cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inconsistency of HAC standard errors in event studies with i.i.d. errors

Careless users of software with HAC adjustment should beware. In particular, in event study models with pulse dummies included as explanatory variables, the study shows that, in the presence of i.i.d. errors, HAC-adjusted t-statistics on the event dummies have divergent distributions and can, to the point of probability one, lead to spuriously identified significant events. Thus, point and click users of software with HAC adjustment would best be served by pre-testing the nature of the error term in regression models that contain pulse dummies before applying the adjustment.
A New Locality for Gammarus chevreuxi Sexton

IN the autumn of 1929 the dominant animal in the fauna of Wyken Slough, near Coventry, was a Gammarus, the species of which was uncertain, but which I then recorded as G. pulex Linn. I have since sent specimens to Mrs. Sexton, who has identified them as G. chevreuxi Sexton. This organism has previously been found only in Chelston meadows, near Plymouth, and in view of its value in the study of genetics a new locality is worth recording.
Use of p53 in the diagnosis of upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma.

Abstract Objectives To assess the usefulness of p53 staining of cytology specimens obtained ureteroscopically in the diagnosis of upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Methods We collected specimens from 43 patients undergoing a total of 50 ureteroscopic procedures for a variety of indications, including the diagnosis of TCC. Specimens were obtained by direct biopsy with forceps or basket whenever possible. We examined specimens for evidence of TCC by cytospin as well as cell block for any visible fragments. Each specimen was then stained for overexpression of p53 by immunohistochemical staining, and the degree of staining was graded. Eight patients subsequently underwent nephroureterectomy; the pathologic specimens were stained for p53 and compared with the cytology results. Results Staining for p53 was positive in specimens from 36 of 50 procedures, including all 28 with ureteroscopic or cytologic evidence of TCC ( P P P = 0.3034). The degree of staining of ureteroscopic biopsy specimens was identical to that of the nephroureterectomy specimen in 6 of 8 cases. Conclusions p53 nuclear protein staining of cytology specimens obtained ureteroscopically appears to correlate well with the presence of upper-tract urinary TCC. Further study is needed to determine if it can provide a definitive diagnosis in cases with indeterminate cytologic findings.
Ephrin regulation of palate development.

Studies of palate development are motivated by the all too common incidence of cleft palate, a birth defect that imposes a tremendous health burden and can leave lasting disfigurement. Although, mechanistic studies of palate growth and fusion have focused on growth factors such as Transforming Growth Factor s-3 (Tgfs3), recent studies have revealed that the ephrin family of membrane bound ligands and their receptors, the Ephs, play central roles in palatal morphogenesis, growth, and fusion. In this mini-review, we will discuss the recent findings by our group and others on the functions of ephrins in palatal development.
An interim version of a generalized urban air pollution model

Abstract The diffusion equation is used to derive a mathematical model for computing the concentrations of atmospheric pollutants resulting from specified arbitrary distributions and intensities of point, finite line, and finite area sources, using horizontal winds variable in space and time, and allowing for variation of atmospheric stability, absorption at the ground, chemical reactions, upper level inversions, and variable diffusion coefficients. The model is tested with respect to its diffusion characteristics (ignoring chemical reactions) by computing the carbon monoxide concentrations for each hour on a particular day at 760 locations in the Los Angeles Basin. The computed values at the locations of monitoring stations agree reasonably well with observations. A more advanced version of the diffusion model is being developed.
An Exploratory Study of the Relationship between Knowledge Management and Performance Professionals

The transition of the workforce from brawn-power to brain-power has prompted organizations to fixate on the knowledge created by employees, managers and customers. Knowledge Management (KM) involves recognizing, documenting, and distributing the explicit and tacit knowledge resident in an organization. Although extracting, packaging, and distributing information is not new ground for human resources and training professionals, this preliminary study pursued the authors' curiosity regarding how far beyond job aids and documentation, precursors to KM, the profession has come. This initial study investigated the knowledge management practices reported by volunteer respondents and assessed readiness for knowledge management by teasing out evidence of the systems and goals associated with KM. Additionally, we sought to understand the roles professionals reported themselves to be playing in KM, with particular interest in the thought leadership provided by consulting firms and the implications of organizational culture and information technology.
HABIT OF GROWTH OF RUBUS ROSAEFOLIUS SMITH IN HAWAII

RUBUS ROSAEPOLIUS Smith is a plant of wide distribution in the tropics and has become established in more temperate climates. Rydberg (1913) states that the species is "native of southern and eastern Asia," and that the type locality is the "'Island of Mauritius,' although it was introduced there from the Malay Isles. There is contradiction in the literature as regards the duration of life of the canes. Focke (1911, p. 149) places the species under "Caules annui" in his key to the section Rosaefolii. Rydberg (1913, p. 441) begins his description of the species with "stems perennial, erect. Bailey (1923, p. 149) describes the plant as "a vigorous evergreen species. . . .,' and again (1925, p. 3028) as "erect and tall-growing, evergreen in warm countries...." No reference is made to the duration of the canes. The keys included in these publications do not use the annual or perennial nature of the canes in the identification of the species. In his manual, however, Bailey (1924) separates' R. rosaefolius from R. illecebrosus on the basis of the biennial or perennial canes of the former and the annual canes of the latter species. Dr. H. St. John of the Botany Department, University of Hawaii, called my attention to this taxonomic discrepancy when I inquired into the growth habit of R. rosaefolius. The following is a report of the investigation that resulted. INVESTIGATION.-Rubus rosaefolius, known locally as thimbleberry, is now abundant in Hawaii, especially at altitudes above 300 meters. It spreads rapidly by seeds and by horizontal roots. In outward appearance the colony is evergreen, but closer inspection reveals a mat of prostrate, dead and dying canes, effectively hidden from casual sight by the ascending2 vegetative and fruiting canes. Flowers and fruits are produced throughout the year, but more abundantly during the spring and summer months. Flowers, and later the fruits, are produced on a stem in basipetal succession (table 1). On October 10, 1943, eight vigorous canes were labeled with paraffined, metal-rimmed tags on Mt. Tantalus, Oahu. These plants were not checked again until March 9, 1944. Growth had been unexpectedly rapid (although it appears that the plants grow least rapidly in the winter months), and a few of the labels could not be found. Some labels had rotted owing to the fact that heavy rainf all is characteristic of the locality. Since it appeared that the life of canes was of short duration, a closer series of observations was instituted. Those tagged plants that could be found, and some new ones, making a total of fourteen, were labelled by tying strong cords, identified by knots, on the chosen, 1 Received for publication April 1 , 1945. 2 The terms ascending, arched, and prostrate are used in accordance with those of Bailey (1932). ascending canes. The ends of the cords were brought together at a convenient spot and the plants were easily found at subsequent periods of observation.
Antitumor Component(s) of Yogurt: Fractionation

Abstract Two methods of fractionation were employed to separate antitumor component(s) from yogurt. First, yogurt was separated by dialysis. Although feeding of the dialyzate fraction to mice inoculated with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells resulted in 32.9% inhibition of tumor cell counts and 23.5 to 26.3% reduction of deoxynucleic acid content of ascitic fluid, feeding of the yogurt retentate did not reduce tumor proliferation. Second, an aqueous fraction of yogurt was prepared by removal of the ether soluble matter. Administration of aqueous fraction at 2 mg/mouse intravenously resulted in 25.1 to 32.3% less cell growth whereas intraperitoneal inoculation resulted in only 15.0 to 15.9% reduced tumor proliferation. Antitumor activity may be due to a component(s) with a molecular weight ≤14,000, and it presumably is not bound chemically to any larger compound because it could be separated by dialysis.
Scale and translation invariant shape and signal classification and detection

Highly sophisticated methods for detection and classification of signals and images are available. However, most of these methods are not robust to nonstationary variations such as imposed by Doppler effects or other forms of warping. Fourier methods handle time-shift or frequency shift variations in signals or spatial shifts in images. A number of methods. have been developed to overcome these problems. In this paper we discuss some specific approaches that have been motivated by time-frequency analysis. Methodologies developed for images can often be profitably used for fime-frequency analysis as well, since these representations are essentially images. The scale transform introduced by Cohen can join Fourier transforms in providing robust representations. Scale changes are common in many signal and image scenarios. We call the representation which results from appropriate transformations of the object of interest the Scale and Translation Invariant Representation or STIR. The STIR method is summarized and results from machine diagnosis, radar, marine mammal sounds, TMJ sounds, speech and word spotting are discussed. Some of the limitations and variations of the method are discussed to provide a rationale for selection of particular elements of the method.
Effects of combined scattering and absorption coefficients on laser speckle contrast imaging values

Laser Speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a non-invasive or minimally invasive method for visualizing blood flow and perfusion in biological tissues. In LSCI the motion of scattering particles results in a reduction in global and regional speckle contrast. A variety of parameters can affect the calculated contrast values in LSCI techniques, including the optical properties of the fluid and surrounding tissue. In typical LSCI where the motion of blood is of interests, optical properties are influenced by hematocrit levels. In this work we considered the combined effects of both the scattering and absorption coefficients on LSCI measurements on a flow phantom. Fluid phantoms consisting of various concentrations of neutrally buoyant ~10 micron microspheres and India ink mixed with DI water were formulated to mimic the optical properties of whole blood with various levels of hematocrit. In these flow studies, it was found that an increase in μa and/or μs led to a decrease in contrast values when all other experimental parameters were held constant. The observed reduction in contrast due to optical property changes could easily be confused with a contrast reduction due to increased flow velocity. These results suggest that optical properties need to be considered when using LSCI to make flow estimates.
Homage to Jean Piaget (1896–1982)

The paper presents the radical constructivist interpretation of the theory of knowing inherent in Piaget’ s Genetic Epistemology and provides a historical background for the required change in the concept of knowledge. By regarding cognition as “the highest form of adaptation” (Piaget, 1977a), the fundamental problem of reality representation that bedevils traditional epistemologies is avoided and the cognitive goal of truth by correspondence is supplanted by the goal of experiential fit, coherence and the active subject’s equilibration in the experiential world.
High-resolution autoradiography of the adrenal medulla after injection of tritiated dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa).

Mouse and hamster adrenal medullae were studied by means of light and electron microscopic autoradiography at various time intervals after the injection of tritiated dehydroxyphenylalanine (dopa). The specimens were double-fixed with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide. The electron microscopic autoradiography showed that at 30 minutes, 4 hours, as well as one week after injection the label was mainly localized to regions rich in chromaffin granules interpreted as indicating a rapid incorporation and a long-lasting storage in the granules of the catecholamines formed from the tritiated dopa. In the peripheral part of the hamster medulla, cell groups that correspond to the noradrenaline-producing cells ( 12 ) were found to be much more osmiophilic than the rest of the medulla when examined under the light microscope. In hamster adrenals studied 30 minutes after H 3 -dopa injection, the concentration of radioactivity was highest in the centrally located, lightly stained adrenaline-producing cells. Four hours and one week after injection the activity appeared evenly distributed in the two cell types of the hamster medulla. This indicates that the whole synthesis of adrenaline takes place in the adrenaline cells and that noradrenaline formed in the noradrenaline cells is not transferred to the adrenaline cells for further methylation. The adrenaline cells seem to have a more rapid turnover rate in spite of the extra methylation step.
Cultural relativism as ideology

Abstract The concept of culture was originally an expression of German nationalism, which reacted to the French Enlightenment by asserting the uniqueness and incomparability of all cultures as historical creations. This understanding of cultural diversity, which prevailed in American anthropology, is widely understood to imply the moral equality of all cultures. Yet its relativism originally applied to different individuals socialized in the values of their culture, rather than to different cultures. The debate over multiculturalism, which presupposes cultural relativism, ignores this distinction. The vogue of multiculturalism reflects the decline of the Left, quests for community and identity, and an actual reduction in diversity more than a genuine appreciation of different cultures.
Cardiac effects of streptolysin O in rabbits.

ALTHOUGH several of the known streptococcal enzymes or toxins have been suspected of playing a part in the pathogenesis of the heart lesions in rheumatic fever, a number of reports have suggested that streptolysin O may be of some importance in the causation of focal cardiac damage in experimental animals. Kellner et al.1 have demonstrated that the rabbit heart in vitro is extremely sensitive to this substance. Schwab et al.2, among others, showed that rabbits pre-treated with certain streptococcal factors developed a high incidence of focal cardiac lesions on subsequent injection of streptolysin O containing filtrates. These investigations were carried out with impure preparations of unknown complexity.
Estimating Systematic Risk with Daily Security Returns: A Note on the Relative Efficiency of Selected Estimators

This paper utilizes asymptotic analysis and daily security returns to examine the estimation efficiency of two unbiased robust estimators compared with ordinary least squares. Our results demonstrate a relative efficiency gain for a nonparametric rank estimator and a relative efficiency loss for the minimum absolute deviation estimator when estimating the systematic risk of securities using daily security returns.
Towards a compilation paradigm for computational applications on the information power grid

The Information Power Grid (IPG) refers to the world-wide infrastructure of computers and their interconnections. We are only at the very beginning of exploring applications and system software that can exploit these resources effectively and, at the same time, provide adequate interfaces to the programmer and end-user. In this paper, we discuss compiler technology that serves this purpose. The core consists of methods and services that enable an application to adapt flexibly to the dynamically changing nature of the IPG. We present several applications that demonstrate performance opportunities in such scenarios. We then present and evaluate new compiler techniques and services that allow an application to be dynamically re-optimized as the execution environments change. One very important property of such system support is that the overheads of dynamic re-optimizations are kept small. We will show that this is the case for the presented techniques. The resulting applications can run close to the best performance that could be obtained with prior knowledge of the runtime situations.
Establishing links between developmental signaling pathways and cell-cycle regulation in Drosophila

During development, cell signaling often mediates the choice of cell fate and the accompanying cell biological events that dictate morphogenesis — such as progress through the cell division cycle. Recent genetic analyses in Drosophila are beginning to reveal the molecular connections between developmental signaling pathways and key regulators of the cell cycle.
Integrated Approach to Treatment of Children and Adults With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Over the last decade, treatment plans for eosinophilic esophagitis included the use of elemental formula, elimination diets, systemic corticosteroids, and the gavage of aerosolized steroids. Except for one placebo-controlled blinded prospective study, most decision making has been based on retrospective or uncontrolled studies and clinical experience. In this article, three authors from diverse backgrounds combine their resources to propose treatment paths with justification based on their clinical experience and interpretation of the literature.
The taste, odor and hedonic quality of polyglycerols

Evaluation, par analyse sensorielle, de la qualite et de l'intensite de la saveur et de l'odeur de deux composes synthetiques de type polyglycerol lineaire (di- et triglycerol) dont les proprietes sont equivalentes a celles du glycerol dans le domaine de l'abaissement de l'activite de l'eau
Argatroban anticoagulation in patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Abstract Introduction Heparin therapy is not recommended for patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), except in specialized situations, because this treatment can lead to severe reactions including thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. However, the optimal management of patients with a history of HIT requiring acute anticoagulation has not yet been clarified because of the lack of prospective studies. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, as an anticoagulant in patients with a history of HIT needing acute anticoagulation. Methods Thirty-six patients with a history of serologically confirmed HIT were treated prospectively with argatroban [median (5th–95th percentile) dose of 2.0 (1.0–4.3) μg/kg/min for 4.0 (0.7–8.4) days]. Prospectively defined endpoints included successful anticoagulation (therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time), and bleeding, new thromboembolic events, or other adverse effects during therapy or within 30 days following its cessation. Results All patients required acute anticoagulation with the most common admission diagnoses being deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism ( n =13) and chest pain or acute coronary syndrome ( n =12). Eleven patients had previously received argatroban therapy for HIT; one patient underwent two treatment courses of argatroban for a history of HIT. The median (5th–95th percentile) time between the past diagnosis of HIT and initiation of argatroban was 7.5 (0.4–114.6) months. All evaluable patients were successfully anticoagulated. No patient had major bleeding, new thromboembolic events, or other adverse effects. There were no adverse events related to reexposure. Conclusions Argatroban can provide safe and effective anticoagulation, on initial or repeat exposure, in patients with a history of HIT.
UAV Autopilot Integration and Testing

The development of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform and the integration of avionics for a search and rescue UAV is examined. The project follows the guidelines for the UAV Challenge - Outback Rescue which is an international aerospace competition. The selection process for a commercial autopilot and avionics package is described. The selected system is integrated into a standard hobby remote control aircraft and configured for autonomous flight and navigation. The autopilot system must be tuned to the aircraft platform and flight characteristics. Flight tests are described for a GPS-based grid search pattern.
Chemical analysis of surfaces using alpha particles

Chemical analysis of surfaces using alpha-particle interactions from curium 242 sources and semiconductor silicon detectors
A perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition for the second-order seismic wave equation

SUMMARY The perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition has proven to be very efficient for the elastic wave equation written as a first-order system in velocity and stress. We demonstrate how to use this condition for the same equation written as a second-order system in displacement. This facilitates use in the context of numerical schemes based upon such a system, e.g. the finite-element method, the spectral-element method and some finite-difference methods. We illustrate the efficiency of this second-order perfectly matched layer based upon 2-D benchmarks with body and surface waves.
A wireless portable video-on-demand system

Our present ability to work with video has been confined to a wired environment, requiring both the video encoder and decoder to be physically connected to a power supply and a wired communication link. This paper presents a portable video-on-demand system capable of delivering high-quality image and video data in a wireless environment. The discussion will focus on both the architectural and circuit design techniques developed for implementing a high-performance, error-resistant video compression/decompression system at power levels that are two orders of magnitude below existing solutions. This low-power video compression system not only provides a compression efficiency better than industry standards, but also embeds a high degree of error tolerance in the compression algorithm itself to guard against transmission errors often encountered in wireless communication.
Effects of physical training on mood

Thirty-six adult men at high risk of coronary artery disease were assigned to either an exercise or no exercise (control) group. Improvements in physical fitness were accompanied by improvements on two mood measures, anxiety and depression. No change was found on measures of adjustment, self-confidence and body image.
Prevalence of heat shock protein in patients with Meniere's disease and allergy.

Objective: The study purpose was to investigate the prevalence of elevated heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) in patients with Meniere's disease who have milk allergy compared with those who are not allergic to milk. Methods: Fifty-five patients with Meniere's disease and allergy in whom milk allergy had been confirmed by intradermal progressive dilutional food testing or skin testing to milk antigen were included. Blood serum was tested for HSP-70 elevation with a Western blot assay using bovine renal extract. The 29 women and 26 men ranged in age from 29 to 76 years (mean age 52.8 years). Forty percent of the patients had bilateral Meniere's disease. Results: Overall prevalence of HSP-70 elevation was 29.1%. This was higher in bilateral patients (50%) than unilateral patients (15%) (P ≤ 0.007). The effect was based primarily on elevated HSP-70 in bilateral (62.5%) and unilateral (7.7%) patients in those with no milk allergy (P ≤ 0.006). The prevalence of HSP-70 elevation was actually lower in those with milk allergy (19.2%) than in those with no milk allergy (37.9%). This difference was statistically significant only in the subset of patients who were <50 years old (0% vs 33.3%, respectively; P ≤ 0.04). Conclusions: We found no relationship between the presence of antibodies to HSP-70 and allergy to milk. The significance of elevated HSP-70 in patients with Meniere's disease has yet to be defined. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:677-682.)
The effect of crystal size on the thermal energy storage capacity of thickened Glauber's salt

Abstract Data are presented which demonstrate that a significant increase in thermal energy storage with thermal cycling can be obtained in thickened Glauber's salt phase change mixtures by controlling the size of Na2SO4 and Na2SO4·10H2O crystals. This has been done in two ways: (1) by the addition of crystal habit modifiers such as an acrylamide acrylic acid copolymer (AACP) or sodium hexametaphosphate [SHMP (NaPO3)6] and (2) by using a polymeric polycarboxylic acid (PCA) thickener that is more effective than attapulgite clay. Thermal energy storage capacities ranging from 67 to 82 per cent of ideal have been obtained for as many as 1600 thermal cycles by using the habit modifiers and PCA as a thickener.
SemCast: semantic multicast for content-based data dissemination

We address the problem of content-based dissemination of highly-distributed, high-volume data streams for stream-based monitoring applications and large-scale data delivery. Existing content-based dissemination approaches commonly rely on distributed filtering trees that require filtering at all brokers on the tree. We present a new semantic multicast approach that eliminates the need for content-based filtering at interior brokers and facilitates fine-grained control over the construction of efficient dissemination trees. The central idea is to split the incoming data streams (based on their contents, rates, and destinations) and then spread the pieces across multiple channels, each of which is implemented as an independent dissemination tree. We present the basic design and evaluation of SemCast, an overlay-network based system that implements this semantic multicast approach. Through a detailed simulation study and realistic network topologies, we demonstrate that SemCast significantly improves the efficiency of dissemination compared to traditional approaches.
Prediction of internal structure and properties in fluid model interfaces of binary and ternary liquid mixtures

The scope of this study is to demonstrate how density functional theory as part of the statistical mechanics of inhomogeneous fluids can contribute to a better understanding of the internal structure and interfacial properties of vapor–liquid and liquid–liquid interfaces in multicomponent liquid mixtures. Especially fluid mixtures with liquid–liquid phase separation can serve as models for liquid–liquid extraction systems. The partial density profiles in such an interface describe molecular concentration gradients which may act as a driving force for mass transfer across this interface. In the application of the density functional theory to liquid–liquid interfaces, we analyzed the influence of different approximations within the theory on the calculation of interfacial structure and thermodynamic potential properties. Especially the use of a weighed density approximation allows us to take short-range local ordering into account. It results in oscillating partial densities or concentration profiles and it yields a highly structured grand canonical potential density across the interface which demonstrates how energetically inhomogeneous a liquid interface is. For a ternary model system, the interfacial tension is calculated, capillary wave contributions are added and their influence is discussed. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of Continuity of Care on Hospital Utilization for Seniors With Multiple Medical Conditions in an Integrated Health Care System

PURPOSE Lower continuity of care has been associated with higher rates of adverse outcomes for persons with multiple chronic medical conditions. It is unclear, how- ever, whether this relationship also exists within integrated systems that offer high levels of informational continuity through shared electronic health records. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 12,200 seniors with 3 or more chronic conditions within an integrated delivery system. Continuity of care was calculated using the Continuity of Care Index, which reflects visit con - centration with individual clinicians. Using Cox proportional hazards regression permitting continuity to vary monthly until the outcome or censoring event, we separately assessed inpatient admissions and emergency department visits as a function of primary care continuity and specialty care continuity. RESULTS After adjusting for covariates (demographics; baseline, primary, and spe- cialty care visits; baseline outcomes; and morbidity burden), greater primary care continuity and greater specialty care continuity were each associated with a lower risk of inpatient admission (respective hazard ratios (95% CIs) = 0.97 (0.96, 0.99) and 0.95 (0.93, 0.98)) and a lower risk of emergency department visits (respective hazard ratios = 0.97 (0.96, 0.98) and 0.98 (0.96, 1.00)). For the subgroup with 3 or more primary care and 3 or more specialty care visits, specialty care continuity (but not primary care continuity) was independently associated with a decreased risk of inpatient admissions (hazard ratio = 0.94 (0.92, 0.97)), and primary care continuity (but not specialty care continuity) was associated with a decreased risk of emergency department visits (hazard ratio = 0.98 (0.96, 1.00)). CONCLUSIONS In an integrated delivery system with high informational continu- ity, greater continuity of care is independently associated with lower hospital uti- lization for seniors with multiple chronic medical conditions. Different subgroups of patients will benefit from continuity with primary and specialty care clinicians depending on their care needs.
Autocrine Growth Factor Production by Fetal, Keloid, and Normal Dermal Fibroblasts

Objective To evaluate differences in fibroblast autocrine growth factor production by human fetal, keloid, and normal adult dermal fibroblasts. Design Serum-free cell lines of fetal, keloid, and normal adult dermal fibroblasts were established. Cell counts were performed and supernatants collected at 4, 24, and 72 hours. Cell-free supernatants were quantitatively assayed for transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Results Population doubling times for fetal, keloid, and normal adult fibroblasts were 120.0, 88.1, and 128.4 hours, respectively. Differences in population doubling times did not reach statistical significance. Statistically significant differences between TGF-β1 levels from fetal and normal adult fibroblasts were seen at 24 and 72 hours. Significant differences between TGF-β1 levels from keloid and normal adult fibroblasts were also seen at 24 and 72 hours. Fetal fibroblasts demonstrated higher levels of bFGF than normal adult fibroblasts at each time point, but these differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed between keloid and normal adult bFGF levels. Conclusions Both fetal and keloid fibroblasts produce significantly more TGF-β1 than normal adult fibroblasts. Our data and the data of others suggest that fetal fibroblasts produce more bFGF than adult fibroblasts. The serum-free model we describe can be used to quantitatively measure autocrine growth factor production by cells that underlie clinically different types of wound healing. This model provides information that may allow us to better treat and prevent undesirable scarring.
Activation of Lipid Metabolism Contributes to Interleukin-8 Production during Chlamydia trachomatis Infection of Cervical Epithelial Cells

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases. Infection of the urogenital tract by C. trachomatis causes chronic inflammation and related clinical complications. Unlike other invasive bacteria that induce a rapid cytokine/chemokine production, chlamydial infection induces delayed inflammatory response and proinflammatory chemokine production that is dependent on bacterial growth. We present data here to show that the lipid metabolism required for chlamydial growth contributes to Chlamydia-induced proinflammatory chemokine production. By gene microarray profiling, validated with biochemical studies, we found that C. trachomatis LGV2 selectively upregulated PTGS2 (COX2) and PTGER4 (EP4) in cervical epithelial HeLa 229 cells. COX2 is an enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of arachidonic acid conversion to prostaglandins, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and other eicosanoids, whereas EP4 is a subtype of cell surface receptors for PGE2. We show that Chlamydia infection induced COX2 protein expression in both epithelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells and promoted PGE2 release. Exogenous PGE2 was able to induce interleukin-8 release in HeLa 229 epithelial cells. Finally, we demonstrated that interleukin-8 induction by Chlamydia infection or PGE2 treatment was dependent on extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein activity. Together, these data demonstrate that the host lipid remodeling process required for chlamydial growth contributes to proinflammatory chemokine production. This study also highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced habitat for parasitic pathogens as obligate intracellular organisms.
Arterial Aging. Is It an Immutable Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Age is the dominant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, until recently, convincing mechanistic or molecular explanations for the increased cardiovascular risks conferred by aging have been elusive. Aging is associated with alterations in a number of structural and functional properties of large arteries, including diameter, wall thickness, wall stiffness, and endothelial function. Emerging evidence indicates that these age-associated changes are also accelerated in the presence of cardiovascular diseases, and that these changes are themselves risk factors for the appearance or progression of these diseases. In this review, the evidence demonstrating that arterial aging is accelerated in cardiovascular diseases and that accelerated arterial aging is a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes is briefly reviewed, and selected advances in vascular biology that provide insights into the mechanisms that may underlie the increased risks conferred by arterial aging are summarized. Remarkably, a host of biochemical, enzymatic, and cellular alterations that are operative in accelerated arterial aging have also been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of arterial diseases. These vascular alterations are thus putative candidates that could be targeted by interventions aimed at attenuating arterial aging, similar to the lifestyle and pharmacological interventions that have already been proven effective. Therefore, the notion that aging is a chronological process and that its risky components cannot be modulated is no longer tenable. It is our hope that a greater appreciation of the links between arterial aging and cardiovascular diseases will stimulate further investigation into strategies aimed at preventing or retarding arterial aging.
Potassium citrate and potassium gluconate versus potassium chloride. Experimental evaluation of relative intestinal toxicity.

IN LATE 1964 a sudden increase in the occurrence of circumferential ulcerating, stenosing lesions of the small bowel was noted both in Europe and the United States. Lindholmer et al 1 in Sweden and Baker et al 2 in this country first suggested the association of these lesions with enteri-coated thiazide diuretic potassium chloride preparations. Extensive experimental and clinical investigations 3-6 quickly identified enteric-coated potassium chloride as the responsible agent, and led to recognition of perforating areas of necrosis as a more severe form of the same lesion. The mechanism of damage is believed to be the release and absorption of high concentrations of potassium chloride over short segments of small bowel acting upon submucosal and mural veins to produce venous spasm or paralysis. The resultant venous stasis causes segmental hemorrhagic infarction of varying severity with ulceration and stenosis. 7 Recognition of this complication of enteric-coated potassium chloride ingestion has
A wheel-switch chaotic system for image encryption

Because of high sensitivity for initial values and random-like behaviors, chaotic systems are widely used in image encryption. Conventionally, encryption keys for these image encryption methods based chaotic systems are limited to manipulate the initial values or parameters of the chaotic system. However, effective attacks are found to crack encryption systems by using prior information about the system chaotic map. In this paper, we introduce a wheel-switch chaotic system for image encryption. The used chaotic map is not fixed but changeable via the wheel-switch structure according to the controlling sequence. Further, a substitution and permutation network based image encryption algorithm using the wheel-switch chaotic system is also provided. Experimental results showed that the proposed system with the key schedule inherits the random-like property of single chaotic system with additional security level from the wheel-switch structure. The same idea is also applicable to secure communication, and data encryption for other multimedia.
Saddle pulmonary embolism with normal right ventricular function: a treatment enigma

Management of saddle pulmonary embolism (PE) in haemodynamically stable patients with normal right ventricular (RV) function is unclear. Thrombolytic agents are indicated in haemodynamically unstable patients with PE.1 RV dysfunction has also been used as an indication for surgical embolectomy in normotensive patients with PE.2 Embolized thrombus burden, although intuitively related both to haemodynamic status and RV dysfunction, has not been consistently linked to prognosis. In particular, an unsettled issue is the prognosis and benefit of aggressive treatment including thrombolytic agents in hemodynamically stable patients with large pulmonary embolism in the main pulmonary artery (saddle PE) who have no evidence of RV dysfunction. We discuss the management of five patients with saddle pulmonary embolism who were haemodynamically stable and showed normal RV function.
Gene expression profiling of human whole blood samples with the Illumina WG-DASL assay

Microarray-based gene expression analysis of peripheral whole blood is a common strategy in the development of clinically relevant biomarker panels for a variety of human diseases. However, the results of such an analysis are often plagued by decreased sensitivity and reliability due to the effects of relatively high levels of globin mRNA in whole blood. Globin reduction assays have been shown to overcome such effects, but they require large amounts of total RNA and may induce distinct gene expression profiles. The Illumina whole genome DASL assay can detect gene expression levels using partially degraded RNA samples and has the potential to detect rare transcripts present in highly heterogeneous whole blood samples without the need for globin reduction. We assessed the utility of the whole genome DASL assay in an analysis of peripheral whole blood gene expression profiles. We find that gene expression detection is significantly increased with the use of whole genome DASL compared to the standard IVT-based direct hybridization. Additionally, globin-probe negative whole genome DASL did not exhibit significant improvements over globin-probe positive whole genome DASL. Globin reduction further increases the detection sensitivity and reliability of both whole genome DASL and IVT-based direct hybridization with little effect on raw intensity correlations. Raw intensity correlations between total RNA and globin reduced RNA were 0.955 for IVT-based direct hybridization and 0.979 for whole genome DASL. Overall, the detection sensitivity of the whole genome DASL assay is higher than the IVT-based direct hybridization assay, with or without globin reduction, and should be considered in conjunction with globin reduction methods for future blood-based gene expression studies.
Measurement of Beliefs

This study assesses two different approaches to measuring beliefs about work as a human activity. The first approach is a whole systems approach that asks for a response to five different concepts of work expressed in paragraphs on a questionnaire. The second approach involves responses to individual belief statements that are then factor analyzed to form the same five dimensions expressed in the paragraphs. The computation of results shows a significant difference in scores between the two methods of measuring beliefs, thus making the question of which method measures "true" belief a crucial one for future research.
Symbolic techniques for performance analysis of timed systems based on average time separation of events

Symbolic techniques using BDDs and ADDs are applied to the performance analysis of (asynchronous) timed systems. We model the system as a set of probabilistic finite state machines which is analyzed as a discrete time Markov chain. The stationary probability of all reachable states is obtained iteratively using ADDs. Average time separation of events is symbolically calculated to determine various performance metrics. Application to a FIFO and a differential equation solver chip demonstrates the feasibility of the technique.
Planning Comprehensive Solid Wastes Management Systems

Solid wastes have not received proper recognition as a national problem, and therefore have not received thoughtful planning, design, construction, careful operation and strong public support. Engineers charged with management of solid wastes have managed to continue to serve the public without suitable support. However, the magnitude of the problem and increasing public and private interest is beginning to give the engineer the resources he needs to plan and manage comprehensive solid wastes systems. All available management tools must be used by the engineer in planning for the system. Planning must be approached by effective problem-solving teams. These teams must consider the definition of goals; planned development of the study area; consideration of political and socio-economic constraints; evaluate existing systems in the study area; determine the configuration of the future system; how to implement the resultant plan, and the costs and financing of me system. These efforts coupled with a sound public relations program to gain acceptance of the system will assure success.
National Analysis of 2454 Pediatric Moyamoya Admissions and the Effect of Hospital Volume on Outcomes

Background and Purpose— Comprehensive multicenter data on treatment of pediatric moyamoya in the United States is lacking. We sought to identify national trends in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods— A total of 2454 moyamoya admissions from 1997 to 2012 were identified from the Kids Inpatient Database. Demographics, inpatient costs, interventions, and discharge status were analyzed. Admissions with and without surgical revascularization were reviewed separately. The effect of hospital moyamoya volume on outcomes was analyzed by multivariate regression analysis. Results— Care of moyamoya patients has been concentrating at high-volume centers during the past 12 years. Among moyamoya admission without surgical revascularization, high-volume hospitals show no difference in length of stay, cost, or complications compared with low-volume centers. However, low-volume hospitals have more nonroutine discharges (odds ratio, 2.32; P =0.0005) and inpatient deaths (odds ratio, 12.7; P =0.02) when no revascularization was performed. In contrast, among admissions with surgical revascularization, high-volume centers had decreased length of stay (4.7 versus 6.2 days; P =0.004), reduced cost ($88 000 versus $138 000; P <0.0001), and no increase in complications ( P =0.29) compared with low-volume centers. Admissions with revascularization to low-volume hospitals also had increased likelihood of nonroutine discharge (odds ratio, 8.23; P =0.02) compared with high-volume centers. Conclusions— This is the largest study of US pediatric moyamoya admissions to date. These data demonstrate that volume correlates with outcome, indicating high-volume centers provide significantly improved care and reduced mortality in pediatric moyamoya patients, with the most marked benefit observed in admissions for surgical revascularization.
Internal Stresses in Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composites

Composites consisting of a bulk metallic glass (BMG) matrix and metallic fibers or particulates have been shown to exhibit superior mechanical properties as compared to monolithic BMGs. To understand the role of reinforcements in this improvement, it is necessary to investigate the state of internal stresses in these composites. These stresses arise from the thermal expansion mismatch between the reinforcement and the matrix, as well as the elastic and plastic incompatibilities between the two phases. Neutron diffraction and synchrotron X-ray diffraction were used to measure these mismatch-induced stresses in BMG-matrix composites with various reinforcements: continuous W fibers, W or Ta particles, and dendritic, in-situ formed precipitates. The results are compared to numerical and analytical predictions of internal stresses.
Introduction to Special Section

An introduction to the special secction, with guidance for educators in an undergraduate setting.