cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ferumoxytol Infusion in Pediatric Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders: First Case Series

OBJECTIVE To report our preliminary experience using ferumoxytol as intravenous iron therapy for treating iron deficiency anemia in 6 pediatric patients with underlying gastrointestinal disease. CASE SUMMARY Between October 2010 and February 2011, 6 patients aged 6 months to 16 years who had malabsorption and/or ongoing gastrointestinal blood loss were given ferumoxytol infusions at a dose of 5.8-12 mg elemental iron/kg over 15-60 minutes, followed by 1 hour of observation to monitor for adverse effects. DISCUSSION Thirteen separate ferumoxytol administrations were given to 6 pediatric patients with various gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and short bowel syndrome, and/or chronic parenteral nutrition dependence. Twelve of 13 infusions were well tolerated at 5.8-12 mg elemental iron/kg/dose. No patient experienced adverse events that required clinical intervention. One patient developed mild pruritus that resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS Ferumoxytol doses of up to 12 mg elemental iron/kg administered over 15-60 minutes seem to be well tolerated in pediatric patients. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine the incidence and severity of adverse effects associated with ferumoxytol, both during administration and immediately after. Long-term studies will be required to assess to risk for iron overload toxicity.
Isolation and localization of neurophysin-like proteins in rat uterus.

Abstract Neurophysins are part of the prohormones for vasopressin and oxytocin, and are localized with these hormones in the magnocellular cells of the neurohypophysis. New techniques have identified neurophysins in other areas within and outside the central nervous system, and we report here the isolation of neurophysins from the uterus of the rat. Using immunohistology the neurophysin immunoreactivity was localized to the epithelial lining cells of the uterus, and using radioimmunoassay was also present in uterine fluid suggesting secretion into the uterine cavity. The amount of uterine neurophysin increased in response to administered estrogen and was especially elevated in the pregnant uterus. The neurophysin-like material isolated from the uterus was similar to neurophysins from the neurohypophysis by radioimmunoassay, molecular seive chromatography, isoelectric focusing and SDS gel electrophoresis. Both neurohypophyseal hormones, vasopressin and oxytocin, were also extracted from uterine endothelium and identified by radioimmunoassay and high pressure liquid chromatography.
Isotopic anomalies of noble gases in meteorites and their origins—III. LL-chondrites

Nine LL-chondrites were studied by selective etching to characterize the noble gas components in three mineral fractions: HF-HCl-solubles, chromite and carbon. The Ne-20/Ar-36 ratio is considered, noting that chondrites of different petrologic types cannot all be derived from the same volatile rich ancestor, but must have formed over a range of temperatures, with correspondingly different volatile contents. Variations in the carbonaceous chondrite fission (CCFXe) component in LL3, LL5, and LL6 chondrites are discussed, noting that if CCFXe comes from a supernova, then its distribution in LL-chondrites requires three presolar carrier minerals of the right solubility properties, containing three different xenon components. However, if CCFXe comes from fission of a volatile superheavy element, then its decrease from LL3 to LL6 can be attributed to less complete condensation from the solar nebula. Finally, the three types of primordial xenon components which occur in different minerals of the same meteorite are described.
Descriptive Analysis of Oligometastatic Lesions Treated With Curative-Intent Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose To characterize oligometastases in patients enrolled on two prospective pilot studies, treating oligometastases with hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery to cranial lesions. Methods and Materials We describe the characteristics and local control (LC) of 293 lesions in 121 patients with five or fewer metastases treated with stereotactic body radiation and/or cranial stereotactic radiosurgery. For each lesion, the primary cancer site, tumor histology, site of metastasis, gross tumor volume, and prescribed dose were ascertained. The prescribed dose is expressed by the biologically effective dose in 2-Gy fractions (BED2), calculated using the linear quadratic model, assuming an α/β ratio of 10. Results Lung lesions were significantly smaller than other lesions in our cohort, whereas liver lesions were significantly larger, possibly reflecting a detection and/or referral bias. The 2-year and 4-year tumor LC rates were 77% and 73% respectively. A larger gross tumor volume was significantly ( p Conclusions Stereotactic body radiation to aggressively treat oligometastatic lesions results in good local tumor control. Bulkier lesions are more difficult to control and may benefit from dose escalation.
Raster methods for displaying defocus and astigmatism of scanning electron microscope images

The defocus and astigmatism of a scanning microscope objective lens can be detected by introducing ramping functions to a weak lens which runs synchronously with the scan coils of the instrument. Several different ramping schemes are then possible which alter the effective focal length of the objective lens. The methods considered are: linear ramps applied to independent x and y focusing coils, a circularly symmetric ramp where the defocus is ramped radially from the center of the display and a quadrupole stigmator ramp where the ramping varies both radially and rotationally about the center of the display. Using these methods the whole image display can be made to resemble a reciprocal space display much as one obtains from the power spectrum of a micrograph. Here the image display provides a representation of where best focus and residual axial astigmatism occur. These ramping methods provide a rapid “snap shot” technique requiring a single image scan, hence reducing radiation damage. It is possible in practice to build simple circuits or use computer control to calibrate the amount of defocus and astigmatism to electronically correct a micrograph and provide the optimum image contrast. To evaluate these ramping methods computer calculations of high resolution bright-field STEM images have been obtained from single atom images and simulated amorphous film structures. The point spread functions of single atoms and composite films have been evaluated in the same context. These results apply to any scanning system provided the correct object dimensions are chosen.
Heterogeneity in Drug Abuse Among Juvenile Offenders: Is Mixture Regression More Informative Than Standard Regression?

Research on juvenile offenders has largely treated this population as a homogeneous group. However, recent findings suggest that this at-risk population may be considerably more heterogeneous than previously believed. This study compared mixture regression analyses with standard regression techniques in an effort to explain how known factors such as distress, trauma, and personality are associated with drug abuse among juvenile offenders. Researchers recruited 728 juvenile offenders from Missouri juvenile correctional facilities for participation in this study. Researchers investigated past-year substance use in relation to the following variables: demographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, age, familial use of public assistance), antisocial behavior, and mental illness symptoms (psychopathic traits, psychiatric distress, and prior trauma). Results indicated that standard and mixed regression approaches identified significant variables related to past-year substance use among this population; however, the mixture regression methods provided greater specificity in results. Mixture regression analytic methods may help policy makers and practitioners better understand and intervene with the substance-related subgroups of juvenile offenders.
Stereoscopic Visual Impairment in Vascular Dementia

Binocular depth perception is mediated by neural pathways that involve thalamic nuclei, the posterior parietal lobe and adjacent gyri, and white matter projections connecting these regions. Vascular dementia results from a variety of pathologic syndromes that can affect these areas, and in the current study is shown to produce associated impairment of stereoacuity or complete stereoblindness. Stereoacuity was relatively more impaired by right than left hemisphere pathology, by cortical than subcortical vascular processes, and by lesions that involved the parietal lobe. The extent of impairment was related to dementia severity as reflected by measures of intelligence, memory, and visual-spatial function. Stereoacuity was unimpaired in age-matched patients with depressive disorders.
Earlier migration timing, decreasing phenotypic variation, and biocomplexity in multiple salmonid species.

Climate-induced phenological shifts can influence population, evolutionary, and ecological dynamics, but our understanding of these phenomena is hampered by a lack of long-term demographic data. We use a multi-decade census of 5 salmonid species representing 14 life histories in a warming Alaskan stream to address the following key questions about climate change and phenology: How consistent are temporal patterns and drivers of phenology for similar species and alternative life histories? Are shifts in phenology associated with changes in phenotypic variation? How do phenological changes influence the availability of resource subsidies? For most salmonid species, life stages, and life histories, freshwater temperature influences migration timing – migration events are occurring earlier in time (mean = 1.7 days earlier per decade over the 3–5 decades), and the number of days over which migration events occur is decreasing (mean = 1.5 days per decade). Temporal trends in migration timing were not correlated with changes in intra-annual phenotypic variation, suggesting that these components of the phenotypic distribution have responded to environmental change independently. Despite commonalities across species and life histories, there was important biocomplexity in the form of disparate shifts in migration timing and variation in the environmental factors influencing migration timing for alternative life history strategies in the same population. Overall, adult populations have been stable during these phenotypic and environmental changes (λ ≈1.0), but the temporal availability of salmon as a resource in freshwater has decreased by nearly 30 days since 1971 due to changes in the median date of migration timing and decreases in intra-annual variation in migration timing. These novel observations advance our understanding of phenological change in response to climate warming, and indicate that climate change has influenced the ecology of salmon populations, which will have important consequences for the numerous species that depend on this resource.
Excitation Temperatures in the Hollow Cathode Discharge

Excitation or spectroscopic temperatures have been determined for various operating conditions of a hollow cathode discharge. It was found that the temperatures measured do not significantly change over the range of conditions studied. These results are compared to those obtained in other low-pressure discharges. The temperature values as well as trends are found to be very similar.
An Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay Identifies a Mechanistically Unique Inhibitor of Protein Sumoylation

The dynamic, posttranslational modification of proteins with a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) tag has been recognized as an important cellular regulatory mechanism relevant to a number of cancers as well as normal embryonic development. As part of a program aimed toward the identification of inhibitors of SUMO-conjugating enzymes, we developed a microfluidic electrophoretic mobility shift assay to monitor sumoylation events in real time. We disclose herein the use of this assay to identify a cell-permeable compound capable of blocking the transfer of SUMO-1 from the E2 enzyme Ubc9 to the substrate. We screened a small collection of compounds and identified an oxygenated flavonoid derivative that inhibits sumoylation in vitro. Next, we carried out an in-depth mechanistic analysis that ruled out many common false-positive mechanisms such as aggregation or alkylation. Furthermore, we report that this flavonoid inhibits a single step in the sumoylation cascade: the transfer of SUMO from the E2 enzyme (Ubc9) thioester conjugate to the substrate. In addition to having a unique mechanism of action, this inhibitor has a discrete structure-activity relationship uncharacteristic of a promiscuous inhibitor. Cell-based studies showed that the flavonoid inhibits the sumoylation of topoisomerase-I in response to camptothecin treatment in two different breast cancer cell lines, while isomeric analogs are inactive. Importantly, this compound blocks sumoylation while not affecting ubiquitylation in cells. This work identifies a point of entry for pharmacologic inhibition of the sumoylation cascade and may serve as the basis for continued study of additional pharmacophores that modulate SUMO-conjugating enzymes such as Ubc9.
Biochemical mechanisms of action of fluorinated pyrimidines

Abstract The fluorinated pyrimidines exert their various biological and biochemical effects by inhibiting DNA biosynthesis as a result of the inhibition of the enzyme, thymidylate synthetase, and as a result of incorporation into RNA, where fluorouracil replaces uracil.
A developmental study of schedule-induced polydipsia in the rat

Abstract Rats 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age were fed 105 45-mg food pellets on a noncontingent VT 70-sec schedule during 14 daily 2-hr sessions. Every animal became polydipsic on this schedule when compared with a schedule in which 105 pellets were presented at the beginning of the session. Mean polydipsic ratios (schedule intake/control intake) ranged from 2.9–5.4. Water intakes (milliliters per 100g body weight) did not differ during the last five sessions as a function of age. The results are discussed with respect to the generality of the class of adjunctive behaviors.
Behavioral defeat in squirrel monkeys: an experimental model of reactive depression.

The combination of a progressive FR schedule of reinforcement and the opportunity to “escape” from this schedule produced a syndrome in the squirrel monkey with prima facie similarity to human reactive depression. This condition was created by a progressive increase in work demanded per reward and a corresponding reduction in density of reinforcement. The syndrome was characterized by progressive reduction of positively reinforced behavior, withdrawal from the environment, task ambivalence, and signs of emotional stress. These behaviors were ameliorated by environmental change which reduced the experientially produced stress and were dramatically reversed by the anti-anxiety agent, chlordiazepoxide.
An Examination of Accidental-Release Scenarios from Chemical-Processing Sites: The Relation of Race to Distance

Objective. This study is intended to enhance the discussion of environmental equity by offering a methodology that is based on chemical-specific risk zones that reflect inventories of chemical facilities, risk dispersion modeling, local weather conditions, and the unique chemical processes of each site. The central question concerns whether the racial makeup of a community near a chemical-processing site is characteristic of the city, county, or community as a whole. In essence, does the racial makeup of a community vary by distance from a chemical-processing facility? Methods. A comparison of the racial makeup of the community was examined for 13 chemical-processing sites submitting off-site consequence data under the Environmental Protection Agency Risk Management Plan, by clusters of the sites, and for all sites in the community. Instead of relative ratios, we look at odds ratios. The odds ratio compares the odds of being African American to the odds of being non-African American at two given distance classes. In this way we may make inferences about how much higher (or lower) are the odds of an African American (relative to a non-African American) living in a closer distance class (as opposed to a further distance class). Results. The results show that as one moves further from a facility, the characteristics of the community reflect less and less the makeup near the site. The percentage of African Americans living near a chemical-processing site tends to be much higher when compared to population characteristics further from the site. Conclusions. The study shows that distance does make a significant difference in the racial characteristics of the population from a chemical-processing site. Using data reflecting accidental-release scenarios, weather conditions, and the chemical process from the local community provides a more realistic basis for determining vulnerability zones.
Diffusion of Buckminsterfullerene in n-Alkanes

The translational diffusion constant, D, of C60 has been determined in the even n-alkanes n-C6H14 to n-C16H34 using microcapillary techniques and Taylor-Aris dispersion theory. Experiments were conducted over extended periods of time to ensure that the solute was not associated with itself or with solvent. The D values show deviations from the Stokes−Einstein (SE) relation (D = kT/6πηr); the values of the solute's hydrodynamic radius r decrease as the solvent viscosity η increases. The data can be fitted to D/T = ASE/ηp with p = 0.903 ± 0.006 (p = 1 for the SE relation).
T: a data-centric cooling energy costs reduction approach for big data analytics cloud

Explosion in Big Data has led to a surge in extremely large-scale Big Data analytics platforms, resulting in burgeoning energy costs. Big Data compute model mandates strong data-locality for computational performance, and moves computations to data. State-of-the-art cooling energy management techniques rely on thermal-aware computational job placement/migration and are inherently data-placement-agnostic in nature. T* takes a novel, data-centric approach to reduce cooling energy costs and to ensure thermal-reliability of the servers. T* is cognizant of the uneven thermal-profile and differences in thermal-reliability-driven load thresholds of the servers, and the differences in the computational jobs arrival rate, size, and evolution life spans of the Big Data placed in the cluster. Based on this knowledge, and coupled with its predictive file models and insights, T* does proactive, thermal-aware file placement, which implicitly results in thermal-aware job placement in the Big Data analytics compute model. Evaluation results with one-month long real-world Big Data analytics production traces from Yahoo! show up to 42% reduction in the cooling energy costs with T* courtesy of its lower and more uniform thermal-profile and 9x better performance than the state-of-the-art data-agnostic cooling techniques.
Sliding Mode Control With Perturbation Estimation (SMCPE) and Frequency Shaped Sliding Surfaces

Sliding Mode Control with Perturbation Estimation (SMCPE) is a recent control routine which steers uncertain dynamic systems with disturbances to follow a desired trajectory. It eliminates the conventional requirement for the knowledge of uncertainty upper bound. A perturbation estimation scheme provides a tool for robustness. This text offers an additional robustizing mechanism: selection of time-varying sliding functions utilizing frequency shaping techniques. Frequency shaping together with sliding mode control introduces a behavior for selectively penalizing tracking errors at certain frequency ranges. This combination provides two advantages concurrently: (a) It filters out certain frequency components of the perturbations therefore eliminating the possible excitation on the unmodelled dynamics, and (b) it drives the state to the desired trajectory despite perturbations. The crucial point is that a priori knowledge of the perturbation upper bound is not necessary to eliminate the perturbation effects at the designated frequencies. Numerical examples prove the effectiveness of this novel scheme.
Examination of 2,4-D tolerance in perennial Glycine species

Abstract High levels of tolerance to 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] were expressed at the cell and whole plant level by several accessions of wild perennial Glycine species. To determine the mechanism(s) responsible for tolerance, heterotrophic cell suspension cultures of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and four perennial Glycine accessions were used to investigate[ 14 C]2,4-D uptake and metabolism. Uptake of 2,4-D was similar between soybean and the perennials. However, soybean metabolized only 7% of the absorbed 2,4-D at 2 and 10 μ M concentrations. The four perennial accessions metabolized 2,4-D at least 79% at 10 μ M and 64% at 50 μ M 2,4-D. The primary metabolite produced by the tolerant perennial lines was the glycoside conjugate of 4-OH-2,5-D, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography cochromatography and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. 2,4-D-sensitive soybean and the least tolerant perennial accession produced high quantities of amino acid conjugates of 2,4-D. Varying levels of 2,4-D tolerance among the perennial Glycine accessions may also be influenced by differential sensitivity of each accession to 2,4-D and/or metabolites.
Nonlinear bending of anisotropic bimodular composite-material plates

The focus of this work is on the geometrically nonlinear bending of fiber-reinforced anisotropic, rectangular, bimodular-material plates. The classical plate theory, which accounts for the bimodular action and large deflection, is implemented. Finite element results for transverse deflection are presented to examine the behavior of plates constructed of graphite-epoxy and polyester-rubber. Furthermore, the effects of plate aspect ratio, bimodularity ratio and angle of fiber orientation are studied.
Stability evaluation of extended cut mining in underground coal mines

Abstract The trend in underground room-and-pillar coal mining is to employ remote-control continuous mining machines to take extended cuts of 40 ft or more. Extended cutting can create additional worker safety hazards. To address these hazards, a combination of statistical analysis, underground investigations, and humerical modeling are being conducted. Statistical analysis of extended cut use, roof fall accidents and fatalities delineated the extent of the problem in U.S. coal mines. Underground studies addressed the roof stability consequences of employing extended cutting. The stress profiles, pillar stability, and safety factors of alternative mine layouts that eliminate unsafe continuous miner operator positioning during the remote-control mining of crosscuts were addressed using displacement-discontinuity modeling and programs such as LAMODEL (Laminated Model) and ARMPS (Analysis of Retreat Mining Pillar Stability).
Studies in Configuration Interaction: The First-Row Diatomic Hydrides

Molecular properties of the first-row diatomic hydrides, calculated with accurate configuration-interaction wave functions, are presented. Ground-state functions, constructed from approximate natural orbitals, were determined at the equilibrium internuclear separation for each molecule. The basis sets used, were capable of reproducing recently published self-consistent-field energies to within 0.003 hartrees. A minimum of 70% of the correlation energy and an error in the dipole moment of less than 3% were obtained in a systematic study of each molecule. To attain this accuracy, large numbers of singly and doubly excited configurations were used in the wave functions.
The development of a model for student achievement

Abstract This article describes the results of work being conducted on the development of a model for student achievement. Steps employed in the reduction of the large number of variables into a fewer number of indices and the utilization of these indices in regression analyses are described. Some of the more salient findings are that both school achievement and school resources (including such things as the number of pupils per teacher, the teacher's view of his working conditions and the school's special staff and services) are highly related to the socio-economic status and racial-ethnic composition of the student body. The influence of the schools is bound up with the kinds of students that they get initially. Consequently, when the schools are equated for the kinds of students that they get they tend also to be equated for the influence that they have on these students. The schools play an important role in promoting student achievement and the extent of this involvement appears to be greater for higher socio-economic status and white students than for lower socio-economic status and non-white students.
Heterotopic Bone Formation About the Hip Undergoes Endochondral Ossification: A Rabbit Model

Background Heterotopic ossification (HO) occurs most commonly after trauma and surgery about the hip and may compromise subsequent function. Currently available animal models describing the cellular progression of HO are based on exogenous osteogenic induction agents and may not reflect the processes following trauma.
Quark matter or new particles

It has been argued that compression of nuclear matter to somewhat higher densities may lead to the formation of stable quark matter. A plausible alternative, which leads to radically new astrophysical scenarios, is that the stability of quark matter simply represents the stability of new particles compounded of quarks. A specific example is the SU(3)-symmetric version of the alpha particle, composed of spin-zero pairs of each of the baryon octet (an 'octet' particle).
The three-dimensional morphology of aggregates of native cotton cellulose microfibrils

Abstract The three-dimensional morphology of native bacterial cellulose is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, it is shown by scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy with positive staining by phosphotungstic acid ions that aggregates of microfibrils of native cotton cellulose have a similar structure. The results are consistent with previous reports on microfibrils of algal cellulose. These observations exclude a simple spinneret process as a mechanism of formation of the microfibrils of these sources of cellulose.
Precise molecular weight determination of PCR products of the rRNA intergenic spacer region using electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry for differentiation of B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus, closely related species of bacilli.

Assessment of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) sequence variability is an important supplement to 16S rRNA sequencing for differentiating closely related bacterial species. Species differentiation can also be achieved by determination of approximate size of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) products of ISRs, based on their relative electrophoretic mobility on agarose gels. Closely-related species can have ISR PCR products that are similar in size. More precise molecular weight (M.W.) determination of these products might allow improved discrimination of such species. Electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-MS) has the potential to provide such precision. For ESI-Q-MS analysis, size limitation of PCR products is currently limited to around 130 base pairs (bp). Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus atrophaeus are two closely related species with few distinguishing phenotypic characteristics. B. subtilis has recently been sub-divided into two subgroups, W23 (type strain, W23) and 168 (type strain, 168). PCR products amplified from the ISR including the 5' terminal end of the 23S rRNA and a conserved portion of the ISR were analyzed by ESI-Q-MS. A 119 or 120 bp PCR product was produced for B. atrophaeus strains. However, strains of B. subtilis subgroups W23 and 168 each produced 114 bp products. In summary, a mass spectrometry method was developed for differentiation of B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus. Also, the genetic similarity of B. subtilis subgroups W23 and 168 was confirmed. Accurate determination of the molecular weight of PCR products from the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region using electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry has great potential as a general technique for characterizing closely related bacterial species.
Constructing topologically connected surfaces for the comprehensive analysis of 3-D medical structures

Three-dimensional (3D) medical imaging deals with the visualization, manipulation, and measuring of objects in 3D medical images. So far, research efforts have concentrated primarily on visualization, using well-developed methods from computer graphics. Very little has been achieved in developing techniques for manipulating medical objects, or for extracting quantitative measurements from them beyond volume calculation (by counting voxels), and computing distances and angles between manually located surface points. A major reason for the slow pace in the development of manipulation and quantification methods lies with the limitations of current algorithms for constructing surfaces from 3D solid objects. We show that current surface construction algorithms either (a) do not construct valid surface descriptions of solid objects or (b) produce surface representations that are not particularly suitable for anything other than visualization. We present ALLIGATOR, a new surface construction algorithm that produces valid, topologically connected surface representations of solid objects. We have developed a modeling system based on the surface representations created by ALLIGATOR that is suitable for developing algorithms to visualize, manipulate, and quantify 3D medical objects. Using this modeling system we have developed a method for efficiently computing principle curvatures and directions on surfaces. These measurements form the basis for a new metric system being developed for morphometrics. The modeling system is also being used in the development of systems for quantitative pre-surgical planning and surgical augmentation.
Influence of Temperature–Driven Phenology and Photoperiodic Induction of Reproductive Diapause on Population Dynamics of Erythroneura comes (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The influence of degree–day accumulations and photoperiodic induction of diapause on the phenology of Erythroneura Comes (Say) was investigated . In growth chamber experiments, nymphs reared at photoperiods of 710 degree days (DD) before 1 August are required to produce a 2nd generation of E. comes under climatic conditions in New York.Variationsin temperature–driven development are hypothesized to strongly influence year–to–year variability in leafhopper abundance. Degree–day accumulations by 30 June correlated well with degree–days by 1 August and may provide a useful early–warningsystem for predicting years in which leafhopper population densities are above average.
A Duty to Discriminate

Malek and Daar (2012) argue that parents who are already using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and who are at substantial risk of transmitting a serious genetic condition should have a legal duty to s...
Diprosopus and related cephalic malformations in a calf.

The head of a young calf with diprosopus (two faces) and related cephalic malformations was dissected and grossly studied. The head was removed, preserved with 10% formalin, and the cephalic vessels were doubly injected with latex. The related outstanding cephalic abnormalities were: four eyes (tetrophthalmus) with the two adjacent eyes and orbits fused into a single median one; a large domeshaped head, characteristic of hydrocephalus; two mouths, each with a tongue, both of which protruded and retracted simultaneously; two cleft palates; duplication of the brain from the rostral end caudally to the mesencephalo-metencephalic junction with each side of the brain containing a pituitary gland, paired cerebral peduncles, and an aberrant circulus arteriosus (circle of Willis). There were four olfactory bulbs and optic nerves, but only three oculomotor and abducens nerves. The aberrant median third and sixth cranial nerves were interpreted to be a fusion of the two adjacent nerves if duplication had been complete. Diprosopus is classified as a form of anterior twinning. The anterior brain duplication probably is referable to a doubling of the cephalic end of the neural tube followed by a diverging migration of the two frontal poles so that these areas finally are located at opposite lateral sides of the skull. The degree of neural tube duplication determines the extent of brain duplication.
White matter hyperintense lesions in genetically proven spinocerebellar ataxia 8

We report two brothers with a progressive cerebellar syndrome due to spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8). In addition to severe cerebellar atrophy, both had prominent white matter hyperintensities on cranial MRI. This is the first report of white matter hyperintensities on cranial MRI in patients with SCA8. A disorder due to a similar molecular basis, myotonic dystrophy 1 (DM1), is known to have white matter hyperintensities on cranial MRI. Cognitive impairment is well described in DM1 and is being recognized in SCA8. The significance of these associations is discussed.
Shoulder arthroplasty in patients younger than 50 years: minimum 20-year follow-up.

Background Little information is available on the long-term outcome of shoulder arthroplasty in young patients. The purpose of this study was to report the results, complications, and revision rate of total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) in patients younger than 50 years at a minimum 20-year follow-up. Materials and methods Between 1976 and 1985, a single surgeon performed 78 Neer hemiarthroplasties (HAs) and 36 Neer TSAs in patients Results Both HA and TSA showed significant improvements in pain scores ( P P P = .02). Eighty-one percent of shoulders were rated much better or better than preoperatively. Modified Neer ratings were similar between groups ( P = .41). Unsatisfactory ratings in HA were due to reoperations in 25 (glenoid arthrosis in 16) and limited motion, pain, or dissatisfaction in 11. Unsatisfactory ratings in TSA were due to reoperations in 6 (component loosening in 4) and limited motion in 5. Estimated 20-year survival was 75.6% (confidence interval, 65.9-86.5) for HAs and 83.2% (confidence interval, 70.5-97.8) for TSAs. Discussion At long-term follow-up, both HA and TSA continue to provide lasting pain relief and improved range of motion. However, there are a large number of unsatisfactory Neer ratings. Whereas both groups have survivorship in excess of 75% at 20 years, surgeons should remain cautious in performing shoulder arthroplasty in the young patient.
Second-order refraction and diffraction of surface water waves

The mild-slope equation is an effective approximation for treating the combined effects of refraction and diffraction of infinitesimal water waves, for it reduces the spatial dimension of the linear boundary-value problem from three to two. We extend this approximation to nonlinear waves up to the second order in wave steepness, in order to simplify the inherently three-dimensional task. Assuming that the geometrical complexity is restricted to a finite, though large, horizontal domain, the hybrid-element method designed earlier for linearized problems is modified for the two-dimensional elliptic boundary-value problems at the second order. In the special case of a semi-circular peninsula (or a vertical cylinder on a cliff) in a sea of constant depth, the solution is analytical. Effects of the angle of incidence are examined for the free-surface height along the cylinder. For a cylinder standing on a shoal of radially varying depth, numerical results are discussed.
A 0.1–5 GHz Cryogenic SiGe MMIC LNA

In this letter, the design and measurement of the first SiGe integrated-circuit LNA specifically designed for operation at cryogenic temperatures is presented. At room temperature, the circuit provides greater than 25.8 dB of gain with an average noise temperature (Te) of 76 K (NF = 1 dB) and S11 of -9 dB for frequencies in the 0.1-5 GHz band. At 15 K, the amplifier has greater than 29.6 dB of gain with an average Te of 4.3 K and S11 of -14.6 dB for frequencies in the 0.1-5 GHz range. To the authors' knowledge, this is the lowest noise ever reported for a silicon integrated circuit operating in the low microwave range and the first matched wideband cryogenic integrated circuit LNA that covers frequencies as low as 0.1 GHz.
Alternate Exon Usage is a Commonly Used Mechanism for Increasing Coding Diversity Within Genes Coding for Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Extracellular matrix proteins are a diverse family of secreted proteins and glycoproteins that are responsible for a variety of critical functions in different tissues. A large number of multiexon genes encode these proteins of the extracellular matrix. Over the last few years, it has become evident that the processing of the pre-mRNA from several of these genes involves alternative splicing. This review summarizes the known examples of alternative splicing in genes coding for the extracellular matrix and attempts to relate the increase in coding diversity generated by alternate exon usage to the function(s) of individual extracellular matrix proteins.
Effect of filler on thermal aging of composites for next-generation power lines

The thermal aging of pultruded composite rods was investigated to determine the effects of filler on oxidation kinetics and degradation mechanisms. The unidirectional hybrid composite rods were comprised of a carbon-fiber core, a glass-fiber shell, and an epoxy matrix filled with clay particles. A reaction-diffusion model was implemented for each of the two hybrid sections to calculate the oxygen-concentration profile and the thickness of the oxidized layer (TOL) within the composite rods, and results were compared with measured oxidation kinetics. The TOL was measured for samples exposed isothermally in air and in vacuum at 200 °C for up to 13,104 h (1.5 year), and the measured values were similar to modeling predictions (within 10%). The domain validity for the reaction-diffusion model was determined from gravimetric experiments (weight-loss measurement), which showed that after prolonged thermal exposure, the degradation mechanism changed from thermal oxidation to thermal degradation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to determine the thermal degradation and stability of the aged composite. In addition, the effect of thermal aging on glass transition temperature (Tg) and short beam shear (SBS) strength was determined for isothermal exposures at 180 °C and 200 °C.
A personal view of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Based on the Surgikos Lecture delivered to the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, London 1983.
Innate immunity to dengue virus infection and subversion of antiviral responses

Dengue is a major public health issue in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1-DENV4) are spread primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, whose geographic range continues to expand. Humans are the only host for epidemic strains of DENV, and the virus has developed sophisticated mechanisms to evade human innate immune responses. The host cell's first line of defense begins with an intracellular signaling cascade resulting in production of interferon α/β (IFN-α/β), which promotes intracellular antiviral responses and helps initiates the adaptive response during the course of DENV infection. In response, DENV has developed numerous ways to subvert these intracellular antiviral responses and directly inhibit cellular signaling cascades. Specifically, DENV manipulates the unfolded protein response and autophagy to counter cellular stress and delay apoptosis. The DENV non-structural protein NS4B and subgenomic flavivirus RNA interfere with the RNA interference pathway by inhibiting the RNase Dicer. During heterotypic secondary DENV infection, subneutralizing antibodies can enable viral uptake through Fcγ receptors and down-regulate signaling cascades initiated via the pattern recognition receptors TLR-3 and MDA5/RIG-I, thus reducing the antiviral state of the cell. The DENV NS2B/3 protein cleaves human STING/MITA, interfering with induction of IFN-α/β. Finally, DENV NS2A, NS4A, and NS4B complex together to block STAT1 phosphorylation, while NS5 binds and promotes degradation of human STAT2, thus preventing formation of the STAT1/STAT2 heterodimer and its transcriptional induction of interferon stimulating genes. Here, we discuss the host innate immune response to DENV and the mechanisms of immune evasion that DENV has developed to manipulate cellular antiviral responses.
Comparison between electron beam and optically produced mercury excimer fluorescence

Abstract Significant differences have been observed between the mercury excimer fluorescence produced by electron beam and optical excitation. We have used time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to study the evolution of the excimer system following a 4 ns optical excitation pulse.
Plate assay for determining the time of production of protease, cellulase, and pectinases by germinating fungal spores

A new method for detecting enzymes produced by fungal spores during germination is described here. With this method, the production of enzymes such as protease, cellulase, or pectinase can be correlated with the extent of spore germination. Germination is studied in vitro on agar-based media containing protein, cellulose, or pectin. The spores are immobilized on a permeable membrane mounted on the substrate-containing medium. At various times after inoculation the membrane-bound spores are removed and the medium is stained. The extent of germination is assessed by microscopic examination of the spores and the presence of active hydrolytic enzymes is revealed by the staining. The staining methods are sensitive; detection limits are 1 X 10(-3) unit of cellulase; 2 X 10(-4) unit of protease; 3 X 10(-3) unit of pectin lyase; 3.5 units of polygalacturonase; 2 X 10(-3) unit of pectin methyl esterase. The method has been demonstrated by studying the production of enzymes by germinating conidia of Botrytis cinerea. Cellulase and protease were present before any spores germinated. Pectin lyase was first observed when at least 80% of the spores had germinated. Pectin methyl esterase and polygalacturonase were not produced by the spores.
Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome in a rehabilitation patient.

Abstract Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HATT) syndrome is a severe complication of heparin therapy. Since patients admitted for rehabilitation are at high risk for deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, prophylactic doses of subcutaneous heparin are frequently used. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of heparin exposure, admitted to a comprehensive rehabilitation program for management of severe back pain. The patient was started on subcutaneous heparin. After 18 days of hospitalization, she developed marked thrombocytopenia and a massive venous thrombosis in the right lower extremity. On intravenous heparin therapy, the platelet count continued to decline. The thrombocytopenia resolved with discontinuation of heparin. This case illustrates a devastating complication of heparin therapy and emphasizes that physiatrists should be aware of this acute and preventable drug reaction.
Imaging Cluster Surfaces with Atomic Resolution: The Strong Metal-Support Interaction State of Pt Supported on TiO 2 ( 110 )

Nanosized platinum clusters were grown on a TiO2(110) surface and annealed in ultrahigh vacuum at high temperatures. This leads to the so-called strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) state, characterized by a complete encapsulation of the clusters with a reduced titanium oxide layer. We present atomically resolved scanning tunneling microscopy measurements of the cluster surfaces and an atomic model of the SMSI state. The ability to resolve the cluster surface geometry with atomistic detail may help to identify the active sites responsible for the SMSI.
Hypercholesterolemia Promotes an Osteoporotic Phenotype

A role for hypercholesterolemia in the development of osteoporosis has been suggested in published reports. However, few studies contain direct evidence of a role for maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in bone health. Using isocaloric high-fat/high-cholesterol and low-fat/no-cholesterol diets in a 4-month feeding study combined with micro computed tomography analysis, we demonstrated in two different mouse strains that mice with hypercholesterolemia lose cortical and trabecular bone in the femurs and vertebrae (bone mineral density was decreased on average by ≈90 mg/mL in the cortical vertebrae in one strain) and cortical bone in the calvariae (bone mineral density was decreased on average by ≈60 mg/mL in one strain). Mechanical testing of the femurs demonstrated that loss of bone in the mice with hypercholesterolemia caused changes in the mechanical properties of the bone including loss of failure load (failure load was decreased by ≈10 N in one strain) and energy to failure. Serologic and histomorphologic analyses suggested that hypercholesterolemia promotes osteoclastogenesis. These studies support a role for hypercholesterolemia in the development of osteoporosis and provide a model with which to test intervention strategies to reduce the effects of hypercholesterolemia on bone health.
Spontaneous abortion: the role of heterogeneous risk and selective fertility.

The study of spontaneous abortion risk is complicated by the fact that a woman's successive pregnancies are not independent events. Non-independence may distort any analysis of spontaneous abortion risk that includes successive pregnancies. In order for an analysis of spontaneous abortion to take non-independence into account, a model must be developed. Previous attempts to describe non-independence have focused on the closely-related issue of whether the risk of abortion increases with successive pregnancies (i.e., with gravidity). Authors using various analytic strategies have reached conflicting conclusions about the gravidity effect. We review these attempts in detail, and in so doing, develop a synthesized viewpoint. We conclude that three factors powerfully affect the occurrence of spontaneous abortion: (1) a heterogeneous risk of abortion (constant for each woman but differing among women); (2) selective fertility (a tendency to control fertility on the basis of previous pregnancy outcomes); and (3) increased risk with maternal age. We demonstrate with a simulation model that these three factors alone can produce a spurious gravidity effect of a size similar to the effect found in actual data. Furthermore, we propose that these three factors offer a framework for a generalized analytic approach to spontaneous abortion, one that takes into account the non-independence of successive pregnancies.
Irreversible zinc ion inhibition of (Na+ -K+)-adenosinetriphosphatase, Na+ -phosphorylation, and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase of Electrophorus electricus electroplax.

Zinc ion in micromolar concentrations is an irreversible inhibitor of Electrophorus electricus electroplax microsomal (Na+-K+)-ATPase. The rate of inhibition is dependent on [ZnCl2] and the extent of inhibition varies with the ratio of ZnCl2 to microsomal protein. The same kinetics are observed for inhibition of K+ -p-nitrophenylphosphatase and steady-state levels of Na+ -dependent enzyme phosphorylation. The observations suggest that a Zn2+ -sensitive conformational restraint is important to both kinase and phosphatase activities. The fact that inhibition is irreversible has implications for models seeking to relate zinc effects in tissue to inhibition of (Na+-K+)-ATPase.