cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bradykinin modulates the electrophysiology of cultured rat sensory neurons through a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein.

Abstract Application of the nonapeptide bradykinin (BK) to rat sensory neurons in culture elicits two types of electrical responses in a subpopulation of the cells: (i) an excitatory inward cation current ( I BK ), and (ii) an inhibition of voltage-activated calcium currents ( I Ca ). Ion replacement experiments and current-voltage measurements indicate that I BK shows little selectivity for monovalent cations. We investigated the role of GTP-binding proteins in the BK signal transduction pathway. Internal dialysis of neurons with the inhibitory guanine nucleotide analogue, GDPβS, decreased the percentage of cells responding and the magnitude of the responses. This finding lead us to propose that a G protein is involved in this transduction pathway. We have attempted to identify the G protein subtype involved using pretreatment with the bacterial toxins pertussis toxin (PTX) and cholera toxin (CTX). PTX potentiated I BK slightly, but had no effect on the inhibition of I Ca by BK. In contrast, PTX pretreatment blocked the effects of norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y on I Ca , confirming that the PTX was capable of interfering with appropriate G protein signaling in these neurons. Pretreatment with CTX had no effect on the BK-induced inward current response. Therefore we propose that the BK signal transduction pathway utilizes a G protein that is not part of the G i , G o , G t , or G s families.
5-Hydroxyindole potentiates human α7 nicotinic receptor-mediated responses and enhances acetylcholine-induced glutamate release in cerebellar slices

Abstract The effects of 5-hydroxyindole (5-HI) have been investigated on human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in Xenopus oocytes and GH4 cells, on native α7 nAChRs expressed by IMR-32 cells and on α7 nAChR-mediated events in mossy fibre–granule cell synapses in rat cerebellar slices. In oocytes expressing α7 nAChRs, 5-HI potentiated sub-maximal, 60 μM ACh-induced ion currents in a concentration-dependent manner, the threshold effective concentration being 30 μM. 5-HI itself did not act as an agonist on α7 nAChRs. A maximum potentiation of 12 times the control was observed at 20 mM 5-HI. The effect of 1 mM 5-HI on the concentration–response curve for ACh revealed that 5-HI increased the potency as well as the efficacy of ACh on α7 nAChRs. 5-HI also potentiated α7-mediated increases in intracellular free calcium levels in both mammalian cells heterologously expressing human α7 nAChRs and in human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells expressing native α7 nAChRs. At mossy fibre–granule cell synapses, application of 1 mM ACh induced glutamate-evoked excitory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs). Co-application of 1 mM 5-HI with 1 mM ACh further increased the frequency of the EPSCs. The ACh-induced release, as well as the 5-HI-induced enhancement of release, were blocked by 1–10 nM methyllycaconitine or 200 nM α-bungarotoxin, demonstrating that both effects were mediated by presynaptic α7 nAChRs. The results demonstrate that responses mediated by α7 nAChRs are strongly potentiated by 5-HI.
Triptan Nonresponder Studies: Implications for Clinical Practice

The maximum absolute response rate with oral triptans, as measured in clinical trials by the incidence of relief from migraine pain at 2 hours after taking medication, is approximately 70%. Therefore around 30% of patients fail to respond to a particular triptan. Nonresponse is likely to be due to a variety of factors, including low and inconsistent absorption, use of the medication late in an attack, inadequate dosing, and variability in individual response. Evidence from recent clinical trials, however, confirms the common clinical observation that patients with a poor response to one triptan can benefit from subsequent treatment with a different triptan. Two-hour pain-relief rates of 25% to 81% using alternative triptans (naratriptan, almotriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan, and rizatriptan) have been reported in patients who were described as poor responders to sumatriptan. Physicians should remain vigilant in assessing the response to acute therapy and take advantage of simple clinical questionnaires that have been developed to facilitate the recognition of those patients who require and may benefit from a change in acute therapy.
Guest editors' introduction to the special section on information technology and evidence implementation.

Healthcare is experiencing a transformation—perhaps as significant as the publication of the first randomized controlled trial—in the ways in which basic discovery is translated into effective practice. The change is being precipitated by efforts to undergird the healthcare industry with the same transformational capacities from information technology as is afforded to other sectors in the economy. Although the transformation has been slow in materializing, change is expected to accelerate under the stimulating influence of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. As the changes ripple throughout the healthcare sector, two aspects of medical care in the twenty-first century are expected to rise in importance: data and behavior. Each of the articles within this inaugural issue of Translational Behavioral Medicine has been selected to illustrate treatment of these two assets in one way or another. The editors hope this first issue will serve as a vanguard illustration for how behavioral scientists can be included as integral members of the design team in creating a new platform for evidence implementation in the USA and abroad.
Cyst carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiating pancreatic cysts: A meta-analysis

Abstract Background Using carcinoembryonic antigen in discriminating between benign and malignant disease remains controversial. Aims We aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen in predicting malignant pancreatic cystic lesions. Methods We performed a literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE. We included studies that compared the diagnostic accuracy of carcinoembryonic antigen with histology. Pooled estimates of diagnostic precision were calculated using random-effects models. Results Eight studies (504 patients) were included. The carcinoembryonic antigen cutoff level for determining a malignant cyst ranged from 109.9 to 6000 ng/mL. Pooled estimates of carcinoembryonic antigen in malignant cysts prediction were poor: pooled sensitivity of 63%, pooled specificity of 63%. The positive likelihood ratio was 1.89 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.62. The diagnostic odds ratio was 3.84. The area under the summary receiver–operating characteristic curve was 0.70. In subgroup analysis of patients with mucinous cysts (mucinous cystic neoplasm and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; 5 studies, 227 patients), pooled sensitivity was 65%, pooled specificity 66% and diagnostic odds ratio 4.74 respectively. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that the accuracy of carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiating “between benign and malignant” pancreatic cysts was poor. The decision to perform surgical resection for pancreatic cystic lesions should not be based solely on carcinoembryonic antigen level.
Adult stature and anthropomorphic measurements of patients with myelomeningocele.

Children with myelomeningocele are extremely short, yet little data exists on adult stature and anthropomorphic measurements. We measured the recumbent length, weight, arm length, sitting height and calculated body mass index of 54 adults with myelomeningocele. Mid parental height was also calculated. Measurements were compared with normative data. Patient charts were reviewed for history of hydrocephalus. The 27 males and 27 females had a mean age of 24.8±5.7 years. The mean length for adult females was 141.9±12 cm and was 152.1±13 cm for males. Patients with thoracic level of lesions were shorter than those with lumbar level who were, in turn, shorter than those with sacral levels. Recumbent length, sitting height, arm length and arm span were significantly smaller than expected values. Recumbent length was smaller than mid parental height. Those with ventriculoperitoneal shunts, required for hydrocephalus, were shorter than these without a shunt.
Review of primary spaceflight-induced and secondary reloading-induced changes in slow antigravity muscles of rats.

Abstract We have examined the light and electron microscopic properties of hindlimb muscles of rats flown in space for 1–2 weeks on Cosmos biosatellite flights 1887 and 2044 and Space Shuttle missions Spacelab-3, Spacelab Life Sciences-1 and Spacelab Life Sciences-2. Tissues were obtained both inflight and postflight permitting definition of primary microgravity-induced changes and secondary reentry and gravity reloading-induced alterations. Spaceflight causes atrophy and expression of fast fiber characteristics in slow antigravity muscles. The stresses of reentry and reloading reveal that atrophic muscles show increased susceptibility to interstitial edema and ischemic-anoxic necrosis as well as muscle fiber tearing with disruption of contractile proteins. These results demonstrate that the effects of spaceflight on skeletal muscle are multifaceted, and major changes occur both inflight and following return to Earth's gravity.
Acculturation among Mexican-heritage preadolescents: A latent class analysis

Abstract This study applies advanced conceptualization and measurement to an analysis of acculturation among 1632 Mexican-heritage preadolescents. We assessed whether – and how – multiple measures combine to form a latent acculturation construct that groups individuals into classes; and determine how many and what classes (or types) of acculturation are experienced by this sample of 5th graders. Measures included attitudinal, behavioral, and linguistic acculturation, generation status, time in the US, ethnic identification, and contact with the culture of origin. The analysis identified five classes of acculturation, differing in size and characterized by specific measures of acculturation: less acculturated, moderately bicultural, strongly bicultural, highly acculturated, and marginalized. Although most youths fell into the first four classes, consonant with their exposure to American society, a small minority of youths fell into the last class. Despite substantial exposure to US culture and recent exposure to Mexican culture, these youth showed little affinity for either culture.
An imaging time-of-propagation system for charged particle identification at a super B factory

Abstract Super B factories that will further probe the flavor sector of the Standard Model and physics beyond will demand excellent charged particle identification (PID), particularly K / π separation, for momenta up to 4 GeV/c, as well as the ability to operate under beam backgrounds significantly higher than current B factory experiments. We describe an Imaging Time-of-Propagation (iTOP) detector which shows significant potential to meet these requirements. Photons emitted from charged particle interactions in a Cherenkov radiator bar are internally reflected to the end of the bar, where they are collected on a compact image plane using photodetectors with fine spatial segmentation in two dimensions. Precision measurements of photon arrival time are used to enhance the two dimensional imaging, allowing the system to provide excellent PID capabilities within a reduced detector envelope. Results of the ongoing optimization of the geometric and physical properties of such a detector are presented, as well as simulated PID performance. Validation of simulations is being performed using a prototype in a cosmic ray test stand at the University of Hawaii.
Oxidation state and interfacial effects on oxygen vacancies in tantalum pentoxide

First-principles density-functional theory calculations are used to study the atomistic structure, structural energetics, and electron density near the O monovacancy (VOn; n = 0,1+,2+) in both bulk, amorphous tantalum pentoxide (a-Ta2O5), and also at vacuum and metallic Ta interfaces. We calculate multivariate vacancy formation energies to evaluate stability as a function of oxidation state, distance from interface plane, and Fermi energy. VOn of all oxidation states preferentially segregates at both Ta and vacuum interfaces, where the metallic interface exhibits global formation energy minima. In a-Ta2O5, VO0 is characterized by structural contraction and electron density localization, while VO2+ promotes structural expansion and is depleted of electron density. In contrast, interfacial VO0 and VO2+ show nearly indistinguishable ionic and electronic signatures indicative of a reduced VO center. Interfacial VO2+ extracts electron density from metallic Ta, indicating that VO2+ is spontaneously reduced at t...
Dihydrotestosterone Stimulates Aldosterone Secretion by H295R Human Adrenocortical Cells

Men exhibit a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases than do women. The cardiovascular actions of sex steroids have been suggested as primary factors in mediating this sex difference. The mechanisms by which sex steroids, androgens and estrogens, mediate cardiovascular actions remain unclear. Excess aldosterone secretion has been associated with cardiovascular diseases. The hypothesis tested in this study was that at physiological concentrations, androgens stimulate and estradiol inhibits aldosterone secretion by human adrenal cells. In contrast to our hypothesis, physiological concentrations of sex steroids did not modify aldosterone secretion by H295R human adrenocortical cells. However, supraphysiological concentrations (300-1000 nM) of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) significantly stimulated basal and Angiotensin II-mediated aldosterone secretion. The stimulatory effect of DHT on aldosterone secretion was not blocked by the classical androgen receptor blocker flutamide. The stimulatory effect of DHT on aldosterone secretion was also independent of the intra-adrenal renin-angiotensin system since it was neither modified by treatment with the Angiotensin II receptor type 1 blocker losartan or the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. Inhibitors of the calmodulin/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) and protein kinase C intracellular signaling pathways abolished the DHT stimulatory effect on aldosterone secretion by H295R cells. In conclusion, physiological concentrations of sex steroids did not modify aldosterone secretion by human adrenal cells. However, supraphysiological concentrations of DHT-stimulated aldosterone secretion by human adrenal cells by the calmodulin/CaMK and protein kinase C intracellular signaling pathways but independently of the classical androgen receptor. Supraphysiological doses of androgen may promote cardiovascular diseases via stimulation of aldosterone secretion.
Can there be a heavy sbottom hidden in three-jet data at CERN LEP?

A low-energy supersymmetry scenario with a light gluino of mass 12\char21{}16 GeV and light sbottom $({b}_{1})$ of mass 2\char21{}6 GeV has been used to explain the apparent overproduction of b quarks at the fermilab Tevatron. In this scenario the other mass eigenstate of the sbottom, i.e., ${b}_{2},$ is favored to be lighter than 180 GeV due to constraints from electroweak precision data. We survey its decay modes in this scenario and show that decay into a b quark and gluino should be dominant. Associated sbottom production at CERN LEP via ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{Z}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{b}_{1}{b}_{2}^{*}+{b}_{1}^{*}{b}_{2}$ is studied and we show that it is naturally a three-jet process with a small cross section, increasingly obscured by a large standard model background for heavier ${b}_{2}.$ However we find that direct observation of a ${b}_{2}$ at the $5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level is possible if it is lighter than 110\char21{}129 GeV, depending on the sbottom mixing angle $|\mathrm{cos}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{b}|=0.30\char21{}0.45.$ We also show that ${b}_{2}$-pair production can be mistaken for production of neutral minimal supersymmetric standard model Higgs bosons in the channel ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{h}^{0}{A}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}b\overline{b}b\overline{b}.$ Using searches for the latter we place a lower mass limit of 90 GeV on ${b}_{2}.$
Low serum IL-10 concentrations and loss of regulatory association between IL-6 and IL-10 in adults with major depression

Elevated circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with symptoms of depression, and disorders involving chronic inflammation are often co-morbid with major depression. Since healthy immune regulation is accomplished through counter-balancing effects of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, we hypothesized that depressed subjects (compared to controls) would express lower concentrations of the anti-inflammatory/immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, and a higher IL-6/IL-10 ratio. We also examined the possibility that depressed subjects may exhibit a deficiency in the regulatory loop involving IL-6 induced secretion of IL-10. Therefore, we hypothesized that circulating IL-6 and IL-10 would be positively correlated in controls, while the correlation would be weaker in depressed subjects. Resting state serum cytokine concentrations were quantified in 12 unmedicated depressed subjects, and 11 age, gender, and ethnicity-matched controls. Depressed subjects showed significantly lower IL-10 (p=0.03, Cohen's d=-0.96), non-significantly higher IL-6, and significantly higher IL-6/IL-10 ratios (p=0.05, Cohen's d=0.50). Across all participants, higher scores on the self-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptoms were associated with lower IL-10 (r(21)=-0.57, p=0.005) and non-significantly higher IL-6/IL-10 ratios (r(21)=0.38, p=0.07), but not related to IL-6 concentrations. As hypothesized, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were strongly and positively correlated in controls (r(9)=0.81, p=0.003), but were completely dissociated in depressed subjects (r(10)=0.01, p=0.98). These results suggest that lower IL-10 levels, a higher IL-6/IL-10 ratio, and the apparent absence of a counter-balancing, immunoregulatory increase in IL-10 in response to elevated IL-6 concentrations contribute to the pro-inflammatory physiological milieu that is known to be associated with major depression. Therefore, reduced induction/availability of IL-10, that would normally inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine actions and resolve inflammation, may contribute to the depressogenic as well as the inflammatory disease-promoting effects of chronic, low-level elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Neurotrophin-3 selectively increases cultured purkinje cell survival

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to promote the survival of cultured cerebellar Purkinje cells, when tested in conjunction with metabotropic receptor activation. In the present study, we examined the effects of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Following in vitro exposure to NT-3 for 6 days, survival of the calbindin positive Purkinje cells was increased, relative to vehicle-treated controls. The total number of neurons was not affected. These observations suggest a specific action of NT-3 on the Purkinje cell population. Moreover, autoradiographic analysis revealed high affinity [125I]NT-3 binding sites, consistent with a direct action of this neurotrophin. Simultaneous treatment with a metabotropic receptor agonist did not alter the NT-3-elicited increase in cell number. This suggests that NT-3 regulates Purkinje cell survival by a mechanism distinct from the NGF response. When tested alone, or in the presence of metabotropic agonist, BDNF did not affect Purkinje cell number.
Solid-state properties of drugs. I. Estimation of heat capacities for fusion and thermodynamic functions for solution from aqueous solubility-temperature dependence measurements

Abstract A novel equation was developed to describe solubility-temperature dependence data for some polar solids (acetaminophen, barbiturates and parabens) in water. Fitting of data to the equation by non-linear regression was tested with error-free model data similar to the experimental data. All coefficients for the equation were recovered from error-free data with an accuracy of ±0.04% at best and ±0.56% at worst. The fitting procedure for real data estimated apparent thermodynamic functions (enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity) for the solution process (using the hypothetical one mole fraction solution behaving at infinite dilution as the standard state) and also the heat capacity change for fusion of the solid drugs. The apparent thermodynamic functions for real data were estimated with good precision, based on t ests. The estimated changes in heat capacity for fusion were similar in magnitude to those obtained by an independent method. The thermodynamic functions for solution and for fusion displayed trends with molecular structure in some cases.
USING WAVELETS TO EXTEND QUANTUM DYNAMICS CALCULATIONS TO TEN OR MORE DEGREES OF FREEDOM

A customizable, orthonormal basis for solving the multidimensional Schrodinger equation is constructed using modified Wilson–Daubechies wavelets, and a simple phase space truncation scheme. Unprecedented numerical efficiency is achieved, enabling a ten-dimensional direct calculation of nearly 600 eigenvalues to be performed. Higher dimensionalities are possible using more sophisticated linear algebra techniques. The new approach is ideally suited to rovibrational spectroscopy applications, but can be used in any context where elliptic partial differential equations are involved.
On global requirements for implication operators in fuzzy modus ponens

When specifying the properties required of a operation used to manipulate fuzzy sets consideration must be given to the meaning or semantics of the whole granule resulting from these operations. Is the fuzzy granule resulting from the operation as a whole meaningful? This requires us to go beyond consideration of only pointwise performance properties of fuzzy operations and to include consideration of properties based upon the global or granular results of these operations. In this spirit we look at the process of fuzzy modus ponens and consider global requirements on the definition of the implication operator used in this process. One global requirement investigated here is implicit in the information boundedness principle, this principle requires that the information contained in a fuzzy granule resulting from an inference must be no greater than the information contained in the consequent of the if-then proposition and that the information contained in inferences under two different datum should be ordered by the degree of matching of the datum and the antecedent of the if-then proposition. Using this principle we show that any t-conorm S used in defining implication operators must satisfy the condition of moderate growth, for a > b, S(a, v) − S(b, v) must be an nonincreasing function of v.
Positional specificity of cyclopropane ring formation from cis-octadecenoic acid isomers in Escherichia coli

An unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli was grown with a series of cis-octadecenoate isomers in which the location of the double bond varied from positions 3 to 17. Each of these fatty acid isomers was incorporated into the cellular lipids, but cyclopropane derivatives were formed to at least a 3-fold greater extent from the cis-9 and cis-11 isomers than from any other positional isomers. The extent of cyclopropane acid formation was observed to be highly dependent on the rate of shaking of the culture. A culture shaking at 340 rev./min converted 8.7% of its oleate to the cyclopropane derivative at stationary phase, whereas a parellel culture shaken at 110 rev./min converted 66% of the oleate to a cyclopropane acid. The inability to observe selectivity or form derivatives from isomers other than the is-9 and cis-11 isomers seems to be due to enzyme specificity rather than a secondary affect of the abnormal unconverted fatty acids on the cell, because the cis-9 isomer is converted to its cyclopropane derivative even in cells grown with abnormal unreactive positional isomers. The preferred substrates for cyclopropanecarboxylic acid formation contained a cis ethylenic bond at either the 9 position or the -7 position. In combination with results of previous studies the specificity reported here supports a concept that two different enzymes may participate in cyclopropane ring synthesis. One enzyme activity may recognize its substrate by the distance from the π-bond to the carboxyl group and the other by the distance to the methyl group.
The Relative Effectiveness of Three Compliance Techniques in Eliciting Donations to a Cultural Organization

To compare the relative effectiveness of three compliance techniques during a museum fund-raising drive, 89 individuals were asked to contribute $1 to the museum after having been exposed to an initial request according to one of the following conditions: (1) in the foot-in-thedoor condition, individuals were first asked to sign a petition in support of the museum; (2) in the door-in-the-face condition, they were initially asked for a $5 contribution; (3) in the. low-ball condition, they were asked to contribute 75 cents and then to increase this amount by 25 cents in order to support the children's program: and (4) in the control condition, subjects simply received the target request for $1. The groups differed significantly in terms of the number of individuals who donated, and in the amount of their contributions. The low-ball condition was generally the most effective, especially with respect to the amount of money contributed. This was followed in turn by the door-in-the-face and control conditions, with the foot-in-the-door condition the least effective in virtually every comparison. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the experimental analysis of compliance, as well as the development of more effective fund-raising programs.
The effect of GI bleeding on Helicobacter pylori diagnostic testing: a prospective study at the time of bleeding and 1 month later

Background Some case series and cohort studies suggest that acute GI bleeding decreases the sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori diagnostic testing. Objective To assess H pylori biopsy testing in patients with acute upper-GI bleeding and 1 month later. Design Prospective cohort study using patients as their own controls. Setting Urban county hospital. Patients Sixty-one patients with acute variceal bleeding. Interventions Antral and body endoscopic biopsies at admission and 1 month later. Main outcome measurements CLOtest and histologic examinations were performed and biopsy specimens were coded and mixed for blinded histologic examination for H pylori density and inflammation. Results CLOtest results changed from H pylori negative at baseline to H pylori positive at 1 month in two patients (3%), from H pylori positive to H pylori negative in 6 patients (10%), and remained the same in 53 (87%). Histologic results changed from H pylori negative at baseline to H pylori positive at 1 month in two patients (3%), from H pylori positive to H pylori negative in 5 patients (8%), and remained the same in 54 (89%). Changes occurred only in patients with low H pylori density. No significant increase in H pylori density or change in inflammatory cell infiltration was seen. CLOtest sensitivity was 8% higher with bleeding vs. 1 month after bleeding (79% vs. 71%; 95% CI of difference was −11% to 27%; i.e., maximal potential decrease in sensitivity with bleeding is 11%). Limitations The population is not one for which H pylori testing is recommended, and biopsy test performance was less consistent than expected. Conclusions Acute-GI bleeding did not decrease the sensitivity of rapid urease testing, unless the effect lasts more than 1 month. Furthermore, bleeding did not produce falsely negative histologic examinations for H pylori , decrease H pylori density, or alter inflammatory cell infiltration. However, given the lower than expected overall CLOtest sensitivity and frequent use of proton pump inhibitors for GI bleeding, histology may be preferred in this setting.
New Product Development: How Cost Information Precision Affects Designer Focus and Behavior in a Multiple Objective Setting

The development of new products that satisfy customer needs in a costeffective manner is key to survival for many organizations. The role that cost information plays in new product development (NPD), such as its effect on designers' focus and crucial NPD performance measures, is unclear. This experimental study extends existing accounting NPD research by investigating the effect of two levels of cost information precision (specific versus relative) and new products (radical versus incremental) on designers' focus and two common NPD performance measures: product cost and product features. The results indicate that compared to relative cost information, specific cost information increases designers' focus on cost minimization for incremental but not radical products. However, providing designers with specific cost information results in more cost‐effective designs for both types of products. In addition, contrary to expectations, more cost‐effective designs do not come at the expense of reduced product feat...
MRI of anterior knee pain

Anterior knee pain is the most common knee complaint. It may be due to a variety of soft tissue or osseous abnormalities. Knowledge of the radiologic appearance of the abnormalities allows more accurate diagnosis of the cause of the pain including chondral abnormalities, patellar instability and dislocation, femoral trochlear dysplasia, abnormal patellar location, bipartite patella, various tendinopathies, bursal inflammation, traction apophysitis in pediatric and adolescent patients, and miscellaneous diseases including mediopatellar plica syndrome and Hoffa’s disease. Radiographs are often obtained to exclude acute osseous abnormalities, such as fractures. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers superior soft tissue contrast resolution and allows for more accurate evaluation of the underlying etiology and therefore may improve treatment and possible surgical planning.
Concurrent sexual partnerships among urban African American high-risk women with main sex partners.

To determine correlates of concurrent sexual partnerships among high-risk low-income urban African American women, survey responses of 337 women who had main sexual partners for over 6 months and reported high-risk behaviors were analyzed; 142 of these women also reported other sexual partnerships within the past 90 days. Unadjusted analyses showed that concurrency was significantly associated with relationship status, sexual debut, forced sex, incarceration of self and partners, depression, drug use, known or suspected partner nonmonogamy, and partner drug use. Age of sexual debut, relationship status, and indicators of problem drug use remained significantly associated with concurrency when controlling for individual factors, and only indicators of problem drug use and known or suspected partner nonmonogamy remained significantly associated with concurrency when also controlling for partner characteristics. Our results suggest the presence of extensive sexual networks within this population and document the need for interventions that address drug abuse and partnership instability. Moreover, the strong association between concurrency and perceptions of partners’ nonmonogamy suggest the need for intervention to target men and women in this core group.
Postoperative coronary revascularization on LVAD support for surgically inaccessible myocardial ischemia.

The authors have used the concept of hybrid revascularization to salvage a patient in persistent cardiogenic shock after incomplete emergent surgical revascularization. While the patient was on left ventricular assist device support, a complex angioplasty was done on a surgically inaccessible right coronary artery, with subsequent cardiac recovery.
Delineating the Importance of Serum Opsonins and the Bacterial Capsule in Affecting the Uptake and Killing of Burkholderia pseudomallei by Murine Neutrophils and Macrophages

Infection of susceptible hosts by the encapsulated Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) causes melioidosis, with septic patients attaining mortality rates ≥40%. Due to its high infectivity through inhalation and limited effective therapies, Bp is considered a potential bioweapon. Thus, there is great interest in identifying immune effectors that effectively kill Bp. Our goal is to compare the relative abilities of murine macrophages and neutrophils to clear Bp, as well as determine the importance of serum opsonins and bacterial capsule. Our findings indicate that murine macrophages and neutrophils are inherently unable to clear either unopsonized Bp or the relatively-avirulent acapsular bacterium B. thailandensis (Bt). Opsonization of Bp and Bt with complement or pathogen-specific antibodies increases macrophage-uptake, but does not promote clearance, although antibody-binding enhances complement deposition. In contrast, complement opsonization of Bp and Bt causes enhanced uptake and killing by neutrophils, which is linked with rapid ROS induction against bacteria exhibiting a threshold level of complement deposition. Addition of bacteria-specific antibodies enhances complement deposition, but antibody-binding alone cannot elicit neutrophil clearance. Bp capsule provides some resistance to complement deposition, but is not anti-phagocytic or protective against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-killing. Macrophages were observed to efficiently clear Bp only after pre-activation with IFNγ, which is independent of serum- and/or antibody-opsonization. These studies indicate that antibody-enhanced complement activation is sufficient for neutrophil-clearance of Bp, whereas macrophages are ineffective at clearing serum-opsonized Bp unless pre-activated with IFNγ. This suggests that effective immune therapies would need to elicit both antibodies and Th1-adaptive responses for successful prevention/eradication of melioidosis.
Golden Parachutes: Incentive Aligners, Management Entrenchers, or Takeover Bid Signals?

In this paper we investigate the effect of golden parachute (GP) adoptions on shareholder wealth. We control for the potential effect a GP adoption has on the probability that a firm will receive a takeover bid by investigating the wealth effects for firms that are in play when the GP is adopted. We find that announcements are wealth neutral when firms are in play and wealth increasing when firms are not in play when a GP is adopted. The results suggest that GPs have no influence on the success of a tender offer, refuting the hypotheses that they either align manager and shareholder interests or that they entrench inefficient managers. The difference in the results for in-play and not-in-play firms is consistent with the hypothesis that GPs signal an increased likelihood that a firm will receive a takeover bid.
Determining in Linear Time the Minimum Area Convex Hull of Two Polygons

Abstract As preprocessing for the two-dimensional cutting stock problem or pallet loading problem, we compute the minimum area convex hull. Given two polygons P and Q, we find their relative positions such that the convex hull encasing them is minimum in area. Let N be the total number of vertices in P and Q. We determine the minimum area convex hull in O(N) time. Q is allowed to translate by any amount relative to P, while assuming a constant number of orientations. Instead of recomputing the convex hull after every translation, we update the computed area at certain critical points. Linearity follows by showing that there are O(N) such critical points.
Soot and continuum radiation statistics of luminous turbulent diffusion flames

The statistics of soot and spectral radiation intensities in the continuum were measured for horizontal radiation paths through the axis of highly-buoyant propylene flames burning in still air. Radiation statistics were also analyzed using a stochastic simulation of soot properties that matched soot statistics along the radiation path. Predictions and measurements of radiation statistics were generally in good agreement, aside from difficulties in predicting spikes of measured PDF's and temporal power spectra due to release of coherent structures near the source for low burner Reynolds numbers. Radiation fluctuation intensities up to 100 percent were observed while temporal power spectra decayed proportional to the −5/3 power of frequency at high frequencies, suggesting strong turbulence/radiation interactions and a close relationship between turbulent mixing and continuum radiation statistics in turbulent flames.
Superconducting T c enhancement due to negative- U impurities: Monte Carlo study of a local exciton model

The enhancement of superconductivity by a small concentration of excitonic negative-U centers is studied by a new method which combines diagrammatic perturbation theory and Monte Carlo simulation. Results are given which show how the impurity parameters should be selected in order to obtain the maximum increase in the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$. We also discuss the underlying physics of these results.
Prevention, Welfare, and Citizenship: The War on Tuberculosis and Infant Mortality in Germany, 1900-1930

There are many ways to approach the history of the welfare state, and one's understanding of the subject depends to a large degree on the path one takes and the questions that are asked along the way. This paper will take as its point of entry the social programs created to prosecute the war on tuberculosis and infant mortality in Germany from the turn of the last century through the 1920s, specifically the work of the tuberculosis welfare and infant welfare centers ( Tuberkulose - and Sauglingsfursorgestellen ). Preventive social hygiene or medical relief programs ( Gesundheitsfursorge ) to combat tuberculosis and infant mortality are central to the history of public health not only because of their role in the epidemiological transition in Germany and other western countries. These programs also have a much broader relevance because the refiguring of the rights and duties of citizenship entailed by the preventive project raises a set of questions concerning the relation between preventive social hygiene, individual freedom and well-being, and modernity that are paradigmatic for understanding the modern welfare state.
Effect of Epilayer Tilt on Dynamical X-ray Diffraction from Uniform Heterostructures with Asymmetric Dislocation Densities

In this work we extend the dynamical theory of Bragg x-ray diffraction to account for a tilted, asymmetrically defected, uniform-composition epitaxial layer atop a (001) substrate. In a zincblende semiconductor there are eight active slip systems, within which two distinct types of dislocations exist. These two types are distinguished by their misfit segments, which are oriented along either the [110] or \([1\bar{1}0]\) direction. The two threading dislocation densities can be measured by observing the variation of the x-ray rocking curve width with the incident beam azimuth. However, the tilting of the epilayer also has a measurable and potentially conflicting effect on the rocking curve as a function of azimuth. First, the peak position varies by (nominally) twice the layer’s absolute tilt within a full azimuthal rotation. Second, the tilting of the layer affects the epilayer rocking curve width. Through use of the modified dynamical diffraction theory, we show that the peak width’s azimuthal dependence on tilt is of only second order, so that the layer misorientation with respect to the substrate need not be considered for the purpose of determining the two dislocation populations by x-ray diffraction. Dynamical simulations were performed and compared with experimental measurements for a ZnSe/GaAs(001) structure grown by photoassisted metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy, and in this way the two dislocation density populations were found to be DA = 1.6 × 108 cm−2 and DB = 2.0 × 108 cm−2.
Role of oxygen radicals in tumor promotion

Tumor promoters provoke the elaboration of oxygen radicals by direct chemical generation and through the indirect activation or alteration of cellular sources including membrane oxidases, peroxisomes, and electron transport chains in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Although direct measurement of amplified oxygen radical production in response to tumor promoters in target tissues remains problematic, studies with scavengers of reactive oxygen species demonstrate inhibition of biochemical and biological sequelae of tumor promoter exposure and provide strong presumptive evidence for oxygen radical involvement in this late stage of carcinogenesis. The critical macromolecular targets for these oxygen radicals remain undefined; however, they may include lipids, DNA, DNA repair systems, and other enzymes.
Effect of late postoperative atrial septal defect closure on hemodynamic function in patients with a lateral tunnel fontan procedure

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the effect of late atrial septal defect closure on cardiac output and oxygen delivery in patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure. Background. An adjustable atrial septal defect is incorporated in patients undergoing the Fontan procedure who have increased pulmonary vascular resistance or poor ventricular function, or both. After the Fontan procedure, the atrial septal defect is test occluded. Patients with mean right atrial and pulmonary artery pressures > 15 mm Hg are discharged with the atrial septal defect open. Methods. Twelve patients (20 months to 12 years old) underwent evaluation and closure of the atrial septal defect at a mean interval of 3.8 months (range 1 to 18) after the Fontan procedure. Each patient underwent full right and left heart catheterization. Cardiac output was obtained using the cine-volume method. The study included six patients with a high transpulmonary gradient or poor ventricular function preoperatively, or both (high risk group) and six who had only borderline increased pulmonary vascular resistance (low risk group). Patients in both groups had a mean right atrial pressure > 15 mm Hg when the atrial defect was test occluded in the first week after the Fontan procedure. Results. All results are given as mean value ± SD. Ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly lower (p = 0.03) with the atrial septal defect open in low risk patients (6 ± 3 mm Hg) than in high risk patients (10 ± 3 mm Hg). With the atrial septal defect open, low risk patients had a significantly higher (p = 0.04) cardiac index (4.87 ± 0.81 liters/min per m 2 ) than the high risk patients (3.96 ± 0.47 liters/min per m 2 ). There was no significant difference (p = 0.14) in cardiac index between the two groups with occlusion of the atrial septal defect. Oxygen delivery was also significantly higher (p 2 ) than in high risk patients (704 ± 106 ml/min per m 2 ). There was no significant difference (p = 0.89) in oxygen delivery between the two groups with occlusion of the atrial septal defect. With the atrial septal defect open, the interatrial gradient was not significantly different in low risk patients (4 ± 1 mm Hg) from that in high risk patients (4 ± 1 mm Hg). Conclusions. These data show that an interatrial communication results in increased postoperative systemic perfusion and oxygen delivery in patients with good diastolic ventricular function after the Fontan procedure.
Even My Hair Won't Grow Straight.

ABSTRACT The author narrates the experience of growing her hair long after years of keeping it short, and ponders the “the socioculturo-sexual implications of hair growth.” While her lesbian friends respond with curiosity and doubt, the rest of the world,Including her grandmother, wants to see long hair as a return to traditional (straight) femininity.
Water quality and phosphorus budget of Mogan Lake, Turkey

Mogan Lake is the largest recreational area near Ankara, which is the capital city of Turkey. Increased macrophyte growth in the water body and the present levels of urban development within the catchment are reflected in declining water quality and aesthetic deterioation. A study of the water quality of the lake was undertaken to quantify the variation of phosphorus, nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a concentrations during ice-free seasons from 1992 to 1994. Its total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations indicate a meso-eutrophic status. The total phosphorus budget of Mogan Lake was measured for a period of 22 months. The estimation of nutrient loading using Dillon-Rigler nutrient budget shows that an artificial load caused too high phosphorus inputs. The management implications of phosphorus loading and budget are discussed. Wasserqualitat und Phosphorhaushalt des Mogan-Sees (Turkei) Der Mogan-See ist Teil des grosten Naherholungsgebietes nahe Ankara. Verstarktes Makrophytenwachstum im Wasserkorper und die zunehmende Urbanisierung des Einzugsgebietes spiegeln sich in abnehmender Wassergute und asthetischer Beeintrachtigung des Sees wider. In einer Studie zur Wassergute des Mogan-Sees wurde wahrend der eisfreien Jahreszeiten von 1992 bis 1994 der Gehalt an Phosphor, Stickstoff und Chlorophyll-a quantifiziert. Phosphor- und Chlorophyll-a-Konzentrationen deuten auf einen meso- bis eutrophen Zustand des Sees hin. Der Phosphorhaushalt des Mogan-Sees wurde uber einen Zeitraum von 22 Monaten verfolgt. Die Abschatzung der Nahrstoffbelastung mit Hilfe der Dillon-Rigler-Nahrstoffbilanz ergab einen kunstlich uberhohten Nahrstoffgehalt aufgrund zu hoher Phosphoreintrage. Mogliche Konsequenzen fur die Bewirtschaftung des Sees werden diskutiert.
Climate change in thailand and its potential impact on rice yield

In Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, rice constitutes a major export on which the economy of the whole country depends. Climate change could affect rice growth and development and thus jeopardize Thailand's wealth. Current climatic conditions in Thailand are compared to predictions from four general circulation models (GCMs). Temperature predictions correlate well with the observed values. Predictions of monthly rainfall correlate poorly. Virtually all models agree that significant increases in temperature (from 1 to 7 °C) will occur in the region including Thailand following a doubling in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. The regional seasonality and extent of the rise in temperature varies with each model. Predictions of changes in rainfall vary widely between models. Global warming should in principle allow a northward expansion of rice-growing areas and a lengthening of the growing season now constrained by low temperatures. The expected increase in water-use efficiency due to enhanced CO2 might decrease the water deficit vulnerability of dryland rice areas and could make it possible to slightly expand them.
Long unimodal subsequences: a problem of F.R.K. Chung

Let l(n) be the expected length of the longest unimodal subsequence of a random permutation. It is proved here that l(n)@?@/n converges to 2@/2.This settles a conjecture of F.R.K. Chung.
Effects of intermittent fasting on markers of body composition and mood state

Background Optimal athletic performance is often linked to body composition, therefore depending on sport and position, a decrease in body fat would lean toward an increase in athletic fitness. A recent trend in decreasing body fat while maintaining muscle has emerged, called intermittent fasting. Some research has suggested that ingesting calories only in a certain time frame during the day (8 hour, 10hour window) would put the body into fat metabolism while avoiding muscle catabolism during the remaining fasting hours. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of intermittent fasting and resistance training on body composition, mood state, and resting energy expenditure.
Minimal regular graph containing a given graph

Abstract It is shown that every graph on n vertices can be realized as an induced subgraph of a regular graph on at most 2n−2 vertices and this is the best realization possible. The proof uses an extension of a theorem of Erdos and Kelley, and some related results are also deduced.