cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Caring for Incarcerated Patients: Can it Ever be Equal?

Background Incarcerated patients represent one of the most vulnerable populations in the United States healthcare system. Studying disparities in care they receive, however, has been difficult due to a history of abuse at the hands of medical researchers rendering this population excluded from most current medical research. Due to incarceration, these patients are frequently maintained in shackles and under constant guard when receiving healthcare. There is a paucity of literature on the influence these measures exert on healthcare workers and the care they provide. Our study aimed to measure surgical trainee's perception of health inequities and disparities in incarcerated individuals undergoing surgical care. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional survey was administered at our single institution to all general surgery trainees assessing perceptions in delivering care to incarcerated patients within our hospital system. The survey consisted of 10 items, nine of which were yes or no responses, and 1 open-ended text question. Survey results were averaged, and percentages were reported. Results Of all current general surgery residents (n = 60), 40 (66%) completed the survey. Almost all respondents (n = 39, 97.5%) have cared for a patient that was incarcerated or in police custody. Most respondents (n = 25, 62.5%) have operated on an incarcerated patient with an armed guard present in the operating room. Similarly, most respondents (n = 26, 65%) have cared for a patient intubated and sedated that was shackled to a bed. The majority of respondents (n = 30, 75%) recalled incidents where a trauma patient was actively questioned by law enforcement during the primary/secondary survey during initial trauma evaluation. At the time of hospital discharge, a quarter (n = 10, 25%) of respondents reported being unable to prescribe all of the medications that a non-imprisoned patient would receive with the same condition. In addition, 18 (45%) respondents felt they were unable to arrange outpatient follow-up with physical or occupational therapy and/or the patient's primary/consulting physician due to patient's incarcerated status. Strikingly, half of respondents (n = 19, 47.5%) believed that the incarcerated patient received substandard care, and the majority of respondents (n = 28, 72%) agreed that the holding areas for incarcerated patients in the emergency room provide substandard patient care. Conclusions The current status of caring for incarcerated patients within our system represents an urgent and needed area for quality improvement. Surgical trainees report difficulty caring for these patients, and they perceive these individuals receive substandard care. Though our cross-sectional study did not assess the origin of this disparity, the challenges trainees face in caring for incarcerated patients, from assessment to diagnosis and treatment, as well as in follow-up signals an area requiring further research and study.
Keeping on the Mask: Madame de Villedieu’s Annales galantes and the Pleasures of Not Revealing History

Madame de Villedieu’s Annales galantes (1670)—a collection of eighteen short narratives—helped to inaugurate a genre of fiction known as the nouvelle historique, a concise story that discloses the ...
General Imbedding Theory

Publisher Summary Almost any optimization problem can be viewed as a search for the extreme filial value of a single state variable. The numerical solution of such problems can be undertaken by two different methods—classical solution and dynamic programming solution. Through the concept of invariant imbedding, a problem that is originally boundary valued in nature is viewed as imbedded in a class of more general problems of which the boundary problem is simply a special limiting case. In the classical solution, using variational principles, the primary difficulty is the two-point boundary problem. In the dynamic programming solution, the primary difficulty is the multidimensionality of the return function. The most difficult problem in the computational solution by dynamic programming stems from the multidimensionality of the functional recurrence formulas. There are at least three known methods of reducing dimensionality. These include coarsening the grid, polynomial approximation, and linearization, and successive approximation. The method used for any particular problem depends on the particular problem, the ingenuity of the analyst and his familiarity with either method.
Resources-Conscious Asynchronous High-Speed Data Transfer in Multicore Systems: Design, Optimizations, and Evaluation

One constant challenge in multicourse systems is to utilize fully the abundant resources, while assuring superior performance for individual tasks, particularly, in Non-uniform Memory Access (NUMA) systems where the locality of access is an important factor. To achieve this goal requires rethinking how to exploit parallel data access and I/O related optimizations. In the context of developing software for high-speed data transfer, we offer a novel design using asynchronous processing, and detail the advantages of resources-conscious task scheduling. In our design, multiple sets of threads are allocated to the different stages of the processing pipeline based on the capacity of resources, including storage I/O, and network communication operations. The threads in these stages are executed in an asynchronous mode, and they communicate efficiently via localized mechanisms in NUMA systems, e.g., task grouping, buffer memory, and locks. With this design, multiple effective optimizations are seamlessly integrated particularly for improving the performance and scalability of end-to-end data transfer. To validate the benefits of the design and optimizations therein, we conducted extensive experiments on the state-of-the-art multicourse systems. Our results highlighted the performance advantages of our software across different typical workloads, compared to the widely adopted data transfer tools, Graft and BBCP.
Phosphorylation regulates RNA binding by the human T-cell leukemia virus Rex protein.

Abstract The Rex protein of human T-cell leukemia virus types I (HTLV-I) and II (HTLV-II) regulates the expression of the viral structural genes and is critical for viral replication. Rex acts by specifically binding to RNAs containing sequences of the R region of the 5' long terminal repeat. Two forms of Rex detected in HTLV-II-infected cells, p26rex and p24rex, differ in the extent of serine phosphorylation. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide analysis indicates that p26rex is extensively phosphorylated at multiple sites. Using a sensitive immunobinding assay, we show that the phosphorylation state of Rex determines the efficiency of binding of Rex to HTLV-II target RNAs. Thus, the phosphorylation state of Rex in the infected cell may be a switch that determines whether virus exists in a latent or productive state. These studies also suggest that phosphorylation of RNA-binding regulatory proteins is a more general mechanism of gene regulation.
Red Dwarf Masses

When a project finds enough material from the brighter stars, without high demands on instruments and observing effort, so much the better. But the very red dwarf stars certainly are not in that category. To show how limited the knowledge still is: Assume optimistically that the star count to 5 pc is complete. Extend the distance merely to 7 or 8 pc, i.e., scan a 3 or 4 times larger volume, and the present count is already short by several dozens of stars—practically the entire dM5–M8 range. At these objects—with very little luminosity in the visible range—the observationally accessed relationship between mass and luminosity ends, and the peak in the luminosity function need not mean a peak of the mass-frequency function.
Synergism between interleukin-6 and interleukin-3 in supporting proliferation of human hematopoietic stem cells: comparison with interleukin-1 alpha.

Currently available evidence suggests that in the steady state, the majority of hematopoietic stem cells are dormant in cell cycle and reside in the so-called G0 period. Studies in our laboratory indicated that once a stem cell leaves G0, its subsequent proliferation requires the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3). Recently it was reported that interleukin-1 (IL-1) may stimulate stem cells to become sensitive to IL- 3. In a separate study, we observed that interleukin-6 (IL-6, also known as B cell stimulatory factor-2/interferon beta 2) possesses synergism with IL-3, shortening the G0 period of murine hematopoietic stem cells. We report here that human IL-6 and IL-3 act synergistically in support of the proliferation of progenitors for human blast cell colonies and that IL-1 alpha reveals no synergism with IL-3 when tested against purified human marrow progenitors. Panned My-10+ human marrow cells were plated in culture and on day 14 of incubation, either IL-3, IL-6, IL-1 alpha or a combination of these factors was added to the cultures. Blast cell colony formation was analyzed daily between days 18 and 32 of culture. IL-6 or IL-1 alpha alone failed to support blast cell colony formation. In the presence of IL-3 alone, blast cell colonies continued to emerge between days 21 and 27. When a combination of IL-3 and IL-6 was added, blast cell colonies developed earlier than in cultures with IL-3 alone and twice as many blast cell colonies were identified. IL-1 alpha failed to augment IL-3-dependent blast cell colony formation. Replating studies of the individual blast cell colonies revealed various types of single as well as multilineage colonies. These observations suggest that IL-6 shortens the G0 period of human hematopoietic stem cells and that the reported synergistic activities of IL-1 on primitive hematopoietic cells may be indirect.
A Stake in the International: Financial Services Firms and Basel III Regulatory Announcements

How large are the stakes of international nancial regulation for rms subject to such regulations? Using an event study methodology, I analyze the degree to which United States banks were a ected by the negotiation of Basel III, internationally agreed upon minimum banking capital standards, in 2009 and 2010. Despite public awareness of the renegotiation and controlling for anticipation eff ects, I fi nd little evidence that regulated United States banks experience signi cantly high or low stock returns when details of renegotiation are announced. Thus, even the strongest international fi nancial regulations hold only indirect strength to aff ect fi rms. The findings lead us to think about the drivers of distributional dynamics and bring fi rms back into the story of international negotiations conducted by domestic regulators.
Molecular mimicry in protein synthesis

A Research Article in this issue of Science by P. Nissen et al . (p. 1464) reports the crystal structure of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) complexed with tRNA and GTP. In his Perspective, P. Moore discusses the similarity between this new structure and the GDP-bound form of elongation factor G. Three domains at the carboxyl-terminal end of EF-G, which have no homologs in EF-Tu, together resemble tRNA and are positioned like the tRNA bound to EF-Tu.
Titanium-Cobalt Cluster of Cluster-Based Catalysts for the Selective Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes☆

Abstract The characterization and catalytic properties of a new molecular cluster precursor, Ti 4 O 4 [OCH(CH 3 ) 2 ] 4 {(CO) 9 Co 3 CCO 2 } 4 , denoted Ti 4 Co 12 , were studied during the vapor phase hydrogenation of 2-butenal to form the thermodynamically less favored product, 2-butenol. Pyrolysis of this precursor yields three active catalytic forms, designated LT-, HT1-, and HT2-. This catalyst shows enhanced thermal stability (up to 400°C) as compared to M 2 {(CO) 9 Co 3 CCO 2 } 4 (where M=Co, Cu, or Mo) and M 4 O{(CO) 9 Co 3 CCO 2 } 6 (where M=Zn or Co), which are stable only to 300°C. It has been found that the HT1-Ti 4 Co 12 structure provides significantly better selectivity to 2-butenol than the HT2-Ti 4 Co 12 structure. In-situ DRIFTS measurements during the decomposition of the precursor indicate the presence of COO − groups during the formation of the selective HT1-Ti 4 Co 12 form. These groups disappear at higher temperatures when the HT2-Ti 4 Co 12 catalyst is formed. We speculate that these ions are related to the high selectivity of these materials.
Induced ideals in Cohen and random extensions

Abstract We show that the following is consistent (relative to the consistency of a measurable cardinal): There is no real valued measurable cardinal below continuum and there is a finitely additive extension m : P ( [ 0 , 1 ] ) → [ 0 , 1 ] of Lebesgue measure whose null ideal is a sigma ideal. We also show that there is a countable partition of [ 0 , 1 ] into interior free sets under the m-density topology of any such extension.
Elemental speciation for chromium in chromium picolinate products

Chromium picolinate products have been examined for different forms of chromium, using chromatographic separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection. The brands we evaluated contained no detectable amount of elemental chromium(VI), the toxic form. Since chromium picolinate might have other chromium forms as impurities, different products may contain different forms of chromium species. Compared with ion-exchange, reversed-phase chromatography showed excellent chromium recovery based on the amount stated on the product label.
Interaction of Escherichia coli DbpA with 23S rRNA in different functional states of the enzyme

DEx(D)/(H) proteins catalyze structural rearrangements in RNA by coupling ATP hydrolysis to the destabilization of RNA helices or RNP complexes. The Escherichia coli DEx(D)/(H) protein DbpA specifically recognizes a region within the catalytic core of 23S rRNA. To better characterize the interaction of DbpA with this region and to identify changes in the complex between different nucleotide-bound states of the enzyme, RNase T1, RNase T2, kethoxal and DMS footprinting of DbpA on a 172 nt fragment of 23S rRNA were performed. A number of protections identified in helices 90 and 92 were consistent with biochemical experiments measuring the RNA binding and ATPase activity of DbpA with truncated RNAs. When DbpA was bound with AMPPNP, but not ADP, several additional footprints were detected in helix 93 and the single-stranded region 5' of helix 90, suggesting binding of the helicase domains of DbpA at these sites. These results propose that DbpA can act at multiple sites and hint at the targets of its biological activity on rRNA.
From Pan-Arabism to Saddam Hussein's cult of personality: Ancient Mesopotamia and Iraqi national ideology

This article explores the nationalist ideologies in Iraq from the end of the Ottoman era to the fall of the Ba'ath regime in 2003, with emphasis on how Iraq's past, especially ancient Mesopotamia, was used by various Iraqi regimes to promote their political agendas. The article particularly focuses on the developments of Pan-Arabism in Iraq and the formation of an Iraqi nationalist ideology under the Republic and the Ba'ath regime. It also considers the cult of personality that developed around Saddam Hussein by selecting elements from the ancient past and projecting a whimsical image of Saddam Hussein as the latest manifestation of a great line of Mesopotamian leader-heroes. The article explores how archaeology and archaeological discoveries fit into these broader social, cultural, political, and ideological developments.
A posteriori error estimation for the semidiscrete finite element method of parabolic differential equations

In this paper, three a posteriori error estimators of the error in the semidiscrete finite element solution (discrete in space and continuous in time) of parabolic partial differential equations are analyzed. This approach is based on a posteriori error estimators for the elliptic PDEs. It is proven that guaranteed (resp. asymptotically exact) a posteriori error estimator for the elliptic problem yields the guaranteed (resp. asymptotically exact) estimator for the parabolic problem.
A method for determining surface electrode location and boundary shape using impedance measurements

We have developed an algorithm to determine the boundary shape of a homogeneous volume conductor in cases where the surface can be defined by the location of electrodes. The algorithm adjusts the positions of electrodes in space to provide the best fit to impedance data. We tested the algorithm in a computer simulation that determined electrode locations on the surface of a 10 cm diameter sphere. Legendre polynomials were used to generate simulated impedance data for 66 electrodes evenly distributed over the surface. Starting from three different inititial configurations, the algorithm located the position of the electrodes to within a mean error of 2.5 mm
Heptachlor epoxide induces a non-capacitative type of Ca2+ entry and immediate early gene expression in mouse hepatoma cells

Abstract The effects of the organochlorine (OC) liver tumor promoter heptachlor epoxide (HE) and a related non-tumor promoting OC, delta-hexachlorocyclohexane (δ-HCH), on the dynamics of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) were investigated in mouse 1c1c7 hepatoma cells. HE induced a non-capacitative, Ca2+ entry-like phenomenon, which was transient and concentration-dependent with 10 and 50 μM HE. The plasma membrane Ca2+ channel blocker SKF-96365 antagonized this HE-induced Ca2+ entry. δ-HCH failed to induce Ca2+ entry, rather it antagonized the HE-induced Ca2+ entry. Both HE and δ-HCH induced Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at treatment concentrations as low as 10 μM; at 50 μM, the former induced 5× as much Ca2+ release as the latter. The HE-induced Ca2+ release from the ER was antagonized using the IP3 receptor/channel blocker xestospongin C, suggesting that HE induces ER Ca2+ release through the IP3 receptor/channel pore. These results show that the effect of HE on cellular Ca2+ mimics that of mitogens such as epidermal and hepatocyte growth factors. They also provide insight into the similarities and differences between tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic OCs, in terms of the mechanisms and the extent of the [Ca2+]i increased by these agents.
Induced Spawning of Spotted Seatrout with Selected Hormone Preparations

Abstract Strip-spawning trials were performed with spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) after females received injections of 250, 500, and 1,100 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)/kg body weight (BW); 10, 50, and 100 mg carp pituitary extract/kg BW; 10, 50, and 100 mg salmon pituitary extract/kg BW; and a crude spotted seatrout pituitary extract administered on the basis of two, four, and six pituitaries per fish. Each hormone dose was administered to three females on each of four trial dates. All hormone types induced ovulation. The percentage of fish induced to ovulate by each hormone generally increased with dosage. Only HCG administered at 1,100 IU/kg BW caused ovulation in all fish treated. The different hormone preparations did not significantly affect fertilization once ovulation occurred (P > 0.05).
On the value and price-responsiveness of ramp-constrained storage

Abstract The primary concerns of this paper are twofold: understanding the value of storage in the presence of ramp constraints and exogenous energy prices, and understanding the implications of the associated optimal storage management policy for qualitative and quantitative characteristics of storage response to real-time prices. The optimal policy, along with the associated finite-horizon time-averaged value of storage, are analytically characterized in this paper. An analytical upper bound on the infinite-horizon time-averaged value of storage is also derived. This bound is valid for any achievable realization of prices when the support of the distribution is fixed, and highlights the dependence of the value of storage on ramp constraints and storage capacity. It is shown that while the value of storage is a non-decreasing function of price volatility, due to the finite ramp rate, the value of storage saturates quickly as the capacity increases, regardless of volatility. To study the implications of the optimal policy, computational experiments are presented that suggest optimal utilization of storage can, in expectation, induce a considerable amount of price elasticity near the average price. Then, a computational framework is presented for characterization of the behavior of storage as a function of price and the state of charge, which illustrates a steep buy/sell phase transition in the price-state plane.
How the shift to individualize supports gets stuck and the first step out of gridlock.

Many mature and successful service providers continue to find their identity in the heritage of moving people with developmental disabilities out of public institutions. Significant achievements such as providing residential alternatives to large facilities do not immune providers from criticism emerging from a growing demand for individualized supports. The Individualized Supports Think Tank, a group of self-advocates, parents, and service providers convened by the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (2007) expressed this demand: We define individualized supports as an array of supports, services and resources that are person-centered, based on the unique interests and needs of the person, afford the person as
Perspectives on an Expansive Postsecondary Dance

Abstract Building on Doug Risner's recent call toward re-visioning postsecondary dance,1 this article explores and challenges traditional attitudes that have defined and contained dance in education and suggests a more inclusive, expansive vision: one that considers present challenges and realities while projecting forward to what current and future dance graduates will face in their individual journeys within the discipline. In the process of identifying what is relevant for our future, this article touches on three foundational challenges and opportunities within the dance discipline: (1) globalization and multiculturalism, with implications for dance education; (2) long-standing divisions between performing artists and educators; and (3) philosophical and practice-based conflicts between “educational” and “studio” dance. Within each challenge and opportunity this article offers alternate paradigms, which, if considered, move us toward a more expansive view of postsecondary dance. In so doing, we begin ...
The North Carolina Medicaid Program: Participation and perceptions among practicing orthodontists

Introduction Limited provider participation in the Medicaid program is a barrier to access to orthodontic care for Medicaid-eligible patients. The goals of this study were to determine the participation level of North Carolina (NC) orthodontists in the Medicaid program, to examine NC orthodontists’ perceptions of the Medicaid program and its beneficiaries, and to determine whether there are differences between practitioners who do and do not accept Medicaid patients. Methods Questionnaires were mailed to all active orthodontists (n = 203) as reported in the NC State Dental Board of Licensing Section of the NC Health Professions Data System. Respondents were categorized as current Medicaid providers, past Medicaid providers, or orthodontists who have never accepted Medicaid. Results Forty of 166 respondents were current Medicaid providers, 33 were past providers, and 93 never accepted Medicaid patients. All 3 groups thought that low fee reimbursement is a major problem. Those who have never participated in the Medicaid program were more likely to perceive each barrier as a major problem. Past Medicaid providers saw broken appointments and tardiness to appointments as greater problems than current providers. Conclusions Perceptions of Medicaid patients and lack of knowledge appear to be major barriers to provider participation.
Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy

Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) is a rare unilateral or bilateral disease of unknown etiology characterized by focal degeneration of photoreceptors. A total of 131 cases of AZOOR (205 eyes), including the variant known as acute annular outer retinopathy, have been reported in the English language literature. In this group of predominantly white individuals, average age at presentation was 36.7 years, and the male:female ratio was 1:3.2. The majority of patients complained of the acute onset of a scotoma, which was associated with photopsia. Visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 74% of tested eyes, and fundus examination was unremarkable in 76% of eyes. Blind spot enlargement, with or without other field defects, was observed in 75% of the visual fields examined, and electroretinographic abnormalities were recorded in 99% of patients tested. Typically patients retained good visual acuity, although retinal pigment epithelial disturbances commonly developed over time. It was unusual for visual field loss to continue beyond six months. Various treatments have been attempted in patients with AZOOR--including systemic corticosteroids, other systemic immunosuppressive agents, and different antimicrobials--but none have been proven effective.
Ball Bearings for High Temperature Liquid Sodium

A project has been conducted in support of the liquid metal cooled fast breeder nuclear reactor development, in which ball bearings have been designed, manufactured, and tested specifically for a typical reactor application involving operation in high temperature sodium. A powder-processed tool steel was selected for rings and balls, and cages were manufactured from various candidate materials. Test bearings were made according to 7306 size (30 mm bore) envelope dimensions and tested under pure thrust loads up to 500 lbs, and speeds up to 1,000 rpm. A bearing life of 4 million shaft revolutions (67 hrs) was achieved in 600 F liquid sodium with an oxide concentration of 51 to 69 parts per million for the major part of the test. Excessive torque (greater than 30 pound inches), bearing noise (hash) and/or incipient binding constituted failure criteria. Wear of the balls and rings was identified as the principal operative failure mechanism determined by correlating operating performance and post-test microsco...
Start-Up Performance Evaluation of Submerged Membrane Bioreactors Using Conventional Activated Sludge Process and Modified Luzack-Ettinger Process

AbstractThe rising trend of converting conventional activated sludge processes to membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes for water reuse requires studying the start-up performance of bioreactors, during which mixed liquid suspended solids concentrations increase significantly. One conventional activated sludge MBR (CAS-MBR) and one modified Luzack-Ettinger (MLE) type MBR (MLE-MBR) with mixed liquor recirculation were evaluated for their performance on organic and nutrient removal, membrane fouling, biomass characteristics, and bacterial activities during the start-up period. The two bench-scale MBRs had identical reactor volume (7.2 L) and were operated under continuous flow conditions with no sludge wasting during the start-up operation. It took approximately 130 days for the MBR biomass concentrations to increase from initial 2,500 mg biomass chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L to a final concentration of 13,000 mg COD/L with net specific biomass growth rates of 0.0125 day−1 and 0.0127 day−1 for the CAS-MBR ...
Gene delivery from polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering

The combination of gene therapy with tissue engineering offers the potential to direct progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation into functional tissue replacements. Many approaches to engineering tissue replacements feature a polymer scaffold to create and maintain a space, support cell adhesion, and organize tissue formation. Polymer scaffolds, either natural, synthetic, or a combination of the two, have also been adapted to serve as delivery vehicles for viral and nonviral vectors, which can induce the expression of tissue inductive factors. Gene delivery is a versatile approach, capable of targeting any cellular process through localized expression of tissue inductive factors. The design and application of tissue engineering scaffolds for localized gene transfer are reviewed. Scaffolds are designed either to release the vector into the local tissue environment or maintain the vector at the polymer surface, which is regulated by the effective affinity of the vector for the polymer. Polymeric de...
Metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor to the thoracic and lumbar spine: first reported case and surgical treatment.

Abstract Background context Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is a rarely reported phenomenon. Purpose To describe the surgical management of metastatic GIST to two noncontiguous regions of the spinal column. Study design Case report. Methods Review of the medical chart, radiographic studies, and relevant literature. Results The patient underwent direct surgical decompression and stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction and the lumbar region during treatment of two distinct sites of metastatic pathology. Conclusions Treatment of epidural compression from metastatic GIST with direct decompression and stabilization is safe and feasible.
Cystatin C increases in cardiac injury: a role in extracellular matrix protein modulation

Aims Numerous lines of evidence suggest a role of oxidative stress in initiation and progression of heart failure. We identify novel pathways of oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes using proteomic technology. Methods and results Cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts isolated from rat hearts were treated with sublethal doses of H2O2 for detection of secreted protein factors in the conditioned media by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Comparison between the two cell types leads to the finding that H2O2 caused an elevated cystatin C protein in the conditioned medium from cardiomyocytes. When cardiomyopathy was induced in mice by chronic administration of doxorubicin, elevated cystatin C protein was detected in the plasma. Myocardial ischaemia by left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion causes an increase in the level of cystatin C protein in the plasma. In myocardial tissue from the ischaemic area, an increase in cystatin C correlates with the inhibition of cathepsin B activity and accumulation of fibronectin and collagen I/III. Overexpressing cystatin C gene or exposing fibroblasts to cystatin C protein results in an inhibition of cathepsin B and accumulation of fibronectin and collagen I/III. Conclusion Oxidants induce elevated cystatin C production from CMCs. Cystatin C plays a role in cardiac extracellular matrix remodelling.
The epiphytology of spearmint rust in Indiana

Field studies indicated that subterranean aecia ofPuccinia menthae Pers. are of little significance in the initiation of spearmint rust infection in undisturbed fields. Also, wild or escaped mints do not appear to be of significance. The primary source of inoculum comes either from fields that are not fall plowed or from infected rhizomes or transplants during spring planting. Temperatures during May appear to be critical in the development of rust epiphytotics. The predominant race of the pathogen occurring in Indiana corresponds to Race 1.
Characterizing Snowpack and the Freeze–Thaw State of Underlying Soil via Assimilation of Multifrequency Passive/Active Microwave Data: A Case Study (NASA CLPX 2003)

Ground-based passive microwave observations at 18.7- and 36.5-GHz frequencies and active microwave observations in L- [1.4 GHz] and Ku- [15.5 GHz] bands are used within an ensemble-based data assimilation (DA) framework to characterize the snow water equivalent (SWE) and the underlying soil freeze-thaw state (including soil surface temperature and both soil ice/liquid water content). The proposed framework is tested at the local-scale observation site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cold Land Processes Experiment field campaign during the third intensive observation period (February 18-26, 2003) for which the best set of collocated ground-based passive/active microwave observations, SWE, soil surface temperature, and moisture measurements are available. The DA approach effectively merges an a priori estimate of the soil freeze-thaw state and SWE generated by a land surface model (LSM) with information contained in passive/active microwave observations in order to overcome errors in the forcing data of LSM. Results indicate that the root-mean-square errors of SWE, soil surface temperature, and soil ice+liquid water content after the assimilation of passive (active) observations respectively decrease to 25.4 mm (22.8 mm), 0.61 K (0.52 K), and 0.063 (0.057) from 90.55 mm, 2.17 K, and 0.13 before assimilation, resulting in improvements of 75% (77%), 72% (76%), and 51% (56%). Also, it is found that the simultaneous assimilation of passive and active measurements further improves the estimates of SWE and soil temperature as well as soil ice/liquid water content, suggesting that there is an advantage offered by the synergistic use of passive and active measurements. Overall, the findings show that future studies can take advantage of remotely sensed microwave passive and active measurements from present and upcoming satellites such as Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), Soil Moisture Active Passive, and COld REgion Hydrology High-resolution Observatory (CoReH2O) for monitoring SWE and the underlying soil freeze-thaw state.
Dielectronic recombination measurements at EBIT

The Electron Beam Ion Trap at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has proved an ideal device for the study of interactions between electrons and highly-charged ions. I describe measurements of one such interaction, dielectronic recombination, in several ion species. The results are in marginal agreement with theoretical predictions.
EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITAL ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND TOTAL BRAIN OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN NEWBORN PIGLETS

The effect of phenobarbital (Pb) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and total brain oxygen consumption (TBOC) was studied in 3 groups of awake newborn piglets (ages 1-3.5 d). Group I (control n-9) received saline, Group II (n=9) received low Pb dose (15 mg/kg IV) and Group III (n-9) received high Pb dose (45 mg/kg IV). Four CBF and cardiac output measurements per piglet using radioactive microspheres (141Ce,85Sr,95Nb,46Sc) arterial blood gases, 02 content hematocrit and plasma glucose were obtained at 0,15,30,60 min after saline or Pb injections. In all groups, pH, PO2, PCO2, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and plasma glucose remained unchanged except a 14% decrease (p<0.05) in BP and an increase (p<0.05) in PCO2 (3 torr) at 60 min in Groups II and III. Total cerebral blood flow (TCBF) in Groups II and III decreased by 13% and 11.5% respectively (p<0.05) at 15 min and was significantly lower (p<0.05) than Group I but returned to baseline 30 min after drug injection. Similar findings were noted in different areas (cerebrum, thalamus, brain stem and eyes). TCBF and TBOC remained unchanged in Group I. In Group II, TBOC decreased by 35% (p<0.01) at 15 min and returned to baseline at 60 min. In Group III, high Pb dose lowered TBOC by 34% at 30 min (p<0.01) which persisted to 60 min. We conclude that therapeutic Pb dose produced only a transient decrease in TCBF and TBOC, but a high dose produced a more important and sustained decrease in TCBF and TBOC.
Spectral characterization of the temperature performance of silicon solar cells

The solar spectrum illuminating silicon photovoltaic cells is modified to eliminate ultraviolet and infrared spectral bands. The effect of modifying the spectrum on cell temperature and electrical performance is evaluated.
Software performance modeling using computation structures

An engineering-oriented performance model of a computation is developed by extending the concept of a computation structure to cover the performance costs appropriate to software modelling. The model allows both serial and parallel (multiprocessor) configurations,and the evaluation of both time space parameters for alternate realizations. A brief discussion on the use of the model as a mechanism to guide the performance optimisation of programs is included.
DESIGN OF A PORTABLE ELECTROTHERMAL VAPORIZATION FLAME ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROMETRY DEVICE FOR FIELD ANALYSIS

A nontraditional, portable flame atomic emission spectrometry (FAES) device has been constructed using a welding industry metal cutting torch as the flame source with a tungsten coil electrothermal vaporization device for sample introduction. Twenty-microliter sample aliquots were pipetted onto a commercially available tungsten filament, and a home-written Visual Basic program was used to automatically dry and atomize the sample. The sample was then transported into the heart of the air-acetylene flame, where it was excited, and the resulting emission signal was focused onto the entrance of a miniature charge coupled device spectrometer. Figures of merit were determined for five alkaline and alkali earth metals of biological and environmental significance. Limits of detection were, on average, 100 times lower than those for traditional flame emission spectrometers. The capabilities of this portable device make it an ideal tool for biological field analysis, particularly in areas where traditional laborato...
Behavioral and electroencephalographic correlates of 40-Hz EEG biofeedback training in humans.

Two groups of eight adults successfully trained with biofeedback for increases in 40-Hz EEG responses in left or right hemispheres also demonstrated significant 40-Hz EEG increases during baseline periods, and increases in the contralateral hemisphere during training periods. No changes in heart rate, 40-Hz EMG, or 21- to 31-Hz beta, alpha, or theta EEG occurred over training days. Three subjects returning for additional training demonstrated suppression of 40-Hz EEG. A group of four subjects experiencing daily bidirectional training produced substantial within-session control of 40-Hz EEG but no changes over days. Data from posttraining tests without feedback for successful subjects in both groups indicated significant control of 40-Hz EEG responses in the initial parts of these sessions, and some correlated changes in other EEG responses. Measures of successful subjects' experiences during training and control tests indicated awareness of changes in subjective concomitants of EEG responses. This study suggests further strategies for research on behavioral correlates of EEG activity.
The nonexistence of shearlet scaling functions

Abstract Over the past five years, the directional representation system of shearlets has received much attention and has been shown to exhibit many advantageous properties. Over this time period, there have been a number of attempts to associate shearlet systems with a multiresolution analysis (MRA). However, one can argue that, in each of these attempts, the following statement regarding the resulting shearlet MRA notion is inaccurate: “There exist scaling functions satisfying various desirable properties, such as significant amounts of decay or regularity, nonnegativity, or advantageous refinement or representation conditions. Each such scaling function naturally induces an associated shearlet (either traditional or cone-adapted) that satisfies similar desirable properties. Each such scaling function/associated shearlet pair rationally induces a fast decomposition algorithm for discrete data.” In this article, we attempt to provide explanation for this situation by arguing the great difficulty of associating shearlet systems with such an MRA. We do so by considering two very natural and general notions of shearlet MRA—one which leads to traditional shearlets and one which leads to cone-adapted shearlets—each of which seems to be an excellent candidate to satisfy the above quoted statement. For each of these notions, we prove the nonexistence of associated scaling functions satisfying the above mentioned desirable properties.
Vital Staining by Trypan Blue; Its Selectivity for Olfactory Receptor Cells of the Brown Bullhead, Ictalurus Natalis

The affinity of olfactory receptors in fish for trypan blue as a vital stain is similar to that in amphibia and mammals. But, so far, only Ictalurus has given satisfactory staining. After anesthetizing the animals with MS 222 (tricaine methane sulfonate), the olfactory folds were laid bare by excising the flap of skin between anterior and posterior nares. Next, filter paper was employed to absorb the water and mucus between the folds which were then covered with staining solution. The variations in the treatment were: (a) exposure to 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% stain concentration, (b) use of distilled water or of 0.7% NaCl solution, (c) staining times of 20, 40, 60 and 80 min. The treated tissues were fixed in Heidenhain's SUSA for 12 hr, dehydrated in isopropyl alcohol, and embedded by passage through methyl benzoate and benzene into paraffin. The sections were cut at 7 μ and mounted in Canada balsam. Vital staining in a 1% distilled water solution for 60 min gave the best results. The receptors were deep blue an...
The secondary external inguinal ring and associated fascial planes: surgical anatomy, embryology, applications

Classically, two inguinal rings are defined: internal and external. We previously introduced a third one, the secondary internal inguinal ring, deep to the classic internal. Here, we present a fourth ring, the secondary external inguinal ring, initially described by McGregor (Surg Gynecol Obstet 49:273–307, 1929), but now forgotten. Embryologically, this ring may be formed by evagination of Scarpa’s fascia during testicular descent. Anatomically, it is located 2 cm below the pubic tubercle. It is formed by Scarpa’s fascia that covers the spermatic cord anteriorly; medial and lateral fascial reflections delineate the ring and form the spermatic cord canal. The cord is attached to the posterior wall of the canal. The canal ends at the entrance of the scrotum, where Colles’ fascia fuses with coverings of the cord. Adjoining the secondary external ring, at the same surgical layer and communicating with the subcutaneous abdominal space, are four subcutaneous pouches: laterally, the superficial inguinal pouch; medially, the perineal, femoral, and pubic pouches. Surgically, an inguinoscrotal hernia passes though the secondary external ring and obtains an extra outer layer by entering the spermatic cord canal. Underdevelopment of the ring leads to incomplete testicular descent or ectopic testis. We recommend reconstruction of Scarpa’s ring after orcheopexies and herniotomies in children. After urethral rupture distal to the urogenital diaphragm, urine may fill the subcutaneous abdominal space, pouches, and scrotum, due to their communication around the secondary external ring. In females, this ring was not found, possibly because of the non-descent of the ovaries through (and beyond) the inguinal canal.
Malignancies arising in endometriosis

Abstract Malignant transformation of endometriosis is a well-documented process with over 300 cases presented in the literature. The majority of these cases arise in ovarian endometriosis; however, approximately 25% are found in extragonadal sites. Although not definitely proven, a theory has been proposed in several reports that the use of unopposed estrogen in women with a history of endometriosis who have undergone hysterectomy may be a contributing factor. Several of these studies have therefore suggested the addition of a progestational agent for these women. Endometriotic implants share not only a common histology with the endometrium, but also similar function and responsiveness to the hormonal milieu. As in the case of women with a uterus, and consequently an endometrium, the use of unopposed estrogen may present a risk factor for malignant transformation of endometriosis. Diagnosis and treatment of these malignancies is based on tumor location and histology, similar to analogous malignancies of the uterus and ovaries.
Effects of ionizable residues on the absorption spectrum and initial electron-transfer kinetics in the photosynthetic reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Effects of ionizable amino acids on spectroscopic properties and electron-transfer kinetics in the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides are investigated by site-directed m...
Triage pain scores and the desire for and use of analgesics.

Study objective Inadequate analgesia (oligoanalgesia) is a common phenomenon. In an effort to improve pain recognition and management, pain scores are mandated by The Joint Commission. When patients with pain do not receive analgesics, treatment is considered deficient. However, the mere presence of pain does not imply that all patients desire analgesics. We determine how often patients in pain desire and receive analgesics in the emergency department (ED). We hypothesize that many ED patients in pain do not desire analgesics and that most who want them receive them. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study of pain-related visits to an academic ED during the spring of 2007. Standardized collection of demographic and clinical data was performed, and patients rated their pain severity on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. The main outcome measures were the desire for and administration of analgesics during the ED visit. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with patient desire for and administration of analgesics. Results We enrolled 392 patients. Mean (SD) age was 39 years (19), 50% were female patients, 76% were white. Mean (SD) initial pain score was 7.1 (2). Of the 392 patients, 199 (51% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46% to 56%]) desired analgesics and 227 (58% [95% CI 53% to 63%]) received analgesics within 92 (SD 106) minutes. Of patients desiring analgesics, 162 (81% [95% CI 75% to 86%]) received them. Reasons for not wanting analgesics included pain tolerable (47%), analgesic taken at home (11%), and wanting to remain alert (7%). Pain scores were higher in those patients who wanted analgesics than in those patients who did not want analgesics (7.8 [95% CI 7.5 to 8.1] versus 6.4 [95% CI 6.1 to 6.7]; difference 1.4 [95% CI 0.9 to 1.8]). In multivariate analysis, pain scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.3 for every 1-point increase in pain score) and constant pain (OR 2.0) were significant factors that predicted wanting analgesics, whereas pain scores (OR 1.2) and desiring analgesics (OR 7.4) were significant predictors of receiving analgesics. Conclusion Nearly half of all ED patients in pain do not desire analgesics and most who desire analgesics receive them. Although the average pain score for patients not wanting analgesics was lower, it was often in the moderate to severe range. Patients should be asked whether they have pain and whether they want analgesics regardless of their pain scores.
Electrodissolution of Zinc at the Limiting Current

The mass-transter-limited region of zine electrodissolution in alkaline electrolyte was investigated using a zinc rotating disk electrode. Pseudo-steady-state polarization measurements reflect a strong dependence of dissolution rate and shape of the limiting current plateau on composition and mass transfer rate. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results show that there is no appreciable dependence of the high frequency resistance on potential or rotation speed at prepassive potentials. Electrohydrodynamic impedance measurements, together with a simple model, suggest that the zincate ion is the appropriate mass transfer-limited species in this range, although the diffusion coefficients estimated from these analyses are lower than expected.