cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 363: Prolonged Upregulation of Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Genes is Characteristic of Successful Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation

Objective: Understanding the molecular mechanisms of vascular remodeling is critical to improving outcomes following revascularization procedures. While extensive animal data exists, correlative data on the mechanisms and kinetics of vascular healing in humans are lacking. Creation of brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), often completed in 2 stages, offers an opportunity to examine the same vessel at 2 distinct time points. We hypothesized that immune and developmental related pathways are involved in AVF maturation. Methods: Human basilic vein samples were obtained at the time of AVF creation as baseline. Second samples were taken at basilic vein transposition after exposure to arterial hemodynamic forces. These paired samples were analyzed for differential gene expression using whole genome microarray. Structural staining and confirmatory qPCR were performed in selected genes. Results: Paired vein samples were collected from 3 patients. All subjects had successful AVF maturation. An average of 3 months transpired between collection of the first and second samples. Overall, 700 genes were significantly down-regulated and 732 genes were significantly up-regulated. Gene ontogeny analysis revealed no difference in the genes regulating developmental re-activation pathways or angiogenesis. However, inflammatory and fibrosis genes were still significantly up-regulated 3 months following AVF creation (p <<.05). Structural stains confirmed an increase in lumen and total vessel area and deposition of elastin and collagen with significant intimal hyperplasia between baseline and 3 month samples. Additionally, qPCR showed a 9.7 fold increase in IL-6 and a 10.4 fold increase in e-selectin at 3 months. Conclusions: Inflammatory and fibrosis gene pathways remain activated in mature fistulas despite stabilization of geometric remodeling. Further study is warranted to characterize these pathways and determine their significance in AVF patency. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Antigenicity of Influenza Vaccine from Bovine Cell Cultures

An experimental vaccine prepared from influenza virus strains propagated in bovine kidney cell cultures, purified by zonal centrifugation, and further treated with ether was studied in man for the incidence of clinical reactions and hemagglutination-inhibition antibody levels induced. The results were equivalent to those obtained in a simultaneous study made with a commercially licensed influenza vaccine derived from viruses propagated in the embryonated egg and also purified by zonal centrifugation, but not treated with ether. Comparison of the macromethod and the micromethod for determination of hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titers revealed that lower initial titers and lesser increments in antibody levels following vaccination were obtained by the microtechnique.
Skill-Profile Matching with Similarity Measures

At DaimlerChrysler’s truck plant in Worth / Rhein, we are currently implementing a comprehensive IT solution for integrated and synergistic pro cesses in personnel development. In this paper, we sketch some onto logy-based software modules – as well as their interdependencies and synergies – which support streamlined and integrated, comprehensive personnel-development processes. A central element in the software architecture is ontology-based similarity assessment for skill-profile matching which is exemplarily discussed for software-supported project staffing.
PERMEABILITY OF BACTERIAL SPORES IV. Water Content, Uptake, and Distribution

Black, S. H. (The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) and Philipp Gerhardt. Permeability of bacterial spores. IV. Water content, uptake, and distribution. J. Bacteriol. 83: 960–967. 1962.—Dormant and germinated spores of Bacillus cereus strain terminalis were examined for water properties. Respectively, they exhibited a mean density of 1.28 and 1.11 g/ml, a water content of 64.8 and 73.0%, and a total water uptake of 66.6 and 75.6%, based on spore weight, or 86.0 and 83.9%, based on spore volume. The results confirmed a previous report that internal and external water are in virtually complete equilibrium, but refuted a prevailing hypothesis that heat resistance is attributable to a dry core. A model of spore ultrastructure that evolved from the cumulative results pictures a moist, dense, heteroporous core. A new hypothesis is formulated as an explanation for thermostability in spores and possibly in other instances; it postulates the occurrence of an insolubly gelled core with cross-linking between macromolecules through stable but reversible bonds so as to form a high-polymer matrix with entrapped free water. Images
Chapter 1 The beginnings of chromatography — The pioneers (1900–1960)

Publisher Summary This chapter presents chromatography as a branch of science that bridges a century of science and discovery. Chromatography represents the premier analytical method of the 20th century for the advancement of a variety of the disciplines of science. Chromatography has grown over the past century to be a vigorous enterprise of scientists; societies with the background of their patrons from government, academia, and research institutions; and the corporate sector and private foundations. The scientific community and public at large has benefited from these interactions. Chromatography as one of the separation sciences has become a common denominator for analytical methods and biological/medical sciences research. They have caused many changes in other sciences, but particularly in analytical chemistry—a change from the determination of one or several components in a sample to the separation, detection, and the quantitative measurement of all the components in a sample.
Patterns and rates of protein synthesis in sea urchin embryos. I. Uptake and incorporation of amino acids during the first cleavage cycle.

Abstract Uptake and incorporation of amino acids during the first cleavage of developing sea urchins decreased at about the time of metaphase. The pattern of apparent rate changes is not coupled to karyokinesis or to cytokinesis. It appears not to represent a fluctuation in the true rate of protein synthesis, but only a transient variation in permeability during the cell cycle. The metaphase depression in uptake and incorporation observed in sea urchin embryos is thus quite different from the metaphase arrest of protein synthesis in HeLa cells. Control of translation by factors released from nuclei at metaphase (as has been proposed for the cells in culture) thus does not operate in the cleaving embryos.
Hyperbolic equations and frequency interactions

Nonlinear Schrodinger equations: Introduction by J. Bourgain Generalities and initial value problems by J. Bourgain The initial value problem (continued) by J. Bourgain A digressioin: The initial value problem for the KdV equation by J. Bourgain 1D invariant Gibbs measures by J. Bourgain Invariant measures (2D) by J. Bourgain Quasi-periodic solutions of Hamiltonian PDE by J. Bourgain Time periodic solutions by J. Bourgain Time quasi-periodic solutions by J. Bourgain Normal forms by J. Bourgain Applications of symplectic capacities to Hamiltonian PDE by J. Bourgain Remarks on longtime behaviour of the flow of Hamiltonian PDE by J. Bourgain Harmonic analysis, wavelets and applications: Introduction by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Constructing orthonormal wavelet bases: Multiresolution analysis by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Wavelet bases: Construction and algorithms by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert More wavelet bases by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Wavelets in other functional spaces by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Pointwise convergence for wavelet expansions by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Two-dimensional wavelets and operators by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Wavelets and differential equations by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert References by I. C. Daubechies and A. C. Gilbert Lectures on stability and instability of an ideal fluid: Introduction by S. Friedlander Equations of motion by S. Friedlander Initial-boundary value problem by S. Friedlander The type of the Euler equations by S. Friedlander Vorticity by S. Friedlander Steady flows by S. Friedlander Stability/instability of an equilibrium state by S. Friedlander Two-dimensional spectral problem by S. Friedlander ""Arnold"" criterion for nonlinear stability by S. Friedlander Plane parallel shear flow by S. Friedlander Instability in a vorticity norm by S. Friedlander Sufficient condition for instability by S. Friedlander Exponential stretching by S. Friedlander Integrable flows by S. Friedlander Baroclinic instability by S. Friedlander Nonlinear instability by S. Friedlander References by S. Friedlander Waves and transport: Introduction by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik The Schrodinger equation by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik Symmetric hyperbolic systems by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik Waves in random media by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik The diffusion approximation by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik The geophysical applications by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik References by G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik Lectures on geometric optics: Introduction by J. Rauch and M. Keel Basic linear existence theorems by J. Rauch and M. Keel Examples of propagation of singularities and of energy by J. Rauch and M. Keel Elliptic geometric optics by J. Rauch and M. Keel Linear hyperbolic geometric optics by J. Rauch and M. Keel Basic nonlinear existence theorems by J. Rauch and M. Keel One phase nonlinear geometric optics by J. Rauch and M. Keel Justification of one phase nonlinear geometric optics by J. Rauch and M. Keel References by J. Rauch and M. Keel.
Carrot or Stick?: The Balance of Values in Qualified Intermediary Reform

The qualified intermediary program allows foreign financial institutions to assume certain tax responsibilities ordinarily borne by U.S. withholding agents. The purpose of the program is to collect more foreign taxpayer information by creating a more direct link between the I.R.S. and recipients of foreign income payments. By accepting more responsibility, qualified intermediaries are provided numerous benefits that make business less costly. Nevertheless, the program has recently come under attack due to perceived abuse by wealthy U.S. citizens who use the system to evade income taxes. In response, the Obama Administration proposes numerous changes to the program, intended to strengthen it. But these changes fail to appreciate the balance of values at stake in reforming the qualified intermediary system. This Note argues that until more benign changes are made, the unique jurisdictional dilemma created by the U.S. international income tax system should not be solved by shifting from a “carrot” to a “stick” approach for foreign intermediaries.
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Affect More Than Just the Esophagus.

I n 1937, Dr R. Kaisjer provided the first description of eosinophilic gastroenteritis after reviewing surgical resections taken from various parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (1). During the next few decades, other descriptions, again derived from whole tissue surgical specimens, followed. With the advent of flexible endoscopy in the 1960s, physicians were provided the necessary tools to procure mucosal biopsy samples from patients, escorting in a new era of defining the resident and pathological inflammatory cells of the intestinal mucosae. In the early 1980s, 2 publications identified eosinophils as markers of gastroesophageal reflux disease (2,3). The association of esophageal eosinophilia with gastroesophageal reflux disease held firm until the early 1990s when 3 publications provided the first descriptions of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) as a distinct disease entity (4,5,5a). Since then, 3 consensus recommendations and a European guideline have been published identifying and refining the diagnostic criteria for EoE (6–9). The emergence of EoE as an increasingly recognized distinct clinicopathological entity rekindled interest and raised questions about the role of the eosinophil in GI health and disease; for example, do eosinophils play a role in innate host defense and increase as a compensatory mechanism or is their increased presence a manifestation of a pathological inflammatory or allergic condition? (10,11). The latter explanation has certainly garnered more attention, and when tissue eosinophilia is seen in the context of organ-specific symptoms, with peripheral eosinophilia, without evidence of infection, and with resolution after steroid treatment, the diagnosis of an eosinophilic GI disease (EGIDs) is strongly considered.
Dilution of liquid Rhizobium cultures to increase production capacity of inoculant plants.

Experiments were undertaken to test whether peat-based legume seed inoculants, which are prepared with liquid cultures that have been deliberately diluted, can attain and sustain acceptable numbers of viable rhizobia. Liquid cultures of Rhizobium japonicum and Rhizobium phaseoli were diluted to give 108, 107, or 106 cells per ml, using either deionized water, quarter-strength yeast-mannitol broth, yeast-sucrose broth, or yeast-water. The variously diluted cultures were incorporated into gamma-irradiated peat, and the numbers of viable rhizobia were determined at intervals. In all of the inoculant formulations, the numbers of rhizobia reached similarly high ceiling values by 1 week after incorporation, irrespective not only of the number of cells added initially but also of the nature of the diluent. During week 1 of growth, similar multiplication patterns of the diluted liquid cultures were observed in two different peats. Numbers of rhizobia surviving in the various inoculant formulations were not markedly different after 6 months of storage at 28°C. The method of inoculant preparation did not affect the nitrogen fixation effectiveness of the Rhizobium strains.
A flexible nested sodium and proton coil array with wideband matching for knee cartilage MRI at 3T

Purpose We describe a 2 × 6 channel sodium/proton array for knee MRI at 3T. Multielement coil arrays are desirable because of well-known signal-to-noise ratio advantages over volume and single-element coils. However, low tissue–coil coupling that is characteristic of coils operating at low frequency can make the potential gains from a phased array difficult to realize. Methods The issue of low tissue–coil coupling in the developed six-channel sodium receive array was addressed by implementing 1) a mechanically flexible former to minimize the coil-to-tissue distance and reduce the overall diameter of the array and 2) a wideband matching scheme that counteracts preamplifier noise degradation caused by coil coupling and a high-quality factor. The sodium array was complemented with a nested proton array to enable standard MRI. Results The wideband matching scheme and tight-fitting mechanical design contributed to >30% central signal-to-noise ratio gain on the sodium module over a mononuclear sodium birdcage coil, and the performance of the proton module was sufficient for clinical imaging. Conclusion We expect the strategies presented in this study to be generally relevant in high-density receive arrays, particularly in x-nuclei or small animal applications. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of x-irradiation on triglyceride metabolism of the rabbit.

Nach letaler Rontgenbestrahlung wurde eine Zunahme der Triglyceride, aber keine Veranderung der freien Fettsauren im Kaninchenplasma gefunden. Eine Belastungsprobe mit I131 markierten Trioleins hat zu keiner Verhinderung der hepatischen Akkumulierung dieses Stoffes in den bestrahlten Tieren gefuhrt. Der Befund weist darauf hin, dass nach Rontgenbestrahlung keine Storung des Fetttransportes aus dem Plasma resultiert, sondern dass die Lipamie eventuell durch abnorme Chylomicra zustande kommt.
Synthesis of the Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor CdMnTe by Ion Implantation of Mn into CdTe

The dilute magnetic semiconductor CdMnTe has been synthesized by ion implantation of Mn into CdTe. Samples of CdTe have been implanted with Mn ions of 60 keV energy to fluences in the range 1 × 1013 cm−2 to 2×1016 cm−2 and subsequently annealed, using rapid thermal annealing, for 10–15 sec at temperatures 300 ≤ TA ≤ 730°C. The successful formation of a near surface layer of CdMnTe is demonstrated by studies of the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the ion implanted and annealed sampies; Rutherford backscattering-channeling analysis of the radiation-induced damage indicates complete recovery of lattice order after annealing at 700°C. Photoluminescence measurements, performed at 2K, reveal an increase in the energy band gap of the ion implanted alloy with respect to CdTe. Application of magnetic fields, up to 8T, produce both the characteristic energy shift of the excitonic recombination peak and polarization of the emitted radiation (in the Faraday configuration) previously observed in bulk–grown CdMnTe material.
A quantitative assessment of the influence of grid resolution on predictions of future-year air quality in North Carolina, USA

Abstract Increased focus has been directed at fine-scale modeling for improving the ability of air quality modeling systems to capture local phenomena. While numerous studies have investigated model performance at finer resolution (4–5 km), there is relatively limited information available for choosing the optimum grid resolution for predicting future air quality in attainment demonstration studies. We demonstrate an evaluation of the MM5–SMOKE–MAQSIP modeling system for four 8-h ozone episodes in the summers of 1995, 1996 and 1997 in North Carolina using a one-way nested 36/12/4-km application. After establishing acceptable base-case model performance for ozone predictions during each episode, we developed future-year emissions control scenarios for 2007 and 2012, and finally computed relative reduction factors (RRFs) using model outputs from each of the three grid resolutions. Our analyses, based upon qualitative as well as quantitative approaches like the Student's t -test, indicate that RRFs computed at specific monitoring locations—and hence predicted future-year air quality—are not very different between the 4- and 12-km results, while the differences are slightly larger between the 4- and 36-km results. The results imply that grid resolution contributes to a variability of about 1–3 ppb in the projected future-year design values; this variability needs to be incorporated into policy-relevant decision-making. Since this assessment was performed for four different episodes under diverse meteorological, physical and chemical regimes, one can generalize the results from this study. They are also relevant for regional modeling applications that are currently ongoing for studying PM 2.5 nonattainment issues, where the need for annual base-year and future-year simulations for demonstrating attainment may place a large demand on computing resources. Based upon the results from this study, future studies may consider using results from 12-km modeling to address future-year air quality goals for ozone and PM 2.5 and its components, and then incorporate grid-resolution uncertainties into the computed results.
Who Are The Electronic Learners?: Why Should We Worry About Them?

(1994). Who Are The Electronic Learners?: Why Should We Worry About Them? Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 39-41.
Prevalence and prognostic significance of exercise-induced supraventricular tachycardia in apparently healthy volunteers

The prevalence, characteristics, and prognostic significance of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) occurring during maximal treadmill exercise testing were examined in 843 male and 540 female asymptomatic volunteers aged 20 to 94 years from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging who underwent exercise testing a mean of 2.3 times between 1977 and 1991. Exercise-induced SVT occurred during at least 1 test in 51 men (6.0%) and 34 women (6.3%), p = NS for gender. The 85 subjects with exercise-induced SVT were significantly older than the 1,298 free from this arrhythmia (66.0 +/- 13.5 vs 49.7 +/- 18.0 years, respectively, p 10 beats in duration and only 4% of subjects were symptomatic. Nearly half (44%) of SVT episodes occurred at peak effort. Coronary risk factors, echocardiographic left atrial size (3.3 +/- 6.7 vs 3.3 +/- 0.6 cm), and the prevalence of exercise-induced ischemic ST-segment depression (11% vs 13%) were similar in 85 subjects with SVT and 170 control subjects matched for age and sex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Flow switchability and periodic motions in a periodically forced, discontinuous dynamical system

This paper presents the switchability of a flow from one domain into another one in the periodically forced, discontinuous dynamical system. The inclined line boundary in phase space is used for the dynamical system to switch. The normal vector field product for flow switching on the separation boundary is introduced. The passability condition of a flow to the separation boundary is achieved through such a normal vector field product, and the sliding and grazing conditions to the separation boundary are presented as well. Using mapping structures, periodic motions in such a discontinuous system are predicted analytically, and the corresponding local stability and bifurcation analysis are carried out. With the analytical conditions of grazing and sliding motions, the parameter maps of specific motions are developed. Illustrations of periodic and chaotic motions are given, and the normal vector fields are presented to show the analytical criteria. This investigation may help one better understand the sliding mode control. The methodology presented in this paper can be applied to discontinuous, nonlinear systems.
Social and Economic Factors in the Choice of Lung Cancer Treatment

We reviewed 1808 hospital charts representing virtually all patients given a diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer in New Hampshire and Vermont between 1973 and 1976 and found that the treatment of patients varied according to their marital status, medical insurance coverage, and proximity to a cancer-treatment center. Patients were more likely to be treated with surgery if they were married (odds ratio, 1.67; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.08 to 2.57) or had private medical insurance (1.52; 1.03 to 2.26). Among patients who did not have surgery, those with private insurance were more likely to receive another form of anticancer therapy--either radiation or chemotherapy (1.57; 1.18 to 2.09). Residing farther from a cancer-treatment center was associated with a greater chance of having surgery. Patients 75 years of age and older were less likely to have surgery (0.16; 0.08 to 0.35) or any other tumor-directed therapy (0.32; 0.19 to 0.54). The relation between the type of treatment and a patient's characteristics was not based on apparent differences in tumor stage or functional status, although both these factors were also strongly predictive of the type of treatment. Despite the fact that privately insured and married patients were more aggressively treated, they did not survive longer after diagnosis. We conclude that for non-small-cell lung cancer, socio-economic as well as medical factors determine treatment.
Ethanol effects on the ripening of climacteric fruit

Abstract The ability of ethanol to inhibit the ripening of eight species of climacteric fruit was tested. Exposure to ethanol vapors at ≤6 ml kg −1 fruit for up to 6 h, a treatment that inhibited the ripening of mature-green tomatoes by 7 days, failed to inhibit the ripening of whole banana, honeydew, muskmelon, nectarine, pear, peach, and plum fruit. In contrast, ethanol directly injected into the seed cavity of muskmelon or honeydew melons resulted in firmer ripened fruit, but the effect was inconsistent. Exposure to ethanol vapors at ≤2 ml kg −1 fruit for 3–6 h significantly inhibited the climacteric and delayed softening of mesocarp plugs excised from honeydew melons. In comparison to air controls, avocado fruit exposed to a flow of 80% ethanol-saturated air softened more slowly and had a delayed respiratory and ethylene climacteric, but exhibited skin and flesh browning upon ripening.
Dual Rôle of Frequency Spectrum in Determination of Auditory Distance

Manipulation of frequency content of click stimuli shows apparent distance of sound source from an observer is decreased by increasing high frequency content.
Fate of cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in municipal wastewater during activated sludge treatment.

Abstract This study investigated the fate of nano-CeO2 during municipal wastewater treatment using a laboratory-scale activated sludge (A/S) system fed with primarily-treated municipal wastewater and nano-CeO2 (55.0 mg Ce/L). Nano-CeO2 was highly removed during A/S treatment (96.6% total Ce). Extensive removal of CeO2
The accuracy of beliefs about retrieval cues.

We investigated the accuracy of predictions about semantic, environmental, and phonological cues for remembering. Subjects rated the pleasantness of 10 words in each of four rooms, predicted the number of words that they would recall with and without one of the three types of cues, and then were tested for free or cued recall. Consistent with their predictions, subjects who received semantic cues recalled more words than did subjects in the free-recall group. The subjects in the other cuing conditions did not benefit from the cues; furthermore, they overestimated the value of phonological cues, and they believed that environmental cues were ineffective. Finally, confidence ratings for cued-recall predictions did not reflect the pattern of cued-recall performance. Subjects were least confident about their predictions for semantic cuing and most confident about their predictions for recall to be cued phonologically.
Safety and Tolerance of Methylnaltrexone in Healthy Humans: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Intravenous, Ascending-Dose, Pharmacokinetic Study

N-methylnaltrexone bromide (methylnaltrexone) is a quaternary opioid antagonist with a limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In animal models it reverses at peripheral receptors such side effects of opioids as decreased gastrointestinal motility, emesis, and cough suppression without affecting the desired analgesic effect mediated by central nervous system receptors. Methylnaltrexone thus may be a clinically useful compound for the prevention and treatment of opioid-induced side effects. This study was designed to examine the safety and tolerance of methylnaltrexone in healthy human participants over a range of doses and to identify any adverse effects or toxicity associated with methylnaltrexone and the doses at which these adverse effects occur. Healthy male volunteers received intravenous methylnaltrexone in six ascending doses with a placebo randomly inserted into the sequence. Each participant was observed for subjective and hemodynamic changes. Electrocardiogram and laboratory studies were also performed. The dose-limiting adverse effect of methylnaltrexone was orthostatic hypotension at 0.64 mg/kg (n = 3) or 1.25 mg/kg (n = 5), which was transient and self-limiting. Plasma levels of methylnaltrexone in excess of 1,400 ng/mL were observed to be associated with orthostatic hypotension. There were no significant subjective changes, no release of histamine, and no changes in physical examination or laboratory studies during the course of the study. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed an elimination half-life of 117.5 minutes (+/-53.2), and a clearance of 38.8 L/hr (+/-17.4) with a methylnaltrexone dose of 0.64 mg/kg. Our results indicate that methylnaltrexone is well tolerated at doses of 0.32 mg/kg in healthy humans.
Concentration Profiles of Individual Species in Coupled Binding of Two Ligands by a Receptor

Equations for the concentration profiles of all species in equilibria in the coupled binding of two ligands to a receptor have been formulated in a compact translucent form convenient for numerical analyses. These have been used to generate graphical presentations of the variation of each profile over a wide range of ligand concentration. New insights into the distribution of species have been obtained.
The healing medial collateral ligament following a combined anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament injury—a biomechanical study in a goat model

The ideal treatment of a combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to the knee is still debated. In particular, the question of whether reconstruction of the ACL can provide the knee with sufficient multidirectional stability to allow for effective MCL healing needs to be better elucidated. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to quantify the changes in the function of goat knees between time-zero and 6 weeks following a combined ACL/MCL injury treated with ACL reconstruction. Using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system, the kinematics of the knee and in situ forces in the ACL/ACL graft as well as in the sham-operated and healing MCL were evaluated in response to (1) a 67 N anterior-posterior (A-P) tibial load and (2) a 5 Nm varus-valgus (V-V) moment. The second objective was to evaluate the structural properties of the healing femur-MCL-tibia complex (FMTC) and the mechanical properties of the healing MCL at 6 weeks under uniaxial tension. In response to the 67 N A-P tibial load, the A-P translations for the experimental knee increased by as much as 4.5 times from time-zero to 6 weeks (p<0.05). Correspondingly, the in situ forces in the ACL graft decreased by as much as 45% (p<0.05). There was no measurable changes of the in situ force in the healing MCL. In response to a 5 Nm V-V moment, V-V rotations were twice as much as controls, but similar for both time periods. From time-zero to 6 weeks, the in situ forces in the ACL graft dropped by over 71% (p<0.05), while the in situ force in the healing MCL was as much as 35+/-19 N. In terms of the structural properties of the healing FMTC, the stiffness and ultimate load values at 6 weeks reached 53% and 29% of sham-operated contralateral controls, respectively (p<0.05). For the mechanical properties of the healing MCL substance, the values for tangent modulus and tensile strength were only 13% and 10% of sham-operated controls, respectively (p<0.05). These results suggest that the ACL graft stabilized the knee initially, but became loose over time. As a result, the healing MCL may have been required to take on excessive loads and was unable to heal sufficiently as compared to an isolated MCL injury.
Uncertainties and CFD Code Validation

A new approach to computational fluid dynamics code validation is developed that gives proper consideration to experimental and simulation uncertainties. The comparison error is defined as the difference between the data and simulation values and represents the combination of all errors. The validation uncertainly is defined as the combination of the uncertainties in the experimental data and the portion of the uncertainties in the CFD prediction that can be estimated. This validation uncertainty sets the level at which validation can be achieved. The criterion for validation is that the magnitude of the comparison error must be less than the validation uncertainty. If validation is not accomplished, the magnitude and sign of the comparison error can be used to improve the mathematical modeling. Consideration is given to validation procedures for a single code, multiple codes and/or models, and predictions of trends. Example results of verification/validation are presented for a single computational fluid dynamics code and for a comparison of multiple turbulence models. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed validation strategy. This new approach for validation should be useful in guiding future developments in computational fluid dynamics through validation studies and in the transition of computational fluid dynamics codes to design.
Muscles and nerves of the posterior abdomen and genitalia of male Periplaneta americana (L.) (Dictyoptera : Blattidae)

Abstract Segmental and intersegmental muscles of abdominal segments 7–10 are described for adult, male Periplaneta americana (L.) (Dictyoptera : Blattidae). Locations of extrinsic and intrinsic genitalic muscles are documented, and the actions of those associated with the right phallomere are hypothesized. Muscles of the 5 abdominal segments are innervated by branches from 5 pairs of segmental nerves and 3 pairs of transverse nerves. These stem from a terminal synganglion, formed during embryogenesis by fusion of neuromeres of abdominal segments 7–11. One pair of segmental nerves issues from each of the 5 neuromeres, and one pair of transverse nerves arises from neuromeres of abdominal segments 7–9. The nerves are traced to the muscles, integument, and reproductive glands, and their peripheral unions are characterized. Serial homologies of the nerves and muscles are proposed, and comparisons are made with neuromusculature of the female.
Isolation and identification of 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-11,20-dione from urine

An unknown steroid encountered in patterning C21 corticosteroids in urine has been isolated and identified as 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-11,20-dione (allo-THA) and a reaction scheme for its synthesis from 3α,11β,21-trihydroxy-5α-pregnane-20-one (allo-THB) has been presented. Studies on the mobility of 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-11,20-dione in several paper chromatographic systems have also been presented.
How bats achieve a small C-value: frequency of repetitive DNA in Macrotus

Bats possess a genome approximately 50–87% the size of other eutherian mammals. We document that the events that have achieved or maintained a small genome size in the Mexican leaf-nosed bat Macrotus waterhousii have resulted in a lower copy number of interspersed and tandemly repetitive elements. These conclusions are based on examination of 1726 randomly chosen recombinant cosmids, with an average insert size of 35.7 kb and representing 2.6% of the haploid genome of M. waterhousii. Probes representative of microsatellites [(GT)n, (CT)n, (AT)n, (GC)n] and a tandem repeat (rDNA) were used to estimate frequency of repetitive elements in the M. waterhousii genome. Of the four dinucleotides, (GT)n was present in 33.5% of the clones, (CT)n was present in 31.0% of the clones, and (AT)n and (GC)n were not represented in any of the clones examined. The 28S rDNA and a repetitive element from M. californicus were found in three and four clones, respectively. The dinucleotides (GT)n and (CT)n occurred together in the same clone more frequently than expected from chance. Although our data do not allow us to empirically test which mechanisms are maintaining copy number of repetitive DNA in the bat genome, the nonrandom association of these different families of repetitive DNA may provide insight into a mechanism that proportionately reduces diverse families of repetitive DNA that are known to be amplified by very different mechanisms.
CONCENTRIC LAMINATION OF GLIAL PROCESSES IN OLIGODENDROGLIOMAS

Tissues were obtained by open biopsy of a series of human intracranial neoplasms, fixed in Veronal-buffered osmium tetroxide, and embedded in Vestopal-W. In two instances in which specimens were obtained from oligodendrogliomas in regions where the tumor had infiltrated but not entirely destroyed cortical tissues, glial processes were found to be arranged in a highly organized laminar fashion. This feature was not observed in two additional oligodendrogliomas nor in other types of intracerebral neoplasms. Three types of laminar structures were recognized: (a) perikaryal sheaths composed of several layers of overlapping or concentrically orientated glial processes, (b) layers of longitudinally orientated glial processes along the outer aspect of myelinated axons, and (c) small laminated figures composed of several concentrically disposed glial processes. Spirally constituted lamellar systems were not demonstrated. These findings indicate that under certain circumstances glial cells have the capacity to form sheaths and sheath-like structures by concentric lamination of several processes, rather than by spiraling of a single process.
Methods for MAG3 conjugation and 99mTc radiolabeling of biomolecules

The chelator mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) forms a single stable chelate with technetium-99m (99mTc) oxotechnetate. The bifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of mercaptoacetyltriglycine with S-acetyl protection of the sulfhydryl group may be used to conjugate MAG3 to primary amine functionalized biomolecules for the purpose of radiolabeling with 99mTc for gamma detection or single photon emission computed tomography imaging (SPECT). We report here an improved MAG3 conjugation and 99mTc radiolabeling method capable of generating high radiochemical yield and high specific radioactivity. Post-labeling purification will not be needed if the protocol is followed as presented. Apart from the preparation of reagents, the conjugation and purification requires about 4 h, while the labeling with 99mTc requires about an additional 30 min.
Postoperative pain management.

Inadequately treated pain is a major cause of unanticipated hospital admissions after ambulatory surgery. The ability to provide adequate pain relief by simple methods that are readily available to the day-care patient in his or her home environment is one of the major challenges for providers of ambulatory surgery and anesthesia. The increasing number of extensive and painful surgical procedures (e.g., laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laminectomy, knee construction, hysterectomies) being undertaken on an ambulatory basis presents new challenges with respect to acute postoperative pain. Hence the availability of more sophisticated and effective treatment modalities, such as ambulatory PCA and continuous local and regional anesthetic blocks, with minimal side effects, are necessary to optimize the benefits of ambulatory surgery for both patient and health care provider. However, outcome studies are needed to evaluate the effect of these newer therapeutic approaches with respect to postoperative side effects and other important recovery parameters. Recent studies suggest that factors other than pain per se must be controlled to reduce postoperative morbidity and facilitate the recovery process. Not surprisingly, the anesthetic technique can influence analgesic requirement in the early postoperative period. Although oral analgesic agents will continue to play an important role, the adjunctive use of local anesthetic agents is likely to assume an even greater role in the future. Use of drug combinations (e.g., opiates and local anesthetics, opiates and NSAIDs) may provide improved analgesia with fewer side effects. Finally, safer and simpler analgesic delivery systems are needed to improve our ability to provide cost-effective pain relief after ambulatory surgery. In conclusion, as a result of our enhanced understanding of the mechanisms of acute pain and the physiological basis of nociception, the provision of "stress-free" anesthesia with minimal postoperative discomfort is now possible for most patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. The aim of an analgesic technique should be not only to lower the pain scores but also to facilitate earlier mobilization and reduce perioperative complications. If future clinical investigations clarify the issues that have been raised by laboratory studies, clinicians may be able to effectively treat postoperative pain using combinations of "balanced," "preemptive," and "peripheral" analgesia. More important, improved analgesic techniques will increase patient satisfaction and enhance their perception of ambulatory anesthesia and surgery.
French wh-in-situ questions and syntactic optionality : Evidence from three data types

The aim of this paper is to corroborate the assumption of syntactic optionality for French wh-questions. In terms of a broader basis of evidence three different data types are utilized: Firstly, a qualitative interview approach suggests that wh-in-situ does not show the syntactic restrictions postulated by Boskovic (1998) and Cheng & Rooryck (2000), weakening the evidence in favor of the assumption of LF-movement. Secondly, a graded grammaticality judgment test reveals that even in terms of fine nuances an identical level of grammaticality exists between the wh-in-situ form and its counterpart with wh-movement. Given the fact that several crucial judgments in the literature on French wh-in-situ are doubtful, these approaches turn out to be particularly helpful for controlling undesirable interferences in the judgment process and for obtaining more reliable data. Thirdly, a reading time study shows that both variants have the same cognitive complexity in processing. These empirical studies come along with methodological work concerning the development and evaluation of the instruments. From a conceptual point of view the inherent contradiction to which optionality and economy lead within the minimalist framework will be addressed. I will largely follow the suggestion of Haider & Rosengren (2003), who assume optional movement to be exploited at the interface level of syntax. Concerning the latter, I point out that different registers partly correlate with different French wh-questions.
Assessing, Analyzing, and Adapting: Improving a Graduate Student Instruction Program Through Needs Assessment

This article highlights an assessment of library instruction needs among graduate students in the social sciences. The article addresses the development and implementation of the assessment and the application of assessment results to an established set of library instruction workshops. The article provides a detailed summary of assessment findings and a discussion of how the findings were successfully used to create a user-centered instruction program. The findings were used to make significant changes in workshop content, as well as refinements in the overall number and format of workshops offered, schedule of workshops, and marketing of the instruction program.
Pyramidal clustering schemes

Lance and Williams (1966) introduced a generalized recurrence formula which can be used to compute the updated inter-cluster distance values resulting from the cluster fusion which occur at each level of a hierarchical clustering procedure. This paper develops an useful extension of this formula to pyramidal classification if the single, complete or average linkage technique is used. Furthermore it can be shown that in opposition to hierarchical classification only the complete linkage technique generates in the pyramidal classification structures with monotonically increasing distance values. Using the single or average linkage technique inversions are possible in the graphical representation of an indexed pyramid.
Immunoprofile studies for patients with bronchogenic carcinoma--III. Multivariate analysis of immune tests in correlation with survival.

Abstract Immunoprofile studies consisting of the measurement of de novo sensitization with DNCB, skin testing with microbial antigens, WBC and differential blood cell counts, enumeration of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes and stimulation of lymphocytes with the plant mitogens PHA, Con A, and PWM were performed prior to irradiation therapy for 141 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. The data from these studies were examined, with the addition of the variables stage of disease, histologic type of tumor, age and sex, by multivariate analysis for correlation with survival. Although stage of disease was shown to be a significant factor in the survival of these patients, the results of this analysis indicate that significant additional information relative to survival may be obtained from the measurement of: (1) patients' response to DNCB; (2) response to skin test antigens; and (3) the proportion of peripheral T lymphocytes. There was little gain in survival forecasting efficiency with the addition of the remaining variables.
Lessons for the world from US agriculture: Unbundling technology

Abstract Take as a goal the adequate nourishment of all human beings by the middle of the next century, when the human population will be near double its 1980 level, with much of the increase occurring in the poorest areas of the world. There is a great need to keep food prices low. However, we must consider the additional goal of sustainability. Can agricultural sustainability be achieved while producing the required volume of food at low cost? This paper will argue that economic development does not require that food be as cheap, or agricultural practices be as labor saving, as is often assumed.
Outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament injuries to running backs and wide receivers in the national football league

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament injuries are common in professional football players, and their career impact is unclear.PurposeTo quantify the affect of anterior cruciate ligament injuries on professional football player performance.Study DesignCohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.MethodsAnterior cruciate ligament injury data from the National Football League were collected during a 5-year period (1998-2002) for running backs and wide receivers. Recorded variables included player age, experience, position, time to return to competition, and yearly total yards and touchdowns. Power ratings (total yards divided by 10 plus touchdowns multiplied by 6) were calculated for the injury season as well as for the 3 seasons before and after injury. A control group consisted of all running backs and wide receivers without an identified anterior cruciate ligament injury who competed in the 2000 season.ResultsData were analyzed for 31 running backs and wide receivers with 33 anterior cruciate ligament i...
Dynamics of Team Member Replacements from Complex Systems Theory

Simulations based on the NK model are carried out to address team member replacements that follow tweaking (i.e., gradual changes) of the strategy of the team leader. For simple teams in which the team members do not interact, team member replacements occur independently. However, for teams in which team members interact with other team members, team member replacements occur as cascades. In these cascades, the replacement of one team member triggers the replacement of another, which triggers the replacement of yet another, and so on. These cascades of team member replacements are largest for teams with intermediate complexity, in which each member interacts with between $${\frac{1}{4}}$$ and $${\frac{1}{2}}$$ of the other team members. The cascades are roughly independent of team size, and so smaller teams are more volatile in that the cascades affect a larger fraction of the team.
Quantitative analysis of cimetidine in human plasma using LC/APCI/SRM/MS.

A quantitative method was developed and validated for rapid and sensitive analysis of cimetidine in human plasma. The method involved the use of liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry (MS). A cimetidine analog, SKF92374, was used as the internal standard. Separation of cimetidine and the internal standard was accomplished using a reverse-phase HPLC column (C18). The eluted components were ionized by the APCI source and subsequently detected by a highly selective triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the SRM mode. Linear standard curves were obtained from 5 ng/mL (lower limit of quantitation) to 10,000 ng/mL. The results demonstrated excellent precision (%RSD 1.1–8.9%) and accuracy (94.7–108.0%) over this range. In addition, the amount of plasma sample needed for analysis was small (50 µL), and the plasma pretreatment (analyte recovery >94%) was simple and time saving. This assay was used to evaluate cimetidine levels in premature infants following intravenous infusion of cimetidine. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.