cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increasing use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for the treatment of localized prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND The role of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate carcinoma is controversial in earlier stages of disease. The authors examined the time trends and patterns of use for androgen deprivation in the form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or orchiectomy, in population-based tumor registries. METHODS Data were obtained from the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database. A total of 100,274 men with prostate carcinoma diagnosed from 1991 through 1999 were selected. The main outcome was the proportion of men who received ≥ 1 dose of a GnRH agonist in the first 6 months of diagnosis. This was plotted by year and stratified for age, grade, stage as well as primary versus adjuvant usage. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine predictors of GnRH agonist use in the subset of patients with localized cancer. RESULTS There was a consistent increase in GnRH agonist use by year for all ages, stages, and grades. Even in men ≥ 80 years with localized stage and low to moderate grade tumors, primary GnRH agonist use increased over the study period, from 3.7% in 1991 to 30.9% in 1999 (P < 0.001). The multivariable analysis showed that significant variability in GnRH agonist use existed among SEER geographic regions. CONCLUSIONS The use of GnRH agonists for prostate carcinoma increased dramatically during the 1990s. This increase occurred across all stages and histologic grades of prostate carcinoma, and was greatest in patients ≥ 80 years. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Ewald artifacts in liquid state molecular dynamics simulations

An investigation into the effects of the anisotropic nature of the Ewald potential for the treatment of long range electrostatic interactions in liquid solutions has been performed. The rotational potential energy surface for two simple charge distributions, and a small protein, have been studied under conditions typically implemented in current biomolecular simulations. A transition between hindered and free rotation is observed which can be modeled quantitatively for simple charge distributions. For most systems in aqueous solution, the transition involves an energy change well below kBT. It is argued that, for solvents with a reasonably high relative permittivity, Ewald artifacts will be small and in many cases may be safely ignored.
Anti-idiotypes to monoclonal anti-H-2 antibodies--I. Contribution of isolated heavy and light chains to idiotype expression.

Abstract Anti-idiotypic sera were produced by immunization of miniature swine with affinity-purified monoclonal anti-H-2K k antibodies. The purified anti-idiotypic antibodies obtained by this immunization recognized unique determinants on each monoclonal anti-H-2K k immunogen and were not broadly cross-reactive with other anti-H-2K k antibodies. These reagents were used to examine the expression of idiotype on isolated heavy and light chains as well as on reassociated Ig molecules. Minor populations of idiotope(s) could be detected by a direct binding radioimmune assay on isolated heavy chains and on isolated light chains. However, the predominant idiotope(s) were expressed only on native Ig and on isolated heavy chains. The expression of these heavy-chain idiotopes was found to be specifically augmented by the addition of homologous light chains. In contrast, reassociation of heavy chains with light chains from a different anti-H-2K k monoclonal antibody diminished idiotype expression. A model for the molecular interactions occurring between these molecules is proposed on the basis of these results. The nature of these interactions may also have implications for the analysis of the basis of idiotype expression on anti-MHC T-cell receptors.
Intensity inhomogeneity correction of magnetic resonance images using patches

This paper presents a patch-based non-parametric approach to the correction of intensity inhomogeneity from magnetic resonance (MR) images of the human brain. During image acquisition, the inhomogeneity present in the radio-frequency coil, is usually manifested on the reconstructed MR image as a smooth shading effect. This artifact can significantly deteriorate the performance of any kind of image processing algorithm that uses intensities as a feature. Most of the current inhomogeneity correction techniques use explicit smoothness assumptions on the inhomogeneity field, which sometimes limit their performance if the actual inhomogeneity is not smooth, a problem that becomes prevalent in high fields. The proposed patch-based inhomogeneity correction method does not assume any parametric smoothness model, instead, it uses patches from an atlas of an inhomogeneity-free image to do the correction. Preliminary results show that the proposed method is comparable to N3, a current state of the art method, when the inhomogeneity is smooth, and outperforms N3 when the inhomogeneity contains non-smooth elements.
Narratives, Bodies and the Self in Rosa Montero's La hija del caníbal

The continuing prominence of narrative self-consciousness in Spanish fiction reflects larger trends in American and European literary production. A cursory glance through book and film reviews published in national and international journals, newspapers and literary supplements over the last several years reveals an abundance of fine examples of how contemporary culture produced on both sides of the Atlantic continues to reflect a fascination with metafiction. And even while the theoretical debate as to whether postmodernism is a good thing or a bad thing rages on, it remains clear that regardless of their ideological grounding, contemporary novelists and filmmakers continue to use narrative not only to explore the processes of narrative creation itself, but also as a key to understanding ourselves, our cultures and our histories. The classic studies of narrative self-consciousness by Robert Alter, Robert Scholes, Linda Hutcheon, Patricia Waugh and Robert Spires, among others, have shown that metafiction ...
Experience with the high-intensity sweetener saccharin impairs glucose homeostasis and GLP-1 release in rats

Previous work from our lab has demonstrated that experience with high-intensity sweeteners in rats leads to increased food intake, body weight gain and adiposity, along with diminished caloric compensation and decreased thermic effect of food. These changes may occur as a result of interfering with learned relations between the sweet taste of food and the caloric or nutritive consequences of consuming those foods. The present experiments determined whether experience with the high-intensity sweetener saccharin versus the caloric sweetener glucose affected blood glucose homeostasis. The results demonstrated that during oral glucose tolerance tests, blood glucose levels were more elevated in animals that had previously consumed the saccharin-sweetened supplements. In contrast, during glucose tolerance tests when a glucose solution was delivered directly into the stomach, no differences in blood glucose levels between the groups were observed. Differences in oral glucose tolerance responses were not accompanied by differences in insulin release; insulin release was similar in animals previously exposed to saccharin and those previously exposed to glucose. However, release of GLP-1 in response to an oral glucose tolerance test, but not to glucose tolerance tests delivered by gavage, was significantly lower in saccharin-exposed animals compared to glucose-exposed animals. Differences in both blood glucose and GLP-1 release in saccharin animals were rapid and transient, and suggest that one mechanism by which exposure to high-intensity sweeteners that interfere with a predictive relation between sweet tastes and calories may impair energy balance is by suppressing GLP-1 release, which could alter glucose homeostasis and reduce satiety.
Relative Quantification of Serum Proteins from Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients by Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

We report an innovative multiplexed liquidchromatography–multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry (LC–MRM/MS)-based assay for rapidly measuring a large number of disease specific protein biomarkers in human serum. Furthermore, this approach uses stable isotope dilution methodology to reliably quantify candidate protein biomarkers. Human serum was diluted using a stable isotope labeled proteome (SILAP) standard prepared from the secretome of pancreatic cell lines, subjected to immunoaffinity removal of the most highly abundant proteins, trypsin digested, and analyzed by LC–MRM/MS. The method was found to be precise, linear, and specific for the relative quantification of 72 proteins when analyte response was normalized to the relevant internal standard (IS) from the SILAP. The method made it possible to determine statistically different concentrations for three proteins (cystatin M, IGF binding protein 7, and villin 2) in control and pancreatic cancer patient samples. This method proves the feasibili...
Identification of a Cysteine Residue Essential for Activity of Protein Farnesyltransferase Cys299 IS EXPOSED ONLY UPON REMOVAL OF ZINC FROM THE ENZYME

Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) is a zinc metalloenzyme that performs a post-translational modification on many proteins that is critical for their function. The importance of cysteine residues in FTase activity was investigated using cysteine-specific reagents. Zinc-depleted FTase (apo-FTase), but not the holoenzyme, was completely inactivated by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Similar effects were detected after treatment of the enzyme with iodoacetamide. The addition of zinc to apo-FTase protects it from inactivation by NEM. These findings indicated the presence of specific cysteine residue(s), potentially located at the zinc binding site, that are required for FTase activity. We performed a selective labeling strategy whereby the cysteine residues exposed upon removal of zinc from the enzyme were modified with [3H]NEM. The enzyme so modified was digested with trypsin, and four labeled peptides were identified and sequenced, one peptide being the major site of labeling and the remaining three labeled to lesser extents. The major labeled peptide contained a radiolabeled cysteine residue, Cys299, that is in the beta subunit of FTase and is conserved in all known protein prenyltransferases. This cysteine residue was changed to both alanine and serine by site-directed mutagenesis, and the mutant proteins were produced in Escherichia coli and purified. While both mutant proteins retained the ability to bind farnesyl diphosphate, they were found to have lost essentially all catalytic activity and ability to bind zinc. These results indicate that the Cys299 in the beta subunit of FTase plays a critical role in catalysis by the enzyme and is likely to be one of the residues that directly coordinate the zinc atom in this enzyme.
Binding and internalization of the 163–171 fragment of human IL-1β

Abstract The mechanisms of cell association of the human interleukin (IL-1β) immunostimulatory fragment 163–171 have been studied. The fragment was able to associate abundantly to both IL-1R − and IL-1R + cells. Binding was strictly temperature dependent, was not saturable and could be inhibited by excess amounts of unlabelled 163–171 peptide but not by IL-1β, suggesting that the 163–171 fragment is not an IL-1R-binding domain of IL-1β. The fragment is readily internalized by cells by a cytochalasin-insensitive mechanism and it localizes mainly in the cytoplasm. It is concluded that the active domain 163–171 of IL-1β can be taken up by cells through a receptor-independent, temperature-dependent mechanism and that its ability to activate cellular functions is based on IL-1R-independent intracellular pathways.
A classical theory of NMR relaxation processes

Abstract Elementary discussions of NMR relaxation are usually based on the “BPP” approach that involves induced transitions between Zeeman levels, or on the phenomenological Bloch equations. Fundamental justifications of both of these approaches make use of density-matrix methods. They show that the relaxation processes in many liquids and gases can be well described by the Bloch equations, in which the relaxation times can be expressed in terms of correlation functions of the interactions. In this paper, it is shown that some of the simple results of the density matrix theory can be obtained without the use of quantum mechanics. The classical equations of motion of a single spin in a time-varying magnetic field are solved, and expressions for the relaxation times are obtained in terms of the Fourier transforms of the correlation functions of the components of the magnetic field.
First-principles thousand-atom quantum dot calculations

A charge patching method and an idealized surface passivation are used to calculate the single electronic states of IV-IV, III-V, II-VI semiconductor quantum dots up to a thousand atoms. This approach scales linearly and has a 1000-fold speed-up compared to direct first-principles methods with a cost of eigenenergy error of about 20 meV. The calculated quantum dot band gaps are parametrized for future references.
EXPECTATION‐MAXIMIZATION ALGORITHMS AND THE ESTIMATION OF TIME SERIES MODELS IN THE PRESENCE OF OUTLIERS

. The expectation-maximization algorithm is reviewed briefly. The algorithm is applied to time series situations where outliers may be present. An approximation of the algorithm is considered to reduce the computational complexity. Examples are given to illustrate the application of this algorithm.
Morphological wavelet transform for distortion-invariant object detection in clutter

We developed an approach combining morphological processing and wavelet transforms to detect multiple objects in an input scene. The input scene contains different types of background clutter regions and multiple objects in different classes, with different object aspect views, different object representations, hot/cold/bimodal/partial object variations, and high/low object contrast variations. Our approach provides high detection rates and low false alarm rates. The most computationally demanding operations required are realizable on an optical correlator.
Leadership in space transportation

Abstract Rather than aiming at overall preemenence in space, as in the past, it is important for the USA now to specify goals and objectives for its space programme. In the space transportation market, the USA faces long-term competition. Planned properly, the Space Shuttle, Space Station and transfer stages can be used as a unique transport system, forcing other suppliers to compete on US terms. Such a total transport service system could also include ELV support. In entering into international space agreements, the government must take into account the objective of maintaining the competitiveness of the US commercial sector.
The Values and Vulnerabilities of Metaphors Within the Environmental Sciences

This article examines the use of language within the environmental sciences. The contents of a random sample of articles from three peer-reviewed environmental science journals are examined, each signifying a different field: Society & Natural Resources (sociology and policy), Conservation Biology (biology), and Ecology (ecology). Metaphorical terms were then recorded from the articles analyzed. All journals were found to employ metaphors equally (and this includes, importantly, those metaphors that make value statements about how nature should be). The article concludes by briefly discussing the merits of such an analysis, while suggesting strategies for improving upon our use of language when seeking scientific understanding of environmental problems.
Automatic Detection of Compromised Accounts in MMORPGs

Account compromise can occur frequently in popular Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games(MMORPGs) to gain easy profits and in extreme scenarios, it can lead to gold farming in the real world. Despite security concerns over compromised accounts in MMORPGs, few attempts have been made towards deeper exploration of the problem. Previous research has studied only the classification of cheating in online games. This paper describes a p-value based change point detection model for detecting compromised accounts in online games based on user behavior analysis. We evaluated the proposed model on real gaming datasets with ground truth. Experiment results demonstrate that our model is able to discover important features to detect compromised account.
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Complicated by a Mesocolic Jejunal Stricture Successfully Treated with Endoscopic TTS Balloon Dilation

Even though Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in the United States, it is not without post surgical complications. The development of a mesocolic jejunal stricture after a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is a rare complication. We present a patient who manifested, at 5 weeks post-LRYGBP, symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate an oral diet. The patient was found to have a stricture at the efferent Roux limb consistent with a mesocolic stricture which was successfully resolved with through the scope (TTS) balloon dilatation. There was no apparent cause of the patient’s stenosis with no evidence of an anastomotic breakdown or major inflammatory process. The patient presented for follow-up after her dilatation was noted to have complete resolution of her symptoms and continued to lose weight. This is the first known case of a mesocolic jejunal stricture successfully treated with TTS balloon dilation.
Superimmunity: Characterization of a new gene in the immunity region of P1

Strains carrying chimeras composed of the immunity-specific region of the bacteriophage P1, EcoRI fragment 9, and pBR322 are immune not only to Pl wild type and to P1 clear mutants, but also to Plvirs and the heteroimmune phage P7. We have termed this phenotype “superimmunity.” Although the PlEcoRI-9 fragment expresses c4, which is responsible for the specific immunity of a Pl prophage, the c4 gene is neither necessary nor sufficient for expression of superimmunity. Mutations in EcoRI-9 which reduce superimmunity do not inactivate gpc4; furthermore, chimeras carrying an EcoRI-9 fragment of a Plc4 mutant still confer superimmunity. We propose that a new gene, sim, is responsible for superimmunity at high gene dosage. Although closely linked, the genes c4 and sim do not appear to be cotranscribed. Several alternatives for the mechanism for action of gpsim are presented.
Toxicities of peppermint and Pycnanthemun albescens oils, fam. Labiateae.

The oral LD 50 of peppermint oil U.S.P. in fasted Wistar male rats using death after 24 hr. as the end point was found to be 4441 ± 653 mg./Kg. After 48 hr., the oral LD 50 was 2426 ± 329 mg./Kg. The intraperitoneal LD 50 of peppermint oil U.S.P. in Wistar male rats similarly after 24 hr. was determined to be 819 ± 126 mg./Kg. This latter was compared with a similar volatile oil, Pycnanthemum albescens . It was found to have an intraperitoneal LD 50 in male Wistar rats similarly after 24 hr. of 1383 ± 172 mg./Kg., which was only approximately 60 per cent as toxic as peppermint oil U.S.P. The oral LD 50 of P. albescens oil in fasted Wistar male rats after 24 hr. was 5309 ± 818 mg./Kg. After 48 hr., the oral LD 50 was 3147 ± 362 mg./Kg.
Carbonate deposition, Pyramid Lake subbasin, Nevada: 2. Lake levels and polar jet stream positions reconstructed from radiocarbon ages and elevations of carbonates (tufas) deposited in the Lahontan basin

Most of the tufas in the Pyramid Lake subbasin were deposited within the last 35,000 yr, including most of the mound tufas that border the existing lake. Many of the older tufas (> 21,000 yr B.P.) contained in the mounds were formed in association with ground-water discharge. The radiocarbon (14C) ages of the older tufas represent maximum estimates of the time of their formation. Lake Lahontan experienced large and abrupt rises in level at ∼22,000, 15,000, and 11,000 yr B.P. and three abrupt recessions in level at ∼16,000, 13,600, and 10,000 yr B.P. The lake-level rises that were initiated at ∼23,500 and 15,500 yr B.P. are believed to indicate the passage of the polar jet stream over the Lahontan basin. During expansion of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, the jet stream moved south across the basin, and during the contraction of the Ice Sheet, the jet stream moved north across the basin. The bulk of the carbonate contained in the mound tufas was deposited during the last major lake cycle (∼23,500–12,000 yr B.P.), indicating that ground- and surface-water discharges increased at ∼23,500 and decreased at ∼12,000 yr B.P. A lake-level oscillation that occurred between 11,000 and 10,000 yr B.P. is represented by a 2-cm thick layer of dense laminated tufa that occurs at and below 1180 m in the low-elevation tufa mounds and at 1205 m in the Winnemucca Lake subbasin.
Measures of Tongue Function Related to Normal Swallowing

The availability of objective measures of tongue function presents a possible supplement to the clinical dysphagia evaluation. The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of normal tongue physiology during swallowing and maximum isometric tasks, establish a preliminary database of tongue function variables, and determine if differences existed among the variables as a function of age, gender, or varied bolus consistency. Ninety subjects, divided into age and gender groups, participated in tasks that determined maximum isometric tongue pressure, mean tongue pressure during swallowing, and percentage of maximum isometric pressure used during swallowing. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and analyses of variance were computed to analyze the data. Results indicated that males had significantly higher maximum isometric pressures than females, and the youngest group had significantly higher maximum pressures than the oldest group. Mean swallowing pressures and percentage of maximum isometric pressures used during swallowing differed as a function of bolus type but did not differ as a function of age or gender. In addition, maximum isometric pressures were correlated with mean swallowing pressures, and mean swallowing pressures and percentage of maximum isometric pressures used during swallowing were correlated between consistencies.
Analytic results related to magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence

Abstract Analytic results are provided for topics related to the magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence: scaling exponents of general structure functions, geometric criteria for singularity formation and dissipative solutions.
Fiscal stimulus for the USA in the current financial crisis: what does 1930–2008 tell us?

This article uses Bi-directional Reiterative Truncated Projected Least Squares (BD-RTPLS) to estimate annual dGDP/dG (GDP, Gross Domestic Product and G, government spending) multipliers for the USA between 1930 and 2008. The analysis is redone with quarterly data from 1947 to 2008. To account for the influence of omitted variables, BD-RTPLS produces a separate dGPP/dG estimate for every observation in the data set. I find that whenever the US government increases government spending by an unusually large amount in a given year or quarter, the resulting government spending multiplier plummets. This is not good news for the current US government which is hoping that a huge fiscal stimulus package will rescue the USA from the current crisis.
Characterization of pco-1 , a newly identified gene which regulates purine catabolism in Neurospora

A new gene of Neurospora crassa, designated pco-1, was characterized and shown to regulate the expression of several genes which encode enzymes required for the catabolism of purines. Unlike the wild type, a pco-1 mutant created by repeat-induced point mutation cannot utilize purines as a nitrogen source. The PCO1 protein contains a Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear cluster motif near its N-terminus, followed by a putative coiled-coil motif. A chemical crosslinking experiment demonstrated that PCO1 forms homodimers. PCO1 binds to CGG-N6-CCG elements located in the upstream promoter region of four genes encoding purine catabolic enzymes. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that a functional PCO1 protein is required for induction of xdh, which encodes xanthine dehydrogenase. Moreover, PCO1 was required for induction of three different purine catabolic enzymes. Two glutamine-rich domains occur in the C-terminal region of PCO1 and at least one of the glutamine-rich regions is required for PCO1 function, suggesting that they might play a role in transcriptional activation. The PCO1 protein does not interact with the global-acting NIT2 protein or the negative-acting NMR protein that functions in nitrogen catabolite repression. Induction of the xdh gene and synthesis of xanthine dehydrogenase is completely dependent upon PCO1, but does not require the global-acting NIT2 protein, suggesting that it is controlled by a novel regulatory mechanism.
Elbow flexion analysis in Bristow patients A preliminary report

Seven male nonathletes who had Bristow procedures for shoulder dislocation were analyzed by dynamic electromyography (EMG) and Cybex strength measure ment to evaluate the function of elbow flexion. Bilateral strength of elbow flexion also was measured in the 10 controlled subjects to compare the dominant and non- dominant arms. The EMG data showed the operated short head of biceps function at low constant intensity, compared with the nonoperated side, while the long head of biceps and brachialis increased their activity. The strength measured by the Cybex demonstrated the elbow flexion on the operated side was not signifi cantly different from the normal group. These data demonstrated that the Bristow procedure reduced the dynamic response of the short biceps which was com pensated for by the increase in level of activity of the long heads and brachialis muscle. As a result, normal range of elbow function was restored. Our patients had had intense rehabilitation programs. This appears to be an essential p...
Sequence Requirements for Rev Multimerization in Vivo

Abstract Multimerization of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev protein is believed to be critical to its biological activity. However, the precise protein sequence requirements for Rev multimerization in vivo , and whether multimerization is facilitated by specific RNA binding or vice versa, has remained controversial. In this report, we describe a sensitive in vivo assay for the multimerization of HIV-1 Rev on its cognate RRE primary RNA binding site. Using this assay, we demonstrate that an intact Rev arginine-rich domain, while critical to specific RNA binding, is dispensable for multimerization on the RRE. Mutations introduced Into Rev sequences that flank this basic domain produce a partial multimerization phenotype in vivo even though these mutations are known to block Rev multimerization in vitro . Similarly, mutations introduced into the leucine-rich activation domain of Rev, which appear to have no effect on in vitro multimerization, also markedly inhibit multimerization of Rev on the RRE in vivo . Overall, these data appear consistent with the hypothesis that in vivo formation of the multimeric Rev:RRE ribonucleoprotein complex is facilitated by both the RRE RNA substrate and, as first proposed by Bogerd and Greene U. Virol. 67, 2496-2502, 1993), by bridging by a cellular cofactor for Rev that likely interacts with multiple Rev activation domains.
Status of women in urology: based on a report to the Society of University Urologists.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Written responses from American trained women in urological surgery were obtained to evaluate practice patterns, career choices and workplace satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A 3-page unblinded questionnaire was mailed in March 2003 to American trained women in urological surgery available through the databases of the Society of Women in Urology with subsequent statistical analysis. Results: The response rate was 60% but inclusive of all women in current academic practice in the United States. A total of 61% reported working 51 or more hours a week whereas 2% have left practice due to retirement or medical infirmity. There were 41% who had completed fellowships including 87% reporting active practice within their subspecialty, whereas 62% of fellowship trained surgeons remained in an academic practice. Among United States women in academic urological practice, academic progression has occurred in a third of this cohort. Conclusions: Threats to successful practice, consistent with other workplace surveys of physicians and professional women including gender based role limitation and inadequate mentoring, were commonly reported. These correctable workplace deficiencies represent an opportunity for American urology to enhance the professional workplace for all urologists regardless of gender.
Designing better solar cookers

KAMMEN AND LANKFORD REPLY -Jagadeesh's letter is similar to several that we have received in response to our article. It describes technically sophisticated designs for solar cookers that will achieve higher temperatures than our simple box-cooker. The question is.whether they will be used or not.
A safe single-phase clocking scheme for CMOS circuits

A single-phase clock has two edges. A clocking scheme utilizing the two edges of a single-phase clock to control the movement of data is presented. The scheme is similar to the two-phase nonoverlapping clocking scheme. A single-phase clock CMOS shift register to illustrate this clocking schemes is proposed. This shift register utilizes the bistable element, 'sense amplifier', to sense the state of its previous stage. There are two stages. The first stage triggers on the rising edge and the second stage triggers on the trailing edge. It is a static register with no minimum clocking frequency. Instead of four clock phases used in conventional CMOS dynamic shift registers, or two clock phases used in existing static registers, only one clock phase is used. This single-phase clocking scheme greatly reduces the overhead of having to route two or four clock signals around the chip. It also eliminated the clock skewing difficulty plaguing the conventional shift register. >
Excursion of Oscillating Saw Blades in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Intraoperative disruption of the medial collateral ligament during total knee arthroplasty is an uncommon complication that can be avoided by retractor placement as well as by careful cutting of the femur and tibia. This study evaluated the excursion of a small and large oscillating saw blade and compared the data against the widths of both the medial and lateral femoral condyle cuts. We discovered that the large saw blade had a statistically significantly larger excursion than the medial and lateral condyle width in women, as well as the lateral condyle width in men. The small saw blade excursion did not exceed any condyle width. We conclude that the smaller saw blade should be considered when making these cuts because the excursion of the large saw blade may exceed the width of cut needed and endanger important structures such as collateral ligaments.
EFFECT OF EXTRUDER RETENTION TIME ON CAPILLARY FLOW OF SOY DOUGH1

Soy dough (defatted soy flakes), at 120° C and 30% moisture, was extruded through a series of dies of differing length (L) and radius (R). Rlots of pressure (P) were linear with the length to radius ratios (L/R) of the dies at constant output rate (Q) and R. The intercepts of the P versus (L/R) plots on the P = O axis give the end corrections (e) for capillary flow at each output rate. For soy dough, these end corrections were surprisingly large at low output rates and generally decreased rapidly with increasing output rate. This is contrary to the normal behavior of viscoelastic fluids, such as thermoplastics, where the end correction increases with increasing output rate. Both the end correction, which is a measure of the elastic properties of the soy dough, and the viscosity of the soy dough depended on the output rate as expected and also on the retention time of the material in the system.
Systolic time intervals in pregnancy and the postpartum period

Abstract Systolic time intervals in the supine and upright positions were obtained in 16 antepartum subjects at maximal expansion of blood volume (27 to 33 weeks) and six weeks postpartum. Isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) was determined by 2 methods: (1) first heart sound to carotid upstroke interval (I m -CAR u ) and minus pulse transmission time (I m -CAR u -PTT), and by (2) upstroke of apexcardiogram to upstroke of carotid (ACG u -CAR u ) and minus pulse transmission time (ACG u -CAR u -PTT). The IVCT was short in the antepartum supine subject (I m -CAR u was 60.5, SD 4.3 msec.) and 31.7 msec. when corrected for PTT) and became longer in the upright position (63.7 msec. [SD 6.1] and 35.6 msec., respectively). In the postpartum state the supine IVCT was significantly longer than in the antepartum state (72.2 msec. [SD 9.3] and 42.2 msec. when corrected for PTT) (P The left ventricular ejection time index was 425.1 msec. (SD 13.5) in the antepartum supine subject and demonstrated corresponding shortening in the erect position (412.8 msec., SD 14.2). In the postpartum period the LVETI was shorter (407.0 msec. [SD 17.4]) and shortest in the upright position (392.9 msec. [SD 11.6]).
Implicit theories of relationships: Implications for relationship satisfaction and longevity.

The role of implicit theories in romantic relationships was investigated in two studies. People holding a soulmate theory, who believed that finding the right person is most important for a satisfying relationship, were compared to people holding a work–it–out theory, who believed that effort is most important for building a successful relationship. In Study 1, college students (N = 527) completed a set of questionnaires, including measures of relationship theories and functioning within romantic relationships. Approximately 8 months later, a subset of these students (N = 176) completed a second set of questionnaires for Study 1. The implicit theories were highly stable over time (r = .74). For soulmate theorists, feelings that one’s specific partner is ideal predicted relationship satisfaction and relationship longevity to a greater extent than for work–it–out theorists. Whereas Study 1 investigated people’s theories of relationships as ends of a bipolar continuum, a separate study explored people’s theories of relationships as two unipolar dimensions. Findings from Study 2 (N = 266) supported a representation of the theories as two negatively correlated factors, and supported findings from Study 1 highlighting the role of the interaction between the relationship theories and partner fit in predicting relationship satisfaction.
Counting Electric Sheep: Understanding Information in the Context of Media Ecology

In the field of media ecology, defined as the study of media as environments, media and medium, and ecology and environment are key terms, while information, although commonly employed, is generally used without reference to a specific definition. This article examines the mostly implicit assumptions about and understandings of the term information in the context of the field of media ecology. Information can be seen as a synonym or subset of content or message, can be divided into different orders or levels of content/communication and relationship/medium, and on both levels is dependent on and altered by changes in technology, code, and form. Although sometimes discussed as if it were a substance, information is best understood as a function of communication, which in turn is a function of mediation. As a function of mediated communication, information is closely associated with news and control. Information is also considered the defining characteristic of our contemporary period, but is best understood as a product of electricity, electric technology, and the electronic media. As we have moved from orality to literacy to electricity, so too has the emphasis shifted from wisdom to knowledge to information. Despite popular celebration, this evolution is not an unmitigated good, and what is needed is a balanced media environment.
The Theology of Cruelty: A New Look at the Rise of Arminianism in Eighteenth-Century New England

With the growth of Arminianism in the post-Awakening period, a decisive move away from Puritan orthodoxy occurred in New England. In this article I shall map the contours of this movement, using as my guide a recent work of the political theorist, Judith Shklar. In her book Ordinary Vices , Shklar describes the rise of Enlightenment thought in the West as primarily a shift in value structures. As a result of this shift from the moral universe defined by the seven deadly sins to one defined by the “ordinary vices,” traditional political, moral, and religious systems were viewed from a new perspective. From this perspective it was possible to perceive in these systems a deeply entrenched cruelty. I shall argue that Shklar's analysis can be fruitfully applied to changing trends in religious thought that were wrought by the Enlightenment in America. Specifically, I shall argue that the rise of Arminianism and the general liberalization of Christianity in eighteenth-century New England were informed by a perception, created by the influx of Enlightenment values into the colonies, of the systemic cruelty of the body of doctrine traditionally maintained by orthodox Puritan divines.
Remote Batch Invocation for Web Services: Document-Oriented Web Services with Object-Oriented Interfaces

The Web Service Description Language defines a service as a procedure whose inputs and outputs are arbitrarily structured data values, sometimes called documents. In this paper we argue that document-oriented interfaces can be viewed as batches of calls to finer-grained object-oriented interfaces. Turning this correspondence around, we show that flexible documents can be specified by converting a block of fine-grained object-oriented invocations into a batch document. The statements in the block operate directly on virtual service objects and are composed using sequences, conditionals, and loops. Our system, Remote Batch Invocation for Web Services, translates object-oriented interfaces into a WSDL describing batches of calls and vice versa. A wrapper class on the server interprets documents described by the WSDL and dispatches method calls to the appropriate server objects. Clients can use the the service described by the WSDL in three ways: using existing WSDL client generation tools, using a wrapper library, or using a language extension to Java. The result is a powerful infrastructure for web services that is compatible with existing tools and standards while providing an elegant programming model. We have used our infrastructure to create a Web server wrapper for the Amazon Associates Web Service, which shows that remote batches can support a clean object-oriented programming model over a stateless web service.
Preparation and Characterization of Agarose Hydrogel Nanoparticles for Protein and Peptide Drug Delivery

The purpose of this work was to develop and characterize a protein and peptide injectable drug delivery system in agarose hydrogel nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared by using a new emulsion-converted-to-suspension in situ method. This is an emulsifier-free method that has advantages for protein and peptide drug encapsulations. Ovalbumin, used as a model protein drug, was successfully encapsulated into nearly spherical agarose hydrogel nanoparticles under mild conditions. The nanoparticles possessed a log-normal size distribution with an average size of 504 nm. They imbibed a large amount of water (66.85% to 84.33%) and the water content was a function of temperature; the water content increased with increase in temperature. Release studies of the ovalbumin from the agarose hydrogel nanoparticles revealed a diffusion-controlled release mechanism with a temperature dependence; the ovalbumin release rate was higher at 37 degrees C than that at room temperature. The great biocompatibility of agarose hydrogel, plus the mild conditions for drug encapsulation, make the agarose hydrogel nanoparticles a potential system for protein and peptide drug delivery.
Is Progestin an Independent Risk Factor for Incident Venous Thromboembolism? A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Introduction Because the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with progestin is uncertain, we tested oral contraceptives, estrogen and progestin as independent VTE risk factors.
New external neurocontroller for series capacitive reactance compensator in a power network

Summary form only given. The controllable capacitive reactance can be used as the input variable for the external controller of a series capacitive reactance compensator (SCRC) to improve the damping of low-frequency oscillations of the rotor angle and active power in a power system. Conventional linear PI controllers are tuned for best performance at one specific operating point of the nonlinear power system. At other operating point its performance degrades. Nonlinear optimal neurocontrollers are able to overcome this degradation. In this work, the dual heuristic dynamic programming (DHP) optimization algorithm is applied to design an external nonlinear optimal neurocontroller for the SCRC. Simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDCO software are presented.
Torsades de pointes: Atypical rhythm, atypical treatment

For the present, treatment of the acquired Torsades de Pointes consists of removal of the causative agent, correction of the underlying electrolyte imbalance, and initiation of direct therapy. Unresponsive dysrhythmias may need magnesium therapy or cardioversion.
Dynamic Terahertz Spoof Surface Plasmon–Polariton Switch Based on Resonance and Absorption

In this brief, a terahertz (THz) switch consisting of perfect conductor metamaterials is demonstrated both theoretically and numerically. Specifically, we build a THz logic block based on waveguide-cavity-waveguide, thus providing a strong electromagnetic field accumulation inside a small cavity. Furthermore, this brief shows that the subwavelength metallic cavity can confine light for a long time within a very small area. Therefore, an arbitrarily designed cavity with the high quality factor Q and the small effective area Aeff can be easily utilized for an efficient THz switch. These promising results can be used to provide new switch types and open up new vistas in the area of THz subwavelength optics.
Design Space Exploration for 3-D Cache

As technology scales, interconnects have become a major performance bottleneck and a major source of power consumption for sub-micro integrated circuit (IC) chips. One promising option to mitigate the interconnect challenges is 3D ICs, in which a stack of multiple device layers are put together on the same chip. In this paper, we explore the architectural design of cache memories using 3D circuits. We present a delay and energy model 3D cache delay-energy estimation tool (3D-Cacti) to explore different 3D design options of partitioning a cache. The tool allows partitioning of a cache across different device layers at various levels of granularity. The tool has been validated by comparing its results with those obtained from circuit simulation of custom 3D layouts. We also explore the effects of various cache partitioning parameters and 3D technology parameters on delay and energy to demonstrate the utility of the tool.
Noncontact and Contact Pars Plana Transscieral Neodymium:YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Postmortem Eyes

Abstract Transscleral neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser energy (5 J), noncontact at 20 msec and contact at 0.5 sec exposure time, was applied to enucleated porcine and human eyes 3 mm posterior to the limbus. Coagulative pars plana lesions were noted in all cases. Related to focus and exposure time, noncontact lesions were larger, more homogeneous, and affected primarily the pigment epithelium, whereas contact lesions showed more full-thickness thermal effects, including sclera. Because the corona ciliaris was unharmed when laser applications were made 3 mm from the limbus, this commonly used clinical focus raises questions about cyclo "destruction." Future clinical research will have to show which phenotype of pars plana lesion correlates best with long-term lowering of pressure.
Retinal damage and vision loss in African American multiple sclerosis patients

Objective To determine whether African American (AA) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit more retinal damage and visual impairment compared to Caucasian American (CA) MS patients. Methods A total of 687 MS patients (81 AAs) and 110 healthy control (HC) subjects (14 AAs) were recruited at 3 academic hospitals between 2008 and 2012. Using mixed effects regression models, we compared high- and low-contrast visual acuity (HCVA and LCVA) and high-definition spectral domain optical coherence tomography measures of retinal architecture between MS patients of self-identified AA and CA ancestry. Results In HCs, baseline peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was 6.1µm greater in AAs (p = 0.047), whereas ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCIP) thickness did not differ by race. In MS patients, baseline RNFL did not differ by race, and GCIP was 3.98µm thinner in AAs (p = 0.004). AAs had faster RNFL and GCIP thinning rates compared to CAs (p = 0.004 and p = 0.046, respectively). AA MS patients had lower baseline HCVA (p = 0.02) and worse LCVA per year of disease duration (p = 0.039). Among patients with an acute optic neuritis (AON) history, AAs had greater loss of HCVA than CA patients (p = 0.012). Interpretation This multicenter investigation provides objective evidence that AA MS patients exhibit accelerated retinal damage compared to CA MS patients. Self-identified AA ancestry is associated with worse MS-related visual disability, particularly in the context of an AON history, suggesting a more aggressive inflammatory disease course among AA MS patients or a subpopulation therein. Ann Neurol 2015;77:228–236
The American Cancer Society Guidelines for Breast Screening With Magnetic Resonance Imaging : An Argument for Genetic Testing

The American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for screening withbreast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) recommend MRI for women who havea lifetime risk 20% of developing breast cancer. Genetic testing for breast cancergene (BRCA) mutations is offered to women who have a risk 10% of carrying amutation. The objectives of the current study were 1) to identify the number ofwomen in a breast cancer screening population who had 20% lifetime breastcancer risk and, thus, were candidates for screening MRI; and 2) to determinethe number of women who had 10% risk of BRCA mutation yet had <20% life-time risk of breast cancer and, thus, may not have been identified as candidatesfor MRI screening.
Distance learning: a controlled performance outcome analysis

This report describes two sections of an introductory computing class. One course was offered using conventional scheduled lectures and laboratories; the second in an independent study mode. Results show that the independent study students performed as well as those in the lecture course. Analysis of the use of multimedia resources suggests a need to adapt linear lecture material to a more dynamic, user-controlled format for multimedia presentation.
Teacher Certification Policies and Practices for Vocational Special Education A National Study

Existing state-level certification requirements, policies, and practices for vocational special education personnel were examined. Responses from 42 of 50 state-level vocational special populations consultants (84.0%) were included in the final data analysis. Findings revealed that ten states currently offer certification in vocational special education, and another nine states are either recommending or developing specific policies in this area. Current certification options and alternatives, as well as the types of required coursework and occupational work experiences were also identified. Results of the present study were compared to baseline data obtained in the early 1980s and revealed minimal progress in the status of certification requirements for vocational special needs education.