cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diuretic combinations in refractory oedema states: pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships.

Diuretic resistance is encountered in a number of disease states, such as chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, congestive heart failure (CHF) and cirrhosis. Diuretic stratagems which produce sequential nephron segment blockade, and thus a synergistic diuretic response, are frequently necessary and are regularly employed in these conditions. Pharmacokinetic determinants of diuretic response, including dose administered, absolute bioavailability, and tubular transport capacity and transport rate, are reviewed here. Pharmacodynamic factors are perhaps more important to overall response, and often result in modification of the dose-response relationship; these are also reviewed here.
Growth of amorphous silicide during Ti/Si interfacial reactions in multilayer thin films

We have monitored the amorphization reaction in alternating layers of vacuum-deposited Ti and Si using transmission electron microscopy and compositional profiling. The concentration difference across the thickening amorphous interlayer was observed to decrease with the growth of the silicide. This change in interfacial compositions is proposed as a possible reason for the slowing down and eventual stagnation of the amorphous silicide growth observed in this system. Possible reasons for this behavior are discussed. Such a low-temperature process forming metastable alloys upon controlled annealing is contrasted with the formation of equilibrium silicides in a self-propagating exothermic reaction, which results in very high local temperatures in multilayers in an explosive fashion. These examples also serve to demonstrate the range of interesting phenomena that can occur due to the nanometer length scales in thin-film diffusion couples.
Absence of joint nesting advantage in desert seed harvester ants: evidence from a field experiment

Abstract In desert seed harvester ants, Messor pergandei, young queens (foundresses) initiate colonies alone or in groups. Previous laboratory studies revealed that multiple foundress associations produced larger initial broods of workers and were therefore more successful at stealing the brood of single foundress colonies. The idea that joint nesting is an evolutionary response to inter-colony interference competition was tested by establishing single and double foundress associations in the same field habitat. Double foundress colonies did not outlive single foundress colonies; indeed, the advantage was in the opposite direction although not significantly so. Additionally, brood raiding was not observed between new colonies. Moreover, new colonies were clumped, despite there being no evidence that nesting sites were limited. These results strongly imply that interference competition among new colonies does not differentially favour joint over single nesting. Instead, multiple foundress associations may arise from selection on females to join any nest, whether occupied or not, to lessen their risk of being preyed upon or of desiccating aboveground. Nest owners appear to tolerate such joiners, presumably because fighting is costly and most intruders die naturally. Finally, foundresses preferentially nest near mature colonies, perhaps because older colonies signal the site's profitability. In fact, the nearer a new colony was to a mature colony, the more likely it was to produce workers. Although these new colonies were usually destroyed by the neighbouring mature colonies, nesting in such locations may be favoured if the mature colony were to die before initiating raids. Queens from raided new colonies may even join neighbouring mature colonies.
Toward an International Program for Offshore Storage of CO2: International Initiative for CCS sub-sea (iCCSc).

Abstract Offshore geologic settings worldwide add to widely distributed high–volume storage resource needed to reduce CO 2 emissions at scales and for durations needed for global atmospheric benefit. Definition, access, and demonstration of offshore storage resources can increase engagement of many countries in emissions reduction negotiations. A research capacity-building initiative is needed to focus on both proving up global geologic capacity offshore and developing international technical capacity to utilize offshore storage resources. Such an initiative must leverage the strengths of the collective technical experience and financial capacity of international governmental, industrial, and academic/research organizations to distribute the costs and risks associated with large–scale offshore CCS. One long-term success criteria of such an effort could be an accelerated path for offshore demonstration projects.
Evolution of the specialty of colon and rectal surgery: Historical perspective

The field of Colon and Rectal Surgery has a rich history which has significantly evolved over the years from its beginnings as the American Board of Proctology to what is now the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery with over 3000 members. Although the training requirements have changed dramatically, the interest of graduating General Surgery Residents for Colon and Rectal Surgery continues to soar. The rising popularity of the field is reflected in the increasing number of fellowship programs as well as the greater number of practicing Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
El Grito Infinito: Ecos Coloniales en La Malasangre de Griselda Gambaro

(1994). El Grito Infinito: Ecos Coloniales en La Malasangre de Griselda Gambaro. Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures: Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 271-276.
Gene transcription profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae after treatment with plant protection fungicides that inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis

Resistance to agricultural fungicides in the field has created a need for discovering fungicides with new modes of action. DNA microarrays, because they provide information on expression of many genes simultaneously, could help to identify the modes of action. To begin an expression pattern database for agricultural fungicides, transcriptional patterns of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain S288C genes were analyzed following 2-h treatments with I50 concentrations of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors commonly used against plant pathogenic fungi. Eight fungicides, representing three classes of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, were tested. To compare gene expression in response to a fungicide with a completely different mode of action, a putative methionine biosynthesis inhibitor (MBI) was also tested. Expression patterns of ergosterol biosynthetic genes supported the roles of Class I and Class II inhibitors in affecting ergosterol biosynthesis, confirmed that the putative MBI did not affect ergosterol biosynthesis, and strongly suggested that in yeast, the Class III inhibitor did not affect ergosterol biosynthesis. The MBI affected transcription of three genes involved in methionine metabolism, whereas there were essentially no effects of ergosterol synthesis inhibitors on methionine metabolism genes. There were no consistent patterns in other up- or downregulated genes between fungicides. These results suggest that inspection of gene response patterns within a given pathway may serve as a useful first step in identifying possible modes of action of fungicides. Published by Elsevier Inc.
A multi-AUV system for cooperative tracking and following of leopard sharks

This paper presents a system of multiple coordinating autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) that can localize and track a shark tagged with an acoustic transmitter. Each AUV is equipped with a stereo-hydrophone system that provides measurements of the relative bearing to the transmitter, as well as an acoustic modem that allows for inter-AUV communication and hence cooperative shark state estimation and decentralized tracking control. Online state estimation of the shark's state is performed using a Particle Filter in which measurements are shared between AUVs. The decentralized control system enables the AUVs to circumnavigate a dynamic target, (i.e. the estimated shark location). Each AUV circles the target by tracking circles of different radii and at different phase angles with respect to the target so as to obtain simultaneous sensor vantage points and minimize chance of AUV collision. A series of experiments using two AUVs were conducted in Big Fisherman's Cove in Santa Catalina Island, CA and demonstrated the ability to track a tagged leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata). The performance of the tracking was compared to standard manual tracking performed using an directional hydrophone operated by a researcher in a boat. In an additional experiment, the AUVs tracked an acoustic tag attached to the tracking boat to quantify the error of the state estimation of the system.
Ultraviolet radiation--induced chromosomal abnormalities in fetal fibroblasts from New Zealand black mice

Fibroblasts from New Zealand Black mouse fetuses manifest increased frequency of chromosomal breaks and interchanges after exposure to ultraviolet radiation when compared with cells from BABL/c fetuses. This chromosomal instability is similar to what has been reported in cells from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum and may be related to the chromosomally abnormal clones and malignancy previously reported in adult New Zealand Black mice.
Development of sensitivity to phonological context in learning to spell in English: Evidence from Russian ESL speakers

The study attempts to investigate factors underlying the development of spellers’ sensitivity to phonological context in English. Native English speakers and Russian speakers of English as a second language (ESL) were tested on their ability to use information about the coda to predict the spelling of vowels in English monosyllabic nonwords. In addition, the study assessed the participants’ spelling proficiency as their ability to correctly spell commonly misspelled words (Russian participants were assessed in both Russian and English). Both native and non-native English speakers were found to rely on the information about the coda when spelling vowels in nonwords. In both native and non-native speakers, context sensitivity was predicted by English word spelling; in Russian ESL speakers this relationship was mediated by English proficiency. L1 spelling proficiency did not facilitate L2 context sensitivity in Russian speakers. The results speak against a common factor underlying different aspects of spelling proficiency in L1 and L2 and in favor of the idea that spelling competence comprises different skills in different languages.
The fate of patients following polypectomy alone for polyps containing invasive carcinoma.

Eighty-two patients with colon and rectal polyps containing invasive adenocarcinoma treated by polypectomy alone were studied. Seven of 34 patients (21 percent) with sessile lesions had an adverse outcome, including five local recurrences and two distant metastases. They occurred from 4 to 68 months after the polypectomy. Forty-seven pedunculated polyps with invasion to the head (Level 1) or to the stalk (Level 3) and one polyp to the base of the stalk (Level 4) had no evidence of local recurrence or signs of metastasis. Twenty-eight percent of patients were found to have adenomatous polyps, and 4 percent had malignant polyps during the follow-up examinations (range, 3–119 months; mean, 53 months). The findings suggested that pedunculated polyps with invasion to the head (Level 1), neck (Level 2), or stalk (Level 3) can be safely treated with a complete polypectomy provided that the carcinoma is not undifferentiated. Sessile lesions as well as Level 4 pedunculated lesions should be treated aggressively. If resection is not performed, a long-term follow-up in these patients is essential.
DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE AS AN AID FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF LYOPHILIZED HUMAN SALIVARY PROTEINS BEFORE PAPER ELECTROPHORESIS.

Abstract The percentages of protein N remaining insoluble after lyophilization of different types of saliva and reconstitution to the original volume with water averaged—parotid, 3.8; submandibular, 22; and whole saliva, 41. Complete solubility of lyophilized salivary protein from 1 ml of parotid or submandibular saliva could be achieved in 0.15 ml of Veronal buffer, pH 8.6, μ = 0.11 containing 3 or 10 g of Na2EDTA/1, respectively. Paper electrophoresis with a Na2EDTA/Veronal buffer allowed the separation of eight bands of submandibular salivary protein. Dialysis of both parotid and submandibular saliva caused the loss of some protein constituents which migrate towards the cathode.
Modifying center of mass trajectory during sit-to-stand tasks redistributes the mechanical demand across the lower extremity joints.

Abstract Objective . Sit-to-stand tasks are commonly facilitated by modifying the initial position of the center of mass relative to the feet. It was hypothesized that modifications in the center of mass trajectory during sit-to-stand tasks altered the total body momentum at seat departure and redistributed the lower extremity net joint moments. Design . Between-task within-subject comparison was employed using a robust statistical method to accommodate for small sample size. Methods . Six individuals performed four sit-to-stand tasks with systematic modifications in the initial center of mass position by varying the orientation of the lower extremity segments. The momentum of the center of mass and lower extremity net joint moments were quantified and compared. Results . Reducing the horizontal center of mass displacement significantly reduced horizontal total body momentum required at seat departure. Sit-to-stand tasks initiated with more horizontal shank and thigh positions required significantly greater knee and hip extensor net joint moments than those with more vertical shank and thigh positions. Sit-to-stand tasks initiated with vertical shank positions also required significantly greater hip extensor net joint moments as compared to those with more horizontal shank orientations. Interpretation . When changes in initial center of mass position are made, alteration in center of mass horizontal momentum and the orientation of the lower extremity segments relative to the reaction force are observed. Consequently, mechanical demand imposed on the ankle, knee, and hip joint is redistributed. The magnitude of the net joint moments is dependent on the segment orientation, the reaction force, and the adjacent net joint moment.
Job exposures as correlates of recovery in population-based rehabilitation intervention for work-related low back disorders.

Abstract PURPOSE: Evaluating the impact of population-based rehabilitation interventions for work-related low back disorders (WR-LBD) requires job exposure factors to be considered as time-varying covariates. The role of job factors in recovery has not been well-established as most studies are based upon clinic samples, not working populations. This report represents the initial exploration of variables to be included in modeling job exposures as time-varying covariates of a study of work-place based rehabilitation intervention. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 162 hourly production employees from two automotive plants with work-related low back disorder not due to external trauma. Data reported herein were collected at baseline from an on-going large randomized clinical trial of rehabilitation for WR-LBD. Low back pain as measured by the North American Spine Society Baseline Form was examined in relation to: self-reported job factors from the Job Content Questionnaire and job risk category for low back disorder determined by the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM), an electronic goniometer which transmits back motion signals to a computer for analysis. RESULTS: Low back pain, with and without leg pain, was not found to be associated with hours worked in the previous week, job shift, perceptions of the pace of the job, or job risk of low back disorder as measured by the LMM. Low back pain was significantly (p CONCLUSIONS: Self-report of perceptions of job strain may be as important, if not more important, than current quantitative factors thought to influence recovery from work-related low back pain.
Kinetics of photochemical alkane dehydrogenation catalyzed by Rh(PMe3)2(CO)Cl: implications concerning the C–H bond activation step

Abstract The mechanism of photochemical alkane dehydrogenation catalyzed by Rh(PMe 3 ) 2 (CO)Cl has been further probed with an emphasis on characterizing the initial C–H activation step and understanding the effect of added CO on selectivity. While pure cyclooctane and pure cyclohexane are dehydrogenated at the same rate (same quantum yields), cyclooctane shows much greater reactivity in mixtures of the two solvents. The product ratio (cyclooctene:cyclohexene) is highly dependent upon the partial pressure of CO, ranging from 12 in the absence of CO, to 75 in the limit of high CO pressure (>ca. 400 torr). The kinetic isotope effect for the dehydrogenation of c–C 6 H 12 /c–C 6 D 12 is also found to be dependent upon CO pressure, ranging from 10 in the absence of CO to 4.2 under high CO pressure. The results support our earlier conclusion that the intermediate responsible for C–H activation is ground state [Rh(PMe 3 ) 2 Cl]. It is also concluded that inhibition of the reaction by CO operates primarily via addition of CO to the intermediate alkyl hydrides, (R)(H)Rh(PMe 3 ) 2 Cl. Addition of CO prior to C–H bond addition is apparently not a kinetically significant process, even under high CO pressure.
Choosing a discount point/contract rate combination

Confronted with an array of contract rate/discount point combinations from which to choose, a mortgagor must evaluate his/her wealth with respect to each choice. The future path of the cost of mortgage capital will affect the wealth of the mortgagor to a different degree depending on which contract rate/discount point combination he/she chooses. Using the Expected Monetary Value algorithm, we show that variation of marginal income tax rates and expectations about the future path of the cost of mortgage capital across mortgagors can explain the demand for different contract rate/discount point combinations. Our results provide a rationale for a mortgagor choosing an intermediate point/contract rate combination.
Oregon Beach Monitoring Program: bacterial exceedances in marine and freshwater creeks/outfall samples, October 2002-April 2005.

Abstract A total of 3086 samples, both marine (2916) and freshwater creeks/outfall samples (170) were collected and analyzed for enterococci during October 2002–April 2005, from 52 designated beaches in Oregon. A total of 3.2% (99/3086) of the samples at 21 beaches exceeded 158 most probable number (MPN)/100 milliliters (mL). The average enterococci levels of these 99 exceedances was 559 MPN/100 mL, with a maximum of 4352 MPN/100 mL (Otter Rock and Ona) and a minimum of 160 MPN/100 mL (Sunset Bay State Park, Bastendorff, and Mill). For marine water, 77/2916 (2.6%) exceeded 158 MPN/100 mL. For freshwater, 22/170 (12.9%) exceeded 158 MPN/100 mL, with a maximum of 587 MPN/100 mL at Sunset Bay. Sixty percent of the marine and 9% of freshwater exceedances occurred during the winter. Seventy-two percent (55/77) of the marine exceedances occurred after rainfall events (0.01–60.0 mm). At Harris and Mill Beaches, cumulative rainfall was highly correlated with bacterial densities, R = 0.7. Rainfall, at both beaches, explained about one-half the variation in log 10 bacteria density ( R 2 = 0.5). Additional monitoring is warranted to further characterize bacterial contamination in Oregon waters.
Single Test Clock with Programmable Clock Enable Constraints for Multi-clock Domain SoC ATPG Testing

This paper proposes a method to enable single test clock in testing multi-clock domain design. Clock gating DFT is added to allow selecting clocking per clock domain basis. Selecting clocking scheme is further controlled by analyzing independent and synchronous clock group, translating clock group information into virtual circuit to guide ATPG generation process. The proposed solution enables fewer ATPG generation iteration which helps to reduce test pattern count and optimize ATPG run time.
Electrical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube films

We first demonstrate efficient patterning of conductive and transparent single-walled carbon nanotube films by photo- and e-beam lithography and subsequent reactive ion etching in an ICP-RIE system. We then study the geometry dependent transport characteristics of the film patterned into four point probe structures. We find that resistivity is independent of film length, while increasing significantly when width and thickness of the film shrink. We explain this behavior by a geometrical argument. The ability to pattern the film could enable the integration of nanotube films into electronic devices; however, the strong resistivity scaling should be carefully taken into account when designing submicron devices.
Chaotic dynamics of stellar spin driven by planets undergoing Lidov–Kozai oscillations: resonances and origin of chaos

Many exoplanetary systems containing hot Jupiters are found to possess significant misalignment between the spin axis of the host star and the planet's orbital angular momentum axis. A possible channel for producing such misaligned hot Jupiters involves Lidov-Kozai oscillations of the planet's orbital eccentricity and inclination driven by a distant binary companion. In a recent work (Storch, Anderson & Lai 2014), we have shown that a proto-hot Jupiter undergoing Lidov-Kozai oscillations can induce complex, and often chaotic, evolution of the spin axis of its host star. Here we explore the origin of the chaotic spin behavior and its various features in an idealized non-dissipative system where the secular oscillations of the planet's orbit are strictly periodic. Using Hamiltonian perturbation theory, we identify a set of secular spin-orbit resonances in the system, and show that overlaps of these resonances are responsible for the onset of wide-spread chaos in the evolution of stellar spin axis. The degree of chaos in the system depends on the adiabaticity parameter $\epsilon$, proportional to the ratio of the Lidov-Kozai nodal precession rate and the stellar spin precession rate, and thus depends on the planet mass, semi-major axis and the stellar rotation rate. For systems with zero initial spin-orbit misalignment, our theory explains the occurrence (as a function of $\epsilon$) of "periodic islands" in the middle of a "chaotic ocean" of spin evolution, and the occurrence of restricted chaos in middle of regular/periodic spin evolution. Finally, we discuss a novel "adiabatic resonance advection" phenomenon, in which the spin-orbit misalignment, trapped in a resonance, gradually evolves as the adiabaticity parameter slowly changes. This phenomenon can occur for certain parameter regimes when tidal decay of the planetary orbit is included.
Effect of High Pressure Treatment on the Quality of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)

High pressure processing (HPP) is becoming a promising seafood preservation method. The objective was to investigate the effect of HPP on quality of rainbow trout and mahi mahi during cold storage. Skinless fillets treated with different pressures (150, 300, 450, and 600 MPa for 15 min) and stored at 4 degrees C were analyzed at 1, 3, and 6 d storage. Red muscle was analyzed for lipid oxidation products by measuring thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and whole muscle was analyzed for total aerobic count, texture profile analysis, and color. A pressure of 300 MPa effectively inactivated the initial microbial population in rainbow trout (6-log reduction). However, inactivation of the initial population on mahi mahi was only about 4-log reduction at the same pressure. Microbial growth was significantly retarded after HPP. Color results showed that redness (a* value) of rainbow trout at 300 MPa and above was significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared to mahi mahi. TBARS values for rainbow trout increased with increased pressure, whereas the same trend was not seen for mahi mahi where maximum oxidation was found at 300 MPa and then declined. This study demonstrates the usefulness of HPP in seafood processing and the influence of species variation on processing parameters. The optimum HPP conditions for influencing lipid oxidation, microbial load, and color changes were found to be 300 MPa for rainbow trout and 450 MPa for mahi mahi.
Moving and Rotating Sphere in the Thermal Entrance Region of a Heated Pipe

Flow and unsteady heat transfer around a moving and rotating sphere is considered as it passes through the thermal entrance region of a heated pipe. The flow is incompressible and viscous with constant properties, and the heated pipe wall is kept at a constant temperature. Two Peclet numbers of 25 and 100 are considered along with two sphere-to-pipe-diameter ratios of 0.2 and 0.4. The flow is made three dimensional by an eccentric positioning of the sphere inside the pipe. The governing equations are solved by a validated numerical method which uses a finite volume formulation in a generalized body-fitted coordinate system. An overset (Chimera) grid scheme is used to resolve the two geometries of the pipe and sphere. The results are presented in terms of the steady pressure and viscous lift and drag forces on the sphere. In addition the unsteady heat transfer characteristics of the flow are presented in terms of the local and overall Nusselt number evolution around the sphere as it passes through the thermal entrance region of the pipe. Sphere heat-up is also given as the lumped mass sphere temperature as a function of distance from the thermal entrance
Interferometric studies of spectral lines in the solar corona

A photographic Fabry-Perot interferometer was used to measure the breadth and wavelength of the Fexiv spectral line at 5303 A in the solar corona, during the eclipse of 7 March, 1970, in Mexico. The observations were consistent with a possible large-scale vortex structure in a bright streamer, in which cooler gases revolved about a hotter core.
The black hole in astrophysics: the origin of the concept and its role

The advent of general relativity showed how gravity influences the trajectories of light rays and from this concept the idea of gravitational fields strong enough to contain light became entirely reasonable. The possibility of the occurrence of black holes then rested on whether such intense gravitational fields could occur in nature. The principal astronomical question is whether stars during the course of their evolution attain such highly collapsed states. Since the answer is in the affirmative it is generally considered that black holes must occur in large numbers in the astronomical Universe. It is argued that collapse must be of frequent occurrence in the Galaxy and black holes must be present in numbers comparable to, if not exceeding, those of the pulsars. The evidence from which it has been deduced that Cyg X-1 is a binary system in which one of the components is a black hole is reviewed. The occurrence of neutron stars and black holes in close binary systems is considered. (UK)
The Transformative Potential of Teacher Care as Described by Students in a Higher Education Access Initiative

The “attitude—achievement gap” characterizing economically disadvantaged students of color is reexamined in a study of student perceptions of a higher education access program. Their descriptions of past and present experiences of teachers are contextualized in research citing the impact of stress, social stigma, and teacher misperceptions on economically disadvantaged students' capacity to engage with school. The contrast of their descriptions underscores the pivotal role that teachers play in shaping developing identities. Student descriptions reflect the aspects of their relationships with teachers that signify authentic care and commitment to their academic success. The findings indicate changes in students' understanding of the learning process and the connection between high school academic performance and college admission grounded in realistic self-assessment of their academic challenges. The findings suggest plasticity in educational identity development in older students and demonstrate the impo...
Determination of Zinc Phosphide Residues in Corn ( Zea mays ) Grain, Fodder, and Forage

Zinc phosphide (ZN3P2) is an acute rodenticide. One of its current uses employs application as a grain bait or pellet at the time of planting to reduce agricultural losses by field rodents. To mitigate rodent induced losses to corn, we hoped to expand the approved uses of zinc phosphide to include corn applications. After determining acceptable efficacy, we conducted a study to determine if potentially hazardous zinc phosphide residues in corn would result from this use. A field study was conducted in 5 corn growing states to provide samples for residue analysis of corn treated with zinc phosphide.
Semiautomatic segmentation and tracking of semantic video objects

This paper introduces a novel semantic video object extraction system using mathematical morphology and a perspective motion model. Inspired by the results from the study of the human visual system, we intend to solve the semantic video object extraction problem in two separate steps: supervised I-frame segmentation, and unsupervised P-frame tracking. First, the precise semantic video object boundary can be found using a combination of human assistance and a morphological segmentation tool. Second, the semantic video objects in the remaining frames are obtained using global perspective motion estimation and compensation of the previous semantic video object plus boundary refinement as used for I frames.
Cloning and Expression Analyses of Mouse Dystroglycan Gene: Specific Expression in Maternal Decidua at the Peri-Implantation Stage

While constructing a catalog of mouse cDNAs which are expressed in the maternal-fetal interface during the peri-implantation period, we encountered a 1.6 kb cDNA clone showing a strong sequence similarity to the 3' untranslated region of the human dystroglycan gene. We cloned an additional 1.7 kb cDNA by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and confirmed that this is a true mouse homolog of human dystroglycan cDNA by sequence analyses, Southern blotting, and genetic mapping of this gene on the distal region of mouse chromosome 9. Although it is well established that dystroglycan, a transmembrane protein, plays an important role in muscle tissues by bridging intracellular dystrophin to the laminin in the extracellular matrix, its role in non-muscle tissues remains elusive. To further investigate the role of the dystroglycan gene at the peri-implantation stage, we analyzed the expression patterns of this gene by in situ hybridization, which revealed that this gene is specifically expressed in decidual cells, especially in the cells surrounding the implantation site at 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 day post conception (p.c.) stages, but not expressed in non-pregnant endometrial cells of uterus nor in the decidua at 12.5 day p.c. Further analyses by RT-PCR confirmed that the amount of dystroglycan mRNA in 8.5 day p.c. decidua was indeed 100-fold higher than that of non-pregnant uterus and 12.5 day p.c. mature placenta. These results suggest that dystroglycan may work as a mediator for adhesion between decidual cells themselves or between decidual cells and trophoblast cells, and provide a structural and functional support for maintaining pregnancy at its early stage.
Maturity indicators in spinal deformity.

Scoliosis from all causes, with the sole exception of adult degenerative deformity, is a disorder of growth. Physicians who treat spinal deformities in children and adolescents should have a basic understanding of growth and its relationship to the progression of scoliosis and be capable of making an accurate determination of maturity. The purpose of this review is to describe the relationship of growth to the progression of scoliosis, to delineate the various methods of determining maturity, and to describe reasonable ways of evaluating maturity in clinical practice. The relationship of growth to scoliosis was well described by the pioneers of scoliosis treatment1-4. However, it was the work of Duval-Beaupere5,6 that clearly demonstrated the close relationship between increased height and scoliosis progression. Her studies showed that curve progression increases markedly at the time of the adolescent growth spurt in both idiopathic and neuromuscular curves and markedly slows or ceases at the time of completion of growth. This is also true for congenital scoliosis7. Because of this tight association between maturity and curve behavior, accurate maturity assessment is crucial for predicting prognosis and determining treatment. Maturation is multidimensional and includes the development of reproductive and secondary sexual characteristics, changes in muscle and fat mass and distribution, and changes in osseous structure. Because curve progression is closely connected with a rapid increase in spinal height at the time of the growth spurt, it is likely that longitudinal growth is the most important dimension of maturity in scoliosis progression. Because serial height information, which is needed to determine where patients are in their growth spurt, is rarely available at the time of patient evaluation, an understanding of the associations among the various maturity markers can be very helpful clinically. The problem with the conventional categorization …
Optimal LES formulations for isotropic turbulence

It is shown that there is an abstract subgrid model that is in all senses ideal. An LES using the ideal subgrid model will exactly reproduce all single-time, multi-point statistics, and at the same time will have minimum possible error in instantaneous dynamics. The ideal model is written as an average over the real turbulent fields whose large scales match the current LES field. But this conditional average cannot be computed directly. Rather, the ideal model is the target for approximation when developing practical models, though no new practical models are presented here. To construct such models, the conditional average can be formally approximated using stochastic estimation. These optimal formulations are presented, and it is shown that a relatively simple but general class of one-point estimates can be computed from two-point correlation data, and that the estimates retain some of the statistical properties of the ideal model.To investigate the nature of these models, optimal formulations were applied to forced isotropic turbulence. A variety of optimal models of increasing complexity were computed. In all cases, it was found that the errors between the real and estimated subgrid force were nearly as large as the subgrid force itself. It is suggested that this may also be characteristic of the ideal model in isotropic turbulence. If this is the case, then it explains why subgrid models produce reasonable results in actual LES while performing poorly in a priori tests. Despite the large errors in the optimal models, one feature of the subgrid interaction that is exactly represented is the energy transfer to the subgrid scales by each wavenumber.
A Broadband High-Frequency Electrical Impedance Tomography System for Breast Imaging

Bio-electric impedance signatures arise primarily from differences in cellular morphologies within an organ and can be used to differentiate benign and malignant pathologies, specifically in the breast. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging modality that determines the impedance distribution within tissue and has been used in prior work to map the electrical properties of breast at signal frequencies ranging from a few kHz to 1 MHz. It has been suggested that by extending the frequency range, additional information of clinical significance may be obtained. We have, therefore, developed a new EIT system for breast imaging which covers the frequency range from 10 kHz to 10 MHz. The instrument developed here is a distributed processor tomograph with 64 channels, capable of generating and measuring voltages and currents. Electrical benchmarking has shown the system to have a SNR greater than 94 dB up to 2 MHz, 90 dB up to 7 MHz, and 65 dB at 10 MHz. In addition, the system measures impedances to an accuracy of 99.7% and has channel-to-channel variations of less than 0.05%. Phantom imaging has demonstrated the ability to image across the entire frequency range in both single-and multiplane configurations. Further, 96 women have participated safely in breast exams with the system and the associated conductivity spectra obtained from 3-D image reconstructions range from 0.0237 S/m at 10 kHz to 0.2174 S/m at 10 MHz. These findings are consistent with impedance values reported in the literature.
Immunologic and Clinical Outcomes of Vaccination With a Multiepitope Melanoma Peptide Vaccine Plus Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Administered Either Concurrently or on a Delayed Schedule

Purpose A phase II trial was performed to test whether systemic low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) augments T-cell immune responses to a multipeptide melanoma vaccine. Forty patients with resected stage IIB-IV melanoma were randomly assigned to vaccination with four gp100- and tyrosinase-derived peptides restricted by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) -A1, HLA-A2, and HLA-A3, and a tetanus helper peptide plus IL-2 administered daily either beginning day 7 (group 1), or beginning day 28 (group 2). Patients and Methods T-cell responses were assessed by an interferon gamma ELIspot assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and in a lymph node draining a vaccination site (sentinel immunized node [SIN]). Patients were followed for disease-free and overall survival. Results T-cell responses to the melanoma peptides were observed in 37% of PBL and 38% of SINs in group 1, and in 53% of PBL and 83% of SINs in group 2. The magnitude of T-cell response was higher in group 2. The tyrosinase peptides DAEKSDICTDEY and YMDGTMSQ...
The Effect of Insurance Status on Likelihood of Neonatal Interhospital Transfer

Objective . To determine the effect of insurance status on the likelihood of interhospital transfer for neonates. Design . Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting . All general acute care nonpediatric hospitals in the five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania. Patients . Fifty-six thousand, seven hundred eighty-nine infants from 0 to 28 days of age admitted to or born in study hospitals between January 1 and December 31, 1991. Intervention . None. Main Outcome Measure . Transfer to another general or specialty acute care hospital. Results . The incidence (95% confidence interval) of interhospital transfer was 1.69% (1.60, 1.78). Uninsured infants were nearly twice as likely [relative risk (RR) = 1.96 (1.67, 2.31)] to be transferred as commercially insured infants, even when adjusted for the effects of prematurity, severity of illness, and the level of neonatal intensive care unit in the referring hospital. Similarly, infants with Medicaid were more likely to be transferred [RR = 1.20 (1.01, 1.43)] than similar commercially insured neonates. Uninsured and publicly insured infants were also more likely to be born premature [RR 1.49 (1.39, 1.60)] than privately insured neonates, and were more likely to have both moderate [RR 1.11 (1.04, 1.23)] and high [RR 1.21 (1.11, 1.32)] illness severity on admission to the hospital than privately insured infants. Conclusions . Neonates with no insurance and those with Medicaid coverage were more likely to be transferred than infants with private insurance. These results are consistent with those of other investigators who have studied financially motivated patient transfers— so-called patient dumping—in nonpediatric populations of patients. Our study may represent the first documentation of this phenomenon in a pediatric population. Our results are also consistent with those of other investigators who have examined the effect of insurance status on maternal interhospital transfer, thus providing further evidence for the existence of financially motivated transfers within regional systems of perinatal care. Future investigation into the effect of economic factors on variation in the utilization of transport services, and on how transfer influences ultimate patient outcome, is needed as managed care health systems become more widespread.
Religion in the public sphere Incentivizing reciprocal deliberative engagement

Commonplace among deliberative theorists is the view that, when defending preferred laws and policies, citizens should appeal only to reasons they expect others reasonably to accept. This view has been challenged on the grounds that it places an undue burden on religious citizens who feel duty-bound to appeal to religious reasons to justify preferred positions. In response, I develop a conception of democratic deliberation that provides unlimited latitude regarding the sorts of rea- sons that can be introduced, so long as one is prepared to defend them against criticism. More- over, I contend that religious citizens have a powerful incentive, based on their religious convictions, to be fully responsive to criticism. I defend this proposition by drawing on Robert Erlewine's account of Hermann Cohen's 'religion of reason'.
The Ecological Areawide Management (TEAM) of leafy spurge program of the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service†‡

The Ecological Areawide Management (TEAM) of Leafy Spurge program was developed to focus research and control efforts on a single weed, leafy spurge, and demonstrate the effectiveness of a coordinated, biologically based, integrated pest management program (IPM). This was accomplished through partnerships and teamwork that clearly demonstrated the advantages of the biologically based IPM approach. However, the success of regional weed control programs horizontally across several states and provinces also requires a vertical integration of several sectors of society. Awareness and education are the essential elements of vertical integration. Therefore, a substantial effort was made to produce a wide variety of information products specifically designed to educate different segments of society. During its tenure, land managers and agency decision makers have seen the potential of using the TEAM approach to accelerate the regional control of leafy spurge. The example set by the TEAM organization and participants is viewed as a model for future weed-control efforts.
Angiogenesis in metastatic colorectal cancer and the benefits of targeted therapy

The diverse pathways and molecules involved in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, have been targeted for the treatment of colorectal and other cancers. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A binding to VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 is believed to be the key signaling pathway mediating angiogenesis. Other VEGF pathways involved in angiogenesis include VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor binding to VEGFR-1, and VEGF-C and VEGF-D binding to VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. VEGF signaling also intersects with other pathways, including angiopoietin/Tie, Notch, hypoxia-inducible factor, and integrin pathways. The roles of these pathways in tumor angiogenesis and in various human cancers will be explored in this article. In addition, preclinical and clinical data on bevacizumab, aflibercept (known as ziv-aflibercept in the US), and investigational antiangiogenic agents in development for the treatment of colorectal and other cancers will be reviewed.
Organic complexation of copper in surface waters of Galveston Bay

The importance of colloidal ligands in the organic complexation of Cu was elucidated in the estuarine waters of Galveston Bay by use of a number of instrumental techniques. Ultrafiltration was conducted to isolate the ultrapermeate fraction from the filter-passing fraction and competitive ligand equilibration/adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry measurements were conducted by use of varying amounts of catechol as the competitive ligand. Greater than 99.9% of Cu was bound by strong organic ligands with log[K9 (M 21 )] values of 12.3 6 0.15 and 11.1 6 0.29 in the filter-passing and ultrapermeate fractions, respectively. The concentrations of Cu complexing ligands were lower in the ultrapermeate than in the filter-passing fraction, and the calculated K9 values for the colloidal ligands (log K 95 12.9) were 60 times greater than those for the ultrapermeate fraction, suggesting that good separation of the colloidal fraction during ultrafiltration was achieved. Total Cu concentrations in the filter-passing fraction ranged from 2.27 to 12.9 nM and were fairly constant at salinity ,20 but decreased at salinity .20. The calculated free Cu concentrations (0.05‐0.49 pM) showed an overall increasing trend with salinity, possibly resulting from decreasing concentrations of Cu complexing ligands toward the seawater endmember. The concentration of Cu complexing ligands (21‐54 nM) in the estuarine regions of Galveston Bay was approximately equal to the concentration of total reduced sulfur species (20‐60 nM) in the filter-passing fraction, suggesting that reduced sulfur species could account for most of the Cu-complexing ligands in these waters.
Comparative effects of verapamil and volume overload on atrial natriuretic factors and the renin-angiotensin aldosterone-vasopressin system

The authors compared the effects of verapamil (120 mg three times daily for 3 days) with those of acute volume expansion with normal saline on the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factors (ANF), renin (PRA), angiotensin 11 (AII), aldosterone (ALD), and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in healthy subjects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of crossover design was employed, where each individual received two acute volume overloads 1 week apart, one during placebo and the other during treatment with verapamil. Verapamil reduced blood pressure (BP) and increased the plasma levels of ANF, PRA, All, ALD, and AVP. Strong positive correlations were observed between PRA, All, ALD, and AVP, but not with ANF. Acute volume expansion (1500 mL saline in 15 minutes, in supine legs-up position) similarly to verapamil increased ANF levels; however, opposite to verapamil, it reduced PRA-All-ALD, did not modify AVP levels, and increased BP. The mechanisms of these changes are discussed. In verapamil-treated subjects, volume expansion produced an additional increase in ANF and inhibited the PRA-All-ALD axis, suggesting that in young healthy individuals, verapamil does not interfere with the reflex compensatory hormonal mechanisms activated under circumstances of acute volume-salt overload, with rapid expansion of the central vascular compartment. Our study indicates that verapamil and volume expansion represent two different stimuli for ANF secretion associated with opposite changes in the PRA-All-ALD axis. In addition, verapamil can be used as a tool to study and understand the simultaneous increases in ANF and in PRA, All, ALD, and AVP, characteristics of congestive heart failure.