cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
349: The impact of obesity on glycemic control and neonatal outcome among pregestational diabetic women

AMONG PREGESTATIONAL DIABETIC WOMEN ENRIQUE VAZQUEZ-VERA, CARMEN MARIA TUDELA, ALEXIS DOMINGUEZ, VICTOR HUGO GONZALEZ-QUINTERO, University of Miami, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Miami, Florida OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of obesity on glycemic control and neonatal outcome among pregestational diabetic women (PDM) STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed using clinical data available on PDM who received prenatal care and delivered at our institution. Demographics including age, classification of diabetes, race/ethnicity and weight gain during pregnancy were collected. In order to evaluate glycemic control, glycocylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and average glucose levels for each trimester were abstracted and analyzed. Neonatal outcomes included rates of hypoglycemia, respiratory distress (RDS), hypocalcemia and macrosomia. These variables were stratified between 2 groups: Obese women (BMI 29) and non-obese women (BMI 29). RESULTS: A total of 940 cases were available for analysis. More than half of these women were obese. Sixty-seven percent were classified as class B PDM. Other demographic variables were similar between the two groups. HbA1c were similar among obese and non-obese women in each trimester; 8.6 2.1 vs. 9.4 7.2, p 0.205 during the first trimester, 7.6 3.6 vs. 7.4 4.1 p 0.343 during the second trimester and 6.1 1.4 vs. 7.11 4.7 p 0.343 during the third trimester. The rates of neonatal complications were similar between both groups. CONCLUSION: Obesity in women with PGM does not affect adversely glycemic control and neonatal outcome
Cleavage of the epidermal growth factor receptor by a membrane‐bound leupeptin‐sensitive protease active in nonionic detergent lysates of senescent but not young human diploid fibroblasts

Numerous studies suggest that epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling is impaired in nonproliferating senescent human diploid fibroblasts downstream of receptor binding. One possible explanation for these results is that senescent cells possess unique enzymatic activities capable of regulating functional levels of the EGF receptor. To test that hypothesis, nonionic detergent lysates of young and senescent cells were compared for proteolytic activity directed towards the EGF receptor, and a protease that cleaves the 170 kDa EGF receptor was identified in lysates from senescent but not young cells. Although studies presented here were carried out with WI-38 cells, our data indicate that other senescent fibroblasts possess a similar activity. The degradation product immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody specific for an EGF receptor exocytosolic epitope had an approximate molecular weight of 100,000. This product was also detected following cell surface labeling with 125I, and by cross-linking 125I-EGF to intact cells with disuccinimidyl suberate. The proteolytic activity in senescent cell lysates was specifically inhibited by leupeptin and did not require divalent cations; it was also inactivated by aprotic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or ethylene carbonate. Interestingly, this protease was not active during ligand-induced intracellular processing of the EGF receptor, suggesting that it does not normally function in endocytic or lysosomal compartments. The susceptibility of the protease to inactivation by cell surface trypsinization is consistent with a plasma membrane localization. Since EGF receptor cleavage is not observed unless senescent cells are solubilized with nonionic detergents, it seems likely that the protease is confined to specialized regions of the plasma membrane. Whether or not the EGF receptor is a physiologic target for this protease is unclear. Its expression at the cell surface is nevertheless significant, since it suggests there are mechanisms for regulating membrane-bound proteins, or biologically active peptides in the extracellular space, in senescent cells that are either absent or inactive in young cells. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE OCCURRENCE OF SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE GOITER OF RABBITS PRODUCED BY FEEDING CABBAGE

The evidence presented indicates that cabbage maturing in the spring and summer months has little goiter-produdag power. Cabbage maturing in the late autumn has much greater goiter-produdng power, although this shows considerable variation in different years. It has not been possible to correlate available meteorological data with these variations.
Pair production in the field of the electron from total photon absorption in liquid hydrogen from 155 Mev to 255 Mev

Abstract The transmission of liquid hydrogen for photons has been measured in the energy range 155 Mev to 255 Mev. An electron synchrotron was used as the radiation source and a magnetic pair spectrometer served as the photon detector. The total cross section of hydrogen for photons in the energy interval is nearly constant and has an average measured value of 18.7 ± 0.4 millibarns/atom. The objective of the experiment was to obtain a measure of the cross section for pair production in the field of the free electron. An analysis of the data indicates that the pair production cross section in the field of the electron is smaller by 0.5 ± 0.4 millibarn/electron than the pair production cross section in the field of the unscreened proton.
The Sign of Four and the SDNN of one of three.

w l T a w i a a c t c T a e w In most detective stories, the sleuth attempts to identify he incriminating evidence that proves the criminal is guilty. herlock Holmes frequently took the opposite approach and earched for evidence that would eliminate a possible exlanation of the crime. In the Sign of Four, he states, Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must e the truth.” Similarly, most investigators have attempted o identify risk factors that identify individuals at increased isk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). In this issue of Heart hythm, Rashba et al, like Sherlock Holmes, take an oposite approach and attempt to identify individuals in a igh-risk group who are not likely to have SCD. Specifially, among patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomypathy (NIDCM) and left ventricular ejection fraction LVEF) 36%, they found that none of the one in three atients (top tertile) with the highest standard deviation of ormal RR intervals (SDNN) in a Holter recording had CD. SCD accounts for 30% to 50% of all deaths of patients ith nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. For some time, fforts have been made to identify patients at highest risk of CD who might benefit from placement of a prophylactic mplantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Tools for isk stratification include Holter monitors looking for nonustained ventricular tachycardia or a high incidence of remature ventricular contractions, LVEF, signal-averged ECG, electrophysiologic study, QRS duration, eart rate variability (HRV) parameters, and microvolt -wave alternans. The Defibrillators in Non-Ischemic ardiomyopathy Treatment Evaluation (DEFINITE) trial howed that patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopthy, LVEF 36%, and “ambient arrhythmias” (an episode f nonsustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter or telemtry or an average of 10 premature ventricular contractions PVCs) per hour on a 24-hour Holter recording) receive ortality benefit from ICDs. The recently reported Sudden ardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) showed a imilar benefit of ICDs in patients with New York Heart ssociation (NYHA) class II or III congestive heart failure
Atypical endometrial cells and atypical glandular cells favor endometrial origin in Papanicolaou cervicovaginal tests: Correlation with histologic follow-up and abnormal clinical presentations

The 2001 Bethesda system recommends further classifying atypical glandular cells (AGCs) as either endocervical or endometrial origin. Numerous studies have investigated the clinical significance of AGC. In this study, we investigated the incidence of clinically significant lesions among women with liquid-based Papanicolaou cervicovaginal (Pap) interpretations of atypical endometrial cells (AEMs) or AGC favor endometrial origin (AGC-EM). More importantly, we correlated patients of AEM or AGC-EM with their clinical presentations to determine if AEM/AGC-EM combined with abnormal vaginal bleeding is associated with a higher incidence of significant endometrial pathology. All liquid-based Pap tests with an interpretation of AEM and AGC-EM from July, 2004 through June, 2009 were retrieved from the database. Women with an interpretation of atypical endocervical cells, AGC, favor endocervical origin or AGC, favor neoplastic were not included in the study. The most severe subsequent histologic diagnoses were recorded for each patient. During this 5-year period, we accessioned 332,470 Pap tests of which 169 (0.05%) were interpreted as either AEM or AGC-EM. Of the 169 patients, 133 had histologic follow-up within the health care system. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 71 years old (mean 49.7). On follow-up histology, 27 (20.3%) had neoplastic/preneoplastic uterine lesions. Among them, 20 patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (18 endometrial, 1 endocervical, and 1 metastatic colorectal), 3 with atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and 4 with endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. All patients with significant endometrial pathology, except one, were over 40 years old, and 22 of 25 patients reported abnormal vaginal bleeding at the time of endometrial biopsy or curettage. This study represents a large series of women with liquid-based Pap test interpretations of AEM and AGC-EM with clinical follow-up. Significant preneoplastic or neoplastic endometrial lesions were identified in 20.3% of patients. Patients with Pap test interpretations of AEM or AGC-EM and the clinical presentation of abnormal vaginal bleeding should be followed closely.
A Polymer-Free Paclitaxel Eluting Coronary Stent: Effects of Solvents, Drug Concentrations and Coating Methods

Some polymer coatings used in drug-eluting stents (DES) cause adverse reactions. Hence, the use of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as a polymer-free platform to deliver an anti-proliferative drug (paclitaxel—PAT) from 2D metal substrates was previously demonstrated. In this study, we optimized the PAT coating on SAMs coated 3D coronary stents. For the optimization process, we investigated the effects of solvents (ethanol, DMSO, and their mixtures), drug concentrations (2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 mg/mL) in the coating solution, and coating methods (dip and spray) on PAT deposition. A solvent mixture of 75:25 v/v Et-OH:DMSO was determined to be the best for obtaining smooth and homogenous PAT coating. PAT coated stents prepared using 8 mg/mL and 3 mg/mL concentrations of PAT by dip and spray coating methods, respectively, were optimal in terms of carrying adequate drug doses (0.35 µg/mm2 for dipping and 0.76 µg/mm2 for spraying) as well as negligible defects observed in the coating. PAT was successfully released from SAMs coated stents in a biphasic manner with an initial burst followed by a sustained release for up to 10 weeks. Thus, this study sheds light on the effects of solvents, drug concentrations, and coating methods on preparing a polymer-free DES.
Approaches to testing for food and chemical sensitivities

Testing for food and chemical sensitivities usually becomes necessary as part of the evaluation of otolaryngology patients who have chronic illness. The more complex the patient, and the more recalcitrant the problem is to treatment, the more likely it is that allergies, and especially food or chemical sensitivities, are involved in the pathogenesis of the illness. Failure to consider all major allergen contacts, including foods and chemicals, can lead to inadequate therapy. Similarly, failure to understand total allergic and oxidant load and the effects of chemical toxicity can lead to inappropriate or ineffective treatment. Clinically, food allergies occur in two different types: immediate, anaphylactic, fixed reactions and delayed, chronic, cyclic reactions. Different test methods have been developed for the two types. Fixed food allergies can be safely and efficiently detected by in vitro specific IgE or histamine release tests. Cyclic food allergies are best detected by either oral food challenges or by the IPDFT test. Choosing the best test for a particular patient requires a clear understanding of the two food allergy types and how their clinical presentations differ. Other tests for food allergies are compared and contrasted with these primary tests. Chemical sensitivity also occurs in two different clinical types: allergic, and toxic. True allergy to chemical haptens, either type I, IgE-mediated, or type IV, delayed hypersensitivity, occurs with significant frequency but is often unsuspected. Chemical toxicity can be caused by the aftereffects of an acute exposure or as a result of chronic, low-level exposure, but is even more frequently unsuspected and will not be diagnosed without a high index of suspicion. Both types of chemical sensitivity need to be addressed in any patients who have either a high allergen or chemical exposure load [105]. Either in vitro or in vivo tests can be used for chemical allergy detection; the advantages of each are outlined. Chemical toxicity screening tests are available and useful but do not detect all possible toxicants. Definitive toxic chemical tests usually require specialized laboratory facilities and expert consultation, for which possible sources are specified. The most important point in testing for food or chemical sensitivity is to be aware that food or chemical sensitivity can be contributing to a specific patient's clinical problems. Only then can appropriate investigations be undertaken to understand and then, perhaps, to intervene successfully in that illness.
Cuticular permeability of desert tenebrionid beetles: Correlations with epicuticular hydrocarbon composition

Cuticular transpiration and transition temperatures of four desert tenebrionid beetles (Eleodes armata, Cryptoglossa verrucosa, Centrioptera muricata, C. variolosa) were correlated with the quantity and chemical nature of their respective epicuticular lipids. A fifth species, Pelecyphorus adversus, had only its epicuticular lipids analyzed. Cuticular transpiration increased linearly between 25 and 40°C, but remained low for the beetles as a group in comparison to arthropods of moist habitats. Hydrocarbons comprised over 90% of the total lipids in each species; alcohols, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were also extracted. Hydrocarbons were completely saturated with odd-numbered chains containing from 25 to 33 carbon atoms predominating. The percentage of straight-chain (n-alkane) hydrocarbons ranged from 78.5% in C. verrucosa to only 7.7% in E. armata. The effective barrier to cuticular water flux in these beetles appears largely attributable to the presence of surface hydrocarbons. The least permeable species, C. verrucosa, was further characterized by having predominately long-chain, saturated n-alkanes. An even greater percentage of long-chain hydrocarbon molecules was found in E. armata; however, their effectiveness in reducing cuticular transpiration was possibly negated by an abundance of branched components. The potential for using hydrocarbon composition as a taxonomic tool for separating these species as well as predicting cuticular permeability is also discussed.
On the role of rRNA tertiary structure in recognition of ribosomal protein L11 and thiostrepton

Ribosomal protein L11 and an antibiotic, thiostrepton, bind to the same highly conserved region of large subunit ribosomal RNA and stabilize a set of NH4(+)-dependent tertiary interactions within the domain. In vitro selection from partially randomized pools of RNA sequences has been used to ask what aspects of RNA structure are recognized by the ligands. L11-selected RNAs showed little sequence variation over the entire 70 nucleotide randomized region, while thiostrepton required a slightly smaller 58 nucleotide domain. All the selected mutations preserved or stabilized the known secondary and tertiary structure of the RNA. L11-selected RNAs from a pool mutagenized only around a junction structure yielded a very different consensus sequence, in which the RNA tertiary structure was substantially destabilized and L11 binding was no longer dependent on NH4+. We propose that L11 can bind the RNA in two different 'modes', depending on the presence or absence of the NH4(+)-dependent tertiary structure, while thiostrepton can only recognize the RNA tertiary structure. The different RNA recognition mechanisms for the two ligands may be relevant to their different effects on protein synthesis.
Photoelectric array detectors for use at XUV wavelengths

The characteristics of photoelectric detector systems for use at visible-light, ultraviolet, and X-ray wavelengths are briefly reviewed in the context of the needs of the Spacelab solar-physics facilities. Photoelectric array detectors for use at XUV wavelengths between 90 and 1500 A are described, and their use in the ESA Grazing-Incidence Solar Telescope (GRIST) facility is discussed.
ON GLYCOPROTEIN INCLUSIONS IN TROPHOBLAST CELLS OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA AND THE PROBLEM OF THEIR RELATION TO GONADOTROPIN FORMATION

In some of the basophilic trophoblastic cells of the basal plate and islands of the mature human placenta there are glycoprotein inclusions, many of which are within vacuoles. As established by the histochemical results these inclusions are composed of a neutral mucopolysaccharide and a basophilic protein with SH groups. They gradually increase in number from the 4th month of pregnancy and are not influenced by labor. From the first to the fourth month of gestation small vacuoles, initially infra-nuclear but later supranuclear, may be seen in the syncitial cells of the villi; these likewise contain glycoprotein granules. The same inclusions are to be found in some trophoblastic cells of the chorionic plate and of the chorion laeve, and in an occasional epithelial cell of the amnion.
The meiotic configuration of Chaetomium globosum

Nuclear behavior during ascus development inChaetomium globosum was studied with the use of acetocarmine and aceto-orcein staining techniques. The chromosome behavior, including centriolar bodies and asynchronous disjunction of chromosomes, agreed with the basic pattern reported in Ascomycetes (Olive, 1965). The haploid chromosome complement of this strain appeared to be 6.
Anti-dumping laws, production location and prices

In a three-country model of international trade, the price effects of anti-dumping laws and of tariffs in the presence of anti-dumping laws may be counter-intuitive. The application of an anti-dumping law may lead to a decline in the price of an imported good in the protecting country or an increase in the price of the good in the original host country. The imposition of an import tariff in the presence of an anti-dumping law may result in a decline in domestic price of the import in the policy-active country.
Assessment of childhood anxiety

Anxiety disorders among children are quite common with prevalence rates estimated at up to 20%. Although somewhat neglected in the past, recent empirical studies have increased our understanding of childhood anxiety significantly. Along with the development of empirically supported treatments, the assessment of anxiety among youth has been refined, with more sophisticated and methodologically sound measures developed and revised within the last decade. In addition, the field has benefited from an increased awareness of the importance of systematic and standardized assessment procedures for both diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in children. The primary aims of this article are to review several important considerations particular to the assessment of child anxiety, and to describe and review the most commonly used procedures and instruments for the assessment of anxiety in children.
Toward Liberatory Early Childhood Theory, Research and Praxis: decolonizing a field

This article surveys the emergence and application of critical pedagogy to the field of early childhood education in the USA and beyond. It explores selected portions of the field's vast body of literature vis-a-vis loosely configured and intersecting lines of research and praxis. The field continues to expand, with positivist orientations of child development, postmodern critical reconceptualizing models, and post-colonial discourse spaces. The article concludes with a discussion of liberatory praxis as a space of possibility and suggests post-colonial hybridity as a framework for the field of early childhood education.
PR_b functionalized stealth liposomes for targeted delivery to metastatic colon cancer

A gene delivery system was designed to carry a payload to integrin overexpressing cells. Branched-polyethyleneimine (bPEI) condensed plasmid DNA was encapsulated into targeted stealth liposomes, thereby combining the condensing and transfection properties of bPEI with the stealth and targeting properties of the liposomal carrier system. PR_b was used as a targeting ligand – a peptide we designed to bind specifically to the cancer cell surface marker α5β1 integrin – and such a robust receptor–ligand interaction achieved higher specificity than what has been previously reported for targeted delivery systems. In the process of formulating the PR_b functionalized gene delivery vehicle, we developed a protocol to fully encapsulate condensed DNA in liposomes and accurately quantify the total DNA in the system. We demonstrate that compared to non-targeted stealth liposomes and non-encapsulated condensed DNA, the PR_b functionalized stealth liposomes mediated improved in vitro transfection specifically to colon cancer cells overexpressing the α5β1 integrin. Furthermore, when administered in vivo to metastatic tumor bearing mice, PR_b functionalized stealth liposomes outperformed non-targeted liposomes and delivered genes specifically to the tumor site.
The impact of uncertainty on a production line

This paper presents a discrete time model of a multi-stage production system that faces two major types of uncertainties: the output rate at each production stage and the demand for the finished product. Our goal is to analyze the impact of these uncertainties on the production level and on the inventory level at each stage in order to provide insights for production planning, inventory control, quality improvement, and capacity planning. We propose a scheme in which a complex production rule is approximated by a linear production rule that follows the "restoration" concept introduced by Denardo and Tang 1988. This linear production rule leads the system to steady state in which the means and the variances of the production and inventory levels can be expressed in closed form. These closed form expressions enable us to develop a simple approach for determining a "good" production rule and for analyzing the impact of increasing the yield rates and reducing the variance of the demand. The goodness of this approximation scheme is illustrated by an example.
Importance of perspective in economic analyses of cancer screening decisions.

Summary As the fifth, and final, report in this Lancet series on health economics, we discuss how economic analyses in public health, with cancer screening as the example, differ depending on the perspective taken. We identify nine different, but related, decision makers at various levels, from the individual patient to society as a whole, and discuss how their different viewpoints affect their ultimate decisions. Central to our discussion is the identification of seven distinct components of perspective, each potentially important in the screening decision. In many fields of healthcare, decisions about the use of resources, such as time, wealth, or energy, are made by weighing up the positive and negative consequences of the alternatives under consideration and are thus based on an economic analysis of the situation (although sometimes this process is subconscious). For simplicity, we restrict our report to the effect of perspective on cancer screening decisions and show how the costs (negative consequences) and benefits (positive consequences) vary depending on the decision maker.
Studies on the endogenous phospholipids of mammalian kidney and their in vitro hydrolysis by endogenous phospholipases: a thin layer chromatographic and densitometric study

The phosphoglycerides profile of six species of mammalian kidney (guinea pig, pig, cat, dog, mouse and rat) and their in vitro response to the endogenous phospholipases were determined by TLC technology in conjunction with densitometric measurements. Changes in their phospholipids profile subsequent to in vitro incubation of whole tissue homogenate of these kidneys for 60 min, at pH 7.4, 38 degrees C, and prior to phospholipids extraction have shown that the deacylation of the endogenous cardiolipin (CL) is the most prevalent lipolytic event of all mammalian kidneys studied. Concurrent with the deacylation of CL, there was also formation of monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) and a reduction in CL level. To a much lesser extent, lyso alkenyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (LPE) was also produced concomitant with a decrease of the endogenous alkenyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) level. The deacylation of PE plasmalogen to its lyso form confirms the action of endogenous PLA(2) releasing sn-2 fatty acids.
The two-state cross-bridge model of muscle is an asymptotic limit of multi-state models.

Abstract The relationship between the two-state model of muscle contraction and multi-state models is examined from the perspective of matched asymptotic expansions, under the assumption that transition rates between attached states are fast compared to those between detached and attached states. A detailed formal analysis of a three-state model reveals that the classic Huxley (1957. Prog. Biophys. Biophys. Chem.7, 225–318) rate equation, as modified for thermodynamic self-consistency by Hill et al. (1975. Biophys. J.15, 335–372), governs the “outer” solution of the three-state equations. Thus, the two-state model remains a valid description of muscle dynamics on physiologically relevant time scales, which are slow compared to millisecond-scale transitions between attached states. But the asymptotic analysis reveals also that the cross-bridge force must be considered to be a nonlinear function of the cross-bridge strain, in contrast to the usual assumption of two-state models. This apparent, or effective, force is determined by both the intrinsic stiffness of the cross-bridge and the equilibrium distribution of cross-bridges among attached states. Further, the asymptotic analysis yields an expression for the energy liberation rate that implies a reduced rate in stretch vs. shortening. Some behaviors of multi-state models that are suggested by the three-state analysis are discussed in qualitative terms.
Numerical simulation of thermal signatures of buried mines over a diurnal cycle

3D thermal and radiometric models have been developed to study the passive IR signature of a land mine buried under a rough soil surface. A finite element model is used to describe the thermal phenomena, including temporal variations, the spatial structure of the signature, and environmental effects. The Crank-Nicholson algorithm is used for time-stepping the simulation. The mine and the surroundings are approximated by pentahedral elements having linear interpolation functions. The FEM grid for the soil includes a random rough surface having a normal probability density and specified covariance function. The mine is modeled as a homogeneous body of deterministic shape having the thermal properties of TNT. Natural solar insolation and the effects of convective heat transfer are represented by linearized boundary conditions. The behavior over a periodic diurnal cycle is studied by running the simulation to steady state. Finite element solutions for the thermal emissions are combined with reflected radiometric components to predict the signatures seen by an IR camera. Numerical simulations are presented for a representative target, a 25 cm anti-tank mine simulant developed by the US Army. The temporal evolution of the temperature distribution and IR signature are presented for both smooth and rough surfaces.
On-chip enzymatic assays

This article reviews different possibilities for conducting enzymatic assays on microchip platforms, along with potential advantages, limitations, and selected examples of such biochips. Enzyme-based chips combine the analytical power and reagent economy of microfluidic devices with the selectivity and amplification features of biocatalytic reactions. "Lab-on-chip" devices thus allow enzymatic assays to be performed more rapidly, easily, and economically. Such assays usually rely on on-chip mixing and reactions (of the substrates and enzymes) in connection to separations (of the substrates or products). The realization of on-chip enzymatic assays thus requires understanding of how enzymatic reactions behave on a small scale and can be interfaced with separation microchips, and how the microfluidics can be tailored to suit the requirements of particular enzymatic assays. The goal is to obtain sufficient reaction times, without compromising the quality of the analytical separation. The versatility of such on-chip enzymatic assays offers great promise for decentralized testing of clinically or environmentally important substrates.
High-Resolution Seismic Reflection Imaging of Growth Folding and Shallow Faults beneath the Southern Puget Lowland, Washington State

Abstract Marine seismic reflection data from southern Puget Sound, Washington, were collected to investigate the nature of shallow structures associated with the Tacoma fault zone and the Olympia structure. Growth folding and probable Holocene surface deformation were imaged within the Tacoma fault zone beneath Case and Carr Inlets. Shallow faults near potential field anomalies associated with the Olympia structure were imaged beneath Budd and Eld Inlets. Beneath Case Inlet, the Tacoma fault zone includes an ∼350-m wide section of south-dipping strata forming the upper part of a fold (kink band) coincident with the southern edge of an uplifted shoreline terrace. An ∼2 m change in the depth of the water bottom, onlapping postglacial sediments, and increasing stratal dips with increasing depth are consistent with late Pleistocene to Holocene postglacial growth folding above a blind fault. Geologic data across a topographic lineament on nearby land indicate recent uplift of late Holocene age. Profiles acquired in Carr Inlet 10 km to the east of Case Inlet showed late Pleistocene or Holocene faulting at one location with ∼3 to 4 m of vertical displacement, south side up. North of this fault the data show several other disruptions and reflector terminations that could mark faults within the broad Tacoma fault zone. Seismic reflection profiles across part of the Olympia structure beneath southern Puget Sound show two apparent faults about 160 m apart having 1 to 2 m of displacement of subhorizontal bedding. Directly beneath one of these faults, a dipping reflector that may mark the base of a glacial channel shows the opposite sense of throw, suggesting strike-slip motion. Deeper seismic reflection profiles show disrupted strata beneath these faults but little apparent vertical offset, consistent with strike-slip faulting. These faults and folds indicate that the Tacoma fault and Olympia structure include active structures with probable postglacial motion.
A new class of lipid mediators: cytochrome P450 arachidonate metabolites.

The first reports on the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) by cytochrome P450 (CYP) mono-oxygenases appeared in 1981.1 2 The biochemical studies of Capdevila and colleagues have provided the “ground substance” for all future studies. Our initial report in 1984 on the metabolism of AA via CYP pathways by the rabbit medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) provided evidence that AA metabolism in this segment of the nephron was primarily via the CYP pathway.3 Previously the mTAL was thought to lack the biosynthetic machinery for metabolising AA because of negative immunocytochemical evidence regarding cyclo-oxygenase (COX) capabilities. A subsequent study identified two principal CYP derived AA products generated by the rabbit mTAL, one inhibiting Na+-K+-ATPase and the other relaxing blood vessels.4 Two principal CYP products—20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) generated by ω/ω-1 hydroxylases and 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) generated by epoxygenases—had been identified in a study of renal zonal CYP derived AA metabolites (fig 1).5 No one then could have anticipated the rise of 20-HETE to its position of pre-eminence among renal eicosanoids, one that functions as a key component in both tubular and vascular mechanisms essential to the regulation of renal haemodynamics and extracellular fluid volume. The first study that pointed to an essential role for 20-HETE in the kidney indicated that it modulated the Na+-K+-2Cl– cotransporter in the mTAL, the target for furosemide (frusemide) and the other “high ceiling” diuretics.6 Our companion study had identified 20-HETE as the principal product of AA metabolism in mTAL.7 Figure 1 Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism by cytochrome P450 dependent mono-oxygenases to ω- and ω-1-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (epoxides, EETs), and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (diols, DHTs). 20-HETE and 5,6-EET can be converted by cyclo-oxygenase to analogues of prostaglandins. 20-HETE is the pre-eminent renal eicosanoid. …
On the sensitivity of incremental algorithms for combinatorial auctions

Despite the large amounts of runtime needed to adequately solve a combinatorial auction (CA), existing iterative CA auction protocols require winner determination during every round of bid submissions. Using existing algorithms for winner determination will cause a timing bottleneck during the winner determination phase. Furthermore, there has recently been work which models the formation of supply chains through auctions. Here, winner determination is used for supply chain formation. As supply chains become more dynamic, there is a need for incremental algorithms that quickly and accurately restructure the supply chain while keeping the initial supplier/producer/consumer constraints satisfied. In this work, we look into the process of quickly and efficiently handling incremental changes in combinatorial auctions. Given some perturbations, we illustrate the tradeoff between preserving the previous solution while maximizing the valuation of the auction. Our results show that it is possible to use a locally optimal solution while sacrificing little solution quality compared to a globally optimal solution. When we have 5000 bids or more, the local algorithm gives a solution within 2% of optimal on the "matching" benchmark from the Combinatorial Auction Test Suite (CATS). Therefore, a simple, fast algorithm can be used to handle incremental changes in CAs with a large number of bids.
An optimal state estimation model of sensory integration in human postural balance

We propose a model for human postural balance, combining state feedback control with optimal state estimation. State estimation uses an internal model of body and sensor dynamics to process sensor information and determine body orientation. Three sensory modalities are modeled: joint proprioception, vestibular organs in the inner ear, and vision. These are mated with a two degree-of-freedom model of body dynamics in the sagittal plane. Linear quadratic optimal control is used to design state feedback and estimation gains. Nine free parameters define the control objective and the signal-to-noise ratios of the sensors. The model predicts statistical properties of human sway in terms of covariance of ankle and hip motion. These predictions are compared with normal human responses to alterations in sensory conditions. With a single parameter set, the model successfully reproduces the general nature of postural motion as a function of sensory environment. Parameter variations reveal that the model is highly robust under normal sensory conditions, but not when two or more sensors are inaccurate. This behavior is similar to that of normal human subjects. We propose that age-related sensory changes may be modeled with decreased signal-to-noise ratios, and compare the model's behavior with degraded sensors against experimental measurements from older adults. We also examine removal of the model's vestibular sense, which leads to instability similar to that observed in bilateral vestibular loss subjects. The model may be useful for predicting which sensors are most critical for balance, and how much they can deteriorate before posture becomes unstable.
The Laryngeal Epithelium in Reflux

The epithelium plays a critical role in the maintenance of laryngeal health. This is evident in that laryngeal disease may result when the integrity of the epithelium is compromised by insults such...
Ethical considerations when conducting ethnographic research in a nursing home setting.

Abstract In this article I provide an overview of ethical concerns when conducting ethnographic research in nursing home settings where participants are vulnerable and submissive to authority and I consider how particular research methodologies may benefit the participants. The focus of the article is primarily on the issues of privacy and autonomy and the relationship between the researcher and the participant. My own experiences of doing research in a nursing home will be woven throughout the article, as will the accounts of other researchers who have studied life in nursing homes. In reflecting on my work as a researcher I have come to a deeper understanding of the ethical issues involved in doing research in a nursing home and of the importance of ethically sound research.
Interactive case vignettes utilizing simulated pathologist-clinician encounters with whole slide imaging and video tutorials of whole slide scans improves student understanding of disease processes.

Background: One of the drawbacks of studying pathology in the second year of medical school in a classroom setting is the relatively limited exposure to patient encounters/clinical rotations, making it difficult to understand and fully appreciate the significance of the course material, specifically the molecular and tissue aspects of disease. In this study, we determined if case vignettes incorporating pathologist-clinician encounters with whole slide imaging (WSI) and narrated/annotated videos of whole slide (WS) scans in addition to clinical data improved student understanding of pathologic disease processes. Materials and Methods: Case vignettes were created for several genitourinary disease processes that utilized clinical data including narratives of pathologist-clinician encounters, WSI, and annotated video tutorials of WS scans (designed to simulate double-heading). The students were encouraged to view the virtual slide first, with the video tutorials being provided to offer additional assistance. The case vignettes were created to be interactive with a detailed explanation of each correct and incorrect question choice. The cases were made available to all second year medical students via a website and could be viewed only after completing a 10 question pre-test. A post-test could be completed after viewing all cases followed by a brief satisfaction survey. Results: Ninety-six students completed the pre-test with an average score of 7.7/10. Fifty-seven students completed the post-test with an average score of 9.4/10. Thirty-six students completed the satisfaction survey. 94% agreed or strongly agreed that this was a useful exercise and 91% felt that it helped them better understand the topics. Conclusion: The development of interactive case vignettes incorporating simulated pathologist-clinician encounters with WSI and video tutorials of WS scans helps to improve student enthusiasm to learn and grasp pathologic aspects of disease processes that lead to clinical therapeutic decision making.
Modelling riverine habitat for robust redhorse: assessment for reintroduction of an imperilled species

A critical component of a species reintroduction is assessment of contemporary habitat suitability. The robust redhorse, Moxostoma robustum (Cope), is an imperilled catostomid that occupies a restricted range in the south-eastern USA. A remnant population persists downstream of Blewett Falls Dam, the terminal dam in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina. Reintroduction upstream of Blewett Falls Dam may promote long-term survival of this population. Tillery Dam is the next hydroelectric facility upstream, which includes a 30 rkm lotic reach. Habitat suitability indices developed in the Pee Dee River were applied to model suitable habitat for proposed minimum flows downstream of Tillery Dam. Modelling results indicate that the Tillery reach provides suitable robust redhorse habitat, with spawning habitat more abundant than non-spawning habitat. Sensitivity analyses suggested that suitable water depth and substrate were limiting physical habitat variables. These results can inform decisions on flow regulation and guide planning for reintroduction of the robust redhorse and other species.
Mechanical characteristics of native tendon slices for tissue engineering scaffold

The purpose of this study was to characterize the mechanical behavior of tendon slices with different thicknesses. Tendon slices of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 μm thickness were mechanically tested. The 300 μm slices were further tested for strength and modulus after 21,000-cycle fatigue testing under different applied strain levels (0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12%). The tendon slice structure, morphology, and viability of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) seeded onto the slices were also examined with histology, scanning electron microscopy, and vital cell labeling, respectively. Tendon slices 300 μm or more in thickness had similar ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus to the intact tendon bundle. A strain of 5% or less did not cause any structural damage, nor did it change the mechanical properties of a 300 μm-thick tendon slice after 21,000-cycle fatigue testing. BMSCs were viable between and on the tendon slices after 2 weeks in tissue culture. This study demonstrated that, if tendon slices are used as a scaffold for tendon tissue engineering, slices 300 μm or more in thickness would be preferable from a mechanical strength point of view. If mechanical stimulation is performed for seeded-cell preparations, 5% strain or less would be appropriate.
Demonstration of hierarchical document clustering of digital library retrieval results

As digital libraries grow in size, querying their contents will become as frustrating as querying the web is now. One remedy is to hierarchically cluster the results that are returned by searching a digital library. We demonstrate the clustering of search results from Carnegie Mellons Informedia database, a large video library that supports indexing and retrieval with automatically generated descriptors.
Water-Borne Thermosets from Aniline-Based Telechelics

Current trends in the polymer coatings arena focus on water-borne formulations due to the obvious economic and environmental advantages of these systems devoid of organic solvents. This, coupled with the recent findings of the efficacy of polyaniline in corrosion prevention of metals, has provided impetus in the synthesis of water-borne thermosets from aniline-based telechelics. The first part of the project demonstrates the feasibility of the synthesis of telechelics with differing sizes and the second part deals with its derivatization to water-borne systems. Thus, a series of aniline-based telechelics have been made by varying the ratio of the reactants, viz. phenylenediamine and aniline, the amount of oxidant (ammonium persulfate) as well as temperature. Combined with higher solubility and reactivity, curing of the functionally reactive amino-terminated oligomers have been accomplished using aqueous formaldehyde or water-dispersed epoxy resins. Spectroscopic studies have been carried out to characteri...
Mid-Spring Burning Reduces Spotted Knapweed and Increases Native Grasses during a Michigan Experimental Grassland Establishment

Infestations of the exotic perennial Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.) hinder the restoration and management of native ecosystems on droughty, infertile sites throughout the Midwestern United States. We studied the effects of annual burning on knapweed persistence on degraded, knapweed-infested gravel mine spoils in western Michigan. Our experiment included 48, 4-m2 plots seeded to native warm-season grasses in 1999 using a factorial arrangement of initial herbicide and fertility treatments. Beginning in 2003, we incorporated fire as an additional factor and burned half of the plots in late April or May for 3 years (2003–2005). Burning increased the dominance of warm-season grasses and decreased both biomass and dominance of knapweed in most years. Burning reduced adult knapweed densities in all 3 years of the study, reduced seedling densities in the first 2 years, and reduced juvenile densities in the last 2 years. Knapweed density and biomass also declined on the unburned plots through time, suggesting that warm-season grasses may effectively compete with knapweed even in the absence of fire. By the end of the study, mean adult knapweed densities on both burned (0.4-m2) and unburned (1.3-m2) plots were reduced to levels where the seeded grasses should persist with normal management, including the use of prescribed fire. These results support the use of carefully timed burning to help establish and maintain fire-adapted native plant communities on knapweed-infested sites in the Midwest by substantially reducing knapweed density, biomass, and seedling recruitment and by further shifting the competitive balance toward native warm-season grasses.
Operative and non-operative interruption of the inferior vena cava

Deep vein ligation for the prevention of pulmonary emboli arising from the lower extremities was first described by Homans in 1934. Early experience with ligation of the inferior vena cava showed the severe haemodynamic effects of its acute obstruction, which led to death in some cases and to lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency in many of the survivors. During the 1950s inferior vena caval plication procedures were designed to prevent the acute and chronic morbidity of caval ligation. Extraluminal caval clips became popular in the 1960s in an effort to reduce the thrombogenicity of transmural suturing and to simplify the interruption procedure.
A Fabry-Perot microinterferometer for visible wavelengths

The authors report on their efforts to develop a silicon-based microinterferometer for optical applications in the visible spectral region using micromachining fabrication techniques. The interferometer is formed by two parallel dielectric mirrors supported on membranes which are electrostatically deflected for wavelength control. A simplified two-wafer fabrication process was designed and investigated. They obtained 250 nm membrane deflection for an applied voltage of 100 V. Hafnium dioxide-silicon dioxide dielectric mirrors with high reflectivity and low stress were fabricated on membrane supports and also free-standing. Anticipated applications include microinstrument spectroscopy systems for atomic absorption, ellipsometry, imaging, optical fiber communications, and general spectrophotometer uses as well as accelerometry. >