cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survival and outcomes after lung transplantation for non-scleroderma connective tissue–related interstitial lung disease

Background Patients with non-scleroderma connective tissue–related lung disease (NS-CTLD), including rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, Sjogren syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus, may be at risk for worse outcomes after lung transplantation because of immune dysregulation or extrapulmonary manifestations of their underlying disease. We compared survival, acute and chronic rejection, and extrapulmonary organ dysfunction after transplantation in patients with NS-CTLD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with NS-CTLD and IPF who were listed in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and underwent lung transplantation from May 5, 2005, to March 1, 2016. Results Patients with NS-CTLD ( n = 275) were younger, a higher percentage female and non-white than patients with IPF ( n = 6,346). NS-CTLD patients did not have worse adjusted survival (hazard ratio, 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92–1.42; p = 0.24). They were not more likely to have an episode of acute cellular rejection (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.72–1.28; p = 0.77) or to develop bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.60–1.12; p = 0.21). Patients with NS-CTLD were not more likely to require plasmapheresis or dialysis or to develop a lymphoproliferative malignancy or liver disease after transplantation. Conclusions We found no significant differences in survival, acute or chronic rejection, or extrapulmonary organ dysfunction in patients who underwent lung transplantation for NS-CTLD compared with IPF. In appropriately selected candidates, NS-CTLD should not be considered a contraindication to lung transplantation.
Polyoxometalate Multielectron Catalysts in Solar Fuel Production

Abstract Catalysts in solar fuel research have greatly increased in the last few years. Significantly, the development of molecular, selective, and faster catalysts for both water oxidation or water reduction based on polyoxometalates has lead to advances in the understanding of water splitting systems. Recent studies have combined molecular catalysts with substrates or electrode surfaces in order to evaluate these catalysts when immobilized. Quantitative and qualitative investigations of molecular speciation and the catalytic mechanism during water oxidation with polyoxometalates are not simple, but recent reports have provided multiple complementary physicochemical, spectroscopic, and other techniques for the comprehension of catalyst stability. This review provides an up-to-date assessment of polyoxometalate-based water oxidation/reduction catalysts as well as immobilized species for the production of solar fuel.
The impact of developing a speech and swallow rehab program: Improving patient satisfaction and multidisciplinary care.

Objectives/Hypothesis The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of developing an integrated head and neck cancer speech and swallowing rehabilitation program on physician/team focus on functional outcomes. Study Design Prospective cross-sectional design. Methods Surveys regarding physician behavior and patient satisfaction with speech and swallowing were administered in an academic oncology practice prior to and 1 year following establishment of a dedicated head and neck speech and swallowing rehabilitation program. Participants included new and established head and neck cancer patients recruited consecutively. The primary outcome was physician behavior regarding speech and swallowing outcomes (as measured by discussion of function, providing suggestions regarding function, and referral to speech-language pathology services). Results A total of 199 surveys were returned at the first time point and 271 at the second. Demographic variables were comparable between the two groups. The later cohort was more likely to report team discussion and suggestions regarding speech and swallowing function than the former (P < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.775 to −0.265; P < .001, 95% CI: −0.928 to −0.035, respectively). Although there was no significant difference between the groups in regard to satisfaction with speech (P = .07), more favorable satisfaction with swallowing was reported by the later cohort (P = .028, 95% CI: −0.531 to −0.029). Conclusions Integration of speech and swallowing rehabilitation into head and neck cancer programs is associated with increased physician focus on functional outcomes and greater patient satisfaction in regard to swallowing function. We advocate for standard integration of such services into the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer care team. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2017
Wearable low-power wireless lung sound detection enhanced by resonant transducer array for pre-filtered signal acquisition

This paper reports the implementation and evaluation of an array-based recognition system for medical wheezing detection. We describe the design and fabrication of a microphone array for pre-filtered acoustic signal acquisition. The use of a sensor-array at the input simplifies several of the required digital processing steps necessary for performing spectral filtering and wheezing recognition. The recognizer is evaluated and compared against a traditional approach, and the experimental results show that recognition processing duration and power consumption can be reduced by 94.5%. The results also indicate a potential for improved recognition accuracy with the array-based approach in environments with large levels of acoustic noise. The data suggests that this technique has potential for enabling very low-power (2.3 mW) self-powered wireless and wearable wheezing detection systems.
Age-related histologic and biochemical changes in auricular and septal cartilage.

Objectives/Hypothesis To characterize the histologic and biochemical properties of auricular and septal cartilage and analyze age-related changes in middle-aged to older adults. Study Design Cross-sectional study of auricular and septal cartilage from 33 fresh cadavers. Methods Auricular and septal cartilage specimens were stained using Safranin O for glycosaminoglycans, Verhoeff's stain for elastin, and Masson's trichrome for collagen. Percentage of tissue stained, cell density and size were quantified. Relationships between donor characteristics and histologic properties were evaluated using mixed model analyses. Results The average donor age was 75 years (standard deviation = 11 years; range, 55–93 years). In auricular cartilage, each 1-year increase in age was associated with a 0.97% decrease in glycosaminoglycans (P < .001) and a 0.98% decrease in elastin (P < .001). In septal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans decreased 2.4% per year (P < .001). Age did not affect collagen content significantly in auricular (P = .417) or septal cartilage (P = .284). Cell density and cell size declined with age in auricular (both P < .001) and septal cartilage (P = .044, P = .032, respectively). Compared to septal cartilage in patients of all ages, auricular cartilage had more glycosaminoglycans, less collagen, higher cell density, and smaller cells. Conclusions In auricular and septal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans, elastin, cell density, and cell size decrease significantly with age in patients over 55 years of age. Glycosaminoglycan content declines faster with age in septal cartilage than auricular cartilage. These age-related changes may affect biomechanical properties and tissue viability, and thereby have implications for graft choice in functional, aesthetic, and reconstructive nasal surgery. Level of Evidence NA. Laryngoscope, 127:E399–E407, 2017
Live to dead cell imaging

Live cell imaging allows several key apoptotic events to be visualized in a single cell over time. These include mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), mitochondrial dysfunction, phosphatidylserine exposure, and membrane permeabilization. Here we describe a protocol for imaging multiple apoptotic processes in the same cell over time. Initially, this involves generating a cell line stably expressing a fluorescent fusion protein that can act as an apoptotic marker, such as cytochrome c-GFP. By combining various fluorescent fusion proteins and probes, several apoptotic events can be imaged in the same cell. Next, the cells are induced to undergo apoptosis and continuously imaged. Finally, quantitative kinetic analysis of various apoptotic processes is performed postimaging.
Temporal Changes in Norway Spruce Foliar Nutrients and Response to Fertilization

Many hypotheses have been offered in attempts to explain reported recent changes in the condition of forests in several areas of the world. Specific site- related nutrient deficiencies have been considered to be a major contributing stress factor in decline initiation (Zottl and Huettl 1986). Symptoms observed on Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst., and results of chemical analysis of soil and foliage have revealed consistent correlation between poor nutrition and the symptoms of needle discoloration and crown thinning (Zottl and Huettl 1986; Prinz 1987; Ke 1989).
Botox, Balloon, or Myotomy: Optimal Treatment for Achalasia

Achalasia is a primary and profound esophageal motility disorder with an unclear etiology and which is, to date, incurable. In spite of its rare occurrence in the population (1 : 100,000), it stimulates large amounts of research and commentary by gastrointestinal (GI) physicians and surgeons, in large part due to ongoing controversy over the optimal treatment of these patients. When a nalyzing treatment options it is critical to keep in mind that all treatments are palliative in nature and are primarily aimed at relief of dysphagia and regurgitation. Normal esophageal function is almost never restored, and even a patient with an excellent result will not have completely normal swallowing.
Disorders of Calcium: Hypocalcemia

As stated in Chap. 17, Ca2+ homeostasis is maintained by the interrelationship among intestinal absorption, bone turnover, and renal excretion. Alterations in any one of these functions may lead to changes in the extracellular [Ca2+]. A plasma [Ca2+] < 8.5 mg/dL defines hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is less common than hypercalcemia, and the causes are explained in this chapter. Since Ca2+ is bound to albumin, a decrease in plasma albumin concentration may cause hypocalcemia. For each gram decrease of albumin from normal (i.e., 4.0 g/dL), [Ca2+] decreases by 0.8 mg/dL.
Accidents and Injuries among U.S. Navy Crewmembers during Extended Submarine Patrols, 1997 to 1999

Accidents and injuries, the most common cause of morbidity in military populations, result in a significant number of work days lost each year and account for 75% of all active duty deaths. Rates of accidents and injuries during U.S. Navy submarine deployments have not been evaluated previously. A database designed to monitor the health of submarine crew-members was used to examine the rates and causes of accidents among deployed crewmembers aboard 196 submarine patrols between 1997 and mid 1999. The most common category of injuries was open wounds, followed by sprains and strains, contusions, superficial injuries, burns, and others. Rates of accidents and injuries decreased with increasing age and duration of military service. Among submariners working in supply departments, the rates were more than two times those of crewmembers working in other departments. Based on these data, among a submarine crew of 100 men at sea for 100 days, approximately four to five accidents or injuries might be expected and would result in an average of about 2 days of light or no duty per injury. Rates of accidents and injuries were very low; however, focused safety training could reduce rates among younger and less experienced crewmembers as well as among those working in particular areas of the submarine.
The cloud computing revolution

This talk will review the revolutionary opportunities that access to Cloud Computing Resources will bring to Businesses and Governments, Universities and Consumers. It will include a survey of the different types of Cloud Services and give some specific examples of Microsoft Cloud Services including Azure. The talk will conclude by looking at some examples of Cloud Computing applications for Research.
Academic Stress: What Is the Problem and What Can Educators and Parents Do to Help?

In the educational environment, students of all ages across cultures experience various stressors, including those related to academic achievement. Children as young as preschool-age are being identified with various psychopathologies—such as anxiety and depression—that stem from the pressure that they experience to succeed academically. Fortunately, there are empirical approaches to combating stress, and both educators and parents can make a positive difference. School-based interventions such as standardized muscle relaxation, yoga, gratitude writing, and guided imagery have been demonstrated to have positive effect.
Imatinib-induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms in solid tumors: a patient with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and successful desensitization management

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe, potentially life-threatening drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction, characterized by cutaneous eruptions, fever, diffuse lymphadenopathy, along with hypereosinophilia, and elevated liver function tests, which in severe cases
Lubricated-to-frictional shear thickening scenario in dense suspensions

A scenario in which shear thickening results from a transition of interactions between suspended particles from lubricated to frictional (LF) with increasing stress is described, with a presentation of primary results and a perspective on outstanding questions which are raised by the LF mechanism.
Open-Book Examinations (OBEs) in an Ultrasound Physics Course: A Good Idea or a Bad Experiment?:

Sonography programs continuously explore and evaluate methods to improve quality. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the use of open-book examinations (OBEs) in an accredite...
Psycho-socio-cultural factors and global occupational safety: Integrating micro- and macro-systems

Abstract Occupational health and safety varies greatly around the world. However, there is a dearth of information on contributing factors to global occupational safety at both micro- and macro-level. The aim of this study was to examine which psycho-socio-cultural factors including economic contexts are associated with occupational fatality rates in 51 countries from six continents (Study 1), as well as fatality rates and serious occupational injury rates in 31 European countries (Study 2). Multiple regression analysis showed that universal healthcare and individualism were significantly associated with lower occupational fatality rates in Study 1. To expand Study 1, additional variables regarding healthcare systems and occupational safety were utilized in Study 2 and it was shown that greater overall quality of healthcare system, greater quality of healthcare systems' prevention effort, and higher individualism were meaningfully linked with lower occupational fatality rates. Meanwhile, greater overall quality of healthcare and greater quality of healthcare systems’ prevention efforts were meaningfully linked with higher serious occupational injury rates. To prevent workplace fatalities more effectively and to promote workplace safety and health at the global level, socioeconomic and cultural factors at micro- and macro-level need to be appropriately considered. Specifically, safety policies, regulations, procedures, and practices in countries with healthcare systems of greater quality can be benchmarked for other countries. Also, functional aspects of safety communication and participation in cultures with high individualism can be referenced by other countries.
Correlated spin canting in ordered core-shell Fe 3 O 4 /Mn x Fe 3 -x O 4 nanoparticle assemblies

Polarization-analyzed small-angle neutron-scattering methods are used to determine the spin arrangements and experimental length scales of magnetic correlations in ordered three-dimensional assemblies of $\ensuremath{\sim}7.4$-nm-diam core-shell ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}/{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ nanoparticles. In moderate to high magnetic fields, the assemblies display a canted magnetic structure where the canting direction is coherent from nanoparticle to nanoparticle, in contrast to the less extended, more single-particle-like behavior for similar ferrite assemblies. The observed magnetic scattering is modeled by assuming that the interparticle dipolar coupling combined with Zeeman effects in a field leads to nanoparticle domains with preferred net spin alignments relative to packing symmetry axes. Over a range of fields and temperatures, the model qualitatively explains the observed scattering anomalies in terms of clusters that vary in area and thickness, highlighting the complex structures adopted in real, dense nanoparticle systems. The clusters often have a strong two-dimensional magnetic character which is attributed to structural stacking faults and the resulting influence of interparticle dipolar interactions for these magnetically soft nanoparticles.
Solid-State NMR Determination of 13Cα Chemical Shift Anisotropies for the Identification of Protein Secondary Structure

A solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for the site-resolved identification of the secondary structure of solid peptides and proteins is presented. This technique exploits the correlation between the backbone conformation and the Cα chemical shift anisotropies (CSA) of proteins. The 13Cα CSAs are measured under fast magic-angle-spinning using a new sequence of sixteen 180° pulses with special timing to reintroduce the CSA interaction selectively. Quantitative values of the shielding anisotropies are determined from the magnetization decay, as demonstrated for several amino acids. To achieve high-resolution spectra, this CSA filter experiment is combined with 2D 15N−13C correlation spectroscopy. Applied to selectively and extensively 13C-labeled and uniformly 15N-labeled ubiquitin at the largest dephasing time, the 2D experiment yields a spectral pattern that corresponds primarily to α-helical residues. This agrees with the previous finding that helical residues have smaller CSAs than sheet ...
Results-I. Lamin A is an Endogenous Activator of SIRT6 in DNA Damage Repair Process

This chapter illustrates the functional interaction between SIRT6 and lamin A, establishing lamin A to be a positive regulator of SIRT6 in DNA damage responses. It also sheds light on the impaired activation of SIRT6 by a mutant form of lamin A (Progerin), which remains upregulated in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), thus implicating impaired functioning of SIRT6 as a causative factor in HGPS (Ghosh et al. in Cell Rep 13:1396–1406, [1]).
Frege on Referentiality and Julius Caesar in Grundgesetze Section 10

This paper aims to answer the question of whether or not Frege's solution limited to value-ranges and truth-values proposed to resolve the "problem of indeterminacy of reference" in section 10 of Grundgesetze is a violation of his principle of complete determination, which states that a predicate must be defined to apply for all objects in general. Closely related to this doubt is the common allegation that Frege was unable to solve a persistent version of the Caesar problem for value-ranges. It is argued that, in Frege’s standards of reducing arithmetic to logic, his solution to the indeterminacy does not give rise to any sort of Caesar problem in the book.
Molecular determinants of ACTH receptor for ligand selectivity

The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptor, known as the melanocortin-2 receptor (MC2R), plays a key role in regulating adrenocortical function. ACTH receptor is a subtype of the melanocortin receptor family which is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. ACTH receptor has unique characteristics among MCRs. α-MSH, β-MSH, γ-MSH and ACTH are agonists for MCRs but only ACTH is the agonist for ACTH receptor. In addition, the melanocortin receptor accessory protein (MRAP) is required for ACTH receptor expression at cell surface and function. In this review, we summarized the information available on the relationship between ACTH and ACTH receptor and provide the latest understanding of the molecular basis of the ACTH receptor responsible for ligand selectivity and function.
1 – Completion Without Failure1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses completion without failure. The design of efficient methods for dealing with the equality predicate is one of the major goals in automated theorem proving. Just adding equality axioms almost invariably leads to unacceptable inefficiencies. A number of special methods have been devised for reasoning about equality. Within resolution-based provers, demodulation, that is, using equations in only one direction to rewrite terms to a simpler form, is frequently employed. A complete method for handling equations is paramodulation in which equational consequences are generated by using all equations in both directions. Paramodulation is difficult to control and may produce hosts of irrelevant or redundant formulas. The chapter discusses the purely equational case in which a theory is presented as a set of equations and one is interested in proving a given equation to be valid in that equational theory. In important special cases, validity can be decided using canonical rewrite systems that have the property that all equal terms simplify to an identical form. Deciding validity in theories for which canonical systems are known is thus easy and reasonably efficient.
Chapter 18 – Bézier Triangles

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses Bezier triangles. The de Casteljau algorithm for triangular patches is a direct generalization of the corresponding algorithm for curves. The curve algorithm uses repeated linear interpolation, and that process is also the key ingredient in the triangle case. The triangular de Casteljau algorithm is completely analogous to the univariate one, the main difference being notation. The control net at present is of a triangular structure. This property is guaranteed because such a reparametrization amounts to choosing a new domain triangle, however, any particular domain triangle has not been specified. The concept of differentiability is straightforward for tensor product patches. A generalization is used considering two triangular patches that are maps of two adjacent domain triangles. Any straight line in the domain that crosses the common edge is mapped onto a composite curve in IE3, having one segment in each patch. This is because of the different spacing of isoparametric lines in the plot, not to discontinuities in the surface.
Basic Principles of Echocardiography

Echocardiography is essential in cardiology. “Point of care” , or bedside ultrasound, is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for the hospitalist and emergency room physician. Bedside ultrasound provides rapid assessment of ventricular function, valve function, and pericardial disease, and plays an important role in triage and diagnosing patients’ underlying conditions. This chapter will focus on high-yield clinical applications of echocardiography for the hospitalist, as well as highlight findings that indicate severe disease and should prompt timely cardiology consultation. The chapter will follow the format of typical echo report findings, including assessing ventricular function, valve disease severity, abnormalities of the great vessels, and pericardial disease. Management of the different cardiac conditions can be found in their respective chapters.
Detection of Small-Scale Fluctuations in the Near-Infrared Cosmic Infrared Background from Long-Exposure 2MASS Fields

We report first results for the cosmic infrared background (CIB) fluctuations at 1.25, 1.65, and 2.17 μm obtained from long exposures constructed from Two Micron All Sky Survey standard star fields. We have co-added and analyzed scans from one such field with a total exposure time greater than 1 hr and removed sources and other artifacts. The stars and galaxies were clipped out to Ks 19 mag, leaving only high-z galaxies (or possibly local low surface brightness systems). The angular power spectrum of the remaining diffuse emission on scales from a few arcseconds to a few arcminutes has a power-law slope consistent with emission produced by clustered galaxies. The noise (and residual artifacts) contribution to the signal is small, and the colors of the signal are very different from Galactic stars or airglow. We therefore identify the signal as CIB fluctuations from the faint unresolved galaxies. We show that the present-day galaxies with no evolution would produce a significant deficit in the observed CIB fluctuations. Thus, the dominant contribution to the observed signal must come from high z and may indicate high rates of star formation at those epochs.
An improved higher-order moving particle semi-implicit method for simulations of two-dimensional hydroelastic slamming

An improved higher-order moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method has been developed to solve the problem of fluid–structure interactions for an elastic wedge entering calm water. The structural responses of the wedge with a reinforced tip were computed during the water entry. In the present method, the pressure gradient is corrected to guarantee the first-order consistency and to satisfy the conservation of momentum. Different particle spacings are used for the fluid and the structure. Convergence studies were carried out on particle spacings for the fluid and the structure and on a time step. A particle convergence index method was applied to evaluate numerical uncertainties in the improved MPS method. Validation studies were carried out on two elastic wedges with deadrise angles of 30° and 20° entering water at various velocities. Numerical solutions were compared with the results from the original higher-order MPS method and experimental data. The improved higher-order MPS methods led to better agreement with experimental data than the original one and significantly reduced the oscillations in numerical solutions.
Service Chaining for Heterogeneous Middleboxes

In this paper, we describe a new session-level approach for network function virtualization that steers packets through both FPGA- and processor-based middleboxes. We support inter-domain service chaining, dynamic modification of service chains for ongoing sessions, and application of session-level approaches for UDP-based protocols. To demonstrate our approach, we establish and dynamically update inter-domain service chains for QUIC protocol sessions across a scalable set of FPGA- and processor-based middleboxes. The middleboxes implemented with distributed agents show 96% better latency and 10% better throughput than accelerated software for a firewall application.
The Lawyers' Role in Selecting the President: A Complete Legal History of the 2000 Election

This Article presents the factual and legal history of Bush v. Gore, in the detail that is warranted for a case of this magnitude and complexity. Part One sets forth the legal framework within which the case unfolded, acquainting the reader with the breadth of Florida and federal law that governed the controversy. Part Two reviews what happened -- the factual and legal developments from the time Gore requested manual counts in four Florida counties through the Supreme Court's decision ending the statewide recount the Florida Supreme Court had ordered -- and focuses on the attorneys' arguments at each stage. Part Three then explores how a fuller and more accurate presentation of the applicable law, particularly by Gore's legal team, might have brought the controversy to a different end. With any luck, the partisan outrage will be replaced with responsible analysis, and the profession will be reminded of what trial lawyers both love and fear about their work. In litigated cases, there are usually two closely matched sides, and “justice” frequently turns on which lawyer better handles the case he or she is given.
Robust Inference for Universal Intelligent Systems

The security of foundations has become of intense practical importance because, Universal Intelligent Systems (UIS) will be developed and deployed in this decade that they will encompass every device and every sensed activity. Intelligent Systems (IS) are characterized by integration of vast amounts of pervasively inconsistent information in close human interaction by systems that are educable, adaptive-in-real-time, self-informative (cf. [Perry 2012]), and secure. However, the rise of Universal Intelligent Systems will open up new kinds of high-level semantic cyberattacks. Computer Science is highly dependent on the consistency of is foundations both in hardware and in software. Because of this extreme dependence, inconsistencies in foundations can be used in cyberattacks to make erroneous inferences enabling enormous economic, political, and social damage. An Intelligent System (IS) is characterized by integration of vast amounts of empirical information in close human interaction using Intelligent Applications that are educable, adaptive-in-real-time, self-informative, and secure. In this decade, Universal Intelligent Systems (UIS) will be developed and deployed in the technical sense that they will encompass every device and every sensed activity. Effective discourse between computer systems and humans (as well as between computer systems) is crucial for the development and universal deployment of Universal Intelligent Systems. Establishing robust empirical information takes work and maintaining robustness takes even more work. Information can need to be disambiguated, reinterpreted, and otherwise clarified. Empirical information is subject to disagreement because it could be otherwise. Because of the vast empirical information in an Intelligent System from multitudinous sources, disagreements between humans, between humans and systems, and between different Intelligent Applications will always be present. Disagreement should be productive and move discourse forward.
Immigrant workers' journeys through a new culture: Exploring the transformative learning possibilities of photography

(2001). Immigrant workers' journeys through a new culture: Exploring the transformative learning possibilities of photography. Studies in the Education of Adults: Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 109-117.
Practical applications in stress echocardiography: risk stratification and prognosis in patients with known or suspected ischemic heart disease

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to define appropriate parameters for risk stratification and prognosis in patients undergoing stress echocardiography. Background Stress echocardiography is an established technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. However, current data on risk stratification of patients undergoing stress echocardiography are limited. Methods We evaluated 1,500 patients (59 ± 13 years old; 51% male) undergoing stress echocardiography (34% with treadmill exercise and 66% with dobutamine). Resting left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and regional wall motion were assessed by the consensus of two echocardiographers. Follow-up (mean 2.7 ± 1.0 years) for confirmed non-fatal myocardial infarction (n = 31) and cardiac death (n = 44) were performed. Results By univariate analysis, both the peak wall motion score index (WMSI) (p Conclusions Stress echocardiography yields prognostic information for risk stratification of patients with known or suspected ischemic heart disease. A normal stress echocardiographic study (peak WMSI = 1.0) confers a benign prognosis (0.9%/year cardiac event rate). Peak WMSI >1.7 and EF ≤45% are independent markers of patients at high risk of an adverse clinical outcome.
Expression of 7 alpha-hydroxylase in non-hepatic cells results in liver phenotypic resistance of the low density lipoprotein receptor to cholesterol repression.

The goal of this study was to understand why the expression of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors by the liver is poorly down-regulated by cholesterol. We examined the hypothesis that 7 alpha-hydroxylase may indirectly induce the expression of the LDL receptor by metabolizing, i.e. inactivating oxysterol repressors. Non-hepatic Chinese hamster ovary cells, transfected with a plasmid encoding 7 alpha-hydroxylase, expressed both the mRNA and functional activity of this liver-specific enzyme. In the presence of 5% serum, expression of the LDL receptor by transfected cells was > 20 times that of non-transfected cells despite a 50% increased content of cholesterol ester. Both cell types displayed an almost complete repression of the LDL receptor by the oxysterol 25-hydroxycholesterol, suggesting that transcriptional control of the LDL receptor gene remained intact in the transfected cells. However, only cells expressing 7 alpha-hydroxylase showed a derepression of the LDL receptor with time. This transient sensitivity to 25-hydroxycholesterol repression was attributed to a 3-fold greater rate of metabolism of [3H]25-hydroxycholesterol. The paradoxical induction of LDL receptor mRNA in transfected cells having greater amounts of cholesterol esters suggests that 7 alpha-hydroxylase may preferentially use oxysterols rather than cholesterol as substrates. The combined data are consistent with the proposal that 7 alpha-hydroxylase indirectly induces the LDL receptor gene by metabolizing (inactivating) oxysterol repressors. Liver-specific expression of 7 alpha-hydroxylase can account for the relative resistance of hepatic LDL receptors to down-regulation.
Southern California Earthquake Center Geologic Vertical Motion Database

The Southern California Earthquake Center Geologic Vertical Motion Database (VMDB) integrates disparate sources of geologic uplift and subsidence data at 104- to 106-year time scales into a single resource for investigations of crustal deformation in southern California. Over 1800 vertical deformation rate data points in southern California and northern Baja California populate the database. Four mature data sets are now represented: marine terraces, incised river terraces, thermochronologic ages, and stratigraphic surfaces. An innovative architecture and interface of the VMDB exposes distinct data sets and reference frames, permitting user exploration of this complex data set and allowing user control over the assumptions applied to convert geologic and geochronologic information into absolute uplift rates. Online exploration and download tools are available through all common web browsers, allowing the distribution of vertical motion results as HTML tables, tab-delimited GIS-compatible text files, or via a map interface through the Google Maps™ web service. The VMDB represents a mature product for research of fault activity and elastic deformation of southern California.
'Prospec: Support for Elicitation and Formal Specification of Software Properties,'

Abstract Although formal verification techniques have been demonstrated to improve program dependability, software practitioners have not widely adopted them. One reason often cited is the difficulty in writing formal specifications. This paper introduces Prospec, a tool to assist practitioners in formally specifying software properties. Prospec uses property patterns and scopes. Previous efforts at providing tool support for property specification have not provided convenient abstractions for specifying properties that include multiple events or conditions. A taxonomy of composite propositions is introduced to address this issue by defining relations among propositions and providing graphical abstractions that can assist in specification and validation of properties. This paper shows how composite propositions can enhance the specification pattern system by helping practitioners consider subtleties of behavior in sequences and concurrency through directed questions and visual abstractions. The paper introduces an elicitation and specification process to define patterns, scopes, and composite propositions.
Maintenance and Disassembly Considerations for the Technology Demonstration Facility

The Technology Demonstration Facility (TDF) is a tandem mirror design concept carried out under the direction of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It was conceived as a near-term device with a mission of developing engineering technology in a D-T fusion environment. Overall maintenance and component disassembly were among the responsibilities of the Fusion Engineering Design Center (FEDC). A configuration evolved that was based on the operational requirements of the components, as well as the requirements for their replacements. Component lifetime estimates were used to estimate the frequency and the number of replacements. In addition, it was determined that the need for remote handling equipment followed within 1.5 years after initial start-up, emphasizing the direct relationship between developing maintenance scenarios/equipment and the device configuration. Many of the scheduled maintenance operations were investigated to first order, and preliminary handling equipment concepts were developed.
Vertex-disjoint trees and boundary single-layer routing

In the boundary single-layer routing problem (BSLR), there is a planar graph, a collection of terminals on the boundary of the infinite face and a set of multi-terminal nets. A solution of BSLR consists of a set of vertex-disjoint trees interconnecting the terminals belonging to the same (multi-terminal) net. An algorithm, unifying and generalizing previous BSLR algorithms, to solve an arbitrary instance of BSLR, is presented. Problems involving slidable terminals (i.e., when terminals can slide within a certain range on the boundary) and permutable terminals (i.e., when positions of some terminals [going to the same gate] can be interchanged) are optimally solved. The proposed algorithm runs in O (e) time, where e is the number of edges in the input graph. The result is extended to handle gridless routing environments.
Identification and characterization of an extended Tax protein in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II subtype b isolates.

Abstract The tax gene sequence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II isolate G12 (HTLV-IIG12) was found to encode an extended Tax protein when compared with that of HTLV-IIMoT. In vitro transcription-translation of the HTLV-IIG12 tax gene produced a 40-kDa Tax protein that specifically reacted with serum specimens from HTLV-II-infected individuals. Limited sequence analysis demonstrated that isolates with an extended Tax protein were all HTLV-II subtype b (HTLV-IIb). Therefore, the extended Tax protein appears to be a unique characteristic of most HTLV-IIb isolates and may be useful in designing immunoassays to distinguish between HTLV-IIa and HTLV-IIb.
The Effect of Organizational Commitment on Project Outcomes under Common Agency

This research was undertaken to look at possible ways to broaden the definition of project management success beyond the tradition measures of time, cost, and scope. The research was designed to determine if the human organization comprised of layers of relationships and governance would or could change and reduce the high failure rate attributed to IT projects. The human aspect of conflicting organizational goals, those established by the information technology principal and the business unit principal with the project manager acting as agent, was the foundation for the study. The study expanded project management theory as it related to three variables: organizational commitment, project governance, and complex agency relationships. This was accomplished through a survey distributed to 403 information technology project managers in the United States designed to measure the three variables against the dependent variable project success. The results indicated that governance, organizational commitment, and the effects of common agency on a project manager's performance in meeting what might be conflicting success criteria do have a positive correlation. This research could provide new directions for researchers, project management practitioners, and strategic corporate planners when establishing project success criterion.
Initiation of Group Prenatal Care in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program Group prenatal care has been piloted in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment as an intervention designed to improve psychosocial outcomes in a high‐risk population. The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment is a unique, referral‐based program for women whose pregnancies are complicated by prenatally diagnosed fetal anomalies. These women receive prenatal care and give birth in the same facility where their neonates receive postnatal care. This intervention is based on the premise that group care is most effective and efficient when groups are facilitated rather than taught. Proposed Change Group prenatal care at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment represents a care delivery system that is an alternative to the medical illness model of pregnancy and encompasses care for the fetus and mother. Applying principles from the Centering Pregnancy model, sessions consist of health assessment, education, and support for four to six expectant mothers with high‐risk pregnancies and their support persons in a group setting, facilitated by a midwife and a nurse. This is the first time this model of care is being piloted with this patient population. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation Five cohorts, each including four to six women and their support persons, received their last 4 weeks of prenatal care within the group setting. Evaluations have been conducted using questionnaires and focus groups. Results indicated a high level of patient satisfaction with the model, increased encounter time with providers, and greater ability to access support in response to changes and setbacks. Implications for Nursing Practice Nurses are positioned to play key roles in group prenatal care as facilitators and providers. Group prenatal care provides a unique opportunity for the bedside nurse and the advance practice nurse to partner in the delivery of care and the evaluation and research of this innovative practice. The framework of group prenatal care allows for interdisciplinary collaboration in the delivery of high‐quality, evidence‐based patient care.
Management of Sports-Related Lumbar Conditions

Although low-back pain is common in the general population, there are unique considerations when athletes present with this complaint. The most common etiologies include degenerative disc disease, lumbar disc herniation, and spondylolysis. Genetic predisposition has recently been identified as a predominant determinant of degenerative disc disease but the intense physical loading and training demands of elite athletes may play a more significant role in athletes than in the general population. The evidence-based literature regarding lumbar disc herniation in athletes suggests that despite having career-ending potential, it would be reasonable for athletes to expect excellent clinical outcomes after both operative and nonoperative management. Spondylolysis, especially common in adolescent athletes, can often be successfully managed conservatively. If necessary, operative management with fusion or direct pars repair, combined with strict postoperative rehabilitation, can lead to successful return to sport.
Low bit-rate LPC speech communications via a new multipulse speech model

A speech model with an excitation that is a multipulse sequence with additive white noise is presented. This model, when used in a 4.8-kb/s communication system, has the potential for improved synthetic speech quality. The algorithm is described and convergence for synthetic data of the assumed structure is proved. A method for significantly improved efficiency is presented, based on an algorithm given by M. Korenberg (1985). Initial experimental data that support both the authors' and Korenberg algorithms are given. >
Dimensional change over time of extended-storage alginate impression materials

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the dimensional change over time of two extended-storage alginate impression materials. Methods: Impressions were made of stainless steel dies in accordance with ADA Specification No. 18 using three alginates: two extended-storage alginates and one conventional alginate. The impressions were stored for 30 minutes, 48 hours, or 100 hours (n = 10 impressions/material/storage time). Following the respective storage times, dimensional change was measured by comparing the length of the middle horizontal line in the impression with the same line on the die and computing percent difference. Results: Significant differences in dimensional change were noted between materials across time (P < .05). All materials exhibited shrinkage after 30 minutes, with the conventional alginate continuing to shrink over time and the extended-storage alginates expanding with increased storage time. The conventional alginate was most accurate after 30 minutes. In contrast, one extended-storage alg...
Use of high density cultures of Escherichia coli for high level production of recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A.

An efficient fermentation method for the production of two modified recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin As cloned in Escherichia coli BL21(λDE3) was developed. Cell densities of 16–30 g dry weight/l were found to be most suitable for the induction of protein synthesis, which was under the isopropyl \-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible T7 expression system. A concentration of 0.6 mm IPTG and induction time of 90 min were found to give the best results for production of the modified toxins. Using this procedure, gram amounts of the proteins were obtained in a 3-1 bench-top fermentor. The high density growth of the bacteria did not impair the integrity of the proteins and did not interfere with the purification procedure.
The role of aggregate demand in classical-Marxian models of economic growth

This paper argues that classical-Marxian models of economic growth are similar to neoclassical models in neglecting the role of aggregate demand, either by omitting aggregate demand issues altogether or by relegating the role of aggregate demand to the short run. By reviewing the writings of classical-Marxian authors and by examining recent contributions to the classical-Marxian literature, it discusses the implicit assumptions that allow these theories to neglect the role of aggregate demand by examining alternative growth theories in which aggregate demand has a major role to play. It also assesses to what extent classical-Marxian economists are justified in neglecting aggregate demand as a determinant of long-run growth. Copyright The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.