cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of 5-HT1A Receptor Density and in-vivo Binding Parameters of [18F]mefway in the Nonhuman Primate

The goal of this work was to characterize the in-vivo behavior of [(18)F]mefway as a suitable positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for the assay of 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptor density (B(max)). Six rhesus monkeys were studied using a multiple-injection (M-I) protocol consisting of three sequential bolus injections of [(18)F]mefway. Injection times and amounts of unlabeled mefway were optimized for the precise measurement of B(max) and specific binding parameters k(off) and k(on) for estimation of apparent K(D). The PET time series were acquired for 180 minutes with arterial sampling performed throughout. Compartmental analysis using the arterial input function was performed to obtain estimates for K(1), k(2), k(off), B(max), and K(Dapp) in the cerebral cortex and raphe nuclei (RN) using a model that accounted for nontracer doses of mefway. Averaged over subjects, highest binding was seen in the mesial temporal and dorsal anterior cingulate cortices with B(max) values of 42±8 and 36±8 pmol/mL, respectively, and lower values in the superior temporal cortex, RN, and parietal cortex of 24±4, 19±4, and 13±2 pmol/mL, respectively. The K(Dapp) of mefway for the 5-HT(1A) receptor sites was 4.3±1.3 nmol/L. In conclusion, these results show that M-I [(18)F]mefway PET experiments can be used for the in-vivo measurement of 5-HT(1A) receptor density.
Lipid Raft- and Src Family Kinase-Dependent Entry of Coxsackievirus B into Human Placental Trophoblasts

Maternal-fetal transmission of group B coxsackieviruses (CVB) during pregnancy has been associated with a number of diverse pathological outcomes, including hydrops fetalis, fetal myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, neurodevelopmental delays, congenital skin lesions, miscarriage, and/or stillbirth. Throughout pregnancy, the placenta forms a critical antimicrobial protective barrier at the maternal-fetal interface. Despite the severity of diseases accompanying fetal CVB infections, little is known regarding the strategies used by CVB to gain entry into placental trophoblasts. Here we used both a trophoblast cell line and primary human trophoblasts to demonstrate the mechanism by which CVB gains entry into polarized placental trophoblasts. Our studies revealed that the kinetics of CVB entry into placental trophoblasts are similar to those previously described for polarized intestinal epithelial cells. Likewise, CVB entry into placental trophoblasts requires decay-accelerating factor (DAF) binding and involves relocalization of the virus from the apical surface to intercellular tight junctions. In contrast, we have identified a divergent mechanism for CVB entry into polarized trophoblasts that is clathrin, caveolin-1, and dynamin II independent but requires intact lipid rafts. In addition, we found that members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases were required for CVB entry. Our studies highlight the complexity of viral entry into human placental trophoblasts and may serve as a model for mechanisms used by diverse pathogens to penetrate the placental barrier.
Mechanical Loading in Osteocytes Induces Formation of a Src/Pyk2/MBD2 Complex That Suppresses Anabolic Gene Expression

Mechanical stimulation of the skeleton promotes bone gain and suppresses bone loss, ultimately resulting in improved bone strength and fracture resistance. The molecular mechanisms directing anabolic and/or anti-catabolic actions on the skeleton during loading are not fully understood. Identifying molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction (MTD) signaling cascades could identify new therapeutic targets. Most research into MTD mechanisms is typically focused on understanding the signaling pathways that stimulate new bone formation in response to load. However, we investigated the structural, signaling and transcriptional molecules that suppress the stimulatory effects of loading. The high bone mass phenotype of mice with global deletion of either Pyk2 or Src suggests a role for these tyrosine kinases in repression of bone formation. We used fluid shear stress as a MTD stimulus to identify a novel Pyk2/Src-mediated MTD pathway that represses mechanically-induced bone formation. Our results suggest Pyk2 and Src function as molecular switches that inhibit MTD in our mechanically stimulated osteocyte culture experiments. Once activated by oscillatory fluid shear stress (OFSS), Pyk2 and Src translocate to and accumulate in the nucleus, where they associate with a protein involved in DNA methylation and the interpretation of DNA methylation patterns –methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2). OFSS-induced Cox-2 and osteopontin expression was enhanced in Pyk2 KO osteoblasts, while inhibition of Src enhanced osteocalcin expression in response to OFSS. We found that Src kinase activity increased in the nucleus of osteocytes in response to OFSS and an interaction activated between Src (Y418) and Pyk2 (Y402) increased in response to OFSS. Thus, as a mechanism to prevent an over-reaction to physical stimulation, mechanical loading may induce the formation of a Src/Pyk2/MBD2 complex in the nucleus that functions to suppress anabolic gene expression.
Assessment of a pathophysiology-directed treatment for symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum

Epiphrenic diverticulum is a rare disease associated with distal esophageal obstruction and a weakened muscularis propria. We have adhered to an operative strategy of excision (diverticulectomy), repair of esophageal wall, and relief of functional and mechanical obstruction. We sought to assess this pathophysiology-directed treatment strategy. From 1987 to 2005, 44 patients underwent surgery for epiphrenic diverticulum. Diverticulectomy, repair, and relief of distal obstruction was performed in 35 (80%) and esophagectomy in nine (10%). Outcome (symptoms, diet, subsequent therapies and morbidity) was assessed by follow-up. Forty of 44 patients had preoperatively identifiable esophageal obstruction (91%). Distal obstruction was functional in 32 patients and mechanical in 24; these conditions coexisted in 16. After surgery, there were no in-hospital deaths; 15 patients experienced 22 in-hospital complications. Survival was 90% at 5 years and 72% at 10 years. Symptoms improved in most patients (P = 0.0004), except for gastroesophageal reflux; new symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux occurred in 9/27 (33%) without this symptom preoperatively. Diet was less restricted postoperatively (P < 0.0001). Of 35 patients undergoing diverticulectomy, three (8.6%) required dilatation and two (6%) reoperation; 6/9 esophagectomy patients required dilatations. Preoperative assessment must include evaluation for mechanical obstruction. Adherence to a pathophysiology-directed operative strategy is safe and will improve the symptoms of most patients, with little need for reintervention. However, occasional patients will experience new symptoms, particularly reflux. Esophagectomy is the alternative for patients who are not candidates for diverticulectomy, repair of esophageal wall, and relief of distal obstruction.
Phospholipase D Mediates Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Secretion in Phorbol Ester-stimulated Human Fibrosarcoma Cells

Phospholipase D (PLD) has been implicated in vesicle trafficking in the Golgi and hence secretion. In this study, we show that the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) from HT 1080 human fibrosarcoma cells was stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in a time- and dose-dependent manner that involved protein kinase C. The phorbol ester also increased PLD activity in the cells. Evidence that PLD was involved in the stimulation of MMP-9 secretion was provided by the observations that the secretion of MMP-9 was stimulated by the introduction of short-chain phosphatidic acid (PA) into the growth medium and that inhibition of PA production by 1-propanol inhibited secretion. Using a short-chain diacylglycerol we excluded the possibility that MMP-9 secretion was induced by diacylglycerol formed from PA by phosphatidic acid phosphatase. Furthermore, propranolol, an inhibitor of this enzyme, had no effect on secretion induced by either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or PA. The data presented here indicate that activation of protein kinase C increases MMP-9 secretion in HT 1080 cells and implicate PLD and PA formation in the effect.
Dewy: a condensation display

This sketch presents Dewy, a display surface of 'pixelized' condensation, creating images, patterns and text out of the process of the physical state change of water. Dewy works like a spatially controlled fogged window, one that can communicate back to you, conveying information through a slow and subtle means. In developing Dewy, we have been motivated by an aversion to the 'visual pollution' of many existing systems of public media display and seek to create a alternative method of display which references natural processes and can blend seamlessly in its materiality into varying environments.
Solid-State Stability of Human Insulin II. Effect of Water on Reactive Intermediate Partitioning in Lyophiles from pH 2 -5 Solutions: Stabilization against Covalent Dimer Formation

Abstract Previous studies have established that at low pH human insulin decomposition proceeds through a two-step mechanism involving rate-limiting intramolecular formation of a cyclic anhydride intermediate at the C-terminal Asn A21 followed by intermediate partitioning to various products, most notably desamido insulin and covalent dimers, in both aqueous solution and in the amorphous (lyophilized) solid state. This study examines the product distribution resulting from insulin degradation in lyophilized powders as a function of water content and the phase behavior of the solid (glassy versus rubbery) between pH 3 and 5. In amorphous solids at low water content (glassy state), the cyclic anhydride intermediate of insulin reacts predominantly with water to form deamidated insulin, whereas the intermolecular reaction with another insulin molecule to form a covalent dimer accounts for ≤15% of the total degradation. Increasing water content reduces the glass transition temperature of insulin to A21 position requires only short-range conformational flexibility and thus is only modestly restricted even in the glassy state. On the other hand, the competing bimolecular reactions involving either water or another molecule of insulin combining with the intermediate anhydride are dependent on molecular mobility of the reactants, in accord with predictions of free volume theory. In the glassy state, deamidation (reaction with water) is favored because of the restricted molecular mobility of proteins in rigid matrices. Increasing plasticization with increasing water content favors covalent aggregate formation because of the higher dependence of protein mobility on free volume within the solid matrix.
USING HYPNOSIS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

This study examined, after discussion with the two coaches, whether hypnosis would improve shooting performance of a group of college basketball players and compared them with a control group of ba...
A General Synthesis of 2-Phenylselenenylenones. The Reaction of Unsaturated Ketones with a Phenylselenenyl Chloride/Pyridine Complex

Abstract The generation of specific enolates via Michael addition of nucleophiles to unsaturated ketones has proven to be an extremely useful process in organic synthesis. With regard to this we felt that the incorporation of a phenylselenenyl group in the 2-position of an enone would (a) enhance the ability of the enone to undergo Michael addition, (b) provide, after Michael addition, a stabilized enolate for the subsequent introduction of a substituent in the 2-position and (c) allow for the eventual introduction of a new double bond via the well-known selenoxide β-elimination reaction.1 While a few 2-phenylselenenylenones have been previously reported in the literature,2 no general method currently exists for their preparation.3 We now wish to report a general method for the synthesis of these systems in good yield under extremely mild reaction conditions. In future communications we will demonstrate the versatility of this class of compounds in a variety of enone mono- and dialkylation reactions.
Protein kinase in sea urchin gametes and embryos.

Abstract A protein kinase which phosphorylates histones and protamine was shown to be present in the sperm, oocyte and developing embryo of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus. The egg and sperm protein kinase activities have a similar pH optimum, pH 7.7 for protamine; and both activities are dependent on cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. The response to cyclic nucleotides is also similar (maximal at 1 × 10−4 M for cyclic GMP and 4 × 10−6 M for cyclic AMP). Levels of protein kinase in the sperm (expressed as units/mg soluble protein) were 30-fold higher than those of the oocytes or gastrula embryos.
Nutritional requirements of Tritrichomonas foetus with special reference to partially digested proteins.

Summary1. The amino acids essential for the growth of Tritrichomonas foetus were determined in a medium of known concentration. This flagellate utilizes nitrogen in approximately the same way as do higher organisms. The amino acids essential for T. foetus were determined to be arginine, glycine, tryptophane, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, and valine.2. Serum contains some factor capable of improving the media tested.3. Casein, lactalbumin and wheat germ protein were tested for their growth properties. Results indicate the possible use of T. foetus to determine the biological values of proteins.4. With whole protein, growth is relatively low. In digests, growth improves until the percentage of soluble nitrogen reaches 50%. As digestion continues and more nitrogen goes into solution, the growth rate decreases. This decrease may be due to destruction of strepogenin.
Truncated projection computer tomography closed-form reconstruction algorithm stability

Truncated Projection Computer Tomography (TPCT) is similar to conventional Computer Tomography (CT) in that it acquires projection information. The difference is that it weights and/or truncates the projections along their integration paths. The problem is succinctly stated as an integral equation termed the incomplete Radon transform. TPCT image reconstruction is equivalent to inversion of the incomplete Radon transform. We presented an inversion formula for this transform at SPIE Medical Imaging 1999. The solution involves the application of an integral transform that is equivalent to a combination of a square-root geometrical distortion and a Fourier transform. Subsequent to the 1999 presentation, we recast part of the inversion derivation in terms of Lagrange multipliers. Doing so led us to the realization that the incomplete Radon transform is a member of a much larger class of integral equations that lend themselves to the TPCT inversion techniques. In the present work we touch briefly on several topics. We will exhibit the larger class of integral equations in the form of Hilbert-space scalar products. They define generalized spatial filtering operations anchored simultaneously in direct space and any one of a multitude of transform spaces. In the examples relating to the TPCT reconstruction algorithm's stability, we perform computer simulations using off-axis Gaussian distributions as objects.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Us, them and I: Traumatic subjectivity and public identity

Reveals the psychological defenses that underlie Us–Them argumentation and the ideological reasons as to why such reasoning dominates a discussion of virtually any topic.
Brainstem and cranial nerve abnormalities: listeriosis, otitis media/interna, and pituitary abscess syndrome

This article reviews three disorders associated with multiple asymmetric cranial nerve deficits in ruminants: encephalitic listeriosis,otitis media/interna, and pituitary abscess syndrome. Emphasis is placed on encephalitic listeriosis, an infectious disease of the brainstem and cranial nerves caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis,and treatment of encephalitic listeriosis are reviewed, and differences between cattle and small ruminants are noted. Physical and neurologic examination findings that distinguish otitis media/interna and pituitary abscess syndrome from encephalitic listeriosis are highlighted.
Infections complicating mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.

Objective. —To determine, in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, the incidence of infections, the importance of nosocomial infections, and the epidemiologic factors associated with cutaneous and visceral infections. Design and Setting. —Retrospective inception cohort study at a university medical center referral clinic. Patients. —Three hundred fifty-six patients with mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome. Main Outcome Measures. —Incidence rates for specific infections, and multivariate risk ratios for demographic and clinical factors associated with infection. Results. —Cutaneous bacterial infection was most common (17.0 infections per 100 patient-years), followed by cutaneous herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus infection (3.8 infections per 100 patient-years), bacteremia (2.1 infections per 100 patient-years), bacterial pneumonia (1.7 infections per 100 patient-years), and urinary tract infection (1.4 infections per 100 patient-years). Twenty-seven percent of herpesvirus infections disseminated on the skin but none disseminated to internal organs. Pneumonia or bacteremia was present in 88% of patients who died of infection. Only three patients had invasive fungal or protozoal infection. Nosocomial infections accounted for 19% of cutaneous bacterial infections, 59% of bacteremias, 62% of pneumonias, and 88% of infections leading to death. By logistic and Cox regression, the presence of extracutaneous involvement with lymphoma was the most important independent risk factor for recurrent bacterial skin infection (risk ratio [RR], 12; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 1.2 to 120), disseminated herpesvirus infection (RR, 28; 95% Cl, 2.7 to 290), bloodstream infection (RR, 5.5; 95% Cl, 1.7 to 18), and death from infection (RR, 15; 95% Cl, 3.6 to 64). Conclusions. —Community-acquired bacterial skin infections are a common cause of morbidity in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome but are usually treated without hospital admission. Bacteremia and pneumonia, which are usually nosocomial, are the major infectious causes of death. Advanced disease stage, independent of corticosteroids and other therapies, is the most important risk factor for both cutaneous and systemic infections. (JAMA. 1992;267:1354-1358)
Kinetic Monte Carlo investigation of pit formation at the CaCO3(101̄4) surface-water interface

Abstract On the basis of quantitative information derived from atomic-force microscopy (AFM) studies of shallow pit formation at the CaCO 3 (1014) surface-water interface in the surface-reaction regime, we have developed a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model which reproduces quantitatively the experimental behaviour of the time-evolution of the pits. This allows the rates of all the important elementary atomistic processes involved in the dissolution to be obtained, rates not readily obtainable directly from AFM data. The KMC model also provides important insight into the evolution of very small pits, which in principle can be resolved using AFM, but which in practice are very difficult to observe because of the low probability of their occurrence in the microscope scan area. The KMC simulations show that the growing pits exhibit two different growth regimes, in agreement with the predictions of a simple terrace-ledge-kink (TLK) model. For very small pits the linear pit size increases exponentially with time and the pit edges accelerate (double-kink self-annihilation regime). Having attained a certain pit size (∼25 nm for a temperature of 300 K), thereafter the pit sizes increase linearly with time, the pit edges maintaining a constant velocity (kink-kink annihilation regime). A comparison of the quantitative predictions of the TLK model with KMC simulations shows that, in spite of its simplicity, the TLK model provides a satisfactory semi-quantitative description of the pit evolution. The KMC model presented provides the starting point for the development of a more comprehensive model of the calcite-water interface which will include the effects of adsorbates and other variations in interface conditions. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Combined, nonlinear aerodynamic and structural method for the aeroelastic design of a three-dimensional wing in supersonic flow

An iterative procedure for the static aeroelastic design of a flexible wing at supersonic speeds has been developed. The procedure combines a nonlinear, full-potential solver (NCOREL) with an equivalent plate structural analysis method. The NCOREL method yields significantly improved aerodynamic estimates compared to linear theory. The equivalent plate structural analysis method demonstrates an order of magnitude reduction in computer memory and execution time compared to finite-element methods. A highly swept wing is analyzed at high lift using this aeroelastic procedure. The results indicate that the wing deforms favorably due to aerodynamic loading and, consequently, that the inviscid drag levels do not vary at the required lift coefficient although the angle of attack varies significantly. A sensitivity analysis of the type required for optimization studies was also performed with the aeroelastic design procedure.
Long-Term Outcome of Surgically Treated Crohn's Colitis: A Prospective Study

Although bowel-sparing techniques have been published for treatment of Crohn’s disease of the small bowel because of its relentless nature, extent of resection in Crohn’s colitis is still a topic of debate. This study was designed to prospectively evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with isolated Crohn’s colitis to identify patients that may benefit from initial more aggressive resection. We identified 179 patients with Crohn’s disease operated on for primary colonic disease. They were divided into segmental colectomy, total abdominal colectomy, and total proctocolectomy groups, based on their initial operation. They were further characterized by extent and location of colonic involvement. Long-term outcome variables evaluated included colonic and small-bowel surgical recurrences, postoperative complications and long-term sequelae, long-term need for medical therapy, and need for permanent fecal diversion. Fifty-five patients underwent segmental colectomy, 49 total abdominal colectomy, and 75 total proctocolectomy. Patients with diffuse colonic involvement were significantly less likely to undergo segmental colectomy than total abdominal colectomy (P < 0.0001) or total proctocolectomy (P < 0.0001). Patients with distal involvement or pancolitis were significantly less likely to undergo segmental colectomy than total abdominal colectomy (P < 0.0001) or total proctocolectomy (P < 0.0001). Overall there were 31 patients (24.4 percent) with surgical Crohn’s recurrences during follow-up: 19 (38.8 percent) in the segmental colectomy, 8 (22.9 percent) in the total abdominal colectomy, and 4 (9.3 percent) in the total proctocolectomy group. There was a significant difference in time to recurrence between the three groups by log-rank test (P = 0.017). Segmental colectomy patients had a significantly shorter time to first recurrence than total proctocolectomy patients (P = 0.014). After adjusting for extent of disease, the segmental colectomy group had a significantly greater risk of surgical recurrence than the total proctocolectomy group (P = 0.006). Total proctocolectomy patients were significantly less likely to be still taking medications one year after the index operation than total abdominal colectomy patients (P = 0.003) and segmental colectomy patients (P = 0.0003). During follow-up, patients with isolated distal disease were significantly more likely to require a permanent stoma than patients with isolated proximal disease (P = 0.004). A more aggressive approach should be considered in patients with diffuse and distal Crohn’s colitis. Total proctocolectomy in the properly selected patients is associated with low morbidity, lower risk of recurrence, and longer time to recurrence. Patients after total proctocolectomy are more likely to be weaned off all Crohn’s-related medications. Long-term rate of permanent fecal diversion is significantly higher in patients with distal disease.
Levels of significance of some two-sample tests wkem observations are from compound normal distributions

This paper presents an investigation of the behavior of the levels of significance of the two-sample t and its related tests and the Mann-Whitney test when the samples are randomly drawn from mixtures of two normal populations (compound normals) and when the sample sizes are small (combined sample sizes ⩽ 15). The use of the compound normal allows for investigation when the underlying populations are unequal, nonnormal, heterogeneous in variances, unimodal or bimodal, possessing smaller than normal kurtosis or containing contamination. The exact distribution of the t and its related tests are given. However, they are not readily amenable to calculations. Most of the numerical results presented were obtained by simulations
The saga of MHC-bound peptides: a renaissance for antigen presentation?

In this issue of the JCI, two separate studies on MHC-bound peptides reopen the debate on the utility of peptides for the purposes of vaccination and treatment of autoimmune diseases. In the first study, by Wahlstrom et al., peptides bound to HLA-DR17 from bronchoalveolar lavage cells of sarcoidosis patients were analyzed in order to identify target antigens of the autoimmune response (see the related article beginning on page 3576). In the second study, by Le Gall et al., the modulation of epitope immunodominance and the processing and presentation of HIV peptides for MHC class I recognition were shown to be dependent on flanking residues that were N terminal to the natural epitopes (see the related article beginning on page 3563). Both studies highlight the tremendous therapeutic potential of MHC-bound peptides. They also emphasize that technical issues are still plaguing this field and hindering our understanding of MHC presentation in vivo.
Differentiation of bursal secretory‐dendritic cells studied with anti‐vimentin monoclonal antibody

Embryonic and posthatched differentiation of bursal secretory dendritic cells, which express vimentin intermediate filaments, were studied with anti-vimentin (clone 3B4) and anti-cytokeratin (clone Lu5) monoclonal antibodies. Anti-cytokeratin staining revealed that medullary reticular epithelial cells formed a continuous network at every age, whereas the vimentin positive cells were single and showed dendritic appearance. On the basis of location, number, shape, polarized appearance, and Ia staining, the vimentin-positive cells and secretory dendritic cells appeared to be the same cell. Secretory dendritic cell precursors entered the bursal epithelium between 11 and 13 days of embryogenesis. The first vimentin positive cell appeared in the bud of 14-day embryos. Bud formation preceded the appearance of vimentin-positive cells. These observations suggested that the secretory dendritic cell precursor did not express vimentin when it entered the epithelium. Between 15 days of embryogenesis and 2 weeks of posthatch development, the changes in vimentin staining pattern revealed a cytological differentiation of the vimentin-positive cell. During rapid bursal growth, the number of secretory dendritic cells (vimentin-positive cells) increased about 18 times possibly by proliferation of vimentin-negative precursors in the epithelial arches of the corticomedullary border. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Identifying and Removing a Calculus Prerequisite as a Bottleneck in Clemson's General Engineering Curriculum

A review of prerequisites often reveals that reasons for requiring a prerequisite may no longer prevail due to curriculum or course changes. Based on a study of a curriculum bottleneck unrelated to required mastery, the prerequisite structure in Clemson University's General Engineering curriculum (the common first-year curriculum for all engineering students) was changed so that Calculus I could be taken in the second semester. Student record analysis shows both the magnitude of the bottleneck prior to the policy change and the effect on student enrollment practices after the policy change. Longitudinal studies show a statistically significant improvement in retention in engineering adding to the body of evidence that indicates that it is important to retention that students start college mathematics at a level for which they are prepared.
In vivo measurements of ultrasonic beam distortion in the breast

The phase aberrations encountered by ultrasonic pulses propagating through breast tissue in twenty-two female volunteers were measured. The experiments were designed to assess the impact of these aberrations on clinical ultrasonic image quality for a variety of transducer and imaging geometries. The phase aberration profiles of a given patient were correlated with the amount of parenchymal tissue determined from that patient's mammogram. These data are useful in assessing the image quality achievable with conventional ultrasonic imaging systems, and the potential application of adaptive ultrasonic imaging systems. The results indicate that phase aberrations significantly degrade breast image quality for typical transducer frequencies and sizes.
Examination of the Accuracy of Coding Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Stages

Objective: Pressure ulcers (PU) are considered harmful conditions that are reasonably prevented if accepted standards of care are followed. They became subject to the payment adjustment for hospitalacquired conditions (HACs) beginning October 1, 2008. We examined several aspects of the accuracy of coding for pressure ulcers under the Medicare Hospital-Acquired Condition Present on Admission (HAC–POA) Program. We used the “4010” claim format as a basis of reference to show some of the issues of the old format, such as the underreporting of pressure ulcer stages on pressure ulcer claims and how the underreporting varied by hospital characteristics. We then used the rate of Stage III and IV pressure ulcer HACs reported in the Hospital Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases data to look at the sensitivity of PU HAC–POA coding to the number of diagnosis fields. Methods: We examined Medicare claims data for FYs 2009 and 2010 to examine the degree that the presence of stage codes were underreported on pressure ulcer claims. We selected all claims with a secondary diagnosis code of pressure ulcer site (ICD-9 diagnosis codes 707.00–707.09) that were not reported as POA (POA of “N” or “U”). We then created a binary indicator for the presence of any pressure ulcer stage diagnosis code. We examine the percentage of claims with a diagnosis of a pressure ulcer site code with no accompanying pressure ulcer stage code. Results: Our results point to underreporting of PU stages under the “4010” format and that the reporting of stage codes varied across hospital type and location. Further, our results indicate that under the “5010” format, a higher number of pressure ulcer HACs can be expected to be reported and we should expect to encounter a larger percentage of pressure ulcers incorrectly coded as POA under the new format.
Selecting an Antiarrhythmic Agent for Atrial Fibrillation Should Be a Patient-Specific, Data-Driven Decision

Abstract Selecting an antiarrhythmic agent for atrial fibrillation (AF) should be a patient-specific decision. When possible, it should be based on sound rationale and available clinical data. This article details many of the thought processes that must go into this decision process and offers some suggested algorithmic starting points based on these considerations. With a patient’s first episode of AF, termination is appropriate, but antiarrhythmic therapy should usually be withheld in order to assess the recurrence pattern. However, if severe hemodynamic or ischemic intolerance would make recurrence a serious risk, or if an early symptomatic recurrence is highly likely, antiarrhythmic therapy would be appropriate. Acute AF may terminate spontaneously or may be terminated iatrogenically. The latter may be achieved by direct current or pharmacologic approaches. The risks, benefits, and optimum utility of these approaches are addressed in the article. Infrequent recurrences may be treated with cardioversion; frequent or severely symptomatic episodes are best treated with attempts at suppression with chronic antiarrhythmic drug administration. Since the therapeutic efficacy of maintaining sinus rhythm is similar for the currently available agents, the drug selection process should be based in large part on safety and convenience considerations. The factors underlying this selection process and one suggested algorithm for drug choice are provided in this article.
Fifty Shades of API for Business in New Networked Economy

Application Programming Interface (API) is increasingly popular and it became one of the critical vehicles of service enablement and IT collaboration in Cloud computing. Several large business enterprises invested a major portion of their IT budget into software redesign, restructuring the application architecture and their application service interfaces to decouple of the application boundary beyond limit. It will cover a detail understanding of API and its essence in the business and enterprise. It will also share a various shades and role of API in IT transformation journey in the networked economy of cloud computing and social media. The article also demonstrates how an enterprise can scale to manage the hyper growth of economy through collaboration of services by various service providers through API.
Penile ischemic injury in the exstrophy/epispadias spectrum: New insights and possible mechanisms

Abstract Objective Partial or complete penile loss following bladder exstrophy and/or epispadias repair has been reported in the literature progressively more frequently. Patients and methods The authors report new cases of penile injury following bladder exstrophy and/or epispadias repair referred to their centers and not previously published. They review the literature on this subject and offer an explanation as to the likely mechanism for the penile injury and recommendations to avoid this complication. Results Seven new cases of partial or complete penile loss following bladder exstrophy or epispadias repair have been recently referred to the authors’ institutions. Twenty-one patients have previously been reported in the literature. Altogether, 24 cases occurred after bladder exstrophy closure: 23 after complete primary repair of exstrophy (Mitchell repair) and one after first-stage radical soft-tissue mobilization (Kelly repair). Nineteen of 24 patients did not have a pelvic osteotomy at the time of primary closure. Four cases occurred after epispadias repair: two following the second-stage radical soft-tissue mobilization (Kelly repair) and two following penile disassembly epispadias repair (Mitchell repair). Conclusion Exstrophy closure combined with epispadias repair can be followed by ischemic penile injury, particularly when osteotomy is not performed. Compression of the pudendal vessels after pubic apposition and/or direct injury to the pudendal vessels play an important role in the pathogenesis of this complication.
Stock market reactions to entry mode choices of multinational hotel firms

Abstract This paper contends that when entry mode choices are aligned with the characteristics of the host country, investors are likely to respond more positively to the expansion announcement than when there is no or little alignment. Empirical results from the international hotel industry support this contention. The findings specifically reveal that the announcements of new management contracts in developing countries, and new franchise agreements in developed countries, cause superior abnormal returns. The study also further supports the notion that control and ownership need to be treated as separate dimensions in the entry mode literature.
Percussion Drilling...Is It a Lost Technique? A Review.

This paper presents a review of the benefits and performance of downhole percussion hammers. The advancement of drilling technology and the extensive use of coiled tubing coupled with different downhole motors prompted another look at the percussion type of drills. Achieving very high extended reach wells also have necessitated a high axial driving mechanism. The potential benefits of the percussion type of drilling machine for future operations are given, supported by the performance of the tools. The use envelope and the benchmarks of the tools by different manufacturers down the years have been discussed. The hammers developed and operated have been supported by enough field runs to prove the sustainment of the tools. Different models of downhole hammers can be categorized as first generation tools which include the developments from early time to the development of Bassinger tools. The second generation tools from post-Bassinger to the recent developments are discussed broadly. The basic principle involved and the necessity to consider the correct stress waveform to simulate the performance of the downhole hammer energy transfer are reviewed.
Thiamin, Riboflavin and α-Tocopherol Retention in Processed and Stored Irradiated Pork

Combination treatments for preservation of irradiated pork were investigated with respect to vitamin loss. Ground pork was prepared under nitrogen and packaged in anaerobic foil. The samples were enzyme denatured by heating before and after irradiation, then cooked and stored. Irradiation resulted in thiamin loss, but neither riboflavin nor α-tocopherol was affected. Neither thiamin nor riboflavin was affected by heat denaturation, cooking or storage, but heating and cooking increased the measured α-tocopherol. The lack of loss of the vitamins was attributed to the exclusion of oxygen.
A New Look at Actor‐Oriented Theory

In the late 1950s and early 1960s some British and American anthropologists, interested in "politics" but dissatisfied with the then-current approaches to the topic, introduced a new approach which seemed fresh, promising, and had a connection with other major theoretical developments in the field. This "new political anthropology," in contrast to either British structural-functionalist approaches or to American neo-evolutionary ones, began with a new conception of the nature of politics and accorded a particular role to actors, motivated players in the "game of politics" (Bailey). Its practitioners argued against reified and essentialized conceptions of "social structure," "society," and "culture."
Genetically Engineered Plants and Foods: A Scientist's Analysis of the Issues (Part I)

Through the use of the new tools of genetic engineering, genes can be introduced into the same plant or animal species or into plants or animals that are not sexually compatible—the latter is a distinction with classical breeding. This technology has led to the commercial production of genetically engineered (GE) crops on approximately 250 million acres worldwide. These crops generally are herbicide and pest tolerant, but other GE crops in the pipeline focus on other traits. For some farmers and consumers, planting and eating foods from these crops are acceptable; for others they raise issues related to safety of the foods and the environment. In Part I of this review some general and food issues raised regarding GE crops and foods will be addressed. Responses to these issues, where possible, cite peerreviewed scientific literature. In Part II to appear in 2009, issues related to environmental and socioeconomic aspects of GE crops and foods will be covered.
Does subclinical hypercortisolism adversely affect the bone mineral density of patients with adrenal incidentalomas

OBJECTIVE Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) is detected increasingly in a substantial proportion of patients with incidentally discovered adrenal adenomas. The clinical implications of SH are currently unclear. Osteoporosis is a well-known complication of glucocorticoid excess. So far, the impact of SH on bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied in a limited number of reports with discordant results. In the present study we evaluated the BMD in a large cohort of post-menopausal women with adrenal incidentalomas. : patients and measurements Forty-two post-menopausal women with incidentally discovered adrenal masses and radiological features highly suggestive of benign adrenal adenomas were investigated. All patients underwent a standard low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST; 0.5 mg 6-hourly for 2 days). The diagnosis of subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) was based on post-LDDST cortisol concentrations of > 70 nmol/l. According to this criterion patients were subdivided into two groups: with (n = 18; group A) or without (n = 24; group B) SH. There was no significant difference in age, years since menopause and body mass index between these groups. BMD was measured at L2-L4 vertebrae and three sites of the proximal femur by the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method. RESULTS Post-menopausal women with SH (group A) exhibited slightly but significantly lower absolute and age-adjusted BMD values compared to group B patients in the femoral neck (BMD g/cm2: 0.72 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.79 +/- 0.09; Z-score: -0.20 +/- 0.82 vs. +0.43 +/- 0.94, P < 0.05) and trochanter (BMD g/cm2: 0.60 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.10; Z-score: -0.32 +/- 1.0 vs. +0.30 +/- 1.05, P < 0.01). BMD measurements of the Ward's triangle were also lower in group A patients but the difference did not reach statistical significance (BMD g/cm2: 0.60 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.68 +/- 0.13, P = 0.06). There was no difference in the lumbar vertebrae between the two groups (BMD g/cm2: 0.888 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.90 +/- 0.16, P = 0.78; z-score: +0.50 +/- 1.16 vs. +0.11 +/- 1.5, P = 0.36). The number of patients in the osteoporotic range was minimal with no significant difference between the two groups. However, the frequency of osteopenia in group A was significantly greater than in group B patients in the trochanter and Ward's triangle areas. Serum osteocalcin (BGP) levels were significantly lower in group A compared to group B patients (18.6 +/- 8.6 vs. 26.2 +/- 8.1 ng/ml, P < 0.01); no difference existed regarding parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations (43 +/- 15.6 vs. 41.2 +/- 14.8 pg/ml, P = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS In this series, post-menopausal women with subclinical hypercortisolism had lower absolute and age-adjusted BMD values and a higher rate of osteopaenia in the trabecular loaded and mixed cortical-trabecular bone of proximal femur. These data demonstrate that the subtle hypercortisolism of patients with adrenal incidentalomas may have an adverse effect on the bone mass of these patients.
VNIR multispectral observations of rocks at Cape York, Endeavour crater, Mars by the Opportunity rover’s Pancam

From its arrival at the portion of the rim of Endeavour crater known informally as Cape York, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has made numerous visible and near infrared (VNIR) multispectral observations of rock surfaces. This paper describes multispectral observations from Opportunity’s arrival at Cape York to its winter-over location at Greeley Haven. Averages of pixels from the Pancam’s left and right eyes were joined to form 11 point spectra from numerous observations and were examined via a number of techniques. These included principal components analysis, a sequential maximum angle convex cone approach, examination of spectral parameters, and a hierarchical clustering approach. The end result of these analyses was the determination of six primary spectral (PS) classes describing spectrally unique materials observed on Cape York. These classes consisted of a “standard” outcrop spectrum that was observed on the clasts and matrix comprising the upper unit of the Shoemaker formation, a class representing rock surfaces exposed around Odyssey crater and typified by the rocks of the Tisdale series, pebbles occurring in and weathered out of the upper unit of the Shoemaker formation that appear red in 1009, 904, 754 nm color composites, patches on Tisdale rocks exhibiting a 864 nm band minimum that were spectrally anomalous in root mean square error images derived from spectral mixture analyses, clasts with a high 904 nm band depth occurring in the Greeley Haven location, and gypsum veins typified by the vein Homestake. Comparisons of three of these classes that had well defined band minima between 800 and 1009 nm with spectral library spectra of ferrous silicates and ferric oxide, oxyhydroxide and ferric sulfate minerals indicated tentative matches of the “red” pebbles with orthopyroxenes, of the spectrally anomalous 864 nm band minimum material with hematite or ferric sulfates, and of the high 904 nm band depth material with an orthopyroxene–clinopyroxene mixture. The spectral properties of rock surfaces on Cape York are distinct from those of Burns Formation outcrops observed on the Meridiani Plains. The Cape York outcrop is Noachian in age and study of these materials provides insight into less acidic environmental conditions extant before the formation of the Burns Formation.
Splitting the Beam: Distribution of Attention Over Noncontiguous Regions of the Visual Field

In an effort to examine the flexibility with which attention can be allocated in visual space, we investigated whether subjects could selectively attend to multiple noncontiguous locations in the visual field We examined this issue by precuing two separate areas of the visual field and requiring subjects to decide whether the letters that appeared in these locations matched or mismatched while distractors that primed either the match or mismatch response were presented between the cued locations If the distractors had no effect on performance, it would provide evidence that subjects can divide attention over noncontiguous areas of space Subjects were able to ignore the distractors when the targets and distractors were presented as nononset stimuli (i e, when premasks were changed into the targets and distractors) In contrast, when the targets and distractors were presented as sudden-onset stimuli, subjects were unable to ignore the distractors These results begin to define the conditions under which atten...