cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of a 70‐kDa tyrosine phosphoprotein with the CD16:ζ:γ complex expressed in human natural killer cells

The CD16: zeta: gamma receptor complex allows natural killer (NK) cells to recognize and eliminate antibody-coated target cells. Whereas the ectodomain of CD16 is the receptor for Fc gamma domains of immunoglobulins, disulfide-linked homo- and heterodimers composed of zeta and gamma are required for the cell surface expression, and signal transduction properties of the complex. Engagement of CD16 activates the tyrosine kinase pathway, which induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of several substrates, including the zeta subunit and the phospholipase C gamma-1 and gamma-2 isoforms. Here we show that CD16 stimulation of either peripheral blood NK cells, leukemic NK cells, or Jurkat transformants expressing a CD16: zeta: gamma receptor complex, results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 70 kDa zeta-associated protein (pp70). Similarly, a 70-kDa zeta-associated phosphoprotein in T cells has been shown to be a tyrosine kinase (ZAP-70). Peptide mapping analysis indicates that the 70-kDa zeta-associated phosphoproteins from T cells and NK cells are structurally indistinguishable. We conclude that the CD16: zeta: gamma complex may use a ZAP-70-related non-receptor tyrosine kinase, in the CD16 signaling cascade leading to NK cell activation.
Theory of photoemission

Abstract We derive a general expression for the photocurrent as a quadratic response to an incident photon field. As an application we apply the result to the independent particle model and further reduce the expression using perturbation theory to produce a result similar to Mahan's. The more general formalism can be used to demonstrate the importance of volume and surface effects and inelastic processes in photoemission from solids or liquids.
Strategies for Reducing Maternal Mortality

The maternal death rate in the United States has shown no improvement in several decades and may be increasing. On the other hand, hospital systems that have instituted comprehensive programs directed at the prevention of maternal mortality have demonstrated rates that are half of the national average. These programs have emphasized the reduction of variability in the provision of care through the use of standard protocols, reliance on checklists instead of memory for critical processes, and an approach to peer review that emphasizes systems change. In addition, elimination of a small number of repetitive errors in the management of hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, and cardiac disease will contribute significantly to a reduction in maternal mortality. Attention to these general principles and specific error reduction strategies will be of benefit to every practitioner and more importantly to the patients we serve.
ISOLATED CHOROIDAL RELAPSE DURING COMPLETE REMISSION IN ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA |[lpar]|ALL|[rpar]|

Top of pageAbstract Leukemic opthalmopathy is often reported at autopsy. Antemortem diagnosis of ocular leukemia is much less common and has been reported associated with central nervous system (CNS) &/or multiple bone marrow (BM) relapses. Leukemia was diagnosed in the choroid of a patient (pt) with ALL in complete remission (CR) during therapy. An 11 yo Black girl had null cell ALL, CaLLa and Ia positive. The CNS had no evidence of disease. Initial therapy was "standard treatment". Six mos after diagnosis the pt complained of decreased visual acuity and was found to have perivascular leukemic deposition in the ocular fundi. Fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography of the globe verified infiltration with bilateral thickening of the choroid layer. BM and spinal fluid examination were normal. Cranial radiotherapy (XRT), was administered to the whole brain, including the posterior pole of the eyes. The pt continued systemic therapy. In the 9 mos since XRT: vision has improved, fluorescein angiography shows residual pigmentary changes, ultrasonography reveals normalization of the choroid, & the pt remains in CR. Leukemic relapse of the choroid is a dangerous sanctuary not accessible to biopsy. Standard opthalmoscopic examination provides an adequate view of only the posterior pole; without dilation, peripheral lesions cannot be seen. Since peripheral fundal lesions are generally asymptomatic, opthalmologic consultation is indicated at diagnosis, periodically throughout treatment, & at termination of therapy for ALL.
A hybridized displacement discontinuity method for mixed mode I–II–III loading

Abstract A new hybridized displacement discontinuity numerical method is presented. The existing code FROCK is modified to incorporate loading mode III, and thus have a fully coupled solution for mixed mode I–II–III loading. The new code can be applied to homogeneous elastic bodies with small scale yielding and to cracks where one of the dimensions is much larger than the other two. The code combines both displacement discontinuity (DD) and stress discontinuity (SD) elements. DD elements are characterized by a jump of the displacement field across the element, while SD elements show a stress jump. DDEs are very well suited to model cracks inside of a body, and SDEs for the boundaries of the body. A new set of DDEs and SDEs is developed which incorporate mode III loading. For open elements, loading modes I and II are coupled, but they are independent of mode III. For closed elements, friction may develop along the surface of the elements. Friction depends on the normal stress and on the shearing (mode II) and tearing (mode III) stresses, and thus the solution is fully coupled. Hence the problem is non-linear and iterations are needed to achieve convergence. The new code FROCK is verified by a number of comparisons with analytical solutions and with other numerical methods. A new analytical solution to obtain stress intensity factors for closed cracks in mode II–III is also presented and validated.
The Solution of a Certain Two-Person Zero-Sum Game

A two-person zero-sum game is specified as follows: Let B be any positive real number, and let θ be a real number between zero and one, exclusive. Player I chooses a number, t1, between 0 and B + 1, inclusive, and player II chooses a number, t2, between 0 and B, inclusive II then pays I the amount φt1, t2 where \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} $$\begin{array}{r@{\quad}l@{\qquad}l} \mbox{i} & \mbox{if } t_{1}\leqq t_{2}, & \phit_{1}, t_{2}=1-\theta,\\ \mbox{ii} & \mbox{if } t_{2} Best pure strategies do not exist. Let the mixed strategies of I and II be specified by the distribution functions F and G, respectively, and let EF, G be the expected value of φ. Although φ is discontinuous, it is shown that the game has a well-determined value \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} $$\mbox{lub}_{F}\, \mbox{glb}_{G}\, EF, G= \mbox{glb}_{F}\, \mbox{lub}_{G}\, EF, G=1-\theta /1-\theta^{n+1},$$ \end{document} where n is the largest integer not exceeding B. Optimal strategies for each player are given explicitly.
Anteroposterior Thickening of the Femoral Neck With Aging Decreases the “Offset” in Men

Background:The contour of the femoral head-neck junction has been shown to have an effect on femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which can lead to early osteoarthritis of the hip. This study uses computed tomography (CT) to investigate changes in the femoral head, femoral neck, and joint space with aging.Hypothesis:The ratio of the diameter of the femoral head to the diameter of the femoral neck would decrease with increasing age, thus diminishing the “offset” of the femoral neck and being a possible mechanism for cam-type FAI and resultant osteoarthritis.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:There were 20 male and 20 female patients from each decade, aged 20 to 80 years, who received pelvic and abdominal CT scans. In the axial plane, the femoral head and neck were measured from anterior to posterior, and the joint space was measured anteromedially. The ratio of the diameter of the femoral head to the diameter of the femoral neck was calculated, and patients with radiographic si...
Loss of Ncb5or Results in Impaired Fatty Acid Desaturation, Lipoatrophy, and Diabetes

Targeted ablation of the novel flavoheme reductase Ncb5or knock-out (KO) results in progressive loss of pancreatic β-cells and white adipose tissue over time. Lipoatrophy persisted in KO animals in which the confounding metabolic effects of diabetes were eliminated by islet transplantation (transplanted knockout (TKO)). Lipid profiles in livers prepared from TKO animals were markedly deficient in triglycerides and diacylglycerides. Despite enhanced expression of stearoyl-Co-A desaturase-1, levels of palmitoleic and oleic acids (Δ9 fatty acid desaturation) were decreased in TKO relative to wild type controls. Treatment of KO hepatocytes with palmitic acid reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis, a response blunted by co-incubation with oleic acid. The results presented here support the hypothesis that Ncb5or supplies electrons for fatty acid desaturation, offer new insight into the regulation of a crucial step in fatty acid biosynthesis, and provide a plausible explanation for both the diabetic and the lipoatrophic phenotype in Ncb5or-/- mice.
Control design that respects characteristic length scales in smart systems and smart structures

Although there is a mature and continually growing body of knowledge concerning the ways in which the dynamics of fluids and solids depend on characteristic length scales, current theories governing control design do not take explicit account of length scales. Recent research has demonstrated the need to take such considerations into account in designing control systems for smart materials and smart structures in which the goal is to employ small-scale actuators and sensors with characteristic length scales in the micron to millimeter range. For many applications, sensors and actuators will need to be separated by considerable distances (in terms of characteristic length scales). Closed loop feedback designs in this setting may involve communications delays, and both the communications channels and the sensors themselves will typically be relatively noisy. Hence traditional approaches to the design of feedback control laws need to be rethought and modified to work effectively in the noisy, nonlinear, bandlimited world of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This paper discusses one approach to a robust, length-scale respecting theory of control based on oscillatory actuation. It includes a brief outline of recent developments in the control of mechanical systems using oscillatory actuation, emphasizing the dependence on characteristic length scales. The principal applications with which we are working are micro-pendulum designs, micro-piston actuators for deformable mirrors as well as micro-valves for the control of fluid- structure boundary layer control.
Design criteria for a 700 MeV cyclotron to accelerate negative hydrogen ions

Abstract Care must be taken in the design of a cyclotron to accelerate negative hydrogen ions so that the loosely bound extra electron is not removed either by gas scattering or by electric dissociation as the result of moving in a high magnetic field. As piral ridge design is suggested which would result in negligible loss of the beam. This design employs a hill of 5000 gauss and a mean field of 4300 gauss. The resulting magnet is very large, being 70 feet in diameter, but it is by no means out of the question. The virtues of the system include complete extraction, variable energy, multiple simultaneous beams extracted at differing energies, and finally a new method is proposed where, by means of a phase sampling system, almost 100 per cent duty factor can be achieved.
Improved Surface Laplacian Estimates of Cortical Potential Using Realistic Models of Head Geometry

Surface Laplacian of scalp EEG can be used to estimate the potential distribution on the cortical surface as an alternative to invasive approaches. However, the accuracy of surface Laplacian estimation depends critically on the geometric shape of the head model. This paper presents a new method for computing the surface Laplacian of scalp potential directly on realistic scalp surfaces in the form of a triangular mesh reconstructed from MRI scans. Unlike previous methods, this algorithm does not resort to any surface fitting proxy and can improve the surface Laplacian estimation of cortical potential patterns by as much as 34% on realistically shaped head models. Simulations and experimental data are presented to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed method over the conventional spherical approximation and the utility of a more accurate surface Laplacian method for estimating cortical potentials from scalp electrodes.
Neurobiology: glutamate receptors on the move.

Receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate are more mobile than previously suspected. They meander about on the neuronal surface and become reversibly trapped at the junctions between neurons.
Initial mechanical ventilator settings for pediatric patients: Clinical judgment in selection of tidal volume

Guidelines for selection of initial mechanical ventilator settings for pediatric patients were evaluated. Protocols specifying tidal volume or peak inspiratory pressure are difficult to apply for infants and children because of leaks at uncuffed endotracheal tubes, compression loss in ventilators, and inaccuracy of settings for intended tidal volume. To avoid these difficulties, the selection of tidal volume was based on subjective clinical observations: visible chest excursion and audible air entry at least simulating normal breathing. In 76 consecutive patients, use of the guidelines resulted in satisfactory PaCO2 for 97% and PaO2 for 89% of infants and children with a wide variety of respiratory disorders. Adequacy of gas exchange was not related to the patient's age, type of ventilator, tightness of fit of the endotracheal tube, or presence of spontaneous breathing. These results support a simple, versatile method of teaching selection of initial mechanical ventilator settings, relying on clinical judgment for regulation of tidal volume.
Functional Testing Techniques for Digital LSI/VLSI Systems

Functional testing is becomilng more important due to the increasing complexity in digital LSI/VLSI devices. Various functional testing approaches have been proposed to meet this urgent need in LSI/VLSI testing. This paper presents the basic ideas behind deterministic functional testing and concisely overviews eight major functional testing techniques. Comparisons among these techniques and suggestions for future development are made to meet the challenges in this fast growing testing field.
MetaH support for real-time multi-processor avionics

MetaH is a language for describing the software and hardware architecture of real-time fault-tolerant securely partitioned avionics systems. The MetaH toolset supports, among other things, real-time schedulability analysis and the automatic generation of "glue" code that implements real-time message passing and process dispatching for a class of multi-processor target architectures. We describe the development methodology and typical requirements that motivated the language and tools. We give an overview of the message and process scheduling methods used in the current toolset and briefly discuss research to extend this approach to larger-scale distributed systems such as fire control and air traffic control.
Can 14,737 women be wrong? A meta‐analysis of the LSI‐R and recidivism for female offenders*

Research Summary Over the past two decades, researchers have been increasingly interested in measuring the risk of offender recidivism as a means of advancing public safety and of directing treatment interventions. In this context, one instrument widely used in assessing offenders is the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R). Recently, however, the LSI-R has been criticized for being a male-specific assessment instrument that is a weak predictor of criminal behavior in females. Through the use of meta-analytic techniques, we assessed this assertion. A total of 27 effect sizes yielded an average r value of .35 ([confidence interval] CI = .34 to .36) for the relationship of the LSI-R with recidivism for female offenders (N= 14,737). When available, we also made within-sample comparisons based on gender. These comparisons produced effect sizes for males and females that were statistically similar. Policy Implications These results are consistent with those generated in previous research on the LSI-R. They call into question prevailing critiques that the LSI-R has predictive validity for male but not for female offenders. At this stage, it seems that corrections officials should be advised that the LSI-R remains an important instrument for assessing all offenders as a prelude to the delivery of treatment services, especially those based on the principles of effective intervention. Critics should be encouraged, however, to construct and validate through research additional gender-specific instruments that revise, if not rival, the LSI-R.
Low Quality of Evidence for Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: Results of a Systematic Review of the Published Literature

Abstract Background Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is displacing radical retropubic prostatectomy as the gold standard surgical approach for clinically localised prostate cancer in the United States and is also being increasingly used in Europe and other parts of the world. This trend has occurred despite the paucity of high-quality evidence to support its relative superiority to more established treatment modalities. Objective We performed this study to critically assess the quality of published evidence on RALP to support this major shift in practice patterns. Design, setting, and participants We conducted a systematic review of the published literature through Medline and Embase (1966 to December 2008). All original research publications on RALP were included. Editorials, letters to the editor, and review articles were excluded. Measurements Two reviewers independently performed the data abstraction using a standardised form derived from the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria. Results and limitations Seventy-five original research publications met eligibility criteria. Fifty-five (73.3%) studies were published between 2005 and 2008, and 20 studies (26.7%) were published between 2001 and 2004. Approximately three-quarters of the studies were case series (74.7%), and only two (2.7%) randomised, controlled trials (RCT) were identified. Twelve authors cowrote 72% (54 of 75) of the published studies. Reporting of STROBE criteria ranged from 100.0% (scientific rationale/background explained) to 1.3% (consideration of sample size), with no improvement over time. The study was limited to published literature in the English language. Conclusions The published RALP literature is limited to observational studies of mostly low methodologic quality. Our findings draw into question to what extent valid conclusions about the relative superiority or equivalence of RALP to other surgical approaches can be drawn and whether published outcomes can be generalised to the broader community. There is an urgent need to raise the methodologic standards for clinical research on new urologic procedures and devices.
An Outbreak of Blackhead Disease (Histomonas meleagridis) in Farm-Reared Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

SUMMARY. An outbreak of blackhead disease (Histomonas meleagridis) in farm-reared flock of 13,500 bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) resulted in mortality totaling approximately 1500 in 4 wk. Necropsy of 56 dead birds at midoutbreak (from a total that day of 131) revealed that 55 had severe cecal lesions typical of blackhead, and only 3 had visible lesions in the liver. Necropsy of apparently healthy birds failed to detect any signs of infection. Presence of H. meleagridis in affected ceca was proved by culture in vitro and PCR tests.
Born integral, stationary phase and linearized reflection coefficients in weak anisotropic media

SUMMARY We show that the linearized reflection coefficients for arbitrary anisotropic media embedded in an isotropic background can be derived directly from a Born formalism. Due to rapidly varying phases of the scattered waves from first-order perturbations in density and elastic parameters, the major contributions to the observed wavefield for any source–receiver pair far from the volume of scatterers arise from the stationary points of a scattering integral, called the Born integral. For simple interface models, such integrals can be evaluated analytically using the method of stationary phase. The resulting scattering function relates linearly to the approximate (linearized) reflection coefficient through a scaling factor determined by the angle of incidence and the properties of the background medium. We consider a homogeneous isotropic background to express the approximate reflection coefficients as a sum of an isotropic and an anisotropic reflection coefficient. The isotropic coefficient is a weighted sum of density and isotropic perturbations about the background, whereas the anisotropic coefficient is a weighted sum of anisotropic perturbations where the weights depend on the angles of incidence, the properties of the background medium as well as the azimuth of the plane of reflection with respect to some symmetry plane of the weakly anisotropic medium. We derived expressions for approximate PP and PS reflection coefficients of a weakly isotropic medium, a weakly orthorhombic medium and a weak but arbitrarily anisotropic medium underlying an isotropic medium. Our expressions for PP reflection coefficients are exactly the same as those obtained from first-order perturbation theory which were previously derived by linearization of the exact reflection coefficients. For converted PS waves, our expressions are valid only for small angles of incidence, but have much simpler forms than those obtained by linearization of exact reflection coefficients. We also derive the approximate PP reflection coefficient of a transversely isotropic medium with a tilted axis of symmetry in an explicit form and investigate the effects of dip of the symmetry axis on these reflection coefficients. Numerical results demonstrate that neglecting the dip of a moderately dipping (30°–60°) symmetry axis of a transversely isotropic medium yields significant errors in determining the weakly anisotropic parameters through an analysis of variations of amplitude with azimuth.
Use of Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Pneumonia in Seriously Ill Patients: Maximizing Clinical Outcomes and Minimizing Selection of Resistant Organisms

Among various risk factors for death among critically ill patients with serious infection, inappropriate antimicrobial therapy is an important factor that clinicians can modify directly. The presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is the primary reason that patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia receive inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. Empirical antimicrobial therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia should be initiated promptly and should have a broad spectrum that covers all potential antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Delaying the start of therapy or modifying an inappropriate antimicrobial regimen does not improve outcome, probably because the change comes too late to redirect the course of illness. Timely empirical therapy with highly effective agents that are rapidly bactericidal could minimize the emergence of resistance. Broad-spectrum therapy should be streamlined (i.e., de-escalated), as appropriate, on the basis of microbiological data and clinical response. Switching to narrower-spectrum therapy that is directed by culture results may minimize the emergence of resistance. For some patients, clinical response will allow a shortening of the duration of antimicrobial therapy.
A Framework for Controlling and Managing Hybrid Cloud Service Integration

In this paper, we first describe the challenges and pain points of adopting off-premise cloud-based computing services by enterprise users. To address these challenges, we have developed a hybrid cloud architectural framework for controlling and managing network of integrated computing services in on- and off-premise cloud environments. We identify three types of integration patterns that are commonly observed and describe support in the hybrid cloud framework for such patterns. The framework allows creation, modification, and management of integrated hybrid cloud services. Using this framework, we describe how solutions can be designed for policy-based access to cloud services from on-premise environments and for policy-based secure access to on premise data from off-premise cloud based services. The framework offers capabilities for (i) on-demand capacity expansion or cloud-bursting, (ii) service composition and management across multiple cloud domains, (iii) unification and customization of service offerings from multiple cloud service providers, (iv) seamless integration of common workload management services such monitoring, metering, and security, and (v) unified governance of IT operation across the hybrid cloud. We then describe a realization of this architecture that has served as the basis of IBM's hybrid cloud solution offerings and describe how the hybrid cloud framework described here mitigates some of cloud adoption risks and lowers or eliminates the inhibitors.
Probabilistic Belief Revision with Structural Constraints

Experts (human or computer) are often required to assess the probability of uncertain events. When a collection of experts independently assess events that are structurally interrelated, the resulting assessment may violate fundamental laws of probability. Such an assessment is termed incoherent. In this work we investigate how the problem of incoherence may be affected by allowing experts to specify likelihood models and then update their assessments based on the realization of a globally-observable random sequence.
A Current-based Method for Short Circuit Power Calculation under Noisy Input Waveforms

An accurate model is presented to calculate the short circuit energy dissipation of logic cells. The short circuit current is highly dependent on the input and output voltage values. Therefore the actual shape of the voltage signal waveforms at the input and output of the cell should be considered in order to precisely calculate the short circuit energy dissipation. Previous approaches such as the approximation of the crosstalk induced noisy waveforms with saturated ramps can lead to short circuit energy estimation errors as high as an order of magnitude for a minimum sized inverter. To resolve this shortcoming, a current-based logic cell model is utilized, which constructs the output voltage waveform for a given noisy input waveform. The input and output voltage waveforms are then used to calculate the short circuit current, and hence, short circuit energy dissipation. A characterization process is executed for each logic cell in the standard cell library to model the relevant electrical parameters e.g., the parasitic capacitances and nonlinear current sources. Additionally, our model is capable of calculating the short circuit energy dissipation caused by glitches in VLSI circuits, which in some cases can be a key contributor to the total circuit energy dissipation. Experimental results show an average error of about 1% and a maximum error of 3% compared to SPICE for different types of logic cells under noisy input waveforms including glitches while the runtime speedup is up to a factor of 16,000.
Program Testing Complexity and Test Criteria

This paper explores the testing complexity of several classes of programs, where the testing complexity is measured in terms of the number of test data required for demonstrating program correctness by testing. It is shown that even for very restrictive classes of programs, none of the commonly used test criteria, namely, having every statement, branch, and path executed at least once, is nearly sufficient to guarantee absence of errors.
Creating Buzz The Neural Correlates of Effective Message Propagation

Social interaction promotes the spread of values, attitudes, and behaviors. Here, we report on neural responses to ideas that are destined to spread. We scanned message communicators using functional MRI during their initial exposure to the to-be-communicated ideas. These message communicators then had the opportunity to spread the messages and their corresponding subjective evaluations to message recipients outside the scanner. Successful ideas were associated with neural responses in the communicators' mentalizing systems and reward systems when they first heard the mes- sages, prior to spreading them. Similarly, individuals more able to spread their own views to others produced greater mentalizing-system activity during initial encoding. Unlike prior social-influence studies that focused on the individuals being influenced, this investigation focused on the brains of influencers. Successful social influence is reliably associ- ated with an influencer-to-be's state of mind when first encoding ideas.
A Circuit Model for Electrically Small Antennas

A circuit model for electrically small antennas is introduced that is based on their frequency-dependent polarizabilities. This model is useful for straightforwardly analyzing several different small antenna geometries. A negative permittivity sphere, shell, and spheroid are all analyzed. An inductively loaded dipole, a top-hat loaded dipole, and a spherical sheet impedance are also analyzed. The circuit model provides the antenna's radiation quality factor (Q), radiation efficiency (ηrad), and bandwidth. It also offers insight into the operation of the antenna which can aid and simplify design.
Anatomically Neutral Silicone Small Joint Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis

Purpose Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints includes arthrodesis and, more recently, arthroplasty. Silicone joint arthroplasty has been shown to relieve pain and restore function in damaged joints. The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes in patients who had MCP or PIP arthroplasty for osteoarthritis using the NeuFlex implant (DePuy, Warsaw, IN), a silicone implant with an anatomically neutral design. Methods A total of 13 MCP and 16 PIP joint replacements in 19 patients were performed with a mean follow-up period of 4 years (range, 1–8 years). Failed conservative management of osteoarthritis was the indication for surgery in all cases. There were 10 men and 9 women. The average age at the time of surgery was 66 years. Outcomes were assessed by questionnaire evaluation, physical examination, and radiographs. Results The mean flexion arc of motion was 65° and 61°, and the mean extension lag was 3° and 0° in the MCP and PIP groups, respectively. Pain relief was rated excellent or good in 84 percent. The overall patient satisfaction was 90 percent. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) score at follow-up was 88 in the MCP group and 87 in the PIP group. There was 1 implant fracture in the PIP group. Conclusions At mean 4-year follow-up evaluation, we report high rates of pain relief and patient satisfaction, a low rate of implant fracture, and highly satisfactory range of motion values compared to other implant designs. We show that treatment of MCP and PIP osteoarthritis with an anatomically neutral implant can provide reliable, long-term pain relief and maintenance of function. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Differential effects of bovine viral diarrhoea virus on monocytes and dendritic cells

Various pathogens have been shown to infect antigen-presenting cells and affect their capacity to interact with and stimulate T-cell responses. We have used an antigenically identical pair of non-cytopathic (ncp) and cytopathic (cp) bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) isolates to determine how the two biotypes affect monocyte and dendritic cell (DC) function. We have shown that monocytes and DCs are both susceptible to infection with ncp BVDV and cp BVDV in vitro. In addition, monocytes infected with ncp BVDV were compromised in their ability to stimulate allogeneic and memory CD4+ T cell responses, but DCs were not affected. This was not due to down-regulation of a number of recognized co-stimulatory molecules including CD80, CD86 and CD40. Striking differences in the response of the two cell types to infection with cytopathic virus were seen. Dendritic cells were not susceptible to the cytopathic effect caused by cp BVDV, whereas monocytes were killed. Analysis of interferon (IFN)-α/β production showed similar levels in monocytes and DCs exposed to cp BVDV, but none was detected in cells exposed to ncp BVDV. We conclude that the prevention of cell death in DCs is not associated with enhanced production of IFN-α/β, as proposed for influenza virus, but is by a distinct mechanism.
Biosynthesis of modified peptidoglycan precursors by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

Abstract In the presence of bacitracin, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium ( vanA phenotype) accumulate UDP- N -acetylmuramyl(UDP-MurNAc)-tetrapeptide and a UDP-MurNAc-depsipentapeptide containing lactate substituted for the carboxy-terminal- D -alanine residue. In an in vitro peptidoglycan polymerization assay, the modified precursors function and confer resistance to vancomycin.
The Musculus Complexus of Normal and Dystrophic Chicken Embryos

Abnormalities have previously been reported in the pectoral muscle of embryos and young chicks from a pure strain of New Hampshire Red chickens homozygous for inherited muscular dystrophy. Fine structural studies of the musculus complexus in normal and dystrophic embryos were undertaken because of a sharp decrease in hatching by the diseased birds. Ultrastructural differences found between the normal and dystrophic embryos included a leached sarcoplasm, swollen and distorted mitochondria and tubular components, a lack of polyribosomes (myosin synthesis), and the formation of pseudostraps during differentiation of the myopathic hatching muscle. These differences may curtail differentiation until a point after the critical hatching time.
Cerebral infarction secondary to vasospasm after perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Abstract Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH) has been described as a distinct form of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) associated with good outcomes. We report a 48-year-old female who developed cerebral infarction due to severe diffuse vasospasm following pSAH. The patient presented with non-aneurysmal pSAH and was discharged home on day 5. However, one week later she developed an acute onset of right hemiparesis. A brain MRI showed acute infarctions on diffusion weighted imaging and her cerebral angiogram showed diffuse vasospasm. The patient received intra-arterial diltiazem and hypervolemic–hypertensive–hemodilution therapy with resulting resolution of the vasospasm and hemiparesis. While not as common as in SAH, there is a potential for the occurrence of cerebral infarction due to vasospasm after pSAH.
Regulating low-dimensional magnetic behavior of organic radicals in crystalline hydrogen-bonded host frameworks†

A series of S = ½ organic radicals—TEMPO (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl), 4-methoxy-TEMPO, and 4-oxo-TEMPO—have been included in the cavities of porous lamellar host frameworks constructed from guanidinium (G) cations and organodisulfonate (DS) anions, which assemble into hydrogen-bonded guanidinium sulfonate (GS) sheets connected by organodisulfonate pillars that create cavities between the sheets. The pillars can project above or below the GS sheet in different configurations, affording various architectural framework isomers whose selectivity is determined by the relative sizes of the guests and the pillars. Each framework isomer is endowed with uniquely sized and shaped cavities, which influence the molecular arrangement of the radical guests included within the host lattice. Notably, TEMPO guests in the 1-D channels of simple brick G22BPDShost (BPDS = biphenyl-4,4′-disulfonate) arrange as a two-leg ladder (a chain of dimers), whereas TEMPO guests in the cavities of zigzag brick G22NDShost (NDS = naphthalene-2,6-disulfonate) form dimers that are distributed into a 2-D square-planar lattice. The high-temperature magnetic susceptibility, χmol, conformed with Curie–Weiss behavior, with negative Weiss constants, consistent with bulk antiferromagnetic ordering. The Neel temperatures (TN) for G22BPDS·2(TEMPO) and G22NDS·2(TEMPO) were found to be 3.83 K and 4.10 K, respectively, as indicated by the presence of a broad maximum in χmol near these temperatures. In contrast, TN for host-free crystalline TEMPO is lower at 2.3 K, suggesting that enforced ordering can alter the magnetic properties of the TEMPO guests. The low-temperature χmol data for G22BPDS·2(TEMPO) agreed well with the Troyer two-leg ladder spin model, with J/kB = −7.29 K along the rungs of the ladder (intra-dimer) and J/kB = −0.45 K along the legs of the ladder (inter-dimer). The χmol data for G22NDS·2(TEMPO) agreed best with Bleaney–Bowers behavior for isolated dimers with J/kB = −3.31 K for the encapsulated TEMPO dimer. These results demonstrate that magnetic behavior, including dimensionality, can be manipulated through judicious selection of host and magnetic guests.
The Effect of Steam-Conditioning Practices on Pellet Quality and Growing Broiler Nutritional Value

ABSTRACT Feed currently constitutes 60 to 65% of the total cost of broiler production. Pellets are the primary feed form for commercially reared broilers. Understanding how to optimize pellet quality through precision thermo-mechanical processing may impact broiler performance and nutrient availability, and thus cost of production. Steam conditioning represents a manipulable thermo-mechanical processing variable. Corn-soybean meal-based diets were conditioned with 1 of 4 steam pressure × temperature combinations: 138 kPa at 82.2°C, 138 kPa at 93.3°C, 552 kPa at 82.2°C, or 552 kPa at 93.3°C. High steam pressure and temperature conditioning were shown to increase pellet quality. Three additional diets were prepared: unprocessed mash, the 552 kPa/93.3°C diet reground to mash, and a 50:50 combination of pellets and mash produced from the 552 kPa/93.3°C treatment to simulate a high fine percentage diet. All diets were fed to Cobb 500 broilers from 21 to 38 d, and nutrient availability was determined with Single Comb White Leghorn roosters. Broilers fed pellets conditioned with high steam temperature demonstrated decreased feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Amino acid and energy availability were not affected by variations in steam conditioning.
Concurrent packaging architecture design

Packaging constitutes one of the primary limits on the performance and partitioning of high density electronic systems. A concurrent design methodology for the design of physical packaging hierarchies is presented. Architecture, electrical performance, and energy management aspects of the system are included. The CAD system AUDIT implements this design methodology. The concurrent design capability has been illustrated using model systems derived from high speed Digital Equipment 3000/500 (Alpha) and IBM RS/6000 workstations. It is found that the choice of the packaging architecture as well as the impact of packaging on system performance is determined by the partitioning of the system. >
Meeting the training requirements of a state law regarding security officers.

A security director relates his experience in trying to comply with the training requirements of the New York State Security Guard Act of 1992. He discusses why he chose in-house training and how this was accomplished. Language: en
Critical Success Factors for the Fuzzy Front End of Innovation in the Medical Device Industry

Abstract:The purpose of this study is to identify industry-level new product development (NPD) critical success factors (CSFs) that influence the idea screening and project selection processes used by small-to-medium (SMB) medical device manufacturers. Understanding CSFs may assist business executives and NPD managers in improving their processes so as to reduce the high cost of project failure associated with medical device development. Starting with a list of potential CSFs drawn from NPD literature and industry experience, a pilot survey identified 16 CSFs that may prove to be significant in the final research. These CSFs fall into the following three candidate CSF (cCSF) affinity groups: (1) developing a business case prior to project approval, (2) producing an executive-level new product development strategy for the innovation team, and (3) establishing a culture of innovation. This research should contribute to an improved understanding of front end CSFs, help NPD managers develop better criteria fo...
Empowering through Entitlement? The Micro-politics of Food Access in Rural Maharashtra, India

Abstract In this paper, we examine the interplay of entitlement and empowerment through qualitative research on the micropolitics of two social protection programs in rural Maharashtra, India. The case study assesses the implications of the expansion of state space into a rural society through such programs and argues that hitherto existing social relations and micropolitics in villages produce differentiated biopolitical outcomes. Extending Amartya Sen's entitlement and capabilities frameworks, we contribute to the discussion on the relationship and distinctions between entitlement and empowerment by situating social protection programs within the ambit of technologies of biopower that are aimed at sustaining “make-live” conditions for certain populations. Our fieldwork in western India in 2012–2013 demonstrates the following: first, entitlements must be claimed and the ability to realize one's entitlements requires a minimal form of empowerment in village society vis-a-vis the local administration that administers entitlement programs. Second, we claim that state-led entitlement programs when introduced at the village level, encounter micro-politics that produce patronage relationships and blur the distinction between legal and extra-legal means of accessing food entitlements. We conclude by outlining the limits of an entitlement approach to social protection, especially in relation to the potential for empowerment of marginalized social groups.
The Soviet Biological Warfare Program and Its Uncertain Legacy: Past Soviet secrecy when linked with a promise by Putin raise nagging questions about Russian BW-related intentions

On 22 March 2012, Russian president-elect Vladimir Putin promised to develop new weapons based on advanced technologies, including genetics. Having just completed a history of the Soviet biological warfare (BW) program with Milton Leitenberg, I found Putin's promise exceedingly threatening. It could signal a new Russian military effort to develop third-generation biological weapons agents, building on the first- and second-generation BW programs of the former Soviet Union.
Prepro-hypocretin (Prepro-Orexin) Expression is Unaffected by Short-Term Sleep Deprivation in Rats and Mice

The hypocretin/orexin ligand-receptor system has recently been implicated in the sleep disorder narcolepsy. During the dark (active) period, null mutants of the prepro-orexin (prepro-hypocretin) gene have cataplectic attacks and increased levels of both rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep. Intracerebroventricular injection of one of the encoded neuropeptides, orexin-A, early in the light period increases wakefulness and reduces REM sleep in the rat, suggesting that this system may be involved in the normal regulation of sleep and wakefulness. To further test this hypothesis, we measured hypocretin (hcrt) mRNA levels by both Northern hybridization and Taqman analysis in mouse and rat hypothalamus after short-term (6 h) sleep deprivation (SD) and 2-4 hours after recovery from SD. Although our SD procedures effectively induced a sleep debt and increased c-fos mRNA expression in the cortex and hypothalamus as described by other investigators, we found that hcrt mRNA levels were not significantly changed in either species either after SD or after recovery from SD. If the hcrt system is involved in normal regulation of sleep and wakefulness, longer periods of SD may be necessary to affect hcrt mRNA levels or changes may occur at the protein rather than mRNA level. Alternatively, this system may also be involved in another function that counterbalances any SD-induced changes in hcrt mRNA levels.
Microsurgical Vasoepididymostomy: Refinements and Results

AbstractWe describe 110 consecutive evaluable vasoepididymostomy procedures performed on 107 azoospermic men who had either bilateral epididymal obstruction, or unilateral obstruction with an absent or nonfunctional contralateral testis. End-to-end procedures were performed in 93 cases and end-to-side anastomoses were done in 17. Previously described surgical techniques were modified to perform the second layer anastomosis between the vasal sheath and the epididymal tunic, instead of using the muscular layer of the vas. Although patency and pregnancy rates were similar after both types of procedures, 40% of the men again became azoospermic after an end-to-side anastomosis, whereas the stricture rate was only 13% after vasoepididymostomy using an end-to-end anastomosis. Of the 107 men 91 have been followed for at least 1 year postoperatively or have achieved a pregnancy with their partner, and 64 (70%) had sperm in the ejaculate postoperatively. Ten men had partners with female factor infertility and none ...
DNA Damage Reduces the Quality, but Not the Quantity of Human Papillomavirus 16 E1 and E2 DNA Replication

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are causative agents in almost all cervical carcinomas. HPVs are also causative agents in head and neck cancer, the cases of which are increasing rapidly. Viral replication activates the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway; associated proteins are recruited to replication foci, and this pathway may serve to allow for viral genome amplification. Likewise, HPV genome double-strand breaks (DSBs) could be produced during replication and could lead to linearization and viral integration. Many studies have shown that viral integration into the host genome results in unregulated expression of the viral oncogenes, E6 and E7, promoting HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Previously, we have demonstrated that DNA-damaging agents, such as etoposide, or knocking down viral replication partner proteins, such as topoisomerase II β binding protein I (TopBP1), does not reduce the level of DNA replication. Here, we investigated whether these treatments alter the quality of DNA replication by HPV16 E1 and E2. We confirm that knockdown of TopBP1 or treatment with etoposide does not reduce total levels of E1/E2-mediated DNA replication; however, the quality of replication is significantly reduced. The results demonstrate that E1 and E2 continue to replicate under genomically-stressed conditions and that this replication is mutagenic. This mutagenesis would promote the formation of substrates for integration of the viral genome into that of the host, a hallmark of cervical cancer.