cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fetal fibronectin detection as a predictor of preterm birth in actual clinical practice

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether fetal fibronectin determination is more useful for predicting preterm delivery in clinical practice than it has appeared to be in prospective blinded studies. Study Design: Charts of 151 patients with fetal fibronectin tests performed during 2 years were reviewed. Patients were included if they had symptoms of preterm labor, a singleton pregnancy at 24 to 35 weeks' gestation, intact membranes, and cervical dilatation ≤3 cm. Results: Complete data were available for 85 tests. For delivery within 7 days after specimen collection the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 89%, 84%, 40%, and 98%, respectively. The positive predictive value was greater ( P P P Conclusion: The positive predictive value of fetal fibronectin measured in actual clinical practice was significantly greater for delivery within 7 days than has been reported in blinded prospective studies. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1103-6.)
A Shallow-Gas-Kick Simulator Including Diverter Performance

A computer simulator of the flow and pressure behaviors in wellbores and diverters (large horizontal flowlines from the wellhead) was developed to predict performance during shallow gas blowouts. The model is based on the solution of the unsteady-state mechanical energy-balance equation for pipe flow. Four main regions are considered: the reservoir, the two-phase gas/liquid region in the wellbore, the liquid being displaced ahead of the two-phase region, and the diverter. For the reservoir, equations for transient radial gas flow are used. In the two-phase region, Aziz {ital et al}.'s two-phase flow model is used to calculate liquid holdup and frictional pressure drop. For liquid ahead of the gas, pressure losses caused by the acceleration of the liquid column are considered. Flow in the diverter allows for two-phase critical flow at the diverter exit. At each timestep, the model calculates the pressure, fraction of each phase present, and velocity throughout the well and the diverter by use of an iterative procedure. The model has shown that the pressure and velocity behaviors depend strongly on the initial difference between bottomhole pressure (BHP) and reservoir pressure and on the wellbore and diverter diameters.
Neural Network Detection of Shockwaves

Contemporary neural networks simulate the operation of brain subsystems with substantially higher e delity than was possible a few years ago. These improvements offer new opportunities to use the cognitive competence of neural networks in e uid mechanics. One such opportunity is developed by taking concepts from their origin in neuroscience through a neural network to the e uid mechanics. The discussion focuses on one brain subsystem (the “ What” pathway of the visual system ), adaptsan existing neural network modelofthevisual system (theboundary contour system/feature contour system ), and shows how a e owe eld scalar can excite a pattern of simulated neural activity. The neural network uses three types of shunting neurons found in the retina, lateral geniculate nucleus, and cortical area V1. When shown the density e eld of a supersonic channel e ow, certain neurons in the neural network become active when a shock passes nearby. These active neurons provide a pattern of neural activity that could feed into higher-level What pathway neural networks to make more sophisticated inferences about structures present in a e ow. The challenges posed by embedding the current neural network in these higher-level brain structures suggest a promising research agenda.
The determinants of successful self-catheterization programs in children with myelomeningoceles

Myelomeningocele is a birth defect that results in lifelong consequences for the child and family. One of the abnormalities that results from the defect is a neurogenic bladder. Most children with myelomeningoceles will require a clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) program for continence. Yet, many children do not have success with these programs. The purpose of this report is to identify in the literature components of a successful self-catheterization program. The importance of proper urinary management in children with myelomeningoceles will be discussed. Physiological, developmental, and motivational qualities that are present in successful self-catheterization programs will be identified. The importance of knowing when the child is ready to learn, how to know when the child is ready to learn, and different styles of teaching self-catheterization will be discussed. Finally, nursing implications for children on CIC programs will be described.
PARP inhibitors – current status and the walk towards early breast cancer

Summary Epithelial carcinomas in general arise as a result of the acquisition of and selection for multiple mutations in a parental somatic cell clone within the tissues of the primary organ of origin. In the last two decades genome caretakers, which function in key areas of DNA damage response, have been recognized as important tumour suppressor genes. Inactivating mutations in these genes occur both as germline and/or somatic mutations with increasing evidence of epigenetic silencing as an additional cause of loss of function. In any event, loss of function in a tumour cell pre-cursor clone leads to accelerated mutation acquisition and underpins the aetiology of the tumour. With increasing understanding of the complex network that is the DNA damage response, signaling pathways already recognized to be central to the establishment of the cancer phenotype are gaining additional roles as controllers of DNA repair. This has relevance to identification of wider populations of patients with tumours susceptible to approaches that target DNA repair deficiency. These have classically been with DNA damaging chemotherapy but the recently developed small molecule inhibitors of DNA repair enzymes such as Poly-ADP polymerases PARP-1 and PARP-2 have been shown to target tumour deficiencies in DNA repair as well sensitizing to DNA damaging therapeutics such as radiation and chemotherapy. Early phase trials with efficacy endpoints have been presented for the PARP inhibitors AG014699, olaparib, veliparib, iniparib and MK4827. The results of the first phase II trials exploring monotherapy PARP inhibitor strategies, which are based on revisiting the concept of synthetic lethality, have emerged and are reviewed herein. The clinical trials that have or are exploring combinations with DNA damaging therapy in these contexts are discussed with particular reference to breast cancer, as are biomarkers that have been proposed and are being investigated to develop optimal drug schedule and patient selection criteria for these DNA repair targeting approaches.
ACOUSTIC PROPAGATION IN AN UNCERTAIN WAVEGUIDE ENVIRONMENT USING STOCHASTIC BASIS EXPANSIONS

A generalization of acoustic propagation in an uncertain ocean waveguide environment is described using a probabilistic formulation in terms of stochastic basis expansions. The problem is studied in the context of wave propagation in random media, where environmental uncertainty and its interaction with the acoustic field are described by stochastic, rather than deterministic parameters and fields. This representation, constructed explicitly in terms of Karhunen-Loeve (KL) and polynomial chaos (PC) expansions, leads to coupled differential equations for the expansion coefficients from which the stochastic acoustic field can be obtained as a random process. The equations are solved in the narrow-angle parabolic approximation using a split-step method to compute moments of the random acoustic field at any point in the waveguide. Results are compared with Monte-Carlo computations of the acoustic field in the same environment to study the convergence of the truncated stochastic basis expansion representing the acoustic field. The rate of convergence of the truncated chaos expansion was found to be dependent on the particular moment computed. For the first and second moments corresponding to the mean field and the field intensity, convergence was achieved rapidly, only requiring low order expansions. Another second moment, the acoustic spatial coherence, converged more slowly due to the relative phase information that, in this formulation, is described by polynomial approximation. While stochastic basis expansions show promise for the development of compact representations of the acoustic field in the presence of environmental uncertainty, accelerated convergence schemes will be needed to allow for practical applications.
The spliced structure of BK virus mRNAs in lytically infected and transformed cells

Abstract The mRNA molecules of human papovavirus BKV in lytically infected cells and in a transformed human cell culture cloned from a population infected with uv-inactivated BKV were mapped using the nuclease S1 technique. Two BKV mRNA species are synthesized in cells early after lytic infection and in virus-transformed cells. The 5′ end of one RNA species (and of the other by inference) maps at approximately 0.66 map unit near the origin for DNA replication, and the 3′ ends of both molecules map at 0.16 unit. The intervening sequences deleted from these mRNAs are located between 0.585 and 0.53 map unit for one species and between 0.535 and 0.53 map unit for the other. The map positions of these RNAs are similar to the locations of the SV40 mRNAs which encode the large T-antigen and small t-antigens, respectively. We also determined the genomic locations of the late BKV mRNA species. The body sequences of the late 16 S RNA map between 0.93 and 0.16 unit and those of the late 19 S RNA between 0.765 and 0.16 unit. A significant proportion of these late transcripts contain a leader RNA transcribed from 0.70 to 0.76 map unit. The spliced late lytic BKV RNAs synthesized in both human embryonic kidney cells and African green monkey kidney cells appear to be identical.
Stop-consonant recognition: Release bursts and formant transitions as functionally equivalent, context-dependent cues

Three experiments assessed the roles of release bursts and formant transitions as acoustic cues to place of articulation in syllable-initial voiced stop consonants by systematically removing them from American English /b,d,g/, spoken before nine different vowels by two speakers, and by transposing the bursts across all vowels for each class of stop consonant. The results showed that bursts were largely invariant in their effect, but carried significant perceptual weight in only one syllable out of 27 for Speaker 1, in only 13 syllables out of 27 for Speaker 2. Furthermore, bursts and transitions tended to be reciprocally related: Where the perceptual weight of one increased, the weight of the other declined. They were thus shown to be functionally equivalent, context-dependent cues, each contributing to the rapid spectral changes that follow consonantal release. The results are interpreted as pointing to the possible role of the front-cavity resonance in signaling place of articulation.
Simulated nonresonant pulsed laser manipulation of a nitrogen flow

The continuing advance of laser technology enables a range of broadly applicable, laser-based flow manipulation techniques relevant to a number of aerospace, basic physics, and microtechnology applications. Theories for laser-molecule interactions have been under development since the advent of laser technology. Yet, the theories have not been adequately integrated into kinetic flow solvers. Realizing this integration would greatly enhance the scaling of laser-species interactions beyond the realm of ultra-cold atomic physics. This goal was realized in the present study. A representative numerical investigation of laser-based neutral nonpolar molecular flow manipulations was conducted using non-resonant pulsed laser fields. The numerical tool employed for this study was a specifically modified version of the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo statistical kinetic solver known as SMILE. Flow steering and collimation was simulated for a nitrogen effluence with a stagnation condition of 1 Pa and 300 K emptying into vacuum. The laser pulses were 250 mJ, 5 ns pulses at a wavelength of 532 nm. Flow modification mapped out contours which followed the intensity gradient of the laser field, consistent with the use of the induced dipole gradient force along the field’s radial direction and previously published experiments.
Retinal locus and acuity in visual information processing

Much recent visual information processing research has employed linear or rectangular letter displays subtending up to 8 deg of visual angle in width. Subsequent theory based on these data has assumed the simultaneous availability to some central processor of all n targets. Data on retinal acuity suggest that this assumption is gratuitous. Six subjects served in a tachistoscopic speeded letter recognition task wherein display luminance, retinal target locus, number of alternative target positions, and stimulus degradation by superimposition of a dot grid were manipulated orthogonally. Identification reaction times increased on the order of 100 msec as targets were located 3 deg from the fovea center, and results under convergent operations in the design suggested that these reaction time increases were a manifestation of peripheral stimulus degradation factors (such as acuity, masking, and luminance) rather than more central cognitive processes.
Atypical case of ocular hemosiderosis: leopard cataract.

We present an interventional case report of an 83-year-old woman who developed ocular hemosiderosis secondary to massive retinal and intravitreal bleeding associated with a choroidal neovascular membrane as a result of age-related macular degeneration. Anterior segment manifestations included low-grade inflammation, posterior synechiae, reversible hyperchromic heterochromia, and a mature cataract with “leopard spots.” The longstanding vitreous hemorrhage was thought to be the etiology of these findings. At the request of the vitreoretinal surgeon, cataract surgery was performed to provide visualization of the posterior segment. However, the patient's visual potential was limited by her underlying retinal pathology. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Additional disclosure is found in the footnotes.
Hypertension in women and the elderly. Some puzzling and some expected findings of treatment studies.

PreviewDo men and women respond to antihypertensive treatment in the same way? Do young women and elderly women? Do black women and white women? Surprisingly, according to some trial results, the answers appear to be no, no, and no. The authors summarize recent findings that can be used, for now, to guide therapy decisions in women as well as in the elderly, in whom therapy has more consistently and conclusively produced benefits.
Check Your Advance Directive at the Door: Transplantation and the Obligation to Live

The case presented by Jotkowitz, Glick, and Zivotsky (2010) raises significant concerns regarding withdrawal of life support against a family's wishes. Most assuredly, when families are moved to se...
Constitutive DNase I Hypersensitivity of p53-Regulated Promoters

The ability of p53 to alter, at the transcriptional level, the gene expression of downstream targets is critical for its role as a tumor suppressor. Most models of p53 activation postulate the stepwise recruitment by p53 of coactivators, histone acetyltransferases, and/or chromatin remodeling factors to a promoter region to facilitate the subsequent access of the general transcriptional machinery required for transcriptional induction. We demonstrate here, however, that the promoter regions for the p53 target genes, p21, 14-3-3ς, and KARP-1, exist in a constitutively open conformation that is readily accessible to DNase I. This conformation was not altered by DNA damage or by whether p53 was present or absent in the cell. In contrast, p53 response elements, which resided outside the immediate promoter regions, existed within DNase I-resistant chromatin domains. Thus, p53 activation of downstream target genes occurs without p53 inducing chromatin alterations detectable by DNase I accessibility at either the promoter or the response element. As such, these data support models of p53 activation that do not require extensive chromatin alterations to support cognate gene expression.
Determinants of Cardiac Performance

Sequential experimental studies are reviewed which, when properly integrated, confirm the concept that the responses of the ventricles, however measured, are determined by the initial length of fibers, provided that the functional state of the myocardium is not altered. Some of the established factors are discussed which may obscure the evidence that this basic law is of importance under normal and pathologic conditions.
Reference Serials: An Index

When I began as column editor for “Reference Serials” I experienced an immediate need for a cumulative index to titles reviewed in this column over the years. An expeditious solution to the question of whether a particular title had been reviewed previously in RSR was a search of Book Review Index on DIALOG. In the process of this searching, I discovered that BRI's indexing of RSR was more complete than RSR's self indexing and, of course, BRI's indexing online is cumulative while RSR has no cumulative indexes. Both index options had an additional problem: each included references to all the titles mentioned in the various columns of RSR regardless of whether the reference was actually to an extensive review or simply to an unannotated listing of the title.
Culture, Exchange, and Gender: Lessons from the Murik

The work of Mauss and Levi-Strauss on exchange systems suggests that certain kinds of communal traditions and institutions are especially prevalent in (but not unique to) Island Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania. We propose that this prevalence can be explained by historico-geographic factors that are consistent with an unusual emphasis on an ethos of communality among the stateless, food-harvesting peoples in this part of the world. Reconsideration of exchange systems from this point of view reveals that, where there is an emphasis on an ethos of communality, representations of masculine authority, association, and identity are acutely brought into question by feminine powers of birthing, nursing, and sexuality. To show how this is the case, we review features of the communal traditions and institutions of the Murik, a fishing and trading people who live at the mouth of the Sepik River. The topics included in this review are feast making, mothering, culture heroine and hero myths, sibling relationships, trade partnerships, canoe building, and the war cult.
Nitrogen Fixation by Irrigated Berseem Clover versus Soil Nitrogen Supply

Nitrogen fixation was estimated by the difference method for two cultivars of berseem clover (Trifohum alexandrinum L.), using annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as the control in field trials from 1983 to 1988. Five or six cuttings were obtained each year under supplemental irrigation, and dry matter production and uptake of nitrogen into harvested forage were measured. Estimates of nitrogen fixation by berseem clover ranged from 272 to 400 kg N/ha depending on year and cultivar, while plant N derived from soil (based on N uptake by the ryegrass) ranged from 50 to 235 kg N/ha. Graphs of nitrogen fixed versus available soil nitrogen had a reverse linear-plateau shape with a plateau at lower soil nitrogen levels that broke sharply in a linear decline as available soil N surpassed a minimum threshold. Such a two-phase response suggests that nitrogen fixation by the clover was limited by soil N supply above this threshold and by other limiting factors at low soil N levels, perhaps genetic traits controlling carbon assimilation or environmental limitations other than nitrogen. Seasonal nitrogen process patterns showed abundant nitrogen fixation by the clover after it had depleted most of the soil nitrogen supply.
Synthesis of polypyrrole with fewer structural defects using enzyme catalysis

Abstract Enzymatic polymerization is an environmentally friendly alternative route for the synthesis of advanced π-functional materials. Until recently, synthetic methods for production of polypyrrole (PPy) were confined to the use of chemical oxidants or electrochemical methods. Here, we report the low temperature, oxidative polymerization of pyrrole using soybean peroxidase as the catalyst in aqueous non-toxic media. In addition to the benefits of the mild synthetic conditions, enzyme catalysis also affords PPy with fewer structural defects. Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) was used as a charge-balancing dopant and dispersant for PPy to monitor changes in the absorption spectra of the polymer over time. However, the polymerization methodology is amenable to other dopants, including small molecule dopants like 10-camphor sulfonic acid. Spectroscopic characterization indicated that the PPy was conductive, and was produced in higher yields and at faster rates at lower temperatures. Careful temperature control combined with the appropriate choice of dopant ensured production of more electrically conductive PPy with conductivities that exceeded 3 S/cm. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to provide evidence of favorable interactions between pyrrole and the dopant that may have facilitated the reaction. These interactions, combined with a low synthesis temperature and controlled enzyme-catalyzed radical generation, synergistically favored the formation of PPy with fewer defects and a more linear structure.
Race, SES, and Obesity Among Men

Over the last decade, obesity has increased significantly among men but few national studies have empirically examined racial and socioeconomic differences in obesity among men. In this paper, we utilized logistic regression to evaluate the potential associations that race and socioeconomic status may have with obesity among men in the National Survey of American Life: an in-person household survey of non-institutionalized U.S. blacks and whites who lived in communities where at least 10% of the community residents were black Americans. A greater proportion of black men were likely to be obese than white men, but no interaction among race, SES, and obesity was detected when potential confounding variables were included. There was not a relationship between SES and obesity for white men, but there was an apparent positive relationship between SES and obesity for black men that did not remain significant in adjusted models. No relationship was found between age and obesity among black men, though white men who were 55 and older were more likely than those 18–34 to be obese in confounder adjusted models. Among white men, no relationships were found between obesity and education, household income, or marital status. Black men in the lowest income category were less likely to be obese than those in the highest income category, in bivariate but not adjusted models. These findings suggest that the way racial, economic, stress and behavioral factors combine to affect obesity in black and white men may be different.
Dynamics of the housing market

Abstract This paper deals with the derivation of the rent values of the standing stock of the housing market with a continuous vintage approach, under malleable stock and homogeneous population assumptions, and under dynamic conditions: population and income growth, technological obsolesence, and a continuous upward shift and elasticity change in the supply function. The core of the model is a Volterra nonlinear integral equation of the second kind, and results are shown in relation to existence, uniqueness and stability. Finally, a spatial-dynamic model is specified by a Fredholm-Volterra nonlinear integral equation, framing the analysis of the housing filtering process with the Burgess-Hoyt concept of directional growth in urban development.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion is among the most technically challenging procedures in interventional radiology. It combines many of the skills used in other procedures such as venous access, biopsy, angioplasty, and stent-graft insertion into one IR tour de force. A great deal of literature is devoted to patient selection, technical aspects of the procedure, and utility of the procedure in different disease processes. This article describes the technical aspects of a so-called generic TIPS procedure. I focus on an otherwise uncomplicated procedure (if that actually exists) and leave the article on tough TIPS for another issue.
Axial thermal gradients in microchip gas chromatography.

Abstract Fabrication technologies for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) allow miniaturization of conventional benchtop gas chromatography (GC) to portable, palm-sized microfabricated GC (μGC) devices, which are suitable for on-site chemical analysis and remote sensing. The separation performance of μGC systems, however, has not been on par with conventional GC. Column efficiency, peak symmetry and resolution are often compromised by column defects and non-ideal injections. The relatively low performance of μGC devices has impeded their further commercialization and broader application. In this work, the separation performance of μGC columns was improved by incorporating thermal gradient gas chromatography (TGGC). The analysis time was ∼20% shorter for TGGC separations compared to conventional temperature-programmed GC (TPGC) when a wide sample band was introduced into the column. Up to 50% reduction in peak tailing was observed for polar analytes, which improved their resolution. The signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of late-eluting peaks were increased by 3–4 fold. The unique focusing effect of TGGC overcomes many of the previous shortcomings inherent in μGC analyses.
Cost Estimates for Collecting Fees for Vehicle Miles Traveled

Interest in collecting mileage fees for road usage is growing. However, the cost of collecting fuel taxes is relatively low, while the cost of collecting mileage fees appears to be quite high. There is relatively little actual experience with mileage systems, but information related to the cost of systems for heavy vehicles, experimental systems, and a proposed Dutch system provides a starting point for identifying the key cost components. This paper summarizes cost information from a variety of sources and identifies key areas for cost comparison.
Differential regulation of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family by α2-macroglobulin: evidence for selective modulation of FGF-2–induced angiogenesis

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family has an important role in processes such as angiogenesis, wound healing, and development in which precise control of proteinase activity is important. The human plasma proteinase inhibitor α2-macroglobulin (α2M) regulates cellular growth by binding and modulating the activity of many cytokines and growth factors. These studies investigate the ability of native and activated α2M (α2M*) to bind to members of the FGF family. Both α2M and α2M* bind specifically and saturably to FGF-1, -2, -4, and -6, although the binding to α2M* is of significantly higher affinity. Neither α2M nor α2M* bind to FGF-5, -7, -9, or -10. FGF-2 was chosen for more extensive study in view of its important role in angiogenesis. It was demonstrated that FGF-2 binds to the previously identified TGF-β binding site. The α2M* inhibits FGF-2–dependent fetal bovine heart endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Unexpectedly, α2M* does not affect FGF-2–induced vascular tubule formation on Matrigel basement membrane matrix or collagen gels. Further studies demonstrate that FGF-2 partitions between fluid-phase α2M* and solid-phase Matrigel or collagen. These studies suggest that the ability of α2M* to modulate the activity of FGF-2 is dependent on an interplay with extracellular matrix components.
On unifying concrepts in plasticity theory and related matters in numerical analysis

Abstract This paper summarizes a rate-independent theory for multiple-mode plastic straining which unifies constitutive equations of macroscopic solids and single crystals at both infinitesimal and finite strain. A basic symmetry postulate plays a key role in the general theory. This postulate enables stress and plastic mechanism rates to be derived from a saddle potential function and leads to connections between uniqueness of solution and minimum principles. One such principle permits the independent variation of displacement and plastic mechanism rates. This is significant to the investigation of convergence of the finite element method in incremental boundary value problems. The theory also has noteworthy consequences for the finite distortion of single crystals and the analysis of crystalline aggregates.
Designing robust binary filters

Optimal binary filters estimate an ideal random set by means of an observed random set. By parameterizing the ideal and observation random sets, one can examine the robustness of filter design relative to parameter states. This paper addresses the question as to which states possess the most robust optimal filters. Based on the prior distribution of the states, a measure of robustness is defined for each state and the state possessing maximal robustness is determined. The paper focuses on sparse noise, for which an analytic formulation of robustness is known. It proposes a parametric model from which to approximate robustness by estimating model parameters from image data.
The Design of Steels for Coal Gasification Pressure Vessels

The National Energy Plan calls for a doubling of the use of coal in the next decade. Toward the end of the coming decade, it is anticipated that a new large scale technology will be developed that will convert much of this coal into oil and gas. A key component of the new technology is the thick wall pressure vessel used for the gasification of the coal. Preliminary design criteria have been established for these giant, field-fabricable vessels. Two of these criteria of particular interest to metallurgists are 1) uniformity of microstructure in the thicknesses anticipated (200 to 300 mm) and 2) resistance to mechanical property degradation from high pressure, high temperature hydrogen. At the present time, no ASME code-approved steels meet these performance requirements. A research program was initiated to modify existing steels, currently used for pressure vessels, to meet the microstructure (property) uniformity and environmental resistance requirements of the gasifier vessel. The thermal history of thick sections was duplicated in small specimens by means of a simulation technique. Relationships between steel chemistry, microstructure, and mechanical properties were then established in laboratory specimens. An A533B steel (Mn-Mo-Ni type) was modified to improve environmental resistance by altering the structure, composition and morphology of the carbides. The composition of an A542 steel (Cr-Mo type) was changed to retard the kinetics of free ferrite formation. The result of these changes was a uniformly bainitic microstructure in thick sections. Both the modified A533B and A542 steels appear to be practical candidates for the large thick-wall pressure vessels proposed for coal gasification plants. Further studies of fabricability and environmental resistance are currently underway.
Principles of operations research

In recent years, scientific research has been moving out of the laboratory into new fields to deal with management problems by attempting to reach an understanding of the operation involved. In this respect, one of its essential elements is the development of an operations research model from which phenomena can be deduced to check against the observed facts.
Synthesis of methyl 5-O-trans-feruloyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside and its use as a substrate to assess feruloyl esterase activity

A synthetic scheme was developed for the production of methyl 5-O-trans-feruloyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside (FA-Ara) in gram quantities. This molecule accurately models the chemical attachment of ferulic acid to polysaccharides found in cell walls of plants in the Gramineae family. It is therefore a realistic substrate that can be used to monitor feruloyl esterase activity. Ultraviolet spectral analysis indicated that FA-Ara has an absorption maximum distinct from the hydrolytic product, ferulic acid (FA), over a wide range of solution pH values. The log molar extinction coefficient ranges from 4.16 to 4.36 for FA-Ara and 4.16 to 4.33 for FA depending upon the pH of the buffered solution. Consequently a convenient spectrophotometric assay can be utilized to monitor esterase activity. Three different methods were developed for using this model substrate to assess esterase activity, including thin-layer chromatography, a spectrophotometric assay, and the use of high-performance liquid chromatography.
Epidemiology of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: trends, readmissions, and subsequent knee surgery.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is widely accepted as the treatment of choice for individuals with functional instability due to anterior cruciate deficiency. There remains little information on the epidemiology of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with regard to adverse outcomes such as hospital readmission and subsequent knee surgery. We sought to identify the frequency of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the rates of subsequent operations and readmissions, and potential predictors of these outcomes. Methods: The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database, a census of all hospital admissions and ambulatory surgery in New York State, was used to identify anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions performed between 1997 and 2006. Patients with concomitant pathological conditions of the knee were included. The patients were tracked for hospital readmission within ninety days after the surgery and for subsequent surgery on either knee within one year. The risks of these outcomes were modeled with use of age, sex, comorbidity, hospital and surgeon volume, and inpatient or outpatient surgery as potential risk factors. Results: We identified 70,547 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions, with an increase from 6178 in 1997 to 7507 in 2006. Readmission within ninety days after the surgery was infrequent (a 2.3% rate), but subsequent surgery on either knee within one year was much more common (a 6.5% rate). Patients were at increased risk for readmission within ninety days if they were over forty years of age, sicker (e.g., had a preexisting comorbidity), male, and operated on by a lower-volume surgeon. Predictors of subsequent knee surgery included being female, having concomitant knee surgery, and being operated on by a lower-volume surgeon. Predictors of a subsequent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction included an age of less than forty years, concomitant meniscectomy or other knee surgery, and surgery in a lower-volume hospital. Conclusions: The rate of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has increased in frequency. Also, while anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction appears to be a safe procedure, the risk of a subsequent operation on either knee is increased among younger patients and those treated by a lower-volume surgeon or at a lower-volume hospital. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Significant predictors of learning from student interactions with online learning objects

Learning objects (LOs) are self-contained, reusable units of learning. Previous research has shown that using LOs to supplement traditional lecture increases achievement and promotes success for college students in the disciplines of engineering and computer science. The computer-based nature for LOs allows for sophisticated tracking that can collect metadata about the individual learners. This tends to result in a tremendous amount of metadata collected on LOs. The challenge becomes identifying the predictors of learning. Previous research tends to be focused on a single area of metadata such as the learning strategies or demographic variables. Here we report on a comprehensive regression analysis conducted on variables in four widely different areas including LO interaction data, MSLQ survey responses (that measure learning strategies), demographic information, and LO evaluation survey data. Our analysis found that a subset of the variables in each area were actually significant predictors of learning. We also found that several static variables that appeared to be significant predictors in their own right were simply reflecting the results from student motivation. These results provide valuable insights into which variables are significant predictors. Further, they also help improve LO tracking systems allowing for the design of better online learning technologies.
HeLa cells lack recA gene.

We have been interested in the mechanism of genetic recombination. A protein coded by the recA gene of Escherichia coli has been found to facilitate the formation of recombination intermediates; roles of this protein in genetic recombination and repair have been discussed [l-3]. In view of the significant role that the recA protein seems to play in genetic recombination, we decided to examine the presence of a gene coding such a protein (recA) in eukaryotes using HeLa cells. Radioactively labelled, cloned E. coli recA DNA sequence was used as a probe to detect the presence of possible homologous nucleotide sequences in HeLa cell DNAafter restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern transfer [4]. E. coli chromosomal and hybrid plasmid (pBR322 DNA containing recA gene) were used as controls in such experiments. The basis for our experiment lies in the fact that a heterologous DNA probe can be used to detect the presence of a gene in evolutionarily divergent groups of organisms and that cloned E. coli recA gene is now available [3] which can be used as probe in such experiments. Heterologous DNA probes have been used to detect the presence of nitrogen fmtion genes in a wide variety of organisms capable of nitrogen fixation [5,6]. Also, heterologous DNA sequences have been used to detect the presence of specific genes such as histones, actin and others in a wide variety of eukaryotes [7,8].
Animal models for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), the most common leukemia in the Western world, results from an expansion of a rare population of CD5+ mature B-lymphocytes. Although clinical features and genomic abnormalities in B-CLL have been studied in considerable detail, the molecular mechanisms underlying disease development has remained unclear until recently. In the last 4 years, several transgenic mouse models for B-CLL were generated. Investigations of these mouse models revealed that deregulation of three pathways, Tcl1-Akt pathway, TNF-NF-kB pathway, and Bcl2-mediated anti-apoptotic pathway, result in the development of B-CLL. While deregulation of TCL1 alone caused a B-CLL phenotype in mice, overexpression of Bcl2 required aberrantly activated TNF-NF-kB pathway signaling to yield the disease phenotype. In this article, we present what has been learned from mice with B-CLL phenotype and how these mouse models of B-CLL were used to test therapeutic treatments for this common leukemia. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1109–1118, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Left large subsets of free semigroups and groups that are not right large

There are several notions of size for subsets of a semigroup $$S$$ that originated in topological dynamics and are of interest because of their combinatorial applications as well as their relationship to the algebraic structure of the Stone–Cech compactification $$\beta S$$ of $$S$$ . Among these notions are thick sets, central sets, piecewise syndetic sets, IP sets, and $$\Delta $$ sets. Two related notions, namely $$C$$ sets and $$J$$ sets, arose in the study of combinatorial applications of the algebra of $$\beta S$$ . If the semigroup is noncommutative, then all of these notions have both left and right versions. In any semigroup, a left thick set must be a right $$J$$ set (and of course a right thick set must be a left $$J$$ set). We show here that for any free semigroup or free group on more than one generator, there is a set which satisfies all of the left versions of these notions and none of the right versions except $$J$$ . We also show that for the free semigroup on countably many generators, there is a left $$J$$ set which is not a right $$J$$ set.
THE IDENTITY AND IMMATURE STAGES OF PATAGONIODES FARINARIA (TURNER) COMB. N. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE: PHYCITINAE) IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

The morphology of the immature stages and adult moth of the bivoltine blue stem borer, Patagoniodes farinaria (Turner) comb. n., is described and figured. Moths from eastern Australia and New Zealand appear to be conspecific and the species appears not to be introduced from Europe where related phycitines of similar biology occur. The blue stem borer exhibits features atypical of Homoeosoma Curtis, in which it was originally described, and generally conforms with Patagoniodes Roesler, to which it is here referred. Larvae develop in the stems of introduced ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L., and the native Senecio lautus Sol. ex Willd. (sens. lat.). Copyright © 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
Measurement of internal stray light within Dobson ozone spectrophotometers

The Dobson ozone spectrophotometer is the primary ground-based instrument making measurements of total column ozone. Knowledge of the ozone layer prior to the satellite measurements is derived from these instruments' more than 80-year record. Internal stray light within the instrument limits its ability to make accurate measurements at high total ozone amounts and high solar zenith angles (SZAs). Additionally, a recent analysis of comparative Dobson observations of the Umkehr effect (an SZA-dependent series of measurements on the clear zenith that are used to produce an ozone vertical profile) has shown that internal stray light produces incompatible results between compared instruments. We present a method of making a measurement of this internal stray light, as well as other approaches to evaluating the approximate level of the internal stray light. These techniques can also be used to improve the results of direct Sun observations at high latitudes and high ozone.
ESTIMATING THE COST OF CAPITAL, A DIFFERENT APPROACH

If a firm is owned by one person, that person can directly indicate to management the cost of his capital. The determination of the stockholder's cost of capital of a publicly owned firm is more complex. Econometric studies using past earnings, dividends, and capital structure have been performed by Miller and Modigliani, Gordon and others to estimate the cost of equity capital. But the cost of capital is a function of investor expectations and only indirectly related to past operating results. The objective of the study was to estimate the cost of capital using information obtained directly from investors. Personal interviewing of the investors of specific firms would be more meaningful to the management of that firm, but this technique was not feasible; thus a mail questionnaire sent to a select group of investors was used. Conclusions are reached relative to the magnitude of the cost of equity capital of four selected firms as of May-June of 1968, and several surprising and contrasting insights concerning dividend policy, that could have financial policy implications, are obtained. The desirability of the financial manager obtaining more information from investors is stressed.
Does Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Education Produce Real Engineers

This note presents the results of a study of undergraduate biomedical engineering education done during the 1980-1981 academic year. The curricula from 29 institutions offering a degree program or an option in biomedical engineering were tabulated by subject category and compared to the older discipline of electrical engineering. The object was to determine how much, if any, reduction there is in engineering course work in order to includelife sciences in the biomedical engineering programs, and if the amount of life sciences is enough to adequately provide for students' needs. An attempt is also made to correlate the purpose of the programs and the content of their curricula Course catalog information and a survey sent to the 29 universities were used to assess the information.
A Labor of Love

I stood in the room, gowned and gloved, waiting for the woman to push. The baby was nearly ready to be born.
Scattering by cavity-backed antennas on a circular cylinder

Conformal arrays are popular antennas for aircraft, spacecraft, and land vehicle platforms due to their inherent low weight, drag, and observables. However, to date there has been a dearth of rigorous analytical or numerical solutions to aid the designer. In fact, it has been common practice to use limited measurements and planar approximations in designing such nonplanar antennas. We extend the finite element-boundary integral method to scattering by cavity-backed structures in an infinite, metallic cylinder. In particular, we discuss the formulation specifics, such as weight functions, dyadic Green's function, implementation details, and particular difficulties inherent to cylindrical structures. Special care is taken to ensure that the resulting computer program has low memory demand and minimal computational requirements. Scattering results are presented and validated as much as possible. >
Nicknames, folk heroes and Jazz musicians

(1986). Nicknames, folk heroes and Jazz musicians. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 51-62.
Monterey bay national marine sanctuary water quality management: The use of coordinating mechanisms

Abstract Marine areas of national significance may receive additional measures of resource protection through designation as national marine sanctuaries. Until recently, the primary means to protect the water quality of designated sanctuaries was through prohibiting ocean dumping and oil and gas activities. This focus paralleled other national efforts directed at protecting the marine environment. Coastal waters have received inadequate attention, and as a result, their overall health is threatened. Congress has turned its attention to this issue, and the opportunity currently exists for the National Marine Sanctuaries Program to address threats to water quality in marine areas with which they have been entrusted. A recently signed Memorandum of Agreement addresses water quality concerns of the newly designated Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and serves as an illustration of the type of coordinating mechanism that is necessary to address these issues in areas of overlapping jurisdictions.
Multicolor photometry of Mars in 1958

Photoelectric observations of Mars in October and November 1958 at the Lowell Observatory give values of the stellar magnitude and integral albedo at five wavelengths from λ 3300 to λ 6900. In the near ultraviolet 3000 < λ < 4000 Mars is “grey” and very dark, with a nearly constant albedo A = 0.046. Earlier Mount Stromlo and Flagstaff data are also discussed.
Generation of effector CD8+ T cells and their conversion to memory T cells

Immunological memory is a cardinal feature of adaptive immunity. We are now beginning to elucidate the mechanisms that govern the formation of memory T cells and their ability to acquire longevity, survive the effector-to-memory transition, and mature into multipotent, functional memory T cells that self-renew. Here, we discuss the recent findings in this area and highlight extrinsic and intrinsic factors that regulate the cellular fate of activated CD8+ T cells.