cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development-linked changes in DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in humans: interview with Dr Melanie Ehrlich

Melanie Ehrlich, PhD, is Professor in the Human Genetics Program, the Tulane Cancer Center, and the Program in Bioinformatics and Genomics at Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA. She obtained her PhD in molecular biology in 1971 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and completed postdoctoral research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1972. She has been working on various aspects of epigenetics, starting with DNA methylation, since 1972. Her laboratory is currently studying the interrelationships of tissue-specific changes in DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation with alterations in chromatin structure and gene expression in differentiation and disease.
Mechanical Properties of 800-MeV Proton-Irradiated Metals 2

Accelerator beam line components and spallation neutron targets operate in an irradiation environment where changes in mechanical properties can adversely affect component integrity. The present work presents a preliminary study of the effects of low fluences (10/sup 19/ to 10/sup 20/ p/cm/sup 2/) of 800-MeV protons on the yield strength, tensile strength, and ductility of samples of 304 stainless steel, Alloy 718, molybdenum, and tantalum. Tensile samples (0.75 or 1.6 mm thick) were directly water cooled during irradiation and were tested at room temperature. For the 304 stainless steel and annealed Alloy 718, the yield strengths increased by about a factor of 3 and 1.6, respectively, while the ductility decreased approx. 30 and 40 percent. In the bcc metals (tantalum and molybdenum) the yield strengths increased by at least a factor of 2. Tantalum samples retained significant ductility at room temperature, while several molybdenum specimens broke at less than 0.2 percent strain. These irradiation-induced changes at low proton fluences should not impair the usefulness of these materials (other than molybdenum) in accelerator environments.
Transcriptional Dysregulation in the Ureteric Bud Causes Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney by Branching Morphogenesis Defect

Purpose: The calcineurin-NFAT signaling pathway regulates the transcription of genes important for development. It is impacted by various genetic and environmental factors. We investigated the potential role of NFAT induced transcriptional dysregulation in the pathogenesis of congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract.Materials and Methods: A murine model of conditional NFATc1 activation in the ureteric bud was generated and examined for histopathological changes. Metanephroi were also cultured in vitro to analyze branching morphogenesis in real time.Results: NFATc1 activation led to defects resembling multicystic dysplastic kidney. These mutants showed severe disorganization of branching morphogenesis characterized by decreased ureteric bud branching and the disconnection of ureteric bud derivatives from the main collecting system. The orphan ureteric bud derivatives may have continued to induce nephrogenesis and likely contributed to the subsequent formation of blunt ended filtration unit...
Unique Changes of Ganglion Cell Growth Cone Behavior Following Cell Adhesion Molecule Perturbations: A Time-Lapse Study of the Living Retina

In the mammalian retina, multiple mechanisms are responsible for guiding retinal ganglion cell axons to the optic fissure. In the present study we have used time-lapse videomicroscopy to show that, within the center of the retinal neuroepithelium, growth cones use a scaffold of previously formed axons as a substrate for guidance. High magnification time-lapse videomicroscopy of normal growth cones in the midretina have shown that they have the ability to alter their shape from long, streamlined forms that hug other axons to more flattened forms that move between axons or neuroepithelial endfeet. In studies on the role of specific cell interactions in these events, Fab fragments against L1 and NCAM, administered either alone or in combination, were found to have dramatic and distinct effects on retinal ganglion cell growth cones. Anti-L1 Fab fragments severely disrupted radial growth cone orientation and rate of outgrowth. The anti-L1-treated growth cones initially stalled for 2 h, then changed direction and, thereafter, resumed an elongation rate twice as fast as in control preparations. By contrast, anti-NCAM Fab did not affect growth cone direction, but caused subsets of growth cones to speed up initially, then to dramatically increase in size, stall, and eventually halt. These results imply that L1 and NCAM play different roles in the promotion and direction of axon growth and, along with repulsive molecules and physical channels, provide essential information for the unidirectional growth of retinal axons into the optic fissure.
L x rays from low-energy (∼2-keV/u) ions with L-shell vacancies produced in single collisions with atoms and molecules

Intense L x rays have been observed in $\ensuremath{\sim}2\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{k}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{u} {\mathrm{Kr}}^{q+}$ $(q=27\char21{}33)$ ions colliding with various atom and molecule targets. These x rays are understood to originate from electron capture processes into high-Rydberg states of the projectile ion from the outermost shell of target where the captured electron cascades down into the vacant L shell of the ion, thus emitting L x rays. It has been found that the observed L x-ray spectra move toward higher energy as the ion charge (q) increases. The observed L x-ray spectra are compared with synthetic spectra using various models. It has been found that the L x-ray production cross sections obtained for ${\mathrm{Kr}}^{27+}$ ions are inversely proportional to the ionization energy of target, similar to those recently observed in K x rays produced from ions with K-shell vacancy, and correspond to roughly 40% of total electron capture cross sections, meanwhile the rest of the electron cascades into the metastable states and thus cannot decay within a viewing region of a Si(Li) x-ray detector.
Mass spectra of cyclopenin and viridicatin

Mass spectra of cyclopenin (I), viridicatin (III), 3-benzylidene-3,4-dihydro-4-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2,5-dione (VI) and derivatives of these systems were measured. Fragmentation schemes are proposed based on high resolution data, metastable peaks and, where appropriate, on deuterium labeling. The decomposition of I is found to follow pathways different in several respects from those proposed by Luckner et al. on the basis of low resolution spectra.
Invasive Fungal Infections Possibly Associated with Tape

ISSUE: Rhizopus is a Zygomycete that is found in the environment. It can cause severe, even fatal disease among immunocompromised patients. In the past, outbreaks have been linked to contaminated tape. We describe cutaneous infections caused by Rhizopus species in three patients. While not proven, we suspect the infections were most likely caused by tape. PROJECT: In December, 2004, an immunocompromised patient in an Intensive Care Unit underwent a diagnostic biopsy of his lip, palate and hypopharynx because of progressive necrotic lesions. Rhizopus rhizopodipus grew from cultures and was noted on histologic exam. The microbiology databases were searched to determine how many Rhizopus cultures occurred between 1/1/04 and 11/05. A line list with demographic and some potential risk factors was developed. Three cases with cutaneous involvement met the definition for nosocomial acquisition. In all 3 patients, tape covered the area where the lesions developed. A review of the literature revealed that previous nosocomial outbreaks were associated with Elastoplast® tape and wooden tongue depressors. Because we had only 3 tape related cases over a 16-month period, contamination from the manufacturer/distributor seemed unlikely; however, the State Health Department and the CDC were notified. The surfaces of several rolls of tape were sent for culture but none grew Rhizopus. Observations of practice revealed that various hospital staff members carry the implicated tape on their stethoscopes, in their pockets, and in open carts used for intravenous line insertions and phlebotomy. RESULTS: The hospital changed the manufacturer that provided tape for unrelated reasons. We met with the new manufacturer's educators to review the infection control issues related to tape. No additional cases of Rhizopus associated with tape have been identified since these interventions in August, 2005. LESSONS LEARNED: Associations with tape and Rhizopus infections with an increasingly compromised patient population need investigation. In addition to shoe leather epidemiology, environmental culturing should be considered to determine whether tape could lead to Rhizopus lesions. In general, staff is not aware of potential consequences when tape is handled or stored improperly. Education should stress the importance of proper handling of materials that seal tightly on the skin.
Mixed venous O2 saturation: measured by co-oximetry versus calculated from PVO2.

Objective. The objectives of our study were (1) to compare mixed venous saturations calculated by a blood gas machine with those measured directly by a co-oximeter; and (2) to compare the sensitivities and specificities of\(\dot V\)o2s derived from these values.Methods. Charts were retrospectively reviewed of all MICU patients [n=16] between December 1, 1991 and January 31, 1992, who required pulmonary artery catheters for their usual care and who had hemoglobin saturations of mixed venous blood concurrently measured by both a co-oximeter (Co-Ox Model 482, Instrumentation Lab, Lexington, MA) and a blood gas analyzer (Nova Biomedical StatLab5, Waltham, MA) which uses a variant of the Severinghaus equation to calculate S\(\bar v\)O2 from P\(\bar v\)O2). Data used at the time of each S\(\bar v\)O2 measurement to calculate oxygen consumption (\(\dot V\)O2) further was collected.Results. Available for analysis were 118 mixed venous blood samples. Although the S\(\bar v\)O2 values had a correlation coefficient of 0.807 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.736 to 0.861, Fisher's z-transform), when\(\dot V\)O2s were calculated, the blood gas analyzer calculated saturations had a sensitivity of only 58.3% and a specificity of 89%, when compared with those calculated using the saturations measured by the co-oximeter. Attempts to mathematically improve upon the Severinghaus equation and upon an additional four regression equations used by other blood gas analyzers resulted in universally worse sensitivity.Conclusion. If S\(\bar v\)O2s calculated by a blood gas machine—rather than those co-oximetrically measured—are used to calculate\(\bar v\)O2s, 42% of patients with low O2s will be misclassified as normal and 11% of normals will be misclassified as low. This total error appears to be the result of measurement error by the Po2 electrode of the blood gas analyzer and shifts of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, which are not accounted for in the equation that is used to calculate saturation from measuredPO2. We were not able to improve mathematically the sensitivity of any of the available regression equations used by blood gas analyzers to calculate S\(\bar v\)O2 from P\(\bar v\)O2. Therefore, it remains necessary to use co-oximetrically measured saturations when calculating\(\dot V\)O2.
On Software Implementation of Reliability of Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Critical role of unmanned intelligent ground vehicles is evident from variety of defense applications. Fuzzy Reliability predicts reliability of the convoy of unmanned vehicles represented as a communication network with nodes as vehicle station and branches as path between the stations. Fuzzy Reliability affirms the performance of the system. Fuzzy reliability of a convoy of vehicles is the result of Fuzzy and Boolean approaches. The node and branch reliability is calculated using the Fuzzy approach. The terminal reliability is calculated using Boolean algebra. Software implementation of the fuzzy reliability is successfully done. To improve the performance evaluation of the convoy, node failure i.e. failure of convoy station is also taken into consideration. Depending upon the reliability predicted a commander can take appropriate decision in the battlefield. Proposed algorithm determines all paths from source to destination and Boolean expressions are formed. A non-overlapping simplification is obtained and further transformed into mathematical expression, where reliability values are substituted. The results of design, implementation and simulation of the reliability of convoy of unmanned vehicles are given. It is hoped that the proposed algorithm and its implementation will be useful for sensor network in general and graph of unmanned vehicles in particular.
The protective effect of KCNMB1 E65K against hypertension is restricted to blood pressure treatment with beta-blockade

Genetic polymorphisms that influence smooth muscle cell contraction and relaxation may affect the response to anti-hypertensive therapy. Our finding of lower blood pressure (BP) in the setting of treatment for hypertension, particularly with beta-blockade, in Caucasian KCNMB1-E65K-carriers in two community cohorts has implications for personalization of therapy in hypertension.
Improved wideband time delay beam-steering

Radars use wideband waveforms for high-resolution imaging. To avoid bandwidth dispersion effects, time delay beam-steering must be used to steer large arrays to off-broadside angles. Unfortunately, analog time delay units (TDUs) traditionally used for this purpose can be costly and bulky. Furthermore, they typically require temperature stabilization, and deliver only quantized delays. This paper describes a method for implementing time delay beam-steering without analog TDUs. Our method works at narrowband digital processing rates, leading to affordable wideband arrays. In essence, our method is a multichannel extension of the well-known "stretch processing" technique. It improves upon other published extensions by eliminating their range-dependent losses. This latter characteristic is crucial in applications wherein high resolution images are desired across extended range regions.
Rydberg states: sensitive probes of molecular structure

Using the isomers naphthalene and azulene, and isomeric forms of the cyclohexadiene/hexatriene system, we demonstrate that the energies of Rydberg states are sensitive to the geometrical structure of the molecular ion core. Rydberg states with low quantum numbers are conveniently accessed using multi-photon excitation via valence states, providing spectra with intensity distributions that depend sensitively on the molecular isomeric form. This discovery opens up the possibility of using Rydberg states to fingerprint the shapes of molecules. Because of the large size of the Rydberg orbitals, the Rydberg fingerprint methodology can have applications in the characterization of biological and nanoscale structures.
Influence of Nitrogen on Productivity and Nutritive Value of Forage Chicory

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is highly productive and responsive to N fertilization under midsummer conditions in the eastern USA. We conducted a field experiment for 3 yr on a Ramsey soil (loamy, siliceous, subactive, mesic Lithic Dystrudept) in southern West Virginia to determine if fertilizer N influenced forage chicory nutritive value and NO 3 -N concentration. Each N rate (0, 80, 160, 240, or 480 kg N ha -1 ) was replicated three times in a randomized block design. Swards were clipped at 6-wk intervals during the growing season. Swards were virtually pure chicory in the first year (1994) regardless of N rate. By the third year (1996), chicory ranged from about 40% (0 N) to less than 5% (480 kg N ha -1 ) of swards. Botanical composition changes in the sward influenced dry matter (DM) response to N rate and herbage nutritive value. Dry matter production increased with N rate in 1994, but was not affected by N in 1996 when chicory was not a major sward component. More than 70% of total annual DM production in 1994 occurred after the first harvest, but by 1996 was less than 50%, reflecting productivity patterns typical of cool-season swards. Nitrate concentrations in herbage were greatest (3.5 g kg -1 ) in 1995, a relatively dry year, and least (2.3 g kg -1 ) in 1996, when there was less chicory in the sward. Crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) values indicated high forage quality throughout the course of the experiment.
Precautionary saving and economic growth

The standard neoclassical growth model is modified to study the growth path of an economy where consumers save to protect themselves against idiosyncratic risks. It is found that in our general equilibrium model the effects of precautionary saving are greater than those found by previous studies that treat both wages and the interest rate as exogenous. The study of the dynamic properties of the model reveals that when there is a high degree of uncertainty, there is no steady-state equilibrium and that any growth path must be nonmonotonic.
Are procrastinators prone to boredom

Undergraduate students ( N = 146) completed both the Boredom Proneness Scale (BPS; Farmer & Sundberg, 1986) and the Procrastination Scale (PS; Tuckman, 1991). Results indicated that individuals high in procrastination possessed significantly high overall boredom proneness scores. Also, high procrastinators had significantly greater scores on 4 of the 5 BPS subscales labeled external stimulation, internal stimulation, affective responses, and perception of time.
Accreditation, Certification: Why All the Confusion?

Tremendous confusion exists concerning the issues of physician certification and practice accreditation in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasonography. Certification speaks to physician competence. All obstetrician-gynecologists who have finished residency training since 1982 are deemed "competent" to perform obstetric and gynecologic ultrasonography by virtue of their training. Those trained before 1982 need to be able to describe their level of experience in performing obstetric and gynecologic ultrasonography. Accreditation deals with issues of patient safety and quality control, including equipment calibration, transducer cleaning and disinfection, universal precautions and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, ultrasound examination protocols, and qualifications of nonphysician personnel performing ultrasound examinations. A new field of radiology benefit managers has arisen in response to attempts by health insurers to manage care, and reduce their costs and utilization. They have adopted ultrasound accreditation, originally intended to enhance patient safety, to help restrict utilization. Currently two organizations are recognized as accrediting bodies: The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), which recognizes obstetric and gynecologic residency training as evidence of competency, and The American College of Radiologists, which does not. Obstetrician-gynecologists should realize that AIUM's accreditation is their "lifeboat" in this time of increasing interference by health care insurers into decision making in clinical practice.
Rituximab with chemotherapy in children and adolescents with central nervous system and/or bone marrow-positive Burkitt lymphoma/leukaemia: A Children’s Oncology Group Report

Children and adolescents with Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) and combined central nervous system (CNS) and bone marrow involvement still have a poor prognosis with chemotherapy alone. We therefore investigated in children and adolescents with bone marrow (≥25% blasts) and/or CNS-positive Burkitt lymphoma the chemoimmunotherapy combination of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) ) and the standard chemotherapy arm of our previously reported French-American-British (FAB) Lymphome Malins de Burkitt (LMB) 96 trial. Central pathological and cytogenetic characterization was also performed. There were 40 evaluable patients with Burkitt histology (25 with leukaemia and 15 with CNS disease ± leukaemia). The chemoimmunotherapy regimen was well tolerated. The incidence of grade III/IV mucositis during induction cycles with combined chemotherapy and rituximab was 31% and 26%, respectively. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS)/overall survival (OS) was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76-96%) in the entire cohort and 93% (95% CI, 61-99%) in patients with CNS disease. Based on the results of this trial, an international randomized study of FAB/LMB 96 chemotherapy ± rituximab for high-risk patients is currently under investigation.
Sterol molecule: structure, biosynthesis, and function

This review briefly summarizes key researches on the structure of the sterol molecule from its very beginnings to the definitive elucidation in 1932. Cholesterol biosynthesis treated in somewhat greater detail covers the period from the 1930s to the 1960s. As a historic contribution, it presents researches previously published in numerous books, reviews, and original papers. The selection of topics, dictated by limits of time and space, is necessarily arbitrary and a personal choice. Readers of this journal will be familiar with the relevant chemical structures. Structural formulas are therefore omitted.
Cigar, pipe, and cigarette smoking as risk factors for periodontal disease and tooth loss

Background: Our purpose was to test the hypotheses that cigar and pipe smoking have significant associations with periodontal disease and cigar, pipe, and cigarette smoking is associated with tooth loss. We also investigated whether a history of smoking habits cessation may affect the risk of periodontal disease and tooth loss. Methods: A group of 705 individuals (21 to 92 years-old) who were among volunteer participants in the ongoing Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging were examined clinically to assess their periodontal status and tooth loss. A structured interview was used to assess the participants' smoking behaviors with regard to cigarettes, cigar, and pipe smoking status. For a given tobacco product, current smokers were defined as individuals who at the time of examination continued to smoke daily. Former heavy smokers were defined as individuals who have smoked daily for 10 or more years and who had quit smoking. Non-smokers included individuals with a previous history of smoking for less than...
Genetic algorithm-based feature selection in high-resolution NMR spectra

High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has provided a new means for detection and recognition of metabolic changes in biological systems in response to pathophysiological stimuli and to the intake of toxins or nutrition. To identify meaningful patterns from NMR spectra, various statistical pattern recognition methods have been applied to reduce their complexity and uncover implicit metabolic patterns. In this paper, we present a genetic algorithm (GA)-based feature selection method to determine major metabolite features to play a significant role in discrimination of samples among different conditions in high-resolution NMR spectra. In addition, an orthogonal signal filter was employed as a preprocessor of NMR spectra in order to remove any unwanted variation of the data that is unrelated to the discrimination of different conditions. The results of k-nearest neighbors and the partial least squares discriminant analysis of the experimental NMR spectra from human plasma showed the potential advantage of the features obtained from GA-based feature selection combined with an orthogonal signal filter.
A fracture model for hydride-induced embrittlement

The presence of hydrides in the microstructure can substantially reduce the tensile ductility of Zr and Ti alloys. For treating hydride-induced embrittlement in these alloys, a fracture model has been developed by considering the hydrides to crack readily under tensile loading so that an array of microcracks form in the microstructure. Interaction of the plastic fields of the microcracks leads to fracture of the matrix ligaments, and a loss in the tensile ductility. Application of the proposed model to Zircaloys reveals that hydride-induced embrittlement depends on the hydride size, morphology, and distribution, as well as the continuity of the hydride network, in accordance with experimental observations.
Optimal Design of Flexible Mechanisms Using a Parametric Approach

Abstract In this paper, an effort to develop a more generic design procedure for flexible mechanisms is initiated. Based on a parametric study, the important parameters which affect the stress, displacement, and natural frequency can be closely related. An approach using these relations to obtain the optimal design of flexible mechanisms subject to stress, displacement and natural frequency constraints is presented. Optimality conditions are derived to moderate the conflicting constraints, and a recursion approach is developed to show the application of this study. Two examples using this approach to design flexible mechanisms are presented to demonstrate the idea.
Introduction from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Agency for Health care Research and Quality (AHRQ) believes that a robust primary care system is the foundation of a health care system that delivers high quality, high touch, high value health care for all Americans. In 2010, as part of our work to support the revitalization of primary care in
Schools’ Capacity to Help Low-Income, Minority Children to Manage Asthma

This article describes the challenges and strengths of asthma management in 14 low-income, predominantly African American urban elementary schools serving more than 5,000 students. Asthma prevalence was 24.5%. Teachers, school principals, parents, and children described how asthma was managed at school. Data from classmates of students with asthma showed that they had moderate to high levels of information about the disease. Data from teachers indicated the great need for practical instruction on how they might effectively support a child with asthma in the classroom and on the playground. Principals raised concerns about expectations for the functioning of school staff and implementation of school policies especially related to asthma emergencies. Parents reported a range of problems their children face at school. Data from children with asthma showed that 75% believed asthma affected their school work. Findings from this study should be useful to school personnel, health providers, and others who assist children and their families to manage asthma at school. Data suggest that making school nursing services available is warranted, given the impact of asthma on the school community.
Basic Skills Impediments to Communication Between Management and Hourly Employees

Print-communication demands in most businesses have increased. At the same time, demographic and economic trends are forcing employers to hire employees with lower skill levels. These trends will c...
Generating a ROS/JAUS bridge for an autonomous ground vehicle

Robotic systems have benefitted from standardized middleware that can componentize the development of new capabilities for a robot. The popularity of these robotic middleware systems has resulted in sizable libraries of components that are now available to roboti- cists. However, many robotic systems (such as autonomous vehicles) must adhere to externally defined standards that do not contain a large repository of components. Due to the real-time and safety concerns that accompany the domain of unmanned systems, it is not trivial to interface these middleware systems. However, previous attempts to do so have succeeded at the cost of ad hoc design and implementation. This paper describes a domain-specific approach to the synthesis of a bridge between the popular Robotic Operating System (ROS) and the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS). The domain-specific nature of the approach permits the bridge to be limited in scope by the application's specific messages (and their attribute mappings between JAUS/ROS), resulting in smaller code size and overhead than would be incurred by a generic solution. Our approach is validated by tests performed on an unmanned vehicle with and without the JAUS/ROS bridge.
Location of acutely successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of intraatrial reentrant tachycardia in patients with congenital heart disease

Intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) is common after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of IART targets anatomic areas critical to the maintenance of the arrhythmia circuit, areas that have not been well defined in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomic areas critical to IART circuits, defined by activation mapping and confirmed by an acutely successful RF ablation at the site. A total of 110 RF ablation procedures in 88 patients (median age 23.4 years, range 0.1 to 62.7) with CHD were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to surgical intervention: Mustard/Senning (n = 15), other biventricular repaired CHD (n = 24), Fontan (n = 43), and palliated CHD (n = 6). In first-time ablation procedures, > or = 1 IART circuits were acutely terminated in 80% of Mustard/Senning, 71% of repaired CHD, and 72% of Fontan (p = NS). The palliated CHD group underwent 1 of 6 successful procedures (17%), and this patient was excluded. The locations of acutely successful RF applications in Mustard/Senning patients (n = 14 sites) were at the tricuspid valve isthmus (57%) and at the lateral right atrial wall (43%). In patients with repaired CHD (n = 18 sites), successful RF sites were at the isthmus (67%) and the lateral (22%) and anterior (11%) right atria. In the Fontan group (n = 40 sites), successful RF sites included the lateral right atrial wall (53%), the anterior right atrium (25%), the isthmus area (15%), and the atrial septum (7%). Location of success was statistically different for the Fontan group (p = .002). In conclusion, the tricuspid valve isthmus is a critical area for ablation of IART during the Mustard/ Senning procedure and in patients with repaired CHD. IART circuits in Fontan patients are anatomically distinct, with the lateral right atrial wall being the more common area for successful RF applications. This information may guide RF and/or surgical ablation procedures in patients with CHD and IART.
The contributions of electron microscopy to the understanding and diagnosis of plasma cell dyscrasia-related renal lesions

Electron microscopy has been crucial in the definition of many renal diseases. Ultrastructural evaluation has been instrumental in the characterization of many of the morphological manifestations of plasma cell dyscrasia-related renal lesions. Although it is recognized that there is controversy in regards to what the term multiple myeloma specifically refers, for the purposes of this article, myeloma and plasma cell dyscrasia are used interchangeably without consideration to perhaps significant conceptual differences that may exist between the two. Although distal nephron obstructive nephropathy ("myeloma kidney") was rather accurately defined solely on the basis of light microscopic findings and the association of AL-amyloidosis with underlying myeloma was confirmed using histochemical stains, the more subtle and intricate expressions of plasma cell dyscrasia-associated pathology required the electron microscope for proper characterization. The fibrillary nature of amyloid was discerned ultrastructurally, and detecting its characteristic ultrastructural features remains paramount to make a definitive diagnosis of amyloidosis when evaluating difficult cases. Pristine light- and heavy-chain deposits were objectively confirmed as immunomorphological correlates were depicted by immunofluorescence and at the ultrastructural level, substantiating the findings. Tubular interstitial alterations in these disorders other than cast nephropathy were firmly documented when careful ultrastructural studies were conducted experimentally and using clinical material. Likewise, electron microscopy has also played an important role in assessing vascular pathology in these conditions, especially when changes are focal, segmental, subtle, or such that they are easily confused with other pathological entities by light microscopy. Had it not been for the electron microscope, a clear definition of the immunomorphological scope of plasma cell dyscrasia-associated lesions, as understood currently, would not have been possible. Immunoelectron microscopy has provided a welcome added dimension, allowing a thorough characterization by expanding merely morphological data and providing exquisite immunomorphological correlations. This review highlights the role that electron microscopy has played and continues playing in the characterization of plasma cell dyscrasias-related renal lesions.
Disruptive behaviors in an outpatient pediatric population : additional standardization data on the Eyberg child behavior inventory

This study presents information on disruptive-behaviors in an outpatient pediatric population. The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI), a parent rating scale of disruptive behaviors, was completed on 1,526 children at 5 pediatric clinics in 4 Northwestern states (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington)
Two bit optical analog-to-digital converter based on photonic crystals.

In this paper, we demonstrate a 2-bit optical analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. This converter consists of three cascaded splitters constructed in a self-guiding photonic crystal through the perturbation of the uniform lattice. The A/D conversion is achieved by adjusting splitting ratios of the splitters through changing the degree of perturbation. In this way, output ports reach a state of ‘1’ at different input power levels to generate unique states desired for an A/D converter. To validate this design concept, we first experimentally characterize the relation between the splitting ratio and the degree of lattice perturbation. Based on this understanding, we then fabricate the 2-bit A/D converter and successfully observe four unique states corresponding to different power levels of input analog signal.
Returns to schooling in non-farm self-employment: An econometric case study of Ghana

Abstract Does educational attainment affect the income from family enterprises? This study examines this relationship from various angles. Heteroskedasticity proves to be an important econometric factor in determining the optimal estimation strategy. In Ghana, educational attainment of the entrepreneur has a small positive effect, which represents primarily a contribution to allocative efficiency. The size of the effect is close to the rate of return estimated for Ghanaian employees. Educational attainment of the entrepreneur's family members has a significant positive effect, reflecting the idea that as family members share financially in die firm's outcome, they volunteer services from their human capital stock.
Determination of betulinic acid in mouse blood, tumor and tissue homogenates by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry.

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray MS method has been developed to determine tissue distribution of betulinic acid in mice. The method involved deproteinization of these samples with 2.5 volumes (v/w) of acetonitrile-ethanol (1:1) and then 5 microl aliquots of the supernatant were injected onto a C18 reversed-phase column coupled with an electrospray MS system. The mobile phase employed isocratic elution with 80% acetonitrile for 10 min; the flow-rate was 0.7 ml/min. The column effluent was analyzed by selected ion monitoring for the negative pseudo-molecular ion of betulinic acid [M-H]- at m/z 455. The limit of detection for betulinic acid in biological samples by this method was approximately 1.4 pg and the coefficients of variation of the assay (intra- and inter-day) were generally low (below 9.1%). When athymic mice bearing human melanoma were treated with betulinic acid (500 mg/kg, i.p.), distribution was as follows: tumor, 452.2 +/- 261.2 microg/g; liver, 233.9 +/- 80.3 microg/g; lung, 74.8 +/- 63.7 microg/g; kidney, 95.8 +/- 122.8 microg/g; blood, 1.8 +/- 0.5 microg/ml. No interference was noted due to endogenous substances. These methods of analysis should be of value in future studies related to the development and characterization of betulinic acid.
Cytoplasmic Force Gradient in Migrating Adhesive Cells

Amoeboid movement is believed to involve a pressure gradient along the cell length, with contractions in the posterior region driving cytoplasmic streaming forward. However, a parallel mechanism has yet to be demonstrated in migrating adhesive cells. To probe the distribution of intracellular forces, we microinjected high molecular weight linear polyacrylamide (PAA) as a passive force sensor into migrating NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Injected PAA appeared as amorphous aggregates that underwent shape change and directional movement in response to differential forces exerted by the surrounding environment. PAA injected into the posterior region moved toward the front, whereas PAA in the anterior region never moved to the posterior region. This preferential forward movement was observed only in migrating cells with a defined polarity. Disruption of myosin II activity by blebbistatin inhibited the forward translocation of PAA while cell migration persisted in a disorganized fashion. These results suggest a myosin II-dependent force gradient in migrating cells, possibly as a result of differential cortical contractions between the anterior and posterior regions. This gradient may be responsible for the forward transport of cellular components and for maintaining the directionality during cell migration.
The modified kuhn model of linear viscoelasticity

Abstract A model of linear viscoelasticity, applicable to the description of structural materials whose creep is asymptotically logarithmic, is derived on the basis of some substantial modifications of a model introduced by Kuhn et al. (1947, Helv. Chim. Acta 30 , 307–328, 464–486) to describe rubber. From the proposed creep function, the relaxation function is determined by Laplace transform inversion. Energy dissipation is studied, and in particular the frequency dependence of the loss tangent, which is found to be flat over a large number of cycles if the damping is small, in accordance with observed behavior of structural materials and unlike the usual (Kelvin) model of structural damping. An approximation to the modified model based on a discrete retardation-time spectrum, called the discrete modified Kuhn model, is also studied; this is an internal-variable model which can be extended to account for nonlinear behavior. In contrast to existing rheological models, in the proposed model the number of parameters is fixed and does not depend on the number of rheological elements needed to simulate experimental results.
Men and islands: Dealing with the family in empirical labor economics

Abstract Recent research in family economics emphasizes the interdependence of men's decisions about work and family, and should prompt a reconsideration of the standard practice in labor economics of ‘controlling’ for marital status and children in the analysis of labor market outcomes. Several factors contribute to a concern about work-family simultaneity. First, married men behave very differently from single men, and fathers from non-fathers. Second, transitions into and out of marriage, cohabitation, and custodial parenthood respond to current economic conditions, and not just to fixed individual characteristics. Finally, demographic changes in developed countries have left marriage and parenthood optional, economically ambiguous, and relatively unstable. Labor economists need to recognize that a man's current partnership and parenting status are current choices that can change, that are expected to change, and that respond to the social, economic, and institutional forces that also condition labor market behavior.
Reflections from Distant Cuvettes

The main events described in this essay occurred between 30 and 40 years ago. Care has been exercised to describe these events as accurately as possible. I have confined myself to the facts as best I can recollect them now. I have also attempted to recapture the spirit and ambiance of the individual laboratories, their directors, and the scientists working there, leaving philosophical interpretations to others. I feel privileged to have been permitted to work in these laboratories and with these scientists. Despite present difficulties besetting those who desire to devote their lives to scientific research, I encourage these hardy souls to pursue their vision and wish for them the good fortune I had in being associated with so many supportive, brilliant, and interesting researchers.
Correction of Depth Bias in Upper-Ocean Temperature and Salinity Profiling Measurements from Airborne Expendable Probes

AbstractDuring the Dynamics of Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) Experiment in 2011, airborne expendable conductivity–temperature–depth (AXCTD) probes and airborne expendable bathythermographs (AXBTs) were deployed using NOAA’s WP-3D Orion aircraft over the southern tropical Indian Ocean. From initial analysis of the AXCTD data, about 95% of profiles exhibit double mixed layer structures. The presence of a mixed layer from some of these profiles were erroneous and were introduced because of the AXCTD processing software not being able to correctly identify the starting point of the probe descent. This work reveals the impact of these errors in data processing and presents an objective method to remove such erroneous data from the profiles using spectrograms from raw audio files. Reconstructed AXCTD/AXBT profiles are compared with collocated shipborne conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) and expendable bathythermograph (XBT) profiles and are found to be in good agreement.
Fast quantum algorithms for computing the unit group and class group of a number field

Computing the unit group and class group of a number field are two of the main tasks in computational algebraic number theory. Factoring integers reduces to solving Pell's equation, which is a special case of computing the unit group, but a reduction in the other direction is not known and appears more difficult. We give polynomial-time quantum algorithms for computing the unit group and class group when the number field has constant degree.
Cytological aspects of fertilization in the lamellibranch, Mytilus edulis I. Polar body formation and development of the female pronucleus

Aspects of fertilization encompassing the meiotic events of the maternal chromatin, the formation of the polar bodies, and the development of the female pronucleus have been investigated in the lamellibranch, Mytilus edulis. The cromosomes of the mature egg of Mytilus edulis at the time of fertilization are organized on the first metaphase plate of meiosis. The first meiotic metaphase figure, oriented normal to the egg's cortex, consists of two asters, each of which contains paired centrioles, microtubules, and some smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Subsequent to sperm incorporation, the first polar body is produced by a process akin to cytokinesis following the movement of the chromosomes at anaphase. Later, the metaphase plate of the second meiotic apparatus is formed. Morphologically, the second metaphase figure is similar to the first; however, each aster appears to contain only one centriole. The second polar body, produced in the same manner as the first, remains associated with the zygote via a cytoplasmic bridge which persists up to the time of the first cleavage. Both polar bodies contain the same cellular inclusions as the zygote; however, only the second polar body has its chromatin delimited by a perforated nuclear envelope. After the formation of the second polar body, the maternal chromatin is organized into chromosomal vesicles. The chromosomal vesicles later fuse to form the female pronucleus.
Vision-based avoidance of obstacles with unknown constant velocity

This paper discusses vision-based avoidance of obstacles with unknown sizes and unknown constant velocities for four-wheel nonholonomic robots. The robot is equipped with an inertial measurement unit that provides measurements of the robot's position and velocity, and a monocular camera that detects the obstacles. An analytical scheme is adopted for trajectory generation and vehicle control. Vision sensor is used to obtain the estimates of the obstacles' unknown sizes and unknown velocities that are used by the trajectory generation scheme. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by numerical simulation examples.
Age and growth‐related changes in cyclopiazonic acid‐potentiated lipophilic cation accumulation by cultured cells and binding to freeze‐thaw lysed cells

In a previous study (1) we demonstrated that increased tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) uptake by renal epithelial cells (LLC-PK1) exposed to the fungal metabolite cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was not a result of hyperpolarization across the plasma membrane even though CPA-potentiated TPP uptake could be totally inhibited by the depolarizing agent carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). We now demonstrate that CPA potentiates TPP accumulation by proliferating skeletal muscle (L6) and LLC-PK1 cells but not by nonproliferating primary rat hepatocytes. In LLC-PK1 cells, CPA-potentiated TPP accumulation is observed in cells at all ages. In L6 cells, CPA-potentiated TPP accumulation is maximal soon after subculturing, and as the cells age they become less sensitive to CPA until TPP accumulation by CPA-treated cells approaches that of untreated cells. The temporal change in sensitivity of L6 cells to CPA may be related to biochemical and/or metabolic changes which occur as the cells age in culture. Hepatocytes, LLC-PK1 cells, and L6 cells permeabilized by freeze-thaw lysis, all exhibit CPA-potentiated TPP partitioning, even in the presence of CCCP. This result indicates that both TPP and CPA must have access to the intracellular space in order for potentiated TPP partitioning to be observed. We hypothesize that the site of interaction between CPA and TPP is intracellular and probably associated with the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane and possibly the mitochondria.
Stent placement for benign colonic stenosis: case report, review of the literature, and animal pilot data.

Background Permanent metal stent placement for malignant intestinal obstruction has been proven to be efficient. Temporary stents for benign conditions of the colon and rectum are less studied. This is a case study, review of the literature, and observation from an animal model on placement of stents in the colorectum for benign disease. Materials and methods A 55-year-old man presented with recurrent obstructions from a benign stricture of the distal sigmoid colon. After failed balloon dilations, a polyester coated stent was placed. The purpose of the stent was to improve symptoms and avoid surgery. The stent was expelled after 5 days. We conducted a literature review of stents placed for benign colorectal strictures and an animal study to evaluate stent migration. Results In the literature, there were 53 reports of uncovered metal stents, four covered metal stents, and six polyester stents. Patency rates were 71%, and migration rate was 43%. Migration occurred earlier with polyester stents (mean=8 days) versus covered (32 days) or uncovered metal stents (112 days). Severe complications were seen in 23% of patients. Four 45-kg pigs underwent rectosigmoid transection with a 21-mm anastomosis and endoscopic placement of a Polyflex stent. Two stents were secured with suture. Stents without fixation were expelled within 24 h of surgery. Stents with fixation were expelled between postoperative days 2 and 14. Conclusion Stents for the treatment of benign colorectal strictures are safe, with comparable patency rates between stent types. Metal stents can cause severe complications. In a pig model, covered polyester stents tend to migrate early even with fixation. Further investigation needs to focus on new stent designs and/or better fixation.