cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Surgical Volume in Military Medical Treatment Facilities and Clinical Combat Readiness of US Military Surgeons.

Importance Low surgical volume in the US Military Health System (MHS) has been identified as a challenge to military surgeon readiness. The Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, in partnership with the American College of Surgeons, developed the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) Clinical Readiness Program that includes a tool for quantifying the clinical readiness value of surgeon workload, known as the KSA metric. Objective To describe changes in US military general surgeon procedural volume and readiness using the KSA metric. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study analyzed general surgery workload performed across the MHS, including military and civilian facilities, between fiscal year 2015 and 2019 and the calculated KSA metric value. The surgeon-level readiness among military general surgeons was calculated based on the KSA metric readiness threshold. Data were obtained from TRICARE, the US Department of Defense health insurance product. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were general surgery procedural volumes and the KSA metric point value of those procedures across the MHS as well as the number of military general surgeons meeting the KSA metric readiness threshold. Aggregate facility and regional market-level claims data were used to calculate the procedural volumes and KSA metric readiness value of those procedures. Annual adjusted KSA metric points earned were used to determine the number of individual US military general surgeons meeting the readiness threshold. Results The number of general surgery procedures generating KSAs in military hospitals decreased 25.6%, from 128 377 in 2015 to 95 461 in 2019, with a 19.1% decrease in the number of general surgeon KSA points (from 7 155 563 to 5 790 001). From 2015 to 2019, there was a 3.2% increase in both the number of procedures (from 419 980 to 433 495) and KSA points (from 21 071 033 to 21 748 984) in civilian care settings. The proportion of military general surgeons meeting the KSA metric readiness threshold decreased from 16.7% (n = 97) in 2015 to 10.1% (n = 68) in 2019. Conclusions and Relevance This study noted that the number of KSA metric points and procedural volume in military hospitals has been decreasing since 2015, whereas both measures have increased in civilian facilities. The findings suggest that loss of surgical workload has resulted in further decreases in military surgeon readiness and may require substantial changes in patient care flow in the MHS to reverse the change.
Abstraction and the Real Distinction Between Mind and Body

L'A. explique la theorie cartesienne de la distinction entre l'âme et le corps en l'ancrant dans une theorie de la connaissance ou la certitude est le fruit d'une vision claire et distincte, et la pensee une abstraction
Strumpellin and Spartin, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Proteins, are Binding Partners

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is one of the most heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases with more than 50 identified genes causing a relatively stereotypical phenotypic presentation. Recent studies of HSP pathogenesis have suggested the existence of shared biochemical pathways that are crucial for axonal maintenance and degeneration. We explored possible interactions of several proteins associated with this condition. Here we report interactions of endogenous and overexpressed strumpellin with another HSP-associated protein, spartin. This biochemical interaction does not appear to be a part of the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein and Scar homologue (WASH) complex because spartin is not co-immunoprecipitated with WASH1 protein. The spartin–strumpellin association does not require the presence of the microtubule interacting and trafficking domain of spartin. Overexpression of mutant forms of strumpellin with the introduced HSP-causing mutations does not alter the colocalization of these two proteins. Knockdown of strumpellin in cultured cortical rat neurons interferes with development of neuronal branching and results in reduced expression of endogenous spartin. Proteosomal inhibition stabilized the levels of spartin and WASH1 proteins, supporting increased spartin degradation in the absence of strumpellin.
Perspectives and problem solving in an algebra classroom

Perspective theory, an extension and generalization of schema theory, adapts the notion of perspective from psycholinguistics to capture the cognitive and interactional creativity in reasoning and problem solving. This poster applies perspective theory to two problem solving episodes of classroom mathematical discourse. The episodes illustrate the negotiation of differing perspectives, participants' commitment to perspective and demonstrate how perspectival constructions can be interactively achieved. Characteristics of task and positioning may encourage participation in exploratory perspectival construction.
Biological monitoring: Part III—Receiving system methodology based on community structure

Abstract Application of community structural analysis in biomonitoring programs must be practical but also have a base in fundamental ecological principles. Descriptive approaches are essential in biomonitoring programs because only through careful description can one characterize the aquatic community. Analytical approaches are also necessary if one wishes to quantify cause-effect relationships. The goal of the biomonitoring efforts should be the development of information resources that will allow decision-making based on certainty of cause-effect relationships. This can be achieved through a conjunction of descriptive and anlaytical approaches to community structure biomonitoring.
Disentangling defense: the function of spiny lobster sounds

The function of anti-predator signalling is a complex, and often-overlooked, area of animal communication. The goal of this study was to examine the behavioural function of an antipredator acoustic signal in the ocean. We observed the acoustic and defensive behaviours of California spiny lobsters (Palinuridae: Panulirus interruptus ) to a model predator, model conspecific and blank pole, both in the tank and in the field. We found that P. interruptus make a 'rasp' sound once physically contacted by an aggressor, rather than during the approach. The model predator and conspecific elicited no discernable changes in defensive behaviour, but the responses by the lobsters to aggressors in the tank versus field were distinct. Our results indicate that the spiny lobster's rasp is used as a startle or aposematic signal, which may be coupled with visual aposematism of their spines. Alternatively, the rasp may function as a vibratory escape mechanism or as an acoustic analogue to eye-spots. This study offers insights into the role of acoustic signalling in the marine environment and demonstrates a central role for sound production in spiny lobster ecology.
A weighted FDR procedure under discrete and heterogeneous null distributions

Multiple testing with false discovery rate (FDR) control has been widely conducted in the ``discrete paradigm" where p-values have discrete and heterogeneous null distributions. However, in this scenario existing FDR procedures often lose some power and may yield unreliable inference, and for this scenario there does not seem to be an FDR procedure that partitions hypotheses into groups, employs data-adaptive weights and is non-asymptotically conservative. We propose a weighted FDR procedure for multiple testing in the discrete paradigm that efficiently adapts to both the heterogeneity and discreteness of p-value distributions. We theoretically justify the non-asymptotic conservativeness of the weighted FDR procedure under independence, and show via simulation studies that, for multiple testing based on p-values of Binomial test or Fisher's exact test, it is more powerful than six other procedures. The weighted FDR procedure is applied to a drug safety study and a differential methylation study based on discrete data, where it makes more discoveries than two existing methods.
Keto acid dehydrogenase complexes. XV. Purification and properties of the component enzymes of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes from bovine kidney and heart.

Abstract Procedures are described for isolation of the pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes in good yield and in a highly purified state from bovine kidney and heart mitochondria. Procedures are presented for separation of the kidney and heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes into their component enzymes and for purification of the individual enzymes. The nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated forms of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of both the kidney and heart complexes were crystallized. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, a regulatory enzyme, is tightly bound to the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase component of the kidney and heart complexes. The kinase was separated and purified from the kidney transacetylase. A second regulatory enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase, appears to be loosely associated with the kidney and heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes. The kidney and heart pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatases were purified 400- to 1000-fold from mitochondrial extracts. The heart phosphatase is close to being homogeneous. The molecular weight of the two phosphatases was estimated by gel filtration to be about 100,000. Preliminary data indicate that the molar concentration of the kinase and the phosphatase is about an order of magnitude less than that of their protein substrate, pyruvate dehydrogenase.
Green spirit: consumer empathies for green apparel

The fashion industry has not fully addressed the movement towards sustainability head-on. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing environmentally friendly apparel purchase intentions using the theory of planned behaviour as a guide. In this case, environmental knowledge, environmental concern and attitudes towards environmentally friendly apparel purchase behaviour make up the attitude component. In addition to social pressure, we suggest environmental guilt also makes up the dimension of normative influence. Furthermore, the study extends the theory of planned behaviour's idea of perceived behavioural control beyond previous behaviour and convenience, also taking into account willingness to pay. Data were collected from 220 American adults via an online consumer panel. The results show that individual environmental attitudes, environmental concern and knowledge, social pressure to behave in an environmentally friendly manner, environmental guilt, perceived environmental impact, past environmentally friendly apparel purchases, accessibility and cost of environmentally friendly apparel all impact purchase intentions. Furthermore, previous purchases, attitudes towards purchasing environmentally friendly apparel and social pressure are the strongest indicators of future environmentally friendly purchase behaviour. Managerial implications are discussed.
Dimensional Indexing for Targeted Case-Base Retrieval: The SMIRKS System

For a case-based application with a sizable case library, a common practice is to retrieve a set of cases and then reduce the set with a domain-specific similarity metric. This research investigates an alternative technique that constructs a number of two-dimensional (or multi-dimensional) indices using the principle of elaboration and specialization. By storing cases with these indices, we reduce the size of the retrieved candidate set and, in many instances, fetch a single case. This paper describes a case-based reasoner called SMIRKS. We investigate the retrieval performance by comparing linear search, 1-dimensional indexing, and 2dimensional indexing. The improvement in performance with dimensional indexing is found to be significant, especially in terms of the size of the retrieved candidate set. This paper describes the implementation of SMIRKS, presents the results of evaluation, and discusses some ideas on future applications that can utilize this technique.
Why Most Accreditors Don't Have Standards

AbstractAccreditors should focus on the one task they are truly capable of performing—verifying that the claims programs make about their graduates' competence are true by evaluating whether the evidence the programs rely on for their claims satisfies a scholarly standard of evidence.
A hybrid Scatter/Transform cloaking model

Abstract A new Scatter/Transform cloak is developed that combines the light bending of refraction characteristic of a Transform cloak with the scatter cancellation characteristic of a Scatter cloak. The hybrid cloak incorporates both Transform’s variable index of refraction with modified linear intrusions to maximize the Scatter cloak effect. Scatter/Transform improved the scattering cross-section of cloaking in a 2-dimensional space to 51.7% compared to only 39.6% or 45.1% respectively with either Scatter or Transform alone. Metamaterials developed with characteristics based on the new ST hybrid cloak will exhibit superior cloaking capabilities.
Enhancing angiogenesis alleviates hypoxia and improves engraftment of enteric cells in polycaprolactone scaffolds

We examined whether expediting angiogenesis in porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds could reduce hypoxia and consequently improve the survival of transplanted enteric cells. To accelerate angiogenesis, we delivered vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using PCL scaffolds with surface crosslinked heparin. The fabrication and characterization of scaffolds has been reported in our previous study. Enteric cells, isolated from intestinal tissue of neonatal mice and expanded in vitro for 10 days, exhibited high expression levels for contractile protein α-smooth muscle actin and desmin. The cultured enteric cells were seeded in scaffolds and were implanted subcutaneously in immunodeficient mice for 7 and 14 days. At day 7, the heparin-modified PCL scaffolds with VEGF exhibited significantly increased angiogenesis and engraftment of enteric cells, with a simultaneous reduction in hypoxia. At day 14, the blood vessels grew across the entire thickness of the scaffold and resulted in a significantly diminished hypoxic environment; however, the transplanted cell density did not increase further. In conclusion, the enhancement of angiogenesis reduced cellular hypoxia and improved the engraftment of enteric cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the length-scale dependence of surf zone advection

[1] We investigate the momentum balance in the surf zone, in a setting which is weakly varying in the alongshore direction. Our focus is on the role of nonlinear advective terms. Using numerical experiments, we find that advection tends to counteract alongshore variations in momentum flux, resulting in more uniform kinematics. Additionally, advection causes a shifting of the kinematic response in the direction of flow. These effects are strongest at short alongshore length scales, and/or strong alongshore-mean velocity. The length-scale dependence is investigated using spectral analysis, where the effect of advective terms is treated as a transfer function applied to the solution to the linear (advection-free) equations of motion. The transfer function is then shown to be governed by a nondimensional parameter which quantifies the relative scales of advection and bottom stress, analogous to a Reynolds Number. Hence, this parameter can be used to quantify the length scales at which advective terms, and the resulting effects described above, are important. We also introduce an approximate functional form for the transfer function, which is valid asymptotically within a restricted range of length scales.
Optimizing tensor contraction expressions for hybrid CPU-GPU execution

Tensor contractions are generalized multidimensional matrix multiplication operations that widely occur in quantum chemistry. Efficient execution of tensor contractions on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) requires several challenges to be addressed, including index permutation and small dimension-sizes reducing thread block utilization. Moreover, to apply the same optimizations to various expressions, we need a code generation tool. In this paper, we present our approach to automatically generate CUDA code to execute tensor contractions on GPUs, including management of data movement between CPU and GPU. To evaluate our tool, GPU-enabled code is generated for the most expensive contractions in CCSD(T), a key coupled cluster method, and incorporated into NWChem, a popular computational chemistry suite. For this method, we demonstrate speedup over a factor of 8.4 using one GPU as compared to one CPU core and over 2.6 when utilizing the entire system using hybrid CPU+GPU solution with 2 GPUs and 5 cores (instead of 7 cores per node). We further investigate tensor contraction code on a new series of GPUs, the Fermi GPUs, and provide several effective optimization algorithms. For the same computation of CCSD(T), on a cluster with Fermi GPUs, we achieve a speedup of 3.4 over a cluster with T10 GPUs. With a single Fermi GPU on each node, we achieve a speedup of 43 over the sequential CPU version.
Task Segregation: A Mechanism for Work Inequality

While research has shown that various forms of segregation such as job segregation contribute to work inequality, scholars have overlooked the possibility of task segregation: when a subgroup is disproportionately allocated to spend more time doing particular tasks within a job. If these tasks are more undesirable to workers than other tasks, then the segregated subgroup may experience worse workplace outcomes. I argue that task segregation is an important inequality-generating mechanism that can explain within-job outcome differences. To examine the processes by which task segregation may emerge and lead to work inequality, I draw on an inductive, interview- based case study of female and male security screening workers at a unit of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration at a large urban airport. I discover and analyze a case of task segregation, where female screeners, relative to male screeners, were disproportionately allocated to what was perceived as an undesirable task – direct physical in...
Fluconazole prophylaxis: can we eliminate invasive candida infections in the neonatal Icu?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Owing to the high mortality, risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and end-organ involvement with fungal infections in the neonate, prevention of invasive Candida infections in extremely preterm infants should be a priority for each neonatal ICU. RECENT FINDINGS Even with prompt or empiric treatment, mortality and neurodevelopmental impairment is high (57%) in infants <1000 g. Multiple studies have been performed with fluconazole prophylaxis, including a recent multicenter randomized controlled trial. All of the studies have demonstrated efficacy and safety with no increase or emergence of fungal resistance. Analysis of these studies demonstrates that fluconazole prophylaxis decreased the incidence of invasive Candida infections in high-risk infants <1000 g by 91% (P = 0.0004) and all infants <1500 g by 85% (P < 0.0001). The mortality rate from all causes was 25% lower (P = 0.029). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that all Candida-related mortality can be eliminated in an entire neonatal ICU by targeting fluconazole prophylaxis in infants <1000 g. SUMMARY Targeting fluconazole prophylaxis to infants who are either <1000 g or < or =27 weeks is highly effective, safe and inexpensive, and can eliminate these infections as a cause of neurodevelopmental impairment and mortality.
Electron microscopy of early cleavage furrows in the chick blastodisc

Cleavage furrows from two, four, and eight-cell chick embryos were studied by light and electron microscopy. In medial transverse section furrows were either V-, U-, or pendulum-shaped. Glycogen-filled surface folds were present along the furrow edge of V- and U-shaped furrows. Walls of these furrows bore numerous, and in some cases elaborate, furrow wall protrusions. Pendulum-shaped furrows had closely apposed, relatively smooth walls which expanded in the basal region to enclose a furrow cavity. In a medial region of each pendulum-shaped furrow, a filamentous mass of cytoplasm, the furrow base body , bulged into the furrow cavity at the furrow base. Invariably furrow wall protrusions extended into the cavity from the furrow base body. A dense cortical layer of cytoplasm was present along all furrows examined. Microfilaments, 50–75 A, in diameter, and occasional dumbbell-shaped cisternae were present within the layer. Areas of concentrated membranes and vesicles, designated the membranous vesicular reticulum , were present in the cytoplasm along V- and U-shaped furrows. A sequence of furrow formation in the chick is suggested and possible sources of new surface membrane are discussed.
The Rhetorical Case: Its Roman Precedent and the Current Debate

Il y a une rethorique de la communication technique, que ce soit au niveau de la redaction technique ou du discours technique, appliquee aux domaines techniques ou a ceux des affaires. A la lueur de ce qu'etait la rethorique romaine, cette nouvelle approche est examinee, quant a son implication sur la methode d'enseignement du BTW (Business and technical writing)
Coronary heart disease after radiotherapy for peptic ulcer disease

Purpose To evaluate the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease after radiotherapy (RT) for peptic ulcer disease. Methods and materials Peptic ulcer disease patients treated with RT ( n = 1859) or by other means ( n = 1860) at the University of Chicago Medical Center between 1936 and 1965, were followed through 1997. The observed numbers of cause-specific deaths were compared with the expected numbers from the general population rates. During RT, 5% of the heart was in the treatment field and the remainder of the heart mostly received scattered radiation. A volume-weighted cardiac dose was computed to describe the average tissue dose to the entire organ. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to analyze the CHD and cerebrovascular disease risk associated with RT, adjusting for confounding factors. Results Greater than expected CHD mortality was observed among the irradiated patients. The irradiated patients received volume-weighted cardiac doses ranging from 1.6 to 3.9 Gy and the portion of the heart directly in the field received doses of 7.6–18.4 Gy. The CHD risk increased with the cardiac dose ( p trend=0.01). The cerebrovascular disease risk was not associated with the surrogate carotid dose. Conclusion The excess CHD risk in patients undergoing RT for peptic ulcer disease decades previously indicates the need for long-term follow-up for cardiovascular disease after chest RT.
Electric field induced dichroism of CN- molecules in alkali halides

Abstract The effect of electric fields on the infrared vibration-libration absorption band of CN- molecules in alkali halides has been measured between 1.2° and 4.2°K. The absorption coefficient decreased for Elight parallel to Eappl. With the assumption of a small tetragonal distortion of the Devonshire potential we can explain these measurements and also specific heat data obtained on RbCl:CN by Harrison et al .
A micromachined RF low phase noise voltage‐controlled oscillator for wireless communications

An RF low phase noise voltage-controlled oscillator is implemented with micromachined IC-compatible variable capacitors and three-dimensional coil inductor. Unlike conventional on-chip passive devices, the micromachined variable capacitors achieve a high-Q value above 60 at 1 GHz with a 15% tuning range for a nominal 2 pF capacitance with 3 V tuning voltage. Three-dimensional inductors minimize the substrate loss and achieve a Q of 30 at 1 GHz with a 4.8 nH inductance. Both passive components are fabricated on silicon substrates and thus amenable to monolithic integration with standard IC process. The prototype VCO exhibits −136 dBc/Hz phase noise at 3 MHz offset frequency from the carrier, suitable for most wireless communication applications, in particular GSM. The VCO is tunable from 855 Mhz to 863 MHz, limited by the test set-up. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 11: 285–300, 2001.
Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in rat mesangial cells: Involvement of thromboxane A2

Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in rat mesangial cells: Involvement of thromboxane A 2 . Background The administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) derived from marine oils has been shown to suppress vascular myocyte, lymphocyte, keratinocyte, and mesangial cell proliferation in vitro, although the effects are variable and most reports provide fragmented insight into the mechanism(s) responsible for altering cell growth, particularly the relationship of membrane lipid remodeling to changes in cell proliferation. Thus, these studies were designed to elucidate the effects of mesangial cell membrane fatty acid remodeling (induced by EPA) on cell growth, and to define the relevance of changes in the synthesis of growth-modulating eicosanoids. Methods Mesangial cells were grown in RPMI and 17% fetal calf serum, and were subcultured and grown for 48 hours in 17% delipidated serum or delipidated serum supplemented with 0 to 50 μg/mL of EPA. Quiescent EPA-loaded and control mesangial cells were subjected to stimulation with 20 ng/mL of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) followed by measurement of 3H-thymidine incorporation and cell number. Results Mesangial cells remodeled with EPA exhibited a significant decrease in PDGF-stimulated 3 H-thymidine incorporation and cell number associated with a reduction in throm-boxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) in the media. Importantly, the phospholipid fatty acid composition of mesangial cells grown in media enriched with EPA revealed an increase in EPA (0.5 ± 0.02% to 17.02 ± 0.52%) coupled with a reciprocal decrease in the precursor for TXA 2 , arachidonic acid (18.19 ± 3.17% to 3.55 ± 0.30%). Blockade of TXA2 synthesis in mesangial cells treated with indomethacin (0.1 to 100 μmol/L) or the specific TXA 2 synthase inhibitor, U-63557A (0.1 to 100 μmol/L), evoked a similar reduction in PDGF-stimulated proliferation and TXA 2 synthesis. Coincubation of PDGF with the TXA 2 mimetic, U-46619 (1 μmol/L), reversed the growth suppression induced by cell membrane remodeling. Conclusions These studies suggest that changes in membrane fatty acid composition induced by EPA modulates PDGF-stimulated proliferation by engendering a change in PDGF-stimulated TXA 2 synthesis. Furthermore, we conclude that TXA 2 functions as a comitogen for PDGF-stimulated mesangial cell growth.
Sheathed versus standard speculum for visualization of the cervix.

Abstract Objective To determine whether modifying a plastic speculum with a flexible sheath would improve visualization and decrease pain during vaginal examination. Methods We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial of 136 women undergoing vaginal speculum examination at an outpatient obstetrics and gynecology faculty practice. Patients underwent examination via a standardized technique with either a medium-sized plastic speculum (standard) or an identical speculum modified with a flexible polypropylene sheath (sheathed). Investigators recorded the percentage of the cervix visualized. After speculum insertion, patients recorded pain using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Results There were no substantial demographic differences between the standard (n = 67) and the sheathed (n = 68) groups. Investigators were able to visualize a significantly greater percentage of the cervix using the sheathed speculum compared with the standard speculum (95.1% ± 8.2% vs 78.2% ± 18.4%; P Conclusion A sheathed speculum significantly improves visualization of the cervix, without compromising patient comfort. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01670630
A stable molecular nickel catalyst for the homogeneous photogeneration of hydrogen in aqueous solution

Light-driven H2 production is catalyzed by [Ni(P2PhN2Ph)2](BF4)2 when irradiated with visible light in water/acetonitrile mixed solvent in the presence of a photosensitizer (PS) and ascorbate. The catalyst gives over 2700 turnovers over 150 h, and does not degrade despite photodecomposition of the PS.
Epilogue: Showcases for Global Aspirations: Meditations on the Histories of Olympic Games and World's Fairs

In 1851, nearly half a century before the modern Olympic movement sprouted on the global stage, what was then the world's most powerful nation hosted the ‘Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry ...
Emission Factors of Particulate Matter and Elemental Carbon for Crop Residues and Coals Burned in Typical Household Stoves in China

Both particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) impact climate change and human health. Uncertainties in emission inventories of PM and BC are partially due to large variation of measured emission factors (EFs) and lack of EFs from developing countries. Although there is a debate whether thermal-optically measured elemental carbon (EC) may be referred to as BC, EC is often treated as the same mass of BC. In this study, EFs of PM (EFPM) and EC (EFEC) for 9 crop residues and 5 coals were measured in actual rural cooking and coal stoves using the carbon mass balance method. The dependence of the EFs on fuel properties and combustion conditions was investigated. It was found that the mean EFPM were 8.19 ± 4.27 and 3.17 ± 4.67 g/kg and the mean EFEC were 1.38 ± 0.70 and 0.23 ± 0.36 g/kg for crop residues and coals, respectively. PM with size less than 10 μm (PM10) from crop residues were dominated by particles of aerodynamic size ranging from 0.7 to 2.1 μm, while the most abundant size ranges of PM10 from c...
Authorship in a multicenter clinical trial: The Heart Failure-A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training (HF-ACTION) Authorship and Publication (HAP) scoring system results.

Background Few guidelines exist regarding authorship on manuscripts resulting from large multicenter trials. The HF-ACTION investigators devised a system to address assignment of authorship on trial publications and tested the outcomes in the course of conducting the large, multicenter, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–funded trial (n = 2,331; 82 clinical sites; 3 countries). The HF-ACTION Authorship and Publication (HAP) scoring system was designed to enhance rate of dissemination, recognize investigator contributions to the successful conduct of the trial, and harness individual expertise in manuscript generation. Methods The HAP score was generated by assigning points based on investigators' participation in trial enrollment, follow-up, and adherence, as well as participation in committees and other trial activity. Overall publication rates, publication rates by author, publication rates by site, and correlation between site publication and HAP score using a Poisson regression model were examined. Results Fifty peer-reviewed, original manuscripts were published within 6.5 years after conclusion of study enrollment. In total, 137 different authors were named in at least 1 publication. Forty-five (55%) of the 82 sites had an author named to at least 1 article. A Poisson regression model examining incident rate ratios revealed that a higher HAP score resulted in a higher incidence of a manuscript, with a 100-point increase in site score corresponding to an approximately 32% increase in the incidence of a published article. Conclusions Given the success in publishing a large number of manuscripts and widely distributing authorship, regular use of a transparent, objective authorship assignment system for publishing results from multicenter trials may be recommended to optimize fairness and dissemination of trial results.
Inhibitory effect of chlorothiazide in vitro on glucose metabolism of adipose tissue.

SummaryChlorothiazide added directly to the incubating medium decreases the in vitro rate of utilization of glucose by rats' adipose tissue. The degree of reduction in glucose utilization is greater as the amount of chlorothiazide present in the medium is increased. It can be demonstrated even with low concentrations of the drug (1 × 10−6). These experiments demonstrate a direct inhibitory effect of chlorothiazide on the glucose utilization of fat tissue.
Determination of the distribution of species in supported metal catalysts by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

A method is described for the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA) for quantitatively determining the distribution of species in supported metal catalysts. The method can determine the distribution of metal species for catalysts which contain both discrete metal oxide and metal surface phases with differing dispersions. The utility of the method is illustrated for a series of CoAl2O3 catalysts containing Co3O4 and both tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated Co2+ surface phases. The determination of the distribution of Co species for a series of CoAl2O3 catalysts by the present method is consistent with results from studies using other techniques.
Ultrastructure and calcium transport in microsomes from developing muscle.

The development of ATPase activity and calcium transport capability in microsomal vesicles from developing embryo and chick pectoralis muscle has been correlated with the appearance of membrane particles. The particles are seen following preparation of the microsomes by the freeze-etch technique. Fractionation of the microsomal preparation by centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient revealed two major bands. In adult microsomes the lighter band showed an active noncalcium sensitive ATPase but little calcium-sensitive ATPase. The heavier band showed an active calcium sensitive ATPase and a small noncalcium sensitive ATPase. Each fraction was examined by freeze-etching and both showed the presence of smooth and particle containing vesicles. Vesicles containing 80 A particles at a density of approximately 4 600 particles/μm2 were observed only in the heavier layer. No ultrastructural differences were apparent between layers 1 and 2 of embryonic microsomes. Gel electrophoresis allowed a determination of the SR ATPase enzyme as a function of development. The relative amount of this enzyme was directly related to the particle density. The correlation between calcium transport activity, ATPase protein, and the increase in particle density that occurs during development supports our previous suggestion that the 80 A particles represent all or a significant portion of the calcium transport system.
Methamphetamine-Induced Rapid and Reversible Reduction in the Activities of Tryptophan Hydroxylase and Dopamine Transporters: Oxidative Consequences?a

Treatment with high doses of methamphetamine (METH) results in dramatic changes in extrapyramidal monoaminergic systems. Elevated concentrations of extracellular dopamine (DA), caused by METH administration, are thought to contribute to these effects due to the oxidative potential of this reactive catecholamine. According to this hypothesis monoaminergic cellular elements, which are vulnerable to oxidative modification, may be especially sensitive to high-dose METH treatments. We confirmed this possibility by observing that both tryptophan hydroxylase (the synthesizing enzyme for serotonin) and the DA transporter, proteins particularly susceptible to oxidative modification, were rapidly (within 30 min), but reversibly (returned to control levels by 36 hr) inactivated by a single administration of METH. These findings suggest that there also may be other cellular elements similarly altered by METH treatment due to oxidative mechanisms.
Acetaldehyde oxidation in the negative temperature coefficient regime: Experimental and modeling results

Acetaldehyde oxidation at temperatures between 500 and 850/sup 0/K has been studied in experiments carried out in a low-pressure static reactor and in numerical modeling calculations using a detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism. Results of the experimental study were used to construct and validate the reaction mechanism, which was then used to examine acetaldehyde oxidation in the negative temperature coefficient regime. The overall rate of reaction and the properties of the negative temperature coefficient regime were found to be sensitive to the competition between radical decomposition reactions and the addition of molecular oxygen to acetyl and methyl radicals. Implications of the results for future kinetic modeling of engine knock are discussed.
Semiparametric Efficiency in Multivariate Regression Models with Missing Data

Abstract We consider the efficiency bound for the estimation of the parameters of semiparametric models defined solely by restrictions on the means of a vector of correlated outcomes, Y, when the data on Y are missing at random. We show that the semiparametric variance bound is the asymptotic variance of the optimal estimator in a class of inverse probability of censoring weighted estimators and that this bound is unchanged if the data are missing completely at random. For this case we study the asymptotic performance of the generalized estimating equations (GEE) estimators of mean parameters and show that the optimal GEE estimator is inefficient except for special cases. The optimal weighted estimator depends on unknown population quantities. But for monotone missing data, we propose an adaptive estimator whose asymptotic variance can achieve the bound.
Induction of lupus autoantibodies by adjuvants

Exposure to the hydrocarbon oil pristane induces lupus specific autoantibodies in non-autoimmune mice. We investigated whether the capacity to induce lupus-like autoimmunity is a unique property of pristane or is shared by other adjuvant oils. Seven groups of 3-month-old female BALB/cJ mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of pristane, squalene (used in the adjuvant MF59), incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), three different medicinal mineral oils, or saline, respectively. Serum autoantibodies and peritoneal cytokine production were measured. In addition to pristane, the mineral oil Bayol F (IFA) and the endogenous hydrocarbon squalene both induced anti-nRNP/Sm and -Su autoantibodies (20% and 25% of mice, respectively). All of these hydrocarbons had prolonged effects on cytokine production by peritoneal APCs. However, high levels of IL-6, IL-12, and TNFalpha production 2-3 months after intraperitoneal injection appeared to be associated with the ability to induce lupus autoantibodies. The ability to induce lupus autoantibodies is shared by several hydrocarbons and is not unique to pristane. It correlates with stimulation of the production of IL-12 and other cytokines, suggesting a relationship with a hydrocarbon's adjuvanticity. The potential to induce autoimmunity may complicate the use of oil adjuvants in human and veterinary vaccines.
Abstract LB-205: Using cell-delivered nanoparticles to cause local hyperthermia increases survival in a murine metastatic pancreatic cancer model

Hyperthermia has been a method for cancer treatment for several decades now because cancer cells are slightly more susceptible to hyperthermia than healthy cells. Unfortunately, whole body hyperthermia has prohibitive side effects limiting its use or usefulness. Local hyperthermia, directed only to tumor tissue, could alleviate this problem and prove to be a potent cancer treatment. One method of generating local hyperthermia is to deliver magnetic nanoparticles to the tumor site and then generate heat using an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Here we demonstrate a system that uses tumor homing cells to actively carry iron/iron oxide nanoparticles into tumor tissue for AMF treatment. Paramagnetic iron/iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized that absorb and convert AMF energy into heat very efficiently. These nanoparticles were loaded into Raw264.7 cells (mouse monocyte/macrophage like cells, Mo/Ma), that we have previously shown to be tumor homing cells. Test showed that the nanoparticles loaded at high concentration in the cells with very low toxicity. To test the system, a murine pancreatic cancer model was generated by injection of Pan02 cells i.p. After tumor development, Mo/Ma loaded with iron/iron oxide nanoparticles were injected i.p. and allowed to crawl into the tumor. Three days after injection, mice were exposed to an alternative magnetic field for twenty minutes to cause the cell-delivered nanoparticles to generate heat. This treatment regimen was repeated three times. A survival study demonstrated that this system can significantly increase survival in a murine pancreatic cancer model, with an average post-diagnosis life expectancy increase of 33%. Thus, for the first time, a cell-delivered nanoparticle system for generating localized hyperthermia has been demonstrated that can significantly prolong the life of i.p. pancreatic tumor bearing mice. This system has the potential to become a useful method for specifically and actively delivering nanoparticles for local hyperthermia treatment of cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-205. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-205
Precipitation effects on sediment and associated nutrient discharges from Rhode River watersheds

Total suspended sediment (TSS) concentrations and their nutrient composition were studied in discharges from seven contiguous small watersheds on the Atlantic Coastal Plain in Maryland for up to 22 yr. All watersheds were equipped with V-notch weirs and volume-integrating, flow-proportional samplers. Spot samples were also taken for analysis of TSS concentrations and the composition of dissolved and particulate nutrients at known water discharge rates. Interannual variations in annual and seasonal precipitation during this study spanned approximately the range of 160-yr weather records in the vicinity. Mean annual TSS fluxes were 263, 546, 134, and 92 kg ha -1 for the area-weighted mean of the overall Rhode River watershed, and for subwatersheds that were primarily-cropland, completely forested, and grazed, respectively. TSS fluxes were highest in the summer, followed by spring, winter, and fall. Regressions of TSS flux vs precipitation were used to calculate TSS fluxes for seasons and years with average, above and below the average precipitation. TSS flux from the Rhode River watershed was 12-fold higher in very wet years than in very dry years and 271-fold higher in very wet summers than in very dry summers. At base flow, TSS had high nutrient content, but as flow rates increased TSS nutrient content rapidly declined. At base flow, most of the total- P, TPi, TKN, and organic-C was in the dissolved phase, while at higher flows, most of these nutrients were in the TSS phase.
The effects of fasting on some physiological parameters in the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus.

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of fasting on respiratory quotient (RQ), metabolic rate, blood glucose, liver glycogen, carcass lipids, interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT), and body temperature was investi- gated in Microtus pennsylvanicus . 2. 2. The utilization of carbohydrates during fasting leads to a severe hypoglycemia within 6 hr. 3. 3. The hypoglycemia does not seem to stem from the inability to mobilize glycogen or fat reserves. 4. 4. The hypoglycemic state may be responsible for the decreased SMR and body temperature. 5. 5. The predominant use of carbohydrates may stem from a high metabolic rate coupled with a low calorie diet which forces the voles to feed frequently.
Imaging through turbulence: Degradation of signal-to-noise ratio

Abstract In this paper, we formulate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a direct-detection imaging system in turbulent media. From the formulation, we find that the SNR varies in the image plane and that the object radiation pattern affects SNR dramatically. An example is given to demonstrate the turbulence effect on the degradation of SNR. For simplicity, an object with a gaussian pattern, like that of a multimode laser, is used in the example.
Theory of Inverse Magnetic Force Microscopy of Superconductors in Half-Space Geometry

Recent advances in the theory of the inversion of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) force data describe the recovery of the penetration depth for a superconductor in the Meissner state. The algorithm reduces the inversion to the solution of a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations of first order. Given a precursor inverse Laplace transformation of the MFM force data as a function of height, the penetration depth can be reconstructed to increasing distances within the sample as the size of the integrated truncation of the nonlinear system is increased. With the inclusion of an appropriate shape factor, problems with a spatially extended MFM tip can be treated.
Neuraminidase deficiency in the cherry red spot-myoclonus syndrome.

Abstract Two patients with the cherry red spot-myoclonus syndrome excreted excessive quantities of sialylated oligosaccharides in urine. Skin fibroblasts from both patients had a severe deficiency of neuraminidase activity using α-L-N-acetylneuraminosyl-(2→6′) lactose and a sialylhexasaccharide from their urine as substrates. A less severe deficiency was found using 2-(3′ methoxyphenyl)-N-acetylneuraminic acid, fetuin, and α-L-N-acetylneuraminosyl-(2→3′) lactose as substrates. I propose that the primary enzyme defect in this autosomal recessive disorder is a deficiency of lysosomal neuraminidase.
A cyclin without cyclin-dependent kinases: cyclin F controls genome stability through ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis

Cell cycle transitions are driven by the periodic oscillations of cyclins, which bind and activate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to phosphorylate target substrates. Cyclin F uses a substrate recruitment strategy similar to that of the other cyclins, but its associated catalytic activity is substantially different. Indeed, cyclin F is the founding member of the F-box family of proteins, which are the substrate recognition subunits of Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complexes. Here, we discuss cyclin F function and recently identified substrates of SCF cyclin F involved in deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) production, centrosome duplication, and spindle formation. We highlight the relevance of cyclin F in controlling genome stability through ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and the implications for cancer development.
The Possibility of Inefficient Liberalization Through Tariffication

A typical step in trade liberalization under the GATT is tariffication—the conversion of quantitative import restrictions to their ad valorem tariff equivalents. This paper shows that, if there is market power in the protected industry, tariffication may cause a global efficiency loss. In particular, in a small country, if the protected industry is a monopoly that is freely able to export but cannot profitably do so, then tariffication unambiguously imposes global efficiency costs. In a large country, the global efficiency effects are uncertain a priori. In both cases, however, tariffication unambiguously benefits the monopoly and lowers foreign welfare.