cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of pressure transmission and intra-aneurysmal contents after endovascular repair using the Trivascular Enovus expanded polytetrafluoroethylene stent graft in a canine model of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective Endotension has been defined as persistently increased pressure within the excluded sac of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) resulting in increasing aneurysm size after endovascular repair in the absence of endoleak. Devices that use expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) have been associated with the development of endotension and continued AAA enlargement. In this study, intra-aneurysmal pressure and aneurysm content were evaluated after endovascular repair with the Enovus ePTFE stent graft in a canine model. Methods Prosthetic ePTFE aneurysms, each containing a solid-state, strain-gauge pressure transducer, were implanted in the infrarenal aorta of 13 mongrel dogs (25-35 kg). A second pressure transducer was inserted into the native aorta for systemic arterial pressure measurement. The stent graft was then deployed to exclude the aneurysm via distal aortic access. Comparison was made among three distinct stent grafts: the Trivascular Enovus (nonporous ePTFE; four animals), the original Gore Excluder (porous ePTFE; five animals), and the Medtronic AneuRx (Dacron; four animals). Daily systemic and intra-AAA pressures were measured for 4 weeks. Intra-aneurysmal pressures were indexed to simultaneously measured systemic pressures. After 4 weeks, the aorta, the prosthetic aneurysm, and its contents were harvested, photographed, and processed for histologic investigation with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining. Results Within 24 hours after exclusion, the mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure within the AAA sac tapered to less than 20% of systemic pressure for all three stent graft types. Throughout the postoperative period, significantly lower indexed intra-aneurysmal pressures were present in the Enovus- and AneuRx-treated aneurysms as compared with those treated with the original Excluder stent graft (0.05 ± 0.04, 0.16 ± 0.06, and 0.06 ± 0.03 for the Enovus, Excluder, and AneuRx, respectively). Histologic analysis of the Enovus-treated aneurysms demonstrated intraluminal content characterized almost entirely by erythrocytes and infrequent white blood cells without the fibrin organization—characteristics of acute or chronic thrombus. This contrasted with the content of the Excluder-treated aneurysms, which contained poorly organized fibrin deposition suggestive of acute thrombus, and of the AneuRx-treated aneurysms, which demonstrated mature, well-organized collagenous connective tissue. Conclusions Exclusion of the AAA with the Enovus stent graft resulted in nearly complete elimination of intra-aneurysmal pressure in this model. Histologic analysis of the aneurysm content further suggested complete exclusion, including elimination of circulating clotting factors and fibroblasts responsible for thrombus formation and reorganization. Ultimately, clinical evaluation will be necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of this stent graft in preventing the development of endotension.
Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9, mda-9, is a human gamma interferon responsive gene

Subtraction hybridization using a cDNA library prepared from temporally spaced mRNAs from human melanoma cells treated with recombinant human fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta) plus mezerein (MEZ) that induces terminal differentiation (tester cDNA library) and a temporally spaced cDNA library prepared from actively proliferating melanoma cells (driver cDNA library) produced a Temporally Spaced Subtracted (TSS) cDNA library. This approach resulted in the identification of melanoma differentiation associated (mda) genes displaying both enhanced and suppressed expression during growth inhibition and differentiation. In the present report, we describe a novel cDNA mda-9 that consists of 2084 nucleotides, and encodes a protein of 298 amino acids with a predicted M(r) of approx. 33 kDa. Treatment of human SV40-immortalized normal melanoma cells with immune interferon, INF-gamma, induces growth suppression and enhances mda-9 expression without inducing terminal differentiation. These results establish that induction of terminal differentiation in human melanoma cells, using the combination of a type I interferon (IFN-beta) + MEZ, can elicit signaling pathways and gene expression changes also regulated by type II immune interferon.
Therapeutic economy: An effective model for residential psychiatric treatment

Abstract An effective model for residential psychiatric treatment is described and a treatment unit is presented as an example. This model combines elements from the therapeutic community and token economy models. Reports on this kind of hybridization of operant conditioning and social learning principles in the residential treatment of regressed patients are unusual, according to our review of the literature.
A model for human situs determination.

Alterations of human laterality range from situs reversal or consensus isometry to isolated anomalies of the cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, skeletal, and central nervous systems. A mechanism for human situs determination has been derived from the general model of Brown and Wolpert (1990) , with steps involving A-P axis, D-V axis, midline, global situs, and local situs specification. Comparison with Drosophila segmentation is supported by maternal transmission of certain human situs defects and mutation of appropriate Drosophila gene homologues in the human Waardenburg and Greig syndromes. Anteroposterior gradients in expression of vertebrate homeotic genes may relate to a proposed hierarchy of regional laterality decisions. Early alterations in A-P or D-V axis polarity would produce situs reversal in 100 of individuals, as observed in pure situs inversus, homozygous inv mice or manipulated Xenopus embryos. Later alterations would permit random right-left decisions and account for heterotaxy in 50 of affected individuals, as observed in poly asplenia or homozygous iv mice. Randomisation of brain asymmetry could explain why situs but not brain laterality may be reversed in humans, with forebrain situs reversal or isometry leading to brain anomalies. Homologues of Drosophila genes regulating axis polarity, heart and gut development are attractive candidates in human laterality disorders, but none is uniquely localised to the 6q14-q21 or9q32-q34, 7q22, 10q21-22, 11q13 or 11q25, 12q13, 13qter, or Xq24-q27.1 chromosome regions highlighted by heterotaxic patients or mutant mice.
Fluorescence imaging of single-copy DNA sequences within the human genome using PNA-directed padlock probe assembly.

We present an approach for fluorescent in situ detection of short, single-copy sequences within genomic DNA in human cells. The single-copy sensitivity and single-base specificity of our method is achieved due to the combination of three components. First, a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe locally opens a chosen target site, which allows a padlock DNA probe to access the site and become ligated. Second, rolling circle amplification (RCA) generates thousands of single-stranded copies of the target sequence. Finally, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is used to visualize the amplified DNA. We validate this technique by successfully detecting six single-copy target sites on human mitochondrial and autosomal DNA. We also demonstrate the high selectivity of this method by detecting X- and Y-specific sequences on human sex chromosomes and by simultaneously detecting three sequence-specific target sites. Finally, we discriminate two target sites that differ by 2 nt. The PNA-RCA-FISH approach is a distinctive in situ hybridization method capable of multitarget visualization within human chromosomes and nuclei that does not require DNA denaturation and is extremely sequence specific.
Dynamic response of concrete pavements to moving aircraft

Abstract An algorithm is developed to study the transient response of concrete airport pavements resting on viscoelastic foundations and subjected to moving aircraft. Thin plate theory is assumed to model the concrete slab, and no restrictions are placed on the loading conditions. The soil medium supporting the concrete slab is idealized by a Kelvin viscoelastic model consisting of a series of springs and dashpots lumped at the nodes. The weight of the aircraft is lumped on the main landing gear. The landing gear suspension system is idealized by a linear spring-dashpot system. The algorithm presented herein accounts for the dynamic interaction between the moving aircraft and the concrete pavement. A computer program is developed on the basis of the proposed algorithm that can be used to predict dynamic deflections and stresses of concrete airport pavements induced by the general moving mass and the simplified moving force and static loads.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the physiognomy of the modern city

(1990). Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the physiognomy of the modern city. History of European Ideas: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 479-502.
R*-Histograms: efficient representation of spatial relations between objects of arbitrary topology

Representation of relative spatial relations between objects is often required in many multimedia database applications because spatial relations between objects in an image convey important information about the image. Quantitative representation of spatial relations taking into account shape, size, orientation and distance is often required. The R-Histogram is such a quantitative representation of spatial relations between two objects. However, this method only considers pixels on the object boundary, assuming that the objects are homeomorphic to a 2-ball. For objects with more complicated topology, we propose in this paper the R*-Histogram, a new extension to the R-Histogram. The R*-Histogram generalizes the R-Histogram by taking into account all the pixels in the objects. We also introduce an efficient O(kN log N) time algorithm to compute the R*-Histogram, which is asymptotically faster than the original O(N2) time algorithm for the R-Histogram even when k=O(n). Here, N=n2 denotes the number of pixels in the processed n x n image and k is the number of different directions considered. The effectiveness of the R*-Histogram is evaluated empirically with a Query By Example (QBE) system on a database of 2000 synthetic images containing objects with complicated shape and topology. Experiments have shown that the similarly search results match human intuition very well.
Rate-adaptive irregular QC-LDPC codes from pairwise balanced designs for ultra-high-speed optical transport

A rate-adaptive, software-defined, coded-modulation scheme based on irregular quasi-cyclic LDPC codes designed using the concept of pairwise balanced designs is proposed. The proposed scheme outperforms the corresponding scheme based on regular LDPC codes, and eliminates the error floor phenomenon of regular LDPC codes.
Hydraulic permeability of a hydrogel‐based contact lens membrane for low flow rates

Hydrogels, widely used for contact lenses, are a class of materials that consists of both fluid and solid components. The aqueous fluid phase is supported by a solid polymer matrix. In this study, we characterize the water transport characteristics of an Etafilcon-A (copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid) membrane. A flow rate-controlled permeameter consisting of a syringe pump, membrane holder, pressure transducer, and tubing was developed and used to measure the pressure drop across a flat membrane (average thickness ∼ 686 μm ± 40). The relation between velocity and pressure drop was measured. These data were fit to rigid media and biphasic models of 1-D flow to determine hydraulic permeability, k = 1.80 × 10−14 m4/N s. The results provide insight into the fluid flow properties of this hydrogel under low flow and low pressure conditions (<3 kPa). Physiological implications of these measured parameters on flow and deformation across the lens due to blinking are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3730–3735, 2007
Differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions using Comb-Push Ultrasound Shear Elastography

In this work, the results from our Comb Push Ultrasound Shear Elastography (CUSE) assessment of suspicious breast lesions are presented. The elasticity value of the breast lesions are correlated to histopathological findings to evaluate their diagnostic value in differentiating between malignant and benign breast lesions. A total of 44 patients diagnosed with suspicious breast lesions were evaluated using CUSE prior to biopsy. All patient study procedures were conducted according to the protocol approved by Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board (IRB). Our cohort consisted of 27 malignant and 17 benign breast lesions. The results indicate an increase in shear wave velocity in both benign and malignant lesions compared to normal breast tissue. Furthermore, the Young’s modulus is significantly higher in malignant lesions. An optimal cut-off value of the Young’s modulus ≥ 80 kPa was observed for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. This is concordant with the published cut-off values of elasticity for suspicious breast lesions. [This work is supported in part by the grant 3R01CA148994-04S1 and 5R01CA148994-04 from NIH.]
Keratinocyte and hepatocyte growth factors in the lung: roles in lung development, inflammation, and repair

A growing body of evidence indicates that the epithelial-specific growth factors keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) play important roles in lung development, lung inflammation, and repair. The therapeutic potential of these growth factors in lung disease has yet to be fully explored. KGF has been best studied and has impressive protective effects against a wide variety of injurious stimuli when given as a pretreatment in animal models. Whether this protective effect could translate to a treatment effect in humans with acute lung injury needs to be investigated. FGF-10 and HGF may also have therapeutic potential, but more extensive studies in animal models are needed. Because HGF lacks true epithelial specificity, it may have less potential than KGF and FGF-10 as a targeted therapy to facilitate lung epithelial repair. Regardless of their therapeutic potential, studies of the unique roles played by these growth factors in the pathogenesis and the resolution of acute lung injury and other lung diseases will continue to enhance our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of inflammation and repair in the lung.
CARRIER OF THE INTERSTELLAR 89.190 GHz LINE.

THE unidentified interstellar line discovered by Snyder and Buhl1 (reported at the IAU general assembly, Brighton) with estimated rest frequency of 89.190 GHz is well within estimation error of the first rotational transition expected for the molecular ion HCO+. This species is isoelectronic with HCN and is extremely stable. The molecular geometry expected for this ion is linear, with bond lengths rCH = 1.06 A and rCO = 1.115 A. These distances are the CH bond length in HCN and the CO bond length in the ion CO+. This set of geometric parameters gives a rotational constant B = 44.623 GHz. The lowest transition frequency, ν = 2B, is predicted at 89.246 GHz.
Effect of 2-Diethylaminoethyl-3,4-Dichlorophenylether (DCPTA) on Cotton Plant (Gossypium Hirsutum) Growth and Phenology

In greenhouse and laboratory experiments, a plant bioregulator 2-diethylaminoethyl-3,4-dichlorophenylether (DCPTA) appears to have the potential for biochemical manipulation of plant growth. As compared with control plants, photosynthesis of DGPTA-treated plants was increased about 21%, and biomass was almost doubled. Moreover, DCPTA-treated plants had earlier flowering and more squares and bolls than did the control plants. Most noteworthy was the 36% increase in number of nodes: control plants averaged 10.5 nodes, whereas, DCPTA-treated plants had an average of 16.5 nodes.
The difference between the local and unbiased expectations hypotheses

This paper shows that the Local and Unbiased Expectations Hypotheses are equivalent in discrete time with continuously compounded interest rates. With discretely compounded rates, the hypotheses, while not exactly identical, are shown theoretically (and empirically for Treasury bills) to be approximately the same. These results have the important implication that many, apparently different, empirical tests of term structure theories have actually been tests of essentially equivalent hypotheses. The results also imply that recent models using continuously compounded rates are empirically indistinguishable from more traditional models using discretely compounded rates.
Designing a preferred bidding procedure for securing electric generating capacity

The use of competitive bidding by electric utilities to solicit new generating capacity from nonutility power producers is increasingly viewed as a promising alternative to traditional cost-based regulation. If economic efficiency is the criterion in setting up a bidding procedure and existing characteristics of competitive and diversified bidders remain, a second-price sealed bidding procedure with a fixed-price power purchase contract containing energy cost-sharing provisions appears to work best.
CCL2 protects prostate cancer PC3 cells from autophagic death via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT-dependent survivin Up-regulation

Resistance to cell death is a hallmark of cancer. Autophagy is a survival mechanism activated in response to nutrient deprivation; however, excessive autophagy will ultimately induce cell death in a nonapoptotic manner. The present study demonstrates that CCL2 protects prostate cancer PC3 cells from autophagic death, allowing prolonged survival in serum-free conditions. Upon serum starvation, CCL2 induced survivin up-regulation in PC3, DU 145, and C4-2B prostate cancer cells. Both cell survival and survivin expression were stunted in CCL2-stimulated PC3 cells when treated either with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 (2 microm) or the Akt-specific inhibitor-X (Akti-X; 2.5 microm). Furthermore, CCL2 significantly reduced light chain 3-II (LC3-II) in serum-starved PC3; in contrast, treatment with LY294002 or Akti-X reversed the effect of CCL2 on LC3-II levels, suggesting that CCL2 signaling limits autophagy in these cells. Upon serum deprivation, the analysis of LC3 localization by immunofluorescence revealed a remarkable reduction in LC3 punctate after CCL2 stimulation. CCL2 treatment also resulted in a higher sustained mTORC1 activity as measured by an increase in phospho-p70S6 kinase (Thr389). Rapamycin, an inducer of autophagy, both down-regulated survivin and decreased PC3 cell viability in serum-deprived conditions. Treatment with CCL2, however, allowed cells to partially resist rapamycin-induced death, which correlated with survivin protein levels. In two stable transfectants expressing survivin-specific short hairpin RNA, generated from PC3, survivin protein levels controlled both cell viability and LC3 localization in response to CCL2 treatment. Altogether, these findings indicate that CCL2 protects prostate cancer PC3 cells from autophagic death via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/survivin pathway and reveal survivin as a critical molecule in this survival mechanism.
TU‐C‐I‐609‐08: A Total‐Imaging‐System Generalized Performance Comparison of An X‐Ray Image Intensifier and a Microangiographic System in Neurovascular Angiography: Effect of Focal Spot and Scatter

Purpose: To quantify the total‐system performance of an x‐ray image intensifier and compare it with a microangiographic system in terms of the generalized metrics of GMTF, GNNPS, GNEQ, and GDQE which include the effect of geometric‐unsharpness, scatter from the patient, as well as the detector characteristics. This presentation expands on our previous work with generalized imaging‐system metrics to include a detailed study of the effect of varying the focal‐spot. Method and Materials: A commercial x‐ray image intensifier (XII) C‐arm unit and a high‐resolution ROI microangiographic detector were evaluated with reference to their performance in neurovascular angiographic studies. The study was performed using clinically relevant spectra and conditions specific for each system. A uniform head‐equivalent phantom was used, and images were acquired for 60 to 100 kVp at a source‐to‐image distance of 100 cm for the XII and 75 cm for the microangiographic system. The detector, focal‐spot, and scatter unsharpness were quantified in terms of their respective MTF's, and the scatter fraction was determined. These were combined to express a Generalized MTF (GMTF) with spatial frequencies referenced to the object plane. The effect of varying field‐size, air‐gap and focal‐spot size (0.3 mm and 0.6 mm nominal) was studied. A detailed total‐system evaluation of the two systems was carried out in terms of the generalized performance metrics of GMTF, GNNPS, GNEQ, and GDQE. Results: The results of the GMTF and GDQE comparison of the two systems indicate that the microangiographic system performs substantially better than the II at higher spatial frequencies, as needed in image‐guided, neuro‐interventional procedures. Use of a smaller focal spot further improves its high frequency behavior. Conclusion: This generalized approach can provide a more realistic evaluation of total‐system performance leading to improved system designs tailored to the specific imaging task. (Partial support from NIH grants R01EB002873 and R01NS43924)
Dissolution rates of calcium carbonate in the deep ocean; an in-situ experiment in the North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract An in-situ water circulator (ISWAC) was developed to allow accurate measurement of dissolution rates of various carbonate particles with minimal stagnation and mechanical weight loss. Three ISWAC packages were deployed at 3600, 4800 and 5518 m for 79 days in the Sargasso Sea (Northwest Atlantic). Weight losses for different particles during 79 days at 5518 m were as follows: pteropods and synthetic aragonite, 72.8%; reagent calcite, 57.5%; foraminifera, 23–36%; coccoliths, 11.3–24%, and diatoms, 12%. These weight losses are 2.5–7.5 times higher than those reported in earlier in-situ experiments. Normalization of weight losses with respect to BET specific surface area for different calcite particles yielded specific dissolution rates that differed by more than 2 orders of magnitude. Bleached biogenic particles dissolve significantly faster than non-bleached although their surface area is identical. We suggest that the BET surface area does not represent the reactive surface area available for dissolution, especially in biogenic calcite particles. Coatings, probably of organic matter, may reduce the reactive surface area and thus retard dissolution rates. The existence of a chemical lysocline in the Northwest Atlantic was confirmed. However, it seems that different kinds of particles have different lysoclines. The origin of the lysocline cannot be attributed to water flow or to the thermodynamic transition from supersaturation to undersaturation (Ω = 1). It seems to be a kinetic phenomenon. A simple model comparing the complete dissolution time and the residence time of a particle on the sediment-water interface suggests that coccoliths can be preserved in the sediments of the deep Northwest Atlantic below the CCD, in good agreement with SEM observations.
Review of therapeutic advances in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication of prolonged diabetes. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss in working age adults and a significant source of morbidity. To reduce the incidence and severity of diabetic retinopathy, it is important to identify patients at risk and promptly implement intensive glycemic and hypertensive control. To date, there are many interventions that can limit moderate and severe vision loss in people with diabetes, including laser photocoagulation, vitrectomy surgery, and intravitreal pharmacological injections. This review aims to define the different stages of diabetic retinopathy and the important therapeutic advances developed to address the major causes of vision loss in each stage.
RADIOAUTOGRAPHIC DEMONSTRATION OF 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE-3H UPTAKE BY PULMONARY ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

The lung is able to rapidly remove 5-hydroxytryptamme (5-HT) from the circulation by a Na+-dependent transport mechanism. In order to identify the sites of uptake, radioautographic studies were done on rat lungs which had been isolated and perfused with 5-HT-3H and 0 5 mM iproniazid, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. In control experiments 10-4 M imipramine was added to the perfusate to inhibit the membrane transport of 5-HT At the light microscope level, silver grains were seen concentrated near capillaries and in the endothelium of large vessels From electron microscope radioautographs a semiquantitative grain count was made and 90% of the silver grains were observed over capillary endothelial cells. The grains were found over the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell and shewed no preferential association with any particular cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, organelles, or vesicles Other cell types were unlabeled except for a few mast cells, certain vascular smooth muscle cells, and one nerve ending. This radioautographic demonstration of the cell type responsible for the rapid removal of 5-HT from the lung circulation clearly establishes the existence of a new metabolic role for pulmonary endothelial cells.
Cellular energetics in the preconditioned state: protective role for phosphotransfer reactions captured by 18O-assisted 31P NMR.

Cell survival is critically dependent on the preservation of cellular bioenergetics. However, the metabolic mechanisms that confer resistance to injury are poorly understood. Phosphotransfer reactions integrate ATP-consuming with ATP-producing processes and could thereby contribute to the generation of a protective phenotype. Here, we used ischemic preconditioning to induce a stress-tolerant state and 18O-assisted31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to capture intracellular phosphotransfer dynamics. Preconditioning of isolated perfused hearts triggered a redistribution in phosphotransfer flux with significant increase in creatine kinase and glycolytic rates. High energy phosphoryl fluxes through creatine kinase, adenylate kinase, and glycolysis in preconditioned hearts correlated tightly with post-ischemic functional recovery. This was associated with enhanced metabolite exchange between subcellular compartments, manifested by augmented transfer of inorganic phosphate from cellular ATPases to mitochondrial ATP synthase. Preconditioning-induced energetic remodeling protected cellular ATP synthesis and ATP consumption, improving contractile performance following ischemia-reperfusion insult. Thus, the plasticity of phosphotransfer networks contributes to the effective functioning of the cellular energetic system, providing a mechanism for increased tolerance toward injury.
Effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands on male sexual behavior in rats

Abstract Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), particularly mGluR2/3, mGluR5 and mGluR7, have received much attention in medication development for the treatment of drug addiction and other neuropsychiatric diseases. However, little is known as to whether mGluR ligands also alter natural sexual behavior, a possible unwanted effect when used in humans. In the present study, we used classical copulatory behaviors to evaluate the effects of LY379268 (a selective mGluR2/3 agonist), MPEP (a selective mGluR5 antagonist) and AMN082 (a selective mGluR7 agonist), on male sexual performance in rats. We found that systemic administration of LY379268 (1, 3 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect, while MPEP (20 mg/kg, but not 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and AMN082 (10, 20 mg/kg, but not 3 mg/kg) produced a significant and dose-dependent reduction in both sex-seeking and sex-performance behaviors, manifested as an increase in mount or intromission latency and time required for ejaculation, and a reduction in mount or intromission frequency. This inhibition lasted for about 30–60 min. These findings suggest that compounds that target mGluR5 or mGluR7, but not mGluR2/3, may have short-term inhibitory effects on male sexual performance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors’.
A Sequential Algorithm for a Class of Programming Problems with Nonlinear Constraints

The purpose of this paper is to furnish a computational scheme for a class of programming problems with nonlinear constraints. The algorithm is sequential in nature, producing a sequence of feasible solutions whose limit points are optimal solutions of the original problem. Further, with a view to accelerating convergence we suggest two variants of the solution procedure.
Latino Crime and Latinos in the Criminal Justice System: Trends, Policy Implications, and Future Research Initiatives

With exponential growth in the Latino population over the past decade, both social scientists and politicians have directed their attention toward understanding Latino behavior(s) ranging from purchasing power and marketing to voting. Less is known, however, about the extent to which Latino population growth might be associated with patterns of criminal justice or violent criminal outcomes. One objective of this research is to provide a contemporary overview of the Latino experiences with the criminal justice system by highlighting racial/ethnic disparities in incarceration and sentencing. Using racial-/ethnic-specific homicide victimization data provided by the Centers for Disease Control, we also examine the impact of Latino concentration on levels of group-specific homicide, both regionally and nationally. Results from our negative binomial multivariate analyses indicate that the concentration of Latinos tends to be associated with lower levels of homicide victimization, a finding that holds across racial/ethnic groups and geographic specification. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings with an eye toward future research in this area.
Immunodetection, immunoinhibition, immunoquantitation and biochemical analyses of cytochrome P-450IA1 in tissues of the rat conceptus during the progression of organogenesis☆

Abstract Polyclonal antibodies raised against the adult form of rat hepatic cytochrome-450IA1 were used to immunologically detect, inhibit and quantitate an analogous isozymic form(s) in various tissues of the rat conceptus during the progression of organogenesis. Tissues investigated were the embryo proper, the visceral yolk sac and the ectoplacental cone/chorioallantoic placenta. Studies were performed on conceptuses from day 10 (day of conception = day 0) to day 14 of gestation. Ethoxyphenoxazone deethylation, benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP) hydroxylation, and ring- and N-hydroxylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) were utilized in assessments of cytochrome P-450IA1-dependent monooxygenase activities during the same gestational period. In untreated conceptuses, cytochrome P-450IA1 could not be detected immunologically in any of the three tissues at any stage of gestation investigated. The deethylation reaction was quantifiable in embryos and yolk sacs of untreated conceptuses, but was not inhibited by cytochrome anti-P-450IA1 antibodies, α-naphthoflavone or metyrapone. Treatement of pregnant rats with 40 mg/kg of 3-methylcholanthrene 48 hr prior to removal of the conceptuses resulted in marked increases in measured enzymatic activities as well as in readily immunodetectable cytochrome P-450IA1. Inducibility for the deethylase was greatest in the visceral yolk sac (3–8×), was evident in the embryo proper (2–3×) but was minimal in the ectoplacental cone (1.5–2×). Much greater induction (up to 70×) was observed with BaP and AAF as substrates. Induced activities were inhibited effectively (70–100% inhibition) by cytochrome anti-P-450IA1 antibodies and by α-naphthoflavone but not by metyrapone. Inducibility increased as a function of gestational age in the ectoplacental cone/chorioallantoic placenta but reached maxima on day 12 in the embryo and visceral yolk sac. A good correlation between antibody/α-naphthoflavone-inhibited enzymatic activities and quantities of immunodetectable cytochrome P-450IA1 was also apparent. The results indicate that cytochrome P-405IA1, or a very closely related isoform(s), is both inducible and enzymatically functional in tissues of the conceptus throughout organogenesis and have important implications for the potential effects of bioactivatable proteratogens.
Impaired ventilatory capacity after recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome

A 48-year-old woman who failed to disclose significant past medical history presented for laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with general anesthesia. After the uneventful induction of anesthesia, her trachea could not be intubated due to an extremely anterior larynx, and she was allowed to awaken. However, she developed upper airway obstruction and displayed marked muscle weakness with inadequate tidal volumes and marginal oxygen saturation. A history of prior Guillain-Barre syndrome was disclosed by the attending gynecologist. The patient's recovery was complicated by the development of postobstructive pulmonary edema and by respiratory insufficiency requiring the use of mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Despite vigorous diuresis, her respiratory status and muscle weakness did not significantly improve until she received a trial of aminophylline by infusion, after which she was able to be weaned from mask CPAP support. The patient was discharged home and returned 8 weeks later for surgery. She underwent awake fiberoptic intubation, after which general anesthesia was induced and maintained without complication. An aminophylline infusion was used in the perioperative period until the patient was successfully awakened and her trachea extubated. The frequency of residual muscle weakness after apparent full recovery from Guillain-Barre syndrome is discussed, along with the rationale for the use of aminophylline in this patient's clinical management.
RETAIL APPEARANCE OF ELECTRICALLY STIMULATED BEEF

Top round steaks (adductor) and ground beef from the top round were obtained from both sides of ten U.S. Choice carcasses. Left sides were electrically stimulated (ES) with 17 impulses (1.8 set duration, 1.8 set interval) of 550 volts of alternating current at 5 amps. Steaks and ground beef from top rounds from nonstimulated right sides served as control (CON) samples. Steaks and ground beef were displayed under simulated retail conditions for 4 and 3 days, respectively. Steaks were weighed prior to and at the termination of the display interval to determine percentage weight loss. Samples for microbiological evaluation were obtained prior to and at the termination of the display interval. No significant differences were observed for muscle color, surface discoloration or overall appearance for samples of ground beef at any retail display interval. With one exception, muscle color was brighter and surface discoloration was reduced for round steaks from ES sides. Few significant differences in overall appearance were observed between ES and CON samples during the display period. No significant differences between ES and CON samples were observed for bacterial counts either initially or at the termination of the display period for either steaks or ground beef samples. Percentage weight loss was not significantly different between ES and CON steaks. These data suggest that electrical stimulation may enhance, and certainly does not detract from, the appearance of round steaks displayed under retail market conditions.
Molecular cloning and expression patterns of mouse cartilage oligomeric matrix protein gene

Abstract Objective To develop transgenic mice harboring mutations in the COMP gene as animal models for pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), autosomal dominant disorders characterized by early onset osteoarthritis and epiphyseal abnormalities. As a first step in generating a mouse model for COMP mutations, we have cloned the cDNA of mouse COMP and examined its tissue expression pattern. Design Total mRNA was isolated from the skeletal tissues of newborn C57BL/6j mice and used as a template for oligo(dT) first-strand cDNA synthesis. The cDNA was used for PCR amplification of COMP using three oligonucleotide primer pairs designed from the published rat COMP cDNA sequence. Nested PCR was used to complete the sequence between the amplified fragments. The entire cDNA was sequenced and the expression pattern of the corresponding transcripts examined by Northern hybridizations. Results A full-length COMP cDNA was isolated. Analysis showed that the entire translated region of the mouse COMP gene is 2268bp and the derived amino acid sequence shows 90% homology to human COMP. Of eight adult mouse non-cartilage tissues tested, COMP expression was detected only in testis.
Determining chemical characteristics of plutonium solutions using visible spectrometry and multivariate chemometric methods

Abstract Two chemometric analysis approaches for rapidly screening samples are presented. The first method is for determining Pu(III) and nitric acid concentrations by using the multivariate calibration technique of partial least squares (PLS) regression. Quantitation of plutonium using its visible spectrum is straightforward; however, the effects of nitric acid on the Pu(III) absorption spectra are subtle, and nitric acid quantitation from the absorbance spectrum is more difficult. In this study PLS regression is successfully applied to quantitate both plutonium and nitric acid by using the information contained in the absorption spectra of appropriate solutions. Evaluation of the calibration models, using test samples that span the range of the calibration concentrations, gave predictions consistent with the standard error of the calibration models. Secondly, pattern recognition methods are used to investigate the effects of various amounts of nitric acid, fluoride, or oxalate on visible spectra of Pu(IV) solutions. The methods enable qualitative estimates of the solution composition, which can potentially be used to adjust solution properties to desired specifications. The main pattern recognition methods employed are nearest neighbor classification and principal components analysis.
Palatal adhesion: the treatment of unilateral palatal paralysis after high vagus nerve injury.

Background Resection of skull base tumors commonly necessitates intraoperative sacrifice of lower cranial nerves at the level of the jugular foramen. Sequelae of unilateral vagus nerve loss include ipsilateral laryngeal paralysis, ipsilateral palatal and pharyngeal paralysis, and velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) marked by hypernasal speech and nasopharyngeal reflux of liquids during swallowing. Methods Palatal adhesion (PA), a procedure whereby the unilaterally paralyzed palate is attached to the posterior pharyngeal wall, decreases the size of the velopharyngeal port and minimizes the symptoms. This study assessed the outcome of PA in 31 patients with VPI secondary to proximal vagus nerve injury. Results PA decreased postoperative nasality in 96% of patients. Nasopharyngeal reflux was significantly improved in 83%. Three patients (11%) had minor wound breakdown postoperatively, all of which healed completely with conservative management. Conclusion PA offers a favorable result with minimal concomitant morbidity and is recommended for patients with VPI secondary to unilateral proximal vagus nerve paralysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 721–730, 2002
The Development of a Rapid and Sensitive, High-Through-Put Protocol for RNA:DNA Ratio Analysis

Abstract We present a new technique for determining RNA:DNA ratios in larval and juvenile fish that relies on the rapid homogenization of samples with salts, detergents, and proteinase K and the detection of DNA and RNA with specific fluorescent dyes. Samples are not purified before assay of nucleic acids. The technique was designed for use in 96 or 384 well plates and required only 50 μL of sample per well. The detection of RNA and DNA is linear over 500 ng and is sensitive to a nucleic acid content as little as that within 50 μg of tissue. The new technique was used to characterize the RNA:DNA ratio in the white muscle of juvenile mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus and larval winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus. This technique was compared with other techniques that use fluorescent dyes to determine the RNA:DNA ratio in fish samples.
Social media use in local government: Linkage of technology, task, and organizational context

Abstract Social media technologies have begun to enter the governmental workplace as tools to accomplish improved public service and engagement. Widespread recognition of the potential of social media technology for achieving public outcomes does not match our understanding about how and why specific tools are being used for specific purposes. This paper makes use of newly collected national survey data from local government managers in five different agencies to address the questions: which social media tools are being used, for which tasks or purposes; and what organizational characteristics influence the coupling of task and technology. Findings reveal patterns of social media tool application for particular purposes, although organizations do not all use social media tools in the same way. Moreover, regression analysis shows that different organizational factors – work characteristics, innovativeness, technology and management capacity and stakeholder influence – predict each of the four technology–task couplings — social media for dissemination, social media for feedback on service quality, social media for participation, and social media for internal work collaboration. This study demonstrates that social media tools are not a monolithic group and calls for greater research attention to the complex interactions among social media technology, task and organizational context.
Comparison of NGA-West2 Directivity Models:

Five directivity models have been developed based on data from the NGA-West2 database and based on numerical simulations of large strike-slip and reverse-slip earthquakes. All models avoid the use ...
HOT MWIR HgCdTe performance on CZT and alternative substrates

Mid wave infrared (MWIR) imaging in the 3-5 um spectral band has traditionally been performed by InSb sensors. InSb technology is presently limited to a near 80K operating temperature and the hunt has been on for a higher operating temperature (HOT) technology that does as well at 150K as InSb at 80K, but with reduced power requirements. Amongst these alternative technologies are photovoltaic sensors consisting of heterostructures of HgCdTe (MCT). In previous work we assessed the device performance of several alternative MWIR HOT technologies (MCT on Si, MCT on GaAs) as a function of operating temperature. In this work we compare the NEDT histograms for these alternative technologies with InSb to better understand how their performance can be improved at higher temperatures. We also present analysis formalism for quantitatively assessing the number of FPA pixels which reside in the central versus the shoulder portions of the histogram.Begin the Introduction two lines below the Keywords. The manuscript should not have headers, footers, or page numbers. It should be in a onecolumn format. References are often noted in the text1 and cited at the end of the paper.
Development of an upconverting chelate assay

We report progress on performing a cell-based assay for the detection of EGFR on cell surfaces by using upconverting chelates. An upconversion microscope has been developed for performing assays and testing optical response. A431 cells are labeled with europium DOTA and imaged using this upconverting microscope.
Laser Iris Retraction for Angle-closure Glaucoma after Retinal Detachment Surgery

Twelve patients with retinal detachment with postoperative angle closure due to ciliary body edema, refractory to topical cycloplegics and corticosteroids, were managed by peripheral iris retraction with argon laser photocoagulation. This gonioscopic procedure results in immediate visualization of angle structures and prompt reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP). Routine tonometry and appropriate gonioscopy are essential to diagnose this form of glaucoma, which does not have a pupillary block component. Timely use of laser iris retraction reduces the risk of chronic glaucoma secondary to synechial closure. In this series, only two of ten patients, not previously known to have glaucoma, require long-term medication to control IOP.
Distributed execution of transmural electrophysiological imaging with CPU, GPU, and FPGA

One of the main challenges of using cutting edge medical imaging applications in the clinical setting is the large amount of data processing required. Many of these applications are based on linear algebra computations operating on large data sizes and their execution may require days in a standard CPU. Distributed heterogeneous systems are capable of improving the performance of applications by using the right computation-to-hardware mapping. To achieve high performance, hardware platforms are chosen to satisfy the needs of each computation with corresponding architectural features such as clock speed, number of parallel computational units, and memory bandwidth. In this paper we evaluate the performance benefits of using different hardware platforms to accelerate the execution of a transmural electro physiological imaging algorithm, targeting a standard CPU with GPU and FPGA accelerators. Using this cutting edge medical imaging application as a case study, we demonstrate the importance of making intelligent computation assignments for improved performance. We show that, depending on the size of the data structures the application works with, the usage of an FPGA to run certain computations can make a big difference: a heterogeneous system with all three hardware platforms (CPU+GPU+FPGA) can cut the execution time by half, compared to the best result using one single accelerator (CPU+GPU). In addition, our experimental results show that combining CPU, GPU, and FPGA platforms in a single system achieves a speedup of up to 62×, 2×, and 1605× compared to systems with a single CPU, GPU, or FPGA platform respectively.
Proteomic diversity of high density lipoproteins: our emerging understanding of its importance in lipid transport and beyond

Recent applications of mass spectrometry technology have dramatically increased our understanding of the proteomic diversity of high density lipoproteins (HDL). Depending on the method of HDL isolation, upwards of 85 proteins have been identified, and the list continues to grow. In addition to proteins consistent with traditionally accepted roles in lipid transport, HDL carries surprising constituents, such as members of the complement pathway, protease inhibitors involved in hemostasis, acute-phase response proteins, immune function mediators, and even metal-binding proteins. This compositional diversity fits well with hundreds of studies demonstrating a wide functional pleiotrophy, including roles in lipid transport, oxidation, inflammation, hemostasis, and immunity. This review summarizes the progression of our understanding of HDL proteomic complexity and points out key experimental observations that reinforce the functional diversity of HDL. The possibility of specific HDL subspecies with distinct functions, the evidence supporting this concept, and some of the best examples of experimentally defined HDL subspecies are also discussed. Finally, key challenges facing the field are highlighted, particularly the need to identify and define the function of HDL subspecies to better inform attempts to pharmacologically manipulate HDL for the benefit of cardiovascular disease and possibly other maladies.