cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical application of genetic risk assessment strategies for coronary artery disease: genotypes, phenotypes, and family history.

Individuals with genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis have an increased risk for developing coronary artery disease (CAD), especially at young ages. They may derive the greatest benefit from traditional preventive strategies and strategies targeting novel, emerging risk factors. Because CAD is a complex, multifactorial disorder, global risk assessment has been recognized as an effective approach in preventing CAD and its manifestations. The systematic collection and interpretation of family history information is currently the most appropriate screening approach to identify individuals with genetic susceptibility to CAD. Much of the familial aggregation of CAD might be explained by familial aggregation of established risk factors and emerging CAD risk factors. Tests to assess genetic risk for CAD are primarily biochemical analyses that measure the different pathways involved in development and progression of disease. Some of these can guide and explain responses to treatment.
Empirical Bayes: Past, Present and Future

(2000). Empirical Bayes: Past, Present and Future. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 95, No. 452, pp. 1286-1289.
A Note On the Connection and Equivalence of Three Sparse Linear Discriminant Analysis Methods

In this article, we reveal the connection between and equivalence of three sparse linear discriminant analysis methods: the l1-Fisher’s discriminant analysis proposed by Wu et al. in 2008, the sparse optimal scoring proposed by Clemmensen et al. in 2011, and the direct sparse discriminant analysis (DSDA) proposed by Mai et al. in 2012. It is shown that, for any sequence of penalization parameters, the normalized solutions of DSDA equal the normalized solutions of the other two methods at different penalization parameters. A prostate cancer dataset is used to demonstrate the theory.
Attitudes Toward Immigrant Groups and the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

The current research examined prejudice and perceived threat toward Mexican and Arab immigrants/immigration along the U.S./Mexico border. Sample 1 (n = 84) was collected before September 11; attitudes toward Mexican immigrants were assessed. Sample 2 (n = 140) was collected one month after September 11 and Sample 3 (n = 180) was collected one year later; attitudes toward both Mexican and Arab immigrants were assessed. U.S. citizens completed a social attitudes survey assessing symbolic threat, perceived realistic threat, and prejudice. Individual differences, such as American identity and political orientation, were also measured. As predicted, in samples 2 and 3 Arab immigrant's engendered greater levels of symbolic threat and prejudice among participants compared to Mexican immigrants and immigration. Participants also reported greater perceived realistic threat from Mexican immigrants after September 11 than before. American identity was positively related to threat and prejudice with respect to both i...
Conversion of methyl 9(10)-formylstearate to carboxymethylstearate

Methyl 9(10)-formylstearate was converted to methyl 9(10)-carboxymethylstearate. The reactions to prepare the intermediates methyl 9(10)-hydroxymethyl-, 9(10)-ace toxymethyl-, 9(10)-methylene-, and 9(10)-formylmethylstearate are described. Methyl 9(10)-hydroxy methylstearate readily loses methanol and forms a trimeric polymer. The acetate of the primary alcohol when pyrolyzed gives 59% yield of methyl 9(10)-methylenestearate. Hydroformylation of the methylene compound followed by permanganate oxidation gave methyl carboxymethylstearate. Evidence is presented to show that pyrolysis of the acetate ester and hydroformylation of the pyrolysis product produce, respectively, only the methylene and formylmethylstearates. Rates of esterification-transes terification of methyl 9(10)-carboxymethyl sterate show that the carboxymethyl group is 2–3 times as active as the carboxyl group in methyl 9(10)-carboxystearate and that the terminal carboxyl group is about 10 times more active towards esterification than the branched carboxymethyl group.
Relations between torsion properties and histology of adult human compact bone

Abstract Torsion properties and the histological composition of cross sections a: the fracture site were determined for 123 standardized specimens of compact bone from various thirds and sides of the shaft of 28 femurs from adult embalmed dissecting room cadavers. Sufficient unembalmed material was unavailable. Statistically significant differences were found between the means for torsion properties and for histological composition of specimens from various regions of the bone. Significant correlation coefficients were found between the various torsion properties of the specimens and the histological components in the break area. The implications of these correlations are that torsion shear stress, shear modulus, and energy absorbed to failure tend to be increased by the number or percentage of complete osteons in the break area. Shear modulus tends to be increased, to a lesser extent, by the percentage of interstitial lamellae in the break area. All torsion properties tend to be reduced by the percentage of spaces in the break area. Shear stress and modulus also tend to be reduced by the percentage of osteon fragments in the break area.
Patterning microscale extracellular matrices to study endothelial and cancer cell interactions in vitro

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tumor niche provides support to residing and migrating cells and presents instructive cues that influence cellular behaviours. The ECM protein fibronectin (Fn) enables vascular network formation, while hyaluronic acid (HA) is known to facilitate breast tumor development. To recapitulate aspects of the tumor microenvironment, we developed systems of spatially defined Fn and HA for the co-culture of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and breast cancer cells (BCCs). A micropatterned system was developed using sequential microcontact printing of HA and Fn. This approach supported the preferential adhesion of ECFCs to Fn, but did not support the preferential adhesion of BCCs to HA. Thus, we developed a microstructured analog to spatially organize BCC-laden HA micromolded hydrogels adjacent to ECFCs in fibrin hydrogels. These novel, miniaturized systems allow the analysis of the spatial and temporal mechanisms regulating tumor angiogenesis, and can be applied to mimic other microenvironments of healthy and diseased tissues.
Disruption of zebrafish cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) function impairs the expression of Notch-dependent genes during neurogenesis and causes defects in neuronal development

The J-domain-containing protein auxilin, a critical regulator in clathrin-mediated transport, has been implicated in Drosophila Notch signaling. To ask if this role of auxilin is conserved and whether auxilin has additional roles in development, we have investigated the functions of auxilin orthologs in zebrafish. Like mammals, zebrafish has two distinct auxilin-like molecules, auxilin and cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK), differing in their domain structures and expression patterns. Both zebrafish auxilin and GAK can functionally substitute for the Drosophila auxilin, suggesting that they have overlapping molecular functions. Still, they are not completely redundant, as morpholino-mediated knockdown of the ubiquitously expressed GAK alone can increase the specification of neuronal cells, a known Notch-dependent process, and decrease the expression of Her4, a Notch target gene. Furthermore, inhibition of GAK function caused an elevated level of apoptosis in neural tissues, resulting in severe degeneration of neural structures. In support of the notion that endocytosis plays important roles in Notch signaling, inhibition of zebrafish GAK function affects embryonic neuronal cell specification and Her4 expression. In addition, our analysis suggests that zebrafish GAK has at least two functions during the development of neural tissues: an early Notch-dependent role in neuronal patterning and a late role in maintaining the survival of neural cells.
Conceptual Domains Included in Wellbeing and Life Satisfaction Instruments: A Review

Wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments are increasingly used in health outcome research, and by health professionals. Despite their usefulness, the absence of an agreed on conceptual definition of wellbeing, and corresponding inconsistencies in operationalization, makes it difficult for researchers to operationalize the concept, and for health professionals to determine which instruments are most suitable for use. Therefore the aim of the study was to identify and define conceptual domains included in wellbeing, and life satisfaction instruments and delineate their operationalization. Using the Health and Psychosocial Instruments database (HaPI), a search for wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments was conducted for all available years using the key words of wellbeing, wellness, life satisfaction, and personal satisfaction. Measurement instruments were critically reviewed using five coding guides. Next, three raters content-analyzed the 680 items in the instruments and identified 15 conceptual domains. Finally, five other raters separately coded items into the 15 domains with a .83 coefficient of agreement. Twenty-six of the 250 instruments met inclusion criteria. The documents revealed moderate or high reliability and validity for the instruments. Items from the emotional health, physical health, social health, and non-leisure activities domains were most commonly included in the instruments. These domains were included in 73, 69, 65, and 65 % of all instruments respectively. No instrument included items from all 15 domains; the largest number included was 12 in two instruments. Despite the need for a comprehensive wellbeing instrument for research, and clinical applications, most wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments include only a few domains.
Comparative sequence analysis of the Gdf6 locus reveals a duplicon-mediated chromosomal rearrangement in rodents and rapidly diverging coding and regulatory sequences.

Abstract Duplicated segments of genomic DNA can catalyze both gene evolution and chromosome evolution. Here we describe a rodent-specific duplication involving the Uqcrb gene, a cis -regulatory element for the Gdf6 gene, and a chromosomal rearrangement. Comparisons of Gdf6 sequences from several placental mammals and platypus revealed many strongly conserved regions flanking Gdf6 and the adjacent Uqcrb gene. However, in rat and mouse a synteny break resides approximately 70 kb upstream of Gdf6, such that Gdf6 and Uqcrb are on separate chromosomes. In rodents, Gdf6 and Uqcrb are both associated with homologous duplicons that may have catalyzed a rearrangement separating the two genes. However, the duplicon spanned both Uqcrb and a cis -regulatory element that controls Gdf6 transcription in limb skeletal joints. In mouse and rat, one duplicon now contains a degrading Uqcrb pseudogene but retains strongly conserved sequences within a Gdf6 enhancer. In contrast, the other duplicon has retained the intact Uqcrb gene and (in mouse) a copy of the Gdf6 enhancer that has acquired novel mutations. The duplicons have separately maintained distinct functions of the ancestral sequence, consistent with a “subfunction partitioning” evolutionary model. These findings also provide an example of a duplication that mobilized a tissue-specific enhancer from its cognate gene, and new evidence that duplications can be associated with chromosomal rearrangements. Furthermore, these data suggest that segmental duplications could lead to evolution of novel gene expression patterns via diversification of regulatory elements.
Taxonomy and distribution of surface microlayer bacteria from two estuarine sites

The surface microlayer population of two estuarine sites was sampled to determine the numbers of bacteria present. Random isolates from one site were examined taxonomically, with subsurface and sediment samples taken for comparison. There were 130 to 5000 times more bacterial cells per ml in the surface microlayer as compared to the subsurface water, agreeing with the observations of other investigators. The surface population was found to be different taxonomically from the subsurface and sediment isolates. Pseudomonads predominated among the surface isolates while ca. onethird of the subsurface isolates werePseudomonas species.Alcaligenes species were found only in the subsurface population and comprised nearly one-half of these isolates. The majority of the surface and subsurface bacteria required no salts for growth, whereas most of the sediment bacterial isolates required either Na+ or Mg++.
Hans Penner, Horatio and the Terminator: a review essay of Radical Interpretation in Religion

Abstract Adaptations of Donald Davidson’s meta-methodology of “radical interpretation” by Hans Penner and colleagues create more problems than they solve. Penner’s affirmation of both holistic and naturalistic approaches to the study of religion ring true. But, making the inclusion of ‘superhuman beings’—those “that do things you and I cannot do”—sufficient to the definition of religion. It is alternately counterfactual (Theravada, Chan or Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Jainism and others), or not restrictive enough (does every such being qualify? viz. Schwarzenegger’s Terminator?), or logically ‘uninteresting’—is reference to superhuman beings alone what makes a discourse religious, or is it their being ‘worshipful’?
Academic Self-Presentation Strategies and Popularity in Middle School

This study examined early adolescents’ beliefs about which academic self-presentation strategies hypothetical hard-working, high-achieving students should use with popular peers, adolescents’ own u...
The suppression of corticosterone formation in vitro by the interaction of adrenal mitochondria and microsomes.

Abstract 1. 1. The reported inability of the guinea-pig to secrete corticosterone has been investigated. 2. 2. It was observed that, while guinea-pig-adrenal homogenates do not convert progesterone to corticosterone, this conversion is effected by the mitochondria of this gland. 3. 3. The formation of corticosterone was observed to be wholly suppressed when adrenal mitochondria were incubated in the presence of adrenal microsomes. 4. 4. As the albino rat secrets corticosterone but no cortisol, mitochondria and microsomes from the adrenal glands of this species were also employed. Rat-adrenal microsomes exert no effect upon corticosterone formation by guinea-pig-adrenal mitochondria; but guinea-pig-adrenal microsomes are able to suppress markedly the formation of this hormone by rat-adrenal mitochondria. 5. 5. These findings offer an explanation for the absence of corticosterone from guinea-pig adrenocortical secretions, and suggest that microsomes may exert a more dynamic influence upon the biogenesis of steroid hormones than has been thought heretofore.
Characteristics of tremor in cats following injections of carbachol into the caudate nucleus.

Abstract Bilateral hind-limb tremor was produced in unanesthetized cats by injecting small amounts of carbachol into the caudate nucleus. These involuntary movements were recorded and their parameters characterized. Comparable injections into several other brain areas previously implicated in tremor mechanisms failed to evoke similar involuntary activity. Relative tremorogenic specificity of intracaudate carbachol was suggested by the inability of locally injected pentylenetetrazol (neuronal stimulant) or procaine (neuronal depressant) to initiate tremor. However, antagonism of established carbachol tremor by intracaudate procaine, or by systemically administered pentobarbital or atropine sulfate demonstrated that these involuntary movements could be reversed pharmacologically. Classically, the caudate nucleus has been assigned a role as a modulator of extrapyramidal function. Thus, it seems reasonable to propose that locally injected carbachol reduces or eliminates this regulatory influence of the caudate over other motor centers, causing an imbalance which results in tremor.
A new look at generating multi-join continuous query plans: A qualified plan generation problem

State-of-the-art relational and continuous algorithms alike have focused on producing optimal or near-optimal query plans by minimizing a single cost function. However, ensuring accurate yet real-time responses for stream processing applications necessitates that the system identifies qualified rather than optimal query plans - with the former guaranteeing that their utilization of both the CPU and the memory resources stays within their respective system capacities. In such scenarios, being optimal in one resource usage while out-of-bound in the other is not viable. Our experimental study illustrates that to be effective a qualified plan optimizer must explore an extended plan search space called the jtree space composed not only of the standard mjoin and binary join plans, but also of general join trees with mixed operator types. While our proposed dynamic programming-based JTree-Finder algorithm is guaranteed to generate a qualified query plan if such a plan exists in the search space, its exponential time complexity makes it not viable for continuous stream environments. To facilitate run-time optimization, we thus propose an efficient yet effective two-layer plan generation framework. The proposed framework first exploits the positive correlation between the CPU and memory usages to obtain plans that are minimal in at least one of the two resource usages. In our second layer we propose two alternative polynomial-time algorithms to explore the negative correlation between the resource usages to successfully generate query plans that adhere to both CPU and memory resource constraints. Effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms are experimentally evaluated by comparing them to each other as well as state-of-the-art techniques.
Perceptions of Discrimination and Justice Among Employees with Disabilities

Despite the passage of almost two decades since the enactment of the Americans With Disabilities Act in the United States, individuals with disabilities are still underrepresented in the workforce, tend to hold lower status jobs, and receive lower wages. This study examines whether disabled workers also continue to encounter more negative workplace experiences in terms of discrimination and injustice. A sample of 1,880 employees of a large university, including 90 self-identified disabled individuals completed a work experience survey. Analyses indicate that disabled employees reported more overt and subtle discrimination and more procedural injustice than their non-disabled counterparts. Examination by the type of disability also revealed that those with non-physical disabilities reported more negative experiences than employees with physical disabilities. Perceived organizational and supervisory support were shown to have promise in reducing the effects of disability status on workplace attitudes and perceptions.
Phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone demonstrates broad-spectrum inhibition of apoptosis-associated gene expression in endotoxin-treated rats.

Abstract Systemic exposure to gram-negative bacterial substances such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS, or endotoxin) induces an uncontrolled, massive inflammatory reaction which culminates in multiple system organ failure and death. Septic shock often does not respond to corticosteroids; however, certain low-molecular-weight antioxidant compounds have been discovered to possess potent anti-inflammatory action, and some of these novel compounds can rescue animals from experimentally induced septic shock. Phenyl- N - tert -butylnitrone (PBN) is the archetype of the nitrone class of antioxidants which we have previously shown to suppress LPS-induced cytokine biosynthesis in vivo. Using a multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay, we now demonstrate the ability of PBN to suppress proapoptotic gene expression in the LPS-induced model of endotoxic shock. The broad-spectrum gene-suppressive affects of PBN are discussed in the context of inflammatory signal transduction and models are proposed to explain why certain antioxidants may also possess anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties.
Transjugular liver biopsy: comparison of sample adequacy with the use of two automated needle systems.

Abstract Purpose To compare the adequacy of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) specimens with use of the 18-gauge Quick-Core and Flexcore needles. Materials and Methods The records of 233 patients who underwent a TJLB procedure from January 2005 to December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Tissue samples from a total of 194 procedures were available for review; 117 TJLB procedures were performed with a Quick-Core needle and 77 were performed with a Flexcore needle. A single pathologist reviewed all the liver biopsy specimens in a blinded fashion. The χ 2 , Fisher exact, and Student t tests were used to analyze differences between groups. Results The TJLB procedure was technically successful in 232 of 233 cases (99.6%). Histologic diagnosis was possible in 96% of cases. Sample fragmentation rates were 24.9% with the Quick-Core needle and 14.3% with the Flexcore needle ( P = .1). The mean numbers of complete portal tracts (CPTs) per submitted tissue per procedure were 10.0 ± 4.6 for the Quick-Core needle and 12.2± 6.1 for the Flexcore needle ( P = .003). The mean numbers of CPTs per liver sample were 2.63 ± 1.8 for the Quick-Core needle and 3.28 ± 3.3 for the Flexcore needle ( P = .00004). Complications were more common in patients with multiple comorbidities such as renal failure and coagulopathy and those who had received a liver transplant. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the 18-gauge Flexcore TJLB system provided better liver biopsy specimens compared with the 18-gauge Quick-Core needle system.
Rationally designed peptides for controlled release of nerve growth factor from fibrin matrices

The purpose of this research was to identify peptide sequences with varying affinity for nerve growth factor (NGF) and use them in the rational design of affinity-based drug delivery systems. A phage display library (12 amino acid random peptide sequence) was screened against NGF-conjugated chromatography resin three times and fractions containing phage of varying affinity were eluted by decreasing the pH of the eluent. These phages were isolated, amplified; then their DNA was purified and sequenced to determine the identity of the random peptide domain. Consensus peptides based on these sequences were synthesized and screened for their ability to bind NGF and release it at different rates from fibrin matrices. The ability of fibrin matrices containing these peptides and NGF to deliver to biologically active NGF was tested using a chick dorsal root ganglia model. A mathematical model was developed to further understand how the affinity of a peptide can modulate release of NGF and to aid in design optimization for the delivery system. The peptides identified in this study were determined to have varying affinities for NGF suggesting that this approach can serve as a model for tailoring the affinity of a drug delivery system for a target protein drug. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Dibutyryl cyclic AMP modulates keratinocyte migration without alteration of integrin expression

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has long been regarded as a second messenger and a regulator of human keratinocyte proliferation. It has been demonstrated that cAMP inhibits keratinocyte proliferation when used at high concentrations. Nevertheless, new recent reports have demonstrated that cAMP may stimulate or inhibit keratinocyte growth depending upon the concentration used. Studies to examine the influence of cAMP upon the migration of other cell types have been contradictory. To determine the direct effect of dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP) upon human keratinocyte migration, we used a quantitative locomotion assay using a wide range of DBcAMP concentrations. We found a bi-phasic effect of DBcAMP on keratinocyte migration across connective tissue matrices. Keratinocyte locomotion on the matrices was promoted at 10(-5) M and 10(-6) M of DBcAMP, but not at higher or lower concentrations. Time-course experiments demonstrated that the effect of DBcAMP on keratinocyte locomotion and proliferation occurred independently. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis demonstrated that the effect of DBcAMP on the migration of human keratinocytes was independent from the modulation of integrin receptors. Although the cellular mechanisms by which DBcAMP promotes keratinocyte migration is unclear, the addition of DBcAMP or TPA to keratinocyte cultures enhanced the synthesis of a 92-kDa metalloproteinase in association with enhanced cellular migration. These observations suggest a possible link between metalloproteinase expression and cellular migration.
Radiometric resolution for monitoring vegetation: How many bits are needed?

The significance of the various number of radiometric quantizing levels required for satellite monitoring of vegetation resources was evaluated by using in situ collected spectral reflectance data, an atmospheric radiative transfer simulation model, and a satellite sensor simulation model. Reflectance data were converted to radiance data; passed through a model atmosphere to an altitude of 706 km; and subsequently quantized at 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 digital count levels for Thematic Mapper bands TM3(0.63 - 0.69 microns) and TM4(0.76 - 0.90 microns). The simulated digital count data were regressed against the in situ biological data to quantify the relationship between quantizing levels.
Leucovorin-induced resistance against FDH growth suppressor effects occurs through DHFR up-regulation

10-Formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH) converts 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate (THF). Expression of the enzyme in FDH-deficient cancer cells induces cytotoxicity that can be reversed by supplementation with high concentrations of a reduced folate, 5-formyl-THF (leucovorin). In contrast, non-tumor cells are resistant to FDH. The present study was undertaken to investigate mechanisms that could protect cells against FDH suppressor effects. Using 10 microM leucovorin supplementation of FDH-sensitive A549 cells transfected for FDH expression, we selected clones that have acquired resistance against FDH. Resistant cells expressed high levels of FDH and were capable of growing after withdrawal of leucovorin. These cells, however, have increased doubling time due to prolonged S phase. They also have significantly increased levels of total folate pool and THF/5,10-methylene-THF pool while the level of 10-formyl-THF was two-fold lower than in parental FDH-sensitive cells. We have shown that the FDH-catalyzed reaction proceeds at about a three-fold slower rate at the ratio of 10-formyl-THF/THF corresponding to the resistant cells than at the ratio corresponding to parental sensitive cells, due to product inhibition (KI is 2.35 microM). FDH-resistant cells have strongly up-regulated dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) that is proposed to be a mechanism for the alteration of folate pools and a key component of the acquired resistance. Elevation of DHFR in A549 cells by transient transfection decreased sensitivity to FDH toxicity and allowed selection of FDH-resistant clones. DHFR-induced repression of FDH catalysis could be an S phase-related metabolic adjustment that provides protection against FDH suppressor effects.
Labetalol-induced hepatitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is an important cause of hepatocellular injury. Hepatic necrosis may range from asymptomatic elevations in transaminases to fulminant hepatic failure and death. A 50-year-old Asian man developed moderate elevations of hepatic transaminases after commencing labetalol therapy for a hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. Extensive evaluation revealed evidence of chronic hepatitis B infection, of which the patient was previously not aware. Hepatic transaminases normalized after discontinuation of labetalol.
Coupling at Mauna Loa and Kīlauea by stress transfer in an asthenospheric melt layer

Over the past decade, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa—adjacent volcanoes in Hawai‘i—have inflated and deflated in tandem, yet their shallow volcanic plumbing systems are separate. Numerical modelling of the volcanoes shows that dynamic stress transfer by asthenospheric pore pressure is a viable mechanism for volcano coupling in Hawai‘i.
Strong Agreement and Identification: Evidence from Ellipsis in English

The A. proposes that ellipted constituents in English DP (N' ellipsis), CP (sluicing), and IP (VP ellipsis) are empty, non-NP pronominals, licensed and identified under the same condition that constrains nonarbitrary NP pro
An in vivo comparison of anterior tibial translation and strain in the anteromedial band of the anterior cruciate ligament

The objective of this in vivo study was to determine if strain in the anteromedial band (AMB) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may be predicted by an external measurement of anterior tibial-femoral translation. A Hall effect strain transducer was implanted on the AMB of five human subjects with normal intact ACLs. AMB strain was then measured during anterior shear loading of the tibia relative to the femur, with the knee flexed to 30 and 90 degrees, simulating the loads applied in the Lachman and anterior drawer tests, respectively. The Knee Signature System, a commercially available arthrometer, was used to simultaneously measure anterior tibial translation relative to the femur. The resulting AMB strains and translations during anterior shear loading of the tibia with respect to the femur at 30 and 90 degrees were compared using a regression analysis to determine if AMB strain could be predicted from a measure of anterior tibiofemoral translation at either flexion angle. AMB strain at 150 N anterior shear load at 30 degrees flexion (3.0%) was significantly greater than that at 150 N anterior shear load at 90 degrees flexion (0.9%). During anterior shear loading at 30 degrees flexion, AMB strain correlated with anterior tibial translation (r2 = 0.59). However, there was no significant correlation between AMB strain and anterior tibial translation for anterior shear loading at 90 degrees flexion (r2 = 0.002). Therefore, AMB strain was not accurately predicted from an external measurement of tibial displacement at 90 degrees in this experiment.
Colloquium: Femtosecond optical frequency combs

Recently there has been a remarkable synergy between the technologies of precision laser stabilization and mode-locked ultrafast lasers. This has resulted in control of the frequency spectrum produced by mode-locked lasers, which consists of a regular comb of sharp lines. Thus such a controlled mode-locked laser is a ``femtosecond optical frequency comb generator.'' For a sufficiently broad comb, it is possible to determine the absolute frequencies of all of the comb lines. This ability has revolutionized optical frequency metrology and synthesis. It has also served as the basis for the recent demonstrations of atomic clocks that utilize an optical frequency transition. In addition, it is having an impact on time-domain applications, including synthesis of a single pulse from two independent lasers. In this Colloquium, we first review the frequency-domain description of a mode-locked laser and the connection between the pulse phase and the frequency spectrum in order to provide a basis for understanding how the absolute frequencies can be determined and controlled. Using this understanding, applications in optical frequency metrology and synthesis and optical atomic clocks are discussed. This is followed by a brief overview of how the comb technology is affecting and will affect time-domain experiments.
Auditory and linguistic processing of cues for place of articulation by infants

Two- and 3-month-old infants were found to discriminate the acoustic cues for the phonetic feature of place of articulation in a categorical manner; that is, evidence for the discriminability of two synthetic speech patterns was present only when the stimuli signaled a change in the phonetic feature of place. No evidence of discriminability was found when two stimuli, separated by the same acoustic difference, signaled acoustic variations of the same phonetic feature. Discrimination of the same acoustic cues in a nonspeech context was found, in contrast, to be noncategorical or continuous. The results were discussed in terms of infants’ ability to process acoustic events in either an auditory or a linguistic mode.
Stocking policy in a two-party vendor managed channel with space restrictions

Abstract In a two-party VMI channel, the vendor operates the basic stocking and delivery functions and makes inventory replenishment decisions while the retailer is responsible for customer acquisition and in-store services. This paper focuses on such retail channel and proposes an analytical model for the partners in supply channel to determine the inventory policy with the objective of optimizing system net profit. The model explicitly incorporates issues from both the vendor and the retailer in order to derive a policy for mutual benefits. To illustrate and obtain insights from the proposed solution procedure, we devise a set of numerical analyses based on various scenarios. Factors such as shelf-space-dependent demand, shelf-space capacity, demand pattern, logistics characteristics, and disparity between holding costs of the warehouse and the retail store are also investigated.
The prepubertal genital exam: What is normal and abnormal

For many reasons including the recent increase in the reporting of sexual abuse, more physicians are being asked to perform genital examinations on prepubertal girls. Recent studies have clarified the appearance of structures in this area in nonabused children and demonstrated both acute and chronic changes that may result from trauma.
The biggest loophole in the free‐market system

Flight capital is a $100 billion business. While the United States and Western Europe shy away from restricting the entry of illegal capital in their economies, rogue regimes around the world thriv...
Contracting for professional service agreements

A review of several professional service agreements (PSA) of managed care organizations which contract with gynecologic oncologists in the Southern California area demonstrates several distinct patterns of practice restrictions and financial benefits which can help guide the physician who is considering signing such an agreement. These contracts must be evaluated in a manner similar to any business transaction as they are legally binding and can enhance or adversely impact one's clinical practice. Their advantages include increased numbers of referrals resulting in higher practice income; however, their disadvantages include practice restrictions which can adversely impact office overhead, practice efficiency, and the ability to deliver quality medical care. General guidelines to physicians evaluating a PSA include (1) avoiding "hold harmless" clauses, (2) avoiding contracts which tie enrollment in one plan to others, (3) the need to enter any verbal agreements by managed care administrators into the contract language, and (4) avoidance of actions which might be construed as being in violation of antitrust activities. Furthermore, physicians must avoid contracts which will result in the uncontrolled growth of a practice beyond its capabilities for expansion.
Applying a polyurea coating to high-performance organic cementitious materials

Abstract Polyurea is a polymeric material that can be used to provide environmental protection and structural enhancement. In this study, a low modulus polyurea coating, having high elongation and energy absorption capacities and a fast gel time, was sprayed under field conditions onto the surfaces of cementitious materials. Compression tests were conducted to establish the wet–dry performance of uncoated and circumferentially coated cylinders fabricated from a high-performance matrix constructed with Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) as the only aggregate. Results showed that the coating increased the compressive strength of specimens exposed to both fresh and sea water environments. Similar results were obtained when a lightweight matrix containing sand was subjected to the same sea water environment. Flexure tests were conducted on uncoated and fully encapsulated plates kept under normal operating conditions to establish the stress–strain behavior of these two matrices, as well as a PVB matrix with Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers added as reinforcement. Results showed that the addition of the fibers and the coating increased the ultimate flexural strength, decreased the stiffness, allowed the structure to sustain higher strains prior to failure, and increased the fracture toughness. Comparisons are made between the performance of lightweight and high-performance concretes.
Surface reactions of chlorine molecules and atoms with water and sulfuric acid at low temperatures

Reactions of chlorine-containing species are of great current interest, particularly in reference to possible stratospheric ozone depletion. We have been investigating the potential role of heterogeneous reactions of these species with stratospheric aerosols. Here we wish to report on the results of a study of the interactions of Cl atoms and Cl2 with H2SO4 and H2O, the dominant components of stratospheric aerosols, at low temperature using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It appears that chlorine atoms and molecules form chloride ion and higher oxidation states of chlorine upon reacting with cooled surfuric acid surfaces while only chloride ion forms with ice. To test the validity of the chlorine oxidation assignment, an XPS study was also made of chlorine in its various oxidation states as found in the chlorides, hypochlorites, chlorites, chlorates, and perchlorates of sodium, potassium, and calcium. Possible mechanisms by which chlorine changes its oxidation state on contact with H2SO4 glasses are discussed.
Primary hepatic pheochromocytoma

We report a case of a single intrahepatic pheochromocytoma in the absence of an adrenal lesion and no evidence of metastatic disease. The patient had strong clinical and biochemical evidence of a pheochromocytoma. A CT scan was abnormal but nondiagnostic for pheochromocytoma. An 123I-metaiodobenzyl guanidine (MIBG) scan was falsely negative, but an MRI scan showed a definitive hepatic abnormality. After confirmation of endocrine activity by venous sampling, the tumor was surgically removed. The patient's symptoms have resolved and her plasma catecholamine levels as well as her 24-h urine catecholamine excretion have normalized. The case shows an unusual location of an isolated pheochromocytoma and provides an example of a false negative I-123 MIBG scan.
Effect of the Interfacial Stress Distribution on the Material Interfacial Shear Strength Measurement

An integrated experimental and numerical analysis is carried out to study the interfacial shear strength of bonded materials. Two types of shear tests, namely the Iosipescu shear test, and the short-beam shear test are employed to understand the effect of interfacial stress on the interfacial shear strength measurements. The measured average shear strengths are very close, even though the interfacial shear stress distributions of these two kinds of specimens are very different. Therefore, we conclude that the interfacial stress distribution has the least effect on the interfacial strength measurement if the interfacial shear stress is non-singular.
Oxidation of thioglycolate by [Os(phen)3]3+: an unusual example of redox-mediated aromatic substitution.

The aqueous oxidation of thioglycolic acid (TGA) by [Os(phen)3]3+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) is catalyzed by traces of ubiquitous Cu2+ and inhibited by the product [Os(phen)3]2+. In the presence of dipicolinic acid (dipic), which thoroughly masks trace Cu2+ catalysis, and spin trap PBN, the kinetics under anaerobic conditions have been studied in the pH range 1.82−7.32. The rate law is −d[Os(phen)33+]/dt = k[TGA]tot[Os(phen)33+], with k = 2{(kbKa1 + kcKa1Ki)[H+] + kdKa1Ka2}/{[H+]2 + Ka1[H+] + Ka1Ka2}; Ka1 and Ka2 are the successive acid dissociation constants of TGA, and Ki is the tautomerization constant of two TGA monoanions. kb + kcKi = (5.9 ± 0.3) × 103 M-1 s-1, kd = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 109 M-1 s-1 at μ = 0.1 M (NaCF3SO3) and 25 °C. The major products in the absence of spin traps are dithiodiglycolic acid, [Os(phen)3]2+, and [Os(phen)2(phen-tga)]2+, where phen-tga is phenanthroline with a TGA substituent. A mechanism is proposed in which neutral TGA is unreactive, the (minor) thiolate form of the TGA mono...
Effect of pretraining and instructions on avoidance conditioning in preschool children

Abstract Seventy preschool Ss were employed in a discrete trial instrumental avoidance conditioning task. Omission of nursery rhymes for a maximum duration of 10 sec served as the aversive event. A light was presented 3 sec prior to the omission interval. Three experimental groups were established: (a) no pretraining, minimal instructions; (b) no pretraining, explicit instructions; and (c) pretraining, minimal instructions. Two control groups in which the music was never omitted were established also. One group received explicit instructions and the second group received pretraining procedures. Using 10 consecutive avoidance responses as the criterion, the results indicated that either explicit instructions or pretraining significantly facilitated avoidance performance. The experimental group given explicit instructions required significantly fewer trials to reach criterion as compared with their control group. The experimental and control groups given pretraining did not differ significantly.
Anticonvulsant Properties of Some N-Substituted Hydantoins

The neurotoxic doses, anticonvulsant potencies, and protective indexes of three N-substituted hydantoins were compared with similar values concomitantly determined for phenantoin and diphenylhydantoin. The experimental agents induced overt evidence of neurotoxicity only after doses which were significantly higher than those required for phenantoin and diphenylhydantoin and exhibited anticonvulsant potencies which were generally less than those for the two clinical agents. Of the experimental compounds, 1-methyl-5,5-phenylethylhydantoin appeared most promising. Structure-activity studies indicated that mono-methyl substitution on a nitrogen of the hydantoin ring exerted a more favorable influence on anticonvulsant activity than either di-methyl or mono-ethyl substitution and that optimal activity was obtained when the methyl substitution is on the nitrogen in position 3 of the hydantoin ring.
Non-Diagnostic Rates for Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Are Negatively Correlated with Positive for Malignancy Rates

Introduction: Non-diagnostic rates for thyroid fine needle aspiration vary considerably, but reasons for this variation are poorly understood. Methods: Our group
Efficient columnar storage in B-trees

Column-oriented storage formats have been proposed for query processing in relational data warehouses, specifically for fast scans over non-indexed columns. This short note proposes a data compression method that reuses traditional on-disk B-tree structures with only minor changes yet achieves storage density and scan performance comparable to specialized columnar designs. The advantage of the proposed method over alternative storage structures is that traditional algorithms can be reused, e.g., for assembling rows with multiple columns, bulk insertion and deletion, logging and recovery, consistency checking, etc.
THE REGENERATION OF AUTOGRAFTS OF THYROID TISSUE IN PARTIALLY AND COMPLETELY THYROIDECTOMIZED RATS

ON THE BASIS of experiments on the transplantation of parathyroid tissue, Halsted concluded that there must be a physiologic need for an endocrine principle in orderthat a graft of the gland elaborating that principle be successful. This ‘law of deficiency’ has been a subject of dispute in the literature on the transplantation of endocrine tissues. Loeb made the following statement. It is possible in inbred families to transplant successfully as many as four lobes of the thyroid gland, from one individual to another one, possessing its own thyroid gland, and thus to prove that a deficiency in the thyroid hormone is not required for the successful transplantation of this organ with internal reaction as had been assumed, among others, by Halsted. In experiments by Higgins and one of us (Ingle) on the autoplastic trans’ plantation of the adrenal glands in the rat, it was observed that a unilateral
The Onset and Early Growth of Snow Crystals by Accretion of Droplets

Abstract Snow crystals sampled from winter storms of the Sierra Nevada have been examined to determine their riming characteristics in terms of their dimensions and habits of growth. The field data show that accretion can begin on crystals that have grown for only 2–4 min. However, the onset of accretion is delayed over longer growth periods for many crystals, so considerable dispersion occurs in the size at the onset of riming on specific types oaf crystals. This dispersion, which occurs in individual snow showers as well as over the durations of whole storms, and results from interactions of various cloud processes, is very important in describing and modeling snow crystal growth. The minimum sizes of the observed crystals at the onset of accretion, in terms of major crystal dimensions, ranged from 115 to 320 μm. The minimum widths of different columnar types at the onset were very uniform (30–36 μm). Nevertheless, the basic columnar and planar habits show very systematic differences in minimum dimensio...
Rapid Preparation of Glycolipid Libraries by Cross Metathesis

A new strategy for the synthesis of a well-defined glycolipid library is presented. A highly selective cross metathesis reaction is used to diversify the lipid moiety of anomerically pure α- or β-glycosides, and subsequent functionalization of the double bond allows further expansion of the diversity. These glycolipids are being investigated for their effect on the immune system, especially the CD1-mediated T-cell activation.
Control of hydrologic systems for multiple uses in a closed-loop framework

Abstract The role of linear control theory as an aid to the integral control of hydrologic systems is investigated for the case of a combined lake and aquifer storage system that supplies either a deterministic or stochastic water demand. Only lumped time-invariant systems are considered but both deterministic and stochastic inflows to storage are allowed. The computational example allows for recharge of lake water into the aquifer as well as for the subsequent diversion of pumped groundwater back to the lake. Stability criteria are presented for the closed-loop features of the overall control system. Under a quadratic loss criterion, a calculus of variations problem, subject to constraints imposed by the system equations can be solved for the optimal release policy from the lake and aquifer and optimal feedback policy from aquifer to lake.