cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maize toxin degrades peritrophic matrix proteins and stimulates compensatory transcriptome responses in fall armyworm midgut.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying insect compensatory responses to plant defenses could lead to improved plant resistance to herbivores. The Mp708 inbred line of maize produces the maize insect resistant 1-cysteine protease (Mir1-CP) toxin. Reduced feeding and growth of fall armyworm larvae fed on Mp708 was previously linked to impairment of nutrient utilization and degradation of the midgut (MG) peritrophic matrix (PM) by Mir1-CP. Here we examine the biochemical and transcriptional responses of fall armyworm larvae to Mir1-CP. Insect Intestinal Mucin (IIM) was severely depleted from pure PMs treated in vitro with recombinant Mir1-CP. Larvae fed on Mp708 midwhorls excrete frass largely depleted of IIM. Cracks, fissures and increased porosity previously observed in the PM of larvae fed on Mp708 midwhorls could ensue when Mir1-CP degrades the IIM that cross-links chitin fibrils in the PM. Both targeted and global transcriptome analyses were performed to determine how complete dissolution of the structure and function of the PM is prevented, enabling larvae to continue growing in the presence of Mir1-CP. The MGs from fall armyworm fed on Mp708 upregulate expression of genes encoding proteins involved in PM production as an apparent compensation to replace the disrupted PM structure and restore appropriate counter-current MG gradients. Also, several families of digestive enzymes (endopeptidases, aminopeptidases, lipases, amylase) were more highly expressed in MGs from larvae fed on Mp708 than MGs from larvae fed on diets lacking Mir1-CP (artificial diet, midwhorls from Tx601 or B73 maize). Impaired growth of larvae fed on Mp708 probably results from metabolic costs associated with higher production of PM constituents and digestive enzymes in a compensatory attempt to maintain MG function.
Measurement of myocardium at risk by technetium-99m sestamibi: correlation with coronary angiography.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that tomographic perfusion imaging with technetium-99m sestamibi (RP-30A) can accurately measure the myocardium at risk during acute myocardial infarction. The ability of coronary angiography to predict the wide variability in myocardium at risk was studied in 21 patients with their first acute myocardial infarction. In blinded fashion, two experienced angiographers provided an overall “best estimate” of the percent of left ventricular myocardium at risk considering multiple angiographic variables—infarct-related artery, location of stenosis (proximal or nonproximal), vessel diameter, length, territory and the number and size of proximal branches and collateral vessels. Many of these individual variables showed a significant association with myocardium at risk. The most important angiographic variable was the mean best estimate of the two angiographers (r = 0.89, p
The Innovation Cycle: A New Model and Case Study for the Invention to Innovation Process

Abstract:A new cyclic model for innovation and product development is presented. The model expands upon current linear models and its structure provides insights for technology managers creating new strategies and operating philosophies. Current innovation models are linear and self-contained—all the pieces necessary to finish exist at the start and only time is required to sequentially proceed from one step to the next. The new model is cyclic in nature and includes both invention and innovation cycles with input from many sources. Recommendations developed for technology managers include evaluating their portfolio of technologies and projects to assess their position on the invention to innovation timeline and ensuring the appropriate resources are in place to support further progress. A case study of Rose-Hulman Ventures, innovative incubator/new product development center is also presented. The model, the recommendations and the case study will assist researchers in making decisions about new technolo...
Ultraviolet photoresponse of zinc phosphide thin films

Photoconducting zinc phosphide (Zn3p2) thin films have been fabricated and their photoresponse measured from 2000 A to 3400 A. Response was found to be flat down to 2300 A with a magnitude of approximately 300 μA/μW for a 10 nW input intensity.
Nuclear data sheets for A=218

Abstract Nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A = 218 is evaluated. The results from various decay experiments are compared. Adopted data, levels, and spin and parity assignments are given.
Treatment of Bronchogenic Carcinoma with Mediastinal Metastases

Abstract Mediastinal lymph node dissection in conjunction with pulmonary resection was performed on 231 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Mediastinal metastases were found in 48 patients. Thirty-six of these 48 patients underwent mediastinal irradiation in the immediate postoperative period. Seven of the 36 patients receiving postoperative irradiation lived five years (an absolute five-year survival rate of 19.5%). Of 17 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and mediastinal metastases, 5 lived five years (a five-year survival rate of 29.5%); only 1 of the 17 patients with adenocarcinoma and mediastinal metastases lived five years (an absolute survival rate of 5.9%). No patient who did not receive mediastinal irradiation postoperatively survived five years. The presence of mediastinal lymph node involvement in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is not a contraindication to resection because long-term survival can be achieved in a significant percentage of these patients.
WATER AND ELECTROLYTE STRUCTURE AT AG ELECTRODES IN NONAQUEOUS BUTANOL SOLUTIONS USING SURFACE-ENHANCED RAMAN SCATTERING

Abstract Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been used to investigate the interfacial H2O and electrolyte behavior of LiCl, LiBr, LiI and LiClO4 at Ag electrodes in several isomers of butanol, including 1-butanol, iso butanol and 2-butanol. The ν(OH) region contains bands originating from trace H2O that are clearly indicative of the behavior of the electrolyte in the interfacial region. Six ν(OH) bands are observed in the surface spectra depending on the electrode potential. These are assigned on the basis of previous assignments made for similar bands in aqueous solutions and the spectral response of crystalline LiOH. The intensities of these bands are a function of the nature of the anion in the LiX electrolyte, the particular isomer of butanol used as the solvent and the electrode potential. A band at ca. 3500 cm−1 is assigned to H2O hydrogen-bonded to specifically adsorbed anions at the electrode surface at potentials positive of the potential of zero charge (pzc). A band assigned to H2O in the primary solvation shell of the Li+ is observed at ca. 3570 cm−1 at potentials negative of the pzc. A band thought to be due to “free” H2O not associated with specific ions, perhaps weakly held in the secondary solvation shell of Li+, is observed between 3600 and 3650 cm−1. Up to three bands are observed from OH− formed at the electrode during the reduction of H2O at negative potentials. At these potentials, a band observed at 3600 cm−1 is assigned to OH− weakly involved with Li+, perhaps in a solvent-separated ion pair. A second OH− band observed at ca. 3630 cm−1 is assigned to OH− species adsorbed through the oxygen atom to the Ag electrode surface. The sharp band observed at ca. 3660 cm−1 is assigned to crystalline LiOH species which form owing to the poor solubility of this salt in the isomers of butanol. This compound is either precipitated on the electrode surface or found as microcrystallites in the interfacial region.
Application of tertiary amines for arsenic and selenium signal enhancement and polyatomic interference reduction in ICP-MS analysis of biological samples

Water soluble tertiary amines enhance signals and decrease polyatomic chloride interferences in the direct inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) determination of As and Se in biological samples. Preliminary experiments with amine concentrations and nebulizer flow rates produced element and interference signal intensity changes. Arsenic and Se ICP-MS determination parameters have been optimized by a simplex procedure with amines in an argon plasma or without amines but with addition of N2 to the Ar. Variables include RF (radio frequency) power, nebulizer gas flow rate, intermediate gas flow rate, and amine concentration or nitrogen gas flow rate. Detection limit, minimization of polyatomic ion intensities, and reproducibility have been evaluated as reponse factors. The signal enhancement and element-to-molecular interference ratios differ to some extent with analyte intensity optimum operating conditions. The detection limits with addition of nitrogen (16 pg mL–1 for As and 180 pg mL–1 for Se) or of amines (8 pg mL–1 for As and 120 pg mL–1 for Se) and the extent of chloride interference minimization were compared. Amines addition was more beneficial. Biological standard reference materials and food and fecal samples were analyzed following different sample dissolution procedures.
Functional spectrum of contractions

In this paper, we introduce a new kind of spectrum for the C⋅0-class contractions. Since elements in this spectrum are functions, rather than numbers, we shall call it functional spectrum. Functional spectrum is a “large” closed subset of the Hardy space over the unit disk, and in many cases there is a canonical embedding of classical spectrum into functional spectrum. The study is carried out in the setting of the Hardy space over the bidisk H2(D2), on which every C⋅0-class contraction has a representation. A key tool is reduction operator. The reduction operator also gives rise to an equivalent statement of the Invariant Subspace Problem.
Differential antinociceptive effects of buprenorphine and methadone in the presence of HIV-gp120

Abstract Background We showed recently that elevated brain levels of the chemokine stromal cell-derived growth factor-1α (SDF-1α/CXCL12, a ligand for the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] co-receptor CXCR4) diminish the antinociceptive effect of morphine, but failed to influence buprenorphine-induced antinociception. Aims Because the HIV-1 coat protein, glycoprotein 120 (gp120) T-tropic strain, binds to the same receptor as SDF-1α/CXCL12, the present experiments were designed to investigate the consequence of administering gp120 to rat brain on buprenorphine-induced antinociception in the 54 °C hot plate test. For comparative purposes, the effect of gp120 on an equi-antinociceptive dose of methadone was also examined. Methods A sterilized stainless-steel C313G guide cannula was implanted into the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a brain region critical for the processing of pain signals, and a primary site of action of many analgesics. Rats were pretreated with gp120, administered into the PAG. Results The subsequent antinociception associated with methadone was diminished whereas buprenorphine-induced antinociception was unaffected. Buprenorphine thus appears to be a more effective analgesic than methadone in the presence of gp120 in the brain, a condition that is associated with HIV-related pain and infection.
Advances in bulk inorganic nonlinear optical materials

Rare-earth calcium oxyborate crystals could potentially break the production bottleneck of nonlinear optical materials. Chai looks closely at how these crystals are made, the properties they possess, and a potential display application.
Neurotoxicological effects associated with short-term exposure of Sprague-Dawley rats to hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract Although hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is a known neurotoxic hazard, only a limited number of experimental animal studies have examined its neurochemical or behavioral effects. Our aim was to determine if short-term inhalation exposure of rats to H 2 S would result in altered brain catecholamine levels or impaired learning and memory. Three groups of adult male CD rats were tested; two groups were exposed by nose-only inhalation (0, 30, 80, 200, or 400 ppm H 2 S) and one group was exposed by whole-body inhalation (0, 10, 30, or 80 ppm H 2 S) for 3 h per day for five consecutive days. The first group (n = 10 rats per concentration) was tested immediately following each daily nose-only H 2 S exposure for spatial learning with a Morris water maze. Core body temperatures were also monitored in these animals during and after the last H 2 S exposure. The second group of rats (n = 10 rats per concentration) was tested for spontaneous motor activity immediately following the fifth exposure. These rats were then euthanized and striatal, hippocampal, and hindbrain catecholamine levels determined. A third group of rats (n = 5–7 rats per concentration) was pretrained on a multiple fixed-interval (FI) schedule and exposed whole-body. Daily performance on the FI schedule was compared for the week pre-exposure, for the exposure week immediately following daily exposures, and for the week postexposure. We observed significant reductions in motor activity, water maze performance, and body temperature following exposure only to high concentrations (≥80 ppm) of H 2 S. Exposure to H 2 S did not affect regional brain catecholamine concentrations or performance on the FI schedule. Additional studies using other measures of behavior and longer-term exposure to H 2 S may be required to more definitively address conditions under which H 2 S exposure results in behavioral toxicity.
How small can you go?: analyzing the effect of visual angle in pointing tasks

People are increasingly using wireless mice from across rooms as they use computers as entertainment centers. As a consequence, they often have to point at targets occupying small visual angles. In this note we present the results of a study on pointing performance for targets occupying small visual angles. Our results suggest there is a steep degradation of pointing performance in both accuracy and speed for targets occupying a visual angle below 3 minutes of arc.
Slip requirements for coherent tilt of hcp epitaxial crystals.

By preparing epitaxial layers of various hcp metals we explore the plastic behavior required to grow epitaxial crystals with atomic planes tilted from the substrate planes in the predictable and tunable way described earlier by Du and Flynn. Explicit requirements for coherent tilt are formulated.
Development and psychometric properties of a violence screening tool for primary care

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to develop and validate a screening tool to detect youth at risk for future violence perpetration for primary care. Methods Youth (n = 165) aged 11–17 years enrolled during a primary care appointment. Two clinics served as study sites. Youth filled out questionnaires confidentially at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Primary outcome was violent behavior during the preceding year. At baseline, youth answered 18 risk and protective factor questions that predicted future violence involvement. Additional violence scales were asked for a total of 47 questions. Item analysis determined which combination best predicted future violence involvement. Psychometric properties, including internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and predictive validity, were analyzed. Results A total of 101 youth (61%) completed 1-year follow-up: 16% reported violent behavior with no difference between gender or race/ethnicity. Twenty-five baseline questions correlated with violence involvement 1 year later. After item analysis, 14 questions demonstrated the strongest psychometric functioning with Cronbach's α = .77. External validity was strong, with the 14 item violence injury protection and risk screen correlating with the aggression (.74) and victimization (.54) scales, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (.39), and current violence involvement (.78). For youth aged 14–17 years, predictive validity was strongly correlated (.78) with future violence perpetration. A score of 5.0 for males and 6.0 for females revealed a sensitivity of 77%, a specificity of 98%, and a positive predictive value of 91%. Seventeen percent of youth aged 14–17 screened positive using these cutpoints. Conclusion A brief, 14-item questionnaire demonstrated strong psychometric functioning and performed well as a screening tool to predict future violence perpetration for youth aged 14–17.
Ultrasensitive detection of DNA sequences in solution by specific enzymatic labeling

We present a newly developed technique for the direct detection of very low concentrations of specific nucleic acid sequences in homogeneous solution based on a polymerase extension reaction. This method consists of synthesizing a highly fluorescent nucleic acid reporter molecule using a sequence of the target as a template. Synthesis of the reporter molecule is accomplished by hybridizing a short complementary oligonucleotide primer to the target and extending the reporter using a polymerase and free nucleotides. One of these nucleotides is partially labeled with a fluorophore. The reaction sample is then flowed through the capillary cell of a single molecule detector. Detection of the reporter signifies the presence of the target being sought. Under carefully selected conditions, fluorescence from the reporter molecule is much stronger than that of the free nucleotide background over the detection time. We have derived practical equations that allow us to determine an optimal range of values for the relative reporter and free-nucleotide concentrations. This method allows for the rapid, direct detection of individual targets at femtomolar concentrations without the use of an amplification procedure, such as the polymerase chain reaction.
Inverse correlation between cyclic GMP and tyrosine aminotransferase degradation in rat hepatoma tissue culture cells.

Abstract Several cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors that increase tyrosine aminotransferase degradation in rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells—including theophylline, caffeine, theobromine, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and papaverine—all lower cGMP levels in these cells while exerting variable effects on cAMP levels. In contrast, insulin slows tyrosine aminotransferase degradation and increases cGMP levels when HTC cells are treated with the hormone for 4 hr in the absence of serum. The inverse relationship observed between cGMP and tyrosine aminotransferase degradation is consistent with a role for this cyclic nucleotide in the control of specific protein degradation.
Between victim and victimizer: The narrow corporeal path of being a foster child☆

Abstract Foster children in the U.S. welfare system exemplify an archetypal category of victim. Many of these children undergo a transformation from victim to victimizer. This process is rooted in experiences of the body that track in parallel with each child's individual biography. By following in detail the case of one boy, Michael, and the narrative of his body, it is possible to see the ways that child welfare institutions and the formal protocols they create, act to push Michael's body from the category of victim to that of victimizer. Institutional attempts to control and observe the bodies of foster children thus show elements of a Foucauldian universe that additionally constructs the bodies of young males as potential weapons.
Quantitative Vibrational Dynamics of Iron in Carbonyl Porphyrins

We use nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy and computational predictions based on density functional theory (DFT) to explore the vibrational dynamics of 57Fe in porphyrins that mimic the active sites of histidine-ligated heme proteins complexed with carbon monoxide. Nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy yields the complete vibrational spectrum of a Mossbauer isotope, and provides a valuable probe that is not only selective for protein active sites but quantifies the mean-squared amplitude and direction of the motion of the probe nucleus, in addition to vibrational frequencies. Quantitative comparison of the experimental results with DFT calculations provides a detailed, rigorous test of the vibrational predictions, which in turn provide a reliable description of the observed vibrational features. In addition to the well-studied stretching vibration of the Fe-CO bond, vibrations involving the Fe-imidazole bond, and the Fe-Npyr bonds to the pyrrole nitrogens of the porphyrin contribute prominently to the observed experimental signal. All of these frequencies show structural sensitivity to the corresponding bond lengths, but previous studies have failed to identify the latter vibrations, presumably because the coupling to the electronic excitation is too small in resonance Raman measurements. We also observe the FeCO bending vibrations, which are not Raman active for these unhindered model compounds. The observed Fe amplitude is strongly inconsistent with three-body oscillator descriptions of the FeCO fragment, but agrees quantitatively with DFT predictions. Over the past decade, quantum chemical calculations have suggested revised estimates of the importance of steric distortion of the bound CO in preventing poisoning of heme proteins by carbon monoxide. Quantitative agreement with the predicted frequency, amplitude, and direction of Fe motion for the FeCO bending vibrations provides direct experimental support for the quantum chemical description of the energetics of the FeCO unit.
A GPU-accelerated software eye tracking system

Current microcomputers are powerful enough to implement a realtime eye tracking system, but the computational throughput still limits the types of algorithms that can be implemented in real time. Many of the image processing algorithms that are typically used in eye tracking applications can be significantly accelerated when the processing is delegated to a graphics processing unit (GPU). This paper describes a real-time gaze tracking system developed using the CUDA programming environment distributed by nVidia. The current implementation of the system is capable of processing a 640 by 480 image in less than 4 milliseconds, and achieves an average accuracy close to 0.5 degrees of visual angle.
NMR Determination of the TCA Cycle Rate and α-Ketoglutarate/Glutamate Exchange Rate in Rat Brain:

A mathematical model of cerebral glucose metabolism was developed to analyze the isotopic labeling of carbon atoms C4 and C3 of glutamate following an intravenous infusion of [1-13C]glucose. The model consists of a series of coupled metabolic pools representing glucose, glycolytic intermediates, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, glutamate, aspartate, and glutamine. Based on the rate of 13C isotopic labeling of glutamate C4 measured in a previous study, the TCA cycle rate in rat brain was determined to be 1.58 +/- 0.41 mumol min-1 g-1 (mean +/- SD, n = 5). Analysis of the difference between the rates of isotopic enrichment of glutamate C4 and C3 permitted the rate of exchange between alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) and glutamate to be assessed in vivo. In rat brain, the exchange rate between alpha-KG and glutamate is between 89 +/- 35 and 126 +/- 22 times faster than the TCA cycle rate (mean +/- SD, n = 4). The sensitivity of the calculated value of the TCA cycle rate to other metabolic fluxes and to concentrations of glycolytic and TCA cycle intermediates was tested and found to be small.
Increased neonatal mortality in offspring of male rats treated with methadone or morphine before mating.

METHADONE ((±)-4, 4-diphenyl-6-dimethylamino-3-heptanone hydrochloride) is a potent (addictive) analgesic with pharmacological effects which are qualitatively similar to those of morphine, although it is far more effective than morphine when given orally. Its ability to diminish the severity of the abstinence syndrome resulting from heroin withdrawal led to the introduction of methadone in the chemotherapy of narcotic addiction1–3. Little is known, however, about its long term toxicity effects. We report that treatment of male rats with either (±)-methadone HCl (METH) or morphine sulphate (MS), given orally, for 24 h before mating to untreated females increases the neonatal (21-d) mortality of their offspring.
Perturbation theory for multistrip acoustoelectric surface-wave amplifier

The ‘multistrip perturbation theory’ of the coupler has been extended to the multistrip amplifier. A study of the acoustoelectric gain shows that, if the number of strips per wavelength is very large, the gain becomes that predicted by Adler, but the number of strips per wavelength required to reach this condition increases drastically with the conductivity of the semiconductor; it also shows that the width of the strips on the semiconductor should be as large a fraction as possible of their period, and that, if the conductivity of the semiconductor is low and the number of strips per wavelength is small, gain can be obtained from electrons drifting at a velocity less than the sound velocity in the opposite direction to the surface wave, and, in some cases, even in the same direction.
Talking to “the man”: Some communication strategies used by members of “subordinate” social groups

The perspective from which a less powerful social group views a “dominant” group—either as another culture or as a co‐culture —influences the structure and function of its strategies for communicating with the “dominant” group. Four recurring patterns of communication between groups with asymmetrical power relationships are analyzed using the theory of the coordinated management of meaning.
The Many Faces of Cryoglobulinemic Nephropathy: A Clinico-Pathologic Study of 47 Cases with Emphasis on the Value of Electron Microscopy

The clinical and pathologic manifestations of cryoglobulinemic nephropathy (CN) are heterogeneous. The role that electron microscopy plays in the diagnosis of CN has not been properly evaluated. The main objective of this study was to define the value of ultrastructural evaluation in the diagnosis of CN. Although most of the CN cases in this series exhibited glomerular pathology with a membranoproliferative pattern, a significant number of the cases showed less well-defined morphologic patterns on light microscopic examination (i.e. mesangial proliferation, hyaline thrombi in glomerular capillaries without significant cellular proliferation, exudative glomerulonephritis, etc). Immunofluorescence microscopy also revealed variable immunoglobulin and complement component patterns, some with "full-house" expression of immunoreactants. A subset of these CN cases was associated with light chain restriction. Thus, differential diagnosis can be a challenge as many other glomerulonephritis overlap in immunomorphologic characteristics. Because the immunomorphologic manifestations of CN are so varied, confirmation of a suspected diagnosis of CN or making a diagnosis in a less than a typical immunomorphologic setting required careful ultrastructural evaluation to find unequivocal diagnostic findings or at least supportive evidence in the form of detection of substructure in the electron dense glomerular deposits consistent with cryoglobulins. Even in cases where the light and immunofluorescence findings in suspicious clinical situations were quite consistent with CN, electron microscopy provided the final proof to substantiate the diagnosis in the great majority of the cases.
Should US recreation therapy be replicated globally? An opportunity to do better. Part II

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the US version of recreation for persons with disabilities. The recreation therapy (RT) profession has been one of the leading providers of recreation for persons with disabilities, but recently has endorsed an exclusively clinical approach to service. The paper cites evidence that the US version of the RT profession is self-serving and obsolete. The paper explores the contradictory American ideologies of equality and freedom as a source of discomfort with diversity, breeding uniformity at the individual and professional levels. An alternative model for recreation with persons with disabilities is presented along with its guiding principles with the intent of beginning a global dialogue about recreation with persons with disabilities. In contrast to the US therapy approach, a global model should endorse empowerment, diversity, self-determination and intrinsic motivation as key elements to recreation with persons with disabilities.
Template-Based Stabilization of Relative Equilibria in Systems with Continuous Symmetry

We present an approach to the design of feedback control laws that stabilize relative equilibria of general nonlinear systems with continuous symmetry. Using a template-based method, we factor out the dynamics associated with the symmetry variables and obtain evolution equations in a reduced frame that evolves in the symmetry direction. The relative equilibria of the original systems are fixed points of these reduced equations. Our controller design methodology is based on the linearization of the reduced equations about such fixed points. We present two different approaches of control design. The first approach assumes that the closed loop system is affine in the control and that the actuation is equivariant. We derive feedback laws for the reduced system that minimize a quadratic cost function. The second approach is more general; here the actuation need not be equivariant, but the actuators can be translated in the symmetry direction. The controller resulting from this approach leaves the dynamics associated with the symmetry variable unchanged. Both approaches are simple to implement, as they use standard tools available from linear control theory. We illustrate the approaches on three examples: a rotationally invariant planar ODE, an inverted pendulum on a cart, and the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation with periodic boundary conditions.
Long-term success of abdominal sacral colpopexy using synthetic mesh.

Abstract Objective: The aim was to determine the minimum meaningful study period required for prospective trials involving sacral colpopexy. Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis of 245 patients who underwent sacral colpopexy. Postoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantitation was our objective end point. In an effort to control for selection bias, patients who returned for postoperative examinations were compared with those who did not for clinical and demographic information. A validated prolapse-specific quality of life instrument was used to determine the subjective end points. Results: Objective failure (any postoperative POP-Q point ≥ stage II) was found in 37 (15.1%) patients. Of these, 26 (70.3%) occurred within 6 months, and 30 (81.1%) occurred within 1 year. Another 5 objective failures were discovered between 1 and 2 years after surgery for a total of 94.6% of failures occurring within 2 years. There were no clinically significant differences between the groups of women with and without objective postoperative follow-up, indicating minimal selection bias. Conclusion: It is reasonable to construct randomized controlled trials involving sacral colpopexy that only include 1- or 2-year follow-up. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1473-82.)
Conditional Survival Among Cancer Patients in the United States

Purpose. To report 5-year relative cancer survival probabilities conditional on having already survived ≥1 years after the initial diagnosis for 11 cancer sites, diagnosed during 1990–2001 and followed through 2006.
The evolution of lung transplantation: a clinical update

Abstract Lung transplantation has become an effective treatment for patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. Despite several decades of experience, however, lung transplantation continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Even with the implementation of improved surgical techniques, 5-year survival according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation remains a somewhat disappointing 45%. Non-cytomegalovirus-associated infections and primary graft failure account for the majority of short-term mortality, whereas bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome continues to be the leading cause of death over longer periods. Concurrently, the mortality rate of potential lung transplant recipients while on the waiting list consistently remains approximately 10% to 15% annually because of the severe shortage of suitable organs. Recent trends suggest that short-term survival rates are improving, perhaps in part because of several strategies that appear to decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury. Furthermore, several promising approaches have been developed or are currently under investigation, which may help to improve long-term survival rates of lung transplant recipients and expand the donor pool.
A Reliable Wireless Mesh Infrastructure Deployment at Crisis Site

emergency communication infrastructure should allow fast and reliable information dissemination to assist community and ease mitigation activities. Failure in communication networks and information exchange in past has impeded the responders' efforts resulting in huge loss of lives and economical impacts. Reliability, quick reconfiguration and interoperability are specific requirements of a robust communication infrastructure at disaster sites. We have deployed a wireless mesh test bed at several drills on campus and in the city to identify the vulnerabilities of the existing communication infrastructure and enhance the network capacity and performance. We present the real measurements obtained over the deployment of the wireless mesh test bed at disaster site followed by an analytical discussion of the important observations concerning the factors that impact performance or cause network congestion.
Social Class and Japanese Mothers' Support of Young Children's Education: A Qualitative Study.

The impact of social class backgrounds on young children’s educational experiences has attracted increasing attention in early childhood research. However, few longitudinal studies related to socia...
Model-based L 1 adaptive control of hysteresis in smart materials

Undesired hysteresis and constitutive nonlinearities are present to varying degrees in all smart material based transducers when they are driven at high levels. This motivates the development of adaptive inverse compensation techniques that can approximately linearize the transducer response and also are sufficiently efficient to accommodate model uncertainties and the error introduced by inexact inverse algorithms. In this paper, we employ the homogenized energy model for describing hysteresis, and we incorporate the corresponding inverse filter in L1 control design to develop a robust adaptive inverse control approach. Asymptotic tracking properties of the proposed algorithm are established, and for periodic reference trajectories, the parameter convergence behavior is characterized. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
POTENTIAL USE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED PIGS AS ORGAN DONORS FOR TRANSPLANTATION INTO HUMANS

1. Transplantation is currently viewed as a successful treatment for end-stage organ failure. Its more widespread use is severely limited by a shortage of human organ donors. This has stimulated the scientific and medical communities to look at the potential use of animals to solve this problem. For a number of reasons, the pig appears to be the preferred species. 2. The initial immunological problem encountered in pig-to-primate transplantation is a process of hyperacute rejection, which is mediated by the binding of antibodies to the graft endothelium followed by the activation of the complement cascade. We have sought to overcome these initial immunological challenges by focusing our attention not only on the recipient of the graft but also on the donor. Therefore, we have generated transgenic animals with specific genetic modifications designed to inhibit the activation of the complement cascade. Upon transplantation to baboons of organs derived from these transgenic pigs, we have been able to demonstrate that hyperacute rejection can be prevented. We will discuss the generation of these and other transgenic animals and their potential role in clinical xenotransplantation.
What Can Bureaucracies Teach Radiology

The practice of medicine is becoming increasingly bureaucratic. Solo medical practice is becoming less common, and an increasing proportion of physicians are working in single-specialty group practices, in multispecialty group practices, and as employees of hospitals and other health care organizations. The sizes of the organizations with which physicians deal on a regular basis, including hospitals and insurancecompanies,arealsoincreasing. With greater organizational size comes an inevitable tendency toward more bureaucratic forms of organization. Despite the pejorative connotation of the word bureaucratic, bureaucracies have much to offer. They tend to be rationally organized, withclearorganizationchartsandhierarchies of authority. They act on the basis of clearly defined rules, and such actions are generally justified and recorded in writing. The office holders in a bureaucracy have generally received extensive training. Rulings are based on objective evidence, and people move up through the hierarchy on the basis of their qualifications and performance, not personal preferences. One of the most penetrating students of bureaucracy was the great German sociologist Max Weber, whoidentifiedmanyofitsmostim
Caulobacter and Asticcacaulis stalk bands as indicators of stalk age.

The prosthecae (stalks) of dimorphic caulobacters of the genera Caulobacter and Asticcacaulis are distinguished among such appendages by the presence of disk-like components known as stalk bands. Whether bands are added to a cell9s stalk(s) as a regular event coordinated with the cell9s reproductive cycle has not been settled by previous studies. Analysis of the frequency of stalks with i, i + 1, i + 2, etc. bands 9among more than 7,000 stalks of Caulobacter crescentus revealed that in finite (batch) cultures (in which all offspring accumulate), the proportion of stalks with i + 1 hands was regularly 50% of the proportion of stalks with i bands. This implied that the number of bands correlated with the number of reproductive cycles completed by a stalked cell. In chemostat-maintained perpetual cultures, the proportion was greater than 50% because stalked cells, with their shorter reproductive cycle times, contributed a larger proportion of offspring to the steady-state population than did their swarmer siblings. In Asticcacaulis biprosthecum cells, which bear twin prosthecae, the twins on a typical cell possessed the same number of bands. For both genera, stalk bands provide a unique morphological feature that could be employed in an assessment of age distribution and reproductive dynamics within natural populations of these caulobacters.
Adaptations to Pulsatile Versus Nonpulsatile Ventricular Assist Device Support

The refinement of mechanical cardiac assist devices over the past 50 years largely has been driven by the clinical imperatives to provide reliable circulatory support to patients waiting for cardiac allografts (bridge to transplant) or long-term support for patients with very advanced heart failure (destination therapy). In the course of increasing success with these applications, investigators from numerous centers also have demonstrated that circulatory support with a ventricular assist device (VAD) provides a unique window into the plasticity of the failing human heart. Indeed, since Levin et al1 first described reverse remodeling of VAD-supported hearts in 1995, there have been scores of original publications documenting the rather striking impact of VAD support on the phenotype of the failing heart. As highlighted in several recent reviews,2–6 VAD support promotes regression of pathological cardiac hypertrophy at the organ, tissue, and cellular level, including improvements in many of the signature pathological abnormalities characteristic of failing human hearts. Article see p 546 The remarkable degree of tissue-level plasticity demonstrated by VAD-supported hearts has furthered the concept that favorable myocardial adaptations may sometimes be sufficient to permit weaning from VAD support with sustained clinical improvement in the syndrome of heart failure (bridge to recovery). However, efforts to achieve sustained myocardial recovery enabling weaning from VAD support have met with variable and often disappointing results. Excluding patients with acute myocardial dysfunction due to aborted ischemic events (stunning), acute myocarditis, or peripartum cardiomyopathy, reported rates of recovery have varied between 7% and 55%,7–10 with most series reporting that <20% of patients can be successfully weaned from VAD support. Besides evidence that reverse-remodeled hearts remain abnormal, both patient selection and a lack of validated management strategies likely contribute to low rates of sustained weaning. With respect to patient selection, the fact …
Cross-sectional area measurements for tendon specimens: A comparison of several methods

Several methods for measuring cross-sectional areas of cat extensor digitorum communis tendons. were evaluated in terms of repeatability. Estimates of correction factors to be used in relating measurements by different methods were also obtained. The measure- ments examined included: (1) moist specimen weight per unit length, (2) moist specimen dis- placement volume per unit length, (3) dry specimen weight per unit length, (4) dry specimen displacement volume per unit length, (5) area measured with an area micrometer similar in principle to the instrument described by Walker et al. (1964), (6) area by shadow amplitude contour reconstruction, and (7) planimeter measurements on photomicrographs of histological sections. The results obtained suggested that dry specimen weight per unit length could be expected to yield the most repeatable single measurements for cross-sectional areas of tendon specimens. For measurements of fresh, moist specimens, gravimetric methods and measure- ments with the area micrometer were found roughly comparable in repeatability and better than shadow amplitude contour reconstruction. The area micrometer measurements seemed less sensitive to slight drying of the specimen, but were considerably influenced by the pressure applied to the specimen during measurement. Comparisons of the values for cross-sectional area obtained by the various methods showed significant systematic differences, with several pairs of methods giving measurements which differed by factors of 2 or more. Measurements by methods which were more or less local in nature demonstrated sizable regional variations in cross-sectional areas of the specimens even though they had a relatively uniform appearance.
Leading questions: Leadership, ethics, and administrative evil:

Administrative evil is a relatively new ethical concept that originated in the field of Public Administration with the publication of Guy Adams and Danny Balfour’s 1998 book Unmasking Administrative Evil. It describes the phenomenon whereby otherwise well-intentioned individuals participate in systems that cause harm to innocent people. This essay explores the concept and suggests that the implications for leadership studies and practice are worthy of additional exploration. A critique of the concept is provided along with questions that could point the way to additional research.
Blood Pressure Trajectories in Early Adulthood and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Middle Age

IMPORTANCE Single measures of blood pressure (BP) levels are associated with the development of atherosclerosis; however, long-term patterns in BP and their effect on cardiovascular disease risk are poorly characterized. OBJECTIVES To identify common BP trajectories throughout early adulthood and to determine their association with presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) during middle age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective cohort data from 4681 participants in the CARDIA study, who were black and white men and women aged 18 to 30 years at baseline in 1985-1986 at 4 urban US sites, collected through 25 years of follow-up (2010-2011). We examined systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mid-BP (calculated as [SBP+DBP]/2, an important marker of coronary heart disease risk among younger populations) at baseline and years 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25. Latent mixture modeling was used to identify trajectories in systolic, diastolic, and mid-BP over time. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Coronary artery calcification greater than or equal to Agatston score of 100 Hounsfield units (HU) at year 25. RESULTS We identified 5 distinct mid-BP trajectories: low-stable (21.8%; 95% CI, 19.9%-23.7%; n=987), moderate-stable (42.3%; 40.3%-44.3%; n=2085), moderateincreasing (12.2%; 10.4%-14.0%; n=489), elevated-stable (19.0%; 17.1%-20.0%; n=903), and elevated-increasing (4.8%; 4.0%-5.5%; n=217). Compared with the low-stable group, trajectories with elevated BP levels had greater odds of having a CAC score of 100 HU or greater. Adjusted odds ratios were 1.44 (95% CI, 0.83-2.49) for moderate-stable, 1.86 (95% CI, 0.91-3.82) for moderate-increasing, 2.28 (95% CI, 1.24-4.18), for elevated-stable, and 3.70 (95% CI, 1.66-8.20) for elevated-increasing groups. The adjusted prevalence of a CAC score of 100 HU or higher was 5.8% in the low-stable group. These odds ratios represent an absolute increase of 2.7%, 5%, 6.3%, and 12.9% for the prevalence of a CAC score of 100 HU or higher for the moderate-stable, moderate-increasing, elevated-stable and elevated-increasing groups, respectively, compared with the low-stable group. Associations were not altered after adjustment for baseline and year 25 BP. Findings were similar for trajectories of isolated systolic BP trajectories but were attenuated for diastolic BP trajectories. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Blood pressure trajectories throughout young adulthood vary, and higher BP trajectories were associated with an increased risk of CAC in middle age. Long-term trajectories in BP may assist in more accurate identification of individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis.
Ethnic differences in adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone during pregnancy

Significant ethnic disparities exist in reproductive outcomes. A potential contributing factor may be the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and placenta during pregnancy. In the present study, levels of cortisol, ACTH and CRH were determined longitudinally from the plasma of 310 African American, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women at 18-20, 24-26 and 30-32 weeks' gestation. During pregnancy, African American women exhibited lower levels of cortisol than non-Hispanic women and higher levels of ACTH than Hispanic women. The trajectory of CRH increase also differed by ethnicity, with African Americans exhibiting the lowest levels both early and late in pregnancy. Higher levels of cortisol at 18-20 weeks were associated with higher levels of CRH at 30-32 weeks among the African American and Hispanic women, but not among non-Hispanic women. Ethnic differences persisted when adjusting statistically for sociodemographic and biomedical factors. The findings are consistent with the possibility that ethnic disparities in adverse birth outcomes may be due, in part, to differences in HPA axis and placental function.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Mobilizes Functional Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Objective— Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that may repair vascular injury are reduced in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We reasoned that EPC number and function may be increased ...