cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of intramural ganglia in the dissociated rectosigmoid of the rat: an organ culture study.

Abstract The distal rectosigmoid of the developing embryonic rat was studied on each gestational day from 12 to 21. Circular muscle was first recognized on day 16 and ganglion cells on day 17. When in vitro dissociated colon from as early as the day 12 embryo reached a maturational age of 17 days (embryonic age plus days in culture), circular muscle, ganglia, and peristalsis could be detected. This indicates that neuroblasts must have migrated to the indifferent mesenchyme before day 12 of gestation. Anti-nerve growth factor immunoglobulin-G (IgG) did not inhibit differentiation of ganglia in vitro. As a result of this study we designed an in vitro assay that can serve as a useful means to study isolated ganglion cell development.
On the design of clinical trials for treatment of opiate dependence

The issues in designing clinical trials for treatment of opiate dependence are discussed. In particular, the advantages and disadvantages of two sampling schemes viz., random time and fixed time sampling schemes used to collect urine samples are delineated. It is shown that a fixed time sampling scheme should be the sampling scheme of choice in clinical trials for treatment of opiate dependence. However, traditional opiate (drug) abuse treatment clinics, primarily operating in treatment (as opposed to research) environment may select the sampling scheme of their choice to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs.
ABSOLUTE CONFIGURATION OF HALISULFATE 3 FROM THE SPONGE IRCINIA SP.

Abstract The absolute configuration of halisulfate 3 ( 1 ), a metabolite of the sponge Ircinia sp. from the Philippines, was determined in two steps. The (13 S ) absolute configuration was derived by application of the chiral amide method using acid 5 . The (8 R ,9 S ) stereochemistry of the bicyclic ring system was obtained by comparison of the optical rotation of the degradation product 8 with that of an ester 9 of known absolute configuration.
Prevalence of group C rotavirus among children in Rhode Island, United States.

Abstract Background Group C rotavirus causes sporadic cases and outbreaks of acute diarrhea in humans but its burden as a cause of severe gastroenteritis in children remains unclear. Objectives To investigate the epidemiology and burden of group C rotavirus gastroenteritis among children in Rhode Island, United States. Study design Diarrhea stool specimens from 124 children ≤10 years of age were collected, screened for group C and A rotavirus by EIA specific for each group, and further examined by nested PCR and Southern hybridization using primers and probes specific to the VP7 gene of human group C rotavirus. Group C rotavirus-positive fecal specimens were also examined by EM. Results Rotavirus was detected in 73 (59.0%) of 124 fecal samples. These included 53 (42.7%) positive for group A, 5 (4.0%) for group C and 15 (12.1%) for both group A and C rotaviruses. Examination of group C-positive samples by EM revealed the presence of largely empty or damaged rotavirus-like particles. Conclusion These findings indicate that group C rotavirus is an important cause or a contributing cause of diarrhea among infants and older children in Rhode Island, United States.
Characterization of the Unusual Bidirectional ves Promoters Driving VESA1 Expression and Associated with Antigenic Variation in Babesia bovis

Rapid clonal antigenic variation in Babesia bovis involves the variant erythrocyte surface antigen-1 (VESA1) protein expressed on the infected-erythrocyte surface. Because of the significance of this heterodimeric protein for demonstrated mechanisms of parasite survival and virulence, there is a need to understand how expression of the ves multigene family encoding this protein is controlled. As an initial step toward this goal, we present here initial characterization of the ves promoter driving transcription of VESA1a and -1b subunits. A series of transfection constructs containing various sequence elements from the in vivo locus of active ves transcription (LAT) were used to drive expression of the firefly luciferase gene in a dual luciferase-normalized assay. The results of this approach reveal the presence of two bidirectional promoter activities within the 434-bp intergenic region (IGr), influenced by putative regulatory sequences embedded within the flanking ves1α and ves1β genes. Repressor-like effects on the apposing gene were observed for intron 1 of both ves1α and ves1β. This effect is apparently not dependent upon intronic promoter activity and acts only in cis. The expression of genes within the ves family is likely modulated by local elements embedded within ves coding sequences outside the intergenic promoter region in concert with chromatin modifications. These results provide a framework to help us begin to understand gene regulation during antigenic variation in B. bovis.
SSX expression and function in prostate cancer.

Meeting abstracts Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a group of proteins whose expression is essentially restricted to testis germline cells among normal somatic cells. CTAs also possess a heightened expression in many different types of cancer. Due to their restricted expression in tumor cells
Building Capacity in Understanding Foundational Biology Concepts: A K-12 Learning Progression in Genetics Informed by Research on Children’s Thinking and Learning

This article describes the substance, structure, and rationale of a learning progression in genetics spanning kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12). The learning progression is designed to build a foundation towards understanding protein structure and activity and should be viewed as one possible pathway to understanding concepts of genetics and ultimately protein expression, based on the existing research. The kindergarten through fifth grade segment reflects findings that show children have a rich knowledge base and sophisticated cognitive abilities, and therefore, is designed so that elementary-aged children can learn content in deep and abstract manners, as well as apply scientific explanations appropriate to their knowledge level. The article also details the LP segment facilitating secondary students’ understanding by outlining the overlapping conceptual frames which guide student learning from cell structures and functions to cell splitting (both cell division and gamete formation) to genetics as trait transmission, culminating in genetics as protein expression. The learning progression product avoids the use of technical language, which has been identified as a prominent source of student misconceptions in learning cellular biology, and explicit connections between cellular and macroscopic phenomena are encouraged.
Spatial statistical measures of crop temperature variability using infrared thermography in radiant heated greenhouse crops

ABSTRACTCrop surface temperature under a radiant heated greenhouse was measured using a portableinfrared thermometer. Plants were arranged so that each plant occupied a grid cell of 30cm x 30cm(ift x ift). Data collected were analyzed for their spatial distribution. Geostatistical software was usedto characterize the spatial variability of the plant surface temperature. The shape of the empirical semi-variogram suggested that a spherical model was best fitted to the empirical semi.variogram. This model indicated that the nugget effect was estimated at 1.2, the sill at 3.3 and the range at 1.65 m.This model was used in block kriging to estimate plant surface temperature for unsampled locations.Keywords: Infrared, Thermometry, Geostatistics, Kriging, Spatial Variability.1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Geostatistical conceptsMeasurements of physical entities or biological properties in space and time cannot be considered as independent samples. Properties at locations near to each other tend to have values more
Disciplining Microbes in the Implementation of US Federal Organic Standards

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a citizen panel charged with the job of recommending to the US Secretary of Agriculture guidelines for certified organic agriculture, can be analyzed as a ‘boundary organization’. By linking organic farmers' knowledge with peer-reviewed science, the board builds the base of organic agriculture for legitimacy and also develops a new product: federally certified organic agriculture. Examination of organic standards on composting, with a focus on characterizations of composting microbes, reveals the very compromised ability of the NOSB to effect change, however, despite its efforts to build common ground between institutions with very different cultures and historical interests. A focus on discourses of microbes provides insights into the accomplishments of and limits to the influence of the NOSB as well as the larger organic movement. Organizational tactics of the NOSB are best understood within the larger context of institutional commitments to specific forms of...
HGF-Induced Tubulogenesis and Branching of Epithelial Cells Is Modulated by Extracellular Matrix and TGF-β

Abstract Beginning with the observation that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces the formation of branching tubular structures in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells cultured in Type I collagen gels but not in basement membrane Matrigel, we examined the individual components within this complex basement membrane extract to determine the effect of these proteins on the morphogenetic changes mediated by HGF. After extraction of several growth factors from Matrigel, HGF was still unable to induce process formation, an early event in tubulogenesis, indicating that one or more of the remaining extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins or growth factors were exerting the inhibitory effect. By individually adding back these components to MDCK cells grown in Type I collagen gels in the presence of HGF, we were able to establish that: (1) certain ECM proteins, such as laminin, entactin, and fibronectln, actually facilitated the formation of branching tubular structures and increased their complexity; (2) other ECM proteins, such as Type IV collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and vitronectin, caused marked inhibition of HGF-induced morphogenesis; and (3) not only did transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inhibit the formation of tubular structures, but those which did form exhibited little branching, thereby suggesting that TGF-β modulates tubulogenesis as well as branching. These results suggest that a tubulogenic morphogen such as HGF and a tubulogenesis-inhibitory morphogen such as TGF-β can, in the context of the dynamic matrix known to exist during epithelial tissue development, modulate the degree of tubule (or ductal) formation, the length of these tubules, and the extent of their arborization. The relevance of these findings to tubulogenesis and branching during kidney development is discussed.
Cryopreservation of adherent neuronal networks.

Abstract Neuronal networks have been widely used for neurophysiology, drug discovery and toxicity testing. An essential prerequisite for future widespread application of neuronal networks is the development of efficient cryopreservation protocols to facilitate their storage and transportation. Here is the first report on cryopreservation of mammalian adherent neuronal networks. Dissociated spinal cord cells were attached to a poly- d -lysine/laminin surface and allowed to form neuronal networks. Adherent neuronal networks were embedded in a thin film of collagen gel and loaded with trehalose prior to transfer to a freezing medium containing DMSO, FBS and culture medium. This was followed by a slow rate of cooling to −80 °C for 24 h and then storage for up to 2 months in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C. The three components: DMSO, collagen gel entrapment and trehalose loading combined provided the highest post-thaw viability, relative to individual or two component protocols. The post-thaw cells with this protocol demonstrated similar neuronal and astrocytic markers and morphological structure as those detected in unfrozen cells. Fluorescent dye FM1-43 staining revealed active recycling of synaptic vesicles upon depolarizing stimulation in the post-thaw neuronal networks. These results suggest that a combination of DMSO, collagen gel entrapment and trehalose loading can significantly improve conventional slow-cooling methods in cryopreservation of adherent neuronal networks.
Molecular imaging of in vivo gene expression.

Molecular imaging provides spatial and temporal information on cellular changes that occur during development and in disease. MRI and optical imaging of reporter genes allows for the visualization of promoter activity, protein–protein interactions, protein stability and the tracking of individual proteins and cells. Reporter genes can be genetically encoded in transgenic animals or detected through the administration of an exogenous contrast agent. Advances in molecular imaging of reporter genes have led to the development of imaging probes that detect changes in endogenous cellular changes. The ability to use contrast agents coupled with functional information on cellular events will allow for sensitive assessment of individual patient therapies, leading to an accurately tailored treatment regimen.
Intertexts of Margaret Atwood's Life before Man

(1992). Intertexts of Margaret Atwood's Life before Man. American Review of Canadian Studies: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 199-214.
The distribution of catecholamines and β-endorphin in the brains of three behaviorally distinct breeds of dogs and their F1 hybrids

Abstract This study examines neurochemical and behavioral differences among three types of domestic dogs and F 1 hybrids derived from them. Purebred dogs included Border Collies, representing herding dogs, Shar Planinetz, representing livestock protecting dogs, and Siberian Huskies, representing Northern dogs. Composite behavioral scores were derived from frequency measures of various components of predatory behavior observed when the dogs were tested with mice. Catecholamine levels, including norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and epineprine (EPI), were determined in various brain regions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. β-endorphin levels were determined in the same regions by RIA. Collies showed the highest levels of non-consummatory behaviors and Huskies the highest levels of consummatory behaviors. Shars were found to have lower levels of NE and DA than Collies and Huskies in several brain regions, including those comprising the nigrostriatal DA system. Positive correlations between neurochemical and behavioral characteristics could be made between Shars and Collies. Comparisons of F 1 hybrids with their respective parental breeds revealed no clear pattern of inheritance for these characteristics but suggested that multiple factors, both independent and epistatic, are involved. Based on previous studies on nigrostriatal DA and behavior, the levels of DA in this system may be casually related to the levels of predatory behavior expressed by Collies and Shars.
Serum prostate-specific antigen in a community-based population of healthy men. Establishment of age-specific reference ranges.

Objective. —To define the characteristics of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a population of healthy men without clinically evident prostate cancer, but who are at risk for developing the malignancy. The influence of patient age and prostatic size on the serum PSA concentration was assessed in order to use PSA more appropriately to detect clinically significant prostate cancer at an early, potentially curable stage. Design. —Prospective, community-based study. Participants. —Between December 1989 and March 1991, 2119 healthy men aged 40 to 79 years from Olmsted County, Minnesota, were entered into a prospective study to assess the natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Of these, 537 (25%) were randomly chosen to participate in a detailed clinical examination that included a serum PSA determination (Tandem-R PSA assay), digital rectal examination, and transrectal ultrasonography. Four hundred seventy-one (88%) completed the prostatic evaluation and had no evidence of prostate cancer by any of these three diagnostic tests; these men formed the study population on which all analyses were performed. Main Outcome Measure. —Serum PSA concentration, prostatic volume, and PSA density (serum PSA level/prostatic volume) as a function of patient age. Results. —The serum PSA concentration is correlated with patient age (r=.43;P Conclusions. —The serum PSA concentration is directly correlated with patient age and prostatic volume, the latter of which also is directly related to age. Thus, rather than rely on a single reference range for men of all age groups, it is more appropriate to have age-specific reference ranges. These age-specific reference ranges have the potential to make serum PSA a more discriminating tumor marker for detecting clinically significant cancers in older men (increasing specificity) and to find more potentially curable cancers in younger men (increasing sensitivity). (JAMA. 1993;270:860-864)
Diagnosis of hematometrosalpinx and ipsilateral renal agenesis with magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging in obstetrics and gynecology has been limited primarily to aiding in the staging of neoplasms. It has also been suggested for visualization of mullerian anomalies.1,2 We describe its use in the preoperative evaluation of a patient with uterine didelphys and an incomplete longitudinal vaginal septum after ultrasound failed to correctly delineate the anatomy. This new modality may improve our ability to preopera-tively diagnose complex mullerian anomalies and may decrease the incidence of unnecessary laparotomy.
Effects of pentobarbital on upper airway patency during sleep

We hypothesised that pentobarbital would improve upper airway mechanics based on an increase in latency to arousal and amplitude of the phasic genioglossus electromyogram (EMG), and a decrease in the active upper airway critical closing pressure ( P crit ). 12 healthy subjects received pentobarbital (100 mg) or placebo in a double-blind, crossover protocol. During wakefulness, we measured the genioglossus reflex response to negative pressure pulses. During sleep, carbon dioxide was insufflated into the inspired air. Airway pressure was then decreased in a stepwise fashion until arousal from sleep. With basal breathing during sleep: flow rate was lower in volunteers given pentobarbital; end-tidal CO 2 concentration and upper airway resistance were greater; and P crit was unaffected (pentobarbital mean±sd -11.7±4.5 versus placebo -10.25±3.6 cmH 2 O; p = 0.11). Pentobarbital increased the time to arousal (297±63s versus 232±67 s; p versus 3.1±3%; p 2 levels. The increase in genioglossus EMG after CO 2 administration was greater after pentobarbital versus placebo. Pentobarbital did not affect the genioglossus negative-pressure reflex. Pentobarbital increases the time to arousal and stimulates genioglossus muscle activity, but it also increases upper airway resistance during sleep.
High abundance of testosterone and salivary androgen-binding protein in the lateral nasal gland of male mice

To better understand androgen function in the mammalian nose, we have determined the levels of testosterone (T) in the olfactory mucosa (OM, which harbors the olfactory receptor neurons) and the lateral nasal gland (LNG, which is the largest anterior nasal gland) of C57BL/6 mice. The results indicated that, in adult male mice, T levels in the LNG were substantially higher than those in the OM and other non-reproductive or non-endocrine tissues examined, including liver, kidney, and brain. Furthermore, in the LNG, the high T levels were accompanied by high levels of salivary androgen-binding protein (sABP) and low microsomal T-hydroxylase activities. The high abundance of T and sABP in the LNG suggests not only that the LNG is a storage site for androgen, but also the possibility that unusually high T levels may occur in other organs that have abundant expression of sABP but low expression of steroid-metabolizing enzymes. Our findings suggest a critical need to determine androgen levels in various organs, as well as to establish the functional significance of an unusually high T level in the LNG, a gland known for its secretion of biologically active molecules, such as odorant binding proteins and immunoglobulin A, to the nasal cavity.
A NOTE ON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CRITERION‐REFERENCED RELIABILITY COEFFICIENT

This note concerns some comments made in a recent article by Harris (1973). In this article, Harris presents formulas for the variance of errors of estimation (of a true score from an observed score) and the variance of errors of prediction (of an observed score from an observed score on a parallel test). His formulas express these variances in terms of the variance of errors of measurement and the familiar norm-referenced reliability coefficient. He then points out that if the criterion-referenced reliability coefficient (Livingston, 1972) were substituted for the norm-referenced coefficient, the size of the expressions would increase. This observation is true but not very meaningful. The normreferenced reliability coefficient appears in Harris' formulas because it is the leastsquares linear regression coefficient of true scores on observed scores. Therefore there is no reason to substitute the criterion-referenced reliability coefficient into these formulas. To do so would be equivalent to requiring the regression line to pass through the intersection of the criterion levels for observed score and true score. In regressionanalysis terms, this constraint would be equivalent to removing the regressor for the mean, which, of course, would be expected to result in an increase in the variance of the residuals. In less technical language, we can simply say that the mean of a distribution has certain special properties. One of them is that a least-squares regression line will pass through the intersection of means. When test reliability is assessed in terms of deviations from the mean, as it is in the norm-referenced case, the reliability coefficient will be equal to the regression coefficient of true scores on observed scores. However, despite these special statistical properties of the mean, a test user may be interested in measuring with reference to some other point on the scale of measurement. In this case, the amount of reliable information he receives from the test will increase with the distance between the mean and his chosen criterion score. And the proportion of the information that is reliable (from this criterion-referenced point of view) is given by the criterion-referenced reliability coefficient.
Inference of genetic regulatory networks using regularized likelihood with covariance estimation

We cast the problem of reverse-engineering the connectivity matrix of genetic regulatory networks from a limited number of measurements as a regularized multivariate regression problem. The regularization term incorporates the prior knowledge of sparsity of genetic regulatory networks. Moreover, the genetic profiles within a measurement are assumed to be correlated with a full covariance structure. The proposed algorithm computes a sparse estimate of the connectivity matrix that accounts for correlated errors using regularized likelihood. We show that the joint estimation of the connectivity and covariance matrices improves the estimation of the network connectivity as compared to the assumption of uncorrelated measurements. Our algorithm has ln(ln(N)) sampling complexity. We test and validate our approach using synthetically generated networks.
Epidemiology of brain tumors

Brain tumors seemed to have increased in incidence over the past 30 years, but the rise probably results from use of new neuroimaging techniques. Treatments have not improved prognosis for rapidly fatal brain tumors. Established brain tumor risk factors (exposure to ionizing radiation, rare mutations of penetrant genes, and familial history) explain only a small proportion of brain tumors, and only one of these potentially is modifiable. Genetic and environmental characteristics likely play a role in familial aggregation of glioma and these factors are not identified. New concepts in brain tumor etiology and clinical management are the goal of research, with an aim at eradicating this devastating disease.
Four-dimensional B-spline-based motion analysis of tagged cardiac MR images

In recent years, with development of new MRI techniques, noninvasive evaluation of global and regional cardiac function is becoming a reality. One of the methods used for this purpose is MRI tagging. In tagging, spatially encoded magnetic saturation planes, tags, are created within tissues. These act as temporary markers and move with the tissue. In cardiac tagging, tag deformation pattern provides useful qualitative and quantitative information about the functional properties of underlying myocardium. The measured deformation of a single tag plane contains only unidirectional information of the past motion. In order to track the motion of a cardiac material point, this sparse, single dimensional data has to be combined with similar information gathered from other tag sets and all time frames. Previously, several methods have been developed which rely on the specific geometry of the chambers. Here, we employ an image plane based, simple cartesian coordinate system and provide a stepwise method to describe the heart motion using a four-dimensional tensor product of B-splines. The proposed displacement and forward motion fields exhibited sub-pixel accuracy. Since our motion fields are parametric and based on an image plane based coordinate system, trajectories or other derived values (velocity, acceleration, strains...) can be calculated for any desired point on the MRI images. This method is sufficiently general so that the motion of any tagged structure can be tracked.
Perishable Information in an Increasingly Mobile World

This article offers an observation of information seeking and use “in the wild” that touches upon ways in which technology is merged with social interactions, and physical space, particularly in a highly transient environment. The study analyzes information dynamics of three everyday life mobile activities (food trucks, the urban playground movement, and spontaneous shrines). In summary, more attention needs to be drawn to studying how society handles perishable matter as a means, or a goal, in information seeking.
An approach to region splitting

Abstract An algorithm is presented for heuristically splitting apart touching regions in an image by finding a straight line that best separates each pair of the regions.
THE UTILIZATION OF NUCLEOTIDES BY ANIMAL CELLS

We have extended our studies on the toxicity of several arabinosyl nucleotides to L cells. In contrast to a short-term toxic effect of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (araA), both 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 5'-phosphate (araAMP) and 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate produced sustained killing of the fibroblasts. 9-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyladenine 2',5'-cyclic phosphate and 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine-N1-oxide-5'-phosphate were not toxic, whereas 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-phosphate and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate had relatively slight effects on cell growth. 2',3'-Dideoxyadenosine 5'-phosphate was lethal to L cells, whereas 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine inhibited growth only slightly. The survival time of mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was prolonged beyond controls equally well by treatment with either araAMP or araA. To explore the mechanism of nucleotide toxicity, we studied the metabolism of exogenous [3H, 32P]-araAMP. The double-labeled compound entered the cells very slowly and accumulated in both acid-soluble and acid-insoluble materials. 32P and 3H were associated with the adenine nucleotide fractions in ratios similar to that of the exogenous compound. After dephosphorylation of the acid-soluble fraction, greater than 85% of the 3H was associated with araA. Following degradation of the adenine-containing triphosphates with apyrase, all of the 32P and 97% of the 3H were associated with araAMP. Only small quantities of each label were associated with RNA and DNA. Following enzymatic degradation of DNA to 5'-monophosphates, most of both 3H and 32P were associated with the dAMP fraction in a ratio that was similar to that of the exogenous araAMP. After dephosphorylation of the 5'-monophosphates, greater than 90% of the 3H was contained in arabinosyl nucleosides. DNA was also enzymatically degreded to 3'-monophosphates. 3H was found primarily in the 3'-adenine nucleotide fraction with a slight amount in the nucleoside, whereas 32P was distributed among all the 3'-mononucleotides. After dephosphorylation of the 3'-monophosphates, 93% of the 3H was associated with araA. These results indicate that a small amount of araAMP penetrated the cell as the intact nucleotide, was phosphyorlated to the triphosphate and was subsequently incorporated within DNA.
A Study of Night Myopia

The phenomenon of night myopia, wherein the eye becomes relatively nearsighted in dim light, was investigated in detail using high contrast grating test objects. Night myopia first appeared at the brightness level where rod vision began to take place and grew larger as the brightness was further reduced. At the lowest brightness investigated, the myopia attained a value of 1.5 to 2.0 diopters, depending upon the observer. Night myopia appeared when accommodation was prevented by an optical method and also when accommodation was paralyzed with homatropine. It was therefore concluded that accommodation was not a significant cause of night myopia in the observers examined.The spherical aberration of the observers’ eyes was measured, and its effect upon the effective focal length of the eye was investigated with the aid of artificial pupils. Also studied were the properties of a simple glass lens having spherical aberration approximating that of the eye. All tests showed that night myopia, and its dependence upon the brightness level, is primarily a result of undercorrected spherical aberration of the eye. For some eyes, homatropine reduced night myopia slightly, but only to the extent that it reduced the spherical aberration. A review of the literature is included.
Is routine cervical dilatation necessary during elective caesarean section? A randomised controlled trial

Objective: The purpose of this prospective randomised study was to determine the effect of routine cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section on maternal morbidity. Methods: Participants with indication for elective caesarean section were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A (n = 200) women with intraoperative cervical dilatation; group B (n = 200) women with no intraoperative cervical dilatation. Results: No demographic differences were observed between groups. There was no significant difference between groups in infectious morbidity (P = 0.87) (relative risk (RR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–2.11), endometritis (P = 0.72) (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.39–7.14), febrile morbidity (P = 0.66) (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.51–2.87), wound infection (P = 0.82) (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.44–2.81), endometritis (P = 0.72) (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.39–7.14) or urinary tract infection (P = 1.00) (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.28–3.50), and estimated blood loss (P = 0.2). However, group A had longer operative times compared with the group B (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Intraoperative digital cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section did not reduce blood loss and postoperative infectious morbidity. The routine digital cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section is not recommended.
Red light insensitivity of the extraocular pathway for photoperiodic stimulation of reproductive development in the slug, Limax maximus

Slugs (Limax maximus) that have been blinded by removal of their optic tentacles mature in long days with white light photoperiods (LD 16:8) but fail to undergo male-phase reproductive maturation in response to long-day, red-light photoperiods (> 600 nm; RD 16:8). Intact slugs, in contrast, mature in either RD 16:8 or LD 16:8 light cycles. On short days (LD 8:16) both intact and blinded slugs remain immature and gain less weight than on long days.
Regional stratigraphy, sedimentology, and tectonic significance of Oligocene-Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks, northern Baja California, Mexico

Abstract Upper Oligocene (?) to middle Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks in northern Baja California were deposited along the western margin of North America during subduction of the Guadalupe plate and southward migration of the Rivera Triple Junction. Regional mapping and compilation of stratigraphic data reveal a sequence of three regionally traceable stratigraphic units. (1) Oligocene (?) to lower Miocene Mesa Formation: basal quartz-rich fluvial sandstone, grus, conglomerate, and accessory facies, whose detrital compositions reflect the composition of local pre-Tertiary basement rock. (2) Lower to middle Miocene Comondu Formation: laterally variable sequence of volcaniclastic conglomerate, breccia, sandstone, tuff and minor volcanic flow units. (3) Widespread mesa-capping rhyolite tuff, typically welded and crystal-rich, probably upper Miocene in age. The Mesa Formation overlies a highly irregular and deeply dissected erosional surface developed on pre-Tertiary basement rock. The shift from pre-Mesa erosion to widespread (though localized) deposition and valley-filling records the final phase of late Cretaceous to middle Tertiary regional subsidence and eastward transgression that resulted from slow cooling and thermal contraction of Cretaceous arc crust during a temporal gap in magmatic activity along the western Cordilleran margin. Nonmarine sediments of the Mesa Formation were deposited in small, steep-walled paleovalleys and basins that gradually filled and evolved to form through-going, low-energy ephemeral stream systems. The gradational upward transition from the Mesa to Comondu Formation records the early to middle Miocene onset of subduction-related arc magmatism in eastern Baja California and related westward progradation of alluvial volcaniclastic aprons shed from high-standing eruptive volcanic centers. Pre-existing streams were choked with the new influx of volcanic detritus, causing the onset of rapid sediment deposition by stream flows and dilute to viscous sediment gravity flows. Deposits of the Comondu Formation thin and fine systematically westward, from proximal volcanic conglomerate and breccia with thin basalt and andesite flows in the east, to distal volcaniclastic fluvial sandstone in the west. These proximal—distal relationships help to define the location and paleogeography of active arc-flanking volcaniclastic alluvial aprons of the Miocene magmatic arc in northern Baja California. A substantial late Miocene drop in regional base level (relative sea level) is best attributed to regional uplift caused by the renewal of magmatic and thermal activity in northern Baja California, which has continued to the present day.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Children: Normal Variation or Sign of a Failing Thyroid Gland?

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), defined by a normal total or free T4 level and a mildly elevated TSH (typically 5–10 mU/L), is common in children, but there is currently no consensus on management. Several recent pediatric studies indicate that progression of SCH to overt hypothyroidism (OH) is uncommon and that over a period of several years, elevated TSH usually either normalizes or persists but does not increase. The etiology appears to be multifactorial, with some cases representing minor developmental abnormalities, some related to obesity, some to mild autoimmune thyroiditis, and some associated with mutations in the gene for the TSH-receptor. There are no pediatric studies showing clinical benefit of treating these children with thyroid hormone, but additional studies in this area are needed. Since few cases of pediatric SCH progress to OH, treatment can be deferred, and periodic follow-up testing may be the preferred strategy, with elevated thyroid antibodies or a goiter being considered risk factors for eventual OH.
Modeling and stability analysis of a scaled telemanipulation system

When the scaled teleoperation is used, the stability issue becomes important due to the high gains in position or force scaling. We used two experimental methods to identify the stable region of position and force scaling factors of a one axis system having 4000:1 force scaling capability. We used a simple classical teleoperation control law. An indirect closed loop approach with ARX technique was used to model the nonlinear slave system with a flexible printed circuit cable. >
Experiments and a model examining learning in the area-restricted search behavior of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Area-restricted searches have been described u important components of the foraging behavior of many organisms. It is unclear, however, whether individual foragers can use learning to fine-tune their searches, or even whether these searches are efficiently performed. I used a simulation model to make qualitative predictions about search behavior in a laboratory system. The simulation model indicates that the sinuosity and path length of searches strongly affect search efficiency. The model predicts that, for a rate-maximizing forager, path length should increase and search sinuosity should decrease as prey become less dumped. Foraging animal* may therefore be selected to learn the path length and sinuosity of searches in response to changing degrees of dumping of prey. These predictions were tested in a laboratory system involving ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) foraging for oil-drop "prey items." Search paths changed in a graded manner to experimental manipulations of the dumping of prey. As predicted by the model, ferrets learned to perform longer and less sinuout search paths as prey became less dumped. This study provides the first evidence that area-restricted search behavior is learned and can be fine-tuned to efficiently exploit different spatial distributions of food.
Hybrid Paired Comparison Analysis, with Applications to the Ranking of College Football Teams

Existing paired comparison models used for ranking football teams primarily focus on either wins and losses or points scored (either via each team's total or a margin of victory). While reasonable, each approach fails to produce satisfactory rankings in frequently arising situations due to its ignorance of additional data. We propose a new, hybrid model incorporating both wins and constituent scores and show that it outperforms its competitors and is robust against model mis-specification based on a series of simulation studies. We conclude by illustrating the method using the 2003-04 and 2004-05 college football seasons.
Revised velocities in the Earth's core

abstract Travel times and amplitudes of PKP and PKKP from three earthquakes and four underground nuclear explosions are presented. Observations of reflected core waves at nearly normal angles of incidence provide new constraints on the average velocities in the inner and outer core. Interpretation of these data suggests that several small but significant changes to Bolt9s (1962) core velocity model (T2) are necessary. A revised velocity model KOR5 is given together with the derived travel times that are consistent with the 1968 tables for P . Model KOR5 possesses a velocity in the transition zone which is 1 1 2 per cent lower than that in model T2. In addition, KOR5 has a velocity jump at the transition zone boundary ( r = 1782 km) of 0.013 km/sec and a jump at the inner core boundary ( r = 1213 km) of 0.6 km/sec. These values are, respectively, 1/20 and 2/3 of the corresponding model T2 values.
Understand Corporate Rationales for Engaging in Reverse Stock Splits - A Data Mining Application

There has been much written on the individual topics of bankruptcy prediction, corporate performance, and reverse stock splits. However, there is little research into the relationship between reverse stock splits and corporate performance as well as bankruptcies. The purpose of this study is to provide and empirically support rationales for reverse splits by classifying reverse splitting firms into two groups, those declaring bankruptcy within 2 years and those remaining solvent. The apparent rationales for engaging in reverse splits differ between the two groups, i.e., weak firms attempting to increase their stock price while solid firms seeking to reposition their stock in the market. Two alternative approaches, Altman's Z-scores and artificial neural networks, are used for classifying reverse splitting firms into the two groups. A comparison is then made of the relative success of Z-scores and neural networks in the classification. This study should generate an understanding of corporate rationale for engaging in reverse splits and the relative success of Z-scores and artificial neural networks in forecasting the two groups.
The Advent of Near-Atomic Resolution in Single-Particle Electron Microscopy

Single-particle electron microscopy (EM) can provide structural information for a large variety of biological molecules, ranging from small proteins to large macromolecular assemblies, without the need to produce crystals. The year 2008 has become a landmark year for single-particle EM as for the first time density maps have been produced at a resolution that made it possible to trace protein backbones or even to build atomic models. In this review, we highlight some of the recent successes achieved by single-particle EM and describe the individual steps involved in producing a density map by this technique. We also discuss some of the remaining challenges and areas, in which further advances would have a great impact on the results that can be achieved by single-particle EM.
Monocyte mayhem: do subtypes modulate distinct atherosclerosis phenotypes?

Atherosclerosis is a lipoprotein disorder with inflammatory, vascular, and hemodynamic determinants. Total white blood cell count and subpopulations including granulocytes, monocytes, T cells, and bone marrow-derived precursors have been implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).1,2 Although these associations may inform biological processes, they have not, to date, permitted specific mechanistic understanding of subsets of leukocytes involved nor have they advanced risk prediction and therapeutic targeting or monitoring in the clinic. Although short-lived in circulation, blood monocytes are proposed to play a specific role in atherosclerosis because (1) blood monocytes are the major source of tissue macrophages; (2) monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells are the predominant leukocytes in atherosclerotic lesion; and (3) macrophages/dendritic cells have a variety of important proinflammatory (inflammatory recruitment/activation of other leukocytes and vascular cells, foam cell formation and lipid accumulation, fibrous cap erosion, and plaque rupture) and anti-inflammatory (phagocytosis, efferocytosis, and leukocyte egress) actions in experimental atherosclerotic lesions.1,3,4 Despite these mechanistic insights from human pathology and experimental studies in rodents, there have been disparate findings in studies of total monocyte counts and CVD.5,6 Article see p 122 There are several challenges to our understanding of the role of monocytes in atherosclerosis.7,8 First, circulating monocytes are heterogeneous due to subtype differentiation in bone marrow. The regulation and rate of subpopulation recruitment as well as their roles in atherosclerosis are uncertain. Second, monocyte subpopulations are typically defined by differential expression of specific cell surface antigens including receptors that modulate their function, for example, chemokine receptors chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2), CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), as well as adhesion molecule integrin receptors very late antigen-4 (also called integrin α4β1) and LFA-1(integrin αLβ …
Future wireless systems: UWB, 60GHz, and cognitive radios

There are a number of new radio systems which exploit novel strategies being made possible by the regulatory agencies to increase the availability of spectrum for wireless applications. Three of these that will be discussed are Ultra Wideband (UWS), 60 GHz and cognitive radios. The UWB approach attempts to share the spectrum with higher priority users by transmitting at power levels that are so low that they do not cause interference. On the other hand, Cognitive radios attempt to share spectra by introducing a spectrum sensing function, so that they are able to transmit in unused portions at a given time, place and frequency. Another approach is to exploit the advances in CMOS technology to operate in frequency bands in the millimeter wave region. 60 GHz operation is particularly attractive because of the 7 GHz of unlicensed spectrum that has been made available there
Electrosurg%cal management of hyperplastic tissue

Electrosurgery is a safe, effective modality for tissue management in conjunction with restorative dentistry. It can be used to remove redundant tissue to gain access for tooth preparation, develop a gingival trough around the margins of a prepared tooth for an accurate impression, control hemorrhage, remove opercula, and plane and reshape tissue of an edentulous area for the construction of a hygienic and esthetic pontic.
Image-guided breast brachytherapy: an alternative to whole-breast radiotherapy

Lumpectomy and whole-breast radiotherapy (ie, breast-conservation treatment) are accepted as viable alternatives to mastectomy in locoregional management of breast cancer. These techniques are used to keep morbidity to a minimum, optimise cosmesis, and maintain treatment outcomes. Pathological and clinical data suggest that most recurrences of cancer in the ipsilateral breast are in the vicinity of the index lesion, and that remote recurrences are uncommon, whether or not whole-breast radiotherapy is delivered. These data lend support to the idea of partial-breast radiotherapy. Such a restricted treatment volume allows safe delivery of an accelerated hypofractionated regimen over a shortened course of 1 week. This technique differs from that of standard whole-breast tangential external-beam radiotherapy and necessitates investigation of accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI). Several techniques of APBI are being investigated; however, most experience, and the most favourable early outcomes, has been obtained with image-guided breast brachytherapy. This review highlights the rationale and outcomes of brachytherapy techniques.
On Multilayer Modeling of Radiative Transfer for Use With the Multi-Source K-Distribution Method for Inhomogeneous Media

A non-isothermal medium is modeled using the multilayer approach in which the continuous temperature distribution in a one-dimensional system as modeled as being piecewise constant. This has been shown to provide accurate results for a surprisingly small number of layers. Analysis is performed on a non-isothermal gray medium to attempt to characterize the ways in which the errors introduced by the multilayer modeling change with various physical parameters namely, the optical thickness and the temperature or emissive power gradient.A demonstration is made of how the multi-source k-distribution method is capable of evaluating the heat flux within a one-dimensional system with piecewise constant temperature distribution with line-by-line accuracy with a significant decrease in computational expense. The k-distribution method for treating the spectral properties of an absorbing-emitting medium represents a powerful alternative to line-by-line calculations by reducing the number of RTE evaluations from the order of a million to the order of ten without any significant loss of accuracy. For problems where an appropriate reference temperature can be defined, the k-distribution method is formally exact. However, when no appropriate reference temperature can be defined, the method results in errors. The multi-source k-distribution method extends the k-distribution method to problems with piecewise constant temperature and optical properties.Copyright © 2012 by ASME