cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The vitamin D receptor turns off chronically activated T cells.

T cell proliferation and T helper (TH ) cells that make IL-17 (TH 17 cells) and IFN-γ (TH 1 cells) have been shown to be inhibited by 1,25(OH)2 D3 . Previous work has shown that immune-mediated diseases, where TH 1 and TH 17 cells are pathogenic, are ameliorated with 1,25(OH)2 D3 treatment. Paradoxically, infectious diseases that require TH 1 and TH 17 responses for host resistance are unaffected by 1,25(OH)2 D3 treatment. Resting T cells are not responsive to vitamin D because they do not express the vitamin D receptor (VDR) until late after activation. T cells activated following an infection help clear the infection, and since the antigen is eliminated, vitamin D is not needed to dampen the immune response. Conversely, in immune-mediated disease, there is chronic T cell activation, and in this scenario, vitamin D and 1,25(OH)2 D3 are critical for inhibiting T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Vitamin D is a late regulator of T cell function and acts to turn off T cells. This paper will review these data.
Structure and function in promoter escape by T7 RNA polymerase

Publisher Summary T7 RNA polymerase is an ideal model system in which to study fundamental characteristics of the complex machine that is RNA polymerase. Although structurally unrelated to the more complex multi‐subunit RNA polymerases, it appears that the common functional requirements imposed on all DNA dependent RNA polymerases is likely to be reflected in many common mechanistic features. Both the small size of the protein and the small size of the promoter DNA allow studies in the single subunit enzymes which are difficult or impossible in the much larger multi‐subunit enzymes. Similarly, the ability to prepare large amounts (and concentrations) of highly active T7 RNA polymerase opens doors that remain largely shut to the multi‐subunit systems. A self‐consistent picture of the critical transition from initiation to elongation is beginning to emerge. The resulting model presented here generates new testable hypotheses that will allow us to further refine our understanding of this complex molecular machine.
Speculative Market Sructure and the Collapse of an Exchange Rate Mechanism

A salient feature of recent currency speculations in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism is that the speculators can be big strategic players in the market, along with the central bank. This paper develops a game-theoretic model that captures this feature of the speculative market. For a regime with a narrow fluctuation band, the analysis identifies the following factors affecting the equilibrium exchange rate movement: the cost and benefit considerations for both the speculator and the central bank, and the credibility of the band. The analysis also provides a framework to evaluate the effectiveness of different anti- speculation policy instruments, including reserves, interest rates, and capital controls. It suggests a potentially useful scheme that penalises the speculators only on their post-speculation gains (a "windfall tax"). For a wide-band regime, this paper shows the possibility of multiple equilibria, giving rise to a "wall within the wide band." Such a "wall" serves as a barrier to exchange rate movements and therefore helps stabilise exchange rate fluctuations, although it does not eliminate the possibility of the collapse of the system. The model also implies different forms of unconditional exchange rate distributions for different band regimes (narrow vs. wide).
Vertical Equity in the Taxation of Single-Family Homes

Vertical equity in ad valorem real property taxation is the concept that all properties within a taxing jurisdiction are assessed in equal proportion to their fair market value. This study examines...
Evolvability in dynamic fitness landscapes: a genetic algorithm approach

Evolvability refers to the adaptation of a population's genetic operator set over time. In traditional genetic algorithms, the genetic operator set, consisting of mutation operators, crossover operators, and their associated rates, is usually fixed. We explore the effects of allowing these operators and rates to vary under the influence of selection. The paper focuses on the suitability of alternative mutation models in dynamic landscapes. The mutation models include both traditional models in which all members of the population are subject to the same level of mutation and models in which mutation rates are genetically controlled.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Reputation and Institutional Investors

Drawing on the institutional theory, stakeholder perspective, and ownership literature on corporate social responsibility, this article sheds light on the relationship between the firm social performance and the financial performance of the firm. Singularly, the paper explores a moderating effect of both corporate reputation as a proxy for firm social activities’ publicity and the institutional investors in the firm. The paper proposes that expected positive impact of both reputation and institutional investors on the relationship between CSR and firm performance. Such that, the firm can best benefit from CSR activities when it has a good reputation among major stakeholders. The effect of institutional owners is expected to positively moderate the relationship between CSR activities and firm performance. Overall, the paper suggests that corporate ownership structure, as well as corporate consistent reputation will have influence on the extent to which a firm may benefit from its CSR activities which would open a new avenue for research on governance structure with regard to CSR and firm performance. Implications for both academics and practitioners are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
Hemorrhagic Shock Induces NAD(P)H Oxidase Activation in Neutrophils: Role of HMGB1-TLR4 Signaling

Hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation (HS/R)-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in posthemorrhage inflammation and tissue injury. We have recently reported that HS/R-activated neutrophils (PMN), through release of ROS, serve an important signaling function in mediating alveolar macrophage priming and lung inflammation. PMN NAD(P)H oxidase has been thought to be an important source of ROS following HS/R. TLR4 sits at the interface of microbial and sterile inflammation by mediating responses to both bacterial endotoxin and multiple endogenous ligands, including high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Recent studies have implicated HMGB1 as an early mediator of inflammation after HS/R and organ ischemia/reperfusion. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that HS/R activates NAD(P)H oxidase in PMN through HMGB1/TLR4 signaling. We demonstrated that HS/R induced PMN NAD(P)H oxidase activation, in the form of phosphorylation of p47phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase, in wild-type mice; this induction was significantly diminished in TLR4-mutant C3H/HeJ mice. HMGB1 levels in lungs, liver, and serum were increased as early as 2 h after HS/R. Neutralizing Ab to HMGB1 prevented HS/R-induced phosphorylation of p47phox in PMN. In addition, in vitro stimulation of PMN with recombinant HMGB1 caused TLR4-dependent activation of NAD(P)H oxidase as well as increased ROS production through both MyD88-IRAK4-p38 MAPK and MyD88-IRAK4-Akt signaling pathways. Thus, PMN NAD(P)H oxidase activation, induced by HS/R and as mediated by HMGB1/TLR4 signaling, is an important mechanism responsible for PMN-mediated inflammation and organ injury after hemorrhage.
Control of Syngeneic Tumor Growth by Activation of CD8+ T Cells: Efficacy Is Limited by Migration Away from the Site and Induction of Nonresponsiveness

Activation of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells in response to syngeneic tumor has been visualized by adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells from OT-I mice, with a transgenic TCR specific for H-2Kb and an OVA peptide, into Thy-1 congenic recipients. Intraperitoneal challenge with E.G7, the EL-4 thymoma transfected with OVA, results in activation and clonal expansion of the OT-I cells in the peritoneal cavity and transient control of tumor growth. However, within 2 days after becoming activated, the OT-I cells migrate out of the peritoneal cavity into the spleen and lymph nodes, and tumor growth resumes in the peritoneal cavity. The OT-I cells in lymph nodes and spleen have lytic effector activity, but exhibit split anergy in that they cannot proliferate in response to Ag unless exogenous IL-2 is provided. The failure to remain at the tumor site and continue to control tumor growth is not due to selection of Ag loss variants or development of suppression. These results suggest that effective CD8-targeted immunotherapy may depend less on enhancing the initial activation and more on sustaining the response at the appropriate location and/or reactivating cells that have left the site of tumor growth and become nonresponsive.
Undertriage of older trauma patients: is this a national phenomenon?

Abstract Background Older age is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality after injury. Statewide studies suggest significantly injured patients aged ≥55 y are commonly undertriaged to lower level trauma centers (TCs) or nontrauma centers (NTCs). This study determines whether undertriage is a national phenomenon. Materials and methods Using the 2011 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, significantly injured patients aged ≥55 y were identified by diagnosis and new injury severity score (NISS) ≥9. Undertriage was defined as definitive care anywhere other than level I or II TCs. Weighted descriptive analysis compared characteristics of patients by triage status. Multivariable logistic regression determined predictors of undertriage, controlling for hospital characteristics, injury severity, and comorbidities. Results Of 4,152,541 emergency department (ED) visits meeting inclusion criteria, 74.0% were treated at lower level TCs or NTCs. Patients at level I and II TCs more commonly had NISS ≥9 (22.2% versus 12.3%, P Conclusions There is substantial undertriage of patients aged ≥55 y nationwide. Over half of significantly injured older patients are not treated at level I or II TCs. The impact of undertriage should be determined to ensure older patients receive trauma care at the optimal site.
Systematic review of outcomes following observational and operative endoscopic middle ear surgery.

Objectives Middle ear surgery increasingly employs endoscopes as an adjunct to or replacement for the operative microscope. We provide a systematic review of endoscope applications in middle ear surgery with an emphasis on outcomes, including the need for conversion to microscope, audiometric findings, length of follow-up, as well as disease-specific outcomes. Data Sources PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL database. Methods A literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis recommendations. Articles were categorized based on study design, indication, and use of an endoscope either as an adjunct to or as a replacement for a microscope. Qualitative and descriptive analyses of studies and outcomes data were performed. Results One-hundred three articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the identified articles, 38 provided outcomes data. The majority of these studies were moderate quality, retrospective, case-series reports. The indications for use of the endoscope were broad, with the most common being resection of cholesteatoma. In cholesteatoma surgery, endoscope approaches routinely identified residual cholesteatoma in primary and second-look cases. Other outcomes, including robust audiometric data, operating room times, wound healing, and quality of life surveys were not well described. Conclusions Endoscopes have consistently been used as an adjunct to the microscope to improve visualization of the tympanic cavity. Recent reports utilize the endoscope exclusively during surgical dissection; however, data comparing patient outcomes following the use of an endoscope to a microscope are lacking. Areas in need of additional research are highlighted. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 125:1205–1214, 2015
Effects on Student Achievement of Behavioral and Nonbehavioral Objectives

Educators disagree on the relative merits of stating classroom objectives behaviorally or nonbehaviorally and have done little to add data to their argument. An experiment was conducted in the field of social science where one of three lists of objectives—one list nonbehavioral, the other two behavioral--was randomly assigned to participating high school social studies teachers who were instructed to teach objectives in their classes. Unit sampling was used and eighteen classrooms were involved. Students were measured, using a form of item sampling, on the acquisition of the five skills stated in the behavioral objectives as well as on eighteen transfer skills. Teachers’ faulty understanding of objectives, indicated by their inability to provide relevant classroom practice and to identify, when asked, test items measuring given objectives, may have accounted for lack of differences.
Analysis of a novel offset cone-beam computed mammotomography system geometry for accomodating various breast sizes

We evaluate a newly developed dedicated cone-beam transmission computed mammotomography (CmT) system configuration using an optimized quasi-monochromatic cone beam technique for attenuation correction of SPECT in a planned dual-modality emission and transmission system for pendant, uncompressed breasts. In this study, we perform initial CmT acquisitions using various sized breast phantoms to evaluate an offset cone-beam geometry. This offset geometry provides conjugate projections through a full 360 degree gantry rotation, and thus yields a greatly increased effective field of view, allowing a much wider range of breast sizes to be imaged without truncation in reconstructed images. Using a tungsten X-ray tube and digital flat-panel X-ray detector in a compact geometry, we obtained initial CmT scans without shift and with the offset geometry, using geometrical frequency/resolution phantoms and two different sizes of breast phantoms. Acquired data were reconstructed using an ordered subsets transmission iterative algorithm. Projection images indicate that the larger, 20 cm wide, breast requires use of a half-cone-beam offset scan to eliminate truncation artifacts. Reconstructed image results illustrate elimination of truncation artifacts, and that the novel quasi-monochromatic beam yields reduced beam hardening. The offset geometry CmT system can indeed potentially be used for structural imaging and accurate attenuation correction for the functional dedicated breast SPECT system.
The Speech Intelligibility Index and the Pure-Tone Average as Predictors of Lexical Ability in Children Fit With Hearing Aids

Purpose To determine whether a clinically obtainable measure of audibility, the aided Speech Intelligibility Index (SII; American National Standards Institute, 2007), is more sensitive than the pure-tone average (PTA) at predicting the lexical abilities of children who wear hearing aids (CHA). Method School-age CHA and age-matched children with normal hearing (CNH) repeated words and nonwords, learned novel words, and completed a standardized receptive vocabulary test. Analyses of covariance allowed comparison of the 2 groups. For CHA, regression analyses determined whether SII held predictive value over and beyond PTA. Results CHA demonstrated poorer performance than CNH on tests of word and nonword repetition and receptive vocabulary. Groups did not differ on word learning. Aided SII was a stronger predictor of word and nonword repetition and receptive vocabulary than PTA. After accounting for PTA, aided SII remained a significant predictor of nonword repetition and receptive vocabulary. Conclusions Des...
The stress fields of continuous distribution of dislocations and of their movement in a polycrystalline aggregate

Abstract The elastic fields due to the simultaneous influence of body force, surface force, and the continuous distribution of dislocations are derived. The derivation due to the last part is primarily based on the geometry of dislocations distribution. The obtained results are extended to the elastic-plastic deformation through the concept of dislocations movement. The resultant expressions show that the term associated with the plastic distortional gradient — C ijkl β p lkj and the term associated with the plastic strain C ijkl β p ik n j are equivalent to the body force and the surface force respectively. This result agrees with Lin’s “equivalent body force” and “equivalent surface force” obtained in phenomenological plasticity.
A Gα subunit gene is essential for conidiation and potassium efflux but dispensable for pathogenicity of Alternaria alternata on citrus

Heterotrimeric G proteins play a profound role in the recognition and transduction of extracellular signals in eukaryotic cells. We characterized the AaGα1 gene, encoding a fungal Class I Gα subunit of the GTP-binding protein, in Alternaria alternata of citrus. Interruption of AaGα1 with a marker gene resulted in fungal transformants producing fewer conidia, becoming hypersensitive to KCl, and displaying elevated lipolytic and pectolytic activities. Expression of a functional copy of AaGα1 in a null mutant restored all altered phenotypes to the wild type. The AaGα1 mutants, whose conidia germinate normally, caused necrotic lesions on citrus indistinguishable from wild type. Application of cAMP, its inhibitors (atropine and theophylline), or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) decreased conidiation in the fungal strains carrying a functional AaGα1. In contrast, conidial formation in the null mutants was restored by dibutyryl-cAMP or by a low concentration of cAMP or theophylline (1 mM). Unlike the oxidative stress-responsive AaAP1 transcription activator or the AaFUS3 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), AaGα1 is not required for cellular resistance to oxidative, osmotic, or chemical stress. AaFUS3 has also been demonstrated to be essential for conidial formation, suggesting a possible interaction between AaGα1 and AaFUS3 during conidiation even though expression of AaGα1 was not affected by AaFUS3 and vice versa. Inactivation of AaGα1 suppressed accumulation of transcripts of the AaAP1 gene and the AaHSK1 gene encoding a histidine kinase. These are novel features that have not been previously characterized to be associated with the GTP-binding protein.
SIN-fully silent: HDAC complexes in fission yeast.

Proper establishment, maintenance and removal of covalent post-translational modifications on histones are essential for normal cell physiology. In this issue, Nicolas et al. describe the characterization of two physically and functionally distinct Clr6 (Rpd3)-containing histone deacetylase complexes in fission yeast and implicate their activity in a number of processes, including transcriptional regulation, silencing and genomic integrity.
Triplet−Triplet Annihilation of Excited States of Polypyridyl Ru(II) Complexes Bound to Polystyrene

Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is used to study the triplet−triplet annihilation (TTA) interaction between the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited states of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes bound to a polystyrene backbone. The polymer chains have, on average, 20 repeat units, each functionalized with a transition metal complex. Spectroscopic experiments are performed on assemblies dissolved in acetonitrile at room temperature. The time-resolved spectra show kinetics that depend on the intensity of the excitation laser. These effects are attributed to the interaction between multiple excited states formed on a single chain. Fast and slow (intensity-dependent) kinetic components are observed. The fast (3 ps) component is assigned to the TTA of MLCT excited states formed at adjacent sites within the assembly, while the slow component is attributed to TTA between excited states that must undergo energy migration prior to annihilation. Femtosecond experiments are also performed on Ru(bpy)...
North-South-Trending Submarine Ridge Composed of Coarse Sand Off False Cape, Virginia: ABSTRACT

A narrow north-south-trending submarine ridge composed of coarse brown sand lies seaward of False Cape, Virginia. The ridge joins the present coast at the Virginia-North Carolina boundary (36° 33^prime N.) and extends northward approximately 8 miles to a point southeast of Little Island Coast Guard Station (36° 40^prime N.). The ridge is well defined by the 30-foot depth contour. Depths of 16-20 feet are common along the crest of the ridge; the water deepens to 30 feet or more on both its landward and seaward sides. The bottom sediment consists of fine gray sand in the deeper water landward and seaward of the ridge and also north of it. The surface of the coarse-grained sand on the ridge consists of symmetrical ripples with wave length of 50 cm. and height of 10 cm.; these ripples were active on a day when the height of the swell was 2-3 feet. The fine-grained sand landward of the ridge showed symmetrical ripples of 10 cm. wave length and 2-4 cm. height under the same swell conditions where the depth was less than 25-30 feet. In water of greater depth, no ripples were present and the bottom consisted of mounds and pits and other organic structures. The ridge is only one of a series of north-south-trending linear sand bodies that occur both landward and seaward of the modern shoreline. These ridges are tentatively interpreted as ancient coastal dune-beach complex which formed at various Pleistocene stands of the sea but have been truncated by the present shoreline, whose trend is approximately N. 30° W. from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Cape Henry, Virginia. The origin of this change in trend of shoreline orientation is not known at the present time. End_of_Article - Last_Page 278------------
He-diamond interaction probed by atom beam scattering

A $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ atomic beam was used to probe the He-C (diamond) interaction. Selective adsorption features have been measured and three energy levels identified: 6.4, 3.0, and 1.1 meV with a standard deviation of 0.1 meV. Diffraction patterns showed weak diffraction up to the second order; a corrugation parameter of 0.021 \AA{} was obtained with the use of a hard-wall model in the eikonal approximation. An extensive study of surface preparation was carried out and the results of $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ diffraction for different methods of surface cleaning are reported.
Morphology and rate of fracture in chemical decomposition of solids.

Self-fracturing of solids during chemical transformations is considered, and a first quantitative model of this widespread phenomenon is proposed. The analysis begins by considering the equilibrium of a single crack, and proceeds with the behavior of an ensemble of cracks. This enables one to solve the ``selection problem'' for this pattern-formation process and obtain formulas for the rate of crack-network propagation and for the diameter of the resulting blocks.
Histone synthesis in amphibian oocytes and early embryos.

Proteine, die wahrend verschiedener Entwicklungsstadien der Amphibien-Embryogenese auftreten, wurden isoliert und naher charakterisiert, wobei ein wesentlicher Anteil der mit3H-Leucin markierten Proteine aus Histonen besteht. In Eiern, deren Nukleus entfernt wurde, sowie in Ovarien-Oocyten, bei denen keine DNA-Synthese stattfindet, wurden jedoch Histone synthetisiert.
Doppler echocardiographic estimation of mitral valve area during changing hemodynamic conditions

Patients with mitral stenosis often present during periods of hemodynamic stress such as pregnancy or infections. The Doppler pressure half-time method of mitral valve area (MVA) determination is dependent on the net atrioventricular compliance as well as the peak transmitral gradient. The continuity equation method of MVA determination is based on conservation of mass and may be less sensitive to changes in the hemodynamic state. To test this hypothesis, 17 patients admitted for catheterization with symptomatic mitral stenosis and no more than mild regurgitation underwent Doppler echocardiography at rest and during supine bicycle exercise targeted to an increase in heart rate by 20 to 30 beats/minute. Net atrioventricular compliance was also estimated noninvasively. Cardiac output and transmitral gradient increased significantly during exercise (p less than 0.001), while net atrioventricular compliance decreased (p less than 0.001). MVA by the pressure half-time method increased significantly during exercise from 1.0 +/- 0.2 to 1.4 +/- 0.4 cm2 (p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in MVA estimation using the continuity equation comparing rest to exercise, with the mean area remaining constant at 0.8 +/- 0.3 cm2 (p = 0.83). Thus, during conditions of changing hemodynamics, the continuity equation method for estimating MVA may be preferable to the pressure half-time method.
Metacognition in the rat.

Summary The ability to reflect on one's own mental processes, termed metacognition, is a defining feature of human existence [1, 2]. Consequently, a fundamental question in comparative cognition is whether nonhuman animals have knowledge of their own cognitive states [3]. Recent evidence suggests that people and nonhuman primates [4–8] but not less "cognitively sophisticated" species [3, 9, 10] are capable of metacognition. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that rats are capable of metacognition—i.e., they know when they do not know the answer in a duration-discrimination test. Before taking the duration test, rats were given the opportunity to decline the test. On other trials, they were not given the option to decline the test. Accurate performance on the duration test yielded a large reward, whereas inaccurate performance resulted in no reward. Declining a test yielded a small but guaranteed reward. If rats possess knowledge regarding whether they know the answer to the test, they would be expected to decline most frequently on difficult tests and show lowest accuracy on difficult tests that cannot be declined [4]. Our data provide evidence for both predictions and suggest that a nonprimate has knowledge of its own cognitive state.
Adult-Directed Communications of Youth with Mental Retardation Using the System for Augmenting Language.

This study characterizes the success and effectiveness of adult-directed communications of youth with mental retardation and little or no functional speech who used the System for Augmenting Language (SAL), in concert with vocalizations and gestures, to communicate over a 2-year period. Subjects were introduced to the SAL, a speech-output communication device used during daily interactions, to encourage attempts at communication either at home or school. All subjects used the SAL at home and at school during the second year. Results indicate that subjects used the SAL with their extant forms of communication, particularly vocalizations. Extant communications were more successful than SAL communications, although the environment influenced the success of all of the youth’s communications. The SAL, however, was more effective than vocalizations or gestures in conveying information and interacting with adults in both environments. Maintenance, generalization, and implications for practice are discussed.
Ethnic Community Mother Tongue Schools in the U.S.A.: Dynamics and Distributions.

This study of ethnic community mother tongue schooling reveals a large increase in the present number of such schools in the United States and urges understanding and appreciation of these schools....
A second order approximation for the light scattering by uniform nanoegg dimers in the quasistatic regime

We study the scattering of light by nanoegg dimers using a computational scheme that allows for the efficient simulation nanoegg dimers. We utilize the quasistatic approximation combined with translation relations of spherical harmonic function that allows easier transition between different coordinates systems making the scattering problem easier to solve. We use this scheme to simulate the field enhancement and resonance properties of nanoegg dimers to study the effect of the various parameters on these resonance properties and field enhancement.
An advanced Compton telescope based on thick, position-sensitive solid-state detectors

Abstract The development of high-resolution, position-sensitive solid-state detectors enables γ-ray instruments with improved sensitivity and imaging capabilities. For γ-ray astronomy, an improvement in sensitivity of 20–50 over previous missions is anticipated with the Advanced Compton Telescope (ACT) mission. The γ-ray astrophysics group at NRL has been developing germanium strip detectors for several years. We have shown that 3D locations for γ-ray interactions can be determined with mm accuracy, and have also demonstrated imaging capability within a single germanium strip detector and in detector arrays. Based on the realization that three Compton interactions would enable the energy and direction cone of the incident γ-ray to be determined, even when the total incident γ-ray energy is not deposited in the detector, we have also initiated work on thick silicon strip detectors. We are investigating the use of both thick Si(Li) and thick intrinsic silicon detectors. Progress on this work, including initial tests of the multiple-Compton imaging technique, is presented.
How many grains are needed for a provenance study

Detrital provenance studies using single-grain geochronology are very labor-intensive. This paper presents a method for calculating k, the smallest number of grains in a sample that must be dated to achieve a required level of statistical adequacy. For example, if it is desired that no fraction of the population comprising more than 0.05 of the total is missed at the 95% confidence level, at least 117 grains should be dated. The paper also provides recommendations about cases where fewer than the optimal number of grains have been dated. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Comparison of stent axial integrity in first- versus second-generation drug-eluting stents: insights from intravascular ultrasound analysis

Background: Longitudinal stent deformation (LSD) is a recently reported complication of coronary intervention. To date, however, the axial integrity of stents has not been systematically examined. This study aimed to assess the rate of LSD after implantation using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods: A total of 182 drug-eluting stents (DES) of 165 patients who underwent IVUS after implantation for de-novo lesions were included. Stent length was determined using automatic pullback device. The absolute value of the difference in length [IVUS - label], and the absolute value of the relative difference in length [(IVUS- label)/label] were analyzed. Results: Stent distribution was as follows: 38.4% sirolimus-eluting stents (SES); 18.7% paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES); 20.3% Cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (Cc-EES); and 22.5% Platinum-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (Pc-EES). The absolute difference in length did not differ among groups. There were no differences in the absolute value of the relative difference between the Pc-EES and any other stents. The absolute relative difference of >5% was lower in the SES group (p=0.027). Significant change (>15%) in length was low and similar among groups. ![Figure][1] Conclusions: This IVUS analysis proved that SES has the lowest differences in stent length and that there are no significant differences in axial stent integrity among PES and second-generation DES. The anecdotal reports of LSD are unsubstantiated in contemporary clinical practice. [1]: pending:yes
Performance of dicyandiamide in the North Central states

Abstract The effectiveness of the nitrification inhibitors, nitrapyrin and dicyandiamine, in reducing nitrogen loss from soil and preventing reduction in crop yield was evaluated in field studies conducted over dozens of site years in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on corn, wheat, and a vegetable crop, potato. Both chemicals were effective in retarding the nitrification of ammoniacal fertilizers, including nitrogen from liquid animal manures, but this inhibitor did not always result in yield increases above that obtained with equivalent amounts of nitrogen applied without inhibitor. Greatest benefits for nitrification inhibitor use was obtained on coarse‐textured soils under conditions that were conducive to nitrate nitrogen loss when nitrogen was applied at rates not considered to be excessive.
The Priority of Participation: A Friendly Response to Professor Gargarella

A response to Roberto Gargarella’s review of Punishment, Participatory Democracy, and the Jury, by Albert W. Dzur.
Airborne-mercury detection by resonant UV laser pumping.

Optical pumping of the Hg0 6s 1S0→6p 3P1 transition at 253.7 nm (in air) leads to extremely fast energy transfer and strong laser-induced-fluorescence (LIF) from the Hg07s 3S1→6p 3P2 green transition at 546.2 nm, which is not directly populated by the laser. Ionization occurs simultaneously and becomes particularly strong at reduced background pressures. These observations are consistent with the existence of a multiphoton process followed by electron collisional excitation. Preliminary studies are made to evaluate these phenomena for detecting elemental airborne mercury by LIF and point monitoring with an ionization detector. Measured sensitivities of 2 and 10 parts in 109 (ppb), respectively, at 0.1-Torr air pressure are projected to increase to 1×10-4 and 1×10-5 ppb after relevant system optimization.
Treatment of hospitalized schizophrenics with trifluoperazine plus tranylcypromine: a double-blind controlled study.

Summary This study investigated the efficacy of adding a nonhydrazine MAO inhibitor to a phenothiazine in treating depressed schizophrenic patients. In a ten-week double-blind study, comparisons were made between a group given trifluoperazine plus tranylcypromine (T + T) and a group given trifluoperazine plus placebo (T + P). Assessments were made on the basis of ward behavior, psychologic testing, and clinical evaluation. For an initial two-week period, all patients were given trifluoperazine alone, in increasing dosage. For the remaining eight weeks of the study, one group received T + T, the other T + P, in a flexible dosage range of 5 to 50 mg. for trifluoperazine and 10 to 60 mg. for tranylcypromine. The placebo tablets and tranylcypromine were identical in appearance. In general, the differences between the T + T and T + P groups were few. These differences, although all in the direction of favoring T + T, reached only low levels of significance. However, both groups showed a substantial reduction in symptoms during the ten-week period from pretreatment to the final evaluation. Apparently, tranylcypromine does not contribute much to the benefits provided by trifluoperazine alone in the treatment of depressed schizophrenics. The results of this study do not indicate that tranylcypromine should be added routinely to a phenothiazine for treating withdrawn or regressed chizophrenies. Our advice to the practicing psychiatrist would be to treat such a patient wit trifluoperazine alone, adding tranylcypromine later if progress is unsatisfactory.
The Therapeutic Prison

Since the founding of the penitentiary, the hope has persisted that incarceration could serve reformative purposes. This intent to create a truly therapeutic prison is no longer a utopian dream. A ...
Diffusion Tensor Imaging for Brain Malformations: Does It Help?

In this article, the basics of diffusion-weighted imaging/diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are discussed, including a short historical perspective on the fiber dissection technique, followed by a review of selected brain malformations in which DTI and tractography have contributed to a better understanding of the malformations, and by a clinical case in which DTI showed a disorder of the internal neuroarchitecture that could not be correctly appreciated by conventional anatomic magnetic resonance imaging.
The two-centre problem in general relativity: the scattering of radiation by two extreme Reissner-Nordstrom black-holes

A special case of the Majumdar–Papapetrou solution of the Einstein–Maxwell equations is the static placement of two extreme Reissner–Nordstrom black-holes at a finite distance apart. The axisymmetric perturbations of this special solution are analysed in prolate spheroidal coordinates. In this paper, the analysis is restricted to axial perturbations. The problem is reduced to a pair of coupled partial differential equations. The equations allow the definition of an energy-flux whose divergence vanishes. The asymptotic behaviours of the solutions at infinity and at the two singularities (where the horizons of the two black-holes are located) are determined. It is shown that in the vicinity of the singularities, the gravitational and the electromagnetic radiation prevails as coupled photon-graviton waves expressed in terms of a common amplitude and phase, for each specified angular momentum. The scattering of radiation by the two black-holes is a four-channel problem (in the terminology of nuclear physics). The four channels correspond to the incidence of the two sorts of radiation (gravitational and electromagnetic) from infinity and the incidence of the coupled photon-graviton waves on the horizons of the two black-holes. The flux integral, evaluated at infinity and at the two horizons, enables the formulation of the scattering problem in terms of a scattering matrix ; and provides four identities among the scattering amplitudes as expressions of the conservation of energy in the scattering process. In an Appendix, the equations of geodesic motion in the space-time of the two black-holes are derived; and three families of null geodesics in the meridian plane are displayed.
Sinonasal quality of life outcomes after minimally invasive resection of sinonasal and skull-base tumors.

Background Minimally invasive endoscopic resection (MIER) has emerged as the standard for surgical management of benign and malignant sinonasal and skull-base neoplasms. The objective of the present study was to assess sinonasal quality of life (QOL) and to analyze factors that impact symptomatology after surgery. Methods This single-institution observational cohort study was performed on 94 patients over a 3-year period. Results The mean age was 55.2 years, with male:female ratio of 1.5:1. Benign and malignant tumors were observed in 48% and 52% of patients, respectively. The cohort's mean preoperative 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test score (SNOT-20) was 1.27, decreasing to 0.91 (p = 0.002) at 6 months postoperatively. Patients with benign neoplasms had a lower mean preoperative SNOT-20 score of 1.11 that decreased to 0.58 (p = 0.002), whereas patients with malignant tumors had a higher mean preoperative SNOT-20 score of 1.27, decreasing to 1.03 (p = 0.134) at 6 months postoperatively. The SNOT-20 scores for females improved 0.53 (p = 0.002) compared to 0.23 (p = 0.154) for males at 6 months. Statistically significant sinonasal QOL improvement was noted in nonsmokers (0.62, p = 0.0006), patients with no prior radiation or chemotherapy (0.59, p = 0.0029), and patients with no prior surgery (0.51, p = 0.0012). Multiple variable regression analysis demonstrated that the 2 strongest predictors for lack of SNOT-20 improvement were previous history of smoking (p < 0.05) and prior radiation and/or chemotherapy (p < 0.01) (R2 = 0.24). Conclusion MIER results in overall improvement in SNOT-20 scores, with greater change being noted in females and in patients with benign tumors. Prior smoking and chemoradiation strongly predict decreased improvement in sinonasal QOL after surgery.
Red oak wood derived inhibitors in the ethanol fermentation of xylose by Pichia stipitis CBS 5776

Xylose, the predominant sugar in red oak prehydrolysate, is fermented to ethanol byPichia stipitis CBS 5776. Toxic model compounds derived from red oak hemicelluloses, lignin, and extractives inhibited the fermentation. Treatment of the prehydrolysate with molecular sieve and mixed bed ion resins facilitated the ethanol fermentation giving about 10 g/l ethanol from 32 g/l initial xylose. Fermentation inhibitors derived from red oak lignin and extractives were identified.
The turnover of basal lamina glycosaminoglycan correlates with epithelial morphogenesis

Abstract The mouse embryonic submandibular epithelium begins as a single bud from the floor of the mouth which, under the influence of its surrounding mesenchyme, grows and forms lobules that subsequently branch repetitively. The lobular morphology of the 13-day epithelium is maintained by its basal lamina which is a continuous layer on the interlobular clefts but is interrupted on the distal aspects of the lobules. The structural integrity of this lamina is dependent upon its glycosaminoglycan (GAG) which, by histochemistry, is more abundant on the interlobular clefts than on the distal lobules. We have investigated the basis for these regional differences in the lamina by examining the synthesis and degradation of total GAG as well as the accumulation and loss of laminar GAG during the morphogenesis of the 13-day gland. Autoradiography and histochemistry show that laminar GAG is rapidly turning over. Although it is relatively stable in the interlobular clefts, GAG is rapidly degraded on the distal lobules. This difference can account for the regional variation in basal laminar GAG accumulation. The results of incorporation kinetics and precursor pool specific activities of total epithelial GAG show that the rate of GAG synthesis is greater than its rate of degradation in the base of the lobules, which includes the interlobular clefts. In contrast, during morphogenesis, the rate of GAG degradation becomes greater than its rate of replacement in the distal lobules. The epithelial stalk appears to be in the steady state regarding GAG metabolism. We propose (a) that the rapid laminar GAG degradation on the distal lobules produces the interruptions in the lamina, allowing epithelial growth and expansion, and (b) that the metabolic stability of laminar GAG on the interlobular clefts maintains the integrity of this lamina which serves as a cellular constraint. The results are consistent with a model for epithelial morphogenesis in which the mesenchyme remodels the lamina, which in turn, dictates epithelial morphology. Regulation of basal lamina turnover may be a general mechanism for controlling the behavior of epithelial cell populations.
Head, Face, and Neck Trauma from Large Animal Injury in New Mexico

BACKGROUND: Head, face, and neck injuries (HFNI) occur during animal-related trauma. We compared patients with HFNI and without HFNI after animal-related injuries to determine the significance of these injuries. METHODS: Retrospective review of admissions for animal injuries between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1995, by age, gender, mechanism, animal, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Abbreviated Injury Severity score for head and neck (AIS Head/Neck), AIS score for face (AIS Face), intensive care unit stay, hospitalization length, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: There were 153 admissions: 61 HFNI and 92 no HFNI. Significant differences occurred in gender, animal, activity, GCS, and ISS. HFNI had higher AIS Head/Neck, AIS Face, and mortality. HFNI were from horses in 87% and occurred during recreation in 89%; 39% of patients with HFNI were 18 years or younger. CONCLUSION: HFNI occur in females and young people and produce lower GCS score, higher ISS, higher AIS Head/Neck, higher AIS Face, and higher mortality. Most occur during recreational horseback riding. Protective headgear should be mandated.
The analysis and assessment of health programs

Abstract There is a vast gap between methodology and practice in the analysis and assessment of health programs. This presents an acute problem in developing countries where resource allocation decisions at the tight budgetary margin have important practical consequences. The prospects for improving this primitive situation depend critically on progress in analysis of the affordability and effectiveness of health programs. The analysis of affordability—especially on the recurrent cost side—is a necessary condition which can help ensure that proposed programs are unlikely to be vulnerable to implementation delays or underfinancing of operating costs which may seriously compromise the benefits expected from new investments. Improved analysis of effectiveness is also essential in order to help planners choose the best pattern of resource use from among the various combinations of programs that are affordable. To do this will require the devotion of substantial analytical effort to fill the great void of organized empirical knowledge available to those seeking to assess the effectiveness of health interventions. In particular there must be a shift in focus from single interventions directed at communicable disease in children to a broader concern with multi-purpose interventions, including those directed against the emerging problems of non-communicable disease in adults.
Using the MANA agent-based simulation tool to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of ground-based and airborne communications jammers in countering the IED threat to ground convoys

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are proving to be significant threats in modern asymmetric warfare. The United States is investigating and pressing into service numerous techniques to counter this threat. One approach is employment of jammer equipment to disrupt signals used to detonate the devices from some stand-off position. The purpose of this paper is investigate the use of agent-based models to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of ground vehicle-based and airborne communications jammers in protecting a ground convoy against IED attacks. The agent-based simulation tool, MANA, is used to simulate the scenarios. Simulation outcomes are data farmed across relevant ranges of input values pertaining to tactical factors such as jamming effectiveness, length of time IEDs are suppressed, and convoy speed. The average number of convoy vehicles killed by IEDs is the measure of effectiveness (MOE) used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the two types of jamming systems in countering the threat. Tactical factors having significant impact on the MOE are also identified. The importance of the work is not the quantitative outcomes per se, but the modeling, experimental design, and data analysis approaches used that can possibly serve as guidance to future studies of this nature.