cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prospective randomized controlled trial to compare single-port endo-laparoscopic surgery versus conventional TEP inguinal hernia repair

Introduction The success of laparoscopic surgery is due to the less surgical trauma, including less operative pain, complications and better cosmetics. Objective of our study was to compare in two blind randomized groups of patients, the surgical outcome of total extra-peritoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair using either single-port or conventional surgical technique. We will report our interim results in the first group of 50 patients.
Intravital imaging of stromal cell dynamics in tumors.

Tumor stroma, consisting of the extracellular matrix and multiple cell types such as immune cells, fibroblasts and vascular cells, contributes to the malignancy of solid tumors by a variety of mechanisms. Intravital imaging by different microscopy techniques, especially by confocal and multi-photon microscopy, has proven to be a powerful method for analyzing the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the dynamic tumor microenvironments. Intravital imaging has fostered the acquisition of data on parameters such as motility of different cell types in distinct tumor regions or manipulated with defined challenges, kinetics of tumor cell killing by T cells or macrophage-assisted tumor cell extravasation, functionality of the vasculature, protease activity and metabolic state. Achieving the direct observation of intact tumors offered by intavital imaging provides unique insights into tumor biology that will continue to deepen our understanding of the processes leading to malignancy and of the ways they can be targeted.
Relation between Gm(f) and the structure of the gamma-globulin molecule.

THE serologically detectable genetically determined antigens Gm(a) and Gm(b) are restricted to the Fc (fast) fragment of the A (Heavy) polypeptide chains of human gammaG-globulin1. In contrast, Gm(bw) is present in the Fab, (slow) fragment, and its serological activity seems to depend on the ‘quaternary’ structure of the intact gammaG-molecule2. Gm(f) activity also is localized to the Fab fragment of gammaG-globulin3,4, and is also present in the 5S product obtained by pepsin digestion of the 7S gammaG-molecule4 (Table 1); Gm(a) and Gm(b) activities are lost during pepsin digestion. Recent studies5 indicate that Gm(f) and Gm(bw) are similar but not identical. We report here the results of experiments with anti-Gm(f) and isolated A and B chains of gammaG-globulin.
End of life: natural or unnatural death investigation and certification.

(Anatomical Tables) by Johann Adam Kulmus (German), 2 ed, 1732; engraving, frontispiece (dated 1731). Anatomische Tabellen was first published in 1722 and later translated into Dutch, Ontleedkundige Tafelen (1734) and Japanese, Kaitai Shinsho (New book of Anatomy, 1774), as well as Latin and French. This library with nearly full bookshelves appears as though on a curtained stage, with a body resting on a dissection table, a skeleton lurking in an alcove and surgical instruments arranged on a platform in the foreground. Courtesy of the United States National Library of Medicine.
Globalizing Justice: The Contribution of Christian Spirituality

This article looks at the role of Christian spirituality in fostering right relationships. It looks first at the integral relationship between spirituality and justice, particularly as it takes shape within the terrain of the human heart. Secondly, it examines the role of social context in a transformative spirituality by looking at one faith community of undocumented immigrants in the United States. And thirdly it looks at migration as a metaphor for a spirituality of transformation, one that orients a pilgrim people towards a homeward journey and awakens in us a social conscience. The central argument is that spiritual transformation is about the movement towards authenticity, where the gift of peace grows from the rebuilding of our relationships with God, ourselves and others.
Inter-State Migration and Subsidiary-Language Claiming: An Analysis of Selected Indian Census Data*

languages which in most cases coincide with the respective state languages. The reorganization of states in India undertaken after independence in order to make the states relatively homogeneous language areas, however, left substantial minority language groups in a number of states. Some of the minority languages were indigeneous to the states while others were brought in by migrants from other states. It is the language problems of these minority groups which has received relatively little attention from the policy makers and scholars.
A multi‐faceted moon: A response to “Dark side of the fractal moon. . .”;

(1999). A multi‐faceted moon: A response to “Dark side of the fractal moon. . .”; Critical Studies in Mass Communication: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 237-241.
Autoregressive models of background errors for chemical data assimilation

[1] The task of providing an optimal analysis of the three state of the atmosphere requires to efficiently integrate the observational data and the models, a process called data assimilation. The background, or initial state of an atmospheric model, is not known exactly, and can be correctly represented only in a probabilistic framework that accounts for the uncertainty. It is widely accepted that a key ingredient of successful data assimilation is a realistic estimation of the background error distribution. This paper introduces a new method for modeling the background errors as autoregressive processes. The method is motivated by a theoretical analysis of error propagation through the linearized transport and chemical equations. The proposed approach is computationally inexpensive, captures the error correlations along the flow lines, and results in nonsingular background covariance matrices. We illustrate the benefits of the autoregressive background covariance matrix in a four-dimensional Var experiment that uses real data.
The influx of tritium-labeled water from the blood to the intraocular fluids

A new experimental approach to the study of the blood-vitreous body barrier is presented. At various times after administering 3H-labeled water to the animal its eyes were excised and were divested of cornea and sclera and sectioned into slices (< 1 mm thick) cut perpendicular to the optic axis. Profile plots (3H/slice vs. distance along optic axis) were analyzed. Plateau regions of the profile plots suggested a distribution of 3H-labeled water in a shell at the surface of the vitreous body. Changes in shape of the plots as time of the experiments increased suggested posteriorward flow of fluid from the posterior chamber into the vitreous body. By assuming that the amount of 3H-labeled water in a slice of the plateau region of a profile plot was equivalent to the amount which crossed that segment of vitreous body surface, kinetic analysis of data from normal animals and from anesthetized and/or anoxic animals was obtained. The rate constant calculated for the net transfer of 3H-labeled water from blood to vitreous body, was 3·10 × 10−4/sec for normal animals and 10·21 × 10−4/sec for animals made anoxic by succinyl choline or general anesthesia. Thus, even brief periods of anoxia appears to make the blood-vitreous body barrier more permeable to water in the inward direction.
Displacement-Based Design of Buildings with Torsion: Theory and Verification

AbstractDirect displacement design (DDD) is a procedure that allows one to distribute the forces induced by an earthquake to the levels of a multistory building to ensure that the desired level of interstory drift is not exceeded. To date, DDD has only been applied to buildings that do not exhibit significant torsional response. This paper presents a methodology to perform displacement-based design (DBD) on multistory buildings with in-plane torsional irregularities, thereby generalizing DBD for buildings with torsion. The procedure includes decoupling the contribution of the deformation that results from translation and torsion by using an existing approximation technique. The approach is validated by using detailed finite-element models of asymmetric buildings; it is found to accurately reproduce the desired dynamic structural properties. Both linear and nonlinear (elastic-perfectly plastic) systems are demonstrated and the accuracy is verified. The method is shown to be very accurate for linear systems...
Co-processing Soy Proteins and Milk Proteins with Commercial Ultrafiltration Membranes

Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were used to co-process soy protein extract and skim milk seeking to produce soy-milk food ingredients with protein efficiency ratios (PERs) of 2.5 or higher. Extracts from two commercial soy flours and ground soybeans were blended with commercial skim milk before and after ultrafiltration. Protein blends of 67% soy-33% milk, 50% soy-50% milk and 33% soy-67% milk were processed. Soy-milk products possessed high nitrogen solubility and light color. Lysine contents of soy-milk products ranged from 7.34–6.82%. PERs ranged from 2.36 for 33% soy-67% milk to 1.47 for UF soy isolate without milk. Soy and milk proteins exhibited some synergistic effects, but none of the soy-milk PERs reached the 2.5 level.
The α3(βMet222Ser/Tyr345Trp)3γ subcomplex of the TF1-ATPase does not hydolyze ATP at a significant rate until the substrate binds to the catalytic site of the lowest affinity

The α3(βM222S/Y345W)3γ double-mutant subcomplex of the F1-ATPase from the thermophilic Bacillus PS3 (TF1), free of endogenous nucleotides, does not entrap inhibitory MgADP in a catalytic site during turnover. It hydrolyzes 100 nM−2 mM ATP with a Km of 31 μM and a kcat of 220 s-1. Fluorescence titrations of the introduced tryptophans with MgADP or MgATP revealed that both Mg−nucleotide complexes bind to the catalytic site of the highest affinity with Kd1 values of less than 1 nM and bind to the site of intermediate affinity with a common Kd2 value of about 12 nM. The Kd3 values obtained for the catalytic site of the lowest affinity from titrations with MgADP and MgATP are 25 and 37 μM, respectively. The double mutant hydrolyzes 200 nM ATP with a first-order rate of 1.5 s-1, which is 0.7% of kcat. Hence, it does not hydrolyze ATP at a significant rate when the catalytic site of intermediate affinity is saturated and the catalytic site of the lowest affinity is minimally occupied. After the addition of stoic...
Purification of growth hormone-releasing factor

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing activity of ovine hypothalamic extracts was evaluated by an in vivo assay. The extracts were injected iv into male rats and their pituitaries were removed 30 min later. The decrease in hypophysial GH activity in the pituitaries of these rats was estimated by the tibial epiphysial cartilage test devised by Greenspan and Li. A significant decrease in GH content was taken as evidence of GH-releasing activity. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 separated fractions with significant GH-releasing activity at a dose of 70-80 μg of peptide. The active material was further purified by chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The GH-releasing factor (GH-RF) was eluted from the column by application of ammonium acetate buffers of increasing pH and ionic strength. The highly purified GH-RF was active at a dose of 2-4 μg of peptide as determined by the Folin-Lowry reaction. It appears to be a basic polypeptide with a molecular weight of 1800-2200 on the basis of its mobility on Sephade...
Reactions of molecularly adsorbed oxygen on metals: Carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide reactions with oxygen on Ag(110)

Abstract The first reactions of molecularly bound oxygen on Ag(110) are reported. In the cases reported here, the peroxidic oxygen present on Ag(110) reacts with π-acids CO and SO2 to form oxidized products. Carbon monoxide reacts with molecularly bound oxygen upon adsorption at 95 K to form adsorbed carbon dioxide and surface carbonate (CO3), as demonstrated by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). Reaction is also indicated by temperature programmed desorption, which shows that in the presence of coadsorbed CO, the integrated intensity of the molecular O2 desorption is approximately 10% of that expected in the absence of CO. Carbonate decomposes at 450 K to gaseous carbon dioxide and surface oxygen, in agreement with previous work. Sulfur dioxide also reacts with molecular oxygen on Ag(110), forming adsorbed sulfite (SO3) upon adsorption at 95 K. The surface sulfite was identified by HREELS. In the case of the SO2 reaction, no molecular oxygen desorption could be detected during temperature programmed reaction of the O 2 SO 2 adlayer.
Electrical Signaling in Motile and Primary Cilia

Cilia are highly conserved for their structure and also for their sensory functions. They serve as antennae for extracellular information. Whether the cilia are motile or not, they respond to environmental mechanical and chemical stimuli and send signals to the cell body. The information from extracellular stimuli is commonly converted to electrical signals through the repertoire of ion-conducting channels in the ciliary membrane, which results in changes in concentrations of ions, especially calcium ions, in the cilia. These changes, in turn, affect motility and the ability of the signaling pathways in the cilia and cell body to carry on the signal transduction. We review here the activities of ion channels in cilia in animals from protists to vertebrates.
Static and completion analysis for knowledge acquisition, validation and maintenance of planning knowledge bases

A key obstacle hampering the fielding of AI planning applications is the considerable expense of developing, verifying, updating and maintaining the planning knowledge base (KB). Planning systems must be able to compare favorably in terms of software lifecycle costs to other means of automation such as scripts or rule-based expert systems. Consequently, in order to field real systems, planning practitioners must be able to provide (1) tools to allow domain experts to create and debug their own planning knowledge bases; (2) tools for software verification, validation and testing and (3) tools to facilitate updates and maintenance of the planning knowledge base. This paper begins by describing a planning application of automated image processing and our overall approach to knowledge acquisition for this application. This paper then describes two types of tools for planning knowledge-base development: static KB analysis techniques to detect certain classes of syntactic errors in a planning knowledge-base and completion analysis techniques to interactively debug the planning knowledge base. We describe these knowledge development tools and describe empirical results documenting the usefulness of these tools.
Fast magnetic dynamos in chaotic flows

Etude de la croissance rapide des champs magnetiques dans une classe d'ecoulements stationnaires, incompressibles chaotiques en tout point avec exposant de Liapunov positif
Preparation and Characterization of Binary Grafted Polymeric Blends of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Gelatin and Evaluation of their Water Uptake Potential

Binary hydrophilic blends of poly(acrylamide‐co‐methylene bis acrylamide) grafted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin (GEL) were prepared by redox polymerization method and the end product was characterized by infra red (IR) spectral analysis, differential scanning calorimety (DSC) measurements, and scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Network parameters such as molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) and crosslink density of the hydrogel were also determined by swelling measurements. In addition, the blend hydrogels were assessed for their water sorption characteristics and influence of various factors such as composition of the blend, pH and temperature of the swelling bath and, the presence of electrolytes were investigated on the water uptake potential of blend hydrogels.
Uniform deposition in CVD reactors with mounted wafer configuration

Abstract Conditions for uniform deposition on all wafers are developed in the form of two dimensionless groups. These dimensionless groups contain all pertinent operating and design parameters such that the parameters can be appropriately manipulated for the uniformity. Because of the flow configuration, the uniformity is considered in terms of axial (wafer to wafer) uniformity and radial (within wafer) uniformity. While the axial uniformity is completely determined by one dimensionless number, the radial uniformity is determined by an aspect ratio representing the stacking density and the wafer diameter and a dimensionless number representing the relative rate of growth with respect to the diffusion rate. These dimensionless numbers clearly show how various parameters in their totality affect the uniformity. The results also show that the uniformity attained by the LPCVD process is not due to the increased diffusion rate as commonly perceived but rather due to the reduced growth rate caused by the reduced total pressure.
Swimming against the tide: Metropolitan planning and management in the United States

(1992). Swimming against the tide: Metropolitan planning and management in the United States. Planning Practice & Research: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 4-8.
Condensation of propargylic alcohols with indoles and carbazole in [bmim][PF6]/Bi(NO3)3·5H2O: a simple high yielding propargylation method with recycling and reuse of the ionic liquid

Abstract Propargylation of a variety of substituted indoles as well as mono- and di-propargylation of carbazole are achieved in 80–94% isolated yields by employing catalytic amounts (10 mol %) of the readily available Bi(NO 3 ) 3 ·5H 2 O in [bmim][PF 6 ] ionic liquid (IL), with repeated recycling and reuse of the IL.
Regulatory characteristics of lactate dehydrogenases

Abstract In summary, a consideration of the properties of the various LDHs certainly indicates unique regulatory properties which are particularly suitable for the tissues and the animal in which the various LDHs are found.
Structure of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli 0119lipopolysaccharide

Abstract The structure of the O-polysaccharide component of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Escherichiacoli 0119 was determined by the use of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometric methods. The O-polysaccharide was found to be a high molecular weight polymer of a repeating pentasaccharide unit composed of d -mannose, d -galactose, l -rhamnose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d -glucose, and 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-3-formamido- d -rhamnose residues (1:1:1:1:1) and had the structure: [ → 3)- α - d -Glc p NAc-(1 → 2)- β - d -Man p -(1 → 3)- α - d -Gal p -(1 → 4)- α - l -Rha p -(1 → ] n ↑ β - d -Rha p 2NAc3NFo
Nitroglycerin biodegradation: Theoretical thermodynamic considerations

Abstract Biochemical transformation of nitroglycerin (glycerol trinitrate, GTN) has been broadly established, yet its mineralization as a sole carbon and energy source has not. This manuscript examines whether there are thermodynamic reasons why GTN can not serve as a sole carbon and energy source for microbial growth based on hypothetical pathways for biochemical transformation, and considers the stoichiometric limitations for the removal of the released nitrite or nitrate ions during GTN transformation. The results of these analyses indicate that growth on GTN as sole carbon and energy source is thermodynamically feasible under both aerobic and anoxic conditions, and that maximal nitrite and nitrate removal is achievable under anoxic conditions when denitrification is incomplete.
Generation of vaccine-primed lymphocytes for the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Background. This study was performed to assess the ability of autologous tumor vaccines to induce T-cell reactivity to squamous cell cancers (SCC). Methods. Irradiated autologous tumor cells admixed with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) were given intradermally in patients with advanced head and neck cancers. Vaccine-primed lymph node (VPLN) cells were secondarily activated with anti-CD3 mAb and expanded in IL-2 for adoptive immunotherapy. A mean (± SEM) of 2 (±0.6) × 1010 anti-CD3–activated cells were administered in conjunction with IL-2 in six patients. Results. Anti-CD3–activated VPLN cells secreted IFN-γ and GM-CSF in response to autologous tumor cells but not to allogeneic tumor cells in four of five patients analyzed. Both CD4+ and CD8+ tumor reactive cells were present in the VPLN. There were no significant tumor responses after transfer of the anti-CD3–activated VPLN. In separate experiments, costimulation of VPLN cells with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb resulted in enhanced cytokine secretion to autologous tumor compared with anti-CD3 activation alone. Conclusions. Both CD4+ and CD8+ responses can be induced to SCC by autologous tumor vaccination. However, additional approaches need to be identified to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of this approach. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 198–209, 2003
Cytotoxic effects of calcium on sodium-potassium transport in the mammalian lens.

Experiments were designed to investigate the effects of lens calcium on the Na/K pump since elevated calcium and sodium often accompanies lens opacification. An increase in lens calcium was accomplished by culturing lenses in calcium-rich media at 21d`C in the absence of poisons which might directly alter sodium transport. Calcium loaded lenses were subsequently incubated at 37d`C in a normal culture medium to assess membrane transport function. A five-fold increase in total lens calcium to 1.45mM, resulting in a 4% increase in membrane bound calcium, had little effect on the cation pump. However, an increase in lens calcium by a factor of 100 caused a 4-fold increase in membrane bound calcium, a 50% decrease in (Na/K)-ATPase activity, and a 40% decrease in 86Rb uptake after an incubation period of 20 hrs. Details of the mechanism of enzyme inhibition remain obscure, but the data suggest the inhibition is predominantly irreversible and does not involve an interaction between calcium and ATP.
The inactivation of enzymes upon interaction with a hydrophobic latex surface

Abstract Upon interaction with a hydrophobic latex surface, enzymes at low solution concentrations have been demonstrated to lose their catalytic activity. It is proposed that this loss is due to a structural change of the protein when the hydrophobic interior of the enzyme exposes itself to the hydrophobic surface, thus “spreading” the macromolecule at the solid-liquid interface. All enzymes investigated (alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, lysozyme, horseradish peroxidase, catalase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) exhibited this inactivation phenomenon upon contact with a 0.099-μm, weakly negatively charged polystyrene latex. The isotherms generated from the inactivation data are non-Langmuirian and suggest that a change in the type of association between the protein and the surface occurs when moving toward higher solution concentrations. The kinetics of the inactivation process and the effects of solution conditions (pH, ionic strength) are also reported.
Diego Garcia and the United States' Emerging Indian Ocean Strategy

Abstract As the world's economic and strategic “center of gravity” shifts from the Euro-Atlantic area to the Asia-Pacific, the Indian Ocean is emerging as an increasingly critical trade and energy conduit. This region has long been a strategic backwater for the United States. Moreover, unlike in other critical subregions of Asia, the United States lacks significant host-nation bases and is unlikely to acquire them. The British territory of Diego Garcia, whose location and political reliability give it significant strategic utility, is thus central to US power projection in the Indian Ocean littoral region. The US military's approach to Diego Garcia reflects an implicit Indian Ocean strategy that seeks to establish a flexible and enduring presence within a critical and contested space. However, Washington needs to move toward an explicit Indian Ocean policy that views the region holistically rather than narrowly viewing separate US Pacific Command, US Central Command, and US Africa Command theaters.
Plane-Strain Crack-Tip Fields for Pressure-Sensitive Dilatant Materials

Abstraet--In this paper we present plane-stress crack-tip stress and strain fields for pressure-sensitive dilatant materials. A hydrostatic stress-dependent yield criterion and the normality flow rule are used to account for pressure-sensitive yielding and plastic dilatancy. The material hardening response is specified by a power-law relation. The plane-stress mode I singular fields are found in a separable form similar to the HRR fields (Hutchinson, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 16, 13-31 and 337-347, 1968; Rice and Rosengren, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 16, l-12, 1968). ‘Ihe angular variations of the fields depend on the material hardening exponent and the pressure sensitivity parameter. Our low-hardening solutions for d&rent degrees of pressure sensitivity agree well with the corresponding perfectly plastic solutions. An important aspect of the eRecta of pressure.-sensitive yielding and plastic dilatancy on crack-tip fields is the lowering of the opening stress and the hydrostatic stress directly ahead of the crack tip. This effect, similar to that under plane-strain conditions (Li and Pan, to appear in J. Appl. Mech. 1989), has implications in the material toughening observed in some ceramic and polymeric composites.
Drag Reduction by a Polymeric Aluminium Soap

THE pressure drop per unit length of pipe during the turbulent flow of liquids is reduced by certain additives. Most such “drag-reducing” or “friction-reducing” agents are polymers of very high molecular weight1–3. In water, poly(ethylene oxide) at a concentration of ten parts per million can reduce the pressure for a given flow rate to a fifth of that required for water alone1,4. Suspensions may show drag reduction. Some soap or soap-complex solutions also show the phenomenon2,3.
Extreme Oncoplasty: Breast Conservation for Patients Who Need Mastectomy

Extreme oncoplasty is a breast conserving operation, using oncoplastic techniques, in a patient who, in most physicians' opinions, requires a mastectomy. These are generally large, greater than 5 cm multifocal or multicentric tumors. Many will have positive lymph nodes. Most will require radiation therapy, even if treated with mastectomy. Sixty-six consecutive patients with multifocal, multicentric, or locally advanced tumors that spanned more than 50 mm were studied (extreme cases). All patients underwent excision and oncoplastic reconstruction using a standard or split wise pattern reduction and immediate contralateral surgery for symmetry. All received postexcisional standard whole breast radiation therapy with a boost to the tumor bed. The extreme cases were compared with 245 consecutive patients with unifocal or multifocal tumors that spanned 50 mm or less (standard cases). All extreme patients were advised to have a mastectomy; all sought a breast conserving second opinion. Diagnostic evaluation included digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and PET-CT (if invasive). Standard cases did extremely well. No ink on tumor was achieved 96% of the time among 245 patients. The median tumor size was 21 mm (mean 23 mm). Margins equal or greater than 1 mm were achieved in 88.6% of patients. Seventeen (6.9%) standard patients underwent re-excision to achieve wider margins and only one patient (0.4%) was converted to mastectomy. With 24 months of median follow-up, three patients (1.2%) experienced local recurrence. For extreme cases, no ink on tumor was achieved 83.3% of the time, which is comparable to published positive margin rates after standard lumpectomy. The median tumor size was 62 mm (mean 77 mm). Margins equal or greater than 1 mm were achieved in 54.5% of patients. Six (9.1%) extreme patients underwent re-excision to achieve wider margins and four patients (6.1%) were converted to mastectomy. With a follow-up of 24 months, one patient (1.5%) experienced a local recurrence. Extreme oncoplasty is a promising new concept. It allows successful breast conservation in selected patients with greater than 5 cm multifocal/multicentric tumors. It may be useful in patients with locally advanced tumors following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. From a quality of life point of view, it is a better option than the combination of mastectomy, reconstruction, and radiation therapy. Long-term data on recurrence and survival are not available, using this approach. Based on historical data, it is expected the local recurrence will be somewhat higher but that there will be little or no impact on survival.
NF-κB and bone: The breaking point

New findings suggest that NF-κB proteins regulate osteoclast differentiation and are potential therapeutic targets for treating osteoporosis (pages 1285—1289).
The economics of PIK certificate premiums

PIK certificate premiums originate from marketing arbitrage opportunities. Under conditions of scarcity of certificates, these arbitrage values get partially bid into a premium for the PIK certificates. Part of the arbitrage profit is shifted from the user of PIK certificates to previous owners via the premium. Previous owners thereby receive a windfall profit.
Management control and hospital cost reduction: additional evidence

Abstract We consider the consequences of the attempts of a particular hospital to control costs, through reductions in patients' length of stay (LOS), using management accounting control techniques, including physician profiling. Building on prior research discussed in our paper, that documents how profiling was more successful in reducing LOS but less successful in reducing cost, we demonstrate how the economic and social consequences of the profiling program were evaluated. Using data collected from a hospital as well as other data, we found that both LOS and the number of procedures performed per patient were significant determinants of monthly hospital costs, but the physician profiling policy was also found to be associated with a significant increase in the number of procedures performed per patient day. As a result, because the potential savings from fewer patient days appeared to have been offset by a concurrent increase in procedures performed per patient day, the profiling program did not produce a significant reduction in hospital costs.
The Relationship Between Experience and Attitudes Concerning Epilepsy1

Research indicates that epilepsy is a misunderstood and stigmatizing disorder. The present study examined whether various levels and types of experience with epilepsy are related to attitudes about the disorder. It was hypothesized that certain types of direct experience with epilepsy (e.g., knowing people with epilepsy) are related to positive attitudes about the disorder, whereas other types of direct experience (e.g., witnessing seizures) are related to negative beliefs. As predicted, data from telephone interviews with 271 subjects indicate that individuals knowing someone with epilepsy held significantly more accepting attitudes than respondents who had never known an epileptic. The findings also suggest that witnessing epileptic seizures is an emotionally charged event, and, in the absence of other types of experience, this emotional impact might have a negative effect on attitudes toward people with epilepsy. The findings from this study have implications for the development of educational programs aimed at the general public, medical personnel, and people with epilepsy.
Relationship between depression and work outcomes following liver transplantation: the nursing perspective.

About 15% of Americans will experience a major depressive disorder during their lives (Stuart, 1994). Depression is defined by the daily persistence of depressed mood throughout the day, or the marked and regular loss of interest in regular daily activities (Stuart). Research indicates persons with chronic illnesses have higher rates of depression than the general public. Recent evidence indicates individuals who have undergone liver transplantation often have significant psychiatric morbidity, including depression (Merz, 1998). A consequence of depression is often the inability to work or attend school. The effect depression has on posttransplant return to work, however, is not fully understood.The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between depression and work outcomes among adult liver transplant recipients. Laffrey's (1986) conception of health was the theoretical framework used to guide the study. The study was part of a larger cross-sectional survey that examined return to work following liver transplant (Newton, 1997). The findings indicated that depression following liver transplant seriously impacts recipient return to work. Nursing implications related to depression and work outcomes posttransplant are also addressed.
Optical diffusion imaging using a direct inversion method.

We image the spatial structure of an optically inhomogeneous absorbing medium using multiply scattered light in the diffusive limit. We infer structure by using a solution of the inverse scattering problem that is valid to first order in the optical absorption. These results on imaging with diffusive light extend recent work on light scattering probes of colloids, foams, and biological tissues.
Opsonization of alphaviruses in hamsters

Immune elimination of alphaviruses in immunized hamsters appears to involve formation of virus/antibody aggregates which are subsequently cleared from the circulation by cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Virulent strains of Venezuelan (VEE) and Western equine encephalitis (WEE) viruses which were cleared slowly from the circulation of nonimmune hamsters, were cleared rapidly when inoculated into the blood of immunized hamsters. Likewise, when these viruses were mixed with specific hamster immune serum prior to inoculation, they were efficiently cleared from the circulation of nonimmune hamsters. Virus, mixed with specific immune serum, or inoculated into immunized hamsters, formed virus/antibody aggregates, as demonstrated by density gradient centrifugation, filtration through polycarbonate membranes, precipitation with Staphylococcus protein A, and electron microscopy. Cleared virus was concentrated primarily in liver and spleen, as confirmed by autoradiography. Immune clearance of virulent VEE was demonstrable within 5 to 6 days following immunization of hamsters with live attenuated VEE vaccine, strain TC-83. In these hamsters, a close association was established between formation of virus/antibody aggregates, rapid clearance, and survival of challenged hamsters. Adsorption of virus to hamster macrophages in culture was enhanced by immune serum in the presence of complement. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that immune clearance of virus in the intact hamster involves a complement-dependent interaction of virus/antibody complexes with cells which possess Fc and complement receptors. The clearance of immune complexes by the RES serves to amplify the protective effect of neutralizing antibody alone.
Identification of electrically recorded curve patterns associated with aphid salivation and ingestion.

WE recently described a technique to record electrical potential changes associated with aphid feeding and salivation1. At that time, no definitive correlations could be made between the aphids' feeding or salivation activities and the recorded information. Since then, further research has shown some very definite correlations between aphid activity during a probe, and the curves produced on a chart recorder.
Disparities in self-reported hypertension in Hispanic subgroups, non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white adults: the national health interview survey.

Purpose To investigate the prevalence of self-reported hypertension in Hispanic subgroups and non-Hispanic adults in the National Health Interview Survey for years 1997 to 2005, we examined 279,387 records, including 48,630 records for Hispanic adults. Methods Self-reported hypertension was ascertained through the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or health professional that you have hypertension, also called high blood pressure?” Logistic regression was used to assess the strength of the association between race/ethnicity (Puerto Rican, Mexican, Mexican American, Cuban, Dominican, Central and South American, other Hispanic, and non-Hispanic black versus non-Hispanic white adults) and self-reported hypertension before and after adjusting for selected characteristics. Results After adjusting for selected sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, Dominican and non-Hispanic black adults had 67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.27) and 48% (95% CI, 1.41–1.56) greater odds of reporting hypertension than non-Hispanic white adults. In contrast, Mexican (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.65–0.82), Mexican-American (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72–0.88), and Central and South American adults (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69–0.93) had lower odds of reporting hypertension than non-Hispanic white adults. The association between race/ethnicity and self-reported hypertension differs with sex, nativity status/length of stay in the United States, and education. Conclusions This study underscores the need for data disaggregation beyond the existing racial/ethnic categories in the United States to reflect the heterogeneity and health disparities masked not only for the population under the Hispanic category but also for populations under other categories considered homogenous.
Kinetics of splenocyte interleukin-4 production after injury and lethal endotoxin challenge.

Abstract Cytokine aberrations may contribute to sepsis-associated mortality after trauma. We have previously documented that IL-10 (a Th-2 cytokine) is downregulated after tissue trauma, and the administration of exogenous IL-10 improved survival and anti-IL-10 antibody increased lethality in a murine injury–lethal endotoxemia model. IL-4 activates the Th-2 subset of T cells, and functions in a paracrine manner to inhibit proinflammatory cytokine synthesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetics of IL-4 production in this murine trauma–sepsis model. Mice (n= 50) were randomized to five groups: Control, Femur Fracture (FFx), FFx-lipopolysaccharide (LPS), FFx-LPS-IL10, and FFx-LPS-Anti-IL10. LPS (400 μg ip) was administered 4 days after FFx to induce lethal sepsis. IL-10 (0.5 μg ip) or anti-IL-10 (100 μg IP) was administered at resuscitation, 30 min after LPS. IL-4 production was measured inex vivosplenocyte culture supernatants at 24-hr intervals. Splenocyte IL-4 production was significantly upregulated in the FFx-LPS group that received anti-IL-10; maximal IL-4 production was on Day 5, with a greater than sevenfold increase compared to all other groups. A transient early rise in IL-4 production was noted in the FFx-LPS group that received exogenous IL-10; however, a subsequent rapid decline was documented. Treatment with anti-IL-10 antibody after FFx injury and septic challenge with LPS is associated with an upregulation of splenocyte IL-4 synthesis, as well as an increase in mortality in this murine model. IL-4 and IL-10 interaction postinjury may profoundly influence monocyte activation, cell-mediated immunity, and the subsequent host immune response to infection.
PaNeCS: A modeling language for passivity-based design of networked control systems

The rapidly increasing use of information technology in constructing real-world systems has led to the urgent need for a sound systematic approach in designing networked control systems. Communication delays and other uncertainties complicate the development and analysis of these systems. This paper describes a prototype modeling language for the design of networked control systems using passivity to decouple control design from network uncertainties. The modeling language includes an integrated analysis tool to check for passivity and code generators for simulation in MATLAB/Simulink using the TrueTime platform modeling toolbox and for running actual experiments. The resulting designs are by construction robust to platform effects and implementation uncertainties.
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with decreases in body mass index from ages 9 to 15 years.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether time spent in objectively measured physical activity is associated with change in body mass index (BMI) from ages 9 to 15. Design and Methods: The participants were enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (n = 938). At ages 9, 11, 12, and 15 the time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was objectively measured, and BMI was calculated (kg/m2). Longitudinal quantile regression was used to analyze the data. The 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th BMI percentiles were modeled as the dependent variables with age and MVPA (h/day) modeled as predictors. Adjustment was also made for gender, race, sleep, healthy eating score, maternal education, and sedentary behavior. Results: A negative association between MVPA and change in BMI was observed at the 90th BMI percentile (-3.57, 95% CI -5.15 to -1.99 kg/m2 per hour of MVPA). The negative association between time spent in MVPA and change in BMI was progressively weaker toward the 10th BMI percentile (-0.27, 95% CI -0.62 to 0.07 kg/m2 per hour of MVPA). The associations remained similar after adjusting for the covariates, and when the analyses were stratified by gender. Conclusion: Time spent in MVPA was negatively associated with change in BMI from age 9 to 15. The association was strongest at the upper tail of the BMI distribution, and increasing time spent in MVPA could help reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity. Copyright © 2012 The Obesity Society.
Genome Screen to Identify Susceptibility Genes for Parkinson Disease in a Sample without parkin Mutations

Parkinson disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by bradykinesia, resting tremor, muscular rigidity, and postural instability, as well as by a clinically significant response to treatment with levodopa. Mutations in the α-synuclein gene have been found to result in autosomal dominant PD, and mutations in the parkin gene produce autosomal recessive juvenile-onset PD. We have studied 203 sibling pairs with PD who were evaluated by a rigorous neurological assessment based on (a) inclusion criteria consisting of clinical features highly associated with autopsy-confirmed PD and (b) exclusion criteria highly associated with other, non-PD pathological diagnoses. Families with positive LOD scores for a marker in an intron of the parkin gene were prioritized for parkin-gene testing, and mutations in the parkin gene were identified in 22 families. To reduce genetic heterogeneity, these families were not included in subsequent genome-screen analysis. Thus, a total of 160 multiplex families without evidence of a parkin mutation were used in multipoint nonparametric linkage analysis to identify PD-susceptibility genes. Two models of PD affection status were considered: model I included only those individuals with a more stringent diagnosis of verified PD (96 sibling pairs from 90 families), whereas model II included all examined individuals as affected, regardless of their final diagnostic classification (170 sibling pairs from 160 families). Under model I, the highest LOD scores were observed on chromosome X (LOD score 2.1) and on chromosome 2 (LOD score 1.9). Analyses performed with all available sibling pairs (model II) found even greater evidence of linkage to chromosome X (LOD score 2.7) and to chromosome 2 (LOD score 2.5). Evidence of linkage was also found to chromosomes 4, 5, and 13 (LOD scores >1.5). Our findings are consistent with those of other linkage studies that have reported linkage to chromosomes 5 and X.
Platelet activation and subsequent inhibition by plasmin and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator

The success of plasminogen activators in recanalizing occluded coronary arteries may be influenced by their effect on blood platelets; however, some previous studies have shown platelet activation by plasmin and thrombolytic agents while others have shown an inhibitory effect. Moreover, it has not been determined whether these effects reflect an alteration of intracellular signal transduction, fibrinogenolysis, degradation of adhesive protein receptors, or a combination of these events. To distinguish among these possibilities, the increase of cytoplasmic \[Ca2+\] \[( Ca2+\]i), which is an intracellular marker of platelet activation that precedes fibrinogen binding to the surface of activated platelets, was measured along with aggregation and release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in washed human platelets incubated with plasmin or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Plasmin (0.1 to 1.0 CU/mL) induced a prompt, concentration-dependent [Ca2+]i increase when added to platelets, but subsequently inhibited the [Ca2+]i increase in response to thrombin or the endoperoxide analog U44069. Platelet aggregation accompanied the [Ca2+]i increase if the platelets were stirred, while the aggregation of platelets unstirred during plasmin incubation was inhibited upon agonist addition and resumption of stirring. The release of 5-HT paralleled the [Ca2+]i increase induced by plasmin and was also inhibited after the subsequent addition of a second agonist. The effects of rt-PA, added with plasminogen (100 micrograms/mL), were similar to those of plasmin, and could be accounted for by the concentration of plasmin generated. The ADP scavengers apyrase and CP/CK each prevented the [Ca2+]i increase, and aggregation caused by plasmin or rt-PA, and also prevented their inhibitory effects on thrombin-induced activation. Thus, plasmin and rt- PA initially activate platelets, inducing a [Ca2+]i increase, and, if the platelets are stirred, aggregation. Such activation is followed by subsequent inhibition of cellular activation by a second agonist; the inhibitory effect is in proportion to the degree of initial activation, and ADP is an important cofactor in both processes. These platelet effects occur at rt-PA concentrations achievable clinically, and may affect the success of therapy with thrombolytic and adjunctive agents.
uvby FCAPT photometry of the mCP stars HR 2258, MW Vul, and HR 9017 and the HgMn star 46 ρ Aqr

Differential Stromgren uvby observations from the Four College Automated Photoelectric Telescope are presented for the magnetic CP (mCP) stars HR 2258, MW Vul, and HR 9017 and the HgMn star 46 ρ Aqr. A period for HR 2258 of 15.0313 days satisfactorily phases photometry over a 30 year time span. Recent observations of MW Vul agree in phasing with those taken 13 years ago, but the amplitudes in u, v, b ,a ndy are greater and the light curves have changed shape especially in the falling branch. This type of behavior has not been seen before in any slowly rotating mCP star. It is a signature of the precession of the rotational axis which brings different parts of the surface into view. A period of 0.92738 days is found for HR 9017 which is similar to that derived by Winzer. Changes in the v-c values between observations taken in the Spring and Fall of 2003 for 46 ρ Aqr may be due to its companion.
A programmable LF voltage ratio transformer using CMOS switches

A programmable 12-bit voltage ratio device having a voltage rating of 0.1 times frequency and a terminal linearity error of less than 1×10-7 at 10-80 Hz is described. The compact design incorporates a 3-stage ratio transformer and it accommodates the use of solid-state switches having an ON-resistance of 100 Ω.