cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in the use of carbapenem antibiotics in the management of serious bacterial infections in special patient populations. I: Safety and efficacy in children and elderly patients

Abstract Objective To assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of carbapenems. Background Carbapenems are a relatively new class of betalactam antibiotics that have been shown to be effective in treating polymicrobial infections when used alone or with other agents. Their spectrum of activity includes aerobic and anaerobic grampositive and gram-negative organisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The problem of bacterial resistance in chemotherapy is of grave concern worldwide; attempts to curtail this problem have led to the adoption of systematic approaches aimed at overcoming bacterial resistance. The strategies used frequently involve highly potent but toxic agents such as aminoglycosides. As a result, efforts have been intensified to develop agents with relatively low toxicity to be used as monotherapy in the treatment of serious infections in special populations. Monotherapy with relatively safe, costeffective agents devoid of debilitating toxicity has been the goal of anti-infective pharmacotherapy in recent times. In pediatric and geriatric populations with serious infections, carbapenem therapy has shown promising results. For instance, in bacterial meningitis and intra-abdominal and lower respiratory tract infections resulting from acute exacerbation of cystic fibrosis, the carbapenem antibiotics are excellent drugs of choice. Conclusion Preclinical pharmacologic studies indicate that newer agents such as meropenem and ER-35786 have superior activity against most strains of Pseudomonas , a favorable safety profile, and stability against renal dehydropeptidase enzyme. In addition, treatment regimens using carbapenems have been cost-efficient alternatives to other antibiotic classes, especially when all costs involved in patient care are considered.
An extension to the SCI flow control protocol for increased network efficiency

The scalable coherent interface (SCI) is a newly established IEEE standard that provides bus-like services to a network of nodes without actually using a physical bus. Rather, it utilizes very fast, unidirectional links that can be arranged into a variety of topologies. SCI provides a novel fairness protocol that equally allocates bandwidth to all nodes on the network. When global fairness is not required, it is often desirable to relax its enforcement, in exchange for increased network utilization and better load balancing. This paper presents an extension to the SCI flow control protocol that increases network utilization and, hence, attainable system throughput by enforcing fairness only among nodes whose transmissions interfere with one another. The enhanced protocol grants a node as much bandwidth as it requires, as long as its transmissions do not inhibit those of other nodes. Although this is commonly known as max-min fairness, we more descriptively refer to it as relaxed fairness. We present extensive simulation results and compare them to the standard SCI protocol and to our desired performance, which has been preciously derived in the literature. The comparisons show that, on average, this enhancement can provide a substantial increase in performance over the original protocol.
GaInP/GaAs HBTs for high-speed integrated circuit applications

The use of GaInP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) for integrated circuit applications is demonstrated. The discrete devices fabricated showed excellent DC characteristics with low V/sub ce/ offset voltage and very low temperature sensitivity of the current gain. For a non-self-aligned device with a 3- mu m*1.4- mu m emitter area, f/sub T/ was extrapolated to 45 GHz and f/sub max/ was extrapolated to 70 GHz. The measured 1/f noise level was 20 dB better than that of AlGaAs HBTs and comparable to that of low-noise silicon bipolar junction transistors, and the noise bump (Lorentzian component) was not observed. The fabricated gain block circuits showed 8.5 dB gain with a 3-dB bandwidth of 12 GHz, and static frequency dividers (divide by 4) were operable up to 8 GHz. >
The Fit Between CEO Compensation Design and Firm Risk

We examined the effects of unsystematic and systematic firm risk on CEO compensation risk bearing and total pay. Both the proportion of variable pay in CEO pay packages and their magnitude are curvilinearly related to unsystematic firm risk—that is, they are highest under conditions of moderate firm-specific risk. Our results are consistent with agency theory predictions that both performance-contingent pay and the greater earnings potential associated with that form of pay are highest when an agent has greater control over performance outcomes.
Synthesis and assignment of absolute configuration to the trans 3,4-dihydrodiols and 3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides of benzo[c]phenanthrene

Abstract The (+)- and (−)-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthrenes have been resolved and assigned absolute configuration by independent nmr and CD methods. Each was converted to its pair of diastereomeric bay-region 3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides in which the benzylic 4-hydroxyl group is either cis or trans to the epoxide oxygen.
Recurrence of Presumed Varicella-zoster Virus Retinopathy in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Five patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and presumed varicella-zoster virus retinopathy had recurrence of retinopathy after stabilization with initial intravenous antiviral therapy. Recurrences were recognized as increased retinal opacification at the borders of preexisting lesions or as new lesions. In four of the five patients, recurrences were temporally associated with a reduction in the amount of antiviral medication being received. Changes included switch from intravenous to oral acyclovir (two patients), taper of oral acyclovir (one patient), and discontinuation of medications (one patient). In four patients disease was initially unilateral; in three of these four, disease subsequently developed in the previously unaffected fellow eye at the time of recurrence. The median time from stabilization of disease to recurrence was 51 days (range, 14 to 90 days). In contrast to the management of varicella-zoster virus retinopathy in immunocompetent patients and varicella-zoster virus lesions of the skin, varicella-zoster virus retinopathy in patients with AIDS appears to require chronic suppressive antiviral therapy to prevent recurrences. In this respect it is similar to other opportunistic retinal infections in patients with AIDS. The best drugs and optimal treatment regimens for maintenance antiviral therapy remain unknown.
Holographic optical data storage

The evolution of holographic optical memories has followed a path not altogether different from holography itself. P.J. van Heerden is widely credited for being the first to elucidate the principles behind holographic data storage in a 1963 paper. The science and engineering of such a storage paradigm were heavily pursued thereafter. This resulted in many novel holographic multiplexing techniques for dense data storage and advances in holographic recording materials. Despite this progress, without technologies such as compact laser sources and optical data I/O devices, hope diminished for viable commercial products. Successful use of holography in other arenas rekindled interest in holographic data storage in the late 1980s. With many critical optoelectronic device technologies now in place, holography is once again considered a possible data storage solution.
Dinoflagellate bioluminescence: a comparative study of invitro components.

In vitro bioluminescence components of the dinoflagellates Gonyaulax polyedra, G. tamarensis, Dissodinium lunula, and Pyrocystis noctiluca were studied. The luciferases and luciferins of the four species cross-react in all combinations. All of these species possess high-molecular weight luciferases (200,000–400,000 daltons) with similar pH activity profiles. The active single chains of luciferases from the Gonyaulax species have a MW of 130,000 while those from P. noctiluca and D. lunula have a MW of 60,000. Extractable luciferase activity varies with time of day in the two Gonyaulax species, but not in the other two. A luciferin binding protein (LBP) can easily be extracted from the two Gonyaulax species (MW ˜ 120,000 daltons), but none could be detected in extracts of either D. lunula or P. noctiluca. Scintillons are extractable from all four species, but they vary in density and the degree to which activity can be increased by added luciferin. Although the biochemistry of bioluminescence in these dinoflagellates is generally similar, the observations that D. lunula and P. noctiluca apparently lack LBP and have luciferases with low MW single chains require further clarification.
Renal formulas pretreated with medications alters the nutrient profile

Pretreating renal formulas with medications to lower the potassium and phosphorus content is common in clinical practice; however, the effect of this treatment on other nutrients is relatively unstudied. We examine whether nutrient composition is affected by pretreating renal formulas with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) suspension and sevelamer carbonate. Fixed medication doses and treatment times were utilized to determine changes in the nutrient composition of Suplena® and Similac® PM 60/40. The effect of simultaneously adding both medications (co-administration) to the formula on the nutrient composition of Suplena® was also evaluated. Pretreatment of Suplena® with SPS reduced the concentrations of calcium (11–38 %), copper (3–11 %), manganese (3–16 %), phosphorus (0–7 %), potassium (6–34 %), and zinc (5–20 %) and increased those of iron (9–34 %), sodium (89–260 %), and sulfur (19–45 %) and the pH (0.20–0.50 units). Pretreatment of Similac® PM 60/40 with SPS reduced the concentrations of calcium (8–29 %), copper (5–19 %), magnesium (3–26 %), and potassium (33–63 %) and increased those of iron (13–87 %) and sodium (86–247 %) and the pH (0.40–0.81 units). Pretreatment of both formulas with the SPS suspension led to significant increases in the aluminum concentration in both formulas (507–3957 %). No differences in potassium concentration were observed between treatment times. Unexpectedly, the levels of neither phosphorus nor potassium were effectively reduced in Suplena® pretreated with sevelamer carbonate alone or when co-administered with SPS. Pretreating formula with medications alters nutrients other than the intended target(s). Future studies should be aimed at predicting the loss of these nutrients or identifying alternative methods for managing serum potassium and phosphorus levels in formula-fed infants. The safety of pretreating formula with SPS suspension should also be examined.
Morphological analysis of metallic wear debris

Abstract A new method of fingerprinting metallic wear debris is described and applied to specific examples of products from wear processes. The potential of the method as a diagnostic tool in engine wear study is discussed.
Frequency match of the Nd:YAG laser at 1.064 microm with a line in CO(2).

We report on the measurement of a frequency match between the oscillation frequency of the Nd:YAG laser at 1.064 μm and a line in the vibration–rotation spectrum of the CO2 molecule. The line occurs near the center of the Nd:YAG gain profile and is inferred to be narrow from a knowledge of the CO2 molecular structure. The significance of the frequency match lies in its application as a reference for absolute-frequency stabilization of the Nd:YAG laser.
LipidWrapper: An Algorithm for Generating Large-Scale Membrane Models of Arbitrary Geometry

As ever larger and more complex biological systems are modeled in silico, approximating physiological lipid bilayers with simple planar models becomes increasingly unrealistic. In order to build accurate large-scale models of subcellular environments, models of lipid membranes with carefully considered, biologically relevant curvature will be essential. In the current work, we present a multi-scale utility called LipidWrapper capable of creating curved membrane models with geometries derived from various sources, both experimental and theoretical. To demonstrate its utility, we use LipidWrapper to examine an important mechanism of influenza virulence. A copy of the program can be downloaded free of charge under the terms of the open-source FreeBSD License from http://nbcr.ucsd.edu/lipidwrapper. LipidWrapper has been tested on all major computer operating systems.
Endolymphatic sac carcinoma of the right petrous bone in Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Abstract A large endolymphatic sac papillary adenocarcinoma in a patient with Von Hippel–Lindau (vHL) disease is reported. A 31-year-old man was treated for a left eye retinal angioma 10 years previously and had been blind in that eye since. He was admitted with progressive tinnitus, lower cranial nerve paresis and ataxia. Investigations revealed a vascular and bone-eroding petrous tumour. The entirely extradural tumour involved a large part of the petrous bone and extended into the cerebellopontine angle. The vascular tumour was radically resected using a presigmoid approach after feeding vessel embolisation. The literature on this rare clinical entity is briefly discussed.
Solar plasma experiment

A preliminary summary of the data received from the Mariner II solar plasma experiment for the period 29 August through 31 October 1962 is presented. During this period there was always a measurable flow of plasma from the direction of the sun. The velocity of this ion motion was generally in the range 400 to 700 km/sec. Time variations, plasma density, and ion temperatures are also discussed.
Discrete approximating operators on function algebras

We give a new presentation and various extensions of one theorem of Somorjai. For any sequence of operatorsL n , given byL n f=∑ k=1 n f(z n,k )l n,k withz n, k ∈T andl n, k ∈A(T), there exists a functionf∈A(T) such thatL n f does not converge tof.
Small, non-peptide C5a receptor antagonists: part 2.

Starting from 2, several highly potent C5a receptor antagonists were synthesised through α-amide substitution. Attempts to increase the polarity of these compounds through the introduction of basic centres or incorporation into weakly basic heterocycles is described.
DIY)biology and opportunities for HCI

Over the past decade, a diverse community of biologists, artists, engineers and hobbyists has emerged to pursue biology projects outside of traditional laboratories. Though still in its nascent form, this DIYbio (Do It Yourself Biology) movement has given rise to a host of technical innovations and sharing mechanisms that enable hobbyists to experiment with organic materials. As these developments continue to expand science practice beyond professional settings and into hackspaces, art studios and private homes, HCI research is presented with a range of new opportunities and concerns.Our workshop will bring together a diverse group of designers and HCI researchers, as well as biologists, bioartists, and members of the DIYbio community to critically re-envision the role HCI might play at the intersection of biology, computation and DIY. This action-based one-day workshop will engage directly with DIYbio initiatives in the UK to explore the materials, practices and challenges of 'garage biology'. Drawing on presentations from DIYbio participants who work with organic materials, hands-on biology activities (such as extracting DNA), and structured discussions, we hope to address themes such as: opportunities and implications for integrating organic materials into interactive systems; technologies that support and hinder public engagement with science; and HCI's role in the public discourse around bioethics and biosafety.
Block Structural Path Analysis: Applications to Structural Changes in the Indonesian Economy

The compilation of several social accounting matrices for Indonesia has enabled the analysis of some important aspects of the structure of the Indonesian economy. In the present paper, the analysis that has been conducted with structural path methods will be enhanced through the identification of a block structure for the technique. This block structural path analysis is offered as a complement to—not a replacement for—the traditional applications of this method. A new form of triple decomposition of the social accounting matrix inverse is offered to assist in identifying important changes in the structure of the Indonesian economy for 1975, 1980 and 1985.
The Use of CT Scanning to Triage Patients Requiring Admission Following Minimal Head Injury

Recent data have suggested that patients with both a normal cranial CT scan and normal neurologic examination following minimal head injury (MHI) have no risk of neurologic deterioration. This study prospectively examined the safety of discharging patients from the emergency department (ED) after MHI whether or not there was a responsible observer at home. MHI was defined as a history of loss of consciousness (LOC), a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 14 or 15, and no focal neurologic findings. In a 4-month period 111 patients with MHI were evaluated. Fifteen (14%) patients had a CT scan which revealed an intracerebral injury; 96 patients had a normal CT scan; five patients with normal CT scans were admitted because of persistent lethargy; and one patient was admitted after his CT that demonstrated an old infarct; the remaining 90 patients were discharged. There were 71 men and 19 women with a mean age of 29 years. The mechanism of injury was assault in 55, MVA in 30, and falls in five. The initial GCS in was 15 in 79 and 14 in 11. Fifty-eight per cent of patients were intoxicated. Fifty-seven (63%) patients were successfully contacted by telephone; none had developed any neurologic symptoms. Thirty-one patients who could not be followed up gave fictitious phone numbers. These data suggest that CT can reliably triage patients who can be discharged from the ED following MHI, even in the absence of a responsible observer. Hospital admission can be avoided in more than 80% of patients sustaining MHI, better utilizing scarce hospital resources.
Improving the fracture toughness of constituent phases and Nb-based in-situ composites by a computational alloy design approach

A computational alloy design approach has been used to identify a ductile matrix for Nb-based in-situ composites containing Ti, Hf, Cr, Si, and Ge additions. Candidate alloys in the form of cast buttons were fabricated by arc melting. Coupon specimens were prepared and heated treated to vary the microstructure. Backscattered electron (BSE) microscopy, quantitative metallography, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to characterize the morphology, volume fraction, composition, and crystallography of individual phases in the microstructure. The fracture toughness of the composites was characterized by three-point bending and compact-tension techniques, while the fracture toughness of individual phases in the in-situ composites was determined by an indentation technique. The composition, crystallography, and volume fraction of individual phases were correlated with the fracture-toughness results to assess (1) the role of constituent properties in the overall fracture resistance of the composites and (2) the effectiveness of the computational design approach. The results indicated that the effects of alloy addition and plastic constraint on fracture toughness were reasonably predicted, but the conditions for relaxing plastic constraint to attain higher fracture toughness were not achieved.
Isolation and Characterization of the Gene Encoding a Novel Factor Xa-directed Anticoagulant from the Yellow Fever Mosquito,Aedes aegypti

Mosquito salivary glands secrete a number of proteins that inhibit mammalian hemostasis and facilitate blood feeding. We have isolated the protein product and corresponding cDNA of a gene designated Anticoagulant-factor Xa (AFXa), that encodes the factor Xa (FXa)-directed anticoagulant of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The protein was purified partially by cation exchange chromatography and shown by enzyme activity profiles and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis to have an Mr = 54, 000. The protein was purified further by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subjected to internal protein sequencing, and the sequence of five peptides was determined. Degenerate oligonucleotides were designed based on three of the peptide sequences, and these were used to screen an adult female salivary gland cDNA library from A. aegypti. A 1.8-kilobase pair cDNA was isolated and shown to encode a 415-amino acid conceptual translation product with a predicted molecular mass of 47.8 kDa that contains the five sequenced peptides. Hydrophobicity analysis predicts a 19-amino acid signal peptide typical for secreted proteins. Northern analysis demonstrated that AFXa is expressed only in female salivary glands. Baculovirus-expressed AFXa protein has the appropriate size and expected FXa-directed anticoagulant activity. Analysis of the primary amino acid sequence shows that the AFXa gene product has similarities to the serpin superfamily of serine protease inhibitors and may represent a novel, highly diverged member of this family.
Linearity, Load Dependence, Hysteresis, and Clinical Associations of Systolic and Diastolic Indices of Left Ventricular Function in Man

Measures of left ventricular (LV) contractility must be linear, load-independent, free of hysteresis, and sensitive to changes in inotropic state. These properties of measures of LV contractility have been assessed previously in animals, but never in man. Using a micromanometer and volume conductance catheter technology, we measured LV pressure and volume in 67 patients scheduled for CABG surgery. Measurements of the maximum rate of change of pressure relative to time versus end-diastolic volume (dP/dtMax-EDV), preload recruitable stroke work (PLRSW) and the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (ESPVR), and measurements of the maximum negative rate of change of pressure relative to time versus end-diastolic volume (-dP/dtMax-EDV) and the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR) were obtained in 62 patients. Comparisons of these measures of contractility during preload reduction and augmentation were performed in 48 patients using paired and unpaired student's t-tests. Index linearity was determined using linear regression analysis. Neither the slope nor the intercept of any of the three measures of contractility changed significantly with loading conditions. Heart rate demonstrated no physiologically significant baroreceptor-mediated changes during the perturbations. Comparing measures of LV function—ejection fraction (EF%), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), dP/dtMax-EDV, PLRSW, ESPVR,-dP/dtMax-EDV, and end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR)—in patients with a preoperative medical history of congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction (Ml), and hypertension (HTN) demonstrated lower EF percent (62.4 ± 16.7 vs 42.8 ± 5.0 [p < 0.0002]) and lower ESPVR (2.27 ± 1.98 vs 1.30 ± 0.83 [p < 0.03]) in patients with a history of CHF. Patients with a past history of Ml and HTN did not demonstrate any differences in LV function. Thus, we confirmed in humans that ESPVR, dP/dtMax-EDV, and PLRSW are linear, load-independent, and without hysteresis. We also demonstrated the relative sensitivity of several measures of LV function.
Active avoidance in rats with unilateral hypothalamic and optic nerve lesions

Abstract During the height of the contralateral sensorimotor deficit that follows unilateral lateral hypothalamic lesions, rats demonstrate severe performance deficits when tested on a two-way active avoidance task which utilizes a visual conditioned stimulus. This deficit is observed whether or not the ipsilateral or contralateral optic nerve is sectioned in conjunction with the unilateral hypothalamic lesion. With the return of sensorimotor function contralateral to the lesion, animals that had been unable to avoid shock during their debilitated phase demonstrated significant savings when tested on the original task.
Erratum to: Constructing Highly Incident Configurations

The paper “Constructing Highly Incident Configurations” contains a confusing typo in Sect. 4.2, proving the inductive step, Case 1: vertices. In this section, we wish to show that the set of vertices (v τ )i is well-defined. To do this, we need to show that for any g and h in τ , the previously constructed pairs of lines {(Lgτ )i , (Lgτ )i+tg} and {(Lhτ )i , (Lσhτ )i+th} intersect in a single point, (v τ )i . In the original, the subscripts i + tg and i + th were switched. The proof follows as written, but the conclusion which follows from applying the Points Completion Lemma should again have the subscripts i+ tg and i+ th switched.
Synthesis and characterization of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate. II. Synthesis of D‐poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate and the mechanism of ring‐opening polymerization of β‐butyrolactone

Synthesis of the naturally occurring polyester, D-poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) was accomplished by using an optically active monomer. Polymerization of D-(+)-β-butyrolactone (β-BL) of 73% optical purity with a catalyst system of Et3Al–H2O produced a polymer with a similar optical activity and essentially identical to the natural polymer as isolated from bacterial cells. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of this optically active polyester along with a suggested mechanism to account for the observed stereospecific polymerization of β-BL with this catalyst system.
Limitations of the Distinction Between Conceptual and Perceptual Implicit Memory: A Study of Alzheimer's Disease

Previous studies suggested that perceptual implicit memory is spared in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but conceptual implicit memory is not. This dissociation is often invoked to support views of implicit memory that distinguish between perceptual and conceptual processing or systems. This study investigated an alternate hypothesis: that methodological differences between perceptual and conceptual implicit tests could account for differences in performance. Fourteen AD participants, 16 elderly controls, and 16 younger controls participated in structurally parallel conceptual and perceptual tests of implicit memory that required production of studied items. Results showed normal perceptual and conceptual priming when participants with AD generated items at study but impaired priming in both tests when they merely repeated items. These results are inconsistent with both systems and processing views of implicit memory and suggest that similarity of study and test procedures is more important than the inferred theoretical construct.
An imaging-driven model for liposomal stability and circulation

Simultaneous labeling of the drug compartment and shell of delivery vehicles with optical and positron emission tomography (PET) probes is developed and employed to inform a hybrid physiologically based pharmacokinetic model. Based on time-dependent estimates of the concentration of these tracers within the blood pool, reticuloendothelial system (RES) and tumor interstitium, we compare the stability and circulation of long-circulating and temperature-sensitive liposomes. We find that rates of transport to the RES for long-circulating and temperature-sensitive particles are 0.046 and 0.19 h(-1), respectively. Without the application of exogenous heat, the rates of release from the long-circulating and temperature-sensitive particles circulating within the blood pool are 0.003 and 0.2 h(-1), respectively. Prolonged lifetime in circulation and slow drug release from liposomes result in a significantly greater drug area under the curve for the long-circulating particles. Future studies will couple these intrinsic parameters with exogenous heat-based release. Finally, we develop a transport constant for the transport of liposomes from the blood pool to the tumor interstitium, which is on the order of 0.01 h(-1) for the Met-1 tumor system.
Field demonstration of a 1×4 fiber sensor array for subsurface carbon dioxide monitoring for carbon sequestration

A fiber sensor array for subsurface CO2 concentration measurements was developed for monitoring geologic carbon sequestration sites. The fiber sensor array uses a single temperature-tunable distributed feedback (DFB) laser operating with a nominal wavelength of 2.004 μm. Light from this DFB laser is directed to one of the four probes via an inline 1×4 fiber optic switch. Each of the four probes is buried and allows the subsurface CO2 to enter the probe through Millipore filters that allow the soil gas to enter the probe but keeps out the soil and water. Light from the DFB laser interacts with the CO2 before it is directed back through the inline fiber optic switch. The DFB laser is tuned across two CO2 absorption features, where a transmission measurement is made allowing the CO2 concentration to be retrieved. The fiber optic switch then directs the light to the next probe where this process is repeated, allowing subsurface CO2 concentration measurements at each of the probes to be made as a function of time. The fiber sensor array was deployed for 58 days beginning from June 19, 2012 at the Zero Emission Research Technology field site, where subsurface CO2 concentrations were monitored. Background measurements indicate that the fiber sensor array can monitor background levels as low as 1000 parts per million (ppm). A 34-day subsurface release of 0.15 tones CO2/day began on July 10, 2012. The elevated subsurface CO2 concentration was easily detected by each of the four probes with values ranging over 60,000 ppm, a factor of greater than 6 higher than background measurements.
Pregnancy in Addison's disease; report of four patients.

INTRODUCTION THE occurrence of pregnancy in patients with Addison's disease presents certain features of physiologic interest and poses several problems in therapy. Most standard textbooks state that the maternal adrenals enlarge in pregnancy, though their contribution to the normal progress of gestation remains for the most part unknown. An approach to this problem has been made by Venning by determining urinary excretion of substances derived from the adrenal in 9 normal pregnant women (1). In the first trimester of pregnancy a temporary increase was observed in the excretion of glycogenic corticoids to more than double that found in normal non-pregnant women, but early in the second trimester, there was a return to the values found before pregnancy. A second and greater rise to 5 times these values was noted in the latter part of pregnancy, with finally a fall before delivery. The 17-ketosteroid excretion increased gradually throughout pregnancy when assayed with m-dinitrobenzene (Zimmermann reaction)....
Peptide self-aggregation and peptide complementarity as bases for the evolution of peptide receptors: a review.

This paper reviews the three major theories of peptide receptor evolution: (1) Dwyer's theory that peptide receptors evolved from self-aggregating peptides; (2) Root-Bernstein's theory that peptide receptors evolved from functionally and structurally complementary peptides; and (3) Blalock's theory that receptors evolved from hydropathically complementary sequences encoded in the antisense strand of the DNA encoding each peptide. The evidence to date suggests that the co-yevolution of peptides and their receptors is strongly constrained by one or more of these physicochemically based mechanisms, which argues against a random or frozen accident' model. The data also suggest that structure and function are integrally related from the earliest steps of receptor–ligand evolution so that peptide functionality is non-random and highly conserved in its origin. The result is a molecular paleontology' that reveals the evolutionary constraints that shaped the interaction of structure and function. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Establishment of the Mesodermal Cell Line QCE-6: A Model System for Cardiac Cell Differentiation

Abstract The QCE-6 cell line was derived from precardiac mesoderm of the Japanese quail. As previously reported, these cells are able to differentiate into two distinct cardiac cell types with myocardial or endocardial endothelial cell properties. This present communication describes in detail the derivation of this cell line and further characterizes the nontreated and induced myocardial and endothelial phenotypes of these cells. The QCE-6 cells exhibit an epithelial morphology, as well as the pattern of protein expression, that is characteristic of precardiac mesoderm. Treatment with retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, and TGF-β3 induces these cells to differentiate and produce mixed cultures of epithelial and mesenchymal cells. The epithelial cells express myosin, desmin, and cardiac troponin I in a punctate pattern throughout the cytoplasm. These sarcomeric proteins become organized in a premyofibrillar pattern when TGF-β1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II are added in combination along with retinoic acid, bFGF, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. Also, these treatments induce Na + ,K + -ATPase expression. When the QCE-6 cells are cultured on collagen type I, the mesenchymal cells that are promoted by retinoic acid, bFGF, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 will invade the gel. These mesenchymal cells are positive for QH1 and JB3, which are both markers for presumptive endocardial cells within the early cardiogenic mesoderm. The addition of both PDGF-BB and IGF II to QCE-6 cell cultures will inhibit the ability of retinoic acid, bFGF, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 to induce both the mesenchymal morphology and QH1 and JB3 expression. Collectively, these results suggest that the process of cardiac cell differentiation is regulated by multiple signals and that early cardiogenic mesoderm contains a bipotential stem cell that can give rise to both the myocardial and endocardial lineages. More important, since the QCE-6 cells are representative of early cardiogenic cells, this cell line offers a unique model system to study cardiac cell differentiation.
ASYMMETRIC PERIODIC MOTIONS WITH CHAOS IN A SOFTENING DUFFING OSCILLATOR

In this paper, asymmetric periodic motions in a periodically forced, softening Duffing oscillator are presented analytically through the generalized harmonic balance method. For the softening Duffing oscillator, the symmetric periodic motions with jumping phenomena were understood very well. However, asymmetric periodic motions in the softening Duffing oscillators are not investigated analytically yet, and such asymmetric periodic motions possess much richer dynamics than the symmetric motions in the softening Duffing oscillator. For asymmetric motions, the bifurcation tree from asymmetric period-1 motions to chaos is discussed comprehensively. The corresponding, unstable and stable, asymmetric and symmetric, periodic motions in the softening Duffing oscillator are presented, and numerical illustrations of stable and unstable periodic motions are completed. This investigation provides a better picture of complex motion in the softening Duffing oscillator.
Solvent and temperature effects on diffusion in polymer–solvent systems

The temperature dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient at zero solvent concentration for a number of polystyrene–solvent systems is satisfactorily represented by an equation derived from a new version of the free-volume theory of molecular transport. The free-volume parameter which governs the temperature dependence of the diffusion rate is linearly related to the size of the solvent as estimated by its molar volume at OK. Data taken on various polystyrene–solvent systems are used to deduce information on the mechanism of solvent transfer in polymeric systems.
Functional Separability and Elasticities of Complementarity

This paper presents an alternative characterization of separability based on elasticities of complementarity. Earlier studies have formulated separability restrictions in terms of the Allen elasticities of substitution. The Hicks and Antonelli elasticities of complementarity are presented to examine separability of production (utility) and distance functions. Whereas the Allen elasticities of substitution are valid under homothetic separability, the Hicks elasticities of complementarity are a universally relevant measure of separability for the production (utility) function. Separability of meat commodities is tested using the Antonelli elasticities with the consumer's preferences specified with the distance function.
Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Fibrogenesis: Pathologic Significance, Molecular Mechanism, and Therapeutic Intervention

Mature tubular epithelial cells in adult kidney can undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a phenotypic conversion that is fundamentally linked to the pathogenesis of renal interstitial fibrosis. Emerging evidence indicates that a large proportion of interstitial fibroblasts are actually originated from tubular epithelial cells via EMT in diseased kidney. Moreover, selective blockade of EMT in a mouse genetic model dramatically reduces fibrotic lesions after obstructive injury, underscoring a definite importance of EMT in renal fibrogenesis. Tubular EMT is proposed as an orchestrated, highly regulated process that consists of four key steps: (1) loss of epithelial cell adhesion; (2) de novo alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and actin reorganization; (3) disruption of tubular basement membrane; and (4) enhanced cell migration and invasion. Of the many factors that regulate EMT in different ways, transforming growth factor-beta1 is the most potent inducer that is capable of initiating and completing the entire EMT course, whereas hepatocyte growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein-7 act as EMT inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Multiple intracellular signaling pathways have been implicated in mediating EMT, in which Smad/integrin-linked kinase may play a central role. This article attempts to provide a comprehensive review of recent advances on understanding the pathologic significance, molecular mechanism, and therapeutic intervention of EMT in the setting of chronic renal fibrosis.
On the influence of sampling and observation times on estimation of the bandwidth parameter of a Gauss-Markov process

The statistical problem of estimating the bandwidth parameter of a Gauss-Markov (GM) process from a realization of fixed and finite duration T at selectable sampling interval /spl Delta/ is addressed in this paper. As the observation time, T, is fixed and finite, the variance of estimated autocorrelation and continuous-time parameter does not vanish as /spl Delta/ approaches 0. This necessitates a second-order Taylor expansion in deriving the parameter estimator bias and variance. The second-order Taylor expansion produces better bias and variance results than a first-order one does. The distribution of the estimator is also discussed. According to the gradient change of the variance, a key result is that three sample size regions, which are termed finite, large, and very large, corresponding to substantial, gradual, and very slight decrease in the variance of the parameter estimator, respectively, are quantified. In terms of analysis BW, the three regions are (-23,-35),(-35,-55), and (-55,-/spl infin/) dB. The characterization of the tradeoff between the variance decrease and sampling rate results in a practical guideline for choosing sampling rate. These results are applied to the prediction problems of a time invariant GM process to show their value.
Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis in a Cynomolgus Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis characterized by multifocal follicular lymphoid cell infiltrates with germinal centers, thyroid acinar atrophy and pituitary cell hyperplasia/hypertrophy of the adenohypophysis was detected in a vehicle control, 4-year-old female Cynomolgus macaque in a routine toxicology study. Lymphoid cells of germinal centers were positive for the B-cell marker CD20 by immunohistochemistry (IHC), while remaining lymphocytes were positive for the T-cell marker CD3. Hypertrophied/hyperplastic pituitary cells were positive for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by IHC, consistent with an adaptive response due to removal of hormonal negative feedback from the diseased thyroid gland. Features of this case are similar to chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis in humans, an autoimmune disorder also known as Hashimoto's disease. Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis with compensatory pituitary changes may occur spontaneously in young, clinically normal cynomolgus macaques and its presence in drug treated animals should be interpreted with caution.
OVERVIEW: Tectonic implications of Cenozoic volcanism in coastal California

Cenozoic volcanic rocks of coastal California were erupted west of the magmatic arc trend related to subduction along the continental margin. Two assemblages, representing discrete pulses of mid-Tertiary (Oligocene–Miocene) and mid-Miocene volcanism, occupied relatively compact tracts, as restored palinspastically prior to disruption and dispersal by tectonic displacements within the Neogene San Andreas transform system. A third assemblage records migratory post–mid-Miocene volcanism at centers located progressively farther north. The distribution and petrologic character of all three assemblages reflect slab-window magmatism triggered by decompression melting of upwelling mantle. Paleogeographic reconstructions, based on analysis of magnetic anomaly patterns offshore and restoration of on-land features prior to San Andreas transform slip and associated transrotational deformation, indicate the paleotectonic positions of the Cenozoic volcanic fields before structural disruption. The pulses of mid-Tertiary and mid-Miocene volcanism were related to transient episodes of mantle upwelling generated successively by rise-trench encounters associated with subduction of the Vancouver-Farallon and Monterey-Arguello plates, respectively, along the continental margin off southern California. Migratory post–mid-Miocene volcanism in central California accompanied the incremental expansion of a growing slab window as the Mendocino triple junction migrated northward along the continental margin. Mid-Miocene Columbia River basalt volcanism in the Pacific Northwest was coeval with the mid-Miocene pulse of coastal volcanism and may have reflected tectonism induced by the final demise of offshore microplates to allow initial full integration of the San Andreas transform as a coherent plate boundary. Columbia River volcanism may have stemmed from mantle perturbation caused by torsional deformation of the continental block in response to shear imposed by the Pacific plate.
Embedded software in real-time pervasive computing environments

The characteristics and requirements of embedded software in real-time pervasive computing environments are considered. Enabling techniques for such embedded software, and research challenges in developing these techniques are discussed.
The biology of melanoma micrometastases.

The biology and significance of micrometastases remain poorly understood. Whether such deposits represent hypothetical "dormant" metastases, simply the earliest metastases recognizable, or both has not been resolved. Attempting to answer the latter question among many others, we carried out studies on the rates of proliferation, and microvessel counts in melanoma micrometastases taken from sentinel lymph nodes as compared to conventional melanoma lymph node macrometastases. We found that these micrometastases were not vascularized and had low (and comparable) rates of both proliferation and apoptosis, suggesting a steady or dormant state. On the other hand, the macrometastases were fully vascularized and more proliferative, i.e., they had rates of proliferation that were significantly higher compared to the micrometastases and rate of apoptosis. How micrometastases develop is also poorly understood. Tumor cells are thought to arrive in lymph nodes and other sites through the blood and lymphatic circulation and to extravasate. However, in addition to the latter explanation, another mechanism may be operable which we have proposed as extravascular migratory metastasis. In studies of metastatic melanoma we have identified melanoma cells positioned on the surface of endothelial cells both by light and electron microscopy. We have also identified ultrastructurally the presence of an amorphous matrix interposed between the latter two cell types that shows immunostaining for laminin and, recently, the beta-2 chain of laminin. Thus, we currently believe that the latter form of "free" laminin may play a role in this proposed mechanism of metastasis and thus in the formation of micrometastases.
Finite-amplitude stability of axisymmetric pipe flow

The stability of pipe flow to axisymmetric disturbances is studied by direct numerical simulation of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. There is no evidence of finite-amplitude equilibria at any of the wavenumber/Reynolds number combinations investigated, with all perturbations decaying on a time scale much shorter than the diffusive (viscous) time scale. In particular, decay is obtained where amplitude-expansion perturbation techniques predict equilibria, indicating that these methods are not valid away from the neutral curve of linear stability theory.
Models of Interacting Populations

This chapter examines nuptiality and fertility in populations composed of interacting ethnic (or racial) subgroups. For intergroup marriage, it proposes a composition-independent measure, applies two-sex nuptiality models, and considers the influence of compositional factors. For intergroup fertility, it examines an initial attempt to apply stable models to describe the dynamics of a multiethnic population. The chapter also discusses methodological issues in multistate modeling, especially two-sex modeling, and linkages between population models and other lines of research. It concludes with some observations on the topics presented in this book.
MOVIES, MASS CONSUMERS, AND CRITICS: ECONOMICS AND POLITICS OF A TWO-SIDED MARKET

Most analyses of the film market treat it as a single entity where producers make films based on average consumer interest while critics serve as forecasters or signalers of film quality to these consumers. We describe the film market as two-sided—a mass market (average consumer) side and a high quality/artistic (cineaste) side—that each influence film maker production decisions and critical reviews as critics balance the preferences of mass market consumers and their own more artistic inclination. Using 1,824 films released during 2000–2014, we examine determinants of box office revenues and critical reviews, while addressing the overlap between them. Our results indicate that consumers and critics respond differently not only to film rating but also to film budgets, story sources, genre, and political content. We then use the dichotomy between average and high quality, artistic film consumers as a basis for understanding the normative views of the film markets relative to other two-sided markets as well as the political economy of film regulation. (JEL C30, D10, Z11)
Traumatic plastic deformity of an adult forearm: case report and literature review.

We report a case of plastic deformity involving both the radius and the ulna in an adult treated with osteotomy of both bones.