cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mylar™ and Teflon-AF™ as cell culture substrates for studying endothelial cell adhesion

The textured and opaque nature of Dacron and ePTFE has prevented the use of these fabrics in conventional cell culture techniques normally employed to optimize cell attachment and retention. This lack of optimization has led, in part, to the poor performance of endothelialization strategies for improving vascular graft patency. Here we show that thin, transparent films of Mylar and Teflon-AF are viable in vitro cell culture mimics of Dacron and ePTFE vascular graft materials, particularly for the study of protein mediated endothelial cell (EC) attachment, spreading and adhesion. Glass substrates were used as controls. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle analysis showed that Mylar and Teflon-AF have surface chemistries that closely match Dacron and ePTFE. (125)I radiolabeling was used to quantify fibronectin (FN) adsorption, and FN and biotinylated-BSA "dual ligand" co-adsorption onto glass, Mylar and Teflon-AF substrates. Native human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and streptavidin-incubated biotinylated-HUVEC (SA-b-HUVEC) spreading was measured using phase contrast microscopy. Cell retention and adhesion was determined using phase contrast microscopy under laminar flow. All surfaces lacking protein pre-treatment, regardless of surface type, showed the lowest degree of cell spreading and retention. Dual ligand treated Mylar films showed significantly greater SA-b-HUVEC spreading up to 2 h, but were similar to HUVEC on FN treated Mylar at longer times; whereas SA-b-HUVEC spreading on dual ligand treated Teflon-AF was never significantly different from HUVEC on FN treated Teflon-AF at any time point. SA-b-HUVEC retention was significantly greater on dual ligand treated Mylar compared to HUVEC on FN treated Mylar over the entire range of shear stresses tested (3.54-28.3 dynes/cm(2)); whereas SA-b-HUVEC retention to dual ligand and HUVEC retention to FN treated Teflon-AF gave similar results at each shear stress, with only the mid-range of stresses showing significant difference in cell retention to Teflon-AF.
A Rapid Method for the Determination of Temperature Abuse of Fresh Broiler Chicken

Ready-to-cook broiler chicken carcasses were obtained immediately postchill from a commercial processing plant. A control group was held at 4 C for 10 days. Test groups were held at 4 C for 2 days, temperature abused at 10, 15, or 20 C for 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 h, and then held at 4 C for an additional 4 days. Both control and test birds were sampled using whole carcass rinse techniques and bacteria enumerated using impedance detection times (DT) and total plate count (TPC) techniques at incubation temperatures of 18 and 42 C. The DT and TPC showed a significant increase (P less than .05) in the number of organisms recovered at 18 C but did not show a significant increase (P less than .05) in organisms recovered at 42 C when carcasses were held at 4 C continuously for up to 10 days. Carcasses that were temperature abused at 10 C for up to 24 h were not significantly different (P less than .05) from the unabused controls, using either DT or TPC, following incubation at 18 and 42 C. At an incubation temperature of 18 C, carcasses abused at 15 or 20 C had significantly more growth of bacteria than controls at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h and 4, 8, and 12 h as determined by DT and at 6, 12, and 24 h and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h, respectively, as determined by TPC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Work, Health, and the Family: Gender Structure and Women's Status in an Undocumented Migrant Population

Work and health conditions of an undocumented Mexican migrant population in southern Illinois influence women's status within the family. The conditions threaten the physical and economic survival of the entire family, but pose special challenges to women who are dependent upon men and subordinated within the male/female relationship, even when they assume roles that are indispensable to the family, and that contradict the culturally ideal gender hierarchy. These contradictory roles fail to change the hierarchical ideology. Gender structure is shown to be dichotomous, consisting of behavior and ideology, which are differentially affected by the surrounding conditions. Additionally, men's and women's interpretations of ideology differ, as shaped by their respective experiences within the local context. Gender structure is shown to result from the undocumented family's adaptation to its surrounding conditions.
The Effect of Experimental Head Injury On One-Trial Learning In Rats

The amnesic and convulsive effects of experimental cerebral concussion were observed in rats. Marked convulsions were associated with only partial retrograde amnesia in one trial passive avoidance when the head injury was given less than 7 seconds after learning the task. These results are compared with the complete retrograde amnesia associated with a lesser severity of convulsions produced by electroconvulsive shock in rats under identical learning situations.
Improving the cyber incident mission impact assessment (CIMIA) process

Despite our best efforts to secure our cyberspace; we inevitably experience incidents in the cyber domain which result in the loss of the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of a cyber resource. When a cyber incident occurs, we must quickly and accurately estimate and report the resulting negative impact, not only in terms of the infrastructure damage, but also in terms of the mission impact experienced by all of the affected organizations. Unfortunately, existing methods for mission impact assessment are hindered by the lack of standardization in the way that we identify, value, track, document, and report critical cyber resources. In this presentation, we discuss the importance of accurate and timely damage assessment in military operations; distinguish between damage and mission impact assessment; motivate the need for a change in mission impact assessment; and propose that a paradigm shift is required in the way that view critical cyber resources. The proposed changes are necessary to provide commanders with dominate cyberspace battlespace knowledge and enable accurate predictive situational awareness.
The proliferative potential of chick embryo fibroblasts: population doublings vs. time in culture.

Abstract Chick embryo fibroblasts were maintained in a non-proliferating state for up to 150 days in medium containing reduced concentrations of fetal bovine serum. Under these conditions the total time in culture was increased from 50 to 200 days while the total proliferative potential decreased only slightly. From these experiments we conclude that the ability of chick embryo fibroblasts to proliferate in vitro is much more dependent on the number of previous in vitro doublings than on the duration of the time in culture.
SU‐E‐J‐27: Residual Interfraction Errors for Prostate SBRT with 6 Dimensional Couch Shifts Using Stereoscopic X‐Ray and Cone Beam CT

Purpose: To evaluate residual interfraction alignment errors following prostate SBRT patient setup with stereoscopic kV‐X‐ray (Exactrac), kV‐CBCT, and a 6‐D robotic treatment couch (RTC). Methods: Data was reviewed from seven prostate cancer patients undergoing five‐fraction SBRT with pre‐and daily‐treatment endorectal balloon placement. Setup protocol, using stereoscopic X‐ray images, consisted of an initial RTC displacement based on bony registration (3 shifts, 3 rotations) followed by a RTC displacement based on implanted gold seeds (3 shifts only). Final image verification of the prostate position was performed with kV‐CBCT, upon which additional shifts prior to treatment delivery were permitted. The prostate (CTV), rectum wall and bladder were delineated on each daily CBCT and planning CT by the same physician. Shifts recorded at the time of treatment (X‐ray and X‐ray plus CBCT) were applied. Planning CT and CBCT contours were then superimposed and evaluated with dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Daily CTVs were also compared with the PTV (simulation CTV + 3mm). Paired student t test was used for statistical comparison. ResultsThe average of 96 stereoscopic X‐ray shifts were 0.96±4.08cm, 0.72±3.42cm and 0.58±3.64cm in the lateral, vertical and longitudinal directions, and 0.78±2.42°, 0.55±1.60° and 0.21±1.09° for the pitch, roll and yaw angles, respectively. CBCT‐guided shifts were performed in 25.7% of the fractions, with an average of 0.01±0.03cm, 0.23±0.21cm, and 0.14±0.26cm in the lateral, vertical, and longitudinal directions, respectively. With X‐ray only and X‐ray plus CBCT shifts, 95.1±3.7% and 96.2±3.2% (p=0.01) of daily CTVs were covered by PTV, respectively. The DSC were 77.1±5.8% and 79.2±4.6% for CTV (p<0.01), 40.1±12.8% and 42.1±12.7% for rectal wall (p=0.03), and 65.2±17.5% and 64.5±18.0% for bladder (p=0.34), respectively. Conclusion Interfraction error following Exactrac‐guided RTC shifts was <3mm, resulting in protocol‐appropriate CTV coverage at treatment based on a 3mm PTV margin. Further CBCT‐based shifts improve prostate alignment, but not significantly.
Sex differences and growth toward self-actualization during the freshman year.

Summary.-Test-retest results using the Personal Orientation Inventory indicate initial differences for men and women (ns = 590 and 448 pre- and posttest) on 11 of the 12 scales as well as different patterns of change during the freshman year. Practical considerations with regard to pooling POI scale scores for men and women are discussed. Following its development in 1964, the Personal Orientation Inventory (Shostrom, 1966) has been used extensively in a variety of research situations. Most studies pool POI scales for men and women since the manual indicates that there are few or no observable sex differences on these scales. However, studies previously conducted on the local campus have shown a consistent pattern of sex differences (LeMay & Damm, 1969; Wills, 1972). The present study was designed to (1) determine if there were initial differences between male and female college freshmen on the 12 POI scales and (2) to examine the amount of change on the Inner-directed Support (I) scale of the POI for these freshmen during their first year in college. The POI was administered to a stratified sample (N = 590) of the 2,490 new freshmen living in residence halls at Oregon State University during New Student Week immediately preceding che 1971 Fall term, and a second time during the Spring term. A total of 565 students (men = 278; women = 290) completed rhe POI Fall term and 448 (men = 221; women = 227) completed both the Pre- and Posttesting sessions. Student's t tests were computed for each of the 12 POI scales to test for initial differences between men and women. Analysis of covariance, with the Pretest I scale score covaried, was used to analyze differences between Pre- and Posttest mean scores on the I scale for the two groups.
Two-level assurance of QoS requirements for distributed real-time and embedded systems

Assuring quality of service (QoS) requirements is critical when assembling a distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) system from a repository of existing software and hardware components. This paper presents a two-level approach for assuring satisfaction of QoS requirements in the context of a reduced design space for DRE systems. Techniques from artificial intelligence and statistics are used to fulfill these collective objectives at system assembly time. The result not only lessens the overhead of validation of QoS requirements at run-time, but also reduces the development and integration cost of DRE systems.
A model of the generation of ataque de nervios: the role of fear of negative affect and fear of arousal symptoms.

This article examines a model of the generation of ataque de nervios, according to which both fear of negative affectivity and fear of arousal symptoms are associated with the emergence of ataques. We examine the relationship of fear of negative affectivity and fear of arousal to the severity of ataque de nervios during the last month and the last 6 months among Caribbean Latinos residing in the United States. The measures include a Fear of Anger Scale and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the ASI augmented with two items that assess fear of arousal symptoms common in ataques: chest tightness and a sense of inner heat. In keeping with the model of ataque generation, one-way analysis of variances (ANOVAs) and discriminant function analyses illustrated that items assessing “fear of negative affect” and “fear of somatic and psychological symptoms of arousal” both differentiated well among the levels of ataque severity. In addition, key ataque symptoms—mental incapacitation fears, shakiness, chest tightness, palpitations, and a sense of inner heat—were the best discriminators among levels of ataque severity. In patients with severe ataques, the scores of “fear of negative affect” and “fear of ataque-de-nervios-type somatic and psychological symptoms” were extremely elevated. This further suggests that both these types of fears are associated with this idiom of distress and that the specific content of the fears is linked to the symptom picture of the idiom. This suggests specific therapeutic targets for the treatment of ataque, namely, the reduction of anxiety sensitivity (and more generally negative-emotion and arousal sensitivity) using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation, and mindfulness techniques.
In vitro effect of certain antibacterial agents on organisms encountered in bovine mastitis.

Discussion and summaryData are presented on the effect of various antibacterial agents on a representative group of organisms associated with cases of chronic and acute mastitis.Subtilin was effective in high dilution against the gram positive organisms. Streptomycin appeared to more active against the gram positive cultures than against the gram negative organisms. Strain variations among cultures of the same species of organism may have been responsible for the poor action of streptomycin against these particular gram negative organisms.The strains of S. aureus and S. typhimurium were resistant to the sulfonamides employed. Str. agalactiae and C. pyogenes were susceptible to sulfapyridine, sulfone, sulfadiazine and sulfamerazine. In vivo study is necessary to prove these drugs of value as adjuncts to penicillin in the treatment of chronic streptococcic mastitis and so-called “summer mastitis.” E. coli was sensitive to sulfapyridine, sulfamethazine, sulfadiazine, and sulfamerazine among which sulfamerazi...
END-TIDAL CO2 PREDICTS OPTIMAL TIDAL VOLUME IN PRETERM INFANTS. 2006

We wished to test the hypothesis that end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) is a function of tidal volume (Vt) in preterm infants requiring assisted ventilation (IMV). Optimal Vt would be associated with the highest ETCO2 and the lowest dead-space/tidal volume (Vd/Vt) ratio. We predicted an insufficient Vt would underventilate the patient and result in a low ETCO2, while an excessive Vt would overdistend the lungs, increase physiological dead space, and also lower ETCO2. Arterial blood was sampled to determine arterial PaCO2. ETCO2 was next sampled via a side-stream infra-red analyzer from the infant's endotracheal tube. A simultaneous recording was made of both spontaneous and mechanical breaths, and ETCO2 was correlated with Vt for a run of 30 consecutive breaths, usually over a 2-3 fold range of Vt. PaCO2 and ETCO2 were used to calculate arterial-alveolar CO2 differences and Vd/Vt ratios. 29 infants with an average birthweight of 1102 +/- 266 grams and a mean gestational age of 27.5 +/- 2.0 weeks were tested on 73 occasions between 2 and 27 days. The average alveolar-arterial O2 difference was 34.0 +/- 6.6 mm Hg; the average arterial-alveolar CO2 difference was 7.6 +/- 5.8 mm Hg. Mean Vd/Vt ratio for all studies was 0.19 +/- 0.13. A highly significant correlation between Vt and ETCO2 (r2 >.20) was found on 34/73 tests in 11/29 babies. This relation has the form of an inverted parabola, ETCO2 = 11.4 + 8.7(Vt) - 1.1(Vt)2. These results indicate that ETCO2 can be used to determine an optimal Vt associated with a minimal Vd/Vt ratio, avoiding overinflation or underventilation in a high percentage of infants requiring IMV.
The Effects of Anticipated Regret on the Whistleblowing Decision

This article incorporates two emotion-based psychology theories into the study of whistleblowing. Particularly, it studies how one's predicted regret may differ when one is cued in to possible regret effects associated with either blowing the whistle or staying silent. Ethical scenarios with two moral intensity levels and two wrongdoing types were manipulated. Analysis of variance results based on subjects' predicted regret scores as well as subjects' descriptions of what the regret would be related to indicate several significant interactions. Findings suggest that individuals think about regret differently in a whistleblowing context as opposed to a silent observer context.
Mesangial immune injury, hypertension, and progressive glomerular damage in Dahl rats

Hypertension frequently accompanies chronic glomerulonephritis. Mesangial injury and glomerulosclerosis are common in glomerulonephritis and are often harbingers of progressive glomerular destruction. Thus, in a model of mesangial immune injury we studied the relationship between hypertension, mesangial injury, and glomerulosclerosis. We induced mesangial ferritin-antiferritin immune complex disease (FIC) in Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and salt-resistant (R) rats. S and R rats with FIC were fed chow containing 0.3% NaCl until 14 weeks of age and then switched to 8.0% NaCl chow until 28 weeks of age. Groups of control S and R rats (no FIC) were either fed 0.3% NaCl for 28 weeks or switched to 8.0% NaCl chow at 14 weeks of age. Blood pressure, serum creatinine, urinary protein, and glomerular injury (assessed by semiquantitative morphometric analysis) were determined at 14 and 28 weeks of age. R rats with or without FIC did not develop hypertension; mesangial injury was minimal. At 14 weeks of age, only S FIC rats developed hypertension, proteinuria, significant mesangial expansion and early glomerulosclerosis. At 28 weeks of age, proteinuria, mesangial expansion, and glomerulosclerosis were significantly more severe in hypertensive S rats with FIC than in those without FIC. These studies show that despite a normal salt intake, mesangial injury hastened the onset of hypertension, but only in rats genetically predisposed to hypertension (S FIC at 14 weeks). High dietary salt further aggravated hypertension, which, in turn, magnified both mesangial injury and glomerulosclerosis. Clinically, the different rates of progression of human glomerulonephritis associated with hypertension may be in part dependent on similar mechanisms.
Performance evaluation of algorithms for mildly nonlinear elliptic problems

A number of numerical methods for mildly nonlinear elliptic boundary value problems on general domains is presented. The discretization procedures considered are: a fourth-order FFT-type method, collocation using Hermite bicubic splines and Galerkin with linear triangular as well as quadratic quadrilateral isoparametric elements. The linearized collocation and Galerkin equations are solved by various direct methods available in the ELLPACK system. A comparative study of the above equation solvers is presented for different domain geometries and compilers. The evaluation of software for the general mildly nonlinear elliptic equations is performed over 36 instances from a population of 16 parametrized problems with ‘real world’ and ‘mathematical’ behaviour. The performance data suggests that collocation is an effective method for such general problems, while Galerkin with quadratic quadrilateral isoparametric elements is uniformly superior to the one with linear elements.
What, exactly, is occupational satisfaction?

I argue in this article that an occupationally satisfying/fulfilling (for this article I treat these two terms as synonyms) life is one in which one's engagement in occupational pursuits achieves the kind of depth, focus, and dedicated commitment that defines what the philosopher Harry Frankfurt calls “wholehearted” action (1999, p. 100). I argue further that the key feature that makes such resolute, wholehearted action possible is the value and worth of those pursuits, a dimension that has not, to my mind, received the attention and treatment it rightly deserves in the occupational science literature. For when one is untroubled by the worth of one's actions, one is free to devote all of one's attention to, and put all of one's effort behind them. That doesn't mean that being wholehearted in one's engagement in occupation is all there is to the notion of occupational satisfaction, but it does mean that in the absence of such full stop engagement in one or more of our occupational endeavors such satisfacti...
Spontaneous migration of cancer cells under conditions of mechanical confinement

When cancer cells spread away from the primary tumor, they often follow the trajectories of lymphatic vessels, nerves, white matter tracts, or other heterogeneous structures in tissues. To better understand this form of guided cell migration we designed a series of microfluidic devices that mechanically constrain migrating cancer cells inside microchannels with cross-section comparable to cell size. We observed unexpectedly fast and persistent movement in one direction for several hours of cancer cells of different types. The persistent motility occurs spontaneously, in the absence of external gradients, suggesting the presence of intrinsic mechanisms driving cancer cell motility that are induced in conditions of mechanical confinement. To probe the mechanisms responsible for this behavior, we exposed cancer cells inside channels to drugs targeting the microtubules, and measured a significant reduction in the average migration speed. Surprisingly, a small number of cells appeared not to be affected by the treatment and displayed fast and persistent migration, comparable to the untreated cells. The new matrix-free, 3D-confined motility assay replicates critical interactions that cancer cells would normally have inside tissues, is compatible with high-content, high-throughput analysis of cellular motility at single cell level, and could provide useful insights into the biology of cancer cell migratory phenotype.
Talking Past Each Other: International Organization Internet Policy in the Developing World

Much of the research on the information age and global transborder flows of information has centered on the relationships between states or regions of the world. International Organizations (IOs) are also playing a vital, if less visible, role in these processes. More specifically, the growth and expansion of the Internet is a volatile, dynamic subject that is finding its way onto IO agendas. But are these agenda items actually becoming programs that have practical and beneficial results? This article does not attempt to examine how IOs use the Internet. Instead, it provides an analysis of how IOs discuss issues relating to the Internet. What are the goals and purposes of international organizations when it comes to the Internet? Through an analysis of Internet issues and programs in a few IOs, this research concludes that it is increasingly difficult to articulate the technology-related goals of both the developed and the developing worlds, let alone implement them in a way that is satisfactory to the involved parties.
Linear Programming Based Routing Design for a Class of Positive Systems with Integral and Capacity Constraints

Abstract We present techniques to design routing parameters for positive compartmental conservative systems. Such systems capture the dynamics of some material flowing through a network of interconnected reservoirs and have become popular, in particular, as models of air traffic flows. These techniques use Linear Programs (LP) to design static routing parameters for single destination networks with the following objectives: (a) minimize delay, (b) minimize delay and satisfy additional delay constraints which are formulated as integral constraints on the states of the network, and (c) satisfy capacity constraints. For each of these problems, we prove that the resulting closed loop systems are stable, positive, conservative and exhibit a user defined interconnection of sections. Additionally, problems (a) and (b) are shown to minimize delay over all choices of routing parameters such that the closed loop system exhibits these characteristics.
SIRT1 Functionally Interacts with the Metabolic Regulator and Transcriptional Coactivator PGC-1α

In lower organisms, increased expression of the NAD-dependent deacetylase Sir2 augments lifespan. The mechanism through which this life extension is mediated remains incompletely understood. Here we have examined the cellular effects of overexpression of SIRT1, the closest mammalian ortholog of Sir2. In PC12 cells, increased expression of the NAD-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 reduces cellular oxygen consumption by ∼25%. We further demonstrate that SIRT1 expression can alter the transcriptional activity of the mitochondrial biogenesis coactivator PGC-1α. In addition, SIRT1 and PGC-1α directly interact and can be co-immunoprecipitated as a molecular complex. A single amino acid mutation in the putative ADP-ribosyltransferase domain of SIRT1 inhibits the interaction of SIRT1 with PGC-1α but does not effect the interaction of SIRT1 with either p53 or Foxo3a. We further show that PGC-1α is acetylated in vivo. This acetylation is augmented by treatment with the SIRT1 inhibitor nicotinamide or by expression of the transcriptional coactivator p300. Finally we demonstrate that SIRT1 catalyzes PGC-1α deacetylation both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide a direct link between the sirtuins, a family of proteins linked to lifespan determination and PGC-1α, a coactivator that regulates cellular metabolism.
Time course of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal after acute methadone exposure in humans

This study examined naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms from 24 to 168 h after pretreatment with a single 30-mg i.m. dose of methadone in 6 male subjects who were experienced users of opioid drugs but were not currently dependent. The study showed that acute physical dependence signs and symptoms could be reliably precipitated with a small dose of naloxone (0.75 mg/70 kg i.m.) for as long as 96 h (4 days) after a single dose of methadone. The intensity of symptoms at 24 h post-methadone was similar to that observed at 96 h; no precipitated withdrawal effects were observed at 168 h (7 days) after methadone administration. The magnitude of precipitated withdrawal effects at 96 h was not attenuated by the administration of a prior naloxone challenge at 24 h post-methadone. Agonist effects (pupillary constriction; subjective effects) were detectable at 24 h but not at 96 h post-methadone. The results suggest that methadone engenders long-lasting physical dependence effects that can be detected beyond the dissipation of acute agonist effects. Methadone pretreatments may provide a convenient mechanism for the production and examination of long-term mu-opiate receptor physical dependence.
The Concept of Fuzzy Systems

The concept of L‐fuzzy systems is introduced as a generalisation of that of general systems. A universal structure of a special kind of L‐fuzzy system is given, some mapping properties of L‐fuzzy systems are studied and a number of open questions posed.
Role of prolactin in regulating the onset of winter fur growth in mink (Mustela vison): A reconsideration.

The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) if the onset of winter hair growth (anagen) in mink could be delayed or inhibited by elevating endogenous PRL concentrations; (2) if bilaterally adrenalectomy (ADX)-induced winter anagen occurs concomitantly with a reduction in serum PRL concentrations, and (3) if exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal steroid or Delta(5)-DIOL (a peripherally produced metabolite of DHEA), would delay or inhibit the onset of winter anagen. During early July, while in the resting (telogen) stage of the hair growth cycle, mink were treated with slow release implants containing haloperidol (HAL, a dopaminergic antagonist), melatonin (MEL), deoxycorticosterone (DOC), DHEA and Delta(5)-DIOL. In addition, mink were ADX'd and supplemented with DOC and DHEA. MEL reduced PRL levels to basal levels and induced winter anagen 7 weeks earlier than controls. Surprisingly, HAL initiated winter anagen 7 weeks earlier than controls (P < 0.05), although serum PRL levels were not different between the two groups. Mink that were ADX'd or ADX + DHEA-treated exhibited winter anagen 6 weeks earlier than controls (P < 0.05), but serum PRL concentrations were not different between the three groups. The administration of DHEA or Delta(5)-DIOL to mink with intact adrenals had no effect on the time of onset of winter anagen or serum PRL levels. Our findings suggest that a reduction in circulating PRL levels is not essential for onset of winter anagen in the mink and that the apparent inhibitory effects of the adrenal glands on initiation of winter anagen is not mediated through DHEA or its metabolite Delta(5)-DIOL. J. Exp. Zool. 284:437-444, 1999.
Does prostate configuration affect the efficacy and safety of GreenLight HPS™ laser photoselective vaporization prostatectomy (PVP)?

We evaluate the efficacy and safety of GreenLight HPS™ laser photoselective vaporization prostatectomy (PVP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with different prostate configuration. Patients were stratified into two groups: bilobe (group I) and trilobe (group II) BPH. Transurethral PVP was performed using a 120 W GreenLight HPS™ side-firing laser system. American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUASS), Quality of Life (QoL) score, maximum flow rate (Q max), and postvoid residual (PVR) were measured preoperatively and at 1 and 4 weeks and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months postoperatively. A number of 160 consecutive patients were identified (I: 86, II: 74). Among the preoperative parameters, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in prostate volume (I: 46.0 ± 19.8; II: 87.5 ± 39.6 ml), Q max (I: 9.9 ± 3.9; II: 8.7 ± 3.5 ml/sec), PVR (I: 59.2 ± 124.6; II: 97.7 ± 119.1 ml) and PSA (I: 1.4 ± 1.4; II: 3.6 ± 2.6 ng/ml), while AUASS and QoL were similar (p > 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in laser utilization (I: 9.5 ± 6.6; II: 19.5 ± 11.6 min) and energy usage (I: 63.1 ± 43.9; II: 132.5 ± 81.1 kJ) were noted. Clinical outcomes (AUASS, QoL, Q max, and PVR) showed immediate and stable improvement from baseline (p 0.05). The incidences of adverse events were low and similar in both groups. Our experience suggests that BPH configuration has little effect on the efficacy and safety of GreenLight HPS™ laser PVP.
Limited-Streamer-Mode Characteristics of a Single-Wire, Cylindrical-Cathode Detector

Operating characteristics of the limited-streamer mode were investigated using a single-wire, cylindrical-cathode gas ionization detector. Among the data presented are pulse height as a function of voltage indicating the presence of two amplitude groups, evidence of afterpulsing, counting characteristics, and the dependence of efficiency on incident radiation rate.
Microwave radiative transfer model validation

[1] Within the geophysical retrieval algorithm for AIRS/AMSU/HSB, a forward radiative transfer model is used to calculate microwave brightness temperatures. Components of the microwave forward model include a surface emissivity model, the influence of surface scattering characteristics on reflected downwelling emission from the atmosphere, and an atmospheric transmittance model. Over the ocean, the surface model parameters are shown to be related to near-surface wind speed. Calculations using the atmospheric transmittance model with profiles from dedicated radiosondes launched underneath the Aqua satellite show good agreement with HSB measurements.
Institutional volume and the effect of recipient risk on short-term mortality after orthotopic heart transplant.

Objective We developed a validated 50-point recipient risk index predicting short-term mortality after orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). This study examined the relationship between institutional volume and recipient risk on post-OHT mortality. Methods We used United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data to identify primary OHT recipients between January 2000 and April 2010. Centers were stratified by mean annual volume. Preoperative Index for Mortality Prediction After Cardiac Transplantation risk scores were calculated for each patient with our validated 50-point system. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year survivals. Multivariable logistic regression analysis included interaction terms to examine effect modification of risk and volume on mortality. Results In all, 18,226 patients underwent transplant at 141 centers: 1173 (6.4%) recipients at low-volume centers ( 15 procedures/y). Low center volume was associated with worse 1-year mortality (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.92; P P = .02), indicating effect of risk on mortality at low-volume centers greater than from either variable analyzed individually. Among high-risk recipients (score ≥10), 1-year survival was improved at high-volume centers (high, 79%; medium, 75%; low, 64%). Conclusions In analysis of UNOS data with our validated recipient risk index, institutional volume acted as an effect modifier on association between risk and mortality. High-risk patients had higher mortality at low-volume centers; differences dissipated among lower-risk recipients. These data support a mandate for high-risk transplants at higher-volume centers.
Leveraging Service Management to Achieve Sustainability Goals: A Case Study

Information Technology can play a significant role in supporting and even driving sustainability strategies in an organization. However, many small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) often separate their "Green IT" initiatives from existing business and IT strategy. The authors describe how one SME used IT service management (ITSM) to clarify and improve their IT services and to integrate sustainability into the IT function. Their case provides a detailed description of ITSM and also shows that ITSM offers a framework for SMEs to integrate sustainability into the IT operations.
Zum Wirkungsbereich der chemischen Synthese: Aufbau einer Minipipeline in einem akademischen Labor

In dieser Retrospektive erinnern wir an einige ausgewahlte Beispiele fur die Synergie zwischen der sehr anspruchsvollen chemischen Synthese und der Identifizierung von neuen vielversprechenden Wirkstoff-Kandidaten als potenzielle Pharmazeutika. Die Weiterentwicklung von oft niedermolekularen Zielverbindungen zu solchen, deren Grose normalerweise mit biologischen Wirkstoffen assoziiert ist, wird ebenfalls dargelegt.
Diseases involving intrahepatic bile ducts

Summary Diseases of small, intrahepatic bile ducts encompass a wide range of clinical conditions in adults and children, requiring a different diagnostic algorithm for each patient group. Cholestatic biliary liver disease often presents a challenge to the pathologist since there may be considerable similarities in histopathologic biopsy features and the potential for overlap syndromes. A significant number of diseases remain idiopathic, but combining clinical, radiological and morphological characteristics will generally allow the correct classification of these diseases. Aetiology, clinical presentation, prognosis, therapeutic options and liver biopsy findings are reviewed for each entity. We offer a diagnostic algorithm for both the adult and paediatric populations presenting with cholestatic liver disease.
Intake, Digestibility, and In Situ Digestion Kinetics of Treated Wheat Straw and Alfalfa Mixtures Fed to Holstein Heifers

Abstract Twelve Holstein heifers averaging 370kg of BW (4 animals fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas and 8 intact animals) were used in three replications of a 4×4 Latin square design to determine effects of feeding combinations of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw and alfalfa haylage on ad libitum nutrient intake and digestibility and ruminal characteristics. A second experiment was conducted simultaneously to determine effects of feeding combinations of these forages on in situ digestion kinetics of both treated wheat straw and alfalfa. Diets consisted of an 80:20 forage to concentrate ratio (DM basis), and dietary designations were based on DM ratios of treated wheat straw:alfalfa haylage. Positive associative effects were noted for both DM and OM intakes due to addition of alfalfa; greatest increases occurred when the lowest (27%) level of alfalfa was added. Dry matter and OM intakes increased by 12 and 14%, respectively, when diet 53:27 was compared with diet 80:0. Digestibility of OM was similar across diets, averaging 63.6%. Associative effects were not noted for total tract fiber digestibilities. Positive associative effects of combinations of the forages were noted for in situ rates of disappearance of DM, NDF, and certain hemicellulose neutral monosaccharides (arabinose, galactose, mannose, and xylose) of both treated wheat straw and alfalfa haylage. Apparent discrepancies between in vivo and in situ data may have been due to compensatory hindgut fermentation masking improvements in ruminal digestibility when combinations of the forages were fed.
Study Subjects and Ordinary Patients

Clinical trials of treatment agents impose strict and often necessary inclusion and exclusion criteria, while patients presenting to physicians for treatment frequently exhibit complicating features that would have excluded them from entry into study. To quantify the degree of discordance between ordinary patients and study subjects, a retrospective chart review was carried out of all new patients with osteoporosis seen in an academic medical center within a consecutive 40-month period, meeting clinical treatment criteria. Each patient chart was reviewed for the inclusion and exclusion criteria of four large, multicenter study protocols. There were 120 consecutive female patients seeking health care, with bone density T-scores below −2.0 and/or with one or more low-trauma fractures. The four trials would have accepted 4, 5, 25 and 8 of our 120 patients. The trial with the most liberal inclusion criteria would have taken only 21% of the total. Principal reasons for ineligibility were comorbidity, prior treatment with bone-active agents, and current therapy with glucocorticoids, anticoagulants and anticonvulsants. Some of these exclusions inevitably reflect the patient mix of a referral center; nevertheless, comorbidity and its therapy are common in the age range in which osteoporosis is prevalent and would, therefore, be expected to be present in patients in general medical practice as well. Thus a large fraction, perhaps the majority, of patients with diagnoses of osteoporosis who are candidates for treatment by their physicians, are not eligible for entry into typical treatment trials. The results of such trials may, therefore, have uncertain applicability to types of patients excluded, both for safety and for efficacy.
Calcium in the synergid cells and other regions of pearl millet ovaries

The synergids and other cells of mature, unpollinated pearl millet ovaries were investigated using: (1) freeze-substitution fixation in conjunction with scanning electron microscope observations and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis to localize total calcium (Ca) and other elements, and (2) antimonate precipitation to selectively localize loosely sequestered, exchangeable calcium (Ca++). In freeze-fixed ovaries, the synergid cells, ovary wall, nucellus, and other regions of the ovary displayed, respectively and relatively, extremely high, high, moderate, and low levels of Ca. In antimonate-fixed ovaries, Ca-containing antimonate precipitates exhibited similar distribution patterns. In ovaries fixed using the conventional 2% (w/v) antimonate in fixatives, the synergids were disrupted due to precipitate overload. In the ovary wall, precipitates were mainly located in the intercellular spaces. Some precipitates were observed at the micropyle and along the outer ovule integument, associated with diffuse extracellular material, and in the cell walls of nucellar cells proximal to the micropyle. Examination of precipitate distribution inside the synergids was possible in ovaries fixed using 0.5% (w/v) antimonate in the fixatives. Cytoplasmic organelles of all synergids examined exhibited variable states of disintegration. The amount of precipitates associated with the degenerated organelles appeared to be proportional to the degree of their degeneration. Distinct precipitates were localized in contiguous regions of the nucellar cells fused with the embryo sac, the micropylar half of the embryo sac wall, and the filiform apparatus. The results are discussed in relation to the involvement of Ca++ in mediating the functions of synergid cells during fertilization in angiosperms.
“Convince me!” Valuing Multimodal Literacies and Composing Public Service Announcements

For some teachers, the increasing attention to digital and multimodal composing in English and Language Arts classrooms has brought into sharp relief the profession's investment in print as the primary means of expression. Although new forms of communication that combine words, still and moving images, and animation have begun to dominate digital environments and self-sponsored literacy venues (e.g., blogs, digital video, digital audio, and podcasting), print continues to prevail as “the way” of knowing (Dunn, 2001, p. 15) in many English and Language Arts classrooms. This article discusses why teachers need to adopt an increasingly broad understanding of the roles that different composing modalities play in contemporary communication. The article also outlines an assignment sequence focused on the creation of public service announcements (PSAs).
Team member change, flux in coordination, and performance: Effects of strategic core roles, information transfer, and cognitive ability

We developed and tested the conditions under which team member change results in flux in team coordination and consequently affects team performance. Results showed that team member change caused high levels of flux in coordination when a member changed to a more strategically core role, or there was low information transfer during the change. Furthermore, coupling strategic “core role holder” change with the relative cognitive ability of a new member was associated with even greater levels of flux in coordination.
Permuted weighted area estimators

Calvin and Nakayama previously introduced permuting as a way of improving existing standardized time series methods. The basic idea is to split a simulated sample path into non-overlapping segments, permute the segments to construct a new sample path, and apply a standardized time series scaling function to the new path. Averaging over all permuted paths yields the permuted estimator. This paper discusses applying permutations to the weighted area estimator of Goldsman and Schruben. Empirical results seem to indicate that compared to not permuting, permuting can reduce the length and variability of the resulting confidence interval half widths but with additional computational overhead and some degradation in coverage; however, the decrease in coverage is not as bad as with batching.
Heterostructure devices using self-aligned p-type diffused ohmic contacts

Describes the use of a p-type refractory ohmic contact in ohmic self-aligned devices. The contacts are based on self-aligned diffusion of zinc-doped tungsten film. The diffusion is nearly isotropic in the vicinity of silicon nitride sidewalls, allowing self-alignment of ohmic contacts with emitters and gates. Low-resistance contacts ( or=50 at 2*10/sup 3/ A.cm/sup -2/ and >or=200 at 1*10/sup 5/ A.cm/sup -2/ with micrometer-sized emitter widths) and p-channel GaAs gate heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) showing high transconductances (78 mS/mm at 2.2- mu m gate length) have been fabricated using this contact. >
Consumption of Cherries Lowers Plasma Urate in Healthy Women

To assess the physiologic effects of cherry consumption, we measured plasma urate, antioxidant and inflammatory markers in 10 healthy women who consumed Bing sweet cherries. The women, age 22-40 y, consumed two servings (280 g) of cherries after an overnight fast. Blood and urine samples were taken before the cherry dose, and at 1.5, 3 and 5 h postdose. Plasma urate decreased 5 h postdose, mean +/- SEM = 183 +/- 15 micro mol/L compared with predose baseline of 214 +/- 13 micro mol/L (P < 0.05). Urinary urate increased postdose, with peak excretion of 350 +/- 33 micro mol/mmol creatinine 3 h postdose compared with 202 +/- 13 at baseline (P < 0.01). Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations had decreased marginally 3 h postdose (P < 0.1), whereas plasma albumin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were unchanged. The vitamin C content of the cherries was solely as dehydroascorbic acid, but postdose increases in plasma ascorbic acid indicated that dehydroascorbic acid in fruits is bioavailable as vitamin C. The decrease in plasma urate after cherry consumption supports the reputed anti-gout efficacy of cherries. The trend toward decreased inflammatory indices (CRP and NO) adds to the in vitro evidence that compounds in cherries may inhibit inflammatory pathways.
African swine fever interference with foot-and-mouth disease infection and seroconversion in pigs

Initial oral infection of pigs with either highly virulent (L-60) or moderately virulent (DR-2) African swine fever virus (ASFV), followed in 3 days with exposure to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) (tongue inoculation and contact), failed to cause FMDV infection or seroconversion in 18 of 22 L-60-infected pigs and 13 of 34 DR-2-infected pigs. Of the 13 DR-2-infected pigs remaining free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), 2 pigs survived to 24 days without antibody to FMDV, despite constant contact with clinically infected pigs with FMD. Three other DR-2-infected pigs never developed FMD lesions but did develop low levels of antibody to FMDV by day 17. A group of larger pig (in which DR-2 is less virulent) infected with DR-2 and then FMDV had a rapid but suppressed immune response to FMDV. Contact pigs introduced 3 days postinoculation and inoculated with FMDV only all became infected with ASFV by contact and died. This remarkably long lasting 1-way interference with FMD infection during acute and subacute African swine fever was not anticipated. Infection with ASFV may have blocked the initial target cells (possibly dendritic cells) necessary for establishment of FMDV infection.
The Toxoplasma Adhesive Protein MIC2 Is Proteolytically Processed at Multiple Sites by Two Parasite-derived Proteases

MIC2 is an adhesive protein that participates in host cell invasion by the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Earlier studies established that MIC2 is secreted into the culture medium by extracellular parasites and that release is coincident with proteolytic modification. Since little is known about proteolytic processing of proteins secreted by T. gondii, we undertook this study to investigate the proteolytic events that accompany secretion of MIC2. We demonstrate that the C-terminal domain of MIC2 is removed by a protease, termed MPP1, when MIC2 is released into the culture supernatant. Additionally, prior to release, a second protease, termed MPP2, trims the N terminus of MIC2, resulting in the release of heterogeneously sized species of MIC2. Although MPP1 activity was unaffected by any of the protease inhibitors tested, MPP2 activity was blocked by a subset of serine and cysteine protease inhibitors. These results establish that MIC2 is proteolytically modified at multiple sites by two distinct enzymes that probably operate on the parasite surface.