cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breaking down walls: a qualitative evaluation of perceived emergency department delays for patients transferred with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Despite regionalization efforts, delays at transferring hospitals for patients transferred with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) persist. These delays primarily occur in the emergency department (ED), and are associated with increased mortality. We sought to use qualitative methods to understand staff and clinician perceptions underlying these delays. We conducted semi-structured interviews at 3 EDs that routinely transfer STEMI patients to identify staff perceptions of delays and potential interventions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to build and refine a list of themes and subthemes, and identify supporting quotes. We interviewed 43 ED staff (staff, nurses, and physicians) and identified 3 major themes influencing inter-facility transfers of STEMI patients: 1) Processes, 2) Communication; and 3) Resources. Standardized processes (i.e., protocols) reduce uncertainty and can mobilize resources. Use of performance benchmarks can motivate staff but are frequently focused on internal, not inter-organizational performance. Direct use ofcommunication between ORGANIZATIONS can process uncertainty and expedite care. Record sharing and regular post-transfer communication could provide opportunities to discuss and learn from delays and increase professional satisfaction. Finally, characteristics of resources that enhanced their capacity, clarity, experience, and reliability were identified as contributing to timely transfers. Processes, communication, and resources were identified as modifying inter-facility transfer timeliness. Potential quality improvement strategies include ongoing updates of protocols within and between organizations to account for changes, enhanced post-transfer feedback between organizations, shared medical records, and designated roles for coordination.
Composing Her Growing Identities as a Mexican American

This article studies the growing and changing cultural identifications of one early adolescent Mexican American girl as represented by her engagements with literacy. Her writing behaviors in partic...
Women and South Asian Hinduism and Islam: in the subcontinent and the diaspora

This viewpoint essay provides an introduction to the special section, ‘Lived Religions of South Asian Hindu and Muslim Women' and context on the issues for the readers. The section draws on the wor...
Aligning Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Managed Care Plans for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries.

To coordinate Medicare and Medicaid benefits, multiple states are creating opportunities for dual-eligible beneficiaries to join Medicare Advantage Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and Me...
Inter-American Ruling Invites Global Rethink of State Protection Against Domestic Violence

In a landmark decision, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has found the United States responsible for human rights violations suffered more than a decade ago by Jessica Lenahan, our client here at the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law. The August 17 decision in Jessica Lenahan (Gonzales) v. United States also recommended changes to domestic violence law and policy. It thus creates an opportunity for governments throughout the Americas – indeed, throughout the world – to conduct introspective re-evaluations of their own domestic violence laws and policies and to make necessary changes and improvements.
A framework for flood risk assessment under nonstationary conditions or in the absence of historical data: Framework for flood risk assessment

We present a diagnostic framework to assess changes in flood risk across multiple scales in a river network, under nonstationary conditions or in the absence of historical hydro-meteorological data. The framework combines calibration-free hydrological and hydraulic models with urban development information to demonstrate altered flood risk. Our models utilize hydraulic geometric data and high-resolution remote-sensing information provided on a nearly global basis. The need for calibration is eliminated because model parameters are directly related to the physical properties of the system. We apply the methodology in a case study for Mecklenburg County, NC, in which we assess the effects of land cover changes on flood frequency. We obtained maps of expected inundated zones under different conditions of land cover and storm return periods and compared them with the 100-year return period inundation maps developed by Federal Emergency Management Agency that are based on more complex hydraulic models. The close agreement supports our framework’s applicability and generality.
Speciation of Molybdenum(VI)-Citric Acid Complexes in Aqueous Solutions

The chemistry of molybdenum(VI) (Mo 6+ ) encounters very complex pathways even when reacting with the simplest of ligands (the aqua ligand). Citric acid (Cit) is considered to be a simple organic ligand. From our efforts to study citric acid with a variety of metal ions (Hamada et al. 2003 [41] and Hamada et al. 2006) a di-hydrolytic complex (or dihydroxo complex) of the Mo 6 + : Cit system has been observed using both a speciation computer program and potentiometric titrations in aqueous solutions at 25°C. The speciation diagrams show that the percentage of formation of this di-hydrolytic complex species overshadows the percentage of formation of the individual free citric acid species. We have taken into account the presence of the following species: the mononuclear species Mo(H −1 Cit), Mo(H −1 Cit)(OH), and Mo(H −1 Cit)(OH) 2 , and the di-nuclear Mo 2 (H −1 Cit)(OH) 2 complex. Among all complexes taken into account, only the di-hydrolytic complex Mo(H −1 Cit)(OH) 2 has been detected in appreciable per...
Product Heterogeneity, Within-Industry Trade Patterns, and the Home Bias of Consumption ∗

Starting with Krugman (1980), much literature has analyzed how trade liberalization affects the economy based on the notion that trade is motivated by consumer’s love of variety. In this paper, I augment these preferences by the determinants of demand for heterogeneous products. The model features products with heterogeneous attributes and consumers with heterogeneous tastes for attributes. Allowing for international trade, the model predicts a within-industry home market effect, i.e., that high domestic demand for an attribute leads to entry of firms producing a fitting output and, consequently, net exports of products embodying the attribute. Second, the model rationalizes why consumption is home-biased in the short run. Each country’s industry is optimized for the preferences of domestic consumers and thus somewhat inappropriate for the export market. Third, in the long run, countries specialize further and the within-industry home market effect intensifies. Intriguingly, (as long as it is incomplete) this specialization implies that the home bias disappears completely, thus demonstrating that Linder’s (1961) conjecture describes a temporary phenomenon that does not prevail in general equilibrium.
Sea Ice–Albedo Feedback and Nonlinear Arctic Climate Change

The potential for sea ice―albedo feedback to give rise to nonlinear climate change in the Arctic Ocean region, defined as a nonlinear relationship between polar and global temperature change or, equivalently, a time-varying polar amplification, is explored in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change climate models. Five models supplying Special Report on Emissions Scenario A1B ensembles for the 21st century are examined, and very linear relationships are found between polar and global temperatures (indicating linear polar region climate change) and between polar temperature and albedo (the potential source of nonlinearity). Two of the climate models have Arctic Ocean simulations that become annually sea ice―free under the stronger CO 2 increase to quadrupling forcing. Both of these runs show increases in polar amplification at polar temperatures above -5°C, and one exhibits heat budget changes that are consistent with the small ice cap instability of simple energy balance models. Both models show linear warming up to a polar temperature of ―5°C, well above the disappearance of their September ice covers at about ―9°C. Below ―5°C, effective annual surface albedo decreases smoothly as reductions move, progressively, to earlier parts of the sunlit period. Atmospheric heat transport exerts a strong cooling effect during the transition to annually ice-free conditions, counteracting the albedo change. Specialized experiments with atmosphere-only and coupled models show that the main damping mechanism for sea ice region surface temperature is reduced upward heat flux through the adjacent ice-free oceans resulting in reduced atmospheric heat transport into the region.
Incorporating literature knowledge in Bayesian network for inferring gene networks with gene expression data

The reconstruction of gene networks from microarray geneexpression has been a challenging problem in bioinformatics. Variousmethods have been proposed for this problem. The incorporation of variousgenomic and proteomic data has been shown to enhance the learningability in the Bayesian Network (BN) approach. However, the knowledgeembedded in the large body of published literature has not been utilizedin a systematic way. In this work, prior knowledge on gene interactionwas derived based on the statistical analysis of published interactionsbetween pairs of genes or gene products. This information was used (1)to construct a structure prior and (2) to reduce the search space in theBN algorithm. The performance of the two approaches was evaluatedand compared with the BN method without prior knowledge on twotime course microarray gene expression data related to the yeast cell cycle.The results indicate that the proposed algorithms can identify edgesin learned networks with higher biological relevance. Furthermore, themethod using literature knowledge for the reduction of the search spaceoutperformed the method using a structure prior in the BN framework.
Parallel remapping algorithms for adaptive problems

We present fast parallel algorithms for remapping a class of irregular and adaptive problems on coarse-grained distributed-memory machines. We show that the remapping of these applications, using simple index-based mapping algorithms, can be reduced to sorting a nearly sorted list of integers or merging an assorted list of integers with a sorted list of integers. By using the algorithms we have developed, the remapping of these problems can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of mapping from scratch. Results of experiments performed on the CM-5 are presented. >
α,β‐Diphenylpropionic Acid

α,β-Diphenylpropionic acid reactant: 14.2 g. (0.104 mole) of phenylacetic acid reactant: 13.2 g. (0.104 mole) of benzyl chloride product: α,β-diphenylpropionic acid solvent: 60 ml. of petroleum ether Keywords: alkylation, C-alkylation; ammonia
Gold removal from component terminations via solder dipping

Conversion of gold plating into tin/lead coating on interconnecting pads via solder dipping, i.e., the pretinning process, is investigated with X-ray diffraction and SEM/EDX methods. Under certain conditions, the resultant pads form a gold-tin intermetallic compound layer, AuSn/sup 4/, at the interface between the substrate and the solder coating. The formation of this intermetallic causes two problems. First, when this compound is exposed at the surface by abrading the solder, it renders the pad surface rough and deviant from the eutective composition. This degrades solderability and ultimately leads to soldering failure. Concern is warranted, since certain production requirements call for a leveling procedure for the solder pads, making intermetallic protrusion possible. The second problem is that long-term solder joint reliability for interconnections made from these pads is compromised, as the AuSn/sup 4/ layer is always trapped along the joint/substrate interface. >
A NEW GENUS OF FOSSIL MICROTINE FROM TEXAS

A new genus and species of microtine rodent, Atopomys texensis, has been recovered from a Pleistocene fissure fill in central Texas. Atopomys belongs to a primitive group of Microtidae which in part includes the European genera Ungaromys and Villanyia and the American genera Prosomys and Ne- braskomys. In condition of the anterior loop and confluence of dentinal spaces, Atopomys is intermediate between Ungaromys and Villanyia, but in other char- acters it is considerably more advanced. Another microtine which is at present indeterminate but is considered to be separable from Atopomys is also described.
Phases of attractive spin-imbalanced fermions in square lattices

We determine the relative stability of different ground-state phases of spin-imbalanced populations of attractive fermions in square lattices. The ground state is determined within Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory, with care taken to remove finite-size effects. The phases are systematically characterized by the symmetry of the order parameter and their real- and momentum-space structures. For quarter- to half-filled lattices, where the Fermi surfaces are most distorted from their spherical counterpart in the continuum, we predominantly find unidirectional Larkin-Ovchinikov-type phases. We discuss the effect of commensuration between the ordering wave vector and the density imbalance and describe the mechanism of Fermi surface reconstruction and pairing for various orders. A robust supersolid phase exists when the ordering wave vector is diagonally directed. Charge and pairing order coexist, rather than compete, and are responsible for the opening of the gap on different portions of the Fermi surface. A variational determination of the correct pair momentum of the Larkin-Ovchinikov phases shows that phase separation does not occur in the considered regime of density and magnetization.
Hotelling trace criterion as a model for the performance of an IR imaging system

The effect of fixed-pattern noise on the detection of subtle targets embedded in Gaussian white noise was investigated, comparing human detection performance with that of an ideal linear observer characterized by the Hotelling Trace Criterion (HTC). Five signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were tested for the two conditions: with and without fixed-pattern noise, where both sets of images also contained Gaussian white noise. In this study, the SNR was calculated using the Gaussian white noise only; the additional fixed pattern noise was not figured into the SNR. Human detection performance did not differ significantly in the two conditions. In both conditions performance increased significantly with increases in SNR. The HTC figure of merit predicted accurately the experimental results for the fixed-pattern noise.
Why employee empowerment is not just a fad

Reports that intense global competition and sophisticated customer demands are requiring speed and flexibility, seamlessness and transparency of response to the marketplace, and, to be effective in this environment, there is a need for creating a challenge to employees to use their capabilities and take personal responsibility for tasks. States that there is encouragement of creativity, risk taking and commitment at all levels, as managers delegate authority to the front line and take a supportive role. In seeking to empower employees, there is an emphasis on communication, collaboration and building trust. Argues that, though empowerment is a difficult concept to execute properly, it works when it is focused on releasing self‐motivation such that employees have the will to make a contribution. Illustrates the argument using three case studies and discusses the implications for theory and practice.
Drunken-cell footprints: nuclease treatment of ethanol-permeabilized bacteria reveals an initiation-like nucleoprotein complex in stationary phase replication origins

The nucleoprotein complex formed on oriC, the Escherichia coli replication origin, is dynamic. During the cell cycle, high levels of the initiator DnaA and a bending protein, IHF, bind to oriC at the time of initiation of DNA replication, while binding of Fis, another bending protein, is reduced. In order to probe the structure of nucleoprotein complexes at oriC in more detail, we have developed an in situ footprinting method, termed drunken-cell footprinting, that allows enzymatic DNA modifying reagents access to intracellular nucleoprotein complexes in E.coli, after a brief exposure to ethanol. With this method, we observed in situ binding of Fis to oriC in exponentially growing cells, and binding of IHF to oriC in stationary cells, using DNase I and Bst NI endonuclease, respectively. Increased binding of DnaA to oriC in stationary phase was also noted. Because binding of DnaA and IHF results in unwinding of oriC in vitro, P1 endonuclease was used to probe for intracellular unwinding of oriC. P1 cleavage sites, localized within the 13mer unwinding region of oriC ', were dramatically enhanced in stationary phase on wild-type origins, but not on mutant versions of oriC unable to unwind. These observations suggest that most oriC copies become unwound during stationary phase, forming an initiation-like nucleoprotein complex.
Factors influencing energy intake and body weight loss after gastric bypass.

Objective: The gastric bypass-induced quantitative and qualitative modifications of energy intake (En In, kcal/day) and their impact on body weight (bw) loss were evaluated. The factors influencing energy intake and body weight loss were also investigated. Design: Longitudinal study. Setting: University Hospital of Geneva. Subjects: Fifty obese women undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Results: The reduction of EnIn was significantly related to bw loss expressed either in kg or as percentage correction of excess bw (P<0.01 for both), whereas the post-operative modifications of diet composition did not play a role. Age and initial bw significantly influenced bw loss (P<0.0001 and P<0.001, respectively), as shown by multiple regression analysis. Patients were divided into four sub-groups according to their age (under or over 35 y) and initial bw (under or over 120 kg). ANOVA showed that under 35-y-old subjects reduced their EnIn significantly more than their older counterparts having similar bw (P<0.02 and P<0.05); consequently, bw loss, expressed in kg, was significantly (P<0.0001 and P<0.0005) larger in younger patients. Subjects with an initial bw over 120 kg lost significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.02) more weight as compared to patients with a smaller degree of obesity (under 120 kg) and similar age. Conclusions: Gastric bypass-induced body weight loss is mainly due to the reduction of EnIn, whereas the qualitative modifications of the diet do not play a role. Younger subjects have a greater capacity to reduce EnIn and, therefore, lose more weight. Pre-operative high degree of obesity leads to a larger weight reduction, probably because of a greater energy deficit.
Imaging in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): role of the radiologist

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a novel technique developed in the last decade to treat severe aortic stenosis in patients who are non-surgical candidates because of multiple comorbidities. Since the technique is performed using a transvascular approach, pre-procedural assessment of the aortic valve apparatus, ascending aorta and vascular access is of paramount importance for both appropriate patient selection and correct device selection. This assessment is performed by a multi-disciplinary team with radiology being an integral and important part. Among imaging modalities, there is growing scientific evidence supporting the crucial role of MDCT in the assessment of the aortic valve apparatus, suitability of the iliofemoral or alternative pathway, and determination of appropriate coaxial angles. MDCT also plays an important role in post-procedure imaging in the assessment of valve integrity and position. This review outlines the principal aspects of TAVR, the multidisciplinary approach and utilisation of different imaging modalities, as well as a step-by-step approach to MDCT acquisition protocols, reconstruction techniques, pre-procedure measurements and post-procedure assessment. • TAVR is a new technique to treat severe aortic stenosis in high-risk and nonsurgical candidates. • MDCT assessment of the aortic annulus is important for appropriate patient and device selection. • Multidisciplinary approach is required for patient selection, procedure planning and performance. • MDCT is required for assessment of the aortic root, iliofemoral or alternative vascular pathway.
The Fiber Diameter of Synthetic Bioresorbable Extracellular Matrix Influences Human Fibroblast Morphology and Fibronectin Matrix Assembly

Background The ideal scaffold material should provide immediate capacity to bear mechanical loads, while also permitting eventual resorption and replacement with native tissue of similar mechanical integrity. Scaffold characteristics such as fiber diameter provide environmental cues that can influence cell function and differentiation. In this study, the impact of fiber diameter of scaffolds constructed from a tyrosine-based bioresorbable polymer on cellular response was investigated.
Coordinate regulation of Drosophila tropomyosin gene expression is controlled by multiple muscle-type-specific positive and negative enhancer elements

Muscle development involves the coordinated regulation of transcription of muscle-type-specific genes and their encoded proteins during myogenesis. We show here that transcriptional regulation of the Drosophila tropomyosin I (TmI) gene during myogenesis is under the control of at least two muscle enhancer regions located within the first intron of the gene. Together these enhancer regions contain multiple muscle-type-specific positive and negative cis-acting elements which together contribute toward full expression of the gene. One of these enhancers is contained within a 355-bp fragment that is sufficient to direct high levels of temporally regulated expression from a heterologous promoter in all muscles of transgenic flies. Dissection of this enhancer region into smaller fragments has allowed us to identify a 91-bp enhancer fragment sufficient for directing expression in all somatic and visceral muscles of the larva and adult but not in the indirect flight muscles and tergal depressor of the trochanter or jump muscles of the adult. We also show that this somatic/visceral muscle element(s) can be repressed through an adjacent negative control region, suggesting that the regulation of expression in these muscles is under dual control during both phases of myogenesis. We propose a model in which transcriptional regulation of the Drosophila TmI gene is controlled by the cooperative interaction of multiple positive and negative cis-acting regulatory elements that control the temporal and muscle-type pattern of expression. The distribution of enhancer elements and their control of TmI gene expression are similar to those regulating transcription of the muscle promoter of the TmII gene and provide a framework for the coordinate expression of the two genes.
Real-time implementation of autofocus on the TI DSC processor

This paper discusses the real-time implementation of a fast and accurate auto-focus method on the Texas Instruments DM270, a programmable processor designed specifically for digital still cameras. The DM270's programmable auto-focus hardware filter is utilized to obtain a sharpness function from a captured image. This function is then used to drive a rule-based search algorithm, which varies the focusing step size depending on the slope of the sharpness function. This leads to faster focusing speeds as compared to the standard global search algorithm. A wide variety of filters are tested by examining their performances in terms of focusing accuracy. The results show that the filters approximating the first derivative operator generate the best focusing accuracy under various focusing conditions.
Characterization of Nuclear Localization and SUMOylation of the ATBF1 Transcription Factor in Epithelial Cells

ATBF1/ZFHX3 is a large transcription factor that functions in development, tumorigenesis and other biological processes. ATBF1 is normally localized in the nucleus, but is often mislocalized in the cytoplasm in cancer cells. The mechanism underlying the mislocalization of ATBF1 is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the nuclear localization of ATBF1, and found that ectopically expressed ATBF1 formed nuclear body (NB)-like dots in the nucleus, some of which indeed physically associated with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) NBs. We also defined a 3-amino acid motif, KRK2615-2617, as the nuclear localization signal (NLS) for ATBF1. Interestingly, diffusely distributed nuclear SUMO1 proteins were sequestered into ATBF1 dots, which could be related to ATBF1's physical association with PML NBs, known SUMOylation hotspots. Furthermore, ATBF1 itself was SUMOylated. ATBF1 SUMOylation occurred at more than 3 lysine residues including K2349, K2806 and K3258 and was nuclear specific. Finally, the PIAS3 SUMO1 E3 ligase, which interacts with ATBF1 directly, diminished rather than enhanced ATBF1 SUMOylation, preventing the co-localization of ATBF1 with SUMO1 in the nucleus. These findings suggest that nuclear localization and SUMOylation are important for the transcription factor function of ATBF1, and that ATBF1 could cooperate with PML NBs to regulate protein SUMOylation in different biological processes.
Nonimmunological production of leukotrienes induced by platelet-activating factor

Platelet-activating factor caused rapid pulmonary vasoconstriction and edema in isolated lungs perfused with albumin-free salt solution devoid of formed blood elements. These effects may be due in part to the action of leukotrienes D4 and C4, which were identified by bioassay and high-pressure liquid chromatography in the lung effluent after stimulation by platelet-activating factor. These findings help illuminate some of the deleterious effects that platelet-activating factor elicits in anaphylactic reactions and possibly in other forms of lung injury.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Symptomatic Pediatric Gallbladder Disease

Objective: Our center previously reported its experience with pediatric gallbladder disease and cholecystectomies from 1980 to 1996. We aimed to determine the current clinical characteristics and risk factors for symptomatic pediatric gallbladder disease and cholecystectomies and compare these findings with our historical series. Study Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of children, 0 to 18 years of age, who underwent a cholecystectomy from January 2005 to October 2008. Results: We evaluated 404 patients: 73% girls; 39% Hispanic and 35% white. The mean age was 13.10 ± 0.91 years. The primary indications for surgery in patients 3 years or older were symptomatic cholelithiasis (53%), obstructive disease (28%), and biliary dyskinesia (16%). The median BMI percentile was 89%; 39% were classified as obese. Of the patients with nonhemolytic gallstone disease, 35% were obese and 18% were severely obese; BMI percentile was 99% or higher. Gallstone disease was associated with hemolytic disease in 23% (73/324) of patients and with obesity in 39% (126/324). Logistic regression demonstrated older age ( P = .019) and Hispanic ethnicity ( P < .0001) as independent risk factors for nonhemolytic gallstone disease. Compared with our historical series, children undergoing cholecystectomy are more likely to be Hispanic ( P = .003) and severely obese ( P < .0279). Conclusion: Obesity and Hispanic ethnicity are strongly correlated with symptomatic pediatric gallbladder disease. In comparison with our historical series, hemolytic disease is no longer the predominant risk factor for symptomatic gallstone disease in children. * Abbreviations: ERCP — : endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography HIDA — : hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid IOC — : intraoperative cholangiogram TCH — : Texas Children’s Hospital
Thermal Rectification through Vacuum

We propose a mechanism for photon mediated thermal rectification through vacuum relying only on the temperature dependence of electromagnetic resonances. We also propose an example implementation consisting of two polytypes of silicon carbide, which exploits the interaction of temperature dependent surface phonon polaritons to achieve significant rectification.
THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN HEAVY METALS ON RESPIRATION

1. The effect of the heavy metals on the respiration of Aspergillus niger is to cause the rate of carbon dioxide production to decrease from the first or to increase and subsequently diminish. 2. The speed of the toxic action varies as a constant power of the concentration. 3. The temperature coefficient of the toxic action is between 1.5 and 2. 4. An hypothesis is advanced to account for the action of the heavy metals, by means of which the experimental results may be accounted for. It is assumed that the metal is activated by a chemical combination with a cell constituent. This active compound alters the velocity constants of the normal respiratory reactions, and thus causes the observed changes in the rate of carbon dioxide production.
Taxane chemotherapy treatment for metastatic breast cancer

SUMMARY The taxanes, paclitaxel, docetaxel and nab-paclitaxel, are among the most active cytotoxic agents for treatment of breast cancer. Significant progress has been made in addressing taxane dose and schedule in both early-stage and metastatic disease. Several studies have clarified the role of retreatment with taxanes in recurrent breast cancer patients previously treated with taxane-containing regimens. In addition, the advent of nab-paclitaxel, designed to reduce allergic reactions and enhance drug delivery to tumor cells, has provided additional therapeutic options. This article summarizes the uses of taxanes in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Ultrasound Assessment of Dorsal Lisfranc Ligament Strain Under Clinically Relevant Loads

Background: Pure Lisfranc ligament injuries have a varied clinical presentation, making them difficult to diagnose. This study seeks to understand in vivo strain characteristics of the dorsal Lisfranc ligament under clinically relevant stress loads and foot orientations measured by ultrasound. Methods: Randomized ultrasound imaging trials were performed on 50 asymptomatic feet of 20-to-32-year-old individuals who were free of lower-extremity abnormalities. The dorsal Lisfranc ligament was ultrasound imaged under low, medium, and high stress while at 0° and 15° abducted foot orientations. Load was applied using a seated calf-raise apparatus, and a single examiner performed all of the tests. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine any significant load or position main effects or load × position interaction. Results: Position main effect for dorsal Lisfranc ligament length demonstrated a significant overall increase in ligament length of 0.21 mm (P < .001), which reflects a 4.03%...
Anterior-posterior and rotational displacement of the tibia elicited by quadriceps contraction

The anterior-posterior displacement and rotation of the tibia elicited by isolated loading of the quadriceps muscle was determined as a function of joint angle and muscle load using a computerized radiographic technique. Data collected from 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees demonstrated that quadriceps contraction can result in significant (less than 7 mm) anterior displacement of the tibia in the range of 0 degrees to 80 degrees of flexion, and a mild (less than 2 mm) posterior displacement in the range of 80 degrees to 120 degrees of flexion. Peak anterior displacement of 6.3 mm was observed at 30 degrees of flexion under a 12 kg load in the quadriceps, while a constant 1.5 mm posterior displacement was observed throughout flexion angles exceeding 80 degrees. It was further shown that the magnitude of the anterior displacement increased nonlinearly as the quadriceps force increased. Loading of the quadriceps also resulted in internal rotation of the tibia in the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees of flexion, and in external rotation of the tibia in the range of 90 degrees to 120 degrees. Peak internal rotation of 7 degrees was observed at 15 degrees of flexion and a peak external rotation of 1 degrees was detected at 120 degrees of flexion. Larger quadriceps load resulted in larger rotation. We concluded that quadriceps contraction during knee extension has direct impact on anterior displacement and rotation of the tibia and therefore on anterior cruciate ligament stress, increasing it as the muscle's force is increased during knee extension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of balanced fork-join queueing networks

This paper presents an analysis of closed, balanced, fork-join queueing networks with exponential service time distributions. The fork-join queue is mapped onto two non-parallel networks, namely, a serial-join model and a state-dependent model. Using these models, it is proven that the proportion of the number of jobs in the different subsystems of the fork-join queueing network remains constant, irrespective of the multiprogramming level. This property of balanced fork-join networks is used to compute quick, inexpensive bounds for arbitrary fork-join networks.
Sexually selected male plumage color is testosterone dependent in a tropical passerine bird, the red-backed fairy-wren (malurus melanocephalus)

Background: Sexual signals, such as bright plumage coloration in passerine birds, reflect individual quality, and testosterone (T) may play a critical role in maintaining signal honesty. Manipulations of T during molt have yielded mixed effects on passerine plumage color, in most cases delaying molt or leading to production of drab plumage. However, the majority of these studies have been conducted on species that undergo a post-nuptial molt when T is low; the role of T in species that acquire breeding plumage during a pre-nuptial molt remains largely unexplored. Methodology/Principal Findings: We experimentally tested the effects of increased T on plumage color in second-year male red-backed fairy-wrens (Malurus melanocephalus), a species in which after-second-year males undergo a pre-nuptial molt into red/black (carotenoid and melanin-based) plumage and second-year males either assume red/black or brown breeding plumage. T treatment stimulated a rapid and early onset pre-nuptial molt and resulted in red/black plumage acquisition, bill darkening, and growth of the sperm storage organ, but had no effect on body condition or corticosterone concentrations. Control males molted later and assumed brown plumage. T treated males produced feathers with similar but not identical reflectance parameters to those of unmanipulated after-second-year red/black males; while reflectance spectra of red back and black crown feathers were similar, black breast feathers differed in UV chroma, hue and brightness, indicating a potentially age and plumage patch-dependent response to T for melanin- vs. carotenoid-pigmentation. Conclusions/Significance: We show that testosterone is the primary mechanism functioning during the pre-nuptial molt to regulate intrasexually variable plumage color and breeding phenotype in male red-backed fairy-wrens. Our results suggest that the effects of T on plumage coloration may vary with timing of molt (pre- vs. post-nuptial), and that the role of T in mediating plumage signal production may differ across age classes, plumage patches, and between pigment-types.
Continuous Negative Extrathoracic Pressure and Positive End-Expiratory Pressure: A Comparative Study in Escherichia coli Endotoxin-Treated Neonatal Piglets

Recent clinical studies have suggested that improvement in pulmonary gas exchange with the use of continuous negative extrathoracic pressure (CNEP) in conjunction with intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) may be due to increased pulmonary blood flow. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of CNEP vs positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in ventilated neonatal piglets after Escherichia coli endotoxin was administered to induce pulmonary hypertension. Two experimental groups of piglets with six in each, were subjected to three 30-min alternating periods—6 cm H 2 O CNEP with 6 cm H 2 O PEEP, beginning 2 h after endotoxin infusion. End-expiratory lung volume (EELV) increased similarly from baseline (13±2 mL/kg) with both CNEP (28±2 mL/kg) and PEEP (29±2 mL/kg). In addition, the increase in PaO 2 from baseline with CNEP (106±9 to 135±7 mm Hg) was similar to that with PEEP (114±11 to 132±6 mm Hg). Further, no differences were found in dynamic lung compliance, EELV, lung resistance, blood gas indexes, or hemodynamics, including transmural pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance between CNEP and PEEP. With transpulmonary pressure and transrespiratory pressure equal, CNEP in tandem with IMV is physiologically equivalent to PEEP and IMV.
The Pressure Gradient in Ventricular Outflow Obstruction: Influence of Peripheral Resistance

When flow of fluid in elastic tubing is pulsatile, as in the cardiovascular system, the magnitude of the pressure gradient across a fixed stenosis can be substantially decreased by an increase in the downstream resistance. This is possibly due to an uneven transfer of energy. Clinical implications are cited.
Group 13 decamethylmetallocenium cations

Salts containing the decamethylmetallocenium cations, [(C5Me5)2M]+ (or Cp*2M+) of the group 13 “metals” B, Al and Ga have been prepared using a variety of synthetic routes. Precursor molecules of the type Cp*2MX (X = Cl, Br, Me) exhibit structural features that vary significantly depending on the size and electronegativity of the central atom. While salt metathesis, halide abstraction and methanide abstraction methods represent viable routes for the preparation of salts of Cp*2B+ and Cp*2Al+, acidolysis of a Cp* group from Cp*3Ga is the most reliable method for the synthesis of the analogous gallium cation. Gallocenium cations are less stable than either of the lighter congeneric cations since they prove to be susceptible to decomposition reactions involving the “back-transfer” of ligands from the counter anion. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that, whereas Cp*2Ga+ is predicted to adopt a molecular structure more similar to that of Cp*2B+, the electronic structure of the gallium cation bears a greater resemblance to that of Cp*2Al+.
Laser vibrometry technique for measurement of contained stress in railroad rail

Based on the known sensitivity of a beam's effective flexural rigidity to its static axial load, we experimentally investigate whether measurements of lateral bending wavenumber, at a specified imposed frequency, can be used to nondestructively determine that load. Initial estimates are that at an imposed frequency in the vicinity of 200 Hz, where wavelengths are of the order of 2 m, the sensitivity should be adequate if the wavenumber can be extracted with sufficient precision. Scanned laser vibrometry, followed by digital lock-in, and referencing with a fixed accelerometer, is found to accurately measure steady-state vibration distributions. Nonlinear least-square fits to theoretical forms consisting of a sum of guided vibration modes then give a best-fit value for that wavenumber, a value that correlates well with the known levels of load in the experiments. The proposed technique appears viable.
T Cell Responses in EAMG-Susceptible and Non-Susceptible Mouse Strains After Immunization with Overlapping Peptides Encompassing the Extracellular Part of Torpedo Californica Acetylcholine Receptor α Chain. Implication to Role in Myasthenia Gravis of Autoimmune T-Cell Responses Against Receptor Degradation Products

To study the role in myasthenia gravis (MG) of peptides resulting from acetylcholine receptor (AChR) degradation, we examined the ability of AChR peptides to induce T cell responses that are capable of cross-reacting with intact AChR. The studies were carried out in an experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG)-susceptible mouse strain [C57BL/6 (B6)J as well as in two non-susceptible strains [B6.C-H-2bm12 (bm12) and C3H/HeJ. A set of overlapping peptides encompassing the extracellular part (residues 1-210) of the α-chain of Torpedo californica (t) AChR were used, individually or in equimolar mixtures, as immunogens. In B6, immunization with peptides α45-60, α 111-126, α 146-162 and α 182-198 gave T cells that responded in vitro to the correlate immunizing peptide. Only the T cells against the latter three peptides cross-reacted with tAChR. Peptide α 146-162 exhibited the highest in vitro reaction with the immunizing peptide and cross-reaction with tAChR. T cells obtained by immunization of B6 with an equimolar mix...
The wheat low-molecular-weight glutenin genes : characterization of six new genes and progress in understanding gene family structure

Although the low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin subunits are important for aspects of wheat quality and dough processing, a detailed description of the DNA structure and encoded polypeptides of this multigene family is still lacking. We report progress in obtaining a more thorough description of the LMW-glutenin gene family from a single wheat cultivar (‘Cheyenne’). Six new genomic sequences are reported and compared with other LMW-glutenin DNA sequences. Subfamilies of sequences are identified, and an analysis of the repetitive domain of these polypeptides suggests a simple codon pattern with implications for modes of evolution of these repeat motifs. Southern analysis is used to estimate 30–40 members of this gene family in cv ‘Cheyenne’, and chromosome assignments are made for most restriction fragments, including the six sequenced genes. The known DNA sequences cluster into two groups, and most of the new sequences are tentatively identified as C-type LMW-glutenins. Representatives of the B-genome genes are still lacking.
Antagonism of the anti-conflict effects of phenobarbital, but not diazepam, by the A-1 adenosine agonist l-PIA.

The present study examined the effects of the anxiolytics diazepam and phenobarbital, the A-1 adenosine agonist N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine (l-PIA), and the A-2 adenosine agonist 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) on conflict behavior. Water-restricted rats were trained to drink from a tube that was electrified (0.5 mA intensity) on a FI-29s schedule, electrification being signaled by a tone. After 3 weeks of daily 10-min sessions, the animals accepted a stable number of shocks (punished responding) and consumed a consistent volume of water (unpunished responding) per session. Different doses ofl-PIA and NECA were then tested separately at weekly intervals. In addition, the effects of diazepam and phenobarbital were determined in animals pretreated with saline,l-PIA, or NECA. Neitherl-PIA (15–250 nmole/kg) nor NECA (2.5–20 nmole/kg) produced a significant anti-conflict effect when administered alone. Diazepam (1.25–10 mg/kg) or phenobarbital (10–40 mg/kg) administration to saline-pretreated rats resulted in a dose-dependent increase in punished responding (shocks received) with minimal effects on unpunished responding (water intake). Neitherl-PIA nor NECA pretreatment reliably altered the effects of diazepam on conflict behavior. Pretreatment withl-PIA, but not NECA, significantly reduced the anti-conflict effects of phenobarbital on conflict behavior. These data suggest that phenobarbital, but not diazepam, anti-conflict responses may involve interactions with A-1 adenosine receptors.
Symmetry restoration in gauge boson wave packet collisions in Yang-Mills-Higgs theory.

We investigate the restoration of spontaneously broken gauge symmetry in collisions of gauge boson wave packets in the SU(2) Higgs model. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Antimicrobial therapy of bacterial sepsis in the newborn infant.

Septicemia continues to be an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The bacteria most commonly responsible are group B β-hemolytic streptococci and Esccherichia coli , but regional differences exist. Recently sepsis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis has occurred with increasing frequency in several neonatal intensive care units. Other organisms are less commonly responsible. The choice of antibiotics for suspected sepsis is based on the possible organisms involved and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, which vary from hospital to hospital and at different times in the same hospital. Currently recommended initial therapy consists of a penicillin and an aminoglycoside, usually ampicillin and gentamicin. The addition of vancomycin is indicated when staphylococcal septicemia is suspected. During outbreaks of neonatal sepsis caused by aminoglycoside-resistant gram-negative bacteria, the use of third-generation cephalosporins or acylaminopenicillins may be appropriate, depending on the results of susceptibility tests. Continuing efforts to develop antibiotics for the treatment of neonatal sepsis are warranted.
Transgenic apple expressing an antigenic protein of the human respiratory syncytial virus.

Abstract A gene coding for the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-F protein, driven by the constitutively expressed CaMV 35S promoter, was introduced into leaf tissues of apple, Malus×domestica Borkh. cv. Royal Gala, via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Two putative transgenic lines were identified, and the presence of the RSV-F gene was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 25 plants from these different transgenic events were successfully rooted, acclimatized, and transferred to the greenhouse. Stable integration of the transgene was confirmed and transgene copy number was determined by DNA gel blot analysis. Expression of the npt-II selectable marker and RSV-F was determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed varying levels of protein expression of the RSV-F transgene, ranging from 0 to 20 μg/g tissue. This is a first step in an effort to assess the efficacy of using apple for developing a plant-based vaccine against RSV.
Effect of irreversible inhibitors on transport ATPase.

Abstract Preincubation of brain Na + K ATPase with diisopropylfluorophosphate, methane sulfonyl chloride or diethyl p -nitrophenyl phosphate inhibited irreversibly Na + K ATPase, Na + -dependent phosphorylation and ATP-ADP exchange. It is concluded that inhibition is direct, and that the active center of the enzyme contains a “reactive” serine residue.
On the HNO→HON isomerization mechanism: high level ab initio and density functional theory study

Abstract The HNO isomerization into HON was examined with a variety of density functional theory methods, including the B1LYP, B3LYP, and the MPW1PW91 method coupled to a relatively large 6-311G(2d,2p) basis set. In addition, the CBS-Q, and G2 methods were used to further evaluate the barrier to isomerization, which is believed to occur through a three-center cyclic transition state. The difference in energy between the two isomers is predicted to being around 40–41 kcal mol−1 when any of the methods are applied.
LHRH-Conjugated Micelles for Targeted Delivery of Antiandrogen to Treat Advanced Prostate Cancer

Purpose Our objective was to synthesize LHRH-conjugated amphiphilic copolymer for micellar delivery of CBDIV17, a novel antiandrogen for treating prostate cancer.