cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pay-For-Performance in Orthopedics Implications for Clinical Practice

The United States health care system currently faces many challenges, including rising costs and variable quality. Health care purchasers and payers are demanding increased transparency and accountability for their health care dollars. Pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives, which seek to link provider reimbursement to measures of quality and efficiency, have been introduced by both private and government payers. Despite their appeal over current provider reimbursement systems, which reward volume and intensity of services rather than quality and efficiency, P4P programs face numerous challenges in their implementation, including difficulty defining and measuring quality, high costs associated with collecting and analyzing performance data, problems with risk adjustment, lack of additional funding to reward quality, unintended consequences of provider gaming and patient deselection, and impact on low-tier, low-quality providers. Future efforts should involve collaboration among providers, payers, and policy makers to ensure that P4P programs are implemented safely and effectively.
Auctions and Bidding: A Primer

Maybe the contractor was right to think bid jobs are different, but it is more likely that he suffered from too simple a view of what is involved in preparing a competitive bid. Our analysis will show that even an experienced estimator working in familiar terrain can lose money if he doesn't understand the subtleties of competitive bidding. The phenomenon experienced by the painting contractor, known as the " Winner's Curse," is just one of the surprising and puzzling conclusions that have been turned up by modern research into auctions. Another is the theoretical proposition (supported also by some experimental evidence) that, for example, a sealed-bid Treasury bill auction in which each buyer pays a price equal to the highest rejected bid would yield more revenue to the Treasury than the current procedure in which the winning bidder pays the seemingly higher amount equal to his own bid. There are also subtle results that demonstrate the equivalence of such apparently different institutions as the standard sealed-bid auction, in which the auctioneer/seller sells the goods to the highest bidder for a price equal to his bid, and the Dutch auction, in which the auctioneer/seller begins by asking a high price and gradually lowers the price until
RTC: a distributed realtime control system toolkit

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has built several optical interferometers using a common software framework developed for this purpose. The heart of this framework is the Realtime Control (RTC) software product. RTC has evolved from its initial implementation to include a powerful dynamic configuration capability and to use Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) technology for commanding and telemetry. This paper describes the current implementation of this toolkit.
Neural substrates for verbal working memory in deaf signers: fMRI study and lesion case report

Abstract The nature of the representations maintained in verbal working memory is a topic of debate. Some authors argue for a modality-dependent code, tied to particular sensory or motor systems. Others argue for a modality–neutral code. Sign language affords a unique perspective because it factors out the effects of modality. In an fMRI experiment, deaf participants viewed and covertly rehearsed strings of non-sense signs; analyses focused on regions responsive in both sensory and rehearsal phases. Compared with previous findings in hearing subjects, deaf subjects showed a significantly increased involvement of parietal regions. A lesion case study indicates that this network is left-dominant. The findings support the hypothesis that linguistic working memory is supported by modality–specific neural systems, but some modality–neutral systems may also be involved.
Shear Modulus and Damping Ratio of Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixes and Unsaturated Subgrade Soils

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the potential application of rubber-modified asphalt in railroad trackbeds by measuring its shear modulus and damping ratio. The measurements of the shear modulus and damping ratio were also conducted on typical subgrade soils. A number of resonant column tests were conducted on subgrade soil samples and the crumb rubber-modified asphalt (CRMA) mix samples with different rubber contents and rubber types. The fine crumb rubber is dissolved in the hot asphalt binder (for a period of time) as an additive to modify the properties of the binder. The measurements were conducted under a wide range of confining pressures and strain levels to simulate stress and strain conditions expected in the typical railway foundation. Cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on subgrade soil samples to study soil characteristics under dynamic loads. It was found that CRMA is a material with high shear stiffness and damping ratio, making it a very attractive material for vibration attenuation of railroad trackbeds.
On the relationship between student tastes and motivations, higher education decisions, and annual earnings

Abstract We examine the degree to which measures of student tastes and motivations are associated with the outcomes of three important higher education decisions and subsequent annual earnings. Within a sample of nearly 9000 students from the Baccalaureate and Beyond, we find that these measures are correlated with college type, college major, and highest postgraduate degree earned in generally predictable ways. For instance, students claiming it important to be well-off financially are significantly more likely to attend top public universities and major in Business or Engineering while students claiming it important to live near family are significantly less likely to attend top quality private institutions and significantly more likely to major in education.
Design and Control of Fast Tool Servo for Boring of Engine Piston Pin Holes

This paper presents the mechanical and servo control design of a fast tool servo for machining noncircular bores. The rotating boring bar varies the depth of cut dynamically to machine noncircular bores, such as those in engine piston gudgeon pin holes. The piezoelectric actuator driven fast tool servo has 60 micron displacement and about 400 Hz first natural frequency. The design of robust repetitive control of the fast tool servo is discussed and experimental results of cutting tool motion for generating oval bore profiles are presented.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Enhancing patient understanding of medical procedures: Evaluation of an interactive multimedia program with in-line exercises

Abstract Introduction Standard print and verbal information provided to patients undergoing treatments are often difficult to understand and may impair their ability to be truly informed. This study examined the effect of an interactive multimedia informational program with in-line exercises and corrected feedback on patients’ real-time understanding of their cardiac catheterization procedure. Methods 151 adult patients scheduled for diagnostic cardiac catheterization were randomized to receive information about their procedure using either the standard institutional verbal and written information (SI) or an interactive iPad-based informational program (IPI). Subject understanding was evaluated using semi-structured interviews at baseline, immediately following catheterization, and 2 weeks after the procedure. In addition, for those randomized to the IPI, the ability to respond correctly to several in-line exercises was recorded. Subjects’ perceptions of, and preferences for the information delivery were also elicited. Results Subjects randomized to the IPI program had significantly better understanding following the intervention compared with those randomized to the SI group (8.3 ± 2.4 vs 7.4 ± 2.5, respectively, 0–12 scale where 12 = complete understanding, P Discussion Results demonstrated the ability of an interactive multimedia program to enhance patients’ understanding of their medical procedure. Importantly, the incorporation of in-line exercises permitted identification of knowledge deficits, provided corrected feedback, and confirmed the patients’ understanding of treatment information in real-time when consent was sought.
Stochastic Quadtree And Image Segmentation

The hierarchical flow of information through a quadtree is controlled by a multitude of factors, some statistical some spatial. By defining the notions of hard and soft links in the context of branch strength, a single integrated expression provides the much needed understanding of the vertical and lateral information flow. It is shown that up-projection phenomenon h an asymptotically improving effect upon the partitioning power of a quadtree.
Some Effects of Surface Anomalies in a Global General Circulation Model1

The Mintz-Arakawa two-level general circulation model has been used in a series of experiments to compute the response of the atmosphere to certain persistent sea-surface temperature anomalies and to changes in the position of the continental Northern Hemisphere snow line over periods up to 90 days. Results are shown in terms of differences between anomaly and control histories are revealed by global, 30-day mean sea-level pressure maps, and time series of three regional indices of synoptic activity. The experiments show significant interhemispheric effects after about 1 month, phase shifts of 1 to 2 weeks in major cyclone developments, stronger reactions to sea-temperature anomalies in winter than in summer, and marked influence of the snow line on the winter monsoonal pressure difference between the continents and the North Atlantic Ocean.
State-space decoding of primary afferent neuron firing rates

Kinematic state feedback is important for neuroprostheses to generate stable and adaptive movements of an extremity. State information, represented in the firing rates of populations of primary afferent (PA) neurons, can be recorded at the level of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Previous work in cats showed the feasibility of using DRG recordings to predict the kinematic state of the hind limb using reverse regression. Although accurate decoding results were attained, reverse regression does not make efficient use of the information embedded in the firing rates of the neural population. In this paper, we present decoding results based on state-space modeling, and show that it is a more principled and more efficient method for decoding the firing rates in an ensemble of PA neurons. In particular, we show that we can extract confounded information from neurons that respond to multiple kinematic parameters, and that including velocity components in the firing rate models significantly increases the accuracy of the decoded trajectory. We show that, on average, state-space decoding is twice as efficient as reverse regression for decoding joint and endpoint kinematics.
Effect of in Vitro Exposure to Ozone on Eicosanoid Metabolism and Phagocytic Activity of Human and Rabbit Neutrophils

AbstractNeutrophil infiltration to sites of tissue injury occurs during an inflammatory response, and increased numbers of these cells within the pulmonary airspaces have been described in humans and laboratory animals following exposure to ozone (O3), a potent irritant present in photochemical smog. This study examined the effects of O3 on selected secretory and functional activities of human and rabbit neutrophils isolated from peripheral whole blood. Cells were exposed in vitro to 0, 0.1, 0.4, and 1.0 ppm O3 for 2 h. Neutrophil-conditioned medium (NCM) was collected 2 h after exposure and analyzed for the presence of selected eicosanoids. In addition, the phagocytic activity of exposed neutrophils was evaluated by examination of the uptake of latex microspheres. Thromboxane B2 (TxB2) levels were significantly reduced in the NCM from both human and rabbit cells exposed at 1 ppm. The neutrophils from both species showed a significant increase in the production/release of prostaglandin E2 with exposure to...
Abnormal osteoclast morphology and bone remodeling in a murine model of a lysosomal storage disease

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) is a heritable lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency in β-glucuronidase (GUSB) activity, leading to progressive accumulation of undegraded glycosaminoglycans in many tissues. Clinical features include growth and mental retardation, hearing and visual defects, shortened lifespan, and skeletal deformities. A murine model of MPS VII has been described that shares many of the manifestations of the human disease, including the skeletal dysplasia. In this study we describe abnormalities in the cellular morphology and function of osteoclasts and a localized defect in bone formation rate in the MPS VII mouse. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that MPS VII osteoclasts fail to form ruffled border membranes and many appeared to be detached from the bone surface. Following bone marrow transplantation, osteoclasts derived from wild-type donors showed normal morphology and were closely associated with the bone surface in MPS VII recipients. In vitro bone resorption assays demonstrated that MPS VII osteoclasts formed significantly smaller and fewer pits than those formed by osteoclasts derived from normal mice of the same strain. Although osteoclast morphology and function appeared to be abnormal in the MPS VII mouse, interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced osteoclastogenesis in vivo was not affected. In addition to the osteoclast defects, MPS VII mice demonstrated a slower rate of bone matrix deposition in the epiphysis by in vivo calcein labeling experiments. These data suggest that abnormal morphology and function of MPS VII osteoclasts, combined with deficient matrix deposition, may contribute to the skeletal defects observed in this lysosomal storage disease.
The future of molecular evolution

Antony Dean explores the past, present and future of evolutionary theory and our continuing efforts to explain biological patterns in terms of molecular processes and mechanisms.
A p-cyanophenylimido hexamolybdate: preparation and structure of [(n-C4H9)4N]2[Mo6O18(N-p-C6H4CN)] †

Abstract The title compound has been prepared through reaction of the corresponding arylimino-triphenylphosphorane with [(n-C4H9)4N]2[Mo6O19] in hot pyridine solution. The single crystal X-ray structure of the title compound has been determined. To cite this article: H. Kwen et al., C. R. Chimie 8 (2005).
SOFC cogeneration system for building applications, part 2: System configuration and operating condition design

Abstract An SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) cogeneration optimization study was carried out for one small-scale and one large-scale building under both hot and cold weather conditions. Several different configurations of the SOFC system are operated using a defined set of input parameters to meet the actual heating, cooling and electrical demands on those two buildings The results are discussed and compared from four different perspectives: electric-only vs. cogeneration, energetic vs. economic, large-scale vs. small-scale buildings and hot vs. cold weather conditions. The main conclusion of this study is that optimization results vary widely depending on different system configurations and loading conditions and thus SOFC systems should be optimized based on the specific conditions to which they are exposed and not simply on a single operating condition.
Tooth enamel protein, amelogenin, has a probable β-spiral internal channel, Gln112–Leu138, within a single polypeptide chain: Preliminary molecular mechanics and dynamics studies

Molecular dynamics simulation, with backbone constraints for 20 ps of equilibration and simulation, of a repeating polypeptide segment, Gln-Pro-His-Gln-Pro-Leu-Gln-Pro-His-Gln-Pro-Leu-Gln-Pro-Met-(Gln-Pro-Leu )4, constituting residues 112-138 of bovine amelolgenin, a 19.35 kD hydrophobic protein, are discussed. It is generally believed that the above polypeptide segment is important for the interaction of amelogenin with Ca++ ions, which occurs in the early phases of enamel mineralization. An energetically stable structure of the above polypeptide with recurrent beta-turns is observed and contains a pore of approximately 1 A radius along the helical that can accommodate an unhydrated Ca++ ion. The length of the polypeptide possesses correct dimensions to span a bilayer. The proposed structure is unique among known polypeptide and protein structures.
Narrow Line X-Ray Calibration Source for High Resolution Microcalorimeters

We are developing a narrow line calibration source for use with X-ray microcalorimeters. At energies below 300 electronvolts fluorescent lines are intrinsically broad, making calibration of high resolution detectors difficult. This source consists of a 405 nanometers (3 electronvolts) laser diode coupled to an optical fiber. The diode is pulsed to create approximately one hundred photons in a few microseconds. If the pulses are short compared to the rise time of the detector, they will be detected as single events with a total energy in the soft X-ray range. Poisson fluctuations in photon number per pulse create a comb of X-ray lines with 3 electronvolts spacing, so detectors with energy resolution better than 2 electronvolts are required to resolve the individual lines. Our currently unstabilized diode has a multimode width less than 1 nanometer, giving a 300 electronvolt event a Full width at half maximum (FWHM) less than 0.1 electronvolts. By varying the driving voltage, or pulse width, the source can produce a comb centered on a wide range of energies. The calibration events are produced at precisely known times. This allows continuous calibration of a flight mission without contaminating the observed spectrum and with minimal deadtime.
Thermoelastic Actuation: Solution for Circular Composite Plates With Application in MEMS

This paper presents the dynamic analysis of a thermoelastically actuated circular composite diaphragm, for MEMS applications. The diaphragm is used as an acoustic transmitter, actuated at ultrasonic frequencies via a diffused surface heater at its center. The principle of operation of the thermal actuator is the generation of an oscillating temperature gradient across the diaphragm cross-section due to Joule heating of the diffused heater, creating a thermal moment that results in out-of-plane bending of the diaphragm. The mechanical analysis of the diaphragm, modeled as a composite plate, is based on the classical laminated plate theory. The time harmonic heat conduction resulting from the Joule heating of the diffused surface heater, modeled as a surface heat flux input, is analyzed using the Fourier heat conduction model. Analytical expressions have been obtained for the temperature distribution, and the resulting thermal moment, and plate deflection.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Doppler Shift Correlations in the Solar Transition Region

I investigate dynamical correlations between the lower transition region and the upper transition region using spectra from the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) spectrometer on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft. The measured quantity is the Doppler shift (mostly solar radial) along the line of sight. The purpose is to shed light on the fraction of the lower transition region that resides in cool structures not physically associated with higher temperature regions and the fraction that can be described by a classical transition region with a physical connection from the chromosphere into the corona. "Transition region" in this context means the transition region sufficiently bright in ultraviolet spectral lines to be observed. I find strong Doppler shift correlations between two different lower region lines from C IV and S V, but much weaker correlations between these lines and a line of Ne VIII formed well into the upper transition region. I conclude that most of the lower transition region that is observable because of its brightness arises in cool loop structures. The results also favor a scenario in which the lower transition region is heated and cooled transiently on timescales less than or perhaps comparable to the SUMER exposure times of 21 s for the data analyzed in this work.
Cooperatives and Market Failure: Workers’ Cooperatives and System Mismatch

Cooperatives function in market economies, but they are not always served well by markets. Workers’ cooperatives avoid use of the labor market by definition, but they encounter forms of market failure and system mismatch in equity markets. Economic theory of the labor-managed firm and the historical development of the Mondragon system of financing cooperatives provide insight into these problems. This article argues for new strategies to assist capital formation in cooperatives.
Race and Women’s Imprisonment: Poverty, African American Presence, and Social Welfare

Female imprisonment rates have increased proportionately more than male imprisonment rates over recent decades. There are substantial race differences in women’s rates, as is the case for men. Yet, there has been little quantitative research on the correlates of women’s imprisonment using data over time, or on potential race differences in those correlates. The present research analyzes data on black and nonblack female imprisonment rates in the 50 states for the period 1981–2003. The analyses are guided substantively by existing research on race, social threat and criminal punishment, and theory and research on the penal-welfare hypothesis. The study uses bivariate-response multilevel modeling to simultaneously examine the factors associated with black and nonblack women’s imprisonment rates. The results show that black female imprisonment rates increase when the concentration of African Americans in metropolitan areas and poverty rates grow, whereas nonblack female imprisonment rates are unaffected by poverty rates and actually decrease when African American populations become more concentrated in metro areas. Both black and nonblack women’s imprisonment rates increase when welfare spending declines. The results are consistent with social threat perspectives and the penal-welfare hypotheses.
Unraveling the basic biology and clinical significance of the chlamydial plasmid

Chlamydial plasmids are small, highly conserved, nonconjugative, and nonintegrative DNA molecules that are nearly ubiquitous in many chlamydial species, including Chlamydia trachomatis . There has been significant recent progress in understanding chlamydial plasmid participation in host–microbe interactions, disease, and immune responses. Work in mouse model systems and, very recently, in nonhuman primates demonstrates that plasmid-deficient chlamydial strains function as live attenuated vaccines against genital and ocular infections. Collectively, these studies open new avenues of research into developing vaccines against trachoma and sexually transmitted chlamydial infections.
Diagnostics and Discovery in Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

The rate of discovery of new microbes and of new associations of microbes with health and disease is accelerating. Many factors contribute to this phenomenon including those that favor the true emergence of new pathogens as well as new technologies and paradigms that enable their detection and characterization. This chapter reviews recent progress in the field of pathogen surveillance and discovery with a focus on viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Urban-nonurban relationships of halocarbons, SF6, N2O, and other atmospheric trace constituents

This paper presents the May 1976 northern hemispheric continental United States background concentrations (ppT) of CCl/sub 2/F/sub 2/ (203.5), CCl/sub 3/F (115.6), CHCl/sub 2/F (14.2), CCl/sub 2/FCClF/sub 2/ (19.9), SF/sub 6/ (0.24), CCl/sub 4/ (113.9), CHCl/sub 3/ (17.1), CH/sub 3/Cl (713.0), CH/sub 3/I (9.2), CH/sub 3/Br (4.7), CH/sub 3/CCl/sub 3/ (98.8), CCl/sub 2/CCl/sub 2/ (30.7), CHClCCl/sub 2/ (15.6), COCl/sub 2/ (21.7), and N/sub 2/O (311.6 x 10/sup 3/). The data also indicate that the ambient burden of CCl/sub 2/F/sub 2/ and CCl/sub 3/F increased at a average rate of 1.6 ppT per month (11% per year) and 1.3 ppT per month (15% per year), respectively, during the first half of 1976. In addition, the urban--nonurban relationships of these and other pollutants (NO, NO/sub 2/, TNMHC, O/sub 3/, CH/sub 4/ and CO) have been discussed based on a total of six short-term field studies conducted in California at both urban and clean air locations. Significant concentration gradients of CHCl/sub 3/, CH/sub 3/Cl, CH/sub 3/I and CH/sub 3/Br between marine and continental air masses suggest a marine source. In the case of CHCl/sub 3/ this gradient has been attributed to coastal water contamination. Seasonal variations of CH/sub 3/I and probably CH/sub 3/Brmore » are found to exist in the marine environment. N/sub 2/O and CCl/sub 4/ are found to be relatively uniformly distributed with no significant temporal or spatial variation. From our data, the contribution of fluorinated species to the tropospheric chlorine budget (northern hemisphere) in 1976 is found to be about 33% which is comparable to a 28% natural chlorine contribution due solely to CH/sub 3/Cl.« less
An organ culture technique for maintaining the pulp tissue of intact human teeth

The classic organ culture method of Strangeways and Fell with all its subsequent modifications, which in fact comprise all existing organ culture techniques, strictly limits the size of explants which can be grown. Utilizing a new procedure which consists of perfusing the tissue with nutrient through small needles placed within the tissue mass, this limitation in explant size might be overcome. The test organ used in this study was the human tooth. Perfusion periods were up to 14 days. Either of two criteria was used to evaluate the success of the perfusion procedure. First, comparison of pulp tissue ATP levels in perfused, non-perfused, and immediately extracted teeth, showed immediately extracted pulp to contain 0.15 μg ATP, non-perfused saline or gauze control pulp to contain 0.02 μg ATP and pulps of all perfused teeth to contain 0.11 μg/mg ATP tissue. Or second, histologic observations on perfused, non-perfused and immediately fixed teeth revealed marked differences. In some of the perfused teeth, the connective tissue and odontoblast cells appeared intact, and blood vessels were both plentiful and clearly marked. In some areas numerous mononuclear phagocytes could be seen, indicating a chronic inflammatory response. In all non-perfused teeth frank necrosis, with little evidence of any cellular or blood vessel integrity except at the apices, was seen. These results suggest that the placement of small needles may allow for the growth or maintainance of explants in organ culture of much larger size than previously thought possible.
FACTORS AFFECTING ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN RABBITS FED CHOLESTEROL-FREE DIETS.

Abstract In recent years a number of investigators have successfully induced atherosclerosis in rabbits by feeding diets high in saturated fat and free of cholesterol. In every case the saturated fat was part of a semi-synthetic diet. The level of fat varied from 8 to 24 percent of the diet and the duration of feeding ranged from 3 to 12 months. Diets in which saturated fat (9–35%) is added to laboratory chow do not cause atherosclerosis when administered to rabbits. The data available on the atherogenic effect of saturated fat in semi-synthetic and chow diet have been summarized (1). The addition of free fatty acids, a factor which has a marked influence upon the atherogenicity of cholesterol diets (2), to a chow-saturated fat diet did not cause atheromata even in experiments of 12 months duration (3). The protective agent in the chow could be the fat, which is usually present at a level of 2% and has an iodine value of 115, or some other factor. To test this hypothesis, several diets containing rabbit chow, the fatty component of rabbit chow and the fat free residue have been compared for their atherogenic effect in rabbits. The results are the basis for this communication.
Ruxolitinib: Long-Term Management of Patients with Myelofibrosis and Future Directions in the Treatment of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Considerable clinical experience regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib has been gathered since the drug was approved in the USA for patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF) in November 2011. Findings from the pivotal phase 3 COMFORT studies showed that ruxolitinib-associated reductions in MF-related splenomegaly and symptom burden occur rapidly and in the majority of patients. Two- and 3-year follow-up data further suggest that the benefits of ruxolitinib are durable and associated with a survival advantage compared with conventional therapies. However, careful management of treatment-related thrombocytopenia and anemia with dose modifications and supportive care is critical to allow chronic therapy. Based on preliminary evidence, ruxolitinib also allows spleen size and symptom reduction before allogeneic stem cell transplantation without negative effect on engraftment or outcomes. In recent studies, ruxolitinib provided effective management of hematologic parameters and symptoms in patients with polycythemia vera refractory to or intolerant of hydroxyurea.
LPS inhibits endothelin‐1–induced endothelial NOS activation in hepatic sinusoidal cells through a negative feedback involving caveolin‐1

During endotoxemia, liver microcirculation disruption is characterized by a hypersensitivity to the constrictor effects of endothelin 1 (ET-1). The shift of ET-1-mediated effects toward vasoconstriction may result from depressed ET-1-mediated vasodilation through decreased ET-1-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. We have previously shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment abrogates ET-1-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) translocation, but its effects on eNOS activation are yet to be determined. Our aim was to assess the effects of LPS on ET-1-mediated eNOS activation in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. SECs were treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) for 6 hours followed by 30 minutes ET-1 (10 nmol/L) stimulation. LPS significantly inhibited ET-1-mediated eNOS activation. This inhibition was associated with upregulation of Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) and a shift in ET-1-mediated eNOS phosphorylation from an activation (Ser1177) to an inhibition (Thr495). LPS treatment has been shown to induce ET-1 expression and secretion from endothelial cells. We therefore investigated the role of endogenous ET-1 in the inhibition of ET-1 activation of eNOS after LPS. Antagonizing ET-1 effects and blocking its activation in LPS pretreated SECs decreased the LPS-induced overexpression of CAV-1 as well as the inhibition of ET-1-induced NOS activity. Furthermore, 6 hours of ET-1 treatment exerted the same effects on eNOS activity, phosphorylation, and CAV-1 expression as LPS treatment. In conclusion, LPS-induced suppression of ET-1-mediated eNOS activation is ET-1 dependent and suggest a pivotal role of CAV-1 in eNOS induction inhibition under stress.
Synthesis of an Arbitrary Power Split Ratio Divider Using Substrate Integrated Waveguides

We have developed a T-junction synthesis procedure for Substrate Integrated Waveguides (SIWs). The developed can be used to provide any power split ratios and account for the emulated waveguide sidewall effects upon using metalized vias rather than solid sidewalls. The developed method is in parallel with a previously developed synthesis procedure for conventional waveguides. The new procedure has required a thoroughly investigation of SIW loss mechanisms and the development of design rules to minimize its overall insertion loss. Equal and unequal power splitter prototypes have been designed, fabricated and tested. Theoretical and experimental results will be presented and compared to those of the conventional waveguide T-junction designs.
Home parenteral nutrition after near total enterectomy.

Six patients with extreme short bowel syndrome (4.2 +/− 4.9 cm of residual small bowel) were provided home parenteral nutrition (HPN) for 14,397 days. The average age at onset of HPN was 38 years (18-64 years). Patients maintained body weight at 97% of ideal (86-112%) with mean serum albumin of 3.7 +/− 0.6 g/dL (normal 3.5-5.8 g/dL), serum transferrin of 341 +/− 104 mg/dL (normal 200-400 mg/dL), and mean serum pre-albumin of 27.5 +/− 12.6 mg/dL (normal 16.6-43 mg/dL). Hospital admission for HPN-related complications was required 10.3 times/patient for a total of 864 hospital days and was catheter related in 71% of episodes. Catheter sepsis occurred once per 436 catheter days and required catheter removal in only 33% of instances. Five patients were able to resume an oral diet, five had returned to work or school, and three were married with family. HPN allowed return to a quality productive life with acceptable morbidity following catastrophic massive bowel resection.
Office politics: Reading the business management manual as political theory

Like the public political sphere, the world of the workplace contains literary works (popular, scientific and those somewhere in-between) offering analysis, advice and philosophy to those in positions of command. In this article, I read business management advice manuals as works of political theory, focusing on their treatment of the problem of legitimacy in the relationship between employer and employee. I highlight and analyze key strategies of legitimation, draw their connections to discussions of legitimacy in the history of political thought and examine changes in workplace legitimation in the context of macroeconomic transformation.
Dysfunctional B-cell activation in cirrhosis resulting from hepatitis C infection associated with disappearance of CD27-positive B-cell population.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both advanced solid tumors and HCV have previously been associated with memory B-cell dysfunction. In this study, we sought to dissect the effect of viral infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer on memory B-cell frequency and function in the spectrum of HCV disease. Peripheral blood from healthy donors, HCV-infected patients with F1-F2 liver fibrosis, HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis, patients with HCV-related HCC, and non-HCV-infected cirrhotics were assessed for B-cell phenotype by flow cytometry. Isolated B cells were stimulated with anti–cluster of differentiation (CD)40 antibodies and Toll-like receptor (TLR)9 agonist for assessment of costimulation marker expression, cytokine production, immunoglobulin (Ig) production, and CD4+ T-cell allostimulatory capacity. CD27+ memory B cells and, more specifically, CD27+IgM+ B cells were markedly less frequent in cirrhotic patients independent of HCV infection. Circulating B cells in cirrhotics were hyporesponsive to CD40/TLR9 activation, as characterized by CD70 up-regulation, tumor necrosis factor beta secretion, IgG production, and T-cell allostimulation. Last, blockade of TLR4 and TLR9 signaling abrogated the activation of healthy donor B cells by cirrhotic plasma, suggesting a role for bacterial translocation in driving B-cell changes in cirrhosis. Conclusion: Profound abnormalities in B-cell phenotype and function occur in cirrhosis independent of HCV infection. These B-cell defects may explain, in part, the vaccine hyporesponsiveness and susceptibility to bacterial infection in this population. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Postbuckling response of antisymmetric angle-ply laminates to uniform temperature loading

The postbuckling behavior of antisymmetric angle-ply plates, resting on simple supports and subjected to a gradually increasing uniform temperature field is investigated. Stable equilibrium configurations are determined through a direct application of the principle of minimum potential energy. Since nonunique equilibrium states may exist, a method of incremental loading is employed to identify the particular state associated with a given thermal loading path. Numerical results for fiber-reinforced laminates illustrate the effects of ply orientation, number of layers and aspect ratio on the postbuckling behavior. The phenomena of secondary buckling is examined in detail.
Nature's Time-scale

PROF. FREMLIN'S criticism is based primarily on the inability of the equation, Y = exp (−kt−c), to describe adequately natural processes that do not have apparent sigmoidal time-course curves. Of the three hypothetical situations presented, I agree that the first would describe a typical sigmoid curve which can be generated by the basic equation. The time-course of the type of process outlined in the second case would resemble a frequency distribution function, a curve which is generated by the first derivative of the equation1. My colleagues and I have suggested that the equation may represent a new type of distribution function2. The similarities between the parameters of the equation and those of the Weibull distribution function3 have been noted4.
Impact of Iron Source and Concentration on Rice Flavor Using a Simulated Rice Kernel Micronutrient Delivery System

ABSTRACT An extruded grain designed to look like a rice kernel fortified with one of two sources of iron (elemental iron and ferrous sulfate), with and without multiple fortificant (zinc, thiamin, and folic acid), was mixed with milled Calrose rice at low (1:200), medium (1:100), and high (1:50) concentrations. The intensities of water-like, sour taste, hay-like musty, and alfalfa/grassy/green bean flavors were enhanced by the addition of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) or FeSO4 plus multiple fortificants. Astringent mouthfeel was likewise affected by addition of FeSO4 or FeSO4 plus multiple fortificants. Overall, the elemental iron with multiple fortificants least affected the oxidation of the extruded kernals. Lipid oxidation products in stored fortificant increased the first two to three months and concentrations were higher in samples with FeSO4 as the iron source.
On the Interaction Between Theory, Experiments, and Simulation in Developing Practical Learning Control Algorithms

Iterative learning control (ILC) develops controllers that iteratively adjust the command to a feedback control system in order to converge to zero tracking error following a specific desired trajectory. Unlike optimal control and other control methods, the iterations are made using the real world in place of a computer model. If desired, the learning process can be conducted both in the time domain during each iteration and in repetitions, making ILC a 2D system. Because ILC iterates with the real world, and aims for zero error, the field pushes the limits of theory, modeling, and simulation, to predict the behavior when applied in the real world. It is the thesis of this paper that in order to make significant progress in this field it is essential that the research effort employ a coordinated simultaneous synergistic effort involving theory, experiments, and serious simulations. Otherwise, one very easily expends effort on something that seems fundamental from the theoretical perspective, but in fact has very little relevance to the performance in real world applications.
Microsurgical Reconstruction Following Failed Vasectomy Reversal

ABSTRACTPurpose: We characterized microsurgical reconstruction treatment outcomes following a failed vasectomy reversal.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 64 repeat vasectomy reversals (52 first and 12 second repeat procedures) performed on 57 men.Results: Of men with absolute azoospermia (initial or complete procedure failures) following vasovasostomy 74% required 1 or more vasoepididymostomies, compared to 24% of men with initially patent vasovasostomies (late failures) (p <0.001). Crude patency and pregnancy rates were 67 and 30%, respectively, for the entire cohort, 93 and 43%, respectively, for men undergoing vasovasostomy on at least 1 side, and 47 and 15%, respectively, for those undergoing vasoepididymostomy only. Stenosis rates for repeat vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy were 27 and 18%, respectively.Conclusions: Complete failure of vasectomy reversal usually is due to unrecognized epididymal obstruction. Late failure following initial patency suggests a compromised anastomosis. Repeat vasec...
RSC-dependent constructive and destructive interference between opposing arrays of phased nucleosomes in yeast

RSC and SWI/SNF are related ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling machines that move nucleosomes, regulating access to DNA. We addressed their roles in nucleosome phasing relative to transcription start sites in yeast. SWI/SNF has no effect on phasing at the global level. In contrast, RSC depletion results in global nucleosome repositioning: Both upstream and downstream nucleosomal arrays shift toward the nucleosome-depleted region (NDR), with no change in spacing, resulting in a narrower and partly filled NDR. The global picture of RSC-depleted chromatin represents the average of a range of chromatin structures, with most genes showing a shift of the +1 or the -1 nucleosome into the NDR. Using RSC ChIP data reported by others, we show that RSC occupancy is highest on the coding regions of heavily transcribed genes, though not at their NDRs. We propose that RSC has a role in restoring chromatin structure after transcription. Analysis of gene pairs in different orientations demonstrates that phasing patterns reflect competition between phasing signals emanating from neighboring NDRs. These signals may be in phase, resulting in constructive interference and a regular array, or out of phase, resulting in destructive interference and fuzzy positioning. We propose a modified barrier model, in which a stable complex located at the NDR acts as a bidirectional phasing barrier. In RSC-depleted cells, this barrier has a smaller footprint, resulting in narrower NDRs. Thus, RSC plays a critical role in organizing yeast chromatin.
RNA-RNA base-pairing: theme and variations.

A row of small white volumes marches along one bookshelf in my cluttered office. It is flanked on both ends by slightly larger volumes. The first is labeled “Processing of RNA, Brookhaven Symposia in Biology, Number 26,” the proceedings of a meeting I attended in May, 1974, as a relatively new assistant professor with my undergraduate student David Ginsburg. The other larger volume is “RNA ’96, The First Annual Meeting of the RNA Society.” Most of the volumes in between are labeled “RNA Processing” and are Cold Spring Harbor meeting abstracts dating from 1982 to 1993. I am a terrible pack rat. But these volumes remind me that I was invited, along with John Dunn and Mike Matthews, to organize the first CSH RNA Processing meeting in 1982. RNA Processing meetings at Cold Spring Harbor were to be a biannual event. But already by 1986, as the pace of discovery in RNA accelerated, they became annual. By 1990 the size of the RNA Processing meeting severely stretched the limits of the CSH facility.
Genome-wide Runx2 occupancy in prostate cancer cells suggests a role in regulating secretion

Runx2 is a metastatic transcription factor (TF) increasingly expressed during prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Using PCa cells conditionally expressing Runx2, we previously identified Runx2-regulated genes with known roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasiveness, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix proteolysis and osteolysis. To map Runx2-occupied regions (R2ORs) in PCa cells, we first analyzed regions predicted to bind Runx2 based on the expression data, and found that recruitment to sites upstream of the KLK2 and CSF2 genes was cyclical over time. Genome-wide ChIP-seq analysis at a time of maximum occupancy at these sites revealed 1603 high-confidence R2ORs, enriched with cognate motifs for RUNX, GATA and ETS TFs. The R2ORs were distributed with little regard to annotated transcription start sites (TSSs), mainly in introns and intergenic regions. Runx2-upregulated genes, however, displayed enrichment for R2ORs within 40 kb of their TSSs. The main annotated functions enriched in 98 Runx2-upregulated genes with nearby R2ORs were related to invasiveness and membrane trafficking/secretion. Indeed, using SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry and western analyses, we show that Runx2 enhances secretion of several proteins, including fatty acid synthase and metastasis-associated laminins. Thus, combined analysis of Runx2's transcriptome and genomic occupancy in PCa cells lead to defining its novel role in regulating protein secretion.
Health monitoring, fault diagnosis and failure prognosis techniques for Brushless Permanent Magnet Machines

Over the past few years, many researchers have been attracted by the challenges of electrical machines' fault diagnosis and condition monitoring, which provide early warnings that could help schedule necessary maintenance to avoid catastrophic consequence. With advancements in the use of rare-earth magnets, Brushless Permanent Magnet Machines are widely used in industry recently, which has led to the development of numerous fault diagnosis techniques. Considerable papers have presented reviews and compared condition monitoring and fault diagnosis methods for induction machines, but none for Brushless Permanent Magnet Machines. To make a difference, this paper presents a comprehensive survey of modern research advancements and state-of-the-art in health monitoring, fault diagnosis and prognosis techniques for Brushless Permanent Magnet Machines. The symptoms of each type of fault and the principles of diagnosis process are also described and discussed.
Falls in the Medicare Population: Incidence, Associated Factors, and Impact on Health Care

Background and Purpose: Falls are a major health problem in the elderly community; however, questions regarding incidence, risk factors, and provider response to falls exist. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of falls, associated factors, health care costs, and provider response to falls among Medicare beneficiaries. Participants: The participants were 12,669 respondents to the Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey (MCBS). Methods: Categories of number of falls (none, one, recurrent) and injury type (medically injurious versus not medically injurious) were created from the falls supplement to the MCBS. Means and proportions for the entire Medicare population were estimated using sampling weights. The association between sociodemographic variables and fall status was modeled using ordinal or binary logistic regression. Aggregate health costs by fall category were estimated from claims data. Results: Population estimates of falls reported in 2002 ranged from 3.7 million (single fall) to 3.1 million (recurrent falls), with an estimated 2.2 million people having a medically injurious fall. Recurrent falls were more likely with increased age, being female, being nonwhite, reporting fair or poor health, and increased number of limitations in personal activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living and comorbidities. Although estimates of the actual costs of falls could not be determined, “fallers” consistently had larger utilization costs than “nonfallers” for the year 2002. Fewer than half (48%) of the beneficiaries reported talking to a health care provider following a fall, and 60% of those beneficiaries reported receiving fall prevention information. Discussion and Conclusions: Falls are common and may be associated with significant health care costs. Most importantly, health care providers may be missing many opportunities to provide fall prevention information to older people.
WILLIAMS SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH CROHN DISEASE, MULTIPLE INFECTIONS, AND CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE

A 20-year-old Caucasian female with Williams syndrome, complicated by congenital heart disease, presented with a 6- month history of dull, aching periumbilical abdominal pain, worse with meals, and...