cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiographic disease severity in chronic rhinosinusitis patients and health care utilization.

Objectives Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects approximately 12% of the population and leads to increased health care utilization and indirect costs exceeding $20 billion annually in the United States. The Lund-Mackay score (LMS) measures radiographic disease severity for CRS but poorly correlates with symptom scores. The association between LMS and health care utilization in CRS patients has not yet been investigated. The study aimed to assess the association between health care utilization and CRS radiographic severity using LMS. Methods CRS patients enrolled in a clinical registry were evaluated. Nasal endoscopy findings and LMS were recorded for patients with sinus CT imaging. Patient symptom scores, demographic characteristics, and health care utilization measures were collected. The relationship between these factors and LMS was examined. Results A total of 556 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 45.3 years, 53.4% were male, and 41.7% had nasal polyps. There was no difference in sex, smoking history, 22-item Sino-nasal Outcome Test scores, or past medical history factors between patients with high (≥8, n = 410) and low (<8, n = 146) LMS. Among high LMS patients, 73.7% underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) compared to 55.5% with low LMS (P < .01), and a greater percentage of patients had nasal polyps (49.3% vs 20.5%, P < .01). On multivariable logistic regression, high LMS patients used fewer antibiotic courses (OR: 0.68 [0.51-0.91]), but were more likely to be managed with ESS (OR: 2.28 [1.41-3.73]), and have nasal polyps (OR: 2.11 [1.16-3.93]) compared to low LMS patients. There was no significant difference in the number of steroid courses, over the counter pill use, provider visits, work/school days missed, or symptom duration between the two LMS groups. Conclusion CRS patients with severe radiographic disease are more likely to have nasal polyps, undergo ESS, and take fewer antibiotic courses. However, there is no association between radiographic disease severity and other measures of health care utilization. Level of Evidence 2b, individual retrospective cohort study.
American Muse: Anthropological Excursions into Art and Aesthetics

1. Introduction. 2. The Role of Art in Americans' Lives: Three Vignettes. 3. Weddings: Art in an American Rite of Passage. 4. Art's Cultural Significance. 5. Who Put the "Bomp" in the "Bomp, Bomp, Bomp"?: What American Music Says about American Arts. 6. The Artist's World. 7. The Artist. 8. Art and the Inner World. 9. Art and Society. 10. Vernacular Aesthetics. 11. Calliope in America. References.
Liberalization and Reregulation in a Globalized Economy

Building a regulatory regime over its industry challenges the Chinese state in the process of moving towards a modern economy. To what extent has the socialist state intervention in markets been altered along with China’s integration into the global economy? Roselyn Hsueh examines China’s regulatory regime of FDI through the comparison of two industries, telecommunication and textiles and finds an interesting mode of global economic integration that distinguishes China from both the liberal economic model and the East Asian developmental state model. The conclusion is that, even though China has introduced commitments made to the WTO and has liberalized FDI, it only appears to be a more liberal state in that the government has “selectively imposed new regulations at the sectoral level, asserting and even tightening control over industry and market development.” She further explores the political implication of this bifurcated strategy—“liberalization two-step”—and argues that introduction of economic competition and tolerance of private economies and market ideas and norms do not necessarily lead to political change towards a democratic one.
Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal.

In a double-blind, crossover study, wedetermined whether microencapusulated pancreatic enzymesreduce postprandial symptoms experienced by healthyvolunteers after ingestion of a high calorie, high fat meal. At 7 AM, 18 subjects ingested 185 g ofcookies (1196 calories and 72 g of fat) with threepancrelipase capsules or a placebo. The severity ofgastrointestinal symptoms and flatus passages wererecorded for 15-17 hr, and end-alveolar samples wereobtained hourly for 10 hr. Ingestion of pancreaticsupplements was associated with a significant (P =0.049) reduction in bloating over the entire recordingperiod, and with significant reductions in bloating,gas, and fullness during the dinner to bedtime period.Pancreatic supplements had no significant effect onbreath H2 or CH4 concentration.The finding that pancreatic supplements reduce postprandial symptoms inhealthy subjects suggests that these supplements alsomight be beneficial in irritable bowelsyndrome.
Greenfoot: introducing Java with games and simulations: pre-conference workshop/tutorial presentation

Greenfoot is an interactive Java development environment created by the developers of BlueJ for use in introductory programming classrooms. Greenfoot provides a graphical animated environment in which to develop programs while students only need to use basic Java syntax to control the actors in their scenarios. Neither students nor educators need to focus on the graphical elements of the programs. They simply focus on the behaviors of the actors and the system provides the graphics. This hands-on workshop is intended to give educators (middle school, high school, and college) an introduction to the Greenfoot environment, a demonstration of how it can be used to introduce object-oriented programming to students, and a guided approach to developing Greenfoot experiences that can be integrated into existing curricula. The resources that are available to instructors using the environment will also be discussed.
A Young Cluster of Galaxies at z=2.5

We recently used narrowband infrared imaging to discover an Hα-emitting galaxy at a redshift of z = 2.5 (Malkan, Teplitz, & McLean 1995). Optical spectroscopy with the Keck-I telescope reveals a spectrum of both strong narrow emission lines, especially Lyα and the stellar and interstellar absorption lines characteristic of young starbursts, at a redshift of 2.498. This galaxy has a current star formation rate of 10-100 M☉ yr-1 (the uncertainty depending mostly on reddening corrections), and should evolve into a normal galaxy with a present-day luminosity of L* or less. Combining deep optical imaging with our previous infrared photometry, we obtain an accurate VIJHK energy distribution which strongly constrains the evolutionary status of this object. The best model is a burst of star formation that started no earlier than z ~ 5.5. Therefore, this young galaxy is probably being seen during its initial episode of star formation, and meets our operational definition of a protogalaxy. In addition, further narrow-band infrared imaging of this region has revealed a close pair of fainter Hα-emitting galaxies which lie within 500 kpc of the first galaxy. Their high Hα luminosities and bluer colors suggest that they are seen even closer to the peak of their initial epochs of star formation. We propose that all three objects are part of a young galaxy cluster at z = 2.5.
Optical region elemental abundance analyses of B and A stars. VI - The normal stars HR 6559 (A7 IV) and Eta Leporis (F0 IV)

Abundance analyses using optical region data and fully line-blanketed model atmospheres have been performed for the sharp-lined superficially normal stars HR 6559 (A7 IV) and Eta Leporis (F0 IV), consistent with previous studies of middle B through early A type stars. HR 6559 and Eta Lep are slightly metal-weak in general. Their analyses and that of Theta Leo (A2 V) support the suggestion of Smith (1974) that sharp-lined normal A stars do not necessarily have photospheric abundances identical with those of normal middle to late B stars.
A Model of Individual Keyword Performance in Paid Search Advertising

In paid search advertising on Internet search engines, advertisers bid for specific keywords, e.g. "Rental Cars LAX," to display a text ad in the sponsored section of the search results page. The advertiser is charged when a user clicks on the ad. Many of the keywords in paid search campaigns generate few, if any, sales conversions - even over several months. This sparseness makes it difficult to assess the profit performance of individual keywords and has led to the practice of managing large groups of keywords together or relying on easy-to-calculate heuristics such as click-through rate (CTR). The authors develop a model of individual keyword conversion that addresses the sparseness problem. Conversion rates are estimated using a hierarchical Bayes binary choice model. This enables conversion to be based on both word-level covariates and shrinkage across keywords. The model is applied to keyword-level paid search data containing daily information on impressions, clicks and reservations for a major lodging chain. The results show that including keyword-level covariates and heterogeneity significantly improves conversion estimates. A holdout comparison suggests that campaign management based on the model, i.e., estimated cost-per-sale on a keyword level, would outperform existing managerial strategies.
Resonances in the Cardiovascular System Caused by Rhythmical Muscle Tension

Paced 0.1 Hz breathing causes high-amplitude HR oscillation, triggering resonance in the cardiovascular system (CVS). This oscillation is considered to be a primary therapeutic factor in HRV biofeedback treatments. This study examined whether rhythmical skeletal muscle tension (RSMT) can also cause 0.1 Hz resonance in the CVS, and compared oscillatory reactivity in CVS functions caused by RSMT and paced breathing (PB). Sixteen young healthy participants completed five tasks: baseline, three RSMT tasks at frequencies of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 Hz, and a 0.1 Hz PB task. ECG, respiration, finger pulse, and skin conductance data were collected. Results showed that 0.1 Hz RSMT as well as 0.1 Hz PB triggered resonance in the CVS and caused equivalent oscillations in all measured CVS functions, although in women, RSMT compared to PB caused lower HR oscillation. Clinical application of 0.1 Hz RSMT is discussed.
How Change Happens: Controlling Images, Mutuality, and Power

SUMMARY Change is inevitable but it can go in a positive direction toward growth or in a negative direction. Extending Patricia Hill Collins' concept of controlling images (2000), we can see how these images interact with relational images and strategies of disconnection to obstruct growth on both the societal and the personal level. In therapy, change is defined as movement-in-relationship toward better connection; and increased connection leads to growth. Several aspects of therapy that lead to deeper and wider connection are explored, especially increasing the patient's power. Prior versions of parts of this article were presented at the Jean Baker Miller Summer Training Institutes in 2001 and 2002 and at the 2002 Learning from Women Conference sponsored by the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute and the Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. As therapists, we're “in the business” of change–change for the better. That's our goal. Another word for change for the better is g...
Metals in Cells: Control of Cellular Metal Concentration

There are arrays of intricate systems for controlling the cellular metal economy, that is, the sum of import, sensing, utilization, storage, and export processes that keeps the transition metal quota or “metallome” of the cell in the optimal position for survival in a given environment. The cellular metallome corresponds to the amount of both uncoordinated “free” and complexed transition metal ions for a given organism. Over the past several years, it has become apparent that selective complexation by receptors and active compartmentalization are key to the cellular management of each metal. Long thought to be present only at “trace” levels in biology, transition metals are hardly trace from a cellular point of view. Many cells accumulate metals such as zinc and iron to concentrations approaching millimolar levels and then maintain this concentration within a narrow range. This raises the question, how cells maintain tight regulation of the metal ion quotas while avoiding the toxicity of extra free ions in the cell? This article and the many others in this book introduce a few of the chemical considerations, the metal receptors and the metal-trafficking proteins that regulate the intracellular metallome. Keywords: metallome; bioinorganic chemistry; metalloregulatory proteins; metallochaperones; transcriptional regulation and Fur
Dosage relationships associated with DDT in milk

Abstract Separate reports imply that DDT is more toxic to infant rats if they receive it via their mothers' milk rather than via stomach tube. Therefore, the effect of DDT in milk was reinvestigated, and the study was expanded to include dosage-response measurements. The results were consistent with earlier findings that young rats are no more susceptible than adults to poisoning by DDT and may be more resistant, depending on circumstances. A comparison of isomers and potential metabolites in technical DDT and in tissues indicated either lack of absorption or rapid excretion of o,p′ -isomers, resistance of the blood-brain barrier to o,p′ -DDT, and the increase of DDD and DDE through metabolism. The concentration of DDT in the brains and whole bodies of pups from dams dosed at 200 mg/kg/day was higher than would be predicted by extrapolation from lower dosages, suggesting relative inability of the dams to metabolize and eliminate the compound at a dosage fatal to some of them. However, the highest brain level for a pup that died following dosing of its mother was 44 ppm, compared to 83 ppm (the highest level for a surviving pup of the same kind) and compared to 132–177 ppm (the range for pups killed by DDT administered to them by stomach tube). A slight deficiency of weight gain and significantly less stomach contents of pups of mothers treated at 200 mg/kg/day indicated their relative failure to feed although their mothers produced adequate milk. Based on the concentration of DDT in rat milk and on the amount of DDT measured in litters fed exactly 24 hr, it was calculated that rats secreted milk at the rate of 26.6 and 34.5 ml/dam/day when DDT was administered ip and op, respectively. Based on the analyses of litters, the dams secreted into their milk 12.6 to 30.2% of the DDT administered to them, the mean being 24.6% in those receiving the compound from their diet at an average rate of 32.4 mg/kg/day. The concentration of DDT in the milk of rats receiving DDT at a dietary level of 200 ppm was far higher than any level reported for human milk. Infants are in no danger from DDT in their mothers' milk unless the dosage of the mother is one that approaches, or perhaps reaches, a level toxic to her.
VERNACULAR SHIFT: LANGUAGE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN BASTIMENTOS, PANAMA

This article examines the connection between language shift and architectural shift in the Panamanian village of Old Bank on the Western Caribbean island of Bastimentos. The process of shift from Creole vernacular forms—both linguistic and architectural—to “prestigious” Panamanian forms is analyzed through an ethnographic lens focused on the spatial coordinates of social interaction. Language choice and the restructuring of communicative practices are shown to intersect in vital ways with architectural choice and the restructuring of the built environment. This essay suggests that vernacular shift in Old Bank is presently being held in check by the emergent covert prestige of Creole forms in a region where international tourism is fast supplanting the banana industry as the primary economic activity.
Digital implementation of driving scheme for synchronous rectification in LLC resonant converter

A digital implementation of synchronous rectification (SR) driving scheme for LLC resonant converter is proposed in this paper. Compared with analog ones, digital implementation enables more intelligent and precise SR control, improving converter efficiency. In the proposed SR driving scheme, the drain to source voltage of synchronous rectifier on the secondary side is sensed, so that the paralleled body diode conduction is detected. The SR turn-off time is digitally tuned based on the body diode conduction information. For rapid prototyping purposes, the digital tuning system is realized in Cyclone III FPGA.
Message from the New Editor-in-Chief

It is my great honor to be the new Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Network and Systems Management. My association with JNSM began before it was published for the first time in 1993. While working as a tenure track assistant professor, I received a flyer in my mail about a new journal in the planning stages of being launched that focused on the network management area and featured Manu Malek as the founding Editor-inChief. This initial announcement listed the journal’s original name, which was a long title that reflected operations, administration, maintenance, and network control—all critical components of network management. However, when the first issue came out, the journal actually bore the much more compact title: Journal of Network and Systems Management. Since then, the journal has been commonly known in the research community by its initials, JNSM. I immediately felt that my research was a good fit for this newly launched journal, so, I submitted a manuscript for possible consideration. To my delight, my manuscript was accepted, and it was published in the second issue of the first volume in June 1993. Around the same time, I started serving as a reviewer for JNSM, but by 1995, Manu had already asked me to serve on the editorial board of JNSM, which I gladly accepted. In 1997, I co-guest edited a special issue on ‘Fault Management in Communication Networks’, and in 2002, Manu asked me to be a Senior Technical Editor for JNSM—a role I’ve continued to serve in until now. With the emergence of the web, I felt that it was important for JNSM to have an online presence. Thus, in 1995, I suggested to Manu that I start and maintain a webpage for the journal, and from this discussion, the JNSM on-line page (http://www. cstp.umkc.edu/jnsm/) was born as a leaf page on my department’s web-site. Here, I added information on issues along with abstracts of each paper. With the plan to publish special issues, Manu forwarded me the call for papers, which I announced
Chamber for testing metered-dose propellant-driven aerosols of immunologically relevant proteins

A small aerosol chamber was developed for testing and delivery of aerosols of immunologically important proteins to the respiratory tracts of rodents. The chamber was designed to accommodate the small aerosol volumes produced by metered-dose propellant-driven aerosol canisters. Metered bursts of protein aerosols released into the chamber could be sampled for their particle sizes or used to expose the noses of up to six mice to the aerosols. The chamber consisted of a polyethylene tank with two removable plexiglass end plates. One end plate accommodated the propellant-driven, metered-dose, aerosol vial. The other end of the tank was fitted with a plate accepting aerosol sampling devices or a plate containing mouse restrainers. Uniform concentrations of aerosolized proteins were obtained at different positions in the chamber when sampled for particles of respirable size. Respirable-sized protein particles produced by propellant-driven aerosols ranged from 5 to 50% of total aerosolized protein. Propellant-driven aerosols of proteins released in the chamber produced aerosol particles equivalent to 15-26 micrograms of total protein exposure to the respiratory tract of each mouse. The chamber permitted aerosol releases without risk of operator exposure. This aerosol chamber will permit the testing of protein aerosols for their immunologic consequences to the respiratory tract. Potential proteins for testing in this device include immunizing vaccine antigens, immunomodulating cytokine proteins, and passive antibody aerosol therapies against respiratory infections.
Paleozoic Metasediments in the Northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada

New evidence indicates that high-grade regionally metamorphosed marble and quartzite in the northern Ruby Mountains are Paleozoic strata. Correlation is based on a match of the lithologic sequence to strata of Cambrian to Devonian age in nearby areas; particularly diagnostic is a brown dolomite at the base of the Cambrian carbonate sequence. The metamorphic complex contrasts with unmetamorphosed terranes exposed in nearby areas, and apparently formed in the Mesozoic as part of a metamorphic infrastructure.
On the Relation Between Information and Energy Systems A Family of Maxwell's Demons

AbstractMaxwell's Demon uses information to save free energy. However, as Brillouin has shown, the energy required by the demon in acquiring information just equals the energy he saves. Modern microprocessor controls on internal combustion engines are macroscopic Maxwell demons. They increase engine efficiency by continuously optimizing operating parameters. The market system is a social Maxwell demon; by sending price signal to the consumer, it causes him to use energy more efficiently. As the scale of the demon increases, so does the ratio of energy saved to energy used by the demon. The amount of energy that can be saved by intervention of intelligence is further limited by the time available for the intervention. Time, energy and information thus form a triad, a was first pointed out by D. Spreng.
Nonlinear registration of longitudinal images and measurement of change in regions of interest

We describe here a method, Quarc, for accurately quantifying structural changes in organs, based on serial MRI scans. The procedure can be used to measure deformations globally or in regions of interest (ROIs), including large-scale changes in the whole organ, and subtle changes in small-scale structures. We validate the method with model studies, and provide an illustrative analysis using the brain. We apply the method to the large, publicly available ADNI database of serial brain scans, and calculate Cohen’s d effect sizes for several ROIs. Using publicly available derived-data, we directly compare effect sizes from Quarc with those from four existing methods that quantify cerebral structural change. Quarc produced a slightly improved, though not significantly different, whole brain effect size compared with the standard KN-BSI method, but in all other cases it produced significantly larger effect sizes.
Biomarker surrogates do not accurately predict sputum eosinophil and neutrophil percentages in asthmatic subjects

Background Sputum eosinophil percentages are a strong predictor of airway inflammation and exacerbations and aid asthma management, whereas sputum neutrophil percentages indicate a different severe asthma phenotype that is potentially less responsive to T H 2-targeted therapy. Variables, such as blood eosinophil counts, total IgE levels, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (Feno) levels, or FEV 1 percent predicted, might predict airway eosinophil percentages, whereas age, FEV 1 percent predicted, or blood neutrophil counts might predict sputum neutrophil percentages. Availability and ease of measurement are useful characteristics, but accuracy in predicting airway eosinophil and neutrophil percentages either individually or combined is not established. Objectives We sought to determine whether blood eosinophil counts, Feno levels, and IgE levels accurately predict sputum eosinophil percentages and whether age, FEV 1 percent predicted, and blood neutrophil counts accurately predict sputum neutrophil percentages. Methods Subjects in the Wake Forest Severe Asthma Research Program (n = 328) were characterized by blood and sputum cell counts, health care use, lung function, Feno levels, and IgE levels. Multiple analytic techniques were used. Results Despite significant association with sputum eosinophil percentages, blood eosinophil counts, Feno levels, and total IgE levels did not accurately predict sputum eosinophil percentages, and combinations of these variables did not improve prediction. Age, FEV 1 percent predicted, and blood neutrophil counts were similarly unsatisfactory for the prediction of sputum neutrophil percentages. Factor analysis and stepwise selection found Feno levels, IgE levels, and FEV 1 percent predicted, but not blood eosinophil counts, correctly predicted 69% of sputum eosinophil percentages of less than 2% or 2% and greater. Likewise, age, asthma duration, and blood neutrophil counts correctly predicted 64% of sputum neutrophil percentages of less than 40% or 40% and greater. A model to predict both sputum eosinophil and neutrophil percentages accurately assigned only 41% of samples. Conclusion Despite statistically significant associations, Feno levels, IgE levels, blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts, FEV 1 percent predicted, and age are poor surrogates, both separately and combined, for accurately predicting sputum eosinophil and neutrophil percentages.
Arrhenius Activation Energy of Electrical Conductance of Aqueous Lithium and Cesium Chloride Solutions in the −2°‐+12°C Range

The electrical conductivities of aqueous 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 3.0M LiCl and of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0M CsCl solutions have been measured at 1 atm over the temperature range −2°‐+12°C. Although LiCl is a water structure maker and CsCl a structure breaker the Arrhenius activation energies of electrical conduction both show maxima near the temperature of maximum density.
Solid State Standard Addition Method in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for Improvement of Detection Limits.

Abstract : The technique of solid state standard addition is inadequate for the determination of low dopant concentrations present in real semiconductor samples. An extension of the solid state standard addition method using computer controlled signal integration is shown to lower the detection limit of boron in silicon by an order of magnitude. The precision and accuracy of this method were found to be 25% and 12%, respectively. (Author)
RHO GTPase Signaling for Axon Extension: Is Prenylation Important?

Many lines of evidence indicate the importance of the Rho family guanine nucleotide triphosphatases (GTPases) in directing axon extension and guidance. The signaling networks that involve these proteins regulate actin cytoskeletal dynamics in navigating neuronal growth cones. However, the intricate patterns that regulate Rho GTPase activation and signaling are not yet fully defined. Activity and subcellular localization of the Rho GTPases are regulated by post-translational modification. The addition of a geranylgeranyl group to the carboxy (C-) terminus targets Rho GTPases to the plasma membrane and promotes their activation by facilitating interaction with guanine nucleotide exchange factors and allowing sequestering by association with guanine dissociation inhibitors. However, it is unclear how these modifications affect neurite extension or how subcellular localization alters signaling from the classical Rho GTPases (RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42). Here, we review recent data addressing this issue and propose that Rho GTPase geranylgeranylation regulates outgrowth.
A new personal badge monitor for organic vapors

A new passive monitor for organic vapors has been developed for the determination of the time-weighted average (TWA) concentration of contaminants in air. This personal dosimeter type badge monitor collects the organic vapors through the mechanism of molecular diffusion and adsorption onto an activated carbon collection element. After exposure, the activated carbon is removed from the device and analyzed using gas chromatographic techniques outlined in NIOSH Physical and Chemical Analysis Method (P&CAM) 127. Current NIOSH standards for measuring the concentration of organic vapors in the atmosphere involve the use of charcoal tubes and sampling pumps for collection, desorption by carbon disulf ide and subsequent analysis using gas chromatographic techniques. In comparative testing, the new passive monitor has demonstrated that its overall accuracy is at least equivalent to the charcoal tube method in determining ambient contaminant concentration. Several organic compounds were sampled over the range of 0....
Comparative effects of polymyxin B and compound 48/80 on histamine metabolism in rat muscle and gastric tissue.

Abstract Polymyxin B, administered in vivo , increased histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity and histamine (HM) concentrations in muscle tissue homogenates and supernatants. When administered in vitro it increased HDC activity and HM concentrations in both muscle and gastric tissue. The stimulatory effect on muscle was similar to that obtained with compound 48 80 , but 48 80 , unlike polymyxin B, did not affect gastric tissue. In vitro additions of alphafluoromethylhistidine inhibited both in vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of polymyxin B. The results of these studies show that the action of compound 48 80 and of polymyxin B are similar, and that both affect HM synthesis in a manner that requires further elucidation.
Absence of large compressive stress on Si(111).

The surface stress tensor is calculated from first principles for several Si(111)1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1, 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1, and 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 surfaces. Contrary to widely held expectations, only a weak compressive stress is found for the unreconstructed 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 surface. Reconstructions involving \ensuremath{\pi}-bonded chains or adatoms are predicted to be under substantial tensile stress. The results indicate that relief of surface stress is not the driving force for the 7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7 reconstruction. The stress is shown to be useful in prediction of the effect of externally applied strain, which can drive changes in the surface reconstruction pattern.
Genetically engineered wheat, redux.

Recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering, applied to large-scale commodity crops has taken the world's agriculture by storm. These varieties have an extremely high repeat index (the fraction of farmers who opt to grow a certain crop variety again after trying it previously), and in little more than a decade, farmers have adopted recombinant-DNA-modified soybean, cotton, corn and canola at unprecedented rates of 70%, 46%, 24% and 20%, respectively. Genetically engineered crops are now grown in at least 25 countries by more than 13 million farmers worldwide (http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/39/executivesummary/default.html, accessed August 25, 2009), but wheat has not been part of this success story – at least not yet.
Sonothrombolysis in Ischemic Stroke

Acute ischemic stroke remains one of the most devastating diseases when it comes to morbidity and mortality, not to mention the personal and economic burden that occurs in long-term. Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only effective acute stroke therapy that improves outcome if given up to 4.5 hours from symptom onset. However, recanalization rates are meager and the majority of treated patients still have residual disability after stroke, emphasizing the need for further treatment options that may facilitate or even rival the only approved therapy. Sonothrombolysis, the adjuvant continuous ultrasound sonication of an intra-arterial occlusive thrombus during thrombolysis, enhances the clot-dissolving capabilities of intravenous tPA presumably by delivering acoustic pressure to the target brain vessel. Higher recanalization rates produce a trend towards better functional outcomes that could be safely achieved with the combination of high-frequency ultrasound and intravenous tPA. However, data on ultrasound targeting of intracranial proximal occlusive lesions other than those in the middle cerebral arteries are sparse. Moreover, recent sonothrombolysis trials were exclusively conducted with operator-dependent hand-held technology hindering its further testing in clinical sonothrombolysis trials. An operator-independent 2-MHz transcranial Doppler device has been developed allowing health care professionals not formally trained in ultrasound apparatus to provide therapeutic ultrasound as needed. Currently, this operator-independent device covering 12 proximal intracranial segments that most commonly contain thrombo-embolic occlusions enters testing in a pivotal multicenter sonothrombolysis efficacy trial. If this trial demonstrates safety and efficacy, adjuvants, such as gaseous microbubbles that further potentiate the thrombolytic effect of intravenous tPA, could be tested along with this device.
Effect of fetal and maternal intravascular antipyrine infusion on maternal plasma prostaglandin concentrations in the pregnant sheep at 104 to 127 days' gestation☆☆☆

Antipyrine is commonly used to measure umbilical and uterine blood flow in the pregnant sheep. In the present experiment we investigated the effect of antipyrine on prostaglandin metabolism. Four pregnant ewes at 104 to 127 days' gestation were infused with either 1, 4, or 15 mg of antipyrine per minute via the fetal jugular vein. The 15 mg · min-1 dose was also infused into the maternal jugular vein in a fourth experiment. Prostaglandins in the uterine vein draining the pregnant horn were measured by radioimmunoassay and antipyrine by high-performance liquid chromatography. No change in the concentrations of either 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F(2α) or 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) was observed with infusion of antipyrine at 1 mg · min-1. The 4 and 15 mg · min-1 infusion rates into the fetal jugular vein induced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in maternal uterine vein 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F(2α) plasma concentrations. These concentrations decreased from 669.3 ± 161.3 pg · ml-1 (mean ± SD) before infusion to 306.5 ± 104.0 pg · ml-1 after 3 hours of infusion at 4 mg ·min-1 and from 744.2 ± 256.8 to 105.0 ± 24.2 pg μl-1 at 15 mg · min-1. Significant changes in maternal uterine vein plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) and the 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α)/13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F(2α), ratio occurred only at the 15 mg · min-1 infusion of antipyrine into the fetal jugular vein (p < 0.05). Maternal uterine vein 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) fell from 86.0 ± 31.6 to 37.0 ± 11.5 pg · ml-1 and the 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α)/13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F(2α) ratio rose from 0.14 ± 0.10 to 0.35 ± 0.10. We conclude that: (1) antipyrine at doses currently used to measure uterine and umbilical blood flows inhibits 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F(2α) production and (2) infusion rates of antipyrine less than 1 mg · min-1 probably do not affect maternal prostaglandin metabolism. We therefore recommend that if this method is to be used for measuring blood flow, antipyrine infusion rates should be less than 1 mg · min-1.
Combined off-pump myocardial revascularization and carotid endarterectomy: early experience.

Abstract Background . Controversy remains regarding the optimal surgical management of patients with coexisting significant carotid and coronary artery disease. The debate has deepened by the evolution of new approaches for the treatment of both coronary and carotid disease. We report our early experience with combined off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the treatment of patients with coexisting coronary and carotid disease. Methods . Our computer database was examined to obtain patients and their demographics and clinical profiles. Operative reports were reviewed. Telephone interviews were conducted to assess follow-up status. Results . Thirteen patients underwent combined OPCAB and CEA. Average age was 71 years. The CEA was performed with intraluminal shunting and patch reconstruction. On average, 3.6 bypass grafts were performed. There were no gross neurologic complications or myocardial infarctions. Excluding an outlier, mean length of hospital stay was 8.2 days. All patients were well on follow-up (2 weeks to 16 months). Conclusions . A combined OPCAB and CEA strategy appears safe and effective. Further follow-up and experience is warranted before conclusions regarding potential benefits of this approach for staged or conventional OPCAB/CEA procedures can be made.
Chronic Heart Failure in the Elderly: Vasodilator Therapy

The clinical efficacy of vasodilator therapy in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure specifically in the elderly population has not been previously reported. Fifteen patients age 72 to 91 years with symptomatic heart failure were given vasodilator in addition to a digitalis and diuretic regimen. Seven received hydralazine 100-400 mgms. per day plus nitrates and 8 were treated with prazosin 6-60 mgms. per day, 6 of whom received additional nitrates. Initial systolic blood pressure was 130-220 mm Hg (166±25.3). This gradually fell with recurrent failure and increasing doses of medications. Heart rate remained relatively unchanged. Side effects were similar to these reported in younger patients. The only serious incident occurred in the one patient receiving minoxidil when aggressive angina developed culminating in nonfatal myocardial infarction. Implications and possible precautions are discussed.Duration of effectiveness was variable but a program of evaluation by nurses at home often allowed ...
Communicatively Managing Religious Identity Difference in Parent-Child Relationships: The Role of Accommodative and Nonaccommodative Communication

Guided by Communication Accommodation Theory, we examine the communicative management of religious difference in parent-child relationships. Using survey data from emerging adults (N = 409), we found that religious difference is associated with decreases in relational satisfaction and shared family identity. Further, parents’ religious communication has the potential to promote relational well-being. Accommodative communication (religious-specific supportive communication and respecting divergent values) was associated with increases in relational satisfaction and shared family identity. Two forms of nonaccommodative communication (inappropriate self-disclosure and emphasizing divergent values) were associated with decreases with relational satisfaction and shared family identity; giving unwanted advice was associated with decreases in relational satisfaction but not shared family identity. Giving unwanted advice moderated the relationship between religious difference and relational satisfaction. Differen...
Expression of 14-3-3 protein isoforms in mouse oocytes, eggs and ovarian follicular development

Background The 14-3-3 (YWHA) proteins are a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed family of proteins. Seven mammalian isoforms of 14-3-3 are known (β, γ, e, ζ, η, τ and, σ). These proteins associate with many intracellular proteins involved in a variety of cellular processes including regulation of the cell cycle, metabolism and protein trafficking. We are particularly interested in the role of 14-3-3 in meiosis in mammalian eggs and the role 14-3-3 proteins may play in ovarian function. Therefore, we examined the expression of 14-3-3 proteins in mouse oocyte and egg extracts by Western blotting after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, viewed fixed cells by indirect immunofluorescence, and examined mouse ovarian cells by immunohistochemical staining to study the expression of the different 14-3-3 isoforms.
The retrotrapezoid nucleus and the ‘drive’ to breathe

The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), unlike most neuroanatomical structures, was discovered rather recently. Retrograde tracing experiments designed to describe connections among groups of respiratory neurons uncovered a thin layer of not very densely packed neurons lying between the facial nucleus and the ventral surface of the medulla; it was labelled the RTN (Smith et al. 1989).
Quantitative modelling of nucleation kinetics in experiments for poly-Si growth on SiO2 by hot wire chemical vapor deposition

Abstract We apply a rate-equation pair binding model of nucleation kinetics to the nucleation of Si islands grown by hot wire chemical vapor deposition on SiO 2 substrates. The grain size of poly-Si films increases with H 2 dilution, which is attributed to atomic H etching of Si monomers rather than stable Si clusters during the early stages of nucleation. The nucleation density increases sublinearly with time at low coverage, implying a fast nucleation rate until a critical density is reached, after which grain growth begins. The nucleation density decreases with increasing H 2 dilution (H 2 :SiH 4 ) due to etching, and with increasing temperature, due to enhanced Si monomer diffusivity on SiO 2 . From temperature-dependent measurements, we estimate the activation energy for surface diffusion of Si monomers on SiO 2 to be 0.47±0.09 eV. Simulations of the temperature-dependent supercritical cluster density lead to an estimated activation energy of 0.42±0.01 eV and an estimated surface diffusion coefficient prefactor of 0.1±0.03 cm 2 /s.
Pleural mesothelioma: An approach to diagnostic problems

In the 1960s, a close relationship between heavy exposures to crocidolite asbestos and mesothelioma was established. The debate on the diagnosis of mesothelioma became complicated because of the possibility of litigation. Well differentiated mesothelioma cells are mucicarmine negative but alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive, which are removed by hyaluronidase and diastase digestion. By electron microscopy (EM), they show bush-like elongated, slender, and branching microvilli. By immunohistochemistry they express both keratin and vimentin but not carcinoembryonic antigenicity (CEA), B72.3, Ber-EP4, and Leu-M1. In poorly differentiated mesotheliomas, chromosomal and molecular biological alterations are common and complex but these alterations also overlap with that of poorly differentiated tumours of the lung and other organs. A poorly differentiated pleural tumour is most likely metastatic and needs good team work to locate the primary site. The diagnosis of a mesothelioma and asbestosis should be established separately. Future studies will be focused less on the phenotypic differences but more on the broad molecular and multi-phasic mechanisms of carcinogenesis, irrespective of the aetiological agents, in poorly differentiated tumours.
A BEM for the Prediction of Unsteady Midchord Face and/or Back Propeller Cavitation

A boundary element method (BEM) is used for the numerical analysis of sheet cavitation on a propeller subjected to the non-axisymmetric wakes of marine vehicles. This method is extended in order to treat mixed partial and supercavity patterns on both the face and back of the blades with searched cavity detachment. The convergence of the method is studied
Gouge features on metal-on-metal hip bearings can result from high stresses during rim contact

Abstract Surface gouges were observed on the femoral heads of eight different retrieved metal-on-metal (MoM hip) designs, and 87% of 76 hips studied. The gouges appear to be plastically deformed indentations from edge contact; their occurrence is inconsistent with retrieval artefact. Gouge geometry is consistent with the indentations predicted by computer modeling of head-to-rim contact resulting from subluxation of the head out of the acetabular cup. The surface gouging observed in this study suggests that bearing damage due to micro-separation and subsequent edge loading is common among all designs of MoM hips and can be an important factor in clinical performance.
The transformation of southern agriculture and the migration of blacks and whites, 1930-1940.

The causes of the migration of both blacks and whites from the U.S. South between 1930 and 1940 are examined. The author challenges the hypothesis that the root cause of this migration was the mechanization of agriculture and suggests that the primary cause was the crisis in cotton farming that occurred during the depression of the 1930s. "Large farm owners secured aid from the federal government in the form of agricultural subsidy payments. In response to this program they reduced their cotton acreage bought tractors and displaced their tenants. This transformation drastically reduced the need for tenant labor and brought about the large-scale migrations. Regression analyses of relevant data confirm this interpretation." (EXCERPT)
The use of alloderm as an adjunct in the closure of the bladder - Cloacal exstrophy complex.

Abstract Objective To decrease the incidence of vesicocutaneous fistulae (VCF), intra-pubic stitch erosion (IPE) and intrasymphyseal plate erosion (ISE) of bladder or cloacal exstrophy in patients undergoing reclosure, we sought additional bulking material to place between the posterior urethral/bladder neck and pubic closures. Material and methods In 43 patients (2005–2009) undergoing exstrophy/cloacal exstrophy closure or reclosure, we placed human acellular dermis (HAD) between the posterior urethral/bladder neck and pubic closures. The thickest piece of HAD available was placed above the urethra and bladder neck, and attached to the pelvic floor with sutures of 4–0 Vicryl prior to pubic bone apposition. Results Twenty-three were primary and 20 were reclosures. Of the 23 primary closures, 17 were classic exstrophy and six were cloacal exstrophy. Of the 20 reclosures, 17 were classic exstrophy and three were cloacal exstrophy. Thirty-four had an osteotomy and nine did not, at the time of closure. No patient experienced failure of closure, a VCF, an IPE or an ISE into the urethra after pubic apposition, or other complication related to the use of HAD. One patient had a superficial wound infection, and one had premature suprapubic tube dislodgement requiring replacement in the operating room. Conclusion From the success of this novel technique in failed closures, we have begun using HAD as an adjunct in all exstrophy closures.
XIIIth International Symposium on Supramolecular Chemistry, University of Notre Dame, SouthBend, IN, July 25–30, 2004: Preface

It is our great pleasure and privilege to introduce the works featured in this special issue of Supramolecular Chemistry. This collection of reviews, communications, and full papers represent some ...
Lowest cost path to meeting electricity demand at the state level: Implications of carbon cap-and-trade

We develop a linear optimization model at the state level, and use this model to investigate how policy constraints on greenhouse gas emissions may affect the lowest-cost choices for electricity generation over the next twenty years. The state-level model provides local and regional decision-makers with a basis for understanding the potential impacts of policy changes, and provides a basis for planning and policy analysis.
Polarity Transition Records and the Geomagnetic Dynamo

The Parker-Levy approach to reversals of the geomagnetic field predicts meridional transitional paths of the virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) which pass either through the site of observation or through its antipode, depending upon the site location and the sense of the polarity transition. Comparison with the most detailed transitional VGP path records presently available gives some indication of the above behavior as predicted by the Parker-Levy model. Discrepancies may be due to complexities in the distribution of cyclonic convection cells in the core not considered in the formal mathematical treatment. The predicted variation in transitional field intensity experienced at any given site also is compatible with several reported transition records.