cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wound healing in normal and analbuminemic (NAR) rats.

Abstract It has been suggested by several investigators that hypoalbuminemia results in impaired wound healing. In most studies, however, hypoalbuminemia is a manifestation of malnutrition or underlying liver disease. In this study, we examined the effect of isolated hypoalbuminemia on wound healing. Analbuminemic (NAR) rats which are Sprague-Dawley mutants with trace levels of plasma albumin due to a defect in albumin synthesis were studied. Adult NAR and Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 each) underwent a 7 cm dorsal skin incision and implantation of a polyvinyl alcohol sponge subcutaneously under pentobarbital anesthesia. Seven days postoperatively all rats were killed with ether, the wounds were excised, and breaking strength was measured. Sponge hydroxyproline content was determined colorimetrically. There were no significant differences in wound breaking strength (fresh or formalin fixed) or sponge collagen content between the Sprague-Dawley and analbuminemic rats. We conclude that isolated hypoalbuminemia has no detrimental effect on wound healing in rats.
Clinical pharmacology of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (zidovudine) and related dideoxynucleosides.

THE development of a rational therapy against the etiologic agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)1 2 3 was made possible by the discovery that a cytopathic retrovirus, now called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), caused the disorder.4 5 6 This discovery and the ability to grow the virus in large quantities made possible the development of in vitro techniques to find drugs that inhibit the replication of HIV.7 , 8 Substances that acted against HIV in vitro were identified for further study, and the practical development of drugs thus proceeded. The work was in part an outgrowth of early research on animal retroviral systems in . . .
V(D)J recombination and the cell cycle

V(D)J recombination is a major source of antigen receptor diversity and represents the only known form of site-specific DNA rearrangement in vertebrates. V(D)J recombination is initiated by specific DNA cleavage at recombinational signal sequences and requires components of the general machinery used for double-strand (DS)-break repair. The involvement of DS cleavage and repair mechanisms suggests that V(D)J recombination might be coupled to the cell cycle, as introduction or persistence of DS breaks during DNA replication or mitosis could interfere with faithful transmission of genetic information to daughter cells. Here, Weei-Chin Lin and Stephen Desiderio review recent evidence indicating that this is indeed the case and consider some biological implications of this linkage.
Measurement of Cardiac Output during Adult Donor Care

Measurement of cardiac output may improve hemodynamic management in donor care. Selected traditional and more recent methods to quantify cardiac output are reviewed. The accuracy or concordance of these newer methods when compared with thermodilution techniques that use a pulmonary artery catheter—the current reference standard—is discussed. Data directly comparing these systems for measuring cardiac output in the donor population are unavailable. However, data from groups of hemodynamically unstable patients favor selection of a measurement method that permits comparison (calibration) with a reference standard. A prospective comparison of all methods against the pulmonary artery catheter thermodilution technique among donors would provide the best data to resolve this clinical and potentially cost-important question.
Scaling of capillary trapping in unstable two-phase flow: Application to CO2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers

The effect of flow instabilities on capillary trapping mechanisms is a major source of uncertainty in CO2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers. Standard macroscopic models of multiphase flow in porous media are unable to explain and quantitatively predict the onset and structure of viscous-unstable flows, such as the displacement of brine by the injected CO2. We present the first step of a research effort aimed at the experimental characterization and mathematical (continuum) modeling of such flows. Existing continuum models of multiphase flow are unable to explain why preferential flow (fingering) occurs during infiltration into homogeneous, dry soil. We present a macroscopic model that reproduces the experimentally observed features of fingered flows. The proposed model is derived using a phase-field methodology and does not introduce new independent parameters. From a linear stability analysis, we predict that finger velocity and finger width both increase with infiltration rate, and the predictions are in quantitative agreement with experiments. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Linewidth enhancement factor and dynamical response of an injection-locked quantum-dot Fabry-Perot laser at 1310nm

This work investigates the linewidth enhancement factor (alpha-factor) and stability of an optically-injected InAs/InGaAs quantum-dot Fabry-Perot laser. Using the injection-locking technique, the above threshold alpha-factor is measured to be as low as 0.6 at 1.3X the threshold current. The below threshold alpha-factor is also measured using the Hakki-Paoli technique. The measured alpha-factor values are used to simulate the dynamic response (stable locking, period-one, period-doubling, or chaos) in the context of single-mode rate equations under zero-detuning injection conditions for external injected power ratios ranging from -11dB to +15dB and slave current bias levels of 1.3X, 2X, and 2.6X threshold. Legacy literature has shown that optically-injected diode lasers typically follow the period-doubling route into a chaotic region as the injection level is increased. Simulations show that at 2X the threshold current, a small region of period-one operation will be observed followed by stable-locking as the injection ratio is increased. This predominantly stable behavior is driven largely by the low alpha-factor. Experimental results support this prediction, where under zero-detuning conditions, only unlocked and stable-locking operation is observed. Experimentally, periodone operation was not observed at a slave laser bias current of 2X threshold, as it was predicted to occur below an external power ratio of -20 dB, a level which was not attainable in this work. Such findings suggest that a quantum-dot device can be employed in an optically-injected configuration for photonic tunable-clock applications.
Model Studies Directed toward the Total Synthesis of (±)-Ribasine. A Tandem Cyclization−Cycloaddition Route Leading to the Core Skeleton

A series of α-diazo-β-(o-carbomethoxy)-substituted aryl ketones were prepared and employed as model systems for a synthetic approach toward the alkaloid ribasine. Six-membered ring carbonyl ylide dipoles were generated by treating the diazoketones with a rhodium(II) catalyst. The initially formed dipole was trapped using a variety of dipolarophiles including N-benzylidene methylamine. The Rh(II)-catalyzed behavior of ethyl 2-diazo-3-(2-formylphenyl)-3-oxo-propionate was also studied to probe the chemoselectivity of the reaction. The major products isolated are derived from bimolecular trapping of the carbonyl ylide dipole, as well as intramolecular C−H insertion of the rhodium carbenoid into the aldehydic hydrogen. Changing the catalyst from Rh(II) trifluoroacetate to Rh(II) acetate caused a significant alteration in product distribution. A study of the tandem cyclization−cycloaddition reaction of an o-allyl phenyl substituted diazoketone was also carried out. An unexpected low-temperature intramolecular ...
Microleakage of porcelain veneer restorations bonded to enamel and dentin with a new self-adhesive resin-based dental cement.

Abstract Cementation technique of bonded ceramic restorations is a time-consuming and technique-sensitive procedure critical to long-term success. Objective Evaluate the performance of a self-adhesive, modified-resin dental cement (Rely-X UniCem, 3M-ESPE) for the cementation of ceramic veneer restorations without previous conditioning of the tooth surface, and in combination with a one-bottle adhesive and a self-etching adhesive. Methods Thirty-six premolars received a veneer preparation that extended into dentin. Leucite-reinforced pressed glass ceramic (Empress 1) veneers were cemented following manufacturers’ instructions, according to the following treatment groups (n = 9): (1) Variolink–Excite Ivoclar–Vivadent (V + E control), (2) Unicem + Single Bond 3M-ESPE (U + SB), (3) Unicem + Adper Prompt L-Pop 3M-ESPE (U + AP), (4) Unicem 3M-ESPE (U). After 24 h storage at 37 °C, teeth were thermocycled (2000 cycles) at 5 and 55 °C, immersed in ammoniacal silver nitrate for 24 h, placed in a developer solution overnight and sectioned using a slow-speed saw. Three 1 mm longitudinal sections were obtained from each tooth and evaluated for leakage with a microscope (1× to 4×). Imaging software was used to measure stain penetration along the dentin and enamel surfaces. Results ANOVA with SNK (α = 0.05) revealed that on dentin, U had significantly less leakage than U + SB and U + AP, but no different than V + E; on enamel U had leakage values that were significantly greater than the groups with adhesives. Significance The self-adhesive cement U gave low leakage on dentin that was comparable to the cement that employed an adhesive for sealing dentin, whereas this cement benefits from use of an adhesive when cementing to enamel.
Higher-Order Temperature Coefficients of the Elastic Stiffinesses and Compliances of Alpha-Quartz

The first-, second-, and third-order temperature coefficients of the elastic stiffnesses and compliances of alpha-quartz have been derived from thickness mode resonances of double-rotated quartz plates employing Christoffel's theory of wave propagation. The temperature dependence of all possible thickness modes can be calculated from the values of the elastic stiffnesses and their temperature coefficients as derived during this investigation. A curve showing the locus of the first-order zero temperature coefficient of frequency of thickness-shear modes has been calculated and compared with experiments. The second- and third-order temperature coefficients of frequency of the first-order zero quartz cuts are given. Applications to AT, BT, CT, and DT cuts are made by comparing the calculated with the experimental values which characterize the temperature behavior of frequencies and new useful piezoelectric cuts of quartz are indicated.
A model for anomalous rectification: Electrochemical-potential-dependent gating of membrane channels

A model is presented for “anomalous rectification” based upon electrical measurements on the egg cell membrane of the starfish. The objective is to postulate a plausible molecular mechanism which yields an expression for the conductance similar to that deduced empirically by Hagiwara and Takahashi (1974), i.e., $$G_K = \frac{{Bc_K^{1/2} }}{{1 + \exp \left( {\frac{{\Delta V - \Delta V_h }}{v}} \right)}},$$ whereB, ΔV h andv are constant,c K is the external K+ concentration, and ΔV(=V−V 0) is the displacement of the membrane potential from its resting value. It is shown that a similar dependence of the conductance on ΔV is expected for a particular class of models in which the K+ ions are also implicated in “gating”. To give a specific example, we consider the case in which the formation of ion-permeable pores requires a voltage-induced orientation of membrane-bound, electrically-charged groups and subsequent complexation of these groups with the external cations. Furthermore, the proportionality betweenG K andc 1 2/K , when the internal K+ concentration is constant, is accounted for by conventional descriptions of the ionic fluxes using Eyring's rate reaction theory. In terms of the present model,B and ΔV h are explicit functions of the internal K+ concentrations and are thus constant only as long as this is unvaried. The particular value ofv required to fit the data (v≃8.4 mV) is rationalized by the assumption that each of the orientable groups carries three negative elementary charges. In addition, the predictions of the present model are compared with those deduced from an alternative viewpoint, which is related to Armstrong's “blocking particle hypothesis”, in that the probability for opening and closing of the pore is assumed to depend on whether the pore is occupied or empty. Differences and similarities between the two models, as well as ways to discriminate between them, are discussed.
Dietary intake and food sources of whole grains among US children and adolescents: data from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals.

Abstract Objective This study characterizes whole grain consumption among a nationally representative sample of US children and adolescents. Design Data used in this study were collected as part of the 1994-1996 US Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII). Subjects/Setting CSFII was designed to obtain a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized persons of all ages residing in the United States. Analyses reported in this article are limited to participants aged 2 to 18 years with two days of dietary recall data (n=4,802). Foods reported in the survey were quantified in servings as defined by the Food Guide Pyramid using the US Department of Agriculture Pyramid Servings Database, which contains reference data for each food reported in CSFII in servings per 100 g for 30 Pyramid food groups, including whole grain and total grain. Statistical Analyses Means, frequencies, and logistic regression analyses were conducted as appropriate. Results Average whole grain intake ranged from 0.8 servings per day for preschool-aged children to 1.0 servings per day for adolescents. Ready-to-eat cereals, corn and other chips, and yeast breads were found to be the major food sources of whole grains accounting for 30.9%, 21.7%, and 18.1% of whole grain intake respectively among those aged two to 18 years. Applications/Conclusions Given the apparent low level of whole grain intake among most children and adolescents in the United States, interventions are needed to increase intake of whole-grain foods. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:1015-1019.
Effects of testosterone supplementation in the aging male

Serum androgen levels decline with aging in normal males, such that a significant number of men over 60 yr of age will have a mean serum total testosterone (T) level near the low end of the normal adult range. It is not known whether lower T levels in older men have an effect on androgen-responsive organ systems, such as muscle, bone, bone marrow, and prostate, nor are there data to evaluate the relative benefits and risks of T supplementation in older men. We assessed the physiological and biochemical effects of T therapy in 13 healthy men, 57-76 yr old, who had low or borderline low serum T levels (< or = 13.9 nmol/L). Intramuscular testosterone enanthate (TE; 100 mg weekly) and placebo injections were given for 3 months each. Before treatment and at the end of both 3-month treatment regimens, lean body mass, body fat, biochemical parameters of bone turnover, hematological parameters, lipoprotein profiles, and prostate parameters [such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA)] were evaluated. Serum T levels rose in all subjects with TE treatment, such that the lowest level of T during a week's period was 19.7 +/- 0.7 nmol/L (mean +/- SE). After 3 months of TE treatment, lean body mass was significantly increased, and urinary hydroxyproline excretion was significantly depressed. With TE treatment, there was a significant increase in hematocrit, a decline in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a sustained increase in serum PSA levels. Placebo treatment led to no significant changes in any of these parameters. We conclude that short term (3 months) TE supplementation to healthy older men who have serum T levels near or below the lower limit of normal for young adult men results in an increase in lean body mass and possibly a decline in bone resorption, as assessed by urinary hydroxyproline excretion, with some effect on serum lipoproteins, hematological parameters, and PSA. The sustained stimulation of PSA and the increase in hematocrit that occur with physiological TE supplementation suggest that older men should be screened carefully and followed periodically throughout T therapy.
Rapid screening of ascorbic acid, glycoalkaloids, and phenolics in potato using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Evaluation of phenolic metabolism in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) would be facilitated by faster analytical methods. A high-throughput HPLC method was developed for the qualitative and quantitative determination in potato of numerous phenolic compounds, the sum of the glycoalkaloids chaconine and solanine, plus ascorbic acid. Following a fast extraction, HPLC run times of 12 min were achieved with the use of a monolithic RP C18 column. UV and MS analyses were used to characterize the phenolic complement in extracts from two white-fleshed varieties. Over 30 compounds were identified, some of which are thought to possess either nutritional value or are involved in plant disease resistance. This method is expected to be useful for germplasm mining and for varietal development programs in which large numbers of lines are generated. Keywords: Ascorbic acid; functional foods; flavonoids; kukoamines; potato; phenolics; plant disease resistance; glycoalkaloids; Solanum tuberosum
Acrolein inhalation alters arterial blood gases and triggers carotid body-mediated cardiovascular responses in hypertensive rats

AbstractContext: Air pollution exposure affects autonomic function, heart rate, blood pressure and left ventricular function. While the mechanism for these effects is uncertain, several studies have reported that air pollution exposure modifies activity of the carotid body, the major organ that senses changes in arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and elicits downstream changes in autonomic control and cardiac function.Objective: We hypothesized that exposure to acrolein, an unsaturated aldehyde and mucosal irritant found in cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust, would activate the carotid body chemoreceptor response and lead to secondary cardiovascular responses in rats.Materials and methods: Spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats were exposed once for 3 h to 3 ppm acrolein gas or filtered air in whole body plethysmograph chambers. To determine if the carotid body mediated acrolein-induced cardiovascular responses, rats were pretreated with an inhibitor of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), an enzyme essenti...
Naloxone reduces the feeding evoked by intracerebroventricular galanin injection

Abstract Central injection of galanin elicits feeding in satiated rats. We recently observed galanin-immunoreactive fibers in synaptic connection with a population of β-endorphin-immunopositive cell bodies and dendrites in the basal hypothalamus. Because β-endorphin also stimulates food intake, these morphological findings raised the possibility that stimulation of feeding by galanin may, in part, be mediated by β-endorphin release. First, we observed that ICV injection of galanin (1.5–6.0 nmol) stimulated feeding in a dose-related fashion. Next, the effect on food intake of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (20–200 μg, ICV) administered immediately preceding galanin (3 nmol, ICV) was evaluated. Galanin-induced feeding was suppressed by naloxone in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal suppression of 76% at the highest naloxone dose. These findings support the existence of a functional link between galanin and β-endorphin and are in accord with the view that stimulation of food intake by galanin may, in part, be mediated by increased β-endorphin release.
1004-56 Ultrasonic Monitoring of Fat Embolization During Major Orthopedic Procedures: Experimental Studies in Sheep Define a New Utility for Intracardiac Ultrasound

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) has been described following bone injuries of the lower extremities and intramedullary fixation procedures, such as hip replacement and can have serious pulmonary vascular consequences. We performed an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) study to directly visualize and quantitate the release of marrow contents following femoral fracture and reamed or non reamed intramedullary fixation. One or more portions ofthese orthopedic maneuvers were performed in 30 anesthetized and ventilated sheep, including femoral fracture (F), opening the intramedullary canal (OC), reaming (R)(reamer sized 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10.5, 11 mm in diameter) and nail insertion (N). Thirty sheep were randomized into 3 groups (n = 10): Group 1 (G1) had F, OC, Rand N. Group 2 (G2) had F, OC and N but no reaming. Group 3 (G3) had Fonly. A high resolution 8 French. 15 MHz IVUS catheter (Aloka Co. Ltd.) was placed via the jugular vein to the junction of the inferior vena cava and right atrium (RA). Echogenic embolic particles (EP) visualized entering the RA following each maneuver were quantified by counting the maximal number of EP/video frame, measuring the maximal size of EP and the duration of EP appearance. Small numbers of small particle embolic events were denoted on F alone, but opening through to the canal as the first maneuver in sequence followed by N, produced the largest EP's and the longest duration of showers of emboli in Gl and G2 (p l 0.01). F and all the other procedures involved in intramedullary fixation constantly induced release of marrow contents into the circulation detectable by ultrasound. As other correlates to these observations, a transient increase of pulmonary vascular resistance by mean of 1.3 resistance units was noted in the animals in G1 and more widespread microscopic findings of embolic events were found in G1 and G2 than in G3 at post-mortem lung examination. Our findings may help to explain the mechanism of FES following femoral fracture and intramedullary fixation. The use of IVUS for monitoring EP showers may aid refinement of orthopedic surgical procedures.
The Massachusetts General Hospital Vascular Center: emergence of a multidisciplinary program designed to improve quality outcomes for patients.

AbstractThe prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the United States is extensive and growing rapidly. Contributing factors include the aging population, tobacco abuse, obesity, and diabetes, all of which increase the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Treatment paradigms for cardiovascular disease have also been rapidly evolving; minimally invasive, catheter-based approaches are increasingly used as first-line therapy. Physicians from a variety of specialties have responded to this growing patient population and treatment paradigm shift by enhancing their training and expanding their practices to better care for these complex patients. This trend is a natural response of specialists to the evolving needs of their patients. In the vascular field, however, it has led to physicians acquiring skill sets that are new for that specialty and that go beyond the traditional boundaries of their practice, and which may overlap with skills classically practiced by other specialists. Surgeons are learning endova...
Recognizing and Treating Valproic Acid Toxicity: A Case Report

Valproic Acid (VPA) toxicity has been steadily increasing in frequency since the FDA approved the drug for acute mania in 1995. According to the 2005 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Center's Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS), 8705 acute exposures to valproic acid occurred with major adverse outcomes reported in 404 patients of this cohort. Recognizing VPA toxicity is the first step in properly managing the patient. Key signs and symptoms of VPA toxicity include: CNS depression, lethargy and potential encephalopathy, respiratory depression, nausea/vomiting, and myoclonus. Lab abnormalities often include, in addition to elevated serum VPA levels, hypernatremia, elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis, hyperosmolality, hypocalcemia, and hyperammonemia with a transaminitis. A non-contrast head CT may demonstrate cerebral edema, the peak occurrence of which is between 12 hours and 4 days after ingestion. Activated charcoal can be given early if the timing of overdose is known. Serial head CT scans should be ordered to monitor the possible delayed side effect of cerebral edema. Other areas of treatment deal with correcting the ill effects of the metabolic abnormalities (e.g. replace calcium if hypocalcemia). Specifically, lactulose is used to decrease serum ammonia levels and reduce the risk of encephalopathy. Another mainstay of treatment, L-carnitine, increases levels of free carnitine to participate in mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis. In extreme cases, hemodialysis may be required to reduce the levels of VPA and the associated metabolites. Of note our patient presented with virtually all the lab abnormalities and symptoms typical of VPA toxicity. He improved with hemodialysis and was discharged to a mental health facility in stable condition. Though VPA toxicity occurs rarely, it has a consistent presentation, symptomotology and defined treatment regimen. Awareness of a typical patient’s presentation would assist in early diagnosis and a successful treatment. J Med Cases. 2011;2(5):185-187 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc234w
Tubular colonic duplication — review of 1876–1981 literature

Four cases of tubular colonic duplication are reported and 53 more are reviewed from 1876–1981 literature. Eighty percent of these patients had other anomalies, most notably genital and bladder duplications. Females outnumbered the males 37 to 20. Fifty per cent of patients of either sex had some form of fistulous communication. In no one was the anomaly incompatible with life. Based on the anatomy of distal ends of duplicated colon, the patients are divided in five groups, for each of which the incidence and nature of concomitant anomalies are tabulated. Because of their anatomic complexity, most patients with colonic duplication require clinical evaluation by multiple subspecialists. We have also suggested the sequence and extent to which they should be evaluated by radiologists.
ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION, AFFILIATION MOTIVATION, AND TASK DIFFICULTY AS DETERMINANTS OF SOCIAL CONFORMITY.

Abstract : Extending from the differentiation of normative and informational processes of social influence an investigation of interactions between two motivational factors (achievement needs and affiliation needs and one situational factor (task difficulty or ambiguity) was executed. Undergraduates were subjected to contrived group pressures toward erroneous perceptual judgments. An analysis of variance of frequencies of conforming behavior revealed (a) that conformity occurs more frequently on maximally ambiguous perceptual tasks than on relatively unambiguous ones, and more frequently on unambiguous tasks which are characterized by lack of subjective confidence in accuracy of judgment than on ones characterized by high levels of confidence in accuracy of judgment; (b) that predispositional achievement nees are related to characterization of the task stuation as easy, difficult, or impossible whereas predispositional affiliation needs are unrelated to task characterization; (c) that high levels of achievement motivation operate to suppress differentiation of response to social influence as a function of differences in affiliation motivation, while low levels of affiliation motivation may generate relative indifference to social influences regardless of differences in achievement motivati n; and (d) the sex differences in frequency of conformity to group pressures disappear when predispositional motivational factors are controlled. (Author)
Exact combinational logic synthesis and non-standard circuit design

Using a new exact synthesizer that automatically induces minimal universal boolean function libraries, we introduce two indicators for comparing their expressiveness: the first based on how many gates are used to synthesize all binary operators, the second based on how many N-variable truth table values are covered by combining up to M gates from the library. By applying the indicators to an exhaustive enumeration of minimal universal libraries, two dual asymmetrical operations, Logic Implication "==" and Half XOR "
Sotalol for Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias: Beta-Blocking and Class III Contributions, and Relative Efficacy Versus Class I Drugs After Prior Drug Failure

In the Electrophysiologic Study Versus Electrocardiographic Monitoring (ESVEM) trial, d,l-sotalol was associated with a lower arrhythmia recurrence and mortality than class I antiarrhythmic drugs. To further evaluate the relative efficacy of d,I-sotalol compared with class I drugs, and to assess the relative importance of its class II (beta-blocking) and class III effects, 6-year arrhythmia recurrence and mortality in patients receiving sotalol were compared with those in patients receiving class I drugs, subdivided according to whether they also received coadministered beta blockers. Relative efficacy was also determined for sotalol and for class I drugs as stratified by the presence/absence of prior drug failure. Arrhythmia recurrence was lower for the 84 patients receiving sotalol than for patients given class I agents with (n = 28) (p = 0.008) or without (n = 184) (p = 0.001) alpha beta blocker. Mortality was lower for patients taking sotalol than for those given a class I drug without alpha beta blocker (p = 0.034), but similar (p = 0.835) if alpha beta blocker was also administered. In contrast to class I drugs, which had lower efficacy rates when prior drug trials had failed, sotalol maintained its efficacy despite prior drug failures preceding or during the ESVEM trial. Both class II and III actions in the ESVEM trial were important to the clinical superiority of sotalol in the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Fracture site augmentation with calcium phosphate cement reduces screw penetration after open reduction-internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures.

Background We sought to examine fracture settling and screw penetration after open reduction–internal fixation of 2-, 3-, and 4-part proximal humeral fractures and determine whether the use of calcium phosphate cement reduced these unwanted complications. Methods We performed a retrospective study of prospective data. Inclusion criteria included patient age of 18 years or older and an acute traumatic fracture of the proximal humerus that was treated with open reduction–internal fixation with a locked plate. Metaphyseal defects were treated with 1 of 3 strategies: no augmentation, augmentation with cancellous chips, or augmentation with calcium phosphate cement. Various radiographic measurements were made at each follow-up visit to assess for humeral head settling or collapse. Overall, 92 patients (81%) met the inclusion criteria and form the basis of this study. Augmentation type included 29 patients (32%) with cancellous chips, 27 (29%) with calcium phosphate cement, and 36 (39%) with no augmentation. Results There were no statistical differences among the groups with respect to patient age, sex, and fracture type. At the 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up visits, there was less humeral head settling with calcium phosphate cement compared with repair with no augmentation or with cancellous chips. Findings of joint penetration were significant among patients treated with plates and screws alone versus those augmented with calcium phosphate (P = .02) and for those augmented with cancellous chips versus those augmented with calcium phosphate (P = .009). Conclusion Augmentation with calcium phosphate cement in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures with locked plates decreased fracture settling and significantly decreased intra-articular screw penetration.
Economic Opportunity on the Urban Frontier: Wealth and Nativity in Early San Francisco☆

Abstract Contemporary historians described mid-19th-century San Francisco as a place of high economic opportunity. A recent school, the New Western Historians, have argued that economic opportunity in San Francisco was low, especially for blue-collar workers. Using quantile regression analysis of wealth data from the 1860 Federal census manuscripts, I show that the New Western Historians are incorrect. Blue-collar Irish and English men fared better in San Francisco than men in eastern and midwestern cities. German men had a pattern of wealth holding that has not been observed elsewhere, which has implications for our view of how frontier regions were settled.
An infrared fluorescent protein for deeper imaging

A newly engineered infrared fluorescent protein will allow microscopists to peer more deeply into living animals.
Assumptive Worlds, Self-Definition, and Striving Among Women

It is clear that we all have beliefs about the social world and how it works that we rely on as we make sense of and negotiate within that world. Although the importance of assumptions about ourselves and the world has been demonstrated in relation to crisis and trauma, their relevance to more proactive activities such as goal striving has not yet been established. To do this, I first present a conceptual framework and then offer (a) a profile of women's vulnerability-related assumptive worlds, (b) correlations of these assumptive worlds and identification with four societal reference groups (political orientation, religion, gender, cultural identity), and (c) regression data concerning the combined and unique ability of social referents and assumptive worlds to explain goal striving. I conclude by discussing implications for empowerment goals in work with women as well as future research.
Segmented surface coil resonator for in vivo EPR applications at 1.1 GHz

A four-loop segmented surface coil resonator (SSCR) with electronic frequency and coupling adjustments was constructed with 18 mm aperture and loading capability suitable for in vivo Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and imaging applications at L-band. Increased sample volume and loading capability were achieved by employing a multi-loop three-dimensional surface coil structure. Symmetrical design of the resonator with coupling to each loop resulted in high homogeneity of RF magnetic field. Parallel loops were coupled to the feeder cable via balancing circuitry containing varactor diodes for electronic coupling and tuning over a wide range of loading conditions. Manually adjusted high Q trimmer capacitors were used for initial tuning with subsequent tuning electronically controlled using varactor diodes. This design provides transparency and homogeneity of magnetic field modulation in the sample volume, while matching components are shielded to minimize interference with modulation and ambient RF fields. It can accommodate lossy samples up to 90% of its aperture with high homogeneity of RF and modulation magnetic fields and can function as a surface loop or a slice volume resonator. Along with an outer coaxial NMR surface coil, the SSCR enabled EPR/NMR co-imaging of paramagnetic probes in living rats to a depth of 20 mm.
Enhancement by N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide of water-soluble carbodiimide-mediated coupling reactions.

Water-soluble carbodiimides are frequently employed in coupling or conjugation reactions, e.g., to link a peptide immunogen to a carrier protein. However, their utility is limited by low coupling yields obtained under some conditions. We have found that addition of N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide to such reactions can greatly enhance the yields obtained.
Improving Vocabulary and Pre-Literacy Skills of At-Risk Preschoolers Through Teacher Professional Development

In a randomized control study, Head Start teachers were assigned to either an intervention group that received intensive, ongoing professional development (PD) or to a comparison group that received the "business as usual" PD provided by Head Start. The PD intervention provided teachers with conceptual knowledge and instructional strategies that support young children's development of vocabulary, alphabet knowledge, and phonological sensitivity. Results indicated that, after 1 academic year, teachers in the intervention group created higher quality classroom environments, as measured by the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation (M. W. Smith, D. K. Dickinson, A. Sangeorge, & L. Anastasopoulos, 2002) and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (R. C. Pianta, K. M. La Paro, & B. K. Hamre, 2007), and by videotapes of their classroom book readings. Further, children in the intervention group performed significantly better than comparison-group peers on measures of receptive vocabulary and phonological sensitivity but showed equivalent alphabet learning. Moreover, variation in classroom quality and fidelity to the intervention were linked to child outcomes, illuminating which particular aspects of teachers' improved practices were linked to children's gains. Findings provide new details about the mechanisms through which intensive and intentional PD can enhance Head Start teachers' classroom practices and, by extension, improve Head Start children's language and preliteracy outcomes
Sulfite and Starch Affect Color and Carotenoids of Dehydrated Carrots (Daucus carota) during Storage

Sulfite and starch treatments influenced the quality of dehydrated carrots. Initially, redness of dehydrated carrots was high in sulfite-treated samples. Redness and total α- and β-carotenes decreased as storage time increased in all treatments. Starch-treated samples had a slower rate of carotene loss, and retained more (P < 0.05) red color than did control and sulfite-treated samples. When residual sulfite in dehydrated carrots decreased to ∼≤200 ppm, its effectiveness in protecting carotene was not notable.
An investigation of returns to scale in data envelopment analysis

This paper discusses the determination of returns to scale (RTS) in data envelopment analysis (DEA). Three basic RTS methods and their modifications are reviewed and the equivalence between these different RTS methods is presented. The effect of multiple optimal DEA solutions on the RTS estimation is studied. It is shown that possible alternate optimal solutions only affect the estimation of RTS on DMUs which should be classified as constant returns to scale (CRS). Modifications to the original RTS methods are developed to avoid the effects of multiple optimal DEA solutions on the RTS estimation. The advantages and disadvantages of these alternative RTS methods are presented so that a proper RTS method can be selected within the context of different applications.
Immunoreactivity for LN2 and LN3 distinguishes small cell carcinomas from non-small cell carcinomas in the lung

Immunoreactivity to LN2 and LN3, monoclonal antibodies that recognize components of the class II major histocompatibility complex, was assessed in 72 cases of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) (32 biopsy specimens, 40 resection specimens) and 64 cases of small cell carcinoma (56 biopsy specimens, 8 resections) of the lung. All cases were reviewed independently by three pathologists for histological classification. Only 1 of the 64 small cell carcinomas showed immunoreactivity for LN2, and none of the 64 cases showed reactivity for LN3. Among the non-small cell carcinomas, 25 of 48 cases were positive for LN2 and 43 of 71 were positive for LN3; the sensitivity was greater for adenocarcinoma (78.5%) than for squamous cell carcinoma (37%). A combined sensitivity of 64.7% was observed when the results of LN2 and LN3 were combined, and this sensitivity was not significantly diminished in the biopsy subset of cases (59.4%). Differentiation within histological subtypes of NSCLC (ie, well, moderate, or poorly differentiated) did not alter test sensitivity. In conclusion, LN2 and LN3, used alone or in combination, appear highly specific for non-small cell carcinoma and moderately sensitive in both biopsy and resection specimens; therefore, these antibodies may be diagnostically useful in distinguishing small cell from non-small cell carcinoma of the lung.
Metabolism of Presenilin 1: Influence of Presenilin 1 on Amyloid Precursor Protein Processing

Abstract To create model systems to examine presenilin 1 (PS1) metabolism in vivo, we generated transgenic mice expressing wild-type and A246E mutant human PS1. Our data indicate that both wild-type and mutant PS1 is endoproteolytically cleaved into 27 kDa N- and 17 kDa C-terminal fragments, which are the principal PS1 species found in normal mammalian brain. To examine the influence of mutant PS1 on Aβ formation and deposition in brain, we mated mice expressing wild-type and mutant PS1 to mice expressing a murine amyloid precursor protein (APP) with a humanized Aβ domain and missense mutations linked to a Swedish familial Alzheimer’s disease kindred (APP.swe). In the brains of mice that co-express mutant PS1 and APP.swe, the ratio of Aβ1–42/43 to 1–40 was elevated by 50% compared to mice expressing APP.swe alone or mice expressing APP.swe and wild-type PS1. These data suggest that mutations in PS1 may cause early onset Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing the concentration of longer, and more amyloidogenic, 42 and 43 residue Aβ peptides.
Selection of Noise Barrier Material

Because of the large capital expenditures required to construct or replace a noise barrier, it is important for designers to have the information necessary to make rational choices among the materials available. Designers face difficulties, however. There is a lack of information on both existing materials and designs, and many of the new products being introduced are not typical in highway construction. As a result, research was conducted to determine the service life of the various noise barrier materials and products currently in use in Illinois and to develop a life-cycle cost model for evaluating alternative materials. Wood and metal products were estimated to have a 25-year service life; the service life for earth berms, concrete, and fiberglass was estimated to be 50 years. Results of the life-cycle cost analyses (LCCA) indicated that earth berms were the lowest-cost alternative, and metal barriers with absorptive panels were the most expensive. The life-cycle costs of the other barrier materials m...
Cytokeratin positivity in fine-needle aspirates of melanomas and sarcomas.

Cytokeratin (CK) positivity has been considered a specific marker for epithelial differentiation in cytologic specimens. After observing CK reactivity in fine-needle aspirate (FNA) specimens of melanoma and sarcoma, a retrospective study of melanomas and sarcomas was undertaken to investigate the frequency of anomalous CK staining in these neoplasms. Cell block sections and/or restained smears from 36 melanomas and sarcomas were retrospectively stained for CK. An appropriate internal positive control (HMB-45, S100 protein, or vimentin) was also used to insure antigen preservation. of the smears from 19 melanomas, five revealed focal strong CK positivity of neoplastic cells, two cases showed faint or equivocal staining, 11 cases were negative for CK, and one could not be interpreted due to inadequate controls. of the smears from 14 sarcomas, two showed positivity for CK (one fibrosarcoma and one condrosarcoma), 11 were negative, and one had inadequate controls. the number of CK positive cells was less than that observed with the appropriate internal positive control antibodies. Destained Papanicolaou smears were superior to Diff-Quik smears for retrospective immunocytochemical stains. Cell block sections from four of the melanomas and one sarcoma demonstrated no aberrant staining. Since Cytokeratin positivity occasionally is seen in nonepithelial neoplasms, its presence alone cannot be used to make a definitive diagnosis of carcinoma. Therefore, a panel of immunocytochemical stains should be utilized in diagnosis of FNA specimens. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Assessing the Influence of Mountain Slope Morphology on Pediment Form, South-Central Arizona

Pediments are common desert landforms. While the term "pediment" is used to describe subaerial bedrock platforms (here called "bedrock pediments"), it is frequently used to describe the hybrid suballuvial bedrock platforms (here called alluvial slopes) as well. Important distinctions exist between these landforms. For example, whereas bedrock pediments are mantled with a thin layer of in situ and perhaps alluvial debris, alluvial slopes tend to imitate alluvial fans, cone-shaped deposits of alluvium made by ephemeral mountain streams depositing sediment on piedmonts. Mountain slopes backing bedrock pediments and alluvial slopes located in the Phoenix, Arizona, region exhibit disparate morphologies that allow a distinction to be made between bedrock pediments and alluvial slopes developed at their base. Mountain slopes above bedrock pediments tend to exhibit larger clast sizes mantling the slope, less vegetation, steeper slopes, more abrupt piedmont angles, and fewer joints in bedrock outcrops. Mountain sl...
Instituting a robot-assisted surgery programme at a tertiary care cancer centre.

Background The initial experience of a gynaecological oncology robotic surgery programme at a tertiary care cancer centre is described. Methods A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of 76 patients offered robot-assisted surgery. Results Seventy-three patients underwent robot-assisted surgery; three cases were converted to laparotomy; 51% of patients underwent treatment for endometrial cancer; 18% had ovarian cancer risk reduction surgery; and 8% were treated for uterine leiomyomata. Median body mass index (BMI) was 30. Median estimated blood loss, operative time, and length of stay were 150 ml, 195 min and 1 day, respectively. The total major complication rate was 6.8% and the total minor complication rate was 15.1%. Conclusion Robot-assisted surgery is safe and appropriate for gynaecological patients undergoing surgical management. A gynaecological oncology robot-assisted programme can be easily established in a tertiary care cancer centre. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deadlock analysis of synchronous message-passing programs

Reachability analysis of a concurrent program involves the derivation of states of the program and the detection of deadlocks and other types of faults. To perform reachability analysis of a concurrent program P, the number of instances of each process type in P needs to be determined. How to select such numbers for P is a difficult issue. If these numbers are large, reachability analysis of P needs huge memory and very long CPU time. If these numbers are small, we have little confidence on whether P is deadlock-free for larger numbers of instances of process types in P. A deadlock cutoff number C for a process type T in P means that if under certain conditions P with C instances of T has no deadlocks, then P has no dead locks for any number of instances of T. We describe methods for finding deadlock cutoff numbers for three types of synchronous message-passing programs. Our methods are based on the theory of Milner's CCS. By applying these methods, the effort for detecting deadlocks in many synchronous message-passing programs can be significantly reduced. Empirical results of applying our methods to solutions to the dining philosophers and readers and writers problems are presented.
Discovering Implicit Discourse Relations Through Brown Cluster Pair Representation and Coreference Patterns

Sentences form coherent relations in a discourse without discourse connectives more frequently than with connectives. Senses of these implicit discourse relations that hold between a sentence pair, however, are challenging to infer. Here, we employ Brown cluster pairs to represent discourse relation and incorporate coreference patterns to identify senses of implicit discourse relations in naturally occurring text. Our system improves the baseline performance by as much as 25%. Feature analyses suggest that Brown cluster pairs and coreference patterns can reveal many key linguistic characteristics of each type of discourse relation.
DISC 20th Anniversary: Invited Talk Time, Clocks, and the Ordering of My Ideas About Distributed Systems

A guided tour through the labyrinth of my thoughts, from the Bakery Algorithm to arbiter-free marked graphs. This exercise in egotism is by invitation of the DISC 20th Anniversary Committee. I take no responsibility for the choice of topic.