cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with pneumothorax and pneumothorax requiring treatment after percutaneous lung biopsy in 443 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE To describe patient- and procedure-related factors associated with post-biopsy pneumothorax and those that require intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patient and procedure data from all lung biopsies performed at a single center between January 2000 and July 2001 were recorded prospectively. Data included patient demographics, lesion size, lesion depth from skin, needle size, number of passes, patient position during biopsy, imaging method used (computed tomography/ fluoroscopy), if sedation was used, occurrence of pneumothorax and whether the pneumothorax required treatment. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed to determine smoking history, as well as previous ipsilateral chest surgery or radiation therapy. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed, and P RESULTS Four-hundred fifty-three biopsies were performed on 443 patients. One-hundred six patients (23.4%) had post-biopsy pneumothorax and 31 patients (6.8% overall, 29.2% of pneumothorax group) required intervention. By univariate analysis, increased patient age, smaller lesion size, increased depth from skin, supine position, and no history of surgery were significant predictors of biopsy-related pneumothorax. However, only increased patient age, supine position, no history of ipsilateral surgery, and history of smoking were associated with pneumothorax that required intervention. By multivariate analysis, increased patient age, smaller lesion size, and no history of surgery predicted pneumothorax; supine position, history of smoking, and no history of ipsilateral surgery predicted which patients with pneumothorax would require treatment. CONCLUSION Independent risk factors for pneumothorax include increased patient age, smaller lesion size, and no history of surgery. Previous surgery and prone positioning during biopsy appear to provide a "protective effect" against clinically significant post-biopsy pneumothorax.
Rotational motion of molecular probes in o-terphenyl and cis-polyisoprene☆

Abstract Time resolved optical spectroscopy is used to investigate the rotational dynamics of anthracene, tetracene, anthanthrene, and anthracene derivatives in o-terphenyl and cis-polyisoprene. New experimental techniques allow the rotational correlation time to be measured over more than 12 decades in time. In both matrices, the reorientation of anthracene follows the temperature dependence predicted by the Debye-Stokes-Einstein relation. In o-terphenyl, good agreement is observed with dielectric relaxation measurements of the α- and β-processes. The relationship of these results to probe translational diffusion data is considered.
The potential role of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide therapy for cardiovascular disease.

Current drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease are effective but compliance is poor and they are short acting (hours or one day). Gene therapy offers a way to produce long-lasting effects (weeks, months or years). Antisense inhibition is being developed for the treatment of hypertension, myocardial ischaemia and improved allograft survival in human vascular bypass grafts. We are currently using 2 strategies: (i) antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) which are delivered nonvirally and (ii) antisense DNA delivered in viral vectors to inhibit genes associated with vasoconstrictive properties. It is not necessary to know all the genes involved in hypertension, since many years of experience with drugs show which genes need to be controlled. AS-ODN are short, single-stranded DNA that can be injected in naked form or in liposomes. AS-ODN targeted to angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors, angiotensinogen (ATG), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and β1 adrenoceptors effectively reduce hypertension in rat models. A single dose is effective for up to one month when delivered with liposomes. No adverse or toxic effects have been detected, and repeated injections are effective. For viral delivery, adeno-associated virus (AAV) is used with a construct to include a cytomegalovirus or tissue-specific promoter, antisense NA to ATG, ACE or AT1 receptors and a reporter gene. Results in rats and transgenic mice show significant prolonged reduction of hypertension, with a single dose administration of AAV-AS. Left ventricular hypertrophy is also reduced by antisense treatment. AS-ODNs to AT1 receptors, ATG and β1 adrenoceptors provide cardioprotection from the effects of myocardial ischaemia. The AT1 receptor is more protective than losartan and does not increase plasma angiotensin as losartan does.
ADAM15 overexpression in NIH3T3 cells enhances cell-cell interactions.

ADAM15 is a member of the family of metalloprotease-disintegrins that have been shown to interact with integrins in an RGD- and non-RGD-dependent manner. In the present study, we examined the effects of ADAM15 overexpression on cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions in NIH3T3 cells. Tetracycline-regulated ADAM15 overexpression in NIH3T3 cells leads to an inhibition of migration on a fibronectin-coated filter in a Boyden chamber assay and in a scratch wound model. The effects of ADAM15 overexpression on cell migration are not due to changes in matrix attachment or to the lack of extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling response to PDGF or fibronectin. However, a decrease in monolayer permeability with ADAM15 overexpression and altered cell morphology suggest a possible increase in cell-cell interaction. Analysis of adhesion of NIH3T3 cells to a polyclonal population of cells retrovirally transduced to overexpress ADAM15 demonstrates a 45% increase in cell adhesion, compared with enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing control cells. In addition, we demonstrate localization of HA-epitope-tagged ADAM15 to cell-cell contacts in an epithelial cell line that forms extensive cell-cell contact structures. Thus, overexpression of ADAM15 in NIH3T3 cells appears to enhance cell-cell interactions, as suggested by decreased cell migration, altered cell morphology at the wound edge, decreased monolayer permeability, and increased cell adhesion to monolayers of cells expressing ADAM15 by retroviral transduction.
From developer's head to developer tests: characterization, theories, and preventing one more bug

Unit testing frameworks like JUnit are a popular and effective way to prevent developer bugs. We are investigating two ways of building on these frameworks to prevent more bugs with less effort. First, theories are developer-written statements of correct behavior over a large set of inputs, which can be automatically verified. Second, characterization tools summarize observations over a large number of directed executions, which can be checked by developers, and added to the test suite if they specify intended behavior. We outline a toolset that gives developers the freedom to use either or both of these techniques, and frame further research into their usefulness.
Electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopy of the molybdenum center of xanthine oxidase

Abstract The pulsed EPR technique of electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) has been utilized to examine both the ‘very rapid’ and ‘desulfo inhibited’ Mo(V) signals of xanthine oxidase in order to probe for magnetic interactions with nitrogen, phosphorus, and hydrogen nuclei. No 14 N modulation is observed in the ‘desulfo inhibited’ EPR signal, indicating that histidine is unlikely to be a ligand to molybdenum. Strong 14 N modulation is observed in the ‘very rapid’ EPR signal formed with 2-hydroxy-6-methylpurine substrate bound to molybdenum. We interpret this modulation as arising from nitrogens of the bound purine substrate. This interpretation is consistent with the present evidence indicating that the purine ring present in the species giving rise to the ‘very rapid’ EPR signal is coordinated to the molybdenum center through the catalytically introduced hydroxyl group. No modulation is observed from non-exchangeable deuterons in experiments performed with deuterated 2-hydroxy-6-methylpurine. Given the signal-to-noise level of the spectra, the lack of modulation indicates that each of the substrate methyl group deuterons is greater than 4.9Afrom the Mo(V). The deuteron removed from teh C 8 position in the binding of the substrate is also exchanged to a site or sites greater than 4.9Afrom the Mo(V) in the time-course of sample preparation. Moderately deep deuteron modulation arises from exchangeable sites. A large portion of this modulation can be accounted for by the exchangeable N 7 deuteron of the 2-hydroxy-6-methylpurine substrate, which we estimate to be approximately 3.2Afrom the molybdenum. Additional exchangeable deuterons on the protein or within the buffer must be present within 5Aof the molybdenum to account for the remaining modulation. No modulation from weakly-coupled 31 P nuclei is observed in either the ‘desulfo inhibited’ or ‘very rapid’ EPR signal.
Naloxone blocks amphetamine-induced rearing: Potential interaction between catecholamines and endorphins

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of 10 mg/kg of naloxone on amphetamine- (1.5 mg/kg) induced behavior was evaluated. 2. 2. Naloxone did not alter amphetamine-induced hyperactivity or stereotypy, but did selectively block rearing behavior. 3. 3. This effect raises two interesting issues: a) It suggests that the first phase of amphetamine-induced behavior in rats (hypermotility) might be considered as having two subcomponents modulated by different mechanisms; b) It adds support to an already growing literature on possible catecholamine-endorphin interactions.
The effects of glycemic control on seizures and seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder after stroke, affecting more than 50 million persons worldwide. Metabolic disturbances are often associated with epileptic seizures, but the pathogenesis of this relationship is poorly understood. It is known that seizures result in altered glucose metabolism, the reduction of intracellular energy metabolites such as ATP, ADP and phosphocreatine and the accumulation of metabolic intermediates, such as lactate and adenosine. In particular, it has been suggested that the duration and extent of glucose dysregulation may be a predictor of the pathological outcome of status. However, little is known about neither the effects of glycemic control on brain metabolism nor the effects of managing systemic glucose concentrations in epilepsy. In this study, we examined glycemic modulation of kainate-induced seizure sensitivity and its neuropathological consequences. To investigate the relationship between glycemic modulation, seizure susceptibility and its neuropathological consequences, C57BL/6 mice (excitotoxin cell death resistant) were subjected to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, followed by systemic administration of kainic acid to induce seizures. Glycemic modulation resulted in minimal consequences with regard to seizure severity but increased hippocampal pathology, irrespective of whether mice were hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic prior to kainate administration. Moreover, we found that exogenous administration of glucose following kainic acid seizures significantly reduced the extent of hippocampal pathology in FVB/N mice (excitotoxin cell death susceptible) following systemic administration of kainic acid. These findings demonstrate that modulation of the glycemic index can modify the outcome of brain injury in the kainate model of seizure induction. Moreover, modulation of the glycemic index through glucose rescue greatly diminishes the extent of seizure-induced cell death following kainate administration. Our data support the hypothesis that deficient insulin signaling may represent a critical contributing factor in the susceptibility to seizure-induced cell death and this may be an important therapeutic target.
Hypervelocity Jet Initiation Threshold Criteria of Nitromethane and Nitromethane Mixtures

The experimental hypervelocity jet initiation threshold criteria for neat nitromethane and homogeneous- and heterogeneous-sensitized nitromethane mixtures have been determined over a range of failure diameters, jet velocities from 2–9 mm/μs, and jet diameters in two test configurations. These criteria were used to define detonation and failure conditions in nitromethane and the nitromethane mixtures as a function of contact- and bow-shock conditions. These data were compared with data reported by others in the literature on bare solid explosives. A favorable comparison of threshold values is achieved by normalization of the criteria with the failure diameters. The effect on the initiation of the confinement proximity to the jet axis was also investigated. Experimental results have shown that high impedance boundaries near the jet axis induced conditions that allowed initiation to occur at lower jet velocities than those determined by the criteria. Tests also were performed on both homogeneous and heterogeneous nitromethane mixtures, having the same failure diameters, to determine if the same or similar jet penetration distances were required for initiation. The results, within experimental error, do not show any definitive differences in initiation conditions between the two types of mixtures.
Stabilizing route selection in BGP

Route instability is an important contributor to data plane unreliability on the Internet and also incurs load on the control plane of routers. In this paper, we study how route selection schemes can avoid these changes in routes. Modifying route selection implies a tradeoff between stability, deviation from operators' preferred routes, and availability of routes. We develop algorithms to lower-bound the feasible points in these tradeoff spaces. We also propose a new approach, Stable Route Selection (SRS), which uses flexibility in route selection to improve stability without sacrificing availability and with a controlled amount of deviation. Through large-scale simulation, a software-router implementation, and an emulation with real-world BGP update feeds, we demonstrate that SRS is a promising approach to safely stabilize route selection.
Analysis of total cloud amount over China, 1951-1994

Trends in Chinese total cloud amount were analyzed for the period 1951–1994. Cloud data were obtained from a database of 6-hourly weather observations provided by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) to the U.S. Department of Energy's Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) through a bilateral research agreement. Seasonal and annual means of midday (1400 Beijing Time (BT)) and midnight (0200 BT) observations were computed for each of 196 stations and over 8 specific regions of China. Linear regression analysis was used to characterize seasonal and annual trends in total cloud amount from 1951–1994. Decreasing trends in both midday and midnight cloud amount are observed over much of China; most stations in central, eastern, and northeastern China show statistically significant decreases of 1–3% sky cover per decade. These decreases in cloud amount are especially interesting in light of recent temperature trends observed over China. Several studies have shown significant increasing trends in daily minimum temperatures over China since 1951, especially in the northeastern part of the country, precisely where the strongest decreasing trends in total cloud amount are observed. Increases in cloud amount have been offered as a possible explanation for increasing minimum temperatures in other parts of the world; however, in China it seems that some mechanism(s) other than increasing cloud amount must be considered for understanding the observed increase in minimum temperatures.
GIVA: a semantic framework for geospatial and temporal data integration, visualization, and analytics

The availability of a wide variety of geospatial datasets demands new mechanisms to perform their integrated analysis and visualization. In this demo paper, we describe our semantic framework, GIVA, for Geospatial and temporal data Integration, Visualization, and Analytics. Given a geographic region and a time interval, GIVA addresses the problem of accessing simultaneously several datasets and of establishing mappings between the underlying concepts and instances, using automatic methods. These methods must consider several challenges, such as those that arise from heterogeneous formats, lack of metadata, and multiple spatial and temporal data resolutions. A web interface lets users interact with a map and select datasets to be integrated, displaying as a result reports where values pertaining to different datasets are compared, analyzed, and visualized.
Using social media in Engineering Support and Space flight operations control

Word processing was one of the earliest uses for small workstations, but we quickly learned that desktop computers were far more than e-typewriters. Similarly, social media offers tools that could significantly improve our effectiveness at managing the avalanche of information and decisions associated with space flight projects. However, “could” does not necessarily equal “should”. We must wield two-edged swords carefully to avoid stabbing ourselves.
Universal dynamical scaling in the clock model

The development of order in the clock (${Z}_{N}$) model is studied following a quench from a disordered phase to a low-temperature nonequilibrium state below the "ferromagnetic" critical point. The structure factor is shown to obey dynamic scaling for the two cases studied ($N=6 \mathrm{and} 26$) and to be remarkably insensitive to the underlying morphological structure. The scaling functions for both cases are essentially identical to that of the Ising antiferromagnet. The rate of growth of domains is also studied.
Mixing of multiple jets with a confined subsonic crossflow

An account is given of experimental and computational results on the mixing of single, double, and opposed rows of jets characterized by an either isothermal or variable temperature mainstream in a confined subsonic crossflow; these flow configurations are typical of gas turbine combustor dilution chambers. It is established that the momentum-flux ratio is the most significant flow variable. Combinations of flow and geometry yielding optimum mixing were identified from experimental and computational results. The orifice spacing and momentum-flux relationships affected jet structure, which was significantly different between jets injected from the inner wall of a turn and those injected from the outer wall.
Image formation of dilute arrays for optical information processing

Abstract A typical job in three-dimensional opto-electronics is image formation of a regular array of point sources onto a similar array of detector elements. Most likely the array will be “dilute”, meaning light sources which are small compared to the distance between sources. The distance from source array to detector array will be in the order of the array size, if a bulk component such as a beam splitter has to be placed somewhere between source array and detector array. We compare three different optical setups, which employ macro lenses and/or arrays of micro lenses. The comparison is performed in the spirit of complexity theory. That provides us with an understanding of the scaling behavior of the three setups.
IPsec tunnels vs. identity-only obfuscation techniques for moving target networks

There has been recent interest in applying moving target approaches to computer networks. The ability to obfuscate the adversary's view of an organization's internal network is thought to confound the adversary's network reconnaissance steps, causing certain inefficiencies in nation state actors' attack processes. Novel Moving Target Network (MTN) techniques have been proposed specifically to hide communicating endpoint identities, blinding the adversary's view of the nodes in the network. To date, however, no published work has evaluated identity-only obfuscation approaches against using IPsec ESP tunnels as a way of hiding endpoint identities. The question is, are there some network configurations where identity-only obfuscation techniques work better than IPsec ESP tunnels? We present arguments that low-overhead MTN identity-only obfuscation approaches may work more efficiently on wireless mobile, tactical, peer-to-peer networks where processing energies and transmission bandwidth are constrained and we also discuss features of metrics for measuring the success of moving target network approaches, helping to guide future research in this area.
Metabolic response of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis Rathbun, to acute exposure of sublethal changes in pH

Abstract The effects of sublethal changes in environmental pH on the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis were determined using changes in metabolic rate and critical oxygen concentration as indicators of stress. Oxygen consumption was measured using a computer automated intermittent flow respirometer which allowed multiple sampling of a single individual without exposing it to prolonged oxygen stress. Metabolic rate and critical oxygen concentration were determined using a quadratic model with plateau nonlinear regression procedure. Sublethal changes in pH (6.5, 9.0) did not have a significant effect on metabolic rate. Temporary disturbances in hemolymph acid-base status caused by acute pH stress, may not elicit a metabolic response when not accompanied by necrosis of the gill epithelium. There was an effect of pH on critical oxygen concentration, with pH 6.5 significantly higher than the control (pH 7.8), and pH 9.0 significantly lower than the control. Shifts in critical oxygen concentration were attributed to changes in blood oxygen affinity caused by hemolymph acidosis or alkalosis.
Reductions in arterial stiffness with weight loss in overweight and obese young adults: Potential mechanisms

Abstract Objective Arterial stiffness decreases with weight loss in overweight/obese young adults. We aimed to determine the mechanisms by which this occurs. Methods We evaluated carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in 344 young adults (23% male, BMI 25–40 kg/m 2 ) at baseline, 6, and 12 months in a behavioral weight loss intervention. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations between weight loss and arterial stiffness and to examine whether improvements in obesity-related factors explained these associations. Results At 6 months (7% mean weight loss), there was a significant median decrease of 47.5 cm/s in cfPWV ( p p = 0.049). At 12 months (6% mean weight loss), only cfPWV remained reduced. In models adjusting for changes in mean arterial pressure and obesity-related factors, changes in BMI ( p = 0.01) and common carotid artery diameter ( p = 0.003) were positively associated with change in cfPWV. Reductions in heart rate ( p p = 0.02) were associated with reduced baPWV and accounted for the association between weight loss and reduced baPWV. Conclusions Weight loss is associated with reduced cfPWV independently of changes in established hemodynamic and cardiometabolic risk factors, but its association with reduced baPWV is explained by concurrent reductions in heart rate and inflammation.
Volumetric properties of pentane + carbon dioxide at high pressures

The volumetric behavior of carbon dioxide + pentane has been investigated at 323, 348, 373, 398, and 423 K at pressures up to 70 MPa using a variable-volume view cell. Densities for pure components and fluid mixtures containing 10, 20, 35, 50, 62, 72, 80, and 88% by weight carbon dioxide are presented as a function of pressure at each temperature. With increasing pressure (above 20 MPa) the density of carbon dioxide becomes greater than that of pentane, and mixture densities show a crossover with composition. At a given temperature and pressure, under a majority of the conditions evaluated, the excess volume for the mixtures shows a sigmoidal variation with composition, being negative at low carbon dioxide content and becoming positive with increasing carbon dioxide content. With increasing pressure, excess volumes become less negative.
Numerical Solution of the General Two-Dimensional Inverse Heat Conduction Problem (IHCP)

This paper presents a method for calculating the heat flux at the surface of a body from experimentally measured transient temperature data, which has been called the inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP). The analysis allows for two-dimensional heat flow in an arbitrarily shaped body and orthotropic temperature dependent thermal properties. A combined function specification and regularization method is used to solve the IHCP with a sequential-in-time concept used to improve the computational efficiency. To enhance the accuracy, the future information used in the sequential-in-time method and the regularization parameter are variable during the analysis. An example using numerically simulated data is presented to demonstrate the application of the method. Finally, a case using actual experimental data is presented. For this case, the boundary condition was experimentally measured and hence, it was known. A good comparison is demonstrated between the known and estimated boundary conditions for the analysis of the numerical, as well as the experimental data. 20 refs., 6 figs.
Long-term effects of testicular cancer on sexual functioning in married couples

Long-term sequelae of testicular cancer have not been reported from the perspective of patient and spouse. As part of a larger study, both members of 34 married couples were interviewed individually, almost 4 years after treatment ended. Spouse and patient responses were compared for concordance (agreement) regarding psychosexual functioning and fertility issues. Wives perceived fewer long-term problems than husbands and were extremely supportive throughout their husbands' illnesses. At interview, whereas 23.5% of patients still felt less attractive as a result of treatment, no spouses shared this perception. Patients were more likely to report decreased, and wives increased sexual satisfaction compared to before cancer. However, both patients and spouses were more likely to report decreased frequency of intercourse than increased. In other areas as well, concordance was generally high. Few couples reported that infertility would pose a problem, but 53% were parents; men who banked sperm were less likely to already have children.
Exchange Rates of Ligands in Complex Ions

It is possible to study the very rapid exchange rates between molecules or ions, L, coordinated to paramagnetic ions and the free molecules or ions, L*, in the body of the solution by measuring the line width of the NMR signal of L*. Lifetimes of coordinated ligands that can be measured fall into the range of milliseconds to microseconds. The lifetime, or an upper limit to the lifetime, can be measured directly.
Polymerization in the crystalline state. II. Alkali acrylates and methacrylates

Alkali acrylates and methacrylates were irradiated with gamma rays at - 78 deg C and their subsequent polymerization was studied in vacuo at 0 to l55 deg C. Potassium acrylate proved to be the most rapidly polymerizing solid monomer studied; it reacted at 0 deg C faster than the lithium salt at l01 deg C or the sodium salt at l20 deg C. The reaction rate of the acrylates decayed rapidly at low polymer yields which were, for long polymerization times, linear in the logarithm of time. The activation energy for the polymerization of potassium acrylate was l6.7 kcal/mole. The chain length of the polymer was, in all kinetic runs except one, independent of the polymer yields and was an order of magnitude higher for potassium acrylate than for the sodium or the lithium salt. Sodium methacrylate was more reactive than potassium metbacrylate; the lithium salt of methacrylic acid was entirely inert. The sodiuni methacrylate polymerization had an initial accelerating phase. Studies of x-ray diffractlon of the polymerizing potassium ucrylate showed only minor changes in tbe diffraction pattern of the monomer, with the size of the unit cell remaining almost unchanged. Poly(potassium acrylate) produced in the solid state showed fourmore » diffuse diffraction rings whicb were not observed in samples prepared from poly'(acrylic acid) obtained by polymerizing a benzene solution of tbe monomer. While the x- ray data indicated the existence of a separate polymer phase in tbe polymerizing salts, tbe pronounced difference in tbe characteristics of the polymerization process of different salts of the same monomeric anion pointed to a control of the reaction by the geometry of the crystal lattice. The evidence suggests that the polymer lies in an amorpbous phase but that the reactive ends of growing chains are anchored in the monomer lattice. Electron spin rescnance spectra are similar for irradiated potassium acrylate and sodium methacrylate, but the potassium acrylate spectrum changes gradually froin a tbree peak to a single peak structure when tbe sample is heated to 100 deg C, wbile the other two salts have spectra which are not affected by a similar beating cycle. The absence of the characteristic ESR spectrum of polymethacrylatc radicals in irradiated sodium methacrylate suggests that under the experimental conditions used few of the primary radicals were able to initiate cbains.A five-peak ESR spectrum was observed in irradiated sodium acrylate. (auth)« less
Association of a cellular myosin II with anionic phospholipids and the neuronal plasma membrane.

Abstract Myosin II has been observed in close proximity to the neuronal plasma membrane, suggesting the possibility that at least one isoform of neuronal myosin II may be capable of direct association. Here, we demonstrate that a significant fraction (> 30%, saturable around 90%) of brain myosin II, but not myosins from skeletal or cardiac muscle, can bind to lipid vesicles composed of the anionic phospholipid L-alpha-phosphatidyl-L-serine but not with vesicles made from the neutral phospholipid L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine. Binding to lipid vesicles made from L-alpha-phosphatidyl-L-serine is enhanced in the presence of millimolar amounts of free calcium. ATPase activity remains unimpaired after vesicle association. Myosin II was also shown to remain in tight association with purified plasma membranes, even after depletion of actin. The above observations suggest that mechanisms involving membrane-bound myosin II are required to facilitate metazoan cell motility.
Thyroid Cancer Detection with Dual-isotope Parathyroid Scintigraphy in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Thyroid cancer cells have been shown to take up 99mTc-sestamibi. The role for 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy (Tc-MIBI) in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is unclear. Our aim was to determine whether dual-isotope parathyroid scintigraphy is useful in identifying thyroid cancer. A prospective database of 3,187 patients who underwent neck exploration for PHPT was reviewed to identify patients who had concurrent thyroid resection. Patients with benign and malignant thyroid disease were comparatively analyzed. A total of 470 patients underwent both thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy (reoperations in 21%). Benign disease (n = 391, 83%) was more common than malignancy [papillary thyroid cancer (n = 75) and medullary thyroid cancer (n = 5); 1 had both]. Dual-isotope scintigraphy obtained in 374 patients (80%) had a sensitivity of 67% and a positive predictive value of 66% for parathyroid adenoma localization in these patients with thyroid disease. False-positive scintigraphy occurred in 22% with benign and 45% with malignant thyroid disease (P = 0.002). On Tc-MIBI imaging, 54 (86%) of 63 patients with malignancy had hot nodules, compared to 248 (81%) of 308 patients with benign disease (P = 0.49). On I-123 imaging, 34 (54%) of 63 patients with malignancy had cold nodules, compared to 42 (14%) of 304 patients with benign disease (P < 0.001). A dual-isotype phenotype of both Tc-MIBI-Hot and I-123-Cold had sensitivity 52%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value 47%, and negative predictive value 90% for detecting a thyroid malignancy. A Tc-MIBI-Hot/I-123-Cold phenotype is very specific for detecting thyroid malignancy. Patients with this imaging phenotype should strongly be considered for preoperative ultrasound-guided biopsy. Patients found intraoperatively to have false-positive parathyroid scintigraphy should be evaluated for thyroid cancer.
“Damn, Yo—Who's That Girl?”: An Ethnographic Analysis of Masculinity in Drug Robberies

Previous street crime research has shown that female robbers manipulate their sexuality to secure male victims. Also, the larger ethnographic drug market literature has shown how male criminals construct masculinity through the sexual and economic manipulation of women. However, both accounts miss how male criminals manipulate the masculinity of other men to victimize them. This article fills that gap, showing how male drug robbers play on the masculinity of male dealers to bait them into a robbery. Through The Girl, a female accomplice, male drug robbers lure male dealers, believing that men demonstrate masculinity through sexual relations with women. Apart from this, male drug robbers construct their own masculinity through The Girl, who is often manipulated and exploited through sexist stereotypes and practices. This research is based on ethnographic field data collected on a group of Dominican drug robbers in a South Bronx neighborhood.
Heat and Mass Transfer Enhancement by Active Flow Control in Micro Domains

A flow control method is presented that employ liquid and gas jets to enhance heat and mass transfer in micro domains. By introducing pressure disturbances, mixing can be significantly enhanced through the promotion of early transition to a turbulent flow. Since heat transfer mechanisms are closely linked to flow characteristics, the heat transfer coefficient can be significantly enhanced with rigorous mixing. The flow field of water around a low aspect ratio micro circular pillar of diameter 150 μm entrenched inside a 225 μm high by 1500 μm wide microchannel with active flow control was studied and its effect on mixing is discussed. A steady control jet emanating from a 25 μm slit on the pillar was introduced to induce favorable disturbances to the flow in order to modify the flow field, promote turbulence, and increase large-scale mixing. Micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) was employed to quantify the flow field, the spanwise vorticity, and the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in the microchannel. Flow regimes (i.e., steady, transition from quasi-steady to unsteady, and unsteady flow) were elucidated. The turbulent kinetic energy was shown to significantly increase with the controlled jet, and therefore, significantly enhance mixing at the micro scale.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Modeling the Effect of Building Stakeholder Interactions on Value Perception of Sustainable Retrofits

AbstractAlignment among building stakeholders is necessary to ensure that sustainable retrofits achieve the purpose of maximizing economic, environmental, and social value of the building. However, dynamic stakeholder opinions and value maximization perceptions result in conflicting requirements that hinder the adoption of truly sustainable retrofit decision. This paper uses an agent-based model to understand how social network interactions can help stakeholders with different characteristics prioritize their values on cost awareness, energy saving, and organizational performance to ultimately come up with an optimal retrofit decision for a commercial office building. Experimental analysis is used to qualitatively validate the model against results from other studies in literature. The results indicate that highly connected network structures can facilitate the interaction between the stakeholders to achieve alignment. In addition, networks with highly confident stakeholders typically hinder agreement, wh...
Innervation of the corpuscles of Stannius.

Abstract A prominent autonomic innervation of the corpuscles of Stannius is described in eight species of teleost fishes.
Fault tolerance on a hypercube: a database application

Abstract In this article, we describe software algorithms that use only the inherent redundancy available in a hypercube multicomputer to provide a fault tolerant system for database applications. These algorithms comprise three cube primitives and a sorting operation, and dynamically nullify the effects of the detected faulty link without significantly degrading the overall throughput of the system. All of the system reconfiguration routines presented require neither user assistance nor hardware not already provided by the hypercube interconnection structure.
Histochemical Demonstration of Monoamine Oxidase in Human Skin1

In an excellent review of the enzymes in skin, Lerner (1) has recently pointed out that these protein metabolic catalysts fall into two groups: (A) enzymes affecting energy release from carbohydrates, fats and protein, and (B) enzymes concerned with specialized activities. Monoamine oxidase (MAO), the subject of this communication, is an enzyme which comes under the second group. It oxidizes mono-amines [primary (R-NH2), secondary (R2NH), or tertiary (R3N)] to the corresponding aldehydes, but does not affect diamines such as histamine.
Touch domes and Merkel cells in hamster cheek pouch epithelium

Minute dome-shaped elevations on the epithelial surface of hamster buccal pouch were counted in full-thickness whole mounts of detached pouch epithelium. Domes were examined by light and electron microscopy. Each dome consisted of thickened epithelium containing numerous Merkel cells with associated unmyelinated terminal axons. The pouch domes have structural characteristics in common with Haarscheiben, or touch domes, described in hair-bearing skin in man and other mammals and must not be confused with focal hyperplastic or precancerous lesions.
GENIE: a modifiable computer-based task for experiments in human-computer interaction

The results of many human-computer interaction studies are often not applicable as desired because the task environment in which they are run does not possess characteristics common to other interfaces. This paper describes a generalized task environment that contains elements appearing in several systems having human-computer interfaces. The environment is implemented through a software system called GENIE (Generic ENvironment for Interactive Experiments), and is based on controlling the motion of vehicles through three-dimensional space. Aside from providing a task with common characteristics, GENIE's implementation was designed to allow for adaptation to a variety of studies. This paper introduces and motivates the development of the GENIE software system. The software components are described at a functional level to provide the background for a discussion of how various instantiations of GENIE's human-computer interface can be created. To exemplify the generic nature of GENIE, specific changes to the user's interface are described. We show how GENIE's software must be modified to implement each of the changes and demonstrate how the use of a compiler-compiler eases the burden of doing so. The paper concludes with a discussion of GENIE as constructed for a voice-output experiment.
COMPARISON OF THE FUNCTION OF EXCHANGE IN COUPLES OF SIMILAR AND DIFFERING PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS

Couples (22 young, married, 18 young unmarried) completed the Exchange Orientation Scale, which measures how much individuals believe equality of exchange should characterize their social relationships, as well as the Norman Personality Trait Scale, which gives measures for the self and ideal-self. Couples also rated their sexual satisfaction, their partners' physical attractiveness, their own attractive-ness, and had their photographs evaluated for attractiveness by disinterested raters. Subgroups were formed of physically attractive couples, couples in which the members were of disparate attractiveness, and couples in which the individuals perceived themselves as equal to their partners in attractiveness or as inferior. In accordance with exchange theory, the hypotheses were (1) unmarried men would show higher exchange scores than married men, (2) attractive men in disparately attractive couples would show greater exchange scores than attractive men in both-attractive couples, (3) attractive members of disparately attractive couples would possess lower self-acceptance and (4) experience greater sexual satisfaction than attractive members of both-attractive couples. Results supported all hypotheses in varying extents.
Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino Acids in Cell Culture (SILAC) – an Introduction for Biologists

Since its introduction in 2002 'stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture' (SILAC) has become a major tool for quantitative proteomics. Stable isotopes are incorporated into proteins by introduction of labeled amino acids in growth medium. This methodology's compatibility with virtually all cell culture conditions, ease of implementation into existing workflows and the high quality quantitative data that can be obtained have made it the quantitative method of choice for many laboratories. Although originally used for mammalian cell cultures, it has been adapted to a number of organisms including yeast, bacteria, plants and higher organisms. This review will look at the use of SILAC as a key tool in quantitative biology. The purpose of this review is to furnish the reader with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of SILAC including its implementation, application, bioinformatic tools for its analyses and potential problems that one should be mindful of.
Reversible Cortical Blindness in Preeclampsia

Abstract Purpose To report the clinical course and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a 28-year-old woman with preeclampsia and reversible cortical blindness. Design Interventional case report. Methods The patient presented at the 37th week of pregnancy with headache and hypertension. The next day, her visual acuity decreased to light perception in both eyes. After emergent cesarean section, examination revealed reactive pupils and normal fundi. Results Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed areas of increased signal in both occipital lobes. One month later, at which time the patient’s visual acuity had returned to 20/20, follow-up MRI showed complete resolution of radiologic abnormalities. Conclusions Cortical blindness is a rare complication of preeclampsia. In this case, cortical blindness was reversible and most likely due to vasogenic edema rather than vasospasm.
A comparison of laparoscopic Toupet versus Nissen fundoplication in gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background and aims: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is used very frequently but may lead to postoperative bloating, inability to belch, and dysphagia. Partial wrapping has been reported to be equally effective but associated with fewer unfavorable postoperative symptoms. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the results of a 270° wrap (Toupet, T) and a 360° wrap (Nissen, N) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients/methods: A total of 162 patients with severe GERD and/or hiatal hernia underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery between January 1997 and December 2000. All patients were assigned to the T group before January 2000; after January 2000, they were assigned to either the T or the N group depending on preexisting motility disorders. The pre- and postoperative gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) was assessed. Results: A total of 122 patients were treated using the T procedure, and 40 patients underwent N fundoplication; 124 patients (77%) had a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure of less than 15 mmHg, and 34 (21%) had a low esophageal body peristaltic pressure of less than 35 mm Hg. All of the latter 34 had undergone partial fundoplication. The average operation time was 140±5 min in the T group and 118±6 min in the N group (P=0.03). Postoperative hospitalization averaged 3.8 days in the T group and 3.4 days in the N group. Operative complications only occurred in the T group (2%), and none of the patients died. No statistical difference was seen preoperatively or at follow-up (mean 19 months; range 4–36 months) between the quality of life score after partial versus complete wrapping (88 and 123 in the T group, 87 and 118 in the N group preoperatively and at follow-up, respectively). Conclusions: Both partial and complete wrapping offer an effective form of therapy for reflux disease with over 85% patient satisfaction.
Extracting Pathlets FromWeak Tracking Data

We present a novel framework for extracting “pathlets”from tracking data. A pathlet is defined as a motion regionthat contains tracks having the same origin and destinationin the scene and that are temporally correlated. The proposedmethod requires only weak tracking data (multiplefragmented tracks per target). We employ a probabilisticstate space representation to construct a Markovian transitionmodel and estimate the scene entry/exit locations. Theresulting model is treated as a set of vertices in a graph anda similarity matrix is built which describes broader nonlocalrelationships between states. A Spectral Clusteringapproach is then used to automatically extract the pathletsof the scene. We present experimental results from scenes ofvarying difficulty and compare against other approaches.
A B cell population that dominates the primary response to influenza virus hemagglutinin does not participate in the memory response.

The early primary B cell response of BALB/c mice to the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (PR8) hemagglutinin (HA) is dominated by B cells that utilize a single Vx gene in association with one of two closely related VH genes. We have used an anti-idiotypic reagent that recognizes a light chain-associated idiotope (23-1 Id) on these antibodies to follow their presence during the anti-HA response. Quantitation of 23-1 Id+ antibodies at different time points during the anti-HA response indicates that the 23-1 Id+ B cell response peaks early after primary immunization and is not re-induced by secondary challenge. Furthermore, 23-1 Id+ titers in serum decay rapidly between the first and second week after immunization, and the HA-specific 23-1 Id+ precursor B cell population does not significantly expand in the months following immunization. These results indicate that despite their predominance during the primary response, 23-Id+ B cells abruptly disappear from the response and do not mature into memory B cells.
MERS-CoV papain-like protease has deISGylating and deubiquitinating activities

Coronaviruses encode papain-like proteases (PLpro) that are often multifunctional enzymes with protease activity to process the viral replicase polyprotein and deubiquitinating (DUB)/deISGylating activity, which is hypothesized to modify the innate immune response to infection. Here, we investigate the predicted DUB activity of the PLpro domain of the recently described Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We found that expression of MERS-CoV PLpro reduces the levels of ubiquitinated and ISGylated host cell proteins; consistent with multifunctional PLpro activity. Further, we compared the ability of MERS-CoV PLpro and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) PLpro to block innate immune signaling of proinflammatory cytokines. We show that expression of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV PLpros blocks upregulation of cytokines CCL5, IFN-β and CXCL10 in stimulated cells. Overall these results indicate that the PLpro domains of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have the potential to modify the innate immune response to viral infection and contribute to viral pathogenesis.