cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tenofovir, Emtricitabine, and Darunavir/Ritonavir Pharmacokinetics in an HIV-Infected Patient After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery:

Objective To determine antiretroviral (ARV) pharmacokinetics in a patient who previously underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Case summary We describe a 38-year-old Hispanic man who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 11 months following RYGB surgery. When the patient presented for care of his HIV, his HIV-1 RNA was 146 138 copies/mL (5.20 log) and his CD4 T cell count was 320 cells/mm(3) (25%). He was initiated on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) 300 mg once daily, emtricitabine (FTC) 200 mg once daily, and darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) 600/100 mg twice daily. ARV concentrations were similar to historical data. Six months following ARV initiation, HIV-1 RNA was Discussion Bariatric surgery has been successfully performed in obese persons infected with the HIV, but data are limited on ARV drug selection and pharmacokinetics in this group. Optimal suppression of HIV replication requires appropriate concentrations of ARV drugs, and in a patient who has undergone RYGB, this can be challenging not only because of a decreased absorptive surface area but also because of an increased intragastric pH. Conclusion We found that once daily TDF/FTC and twice daily DRV/r produced trough concentrations similar to historic data in a patient who previously underwent RYGB with virologic suppression and immunologic recovery.
In utero Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: What Are the Important Questions?

The treatment of congenital hematologic disorders before birth by in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains a challenging goal. Although success has been achieved in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, the approach has failed in all other disorders attempted thus far. In this review, we examine relevant experimental data from the perspective of an analysis of why failure has occurred. We will also attempt to pose the important questions that will need to be answered prior to further clinical attempts to treat most target disorders by this approach.
The effects of fluoride on the leaching of aluminium saucepans during cooking

The factors affecting the leaching of aluminium from saucepans have been examined. Less than 0.5 mg/kg of aluminium was dissolved in boiling distilled water. Higher levels of up to 80 mg/kg were leached by boiling citric acid solution at pH 2.3 and an order of magnitude variation between different saucepans was observed. Under carefully controlled conditions it was apparent that 1 mg/kg of fluoride enhanced aluminium dissolution by 2–3 mg/kg. This effect was only observed on boiling with citric acid solution and was not detectable when acidic foodstuffs, such as rhubarb and tomatoes were cooked.
Holmium growth on Si(001): Surface reconstructions and nanowire formation

Holmium deposition on the Si(001) surface at elevated temperature results in the formation of Ho silicide islands coexisting with a Ho reconstructed substrate surface. At metal coverages below a monolayer, most of the islands are highly elongated nanowires. Structural details of both the reconstructions and the nanowires derived from scanning tunneling microscope data are presented. In addition, scanning tunneling spectroscopy shows that the nanowires are more metallic than either the reconstructed surface, or large silicide islands.
EFFECT OF TOPICAL ADRENERGIC DECONGESTANTS ON MIDDLE EAR PRESSURE IN INFANTS WITH COMMON COLDS. † 1106

EFFECT OF TOPICAL ADRENERGIC DECONGESTANTS ON MIDDLE EAR PRESSURE IN INFANTS WITH COMMON COLDS. † 1106
A Transgenic Myogenic Cell Line Lacking Ryanodine Receptor Protein for Homologous Expression Studies: Reconstitution of Ry1R Protein and Function

Abstract. CCS embryonic stem (ES) cells possessing two mutant alleles (ry1r−/ry1r−) for the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR) have been produced and injected subcutaneously into severely compromised immunodeficient mice to produce teratocarcinomas in which Ry1R expression is absent. Several primary fibroblast cell lines were isolated and subcloned from one of these tumors that contain the knockout mutation in both alleles and exhibit a doubling time of 18–24 h, are not contact growth inhibited, do not exhibit drastic morphological change upon serum reduction, and possess the normal complement of chromosomes. Four of these fibroblast clones were infected with a retrovirus containing the cDNA encoding myoD and a puromycin selection marker. Several (1–2 μg/ml) puromycin-resistant subclones from each initial cell line were expanded and examined for their ability to express myoD and to form multinucleated myotubes that express desmin and myosin upon removal of mitogens. One of these clones (1B5 cells) was selected on this basis for further study. These cells, upon withdrawal of mitogens for 5–7 d, were shown by Western blot analysis to express key triadic proteins, including skeletal triadin, calsequestrin, FK506-binding protein, 12 kD, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium–ATPase1, and dihydropyridine receptors. Neither RyR isoform protein, Ry1R (skeletal), Ry2R (cardiac), nor Ry3R (brain), were detected in differentiated 1B5 cells. Measurements of intracellular Ca2+ by ratio fluorescence imaging of fura-2–loaded cells revealed that differentiated 1B5 cells exhibited no responses to K+ (40 mM) depolarization, ryanodine (50–500 μM), or caffeine (20–100 mM). Transient transfection of the 1B5 cells with the full-length rabbit Ry1R cDNA restored the expected responses to K+ depolarization, caffeine, and ryanodine. Depolarization-induced Ca2+ release was independent of extracellular Ca2+, consistent with skeletal-type excitation–contraction coupling. Wild-type Ry1R expressed in 1B5 cells were reconstituted into bilayer lipid membranes and found to be indistinguishable from channels reconstituted from rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum with respect to unitary conductance, open dwell times, and responses to ryanodine and ruthenium red. The 1B5 cell line provides a powerful and easily managed homologous expression system in which to study how Ry1R structure relates to function.
Rapid-Thermal Nitridation of SiO2 for Radiation-Hardened MOS Gate Dielectrics

Nitridation of thin SiO2 layers has been achieved by a rapid thermal process in the presence of ammonia. The pre-and post-radiation performances of transistors with nitridated gate insulators have been presented. Nitridation causes a lowering of threshold voltage and channel mobility. Total dose testing indicates that nitridated gate oxides, under certain conditions, produce lower threshold voltage shift as well as less interface state generation than control (oxide) samples.
Effect of air oxidation at 873 K on the mechanical properties of a carbon-carbon composite

Abstract A carbon-carbon composite, composed of semi-random chopped PAN fibers in a resin char and CVD carbon matrix, was oxidized in air at 873 K to burn-offs up to 55%. Composite reactivity increased with increasing burn-off up to about 10% and thereafter remained constant at 1.5%/h. Oxidation had a catastrophic effect on mechanical properties. For example, at 20% burn-off, Young's modulus, flexural strength, work-of-fracture, and fracture toughness were reduced by: 75, 64, 57 and 61%, respectively. Decrease in flexural strength is attributed primarily to a decrease in fracture toughness rather than an increase in flaw size.
Projective Constraint Stabilization for a Power Series Forward Dynamics Solver

A power series expression for the forward dynamics of a closed kinematic chain provides an explicit time-step update of the system state. The resulting numerical differential equation solver applies kinematic constraints to the power series terms for acceleration and higher derivatives of motion. Integrating acceleration determines velocity and position time histories that approximate the constraints to a high degree of precision when using a high order of the expansion. When high precision is not required, a lower order achieves shorter computation times, but that condition results in violation of the constraints in the absence of any correction. Projecting the velocities and positions onto the constraint manifold after each time step produces step changes. This paper determines which choices of linear subspace for this projection give step changes that are equal to the residues of truncating the power series solution for the kinematic portion of the problem. The limit of that power series gives position and velocity time histories that approximate the dynamics while giving an exact kinematic solution. Thus projection onto the constraints in this procedure determines sample values of an underlying solution for the motion trajectories, where that underlying solution is continuous in both velocity and position and also satisfies the kinematic constraints at all times. This property is confirmed by numerical simulation of a Clemens constant-velocity coupling.
Kinetic and thermodynamic atropdiastereoselection in the synthesis of the M(5–7) tripeptide portion of vancomycin

Abstract The Cα stereochemistry of the position-5 arylglycine plays a pivotal role in determining the kinetic atropdiastereoselection in the oxidative biaryl cyclization reaction, the key step in a biomimetic strategy directed toward the synthesis of the M(5–7) vancomycin fragment. The equilibrium ratio of biaryl and amide conformations within this 12-membered macrocycle is significantly influenced by interaction of this same center with adjacent substituents.
Specific Glutamine and Asparagine Residues of γ-S Crystallin Are Resistant to in Vivo Deamidation *

It has been hypothesized that resistance to nonenzymatic deamidation of asparagine and glutamine residues may be an important determinant of protein stability in vivo. As a test of this hypothesis, we analyzed the central region of old human lenses, which contain proteins such as gamma-S crystallin that were synthesized during the fetal-embryonic periods of development. Total protein from the fetal-embryonic region of old human lenses was digested with trypsin, followed by resolution of tryptic fragments containing amidated and deamidated forms using high pressure liquid chromatography-reverse phase chromatography together with synthetic peptide standards and mass spectral analysis. The results demonstrate no detectable deamidation of glutamine 92, glutamine 96, asparagine 143, and glutamine 170 from gamma-S crystallin from old human lenses, consistent with the hypothesis that very long-lived proteins can contain asparagine and glutamine residues that are extremely resistant to in vivo deamidation.
An Examination of the Biases in Estimating the Benefit of Debt Insurance

This paper examines the biases in previous studies of estimating the benefit of debt insurance. We identify three possible sources of estimation biases: selection bias, marketability bias, and premium bias. Our findings indicate that both the selection bias and the marketability bias cause an underestimation of the actual benefit of bond insurance, while the premium bias results in an overestimation. Future research could benefit from this study by explicitly accounting for these estimating biases in obtaining a more accurate evaluation of the role of debt insurance in the market.
Pilgrimage Through Poetry: Sung Journeys Within the Murid Spiritual Diaspora

This study examines the role of musical tradition in unifying the spiritual itineraries of a globalized religious community. Within the Muridiyya, an important Senegalese Sufi order, the singing of Arabic poetry written by Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba is a fundamental rite of sacred journeys, the most notable of which is the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Touba. At the heart of this pilgrimage is the story of Bamba’s departure on exile, a foundational story powerfully evoked in the singing of the shaykh’s poetry. For Murids in diasporic communities distant from Senegal, the singing of sacred poetry can become a compelling substitute for ritual travel to Touba. Through sung poetry, believers in the widespread Murid diaspora can fulfill a sonic pilgrimage, an acoustic homecoming, a metaphysical return to their beloved spiritual home.
SAR image data compression algorithm for clipping service applications

This paper addresses the SAR image data communications problem between airborne sensors and ground stations. Channel bandwidths are typically constrained. Therefore a compression- transmission-decompression strategy is necessary to facilitate real-time transmission. In the sections that follow, we introduce a new compression-decompression algorithm for transmitting sensor data at low bit rates. The algorithm involves the computation and use of pre-transmission estimates of target locations. These estimates are used to allocate bits preferentially to enhance the quality of the image representation in areas where the probability of targets is high. It is shown that this algorithm is effective in improving the subject quality of the transmitted images as well as improving the receiver-end target recognition performance.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The role of warmup in muscular injury prevention

This study is an attempt to provide biomechanical support for the athletic practice of warming up prior to an exercise task to reduce the incidence of injury. Tears in isometrically preconditioned (stimulated before stretching) muscle were compared to tears in control (nonstimulated) muscle by examining four parameters: 1) force and 2) change of length required to tear the muscle, 3) site of failure, and 4) length-tension deformation. The tibialis anterior (TA), the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and flexor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from both hindlimbs of rabbits comprised our experimental model. Isometrically preconditioned TA (P less than 0.001), EDL (P less than 0.005), and FDL (P less than 0.01) muscles required more force to fail than their contralateral controls. Preconditioned TA (P less than 0.05), EDL (P less than 0.001), and FDL (P less than 0.01) muscles also stretched to a greater length from rest before failing than their nonpreconditioned controls. The site of failure in all of the muscles was the musculotendinous junction; thus, the site of failure was not altered by condition. The length-tension deformation curves for all three muscle types showed that in every case the preconditioned muscles attained a lesser force at each given increase in length before failure, showing a relative increase in elasticity, although only the EDL showed a statistically significant difference. From our data, it may be inferred that physiologic warming (isometric preconditioning) is of benefit in preventing muscular injury by increasing the and length to failure and elasticity of the muscle-tendon unit.
Correlation of compound properties with biosorption of organic compounds

Abstract The sorption of organic compounds by inactive microbial biomass was investigated. The sorption isotherms were linear over the range of concentrations studied. The linear partition coefficients (Kp) were directly related to organic carbon content of the biomass. Octanol/water partition coefficient is a much better predictor of extent of adsorption on biomass than aqueous solubility.
Product form approximations for queueing networks with multiple servers and blocking

It is shown that the equilibrium-state probabilities for this type of blocking queuing network have an approximate product-form solution, which is based on normalizing the infeasible states that violate station capacities. To obtain the throughput values, a state-space transformation is introduced. This concept is based on finding a nonblocking network with an appropriate total number of jobs of which the number of feasible states is equal or approximately equal to the number of feasible states in the blocking queuing network. This guarantees that the Markov processes describing the evolution networks over time have approximately the same structure, so the throughputs of both systems are approximately equal. The approximations are validated by executing several examples and comparing them with simulation results. >
Morphological variation of Stephanodiscus niagarae Ehrenb. (Bacillariophyta) in a Lake Ontario sediment core

Stephanodiscus niagarae populations in a core from Lake Ontario show systematic variation in radial puncta number and mean valve diameter. Puncta number is stable in specimens from samples deposited between 1720 and 1844. Puncta number gradually increases in samples deposited between 1860 and 1947, then increases rapidly to high numbers in samples deposited after 1964. Mean valve diameter is relatively high in specimens from samples deposited between 1720 and 1959. Diameter of specimens deposited during this period fluctuates around a mean of 63.2 #m. Mean diameter of specimens deposited from 1959 to 1980 is only 42.5 #m. We conclude that the trend in puncta number reflects the time course of eutrophication in Lake Ontario. We interpret the precipitous decline in mean diameter as an indication that conditions .in the lake after the late 1950's did not permit sexual reproduction in this species.
A sensitivity analysis of an ecosystem model of estuarine carbon flow

Abstract The North Inlet Marsh-Estuarine System Model (NIMES) is a 19-compartment real-time deterministic ecosystem simulation model of intrasystem carbon flow and exchange between an estuary and adjacent coastal water. A complete sensitivity analysis of this model with regard to POM, DOM and nekton annual exchange and annual system net productivity was completed and the functional relationship between these system behaviors and the perturbed parameters were determined by regression techniques. Simulated POM annual exchange between the estuary and the sea was largely controlled by offshore POM concentration, water column respiration and the gross productivity of the marsh and water column flora. Simulated DOM annual estuarine-oceanic exchange was most sensitive to perturbations in the gross productivity and biomass changes in marsh flora and water column microbial DOM uptake. Simulated nekton exchange reflected a sensitivity to migratory behavior and subtidal benthic biomass changes. System annual net productivity as simulated by the model showed a high sensitivity to all model processes which affected component primary production and respiration. From this sensitivity analysis, a scheme is developed to evaluate research needs for further model development for the North Inlet ecosystem.
Sodium effects on mechanical performance and consideration in high temperature structural design for advanced reactors

Abstract Sodium environmental effects are key limiting factors in the high temperature structural design of advanced sodium-cooled reactors. A guideline is needed to incorporate environmental effects in the ASME design rules to improve the performance reliability over long operating times. This paper summarizes the influence of sodium exposure on mechanical performance of selected austenitic stainless and ferritic/martensitic steels. Focus is on Type 316SS and mod.9Cr–1Mo. The sodium effects were evaluated by comparing the mechanical properties data in air and sodium. Carburization and decarburization were found to be the key factors that determine the tensile and creep properties of the steels. A beneficial effect of sodium exposure on fatigue life was observed under fully reversed cyclic loading in both austenitic stainless steels and ferritic/martensitic steels. However, when hold time was applied during cyclic loading, the fatigue life was significantly reduced. Based on the mechanical performance of the steels in sodium, consideration of sodium effects in high temperature structural design of advanced fast reactors is discussed.
X-ray astronomy from the moon

Abstract As a platform for x-ray astronomy, the surface of the Moon is outstanding for its stability, the availability of unlimited space for large instruments, and the ability to observe any object continuously for as much as 14 days. There is likely to be three phases of lunar based investigations. The first would be the soft landing of simple, self-contained instruments sent from Earth in their operating configuration, that require no assistance to begin functioning. The range of possible instruments is limited by the availability of power for survival during lunar night. One candidate instrument is a very wide field camera system for detecting and positioning bursts, flares, and transients and monitoring the interesting temporal variations shown by virtually all point-like sources. Another candidate for early deployment is a transit telescope that would perform a partial sky survey with better angular resolution, better energy resolution, and at higher energy than the one recently completed by ROSAT. The second stage would consist of the assembly of more complex telescopes, and all-sky monitors with human or robot assistance from components sent from Earth. The third, or ultimate stage would be the robotic fabrication of large telescopes from lunar materials.
Pituitary somatostatin receptors: dissociation at the pituitary level of receptor affinity and biological activity for selective somatostatin analogs.

Abstract High affinity and saturable binding of [125I-Tyr11]somatostatin (SS) is described in membrane homogenates from a pituitary transplantable tumor (GH4C1) rich in somatotrophs (KD for SS = 0.67 nM; Bmax = 30 fmol/mg protein). Binding characteristics and pharmacology are similar to those measured on normal pituitary membranes. The potency of various SS analogs highly correlates with that measured in in vitro bioassay for growth hormone. This suggests that those GH4C1 membranes are a good model for SS receptors on somatotrophs. Interestingly however, analogs in which the Asn5 is deleted (Des-Asn5) or d -Ser replaces Ser13 show dissociated potencies between the various assays: [ d -Ser13] analogs are more potent in pituitary than in GH4C1 membranes binding assay. Des-Asn5-modified analogs are much more potent in both pituitary binding assays than in the bioassay. This could reflect a multiplicity of SS receptor subtypes in pituitary.
Iliofemoral complications associated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair: Frequency, risk factors, and early and late outcomes

Background Risk factors and outcomes after iliofemoral complications after thoracic aortic endovascular repair remain poorly characterized. This study was performed to characterize factors influencing perioperative iliofemoral complications during thoracic aortic endovascular repair. Methods All patients undergoing transfemoral thoracic aortic endovascular repair since 2005 with adequate preoperative aortoiliac 3-dimensional imaging (n = 126) were identified. Assessment of imaging was blinded with regard to occurrence of iliofemoral complications, defined as anything other than successful transfemoral device delivery and primary closure of an arteriotomy. Results The complication rate was 12% (n = 15). Univariate analysis identified that female gender, preoperative ankle-brachial index, average and minimal iliac diameters, diameter difference between iliac artery and sheath size, and iliac morphology score (calculated by combining iliac tortuosity, calcification, and vessel diameter) were associated with iliofemoral complications (all P P = .014), (2) iliac artery morphology score ( P = .033), and (3) ankle-brachial index ( P = .012) as independent predictors for iliofemoral complications. Early mortality was higher in those with complications (13.3% vs 1.8%, P = .069). Four-year freedom from limb loss, claudication, or revascularization was 97.9%. Iliofemoral complications reduced late survival primarily as a result of increased mortality within the first year ( P = .047). Conclusions Thoracic aortic endovascular repair can be performed safely via a transfemoral approach. Alternative access in patients with high preoperative iliac artery morphology scores and device delivery size requirements over the native iliofemoral size may reduce iliofemoral complications. If early complications occur, prompt repair results in low rates of ischemic limb complications at late follow-up.
Endoscopic management of pediatric brain tumors.

Object Primary endoscopic procedures for children with intraventricular brain tumors include endoscopic tumor biopsy and endoscopic tumor removal. The simultaneous treatment of hydrocephalus with endoscopic third ventricu-lostomy (ETV) or endoscopic septostomy increases the appeal of a minimally invasive endoscopic approach. Methods Eighty-five patients who underwent endoscopic management of an intraventricular brain tumor were identified from a prospective database. Of these patients, 26 were younger than 21 years of age at the time of diagnosis. The surgical technique, its success rate, and patient outcome were assessed. Illustrative cases are used in this study to detail the procedure of endoscopic tumor biopsy and resection. Endoscopic tumor procedures were successful in 96% of cases (23 of 24 endoscopic tumor biopsy samples and both endoscopic tumor removals). Fourteen simultaneous procedures were performed to treat hydrocephalus successfully. There was no recognized morbidity from the surgical proce...
Complication of Invasive Molar Pregnancy with Clostridium perfringens Sepsis

Clostridium perfringens (CP) is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacillus associated with malignant diseases and near-term pregnancies. The necrotic tissue that results from these disease processes fuels the proliferation of CP, leading to gas gangrene and subsequently sepsis. Herein, we report a case of a 41-year-old female patient with a history of invasive molar pregnancy that was further complicated with a CP infection. Although past research has shown a link between Clostridium infection and choriocarcinoma (Chern-Horng and Hsieh, 1999), no previous cases of CP infection have been associated with invasive molar pregnancy. We also report complete resolution of the CP sepsis and its associated symptoms following the hysterectomy.
Stability increases with diversity in plant communities: empirical evidence from the 1988 Yellowstone drought

The idea that the species diversity of ecological communities contributes to stability is among ecology's most venerable hypotheses, but there are few data on how those properties are associated in nature. We document for the first time that stability of plant community species composition increases with diversity. Resistance to drought-induced species composition change and plant community diversity were positively related in grasslands of Yellowstone National Park. Community diversity was due principally to the spatial heterogeneity of the community, pattern diversity, thus suggesting pattern diversity as a potential factor involved in ecological stability
Origin of the multiple voltammetric desorption waves of long-chain alkanethiolate monolayers chemisorbed on annealed gold electrodes

Abstract This paper examines possible factors responsible for the voltammetric fine structure exhibited from the reductive desorption and oxidative redeposition of long-chain alkanethiolate monolayers on smooth gold electrodes. Results reveal that the fine structure is connected to the local order of the adlayer. This conclusion is based on a series of characterizations of monolayers formed from hexadecanethiol (HDT) and octadecanethiol (ODT) on annealed mica-supported gold (Au/mica) and on template-stripped gold (TSG). For annealed Au/mica, a pair of overlapping waves separated by 20–100 mV are found for both the desorption and the redeposition process. In contrast, the voltammetry of the TSG system exhibits a single wave for the two processes. Findings from morphological assessments (oxidative stripping of iodine, scanning tunneling microscopy, and underpotential metal deposition of lead) of the underlying substrates reveal that the differences in the voltammetry are connected to a subtle difference in the microscopic roughness of the two substrates. The morphological data indicate that the surfaces of annealed Au/mica and of TSG are strongly (111)-terraced, but that the sizes of the (111) terraces at TSG are significantly smaller. As a consequence, the TSG surface has a higher density of steps. Since the adlayer domain size is ultimately limited by the microscopic topography of the substrate, the voltammetric differences observed for the two types of substrates are attributed to differences in the ordering of the adlayer. A description of the differences in the processes for the desorption and redeposition is proposed and is examined within the context of recent interpretations.
Biocytin: a versatile anterograde neuroanatomical tract-tracing alternative

Biocytin, a naturally occurring low molecular weight analog of biotin, was evaluated as a neuroanatomical tract-tracing marker in the adult rat brain. Since it retains high-affinity binding to avidin, biocytin can be labelled with avidinylated visualization reagents. Iontophoretic or pressure injections resulted in filling of cell bodies and dendrites around the injection site and their efferent axonal processes and boutons. Retrogradely labelled neurons were occasionally observed at a distance but only with large injections. Anterograde tracing with biocytin is successful even in animals that are quite old, in contrast to lectins and HRP conjugates, and offers advantages in delivery, tissue processing, selection of light and/or electron microscopic labels, time to obtain results, and cost over many conventional tracers.
The use of ultrathin‐layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing in two‐dimensional analysis of plant and fungal proteins

Although use of ultrathin polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing in the first dimension of two-dimensional analysis bestows a number of advantages, it has been little used by the plant science community. Nonstandardization along with problems unique to the format have probably delayed wider adoption. Relevant parameters were therefore tested in order to optimize resolution, reproducibility, economy and ease of use. Ultrathin-layer gels (200 microns in this study) used in the first dimension require a semirigid backing for support. Widely available matte-finished thin polyester film without chemical pretreatment was found to bind the gel adequately. The gel adheres to the film through all processing steps, yet, if desired, can be easily transferred to Whatman 3MM paper for special applications such as Western blotting. The ultrathin first-dimensional gels can be quickly dried on the polyester backing for convenient handling and long term storage. Strips cut from the dried gel for use in the second dimension are more easily manipulated than their tube format counterparts. The difficulty of disrupting and recovering microsamples of labeled leaf and root tissue prompted the invention of an efficient and simple communition device. An economical and efficient silver stain process is also described. This analytical technique was applied in an attempt to detect resistance gene products in different genetic backgrounds of maize. Although the ultrathin flatbed format provides as good as or better resolution than the tube gel system, the level of sensitivity was still inadequate to reveal the apparently rare resistance gene product.
Cover- and density-based vegetation classifications of the Sonoran Desert using Landsat TM and ERS-1 SAR imagery

Arid lands are distinctive ecological zones that require vegetation maps for management and monitoring. The use of remote sensing for mapping desert vegetation is made difficult by the mixing of reflectance spectra of bright desert soils with the relatively weak spectral response of sparse vegetation. To investigate ways to improve desert vegetation mapping, a comparison of the effect of supervised classification using two contrasting measures of field vegetation data as reference data was performed. We took cover- and density-based field vegetation data that had been collected by the US Army on the US Yuma Proving Ground (USYPG) in southwest Arizona, converted them into cover- and density-based reference classification schemes and used them to train both maximum likelihood (ML) and artificial neural net (ANN) classifiers. The impact on the accuracy of cover- and density-based vegetation maps were further analyzed using different combinations of input data (i.e., Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery, ERS-1 C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, and elevation data). In spite of the fact that a cover-based plot classification is the logical training data for remote sensing classification, both cover- and density-based classified maps had similar accuracies for each data combination. The use of all data combinations gave the highest map classification accuracies, with the radar data improving the accuracy the most where the vegetation is dense. Classification accuracies of maps using the ML classifier were generally higher than those using the ANN classifier. ANN map classification accuracies improved significantly when the sigmoid transfer function was replaced with the hyperbolic tangent transfer function. Using the two contrasting measures for mapping proved complementary: the cover-based map located areas of significant tree presence that were not mapped on the density-based map and the density-based map located areas of significant cacti presence that were not mapped on the cover-based map. Creating both cover- and density-based vegetation maps may therefore better assist arid land management than creating only a cover-based vegetation map.
Role of work permits in teen workers' experiences

Background Work permits are required for working teenagers under 18 in 41 US states, but little is known about the work experience of those with work permits compared with those without such permits. This study examines job hazards, training, and knowledge of child labor laws reported by students in a predominantly Latino high school in Los Angeles and compares the responses of those who obtained work permits with those who did not. Methods Student responses to a 60 item questionnaire were supplemented with information from focus groups and a survey of work permits issued by the school. Results Students without work permits were more likely to perform hazardous tasks and to use certain types of dangerous equipment and less likely to receive health and safety training than those with permits. Conclusion Possible explanations for the findings and suggested areas in need of policy change or research are considered. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:477–482, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Growth of polycrystalline SiC films on SiO2 and Si3N4 by APCVD

Abstract The deposition of undoped and phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon carbide (poly-SiC) films on SiO 2 and Si 3 N 4 substrates by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) was studied. Silane and propane were used as source gases, hydrogen was used as the carrier gas, and phosphine was used as the doping gas. The deposition temperature was fixed at 1050°C and deposition times of 30 s and 30 min were used. Stylus profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and selected area electron diffraction (SAD) were used to compare the surface morphology and microstructure of poly-SiC films deposited on the two amorphous substrate materials. In general, doped and undoped poly-SiC films deposited on Si 3 N 4 exhibit a smoother surface morphology and smaller grain size than doped and undoped poly-SiC deposited on SiO 2 . Based on the thermodynamic theory, the large grain size and rough surface texture for poly-SiC films deposited on SiO 2 may be due to a higher energy barrier and larger critical nucleus size than for poly-SiC films deposited on Si 3 N 4 . These differences have been exploited to develop a lift-off patterning technique for poly-SiC films.
Current status and future potential of MRI‐guided focused ultrasound surgery

The combination of the imaging abilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the ability to delivery energy to targets deep in the body noninvasively with focused ultrasound presents a disruptive technology with the potential to significantly affect healthcare. MRI offers precise targeting, visualization, and quantification of temperature changes and the ability to immediately evaluate the treatment. By exploiting different mechanisms, focused ultrasound offers a range of therapies, ranging from thermal ablation to targeted drug delivery. This article reviews recent preclinical and tests clinical of this technology.
Pairing of Fermions with Arbitrary Spin

Motivated by the recent success of optical trapping of alkali Bose condensate, we have studied the superfluid state of optically trapped alkali fermions, which can have Cooper pairs with total spin $J\ensuremath{\ge}2$. In this paper, we shall discuss the general structure of these large spin Cooper pairs and their close relation with singlet Cooper pairs with nonzero orbital angular momentum. We also present the exact solution for the $J\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}2$ pairing which shows a surprising change of ground state as the spin $f$ of the constituent fermion increases.
A double-blind comparison of oral butorphanol and codeine.

SummaryThe analgesic properties and side-effects of butorphanol tartrate were compared to those of codeine phosphate in a double-blind, multiple dose, oral study in 54 patients with moderate to severe post-operative pain. The average unit dose was 8 mg butorphanol or 60 mg codeine, as required, for 3 days. The level of analgesia was measured by determining pain relief scored over 4 hours after administration of the study medication. The time required for onset of analgesia and the overall global effectiveness (patient and observer) of the medication were also recorded. Overall pain relief and remedication intervals for successive doses were calculated from the data. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the two treatments based on an analysis of pain relief, onset time, duration and remedication interval data obtained at the first dose evaluation as well as on the global effectiveness rating. Based on the first dose evaluation data, both medications produced analgesia in abo...
MEASURING THE FREQUENCY OF REGULAR BEHAVIORS: COMPARING THE "TYPICAL WEEK" TO THE "PAST WEEK"

Social scientists often measure the frequency with which people perform behaviors executed regularly throughout their daily lives, but there is no standard approach to this measurement task: some investigators have asked respondents about their behavior during a “usual” or “typical” day, week, or month, whereas others sought to describe the same sorts of behavior patterns by asking about the most recent day, week, or month. This paper compares the validity of “typical” week and “past” week reports for assessing habitual behavior patterns using data from the 1989 National Election Study Pilot, in which respondents were randomly assigned to report TV news program and newspaper exposure during either a typical week or the past week. The predictive validity of the measures was assessed using objective tests of current events knowledge and identification of political figures, as well as self-assessments of political knowledge. The typical week questions consistently manifested superior predictive validity, esp...
Dendritic cells pulsed with a tumor-specific peptide induce long-lasting immunity and are effective against murine intracerebral melanoma.

OBJECTIVE: Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized cells of the immune system that are capable of generating potent immune responses that are active even within the immunologically privileged central nervous system. However, immune responses generated by DCs have also been demonstrated to produce clinically significant autoimmunity. Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), which is a mutation specific to tumor tissue, could eliminate this risk. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that DC-based immunizations directed solely against this tumor-specific antigen, which is commonly found on tumors that originate within or metastasize to the brain, could be efficacious. METHODS: C3H mice were vaccinated with DCs mixed with a keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate of the tumor-specific peptide, PEP-3, which spans the EGFRvIII mutation, or the random-sequence peptide, PEP-1, and were intracerebrally challenged with a syngeneic melanoma expressing a murine homologue of EGFRvIII. RESULTS: Systemic immunization with DCs mixed with PEP-3-keyhole limpet hemocyanin generated antigen-specific immunity. Among mice challenged with intracerebral tumors, this resulted in an approximately 600% increase in the median survival time (>300 d, P < 0.0016), relative to control values. Sixty-three percent of mice treated with DCs mixed with the tumor-specific peptide survived in the long term and 100% survived rechallenge with tumor, indicating that antitumor immunological memory was also induced. CONCLUSION: In a murine melanoma model, immunization with DCs mixed with tumor-specific peptide results in an antigen-specific immunological response that recognizes the EGFRvIII mutation, has potent antitumor efficacy against intracerebral tumors that express EGFRvIII, and results in long-lasting antitumor immunity.
Titanium Mesh Reconstruction to Maintain Scalp Contour after Temporalis Musculofascial Flap Reconstruction of the Floor of the Middle Cranial Fossa: A Technical Note and Report of Two Cases

Objective: Temporalis musculofascial rotational flaps can provide excellent tissue for reconstruction of defects in the floor of the middle cranial fossa. This technique can, however, result in cosmetic deformity of the temporal fossa with an asymmetric contour of the head. We report a technique that uses titanium mesh and autologous abdominal adipose to maintain a normal scalp contour. Clinical Presentation: Two patients, one with a large middle cranial fossa and infratemporal schwannoma, and another with penetrating trauma secondary to a rifle accident, required surgical repair of defects of the floor of the middle cranial fossa. Intervention: The repair was achieved in both cases using a temporalis musculofascial rotational flap. Normal contour of the scalp was maintained with titanium mesh and autologous abdominal adipose reconstruction. Conclusion: The temporalis musculofascial flap, combined with titanium mesh and autologous adipose reconstruction, provided excellent closure of defects of the floor of the middle cranial fossa while preserving normal cosmetic scalp contour.
An emulation system for programmable sensory robots

This paper describes EMULA, an experimental interactive system for the emulation of sensory robots. EMULA was constructed as a bridge between an existing language for driving actual robots and an existing geometric modeling system. The modeling system was extended to handle mechanisms, such as robots, and an emulation language was introduced to indicate certain specifiic physical effects, including sensory feedback, grasping and releasing of parts, and gravity. EMULA allows manipulation programs to be tested by users in interactive terminal sessions or in batch mode. Monitoring functions are provided to record actions, store selected views, and check for collisions.
Accumulation of telomerase RNA and telomere protein transcripts during telomere synthesis in Euplotes.

. In the ciliate Euplotes crassus a complex series of developmental events lead to formation of a new macronucleus. Millions of telomeres are synthesized during this process. We have shown that transcript levels are tightly regulated throughout Euplotes conjugation and macronuclear development. Thus, expression of gene products needed for macronuclear development and telomere synthesis appears to be controlled at the level of RNA abundance. To learn more about the role played by telomerase and the Euplotes telomere protein during telomere synthesis, we have correlated changes in the abundance of telomerase RNA and telomere protein mRNA transcript with specific developmental events. Telomerase RNA levels increase steadily during the early stages of macronuclear development and reach a peak just after telomere addition. The telomere protein transcript rises and falls twice during conjugation and then rises again at the time of telomere addition. The increases in transcript levels during conjugation parallel micronuclear division suggesting that the telomere protein is synthesized at this time and hence may have a micronuclear function.
Transtheoretical individualized multimedia expert systems targeting adolescents' health behaviors

The transtheoretical model has advanced research and practice for many health behavior changes among adults, but few applications have been developed and applied among adolescents. This paper will describe an innovative and promising computer-based technology for standardized assessment and individualized theory-based intervention delivery called expert systems. Two different studies utilizing multimedia expert systems technology for assessing and intervening with adolescents targeting several health behaviors will be described. One study includes high school students and targets smoking cessation or prevention, sun protection, and dietary fat reduction. The other study includes urban adolescent female clients recruited in family planning clinics and targets condom adoption and either smoking cessation or prevention. The advantages and disadvantages of expert systems technology are reviewed. Multimedia expert system technology has the potential to enhance health promotion and adherence by integrating the strongest components from both clinical and public health models of intervention.
Three-dimensional stress and displacement representations for plate problems

Abstract The analysis of a plate as a three-dimensional continuum leads to the representation of the displacements and stresses in terms of functions which must satisfy characteristic differential equations. Membrane and bending cases are considered separately. The application of the representations allows the inclusion of warping for plate bending and leads to very accurate results in numerical computations.
Testing of coloured samples for toxicity by the algal-ATP bioassay microplate technique

Abstract Algal-ATP bioassay is a relatively simple, inexpensive, reliable and fast testing procedure for toxicity assessment. This algal growth inhibition bioassay technique using Selenastrum capricornutum was used to assess the toxicity levels in pulp and paper mill and thermomechanical mill effluent samples. Pulp and paper mill and thermomechanical mill effluent samples contain a wide range of colours due to certain physico-chemical properties of the test samples. The optical densities of the samples ranged from 0·.27 to >2·0 (a 600 nanometer). The colour variations in the test samples may interfere with ATP measurements. This paper presents data on the nature of interferences due to certain physico-chemical properties of the test sample and the usefulness of developed controls to overcome the problems for a more realistic toxicity assessment of coloured waste samples.
G. N. Lewis: The disciplinary setting

Gilbert Newton Lewis and the evolution of physical chemistry. From the symposium, "Gilbert Newton Lewis: 1875-1946", Las Vegas, 1982.