cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safety of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of developing herpes zoster. In October 2017, the FDA approved a two-dose adjuvanted, recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (RZV). There is a theoretical concern that vaccine adjuvants may cause flares in patients with immune-mediated diseases. We aimed to assess the rates of IBD flare and adverse reactions after administration of RZV in a cohort of patients with IBD. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with IBD who received RZV between February 2018 and July 2019 at a tertiary IBD referral center. IBD activity scores were collected from patients during office visit or phone call after vaccination. The primary outcome was rate of IBD flare, defined as an increase in IBD activity, resulting in escalation of medical therapy, following vaccination. The secondary outcomes were rates of local and systemic adverse reactions after vaccination. We identified 67 patients (28 with ulcerative colitis and 39 with Crohn’s disease) who received at least one dose of RZV. The two-dose vaccine series was completed by 55 patients (82%). Median duration of follow-up after vaccination was 207 days. One case of IBD flare was identified. No cases of herpes zoster were identified. Local and systemic adverse reactions were reported in 74.6% and 56.7% of patients, respectively. In this cohort of 67 patients, a low rate of IBD flare (1.5%) was observed after RZV administration. Rates of local and systemic adverse reactions were comparable to those seen in the RZV clinical trials.
Job performance and productivity.

The aim of most psychologically based interventions in organizations is to increase the performance of workers, work groups, or organizational units. The assumption of the research cited earlier is that increases in performance or efficiency lead directly to increases in productivity. This chapter critically examines the assumption that interventions targeted at increasing job performance are optimal, or even appropriate means of increasing productivity in organizations.
Open innovation facilitates department-wide engagement in quality improvement: experience from the Massachusetts General Hospital

Quality improvement (QI) initiatives commonly originate ‘top-down’ from senior leadership, as staff engagement is often sporadic. We describe our experience with a technology-enabled open innovation contest to encourage participation from multiple stakeholders in a Department of Surgery (DoS) to solicit ideas for QI. We aimed to stimulate engagement and to assist DoS leadership in prioritizing QI initiatives. Observational study of a process improvement. The process had five phases: anonymous online submission of ideas by frontline staff; anonymous online crowd-voting to rank ideas on a scale whether the DoS should implement each idea (1 = No, 3 = Maybe, 5 = Yes); ideas with scores ≥ 95th percentile were invited to submit implementation plans; plans were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary panel to select a winning idea; an award ceremony celebrated the completion of the contest. 152 ideas were submitted from 95 staff (n = 850, 11.2%). All Divisions (n = 12) and all staff roles (n = 12) submitted ideas. The greatest number of ideas were submitted by faculty (27.6%), patient service coordinators (18.4%), and residents (17.8%). The most common QI category was access to care (20%). 195 staff (22.9%) cast 3559 votes. The mean score was 3.5 ± 0.5. 10 Ideas were objectively invited to submit implementation plans. One idea was awarded a grand prize of funding, project management, and leadership buy-in. A web-enabled open innovation contest was successful in engaging faculty, residents, and other critical role groups in QI. It also enabled the leadership to re-affirm a positive culture of inclusivity, maintain an open-door policy, and also democratically vet and prioritize solutions for quality improvement.
Academics as leaders in the cancer artificial intelligence revolution

The successful translation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications into clinical cancer care practice requires guidance by academic cancer researchers and providers who are well poised to step into leadership roles. In this commentary, the authors describe the landscape of the deep learning-based AI innovation boom in cancer research. For progress in applied AI research to continue, 4 essential components must be present: algorithms, data, computational resources, and domain-specific expertise. Each of these components is available to researchers and providers in academic settings; in particular, cancer care domain-specific expertise in academia is superb. Three common pitfalls for deep learning research also are detailed along with a discussion of how the academic oncology research environment is well suited to guard against these challenges. In this rapidly developing field, there are few established standards, and oncology researchers and providers must educate themselves about emerging AI technology to avoid common pitfalls and ensure responsible use.
Operations performance considering demand coverage scenarios for individual products and products families in supply chains

Abstract In supply chains, businesses compete to meet customer requirements by leveraging their competitive operational capabilities. In this paper, the manufacturer in its supply chain, faces uncertain market demand environment. Based on the products, operations and demand information, the manufacturer makes decisions to design its manufacturing system that saves time and effort in the production process. The methodology followed in this paper includes four phases. In Phase 1, the manufacturer benefits from the grouping of the similar products into families to save time and effort in the production and eventually the related machines are formed accordingly. In Phase 2, the decision of manufacturing system layout or design, considering a stochastic customer demand, is made including cellular manufacturing system design. In Phase 3, the expected profits generated by the system designed to meet the demand of product families are determined and optimal design is selected accordingly. In Phase 4, the problem of determining the optimal profits and quantities of the individual products in families, considering multi-demand coverage levels, is tackled using a proposed mathematical model, then results are analyzed. The results showed that similar products are grouped into four product families using p-median mathematical model and machine cells are formed accordingly. Consequently, the cellular manufacturing systems is designed for each family and the decision on the optimal number of cells is made based on the maximum expected profits generated by the system designed. Further, the problem of finding the optimal profits by individual products in families is studied considering three demand coverage probability scenarios: non-demand coverage restriction, only lower bound-demand coverage restriction and both lower and upper bounds-demand coverage restriction. Maximum profits are generated when the decision does not include any restriction on the demand; however, the product that has the lowest processing time is produced and sold where other products are not. This may leave the decision maker with either keep-the-winner perspective or not depending on the policy implemented in the competition process. Better decisions are made when more information is shared about the customer requirements.
Comparison of a novel preperitoneal sublay repair with traditional onlay repair of morgagni hernia: a tale of two techniques.

Morgagni hernia (MH) is a rare diaphragmatic hernia which needs surgical repair. The conventional reconstruction involves reduction of hernia, closure of the defect and placement of an intraperitoneal onlay mesh often using robotic platform for ease of dissection and suturing the mesh (r-IPOM). We propose a novel robotic preperitoneal repair (r-TAPP) of MH in four cases and compare them with conventional r-IPOM technique. Between August 2017 and August 2020 nine patients underwent repair of MH. Five cases underwent repair by r-IPOM (group I). For the other four cases, r-TAPP was used (group II). Among the nine cases, the mean age was 53 years in group I and 55 years in group II, mean defect size was 33 mm in group I and 55 mm in group II. Operative time was longer in group II compared to group I (220 min vs 135 min, p = 0.022). Mean length of hospital stay was 1.3 days in group I compared to group II (4.5 and 4.5 vs 1.3 days, p = 0.03). There was statistically significant difference in reduced post-operative pain and time to return to work in group II compared to group I. There was no difference in complications, 30-day readmissions or recurrence of hernia between the two groups. We conclude that compared to the conventional r-IPOM repair, the r-TAPP technique is associated with less pain, early discharge, and faster return to work, translating into overall cost savings for the hospital.
Dysregulated coordination of MAPT exon 2 and exon 10 splicing underlies different tau pathologies in PSP and AD

Understanding regulation of MAPT splicing is important to the etiology of many nerurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), in which different tau isoforms accumulate in pathologic inclusions. MAPT, the gene encoding the tau protein, undergoes complex alternative pre-mRNA splicing to generate six isoforms. Tauopathies can be categorized by the presence of tau aggregates containing either 3 (3R) or 4 (4R) microtubule binding domain repeats (determined by inclusion/exclusion of exon 10), but the role of the N terminal domain of the protein, determined by inclusion/exclusion of exons 2 and 3 has been less well studied. Using an unbiased correlational screen in human brain tissue, we observed coordination of MAPT exons 2 and 10 splicing. Expression of exon 2 splicing regulators and subsequently exon 2 inclusion are differentially disrupted in PSP and AD brain, resulting in the accumulation of 1N4R isoforms in PSP and 0N isoforms in AD temporal cortex. Furthermore, we identified different N-terminal isoforms of tau present in neurofibrillary tangles, dystrophic neurites and tufted astrocytes, indicating a role for differential N-terminal splicing in the development of disparate tau neuropathologies. We conclude that N-terminal splicing and combinatorial regulation with exon 10 inclusion/exclusion is likely to be important to our understanding of tauopathies.
Targeting Inhibition of Fibroblast Activation Protein-α and Prolyl Oligopeptidase Activities on Cells Common to Metastatic Tumor Microenvironments

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a membrane prolyl-specific proteinase with both dipeptidase and endopeptidase activities, is overexpressed by reactive stromal fibroblasts during epithelial-derived cancer growth. FAP digests extracellular matrix as tissue is remodeled during cancer expansion and may also promote an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment. Recent studies suggest that nonspecific FAP inhibitors suppress human cancer xenografts in mouse models. Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), another prolyl-specific serine proteinase, is also elevated in many cancers and may have a regulatory role in angiogenesis promotion. FAP and POP cell-associated activities may be targets for diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, but their accessibilities to highly effective specific inhibitors have not been shown for cells important to cancer growth. Despite their frequent simultaneous expression in many cancers and their overlapping activities toward commonly used substrates, precise, separate measurement of FAP or POP activity has largely been ignored. To distinguish each of the two activities, we synthesized highly specific substrates and inhibitors for FAP or POP based on amino acid sequences surrounding the scissile bonds of their respective putative substrates. We found varying amounts of FAP and POP protein and activities on activated fibroblasts, mesenchymal cells, normal breast cells, and one breast cancer cell line, with some cells exhibiting more POP than FAP activity. Replicating endothelial cells (ECs) expressed POP but not FAP until tubulogenesis began. Targeting FAP-positive cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts for inactivation or destruction, and inhibiting POP-producing EC may abrogate stromal invasion and angiogenesis simultaneously and thereby diminish cancer growth.
Design and Implementation of GeoBrain Online Analysis System (GeOnAS)

GeOnAS is an extensible, scalable and powerful online geospatial analysis system based on Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and is designed and implemented with the complementary technologies, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax) and Web services, which greatly increase the interactive capabilities of graphical user interfaces and improve the user experience. It provides a highly interoperable way of accessing Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant web services for geospatial data discovery, retrieval, visualization and analysis, and leverages web service standards to enable service discovery, selection, negotiation and invocation for making more informed decisions.
Risks, Returns, and Portfolio Diversification Benefits of Country Index Funds in Bear and Bull Markets

In this paper, we study the risk-return performance of 23 Ishares country index funds in the U.S. during the May 19, 2008-March 9, 2009 bear market and the March 9, 2009-January 19, 2010 bull market. Our findings with the Sharpe and Treynor portfolio performance measures indicate that the Malaysia, Japan, U.S., and Switzerland country index funds had the best performance in both markets. The statistics indicate that, in terms of loss recovery from the bear market to the bull market, the Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and Australia funds had the best performance and the Belgium, Austria, Italy, and Germany funds had the worst performance. Exchange-traded country index funds make it easy for investors to achieve global diversification. Our findings with the PCA (Principal Components Analysis) methodology indicate that investors had more global diversification opportunities in the March 9, 2009-January 19, 2010 bull market than in the May 19, 2008-March 9, 2009 bear market.
Zeros of the partial sums of cos(z) and sin(z). III

In this paper, we give new extensions of results by G. Szego, in 1924, on the interrelationships between the zeros of the partial sums of e^z, and those of the partial sums of cos(z) and sin(z). We also include numerical results and figures which illustrate our new results.
Abstract P101: Hypertension in Pregnancy and Risk of Hypertension in Later Life: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: Few studies have examined whether hypertension in pregnancy imposes long-term cardiovascular risk compared to a normal pregnancy. The objective of this study was to examine if previous history of hypertension in pregnancy is a risk for hypertension after pregnancy. Methods: A case-control analysis was performed using the Bogalusa Heart Study database. Cases were defined as women whose systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg, or having hypertension treatment. Controls were defined as women with normal blood pressure. After exclusions, 604 women (67% white and 33% black, aged 32-44 years) were included for analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The prevalence of hypertension in women was 12.1% (73/604). Hypertensive women had higher proportion of previous history of hypertension in pregnancy (25/73, 34%) than normotensive controls (83/531, 13.7%), with an OR of 2.81 (95% CI: 1.64-4.81). After adjustment for age, race, body mass index and smoking, adjusted OR (aOR) of having previous history of hypertension in pregnancy for developing hypertension later was 1.36 (1.00-3.75). In addition, age, black ethnicity and body mass index were associated with hypertension, with aORs of 1.16 (1.09-1.25), 3.73 (2.13-6.52), and 1.09 (1.05-1.13), respectively. Conclusions: Hypertension in pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension in later life. Further studies are needed to separate the effect of pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-exiting chronic hypertension on the subsequent risk of hypertension later in life.
Does the Constitution Follow the Flag?: The Evolution of Territoriality in American Law

Preface 1. Territoriality in American Law 2. Territory and the Republic 3. The Imperial Constitution 4. The Fall and Rise of Extraterritoriality 5. America Abroad 6. The Long Arm of the Law 7. Offshoring the War on Terror 8. Territoriality's Evolution
Apolipoprotein B secretion and atherosclerosis are decreased in mice with phospholipid-transfer protein deficiency

Increased secretion and levels of ApoB-containing lipoproteins (BLp) commonly occur in familial hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes. The plasma phospholipid-transfer protein (PLTP) is known to mediate transfer of phospholipids between BLp and HDL during their intravascular metabolism. To address a possible role of PLTP in dyslipidemia and atherogenesis, we bred mice deficient in the gene encoding PLTP (PLTP-deficient mice) using different hyperlipidemic mouse strains. In ApoB-transgenic and ApoE-deficient backgrounds, PLTP deficiency resulted in reduced production and levels of BLp and markedly decreased atherosclerosis. BLp secretion was diminished in hepatocytes from ApoB-transgenic PLTP-deficient mice, a defect that was corrected when PLTP was reintroduced in adenovirus. The studies reveal a major, unexpected role of PLTP in regulating the secretion of BLp and identify PLTP as a therapeutic target.
Static verification for code contracts

The Code Contracts project [3] at Microsoft Research enables programmers on the .NET platform to author specifications in existing languages such as C# and VisualBasic. To take advantage of these specifications, we provide tools for documentation generation, runtime contract checking, and static contract verification. This talk details the overall approach of the static contract checker and examines where and how we trade-off soundness in order to obtain a practical tool that works on a full-fledged object-oriented intermediate language such as the .NET Common Intermediate Language.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Patterns in Children and Adolescents: Influence of Renin-Sodium Profiles

A renin-sodium nomogram for normotensive children and adolescents was developed at our institution. The ambulatory blood pressure patterns of subjects classified by the nomogram were then compared. A biracial sample of 159 children and adolescents were classified as having a low, intermediate, or high renin-sodium profile based on the relationship between their plasma renin activity and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Casual (106/58 vs 107/61 vs 106/62 mm Hg) and awake (116/69 vs 117/69 vs 116/70 mm Hg) blood pressure values were comparable among subjects with low, intermediate, and high renin-sodium profiles. Subjects with high renin-sodium profiles, however, had a smaller decline in systolic blood pressure with sleep than did subjects with low renin-sodium profiles (7 vs 11 mm Hg; P
Sustained Ca2+ signaling in mouse lacrimal acinar cells due to photolysis of "caged" glycerophosphoryl-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

In saponin-permeabilized mouse lacrimal acinar cells, glycerophosphoryl-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (GPIP2) activated the release of sequestered Ca2+ to the same extent as inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ((1,4,5)IP3) but with a potency about 1/10 that of (1,4,5)IP3. In lacrimal gland homogenates, [3H]GPIP2 was metabolized to two compounds which upon anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography eluted at positions indicating that they were [3H]GPIP and [3H]GPIP3. The rate of metabolism of [3H]GPIP2 was much slower than that of [3H](1,4,5)IP3, and its rate of phosphorylation was less than 1% of that of [3H] (1,4,5)IP3. In intact lacrimal cells, photolysis of a microinjected "caged" derivative of GPIP2, 1-(alpha-glycerophosphoryl)-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate P4(5)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl ester, resulted in sustained activation of Ca2+ signaling; i.e. intracellular Ca2+ release followed by increased entry of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. These findings indicate that caged GPIP2 should provide a useful tool for producing photolytically initiated, sustained activation of intracellular (1,4,5)IP3 receptors. They also provide strong support for the idea that sustained Ca2+ signaling can be achieved in lacrimal acinar cells by activation of intracellular receptors for (1,4,5)IP3 in the absence of stimulated production of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate.
Dynamics of a three-level Λ -type system driven by trains of ultrashort laser pulses

We study the dynamics of three-level $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type atoms driven by a coherent train of short, nonoverlapping laser pulses. We derive analytical nonperturbative expressions for the density matrix by approximating the pulses by a $\ensuremath{\delta}$ function. We demonstrate that, depending on the train parameters, several scenarios of system dynamics can be realized. We show the possibility of driving Raman transitions between the two ground states of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system, avoiding populating excited states by using pulses with effective area equal to $2\ensuremath{\pi}$. The number of $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulses needed to transfer the entire population from one ground state to another depends on the ratio between the Rabi frequencies of two allowed transitions. In the case of equal Rabi frequencies, the system can be transferred from one ground state to another with a single $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse. When the total pulse area differs from $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ and the two-photon resonance condition is fulfilled, the system evolves into a ``dark'' state and becomes transparent to subsequent pulses. The third possible scenario is the quasi-steady-state regime when neither the total single-pulse area is equal to $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ nor is the two-photon resonance condition fulfilled. In this regime the radiative-decay-induced drop in the population following a given pulse is fully restored by the subsequent pulse. We derive an analytical expression for the density matrix in the quasi-steady-state regime. We analyze the dependence of the postpulse excited-state population in the quasi-steady-state regime on the train parameters. We find the optimal values for the train parameters corresponding to the maximum of the excited-state population. The maximum of the excited-state population in the steady-state regime is reached at an effective single-pulse area equal to $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and is equal to $2/3$ in the limiting case when its radiative lifetime is much shorter than the pulse repetition period.
HOx chemistry during INTEX-A 2004: Observation, model calculation, and comparison with previous studies

OH and HO2 were measured with the Airborne Tropospheric Hydrogen Oxides Sensor (ATHOS) as part of a large measurement suite from the NASA DC-8 aircraft during the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - A (INTEX-A). This mission, which was conducted mainly over North America and the western Atlantic Ocean in summer 2004, was an excellent test of atmospheric oxidation chemistry. Throughout the troposphere, observed OH was generally 0.60 of the modeled OH; below 8 km, observed HO2 was generally 0.78 of modeled HO2. If the over-prediction of tropospheric OH is not due to an instrument calibration error, then it implied less global tropospheric oxidation capacity and longer lifetimes for gases like methane and methyl chloroform than currently thought. This discrepancy falls well outside uncertainties in both the OH measurement and rate coefficients for known reactions and points to a large unknown OH loss. If the modeled OH is forced to agree with observed values by introducing of an undefined OH loss that removed HOx (HOx=OH+HO2), the observed and modeled HO2 and HO2/OH ratios are largely reconciled within the measurement uncertainty. HO2 behavior above 8 km was markedly different. The observed-to-modeled ratio correlating with NO. The observed-to-modeled HO2 ratio increased from approximately 1 at 8 km to more than approximately 2.5 at 11 km with the observed-to-modeled ratio correlating with NO. The observed-to-modeled HO2 and NO were both considerably greater than observations from previous campaigns. In addition, the observed-to-modeled HO2/OH, which is sensitive to cycling reactions between OH and HO2, increased from approximately 1.2 at 8 km to almost 4 above 11 km. In contrast to the lower atmosphere, these discrepancies above 8 km suggest a large unknown HOx source and additional reactants that cycle HOx from OH to HO2. In the continental planetary boundary layer, the OH observed-to-modeled ratio increased from 0.6 when isoprene was less than 0.1 ppbv to over 3 when isoprene was greater than 2 ppbv, suggesting that forests throughout the United States are emitting unknown HOx sources. Progress in resolving these discrepancies requires further examinations of possible unknown OH sinks and HOx sources and a focused research activity devoted to ascertaining the accuracy of the OH and HO2 measurements.
Clinical evaluation of C7 spinal nerve transection: 21 patients with at least 2 years' follow-up

We have performed C7 spinal nerve transfer to treat root injury of the brachial plexus since 1989. Out of a total of 43 patients, 21 have been followed up for at least 2 years. Evaluation of the effect of C7 transection included clinical examination, intraoperative C7 stimulation, LIDO Workset machine and electrophysiological studies to test C7 innervated muscles, and histochemical analysis of the anterior and posterior division of the upper trunk using acetylcholinesterase stain. Nearly half of the study group (48%) reported no significant sensory changes and most patients (81%) did not notice any weakness of the limb following C7 transection. Some patients did experience sensory and motor abnormalities which were most frequent during the first postoperative month, improved during the 2nd month and in most cases resolved in the 3rd postoperative month. The only longer persistent abnormality was the triceps reflex, which becomes weak or absent. We also found that intraoperative C7 stimulation was a useful predictor of possible post-transection morbidity. Subclinical deficits, detected by the LIDO workset machine and by electro-physiological studies, were quite common. Histochemical analysis revealed that the posterior division of C7 had more motor fibres than the anterior division.
The role of endogenous opioids in the luteinizing hormone surge in rats: studies with clocinnamox, a long-lasting opioid receptor antagonist

Endogenous opioid peptides have been demonstrated to regulate luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in a variety of species. Studies in rodents suggest a role of opioid peptide systems in controlling the timing of the LH surge, which is entrained to the circadian rhythm. The current studies utilize clocinnamox, a novel long-lasting opioid receptor antagonist that is capable of occupying μ-opioid receptors for periods of one week or more, to examine the role of endogenous opioid systems on the LH surge. Administration of clocinnamox [14b-(p-chlorocinamoylamino)-7,8-dihydro-N-cyclopropylmethyl normophineone mesylate]) on the morning of proestrus advanced the LH surge by several hours. Despite the blockade of opioid receptors and analgesia for more than one week, administration of clocinnamox on the evening of diestrus II had no effect on the timing of the LH surge but significantly increased plasma LH levels throughout the day of proestrus. These data suggest that removal of opioid tone is unlikely to be the critical signal controlling the initiation of the LH surge in rodents, although it does appear to be permissive for the surge. Furthermore, the μ-opioid receptor appears to be the receptor involved in the regulation of the LH surge.
Vβ Activation by HIV Nef Protein: Detection by a Simple Amplification Procedure

Abstract We previously reported that Nef protein from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has superantigen properties. However,we were unable to consistently demonstrate Vβ-specific expansion by Nef using flow cytometry, possibly due to its lower mitogenic activity compared to prototypic superantigens. Therefore, we developed a simple amplification detection method using immobilized anti-Vβ antibodies. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from adult donors were treated for 24 h with Nef and restimulated with immobilized anti-Vβ antibodies for an additional 72 h. Significant expansion of Vβ5.3 and Vβ18 T-cells were detected in Nef-treated cultures, with expansion of Vβ18 occurring with all donors tested, and Vβ5.3 expansion occurring in 50% of the donors. Variable responses were obtained with Vβ2, Vβ3, and Vβ9. These results were confirmed using the more time-consuming method of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Thus, this novel, reproducible, and relatively simple method can detect Vβ-specific expansion by weak superantigens.
S-adenosyl-L-methionine is a carbon donor in the conversion of benzo[a]pyrene to 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene by rat liver S-9

Abstract In earlier studies we reported that 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene is a metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene and of 6-methylbenzo[a]pyrene when these substrates are incubated with homogenates or microsomal preparations of liver and microsomal preparations of subcutaneous tissue from Sprague-Dawley rats. However, the origin of the carbon donor was not established. We now report that S-adenosyl- l -methionine (SAM) can serve as a carbon donor in the metabolic formation of 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene from benzo[a]-pyrene by the S-9 fraction of rat liver.
Computational analysis of airflow and nanoparticle deposition in a combined nasal–oral–tracheobronchial airway model

Abstract In light of the exponentially increasing industrial production and consumer use of ultrafine particles, deposition in the human lung is of great environmental and biomedical concern, especially for children, asthmatics and the elderly. Considering spherical nanoparticles in the 1–100 nm mean-diameter range and different breathing routes with Qtotal=30 and 60 L/min, local deposition fractions and global surface concentrations were predicted employing an experimentally validated computer simulation model. It was found that the change in breathing route (from nasal to oral breathing) not only significantly influences nanoparticle deposition in the regions of nasal and oral cavities, nasopharynx and oropharynx, but also measurably affects depositions from pharynx to bronchial airways for tiny nanoparticles (≤5 nm). The effect of breathing routes on deposition of larger nanoparticles (>5 nm) after the pharynx tends to be minor. The impact of different outlet flow-rate ratios generated by downstream resistances, e.g., caused by airway inflammation or tumors, is discussed in this study as well. Specifically, different outlet pressures primarily influence the velocity profiles and nanoparticle deposition fractions at that particular branch and adjacent bifurcations. In addition, the impact of change in outlet flow rate ratio on total deposition is confined to all same-level bifurcations and direct upstream-level bifurcations. The mass transfer coefficients of depositing nanoparticles (in terms of Sherwood number) can be well correlated as a function of Reynolds number and Schmidt number. The influence of downstream resistance on the Sherwood number in bronchial airways is smaller than intra-subject effects, i.e., variations of bifurcation levels and geometric parameters.
Differences in Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior in Depressed and Nondepressed Individuals

Recent research has indicated an association between depression and lack of social skill. The present investigation sought to extend these findings to the self-monitoring of expressive behavior by ...
New ways of imaging uptake and intracellular fate of liposomal drug carrier systems inside individual cells, based on Raman microscopy.

Recent developments, combining Raman spectroscopy with optical microscopy, provide a new noninvasive technique to assess and image cellular processes. Of particular interest are the uptake mechanisms of various cytologically active compounds. In order to distinguish the species of interest from their cellular environment spectroscopically, compounds may be labeled with deuterium. Here, we apply Raman microspectroscopy to follow the uptake of liposomal drug carrier systems that have been introduced to deliver biologically active compounds to their site of action within human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. The distribution patterns of liposomes and liposomes surface-modified with a cell-penetrating peptide (TAT-peptide, TATp) have been imaged over time. The spectroscopic information obtained provides a clear evidence for variable rates, as well as different efficiencies of liposome uptake depending on their surface properties. Depending on the experimental setup, the technique may be applied to fixed or...
Tectonic implications of 40Ar/39Ar ages from a pre-Mesozoic metamorphic basement penetrated on Leg 77 of the deep sea drilling project in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Drilling penetrated pre-Mesozoic crystalline basement beneath abbreviated sedimentary sequences overlying fault blocks in the south-eastern Gulf of Mexico. At Site 538A located on Catoche Knoll, a foliated, regional metamorphic association of variably mylonitic felsic gneisses and interlayered amphibolite is intruded by post-tectonic diabase dikes. Hornblende from the amphibolite records 40 Ar/ 39 Ar plateau dates of c. 500 Ma, indicating early Paleozoic metamorphism. Biotite from the gneiss yields a plateau age of c. 350 Ma which likely dates a superposed late Paleozoic thermal event. A whole-rock diabase sample records a crystallization date of 190.4 ± 3.6 Ma. A phyllitic metasedimentary sequence was penetrated at Site 537 drilled 30 km northwest of Catoche Knoll. Whole-rock phyllite samples display variably discordant 240 Ar/ 39 Ar age spectra, but plateau segments clearly document an early Paleozoic metamorphism at c. 500 Ma. The age and lithologic character of the basement terrane penetrated at Sites 537 and 538A suggest that the drilled fault block are underlain by attenuated fragments of continental crust of “Pan-African” affinity. This support pre-Mesozoic tectonic reconstructions which locate Yucatan in the present Gulf recess during amalgamation of Pangea.
Modulating unpolarized current in quantum spintronics: Visibility of spin-interference effects in multichannel Aharonov-Casher mesoscopic rings

The conventional unpolarized current injected into a {\em quantum-coherent} semiconductor ring attached to two external leads can be modulated from perfect conductor to perfect insulator limit via Rashba spin-orbit (SO) coupling. This requires that ballistic propagation of electrons, whose spin precession is induced by the Aharonov-Casher phase, takes place through a single conducting channel ensuring that electronic quantum state remains a pure separable one in the course of transport. We study the fate of such spin interference effects as more than one orbital conducting channel becomes available for quantum transport. Although the conductance of multichannel rings, in general, does not go all the way to zero at any value of the SO coupling, some degree of current modulation survives. We analyze possible scenarios that can lead to reduced visibility of spin interference effects that are responsible for the zero conductance at particular values of the Rashba interaction: (i) the transmitted spin states remain fully coherent, but conditions for destructive interference are different in different channels; (ii) the transmitted spins end up in partially coherent quantum state arising from entanglement to the environment composed of orbital degrees of freedom of the same particle to which the spin is attached.
Operating system virtualization: practice and experience

Operating system (OS) virtualization can provide a number of important benefits, including transparent migration of applications, server consolidation, online OS maintenance, and enhanced system security. However, the construction of such a system presents a myriad of challenges, even for the most cautious developer, that if overlooked may result in a weak, incomplete virtualization. We present a detailed discussion of key implementation issues in providing OS virtualization in a commodity OS, including system call interposition, virtualization state management, and race conditions. We discuss our experiences in implementing such functionality across two major versions of Linux entirely in a loadable kernel module without any kernel modification. We present experimental results on both uniprocessor and multiprocessor systems that demonstrate the ability of our approach to provide fine-grain virtualization with very low overhead.
Metal-Core-Organic Shell Dendrimers as Unimolecular Micelles

The synthesis and characterization of nanoparticle-cored dendrimers (NCDs), consisting of a metal core capped by arylpolyethers terminated with ester or carboxylate groups, are reported. These NCDs, comprising nanometer-sized gold clusters at the core and organic dendrons radially connected to the gold core by gold−sulfur bonds, were analyzed by TEM, TGA, UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopies. The density of the branching units connected to the core decreased from 1.90/nm2 for a first-generation NCD (Au−G1(CO2Me)) to 0.80/nm2 for a fourth-generation NCD (Au−G4(CO2Me)). Although the ester-terminated NCDs were stable and resisted aggregation, they were easily hydrolyzed to the corresponding water-soluble sodium salts. Aqueous solutions of (Au−Gn(CO2Na)) exhibited micellar properties. Since these NCDs possess a relatively unpassivated metal core and an organic aryl ether shell with micellar and dendritic properties, they are expected to have important potential applications in catalysis.
A comparison of the dimple spacing on intergranular creep fracture surfaces with the slip band spacing for copper

Abstract We have shown that the dimple spacing on intergranular creep fracture surfaces of copper coincides with the slip band spacing and that both quantities are inversely proportional to the applied stress. This correlation between slip band formation and cavity nucleation suggests that cavities may be nucleated by a process involving the intersection of slip bands and grain boundaries.
High-resolution EEG: a new realistic geometry spline Laplacian estimation technique

Abstract Background : A new realistic geometry (RG) spline Laplacian estimation technique has been developed for high-resolution EEG imaging. Methods : Estimation of the parameters associated with the spline Laplacian is formulated by seeking the general inverse of a transfer matrix. The number of spline parameters, which need to be determined through regularization, is reduced to one in the present approach, thus enabling easy implementation of the RG spline Laplacian estimator. Results : Computer simulation studies have been conducted to test the feasibility of the new approach in a 3-concentric-sphere head model. The new technique has also been applied to human visual evoked potential data with a RG head model. Conclusions : The present numerical and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the new approach and indicate that the RG spline Laplacian can be estimated easily from the surface potentials and the scalp geometry.
Laparoscopic versus open liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer: A metaanalysis of 610 patients

Background Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains controversial. The objective of this manuscript was to perform a metaanalysis comparing outcomes of LLR with open liver resection (OLR) in patients with hepatic mCRC, and to identify which patients were suitable candidates for LLR. Study design A PubMed search identified 2,122 articles. When filtered for case-matched articles comparing LLR with OLR for mCRC, 8 articles were identified consisting of 610 patients (242 LLR, 368 OLR). A random effects metaanalysis was performed. Results The 2 groups were well-matched for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumor size, number of metastases, extent of major hepatectomy, and use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy. The mean number of metastases in the LLR and OLR groups were 1.4 and 1.5, respectively ( P = .14). Estimated blood loss was less in LLR group (262 vs 385 mL; P = .049). Transfusion rate was significantly less in LLR group (9.9 vs 19.8%; P = .004). There was no difference in operative time (248.7 vs 262.8 min; P = .85). Length of stay (LOS) was less in the LLR group (6.5 vs 8.8 days; P = .007). The overall complication rate was less in LLR group (20.3% vs 33.2%; P = .03). Importantly, there was no difference in the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) rates. Conclusion In carefully selected patients with limited mCRC (1 or 2 tumors), LLR provides marked perioperative benefits without compromising oncologic outcomes or long-term survival. Specifically, LLR offers decreased blood loss, LOS, and overall complication rates with comparable 5-year OS and DFS.
Peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites in a renal epithelial cell line (MDCK)

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells express a high density of binding sites (Bmax = 0.67 pmol/10(6) cells) for [3H]RO 5-4864, a peripheral-type benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor ligand. Receptor affinity (Kd = 45 nM) in MDCK cells is 30-50 fold lower than in rat kidney, but its pharmacological specificity is identical to that of peripheral-type BZD receptors in the rat kidney (PK 11195 greater than RO 5-4864 greater than diazepam = flunitrazepam greater than clonazepam). The MDCK cell line should provide a useful model system for studying the role of peripheral type BZD receptors in renal function.
Contribution of the FMR1 gene mutation to human intellectual dysfunction

The degree to which genetic factors influence human intelligence remains a matter of some controversy. However, there is little doubt that single gene mutations can significantly alter brain development and function. For example, mutations affecting the FMR1 gene cause the fragile X syndrome, the most prevalent known inherited cause of intellectual dysfunction. The most common mutation occurring in the FMR1 locus involves expansion of a trinucleotide (CGG)n repeat sequence within the promoter region of the gene. Between 6 and 54 repeats are typically observed in individuals from the general population. When > or = 200 CGG repeats are present, the expanded repeat sequence and an adjacent CpG island are usually hypermethylated, Aa phenomenon associated with transcriptional silencing of the gene and commonly referred to as the FMR1 full mutation. The intermediate range of repeats (approximately 50 to 200 CGGs), referred to as the premutation, is characterized by the absence of hypermethylation within the promoter region and normal phenotype. Some individuals have a combination of methylated and unmethylated alleles of differing size and are referred to as having mosaic status. Most males with the FMR1 full mutation function in the mentally retarded range of intelligence; in contrast, females with the FMR1 full mutation show a broader range of intelligence, from mental retardation to normal IQ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Atorvastatin May Have No Effect on Acute Phase Reaction in Children After Intravenous Bisphosphonate Infusion

Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy is associated with acute phase reaction characterized by fever and musculoskeletal pain. Bisphosphonates have been shown in vitro to activate gammadeltaT-cells to proliferate and produce cytokines, suggesting a role in acute phase reaction, which can be effectively blocked by statins. We conducted a double-blind randomized crossover placebo controlled study in 12 children (12.1 +/- 4.2 yr; 10 girls and 2 boys) receiving intravenous bisphosphonates to evaluate whether statins can be used to prevent acute phase reaction associated with therapy. Children received two cycles given 3-4 mo apart of intravenous bisphosphonate given on 2 consecutive days in each cycle. Atorvastatin 10 mg or placebo was given orally once a day for 3 days, starting the day before intravenous bisphosphonate therapy and on the 2 infusion days. We measured pain using a visual analog pain scale at five time points in 0-48 h, oxycodone use for pain, acetaminophen for fever, C-reactive protein (CRP), and total and percent gammadeltaT-cells. There was a nonsignificant decrease in pain, oxycodone use, and acetaminophen use with Atorvastatin compared with placebo. There was no difference in CRP and total or percent gammadeltaT-cells between the two groups. The results remained unchanged after adjustment for Atorvastatin versus placebo given with the first cycle. We conclude that in vivo Atorvastatin may not be as effective in modulating the acute phase reaction associated with intravenous bisphosphonate as would have been anticipated from in vitro studies.
PMMA development studies using various synchrotron sources and exposure conditions

PMMA has been the primary resist used in synchrotron exposures for micro-machined parts fabricated by the LIGA process. Because development of this resist directly influences both tolerances and surface finish of completed LIGA structures, it is important to have a good quantitative understanding of PMMA development as a function of the absorbed dose, as well as both the exposure and development conditions. The various synchrotron sources used for LIGA fabrication vary widely in beam energy and flux, and these variations would be expected to influence development rates. Here we present a simple method to measure PMMA development rate over a moderate range of doses using only a single exposure at the synchrotron source. By employing several exposures, this method allows ready determination of development rates over a wide range of exposure and development conditions. Results are presented for the kinetics of PMMA development over a range of development temperatures, absorbed doses, dose rates and sample ages for exposures performed at three major x-ray sources in the United States.
The age of capital and growth in the Soviet nonagricultural nonresidential sector

A prominent aspect of the Soviet strategy for economic growth has been the emphasis on priority sectors deemed particularly important for development. The emphasis accorded them may be seen quite clearly by noting their ascending share in the capital stock. Thus net fixed capital in the portion of the economy excluding the two largest low priority sectors, housing and agriculture (leaving essentially industry, construction, transport, communications, trade and budget-financed activities, none of which can be conveniently eliminated), rose from 33%/ of the total in I928 to 75% in I962.1 Clearly its share in additions to capital must have been even larger. This is, therefore, a sector within which capital stock was growing especially rapidly and within which, if anywhere, technical change might be expected to occur.2 The purpose of this article is to focus on the nonagricultural nonresidential sector (NARS) of the Soviet economy and to explore the possible quantitative importance of the contribution to growth made by technical change embodied in and carried by investment in fixed capital. In order to provide a standard for evaluation, the estimated effect of technical change is juxtaposed with that of growth in such traditionally measured