cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypocholesterolemic activity of a novel steroid in rats fed high-fat diets

Summary 17-(3-Hydroxy-1-propynyl)-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17 β -ol 17 α -hydro-cinnamate, noted earlier to be hypocholesterolemic in rats maintained on one of the usual commercial laboratory feeds, was also hypocholesterolemic in rats fed high fat, low-protein diets.
Thomas L. Ahern, Jr., Vietnam Declassified: The CIA and Counterinsurgency

Thomas L. Ahern, Jr. (Lexington, KY University Press of Kentucky, 2010), Pp. 480, $40, Hb, ISBN 978-0-8131-2561-9 This book is a valuable addition to the historiography of the Vietnam War that bene...
Change and Continuity in State Human Service Agencies: 1986–2006

How states choose to organize and structure their human service agencies determines to a great extent how state human service systems function and how human services are delivered to clients. Little attention has been paid in the social work administration literature to this obviously important issue. Using data from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), the authors look at how states have organized their human service systems at three times (1986, 1997, 2006) over a 20-year period. Specifically, the article looks at change and continuity in: 1) the structures and functions of the 50 designated state human service agencies, and (2) preferences for larger centralized umbrella-type agencies versus multiple smaller more specialized human service agencies.
EGG VARIABILITY AND CONSPECIFIC NEST PARASITISM IN THE PLOCEUS WEAVERBIRDS

Summary Freeman, S. 1988. Egg variability and conspecific nest parasitism in the Ploceus weaverbirds. Ostrich 59: 49–53. Intra-specific egg variability is high in some of the Ploceus weaverbirds. This variability could be an evolved response to either inter-specific or conspecific nest parasitism (INP or CNP). Several lines of evidence suggest that CNP is widespread in Ploceus, and when species within the genus are compared, both the degree of egg variability and the frequency of odd-egg clutches—two indications of the intensity of CNP—seem to increase with increasing nest density. These patterns suggest that the ability to find appropriate host nests may constrain conspecific parasites in these species.
Clinical and Genetic Epidemiology of Sudden Cardiac Death: One Decade of the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study

With approximately 4–5 million sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) around the globe on an annual basis, this condition remains a significant public health problem worldwide. There is increasing recognition of the critical need for improved prediction and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and the fact that this will be accomplished by broadening and enhancing current risk stratification methodologies. Since the overall event rate of SCD in the general population is low (60/100,000 per year), the feasibility of investigating mechanisms from existing cohort studies is limited. A decade ago, we initiated a prospective community-based case-control study among a population of approximately one million residents of the Portland Oregon USA metro area, with the overall goal of identifying risk predictors for SCA (the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, Oregon SUDS). The Oregon SUDS clinical database contains detailed information on over 2,500 SCA cases and matched controls, along with an established biobank for scientific discovery. In addition to identification of several SCA clinical risk predictors other than severe LVSD, Oregon SUDS has participated in 4 genome-wide association studies that continue to yield multiple, significant and novel genomic markers of SCA risk. I will present a summary of the overall methodology of conducting this ongoing study and selected published findings, with the overall goal of describing one successful model of conducting large, community-based evaluations of SCD.
The use of NDAs in the IT service sector

Business people are advised to use contracts for the protection of their assets when entering business transactions with other strategic partners. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are examples of such contracts that limit what those with access to certain knowledge can do with the privileged information. However, knowledge is constantly changing as soon as someone gains knowledge and adds personal knowledge to that knowledge. As such, the NDA may be redundant soon after it is signed. IT service professionals realize the boundless nature of knowledge and regularly work with professional colleagues to provide technical services to their customers. I provide a qualitative analysis of interviews with four IT service professionals on their use of NDAs in formal business transactions and in informal consultative sessions. I find positive attitudes toward the use of NDAs in formal business transactions such as in strategic partnerships but limited use of NDAs in informal consultative sessions.
Keeping the Open Artery Open: Is Stenting the Answer?

In the past decade, studies of thrombolytic therapy have established definitively that early patency of the infarct-related vessel is associated with improved left ventricular performance as well as enhanced in-hospital and long-term survival.1 2 Importantly, these reductions in early (30-day) and long-term (5-year) mortality are highly correlated with the restoration of normal (TIMI grade 3) versus TIMI grade 2 flow or less at discharge.3 4 Although thrombolytic regimens achieve arterial “patency” in almost 90% of patients, they restore TIMI grade 3 flow by 90 minutes in only ≈50% of patients. Another limitation of thrombolytic therapy is that 10% of patients in whom successful reperfusion is obtained initially experience reocclusion before hospital discharge, and in 30%, the infarct-related artery reoccludes within 1 year.5 Although reocclusion is often clinically silent, it tends to negate the benefits of early reperfusion and is associated with poorer left ventricular function and higher long-term mortality. Taken together, these studies support what has been called the “open-artery” paradigm and further suggest that rapid reestablishment and maintenance of TIMI grade 3 blood flow are essential to achieving the best long-term outcome. Our understanding of what role balloon angioplasty should play in treating the culprit vessel in acute myocardial infarction has evolved substantially over the past decade. Because acute coronary thrombosis usually occurs at the site of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, it seems intuitively obvious that balloon dilatation immediately after thrombolysis should reduce the underlying residual stenosis and thus improve coronary blood flow and clinical outcome. Unfortunately, the TIMI-2 trial showed that although patients treated with routine immediate or deferred (24 to 48 hours) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) strategies had a lower residual stenosis, there was no benefit in 1-year mortality, reinfarction, or ejection fraction compared …
Phonon linewidth and bond angle deviation in amorphous silicon and germanium

Abstract Various experimental determinations of the bond angle deviation in amorphous silicon and germanium are reviewed. The Raman linewidths and peak shifts of the TO-phonons seem to be the most reliable and convenient experimental determination of the bond angle deviation. The validity of the relationship between the linewidth and bond angle deviation is provided by EXAFS.
Cortisol Response of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), to Temperature Changes

Abstract Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), is a commercially-valuable fish species with high nutritional value. As a result of the intensive aquaculture of this species, handling, transport, and environmental changes that causes stress on these fish are unavoidable. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of gradual and acute temperature changes on juvenile tilapia. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found among serum cortisol levels in juvenile tilapia when the water temperature was gradually increased from 27°C to 32°C, or 40°C, and maintained for 1 hour, although the levels were five times pretreat-ment levels. When tilapia acclimated to 27°C were subjected to 18°, 27°, 30°, 32°, 34°, 36°, 38°, or 40°C water for 10 minutes in a water bath, followed by a recovery period of 10 minutes at 27°C in the original aquaria, no significant difference (P > 0.05) in cortisol levels was observed among treatments except for significantly elevated levels at 38°C and 40°C. When tilapia a...
Relationship between cortisol and age-related memory impairments in Holocaust survivors with PTSD

Summary Rationale Holocaust survivors with PTSD appear to show an accelerated aging effect as evidenced by their performance on tests of explicit memory, and also show more exaggerated patterns on age-related alterations in cortisol release over the diurnal cycle than Holocaust survivors without PTSD and nonexposed subjects. To investigate the implications of age-related HPA axis alterations on cognition, we examined correlations between parameters reflecting circadian cortisol release and implicit and explicit memory performance. Methods Nineteen Holocaust survivors with PTSD (7 men, 12 women), 16 Holocaust survivors without PTSD (7 men, 9 women), and 28 non-exposed healthy comparison subjects (13 men, 15 women) collected salivary samples at six times over the diurnal cycle, and were tested with Paired Associates and Word Stem Completion Tests. Results Negative correlations were observed between several measures of salivary cortisol concentrations and explicit memory in Holocaust survivors with PTSD after adjusting for IQ, years of education and current age reflecting poorer performance in association with higher cortisol levels. This relationship was absent in Holocaust survivors without PTSD and in demographically-comparable subjects who were not exposed to the Holocaust or other extremely traumatic events. Conclusion The significantly different relationship between cortisol and memory performance in these groups suggests that the neuropsychological impairments observed in Holocaust survivors with PTSD may reflect an interaction of PTSD and aging effects.
Genome-wide non-mendelian inheritance of extra-genomic information in Arabidopsis

A fundamental tenet of classical mendelian genetics is that allelic information is stably inherited from one generation to the next, resulting in predictable segregation patterns of differing alleles. Although several exceptions to this principle are known, all represent specialized cases that are mechanistically restricted to either a limited set of specific genes (for example mating type conversion in yeast) or specific types of alleles (for example alleles containing transposons or repeated sequences). Here we show that Arabidopsis plants homozygous for recessive mutant alleles of the organ fusion gene HOTHEAD (HTH) can inherit allele-specific DNA sequence information that was not present in the chromosomal genome of their parents but was present in previous generations. This previously undescribed process is shown to occur at all DNA sequence polymorphisms examined and therefore seems to be a general mechanism for extra-genomic inheritance of DNA sequence information. We postulate that these genetic restoration events are the result of a template-directed process that makes use of an ancestral RNA-sequence cache.
Dental anomalies as part of the cleft spectrum.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine subphenotypes of clefts based on tooth development. Dental phenotypes (tooth agenesis, supernumerary and impacted teeth, transposition, and structural anomalies) outside the cleft area in the permanent dentition of oral cleft individuals were investigated. Design: Evaluation of dental records of cleft patients. Setting: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Washington, D.C. Patients, Participants: A collection of dental casts, radiographic and clinical records of 146 patients with oral clefts was evaluated. Main Outcome Measure: Association of dental anomalies with preferential subtypes of clefts. Results: Forty-seven individuals (32.19%) presented at least one dental anomaly outside the cleft area. Individuals with complete cleft lip and palate (CLP) presented more dental anomalies than individuals with incomplete CLP (p = .04). Cleft palate individuals presented more dental anomalies than CLP individuals (p = .048). Maxillary lateral incis...
Essential Oil Composition of Cilantro

Leaf oil was isolated from two commercial samples of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) and from growth-chamber-grown plants at five different stages of growth. The oils were analyzed by GC/MS. They were found to be composed mainly of C10−C16 aldehydes. (E)-2-Alkenals predominated. Substantial quantitative differences were observed between the two cilantro samples and in the leaf oils isolated at different growth stages. The data indicate that cilantro oil may exhibit significant variation in composition due to ontogenic factors. The data also suggest a possible link among growth stage, oil composition, and consumer preference. Keywords: Cilantro; Coriandrum sativuum; essential oil; ontogeny
Allocation of flexible and indivisible resources with decision postponement and demand learning

We consider a firm that uses two perishable resources to satisfy two demand types. Resources are flexible such that each resource can be used to satisfy either demand type. Resources are also indivisible such that the entire resource must be allocated to the same demand type. This type of resource flexibility can be found in different applications such as movie theater complexes, cruise lines, and airlines. In our model, customers arrive according to independent Poisson processes, but the arrival rates are uncertain. Thus, the manager can learn about customer arrival rates from earlier demand figures and potentially increase the sales by postponing the resource allocation decision. We consider two settings, and derive the optimal resource allocation policy for one setting and develop a heuristic policy for the other. Our analysis provides managerial insights into the effectiveness of different resource allocation mechanisms for flexible and indivisible resources.
An upgrade of MFTF-B for fusion technology

Abstract A deuterium-tritium (DT) burning upgrade to the MFTF-B tandem mirror that incorporates a high neutron flux test section in the central cell is described. This test section is a beam-driven simple mirror, where 11 MW of fusion power produces a neutron flux of ∼ 2 MW/m2. In this test section one can perform 100 h uninterrupted tests of the power and fuel cycle operation of fusion blankets. The tandem mirror in which this section is embedded is a scale down version of the MARS reactor. It uses 200 kV negative ion beams, an 18 T choke coil, drift pumping for removing α-ash and ions trapped in the barrier/transition, halo pumping, and biased end plates for potential control and direct conversion. There are two modes of operation in the device: one mode achieves the high neutron flux by injecting beams in the test section and reducing the end plug potential to accommodate the high throughput of particles; the other mode reduces the beam input to the minimum required for fueling and raises the end potentials to their highest possible values for good confinement. This two-mode operation is a unique feature of the tandem that allows a dual physics-nuclear technology role for the device.
Validating a prognostic model.

H upertan et al. have done a nice analysis of the accuracy of a previously published nomogram when applied to an external dataset. The authors used a sample of 565 men who were treated at a single institution in France. They found that the performance of the nomogram, as measured by the concordance index (similar to the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve) dropped from 0.74 to 0.607. The authors suggest dynamic revision of renal cell cancer prediction models, although they acknowledge that the current nomogram may still be the best alternative. It would be interesting to see a model-free assessment of the calibration of the nomogram. In Figure 2 of Hupertan et al., a scatter plot is presented that compares nomogram-predicted probabilities with predicted probabilities from a Cox model fit to the French data. The plot suggests that the 2 models’ predictions do not agree well; however, it would be of considerably more interest to determine how the nomogram-predicted probabilities agree with actual patient outcome. This could be done by grouping patients with respect to their predicted probabilities then comparing the mean prediction for each group with the actual (eg, Kaplan-Meier) estimate. Such a presentation would avoid the assumption that a Cox model fit to a dataset was a gold standard. Although assessment of the nomogram calibration could be questioned, discrimination of the nomogram (ie, how well it ranks patients) is measured precisely by using the concordance index. In their initial publication, Kattan et al. reported a concordance index of 0.74. However, Hupertan et al. obtained a considerably lower value (0.607). Curiously, in a previous validation study, Cindolo et al. actually obtained a higher value (0.807). It would be convenient if a reliable threshold existed, above which a tool would be deemed clinically useful and below which a tool would be deemed not clinically useful. However, that threshold is remarkably difficult to establish, although it is a subject of active methodological research. Without that threshold, it is hard to know how to react when the concordance index jumps like this. What is the comparison? Because the concordance index will change at least to some degree with each new assessment, a direct comparison of alternatives greatly facilitates decision making. In other words, head-to-head comparison of prediction approaches applied to a common dataset generally yields concordance indices that are straightforward to compare. In that set-up, in which the decision maker is forced to pick among alternative prediction approaches, he or she typically can pick the winner of this contest. This type of comparison was a major See referenced original article on pages 2604–8, this issue.
Relationship between myocardial scar and hypertrophy by LGE CMR in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with and without clinical events

Summary The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the extent of hyperenhancement and left ventricle maximal wall thickness (mWT) detected by LGE CMR and clinical events of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), implantation of cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or diastolic heart failure in HCM patients that underwent LGE CMR. Background Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE CMR) imaging has been used to detect myocardial hypertrophy and scar/fibrosis in Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. The presence of hyperenhancement has been associated with progressive ventricular dilation, ventricular arrhythmias and clinical risk factors for sudden cardiac death. Methods Under IRB approved protocol a total of 82 HCM patients underwent LGE CMR images using a 2D PSIR TurboFLASH protocol after administration of 0.2 mmol of gadopentetate dimeglumine per kilogram of body weight. The presence of LGE was assessed using automated software: percentage of scar and maximal wall thickness were calculated. Percentage of scar was compared between patients with mWT <2.5 cm and ≥2.5cm The mean values of percentage scar and mean maximal wall thickness between patients with/ without clinical events (presence of NSVT, placement of ICD or development of diastolic heart failure) were compared. Results
Multiflavor bosonic Hubbard models in the first excited Bloch band of an optical lattice

We propose that by exciting ultracold atoms from the zeroth to the first Bloch band in an optical lattice, multiflavor bosonic Hubbard Hamiltonians can be realized in a different way. In these systems, each flavor hops in a separate direction and on-site exchange terms allow pairwise conversion between different flavors. Using band-structure calculations, we determine the parameters entering these Hamiltonians and derive the mean-field ground-state phase diagram for two effective Hamiltonians (two dimensional, two flavors, and three dimensional, three flavors). Further, we estimate the stability of atoms in the first band using second-order perturbation theory and find lifetimes that can be considerably (10--100 times) longer than the relevant time scale associated with intersite hopping dynamics, suggesting that quasiequilibrium can be achieved in these metastable states.
al-Biruni's chronology: A source for historical climatology

The Chronology of Ancient Nations, written in the 10th Century AD by the Islamic scholar al-Biruni, provides a monthly calendar of weather and climatic information translated from ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman sources. The descriptive citations of heat and cold, hydrometeors and wind were extracted from the calendar for interpretive analysis. Assessment of data quality requires examination of the calendar used by al-Biruni, the translations available, the sources cited, the period described, and the locations mentioned. Innumerable difficulties were encountered in analysis of the extracted data and eventually only sources relating to Egypt from c100 BC to c100 AD were considered seriously as a potential usable data set for historic climate reconstruction. Although requiring a number of assumptions, information extracted from the Chronology suggests that precipitation distribution and wind direction in the identified period differed from those of the present.
Arginine vasopressin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide fibers make appositions with gonadotropin-releasing hormone and estrogen receptor cells in the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis niloticus

Diurnal and nocturnal animals differ with respect to the timing of a host of behavioral and physiological events including those associated with estrus, but the neural bases of these differences have not been elucidated. We investigated this issue by examining the distribution of cells containing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as estrogen receptors (ERs) in relation to fibers containing peptides present in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in a diurnal animal, Arvicanthis niloticus (the unstriped Nile grass rat). We found that fibers containing two peptides found in SCN cells, arginine vasopressin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide appeared to be in contact with GnRH and ER positive cells. These data suggest that temporal information is carried along the same direct pathways from the SCN to GnRH and ER neurons in day- and night-active species.
Translesion DNA Synthesis by Human DNA Polymerase η on Templates Containing a Pyrimidopurinone Deoxyguanosine Adduct, 3-(2′-Deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrimido-[1,2-a]purin-10(3H)-one

M1dG (3-(2′-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrimido[1,2-a]purin-10(3H)-one) lesions are mutagenic in bacterial and mammalian cells, leading to base substitutions (mostly M1dG to dT and M1dG to dA) and frameshift mutations. M1dG is produced endogenously through the reaction of peroxidation products, base propenal or malondialdehyde, with deoxyguanosine residues in DNA. The mutagenicity of M1dG in Escherichia coli is dependent on the SOS response, specifically the umuC and umuD gene products, suggesting that mutagenic lesion bypass occurs by the action of translesion DNA polymerases, like DNA polymerase V. Bypass of DNA lesions by translesion DNA polymerases is conserved in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells. The ability of recombinant human DNA polymerase η to synthesize DNA across from M1dG was studied. M1dG partially blocked DNA synthesis by polymerase η. Using steady-state kinetics, we found that insertion of dCTP was the least favored insertion product opposite the M1dG lesion (800-fold less effici...
Restoration of CD2-mediated signaling by a chimeric membrane protein including the cytoplasmic sequence of CD45

We showed previously that the TCR and CD2 fail to couple efficiently with their signal transduction machinery in J45.01, a CD45-deficient variant of the Jurkat T-cell line. Transfection into J45.01 of a cDNA encoding a chimeric membrane protein containing the cytoplasmic sequence of CD45 and extracellular and transmembrane sequences derived from the A2 allele of MHC class I rescues proximal signaling events after TCR stimulation. In this report, we describe rescue of CD2-mediated signaling and evaluate further the characteristics of TCR signaling in J45.01 after expression of the chimeric protein. Cells expressing the chimeric molecule demonstrate TCR- and CD2-mediated increases in PTK activity and PI turnover. Stimulation of the TCR and CD2 on the transfected cells also results in the expression of CD69 on the cell surface, a more distal signaling event. Although these measures of signal transduction via the TCR and CD2 are restored in the transfected cells, the magnitude of the responses are less than those seen in the wild-type Jurkat cells. These findings demonstrate that the cytoplasmic domain of CD45, expressed as a chimeric membrane protein, is sufficient for mediating signal transduction through CD2 as well as through the TCR complex. In addition, these results suggest that the extracellular and/or transmembrane domains of CD45 may contribute to the efficiency of signal transduction.
Splenic salvage in children with blunt pancreatic transection

Delayed recognition of pancreatic transection after blunt abdominal trauma contributes significantly to the high morbidity and mortality of this lesion. The classical treatment of this injury has been distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Over the past 5 years, we have treated six children with complete transection of the pancreas due to blunt trauma to the abdomen. Computed tomography (CT) was useful in defining the site of transection in two of three patients. Three children had a delay in diagnosis of 3–49 days; they all developed complications (e. g. pseudocyst, abscess, fistula) prior to definitive surgery. The spleen was salvaged in all sic patients: five had partial pancreatectomy and one had cystogastrostomy. Following pancreatic resection, there was no morbidity or pancreatic insufficiency over an average follow-up period of 40 months. The mortality in this series was 0%. When pancreatic injury is suspected in blunt abdominal trauma, CT is recommended for early diagnosis of pancreatic transection. In stable patients with this injury, distal pancreatectomy with splenic salvage is a feasible and effective treatment that preserves adequate pancreatic function and lowers the incidence of complications.
NIRIM: A Dual‐Purpose Near‐Infrared (0.76–2.5 μm) Imaging Camera for Wide‐Field and High‐Resolution Imaging

We present the design and performance characteristics of the Near-Infrared Imager (NIRIM), which is a near-infrared camera operating in the 0.76–2.5 μm wavelength range. NIRIM is an example of a cost-effective way to expand two telescopes' capabilities to infrared wavelengths. NIRIM has been used for photometry and wide-field () imaging on our 1 m telescope at the Mount Laguna Observatory since 1995 August. In the future, NIRIM will also be used for high angular resolution imaging with the University of Illinois Seeing Improvement System (UnISIS), which is a laser guided adaptive optics system at the coude focus of the Mount Wilson 2.5 m telescope.
Chain Transfer in the Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Cyclooctadiene Using Discrete Metal Alkylidenes

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctadiene (COD) in the presence of a difunctional chain transfer agent (CTA) was investigated. The effect of the CTA structure and choice of metathesis catalyst on the overall efficiency of the polymerization reaction is discussed. A separation of the oxygen functionality from the olefin in the CTA by two methylene units significantly enhances the stability of the discrete, tungsten-based metathesis catalyst used for these polymerizations. Furthermore, a more robust well-defined metathesis catalyst based on molybdenum was more effective than the tungsten-based catalyst. The preparation oflow-molecular-weight hydroxytelechelic polybutadienes with one type of regiochemistry, number-average functionalities that approach 2.0, and in high yield was accomplished.
Development of a predictive description of an immobilized-cell, three-phase, fluidized-bed bioreactor

A fully predictive mathematical description of a three-phase, tapered, fluidized-bed bioreactor is developed. This mathematical model includes the effects of the tapered bed, variable dispersion coefficient, and variable solid holdup upon the concentration profiles developed in the bed. In addition, the effect of the concentration profile which is developed inside the biocatalyst bead is included by means of an effectiveness factor calculation. Using accepted correlations for the dispersion coefficient and for the liquid, gas, and solid holdup in the bed, the model is fully predictive. The model was found to adequately predict experimental obtained concentration profiles. Then, the model was used to examine the various phase holdups through the bed and the degree to which the dispersion coefficient varied through the bed. The effect of changes in these calculated variables upon the reaction rate is discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mastering the Challenge of Interoperability in Nursing Informatics

Beginning with Florence Nightingale, professional nursing has recognized the significance of standardized patient data (Ozbolt & Saba, 2008). However, it was not until the mid-twentieth century tha...
Clinical and hemodynamic observations in pure mitral insufficiency.

Abstract The clinical and hemodynamic findings in 23 patients with pure mitral insufficiency are described. Electrocardiographic, roentgenographic and clinical features in the ten patients with pulmonary hypertension are contrasted with findings in the patients without pulmonary hypertension. In the former group pulmonary vascular resistance was elevated, and clinical evidence of right heart failure was frequently present. In general, marked fatigability was noted in patients with abnormally low resting cardiac outputs. The left atrial pressure pulse contour was characteristic in 20 patients; similar changes in the left atrial pressure contour occurred in the remaining three patients following the infusion of norepinephrine. Left atrial pressure contour analysis proved to be of considerably greater diagnostic value than analysis of the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure tracing. Left atrial Z point pressures were significantly elevated in 17 of the 23 patients and left ventricular end diastolic pressures were elevated in seven of 12 patients. Histologic examination of the lungs in four patients with pulmonary hypertension showed extensive proliferative changes in the pulmonary vasculature. The possible interrelationships between mitral regurgitant flow and left ventricular function in the production of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure are discussed.
Rethinking data management for big data scientific workflows

Scientific workflows consist of tasks that operate on input data to generate new data products that are used by subsequent tasks. Workflow management systems typically stage data to computational sites before invoking the necessary computations. In some cases data may be accessed using remote I/O. There are limitations with these approaches, however. First, the storage at a computational site may be limited and not able to accommodate the necessary input and intermediate data. Second, even if there is enough storage, it is sometimes managed by a filesystem with limited scalability. In recent years, object stores have been shown to provide a scalable way to store and access large datasets, however, they provide a limited set of operations (retrieve, store and delete) that do not always match the requirements of the workflow tasks. In this paper, we show how scientific workflows can take advantage of the capabilities of object stores without requiring users to modify their workflow-based applications or scientific codes. We present two general approaches, one that exclusively uses object stores to store all the files accessed and generated by a workflow, while the other relies on the shared filesystem for caching intermediate data sets. We have implemented both of these approaches in the Pegasus Workflow Management System and have used them to execute workflows in variety of execution environments ranging from traditional supercomputing environments that have a shared filesystem to dynamic environments like Amazon AWS and the Open Science Grid that only offer remote object stores. As a result, Pegasus users can easily migrate their applications from a shared filesystem deployment to one using object stores without changing their application codes.
Osseous repair in infrabony periodontal defects

The present investigation was undertaken to quantitate the osseous changes which occur throughout the entire circumferential extent of infrabony periodontal defects in patients with optimal plaque control. Fifteen defects were selected in nine patients. Periodontal surgery was scheduled after each patient had shown an ability to practice efficient plaque removal. Muco-periosteal flaps were raised and the osseous defects debrided. The dimensions of each defect were measured at several specific location points within the defect. The flaps were replaced at their original location and, post-operatively, optimal plaque control was maintained in the area (Mean Plaque Index 0.04). Six to 8 months after the initial surgery all areas were re-operated and the osseous defects were remeasured at the same specific location points. Each defect showed osseous regeneration at every location point. The mean initial osseous defect depth at a location point was 3.5 mm and the mean amount of bone regeneration which occurred was 2.5 mm. Crestal alveolar bone resorption occurred at almost half of the location points and averaged 0.7 mm. Eleven of the 15 defects had resolved completely. There were isolated areas where a shallow defect persisted in the remaining four defects. The behavior of an osseous defect throughout its circumferential extent was characterized by a combination of coronal bone regeneration (mean 77%) and marginal bone resorption (mean 18%). Infrabony periodontal defects may predictably remodel after surgical debridement and establishment of optimal plaque control.
Multiplex-PCR Assay for the Deletions Causing Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin

Introduction: Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) is a benign condition caused by the failure of normal switching from the fetal to the adult β-globin gene, resulting in continuous production of fetal hemoglobin beyond the perinatal period. To date, eight deletions of variable size and position have been reported for HPFH. Southern hybridization and PCR are the most common methods used to detect each deletion.
A test for equality of means of correlated variates with missing data on one response

SUMMARY A statistic is proposed for testing the hypothesis of equality of the means of a bivariate normal distribution with unknown common variance and correlation coefficient when observations are missing at random on one of the variates. Expressions for the second and fourth moments of the statistic have been obtained, and normal, t and Cornish-Fisher approximations to the percentage points under the null hypothesis have been found from them. The expected squared lengths of the confidence intervals for the mean difference have been used to measure the additional sensitivity of the test over that of the conventional paired t.
Interactions of HSP22 (HSPB8) with HSP20, αB-crystallin, and HSPB3

Seven of the 10 mammalian small heat shock proteins (sHSP) are expressed in muscle where they constitute 3% or more of total protein. sHSPs interact with one another, and these interactions are believed to be important for their functions. In cell types expressing multiple sHSPs, it is of interest to know which sHSPs interact with one another. We have previously shown that HSP22 interacts with itself as well as with HSP27, MKBP, and cvHSP. Using yeast two-hybrid assays and Forster resonance energy transfer microscopy, we now show that HSP22 also can interact with two additional members of the sHSP family, αB-crystallin and HSP20. We also show that HSP22 is found in HPLC fractions of primate cardiac muscle containing high molecular weight complexes that include αB-crystallin and HSP20. Our results suggest that a variety of oligomers composed of different proportions of different sHSPs may form in cell types expressing multiple sHSPs.
Furazolidone-Induced Pulmonary Hypersensitivity

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of pulmonary hypersensitivity associated with furazolidone use and review the literature on this topic.CASE SUMMARY:A 43-year-old white female presented with fever and dyspnea. She had recently completed a course of furazolidone 125 mg 4 times daily for 10 days for enteritis. Investigations revealed bibasilar interstitial infiltrates on chest X-ray, hypoxia, and 21% eosinophilia. Her fever, hypoxia, and dyspnea rapidly abated following discontinuation of furazolidone and administration of corticoteroids.DISCUSSION:Furazolidone is a bactericidal agent used to treat infectious enteropathies. It is chemically similar to nitrofurantoin, which is well known to cause pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions. Application of the Naranjo probability scale suggests that a furazolidone adverse reaction in this patient was probable. A MEDLINE search from 1966 to October 2004 revealed 2 previously reported cases suggestive of furazolidone pulmonary hypersensitivity. All published reports closely...
Dermatology in Botswana: The American Academy of Dermatology's Resident International Grant.

“Dumela, Ma!” Across the globe, a North American dermatology resident greets a patient at the skin clinic at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. The patient has waited that morning with as many as 30 other patients to see the resident, who is one of only two dermatologists working in the country’s public health sector. The resident conducts the interview and examination with the assistance of a nurse who speaks English and Tswana (Setswana), the language spoken by many in Botswana. The resident makes a diagnosis, discusses the plan of care with the patient, and writes a brief note and prescription in the chart the patient carries with her; the patient heads to the hospital pharmacy. Later that afternoon, the resident does inpatient consultations, discusses management with the teams of local doctors and nurses, and makes plans to give a lecture and see patients at a neighboring rural clinic the following week. At the end of the day, the resident returns to the Botswana-UPenn Partnership-owned flat with medical students and residents from North America, and the group shares dinner and the various experiences they have had that day conducting research in the clinics and on the inpatient wards. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has a long tradition of volunteerism. From its involvement with Camp Discovery to the multitude of AAD-supported skin cancer screenings and the monthly highlight of “Members Making a Difference” in its newsletter, the Academy has consistently provided its members with encouragement and opportunities to use their skills to reach vulnerable or underserved communities. Over the last 3 years, a group of motivated AAD members and educators have linked together a network of domestic and international health organizations to create a unique opportunity for dermatology residents to further their education and provide care to a sub-Saharan African population. This article highlights the history, elements, and scope of the program called the Resident International Grant.
A novel semi-fragile audio watermarking scheme

In this paper, we present a semi-fragile audio watermarking technique which embeds watermark in the discrete wavelet domain of an audio by quantizing the selected coefficients. The quantization parameter used in the algorithm is user-defined. Different value of the quantization parameter affects the robustness of the watermark. This allows the user to control the performance of the watermark. The application of our approach could be copyright verification or content authentication.
New regulatory mechanisms of TGF-β receptor function

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and TGF-β-related proteins have key roles in development, tissue homeostasis and disease. Upon binding to their cell surface receptors, TGF-β family proteins signal through Smads to induce changes in gene expression. TGF-β-induced Smad signaling and additional non-Smad pathways have been studied extensively in an effort to understand the complex and versatile responses to TGF-β family proteins. Recently, it has become increasingly apparent that the signaling responses are also extensively defined by regulatory mechanisms at the level of the receptors themselves. Here, we discuss recent insights into the effects of post-translational modifications, protein associations and mode of internalization on the functions of the TGF-β receptors and their signaling responses.
Computer System Users are like Fish

This paper has looked at the habits of computer users when faced with a slow system and has drawn a direct correlation between how they react and fish population dynamics. A survey has been presented that supports the proposed theory.
Orbital Approach for Retrieval of Transected Extraocular Muscles

Transection of an extraocular muscle can occur from orbital and facial trauma, or as a complication of surgery. The injury can occur either near the muscle insertion or in the muscle belly. Identification of the proximal end of the muscle in the orbit may be difficult, especially if the transection occurs a farther distance from the insertion, and, in these cases, the muscle is often considered lost. We present two patients who suffered from traumatic transections of an extraocular muscle more than 10 mm from the insertion. Both patients underwent transconjunctival orbitotomy to retrieve and secure the severed extraocular muscle. Both patients achieved good primary gaze alignment postoperatively. Preoperative imaging should be considered in cases of traumatic extraocular muscle transection.
Motivation, volition and belief change strategies to improve mathematics learning

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of motivation, volition and belief change strategies, implemented with personal and group email messages, on students' attitudes, study habits and achievement in a calculus course for non-mathematics majors. Eighty four undergraduates enrolled in a calculus course received emails over a period of 8 weeks. The results indicated that there were negative trends in participants' attitudes towards mathematics except for the group receiving belief change strategies with personal messages. There were also negative trends in participants' study habits except for the group receiving motivation, volition and belief change strategies with personal messages. No single group over any other showed improvement in achievement. Explanations for the findings, limitations of the study and implications and possibilities for future studies are discussed.
How Much Energy Is Transferred from the Winds to the Thermocline on ENSO Time Scales

Abstract The dynamics of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are studied in terms of the balance between energy input from the winds (via wind power) and changes in the storage of available potential energy in the tropical ocean. Presently, there are broad differences in the way global general circulation models simulate the dynamics, magnitude, and phase of ENSO events; hence, there is a need for simple, physically based metrics to allow for model evaluation. This energy description is a basinwide, integral, quantitative approach, ideal for intermodel comparison, that assesses model behavior in the subsurface ocean. Here it is applied to a range of ocean models and data assimilations within ENSO spatial and temporal scales. The onset of an El Nino is characterized by a decrease in wind power that leads to a decrease in available potential energy, and hence a flatter thermocline. In contrast, La Nina events are preceded by an increase in wind power that leads to an increase in the available potential ener...
Inhibition of RNA synthesis following proteolytic cleavage of newcastle disease virus P protein

Abstract Treatment of Newcastle disease virus with Staphylococcus aureus protease V8 selectively cleaved one of the nucleocapsid proteins, polypeptide P (mol wt, 53,000–55,000), and generated a major fragment, designated SP2 (mol wt, 24,000) which remained associated with the nucleocapsid. Proteolytic fragments were found as disulfide-linked trimers indicating that the portion of P which contained the disulfide bonds was resistant to protease. Electrophoresis on nonequilibrium pH gradient gels showed that the SP fragments were more basic than P suggesting that polypeptide P is composed of at least two domains, an acidic, protease-sensitive region and a basic, protease-resistant core. RNA synthesis by untreated and protease-treated samples was compared with the goal of correlating cleavage of polypeptide P with the loss of RNA synthetic activity. We found that cleavage of P was accompanied by a concomitant loss of RNA synthetic activity implicating P in the synthesis of viral RNA.
The Indirect Binary n-Cube Microprocessor Array

This paper explores the possibility of using a large-scale array of microprocessors as a computational facility for the execution of massive numerical computations with a high degree of parallelism. By microprocessor we mean a processor realized on one or a few semiconductor chips that include arithmetic and logical facilities and some memory. The current state of LSI technology makes this approach a feasible and attractive candidate for use in a macrocomputer facility.
Radar imaging of winter seismic survey activity in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska

During the spring of 2006, Radarsat-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery was acquired on a continual basis for the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), in the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska (NPR-A) in order to monitor lake ice melting processes. During data processing, it was discovered that the Radarsat-1 imagery detected features associated with winter seismic survey activity. Focused analysis of the image time series revealed various aspects of the exploration process such as the grid profile associated with the seismic line surveys as well as trails and campsites associated with the mobile survey crews. Due to the high temporal resolution of the dataset it was possible to track the progress of activities over a one month period. Spaceborne SAR imagery can provide information on the location of winter seismic activity and could be used as a monitoring tool for land and resource managers as increased petroleum-based activity occurs in the TLSA and NPR-A.
The Caregiver Information Project: A Mechanism to Assist Religious Leaders to Help Family Caregivers,

The Caregiver Information Project trained 200 clergy, lay religious volunteers, and social service providers about caregiving issues and ways to disseminate information to family caregivers. The project succeeded in improving knowledge about aging and caregiver issues, increased perceived competence in working with family caregivers, and stimulated the development of caregiver programs and activities.