cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase I/II Trial of Paclitaxel With Ifosfamide Followed by High-Dose Paclitaxel, Ifosfamide, and Carboplatin (TI-TIC) With Autologous Stem Cell Reinfusion for Salvage Treatment of Germ Cell Tumors

Abstract Background Salvage high-dose (HD) chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), consisting of 2 to 3 sequential cycles of HD carboplatin and etoposide (CE) can achieve durable remissions in approximately half of patients with relapsed germ cell tumors. To improve on these results and based on success with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (TIP) as salvage conventional-dose chemotherapy, we conducted a phase I/II trial of HD paclitaxel with ifosfamide (TI), substituting carboplatin for cisplatin to allow dose escalation. Patients and Methods Treatment consisted of 1 to 2 cycles of TI and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for stem cell mobilization followed by 3 cycles of HD TI with carboplatin (TIC) with ASCT every 21 to 28 days. Twenty-six patients were enrolled. For phase I, a standard 3+3 dose-escalation design was used. Results With no dose-limiting toxicities observed, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not reached and the highest prespecified dose level (paclitaxel 250 mg/m2, ifosfamide 9990 mg/m2, carboplatin area under the curve 24) was considered the MTD. In phase II, a Simon 2-stage design was used to estimate the complete response (CR) rate at the MTD. With 7 of 11 phase II patients who achieved a CR, efficacy was demonstrated. However, 3 patients developed delayed chronic kidney disease, resulting in premature trial closure. Conclusion TI-TIC was active in relapsed germ cell tumors but treatment-emergent chronic renal impairment, possibly from overlapping ifosfamide and carboplatin, preclude its further use. TI-CE, consisting of 2 cycles of TI with 3 cycles of HD CE remains the standard of care HD chemotherapy regimen at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Circular element: Isogeometric elements of smooth boundary

This article introduces a family of elements of smooth, curved geometry. Unlike traditional approaches based on finite element geometry, the proposed method employs rational Bezier functions for boundary description and, as a result, common shapes such as circles and ellipses can be exactly described. The interior of the element is parameterized in terms of the boundary control points via basis functions that are smooth extensions of the boundary Bezier bases. The interior basis functions are constructed over the unit circular domain, and applied in an isoparametric setting to other convex domains that are topologically circular. This family of elements is particularly suited for analyzing discrete bodies undergoing more or less uniform or regular deformations. An example involving the compression of a circular elastic disk, in which the disk is modeled as a single 16-point element, is presented to demonstrate the application.
MobilityFirst: a robust and trustworthy mobility-centric architecture for the future internet

This paper presents an overview of the MobilityFirst network architecture, currently under development as part of the US National Science Foundation's Future Internet Architecture (FIA) program. The proposed architecture is intended to directly address the challenges of wireless access and mobility at scale, while also providing new services needed for emerging mobile Internet application scenarios. After briefly outlining the original design goals of the project, we provide a discussion of the main architectural concepts behind the network design, identifying key features such as separation of names from addresses, public-key based globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) for named objects, global name resolution service (GNRS) for dynamic binding of names to addresses, storage-aware routing and late binding, content- and context-aware services, optional in-network compute layer, and so on. This is followed by a brief description of the MobilityFirst protocol stack as a whole, along with an explanation of how the protocol works at end-user devices and inside network routers. Example of specific advanced services supported by the protocol stack, including multi-homing, mobility with disconnection, and content retrieval/caching are given for illustration. Further design details of two key protocol components, the GNRS name resolution service and the GSTAR routing protocol, are also described along with sample results from evaluation. In conclusion, a brief description of an ongoing multi-site experimental proof-of-concept deployment of the MobilityFirst protocol stack on the GENI testbed is provided.
The effects of adsorbed oxygen on measurements with ionization gauges

Abstract Thr formation of O + ions by electron bombardment of adsorbed layers of oxygen on molybdenum has been observed with (a) a mass spectrometer, and (b) an electrostatic retarding-field analyser. O + ions are formed with a mean initial kinetic energy of about 6 eV. The ionization efficiency has a maximum of about 10 −5 ions/electron for 90 eV electrons, and the ratio of neutral atoms to ions evolved is about 100 for a fully covered surface. Measurements with a modulated Bayard-Alpert ionization gauge show that O + ions formed by electron bombardment of adsorbed oxygen on the grid cause an increased residual current. The modulator potential has little effect on ions formed at the grid with initial energy because of the low collection efficiency (approximately 3 per cent) for these ions. The modulator method is shown to measure true pressure in the presence of adsorbed oxygen. The decay of the adsorbed layer under electron bombardment has been measured. The effects of this process on the measurement of pressure in the presence of adsorbed oxygen are discussed.
Combustion and thermal properties of epoxy/phenyltrisilanol polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites

Organic–inorganic hybrid composites of epoxy and phenyltrisilanol polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (Ph7Si7O9(OH)3, POSS-triol) were prepared via in situ polymerization of epoxy monomers. The nanocomposites of epoxy with POSS-triol can be prepared in the presence of metal complex latent catalyst, aluminum triacetylacetonate ([Al]) for the reaction between POSS-triol and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA). The dispersion morphology of organic–inorganic hybrid was characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The thermostability of composites was evaluated by thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis. The flammability was evaluated by cone calorimeter test. The presence of [Al] latent catalyst leads to a decrease in combustion rate with respect to epoxy and epoxy/POSS composites as well as reduction in smoke, CO and CO2 production rate. The effect of [Al] is to reduce the size of spherical POSS particles from 3–5 μm in epoxy/POSS to 0.5 μm in epoxy/POSS[Al]. Furthermore, POSS with smaller size may form compact and continue char layer on the surface of composites more efficiently.
Polynomial approximations of the relational semantics of imperative programs

We present a static analysis that approximates the relational semantics of imperative programs by systems of low-degree polynomial equalities. Our method is based on Abstract Interpretation in a lattice of polynomial pseudo ideals - finite-dimensional vector spaces of degree-bounded polynomials that are closed under degree-bounded products. For a fixed degree bound, the sizes of bases of pseudo ideals and the lengths of chains in the lattice of pseudo ideals are bounded by polynomials in the number of program variables. Despite the approximate nature of our analysis, for several programs taken from the literature on non-linear polynomial invariant generation our method produces results that are as precise as those produced by methods based on polynomial ideals and Grobner bases.
The Seats/Votes Relationship and the Identification of Partisan Gerrymandering in State Legislatures

This study explores the relationship between seats and votes and the value of this relationship in evaluating districting plans of the lower houses of 15 state legislatures. Partisan bias, the difference between the seats won by the Democratic and Republican parties when they are projected to have the same percentage of the vote, is calculated for each state for the 1982 and 1984 elections. For partisan bias to be useful in evaluating districting plans, it must be stable enough from one election to the next to predict the share of the seats a party will get at the next election given x percentage of the vote. Predictions for 1984 are made for each state by using projection analysis; unfortunately, many of the predictions are not accurate. This calls into question the use of the seats/votes relationship to evaluate districting plans.
How Elementary Principals’ Beliefs and Actions Influence New Teachers’ Experiences

Purpose:The purpose of the study was to examine (a) ways in which elementary principals in Connecticut influenced the induction experiences of new teachers and (b) how school leaders’ professional backgrounds and beliefs affected their approaches to induction.Research Methods:The study included six elementary principals from three Connecticut districts, and 1st- and 2nd-year teachers, mentors, and other teachers from the principals’ schools. Data collection in 2000-01 involved interviewing principals, beginning teachers, mentors, and other educators; and observing principals’ meetings with new teachers, mentor-mentee meetings, and other induction activities.Findings:The study found that three of the principals strongly promoted new teachers’ instructional growth in their direct interactions with them and by facilitating their work with mentors and grade team members; in contrast, the other three school leaders did not have as much positive impact on new teachers. The article provides evidence that these d...
William G. Allen's “orators and oratory”: Inventional amalgamation, pathos, and the characterization of violence in African‐American abolitionist rhetoric

Abstract This study explores the rhetoric of African‐American educator and abolitionist William Grant Allen through an analysis of “Orators and Oratory,” an address delivered to the Dialexian Society of New York Central College. I feature Allen's effort to meld a variety of traditions and approaches to enlist his student audience in the cause of abolition. Further, I take up two related, but distinct components of “Orators and Oratory”: the emphasis on appeals to the emotions and the portrayal of violence. More generally, I suggest ways in which Allen's speech serves as a window onto the rhetoric of marginalized abolitionist rhetors.
The yeast Pif1p helicase removes telomerase from telomeric DNA

Telomeres are the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Genetic studies have established that the baker's yeast Pif1p DNA helicase is a negative regulator of telomerase, the specialized reverse transcriptase that maintains telomeric DNA, but the biochemical basis for this inhibition was unknown. Here we show that in vitro, Pif1p reduces the processivity of telomerase and releases telomerase from telomeric oligonucleotides. The released telomerase is enzymatically active because it is able to lengthen a challenger oligonucleotide. In vivo, overexpression of Pif1p reduces telomerase association with telomeres, whereas depleting cells of Pif1p increases the levels of telomere-bound Est1p, a telomerase subunit that is present on the telomere when telomerase is active. We propose that Pif1p helicase activity limits telomerase action both in vivo and in vitro by displacing active telomerase from DNA ends.
Regional Implementation of a Pediatric Cardiology Chest Pain Guideline Using SCAMPs Methodology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chest pain is a complaint for which children are frequently evaluated. Cardiac causes are rarely found despite expenditure of considerable time and resources. We describe validation throughout New England of a clinical guideline for cost-effective evaluation of pediatric patients first seen by a cardiologist for chest pain using a unique methodology termed the Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plans (SCAMPs). METHODS: A total of 1016 ambulatory patients, ages 7 to 21 years initially seen for chest pain at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) or the New England Congenital Cardiology Association (NECCA) practices, were evaluated by using a SCAMPs chest pain guideline. Findings were analyzed for diagnostic elements, patterns of care, and compliance with the guideline. Results from the NECCA practices were compared with those of Boston Children’s Hospital, a regional core academic center. RESULTS: Two patients had chest pain due to a cardiac etiology, 1 with pericarditis and 1 with an anomalous coronary artery origin. Testing performed outside of guideline recommendations demonstrated only incidental findings. Patients returning for persistent symptoms did not have cardiac disease. The pattern of care for the NECCA practices and BCH differed minimally. CONCLUSIONS: By using SCAMPs methodology, we have demonstrated that chest pain in children is rarely caused by heart disease and can be evaluated in the ambulatory setting efficiently and effectively using minimal resources. The methodology can be implemented regionally across a wide range of clinical practice settings and its approach can overcome a number of barriers that often limit clinical practice guideline implementation.
Relationship of platelet serotonin to disturbances of clotting and hemostasis.

The presence of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in high concentration in platelets and its absence from normal platelet-free plasma suggest the possibility that this vasoconstrictor substance may play a role in hemostatic mechanisms. Platelet serotonin content measured by a fluorometric method in 94 patients showed an average content of 0.22 µg./ml. blood. In none of the disease groups studied, including hypertension, was a significant alteration found in platelet serotonin. However, the administration of reserpine resulted in a marked and prolonged depletion of platelet serotonin that was not accompanied by any significant change in any of the clotting factors. The in vitro addition of serotonin in amounts up to 50 µg./ml. also failed to alter any of the clotting factors studied. Platelet serotonin did not correlate with diagnosis, age, weight, blood pressure, cephalin-fluocculation, or capillary fragility. However, markedly anemic patients (below 10 Gm. per cent hemoglobin) and patients whose blood urea...
Design Automation for Biological Models: A Pipeline that Incorporates Spatial and Molecular Complexity

Understanding the dynamics of biochemical networks is a major goal of systems biology. Due to the heterogeneity of cells and the low copy numbers of key molecules, spatially resolved approaches are required to fully understand and model these systems. Until recently, most spatial modeling was performed using geometries obtained either through manual segmentation or manual fabrication both of which are time-consuming and tedious. Similarly, the system of reactions associated with the model had to be manually defined, a process that is both tedious and error-prone for large networks. As a result, spatially resolved simulations have typically only been performed in a limited number of geometries, which are often highly simplified, and with small reaction networks.
A review of methods for estimating the contribution of glacial meltwater to total watershed discharge

Glaciers store water over a range of temporal scales with important implications for downstream human and natural systems. Assessment of the contribution of glacial meltwater runoff to total waters...
Effects of prescribed fire and thinning on tree recruitment patterns in central hardwood forests

Second-growth oak forests in the central hardwoods region are considered compositionally unstable in the absence of large-scale disturbances. While prescribed burning and mechanical thinning treatments are potential options for managing succession in mixed-oak forests, few studies have adequately studied tree successional patterns in mature (>100-year old) stands following application of these anthropogenic disturbances. In a randomized block factorial design, we studied tree recruitment patterns (stems <10 cm dbh) in three mature southern Ohio forests that contained stands divided into four treatment units (each approximately 30 ha): control, prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, and mechanical thinning followed by prescribed fire. Treatments were applied in the dormant season of 2001. A single prescribed fire reduced seedling and sapling densities of Acer rubrum, the understory dominant in these forests. A. rubrum rapidly recovered to pre-treatment levels in all treatment units four growing seasons following the disturbances, largely by colonizing from seed and resprouting from top-killed sapling regeneration. Mechanical thinning treatments accelerated understory recruitment of early-successional, shade-intolerant tree species that regenerated from seed (e.g., Liriodendron tulipifera) and resprouted from a seedling bank (e.g., Sassafrass albidum). Oak (Quercus spp.) seedlings <140 cm tall densities were unresponsive to all treatments over the 4-year study period, although densities were dynamic through time. Seedling densities of Q. alba and Q. prinus declined in all treatments over the 4-year study period, while seedling densities of Q. velutina increased in all treatments. Oak seedling sprouts were not released from growth suppression in silviculturally thinned or burned forests. Four growing seasons following treatment application, oak regeneration remained at a competitive disadvantage with high densities of early-successional species present in xeric and intermediately moist portions of thinned stands. To maintain adequate oak recruitment in these forests, our data suggest that prescribed fire may need to be applied several years following a mechanical thinning treatment. Periodic fires are predicted to control the strong resprouting response of A. rubrum and fast-growing opportunistic tree species.
Real-time human versus animal classification using pyro-electric sensor array and Hidden Markov Model

In this paper, we propose a real-time human versus animal classification technique using a pyro-electric sensor array and Hidden Markov Model. The technique starts with the variational energy functional level set segmentation technique to separate the object from background. After segmentation, we convert the segmented object to a signal by considering column-wise pixel values and then finding the wavelet coefficients of the signal. HMMs are trained to statistically model the wavelet features of individuals through an expectation-maximization learning process. Human versus animal classifications are made by evaluating a set of new wavelet feature data against the trained HMMs using the maximum-likelihood criterion. Human and animal data acquired-using a pyro-electric sensor in different terrains are used for performance evaluation of the algorithms. Failures of the computationally effective SURF feature based approach that we develop in our previous research are because of distorted images produced when the object runs very fast or if the temperature difference between target and background is not sufficient to accurately profile the object. We show that wavelet based HMMs work well for handling some of the distorted profiles in the data set. Further, HMM achieves improved classification rate over the SURF algorithm with almost the same computational time.
Reducing Variability in Civil Jury Awards

The purpose of the present study was to test several procedures that could be adopted for reducing unwanted variability in civil damage awards. Four methods for providing guidance to jurors (and judges) about the distribution of awards in comparable cases were compared to each other, to a no-guidance control, and to the capping of awards at a specified maximum, which has been the most commonly legislated “solution.” The findings of this study suggest several alternative solutions that are better able than caps to solve the problem of unwanted variability in awards.
Visuospatial working memory in patients with schizophrenia

Recent investigations have documented abnormalities in working memory related processes in schizophrenics on tasks assessing the central executive component of this cognitive model. This preliminary study investigated the function of another component of the working memory system, the visuospatial scratch pad in schizophrenia. The "scratch pad's" passive visual store--responsible for the temporary retention of visual material--was assessed via a computerized spatial delayed response task, whereas its active spatial rehearsal subsystem--specialized for retaining the temporal properties--was explored through visual block span. To assess elemental visual spatial abilities we used the Judgment of Line Orientation test. Thirty-two schizophrenics and 27 controls were tested. Although we discovered the basic perceptual abilities of patients to be intact, we determined that whenever memory was necessitated on spatial tasks, patients demonstrated marked deficits. This pattern of cognitive dysfunction is consistent with impairments in a neural network involving prefrontal and/or posterior brain regions in schizophrenia.
The attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder paradox: 2. Phenotypic variability in prevalence and cost of comorbidity.

The objective of this study was to use population-based data to estimate the cost and phenotypic variation of conditions comorbid with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The North Dakota Department of Health's Claims Database was used to estimate the administrative prevalence, rates of comorbidity, and cost of care for subjects with ADHD. The case population was 7745 children. We then examined the 10 most frequent comorbidities for a defined condition in the International Classification of Diseases-9th edition (ICD-9). The observed prevalence of general health conditions was 12 to 70% less than expected. The presence of a comorbid condition resulted in increases in costs of care of $381 to $731 per case per year. The observed prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions was 97 to 5286% higher than expected. The prevalence of conditions comorbid with ADHD varies widely, with rates of general medical conditions decreased and rates of most mental disorders increased. The costs for comorbidit...
Critical review on hospital surgical room and mechanical system designs

The design of HVAC systems for surgical operating rooms requires specific guidance for the design engineer in order to insure that thermal comfort and sepsis control are maintained at all times in order to protect the occupants of the room. Operating room ventilation has been through significant design improvements from the beginning of the 20th century until now. Researchers have found that the room air distribution pattern is a critical parameter for airborne sepsis control, as most contaminants are introduced into the operating room by occupants and object within the room. Computational models have been used by many researchers to determine the room air distribution patterns for a variety of ventilation system and room configurations, but few of these models have been validated with experimental data. Further research is needed to both validate the models that are used for understanding the role of air distribution patterns in surgical sepsis control, as well as studying the impact of increasing heat loads in the next generation of surgical procedures.
Histologic grading of wilms' tumor as a potential prognostic factor: Results of a retrospective study of 26 patients

A histologic grading system based on tumor differentiation was applied in a retrospective study of 26 patients with Wilms' tumor to determine if it might provide an index to prognosis. The results were compared to those obtained by applying a histologic classification based on the presence or absence of individual histologic structures to the same tumors. Low grade tumors with predominance of differentiated structures--glomeruli and tubules--were associated with a better cure rate than high grade tumors composed mainly of undifferentiated spindle elements. The presence of undifferentiated large cells correlated with poor cure rate. The findings suggest that histologic grading may be valid as a prognostic factor in Wilms' tumor.
Scholarship opportunities for trainees and clinician educators: learning outcomes from a case report writing workshop.

Introduction Publishing a case report demonstrates scholarly productivity for trainees and clinician-educators.
Purification of glutathione S-transferases from human liver by glutathione-affinity chromatography.

Abstract Multiple forms of glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18), a family of proteins involved both with bilirubin transport and with the detoxification of electrophiles, have been purified from human liver using a scheme which employs an affinity chromatography column prepared by coupling glutathione to epoxy-activated Sepharose. This procedure offers a convenient method for obtaining highly purified transferases in good yields.
The role of oxygenation in embryotoxic mechanisms of three bioreducible agents

Many xenobiotics used in the treatment of hypoxic pathogens and tumors require reductive bioactivation under anaerobic conditions for maximal effectiveness and/or toxicity. A number of agents of this type have been shown to be teratogenic in vitro and/or in vivo. Early conceptuses may be vulnerable to these agents because they exist in a relatively anaerobic environment and have the capacity to perform reductive metabolism. It has been hypothesized that the single electron redox potential of bioreducible agents plays a dominant role in the capacity to induce anomalies. We examined the in vitro embryotoxicity in rats of three bioreducible drugs of similar redox potential under normoxic and hypoxic conditions as well as the capacity of those drugs to redox cycle and to damage DNA in embryonic tissue. Adriamycin, mitomycin C, and niridazole were shown to have differential embryotoxic responses in vitro to altered oxygenation. Studies of the bases of drug action showed (1) Adriamycin induces DNA strand breaks at concentrations that correlate well with embryolethality; (2) Mitomycin C does not induce strand breaks, but its dysmorphogenicity is increased by hypoxia; and (3) Niridazole does not produce DNA damage but appears to induce asymmetric malformations by depleting embryonic oxygen through redox cycling. Together the studies show that dysmorphogenic and embryolethal effects may result from separate mechanisms and that oxygenation plays an important role in those mechanisms. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Limb deficiency in an infant with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome

We describe a 46,XY newborn infant with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) with multiple congenital anomalies including female external genitalia, a testis palpable in each labium majus, a cone-shaped cervix, and normal vagina. Additional anomalies included cleft palate, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, and striking limb defects (ectrodactyly of the left upper limb, radial aplasia, and monodactyly of the right upper limb). To our knowledge, this is the first report of SLOS associated with limb deficiency and the third associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Our patient demonstrates that limb deficiencies may be a rare component manifestation in this syndrome of multiple congenital anomalies.
Enantioselective total synthesis of bilobalide, A C15 ginkgolide

Abstract An enantioselective total synthesis of bilobalide 1 has been effected from diester 5 using stereospecific conversion to 7 via intermediate 6 .
Disruption of TGF-β signaling improves ocular surface epithelial disease in experimental autoimmune keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Background TGF-β is a pleiotropic cytokine that can have pro- or anti-inflammatory effects depending on the context. Elevated levels of bioactive TGF-β1 in tears and elevated TGF-β1mRNA transcripts in conjunctiva and minor salivary glands of human Sjogren's Syndrome patients has also been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response to desiccating stress (DS), an experimental model of dry eye, in dominant-negative TGF-β type II receptor (CD4-DNTGFβRII) mice. These mice have a truncated TGF-β receptor in CD4+ T cells, rendering them unresponsive to TGF-β.
Communicating a stakeholder report

The Body Shop International plc published its first stakeholder report (known as its ‘Values Report’) in January 1996. This paper focuses on the communication of this report to employees and franchisees in the 46 countries in which The Body Shop trades. The communication strategy and implementation plan was shaped to a considerable degree by the feedback that the internal stakeholders provided as part of the Values Report.
Regional demographic trends from long-term studies of saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) across the northern Sonoran Desert

Abstract Ten saguaro ( Carnegiea gigantea ) populations in the northern Sonoran Desert were monitored from 1959 to 2005 to discriminate how climate influences plant growth, abundance, reproductive potential, survivorship, age structure and regeneration trends. Thousands of saguaros were measured to determine site-specific growth rates and survivorship through time. Observed growth rates were used to predict the ages of saguaros and reconstruct local and regional regeneration patterns back to the late 18th century. Both growth rates and degree of branching generally tracked temperature and moisture gradients. Site-specific age–height models explained 89–97% of variance in observed ages, with a slope of nearly one. Regeneration was more consistent at sites in the western (hotter/drier) than eastern (cooler/wetter) sites, which exhibited clear multidecadal variability in regeneration rates. Averaged across the region, saguaro regeneration rates were highest from 1780 to 1860, coincident with wet conditions and high Pinus ponderosa recruitment in the highlands. Milder and wetter winters and protection from livestock grazing likely promoted late 20th century regeneration surges at some sites. Predictions of saguaro population dynamics in the 21st century likely will be confounded by the saguaro's episodic and asynchronous regeneration, continued urbanization, ongoing grass invasions and associated wildfires, and changing climate.
Hydrodynamic interactions in electrophoresis

Abstract An exact analytical study of the electrophoretic motion of two arbitrarily oriented spheres is presented. The thin double layer assumption is employed. Corrections to Smohichowski's equation are presented for various separation distances and several values of the particles' zeta potential ratio. Of particular interest is the electrophoresis of two spheres with identical zeta potentials in which case there is shown to be no particle interaction. The results are applicable to the electrophoresis of concentrated suspensions and to the interaction between unlike particles.
Coping with uncertainty

State and local government financial management has passed through at least two major and distinct phases over the past decade: acute financial distress brought on by tax base siege and then a combination of federal and state tax reform and intergovernmental aid contraction. Both have swept away certainty and left scarcity and volatility in their wake. The response, coping strategies, have followed the prediction of administrative theories: in striving for greater fiscal independence, local finance officers and decision makers may have created even more dependency. This survey of developments traces trends which have emerged over the past decade to determine what alternative futures might lie ahead for government financial management.
The alkaline proteases of Argiope and their possible role in web digestion

The digestive fluid of Argiope was assayed for its proteolytic activity with selected natural and synthetic substrates. 1 Peak proteolytic activity was observed at pH 7.8. This was coincident with the pH of the digestive fluid. 2 Elastolytic and weak chymotryptic activities were detected. Limited activity toward collagen was also observed. Activity toward substrates for trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase and carpboxypeptidase A and B was absent. 3 Evidence demonstrating the in vitro digestion of web fibroin was obtained. The viscid spiral was susceptible to a variety of proteases; the radial fibers to the spider enzyme alone. 4 Of a series of inhibitors studied, EDTA had the greatest effect upon the spider proteases. This effect was temperature dependent.
Arthroscopic electrothermal collagen shrinkage for symptomatic laxity of the scapholunate interosseous ligament

The medical records, radiographs and operative reports of ten consecutive patients of average age 37 (range 19-67) years with wrist pain secondary to structural disruption of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (Geissler Type 2 injuries) who were treated with wrist arthroscopy and electrothermal collagen shrinkage of the scapholunate interosseous ligament were reviewed. Functional outcomes were assessed using the DASH scoring system at an average follow-up of 28 (range 12-44) months. At latest follow-up, nine patients (90%) were asymptomatic and had returned to their pre-injury functional level. The mean score on the DASH questionnaire was 20 (range 11-48). One patient developed wrist discomfort and mechanical symptoms 7 months postoperatively and required revision surgery. Our preliminary findings suggest that this may be a viable treatment option in the management of patients with symptomatic scapholunate interosseous ligament laxity without complete ligament disruption. Additional study is needed to better understand the role of this treatment modality.
Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication Contributes to the Contraction of Rat Osteoblast Populated Collagen Lattices

The contraction of native collagen lattices by resident mesenchymal cells mimics the organization of collagen during development and repair. Lattice contraction is cell density dependent, suggesting that cell-to-cell communications may contribute to the process. This possibility was investigated by comparing lattice contraction by four rat osteoblastic cell lines: ROS 17/2.8 cells (ROS); ROS transfected with an antisense cDNA sequence of the gap junctional protein connexin 43 (RCx16); ROS transfected with connexin 45 cDNA, a connexin not normally expressed in ROS cells (ROS/Cx45); and ROS transfected with cDNA encoding carboxy-terminal truncated Cx45 (ROS/Cx45tr). The cell coupling indices, which reflect gap junctional communication, were quantitated by the fluorescent dye scrape loading. ROS cells were well coupled (index 3.0), ROS/Cx45tr were better coupled (index 4.2), ROS/Cx45 were poorly coupled (index 1.7), and RCx16 showed no coupling (index 1.1). As determined by immunoblotting, the level of connexin 43 protein was increased in both ROS/Cx45tr and ROS/Cx45 cell lines compared with ROS cells, while the level in RCx16 cells was reduced. ROS populated collagen lattices (PCLs) contracted significantly more at day 5 (177 mm2 to 67 mm2) than ROS/Cx45tr (84 mm2), ROS/Cx45 (108 mm2), or RCx16 (114 mm2). Myosin ATPase activity, which is required for lattice contraction, was equivalent in all four cell lines, indicating that it was not responsible for inhibiting PCL contraction. ROS cells in collagen appeared elongated compared with the other cell lines which were more rounded. These experiments suggest gap junctional communication contributes to PCL contraction by resident osteoblasts.
Magnetic Flux Leakage Sensing: Current Practices and Mathematical Analysis

In this paper, we analyze magnetic flux leakage (MFL) sensing for the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of ferromagnetic specimens. Understanding the processes involved in the creation of magnetic flux leakage fields and their measurement is critical to robotic inspection applications. In particular, robotic inspection of energy pipelines uses mobile robots to magnetize sections of the pipe and to measure the MFL signal to detect defects. We study current practices and motivate the need for improvements. To facilitate the analysis, we develop an analytical model to represent the 3-dimensional magnetic flux leakage field due to a surface-breaking defect in the specimen. The model is derived from first principles using the concept of dipole magnetic charge, and uses surface integrals to represent the MFL field as measured by a Hall-effect sensor. Simulations are performed which generate novel results, apart from reproducing experimental results from the literature. The mathematical tractability of the model is exploited to analyze its properties, such as scale–invariance, influence of lift-off, and the tangential MFL component. These properties give new insight into MFL sensing, interpretation, and defect characterization.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Applying series expansion to the inverse beta distribution to find percentiles of the F-distribution

Let 0 ≤ 1 and F be the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the F-Distribution. We wish to find xp such that F(xp|n1, n2) = p, where n1 and n2 are the degrees of freedom. Traditionally, xp is found using a numerical root-finding method, such as Newton's method. In this paper, a procedure based on a series expansion for finding xpis given. The series expansion method has been applied to the normal, chi-square, and t distributions, but because of computational difficulties, it has not been applied to the F-Distribution. These problems have been overcome by making the standard transformation to the beta distribution.The procedure is explained in Sections 3 and 4. Empirical results of a comparison of CPU times are given in Section 5. The series expansion is compared to some of the standard root-finding methods. A table is given for p = .90.
Acetylcholine blocks Ca++-induced closure of outward K+ currents in isolated patches of canine atrial myocyte sarcolemma☆

The patch clamp technique applied to canine atrial myocyte sarcolemma, showed that 2 types of K+ channels were differentially affected by Ach. The 2 channel types differed in conductance, responses to [Ca++], and sensitivity to membrane potential. Addition of Ach (10(-9) M to 10(-6) M) to pipette solutions increased outward K+ current through each channel type by a different mechanism. Atropine (10(-5) M) blocked all effects of Ach (10(-7) M). These results suggest that muscarinic receptors were linked to potassium channels without cytoplasmic intermediaries, since membrane patches were cell-free. These responses matched the time course and direction of the intact cell's response to Ach.
Plasma prolactin levels during conditioned avoidance behavior in rats

In these experiments, we examined the prolactin (PRL) response during the acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response (CAR). Rats were tested daily in a two-way shuttle box. They were presented with a light stimulation followed by an electric footshock. During each trial period, the rats were given the opportunity to escape the footshock by moving to a safe side of the box. Movement to the appropriate location after the warning signal (light) begins, but before the onset of the footshock, constitutes a CAR. Blood samples were collected from an indwelling cannula and analyzed by radioimmunoassay. PRL levels increased during early acquisition testing, when the rats had not learned to avoid the shock. After one week of testing, acquisition performance increased considerably (70% CARs) while PRL levels remained unchanged. Thus, we were able to show that as rats learned to modify their behavior in response to a stressful situation, they could also modify their PRL response to the stressor.
Velocity-encoded, phase-difference cine MRI measurements of coronary artery flow: dependence of flow accuracy on the number of cine frames.

Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) can be used to produce multiframe cine flow images of the coronary arteries. Accurate coronary flow measurement requires the elimination of respiratory motion artifacts using k-space segmentation to acquire the data in a single breath-hold. However, the duration of the breath-hold is proportional to the number of cine frames. In the present study, the number of cine frames was varied and the accuracies of the coronary flow measurements were assessed using perivascular US. For the range of flows studied (2 ml/min to 147 ml/min), the correlation coefficients for PC-MRI and US increased (.70–.98) and the limits of agreement improved (±45 ml · min−1 to ± 10 ml · min−1) as the number of cine frames increased from one to six. The results suggest that the accuracy of breath-hold cine PC-MRI measurements of coronary artery flow improves as the number of cine frames increases.
Serological and epidemiological studies of hepatitis B in haemodialysis units.

Abstract Further to clarify the epidemiology of dialysis-unit hepatitis, serological sampling for hepatitis-B antigen (HBAg) and antibody (HBAb) by radioimmunoassay was carried out in four haemodialysis units with no epidemic history of hepatitis. 34% of patients and 36% of staff were seropositive for HBAg, HBAb, or both. Family contacts of patients and staff showed no significantly greater infection prevalence (13%) than did any of the three control populations, but spouses of seropositive index cases (patients or staff) did seem to be at higher risk for secondary infection with type-B viral hepatitis. Although transfusion of blood products correlated with infection prevalence, other risk-factor analysis suggested the dialyser to be a potent factor in disease transmission.
Face system evaluation toolkit: Recognition is harder than it seems

Challenges for face recognition still exist in factors such as pose, blur and distance. Many current datasets containing mostly frontal images are regarded as being too easy. With obviously unsolved problems researchers are in need of datasets that test these remaining challenges. There are quite a few datasets in existence to study pose. Datasets to study blur and distance are almost non-existent. Datasets allowing for the study of these variables would prove to be useful to researchers in biometrie surveillance applications. However, until now there has been no effective way to create datasets that encompass these three variables in a controlled fashion. Toolsets exist for testing algorithms, but not systems. Designing and creating toolsets to produce a well controlled dataset or to test the full end-to-end recognition system is not trivial. While the use of real subjects may produce the most realistic dataset, it is not always a practical solution and it limits repeatability making the comparison of systems impractical. This paper attempts to address the dataset issue in two ways. The foremost is to introduce a new toolset that allows for the manipulation and capture of synthetic data. With this toolset researchers can not only generate their own datasets, they can do so in real environments to better approximate operational scenarios. Secondly, we provide challenge datasets generated from our validated framework as a first set of data for other researchers. These datasets allow for the study of blur, pose and distance. Overall, this work provides researchers with a new ability to evaluate entire face recognition systems from image acquisition to recognition scores.
Primary insular carcinoid of the ovary.

Background. Primary insular carcinoid tumor of the ovary is a rare tumor and accounts for fewer than 1% of all cases of carcinoid in the body. With the exception of a single reported case, all previously described functioning ovarian carcinoid tumors have measured at least 10 cm in diameter. Thus, there appears to be a good correlation between the size of the tumor and the presence of the carcinoid syndrome. Case report. We describe a case of a functioning primary insular carcinoid tumor of the ovary measuring just 6 cm in maximal diameter. Conclusion. Although primary ovarian carcinoid tumor is very rare, a high clinical index of suspicion must be maintained, especially in a patient presenting with carcinoid syndrome and a small adnexal mass.
Volterra functional analysis of nonlinear time-varying systems

Abstract This paper gives the Volterra functional analysis of nonlinear time-varying systems with deterministic and stochastic inputs. Representative classes of systems are studied, and illustrative examples are shown. A comparison of the Volterra Functional Method with the Transform Ensemble Method is given in the Appendix.
Quantitative analysis of 3'-hydroxynorcotinine in human urine.

Introduction Based on previous metabolism studies carried out in patas monkeys, we hypothesized that urinary 3'-hydroxynorcotinine could be a specific biomarker for uptake and metabolism of the carcinogen N'-nitrosonornicotine in people who use tobacco products. Methods We developed a method for quantitation of 3'-hydroxynorcotinine in human urine. [Pyrrolidinone-(13)C4]3'-hydroxynorcotinine was added to urine as an internal standard, the samples were treated with β-glucuronidase, partially purified by solid supported liquid extraction and quantified by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Results The method was accurate (average accuracy = 102%) and precise (coefficient of variation = 5.6%) in the range of measurement. 3'-Hydroxynorcotinine was detected in 48 urine samples from smokers (mean 393±287 pmol/ml urine) and 12 samples from individuals who had stopped smoking and were using the nicotine patch (mean 658±491 pmol/ml urine), but not in any of 10 samples from nonsmokers. Conclusions Since the amounts of 3'-hydroxynorcotinine found in smokers' urine were approximately 50 times greater than the anticipated daily dose of N'-nitrosonornicotine, we concluded that it is a metabolite of nicotine or one of its metabolites, comprising perhaps 1% of nicotine intake in smokers. Therefore, it would not be suitable as a specific biomarker for uptake and metabolism of N'-nitrosonornicotine. Since 3'-hydroxynorcotinine has never been previously reported as a constituent of human urine, further studies are required to determine its source and mode of formation.
Care of the dying newborn: perinatal hospice, research, and practice

Abstract Purpose: To inform providers of the state of the nation in the provision of neonatal palliative care. Methods: A practicing maternal–fetal medicine specialist will describe efforts to create a hospice setting for newborns. The primary investigator of the Internet-based national Delphi study to create a neonatal end-of-life palliative care protocol will review the methodology and outcomes of the protocol developed by neonatologists, obstetricians, maternal–fetal physicians, parents, nurses, ethicists, hospice specialists, social scientists, lawyers, policy makers, and others, using sequential questionnaires. Results: Research findings will include: 1) candidates for comfort care; 2) transfer to Level III versus local community hospital care; 3) best location for provision of comfort care—eg, NICU, postpartum ward, hospice, home; 4) essential components of an optimally supported neonatal dying process, including needs of parents and needs of staff; 5) step-by-step process for ventilator withdrawal, including protocol for managing the infant who does not expire as expected when life support is withdrawn; and 6) family and staff follow-up needs. Conclusions: Physicians have reported a need for clinical and ethical guidelines for the care of the neonate with a life-limiting condition. Nationally created guidelines are now available.