cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A low-distortion K-band GaAs power FET

A K-band low-distortion GaAs power MESFET was developed by incorporating a pulse-type channel doping profile using molecular-beam-epitaxial technology and a novel 0.3- mu m T-shaped gate. The low-distortion FETs offer about 10 to 15 dBc improvement in second-harmonic distortion compared to devices fabricated on a uniformity doped active layer. Significantly larger power load-pull contours are obtained with the low-distortion devices, indicating the improved linearity of these devices. In an 8-20-GHz single-stage broad-band amplifier, up to 10 dBc improvement in harmonic performance was achieved using the low-distortion device. This low-distortion device exhibits very linear transconductance as a function of the gate bias. A typical 750- mu m-gate-width device is capable of 26 dBm of output power with 6 dB of gain, and power-added efficiency in excess of 35% when measured at 18 GHz. At 25 GHz, the device is capable of 24 dBm of output power with 5 dB associated gain. >
Duplication Frequency in a Population of Salmonella enterica Rapidly Approaches Steady State With or Without Recombination

Tandem duplications are among the most common mutation events. The high loss rate of duplication suggested that the frequency of duplications in a bacterial population (1/1000) might reflect a steady state dictated by relative rates of formation (k(F)) and loss (k(L)). This possibility was tested for three genetic loci. Without homologous recombination (RecA), duplication loss rate dropped essentially to zero, but formation rate decreased only slightly and a steady state was still reached rapidly. Under all conditions, steady state was reached faster than predicted by formation and loss rates alone. A major factor in determining steady state proved to be the fitness cost, which can exceed 40% for some genomic regions. Depending on the region tested, duplications reached 40-98% of the steady-state frequency within 30 generations-approximately the growth required for a single cell to produce a saturated overnight culture or form a large colony on solid medium (10(9) cells). Long-term bacterial populations are stably polymorphic for duplications of every region of their genome. These polymorphisms contribute to rapid genetic adaptation by providing frequent preexisting mutations that are beneficial whenever imposed selection favors increases in some gene activity. While the reported results were obtained with the bacterium Salmonella enterica, the genetic implications seem likely to be of broader biological relevance.
Provenance and the Price of Identity

As developers acknowledge that provenance is essential, more and more datasets are attempting to keep provenance records describing how they were created. Some of these datasets are constructed using workflows, others cobble together processes and applications to manipulate the data. While the provenance needs are the same, the inputs and set of processes used must be kept, the identity needs are very different. We outline several identification strategies that can be used for data manipulation outside of workflows. We evaluate these strategies in terms of time to create and store identity, and the space needed to keep this information. Additionally, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy.
Reliability of Retrospectively Assessed Categorical Menstrual Cycle Length Data

Purpose Prospective diaries have been shown to be more reliable than retrospective questionnaires for the assessment of menstrual cycle length collected as continuous data. We investigated the reliability of retrospectively collected categorical cycle length data. Methods In 2005, 67 women from Illinois and Vermont completed a menstrual diary and retrospective questionnaire. Based on commonly used cutpoints for normal cycle length, we created 2-, 3- and 4-category cycle length variables, calculated percent agreement, Cohen's kappa and prevalence index and investigated factors associated with accurate reporting. Results Overall agreement between diary and questionnaire responses was highest for the 2-category cycle length variable, 35 days (93%), and the 3-category variable, 35 days (82%). While Cohen's kappa fell below 0.6, its magnitude was limited by a high prevalence of “normal”" cycle length. Women with regular cycles were slightly more likely to have concordant responses. Conclusions In epidemiologic studies where cycle length categories are of interest, the limitations of prospective diaries in terms of cost, compliance, attrition and power must be carefully weighed against the potentially decreased reliability of questionnaire data.
Utility accrual scheduling under joint utility and resource constraints

We extend time/utility functions and utility accrual model with the concept of joint utility functions (or JUFs) that allow an activity's utility to be described as a function of the completion times of other activities and their progress. We also specify the concept of progressive utility that generalizes the previously studied imprecise computational model, by describing an activity's utility as a function of its progress. Given such an extended utility accrual model, we consider the scheduling criterion of maximizing the weighted sum of completion time, progressive, and joint utilities. We present an algorithm called the combined utility accrual algorithm (or CUA)for this criterion. Experimental measurements with an implementation of CUA on a POSIX RTOS illustrate the effectiveness of JUFs in a class of applications of interest to us
Fast power grid simulation

The decrease in feature size and added chip functionality in large sub-micron integrated circuits demand larger grids for power distribution. Since power grids are performance limiting factors [1, 2, 3], then their analysis is important in order to (1) predict the performance and (2) improve the performance if necessary. Thus, there is a clear need for new efficient, in terms of both execution time and memory, techniques for power grid analysis.This paper discusses the modeling of power grids and proposes a new PDE-like multigrid method for the simulation of power grids. The proposed method is very efficient and suitable for both DC and transient simulation of power grids.
Advanced Cytologic Techniques for the Detection of Malignant Pancreatobiliary Strictures

Background & Aims: Two advanced cytologic techniques for detecting aneuploidy—digital image analysis (DIA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)—have recently been developed to help identify malignant pancreatobiliary strictures. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical utility of cytology, DIA, and FISH for the identification of malignant pancreatobiliary strictures. Methods: Brush cytologic specimens from 233 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for pancreatobiliary strictures were examined by all 3 (cytology, DIA, and FISH) techniques. Strictures were stratified as proximal (n = 33) or distal (n = 114) based on whether they occurred above or below the cystic duct, respectively. Strictures in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 86) were analyzed separately. Results: Despite the stratification, the performances of the tests were similar. Conventional cytology has a low sensitivity (4%–20%) but 100% specificity. Because of the high specificity for cytology, we assessed the performance of the other tests when conventional cytology was negative. In this clinical context, FISH had an increased sensitivity (35%–60%) when assessing for chromosomal gains (polysomy) while preserving the specificity of cytology. The sensitivity and specificity of DIA was intermediate as compared with routine cytology and FISH but was additive to FISH values demonstrating only trisomy of chromosome 7 or chromosome 3. Conclusions: These findings suggest that FISH and DIA increase the sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant pancreatobiliary tract strictures over that obtained by conventional cytology while maintaining an acceptable specificity.
Calcium Flux in Neutrophils Synchronizes β2 Integrin Adhesive and Signaling Events that Guide Inflammatory Recruitment

Intracellular calcium flux is an early step in the signaling cascade that bridges ligation of selectin and chemokine receptors to activation of adhesive and motile functions during recruitment on inflamed endothelium. Calcium flux was imaged in real time and provided a means of correlating signaling events in neutrophils rolling on E-selectin and stimulated by chemokine in a microfluidic chamber. Integrin dependent neutrophil arrest was triggered by E-selectin tethering and ligation of IL-8 seconds before a rapid rise in intracellular calcium, which was followed by the onset of pseudopod formation. Calcium flux on rolling neutrophils increased in a shear dependent manner, and served to link integrin adhesion and signaling of cytoskeletally driven cell polarization. Abolishing calcium influx through membrane expressed store operated calcium channels inhibited activation of high affinity β2 integrin and subsequent cell arrest. We conclude that calcium influx at the plasma membrane integrates chemotactic and adhesive signals, and functions to synchronize signaling of neutrophil arrest and migration in a shear stress dependent manner.
Resilient tissue surface in complete dentures.

Resilient plastics may be indicated for use on the tissue surfaces o f postsurgical obturators, as a means of stabilizing rec­ ord bases, and as a tissue conditioner. Resilient liners are compatible with the soft tissues of the mouth. T hey permit a simple, expeditious method whereby the dentist can overcom e some of the clinical problems associated with prosthodontics. Because resilient liners differ widely in their physical properties, a liner should be chosen that demonstrates those prop­ erties desirable for a specific procedure.
Functional TRPM7 Channels Accumulate at the Plasma Membrane in Response to Fluid Flow

Many cells are constantly exposed to fluid mechanical forces generated by flowing blood, and wall shear stresses modulate aspects of their structure and function. However, the mechanisms for mechanotransduction of flow are not well understood. Here we report that TRPM7, which is both an ion channel and a functional kinase, is translocated within cells in response to laminar flow. After exposure of cells to physiological values of laminar fluid flow, the number of TRPM7 molecules localized at or near the plasma membrane increased up to 2-fold, in less than 100 seconds. This increase in membrane-localized GFP-TRPM7, as seen by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, closely correlated with increases in TRPM7 current. Both endogenous and heterologously expressed TRPM7 was found in tubulovesicular structures that were translocated to the region of the plasma membrane on induction of shear stress. In vascular smooth muscle cells, but not in several types of endothelial cells, fluid flow increased endogenous native TRPM7 current amplitude. We hypothesize that TRPM7 plays a role in pathological response to vessel wall injury.
Deadlock avoidance for production systems with flexible routing

The objective of this work is to characterize the deadlock avoidance problem for systems with flexible routing capabilities. Specifically, the paper addresses deadlock avoidance for single capacity systems (each machine has a single unit of buffer capacity), and mixed capacity systems (some machines have multiple units of buffer capacity). For each of these, we characterize deadlock and prove the correctness of several methods of suboptimal deadlock avoidance. We also address two interesting special cases. The first assumes that every stage of every part type can be performed on at least one multiple capacity machine, whereas the second provides a finite central buffer that can be revisited after every processing stage. For the first case, we present two suboptimal deadlock avoidance approaches, while for the second case, we show optimal deadlock avoidance to be computationally tractable.
Which DNA Damage is Likely to Be Relevant in Hormetic Responses

Working under the assumption that hormesis is triggered by specific types of DNA damage, this report focuses on the types of damage which form the signature of ionizing radiation. The key attribute of the signature is the clustering of damage, arising from clusters of energy deposition such that more than one site within a 10 base pair segment of DNA has been chemically altered. A brief overview is given on what is currently believed to be the primary components of clustered damage produced by the direct effect. The overview draws primarily on studies that utilize electron paramagnetic resonance to measure free radical intermediates and gel electrophoresis to measure clustered damage in plasmid DNA. Based on this information, the threshold for a radiation induced biological response is calculated.
Pulmonary Hypertension and Noncardiac Surgery: Implications for the Anesthesiologist

HE PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a growing concern for anesthesiologists worldwide as more patients with PH are presenting for elective noncardiac surgery. As a direct result of increased awareness and discovery of new medical therapies, patients with PH not only have a longer life expectancy, but also an improved quality of life. 1 Despite these recent advances, surgery still poses a significant risk for patients with PH. 2–5 A considerable amount of data already have been published showing increased mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with PH. 6–9 There are, however, much less data investigating the outcomes of patients with PH in the setting of noncardiac surgery. In a retrospective study by Ramakrishna et al, 42% of PH patients who underwent noncardiac surgery had 1 or more short-term morbid events, and 7% of patients had early death, which was due primarily to respiratory or right ventricular (RV) failure. 4 These outcomes have been compared to other high-risk populations undergoing noncardiac surgery such as elderly patients older than 80 years of age who experienced a mortality of 4.6%, 10 or those older than 65 years who experienced a mortality of 3.4%. 11 This review will discuss the classifications, pathophysiology, and the anesthetic management of patients with PH for noncardiac surgery.
Cardenolides, induced responses, and interactions between above- and belowground herbivores of milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Theory has long predicted allocation patterns for plant defense against herbivory, but only recently have both above- and belowground plant defenses been considered simultaneously. Milkweeds in the genus Asclepias are a classic chemically defended clade of plants with toxic cardenolides (cardiac glycosides) and pressurized latex employed as anti-herbivore weapons. Here we combine a comparative approach to investigate broadscale patterns in allocation to root vs. shoot defenses across species with a species-specific experimental approach to identify the consequences of defense allocational shifts on a specialist herbivore. Our results show phylogenetic conservatism for inducibility of shoot cardenolides by an aboveground herbivore, with only four closely related tropical species showing significant induction; the eight temperate species examined were not inducible. Allocation to root and shoot cardenolides was positively correlated across species, and this relationship was maintained after accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence. In contrast to long-standing theoretical predictions, we found no evidence for a trade-off between constitutive and induced cardenolides; indeed the two were positively correlated across species in both roots and shoots. Finally, specialist root and shoot herbivores of common milkweed (A. syriaca) had opposing effects on latex production, and these effects had consequences for caterpillar growth consistent with latex providing resistance. Although cardenolides were not affected by our treatments, A. syriaca allocated 40% more cardenolides to shoots over roots. We conclude that constitutive and inducible defenses are not trading off across plant species, and shoots of Asclepias are more inducible than roots. Phylogenetic conservatism cannot explain the observed patterns of cardenolide levels across species, but inducibility per se was conserved in a tropical clade. Finally, given that above- and belowground herbivores can systemically alter the defensive phenotype of plants, we concur with recent calls for a whole-plant perspective in testing models of plant defense allocation.
The Risk Attitudes of U.S. Farmers

I compare the distribution of risk attitudes of farm owners in the United States to nonfarm business owners and the general population using a measure of risk tolerance collected from national surveys. I find that farmers are significantly more tolerant of risk than the general population, though they are significantly less tolerant of risk than nonfarm business owners. Once demographic differences are controlled, farm and nonfarm business owners are more similar in their risk attitudes and both groups remain significantly more risk tolerant than the general population. First-generation farmers display greater risk tolerance than farmers who inherit operations from family members, as do farmers who have just begun operating a farm; neither pattern emerges among nonfarm business owners. The most risk tolerant farmers are young and male with larger operations, higher incomes, less formal education and close proximity to metropolitan centers. Among farmers, those with less diversified operations and those with specialty enterprises are more risk tolerant than other types of farmers. Crop farmers are less risk tolerant than fruit and vegetable farmers or farmers with specialty enterprises, while farmers who receive government payments or buy enterprise insurance are not significantly different in risk tolerance from farmers who eschew such opportunities. These findings stimulate questions about how farm programs and the distinct challenges of entry in the production agriculture sector shape the underlying distribution of key farmer characteristics such as risk tolerance.
Camp experiences in the lives of adolescents with serious illnesses

This study explored the experiences of a summer camp for adolescents with serious illnesses and included interview responses from campers with different types of serious illnesses. Twenty-four youth aged 14–15 with cancer, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, or metabolic diseases provided videotaped interviews that were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach, and frequencies of responses per theme and diagnosis were computed. Camp experiences varied across diagnostic groups and featured: a sense of belonging, enjoyment, being myself, positive affect, camp programming, adult staff, personal growth, and escape. Some qualitative variations existed between diagnosis groups. Campers with cancer perceived camp as a place for sense of belonging, personal growth, and escape. Campers with HIV/AIDS perceived camp as an opportunity for a sense of belonging, being myself, camp programming, and escape. Campers with sickle cell disease perceived camp as a place for enjoyment, adult staff, being myself, personal growth, and escape. Campers with metabolic diseases perceived camp as a place for personal growth and positive affect. Professionals caring for youth with serious illnesses should consider adding camp to the list of interventions to promote children's well-being. Future research should include more youth and illness types.
Failing to Know Martin Luther King, Jr.

A saying favored by the French fits Martin Luther King, Jr.'s chronic plagiarism in graduate school: It was worse than a crime; it was a mistake. It was a mistake in the sense that it was a repeated act of self-betrayal and subversion of the rules of scholarship that was unnecessary from the point of view of ability or circumstances. As the first scholarly biographer of the primary American civil rights leader of the century (devoting the chapter "The Philosopher King" to King's graduate school years), I had learned very little about King that I did not already suspect or that, in the absence of suspicions, I found genuinely astonishing until nearly a year ago. With the revelations detailed above by the Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers Project, that is, regrettably, no longer the case. I was as appalled to learn of Dr. King's plagiarism as project director Clayborne Carson and his associates must have been pained to make them public in a forthright, thorough divulgence. Twenty-one years ago I cinched my seat belt for the rough ride ahead over the sexual potholes in Dr. King's career -although chasm might be the more apt characterization after the publication of the Reverend Ralph David Abernathy's unfortunate recent memoir. There have been jolts aplenty but never disorientation on the biographical trail, from John A. Williams via David Garrow and Taylor Branch to Ralph Abernathy, of seamy capers in motels and Oval Office auditions of lubricious Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tapes. Admittedly, my own views on the constitutional inviolability of private sexual conduct gave me a rather high shock threshold, but it was far more relevant that, from virtually the first days of research, I was made abundantly aware, both by partisans and denigrators, of the large factor of sex in the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr.1 An early research experience, illustrative of the uses and abuses equally of sex and race in American life, contributed enormously to my sangfroid in doing biography. In a late sixties press interview, a conservative United States senator, a leading Republican, digressed off the record with one of my sources to deplore Dr. King's
Gender Differences in Stress and Coping Among Adults Living in Hawai`i

Background and purpose. Stress has been recognized as a public health problem. However, little research has been done on gender differences in sources of stress and coping strategies in Hawaii. In this study, we hypothesized that: 1) women will report higher levels of stress than men; 2) women will report being stressed by family and health related stressors while men will report stress related to finances and work-related issues; 3) women will report using adaptive coping strategies more frequently while men will report using maladaptive and avoidance strategies more frequently; 4) there will be no gender differences in the readiness to use stress management strategies. Method. A statewide cross-sectional telephone-survey of 1518 participants was conducted during the spring and summer of 2006. Results. Women reported higher overall perceived stress levels, but there was no difference in the experienced social stressors and health stressors between genders. Men perceived more stress from personal factors. There were no gender differences in the perceived ability to cope with stress. However, women were more likely to use adaptive coping strategies, whereas men were more likely to use maladaptive and avoidance coping strategies. There were no significant gender differences in stages of change for stress management. Conclusion. Based on this study, interventions can be developed to help people better cope with stress. Interventions for women may focus on increasing the use of adaptive strategies such as praying and talking to friends and family, while interventions for men may introduce the use of adaptive coping strategies such as exercise and actively fighting causes of stress. This study shows that gender differences in stress levels and coping in Hawaii are similar to previous studies conducted on the mainland. More research into specific stressors and coping strategies may help tailor interventions that are more effective and comprehensive.
Computer modeling on wind histories with spatial correlativity and the program in Matlab

Wind histories considering time and spatial correlativity has been simulated by auto regressive simulation method in this paper,and the parameters for wind load calculating are introduced.Based the Matlab,the program for wind histories modeling is given.The method for programming and some key problems are also introduced.Comparing with the objective power spectrum density and autocorrelation function,it indicates that the program in this paper is reliable.
Understanding the structure of skill through a detailed analysis of Individuals' performance on the Space Fortress game

In this paper we describe a novel approach to the study of individual differences in acquired skilled performance in complex laboratory tasks based on an extension of the methodology of the expert-performance approach (Ericsson & Smith, 1991) to shorter periods of training and practice. In contrast to more traditional approaches that study the average performance of groups of participants, we explored detailed behavioral changes for individual participants across their development on the Space Fortress game. We focused on dramatic individual differences in learning and skill acquisition at the individual level by analyzing the archival game data of several interesting players to uncover the specific structure of their acquired skill. Our analysis revealed that even after maximal values for game-generated subscores were reached, the most skilled participant's behaviors such as his flight path, missile firing, and mine handling continued to be refined and improved (Participant 17 from Boot et al., 2010). We contrasted this participant's behavior with the behavior of several other participants and found striking differences in the structure of their performance, which calls into question the appropriateness of averaging their data. For example, some participants engaged in different control strategies such as "world wrapping" or maintaining a finely-tuned circular flight path around the fortress (in contrast to Participant 17's angular flight path). In light of these differences, we raise fundamental questions about how skill acquisition for individual participants should be studied and described. Our data suggest that a detailed analysis of individuals' data is an essential step for generating a general theory of skill acquisition that explains improvement at the group and individual levels.
RPC STEREO PROCESSOR (RSP) – A SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR DIGITAL SURFACE MODEL AND ORTHOPHOTO GENERATION FROM SATELLITE STEREO IMAGERY

Large-scale Digital Surface Models (DSM) are very useful for many geoscience and urban applications. Recently developed dense image matching methods have popularized the use of image-based very high resolution DSM. Many commercial/public tools that implement matching methods are available for perspective images, but there are rare handy tools for satellite stereo images. In this paper, a software package, RPC (rational polynomial coefficient) stereo processor (RSP), is introduced for this purpose. RSP implements a full pipeline of DSM and orthophoto generation based on RPC modelled satellite imagery (level 1+), including level 2 rectification, geo-referencing, point cloud generation, pan-sharpen, DSM resampling and ortho-rectification. A modified hierarchical semi-global matching method is used as the current matching strategy. Due to its high memory efficiency and optimized implementation, RSP can be used in normal PC to produce large format DSM and orthophotos. This tool was developed for internal use, and may be acquired by researchers for academic and non-commercial purpose to promote the 3D remote sensing applications.
FDG PET/CT for the assessment of malignant and benign HIV-associated neurologic complications

1234 Objectives 1. To present the current diagnostic role of FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and management of malignant and benign neurologic complications in HIV positive patients. 2. To discuss the available evidence and knowledge gaps in regards to HIV-associated neurologic complications 3. To discuss the special considerations in FDG PET/CT imaging of HIV positive patients to avoid the common imaging pitfalls in this high risk population. Methods As much as 10% of HIV positive patients will present with neurologic symptoms and 40% to 60% of these patients will eventually develop benign or malignant neurologic complications at some point. FDG PET/CT has been widely used for the evaluation of HIV-associated malignancies for diagnosis, staging and detection of metastasis and treatment monitoring. It is also known that FDG PET/CT can help to make distinction between infectious and malignant CNS lesions in HIV positive patients, which is very important for initiating the appropriate treatment and abrogating the need for biopsy. In addition, PET/CT has the capability of monitoring the response to therapy. Results . In this presentation, the evolving role of FDG PET/CT in the following HIV-associated neurologic complications according to the most recent available evidence will be reviewed: 1. HIV associated motor and cognitive disorders or AIDS-dementia complex. 2. AIDS-associated CNS tumors such as lymphoma 3. Opportunistic CNS infections such as toxoplasmosis and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Conclusions At the end, we will present the most common and important pitfalls in FDG PET/CT imaging of HIV positive patients.
An Exploration of Two 'Modern Classrooms': Elementary Science and Technology in the Shadows of Time, Standards, and Testing.

This study explored two elementary teachers and their students’ perceptions of multiliteracies in science. The technological components of multiliteracies, including online communication tools, were of particular interest for this paper. The multiple case study included: two teachers and their students. One teacher taught a fourth grade classroom and the other a fifth grade classroom located in the same elementary school. Data collection included field observations, semi-structured teacher interviews, student focus groups, and semi-structured student interviews. Through extensive data analysis, we have constructed cases that represent the multiliteracies framework of a Modern Classroom defined by characteristics that include: 1) increasing and evolving access and use of technology, and 2) a lingering shroud of accountability to factors such as testing performance, state standards, and time limitations. Specifically, students voiced perceptions of technology as an effective tool for learning science and communicating in and out of the classroom. Teachers, though aware of the value of technology in science education, expressed concerns with logistical and pedagogical issues of implementation (e.g., grading online assignments and access to the internet). Teachers also noted time limitations and the breadth of standards as barriers to teaching science through inquiry. Whereas some students imagined the modern science classrooms as engaging with meaningful “projects,” other students demonstrated an enculturation to the common process of “schooling” involving reading then testing.
Molecular Gas in the Centers of Barred and Starburst Galaxies

High resolution interferometric CO maps of the circumnuclear regions of several barred galaxies show intense CO emission arising from twin peaks, which are oriented perpendicular to the large-scale stellar bars and located where dust lanes intersect nuclear rings of HII regions. These twin gas concentrations can be explained by the crowding of gas streamlines near stellar inner Lindblad resonances. In the barred nuclear starburst galaxy NGC 3504, a large concentration of molecular gas is centered on the nucleus, apparently inside an inner Lindblad resonance. Star formation is consuming the gas most rapidly where the rotation curve is nearly solid body, suggesting that tidal shear helps control the rate of star formation. A comparison with M82 and NGC 1068 suggests that the starburst in NGC 3504 is in an early phase of its evolution, and that starburst evolution is strongly influenced by shear.
Occlusal Pressure Redistribution with Single Implant Restorations.

Purpose To describe the occlusal pressure redistribution in dental arches following placement of single posterior implant-supported restorations in occlusion with natural dentitions. Materials and Methods Fifteen patients who presented for successfully osseointegrated single posterior implant restorations participated in the study. Cement-retained, all-ceramic implant crowns were fabricated and delivered after adjustment for interproximal contacts, fit, and uniform occlusal contacts. Occlusal pressure distribution was recorded with a digital sensor that reported contact point forces as a percentage of total pressure applied to the sensor. Measurements were taken before and after restoration for comparison. The distribution of relative occlusal stress was analyzed for statistical significance by location. Results The results indicated that placement of posterior implant-supported restorations increased the bite pressure in the sextants containing the restorations by an average of 4.18% (p = 0.019) of the maximum value registered (maximum bite pressure). The contralateral occlusal load was found to decrease by 2.9% (p = 0.047) of the maximum value registered; however, there was no significant difference among or between the tooth positions. Conclusion Single posterior implant-supported restorations significantly increased the percentage (%) of total occlusal pressure in the containing sextant and decreased percentage of total occlusal pressure in the contralateral sextant. When analyzing restorations by exact position, more posterior implant restorations decreased the occlusal pressure applied in anterior dentitions.
Differential roles of the RNases H in preventing chromosome instability

DNA:RNA hybrids can lead to DNA damage and genome instability. This damage can be prevented by degradation of the RNA in the hybrid by two evolutionarily conserved enzymes, RNase H1 and H2. Indeed, RNase H-deficient cells have increased chromosomal rearrangements. However, the quantitative and spatial contributions of the individual enzymes to hybrid removal have been unclear. Additionally, RNase H2 can remove single ribonucleotides misincorporated into DNA during replication. The relative contribution of DNA:RNA hybrids and misincorporated ribonucleotides to chromosome instability also was uncertain. To address these issues, we studied the frequency and location of loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) events on chromosome III in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that were defective for RNase H1, H2, or both. We showed that RNase H2 plays the major role in preventing chromosome III instability through its hybrid-removal activity. Furthermore, RNase H2 acts pervasively at many hybrids along the chromosome. In contrast, RNase H1 acts to prevent LOH within a small region of chromosome III where the instability is dependent upon two hybrid-prone sequences. This restriction of RNase H1 activity to a subset of hybrids is not the result of its constrained localization, because we found it at hybrids genome-wide. This result suggests that the genome-protection activity of RNase H1 is regulated at a step after hybrid recognition. The global function of RNase H2 and the region-specific function of RNase H1 provide insight into why these enzymes with overlapping hybrid-removal activities have been conserved throughout evolution.
Integrin genetic variants and stage-specific tumor recurrence in patients with stage II and III colon cancer.

3604 Background: Integrins are key elements in cancer biology regulating tumor growth, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through interactions of the tumor cells with the microenvironment. Recent e...
Changes in Particle Size Distributions on a Fixed Bed of Granular Activated Carbon

The particle size distribution at different bed depths of a fixed bed of granular activated carbon (GAC) has been monitored during 50 weeks of a pilot column run at the Waterford, New York potable water treatment plant. Initial backwashing resulted in significant stratification of GAC in the column: larger particles (average diameter 1.18 mm) settled in the bottom of the column (105 cm), and smaller particles (average diameter 0.97 mm) were concentrated near the top (24 cm), compared to samples of unstratified virgin Calgon F400 (average diameter 1.09 mm). During column loading and initial backwashing, more fines were created than were present in the virgin GAC (average 6.5% of GAC fines in the > 40 mesh fraction, compared to only 0.3% in the > 40 mesh fraction for virgin Calgon F400). After 50 weeks of service there was an overall trend toward a smaller average particle size (0.9 mm) with development of a more regular pattern of bed stratification (1.08 mm at the bottom and 0.75 mm at the top). These changes are attributed to breaking of large particles (12-20 mesh) and creation of intermediate size particles (20-30 and 30-40 mesh).
DNA Vaccine Strategies for the Treatment of Cancer

A wide variety of immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers is currently under investigation in both animal models and in clinical human trials (reviewed in Dranoff and Mulligan 1995). These include in vitro expansion and adoptive transfer of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells in the presence or absence of recombinant cytokines (Rosenberg et al. 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993; Teng et al. 1991), tumor antigen-based vaccines (Cheever et al. 1986; Bright et al. 1994a; Conry et al. 1994; Stevenson et al. 1995), and tumor-reactive monoclonal antibodies conjugated to toxins (Trail et al. 1993; Vivetta et al. 1993). One of the most recent and innovative strategies has been based on the concept of genetic immunization. It is now well established that vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding a specific gene can elicit strong, long-lived protective immune responses to a variety of infectious agents (reviewed in Ulmer et al. 1996; Whalen 1996) as well as certain tumors (Conry et al. 1994; Nabel et al. 1994b; Stevenson et al. 1995; Bright et al. 1996; Corr et al. 1996; Schirmbeck et al. 1996). DNA vaccines directed at eliciting an immune response toward tumors appear to offer promise for both the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of cancer.
Polypöse Veränderungen des Dickdarms

Bei der Behandlung polyposer Erkrankungen des Diekdarms tragen derzeit Radiologe, Endoskopeur und Chirurg gemeinsame Verantwortung, es sei denn, der Chirurg versieht seine Endoskopie selbst. Im allgemeinen werden einzelne gestielte Polypen oder gleichartige in verschiedenen Darmabschnitten verstreute Polypen endoskopisch polypektomiert. Kleine breitbasige Polypen werden in gleicher Weise behandelt. Sowohl bei Patienten mit grosen breitbasigen Polypen oder karzinoma-toser Entartung eines Polypen als auch bei multiplen Polypen oder familiarer Polyposis besteht die Indikation zur Operation. Manchmal ist ein einzelner Polyp aus irgendwelchen Grunden mit dem Endoskop nicht erreichbar, so das gleichfalls die chirurgische Entfernung notwendig wird.
Regional Growth Theories and Local Economic Development: Some Case Studies

From June 14 to 16, 1998, an international workshop on “Theories of regional development - lessons for regional economic renewal and growth” was convened in Uddevalla, Sweden. During the workshop, presentations and discussions focused on a wide range of theories and models that help explain patterns of regional development and market structure.
Shaped biotextiles for medical implants

Abstract: The available implants can be classified as either the one- dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures. Among these, the most researched is the arterial prosthesis, which involves a novel process and many steps to make. All aspects of the manufacture and finishing of different types of vascular grafts (straight, tapered, multilimbed) are discussed: construction of the basic tube, setting and annealing of the tube in corrugated and resilient circular configurations, and the designs to resist fraying, improve flow and enhance healing. Advantages of using tubular fabrics to construct other (nonvascular) prostheses are examined, as is the technology used to produce more complex, nontubular, three-dimensional products. Key criteria for selection of implant material and physical principles to optimize implant performance are also considered.
A New Look into Composite Designs

This paper is concerned with the selection of factorial points (FP’s) in composite designs. A characterization of orthogonal FP’s is given under a submodel of the second order response surface model. Nonorthogonal FP’s are considered and their relationship to orthogonal FP’s is demonstrated for a special case. The rotatability of composite designs with these FP’s is discussed.
Active and passive tobacco smoking and the risk of borderline and invasive ovarian cancer (United States).

Objective: A population-based case–control study was conducted to examine the hypothesis that active and passive tobacco smoking were associated with the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: In-person interviews were obtained from 558 women with epithelial ovarian cancer (431 invasive, 127 borderline) and 607 population controls regarding active lifetime tobacco smoking, environmental tobacco smoke exposure in utero and during childhood, and other factors that may be related to the development of ovarian cancer. Results: No significant associations of ever or former tobacco smoking with the risk of invasive or borderline ovarian cancer were found, although long-term ex-smokers of 20 years or more were at significantly reduced risk of invasive cancer. Significant, positive dose–response relations of the number of cigarettes smoked per day and pack-years with the odds ratios for borderline cancer were evident. No association of active tobacco smoking with risk was found by histologic subtype of invasive ovarian cancer. Smokers were at significantly increased risk for borderline serous cystadenoma (OR: 1.91; 95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.09–3.34), but not for borderline mucinous cystadenoma. When we limited the analyses to current smokers, age-started smoking was significantly inversely related to the risk of invasive, but not borderline ovarian cancer. We found no association of gestational or childhood environmental tobacco smoke exposure with the risk of invasive or borderline ovarian cancer among never smokers. Conclusions: These findings do not support an association of active tobacco smoking with the risk of invasive ovarian cancer. An increased risk of borderline serous cystadenoma among smokers must be viewed with caution.
Nutritional Comparison of Raw, Holder Pasteurized, and Shelf-stable Human Milk Products.

OBJECTIVE We aim to assess the nutritional composition of shelf-stable (SS) human milk and compare the nutritional profile to Holder pasteurized (HP) and raw human milk from the same pool. METHODS Milk samples from 60 mothers were pooled. From this pool, 36 samples were taken; 12 samples were kept raw, 12 samples were HP, and 12 samples were retort processed to create an SS product. Samples were analyzed for percent fat, percent solids, total protein, lactose, amino acids, and thiamine. RESULTS Percent fat, percent solids, and lactose were similar between raw, HP, and SS samples. Total protein was statistically increased in SS samples when compared to raw (P = 0.005) and HP (P < 0.001) samples, but protein differences were not clinically relevant (raw = 15.1 mg/mL, HP = 14.8 mg/mL, and SS = 15.8 mg/mL). Lysine was the only amino acid impacted by processing, and its destruction increased as heat increased (raw = 0.85 mg/100 mL, HP = 0.77 mg/100 mL, SS = 0.68 mg/100 mL). Total thiamine was significantly decreased in SS samples (0.14 mg/L; P < 0.01) when compared with raw samples (0.24 mg/L) and HP samples (0.26 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS Macronutrient content is relatively unaffected by processing; Holder pasteurization and retort processing maintain similar fat, lactose, and total protein levels. Lysine and thiamine were significantly decreased by retort processing, but not by Holder pasteurization. Thiamine losses are clinically significant, and fortification may be necessary if SS donor milk is a long-term feeding choice.
Das Verständnis des zeitlosen Gottes

Die Eine von der Grundeigenschaften Gottes ist die Ewigkeit. Die Ewigkeit kann man traditionell als zeitlos oder modern als zeitlich verstehen. Zu den wichtigsten Kritikpunkten an der zeitlosen Ewigkeit gehort der Einwand, dass der zeitlose Gott in der Welt nicht wirken kann. Die Grunde fur solche Behauptungen kommen daher, dass der zeitlose Gott nicht wissen kann, was sich in der Welt fruher oder spater ereignet, er weis nicht, welche Ereignisse aktuell, vergangen oder zukunftig sind. Gott hat nur ein tatsachliches Wissen, er hat kein propositionelles Wissen wie wir Menschen. Dagegen kann man einwenden, dass Gott zwar nur tatsachliches Wissen hat, aber er kann wissen, was die Menschen wissen, durch die Einsicht in ihr Wissen in seiner Essenz. Das direkte Wissen Gottes ist nur tatsachlich, aber mittelbar kann er auch propositionelles Wissen der Menschen durch die Kenntnis ihres Erlebens von Zeitbewusstsein erfassen, das ein Teil der propositionellen Erkenntnis der Menschen ist. So kann er auch das Zeitbewusstsein der einzelnen Menschen erkennen, was er in seinem Bewusstsein einsieht. Damit erweist sich der Einwand gegen die Moglichkeit eines Wirkens Gottes in der Welt samt dem Einwand gegen einen zeitlosen Gott als hinfallig.
Concise Synthesis of the Antiplasmodial Isocyanoterpene 7,20‑Diisocyanoadociane

The flagship member of the antiplasmodial isocyanoterpenes, 7,20-diisocyanoadociane (DICA), was synthesized from dehydrocryptone in 10 steps, and in 13 steps from commercially available material. Our previous formal synthesis was reengineered, leveraging only productive transformations to deliver DICA in fewer than half the number of steps of our original effort. Important contributions, in addition to the particularly concise strategy, include a solution to the problem of axial nucleophilic methylation of a late-stage cyclohexanone, and the first selective synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of the DICA stereoisomer with both isonitriles equatorial.
Obtaining Patient Priorities in a Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center: Beyond Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Background:In order to provide patient center care, our multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic assesses patient concerns before clinical encounters, first by asking the optional qualitative question “What ...
Hybrid level aspect subconvexity for GL(2) × GL(1) Rankin-Selberg L-Functions

Let $M$ be a squarefree positive integer and $P$ a prime number coprime to $M$ such that $P \sim M^{\eta}$ with $0 < \eta < 2/5$. We simplify the proof of subconvexity bounds for $L(\frac{1]{2}, f \otimes \chi)$ when $f$ is a primitive holomorphic cusp form of level $P$ and $\chi$ is a primitive Dirichlet character modulo $M$. These bounds are attained through an unamplified second moment method using a modified version of the delta method due to R. Munshi. The technique is similar to that used by Duke-Friedlander-Iwaniec save for the modification of the delta method.