cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safety of deep sedation in young children with sickle cell disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective To assess the rates and types of complications associated with deep sedation in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to explore potential risk factors. Study design This was a retrospective cohort study of children with SCD and a comparison group of children without SCD who underwent magnetic resonance imaging with deep sedation. The rates of general and SCD-associated sedation complications were calculated, and potential associated clinical and laboratory variables were assessed. Results A total of 162 sedation records in 94 subjects with SCD and 324 sedation records in 321 subjects without SCD were assessed (mean age, 4.3 years in both groups). Pentobarbital, fentanyl, and midazolam were used in the majority of sedation episodes without routine presedation transfusion. Sedation-related complication rates did not differ significantly between the SCD and comparison groups. Within 1 month after the sedation procedure, 17 children (10%) experienced a vaso-occlusive pain episode (VOE), and 2 children (1.2%) developed acute chest syndrome. Preprocedure and postprocedure rates of these complications did not differ significantly. Subjects who developed VOE after sedation had a significantly higher VOE rate before sedation, but no other significant clinical or laboratory risk factors were identified. Conclusion Deep sedation in young children with SCD using a standard protocol is safe, with a sedation-related complication rate comparable to that of the general pediatric population. The observed rate of VOE, although not significantly higher than expected, warrants further investigation.
Octocentric Human Ring Chromosome (Xr): Proposed Mechanism of Formation

RING chromosomes in man were first described in cytogenetic preparations made from malignant tissue1. Ring chromosomes have since been observed in people with leukaemia2–4 and after irradiation5–8 and in in vitro human cell line cultures subjected to cold treatment9.
Measurement of intracellular pH using flow cytometry with carboxy‐SNARF‐1

The new intracellular pH (pH(i)) dye carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor (SNARF-1) was compared to the established dye 2,3-dicyanohydroquinone (DCH) using flow cytometry. Both dyes give high-resolution pH(i) measurements. SNARF-1 remains trapped within cells much longer than DCH, so that pH(i) can be monitored during and after treatments with chemicals or hyperthermia. The toxicity of the dyes is similar, and both dyes can be used at concentrations that result in low toxicity to cells. Adequate staining of cells with SNARF-1 is dependent on the cell concentration. The absolute pHi values indicated by SNARF-1 are higher than values measured with DCH. However, the trends measured by both dyes are consistent, and both are useful for making pH(i) measurements.
DIATOMS IN ALKALINE, SALINE LAKES: ECOLOGY AND GEOCHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS1

Six diatoms achieve dominance in 26 alkaline, saline lakes in East Africa. There is a pronounced tendency for these species to rcplacc each other as alkalinity increases. CycZoteZZu meneghiniana is usually dominant in less concentrated lakes and Nitzschia fwstzdum is favored as the alkalinity exceeds 80 meq liter-‘.. Coscinodiscus rudolfi and Naoicula elkab are occasionally dominant at intermediate alkalinitics. Naviculu elkub is usually subdominant when N. frustuzum is dominant. Most of these spccics when dominant are considered functionally planktonic in these waters. The presence of the cyanophyte Oscillatoria (Arthrospiru) pZutensis in bloom seems to bc a prcrcquisitc for N. elknb and N. frustulum to enter the plankton. Thcrc is some cvidcnce that the anionic composition of these lakes may be selective for some of the bcnthonic species. Geochemical data indicate that the production and preservation of diatom frustulcs appear to control silica concentrations in the waters. Relatively poor correlations were observed between sodium and silica and bctwecn pII and silica. These data have important implications for theoretical models of gcochcmical evolution in closed basins. Little or no dissolution of fossil diatom frustules was observed in the sediments of these highly alkaline, high pH waters. Tcctonism and volcanism have combined with the semiarid climate of East Africa to produce a series of alkaline, salinc lakes in basins of internal drainage. The diatoms of thcsc lakes arc of interest for several reasons, First, the importance of diatoms to the flora has previously been undercstimated bccausc of sampling difficulties. Second, diatoms can be useful palcoccological tools for intcrprcting the history of lakes; but for them to serve as such, knowledge of their ecology and distribution in diverse chemical cnvironmcnts is needed. The history of the closed basin lakes in East Africa is of particular significance bccausc of the important archeological sites in the region and the evidence for much higher
Population based allele frequencies of disease associated polymorphisms in the Personalized Medicine Research Project

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the frequency of disease associated polymorphisms in populations and population attributable risk for many populations remains unknown. Factors that could affect the association of the allele with disease, either positively or negatively, such as race, ethnicity, and gender, may not be possible to determine without population based allele frequencies. Here we used a panel of 51 polymorphisms previously associated with at least one disease and determined the allele frequencies within the entire Personalized Medicine Research Project population based cohort. We compared these allele frequencies to those in dbSNP and other data sources stratified by race. Differences in allele frequencies between self reported race, region of origin, and sex were determined. There were 19544 individuals who self reported a single racial category, 19027 or (97.4%) self reported white Caucasian, and 11205 (57.3%) individuals were female. Of the 11,208 (57%) individuals with an identifiable region of origin 8337 or (74.4%) were German. 41 polymorphisms were significantly different between self reported race at the 0.05 level. Stratification of our Caucasian population by self reported region of origin revealed 19 polymorphisms that were significantly different (p = 0.05) between individuals of different origins. Further stratification of the population by gender revealed few significant differences in allele frequencies between the genders. This represents one of the largest population based allele frequency studies to date. Stratification by self reported race and region of origin revealed wide differences in allele frequencies not only by race but also by region of origin within a single racial group. We report allele frequencies for our Asian/Hmong and American Indian populations; these two minority groups are not typically selected for population allele frequency detection. Population wide allele frequencies are important for the design and implementation of studies and for determining the relevance of a disease associated polymorphism for a given population.
A computer application in apparel manufacturing management

Abstract The paper considers the daily production scheduling problem in the “make-to-order” apparel manufacturing industry and presents a scheduling system for solving the problem. The system was developed based on time-phased operator efficiency and the simulated annealing techniques. A set of operation and operator related factors were identified to predict the efficiency. The concepts of simulated annealing was implemented in the system to effectively generate a good schedule.
The effects of the mentor on the academic career

The mentor plays an important role in initiating a process of cumulative advantage for the student. Our analyses present a clear and systematic pattern of effects of the mentor on the careers of biochemists. The influence of the mentor begins with collaboration, which is the single most important factor affecting the student's predoctoral productivity. For those who collaborate, the effects of both eminence and performance further increase the student's predoctoral productivity. The mentor's performance has weak effects on the productivity of noncollaborating students. For those who collaborate with their mentor, the mentor continues to influence the career with a positive effect of the mentor's performance on academic placement, an effect not found for noncollaborators. Even though the mentor's performance affects the student's placement, the student's performances doesnot affect that placement, suggesting a process of ascription. For those who collaborate with their mentor, the mentor's performance increases the student's later publications and citations. For noncollaborators, whose mentors are much less productive during the student's period of doctoral study, the mentor's eminence has a smaller, but significant effect on later productivity. Overall, the advantages of a strong mentor are drawn upon and enhanced through processes of both achievement and ascription.
Major surgery in nursing home patients: procedures, morbidity, and mortality in the frailest of the frail elderly.

Objective To determine the surgical procedures being done on long-term care (level 2) nursing home residents and the resultant in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Design A retrospective chart review of inpatient medical records from two hospitals, identified by computerized search of medical records and/or referral by directors of nursing of area nursing homes. Setting Patients originated in skilled-care nursing homes in New Castle County, Delaware, USA. Surgery was performed in the area's two major hospitals, one a 1000-bed regional referral and teaching hospital, and the other a 300-bed community hospital. Patients Residents of skilled-care nursing homes (level 2) who underwent major surgery between January 1979 and December 1989. Measurements and Main Results Eighty procedures were performed in 74 patients. Many different types of procedures were done. After primary repair of hip fracture the most common procedures were non-orthopedic extremity and abdominal surgeries. Three deaths occurred (mortality 3.8%), and all were in patients undergoing emergency surgery who were classified above American Society of Anesthesiology Class 3. Serious complications occurred in 43% of the procedures and were most commonly cardiopulmonary and psychiatric, including profound depression in four. Antibiotic-associated colitis occurred in three patients and required a second surgical procedure in one. Fewer adverse outcomes were seen in patients undergoing elective surgical procedures with spinal or local anesthesia than in patients receiving general anesthesia. Conclusions Although retrospective and limited to inpatient data, in-hospital surgical mortality in this very frail population was low, comparable to series in unselected geriatric populations. However, major complications were very common. Primary hip surgery repair may have been too frequently done. A multi-institution, prospective trial would be useful to assess functional outcome of surgery in this population.
A bootstrap voltage reference based upon an N-type negative resistance device

A circuit that develops a reference voltage based upon the stability of the current of an N-type negative-resistance device (NNRD) in the neighborhood of the current peak is described. The NNRD is self-driven in a bootstrap configuration utilizing a single operational amplifier, with the bias circuit acting as a stiff voltage source having a negative Thevenin equivalent DC resistance. The analysis is specialized to the case of a particular NNRD, a p-n junction tunnel diode (TD), and a series of matching networks coupling the TD to the remainder of the bootstrap circuit are analyzed to demonstrate that a properly matched TD, biased by this bootstrap circuit, can be made stable against oscillation. The regulation of bias fluctuations, noise performance, temperature stability, and immunity to neutron damage are reviewed. Comparison is made to avalanche-diode-based bootstrap references. NNRD-based voltage references may have an impact in circuits and material systems where fabrication of high-quality Zener devices is not possible. >
Seven Treacherous Pitfalls of Statistics, Illustrated:

Psychologists who continue to test Ho despite repeated rejections must be getting what they want. What psychologists get from the test may not be what psychology needs, however, as a number of crit...
Neuronal Organization: Unsticking the Cadherin Code

Hindbrain cranial motor neurons are organized into discrete functional clusters. A new study demonstrates that coalescence of these nuclei is driven by the expression of distinct combinations of cadherin adhesion molecules by each motor neuron group.
Chemisorption of atomic hydrogen on clean and Cl-covered Ag(111)

The chenaisorption of atomic hydrogen and deuterium on clean and Cl-covered Ag(111) has been studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), work function change (δφ) measurements and ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). The desorption of molecular hydrogen and deuterium follows a fractional-order kinetic description with an activation energy of 5.5 kcal/mol (H2) and 6.4 kcal/mol (D2). Based on these results and the absence of dissociative chemisorption at 100 K, an upper limit for the Ag-D(H) bond of 53. (52) kcal mol−1 is derived. UPS reveals an H(1s)-derived bonding state at about 7.3 eV below the Fermi level. There are no significant changes in the shape of the Ag d-band, consistent with its, at most, very weak involvement in the D-Ag bond. Saturation exposure of the clean Ag(111) surface to atomic D results in a Δφ of −0.17 eV. Surface Cl alters the bonding and reduces the saturation coverage of D, results that are interpreted in terms of each Cl controlling a large number of D(a) adsorption sites and leading to widely varying local surface coverages.
Behavior of gamma TiAl subjected to impact damage and elevated temperature fatigue

Gamma titanium aluminide has received significant attention in recent years as a candidate material for use in aerospace and industrial gas turbine engine applications. It is well known that fatigue crack growth rates in {gamma}-TiAl alloys are very sensitive to stress intensity range and that there is a small difference between threshold stress intensity range and apparent fracture toughness in these materials. The result is limited damage tolerance and dramatic reductions in fatigue lifetime in the presence of extrinsic damage, such as that produced from an impact event. To apply a damage tolerance approach to this situation would require improved crack detection techniques and would increase the life cycle cost of the engine by decreasing the inspection interval. Using a threshold-based approach, on the other hand, would ensure that pre-existing or service indices cracks would not grow and that failure by fatigue would not occur. The present study investigates the feasibility of using a threshold calculation to estimate the fatigue strength reduction caused by impact damage at elevated temperatures (600 C). The results are part of a larger investigation into the feasibility of using {gamma}-TiAl for low-pressure turbine blades.
How green is your thumb? Environmental gardening identity and ecological gardening practices

Abstract For gardeners, the garden is a significant aspect of identity. The number of people who garden and consider themselves environmentally friendly is growing. This exploratory study investigated whether “environmental gardening identity” is a measurable construct that motivates environmentally-friendly home gardening cultivation practices above that predicted by the previously validated environmental identity scale (EID, Clayton, 2003 ). A mail questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 800 urban-suburban self-identified gardeners (61% return rate.) The survey contained four sections: (1) the environmental identity scale (EID); (2) a new scale instrument designed to measure environmental gardening identity (EGID), (3) multiple choice questions addressing specific gardening practices, and (4) demographic questions. Results show that environmental identity, as measured by the EID, significantly predicts ecological gardening behavior. Additionally, it was found that the environmental gardening identity scale (EGID) comprises five subscales, all of which are highly correlated with the environmental identity scale (EID), and three of which explain the variability in gardening practices above that explained by the EID. However, it does not appear that these three subscales of the EGID specifically measure identity. Additional analyses show that respondents' reasons to have a garden are linked to the strength of both EID and EGID, especially for those respondents who garden as a way to connect with nature.
Surface Plasmons in Thin Films

The dispersion relations for surface plasma oscillations in normal metals are investigated for single- and multiple-film systems taking retardation effects into account. The simple dielectric function $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(\ensuremath{\omega})=1\ensuremath{-}\frac{{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}}^{2}}{{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}}$ is found to be adequate for the high-frequency region in which oscillations remain undamped. Two types of possible modes of oscillation are found. One type corresponds to dispersion relations which behave linearly for not-so-high frequency, with a phase velocity always smaller than the velocity of light in the dielectric, but at least ten times larger than the Fermi velocity, while the other type consists of high-frequency modes ($\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$). The role of these oscillations in the problem of transition radiation is reexamined. In the case of a thin metal film, a new interpretation is proposed for the peak observed in the transition radiation spectrum. Finally, the work is extended to superconducting metals where, in the frequency range $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}l2\ensuremath{\Delta}$ ($2\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the superconducting energy gap), we have justified the use of a dielectric function of the same functional form as given above but with ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}}^{2}$ replaced by an almost frequency-independent quantity ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ps}}}^{2}$, where ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ps}}=\frac{c}{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{ps}}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{ps}}$ is the actual penetration depth. In this frequency range, the oscillations are essentially undamped and play an important role in the electromagnetic properties of the multiple-film systems, and particularly when the systems exhibit the ac Josephson effect.
VLA observations of solar active regions at closely spaced frequencies - Evidence for thermal cyclotron line emission

VLA observations of a solar active region at 10 closely spaced frequencies between 1440 and 1720 MHz are presented. The synthesis maps show, on two successive days, significant changes in the brightness temperature within this narrow frequency range. It is shown that these changes cannot be due to either thermal bremsstrahlung or gyroresonance emission from a coronal loop in wich the temperature, density, or magnetic field varies monotonically with height. Instead, the brightness spectrum is attributed to cyclotron line emission from a narrow layer, where the temperature is elevated above the surrounding part of the loop.
Does kidney stone size correlate with degree of hydronephrosis on focused emergency department ultrasonography

Study objectives: Emergency physicians may make clinical decisions according to kidney stone size. There have been many published studies reporting increased medical complications relating to kidney stone size. However, there is scant literature describing the relationship of kidney stone size with degree of hydronephrosis on focused emergency department (ED) ultrasonography. We hypothesize that kidney stone size does not correlate with degree of hydronephrosis detected by focused ED ultrasonography. Methods: We performed a retrospective pilot study reviewing the medical records of all patients who underwent focused ED renal ultrasonography by emergency medicine residents and attending physicians evaluating for hydronephrosis. Patients who underwent focused ED renal ultrasonography and were diagnosed with nephrolithiasis by noncontrast computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis were included in the study group. Emergency ultrasonographers were blinded to CT results. Data were collected on a standard collection tool during an 8-month period from July 1, 2003, to April 1, 2004. Data included kidney stone size on CT, degree of hydronephrosis on CT as interpreted by an attending radiologist, and degree of hydronephrosis as interpreted by the emergency physician performing focused renal ED ultrasonography. Preliminary data were analyzed using analysis of variance statistics. Results: Forty-four patients underwent focused renal ED ultrasonography and were diagnosed with kidney stones on noncontrast CT. Using the emergency sonographer's interpretation of degree of hydronephrosis, 6 patients had no hydronephrosis (mean stone size 4 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.90 to 6.10 mm), 32 patients had mild hydronephrosis (mean stone size 3.875 mm, 95% CI 3.10 to 4.65 mm), 4 patients had moderate hydronephrosis (mean stone size 4 mm, 95% CI 1.03 to 9.03 mm), and 1 patient had severe hydronephrosis (stone size 4 mm). Although not statistically significant, there is an overall trend toward no correlation between kidney stone size and degree of hydronephrosis. Assuming CT to be the criterion standard, the sensitivity and specificity for focused ED renal ultrasonography were 90% and 97%, respectively (positive likelihood ratio 30, negative likelihood ratio 0.10). Conclusion: In this retrospective pilot study, we found no correlation between kidney stone size and degree of hydronephrosis. Although very sensitive and specific in detecting hydronephrosis, findings of hydronephrosis on focused ED renal ultrasonography may not correlate with the size of kidney stone.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IID (TFIID)

Eukaryotes have three distinct RNA polymerases that catalyze transcription of nuclear genes. RNA polymerase II is responsible for transcribing nuclear genes encoding the messenger RNAs and several small nuclear RNAs. Like RNA polymerases I and III, pol II cannot recognize its target promoter directly and initiate transcription without accessory factors. Instead, this large multisubunit enzyme relies on both general transcription factors and transcriptional activators and coactivators to regulate transcription from class II promoters. At the center of this process is TFIID, a 700-kD complex composed of the TATA box binding protein (TBP) and a set of phylogenetically conserved, polymerase-specific TBP-associated factors or TAFns. Together, TBP and the TAFIIs direct assembly of the transcription machinery and play critical regulatory roles in eukaryotic gene expression.
Postradiotherapy Neck Dissection for Lymph Node–Positive Head and Neck Cancer: The Use of Computed Tomography to Manage the Neck

Purpose To determine how to use node response on computed tomography (CT) to indicate the need for neck dissection. Patients and Methods Five hundred fifty patients with lymph node–positive head and neck cancer were treated between 1990 and 2002 with radiotherapy (RT) at a median dose of 74.4 Gy; 24% of these patients (n = 133) were treated with chemotherapy. Three hundred forty-one patients (62%) underwent planned post-RT neck dissection. Physical examination and contrast-enhanced CT were performed 30 days after completion of RT. CT images were reviewed in 211 patients for lymph node size (largest axial dimension) and presence of a focal abnormality (lucency, enhancement, or calcification). By correlating post-RT CT to neck dissection pathology, criteria associated with a low likelihood of residual disease were identified. A subset of patients who fit these criteria of radiographic response who did not undergo post-RT neck dissection was observed for recurrence. Results Radiographic complete response (rC...
SOCIOECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION TREATMENT

With the introduction of successful oral therapy with sildenafil (Viagra), the socioeconomics of erectile dysfunction have been changed forever. The erectile dysfunction population has expanded significantly and rapidly with more patients presenting for treatment. Although most prescriptions for erectile dysfunction come from primary care physicians, urology is an important specialty for the care of patients. Advances in research will result in new oral medications for erectile dysfunction, further expanding the patient base. Urology as a specialty is at a crossroads at which it needs to redefine its role and strategic positioning. A brief introduction into the general principles of economics is helpful. The study of the economics of a medical condition can be performed at different levels: descriptive economics, analytic economics, and interventional economics. The first and most fundamental step is descriptive economics. At this level, the condition under study, that is, erectile dysfunction, is defined. The definition is important because it permits accurate identification of the human subjects, that is, patients (or, in economic terms, consumers). The epidemiology of erectile dysfunction is another indispensable part of this level of the study of economics. Descriptive data are collected and summed. The next step is analytic economics in which data are analyzed for the recognition of trends, correlations, predictors, and other statistical indicators. This analysis usually leads to the understanding of consumer/market behavior and the identification of factors influencing such behavior. At this step, models and hypotheses are created, and theories may emerge. The most advanced step in the study of economics is planning an intervention and investigating the consumer/market response. This article on economics is limited for the most part to descriptive, and to a lesser extent analytic, economics.
Expression and function of galectin-3, a beta-galactoside-binding lectin, in human monocytes and macrophages.

Abstract A family of beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins has recently been designated as galectins. One member of this family, galectin-3, has been known as epsilon BP for its IgE-binding activity and as Mac-2, a macrophage surface antigen, CBP35, CBP30, L-29, and L-34. Although much information has accumulated on the expression of this lectin in murine macrophages and human monocytic cell lines, little is known about the expression and function of this protein in normal human monocytes/macrophages. We now report that galectin-3 is expressed in normal human peripheral blood monocytes and its level increases dramatically as human monocytes differentiate into macrophages upon culturing in vitro. Immunoblot analysis showed that there was a 5-fold increase in the level of galectin-3 after 1 day of culture and greater than a 12-fold increase after 5 days. Immunocytochemical analysis confirmed this progressive increase of galectin-3 expression in cultured monocytes. Immunogold cytochemistry/electron microscopy analysis revealed that galectin-3 was expressed on the surface of human monocytes and that the level of cell surface galectin-3 increased progressively as these cells differentiated into macrophages. The level of galectin-3 in human monocytes/macrophages was modulated by stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma, and galectin-3 was secreted when monocytes were stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187 Soluble galectin-3 caused superoxide release from human monocytes; this activity was dependent on the lectin property of galectin-3, as it was inhibitable by lactose. Thus, galectin-3 may modulate the function of this cell type in an autocrine or paracrine fashion through binding to cell surface glycoconjugates.
Geometry and Structural Plasticity of Synaptic Connectivity

Changes in synaptic connectivity patterns through the formation and elimination of dendritic spines may contribute to structural plasticity in the brain. We characterize this contribution quantitatively by estimating the number of different synaptic connectivity patterns attainable without major arbor remodeling. This number depends on the ratio of the synapses on a dendrite to the axons that pass within a spine length of that dendrite. We call this ratio the filling fraction and calculate it from geometrical analysis and anatomical data. The filling fraction is 0.26 in mouse neocortex, 0.22-0.34 in rat hippocampus. In the macaque visual cortex, the filling fraction increases by a factor of 1.6-1.8 from area V1 to areas V2, V4, and 7a. Since the filling fraction is much smaller than 1, spine remodeling can make a large contribution to structural plasticity.
Adaptive wave cancelation by acceleration feedback for ramp-connected air cushion-actuated surface effect ships

We solve the problem of cargo transfer in high sea states over a ramp from a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) vessel to a smaller connector vessel of a surface effect ship (SES) type. Our aim is to reduce ramp motion between the LMSR and SES in order to provide a safer environment for cargo transfer. We design an air cushion actuated controller to estimate and cancel the wave disturbance and stabilize the heave of the SES via heave acceleration feedback with actuation of the louver area for the case where the hydrodynamic and other parameters of the SES are not known a priori and the pressure dynamics of the air cushion contains nonlinearly parameterized unknown terms. We demonstrate the effect of our control design in simulations in a time-domain seakeeping code, named AEGIR.
Calcium and TRP channels in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Ca2+ is a major trigger for pulmonary vasoconstriction and a stimulus for pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The transient receptor potential cation channels participate in regulating intracellular Ca2+ and thus vascular contractility and cell proliferation. Upregulation of genes encoding these channels is involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension.
Psoriatic arthritis: current therapy and future directions.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) once regarded as an auto-inflammatory arthritis that involves the skin is proving to be more complex with a different driver of disease process compared to rheumatoid arthritis. As growing differences emerge between PsA and rheumatoid arthritis so have the experiences and responses to therapeutics used in both disease processes. Areas covered: This review highlights articles of interest in the past 10 years in the OVID and PubMed database and focuses on major concepts regarding current disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in PsA as well as newer target agents. Expert opinion: Presently, it is agreed upon that use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) has greatly changed our ability to manage varying aspects of disease in PsA. However, there remain many unanswered questions in which research in PsA is mirroring RA work, these include: i) the need for outcome measures that are more specific to PsA, ii) the concept of early and treat to target, iii) the role of ...
Fault-tolerant deployment of embedded software for cost-sensitive real-time feedback-control applications

Designing cost-sensitive real-time control systems for safety-critical applications requires a careful analysis of the cost/coverage trade-offs of fault-tolerant solutions. This further complicates the difficult task of deploying the embedded software that implements the control algorithms on the execution platform that is often distributed around the plant (as it is typical, for instance, in automotive applications). We propose a synthesis-based design methodology that relieves the designers from the burden of specifying detailed mechanisms for addressing platform faults, while involving them in the definition of the overall fault-tolerance strategy. Thus, they can focus on addressing plant faults within their control algorithms, selecting the best components for the execution platform, and defining an accurate fault model. Our approach is centered on a new model of computation, fault tolerant data flows (FTDF), that enables the integration of formal validation techniques.
Effects of Blood Perfusion on Electrophysiological Properties of Isolated Canine Purkinje Fibers

Microelectrode techniques were used to study isolated canine Purkinje fibers perfused alternately with Tyrode's solution and extracorporeally circulated arterial blood from heparinized donor dogs. Action potential amplitude and resting membrane potential were similar in both perfusates and varied with the potassium concentration of the perfusate. Action potential duration also varied with the potassium concentration of the perfusate, being shorter when potassium concentration was higher. Conduction in free-running Purkinje fibers usually was more rapid in blood than in Tyrode's solution; this difference often was not related to changes in potassium concentration, maximal slope of phase 0, and action potential amplitude. Automaticity was comparable in both perfusates. Because conduction time in isolated tissues differs during perfusion with blood and Tyrode's solution, it would seem that experiments on conduction performed during blood perfusion might reflect in vivo events more closely than results obtained using Tyrode's solution.
Diversity selection for phase-diverse phase retrieval.

Wavefront-sensing performance is assessed for focus-diverse phase retrieval as the aberration spatial frequency and the diversity defocus are varied. The analysis includes analytical predictions for optimal diversity values corresponding to the recovery of a dominant spatial-frequency component in the pupil. The calculation is shown to be consistent with the Cramer–Rao lower bound by considering a sensitivity analysis of the point-spread function to the spatial frequency being estimated. A maximum value of diversity defocus is also calculated, beyond which wavefront-sensing performance decreases as diversity defocus is increased. The results are shown to be consistent with the Talbot imaging phenomena, explaining multiple periodic regions of maximum and minimum contrast as a function of aberration spatial frequency and defocus. Wavefront-sensing performance for an iterative-transform phase-retrieval algorithm is also considered as diversity defocus and aberration spatial frequency are varied.
Disease-related microglia heterogeneity in the hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and hippocampal sclerosis of aging

Neuropathological, genetic, and biochemical studies have provided support for the hypothesis that microglia participate in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Despite the extensive characterization of AD microglia, there are still many unanswered questions, and little is known about microglial morphology in other common forms of age-related dementia: particularly, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging). In addition, no prior studies have attempted to compare and contrast the microglia morphology in the hippocampus of various neurodegenerative conditions. Here we studied cases with pathologically-confirmed AD (n = 7), HS-Aging (n = 7), AD + HS-aging (n = 4), DLB (n = 12), and normal (cognitively intact) controls (NC) (n = 9) from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Center autopsy cohort. We defined five microglia morphological phenotypes in the autopsy samples: ramified, hypertrophic, dystrophic, rod-shaped, and amoeboid. The Aperio ScanScope digital neuropathological tool was used along with two well-known microglial markers: IBA1 (a marker for both resting and activated microglia) and CD68 (a lysosomal marker in macrophages/microglia associated with phagocytic cells). Hippocampal staining analyses included studies of subregions within the hippocampal formation and nearby white matter. Using these tools and methods, we describe variation in microglial characteristics that show some degree of disease specificity, including, (1) increased microglia density and number in HS-aging and AD + HS-aging; (2) low microglia density in DLB; (3) increased number of dystrophic microglia in HS-aging; and (4) increased proportion of dystrophic to all microglia in DLB. We conclude that variations in morphologies among microglial cells, and cells of macrophage lineage, can help guide future work connecting neuroinflammatory mechanisms with specific neurodegenerative disease subtypes.
Identification of core 1 O-glycan T-synthase from Caenorhabditis elegans

The common O-glycan core structure in animal glycoproteins is the core 1 disaccharide Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr, which is generated by the addition of Gal to GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr by core 1 UDP-alpha-galactose (UDP-Gal):GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr beta1,3-galactosyltransferase (core 1 beta3-Gal-T or T-synthase, EC2.4.1.122). Although O-glycans play important roles in vertebrates, much remains to be learned from model organisms such as the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which offer many advantages in exploring O-glycan structure/function. Here, we report the cloning and enzymatic characterization of T-synthase from C. elegans (Ce-T-synthase). A putative C. elegans gene for T-synthase, C38H2.2, was identified in GenBank by a BlastP search using the human T-synthase protein sequence. The full-length cDNA for Ce-T-synthase, which was generated by polymerase chain reaction using a C. elegans cDNA library as the template, contains 1170 bp including the stop TAA. The cDNA encodes a protein of 389 amino acids with typical type II membrane topology and a remarkable 42.7% identity to the human T-synthase. Ce-T-synthase has seven Cys residues in the lumenal domain including six conserved Cys residues in all orthologs. The Ce-T-synthase has four potential N-glycosylation sequons, whereas the mammalian orthologs lack N-glycosylation sequons. Only one gene for Ce-T-synthase was identified in the genome-wide search, and it contains eight exons. Promoter analysis of the Ce-T-synthase using green fluorescent protein (GFP) constructs shows that the gene is expressed at all developmental stages and appears to be in all cells. Unexpectedly, only minimal activity was recovered in the recombinant, soluble Ce-T-synthase secreted from a wide variety of mammalian cell lines, whereas robust enzyme activity was recovered in the soluble Ce-T-synthase expressed in Hi-5 insect cells. Vertebrate T-synthase requires the molecular chaperone Cosmc, but our results show that Ce-T-synthase does not require Cosmc and might require invertebrate-specific factors for the formation of the optimally active enzyme. These results show that the Ce-T-synthase is a functional ortholog to the human T-synthase in generating core 1 O-glycans and open new avenues to explore O-glycan function in this model organism.
Gastrocnemius Recession as an Alternative to TendoAchillis Lengthening for Relief of Forefoot Pressure in a Patient with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report and Description of a Technical Modification

The gastrocnemius recession is a popular surgical procedure for the treatment of equinus contracture. Lengthening the gastrocnemius tendon has been show to be an effective means of reducing pressure to the plantar forefoot by weakening the triceps surae complex. The more traditional method of weakening the triceps surae is a modification of Hoke's triple hemisection through the tendoAchillis. This technique unfortunately carries a serious risk of the development of a calcaneal gait. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate that the gastrocnemius recession is an effective and safe alternative to the traditional tendoAchillis lengthening. The authors also describe a minimally invasive technique that uses a pediatric speculum for a self-retrained retractor and portal for instrumentation and visualization.
Buprenorphine has potent kappa opioid receptor antagonist activity

Buprenorphine was studied for its effects on urinary output to determine if it was an agonist, partial agonist, or antagonist at the kappa receptor. Buprenorphine was a potent antagonist of bremazocine-induced urination and had no kappa agonist activity. Thus, the high affinity that buprenorphine has for the kappa receptor results in potent kappa receptor antagonist activity in vivo.
STM studies of the N/Cu(111) system: surface structure, electron confinement and tip-induced modification

We have used scanning tunneling microscopy to examine N-terminated Cu(111) surfaces. For substaturation N coverages, elongated rectangular islands are formed, the internal structures of which are in good agreement with a model proposed in a previous LEED study. These islands sufficiently perturb the surface so as to reflect surface state electrons in the adjacent clean surface regions. This results in the observation of electron standing wave patterns. We have simultaneously observed both the electron wave patterns and atomic resolution. We have also shown that under conditions of high electric fields, the N atoms at the surface can be forced down into the second layer with Cu atoms liberated from the first layer to form single layer high islands.
Liquid‐vapor equilibria at 112.00 K for systems containing nitrogen, argon, and methane

Liquid-vapor phase equilibria measurements were made at 112.00 K on the binary systems nitrogen-argon, nitrogen-methane, and argon-methane and the ternary system nitrogen-argon-methane. Values of gE, the excess Gibbs free energy, have been calculated from the experimental data for all the systems studied. The data and derived gE values for the binary systems were compared with the results of previous investigations with satisfactory agreement.
HAY PILES OF THE MOUNTAIN BEAVER (APLODONTIA RUFA) DELAY PLANT DECOMPOSITION

Mountain beavers cache plants in neat piles above the ground near the entrances to their underground burrows, although the purpose of these hay piles remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that drying plants in piles above ground may slow decay when the plants are stored underground. Predried plants and undried controls were placed in abandoned burrows. Plants that had been predried retained more green and decayed more slowly than undried controls. This experimental test supports the hypothesis that haying may extend the time during which plants are useful to mountain beavers.
Medicaid Expansion: Tracing the True Value of a Free Lunch

By 2014, the Affordable Care Act will rely heavily upon Medicaid as the program continues to evolve from its humble origins in 1965 to become part of the new foundation of a restructured American health care system. In the three short years since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid has become the “dark horse” successor to Medicare in its attempt to reform a rapidly failing system while at the same time expanding health care to the nation’s estimated 50 million uninsured. Nearly five decades since its creation by an act of Congress, Medicaid is at last poised to steal the spotlight away from Medicare and change the course of modern American health care for decades to come.
Environmental Influence on the Incidence of Flight in the Rough-Legged Hawk

LARGE numbers of the Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) winter in the agricultural areas of the northern one-third of Illinois. In the course of my investigation of the winter habits and behavior of this species in DeKalb County, Illinois, during the winters of 1964-65 and 1965-66, it became apparent that there were pronounced day-to-day differences in the relative numbers of Rough-legged Hawks flying and standing. It appeared that these differences might be related to fluctuations in local weather conditions. Therefore, I attempted to learn more about the activity patterns of the hawks in relation to major environmental variables. Rough-legged Hawks hunt for food either by soaring and hovering or by watching for prey from a perch. Although I have no direct evidence, it may be that more prey animals are captured per unit time by flying birds as compared to perching hawks. Thus, the presence or absence of favorable conditions for flight may be a determining factor in the relative number of Rough-legs flying in search of food at any one time. The study was conducted in a 43.1 square mile area located near the center of DeKalb County; the major part of this area is in Afton Township. The terrain varies from flat to gently rolling; no large areas of timber are present and more than 80 per cent of the land is in crops. Lone trees, small groups of trees, and other suitable perching sites are scattered throughout the study area.
A longitudinal study of energy expenditure in males during steady-state exercise.

Our purpose was to investigate longitudinal changes in gross energy expenditure (GEE) of 20 middle-aged and older men during submaximal exercise in 1969 and in 1985. GEE (kcal/min) was estimated using the caloric equivalent for each liter of oxygen consumed at the measured respiratory exchange ratio during submaximal exercise. The men performed a 10-min submaximal cycle ergometer exercise test at a power output (PO) of 100 W. Pedalling frequency was 50 rpm. Results showed a significant 5.9% decrease in GEE (p less than .01) from 8.5 +/- 0.8 (M +/- SD) kcal/min in 1969 to 8.0 +/- 0.4 (M +/- SD) Kcal/min in 1985. In addition, the effects of chronological age and leisure time physical activity on GEE were assessed and found to be nonsignificant, although a significant decrease in GEE over time (p less than .02) was observed in both groups. The present results support a decrease in GEE in middle-aged and older men over the 16-year time period. Furthermore, this decrease in GEE persisted regardless of chronological age or leisure time physical activity status.
Design and Application of Data Exchange Platform for SGCC

The requirements of data exchange between the different departments in the SGCC are discussed,and the distributed symmetrical structure of data exchange platform is brought forward.The design and development of data exchange platform are based on service-oriented architecture(SOA),the platform supports the unified services for business access,with the different exchange modes and exchange formats.The platform is provided with the flexible scheduling and controlling mechanisms.As an important part of the integrated platform in SG186 project,it realizes the data exchanging vertically of information systems in the corporation.
Research on the Temperature Rise Characteristics of Discharge Coils for HV Shunt Capacitor

The temperature rise characteristics of three types of discharge coils under three conditions are compared based on the temperature rise tests discharge coils with rated load,temperature rise test of second short-circuit of rated voltage and temperature rise test of discharge of rated power.The temperature rise situation of coils in short circuit test and discharge test is analyzed by theoretical calculation,showing that the calculation and test results are in agreement.Moreover,the temperature rise status of coils at sustaining discharge test of rated power of the discharge coil is studied in this paper,showing in the result that the transient temperature of discharge coils rises with high speed in the sustaining discharge test.Therefore,in the control of shunt capacitor switching with VQC at substation,the time interval of operation of the capacitor bank should be controlled to prevent damage of coils due to excessive high transient temperature caused by sustaining switching of capacitor and sustaining discharge of discharge coils.