cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic evaluation of patients with a brain mass as the presenting manifestation of cancer

Background: Patients with a newly detected brain mass and no history of cancer often undergo extensive diagnostic testing in search of a systemic primary neoplasm prior to selection of a biopsy site, potentially leading to unnecessary expense and delay. We sought patterns in the evaluation of these patients to allow rapid selection of a biopsy site. Methods: We compared the diagnostic evaluation of 176 patients with newly detected brain masses who were ultimately determined to have a metastatic or primary lesion. Results: In 88 patients presenting with brain metastasis, lung cancer was markedly overrepresented as a primary tumor, occurring in 82% of patients. Brain MRI and chest CT together identified the site for diagnostic biopsy in all except for two of the 176 patients. One-half of the patients with metastasis had brain biopsy as the primary diagnostic procedure, with 80% undergoing a craniotomy rather than needle biopsy. The initial management decision in the majority of metastasis patients was whether to perform a craniotomy for resection of tumor. Whereas patients with single and cerebellar lesions were most likely to undergo craniotomy, the extent of systemic disease did not affect the decision to recommend a neurosurgical procedure. The average time to biopsy for patients with metastatic and primary tumors was 4.7 days and 6.0 days. In this retrospective population, we estimated that evaluation with brain MRI and chest CT, followed by an early neurosurgical decision, could reduce the time to diagnosis by at least 10%. Conclusions: Chest CT and brain MRI, if used together as initial diagnostic studies, would have identified a biopsy site in 97% of patients with a newly detected brain mass.
Insulin-mediated modulation of cytochrome P450 gene induction profiles in primary rat hepatocyte cultures

In this investigation, we examined the effects of insulin on gene induction responsiveness in primary rat hepatocytes. Cells were cultured for 72 hours either in the absence or presence of 1 μM insulin and then exposed to increasing concentrations of phenobarbital (PB; 0.01–3.5 mM). Culturing in the absence of insulin produced 1.5–2-fold increases in the induction magnitude of CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 mRNA expression resulting from PB exposures, without altering the bell-shaped dose-response curve characteristic of this agent. However, for the CYP3A1 gene, insulin removal led to a pronounced shift in both the PB-induction magnitude and dose-response relationships of the induction response, with higher levels of CYP3A1 expression resulting from exposures to lower concentrations of inducer. Insulin removal also reduced the time required to attain maximal induction of CYP2B1/2 and CYP3A1 gene expression. The insulin effects were not specific for PB induction, as insulin deprivation similarly enhanced both dexamethasone- and β-naphthoflavone-inducible CYP3A1 and CYP1A1 expression profiles, respectively. In contrast, the level of albumin mRNA expression was reduced considerably in cells deprived of insulin. We conclude that insulin is an important regulator of inducible and liver-specific gene expression in primary rat hepatocytes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 13: 1–9, 1999
Software Library Usage Pattern Extraction Using Asoftware Model Checker

AbstractThe need to manually specify temporal properties of software systems is a major barrier to wider adoption of software model checking. To address this problem, we propose to automatically extract software library usage patterns, i.e., one type of temporal specifications. Our approach uses a model checker to check a set of template-based pattern candidates against existing programs, and identifies valid patterns based on model checking results. We applied our approach to extract one valid pattern of the C standard library from 500 C programs in Sourceforge.net using BLAST, and used the extracted pattern to detect an error in an open source project.
Enhancement of electric motor reliability through condition monitoring

Abstract Diagnostic service offerings, such as condition monitoring (CM) of electric motors, for industrial customers are a potential market for electric utilities. This paper reviews the mechanisms of major motor component failures along with the existing techniques for detecting these defects. Whereas other researchers have focused on singular methods for fault diagnosis, we seek to develop an integrated CM system for induction motors. Our approach combines the diverse information from motor magnetic fields, vibration signals, and acoustic emissions into a more robust and comprehensive CM approach. Such a multi-faceted methodology using diverse measurement signals will allow inter comparisons of diagnostic information.
Preparation and structure of trans-(η1-allyl)chlorobis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(II), Pt(η1-C3H5)Cl[P(C6H5)3]2

Abstract The structure of trans-(η1-ally)chlorobis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(II), Pt(η1-C3H5)Cl(PPH3)2, has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data. The compound was isolated while attempting to grow crystals of [Pt(η3-C3H5)(PPH3)2]Cl. The complex crystallizes in the space group C52hP21/n with four molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a = 12.580(3), b = 23.067(7), c = 12.316(4) A and β = 112.30(1)°. Least-squares refinement of the 136 variables has led to a value of the conventional R index (on F) of 0.048 for the 6289 independent reflections having F2o > 3σ(F2o). The complex is a typical square-planar Pt(II) complex; structural parameters: PtP 2.304(2) and 2.302(2), PtCl 2.425(2), PtC(1) 2.090(4), C(1)C(2) 1.464(7), C(2)C(3) 1.311(9) A, PtC(1)C(2) 112.6(3)°, C(1)C(2)C(3) 125.7(6)°. The angle between the plane of the allyl group and the mean coordination plane is 66°; the torsion angle PtC(1)C(2)C(3) is −119°. The structure is compared with other Pt(II) σ-complexes, and production of the complex rationalized. The isolation of the complex supports suggestions that the fluxionality of [Pt(η3-C3H5)(PPH3)2]Cl in solution involves a short-lived σ-allyl intermediate.
Slosh Analysis for Teardrop Tank

is subjected to the gravitational force due to the propulsive acceleration, and 2) the case in which separation of the slosh eigenfrequency is caused by the Coriolis force. For the first case, it is shown that the mechanical models in the two orthogonal directions in which the breadth of the liquid surface is maximum and minimum may exhibit difference for low liquid-filling levels. In the second case, a two-directional mechanical model is developed by taking into account the interaction between the slosh motions in the two orthogonal directions.
Redox-Active Metal-Containing Nucleotides: Synthesis, Tunability, and Enzymatic Incorporation into DNA

Novel redox-active DNA labeling tags with tunable electrochemical potentials are modularly synthesized using (a) bis-substituted Ru2+ or Os2+ precursors (R2bpy)2ML2, (b) substituted 2,4-pentanediones or hydroxamic acids bearing a functionalized linker, and (c) modified nucleotides. DNA polymerase efficiently incorporates the metal-containing nucleotide triphosphate into DNA oligonucleotides.
Antigen-Specific TCR-Pmhc Catch Triggers T-Cell Signaling by Rapidly Accumulating Successive Bond Lifetimes Prolonged by Optimal Force

T-cell receptor (TCR) binding to the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) initiates adaptive immune responses. However, the mechanism by which binding triggers intracellular signaling remains unclear. Mechanical force has been suggested to facilitate T-cell signaling; but the biophysical properties of TCR-pMHC interaction under force and their impact on T-cell signaling and antigen discrimination have not been characterized. Here, using an ultrasensitive mechanical assay with simultaneous Ca2+ imaging, we show that 10-pN force prolongs TCR-pMHC bond lifetimes for agonists (catch) but shortens those for antagonists (slip), thereby amplifying antigen discrimination.
Lesions of the rat postsubiculum impair performance on spatial tasks.

Previous studies have identified a population of neurons in the postsubiculum that discharge as a function of the rat's head direction in the horizontal plane ( Taube, Muller, & Ranck, 1990a ). To assess the contribution of these cells in spatial learning, Long—Evans rats were tested in a variety of spatial and nonspatial tasks following bilateral electrolytic or neurotoxic lesions of the postsubiculum. Compared to unlesioned control animals, lesioned animals were impaired on two spatial tasks, a radial eight-arm maze task and a Morris water task, although the performance scores of both lesion groups improved over the course of behavioral testing. In contrast, lesioned animals were unimpaired on two nonspatial tasks, a cued version of the water maze task and a conditioned taste-aversion, paradigm. In addition, lesioned animals showed transient hyperactivity in an open-field activity test. These results support the concept that neurons in the postsubiculum are part of a neural network involved in the processing of spatial information.
A germline point mutation in Runx1 uncouples its role in definitive hematopoiesis from differentiation

Definitive hematopoiesis requires the master hematopoietic transcription factor Runx1, which is a frequent target of leukemia-related chromosomal translocations. Several of the translocation-generated fusion proteins retain the DNA binding activity of Runx1, but lose subnuclear targeting and associated transactivation potential. Complete loss of these functions in vivo resembles Runx1 ablation, which causes embryonic lethality. We developed a knock-in mouse that expresses full-length Runx1 with a mutation in the subnuclear targeting cofactor interaction domain, Runx1 HTY350-352AAA . Mutant mice survive to adulthood, and hematopoietic stem cell emergence appears to be unaltered. However, defects are observed in multiple differentiated hematopoietic lineages at stages where Runx1 is known to play key roles. Thus, a germline mutation in Runx1 reveals uncoupling of its functions during developmental hematopoiesis from subsequent differentiation across multiple hematopoietic lineages in the adult. These findings indicate that subnuclear targeting and cofactor interactions with Runx1 are important in many compartments throughout hematopoietic differentiation.
The Suicide of Thomas Merton: Moral Narcissism, Contemplative Prayer, and the Religion of Humor

In this third and final of three successive essays, the author argues that Thomas Merton suffered from narcissistic personality disorder in conjunction with his melancholic condition. The author argues that contemplative prayer disabled Merton from working through his melancholic condition. Finally, the author argues that Merton’s melancholia, coupled with his heightened identity conflicts lead him to kill himself.
’Constituting the Child’ in Beginning School Reading Books

Abstract Children's first school books are a distinctive form of adult‐produced discourse, ostensibly about children and their everyday world. An analysis of the texts of a large corpus of these books shows how particular images of the child, as character in the books and as reader of the books, are constructed. The methods include vocabulary counts, a study of membership categorisation practices in the texts and a description of the relation between narrator and characters’ voices in the texts. The age and gender category memberships of characters in the books are fundamental to the descriptions of social relationships, and to the models of language, rationality and social order, which the books convey. The texts are further viewed as implicit introductions to school‐endorsed versions of how children think, act and talk, and hence to the official culture of schooling.
TACFIRE: A case history of a weapon system software development

The Tactical Fire Direction System (TACFIRE) is a computer based system for support of U.S. Army artillery units. This paper reviews the system requirements and traces the development history from 1959 to the present fielding of the first sets. Emphasis throughout is on software development aspects of the program. The study focuses on program management issues including contractual considerations that influenced the progress of the software and system development efforts. Lessons learned are identified along with areas recommended for careful review and considerations by program managers of software intensive systems. Material for this study was collected largely from existing documentation [Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs), Command Review and Assessment of Projects (RECAP's), and Historical Summaries] supplemented by extensive personal interviews with personnel currently and previously associated with the TACFIRE program, both on the government and contractor sides. In the interest of obtaining as much information as possible to make this a useful document, all interviews were conducted on a ''not for attribution'' basis. Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Defense University, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and other U.S. government agency, or any private organization.
Constitutional genetic markers of aging.

Abstract Constitutional genetic markers of aging can be defined as members of that subset of genes that modulate the times of onset and/or the rates of progression of one or more of the processes of aging, or the response of the target cells, tissues and organisms to a particular process. These genetic factors are classified into: (1) those that control changes in structure and function that may be universally expressed in aging organisms or that are expressed in large taxonomic groups of organisms (“public markers”) and (2) those that control changes that are species specific or that reflect polymorphisms or mutations within a species (“private markers”). Both spontaneous and experimentally induced genetic variation can identify and characterize such genetic elements. Recommendations for implementing such a program of research include (1) particularization of the aging phenotype, (2) further development of nonmammalian models amenable to genetic analysis, (3) systematic search for relevant spontaneous mutations in Mus musculus , (4) utilization of recombinant inbred, chimeric, transgenic and interspecific mice and (5) investigations of genetic concomitants of speciation.
Sacrospinous ligament fixation for eversion of the vagina

During the period from January 1, 1974, through June 30, 1987, 100 patients were treated with a sacrospinous ligament suspension of the vaginal apex at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Fifty-seven patients had a posthysterectomy complete vaginal prolapse; 38 patients, an incomplete vaginal prolapse; and five, a posthysterectomy enterocele. Fifty-one patients had had an abdominal hysterectomy and 49 a vaginal hysterectomy previously. Almost half of the patients had had at least one attempt at surgical correction of the prolapse and three patients had had four previous procedures. The immediate postoperative complications were not unexpected. Febrile morbidity responding to appropriate therapy was the most common complication. There was no surgical mortality. Seventy-one of the 78 patients were operated on greater than or equal to 1 year ago and were the subjects of the review. Sixty-four of the patients (90%) had complete symptomatic relief after operation. Ten of these patients had some asymptomatic laxity of the vaginal walls and nine others had satisfactory support but vaginal stenosis or symptoms of stress urinary incontinence after operation. Four patients developed cystoceles and three others had recurrent vaginal prolapse. The vaginal approach to the treatment of eversion of the vagina has many advantages, as reported. The surgical goals described were attained; therefore, use of the sacrospinous ligament fixation procedure as a therapeutic procedure only is defended. The surgical technique is described. Finally, the sacrospinous ligament fixation of vaginal vault prolapse should assume high priority in our therapeutic regimen.
Cardiopulmonary bypass inflammatory and immunologic phenomena

Summary All the evidence from clinical investigations and experimental observations is that cardiopulmonary bypass suppresses virtually all components of the immune system. Studies have shown that components of the immune function are depressed more in septic patients than in non-septic patients post operatively. Comparison of bubble oxygenators with membrane oxygenators shows that various parameters of immune function are depressed less with membrane oxygenators. The risk of introduction of bacteria into the blood stream appears to be greater with the bubble oxygenator than with the membrane oxygenator. Many of the damaging effects occur because of complement activation and the activation of blood cell components which are mediated by complement.
Breakdown of ozone and formation of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions of amine buffers exposed to ozone

Abstract Aqueous solutions of amine-buffers (e.g., Tris and 2(N-morpholino)ethane-sulfonic acid) removed ozone from a stream of gas as demonstrated by differential spectrophotometry. During the course of this reaction, hydrogen peroxide was formed and the amine group disappeared. Therefore, the use of organic-amine buffers may present a potential problem when used in association with ozone.
Comparison of scaled model data to full size energy efficient engine test results

Acoustic tests of a subscale fan and a subscale mixer nozzle were conducted in anechoic chambers over a variety of operating conditions. The subscale fan test was an investigation into the effects of vane/blade ratio and spacing on fan generated noise. A turbulence control structure (TCS) was used to simulate the 'turbulence-free' condition in flight. The subscale mixer nozzle test investigated the acoustic properties of several different forced mixer designs. A tertiary flow was utilized on the mixer model to simulate the forward velocity effects on the jet. The results were scaled up to full size conditions and compared with measured engine data. The comparisons showed good agreement between the component scaled model results and the full scale engine data.
The role of dehydration and antidiuretic hormone on water exchange in Rana pipiens

Abstract 1. 1. Experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of 8-arginine vasotocin on the effective water potential and on the hydraulic conductance of leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) during water uptake through their ventral integument. 2. 2. Vasotocin apparently decreases the effective water potential of intact frogs, thus bringing the effective water potential into close correspondence with the osmotic potential of extracellular fluids. 3. 3. Thus, well-hydrated frogs, which release little AVT, have effective water potentials considerably higher (more positive) than the osmotic potentials of their plasma, and therefore, demonstrate a diminished capacity to absorb water. 4. 4. Dehydrated frogs release AVT which causes their effective water potential to become essentially identical to the osmotic potential of their plasma. 5. 5. We hypothesize that the action of AVT is to mobilize water from the site of absorption by the frog, thereby resulting in maintenance of a high water potential gradient between the environment and the frog. and in increased rates of water uptake.
Medical Decision Making and Medical Education: Challenges and Opportunities

The Flexner Report highlighted the importance of teaching medical students to reason about uncertainty. The science of medical decision making seeks to explain how medical judgments and decisions ought ideally to be made, how they are actually made in practice, and how they can be improved, given the constraints of medical practice. The field considers both clinical decisions by or for individual patients and societal decisions designed to benefit the public. Despite the relevance of decision making to medical practice, it currently receives little formal attention in the U.S. medical school curriculum. This article suggests three roles for medical decision making in medical education. First, basic decision science would be a valuable prerequisite to medical training. Second, several decision-related competencies would be important outcomes of medical education; these include the physician's own decision skills, the ability to guide patients in shared decisions, and knowledge of health policy decisions at the societal level. Finally, decision making could serve as a unifying principle in the design of the medical curriculum, integrating other curricular content around the need to create physicians who are competent and caring decision makers.
The effect of cell turgor on sugar uptake in strawberry fruit cortex tissue

A reduction in cell turgor has been shown to stimulate sugar uptake in several plant sink tissues and it may regulate the import of assimilate into the sink apoplast, as well as maintain cell turgor. To determine whether cell turgor influences sugar uptake by strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Brighton) fruit cortex tissue, disks were cut from greenhouse-grown primary fruit at the green-white stage of development and placed in buffered incubation solutions containing either mannitol or ethylene glycol as an osmoticum. Cell turgor of fruit disks was calculated from the difference between the water potential of bathing solution and tissue solute potential after incubation at various osmolarities. Cell turgor increased when tissue disks were placed into mannitol incubation solutions more dilute than the water potential of fresh tissue (about 415 mOsmol kg -1 ). The rate of uptake of [ 14 C]-sucrose or [ 14 C]-glucose decreased as osmolarity of the incubation solution increased, i.e. as cell turgor declined. Cell turgor and the rate of [ 14 C]-sucrose uptake were unaffected when rapidly permeating ethylene glycol was used as an osmoticum. A decrease in cell turgor reduced both the V max of the saturable (carrier mediated) kinetic component of sucrose uptake, and the slope of the linear (diffusional) component. The sulfhydryl binding reagent p-chloromercuibenzenesulfonic acid, an inhibitor of the plasma membrane sucrose carrier, strongly inhibited only the saturable component of sucrose uptake. Increased uptake of the nonmetabolizable sugar, O-methyl-glucose, at high turgor was similar to that of glucose, indicating that carrier activity was influenced by cell turgor, not cell metabolism. Turgor did not influence efflux of [ 14 C]-sucrose from disks and had no effect on cell viability. Strawberry fruit cells do not possess a sugar uptake system that is stimulated by a reduction in turgor.
Health Performance and Age Restriction Policies in Policing

Age restriction policies in policing and law enforcement are discriminatory age restriction policies that have been permitted because of the physical abilities necessary for effective policing and law enforcement. However, there are few empirical studies that validate the necessity of age restriction policies based upon variations of health performance of a large group of police or law enforcement officers over the course of their entire careers. This article is a cohort analysis of 3,012 police officers hired in 1985 and follows their careers for a 19-year period through the end of 2003. A logistic regression equation was constructed to determine if there are any variations in health performance between younger and older police officers as measured by disability pensions. Although there is some evidence that older police officers were more likely to receive heart disability pensions, age restriction policies should be agency-based and determined by a totality of circumstances such as the detriment to pub...
The Role of Tetrahydrobiopterin and Dihydrobiopterin in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury When Given at Reperfusion

Reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased oxidative stress are major factors mediating ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Tetrahydrobiopterin () is an essential cofactor of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) to produce NO, whereas dihydrobiopterin () can shift the eNOS product profile from NO to superoxide, which is further converted to hydrogen peroxide () and cause I/R injury. The effects of and on oxidative stress and postreperfused cardiac functions were examined in ex vivo myocardial and in vivo femoral I (20 min)/R (45 min) models. In femoral I/R, increased NO and decreased releases relative to saline control, and these effects correlated with improved postreperfused cardiac function. By contrast, decreased NO release relative to the saline control, but increased release similar to the saline control, and these effects correlated with compromised postreperfused cardiac function. In conclusion, these results suggest that promoting eNOS coupling to produce NO and decrease may be a key mechanism to restore postreperfused organ function during early reperfusion.
Oscillating Tchebycheff systems

Abstract As is well known the Tchebycheff polynomial of degree n minimizes the sup norm over all monic polynomials with n simple zeros in [−1,+1). B. D. Bojanov [J. Approx. Theory, 26 (1979) , 293–300] recently investigated the situation for polynomials with a full set of zeros of higher multiplicities. In this paper we generalize these results to extended complete Tchebycheff systems.
Lateral asymmetries in arm, wrist and finger movements

On the assumption of contralateral control, lateral asymmetries in motor performance are often associated with the functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres. However, anatomical as well as previous behavioral studies, indicate this assumption may not be valid for all joints of the limbs. To test this assumption, right-handed male subjects performed a rapid tapping task using movements of the index finger, the wrist, or the shoulder. The hand used and order of conditions were counterbalanced across subjects. The rate and variability data were submitted to a 2 x 3 (hand x joint) Analysis of Variance with repeated measures on both factors. For both rate and variability significant (all p less than .01) main effects were evident for hand and joint with no significant interactions. It is argued that the variability of tapping reflects the processing mode of the contralateral hemisphere and thus leads to the conclusion that crossed pathways are the principal mechanism for controlling rapid movements of all limb joints. It is tentatively concluded that where either crossed or ipsilateral pathways are available, the type of movement control required will dictate which pathway is used.
Proposal for Measuring the π 0 Lifetime by π 0 Production in Electron-Electron or Electron-Positron Collisions

The cross section for production of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ mesons by colliding electrons is calculated in the virtual photon approximation. This cross section is directly proportional to the inverse ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ lifetime, and the proportionality constant is independent of the strong couplings. For a center-of-mass energy of 300 Mev and a ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ mean life of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ sec the total cross section is about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}33}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.
Caloric restriction as a mechanism mediating resistance to environmental disease.

It has been observed that susceptibility to many degenerative diseases increases concurrently with industrialization and rising living standards. Although epidemiologic studies suggest that specifi...
White Ethnics and their Media Images

The more educated and affluent the respondents, the more they were critical of their ethnic image portrayed in major media.
Overview of microstructural evolution in neutron-irradiated austenitic stainless steels

Abstract Austenitic stainless steels are important structural materials common to several different reactor systems, including light water and fast breeder fission, and magnetic fusion reactors (LWR, FBR, and MFR, respectively). The microstructures that develop in 300 series austenitic stainless steels during neutron irradiation at 60–700°C include combinations of dislocation loops and networks, bubbles and voids, and various kinds of precipitate phases (radiation-induced, or -enhanced or -modified thermal phases). Many property changes in these steels during neutron irradiation are directly or indirectly related to radiation-induced microstructural evolution. Even more important is the fact that radiation-resistance of such steels during either FBR or MFR irradiation is directly related to control of the evolving microstructure during such irradiation. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the large and complex body of data accumulated from various fission reactor irradiation experiments conducted over the many years of research on microstructural evolution in this family of steels. The data can be organized into several different temperature regimes which then define the nature of the dominant microstructural components and their sensitivities to irradiation parameters (dose, helium/dpa ratio, dose rate) or metallurgical variables (alloy composition, pretreatment). The emphasis in this paper will be on the underlying mechanisms driving the microstructure to evolve during irradiation or those enabling microstructural stability related to radiation resistance.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Safe and Effective Management in Primary Care

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that frequently affects women of childbearing age. A diagnosis is made by confirming the presence of at least 4 of 11 criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology. Almost all patients should take hydroxychloroquine and most require corticosteroids, with immunosuppressive drugs frequently given as well. With better management, patients with lupus live longer but are at increased risk of disease and treatment-related complications, including infection, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. These problems should be monitored and treated in the primary care setting.
Chemisorption of atomic H and CHx fragments on Ni(111)

Abstract The adsorption of atomic hydrogen, methylidyne, methylene and methyl on the (111) surface of nickel is treated using a many-electron embedding theory to describe bonding, modelling the lattice as a 28-atom, three-layer cluster. Ab initio valence orbital configuration interaction (multiple parent) calculations carried out on a local surface region permit an accurate description of bonding at the surface. All adsorbed species are found to bind strongly to the Ni(111) surface at three-fold and bridge sites with adsorption energies ranging from 1.5 to 3.1 eV. Atop Ni adsorption sites have significantly higher energy. Bond lengths, angles and vibrational frequencies for adsorbates on the surface are calculated. The geometries of the adsorbed species and the nature of the bonding to the surface are discussed.
Effects of copper-based dental casting alloys on two lymphocyte cell lines and the secretion of interleukin 2 and lgG

Abstract In the oral environment, gingival lymphocytes are involved in maintaining the local immune defense of periodontal tissues. The corrosion rates of copper-based dental casting alloys and the accumulation of corrosion products in host gingiva raise concerns about the effects of these corrosion products on immune responses in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that immune function may be altered by copper dental alloy corrosion products. In vitro cell culture studies were used to analyze the effects of three copper-based dental alloys on a T-cell and B-cell line and their secretion of soluble immune mediators (IL-2) and effectors (lgG), respectively. Results of this study revealed that corrosion products released from copper alloys in 24 h have the ability to reduce cellular viability, alter proliferation, and modulate the production of soluble immune mediators. These results support the hypothesis that copper dental alloy corrosion products may alter immune responses and thereby contribute to a variety of dental pathological conditions.
The role of age and prior beliefs in contingency judgment

This experiment investigated how prior beliefs affect young and older adults’ ability to detect differences in objective contingency. Participants received new evidence that the objective contingency between two events was positive, negative, or zero when they believed that there was a positive or negative relationship between events, when they believed that the events were unrelated, and when they had no knowledge of the relationship between the events. They were then asked to estimate the objective contingency and recall the contingency evidence. Beliefs that events were or could be related improved young adults’ contingency discrimination. Moreover, these beliefs did not produce biases in young adults’ memory for the contingency evidence, but rather affected how they weighted this evidence at judgment. In contrast, these same beliefs did not improve older adults’ contingency discrimination, but did produce biases in their memory for the evidence that were similar to those seen in their judgment. These findings are discussed in terms of age-related changes in working memory executive processes that impair older adults’ ability to fully evaluate both belief-confirming and disconfirming contingency evidence and update their beliefs with this information.
Co-fired magnetoelectric transformer

In this study, we demonstrate a co-fired magnetoelectric (ME) laminate consisting of piezoelectric/magnetostrictive/piezoelectric layers with unipoled piezoelectric transformer structure. The ME transformer was characterized by quantifying the voltage gain variation and resonance frequency shift as a function of applied DC magnetic field. We delineate the magnetic tunability feature by considering the magnetoelectric coupling and delta-E effect, where E represents the modulus of magnetic material. The ME response of the composite structure was found to be 473 mV/cm.Oe exhibiting DC field sensitivity of 100 nT under AC field of 1 Oe at 1 kHz. At a magnetic bias of 60 Oe, the transformer exhibited large frequency tunability of the order of 1.4 Hz/Oe. These results present significant advancement towards developing on-chip magnetic-field-tunable devices.
Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata complicated by sarcomatous transformation and ovarian torsion: presentation of two cases and review of the literature

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare disorder usually discovered incidentally in women of child-bearing age and is characterized by multiple subperitoneal smooth muscle nodules. Case reports of two patients with complications related to LPD and a review of the literature are presented. In one case, the patient carried the diagnosis of LPD for 11 years and experienced sarcomatous transformation; this is the first report of the magnetic resonance appearance of this entity. In the second case, LPD was diagnosed after an LPD implant on the ovary-induced ovarian torsion. We also present a patient in whom large, pedunculated uterine leiomyomas mimicked LPD. The clinical presentation, possible pathogenesis, imaging features, and therapeutic options of LPD are reviewed. Because this uncommon condition is being reported with increasing frequency, familiarity with its imaging features and pitfalls is important to suggest the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting.
Brave New World Value-Based Purchasing for Peripheral Vascular Stents Is Coming to a Hospital Near You

Dr. Rastan and colleagues are to be congratulated for performing a well designed multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing primary stenting with provisional stenting for moderate length (~42 mm) popliteal artery stenoses in primarily claudicators (79%) with one third having total occlusions (REF). 1 The Endovascular Treatment of Atherosclerotic Popliteal Artery Lesions - Balloon Angioplasty versus primary Stenting (ETAP) trial confirms, for what seems to be the "bazillionth" time, that provisional stenting, properly performed, achieves equal functional and patency outcomes as primary stenting. This has been shown for femoral lesions in multiple trials that often included lesions extending into the popliteal artery, and now it has been shown for the isolated popliteal disease. Although not reported in this paper, we would expect a cost analysis to demonstrate that provisional stenting, for appropriate indications, would be "resource sparing" compared to primary stenting. The popliteal segment was thought to be a hostile environment for stents due to repeated flexion, extension, and torsion at the knee joint, but this trial and others have dispelled that myth. As always there is the caveat that total occlusions, and longer more complex lesions, are more difficult to treat with endovascular techniques. This was confirmed by ETAP with a multivariate logistic regression analysis revealing that target lesion length [ 60mm lesion length; Odds ratio (OR): 0.26; Confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.68; P=0.007], and total occlusions (stenosis versus occlusion; OR: 0.39; CI: 0.18-0.87; P=0.02) as independent predictors of restenosis.
Delayed termination of the muscle silent period in cerebellar disorders

Abstract The muscle silent period has been studied in six patients with cerebellar disease. When clinically evident cerebellar deficiency is present the silent period has been found to be prolonged. This suggests that the return of activity in the muscle spindle primary afferents is delayed during the falling phase of a twitch contraction. This is consistent with physiological studies concerning the reduction of gamma efferent bias in spindles after removal of cerebellar influence.
Polystyrene-Supported 2-Arylindenyl Zirconocene Catalysts for Propylene Polymerization

Mono- and bis 2-arylindenyl zirconocene/methylalumoxane (MAO) catalysts are prepared on a crosslinked polystyrene resin using gel-phase organic reactions. The 2-arylindene ligands are bonded to the polystyrene backbone through a disiloxane linkage, and the zirconocene is prepared directly on the support in high yield. These supported 2-arylindenylzirconocenes in the presence of MAO show high activity and yield polypropylenes with microstructures similar to those produced by the analogous solution-phase catalysts.
Optical Ramsey fringes induced by Zeeman coherence

We utilize a two-photon polarization spectroscopy technique to observe Ramsey fringes that appear due to light scattering by coherently prepared rubidium atoms. We examine the effect in a vapor cell for spatially and temporally separated laser fields. We present a theoretical interpretation of the experimental results.
The Solar Wind in the Outer Heliosphere and Heliosheath

The solar wind environment has a large influence on the transport of cosmic rays. This chapter discusses the observations of the solar wind plasma and magnetic field in the outer heliosphere and the heliosheath. In the supersonic solar wind, interaction regions with large magnetic fields form barriers to cosmic ray transport. This effect, the "CR-B" relationship, has been quantified and is shown to be valid everywhere inside the termination shock (TS). In the heliosheath, this relationship breaks down, perhaps because of a change in the nature of the turbulence. Turbulence is compressive in the heliosheath, whereas it was non-compressive in the solar wind. The plasma pressure in the outer heliosphere is dominated by the pickup ions which gain most of the flow energy at the TS. The heliosheath plasma and magnetic field are highly variable on scales as small as ten minutes. The plasma flow turns away from the nose roughly as predicted, but the radial speeds at Voyager 1 are much less than those at Voyager 2, which is not understood. Despite predictions to the contrary, magnetic reconnection is not an important process in the inner heliosheath with only one observed occurrence to date.
MDP‐NOD2 stimulation induces HNP‐1 secretion, which contributes to NOD2 antibacterial function

Background—Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP-1) is a defensin with antibacterial activity secreted by various cells as a component of the innate immune host defense. NOD2 is a cytoplasmic protein that recognizes bacterial derived muramyl dipeptide, and is involved in bacterial clearance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between antibacterial activity of NOD2 and HNP-1 expression in epithelial cell lines. Methods—Gentamicin protection assay using Salmonella Typhimurium was performed in Caco-2 cells. mRNA level was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and defensin expression was assessed by Western Blot and ELISA. Nuclear Factor-κB activation was assessed using pIV luciferase and renilla plasmids. NOD2 mutant was generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Results—Among the defensins tested, only HNP-1 expression is induced in colonic epithelial model HCT116 cells after MDP-LD stimulation. HNP-1 secretion is significantly increased after MDP-LD stimulation in the cell supernatant of intestinal epithelial cells expressing endogenous NOD2, but not in cells which lack endogenous NOD2 expression. HNP-1 is required for NOD2 dependent NF-κB activation after MDP-LD stimulation since hnp-1 siRNA transfection abrogated response to MDP-LD stimulation. The antibacterial function of NOD2 against S. Typhimurium was impaired when expression of HNP-1 was blocked by siRNA. Conclusions—HNP-1 secretion depends on NOD2 stimulation by MDP-LD and contributes to antibacterial activity in intestinal epithelial cells expressing endogenous NOD2, but not NOD2 3020insC mutant associated with increased susceptibility to Crohn’s disease.
Functional relationships for investigating cognitive processes

Functional relationships (from systematic manipulation of critical variables) are advocated for revealing fundamental processes of (comparative) cognition-through examples from my work in psychophysics, learning, and memory. Functional relationships for pigeon wavelength (hue) discrimination revealed best discrimination at the spectral points of hue transition for pigeons-a correspondence (i.e., functional relationship) similar to that for humans. Functional relationships for learning revealed: Item-specific or relational learning in matching to sample as a function of the pigeons' sample-response requirement, and same/different abstract-concept learning as a function of the training set size for rhesus monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and pigeons. Functional relationships for visual memory revealed serial position functions (a 1st order functional relationship) that changed systematically with retention delay (a 2nd order relationship) for pigeons, capuchin monkeys, rhesus monkeys, and humans. Functional relationships for rhesus-monkey auditory memory also revealed systematic changes in serial position functions with delay, but these changes were opposite to those for visual memory. Functional relationships for proactive interference revealed interference that varied as a function of a ratio of delay times. Functional relationships for change detection memory revealed (qualitative) similarities and (quantitative) differences in human and monkey visual short-term memory as a function of the number of memory items. It is concluded that these findings were made possible by varying critical variables over a substantial portion of the manipulable range to generate functions and derive relationships.
Host moderator variables in the promotion of cervical neoplasia—I. Personality facets

Recent work has established an association between coping style (in interaction with psychosocial stress) and the degree of promotion of cervical carcinogenesis. The present study sought to expand upon these findings by attempting to identify psychosocial host variables which predicted susceptibility (greater promotion) vs resilience (less promotion) in women who were at risk due to the presence of initiating factors. A susceptible group were passive, pessimistic, conforming, avoiding, and somatically anxious, while a resilient group were more optimistic and employed more active coping styles. Results supported the notion that promotion of cervical carcinogenesis may be associated with specific host personality and coping styles.
Direct modification of plasma low-density lipoproteins in interstitial inflammatory fluid of the rabbit

Utilizing the polyvinyl sponge-implant model in the rabbit, we have previously demonstrated modification in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the extravascular space in association with a cellular inflammatory response. In an attempt to isolate the source of these modifications, plasma LDL was labeled with125I, and introduced directly into the extravascular space at the time of sponge implantation. [125I] plasma LDL recovered from interstitial inflammatory fluid (IF) at 24 h after implantation demonstrated increased electrophoretic mobility as well as heterogeneity in particle size and hydrated density. These results are in agreement with our previous observations and indicate that modification in IF-LDL probably occurs after it has entered the extravascular space across the vascular wall.
The Latitude Effect for Cosmic-Ray Showers

Cosmic-ray observations have been taken with Geiger counters on a voyage from San Francisco to Colombo via Japan and return via Australia. The apparatus used possesses some interesting features and is described at length. The latitude effect for vertical coincidences is found to be 14.5 percent in the region of the Dutch East Indies and 10 percent in the Pacific Ocean. The showers show a much smaller variation with latitude, only about 6 percent being found in the region of the East Indies. This result is interpreted as meaning that the latitude sensitive part of the radiation is not as efficient at producing showers as the nonlatitude sensitive radiation. Qualitatively at least, such behavior is consistent with the hypothesis that the latitude sensitive radiation is due to incoming electrons.
Use of touch preps for diagnosis and evaluation of surgical margins in breast cancer

Background: The best cosmetic results with conservative breast surgery are obtained at the time of initial excisional biopsy. The usefulness of the touch prep (TP) technique was evaluated for accuracy in diagnosis as well as in evaluation of margins at the time of original breast biopsy.
Constitutive modeling and numerical solution of field problems

Abstract In formulating phenomenological models and developing solution algorithms for problems in continuum and structural mechanics, experience with the behavior of actual systems has always played an important guidance role for the engineer concerned with predicting performance of feasible alternatives. By exercising control over various system parameters the engineer attempts to minimize the difference between a desired objective and a predicted approximation thereof. Constitutive modeling of mechanical behavior of materials is an example typical of this activity. In this paper constitutive modeling of an isolated material element is discussed as an identification problem. The mathematical structure of the problem is discussed and limitations arising from experimental sources, measurement errors, and material nonlinearity are noted. As a consequence of the structure of the problem it is shown that an inverse initial-boundary value problem must be considered, in which material identification and numerical analysis of this problem must proceed simultaneously. This paper discusses a discretized form of the inverse problem and illustrates the methodology by citing a number of examples in the literature which appear as special cases of the present treatment.