cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left ventricular morphologic features and function in nonhospitalized cocaine users: A quantitative two-dimensional echocardiographic study☆

Abstract To determine whether left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy or dysfunction is present in nonhospitalized cocaine users, we performed quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography in 20 intravenous cocaine users and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Cocaine users were normotensive, had begun taking cocaine an average of 14 years earlier, and had used cocaine an average of 8 times/mo during the preceding year. There were no significant differences between cocaine users and control subjects for LV mass index (79 vs 74 gm/m 2 , respectively), mean wall thickness (0.95 vs 0.91 cm), end-diastolic volume index (55 vs 56 ml/m 2 ), end-systolic volume index (17 vs 19 ml/m 2 ), or ejection fraction (70 vs 66%; p ≥ 0.09 for all comparisons). Moreover, none of the cocaine users or control subjects had significant regional wall motion abnormalities, and none of the subjects or controls had ejection fractions
Acceleration of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Algorithms using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) (Abstract Only)

Algorithms for radar signal processing, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are computationally intensive and require considerable execution time on a general purpose processor. Reconfigurable logic can be used to off-load the primary computational kernel onto a custom computing machine in order to reduce execution time by an order of magnitude as compared to kernel execution on a general purpose processor. Specifically, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) can be used to house hardware-based custom implementations of these kernels to speed up these applications. In this paper, we demonstrate a methodology for algorithm acceleration. We used SAR as a case study to illustrate the tremendous potential for algorithm acceleration offered by FPGAs. Initially, we profiled the SAR algorithm and implemented a homomorphic filter using a hardware implementation of the natural logarithm. Experimental results show an average speed-up of 188 when using the FPGA-based hardware accelerator as opposed to using a software implementation running on a typical general purpose processor.
Incremental resistance programming of programmable metallization cells for use as electronic synapses

Abstract In this work, we investigate the resistance switching behavior of Ag–Ge–Se based resistive memory (ReRAM) devices, otherwise known as programmable metallization cells (PMC). The devices studied are switched between high and low resistive states under externally applied electrical bias. The presence of multiple resistive states observed under both dc and pulse voltage application makes these devices promising candidates for use as electronic synapses in neuromorphic hardware implementations. Finally, the effect of varying pulse voltage magnitude and width on the change in resistance is observed through measurement.
Are the libration clouds real

IT is disconcerting that the existence of dust cloud satellites at the L4 and L5 libration points in the Earth–Moon system, first reported by Kordylewski1, is so widely accepted2–6, in view of negative radar results3, and optical results7–11, some of which report no clouds even to a limit twenty to thirty times fainter than the brightness claimed by Kordylewski. Other discussions12,13 have also argued against the existence of libration clouds. While there undoubtedly exist patches of brightness in the night sky, their connexion with the libration points is unproven.
The Natural History of Acquired Cytomegalovirus Infection Among Children in Group Day Care

• We studied the natural history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) excretion among 79 children in a single day-care center over a 2½-year period. During the study interval, 28 children (35%) excreted CMV in their urine, or saliva, or both. The CMV acquisition rate among children who were initially culture negative was 12.6% per year. In such children, CMV excretion began 11 to 59 months after entry into day care. The duration of CMV excretion varied from 3.0 to 28.4 months, with a mean of 13.0 ±9.1 months for urine and 7.0±2.7 months for saliva. The quantity of CMV in saliva or urine was highest during the first three months of excretion, as high as 10 5 50% tissue culture infectious dose per milliliter. Children excreting CMV entered day care at a younger age (mean, 5.3±8.5 months for excretors vs 12.7±14.8 months for nonexcretors) and spent more hours in day care per week than the nonexcretors (mean, 41.8±9.0 h/wk for excretors vs 36.1±10.9 h/wk for nonexcretors). ( AJDC 1988;142:843-846).
Causal attributions of success and failure made by undergraduate students in an introductory-level computer programming course

The purpose of this research is to identify the causal attributions of business computing students in an introductory computer programming course, in the computer science department at Notre Dame University, Louaize. Forty-five male and female undergraduates who completed the computer programming course that extended for a 13-week semester participated. Narrative interviews were conducted to obtain their perceptions. While some research confirmed that the four most responsible causes for success and failure in achievement contexts are ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck, this research shows that in its context 'ability' and 'luck' were absent, and 'task difficulty' and 'effort' were almost absent. In all, participants made 10 causal attributions that were either cultural or specific to computer programming. The 10 causal attributions are 'learning strategy', 'lack of study', 'lack of practice', 'subject difficulty', 'lack of effort', 'appropriate teaching method', 'exam anxiety', 'cheating', 'lack of time', and 'unfair treatment'. All high achievers cited appropriate 'learning strategy'.
An outer-sphere two-electron platinum reagent.

A strategy for designing cooperative outer-sphere two-electron platinum reagents is demonstrated. The novel platinum(II) complex, [Pt(tpy)(pip2NCN)][BF4] (1(BF4-)) (tpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine, pip2NCN- = 2,6-(CH2N(CH2)5)2−C6H3-), in which the metal is bonded to two pincer type ligands, has been prepared. Treatment of 1 with protic acid results in protonation of the pendant piperdyl groups, allowing for the isolation of [Pt(tpy)(pip2NCNH2)][PF6]3 (2(PF6-)3). 1H NMR spectra of 1 and 2 establish that in each complex the terpyridyl ligand is tridentate, whereas the piperdyl ligand is monodentate, bonded to platinum through the phenyl ring. The structure of the protonated complex was confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic study of crystals of 2(Cl-)3·4H2O. The cyclic voltammagram of 1 exhibits two reversible one-electron reduction waves at E°‘ = −0.98 V and E°‘ = −1.50 V (E°‘ = (Epc + Epa)/2), with a ΔEp of 65 and 61 mV, respectively. In contrast to other Pt(II) complexes, including 2, this complex also un...
Analysis of ZnTe:Cu/Ti contacts for crystalline CdTe

Recent studies of thin-film CdS/CdTe photovoltaic (PV) devices have suggested that significantly higher device performance will not be achieved unless both the net-acceptor density (N A ) and minority-carrier diffusion length (L D ) in the CdTe are simultaneously increased. Toward this goal, CdTe research at NREL currently includes studies that use either bulk crystalline CdT e or epitaxial CdT e layers to study changes in N A and L D during the controlled incorporation of various intrinsic and extrinsic dopants. Unfortunately, for many of these studies, electrical contacts remain a limiting factor. In this paper we describe studies designed to enhance our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of using the NREL ZnTe:Cu/Ti back-contact process for the analysis of various crystalline CdTe samples. Because this contact has been shown to yield high performance and stability, we believe that understanding its use on crystalline materials could advance our development of alternative contact processes that embody the potential for even higher performance.
THE EFFECT OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON LEFT VENTRICULAR MYOCARDIAL RELAXATION

The prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF) is increasing, particularly among the elderly. One-half of these patients have diastolic dysfunction, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). In a national study of older Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with CHF, preserved left
Health Information Exchange and Healthcare Utilization

Health information exchange (HIE) makes previously inaccessible data available to clinicians, resulting in more complete information. This study tested the hypotheses that HIE information access reduced emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among medically indigent adults. HIE access was quantified by how frequently system users' accessed patients' data. Encounter counts were modeled using zero inflated binomial regression. HIE was not accessed for 43% of individuals. Patient factors associated with accessed data included: prior utilization, chronic conditions, and age. Higher levels of information access were significantly associated with increased counts of all encounter types. Results indicate system users were more likely to access HIE for patients for whom the information might be considered most beneficial. Ultimately, these results imply that HIE information access did not transform care in the ways many would expect. Expectations in utilization reductions, however logical, may have to be reevaluated or postponed.
An Alternating Maximization Of The Entropy/Likelihood Function For Image Reconstruction And Spectrum Estimation

We have shown that for the class of likelihood problems resulting from a complete-incomplete data specification in which the complete-data x are nonuniquely determined by the measured incomplete-data y via some many-to-one set of mappings y=h(x), the density which maximizes entropy is identical to the conditional density of the complete data given the incomplete data which would be derived via rules of conditional probability. It is precisely this identity between the maxent density and the conditional density which results in the fact that maximum-likelihood estimation problems may be solved via an iterative maximization of the sum of the entropy plus expected log-likelihood; the maximization is jointly with respect to the maxent density and the likelihood parameters. In this paper we demonstrate that for the problems of tomographic image reconstruction and spectrum estimation from finite data sets, this view results in the derivation of maximum-likelihood estimates of the image parameters and covariance parameters via an iterative maximization of the entropy function.
Small-scale dissolved oxygen variations and the dynamics of Gulf Stream eddies

Abstract Small-scale structure in continuous profiles of dissolved oxygen is interpreted in terms of the dynamics of cyclonic Gulf Stream eddies. The data are consistent with theoretical models. The small-scale layers evidenced by the oxygen structure may arise from diffusive overturning when the Prandtl number based on turbulent mixing coefficients is greater than about 7. Under these conditions, Sargasso Sea Water is entrained and then advected radially toward the core of the eddy, causing it to release energy and spin down. Estimates for the values of lateral mixing coefficients lead to A = 10 4 cm 2 s −1 for momentum, and K = 10 3 cm 2 s −1 for density. Some evidence is presented for a mean southwestward advection of the 18° Water in the upper 500 m of the western Sargasso Sea, leading to a possible explanation for the observed southwestward translation of the eddies.
Manganese oxidation in pH and O2 microenvironments produced by phytoplankton.

This paper reports on the oxidation of Mn(II) by pure cultures of Chlorella. It is shown that these cultures establish strong microgradients of pH and O2 concentration due to their photosynthetic activity, and it is demonstrated that Mn oxidation in the pelagic zone of Oneida Lake, New York, is limited to a microzone of high pH and O2 associated with the near-surface aggregates of phytoplankton cells. The data suggest that visible light is important in catalyzing Mn oxidation by driving the photosynthetic removal of CO2 with concomitant increases in pH.
The formation, growth, and stability of silver chloride sols

A mechanistic investigation of sol formation by precipitation from homogeneous solution has been performed by interpretation of conductivity data. Initiation of growth occurred by heterogeneous nucleation upon impurity particles of approximate average radius 20 a and continued by a surface controlled process. In the later stages of growth, sedimentation and changes in colloidal stability affected the growth rate and the concentration of silver and chloride ions producing zero point charge in supersaturated solutions could readily be calculated.
Endovascular stent for iatrogenic penetrating injury of the thoracic aorta.

PURPOSE This is a report of the endovascular management of an iatrogenic descending thoracic aortic injury with long-term follow-up. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old medically complex female underwent the inadvertent percutaneous placement of a 6F sheath directly into the descending thoracic aorta during an attempted pericardiocentesis at an outside hospital. Upon transfer, the patient underwent endovascular placement of a thoracic stent graft to cover the entry site and recovered without incidence. The patient has remained free of complications for nearly 8 years of follow-up care. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular stent graft utilization of the thoracic aorta has increased the treatment scope for the management of emergent and elective aortic pathology. This is particularly useful in clinical scenarios deemed too high an open surgical risk secondary to significant comorbidities.
Densities of states, moments, and maximally broken time-reversal symmetry

Power moments, modified moments, and optimized moments are powerful tools for solving microscopic models of macroscopic systems; however, the expansion of the density of states as a continued fraction does not converge to the macroscopic limit point-wise in energy with increasing numbers of moments. In this work the moment problem is further constrained by minimal lifetimes or maximal breaking of time-reversal symmetry, to yield approximate densities of states with pointwise macroscopic limits. This is applied numerically to models with one and two finite bands with various singularities, as well as to a model with infinite bandwidth, and the results are compared with the maximum entropy approximation where possible.
Neonatal and early childhood hyperthyroidism: An expression of hereditary Graves disease

We have studied six infants and young children with hyperthyroidism whose clinical course differs from the few reports of others. Neonatal and early childhood hyperthyroidism are usually thought of as separate, rare, and transient disorders seldom requiring long term treatment. 1) Our cases have not been transient: 2) they have occurred in families with a high incidence of adult Graves disease. Four were born with Graves disease. Three continue to be hyperthyroid at ages 1, 5, and 6 years. Two developed Graves disease at ages 3 and 8 years and continue on anti-thyroid medication. Graves disease occurred in five of the six mothers and was apparent during gestation in four. The sixth mother, mother of a neonatal case, has never had overt Graves disease, but female members of four generations have had Graves disease. In all six kindreds there was a direct maternal line of affected patients for two or more generations. Selected families were studied for the presence of latent thyroid disease using measurements of thyroid hormonal iodine. Some were screened for thyroid markers: PTC tasting and circulting thyroid antibodies. A rare unsuspected case was detected, but no thyroid marker pattern developed. The occurrence of Graves disease in the very young in families with a high incidence of Graves disease suggests a hereditary factor. No goitrogens or use of medications were common to the families. We suggest that there is biologic unity between neonatal, early childhood and adult Graves disease. This unity is best explained by the presence of an autosomal dominant determinant with a predilection for the female.
Improved transient response control strategy and design considerations for switched-capacitor (SC) energy buffer architectures

Switched-capacitor (SC) techniques have been proposed for energy buffering applications between DC and AC grids. These techniques have been implemented using film or ceramic capacitors and have been shown to achieve high energy utilization and comparable effective energy density to electrolytic capacitors. Practical applications require control schemes capable of handling transients. This paper takes a comprehensive view of the SC energy buffer design space and examines tradeoffs regarding circuit topology, switching configuration, and control complexity. A two-step control methodology that mitigates undesirable transient responses is proposed.
Physical Properties of a Calmodulin Hydrogel as a Scaffold for Protein Immobilization

Current approaches in the study of protein function following immobilization on solid supports do not address how the properties of the support material affect protein structure and dynamics. In order to more efficiently create appropriate immobilization systems, general principles regarding the interaction between the material properties and broad classes of proteins need to be understood. Our goal is to gain some insight as to what material properties are optimal in the functional immobilization of proteins through the study of maltose binding protein (MBP) immobilized in a calmodulin (CaM) hydrogel. Maltose binding protein undergoes a ∼35° rigid body domain reorientation upon binding of sugar that can be detected by solution NMR. We hypothesize that through the study of the interactions of MBP with the CaM hydrogel (through a range of pHs) we can form some general principles regarding material:protein interfaces that will be applicable in the functional immobilization of broad classes of proteins. In this study we tagged MBP with a peptide target of calmodulin which immobilized MBP to a micro-sized spherical hydrogel composed of Cys-mutated CaM cross-linked to poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). Immobilization of MBP was confirmed by fluorescence and NuPAGE protein gels, and gel optimization for maximum immobilization is underway. Various NMR experiments have been and will be done in order to confirm function and to analyze the interactions between the immobilized protein and the hydrogel.
Asynchronous Nonlinear Power-Tracking Supply for Power Efficient Linear RF PAs

In the world of portable wireless electronics, battery life and therefore power efficiency are key parameters, and RF power amplifiers (PAs) are severe limiting agents in this regard because of their power-intensive demands. Spectral density is also critical to extend the effective bandwidth of a wireless transmitter, which is why linear PAs are popular, in spite of their inherently low power efficiency levels. An asynchronous power-tracking scheme is therefore proposed to more efficiently power-condition the supply of linear RF PAs and extend overall battery life performance. The RF supply is comprised of a high power but slow-responding voltage regulator with a lower power but fast-responding parallel nonlinear clamping circuit. Simulations with a SiGe HBT class-A RF PA show that the proposed circuit consumes 10-15% less total power and achieves 1.5% better overall power efficiency than the state-of-the-art power-tracking scheme while meeting the same error-vector magnitude (EVM) performance.
The IκB kinase (IKK) and NF-κB: key elements of proinflammatory signalling

Copyright 2000 Academic PressNF-κB is a heterodimeric transcription factor that plays a key role in inflammatory and immune responses. In non-stimulated cells, NF-κB dimers are maintained in the cytoplasm through interaction with inhibitory proteins, the IκBs. In response to cell stimulation, mainly by proinflammatory cytokines, a multisubunit protein kinase, the IκB kinase (IKK), is rapidly activated and phosphorylates two critical serines in the N-terminal regulatory domain of the IκBs. Phosphorylated IκBs are recognized by a specific E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and undergo polyubiquitination which targets them for rapid degradation by the 26S proteasome. NF-κB dimers, which are spared from degradation, trans- locate to the nucleus to activate gene transcription. There is strong biochemical and genetic evidence that the IKK complex, which consists of two catalytic subunits, IKKα and IKKβ, and a regulatory subunit, IKKγ, is the master regulator of NF-κB-mediated innate immune and inflammatory responses. In the absence of IKKγ, which normally connects IKK to upstream activators, no IKK or NF-κB activation can occur. Surprisingly, however, of the two catalytic subunits, only IKKβ is essential for NF-κB activation in response to proinflammatory stimuli. The second catalytic subunit, IKKα, plays a critical role in developmental processes, in particular formation and differentiation of the epidermis.
CNS melanocortin and leptin effects on stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and resistin expression.

The objective of this study was to determine whether centrally administered leptin decreased liver and adipose SCD1 expression or adipose resistin expression, and whether these effects were mediated by central melanocortin receptors. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) once daily for 4 days with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF, 5 microl), leptin (10 microg) or MTII (0.1 nmol); two other groups were pretreated icv with the melanocortin antagonist, SHU9119 (1.0 nmol), followed by leptin or MTII. Epididymal and inguinal adipose tissue and liver were collected after rats were killed and mRNA expression of SCD1 and resistin was measured. Both leptin and MTII reduced SCD1 expression and pretreatment with SHU9119 reversed their effects. Neither leptin nor MTII affected resistin expression, but it was increased by SHU9119. These results show that CNS melanocortin receptors are likely mediators of leptin's effects on SCD1 expression in liver and adipose tissue, The findings were inconclusive concerning the effects of leptin and melanocortins on adipose resistin expression.
Changes to the N cycle following bark beetle outbreaks in two contrasting conifer forest types

Outbreaks of Dendroctonus beetles are causing extensive mortality in conifer forests throughout North America. However, nitrogen (N) cycling impacts among forest types are not well known. We quantified beetle- induced changes in forest structure, soil temperature, and N cycling in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests of Greater Yellowstone (WY, USA), and compared them to published lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) data. Five undisturbed stands were compared to five beetle- killed stands (4-5 years post-outbreak). We hypothesized greater N cycling responses in Douglas-fir due to higher overall N stocks. Undisturbed Douglas-fir stands had greater litter N pools, soil N, and net N mineralization than lodgepole pine. Several responses to disturbance were similar between forest types, including a pulse of N-enri- ched litter, doubling of soil N availability, 30-50 % increase in understory cover, and 20 % increase in foliar N concentration of unattacked trees. However, the response of some ecosystem properties notably varied by host forest type. Soil temperature was unaffected in Douglas-fir, but lowered in lodgepole pine. Fresh foliar %N was uncorre- lated with net N mineralization in Douglas-fir, but posi- tively correlated in lodgepole pine. Though soil ammonium and nitrate, net N mineralization, and net nitrification all doubled, they remained low in both forest types (\6 lg N g soil -1 NH4 ? or NO3 - ; \25 lg N g soil -1 year -1 net N mineralization; \8 lg N g soil -1 year -1 net nitrifica- tion). Results suggest that beetle disturbance affected litter and soil N cycling similarly in each forest type, despite substantial differences in pre-disturbance biogeochemistry. In contrast, soil temperature and soil N-foliar N linkages differed between host forest types. This result suggests that disturbance type may be a better predictor of litter and soil N responses than forest type due to similar disturbance mechanisms and disturbance legacies across both host- beetle systems.
Thermal diffusion of lithium acceptors into ZnO crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been used to monitor the diffusion of lithium ions into single crystals of ZnO. The in-diffusion occurs when a crystal is embedded in LiF powder and then held in air at temperatures near 750°C for periods of time ranging up to 22 h. These added lithium ions occupy zinc sites and become singly ionized acceptors (because the material is initially n type). A corresponding reduction in the number of neutral shallow donors is observed with EPR. To monitor the lithium acceptors, we temporarily convert them to the EPR-active neutral acceptor state by exposure to laser light (325 nm or 442 nm) at low temperatures. Also, after each diffusion treatment, we monitor the EPR signal of singly ionized copper acceptors and the photo-induced EPR signal of neutral nitrogen acceptors. These nitrogen and copper impurities are initially present in the crystal, at trace levels, and are made observable by the thermal anneals. Infrared-absorption measurements at room temperature in the 2–10 µm region show that the concentration of free carriers decreases as lithium is added to the crystal. After 22 h at 750°C in the LiF powder, the free-carrier absorption is no longer present, and the crystal is semi-insulating.
Ultra-Wideband Mimo Channel Characterization For Healthcare Applications

The idea of deploying multiple wireless sensors around the human body to enable ubiquitous healthcare by measuring continuously all the physiological data of interest has received considerable attention. Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a promising communication technology for short-range communication scenarios like body-centric wireless network (BCWN) (i.e, in the area of medical healthcare). UWB is characterized by low-power which makes it suitable for human body exposure and extends the life of the system. UWB is a high data rate technology that provides immunity to multipath interference, which facilitates the compatibility of such technology in body-centric applications. High data-rate wireless communications, nearing 1 Gb/s transmission rates, are of greater interest in emerging wireless technologies. The demand for higher data rate is increasing with the passage of time. To achieve higher data rates, greater than 50 Mb/s, multiple transmit and multiple receive antennas (MIMO) is recommended in IEEE 802.11n...
Internal irradiation of dogs with radioactive colloidal gold: Synergistic effect of iron

When irradiation of the liver was accomplished in dogs by the intravenous administration of repeated doses of relatively massive amounts of radioactive colloidal gold (Au198) the effect was heightened by the previous administration of iron. This was particularly noticeable when the iron was given intravenously in particulate form, with resulant deposition in the reticuloendothelial system. Animals that were given iron in addition to Au198 developed ascites as well as moderately extensive cirrhotic changes in the liver. Transient but marked leukopeada was observed in the dogs that received Au198 alone. Erythropoiesis was not noticeably influenced, but precipitous drops in hematocrit levels that corresponded to massive internal hemorrhage were observed to occur terminally. Electrophoresis showed changes in the plasma protein constituents. There was a decided lowertng of the albumia-globulin ratio as a resudt of lowered albumin levels. The beta globulins were considerably increased, as were the gamma globudins. Total proteins were not markedly affected.
Extensive intracerebral hemorrhage during open-heart surgery

Massive intracerebral hemorrhage developed during open heart surgery on a normotensive patient. This type of hemorrhage ia a rare complication in such surgical procedures. The clinical and pathological findings suggest that drug-induced hypertension, systemic heparinization, and preexisting cerebrovascular damage are associated with the pathogenesis of the lesion.
Senescence induced by RECQL4 dysfunction contributes to Rothmund–Thomson syndrome features in mice

Cellular senescence refers to irreversible growth arrest of primary eukaryotic cells, a process thought to contribute to aging-related degeneration and disease. Deficiency of RecQ helicase RECQL4 leads to Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), and we have investigated whether senescence is involved using cellular approaches and a mouse model. We first systematically investigated whether depletion of RECQL4 and the other four human RecQ helicases, BLM, WRN, RECQL1 and RECQL5, impacts the proliferative potential of human primary fibroblasts. BLM-, WRN- and RECQL4-depleted cells display increased staining of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), higher expression of p16INK4a or/and p21WAF1 and accumulated persistent DNA damage foci. These features were less frequent in RECQL1- and RECQL5-depleted cells. We have mapped the region in RECQL4 that prevents cellular senescence to its N-terminal region and helicase domain. We further investigated senescence features in an RTS mouse model, Recql4-deficient mice (Recql4HD). Tail fibroblasts from Recql4HD showed increased SA-β-gal staining and increased DNA damage foci. We also identified sparser tail hair and fewer blood cells in Recql4HD mice accompanied with increased senescence in tail hair follicles and in bone marrow cells. In conclusion, dysfunction of RECQL4 increases DNA damage and triggers premature senescence in both human and mouse cells, which may contribute to symptoms in RTS patients.
The demographics and costs of inpatient vesicoureteral reflux management in the USA

This study evaluates the impact of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on the economy and inpatient healthcare utilization in the USA. A retrospective analysis was performed on children ≤18 years of age, hospitalized with the principal discharge diagnosis of VUR between 2000 and 2006, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database. The results are stratified as follows. First, by hospitalizations: between 2000 and 2006, 6,655 ± 720 (standard error) children/year were hospitalized with VUR. Since 2003, both the length of each hospitalization and the number of hospitalizations have decreased. Second, by related procedures/diagnoses: ureteral reimplantation was the most common procedure, accounting for 89% of hospitalizations. Congenital genitourinary anomalies, disorders of the kidney/ureter/bladder, and urinary tract infections (UTI) were the most common related diagnoses. Thirdly, by hospital economics: since 2000, hospital charges for VUR increased despite decreased lengths of hospitalization. By 2006, hospital charges rose to $18,798/hospitalization, and aggregate national charges exceeded $100 million. Our results indicate that fewer children with VUR are requiring inpatient management. Children with VUR are often hospitalized for ureteral reimplantation or the management of related diagnoses. Since 2000, hospital charges for inpatient VUR management have increased. More efforts are needed to evaluate cost-effective strategies for the evaluation and management of VUR.
Political Outcome Bias in Grading: Identifying Problems and Suggesting Solutions.

Political bias in the academy is a topic of great controversy. Many conservatives have argued that liberals dominate American campuses and use their classrooms to indoctrinate students or to discriminate against those with differing political beliefs. Liberals have responded by calling studies that purport to demonstrate these claims as flawed or as attacks on academic freedom. Regardless of the magnitude of campus political bias, it is ill-advised for the scholarly community to argue that it is immune from bias because scholars simply are fair. This article focuses on one element of political bias: partisan “outcome” bias in grading. We proceed in several steps. First, we provide an overview of the problem of grading bias and the concerns about political bias. Next, we consider the attributes of political grading bias and the forms that it can take. We present the analytics of partisan outcome bias and logic of using “paired” assignments to eliminate outcome bias. We provide data and analysis concerning ...
Review of Health Policy and Ethics: A Critical Examination of Values from a Global Perspective

Health Policy and Ethics makes the case that an examination of health law, health policy and professional standards not only sheds light on the intrinsic values of a society, but more importantly offers insights that will have practical policy implications and lead to improved health practice. Case studies from around the world illustrate central themes.
How Psychological Assessment Taught Me Compassion and Firmness

In this article, I reflect on 2 specific assessment experiences and how they helped me grow as a person and as a psychologist. I believe that practicing assessment creates opportunities for personal growth in assessors because (a) to truly understand difficult clients, we must find personal versions of their psychological dilemmas in ourselves, which we might otherwise never be called on to face, and (b) to be effective as assessors, we must say difficult things to clients in plain nonjudgmental language, which forces us to develop courage and wisdom.
Association Between Pulmonary Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection and Lung Cancer

Introduction: Patients with lung cancer are sometimes found to have respiratory cultures growing Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). This study describes the clinical, pathologic, and radiographic ­characteristics of individuals who harbor concomitant lung cancer and MAC. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with positive respiratory cultures for MAC (370 men, 475 women) and with newly diagnosed lung cancer (792 men, 840 women) from 1995 to 2010. Results: Of the patients with respiratory cultures growing MAC, 8.6% of men and 6.3% of women had lung cancer. Twenty-five percent of patients with lung cancer and 3% with nonbronchiectatic benign lung disease grew MAC from their respiratory cultures. Significantly fewer women with both MAC and lung cancer were smokers than the control group of women with lung cancer and negative MAC cultures (68% versus 89%, p p = 0.01) Conclusions: The percentage of smokers among women with both MAC and lung cancer was lower than among the lung cancer control group who did not grow MAC. The presence of MAC in respiratory cultures of lung cancer patients was particularly associated with squamous cell carcinomas located in the periphery of the lung. Because MAC typically affects distal airways, this possible association between MAC infection and lung cancer warrants further study.
Electron beam effects on the rate of aluminum oxidation by CO2

Abstract Rates of carbon dioxide adsorption on and oxidation of an aluminum foil in the presence of an electron beam were measured by AES as a function of CO 2 exposure. Both chemisorbed oxygen and aluminum oxide are present: chemisorbed oxygen forms first and then is converted to an oxide. The electron beam dramatically increases the rate of surface oxygen formation and the conversion to an oxide. Initial oxidation is slow and depends on the surface cleanliness. As surface oxide forms, the rates accelerate, by an island growth mechanism, since carbon dioxide adsorbs more readily on the oxide than on the metal. Secondary electron emission increases in the beam-exposed area in the same manner that the oxide coverage increases. The instability of the oxide region reported previously for an evaporated film (Falconer et al. [Surface Sci. 131 (1983) 455]) is less pronounced on a clean foil and is shown to be due to surface diffusion. Exposure to the beam in the absence of CO 2 converts the oxide to a form that is stable for several days.
Two-Step Mucosal Competitive Exclusion Flora Treatment to Diminish Salmonellae in Commercial Broiler Chickens

There is a need to control the intestinal colonization of broiler chickens by salmonellae in order to reduce the contamination of poultry products. A two-step treatment of broiler chicks with a mucosal competitive exclusion culture (MCE) was tested, in which the MCE was first sprayed on chicks in the hatchery followed by administration in the first drinking water. Three commercial flocks were treated and compared with parallel, untreated control flocks. Customary husbandry practices were employed. Environmental, hatchery, skin with feathers, and cecal samples were analyzed at 3 and 7 wk for the presence of salmonellae. Carcass rinse samples of fully processed birds were analyzed similarly. The results indicated that initial feed, water, and litter contamination was at a low frequency ( 50%). After 3 wk growth, contamination of litter, skin with feathers, and ceca were significantly (P < .05) reduced in treated flocks as compared with control flocks. Salmonellae prevalence in ceca and in processed carcass rinses was also significantly (P < .05) reduced from 41% in control flocks to 10% in treated flocks. The study showed that treatment of chickens in a commercial setting with MCE cultures can serve as a useful means to reduce salmonellae contamination.
The effects of nutritional deficiencies, smoking, and systemic disease on orthopaedic outcomes.

Many patients undergoing elective orthopaedic procedures have multiple comorbidities and nutritional deficiencies. During the preoperative medical assessment, several correctable factors important to the outcome of surgery are overlooked because of a focus on the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from surgery. These overlooked risk factors can have a clinically important impact on the orthopaedic procedure. As Medicare and other third-party payers begin the shift toward a so-called pay-for-performance model, orthopaedic surgeons need to be more aware of these modifiable risk factors that can alter outcomes. Albumin has been long recognized as an important harbinger of overall nutritional status and wound-healing capacity. Produced in the liver, albumin is the most abundant protein in human plasma and provides 75% to 80% of the plasma oncotic pressure1. When albumin concentrations decrease, the serum colloid oncotic pressure no longer counterbalances the hydrostatic pressure of the vascular system, resulting in extracellular collection of fluids. In addition, albumin is a transporter protein for fatty acids, bilirubin, metals, hormones, and exogenous drugs. When albumin levels fall, the effective concentration of drugs in human serum can increase or the hepatic metabolism of the drug can increase, or both can occur. Alterations in albumin also have been associated with platelet dysfunction and lower levels of transferrin. Of note, the precursor protein prealbumin much more accurately portrays current nutritional status because its half-life of two to three days is substantially shorter than that of albumin (twenty days). In patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty, Lavernia et al. demonstrated that those with albumin levels of <3.4 g/dL had 32.7% higher hospital charges ($50,108 versus $33,720; p < 0.006), significantly higher medical severity of illness (p = 0.03), and a longer hospital stay (5.7 versus 5.4 days; p = 0.004)2. Greene et al.3 reviewed the …
Recent Developments Using Phosphorus-Containing Diol as a Reactive Combustion Modifier for Rigid Polyurethane Foams-Part III

Utilisation de FR-D (diol contenant du phosphore) ou de FR-D et de PHT4-diol (diol contenant du brome) et de Terate 203 (polyester polyol aromatique) dans la formulation de panneaux en polyurethanne alveolaire pour les proteger contre la combustion
Remote Plasma Enhanced-Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition of Zirconium Oxide/Silicon Oxide Alloy, (ZrO2)1-(SiO2)1−x (x:≤0.5), Thin Films for Advanced High-K Gate Dielectrics

A remote plasma enhanced-metal organic chemical vapor deposition (RPE-MOCVD) process was developed for the preparation of non-crystalline (ZrO2)x-(SiO2)1−x (x ≤ 0.5) alloys, targeting the compound composition ZrSiO4with k ∼ 12.5. Shifts in Si LVV and Zr LMM AES energies with respect to elemental values showed that the deposited film was a fully-oxidized zirconium/silicon alloy. FTIR results were consistent with AES, and a Zr-O-Si bonding mode was identified in the spectra. The films were amorphous before and after RTA at 900°C for 30 sec, as monitored via RHEED. Optical absorption measurements indicated the onset of band-to-band transitions at an energy of approximately 6 eV. Finally, C-V testing showed that the films were insulating.
Aberrant Expression of Novel and Previously Described Cell Membrane Markers in Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines and Tumors

Purpose: In a previous gene expression array study, we identified some 300 genes that were differentially expressed in human epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (HER2)–positive versus HER2-negative breast cancer cells. We have now done validation experiments on a group of three cell membrane components that had previously not been implicated in breast cancer. We also studied the expression of three other cell membrane proteins known to play a role in mammary neoplasia. Experimental Design: By immunohistochemistry, we examined up to 130 archival breast carcinomas for Celsr2, E-cadherin, Kai1, and CD9 expression. The expression levels of NET-6 and TROP-2 were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in a subset of frozen tumors. We also studied fresh pellets and paraffin-embedded cell buttons of nine human breast cell lines. The relationship between the expression of all six membrane proteins and a variety of pathologic and biological variables, including estrogen receptor, HER2, and epidermal growth factor receptor status, was also examined. The NET-6 gene was transfected into a low-expressing cell line, and the effect on cellular morphology, growth, and invasion in vitro was recorded. Results: Celsr2 was down-regulated in one cell line and in 7% of breast cancers. E-cadherin, Kai1, and CD9 were down-regulated in 35%, 76%, and 79% of tumors, respectively, confirming the important role of these markers in human mammary neoplasia. In breast cancer cell lines and tissues, TROP-2 was generally expressed at low levels, although a few specimens showed relative overexpression. NET-6 levels were lower in HER2-negative breast carcinoma cells. In addition, NET-6 was markedly down-regulated in estrogen receptor–negative breast cancers, and expression was lowest in “basal-like” tumors. Ectopic expression of NET-6 in low-expressing MDA-MB-231 cells altered cellular morphology, inhibited growth in vitro , and decreased invasion in a Boyden chamber assay. Conclusions: We have confirmed the expression of three new membrane markers that had previously not been implicated in human breast cancer, and one of them ( NET-6 ) was correlated with HER2 and estrogen receptor status. NET-6 levels were decreased in estrogen receptor–negative and high-grade tumors, and ectopic expression of this gene had an inhibitory effect on proliferation and invasion. Thus, NET-6 may represent a novel breast cancer suppressor gene.
Improving the Arabic Pronunciation Dictionary for Phone and Word Recognition with Linguistically-Based Pronunciation Rules

In this paper, we show that linguistically motivated pronunciation rules can improve phone and word recognition results for Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Using these rules and the MADA morphological analysis and disambiguation tool, multiple pronunciations per word are automatically generated to build two pronunciation dictionaries; one for training and another for decoding. We demonstrate that the use of these rules can significantly improve both MSA phone recognition and MSA word recognition accuracies over a baseline system using pronunciation rules typically employed in previous work on MSA Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). We obtain a significant improvement in absolute accuracy in phone recognition of 3.77%--7.29% and a significant improvement of 4.1% in absolute accuracy in ASR.
Alternative models for the evolution of eyespots and of serial homology on lepidopteran wings

Summary Serial homology is widespread in organismal design, but the origin and individuation of these repeated structures appears to differ with the different types of serial homologues, and remains an intriguing and exciting topic of research. Here I focus on the evolution of the serially repeated eyespots that decorate the margin of the wings of nymphalid butterflies. In this system, unresolved questions relate to the evolutionary steps that lead to the appearance of these serial homologues and how their separate identities evolved. I present and discuss two alternative hypotheses. The first proposes that eyespots first appeared as a row of undifferentiated repeated modules, one per wing compartment, that later become individuated. This individuation allowed eyespots to appear and disappear from specific wing compartments and also allowed eyespots to acquire different morphologies. The second hypothesis proposes that eyespots first appeared as individuated single units, or groups of units, that over evolutionary time were co-opted into new compartments on the wing. I discuss the merits of each of these alternate hypotheses by finding analogies to other systems and propose research avenues for addressing these issues in the future. BioEssays 30:358–366, 2008. 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Random Boson Hubbard Model

A Monte Carlo algorithm for the random Boson Hubbard model is reported. The analytic expression of the matrix elements is presented, and the ergodicity of the Monte Carlo flips is discussed. The results in one dimension supports a previously proposed perturbational scaling argument.
Clinical Social Work and Family Medicine: A Partnership in Community Service

Traditionally, family physicians have been called on to handle the emotional problems of their patients. Their ability to address these concerns has been inconsistent. In hospital settings, where interdisciplinary teams are common, nonmedical professionals have been able to provide counseling services to patients. But this is a problem in private medical practices. This article presents a model for collaboration between family medical and clinical social work practice and describes a holistic approach for primary care practice.
Keck Spectropolarimetry of Two High-z Radio Galaxies: Discerning the Components of the Alignment Effect*

We present the first results of optical spectropolarimetry of high z radio galaxies performed at the W.M. Keck 10m telescope, and discuss the main implications about the components of the UV continuum and the relation to the Unified Model of radio—loud AGN.
An ethical decision-making process for computing professionals

Our comments focus on the ACM Code of Ethics and situate the Code within a general ethical decision-making process to specify the five steps which logically precede human action in ethical matters and determine that action, and the individual difference traits in these five steps which bear upon the resolution of an ethical problem and lead to morally responsible action. Our main purpose is to present a cognitive moral processing model which computing professionals can use to better understand their professional rights and duties. It is clear that the Code provides substantial guidance in the areas of intellectual property rights, unauthorized entry into computing systems, and privacy. In other areas, such as obscenity on bulletin-board systems, the Code is silent. An interactive software program which allows the user to see the ways in which the Code is integrated and instructive in the six-step moral decision-making process is accessible via the internet. Our secondary purpose is to reformulate the Code as a set of questions which allow the computing professional to see practices which diminish the human person as unethical and those which enhance the human person as ethical.