cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NSTEMI Decide: Development of a Decision Aid for Older Adults with Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Background Many patients hospitalized with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are older adults (age ≥75), in whom invasive coronary angiography confers potential benefits but also higher risks than the general population. Our goal was to therefore develop a patient decision aid (PtDA) to assist with shared decision making (SDM) between cardiologists and older adults with this condition. Methods We followed International Patient Decision Aid Standards to develop the NSTEMI Decide PtDA. The initial prototype was based on structured interviews from 20 patients and 20 clinicians. Risks and benefits of invasive coronary angiography were derived from the available literature in older adults, with an emphasis on findings from randomized trials. The PtDA was then revised through an iterative, user-centered design approach with rapid prototyping using input from both clinician and patients to meet the needs of both stakeholders. Results The PtDA went through 8 iterations. The final decision aid was 11 pages and included background information (6 pages), explanation of benefits and risks (4 pages), and a summary (1 page). Large font (≥26 point) was used to accommodate visual difficulties. Language was tailored to an 8th grade reading level. Based on the best available literature, we included benefits of invasive coronary angiography (recurrent myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization) and risks (stroke, bleeding, acute kidney injury). The final PtDA was converted to a mobile health application to increase usability on portable digital devices in the clinical setting. Conclusions We developed the first PtDA tailored to older adults hospitalized with NSTEMI. This PtDA will be prospectively tested to evaluate dimensions including feasibility of use, satisfaction with care, medical knowledge, and decisional conflict.
Role of Ion Regulation in Cell Injury, Cell Death, and Carcinogenesis

The understanding of acute and chronic cell injury constitutes one of the major problems in medical science, involving such issues as the mechanism of cell death and the control of cell growth and differentiation. Disease represents the summation of the effects of responses to cell injury in multicellular forms. Cell injury can be classified into those injuries that lead to cell death preceded by a reversible phase and those injuries that result in altered steady states compatible with cell survival, though in a different form (Trump and Arstila, 1971). We have observed that the responses to acute as well as to chronic cell injuries are accom panied by changes in cell ion content, including cytosolic sodium ([Na+ ]i), potassium ([K+ ]i), chloride ([Cl- ]i), magnesium ([Mg2+ ]i), and calcium ([Ca2+ ]i) (Trumpet al., 1971). In the present paper, we will continue to explore our hypothesis that deregulation of free, ionized cytosolic [Ca2+ ]i is directly or indirectly related to many of the events that follow acute cell injury as well as to control of cell division and differentiation (Trump and Berezesky, 1985, l987a-c; Trumpet al., 1984).
trans-(-)-ε-Viniferin increases mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protects cells in models of Huntington Disease.

Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormal polyglutamine expansion in the protein Huntingtin (Htt). Currently, no cure is available for HD. The mechanisms by which mutant Htt causes neuronal dysfunction and degeneration remain to be fully elucidated. Nevertheless, mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested as a key event mediating mutant Htt-induced neurotoxicity because neurons are energy-demanding and particularly susceptible to energy deficits and oxidative stress. SIRT3, a member of sirtuin family, is localized to mitochondria and has been implicated in energy metabolism. Notably, we found that cells expressing mutant Htt displayed reduced SIRT3 levels. trans-(−)-e-Viniferin (viniferin), a natural product among our 22 collected naturally occurring and semisynthetic stilbenic compounds, significantly attenuated mutant Htt-induced depletion of SIRT3 and protected cells from mutant Htt. We demonstrate that viniferin decreases levels of reactive oxygen species and prevents loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in cells expressing mutant Htt. Expression of mutant Htt results in decreased deacetylase activity of SIRT3 and further leads to reduction in cellular NAD+ levels and mitochondrial biogenesis in cells. Viniferin activates AMP-activated kinase and enhances mitochondrial biogenesis. Knockdown of SIRT3 significantly inhibited viniferin-mediated AMP-activated kinase activation and diminished the neuroprotective effects of viniferin, suggesting that SIRT3 mediates the neuroprotection of viniferin. In conclusion, we establish a novel role for mitochondrial SIRT3 in HD pathogenesis and discovered a natural product that has potent neuroprotection in HD models. Our results suggest that increasing mitochondrial SIRT3 might be considered as a new therapeutic approach to counteract HD, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases with similar mechanisms. Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key event mediating mutant Htt-induced neurotoxicity. Results: trans-(−)-e-Viniferin attenuates mutant Htt-induced SIRT3 depletion, activates AMPK, and preserves mitochondrial function. Conclusion: Increasing SIRT3 protects cells in HD. Significance: The result suggests a promising new target for development of HD therapeutics.
Post-translational protein modification in the endoplasmic reticulum. Demonstration of fatty acylase and deoxymannojirimycin-sensitive alpha-mannosidase activities.

We have previously described a hybrid protein, GHHA, that contains a fragment of the influenza hemagglutinin joined to the C terminus of a nearly complete rat growth hormone (Rizzolo, L.J., Finidori, J., Gonzalez, A., Arpin, M., Ivanov, I.E., Adesnik, M., and Sabatini, D.D. (1985) J. Cell Biol. 101, 1351-1362). GHHA was transported from the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to a smooth cisterna, continuous with the rough ER, but proximal to the Golgi apparatus. We have now labeled GHHA with [3H]palmitate, demonstrating that fatty acylation can occur in the ER. As expected for a thioester linkage, the label was released from GHHA by hydroxylamine and identified as palmitic acid by thin-layer chromatography. In a second study, we analyzed the structure of the N-linked carbohydrate chain of GHHA. The N-linked oligosaccharides, all high-mannose type, were released by endoglycosidase H and size-fractionated by high pressure liquid chromatography. The predominant structures were Glc1Man8GlcNAc and Man8GlcNAc, indicating that only 2 or 3 glucose and 1 mannose residues were removed from the original Glc3Man9GlcNAc2. Determination of the structure by acetolysis fragmentation indicated that a single Man8GlcNAc isomer was formed by a deoxymannojirimycin-sensitive alpha-mannosidase. This contrasts with a previously characterized ER alpha-mannosidase (Bischoff, J., Liscum, L., and Kornfeld, R. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 4766-4774) that generates the same isomer, but is deoxymannojirimycin-resistant. These data suggest the possibility that different enzymes are partitioned within the ER.
Jaundice in the Healthy Newborn Infant: A New Approach to an Old Problem

We measured the serum bilirubin concentrations in 2,416 consecutive infants admitted to our well baby nursery. The maximal serum bilirubin concentration exceeded 12.9 mg/dL (221 mumol/L) in 147 infants (6.1%), and these infants were compared with 147 randomly selected control infants with maximal serum bilirubin levels less than or equal to 12.9 mg/dL. A serum bilirubin concentration greater than 12.9 mg/dL was associated strongly with breast-feeding (P = .0000) and percentage of weight loss after birth (P = .0001), as well as with maternal diabetes, oriental race, decreased gestational age, male sex, bruising, and induction of labor with oxytocin. Risk ratios and the risk of jaundice were calculated for hypothetical infants in the presence and absence of these variables. These calculations show that, in certain infants, "nonphysiologic" jaundice is likely to develop and its presence in such infants might not require laboratory investigations. In others, a modest degree of hyperbilirubinemia could be cause for concern. An awareness of these factors and their potential contribution to serum bilirubin levels permits a more rational approach to the action levels used for the investigation of jaundice in the newborn. We need a new definition of physiologic jaundice.
How Businesses Fare with Daily Deals: A Multi-Site Analysis of Groupon, Livingsocial, Opentable, Travelzoo, and BuyWithMe Promotions

We examine performance of daily deals run through five major sites in 23 US markets. In a survey-based study of 324 businesses that conducted a daily deal promotion between August 2009 and March 2011, 55.5% of businesses reported making money, 26.6% lost money and 17.9% broke even on their promotions. Although close to 80% of deal users were new customers, significantly fewer users spent beyond the deal’s value or returned to purchase at full price. 48.1% of businesses indicated they would run another daily deal promotion, 19.8% said they would not, and 32.1% said they were uncertain. We also examined drivers of deal profitability, the loyalty of merchants to a daily deal site, and how spending on daily deals has affected spending of businesses on other marketing programs. Overall, our findings lead us to conclude that there are relatively few points of differentiation between the daily deal sites, making it harder for any one site to stand out from the others. Our findings also uncovered a number of red flags regarding the industry as a whole: (1) the relatively low percentages of deal users spending beyond the deal value (35.9%) and returning for a full-price purchase (19.9%) are symptomatic of a structural weakness in the daily deal business model, (2) less than half of the businesses indicated enthusiasm about running another daily deal in the future, (3) fully 72.8% indicated openness to considering a different daily deal site, and (4) only 35.9% of restaurants/ bars and 41.5% of salons and spas that had run a daily deal asserted they would run another such promotion in the future. All of these findings point to the same conclusion: Over the next few years, it is likely that daily deal sites will have to settle for lower shares of revenues from businesses compared to their current levels, and it will be harder and more expensive for them to find viable candidates to fill their pipelines of daily deals.
Renal pathophysiology: lessons learned from the canine remnant kidney model.

Objective To review the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs and the contributions of the canine remnant kidney model to our understanding of this disease. Data Sources Original studies in the human and veterinary medical fields. Data Synthesis Three of the fundamental principles of modern nephrology—the intact nephron hypothesis, the trade-off hypothesis, and the hyperfiltration theory were developed directly as a result of studies of the remnant kidney model. Most of the pivotal early studies were conducted in dogs. As a result, our understanding of CKD, and of the renal and systemic adaptations to CKD, is largely based on studies of this model. Conclusions Studies of the remnant kidney model have advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of CKD. Nearly every therapeutic intervention used in CKD, by veterinarians and physicians alike, has its basis in studies of the remnant kidney model or in knowledge that was derived from studies of this model. A great debt is owed to the canine participants in these studies and to a small number of key scientists who conducted this important and insightful research.
A photographic study of fuel spray ignition in a rapid compression machine

Etude photographique de l'allumage d'un jet pulverise de carburant dans une machine a compression rapide
Probability of success: estimation framework, properties and applications

Probability of success (PoS), defined as Bayesian expected power, has drawn more and more attention as an alternative metric complementary to the conventional conditional power for study planning. This paper describes an estimation framework for PoS on the basis of a proposed joint posterior distribution for the location and scale parameters of an effect of interest, followed by illustrations of how to estimate this quantity efficiently. Some features of this PoS framework are disclosed via the affiliated settings with non-informative prior. The upper limit of PoS, obtained when sample size approaches infinity, is derived in closed form. Three applications of this framework are given to demonstrate the benefits of using the concept of PoS in strategic planning of a confirmatory study and in interim monitoring of drug effectiveness and, as lessons learnt, how a non-inferiority study could be powered appropriately and how change of trend to achieving non-inferiority could be tracked. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apoptosis: Inherited Disorders

Apoptosis is a mechanism of programmed cell death used in organ remodelling during development and for eliminating unnecessary or dangerous cells. In the immune system, apoptosis maintains homeostasis by limiting lymphocyte responses. Genetic defects in apoptosis leads to disturbed lymphocyte homeostasis and, potentially, autoimmunity or neoplasia. An important apoptosis disorder in humans involves the death receptor Fas. However, recently, disorders in the apoptosis pathways triggered by trophic factor withdrawal or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage have also been described. Dual roles of certain molecules for both apoptotic and normal nonapoptotic lymphocyte function can account for combined apoptosis and immunodeficiency disorders. Key concepts Lymphocytes undergo propriocidal regulation, in which the cells that are actively proliferating are most susceptible to programmed cell death. This form of negative regulation limits the maximal intensity of immune responses and establishes the basal state of homeostasis after an immune response. Apoptosis occurs when T lymphocytes become activated to express death receptors, undergo repeated antigenic stimulation through the T-cell receptor, or cease to produce growth factors such as IL-2. Apoptotic pathways stimulated by death receptors, and those stimulated by intracellular derangements, are both utilized. Mice and humans who have defective apoptosis display progressive accumulation of lymphocytes, systemic autoimmunity and a predisposition to lymphoid malignancy. Most genetic lesions responsible for the prototypical disease in humans, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), involve the Fas death receptor that mediates extrinsic apoptosis. ALPS can also result from a mutation in NRAS that impairs Bim-mediated apoptosis during cytokine deprivation. Humans with caspase-8 or SH2D1A (SAP) deficiencies have lymphoproliferative disease and immunodeficiency, illustrating the dual roles of these molecules for lymphocyte apoptosis and nonapoptotic lymphocyte function. p53 mutations responsible for cancer susceptibility in the Li–Fraumeni syndrome impair genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis, through effects on Puma and other Bcl-2 family members. Keywords: apoptosis; autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome/ALPS; caspase-8 deficiency state/CEDS; X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome/XLP; Li–Fraumeni syndrome
Nonuniform piezoelectric circular plate flexural transducers with underwater applications

An analytical treatment is presented for circular flexural plate transducers that have nonuniform electromechanically active-passive mechanical systems with particular interest in underwater applications. The analysis is made using the energy method that was previously applied to calculating parameters of uniform fully active (bimorph) circular plate transducers [B. S. Aronov, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118(2), 627-637 (2005)]. It is shown that the vibration mode shapes remain sufficiently similar to those for uniform plates for a large range of relative dimensions of active and passive laminates of radially nonuniform mechanical systems, and they may be used for calculating transducer parameters. Therefore the transducers can be considered as having a single degree of freedom, and their operational characteristics can be determined using the same technique as previously used for uniform plates. Dependences of the resonance frequencies, effective coupling coefficients, and parameters of the equivalent electromechanical circuit on relative dimensions of active and passive laminates for several combinations of the active and passive materials are presented and compared with those parameters of uniform plates having the same overall dimensions. The results of experimental verification are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate analogs incorporating benzoylbenzyl ethers: Synthesis and inhibition of yeast protein farnesyltransferase

The syntheses of two photoactive analogs (1a and 1b) of farnesyl pyrophosphate that incorporate stable ether-linked benzophenones are described. Compounds 1a and 1b were prepared from geraniol in 17% overall yield. Both 1a and 1b are competitive inhibitors of yeast protein famesyltransferase with respect to farnesyl pyrophosphate and have K1 values of 45 nM and 49 nM. Upon photolysis for twelve hours, 1a and 1b both inactivate the enzyme by 40%
Absorption cell: a modified multiple-traversal device

A modified White-type multiple-transversal absorption cell used with a 5-m Littrow spectrometer is described. It can be introduced at a focus of the radiation beam without altering the beam configuration. The conventional White cell consists of three mirrors of equal focal length, with a distance of two focal lengths separating one of the mirrors from a mirror pair. The modification in the design consists of the addition of two mirrors at a slant placed behind the solitary mirror of the conventional configuration. The mirror arrangement reproduces the configuration of the exit beam for any number of transversals of the cell.
Interrupters on the bacterial party line

Cross-species quorum sensing in bacteria is mediated by a small molecule autoinducer, AI-2. It has now been demonstrated that AI-2–mediated signaling can be sabotaged by bacteria that degrade AI-2.
Bourdieu and urban politics: Conceptualizing a Bourdieusian relational framework for urban politics research

This study purposes to build a generic theoretical framework of urban politics, drawing on Bourdieu’s relational sociology and theory of practice. Through a Bourdieusian relational mode of analysis, the study has conceptualized subfields of urban politics and the possible dimensions of politics among stakeholders in different subfields. In addition, the two conceptual spaces of positions and position-takings in the field of urban politics were hypothetically constructed with a methodological suggestion of Galois lattice analysis. The concepts of capital and habitus have also been related to develop the theoretical framework.
Evolving Design of a Radiology Workstation Using Time-Motion Analysis and the Keystroke Model

Iterative user-interface development is an effective approach for developing a complex computer human interaction (CHI) system such as a radiology workstation. With an iterative design approach the toolsmith [Brooks 76] specifies a problem, produces a task analysis, develops a system design, and implements a prototype. This prototype is then evaluated using observations, verbal protocol, controlled subject experiments, and field studies, all with real users performing real tasks. The results of the evaluations are then used to modify and hopefully improves the problem specification, task analysis, system design, and implementation details.
Physician response to patient reports of adverse drug effects: implications for patient-targeted adverse effect surveillance.

Objective: Using a patient targeted survey, we sought to assess patient representations of how physicians responded when patients presented with possible adverse drug reactions (ADRs). As a demonstration case, we took one widely prescribed drug class, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (‘statins’). This information was used to assess whether a patient-targeted ADR surveillance approach may complement provider reporting, potentially fostering identification of additional patients with possible or probable ADRs.
Lack of effect of somatostatin on the glucagon-induced alterations of hepatic metabolism of [1-14C]oleate

Abstract Livers from normal fed male rats were perfused in a recycling system in vitro. Glucagon was infused in varying quantities to give final concentration in the cell-free perfusate of 4.9 · 10 −10 −4.9 · 10 −7 M after 3 h of perfusion, assuming no degradation of the hormone. Where indicated, cyclic somatostatin was infused simultaneously to give a final concentration of 3.0 · 10 −6 M. In the absence of somatostatin, glucagon at a concentration as low as 4.9 · 10 −10 M increased the release of glucose and increased ketogenesis, but impaired the synthesis and release of perfusate triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein lipids. Somatostatin did not affect these actions of glucagon. Somatostatin alone, however, did reduce the output of very low density lipoprotein. It is suggested that the alteration of fatty acid metabolism by somatostatin in vivo results from modulation of pancreatic glucagon secretion, not from interference by somatostatin of the action of glucagon on the liver.
Cortical motor activity and reorganization following upper-limb amputation and subsequent targeted reinnervation

Previous studies have postulated that the amount of brain reorganization following peripheral injuries may be correlated with negative symptoms or consequences. However, it is unknown whether restoring effective limb function may then be associated with further changes in the expression of this reorganization. Recently, targeted reinnervation (TR), a surgical technique that restores a direct neural connection from amputated sensorimotor nerves to new peripheral targets such as muscle, has been successfully applied to upper-limb amputees. It has been shown to be effective in restoring both peripheral motor and sensory functions via the reinnervated nerves as soon as a few months after the surgery. However, it was unclear whether TR could also restore normal cortical motor representations for control of the missing limb. To answer this question, we used high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to localize cortical activity related to cued motor tasks generated by the intact and missing limb. Using a case study of 3 upper-limb amputees, 2 of whom went through pre and post-TR experiments, we present unique quantitative evidence for the re-mapping of motor representations for the missing limb closer to their original locations following TR. This provides evidence that an effective restoration of peripheral function from TR can be linked to the return of more normal cortical expression for the missing limb. Therefore, cortical mapping may be used as a potential guide for monitoring rehabilitation following peripheral injuries.
Evidence for an extranucleolar mechanism of actinomycin D action.

SINCE the original observation of Perry1 that a low concentration of actinomycin D (0.04 μg ml−1) selectively inhibits ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in vivo, this concentration of drug has been used by numerous investigators to selectively inhibit the synthesis of rRNA in cells in culture. Since nucleolar ribosomal DNA contains a high amount of deoxyguanosine and deoxycytosine bases2 and actinomycin D selectively binds to deoxyguanosine3, it has been thought that actinomycin D preferentially binds to nucleolar DNA to inhibit the transcription of 45S ribosomal RNA precursor.
Precocial behaviour of callow workers of the army ant Neivamyrmex nigrescens: Importance of stimulation by adults during mass recruitment

Abstract Callows of the army ant Neivamyrmex nigrescens do not participate in predatory raids until 3 to 7 days after their eclpsion. Within 24 h after their eclosion, however, the entire callow population joins with the adult ants in emigrating to a new nesting site. This emigration is accomplished by mass recruitment of the callows by the mature adult workers. Tests show that adults use mechanical stimulation to arouse callows to trail-following. Callows remain in the nest during raiding because their central location effectively sequesters them from the excitatory effects of the adult workers. The early participation of callows in the predatory raids suggests a precocial development that might have evolved as an adaptation for group predation and nomadic emigrations.
Interdependency-induced risk with applications to healthcare

Abstract Developing effective protection, mitigation and recovery measures for critical infrastructures is paramount in the wake of increasing natural and human-initiated hazards, risks and threats. Influencing these measures are interconnections (i.e., interdependencies) among infrastructure systems. Understanding the nature of system interdependencies can play an essential role in minimizing and/or reducing the probabilities and consequences of cascading failures in interdependent systems. This paper discusses the need for policy-makers, infrastructure operators and researchers to consider alternative approaches to formulating risk and enabling solutions to challenging 21st century issues related to interdependent infrastructures. Using the healthcare sector as an example, this paper suggests that identifying the risks associated with maintaining public health goes beyond traditional risk formulation to include the structural complexity brought about by infrastructure interdependencies.
Protons Enhance the Gating Kinetics of the α3/β4 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor by Increasing Its Apparent Affinity to Agonists

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely distributed in the nervous system. Although there is a vast literature on the molecular, structural and pharmacological properties of neuronal nAChR, little is known of their pH regulation. Here we report that rapid acidification (pH 6.0) enhances the current through the α3/β4 recombinant nAChRs expressed stably in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and accelerates its activation kinetics without altering selectivity. Acidification also strongly accelerates the decay kinetics (“desensitization”) of cytisine- and nicotine-evoked currents (pKa ∼6.1), but the effect is somewhat smaller with acetylcholine and carbachol (undetermined pKa values), suggesting that protonation of the agonist contributes to the relaxation of the current. Transient increases of [H+]o from pH 7.4 to 6.0, during the time course of decay of the current, enhances the current and accelerates its decay kinetics in a manner similar to reactivation of current by higher concentrations of agonists. We suggest that protons interact with multiple extracellular sites on α3/β4 nAChRs, decreasing the effective EC50 values of the agonist and accelerating gating kinetics, in part by promoting agonist-induced block. We speculate that corelease of protons with ACh from the secretory vesicles may induce rapid and reversible conformational changes in the slowly “desensitizing” α3/β4 nAChRs, leading to accelerated signaling.
Peptide hydroxamic acids inhibit skin collagenase.

Abstract A number of peptide hydroxamic acids have been synthesized and have been shown to be inhibitors of human skin collagenase. One of these, Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NHOH, has an IC 50 value of 4 × 10 −5 M. Corresponding peptides with different C-terminal functional groups, such as amide, carboxylate and aldehyde, showed little or no inhibition, indicating the importance of the hydroxamate functional group. In addition, the peptide sequence of this effective inhibitor corresponds closely to that of the cleavage site of native collagen, the substrate for the enzyme. Thus, substrate analogs incorporating a suitable metal coordinating group serve as potential inhibitors of human collagenase.
Effects of strain on island scaling studied by Monte Carlo simulations

Strained heteroepitaxial growth is a possible means of obtaining carrier confinement in reduced-dimensional systems for applications in optoelectronic devices. The epitaxial growth of InAs on GaAs provides an excellent prototypical system due to the significant lattice mismatch of approximately 7% between the two constituents. At submonolayer coverages, highly elongated two-dimensional InAs islands were observed experimentally with a preferred width of approximately 4 nm. When the island size distributions were separated into [110] and [110] components, scaling was only observed in the [110] direction, and clustering was observed in the radial separation distribution. We have used lattice gas Monte Carlo simulations to explore the effects of intrinsic system anisotropies and strain on island scaling. We found that the experimentally observed scaling behavior can only be explained by taking into consideration both the system anisotropies and strain.
Diagnosis of Female Diverticula Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We investigate the ability of physical exam to diagnose urethral diverticula with or without magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and exclusive of invasive modalities. A retrospective chart review of all women undergoing urethral diverticulectomy at our institution since 1999 was performed. We identified 28 female patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 42.6 years (range 18–66). Common presenting symptoms included dyspareunia, urgency, and frequency. Physical exam revealed a suspected urethral diverticulum in 26 (92.9%) patients, which was confirmed postoperatively in 17 of the 20 (85%) women who underwent surgical resection. Noninvasive imaging modalities (MRI or CT) were available for review in 20 (71%) cases and made the correct diagnosis of urethral diverticulum (presence or absence) in 19 (95%) patients. In those patients with symptoms of stress or urge incontinence (11, 39%), voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) was performed. Urethral diverticula are often easily diagnosed on physical exam. MRI can be a useful adjunct for defining diverticular extent in surgical planning, especially for proximal and complex diverticula, and should be the modality of choice if clinical suspicion is high based on patient symptoms and physical exam.
Keeping the aspidistra flying: thatcherite privatization and the creation of the enterprise culture

This article examines the role of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's pnvatization policy in the present Conservative government's effort to establish an “enterprise culture.” The Thatcher government has maintained that the policy would make substantial contributions to altering the anti-business values and behaviors of the English, often characterized as the “British disease” by: (1) permanently altering the boundaries of the public and private in favor of the latter; (2) widening the number I of shareholders in the society; and (3) promoting competition. A look at the results of privatization to date, as well as projections for the future, reveals that the policy has thus far been most successful with respect to the first of these aims and more successful with respect to the second than third goal. The article maintains that privatization appears to be making a significant contribution to achieving a free enterprise society, but that the policy is not in and of itself enough to bring about the transforma...
Maximum permissible exposures for ocular safety (ANSI 2000), with emphasis on ophthalmic devices.

After discussing the rationale and assumptions of the ANSI Z136.1-2000 Standard for protection of the human eye from laser exposure, we present the concise formulation of the exposure limits expressed as maximum permissible radiant exposure (in J/cm2) for light overfilling the pupil. We then translate the Standard to a form that is more practical for typical ophthalmic devices or in vision research situations, implementing the special qualifications of the Standard. The safety limits are then expressed as radiant power (watts) entering the pupil of the eye. Exposure by repetitive pulses is also addressed, as this is frequently employed in ophthalmic applications. Examples are given that will familiarize potential users with this format.
Performance study of a clustered shared-memory multiprocessor

A shared-memory multiprocessor having clusters of processing elements and memory modules is considered. Each cluster has two others as its neighbors. The clusters are interconnected in such a way that the memory modules of a cluster can also be accessed by the processors of the neighboring clusters besides its own processors through its cluster interconnection network. The processors and memories of all clusters are also connected to a shared interconnection network. This permits processors to access memory modules of the non-neighboring clusters. Generalized multistage interconnection networks are used for both types of connections. The time required to access memory modules is reduced by scheduling tasks sharing large data with each other on neighboring clusters or on the same cluster thereby providing for memory access a low latency path through the cluster interconnection network. The time to access memory modules of the non-neighboring clusters also reduces due to reduced contention and because of fewer requests going through the shared interconnection network. Since the memory modules of a cluster are the main memory modules, an additional level of cluster memory is not required. This alleviates the data coherence problem. A Markov chain model is used to study the performance of this multiprocessor under circuit switching. Considerable improvement in performance over a simple shared memory multiprocessor using multistage interconnection network is observed. The model is extended to study the effects of synchronized memory access to shared data.
FALSE POSITIVE COOMBS TESTS DUE TO BACTERIAL CONTAMINANTS IN STORED PILOT TUBE BLOOD.

Unexplained positive Coombs tests during crossmatches have occasionally occurred in this laboratory. A brief investigation was carried out to determine if bacterial contamination of pilot tube blood was involved in this phenomenon. Of 220 pilot tubes cultured, seven contained viable bacteria. These organisms were inoculated into sterile bloods and incubated. Coombs tests were then performed. Blood containing Pseudomonas effusa gave positive direct and indirect antihuman globulin reactions, and blood containing Bacillus subtilis gave positive indirect antihuman globulin reactions. Blood containing other organisms isolated in this study gave negative results with Coombs tests.
A Simplex Contained in a Sphere

Let Δ be an n-dimensional simplex in Euclidean space $${\mathbb{E}}^n$$ contained in an n-dimensional closed ball B. The following question is considered. Given any point $$x \,{\in}\,\triangle$$ , does there exist a reflection $$r : {\mathbb{E}}^n \rightarrow {\mathbb{E}}^n$$ in one of the facets of Δ such that $$r(x)\in B$$ ?
Quantum adiabatic particle transport

The problem of quantized adiabatic particle transport is studied for three classes of one-dimensional periodic potentials. In cases of periodically modulated potentials, the electron transport (in full bands) induced by the propagating modulation wave is shown to be given by a Diophantine equation. Some analytic results are also obtained for a potential consisting of a moving and a standing part. The results are mainly derived under various approximations, but they are expected to be valid in a wider range of situations due to the topological nature of the problem.
High resolution infrared spectroscopy of the sun and the earth's atmosphere from space

The FFT spectrometer used in the atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment, flown for the first time aboard the Shuttle Spacelab 3 mission (in April 1985), is described together with the instrument's design parameters, the ATMOS's science objectives, and observational techniques used. The ATMOS experiment acquired more than 1000 atmospheric spectra with an equal number of 'solar only' scans, yielding absorption spectra of some 400 different atmospheric constituents. Data were obtained on such key reservoir species as COF2, HNO4, and N2O5; simultaneous vertical distributions of the minor gases from 5 to 140 km; the entire odd-nitrogen family in the stratosphere; and on most of the halogen-source gases with their corresponding reservoir and sink species.
Biological and cognitive foundations of intelligent sensor fusion

This paper reviews the literature from the biological and cognitive sciences in sensory integration and derives principles for use in constructing intelligent sensor fusion systems. In particular, it presents psychophysical and neurophysical studies on how sensor fusion is accomplished and cognitive models of associated activities, including optimization of sensing configurations, improvement of sensing quality, and filtering of noise. The sensor fusion effects architecture for robot navigation is also presented as one example of how these insights from the biological and computer science can be applied to robotic sensor fusion. Experimental results demonstrates the utility of the biological and cognitive insights, especially that of fusion modes. Other representative architectures for robotic sensor fusion are contrasted with the biological and cognitive principles.
Calculating free energies using average force

A new, general formula that connects the derivatives of the free energy along the selected, generalized coordinates of the system with the instantaneous force acting on these coordinates is derived. The instantaneous force is defined as the force acting on the coordinate of interest so that when it is subtracted from the equations of motion the acceleration along this coordinate is zero. The formula applies to simulations in which the selected coordinates are either unconstrained or constrained to fixed values. It is shown that in the latter case the formula reduces to the expression previously derived by den Otter and Briels. If simulations are carried out without constraining the coordinates of interest, the formula leads to a new method for calculating the free energy changes along these coordinates. This method is tested in two examples - rotation around the C-C bond of 1,2-dichloroethane immersed in water and transfer of fluoromethane across the water-hexane interface. The calculated free energies are compared with those obtained by two commonly used methods. One of them relies on determining the probability density function of finding the system at different values of the selected coordinate and the other requires calculating the average force at discrete locations along this coordinate in a series of constrained simulations. The free energies calculated by these three methods are in excellent agreement. The relative advantages of each method are discussed.
Exploring the clientele of an accounting firm in early twentieth century America

An examination of Haskins and Sells’ engagement letters for the period from 1901 to 1903 exposes the history of one of the oldest national accounting firms with American-born partners. The early twentieth century engagement letters of Haskins and Sells (now Deloitte) provide evidence of the demand for accounting services, the types of clients serviced, the types of services provided, and the need for audited (certified) work during this era. The engagement letters also provide evidence of the developing jurisdiction of professional accountants and the shift in the primary audit objective from fraud detection to an assurance of the quality of reported financial condition and earnings.
An unusual cytoplasmic iron-binding material that disappears from diploid cells placed in culture.

Abstract A 30–32S cytoplasmic iron-binding material has been detected in all fresh tissue and almost every malignant cell line in culture. It is absent from all diploid cell lines in culture and also from several non-diploid but contact inhibited lines. There is a good correlation between its absence and the accumulation of cytoplasmic autophagic vacuoles although no direct relationship between the two phenomena has been established. The cytoplasmic iron binding material labels with 55Fe both in vivo and in vitro. 65Zn and 45Ca either do not bind or they do not remain bound on sucrose gradients. The cIBM contains glucose as the only reducing sugar but neither isotopic glucose nor any other precursor thus far tried is incorporated. Various environmental perturbations markedly affect the levels of cytoplasmic iron binding material and the possible implications of these are discussed.
Differential distribution of AMPA-selective glutamate receptor subunits in the parabrachial nucleus of the rat

Abstract The parabrachial complex is made up of at least 11 cytoarchitectonically distinct subnuclei which differ in their anatomical connections and neurotransmitter content, as well as the functions they subserve. To determine whether parabrachial subnuclei also express different types of glutamate receptors, we undertook a light microscopic examination of the regional distribution of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptor subunits within the parabrachial complex using antibodies directed against synthetic peptides corresponding to the C-terminal parts of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptor subunits. Antibodies that recognize GluR1 subunits stained cells mainly in the central lateral parabrachial subnucleus, whereas GluR4 antibodies selectively stained cells in the internal lateral subnucleus. In contrast, antibodies directed against the GLuR2/3 subunits stained neurons in every parabrachial subnucleus, although the most dense labelling was seen in the external lateral cell group. These differences in expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptor subtypes may eventually allow selective activation or inhibition of specific subsets of neurons in the parabrachial complex.
The future of the Harvard Theological Review in a global and interreligious age

We celebrate the Harvard Theological Review's 100th anniversary with admiration for this splendid journal; but we may also share the uncertainty Francis Greenwood Peabody expressed in the opening paragraph of the first article of the first issue: The time may appear to many persons inopportune for the launching of a Journal of Theology. The tide of theological interest may seem to have ebbed so low as to leave no channel for such a venture; the professions of the ministry fails to win recruits; the queen of the sciences is deposed from her throne; critics are announcing the rout of the theological schools. The machinery of the churches, it is true, revolves with energy, but it does not seem to be geared into the wheels of the working world; and the deliberations of the theologians are frankly regarded by great numbers of people with indifference, if not with contempt.
Pronunciation Modeling in Spelling Correction for Writers of English as a Foreign Language

We propose a method for modeling pronunciation variation in the context of spell checking for non-native writers of English. Spell checkers, typically developed for native speakers, fail to address many of the types of spelling errors peculiar to non-native speakers, especially those errors influenced by differences in phonology. Our model of pronunciation variation is used to extend a pronouncing dictionary for use in the spelling correction algorithm developed by Toutanova and Moore (2002), which includes models for both orthography and pronunciation. The pronunciation variation modeling is shown to improve performance for misspellings produced by Japanese writers of English.
193-nm excimer-laser-induced densification of fused silica

We report the densification of fused silica as a function of exposure to pulsed 193-nm excimer-laser irradiation. Defining a dose as the number of pulses N times the square of fluence I per pulse, we find that densification follows a universal function of dose, a x (NI(2))(b), where a and b can vary somewhat according to glass preparation. Densification is measured with interferometry and birefringence, interpreted with a finiteelement elastic model. Wave-front distortion for a typical photolithographic lens element in typical use conditions is described.
Relationships between the Goodenough DAM Test and the Columbia Mental Maturity Test for Negro and white Headstart children.

The Colulmbia Mental Maturity Scale showed significantly lower intellectual functioning in deprived Negro children than in similarly deprived white children. Both Negro and white children scored si...
Effect of Local Heating on the SERS Efficiency of Optically Trapped Prismatic Nanoparticles

Local heating of laser trapped metallic nanoparticles results in a gradual decrease in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) which can be attributed to both photophysical and chemical processes. Initially trapping results in a dramatic increase in Raman signal due to improved excitation and collection efficiencies in the trapping volume, followed by a gradual decay to a stable asymptotic level approximately 20% of the initial maximum value. The underlying processes leading to this decrease in SERS signal include photothermal-induced changes in dielectric properties of the particles and medium, and adsorption/desorption kinetics of the surface molecules. The relatively long apparent decay time seems to suggest that either process occurs on surprisingly long timescales for the thiol capped nanoprisms reported here. Here we present a simple semiempirical description of the observed time dependence of the single nanoparticle Raman intensities simultaneously accounting for both processes. Time series data o...
Differentiation of Unstained Lymphocytes and Granulocytes Using Multi-Wavelength Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

A multiwavelength reflectance confocal microscope using three wavelengths illumination was built to image unstained immune cells. Using wavelength dependence as a contrast source, unstained lymphocytes and granulocytes were differentiated with sensitivity and specificity above 90%.
How hospitals view unit-level nurse turnover data collection: analysis of a hospital survey.

Objective The objectives of this study were to examine the quality of unit-level nurse turnover data collection among the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators hospitals and to identify the burdens of collecting such data. Background Tracking and managing nurse turnover at the unit level are critical for administrators who determine managerial strategies. Little is known about the quality of and burdens of unit-level turnover data collection. Methods Surveys from 178 hospitals were analyzed descriptively. Results Most hospitals strongly agreed or agreed with the quality of unit-level turnover data collection. Hospitals identified the burdens of additional time and resources needed for unit-level turnover data collection and the difficulty of obtaining specific reasons for turnover. Conclusions Collecting unit-level nurse turnover data can be important and useful for administrators to improve nurse retention, workforce stability, and quality of care. We suggest that the advantages of unit-level nurse turnover data and reports can overcome the identified burdens.
Theoretical predictions on the configurations of polymer chains in the amorphous state

Statistical mechanical models used to treat mixtures of random-coiling polymer chains with solvents invariably lead to a partition function that can be separated into a factor for the intramolecula...
Canalicular ATP-dependent Bile Acid Transport: Molecular and Functional Characterization • 607

Canalicular ATP-dependent Bile Acid Transport: Molecular and Functional Characterization • 607