cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil Functional Disorders

The phagocytic system is one of the first lines of defence against invading microorganisms. Diseases and disorders that impair phagocyte function can lead to a profound immunodeficiency. Egression from the bone marrow, adhesion, migration, activation, phagocytosis and microorganism killing describe basic mechanisms associated to phagocytic cells. When any of these activities is affected, severe, recurrent and relapsing bacterial as well as fungal infections usually occur. Chronic granulomatous disease is a paradigmatic example of a functional disorder in phagocytic cells. This clinically and genetically heterogenous disease has served during the past 50 years as a model for understanding genotypic–phenotypic correlations of infections susceptibility in primary immunodeficiencies, the utility of anti-infectious and cytokine prophylactic therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. Key Concepts Patients with neutrophil functional disorders usually present early in life with recurrent bacterial or fungal infections. Certain infections, such as Burkholderia cepacia, Nocardia, Aspergillus nidulans or nontuberculous mycobacteria should always prompt an inquiry to the possibility of an underlying immune defect. Specific infection locations, such as omphalitis, gingivitis or osteomyelitis, should raise the suspicion of phagocytic cell abnormalities. Abnormal aspects of host response, such as lack of fever, local inflammation or pus, should immediately alert the clinician to the possibility of a neutrophil defect. It is better to perform the right test once than the entire battery of immune defect tests several times. Careful consideration of the clinical and microbiologic presentation usually indicates the right path to pursue. There is no substitute for the right drug, and that requires knowing the pathogen. Because the spectrum of infection in these diseases may range over several microbiologic kingdoms, empiric therapy is to be discouraged in favour of firm diagnoses. Prophylactic antibiotics, antifungal agents and cytokines are highly successful in treating chronic granulomatous disease, and appear to be useful in some other immunodeficiencies as well. A molecular diagnosis should be sought whenever possible. The expanding knowledge of genotype–phenotype relationships suggests that not all defects, even those within the same gene, are created equal. BCG vaccination should be avoided in individuals with CGD, as well as in their newborn close relatives until the defect is ruled out. In general, attenuated viral vaccines are not contraindicated in individuals with primary neutrophil disorders, as antiviral cell-mediated immunity is intact. Keywords: neutrophil; leucocyte; immunodeficiency; NADPH oxidase; phagocyte
Corporações na vitrine

Por muito tempo as empresas agiram como se nao tivessem nenhuma outra responsabilidade alem da producao de bens e servicos. Essa realidade mudou. Mais expostas ao ambiente, as empresas hoje interagem com diversos grupos sociais de interesse. Seu sucesso, e sua perenidade, agora depende da capacidade de entender as demandas explicitas e latentes desses grupos e prover respostas adequadas e alinhadas com sua propria estrategia.
Systolic blood pressure and heart rate changes during three sessions involving biofeedback or no feedback.

Two groups of normotensive human subjects of both sexes received contingent feedback for increases or decreases in systolic blood pressure, and two additional groups received random (non-contingent) feedback or no feedback. Subjects in all groups served fur three 1-hr sessions separated by intervals of 24 hrs. Reliable decreases in blood pressure, reaching a maximum of 9.5 mm Hg at the end of the third session, were observed in the decrease group. No systematic changes in blood pressure were observed in the increase, random, or no-feedback groups. Heart rate increased or decreased in the groups receiving contingent feedback for increasing or decreasing blood pressure, respectively. It is concluded that contingent feedback is effective in lowering blood pressure and that decreases are augmented by extended training. The covariance of heart rate and blood pressure is discussed with reference lo curlier experiments.
Does cyclic-3′,5′-AMP induce glutamine synthetase in embryonic neural retina?

Abstract The inducibility of retinal glutamine synthetase (GS) by dibutyryl cyclic-3′,5′-AMP (DB-cAMP) was re-examined in view of conflicting reports. Various lots of DB-cAMP were compared for a) ability to induce GS in cultures of embryonic chick neural retina, and b) their composition as visualized by paper chromatography. Chromatographically purified DB-cAMP did not induce retinal GS, nor did cAMP, DB-cGMP, epinephrine, or norepinephrine; none of these enhanced the induction of GS by hydrocortisone. Some of the agents occasionally caused small increases in GS activity; however, these were invariably below the GS levels induced consistently by hydrocortisone. A single lot of DB-cAMP was found which significantly raised GS activity in the retina; it contained a contaminant which when isolated was found to be responsible for this effect.
Response of the mean global vegetation distribution to interannual climate variability

The impact of interannual variability in temperature and precipitation on global terrestrial ecosystems is investigated using a dynamic global vegetation model driven by gridded climate observations for the twentieth century. Contrasting simulations are driven either by repeated mean climatology or raw climate data with interannual variability included. Interannual climate variability reduces net global vegetation cover, particularly over semi-arid regions, and favors the expansion of grass cover at the expense of tree cover, due to differences in growth rates, fire impacts, and interception. The area burnt by global fires is substantially enhanced by interannual precipitation variability. The current position of the central United States’ ecotone, with forests to the east and grasslands to the west, is largely attributed to climate variability. Among woody vegetation, climate variability supports expanded deciduous forest growth and diminished evergreen forest growth, due to difference in bioclimatic limits, leaf longevity, interception rates, and rooting depth. These results offer insight into future ecosystem distributions since climate models generally predict an increase in climate variability and extremes.
Poiseuille flow and drop circulation in microchannels

Microfluidics aims to control precisely the transport of fluids and suspended particles or drops. Two characteristics of such transport in rectangular microchannels are addressed here, as a function of the cross-sectional aspect ratio. First, we highlight a convenient expression for the ratio of the centerline to bulk flow velocities, which is relevant for controlling the flow of suspended or flow-focused objects. Then, using the theory of Nadim and Stone, the droplet circulation fountain-flow pattern in such channels is evaluated explicitly, and implications for interfacial mobility measurements are discussed. For example, when the interface is retarded, part of the fountain reverses direction, thus alleviating stagnation, promoting mixing, and reducing interfacial concentration gradients.
Transformation to zero offset for mode‐converted waves by Fourier transform

Approximate transformation to zero offset (TZO) for mode-convert,ed waves can be done in the frequencywavenumber (f-k) domain by using an expression for the moveout of reflections from dipping reflectors in a constantvelocity medium. The moveout expression is derived by first writing both time and offset as power series in a slowness parameter v. Traveltime is then obtained as a power series in offset, by matching like powers of v in those two power series.
Effects of ascorbic acid and indomethacin on the airways of healthy male subjects with and without induced bronchoconstriction.

Abstract We have investigated the effects of ascorbic acid (1.0 gm orally) and indomethacin (50 mg orally) on airway tone in the basal state in six healthy nonsmoking male adults. Airway tone was assessed from measurements of specific airway conductance and flow rates interpolated from partial expiratory flow-volume curves by means of whole-body plethysmography and spirometry, respectively. Neither ascorbic acid nor indomethacin alone produced a significant change in basal tone. However, both the duration and intensity of the bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine aerosol (10 mg/ml for 30 sec) were significantly reduced by prior administration of ascorbic acid. This ameliorating action of ascorbic acid was blocked by ingestion of indomethacin. The results suggest that ascorbic acid exerts its effects by altering the production of a bronchodilator prostaglandin.
Aβ-induced Golgi fragmentation in Alzheimer's disease enhances Aβ production.

Golgi fragmentation occurs in neurons of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the underlying molecular mechanism causing the defects and the subsequent effects on disease development remain unknown. In this study, we examined the Golgi structure in APPswe/PS1∆E9 transgenic mouse and tissue culture models. Our results show that accumulation of amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) leads to Golgi fragmentation. Further biochemistry and cell biology studies revealed that Golgi fragmentation in AD is caused by phosphorylation of Golgi structural proteins, such as GRASP65, which is induced by Aβ-triggered cyclin-dependent kinase-5 activation. Significantly, both inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase-5 and expression of nonphosphorylatable GRASP65 mutants rescued the Golgi structure and reduced Aβ secretion by elevating α-cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. Our study demonstrates a molecular mechanism for Golgi fragmentation and its effects on amyloid precursor protein trafficking and processing in AD, suggesting Golgi as a potential drug target for AD treatment.
Trends in systolic and cellular computation

Abstract A profile is given of current research, as it pertains to computational mathematics, on Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) array processors. In this type of parallel computers, the cells of the array operate in Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) mode and algorithms are executed in systolic or cellular fashion. The focus of the presentation is on linear algebraic techniques. A systolization process is illustrated by matching an arbitrary gaxpy operation onto a fixed-size square array processor. Two recent systolic methods, for solving systems of linear equations, one iterative and the other direct, are described. A cellular algorithm for a fast Fourier transform, based on a new implementation on rectangular array processors of the perfect shuffle permutation, is then derived. Using annotated lists of recent references, snapshots of active research areas are given on systolic linear solvers, the singular value decomposition, artificial neural networks, and the simulated annealing algorithm.
Preserving the membrane barrier for small molecules during bacterial protein translocation

Many proteins are translocated through the SecY channel in bacteria and archaea and through the related Sec61 channel in eukaryotes. The channel has an hourglass shape with a narrow constriction approximately halfway across the membrane, formed by a pore ring of amino acids. While the cytoplasmic cavity of the channel is empty, the extracellular cavity is filled with a short helix called the plug, which moves out of the way during protein translocation. The mechanism by which the channel transports large polypeptides and yet prevents the passage of small molecules, such as ions or metabolites, has been controversial. Here, we have addressed this issue in intact Escherichia coli cells by testing the permeation of small molecules through wild-type and mutant SecY channels, which are either in the resting state or contain a defined translocating polypeptide chain. We show that in the resting state, the channel is sealed by both the pore ring and the plug domain. During translocation, the pore ring forms a 'gasket-like' seal around the polypeptide chain, preventing the permeation of small molecules. The structural conservation of the channel in all organisms indicates that this may be a universal mechanism by which the membrane barrier is maintained during protein translocation.
The relation of vibrator surface area and static application force to the vibrator-to-head coupling.

Twelve young adult men with normal hearing and no history of ear disease took part in our study of the relation of vibrator surface area and static application force to the vibrator-to-head couplin...
Regulation of striatal acetylcholine concentration by dopamine receptors

IMPAIRMENT of the coordinated activities of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurones in the brain has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Huntington's chorea, drug-induced dyskinesias, Parkinsonism, schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis1–6. Physostigmine, a drug which increases brain acetylcholine by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, has been reported to improve the neurological status of patients with Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskinesias and L-dopa-induced dyskinesia7–9. The hyperkinetic involuntary movements in these disorders are thought to be related to a denervation hypersensitivity of dopamine receptors in the striatum10. On the other hand, in diseases with decreased dopaminergic activity, such as idiopathic and phenothiazine-induced Parkinsonism, intravenous injection of small doses of physostigmine exacerbated rigidity and tremors11,12. A similar aggravation of Parkinsonian-like symptoms by physostigmine can be observed in rats pretreated with phenothiazines or reserpine and in dogs pretreated with intracisternal 6-hydroxydopamine13,14. L-Dopa blocks the adverse neurological effects of physostigmine in Parkinsonian patients and in animals pretreated with reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine11–14. These observations suggest that the response to central cholinergic stimulation depends on the functional activity of inhibitory dopamine receptors in the striatum. The diminished striatal dopamine receptor stimulation in Parkinsonism15 may secondarily produce cholinergic hyper-activity in the striatum; the converse may exist in dyskinetic and choreiform disorders. Striatal dopamine receptors could regulate cholinergic activity by modulating intrastriatal acetylcholine synthesis and release by cholinergic neurones. We have now tested this hypothesis by investigating the effect of dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists on striatal acetylcholine concentration.
Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors Among Adolescents

The purpose of this article is to examine the self-reported sexual attitudes and behaviors of adolescents living in the Midwest. A survey was administered to 463 African American youths ages 11–19. The results indicate that intent to have sexual intercourse, reported likelihood toward having sexual intercourse, and whether participants felt that they would have sex in the next 3 months were predictors of whether they had sexual intercourse at the 3-month follow-up. The results also revealed that the opinions of referent others did not predict sexual intercourse at 3 months. Negative attitudes toward condoms did predict condom use at 3 months and the opinions of referent others also predicted condom use at 3 months. Limitations as well as future research are also discussed.
Picasso in thaw culture

Picasso dans la culture du DegelAu milieu des annees 1950 et pour la premiere fois en pres de dix ans, l’Union sovietique commenca a accueillir des expositions etrangeres d’œuvres impressionnistes, expressionnistes, cubistes et abstraites. Les expositions occidentales d’art moderne devinrent bientot parties integrantes du cadre de vie a Moscou et a Leningrad. Cet article etudie la transformation de la notion d’etranger en celle de familier dans le processus de mediation culturelle et d’appropriation. Il examine la facon dont les visiteurs faisaient la part des choses entre ce qu’ils voyaient et ce qu’ils lisaient, interprete leurs reponses a ces expositions en prenant en consideration leurs notions de culture et du “barbare” ainsi que leurs lapsus et leurs insultes et il met en lumiere les emotions suscitees par leur rencontre avec l’art moderne occidental. L’objet central de cette etude est l’exposition Picasso de 1956, evenement majeur qui reste l’un des souvenirs les plus marquants du Degel. Ce n’etait pas la premiere exposition de peinture moderne etrangere de la decennie, mais elle a eclipse toutes les suivantes, qu’elles soient d’autres artistes occidentaux ou de Picasso lui-meme. Elle arriva en Union sovietique pendant une periode troublee par des mouvements etudiants, des remous au sein des syndicats des artistes et la revolution hongroise. En consequence, pour tous les participants, personnel du musee, representants du parti, etudiants, administrateurs d’universites et visiteurs de tous âges, le nom de Picasso devint synonyme de parole debridee, de foules desordonnees et de perturbations politiques. Le mot “Picasso” devint une metaphore centrale dans le discours sur le passe et les nouveaux departs, la force et l’innocence, la liberte d’expression et par laquelle se definissait la generation de la fin des annees 1950-debut des annees 1960. L’article explore le sens politique et poetique accole au nom de Picasso dans la culture du Degel. La politique de 1956, la poesie de la premiere moitie des annees 1960 et la publication de temoignages sur Picasso par des mediateurs culturels ont facilite la reconnaissance de cet artiste par un public lettre et liberal.
Detectability and reproducibility of plasma levels of chemokines and soluble receptors

Background: Multiplex assays are available to measure an array of circulating chemokines, soluble cytokine receptors and growth factors. However, there is limited information regarding whether these analytes are suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies to assess their relationships with chronic diseases, including cancer. Methods: We examined detectability, assay repeatability, and 3-year within-subject reproducibility of plasma levels of 25 chemokines and 11 soluble receptors of cytokines and growth factors selected from the Human Millipore Panels. Plasma samples were obtained from 36 men (average age 62 years) and 17 women (average age 32 years) who participated in two epidemiological studies. Inter-assay and within-subject reproducibility were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: All analytes, except lymphotactin (47% detectability), were detectable in >90% of plasma samples. Inter-assay reproducibility for all analytes in 36 men tested three times on separate days were good to excellent (ICCs: 0.71–1.00). Within-subject reproducibility in 17 women sampled three times in three years were excellent (ICC ≥ 0.75) for five chemokines (eotaxin, fractalkine, 6Ckine, eotaxin 3, and SDF-1α+β) and three soluble receptors (sIL-1R2, sIL-4R and sVEGFR2); ICCs were fair to good (0.4 ≤ ICC < 0.75) for 15 chemokines and eight soluble receptors. However, five chemokines (GRO, IP-10, MIP-1β, BCA-1, and MIP-3α) had ICC < 0.4, suggesting biological variability. Conclusion: Multiplex assays for plasma levels of selected chemokines and soluble receptors showed good to excellent assay detectability and repeatability. Most analytes also had good 3-year within-subject reproducibility, indicating that a single measurement of these analytes may be used to assess biomarker-disease associations.
The role of gas ebullition in the transport of organic contaminants from sediments

Sediment box cores were collected from Lake Erie and Hamilton Harbour (Lake Ontario, Canada) to assess transport of sediment contaminants by gas ebullition. Sediment pore water was extracted by centrifugation. Gas (80% CH4/20% N2)/pore water partition coefficients for 14C-labeled lindane were measured with a wetted-wall column apparatus. Gas/water partition coefficients were found to be independent of dissolved organic carbon concentration. Therefore, Henry's law constants (air/water partition coefficients) were used to provide a first-order estimate of the annual flux of dichloromethane, chloroform, and three polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from Hamilton Harbour sediments. From these studies it is postulated that the flux of a sediment contaminant would be a function of the gas ebullition rate, Henry's law constant, and pore water concentration. Estimated annual fluxes for contaminants measured in the sediment pore water of Hamilton Harbour ranged from 100 kg for dichloromethane.
Latina Professor Revitalizing Historical Memory: Resistance Politics and Transformation within Teacher Education

This study focuses on how a Chicana/Latina professor contributed to the development of social consciousness with Spanish bilingual credential candidates in a Teacher Education Multiple Subject Credential Program, in California, USA. As a teacher educator, my goals were to look deeply at my teaching approach and to evaluate what the students and I were learning from the structure and contents of this course that emphasized issues on Latinos in the USA. The aims for evaluating my teaching both on theoretical and practice levels were to provide insights into the potential tensions in teaching a highly political course within Teacher Education, to explore implications for faculty in Teacher Education, and to investigate how bilingual Teacher Education programs can prepare future teachers to question and challenge inequities in school settings.
Theory of Self-Trapped Spatially Incoherent Light Beams

We present a modal theory of self-trapping spatially incoherent light beams in any general nonlinear media. We find that a self-trapped incoherent beam induces a multimode waveguide which guides the beam itself by multiply populating the guided modes. The self-trapping process alters the statistics of the incoherent beam, rendering it localized. We find the conditions for self-trapping (``existence region'' in parameter space) and the correlation function of the incoherent self-trapped beam.
Can Language be Planned? Sociolinguistic Theory and Practice for Developing Nations , Joan Rubin and Björn H. Jernudd (eds.)

Nun aperis brosure la libro de 1971, kiu unuafoje pritraktis la lingvoplanadon (LP) el teoria kaj praktika vidpunktoj, utiligante ankaǔ studojn pri ekonomia planado kaj la moderna naciismo. Gi estos utila al lingvistoj, edukistoj kaj lingvoplanistoj.En la unua, politika parto, Fishman komparas la LP en Eǔropo kaj en Suda kaj Sudokcidenta Azio. Tie, gi estas kunligita kun la nacia evoluo, sed oni ne plene forigis la anglan au francan. Oni do raciigas la rolon de tiuj lingvoj. Lau Das Gupta, Hinda Unio frontas komplikan rilaton inter religio kaj politiko, kiu igis faktoro en la debato pri la hindia kaj urdua. Laǔ Kelman, komuna lingvo integrigas grupojn en nacion, sed grupo, kies lingvon oni ne elektas por tutnacia uzo, povas esti fremdigita.La dua parto provizas sep raportojn pri LP, aparte kadre de naciliberigaj movadoj. Ekzistas landoj kies politiko estas plurlingva, aliaj alprenis unulingvan politikon. En la diskutitaj landoj regis brita au usona influo, do la angla igis eduka kaj prestiga lingvo. Plej simple, tie konkurencas indigena lingvo kaj la angla. Pli komplike, kunvivas tri niveloj : loka(j) parola(j) lingvo(j), indigena nacia lingvo, kaj la angla. Dum la edukado, la lernantoj transiras de unu al la alia. Oni progresas socie kaj ekonomie per la angla.La tria parto estas teoria, pri la celoj kaj limoj de LP. Estas cefe afero de naciaj decidoj kaj elektoj inter eblecoj. La lingvo estas nacia rieajo, kiun oni plej efike utiligu. La sinteno estas, ke lingvo estas esence objektiva socia havajo, prilaborebla interne de certaj limoj.Unu versio de tiu teorio estas, ke la lingvo estas ilo, instrumento. Tiun starpunkton -la instrumentalismon - atakas Haugen. La lingvoplanisto rajtas kaj povas, laǔ li, pri-labori la lingvon nur enkadre de la karaktero de la lingvotransdono kaj lingvosangigo, t.e., eiam retenante la ambaǔflankan kompreneblecon. Lau Haugen, lingvo estas ne nur ilo sed perilo de idento, kaj tio fakte montrigas en multaj el la studoj en la libro. La fina, kvara parto indikas estontajn perspektivojn. Oni ekzemple komparu la LP en pli agaj (okcidentaj) landoj kun tiu en novaj nacioj; oni pristudu sintenojn al LP, la agentejojn de LP, kaj giajn limojn.La respondo al la titola demando estas, do, ke jes, la lingvo estas planebla, sed ekzistas problemoj kaj malfacilajoj. La LP estas intenca lingvosango, kiu realigas fenomenojn, kiuj siavice igas inda studobjekto de la historia lingvistiko.
Researching Descriptive Models of Design

This special double issue is a result of the international symposium and workshop on „Descriptive Models of Design“ wich was held during July 1-5, 1996, at Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey. The primary goal of the symposium was to promote greater understanding and to develop recommendations for funding policy and practices in the area of descriptive models of design.
Effect of Prolonged Steroid Therapy for Rheumatic Fever on the Exchangeable Potassium Content and Body Weight

Serial measurements of the body weight and exchangeable potassium content were made in 13 children with acute rheumatic fever who were being treated with large doses of corticotropin or cortisone. In 8 subjects the clinical signs of hyperadrenalism developed. Seven of the 13 subjects showed at least a 20 per cent increase in body weight, which could not be explained on the basis of changes in the body's exchangeable potassium content. This weight gain is thought to be due to an increase in total body fat.
Audiogram notches in noise-exposed workers.

Objectives:Diagnostic criteria for noise-induced hearing loss include the audiometric notch, yet no standardized definition exists. This study tested whether objective notch metrics could match the clinical judgments of an expert panel.Design:A panel of occupational physicians, otolaryngologists, an
Sequential square root filtering and smoothing of discrete linear systems

Square-root information estimation algorithms are immensely important estimation analysis tools that are not sufficiently well understood nor adequately exploited. In an endeavor to rectify this state of affairs an expository derivation of the square-root information filter/smoother is given. It is based on the recursive least-squares method and is easier to grasp, interpret and generalize than are the dynamic programming arguments previously used. Backward smoothing algorithms, both square-root and covariance recursions, are derived as direct and consequences of the method. A comparison of smoothing algorithms indicates that those presented in this paper are the most efficient. Partitioning the results to separate bias parameters provides further computational economies and reduction of storage requirements. The principal objective of this paper is to inspire greater utilization of square-root estimation algorithms. Arguments supporting this thesis are the new least-squares filter/smoother derivations, enhanced numerical accuracy, reduced computation, and lower storage requirements.
Red-shifted Renilla reniformis luciferase variants for imaging in living subjects

The use of R. reniformis luciferase (RLuc) as a reporter gene in small-animal imaging has been hampered by its 481 nm peaked emission spectrum, as blue wavelengths are strongly attenuated in biological tissues. To overcome this, we generated variants of RLuc with bathochromic (red) shifts of up to 66 nm (547 nm peak) that also had greater stability and higher light emission than native RLuc.
Vitrectomy for retained lens material after cataract extraction: the relationship between histopathologic findings and the time of vitreous surgery.

Abstract Purpose To report the histopathologic features of vitreous specimens obtained after vitrectomy for retained lens material and to correlate these findings with the time after cataract surgery at which vitreous surgery was performed. Design Observational case series. Participants All 135 patients who had vitreous specimens submitted to the pathology laboratory after vitreous surgery for retained lens material after elective senile cataract surgery. Methods A review of histopathologic reports of 135 consecutive vitreous specimens that were obtained during vitreous surgery for retained lens material after surgery for senile cataract. Main outcome measures Identification of lens material, macrophages, phacolytic cells, and giant cells in the vitrectomy specimens. Results Lens material was observed in 100% of cases. Macrophages without ingested lens material were present in 48% (65 of 135), phacolytic cells in 24% (32 of 135), and a mixture of neutrophils and multinucleated giant cells in 8% (11 of 135). No cells were discovered in eyes in which vitrectomy was performed within 3 days of cataract extraction. The percentages of eyes with macrophages increased from 35% when vitrectomy was performed 4 to 7 days after cataract surgery to 80% when this time interval was 61 to 90 days. Conclusion Lens-induced inflammatory reaction seems to increase with time that retained lens material remains in the eye.
Development of an American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program: morbidity and mortality risk calculator for colorectal surgery.

Background Surgical decision-making and informed patient consent both benefit from having accurate information about risk. But currently available risk estimating systems have one or more limitations associated with lack of specificity to operation type, size of sample (reliability), range of outcomes predicted, and appreciation of hospital effects. Study Design Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) patients who underwent colorectal surgery in 2006 to 2007 were used to generate logistic prediction models for 30-day morbidity, serious morbidity, and mortality. Results for these three models were then used to construct a universal multivariable model to predict risk for all three outcomes. Model performance was externally validated against 2005 data. Results For 2006 to 2007, 28,863 patients were identified who underwent major colorectal operations at 182 hospitals. A single 15-variable predictor model exhibited discrimination (c-statistic) close to that observed for the separate models on all three outcomes. Similar discrimination was found when the 2006 to 2007 universal model was applied to 3,037 operations conducted in 2005 at 37 hospitals. Conclusions The ACS NSQIP colorectal risk calculator allows surgeons to preoperatively provide patients with detailed information about their personal risks of overall morbidity, serious morbidity, and mortality. Because ACS NSQIP can also categorize hospitals as performing better or worse than expected (or as expected), surgeons have the opportunity to adjust risk probabilities for patients at their institutions accordingly.
A unified model of mammalian BCL-2 protein family interactions at the mitochondria

Summary During apoptosis, the BCL-2 protein family controls mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), but the dynamics of this regulation remain controversial. We employed chimeric proteins composed of exogenous BH3 domains inserted into a tBID backbone that can activate the proapoptotic effectors BAX and BAK to permeabilize membranes without being universally sequestered by all antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins. We thus identified two "modes" whereby prosurvival BCL-2 proteins can block MOMP, by sequestering direct-activator BH3-only proteins ("MODE 1") or by binding active BAX and BAK ("MODE 2"). Notably, we found that MODE 1 sequestration is less efficient and more easily derepressed to promote MOMP than MODE 2. Further, MODE 2 sequestration prevents mitochondrial fusion. We provide a unified model of BCL-2 family function that helps to explain otherwise paradoxical observations relating to MOMP, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dynamics.
Low-density monolithic silica gels prepared under ambient conditions

Abstract Low-density crack-free silica gels were produced by hydrolyzing tetramethoxy silane under a basic condition followed by gelation and curing. The curing was carried out by aging the gels in various organic media for approximately 12 h. The cured gels could be dried in air at 130°C in 12 h. The dried gels exhibited densities of 0.3–0.4 g/cm 3 and surface areas of ≈ 600 m 2 /g. They were very stable for normal handling conditions and could be heat treated to final density at 900–950°C. The visible light transmission was ≈ 78% at λ = 520 nm.
Mapping Lipid Alterations in Traumatically Injured Rat Spinal Cord by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry (MS) is used in an imaging mode to interrogate the lipid profiles of 15 μm thin tissue cross sections of injured rat spinal cord and normal healthy tissue. Increased relative intensities of fatty acids, diacylglycerols, and lysolipids (between +120% and +240%) as well as a small decrease in intensities of lipids (−30%) were visualized in the lesion epicenter and adjacent areas after spinal cord injury. This indicates the hydrolysis of lipids during the demyelination process due to activation of phospholipase A2 enzyme. In addition, signals corresponding to oxidative degradation products, such as prostaglandin and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, exhibited increased signal intensity by a factor of 2 in the negative ion mode in lesions relative to the normal healthy tissue. Analysis of malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation and marker of oxidative stress, was accomplished in the ambient environment using reactive DESI mass spectrometry imagi...
The development of a dedicated IVC filter clinic results in higher rate of filter retrieval, but does not significantly result in higher success of filter removal or improvement of post filter removal complications

Purpose To demonstrate that a dedicated clinic to monitor the placement of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters increases the retrieval rate of IVC filters; however, does not provide significant improvement of post filter removal complications including recurrent venous thromboembolic disease requiring repeat caval filtration placement. Materials and Methods The author’s institution developed a dedicated IVC filter clinic in October 2011, which was responsible for following patient’s with IVC filters placed, so that they may be evaluated for eventual IVC filter removal and post-procedural complications. Retrospective analysis was performed to compare rate of filter retrieval and post filter removal complications in a 6 month period after the clinic was formed between March 2012-August 2012, versus a 6 month period prior to having a dedicated clinic from March 2011-August 2011. Patients were separated into pre IVC filter clinic group (with a median age of 59), and post IVC filter clinic group (with a median age of 58). A comparison between the rate of filters placed to retrieved was evaluated between these two time periods utilizing the Fischer exact test. Additionally, evaluation of post-procedural complications was performed to assess for post removal complications and recurrent thromboembolic disease in both preclinic and postclinic groups. Results In comparison for placement of optional filters for these two groups, it was noted that the preclinic placement was 49 and postclinic was 39. Despite the decrease in filter placement, the rate of retrieval increased from 7 (14.3%) vs 16 (41.0%) respectively. Utilizing the Fischer exact test, this was noted to be statistically significant. (p value = 0.0368). Additionally, 100% of filters evaluated in our clinic were removed successfully without post procedure complications, as well there is no recurrent thromboembolic disease involving both groups Conclusion Having a dedicated IVC filter clinic results in a significant increase in IVC filter retrieval rate; however, does not significantly change success in filter retrieval or post removal complications.
A Comparison of Two Sub‐structuring Techniques for Representing the Modal Properties of Tires

Abstract Different numerical sub‐structuring techniques for the representation of tire modal behavior have been developed in the past 20 years. By using these numerical techniques reduced dynamic models are obtained which can not only be used for internal studies but also be provided to the automobile industry and linked to reduced dynamic vehicle models in order to optimize the coupled vehicle‐tire response for noise vibration and harshness purposes. Two techniques that have been developed in a custom‐made finite element code are presented: 1) the component mode synthesis type models for which the wheel center interface is free and 2) the Craig and Bampton type models for which the wheel center interface is fixed. For both techniques the interface between the tire and the ground is fixed. The choice of fixed or free wheel center boundary condition is arbitrary. In this paper we will compare the formulation of these two numerical methods, and we will show the equivalency of both methods by showing the res...
Evidence for dimers of MHC class II molecules in B lymphocytes and their role in low affinity T cell responses

Abstract The crystallographic structure of the MHC class II molecule showed that the αβ heterodimer can itself dimerize to form a four chain ( αβ ) 2 complex of 120 kDa. Here we provide evidence for the existence of a 120 kDa ( αβ ) 2 complex of the class II I-E k molecules in mouse B cells. Both a 60 kDa and a 120 kDa form of I-E k are detected by Western blotting and by immunoprecipitation under conditions in which class II αβ heterodimers are stable. The 120 kDa I-E k complex does not contain li and, upon warming, dissociates into free α and β chains. The 120 kDa I-E k complex is expressed at the cell surface, is active in antigen presentation, and appears to play a significant role in T cell responses to low affinity but not to high affinity antigens, possibly by facilitating cross-linking of the T cell receptors.
Self-starvation through the ages: reflections on the pre-history of anorexia nervosa

Recent publications have indicated that voluntary self-starvation is not a recently developed syndrome and that it has been reported throughout history. These prior forms of inedia are summarized and related to their historical and cultural contexts. On the basis of these data, some hypotheses are proposed regarding social influences on the vulnerability to eating disorders. Objective: To document and describe forms of eating disorders occurring prior to the formal medical description of anorexia nervosa in the late 19th century. Method: Review of historical references to self-starvation, of recent publications on the history of eating disorders, and of articles describing cases of eating disorders occurring in the past. Results: Forms of eating disorders have existed since ancient times varying in frequency, manifestations, and possible motivation. Discussion: Certain sociocultural factors appear to foster or inhibit the frequency and type of eating disorders. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nonsurgical hospitalization for low-back pain:Is it necessary?

In 1988, the Diagnosis-Related Group for "Medical Back Problems" was the seventh leading reason for all U.S. hospitalizations. The authors sought to describe the content of these hospitalizations and consider the potential for shifting nonsurgical care to the outpatient setting. Three complementary data sources (the 1988 National Hospital Discharge Survey, a statewide Washington hospital discharge registry, and medical records) were used to examine the diagnoses, tests, treatments, resource use, and subsequent care associated with these hospitalizations. Nationally, nonspecific back pain and herniated discs were the most common diagnoses. Nearly half the hospitalizations were for diagnostic tests (especially myelography) and the other half for pain control. In Washington state, 43% of patients were admitted by family physicians or internists, and 40% by orthopedic or neurologic surgeons. Twenty percent of patients underwent subsequent back surgery within 1 year (most within 3 months), suggesting that many hospitalizations were "presurgical." Most of the tests and treatments identified are known to be safe in the outpatient setting. Focused medical record review indicated frequent psychosocial problems or complicating factors, including obesity, substance abuse, prior back surgery, psychologic diagnoses, or lack of a caregiver at home. The findings support other evidence that many hospitalizations for "medical back problems" are unnecessary, but also suggest a need for improved outpatient and home-based alternatives to hospitalization.
Integrative and interruptive mechanisms in peripheral and hemispheric masking

Integrative and interruptive mechanisms in color masking were examined in peripheral and hemispheric locations in the visual system. Fifteen female college students participated in two experiments. Both experiments entailed tachistoscopic presentations of color stimuli over increasing stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs). Experiment 1 involved binocular presentations of red and green stimuli of equal size and energy. The shortest SOA revealed integration of the stimuli which rendered the colors indistinguishable. Moderate SOAs resulted in a backward-mask suppression of the initial color stimuli, indicative of interruptive mechanisms. So that we could investigate contralateral masking, Experiment 2 involved presentations of color stimuli followed by either a black mask presented in the opposite visual field or a homogeneous light-mask control. No masking trends were found. However, a significant visual field × mask type interaction suggested differential masking processes between hemispheres that can be explained by their unique manners of processing and by integration and interruption theories.
Layered Intelligence for Agent-based Crowd Simulation

We adapt a scalable layered intelligence technique from the game industry, for agent-based crowd simulation. We extend this approach for planned movements, pursuance of assignable goals, and avoidance of dynamically introduced obstacles/threats as well as congestions, while keeping the system scalable with the number of agents. We demonstrate the various behaviors in hall-evacuation scenarios, and experimentally establish the scalability of the frame rates with increasing numbers of agents.
Sensation seeking and performance on divided attention tasks varying in cognitive complexity

Previous research has been inconclusive in testing Zuckerman's hypothesis that performance for persons high and low in sensation seeking should differ on focused and divided attention tasks. The present study used two primary tasks, the Sternberg Memory Search Test and a card dealing task, each with three levels of complexity. The secondary task was subjective time estimation. No differences between groups high and low in sensation seeking were discovered. Results are discussed in the context of previous theory and research.
Visual motion based behavior learning using hierarchical discriminant regression

This paper presents a new technique which incrementally builds a hierarchical discriminant regression (IHDR) tree for generation of motion based robot reactions. The robot learned the desired reactions from motion change images, without using other pre-defined features. The generation from training cases is accomplished through the automatically constructed IHDR tree, which automatically derives features that are most related to outputs and disregards subspaces that are not related, or less related, to outputs. The real-time speed is achieved through combination of feature space partition and a coarse-to-fine sample search, which results in a logarithmic time complexity in the number of nodes. The experiments showed that the IHDR method can interpolate the mapping between high dimensional input space and the output control signal space from a variety of objects of various shapes with different motion patterns, based on the size-dependent negative logarithmic distance measures in the hierarchical feature space. The trained robot is able to aim to its camera towards moving object and move toward or away according to the size of moving object.
Indices of Right Ventricular Contractility in a Model of Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension

Purpose Acceleration of the myocardium during isovolumic contraction (IVA) and right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI) have been previously described as indices of right ventricular (RV) contractility. However they have not been validated in a model of chronic pressure overload. Methods and Materials Chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH) was induced in pigs by ligation of the left pulmonary artery (PA) followed by weekly embolizations of the right lower lobe for 5 weeks (PH group, n=11). Sham-operated animals were used as controls (n=5). RV remodeling was assessed using echocardiography, conductance catheterism and stroke volume (SV) reserve following dobutamine infusion (5 mcg/kg/min). Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RVMPI and IVA were used for RV systolic function assessment. Results At 5 weeks, mean PA pressure (35±9 vs. 13±2 mm Hg, P P =0.01) were increased in PH animals compared to controls. Although RV elastance increased at 5 weeks in the PH group (0.55±0.14 vs. 0.34±0.06 mm Hg/ml, P =0.007), RV-PA coupling measured by the ratio of RV to PA elastance was decreased at 5 weeks (0.68±0.17 vs. 1.18±0.18, P P P =0.017; R²=0.59, P =0.003; R²=0.83, P P 2 =0.83, P Conclusions IVA as well as RVMPI, RVFAC and TAPSE are markers of RV-PA coupling rather than RV contractility in a model of chronic PH.
Wavelength resolved polarized elastic scatter measurements from micron-sized single particles

The goal of this project is to investigate correlations of polarimetric angular scattering patterns from individual aerosol particles with the particles’ physical structure and composition. Such signature patterns may be able to provide particle classification capability, such as, for example, discrimination between man-made and naturally occurring aerosols. If successful, this effort could improve current detection methods for biological warfare (BW) agent aerosols. So far, we have demonstrated an experimental arrangement to measure polarization-state resolved, multi-angle, scattering intensities from single aerosol particles on-the-fly. Our novel approach is a radical departure from conventional polarimetric measurement methods, and a key factor is the use of a multiple-order retarder to prepare different polarization states, depending on the wavelength of the incident light. This novel experimental technique uses a supercontinuum light source, an array of optical fibers, an imaging spectrometer and an EMCCD camera to simultaneously acquire wavelength and angle dependent particle light scattering data as a two-dimensional snapshot. Mueller matrix elements were initially measured from individual particles held in an optical trap (at 405 nm). Since particles can be stably trapped for long periods (hours), we were able to change the optical configuration to acquire multiple Mueller matrix element measurements on a single particle. We have computationally modeled these measurements at specific angles, and the comparison with experimental measurements shows good agreement. Similar measurements have also been made on slowly falling particles, and our current efforts are focused on improving experimental technique sufficiently to make such measurements on flowing particles.
Assisted circulation: a comparison of three methods of circulatory bypass of the left heart.

A comparative study using LA, LAY, and LV bypass in a series of 15 dogs in which ischemic left ventricular failure had been produced is presented. Decompression of the left heart can be achieved by each of the three methods. LA bypass does not relieve the left ventricle from its burden and may be detrimental in severe left ventricular failure. Complete or near-complete bypass seems to be necessary to relieve the left ventricle of its load. Yet, methods that can achieve this goal did not prove to be consistently beneficial, as most parameters studied suggested progressive deterioration.