cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progression of Geographic Atrophy with Subsequent Exudative Neovascular Disease in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: AREDS2 Report 24.

Purpose To examine whether the rate of geographic atrophy (GA) enlargement is influenced by subsequent exudative neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and hence, to explore indirectly whether nonexudative nAMD may slow GA enlargement. Design Post hoc analysis of a controlled clinical trial cohort. Participants Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 participants 50 to 85 years of age. Methods Baseline and annual stereoscopic color fundus photographs were evaluated for (1) GA presence and area and (2) exudative nAMD presence. Two cohorts were constructed: eyes with GA at study baseline (prevalent cohort) and eyes in which GA developed during follow-up (incident cohort). Mixed-model regression of the square root of GA area was performed according to the presence or absence of subsequent exudative nAMD. Main Outcome Measures Change over time in square root of GA area. Results Of the 757 eyes in the incident GA cohort, over a mean follow-up of 2.3 years (standard deviation [SD], 1.2 years), 73 eyes (9.6%) demonstrated subsequent exudative nAMD. Geographic atrophy enlargement in these eyes was significantly slower (0.20 mm/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12–0.28 mm/year) compared with the other 684 eyes in which subsequent exudative nAMD did not develop (0.29 mm/year; 95% CI, 0.27–0.30 mm/year; P = 0.037). Of the 456 eyes in the prevalent GA cohort, over a mean follow-up of 4.1 years (SD, 1.4 years), 63 eyes (13.8%) demonstrated subsequent exudative nAMD. Geographic atrophy enlargement in these eyes was similar (0.31 mm/year; 95% CI, 0.24–0.37 mm/year) compared with the other 393 eyes in which subsequent exudative nAMD did not develop (0.28 mm/year; 95% CI, 0.26–0.29 mm/year; P = 0.37). Conclusions In eyes with recent GA, GA enlargement before the development of exudative nAMD seems slowed. This association was not observed in eyes with more long-standing GA, which have larger lesion sizes. Hence, perilesional nonexudative choroidal neovascular tissue (presumably present before the development of clinically apparent exudation) may slow enlargement of smaller GA lesions through improved perfusion. This hypothesis warrants further evaluation in prospective studies.
Incoherent Thomson scattering system for PHAse space MApping (PHASMA) experiment.

A new incoherent Thomson scattering system measures the evolution of electron velocity distribution functions perpendicular and parallel to the ambient magnetic field during kinking of a single flux rope and merging of two flux ropes through magnetic reconnection. The Thomson scattering system provides sub-millimeter spatial resolution, sufficient to diagnose the several millimeters sized magnetic reconnection electron diffusion region in the PHAse Space MAppgin experiment. Due to the relatively modest plasma density ∼1019 m−3 and electron temperature ∼1 eV, stray light suppression is critical for these measurements. Two volume Bragg gratings are used in series as a notch filter with a spectral bandwidth 47% is used as the detector in a 1.3 m spectrometer. Preliminary results of gun plasma electron temperature will be reported and compared with measurements obtained from a triple Langmuir probe.
Neonatal minimal invasive management of a prenatal gunshot trauma: case report

Prenatal penetrating gunshot trauma represents a challenging scenario for healthcare providers. Trauma is the leading non-obstetric cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, and even though rare, firearm injuries have the most fatal outcomes and higher fetus mortality rates. Understanding the mechanism of injury in order to identify the possible injuries and adequate management is essential. In this paper, we discuss the case of a newborn with prenatal gunshot trauma, the treatment used, and the outcome of conservative and minimally invasive management. We present the case of a male newborn, 37 weeks of gestational age and weighing 3050 g, delivered through an emergency cesarean section with prenatal gunshot trauma. Two skin wounds were found, one in the arm and another in the left thoracic region. The patient presented with respiratory distress, bilateral pneumothorax, and pneumoperitoneum, requiring high-frequency mechanical ventilation and the placement of bilateral thoracic drains. The pneumoperitoneum was attributed to pulmonary barotrauma, with no suspicion of abdominal hollow viscera lesion. A right thoracoscopy was performed after 24 h of conservative management for the removal of the foreign body. Both the mother and the baby had a positive outcome, with no further treatment needed. For the improvement in the result of trauma events, an adequate intervention and coordinated efforts from multidisciplinary clinical and surgical teams are required. For gunshot wounds, entry, trajectory, the final position of the bullet, and pathological findings in images need to be analyzed before taking the patient to the operative room. Chosen with strict selection criteria, some patients could benefit from conservative management.
Efficacy and Safety of Neostigmine and Decompressive Colonoscopy for Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction: A Single-Center Analysis.

Background: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is characterized by acute colonic dilation in the absence of anatomical obstruction. Neostigmine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor recommended as first-line salvage therapy for uncomplicated ACPO. Decompressive colonoscopy is recommended if neostigmine is contraindicated or unsuccessful. There is a need to better characterize relative efficacy and factors impacting treatment choice. The aim of the study was to examine the use, efficacy, and safety of neostigmine and decompressive colonoscopy in the management of ACPO at a single academic center.Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years of age meeting established criteria for uncomplicated ACPO and with cecal diameter ≥ 10 cm on imaging between 1999 and 2019 were identified. Individuals were categorized as having received supportive care alone or subsequent trials of neostigmine or decompressive colonoscopy. Demographics and pre- and post-intervention data were collected, including indication and contraindication to intervention used, time to intervention, initial response, and adverse events.Results: In 46 cases of ACPO (N = 42 patients), all but one individual received initial supportive care. Seven responded to conservative measures alone. Of the patients failing supportive care, 15 cases were initially treated with neostigmine (response rate 86.7%) and 24 initially underwent decompressive colonoscopy (response rate 95.8%) (P = 0.390). One episode of transient bradycardia, resolved with atropine, occurred in the neostigmine group. One patient experienced respiratory instability during colonoscopy.Conclusions: Both neostigmine and decompressive colonoscopy appear effective for treating uncomplicated ACPO in individuals failing conservative therapy. Adverse events were infrequent in both cohorts. Future prospective studies examining treatment for ACPO should focus on whether either intervention is superior to the other.Gastroenterol Res. 2021;14(3):157-164doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/gr1394
EFFICIENT BIOMASS CONVERSION PROCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

A greener approach to sustainable energy production is by processing and burning biomass. Readily abundant across the globe, biomass can be obtained largely from agricultural, domestic and industrial processes. The growing concern for an energy source that is environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, and economically feasible, prompts researchers to explore the conversion of everyday biomass wastes in the form of municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural wastes (such as poultry litters, wood pellets) to useful energy(i.e., heat or electricity). This research work studied the two broad biomass conversion processes- thermochemical and biochemical. A comparative study was performed using poultry litter as the biomass feedstock in both conversion processes. The obtained data was justified considering the environmental, economic and social impacts of the biomass-to-energy source. At an industrial scale, biochemical processes are capital intensive as pre-treatment and post-treatment of both feedstocks and products are required. In addition, more reaction time is required for product formation and high volume of secondary wastes (sludge) are generated during the process. On the other hand, burning of biomass waste has been largely considered as a better approach due to the fact that the CO2 generated during the process is being balanced by an equivalent amount that plants capture through photosynthesis while they are growing, thus making biomass a carbon-neutral energy source. However, raw biomass possesses low density (30–50 kg/m3) and high moisture content that limits its usage for thermochemical processes. Therefore, the inclusion of a pelletizing process which allows easier economic storage, transportation, and energy conversion characteristics, is considered as an efficient and sustainable approach to biomass-to-energy conversion
Effects of Receiving Two Initial Feedings of Colostrum on the Average Daily Gain and Health of Pre-Weaning Group Housed Holstein Heifer Calves.

We studied the effect on average daily gain (ADG) and health of an additional colostrum feeding to Holstein dairy heifers 12–16 h after the first colostrum feeding, provided within 2 h of birth. Calves (n = 190) with an average birth weight of 38.8 kg (29.5–52.6 kg) were randomly enrolled in blocks to either the control (CON) or colostrum (COL). The CON received 3 L of acidified pasteurized whole milk, and the COL received 3 L of pasteurized colostrum [average: 25.5 (24.7–26.4)% Brix]. Calves were group-housed, weighed, withers height measured weekly. Serum was obtained and analyzed with a% Brix refractometer. Mixed linear models were used to assess the differences in ADG, body weight, and height between the treatment and control. There was no difference in ADG between the COL and CON. However, serum % Brix was higher in the COL group (9.7%) than in the CON group (9.2%). Calves in the COL had more antibiotic treatments for respiratory diseases but fewer antibiotic treatments for otitis than the CON. In conclusion, providing an extra feeding of colostrum did not contribute to ADG of Holstein heifers during the pre-weaning period but did provide them with a higher total serum protein concentration.
Happiness, Politics and the Cooperative Principles

How are cooperatives different from traditional capitalist enterprises? Are these differences more than superficial, and is there any deeper, political significance to them? I argue that what makes cooperatives different is their basis in an ideology that emphasizes social institutions, which stands in stark contrast to the individualism implicit in capitalism. The case for cooperatives on the basis of this ideology was perhaps best articulated in the 1820s by William Thompson, one of the leaders of the cooperative movement. Thompson’s theory is contrasted with that of Jeremy Bentham, from whom Thompson takes many central concepts - although he takes them in a very different direction. Bentham’s and Thompson’s theories diverge because of their different understandings about what constitutes happiness and “the greatest happiness of the greatest number.” Bentham equates happiness with pleasure, an individualistic concept, while Thompson argues that it happiness is best understood as well-being, which is much more of a social condition. This difference leads the two to very different conclusions about the underlying principles of social institutions. Ultimately, it is shown how Thompson’s theory can be understood as providing an ideological foundation for the cooperatives as defined by the International Cooperative Alliance, which raises some questions and poses some challenges for cooperatives today.
Simulating warehouse layout patterns in order to improve cube utilization

The nature of the pharmaceutical industry, with its stringent controls, forces special operating procedures throughout the manufacturing cycle. One recently adopted procedure deals with our raw materials warehouse.The basis of the space control system is this: Once a group of pallets, all with the same vendor's lot number, is stored in a sub-bay, nothing else is stored in that sub-bay until the last pallet of the original material is withdrawn.The decision variables that affect the performance of the warehouse describe the floor configuration. Of course, the program allows the floor to be laid out in many different ways in order to note the influence of the different layouts on our performance statistics. It must be pointed out that this simulation is not concerned with anything other than cube utilization; i.e., the location of products for rapid or slow retrieval is not considered.It is the purpose of the program to find the point at which the loss of usable cube taken up by aisles equals the savings realized by better cube utilization.
Identification of multichannel linear non-Gaussian processes using higher-order statistics

This paper is concerned with the problem of estimating the matrix impulse response function of a multiple-input multiple-output system given only the measurements of the vector output of the system. The system is assumed to be driven by a temporally i.d.d. and spatially independent non-Gaussian vector sequence (which is not observed). An iterative, inverse filter criteria based approach is developed using the third-order or the fourth-order normalized cumulants of the inverse filtered data at zero-lag. Stationary points of the proposed cost functions are investigated. The approach is input-iterative, i.e., the inputs are extracted and removed one-by-one. The matrix impulse response is then obtained by cross-correlating the extracted inputs with the observed outputs. Identifiability conditions are analyzed. Computer simulation examples are presented to illustrate the proposed approaches.
/spl mu/sik - a micro-kernel for parallel/distributed simulation systems

A novel micro-kernel approach to building parallel/distributed simulation systems is presented. Using this approach, a unified system architecture is developed for incorporating multiple types of simulation processes. The processes hold potential to employ a variety of synchronization mechanisms, and could even alter their choice of mechanism dynamically. Supported mechanisms include traditional lookahead-based conservative and state saving-based optimistic execution approaches. Also supported are newer mechanisms such as reverse computation-based optimistic execution and aggregation-based event processing, all within a single parsimonious application programming interface. The internal implementation and a preliminary performance evaluation of this interface are presented in /spl mu/sik, which is an efficient parallel/distributed realization of the microkernel architecture in C/sup ++/.
Clocks on the Brain

In many animals, circadian oscillators in the brain and periphery synchronize gene expression and behavior with the 24-hour day:night cycle. In their Perspective, [Green and Menaker][1] discuss new work ([ Dudley et al .][2]), which shows that the master oscillator in the hypothalamus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, cooperates with an oscillator in the forebrain to synchronize circadian behavior in mice. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/301/5631/319 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/301/5631/379
Alcohol Dependence, Withdrawal, and Relapse

Continued excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of dependence that is associated with a withdrawal syndrome when alcohol consumption is ceased or substantially reduced. This syndrome comprises physical signs as well as psychological symptoms that contribute to distress and psychological discomfort. For some people the fear of withdrawal symptoms may help perpetuate alcohol abuse; moreover, the presence of withdrawal symptoms may contribute to relapse after periods of abstinence. Withdrawal and relapse have been studied in both humans and animal models of alcoholism. Clinical studies demonstrated that alcohol-dependent people are more sensitive to relapse-provoking cues and stimuli than nondependent people, and similar observations have been made in animal models of alcohol dependence, withdrawal, and relapse. One factor contributing to relapse is withdrawal-related anxiety, which likely reflects adaptive changes in the brain in response to continued alcohol exposure. These changes affect, for example, the body's stress response system. The relationship between withdrawal, stress, and relapse also has implications for the treatment of alcoholic patients. Interestingly, animals with a history of alcohol dependence are more sensitive to certain medications that impact relapse-like behavior than animals without such a history, suggesting that it may be possible to develop medications that specifically target excessive, uncontrollable alcohol consumption.
Gas-Liquid Chromatographic Analysis for Purine and Pyrimidine Bases in Hydrolysates of Nucleic Acid

In this fast, simple method for analysis of microgram amounts of purine and pyrimidine bases in nucleic acid hydrolysates, RNA and DNA are optimally hydrolyzed in equal volumes of trifluoroacetic acid and formic acid, heated in a closed tube at 200°C for 1.5 h (for RNA) or at 150°C for 2.0 h (for DNA). The trifluoroacetic acid and formic acid are evaporated from the hydrolysates on a hot plate at 60°C, under a stream of pure nitrogen. The resulting nucleic acid bases are then silylated with a mixture of equal volumes of bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and acetonitrile at 150°C for 15 min, and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography on a column of SE-30 on Supelcoport.
Fournier’s Gangrene

Fournier’s gangrene is a necrotizing process caused by synergistic bacterial infection of the superficial soft tissue of the external genitalia. Perirectal, periurethral, or superficial infection of the perineum or scrotum is the most common origin of the disease. Many but not all patients have identifiable risk factors such as diabetes. The superficial spread of disease in the fascial planes of the penis, scrotum, perineum, and anterior abdominal wall is predictable based on the blood supply and fascial anatomy. Rapid diagnosis, emergent aggressive surgical debridement, and supportive care including medical resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotics remain the keys to management of this urological emergency. After debridement, prolonged dressing care or vacuum-assisted therapy is necessary to prepare the wound bed for autografting or other skin coverage. This wound care often results in significant morbidity and the need for ongoing care after discharge. Despite optimal medical and surgical care, Fournier’s gangrene remains a potentially lethal disease, especially in patients of advanced age and those with extensive disease. Greater hospital experience with Fournier’s gangrene appears to decrease mortality supporting the role of further regionalization of care for this rare disease.
Statistical Learning Algorithms to Compensate Slow Visual Feedback for Industrial Robots

Vision guided robots have become an important element in the manufacturing industry. In most current industrial applications, vision guided robots are controlled by a lookthen-move method. This method cannot support many new emerging demands which require real-time vision guidance. Challenge comes from the speed of visual feedback. Due to cost limit, industrial robot vision systems are subject to considerable latency and limited sampling rate. This paper proposes new algorithms to address this challenge by compensating the latency and slow sampling of visual feedback so that real-time vision guided robot control can be realized with satisfactory performance. Statistical learning methods are developed to model the pattern of target’s motion adaptively. The learned model is used to recover visual measurement from latency and slow sampling. The imaging geometry of the camera and all-dimensional motion of the target are fully considered. Tests are conducted to provide evaluation from different aspects.
The euro as an opportunity for value creation

Asks whether the introduction of the euro has added value to firms, noting that it has reduced imports, exchange rate volatility and transaction costs in member states; and stimulated European mergers and acquisitions and cross‐border deals, even though these may be hampered by nationalism, tax/legal differences and problems with language and culture. Constrasts trens towards consolidation with restructuring, divestment and downsizing in some companies; and looks at the effect of changes in euro values on manufacturing industry, prices and margins. Believes that uniform pricing will not be achieved until the euro is used by all firms in the region, buyers are able to act on price differentials and obstacles to eliminating differentials are removed; and explains why none of these conditions are met at present. Suggests that businesses should prepare for the greater complexity in themarketplace which also represents an opportunity for value creation.
Training satisfaction for subspecialty fellows in internal medicine: Findings from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Learners' Perceptions Survey

Learner satisfaction assessment is critical in the design and improvement of training programs. However, little is known about what influences satisfaction and whether trainee specialty is correlated. A national comparison of satisfaction among internal medicine subspecialty fellows in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a unique opportunity to examine educational factors associated with learner satisfaction. We compared satisfaction across internal medicine fellows by subspecialty and compared factors associated with satisfaction between procedural versus non-procedural subspecialty fellows, using data from the Learners' Perceptions Survey (LPS), a validated survey tool. We surveyed 2,221 internal medicine subspecialty fellows rotating through VA between 2001 and 2008. Learners rated their overall training satisfaction on a 100-point scale, and on a five-point Likert scale ranked satisfaction with items within six educational domains: learning, clinical, working and physical environments; personal experience; and clinical faculty/preceptor. Procedural and non-procedural fellows reported similar overall satisfaction scores (81.2 and 81.6). Non-procedural fellows reported higher satisfaction with 79 of 81 items within the 6 domains and with the domain of physical environment (4.06 vs. 3.85, p <0.001). Satisfaction with clinical faculty/preceptor and personal experience had the strongest impact on overall satisfaction for both. Procedural fellows reported lower satisfaction with physical environment. Internal medicine fellows are highly satisfied with their VA training. Nonprocedural fellows reported higher satisfaction with most items. For both procedural and non-procedural fellows, clinical faculty/preceptor and personal experience have the strongest impact on overall satisfaction.
Influence of simulated upper intestinal parameters on the efficiency of beta carotene micellarisation using an in vitro model of digestion

This study was undertaken to better understand how variations in the parameters used to simulate the upper intestinal environment influence the transfer of a lipophilic molecule, beta carotene (BC), from the oily to the aqueous phase of digestate using a static model of digestion. Bile, pancreatin and pH were important and inter-related factors in determining the efficiency of BC transfer (P < 0.05). Less than 4% and 8% of the BC was transferred to the aqueous phase in the absence of bile and pancreatin, respectively. Generally, the proportion of BC transferred increased with bile and pancreatin concentrations and with pH. Under conditions which simulated the fed versus fasted states of digestion, significantly more BC was incorporated in the aqueous fraction (46.5% versus 18.8%). These results underscore the need to carefully consider and define the experimental parameters used for in vitro assays to study the digestion of carotenoids and other lipophilic molecules.
Functional classification of cell types in the growth hormone‐ and prolactin‐secreting rat MtTW15 mammosomatotropic tumor with ultrastructural immunocytochemistry

The aim of this study was to identify the neoplastic endocrine cells which contain growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), in the MtTW15 mammosomatotropic tumor, with ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. We used tumors recovered after 5 to 11 weeks of tumor development, from normal (untreated) rats and from rats treated with the progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)--a stimulator of GH secretion in these tumors. Immunocytochemical staining was done with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique on ultrathin sections of tumor that had been fixed in glutaraldehyde and postfixed on osmium tetroxide. Immunospecific staining for PRL was found over small (150 nm) secretion granules, whereas staining for GH was deposited on the larger secretion granules (250 nm). Tumors from MPA-treated rats contained profuse numbers of neoplastic cells with large, GH-positive granules. Immunocytochemical staining for GH and PRL was also found in crinophagic, lysosome-like inclusions, particularly in cells that contained many secretion granules. The results support the hypothesis that GH and PRL are produced by separate neoplastic endocrine cell types in the MtTW15 mammosomatotropic tumor, and demonstrate the value of ultrastructural immunocytochemical analysis for functional classification of cell types in chromophobic pituitary adenomas.
Effects of noise, nonlinear processing, and linear filtering on perceived music quality

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative impact of different forms of hearing aid signal processing on quality ratings of music. Design: Music quality was assessed using a rating scale for three types of music: orchestral classical music, jazz instrumental, and a female vocalist. The music stimuli were subjected to a wide range of simulated hearing aid processing conditions including, (1) noise and nonlinear processing, (2) linear filtering, and (3) combinations of noise, nonlinear, and linear filtering. Study sample: Quality ratings were measured in a group of 19 listeners with normal hearing and a group of 15 listeners with sensorineural hearing impairment. Results: Quality ratings in both groups were generally comparable, were reliable across test sessions, were impacted more by noise and nonlinear signal processing than by linear filtering, and were significantly affected by the genre of music. Conclusions: The average quality ratings for music were reasonably well pr...
Optimal Power Allocation Under Communication Network Externalities

Efficient resource allocation is an important problem that aims for a “greener” and more environmentally friendly electric power grid. The smart behavior of the newly emerged grid, combined with two-way communication between users and the operator allows for actions like measurement, monitoring, prediction, and control signaling so as to maximize social welfare. We introduce a framework for optimal resource allocation in smart grids that also considers the uncertainty in message signaling. This introduces communication network externalities, added on top of the existing transmission network ones. The task at hand resembles the so called local public goods problem in mathematical economics terminology, a problem impractical to solve using centralized mechanisms. We propose an iterative, decentralized algorithm for its solution. The algorithm is scalable for deployment in large networks since it requires only messages per network user per iteration, where is the number of users. Moreover, it is guaranteed to converge, does not require revelation of private information from each user and all algorithm actions can be realized by programmable smart devices of the grid.
A common deletion polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A4 gene and its significance in lipid metabolism.

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV, protein; APOA4, gene) is a major constituent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles, but its precise function in lipid metabolism is still uncertain. We have determined APOA4 genetic polymorphism in 285 randomly selected Melanesians from the Solomon Islands and have evaluated its significance in lipid metabolism. By using isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting techniques, a variant pattern, indistinguishable from the APOA4*2 allele uniquely found in white populations at a frequency of about 8%, was detected at a relatively high frequency (19%) in the Melanesian sample. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequencing of the 3' end of the APOA4 gene revealed that the Melanesian mutation is distinct from the known APOA4*2 mutation and that it involves a four-amino acid deletion in the evolutionarily conserved carboxyl-terminal region in the apoA-IV protein, which consists of four repeats of four amino acids each. After adjustment for concomitant variables, we investigated the impact of the deletion polymorphism on plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, apoA-I, apoA-II, and apoE. A significant (P = .02) and gene-dosage effect was observed on the plasma levels of apoA-I and apoA-II: these levels were lowest in individuals homozygous for the deletion allele (D), intermediate in heterozygotes (ND), and highest in homozygous individuals for the normal allele (N). The average effect of the APOA4*D allele was to lower apoA-I and apoA-II by 8 mg/dL and 2 mg/dL, respectively, and the APOA4 polymorphism accounted for about 3% of the phenotypic variance in both cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Measurement of DNA content and cell volume in senescent human fibroblasts utilizing flow multiparameter single cell analysis.

Abstract Cell cycle analysis of senescent cultured human fibroblasts by flow cytofluorometry reveals an increased proportion of cells in the G 1 period. An increased variation as well as a slight decrease in cellular DNA contents were observed in both G 1 and G 2 + M senescent cells. Utilizing gated single parameter analysis, the increased cell volumes observed in these senescent fibroblasts were demonstrated to be present in G 1 as well as G2 + M cells.
Contaminant uptake by fish and the potential for transfer to humans modelled over time

Jensem A.L.. 1986. Contaminant uptake by fish and the potential for transfer to humans modelled over time. Ecol. Modelling. 32: 281-290. A model is developed that enables coupling of contaminant uptake with the growth dynamics of fish, exploitation, and transfer and fate. Contaminant concentration in fish is a function of the properties of the contaminant, concentrations in their food and water, of their growth dynamics, and of the level of exploitation. Exploitation has a large effect on the size and age structure of exploited populations and, therefore, it also has a large effect on contaminant concentrations and potential rates of transfer to humans. It is essential that the biological component of transfer and fate models describe these aspects of contaminant uptake but at the same time the model must be relatively simple and describe uptake as a function of time rather than age.
10 Nutrition and ulcerative colitis

Abstract The role of diet in the aetiology and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) remains uncertain. Impaired utilization by colonocytes of butyrate, a product of bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates escaping digestion, may be important. Sulphur-fermenting bacteria may be involved in this impaired utilization. Oxidative stress probably mediates tissue injury but is probably not of causative importance. Patients with UC are prone to malnutrition and its detrimental effects. However, there is no role for total parenteral nutrition and bowel rest as primary therapy for UC. The maintenance of adequate nutrition is very important, particularly in the pen-operative patient. In the absence of massive bleeding, perforation, toxic megacolon or obstruction, enteral rather than parenteral nutrition should be the mode of choice. Nutrients may be beneficial as adjuvant therapy. Butyrate enemas have improved patients with otherwise recalcitrant distal colitis in small studies. Non-cellulose fibre supplements are of benefit in rats with experimental colitis. Eicosapentaenoic acid in fish oil has a steroid-sparing effect which, although modest, is important, particularly in terms of reducing the risk of osteoporosis, but it seems to have no role in the patient with inactive disease. γ-Linolenic acid and anti-oxidants also are showing promise. Nutrients may also modify the increased risk of colorectal carcinoma. Oxidative stress can damage tissue DNA but there are no data published at present on possible protection from oral anti-oxidants. Butyrate protects against experimental carcinogenesis in rats with experimental colitis. Folate supplementation is weakly associated with decreased incidence of cancer in UC patients when assessed retrospectively. Vigilance should be maintained for increased micronutrient requirements and supplements given as appropriate. Calcium and low-dose vitamin D should be given to patients on long-term steroids and folate to those on sulphasalazine.
Identification of ordered atomic structures of Ba on the Si(100) surface

Abstract Three long-range ordered atomic structures of (2 × 3), (1 × 2) and (2 × 4) phases have been observed by low-energy electron-diffraction (LEED) in the Ba/Si(100) surface at submonolayer Ba coverages (θ 2 ML), which might result from Ba diffusion and possible formation of a barium suicide.
A comparison of space-based observations of the energy budgets of the mesosphere and the troposphere

The flow of energy from the Sun, through the atmosphere, to the Earth's surface and oceans, and ultimately back to space, controls the weather and climate of the planet. Since the dawn of the Space Age, the energy balance of the planet has been measured by orbiting satellites. Over the past 40 years the technology and the scientific understanding have developed to the point where we can measure not only the energy balance of the entire Earth and its atmosphere but also of the various regions of the atmosphere including the troposphere, the stratosphere, and the mesosphere. With the planned space-based observations of the sources and sinks of energy in the mesosphere, the energy balance of this region of the atmosphere may soon be better understood from observations than the energy balance of the troposphere on seasonal to annual timescales. Fundamental to this assertion is the fact that the primary sources and sinks of radiative and chemical potential energy, the thermal structure, and the winds in the mesosphere are to be directly observed by space-based instrumentation at high vertical resolution, in contrast to the troposphere. In this paper we review some of the planned measurements of the energy budgets of the atmosphere from existing and future space-based platforms. We particularly show how the airglow can be used to determine many of the key sources of energy in the mesosphere. These ideas provide the basis for interpretation of new space-based measurements of the mesosphere planned in the near future.
Development of National Standardized All-Hazard Disaster Core Competencies for Acute Care Physicians, Nurses, and EMS Professionals

The training of medical personnel to provide care for disaster victims is a priority for the physician community, the federal government, and society as a whole. Course development for such training guided by well-accepted standardized core competencies is lacking, however. This project identified a set of core competencies and performance objectives based on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by the specific target audience (emergency department nurses, emergency physicians, and out-of-hospital emergency medical services personnel) to ensure they can treat the injuries and illnesses experienced by victims of disasters regardless of cause. The core competencies provide a blueprint for the development or refinement of disaster training courses. This expert consensus project, supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, incorporated an all-hazard, comprehensive emergency management approach addressing every type of disaster to minimize the effect on the public's health. An instructional systems design process was used to guide the development of audience-appropriate competencies and performance objectives. Participants, representing multiple academic and provider organizations, used a modified Delphi approach to achieve consensus on recommendations. A framework of 19 content categories (domains), 19 core competencies, and more than 90 performance objectives was developed for acute medical care personnel to address the requirements of effective all-hazards disaster response. Creating disaster curricula and training based on the core competencies and performance objectives identified in this article will ensure that acute medical care personnel are prepared to treat patients and address associated ramifications/consequences during any catastrophic event.
Solving Sisyphus by design

Abstract This paper demonstrates how the Domain-Independent Design System (DIDS) was used to solve the Sisyphus room-assignment problem by viewing it as a configuration-design task. We have developed a general problem-solving method for configuration design, based on constraint-satisfaction techniques. This method efficiently solves the Sisyphus problem, and provides strong guidance for knowledge acquisition. This paper presents both the problem solver and knowledge-acquisition support created by DIDS to solve the Sisyphus problem.
Left Atrium Nanoplatform-Enabled Targeted Photodynamic Ablation: Preliminary Results In Vivo

Background Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of generating exquisitely localized cell damage by laser illumination of a tissue previously perfused with photosensitizing substances. Our goal was to adapt this approach to achieve cell-specific cardiac ablation. Here, we present preliminary results demonstrating feasibility in vivo. Methods In vivo PDT ablation was performed in anesthetized rats after left lateral thoracotomy and exposure of the left atrium (Figure B). Then, a PDT-enabling nanoplatform—10-nm/8-arm PEG conjugated to chlorine (Ce6) and to the cardiac targeting peptide (CTP), as photosensitizer and targeting agent, respectively—was injected in the tail vein. After 15–60 minutes, 300-mW 671-nm laser light was directed toward the left atrium. Results Ce6 fluorescence intensity profile (Figure A) showed that PDT nanoplatform myocardial delivery and targeting were highly tissue specific. During in vivo PDT ablation, local left atrial appendages (LAA) electrogram amplitude was monitored as a surrogate indicator of ablation success. Before PDT nanoplatform injection and in sham experiments in which the PDT nanoplatform was not injected, LAA local electrogram amplitude did not change after laser illumination (13.1% ± 4.6%, P = .36, N=3). However, after PDT nanoplatform injection, laser illumination led to rapid myocardial ablation, and LAA electrogram local signal amplitude was reduced by 95% in nontargeted free Ce6 injected rats (88.3% ± 10.1%, P P Conclusions Our preliminary data strongly support the feasibility of nanoplatform-enabled and tissue-specific PDT ablation.
Comparative genomic analyses identify common molecular pathways modulated upon exposure to low doses of arsenic and cadmium

Background Exposure to the toxic metals arsenic and cadmium is associated with detrimental health effects including cancers of various organs. While arsenic and cadmium are well known to cause adverse health effects at high doses, the molecular impact resulting from exposure to environmentally relevant doses of these metals remains largely unexplored.
Biomedical Literature Mining

Despite an influx of molecular data in the form of sequences, structure, transcription profiles etc., most of the protein interaction information relevant to cell biology research still exists strictly in the scientific literature which is written in a natural language that computers cannot easily manipulate. Automatically mining and extracting information from biomedical text holds the promise of easily consolidating large amounts of biological knowledge in computer-accessible form. In this talk, we present a novel approach Bio-IEDM (Biomedical Information Extraction and Data Mining) to integrate text mining and predictive modeling to analyze biomolecular network from biomedical literature databases. Our method consists of two phases. In phase 1, we discuss a semi-supervised efficient learning approach to automatically extract biological relationships such as protein-protein interaction, protein-gene interaction from the biomedical literature databases to construct the biomolecular network. In phase 2, we present a novel clustering algorithm to analyze the biomolecular network graph to identify biologically meaningful subnetworks (communities). The clustering algorithm considers the characteristics of the scale-free network graphs and is based on the local density of the vertex and its neighborhood functions that can be used to find more meaningful clusters with different density level. The experimental results indicate our approach is very effective in extracting biological knowledge from a huge collection of biomedical literatures. The integration of data mining and information extraction provides a promising direction for analyzing the biomolecular network.
Correlation of Intraocular Pressures in Pairs of Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins

Purpose: Studies of twins may help to establish the importance of hereditary and environmental determinants of chronic diseases. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a risk factor for glaucoma. The authors hypothesized that IOPs would be more highly correlated between monozygotic (MZ) than between dizygotic (DZ) twins. Methods: This was a concurrent, case-control study. Volunteer pairs of twins were recruited at a twins' festival. Zygosity was determined by a questionnaire that correlates well with blood-typing classification. Intraocular pressure was measured with a Tonopen six times within 5 minutes (3 times per eye) and averaged. Results: Mean IOP was 14.4 ± 2.7 mmHg for 61 pairs of MZ twins and 13.9 ± 2.6 mmHg for 32 pairs of DZ twins. The difference in IOP between the members of a pair was abbreviated Δ IOP. The authors found a significant difference in median Δ IOP between the MZ and DZ groups (1.2 versus 2.3 mmHg; P = 0.0014). Intraocular pressures were more highly correlated when considering right versus left eyes (intraclass correlation, r 1 = 0.853; P 1 = 0.735; P 1 = 0.407; P = 0.006). Conclusions: The intraclass correlation for IOP was greater for MZ than for DZ twins. In addition, the median intrapair difference (median Δ IOP) was less for MZ than for DZ twins. These results suggest that hereditary factors may play some role in the determination of IOP.
Mutual coupling in a finite planar array of circular apertures

Equations are presented for the calculation of the interelement mutual coupling in a finite size planar array of waveguide-fed apertures in an infinite flat conductor. The general mutual admittance expression is evaluated for circular apertures and the mutual coupling calculations are verified experimentally for two TE_{11} mode excited apertures. Qualitative agreement between calculations for a 183 element array and an infinite array establishes the validity of the finite array theoretical model.
NON-INTRUSIVE PARTICLE TRACKING SYSTEM FOR PARTICULATE FLOWS AND VIBRATED GRANULAR BEDS

ABSTRACT A unique, non-intrusive particle tracking system based on the principle of magnetic induction coupling is presented. In this system, small transmitters are mounted inside the particle being tracked, and a set of receiving antennae surrounding the experimental apparatus. Based on the measured signals for induced voltages in the antennae, the three-dimensional trajectory of the particle is resolved by solving the inverse problem. The experimental system development, including hardware and data acquisition aspects, is also described. The system was tested through test experiments which include a real time trajectory. The results indicate that a system with three mutually orthogonal transmitters provides accurate results. This system is ideally suited for experimental investigation of segregation in vibrated beds. Results for such study of real trajectories of a single sphere rising in a mass of other spheres in a vibrated bed are also shown to demonstrate phenomena such as period doubling and bifurc...
PR-domain–containing Mds1-Evi1 is critical for long-term hematopoietic stem cell function

The Mds1 and Evi1 complex locus (Mecom) gives rise to several alternative transcripts implicated in leukemogenesis. However, the contribution that Mecom-derived gene products make to normal hematopoiesis remains largely unexplored. To investigate the role of the upstream transcription start site of Mecom in adult hematopoiesis, we created a mouse model with a lacZ knock-in at this site, termed ME(m1), which eliminates Mds1-Evi1 (ME), the longer, PR-domain-containing isoform produced by the gene (also known as PRDM3). β-galactosidase-marking studies revealed that, within hematopoietic cells, ME is exclusively expressed in the stem cell compartment. ME deficiency leads to a reduction in the number of HSCs and a complete loss of long-term repopulation capacity, whereas the stem cell compartment is shifted from quiescence to active cycling. Genetic exploration of the relative roles of endogenous ME and EVI1 isoforms revealed that ME preferentially rescues long-term HSC defects. RNA-seq analysis in Lin(-)Sca-1(+)c-Kit(+) cells (LSKs) of ME(m1) documents near complete silencing of Cdkn1c, encoding negative cell-cycle regulator p57-Kip2. Reintroduction of ME into ME(m1) LSKs leads to normalization of both p57-Kip2 expression and growth control. Our results clearly demonstrate a critical role of PR-domain-containing ME in linking p57-kip2 regulation to long-term HSC function.
Initial characterization results of a low-voltage CD SEM for reticle metrology

This paper presents results obtained using a low-voltage critical dimension scanning electron microscope (CD SEM) for the imaging and measurement of features patterned on quartz photomasks. The SEM system used was designed for handling silicon wafer substrates and has been adapted to accommodate 6', 250 mil photomask substrates. The scope for this initial characterization is limited to the two most common reticle metrology applications on current technology photomasks; patterned PBS photoresist features on chrome, and patterned chrome features on quartz. Images, data, and analysis of the characterization results are presented, and the unique difficulties of imaging and measurement of each of these two types of samples is discussed.
The effect of in utero exposure to indomethacin on the need for surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in the neonate

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to determine the effect of in utero exposure to indomethacin on the need for surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Study Design: Perinatal variables were compared between infants at t , Mann-Whitney, χ 2 , and multiple logistic regression tests. Results: Eight of 77 infants with PDA failed therapy and required surgery. Maternal demographics, gestational age, birth weight, and delivery route were similar in both groups. In utero exposure to indomethacin was more common in neonates requiring surgery versus those who did not, particularly when exposure was for >72 hours (50.0% vs 8.7%, odds ratio 10.5, 95% CI 1.6-72.1, P =.008). Conclusion: Need for surgical closure of PDA appears to be increased by in utero indomethacin exposure. These findings should be considered in the overall context of the risk versus benefits of tocolysis. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:886-8.)