cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defending Science - within Reason

We need to find a middle way between the exaggerated deference towards science characteristic of scientism, and the exaggerated suspicion characteristic of anti-cientific attitudes — to acknowledge that science is neither sacred nor a confidence trzck The Crztical Commonsenszst account of scientzfic evidence and scientific method offered here corrects the narrowly logical approach of the Old Deferentialists without succumbing to the New Cynics' sociologism or their factitious despair of the epistemic credentials of science.
Pathogen evolution and the immunological niche

Host immunity is a major driver of pathogen evolution and thus a major determinant of pathogen diversity. Explanations for pathogen diversity traditionally assume simple interactions between pathogens and the immune system, a view encapsulated by the susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) model. However, there is growing evidence that the complexity of many host–pathogen interactions is dynamically important. This revised perspective requires broadening the definition of a pathogen's immunological phenotype, or what can be thought of as its immunological niche. After reviewing evidence that interactions between pathogens and host immunity drive much of pathogen evolution, I introduce the concept of a pathogen's immunological phenotype. Models that depart from the SIR paradigm demonstrate the utility of this perspective and show that it is particularly useful in understanding vaccine-induced evolution. This paper highlights questions in immunology, evolution, and ecology that must be answered to advance theories of pathogen diversity.
Bandwidth enhancement of platform-mounted HF antennas using the characteristic modes theory

In many HF communication applications, the antennas are mounted on vehicular platforms. Due to the large wavelengths, the platform in these applications is part of the antenna. However, most HF antennas are not designed to take advantage of the presence of the platform. In this paper, we report the results of a study in which we investigate how the performance of a platform-mounted antenna can be improved by treating the platform as part of the antenna. Specifically, we examine how the mounted antenna can be used to excite the natural resonant modes of the structure. In this case, the platform will act as the main radiator and the mounted antenna as the coupling mechanism to the external circuit. In doing so, the characteristic mode theory is used to identify the efficient means of excitation of the platform current. We demonstrate that this technique can be used to enhance the bandwidth of HF antennas operating at the lower end of the HF band by a factor of 13.2. Scaled model measurements are used to confirm the theoretical predictions of this paper.
An Integrated Approach to Measuring Tumor Oxygen Status Using Human Melanoma Xenografts as a Model

Tumor oxygen status is a reliable prognostic marker that impacts malignant progression and outcome of tumor therapy. However, tumor oxygenation is heterogeneous and cannot be sufficiently described by a single parameter. It is influenced by several factors including microvessel density (MVD), blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), blood oxygen saturation, tissue pO(2), oxygen consumption rate, and hypoxic fraction. The goal of this investigation was to integrate these measurements to obtain a comprehensive profile of tumor oxygenation. Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule immunohistochemistry, the recessed oxygen microelectrode, color and power Doppler ultrasound (DUS), and diffuse light spectroscopy (DLS) were used to measure tumor oxygen status using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-transfected hypervascular human melanoma xenografts and their nontransfected counterparts as a model. NIH1286 human melanoma cells were transfected with a retroviral vector +/- a 720-bp fragment of human VEGF(121). High VEGF-producing clones were selected by ELISA. Oxygen consumption rate was measured in NIH1286/VEGF+ [VEGF-transfected cells (VEGF+ cells)] and NIH1286/Vec cells [cells transfected with vector alone (Vec cells)] using a standard Clark oxygen electrode. Athymic nude 6-8-week-old mice received s.c. injection in the right flank with 5 x 10(6) VEGF+ or Vec cells. When tumors were 10-14 mm in maximum dimension, serum was analyzed for VEGF by ELISA. Cryopreserved tumor tissue sections were immunostained for platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule, and MVD measurements were made. Tumor-bearing mice were anesthetized, and pO(2) measurements were made using Eppendorf pO(2) histograph or the recessed oxygen microelectrode. Tumor BF and BV were measured by quantitative analysis of DUS images. DLS was used to measure tumor BF and blood oxygen saturation variation. VEGF+ cell supernatants had 15,500 pg/ml VEGF, and Vec cells had 10 pg/ml. VEGF+ and Vec cells had equivalent oxygen consumption rates. VEGF+ tumors had a faster growth rate than Vec tumors. Serum from VEGF+ tumor-bearing mice showed 4,211 pg/ml VEGF, whereas VEGF was undetectable in the serum of control mice. MVD values were 74 +/- 11 in VEGF+ tumors and 39 +/- 4 in control tumors at x200 magnification/0.95-mm(2) area. The median pO(2) values were 3.5-fold higher in VEGF+ tumors than in Vec tumors by the recessed oxygen microelectrode and 18-fold higher by Eppendorf pO(2) histograph. DUS showed a 3.3-fold higher mean BF and a 5.5-fold higher BV in VEGF+ tumors than in Vec tumors. DLS showed a 3.2-fold higher mean BF and 1.7-fold higher oxygen saturation in the hypervascular tumors as compared with the control tumor type, consistent with increased BF and BV data by DUS. An integrated approach that yields a comprehensive and consistent profile of oxygen status in tumors could potentially provide critical information for prognosis and treatment.
THE EFFECT OF DIETHYLSTILBESTROL ON THE IMMATURE RAT OVARY1

Hypophysectomized and intact immature female rats were injected with dicthylstilbestrol in daily doses of 1 mg. or 1 ¼g for periods of 2–20 days. The large doses increased ovarian weights to an average of 37 mg. on the 8th day in both the intact and hypophysectomized groups, after which a gradual decline occurred for the duration of the experiment. In hypophysectomized animals, ovarian weights were significantly greater than those of uninjected controls for the entire experimental interval. This was true in intact animals until 11 days, after which control ovaries were heavier owing to luteinization. The small dose of stilbestrol did not significantly increase ovarian weight in hypophysectomized rats, although some follicular growth was noted microscopically. In intact rats, the small dose increased ovarian weights at 8 days, apparently through intermediary release of pituitary gonadotrophin. This study confirms previous investigations in showing that large doses of stilbestrol cause growth and maintenanc...
Fibroblast procollagen production rates in vitro based on [3H]hydroxyproline production and procollagen hydroxyproline specific activity

Abstract In vitro procollagen production rates can be determined by culturing cells in the presence of [ 3 H]proline and measuring the subsequent formation of [ 3 H]hydroxyproline. Values of actual procollagen production can be calculated if the total radioactivity and the specific activity of the newly synthesized procollagen is known. A simple microanalytical method for measuring procollagen specific activity in order to determine procollagen production by lung fibroblasts in vitro is reported. Confluent fibroblasts (IMR-90) were cultured in fresh medium containing [ 3 H]proline, and [ 3 H]hydroxyproline production and prolyl hydroxylation were measured. Hydroxyproline specific activity of nondialyzable procollagen in culture medium as well as extracellular and intracellular free proline specific activity were determined by an ultramicromethod in which the radiolabeled amino acids were reacted with [ 14 C]dansyl chloride of known specific activity [Airhart et al. (1979) Anal. Biochem. 96 , 45–55]. Procollagen production rates were readily determined by this method using 5 to 20 μCi [ 3 H]proline and approximately 10 6 cells. It was found that 3 H-procollagen production rate into culture medium was constant after a lag of 1.6 h, while procollagen production rate (0.23 pmol/μg DNA · h) was constant from time zero to 9 h. The specific activities of extracellular and intracellular free proline were not constant during the labeling period, nor were they equal to procollagen specific activity. These data indicate that free proline pool specific activities are not a valid measure of procollagen specific activity. The experimental approach described obviates the need to define or characterize the proline precursor pool from which procollagen is synthesized, and may be readily applied to determine fibroblast procollagen production rates in vitro .
Low-temperature chemical routes to formation and IR properties of lanthanum sesquisulfide (La2S3) ceramics

Lanthanum sulfide (La2S3) exists in three different allotropic forms in the crystalline state. The low-temperature orthorhombic phase (α) transforms to the intermediate tetragonal phase (β) which further undergoes transformation to the high-temperature cubic phase (γ). The intermediate tetragonal phase (β) is an oxysulfide with possible use as a phosphor, and the cubic phase (γ) of La2S3 shows potential for application as a far IR (8–14 µm) window material. We report metal-organic synthesis routes for the preparation of the β- and γ-phases of La2S3 by processing modifications and choice of precursor chemistry. The alkoxide-derived precursors and the transformed sulfide powders were characterized for morphology, microstructure, and thermal stability. Phase evolution studies were also conducted, and the results are discussed in the context of formation of the β- and γ-phases. Results of densification, microstructure, and infrared transmission characteristics are also presented.
The role of language cues in constraining cross-language activity

Recent psycholinguistic studies provide compelling evidence for the claim that both languages are active when second language (L2) learners and bilinguals process information in one language alone. The parallel activation of the two languages occurs even when individuals are performing highly practiced tasks such as reading, listening, and speaking, and even when they are highly proficient in both languages. The presence of cross-language activity in the absence of random errors, particularly for those who are highly proficient in the L2, suggests that a mechanism of cognitive control is in place to guide the selection of the intended language. The focus of current research is to understand the basis of this cognitive mechanism, how it varies as a function of individual differences in cognitive resources, and what consequences it holds for cognition more generally. In this paper we consider whether L2 learners and bilinguals are able to exploit cues to language status that might allow them to focus their attention on languagerelevant attributes of processing or to effectively inhibit information related to the language not in use as a means to control language selection. The results of the present study suggest that it is possible to create a functional language cue for planning the L2 and bias language selection.
Why epistemologists are so down on their luck

It is nearly universally acknowledged among epistemologists that a belief, even if true, cannot count as knowledge if it is somehow largely a matter of luck that the person so arrived at the truth. A striking feature of this literature, however, is that while many epistemologists are busy arguing about which particular technical condition most effectively rules out the offensive presence of luck in true believing, almost no one is asking why it matters so much that knowledge be immune from luck in the first place. I argue that the best explanation for the consensus that luck undermines knowledge is that knowledge is, complications aside, credit-worthy true believing. To make this case, I develop both the notions of luck and credit, and sketch a theory of knowledge in those terms. Furthermore, this account also holds promise for being able to solve the “value problem” for knowledge, and it explains why both internal and external conditions are necessary to turn true belief into knowledge.
Building Quantum Dots into Solids with Well-Defined Shapes†

Quantum dots (QDs) chemically synthesized in solution at a higher temperature (85 °C) were built in situ into a variety of three-dimensional (3D) close-packed QD ensembles (QD solids) with well-defined shapes: needles, disks, rods, spheres, bundles, stars, ribbons, and transition structures (TSs). Design strategies using a novel cold-treatment (–25 to 0 °C) process immediately following the synthesis of the QDs provided control over these shapes, independently from the II–VI materials used. Transformation occurred between different shapes by the rearrangement of the QDs within the QD ensembles. The QD solids were characterized by advanced electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The cold treatment strategy is versatile and has been applied to several II–VI QDs (CdS, ZnS, and CdSe) and may be extended to other QD systems and other chemical approaches.
An effect of zinc deficiency on dental caries

Abstract Rat pups suckled by dams fed a zinc-deficient diet developed higher levels of dental caries following a caries-test challenge than pups suckled by dams fed a zinc-adequate diet. The zinc deficient treatment was administered during the mineralization stage of tooth development before the molars erupted. The data shows that suboptimal zinc nutriture was associated with an increase in dental caries. Fluoride, a trace element, is recognized as a factor in preventing dental caries and its use has had a significant impact on dental health in this country. However, the possible roles of other trace elements have not been closely examined. Zinc is a trace element important to bone mineralization as well as in general nutrition. The effects on dental caries produced by the addition of zinc to rat diets have been reported (1, 2, 3). In those investigations, however, zinc supplements were added to diets that were adequate in zinc. Moreover, zinc supplements were fed after the teeth had appeared in the oral cavity. Because the critical period of tooth maturation occurs before eruption (4), post-eruptive zinc supplements probably should not markedly influence the development and, specifically, the mineralization of the tooth. Therefore, we investigated the influence of pre-eruptive zinc deficiency on caries development in rats.
The Quality Indicator Survey: Background, Implementation, and Widespread Change

The Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) is the most comprehensive regulatory change to the nursing home survey process since the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA-87). In this article we describe the policy evolution that led to the QIS, summarize the QIS method and implementation, and profile the QIS survey results. Following over a decade of development, in 2007 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began the national rollout of QIS. The intent was to improve consistency in the nursing home survey and to render the survey process more resident-centered and aligned with the intent of OBRA-87. We reviewed policy reports and firsthand accounts from the lead developer of the QIS methodology and leader of the national training contract for QIS. Changes in survey findings are profiled based on analysis of the publicly available Nursing Home Compare database from 2004 to 2010. Nineteen states implemented the QIS between 2007 and 2010, with nearly 20% of U.S. nursing homes receiving QIS surveys in 2010. Nursing homes surveyed with the QIS received more survey deficiencies on average than in the traditional survey; however, average numbers of deficiencies across states became more similar over the early implementation of QIS, with lower-than-average geographic areas experiencing increases and higher-than-average geographic areas experiencing decreases in survey deficiencies. The explicit and structured questioning of residents in the QIS is associated with increases in deficiencies related to choice, dignity, dental care, and nurse staffing. We describe ways in which the QIS affected the regulatory agencies, providers, and resident communities, although these effects are difficult to quantify. CMS's implementation of QIS is a significant step toward a more resident-centered, comprehensive, and consistent survey process. Substantial changes, however, are required not only among regulators but also among nursing homes. We argue that these new expectations and norms surrounding quality assessment and quality assurance are an important component of achieving culture change in U.S. nursing homes.
Microwave kinoform for magnetic fusion

A microwave kinoform that modifies both the phase and polarization of an incident wavefront has been designed. This kinoform for the TMX-U magnetic fusion experiment has been fabricated and tested. The design procedure, method of fabrication, and experimental test results are discussed.
Biological Properties of VHF- and Microwave-Heated Soybeans

Whole soybeans at natural moisture levels were heated by varied exposures to dielectric heating at frequencies of 42 and 2450 MHz. The minimum energy absorbed (MEA) was calculated from temperature-elevation and moisture-loss data. Because the heating rates were different at the two frequencies, plots of various biochemical properties against temperature or exposure time revealed an apparent frequency dependence. This dependence on frequency disappeared, however, when the MEA value was substituted as the independent variable. Chemical and biochemical analyses revealed that dielectric heating at natural moisture levels should be as efficient as commonly practiced moist “toasting” in improving the nutritional value of soybeans. Trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced to a low level, indicating that maximum nutritional quality had been reached. Protein solubility and dispersibility, but not urease activity, can be used as indicators of trypsin inhibitor inactivation by dielectric heating. Indications were obtained that MEA values, or perhaps even moisture loss, might be used as an index of trypsin inhibitor inactivation. Lipoxygenase-inactivated samples of improved flavor were produced by the dielectric heating treatments. Some treated samples with low trypsin inhibitor and lipoxygenase activities still retained relatively high peroxidase activities that may be advantageous for bleaching effects.
The Transcription Factors T-bet and Eomes Control Key Checkpoints of Natural Killer Cell Maturation

Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles defending against tumors and pathogens. We show that mice lacking both transcription factors Eomesodermin (Eomes) and T-bet failed to develop NK cells. Developmental stability of immature NK cells constitutively expressing the death ligand TRAIL depended on T-bet. Conversely, maturation characterized by loss of constitutive TRAIL expression and induction of Ly49 receptor diversity and integrin CD49b (DX5(+)) required Eomes. Mature NK cells from which Eomes was deleted reverted to phenotypic immaturity if T-bet was present or downregulated NK lineage antigens if T-bet was absent, despite retaining expression of Ly49 receptors. Fetal and adult hepatic hematopoiesis restricted Eomes expression and limited NK development to the T-bet-dependent, immature stage, whereas medullary hematopoiesis permitted Eomes-dependent NK maturation in adult mice. These findings reveal two sequential, genetically separable checkpoints of NK cell maturation, the progression of which is metered largely by the anatomic localization of hematopoiesis.
ACCOUNTING FOR RISK AVERSION, VESTING, JOB TERMINATION RISK AND MULTIPLE EXERCISES IN VALUATION OF EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS

We present a valuation framework that captures the main characteristics of employee stock options (ESOs), which financial regulations now require to be expensed in firms' accounting statements. The value of these options is much less than Black–Scholes prices for corresponding market-traded options due to the suboptimal exercising strategies of the holders, which arise from risk aversion, trading and hedging constraints, and job termination risk. We analyze the combined effect of all of these factors along with the standard ESO features of multiple exercising rights, and vesting periods. This leads to the study of a chain of nonlinear free-boundary problems of reaction-diffusion type. We find that job termination risk, vesting, finite maturity and non-zero interest rates are significant contributors to the ESO cost. However, we find that in the presence of vesting, the impact of allowing multiple exercise rights on ESO cost is negligible.
Synthesis of phosphatidylinositol in rat liver microsomes is accompanied by the rapid formation of lysophosphatidylinositol.

Abstract In mammalian cells, newly synthesized phosphatidylinositol (PI) has a fatty acid composition similar to its precursors, phosphatidic acid and CDP-diacylglycerol (DAG). It is then remodelled by deacylation/reacylation cycles to the predominant form, 1-stearoyl, 2-arachidonoyl PI. Incubation of dipalmitoyl CDP-DAG, [ 3 H]inositol and Mg 2+ with rat liver microsomes results in the rapid synthesis of PI, along with the simultaneous formation of multiple species of lysoPI. Analysis of the kinetics of formation of PI and lysoPI reveals no lag in the formation of lysoPI from PI. Moreover, evaluation of the concentration dependencies indicate nearly identical apparent K m values for PI synthesis compared with lysoPI synthesis for the substrates inositol (180 μM) and CDP-DAG (100 μM). The dependence on pH and the requirement for Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ are nearly identical for PI and lysoPI formation and the labelling of both lipids is similarly inhibited by submicromolar concentrations of calcium and by NEM. These results suggest that the formation of lysoPI is dependent on the initial, rate-limiting synthesis of PI. Pulse-chase analysis of the labelling of these lipids indicates that PI and lysoPI rapidly equilibrate after the initial slow synthesis of PI. In addition, it appears that only newly synthesized PI is involved in lysoPI formation. The extent of lysoPI formation depends upon the fatty acid composition of the added CDP-DAG. A number of experimental approaches demonstrate that lysoPI is not formed when pre-existing microsomal PI is labelled by head group exchange, perhaps because this PI has already undergone remodelling to polyenoic forms. These data suggest that the rapid deacylation of newly synthesized PI may represent the first step in PI remodeling.
Architecture for biomedical multimedia information delivery on the World Wide Web

Research engineers at the National Library of Medicine are building a prototype system for the delivery of multimedia biomedical information on the World Wide Web. This paper discuses the architecture and design considerations for the system, which will be used initially to make images and text from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) publicly available. We categorized our analysis as follows: (1) fundamental software tools: we analyzed trade-offs among use of conventional HTML/CGI, X Window Broadway, and Java; (2) image delivery: we examined the use of unconventional TCP transmission methods; (3) database manager and database design: we discuss the capabilities and planned use of the Informix object-relational database manager and the planned schema for the HNANES database; (4) storage requirements for our Sun server; (5) user interface considerations; (6) the compatibility of the system with other standard research and analysis tools; (7) image display: we discuss considerations for consistent image display for end users. Finally, we discuss the scalability of the system in terms of incorporating larger or more databases of similar data, and the extendibility of the system for supporting content-based retrieval of biomedical images. The system prototype is called the Web-based Medical Information Retrieval System. An early version was built as a Java applet and tested on Unix, PC, and Macintosh platforms. This prototype used the MiniSQL database manager to do text queries on a small database of records of participants in the second NHANES survey. The full records and associated x-ray images were retrievable and displayable on a standard Web browser. A second version has now been built, also a Java applet, using the MySQL database manager.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An expanding cavity model incorporating strain-hardening and indentation size effects

Abstract An expanding cavity model (ECM) for determining indentation hardness of elastic strain-hardening plastic materials is developed. The derivation is based on a strain gradient plasticity solution for an internally pressurized thick-walled spherical shell of an elastic power-law hardening material. Closed-form formulas are provided for both conical and spherical indentations. The indentation radius enters these formulas with its own dimensional identity, unlike that in classical plasticity based ECMs where indentation geometrical parameters appear only in non-dimensional forms. As a result, the newly developed ECM can capture the indentation size effect. The formulas explicitly show that indentation hardness depends on Young’s modulus, yield stress, strain-hardening exponent and strain gradient coefficient of the indented material as well as on the geometry of the indenter. The new model reduces to existing classical plasticity based ECMs (including Johnson’s ECM for elastic–perfectly plastic materials) when the strain gradient effect is not considered. The numerical results obtained using the newly developed model reveal that the hardness is indeed indentation size dependent when the indentation radius is very small: the smaller the indentation, the larger the hardness. Also, the indentation hardness is seen to increase with the Young’s modulus and strain-hardening level of the indented material for both conical and spherical indentations. The strain-hardening effect on the hardness is observed to be significant for materials having strong strain-hardening characteristics. In addition, it is found that the indentation hardness increases with decreasing cone angle of the conical indenter or decreasing radius of the spherical indenter. These trends agree with existing experimental observations and model predictions.
Fully automated reconstruction of three-dimensional vascular tree structures from two orthogonal views using computational algorithms and productionrules

A system for reconstructing 3-D vascular structures from two orthogonally projected images is presented. The formidable problem of matching segments between two views is solved using knowledge of the epipolar constraint and the similarity of segment geometry and connectivity. The knowledge is represented in a rule-based system, which also controls the operation of several computational algorithms for tracking segments in each image, representing 2-D segments with directed graphs, and reconstructing 3-D segments from matching 2-D segment pairs. Uncertain reasoning governs the interaction between segmentation and matching; it also provides a framework for resolving the matching ambiguities in an iterative way. The system was implemented in the C Ianguage and the C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS) expert system shell. Using video images of a tree model, the standard deviation of reconstructed centerlines was estimated to be 0.8 mm (1.7 mm) when the view direction was parallel (perpendicular) to the epipolar plane. Feasibility of clinical use was shown using x-ray angiograms of a human chest phantom. The correspondence of vessel segments between two views was accurate. Computational time for the entire reconstruction process was under 30 s on a workstation. A fully automated system for two-view reconstruction that does not require the a priori knowledge of vascular anatomy is demonstrated.
Promoting safe use of paracetamol in children

Paracetamol is one of the most widely used analgesics and the most common medicine given to children in Australia. Its safety and efficacy when appropriately used is well established and its effects in acute overdose are well known to health professionals. However, gaps in knowledge of parents/carers of young children about its safe use are less recognised and may lead to unintentional misuse and harm. This paper aims to help bridge this knowledge gap and promote safe use of paracetamol in children. By using illustrative cases to highlight this problem, discussing the relevant literature, providing a parent/carer counselling checklist and resources for health professionals.
The contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the duration of pregnancy

This review describes how improvements in biometric-genetic studies of twin kinships, half-sibships, and cousinships have now demonstrated a sizeable fetal genetic and maternal genetic contribution to the spontaneous onset of labor. This is an important development because previous literature for the most part reports only an influence of the maternal genome. Current estimates of the percent of variation that is attributable to fetal genetic factors range from 11–35%; the range for the maternal genetic contribution is 13–20%. These same studies demonstrate an even larger influence of environmental sources over and above the influence of genetic sources and previously identified environmental risk factors. With these estimates in hand, a major goal for research on pregnancy duration is to identify specific allelic variation and environmental risk to account for this estimated genetic and environmental variation. A review of the current literature can serve as a guide for future research efforts.
Directed band ratioing for the retention of perceptually-independent topographic expression in chromaticity-enhanced imagery

A band ratioing method is developed which directs the retention of topographic expression and albedo information so that they remain depicted as prominent variations in image intensity. Band data are adjusted so that ratio values for each surface material coherently increase with increasing pixel bispectral radiance for all three ratios of the color composite. The retained topographic expression and albedo information do not significantly distort the ratio-enhanced band-variant reflectance information, and the resultant images are similar to chromaticity-enhanced band composite images, but require only simple arithmetic processing steps.
Genetic predisposition to statin myopathy

Purpose of review Genetic predisposition to statin myopathy is a rapidly expanding area of investigation. This review summarizes the latest information on genetic risk factors associated with statin-induced myopathy. Genetic determinants involved in both pharmacokinetics of statins and metabolic muscle diseases are discussed. Data are provided on the prevalence of statin use in the United States; incidence of associated myopathy; terminology relating to statin myopathy and genetic susceptibility; and common myths surrounding this disorder. Recent findings Technological advances now make it possible to identify genetic variation in the human genome that reveals disease-causing mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with disease. More than 30,000 individuals in the United States suffer from severe life-threatening symptoms of statin-induced myopathy that may, in some cases, persist long after the cessation of therapy. Genes of interest include those involved in the pharmacokinetics of the statin response, muscle atrophy, exercise intolerance, pain perception, and mitochondrial energy metabolism. Summary Genetic analysis for variants and disease-causing mutations relevant to statin myopathy will provide predisposition testing for this and other drug-induced disorders. This testing will become an integral part of personalized medicine that will contribute to the safe and informed use of selected drugs and improved compliance.
Perfluorinated moth pheromones : Synthesis and electrophysiological activity.

Perfluoroalkyl analogs of pheromone constituents were synthesized and responses from male antennal olfactory receptor neurons from three moth species were recorded during stimulation by these analogs. In each analog, the hydrophobic terminus, either a butyl or hexyl substituent on the (Z)-alkenyl chain, was replaced with a perfluorobutyl (Pfb, C4F9) or perfluorohexyl (Pfh, C6F13) moiety. Perfluoroalkyl analogs were more volatile than their hydrocarbon analogs, showing a decrease in gas chromatographic retention time by two to four methylene equivalents (Kovats retention indices). Specialist neurons of maleHeliothis zea responded to a 0.02-μg dose of (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11–16∶Al) and a dose of 200 μg of Pfb-Z11–16∶Al with similar spike discharge rates. The HS(a) neurons ofTrichoplusia ni responded to a dose of 0.02 μg ofZ7–14∶OAc and a dose of 10 μg of Pfb-Z7–12∶Ac with similar discharge rates. The same difference in sensitivity to Pfb-Z7–12∶OH andZ7–12∶OH was observed for the responses of the HS(b) neuron and for the responses of theNS(a) neurons to Pfb-Z9–14∶Ac andZ9–14∶Ac. Sensilla ofDiatraea grandiosella similarly showed 100- to 1000-fold greater sensitivity toZ9–16—Al andZ11–16∶Al than to Pfh-Z9–16∶Al and Pfb-Z11–16∶Al. Thus, replacement of terminal alkyl groups with perfluoroalkyl groups in pheromone components produced biologically active compounds with increased volatility and displaced electrophysiological response profiles. Because of the diminished receptor cell sensitivity, we suggest that the binding of the fluorinated analogs to a putative receptor is reduced as a result of less favorable interaction between the hydrophobic protein binding site and the more rigid and more polar perfluoroalkyl moiety.
Antiferromagnetic transitions in MnS2 and MnTe2

Abstract The low temperature magnetic susceptibilities of MnS2 and MnTe2, measured on a mutual inductance bridge system, are reported. The data indicate that both compounds undergo antiferro-to-paramagnetic transitions with critical temperatures Tc = 48.2°K for MnS2 and 87.2°K for MnTe2. The nearest and second nearest neighbor exchange constants were evaluated and are given in tabulated form along with other parameters of interest.
Lidocaine infusion adjunct to total intravenous anesthesia reduces the total dose of propofol during intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and opioids is frequently utilized for spinal surgery where somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) and motor evoked potentials (tcMEP) are monitored. Lidocaine infusions can contribute to antinociception and unconsciousness, thus allowing for a reduction in the total dose of propofol. We examined our recent experience with lidocaine infusions to quantify this effect. After institutional review board approval, we conducted a retrospective review of propofol usage in propofol-opioid TIVA (with and without lidocaine) for spine cases monitored with SSEP and tcMEP over a 7 months period. The propofol infusion rate, cortical amplitudes of the SSEP (median nerve, posterior tibial nerve), amplitudes and stimulation voltage of the tcMEP (adductor pollicis brevis, tibialis anterior) were evaluated. The savings of propofol and sufentanil were estimated based on utilization in 50 milliliter (ml) bottles and 5 ml ampules, respectively. 129 cases were evaluated. Propofol infusion rates were reduced with lidocaine infusion from an average of 115–99 μg/kg/min (p = 0.00038) and sufentanil infusions from an average of 0.36–0.29 μg/kg/h (p = 0.0059). This reduction in propofol infusion was also seen when the cases were divided into anterior cervical, posterior cervical, or posterior thoraco-lumbar procedures. No significant differences in the cortical SSEP or tcMEP amplitudes or the tcMEP stimulation voltages used were observed. No complications were associated with the use of the lidocaine infusion. The total estimated drug savings included 104 50 ml bottles of propofol and 5 5 ml ampules of sufentanil. These cases indicate that a lidocaine infusion can be effectively utilized in spine surgery with SSEP and tcMEP monitoring as a means to reduce propofol and sufentanil usage without a negative effect on the monitoring.
Are Instructors Who Have “Practical Experience” Necessarily Superior to Those Who Don’t?

Personal or practical experience is often touted as a uniquely valuable source of knowledge in academia, as in everyday life. Assumptions about the necessity, superiority, or insightfulness of “first-hand familiarity” with a phenomenon (such as working as a police officer or suffering discrimination) can shape hiring decisions, influence how faculty members present themselves, and guide the developmental trajectory of departments. These assumptions can be superficial, however. This article questions the universal appeal of personal experience by arguing that it is not without limitations; not always possible, desirable, or relevant; sometimes not dramatically distinct from other ways of knowing; and sometimes inferior to other ways of knowing. Prior experience can have benefits, but is not an unassailable source of knowledge and should not be treated as an unqualified “good.”
Inter-disciplinary focus groups on telephone medicine: a quality improvement initiative.

Objective To identify opportunities for quality improvement in long-term care telephone medicine using a model of interdisciplinary focus groups. Design Descriptive pilot project. Setting Extended Care and Rehabilitation Center (ECRC), Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Participants Eight of 20 registered or licensed practical nurses and 4 of 6 geriatric medicine fellows voluntarily participated in this quality improvement project. Measurements In two 45-minute focus groups, participants were asked to discuss 3 open-ended questions related to telephone medicine. Comments were recorded during the discussions; topical themes were identified by the authors. Results Participant comments could be categorized into 4 domains describing the characteristics of nurses and physicians who practice the best telephone medicine: (1) provides the appropriate medical component of patient care; (2) appreciates contextual issues; (3) respects the other party’s time and resources; and (4) possesses a collaborative attitude. The focus groups identified 5 quality improvement goals: (1) better nursing assessment and provision of patient information; (2) minimization of nonurgent calls after hours; (3) more decisive physician action (or explanation of inaction); (4) better physician familiarity with facility policies/logistics; and (5) better communication/paging system. The discussion format allowed nurses and physicians to identify and respond to potential barriers to improving quality in each area. Conclusion Nurses and physicians appreciate unique aspects of long-term care telephone medicine and identify distinct barriers to improving practice. Interdisciplinary focus groups were a productive step toward understanding the telephone medicine experience in our facility and developing quality improvement interventions for both nurses and physicians.
Human anti-pig cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro involves non-T as well as T cell components

: Human anti-pig cell-mediated cytotoxicity was studied in vitro. Unprimed human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were able to lyse pig targets but not human targets when the assay was performed in human serum (HS). Much less, but still detectable, lysis was obtained using fetal calf serum (FCS). Human PBLs cultured for 6 days in FCS without stimulating cells showed substantial lysis of pig targets. This lysis was increased by the addition of human IL-2. Unseparated human PBLs stimulated for 6 days with pig cells in serum-free media lysed pig targets expressing the same or different SLA antigens as the stimulating cells. This lysis could not be significantly inhibited by anti-CD3 or anti-CD8 blocking antibodies during the effector phase of the assay. T cell-enriched human PBLs treated with anti-CD 16 and anti-CD56 antibodies plus complement also lysed pig targets. These effector cells were significantly inhibited by anti-CD3 and anti-CD8 antibodies but not by anti-CD4 antibodies. Furthermore, these primed T cell effectors could only lyse pig targets that shared the same MHC class I antigens as the sensitizing stimulators. These results suggest that human anti-pig cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro has at least three different components in bulk culture: 1) an ADCC component depending on natural antibodies from human serum, 2) an NK and/or a LAK cell component that is enriched by in vitro culture and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and (3) an allospecific T cell component, involving CD3+, CD8+, class I-specific effector cells.
Characterization of cytosolic phospholipases C from porcine aortic endothelial cells.

Abstract Phospholipases C (PLCs) are ubiquitous enzymes which play key roles in the response of cells to extracellular agonists. Endothelial cells are involved in myriad normal and pathophysiologic functions. Although it is known that agonists activate PLCs in endothelial cells, second messengers form, and cellular responses ensue, more knowledge is needed about the specific types of PLCs in these cells. To this end, cytosolic PLCs from porcine aortic endothelial cells were partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and heparin-agarose. Three PLC isozymes immunologically similar to bovine brain PLC-β, PLC-γ, and PLC-δ were identified. The relative levels of PLC activities in the cytosol were: PLC-β, 50%; PLC-γ, 44%; PLC-δ, 6%. The level of PLC-β activity in porcine endothelial cells appeared higher than the levels reported for several established cell lines, suggesting that this enzyme may play a specific role in endothelial cell function. Elution profiles of PLC activity with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (Ptdlns(4,5)P 2 ) as substrate were similar to those with phosphatidylinositol (Ptdlns) as substrate, indicating that cytosolic PLCs hydrolyze both Ptdlns and Ptdlns(4,5)P 2 and no Ptdlns(4,5)P 2 -specific PLC was present in the cytosol. The catalytic properties of the partially purified PLC isozymes from porcine endothelial cells were similar to their counterparts from bovine brain. These include the dependence of hydrolysis of Ptdlns on Ca 2+ , the optimal Ca 2+ concentrations for the hydrolysis of Ptdlns and Ptdlns(4,5)P 2 , the pH optima, and the stimulatory effects of deoxycholate.
Radiological features of the most common autosomal disorders: trisomy 21-22 (mongolism or Down's syndrome), trisomy 18, trisomy 13-15, and the cri du chat syndrome.

Four autosomal disorders are described; trisomy 21 (mongolism or Down's syndrome), trisomy 18, trisomy 13–15 and ‘cri du chat’ syndrome. These disorders are associated with patterns of clinical and radiographic abnormalities that are characteristic. The typical karyotypes, clinical manifestations, radiographic findings, and differential features are presented.
Unusual melanocytic nevi of the conjunctiva.

In one patient, an epithelioid cell nevus of the conjunctiva contained numerous large, unpigmented, mononucleated, binucleated, and multinucleated benign-appearing nevus cells with abundant cytoplasm and frequent intranuclear vacuoles. Despite their overall size, the cells manifested a low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. After a partial excision of the lesion, the remainder spontaneously regressed during a two-year period. Another patient's lesion was dominated by a proliferation of spindle nevus cells developing in a long-standing epibulbar nevus. The spindle cells were moderately pigmented, frequently located within walls of epithelial inclusion cysts, and had benign cytologic features. Finally, in a third patient with the cutaneous B-K mole syndrome, a dysplastic conjunctival nevus developed that featured intraepithelial, atypical melanocytic proliferation with superficial colonization of the substantia propria. This portion coexisted with a deeper, preexistent lesion in the substantia propria that was comprised of orderly nests of unpigmented cuboidal nevus cells surrounded by pigmented, spindle-shaped blue nevus cells—a so-called “mixed nevus.”
Non-physician health workers: some problems and prospects.

Abstract Not a new but an accelerated trend, non-physician health workers (NPHWs) have been introduced in practice in response to demand, technology, specialization, and large-scale bureaucratic organization of services that is becoming typical of medical practices outside as well as in the hospital. The new situation is that workers are now entering therapeutic encounters with patients. While costs efficiency, efficacy, and patient satisfaction are research issues, a larger concern is whether NPHWs will work to optimize the technical or social dimension of the practice.
Microstructural effects on the 1/f a noise of thin aluminum based films

The 1 /fα noise was measured on a variety of Al-based thin metal films with widely varying microstructure using an ac bridge technique. The magnitude of the current noise in response to a small, non-destructive ac signal was found to vary several orders of magnitude between 0.01 and 10 Hz and was correlated to the microstructural differ-ences of the films. These differences have a strong affect on film lifetimes as measured in an accelerated electromigration test. Variation in microstructure was accomplished by different deposition temperatures and annealing parameters, and verified using TEM micrographs. Following fabrication, the current noise magnitude was measured and found to be sensitive to film width and grain size. The use of this technique to discriminate differences in film microstructure is discussed along with the correlations between ex-cess noise and the quality of the thin film as a metallic interconnection.
The Computer as a Tool in the Teaching of Translation

ABSTRECT Teaching students the skills necessary to translate from one language to another, a tedious process for both students and instructor when restricted to conventional teaching techniques, can become a dynamic learning situation with the help of the computer. In the system described here, the students use a word processor to record their translations of a passage, and the instructor, using a simple computer program, manipulates these translations in order to produce a translation sampler which becomes the basis of class discussion. Each student then edits his or her own translation on the basis of discussion and submits for grading a final draft which reflects the insights gained rather than the initial mistakes.
Social networks and referrals in international organizational buying of travel services: the role of culture and location.

Summary Most channels for the marketing of services are very short-delivery is the product. In the corporate travel business, however, travel agent intermediaries are used to source what are often very large purchases of travel services. What is the role of word-of-mouth referrals in the process and how does it vary across national/cultural boundaries, in this case, Japan and the U.S.? With data collected from companies in both countries, social network analysis is applied to examine how companies go about sourcing their business travel services. Results indicate that culture has more impact than location (foreign vs. domestic) in the referral process.