cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eloquent Brain, Ethical Challenges: Functional Brain Mapping in Neurosurgery

Functional brain mapping is an increasingly relied upon tool in presurgical planning and intraoperative decision making. Mapping allows personalization of structure-function relationships when surgical or other treatment of pathology puts eloquent functioning like language or vision at risk. As an innovative technology, functional brain mapping holds great promise but also raises important ethical questions. In this article, recent work in neuroethics on functional imaging and functional neurosurgery is explored and applied to functional brain mapping. Specific topics discussed in this article are incidental findings, responsible innovation, and informed consent.
Efficient stack filter implementations of rank order filters

Efficient stack filter implementations of rank order filters for bit-parallel, bit-serial, and nibble-serial data are presented. The implementations support variations in word size, window size and rank order. All the implementations are sampled at a high rate by efficient incorporation of pipelining. While the bit-parallel realizations are pipelined by adding latches in the feed-forward paths, the recursive bit-serial and nibble-serial realizations are pipelined to p levels by increasing the number of positive Boolean function (PBF) units by a factor of 2/sup p-1/. The computational complexity of the bit-parallel realizations is reduced by processing a block of outputs, thereby exploiting the computational overlap between consecutive windows. >
Treatment of prostate cancer: therapeutic potential of targeted immunotherapy with APC8015

The body's immune system has some capacity to recognize and attack cancerous growths, including prostate cancer. However, various intrinsic characteristics of tumor cells usually limit that capacity. Therapeutically administered immunologic stimuli, such as APC8015, an individualized, ex vivo stimulation of a patient's own antigen presenting cells (APC), are capable of boosting the anti-tumor response. Late phase clinical trials of APC8015 (now also called Sipuleucel-T) show evidence of slowing disease progression and increasing survival in advanced prostate cancer. Such immunotherapeutic approaches hold real promise to provide additional useful and welcome weapons against this common malignancy.
Impaired signaling via the high-affinity IgE receptor in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein-deficient mast cells.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is the product of the gene deficient in boys with X-linked Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. We assessed the role of WASP in signaling through the high- affinity IgE receptor (FceRI) using WASP-deficient mice. IgE-dependent degranulation and cytokine secretion were markedly diminished in bone marrow-derived mast cells from WASP-deficient mice. Upstream signaling events that include FceRI-triggered total protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation of FceRIb and Syk were not affected by WASP deficiency. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cg and Ca 2+ mobilization were diminished. IgE-dependent activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, cell spreading and redistribution of cellular F-actin in mast cells were reduced in the absence of WASP. We conclude that WASP regulates FceRI-mediated granule exocytosis, cytokine production and cytoskeletal changes in mast cells.
Job Guarantee and Its Critiques: Insights from the New Deal Experience

Unemployment brings economic, psychological, and social hardship to individuals and their community. Common policies to combat unemployment include the promotion of economic growth and training, but a less common policy focuses on the right to work. This policy proposal decouples the goals of economic growth and full employment, and allows willing individuals to work in order to maintain their morale and employability while participating in socially beneficial activities. Since the 1990s, debates regarding the right to work have been revived. Criticisms have been wide ranging and the paper evaluates some of them by going back to the New Deal work programs. The paper shows that some of these criticisms are warranted while others are not. The paper concludes that a job guarantee program can provide significant benefits as long as it is organized around a vision of labor as a fulfilling and rewarding activity. However, this vision is almost certain to clash with existing labor market structures and dominant ...
BILINGUAL LITERATURE OF TANZANIA AS A SPECIFIC INTER-LITERARY COMMUNITY

Modern literary theory has created a variety of approaches to describe dynamic processes emerging in a literary field. This may be especially significant in the case of relatively young literary traditions, characterized by rather high level of dynamics. Among various theories of significance is a theory launched in the last quarter of the last century by a Slovakian scholar of comparative literature, Dionýz Ďurisin (1929-1997), who came up with the theory of the so-called specific inter-literary communities. The works of Ďurisin and other scholars, mainly from East European countries (such as Joseph Grmela, Libusa Vajdova, Irina Nikiforova, Yuri Azarov, and others) were published in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in a variety of collection. KEY WORDS: literary, inter-literary, community, Tanzania.
Statistical approaches for assessment of water corrosivity

This paper investigated the effects of eight dissolved species concentrations on corrosion of carbon steel in water. Short term electrochemical experimental measurements indicated that the corrosion mechanisms of carbon steel in brackish water are uniform and pitting corrosion. The corrosivity of water is difficult to be defined using single parameter such as the corrosion rate. In this case, Mahalanobis–Taguchi method, as a discriminant analysis approach, is applicable for water corrosivity assessment. Mahalanobis–Taguchi method enables to predict whether a given water sample is acceptably corrosive or not. The preliminary investigation has indicated that Mahalanobis–Taguchi method can serve as a tool for water corrosity assessment.
Photoneutron production by Li6, Li7, B10, B11 and O16

Abstract The neutron emission cross sections have been measured from targets of Li 6 , Li 7 , B 10 , B 11 and O 16 when they were irradiated with X-rays in the energy range from 7 to almost 30 MeV. The integrated cross sections are respectively 0.40±0.03, 0.49±04, 0.44±0.32, 0.42±0.03 and 0.26±0.02 in units of the classical dipole sum. The average cross sections for the lithium and boron targets appear to be essentially constant in the energy range 25–30 MeV. The data also suggest that the boron cross sections contain a great deal of structure up to the highest energies studied.
Marking Subadult Red Drums with Oxytetracycline

Abstract Otoliths, scales, and spines of two recaptured subadult red drums Sciaenops ocellatus (514 and 537 mm total length) were examined for induced fluorescence 10 months after injection with oxytetracycline–HCl at about 50 mg/kg body weight. Both fish exhibited fluorescence in sagitta, lapillus, and asteriscus otoliths, scales, and dorsal and anal spines. Sagittae from both fish had formed an annulus between release and recapture.
Justification, coercion, and the place of public reason

Public reason accounts commonly claim that exercises of coercive political power must be justified by appeal to reasons accessible to all citizens. Such accounts are vulnerable to the objection that they cannot legitimate coercion to protect basic liberal rights against infringement by deeply illiberal people. This paper first elaborates the distinctive interpersonal conception of justification in public reason accounts in contrast to impersonal forms of justification. I then detail a core dissenter-based objection to public reason based on a worrisome example advanced by Jonathan Quong. While we may be able to impersonally justify coercing the illiberal dissenter, public reason liberals must explain how we can interpersonally justify such coercion—meaning justify given the perspective of the dissenter. The two prominent strategies for dealing with dissenters involve idealization of reasoning and requiring liberal values; I show that these strategies do not succeed in a way compatible with the public reason project. That is, the prominent strategies leave public reason theorists with a dilemma between denying the legitimacy of using coercion to protect core freedoms against deeply illiberal people or abandoning the fundamental public reason project. I conclude by proposing a different answer to public reason liberalism’s fundamental question: what requires justification? On my account, it is not that coercion requires interpersonal justification for its permissibility, but that such justification is necessary as a constitutive element of a kind of moral community.
Lipophilic peptides and proteins of brain. II. Composition of the neurosclerin fraction

Abstract The total amino acid composition of neurosclerin, a lipophilic protein of brain isolated from monkey and mouse brains, was studied with column chromatography with sulfonated polystyrene resin. Its composition was found to be remarkable in the large number of alanine, glycine, isoleucine, and leucine residues released upon hydrolysis (almost 50% of total), and in the presence of a basic unidentified product. Proline was present in trace amounts, while hydroxyproline was absent.
APPROXIMATIONS FOR CALCULATING RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS.

We discuss a new approximation for calculating the radiative correction due to the emission of real photons. This approximation is an improvement on the previously used approximations, namely, the soft-photon and peaking approximations, both of which are also discussed.
Petrogenesis of the basalt-andesite-dacite association of Grenada, Lesser Antilles island arc, revisited

The basalt-andesite-dacite association of Grenada is produced by fractional crystallization of primary magmas that contain about 15 weight percent MgO and 1–2 weight percent H2O. The compositions of primary magmas indicate that they were last in equilibrium with the mantle at depths greater than about 65 km, indicating that they must ascend rapidly after they segregate from residual mantle. It is inferred that mantle wedge diapirism typically leads to moderately large degrees of batch partial melting in the formation of primary arc magmas (~ 10–30%). The trace-element geochemical diversity of primary magmas mainly reflects variable degrees of source-region enrichment by fluids derived from the subducted slab. The degree to which source regions are enriched is likely related to mantle wedge dynamics. Water pressure suppresses plagioclase crystallization in derivative magmas, leading to development of the calc-alkaline, rather than tholeiitic, differentiation trend. Amphibole crystallization typically occurs only after melt MgO content decreases below about 4 weight percent. The island-arc crust acts as a density filter. As arc crust thickens, parental basaltic magmas will have a greater tendency to stagnate at mid-crustal levels. The observation that basalts predominate in young island arcs while andesites and dacites predominate in more mature arcs is explained by this hydrostatic control: the thicker the arc crust, the more magmas must differentiate by crystal segregation to become buoyant enough to erupt at the surface.
Subtle executive impairment in children with autism and children with ADHD

Background: The executive functions of inhibition, planning, flexible shifting of actions, and working memory are commonly reported to be impaired in neurodevelopmental disorders. Method: We compared these abilities in children (8–12 years) with high functioning autism (HFA, n = 17), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 32). Response inhibition was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Golden, 1978). Problem solving, set-shifting, and nonverbal memory were assessed using three tasks, respectively, from the CANTAB® (Cambridge Cognition, 1996): the Stockings of Cambridge task; the Intra-Dimensional/Extra-Dimensional set-shifting task; and the Spatial Working Memory task (SWM) with tokens hidden behind 3, 4, 6, and 8 boxes. Results: There were no group differences on the response inhibition, planning, or set-shifting tasks. On the SWM task, children with HFA made significantly more between-searcherrors compared with controls on both the most difficult problems (8-box) and on the mid-difficulty problems (6-box); however, children with ADHD made significantly more errors compared to controls on the most difficult (8-box) problems only. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that spatial working memory is impaired in both ADHD and HFA, and more severely in the latter. More detailed investigation is needed to examine the mechanisms that differentially impair spatial working memory, but on this set of tasks there appears to be sparing of other executive functions in these neuropsychiatric developmental disorders.
A stable biomimetic redox catalyst obtained by the enzyme catalyzed amidation of iron porphyrin

Hematin, a hydroxyferriprotoporphyrin, is the more stable oxidized form of the free heme. The use of hematin as a catalyst for oxidative polymerization reactions has been restricted due to its limited aqueous solubility at low pH conditions. While there have been reports on the functionalization of hematin with poly (ethylene glycol), the esters formed are not very stable at low pH conditions. We report here the design and synthesis of hematin tethered with methoxypolyethylene glycol amine chains as a novel stable biomimetic catalyst. This one step amidation was performed under solventless conditions and catalyzed by a hydrolase (Novozyme-435). The amidation greatly improved the stability of hematin at low pH. Further, this catalyst was soluble in water and was able to catalyze the polymerization of aniline based monomers. The amide functionalized hematin serves as a robust cost-effective alternative to HRP, active even at lower pH conditions.
Degree one loading by pressure variations at the CMB

Hemispherical asymmetry in core dynamics induces degree-1 pressure variations at the core mantle boundary (CMB), which in turn deforms the overlaying elastic mantle, at the same time keeps center of mass of the whole Earth stationary in space. We develop a systematic procedure to deal with the degree-1 CMB pressure loading. We find by direct calculation a surprisingly negative load Love number h1=−1.425 for vertical displacement. Further analysis indicates that the negative h1 corresponds to thickening above the positive load that defies intuition that pressure inflation pushes overlaying material up and thins the enveloping shell. We also redefine the pressure load Love numbers in general to enable comparison between the surface mass load and the CMB pressure load for the whole spectrum of harmonic degrees. We find that the gravitational perturbations from the two kinds of loads at degrees n>1 are very similar in amplitude but opposite in sign. In particular, if the CMB pressure variation at degree 2 is at the level of ∼1 hpa/yr (1 cm water height per year), it would perturb the variation of Earth’s oblateness, known as the J2, at the observed level.
Aging and attractiveness: marriage makes a difference.

In order to explore women's agreement with the double standard of aging, thirty-two women ranging in age from twenty-eight to sixty-three were asked to share their definitions of attractiveness, femininity, and sexual appeal. They were then asked if they had changed these definitions over time and if they perceived themselves as growing more or less attractive, feminine, and sexually appealing as they grew older. The findings showed that attractiveness was defined primarily by appearance, femininity by behavior and inferred traits, and sexual appeal by both. More single than married women had changed definitions of these terms, and more single women perceived themselves as having grown more attractive, feminine, and sexually appealing as they grew older. Age differences in these evaluations were found among the group of married women, but few age differences were found among single women. The findings suggest there may be qualitatively differing experiences between single and married women that are reflec...
Hemodynamic and regional blood flow distribution responses to dextran, hydralazine, isoproterenol and amrinone during experimental cardiac tamponade

Four different interventions were examined in dogs with cardiac tamponade. Infusion of 216 to 288 ml saline solution into the pericardium reduced cardiac output from 3.5 ± 0.3 to 1.7 ± 0.2 liters/min as systemic vascular resistance increased from 4,110 ± 281 to 6,370 ± 424 dynesscm -5 . Left ventricular epicardial and endocardial blood flows were 178 ± 13 and 220 ± 12 ml/ min per 100 g, respectively, and decreased to 72 ± 14 and 78 ± 11 ml/min per 100 g with tamponade. Reductions of 25 to 65% occurred in visceral and brain blood flows and in a composite brain sample. Cardiac output during tamponade was significantly increased by isoproterenol, 0.5 μg/kg per min intravenously; hydralazine, 40 mg intra venously; dextran infusion or combined hydralazine and dextran, but not by amrinone. Total systemic vascular resistance was reduced by all interventions. Left ventricular epicardial flow was increased by isoproterenol, hydralazine and the hydralazine-dextran combination. Endocardial flow was increased by amrinone and the combination of hydralazine and dextran. Right ventricular myocardial blood flow increased with all interventions except dextran. Kidney cortical and composite brain blood flows were increased by both dextran alone and by the hydralazine-dextran combinations. Blood flow to small intestine was increased by all interventions as was that to large intestine by all except amrinone and hydralazine. Liver blood flow response was variable. The most pronounced hemodynamic and tissue perfusion improvements during cardiac tamponade were effected by combined vasodilation-blood volume expansion with a hydralazine-dextran combination. Isoproterenol had as dramatic an effect but it was short-lived. Amrinone was the least effective intervention.
Sex-Role Egalitarianism: Biographical and Personality Correlates

To examine relationships between sex-role attitudes and biographical and personality characteristics, 147 college students were administered three instruments on separate occasions: (a) the Sex-role Egalitarianism Scale, (b) an inventory measuring six personality traits, and (c) a biographical information sheet. Data indicated women to be more egalitarian in their sex-role attitudes than men. Significant findings based on work history of mothers also were noted, with more egalitarian attitudes for students reporting that their mothers worked for reasons of financial necessity and for children being younger when mothers began working. Finally, sex-role egalitarianism was related to higher needs for autonomy and achievement and to lower needs for succorance and social recognition.
A microfluidic positioning chamber for long-term live-cell imaging.

We report a microfluidic positioning chamber (MPC) that can rapidly and repeatedly relocate the same imaging area on a microscope stage. The “roof” of the microfluidic chamber was printed with serials of coordinate numbers that act as positioning marks for mammalian cells that grow attached to the “floor” of the microfluidic chamber. MPC cell culture chamber provided a simple solution for tracking the same cell or groups of cells over days or weeks. The positioning marks were used to register time-lapse images of the same imaging area to single-pixel accuracy. Using MPC cell culture chamber, we tracked the migration, division and differentiation of individual PC12 cells for over a week using bright field and fluorescence imaging.
Density compensation can cause no effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning

The role of density compensation (the decline of species density with increasing diversity), in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, has not been explicitly explored. I used aquatic microbial communities containing bacterivorous consumers (protozoans and rotifers) to investigate whether competition can lead to density compensation and whether density compensation can contribute to the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The experiment employed a nested design in which the consumer diversity gradient (0, 1, 2 or 4 species) was constructed by drawing all possible species or species combinations at each diversity level from a five-species pool. All consumer species coexisted but there was little evidence for overyielding or species dominance, suggesting weak complementarity and sampling effects. Rather, increasing number of consumer species resulted in community-wide density compensation, such that aggregate consumer biomass was unaffected by consumer diversity. Whereas culturable bacterial density declined as consumer diversity increased, total bacterial density showed no discernible response to changes in consumer diversity, a result probably due in part to heterogeneity in bacterial edibility. This study demonstrates the potential for density compensation to shape the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Frozen-in birefringence and anisotropic shrinkage in optical moldings: II. Comparison of simulations with experiments on light-guide plates

Abstract The thermally-, flow-induced and total birefringence components and anisotropic shrinkages in LGP moldings were simulated by using a combination of a CV/FEM/FDM technique nonlinear viscoelastic and photoviscoelastic constitutive equations and orientation functions, as described in Part I of this study. The simulated results were compared with measurements on LGP moldings of a polystyrene (PS) and two optical grade polycarbonates (PCs) OQ1030 and OQ3820 having low and high molecular weights. The thermally-induced birefringence was simulated by a combination of constrained and free cooling during molding. In LGP moldings of PS, the simulated thermally-induced birefringence indicated a minor variation with location in the mold plane, a parabolic shape in the core region and an increase towards the wall. Compared to the flow-induced birefringence, the thermal birefringence provided a minor contribution to the total transverse birefringence Δ n 12 . In LGP moldings of PCs, the simulated thermally-induced birefringence showed a significant variation with location in the mold plane, nearly constant value in the core region and high value in the wall region. In LGP moldings of both PCs, the contributions of the thermally- and flow-induced birefringence to the total transverse birefringence Δ n 12 were significant. The effect of processing conditions on the development of the normal birefringence in LGP moldings of PCs was ranked from most to least: the packing pressure, mold temperature, melt temperature, injection speed and packing time. However, in LGP moldings of PS the packing time effect was significant due to a longer gate freezing time. Simulated and measured normal birefringence along the flow direction was in fair agreement, but simulations were unable to describe the observed birefringence maximum arising near the gate. The averaged luminance of LGP moldings exhibited some correlation with the averaged normal birefringence. LGP moldings of PC OQ1030 indicated a pronounced maximum in the simulated transverse flow birefringence in the core but a low value near the wall. In contrast, the LGP molding of PC OQ3820 showed a high simulated birefringence near the wall and a low value of maximum in the core. The simulated and measured total transverse birefringence in LGP moldings was in fair agreement. LGP molding of both PCs showed similar tendency in shrinkage variation with processing conditions. However, the thickness shrinkage was higher in LGP moldings of PC OQ3820. The effect of processing conditions on the development of shrinkage in LGP moldings of both PCs was ranked from most to least: the packing pressure, melt temperature, mold temperature, injection speed and packing time. In LGP moldings of PS, the thickness shrinkage slightly increased with increasing melt temperature and significantly increased with reducing packing time. A good agreement between the simulated and measured anisotropic shrinkages in LGP moldings at various processing conditions was observed.
Optimal control of execution costs

We derive dynamic optimal trading strategies that minimize the expected cost of trading a large block of equity over a fixed time horizon. Specifically, given a fixed block SM of shares to be executed within a fixed finite number of periods „, and given a price-impact function that yields the execution price of an individual trade as a function of the shares traded and market conditions, we obtain the optimal sequence of trades as a function of market conditions — closed-form expressions in some cases — that minimizes the expected cost of executing SM within „ periods. Our analysis is extended to the portfolio case in which price impact across stocks can have an important e⁄ect on the total cost of trading a portfolio. ( 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Avoidance of pomeron-f identity through systematic treatment of overlap contributions to the cylinder

Abstract We formulate a unitary equation for the cylinder term in the topoligical expansion which includes a systematic treatment of the overlap configurations to phase space as well as the periphal configurations. If the overlap contributions has Regge pole behavior, then the singlet cylinder plus planar exchange has two output poles which, for suitable values of the parameters, can be identified with a distinct pomeron and shifted f-trajectories.
Synthesis and characterization of metastable Li–Mn–O spinels from Mn(V)

Abstract Li3MnO4 Mn(V) was synthesized from LiOH and LiMnO4, and characterized by gravimetric, X-ray, and XPS analysis. This precursor was used to improve the calcination time required for the low temperature solid state synthesis of highly oxidized spinels, Li2Mn4O8+x. TG calculations were used to show the effect of calcination conditions on phase purity. The effect of a second phase on cycling performance was evaluated.
Opportunities for Regional and International Cooperation in the Nile Basin

ABSTRACT Prospects for the Upper Nile basin states of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia point to increasing competition for Nile water resources as population and development pressures intensify for all involved. In this paper we argue that it is in no one's best interest to maintain the lack of coordination in river basin development that persists in the Nile valley Decisions made today about investments in water development projects, new irrigation schemes, and industrial projects will have consequences far into the future when water resources are in much greater demand. Furthermore, the unanticipated environmental and climatic changes of the 1980s have accelerated the need to make economic, political, and legal adjustments in the existing Nile management and allocation regime. All countries in the basin stand to gain from cooperation in the development and management of Nile water resources. Water allocation need not be a zero sum game for the riparian countries; cooperative water development efforts can lead...
Pigeon breeder's disease. II. Pigeon antigen induced proliferation of lymphocytes from symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.

Summary Lymphocyte reactivity to pigeon antigens was demonstrated in a patient with severe symptomatic pigeon breeder's disease (PBD). The reactivity of the lymphocytes declined subsequent to cessation of exposure to antigen and in parallel with clinical improvement. Lymphocyte reactivity was also demonstrated in another patient with PBD, in a pigeon breeder with no evidence of PBD, and in a laboratory investigator with a history of exposure to birds other than pigeons. Lymphocyte reactivity in the latter subject increased following cutaneous injection of pigeon serum with the development of delayed-type cutaneous reactivity. Although lymphocyte reactivity to pigeon antigens may be a necessary immunologic feature for production of PBD, this reactivity does not occur only in symptomatic subjects.
X-ray Lithography Induced Radiation Effects in Deep Submicron CMOS Devices

X-ray lithography introduces device radiation damage from the high energy photons during the lithography process. We have studied this effect on deep submicron n- and p-channel MOSFETs with gate dielectric thickness at 7 to 13 nm. After the x-ray irradiation the device characteristics are strongly affected by the generation of oxide charges, interface states and electron traps. These introduced damages cause the reduction of device transconductance, shift of the threshold voltages and increased leakage current. However, this degradation of device and circuit is lessened from technology scaling by thinning the gate oxide and lowering the supply voltage. The x-ray radiation damage induces interface states and oxide charges which can be annealed out with a low temperature (400°C) forming gas (FG, 90% N2, 10% H2) annealing process. The device properties are essential unchanged after the annealing process. However, the residue damage is shown to enhance hot-carrier instability of p-channel devices if the remaining neutral traps act as electron or hole traps in the SiO2. In this paper, we investigate the radiation effects on the n- and p-channel MOSFETS fabricated with deep submicron device processes with thinner gate oxides and compare the hot carrier reliability of these devices after the synchrotron x-ray irradiation and also after the post metal forming gas annealing. The results indicate the device hot carrier instability has no effect on the devices with thin gate oxide with thickness approaching the electron tunneling range.
Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy significantly improves short term weight loss as compared to laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement in morbidly obese adolescent patients.

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery has shown to be an effective weight loss treatment in morbidly obese adolescents. We compared outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) to laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Methods A single institution, retrospective evaluation of a prospectively collected database of LAGB and VSG patients. Results 174 morbidly obese patients underwent bariatric surgery at our institution between 2006 and 2013. 137 patients underwent LAGB and 37 underwent VSG. There were no significant differences between LAGB vs. VSG groups on day of surgery for age, gender, ethnicity, weight, and BMI. At 24-month follow up, patients who underwent VSG vs. LAGB displayed significantly greater percent excess weight loss (70.9±20.7 vs. 35.5±28.6, P=0.004) and percent preoperative BMI loss (32.3±11.0 vs. 16.4±12.7, P=0.004). Both VSG and LAGB significantly improved levels of HDL, HgA1c, and fasting glucose. LAGB patients had more complications than VSG patients. Conclusion Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment strategy in morbidly obese adolescents who have failed medical management. VSG results in greater short term weight and BMI loss when compared to LAGB. Longer follow up with more patients will be required to confirm the long term safety and efficacy of VSG in adolescent patients.
Untangling Autophagy Measurements: All Fluxed Up

Autophagy is an important physiological process in the heart, and alterations in autophagic activity can exacerbate or mitigate injury during various pathological processes. Methods to assess autophagy have changed rapidly because the field of research has expanded. As with any new field, methods and standards for data analysis and interpretation evolve as investigators acquire experience and insight. The purpose of this review is to summarize current methods to measure autophagy, selective mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), and autophagic flux. We will examine several published studies where confusion arose in data interpretation, to illustrate the challenges. Finally, we will discuss methods to assess autophagy in vivo and in patients.
Expression of telomerase subunits in normal and neoplastic prostate epithelial cells isolated by laser capture microdissection.

BACKGROUND Vertebrates have special structures at the ends of their chromosomes, known as telomeres, which may provide the chromosomes with stability and protect them from exonucleolytic degradation. The shortening of telomeric DNA with each cell division may lead to cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis of a normal human somatic cell. Telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, elongates the 3'-ends of telomeric DNA. Thus, the presence of telomerase activity may reflect a cell's potential immortal state. The telomerase complex is comprised of several subunits. In the current study, the authors describe the use of laser capture microdissection (LCM) to procure pure matched tumor and normal cell populations from histologic sections and to determine the expression of telomerase subunits in these purified samples. METHODS Pure matched tumor and normal prostate epithelial cells were procured by LCM using fresh frozen tissue samples obtained from patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. RNA was extracted from LCM captured cells, and the subunits for telomerase were assayed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS In 18 samples that were captured with LCM, only the catalytic subunit of telomerase, or hTERT, was found to be discriminatory between tumor cells (17 of 18 specimens, 94.4%) and nontumor cells (none of 18 specimens). TP1, a protein that has been shown to be associated with telomerase activity, was expressed in 3 of 18 normal cells (16.7%) and 15 of 18 tumor cells (83.3%). The RNA subunit of telomerase, or hTR, was expressed in 10 of 18 normal cells (55.6%) and 18 of 18 tumor cells (100%). There was no apparent correlation between telomerase subunit(s) expression and Gleason sum score. CONCLUSIONS Molecular analyses of LCM cells from prostate carcinoma patient samples demonstrated transcriptional up-regulation of all telomerase subunits in the prostatic epithelium. However, only the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT, was found to be discriminatory between neoplastic versus normal cells (94.4% vs. 0%). This finding suggests that the hTERT subunit may be a useful marker for the detection of prostate carcinoma and/or a potential target for therapy. Cancer 2001;92:1943–8. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometric Quantification of 3-Nitrotyrosine in Proteins and Tissues Is Facilitated by Reduction to 3-Aminotyrosine

Oxidative damage by reactive nitrogen species has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. The mechanisms of tissue damage are poorly understood, however, because the toxic intermediates are short-lived. Previous in vitro studies have suggested that 3-nitrotyrosine represents a specific marker of protein oxidation by reactive nitrogen species. The detection of this nitrated aromatic amino acid may thus serve as an indicator of tissue injury by nitrogen species in vivo. Here we describe a highly sensitive and specific analytical method for quantifying free and protein-bound 3-nitrotyrosine. The assay involves acid hydrolysis of proteins, isolation of 3-nitrotyrosine by ion exchange chromatography, and reduction of 3-nitrotyrosine to 3-aminotyrosine with dithionite. The reduced amino acid is then converted to its n-propyl, per-heptafluorobutyryl derivative and quantified by isotope dilution gas chromatography negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Attomole levels of 3-nitrotyrosine can be reproducibly measured in this manner. Quantifying 3-nitrotyrosine levels of tissues by stable isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry should provide a powerful tool for exploring the impact of reactive nitrogen species on oxidative reactions in vivo.
Donor site morbidity with reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) use for autogenous bone graft harvesting in a single centre 204 case series.

Abstract Donor site morbidity and complication rate using the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) system for intramedullary, non-structural autogenous bone graft harvesting were investigated in a retrospective chart and radiographic review at a University affiliated Level-1 Trauma Centre. 204 RIA procedures in 184 patients were performed between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2010. RIA-indication was bone graft harvesting in 201 (98.5%), and intramedullary irrigation and debridement in 3 (1.5%) cases. Donor sites were: femur – antegrade 175, retrograde 4, tibia – antegrade 7, retrograde 18. Sixteen patients had undergone two RIA procedures, two had undergone three procedures, all using different donor sites. In 4 cases, same bone harvesting was done twice. Mean volume of bone graft harvested was 47 ± 22 ml (20–85 ml). The complication rate was 1.96% (N = 4). Operative revisions included 2 retrograde femoral nails for supracondylar femur fractures 6 and 41 days postoperatively (antegrade femoral RIA), 1 trochanteric entry femoral nail (subtrochanteric fracture) 17 days postoperatively (retrograde femoral RIA) and 1 prophylactic stabilization with a trochanteric entry femoral nail for intraoperative posterior femoral cortex penetration without fracture. In our centre, the RIA technique has a low donor site morbidity and has been successfully implemented for harvesting large volumes of nonstructural autogenous bone graft.
STUDY OF ADHERENCE OF MOLTEN GLASS TO HEATED METALS

A kinetic test for evaluating the adherence of molten glass to metal was devised. The results are expressed in terms of the highest metal temperature at which a drop of molten glass shows no adherence. This temperature was determined for several cast irons and nonferrous metals and alloys. It was found that this temperature was affected by the structure and surface roughness of the metals investigated. The effects of cyaniding, carburizing, nitriding, quenching, and annealing were determined. The general effect of mold lubricants on the adherence temperature is indicated.
Correlation between spinous process dimensions and ease of spinal anaesthesia.

Background: Neuraxial anaesthesia, despite being a common technique, may pose some technical challenges leading to complications such as post-dural puncture headache, trauma to neural structures and neuraxial haematoma. We hypothesised that the interspinous gap (ISG) and the spinous process width (SPW) could be used as objective measures to predict ease of access to the neuraxial space. Methods: Two hundred and two consecutive patients scheduled to have spinal anaesthesia for various surgical procedures were enrolled prospectively after institutional approval. Following proper positioning for the neuraxial blockade, the ISG and SPW at the intended level were measured with calipers. The number of attempts, and redirections at the selected spinal level, and the number of levels required for successful needle placement were also recorded. Results: Group-wise analysis of the data into patients requiring >1 attempt, >1 level and ≥3 redirections showed that the single independent predictor of a difficult neuraxial block was the ISG. Twenty-three percent of the patients required more than one attempt, with a mean gap of 6.35 (±1.2) mm, in contrast to 8.15 (±2.4) mm in those with a single attempt (P=0.000). In addition, 16% of the patients needed more than one level, with a mean gap of 6.03 (±2.01) mm in contrast to 8.07 (±2.37) mm for a single level (P=0.000). Conclusions: The single independent predictor of ease or difficulty during spinal anaesthesia was the ISG (P=0.000).
Excitation functions for radioactive nucleides produced by deuteron-induced reactions in copper

Abstract Cross sections were measured for the production of radioactive nucleides by deuteron-induced reactions in natural copper at bombarding energies up to 40 MeV. Stacked foil targets were bombarded with douterons from the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron. Gamma spectra of individual foils were measured with a Ge(Li) spectrometer. Excitation functions were obtained for 61Cu, 62Cu, 64Cu, 66Cu, 62Zn, 63Zn and 65Zn. Yields for 63Cu(d,xn) reactions show a strong dependence on level density of the residual nucleus.
Parametric investigation of laser-induced fluorescence of solid-state uranyl compounds.

The combination of remote/standoff sensing and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy shows potential for detection of uranyl (UO22+) compounds. Uranyl compounds exhibit characteristic emiss...
In Situ Self‐Folding Assembly of a Multi‐Walled Hydrogel Tube for Uniaxial Sustained Molecular Release

This study presents a multi-walled poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel tube formed by the simple self-folding of a bi-layered hydrogel patch. The gel tube has the capability to release encapsulated molecules through designated pathways in a sustained manner. Therefore, the gel tube encapsulating the vascular endothelial growth factor significantly increases the vascular densities and vessel diameters at an implantation site.
A SIMPLIFIED DIFFUSION APPARATUS FOR LIQUID SCINTILLATION COUNTING

Abstract A screw cap jar has been adapted as a diffusion apparatus. This apparatus is suitable for the liberation and recovery of volatile radioactive components which are to be counted by liquid scintillation procedures. The apparatus has been adapted to the recovery of 14CO2 from aqueous solution, blood suspensions, enzymic incubations, and wet combustions of 14C-labelled glucose.
Ethanol synthesis, nitrogen, carbohydrates, and growth in tissues from nitrogen fertilized Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco and Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws, seedlings

Seedlings of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, and ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws., were grown in a controlled environment and fertilized with nutrient solutions containing 150 ppm (+N), or 0 ppm nitrogen (−N). These treatments greatly altered seedling growth, and the concentrations of N and carbohydrates in their tissues. Metabolically active tissues, such as roots, incubated with a limited supply of O2 became hypoxic faster and synthesized more ethanol than less active tissues, such as needles. All tissues that were incubated for 4 h in N2 synthesized ethanol. Needles incubated in N2 and light had much lower quantities of ethanol than needles in N2 and dark, suggesting that O2 from photosynthetsis limited internal anoxia. Most tissues from +N seedlings synthesized greater quantities of ethanol in N2 anoxia than tissues from −N seedlings, probably because they were able to produce more enzymes with a greater availability of N. However, this increase in ethanol synthesis between N treatments was most pronounced in the phloem. Ethanol and soluble sugar concentrations were negatively related in needles and positively related in roots of N+ seedlings, but not −N seedlings. Starch concentrations had no effect on the amount of ethanol produced by any tissue. Regardless of N treatments, all tissues from ponderosa pine produced more N2-induced ethanol than Douglas-fir, in part because its tissues contained different concentrations of soluble sugars and N as a consequence of phenological differences between the species. However, ponderosa pine tissues may also maintain greater quantities of anaerobic enzymes, or their isozymes than Douglas-fir.
Hopelessness, depression, and suicidal intent among adolescent suicide attempters.

Abstract In adult populations hopelessness has been found to be a better predictor of suicidal intent than depression. This relationship was examined among 44 minority female adolescent suicide attempters. The adolescent attempters reported high levels of hopelessness and depression: 42% were diagnosed as having a major depressive disorder or an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Although depression and hopelessness were highly correlated, neither predicted suicidal intent. Minority adolescent female suicide attempters were not more hopeless than a matched group of psychiatrically disturbed nonattempters, and the correlations between depression and hopelessness were not significantly different between the groups. Clinicians should refrain from using hopelessness as an indicator of suicidal intent in minority adolescent girls, as one may with adults, and alternative measures of adolescent suicide intent need to be developed.
A Simple LP-Free Approximation Algorithm for The Minimum Weight Vertex Cover Problem

We present a simple LP-free (i.e., not requiring linear programming) approximation algorithm for the minimum weight vertex cover problem. Our new approximation algorithm does not need to solve a linear programming problem, nor such a formulation is needed to establish its approximation bound. The algorithm takes linear time with respect to the number of nodes and edges in the graph, and generates solutions that are within twice the weight of a minimum weight vertex cover. Both the algorithm and its proof of correctness are elegant and simple.
Vehicle Component Layout With Shape Morphing: An Initial Study

This work focuses on incorporating component shape design into a vehicle configuration design or layout process. A concurrent design process consisting of performing layout design and simultaneous shape morphing of some select components is adopted to replace the traditional sequential design approach. The objective is to improve design efficiency and reduce design cost. Two important issues in the packing optimization with shape morphing problem are identified and studied: the morphing and the optimization. A parameterization-based morphing method and a mesh-based morphing method are implemented, and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. To efficiently solve this complex problem, it is proposed to decompose it into a bi-level formulation: system level and component level. At the system level, the given functional objectives of the layout design problem are optimized with respect to component positions and orientations. At the component level, the shape of select components is morphed to minimize the overlap with other objects and the enclosure. By iterating between these two levels, the original problem is solved. This bi-level approach is intended to overcome the complexity of performing the placement simultaneously with the shape morphing.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The Masculinity of Mr. Right: Feminist Identity and Heterosexual Women’s Ideal Romantic Partners:

Our study explored the relationship between feminist identity and women’s report of an ideal male partner’s conformity to masculine gender role norms. Heterosexual, mostly White, college women (N = 183) completed measures assessing feminist beliefs and the masculinity characteristics of an ideal male partner. Results indicated that feminist identity significantly predicted participants' preferences for an ideal male partner’s conformity to masculine norms. Specifically, women who were more accepting of patriarchal culture, endorsing traditional gender roles and denying sexism, reported wanting an ideal male partner to conform to traditional masculine norms of emotional control, risk-taking, power over women, dominance, self-reliance, and disdain for homosexuals. In contrast, feminist-identified women reported wanting an ideal partner who did not conform to the traditional masculine norms of violence, power over women, playboy, and self-reliance. We discuss implications of these findings for women’s hetero...