cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The treatment of glucocorticosteroid-dependent chronic urticaria with stanozolol

In this study, four patients presented with chronic urticaria that required glucocorticosteroid therapy for control. In the first patient, the urticaria began during pregnancy and persisted after delivery with symptoms flaring premenstrually thereafter. Danazol was selected in an attempt to suppress progesterone levels, theoretically by inhibiting ovulation. The patient's urticaria markedly improved, however, within 24 hours. Several months later, she was switched to stanozolol with further improvement. Three other individuals were treated with stanozolol with dramatic improvement. In all, three patients have experienced the induction of five remissions (there were two recurrences), and one patient remains much improved. All subjects have stopped both stanozolol and glucocorticosteroids. Stanozolol appears to act synergistically with glucocorticosteroids, and together, they may be capable of inducing remission in some patients.
Proton-transfer laser

The advantages of the four-level laser are described, especially the maintenance of an exceptionally high population inversion because the ground final state is maintained at zero population. The intrinSiC intramoleCular excited-state proton-transfer fluorescence is described as conforming to the four-level laser requirement. Examples are presented which function efficiently, with amplified spontaneous emission gain factors in the range 12 —14 vs. normal laser dye gain factors in the range 7 —9. The specific paradox is described of cases having good proton-transfer fluorescence and no laser potentiaL The spectroscopic criteria necessary are indicated. The extension of the present studies of flavonol proton-transfer cases to one-ring and multi-ring aromatics promises to yield powerful CW lasers from the UV to the JR range.
An information gathering system for medical image inspection

We present an information gathering system for medical image inspection that consists of software tools for capturing computer-centric and human-centric information. Computer-centric information includes (1) static annotations, such as (a) image drawings enclosing any selected area, a set of areas with similar colors, a set of salient points, and (b) textual descriptions associated with either image drawings or links between pairs of image drawings, and (2) dynamic (or temporal) information, such as mouse movements, zoom level changes, image panning and frame selections from an image stack. Human-centric information is represented by video and audio signals that are acquired by computer-mounted cameras and microphones. The short-term goal of the presented system is to facilitate learning of medical novices from medical experts, while the long-term goal is to data mine all information about image inspection for assisting in making diagnoses. In this work, we built basic software functionality for gathering computer-centric and human-centric information of the aforementioned variables. Next, we developed the information playback capabilities of all gathered information for educational purposes. Finally, we prototyped text-based and image template-based search engines to retrieve information from recorded annotations, for example, (a) find all annotations containing the word "blood vessels", or (b) search for similar areas to a selected image area. The information gathering system for medical image inspection reported here has been tested with images from the Histology Atlas database.
Some protective solutions for tissue-cultured cells☆

Abstract Dead animal cells stain red in a solution of 20 mg per cent Erythrosin B and as such can be counted on a hemocytometer. This procedure can be used to evaluate the effect of agents on tissue-cultured cells. Many tissue-cultured cells die within a few hours when suspended in a balanced saline solution even though the solution has an osmotic pressure equivalent to serum and is buffered at pH 7.3. This destructive effect cannot be corrected by changing osmotic pressure with sodium chloride. Certain high molecular weight substances that will take up water such as gelatin, blood albumin or 15 centipoise methyl cellulose will completely protect cells when added to a saline solution. The concentration of the agent necessary to exert this effect is of the same order as the concentration of protein in interstitial fluid. Certain kinds of agents capable of exerting oncotic pressure are probably a necessary requirement of fluids surrounding mammalian tissue cells.
Introduced Fish in Northeastern USA Lakes: Regional Extent, Dominance, and Effect on Native Species Richness

Abstract We assessed the effects of nonnative fish on native fish biodiversity, using assemblage data collected during 1991–1996 from 203 randomly selected lakes in the northeastern USA by the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An estimated 74% (±17.6%, 95% confidence interval) of the region's 10,608 lakes between 1 and 10,000 ha contain at least one introduced species. Based on our samples, nonnative individuals outnumbered natives in an estimated 31.5% (±11%) of lakes. Regression models indicated that native, introduced, and total species richness were associated with lake surface area, elevation, and lake depth (0.31 ≤ R 2 ≤ 0.81). The intensity of human disturbance in the watershed was positively associated with introduced species richness but not associated with native species richness. The number of nonnative species was a significant variable in the native-species regression models for the entire Northeast and for only one of five sub...
The Effect of Speech Modification, Prior Knowledge, and Listening Proficiency on EFL Lecture Learning

This study investigates the listening comprehension of 388 high-intermediate listening proficiency (HILP) and low-intermediate listening proficiency (LILP) Chinese students of English as a foreign language. These students listened to a lecture, the discourse of which was (a) familiar-unmodified, (b) familiar-modified, (c) unfamiliar-unmodified, or (d) unfamiliar-modified. The modified discourse contained information redundancies and elaborations. After the lecture, the EFL subjects took a multiple-choice exam testing recognition of information presented in the lecture and general knowledge of the familiar (“Confucius and Confucianism”) and unfamiliar (“The Amish People”) topics. A significant interaction between speech modification (redundant vs. nonredundant speech) and listening proficiency (HILP vs. LILP) indicated that the HILP students benefited from speech modification, which entailed elaboration/redundancy of information, but the LILP students did not. A significant interaction between prior knowledge (familiar vs. unfamiliar topic) and test type (passage-independent vs. passage-dependent items) was also found. For both the HILP and LILP subjects, prior knowledge had a significant impact on subjects' memory for information contained in the passage-independent test items on the postlecture comprehension test. Those EFL subjects who listened to the familiar-topic lecture on Confucius had higher passage-independent than passage-dependent scores. There was no difference in the performance on the passage-independent and passage-dependent items of those who listened to the lecture on an unfamiliar topic (the Amish). However, the passage-independent performance of subjects who listened to the familiar topic lecture was superior to that of those who listened to the lecture on the unfamiliar topic. Subjects' performance on passage-dependent items did not differ significantly whether the familiar or unfamiliar topic was presented. Implications of the findings for assessing and teaching EFL listening comprehension are suggested.
Modeling Transversely Isotropic, Viscoelastic, Incompressible Tissue-like Materials with Application in Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography

In this paper, we propose a method to model the shear wave propagation in transversely isotropic, viscoelastic and incompressible media. The targeted application is ultrasound-based shear wave elastography for viscoelasticity measurements in anisotropic tissues such as the kidney and skeletal muscles. The proposed model predicts that if the viscoelastic parameters both across and along fiber directions can be characterized as a Voigt material, then the spatial phase velocity at any angle is also governed by a Voigt material model. Further, with the aid of Taylor expansions, it is shown that the spatial group velocity at any angle is close to a Voigt type for weakly attenuative materials within a certain bandwidth. The model is implemented in a finite element code by a time domain explicit integration scheme and shear wave simulations are conducted. The results of the simulations are analyzed to extract the shear wave elasticity and viscosity for both the spatial phase and group velocities. The estimated values match well with theoretical predictions. The proposed theory is further verified by an ex vivo tissue experiment measured in a porcine skeletal muscle by an ultrasound shear wave elastography method. The applicability of the Taylor expansion to analyze the spatial velocities is also discussed. We demonstrate that the approximations from the Taylor expansions are subject to errors when the viscosities across or along the fiber directions are large or the maximum frequency considered is beyond the bandwidth defined by radii of convergence of the Taylor expansions.
Elements of the B cell signalosome are differentially affected by mercury intoxication.

It has been suggested that environmental exposures to mercury contribute to autoimmune disease. Disruption of BCR signaling is associated with failure of central tolerance and autoimmunity, and we have previously shown that low levels of Hg2+ interfere with BCR signaling. In this report we have employed multiparametric phosphoflow cytometry, as well as a novel generalization of the Overton algorithm from one- to two-dimensional unimodal distributions to simultaneously monitor the effect of low level Hg2+ intoxication on activation of ERK and several upstream elements of the BCR signaling pathway in WEHI-231 B cells. We have found that, after exposure to low levels of Hg2+, only about a third of the cells are sensitive to the metal. For those cells which are sensitive, we confirm our earlier work that activation of ERK is attenuated but now report that Hg2+ has little upstream effect on the Btk tyrosine kinase. On the other hand, we find that signaling upstream through the Syk tyrosine kinase is actually augmented, as is upstream activation of the B cell signalosome scaffolding protein BLNK.
An Acceleration Relay for Power Systems

A solid-state acceleration relay has recently been developed by the Bureav of Reclamation for use in data acquisition, but with potential, also for use in generator dropping and load shedding schemes. A pilot model of the relay has been installed at Palisades Powerplant in Idaho to assist in collection of system performance parameters. Data acquired during a major system disturbance demonstrate the potential value of the acceleration relay for sensing behavior and for eventually improving power system reliability.
Long-Term Impact of Family Arguments and Physical Violence on Adult Functioning at Age 30 Years: Findings From the Simmons Longitudinal Study

Abstract Objective To prospectively examine the extent to which an increase in family arguments by age 15 years and the occurrence of family physical violence by age 18 years are related to deficits in key domains of adult functioning at age 30 years. Method The 346 participants were part of a single-age cohort from a predominately white working-class community whose psychosocial development has been traced since age 5 years. Family arguments and violence were assessed through self-reports during adolescence. Developmentally relevant areas of current adult functioning were measured by self-reports, structured diagnostic interviews, and clinical interviewer ratings. Results Both family arguments and physical violence were significantly related to compromised functioning across multiple areas of adult functioning. Although many associations were somewhat attenuated after controlling for sex, other early family adversities, and family history of disorder, most relations retained statistical significance. Both risk factors were linked with later mental health problems and deficits in psychological and occupational/career functioning. Family violence was also linked to poorer physical health at age 30 years. Conclusions Findings underscore the potential long-term impact of troubled family interactions and highlight the critical importance of early intervention programs for youths experiencing either verbal conflict or physical violence in the home.
Isolation of H5 avian influenza viruses from waterfowl in the upper Midwest region of the United States.

Abstract In recent years, the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) has become an important zoonotic pathogen. The surveillance of AIV in its natural host, the waterfowl, is crucial to monitoring and controlling the disease in poultry and other species. In this study, we report on the isolation of H5 AIV from cloacal swabs of waterfowl captured in Minnesota and South Dakota. We screened a total of 7260 cloacal samples from waterfowl using matrix gene–directed, real-time reverse transcription–(rRT-PCR) and H5-specific rRT-PCR and found 148 samples to be positive for the H5 subtype. On inoculation of 71 of these samples in embryonated chicken eggs, 25 samples yielded H5 AIV. On subtyping with N-specific primers, we detected a mixture of subtypes in 15 isolates. Molecular pathotyping confirmed the isolated H5 subtypes to be low pathogenicity avian influenza. Continuation of AIV surveillance programs should help in understanding the epidemiology and ecology of AIV.
Carotenoid Cation Formation and the Regulation of Photosynthetic Light Harvesting

Photosynthetic light harvesting in excess light is regulated by a process known as feedback deexcitation. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements on thylakoid membranes show selective formation of a carotenoid radical cation upon excitation of chlorophyll under conditions of maximum, steady-state feedback deexcitation. Studies on transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants confirmed that this carotenoid radical cation formation is correlated with feedback deexcitation and requires the presence of zeaxanthin, the specific carotenoid synthesized during high light exposure. These results indicate that energy transfer from chlorophyll molecules to a chlorophyll-zeaxanthin heterodimer, which then undergoes charge separation, is the mechanism for excess energy dissipation during feedback deexcitation.
The flow of information in signaling games

Both the quantity of information and the informational content of a signal are defined in the context of signaling games. Informational content is a generalization of standard philosophical notions of propositional content. It is shown how signals that initially carry no information may spontaneously acquire informational content by evolutionary or learning dynamics. It is shown how information can flow through signaling chains or signaling networks.
The "Facebook" Effect: College Students' Perceptions of Online Discussions in the Age of Social Networking.

Despite the growing prominence of Facebook in the lives of college students, few studies have investigated the potential of these innovative web-based communication tools for engaging students in academic discussions. This study used a pre-test, post-test design in two introductory-level courses at a large public university to compare students’ (n = 107) perceptions of, attitudes toward, and perceived learning associated with two different online discussion tools: the Facebook group forum and a university-sponsored online tool. Although pre-course surveys indicated that few students enjoyed online discussions, postcourse analysis revealed significant changes in students’ opinions regarding the value and functionality of web-based discussion forums, with Facebook as their clear preference. Students who participated in Facebook discussions enjoyed the site’s familiarity, navigability, and aesthetically appealing interface. Facebook users also reported that they were able to become better acquainted with classmates, felt like valued participants in the course, and learned more course material. This study suggests that, if used appropriately, Facebook may help to increase college student engagement in certain learning contexts by cultivating classroom community and stimulating intellectual discourse.
Abstracting the checkpoint: American fantasy-lives and security nightmares

Popular contemporary film and music aestheticize what is already well known throughout the Americas, but cannot be spoken at the state’s threshold: the global expansion of checkpoint architecture as the voyeuristic mechanism of state securitization. From Baauer’s Harlem Shake and Sean Paul’s She Doesn’t Mind, to Latin American films such as Maria Full of Grace and Por Sus Propios Ojos, I demonstrate the erotics of power simultaneously concentrated and disavowed within the space of the checkpoint. As a form of “security sexualization”, checkpoint technologies require the physical, optical or digital stripping of human bodies – a gatekeeping procedure of sovereign command, intrinsic to the satisfaction of security officials’ professional duties, in which denuding surveillance is rhetorically denied any sexual content. This article opens up critical discussion about the fantasy worlds of security sexualization as such, pointing attention to necessary filmic “abstractions” of the security state’s imposing hom...
Clio in the Wilderness: History and Biography in Puritan New England

In the spring of 1697 the Reverend John Higginson of Salem finished writing a laudatory “Attestation” for Cotton Mather's Magnalia Christi Americana . Higginson was enghty-one. He had lived in New England for nearly seventy years, and sixty of them had been devoted to the ministry. He had, he worte, “ seen all that the Lord hath done for his people ” in the Puritan colonies and rejoiced that a younger colleague had recorded it in a volume of history and biography, because he was sure that the book was, in substance, purpose, and scope “ according to truth ” and would be of “maninfold advantage and usefulness ”. In elaboration of this he listed in his “Attestation” some ways in which he thought the Magnalia would serve “great and good ends ”.
Performance analysis of slotted replication Aloha over fading communications channels

The average throughput, average delay, and the first exit time performances are determined for a slotted two-packet replication Aloha protocol in a fading communications channel environment using a two-state Gilbert (1960) channel error model with memory. Comparison to slotted Aloha without replication shows that a smaller total average delay can be achieved by using two-packet replication. Average throughput is improved in some cases. However replication reduces the stability of the system. The Markov model for the slotted replication Aloha system is discussed, and the stability is quantified in terms of the expected first exit time from the safe channel operating region. >
Awareness of exodeviation in children with intermittent exotropia.

Purpose: To describe how children with intermittent exotropia (IXT) are aware of their exodeviation.Methods: Twenty-four children with IXT, aged 5 to 17 years, median 10.5 years, were recruited. Individual interviews with the children were audiotaped and transcribed. Interviews were based on 10 open-ended questions and discussion was encouraged. Transcripts were reviewed to identify phrases describing the child’s awareness of the exodeviation as distinct from phrases describing the way intermittent exotropia affects their quality of life. Phrases were reviewed to identify specific topic areas and the type and frequency of topics were analyzed.Results: Nineteen (79%) of 24 children expressed awareness of the exodeviation. One hundred twenty phrases were extracted and 18 topic areas identified. The most frequently mentioned topics were comments from others (15 [63%] of 24), general awareness of deviation (10 [42%] of 24), ocular sensation (10 [42%] of 24), and correction of exodeviation by blinking (7 [29%]...
OverSoc: Social Profile Based Overlays

Online social networking has quickly become one of the most common Internet activities. As social networks evolve, they encourage users to share more information, requiring the users, in turn, to place more trust into social networks. In centralized systems, this means trusting a third-party commercial entity, like Facebook or MySpace. Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems can enable the creation of online social networks extending trust to friends only. In this paper, we present a novel approach to constructing completely decentralized social networks through P2P overlays, OverSoc. Our approach relies on a common directory overlay, which facilitates friend discovery and bootstraps connectivity to individualized profile overlays. Each user has their own individual profile overlay managed transparently using a public key infrastructure (PKI). We define necessary interfaces for constructing the system and describe some examples of user interactions with the system.
Developing Essential Skills For Success In The Business World: A Look At Forecasting

As the business environment evolves, the skills required for success in business careers are also evolving. A major purpose of the undergraduate business curriculum is to prepare students for their careers in this evolving business environment. Educators should periodically reassess the skills needed by business graduates and ensure that those skills are included in their undergraduate curricula. According to leaders in business and industry, one of the most important skills needed in today’s competitive business environment is the ability to use data to make projections and forecasts about the future. Unfortunately, forecasting skills currently receive limited attention in undergraduate business curricula. This paper addresses the limited attention given to forecasting skills and presents empirical evidence on the effect of providing students with forecasting instruction. One group of students was instructed on the use of certain quantitative forecasting skills and was asked to provide a forecast using a real world data set. Their results were compared to a control group that did not receive any instruction in forecasting methods. The results show that certain forecasting skills can be effectively taught in the university classroom and students can utilize these skills to make projections and forecasts about the future.
An Analytical System for Identifying the Volatile Pyrolysis Products of Plastics

Abstract Techniques are described for determining the identity and toxicity of the pyrolysis products of plastics. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) determine the temperature at which the plastic melts, the temperature at which it goes through physical and/or chemical change (oxidation or reduction), and the temperature at which it undergoes weight losses. The identity and quantity of the combustion products are determined with a controlled combustion furnace, utilizing the temperature information obtained by DTA and TGA. The combustion products emitted by the furnace are separated by gas chromatographic techniques and analyzed by infrared absorption, ultraviolet absorption other gas chromatographic techniques, and mass spectroscopy. The results obtained utilizing polyvinyl chloride are described.
The effects of wave front distortion in ESWL

The effects of phase aberration in extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were investigated. Some patients undergoing these treatments experience focal damage to normal soft tissue in areas away from the intended treatment site. The authors hypothesized that some of the reported soft tissue damage may be caused by mislocation of the focus due to phase aberration of the shock wave in fat layers. This hypothesis was tested by measuring acoustic pressure distributions under four propagational conditions involving the type of medium and type of aberrating layer. Shock-wave pressure distributions were measured in water and in an attenuating medium. A very durable hydrophone was used and shown to survive more than 6000 shocks. The properties of the attenuating medium, a description of the hydrophone, and the observed effects of phase aberration in shock-wave propagation are reported. >
A status report for medical impedance imaging

Biomedical impedance imaging forms images of the interior of the human body based on the passive electrical properties of the body tissues. Because the electrical properties of different tissues art different, and some tissues' properties change with their functional state, clinical monitoring for abnormal function, particularly of the heart and lungs, may be possible. This paper reviews the current state of this technology, its possible medical applications, and speculates on future directions for the field. Impedance imaging is most highly developed for two-dimensional, cylindrical applications. The ability of impedance imaging systems to show changes in conductivity is much greater than their ability to show absolute, or static conductivity values. Most present systems make a reference data set under some conditions, such as at end-expiration of a breath. They then form images of the changes that occur in later datasets, for example during inspiration. These images of changes are called dynamic images, and in this case would show areas such as the lungs, whose conductivity changed during inspiration. Image accuracy and resolution are reduced when the object studied is 3-dimensional, or is not of circular cross-section.
On distributed Raman amplification for ultrabroad-band long-haul WDM systems

We present an analysis and design method for multiwavelength pumped fiber Raman amplifiers for massive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems with signal bandwidths of 10 to 12 THz and a very large number of channels. We solve self-consistently the optimal design problem for backward-pumped distributed Raman amplifiers with special gain profiles that compensate for the Raman tilt and wavelength-dependent fiber loss. We study the noise performance of these optimally designed amplifiers and address the issues of multispan amplification for long-haul transmission of such broadband signals.
Extraction of Text Objects in Video Documents: Recent Progress

Text extraction in video documents, as an important research field of content-based information indexing and retrieval, has been developing rapidly since 1990s. This has led to much progress in text extraction, performance evaluation, and related applications. By reviewing the approaches proposed during the past five years, this paper introduces the progress made in this area and discusses promising directions for future research.
The Unique Impact of Late-Life Bereavement and Prolonged Grief on Diurnal Cortisol

bereaved group, (2) a depressed bereaved without elevated PGD symptoms group, and (3) a depressed bereaved with elevated PGD symptoms group. Multilevel modeling was used to examine differences in diurnal cortisol profiles between these 3 groups, controlling for demographic factors and depressive symptoms. Results. Results revealed that those who were bereaved had more dysregulated cortisol patterns, but PGD symptoma tology seemed to have little effect. Subsidiary analysis with just the bereaved participants suggests that those who were recently widowed may have had greater cortisol dysregulation compared with other bereaved individuals in the sample. Discussion. These findings suggest that the circumstance of being bereaved may be associated with more dysregu lated cortisol, regardless of PGD symptomatology. This pattern of results might reflect greater disturbance in daily routines among bereaved individuals and acute stress in the case of those experiencing the recent loss of a spouse, which leads to disruption in circadian rhythms and the diurnal cycle of cortisol.
On throughput enhancement of multi-hop wireless networks using interference alignment

Interference alignment is a new technique recently proposed in physical layer wireless communications research, which purposely align the interference among multiple users thus increase the efficiency of channel use. This paper proposes a new method to enhance throughput of multi-hop wireless networks by utilizing interference alignment at physical layer. At first, it takes a simple network with only 6 nodes to demonstrate that interference alignment can achieve higher throughput. Subsequently, an optimization problem is formulated to maximize multi-hop wireless network throughput, which is a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem. Among that, finding the current transmission links can be transformed into maximal cliques of a graph. Furthermore, a branch-and-bound framework is provided to obtain the achievable bound of the NLP problem. Numerical results are presented to validate the algorithm and offer insights on the throughput enhancement brought by the interference alignment technique.
On local implicit approximation and its applications

A method is proposed for computing an implicit approximant at a point to a parametric curve or surface. The method works for both polynomially and rationally parameterized curves and surfaces and achieves an order of contact that can be prescribed. In the case of nonsingular curve points, the approximant must be irreducible, but in the surface case additional safeguards are incorporated into the algorithm to ensure irreducibility. The method also yields meaningful results at most singularities. In principle, the method is capable of exact implicitization and has a theoretical relationship with certain resultant-based elimination methods.
Activation of NAD(P)H Oxidase by Tryptophan-Derived 3-Hydroxykynurenine Accelerates Endothelial Apoptosis and Dysfunction In Vivo

Rationale: The kynurenine (Kyn) pathway is the major route for tryptophan (Trp) metabolism in mammals. The Trp-Kyn pathway is reported to regulate several fundamental biological processes, including cell death. Objective: The aim of this study is to elucidate the contributions and molecular mechanism of Trp-Kyn pathway to endothelial cell death. Methods and Results: Endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), endothelial cell apoptosis, and endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation were measured in aortas of wild-type mice or mice deficient for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NAD(P)H] oxidase subunits (p47 phox or gp91 phox ) or indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) with or without angiotensin (Ang) II infusion. As expected, AngII increased plasma levels of Kyn and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OHKyn)-modified proteins in endothelial cells in vivo. Consistent with this, AngII markedly increased the expression of IDO in parallel with increased expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Further, in wild-type mice, AngII significantly increased oxidative stress, endothelial cell apoptosis, and endothelial dysfunction. These effects of AngII infusion were significantly suppressed in mice deficient for p47 phox , gp91 phox or IDO1, suggesting that AngII-induced enhancement of Kynurenines via NAD(P)H oxidase-derived oxidants causes endothelial cell apoptosis and dysfunction in vivo. Furthermore, IFN-γ neutralization eliminates AngII-increased superoxide products and endothelial apoptosis by inhibiting AngII-induced Kynurenines generation, suggesting that AngII-activated Kyn pathway is IFN-γ dependent. Mechanistically, we found that AngII-enhanced 3-OHKyn promoted the generation of NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated superoxide anions by increasing the translocation and membrane assembly of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits in endothelial cells (ECs), resulting in accelerated apoptosis and consequent endothelial dysfunction. Conclusions: Kyn pathway activation accelerates apoptosis and dysfunction of the endothelium by up-regulating NAD(P)H-derived superoxide.
Characterization of cavity-backed conformal antennas and arrays using a hybrid finite element method with tetrahedral elements

A hybrid finite-element formulation has been proposed for characterization of the scattering and radiation properties of microstrip patch antennas and arrays residing in a cavity (Jin and Volakis, 1991). The technique combines the finite-element (FE) and boundary integral (BI) methods to formulate a system for the solution of the fields at the aperture and those within the substrate. In the previous implementation, rectangular bricks/patches were used for a discretization of the cavity volume/superstrate. These elements inherently limit the applicability of the method to rectangular shape patches and cavities, and to specific feed structures. To avoid such restrictions on the geometrical adaptability of the FE-BI method, the authors consider its implementation using tetrahedral/triangular elements for discretizing the cavity volume/aperture. The tetrahedral elements permit excellent geometrical adaptability. The characterization (scattering/radiation) of nonrectangular patches and broadband radiators is considered. The method's ability to model practical shape and corporate feeds is demonstrated and results are presented for the antenna/array radar cross section in and out of the operating band. >
Bias, Discrimination, and Obesity

This article reviews information on discriminatory attitudes and behaviors against obese individuals, integrates this to show whether systematic discrimination occurs and why, and discusses needed work in the field. Clear and consistent stigmatization, and in some cases discrimination, can be documented in three important areas of living: employment, education, and health care. Among the findings are that 28% of teachers in one study said that becoming obese is the worst thing that can happen to a person; 24% of nurses said that they are "repulsed" by obese persons; and, controlling for income and grades, parents provide less college support for their overweight than for their thin children. There are also suggestions but not yet documentation of discrimination occurring in adoption proceedings, jury selection, housing, and other areas. Given the vast numbers of people potentially affected, it is important to consider the research-related, educational, and social policy implications of these findings.
Propagation of activated T lymphocytes from endomyocardial biopsy samples of cardiac allografts: Influence of the addition of recombinant interleukin-4 to the culture environment

In vivo, activated T cells can be propagated from endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) samples of cardiac allografts in cultures containing recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). However, T cells are sometimes not propagated in such cultures, even when rejection is present, and at other times the yield of lymphocytes is too small to allow further studies of these graft-infiltrating cells. The current study investigated the effects of the addition of recombinant interleukin-4 (rIL-4) to the culture environment. Cultures were performed on 532 consecutive EMB samples from 120 adult and pediatric heart transplant recipients. Each sample was divided into multiple fragments. Half of the fragments were cultured in media containing 30 U/mL of rIL-2 and the remaining half were cultured under identical conditions but with the addition of 200 U/mL of rIL-4. After 14 days, cell counts were performed, the cell phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry, and donor specificity and cytotoxicity were assessed using the primed lymphocyte test (PLT) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) assay, respectively. Lymphocyte growth occurred in 18% of grade 0-1a EMB in the presence of rIL-2 and in 29% of grade 0-1a EMB in the presence of rIL-2/rIL-4 (p = 0.02). For higher-grade EMB (equivalent to grade >or=1b), the proportion of positive cultures (approximately 39%) was similar in both conditions. For positive cultures, there was a 5-fold increase in the number of cells in the rIL-2/4 cultures compared to rIL-2 alone (1.6 x 10(6) versus 3.4 x 10(5)). Flow cytometry revealed an increase in the proportion of CD8+ cells in the rIL-2/4 cultures (42% versus 23%, p = 0.004). Proliferative responses to donor antigens (as assessed by using the PLT) were comparable between the two groups, but donor-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity was enhanced on addition of rIL-4. Hence, addition of rIL-4 enhances the propagation of donor-specific T cells from heart biopsy samples, especially in the presence of minimal rejection. This will provide a greater quantity of material for further studies of graft-infiltrating cells.
Fibroblast cell lines from young adult mice of long-lived mutant strains are resistant to multiple forms of stress

Previous studies have shown that dermal fibroblast cell lines derived from young adult mice of the long-lived Snell dwarf mutant stock are resistant, in vitro, to the cytotoxic effects of H2O2, cad...
Magnetic tape velocity variation measurement using a read while write head

Magnetic tape velocity variations are determined with a read while write head by measuring the frequency difference between the write current signal and the playback signal from the read gap. This frequency difference may correspond to either tape acceleration or velocity, depending on the period at which the tape velocity is varying, and it can be measured by observing beat frequencies on a storage oscilloscope.
Acamprosate-responsive brain sites for suppression of ethanol intake and preference

Acamprosate suppresses alcohol intake and craving in recovering alcoholics; however, the central sites of its action are unclear. To approach this question, brain regions responsive to acamprosate ...
Areas with complex fractionated atrial electrograms recorded after pulmonary vein isolation represent normal voltage and conduction velocity in sinus rhythm.

Aims Although complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) are purported to represent critical sites for atrial fibrillation (AF) perpetuation, the mechanism and the significance of CFAE in the genesis of AF remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the relationship between CFAE and areas of abnormal atrial tissue defined by low-voltage electrograms (LVE) and signal average of the P-wave (SAPW). Methods and results Complex fractionated atrial electrogram maps were obtained after pulmonary vein isolation in 15 patients with persistent AF. Patients were then cardioverted and voltage/activation maps were acquired in normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Total left atrium (LA), CFAE and LVE areas were measured as % of total LA area (mean ± SD). Conduction velocities of normal, LVE and CFAE areas were also measured during NSR. Patients underwent signal averaged ECG of the P-wave in NSR within 24 h of the procedure. Complex fractionated atrial electrograms areas accounted for 33 ± 24% of total LA. In NSR, only 12 ± 10% of LA area had LVE. There was no anatomic correlation between CFAE sites and LVE; the area of overlap between CFAE and LVE was only 1.6 ± 1.5%. Conduction velocity was faster in CFAE areas (2.3 ± 1.4 m/s) than in normal voltage areas (1.3 ± 0.3 m/s), and LVE areas (1.1 ± 0.7 m/s, P = 0.06). A positive correlation was only found between LVE areas and SAPW duration ( r = 0.7, P = 0.04). Conclusion Areas of CFAEs correspond to areas of normal atrial voltage and normal conduction velocity during NSR. Complex fractionated atrial electrogram probably represents the response of normal healthy atrial tissue to rapid pulmonary vein activation.
MIRD Pamphlet No. 18: Administered Cumulated Activity for Ventilation Studies

There has been no consensus on a standard calculational approach regarding the concept of administered activity in ventilation studies involving inhaled radioisotope gas or radioaerosols. This is caused in part by a lack of knowledge regarding the actual activity that enters the lung space (as opposed to activity introduced into the delivery system) and to the extended administration times (ta) associated with delivery protocols. Methods: This pamphlet reviewed the three primary ventilation procedures, including rebreathing-system protocols, continuous-flow generator output techniques, and radioaerosol delivery systems. Results: For each technique, an analytic expression has been derived for a new parameter called lung administered cumulated activity, AL(0,ta), which is the cumulated activity in the lungs during the administration phase. In addition, another potentially useful parameter has been defined—the mean administered activity for ventilation procedures, which normalizes the administered cumulated activity in the lung over the administration period and may serve to standardize descriptions of protocols between patients and institutions. Examples are provided that illustrate these new concepts for typical ventilation protocol administration parameters. Conclusion: The models presented can be employed to evaluate lung administered cumulated activity for use in ventilation dose estimate reports as a function of explicit variables (e.g., spirometer volume, generator output rate, wash-in half-time, administration time). In practice, it is recommended that dose estimate reports be based on measurements of cumulated activity in the lung over the administration period and normalized to this administered cumulated activity.
Computational caches

Caching is a well-known technique for speeding up computation. We cache data from file systems and databases; we cache dynamically generated code blocks; we cache page translations in TLBs. We propose to cache the act of computation, so that we can apply it later and in different contexts. We use a state-space model of computation to support such caching, involving two interrelated parts: speculatively memoized predicted/resultant state pairs that we use to accelerate sequential computation, and trained probabilistic models that we use to generate predicted states from which to speculatively execute. The key techniques that make this approach feasible are designing probabilistic models that automatically focus on regions of program execution state space in which prediction is tractable and identifying state space equivalence classes so that predictions need not be exact.
Role Discrepancies and Professional Socialization: The Case of the Juvenile Probation Officer

This paper reports on a study of the activities and role perceptions of juvenile probation officers-both MSW and nonMSW-ln several juvenile courts In the Midwest. The study revealed that there was a gap between Ideal and actual role responsibilities. Further, there was a distinction between the role perceptions of MSW and non-MSW workers. The MSW workers gore higher priority to the treatment and service aspects of their role, which was seen as being a function of their professional training. The implications of these findings for social work education are explored. KEYWORDS: Juvenile justice; juvenile delinquency
Long-term results of tibialis anterior tendon transfer for relapsed idiopathic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method: a follow-up of thirty-seven to fifty-five years.

Background: Relapse of idiopathic clubfoot deformity after treatment can be effectively managed with repeat casting and tibialis anterior tendon transfer during early childhood. We evaluated the long-term effects on adult foot function after tibialis anterior tendon transfer for relapsed idiopathic clubfoot deformity during childhood. Methods: Thirty-five patients (sixty clubfeet) in whom idiopathic clubfoot was treated with the Ponseti method from 1950 to 1967 were followed. At an average age of forty-seven years (range, thirty-seven to fifty-five years), the patients underwent a detailed musculoskeletal examination, radiographic evaluation, pedobarographic analysis, and surface electromyography (EMG). They also completed three quality-of-life patient questionnaires. Results: Fourteen patients (twenty-five clubfeet, 42%) had required repeat casting and tibialis anterior tendon transfer in childhood for relapsed clubfoot deformity after initial casting and served as the study group. Twenty-one patients (thirty-five clubfeet, 58%) were successfully treated with initial casting without relapse (the reference group). No patient in either group had subsequent relapse or required additional operative intervention associated with clubfoot deformity. The mean ankle dorsiflexion was similar between the groups. Radiographically, the tendon transfer group showed a smaller mean anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle and slightly more talar flattening than the reference group with no associated clinical differences. Peak pressures, total force distribution, and surface EMG results were not significantly different between the groups. Outcome questionnaires demonstrated no significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: Tibialis anterior tendon transfer is very effective at preventing additional relapse of deformity without affecting long-term foot function of patients with idiopathic clubfoot. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
CD36 enhances fatty acid uptake by increasing the rate of intracellular esterification but not transport across the plasma membrane.

CD36 is a multifunctional protein that enhances cellular fatty acid (FA) uptake, a key step in energy metabolism, and its dysregulation in multiple tissue sites is central to obesity-linked diabetes, a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Although CD36 has been implicated in FA uptake in a correlative way, the molecular mechanisms are not known. Their elucidation in cells is confounded by receptor-mediated uptake of low-density lipoprotein by CD36 and the competitive and/or contributive effects of other proteins involved in FA transport and metabolism, which include caveolin(s), fatty acid transport protein (FATP), intracellular fatty acid binding protein, and enzymes involved in the conversion of FAs to esters. Here we utilized a simpler cellular system (HEK cells), which lack caveolin-1, CD36, and FATP and metabolize FAs slowly compared to the time frame of transmembrane FA movement. Our previous studies of HEK cells showed that caveolin-1 affects FA binding and translocation across the plasma membrane and ...