cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of bacterial bronchitis in cystic fibrosis.

Objective. To describe the current understanding of the pathogenesis of infections in cystic fibrosis (CF). The key element in the pathogenesis of infections in CF is the abnormal mucin resulting from a defective chloride channel. Abnormal mucin and the lack of hydration of respiratory secretions entraps bacteria, permitting colonization and subsequent infection. Normal physiologic insults, such as microaspiration, and pollution evoke mucin secretion with bacteria-mucin aggregates causing infection of small airways. Microcolonies of pulmotropic bacteria (i.e. Haemophilus and Staphylococcus) in the trapped mucin cause mucosal injury which predisposes the patient to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Eventually there is obstruction of medium-sized and small airways by inflammatory exudate and mucus. Ultimately these chronic endobronchial bacterial infections cause significant loss of pulmonary function with morbidity and a decrease in the life span of patients with CF. Although antibiotic therapy is beneficial for the management of bacterial respiratory tract infections in CF patients, gene therapy may provide the ultimate cure. Conclusion. New treatment strategies will emerge as the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis is better elucidated.
Solución de problemas entre gente iletrada

Aunque los filosofos del pragmatismo han enfatizado la solucion de problemas como un atributo humano clave, y esta idea nace del sentido comun, los cientificos conductuales le han prestado una atenci6n inadecuada a la solucion natural de problemas que tiene lugar fuera del laboratorio. Lo que los cientificos han hecho ha sido tomar el analisis a mitad de camino, estudiando funciones reificadas, pero las aproximaciones "funcionales" han sido generalmente repudiadas con tanta frecuencia porque adoptan suposiciones injustificadas sobre la funcionalidad. Se propone que trabajando de abajo hacia arriba, estudiando decisiones que reflejan la apreciacion indigena de las funciones sociales y manipulan sistemas sociales de una manera sofisticada, se podria construir un tipo de analisis funcional mucho mas efectivo, y este tipo de analisis se podria combinar satisfactoriamente con analisis evolutivos.
Digestive proteases of Penaeus vannamei Boone: Relationship between enzyme activity, size and diet

Abstract The relationships between protein level, protein source, size, and digestive protease enzyme activities of the marine shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, were investigated during three 30-day growth experiments. Three sizes of shrimp (4.0, 9.8, 20.8 g) were maintained in 2650-l indoor tanks and fed ad libitum with six isocaloric diets. The protein sources were varied by changing the animal to plant protein ratio ( a p ratio), 2:1 and 1:1, while each of these two series was composed of three diets having protein levels of 22, 30 and 38%. The following digestive enzyme activities were detected in crude extracts prepared from the digestive system of the shrimp; trypsin, carboxy-peptidase A, carboxypeptidase B, acid protease and general protease. The extracts lacked chymotryptic and peptic activities. The level of protein in the diet had a greater effect on the enzyme total activities (activity per g wet tissue) in the large shrimp (17–30 g) than in small shrimp ( a p ratio diets displayed lower activities than those fed the 2:1 ratio diet. The protein level influenced the enzyme activities in shrimp of all sizes while the protein source had a greater effect on the enzyme activities in small shrimp (
HIV resistance testing in clinical practice: a Qaly-fied success.

In this issue, Weinstein and colleagues provide evidence demonstrating the cost–benefit of resistance testing in patients with HIV infection. However, further virologic, clinical, and quality-adjus...
On the existence and uniqueness of maximizers of two likelihood functions

While applying theclassical maximum likelihood method for a certain statistical inference problem, Smith and Weissman [5] have noted that there are conditions under which the likelihood function may be unbounded above or may not possess local maximizers. Ariyawansa and Templeton [1] have derived inference procedures for this problem using the theory of structural inference [2,3,4]. Based on numerical experience, and without proof, they state that the resulting likelihood functions possess unique, global maximizers, even in instances where the classical maximum likelihood method fails in the above sense. In this paper, we prove that under quite mild conditions, these likelihood functions that result from the application of the theory of structural inference are well-behaved, and possess unique, global maximizers.
Structured light: theory and practice and practice and practice...

We have developed a structured light system for noncontact 3-D measurement of human body surface areas and volumes. We illustrate the image processing steps and algorithms used to recover range data from a single camera image, reconstruct a complete surface from one or more sets of range data, and measure areas and volumes. The development of a working system required the solution to a number of practical problems in image processing and grid labeling (the stereo correspondence problem for structured light). In many instances we found that the standard cookbook techniques for image processing failed. This was due in part to the domain (human body), the restrictive assumptions of the models underlying the cookbook techniques, and the inability to consistently predict the outcome of the image processing operations. In this paper, we will discuss some of our successes and failures in two key steps in acquiring range data using structured light: First, the problem of detecting intersections in the structured light grid, and secondly, the problem of establishing correspondence between projected and detected intersections. We will outline the problems and solutions we have arrived at after several years of trial and error. We can now measure range data with an r.m.s. relative error of 0.3% and measure areas on the human body surface within 3% and volumes within 10%. We have found that the solution to building a working vision system requires the right combination of theory and experimental verification.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
US Empire and the Project of Women's Studies: Stories of citizenship, complicity and dissent

This essay charts some of the most urgent challenges feminists confront in relation to imperialism, militarization, and corporate globalization in the USA. It insists on the necessity of feminist anti-imperialist praxis, specifically in the context of the academic and non-academic projects engendered by Women's Studies scholarship and teaching in North America. An analysis of the Abu Ghraib events illustrates the deeply gendered, racial, and sexualized national practices of US military culture and the Bush/Cheney war state. The essay calls for feminist engagement with a US imperial (not just democratic in promissory terms) state by connecting domestic with foreign policy issues. Suggesting that the US academy is profoundly implicated in the current project of empire, the essay further analyzes the place of Women's Studies and its history of contested citizenship projects as a crucial site of feminist anti-imperialist praxis. It seeks to make an important distinction between feminist practice that is complicit in the project of empire, and radical, anti-imperialist feminisms anchored in a politics of dissent.
Estimation of Sea Scallop Abundance in Closed Areas of Georges Bank, USA

Abstract A high-resolution video survey conducted from May to September 1999 in historic scallop fishing grounds that have been closed to mobile fishing gear since 1994 revealed some of the highest densities and largest sea scallops Placopecten magellanicus ever observed on Georges Bank. Sea scallop densities ranged from 0.25 to 0.59 scallops/m2 within the three surveyed areas and from 0.58 to 1.06 scallops/m2 at stations where at least 1 scallop was observed. Sea scallops were highly aggregated into patches (beds) on the scale of square kilometers, and the distribution was strongly associated with the distribution of coarse sand-granule-pebble substrate. The three areas surveyed (1,938 km2) contained approximately 650 million scallops representing 17 million kg of harvestable scallop meats. This is equivalent to 54% of the average harvestable scallop meat biomass from 1977 to 1988. The area surveyed covered 5% of the total scallop fishing grounds of Georges Bank. The video survey technique has several ad...
The Concept of Cognitive Reserve: A Catalyst for Research

(2003). The Concept of Cognitive Reserve: A Catalyst for Research. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology: Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 589-593.
Bezoar-related stercoral perforation in an 11-year old child: Has anyone seen my other sock?

Abstract Bezoars are accretions of indigestible material that develop within the gastrointestinal tract and occur with relative infrequency. Rarer yet, stercoral perforations of the colon (SPC) result from pressure-induced ischemia and are nearly universally associated with chronic constipation. We report only the second recorded case of a bezoar-related stercoral perforation of the colon, the first to result from ingestion of cloth, and the first in a pediatric patient.
In vitro stimulation of HDL anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of LDL pro-inflammatory activity in the plasma of patients with end-stage renal disease by an apoA-1 mimetic peptide

Features of end-stage renal disease such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. By inhibiting the formation and increasing the disposal of oxidized lipids, HDL exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Given that apolipoproteinA-1 can limit atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that an apolipoproteinA-1 mimetic peptide, 4F, may reduce the proinflammatory properties of LDL and enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL in uremic plasma. To test this, plasma from each of 12 stable hemodialysis patients and age-matched control subjects was incubated with 4F or vehicle. The isolated HDL and LDL fractions were added to cultured human aortic endothelial cells to quantify monocyte chemotactic activity, thus measuring their pro- or anti-inflammatory index. The LDL from the hemodialysis patients was more pro-inflammatory and their HDL was less anti-inflammatory than those of the control subjects. Pre-incubation of the plasma from the hemodialysis patients with 4F decreased LDL pro-inflammatory activity and enhanced HDL anti-inflammatory activity. Whether 4F or other apolipoproteinA-1 mimetic peptides will have any therapeutic benefit in end-stage renal disease will have to be examined directly in clinical studies.
Zinc content of expressed human prostatic fluid.

Bertrand and Vladesco1 were the first to show the remarkably high concentration of zinc in the human prostate. The figures obtained by them were 0.49 and 0.53 mgm./gm. dry weight. Mawson and Fischer2 found the average zinc concentration in 7 normal human prostates to be 0.859 mgm./gm. dry weight. Hoare et al.3 found an average of 0.744 mgm./gm. dry weight in 19 normal human prostates. Higher zinc-levels have been reported in human spermatozoa (1.998 mgm./gm. dry weight)4, in human seminal plasma (3.1 mgm./gm. dry weight)5, and in 3 specimens of human carcinoid tissue (av. 1.702 mgm./gm. dry weight)6 (Table 1).
A Comparison between Transmembrane Helices and Reentrant Loops

Reentrant loops are an important structure motif in a-helical transmembrane proteins. A reentrant loop goes half way through the membrane and turns and exits the membrane in the same side it has entered. To better predict the topology of transmembrane proteins and understand their function, it is important to investigate why the reentrant loops form such a unique topology. Herein, we compare the reentrant loops with transmembrane helices and find that the two types of structure motifs differ significantly in residue composition and the difference in reside composition is sufficient to discriminate reentrant loops from transmembrane helices based on the amino acid sequence. Our study shows that the difference in residue composition makes the reentrant loops less hydrophobic than the transmembrane helices. Because of the hydrophobic environment of the lipid membrane, this reduced hydrphobicity in the reentrant loops will make them less stable inside the membrane. That may be one of the many factors that make the reentrant loops to form such a unique topology.
Differential infidelity patterns among the Dark Triad

The Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) are overlapping but distinctive. Although all three traits have been independently linked to relationship infidelity, differences among the traits may exist when examined simultaneously. Moreover, consequences resulting from infidelity have not been explored. A large retrospective survey found that all three traits correlated with reporting an infidelity at some point in a current (or most recent) relationship. Among women, however, only psychopathy and Machiavellianism were unique predictors of infidelity, whereas only psychopathy uniquely predicted infidelity among men. However, infidelity committed by psychopathic individuals led to relationship dissolution, whereas infidelity committed by Machiavellian individuals did not. These findings suggest mindset and long-term goals impact situations to create differences in Dark Triad destructive relationship behaviors.
Research Advances:: Elastic Salt, and Plant Progesterone

This installment of Research Advances describes recent discoveries in properties of salt at the nanoscale, as well as the first discovery of the animal hormone progesterone in a plant.
Lathyrogenic activity of 2 (2-cyanoethyl)-3-isoxazolin-5-one from Lathyrus odoratus seedlings

L'administration au rat de 2(2-cyanoethyl)-3-isoxazolin-5-one (comp. VIII), un composant des jets deLathyrus odoratus, cause un retardement de la croissance ainsi que des anomalies du squelette, caracteristiques de la substance lathyrogene β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN). L'excretion du BAPN suggere que l'activite lathyrogene de VIII est due a la liberation du BAPN in situ.
FAKABILITY OF THE ADORNO F-SCALE

Under fake good, fake bad, and neutral testing instructions, 186 college undergraduates demonstrated ability to fake bad on the Adorno F-scale, though the lack of significant difference between scores made under fake good and neutral instruction sets casts doubt on Ss' ability to fake good on the authoritarianism measure. No scoring differences appeared for the scores projected onto hypothesized members of either the lower, middle, or upper classes under the three sets of test instructions, though under all 3 instructional sets Ss consistently attributed the highest scores to members of the middle class, while in 2 of 3 cases the second highest scores were projected onto upper class members. The inconclusive results suggest further research be directed toward the resolution of the problem of fakability of the Adorno F-scale. To this end, it is suggested that efforts be systematic and replicate design and measures used in earlier studies.
Band structures of CsCl-structured BaS and CaSe at high pressure: Implications for metallization pressures of the alkaline earth chalcogenides

The indirect energy gaps of CsCl-structured BaS and CaSe are measured at high pressures using absorption spectroscopy to pressures of 41 and 53 GPa, respectively. Band-structure calculations using density-functional theory and quasiparticle corrections are also conducted on BaS and CaSe as a function of pressure. The measured indirect gaps of BaS and CaSe shift linearly with pressure with a slope, (dE{sub gap}/dP), of {minus}1.8(2){times}10{sup {minus}2} and {minus}1.5(3){times}10{sup {minus}2}thinspeV/GPa, respectively. These values are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical results of {minus}2.2{times}10{sup {minus}2}thinspeV/GPa for BaS and {minus}2.3{times}10{sup {minus}2}thinspeV/GPa for CaSe. Our calculations indicate that the energy gap in both compounds is indirect with the valence-band maxima at {bold M} and the conduction-band minima at {bold {Gamma}}. Based on a simple linear extrapolation of our data, we estimate the metallization pressures of CsCl-structured BaS and CaSe to be above 113 and 125 GPa, respectively. Our estimates of metallization pressures are compared with those of other alkaline earth monochalcogenides to determine the degree to which changes in the electronic structures of these compounds under pressure can be described using systematic trends based on ionic radii. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in haemolymph from diapausing larvae of the european corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis

Abstract Tyrosine hydroxylase activity was undetectable in the plasma of haemolymph immediately after collection from diapausing larvae of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). Activation occurred rapidly, and peak titres were reached in from 2 to 4 minutes. Maximum tyrosine hydroxylase activity persisted in haemolymph plasma maintained under oil, but steadily diminished in samples exposed to air. Activation occurred at equal rates in blood samples diluted with either aerated or nitrogenated buffers, although dilution produced a lag phase in the activation. At o° C. the much expanded time course, of activation assumed a sigmoidal character, consistent with an autocatalytic mode of activation. Gel filtration of fresh haemolymph prevented tyrosine hydroxylase activation; gel filtration of previously activated samples greatly reduced their activity. By combining the proteinaceous portion of the gel column effluent with successive fractions, however, it was possible to restore substantial activity. The activator was heat-labile (boiling) but was not precipitated by ammonium sulphate. Our results suggest that the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase involves a small, water-soluble, thermolabile molecule that reversibly associates with a proenzyme.
A glossary of Romani terms

Romani spelling, and indeed the Romani language itself, is only now in the process of being standardized, a task being undertaken by the Language Commission created at the Fourth World Romani Congress in Warsaw in 1990. Several readers have already appeared in standardized Romani and a dictionary will be published as part of the Interface collection in 1997. The spelling used here has been regularized according to the system outlined in Ian F. Hancock, A Handbook of Vlax Romani (Slavica Publishers, Columbus, Ohio, 1995). Briefly, the letters and letter combinations have the following values: [j] is like English "y," [c] like "ts," [s] like "sh," [c] like "ch," [z] like "s" in "pleasure," [dz] like [2] with the tongue curled back, [6h] like [s] with the tongue curled back, [dj] like English "j," [r] a flapped or trilled "r" as in Scottish English, [rr] a throat "r" as in French, [x] like "ch" in German "Achtung."
Expression of the human cytomegalovirus UL36-38 immediate early region during permissive infection.

Abstract We have characterized the expression of human cytomegalovirus immediate early (IE) genes encoding the UL36-38 open reading frames. Single-stranded RNA hybridization probes, transcribed from UL36–38 cDNAs or smaller exon-specific clones, were used in analyses of RNA isolated during various phases of infection in the presence and absence of inhibitors of protein and HCMV DNA synthesis. There are three IE transcripts that arise by the use of alternative promoters and splicing signals. Different patterns of expression are observed for each of the three IE RNAs during permissive infection. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of UL36–38 IE cDNAs with those of the genomic sequence verified the use of polyadenylation and splice signals. An additional abundant early class RNA, totally encoded within the UL36–38 region, was found to be expressed from a different promoter than the IE RNAs. In vitro transcription and translation of the IE cDNAs were used to express the UL36–38 IE proteins. These studies define the structure of the UL36–38 gene products and demonstrate that expression from the region is both qualitatively and temporally complex.
Martin A. Swerdlow, MD (1923-2012).

Martin A. Swerdlow, MD, a former chair of 3 pathology departments, died from complications of Parkinson disease on November 17, 2012. Born in 1923 at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, he spoke only Yiddish until starting kindergarten. He received his BS from the University of Illinois (U of I) and had his first publication in 1944 (“Use of Synthetic Detergents in the Van Slyke Determination of Oxygen Capacity”). After graduating with honors from the U of I College of Medicine in 1947, he went to Michael Reese Hospital for a rotating internship and his pathology training, under the Viennese pathologist Otto Saphir. Halfway through his residency, he was sent to Japan for 11 months in late 1950 to direct a US Army pathology laboratory during the Korean War. After completing his residency, he served in the US Army Laboratory Services until 1954, worked several years in Kansas City, and then returned to the U of I. He left after several years to work in 2 small Chicago hospitals, still returning to the University to teach. In 1966, he returned to the U of I/Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine as professor of pathology and associate dean. He was responsible for developing a new, …
Acceptability of neonatal circumcision by Hispanics in southern Florida

This study attempted to determine the acceptability of neonatal circumcision in Hispanic expectant and new parents and to explore potential associations with lower acceptability. Overall, we found surprisingly high rates of acceptability in this community that contrasts with the actual low rates of circumcision in Hispanics in the USA. This gap is important since newborn circumcision has been suggested as an additional long-range tool in reducing longstanding ethnic disparities in HIV incidence in the USA. A larger study will be needed to determine what factors are associated with low acceptability and how one might effectively address these concerns in this population.
Cardiac troponin I and T concentrations in patients with cocaine-associated chest pain

Patients with cocaine-related chest pain with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are often admitted to rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cardiac troponin I and T should be superior to measurement of creatine kinase (CK)-MB for detecting cardiac injury in patients with coexisting skeletal muscle injury. We prospectively evaluated 19 consecutive patients with acute chest pain related to cocaine use who were hospitalized to rule out AMI. The admission ECG was abnormal in 16 of 19 patients. Total CK and CK-MB were elevated during the hospital course in 14 and 3 patients, respectively. Cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T levels were within normal limits in all patients demonstrating that recent myocardial injury did not occur. Clinically, no patient had an AMI. Cocaine-induced thoracic skeletal muscle injury or transient cocaine-induced coronary vasospasm should be considered as alternative sources of chest pain in these patients.
The effect of neighborhood deprivation and residential relocation on long‐term injection cessation among injection drug users (IDUs) in Baltimore, Maryland

Aims To determine the incidence of long-term injection cessation and its association with residential relocation and neighborhood deprivation. Design ALIVE (AIDS Linked to the Intravenous Experience) is a prospective cohort with semi-annual follow-up since 1988. Multi-level discrete time-to-event models were constructed to investigate individual and neighborhood-level predictors of long-term injection cessation. Setting Baltimore, USA. Participants A total of 1697 active injectors from ALIVE with at least eight semi-annual study visits. Measurements Long-term injection cessation was defined as 3 consecutive years without self-reported injection drug use. Findings A total of 706 (42%) injectors achieved long-term cessation (incidence = 7.6 per 100 person-years). After adjusting for individual-level factors, long-term injection cessation was 29% less likely in neighborhoods in the third quartile of deprivation [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.95) and 43% less likely in the highest quartile of deprivation (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.76) compared to the first quartile. Residential relocation was associated with increased likelihood of long-term injection cessation (HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.82); however, the impact of relocation varied depending on the deprivation in the destination neighborhood. Compared to those who stayed in less deprived neighborhoods, relocation from highly deprived to less deprived neighborhoods had the strongest positive impact on long-term injection cessation (HR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.50, 2.57), while staying in the most deprived neighborhoods was detrimental (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.93). Conclusions Long-term cessation of injection of opiates and cocaine occurred frequently following a median of 9 years of injection and contextual factors appear to be important. Our findings suggest that improvements in the socio-economic environment may improve the effectiveness of cessation programs.
High resolution ordering of YAC contigs using extended chromatin and chromosomes

The general usefulness of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the physical mapping of the human genome is greatly enhanced by improved DNA resolution. Several techniques have been described for decondensing or stretching interphase chromatin in a linear fashion, allowing long-range FISH mapping in finer detail. Highly extended linear chromatin can be hybridized over physical distances of at least several megabases, possibly over the whole length of a chromosome. By multi-color FISH, we have determined the order and overlaps of YACs from a 5q34-35 contig. Cosmids can be localized within larger YAC clones. Extended chromatin mapping can be applied as an adjunct ordering technique in genome studies.
Cardiac dysfunction in the diabetic rat: quantitative evaluation using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Background: Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In particular, type 1 diabetes compromises the cardiac function of individuals at a relatively early age due to the protracted course of abnormal glucose homeostasis. The functional abnormalities of diabetic myocardium have been attributed to the pathological changes of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods: In this study, we used high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the left ventricular functional characteristics of streptozotocin treated diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks disease duration) in comparison with age/sex matched controls. Results: Our analyses of EKG gated cardiac MRI scans of the left ventricle showed a 28% decrease in the end-diastolic volume and 10% increase in the end-systolic volume of diabetic hearts compared to controls. Mean stroke volume and ejection fraction in diabetic rats were decreased (48% and 28%, respectively) compared to controls. Further, dV/dt changes were suggestive of phase sensitive differences in left ventricular kinetics across the cardiac cycle between diabetic and control rats. Conclusion: Thus, the MRI analyses of diabetic left ventricle suggest impairment of diastolic and systolic hemodynamics in this rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our studies also show that in vivo MRI could be used in the evaluation of cardiac dysfunction in this rat model of type 1 diabetes.
Are cosmetic results following conservative surgery and radiation therapy for early breast cancer dependent on technique

Abstract To assess the cosmetic results in relation to treatment technique, we retrospectively reviewed the results for 1159 Stage I–II breast cancer patients treated with conservative surgery and radiotherapy between 1970–1985. All patients underwent gross excision followed by radiation therapy including an implant or electron beam boost. The total dose to the primary site was ≥ 60 Gy. Because of technical modifications introduced over time after 1981, the population was divided arbitrarily into two cohorts: 504 patients treated through 1981 and 655 treated between 1982–1985. Median follow-up times for surviving patients in the two cohorts were 107 months and 67 months, respectively. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated by the examining physician and scored as excellent, good, fair or poor. Excellent results at 5 years were scored in 59% of early cohort patients and 74% of the latter cohort ( p = 0.002). Acceptable results (either good or excellent) were seen in 84% and 94%, respectively ( p = 0.02). In the latter cohort, the likelihood of achieving an excellent result, but not an acceptable result, was significantly related to the volume of resected breast tissue and the use of chemotherapy. The number of fields (three-field technique, provided that fields are precisely matched, compared to tangents only) and boost type (implant vs electrons) did not influence the cosmetic outcome. We conclude that our current technique using breast RT to 45–46 Gy and a boost to the primary site of 16–18 Gy is associated with a high likelihood of acceptable cosmetic results and that this likelihood is not diminished by the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, a large breast resection, the use of a third field, or boost type.
Influence of Dietary Replacement of Menhaden Oil with Canola Oil on Fatty Acid Composition of Sunshine Bass

Abstract The replacement of menhaden Brevoortia spp. oil with graded levels of canola oil in diets fed for 20 weeks to sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) significantly impacted the fatty acid composition of fillets and livers. As the amount of canola oil increased from 0% to 100% of the oil in the diet, the amount of 18:1(n-9) and 18: 2(n-6) fatty acids in fillets increased linearly, whereas the amounts of 20:5(n-3), 22:6(n-3), long-chain n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), and total long-chain HUFAs in the fillets decreased linearly. Total long-chain n-3 HUFA levels did not differ significantly between fillets from fish fed a diet with 50% canola oil and those from fish fed 100% menhaden oil. The experimental diets also significantly altered the fatty acid compositions of the livers, though fatty acid levels were highly variable within and among treatments and differences usually were not as pronounced as differences in fillets. We observed no signi...
A retrospective view of concussion in American football, 1900-1959: What was suggested then we now know.

AbstractWhile published work and media attention about football-related concussion in the USA have increased exponentially in the past few years, these injuries have in fact been written about for over a century. In this work, we undertook a selective review of the PubMed database of the published reports on concussion in football prior to 1960, with attention to the definitions used, physician attitudes, epidemiology, return to play criteria and recommendations and concerns related to long-term outcomes. Search inclusion criteria were English language, publication between the years 1900 and 1959 and studies written by healthcare professionals treating football-related injuries. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria for this review, and the findings are grouped by topic area and detailed chronologically. Early sports medicine physicians struggled with many of the same issues faced today by clinicians such as honest reporting of symptoms by athletes, lack of uniform diagnosis and treatment and ambi...
The New Patent Intermediaries: Platforms, Defensive Aggregators and Super-Aggregators

Some assets are traded in liquid markets, at transparent prices, with the help ome assets are traded in liquid markets, at transparent prices, with the help of many thriving intermediaries: houses and apartments, stocks and other of many thriving intermediaries: houses and apartments, stocks and other fi nancial products, books, DVDs, electronics, and all sorts of collectibles. fi nancial products, books, DVDs, electronics, and all sorts of collectibles.
The electron density distribution in the F 2 layer of the ionosphere in winter

Electron density distribution in the f-2 layer of the ionosphere in winter, and the relation of the enhanced ionization to the so-called winters anomaly
A micromechanical procedure for modelling the anisotropic mechanical properties of brain white matter

This paper proposes a micromechanics algorithm utilising the finite element method (FEM) for the analysis of heterogeneous matter. The characterisation procedure takes the material properties of the constituents, axons and extracellular matrix (ECM) as input data. The material properties of both the axons and the matrix are assumed to have linear viscoelastic behaviour with a perfect bonding between them. The results of the modelling have been validated with experimental data with material white input from brainstem by considering the morphology of brainstem in which most axons are oriented in longitudinal direction in the form of a uniaxial fibrous composite material. The method is then employed to examine the undulations of axons within different subregions of white matter and to study the impact due to axon/matrix volume fractions. For such purposes, different unit cells composed of wavy geometries and with various volume factions have been exposed to the six possible loading scenarios. The results wil...
Increased Air Pressure before Incubation on Hatchability of Chicken Eggs

Abstract Broiler hatching eggs were stored under air pressure at 1,056 g./cm2 (15 p.s.i.) for varying time periods prior to incubation. Eggs 8–13 days old when incubated and which had been under continuous treatment or for only the last two days, had 8 and 4% higher hatchability, respectively, than the eggs held in the control storage room. After 20.25 days incubation, 40% of the total chicks had hatched from the pressurized egg and 30% from the control eggs. None of the pressure treatments had a significant effect on eggs 2–7 or 14–19 days old when incubated. Although the pressure chamber was within the storage room there was a difference in both temperature and humidity.
Perioperative management of a patient with Chagas disease having mitral valve surgery

A patient with advanced Chagas disease presented with symptoms attributable to dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral regurgitation. Although esophageal involvement is part of the constellation of findings in Chagas, transesophageal echocardiography was safely used to guide the mitral valve surgery.
Mother-to-child transmission of herpes simplex virus

Infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2), both alpha herpesviruses, are highly prevalent worldwide. Both HSV types commonly cause genital infection, which, when acquired or reactivated during pregnancy, carries with it the risk of transmission to the fetus or neonate. Women who acquire primary or first-episode genital herpes during pregnancy are at greater risk for transmitting the infection than are women with recurrent genital herpes. Because viral infection and reactivation are frequently asymptomatic, many affected women are unaware of their infection and risk of transmission to their infants. Neonatal HSV infection can have devastating long-term consequences, especially when the central nervous system (CNS) is involved. Treatment of affected neonates with intravenous acyclovir has improved outcomes but there is room for further improvement, especially in regard to CNS disease. Working with pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HSV is an important component in reducing the overall disease burden of neonatal HSV infections.
Automatic synthesis and verification of compliance mappings

When the uncertainty is large compared to clearances between objects, some form of compliance is required for a robot to manipulate these objects. Such situations include, but are not restricted to, assembly operations. Compliance can be thought of as a task-dependent mapping from sensed forces to corrective motions which bring the robot closer to its goal. A methodology for the automated synthesis of this mapping is described. The possible erroneous configurations of the robot together with their resulting contact forces are computed, and a corrective motion is identified for each configuration. The validity of the mapping is checked to ensure that the sensed forces will provide unambiguous information during the actual execution of the planned compliant motion. >
An efficient algorithm for computing bounds on the average transmitted power in generalized partial response

An algorithm for computing bounds on the average transmitted power in generalized partial response signaling, also known as Tomlinson-Harashima (TH) precoding, is presented and its derivation is outlined. This algorithm requires knowledge of the marginal probability distributions of the input signal constellation, and is only appropriate when the domains of the marginal distributions are a subset of the set of even integers or a subset of the set of odd integers. These computed bounds are a generalization of the closed form bounds derived by Maze and Salt (1976) for symmetrical PAM constellations and rectangular QAM constellations with equally probable symbols. >
Establishing PCI compliance using formal verification: a case study

This paper presents a case study in the practical application of formal verification. Specifically, we describe our experience in applying the formal verification technique of symbolic model checking to the verification of PCI bus bridges. During the last 2 years, we have used symbolic model checking to verify more than 12 hardware designs, including a number of PCI bus bridges. This use of formal verification has led to the better understanding of formal verification capabilities and the establishment of formal verification techniques as a standard verification tool in the Haifa Design Group at IBM's Haifa Research Laboratory. More than 5 PCI bus bridge designs have been verified using formal verification, including a design in which formal verification was used to do all checks at the unit level. A PCI bus bridge design that was verified with formal verification was announced as an IBM product and became available to customers after a single tape-out. >
Lifestyle interventions for the treatment of class III obesity: a primary target for nutrition medicine in the obesity epidemic

Although rates of obesity have increased universally in the United States over the past 30 y, it is clear that certain individuals are more susceptible to weight gain than others. Extreme obesity [body mass index (in kg/m(2)) > 40] is increasing at rates greater than any other class of obesity in the United States. Severely obese patients often suffer from a wide variety of comorbidities. Although weight-loss surgery is the most effective treatment, it offers little in the way of large-scale containment due to its costly and invasive nature. Lifestyle interventions that induce modest weight loss and improve fitness can significantly lower disease risk. As medical professionals in the field of nutrition, we must focus first on the patient cohort that suffers most from the modern obesogenic environment. Lifestyle interventions specifically targeted toward the class III obese cohort should be a high priority in nutrition medicine.
Integrating physical activity data technologies into elementary school classrooms

This paper describes an iteration of a design-based research project that involved integrating commercial physical activity data (PAD) sensors, such as heart rate monitors and pedometers, as technologies that could be used in two fifth grade classrooms. By working in partnership with two participating teachers and seeking out immediate resources in the classrooms and elementary school site, we devised a set of technology-supported learning activities in which students pursued investigations related to the distances that they walk, the relationship between heights and footsteps taken, and variations in heart rates among twins and with adults. In addition, we assessed the students’ knowledge before and after the PAD technology supported learning intervention using both a written assessment and interviews. Results from the written assessments indicated that the newly designed activities indeed covered the intended content related to measures of center and averages. Results from the interviews suggested that students who participated in the unit designed to incorporate PAD technologies more reliably accessed knowledge related to measures of center and averages in scenario-based problems than their counterparts who followed a traditional unit. Practical lessons related to the use of this technology with elementary school children that were learned from this design activity are also summarized.
Alterations in Ca2+ cycling proteins and Gαq signaling after left ventricular assist device support in failing human hearts

Objective: Left ventricular assist device support mechanically unloads the failing ventricle with resultant improvement in cardiac geometry and function in patients with end-stage heart failure. Activation of the Gαq signaling pathway, including protein kinase C, appears to be involved in the progression of heart failure. Similarly down-regulation of Ca2+ cycling proteins may contribute to contractile depression in this clinical syndrome. Thus we examined whether protein kinase C activation and decreased Ca2+ cycling protein levels could be reversed by left ventricular assist device support. Methods: Left ventricular myocardial specimens were obtained from seven patients during placement of left ventricular assist device and heart transplantation. We examined changes in protein levels of Gαq, phospholipase C β1, regulators of G protein signaling (RGS), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase, phospholamban and translocation of protein kinase C isoforms (α, β1, and β2). Results: The paired pre- and post- left ventricular assist device samples revealed that RGS2, a selective inhibitor of Gαq, was decreased ( P <0.01), while the status of Gαq, phospholipase C β1, RGS3 and RGS4 were unchanged after left ventricular assist device implantation. Translocation of protein kinase C isoforms remained unchanged. Left ventricular assist device support increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase protein level ( P <0.01), while phospholamban abundance was unchanged. Conclusions: We conclude that altered protein expression and stoichiometry of the major cardiomyocyte Ca2+ cycling proteins rather than reduced phospholipase C β1 activation may contribute to improved mechanical function produced by left ventricular assist device support in human heart failure.
Cation self-diffusion and the isotope effect in Mn1-δO

Abstract Diffusion of 54 Mn in Mn 1−δ O single crystals has been measured by a serial sectioning technique as a function of temperature (1000–1500°C) and deviation from stoichiometry (0.00003 m in the expression D = D 0 (T)p O 2 1 m varies from about 6 at low P o 2 at all temperatures to a value approacing 2 at high P o 2 and high temperatures, thus suggesting that diffusion occurs by doubly charged vacancies at low P o 2 with increasing contributions from singly charged and neutral vacancies as P o 2 (and vacancy concentration) increases. For δ near 0.1, the values of D fall below the values extrapolated from smaller defect concentrations. The isotope effect for cation self-diffusion was measured by simultaneous diffusion of 52 Mn and 54 Mn in Mn 1−δ O (0.0004 f ΔK are independent of temperature within experimental error, and decrease from a value of 0.70 at low defect concentrations to 0.37 for large values of δ. The isotope-effect results suggest that diffusion occurs by single non-interacting vacancies at low defect concentrations; defect-defect interactions become important for δ ≳ 0.01. The defect-defect interactions may involve essentially individual defects or may result in defect clusters; the similarity between the present isotope-effect results and those for Fe 1−δ 0 suggests that defect clustering plays a significant role in mass transport in Mn 1−δ O at large values of δ.
On the Possibility of the General Linear Economic Model

Econometric analysis usually starts from an explicit linear model of the form $$A{{y}_{t}}+B{{x}_{t}}={{e}_{t}},$$ where A is a square nonsingular matrix of constant coefficients; yt is a column vector of dependent (endogenous) variables; B is a rectangular matrix of constant coefficients; xt is a column vector of independent (exogenous) variables; and et is a column vector of random errors.
Random Hermitian Matrices and (Nonrandom) Toeplitz Matrices

In this expository article we discuss some questions from the theory of random matrices which have been answered with the help of Toeplitz matrices. These questions concern the statistics of the spacings between eigenvalues of very large hermitian matrices. In certain models of random matrices they lead to the study of the Fredholm determinant of the “sine kernel” sin(x − y)/π(x − y) on a finite interval. This kernel, when discretized, becomes the Toeplitz matrix associated with an arc of the circle and Toeplitz methods help to give the desired answers. Much of this is heuristic, and rigorous proofs are yet to be found.
Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase as a Stroke Target

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a promising therapeutic target for stroke. Both pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockout of sEH have shown protection in experimental models of cerebral ischemia. Additionally, human single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene that encodes for sEH, designated ephx2, have been correlated with stroke incidence and outcome. This chapter starts out by introducing sEH in the context of the five other mammalian epoxide hydrolases before delving specifically into sEH biology. Up-to-date research into sEH’s protein structure, role in metabolizing epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, regional localization in brain, as well as subcellular localization are discussed in relation to brain function and disease. The chapter concludes by evaluating the prospect of using sEH inhibitors in clinical trials for the treatment of stroke based on the Stroke Therapy Academic and Industry Roundtable criteria.
Whitehead on the Metaphysical Employment of Language

Six criteria guiding Whitehead in his derivation of a technical metaphysical vocabulary are discussed. Then three implications of these criteria for understanding Whitehead are brought out: (1) they shed light on his dictum that "philosophy is akin to poetry"; (2) they help to specify the sort of interpretive spirit with which he apparently hoped his work would be approached; (3) they render questionable the claim that discriminations expressed in one philosophical idiom are real ones only if they admit of translation into any philosophical idiom. (Abstract from The Philosopher’s Index)
Three Dimensional Surface Waviness of an Epitaxial Layer Due to Surface Diffusion Induced by Interface Misfit Dislocations

It has been observed that, for some strained epitaxial layer systems, the surface of the layer develops roughness or waviness which correlates spatially with the positions of underlying interface misfit dislocations which partially relax the elastic mismatch strain. A model based on redistribution of mass by surface diffusion is analyzed to estimate the waviness of the three dimensional thermodynamic equilibrium surface due to intersecting arrays of interface misfit dislocations.