cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unintentional parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy.

Objectives: In the United States thyroidectomy is a frequently performed surgery by both general and head and neck surgeons. Even the most experienced thyroid surgeon, however, has probably received a pathology report stating that an incidental parathyroid gland or parathyroid tissue was found in the submitted thyroidectomy specimen. The aim of this report is to explore some of the pathologic and clinical characteristics of unintentional parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy. Study Design: A retrospective review was performed of thyroidectomies performed at the University of California, Los Angeles, Center for the Health Sciences between 1989 and June 1998 which had pathology reports showing parathyroid tissue contained within the thyroidectomy specimen. This excluded any tissue submitted separately to be evaluated for parathyroid tissue and parathyroid tissue removed unintentionally during a thyroidectomy for a different procedure such as a laryngectomy or surgery for parathyroid disease. Methods: The pathology slides were reviewed to determine the incidence of unintentional parathyroid tissue removal, the size of the parathyroid tissue found within the thyroid specimen, the location of the parathyroid tissue (extracapsular, intracapsular, intrathyroidal), and whether this unintentional parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy caused clinical consequences. Results: Four hundred fourteen applicable thyroidectomies were performed during this time with 45 (11%) discovered cases of unintentional parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy. Twenty-five (56%) cases were discovered during thyroidectomy for benign disease, and 20 (44%) during thyroidectomy for malignant thyroid disease. All the parathyroid tissue was normal and was found in extracapsular (58%), intracapsular (20%), or intrathyroidal (22%) locations. Of these 45 cases, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was found only in two patients who had the nerve resected intentionally during the thyroidectomy, and none of the patients developed permanent hypocalcemia. Conclusions: Incidental parathyroid gland tissue was reported in 11% of the thyroidectomies performed in our series, without the clinical consequence of hypocalcemia. The majority (78%) of this parathyroid tissue was found in the extracapsular and intracapsular locations; therefore it is possible that these parathyroid glands may be identified and preserved with more meticulous inspection of the thyroid capsule during and after thyroidectomy to decrease the incidence of unintentional parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy in the future.
In Vitro Evaluation of Aerosols Delivered via the Nasal Route.

BACKGROUND: Infants and young children are obligate nose breathers; therefore, a transnasal route seems the logical delivery method of inhaled aerosols. The efficiency of aerosol delivery depends on several factors, such as interface, type of nebulizer, and patient age and breathing pattern. We hypothesized that the use of a vibrating mesh nebulizer, a tight-fitting face mask, and a head model and breathing pattern of an older child would result in a higher lung dose. We also hypothesized that the use of an anatomically correct model would more accurately reflect lung dose than models that do not include airways. METHODS: A model comprising a breathing simulator and an anatomically correct model of a 7-month-old infant and a 5-y-old child with an interposed collection filter (lung dose) were used. Breathing patterns of a newborn, infant, and child were used with 7 interfaces. A continuous output and a vibrating mesh nebulizer were loaded with albuterol sulfate solution (5 mg/3.5 mL) and operated for 5 min. Albuterol mass was determined via spectrophotometer (276 nm). RESULTS: Lung dose varied between 0 and 3%. The jet nebulizer was more efficient than the vibrating mesh nebulizer. The front-loaded mask was the most efficient interface. We also found that higher tidal volumes were associated with higher lung doses and that the use of a larger airway model resulted in a lower lung dose. Finally, the model showed a good correlation with in vivo data and rendered lung doses severalfold lower than previous data obtained with oral models. CONCLUSIONS: Careful pairing of the aerosol generator and interface is very important during transnasal aerosol delivery.
Isolation and characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Coryphantha robustispina ssp. robustispina

This study reports the isolation and characterization of ten polymorphic microsatellite loci from Coryphantha robustispina subsp. robustispina (Cactaceae). 79 alleles with an average of 7 alleles per locus across 30 individuals were observed. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.13 to 0.87 (mean 0.6). Two loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Only two loci combinations showed significant P-values for linkage disequilibrium.
Decontamination technologies for release from bioprocessing facilities. Part V. decontamination of sludge

Sludge generated at rDNA processing facilities consists mainly of biological solids. The processes that have potential applications for decontamination of rDNA sludge include incineration, thermal (dry‐heat and steam) treatment, 7 and electron irradiation, microwave radiation, and chemical decontamination. Depending on the sludge characteristics and microbial population, the required dosage for each of these treatment techniques may have to be established on a case‐by‐case basis. Since the verification of the extent of decontamination is rather difficult, high safety factors are recommended and good operating and maintenance procedures should be followed for the decontamination unit processes.
Obstructive sleep apnea and head and neck neoplasms

Objective To elaborate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and head and neck neoplasms (HNN). Study design and setting A systematic review of the MEDLINE literature. Results Thirty of 34 articles indexed under OSA and HNN were about neoplasms that presented first as OSA. Four of the articles were about treatment of HNN causing OSA and gave incidences varying from 8% to 92%. Quality of life surveys confirm that patients with malignant HNN have sleep problems. Xerostomia may contribute to these sleep problems, and the role of salivary mucins deserves consideration. Conclusions This review of the literature raises several new research questions about the clinical and biological relationships between OSA and HNN.
Non-recurrent wideband continuous active sonar

This paper presents a continuous active sonar (CAS) waveform which enables high revisit rates and wideband processing gains to be achieved with suppression of range-ambiguous returns. Non-recurrent wideband linear FM signals with circular Costas frequency-staggering across chirp repetition intervals is shown to provide ambiguity functions with good Doppler and range resolution, controllable Doppler and range ambiguities, and a high revisit rate. These slow-time Costas or “SLO-CO” CAS waveforms allow for the possibility of updating range-velocity estimates every pulse repetition interval while achieving the clutter suppression associated with the use of conventional wideband LFM signals.
Large, deep salt lakes: a comparative limnological analysis

Among athalassic salt lakes of the world large, deep lakes are rare. A comparative analysis of Mono(USA), Walker (USA), Qinghai Hu (China), Shala (Ethiopia), Van (Turkey), Panggong Tso (Indian Tibet) and Karakul (USSR) (with emphasis on the two italicized lakes) reveals a number of ecological similarities. The criteria for selection were a mean depth greater than 15 m, an area greater than 100 km2 and a salinity greater than 10 g l−1 and less than 100 g l−1. The Aral and Caspian Seas were excluded because of the relict marine affinities of their biota. Large, deep salt lakes are located at moderate to high altitude in mountainous terrain: They stratify and mix at least once per year, and dissolved oxygen is depleted in the hypolimnia of most. The lakes contain alkaline, sodium rich waters with considerable chloride, sulfate and carbonate plus bicarbonate. Phosphate concentrations are usually high while inorganic nitrogen varies widely. Secchi disk transparency ranged from < 1 m to ca. 20 m. Supersaturation of dissolved oxygen, abundant animals and seasonally high algal populations indicate that some of the lakes are productive. All except Mono contain fish.
Criminal Justice Needs of Native Americans in New England

Criminal justice needs of Native Americans in New England were examined through 71 questionnaires completed by members of Native American tribes in New England. Groups not recognized by the federal government lacked tribal law enforcement, emergency, court, or correctional services. Non-Native police departments serving the Native communities often lacked training in Native culture and traditions. Criminal justice systems had few opportunities for developing cooperative agreements with Native organizations. Official federal recognition of tribes, bands, or communities enables these groups to receive greater financial and criminal justice resources. The public safety needs of Native Americans can be better met by developing improved crime statistics, by developing tribal dispute resolution programs, and by fostering partnerships between Native American communities and non-Native criminal justice and social service agencies.
Clay Mineral Nomenclature

Discussions and recommendations of The Clay Mineral Society, Nomenclature Committee, 1965-6, are summarized.
Phonon-limited mobility and injection velocity in n- and p-doped ultrascaled nanowire field-effect transistors with different crystal orientations

In this paper, ultrascaled n- and p-channel Si nanowire field-effect transistors (NW FETs) with [100], [110], and [111] as channel orientations are simulated in the presence of electron-phonon scattering using a sp3d5s* tight-binding approach and confined phonon dispersions. The low field mobility, the injection velocity, and the ballisticity of these devices are extracted and compared to n-type InAs and p-type Ge NW FETs. It is found that a [110] Si channel represents the best compromise between high n- and p-type performances in the considered NW FETs.
Scattering of Phonons by Elastic Strain Fields and the Thermal Resistance of Dislocations

A theory of the scattering of phonons by static elastic strain fields is presented. It is found that the Fourier component of the strain field plays a role similar to that of the potential in the external field approximation. All quantities (except the strain field) in the formulas obtained refer to specifically atomic characteristics, allowing in principle the examination of the influence or crystal structure, interatomic potentials, etc., and also scattering between different polarization modes. A Boltzmann equation is found.The results of the theory are used to estimate the low temperature thermal resistance (in nonconductors) due to dislocations. This is done by finding a relaxation time $\ensuremath{\tau}$; with some simplifying assumptions one finds for an edge dislocation ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=A\ensuremath{\sigma}{[\mathrm{ln}(n{b}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}})]}^{2}q$. In this equation $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ is the density of dislocations, $n$ is the average number in a slip plane, $b$ is the Burgers vector, $q$ is the wave vector of the phonon, $A$ is a constant. This result differs from that obtained previously by Klemens by essentially the presence of the logarithm. This latter factor seems to be essential in explaining the experimental observations of Sproull et al. that the thermal resistance due to dislocations in LiF is three orders of magnitude greater than predicted by Klemens. For a screw dislocation ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ lacks the logarithm term so that the scattering is much smaller than for an edge dislocation.
Human Rights in China: The Interplay Between Political and Socioeconomic Rights

The late 1986 upsurge of student demonstrations in China and the government's response have underscored the difficulties in understanding Chinese attitudes and conduct with regard to human rights. The demonstrations called attention to three major issues that need to be addressed in the study of human rights: definition, methodology, and changes in standards for human rights conduct. While the students' calls for broader democracy emphasized political rights, human rights are defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as including both political and socioeconomic rights.' Moreover, the democracy envisioned by the student demonstrators did not entail full political pluralism but assumed the continued dominance of the Chinese Communist Party.2 The differences between this view and American and European concepts of political democracy raises all-important definitional questions that must be addressed in discussions of human rights in China. The students demanded the right to put up wall posters expressing their views,3 a right protected by a People's Republic of China (PRC) constitutional provision that was deleted by the Chinese government in 1980. This raises the methodological issue of whether constitutional provisions are genuine indicators of human rights principles and practice. Finally, the fact that the calls for broader political freedoms came from university students, should draw our attention to the relationship between
Structure, agency, and the development of students’ identities as learners

This paper focuses on the role of dominant school discourses in structuring how students position themselves and others relative to a community centered on science. The study was conducted in a diverse, eighth grade classroom in an urban magnet school. I argue that dominant discourses portray a limited view of available subject positions, in that the purpose of learning science is associated with a dichotomous view of people as being either college-bound or not. I explore how these limited subject positions can pose contradictions with some students’ interests, constrain students’ visions of possibilities, exacerbate disadvantages based on race and class, and interfere with students acquiring identities as science learners. However, there are also possibilities for resistance, agency and self-definition through students’ talk.
Cystatin C and long term risk of community-acquired sepsis: a population-based cohort study

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and systemic inflammation are risk factors for sepsis. While often viewed as a marker of chronic kidney disease, Cystatin C (Cyst-C) may also reflect systemic inflammation. We sought to determine the association between elevated baseline Cyst-C and long-term rates of community-acquired sepsis, and to determine if this relationship is influenced by traditional markers of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], albumin-to-creatinine ratio [ACR]) and inflammation (high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]). We studied 30,239 adults ≥45 years old from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. The primary exposure was elevated Cyst-C (>1.12 mg/dL) measured at study baseline. The primary outcome was the first sepsis hospitalization during a 10-year observation period. Using Cox regression, we evaluated the association between elevated Cyst-C and first sepsis event, adjusted for sociodemographics, health behaviors, chronic medical conditions, eGFR, ACR and hsCRP. Among participants, 1,532 experienced a sepsis event. Median Cyst-C levels were: sepsis 1.08 (IQR 0.91-1.33) mg/dL (43.8% >1.12 mg/dL), non-sepsis 0.94 (IQR 0.82-1.10) mg/dL (23.4% >1.12 mg/dL). Cyst-C > 1.12 mg/dL was independently associated with increased rates of sepsis, adjusted for participant demographics, health behaviors and chronic medical conditions (HR 1.75; 95% CI: 1.55-1.96). The addition of eGFR 3.0 mg/dL only partially attenuated the association between Cyst-C > 1.12 mg/dL and rates of sepsis (adjusted HR 1.51; 1.32-1.72). Elevated Cyst-C is associated with increased long-term rates of community-acquired sepsis, independent of abnormal eGFR, ACR or hsCRP. Cyst-C may play a role in long-term sepsis risk prediction and prevention.
How puffers (Teleostei: Tetraodontidae) swim

Two species of marine Indo-Pacific puffers, Arothron meleagris and A. nigropunctatus, were filmed with a high-speed motion picture camera while swimming in a Brett-type water tunnel at speeds of 1-3.5 body lengths (BL) s−1. The puffers generated thrust by use of their pectoral fins in addition to their dorsal and anal fins; the long axis of the body tilted, mouth upwards, by 3–10) while the fishes swam; antero-ventral body profiles of the fishes changed as swimming speeds increased; pectoral fins undulated and moved 180) out of phase from each other, while dorsal and anal fins oscillated in phase with each other; frequencies of fin movements (F) increased linearly in relation to swimming speeds (Uc(rel)) and were described by the equation F=1.48 Uc(rel)+1.66; stride lengths also increased at higher Uc(rel); and, at swimming speeds above 3.0 BL s−1 puffers began to move their tails in sub carangiform-like modes of burst swimming. These results modify significantly the accepted view of the tetraodonti form mode of median and paired fin swimming.
Myths used to legitimize the exploitation of animals: An application of Social Dominance Theory

AbstractSocial Dominance Theory (SDT) is used as a framework for understanding human attitudes towards the use of animals. According to SDT, people high in Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) prefer a hierarchically stratified society and generate “legitimizing myths” to justify their privileges. To explore whether this human-to-human prejudice theory generalizes to humans' attitudes to animals, relationships were tested between SDO and both personal use and general endorsement of the use of animals. In addition, qualitative data were collected on participants' justifications for luxury (clothing and cosmetics) and non-luxury (food and medicine) uses of animals. In a pilot study, (n = 26) adult women and men at a community pork roast reported distinct and meaningful justifications for animal use. The main study conducted with female and male college students at a university in the southern US (n = 226) revealed small, positive relationships between SDO and participants' personal use (r(226) = 0.15, p < 0.0...
Loss of Sinus Rhythm After Total Cavopulmonary Connection

Background Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) to repair functional single ventricle involves the sinus node area, in contrast to the Fontan procedure. We compared ECG findings after TCPC and Fontan to evaluate the impact of the cavopulmonary connection on sinus rhythm postoperatively. Methods and Results The Fontan group consisted of 17 patients repaired at 7.8±3.1 years of age (mean±SD): 11 for tricuspid or pulmonary atresia (TA/PA) and 6 for single ventricle. The TCPC group consisted of 19 patients repaired at 5.1±3.2 years of age (mean±SD) (P<.001): 9 for TA/PA, 4 for single ventricle, and 6 for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Mean follow-up after Fontan was 7.7±2.7 years versus 2.8±1.6 years for TCPC (P<.001). Preoperative ECGs on all TCPC patients showed sinus rhythm (SR), whereas 16 of 17 Fontan patients had SR and one had nonsinus atrial rhythm (NSAR) since birth. On the first postdischarge ECG, 12 of 19 TCPC patients (63%) were in SR, 4 were in junctional rhythm (JR), and 3 were in NSAR. In co...
Identification of calnexin as a binding protein for Amadori-modified glycated albumin.

Albumin modified by Amadori glucose adducts (glycated albumin) selectively binds to glomerular mesangial cells and triggers signal transduction processes that modulate cellular function. To identify glycated albumin binding proteins, we applied membrane extracts prepared from murine mesangial cells to a column of lysine-Sepharose followed by application to an affinity column of fructosyllysine-Sepharose. This procedure yielded an approximately 90 kDa polypeptide that immunoreacted with Amadori-modified but not carbohydrate-free albumin. MALDI mass fingerprinting matched 9 out of 25 peptides with calnexin, and amino acid analysis showed homology with this transmembrane calcium-binding protein of the calreticulin family. These results indicate that one of the mesangial cell receptors for glycated albumin is a calnexin-like protein.
Inferring teacher epistemological framing from local patterns in teacher noticing

In this work we use research from science education on teacher framing and work from mathematics education on teacher noticing to develop new approaches to modeling teacher cognition. The framing literature proposes a dynamic cognitive model of teaching in which teacher epistemological framing, or moment-to-moment understanding of what is going on with respect to knowledge and learning in the classroom, drives much of teacher practice. The teacher noticing literature documents patterns and trends in teachers' attention during instruction. We suggest first that noticing patterns, particularly local noticing patterns, can be leveraged to make inferences about teacher framing that maintain sensitivity to its dynamics but are also more reliable than existing analytic approaches. Second, we suggest that understanding noticing as driven by framing requires researchers to anticipate, allow for, and capitalize on the fact that teachers are capable of multiple, internally consistent variations in noticing at any given time. To illustrate these claims we present an analysis of one high school biology teacher who implemented a new digital recording technology in her classroom. Using the data from that implementation we identify two distinct local patterns in the teacher's noticing and from those patterns infer two different epistemological frames, one that she adopts during lab work and another during class discussions. We also discuss implications of these multiple framings for the study and training of teacher noticing more broadly. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 50:284–314, 2013
NF1 mRNA Isoform Expression in PC12 Cells: Modulation by Extrinsic Factors

The rat neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) gene expresses several transcript isoforms which differ by the alternative splicing of exons 23a and 23b in the region encoding the GTPase-activating protein-related domain. The significance of this alternative splicing event is unclear and the factors which influence isoform expression are largely unknown. Here we show that a variety of factors can modulate the expression of these isoforms in PC12 cells. Nerve growth factor and dexamethasone lead to an increase in the type I isoform concurrent with a decrease in cellular proliferation. Upregulation of the type I isoform by dexamethasone occurs in an RNA synthesis-dependent manner. Cycloheximide treatment leads to the detection of an additional species identified as the murine type III transcript. These results suggest that the NF1 alternative splicing event can respond to environmental cues. The changes in the type of NF1 transcript expressed may be important in the normal physiological regulation of neurofibromin and may modulate its role in differentiation and proliferation.
Summarizing the predictive power of a generalized linear model.

This paper studies summary measures of the predictive power of a generalized linear model, paying special attention to a generalization of the multiple correlation coefficient from ordinary linear regression. The population value is the correlation between the response and its conditional expectation given the predictors, and the sample value is the correlation between the observed response and the model predicted value. We compare four estimators of the measure in terms of bias, mean squared error and behaviour in the presence of overparameterization. The sample estimator and a jack-knife estimator usually behave adequately, but a cross-validation estimator has a large negative bias with large mean squared error. One can use bootstrap methods to construct confidence intervals for the population value of the correlation measure and to estimate the degree to which a model selection procedure may provide an overly optimistic measure of the actual predictive power.
Crystallization and Transitions of Sulfamerazine Polymorphs

A bulk powder of sulfamerazine polymorph II in a narrow distribution of particle size was prepared for the first time. The two known sulfamerazine polymorphs, I and II, were physically characterized by optical microscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, carbon-13 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and measurements of aqueous solubility and density. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the transition between the polymorphs was examined under various pharmaceutically relevant conditions, such as heating, cooling, milling, compaction, and contact with solvents. The two polymorphs were found to be enantiotropes with slow kinetics of interconversion. The thermodynamic transition temperature lies between 51 and 54 degrees C, with polymorph II stable at lower temperatures. Ostwald's Rule of Stages explains the crystallization of the polymorphs from various solvents and may account for the delay in the discovery of polymorph II.
Contributions to cestode enzymology. II. Some anaerobic dehydrogenases in Hymenolepis diminuta.

Abstract 1. 1. Pyridine-nucleotide-linked enzymes catalyzing the oxidation of malic, l -glutamic, and α-glycerophosphoric acids have been demonstrated in homogenates of H. diminuta . 2. 2. Fumarase and cytochrome-linked α-glycerophosphoric dehydrogenase have been demonstrated. 3. 3. The author was unable to demonstrate anaerobic ethyl alcohol, glucose, formic, glucose-6-phosphate, acetic, isocitric, citric, choline, or cytochrome-linked lactic dehydrogenases using a variety of fortified reaction mixtures.
Effect of Chronic Treatment with the Glucocorticoid Antagonist RU 486 in Man: Toxicity, Immunological, and Hormonal Aspects

Suppression of immune function was traditionally thought to occur only with pharmacological levels of glucocorticoids. However, recent studies in rodents have suggested that glucocorticoids exert tonic antiinflammatory/immunosuppressive effects even at basal nonstress concentrations. To examine whether basal glucocorticoid secretion modulates immune function in man we employed the specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 486. If a tonic level of inhibition of the immune system by basal glucocorticoid levels was present, then a potentiation or enhancement of immune function might evolve in the absence of glucocorticoid action. To examine this hypothesis, we studied 11 healthy male normal volunteers who received RU 486 (10 mg/kg.day) or placebo vehicle, divided into 2 daily oral doses, for 7-14 days. Blood samples were collected every 2 days for measurement of plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations along with 24-h urine samples for measurement of 17-hydroxysteroid and free cortisol excretion. Complete and differential blood counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, C-reactive protein, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and quantitative immunoglobulins were also determined at 2-day intervals. Leukocytes were obtained by leukopheresis for phenotypic characterization and functional analysis before and 7 days after the initiation of RU 486 or placebo therapy. Blockade of cortisol receptors with RU 486 was associated with marked compensatory elevations of plasma ACTH and cortisol and increases in 24-h urinary excretion of 17-hydroxysteroids and free cortisol. Unexpectedly, 8 of the 11 subjects developed generalized exanthem after 9 days of RU 486 treatment. One subject developed symptoms and signs consistent with the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. Total white blood cell counts, absolute lymphocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and quantitative immunoglobulins did not change with RU 486 therapy. Similarly, T-, B-, and natural killer cell subsets did not change during RU 486 treatment. Furthermore, functional evaluation of lymphocyte cytotoxicity and proliferation revealed no changes. We conclude that administration of high doses of RU 486 to normal volunteers does not result in measurable enhancement of immune function. This suggests that in man, glucocorticoids may not exert a tonic inhibitory effect on the immune system as they appear to do in rodents. Alternatively, the compensatory increase in endogenous cortisol may obviate any effect of the glucocorticoid antagonist on the immune system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Endoscopic injection of skeletal muscle-derived cells augments gut smooth muscle sphincter function: implications for a novel therapeutic approach.

Introduction Sphincter function is a common problem in gastroenterology and leads to disorders such as GERD and fecal incontinence. Objective We hypothesized that transplantation of skeletal muscle–derived cells (MDCs) into GI sphincters may improve their function, leading to a more physiological approach to treating these disorders. Design We performed experiments to test the potential of MDCs to survive and differentiate within the GI smooth muscle in order to gain further knowledge on the biology of skeletal muscle transplantation in GI smooth muscle sphincters as well as to test the safety and feasibility of endoscopic injection of MDCs in a large animal model. Setting Animal laboratory. Interventions Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats and adult male beagle dogs were used. Rat-derived and dog-derived MDCs were prepared in vitro and labeled with DiI. DiI-labeled, rat-derived MDCs (200,000/4 μL phosphate buffered saline solution) were injected bilaterally in the pyloric wall of rats, and survival, differentiation, and in vitro contractility were assessed 1 month after transplantation. Dog-derived MDCs (4.0 × 10 6 cells) were also injected into the lower esophageal sphincter of 3 beagle dogs by using a standard variceal sclerotherapy needle after baseline esophageal manometry and pH monitoring. The dogs were treated with daily cyclosporine, and 2 weeks later esophageal manometry was repeated and the esophagus was examined histologically. Differentiation of grafted cells was assessed by immunofluorescence, using specific antibodies to markers of the smooth muscle phenotype (smooth muscle actin) and of the skeletal muscle phenotype (skeletal muscle myosin). Results In rats, grafted MDCs were visualized based on DiI fluorescence and were found to be localized within the muscle wall and in the muscularis mucosa. In vitro organ bath studies showed a significant increase in the contractile response of the pyloric sphincter to exogenous acetylcholine. In dogs, MDC injection resulted in a significant increase in baseline lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Further, in 1 dog with significant baseline acid reflux, MDC injection resulted in a reduction of acid reflux, with the fraction of time with pH Limitations Animal study. Conclusion MDCs can survive and integrate into GI smooth muscle and augment their contractile response. Thus, they may have potential for the treatment of a variety of conditions.
Low frequency noise in MOSFETs

Abstract Low frequency noise in MOSFETs is believed to be dominated by the effect of traps near the silicon/silicon dioxide interface. Nanometer-scale transistors should exhibit very low trap populations, even zero in some cases, and this should significantly affect the noise properties of such transistors. We have built cylindrical surrounding-gate transistors with channel area smaller than the size in which, on average, one trap would be present at typical trap densities. We observed a reduction in noise by two orders of magnitude when a trap is rendered inactive by biasing. In six of seven devices, the measured power spectral density of the drain current is more than an order of magnitude lower than that predicted using typical trap densities. The drain current still shows random telegraph signals and has regions of Lorentzian and 1/ f power spectral density, indicating at least five active traps. However, typical trap densities and the known area of the channel lead to a prediction of only 0.06 active traps. Therefore all six devices must be populated by traps which have much smaller effect on drain current than predicted.
Verification of a new gene on Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome III

We present verification of the existence of a previously unannotated, intron-containing gene of 134 amino acids (predicted molecular weight ∼15.5 kDa) located on chromosome III of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Strains carrying a deletion of this gene, which we have called YCL012C, reveal no apparent phenotype. Orthologues of YCL012C are present in related species S. bayanus, S. paradoxus and Ashbya gossypii. Comparison with other fungal sequences reveals that orthologues of this gene are likely present in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Neurospora crassa and Cryptococcus neoformans as well, indicating that YCL012C is a widely conserved fungal gene. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel chitosan/montmorillonite/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite for bone tissue engineering

Recently, biopolymer-based nanocomposites have been replacing synthetic polymer composites for various biomedical applications. This is often because of the biocompatible and biodegradable behavior of natural polymers. Several studies have been reported pertaining to the synthesis and characterization of chitosan(chi)/montmorillonite(MMT) and chitosan (chi)/hydroxyapatite (HAP) for tissue engineering applications. In the present work, a biopolymer-based novel nanocomposite chitosan/montmorillonite (MMT)/hydroxyapatite (HAP) was developed for biomedical applications. The composite was prepared from chitosan, unmodified MMT and HAP precipitate in aqueous media. The properties of the composites were investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Nanomechanical properties were measured using nanoindentation. Cell culture experiments were also conducted in order to ascertain the biocompatibility of the composite. The XRD results indicate that an intercalated structure was formed with an increase in d-spacing of montmorillonite. FTIR studies provide the evidence of molecular interaction among the three different constituents of the composite. AFM images show well-distributed nanoparticles in the chitosan matrix. The composites also exhibit a significant enhancement in nanomechanical property as compared to pure chitosan as well as the chi/HAP and chi/MMT composites. The TGA results indicate that an intercalated nanocomposite was formed with improved thermal properties even compared to chi/MMT composites. The results of cell culture experiments show that the composite is biocompatible and has a better cell proliferation rate compared to chi/HAP composites. This work represents the design of a novel clay-chitosan-hydroxyapatite composite with improved mechanical properties that has potential applications in bone tissue engineering.
Hormonal Induction of Increased Zinc Uptake in Mammalian Cell Cultures: Requirement for RNA and Protein Synthesis

The zinc content of HeLa S3 cells is markedly increased after growth in medium containing adrenal glucocorticoid hormones. Studies with inhibitors indicate that the synthesis of RNA and protein is required for enhanced zinc uptake. When protein synthesis is blocked in the presence of the steroid, an intermediate, presumably messenger RNA, which specifies enhanced zinc uptake accumulates and is expressed when the inhibition of protein synthesis is removed.
Development of a CFD-Based Coal Pipe Design Tool

In a coal-fired power plant, pulverized coal, using air as a transport medium, is pneumatically transported toward different burner nozzles by splitting the large pipe into small pipes through bifurcators or trifurcators. The combustion efficiency of the burner is dependent on matching the air and coal in these pipes. Increasingly tight emission standards also make the balance of air and coal a very critical factor for the success of the power plant. Coal roping occurs when the gas-solid flow passes through a curved pipe. The momentum of the particles carries them to the outside of the wall, concentrating in a small region. Therefore, the particle concentration in this small region is much higher than the other part of the pipe cross-section. Coal roping upstream of a coal distributor (bifurcator) can create a significant imbalance in coal loading in the split between the two branches. This can significantly impact plant performance and increase NOx production. Previous research [2] has shown that coal rope characteristics depend on many parameters; the geometry (i.e., elbow radius of curvature-to-pipe diameter ratio, pipe orientation, orifice opening, and the locations of orifices) of the coal pipe, which is determined at the design stage, will strongly affect the coal distribution in the outlet of coal pipes. This characteristic of coal roping indicates that optimizing the pipe geometry may be helpful in getting a more uniform coal distribution at the pipe’s outlet cross-section and minimizing the problems caused by imbalance between burners. In this paper, we present the CFD-based coal pipeline design tool to achieve the evenly distributed coal particle distribution across the pipe cross-section.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Expressions of Leptin and Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐I Are Highly Correlated and Region‐Specific in Adipose Tissue of Growing Rats

Objective: Anatomically distinct adipose tissue regions differ in their predominant modality of growth (i.e., cellular hypertrophy vs. hyperplasia). We examined site-specific patterns of expression of two genes whose products, leptin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), could be involved in mediating differential growth and metabolism of white adipose tissue. We also related these patterns of expression to measures of adipose depot cellularity. Research Methods and Procedures: Male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum and studied from ages 7 weeks to ∼12 months. Terminal measures of body weights; weights, composition, and cellularity of four white adipose depots; circulating leptin and IGF-I; and adipose depot-specific expression levels of leptin and IGF-I were measured in subsets of rats at 7, 12, 22, 42, and 46 weeks of age. Results: Both leptin and IGF-I mRNAs are quantitatively expressed in a depot-specific manner, in the following order: retroperitoneal ≅ epididymal > mesenteric > subcutaneous inguinal. Furthermore, there is a marked correlation between the expressions of these hormones in the various regions of adipose tissue of rats during the first year of life. The mechanisms that underlie the parallel expressions of leptin and IGF-I appear to be related to fat-cell volume. Discussion: Because both leptin and IGF-I have been implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis and are both expressed in adipose tissue, the depot-specific linkage between the two genes suggests interaction at the autocrine level. This interaction may have an important role in determining functional properties particular to individual adipose depots.
Of Paper Trails and Voter Receipts

The Internet pervades virtually every aspect of our daily lives, and it seems there is no area that is immune from computing solutions. Computers can do things faster, with greater precision, more reliably, etc., etc., etc. Ironically, one area that most needs the mechanical rigor offered by computing solutions seems destined to abandon electronic solutions and return to paper as the operating medium of choice. As electronic voting falls from favor across America, we are concerned to hear talk of paper receipts provided to voters1. Though the department store receipt model is appealing in its simplicity, we posit that when this model is applied to voting systems, it introduces a complex combination of dangerously conflicting properties. We describe these properties and offer an alternate framework to address paper receipt concerns. We then extend this notion into a discussion of paper records and their contribution to forensics for election systems.
Wideband waveform optimization for multiple input single output cognitive radio with practical considerations

This paper investigates the transmitted waveform optimization issues for wideband Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) cognitive radio. For cognitive radio, a spectral mask for the transmitted waveform is determined on spectrum sensing, and arbitrary transmitted spectral shaping is required. Meanwhile, the interferences from primary radios should be canceled at the receiver of cognitive radio. The contribution of this paper is to optimize the MISO cognitive radio communication link by jointly considering the optimization objective, the spectral mask constraint at the transmitter and the interference cancellation at the receiver. Meanwhile, reduction in transmitted peak power and quantization is still very desirable, being concerned about implementation complexity and power consumption. These motive us to consider various practical constraints for waveform optimization in the context of MISO cognitive radio. A number of solutions are provided in this paper in conjunction with numerical results showing the optimal wideband waveforms.
ObjTrans: an intelligent tool for knowledge-object transformation

A description is presented of a prototype called ObjTrans which was developed to automate the process of transforming the object structure of object-oriented logic programs called KOs. ObjTrans allows the user to abstract the specification of application KOs, perform a series of primitive operators on the abstracted specification interactively and heuristically, and incrementally reconstruct the specification of KOs resulting from object transformation. ObjTrans is implemented in Smalltalk/V-Prolog/V which does not allow multiple inheritance. >
Special considerations--asthma in children.

Background Asthma is among the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Management of pediatric asthma requires an understanding of the issues that uniquely effect children. This review provides the reader with the current state and future directions of pediatric asthma. Methods Review of the pediatric asthma literature was undertaken with emphasis on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. Results The prevalence of pediatric asthma remains elevated and is increasingly being appreciated in select global regions. Effective treatment in any setting begins with a focused medical history that queries key asthma features that inform both diagnostic and monitoring strategies. A thorough medical history may yield comorbid upper airway disorders and allergic triggers that could potentially exacerbate airway inflammation. Pre-bronchodilator and post-bronchodilator lung function testing is a preferable diagnostic strategy to quantitatively assess obstructive pulmonary disease among children capable of performing the testing maneuvers. Pediatric asthmatics who continue to have poor disease control require monitoring of medication adherence and drug delivery techniques, because both are often linked with disease outcomes. Therapeutic strategies in children are notably distinct from adults due to the possible effects of inhaled corticosteroids on reduced bone mineral density and growth. Adolescents may also require more time to address the psychosocial complexities that may complicate the required daily usage of asthma medicines. Conclusion Asthmatic children are distinct from their adult counterparts due to limitations inherent in the pediatric age group. A unified and evidence-based approach to pediatric asthma may improve clinical outcomes.
Information architecture: notes toward a new curriculum

There are signs that information architecture is coalescing into a field of professional practice. However, if it is to become a profession, it must develop a means of educating new information architects. Lessons from other fields suggest that professional education typically evolves along a predictable path, from apprenticeships to trade schools to college- and university-level education. Information architecture education may develop more quickly to meet the growing demands of the information society. Several pedagogical approaches employed in other fields may be adopted for information architecture education, as long as the resulting curricula provide an interdisciplinary approach and balance instruction in technical and design skills with consideration of theoretical concepts. Key content areas are information organization, graphic design, computer science, user and usability studies, and communication. Certain logistics must be worked out, including where information architecture studies should be housed and what kinds of degrees should be offered and at what levels. The successful information architecture curriculum will be flexible and adaptable in order to meet the changing needs of students and the marketplace.
Priming Race in Biracial Observers Affects Visual Search for Black and White Faces

We examined whether or not priming racial identity would influence Black-White biracial individuals' ability to visually search for White and Black faces. Black, White, and biracial participants performed a visual search task in which the targets were Black or White faces. Before the task, the biracial participants were primed with either their Black or their White racial identity. All participant groups detected Black faces faster than White faces. Critically, the results also showed a racial-prime effect in biracial individuals: The magnitude of the search asymmetry was significantly different for those primed with their White identity and those primed with their Black identity. These findings suggest that top-down factors such as one's racial identity can influence mechanisms underlying the visual search for faces of different races.
Do Female Legislators Do It Differently? Sex Offender Lawmaking at the State Level

This investigation explores sex offender bill sponsorship by male and female legislators from both political parties to determine if female policymakers legislate in a “different voice.” Quantitative results indicate that sex offender bill sponsorship often transcends differences of gender, race, or political affiliation. However, the in-depth qualitative findings revealed that female policymakers viewed sex crimes and sex offender laws more broadly than male legislators noting the multiple contexts in which sexual victimizations occur, and as connected with the larger social problem of violence against women. In comparison, male legislators focused on predatory child molestations as their motivation for sex offender bill sponsorship. Findings suggest that relying only on descriptive statistical analysis to study gender and policymaking, such as voting patterns, is likely to miss subtle, but significant, differences in women’s policymaking. Language: en
Micro(RNA)managing endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Cellular disturbances that cause accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lead to a condition referred to as “ER stress” and trigger the unfolded protein response (UPR), a signaling pathway that attempts to restore ER homeostasis. The complexity of UPR signaling can generate adaptive and apoptotic outputs, depending on the nature and duration of the ER stress. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that typically repress gene expression, have recently emerged as key gene regulators of the proadaptive/proapoptotic molecular switch emanating from the ER. Importantly, select miRNAs have been shown to directly regulate key UPR components. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(5):373–381, 2013.