cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dimerization of phospholipase d isozymes.

Two mammalian phospholipase D (PLD) isozymes (PLD1 and PLD2) have been reported. In this study, we differentially tagged these isozymes with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP-rPLD1 and EGFP-rPLD2) or Xpress peptide epitope (Xpress-rPLD1 and Xpress-rPLD2) to examine the association between these isozymes. Overexpressed EGFP-rPLD1 coimmunoprecipitated with Xpress-rPLD1 using anti-Xpress antibody. However, the coimmunoprecipitation was independent of the activity of rPLD1. Xpress-rPLD2 also bound to EGFP-rPLD1 although the binding was less efficient than observed with Xpress-rPLD1. The association between rPLD2 and rPLD1 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of EGFP-rPLD2 with Xpress-rPLD1. EGFP-rPLD2 also bound to Xpress-rPLD2 as shown by coimmunoprecipitation. Immunofluorescence staining of COS-7 cells coexpressing EGFP-rPLDs and Xpress-rPLDs showed that the PLD isozymes colocalized in the perinuclear and plasma membrane regions, suggesting that they could associate in a cellular setting. These results suggest that rPLD1 and rPLD2 can exist as homodimers and can form heterodimers.
From cells to signaling cascades: manipulation of innate immunity by Toxoplasma gondii.

The intracellular opportunistic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a potent stimulus for cell-mediated immunity, and IL-12-dependent IFN-γ induction is vital in resistance to the parasite. Dendritic cells, neutrophils and macrophages are important sources of IL-12 during infection. T. gondii possesses two mechanisms for triggering IL-12. One is dependent upon the common adaptor protein MyD88, and is likely to involve Toll-like receptors. The other is a more unusual pathway that involves triggering through CCR5 by a parasite cyclophilin molecule. Countering these potent pro-inflammatory activities, T. gondii has several mechanisms to down-regulate immunity. Intracellular infection causes a blockade in the NFκB macrophage signaling pathway, correlating with reduced capacity for IL-12 and TNF-α production. The parasite also prevents STAT1 activity, resulting in decreased levels of IFN-γ-stimulated MHC surface antigen expression. Furthermore, infection also induces resistance to apoptosis through inhibition of caspase activity. Extracellular pathways of suppression involve soluble mediators such as IL-10 and lipoxins that have potent IL-12 down-regulatory effects. The balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling which T. gondii engages is likely dictated by requirements for a stable host–parasite interaction. First, there is a need for Toxoplasma to induce an immune response robust enough to allow host survival and establish long-term chronic infection. Second, the parasite must avoid immune-elimination and induction of pro-inflammatory pathology that can cause lethality if unchecked. The widespread distribution of T. gondii and the normally innocuous nature of infection indicate the skill with which the parasite achieves the two seemingly contrary goals.
Evaluation Of Peripheral Vascular Surgery Using Intravenous Angiography

Utilizing digital video subtraction angiography, we have successfully imaged peripheral vessels in both pre- and postoperative patients. The intravenous igiograms were matched with routine arteriograms, when available, and the in quality compared favorably in the vast majority of cases. in all cases, the intra-venous angiograms were adequate for diagnosis, sparing patients the risk and discomfort of additional routine arteriograms.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Role of Graphitic Edge Plane Exposure in Carbon Nanostructures for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The role that nanostructure plays in carbon-based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts is unclear. In this publication, the role that graphitic edge plane exposure in carbon-based ORR catalysts was examined using two types of nanofibers: one with high edge plane exposure and one with minimal edge plane exposure. These nanofibers were grown, acid oxidized, and then treated with ammonia to incorporate nitrogen. They were characterized using electron microscopy, hydrophobicity imaging, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed oxidation experiments to verify their nanostructure, surface species, and overall composition. Rotating ring disk electrode experiments were performed to study their activity for ORR. It was found that nanostructure on its own is not a factor for improved ORR activity. Rather, nanofibers with high edge plane exposure, like stacked platelets, provide the appropriate locations for nitrogen to incorporate into the graphitic matrix. It was also found that gross nitr...
Measurement of Fuel Oxygenates in Tap Water Using Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry *

The presence of alkyl ether fuel oxygenates in drinking water supplies has raised public health concerns because of possible adverse health effects from chronic exposure to these compounds. To enable large exposure studies exploring possible relationships between chronic exposure to alkyl ether fuel oxygenates and health effects, we developed an improved analytical method, using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This method quantifies trace levels of methyl tertiary-butyl ether, ethyl tertiary-butyl ether, di-isopropyl ether, and tertiary-amyl methyl ether in tap water. The method achieves detection limits of less than 0.025 microg/L for all analytes and linear ranges of three orders of magnitude in the measurement of the alkyl ether fuel oxygenates in 5-mL tap water samples. The relative percentage of recoveries of the alkyl ether fuel oxygenates ranged from 97% to 105%. The relative standard deviation ranged from 2% to 6%. Methyl tertiary-butyl ether was detected in samples of tap water taken from geographically diverse regions of the United States. The improved throughput and sensitivity of this method will enable large epidemiologic field studies of the prevalence and magnitude of exposure to alkyl ether fuel oxygenates in the general population.
752 TRIGLYCERIDES (TG) AND FREE FATTY ACIDS (FEA) IN ENTERALLY FED PRETERM INFANTS

Many preterm infants require intravenous lipid preparations while growing toward maturity. Recommendations have been to monitor plasma triglycerides in an attempt to document adequate metabolism. Since the existing guidelines are extrapolated from adult data, we examined 56 preterm infants born at 25-32 weeks gestation to determine values for TG and FFA in an enterally fed population. Weekly pre and 2 hour post parandial plasma TG and FFA were obtained beginning when enteral nutrition was tolerated and subsequently throughout the duration of the hospitalization. Type, amount and method of feeding was at the discretion of the primary care physician. Representative data is presented below at the selected post conceptual ages (PCA) of 32 and 36 weeks, and postnatal ages (PNA) of 4 and 8 weeks as mean ± S.D. Data to be presented will include the complete summary analysis by gestational and postnatal age, the relationship of TG and FFA to the type, amount and method of feeding, as well as the possible influence of medications.
Sedation of children for electroencephalograms.

Objective. Sedation sometimes is necessary to perform an electroencephalogram (EEG) on a child. A dramatic decline in the need to use conscious sedation in our EEG laboratory prompted this review of our sedation experience. The purpose of this review was to determine the incidence of adverse sedation effects and to determine why the need for sedation had declined. Methods. All 513 attempts to administer sedation to children who were undergoing EEG studies during a 4-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Parameters studied included type and amount of the sedative agents, need for repeated dosing, successful completion of the EEG, and complications attributed to the sedative. Results. Sedation was attempted in 513 (18%) of 2855 EEGs performed during the 4-year period. Ninety-one percent of the EEGs performed with sedation were completed successfully. Chloral hydrate was the most frequently administered sedative. Complications (transient oxygen desaturation) occurred in 3 children, all of whom had recognized risk factors for airway compromise. The proportion of children who required sedation decreased from 32% to just 2% during that time period. Conclusion. Sedation of children who are undergoing EEG examinations is effective and safe. Complications are infrequent. The need for sedation can be decreased greatly by adequate preparation and by creating a less-threatening, child-friendly environment in which to perform the study.
Design considerations for a minature, portable, phase-contrast wave front sensor

Phase-contrast wave front sensors that use a pixilated liquid crystal device as the Zernike filter have been demonstrated successfully in several laboratories. These systems are inherently very large. This paper presents design considerations and test results for a small, low-cost, portable, phase-contrast wave front sensor developed at New Mexico State University (NMSU). This sensor has measured wave fronts of optical systems and components in different laboratories.
A study of a potential venus radar topography mission

Radar has been shown to be the best way to view the surface of Venus as was demonstrated by Pioneer Venus Orbiter, Veneras 15 and 16, and Magellan Missions. Each of these missions progressively increased our knowledge of the surface and it has been nearly twenty years since Magellan covered nearly all the surface with SAR images from 120 to 300 m resolution. Advances in technology including onboard processing and high rate down links now make it possible to propose a mission the would create a data set of the topography of Venus at 50 m resolution posting and 5 m height accuracy. Other modes of the radar, using the same hardware, would yield 6 m resolution images of small (10 km by 10 km) areas. This paper describes one point design.
Para-aortic lymph node dissection for women with endometrial adenocarcinoma and intermediate- to high-risk tumors: does it improve survival?

Objective Literature suggests that para-aortic lymphadenectomy (para-aortic lymph node dissection [PALND]) has a therapeutic benefit for women with intermediate- to high-risk endometrial adenocarcinoma. We hypothesized that the observed survival advantage of PALND is a reflection of the general health of the patient rather than a therapeutic benefit of surgery. Methods Women with intermediate- to high-risk endometrial adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 2002 to 2009 at a single institution were identified. Medical comorbidities, pathology, and survival information were abstracted from the medical record. The χ2 test or the t test was used for univariate analysis. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results A total of 253 women with a mean age of 64 years were identified. Of these women, 174 had a pelvic lymphadenectomy (pelvic lymph node dissection [PLND]) and 82 had PLND and PALND. The rate of positive nodes was 13% (23/174) for the women who had PLND and was 7% (6/82) for those who had PLND and PALND. Only 1.2% (1/82) of the women who had PLND and PALND had negative pelvic but positive para-aortic nodes. The patients who had PALND had a lower body mass index and were less likely to have significant medical comorbidities. The patients who had PALND had improved 5-year OS (96% vs 82%, P = 0.007) but no difference in 5-year DSS (96% vs 89%, P value = not significant). Conclusions Women with intermediate- to high-risk endometrial adenocarcinoma who undergo PALND have improved OS but no improvement in DSS. The lack of difference in DSS supports the hypothesis that underlying comorbidities as opposed to lack of PALND result in poorer outcome.
Rethinking Life Satisfaction

The behavioral reality referenced in the life satisfaction measurement of old people is examined conceptually and empirically. Three questions are addressed: (1) What is the image of life and satisfaction presented to subjects in the items of the five most commonly used scales and indices? (2) How might the image enter into the process of measurement? and (3) How does the image compare with experiences of life and its satisfactions among elders revealed by studies of daily living? Concluding comments deal with issues of reconceptualization.
Arvid Carlsson: An Early Pioneer in Translational Medicine

Translational medicine has recently experienced an upsurge in interest and funding, yet the idea is not new. More than half a century ago, the Swedish scientist Arvid Carlsson performed basic research on the neurotransmitter dopamine that was rapidly translated into the first clinical treatment for Parkinson ’s disease. For his contributions, Carlsson shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in the year 2000.
Best-Practice Guidelines in Assessment, Risk Reduction, Management, and Surveillance for Post-Breast Cancer Lymphedema

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (LE) is a progressive, chronic disease that affects millions of cancer survivors and primarily results from surgical lymphatic vessel/node removal and radiation therapy. Patient education and support for importance of early detection is essential in helping health care providers detect lymphedema early, when there is the best chance to prevent progression. Improved imaging and surgical techniques have decreased the incidence of LE; however, effective risk-reduction and treatment have historically lacked the level of evidence necessary to standardize effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to report an extensive review of literature, including highlighted multidisciplinary studies within the past three years, in order to update best practice guidelines in assessment, risk reduction, management, and surveillance for post-breast cancer lymphedema.
The Financing of College Education by Hispanic Parents

If Hispanic parents must finance Hispanic children's education, Hispanics will be barredfrom college.
Influence of bending-twisting and extension-bending coupling on damping of laminated composites

This paper describes a three-dimensional finite element-strain energy method for characterizing vibration coupling effects on damping of laminated composites. The analysis was performed on graphite-epoxy laminated cantilever beams in two stacking sequences: (i) 12-ply symmetric laminates [12(θ)], and (ii) 12-ply antisymmetric laminates [6(θ)/6(−θ)]. Thus, the effects of vibration coupling between bending and twisting in symmetric laminates, and between extension and bending in antisymmetric laminates on damping were studied. A modal strain energy method was applied in a finite-element formulation to solve for the natural frequencies, mode shapes and energy dissipation of the laminates. The coupling energy dissipation was separated from the non-coupling energy dissipation by the decomposition of the total energy dissipation in order to study its contribution to damping. The results of the first three modes, which includes two flexural modes and one torsional mode, are presented. The resulting torsional damping data are generally higher than the flexural damping data. The coupling effects on damping in flexural modes were found to be more significant than those in torsional modes, and such effects appear to be dependent upon the fibre angle and the vibration mode of interest. The coupling effects appear to increase damping in flexural modes, and were found to be maximized at a fibre angle around 30°. The non-coupling energy dissipation was found to be more dominant for the flexural modes at a fibre angle of 90°, and it appears to be more dominant at a fibre angle of 0° in torsional modes, however.
Analytic mc scf infrared intensities: application to formaldehyde

Abstract Efficient, analytic methods to compute infrared intensities for general MC SCF wavefunctions are developed. These methods are used to compute the vibrational spectra of H2CO with a variety of basis sets and MC SCF wavefunctions. The MC SCF spectra are compared with the experimental results of Nakanaga, Kondo and Saeki and with our CI results. The MC SCF intensities agree very well with the experimental values for this system.
Influence of 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one (azone) on the topical therapy of cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in hairless mice with 2′,3′-di-o-acetyl-9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine and 5′-O-vaieryl-9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine

The predictive value of a recently developed physical model was tested in the topical treatment of cutaneous infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 in hairless mice with two ester prodrugs of 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A) (1). The tests were conducted with 2′,3′-di-O-acetyl-ara-A (4) and 5′-O-valeryl-ara-A (3) topically applied with and without 15% 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one (2) (Azone), a percutaneous penetration enhancer. In addition to the in vivo studies, in vitro diffusion cell experiments with excised, full-thickness skin from hairless mice were conducted to determine the penetration enhancement effects of 2. As previously observed, 2 was able to induce remarkably large (100- to 1000-fold) flux enhancements in these in vitro experiments. Consistent with predictions based on the physical model studies, formulations of 3 and 4 without 2 had little or no influence on the pathogenesis of the herpes simplex virus type 1 infections; when 2 was present in the formulations, both 3 and 4 had dramatic therapeutic effects consistent with the predictions made with the physical model. Prodrug 4 with 2 was especially efficacious in the prevention of virus-induced lesions and in the survival of all animals. Similar results were obtained with acyclovir plus 2 in this model system.
Love and hate: their many guises and stressful effects

A discussion of the terms ‘love’ and ‘hate’ is given. This is followed by tabular summaries of the contrasting word associations of love and hate. Then a review is given of the scientific studies and hypotheses relative to the different stressful, psychological, physiological, pathological and sociological outcomes from the practice of love, hate and associated emotions.
Liberty, Equality, and Justice: Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and the Regulation of Business, 1865–1932

Liberty, equality, and justice have long been treasured in American culture as core values. In "Liberty, Equality, and Justice", Ross Evans Paulson studies social and intellectual changes in a critical period of American history - from the end of the Civil War to the early days of the Depression - and argues that attempts to achieve civil rights, women's rights, and the regulation of business faltered because so many Americans ranked liberty for themselves higher than equality with others and justice for all. Surveying a crucial period in the formation of the modern state and society, Paulson examines the prevailing conflicts of the time and the limitations of various attempts to institute reform, radical change, or ritualistic renewal of American society. His reading of existing scholarship highlights contested social constructs, clashing priorities, changing meanings of key terms, and shifting institutional dynamics in light of their contributions to a complex tragedy in which all parties fell short of the demands for democratic mutuality. Along with discussions of the movements and manipulations of presidential, congressional, and judicial politics, he integrates the experiences of diverse populations - including African Americans, women, Asian immigrants, Native Americans, and working people - and offers a new interpretation of the ways in which social change and political events interact to reframe the many possibilities of American society. Reaching across disciplines, "Liberty, Equality, and Justice" will interest students and scholars of history, political science, women's studies, and African American studies who seek a synthetic narrative that underscores the diversity of American society and values.
Competitive inhibition of a glutamate carboxypeptidase by phosphonamidothionate derivatives of glutamic acid

Several N-thiophosphonyl-glutamates were found to be potent competitive inhibitors of a zinc-dependent glutamyl hydrolase, carboxypeptidase G (CPG). Weak inhibition exhibited by an analogous N-phosphonyl-glutamate suggests that the enhanced potency of the phosphonamidothioates is due to the presence of their sulfur ligand and its favorable interactions with active site features, presumably zinc(II).
Measurement of Experience: Construct and Content Validity of the Experience Questionnaire

The Experience Questionnaire, a research instrument measuring experiential data, was derived from literature on peak performance and peak experience, with constructs extended to comprise negative extremes of performance and feeling. The efficacy of the Experience Questionnaire is tested by addressing accessibility and salience of experiential data and independence of construct events. Data on construct events (peak performance, peak experience, flow, average events, misery, and failure) were gathered from 123 adults. Since over-all event effects were significant on repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant analysis and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used. Construct independence and salience of experiential data are supported by correct classification of 97.7% of construct events and differences among construct events on factor and item scores that provide clear, differential descriptions. Peak performance is characterized by full focus and self in clear process. T...
Sparse regeneration in a translucent WDM optical network

Recent research implies that transparent optical WDM networks have difficulty in overcoming transmission impairments introduced by long-haul fibers and cascading optical components while opaque networks are not cost-efficient because a large number of wavelengths need optical-electronic and electronic-optical conversions at every intermediate node. This paper proposes an alternate approach to fully transparent and fully opaque optical networks for operating a wavelength routed optical network. In this paper, the architecture of regeneration node that performs sparse regeneration (or translucency) is modeled. Both static and dynamic regeneration schemes are discussed. The regeneration demands generated from call blocking and signal quality requirements are addressed. Two implementation strategies for incorporating sparse regeneration are introduced and algorithms are proposed for the regenerator placement, and their relative merits are studied.
Video Aggregation: Delivering Videos over Wireless Smart Camera Networks

Abstract The proliferation of wireless technologies and inexpensive network-cameras has enabled low-cost and quick deployment of cameras for several surveillance applications, such as traffic monitoring and border control. Smart Camera Networks (SCNs) are networks of cameras that self configure and adapt to improve their operation and reduce the demand on human operators. However, SCNs are constrained by the ability of the underlying wireless network. Streaming video over a network requires substantial bandwidth, and strict Quality-of-Service (QoS) guarantees. In contrast, existing wireless networks have limited bandwidth, and the protocols do not guarantee QoS. Thus, for SCNs to scale beyond a small number of cameras, it is vital to design efficient video delivery protocols that are aware of the limitations of the underlying wireless network. We propose to use Video Aggregation, a technique that enables efficient delivery of video in SCNs by combining related video streams. Existing SCNs use traditional routing protocols where intermediate network routers simply forward the video packets from cameras towards the video analysis center (or base-station). This is inefficient in SCNs since multiple cameras often cover overlapping regions of interest, and video information of these regions are redundantly transmitted over the network. The proposed video aggregation protocol eliminates redundant transmissions by dynamically pruning the overlapping areas at the intermediate routers. The routers blend the received streams into one panoramic video stream with no overlaps. Aggregation also dynamically controls the streaming rate to avoid network congestion and packet drops; the routers adjust the rate of the outgoing video by estimating the available network bandwidth. Thus, base-stations receive video frames with minimal packet drops, thus improving the quality of received video. Our testbed and simulation results show that aggregation outperforms traditional routing both in terms of received video quality and network bandwidth usage. Our testbed experiments show that aggregation improves the received video quality (the Peak Signal-to-Noise-Ratio metric) by 54%. In larger networks, we observed that aggregation eliminates up to 90% of packet drops that were observed in SCNs with traditional routing. In future, we plan to develop a suite of video delivery protocols, which include SCN-aware scheduling and transport protocols.
Effects of phonological neighbourhood on the treatment of naming in aphasia

Background: Phonological treatments to improve naming ability in aphasia focus on re-strengthening connections within the phonological system. Nonetheless, the efficacy of phonological treatments is still being explored with particular consideration of cognitive neuropsychological perspectives. Clinicians may also need to consider lexical factors that interact with the word retrieval process. Researchers have shown that phonological neighbourhood density influences normal language recognition and production, but limited evidence exists for how phonological neighbourhoods may affect the treatment of word retrieval deficits in individuals with aphasia.Aims: The present study explored if manipulating the emphasis on phonological neighbourhood during treatment has an effect on naming ability, particularly in an individual with predominantly phonologically based deficits. We hypothesised that training front- and end-matched words in a condition that emphasised phonological neighbourhood would result in greater...
Dialectical tensions experienced by diversified mentoring dyads

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine diversified mentoring relationships (DMRs) at a mid-sized Midwestern state university (MMSU) in the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The author conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 MMSU faculty members and professional personnel who comprised seven diversified mentoring dyads. The mentees were primarily members of underrepresented minority (URMs) groups, whereas the majority of mentors were members of the dominant culture. Findings – A thematic analysis of the data, grounded in the literature on developmental relationships and relational dialectics theory (RDT), reveals tensions that diversified mentoring dyads experienced, as well as communication strategies that dyad members used to manage these tensions. Research limitations/implications – Although this research is limited by its small sample size and unique geographic location, the findings offer in-depth insight and practical implications for URM faculty members in predominantly white instit...
Thin-layer fluorescence cell for ligand binding studies

A high precision method for measuring the binding of gaseous ligands to proteins is presented. Front face fluorescence techniques are utilized with a special thin-layer cell in order to monitor the change in fluorescence intensity caused by changing the ligand partial pressure. The method is illustrated by examining the binding of carbon monoxide to hemocyanin from the lobster Homarus americanus.
Incorporating Student Logbooks into Geography Classes

Abstract I began assigning logbooks many years ago, to a special field geography class, and have since become so enamored with the idea of logs (journals, class diaries) that I now require them from all my students. In this essay my purpose is to provide encouragement and assistance for geographic educators who might wish to make logbooks a part of their teaching arsenals. Benefits to us, as teachers, can include feedback about the content and process of our courses, insights about our students, and the pure pleasure of reading what their fertile minds produce. For our students, benefits can include the chance to better their writing skills; a feeling of worth about their thoughts on geographic issues; and, perhaps, a lifelong interest in the keeping of a daily journal. Teachers should choose, from the long list of suggestions I provide here, ideas appropriate for their particular instructional setting.
An incremental deployment algorithm for mobile robot teams

This paper describes an algorithm for deploying the members of a mobile robot team into an unknown environment. The algorithm deploys robots one-at-a-time, with each robot making use of information gathered by the previous robots to determine the next deployment location. The deployment pattern is designed to maximize the area covered by the robots' sensors, while simultaneously ensuring that the robots maintain line-of-sight contact with one another This paper describes the basic algorithm and presents results obtained from a series of experiments conducted using both real and simulated robots.
Soluble P-selectin for the diagnosis of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis

Objective Although duplex ultrasound is the standard for the diagnosis of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LE-DVT), imaging is not always available. The use of D-dimer can exclude (high-sensitivity), but not rule in (low-specificity) LE-DVT. Previously, we demonstrated that soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) in combination with the Wells score, establishes the diagnosis of LE-DVT with a specificity of 96% and a positive predictive value of 100%. In order to validate our previous results, we applied the model to a separate but similar patient cohort. Additionally, we analyzed the role of biomarkers for diagnosing upper extremity DVT (UE-DVT). Methods Between April 2009 and March 2012, all patients presenting for a duplex ultrasound exam with concern of DVT were screened. Demographics, clinical data, D-dimer, sP-sel, C-reactive protein, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13, and von Willebrand factor levels were prospectively collected in 279 patients (234 LE-DVT, 45 UE-DVT). Continuous and categorical variables among patients with DVT were compared with patients without DVT. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were then calculated using our previously derived cut points to rule in or exclude DVT. Results Among 234 patients evaluated for LE-DVT, 112 (48%) patients had a confirmed LE-DVT with significant differences in all biomarkers. When Wells score ≥2, sP-sel could rule in LE-DVT with a specificity of 97.5% and a positive predictive value of 91%, which was more accurate than Wells score ≥2 and D-dimer (specificity, 65%; positive predictive value, 69%). When Wells score was Conclusions We demonstrate that when Wells score ≥2, sP-sel is an excellent biomarker to rule in LE-DVT. Different from our previous study, D-dimer and a Wells score
The Randomized Trials of Dose-Intensive Therapy for Breast Cancer: What Do They Mean for Patient Care and Where Do We Go From Here?

At the May 1999 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), results of some of the randomized trials conducted in the 1990s assessing the value of high-dose (dose-intensive) therapy for breast cancer were presented. The number of women treated with such therapy has grown almost exponentially since the early 1990s so that breast cancer is now the most common malignancy treated with stem cell transplant. At the same time the cost of such treatment (from $60,000 upwards to $150,000) has caused it to become the most controversial issue in all of medical oncology during this past decade. Does such therapy truly provide a benefit to women with breast cancer, and is it therefore a therapy that should be routinely offered to suitable patients? This article will attempt to put this issue in some perspective with emphasis on the recently reported randomized studies of this treatment for both early-stage and metastatic disease. In addition, some comments will be made regarding where research regarding this topic will likely be focused in the next few years. The Oncologist 1999;4:450-458
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge in Young Adults and 10-year Change in Risk Factors The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

This study’s objective was assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor knowledge in young adults, its association with 10-year changes in risk factor levels, and variables related to risk factor knowledge. A total of 4,193 healthy persons (55% female, 48% Black; mean age ¼ 30 years) from four urban US communities were queried about risk factor knowledge in 1990–1991 and were reexamined in 2000–2001. Of six risk factors considered (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy diet), participants mentioned a mean of two; more than 65% were not aware of any risk factors, and less than 35% recognized being overweight as a risk factor. After adjustment, variables associated with mentioning more than two CVD risk factors versus one or fewer were Black race (OR ¼ 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44, 0.61), having a high school education or less (OR ¼ 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.95), having one or two (vs. zero) risk factors (OR ¼ 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.53), and having three or more (vs. zero) risk factors (OR ¼ 1.79, 95% CI: 1.35, 2.38). More knowledge was marginally associated with less increase in body mass index 10 years later (p ¼ 0.06) but was unrelated to other risk factor changes. Knowledge of CVD risk factors was very low in these young adults but increased with the presence of risk factors. Knowledge alone did not predict 10-year changes in risk factors.
Observations on Feeding Cholic Acid to Broilers

Abstract It has long been known that bile has an important role in the digestion and absorption of lipids from the gastro intestinal tract of animals. An excellent review of the role of bile in lipid absorption is given by Deuel (1955). In view of the recent practice of incorporating large quantities of lipids in chicken diets it appeared desirable to investigate the effect of supplementing high fat diets with cholic acid. Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of cholic acid supplementation of the ration on growth rate, feed efficiency and fat retention of broilers. The composition of the basal ration used in these studies is given in Table 1. The blended fat product that was used as a source of fat was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and found to have the following fatty acid composition; myristic 2.3%, myristoleic 0.5%, palmitic 26.1%, palmitoleic 5.8%, stearic 15.7%, oleic 43.2% …
A consensus on the classification of hydrocephalus: its utility in the assessment of abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics

Background Between 2009 and 2011 an attempt has been made to develop a consensus on the classification of hydrocephalus. Clinicians and basic scientists who are recognized internationally for their work in hydrocephalus attended working meetings in which the concepts of classification of hydrocephalus were discussed at length.
The general well-being of recreational drug users: a survey on the WWW.

Abstract American drug policy is predicated upon a dichotomy between legal drugs and illegal drugs — good drugs that enhance health and bad drugs which damage health. The fact of psychiatric co-morbidity between substance misuse disorders and other mental disorders is commonly taken to mean that drug use is damaging to mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the mental well-being of a sample of occasional, recreational drug users. DRUGNET was an on-line survey of recreational drug use by non-deviant adults via the WWW. Volunteer subjects ( n =906) completed the survey over the internet between March and September 1997. Mental health was assessed utilizing the General Well-being Schedule (GWBS). A complete demographic profile of the sample was taken. The GWBS correlated with frequency of use, intoxication levels and types of drugs consumed. This study demonstrates the existence of healthy, normally functioning adults who occasionally use psychoactive drugs.
Comprehensive digital correction of mismatch errors for a 400-msamples/s 80-dB SFDR time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter

Comprehensive digital calibration of a high-speed and high-resolution time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TIADC) is described. A channel transfer function, which incorporates all linear errors between analog input and digital output, is measured for each channel by applying a series of sinusoids. A set of finite-impulse response (FIR) filters designed by the weighted least squares principle provides frequency-dependent mismatch correction so that the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) is no longer limited by channel mismatches. A four-channel TIADC prototype with 14-bit resolution and 400-MHz aggregate sampling rate was built to verify the proposed correction method. Uncalibrated SFDR was below 50 dB. After mismatch correction with 61-tap FIR filters, 80 dB of SFDR was achieved up to /spl sim/175 MHz of input frequency.
Validation of 3 Termination of Resuscitation Criteria for Good Neurologic Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Study objective Several termination of resuscitation criteria have been proposed to identify patients who will not survive to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, only 1 set has been derived to specifically predict survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic function. The objectives of this study were to externally validate the basic life support (BLS) termination of resuscitation, advanced life support (ALS) termination of resuscitation, and neurologic termination of resuscitation criteria and compare their abilities to predict survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic function after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the Denver Cardiac Arrest Registry. Consecutive adult nontraumatic cardiac arrest patients in Denver County from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2004, were included in the study. The BLS termination of resuscitation, ALS termination of resuscitation, and neurologic termination of resuscitation criteria were applied to the cohort, and their predictive proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each set of criteria. Results Of the 715 patients included in this study, the median age was 65 years (interquartile range 52 to 78 years), and 69% were male patients. In addition, 223 (31%) had return of spontaneous circulation, 175 (24%) survived to hospital admission, 58 (8%) survived to hospital discharge, and 42 (6%) survived to hospital discharge with good neurologic function. The proportion of patients with good neurologic survival to hospital discharge correctly identified for continued resuscitation was 100% (95% CI 92% to 100%) for all 3 termination of resuscitation criteria. The proportion of patients with poor neurologic survival to hospital discharge or no survival to hospital discharge correctly identified as eligible for termination of resuscitation was 36% (95% CI 32% to 40%) with the BLS termination of resuscitation criteria, 25% (95% CI 22% to 29%) with the ALS termination of resuscitation criteria, and 6% (95% CI 4% to 8%) with the neurologic termination of resuscitation criteria. Use of the BLS termination of resuscitation criteria would have reduced transport of the largest number of patients. Conclusion All 3 termination of resuscitation criteria had equally high abilities to identify patients requiring continued resuscitation. The BLS termination of resuscitation criteria, however, had the best combined ability to predict good neurologic survival and poor neurologic survival or death. These findings and the relative simplicity of the BLS termination of resuscitation criteria support their use.
Béla Balázs: The Face of Cinema*

Herbert Bauer, known to the world as Bela Balazs (1894–1949), led the sort of life about which contemporary intellectuals might fantasize. He knew everyone and he did everything. Born in Hungary, he included Gyorgy Lukacs, Karl Mannheim, Arnold Hauser, Bela Bartok, and Zoltan Kodaly in his circle, among others. He knew the filmmakers Alexander Korda and Michael Curtiz before their names were Anglicized. He studied with Georg Simmel and met Max Weber. As time went on, he came, so it seems, to know virtually every major European intellectual—Stefan Zweig, Robert Musil, Walter Benjamin, Sergei Eisenstein, Erwin Piscator, and on and on. He lived in the midst of a universe of conversation that dazzles us as we look back enviously upon it.
Political Culture and Economic Performance in Sub-Saharan Africa

The second half of the twentieth century has been a period of economic stagnation if not decline throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa (henceforth abbreviated to Africa). As recent statistical studies show, many Africans are worse off than they were at the commencement of independence, afflicted with serious health and nutrition problems and with a badly eroded economic infrastructure. Furthermore, many Africans are less economically free now than their predecessors were prior to independence.
Identifying persons feigning limitations in their competence to proceed in the legal process.

Accurate assessment of the response styles criminal defendants adopt when undergoing evaluations of their competence to proceed with the legal process is critical because some feign limitations in their abilities in an attempt to delay or avoid prosecution. This study examined the utility of the Inventory of Legal Knowledge (ILK) to identify persons motivated to feign competence related limitations. That the ILK has good potential as a screening tool is indicated by findings that the measure (1) has adequate test–retest reliability and (2) classified correctly the large majority of participants in two samples (i.e., college students and psychiatric patients) who completed the measure under “honest” or “fake bad” conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and Characterization of the Prolactin-binding Protein in Human Serum and Milk

The actions of prolactin (PRL) are mediated by its receptor, a member of the superfamily of single transmembrane cytokine receptors. High affinity binding proteins for the closely related growth hormone have been found in the sera of several species including humans and are generated by alternative splicing or proteolysis of the growth hormone receptor extracellular domain (ECD). In contrast, no conclusive evidence has been presented that an analogous prolactin-binding protein (PRLBP) is expressed in human serum. Using both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies generated against hPRL and the ECD of the human prolactin receptor, co-immunoprecipitation analyses of human serum identified a 32-kDa hPRLBP capable of binding both hPRL and human growth hormone. A measurable fraction of circulating PRL (36%) was associated with the hPRLBP. Despite well documented sex differences in serum hPRL levels, there were no significant differences in the levels of hPRLBP found in the sera of normal adult males and females (15.3 ± 1.3 ng/mlversus 13.4 ± 0.8 ng/ml, respectively (mean ± S.E.)). Immunoprecipitation studies also detected the PRLBP in human milk albeit at lower concentrations than found in sera. Deglycosylation did not alter its electrophoretic mobility, indicating an absence of carbohydrate moieties and suggesting that the hPRLBP spans most of the PRLR ECD, a result confirmed by limited proteolysis and mass spectrometry. The potential function of this serum chaperone was assessed in vitro by the addition of recombinant hPRLBP to the culture medium of the PRL-dependent Nb2 T-cell line. These studies revealed that the hPRLBP antagonizes PRL action, inhibiting PRL-driven growth in a dose-dependent manner.
Axially symmetric rotating traversable wormholes

This paper generalizes the static and spherically symmetric traversable wormhole geometry to a rotating axially symmetric one with a time-dependent angular velocity by means of an exact solution. It was found that the violation of the weak energy condition, although unavoidable, is considerably less severe than in the static spherically symmetric case. The radial tidal constraint is more easily met due to the rotation. Similar improvements are seen in one of the lateral tidal constraints. The magnitude of the angular velocity may have little effect on the weak energy condition violation for an axially symmetric wormhole. For a spherically symmetric one, however, the violation becomes less severe with increasing angular velocity. The time rate of change of the angular velocity, on the other hand, was found to have no effect at all. Finally, the angular velocity must depend only on the radial coordinate, confirming an earlier result.
Retention, Academic Success, and Progress Among Adult, Returning Students: A Comparison of the Effects of Institutional and External Factors

This article reports the findings of a study of the retention, academic success, and progress of 97 adult, primarily part-time students at a large Midwestern urban commuter state university. The impact of background characteristics, goals and commitments, interaction within the institution, and external factors is assessed. Drawing on the work of Tinto (1987) and Bean and Metzner (1985), the relative impact of institutional and external, environmental factors is examined. Although environmental factors had a combinrd, significant impact on academic success, interaction within the institution in the form of academic advising had the most important impact, on I-elenlion of these students.
Short communication: growth characteristics of Streptococcus uberis in UHT-treated milk.

Abstract Streptococcus uberis is an important environmental pathogen associated with bovine mastitis as well as with high total bacterial numbers in bulk tank milk. This study was conducted to determine whether S. uberis reproduction is likely to contribute to high bacterial numbers in bulk tank milk. Four S. uberis raw milk isolates were individually inoculated into UHT-treated milk and incubated at 4.4 or 7°C for up to 5 d to simulate appropriate cooling; at 10°C for 5 d to simulate marginally inadequate cooling; at 21 or 25°C for 7h to simulate ambient temperatures; or at 32°C for 7h to simulate elevated temperature conditions. None of the S. uberis isolates grew at either 4.4 or 7°C. Streptococcus uberis growth at 10°C appeared to be ribotype-specific. Although ribotype 116-520-S-1 isolates did not grow at 10°C, ribotype 116-520-S-2 isolate numbers increased up to 3.5 log 10 cfu/mL within 5 d. Generation times were calculated as 2.7±0.1h, 2.1±0.1h, and 1.0±0.1h for 116-520-S-1 isolates and 1.8±0.4h, 1.3±0.3h, and 0.8±0.1h for 116-520-S-2 isolates at 21, 25, and 32°C, respectively. Our results suggest that high numbers of S. uberis in bulk tank milk are more likely to reflect high numbers of S. uberis shed by mastitic cows, rather than multiplication of these organisms under cooling conditions required for production of Grade A milk.
A channel-bank-based phone detection strategy

This paper presents a channel-bank based phone detection algorithm, that can be used in greatly cut down the search space in the process of mapping a set of acoustic features to a phone sequence. The algorithm involves a low cost preprocessing, and relies on using local information (in time) about the acoustic features, to predict, whether or not a phone can exist over a certain time interval; hence, it may be thought of as producing a short-list of possible phones at all times, and it is only necessary to search in this short list, rather than in the entire phone alphabet, for the correct phone. The technique was applied in the acoustic fast match of the IBM speech recognition system, and resulted in a significant reduction in the execution time of the fast match. >