cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical effectiveness of different types of tendon transfers to the shoulder for external rotation

Background Our purpose was to determine and compare the external rotation moment arm (ERMA) of the latissimus dorsi (LD), teres major (TM), and lower trapezius (LT) when transferred to selected locations on the proximal humerus. We hypothesize that the LT transfer has a higher ERMA compared with LD or TM. Materials and methods Six fresh frozen cadaveric hemithoraces were used in a novel experimental design. The tendon and joint displacement method was used to calculate ERMA for 6 transfer pairs: LD to superolateral humeral head (SHH), LD to proximal-lateral humeral diaphysis (LHD), TM to SHH, TM to LHD, LT to infraspinatus insertion (ISI), and LT to teres minor insertion (TMI). Results Tendon transfer pair had a significant effect on ERMA ( P P P = .0001, P = .04) or LD-LHD (6.5 mm; P P P = .0001, P = .03). Conclusions Shoulder external rotation tendon transfers differ in effectiveness and may be affected by arm position. LT potentially results in superior restoration of shoulder external rotation with the arm at the side compared with LD and should be considered as a potential tendon transfer to restore external rotation in selected patients.
Glutathione S-transferase activity in liver, lung and intestinal mucosa of aging female mice.

Abstract 1. Changes in the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in liver, lungs and intestinal mucosa of female Swiss-Webster mice with age were determined. 2. GST activity increased with age from 1 to 9 months, reached a maximum activity at 9 months and decreased thereafter with advanced age in all three tissues. 3. GST activity decreased by approximately 75% in liver between 9 and 18 months, with decreases of 65 and 64% occurring over the same time period for lung and intestinal mucosa, respectively.
N-acetyl aspartate in autism spectrum disorders: Regional effects and relationship to fMRI activation

Rapid progress in our understanding of macrostructural abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has occurred in recent years. However, the relationship between the integrity of neural tissue and neural function has not been previously investigated. Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging of an executive functioning task was obtained in 13 high functioning adolescents and adults with ASD and 13 age-matched controls. The ASD group showed significant reductions in N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in all brain regions combined and a specific reduction in left frontal cortex compared to controls. Regression analyses revealed a significant group interaction effect between frontal and cerebellar NAA. In addition, a significant positive semi-partial correlation between left frontal lobe NAA and frontal lobe functional activation was found in the ASD group. These findings suggest that widespread neuronal dysfunction is present in high functioning individuals with ASD. Hypothesized developmental links between frontal and cerebellar vermis neural abnormalities were supported, in that impaired neuronal functioning in the vermis was associated with impaired neuronal functioning in the frontal lobes in the ASD group. Furthermore, this study provided the first direct evidence of the relationship between abnormal functional activation in prefrontal cortex and neuronal dysfunction in ASD.
Development of preference for differentially complex patterns by infant monkeys

Rhesus monkeys, reared in isolation, were exposed to differentially complex visual patterns from Day 5 through 39 after birth. Duration of visual and manual exploration served as a measure of stimulus preference. As the infant monkeys matured a gradual change in preference from simpler to more complex stimuli was observed. Compared with human infant behavior these data extend the phylogenetic generality of stimulus complexity as an important motivational variable in behavioral development, and reinforce the assumption that stimulus preferences proceed from simpler to more complex input as a function of age.
EOS Aura MLS: first year post-launch engineering assessment

The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument, launched in July of 2004 on NASA's EOS Aura satellite, has been in its nominal science operating mode since August 2004. The objective of EOS MLS is to obtain measurements of atmospheric composition, temperature and pressure through observations of millimeter- and submillimeter-wavelength thermal emission as the instrument field-of-view is scanned through the atmospheric limb. The MLS instrument has completed activation, in-orbit calibrations have been performed leading to adjustments to radiometric calibration (Level 1) algorithms, a software upgrade was implemented for more robust operation of the laser local oscillator, and engineering performance trends have been established. This paper discusses the current status of the MLS instrument which now continuously provides data to produce global maps of targeted chemical species as well as temperature, cloud ice, and gravity wave activity. Performance trends are assessed with respect to characterization during initial on-orbit activation of the instrument, and with data from ground test verification prior to launch.
Meta-Synthesis of Health Behavior Change Meta-Analyses

Objectives. We integrated and compared meta-analytic findings across diverse behavioral interventions to characterize how well they have achieved change in health behavior.Methods. Outcomes from 62 meta-analyses of interventions for change in health behavior were quantitatively synthesized, including 1011 primary-level investigations with 599 559 participants. Content coding suggested 6 behavioral domains: eating and physical activity, sexual behavior, addictive behaviors, stress management, female-specific screening and intervention behaviors, and behaviors involving use of health services.Results. Behavior change interventions were efficacious (mean effect sizes = 0.08–0.45). Behavior change was more evident in more recent meta-analyses; those that sampled older interventions and literatures or sampled more published articles; those that included studies that relied on self-report, used briefer interventions, or sampled fewer, older, or female participants; and in some domains (e.g., stress management) ...
A World of Possibilities Implications for Applied Behavioral Science

If applied behavioral science were to do a systemic reflection on itself there are three themes I think should be included on the list to be considered. (a) As the USA tries to promote democracy in the Middle East, is the cause of “freedom and equality” advanced or hindered by the unilateral use of military force, when the majority of the nations of the world are objecting? (b) When a new “ism” begins to emerge, can it be detected and addressed before it has worked its way into the bricks and mortar of our social infrastructures? (c) Why do contemporary organizations have to work so hard to survive, when they are surrounded by so much abundance? And why, given that there is so much wealth in the world, are so many people and communities living in extreme poverty? Is it possible for humanity to exit the paradigm of scarcity and operate according to the principles of abundance?
A more efficient waveform for cardiac stimulation.

This paper describes a waveform which is more efficient than the standard square pulse for use in chronic cardiac pacing. The experimental techniques are discussed and long term results obtained from animals implanted with endocardial catheters are presented.
LC–MS/MS quantitation of ribavirin in serum and identification of endogenous isobaric interferences

Abstract Background Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog used in treatment of chronic hepatitis C. It is associated with severe, dose-dependent toxicities, including hemolytic anemia. To facilitate therapeutic drug monitoring, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was validated for quantitation of ribavirin in serum. Methods After protein precipitation, ribavirin is quantitated using a 13 C 5 -ribavirin internal standard, on a Hypercarb analytical column designed for retention of polar analytes. Results The analytical method shows excellent precision, sensitivity, and specificity. In vitro drug stability was also assessed. Interestingly, endogenous isobaric compounds were noted in both human and bovine serum; these could be chromatographically separated from the ribavirin peak. Addition of exogenous uridine and cytosine increases the size of the isobaric peaks, suggesting that these compounds are the source of the endogenous interference. Conclusions This method uses mass spectrometric transitions that have been used in other published methods, but also separates ribavirin from isobaric peaks that were not described. These peaks were determined to be endogenous nucleosides. Laboratories quantitating ribavirin in biological matrices should be aware of the potential for isobaric interferences, and take steps to chromatographically separate them from the ribavirin peak for accurate quantitation.
Techniques and benefits of multiple internal mammary artery bypass at 20 years of follow-up.

Background In patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, performing multiple internal mammary artery (MIMA) grafts to two coronary systems during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves clinical outcome. Few databases have decades of follow-up, however, and the optimal configuration is still in question. The purpose of this study was to assess 20-year clinical benefits of MIMA grafting and to evaluate the possible effects of two different MIMA configurations. Methods From 1984 to 1986, 867 patients with multivessel coronary disease underwent CABG. Single (SIMA) IMA grafts were used in 490 and multiple (MIMA) IMA grafts in 377, along with concomitant saphenous veins. Generally, MIMAs were placed to the two largest coronary systems. Among baseline characteristics, only smoking, diabetes, and hypertension were significantly higher for MIMA versus SIMA. Multivariable Cox model analysis was used to assess outcome differences between groups. Results During a median follow-up of 20 years, the composite of mortality, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, and redo CABG was significantly reduced after MIMA versus SIMA (p = 0.013). Event-free survival was extended by almost 1 year (p = 0.018), and redo CABG was reduced by 59% (p = 0.005). A comparison within the MIMA group was made between 235 patients receiving IMA grafts to left anterior descending/left circumflex territories versus 122 with grafts to left anterior descending/right coronary artery systems. No significant difference in composite outcome was observed between these configurations (p = 0.88). Conclusions These data confirm the clinical benefits of MIMA grafting in multivessel coronary disease to 20 years of follow-up. As long as MIMAs are placed to the two largest coronary systems, no significant differences in long-term results are evident between left anterior descending/left circumflex and left anterior descending/right coronary artery configurations.
Modeling vital rates improves estimation of population projection matrices

Population projection matrices are commonly used by ecologists and managers to analyze the dynamics of stage-structured populations. Building projection matrices from data requires estimating transition rates among stages, a task that often entails estimating many parameters with few data. Consequently, large sampling variability in the estimated transition rates increases the uncertainty in the estimated matrix and quantities derived from it, such as the population multiplication rate and sensitivities of matrix elements. Here, we propose a strategy to avoid overparameterized matrix models. This strategy involves fitting models to the vital rates that determine matrix elements, evaluating both these models and ones that estimate matrix elements individually with model selection via information criteria, and averaging competing models with multimodel averaging. We illustrate this idea with data from a population of Silene acaulis (Caryophyllaceae), and conduct a simulation to investigate the statistical properties of the matrices estimated in this way. The simulation shows that compared with estimating matrix elements individually, building population projection matrices by fitting and averaging models of vital-rate estimates can reduce the statistical error in the population projection matrix and quantities derived from it.
A high-resolution study of the OH-stretch fundamental of methanol

Abstract The OH-stretch fundamental of CH 3 OH has been observed with 0.025 cm −1 resolution between 3430 and 3940 cm −1 and the resulting spectrum deconvoluted using the procedure of P. A. Jansson. Approximately 600 lines have been assigned to a total of 67 P - or R -branch series and some 30 excited state levels have been determined. Of these, 14 belong to the lowest torsional state with n = 0, 13 to n = 1 and 3 to n = 2. A nonlinear least-squares fit to these levels varying the major parameters used by Y. Y. Kwan and D. M. Dennison in their analysis of the normal state produces an rms deviation between observed and calculated levels of 0.51 cm −1 . Variation of all the parameters including those of the smaller Kirtman perturbation terms produces only a slight improvement in the fit. Both analyses yield a barrier height of 411 cm −1 in the excited vibrational state as compared to the normal state value of 373 cm −1 . A number of unexplained anomalies appear in the spectra including large and irregular changes in the coefficient of J 2 + J for different torsion-rotation states.
Chemical Equilibrium and Critical Phenomena: Solubility of Indium Oxide in Isobutyric Acid + Water Near the Consolute Point†

We have determined the solubility, s, of indium oxide in the liquid mixture isobutyric acid + water along the critical isopleth at temperatures above the upper critical solution temperature near 299 K. When plotted in van’t Hoff form with ln s vs 1/T, the measurements of solubility lie on a straight line for values of the absolute temperature, T, which are sufficiently in excess of the critical solution temperature, Tc. The sign of the slope, (∂ ln s/∂(1/T)), indicates that the enthalpy of dissolution is endothermic. When the temperature is within 1 K of Tc, however, the slope departs from its constant value and appears to diverge toward negative infinity. The principle of critical point universality predicts that a divergence in (∂ ln s/∂(1/T)) is to be expected for T near Tc in those cases where the stoichiometry of the dissolution reaction involves both components of the solvent; moreover, the Gibbs−Helmholtz equation predicts that if the enthalpy of solution is endothermic, the sign of the divergence ...
The protective effects of stress control may be mediated by increased brain levels of benzodiazepine receptor agonists

Control over stress protects against many of the deleterious effects of stress exposure, but the endogenous mediators responsible for these prophylactic effects have remained elusive. Using behavioral pharmacology, in vitro radioligand binding and neurochemical analyses, we demonstrate that exposure to escapable stress results in brain and behavior changes reminiscent of benzodiazepine administration. The stress control group shows significant protection against picrotoxinin-induced seizures, reductions in [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding and a 3-fold increase of benzodiazepine-like substances in brain in comparison to both yoked-inescapable shock and non-shock controls. These observations suggest that coping behavior leads to the release of endogenous benzodiazepine-like compounds in brain which protect the organism from stress pathology.
Partial-wave analysis of KN scattering reactions

We investigate the two-body reactions $\overline{K}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\overline{K}N$, $\overline{K}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, and $\overline{K}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ via single-energy partial-wave analyses in the center-of-mass (c.m.) energy range 1480 to 2100 MeV. The partial-wave amplitudes for these reactions thus extracted were constrained by a multichannel energy-dependent model satisfying unitarity of the partial-wave $S$ matrix. We obtain excellent predictions of differential cross sections, polarizations, polarized cross sections, and cross sections for these reactions from a global energy-dependent solution.
Fabrication, testing and analysis of composite sandwich beams

The objective of this work was to determine experimentally the flexural behavior of composite sandwich beams and compare the results with predictions of theoretical models. Sandwich beams were fabricated by bonding unidirectional carbon/epoxy face sheets (laminates) to aluminum honeycomb cores with an adhesive film. All constituent materials (composite laminates, adhesive and core) were characterized independently. Special techniques were developed to prevent premature failures under the loading pins and to ensure failure in the test section. Sandwich beams were tested under four-point and three-point bending. Strains to failure in the face sheets were recorded with strain gages, and beam deflections, and strains in the honeycomb core were recorded by using moire techniques. The beam face sheets exhibited a softening non-linearity on the compression side and a stiffening non-linearity on the tension side. Experimental results were in good agreement with predictions from simple models which assume the face sheets to behave like membranes, neglecting the contribution of the honeycomb core, and accounting for the non-linear behavior of the face sheets.
Research on rotary surface topography by orthogonal turn-milling

As a new technology in manufacturing, turn-milling broadens the application ranges of mechanical processing, wherein both cutting tool and workpiece are given a rotary motion simultaneously. The objective of the present work is to study workpiece surface topography during orthogonal turn-milling process. This study begins with two mathematical models, which describe theoretical surface roughness and topography of rotationally symmetrical workpiece. The models are built with the establishment of locus function according to orthogonal turn-milling principle. Then based on these models, the influence law of surface topography affected by various cutting parameters is found by some simulation methods. The law also matches with orthogonal turn-milling surface roughness and topography experiments. By analyzing the experimental results, some parameter selection criteria during orthogonal turn-milling processing are also proposed qualitatively and quantitatively. The comparison between the simulation and experimental results shows that a better surface quality and tiny oil storage structure can be obtained if the cutting parameters are chosen in reason. This conclusion provides a theoretical foundation and reference for the orthogonal turn-milling mechanism research.
Adaptive stabilization of infinite dimensional linear systems

For finite dimensional nonlinear systems, an enhancement of root-locus methods has recently been developed for the analysis and design of nonlinear feedback systems. Central to this approach was a dynamical systems interpretation of zeroes, suggested by geometric control theory. For flexible systems, an analogous physical interpretation of system zeroes has been used for some time to compute system transmission zeroes. Motivated by this method, by work of Curtain on disturbance decoupling and by the success of this philosophy for stabilizing nonlinear systems, we give a formal definition of zero dynamics for a broad class of infinite dimensional systems. We illustrate this for scalar systems evolving on a Banach space by rigorously proving two stability results. First, any relative degree one, minimum phase system can be stabilized by proportional error feedback. We next demonstrate that a simple adaptive stabilization scheme presented by Byrnes and Willems, which did not require an a priori bound on the system dimension, continues to function for a wide class of infinite dimensional system.
The surprising oxidation state of fumed silica and the nature of water binding to silicon oxides and hydroxides

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data demonstrate that the average formal oxidation state of silicon in fumed silica (CAB-O-SIL®) is +1 as opposed to the usual +4. Electronic structure calculations on model molecular clusters and comparison with XPS data for silicon compounds in known oxidation states suggest less hydrophilic character for CAB-O-SIL® than the oxides of silicon with Si in an average formal +3 or +4 oxidation state. Once the +3 oxidation state is formed, water on the fumed silica surface facilitates the ready conversion of the Si in an average +3 oxidation state to an average +4 oxidation state.
Accommodating Discontinuities in Dimeric Left-Handed Coiled Coils in ATP Synthase External Stalks

ATP synthases from coupling membranes are complex rotary motors that convert the energy of proton gradients across coupling membranes into the chemical potential of the β-γ anhydride bond of ATP. Proton movement within the ring of c subunits localized in the F0-sector drives γ and ɛ rotation within the F1α3β3 catalytic core where substrates are bound and products are released. An external stalk composed of homodimeric subunits b2 in Escherichia coli or heterodimeric bb′ in photosynthetic synthases connects F0 subunit a with F1 subunits δ and most likely α. The external stalk resists rotation, and is of interest both functionally and structurally. Hypotheses that the external stalk contributes to the overall efficiency of the reaction through elastic coupling of rotational substeps, and that stalks form staggered, right-handed coiled coils, are investigated here. We report on different structures that accommodate heptad discontinuities with either local or global underwinding. Analyses of the knob-and-hole packing of the E. coli b2 and Synechocystis bb′ stalks strongly support the possibility that these proteins can adopt conventional left-handed coiled coils.
The Second Law: Energy, Chaos, and Form, Revised Edition (Atkins, P.W.)

As the title aptly states this book deals with the magnificent second law of thermodynamics, to wit: an experimentally accessible quantity, entropy is a measure of chaos, and characterizes by its i...
Digital Image Processing: Optimal Spatial Filter For Maximization Of The Perceived Snr Based On A Statistical Decision Theory Model For The Human Observer

In this study, we developed an optimal filter which maximizes the perceived SNR based on a statistical decision theory model for a human observer. This filter serves as a prewhitening filter that compensates for both the image noise Wiener spectrum and the observer's visual system response, thus allowing the observer to perform matched-filtering in a white noise background during signal detection. However, we found that the filtered image has to be displayed with a strong contrast enhancement factor in order to reduce the effects of observer's internal noise and the display system noise. The use of a large windowing factor results in an image exceeding the dynamic range of a display system. Due to this limitation, it appears to be difficult to implement the optimal statistical filter (OSF) effectively in a practical digital radiographic imaging system. Therefore, we examined alternative filters by using series approximation of the OSF. The perceived SNR's of the filtered images predicted by the statistical decision theory model indicate that these filters in combination with a moderate windowing factor can improve the detectability of signals over that achieved by the windowing technique alone. We discuss the theoretical basis for the development of these new filters and the results of our calculations. Examples of simple test object images processed by the filters are shown. The potential usefulness and limitations of the various image processing methods in practical settings are discussed.
The Geometry of Online Packing Linear Programs

We consider packing linear programs with m rows where all constraint coefficients are normalized to be in the unit interval. The n columns arrive in random order and the goal is to set the corresponding decision variables irrevocably when they arrive to obtain a feasible solution maximizing the expected reward. Previous 1-e-competitive algorithms require the right-hand side of the linear program to be Ωm/e2logn/e, a bound that worsens with the number of columns and rows. However, the dependence on the number of columns is not required in the single-row case, and known lower bounds for the general case are also independent of n. Our goal is to understand whether the dependence on n is required in the multirow case, making it fundamentally harder than the single-row version. We refute this by exhibiting an algorithm that is 1-e-competitive as long as the right-hand sides are Ωm2/e2logm/e. Our techniques refine previous probably approximately correct learning based approaches that interpret the online decisions as linear classifications of the columns based on sampled dual prices. The key ingredient of our improvement comes from a nonstandard covering argument together with the realization that only when the columns of the linear program belong to few one-dimensional subspaces we can obtain such small covers; bounding the size of the cover constructed also relies on the geometry of linear classifiers. General packing linear programs are handled by perturbing the input columns, which can be seen as making the learning problem more robust.
Novel Syntheses of Tetrahydropyrroloquinolines: Applications to Alkaloid Synthesis

Two novel routes involving the intramolecular olefin insertion with a zirconium−benzyne complex, followed by a palladium-catalyzed aryl amination, have been developed for the synthesis of tetrahydropyrroloquinolines. In one approach, exemplified in the six-step total synthesis of the South American toad poison dehydrobufotenine (1), the tricyclic system was formed via the Pd-catalyzed ring closure of a functionalized tryptamine derivative. In the second, cyclization of an appropriately substituted quinoline yields 13, an intermediate in the synthesis of damirones A and B, and also makaluvamine C, a topoisomerase II inhibitor exhibiting antitumor properties.
Research, policy, and the federal role in prevention initiatives for children.

With the ability and the funds to implement programs on a national level, federal policy, is a potentially potent tool in primary prevention. Despite the U.S. government's history of ambivalence toward intervening in child rearing and limited national support for primary prevention, several initiatives have been implemented for children and families with some measure of success. The successes, however, are mitigated by limitations of the initiatives themselves and by the inconclusive nature of much of the evaluation data. This review of 5 federal policy-based initiatives for children and families provides the backdrop for discussing aspects of federal prevention program design, implementation, policy, and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved) Language: en
Analysis of polar organic compounds using charge exchange ionization and membrane introduction mass spectrometry.

Charge exchange ionization in conjunction with membrane introduction mass spectrometry provides a sensitive method for the detection of polar volatile organic compounds and semivolatile compounds in air. Sample introduction into an ion trap mass spectrometer was accomplished with a hollow fiber silicone membrane assembly. Atmospheric oxygen, which diffuses through the membrane, was used as the charge exchange reagent. Chemical ionization parameters were optimized using methyl ethyl ketone (2-butanone) standards in air. Several other oxygen-containing compounds, including acetone (2-propanone), methyl isobutyl ketone (4-methyl-2-pentanone), propanal, isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol), cyclohexanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (sulfinylbismethane), 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, and dimethyl methylphosphonate were analyzed with this technique. This method was used to obtain mass spectra for a variety of classes of compounds and produced a 4−20-fold improvement in response for all of the polar compounds we examined when compa...
Using Support Vector Machines to Classify Student Attentiveness for the Development of Personalized Learning Systems

There have been many studies in which researchers have attempted to classify student attentiveness. Many of these approaches depended on a qualitative analysis and lacked any quantitative analysis. Therefore, this work is focused on bridging the gap between qualitative and quantitative approaches to classify student attentiveness. Thus, this research applies machine learning algorithms (K-means and SVM) to automatically classify students as attentive or inattentive using data from a consumer RGB-D sensor. Results of this research can be used to improve teaching strategies for instructors at all levels and can aid instructors in implementing personalized learning systems, which is a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge. This research applies machine learning algorithms to an educational setting. Data from these algorithms can be used by instructors to provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of their instructional strategies and pedagogies. Instructors can use this feedback to improve their instructional strategies, and students will benefit by achieving improved learning and subject mastery. Ultimately, this will result in the students' increased ability to do work in their respective areas. Broadly, this work can help advance efforts in many areas of education and instruction. It is expected that improving instructional strategies and implementing personalized learning will help create more competent, capable, and prepared persons available for the future workforce.
Generalizations of Steel's Treatments-Versus-Control Multivariate Sign Test

Abstract Steel (1959) introduced a nonparametric multivariate sign test to allow one to compare p ≥ 2 test treatments simultaneously with a control or standard treatment in a randomized-block setting. Steel proposed using blocks of size p + 1 composed of one observation from each treatment. Intuitively, it seems that the control should be observed more often that a test treatment, because the control is involved in all treatment-control comparisons and an individual test treatment is involved in only one. Studies in the corresponding parametric analyses bear out this intuition. In this article Steel's multivariate sign test is generalized to allow the control to appear more than once in each block and to allow the test treatments to appear an unequal number of times in each block. A class of block designs known as sign-treatment-control balanced designs is proposed. This class is a counterpart of the classes of supplemented balance designs and balanced-treatment incomplete block designs that have been pop...
Applications of organ precursor cell therapy: can lessons from embryonic kidney transplantation be applied to the endocrine pancreas?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to provide an update relating to a novel approach to endocrine pancreas replacement therapy based in part on a technology developed for the transplantation of developing kidneys. The approach is to use organ primordia, and in this way transplant kidneys or pancreas in cellular form. RECENT FINDINGS Cellular allotransplantation and xenotransplantation of both kidney and pancreatic anlagen has been successfully performed such that functioning organs develop in situ. SUMMARY The number of human organs available for transplantation is limited. We and others have shown that it is possible to 'grow' new kidneys or endocrine pancreas from organ-specific precursor cells in situ. For the kidney, this technology takes advantage of the fact that a developing renal anlagen can attract its blood supply from an appropriate vascular bed post-transplantation, enabling the transplantation of kidneys in 'cellular' form. Techniques developed for the transplantation of embryonic kidneys can be applied to the transplantation of embryonic pancreas. Pancreatic anlagen implanted into a host peritoneum develop into a novel organ consisting of functional islets of Langerhans surrounded by stroma. The transplantation of developing pancreas could represent a novel 'cellular' treatment for diabetes mellitus, a major cause of end-stage renal disease.
The use of single sample clearance estimates to probe hepatic drug metabolism in rats. I

1. Conditions were examined under which estimates of drug clearance made from a single measurement of plasma concentration effectively represented multisample estimates of clearance. When plasma concentrations were measured at various post-dose times, both individual and mean values of single sample clearance estimates, Cl, corresponded closely to multisample clearance estimates, CI, and significant differences between Cl and Cl could not be detected.2. Best post-dose sampling times were: theophylline, 6 h; phenytoin, 2 h; valproic acid, 20 min; antipyrine, 4h; and S-warfarin, 48 h.3. When theophylline clearance was evaluated by both multisample and single sample experiments during diethyl ether versus urethane anaesthesia, clearances were about 50% slower for ether-anaesthetized rats. This outcome was qualitatively and quantitatively the same regardless of whether single sample or multiple sample clearances were estimated, and single sample theophylline clearances were virtually identical to multisample ...
Host-virus interactions during malaria infection in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice.

We have previously shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is abolished in the liver of HBV transgenic mice by inflammatory cytokines induced by HBV-specific cytotoxic T cells and during unrelated viral infections of the liver. We now report that intrahepatic HBV replication is also inhibited in mice infected by the malaria species Plasmodium yoelii 17X NL. P. yoelii infection triggers an intrahepatic inflammatory response characterized by the influx of natural killer cells, macrophages, and T cells. During this process, interferon (IFN)-γ and IFN-α/β suppress HBV gene expression and replication in the liver. Collectively, the data suggest that malaria infection might influence the course and pathogenesis of HBV infection in coinfected humans.
Esterase-1: developmental expression in the mouse and distribution of related proteins in other species.

Abstract Esterase 1 (Es-1) is a sexually dimorphic 65-kDa glycoprotein present in plasma and other murine tissues able to hydrolyze a variety of esters including fatty acid esters of estradiol. Like most other carboxylesterases, its function is unknown. To gain insight into the function of Es-1 and by analogy other carboxylesterases, we have examined the developmental regulation of Es-1 in the mouse and have looked for the presence of related proteins in the plasma of other species. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from the livers of mice of various ages using a 32 P-labeled 470-bp Es-1 cDNA probe showed clear postpartum induction with no detectable Es-1 mRNA in fetal liver. Similarly, immunoblotting after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an affinity-purified rabbit antibody to Es-1 showed no crossreacting proteins in the plasma until after birth. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from a variety of adult mouse tissues showed the presence of substantial levels of Es-1 mRNA only in liver with lower levels in kidney, testes, and ovaries. Liver mRNA and plasma protein levels rose in parallel attaining full adult levels between 15 and 20 days of age. When plasma proteins were electrophoresed on 7% polyacrylamide gels under nondenaturing conditions, the antibody to Es-1 recognized a low mobility protein in mouse, rat, human, baboon, guinea pig, bovine, horse, and canine but not in chicken plasma. Consistent with the immunoblotting results, the Es-1 cDNA probe hybridized to restriction fragments from human, monkey, rat, and rabbit as well as mouse genomic DNA but not from chicken DNA indicating conservation of the esterase (or esterase-like) gene in mammalian species. The low mobility antigens in mouse and human plasma appeared also to cross-react with antibodies to human thyroglobulin, although antibodies to human thyroglobulin did not appear to recognize Es-1 under these conditions.
Telecommunication as an Aid for Concept Development among Student Teachers.

This study was motivated by the need to understand how student teachers build concepts in telecommunication environments. The study aimed at determining how student teachers develop concrete concepts and defined concepts. The purpose was to develop a repertoire of what constitutes classes of lesson plans in technology-based learning environments and determine their significance to instructional design. The goal was to expose student teachers to AskEric Database. The objectives were to demonstrate the role of intellectual skills in developing conceptualizations, compare and contrast elements of a lesson plan, and define the role of telecommunication in learning. An elaborate scheme of activities was developed for student teachers to process materials in the AskEric database. These activities included students examining the various lesson plans in the content areas featuring mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, art, geography, and history. Lesson plans were characterized as concepts, and ind...
Prenatal alcohol treatment attenuated postnatal cocaine-induced elevation of dopamine concentration in nucleus accumbens: A preliminary study

Abstract Prenatal alcohol exposure has been shown to damage the developing central nervous system (CNS) in a variety of ways, including neuroanatomical anomalies, neurochemical imbalance, and neuropharmacological dysfunction. The present study investigated one of the functional aspects of the dopaminergic system in neonatal rats exposed prenatally to a bingelike alcohol paradigm by measuring dopamine concentrations following a single postnatal cocaine challenge. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily intragastric intubations of 5.1 g/kg alcohol solution from embryonic day (E) 1 to 20. Pair-fed and ad lib-fed animals served as controls. On E33 (usually postnatal day 10), offspring from all groups were given injections (IP) of either 0, 20, or 40 mg/kg cocaine. Animals were sacrificed and the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were dissected for the determination of dopamine concentrations using HPLC. Basal dopamine levels (0 mg/kg cocaine group) did not alter as a function of prenatal alcohol treatment in either region. However, acute cocaine injection increased the dopamine content in NAc, but not in SN/VTA, in ad lib-fed animals, and this elevation in dopamine level was significantly attenuated by prenatal alcohol treatment in both female and male animals, and by prenatal pair-fed treatment in male animals. Taken together, these results indicate that there appears to be a regional difference in acute cocaine-induced dopamine elevation, and prenatal binge-like alcohol exposure significantly alters the functional responsiveness of dopaminergic system in NAc. Furthermore, these data suggest that male offspring may be more sensitive to stress-associated or nutritional influences during gestation.
Properties of the ts3 mutant of polyoma virus during lytic infection

Abstract The ts3 mutant of polyoma virus is blocked at an early stage during lytic infection at the restrictive temperature, subsequent to virus adsorption, but prior to viral DNA synthesis. The mutant defect can be overcome by incubation at the permissive temperature in the absence of DNA synthesis prior to a shift to the restrictive temperature. Temperature sensitivity of the mutant growth is different in different cells, being greatest in BALB 3T3 cells. The growth of ts3 is not temperature-sensitive when infection is carried out with viral DNA. Complementation between ts3 and other temperature-sensitive mutants is not observed following mixed infection of BALB 3T3 cells at the restrictive temperature. This lack of complementation seems not to be caused by a dominant lethal effect of the mutant. Stimulation of resting cultures of infected BALB 3T3 cells by the addition of fresh medium and serum decreases the temperature sensitivity of the mutant growth, but only to a limited extent.
Gap Partitioning Among Maples (Acer) in Central New England: Survival and Growth

We measured survival and growth of three shade-tolerant species of maple (Acer pensylvanicum, A. rubrum, and A. saccharum) in response to understory and exper- imentally created small canopy gaps of two sizes (8 X 12 m, 75 m2; 16 X 24 m, 300 m2) in central New England. Seedlings of the three species (2160 total, 720 per species ) were transplanted into five plot locations (center plus northwest, northeast, southwest, and south- east gap edges) within all gap and understory sites. Measurements of microclimates, ar- chitecture, photosynthetic performance, survival, and growth were made over 1 yr before, and 2 yr following, gap release. Red maple (A. rubrum) survived better overall across the study due to greater persistence in the north and center plots of large gaps. The small gaps and understories showed no differences among the species. Survival rates exceeded 80% in most sites and plots, with low values (30-65%) only in the exposed plots of large gaps. There were no relationships between post-gap survival and previous age, height, or basal diameter. By the end of 2 yr of gap release, both gap sizes induced greater distinctions among the species in all growth variables than the understory. Striped maple (A. pensylvanicum) exhibited greater leader extension, absolute stem height, net height change, absolute basal diameter, and net basal diameter change than red maple and sugar maple (in that order) in nearly all sites and plots. The exception was large-gap center and north plots, where red maple equalled or exceeded striped maple in net basal diameter change, but not net height increase. Sugar maple (A. saccharum) was the least responsive of the species to the gap- understory gradient. As with survival, there were no predictable relationships between pre- gap age or size and post-gap growth. Photosynthetic performance paralleled growth by these species across the gradient, particularly for shoot assimilation. When growth variables were plotted against irradiance and temperature measured at seedling plot positions, there were consistent and clear dis- tinctions among species across the gap-understory gradient, providing limited evidence for gap partitioning in our system. Striped maple appears to be a superior generalist, red maple is a weaker generalist, and sugar maple shows the poorest performance in a manner that is nearly insensitive to the gap-understory gradient in our experimental system.
Relationship between Personality Traits and Performance for Engineering and Architectural Professionals Providing Design Services

One of the prominent trends in business organizations today is the attention placed on individual personality traits as a means of predicting job performance. As such, the current study investigates the relationship of personality traits with critical success behaviors in the engineering and architectural professions’ project design services. The four project service categories measured are: conceptual design, contract documents, construction administration, and firm management duties. The measurement of the individual personalities is accomplished through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). This research found that those possessing a preference for Intuitive data collection (MBTI, N) and Perceiving structure (MBTI, P) outperformed individuals with preferences for Sensing and Judging, in both planning and construction. However, professionals with a personality favoring Judging (MBTI, J) outperformed in the duties associated with the design phase. Contrary to predictions, the decision processes captured in the Thinking/Feeling dimension (MBTI, T/F) did not influence the performance in any of the four service categories. The implications of the results of this research are discussed.
Hydrodynamic delivery of plasmid DNA encoding human FcγR-Ig dimers blocks immune-complex mediated inflammation in mice.

Therapeutic use and function of recombinant molecules can be studied by the expression of foreign genes in mice. In this study, we have expressed human Fcγ receptor–Ig fusion molecules (FcγR-Igs) in mice by administering FcγR-Ig plasmid DNAs hydrodynamically and compared their effectiveness with purified molecules in blocking immune-complex (IC)-mediated inflammation in mice. The concentration of hydrodynamically expressed FcγR-Igs (CD16AF-Ig, CD32AR-Ig and CD32AH-Ig) reached a maximum of 130 μg ml–1 of blood within 24 h after plasmid DNA administration. The in vivo half-life of FcγR-Igs was found to be 9–16 days and western blot analysis showed that the FcγR-Igs were expressed as a homodimer. The hydrodynamically expressed FcγR-Igs blocked 50–80% of IC-mediated inflammation up to 3 days in a reverse passive Arthus reaction model. Comparative analysis with purified molecules showed that hydrodynamically expressed FcγR-Igs are more efficient than purified molecules in blocking IC-mediated inflammation and had a higher half-life. In summary, these results suggest that the administration of a plasmid vector with the FcγR-Ig gene can be used to study the consequences of blocking IC binding to FcγRs during the development of inflammatory diseases. This approach may have potential therapeutic value in treating IC-mediated inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis and autoimmune vasculitis.
Postreduction management of intussusception in a children's hospital emergency department.

Objective. To evaluate the current man- agement of patients with intussusception who have un- dergone successful reduction by contrast enema in a ter- tiary care children's hospital. To compare differences in the incidence of recurrence and adverse events between those patients who were hospitalized after enema reduc- tion and those who were observed in the emergency department (ED). Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study of children 0 to 18 years of age who underwent uncompli- cated enema reduction for intussusception. Hospitaliza- tion versus ED observation management were compared for length of stay, incidence of recurrence, and adverse events. Results. One hundred twenty-three children were identified with an International Classification of Dis- eases, Ninth Revision code for intussusception. Of those, 106 patients (86%) had an enema reduction attempted. Three had a normal enema and were given the diagnosis of "resolved intussusception." Eighty-three (80%) of the patients had a successful reduction. Seventy-eight (94%) of those patients had no preexisting condition and had complete medical records. Of those 78 patients, 27 (35%) were hospitalized and 51 (65%) were observed in the ED. The mean length of hospitalization was 22.7 hours (range: 10 -50 hours), and the mean length of ED obser- vation was 7.2 hours (range: 0 -21 hours). Eleven recur- rences were observed in 8 of these 78 patients (10% recurrence rate). Four patients in the hospitalized group and 4 patients in the ED observation group had recur- rences (5 hours-10.9 months). Four of the 8 patients had a recurrence within the first 48 hours. All first recurrences occurred after the patient had been discharged from the hospital or ED observation unit. No adverse events oc- curred in any of the patients who had a successful initial reduction (95% confidence interval (0%- 4.6%)). Conclusions. The postreduction management of in- tussusception is variable at our institution. Previously healthy patients who have undergone successful enema reductions are unlikely to have adverse outcomes. Post- reduction observation in the ED or the hospital does not seem to affect outcomes in this clinical setting. Pediatrics 2003;112:1302-1307; intussusception, enema reduction, outpatient management.