cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cox2 and β-Catenin/T-cell Factor Signaling Intestinalize Human Esophageal Keratinocytes When Cultured under Organotypic Conditions

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is rising in the United States. An important risk factor for EAC is the presence of Barrett esophagus (BE). BE is the replacement of normal squamous esophageal epithelium with a specialized columnar epithelium in response to chronic acid and bile reflux. However, the emergence of BE from squamous keratinocytes has not yet been demonstrated. Our research has focused on this. Wnt and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2) are two pathways whose activation has been associated with BE and progression to EAC, but their role has not been tested experimentally. To explore their contribution, we engineered a human esophageal keratinocyte cell line to express either a dominant-active Wnt effector CatCLef or a Cox2 complementary DNA. In a two-dimensional culture environment, Cox2 expression increases cell proliferation and migration, but neither transgene induces known BE markers. In contrast, when these cells were placed into three-dimensional organotypic culture conditions, we observed more profound effects. CatCLef-expressing cells were more proliferative, developed a thicker epithelium, and upregulated Notch signaling and several BE markers including NHE2. Cox2 expression also increased cell proliferation and induced a thicker epithelium. More importantly, we observed cysts form within the epithelium, filled with intestinal mucins including Muc5B and Muc17. This suggests that Cox2 expression in a three-dimensional culture environment induces a lineage of mucin-secreting cells and supports an important causal role for Cox2 in BE pathogenesis. We conclude that in vitro modeling of BE pathogenesis can be improved by enhancing Wnt signaling and Cox2 activity and using three-dimensional organotypic culture conditions.
USCSH: An Active Intelligent Assistance System

This paper describes the knowledge sources and methods of knowledge acquisition for USCSH (University of South Carolina SHell). USCSH is an active intelligent assistance system for Unix. The system operates in two modes, the active mode and the intelligent mode. In the active mode USCSH monitors the user's interactions with the system, and at appropriate times makes suggestions on how the user may better utilize the system to perform tasks. In the intelligent mode the system accepts questions in natural language and responds to them, taking into consideration the ability of the user and the context of the question.
Pretreatment Dysphagia in Esophageal Cancer Patients May Eliminate the Need for Staging by Endoscopic Ultrasonography.

Background Neoadjuvant therapy is commonly administered to patients with localized disease who have T3-4 esophageal disease as staged by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Previously, we noted that patients who present with dysphagia have a higher EUS T stage. We hypothesized that the presence of dysphagia is predictive of EUS T3-4 disease and that staging EUS could be forgone for esophageal cancer patients with dysphagia. Methods We performed a prospective, intent-to-treat, single-cohort study in which patients with potentially resectable esophageal cancer completed a standardized four-tier dysphagia score survey. EUS was performed as part of our standard evaluation. To determine whether the presence of dysphagia predicted EUS T3-4 disease, the dysphagia score was compared with EUS T stage. Results The study enrolled 114 consecutive patients between August 2012 and February 2014: 77% (88 of 114) received neoadjuvant therapy, 18% (20 of 114) did not, and 5% (6 of 114) pursued treatment elsewhere. In total, 70% (80 of 114) underwent esophagectomy; of these, 54% (61 of 114) had dysphagia and 46% (53 of 114) did not. Dysphagia scores were 66% (40 of 61) grade 1, 25% (15 of 61) grade 2, and 10% (6 of 61) grade 3 to 4. Among patients with dysphagia, 89% (54 of 61) had T3-4 disease by EUS; among those without dysphagia, only 53% (28 of 53) had T3-4 disease by EUS ( p Conclusions The presence of dysphagia in patients with esophageal cancer was highly predictive of T3-4 disease by EUS. On the basis of this finding, approximately 50% of patients currently undergoing staging EUS at our institution could potentially forgo EUS before neoadjuvant therapy. Patients without dysphagia, however, should still undergo EUS.
Symmetry-conserving purification of quantum states within the density matrix renormalization group

The density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm was originally designed to efficiently compute the zero-temperature or ground-state properties of one-dimensional strongly correlated quantum systems. The development of the algorithm at finite temperature has been a topic of much interest, because of the usefulness of thermodynamics quantities in understanding the physics of condensed matter systems, and because of the increased complexity associated with efficiently computing temperature-dependent properties. The ancilla method is a DMRG technique that enables the computation of these thermodynamic quantities. In this paper, we review the ancilla method, and improve its performance by working on reduced Hilbert spaces and using canonical approaches. We furthermore explore its applicability beyond spins systems to $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ and Hubbard models.
Genomics of Sleep-disordered Breathing

The technologies of genomics and proteomics are powerful tools for discovering novel gene and protein expression responses to disease. Considerable evidence indicates that a genetic basis exists to the causes of sleep-disordered breathing, in particular its most common form of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is characterized by periods of intermittent hypoxia and disrupted sleep. However, the genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of OSA has largely been determined using traditional genetic approaches of family, twin, and linkage studies in clinical populations and quantitative trait loci and targeted gene procedures in animal models of OSA. In contrast to the pathogenesis of OSA, the consequences or sequelae of OSA are highly amenable to genomic and proteomic approaches. Animal studies have assessed changes in gene and protein expression in multiple organ systems in response to intermittent hypoxia and sleep deprivation and uncovered novel gene activation paradigms. The first tentative steps have been made toward applying proteomic analyses of blood and urine from patients with OSA as a potential screening tool for diagnosis in the clinical setting. It is anticipated that genomic and proteomic technologies will become increasingly used in the area of OSA with the unprecedented access to tissue in procedures such as bariatric surgery. OSA represents a severe insult to the oxygenation of tissues and the homeostasis of sleep, and genomic and proteomic approaches hold promise for defining previously unexplored mechanisms and pathways that lead to downstream pathologies, including hypertension, insulin resistance, and neurocognitive dysfunction.
Lorentz transformations of thermodynamic quantities

The transformation formulae for basic thermodynamic quantities are derived within phenomenological thermodynamics by use of three assumptions or from relativistic mechanics and statistical thermodynamics. It is found that the transformation for thermodynamic pressure is different than that for mechanical pressure, the two pressures being the same only in the center-of-mass frame.
Radiation Configuration Factors for Annular Rings and Hemispherical Sectors

In the application of Monte Carlo computer techniques to the study of problems in the free molecular flow regime, the analogy between radiation heat transfer with diffuse emissions and the free molecular flow field makes it possible to use the radiation configuration factors as a test on the operation of the Monte Carlo program. A source plane which was an annular ring of arbitrary radius around a sphere with the center of the disk coincident with the center of the sphere was examined. Since various indicators seemed to verify the correct operation of the program, the program was used to calculate the radiation configuration factors. The study adds a new geometry to the general literature on radiation configuration factors.
Diagnostic accuracy of the bronchodilator response in children.

Background The bronchodilator response (BDR) reflects the reversibility of airflow obstruction and is recommended as an adjunctive test to diagnose asthma. The validity of the commonly used definition of BDR, a 12% or greater change in FEV 1 from baseline, has been questioned in childhood. Objectives We sought to examine the diagnostic accuracy of the BDR test by using 3 large pediatric cohorts. Methods Cases include 1041 children with mild-to-moderate asthma from the Childhood Asthma Management Program. Control subjects (nonasthmatic and nonwheezing) were chosen from Project Viva and Home Allergens, 2 population-based pediatric cohorts. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed, and areas under the curve were calculated for different BDR cutoffs. Results A total of 1041 cases (59.7% male; mean age, 8.9 ± 2.1 years) and 250 control subjects (46.8% male; mean age, 8.7 ± 1.7 years) were analyzed, with mean BDRs of 10.7% ± 10.2% and 2.7% ± 8.4%, respectively. The BDR test differentiated asthmatic patients from nonasthmatic patients with a moderate accuracy (area under the curve, 73.3%). Despite good specificity, a cutoff of 12% was associated with poor sensitivity (35.6%). A cutoff of less than 8% performed significantly better than a cutoff of 12% ( P = .03, 8% vs 12%). Conclusions Our findings highlight the poor sensitivity associated with the commonly used 12% cutoff for BDR. Although our data show that a threshold of less than 8% performs better than 12%, given the variability of this test in children, we conclude that it might be not be appropriate to choose a specific BDR cutoff as a criterion for the diagnosis of asthma.
Improved Monte Carlo form factor integration

Abstract Form factors are used in radiosity image synthesis to describe the fraction of diffusely reflected light leaving one surface and reaching another. They incorporate fundamental geometric properties of interacting surfaces used for light transfer computation.Many numerical applications such as realistic image synthesis require accurate and simple formula for the form factors from small oriented differential areas (treated as a point with a normal) to different geometrical objects; a disk was used in this paper. The exact analytic solution for the general point-to-disk form factor integral is used to develop more accurate numerical techniques for form factor integration for surfaces commonly in use. The improvements are illustrated with realistic image synthesis.
A new target system for the preparation of no-carrier-added 18F-fluorinating compounds

Abstract Eighteen metals were evaluated for use as a target-chamber material for the production of anhydrous [18F]-HF via the 20Ne(2H,4He)18F reaction. Copper and tungsten were shown to release the adsorbed 18F to a purge gas of 10% H2 in He at temperatures up to 300°C more readily than the other tested materials. A target chamber made of copper and equipped with a copper-foil entrance window yielded 11.0 ± 1.6 mCi/μA [18F]-HF, with no added carrier, normalized to the end of a saturation bombardment. In operation, 18F recoils produced by deuteron bombardment of neon adsorb on the target-chamber walls during bombardment. After bombardment the 18F is removed by purging the target chamber with 10% H2 in He while heating the target chamber to ∼ 320°C. The no-carrier-added anhydrous [18F]-HF is collected in a small volume of anhydrous solvent, ready for immediate use as a fluorine-18 fluorinating agent.
Identification and nucleotide sequence of the activator gene of the externally induced phosphoglycerate transport system of Salmonella typhimurium.

A recent study from this laboratory (G-q. Yu, D. Goldrick, H.R. Kaback and J-s. Hong, in preparation) indicates that the externally induced phosphoglycerate transport system (pgt) of Salmonella typhimurium is positively regulated by the activator gene, pgtA, and that the pgtA is localized in the SalI-PstI restriction fragment 3.0 kb from the permease gene, pgtP. In this paper, we describe the identification of the activator gene and its gene product and the determination of the complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the activator gene as well as of a downstream gene not required for pgtP expression. The amino acid sequence of the activator based on the nt sequence shows an N-terminal signal-like sequence which is apparently not cleaved and three potential transmembrane sequences in the C-terminal half of the protein based on the hydropathy analysis.
Spillover Patterns in Single-Earner Couples: Work, Self-Care, and the Marital Relationship

The relationship between work and marriage is well documented in dual-earner couples. Work-marital spillover patterns, however, have been understudied in single-earner couples. The current study extends the work-marital spillover literature by examining spillover patterns from individual experiences and self-care behaviors to the marital relationship over a period of 42 days in husband-earner and wife-earner couples. Results of pooled time-series regression analyses indicated individual experiences and self-care behaviors predicted marital processes for both employment groups. For self-care behaviors, however, different patterns emerged for employed and unemployed spouses. Results identify an important connection between energy depletion and marital processes, and highlight the role of a spouse’s own and the partner’s self-care behaviors, particularly for the employed spouse in single-earner couples.
Bargaining and the Failure of Asymmetric Deterrence: Trading off the Risk of War for the Promise of a Better Deal

We propose that fully informed rivals' ability to bargain on the terms of an alternative status quo can lead to the failure of asymmetric deterrence. The model we develop to support this claim allows repeated rounds of bargaining, crisis, and war until one of the rivals agrees to the other side's last offer. The defender holds and enjoys possession of the prize coveted by the challenger. We argue that the defender's incentive to drag his feet and the challenger's resulting need to resort to threats if she is to obtain anything at all, yield inefficient equilibria that involve costly wars. Credibility requires that the rivals make good on their deterrent threats of war with some probability, and this probability depends on the two sides respective bargaining positions. We therefore identify a tradeoff between bargaining and deterrence that leave the rivals indifferent between a whole continuum of possible inefficient equilibria. However, we distinguish between the ex ante expected utility calculations on w...
Expression and Regulation of Types I and II Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors in Rat Cerebellar Granule Cell Preparations

Previous studies have shown that as rat cerebellar granule cell cultures differentiate in the presence of 25 mM KCl, they "up-regulate" their ability to form inositol phosphates and release Ca2+ from internal stores in response to the activation of phosphoinositidase C-linked muscarinic and metabotropic receptors. Here we show that they simultaneously up-regulate their ability to respond to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) by increasing InsP3 receptor (InsP3R) expression. In contrast, if granule cells are maintained at the more physiological KCl concentration of 5 mM, most cells undergo apoptosis, although a significant number survive. The surviving cells, however, express few InsP3Rs, suggesting that an influx of Ca2+ through voltage-dependent channels is required for InsP3R up-regulation. In addition, we have determined that these cultures express two genetically distinct InsP3R types, but that only one, the type I receptor, is expressed in granule cells. Type II receptors are also present but are found exclusively in astrocytes, which are a minor contaminant of granule cell cultures. This segregation of InsP3R types explains a previous observation, showing that the muscarinic agonist carbachol causes the reduction or "down-regulation" of type I but not type II InsP3Rs.
KINGSHIP IN BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA, AND EGYPT

T HE endeavor to trace the origin of the institution of kingship is recognized to offer great difficulties. A variety of social forces may have evolved it at different times in various ways. It cannot be my task to examine the question of origin, this I have to leave to scholars devoted primarily to the study of social institutions. My work will be limited to the examination of certain phenomena, which, I hope, will throw some light on the development which the idea of kingship has undergone among the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and the Egyptians. But, though, I leave the question of origin of this particular institution untouched, we may assume that kingship was at first synonymous with leadership. The various ways of development that kingship has taken would a priori have to be explained from the especial emphasis that had been laid on this or that especial aspect of leadership. The emphasis might have been placed in one instance on military leadership, in another on social leadership, or in a third instance on intellectual leadership. In the last case kingship may not infrequently have developed out of a purely religious leadership, but any generalization that kingship must invariably have originated from religious leadership bears the stamp of improbability. Kingship is subject to the general trend that any social organization, of which it is a part, will take. The basis of social organizations, however, is not dependent on religious beliefs and practices, they simply mold them, but more especially on economic factors. This is clear from a consideration of the origins of the matriarchal and patriarchal systems of social organization. Both systems have
Mechanism of intestinal absorption. Effect of clonidine on rabbit ileal villus and crypt cells.

Abstract In intact tissue studies, intestinal absorptogogues stimulate NaCl absorption that occurs via the dual operation of Na:H and Cl:HCO3 exchanges on the brush border membrane (BBM) of villus cells. To determine the cellular mechanism of action of an intestinal absorptogogue, the effect of clonidine was determined on Na:H and Cl:HCO3 exchange in rabbit ileal villus and crypt cells. Using 2,7-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxy-fluorescein we have previously shown that recovery from an acid load occurs via Na:H exchange, whereas recovery from an alkaline load occurs via Cl:HCO3 exchange in both cells. In villus cells, the rate of recovery from a propionate-induced alkaline load was not altered by clonidine. However, clonidine stimulated recovery from an acid load induced by NH4Cl, Na removal, or amiloride. These data suggest that clonidine stimulates Na:H exchange in villus cells. In crypt cells, the rate of recovery from a propionate-induced alkaline load was also not altered by clonidine. However, in crypt cells, unlike the villus cells, clonidine inhibited recovery from an acid load induced by NH4Cl, Na removal, or amiloride. These data suggest that clonidine inhibits Na:H exchange in crypt cells. Stimulation of Na:H exchange on the BBM of villus cells would be expected to stimulate coupled NaCl absorption (which occurs by coupling of Na:H and Cl:HCO3 exchange). Inhibition of Na:H in crypt cells, known to be present only on the basolateral membrane, will acidify the cell and may inhibit Cl:HCO3 exchange on the BBM, resulting in the inhibition of HCO3 secretion.
Newborn and toddler intestinal obstruction owing to congenital mesenteric defects

Transmesenteric hernia is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction most commonly affecting the small bowel. The mesenteric defect is usually 2 to 3 cm in diameter. The authors describe 2 cases of young pediatric patients presenting with bowel obstruction resulting from a congenital mesenteric defect. The initial patient had a 30-cm-wide congenital defect in the ileal mesentery through which the sigmoid colon and some loops of small bowel had herniated. The second patient is a newborn infant who presented with symptoms and radiographic evidence of proximal bowel obstruction initially thought to be resulting from malrotation with midgut volvulus but was found at surgical exploration to have a small defect in the ileal mesentery.
A REPORT ON ANTIMENINGITIS VACCINATION AND OBSERVATIONS ON AGGLUTININS IN THE BLOOD OF CHRONIC MENINGOCOCCUS CARRIERS

1. A meningococcus vaccine suspended in salt solution has been given subcutaneously as a prophylactic to about 3,700 volunteers in three injections of 2,000 million, 4,000 million, and 4,000 or 8,000 million cocci at weekly intervals. 2. These doses rarely caused more than the mildest local and general reactions. Exceptionally a more severe reaction emphasized the presence of an unusual individual susceptibility to the vaccine. In such instances the symptoms were in part those of meningeal irritation and sometimes simulated the onset of meningitis. 3. Specific meningococcus agglutinins have been demonstrated in the blood serum of vaccinated men as compared with normal controls. 4. Moreover, agglutinins have been demonstrated in the blood serum of chronic carriers of the meningococcus. Evidence is thus brought forward that the relative immunity of chronic carriers to epidemic meningitis may be due to the presence of specific antibodies in the blood stream.
Expression of allelopathy in the soil environment: soil concentration and activity of benzoxazinoid compounds released by rye cover crop residue

Rye (Secale cereale L.) residue is known to suppress weeds in agronomic environments and to produce benzoxazinoid (BX) compounds which are phytotoxic. Experiments were conducted to determine the duration of indicator plant inhibition and BX soil concentrations in response to field incorporated or surface rye residue. Surface rye residue was highly inhibitory to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) throughout an experimental period of 4 weeks, whereas soil removed from beneath residue and assayed in pots had little phytotoxicity, suggesting that physical rather than chemical mechanisms were involved. Incorporated residue inhibited lettuce and pigweed for approximately 2 weeks after incorporation, which corresponded to the period when elevated BX levels were detected in soil, suggesting potential allelopathy. The most toxic BX compounds, APO, DIBOA, and DIMBOA, were present at relatively low levels, whereas the less toxic compounds, BOA and MBOA, and the non-toxic compounds, HBOA and HMBOA, were the predominant BX species in amended soils. When the benzoxazolinones BOA and MBOA were exogenously added to soils to maintain extractable levels of up to 10 μg g−1 soil (100–500 times higher than measured BX in field soils), no significant inhibition of pigweed plants was observed. This result indicated that the observed association between the duration of plant inhibition and BX from incorporated rye was not causal, and that other compounds released with similar dynamics were likely responsible. This approach provides a sound basis for demonstrating the presence of allelopathy in natural or managed ecosystems.
EFFECTS OF PREFERENCE ON VERIFICATION OF DISCRIMINATED MANDS

Previous research suggests that motivating operation (MO) manipulations may assist in assessing discriminated manding (Gutierrez et al., 2007). The current study partially replicated and extended previous research by varying access to concurrently available reinforcers with different preference values (i.e., MO manipulations). Manding did not occur (a) for reinforcers that were freely available and (b) for lower preference items when relatively higher preference reinforcers were freely available. Results further demonstrated the utility of manipulating MOs to verify discriminated mands but suggest that relative preference of alternative reinforcers should be controlled during these assessments.
Nondeformability of the complex hyperquadric

We prove that the complex hyperquadric of dimension ≧3 does not allow nontrivial deformation. We study the orbit structure of certain vector fields defined on the potential deformation and deduce the nondeformability from the attracting property of these vector fields.
Melanoma Incidence in Children and Adolescents: Decreasing Trends in the United States

Objective To assess trends in the incidence of melanoma in children and adolescents in the US from 2000-2010. Study design Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data, we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates of melanoma in children and adolescents (age Results We included 1185 pediatric patients (age Conclusions Decreasing trends in melanoma incidence in the pediatric population from 2000-2010 stand in contrast to previous reports of increasing long-term incidence trends. Possible contributors to these decreasing trends include effective public health initiatives, decreased time spent outdoors, and increased sunscreen use.
Remote Management for Multipoint Sensing Systems Using Hetero-Core Spliced Optical Fiber Sensors

This paper describes the design and experimental verification of a multipoint sensing system with hetero-core spliced optical fiber sensors and its remote management using an internet-standard protocol. The study proposes two different types of design and conducts experiments to verify those systems’ feasibility. In order to manage the sensing systems remotely, the management method uses a standard operation and maintenance protocol for internet: the Simple Network Management Protocol is proposed. The purpose of this study is to construct a multipoint sensing system remote management tool by which the system can also determine the status and the identity of fiber optic sensors. The constructed sensing systems are verified and the results have demonstrated that the first proposed system can distinguish the responses from different hetero-core spliced optical fiber sensors remotely. The second proposed system shows that data communications are performed successfully while identifying the status of hetero-core spliced optical fiber sensors remotely.
Children and relationship development: Communication strategies in a day care center

Child care organizations provide a key venue for the development of children's communication strategies. This study examined the communication strategies embedded in children's interactions at one child care center. Observed interactions evidenced recurring communication strategies in messages among children and teachers, which in turn focused attention on such strategies as developing tools for relationship creation and termination by young communicators. Ten key strategies for influencing relationships were found: statements of friendship, proximity, touching, listening, expressing feelings, engaging in conflict, joking or teasing, playing and taking roles, controlling others, and invoking rules. These strategies were used by the children both positively and negatively to manage relationships. As they transited through various phases of relationships, the strategies also evidenced pursuit of the valued relational goals of inclusion, affection, and control.
Bifunctional chiral synthons via biochemical methods, 4. Chiral precursors to (+)-biotin and (−)-a-factor.

Abstract The chirons 3 and 4, derived from enzymic enantioselective hydrolysis of 1 and 2, are converted into the chiral lactones 5 and 6, key precursors to (+)-biotin and (−)-A-factor, respectively.
Beta-blocker therapy in patients ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the setting of left ventricular dysfunction

Although several studies suggest beta blockers (BB) are effective in suppressing ventricular arrhythmias, less is known about their role in the treatment of patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias associated with impaired left ventricular function. To assess the tolerance and efficacy of these agents, 32 patients presenting with either ventricular fibrillation (18) or sustained ventricular tachycardia (14) were studied during BB therapy. Left ventricular dysfunction (mean ejection fraction 29%) was present as a consequence of coronary artery disease (26) or cardiomyopathy (6). Baseline arrhythmia assessment revealed recurrent ventricular tachycardia in all patients. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy including BB was guided by programmed stimulation (10), exercise testing (8), ambulatory monitoring (12), or was given empirically (2). Beta blockers were well tolerated, as measured by exercise duration, which improved significantly, and by long-term maintenance, which continued in 23 of 32 (72%) patients. Over a mean follow-up of 668 days, patients treated with BB had a relatively low incidence of both sudden (3%) and nonsudden (9%) death. Thus, BB can be effective and well tolerated adjunct therapy in patients with a history of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the setting of impaired left ventricular function.
Determination of Sodium Acetate in Antisense Oligonucleotides by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

Abstract The determination of sodium acetate in anti sense oligonucleotides purified by reverse phase chromatography in acetate buffer is important in both impurity profiling and drug concentration assay. A method has been developed for the quantitation of sodium acetate in a 20-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide drug substance employing capillary zone electrophoresis. Chloride was included as an internal standard to increase accuracy and precision of the measurement. Interference due to oligonucleotide matrix was eliminated by filtering the olignucleotide solution through a Centricon SR-3 column. The linear dynamic range for the method is 0.06–240 μg/mL. The electrophoretic separation requires only 6 min. The method has bee-a demonstrated to be simple and reliable for the quantitation of :Acetate salts in oligonucleotide drug substances.
Blocking analysis of transaction processing queues

Abstract A transaction processing queue manages a database which is partitioned into N items. Each arriving class-i customer requests to read and write a certain subset of the N items (called the shared and exclusive access sets R i and W i ). Classes i and j are said to conflict if ( W i ∩ W j )∪( W i ∩ R j )∪( R i ∩ W j )≠∅ . No two conflicting classes of customers can be processed simultaneously. All classes arrive according to independent Poisson processes and have general i.i.d. service times. In this paper, we discuss database systems without queuing. We show the insensitivity property of the system, and derive analytical expressions for performance measures such as blocking probabilities, throughput, etc.
Alkali Metal Vapors: Laser Spectroscopy And Applications

The paper examines the rapidly expanding use of lasers for spectroscopic studies of alkali metal vapors. Since the alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium) are theoretically simple ('visible hydrogen'), readily ionized, and strongly interacting with laser light, they represent ideal systems for quantitative understanding of microscopic interconversion mechanisms between photon (e.g., solar or laser), chemical, electrical and thermal energy. The possible implications of such understanding for a wide variety of practical applications (sodium lamps, thermionic converters, magnetohydrodynamic devices, new lasers, 'lithium waterfall' inertial confinement fusion reactors, etc.) are also discussed.
Acid–Base Characteristics of Bromophenol Blue–Citrate Buffer Systems in the Amorphous State

Abstract In this study, we have examined the acid–base characteristics of various citrate buffer systems alone and in the presence of the pH indicator dye, bromophenol blue, in aqueous solution, and after lyophilization to produce amorphous material. Fourier transform Raman and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy have been used to monitor the ratio of ionized to un-ionized citric acid under various conditions, as a function of initial pH in the range of 2.65–4.28. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry was used to probe the extent of proton transfer of bromophenol blue in the citrate buffer systems in solution and the amorphous state. Spectroscopic studies indicated greater ionization of citric acid and bromophenol blue in solution and the solid state with increasing initial solution pH, as expected. Fourier transform Raman measurements indicated the same ratio of ionized to un-ionized citrate species in solution, frozen solution, and the amorphous state. It is shown that the ratio of species at any particular initial pH is primarily determined by the amount of sodium ion present so as to maintain electroneutrality and not necessarily to the fact that pH and p K a remain unchanged during freezing and freeze drying. Indeed, for bromophenol blue, the relative ultraviolet–visible intensities for ionized and un-ionized species in the amorphous sample were different from those in solution indicating that the extent of protonation of bromophenol blue was significantly lower in the solid samples. It is concluded that under certain conditions there can be significant differences in the apparent hydrogen activity of molecules in amorphous systems. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association
Endotoxin in pooled pericardial blood contributes to the systemic inflammatory response during cardiac surgery

Although endotoxin has been implicated as an important contributor to the systemic inflammatory response (SIR) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), its source remains unclear. While gut translocation has traditionally been perceived as the primary source of endotoxemia, accumulation of endotoxin in pooled pericardial blood may represent an additional source of endotoxin that is continually reinfused into the CPB circuit. Eighteen patients undergoing primary coronary revascularization procedures were prospectively evaluated. Shed blood pooled in the pericardial space was returned to the CPB circuit through cardiotomy suction catheters at 45 min after placement of the aortic cross-clamp. Simultaneous samples of pooled pericardial and peripheral arterial blood were obtained and analyzed by a limulus amebocyte lysate assay for the determination of endotoxin concentration, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) levels. Significant elevations in endotoxin were demonstrated in pooled pericardial blood samples compared with arterial blood (3.5 +/- 0.5 vs 0.8 +/- 0.2 pg/ml; p < 0.05). TNF-alpha levels were below the limits of detection in both samples. These data implicate pooled pericardial blood as an important primary source of endotoxin that, when continually reinfused throughout CPB, may contribute to the overall SIR. Because endotoxemia has been identified as an important predictor of adverse outcomes following cardiac surgery, removal of endotoxin antigen in shed pericardial blood, prior to its reinfusion into the CPB circuit, may provide a directed means to improve perioperative outcome without compromising established blood conservation techniques.
Curve matching on brain surfaces using frenet distances

This paper describes methods for diffeomorphic matching of curves on brain surfaces. Distances between curves are defined by Frenet representation via speed, curvature, and torsion. The curve-matching algorithm is based on bipartite graph matching, with weights defined by the Frenet distance over diffeomorphic maps of one curve onto the other (Sedgewick [1983]: Algorithms). We follow Khaneja ([1996]: Statistics and Geometry of Cortical Features) and define fundus curves on the brain surfaces as extremal curvature lines generated using dynamic programming. Examples are shown for fundus curve matchings on macaque brain surfaces. Hum. Brain Mapping 6:329–333, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modelling and Characterization of Planar Components

An approach for modeling and numerical simulation of planar components using the edge line concept is developed. With this method, we develop an efficient modeling technique for microstrip discontinuities. The structure presents an arbitrary number of ports, each one with different orientation and dimensions. This article presents a hybrid method based on multimode contour integral and mode matching techniques. The process is based on segmentation and dividing the structure into key building blocks. We use the multimode contour integral method to analyze the blocks including irregular shape discontinuities. Finally, the multimode scattering matrix of the whole structure can be found by cascading the blocks. Therefore, the new method is suitable for analysis of a wide range of waveguide problems. Therefore the present approach can be applied easily to the analysis of any multiport junctions and cascade blocks. The accuracy of the method is validated comparing with results for several complex problems found in the literature. CPU times are also included showing the efficiency of the new method proposed.
Contemporary long-term outcomes of an aggressive approach to mitral valve repair in children: is it effective and durable for both congenital and acquired mitral valve lesions?

Objectives We analysed the long-term outcomes of mitral valve (MV) repair in children and compared the repairs for both congenital and acquired lesions. Methods A review of 634 children (≤18 years) who underwent MV repair from 1992 to 2011 was conducted [excluding patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), single ventricle and atrioventricular (AV) discordance]. Associated cardiac anomalies were present in 473 patients (75%). Congenital mitral lesions were found in 270 (43%) patients compared with an acquired aetiology in 364 (57%) [mainly rheumatic: 329 patients (90%)]. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was predominant in 606 (96%) patients, and 544 (86%) of these showed ≥3+ MR. Modified techniques of MV reconstructions were used. Results The early mortality rate was 2% (14 patients). The mean follow-up was 55 months (1-240 months; 85% complete). The late mortality rate was 4% (23 patients) and survival rates at 10 and 15 years were 91 and 86%, respectively. There was no significant difference in 10-year survival between repairing the congenital (98%) and acquired lesions (87%) (P = 0.17). The rate of freedom from reoperation after MV repair for the entire population was 79% at 10 years, with no significant difference between congenital (80%) and acquired lesions (79%) (P = 0.20). Fifty-six patients (9%) required reoperation. Mixed MV lesions, commissural fusions and residual MR (≥2+) were the predictors of valve failure and reoperation. All survivors remain in New York Heart Association class I and none had thromboembolism or pacemaker insertion. Conclusions MV repair can be successfully applied to both congenital and acquired MV disease in children. Aggressive repair techniques and avoidance of residual MR have improved durability and survival.
Stress-induced c-Jun Activation Mediated by Polo-like Kinase 3 in Corneal Epithelial Cells

Polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3) activation occurs after exposure to environmental or genotoxic stresses. Plk3 regulates cell fate through regulating cell cycle progression. UV irradiation is one of the major environmental stresses that affect corneal epithelial wound healing. In the present study, we report that UV irradiation activated Plk3 and that Plk3 interacts with AP-1 and c-Jun, which appears to be important to mediate corneal epithelial cell apoptosis after UV irradiation. Recombinant Plk3, as well as Plk3 immunoprecipitated from UV-irradiated cells, phosphorylated c-Jun in vitro. The phosphorylation of c-Jun by Plk3 immunoprecipitates was not altered by the pre-removal of JNK from the cell lysates. In addition, the effect of UV irradiation-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun and apoptosis were not significantly affected by knockdown of JNK mRNA. Co-immunoprecipitation reveals that Plk3 and c-Jun directly interacted with each other. Consistently, Plk3 co-localized with c-Jun to the nucleus after UV irradiation. Further, modulating Plk3 activities by overexpressing Plk3 or its mutants significantly affected UV irradiation-induced c-Jun activity and subsequent apoptosis. Our results thus provide for the first time that Plk3 mediates UV irradiation-induced c-Jun activation by phosphorylating c-Jun, suggesting that Plk3 plays an important role in mediating programmed cell death of corneal epithelial cells after UV irradiation.
Frailty, Leisure Activity and Functional Status in Older Adults: Relationship With Subjective Well Being

Older adults generally experience high levels of life satisfaction (e.g., Charles & Carstensen, 2010) and participation in leisure activities may mediate some of their overall well-being. Frailty associated with biological aging may be related to reduced leisure activity engagement and loss of social belonging that may diminish life satisfaction (Charles, 2011). This study examined differences in leisure activity engagement by frailty status, and then tested a model evaluating the link between functional status and subjective well-being in a sample of 95 community-dwelling older adults. Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed leisure activity participation, life satisfaction, frailty, and mood. Leisure activities were coded as either social (e.g., taking classes) or solitary (e.g., reading) and summed across to create two composite scores. Results indicated there was a strong relationship between functional status and subjective well-being in older adults. High frailty and low soci...
The Devil and the Dolorosa: History and Legend in Quito's Capilla de Cantuña

One of the most popular and enduring legends in the Andean city of Quito recounts the vivid tale of a young Indian named Francisco Cantuna, the son of a powerful Inca captain, who lived and died in the sixteenth century. Maimed and horribly disfigured when the Inca general Ruminahui burned the city of Quito, Cantuna was present when the general hid the treasure of Atahualpa before the arrival of the conquering Spaniards. In the aftermath of occupation, the young Cantuna was adopted by a benevolent Spaniard who taught him to read, write, and live a good Christian life. In return, Cantuna rewarded the Spaniard, as well as several local churches and chapels, with large sums of gold, which he secretly melted down from Atahualpa's hidden treasure. News of Cantuna's beneficence prompted all manner of speculation and suspicion among the local populace, to the extent that he was called before a tribunal to account for his mysterious wealth. In order to preserve the secret of the Inca treasure, Cantuna testified that he had acquired his riches by signing a pact with the devil. On this point, the earliest published version of the legend affirms that his testimony was a deliberate lie intended to quiet the gullible authorities, because Cantuna “was in reality a good Christian” who was very devoted to a local image of the Dolorosa (Virgin of Sorrows).
Long-term results for minor column allografts in revision hip arthroplasty.

Background While acetabular structural allografts provide an important alternative for reconstructions, concerns remain with long-term graft resorption, collapse, and failure. Midterm studies of minor column (shelf) allograft suggest reasonable survival but long-term survival is unknown.
Serological cross-reactions of human, rat and horse ferritins.

Abstract Cross-reactions in precipitin tests of ferritins from horse spleens, rat livers and human livers were investigated by quantitative titrations and by double diffusion tests in agar gels. Specific antisera against each kind of ferritin were obtained from immunized rabbits and were tested and compared before and after absorption with homologous and heterologous antigen. The results indicate that rat ferritin is more closely related to human ferritin than is horse ferritin and, conversely, more closely related to horse ferritin than is human ferritin. Each of these antigens is differentiable from the others. Earlier work, indicating identical specificities for ferritins from different organs of one animal, and for ferritins from different individuals of the same species has been confirmed. Implications for the study of ferritins produced in vitro by cultured cells and for work with fluorescent anti-ferritin sera were pointed out.
Complete loss of PTEN protein expression correlates with shorter time to brain metastasis and survival in stage IIIB/C melanoma patients with BRAFV600 mutations

Purpose: Loss of function of PTEN is a frequent event in melanoma, particularly in tumors with BRAF V600 mutations. The prevalence, pathologic features, and clinical outcomes associated with PTEN loss in patients with stage IIIB/C melanoma were interrogated to improve our understanding of the clinical significance of this molecular event. Experimental Design: Archival tissue from lymphadenectomy specimens among patients ( n = 136) with stage IIIB or IIIC melanoma was assessed by DNA sequencing for activating BRAF and NRAS mutations, and by immunohistochemistry for the expression of PTEN protein. Associations of these molecular aberrations with demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical outcomes were determined. Results: The prevalence of BRAF V600 mutations (40% overall), NRAS mutations (10%), and PTEN loss (25%) did not vary by pathologic substage. BRAF / NRAS mutation status did not correlate with distant disease-free survival (DDFS) or overall survival (OS). Complete loss of PTEN expression correlated with shorter OS but not DDFS. When stratified by specific sites of distant metastasis, PTEN loss was associated with significantly shorter time to melanoma brain metastasis (MBM), but not to liver, lung, or bone metastasis. Analysis of PTEN in mutationally defined subsets showed that PTEN loss was significantly associated with OS and time to MBM in patients with BRAF V600 mutations. Conclusions: Loss of PTEN protein expression correlates significantly with decreased OS and time to MBM in stage IIIB/C melanoma patients with BRAF V600 mutations. The findings add to evidence supporting a significant role for PTEN loss and the PI3K–AKT pathway in melanoma. Clin Cancer Res; 20(21); 5527–36. ©2014 AACR .