cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient-Specific Variations in Biomarkers across Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

This study investigates the use of saliva, as an emerging diagnostic fluid in conjunction with classification techniques to discern biological heterogeneity in clinically labelled gingivitis and periodontitis subjects (80 subjects; 40/group) A battery of classification techniques were investigated as traditional single classifier systems as well as within a novel selective voting ensemble classification approach (SVA) framework. Unlike traditional single classifiers, SVA is shown to reveal patient-specific variations within disease groups, which may be important for identifying proclivity to disease progression or disease stability. Salivary expression profiles of IL-1s, IL-6, MMP-8, and MIP-1α from 80 patients were analyzed using four classification algorithms (LDA: Linear Discriminant Analysis [LDA], Quadratic Discriminant Analysis [QDA], Naive Bayes Classifier [NBC] and Support Vector Machines [SVM]) as traditional single classifiers and within the SVA framework (SVA-LDA, SVA-QDA, SVA-NB and SVA-SVM). Our findings demonstrate that performance measures (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) of traditional classification as single classifier were comparable to that of the SVA counterparts using clinical labels of the samples as ground truth. However, unlike traditional single classifier approaches, the normalized ensemble vote-counts from SVA revealed varying proclivity of the subjects for each of the disease groups. More importantly, the SVA identified a subset of gingivitis and periodontitis samples that demonstrated a biological proclivity commensurate with the other clinical group. This subset was confirmed across SVA-LDA, SVA-QDA, SVA-NB and SVA-SVM. Heatmap visualization of their ensemble sets revealed lack of consensus between these subsets and the rest of the samples within the respective disease groups indicating the unique nature of the patients in these subsets. While the source of variation is not known, the results presented clearly elucidate the need for novel approaches that accommodate inherent heterogeneity and personalized variations within disease groups in diagnostic characterization. The proposed approach falls within the scope of P4 medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory) with the ability to identify unique patient profiles that may predict specific disease trajectories and targeted disease management.
Information technology education one state's experience

In past few years computing educators have witnessed (a) a call for a broader discipline called Information Technology rather than Computer Science [1,2,3], (b) the development of a new model curriculum for Computer Science [4], (c) a near crises in the supply of computer people at all levels, driving up salaries and spurring blue-ribbon reports [5,6,7,8] and new Federal and state programs [9,10], and (d) the formation of new colleges of technology all across the country [11]. The author is participating in one of these new colleges and is helping to forge a new approach to information technology education that will better serve a small state. This paper discusses the issues that all IT colleges face and outlines the strategy that is being implemented in Arkansas, a strategy that is perhaps applicable to other states across the nation and that could be incorporated by many smaller colleges.
Effect of Hydroxyurea on Replication of Bacteriophage T4 in Escherichia coli

Hydroxyurea inhibited the replication of bacteriophage T4 in Escherichia coli B. The concentration of hydroxyurea required to inhibit net deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis 50% was about 50-fold less than that required in uninfected cells. Even in the presence of high hydroxyurea concentrations, phage DNA was readily synthesized from the products of breakdown of the E. coli DNA, and viable phage were made. Deoxyribonucleotide, but not ribonucleotide, synthesis was strongly inhibited in the presence of hydroxyurea. The data indicate that hydroxyurea specifically inhibits de novo DNA synthesis in E. coli infected with bacteriophage T4 by inhibiting the ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase system, but does not affect DNA synthesis at subsequent steps.
A CORBA-based application service middleware architecture and implementation

With the advent of distributed computing, application management is driven into a new era. In this world, application quality of service, resource availability at different domains, and user requirements, are combined in a dynamic, synergistic, and geographically broad cooperation. We present an architecture and initial implementation of a middleware that satisfies user requests according to expected requirements, distributes networked resource load beyond the local environment, and respects the logical constraints of different domains. Static characteristics of resources are advertised as service offers using the CORBA trading service, while dynamic changes in their state are reported using the CORBA event service. We present a model where, unlike traditional high-level management systems, resources compete to satisfy application requirements.
Design and analysis of photonic crystal spectral diversity filters for biosensing

We present a systematic method for designing spectral diversity filters using 2D and 3D photonic crystals. These filters convert an incoherent input beam with uniform spectral content over the input dimension into a desired nonuniform spatial-spectral pattern. Such spectral diversity filters can be used for designing compact spectrometers that can be used for the detection of Raman signatures in biosensors.
University spin-out companies: Technology start-ups from UT-Austin

Abstract This study assesses the factors that enhance and inhibit the formation and development of spin-out companies from the university. It presents empirical data from 23 technology-based spin-out companies from the University of Texas at Austin. The data are based on a survey questionnaire that assessed a range of factors, including the role of the university in company formation and development, reasons for start-up and major difficulties facing spin-out companies. Spin-out companies are defined in two ways: (1) the founder was a faculty member, staff member, or student who left the university to start a company or who started the company while still affiliated with the university; and/or (2) a technology or technology-based idea developed within the university. The companies in the study represent a range of technologies and tend to be growth oriented. Results of the study show that the University of Texas at Austin has traditionally played an important, albeit passive role in the formation and development of spin-out companies. Pull factors, such as recognition of a market opportunity, drive to try something new and desire to put theory into practice, are more important than push factors, or various forms of frustration with the university environment, in influencing the start-up of spin-out companies. However, institutional and behavioral changes indicate that the university is beginning to take a more proactive role in spin-out company formation and development. Among a variety of organizations, the university is considered the most important organizational influence on the spin-out company. The university is particularly important as a source of personnel and ideas in both the formation and development of the spin-out company. The university also plays an important role as a source of consultants and research expertise as the company grows. Major difficulties facing the spin-out company, such as raising capital, managing growth and penetrating new markets, revolve around business rather than technological concerns. The paper concludes with a number of implications for university policy if the university decides to take more of a proactive role in encouraging and supporting spin-out companies. A variety of institutional mechanisms and increased access to university resources are predicted to directly contribute to the formation and development of spin-out companies.
Acute or chronic administration of prolactin alters ovine infections of Haemonchus contortus

Abstract Prolactin has been implicated as a modulator in the phenomenon of periparturient egg rise during ovine nematodiasis. In the first experiment, lambs (4 months of age) with patent infections (10 000 infective larvae) of Haemonchus contortus were injected daily (Days 28–39 post-inoculation (PI)) with prolactin (20 or 200 IU) or saline. Fecal egg concentrations and total daily egg production were monitored for each lamb. After 12 days, lambs injected with the lower dose of prolactin had the highest daily egg production. Fewer adult worms were collected from prolactin-treated lambs, and the female worms were larger than those from the saline-injected controls. Worm size and number were not correlated. In the second experiment, lambs were injected daily with ovine prolactin (25 IU) or saline. Five days after initiation of treatments, each lamb was inoculated with 3000 infective larvae of H. contortus. After 42 days of injections (Day 37 PI), prolactin-treated lambs had larger and fewer worms, with higher fecundity, than saline-treated controls. Increases in endogenous circulating prolactin during late pregnancy and lactation in ewes, therefore, might contribute to periparturient egg rise irrespective of the developmental stage of the parasite when the hormone exposure occurs.
Bacteria recovery from genetically feathered and featherless broiler carcasses after immersion chilling

Abstract Feathered and featherless (scaleless) sibling broilers were reared and processed together to evaluate the influence of feathers and feather follicles on carcass bacteria recovery after chilling. In each experiment, broilers were inoculated 1 wk prior to processing by oral gavage with a suspension of salmonellae or Campylobacter at 106 cells/mL. Broilers were stunned and bled, and carcasses were single-tank or triple-tank scalded, defeathered, eviscerated, and washed. Carcasses were chilled for 45 min in ice and water immersion chillers with or without 20 mg of chlorine/L added. Postchill carcass rinsates were evaluated for Escherichia coli, coliforms, total aerobes, and salmonellae or Campylobacter. Following processing and immersion chilling, genetically featherless carcasses had slightly higher counts (by log10 0.35 cfu/100 mL of carcass rinsate) for E. coli, coliforms, and total aerobes than feathered carcasses. However, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of salmonellae (25%) or Campylobacter (93%) between feathered and featherless carcasses. Recovery of E. coli, coliforms, and total aerobic bacteria were lower for carcasses that were single-tank scalded, and following enrichment, salmonellae were recovered from fewer carcasses subjected to the single-tank (71%) than triple-tank (86%) scalding. Addition of chlorine to chiller water significantly decreased carcass bacteria recovery (by log10 0.43 cfu/100 mL of carcass rinsate) for E. coli, coliforms, total aerobes, and Campylobacter but did not affect salmonellae recovery. The presence of feathers and feather follicles during processing and immersion chilling appears to have minimal influence on the recovery of salmonellae or Campylobacter from carcasses sampled after immersion chilling.
Coal power plant emission exposure and its effect on education access

We investigate the effects of exposure to coal power plant emissions on school absenteeism for children with asthma, a leading cause of health-related barriers to education. We combine responses from the 2007–2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey with coal power plant emission data to estimate a zero negative binomial regression model of school absences and investigate misspecification bias associated with naive assumptions about emission dispersion and self-selection into treatment groups. The results show a robust, positive relationship (P < 0.001) between increases in emission exposure and the likelihood of a school absence due to an asthma episode. Exposure to higher emission volumes is associated with a 1.92–4.81 % higher likelihood of missing an additional school day. Furthermore, assuming uniform emission dispersion and not controlling for self-selection underestimates the effects by 2.72–4.27 times. Access to education and the ability to develop human capital through schooling are affected for children with respiratory illnesses who are exposed to emissions. Public policies for emission regulation are likely to remain relevant for lowering pediatric respiratory health risks and lowering barriers to educational opportunities.
The accounting lyceum of the federation of schools of accountancy

Abstract The first accounting lyceum focused on the development of interpersonal skills in a simulated professional setting. The program was designed to help bridge the transition from the classroom to the practicing profession of accounting.
Determination of longitudinal aerodynamic derivatives using flight data from an icing research aircraft

A flight test was performed with the NASA Lewis Research Center's DH-6 icing research aircraft. The purpose was to employ a flight test procedure and data analysis method, to determine the accuracy with which the effects of ice on aircraft stability and control could be measured. For simplicity, flight testing was restricted to the short period longitudinal mode. Two flights were flown in a clean (baseline) configuration, and two flights were flown with simulated horizontal tail ice. Forty-five repeat doublet maneuvers were performed in each of four test configurations, at a given trim speed, to determine the ensemble variation of the estimated stability and control derivatives. Additional maneuvers were also performed in each configuration, to determine the variation in the longitudinal derivative estimates over a wide range of trim speeds. Stability and control derivatives were estimated by a Modified Stepwise Regression (MSR) technique. A measure of the confidence in the derivative estimates was obtained by comparing the standard error for the ensemble of repeat maneuvers, to the average of the estimated standard errors predicted by the MSR program. A multiplicative relationship was determined between the ensemble standard error, and the averaged program standard errors. In addition, a 95 percent confidence interval analysis was performed for the elevator effectiveness estimates, C sub m sub delta e. This analysis identified the speed range where changes in C sub m sub delta e could be attributed to icing effects. The magnitude of icing effects on the derivative estimates were strongly dependent on flight speed and aircraft wing flap configuration. With wing flaps up, the estimated derivatives were degraded most at lower speeds corresponding to that configuration. With wing flaps extended to 10 degrees, the estimated derivatives were degraded most at the higher corresponding speeds. The effects of icing on the changes in longitudinal stability and control derivatives were adequately determined by the flight test procedure and the MSR analysis method discussed herein.
Operational Modeling For PACS: How Do We Decide If It's Cost Effective?

The operational analysis project at UNC is continuing, with a major goal directed at prospective analysis of the effectiveness of technological capabilities and potential cost effects of PACS on the operation. We have now defined the major operational variables we believe will provide information to evaluate PACS technology. These operational variables, the modeling methodology and the methods of data collection are described. Our approach to statistical analysis of diagnostic quality is also briefly discussed.
Theory of the new middle class

Analyses of the contemporary class structure of the United States differ markedly in their interpretations of the class identification of professional and managerial employees. This paper argues that professional and managerial employees are a distinct new class formation particular to monopoly capitalism, that is, a new middle class. The gist of the argument is that monopoly capitalist relations of production and distribution have created conditions that allow new middle‐class employees to receive a significantly higher price for their labor power than workers do.
The Restricted Isometry Property for Echo State Networks with applications to sequence memory capacity

The ability of networked systems (including artificial or biological neuronal networks) to perform complex data processing tasks relies in part on their ability to encode signals from the recent past in the current network state. Here we use Compressed Sensing tools to study the ability of a particular network architecture (Echo State Networks) to stably store long input sequences. In particular, we show that such networks satisfy the Restricted Isometry Property when the input sequences are compressible in certain bases and when the number of nodes scale linearly with the sparsity of the input sequence and logarithmically with its dimension. Thus, the memory capacity of these networks depends on the input sequence statistics, and can (sometimes greatly) exceed the number of nodes in the network. Furthermore, input sequences can be robustly recovered from the instantaneous network state using a tractable optimization program (also implementable in a network architecture).
Analysis of bisdesmosidic saponins in Saponaria vaccaria L. by HPLC-PAD-MS: identification of new quillaic acid and gypsogenin 3-O-Trisaccharides

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method using photodiode array and single quadrupole electrospray mass detection for analysis and profiling of bisdesmosidic saponins in Saponaria vaccaria seed was developed. Profiles of seed extract from three different plant sources were obtained and found to contain the same saponins, albeit in different proportions. Several known saponins were identified by selected ion extraction of quasi-molecular ions from the total ion chromatogram and confirmed by their mass spectra. Application of high cone voltages afforded mass spectra containing key diagnostic fragments and relatively strong singly charged quasi-molecular ions. In addition to previously identified saponins, several new quillaic acid and gypsogenin bisdesmosides could be detected via mass spectral analysis. Five of these were tentatively identified as pentose homologues of known saponins, having an added xylosyl residue linked to the 3-O-glucuronyl group (1 --> 3). The stereochemistry and identity of the xylosyl linkage in the new saponins was determined by chemical means. Previously reported vaccaric or segetalic acid-type bisdesmosides could not be detected in any of the extracts.
C-command or edges in Makonde*

Selkirk (i986) advances a theory, henceforth referred to as the endbased theory, whereby syntactic conditions on phonological rules are expressed indirectly in terms of prosodic constituents. These constituents are constructed by parsing an utterance into substrings terminated by the right or left edge of some syntactic projection al.. For example, in Chi Mwi:ni, sequences terminated at the right by xmax are mapped onto phonological phrases as follows (Selkirk I986: 390):
Ecology of two littoral species of caprellid amphipods (Crustacea) from Washington, USA

Ecology of 2 littoral species of caprellid amphipods is compared. Populations of Caprella laeviuscula, a periphyton scraper/filter-feeder, are most dense on eelgrass Zostera marina L. In the absence of C. laeviuscula, periphyton biomass increases 411% in protected Z. marina beds. The light absorption spectra of periphyton and Z. marina are similar, and C. laeviuscula, by its periphyton removal, may allow Z. marina to grow in areas where it would otherwise be excluded. C. laeviuscula is aggressively dominant over sympatric caprellids, and seasonal predators of C. laeviuscula are absent during winter, the period when periphyton would be most limiting to Z. marina. Populations of Deutella californica, a predator, are most dense on the hydroid Obelia dichotoma (L.). In the O. dichotoma epibiotic community, D. californica is the primary predator, but removal did not change the composition of the community structure. In the absence of other macropredators, the structure of the O. dichotoma epibiotic community depends more on the seasonality of O. dichotoma occurrence than on organismal interactions.
Strength of Titania and Aluminum Silicate Under Combined Stresses

Room-temperature strengths are reported for titania and aluminum silicate in various biaxial stress states. Results are compared with failure criteria based on either energy or internal-friction concepts. In general, more complete and reliable data for ceramic materials are needed before specific failure criteria can be designated.
3-Deazaadenosine analogues inhibit the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide

The effects of 3-deazaadenosine (DZA), 3-deaza(+/-)-aristeromycin (DZAri) and 3-deazaneplanocin (DZNep) on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production were examined in the mouse macrophage cell line, RAW264.7, stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The 3-deazaadenosine analogues inhibited the TNF-alpha production and the inhibition was dependent upon the concentration of the analogue. DZA reduced the level of TNF-alpha mRNA suggesting that DZA acts at a transcriptional step. In contrast, DZAri and DZNep had little effect on mRNA levels for TNF-alpha, implying that these compounds inhibit a post-transcriptional or translational biosynthetic step of TNF-alpha synthesis. The observation that homocysteine (Hcy) potentiated the DZA inhibition of TNF-alpha production and of TNF-alpha mRNA levels suggests that the inhibition of TNF-alpha production may be caused by elevated levels of 3-deazaadenosylhomocysteine (DZAHcy). The results show that the 3-deazaadenosine analogues are potent inhibitors of TNF-alpha production in the RAW264.7 cell line stimulated with LPS and suggest that these analogues may be effective agents for the treatment of diseases in which TNF-alpha plays an important pathogenic role.
An adaptable association between vertical and horizontal vergence

Vertical phoria (vergence error under monocular viewing conditions) can be trained to vary with conjugate eye position. The adaptive response controls the vertical alignment of the two eyes in the absence of binocular disparity and is used to compensate for binocular changes of the oculomotor system induced by developmental and environmental factors. Vertical phoria was associated with horizontal disparity vergence by adapting vertical vergence to two vertically disparate targets separated along the depth axis. This association was primarily dependent on the horizontal vergence as opposed to monocular eye position or binocular conjugate eye position. Following this adapted association with horizontal disparity vergence, vertical phoria aftereffects were also evoked by accommodative vergence. Previous reports have demonstrated an adapted association between vertical phoria and conjugate eye position. The current report examines the difference in the vertical phoria resulting from adaptation to vertically disparate targets separated along either the vertical axis or depth axis. The amplitude of the vertical vergence aftereffect was approximately 4 times greater for targets separated along the depth axis than in the vertical meridian. The association between vertical phoria with conjugate eye position and horizontal vergence is proposed to result from a cross-coupling of vertical vergence with supranuclear regions that control conjugate and horizontal vergence eye movements. A selective interaction would enable the oculomotor system to correct disturbances in specific supranuclear regions as they interface with vertical vergence.
The success of recruiting minorities, women, and elderly into a randomized controlled effectiveness trial.

Background: Heart failure, a leading cause of hospitalization among elderly people, disproportionately afflicts African-American and other non-White populations. Studies of health care interventions often do not include these groups in proportion to numbers in the patient population. Our objective was to assess whether a randomized controlled effectiveness trial enrolled patients by ethnicity/race, gender, and age in proportion to those eligible. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing nurse management and usual care among ambulatory heart failure patients at the four hospitals in East and Central Harlem, New York. We incorporated culturally sensitive and age-appropriate strategies to enroll a demographically representative group into the trial. Recruitment proceeded in several steps: identifying patients with billing code and visit criteria, documenting systolic dysfunction, obtaining clinician permission and correct addresses, contacting patients, and enrolling eligible patients. We assessed differences by ethnicity/race and gender at successive steps in the recruitment process, and differences between enrollees and refusals regarding overall health, evaluation of medical care, and difficulty receiving care. Results: We enrolled 406 ambulatory patients by ethnicity/race and gender in proportion to the numbers eligible to be contacted (46% African-American/Black, 33% Hispanic, and 47% female). Among patients contacted, however, those 18 through 74 years were 2.0 to 3.3 times more likely than those ≥ 75 years to enroll (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The recruitment strategy successfully enrolled patients by ethnicity/race, gender, and age through 74 years, but not those ≥ 75 years. Registries of patients who refuse to enroll in trials could provide guidance for clinical and public policy. Mt Sinai J Med 75:37–43, 2008. © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
6p25 microdeletion: White matter abnormalities in an adult patient

We report on a 41-year-old woman of normal intelligence with a complicated past medical history including unilateral profound hearing loss, unilateral Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly, and leukoencephalopathy. She was referred to an adult neurology clinic because of a previous diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which was non-responsive to multiple medications. Due to her complicated past medical history, the medical genetics service was consulted. She was found to have a chromosome 6p25.3-6p25.2 deletion on SNP array. This report highlights chromosome 6p subtelomeric deletions as a possible underlying cause for periventricular white matter abnormalities in an adult. It emphasizes the importance of genetic testing in an adult with leukoencephalopathy and congenital anomalies.
Kiloampere current and charge measurements of a 2 MeV pulsed electron source

Abstract A current monitor has been developed to measure the electron current pulse from the NBS 2 MeV pulsed electron generator. This monitor features low inductance and a risetime of the order of a hundred picoseconds, enabling it to faithfully reproduce high frequency components present in the electron beam pulse. In addition, a charge integrating system comprised of an integrating capacitor and a precision integrator has been developed to measure the total charge contained in the electron beam pulse.
Tropical stratospheric circulation deduced from satellite aerosol data

THE dispersal of volcanic material from large tropical eruptions provides insight into the circulation of the lower stratosphere. Here we infer stratospheric motions from zonal mean cross-sections of satellite observations of the aerosol layer taken during 1979–81 and 1984–91. By examining the aerosol distribution following volcanic eruptions in the tropics, we find that poleward transport occurs readily at altitudes within a few kilometres above the tropopause, whereas in the altitude range of 21–28 km, aerosols tend to remain within 20° of the Equator. We further deduce that the aerosol distribution in this upper regime is controlled by the phase of the quasibiennial oscillation. When the easterly shear is present, aerosols are lofted over the Equator, whereas when the westerly shear is present, descent relative to the mean stratospheric circulation occurs over the Equator. From the aerosol distributions, we suggest that the tropical stratosphere may be regarded as a temporary reservoir for trace constituents entering the stratosphere through the tropical tropopause.
Dynamics of hard-sphere suspensions

A systematic theory for the dynamics of concentrated hard-sphere suspensions of interacting Brownian particles with both hydrodynamic and direct interactions is presented. An alternative equation for the number density of particles is derived. The volume-fraction dependence of the short- and long-time self-diffusion coefficients is thus explored from a new point of view. Both the short-range and the long-range hydrodynamic interactions are shown to play an important role in both coefficients, while the direct interactions are reduced drastically by the hydrodynamic interactions.
The characterization of interfacial strength using single-particle composites

The adhesion between two dissimilar materials is best characterized by measurement of its mechanical strength. By determining adhesion, or interfacial strength, in the most direct way possible, one can identify more readily the relevant adhesion mechanisms that might be at play at the interface. A technique is presented here whereby a single spherical particle is introduced into a polymeric matrix and particle-matrix adhesion is directly measured. The interfacial strength is determined by submitting the single-particle composite (SPC) to a uni-axial tensile field, recording the macroscopic stress at which interfacial failure occurs and relating this stress to the actual stress experienced at the interface using elasticity theory. Experiments using glass spheres embedded in a poly(vinyl butyral) matrix showed interfacial failure at stress levels that varied significantly with the surface treatment of the glass sphere. Results from the SPC measurements compared well with those of a modified 180° peel test. ...
Effect of tranquilizing drugs on postnatal behavior.

Abstract Chlorpromazine 6 mg/kg and reserpine 0.1 mg/kg were given subcutaneously to pregnant albino rats on days 4–7 of gestation in order to investigate in more detail previous reports of long-term behavioral modification of offspring by these drugs. Reserpine did not cause significant differences from controls. Chlorpromazine was shown to decrease motor activity and increase audiogenic seizure susceptibility in offspring. Those animals below average in weight and in motor activity were most likely to exhibit convulsive responses. These associated factors are interpreted as representing an altered behavioral complex. These abnormal responses were found in some animals of every chlorpromazine litter. No histological differences in the brains and no differences in susceptibility to amphetamine toxicity could be demonstrated in offspring of chlorpromazine-treated mothers.
Pattern placement correction due to bending in EUVL masks

Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) masks have residual stress induced by several thin films on low thermal expansion material (LTEM) substrates. The stressed thin films finally result in convex out-of-plane displacement (OPD) of several 100s of nm on the pattern side of the mask. Since EUVL masks are chucked on EUVL scanners differently from on e-beam writer, the mask pattern placement errors (PPE) are necessary to be corrected for to reduce overlay errors. In this paper, experimental results of pattern placement error correction using standard chrome on glass (COG) plate will be discussed together with simulations. Excellent agreement with simple bending theory is obtained. Suitability of the model to compensate for other EUVL-related PPEs due to mask non-flatness will be discussed.
Osteoprotegerin is not associated with angiographic coronary calcification

Coronary artery calcification may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of plaque progression and healing. We hypothesized that osteoprotegerin, an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, may participate in the calcification of coronary plaques or the response to injury after coronary stenting. A prospective registry was performed in 2004. Blood samples from 100 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were obtained before PCI and 24 h after PCI. The concentrations of osteoprotegerin (OPG), C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) were determined by ELISA. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed to define the presence of culprit lesion calcification (CLC). Comparisons among markers of inflammation and tertiles of OPG were stratified with respect to CLC. Patients with CLC (n = 28) compared with no CLC (n = 71) were older (P < 0.01), had lower creatinine clearance (P < 0.01), lower hemoglobin (P = 0.02), and were less likely to smoke (P = 0.04). Patients without CLC were over twice as likely to present with a marker-positive acute coronary syndrome. CLC was associated with less pre-PCI platelet-mediated inflammation as measured by sCD40L (4.65 vs. 7.15 pg/ml, P = 0.05), but not with lower levels of OPG. Inflammatory cytokines increased significantly after PCI for patients with and without CLC. For patients in the highest tertile of OPG at baseline, there was a reduction in OPG after PCI. Systemic osteoprotegerin levels are not associated with angiographic calcification of culprit plaques. For patients with elevated levels of OPG prior to PCI, there is a significant reduction after PCI consistent with a counterregulatory role for OPG. Condensed Abstract Both calcified and non-calcified culprit plaques exhibited a similar inflammatory response to stent-mediated injury. After PCI, osteoprotegerin decreased while proinflammatory cytokines increased, which may be consistent with a counterregulatory role for osteoprotegerin.
Implementing Privatisation: Social Change as a Discovery Process

Philanthropists and social change practitioners have successfully advanced privatisation worldwide over the last three decades. Social change can be thought of as a discovery process in which measures of effectiveness are an invaluable tool for creating transparency and accountability for results. These processes organise knowledge and lead to the invention of better ways of doing things. Examining privatisation as a case study opens a broader consideration of the philanthropic enterprise, including barriers to change, diffusion of innovation, and the use of products to lead change. An examination of the processes which led to privatisation also shows how entrepreneurial philanthropy has promoted privatisation.
Bay K 8644 inhibits renin secretion in isolated perfused rat kidneys

Abstract There are only a few previous reports of the renal effects of the Ca channel agonist BAY K 8644, and the renin secretory effects in particular are unclear. In the present experiments, isolated rat kidneys were perfused at 120 and 100 mm Hg before and after adding BAY K 8644 to the perfusate (0.05 μM final concentration), and perfusate flow rate, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow, Na excretion, and renin secretory rate were measured. BAY K 8644 increased renal vascular resistance, as evidenced by decreases in perfusate flow and GFR at constant perfusion pressure, and decreased urine flow and Na excretion. Renin secretory rates were 51±4 versus 23±3 ng A I hr −1 min −1 at 120 mm Hg (p −1 min −1 at 100 mm Hg (p
Cancer: survival pathways meet their end.

Conventional chemotherapeutic approaches to treating tumours can be hit-and-miss. One way to ensure successful treatment may be to go for the jugular of cancer-cell survival signalling as well.
The cost of long-term LVAD implantation

Abstract Background . With increasing use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) worldwide, the economics of LVAD implantation have become an important focus of concern. Although these devices have high unit costs, they are the only hope for survival for a large group of terminally ill patients and are likely to have an expansion in indications for use. Methods . We calculated the costs associated with long-term LVAD implantation. We used the ratio of cost-to-charges method to calculate hospital costs per resource category, market prices for drugs and device, and payments for physician services. Results . Based on our experience with "bridge-to-transplantation" patients, we estimated average first-year costs to be $222,460 including professional fees and $192,154 excluding professional fees. The latter figure is comparable to average first-year costs for cardiac transplantation, which is $176,605 without professional fees at our institution. Conclusions . The costs of LVAD therapy will change after the first year of implantation, and device reliability and longevity will be important factors in determining these costs. Should the costs of LVAD therapy continue to track those of cardiac transplantation, devices will be cost-effective only if they offer similar efficacy to cardiac transplantation.
Decreases in manganese superoxide dismutase expression and activity contribute to oxidative stress in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

A rapid increase in the synthesis and release of nitric oxide (NO) facilitates the pulmonary vasodilation that occurs during birth-related transition. Alteration of this transition in persistent pu...
An empirical framework for examining negotiation processes and outcomes

The purpose of the study was to develop an empirical framework to help understand the process and outcome of negotiation. To achieve this objective the following components were examined: situation, including the availability of communications, time constraints, personality compatibility, and conflict intensity, social power strategies, including reward reducing and reward‐extending power tactics, expectation information and coordination processes, and personality traits relevant to the negotiation situation. The following hypothesis was designed to test part of the proposed model: pre‐negotiation expectations, the use of power strategies, and individual personality traits will, in combination, predict significantly negotiation outcome. The confirmation of this hypothesis indicated that pre‐negotiation expectations and social power strategy implementation were the most significant predictors of outcome.
The Effect of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade on Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: A Propensity-Matched Study

Background The role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in the pathophysiology of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is controversial, and the available literature is contradictory. Study Design A retrospective propensity score–matched study to analyze the effect of ACE-inhibitor/ARB therapy on the development of contrast-induced AKI. Setting & Participants Using propensity score matching, 1,322 ACE-inhibitor/ARB recipients and nonrecipients were paired for analysis from 5,299 patients and fulfilled the inclusion criteria among 11,447 patients receiving coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention. Predictors ACE-inhibitor/ARB use based on prescription and risk factors for contrast-induced AKI. Outcomes The incidence of contrast-induced AKI defined by AKI Network (AKIN) criteria: an absolute increase in serum creatinine levels ≥0.3 mg/dL or a relative increase ≥50% from baseline values within 48 hours after exposure to the contrast medium. Measurements Baseline serum creatinine, hemoglobin, and albumin levels; volume of contrast agents; preprocedural medication; and post-CAG serum creatinine levels. Results An ACE inhibitor/ARB was prescribed for 64.0% of patients receiving CAG. ACE-inhibitor/ARB users showed an increased incidence of contrast-induced AKI after propensity score matching (11.4% vs 6.3%; P Limitations A retrospective study at a single center. Conclusions Use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs during CAG has a possible influence to increase the incidence of contrast-induced AKI. Further randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm the effect of ACE-inhibitor/ARB therapy on the development of contrast-induced AKI.
Comparative functional analysis of the cow and mouse myostatin genes reveals novel regulatory elements in their upstream promoter regions

Myostatin is a paracrine/autocrine factor that inhibits muscle growth, and mutations that affect myostatin activity or expression produce dramatic increases in muscle mass in several species. However, at present it is less clear whether differences in myostatin expression or activity exist between species with differing body sizes. Here we demonstrate that mouse muscle expresses far greater levels of myostatin mRNA than cow. In addition, activity of a 1200 bp mouse myostatin promoter construct was significantly greater than that of a 1200 bp cow myostatin promoter construct in C(2)C(12) myotubes. In contrast, activity of reporter constructs flanked by one or both untranslated regions (UTRs) was not significantly different between the two species. Sequence analysis identified a number of promoter regions which differed between larger species (cow, pig, goat, sheep, human) and smaller (mouse, rat), including a TATA-box sequence, a CACCC box, two AT-rich regions (AT1 and AT2), and a palindromic sequence (PAL). We therefore used mutagenesis to alter the mouse sequence for each of these elements to that of the cow. Mutagenesis of the TATA, CACC, and AT1 sequences of the mouse to those of the cow significantly decreased activity of the mouse myostatin promoter compared to the wild type mouse promoter, while mutation of the AT2 and PAL sequences tended to increase promoter activity. Finally, the cow myostatin promoter was less responsive to FoxO signaling than the mouse myostatin promoter. Together these data support the hypothesis that differences in promoter activity between mouse and cow may contribute to differences in expression of the myostatin gene between these species.
Pulmonary eosinophilia is attenuated by early responding CD8(+) memory T cells in a murine model of RSV vaccine-enhanced disease.

Abstract Vaccination with formalin-inactivated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine results in enhanced respiratory tract inflammation and injury following subsequent RSV infection. RSV vaccine-enhanced disease can also be produced in mice by prior vaccination with a vaccinia virus vector containing the RSV G protein, followed by intranasal infectious RSV challenge, a process characterized by induction of a potent memory CD4+ T-cell response to challenge infection with some features characteristic of Th-2 CD4+ T-cell responses, including increased eosinophil accumulation in pulmonary inflammatory infiltrates. The adaptive immune response to the RSV G protein in immunized BALB/c mice is characterized by a weak or absent primary and secondary recall CD8+ T-cell response. These and related results have led to the hypothesis that the failure of the infected animals to mount an effective CD8+ memory T-cell (CD8+ Tm) response in this model could account for the pulmonary eosinophilia associated with the de...
Changes in health related quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease with and without posteroventral pallidotomy.

Traditional clinical outcome measures for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) have focused on motor function and activities of daily living. However, in the past decade there has been a new emphasis on the use of health related quality of life (HRQOL) measures for translating how a patient's response to treatment is experienced by the patient. The purpose of this study was to describe patient reported HRQOL in subjects who underwent Posteroventral pallidotomy (PVP) for the treatment of PD compared with a similar group of subjects who did not undergo surgery (non-PVP). A consecutive series of patients who underwent PVP (n=52) was compared prospectively with a similar group of patients, who received adjustments to medications without surgery (n=45). Severity of disease and self reported HRQOL were evaluated at two time periods. Time 1 data were collected within one week prior to surgery for the PVP group or when subjects received medication adjustments for the non-PVP group. Time 2 data were collected 4 months later. Results showed that the severity of disease improved from Time 1 to Time 2 for both groups. HRQOL improved significantly for the PVP group (p=0.001) but not for the non-PVP group (p>0.29). Changes in HRQOL were most strongly related to the improvement in severity of disease in the “off” state. The results of this study suggest that PVP is associated with significant improvements in clinical and patient reported outcomes four months following surgery compared with a similar group of patients who did not undergo surgery. Additionally, the results suggest that the difference in perceived outcome between the groups is due in part to the improvement in the levodopa “off” periods which occurred for the PVP group but not for the non-PVP group.
Chemoconvulsive thresholds in mice of differing audioconvulsive susceptibilities.

Les souris des lignees susceptibles et resistantes de la crise audiogene ont ete etudiees a l'egard de seuil de sensibilite au convulsivant chimiques, l'ether hexafluorodiethyle. Les sensibilites a la stimulation audiogene et chimique ne montre pas de correlation positive.
The Mediator complex and transcription elongation.

Abstract Background Mediator is an evolutionarily conserved multisubunit RNA polymerase II (Pol II) coregulatory complex. Although Mediator was initially found to play a critical role in the regulation of the initiation of Pol II transcription, recent studies have brought to light an expanded role for Mediator at post-initiation stages of transcription. Scope of review We provide a brief description of the structure of Mediator and its function in the regulation of Pol II transcription initiation, and we summarize recent findings implicating Mediator in the regulation of various stages of Pol II transcription elongation. Major conclusions Emerging evidence is revealing new roles for Mediator in nearly all stages of Pol II transcription, including initiation, promoter escape, elongation, pre-mRNA processing, and termination. General significance Mediator plays a central role in the regulation of gene expression by impacting nearly all stages of mRNA synthesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA polymerase II Transcript Elongation.
Selective Determination of Cadmium in Water Using a Chromogenic Crown Ether in a Mixed Micellar Solution

The chromogenic crown ether N,N‘-bis(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-4,13-diazadibenzo-18-crown-6 (CCE) has been solubilized in a mixed micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyl pyridinium chloride and tested for the selective determination of heavy metal ions. The optical properties, acid−base equilibria, and metal ion binding capabilities of the micellar-solubilized CCE for Ba(II), Ca(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), and Sr(II) are reported. Results show that the micellar-solubilized CCE binds Hg(II) ∼ Cd(II) > Ca(II) > Sr(II), whereas the presence of Pb(II) and Ba(II) leads to precipitate formation. There was no detectable binding with Cu(II). Based on these results, a spectrophotometric determination for Cd(II) that utilizes chloride ions to mask Hg(II) has been devised and evaluated.
Gouy Interferometry: Properties of Multicomponent System Omega (Ω) Graphs

We consider the properties of {Omega} graphs ({Omega} vs f(z)) obtained from Gouy interferometry on multicomponent systems with constant diffusion coefficients. We show that they must have (a) either a maximum or else a minimum between f(z)=0 and f(z)=1 and (b) an inflection point between the f(z) value at the extremum and f(z)=1. Consequently, an {Omega} graph cannot have both positive and negative {Omega} values.