cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
87 PAPILLARY MUSCLE MASQUERADING AS A VEGETATION

The patient is an 84 year old man with a history of flail posterior mitral leaflet and severe mitral regurgitation. During serial follow-up, he remained asymptomatic with normal left ventricular (LV) size and function. Due to his advanced age and lack of symptoms, the patient was managed medically until March 2004 when he developed exertional dyspnea. He was referred for a cardiac surgical evaluation and left heart catheterization in preparation for possible mitral valve surgery. On March 31, 2004, the patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement with a bovine bioprosthesis. His operative and immediate post-operative course was uneventful. A post-operative transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed a dilated LV with severely reduced function. The tissue valve appeared to function normally. An echodensity of unclear etiology was noted superior to the left atrium (LA). He felt well and was observed clinically. A follow-up TTE on 8/16/2004 showed improvement in LV size and function, normal tissue valve function, and the previously noted echodensity superior to the LA. The differential diagnosis of this echodensity included vegetation, thrombus, mitral chordae, or reverberation artifact. In the interim, the patient developed a significant decrease in his hematocrit (27.0%). Evaluation in consultation with a hematologist revealed a hemolytic anemia, possibly secondary to the prosthetic valve. He subsequently underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Antibiotic therapy for presumed endocarditis was initiated but a one-week course did not change the size of the mass as documented by repeat TEE. The patient also had no physical or laboratory evidence (including multiple blood cultures with no growth) of endocarditis. On September 14, 2004, the patient underwent repeat cardiac surgery. The intraoperative findings included 1) a potential space between the sewing ring and the annulus; 2) the suspected prosthetic mitral valve mass was identified as a previously preserved primary chord to the anterior leaflet, which had a small portion of papillary muscle attached to it. This was prolapsing into the left ventricular outflow tract through the aortic valve. The surgeon performed a primary repair of the paravalvular leak and excision of the residual anterior leaflet chordae with attached papillary muscle. The papillary muscle presumably ruptured and resulted in its prolapse into the left ventricular outflow tract through the aortic valve. Pathology demonstrated infarcted papillary muscle tissue attached to chordae consistent with the contention of a ruptured papillary muscle.
CDK4/6 inhibition: the late harvest cycle begins

Effective and safe pharmacologic inhibition of the cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) has been a goal of cancer researchers for many years. CDKs are attractive therapeutic targets in cancer for two main reasons first, some tumors harbor dependencies on particular CDKs for their initiation and maintained growth; second, there is a surprising amount of redundancy between various CDKs in maintaining normal organ function [1, 2]. These observations suggest that it might be possible to inhibit a certain CDK to slow tumor growth without invoking prohibitive toxicity. Unfortunately, clinical trials using CDK inhibitors have largely failed due to low potency and specificity of the agents used. Recently, however, medicinal chemists have developed a new generation of more potent and selective CDK inhibitors. Of these, inhibitors of CDK4 and CDK6 (“CDK4/6 inhibitors”) are the best characterized and have progressed furthest in clinical development. Indeed, recent trials have shown that the addition of palbociclib (a potent and selective CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor) to endocrine therapy significantly improves progression-free survival in women with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, leading to its accelerated approval by the FDA in 2015 [3]. This success has sparked enthusiasm for CDK4/6 inhibitors and a large number of trials testing CDK4/6 inhibition for a variety of tumor types have opened. Agents in development include palbociclib, abemaciclib, and ribociclib. The canonical function of CDKs 4 and 6 is to facilitate cellular transition from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle. This is achieved when levels of a D-type cyclin (cyclin D1, D2, or D3) rise in G1, facilitating formation of a cyclin D-CDK4/6 holoenzyme (also incorporating a Cip/Kip subunit such as p21 or p27) [4]. The active kinase phosphorylates the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB), liberating RB from E2F family transcription factors. This promotes expression of genes regulating the G1-S transition. It is not surprising, therefore, that pharmacologic CDK4/6 inhibitors suppress RB phosphorylation, induce G1 arrest, and ultimately produce a senescent-like phenotype in sensitive tumor cells. Indeed, these effects alone are likely to render these agents as effective therapies for many tumors. Understanding these canonical CDK4/6 pathways might allow us to rapidly identify tumors that are likely to be sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of these kinases. Potential candidates include: (i) tumors driven by oncogenes that are known to increase cyclin D protein Editorial
Monoclonal Antibodies in Urology

The recent development of hybridoma technology has made it possible to obtain large quantities of antibody against a single determinant (monoclonal antibodies). This review describes the history of hybridoma technology and the method of producing monoclonal antibodies. It examines the role of such antibodies in diagnosis, tissue typing, histochemistry, developmental biology and study and treatment of diseases, including cancer, emphasizing the work being done on urological diseases.
Credibility and Interactivity: Persuasive Components of Ideological Group Websites

The quickly growing presence of ideological groups on the Internet has garnered interest into how these groups use technology to persuade others. This study extends current research on the influential effects of website credibility and interactivity to the context of ideological group websites. Results of this study indicated that credibility and interactivity had direct and interactive effects on outcomes of agreement with the ideology, negative affective responses, and strength of argument when responding to the website. A number of these results may be due to inconsistency with previous beliefs or violations of expectations regarding ideological group websites. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.
Copper and primary biliary cirrhosis.

In an autopsy study, hepatic copper (Cu) concentrations in primary biliary cirrhosis were compared with those in normal organs, two other forms of cirrhosis, and extrahepatic obstruction. Cu tissue stores in other major organs were also assessed in primary biliary cirrhosis and in normal organs. The mean hepatic Cu level in primary biliary cirrhosis was significantly greater than that in normal groups and in both groups with cirrhosis (P
Constitutional Decision Making

K-majority rules, such as majority rule, supermajority rules, and unanimity rule, have been used in legislative settings. The British House of Commons and the U.S. House of Representatives use simple majority rule for ordinary decisions; the U.S. Senate requires approval of 3/5ths of its members to pass “filibuster-proof” legislation; and the Council of the European Union requires unanimity rule for votes in some issue areas.
Understanding the chromatic effect on Multiple Monochromatic Imaging Instruments

Multiple Monochromatic Imaging (MMI) instruments are used to investigate the 2-D properties of imploding capsules using x-ray multilayered mirror to create narrow-energy band images. In order to improve on the quality of the extracted information, there is a need for improved understanding of the effect of chromaticity on the photometric response of the instrument. The presentation will briefly describe the current status of that understanding, and will show the effect the effect of neglecting the chromatic instrument response on the assumed flat response.
CMP Challenges for Advanced Technology Nodes beyond Si

As the scaling of the device dimensions in CMOS devices runs into physical limitations, new materials beyond Si with high electron and hole mobilities such as Ge, SiGe, and III-V materials are introduced. Challenges of CMP for these materials are reviewed in this paper. First we discussed the challenge of the new integration schemes to CMP. Loading effects can result in different growth rates for varying feature sizes, which results in a critical dimension dependent overburden. This makes it more difficult to meet the targets of the CMP process with respect to oxide loss and Ge/SiGe/III-V dishing. Secondly we discuss the challenge for the reduction of the defects during CMP for these new materials. Finally the challenge that is relevant especially for the introduction of III-V materials is studied. During the polishing of III-V materials, toxic gases as well as III-V containing liquid waste will be created. The chemical mechanism of the waste control is discussed.
Spiritual Leadership and Organizational Implications: A Synthesis

The article has attempted to search the leadership ideologies with respect to spiritual presentation of behavioral outcome and its respective influence on organizational ideologies and functional implications. This ideology of spiritual leadership is to perform for the betterment of individual, organization and society as whole. The current study reveals that spiritual leadership is very practical phenomenon which is earnest in the modern parlance to resolve several problems which are drawn out as ill effects of materialistic ideologies. An extensive study of literature has been performed to understand and explore the underlying ideologies of spiritual leadership and its varied and distinguished consequences on organizational functional implications. The current article would explore the philosophies and ideologies attached with the spiritual leadership theory and strongly recommend that spiritual leadership can be an effective mode to transform the organizational entity. This may elevates the journey of productive performance, futile to fertile, deplete to complete and materialistic to post materialistic. The current article would further propagate the importance of spiritual leadership on organizational effective implications. This has also studied the various dimensions of spiritual leaderships meeting pointedly to the organizational performances. Keywords: spiritual leadership, performance, organizational effectiveness.
Changes in Local Bone Density in Early Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis.

Purpose Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) represents a major source of functional morbidity. The effects of early CMC OA on loading and use patterns potentially lead to changes in local bone density and microarchitecture. Hounsfield units (HU), a quantitative attenuation coefficient obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans, have been shown to be a reliable marker of bone density. We hypothesized that early CMC OA is associated with lower local bone density about the CMC joint as assessed by HU. Methods We examined HU units from CT scans in 23 asymptomatic subjects and 91 patients with early CMC OA. The HU measurements were obtained within cancellous portions of the trapezium, capitate, first and third metacarpal bases, and distal radius. Linear regression models, with age and sex included as covariates, were used to assess the relationship between CMC OA and HU values at each anatomical site. Results Early OA patients had significantly lower HU than asymptomatic subjects within the trapezium (mean, 377 HU vs 436 HU) and first metacarpal bases (265 HU vs 324 HU). No significant group differences were noted at the capitate, third metacarpal, or distal radius. Male sex and younger age were associated with significantly higher HU at all the anatomical sites, except the first metacarpal base, where age had no significant effect. Conclusions Subjects presenting with early CMC OA had significantly lower bone density as assessed with HU at the thumb CMC joint (trapezium and first metacarpal base). Early thumb CMC OA and discomfort may lead to diminished loading across the basal joint, producing focal disuse osteopenia. These findings in symptomatic early arthritis suggest a relationship between symptoms, functional use of the CMC joint, and local bone density. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic II.
Performance Impacts of In Situ Wavelet Compression on Scientific Simulations

In situ compression is a compromise between traditional post hoc and emerging in situ visualization and analysis. While the merits and limitations of various compressor options have been well studied, their performance impacts on scientific simulations are less clear, especially on large scale supercomputer systems. This study fills in this gap by performing in situ compression experiments on a leading supercomputer system. More specifically, we measured the computational and I/O impacts of a lossy wavelet compressor and analyzed the results with respect to various in situ processing concerns. We believe this study provides a better understanding of in situ compression as well as new evidence supporting its viability, in particular for wavelets.
Glocal Experiences in Your Own Backyard: Teacher Candidates Developing Understanding of Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice

In this study, we report on the developing intercultural competence of 48 preservice teachers, as they engaged in a glocal field experience with English-language learners (ELLs) at a middle school in Texas, U.S.A. All the preservice teachers were female, White, in their early 20s, and monolingual, native English speakers which is similar to the demographics of public school teachers in the U.S. The middle school is located in a high poverty area with a history of poor academic outcomes for ELLs. Preservice teachers collaborated with content area teachers to create and deliver lessons that targeted critical learning objectives identified by content area teachers. The data consisted of interviews with preservice teachers before and after the field experience, triangulated with the journal entries and lesson plans they wrote during the process. Using a qualitative case study methodology, we explored preservice teachers’ growing understanding of ELLs and their language and academic needs. Preservice teachers’ perceptions of ELLs appeared to transform a result of the field experience. A majority of the preservice teachers initially conceptualized ELLs as having limited English proficiency and limited intellectual capacity. Throughout the experience, they developed a refined understanding of the diversity of students’ language proficiency and that low levels of language proficiency were not indicative of low intelligence. Furthermore, patience was strategized to include specific strategies to support ELLs’ language and content development. As a result of this experience, preservice teachers made progress toward building intercultural competence and understanding the challenges and affordances of working with ELLs.
Engaging the Transgender Community to Improve Medical Education and Prioritize Healthcare Initiatives.

Phenomenon: Transgender patients experience discrimination, limited access to care, and inadequate provider knowledge in healthcare settings. Medical education to address transgender-specific dispa...
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Ethylene from Wet Shale Gas and Biomass

Abstract This paper presents comparative techno-economic and environmental analyses of three ethylene manufacturing pathways based on wet shale gas, corn stover, and corn grain. A distributed-centralized processing network that consists of distributed ethane/bioethanol production and centralized ethylene manufacturing is employed for each of the three pathways. Based on the detailed mass and energy balances and life cycle inventory results, we conduct techno-economic and life cycle analyses to systematically compare the economic and environmental performances of the three pathways. The results indicate that the shale gas-based pathway is the most attractive due to the lowest breakeven ethylene prices; however, it leads to the highest greenhouse gas emissions. On the contrary, the corn stover-based pathway results in the lowest greenhouse gas emissions but the highest breakeven ethylene prices.
Optimization of elastodynamic finite integration technique on Intel Xeon Phi Knights Landing processors

This work describes the development and optimization of an implementation of an isotropic elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) code for parallelized computation on Intel Knights Landing (KNL) hardware. EFIT is a numerical approach resulting in standard staggered-grid finite difference equations for the elastodynamic equations of motion to simulate bulk waves is solids. The computationally efficient simulation of elastodynamic wave propagation and interactions in aerospace materials is of high-interest in the fields of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM). Ultrasonic inspection uses an ultrasonic signal, generated at the surface of the material/structure via use of a piezoelectric transducer, to propagate sound waves into the material where it interacts with any existing defects, as well as with structural boundaries and any material inhomogeneity. Reflections from defects and boundaries are then measured by a transducer. Realistic ultrasound simulation tools can significantly aid the development and optimization of inspection techniques and can assist in the interpretation of experimental data. The optimization of an elastodynamics simulation code for the KNL Many Integrated Core processor was performed. The optimization focused on data locality and vectorization. Results show that tiling of the data to exploit the cache behavior and allow for significant utilization of the KNL hardware. The MPI implementation allows for a scalable implementation enabling large problems to be simulated. The model results were validated against theoretical dispersion curves to within 2% of the group velocity, and within 0.5% of the phase velocity of the A0 mode. Aggressive use of tiling, threading, and vectorization techniques allowed for dramatically improved time to solution.
Fathers and Perceptions of God Play an Important Role in Psychological Adjustment Among Emerging Adults in Guatemala and the United States.

Interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory posits that people require parental acceptance in childhood to develop healthy psychological adjustment. People’s beliefs about and their relationship with...
The Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in Immune and Inflammatory Diseases.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a nuclear receptor that modulates the response to environmental stimuli. It was recognized historically for its role in toxicology but, in recent decades, it has been increasingly recognized as an important modulator of disease—especially for its role in modulating immune and inflammatory responses. AHR has been implicated in many diseases that are driven by immune/inflammatory processes, including major depressive disorder, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and allergic responses, among others. The mechanisms by which AHR has been suggested to impact immune/inflammatory diseases include targeted gene expression and altered immune differentiation. It has been suggested that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are near AHR-regulated genes may contribute to AHR-dependent disease mechanisms/pathways. Further, we have found that SNPs that are outside of nuclear receptor binding sites (i.e., outside of AHR response elements (AHREs)) may contribute to AHR-dependent gene regulation in a SNP- and ligand-dependent manner. This review will discuss the evidence and mechanisms of AHR contributions to immune/inflammatory diseases and will consider the possibility that SNPs that are outside of AHR binding sites might contribute to AHR ligand-dependent inter-individual variation in disease pathophysiology and response to pharmacotherapeutics.
Retinoblastoma: External Beam Radiation

In the treatment of retinoblastoma, radiation therapy provides a useful historical benchmark for the evaluation of tumor control, eye preservation, and side effects. The National Cancer Institute’s SEER data demonstrates that upfront radiotherapy was utilized in 34.6% of patients from 1985 to 1989 and declined to 6.5% from 2000 to 2004. Due to the haunting potential of long-term side effects, its role has recently been replaced by a move toward chemotherapy, most recently ophthalmic artery chemosurgery combined with intravitreous chemotherapy injections (Chap. 13). This chapter will discuss external beam radiation therapy and its indications, risks, and new delivery approaches. Chapter 11 provides more detail about brachytherapy in the treatment of intraocular retinoblastoma.
Kinetics and mechanism of the solid-acid catalyzed one-pot conversion of d -fructose to 5, 5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furaldehyde] in dimethyl sulfoxide

The kinetics and the mechanism of Dowex 50WX8 catalyzed conversion of d-fructose to 5, 5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furaldehyde] via the intermediate 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was studied in DMSO. The first order rate constants for two step process was determined at 383 and 393 K by monitoring the concentrations of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 5, 5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furaldehyde]. The activation energies for d-fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural conversion and dimerization to 5, 5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furaldehyde] were determined as 48.2 and 24.5 kJ mol−1. A detailed mechanism with four acid catalyzed dehydration steps is proposed for the one-pot conversion of d-fructose to 5, 5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furaldehyde] based on 1H NMR studies in DMSO-d6 at 393 K.
A Hierarchical Mesoporous Insulation Ceramic

Light-weight ceramic aerogels hold promise for superinsulation. However, its mechanical instability and complex manufacturing hampered its technical applications. In this study, we demonstrate lightweight pore-gradient ceramic aerogel-like foam monoliths (PGAFoams) through one-pot and in situ bubble supported pore gradient formation. The mechanically strong PGAFoams exhibit a low thermal conductivity of 0.036 W m-1 K-1 and a compressive strength of 89.85 MPa. The pore gradient and integral ceramic monolith nature provides such hydrophobic PGAFoams with thermal management, robust soundproof, and fire-resistance performance. Highly machinable PGAFoams can be adapted into a variety of shapes and dimensions to accommodate complex geometry applications. The scalable manufacturing of lightweight PGAFoams opens up building insulation with remarkable thermal management, high mechanical strength, low mass density, superior soundproofing, and fire-retardant performances.
Heroin self-administration and extinction increases prelimbic cortical astroglia-synapse proximity and alters dendritic spine morphometrics that are reversed by N-acetylcysteine

Both clinical and preclinical studies indicate that adaptations in corticostriatal neurotransmission underlie heroin relapse vulnerability. In animal models, heroin self-administration and extinction produce linked molecular and cellular adaptations in both astrocytes and neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NA) core that are required for cued relapse. For example, decreased expression of the glutamate transporter GLT-1 and reduced association of perisynaptic astrocytic processes with NAcore synapses allow glutamate overflow from prelimbic (PrL) cortical terminals to engage synaptic and structural plasticity in NAcore medium spiny neurons. Importantly, normalizing heroin-induced GLT-1 downregulation prevents glutamate overflow, medium spiny neuron plasticity, and relapse. Surprisingly, little is known about heroin-induced alterations in cortical astroglia and their interaction with neurons. Here we show that heroin SA followed by extinction leads to increased astrocyte complexity and association with synaptic markers in the PrL cortex in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Enhanced astroglial complexity and synaptic interaction were reversed during extinction by repeated treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant drug previously shown to inhibit heroin seeking. We also show that dendritic spines of PrL cortical neurons projecting to the NAcore are enlarged, yet the density of spines is decreased, after extinction from heroin SA. Repeated NAC treatment prevented the decrease in spine density but not dendritic spine expansion. These results reveal circuit-level adaptations in cortical dendritic spine morphology that are related to heroin-induced alterations in astrocyte complexity and association at synapses and demonstrate that NAC reverses cortical heroin-induced adaptations in multiple cell types.
Quit and win contests in community-dwelling mental and behavioral health populations: A systematic review and pilot feasibility findings.

BACKGROUND People with mental illnesses (MI) benefit from incentives to promote tobacco cessation. "Quit and Win" contests are community-based approaches that incentivize cessation. However, little is known about "Quit and Win" contest effectiveness among people with MI. AIM To examine the utility of "Quit and Win" contests among people with MI. METHOD This study had two phases: (a) a systematic literature review to explore the potential effectiveness of "Quit and Win" contests for people with MI and (b) a pilot feasibility study of implementing a "Quit and Win" contest among people with MI from a community mental health program (CMHP). RESULTS In phase 1, no reviewed study specifically included people with MI in their sample. Of the four cohort and five randomized controlled studies in the review, the mean reported participant quit rates at the end of "Quit and Win" contests were 76.8% and 28.3%, respectively. In phase 2, within a CMHP, four out of seven participants completed a "Quit and Win" contest, and one individual achieved cessation. CONCLUSION People with MI may benefit from incentive-based tobacco cessation programs. Implementing a "Quit and Win" contests within a CMHP is important and requires more studies to determine feasibility and effectiveness.
Deaf, Not Invisible: Sign Language Interpreting in a Global Pandemic

One of us is in translation and interpreting studies, and has written on collaborative translation, and the other in philosophy of medicine. In our open peer commentary, we will focus attention on ...
IMPLICATIONS OF PRECIOUS METAL CATALYSTS WITH LEADED FUELS

The potential for catalysts to operate with leaded fuel was evaluated by screening catalysts under a variety of steady state and cyclic conditions with 0.4 g/l leaded fuel. The influence of precious metal loading, formulation and the level of inlet O//2 was also evaluated. Pure platinum (Pt) was superior to catalysts containing Pt and palladium. Cyclic aging provided much better catalyst performance retention than steady state exposure. The scavenging effect of HCl and HBr, which accomplishes deposit removal in the combustion chamber, may also operate on the catalyst where cyclic operation assures a proper balance of temperature above and below 550 degree C.
IL-10-producing intestinal macrophages prevent excessive antibacterial innate immunity by limiting IL-23 synthesis

Innate immune responses are regulated in the intestine to prevent excessive inflammation. Here we show that a subset of mouse colonic macrophages constitutively produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In mice infected with Citrobacter rodentium, a model for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection in humans, these macrophages are required to prevent intestinal pathology. IL-23 is significantly increased in infected mice with a myeloid cell-specific deletion of IL-10, and the addition of IL-10 reduces IL-23 production by intestinal macrophages. Furthermore, blockade of IL-23 leads to reduced mortality in the context of macrophage IL-10 deficiency. Transcriptome and other analyses indicate that IL-10-expressing macrophages receive an autocrine IL-10 signal. Interestingly, only transfer of the IL-10 positive macrophages could rescue IL-10-deficient infected mice. Therefore, these data indicate a pivotal role for intestinal macrophages that constitutively produce IL-10, in controlling excessive innate immune activation and preventing tissue damage after an acute bacterial infection.
Surgical resident learning styles have changed with work hours.

Abstract Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education instituted the 80-h workweek for residency programs in 2003. This presented a unique challenge for surgery residents who must acquire a medical and technical knowledge base during training. Therefore, learning should be delivered in an environment congruent with an individual's learning style. In this study, we evaluated the learning styles of general surgery residents to determine how learning styles changed after the implementation to the 80-h workweek. Materials and methods Kolb learning style inventory was taken by general surgery residents at the University of Cincinnati's Department of Surgery, and results from 1999–2012 were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared, logistic regression and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Significance was defined as a P value of Results A total of 411 responses were obtained from 115 residents. Surgical residents were primarily converging (59.0%) and assimilating (19.1%) learners before 2003. However, there was a shift in predominate learning styles after the institution of the 80-h workweek to converging (43.9%) and accommodating (40.4%, P Conclusions After the institution of the 80-h workweek, most general surgery residents remained action-based learners. However, there was a shift within this majority toward a preference for team-based learning. This change paralleled the transition to a more team-based approach to patient care with the implementation of the 80-h workweek. These findings are important for surgical educators to consider in the development of surgical resident curriculum.
Surface Studies with Acoustic Probe Techniques

A new measurement technique is discussed which utilizes acoustic surface waves to detect the surface depth dependence of radiative absorption. We present a theoretical analysis of the detection process which relates these measurements to a quantitative model of surface absorption phenomena. This technique is generally applicable to study weak surface absorption at wavelengths for which a material is essentially transparent. Surface wave phase variations induced by the absorption of 10.6μm radiation have been measured on KC1 surfaces. The surface absorption o of these samples was also measured by calorimetry to be σ~2×10−4. A radiative pulse of 100 msec and 5 joules incident energy has been observed to induce an 80 mrad phase change. Shorter radiative pulses (~10 msec) are necessary to probe the temperature depth gradient arising from a depth variation of the absorption coefficient. Initial results of recent studies to measure the depth dependence of surface radiative absorption on etched alkali halide surfaces are presented.
Secondary Metabolites and Environmental Stress in Plants: Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Function

Secondary metabolites (SMs) are organic molecules that have a wide range of chemical structures and biological functions. SMs, especially flavonoid, have been recently suggested in playing important roles as antioxidants. They appear to be induced by a variety of environmental factors including fungal elicitors, light, ultraviolet radiation, interactions with microorganisms, wounding, metal stress, temperature changes, drought and nutrient depletion. These molecules are commonly synthesized in different parts of the plant (cells, leaves, stem, roots, vacuole of plant cells) and protect the plant against adverse conditions, such as microbial and herbivore attacks. Some SMs had a significant impact on human health as they are important components of the daily diet and may help prevent human diseases. The structural and regulatory genes play important roles in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In this chapter, recent research developments on the structural genes and regulatory genes that are involved in the biosynthesis of SMs and plant developments are discussed, focusing on the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway.
Technology Transfer, Income Distribution and the Process of Economic Development

This paper studies the role of income distribution and technology transfer in the process of economic development. A novel aspect of the model is that the composition of human capital as well as the level affect economic growth. Utilizing an overlapping-generations model in which income distribution changes endogenously, we present an economic explanation for why some countries could not start modern economic growth; why some countries took off but have apparently stopped growing after some time; and why some countries have successfully developed and continue to grow.
c-Src Binds αII Spectrin's Src Homology 3 (SH3) Domain and Blocks Calpain Susceptibility by Phosphorylating Tyr1176

Spectrin is a ubiquitous heterodimeric scaffolding protein that stabilizes membranes and organizes protein and lipid microdomains on both the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. Phosphorylation of β-spectrin on Ser/Thr is well recognized. Less clear is whether α-spectrin is phosphorylatedin vivo and whether spectrin is phosphorylated on tyrosine (pTyr). We affirmatively answer both questions. In cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, αII spectrin undergoesin vivo tyrosine phosphorylation. Enhancement of the steady state level of pTyr-modified αII spectrin by vanadate, a phosphatase inhibitor, implies a dynamic balance between αII spectrin phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Recombinant peptides containing the Src homology 3 domain of αII spectrin (but not the Src homology 3 domain of αI spectrin) bind specifically to phosphorylated c-Src in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell lysates, suggesting that this kinase is responsible for its in vivo phosphorylation. pTyr-modified αII spectrin is resistant to maitotoxin-induced cleavage by μ-calpain in vivo. In vitro studies of recombinant αII spectrin peptides representing repeats 9–12 identify two sites of pTyr modification. The first site is at Tyr1073, a residue immediately adjacent to a region encoded by alternative exon usage (insert 1). The second site is at Tyr1176. This residue flanks the major site of cleavage by the calcium-dependent protease calpain, and phosphorylation of Tyr1176 by c-Src reduces the susceptibility of αII spectrin to cleavage by μ-calpain. Calpain cleavage of spectrin, activated by Ca2+ and calmodulin, contributes to diverse cellular processes including synaptic remodeling, receptor-mediated endocytosis, apoptosis, and the response of the renal epithelial cell to ischemic injury. Tyrosine phosphorylation of αII spectrin now would appear to also mediate these events. The spectrin skeleton thus forms a point of convergence between kinase/phosphatase and Ca2+-mediated signaling cascades.
Theory for Estimating Human-Observer Templates in Two-Alternative Forced-Choice Experiments

This paper presents detailed derivations of an unbiased estimate for an observer template (a set of linear pixel weights an observer uses to perform a visual task) in two-alternative forced-choice experiments. Two derivations of the covariance matrix associated with the error present in this estimation method are also derived and compared in human-observer data.
Right in Singapore English

: Singapore English has been, and still is, an enigma for many scholars and researchers. In recent years, much attention has been given to the analysis of its particles. However, rather than focusing on the analysis of one particle or several particles and how they operate at the level of the sentence, this paper looks at a particular phenomenon in Singapore English at a discursive level. Specifically, it examines right and its use as a discourse marker in Singapore English interactions. In doing so, this paper demonstrates how it contributes to the alignment of two kinds of stances between speakers, namely, the epistemic stance and the interpersonal stance. This is done with supporting data from naturally occurring Singaporean conversations. Furthermore, this paper also briefly suggests that the familiar particles in Singapore English can be analysed not only as particles, but also as discourse markers at an interactional level.
A perioperative management algorithm for cardiac rhythm management devices: the PACED-OP protocol.

Background Limited data are available regarding the perioperative management of cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMDs) exposed to intraoperative electromagnetic interference. We postulated that implementation of a simple, standardized approach to CRMD management using our own institution's Pacing And Cardioverting Electronic Devices peri-Operative Protocol (the PACED-OP protocol) would be associated with a reduction in the amount of device reprogramming without an increase in CRMD-related complications. Methods Records of patients with CRMDs undergoing 497 consecutive surgical procedures were analyzed retrospectively. Roughly half (51%, n = 254) of these procedures occurred before implementation of the PACED-OP protocol, when patients were generally treated according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' 2005 guidelines. These cases were compared to the remaining surgeries that occurred after implementation of the PACED-OP protocol. Records were screened for evidence of intraoperative CRMD malfunction that was directly associated with the use of electrocautery. Postoperative complications that could be indirectly or possibly linked to electrocautery-mediated CRMD malfunction were also identified. Results Implementation of the PACED-OP protocol was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of device reprogramming (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.19, P < 0.001). There was no direct evidence of CRMD malfunction in either cohort. The rate of postoperative complications that could be indirectly or possibly linked with electrocautery-mediated CRMD damage did not differ significantly between cohorts (aOR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval 0.56–3.3, P = 0.49). Conclusion The PACED-OP protocol implementation was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of device reprogramming without a significant difference in the odds of CRMD-related complications.
Nutritional Success on the Great Plains: Nineteenth-Century Equestrian Nomads

Native Americans have often been portrayed as merely unfortunate victims of European disease and aggression, but data on human stature show—and travelers' accounts and skeletal records confirm—that the equestrian Plains nomads were ingenious, adaptive, and nutritionally successful in the face of exceptional demographic stress. Much of their extraordinary achievement can be attributed to a rich and varied diet, a modest disease load other than epidemics, a remarkable facility at reorganization following demographic disasters, and egalitarian principles of operation.
Integrated micromachined transmission lines and endfire slotline antennas

An entirely new class of micromachined 3D microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits and antennas are being developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison using a subset o the LIGA micromachining process. The deep x-ray lithography and metal plating portions of the LIGA process are used to precisely form tall metal structures on semiconductor and dielectric substrates. This micromachining process allows metal height to be included as a parameter in the design of integrated circuits, which will permit several important advancements in high frequency waveguiding circuits and integrated antennas. With appropriate thick- metal cross-sectional geometry, transmission line losses and dispersion may both be reduced on a given substrate. Vertical-walled metal structures allow increased control over element-to-element coupling for integrated coupled-line filters and couplers and result in very significant reductions in ohmic loss. It will be demonstrated that the first single-level coupled-line 3dB coupler can be fabricated using the LIGA process. In addition, the mechanical properties of the thick metal structures will be utilized in the fabrication of integrated antennas and transmission lines that are unsupported by a dielectric substrate. The elimination of the substrate beneath antennas reduces losses to substrate modes, and the elimination o the substrate beneath transmission line filters is necessary for extremely high Q integrated filters. This paper will present simulated loss results that demonstrate the advantages of thick metal transmission lines, measured results of a coupled-line bandpass filter, and a recently fabricated thick-metal tapered slotline antenna which extends nearly a centimeter off of the edge of a GaAs wafer.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Near-zero-frequency stimulated Raman gain spectroscopy in CS 2

We have obtained the low-frequency dispersion of Im χ(3) in CS2 by stimulated Raman gain technique with a simple, low-power cw-pulsed laser system. The theoretical relationship between the nonlinear spectrum and the spontaneous spectrum is confirmed. The unique capability of the technique for low-frequency Raman measurements is well demonstrated with the detection of a weak near-zero-frequency mode.
The prolonged hyperpolarizing afterpotential in an invertebrate photoreceptor: wavelength and ionic dependence

A single electrode voltage clamp was used to examine the prolonged hyperpolarizing afterpotential (PHA) which accompanies photoconversion of a substantial fraction of rhodopsin (lambda max = 500 nM) to metarhodopsin (lambda max = 575 nM) in distal photoreceptor cells in the retina of the bay scallop, Pecten irradians. The PHA appears to result from a persistent light-activated outward K+ current passing through the same channels responsible for the normal receptor potential in these cells.
Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection, Rifabutin, and Uveitis—Is There a Connection?

Rifabutin, an antimycobacterial agent, has been recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service as prophylaxis against infection due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in patients with AIDS. When rifabutin is administered as prophylaxis, uveitis has been reported only rarely. However, uveitis has been reported in two studies in which rifabutin was administered at higher doses in combination with an azole, a macrolide, or both for treatment of disseminated MAC infection. The uveitis that has been reported has been predominantly anterior and mild-to-moderate in nature, although severe hypopyon uveitis has occasionally been reported. No etiologic infectious agent has been isolated from any of these patients, and treatment with topical steroids and cycloplegics usually leads to rapid resolution of the uveitis. It is necessary to discontinue prophylaxis or therapy with rifabutin only in cases of uveitis that are refractory to treatment or when the uveitis recurs. Immunologic factors, rather than direct drug toxicity, appear to be the most likely explanation for the occurrence of uveitis in patients receiving rifabutin ; however, further study is required to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Investigations of Ruthenium (II) Sources for the Synthesis of Ruthenocene and [1.1]Ferro-Ruthenocenophane

Abstract In order to find alternate sources of rathenium(II) in which the metal is coordinated to easily removed ligands and which would be useful in the synthesis of [1.1]metallocenophanes, a number of candidate Ru(II) compounds were examined for the preparation of ruthenocene. In general, the “Ru[II]” compounds were prepared by methanol reduction (without hydrogen) and are known to be more complicated complexes. These compounds were as follows: RuCl2 in THF, RuCl2 in ethylene glycol diethyl ether (DEE), dibenzeneruthenium(II) hexafluorophophosphate, ruthenium(II) chloride tris-(tri-phenylstibine), and di-μ.-chloro-bis-(benzene-chlororutheni-um(II)]. RuCl2·3(Ph3Sb) produced ruthenocene yields of 75% for. It was selected for the synthesis of [l.l] ferro-ruthenocenophane from l,l′-bis-(6-fulvenyl)ferrocene with the best yields (15%) ever reported. The use of [(Et2S)3RuCl3) with in-situ reducing agents lead to the same [l.l]metallocenophane, but in slightly lower yields (11%). However, a number of attempts ...
Performance prediction of networked information systems via Petri nets and queuing nets

An approach is presented for generating a performance prediction model so that both qualitative (logical correctness) and quantitative (timeliness) properties of a real-time system can be evaluated. The architecture of a system is layered into a functional layer and a physical one. Both architectural layers are developed as executable models: the executable functional model is a Petri net and the executable physical model is a queuing net. The two-layered executable models are then connected to develop a performance prediction model. A message-passing pattern is generated from the Petri net using a state space analysis technique. Then, the queuing net model processes these messages preserving the pattern. Once the network delays are obtained from the queuing model, their values are inserted back into the Petri net model. Since the communication service demands are isolated from the executable functional model, the communications network can be specified independently at any preferred level of detail. This enables the executable functional model to be invariant with respect to the executable physical model resulting in additional flexibility in designing a large-scale information system. This property, together with the synthesis technique, enables both formal and simulation methods to be used together, when each one utilizes a different self-contained commercial-off-the-shelf software application. © 2002 Wiley Peri
Effect Size Estimation: Factors to Consider and Mistakes to Avoid

In recent years, there has been an increase in the reporting of effect size information. This paper (a) provides a review of commonly used effect size indices, (b) highlights some common misconceptions about effect size estimates, and (c) introduces a number of infrequently used effect size measures which depending upon the research context and the audience may better communicate the importance of the relationship between two variables.
Cloning and sequencing of a 1.3 KB variant of human thyrotropin receptor mRNA lacking the transmembrane domain.

Abstract We amplified human thyroidal cDNA using oligonucleotide primers designed to reveal putative human thyrotropin receptor (hTSHR) mRNA variants encoding the extracellular, ligand-binding domain but lacking the transmembrane domain. Whereas the major 4.3 kb hTSHR mRNA species was not amplified to detectable levels, several shorter products were detected. A strongly amplified 1 kb product was cloned and sequenced. It contained coding sequences at the 5′ end which were colinear with exons 1–8 of the hTSHR gene, encoding most of the extracellular domain. This was followed at the 3′ end by additional coding and noncoding information not present in the 4.3 kb transcript. A probe specific for the 5′ end recognized polyadenylated thyroidal transcripts of 4.3, 1.7, and 1.3 kb, indicating the presence of several hTSHR mRNA variants. A probe specific for the 3′ end recognized only the 1.3 kb transcript. The level of the 1.3 kb variant (hTSHR-v1.3 mRNA) was about half that of the 4.3 kb hTSHR mRNA and twice that of the 1.7 kb variant. The presence of a thyroidal mRNA encoding both the signal peptide and ligand-binding region of the hTSHR, but not the seven transmembrane helices, provides the potential to produce soluble receptors which could play important roles in thyroid physiology and/or autoimmune thyroid disease.