cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of basement membrane-specific macromolecules by cultured human microvascular endothelial cells isolated from skin of diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.

Abstract Microvascular endothelial cells isolated from abdominal skin of diabetic and nondiabetic adults were maintained in culture by serial passage. Both cell types showed typical endothelial cell morphology, expressed factor VIII-associated antigen, contained Weibel-Palade bodies, and produced an extensive subendothelial extracellular matrix containing type IV (basement membrane) procollagen. Biosynthetic studies using radioactive amino acids indicated that under the conditions of cell culture the matrix proteins newly synthesized by MEC of both cell types were similar in type and amount. Both cell types produced type IV procollagen, laminin, and fibronectin, which were deposited in the matrix. Electron microscopy showed that the matrices of both cell types had a similar multilayered, discontinuous, filamentous ultrastructure. Immunoperoxidase staining showed type IV collagen to be distributed similarly, in a fibrillar meshwork, in both matrices. The extractability of individual matrix macromolecules from both matrices was identical; 4 M urea or guanidine-HCl partially removed fibronectin and thrombospondin, but reducing agent was required to solubilize type IV procollagen. The results suggest that diabetic microangiopathy is not due to an inherent defect in the endothelium, and that this in vitro system may be useful for examining environmental factors possibly involved in its development.
Use of Dilute Drug Solutions for Routine Cycloplegia and Mydriasis

Clinic patients and students were given several regular drops of commercial 10% phenylephrine HCl, and 1.0% cyclopentolate HCl or 1.0% tropicamide HCl. The drops were given three times at five-minute intervals. Mydriasis and cycloplegia were determined and compared with the results obtained by using one of the following: microdrops (0.005 or 0.01 ml) of a mixture of 5% phenylephrine HCl and 0.5% tropicamide HCl, or regular drops of mixtures of 1% phenylephrine HCl, or 0.4% hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide with 0.1% cyclopentolate HCl, or 0.1% tropicamide in a vehicle of 1.6% or 1.0% methylcellulose 400, or artificial tears or lubricants (Absorbobase, Contique, Isopto Tears, Liquifilm, Lyteers, Ultra Tears). Except for an initial lag in the production of mydriasis with the diluted mixtures, the results were similar for all preparations. The diluted solutions produced little ocular irritation or tearing.
Interactions of selenium and antioxidants with mercury, cadmium and silver

Until 1957, the only physiological significance of selenium was thought to be its potential toxicity. The discovery by Schwarz and Foltz (1957) that this element would prevent dietary liver necrosis in rats resulted in a reassessment of selenium. Subsequently, extensive investigations into the metabolic functions of selenium culminated in its identificat ion as an integral part of the mammalian enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (Rotruck et a/., 1 973). Another milestone in selenium research was reached when it was discovered to counteract the toxicity of some heavy metals. Thus, this created a situation in which an element known to be very toxic itself would counteract the toxicity of other elements such as the heavy metals. This rather unique behavior of selenium has resulted in intensive research on the relationship of this element to the metabolic effects of heavy metals. This protective effect of Se against metal toxicity is further complicated by the well established metabolic interaction between selenium and vitamin E and other antioxidants. The purpose of this presentat ion is to discuss some of these relationships and to present a few possible mechanisms for these interactions. The interactions between Se, metals, and antioxidants is very complex and subject to additional influences as illustrated by the fol lowing. High levels of dietary vitamin E (500 I.U./kg) do not decrease mortality in Japanese quails fed diets containing 0.6 ppm selenium and 30 ppm mercuryas methylmercury, whereas high levels of vitamin E do decrease mortality in these birds when lower levels of selenium (0.01 ppm) are included in this diet (Welsh and Soares, 1976). Other interacting factors include cystine levels, level of protein, and the kind of protein. The combination of selenium and cystine produces a greater additive effect against methylmercury toxicity in rats than either one of these alone (Still ings et al., 1974). Toxicity signs were reduced when fish protein replaced casein in the basal diet and a 20% protein level from either source reduced toxicity symptoms as compared to a 1()% protein level. A summary of the relative effectiveness of selenium and vitamin E against heavy metals is shown in Table 1. Selenium does not counteract the toxicity of all heavy metals, and vita rain E is more effective against some than selenium. As far as effectiveness of selenium and vitamin E, there appear to be three classes of heavy metals. One class consists of metals like cadmium, inorganic mercury, and possibly methylmercury in which selenium is highly effective in altering their toxicities but where vitamin E has little or no influence. A second group which includes silver shows vitamin E to be highly effective against its toxicity but selenium is effective only at excessively high levels. A third group of metals, of which lead is an example, is counteracted by vitamin E but selenium has little or no effect. Thus, the effectiveness of selenium and vitamin E is dependent upon the metal, and the mechanisms for counteracting metals by selenium and vitamin E would appear to be
The expected number of distinct sites visited by N biased random walks in one dimension

Abstract We calculate the asymptotic form of the expected number of distinct sites visited by N random walkers moving independently in one dimension. It is shown that to lowest order and at long times, the leading term in the asymptotic result is that found for the random walk of a single biased particle, which implies that the bias is strong enough a factor to dominate the many-body effects in that regime. The lowest order correction term contains the many-body contribution. This is essentially the result for the unbiased random walk.
Emerging Themes in Lipid Rafts and Caveolae

We would especially like to thank the following meeting participants who generously contributed to the organization and writing of this meeting review: Miguel Alonso, Toyoshi Fujimoto, Jean Gruenberg, Hai-Tao He, Vaclav Horejsi, Akihiro Kusumi, Tony Magee, Fred Maxfield, Satyajit Mayor, Mark McNiven, Roger Morris, Robert Parton, Radu-Virgil Stan, Claudia Stuermer, and Gisou van der Goot. M.P.L would like to thank Dr. Federica Sotgia for her support and inspiration.M.P.L. is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, as well as a Hirschl/Weil-Caulier Career Scientist Award. F.G. is the recipient of a Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association (AHA). B.R. is supported by a National Institutes of Health Medical Scientist Training Grant (T32-GM07288).
Governing Man-Gods: Spiritism And The Struggle For Progress In Republican Cuba

This article explores the contrasting careers of two Spiritist healers, one Spanish-born and the other Afro-Cuban. It suggests that the prosecution of the black man-god (Hilario Mustelier) and the public celebration of the ministry of the Spaniard (Juan Manso) attest to the consolidation of a political rationality burgeoning in Cuba at the turn of the twentieth century. Under this regime, government officials and journalists sought to alter the conditions that gave rise to 'fanaticism' to promote the modernization of the nascent republic. Following a discussion of the notions of race and culture underpinning Cuban discourses of progress, the article offers a critique of the scholarly literature dealing with Afro-Cuban religions and syncretism.
Nonvisual Complex Spike Signals in the Rabbit Cerebellar Flocculus

In addition to the well-known signals of retinal image slip, floccular complex spikes (CSs) also convey nonvisual signals. We recorded eye movement and CS activity from Purkinje cells in awake rabbits sinusoidally oscillated in the dark on a vestibular turntable. The stimulus frequency ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 Hz, and the velocity amplitude ranged from 6.3 to 50°/s. The average CS modulation was evaluated at each combination of stimulus frequency and amplitude. More than 75% of the Purkinje cells carried nonvisual CS signals. The amplitude of this modulation remained relatively constant over the entire stimulus range. The phase response of the CS modulation in the dark was opposite to that during the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in the light. With increased frequency, the phase response systematically shifted from being aligned with contraversive head velocity toward peak contralateral head position. At fixed frequency, the phase response was dependent on peak head velocity, indicating a system nonlinearity. The nonvisual CS modulation apparently reflects a competition between eye movement and vestibular signals, resulting in an eye movement error signal inferred from nonvisual sources. The combination of this error signal with the retinal slip signal in the inferior olive results in a net error signal reporting the discrepancy between the actual visually measured eye movement error and the inferred eye movement error derived from measures of the internal state. The presence of two error signals requires that the role of CSs in models of the floccular control of VOR adaption be expanded beyond retinal slip.
Cord Blood Stem Cells: How to Get Them and What to Do with Them

ABSTRACT This article reviews the means of obtaining cells from the available reservoirs of cord blood, intended as sources of immature hematopoietic stem cells that ultimately could be useful for transplantation, gene therapy, and research. Various issues must be considered when collecting umbilical cord blood regardless of the method employed. One must regard the basic fetal-placental physiology and hemodynamic characteristics prior to and at the time of procurement. Additional concerns exist with the mother, not only at the time of collection but also prenatally, including informed consent, health history, and psychosocial issues. Collection methods may be characterized as either ex utero or in utero, employing either open or closed collections methods. Each of these variables presents limitations and offers specific advantages over the others. Once collected, the cells must be appropriately tested, processed, and prepared for cryopreservation if not used immediately, using good manufacturing practices...
Optical 3D Profiling by Partitioned Aperture Wavefront Imaging

We present a novel 3D optical profiling method based on partitioned aperture wavefront imaging (PAW). Our method allows virtually instantaneous high-resolution imaging of surfaces, insensitive to mechanical noise.
Origin and Dynamics of HIV-1 Subtype C Infection in India

Objective: To investigate the geographical origin and evolution dynamics of HIV-1 subtype C infection in India. Design: Ninety HIV-1 subtype C env gp120 subtype C sequences from India were compared with 312 env gp120 reference subtype C sequences from 27 different countries obtained from Los Alamos HIV database. All the HIV-1 subtype C env gp120 sequences from India were used for the geographical origin analysis and 61 subtype C env gp120 sequences with known sampling year (from 1991 to 2008) were employed to determine the origin of HIV infection in India. Methods: Phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 env sequences was used to investigate the geographical origin and tMRCA of Indian HIV-1 subtype C. Evolutionary parameters including origin date and demographic growth patterns of Indian subtype C were estimated using a Bayesian coalescent-based approach under relaxed molecular clock models. Findings: The majority of the analyzed Indian and South African HIV-1 subtype C sequences formed a single monophyletic cluster. The most recent common ancestor date was calculated to be 1975.56 (95% HPD 1968.78-1981.52). Reconstruction of the effective population size revealed three phases of epidemic growth: an initial slow growth followed by exponential growth and then a plateau phase approaching present time. Stabilization of the epidemic growth phase correlated with the foundation of National AIDS Control Organization in India. Interpretation: Indian subtype C originated from a single South African lineage in the middle of 1970s. The current study emphasizes not only the utility of HIV-1 sequence data for epidemiological studies but more notably highlights the effectiveness of community or government intervention strategies in controlling the trend of the epidemic.Shen et al.
Enzymatic dissection of the functions of the mouse egg's receptor for sperm☆

During the course of sperm-egg interaction in mice, zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3 (approximately equal to 80 kDa) serves as both receptor for sperm (J. D. Bleil and P. M. Wassarman, 1980c, Cell 20, 873-882) and inducer of the acrosome reaction (J. D. Bleil and P. M. Wassarman, 1983, Dev. Biol. 95, 317-324). In this investigation, small ZP3 glycopeptides (approximately equal to 1.5-6 kDa), obtained by extensive digestion of the purified glycoprotein with insoluble Pronase, were assayed for both sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducing activities. While ZP3 glycopeptides were virtually as effective as intact ZP3 in inhibiting binding of sperm to eggs in vitro ("receptor activity"), unlike intact ZP3, they failed to induce sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction. The latter was determined by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody directed against the acrosomal cap region of sperm. These results suggest that the sperm receptor activity of ZP3 is dependent only on its carbohydrate components, whereas acrosome reaction-inducing activity is dependent on the polypeptide chain of ZP3 as well.
Metal chelates and antitubercular activity. III. p-Aminosalicylic acid: chelate vs. complex.

Cupric and ferrous chelates of p -aminosalicylic acid have been isolated and characterized, and their physical and antitubercular properties compared with those of a previously isolated cupric complex. The cupric chelate showed much higher in vivo antitubercular activity in mice than the cupric complex, and was found to be about thirty times more fat-soluble than the cupric complex. The ferrous chelate was not appreciably active against experimental tuberculosis. The effect of these findings in explaining a possible mechanism of the antitubercular activity of p -aminosalicylic acid is discussed.
A look inside: teacher information search for personal finance instruction

Drawing on the information search perspective of the consumer behaviour literature, this study assesses the predictors of teacher information search. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the case of personal finance instruction is examined. Findings suggest three levels of involvement in information search among personal finance teachers. Participation in continuing education courses, combined with a heightened interest in personal finance, were the strongest predictors of a high-information strategy. The findings speak to the usefulness of continued teacher training that is sensitive to information acquisition behaviour.
Point-of-care early HIV diagnosis system on the CMOS & microfluidic hybrid platform

We proposed a portable molecular diagnostic tool implemented by CMOS and Microfluidic technology for the early HIV diagnosis. Our system diagnoses HIV by detecting the P24 antigen concentration in blood sample. We labeled P24 antigens with chemiluminescence signal, which can be detected by our CMOS photon detector. We designed the single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) with single molecule sensitivity, which can help to diagnosis HIV patient earlier, thus increases the chance of cure and reduce the change of further infection spread. To make the system reusable, we use the 10 um diameter magnetic beads as the assay substrate, which can be coated with the anti-P24 antibodies. These magnetic beads can be delivered through microfluidic channels to the sensing area. Then they can catch p24 antigens from the blood sample and generate chemiluminescence signal. After the test, the magnetic beads can be easily washed away, and the system can be reused.
Icosahedral phase stabilities in Al-Cu-Ru alloys.

By examining a wide region of the Al-Cu-Ru phase diagram, a thorough analysis of the compositional and thermal stability of the icosahedral phase has been completed. The primary solidification product of rapid solidification was a topologically and chemically disordered icosahedral phase with an extensive compositional region. Crystallization through exothermic events of the as-solidified materials produced crystalline phases, without the formation of the face-centered-icosahedral (FCI) phase. However, the FCI phase does form at higher temperatures through an endothermic reaction, indicating that it is a stable phase of the system, but only at elevated temperatures. Of the alloys studied, the FCI phase field was found to encompass ${\mathrm{Al}}_{65}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{23}$${\mathrm{Ru}}_{12}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}_{65}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{20}$${\mathrm{Ru}}_{15}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}_{70}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{20}$${\mathrm{Ru}}_{10}$, and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{70}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{15}$${\mathrm{Ru}}_{15}$. The transformation to the FCI phase involves an intermediate approximant phase that is very similar to the FCI structure. Also, a cubic approximant containing atomic arrangements with local icosahedral symmetry similar to \ensuremath{\alpha}-Al Mn Si was determined to exist near the FCI phase field.
Single-layer fanout routing and routability analysis for Ball Grid Arrays

Fanout routing for Ball Grid Array (BGA) packages becomes non-trivial when the I/O pin count increases. When the number of I/Os gets larger and larger, the number of I/Os we can put on a package may not be limited by the available area but sometimes by the ability to fan them out on the next level of interconnect-the PCB or MCM substrate. This paper presents an efficient algorithm (EVENFANOUT) which generates the optimal uniform distribution of wires. We have found the three cuts that is decisive on the routability of the package using EVENFANOUT. These decisive cuts form the base for design optimization of the package.
Linked Lives, Faith, and Behavior: Intergenerational Religious Influence on Adolescent Delinquency

Research on religion and delinquency has generally concluded that only minorforms of delinquency are affected by religious commitments. However, parents have not often been the focus of religion and delinquency research. This study explores the influence of parental religious identity and behavior on the serious delinquency of adolescent children. This analysis tested an intergenerational model of religious influence on delinquent behavior. Results suggest parental religious devotion protects girls considerably better than boys. Infact, it may amplify delinquency among boys, at least when controlling for other important influences such as autonomy and family satisfaction. Parents' conservative Protestant affiliation displays consistent negative direct effects on delinquency, but little indirect influence. This study reinforces the importance of considering linked lives in the development of youth, as well as the need to assess both direct and indirect religious influences.
Economic evaluations of clinical pharmacy services: 2006-2010.

The objectives of this review were to summarize and evaluate studies that measured the economic impact of clinical pharmacy services published between 2001 and 2005 (inclusive) and to provide guidance on methodologic considerations to individuals performing such research in the future. A systematic literature search using the MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases was conducted to identify published economic evaluations of clinical pharmacy services. Studies were screened and then randomly assigned to reviewers, who reassessed inclusion and exclusion criteria and abstracted prespecified data from each study. Among the many characteristics examined in each study were study design and type of economic evaluation, setting and type of clinical pharmacy service, study quality, and results. Ninety-three articles were included in the final analysis. These studies were published in 43 different journals, most of which (68 [73.1%]) were pharmacy-based. Most studies were performed in hospitals (40 [43.0%]), ambulatory care clinics or physician's offices (20 [21.5%]), or community pharmacies (16 [17.2%]). The most common types of clinical pharmacy services evaluated were general pharmacotherapeutic monitoring services (32 [34.4%]), target drug programs (27 [29%]), and disease state-management services (21 [22.6%]). Full economic evaluations were performed in just less than half (45 [48.4%]) of the studies, and a positive economic benefit associated with clinical pharmacy services was noted in 31 (69%) of the 45 studies. Among 15 studies reporting data necessary to determine a benefit:cost ratio, the pooled median value was 4.81:1-meaning that for every $1 invested in clinical pharmacy services, $4.81 was achieved in reduced costs or other economic benefits. The quality of studies varied widely, with less than one half considered to be good to fair (40 [43.0%]); however, the proportion of studies using appropriate study designs increased compared with previous reviews. Based on the evidence examined in this review, clinical pharmacy services continue to provide a significant return on investment, but improvements are still needed in the methods used to evaluate the economic impact of these services.
Voices from the field: Practitioner reactions to collaborative research initiatives

Numerous accounts of the difficulties encountered in research collaborations can be found in the extant literature. Most of these accounts, however, are from the perspective of academically based researchers. Comparatively little is known about how agency staff respond to these initiatives. To address this gap in knowledge, the article describes the challenges encountered during a research collaboration from the perspective of agency participants. Interviews were conducted with agency staff who have partnered with a university-based research team in an attempt to implement a continual learning system in their agencies. Despite taking great care to set up the project in a way that was intended to foster collaboration, the project encountered some difficulties over the course of its first three years. The article concludes with suggestions for both the implementation of research collaborations and research on the endeavors themselves.
Barriers to actualizing organizational memories lessons from industry

Organizational memories have been routed recently for their potential to enhance decision-making processes within organizations. Several organizations have acknowledged the importance of these knowledge structures and developed new organizational roles to manage them. Though a number of companies have been successful in creating and maintaining functional organizational memory, data collected from four organizations suggests that there are inherent barriers within organizations that constrain both the development and maintenance of these repositories. This paper focuses on identifying the concepts underlying the adoption process and potential barriers that might have a negative short term impact on usability or a long term effect on the institutionalization of Organizational Memory Systems.
Ordering of self-diffusion barrier energies on Pt(110)-(1×2)

Bond-counting arguments, supported by ab initio calculations, predict a lower barrier for ``leapfrog'' diffusion of Pt ad-dimers on Pt(110)-1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 than for adatom diffusion or ad-dimer dissociation. This conflicts with experiment, possibly signalling contaminant influence.
The effect of the Miami (Fla.) climate on imported allergic problems

I ‘I’ IS generally accepted by workers in the field of allergy that weather conditions have a definite effect upon most allergic individuals.lm5 The suggested corollary is that climatotherapy should be of real value. It is the purpose of this paper to evaluate the effect of the climate in the Miami, Florida, area upon one hundred fifty known allergic individuals who moved or had prolonged visits in this section of the country. These pat,ients were consecutively chosen omitting only those whose symptoms first appeared in Florida. This community is ideal for such a study since during the past ten years there has been a great influx of population from all parts of the country. For the purpose of clarification in describing the results of residence in Miami on the patients in this study, an attempt will be made to divide the total number into etiological groups. This approach will also reveal a superficial cross-section view of the known allergic problems in the Miami area. Certain criteria will evolve which should prove useful for t,hose seeking benefit from climatotherapy in Miami.
THE ADAPTIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPINES ON PINE CONES

Besides woody cone scales, certain species of wind-dispersed pines (Pinus) have spines on their scales as a putative form of defense against seed predators. We tested whether spines differentially deterred seed predators foraging on closed and open pine cones. Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) were selected as the seed predator because they commonly forage on these cones. We timed crossbills foraging on closed and open pine cones with and without spines. Crossbills did not require more time to remove seeds from closed ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa) cones with spines. However, crossbills required significantly more time (18-34%) to remove seeds from open ponderosa pine and Table Mountain pine (P. pungens) cones with spines than from cones whose spines had been removed. Moreover, experiments designed to isolate the effect of spines on the perching and probing behavior of crossbills revealed that spines hindered both activities additively. These experimental results were consistent with our phylogenetic analyses of 21 species of hard pines (subgenus Pinus). Whereas the evolution of changes in the length of time seeds are retained in closed cones and that of changes in the presence of spines appear independent, changes in the length of time seeds are retained in open cones were associated with changes in the presence or development of spines. Therefore, pines that retain seeds in open but not closed cones for extended periods tend to have well-developed spines. This illustrates the complementarity of experimental approaches and explicit phylogenetic mod- els in elucidating ecological processes.
In vitro antitumor reactivity of mononuclear leukocytes from cancer patients receiving immunotherapy with BCG.

Mononuclear cell-mediated cytotoxicity (MCMC) against cultured tumor target cells was studied sequentially in melanoma and breast cancer patients before and during BCG administration. MCMC showed temporary fluctuations. In patients with locally advanced melanoma and carcinoma of the breast after tumor load reduction, the administration of BCG may increase the MCMC. This did not always correlate with a favorable clinical course. Potentiating serum factors appeared in 50% of these patients during BCG therapy, while blocking factors were rare. Neither correlated with prognosis. In patients with disseminated melanoma receiving chemoimmunotherapy, increases in MCMC may be related to clinical course. Blocking serum factors frequently developed in this group of patients and potentiating factors were rare. Neither correlated with the clinical course. Significant MCMC among normal donors and the apparent lack of specificity suggest a common non-specific (? natural) cellular reactivity against cultured tumor target cells.
Paradoxes of American Individualism

I point to contradictions in American individualism not unlike those suggested by Robin M. Williams Jr. I go on to suggest how twenty-first-century sociologists might better understand this aspect of American exceptionalism: not as an egoistic, asocial individualism, but as a covenantal, social voluntarism.
A Strategy for Incorporating Learning Analytics into the Design and Evaluation of a K-12 Science Curriculum

In this paper, we discuss a scalable approach for integrating learning analytics into an online K–12 science curriculum. A description of the curriculum and the underlying pedagogical framework is followed by a discussion of the challenges to be tackled as part of this integration. We include examples of data visualization based on teacher usage data along with a methodology for examining an inquiry-based science program. With more than one million students and fifty thousand teachers using the curriculum, a massive and rich dataset is continuously updated. This repository depicts teacher and student usage, and offers exciting opportunities to leverage data to improve both teaching and learning. In this paper, we use data from a medium-sized school district, comprising 53 schools, 1,026 teachers, and nearly one-third of a million curriculum visits during the 2012–2013 school year. This growing dataset also poses technical challenges such as data storage, complex aggregation, and analyses with broader implications for pedagogy, big data, and learning.
Calibration of Serum Creatinine in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988-1994, 1999-2004

Background The calibration of serum creatinine values to standardized creatinine and the commutability of serum creatinine across surveys are essential to the correct use of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for kidney function and for generating estimates of the burden of kidney disease in the United States. Study Design Calibration study of serum creatinine in NHANES III (1988-1994) and NHANES 1999-2000, 2001-2002, and 2003-2004 to directly compare creatinine measurements from the original surveys with standard creatinine measured using an assay traceable to known gold-standard methods. We also assessed predictors of differences between methods (potential interferences) in this general population. Setting & Participants The NHANES are ongoing cross-sectional surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. We selected random samples of approximately 200 stored specimens from persons aged 60 years or older from each survey (NHANES III, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, and 2003-2004). Measurements Stored serum specimens from the 4 NHANES surveys were analyzed for serum creatinine by using a Roche enzymatic assay implemented at the Cleveland Clinic Research Laboratory (CCRL). The Roche assay is traceable to gold-standard reference methods. The original NHANES serum creatinine values were obtained using the Jaffe method (kinetic alkaline picrate) implemented in several different laboratories. Results Overall agreement between the original NHANES values (Jaffe method) and CCRL measurements (Roche enzymatic) was high, but substantial biases were observed in NHANES III and 1999-2000. No bias was observed in NHANES 2001-2002 and 2003-2004. Final calibration equations to correct serum creatinine values in the relevant surveys are provided. Assay differences were independent of sex, race/ethnicity, and bilirubin and triglyceride levels, but weakly related to age and glucose concentration. Limitations We were not able to examine drift in measurements over time within each survey or directly evaluate freeze-thaw effects. Conclusions The magnitude of differences in serum creatinine measurements in NHANES III and 1999-2000 from standard creatinine would result in large differences in estimates of kidney function (10% to 20%). Thus, correction of original creatinine values in NHANES III and 1999-2000 is essential, but no correction is needed for NHANES 2001-2002 or 2003-2004.
Out of core, out of mind: practical parallel I/O

Parallel computers are becoming more powerful and more complex in response to the demand for computing power by scientists and engineers. Inevitably, new and more complex I/O systems will be developed for these systems. In particular we believe that the I/O system must provide the programmer with the ability to explicitly manage storage (despite the trend toward complex parallel file systems and caching schemes). One method of doing so is to have a partitioned secondary storage in which each processor owns a logical disk. Along with operating system enhancements which allow overheads such as buffer copying to be avoided and libraries to support optimal remapping of data, this sort of I/O system meets the needs of high performance computing. >
Virtual reality calibration for telerobotic servicing

A virtual reality calibration technique of matching a virtual environment of simulated graphics models in 3-D geometry and perspective with actual camera views of the remote site task environment has been developed to enable high-fidelity preview/predictive displays with calibrated graphics overlay on live video. Reliable and accurate calibration is achieved by operator-interactive camera calibration and object localization. Both rely on nonlinear least-squares algorithms combined with linear ones. Since the object pose becomes known through object localization, the computer-generated trajectory mode can be effectively used in our new approach. This newly developed calibration technique has been successfully utilized in a recent JPL/GSFC (Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Goddard Space Flight Center) telerobotic servicing demonstration. The positioning alignment accuracy achieved by this technique from four camera views was 0.51 cm on the average for a tool insertion in the servicing task. >
Path average measurements of optical fiber nonlinearity using solitons

This paper experimentally demonstrates a new method to determine the optical nonlinearity of single-mode optical fiber. The technique takes advantage of the well-known nonlinear response of optical fibers and well-developed models for soliton pulse propagation to extract information about the fiber characteristics. Fiber nonlinearity can degrade the performance of communication systems by, for example, causing crosstalk and signal distortions. Measuring the fiber nonlinearity would greatly aid system designers in building and upgrading communication systems. The method is utilized to determine values for n/sub 2//A/sub eff/, where n/sub 2/ is the nonlinearity of the glass and A/sub eff/ is effective area of the core. On various lengths of Corning SMF-28 fiber and Corning SMF-DS fiber. Experimentally measured propagation results for short (/spl ap/2 ps) optical pulses are compared to computer simulated models to determine the fiber nonlinearity. The method finds n/sub 2//A/sub eff/=3.0/spl times/10/sup -10/ W/sup -1/ values for short lengths (/spl ap/400 m) of Corning SMF-28 fiber and values of 2.7/spl times/10/sup -10/ W/sup -1/ for longer lengths (/spl ap/6.5 km and /spl ap/20 km). The difference is expected due to the 8/9 polarization scrambling factor, and the values are in agreement with reported literature [1]. The method also determines n/sub 2//A/sub eff/=5.6/spl times/10/sup -10/ W/sup -1/ for a /spl ap/12 km Corning dispersion shifted fiber. The method has two major regimes of operation based on the soliton period, a characteristic length for solitons. For few soliton periods (Z/Z/sub 0/ /spl sim/4) the output pulsewidth is measured as a function of launched power. The method's major advantage is its capability to measure long lengths of standard fiber, where it uses only standard diagnostic tools such as autocorrelation and optical power measurements. However, the method is only applicable in the soliton regime of fibers.
Noninvasive real-time mapping of an incomplete pulmonary vein isolation using electrocardiographic imaging

Establishing entrance and exit block from pulmonary veins is an endpoint for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures (1). Reestablished pulmonary vein connection is a common cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients who have previously undergone PVI. Here we provide images from a noninvasive cardiac electrophysiology imaging system (ECGI) performed during PVI. The ECGI procedure has been described previously (2) (3). 250 carbon electrodes were applied to the patient’s torso before a pre-procedural contrast-enhanced CT scan, which provided torso-electrode positions and atrial geometry in the same reference frame. The electrodes were removed, then replaced on the day of the PVI procedure in the same configuration, and remained on the patient throughout the procedure. ECGI performed during the procedure noninvasively generated epicardial isochrone activation maps. After circumferential ablation around the antrum of the right pulmonary veins, a lasso catheter in the right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) demonstrated entrance block. However, high-output pacing from within the RIPV captured the atrium, revealing incomplete exit block. Panel A displays the real-time ECGI isochrone map during RIPV pacing, showing earliest activation in the superior-posterior antrum of the RIPV (red is earliest), with radial spread across the posterior LA. A 60-ms delay is seen from the pacing breakthrough (red) to posterior LA (green) activation, consistent with incomplete line of block created by the ablation. The invasive electroanatomic map (Panel B) shows the final ablation lesion set and the additional ablation necessary for exit block from the RIPV (pink marker). This location on the invasive electroanatomic map corresponds closely to the exit site determined by ECGI in Panel A. Panel C shows an ECGI isochrone map during high-output pacing from within the RIPV after the complete ablation. Pacing failed to capture the atrium, and the earliest LA activation in sinus rhythm was near Bachmann’s bundle (red). Posterior LA activation is limited superiorly and inferiorly with lines of block (white dotted lines) corresponding to the ablation lines on the LA roof and posterior wall seen in panel B. Three PV’s also demonstrate electrical isolation (blue). Although the RSPV in Panel C appears to have electrical connection in sinus rhythm, the appearance of activation is due to far-field signal from the posterior right atrium in close proximity. Invasive testing of the RSPV demonstrated entrance and exit block. Rigorous prospective study is needed, but if real-time ECGI can accurately identify areas of incomplete PVI isolation, it may shorten procedure time and improve long-term success rates by pinpointing sites of incomplete linear ablation.
Simplified nuclear grading of fine-needle aspirates of breast carcinoma: concordance with corresponding histologic nuclear grading and flow cytometric data.

Although histologic grading of breast carcinoma is widely practiced by most pathologists, cytologic grading of fine-needle aspirates (FNA) of this neoplasm is not commonly done. This study addresses the issue of the accuracy of a new classification system, a simplified Nuclear Grading (NG) system based on the criteria proposed by Black et al. (Surg Gynecol Obstet 1955; 100:543) in FNA of breast carcinoma. We reviewed 100 cases of breast carcinoma, initially diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with subsequent histologic confirmation, consisting of 94 ductal, five lobular, and one medullary carcinoma. NG of Papanicolaou's stained materials were reviewed twice independently by two pathologists and then were compared to the original histologic NG. The concordance rate with histology ranged from 80–90%. Intraobserver reproducibility was 86 and 88%, while interobserver reproducibility ranged from 84–88%. Of the 88 cases with corresponding flow cytometic (FCM) data, there were 35 diploid and 53 aneuploid cases. Fifty-nine (95%) of histologic high NG were aneuploid or diploid with high S-phase fraction (SPF), while 20 (77%) of histologic low NG were diploid with low SPF. This study confirms that nuclear grading of FNA of breast carcinoma using a simplified NG system has a high concordance with histology, has high intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility, and that this grading system correlates well with FCM analysis when tumors are simply divided based on NG as high or low grade. Diagn Cytopathol 1994; 11:124–130. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Design of dedicated, shared and remainder cells in a probabilistic demand environment

In this paper, a new layered cellular manufacturing system is proposed to form dedicated, shared and remainder cells to deal with the probabilistic demand, and later its performance is compared with the classical cellular manufacturing system. In the layered cellular design, each family may need more than one cell to cover capacity requirements. The proposed approach for layered cellular design involves five stages: (1) product clustering, (2) identifying number of cells and demand coverage probabilities, (3) determining cell types using the proposed heuristic procedure, (4) performing simulation to determine operating conditions and (5) statistical analysis to pick the best design configuration among layered cellular designs. Simulation and statistical analysis are performed to help identify the best design within and among both layered cellular design and classical cellular design. It was observed that as the number of part families increased, the number of machines needed to process the parts decreased...
Survivorship in Immune Therapy: Assessing Chronic Immune Toxicities, Health Outcomes, and Functional Status among Long-term Ipilimumab Survivors at a Single Referral Center

Ipilimumab, a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor, is associated with long-term survival in approximately 20% of patients with advanced melanoma and is also being evaluated in the adjuvant setting. With this growing cohort of survivors, long-term health outcomes, chronic toxicities, and functional outcomes among survivors treated with ipilimumab need to be defined. Using retrospective medical record abstraction, we evaluated disease status, chronic immune- and non-immune-related health events, pharmacologic management of symptoms, and functional status in patients with melanoma, with overall survival ≥2 years following ipilimumab treatment at Vanderbilt University. Ninety patients received ipilimumab for metastatic disease or as adjuvant therapy between January 2006 and September 2012, and 33 patients survived ≥2 years, with a median overall survival of 60.1 months. Of these, 24 patients were alive at the last follow-up (73%), with 14 patients free of disease (42%). Gastrointestinal and dermatologic adverse events were frequent but largely transient. By contrast, patients with hypophysitis universally required ongoing corticosteroids, although largely remained asymptomatic with appropriate hormone replacement. Surviving patients generally had excellent performance status (ECOG 0-1 in 23 of 24). Chronic neurologic toxicities caused substantial morbidity and mortality in 2 patients who received whole-brain radiotherapy >5 years before analysis, and in one patient with chronic, painful peripheral neuropathy. No previously undescribed cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematologic, or neoplastic safety signals were identified. In conclusion, ipilimumab was associated with largely excellent functional outcomes among long-term survivors. Chronic endocrine dysfunction and occasional neurologic toxicity (primarily associated with whole-brain radiation) were observed in a small number of patients.
High-definition NMR structure of PED/PEA-15 death effector domain reveals details of key polar side chain interactions

Death effector domain (DED) proteins constitute a subfamily of the large death domain superfamily that is primarily involved in apoptosis pathways. DED structures have characteristic side chain–side chain interactions among polar residues on the protein surface, forming a network of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges. The polar interaction network is functionally important in promoting protein–protein interactions by maintaining optimal side chain orientations. We have refined the solution DED structure of the PED/PEA-15 protein, a representative member of DED subfamily, using traditional NMR restraints with the addition of residual dipolar coupling (RDC) restraints from two independent alignment media, and employed the explicit solvent refinement protocol. The newly refined DED structure of PED/PEA-15 possesses higher structural quality as indicated by WHAT IF Z-scores, with most significant improvement in the backbone conformation normality quality factor. This higher quality DED structure of PED/PEA-15 leads to the identification of a number of key polar side chain interactions, which are not typically observed in NMR protein structures. The elucidation of polar side chain interactions is a key step towards the understanding of protein–protein interactions involving the death domain superfamily. The NMR structures with extensive details of protein structural features are thereby termed high-definition (HD) NMR structures.
Modeling B clustering in Si and SiGe

Our experiments show boron-interstitial cluster dissolution is reduced during oxidation, a behavior not predicted by the current models. Both our experiments and others on the time dependence indicate the reactivation is coming from more than one cluster. Since oxidation induced interstitial injection reduces reactivation, one of the significant clusters has to release an interstitial release during dissolution. Recent ab-initio calculations provide a qualitatively different B clustering model, with two significant cluster species. Based on these energetics, we have developed a new physically based model that for the first time accounts for the experimentally observed cluster dissolution time and ambient dependence. Anomalous B diffusion behavior is also observed in an investigation of Ge influence on B diffusion. Silicon wafers were subjected to a Si preamorphization implant (PAI), followed by Ge and B implants contained within the existing amorphous layer. The control sample received only Si PAI and B implant. Upon annealing, the peak of the B profile shifts towards the surface and increases in magnitude, exhibiting uphill diffusion. The control samples subjected to the same thermal processing exhibit TED, but no uphill diffusion behavior. This is consistent with the model of B diffusion in Si1−xGex, accounting for trapping of B at Ge sites through formation of GeB complex.
Voluntary or Required Viewing of a Violence Prevention Program in Pediatric Primary Care

Participants were parents of children less than 7 years of age who presented with their child for a well child visit. Viewed in the waiting room, the intervention was Play Nicely, which teaches childhood aggression management skills. A total of 138 parents were invited to view the program; 57 (41%) accepted (voluntary group). A second group of 35 parents viewed the program as part of the clinic visit (required group); all 35 (100%) accepted. There were no differences between the groups in the proportion of parents who were pleased that the program was offered by their pediatrician (100%) and the proportion who felt more comfortable managing aggression after the viewing experience (94%). Approximately 75% of both groups reported an increased willingness to discuss child behavior and discipline strategies with their pediatrician. These findings have implications for how providers can more routinely introduce educational material into the well child visit that relates to childhood aggression, discipline, and violence prevention.