cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aortic Valve Calcification Is Associated with Future Cognitive Impairment.

Background While an association between atherosclerosis and dementia has been identified, few studies have assessed the longitudinal relationship between aortic valve calcification (AVC) and cognitive impairment (CI). Objective We sought to determine whether AVC derived from lung cancer screening CT (LCSCT) was associated with CI in a moderate-to-high atherosclerotic risk cohort. Methods This was a single site, retrospective analysis of 1401 U.S. veterans (65 years [IQI: 61, 68] years; 97%male) who underwent quantification of AVC from LCSCT indicated for smoking history. The primary outcome was new diagnosis of CI identified by objective testing (Mini-Mental Status Exam or Montreal Cognitive Assessment) or by ICD coding. Time-to-event analysis was carried out using AVC as a continuous variable. Results Over 5 years, 110 patients (8%) were diagnosed with CI. AVC was associated with new diagnosis of CI using 3 Models for adjustment: 1) age (HR: 1.104; CI: 1.023-1.191; p = 0.011); 2) Model 1 plus hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, CKD stage 3 or higher (glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min) and CAD (HR: 1.097; CI: 1.014-1.186; p = 0.020); and 3) Model 2 plus CVA (HR: 1.094; CI: 1.011-1.182; p = 0.024). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the association between AVC and new diagnosis of CI remained significant upon exclusion of severe AVC (HR: 1.100 [1.013-1.194]; p = 0.023). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that this association remained significant when including education in the multivariate analysis (HR: 1.127 [1.030-1.233]; p = 0.009). Conclusion This is the first study demonstrating that among mostly male individuals who underwent LCSCT, quantified aortic valve calcification is associated with new diagnosis of CI.
Using fNIRS to Examine Neural Mechanisms of Change Associated with Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Stress and Trauma: Results of a Pilot Study for Women

This research aimed to examine the mechanisms of change associated with mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) and test the feasibility of using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to objectively measure MBI-responsive neuro-cognitive functions impaired by stress and trauma: attentional control (AC), emotional regulation (ER), and working memory (WM). fNIRS data were collected from 31 female participants during AC, ER, and WM cognitive tasks. Measurements were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Half of participants (n = 16) engaged in a 6-week MBI, whereas the active control group (n = 15) did not. fNIRS measures blood oxygenation (HbO) and deoxygenation (HbR) in specific brain regions as changes in activation of neural networks. After using general linear modeling to isolate the hemodynamic response in the fNIRS data, group-level statistical analyses revealed significant (p ≤ .05) changes among the MBI group for AC tasks in the frontopolar area (FP), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and premotor cortex (PMC); these changes were accompanied by significant improvements in AC performances. Among the control group, there was a significant decline in AC task performance and significant decreased OFC activation. Among the MBI group, there were also significant changes in FP and OFC activation during ER tasks and significant changes in OFC and PMC activation during WM tasks. Performance changes for ER and WM tasks were mixed. fNIRS is a viable means of measuring MBI-related changes in neuro-cognitive activity and MBIs yield significant changes in attentional performance and activation of FP, OFC, and PMC.
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

The association of vocal cord dysfunction with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) has been noted in the cardiovascular and otolaryngologic literature. A retrospective review of 168 cases of TAA was performed in order to: (1) define the natural history of associated recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) and (2) propose mechanisms for the development of RLNP in operated and nonoperated aneurysms. Of 168 aneurysms, 5% manifested hoarseness secondary to RLNP. All had type I aneurysms. Only one patient regained vocal cord function after surgical treatment of the aneurysm. RLNP developed as a sequela of TAA repair in 12% of the patients managed surgically. RLNP associated with TAA type III repair had a higher incidence of recovery than paralysis that occurred after TAA type I repair (40% vs. 0% recovery). Sixty-six percent of all patients with permanently paralyzed larynges in this series attained glottic competence sufficient to avoid Teflon injection, and 27% of all RLNP associated with TAA in this series required Teflon injection for aspiration, severe dysphonia, or both. Seventeen percent of the patients with vocal cord paralysis associated with TAA recovered within 12 months. Aneurysm classification and pertinent anatomic relationships are discussed with reference to various mechanisms of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.
Characterization of pn Junctions

The pn junction of a semiconductor material forms part of many commercially important devices such as bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), junction field-effect transistors (JFETs), and various kinds of diodes (e.g., Zener, rectifying, laser, light emitting). Semiconductor engineers routinely use the current-voltage (I–V) measurement technique both for the design of semiconductor devices and for yield or process checks during manufacture. The I–V measurement technique is also considered to be a method in materials research because it is used to characterize semiconductor materials and processes used to create these materials. The pn junction I–V technique is useful in materials research because complementary techniques often do not definitively answer whether the material quality is sufficiently good to operate as required in a semiconductor device. The technique can definitely be used on pn junctions present in state-of-the-art semiconductor devices, but in most materials research laboratories, diodes with large feature sizes and considerably simplified sample preparation are preferred for rapid turnaround and lower equipment cost. The technique is most often used when the purpose of characterizing the material is for fabrication of pn junction devices such as BJTs, HBTs, JFETs, and diode structures for a number of applications, including semiconductor lasers and light-emitting diodes. In that case, the method can be used primarily as a measure of material quality in a device application or as routine intermediate process characterization during device fabrication. Keywords: pn junction; semiconductors; field-effect transistors; I–V technique; JFET; HBT
Interaction between the replication origin and the initiator protein of the filamentous phage f1. Binding occurs in two steps.

Abstract The replication initiator protein of bacteriophage f1 (gene II protein) binds to the phage origin and forms two complexes that are separable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Complex I is formed at low gene II protein concentrations, and shows protection from DNase I of about 25 base-pairs (from position +2 to +28 relative to the nicking site) at the center of the minimal origin sequence. Complex II is produced at higher concentrations of the protein, and has about 40 base-pairs (from −7 to +33) protected. On the basis of gel mobility, complex II appears to contain twice the amount of gene II protein as does complex I. The 40 base-pair sequence protected in complex II corresponds to the minimal origin sequence as determined by in-vivo analyses. The central 15 base-pair sequence (from +6 to +20) of the minimal origin consists of two repeats in inverted orientation. This sequence, when cloned into a plasmid, can form complex I, but not complex II. We call this 15 base-pair element the core binding sequence for gene II protein. Methylation interference with the formation of complex I by the wild-type origin indicates that gene II protein contacts six guanine residues located in a symmetric configuration within the core binding sequence. Formation of complex II requires, in addition to the core binding sequence, the adjacent ten base-pair sequence on the right containing a third homologous repeat. A methylation interference experiment performed on complex II indicates that gene II protein interacts homologously with the three repeats. In complex II, gene II protein protects from DNase I digestion not only ten base-pairs on the right but also ten base-pairs on the left of the sequence that is protected in complex I. Footprint analyses of various deletion mutants indicate that the left-most ten base-pairs are protected regardless of their sequence. The site of nicking by gene II protein is located within this region. A model is presented for the binding reaction involving both protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions.
Comparing Government Forecasts of the United States’ Gross Federal Debt

This paper compares annual one-step-ahead forecasts from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the United States‟ gross federal debt from 1984 to 2010. While comparisons of these agencies‟ forecasts have been done before, they have not focused on the debt. The paper finds that both agencies do a good job forecasting the debt except during recessions. Each agency‟s forecast lacks something that the other accounts for and an average of both out performs either individually. However, the Analysis of the President‟s Budget (APB), which includes information from both agencies, performs best.
Characterization of a promoter element required for transcription in myocardial cells

Transcription of the chicken cardiac troponin T (cTNT) gene in myocardial cells requires upstream sequences not required for expression of this gene in embryonic skeletal muscle cells. Deletion analysis shows that the segment between nucleotides -247 and -201 (numbered relative to the transcription initiation site at +1) is capable of conferring cardiac specific expression to a "minimal" cTNT promoter. The cardiac element within this segment contains at least two essential subregions: one residing upstream of position -215, which bears no homologies to known transcription elements, and an A/T-rich segment residing between positions -215 and -201. Conserved M-CAT motifs within the cTNT minimal promoter which are required for activity in skeletal muscle cells are also required for activity in myocardial cells, suggesting an interaction between the upstream cardiac element and proximal promoter elements. Gel-shift experiments demonstrate interaction between the upstream portion of the cardiac element and factor(s) present in the nuclei of cardiac and non-cardiac tissues. Thus, additional cis and trans factors are required for transcription of the cTNT gene in myocardial cells which are not required for expression in skeletal muscle cells.
The effect of plasma glucose variability on neonatal outcome in the pregnant diabetic patient

Maternal glucose variability was studied in 154 pregnant diabetic patients hospitalized during the last month of their pregnancies. By means of several statistical analyses of the coefficient of variation for within-day plasma glucose variability, we found as follows. (1) There was a significant association between maternal glucose variability and neonatal outcome. (2) Patients with greater glucose variability had more episodes of hyperglycemia, but not hypoglycemia. (3) There was no correlation between maternal glucose variability and the birth weight of the infant. We are proposing the use of an index for glucose variability to monitor glucose control in pregnancy and predict neonatal outcome. Although absence of glucose variability will not ensure prevention of neonatal complications, there is a clear association between greater glucose variability and neonatal complications.
FINANCIAL LITERACY: WHAT WORKS? HOW COULD IT BE MORE EFFECTIVE?

This paper highlights the extent and effects of financial illiteracy among American households, reviews previous efforts to promote financial literacy, and discusses new directions for such initiatives. None of the four traditional approaches to financial literacy - employer-based, school-based, credit counseling, or community-based - has generated strong evidence that financial literacy efforts have had positive and substantial impacts. Nevertheless, the apparent success of financial planning efforts and of simplification initiatives suggests that there are both private actions and public policy strategies that can influence saving behavior. There is a key role for the private sector in enhancing financial literacy and the market is responding rapidly to try to fill the void. At the same time, there is an at least equally important role for the public sector, via a campaign that revolves around a comprehensive website, and through better coordination of existing policies toward saving. We conclude that improving financial literacy should be a first-order concern for policy-makers, and that gains could accrue not only to the affected individuals, but also to their family members and society at large.
Selective up-regulation of neuropeptide synthesis by blocking the neuronal activity: galanin expression in septohippocampal neurons.

Neuronal activity regulates expression of phenotype-specific genes, including galanin, which coexists with choline acetyltransferase in septal and basal forebrain neurons. Transections of the fornix and the diagonal band alter galanin expression in septohippocampal neurons attributed to a deficit in target-derived trophic factors. The present study demonstrates that tetrodotoxin-induced blockade of neuronal activity fully mimicked the effect of axotomy (transection of the septohippocampal fibers) in the neurons of the nucleus of the diagonal band, and caused a dramatic, although temporary, up-regulation of galanin immunoreactivity and galanin mRNA without significant alteration in choline acetyltransferase expression. This finding suggests that in the septohippocampal cholinergic system perturbance of electrical activity alone can lead to temporary up-regulation of galanin expression, previously attributed exclusively to a "lesion effect."
The simulation of short-term streaming electrification dynamics

In an effort to understand the dynamic behaviour of the streaming electrification phenomenon better, a computational model has been prepared. This paper describes the development and behaviour of the simulation for the development of charge-density profiles in space and time subsequent to the initiation of flow in a channel. Results are provided to demonstrate the functionality of the model and its effectiveness in clarifying the nature of the phenomenon.
An examination of the impact of organizational downsizing and discrimination activities on corporate social responsibility as measured by a company’s reputation index

This research empirically tests the relationship between a company’s social responsibility (CSR) performance as measured by the company’s reputation index, on the one hand, and the degree of downsizing of employees and a company’s discriminatory practices, on the other. The sample consists 178 large publicly‐held US‐based corporations which announced their intentions to downsize during the 1990‐1992 period. The statistical analysis does support the hypothesis that as companies eliminate jobs and layoff workers, they are perceived as being less reputable, hence, less socially responsible. The analysis, further, supported previous research which revealed a positive association between a company’s social performance (CSP), as measured by a company’s reputation index, and its financial performance as measured by its return on equity (ROE). The analysis, however, did not support the hypothesis of a negative relationship between CSP and a company’s discriminatory practices. Further, our statistical analysis failed to support the results of previous research which revealed a positive relationship between a company’s size and its CSP. This unexpected result may have been biased by the choice of companies in our sample.
Comparison of Post Hoc Multiple Pairwise Testing Procedures as Applied to Small k-Group Logrank Tests

Abstract: The logrank test is widely used to compare groups on distribution of survival time in the presence of censoring. There is no convention for post hoc pairwise comparisons after a significant omnibus k -group logrank test. This simulation study compares four post hoc pairwise testing procedures: Bonferroni, Dunn-Sidak, Hochberg, and unadjusted post hoc logrank test procedure. Evaluation criteria include, familywise type I error rate, correct decision rate, number of correctly rejected pairs, and false discovery rate. We demonstrated that when conditioned upon rejection of the omnibus test, multiplicity adjustments may be unnecessary and can be overly conservative when k is at most 4, or number of comparisons is no greater than 6. This is supported by the results that the performance of the unadjusted post hoc logrank test procedure is preferred over the others on all criteria except for the false discovery rate. The Hochberg procedure appears to be superior among the adjustments examined. Data from a clinical trial for suicide prevention illustrate these approaches where number of comparison groups is often limited.
Activation of dolichyl-phospho-mannose synthase by phospholipids

Dolichyl-phospho-mannose synthase, or GDPmannose:dolichyl-phosphate mannosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.83), was solubilized from rat liver microsomes with 1.0% Nonidet P-40 and the enzyme was further purified by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in the presence of 0.1% Nonidet P-40. The purified enzyme preparation (880-fold over microsomes) was unstable in the presence of detergent and had no activity in the presence of Nonidet P-40, Triton X-100, octyl beta-glucoside, or deoxycholate. Detergent-free enzyme was active in the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) and in the presence of phospholipid mixtures of PtdEtn and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) when the molar proportion of PtdCho was 70% or less. The enzyme was inactive in the presence of PtdCho alone. Unsaturated species of PtdEtn have a tendency to destabilize membrane bilayers [Cullis, P. R. & de Kruijff, B. (1978) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 507, 207-218] and we have shown that dolichol promotes the destabilizing effect of PtdEtn on membranes composed of PtdCho and PtdEtn [Jensen, J. W. & Schutzbach, J. S. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 115-1119]. These results suggest that dolichyl-P-mannose synthase is optimally active in a phospholipid matrix that contains some component phospholipids that prefer non-bilayer structural organization in isolation. Heat-inactivation and sedimentation experiments demonstrated that the synthase associated with PtdEtn in the presence of dolichyl-P. The PtdEtn-reconstituted enzyme catalyzed the reversible transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose to dolichyl-P. The Km for GDP-mannose was found to be 0.69 microM and the apparent Km for dolichyl-P was 0.3 microM. GMP, GDP, and GTP inhibited mannosyl transfer 50% at concentrations of 16 microM, 1.3 microM and 3 microM respectively.
The overdamped double-scroll family. Part I: Piecewise-linear geometry and normal form

This paper is the first part of a two part work that aims to introduce a new family of piecewise-linear differential equations that exhibit chaotic behaviour in numerical simulations and to provide a rigorous mathematical proof of its chaotic nature. The new family presented here has the same eigenvalue distribution as the well-known Lorenz equations in its chaotic regime but has a different symmetry. It is a derivative of the recently investigated double-scroll family of piecewise-linear differential equations.1 It differs, however, from the double-scroll family in that its members have all real eigenvalues at the origin. In particular, since the associated eigenspace Es(0) is similar to that of an overdamped linear circuit, we will henceforth refer to this family as the overdamped double-scroll family. We establish Chua's circuit2 as a member of this family under appropriate conditions. Preliminary numerical simulations exhibit some interesting phenomena such as period-doubling, periodic windows between chaotic behaviour, and strange attractors of differing geometric structure. Our approach in the rigorous analysis will be that employed for the double-scroll family in Reference 1. We derive a linearly equivalent class of piecewise-linear differential equations which includes the family simulated numerically as a special case. the necessary and sufficient condition for two piecewise-linear vector fields belonging to this new overdamped double-scroll family to be linearly equivalent is that their respective eigenvalues at respective equilibrium points be scalar multiples of each other. If the scalars are all identity, then we have linear conjugacy of the vector fields. an explicit normal form equation, in the sense of global bifurcation, is presented that is parametrized by its own eigenvalues. We find that linearly equivalent vector fields associated with the overdamped double-scroll family exhibit the same global behaviour even though their equivalence is based on the local concept of normalized eigenvalues. In addition, the piecewise-linear differential equations associated with these equivalent vector fields can be quite different from each other.
Evidence that dopamine within motivation and song control brain regions regulates birdsong context-dependently

Vocal communication is critical for successful social interactions among conspecifics, but little is known about how the brain regulates context-appropriate communication. The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is involved in modulating highly motivated, goal-directed behaviors (including sexually motivated singing behavior), and emerging data suggest that the role of DA in vocal communication may differ depending on the context in which it occurs. To address this possibility, relationships between immunolabeled tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis) and song produced within versus outside of a breeding context were explored in male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Immunocytochemistry for dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH; the enzyme that converts DA to norepinephrine) was also performed to provide insight into whether relationships between song and TH immunoreactivity reflected dopaminergic or noradrenergic neurotransmission. Measures of TH and DBH were quantified in song control regions (HVC, Area X, robust nucleus of the acropallium) and regions implicated in motivation (medial preoptic nucleus (POM), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and midbrain central gray). In Area X, POM, and VTA measures of TH correlated with song produced within, but not outside of a breeding context. DBH in these regions did not correlate with song in either context. Together, these data suggest DA in both song control and motivation brain regions may be more tightly linked to the regulation of highly goal-directed, sexually motivated vocal behavior.
Effects of repeated apomorphine and haloperidol treatments on subsequent behavioral sensitivity to apomorphine

Abstract In a 2 × 2 factorial design, four groups of rats (n=10 each) were injected daily with haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg IP) or its injection vehicle and apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg SC) or its vehicle for 21 consecutive days. Then, following a six-day drug-free rest interval, all rats were tested for locomotor activity in photocell arenas after an apomorphine injection on four additional days. Major findings were as follows: (a) rats pretreated with apomorphine were significantly more active following an apomorphine injection than rats pretreated with vehicle; (b) the development of sensitization to apomorphine was completely blocked by the concurrent administration of haloperidol during the pretreatment phase; and (c) pretreatment of rats with haloperidol alone did not affect subsequent sensitivity to apomorphine. These results suggest that the development of behavioral sensitization to apomorphine is related specifically to the stimulation of dopamine receptors.
Circadian and Seasonal Variations of Plasma Insulin and Cortisol Concentrations in the Syrian Hamster, Mesocricetus Auratus

Circadian rhythms of plasma insulin, cortisol, and glucose concentrations were examined in scotosensitive (reproductively sensitive to inhibitory effects of short daylengths) and scotorefractory male and female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) maintained on short (LD 10:14) and long (LD 14:10) daylengths. The baseline concentration (mean of all values obtained every 4 hr six times of day) of insulin was much greater in female than in male scotosensitive hamsters kept on short daylengths. These differences in insulin concentration may account for the observed heavy fat stores in female and low fat stores in male scotosensitive hamsters kept on short daylengths. The baseline concentrations of cortisol were approximately equal in both scotosensitive and scotorefractory males held on short and long daylengths, but were relatively low in females held on short daylengths and especially high in scotorefractory females held on long daylengths. The plasma concentrations of both cortisol and insulin varied throughout the day in many of the groups tested. However, the variations were not equivalent. The circadian variations of cortisol were similar irrespective of sex, seasonal condition and daylength. Peak concentrations generally occurred about 12 hr after light onset. In contrast, the circadian variations of insulin differed markedly. For example in male hamsters, robust daily variations were found in scotosensitive hamsters held on short daylengths but not on long daylengths and in scotorefractory hamsters held on long daylengths but not on short daylengths. Furthermore, the daily peak occurred during the light in the scotosensitive hamsters and during the dark in the scotorefractory animals. Neither the daily feeding pattern (about 60% consumed during dark) nor the daily variations of glucose concentration varied appreciably with seasonal condition or daylength. They do not appear to determine nor directly reflect the variations in cortisol and glucose concentrations. It is postulated that the daily rhythms of cortisol and insulin are regulated by different neural pacemaker systems and that changes in the phase relations of circadian systems account in part for seasonal changes in body fat stores.
Changing Aspirations, Limited Attention, and War

The authors present a theory of the general enabling conditions for war which predicts that war is possible, though not inevitable, when the conditions of the theory are satisfied. Whether a war will actually occur depends upon the idiosyncratic situational factors that are outside the scope of the theory. Three conditions make war possible: (i) Aspirations do not match achievements: governments only initiate wars when their achieved share of global capabilities differs from their aspired share of capabilities. (2) Salience: governments only initiate wars against other governments when there is a history of substantial interaction. (3) Power: governments never initiate wars against other governments that have a substantially greater military capacity. These conditions may be viewed as a series of three filters that identify pairs of countries between which war is possible. The theory predicts that wars will not occur in any dyad that does not pass through all the filters. In testing this theory for all nations between 1816 and 1980, the authors allowed for the fact that governments may preemptively initiate wars against other governments that meet these conditions.
Terrain-aware rollover prediction for ground vehicles using the zero-moment point method

Rollover accidents are one of the leading causes of death in highway accidents due to their very high fatality rate. A key challenge in preventing rollover via chassis control is that the prediction of the onset of rollover can be quite difficult, especially in the presence of terrain features typical of roadway environments. These road features include superelevation of the road (e.g road bank), the median slope, and the shoulder down-slope. This work develops a vehicle rollover prediction algorithm that is based on a kinematic analysis of vehicle motion, a method that allows explicit inclusion of terrain effects. The solution approach utilizes the concept of zero-moment point (ZMP) that is typically applied to walking robot dynamics. This concept is introduced in terms of a lower-order model of vehicle roll dynamics to measure the vehicle rollover propensity, and the resulting ZMP prediction allows a direct measure of a vehicle rollover threat index. Simulation results using a complex multi-body vehicle simulation show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm during different road geometry scenarios and driver excitations.
Current management of mediastinal infection following open heart surgery

Postoperative mediastinal wound complications occur in 0.5 to 5 per cent of patients undergoing cardiac operations requiring median sternotomy. Superficial infections can be effectively managed by debridement and repeated dressing changes. Deeper infections of short duration and of limited extent may respond to aggressive debridement and continuous closed catheter irrigation with antimicrobial solutions. The patients with greater involvement and delayed infections are best managed by extensive debridement of the sternum and costal cartilages and coverage of the exposed mediastinal wound with either an omental flap or muscle flaps constructed from pectoralis major and/or rectus abdominis. Systemic administration of adequate dosages of appropriate antibiotics and maintainance of positive nitrogen balance by enteral or intravenous hyperalimentation are also necessary to control infection and promote healing.
Intravitreal triamcinolone as adjunctive treatment to laser panretinal photocoagulation for concomitant proliferative diabetic retinopathy and clinically significant macular oedema

. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) combined with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on visual acuity (VA) and foveal thickness in patients with concomitant high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO). Methods: This retrospective interventional case series included seven eyes diagnosed with both high-risk PDR and CSMO that underwent PRP and a single injection of 4 mg of IVTA. The main outcome measures were VA and foveal thickness, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before treatment and throughout the follow-up period. Results: Median follow-up was 301 days (range 180–715 days). Foveal thickness data were available for four of seven eyes. Before the combined treatment, median LogMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) VA and median foveal thickness were 1 (Snellen 20/200, range 20/40–20/800) and 559 µm (range 333–689 µm), respectively. After treatment, median vision improved to LogMAR 0.544 (Snellen 20/70, range 20/40–20/1000) (P = 0.13). Vision improved or remained stable in six of seven eyes. Median foveal thickness at final follow-up was 436 µm (range 259–623 µm) (P = 0.15). Foveal thickness decreased or remained stable in all eyes. Conclusion: The addition of IVTA to PRP in the treatment of eyes with high-risk PDR and CSMO may prevent PRP-induced foveal thickening and loss of vision.
AN HISTORICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK APPROPRIATE FOR A CONTEMPORARY MODEL OF LABOR- MANAGEMENT RELATIONS

Si~rnrnwy.-In the 1950s social psychologist Muzafer Sherif presented his landmark studies on groups in harmony and rension. What lie discovered about the induction and resolution of intergroup hostility has direct bearing on the conduct of contemporary labor-management relations. His findings are presented as a reminder to those who would attempt to understand and shape ernployee-employer interactions in the workplace. Here is a story with a moral . . . a tale abouc Adamsia palliata and Pagurus przdeazsxi. No, they are not Latin translations of Fortune 500 Companies. In fact, Adamsia palliata is a strawberry cloaklet sea anemone, and Pagurus prideaztxi is a type of hermit crab. These little underwater creatures share a very interesting and mutually beneficial life together. The anemone wraps itself around the shell in which the hermit crab is living. By positioning its mouth and tentacles beneath the mouth of Pagarus prideauxi, it is able to share the food taken by its host. What does the hermit crab get in exchange for sharing its meal? Protection, for one ching. It turns out that Adamsia palliata is no slouch when it comes to playing the "heavy," and it keeps unwanted predators away, In addition, the anemone is a home builder. It can enlarge the crab's domicile by secreting an extension to the shell. This makes it unnecessary for Pagz~rm prideauxi to change shells as it grows. Adamsia palliata and Pagz~u~ prideauxi are very dependent on each other for survival. In fact, should the hermit crab decide to leave home, the anemone will perish unless it can find another host. This brings us to the moral of this little tale: survival sometimes depends on the development of a symbiotic re1ationshi.p. This is defined as "the intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial relationship."
Optical imaging of non-fluorescent nanoparticle probes in live cells

Precise imaging of cellular and subcellular structures and dynamic processes in live cells is crucial for fundamental research in life sciences and in medical applications. Non-fluorescent nanoparticles are an important type of optical probe used in live-cell imaging due to their photostability, large optical cross-sections, and low toxicity. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the optical imaging of non-fluorescent nanoparticle probes in live cells.
Rheographic regional method for evaluation of cerebral and ocular circulation in cardiac and cerebrovascular disease

Rheographic regional method for evaluation of cerebral and ocular circulation in cardiac and cerebrovascular disease
NUMERICAL SIMULATION AND PARAMETRIC STUDY OF HARTMANN- SPRENGER TUBE BASED POWERED DEVICE

Numerical simulations of unsteady flow in a Hartmann resonance tube are carried out with the goal of understanding the effect of jet Mach number on the flow characteristics. The device, which consists of a convergent nozzle facing a closed end tube produces a nearly normal shock that fluctuates in the gap between the nozzle and the tube. Numerical solutions were obtained for the unsteady Reynolds average Navier-Stokes equations using the WIND code. Computational results are presented for pressure fluctuations and sound pressure level (SPL) spectra at different jet Mach numbers. The results demonstrate different resonance tube operating modes depending on jet Mach number. The pressure fluctuations associated with each mode are similar to the experimentally measured pressure fluctuations in the jet screech and jet regurgitant modes. Nomenclature
Effect of symmetry-breaking perturbations on flow-induced oscillations in tubes

Three-dimensional oscillatory motions of a cantilevered tube conveying a fluid are examined when the rotational and reflection symmetries of the tube are destroyed by small perturbations breaking the rotational symmetry. At flow rates past a critical value, two primary branches of standing waves, or motions restricted to a plane are found. Depending on the mass ratio β, qualitatively distinct phenomena are predicted. The standing wave may either undergo a pitchfork bifurcation into a traveling wave, representing elliptic motions of the tube, or may coexist with traveling waves arising due to a saddle-node bifurcation. In another distinct case, the standing wave solutions for the rotationally symmetric tube system are affected by the symmetry-breaking perturbations, only to the extent that the perturbations define the plane of motion. Secondary bifurcations and codimension-two bifurcations to modulated waves are also considered. The results of the analysis are confirmed qualitatively by means of some experiments.
Incubator of Innovations

In this account of Bell Labs, Gertner considers how—as an institution and as a collection of personalities—it produced so many technological innovations.
Infants born at <29 weeks: pulmonary outcomes from a hybrid perinatal system.

To assess pulmonary outcomes of infants <29 weeks gestational age (GA), delivered at level I, II and III facilities, to identify potentially modifiable factors affecting bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) severity and to assess the external generalizability of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) BPD Outcome Estimator. Outcomes for infants <29 weeks GA born during (2008–2010) and delivered either at an inborn level III center or in a level II or III metropolitan area hospital with transfer to a level IV center, or delivered in a distant level I or II center and then transported to a level IV center were assessed. BPD severity was compared with the NICHD Neonatal BPD Outcome Estimator. Of 158 infants who comprised the cohort, 28 (17.8%) had no BPD, 39 (24.2%) had mild BPD, 45 (28.7%) had moderate BPD, 31 (19.7%) had severe BPD and 15 (9.6%) died at ⩽36 weeks post menstrual age. Site of birth did not predict severe BPD or death. Receiver operator characteristic curves showed fair predictability for none/mild and severe BPD. BPD severity was not dependent on site of birth. The NICHD BPD outcome estimator provides fair prediction for extreme outcomes.
Combined use of the esophageal-tracheal Combitube with a colorimetric carbon dioxide detector for emergency intubation/ventilation.

Objective. The esophageal-tracheal Combitube (Sheridan, Inc., Argyle, NY) is a unique double lumen tube that has been introduced as an emergency intubation device. Since it is placed blindly, proper use requires determination of which lumen can be successfully used for ventilation. The Easycap (Nellcor, Inc., Pleasanton, CA) is a colorimetric carbon dioxide detector that reacts with exhaled gas to indicate proper tracheal tube location. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Easycap can be used to identify which Combitube lumen is patent to the trachea after blind placement in dogs.Methods and Results. The study was conducted using 8 anesthetized dogs. In each of 15 blind insertions of the Combitube, the Easycap device responded appropriately by changing color from purple to yellow when connected to the lumen communicating with the trachea. When the Easycap device was connected to the alternate lumen, no color change was appropriately observed in 9 out of 15 cases (60%) after 6 breaths; in 4 of the remaining 6 (87%, total), no color change was noted after 12 breaths. In the 2 remaining cases, the color change indicated the need for further verification of the tube location. In separate experiments, 10 direct tracheal and esophageal insertions of the Combitube were correctly verified by the appropriate Easycap color change.Conclusions. Our results suggest that the Easycap device may be useful with the Combitube, although human data are required.
Hepatic Immunosuppressive Effects of Systemically-Administered Novel Dextran-Methylprednisolone Prodrugs with Peptide Linkers in Rats

The hepatic immunosuppressive activities of two novel dextran prodrugs of methylprednisolone (MP) containing one (DMP1) or five (DMP5) amino acids as linkers were studied in rats. At various times (0–2 weeks) after intravenous administration of single 5 mg/kg (MP equivalent) doses of each prodrug or MP succinate (MPS), livers were isolated and immunologically stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in the outlet perfusate were then quantitated to assess immune response. Additionally, the concentrations of DMP1, DMP5, and/or MP were measured in the liver. MPS, DMP5, or DMP1 injections caused a maximum of 48.9%, 63.5%, or 85.7% decrease in the TNF‐α secretion into the perfusate, with the time above the 50% inhibitory effect being <5, <24, or 120 h, respectively. Additionally, the area under the effect–time curve for DMP1 was 11‐fold or fourfold higher than that after the administration of MPS or DMP5, respectively. Relatively high concentrations of DMP1 were present in the liver even at the last sampling time of 2 weeks. These data suggest that a single intravenous dose of DMP1 produces an intense and sustained immunosuppression in the liver for a relatively long time, which may be useful in liver transplantation.
TENDON EXCURSION AND MOMENT ARM OF INDEX FINGER MUSCLES

Abstract Tendon excursions during rotation of individual index finger joints were recorded continuously throughout the joints' ranges of motion. Both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles were studied during flexion-extension and abduction-adduction functions. Excursions and joint-displacement relationships were observed to not always be linear. Moment arms of tendons with respect to joint centers were further derived from excursion data. The significance of this information to tendon transfer techniques is discussed. These data are also important for theoretical modeling in muscle force determination.
EVIDENCE FOR THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF MANNOSYLPHOSPHORYLDOLICHOL AND N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINYLPYROPHOSPHORYLDOLICHOL BY AN AXOLEMMA-ENRICHED MEMBRANE PREPARATION FROM BOVINE WHITE MATTER

An axolemma-enriched membrane fraction prepared by an improved procedure from bovine white matter catalyzes the enzymatic transfer of [14C]mannose and N-acetyl[14C]glucosamine from their nucleotide derivatives into a mannolipid and an N-acetylglucosaminyl lipid in the presence of exogenous dolichyl monophosphate. The labeled glycolipid products have the chemical and chromatographic characteristics of mannosylphosphoryldolichol and N-acetylglucosaminylpyrophosphoryldolichol. The initial rates of synthesis of the glycolipids by the axolemma-enriched membrane fraction have been compared with the initial rates of glycolipid formation catalyzed by a microsomal preparation and myelin in the presence or absence of dolichyl monophosphate. Essentially no glycolipid synthesis was observed when either GDP-[14C]mannose or UDP-N-acetyl[14C]glucosamine were incubated with myelin in the presence or absence of exogenous dolichyl monophosphate. A comparison of the initial rates of synthesis of the glycolipids using endogenous acceptor lipid revealed that the rate of formation of mannolipid was 7 times faster for the microsomal membranes than the axolemma-enriched membranes. In the presence of an amount of dolichyl monophosphate approaching saturation the initial rate of glycolipid synthesis was markedly enhanced for both membrane preparations. However, due to a more dramatic enhancement in the axolemma-enriched membranes the initial rate of mannolipid synthesis was only approx. 2.5 times greater in the microsomal membranes. A similar observation was made when the initial rates of N-acetylglucosaminyl lipid synthesis were compared for axolemma-enriched and microsomal preparations in the presence and absence of exogenous dolichyl monophosphate. These studies indicate that the axolemma-enriched membranes have a relatively lower content of dolichyl monophosphate than the microsomal membranes although the difference in the amount of mannosyltransferase is only two to three-fold lower. The presence of a sugar nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity capable of degrading GDP-mannose and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine has also been demonstrated in the axolemma-enriched membrane fraction.
Two-dimensional crystals of protein kinase C.

Abstract Three two-dimensional (2D) crystal forms of protein kinase C (PKC) α and three of PKCδ have been grown on lipid monolayers composed of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine: dioleoylphosphatidylserine: (45:50:5 molar ratio). In the absence of DO, two additional 2D crystals of PKCδ are seen, suggesting that the presence of diolein (DO) alters the conformation of intact PKC at the lipid surface. Reconstructions of electron micrographs of these eight lattices show good reproducibility and indicate that several are appropriate for three-dimensional reconstruction to 20 A resolution.
An object-oriented programming approach to the Lagrangian FEM analysis of large inelastic deformations and metal-forming processes

The general deformation problem with material and geometric non-linearities is typically divided into a number of subproblems including the kinematic, the constitutive, and the contact=friction subproblems. These problems are introduced for algorithmic purposes; however, each of them represents distinct physical aspects of the deformation process. For each of these subproblems, several well-established mathematical and numerical models based on the 9nite element method have been proposed for their solution. Recent developments in software engineering and in the 9eld of object-oriented C++ programming have made it possible to model physical processes and mechanisms more expressively than ever before. In particular, the various subproblems and computational models in a large inelastic deformation analysis can be implemented using appropriate hierarchies of classes that accurately represent their underlying physical, mathematical and=or geometric structures. This paper addresses such issues and demonstrates that an approach to deformation processing using classes, inheritance and virtual functions allows a very fast and robust implementation and testing of various physical processes and computational algorithms. Here, speci9c ideas are provided for the development of an objectoriented C++ programming approach to the FEM analysis of large inelastic deformations. It is shown that the maintainability, generality, expandability, and code re-usability of such FEM codes are highly improved. Finally, the e=ciency and accuracy of an object-oriented programming approach to the analysis of large inelastic deformations are investigated using a number of benchmark metal-forming examples. Copyright ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lymphatic endothelial cells support tumor growth in breast cancer

Tumor lymphatic vessels (LV) serve as a conduit of tumor cell dissemination, due to their leaky nature and secretion of tumor-recruiting factors. Though lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) lining the LV express distinct factors (also called lymphangiocrine factors), these factors and their roles in the tumor microenvironment are not well understood. Here we employ LEC, microvascular endothelial cells (MEC), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 tumor-conditioned media (TCM) to determine the factors that may be secreted by various EC in the MDA-MB-231 breast tumor. These factors will serve as endothelium derived signaling molecules in the tumor microenvironment. We co-injected these EC with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells into animals and showed that LEC support tumor growth, HUVEC have no significant effect on tumor growth, whereas MEC suppress it. Focusing on LEC-mediated tumor growth, we discovered that TCM-treated LEC ('tumor-educated LEC') secrete high amounts of EGF and PDGF-BB, compared to normal LEC. LEC-secreted EGF promotes tumor cell proliferation. LEC-secreted PDGF-BB induces pericyte infiltration and angiogenesis. These lymphangiocrine factors may support tumor growth in the tumor microenvironment. This study shows that LV serve a novel role in the tumor microenvironment apart from their classical role as conduits of metastasis.
Highly productive PCRAM technology platform and full chip operation: Based on 4F 2 (84nm pitch) cell scheme for 1 Gb and beyond

We successfully developed highly scalable and cost-effective PCRAM technology based on 0.007um2 (4F2, 84nm pitch) sized novel cell scheme. The chip size and density are 33.207mm2 and 1Gb. The device functionality and reliability were clearly demonstrated through fully integrated chip, which showed a promising feasibility for productive NVM applications.