cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review Article: Osteolysis After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Osteolysis ranks as the most significant cause of revision surgery in both total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The factors leading to osteolysis in TKA are unique and sometimes preventable. Changes in polyethylene manufacturing and implant design are striving to improve overall wear. In this review, we discuss osteolysis as it relates to TKAs. The etiology, diagnosis, contributing factors, and management are presented. The final section focuses on future improvements in TKA design, which may ultimately decrease the rate of osteolysis.
Work and force in psychotherapy

This paper presents a deterministic model for the work done on both patient and therapist in a 5-dimensional, 2400 state system. The data are drawn from six psychotherapy consultation sessions, and the quantified dimensions were selected mainly on the basis of a conceptualization of empirical signs of unconscious communication. The concept of work used is drawn from the physics of motion which sees work as the integral of force along its path of action. The definition of force is Newtonian (F = m a). The present model, verified by regression analysis (p @? 10^-^5), posits that the work done by the force derived from the patient/therapist interaction in changing patient and therapist states is a linear function of time. Hence, the force is non-conservative because approximately one half of all states are revisited and positive work is done in returning the patient or therapist to a prior state. Thus, the work done in moving the patient or therapist from an initial to a final state depends upon the path chosen from initial to final state. An application of Stokes' Theorem confirms that the force tends to return both patient and therapist to prior states in 5-dimensional space, and shows that the force also constrains the motion of the ''information particle'' under study to an ellipsoidal shell whose center coordinates are in a lower region of a 5-dimensional cube. This region corresponds to low level of unconscious expression. The motion constrained by this geometry appears to reflect general and individual communicative styles or preferences. The present findings also support prior results on the nature of informational entropy. The implications of these findings for the nature of the therapeutic process are discussed.
The role of iron in the immune response to bacterial infection

My laboratory has been interested for some time in the influence of iron, a nutrient that is essential for both microbial pathogens and their mammalian hosts, on the course of infectious disease. Our studies indicate that alterations in the expression of host molecules that sequester or transport iron can have direct effects on pathogen growth and can also have an impact on the ability to mount normal immune responses. We have elucidated the mechanistic basis for some of these observations, and have started to apply our findings in strategies to control abnormalities of inflammation and iron metabolism. I will review here what we have learned about the interactions between iron and immunity and discuss the implications of the information that we have acquired.
Trisomy 21 and the pediatric surgeon.

Purpose of review Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) is a common condition encountered by the pediatric surgeon. The surgical anomalies associated with Down syndrome now have treatment options that were previously considered futile. An effective surgical team approach to these children involves knowledge of the unique pathophysiology of trisomy 21 and an appreciation for the desires of the family and the needs of the child. Recent findings Surgical techniques benefit children with Down syndrome equally as typical children. Pessimism regarding the outcome of surgical treatment of colorectal anomalies is fading, with evidence of nearly equivalent outcomes. Several autoimmune disorders impact children with Down syndrome. Idiosyncratic susceptibility to infections and malignancy is noted. Unique anesthetic complications and aerodigestive tract disorders have been identified. Many anomalies have surgical options that enhance the quality of life. Summary There is optimism in the surgical treatment of children with Down syndrome. Improved operations, better anesthetic management and recognition of problems specific to the child with trisomy 21 make it safer and ethical to offer surgical solutions. Societal acceptance and mainstream participation are on the rise. The astute, compassionate pediatric surgeon does much to enhance the quality of life of these children and of the families who love them.
Prediction of High Pile Rebound with Fines Content and Uncorrected Blow Counts from Standard Penetration Test

High-displacement piles have rebounded significantly while undergoing an extremely small permanent set per hammer blow in certain soils. This phenomenon, called high pile rebound (HPR), has occurred in many areas of North America. The Florida Department of Transportation identified HPR at six sites in Florida during the process of driving square, precast, prestressed concrete piles into saturated, fine silty-to-clayey sand and sandy-clay soils. Data on pile driving analyzer deflection versus time were used to develop strong correlations between fines content, uncorrected standard penetration test blow counts (NSPT), pile displacements, and rebound. The correlations developed in this study allow the geotechnical engineer to predict whether HPR will occur at a proposed site at which high-displacement piles are planned for driving by a single-acting diesel hammer. A design equation relating pile rebound to NSPT and fines content was developed. The correlations showed that permanent set and rebound were a dir...
Genetic and Functional Diversification of Small RNA Pathways in Plants

Multicellular eukaryotes produce small RNA molecules (approximately 21–24 nucleotides) of two general types, microRNA (miRNA) and short interfering RNA (siRNA). They collectively function as sequence-specific guides to silence or regulate genes, transposons, and viruses and to modify chromatin and genome structure. Formation or activity of small RNAs requires factors belonging to gene families that encode DICER (or DICER-LIKE [DCL]) and ARGONAUTE proteins and, in the case of some siRNAs, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) proteins. Unlike many animals, plants encode multiple DCL and RDR proteins. Using a series of insertion mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, unique functions for three DCL proteins in miRNA (DCL1), endogenous siRNA (DCL3), and viral siRNA (DCL2) biogenesis were identified. One RDR protein (RDR2) was required for all endogenous siRNAs analyzed. The loss of endogenous siRNA in dcl3 and rdr2 mutants was associated with loss of heterochromatic marks and increased transcript accumulation at some loci. Defects in siRNA-generation activity in response to turnip crinkle virus in dcl2 mutant plants correlated with increased virus susceptibility. We conclude that proliferation and diversification of DCL and RDR genes during evolution of plants contributed to specialization of small RNA-directed pathways for development, chromatin structure, and defense.
The active site of Serratia endonuclease contains a conserved magnesium-water cluster

Serratia endonuclease is an important member of a class of magnesium dependent nucleases that are widely distributed in nature. Here, we describe the location and geometry of a magnesium-water cluster within the active site of this enzyme. The sole protein ligand of the magnesium atom is Asn119; this metal ion is also associated with five water molecules to complete an octahedral coordination complex. These water molecules are very well ordered and there is no evidence of rotational disorder or motion. Glu127 and His89 are located nearby and each is hydrogen bonded to water molecules in the coordination sphere. Asp86 is not chelated to the magnesium or its surrounding water molecules. Results of kinetics and site-specific mutagenesis experiments suggest that this metal-water cluster contains the catalytic metal ion of this enzyme. All residues which hydrogen bond to the water molecules that coordinate the magnesium atom are conserved in nucleases homologous to Serratia endonuclease, suggesting that the water cluster is a conserved feature of this family of enzymes. We offer a detailed structural comparison to one other nuclease, the homing endonuclease I-PpoI, that has recently been shown, in spite of a lack of sequence homology, to share a similar active site geometry to Serratia endonuclease. Evidence from both of these structures suggests that the magnesium of Serratia nuclease participates in catalysis via an inner sphere mechanism.
The children's firesetting interview with psychiatrically referred and nonreferred children

This study evaluated the Children's Firesetting Interview (CFI). The measure was developed to operationalize multiple domains of functioning derived from a risk-factor model of firesetting. The model poses that child, parent, and family characteristics promote firesetting and continuation of a pattern of firesetting. Major factors include curiosity about fire, involvement in and exposure to fire-related activities, and knowledge about first safety The CFI, consisting of 46 questions reflecting six a priori dimensions, was administered to 519 children (ages 6-13) recruited from nonpatient, outpatient, and inpatient samples. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the measure were satisfactory. Criterion validity was supported by the findings that firesetters showed greater curiosity about fire, involvement in fire-related activities, exposure to models/materials, and knowledge about things that burn than did nonfiresetters. These findings did not vary as a function of the child's patient status or level of antisocial behavior. Implications for the evaluation of firesetting risk are discussed.
Sources of individual differences in working memory: contributions of strategy to capacity.

Some research on attentional control in working memory has emphasized theoretical capacity differences. However, strategic behavior, which has been relatively unexplored, can also influence attentional control and its relationship to cognitive performance. In two experiments, we examined the relationship between attentional control (measured with operation span) and interference in a part-list cuing paradigm. Paradoxically, the results indicated that superior attentional control was related to increased interference. This relationship reflected the participants’ use of more complex encoding strategies, rather than superior interference control at retrieval, and was eliminated following brief encoding strategy training. The results suggest that complex span measures sometimes predict individual differences in task strategies related to interference control and that these strategies may be amenable to training. The implications for working memory research and the roles of strategies in basic memory and attention paradigms are briefly discussed.
Controlling hair follicle signaling pathways through polyubiquitination.

Hair follicle development and maintenance require precise reciprocal signaling interactions between the epithelium and underlying dermis. Three major developmental signaling pathways, Wnt, Sonic hedgehog, and NF-κB/Edar, are indispensable for this process and, when aberrantly activated, can lead to skin and appendage neoplasms. Recent data point to protein polyubiquitination as playing a central role in regulating the timing, duration, and location of signaling. Here we review how polyubiquitination regulates the stability and interaction of key signaling components that control hair follicle development and regeneration.
Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry of Phosphorylation Induced Changes in Smooth Muscle Myosin

Inter-molecular interactions between two smooth muscle myosin heads have been observed using chemical cross linking and visualized by electron microscopy. In order to probe the nature of the phosphorylation-dependent head-head interactions, we performed Hydrogen-Deuterium exchange electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) on phosphorylated and unphosphorylated smooth muscle heavy mero myosin (HMM) from chicken gizzard. HDX rates are determined by solvent accesibility and the strength of hydrogen bonding and thus are a good fingerprint of intra- and intermolecular structural changes. The observed decrease in deuterium uptake upon phosphorylation in the coiled-coil and the hinge region of the heavy chain (residues 864-877), is consistent with the unraveling of the myosin dimer at the hinge. Unexpectedly, we have observed phosphorylation dependent changes in the regulatory light chain (RLC 58-69), which are not implicated in the RLC-RLC or RLC-heavy chain interface. No changes were observed for N-terminal region of RLC that was postulated to undergo major secondary structure changes, or in the heavy chain actin binding site (residues 397-437), or any of the residues that form the head-head interface in the EM model of Wendt & Taylor. This latter finding indicates that the interaction between the heads is probably transient in solution, or in the unlikely case, interacting heads constitute a very small fraction of total protein.
Modification of whey protein concentrate hydrophobicity by high hydrostatic pressure

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments on hydrophobicity of whey protein concentrate (WPC). An increase in binding affinity or decrease in apparent dissociation constant indicates increased hydrophobicity, which is positively correlated with functional properties. The effects of HHP treatment (600 MPa, 50 °C, 0 to 30 min) on intrinsic fluorescence of WPC and the binding properties of WPC for aromatic 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) and aliphatic cis-parinaric acid (CPA) probes were studied. HHP treatment of WPC resulted in an increase in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence intensity and a 4 nm red shift after 30 min of treatment, which indicated changes in the polarity of tryptophan residues microenvironment of whey proteins from a less polar to a more polar environment. There was an increase in the number of binding sites of WPC for ANS from 0.16 to 1.10 per molecule of protein after HHP treatment for 30 min. No significant changes in the apparent dissociation constant of WPC for ANS were observed after HHP treatment, except for an increase from 1.8 × 10−5 M to 3.3 × 10−5 M after 30 min of HHP treatment. There were no significant changes in the number of binding sites of WPC for CPA. However, increased binding affinities of WPC for CPA were observed after the come-up time or 10 min of HHP treatment, with a decrease of apparent dissociation constant from 2.2 × 10−7 M to 1.1 × 10−7 M. The binding sites of WPC may become more accessible to the aliphatic hydrophobic probe CPA after the come-up time or 10 min of HHP treatment. These results indicate that HHP treatment of WPC yields increases in the number of binding sites for an aromatic hydrophobic probe, while aliphatic hydrophobic binding affinity of WPC is enhanced after come-up time or 10 min of HHP treatment. Industrial Relevance Text The functionality of protein molecules depends on hydrophobic, electrostatic, and steric parameters of the protein structure. Modifications of proteins that enhance hydrophobicity show promise for improving functional properties of foods. An increase in binding affinity or decrease in apparent dissociation constant indicates increased hydrophobicity. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) affects the hydrophobicity of beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG), the primary protein in whey, and increases the binding affinity of β-LG for 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate and cis-parinaric acid. However, little work has been done regarding the effects of HHP on whey protein concentrate (WPC) hydrophobicity and flavor-binding properties, and whether the presence of multiple proteins in WPC has significant influence on the behavior of whey proteins during HHP treatments. WPC is a good candidate for testing the practical utility of the application of HHP to modify the functional properties of a complex protein system since it is in the form that the ingredient is utilized in a number of food applications. The current work describes the effects of HHP on hydrophobicity of WPC and potential applications.
Leadership in Health Care, Research, and Quality Improvement for Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Autism Treatment Network and Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health

* Abbreviations: AIR-P — : Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health ASD — : autism spectrum disorder ATN — : Autism Treatment Network FAC — : Family Advisory Committee GI — : gastrointestinal HRSA — : Health Resources and Services Administration NICHQ — : National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly prevalent, lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders affecting social, communicative, and behavioral functioning. Recent studies estimate the prevalence of ASDs as 1 in 88,1,2 indicating the public health importance of the disorders and making the development of effective care and treatment of ASD an urgent priority. Among the health care concerns for children and youth with ASD is a major need to strengthen awareness and treatment of associated medical conditions with standardized, comprehensive approaches to evaluation, treatment, and monitoring. Many individuals with ASD have symptoms associated with underlying medical conditions, including seizures, sleep problems, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, psychiatric conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic conditions; when left untreated, these conditions may not only compromise general health but also have clear effects on behavior, development, and educational outcomes for individuals with ASD. The problems that many children with ASD have with communication make the diagnosis and monitoring of medical conditions more challenging. Furthermore, the underlying biology of ASD may change the manifestations of various medical conditions and their response to treatment. Thus, special attention to these conditions is crucial for improving the quality of life for individuals with ASD. Children and adolescents with ASD encounter difficulties obtaining appropriate and necessary health care services. They have decreased access to medical specialists,3–5 coupled with increased medical expenditures and unmet needs, compared with other children with special health care needs and typically developing children.6,7 Autism Speaks and its predecessor, Cure Autism Now, have recognized the significant unmet medical needs among children and adolescents with ASD as well as the many gaps in knowledge among providers regarding the general health care challenges of individuals with ASD. Parents shared their frustrations and all too familiar tales of having to travel far distances … Address correspondence to James M. Perrin, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, 100 Cambridge St #1542, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail: jperrin{at}partners.org
The Morphogenesis of the Follicles in the Human Thyroid Gland

University of Minnesota Masters thesis. 1916. Advisor: C. M. Jackson. 1 computer file (PDF); 59 pages.
Neutrophils and mast cells: nedocromil sodium inhibits the generation of neutrophil-derived histamine-releasing activity (HRA-N).

Abstract The effect of nedocromil sodium on the generation of neutrophil-derived histamine-releasing activity (HRA-N) from human peripheral blood neutrophils and on the secretory effects of HRA-N and anti-IgE on rat basophil leukemia (RBL) cells was studied. Nedocromil sodium caused dose-related inhibition of HRA-N generation by human neutrophils (10 −7 to 10 −4 mol/L; inhibitory concentration of 50%, 1.5 × 10 −8 mol/L). In contrast, the presence of nedocromil sodium had no effect on HRA-N-mediated serotonin release from RBL cells. In five experiments, with one crude and four partially purified HRA-N preparations, serotonin release from RBL cells exposed to native HRA-N or HRA-N in the presence of nedocromil sodium (10 −4 mol/L) was 28% ± 6% and 26% ± 5%, respectively. Similar results were found with all concentrations of nedocromil sodium studied. Preincubation of RBL cells with nedocromil sodium (10 −4 mol/ L) for 0 to 60 minutes also did not affect HRA-N-mediated serotonin release. Likewise, nedocromil sodium (10 −7 to 10 −4 mol/L) had no effect on anti-IgE-induced serotonin release from RBL cells. In 10 experiments, anti-IgE alone or in the presence of nedocromil sodium (10 −4 mol/L) induced 32% ± 6% and 32% ± 5% serotonin release, respectively. Preincubation of RBL cells with nedocromil sodium before anti-IgE exposure had no further effect. This is the first study of pharmacologic manipulation of the generation of a histamine-releasing factor. It is hypothesized that one possible mechanism whereby nedocromil sodium protects against asthma and allergic rhinitis is through inhibition of HRA-N generation.
Equivalent weight of humic acid from peat

Abstract By means of discontinuous titration, the equivalent weight of humic acid isolated from a peat was found to increase from 144 to 183 between the third and fifty-second day after the humic acid was dissolved. Infra-red studies showed that the material had probably condensed with loss of carbonyl groups.
On decentralized linear stochastic control problems with quadratic cost

A decentralized stochastic optimal control problem is considered where agents have different a priori information on the system initial state. Agents are assumed to exchange their control values but not their state vector observation values. It is shown that this leads to a suboptimal control law, with correction terms being added to the well-known optimal proportional feedback control signal obtainable under the information centralization assumption of linear dynamics with quadratic cost, when person-by-person satisfactory team decisions are considered.
Duct-flow versus external-flow natural convection at a short, wall-attached horizontal cylinder

Abstract Natural convection heat transfer coefficients were measured at a short horizontal cylinder affixed to an equi-temperature vertical plate for the condition that the plate and thecylinder form one wall of a vertical duct. The duct was open to the ambient at the top and bottom and, aside from the plate and cylinder, its other walls were not directly heated. It was found that substantially higher cylinder heat transfer coefficients could be attained in the duct-flow mode than in the external-flow mode (i.e. where the plate and cylinder face a large open space). Duct-flow-related enhancements of up to 60% were measured. The enhancement is maximized when the duct is as narrow as possible and when the cylinder is positioned near the lower end of the plate. The radiation surface properties of the unheated walls of theduct also affect the degree of enhancement, with black surfaces bringing about greater enhancement by virtue of their higher buoyancy-creating temperature.
Single‐parent college students' attributions toward academic success

This study investigated female single-parent college students' own attributions of academic success. A sample of 28 single-parent students participated in the study. Results indicated that single-parent students who are more successful make different causal attributions in regard to their GPA than do those who are less successful.
Photothermal and photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract Photothermal and photoacoustic spectroscopy rely on the detection of thermal or acoustic waves generated by the absorption of optical radiation and subsequent radiationless deexcitation. The principles of these spectroscopic techniques as well as most recent experimental developments are discussed. The potential and the limitations of these techniques are highlighted with typical applications.
Interrelation and dynamic activity of visceral muscle and nerve cells from insect embryos in long-term cultures

Multiple segments of esophagus dissected out from 16-day cockroach embryos were cultured in vitro in a chemically defined medium in the presence of dissociated nerve cells from the same donors. A first migratory wave of cells took place from the explants between the first and fourth week of culture. The morphological characteristics of these cells suggest that they originate from tracheolar cells. Between the second and fifth month of culture, a second migratory wave of a different cell type replaces the first wave of short-living cells. These cells migrate out only after nerve fibers from the ingluvial ganglion have branched into the medium. They form long cellular ribbons and exhibit spontaneous contractility. The characteristics of the contractile cycles were examined at the inverted microscope, with Nomarski optics, and in time-lapse cinematography. The cells were identified as myocytes and their origin traced to the longitudinal and circular muscle layer of the explants. The contratile cell ribbons establish firm contact with nerve fibers from the ingluvial ganglion, which in turn exhibit a vibratory motion identical to that of the cells. The most plausible interpretation is that nerve fibers are pushed and pulled by contractile myocytes. The results of these in vitro experiments show a strong affinity of myocytes for nerve fibers and bring to light a new aspect of the relationship between these cells and the visceral fibers which provide for their innervation.
The evaluation of tempered martensite embrittlement in 4130 steel by instrumented charpy V-notch testing

Tempered martensite embrittlement (TME) was studied in vacuum-melted 4130 steel with either 0.002 or 0.02 wt pct P. TME was observed as a severe decrease in Charpy V-notch impact energy, from 46 ft-lb. at 200 °C to 35 ft-lb. at 300 °C in the low P alloy. The impact energy of the high P alloy was consistently lower than that of the low P alloy in all tempered conditions. Fracture was transgranular for all specimens; therefore, segregation of P to the prior austenitic grain boundaries was not a factor in the occurrence of TME. Analysis of load-time curves obtained by instrumented Charpy testing revealed that the embrittlement is associated with a drop in the pre-maximum-load and post-unstable-fracture energies. In specimens tempered at 400 °C the deleterious effect of phosphorus on impact energy became pronounced, a result more consistent with classical temper embrittlement rather than TME. A constant decrease in pre-maximum-load energy due to phosphorus content was observed. The pre-maximum-load energy decreases with increasing tempering temperature in the range of 200 °C to 400 °C, a result explained by the change in work hardening rate. Carbon extraction replicas of polished and etched as-quenched specimens revealed the presence of Fe2MoC and/or Fe3C carbides retained after austenitizing. Ductile crack extension close to the notch root was related to the formation of fine microvoids at the retained carbides.
Inspection of computer-supported toxicological data submitted to the FDA.

The FDA's Good Laboratory Practices Regulations (GLP) have been formally amended (once) and two formal advisory opinions have been issued. The FDA is now in the process of reviewing the GLPs to comply with both the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and Executive Order 12291 of 1981. Inspections since 1979 have revealed compliance progress; however, certain areas of the GLPs have been a problem — the definition of “raw data,” the documentation process for the maintenance of “raw data,” standard operating procedures, and study protocols. The increasing use of computers for supporting toxicology/pathology studies raises several questions concerning the impact of the GLPs on computerized data collection/reporting. This paper will address the above questions and discuss systems, procedures, interpretations, and some unresolved problems, as well as provide practical approaches for internal review of computer-supported nonclinical laboratory studies.
Differential pulsatile secretagogue control of GH secretion in healthy men

Pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion putatively reflects integrated regulation by GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), somatostatin (SST), and GH-releasing peptide (GHRP). GHRH and SST secretion is itse...
Functional assessment, collaboration, and evidence-based treatment: Analysis of a team approach for addressing challenging behaviors in young children

This study examined the effects of functional assessment and positive behavior support on classroom behaviors of young children. An experimental program, entitled FACET, was implemented by school-based teams in pre-kindergarten through first-grade classrooms. Observations of child behaviors and classroom variables were compared between experimental and control classrooms. Results indicate that children in FACETclassrooms made significant gains from baseline to post-intervention and exhibited a higher occurrence of positive behaviors and fewer negative behaviors compared to control children. Behavior gains were positively correlated with the level of treatment fidelity. These findings support the effectiveness of an intervention that incorporates functional assessment, collaboration, and evidence-based treatment with young children who exhibit challenging behaviors. D 2006 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Slaves Who Defeated Napoléon: Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian War of Independence, 1801–1804. By Philippe R. Girard. (Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press, 2011. Pp. 444. $45.00.)

This study is a significant contribution to the rapidly growing literature on the Haitian Revolution, but, like Timothy Snyder's Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin [2010], it is also an e...
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FOURIER SERIES IN OPTIMAL DESIGN FOR TRANSIENT RESPONSE

This paper attempts to assess the effectiveness of the method of truncated Fourier series in problems of structural optimization. That is done by studying the transient vibrations for a shear beam subjected to a uniform load which is applied as a step function in time. First, second, and third order solutions are constructed; their performance is compared to “exact” solutions obtained by numerical integration.
Tunable face-centered-cubic photonic crystal formed in holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals

We report on the fabrication and electro-optic measurements of face-centered-cubic (fcc) lattices in holographic polymer dispersed liquid-crystal materials. Four linearly polarized coherent plane waves were interfered to generate a fcc optical lattice that was subsequently and indefinitely recorded as an arrayed pattern of nanometer-sized liquid-crystal droplets ∼50 nm at lattice nodes within a polymer matrix. Observed transmission spectra and Kossel diffraction curves are consistent with fcc crystal structure. A completely reversible 2% wavelength shift of the ±1 1 1 stop band was observed on application of an electric field.
Decrease in force potentiation and appearance of α-adrenergic mediated contracture in aging rat skeletal muscle

The effect of increasing age on contractile performance and catecholamine receptor activity was investigated in a distal, predominantly fast twitch oxidative glycolytic (FOG) muscle from the plantar surface of the rat hindfoot. The ability of the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), isolated from anesthetized rats and maintained in vitro, to undergo post-tetanic potentiation and a staircase response declined with age. Potentiation following repetitive stimulation was reduced by 50% in 2 year old rats and eliminated in 3 year old animals. The rate of muscle fatigue during intermittent tetanic stimulation also increased in aging muscles. FDB, regardless of age, did not develop a positive inotropic response to 10−6 M epinephrine applied in vitro, but 3 year old FDB generated a prolonged contracture. Contracture tension was approximately 25% of twitch tension and was maintained for 2–10 min in the continued presence of catecholamine. Contractures were eliminated by pretreatment with α-adrenergic antagonists or by removing Ca2+ from the bathing medium. In addition to decreased contractile capacity, aging muscles acquire a population of α-adrenergic receptors which may underlie some of the metabolic and structural changes associated with increasing age.
Nonuniform energy level broadening in open quantum dots: the influence of the closed dot eigenstates on transport

Abstract We present simulations of a realistically modeled quantum dot with soft boundaries and open leads supporting several modes. The wavefunctions of this open dot can be decomposed in terms of the eigenstates of a corresponding closed dot my means of projection. At particular resonances, this decomposition reveals that transport in the open dot can be mediated through a single eigenstate. Thus, the quantization of closed-dot energy levels can be preserved even as the dot is opened, but we find that there is a selection of particular eigenstates that depends strongly on the positions and nature of the contacts.
A New Finite Element Approach to Biaxial Fatigue Life Prediction in Gas Turbine Engine

High cycle fatigue is the most common cause of failure in gas turbine engines. Different design tools have been developed to predict number of cycles to failure for a component subjected to fatigue loads. An energy-based fatigue life prediction framework was previously developed in recent research for prediction of axial and bending fatigue life at various stress ratios. The framework for the prediction of fatigue life via energy analysis was based on a new constitutive law, which states the following: the amount of energy required to fracture a material is constant. A finite element approach for uniaxial and bending fatigue was developed by authors based on this constitutive law. In this study, the energy expressions that construct the new constitutive law are integrated into minimum potential energy formulation to develop a new QUAD-4 finite element for fatigue life prediction. The newly developed QUAD-4 element is further modified to obtain a plate element. The Plate element can be used to model plates subjected to biaxial fatigue including bending loads. The new QUAD-4 element is benchmarked with previously developed uniaxial tension/compression finite element. The comparison of Finite element method (FEM) results to existing experimental fatigue data, verifies the new finite element development for fatigue life prediction. The final output of this finite element analysis is in the form of number of cycles to failure for each element in ascending or descending order. Therefore, the new finite element framework can predict the number of cycles to failure at each location in gas turbine engine structural components. The new finite element provides a very useful tool for fatigue life prediction in gas turbine engine components. The performance of the fatigue finite element is demonstrated by the fatigue life predictions from Al6061-T6 aluminum and Ti-6Al-4V. Results are compared with experimental results and analytical predictions.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Combined intravenous and intraarterial thrombolytic therapy for treatment of an acute ischemic stroke: a case report.

Acute cerebral ischemia resulting from the occlusion of a large or medium size intracranial artery is a known complication of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (AAS). Usually these patients are treated by low dose aspirin and anticoagulants to prevent a stroke. We are reporting a case of acute stroke in a patient with AAS in whom combined intravenous and intraarterial thrombolytics were used emergently with an excellent outcome. A 32-year-old woman presented with a left hemispheric stroke of 2.5 hours duration. A computed tomography (CT) study of the brain was normal. The patient was treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator but remained aphasic and hemiplegic. Subsequently, the patient had a stable xenon CT cerebral blood flow study demonstrating low flow in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory and an angiogram, which demonstrated occlusion of the left MCA. The patient was then treated with intraarterial urokinase with a rapid and marked improvement in her neurological deficit. The case suggests that stroke patients can be treated safely and effectively with combined thrombolytics
Submicron-grained transparent yttria composites

New materials with improved mechanical properties and high optical transmission in the full 3-5 micron MWIR region wavelength are required. Commercially available polycrystalline transparent Yttria, with >100 micron average grain size, does not perform satisfactorily in demanding applications because of its modest strength. One way to improve strength is to develop an ultra-fine grained material with acceptable optical transmission properties. To realize fine grains it is necessary to use other phases to inhibit grain growth during fabrication. A promising processing method comprises: (a) synthesis of an extended metastable solid solution by plasma melting and quenching, and (b) consolidation of the metastable ceramic powder to form dense submicron-grained (<1 micron) composites. Two ceramic composites containing 20 and 50 vol% of second phase are evaluated in this study. Optical transmission, hardness, and indentation fracture toughness are measured and correlated with structure.
Directional motility induced by epidermal growth factor requires Cdc42.

Abstract Cell motility is actuated by a host of intracellular signaling cascades that result in movement of the cell in one direction, even without an external gradient. Phospholipase C-γ (PLCγ) has been shown to be important for growth factor-induced lamellipodial protrusion at the front of the cell while Cdc42 has been implicated in both filopodium formation at the leading edge and control of polarity of migrating cells. We asked whether these asymmetries in effector molecules may be linked. When we overexpressed either constitutively active, dominant negative, or GFP-tagged Cdc42, wild-type NR6 fibroblasts lost directionality, as expected. On epidermal growth factor (EGF) exposure these cells produced multiple, transient protrusions in every direction; these extensions failed to result in productive motility. GFP-tagged Cdc42 appeared transiently at edges of newly formed protrusions in EGF-stimulated cells while they moved haphazardly. While PLCγ is distributed throughout the cell, the ratio of active, tyrosyl-phosphorylated PLCγ was increased at the leading edge, where phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) hydrolysis is concentrated. This co-localization of activities may be due to Cdc42 directing PLCγ to the cell front, as PLCγ associated with Cdc42 in an EGF-dependent manner. We conclude that Cdc42 controls cell polarity, likely in part, through its binding to active PLCγ.
An adjunctive method of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the tongue for OSAS

Abstract Objectives Temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric reduction (TCRF), a minimally invasive procedure, has been used to treat tongue base obstruction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). An adjunctive method was objectively evaluated. Method A prospective, nonrandomized clinical study was undertaken on 20 consecutive OSAS patients with isolated tongue base obstruction. Under local anesthesia, multiple lesions of the ventral tongue (genioglossus insertion) and dorsal tongue were given at each treatment session. A visual analog scale was used to assess changes in speech and swallowing. Polysomnography and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to assess outcome. Patients were maintained on nasal continuous positive airway pressure after each treatment. Results Patients received a mean 4.6 ± 0.6 treatments for a mean total of 7915 ± 1152 joules. There was no significant change in speech or swallowing at 3 months after completion of treatment. Patients reported a significant decrease in sleepiness with a mean change in ESS from 12.4 ± 2.9 to 7.3 ± 3.0 ( P P Conclusion TCRF can successfully treat the OSAS patient with tongue base obstruction. Combined treatment of the ventral (genioglossus insertion) and dorsal tongue appears safe and may improve outcome with less total energy when compared with traditional dorsal-only applications.
Subacute and chronic toxicities of ascorbyl palmitates.

SummaryWhen l-ascorbyl palmitate and d-isoascorbyl palmitate were fed subacutely for 9 months in concentrations of 2% and 5% of the diet, only the 5% levels were toxic. The growth rates of rats on the 5% levels were significantly retarded and bladder stones were produced in 2 animals on the 5% 1-ascorbyl palmitate. d-Isoascorbie acid in a concentration of 1% of the diet had no deleterious effect. Chronic toxicity studies for 2 years indicate that 1-ascorbyl and d-isoascorbyl palmitate are not toxic in concentrations of 0.25% (2500 p.p.m.), or less, of the total diet of rats. Heat-treating fresh lard containing the palmitates before adding it to the diet had no effect on toxicity.
A reactive nitrogen budget for Lake Michigan

Abstract The reactive (fixed) nitrogen (Nr) budget for Lake Michigan was estimated, making use of recent estimates of watershed and atmospheric nitrogen loads. Reactive N is considered to include nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and organic N. The updated Nr load to Lake Michigan was approximately double the previous estimate from the Lake Michigan Mass Balance study for two reasons: 1) recent estimates of watershed loads were greater than previous estimates and 2) estimated atmospheric dry deposition and deposition of organic N were included in our budget. Atmospheric and watershed Nr loads were nearly equal. The estimated loss due to denitrification at the sediment surface was at least equal to, and possibly much greater than, the combined loss due to outflow and net sediment accumulation. Within the considerable uncertainty of the denitrification estimate, the budget was nearly balanced, which was consistent with the slow rate of accumulation of nitrate in Lake Michigan (~ 1%/yr). The updated loads were used to force the LM3-PP biogeochemical water quality model. Simulated water column concentrations of nitrate and organic nitrogen in the calibrated model were consistent with available observational data when denitrification was included at the sediment surface at a rate that is consistent with literature values. The model simulation confirmed that the estimated denitrification rate does not exceed the availability of settling organic N mass. Simulated increase (decrease) in nitrate concentration was sensitive to model parameters controlling supply of sediment organic N, highlighting the importance of internal processes, not only loads, in controlling accumulation of N.
The role of accounting in the death penalty debate

Accounting plays a role in the death penalty debate. Accounting studies have compared the cost of capital punishment with the cost of life imprisonment. The studies have all shown that it is cheaper to lock convicted murderers up than it is to employ capital punishment. A survey was conducted for this paper to determine the attitudes of senior level and graduate accounting majors regarding capital punishment. Participants were asked, yes or no, whether they favoured capital punishment. Then they were given information about the accounting studies that point to the greater costs associated with the death penalty. The purpose was to determine if accounting applications and dollar cost, factors in classical, rational and economic choice structure, had an influence on those with an academic investment in the accounting profession. The data collected show that accounting students were statistically consistent with the population in general in favour of the death penalty.
Eligibility of Alzheimer's disease clinic patients for clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the percentage of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a general clinic population who would be provisionally eligible for randomized clinical trials and the extent to which these patients represent the overall clinic-based population. BACKGROUND: Many randomized clinical trials have restricted enrollment criteria that may limit generalizability, i.e., AD patients who fulfill selection criteria for phase III clinical trials may not be representative of other AD patients in clinical settings. DESIGN AND SETTING: Patients diagnosed as probable or possible AD from the nine clinical sites of the State of California's Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (ADDTC) were selected on the basis of their provisionally fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria of two typical AD clinical trials at the time of their first visit (ECG and brain imaging criteria were not available). RESULTS: From a sample of 3470 subjects with possible or probable AD, overall, only 4.4% or 7.9% would have been provisionally eligible for each of two trials. Patients provisionally eligible were younger, relatively underrepresented by women, better educated, wealthier, and more likely to be white than ineligible patients. The major independent demographic predictors for eligibility were (1) income greater than $15,000 per year, (2) male gender, and (3) college education. More than 60% of probable AD patients were excluded because of significant behavioral problems; approximately one-quarter each were excluded because of significant medical or neurological problems. Allowing patients with probable or possible AD to enroll would have resulted in 10.6% being eligible. CONCLUSION: Selection criteria for AD clinical trials result in a demographically and clinically constrained subgroup that is not representative of the overall clinic population. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:923–928, 1997.
Sleep deprivation suppresses aggression in Drosophila

We know from personal experience that sleepless nights can change the way we behave, sometimes making us more irritable and less adept at social interactions. However, it can be difficult to establish cause and effect: does a lack of sleep lead to altered behavior, or vice versa? The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a popular model organism for studying questions like this because its neural circuitry is relatively well understood. To explore the effects of lack of sleep on social behaviors, and in particular on aggression, Kayser et al. disrupted the sleep of male fruit flies using various techniques, such as shaking them during the night, and then observed how they behaved. The experiments revealed that sleep-deprived flies were less aggressive than flies with undisturbed sleep. Furthermore, sleep-deprived male flies were less successful at mating with female flies when they were in direct competition with a rested male fly. Normal behavior was restored when the sleep-deprived flies were allowed to recover lost sleep for as little as six hours before the next aggression assay. To investigate how sleep loss leads to a decrease in aggressive behavior, Kayser et al. used different drugs to treat the sleep-deprived flies. A drug activating the equivalent of the noradrenergic system in flies helped them to recover normal fighting behaviors despite a lack of sleep. In mammals, noradrenaline is a chemical that affects heart rate, sleep-wake patterns, aggression and a number of other phenomena. Although aggressive behavior is often perceived as negative in humans, it can be important for survival. Human brains and behaviors are obviously more complex than those of Drosophila. However, learning more about the neuronal circuits that control sleep and social behavior in fruit flies may lead to an improved understanding of these phenomena in humans and, in the longer term, the development of drugs that can influence or modulate aggressive behaviors.