cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factores de riesgo y consideraciones técnicas angiográficas para orientar la intervención carotídea

En la actualidad, la angioplastia e implantacion de un stent en la arteria carotida, (SAC) usando dispositivos de proteccion embolica, se acepta como tratamiento alternativo en aquellos pacientes considerados en alto riesgo para la endarterectomia carotidea (EAC). El objetivo del presente estudio fue 1) determinar que proporcion de pacientes tratados con EAC se clasificarian en un grupo de “alto riesgo” con los criterios actuales, 2) caracterizar los hallazgos angiograficos preoperatorios en pacientes con estenosis carotidea, y 3) determinar las potenciales dificultades tecnicas del SAC en estos pacientes. Se identificaron los pacientes consecutivos que se sometieron a EAC desde enero de 1999 a agosto de 2004, antes de la introduccion de la SAC en nuestro hospital. Se revisaron la demografia, indicaciones, complicaciones perioperatorias y muertes. Se aplicaron las guias publicadas de definicion de alto riesgo para EAC, y se examinaron las angiografias preoperatorias en busca de limitaciones tecnicas del SAC. Durante el periodo de estudio, se practicaron 279 EAC en 259 pacientes para patologia oclusiva asintomatica de la carotida (57%), episodios isquemicos transitorios (35%) o accidente vascular cerebral (8%). De estos, un 35,5% (n = 99) habria cumplido uno o mas de los criterios de alto riesgo. Los riesgos globales de accidente vascular cerebral, infarto de miocardio y mortalidad perioperatorios fueron del 1,1%, 2,2% y 0,4% (n = 279), respectivamente, con una tasa de complicaciones mayores combinadas del 3,3%. No se observaron diferencias en las tasas de complicaciones mayores entre pacientes en riesgo estandar y elevado. En el 83,5% de las EAC estuvieron disponibles angiografias previas a su indicacion (n = 233). La distribucion de las configuraciones del arco aortico incluyo los tipos I (3,5%), IIa (39,5%), IIb (54,5%), y III (1,3%) ( fig. 1 ). Se observaron anomalias del arco aortico en el 15,5% (n = 35) de las angiografias. En un 77,7% (n = 181) uno o mas de los hallazgos angiograficos habrian aumentado las dificultades tecnicas del SAC, pero solo el 17,6% presentaba contraindicaciones angiograficas relativas del procedimiento. Segun los criterios aceptados en la actualidad, una proporcion significativa de pacientes con estenosis carotidea tratados previamente con EAC se clasificaria en el grupo en riesgo elevado y se consideraria candidato potencial a la SAC. Partiendo de las imagenes de la angiografia preoperatoria, es habitual la presencia de diversos factores que sugieren el grado de complejidad tecnica y que pueden limitar la practica del SAC.
9-cis-Retinoic acid inhibition of lung carcinogenesis in the A/J mouse model is accompanied by increased expression of RAR-β but no change in cyclooxygenase-2

Abstract 9-cis-Retinoic acid (9cRA) binds both retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) and has been shown to be a potential chemopreventive agent both in lung cancer cell culture studies and in clinical trials studying former smokers. However, direct evidence of the efficacy of 9cRA against lung tumor development in vivo is lacking. In the present study, we determined whether treatment with 9cRA has the potential to inhibit lung carcinogenesis by upregulating RAR-β and down-regulating COX-2 expression in the A/J mouse lung cancer model. A/J mice (n=14–15/group) were treated as follows: (1) Control (Sham treated); (2) NNK (100 mg NNK/kg body weight); (3) NNK+9cRA (15 mg/kg diet); and (4) NNK+celecoxib (a COX-2-specific inhibitor, 500 mg/kg diet). Tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity, RAR-β mRNA, COX-2 mRNA, and COX-2 protein levels in lung samples of mice were determined 4 months after carcinogen injection. The results showed that mice receiving 9cRA supplementation had significantly lower tumor multiplicity (48% reduction, P
Commentary: a patient-centered theory of satisfaction.

The Primary Provider Theory holds that patient satisfaction occurs at the nexus of provider power and patient expectations. More specifically, patient satisfaction is principally the function of an underlying network of interrelated satisfaction constructs-satisfaction with the primary provider, waiting for the provider, and satisfaction with the provider's assistantss. Hierarchically linked to patient-centered expectations of provider value, the Theory specifies that primary providers offer the greatest clinical utility to patients. The Theory is operationalized by patient-centered measures exclusively, where only patients judge the quality of service and all other judgments are immaterial. Bearing in mind the Institute of Medicine's recent recommendations to clinicians regarding the implementation of a new level of patient-centered care, the Primary Provider Theory offers an alternative paradigm for the measurement and realization of patient satisfaction. It can inform patient-centered physician practic...
Saturation spectroscopy of carriers in semiconductor multiple-quantum-well structures

We have performed far infrared cyclotron resonance absorption saturation experiments of both electrons (GaAs/AlGaAs MQW structure) and holes (InGaAs/GaAs strained- layer superlattice) with the Free Electron Laser at UC Santa Barbara, Calif. The Landau level lifetime is found to be laser power dependent at high powers, and is longer for electrons than for holes. Reasons are discussed. Proper analysis of the transmission data is crucial for strongly absorbing multi-layer structures to obtain meaningful results. Limitation of the 3-level model used to determine the lifetimes are also discussed.
Bayesian congestion control over a Markovian network bandwidth process

We formulate a Bayesian congestion control problem in which a source must select the transmission rate over a network whose available bandwidth is modeled as a time-homogeneous finite-state Markov Chain. The decision to transmit at a rate below the instantaneous available bandwidth results in an under-utilization of the resource while transmission at rates higher than the available bandwidth results in a linear penalty. The trade-off is further complicated by the asymmetry in the information acquisition process: transmission rates that happen to be larger than the instantaneous available bandwidth result in perfect observation of the state of the bandwidth process. In contrast, when transmission rate is below the instantaneous available bandwidth, only a (potentially rather loose) lower bound on the available bandwidth is revealed. We show that the problem of maximizing the throughput of the source while avoiding congestion loss can be expressed as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP). We prove structural results providing bounds on the optimal actions. The obtained bounds yield tractable sub-optimal solutions that are shown via simulations to perform well.
Paraclinoid carotid aneurysms

Paraclinoid aneurysms originate from the internal carotid artery between the distal dural ring and the posterior communicating artery. Giant, multiple and bilateral aneurysms are more frequent in this group of aneurysms. Surgical clipping of these aneurysms is technically challenging due to the adjacent bony anatomy and neurovascular structures. Operative mortality has been reduced substantially due to advances in microsurgical techniques. However, there is still no uniformity with respect to the surgical procedures used, especially regarding the use of skull-base approaches and resection of the anterior clinoid process. Due to the complexity of these aneurysms, endovascular procedures are used frequently to treat these aneurysms. We have reviewed the anatomical, radiological aspects and classification of paraclinoid aneurysms. Surgical and endovascular management options are also reviewed.
Rise of the Shadow Libraries: America's Quest to Save Its Information and Culture from Nuclear Destruction during the Cold War

This article argues that the ultimate goal of American doomsday planners during the Cold War was to defend informational and cultural materials from nuclear destruction. American leaders of the time hoped to protect the vital documents that the nation would need to function after a war, as well as safeguard materials related to the nation's cultural heritage. Planners used vaulting, dispersal, and duplication as their three main protection strategies, and these strategies gave rise to “shadow libraries,” remote storage facilities often constructed underground.
Adoption of strategic total quality management philosophies Multi‐criteria decision analysis model

Discusses traditional accounting principles and how their limitations can affect an organization’s ability to achieve total quality management. Problems with these accounting principles become even more apparent when they are used to justify the investment in new technologies which may be needed to improve an organization’s TQM programme, including its productivity. When an organization focuses on short‐term profits, such accounting principles are often biased towards the selection of new technologies. Develops strategic frameworks that go beyond the limitations of these traditional accounting models. Applies these theories to evaluate the strategic variables that influence a company’s ability to compete in the marketplace. These frameworks focus primarily on an organization’s goals and the effective use of technology is identified as the means of achieving these goals.
Comments on A New Product Growth for Model Consumer Durables

The paper that I authored and that was published in Management Science in 1969 (Bass 1969) has become widely known as the "Bass Model" (see Morrison and Raju 2004). The model of the diffusion of new products and technologies developed in the paper is one of the most widely applied models in management science. It was especially gratifying for me to learn that INFORMS members have voted the "Bass Model" paper as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Papers published in the 50-year history of Management Science in connection with the 50th anniversary of the journal. In this commentary on the paper I shall discuss some background and history of the development of the paper, the reasons why the model has been influential, some important extensions of the model, some examples of applications, and some examples of the frontiers of research involving the Bass Model. In the current period, in which there is much discussion about the marketing of applications of management science methods and practice, I hope that this commentary will be useful in providing insights about some of the properties of models that will be applied.
On the early dynamics and spread of HIV-1

Until recently, the origin of the HIV-1 group M pandemic largely remained a scientific mystery. The use of comprehensive evolutionary analyses has revealed a unique story regarding viral migration, starting in the 1920s in Kinshasa, and the social and infrastructural changes associated with the early spread of this deadly virus.
Izod impact strength of polystyrene-based blends containing low molecular weight polybutadiene

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the influence on impact strength of small amounts of low molecular weight polybutadiene pools dispersed within the glassy matrix of high impact polystyrene (HIPS)/polystyrene blends or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/polystyrene blends. The blends of HIPS and polystyrene or ABS and polystyrene were formulated to obtain materials containing small amounts of composite particles to act as craze initiators. Izod impact tests were conducted on standard single notched samples. The fracture surfaces of the Izod specimens and of double-notched tensile specimens were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy, and the internal morphologies of the blends were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Addition of low molecular weight polybutadiene does not increase the impact strength of the blends because, at the high strain rates of the Izod test, the low molecular weight polybutadiene loses its effectiveness as a local plasticizer of craze fibrils. Tensile tests at various strain rates were conducted in order to estimate the strain rate where the mobility of the low molecular weight polybutadiene cannot keep up with the rate of craze propagation through the polystyrene matrix; this critical strain rate is in the region of 10−2s−1 at 20°C for the particular low molecular weight polybutadiene (3400 g mol−1, 74% 1,4 microstructure) employed here.
Posterior urethral diverticulum presenting as a midline prostatic cyst: sonographic and MRI appearance

A midline cystic structure in the prostate most commonly represents a Mullerian duct cyst or dilated utricle. We describe the sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of a rare diverticulum of the posterior urethra presenting as a midline prostatic cyst.
Percutaneous penetration of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone): effects on hairless mouse epidermis in vivo.

Topical methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) previously has been shown to produce partial clinical improvement in psoriasis. To enhance therapeutic activity, studies were undertaken to optimize MGBG percutaneous penetration in vitro and to study biochemical changes related to epidermal proliferation in vivo. MGBG penetration in saline, Vehicle N, decylmethylsulfoxide, and N-methylpyrrolidone was determined in normal human skin in vitro. Maximum penetration was obtained with 10% MGBG in Vehicle N (3 μg/h/cm 2 ). Both topical and systemic MGBG resulted in increased levels of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase, suggesting an extended half-life as a consequence of MGBG binding. Topical treatment with 10% MGBG in Vehicle N also resulted in decreased epidermal polyamine levels. The changes in polyamine metabolism were also associated with inhibition of epidermal DNA synthesis. These studies suggest that this topical MGBG formulation may be a candidate for use in the treatment of psoriasis and other hyperproliferative cutaneous diseases associated with increased polyamine synthesis.
Shock-induced synthesis. I. Cubic boron nitride from ammonia borane

Direct cubic boron nitride synthesis from ammonia borane (NH3BH3) was achieved in a high-pressure shock-compression experiment. The lattice spacing of the cubic boron nitride was 3.655 A and there was evidence that the material contained some α-Fe and γ-Fe.
Beyond the Qualitative-Quantitative Dichotomy: Notes from a Non-qualitative Researcher

Qualitative research provides lessons for the psychology of physical activity. Specifically, qualitative research highlights the social context, multiple truths and multiple paths to those truths. All methods are limited and all knowledge is incomplete. No one method can provide a complete understanding of complex, dynamic physical activity behaviour. Incorporating those lessons can broaden our vision to move beyond the qualitative–quantitative dichotomy and value all forms of scholarship in an engaged social psychology of physical activity.
A single bout of resistance exercise does not affect nonlinear dynamics of lower extremity kinematics during treadmill walking

Peripheral fatigue has been known to result in altered force output and muscle recruitment patterns by the CNS. These changes may affect lower extremity movement during gait, and such behavior may present implications for the interpretation of nonlinear analysis of gait in situations where a subject might become fatigued. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a single bout of resistance training on lower extremity movement during treadmill walking in healthy subjects. Fifteen recreationally active subjects performed two 10 min trials of treadmill walking at their preferred speed while knee and ankle kinematics of their right limb were recorded via optical motion capture. Between walking trials, subjects performed a series of lower extremity resistance exercises designed to induce moderate muscular fatigue. Detrended fluctuation analysis of stride length and stride time revealed that statistical persistence was unaffected by moderate muscle fatigue. Estimates of finite-time maximal Lyapunov exponents for ankle angle, knee angle, and vertical ankle movement over the short (0–1 stride) and long (4–10 strides) term were also unaffected by a single bout of resistance training. These results suggest that control of locomotion in healthy individuals, as measured by the nonlinear dynamics of lower extremity movement used here, is relatively robust to moderate muscle fatigue. Additional work with greater levels of fatigue will be necessary to fully characterize the effects of muscular fatigue on gait.
Housing Choice Vouchers, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and the Federal Poverty Deconcentration Goal:

Poverty deconcentration has gained prominence as a federal housing policy goal during the past decade. The authors address the issue of whether the interaction between the two dominant programs aim...
Semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of trimedlure isomers

Semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic procedures on 5 μm silica were developed for the isolation of gram quantities of eight trimedlure isomers (trans: A, B1, B2, and C;cis: V, W, X, and Y) for comparative biological evaluation and NMR studies. Isolations were made from an eight-component 2∶1cis: trans-trimedlure mixture, a four-componentcis-trimedlure mixture, trimedlure-B2:X and trimedlure-C:W epimerization merization mixtures, a trimedlure-B1:Y:B2 mixture, and a trimedlure-A concentrate.
Tunable second harmonic gyrotron based on a 12 T superconducting, cryogen-free magnet

Near-THz gyrotrons are of interest for applications such as remote sensing, materials processing, and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications. We are setting up a gyrotron test-bed based on a Cryomagnetics 12-T cryogen-free, 3-inch warm-bore, superconducting magnet to investigate second- and higher-harmonic gyrotrons operating at frequencies up to 1 THz. The first experiments are designed to operate at the second harmonic at frequencies up to 600 GHz and powers in the kilowatt range. A triode electron gun operating at 30–60 kV and 0.5–2 A will be used. A Vlasov-type output coupler designed using geometric optics will be used to extract the output power as a quasi-Gaussian beam. An interaction cavity based on the TE 15, 2 mode with an effective length of about 1 cm and a Q of 7400 has been designed. The ability to tune the output frequency is important for many applications and is an important objective of this research. Calculations of the expected continuous and step tuning achievable with this cavity will be discussed. Other design calculations and the status of the experiment will be presented.
The twilight of the East India Company: the evolution of Anglo-Asian commerce and politics, 1790–1860

The twilight of the East India Company: the evolution of Anglo-Asian commerce and politics, 1790–1860, by Anthony Webster, Woodbridge, The Boydell Press, 2009, viii + 205 pp., £50.00 (hardback), IS...
EFFECTS OF SERVING TEMPERATURE ON SENSORY EVALUATION OF BEEF STEAKS FROM DIFFERENT MUSCLES AND CARCASS MATURITIES

The effects of post-cooking beef sample temperatures of 22°C (room temp) and 50°C on sensory measures were determined. Steaks from psoas, longissimus, and semitendinosus muscles from carcasses of A−, A+, and C+ USDA maturity groups were used. Steaks were oven roasted to 70°C internal temperature and cores (1.88 cm) were removed and halved, with one-half being maintained at 22°C and the other half at 50°C. A calibrated double boiler system was used to accurately control sample temperature. Eight trained sensory panelists rated all samples on a 7-point rating scale for flavor, juiciness, initial tenderness, and overall tenderness, and on a 5-point rating scale for connective tissue residue. Significantly higher values for flavor (P > 0.01) and juiciness (P > 0.01) were found for 50°C samples, Tenderness measures were not affected by serving temperature. Correlation coefficients between juiciness and the various tenderness measures were higher for the 22°C samples but lower for flavor and the other sensory measures at 22°C.
Ras Is Required for the Cyclic AMP-Dependent Activation of Rap1 via Epac2

Exchange proteins activated by cAMP (cyclic AMP) 2 (Epac2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rap1, a small G protein involved in many cellular functions, including cell adhesion, differentiation, and exocytosis. Epac2 interacts with Ras-GTP via a Ras association (RA) domain. Previous studies have suggested that the RA domain was dispensable for Epac2 function. Here we show for the first time that Ras and cAMP regulate Epac2 function in a parallel fashion and the Ras-Epac2 interaction is required for the cAMP-dependent activation of endogenous Rap1 by Epac2. The mechanism for this requirement is not allosteric activation of Epac2 by Ras but the compartmentalization of Epac2 on the Ras-containing membranes. A computational modeling is consistent with this compartmentalization being a function of both the level of Ras activation and the affinity between Ras and Epac2. In PC12 cells, a well-established model for sympathetic neurons, the Epac2 signaling is coupled to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and contributes to neurite outgrowth. Taken together, the evidence shows that Epac2 is not only a cAMP sensor but also a bona fide Ras effector. Coincident detection of both cAMP and Ras signals is essential for Epac2 to activate Rap1 in a temporally and spatially controlled manner.
Does Obesity-Induced τ Phosphorylation Tip the Scale Toward Dementia?

Obesity, a worldwide epidemic with numerous health implications, is gaining traction as a risk factor for dementia. The need for research is evident: at least 2.8 million obese or overweight adults die each year according to the World Health Organization, and more than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese (1). Obesity increases the risk of several health conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (2). In addition, obesity, as well as type 2 diabetes, increases the risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia (3–5). In this issue of Diabetes , Leboucher et al. (6), provide evidence that aberrant phosphorylation of the protein τ is a molecular link between obesity and impaired memory. In fact, much evidence supports the notion that τ dysfunction plays a central role in cognitive deficits. For example, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated τ are a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Moreover, the number of τ-containing neurofibrillary tangles in the neocortex of the brain in Alzheimer’s disease positively correlates with severity of cognitive decline (7), and mutations in MAPT , the gene encoding τ, have been shown to cause frontotemporal dementia (8,9). To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which obesity increases the risk of dementia, Leboucher et al. investigated the effects of diet-induced …
A unified framework for reference-based ultra-wideband signaling

One application area of significant interest for ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is in localization and low-to-moderate data rate communication. Due to implementation complexity concerns, many recently proposed systems have been based around transmitted reference (TR) or pulse-position modulation (PPM) architectures. In response to the difficulty in implementing the delay line in small integrated receivers for the original TR system, frequency-shifted reference (FSR) UWB systems were developed, which in turn motivated recent code-shift (CS)-UWB and code-multiplexed (CM)-UWB systems. Here, we update our recent framework for reference-based UWB systems to encompass these recently-proposed systems and use recent experience on a UWB commercialization project for radio frequency identification (RFID) applications to provide perspective on the evaluation of systems within the framework. Performance is considered under both average and peak energy constraints. Under the latter constraint, it is important to consider methods of peak mitigation, so an extension of the tone reservation method employed in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is applied to systems within the framework, often without the cost in bandwidth efficiency observed in standard OFDM systems. Differences across the class, as measured in terms of peak power, can often be larger than those measured versus average power. Operating conditions where such is significant (or not) are reviewed.
Fluid Dynamics of Highly Pitched and Yawed Jets in Crossflow

Results from an experimental investigation of flowfields generated by pitched and yawed jets discharging into a crossflow are presented. The circular jet is pitched at a = 20 and 45 deg and yawed between β = 0 and 90 deg in increments of 15 deg. Hot-wire measurements are performed to obtain all three components of mean velocity and turbulent stresses. Cross-sectional surveys are conducted at x = 3, 5, 10, and 20, where the downstream distance x is normalized by the orifice diameter. Data are acquired at momentum-flux ratio, J = 1.5, 4, 8, and 20
Bias Analysis Applied to Agricultural Health Study Publications to Estimate Non-Random Sources of Uncertainty

Background The associations of pesticide exposure with disease outcomes are estimated without the benefit of a randomized design. For this reason and others, these studies are susceptible to systematic errors. I analyzed studies of the associations between alachlor and glyphosate exposure and cancer incidence, both derived from the Agricultural Health Study cohort, to quantify the bias and uncertainty potentially attributable to systematic error.
Historical Context of the Western Bioethics Approach to Autonomy

The principle of informed consent, which includes informed refusal (hence both will be represented in this book as informed consent), is a vital principle in biomedical ethics. In Western bioethics, the emergence of this principle has been influenced by the concept of autonomy that is grounded in rights-oriented liberal individualism. Such an understanding of informed consent has served American society well. However, in other continents, for example Africa, informed consent is used with less success and raises more questions than in Western medical practices. In other socio-cultural groups, alternative approaches to informed consent emerge. These alternative forms of informed consent are based on how socio-cultural groups understand the human person and on how they traditionally make decisions. They are also influenced by how much emphasis a group places on communal culture. This is evident in, but not restricted to, the ethics of care and to African bioethics.
Airpower in the Battle of the Bulge: A Case for Effects-Based Operations?

This article assesses the efficacy of Effects-Based Operation by examining the Battle of the Bulge by relating the course and consequences of that campaign to an ongoing doctrinal debate in the American armed forces over a concept known as EBO to determine the extent to which the evidence of using airpower in the Bulge confirms, qualifies, or refutes the tenets of EBO.
On the Nash dynamics of congestion games with player-specific utility

Strategic issues in multi-agent routing in communication networks can be studied by modeling the routing problem as a congestion game. Such a game has a finite number of players and a finite set of resources; each player chooses a nonempty subset of the resources and the payoff to a player depends only on the number of players using each resource. Rosenthal proved that congestion games with symmetric utilities have pure strategy Nash equilibria. This is because the Nash dynamics give rise to an acyclic digraph. An explicit potential function on pure strategy profiles for the Nash dynamics is known for such games; this helps in understanding the Nash dynamics and verifies that the corresponding digraph is acyclic. Milchtaich considered congestion games with player-specific utilities where each player selects exactly one resource. lie proved that the Nash dynamics give rise to an acyclic digraph when there are two resources. This implies the existence of a potential function on pure strategy profiles for the Nash dynamics, but no explicit potential function appears to be known as yet. In this paper we define an acyclic digraph on the integer lattice of each dimension and show that the Nash dynamics for any such congestion game can be embedded into one of these digraphs. We find an explicit potential function on each of these lattice digraphs. This potential function can then be restricted to the embedded digraph of the Nash dynamics of such a congestion game. Apart from giving an alternate proof of the acyclicity of the digraph of Nash dynamics for such games, such an explicit function helps in understanding these dynamics.
THE BIOLOGY OF SAA: IDENTIFICATION OF THE INDUCER, IN VITRO SYNTHESIS, AND HETEROGENEITY DEMONSTRATED WITH MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES

Continued studies of the macrophage-derived mediator of SAA synthesis (SAA Stimulating Factor) confirm our previous observations that SAASF copurified with leukocytic pyrogen (LP) and lymphocyte activating factor (LAF). Moreover, new data demonstrate three separate isoelectric points for human LP-LAF-SAASF each of which possess the three biological activities. During the purification of 15,000 MW LP from crude stimulated mononuclear cell supernatants, only those fractions with pyrogenic activity in rabbits caused augmented stimulation of lymphocytes (LAF) and induced SAA synthesis in mice. Purified human LP stimulated isolated mouse hepatocytes in vitro to synthesize SAA in a dose-responsive manner. Colchicine treatment of hepatocytes led to decreased secretion of SAA into the medium and to an intracellular accumulation of SAA. Messenger RNA was isolated from the livers of endotoxin-stimulated mice and translated in a wheat-germ cell-free system. A major product was identified at 13-14,000 MW. Immunoprecipitation with anti-mouse AA identified several bands on autoradiography of polyacrylamide gels. These larger SAA precursors may account for the previously noted heterogeneity of human SAA, comprising at least 6 SAA isomers, of similar molecular weight but different solubility and electrophoretic charge characteristics. Two monoclonal antibodies (IgM-K and IgG1-K) have been prepared using standard cell hybridization techniques. They are directed at the variable COOH terminal region of SAA since they detect differences between the 6 human SAAs but do not react with human, monkey, dog or mouse AA proteins, human AP, C-reactive protein, IgG nor albumin. These antibodies will be useful in examining the origin, structure and function of SAA.
Manufacturing execution systems for sustainability: Extending the scope of MES to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability goals

Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have evolved into a cornerstone of plant-wide automation schemes across a range of industries and manufacturing processes. Benefits of MES implementation include production increases, cost reductions, quality improvements, product tracking, data collection and regulation compliance, among others. While MES implementations have led to reductions in energy use and waste, the conventional focus of MES has been on production management. This paper demonstrates how MES can help meet the challenges of sustainable production in addition to conventional uses. The methodology for extending the scope of MES to achieve energy efficiency and other sustainability goals is explained using standardized practices and actual installations.
Plantar Loading During Cutting While Wearing a Rigid Carbon Fiber Insert

Context Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, accounting for approximately 10% of all overuse injuries. Treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures involves both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are difficult to treat because of the risks of delayed union, nonunion, and recurrent injuries. Most of these injuries occur during agility tasks, such as those performed in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Objective: To examine the effect of a rigid carbon graphite footplate on plantar loading during 2 agility tasks. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 19 recreational male athletes with no history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months and no previous metatarsal stress fractures were tested. Main Outcome Measure(s): Seven 45° side-cut and crossover-cut tasks were completed in a shoe with or without a full-length rigid carbon plate. Testing order between the shoe conditions and the ...
REPAIR OF POTENTIALLY LETHAL RADIATION DAMAGE IN HUMAN SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA CELLS AFTER CHRONIC HYPOXIA

Abstract Purpose : To examine the repair of radiation induced potentially lethal damage in A431 and CaSki cells after chronic hypoxia. Methods and Materials : Cells in exponential phase are subjected to hypoxia ( Results : Compared to aerobic controls, an increase in the level of potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR) is demonstrated in A431 cells reoxygenated for 10 min after > 4 h of hypoxia. The repair returned to aerobic control level by 3 h of reoxygenation. PLDR of A431 cells reached maximum at about 9 h after irradiation in cells reoxygenated for 10 min after hypoxia. However, the repair is maximum at 6 h in cells reoxygenated for 3 h after hypoxia and in aerobic cells not previously exposed to hypoxia. Reoxygenation after chronic hypoxia did not affect the PLDR capacity and repair kinetics of CaSki cells. Conclusion : The results suggest that radiosensitization by reoxygenation after chronic hypoxia is not related to inhibition of PLDR.
African Americans with Barrett’s Esophagus Are Less Likely to Have Dysplasia at Biopsy

Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) is a pre-malignant condition. Limited data on BE dysplasia prevalence exists among United States ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to determine if the frequency of BE with dysplasia varies among the major ethnic groups presenting to our institution. The University of Florida-Jacksonville endoscopy database was searched for all cases of endoscopic BE from September 2002 to August 2007. Histologic BE was diagnosed if salmon colored esophageal mucosa was endoscopically seen at least 1 cm above the top of the gastric folds and biopsy revealed intestinal metaplasia with Alcian blue-containing goblet cells. Demographic data collected for all included: age at diagnosis, ethnicity, sex, previous history of esophageal reflux, atypical manifestations (chronic cough, aspiration), endoscopic length of BE, presence or absence of hiatal hernia, esophageal stricture or ulcer, and presence or absence of dysplasia. Salmon colored esophageal mucosa was observed in 405 of 7,308 patients (5.5%) and histologically confirmed in 115 of 405 patients (28%) reflecting an overall prevalence of BE of 115/7308 (1.6%) in this cohort. Ethnic distribution of histologic BE patients was as follows: 95 (83%) non-Hispanic white (nHw), 16 (14%) African American (AA) and 4 (3%) other. Long segment BE (LSBE) and any form of dysplasia was observed less frequently in AA than nHw (LSBE: 12% vs. 26% and dysplasia: 0% vs. 7%). LSBE and dysplasia are less frequent in AA than nHw. Studies in AA with BE may illustrate factors limiting dysplasia and LSBE risk.
The P Cytotype in Drosophila melanogaster : A Maternally Transmitted Regulatory State of the Germ Line Associated With Telomeric P Elements

The incomplete P elements TP5 and TP6 are inserted in the TAS repeats near the left telomere of the Drosophila melanogaster X chromosome. These telomeric P elements repress P-induced gonadal dysgenesis and germ-line hypermutability in both sexes. However, their capacity to repress hypermutability is lost when they are transmitted patroclinously in a cross. TP5 and TP6 do not repress P-element activity in somatic cells, nor do they alter the somatic or germ-line phenotypes of P-insertion alleles. In the germ line, these elements suppress the phenotype of a P-insertion allele of the singed gene that is evoked by other P elements, presumably because these other elements encode repressor polypeptides. This suppression is more effective when the telomeric P elements are inherited maternally. Regulation by telomeric P elements parallels that of the P cytotype, a state that represses P-element activity in some strains of Drosophila. This state exists only in the germ line and is maternally transmitted along with the P elements themselves. Regulation by known repressor P polypeptides is not restricted to the germ line and does not require maternal transmission of the relevant P elements. Regulation by telomeric P elements appears to be epistatic to regulation by repressor P polypeptides.
A Dynamic Trio: Inertial Oscillation, Deformation Frontogenesis, and the Ekman–Taylor Boundary Layer

Abstract Potential temperature and wind profiles obtained during a case of nighttime low-level deformation frontogenesis are examined. The winds in the lowest kilometer over a region in the central United States are shown to be controlled by thermal wind shear in a stable layer above 400 m, in accordance with the Hoskins–Bretherton semigeostrophic frontogenesis model, and by surface-drag-generated shear in the nearly neutral layer below. In this lower layer, the wind profiles are shown to be in good agreement with a simple baroclinic Ekman–Taylor model. The opposite shear in the two layers produces a low-level jet that appears in soundings taken hundreds of kilometers apart. The agreement of the observed profiles with these models is revealed only after a height-dependent inertial oscillation in both layers is removed from the rapidly evolving hourly wind data.
Homologous Viral Interference: Induction by RNA from Defective Particles of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

The viral RNA isolated from the defective particles of vesicular stomatitis virus was capable of interfering with the replication of this virus in chick embryo cells. The data indicate that the interfering ability of the defective particles of this virus is due to their nucleic acid component.
Physicochemical Properties of Frozen Red Hake (Urophycis chuss) Mince as Affected by Cryoprotective Ingredients

ABSTRACT: Effects of alginate, iota-carrageenan, soy protein concentrate (SPC), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP),and sorbitol on physicochemical and sensory properties of red hake mince stored at –20 °C for 17 wk were investi-gated. The addition of 0.4% alginate, 4% sorbitol, and 0.3% STPP kept the mince from hardening and improved itsdispersibility during mixing. This is believed to be a result of reduced protein denaturation as evidenced by higherlevels of water, salt, SDS-soluble proteins, and higher free sulfhydryl contents than the untreated control mince,which hardened with compact texture and exhibited considerable syneresis. Alginate appears to be responsible forpreventing muscle fiber interaction through electrostatic repulsion and chelating Ca 2+ , thus improving dispersibil-ity. Sorbitol and STPP with or without SPC and iota-carrageenan did not improve the dispersibility.Keywords: fish mince, frozen storage, protein denaturation, dispersibility, alginate Introduction F ISH MINCE IS AN IMPORTANT RAW MATE
Using data structure knowledge for efficient lock generation and strong atomicity

To achieve high-performance on multicore systems, sharedmemory parallel languages must efficiently implement atomic operations. The commonly used and studied paradigms for atomicity are fine-grained locking, which is both difficult to program and error-prone; optimistic software transactions, which require substantial overhead to detect and recover from atomicity violations; and compiler-generation of locks from programmer-specified atomic sections, which leads to serialization whenever imprecise pointer analysis suggests the mere possibility of a conflicting operation. This paper presents a new strategy for compiler-generated locking that uses data structure knowledge to facilitate more precise alias and lock generation analyses and reduce unnecessary serialization. Implementing and evaluating these ideas in the Java language shows that the new strategy achieves eight-thread speedups of 0.83 to 5.9 for the five STAMP benchmarks studied, outperforming software transactions on all but one benchmark, and nearly matching programmer-specified fine-grained locks on all but one benchmark. The results also indicate that compiler knowledge of data structures improves the effectiveness of compiler analysis, boosting eight-thread performance by up to 300%. Further, the new analysis allows for software support of strong atomicity with less than 1% overhead for two benchmarks and less than 20% for three others.The strategy also nearly matches the performance of programmer-specified fine-grained locks for the SPECjbb2000 benchmark, which has traditionally not been amenable to static analyses.
A Study of Respiratory Illnesses in Infants and Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure

Toxicologic and epidemiologic studies have elevated concern that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in outdoor and indoor air may increase the frequency and severity of respiratory infections. We have developed and implemented a prospective cohort study to test the hypothesis that exposure to NO2 increases the incidence and severity of respiratory infections during the first 18 mo of life. This study, which was based on extensive pilot research, was designed to address the potential limitations of misclassification, confounding, and inadequate power. Enrollment of 1,315 subjects has been completed. This paper reviews the methods used in the study, characteristics of the enrolled subjects, NO2 concentrations in the homes of study participants, and rates of illness occurrence.
Myosin heavy chain expression in the red, white, and ventricular muscle of juvenile stages of rainbow trout

Juvenile stages of rainbow trout, smaller parr and older juveniles, termed smolts, show differences in red muscle contractile properties: parr red muscle has faster kinetics and a faster maximum shortening velocity than smolt red muscle. A developmental reduction in the number of MHC isoforms as detected by SDS-PAGE between parr and smolt has also been ob- served. To investigate whether this shift in contractile kinetics results from differential gene ex- pression, three different MHC cDNA fragments, one each from red, white, and ventricular muscle, were identified. The red muscle and ventricular forms are novel MHCs, and the white muscle form is identical to a published MHC from adult trout white muscle. Tissue and developmental stage-specific expression patterns of these MHC isoforms were examined using isoform-specific RT-PCR. Ventricular muscle typically showed only the ventricular form; 60% parr and 80% smolts expressed the ventricular form only. Approximately half of the white muscle samples of either parr or smolts, 58% and 50%, respectively, expressed only white muscle MHC. Red muscle samples were the most heterogeneous, with red muscle MHC found in combination with either the white or ventricular form or both. Combining samples from the anterior and posterior, 8% of parr red muscle samples expressed solely the red muscle MHC form, and 30% of smolt red muscle samples expressed the red muscle form alone. Variations in the relative contribution of each MHC to the red muscle of parr and smolt may explain observed differences in protein composition and contrac- tile properties. J. Exp. Zool. 290:751-758, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PROSPECTIVELY PACKAGED LYMPH NODE DISSECTIONS WITH RADICAL CYSTECTOMY: EVALUATION OF NODE COUNT VARIABILITY AND NODE MAPPING

ABSTRACTPurpose: Accumulating evidence supports the relationship between an increased number of lymph nodes (LNs) reported following radical cystectomy (RC) and overall outcome. We prospectively evaluated RC cases with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to determine which factors may contribute to the variability in the number of reported LNs.Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective evaluation in which 144 patients undergoing RC and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) between June 2001 and April 2003 were included. Lymph nodes were processed as individual packets. A standard method of evaluating nodal submissions was used. A mixed statistical model was used with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, node status, pathological stage, bacillus Calmette-Guerin exposure, age and number of days from transurethral resection as the fixed effects. Surgeon and pathologist were treated as random effects.Results: The extended PLND group had a significantly greater lymph node yield (median 22.5 nodes) compared to...
Antecedents of Severe and Nonsevere Medication Errors

Purpose: To investigate if differences in antecedents of severe and nonsevere medication errors exist. Design: A longitudinal study of 6 months of data from 279 nursing units in 146 randomly selected hospitals in the United States (US). Methods: Antecedents of severe and nonsevere medication errors included work environment factors (work dynamics and RN hours), team factors (communication with physicians and nurses' expertise), person factors (nurses' education and experience), patient factors (age, health status, and previous hospitalization), and medication-related support services. Generalized estimating equations with a negative binomial distribution were used with nursing units as the unit of analysis. Findings: None of the antecedents allowed predicting both types of medication errors. Nurses' expertise had a negative and medication-related support services had a positive association with nonsevere medication errors. Nurses' educational level had a significant nonlinear relationship with severe medication errors only: As the percentage of unit BSN-prepared nurses increased, severe medication errors decreased until the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses reached 54%. In contrast, RN experience had a statistically significant relationship with nonsevere medication errors only and nursing units with more experienced nurses reported more nonsevere medication errors. Conclusions: Severe and nonsevere medication errors might have different antecedents. Clinical Relevance: Error prevention and management strategies should be targeted to specific types of medication errors for best results.
Comparison of Aging Methods and Validation of Otolith Ages for the Rainbow Darter, Etheostoma caeruleum

Abstract Etheostoma caeruleum were sampled from the James River, southwest Missouri, during eight months, July 1996 through May 1997. Ages were estimated from whole and sectioned otoliths (sagittae) and from scales by counting annuli. Edge analysis indicated that otolith annuli (opaque zones), visible in whole and cross-sectioned otoliths, formed yearly, primarily during July through September. In contrast, scale edge analysis indicated no clear pattern of annulus formation. Independent readers agreed on 63–73% of ages using otoliths but only 38% of ages using scales. Sectioned and whole otolith age estimates made by one experienced reader agreed for 68% of individuals. Scales underestimated age compared to otoliths, and maximum otolith age was five years.
Transport of amino acids via the mesenteric lymph duct in rats.

SummaryIt was demonstrated that dietary amino acids appear in the mesenteric lymph and are transported from the intestinal lumen both as free amino acids and newly synthesized protein via the lymphatic system. The amino acid profiles in intestinal lymph are compared to those in plasma and the intestinal mucosa. There seems to be a depression of lymph amino acid levels during the early phase of intestinal absorption which returns to normal in the later phase. This depression occurs at the same time the newly synthesized protein appears in the lymph.