injury, acquired amputations, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disease, and postpolio syndrome. Method: What is known concerning the frequency, severity, impact, and treatment of pain in these specific conditions is reviewed, as are the factors that contribute to, or are associated with, adjustment to chronic pain in these disability groups. The authors conclude with several research questions that emerge from this knowledge, the answers to which will contribute to the long-term goal of the reduction of pain and suffering in persons with disabilities. Conclusions: The existing literature clearly documents that many persons with disabilities experience chronic pain. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the scope, severity, and treatment of chronic pain in these groups.
How to manage primary pulmonary hypertension. Giving hope to patients with a life-threatening illness.

PREVIEWAlthough primary pulmonary hypertension is rare, its incidence has increased with use of dexfenfluramine-derived anorexigens. Therefore, physicians should be alert for signs of the condition, which usually progresses rapidly and leads to right ventricular failure within a few years. In this article, the authors discuss triggers and presentation of primary pulmonary hypertension. They also provide a diagnostic algorithm and a summary of therapeutic methods that can improve quality of life and extend survival. Part 1 of this article, which described normal pulmonary vascular physiology and secondary pulmonary hypertension, appeared in the February 1999 issue.
America's Communal Utopias

From the Shakers to the Branch Davidians, America's communal utopians have captured the popular imagination. Seventeen original essays here demonstrate the relevance of such groups to the mainstream of American social, religious, and economic life. The contributors examine the beliefs and practices of the most prominent utopian communities founded before 1965, including the long-overlooked Catholic monastic communities and Jewish agricultural colonies. Also featured are the Ephrata Baptists, Moravians, Shakers, Harmonists, Hutterites, Inspirationists of Amana, Mormons, Owenites, Fourierists, Icarians, Janssonists, Theosophists, Cyrus Teed's Koreshans, and Father Divine's Peace Mission. Based on a new conceptual framework known as developmental communalism, the book examines these utopian movements throughout the course of their development--before, during, and after their communal period. Each chapter includes a brief chronology, giving basic information about the group discussed. An appendix presents the most complete list of American utopian communities ever published. The contributors are Jonathan G. Andelson, Karl J. R. Arndt, Pearl W. Bartelt, Priscilla J. Brewer, Donald F. Durnbaugh, Lawrence Foster, Carl J. Guarneri, Robert V. Hine, Gertrude E. Huntington, James E. Landing, Dean L. May, Lawrence J. McCrank, J. Gordon Melton, Donald E. Pitzer, Robert P. Sutton, Jon Wagner, and Robert S. Weisbrot. |Offering the first comprehensive history of Atlanta race relations, Ronald Bayor discusses the impact of racial bias on physical and institutional development of the city from the end of the Civil War through the mayorship of Andrew Young in the 1980s. Bayor explores frequently ignored policy issues through the lens of race--including hospital care, highway placement and development, police and fire services, schools, and park use, as well as housing patterns and employment.
Integer programming and convex analysis: Intersection cuts from outer polars

Recently a new, geometrically motivated approach was proposed [1] for integer programming, based on generating intersection cuts from some convex setS whose interior contains the linear programming optimum $$\bar x$$ but no feasible integer point. Larger sets tend to produce stronger cuts, and in this paper convex analysis is used to construct sets as large as possible within the above requirements. Information is generated from all problem constraints within a unit cubeK containing $$\bar x$$ The key concept is that of outer polars, viewed as maximal convex extensions of the ballB circumscribingK, relative to the problem constraints. The outer polarF * of the feasible setF overB is shown to be a convex set whose boundary contains all feasible vertices ofK, and whose interior contains no feasible integer point. The existence of a dual correspondence betweenF andF *, and the fact that polarity is inclusion-reversing, leads to a dualization of operations onF. As one possible procedure based on this approach, we construct a generalized intersection cut, that can be strengthened whenever some vertex ofF is cut off. This makes it possible to fruitfully combine intersection cuts with implicit enumeration or branch-and-bound. While valid for arbitrary integer programs, the theory developed here is relevant primarily to (pure or mixed-integer) 0–1 problems. Other topics discussed include: generalized polars, intersection cuts from related problems, connections with asymptotic theory.
The chemical characterization of environmental tobacco smoke

Abstract A detailed characterization of environmental tobacco smoke is needed in order to understand at least four areas which are important to the proper evaluation of the impact of smoking on the nonsmoker in indoor environments: 1. identification of the chemical compounds to which the nonsmoker is exposed, 2. determination of changes in the chemical composition and in the gas‐particulate phase distribution of environmental tobacco smoke with time in the indoor environment, 3. identification of substances which may be used to estimate the exposure of the nonsmoker to environmental tobacco smoke in the indoor environment, and 4. risk assessment of disease and irritant exacerbations associated with exposure of the nonsmoker to environmental tobacco smoke. The first three areas are reviewed in this paper.
Fate of Host-Plant Iridoid Glycosides in Lepidopteran Larvae of Nymphalidae and Arcthdae

We compared the ability of larvae of six lepidopteran species to sequester iridoid glycosides. All larvae were fed on a common host plant, Plantago lanceolata, which contains two iridoid glycosides, aucubin and catalpol. Four species of arctiids were examined: Pyrrharctia isabella, Spilosoma congrua, Spilosoma latipennis, and Spilosoma virginica. For comparison, we also examined two nymphalid species, one of which, Junonia coenia (a specialist on plants containing iridoid glycosides), was known to sequester iridoid glycosides, and the other, Vanessa cardui, was a generalist that also feeds on P. lanceolata. We found that, as expected, J. coenia larvae did contain iridoid glycosides, whereas V. cardui did not. To our surprise, Spilosoma congrua contained substantial amounts of iridoid glycosides (mean = 7.14% dry weight), whereas none of the other arctiids (S. lalipennis, S. virginica, or P. Isabella) contained detectable levels of iridoid glycosides. We found small amounts of iridoid glycosides in the frass of S. virginica but none in the frass of S. congrua or P. isabella.
A Search for CP(T) Violation in B Decays at OPAL

A search for CP(T) violation is performed and the fractional difference between the $b$ and $\bar b$ hadron lifetimes is measured using reconstructed secondary vertices in inclusive B hadron decays culled from 3.1 million $Z^0 \to q \bar q$ events. The data were collected by the OPAL experiment at the LEP collider at CERN at $\sqrt{s} \approx 91$ GeV from 1991-1995.
DELAYED PRESENTATION OF POSTERIOR URETHRAL VALVES: A NOT SO BENIGN CONDITION

Purpose:: Posterior urethral valves are usually detected during infancy by prenatal sonography. Rarely they may be diagnosed during later childhood, adolescence or even adulthood. Less is known about presentation and outcome in these older patients. We reviewed our experience at 4 institutions with the late presentation of posterior urethral valves.Materials and Methods:: A 13-year retrospective review revealed the late presentation of posterior urethral valves in 47 patients 5 to 35 years old (mean age 8). Data collected included presenting symptomatology, radiographic findings and renal function. Statistical analysis determined the relationships among presenting symptoms, patient age at diagnosis and renal function.Results:: The most common presenting symptoms were diurnal enuresis in 60% of the cases, urinary tract infection in 40% and voiding pain in 13%. Other presenting symptoms in less than 10% of the cases included poor stream, gross hematuria and proteinuria. At diagnosis hydronephrosis and vesic...
A hybrid envelope modulator using feedforward control for OFDM WLAN polar transmitter

This paper presents a feedforward control for hybrid envelope modulator for applications in 802.11g OFDM WLAN polar transmitter. The feedforward control is constituted by hysteresis comparator and duplicate-linear amplifier that possess low power dissipation. For achieving high speed and high efficiency, the hybrid envelope modulator combines with a linear amplifier and a switch amplifier. Operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) and class-AB output stage are designed for linear amplifier as well as the buck converter is designed for switch amplifier. The chip has been fabricated in 0.35µm SiGe process and occupies an area of 2 mm2 including I/O pads. The die is packaged in LQFP and measurement results show that the output voltage range is from 0 to 3V under 3.8V power supply and drives a 5Ω load up to 1.8W of maximum output power with 95% of maximum efficiency.
Expression and function of microRNAs in heart disease.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful, recently recognized regulators of gene expression. miRNAs modulate virtually all aspects of cardiac biology, from cardiac specification and development to cardiomyocyte survival and hypertrophy. Expression profiling of experimental and human heart disease has shown that miRNA expression is altered in heart disease, and miRNA expression signatures may be useful biomarkers for heart disease diagnosis and prognosis. Mechanistic studies have revealed how miRNAs contribute to heart disease pathogenesis. Here we review the expression and function of miRNAs in heart disease.
Structural Change and Homeostasis in Organizations: A Decision-Theoretic Approach

We present here a decision-theoretic framework for the analysis of organizational change and homeostasis under risk. An algorithm is demonstrated that identifies optimal change paths given uncertainty involving execution time, intervention cost, and payoffs resulting from particular structural configurations. An elaboration of the basic framework to accommodate external structural perturbations is shown, and is applied to the problem of organizational homeostasis. Finally, an extension of the decision model is provided that admits multiple decision makers with divergent preferences and capacities for inducing organizational change.
Death Education and Attitudes of Counselors‐in‐Training Toward Death: An Exploratory Study

This study reviewed how attitudes of counselors-in-training toward death develop after completing a course on death education. Participants included 11 graduate counseling students enrolled in a 2-credit-hour course addressing death and dying, and grief and loss. Qualitative results from a content analysis of free-response narratives suggest the emergence of 3 themes: openness to examining death and death constructs; increased understanding of death; and reduced negative emotional state, namely, fear of death. Implications of the findings for counselor education and limitations of the study are discussed.
A MODIS Sea Surface Temperature Composite for Regional Applications

Sea surface temperature (SST) is an important input for regional and global weather modeling, but timely high- resolution SST data from either in situ or satellite sources are limited. A regional near-real-time aqua moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) 1-km-resolution SST composite has been developed by the NASA Short-term Prediction and Research Transition (SPoRT) program to provide continuous high-resolution SST fields twice daily for regional weather applications. The SPoRT Aqua MODIS SST composite is inter- compared to both half-degree-resolution real-time global (RTG) SST analysis and a 6-km-resolution geostationary operational environmental satellite 12 (GOES) Imager SST analysis and validated against buoy data for the month of May 2004. The SPoRT MODIS composite provides more accurate and detailed spatial information than the RTG-SST or GOES products during this period. Compared to limited buoy data, the daytime MODIS composites for May 2004 were found to have an average cool bias of -0.09degC, and the nighttime composites an average cool bias of -0.29degC, with both day and night composites having correlation values of approximately 0.90. A comparison of the MODIS SST composite to the more recent and higher resolution 12th-degree RTG-SST analysis and the 20th-degree resolution operational sea surface temperature and sea ice analysis indicated that the SPoRT MODIS composite provides additional spatial and diurnal cycle information on a regional scale.
Development of quinic acid-conjugated nanoparticles as a drug carrier to solid tumors.

Nanometer-sized drug carriers including polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to increase biodistribution of a drug in tumors, thereby reducing the effective dose of chemotherapy. NPs increase drug delivery to tumors to a certain extent, but the amount reaching tumors is only a small fraction of the total administered NPs because they depend on passive accumulation via the leaky vasculature surrounding tumors. In an attempt to further increase the drug delivery to tumors, we develop a polymeric NP system that interacts with an endothelial tumor marker. The NPs are decorated with quinic acid, a synthetic mimic of sialyl Lewis-x, which binds to E-selectin, overexpressed on the surface of endothelial cells surrounding solid tumors. The NPs selectively bind to endothelial cells activated with tumor necrosis factor-α, with weak affinity at a relatively high shear stress. These properties may help NPs reach tumors by increasing the encounter of NPs with the peritumoral endothelium without hindering subse...
The stability and fate of a spliced intron from vertebrate cells.

Introns constitute most of the length of typical pre-mRNAs in vertebrate cells. Thus, the turnover rate of introns may significantly influence the availability of ribonucleotides and splicing factors for further rounds of transcription and RNA splicing, respectively. Given the importance of intron turnover, it is surprising that there have been no reports on the half-life of introns from higher eukaryotic cells. Here, we determined the stability of IVS1Cb1, the first intron from the constant region of the mouse T-cell receptor-b (TCR-b) gene. Using a tetracycline (tet)-regulated promoter, we demonstrate that spliced IVS1Cb1 and its pre-mRNA had half-lives of 6.0 6 1.4 min and 3.7 6 1.0 min, respectively. We also examined the half-lives of these transcripts by using actinomycin D (Act.D). Act.D significantly stabilized IVS1Cb1 and its pre-mRNA, suggesting that Act.D not only blocks transcription but exerts rapid and direct posttranscriptional effects in the nucleus. We observed that in vivo spliced IVS1Cb1 accumulated predominantly as lariat molecules that use a consensus branchpoint nucleotide. The accumulation of IVS1Cb1 as a lariat did not result from an intrinsic inability to be debranched, as it could be debranched in vitro, albeit somewhat less efficiently than an adenovirus intron. Subcellular-fractionation and sucrose-gradient analyses showed that most spliced IVS1Cb1 lariats cofractionated with pre-mRNA, but not always with mRNA in the nucleus. Some IVS1Cb1 also appeared to be selectively exported to the cytoplasm, whereas TCR-b pre-mRNA remained in the nucleus. This study constitutes the first detailed analysis of the stability and fate of a spliced nuclear intron in vivo.
Why Negotiators Should Reveal Their Deadlines: Disclosing Weaknesses Can Make You Stronger

Conventional wisdom holds that negotiators who are under time pressure should avoid revealing their final deadlines to the other side, especially if they are in a weak position. The present study questions this conventional wisdom. The experiment manipulates time pressure on the negotiators, knowledge of that time pressure, and each side’s power at the bargaining table. Power is manipulated by varying the quality of each side’s alternatives to negotiated agreement (BATNAs). Results show that negotiators benefited from revealing their final deadlines, regardless of the strength of their BATNAs. The discussion explores why this simple lesson is counterintuitive and why negotiators mistakenly believe they ought to keep their deadlines secret.
The impact of address allocation and routing on the structure and implementation of routing tables

The recent growth in the size of the routing table has led to an interest in quantitatively understanding both the causes (eg multihoming) as well as the effects (eg impact on router lookup implementations) of such routing table growth. In this paper, we describe a new model called ARAM that defines the structure of routing tables of any given size. Unlike simpler empirical models that work backwards from effects (eg current prefix length distributions), ARAM approximately models the causes of table growth (allocation by registries, assignment by ISPs, multihoming and load balancing). We show that ARAM models with high fidelity three abstract measures (prefix distribution, prefix depth, and number of nodes in the tree) of the shape of the prefix tree --- as validated against 20 snapshots of backbone routing tables from 1997 to the present. We then use ARAM for evaluating the scalability of IP lookup schemes, and studying the effects of multihoming and load balancing on their scaling behavior. Our results indicate that algorithmic solutions based on multibit tries will provide more prefixes per chip than TCAMs (as table sizes scale toward a million) unless TCAMs can be engineered to use 8 transistors per cell. By contrast, many of today's SRAM-based TCAMs use 14-16 transistors per cell.
Influencing Individual Perceptions of Deep Level Diversity in Virtual Learning Teams (VLT)

Two emerging trends are impacting both universities and corporate training programs: virtual learning and diversity. Virtual Learning Teams (VLT) learn by solving intellectual and cognitive tasks that require the sharing and utilization of information to achieve learning objectives. VLT members are separated by spatial distance and do not have the same opportunities to communicate as do traditional learning teams. Compounding the operational challenge of establishing and maintaining VLT member relationships is the fact that their members are often non-traditional students who tend to be diverse in terms of demographics, work experience, and beliefs compared to traditional teams. Naturally, this creates challenges in facilitating social integration. One way in which social integration may be enhanced is through leveraging the very communication technology that VLTs are reliant upon. Results of our study provide insight into how communication technology can support learning.
Sedimentation Cycles in a River-Mouth Tidal Freshwater Marsh

Tidal freshwater marshes are critical buffers that exist at the interface between watersheds and estuaries. Little is known about the physical dynamics of tidal freshwater marsh evolution. Over a 21 month period from July 1995 to March 1997, measurements were made of biweekly sediment deposition at 23 locations in a 3.8 hectare tidal freshwater marsh in the Bush River subestuary of the upper Chesapeake Bay. Bi-weekly accumulation showed high spatial and temporal variability, ranging from -0.28 to 1.15 g cm-2. Spatial variability is accounted for by habitat differences including plant associations, elevation, and hydrology. Temporal variability is accounted for by interannual climate variability, the growth cycles of marsh plants, stream-marsh interactions, forest-marsh interactions, and animal activity.
Chronic adhesive pericarditis due to the rheumatic state, associated with liver damage serous effusions, and pigmentation; beneficial effect of pericardectomy on the phospholipide turnover and other liver functions after failure of medical management

Summary A case of chronic adhesive pericarditis with hepatomegaly and liver damage, accompanied by generalized pigmentation of the skin and rheumatoid arthritis, is reported. Data obtained by serial biopsies of the liver and studies of liver function, including phospholipide turnover as measured with radioactive phosphorus, are presented. Improvement in the patient's clinical condition and liver functions followed pericardectomy.
Approximate Bayesian Computation and MCMC

For many complex probability models, computation of likelihoods is either impossible or very time consuming. In this article, we discuss methods for simulating observations from posterior distributions without the use of likelihoods. A rejection approach is illustrated using an example concerning inference in the fossil record. A novel Markov chain Monte Carlo approach is also described, and illustrated with an example from population genetics.
Nucleophilic catalysis in deoxymercuration: The beta effect of mercury

Deoxymercuration was examined in the antiperiplanar stereochemistry of trans-2-acetoxycyclohexylmercury(II) acetate (6). The presence of the mercury group accelerates the departure of the beta leaving group by a factor of about 1010. This beta effect is larger than that of silicon and comparable to that of germanium. In contrast to these latter cases, the rate for 6 was found to increase with the nucleophilicity of the solvent. It is concluded that a molecule of solvent is coordinated with mercury in the transition state. This nucleophilic assistance raises the polarizability and nucleophilicity of the mercury group, enhancing its ability to stabilize the developing positive charge or to form a bridged intermediate.
Frequency, risk factors, and effect on long-term survival of increased troponin I following uncomplicated elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background The frequency, risk factors for, and effect on long-term survival of increased troponin I (cTnI) following elective, uncomplicated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains uncertain. Methods We studied 907 patients undergoing elective PCI without recognized PCI complications and with at least 1 measurement of cTnI 12 or more h following the procedure. Patients with pre-PCI cTnI above 0.1 ng/ml or with myocardial infarction within the previous 48 h were excluded. Results Maximal cTnI (TrMX) following PCI averaged 0.8 ng/ml, exceeded the upper normal of 0.1 ng/ml in 65.2% of patients and was 1.5 ng/ml or above in 13.7%. Of several demographic and procedural variables examined, the only significant predictor of TrMX was the number of stents deployed. (p < 0.0023 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10–0.46). Significant univariate predictors of survival (Kaplan-Meier) were older age (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p = 0.02), peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.0001), obstructive lung disease (p < 0.0001), congestive failure (p < 0.0001), renal impairment (p < 0.0001), and TrMX of 3.62 ng/ml or above (p = 0.0451). Independent predictors (Cox) were older age (p < 0.0001), obstructive lung disease (p < 0.0001), congestive failure (p < 0.0001), and TrMX (p = 0.0272). Conclusions Elevation of cTnI occurs in most patients undergoing elective, uncomplicated PCI. Deployment of multiple stents is associated with higher values of cTnI. Long-term survival is primarily influenced by age and pre-PCI comorbidities, however patients with the highest values of cTnI after PCI are also at increased risk of reduced survival. Significant independent predictors of reduced survival were older age, obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive failure (p < 0.0001 for each), and maximal post-PCI cTnI (p = 0.0272). Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The tevatron global radius and Øs system

It has been found to be practical to extract a turn-average measurement of bunch beam phase relative to cavity gap voltage. This Os signal shows the bunch position on the R.F. wave throughout injection, acceleration and extraction, including coherent synchrotron oscillations when present. In turn, the time derivative of Os is a direct measure of global radial position error. We use the Os signal, driving a phase shifter in the R.F. low-level system, to damp coherent synchrotron oscillations. Design and operation will be discussed including single beam bunch operation if available.
SIMS imaging of gadolinium isotopes in tissue from Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis patients: Release of free Gd from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents

Recently, Gd-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (GBMCA) have been linked to a new disease, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), with skin and systemic toxicity and death in certain patients with renal failure. Due to widespread use of GBMCA in diagnostic MRI, it is essential to study their excretion, metabolism, and target sites in cells and tissues. A CAMECA IMS-3f SIMS ion microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used for imaging Gd isotopes in relation to calcium distributions in histologic sections of human tissues. SIMS imaging revealed two types of Gd localization in skin biopsies of patients who received GBMCA. The Gd was present in micrometer size deposits in association with calcium, and in detectable amounts in a more diffuse cellular distribution. Only the Gd-containing deposits associated with Ca and P were detectable using SEM/EDS. As only insoluble deposits remain in the biopsy tissues after aqueous and organic solvent processing of the tissue, our observations support release of free Gd from the GBMCA and selective localization of insoluble Gd in the target tissue from patients with NSF. This study opens new novel applications of SIMS for characterization of the safety of GBMCA.
Solid Solution of Titanium Dioxide in Aluminum Oxide

The solid solution limit of titanium dioxide in Al2O3 was investigated using diffuse reflectance and cathodoluminescence measurements on polycrystalline Al2O3 doped with 1.0 mole % or less TiO2. The samples had been fired in air at 1300°C. The diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that the solid solubility limit is between 0.25 and 0.30 mole %. Cathodoluminescence spectra indicated that both Ti3+ and Ti4+ are present in air-fired samples whereas only Ti3+ is present in hydrogen-fired samples.
A simple analytical and experimental procedure for selection of reference genes for reverse-transcription quantitative PCR normalization data

Variation in cellular activity in a tissue induces changes in RNA concentration, which affects the validity of gene mRNA abundance analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). A common way of accounting for such variation consists of the use of reference genes for normalization. Programs such as geNorm may be used to select suitable reference genes, although a large set of genes that are not co-regulated must be analyzed to obtain accurate results. The objective of this study was to propose an alternative experimental and analytical protocol to assess the invariance of reference genes in porcine mammary tissue using mammary RNA and DNA concentrations as correction factors. Mammary glands were biopsied from 4 sows on d 110 of gestation (prepartum), on d 5 (early) and 17 (peak) of lactation, and on d 5 after weaning (postweaning). Relative expression of 7 potential reference genes, API5, MRPL39, VAPB, ACTB, GAPDH, RPS23, and MTG1, and one candidate gene, SLC7A1, was quantified by RT-qPCR using a relative standard curve approach. Variation in gene expression levels, measured as cycles to threshold at each stage of mammary physiological activity, was tested using a linear mixed model fitting RNA and DNA concentrations as covariates. Results were compared with those obtained with geNorm analysis, and genes selected by each method were used to normalize SLC7A1. Quantified relative mRNA abundance of GAPDH and MRPL39 remained unchanged across stages of mammary physiological activity after accounting for changes in tissue RNA and DNA concentration. In contrast, geNorm analysis selected MTG1, MRPL39, and VAPB as the best reference genes. However, when target gene SLC7A1 was normalized with genes selected either based on our proposed protocol or by geNorm, fold changes in mRNA abundance did not differ. In conclusion, the proposed analytical protocol assesses expression invariance of potential reference genes by accounting for variation in tissue RNA and DNA concentrations and thus represents an alternative method to select suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis.
Rigidity of fibrin gels as measured by quasielastic light scattering.

The strength of fibrin gels has been investigated by a recently developed laser light scattering technique for determining the shear modulus of soft gels. By this method, changes in the modulus were monitored as a function of time without perturbing the material. Fibrin gels were crosslinked with blood coagulation factor XIII. Rigidity measurements and SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to correlate gel strength with the number of covalently bonded subunit chains. The modulus was found to vary linearly with the number of crosslinks until maximum rigidity was achieved.
A Sensor Fusion Approach to Odor Source Localization Inspired by the Pheromone Tracking Behavior of Moths

An approach to odor source localization with an aerial vehicle using the fusion of odor sensors, visual sensors, and airspeed sensors is presented. The motion of the tracking vehicle is decomposed into two components - a component normal to the wind direction and a component tangential to the wind direction. The tangential component is controlled with a strategy that moves upwind when odor is detected and moves gradually downwind when odor is lost. The normal component of velocity is controlled by two different algorithms. The first algorithm controls the rate of turning in the plane normal to the wind direction as a function of concentration. The second algorithm controls the rate of turning and the magnitude of the normal component of velocity as a function of the time derivative of concentration. Both algorithms display the potential to declare the location of an odor source in a three-dimensional space.
A review of methods for estimating anthropogenic heat and moisture emissions in the urban environment

Energy consumption in the urban environment impacts the urban surface energy budget and leads to the emission of anthropogenic sensible heat and moisture into the atmosphere. Anthropogenic heat and moisture emissions vary significantly both in time and space, and are not readily measured. As a result, detailed models of these emissions are not commonly available for most cities. Furthermore, most attempts to quantify anthropogenic emissions have focused on the sensible heat component, largely ignoring moisture emissions and invoking assumptions—such as the equivalence of energy consumption and anthropogenic sensible heating—which limit the accuracy of the resulting anthropogenic heating estimates. This paper provides a historical perspective of the development of models of energy consumption in the urban environment and the associated anthropogenic impacts on the urban energy balance. It highlights some fundamental limitations of past approaches and suggests a roadmap forward for including anthropogenic heat and moisture in modelling of the urban environment. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Diagnostic studies with intravenous and intranasal growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 in children of short stature

GH secretion is primarily regulated by the hypothalamic-releasing hormones GHRH and somatostatin. Additionally, several neurotransmitters act at the hypothalamus and pituitary to modulate GH release. The agents commonly used in clinical practice to diagnose GH deficiency, such as arginine, insulin and L-dopa, act through the neural GH network. Many children with a poor GH response to conventional agents have a significant serum GH response to iv GHRH. GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) are synthetic peptides that like GHRH act directly on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate GH release. GHRP-2, an investigational drug, is one of the most potent members of the GHRP family. It has been shown to be effective in adults via the oral and intranasal as well as the iv route of administration. In this study, GH responses to GHRP-2 were compared with GH responses to other provocative agents in children of short stature. GHRP-2 was administered iv or intranasally to children with short stature. In the same subjects, GHRP-2 was administered iv in combination with GHRH. Twenty-four children undergoing evaluation for GH deficiency received at least one conventional agent (arginine, L-dopa/exercise, insulin) in addition to iv GHRH and GHRP-2. The GH responses to GHRH or GHRP-2 were similar in each child, and both were equally reliable predictors of pituitary reserve. The conventional agents used in GH testing were less likely to predict the capacity of the pituitary to release GH than were either GHRH or GHRP-2. There was no correlation between maximal GH response to standard tests with GH responses to GHRH or GHRP-2. A subset of the group of 21 children who had a robust response to iv GHRP-2 were later administered GHRH+GHRP-2 simultaneously. The GH response to GHRH+GHRP-2 was synergistic in this group of 12 children, similar to previously reported observations in adults of normal stature. Fifteen of the 21 children who had a robust response to the iv GH-releasing factors also received intranasal GHRP-2. All 15 of these children had a significant GH response to intranasal GHRP-2 over a dose range of 5-20 micrograms/kg per dose. The mean peak GH response to 15 micrograms/kg was 31.3 micrograms/L. The intranasal preparation was well tolerated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Scoring Concepts Maps: Can a Practical Method of Scoring Concept Maps be Used to Assess Trainee's Knowledge Structures?

Previous research has indicated that the structure of an individual's knowledge may be just as important as the quantity of knowledge. Given this, using assessment methods that elicit trainee's knowledge structures seems imperative for predicting performance. Unfortunately, incorporation of these methods has been hindered, in part, due to the complexity of methods used to derive a score and the belief that simpler methods of scoring will not provide accurate information about an individual's knowledge. Presented here is a study that investigated whether this claim was true for the structural knowledge elicitation method, concept mapping. Twenty-six participants were run through a same-day training and assessment session. Following, concept maps were scored using a simple method and a complex method. Results indicated that both scoring methods produced significantly higher scores for the trained group and significantly lower scores for the untrained group. In addition, there was a very strong, positive rel...
DCIR2+ cDC2 DCs and Zbtb32 Restore CD4+ T-Cell Tolerance and Inhibit Diabetes.

During autoimmunity, the normal ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to induce T-cell tolerance is disrupted; therefore, autoimmune disease therapies based on cell types and molecular pathways that elicit tolerance in the steady state may not be effective. To determine which DC subsets induce tolerance in the context of chronic autoimmunity, we used chimeric antibodies specific for DC inhibitory receptor 2 (DCIR2) or DEC-205 to target self-antigen to CD11b+ (cDC2) DCs and CD8+ (cDC1) DCs, respectively, in autoimmune-prone nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Antigen presentation by DCIR2+ DCs but not DEC-205+ DCs elicited tolerogenic CD4+ T-cell responses in NOD mice. β-Cell antigen delivered to DCIR2+ DCs delayed diabetes induction and induced increased T-cell apoptosis without interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or sustained expansion of autoreactive CD4+ T cells. These divergent responses were preceded by differential gene expression in T cells early after in vivo stimulation. Zbtb32 was higher in T cells stimulated with DCIR2+ DCs, and overexpression of Zbtb32 in T cells inhibited diabetes development, T-cell expansion, and IFN-γ production. Therefore, we have identified DCIR2+ DCs as capable of inducing antigen-specific tolerance in the face of ongoing autoimmunity and have also identified Zbtb32 as a suppressive transcription factor that controls T cell–mediated autoimmunity.
A 2-Gb/s/pin source synchronous CDMA bus interface with simultaneous multi-chip access and reconfigurable I/O capability

A simultaneous reconfigurable multi-chip access bus interface for application in high-bandwidth multi-drop parallel interconnections such as a memory bus has been developed. The interface utilizes a source synchronous signaling and direct-sequence code-division multiple access (CDMA) technique for high bus concurrency and low channel latency. The prototype chip, fabricated in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS and tested in a 10-cm test board achieves a data rate of 2 Gb/s/pin with multiple access and re-configurability between four (2-to-2) off-chip I/Os.
Does systolic subepicardial perfusion come from retrograde subendocardial flow

To examine the influence of cardiac contraction on systolic coronary flow and transmural blood flow distribution, we measured phasic blood flow velocity in distal extramural coronary arteries by Do...
Alternate Therapies for Testosterone Replacement

Male hypogonadism is an increasingly recognized clinical entity among the elderly population; it can present with a variety of clinical manifestation and significantly affect health-related quality of life. The majority of hypogonadal men are treated with exogenous testosterone, which can be delivered via oral, intramuscular, transdermal, or subcutaneous routes. However, it is important to recognize that testosterone replacement therapy may not restore sexual function, can induce testicular atrophy, cause infertility, and produce gynecomastia. Other treatment options for male hypogonadism are summarized in this chapter.