cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of Advanced Light Microscopy to the Study of HIV and Its Interactions with the Host

This review highlights the significant observations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) assembly, release and maturation made possible with advanced light microscopy techniques. The advances in technology which now enables these light microscopy measurements are discussed with special emphasis on live imaging approaches including Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF), high-resolution light microscopy techniques including PALM and STORM and single molecule measurements, including Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). The review concludes with a discussion on what new insights and understanding can be expected from these measurements.
Gait Analysis of GBA Mutation Carriers with Parkinson’s Disease (P4.7-009)

Objective: To use quantitative motion analysis to measure gait asymmetry in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene mutation and non-mutation carriers with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the OFF state compared with healthy controls (HCs). Background: GBA mutation carriers with PD are at higher risk of cognitive decline, but the motor phenotype is not well defined. We hypothesized that GBA mutation carriers had more symmetric arm swing velocity, stride length, and arm swing range of motion (ROM) compared with non-mutation carriers. Design/Methods: We screened 88 PD subjects and identified 11 GBA mutation carriers. Non-mutation carriers and HCs were matched to GBA mutation carriers based on age of onset, disease duration, and sex. GBA mutation carriers and matched non-mutation carriers completed the Instrumented Stand and Walk test and neurologic exam. Asymmetry in arm swing velocity, stride length, and arm swing range of motion were calculated and compared between the 3 groups. Results: Motion analysis results were available for 16 non-mutation carriers, 11 GBA mutation carriers, and 11 HCs. No significant difference in age of onset, sex, disease duration, or H&Y stage was found comparing the 3 groups. Significant differences were found between GBA-mutation carriers (and non-mutation carriers in measures of arm swing velocity asymmetry (10.9 +/− 8.1 vs. 22.9 +/− 12.2 degrees/sec, respectively p = 0.032) and in arm ROM asymmetry for non-mutation carriers (degrees) vs. HCs (32.3 +/− 18.7 vs. 15.0 +/− 14.1 degrees, respectively, p=0.027). Conclusions: GBA mutation carriers demonstrate more symmetric arm swing velocity than non-GBA mutation carriers. GBA mutation carriers demonstrate arm swing asymmetry and arm ROM asymmetry that was comparable to that seen in healthy controls. Arm swing velocity asymmetry may be a marker of GBA status. Disclosure: Dr. Gera has nothing to disclose. Dr. O’Keefe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ouyang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pal has nothing to disclose.
Book Review: Discrete Analysis and operation Research

Alesksei D. Korshunov(ed.), Discrete Analysis and Operations Research, Kluwer AcademicPublishers,Dordrecht/Boston/London, 1996. This book contains translations ofpapers from the first volume of the new Russianlanguage journal edited at the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics (siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk) since 1994. Thejournal started with the title SibirskiI Zhurnal Issledovaniya Operatsii. Then, the title is changed to Diskretnyi Analiz i Issledovanie Operatsii (Discrete Analysis and Operations Research) since 1995. The discrete optimization (or combinatorial optimization) is the first one in the list of topics covered by this journal. This book contains twenty one articles. Ten of them study combinatorial optimization problems. They are as follows: E.Kh. Gimadi, N.I. Glebov, and A.I. Serdyukov, An Approximation Algorithm for the Traveling Salesman Problem and Its Probabilistic Analysis. N.I. Glebov and A.Y Kostochhka, On Minimum Independent Dominating Sets in Graphs. A.A. Kolokolov, Regular Partitions and Cuts in Integer Programming. A.D. Koshunov, Complexity of Covering of Number Sets by Arithmetical Programming. E. Sh. Kospanov, Circuit Realization of the Sorting Problem. A.Y Kostochka, A Refinement of the Frunk-Sebo-Tardos Theorem and Its Applications. A.V Kastochka and N. Tulai, On the length of the Chinese Postman Tour in Regular Graphs. N.N. Kuzyurin, An Integer Linear Programming Algorithm Polynomial in the Average Case. S.V Sevast’yanov, Efficient Scheduling in Open Shop. S.Y Sevast’ yanov, Nonstrict Vector Summation in Scheduling Problems. These ten articles cover a wide range of optimization problems motivated from applications or theoretical study. Other eleven articles deal with graph and circuit problems. From this book, the reader may learn what Russian mathematician do in discrete mathematics. It is a good reference book for researchers in discrete mathematics, especially in combinatorial optimization.
Reengineering the Corporation: A Review Essay

Reengineering has burst onto the contemporary business scene as one of the most popular management interventions of the 1990s. Thus, it is important to understand its proponents' claims, as well as how they have positioned reengineering in the managemen..
Abstract 639: Antibody-mediated blockade of phosphatidylserine combined with radiation improves survival and tumor eradication in a rat model of non-small cell lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) uses image guidance to deliver very high doses of radiation, in no more than 5 fractions, to tumors. SBRT has shown remarkable benefit in patients with peripheral lung tumors but can cause severe toxicity to central organs when the tumor is proximally located if full potency doses are used (18 Gy x 3 fractions, for example). Bavituximab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody that is headed to Phase III clinical trials, recognizes the immunosuppressive lipid, phosphatidylserine (PS), which becomes exposed on both tumor blood vessels and tumor cells subjected to SBRT. We hypothesized that treatment with the antibody 2aG4 (a murine version of bavituximab) would synergize with SBRT and allow tolerable doses of radiation to be used to treat centrally-located NSCLC without sacrificing efficacy. Nude rats bearing established orthotopic A549-luc NSCLC were treated with 3x12 Gy of radiation alone or combined with 2aG4 (4mg/kg) injected twice per week. Tumor growth was followed by bioluminescence. Rats treated with radiation and 2aG4 had a 100% survival rate 106 days after implantation and tumors were completely eradicated in 44% of these animals. In contrast, rats treated with radiation had a survival rate of 17% while only 11% of untreated rats survived. A toxicity study was conducted in which 3x12 Gy of radiation was delivered to central organs of tumor-free rats. This treatment does not appear to cause severe toxicity. These results suggest that bavituximab with radiation may result in improved clinical outcome in patients with centrally-located Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Citation Format: Olivier Belzile, Zhang Zhang, Xianming Huang, Debabrata Saha, Rolf A. Brekken. Antibody-mediated blockade of phosphatidylserine combined with radiation improves survival and tumor eradication in a rat model of non-small cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 639. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-639
An adaptive variational model for image decomposition

We propose a new model for image decomposition which separates an image into a cartoon, consisting only of geometric objects, and an oscillatory component, consisting of textures and noise. The model is given in a variational formulation with adaptive regularization norms for both the cartoon and texture part. The energy for the cartoon interpolates between total variation regularization and isotropic smoothing, while the energy for the textures interpolates between Meyer's G norm and the H−−1 norm. These energies are dual in the sense of the Legendre-Fenchel transform and their adaptive behavior preserves key features such as object boundaries and textures while avoiding staircasing in what should be smooth regions. Existence and uniqueness of a solution is established and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the model for both grayscale and color image decomposition.
Experimental Study of Open-Wheel Race-Car Front Wings

An experimental study was performed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Low-Speed Wind Tunnel to quantify the performance and flowfield effects of two-element open-wheel race-car front wing configurations. Four distinct configurations were tested inand out-of-ground effect and at various speeds (Reynolds numbers), angles of attack, and flap positions. A splitter plate was installed in the wind tunnel to act as the ground plane. Data presented include balance force measurements, surface pressure data, and downstream flow measurements using a seven-hole probe. Results show that these elementary factors in the design of race. c.a.r front wings have a significant effect on wing iormance and behavior of the downstream flowfield.
Early infant feeding and growth status of US-born infants and children aged 4–71 mo: analyses from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994

BACKGROUND There is controversy over what growth references to use in evaluating breast-fed infants and concern about whether never-breast-fed infants are at risk of overweight in childhood. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether infants who are exclusively breast-fed for 4 mo differ in average size from infants who are fed in other ways and whether such differences persist through age 5 y. DESIGN Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were linked to birth certificates of US-born infants and children. Feeding groups were defined on the basis of feeding patterns over the first 4 mo of life: exclusively breast-fed for 4 mo, partially breast-fed, breast-fed for <4 mo, and never breast-fed. Growth status, indexed as internally derived z scores (SD units) for weight, length (height), weight-for-length (height), midupper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness, was compared among feeding groups. RESULTS The final sample consisted of 5594 non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Mexican American infants and children aged 4-71 mo. Of these, 21% were exclusively breast-fed for 4 mo, 10% were partially breast-fed, 24% were breast-fed for <4 mo, and 45% were never breast-fed. At 8-11 mo, infants who were exclusively breast-fed for4 mo had adjusted mean z scores for weight (-0.21; -0.2 kg), weight-for-length (-0.27), and midupper arm circumference (-0.15) that differed significantly from zero (P < 0. 05). By 12-23 mo, the differences had dissipated; there were no significant differences subsequent to 5 y. Triceps skinfold thickness was not related to early infant feeding. CONCLUSION Infants who were exclusively breast-fed for 4 mo weighed less at 8-11 mo than did infants who were fed in other ways, but there were few other significant differences in growth status through age 5 y associated with early infant feeding.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in the Rhesus Monkey

Cerebral venous thrombosis was identified in four rhesus monkeys. Two initially showed neurologic signs and three had diarrhea or dysentery. All four had severe intestinal disease, including three cases of ulcerative colitis complicated by extracerebral thromboembolic disease. Central nervous system lesions, confined to the centrum semiovale, were multiple thrombi of internal cerebral veins, perivenular demyelination, and gemistocytic astrocytosis. The lesions resembled those found in people with cerebral venous thrombosis, and support the hypothesis that perivenular demyelination may occur as a sequela to venous occlusion. The lesions were identical to those found in “leukoencephalosis and perivascular myelosis,” an entity of unknown cause previously described in monkeys.
Report on the state of the art: Injection molding of fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Part I. materials and processes

This is part of a survey of recent developments in injection molding of fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Topics discussed include materials and properties, the injection molding process with emphasis on fiber orientation and fiber lenght, advances in injection molding, as well as alternative methods for processing reinforced polymers.
Dementia with lewy bodies and charles bonnet syndrome.

Background:Ophthalmologists may be the first to hear about formed visual hallucinations in the setting of visual loss. Although such hallucinations are likely benign and occur in association with the Charles Bonnet syndrome, it is important to be aware of the strong association of hallucinations wit
Analyses of the chemical regeneration of sublimating thermionic components

Abstract This paper discusses the process of chemical regeneration of hot metallic surfaces, which may find application in very high temperature thermionic devices. In the process, gaseous materials such as chlorine form compounds with the metal departing from the hot emitter surface. The metallic compounds return the metal to the emitter surface where it is redeposited. The paper consists of an analysis of chemical regeneration under conditions of free molecule flow (Knudsen conditions) in which particles are assumed not to interact in the interspace. Partial or complete equilibration is assumed at the walls, the degree of equilibration being expressed by a recombination coefficient, γ. The analysis prescribes conditions within the system required to prevent destruction of the surfaces. A simplification of the analysis yields a thermodynamic criterion for selection of materials to be tested in regenerative systems. Some hypothetical systems are considered as examples. These are: tungsten-chlorine, molybdenum-chlorine, tungsten-molybdenum-chlorine, and tungsten-oxygen. The possible difficulty in constructing a stable device with an emitter and collector of the same material is discussed, together with a solution to the problem. No consideration is given to the possibility of destruction of other parts of the system by the reactants used to regenerate the emitter and collector. Chemical interactions between species added to the interspace for their regenerative properties and materials added for their effect on electrical properties are not considered.
Microfluidic model of bubble lodging in microvessel bifurcations

The lodging mechanisms and dynamics of cardiovascular gas bubbles are investigated in microfluidic model bifurcations made of poly(dimethylsiloxane). This work is motivated by gas embolotherapy for the potential treatment of cancer by tumor infarction. The results show that the critical driving pressure below which a bubble will lodge in a bifurcation is significantly less than the driving pressure required to dislodge it. From the results the authors estimate that gas bubbles from embolotherapy can lodge in vessels 20μm or smaller in diameter, and conclude that bubbles may potentially be used to reduce blood flow to tumor microcirculation.
Developments in Normal Mode Initialization. Part II: A New Method and its Comparison with Currently Used Schemes

Abstract The analysis of Part I suggested that the temporal characteristics of the nonlinear terms in the equations of motion could introduce convergence problems in currently used schemes for normal mode initialization (NMI). In Part II we 1) introduce a new scheme that is more robust, 2) use a large complex model to verify the existence of problem characteristics in some of the nonlinear parameterizations, and 3) make intercomparisons between new and old schemes. We find that the time scales of some parameterizations used in models of the atmosphere are associated directly with the length of the time step. Some of these parameterizations are used routinely in almost all large numerical models; others provide insight into problems with similar parameterizations. This sensitivity of time scale to time step is due partly to the formulation of the parameterizations, and partly to their highly nonlinear nature and the inconsistency between spectral and grid resolutions in a Galerkin spectral transform model....
Numerical study of radiative ignition of pyrolysing solid fuels

A numerical model of radiative ignition of pyrolysing solid fuels is developed. The model is one-dimensional and transient. The following mechanisms are simultaneously accounted for. (i) the surface heat and mass transport, (ii) the surface oxidation chemical reaction, (iii) the in-depth pyrolysis, (iv) the gas-phase heating by absorption of the radiation and by heat conduction/convection from the solid surface, and (v) the gas-phase chemical reaction. The solutions are obtained numerically with the method of lines. Using lignite and bituminous coal for the simulations, the results confirm that the pyrolysis products absorb a significant amount of the external radiation. Predictions of the ignition times show that both the surface ignition time and the gas-phase ignition time decrease rapidly with increasing radiation intensities. A good agreement between predictions and experiments is obtained. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out with the key kinetic parameters. This analysis establishes an upper limit for surface and pyrolysis activation energies and a lower limit for gas-phase activation energy. Within these limits, the radiative ignition of coals appears as an integration of two consecutive ignition modes: the surface ignition occurs first, which is then followed by the gas-phase ignition. Beyond these limits, the single gas-phase ignition mode is the only ignition mode to prevail
The Smartphone You Want on the Carrier You Don't: Exclusive Contracts in Dynamic Multi-Layer Platforms

The Smartphone platform market is a "multi-layer" two-sided market in that it requires the coordination of two strategic firms -- an OS vendor and a mobile carrier -- to join the customers on both sides of the network, namely application developers and end users. A new OS vendor entering into such a market must partner with at least one existing carrier in the market, and the entrant may perceive some advantage to contracting exclusively with one carrier. The market is also dynamic because users tend to sign multi-period contracts with carriers. We determine the conditions under which a new OS vendor would sign an exclusive contract with a single carrier, the responses of incumbent firms, and the optimum length of the exclusive period. We contrast the entrant's private optimum with that of end users and application developers to analyze the role of a regulator in multi-layer two-sided markets.
Optimum selection age for height in shortleaf pine.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations for height were estimated for shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) in Missouri from a single progeny test comprising 44 half-sibling families assessed at 3, 5, 7, 10, 17 and 25 years of age. The age-age genetic correlations for height ranged from 0.68 to 0.99, and phenotypic correlations from 0.28 to 0.84. Age-age phenotypic correlations for height had a strong linear relationship with logarithm of age ratio (R2 = 0.89) but age-age genetic correlations had a weak linear relationship with logarithm of age ratio (R2 = 0.27). Early selection efficiency for height was examined using the ratio of gain per year between indirect early selection and direct selection at age 25. When flowering age was assumed to be 10 years, optimum selection age was predicted to be 10 using either the genetic or the phenotypic linear model. When flowering age was assumed to be 3 years, optimum selection age was predicted to be 3 and 8 years based on the genetic and phenotypic linear models, respectively. The phenotypic linear model underestimated genetic gain at all ages, particularly at young ages.
Analysis of the impact of random summing on passive assay of pebble bed reactor fuel using gamma-ray spectrometry

Abstract Pebble bed reactors (PBR) are characterized by multi-pass fuel systems in which spherical fuel pebbles are circulated through the core until they reach a proposed burnup limit. The fuel is assayed on-line to ensure that the burnup limit is not breached. However, random summing effects can impact the response of the burnup measurement system and result in distortions that degrade the accuracy of the assay results. Monte Carlo analysis was performed to estimate the magnitude and effect of random summing on the absolute and relative indicators that have been identified as usable in on-line assay. For a throughput rate of 10 5 counts/s and trapezoidal pulse shaping of the signals, the results show that absolute indicators suffer from severe distortions due to this effect. Relative indicators are found to be resistant to random summing with the deviation in the ratio of peak areas remaining less than 5–15% depending on pulse width.
Modeling contact guidance and invasion by cancer cells.

The first step in the spread of cancer is invasion by malignant cells of the normal tissue surrounding a tumor. There is considerable evidence both in vitro and in vivo that mechanical interactions with the tissue, in particular with the biopolymer network that makes up the extracellular matrix (ECM), are important factors in invasion. The interactions take two forms: (i) contractile cells on the surface of the tumor act on the nearby ECM and remodel it; in some cases, they align the fibers of the biopolymers; (ii) the aligned fibers can enhance invasion via contact guidance, the tendency of motile cells to follow alignment. Here, we give evidence, mainly for in vitro systems, that both effects are important. We discuss how alignment occurs in biopolymers such as collagen-I (a major component of the ECM). We propose a modeling framework for computing alignment and propose phenomenologic models for contact guidance. See all articles in this Cancer Research section , “Physics in Cancer Research.” Cancer Res; 74(17); 4588–96. ©2014 AACR .
10D0PR0TEINS IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL HUMAN THYROID TISSUE AND IN NORMAL SHEEP THYROID1

Two typos of iodoprotcins other than thyroglobulin have been found in normal and abnormal human thyroid tissue and in normal sheep thyroid. They are similar to, but not identical with, iodoproteins previously described in a functioning rat thyroid tumor, and were detected in tissue labeled with I131either in vivo or in vitro. One of these iodoprotcins, termed “participate iodoprotein” or “P-l” was not extractable from thyroid homogenates with 0.15 M NaCl. It comprised from 1 to 6% of the organic radioiodinc in normal thyroids and in several abnormal thyroid tissues, but was 37% in a follicular carcinoma. The second iodoprotein, termed “S-l iodoprotein,” was soluble in 0.15 M NaCl, but differed from thyroglobulin in other physical properties. It was more soluble than thyroglobulin in phosphate buffer, scdimented more slowly in the ultracentrifuge, and had a faster electrophoretic mobility. It comprised from 1 t o 7% of the extractable organic radioiodinc in normal and in a wide variety of abnormal thyroids...
Effects of viscosity and oxygen content on cerebral blood flow in ischemic and normal rat brain

The mechanism of hemodilution-induced increases in cerebral blood flow (CBF) was investigated. Hemodilution was achieved with a molecular hemoglobin solution (DCLHb) and albumin which have similar viscosities but different oxygen carrying capacities. Part A: CBF was assessed in rats after one of the following regimens: (1) control-hematocrit not manipulated, (2) 30/Alb-hematocrit decreased to 30% with albumin, (3) 30/DCLHb-hematocrit decreased to 30% with DCLHb, or (4) 16/Alb/DCLHb-hematocrit decreased to 30% with albumin and then 16% with DCLHb. For viscosity matched groups (30/Alb and 30/DCLHb), CBF was greater in animals with decreased oxygen content (30/Alb); while in oxygen content matched groups (30/Alb and 16/Alb/DCLHb), CBF was greater in animals with decreased viscosity (16/Alb/DCLHb) (p < 0.05). Part B: Middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed, hemodilution achieved as in Part A, and CBF determined. For viscosity matched groups (30/Alb and 30/DCLHb), CBF was less in rats with decreased oxygen content (30/Alb); while in oxygen content matched groups (30/Alb and 16/Alb/DCLHb), CBF was greater in animals with decreased viscosity (16/Alb/DCLHb) (p < 0.05). This data supports the premise, that in normal brain, both viscosity and oxygen content effect CBF; while in ischemic brain, a decrease in viscosity but not oxygen content increases CBF.
Properties of US Standard Endotoxin (EC-5) in human male volunteers

There has been a great interest in endotoxin testing using both Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) and the rabbit pyrogen test. It is often difficult to relate the results to the actual biological potency of endotoxin in man. There is a need to have the US Standard Endotoxin (Lot EC-5) tested in human volunteers so that rabbit and human data can be compared.Human male volunteers were divided randomly into 5 groups of 12. Each group was given an intravenous injection of Lot EC-5 at a level of either 0, 2, 4, 8, or 16 endotoxin units (EU) per kg of body weight. The oral temperature was taken and recorded every 15 min for 8 h. The pyrogenic properties of the US Standard Endotoxin in humans over the test period were determined. The results indicated that there is a direct correlation between EU/kg administered and temperature rise. The threshold pyrogenic dose (≥ 1.0°F rise in 50% of volunteers) in this study is approximately 4.1 EU/kg.
Linking acquired neurodevelopmental disorders to defects in cell adhesion

Development of the nervous system depends on patterned neuronal migration and axonal growth, which are regulated by cell–cell and cell–substrate interactions (1). These interactions are mediated through cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), which include cadherins, selectins, integrins, mucins, and members of the IgG superfamily. Within the latter group are proteins, such as neural cell adhesion molecule, L1, and deleted in colon cancer (DCC), that are prominently expressed in the nervous system (2). In this issue of PNAS, investigators from the laboratory of Dr. Michael Charness (3) report findings that link these molecules to an important, preventable mental retardation syndrome. The role of CAMs in neural development has been established partly through the study of experiments of nature, spontaneous mutations in CAM genes that produce neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. The best example of such a gene is L1 , which is located on human chromosome Xq28 and codes for a 143-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein containing six IgG-like and five fibronectin type III-like extracellular domains, a transmembrane segment, and a short cytoplasmic C terminus (Fig. 1). Signaling through L1 activates transduction pathways that involve inositol phosphates, mobilization of intracellular calcium, voltage-gated calcium influx, and cAMP (4–6). Activation of these pathways may underlie the effects of L1 in cell adhesion, neurite extension, neuronal migration, and axonal fasciculation (7). Fig. 1. Inhibition of L1-mediated cell adhesion by ethanol and its antagonism by alcohols and peptides. The C terminus (C), intracytoplasmic region (IC), transmembrane segment (TM), fibronectin-like domains (FN), IgG-like domains (IgG), and N terminus (N) of L1 are shown. Ethanol interferes with the interaction between L1 and its homophilic or heterophilic binding partners (L1CAM binding …
Eliminating migration in multi-processor scheduling

We investigate the power of migration in real-time multi-processor scheduling with preemption. We show that every collection of jobs that can be completed by some schedule S on m processors can also be completed by a nonmigratory schedule S? on 6m?5 processors. We can conclude from this result that, for many scheduling problems, such as P?ri,pmtn??wi(1?Ui) and special cases thereof, the ability of the scheduler to migrate jobs is of only limited advantage. Our proof is constructive, and can be implemented to run in pseudo-polynomial time (or in polynomial time at the cost of raising the bound from 6m?5 to 12m?5). As an example of the usefulness of this result, we give a polynomial-time 6-approximation reduction from the problem P?ri,pmtn??wi(1?Ui) to the problem 1?ri,pmtn??wi(1?Ui). The proof of correctness of this reduction critically uses the fact that there is a nonmigratory schedule that closely approximates the optimal migratory schedule.
Heat resistance kinetics variation among various isolates of Escherichia coli

Abstract This paper reports an investigation of serotype-specific differences in heat resistance kinetics of clinical and food isolates of Escherichia coli . Heat resistance kinetics for 5 serotypes of E. coli at 60 °C were estimated in beef gravy using a submerged coil heating apparatus. The observed survival curves were sigmoidal and there were significant differences ( p =0.05) of the survival curves among the serotypes. Consequently, a model was developed that accounted for the sigmoidal shape of the survival curves and the serotype effects. Specifically, variance components for serotypes and replicates within serotypes were estimated using mixed effect nonlinear modeling. If it is assumed that the studied serotypes represent a random sample from a population of E. coli strains or serotypes, then, from the derived estimates, probability intervals of the expected lethality for random selected serotypes can be computed. For example, expected serotype-specific lethalities at 60 °C for 10 min are estimated to range between 5 and 9 log 10 with 95% probability. On the other hand, to obtain a 6-log 10 lethality, the expected minutes range, with 95% probability, from 6 to 12 min. The results from this study show that serotypes of E. coli display a wide range of heat resistance with nonlinear survival curves. Industrial relevance This paper is of high current interest since it deals with the ongoing international debate on log linear vs. non-log linear microbial inactivation curves observed during thermal and non-thermal processing. The data on 5 serotypes of E. coli indicate a clear need for further studies with more strains to fully characterize the heat resistance kinetics for E. coli .
Clinical outcome in pleomorphic lobular carcinoma: a case-control study with comparison to classic invasive lobular carcinoma☆☆☆

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma (PLC), a variant of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is described as an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Multiple studies show lower overall survival for patients with PLC than for patients with classic ILC (cILC). We compared the clinicopathologic characteristics of PLC with those of cILC. All cases with a diagnosis of ILC, Nottingham grades 2 or 3 that were diagnosed between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2010, were retrieved from pathology files in the institutional anatomic pathology database. The cases (N = 52) were reviewed to identify those meeting the criteria for PLC. An E-cadherin immunostain was used to confirm the lobular immunophenotype. Clinicopathologic data were assessed and analyzed. A control group (N = 103) of cILC, Nottingham grade 1, was selected, with 2 controls for each case, matched by age and year of diagnosis. PLC was associated more closely with in situ carcinoma (P = .03), and had lower progesterone receptor expression (P = .03) than cILC. Both disease-free survival and overall survival were similar between patients with PLC and matched cILC controls, and both depended on disease stage, tumor size, and lymph node status. PLC is similar to cILC in terms of patient survival and outcomes.
The effect of n-pentanol on the solubility of ethane in micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate

Abstract Experiments have been carried out to determine the effect that added n -pentanol has upon the solubility of ethane gas in micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The results show that when micellar sodium dodecyl sulfate is present, n-pentanol acts to enhance gas solubility. However, the degree to which the alcohol enhances gas solubility varies with concentration. At low concentrations, the incremental increase in ethane solubility per mole of alcohol is found to be numerically about equal to the solubility of ethane in ethanol. This incremental change in gas solubility increases with pentanol concentration and approaches the solubility of ethane in pure pentanol at high ratios of alcohol to surfactant. Unusual gas-induced gels are formed at moderate pressures ( P ≈ 5 atm) with ethane and homogeneous solutions having compositions bordering those of the liquid crystal-solution phase boundary.
Experience With a New Device for Clearing Mucus From the Endotracheal Tube

Partial or total obstruction of an endotracheal tube (ETT) by mucus can cause severe respiratory distress, hypoxemia, or death. Signs of an obstructed ETT include increased ventilation pressure, changes in the ventilator graphics, SpO2 decrease, and cardiovascular changes. We present 3 patients whose ETTs were partially obstructed by mucus. In each case the patient displayed adverse effects from the obstruction, but once the obstruction was removed they showed dramatic improvement. In each case we used a new device (Rescue Cath, Omneotech, Tavernier, Florida) designed to remove mucus from the ETT lumen. The 3 cases demonstrate that the device is effective and capable of relieving the adverse effects of ETT mucus obstruction.
Skeletal muscle specification by myogenin and Mef2D via the SWI/SNF ATPase Brg1

Myogenin is required not for the initiation of myogenesis but instead for skeletal muscle formation through poorly understood mechanisms. We demonstrate in cultured cells and, for the first time, in embryonic tissue, that myogenic late genes that specify the skeletal muscle phenotype are bound by MyoD prior to the initiation of gene expression. At the onset of muscle specification, a transition from MyoD to myogenin occurred at late gene loci, concomitant with loss of HDAC2, the appearance of both the Mef2D regulator and the Brg1 chromatin-remodeling enzyme, and the opening of chromatin structure. We further demonstrated that ectopic expression of myogenin and Mef2D, in the absence of MyoD, was sufficient to induce muscle differentiation in a manner entirely dependent on Brg1. These results indicate that myogenin specifies the muscle phenotype by cooperating with Mef2D to recruit an ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling enzyme that alters chromatin structure at regulatory sequences to promote terminal differentiation.
The Impact of Corporate Marketing on a Company's Brand Extensions

Despite the growing prevalence of corporate branding activity, we have limited evidence for the impact of corporate-level associations on the success of brand extensions. This article reports a laboratory experiment that we conducted to examine the effects of three types of corporate marketing activity on perceptions and evaluations of a proposed corporate brand extension. The findings indicate that corporate marketing activities differentially affect consumer evaluations of extensions. They do so, we argue, through their impact on various dimensions of corporate credibility. Specifically, corporate marketing activity related to product innovation produces more favorable evaluations for a corporate brand extension than corporate marketing activities related to either the environment or the community. The findings also reveal that corporate marketing activities influence evaluations of an extension even in the presence of product-specific advertising.
Aligning Technology with Strategic Performance Measurement

As controllers and CFOs try to improve the quality of information they provide to decision makers, the one key challenge often is getting the technology support for their needs. This can be particularly true as they develop more strategic information. This article describes the processes that accounting professionals commonly experience as they work to capture more strategic information. It also gives tips for effective technology enablement in the accounting and finance function. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous optimization and solution methods for batch reactor control profiles

Abstract Differential-algebraic optimization problems appear frequently in process engineering, especially in process control, reactor design and process identification applications. For fed-batch reactor systems the optimal control problem is especially difficult because of the presence of singular arcs and state variable constraints. For problems of this type we propose a simultaneous optimization and solution strategy based on successive quadratic programming (SQP) and orthogonal collocation on finite elements. In solving the resulting nonlinear programming (NLP) problem, a number of interesting analogs can be drawn to more traditional methods based on variational calculus. First, the collocation method has very desirable stability and accuracy properties. Secondly, it will be shown that NLP optimality conditions have direct parallels to general variational conditions for optimal control. To demonstrate this strategy, we consider the optimization of a fed-batch penicillin reactor using a number of cases. For the simplest case, the results presented here agree well with previously obtained, analytically-based solutions. In addition, accurate results are presented for more difficult cases where no analytic solution is available.
Management of urologic problemsduring pregnancy

An understanding of the dramatic physiological Changes that occur during pregnancy is essential for any urologist managing the variety of urologic problems that can occur during pregnancy. We will review here the physiological alterations of pregnancy, the acute abdomen, and surgical problems that occur during pregnancy, as well as anesthetic considerations that apply to the pregnant patient. In addition, we will review urinary tract infections and .antibiotic use during pregnancy, hydronephrosis of pregnant b and the management of urolithiasis during pregnancy. Finally, we review the urologic consequences of placenta percreta, the management of urologic tumors during pregnancy, and urologic :complications that arise at the time of delivery.
PROBLEMS IN MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRODERMAL PHENOMENA--CHOICE OF METHOD AND PHENOMENA--POTENTIAL, IMPEDANCE, RESISTANCE

The purpose of this study is to summarize earlier work on the galvanic skin response (GSR). Sensitive direct current and alternating current bridge measurement techniques were used. Differences were shown between potential, resistance, and impedance responses. Potential records showed two component waves with apparent sympathetic and non-sympathetic characteristics. Methods of measurement make a great deal of difference in the type of response obtained and measurement circuits are of great importance. Complex responses from each skin area may summate or may oppose and mask each other. Three different methods are suggested as suitable for different research purposes. Electrodermal Response, GSR, Skin Potential, Skin Resistance, Skin impedance responses. (T. W. Forbes)
A beat-to-beat interval generator for optokinetic nystagmus

An analysis of optokinetic responses was used to derive an iterative model that reproduces the duration of nystagmus slow phases and eye position control during optokinetic nystagmus. Optokinetic nystagmus was recorded with magnetic search coils from red-eared turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans) during monocular, random dot pattern stimulation at constant velocities ranging from 0.25---63%. The beat-to-beat behavior of slow phase durations was consistent with the existence of an underlying neural clock, termed the basic interval generator, that is based on an integrate-to-fire neuron model. This hypothetical basic interval generator produces an interval that is the product of the duration of the previous interval and a mean 1 truncated normal variate with variance ?2. Data analyses indicated that the initial value of the interval generator during a period of nystamus, termed ?0, is proportional to the inverse square root of slow phase eye velocity. Further, if the eye was deviated in the slow phase direction (re mean eye position) when the slow phase began, the slow phase duration was consistent with a single cycle of the basic interval generator. However, if the eye was deviated in the fast phase direction, the distribution of the durations of the ensuing slow phases indicated that a proportion of the slow phases were produced by more than one cycle of the basic interval generator. This phenomenon is termed "skipping a beat" and occurs with probability p s . Finally, the amplitude of fast phases behaved as a linear function of eye position at the fast phase onset and the product of ?0 and slow phase eye velocity. A computer simulation reproduced the observed distribution of slow phase durations, the proportion of fast phases in the fast phase and slow phase directions and the distribution of eye positions at the onset and end of fast phases. This novel model suggests that both timing and eye position information contribute to the alternation of nystagmus fast and slow phases.
Can You Hear Me Now? Telemarketing Fraud Victimization and Lifestyles

Researchers have used lifestyle theory to delineate patterns surrounding various forms of victimization. Much of this research focuses on conventional crimes and demonstrates a seemingly consistent pattern in terms of victim age: older victim’s lifestyles reduce their risk for conventional victimization, but may increase their risk for other forms of victimization. Using lifestyle/routine activity theory as a guide, this study explores whether the lifestyles and activities of older persons are tied to their risk of being targeted for telemarketing fraud. Our findings suggest that victimization risk for telemarketing fraud does not vary across the life-course, and that lifestyles of older persons are not tied to telemarketing fraud victimization. Factors tied to victimization include neighborhood disorder and being employed part-time. Implications are provided.
A thermoinducible λ phage-ColE1 plasmid chimera for the overproduction of gene products from cloned DNA segments

Two segments of lambda have been cloned into the multicopy plasmid pBR322. One extends from N through cII (NcII segment, from 71.3 to 81.0% on the physical map) and the other from N through P (NOP segment, from 71.3 to 86.5% on the physical map). Cells carrying these recombinant plasmids express lambda immunity (cIts) and Rex function. In addition, they decrease the efficiency of plating at 32 degrees C of lambdavir and lambdaimm434, but not that of lambdaimm21. Recombinant plasmids with lambdaNOP segments (pKC14, pKC16) differ from recombinant plasmid with labmdaNcII segment (pKC10) in two respects: (i) strains carrying pKC14 or pKC16 are killed at 42 degrees C, and (ii) these strains are thermally inducible for plasmid DNA synthesis, resulting in increase of plasmid copy number from an uninduced level of 50 to more than 130 per chromosome. It was suggested that both these differences are related to functions contained in the lambda DNA segment extending from 81.0 to 86.5%. The usefulness of plasmid pKC16 for overproduction of gene products from cloned DNA segments was demonstrated by cloning the E. coli exonuclease III gene (xth) in pKC16. Thermal induction of this xth plasmid (pSGr) results in a 125-fold increase in exonuclease III activity over that of a control strain lacking the xth gene insert. The extent of exonuclease III overproduction obtained by cloning xth gene in a lambda vector was similar to that obtained with pSGR3.
Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis: A cost-utility analysis

Abstract Objective Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is advocated in cirrhotic patients to optimize early detection and treatment. However, the cost-effectiveness is not well defined. Our objective was to perform a cost-utility analysis from a third-party payer’s perspective of no screening, α-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration measurement alone, abdominal ultrasound (US) and AFP, abdominal three-phase CT and AFP, and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and AFP. Methods A Markov model was constructed simulating the natural history of hepatitis C-related cirrhosis in a cohort of patients age 50 yr over a time horizon of their remaining life expectancy. Transition probabilities were obtained from published data and U.S. vital statistics. Costs represented Medicare reimbursement data. Costs and health effects were discounted at a 3% annual rate. Results Screening with ultrasonography and AFP concentration measurement was associated with an incremental cost-utility ratio of $26,689 per quality-adjusted life year, whereas screening with abdominal three-phase CT and AFP concentration measurement was associated with an incremental cost-utility ratio of $25,232 per quality-adjusted life year compared with no screening. Compared with three-phase CT and AFP, magnetic resonance and AFP imaging costs $118,000 per quality-adjusted life year. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the results are most sensitive to the annual incidence of HCC, proportion of tumors amenable to treatment, and to transplant candidacy, whereas the choice of screening strategy is most sensitive to the test characteristics and cost. Conclusions Screening for HCC with CT is a cost-effective strategy in transplant-eligible patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection, comparable with other commonly accepted screening interventions such as mammography and colonoscopy.
An econometric approach for evaluating the linkages between broadband and knowledge intensive firms

In addition to highlighting improvements in the availability and speed of broadband as a national priority, the National Broadband Plan also includes several recommendations for improving access and use of broadband by small businesses. The plan also recommends economic development officials include broadband in their local development strategies. While these are certainly import goals, more research is needed to evaluate how broadband impacts the regional business environment, and regional capacity to retain and attract businesses in particular industries. In order to further our understanding about the linkages between broadband and businesses, and the ability of places to retain and attract businesses in particular industries, this study will develop and estimate econometric models to better understand the linkages between broadband and firms in the knowledge intensive sector. Specifically, 54 metropolitan area specific models will be developed to examine regional variations in the linkages between broadband and firms in the knowledge intensive sector in 2004. Model results highlight the importance of broadband to knowledge firms in all but five metropolitan areas across the U.S. They also reveal variations in the impact of broadband on knowledge firm presence related to metropolitan area size and industrial legacy.