cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In an era of health reform: Defining cost differences in current esophageal cancer management strategies and assessing the cost of complications

Objective Outcomes assessing various treatment modalities for esophageal cancer primarily report results in terms of morbidity, mortality, survival, and quality of life. The most appropriate stage-by-stage treatment for esophageal cancer remains controversial. There are limited data outlining the comparative costs of surgical, combined modality and definitive chemoradiation treatments, and added costs associated with complications. Methods Between 2000 and 2004, 4 treatment groups were studied: surgery alone, chemotherapy followed by surgery, chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, and chemoradiotherapy alone. Fifteen consecutive patients from each group receiving their entire treatment at Virginia Mason Medical Center were identified. Patient demographics and outcomes were taken from a prospective institutional review board-approved surgical database, and chart review obtained information for neoadjuvant therapy and definitive chemoradiotherapy groups. Treatment-related costs were extracted from Virginia Mason Medical Center’s financial data management system between date of diagnosis to 90 days after completion of primary therapy. Results Treatment groups were similar in age, gender ratio, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, body mass index, and tumor cell type. Costs increased with the number of treatment modalities: surgery alone, $33,517; chemotherapy followed by surgery, $41,875; chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, $47,389; and chemoradiotherapy alone, $46,659. Treatment-related complications were surgery alone, 47%; chemotherapy followed by surgery, 64%; chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, 66%; and chemoradiotherapy alone, 87% ( P = . 139). Complications increased costs in all groups: surgery alone, 26% ( P = . 008); chemotherapy followed by surgery, 23% ( P = . 001); chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, 9% ( P = .702); and chemoradiotherapy alone, 19% ( P = .248). Conclusions Costs vary significantly among treatment approaches: surgery alone costs 80% of chemotherapy and surgery, 71% of chemoradiotherapy and surgery, and 72% of chemoradiotherapy alone. Costs of tri-modality therapy and definitive chemoradiotherapy are similar. Especially in the absence of definitive evidence-based data, these costs should be a factor in the production of future national treatment guidelines. Decreasing costs requires future quality initiatives in esophageal cancer treatment that focus on minimizing complications related to treatment.
Range measurement using Talbot diffraction imaging of gratings.

A range measurement technique is presented which allows real-time range data acquisition for all points in an image. The technique relies upon the systematic variation in the Fresnel diffraction pattern of a grating as a function of propagation distance. The technique uses a single view of the volume in question so there are no hidden points. Furthermore, there is no need for beam scanning or is any off-line processing required. An extensive theory of operation is presented along with grating and illumination design methods which allow one to tailor the technique to specific measurement requirements. Qualitative experimental results are given along with quantitative results.
Enhanced structural stability of adenovirus nanocapsule

Abstract Application of viral vector in gene therapy and vaccination is still limited by their structural stability, which significantly increased avoidable cost in storage and transportation. Herein a non-covalent conjugated low-pH degradable nanocapsule has been adopted to stabilize viral vectors. By utilizing a luciferase expressing adenovirus, AdCMVLuc, we succeeded in a raise of over 11 folds in AdCMVLuc׳s structural stability after 12 days storage at 4 °C.
Cooperative decentralized decision making for conflict resolution among autonomous agents

Autonomous agents plan their paths through known and unknown environments to reach their goals. When multiple autonomous agents share the same area, conflict situations may occur that need to be solved. We present a decentralized decision making algorithm to solve conflicts among autonomous agents. It is based on two main ideas: First, we introduce an innovative operationalization of cooperative behavior which allows to determine whether a behavior is cooperative by computing the total utility and comparing it to a reference utility. Second, we use motion primitives as a representation of available maneuvers obeying individual and environmental restrictions. The decentralized decision making algorithm is based on communication among the autonomous agents to find an optimal maneuver combination. Simulations show that our algorithm is applicable to different highway traffic scenarios of two automated vehicles. We use a mean-square acceleration as an individual cost function and show that our intelligent controller leads to cooperative solutions.
The determinants of cross-sectional variation in the pricing of physicians' services

Abstract This study has sought to identify and statistically test some of the determinants of physician pricing; these potential determinants were grouped into four categories: physician characteristics, demographic characteristics, structural characteristics of the production unit, and costs of producing medical care. The effects of these variables were tested via multiple linear regression analysis using individual physician data for the medical procedures of appendectomy and obstetrical care.
Amphotericin B renders stationary phase hepatoma cells sensitive to dipyridamole

This study provides evidence that the dipyridamole inhibitory effect on nucleoside incorporation changed with culture time. Lag and log phase hepatoma 3924A cells were highly sensitive to dipyridamole with IC50 values for thymidine incorporation of 0.20 and 0.31 microM, respectively. In contrast, stationary phase cells were comparatively insensitive to dipyridamole with an IC50 of 38.9 microM. Amphotericin B (10 microM) restored the sensitivity of stationary phase cells to dipyridamole, lowering the IC50 value for thymidine incorporation to 0.25 microM. Amphotericin B also enhanced the cytotoxicity of dipyridamole to hepatoma 3924A cells. The combination of amphotericin B and dipyridamole may be useful in cancer chemotherapy.
A min–max theorem for complex symmetric matrices

Abstract We optimize the form Re x t Tx to obtain the singular values of a complex symmetric matrix T . We prove that for 0 ⩽ k n 2 , min codim V = k max x ∈ V ‖ x ‖ = 1 Re x t Tx = σ 2 k + 1 , where T is an n × n complex symmetric matrix having singular values σ 1 ⩾ ⋯ ⩾ σ n . We also show that the singular values missed in this theorem (i.e. σ 2 , σ 4 , …) are obtained by a similar optimization over real subspaces.
Hypoglycemia and Vascular Disease

Macrovascular and microvascular complications commonly occur in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms responsible for these complications remain the subjects of intense investigation. With regard to atherosclerosis specifically, there have been great strides in describing the pathophysiological connection between alterations in the diabetic metabolic state and altered endothelial, platelet, and vascular smooth muscle cell functions. Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance independently disrupt nitric oxide synthesis and signaling, induce the production of reactive oxygen species, and up-regulate inflammatory and thrombotic markers and mediators of vasoconstriction (1, 2). Conversely, insulin per se has been shown to actually have vasodilatory and antiinflammatory effects independent of glycemia. Insulin exerts these beneficial effects via increased nitric oxide synthase production (thereby causing increased nitric oxide synthesis) and the suppression of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and thrombotic markers (2). To overcome the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, clinicians have increasingly used intensive glucose control for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, as glycemic control improves, rates of hypoglycemia increase. Multicenter randomized controlled trials to examine the effects of stricter glycemic control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have confirmed that not only do the total rates of hypoglycemia increase with improved glycemia, but the incidence of severe disabling hypoglycemia also increases. Two recent large studies on glucose control and complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus [the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Trial and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial] found no benefit of improved glycemic control on macrovascular complications. In fact, the ACCORD study found an increased mortality rate in the intensive glucose–control arm of the study, which was stopped earlier than planned. A major question that emanated from these studies was why intensive glycemic control did not produce beneficial effects. One …
Intensity coding in the frog retina. Quantitative relations between impulse and graded activity.

The impulse discharge of single on-off neurons and a graded field potential, the proximal negative response (PNR), were simultaneously recorded with an extracellular microelectrode in the inner frog retina. Normalized amplitude-intensity functions for the on-response of the PNR and the neuron's post-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) were nearly coincident and typically showed a dynamic range spanning approximately 2 log units of intensity. Thus a nearly linear relation is found between the amplitude of the PNR and the neuron's PSTH. A neuron's PSTH amplitude and maximum instantaneous frequency of discharge were usually highly correlated, but occasional marked disparities indicate that temporal jitter of the first spike latency is an additional, relatively independent variable influencing PSTH amplitude. It typically changes by a factor of 20–30 over the intensity range. These and other findings have implications for the functional significance of the PNR and the PSTH, for a possible linear link between amacrine and on-off ganglion cells, and for a mechanism of intensity coding in which temporal jitter of latency exerts a major role.
Complications of obstructive sleep apnea surgery.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder that occurs in 2% of women and 4% of men [1]. It is well recognized that OSA is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality [2,3]. The psychomotor sequelae of OSA include excessive daytime sleepiness, daytime fatigue, and poor sleep quality caused by sleep fragmentation [4,5]. These sequelae are likely the major reasons for seeking treatment by many patients who wish to improve their quality of life. Since the introduction of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) by Fujita et al [6] in 1979, the surgical treatment of OSA has evolved dramatically. Modern surgical techniques include laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, UPPP, genioglossus advancement, hyoid advancement, and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) [7–9]. Patients with OSA are significantly different from patients who undergo routine oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. Obesity is a major risk factor for OSA and is present in approximately 60% to 70% of the patients [1,10–13]. Airway narrowing is a uniform finding in OSA patients, whether caused by skeletal deformity, soft tissue excess, or a combination of both [14]. Finally, most patients with OSA who undergo surgical treatment are middle age and often have concurrent medical problems [15]. Consequently, the care of the patient with OSA presents a formidable challenge to the sleep surgeon. This article outlines the potential complications and their management. Complications of soft tissue surgery
The embodied statistician.

How do infants, children, and adults learn grammatical rules from the mere observation of grammatically structured sequences? We present an embodied hypothesis that a) people covertly imitate stimuli; b) imitation tunes the particular neuromuscular systems used in the imitation, facilitating transitions between the states corresponding to the successive grammatical stimuli; and c) the discrimination between grammatical and ungrammatical stimuli is based on differential ease of imitation of the sequences. We report two experiments consistent with the embodied account of statistical learning. Experiment 1 demonstrates that sequences composed of stimuli imitated with different neuromuscular systems were more difficult to learn compared to sequences imitated within a single neuromuscular system. Experiment 2 provides further evidence by showing that selectively interfering with the tuned neuromuscular system while attempting to discriminate between grammatical and ungrammatical sequences disrupted performance only on sequences imitated by that particular neuromuscular system. Together these results are difficult for theories postulating that grammatical rule learning is based primarily on abstract statistics representing transition probabilities.
Mechanical Stimulation Mediates Gene Expression in MC3T3 Osteoblastic Cells Differently in 2D and 3D Environments

Successful bone tissue engineering requires the understanding of cellular activity in three-dimensional (3D) architectures and how it compares to two-dimensional (2D) architecture. We developed a perfusion culture system that utilizes fluid flow to mechanically load a cell-seeded 3D scaffold. This study compared the gene expression of osteoblastic cells in 2D and 3D cultures, and the effects of mechanical loading on gene expression in 2D and 3D cultures. MC3T3-E1 osteoblastlike cells were seeded onto 2D glass slides and 3D calcium phosphate scaffolds and cultured statically or mechanically loaded with fluid flow. Gene expression of OPN and FGF-2 was upregulated at 24 h and 48 h in 3D compared with 2D static cultures, while collagen 1 gene expression was downregulated. In addition, while flow increased OPN in 2D culture at 48 h, it decreased both OPN and FGF-2 in 3D culture. In conclusion, gene expression is different between 2D and 3D osteoblast cultures under static conditions. Additionally, osteoblasts respond to shear stress differently in 2D and 3D cultures. Our results highlight the importance of 3D mechanotransduction studies for bone tissue engineering applications.
Territoriality in the green frog (Rana clamitans): Vocalizations and agonistic behaviour

Abstract Territorial behaviour of Rana clamitans was studied in an experimental pond containing natural vegetation and artificial shelters. Males defended territories from June through August. Five vocalizations were used in territorial advertisement and agonistic encounters. Agonistic behaviour included patrolling, splashing displays, chases, attacks and wrestling. About 23% of all encounters ended in wrestling bouts. Most bouts were less than 30 s long, but some lasted up to 45 min. Most fights were won by residents. Intruders were most successful in fights when they were larger than residents or previously had been residents of other territories. Weight loss by large males enabled some smaller males to oust residents from territories. Possible costs of fighting include energetic costs and exposure to predation. Large male body size in R. clamitans and other territorial frogs may be an adaptation for fighting.
Biopsychosocial characteristics of matched samples of delinquents and nondelinquents.

Matched samples of 31 incarcerated delinquents and 31 nondelinquents were compared neuropsychiatrically. The constellation of abuse/family violence, severe psychiatric symptomatology, cognitive impairment, minor neurological signs, and psychomotor symptoms correctly predicted group membership nearly 84% of the time. The most significant variable was abuse/family violence. This constellation also distinguished the more aggressive from the less aggressive subjects in each group. The existence of a syndrome characteristic of recurrently violent individuals composed of the above variables is suggested.
A Nonlinear Elastic Beam System with Inelastic Contact Constraints

Abstract. In this paper we study freely propagating inertial, i.e., unforced, waves, in an elastic beam constrained so that all motion takes place above and on a flat, rigid support surface, subject to a gravitational force and a compressive longitudinal load. Contact between the beam and the support surface is assumed to be completely inelastic. A nonlinear beam model is used, incorporating a quartic extension of the familiar quadratic potential energy functional for the standard Euler—Bernoulli model. After briefly reviewing the rationale for the model and some of its properties, as developed in earlier articles, we present existence and uniqueness results for the constrained system obtained with the use of a ``penalty function'' approach involving the addition of a ``uni-directional friction'' dissipative term, active only when the constraint is violated, to the unconstrained system.
An extension of a theorem of Jeroslow and Kortanek

Given a semi-infinite system of linear inequalities, including strict inequalities, it is shown that if every finite subsystem has a solution inR, then the entire system has a solution in the ordered fieldR(M) obtained by adjoining a transcendental greater than every real number.
Pneumocystis carinii otitis media and mastoiditis as the initial manifestation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

CASE REPORT A 37-year-old white homosexual man was seen in December 1986 after one month of hearing loss in the right ear without associated pain, tinnitus, or drainage. There was no history of prior ear infection or hearing loss. There was no intercurrent history of cough, sputum production, dyspnea, wheezing, night sweats, fever, weight change, diarrhea, skin changes, or oral symptoms. There was no history of blood transfusions, parenteral drug abuse, herpes zoster infection, anal herpes simplex infection, or gastrointestinal parasites. The patient had gonorrhea twice in the past and hepatitis 12 years earlier. He had been sexually active from age 19, had no sexual contact with anyone in whom AIDS subsequently developed, had a monogamous relationship for five years, and practiced "safe sex" using condoms. He had smoked 20 cigarettes per day for 17 years but denied any chronic pulmonary symptoms. The initial physical examination revealed opacification of the anterior and inferior quadrants medial to the right tympanic membrane. There whs a white, friable, vascular, nonpolypoid mass measuring 5 to 6 mm at the anteroinferior areas of the annulus adjacent to the affected area of the middle ear. There was no obvious perforation of the tympanic membrane. The nasopharynx, hypopharynx, and orifices to the eustachian tubes were normal. Mild nasal mucositis was present. The left external auditory canal and tympanic membrane were normal. Mild oropharyngeal candidiasis was present. The remainder of the physical examination was within normal limits except for generalized, nontender, nonmatted lymphadenopathy of 1 cm or less.
The Reliability and Validity of Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory Scores in Academically Talented Adolescents

In this study, the authors examined the reliability, structural validity, and concurrent validity of Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) scores in a group of 815 academically talented adolescents. Reliability estimates of the purported factors' scores were in the low to moderate range. Exploratory factor analysis supported a five-factor structure similar to the one proposed by Zimbardo and Boyd but also provided support for a six-factor structure that included an additional factor reflecting negative feelings about the future. ZTPI subscale intercorrelations were generally low, and intercorrelations between ZTPI subscale scores and other constructs were low, but in the expected directions. Results are discussed in light of the ZTPI's application to an adolescent-aged population.
Profiling Gene Transcription In Vivo Reveals Adipose Tissue as an Immediate Target of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Implications for Insulin Resistance

Despite extensive studies implicating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha as a contributing cause of insulin resistance, the mechanism(s) by which TNF-alpha alters energy metabolism in vivo and the tissue specificity of TNF-alpha action are unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of TNF-alpha infusion on gene expression and energy metabolism in adult rats. A 1-day TNF-alpha treatment decreased overall insulin sensitivity and caused a 70% increase (P = 0.005) in plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and a 46% decrease (P = 0.01) in ACRP30. A 4-day TNF-alpha infusion caused insulin resistance and significant elevation of plasma levels of FFAs and triglycerides and reduction of ACRP30. Plasma glucose concentration was not altered following TNF-alpha infusion for up to 4 days. As revealed by oligonucleotide microarrays, TNF-alpha evoked major and rapid changes in adipocyte gene expression, favoring FFA release and cytokine production, and fewer changes in liver gene expression, but favoring FFA and cholesterol synthesis and VLDL production. There was only a moderate repressive effect on skeletal muscle gene expression. We demonstrate that TNF-alpha antagonizes the actions of insulin, at least in part, through regulation of adipocyte gene expression including reduction in ACRP30 mRNA and induction of lipolysis resulting in increased plasma FFAs. TNF-alpha later alters systemic energy homeostasis that closely resembles the insulin resistance phenotype. Our data suggest that blockade of TNF-alpha action in adipose tissue may prevent TNF-alpha-induced insulin resistance in vivo.
Carbon‐proton coupling constants in α‐chlorostyrene‐α‐13C

The two stereochemically distinct two-bond carbon-13- hydrogen coupling constants J(13CCH), for α-chlorostyrene-α-13C have been shown to be of similar magnitude but opposite sign (−6.3 and +5.6 Hz). A simple additivity relationship which adequately reproduces all the reported J(13CCH) values for chloroethylenes has been found.
The unresponsiveness of aged mice to polysaccharide antigens is a result of a defect in macrophage function

A reduction in macrophage (MPhi) function with aging makes mice less responsive to bacterial capsular polysaccharides, such as those present in the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, a model of thymus independent (TI) antigen (Ag). Using trinitrophenol (TNP)-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TNP-Ficoll, two other well-studied TI Ag, we studied the mechanistic basis of reduced MPhi function in the aged. We show that aged mice are profoundly hyporesponsive to these TI Ag. As a result of a requirement for MPhi, highly purified B cells from young-adult mice do not respond to TI Ag. When purified, young B cells were immunized with TNP-Ficoll, the antibody production from those cultures reconstituted with MPhi from aged mice was significantly lower than that seen with young MPhi. Consequently, this unresponsiveness can be overcome by a mixture of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6. Upon stimulation with LPS, in comparison with young MPhi, aged MPhi secreted reduced amounts of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-12, cytokines necessary for B cells to respond to TI Ag. LPS also induced aged MPhi to produce an excess of IL-10. Neutralization of IL-10 enhanced the production of proinflamatory cytokines by MPhi upon LPS stimulation and also induced Ab production by aged splenocytes. Thus, the inability of aged MPhi to help the B cell response appears to be caused by an excess of IL-10. As aged MPhi have a reduced number of cells expressing Toll-like receptor 4 and CD14, the imbalance in cytokine production might be partly a result of fewer cells expressing key components of the LPS receptor complex.
Time-resolved spectroscopy of mitochondria, cells, and rat tissues under normal and pathological conditions

In this study, the detailed dependence of light scattering on tissue architecture and intracellular composition has been investigated. Firstly, we simulated the reduced scattering coefficient (μs) of the rat liver using the Mie theory, the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans approximation and electron microscopy data. Then, the reduced scattering coefficient of isolated rat liver mitochondria, isolated hepatocytes and various rat tissues (i.e. perfused liver, brain, muscle, tumors) was measured at 780 nm by using time-resolved spectroscopy and a sample-substitution protocol. The comparison of the isolated mitochondria data with the isolated hepatocyte and whole liver measurements suggests that the mitochondrial compartment is the primary factor for light propagation in hepatic tissue, thus strengthening the relevance of the preliminary theoretical study. Nevertheless, the possibility that other intracellular components, such as peroxisomes and lysosomes, interfere with light propagation in rat liver is discussed. Finally, we demonstrate that light scattering in normal rat tissues and tumors is roughly proportional to the mitochondrial content, according to estimates of the mitochondrial protein content of the tissues.(Mol Cell Biochem 184: 445–455, 1998)
Facial fibrosarcoma in two cows

Fibrosarcoma is a common tumor affecting bone, but is uncommon in cows. Reported here are two bovine cases of facial fibrosarcoma that were very invasive.
A distributed admission control to lower end-to-end delay in p-p-persistent 802.11 MAC protocol

In this paper, we present a measurement-assisted model- based distributed admission control mechanism (MM-DAC) to provide statistical QoS delay guarantees in the contention-based channel access of the legacy 802.11 WLANS in a single hop scenario. The admission control is added to our scheduler-based architecture which uses p-persistent 802.11 MAC as the basic channel access mechanism. The MM-DAC scheme uses delay predictions in making admission decisions and our simulation tests showed that it successfully meets the delay requirements of admitted flows and preserves low packet drop rates at high system loads.
Influence of Contagious versus Noncontagious Product Groupings on Consumer Preferences

This article studies the influence of product groupings on consumer preferences. Specifically, it is proposed that when each product in two groups has an equal chance of a gain, consumers prefer to choose from a group that appears more contagious (e.g., products arranged close together, similarly, or symmetrically). However, when each product in two groups has an equal chance of a loss, consumers prefer to choose from a group that appears less contagious (e.g., products arranged apart, dissimilarly, or asymmetrically). Across three experiments, the effect is demonstrated, and contagion theory is used to explicate the underlying process.
Strategies for Attachment Site Locations and Twist of the Intraarticular Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft

We modeled an intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament graft and investigated the effects of attachment orientation and twist of the graft on its isometry during quadriceps muscle loading. Physiologic levels of quadriceps muscle loads were applied to 15 intact cadaveric knees. We measured the changes in distance between points on the tibia and femur for knee flexion angles between 0 degree and 120 degrees using a three-dimensional digitizer. Selected points on the tibia and femur, representing graft attachment sites, allowed us to model the graft as a broad band. Distance was used to approximate graft fiber length. A 180 degrees twist in the graft significantly reduced the maximal range of changes in distance when the graft was attached in the anteroposterior direction. Range is defined as the difference between the largest and smallest changes in distance among the fibers of the graft for a given angle of flexion. This reduction enhanced isometry among the fibers of the graft. Enhanced isometry would be expected to enhance load sharing among these fibers, thereby increasing the overall strength of the graft. For a graft 10 mm wide and 4 mm thick, the dimensions of a typical patellar tendon graft, the best overall isometry was found when the breadth of the graft was attached to the tibia in the mediolateral direction, to the femur along the most isometric line, and with a 180 degrees twist in the graft.
Efficacy of amoxycillin and azithromycin for the empirical treatment of shelter cats with suspected bacterial upper respiratory infections

Thirty-one cats showing clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease with a presumed bacterial component based on clinical signs were administered either amoxycillin or azithromycin to determine which drug protocol was optimal for empirical use. A clinical score was determined and nasal and pharyngeal swabs were collected for bacterial culture, virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction prior to the start of therapy. Cats failing to respond to the initial antibiotic were then administered the other drug. There were no differences in clinical scores between the two groups at the start of therapy. Eleven of 31 cats improved after administration of the first antibiotic, 16 cats were switched to the alternate antibiotic, and four cats were removed from the study for additional supportive treatments. Eight of 27 cats failed to respond to either antibiotic. The χ2 test for outcomes revealed no differences in response to therapy for either antimicrobial.
Glia Maturation Factor-γ Negatively Modulates TLR4 Signaling by Facilitating TLR4 Endocytic Trafficking in Macrophages

TLR4 signaling must be tightly regulated to provide both effective immune protection and avoid inflammation-induced pathology. Thus, the mechanisms that negatively regulate the TLR4-triggered inflammatory response are of particular importance. Glia maturation factor-γ (GMFG), a novel actin depolymerization factor/cofilin superfamily protein that is expressed in inflammatory cells, has been implicated in mediating neutrophil and T cell migration, but its function in macrophage immune response remains unclear. In the current study, the role of GMFG in the LPS-induced TLR4-signaling pathway was investigated in THP-1 macrophages and human primary macrophages. LPS stimulation of macrophages decreased GMFG mRNA and protein expression. We show that GMFG negatively regulates LPS-induced activation of NF-κB–, MAPK-, and IRF3-signaling pathways and subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines and type I IFN in human macrophages. We found that endogenous GMFG localized within early and late endosomes. GMFG knockdown delayed LPS-induced TLR4 internalization and caused prolonged TLR4 retention at the early endosome, suggesting that TLR4 transport from early to late endosomes is interrupted, which may contribute to enhanced LPS-induced TLR4 signaling. Taken together, our findings suggest that GMFG functions as a negative regulator of TLR4 signaling by facilitating TLR4 endocytic trafficking in macrophages.
Coding Theory Adapted to Gait Perception

Restle's coding theory for movement perception is merged with certain aspects of Johansson's vector descriptions of movement to investigate the relative perceptual prominence of several kinds of displays of human walkers. Two versions of a coding model are entertained. The first considers the results of a demonstration and an experiment in which points of light are mounted in either of two ways: on major joints of the body or off them. Results suggest that on-joint displays are the better figures but that off-joint displays are fully adequate for representing human motion. Vector codes and a system for relating them are developed to reflect these results. This first model, however, is inadequate for a second demonstration in which the spatial relations among the lights are scrambled. The model's problem lies in the fact that it does not discriminate between a canonical walker display and the spatially anomalous one. Thus, the model is elaborated into a second form to account for the difference. It incorporates what my colleagues and I have called centers of moment. The force of this exercise is to demonstrate the necessity for movements and spatial extent to be coded interactively. Only in this way can a coding theory work in the domain of gait perception. Johansson (1973) demonstrated that the actions of human beings could be identified from the movements of lights mounted on the major joints of the body. That is, with the surround darkened, the flow pattern of
A Microwave Hologram Radar System

An airborne microwave hologram radar system has been developed which is a two-dimensional analog to optical holography. The field of view of the radar is directly below and to either side of the aircraft. Resolution is realized in the along-track direction by utilizing the synthetic aperture technique, and in the cross-track direction by means of a phased receiving array. The theory of operation is summarized, the demonstration system is described, and results for both the normal and contouring modes of operation are presented.
Entrepreneurs of Meaning Parents and the Process of Inclusive Education

This qualitative study analyzed the process of inclusive education experienced by parents of children with severe disabilities. Based on interviews with 20 parents, the study found that the process of inclusion extends beyond the parents' initial placement decision to their ongoing involvement at the school site. At the schools, parents actively participate in the work of inclusion. At the same time, the parents become entrepreneurs of meaning, shaping the definition and reality of inclusive education for their children.
Spiral antennas over a ground plane

One technique for achieving a balanced feed is the so-called infinite balun used by J.D. Dyson (1959). A coaxial cable is placed along one arm of the spiral and the center conductor of the cable is connected to the other arm at the feed point. This structure is, however, somewhat difficult to build, and an easier implementation of the infinite balun is described in a brochure of the Ball Corporation (1983). A microstrip feed line connected to one arm of the spiral at the feed point is etched on one side of a thin substrate. The other arm of the spiral is etched on the other side of the substrate and serves as the ground plane for the microstrip line. The microstrip line can be tapered to provide an impedance transformation, if desired. Several one- and two-arm geometries were modeled using an integral equation formulation with patch basis functions. The mesh for a one-arm conical spiral, including its image and the triangular fins that provide the transition to a voltage generator, is shown together with the mesh used to model a planar, two-arm, one-turn spiral operated over a ground plane. >
An Analysis of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire

In the workplace, coping by the individual is an adaptational process for maintaining interpersonal relationships, solving task-related problems, and ameliorating the emotional consequences of stre...
Acoustically-Driven Talking Face Synthesis using Dynamic Bayesian Networks

Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBNs) have been widely studied in multi-modal speech recognition applications. Here, we introduce DBNs into an acoustically-driven talking face synthesis system. Three prototypes of DBNs, namely independent, coupled, and product HMMs were studied. Results showed that the DBN methods were more effective in this study than a multilinear regression baseline. Coupled and product HMMs performed similarly better than independent HMMs in terms of motion trajectory accuracy. Audio and visual speech asynchronies were represented differently for coupled HMMs versus product HMMs.
Competitive Binding Inhibition Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay That Uses the Secreted Aspartyl Proteinase of Candida albicans as an Antigenic Marker for Diagnosis of Disseminated Candidiasis

The secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) of Candida albicans have been implicated as virulence factors associated with adherence and tissue invasion. The potential use of proteinases as markers of invasive candidiasis led us to develop a competitive binding inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect Sap in clinical specimens. Daily serum and urine specimens were collected from rabbits that had been immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide and cortisone acetate and infected intravenously with 107 C. albicans blastoconidia. Disseminated infection was confirmed by organ culture and histopathology. Although ELISA inhibition was observed when serum specimens from these rabbits were used, more significant inhibition, which correlated with disease progression, occurred when urine specimens were used. Urine collected as early as 1 day after infection resulted in significant ELISA inhibition (mean inhibition ± standard error [SE] compared with preinfection control urine, 15.7% ± 2.7% [P < 0.01]), and inhibition increased on days 2 through 5 (29.4% ± 4.8% to 44.5% ± 3.5% [P < 0.001]). Urine specimens from immunosuppressed rabbits infected intravenously with Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, or Staphylococcus aureus were negative in the assay despite culture-proven dissemination. Nonimmunosuppressed rabbits receiving oral tetracycline and gentamicin treatment were given 2 × 108 C. albicans blastoconidia orally or intraurethrally to establish colonization of the gastrointestinal tract or bladder, respectively, without systemic dissemination; urine specimens from these rabbits also gave negative ELISA results. Dissemination to the kidney and spleen occurred in one rabbit challenged by intragastric inoculation, and urine from this rabbit demonstrated significant inhibition in the ELISA (mean inhibition ± SE by day 3 after infection, 32.9% ± 2.7% [P < 0.001]). The overall test sensitivity was 83%, the specificity was 92%, the positive predictive value was 84%, the negative predictive value was 91%, and the efficiency was 89% (166 urine samples from 33 rabbits tested). The specificity, positive predictive value, and efficiency could be increased to 97, 95, and 92%, respectively, if at least two positive test results were required for a true positive designation. The ELISA was sensitive and specific for the detection of Sap in urine specimens from rabbits with disseminated C. albicans infection, discriminated between colonization and invasive disease, reflected disease progression and severity, and has the potential to be a noninvasive means to diagnose disseminated candidiasis.
A two-step algorithm for model-based FDI

The author proposed an algorithm for model-based failure detection and isolation (FDI) in dynamic systems that performs the FDI with two separate subprocessors, a detector and an isolator. The algorithm modifies current structured and direction-fixed FDI methods, facilities FDI design, and, in many cases, has less computational complexity than one-step techniques. >
Image Theory, Social Identity, and Social Dominance: Structural Characteristics and Individual Motives Underlying International Images

The present study provides an empirical test of international relations image theory and extends the theory by emphasizing that individuals’ social identity and social dominance motives contribute to such images. One hundred forty-five Lebanese participants completed a survey that assessed their perceptions of U.S.-Lebanese relations, the images they have of the United States, their social identities, and their social dominance orientations. Participants were more likely to hold the barbarian image of the United States than the enemy, imperialist, or ally images. Participants also tended to perceive the United States as having relatively superior power, inferior cultural status, and goals that are incompatible with those of Lebanon. Consistent with image theory predictions, this constellation of structural perceptions was associated with stronger endorsement of the barbarian image. Furthermore, participants were more likely to endorse the barbarian image of the United States the more they identified with Arabs and Palestinians, the less they identified with Christians and the Western world, and the lower their social dominance orientation. Results highlight the importance of considering both structural characteristics and individual motives underlying international images and demonstrate the need for scholars to move beyond the enemy image of nations when describing international relations.
Group-theoretic derivation of equations for massive and massless spin-one and spin-one-half fields

With direct-product reduction of Lorentz-group representations first-order field equations are shown to be divisible into two, physically significant, classes, whose solutions of the corresponding equations are only in part related bym→0, even though the classes correspond to existing rest frame and lack thereof. For spin-one-half and mass-zero generalized Weyl equations come about, which include potentiallike functions. These nonhelical functions do not exist for Majorana neutrinos. For spin-one fields of mass zero the potential term assumes quite naturally the form of a necessary condition for the existence of Dirac-like monopoles.
The case for urban vehicles: Powertrain optimization of a power-split hybrid for fuel economy on multiple drive cycles

Designing vehicles specifically for city use is a topic of increasing interest in the transportation community. Hybrid vehicle design typically seeks to maximize fuel economy subject to acceleration performance and other constraints, based upon the expected driving needs of the average user. Fuel economy predictions are inaccurate when the vehicle’s expected and actual uses are different. This paper studies the variation in design and fuel economy for a vehicle with a power-split hybrid electric powertrain optimized on a range of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drive cycles, from the high-speed US-06 cycle to the low-speed New York City cycle. Results show variation of up to 9.8% in fuel economy and up to 41% in electric motor size. The vehicle designed for the dense urban environment has the largest variation in fuel economy, whereas the other vehicles have more similar performance. These results imply that the urban vehicle is the least robust and offers motivation for developing urban-specific vehicles. This analysis provides only a lower bound on potential performance because it does not consider possible vehicle downsizing or other design changes to meet customer expectations in urban use.© 2010 ASME
Evaporation from American Falls Reservoir in Idaho via a Combination of Bowen Ratio and Eddy Covariance

Evaporation and energy balance components were measured and estimated for the American Falls reservoir of SE Idaho during 2004. The energy balance for this reservoir that stores snow-melt is dominated by water heat storage that consumes more than one-half of net radiation during the growing season. Evaporation fluxes from the reservoir average less than 40% of alfalfa reference ET, which indicates relatively efficient water storage. Some general relationships between albedo as sensed by satellite and water turbidity and among air and water temperature are presented that may be useful in satellite-based simulation of the energy balance and evaporation processes from the reservoir.
Properties of Ti1−xAlxN Deposited Using Dual Rotatable Magnetrons for Automotive Glass Privacy Coatings

Optically thin films of Ti1−xAlxN were sputter deposited using dual rotatable cathodes in nitrogen and argon-nitrogen environments. The sputtering parameters and film properties were analyzed to develop predictive techniques for possible feedback control during deposition. Also, it was found that feedback control during deposition was suitable for controlling film composition in some magnet configurations.
Hysteroscopic polypectomy for women undergoing IVF treatment: when is it necessary?

Purpose of reviewThe objectives of the present review are to discuss the role of endometrial polyps in infertility and to analyze the evidence for hysteroscopic polypectomy prior to IVF.Recent findingsEndometrial polyps are frequently found during routine workup for infertility and are known to nega
You are not alone. Advocacy for children and young adults with rheumatic diseases.

This article contains information to assist people who are interested in children with rheumatic diseases and ways to become an effective advocate. The story of a parent of a child with arthritis illustrates the advocacy process, and basic information on where to start and who to call is listed.
Bacterial Meningitis Outcome

The neurologic, psychological, and educational outcomes of bacterial meningitis in 130 children evaluated at a mean age of 8 years, and 6 years after their meningitis, are reported from the Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, University of Melbourne, and the Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
A Compton-suppressed phoswich detector for radioxenon measurements

A phoswich detector with Compton suppression capability has been developed and assembled for measuring low concentration of xenon radioisotopes in the atmosphere. The phoswich detector has been designed with three scintillation layers. Beta-gamma coincidence events from radioxenon isotopes are identified when a coincidence energy absorption is detected from the first (BC-400) and second (CsI(Tl) crystal) scintillation layers. To identify and reject scattered photons from CsI(Tl) crystal, the crystal is surrounded by a BGO scintillation layer. In this paper, detector assembly steps and our recent measurements with lab sources and radioxenon isotopes produced in the Oregon State University's TRIGA reactor will be discussed.
Intrauterine insemination outperforms intracervical insemination in a randomized, controlled study with frozen, donor semen

Objective To assess the efficacy of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in a donor insemination program. Design Prospective randomized clinical trial. Setting Donor insemination program. Patients, Participants Women undergoing insemination were randomly assigned to receive either IUI or intracervical insemination for a maximum of six cycles. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Cycle fecundity rates between the two routes were compared. Results The monthly fecundity rate for intracervical insemination was 5.1% compared with 23% by IUI. By life table analysis, pregnancy rates for IUI were significantly higher than intracervical insemination ( P =0.02). Conclusions Intrauterine insemination with quarantined donor sperm is superior to intracervical insemination.