cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Embryology of Occult Spinal Dysraphisms

Writing a chapter on the embryology of occult spinal dysraphic malformations (OSDM) is a little like writing a historical fiction novel. We begin with a substantial knowledge about the cellular events, molecular biology, and biomechanics underlying normal avian and mammalian neural development – knowledge derived from a host of embryonic experimental manipulations and genetic mutations. From this we propose, largely by extension, a paradigm for normal human neural development that comports with our clinical observations and theorize about the embryogenesis of human neural tube defects (NTD) of myelomeningocele and exencephaly/anencephaly, for which we have reasonable experimental models. We are finally left to essentially fantasize about the embryogenesis of OSDM, for which we have virtually no animal models or experimental data. Many of the theories we will discuss in this chapter were created de novo decades ago from clinical observations and a basic understanding of morphogenesis, unmodified by subsequent advances in cellular and molecular biology. It is our hope that the future will bring greater clarity to our understanding about the embryogenesis of these malformations. Until then, a work of fiction will have to suffice.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in a child with cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy treated with cyclosporine after bone marrow transplantation

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) was described by Hinchey and colleagues in 1996. The disorder occurs predominantly in patients with acute hypertension and/or on pharmacological immunosuppression. We report a 6-year-old male with cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy who received an HLA-matched unrelated bone marrow transplant (BMT). Cyclosporine was used as graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. At 55 days post-BMT, his cyclosporine concentrations were high for several days and the concentration was still high on day 70 (353 µg/L). He presented 83 days post-BMT with new onset of headache, lethargy, acute visual loss and focal seizures. He was not hypertensive. MRI of the head revealed signal changes that now extended more peripherally into the subcortical and cortical regions of the occipital and temporal lobes. The patient's cyclosporine was stopped for 5 days. The patient's vision returned to normal and his headaches and lethargy resolved with no further seizures 3 weeks later. Follow-up MRI of the head 2 months later showed almost complete resolution of the cortical signal abnormalities. It is important to consider RPLS in patients with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy who present with acute neurological deterioration. Attention to the pattern of white matter and the presence of cortical grey matter involvement on neuroimaging is important for the diagnosis. When appropriate management is initiated, that is controlling hypertension when present and discontinuing or reducing the dose of offending immunosuppressive agents, the acute neurological symptoms will usually resolve.
Why Functional Genomics Is the Central Concern of Biology and the Hard Problem of Abiogenesis

Life has many defining characteristics, not the least of which is that it exists in a self-perpetuating homeostatic state that is far from thermodynamic equilibrium. However, since the universe contains many abiotic dissipative structures that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium, that alone cannot be taken to be definitive of life, at least not life on earth as we know it. What distinguishes the latter from nonlife, and hence biology as a science distinct from chemistry and physics, is genomic information, i.e., the information encoded in DNA. Living systems do what they do only by virtue of that information. As Robert Rosen showed by mathematical abstraction, life is a complex self-entailing system of metabolism, repair, and replication, and organisms embody modeling relations with their environment. In all known organisms, metabolism, repair, and replication require a genome, which informs the entailments through which the organism relates and adapts to its environment. Biologists came to recognize this in the latter part of the twentieth century, and hence the cutting edge of biology is now focused almost entirely on genomics (and its derivatives such as epigenomics). With genomic information as its central concern, biology is a historical as much as a physical science. Life cannot be reduced to chemistry and physics because genomically informed modeling relations are physically indeterminate and context-dependent, with historical contingency being an irreducible part of the relevant context. As a result, the science of paleontology is essential for reconstructing the evolutionary development of life on earth. This then constitutes the hard problem for the origin-of-life discourse: the sequence of contingencies that produced the first functional genome is not well preserved in the fossil record. Therefore, the problem of abiogenesis will probably remain unsolved and a matter of speculation until we learn how to create a true (i.e., genomically informed) organism from scratch.
Outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Eyes With Good Central Vision

Precis This study is the first to report micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) use in only good vision patients. MP-TSCPC significantly reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medication use without any significant reduction in visual acuity at every postoperative follow-up point. Purpose To evaluate outcomes of MP-TSCPC in eyes with baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≥20/60. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent MP-TSCPC at Mayo Clinic and Ross Eye Institute from July 2016 to August 2017 with BCVA of ≥20/60, and a minimum of 3 months follow-up. Results A total of 61 eyes of 46 patients (68.80±17.12 y) underwent MP-TSCPC with a mean follow-up of 10.2±3.1 months. Mean IOP and mean number of glaucoma medications used were significantly reduced from baseline at every follow-up time point (P 0.05), except for 10 eyes with a vision loss of ≥2 lines and 5 out of 10 eyes had cataract progression. The probability of complete success (IOP range, 6 to 21 mm Hg or ≥20% IOP reduction; BCVA loss ≤2 lines, no reoperation for glaucoma) was 74.14%, 83.61%, 84.21%, and 75.0% at months 1, 3, 6, 12, respectively. The probability of qualified success (above criteria for IOP, no reoperation and BCVA loss >2 lines) was 81.03%, 91.80%, 94.74%, and 93.75% at months 1, 3, 6, 12, respectively. Conclusions MP-TSCPC should be considered earlier in the management of glaucoma and can possibly be offered as an alternative to incisional glaucoma surgeries.
Pacing Climate Precarity: Food, Care and Sovereignty in Iñupiaq Alaska.

At what pace do storytellers represent climate change in the "rapidly changing" Arctic? Popular and scholarly narratives of Indigenous vulnerability too often address climate change as a singular event that reorganizes local lifeworlds in unprecedented ways. On the ground however, contemporary climate impacts, such as "food insecurity," are refracted through a range of simultaneous and cumulative ecological, social, and political structures that can precede and/or unfold slower than climate change. These factors include the intergenerational relations of care within communities, as well as multiple political challenges to their continuance. Throughout Inupiaq Alaska, hunting is practiced as a form of care and sovereignty undergirding healthy, resilient, and collective Indigenous futures.
Dislocation energy and line tension in molecular crystal cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (β-HMX)

Cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (β-HMX) is an energetic molecular crystal often used in plastic bonded explosives. Its decomposition reaction may be triggered by plastic deformation. Efforts have been made in recent years to evaluate the mechanisms of plasticity in these crystals and to develop constitutive descriptions that can be used to represent plastic deformation on the microstructural level. In this work, we use atomistic simulations to evaluate the dislocation self-energy, core energy, and line tension in four slip systems previously identified as being the most active. The cores are compact and the anisotropic elasticity solution applies at distances from the dislocation line larger than approximately one Burgers vector. Core energies between 0.3 and 0.5 eV/A result. The line tension varies rapidly when the character of the dislocation is modified due to the strong elastic anisotropy of the crystal, with maxima at approximately ±40° relative to the screw orientation. The line tension also varies from slip system to slip system. These quantities enter many models of elementary mechanisms of dislocation motion such as cross-slip, dislocation nucleation from stress concentrators, the strength of dislocation junctions and other dislocation structures, and the critical stress for the operation of Frank–Read dislocation sources. The data reported here can be used to evaluate the conditions in which these processes operate and as an input to dislocation dynamics simulations.Cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (β-HMX) is an energetic molecular crystal often used in plastic bonded explosives. Its decomposition reaction may be triggered by plastic deformation. Efforts have been made in recent years to evaluate the mechanisms of plasticity in these crystals and to develop constitutive descriptions that can be used to represent plastic deformation on the microstructural level. In this work, we use atomistic simulations to evaluate the dislocation self-energy, core energy, and line tension in four slip systems previously identified as being the most active. The cores are compact and the anisotropic elasticity solution applies at distances from the dislocation line larger than approximately one Burgers vector. Core energies between 0.3 and 0.5 eV/A result. The line tension varies rapidly when the character of the dislocation is modified due to the strong elastic anisotropy of the crystal, with maxima at approximately ±40° relative to the screw orientation. The line tension also vari...
Echoes across the iron curtain: the letters of Münevver Andaç to Nâzım Hikmet

Nâzim Hikmet is perhaps Turkey’s best-known literary figure from the twentieth century, due at least in part to his dramatic life story and flight from Turkey to the Soviet Union in 1951. During th...
An survey on the awareness of and attitude toward AIDS in different populations in Shunde and assessment of health intervention

Objective To investigate the awareness of and attitude toward AIDS in different populations in Shunde and evaluate the health intervention on those people, and to provide scientific support for preventing and controlling AIDS in the future. Methods Samples of population were selected from the communities, factories, schools, compulsory rehabilitation centers, and recreation facilities in Shunde with cluster sampling to conduct a baseline questionnaire survey on the awareness of AIDS and attitude toward AIDS patients. Then AIDS-associated health intervention including pamphlets, lectures, short movies, knowledge contests were performed. The same questionnaire survey was then conducted to collect information about HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitude after the intervention. Results A total of 2793 subjects were interviewed. 65.5 % of them considered AIDS was terrible, 41.9% thought that individuals with AIDS infection shouldn't work normally, 35.10% were reluctant to shake hands or have dinner with HIV-positive individuals, 37.6% had no idea that they could receive a free examination for HIV/AIDS at certain medical facilites. The awareness rate of AIDS was 75.4% to 83.9%. After intervention, 2603 subjects were re surveyed and the awareness rate elevated to 86.7% - 97.4% and differed significantly (x2 = 131.60, .P<0.001). Conclusions The health intervention has a marked effect on different populations. We should strengthen health education to improve the awareness of AIDS. Key words: Populations; Awareness of AIDS; Attitude; Intervention; Effect evaluation
Weakly Coupled Constrained Markov Decision Processes in Borel Spaces

Consider a multi-agent stochastic control problem where the agents have decoupled system dynamics. Each agent has an associated cost function and a constraint function. The agents want to find a control strategy which minimizes their long term average cumulative cost function while keeping the long term average cumulative constraint function below a certain threshold. This problem is referred to as weakly coupled constrained Markov decision process (MDP). In this paper, we consider the problem of weakly coupled constrained MDP with Borel state and action spaces. We use the linear programming (LP) based approach of [1] to derive an occupation measure based LP to find the optimal decentralized control strategies for our problem. We show that randomized stationary policies are optimal for each agent under some assumptions on the transition kernels, cost and the constraint functions. We further consider the special case of multi-agent Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) systems and show that the optimal control strategy could be obtained by solving a semi-definite program (SDP). We illustrate our results through numerical experiments.
FRET-Based Ca2+ Biosensor Single Cell Imaging Interrogated by High-Frequency Ultrasound.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors have advanced live cell imaging by dynamically visualizing molecular events with high temporal resolution. FRET-based biosensors with spectrally distinct fluorophore pairs provide clear contrast between cells during dual FRET live cell imaging. Here, we have developed a new FRET-based Ca2+ biosensor using EGFP and FusionRed fluorophores (FRET-GFPRed). Using different filter settings, the developed biosensor can be differentiated from a typical FRET-based Ca2+ biosensor with ECFP and YPet (YC3.6 FRET Ca2+ biosensor, FRET-CFPYPet). A high-frequency ultrasound (HFU) with a carrier frequency of 150 MHz can target a subcellular region due to its tight focus smaller than 10 µm. Therefore, HFU offers a new single cell stimulations approach for FRET live cell imaging with precise spatial resolution and repeated stimulation for longitudinal studies. Furthermore, the single cell level intracellular delivery of a desired FRET-based biosensor into target cells using HFU enables us to perform dual FRET imaging of a cell pair. We show that a cell pair is defined by sequential intracellular delivery of the developed FRET-GFPRed and FRET-CFPYPet into two target cells using HFU. We demonstrate that a FRET-GFPRed exhibits consistent 10–15% FRET response under typical ionomycin stimulation as well as under a new stimulation strategy with HFU.
Comparison of chitosan and nafion-chitosan coated bioelectrodes in enzymatic glncose biofnel cells

Here we evaluated the performance of enzymatic glucose biofuel cells. The significance of bioelectrodes employed in biofuel cell design is highly dependent on the effective immobilization of enzyme to enable the enzyme to present an orientation that is favorable for direct electron transfer (DET) from the active center of the enzyme to the final current collector. We examined chitosan and nafion-chitosan based coatings on immobilized pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) as anodic and cathodic enzymes, respectively. The enzymes were immobilized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The performance of the assembled biofuel cells exhibited interesting operational stability. Operating under DET, the biofuel cell with bioelectrodes coated with chitosan produced the highest power (156 μW) output. PQQ-GDH bioanodes with various enzyme concentrations were evaluated to access their performance and stability. The bioanode with 2.5 mg/ml immobilized PQQ-GDH demonstrated long term stability and generated a maximum power density of 1.6 mW/cm2 in the fuel cell assembly when compared to higher enzyme load concentration (≥ 5 mg/ml PQQ-GDH).
A ground-motion prediction model for small-to-moderate induced earthquakes for Central and Eastern United States:

This study presents a new ground motion model (GMM) for small-to-moderate potentially induced earthquakes for Central and Eastern United States (CEUS). We used a hybrid empirical model as the base ...
From Sugar to Flowers: A Transition of Shallow Cumulus Organization During ATOMIC

The Atlantic Tradewind Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Interaction Campaign (ATOMIC) took place in January-February 2020. It was designed to understand the relationship between shallow convection and th...
Recovering the primitive in the modern: The cultural turn and the origins of cultural sociology

This essay provides an intellectual history for the cultural turn that transformed the human sciences in the mid-20th century and led to the creation of cultural sociology in the late 20th century....
Laboratory Design and Operations

Molecular methods play an increasingly important role in diagnostic microbiologic testing, and this trend will continue with the introduction of new technologies and continued improvement in current assay designs. Individual laboratories considering the implementation of such molecular methods for diagnostic testing face unique challenges in achieving optimal laboratory design and operations that may vary greatly depending on the laboratory setting and the molecular methods employed. Efficient laboratory operation and workflow are closely dependent on optimal design of the laboratory space, and in turn, optimal laboratory design is influenced by the various assay methods and instruments used in the laboratory. Chemical fume hoods and cabinets for storage of hazardous chemicals and flammable liquids should also be incorporated in the overall laboratory design. Efficient clinical laboratory operations providing quality testing services are dependent on several key elements. In addition to the use of dedicated work areas and equipment, regular cleaning and decontamination can also be effective in further reducing the likelihood of amplicon contamination. Specific precautions that should be considered prior to implementation of three molecular diagnostic methods–hybridization-based methods, target amplification-based methods, and target amplification-detection and postamplification analysis methods–have been discussed in the chapter.
Improving learning as a EC 2000 process

Criterion 2, Program Educational Objectives, of the Basic Level Accreditation Criteria for Engineering Criteria 2000 states: "Each engineering program for which an institution seeks accreditation or reaccreditation must have in place (a) detailed published educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the institution and these criteria, (b) a process based on the needs of the program's various constituencies in which the objectives are determined and periodically evaluated, (c) a curriculum and process that ensures the achievement of these objectives, and (d) a system of ongoing evaluation that demonstrates achievement of these objectives and uses the results to improve the effectiveness of the program." Briefly, part (a) states know where your educational institution is going. Part (b) requires a documented process for determining your direction. Part (c) states that your must be able to determine whether or not you are heading in the direction in which you indicated. Finally, part (d) says you must use the feedback from part (c) to improve the effectiveness of your program. The author considers part (d) discussing the learning process model, adaptive goal-seeking process, change process and interactive process.
Quaternary structure of Octopus vulgaris hemocyanin. Three-dimensional reconstruction from frozen-hydrated specimens and intramolecular location of functional units Ove and Ovb.

Abstract A frozen-hydrated sample of Octopus vulgaris hemocyanin was imaged at 0° and 40° tilt angle under low dose conditions by transmission electron microscopy. A three-dimensional reconstruction by the method of random conical tilt series produced a three-dimensional volume to which a D5 symmetry was applied. Examination of serial sections in the volume and surface representation at various threshold allowed the five arches containing functional unit Ovg to be localized at the interdimeric subunit groove. In another set of experiments specific polyclonal antibodies were used to label functional units Ovb and Ove in the cylinder wall. The observation of the negatively stained immunocomplexes showed that Ovb is located in the external tiers of functional units and Ove in the internal tier. These results suggest that the direction of the polypeptide chains in the cylinder wall may be only partially antiparallel. A model of the quaternary structure is proposed with the following features: (1) the external tiers of functional units comprise four units each (Ova-d) coming from a single polypeptide chain; (2) the internal tier comprises two functional units from each polypeptide chain (Ove-f); (3) the interdimeric subunit arches connect the two copies of a single functional unit (Ovg) located in each polypeptide chain.
Studies on the mechanism of antibody-dependent polymorphonuclear leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity.

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were cytotoxic to mammalian tumor cells (LSTRA) in the presence of anti-LSTRA serum as determined by a 51 Cr release assay. Cytotoxicity was observed with effector to target cell ratios as low as 0.25:1 and with incubation periods as short as 30 min. Under the conditions employed, human blood mononuclear cells had only minimal cytotoxic activity. Immunologic specificity was demonstrated by 1) the loss of activity when immune serum was preabsorbed with target cells or replaced with normal (preimmune) serum and 2) the lack of 51 Cr release from an unrelated target cell. Viable PMN were required as demonstrated by the loss of cytotoxicity on heating or homogenization. Further, an intact PMN metabolic burst was essential for maximal activity since PMN from patients with chronic granulomatous disease were only minimally active. The myeloperoxidase-H 2 O 2 -halide system of the PMN was not responsible for cytotoxicity since activity was normal with myeloperoxidase deficient PMN, was preserved in the presence of azide, cyanide or catalase, and was only slightly dependent on halides. Lack of inhibition by heparin militated against a role for PMN granular cationic proteins. Cytotoxicity was blocked by inhibitors of glycolysis, but not by an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation. The use of chelating agents indicated a requirement for divalent actions, primarily Mg ++ . Inhibition of cytotoxicity by the anti-tubulins, colchicine, and vincristine, suggested a role for microtubules. These studies suggest that antibody-dependent PMN-mediated tumor cell cytotoxicity requires specific antibody, viable PMN, a burst of PMN oxidative metabolism, glycolysis, divalent cations, and microtubular function. The PMN lysosomal constituents, myeloperoxidase and the cationic proteins, did not appear to be involved under the conditions employed.
An Unconditional Exact Test For Small Samples Matched Binary Pairs

For a 2x2 table of matched binary trials, a common large sample test is the McNemar’s test [1]. For example, if blood is drawn from N patients and split into two tubes in which one is treated with a test drug and another with a control substance, then the results of each treatment would result in 1, a response, or 0 , a non-response, for each tube. Each pair of tubes from a single patient would result in either a 1 0 (response to the test substance and a non-re­ sponse to the control), 01, 00, or 11. The results from all N patients, or matched-pairs, could be summarized by the number of pairs with each type of response, m10, m01, m00
Bioavailability of Elemental Iron Powders to Rats Is Less than Bakery-Grade Ferrous Sulfate and Predicted by Iron Solubility and Particle Surface Area

Foods are fortified with elemental forms of iron to reduce iron deficiency. However, the nutritional efficacy of current, commercially produced elemental iron powders has not been verified. We determined the bioavailability of six commercial elemental iron powders and examined how physicochemistry influences bioavailability. Relative biological value (RBV) of the iron powders was determined using a hemoglobin repletion/slope ratio method, treating iron-deficient rats with repletion diets fortified with graded quantities of iron powders, bakery-grade ferrous sulfate or no added iron. Iron powders were assessed physicochemically by measuring iron solubility in hydrochloric acid at pH 1.0 and 1.7, surface area by nitrogen gas adsorption and surface microstructure by electron microscopy. Bioavailability from the iron powders, based on absolute iron intake, was significantly less than from FeSO4 (100%; P Electrolytic (54%; A-131, U.S.) > Electrolytic (46%; Electrolytic Iron, India) > H-Reduced (42%; AC-325, U.S.) > Reduced (24%; ATOMET 95SP, Canada) > CO-Reduced (21%; RSI-325, Sweden). Solubility testing of the iron powders resulted in different relative rankings and better RBV predictability with increasing time at pH 1.7 (R2 = 0.65 at 150 min). The prediction was improved with less time and lower pH (R2 = 0.82, pH 1.0 at 30 min). Surface area, ranging from 90 to 370 m2/kg, was also highly predictive of RBV (R2 = 0.80). Bioavailability of iron powders is less than bakery-grade ferrous sulfate and varies up to three times among different commercial forms. Solubility at pH 1.0 and surface area were predictive of iron bioavailability in rats.
EFFECTS OF BICYCLE HELMET LAWS ON CHILDREN'S INJURIES

In recent years, many states and localities in the USA have enacted bicycle helmet laws. We estimate the effects of these laws on injuries requiring emergency department treatment. Using hospital-level panel data and triple difference models, we find helmet laws are associated with reductions in bicycle-related head injuries among children. However, laws also are associated with decreases in non-head cycling injuries, as well as increases in head injuries from other wheeled sports. Thus, the observed reduction in bicycle-related head injuries may be due to reductions in bicycle riding induced by the laws.
Adrenergic alteration of morphine-induced suppression of sciatic-evoked unit responses in the central grey

Abstract 1. 1. Morphine inhibited sciatic-evoked unit impulse activity in the central grey. This effect was antagonized by naloxone. 2. 2. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocker, also caused a naloxone-reversible suppression of sciatic evoked unit increases in the central grey. 3. 3. Propranolol, a beta blocker, was without effect when given alone. Propranolol, but not phentolamine, prevented the naloxone-reversible morphine suppression of such evoked activity. 4. 4. These results lead to several testable models of opiate mechanisms.
The Research of Mobile LVRT Testing Device in High Altitude Area

For high-altitude environment particularity, the device was designed for high-altitude correction. The equivalent stress analysis of particle system is researched to meet seismic requirementsneeds of automotive mobile devices. A new auto-switch is designed by improving the traditional tap-switch for automatic switching cable in the car. It is first used in a car as a automatically switch and greatly reduces the manual wiring workload. The field test results show that the device can assume a high altitude solar motion detector demand of the low voltage ride through (LVRT) .
Effect of spinal cord injury on the neural regulation of respiratory function

Injury at any level of the spinal cord can impair respiratory motor function. Indeed, complications associated with respiratory function are the number one cause of mortality in humans following spinal cord injury (SCI) at any level of the cord. This review is aimed at describing the effect of SCI on respiratory function while highlighting the recent advances made by basic science research regarding the neural regulation of respiratory function following injury. Models of SCI that include upper cervical hemisection and contusion injury have been utilized to examine the underlying neural mechanisms of respiratory control following injury. The approaches used to induce motor recovery in the respiratory system are similar to other studies that examine recovery of locomotor function after SCI. These include strategies to initiate regeneration of damaged axons, to reinnervate paralyzed muscles with peripheral nerve grafts, to use spared neural pathways to induce motor function, and finally, to initiate mechanisms of neural plasticity within the spinal cord to increase motoneuron firing. The ultimate goals of this research are to restore motor function to previously paralyzed respiratory muscles and improve ventilation in patients with SCI.
The localization of the gene for apolipoprotein C-II to chromosome 19.

Summary Human apolipoprotein (apo) C-II, a 79 amino acid protein, functions as a cofactor for lipoprotein lipase, the enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of plasma triglycerides. The chromosomal location of apoC-II has been determined by filter hybridization analysis of human-mouse hybrid cells. Southern blots of DNA from 21 human-mouse hybrid cells were hybridized with a 190 base pair nick translated probe prepared from a Hinf I digest of an apoC-II cDNA clone. Without exception, ApoC-II segregated with chromosome 19 thus establishing synteny with the apoE and LDL receptor genes known to be localized to this chromosome. The localization of the apoC-II gene to chromosome 19 will permit more detailed analysis of the genomic organization and linkages of the apolipoprotein genes.
Impact of newer unidirectional and bidirectional barbed suture on vesicourethral anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and its comparison with polyglecaprone-25 suture: an initial experience.

Objective To evaluate impact of unidirectional barbed suture on vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and its comparison with Polyglecaprone-25 suture.
Fault location techniques for radial and loop transmission systems using digital fault recorded data

The authors present digital fault location techniques for transmission systems when digital fault recorded data are available at one terminal or two terminals. The systems under consideration are a 115 kV loop transmission system with data available at two terminals and a 69 kV radial transmission system with data available at one terminal. The data under consideration were recorded using digital fault recorders. The conversion of the data to workable data files and the techniques developed to achieve the highest accuracy in determining the fault location are discussed. Intermediate load buses and loads are considered in determining the fault location. An example of the effect of neglecting the presence of these loads is discussed. The fault location techniques are based on both the apparent impedance concept and the use of the three-phase voltage and current phasors. A test case with the exact fault location is presented. The techniques were developed on an IBM PC. >
Effect of leaf age, duration of cool temperature treatment, and photoperiod on bud dormancy release and floral initiation in mango

Abstract Floral induction in apical buds of container-grown ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango trees occurred after a cool temperature regime of 18 °C day/10 °C night, 12-h photoperiod, was imposed for a minimum period of 3 weeks on trees bearing leaves at least 7 weeks old. Growth of induced buds during exposure to the cool temperature regime appeared to be necessary for floral initiation, since buds resuming growth in warm temperatures (about 28 °C day/22 °C night) immediately after receiving an inductive, cool temperature treatment produced a vegetative flush. Trees bearing younger leaves or chemically forced (thidiazuron or ammonium nitrate application) to resume growth prior to completing 3 weeks of cool temperature treatment also produced vegetative growth instead of inflorescences. Cool temperatures of 18 °C day/10 °C night with either 11-, 12-, 13-, or 24-h photoperiods resulted in floral initiation, whereas only vegetative growth occurred with warm temperatures of 30 °C day/25 °C night using 11- or 13-h photoperiods. Results of this study suggest that floral induction of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango occurred during bud dormancy in cool temperatures around 15 °C, and that warm temperatures near 30°C prevented floral initiation of induced buds. Cool temperatures rather than a short photoperiod caused floral induction, whereas warm temperatures rather than a long photoperiod inhibited flowering.
The requirement to rebuild US fish stocks: Is it working?

Abstract The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) was amended in 1996 to require that overfished stocks be rebuilt in as short a time period as possible, not to exceed 10 years, with limited exceptions. This comment examines the basic but important question of whether the implementation of rebuilding plans under the 1996 amendments has in fact been associated with biomass recovery. Specifically, for each of the 44 stocks examined, this analysis compares the biomass trend before rebuilding plan implementation to the trend after rebuilding plan implementation using a linear trend-break model. The analysis demonstrates a statistically significant positive association between the implementation of rebuilding plans and standardized biomass in 19 of 44 stocks. None of the 44 stocks examined showed a statistically significant negative association. The analysis showed a strong temporal relationship between the implementation of the policy and rebounds in fish stocks.
Epidemiological evidence and immunological/mathematical model of acquired cytotoxic T lymphocyte immunity to HIV infection in AIDS risk populations

Human immunodeficiency viral (HIV) infection transmission data is analyzed to show that considerable circumstantial evidence exists to support the hypothesis that acquired cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immunity to the HIV infection is widespread in the major acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) risk populations. In the homosexual/bisexual and IVDU populations alone, it is shown that over a million people may have such immunity. A phenomenological model describing the dynamical impact of HIV on the immune system is then used in conjunction with an immunological model to demonstrate how CTL immunity could be generated. It is shown that noninfectious inoculations of HIV exist, leading to challenges that can be cleared by the host's immune system in a matter of weeks before antibodies can or need to be generated. Such hosts may have developed CTL immunity to HIV infection, a possibility that can only be verified by direct testing. If CTL immunity is long lasting, then a natural vaccine to HIV has presented itself. A national study should be undertaken without delay to measure the pervasiveness, effectiveness and durability of CTL immunity to HIV. The infectiousness of an HIV inoculation is mathematically defined in the context of the model presented here, and its relationship to the animal infectious dose is described in detail. The modelling results in this paper are consistent with the epidemiological HIV transmission data, the demonstrated ability to generate CTL immunity to SIV in macaques, and the HIV viral load and infected T helper cell density data appearing in the literature.
Seismic retrofit of a reinforced concrete flat-slab structure: Part II — seismic fragility analysis

Abstract An assessment of seismic fragility was conducted for a reinforced concrete (RC) frame structure representative of 1980s construction in the Central United States. The performance of the unretrofitted structure is presented in terms of fragility relationships that relate the probability of exceeding a performance level to the earthquake intensity. In addition, seismic fragility relationships were developed for the retrofitted structure based on three possible retrofit techniques and several performance levels. Fragility curves for the retrofitted structure were compared with those for the unretrofitted structure. For development of seismic fragility curves, the FEMA 356 global drift limits were compared with drift limits based on the FEMA 356 member-level criteria. In addition, a punching shear prediction model was used to establish an upper bound drift limit. Performance levels based on additional quantitative limits were also considered. Varying degrees of reduction in the seismic fragility were demonstrated through the use of the three selected retrofit techniques. The fragility curves were compared to those for RC structures derived in other studies and it was found that the results based on this study are comparable.
High resolution spectroscopy using photodeflection

Abstract Isotope separation by laser deflection of an atomic beam, combined with simultaneous mass spectroscopy, has been used to determine optical frequency shifts and to assign mass numbers to all components of the Ba 6s 2 1 S 0 −6s6p 1 P 1 5536 A resonance. Several components which cannot be resolved optically without the use of enriched samples, were resolved with the technique described. They are 135 Ba (F= 5 2 ) at 120 MHz, 136Ba at 128 MHz and 134Ba at 138 MHz.
Agricultural price analysis and forecasting

Price Determination Versus Price Discovery. Correcting for Inflation--The Use of Index Numbers. Price Movements Over Time--Analysis of Trends. Simple Linear Regression and the Estimation of Trends. Price Movements Over Time--Cycles. Measuring Cycles. Price Movements Over Time--Seasonality. Supply-Demand Relationships--Supply. Supply-Demand Relationships--Demand. Demand and Elasticity. Estimation of Demand and Supply--Multiple Graphic Correlation. Estimation of Demand and Supply--Regression Revisited. Marketing Margins. Market Structure--Pure Competition. Market Structure--Monopoly and Monopsony. Market Structure--Oligopoly and Oligopsony. Index.
Solar activity variations of the Venus thermosphere/ionosphere

We present models of the low and high solar activity thermospheres and ionospheres of Venus for a background atmosphere based largely on the VTS3 model of Hedin et al. [1983]. Our background model consists of 12 neutral species, and we compute the density profiles of 13 ions and 7 minor neutrals. We find that the peak production rates of some ions, such as CO2+ and N2+, vary approximately as the solar flux and that some, whose parent neutrals are photochemically produced, such as O+, N+, and C+, show variations that are amplified over that of the solar flux. The solar cycle variation of the O2+ density at its peak is about a factor of 1.6, in good agreement with the radio occultation measurements and previous models. The peak density of N2+ varies by a factor of ∼ 2, but that of CO+ varies by a larger factor because the mixing ratio of CO is also correlated with solar activity. The atomic ions O+, N+, and C+, which peak at high altitudes, exhibit larger density enhancements at high solar activity of factors of 5–18. Thus there is a solar cycle variation in the overall composition of the ionosphere, with a relatively larger proportion of atomic ions at high solar activity. In both measurements and models the solar activity variation of the electron density profile is altitude-dependent, with variations of only ∼60% near the peak but up to an order of magnitude near 300 km. The high solar activity electron density profile exhibits an F2 “shoulder,” which is rarely seen in the radio occultation data and may indicate that the VTS3 atomic O mixing ratios are too large at high solar activity. We also discuss the solar activity variations of N, NO, C, O(1D), and O(1S).
A high magnetic field study of the triplet state of hexachlorobenzene

Abstract An analysis of the high field Zeeman effects of (0, 0), 0 + 195 cm −1 , 0 +_254 cm −1 , 0 + 359 cm −1 and 0 + 1199 cm −1 vibronic transitions in the lowest triplet state of hexachlorobenzene are presented. The studies refer to crysthesis at 4.2°K in fields of ca. 80 kG. The results show that 195 cm −1 is an upper state e g mode, 254 cm −1 is probably e g but perhaps a 2g , and 359 cm −1 and 1189 cm −1 are a g vibrations. The molecular symmetry is shown to be different from D 3d as far as spin-orbit selection rules are concerned (as expected from the known crystal structure) but as expected no evidence of the crystal field mixing of D 3d state) appears in the non-totally symmetric vibronic bands. The distribution of electric-dipole strength over the various spin sub-states is deduced for each type of vibronic level.
Beta-adrenergic inhibition of rabbit lens anterior-surface K(+) conductance.

Purpose. To characterize the effects of cAMP-elevating stimuli on the rabbit translens electrical parameters and examine the distribution of beta adrenoceptors about the epithelial surface. Methods. The electrophysiological experiments encompassed the isolation of lenses within a vertically arranged, Ussing-type chamber under short-circuit conditions, an approach that allowed for measurements of short-circuit current (I sc) across, in separate experiments, discrete surface regions. Epithelial beta receptors were localized by immunofluorescent labeling of lens cryosections primarily exposed to a polyclonal antibody against human s 2 -adrenoceptors. Reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to generate cDNA (using specific primers based upon the sequence of the previously cloned human s 2 receptor) from rabbit lens RNA extracted from mechanically sequestered anterior and equatorial epithelial cells. Results. Asymmetrical I sc reductions with increases in translens resistance were e...
Dynamic Gassmann's Equation: Effects of Permeability And Partial Saturation

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AND DEFINITIONS The viscoelastic response of rock to seismic waves depends on the relative motion of pore fluid with respect to the solid phase. The fluid motion depends , in part, on the internal wave-induced pore pressure dist ribution whi ch depends on the pore microstructure of rock, and on the scales of saturation. We consider wave-induced fluid flow at two scales: (1) local microscopic (squirt) flow at the smallest scale of saturation heterogeneity (e.g., within a single pore) and (2) macroscopic flow at the large scale of saturated and dry patches.The main goal of this paper is to explore the circumstances under which each of these mechanisms dominates the viscoelastic behavior of a. porous material. We examine such flows under the conditions of uniform confining (bulk) compression and obtain a dynamic extension of the Gassmann formula which is applicable to velocity and attenuation estimates at all frequencies and all types of saturation. The important results of our theoretical modeling are: (1) a. hysteresis of seismic velocity versus saturation at imbibition and drainage, and (2) two peaks of acoustic wave attenuation one at low frequency (due to the global squirt flow) and another at higher frequency (due to the local flow). Both theoretical results are well supported by experimental data. Microscopic Squirt Flow refers to the fluid motion at the smallest scale of heterogeneity in a porous material. The material is represented by elementary microscopic units (Figure 1) composed of thin conduits and stiff equidimensional pores (Murphy et al., 1986). The thin conduits connect the large pores and thus provide the paths for macroscopic fluid flow (Figure lb,c).
Path integral simulation of positronium

We use path integral Monte Carlo to investigate the dependence of the positronium pick-off annihilation rate on density in Xenon on two isotherms above the critical temperature. Using a simple interaction potential, reasonable agreement with experiment is obtained over a wide range of density. Surprisingly, we find that positronium remains localized at twice the critical point density.
Presence in the Human Placenta and Term Serum of a Highly Lactogenic Substance Immunologically Related to Pituitary Growth Hormone

A previously undescribed substance has been discovered in the peripheral and retroplacental sera of human pregnancy at term. This substance is immunochemically closely related to human pituitary growth hormone (HGH) and has been isolated in relatively large amounts and purified form from term human placentas. It is highly lactogenic both in pigeon crop sac assays (local intradermal injections) and in milk-promoting activity in the pseudopregnant rabbit, but is devoid of growth-promoting activity in the hypophysectomized rat tibial plate growth assay at the dose levels tested. The possible biologic role of this lactogenic material in pregnant primates is discussed. The findings encountered give further support to the theory that a small portion of a protein hormone molecule may determine major differences in its physiologic function.
Jehoram and the Cannibal Mothers (2 Kings 6.24-33): Solomon's Judgment in an Inverted World:

Pour comprendre comment ses premiers destinataires ont pu accueillir l'histoire bizarre de la mere cannibale, l'A. analyse la relation entre cannibalisme parental et autres formes de violence sociale dans les textes bibliques et assyriens, il examine la fonction de comedie et le lien commun du monde a l'envers dans le recit et il l'oppose au jugement de Salomon : meme la connaissance quasi-divine que Salomon avait de la nature humaine etait sans objet dans ce monde perverti. Ceux qui adoptent la perspective desesperee de Joram seront amenes a accuser la justice sans entrailles maternelles qui punit le coupable en pervertissant la nature humaine
Inconsistent Latino Self-Identification in Adolescence and Academic Performance

Research has documented important connections between ethnic identity and academic success. In the multiethnic context of the US, ethnic self-identification is a dynamic process that develops through social interaction within institutions. Understanding the emergence of a Latino self-identity within schools can provide insight into the meanings adolescents confer to a “Latino” identity and the relationship between a Latino self-identity and academic success. This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine (1) the association between a Latino self-identification in-school but not at home and academic well-being, (2) the association between a Latino self-identification in-school but not at home and school processes, and (3) whether school processes help to mediate the relationship between Latino self-identification in-school but not at home and academic well-being. Results suggest that while adolescents who identify as Latino at school but not at home come from families and neighborhoods with higher levels of economic and human capital, by the end of high school they have accumulated less educational capital then either consistently identifying Latinos or non-Latino whites. Much of this association can be explained by prior academic experiences, yet other factors associated with resistance to institutional norms and attending low performing schools may also be important. Results suggest that non-minority, underachieving adolescents may choose to self-identify as Latino in schools as a way to save face and avert identity crises and that perhaps youth in schools have come to associate a Latino identity with poor school performance.
Movement of microtubules by single kinesin molecules

Kinesin is a motor protein that uses energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to move organelles along microtubules. Using a new technique for measuring the movement produced in vitro by individual kinesin molecules, it is shown that a single kinesin molecule can move a microtubule for several micrometers. New information about the mechanism of force generation by kinesin is presented.