cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epstein-barr virus-induced posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Epstein-Barr virus-induced posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-PTLD) continues to be a major complication after solid organ transplantation in high-risk patients. Despite the identification of risk factors that predispose patients to develop EBV-PTLD, limitations in our knowledge of its pathogenesis, variable criteria for establishing the diagnosis, and lack of randomized studies addressing the prevention and treatment of EBV-PTLD hamper the optimal management of this transplant complication. This review summarizes the current knowledge of EBV-PTLD and, as a result of two separate international meetings on this topic, and provides recommendations for future areas of study.
Requirement of a chelator during ionophore-stimulated release of acid phosphatase from Crassostrea virginica hemocytes

Abstract Crassostrea virginica hemocytes, separated from serum and suspended in a maintenance medium, were exposed to the ionophore A23187 + EDTA, A23187 + EGTA, and Escherichia coli + A23187 + EDTA. As controls, identically treated hemocytes were exposed to A23187, EDTA, EGTA, and nonenriched maintenance medium. The activity levels of acid phosphatase in the media associated with the experimental and control sets of hemocytes were assayed at five time intervals postexposure to the various additives. It was determined that A23187 + EDTA stimulated significantly higher levels of enzyme release, with an initial burst at 1 min or earlier, than A23187, EDTA, or nonenriched maintenance medium alone. It was also determined that A23187 + EGTA stimulated significantly less release of acid phosphatase than A23187 + EDTA, but more than A23187, EGTA, or nonenriched maintenance medium individually. In all of the combinations tested, exposure to A23187 + EDTA + E. coli stimulated the greatest release of acid phosphatase from oyster hemocytes. Atomic absorption analyses of the concentrations of Ca2+ and Zn2+ in the maintenance medium and cytosol of all categories of hemocytes revealed that there were rapid and high levels of efflux of Zn2+ from all three sets of experimental hemocytes, especially those exposed to A23187 + EDTA and A23187 + EDTA + E. coli, but only low levels of exocytosis of Ca2+, which were no different between experimental and control groups. This appears to be the first demonstration of the requirement of a chelator (EDTA) in an ionophore-stimulated release of a bioactive molecule from invertebrate cells and of a correlation between the efflux of Zn2+ with ionophore-stimulated secretion of an enzyme.
Resonance Raman scattering under [111] uniaxial stress in the region of the E 1 gap in InAs

Uniaxial stress along [111] has been used to vary the different mechanisms contributing to resonance Raman scattering from allowed TO phonons in the region of the ${E}_{1}$ gap in InAs. The significant stress-induced splittings and changes in the resonance Raman line shape of the spectral distribution that have been observed are accounted for by a recent model based on phonon modulation of both the energy gap and wave functions. These results provide a strong confirmation of this model.
THE PRODUCTION OF OSTEOGENIC SARCOMATA AND THE EFFECTS ON LYMPH NODES AND BONE MARROW OF INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS OF RADIUM CHLORIDE AND MESOTHORIUM IN RABBITS

The observations in this work suggest that with certain doses of radioactive material, the fundamental damage in the lymphoid tissues is to the stem cell and that the damage is to the chromatin of the nuclei of these cells. The erythroid tissues are apparently less susceptible to radioactive material than the lymphoid tissues but an original anemia of secondary type from peripheral destruction may eventually be changed to one of primary type through decreased maturation of primitive cells in the marrow. The damage of lymph nodes and bone marrow leads to atrophy of these organs. The cells of the liver and thymus suffer nuclear damage of the same general character as is seen in the lymph nodes, and there is an atrophy of these organs. The storage of the radioactive material in the bones gave rise to osteogenic sarcomata in two out of seven rabbits surviving from 11 to 19 months. A repetition of the experiment has been undertaken with more intensive studies to test the validity of the findings.
Unidirectional non-cross tolerance to etorphine in morphine-tolerant mice and role of the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract A unidirectional non-cross tolerance phenomenon to etorphine was observed under conditions of maximal tolerance development to morphine. Using a morphine pellet (75 mg morphine) implantation technique, a 30-fold increase in the analgesic ED50 for subcutaneously (sc) administered morphine was observed. When 30-fold morphine-tolerant animals were examined for cross tolerance to sc etorphine, no change in etorphine's analgesic ED50 was observed. The removal of the tolerance-inducing morphine pellet prior to analgesia testing resulted in the expression of cross tolerance to etorphine. Further characterization of the phenomenon was provided by the reverse experiment in which a large amount of cross tolerance to sc morphine but little tolerance to sc etorphine was observed after etorphine pellet implantation. No change occurred in the analgesic ED50 for intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of etorphine or morphine after the animals were implanted with morphine pellets. These observations implicated the blood-brain barrier as a probable site for the differential expression of narcotic tolerance.
Suramin as a chemosensitizer: oral pharmacokinetics in rats.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine if the 10-50 μM plasma concentrations of suramin required to produce chemosensitization could be achieved by oral administration.
Virilio’s Screen: The Work of Metaphor in the Age of Technological Convergence

This brief essay traces the evolving role of the screen in the writing of high-speed theorist Paul Virilio. In Virilio’s writing, the screen serves as the locus of lost dimensions of space and tech...
Power Analysis: The Other Half of the Coin.

The basic aim of science is to logically and reasonably explain observed phenomena. Given the numerous types of research being conducted, this paper focuses on studies using statistics to accept or reject hypotheses. A large number of educational research ends with findings of “no significance.” This has led to the erroneous notion that scientific, controlled research in education is non‐productive. Power analysis is proposed as a means to strengthen educational research and to raise concerns about making a type II error as well as a type I error.
Vulvovaginitis in healthy women

Vulvovaginal symptoms are extremely common and result in millions of visits to practitioners’ offices, STD clinics and emergency rooms. Vaginal infections or infectious vaginitis is responsible for only a minority of symptoms and is readily diagnosed. Epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy of vaginitis is reviewed.
Peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) using a dedicated extremity cone-beam CT scanner

Purpose: We describe the initial assessment of the peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) imaging capabilities of a conebeam CT (CBCT) scanner dedicated to musculoskeletal extremity imaging. The aim is to accurately measure and quantify bone and joint morphology using information automatically acquired with each CBCT scan, thereby reducing the need for a separate pQCT exam. Methods: A prototype CBCT scanner providing isotropic, sub-millimeter spatial resolution and soft-tissue contrast resolution comparable or superior to standard multi-detector CT (MDCT) has been developed for extremity imaging, including the capability for weight-bearing exams and multi-mode (radiography, fluoroscopy, and volumetric) imaging. Assessment of pQCT performance included measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), morphometric parameters of subchondral bone architecture, and joint space analysis. Measurements employed phantoms, cadavers, and patients from an ongoing pilot study imaged with the CBCT prototype (at various acquisition, calibration, and reconstruction techniques) in comparison to MDCT (using pQCT protocols for analysis of BMD) and micro-CT (for analysis of subchondral morphometry). Results: The CBCT extremity scanner yielded BMD measurement within ±2-3% error in both phantom studies and cadaver extremity specimens. Subchondral bone architecture (bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, degree of anisotropy, and structure model index) exhibited good correlation with gold standard micro-CT (error ~5%), surpassing the conventional limitations of spatial resolution in clinical MDCT scanners. Joint space analysis demonstrated the potential for sensitive 3D joint space mapping beyond that of qualitative radiographic scores in application to non-weight-bearing versus weight-bearing lower extremities and assessment of phalangeal joint space integrity in the upper extremities. Conclusion: The CBCT extremity scanner demonstrated promising initial results in accurate pQCT analysis from images acquired with each CBCT scan. Future studies will include improved x-ray scatter correction and image reconstruction techniques to further improve accuracy and to correlate pQCT metrics with known pathology.
Can varicocelectomy significantly change the way couples use assisted reproductive technologies

Purpose: We assessed how varicocelectomy alters semen quality in a large cohort of infertile men and determined whether it can change patient candidacy for assisted reproductive technology procedures.Materials and Methods: A cohort of 540 infertile men with clinical palpable varicocele underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy and were followed more than 1 and 2 years postoperatively for alterations in semen quality and conception, respectively. Preoperatively and postoperatively the total motile sperm count was calculated in all semen analyses. Based on total motile sperm count values patients were divided into 4 groups according to the type of assisted reproductive technology for which they qualified, including 0 to 1.5 million or less (intracytoplasmic sperm injection candidates), 1.5 to 5 million or less (in vitro fertilization candidates), 5 to less than 20 million (intrauterine insemination candidates) and 20 million or greater sperm (spontaneous pregnancy candidates). Preoperative and postoperative s...
Reading differences and brain: cortical integration of speech and print in sentence processing varies with reader skill.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate the impact of literacy skills in young adults on the distribution of cerebral activity during comprehension of sentences in spoken and printed form. The aim was to discover where speech and print streams merge, and whether their convergence is affected by the level of reading skill. The results from different analyses all point to the conclusion that neural integration of sentence processing across speech and print varies positively with the reader's skill. Further, they identify the inferior frontal region as the principal site of speech–print integration and a major focus of reading comprehension differences. The findings provide new evidence of the role of the inferior frontal region in supporting supramodal systems of linguistic representation.
3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine (T3) clearance and T3-glucuronide (T3G) appearance kinetics in plasma of freshwater-reared male tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus.

Distribution and metabolism of the thyroid hormone 3,5, 3'-l-triiodothyronine (T3) were studied in several ways to gain insights into these processes in the warm water fish tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. Trace doses of 125I-labeled T3 (T*3)1 were injected intraarterially, extraarterially, or intraperitoneally in freshwater-reared male tilapia to explore plasma clearance kinetic responses to these different input modalities. Multicompartmental analysis of the plasma clearance data indicated a kinetic distribution of T*3 much like that reported for the rat and human, with about 2% of total body T*3 in plasma, 5% in rapidly exchanging tissues such as kidney and liver, and 93% in slowly exchanging tissues such as muscle. However, plasma clearance rates (PCR, 5.37 mL/h . 100 g body wt) and plasma appearance rates (PAR3 = PCR x [T3] plasma = 36.3 ng/h . 100 g body wt) were quite different than these indices in rat and human and 5 to 50 times larger than values reported for rainbow trout. On a whole-body basis, normalized for body weight, the tilapia we studied produced and accumulated much more T3 than rat, human, or rainbow trout. Enzymatic and chromatographic analyses of the plasma clearance data samples indicated substantial production of labeled glucuronide, but not sulfate, conjugates of iodothyronines (TiG) of unknown origin appearing in plasma. The TiG appeared beginning a few hours postinjection, peaked at 6 hours, and yielded a predicted steady-state TiG level of 8.3% of the T3 level in plasma. In contrast, in published studies, no conjugates were detected in rainbow trout plasma from 2 to 24 h after iv injection of T*3, T*4, or reverse-T*3, although conjugates of all were present in bile. To our knowledge, although T3 and T4 sulfate conjugates are present in the sera of several mammals, this is the first quantification of iodothyronine glucuronides reported in blood of any species under normal conditions. This might have physiological significance for the tilapia, with T3G providing a reversible storage form of T3 in blood, as has been suggested for sulfate conjugates of T3 and T4 in blood of several mammals.
A suppport strategy for users of a campus-wide local area network

At the time of the network's purchase, the University had no centralized data communications organization. Responsibilities of the network were divided between two departments, the Data Communications group at Academic Computing Services (ACS) and Voice and Data Telecommunications. ACS provided the system administration and user support while Telecommunications had physical control and performed the business duties. This dualistic approach to running the network created an environment of confusion for the user community. Not only were the missions of the two departments different, but each were part of different branches of the university organization, reporting to different vice chancellors.
Cdc6 synthesis regulates replication competence in Xenopus oocytes

The early division cycles of an embryo rely on the oocyte's ability to replicate DNA. During meiosis, oocytes temporarily lose this ability. After a single round of pre-meiotic S-phase, oocytes enter meiosis and rapidly arrest at prophase of meiosis I (G2)1. Upon hormonal stimulation, arrested oocytes resume meiosis, re-establish DNA replication competence in meiosis I shortly after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), but repress replication until fertilization2,3. How oocytes lose and regain replication competence during meiosis are important questions underlying the production of functional gametes. Here we show that the inability of immature Xenopus oocytes to replicate is linked to the absence of the Cdc6 protein and the cytoplasmic localization of other initiation proteins. Injection of Cdc6 protein into immature oocytes does not induce DNA replication. However, injection of Cdc6 into oocytes undergoing GVBD is sufficient to induce DNA replication in the absence of protein synthesis. Our results show that GVBD and Cdc6 synthesis are the only events that limit the establishment of the oocyte's replication competence during meiosis.
Water impurity in low-loss silica fibre

Abstract Water contamination in silica based optical fibre waveguides has been studied. The height of the 950nm water peak was found to vary with fibre pulling speed and reduced sharply from 64 dB/km to 20.5 dB/km as the speed was increased from 0.12 m/sec to 1.47 m/sec. The results have been fitted to a diffusion curve indicating that the water diffuses into the core region from the support tubes used in preform manufacture. Deposition inside a water free Spectrosil tube gave a water peak of only 4 dB/km. A B 2 O 3 doped cladding layer was used to provide a barrier to OH migration and the 950nm water peak was reduced from 24 dB/km to 3 dB/km by increasing the B 2 O 3 content in the layer from 2 to 4 mole per cent.
A crossed molecular beam study of the reaction dynamics of the charge transfer reaction of N2+(X2Σg+, ν= 0) with N2(X1Σg, ν= 0) at low and intermediate energies

Abstract The crossed molecular beam method has been used to investigate the charge transfer reaction of N 2 + ( X 2 Σ g , ν = 0) with N 2 ( X 1 Σ g , ν = 0) at collision energies of 0.74 and 9.94 eV. At the lower energy, two mechanisms, the exactly resonant process occurring as a direct reaction and the reaction involving the formation of an N 4 + complex with a lifetime significantly greater than 5 × 10 −13 sec, are observed to occur with nearly equal probability. Extensive energy exchange is observed for the “collision complex” mechanism while little momentum transfer (linear or angular) accompanies the direct mechanism at low energy. At higher energy only the direct mechanism exists; however, energy transfer to slightly endothermic channels (to ∼ 0.7 ev) is observed along with the resonant reaction. These results are compared with related state-to-state dynamics studies and recent theoretical papers on N 2 + /N 2 charge transfer in order to generate a consistent description of the mechanism of this reaction.
Specific suppressor cells in graft-host tolerance of HLA-identical marrow transplantation.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a cell-mediated imiminological reaction, and there is evidence in the rodent system that long-term survival without GvHD is associated with the presence of lymphocytes which specifically suppress the GvH reaction. We have accordingly developed an assay for the influence of circulating cells from patients with HLA-identical marrow grafts on the reaction of donor cells against host lymphocytes (collected before transplantation and modified by trinitrophenyl (TNP)). We find that patients without GvHD have radiation-sensitive circulating cells which specifically suppress the in vitro model of the GvH reaction. Our findings seem to have a bearing on graft–host tolerance and the causation of GvHD in vivo.
Influence of copper on the structural characteristics of carbon nanofibers produced from the cobalt-catalyzed decomposition of ethylene

We have used a combination of techniques to examine modifications in the structural characteristics of carbon nanofibers produced from the interaction of cobalt and copper-cobalt powders with ethylene at temperatures over the range 425 to 700 °C. The nanofibers generated from the interaction of cobalt with ethylene at 600 °C were found to be highly crystalline in nature. Incorporation of as little as 2% copper into the cobalt created a major modification in the conformation of the solid carbon deposit, which was composed of multiple nanofiber limbs emanating from a single catalyst particle, and in this state the carbon structures tended to be disordered. As the composition of the bimetallic was progressively changed to the point where copper became the major component, there was a significant increase in the degree of crystalline perfection of the nanofibers even though they maintained their multidirectional form. The transformation in structural characteristics of the carbon nanofibers is rationalized, according to a concept wherein the crystalline order of the deposit is related to the wetting properties of the bimetallic particles with graphite.
Kinesiology: Defining the Academic Core of Our Discipline: Introduction

(2007). Kinesiology: Defining the Academic Core of Our Discipline: Introduction. Quest: Vol. 59, No. 1, pp. 1-4.
Ultrasmall, Water-Soluble Magnetite Nanoparticles with High Relaxivity for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Ultrasmall (3, 4, 5, and 6 nm), water-soluble Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized in diethylene glycol (DEG) via a facile one-pot reaction. Hydrodynamic size and relaxation time measurements did not show particle aggregation when Fe3O4 nanoparticles were dispersed in phosphate buffered saline, fetal bovine serum, or calf bovine serum for 1 week. Furthermore, the new Fe3O4 nanoparticles tolerated high salt concentrations (≤1 M NaCl) and a wide pH range from 5 to 11. Surface modification of the nanoparticles with poly(ethylene glycol) bis(carboxymethyl) ether (HOOC-PEG-COOH, 600 g/mol) was accomplished through a ligand-exchange reaction. The effects of PEG modification on magnetization and relaxivity of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were investigated, and the results indicate that the increase in transverse relaxivity after PEG modification may be due to the increased volume of slowly diffusing water surrounding each nanoparticle. In vitro experiments showed that the DEG- and PEG-coated Fe3O4 nanopartic...
The international telecommunications regime: the political roots of regimes for high technology

The international telecommunications regime provided a multilateral framework that reinforced domestic monopolies and bilateral cartel arrangements in the global market. The regime's epistemic community believed that telecommunications services and equipment were best supplied by national monopolies and that international communications by telephone, telegram, and telex should be jointly provided by monopolists. Strong domestic political incentives reinforced this cognitive framework. When technological innovation triggered a successful political attack on the domestic regulation of telecommunications in a few key countries, the stage was set for a global challenge to the intellectual and political foundations of the regime. Two paths to reform have emerged. Their significance can be assessed by looking at changes in the distribution of benefits from the regime, changes in the manner in which governments delegate power to the regime, and shifts in the epistemic community associated with the regime.
Population forecasting and local economic planning: The limits on community control over uncertainty

Forecasting, planning, and controls are all attempts to cope with uncertainty about the future. The reasons that forecasts err are examined, and the limits of technical solutions are discussed. The beneficial planning uses of even error-prone forecasts are outlined, and it is argued that the concept of forecast accuracy is a basic contradiction of the essence of planning. The potential for local economic planning and community control over uncertainty is examined. Its major determinant is the economic context in which a community finds itself, but the enhanced mobility of firms over the last two decades has restricted the ability of communities to plan. Implications for forecasters, model builders, and local planners are discussed.
Do Drug Benefits Help Medicare Beneficiaries Afford Prescribed Drugs

We surveyed a random sample of 1,500 elderly people with chronic diseases who were enrolled in eight Medicare+Choice plans with a zero-premium, $200–$300 annual drug benefit and no deductible. An e...
Chemical constitution of various SrIrO phases

Abstract The compositions of several phases in the SrIrO system have been reported in the past thirty years, and the single crystal structures of three of these have now been determined. The formulation for one of these phases, namely the body-centered cubic, has been assigned different ratios of strontium, iridium and oxygen by various workers, which has led to some confusion as to its exact chemical composition. To clarify this situation, a study of the composition of the different SrIrO phases was carried out by electron microprobe analysis using a Kevex quantum energy dispersive detector, which is readily capable of detecting the K α X-ray emission from oxygen along with that from heavier elements. Reference standards of pure IrO 2 , SiO 2 (quartz), fused SrCl 2 and SrCO 3 were used for calibration of Ir, O, Cl and Sr contents respectively. In addition, the Sr to Ir ratio was determined by using known standards such as the well-characterized monoclinic and orthorhombic (high-pressure) forms of SrIrO 3 , and Sr 2 IrO 4− . The analysis of the body-centered cubic SrIrO phase indicates a chemical formula of Sr 0.79 IrO 2.8 Cl 0.07 . The trace of chlorine may be necessary to stabilize this structural form of the compound.
A Study of Lineshapes in Selective Adsorption in Atom—Surface Scattering

Calculations are presented involving the scattering of low energy4 He atoms from LiF(001), and compared with experiment. Resonant scattering theory is briefly reviewed, and a prescription for determining the shapes and signatures of resonant features is presented. Inelastic effects are included by means of a Debye—Waller scaling.
Determination of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (Procysteine) in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of the cysteine prodrug, l-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (Procysteine®), in human plasma. Samples were mixed with 5% metaphosphoric acid and the supernatants chromatographed using a reversed-phase analytical column. Procysteine was detected spectrophotometrically at 230 nm and quantitated by comparison with a standard curve of known amounts of Procysteine (20–1000 μM) in plasma. The coefficients of variation for 48.6 μM and 676 μM control pools were 6.5 and 4.0% respectively (n = 46). Deviations from the expected concentrations were less than 2%. The method has been utilized to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a wide range of oral and intravenous doses.
Theory of an atomic interferometer in the Raman-Nath regime

Abstract We give a detailed description of an atomic interferometer in which a gaussian beam of two-level atoms interacts with two separated standing waves. We consider specifically a situation where the atom-field interaction is sufficiently off-resonance that spontaneous emission can be ignored, and the Raman-Nath regime which neglects phase-matching and where multiple scattering orders can occur.
Stability of mean flows over an infinite flat plate

The present investigation is mainly concerned with a stability analysis for the linearized Navier-Stokes equations for parallel and nonparallel mean flows over an infinite flat plate. The system of equations for parallel flows is presented. The system is viewed as a generalized Orr-Sommerfeld equation. Attention is given to an explicit criterion characterizing the case when the stability of all physically reasonable solutions is determined by the eigenvalues. The proof given in the investigation is applicable to both the generalized Orr-Somerfeld equations and the modified equations for nonparallel flow. The fact that the criterion is independent of the completeness or incompleteness of eigenfunctions is contrary to some expectations.
New Model, New Strategies: Instructional design for building online wisdom communities

We discuss the development of an instructional design model, WisCom (Wisdom Communities), based on socio‐constructivist and sociocultural learning philosophies and distance education principles for the development of online wisdom communities, and the application and evaluation of the model in an online graduate course in the USA. The WisCom model aims to facilitate transformational learning by fostering the development of a wisdom community, knowledge innovation, and mentoring and learner support in an online learning environment, based on a “Cycle of Inquiry” module design, and a “Spiral of Inquiry” program design. Extending beyond current instructional design practice, WisCom provides both a new model for teaching that builds upon the inherent capacity of networked communication to support the growth and intellectual development of communities of practice, and a new model of learning where learners engage in the process of scholarly inquiry that supports individual and collective learning. Evaluation a...
The SDR Experience: Experiments with a Large-Scale Heterogeneous Mobile Robot Team

This paper reports on experiments conducted as part of the DARPA SDR (Software for Distributed Robotics) program. The core challenge for this program is to develop a system capable of carrying out 'locate-and-protect' missions: the system must be able to deploy a large number of robots into an unexplored building, map the building interior, locate a valued object, detect and track intruders, and transmit all of the above information to a remote observer/operator. To satisfy these requirements, we have developed a large heterogeneous robot team consisting of approximately 80 robots. This paper sketches the key technical elements of this system, and presents selected results from externally supervised experiments conducted in a 600 m 2 indoor environment.
Vascularized bone marrow transplantation: A new surgical approach using isolated femoral bone/bone marrow.

Abstract Background. Orthotopic composite tissue (limb) transplantation in rats is a unique model for vascularized bone marrow transplantation because bone marrow cells and bone marrow stroma are transplanted by microsurgical means, thus creating immediate bone marrow space and engraftment. However, it contains a skin component and other musculoskeletal tissues that complicate issues related to tolerance induction. Materials and methods. To study only aspects of vascularized bone marrow transplantation, we created a new isolated vascularized bone marrow transplant model in rats. The common iliac (or femoral) artery and vein were microsurgically anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava in an end-to-side fashion, respectively. Syngeneic male Lewis (RT11, n = 20) and allogeneic male BN (RT1n, n = 10) donors were transplanted to female Lewis recipients. To establish rejection criteria, we examined histopathology and used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess microchimerism of donor male bone marrow cells in the peripheral blood of female recipients using rat Y chromosome (sex-determining region Y)-specific primers. Results. All recipients were healthy and remained stable without major complications for up to 300 days posttransplant. Morphologically, syngeneic male Lewis bone marrow showed a near-normal appearance. Allogeneic male BN bone marrow was clearly rejected. Male bone marrow cells were detected by PCR in the peripheral blood of all syngeneic recipients, but not in allogeneic blood specimens. Conclusions. A new surgical approach to bone marrow transplantation was established. This consisted of the vascularized femoral bone/bone marrow transplant. Further analyses regarding the ability of vascularized femoral bone marrow transplants to induce systemic transplantation tolerance in adult rats will provide insights into not only various issues of immunology but also the potential clinical application of vascularized bone marrow transplantation.
Does income distribution matter for effective demand? Evidence from the United States

This article examines the influence of income distribution in the determination of effective demand in the US. A simple model is developed to simulate the effects of changing income inequality on the aggregate propensity to consume. The simulation results illustrate that income inequality has a substantial negative impact on consumption when household spending is assumed to be income‐constrained. Econometric evidence is presented that rising private sector wage inequality had a dampening effect on the time path of consumption in the United States between 1978 and 2000. The methodology entails time series estimation of consumption specifications with a measure of income inequality (the Theil index) included among the explanatory variables. The argument is made that, ceteris paribus, rising income inequality creates a need for greater reliance on debt to sustain a given level of household spending.
Allocation to floral structures in Thalictrum pubescens (Ranunculaceae), a cryptically dioecious species.

Females of Thalictrum pubescens produce stamens that contain sterile pollen, whereas males are both functionally and morphologically unisexual. This study examines the investment in stamen production by females of T. pubescens by comparing the female structures with those of their fully functional male counterparts. Stamens from females had the same biomass and contained the same amount of nitrogen and phosphorus as stamens from males. Anther size was the same in males and females, but filaments were longer in stamens from males. Females produced more pollen per anther than males, and pollen size was the same in both sexes. Within flowers, there was a positive correlation between the amount of pollen per anther and the length of anthers in males, but not in females. This would be expected if males growing in better environmental conditions or with greater vigour invested more resources in pollen production, thereby increasing fitness. Females, who receive no fitness benefits from increased pollen production, did not show this pattern. There was also evidence of a trade‐off within female flowers between the number of stamens and the number of pistils. This trade‐off was noted in conditions when variance among plants was reduced, namely in the field during a year when flower size was particularly small and in a previous glasshouse study. Therefore, it appears that when environmental variance is low, stamens are produced at the expense of producing more pistils, and hence seeds. In conclusion, stamen production does not appear to be inconsequential to females of Thalictrum pubescens.
Short-term estrogen treatment in ovariectomized rats augments hippocampal acetylcholine release during place learning

Estrogen modulates learning and memory in ovariectomized and naturally cycling female rats, especially in tasks using spatial learning and navigation. Estrogen also modulates cholinergic function in various forebrain structures. Past studies have shown positive correlations between hippocampal ACh output and performance on hippocampus-dependent tasks. The present study examined whether estradiol replacement would potentiate hippocampal ACh release during place learning. In vivo microdialysis and HPLC were used to measure extracellular ACh levels in the hippocampus of ovariectomized female rats that had received s.c. injections of 17beta-estradiol (10 microg) or sesame oil (vehicle treatment) 48 and 24h prior to training on a place task. Estrogen did not alter baseline levels of extracellular ACh in the hippocampus. During training, hippocampal ACh increased in ovariectomized rats regardless of estrogen status. However, while estradiol did not enhance learning in this experiment, estradiol significantly potentiated the increase in hippocampal ACh release seen during place training. This represents the first demonstration of on-line assessment of ACh output in hippocampus during learning in female rats and suggests that estrogen-dependent modulation of ACh release during training might control activation of different neural systems used during learning.
Metabolic effects of thyroxine injected into normal, thiouracil-treated and thyroidectomized rats.

Since the rat has classically been considered an animal remarkably refractory to thyroxine, this report is being written to point out the great change in sensitivity produced by thyroidectomy. Credit must be given Meyer and Wertz (1939) for making similar observations 10 years ago, using orally administered thyroxine, but their results have long been ignored, possibly because of the claim of 25 to 30 fold increases in responsiveness. Young adult male albino rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain, weighing 280–350 grams, were used in this study. They were placed on the limited feeding regime used in this laboratoryin which food intake is restricted to 5 hours per day, resulting in an essentially post-absorptive animal which was available each day for metabolic study. Such rats were carefully trainedin the Benedict (1930) multiple-chamber, closed-circuit apparatus for determination of oxygen consumption. When thiouracil2 was administered, 2 gm. of the drug were thoroughly mixed into each kg. of powdered Rockland...
NADPH oxidase signal transduces angiotensin II in hepatic stellate cells and is critical in hepatic fibrosis

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a pro-oxidant and fibrogenic cytokine. We investigated the role of NADPH oxidase in Ang II-induced effects in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a fibrogenic cell type. Human HSCs express mRNAs of key components of nonphagocytic NADPH oxidase. Ang II phosphorylated p47phox, a regulatory subunit of NADPH oxidase, and induced reactive oxygen species formation via NADPH oxidase activity. Ang II phosphorylated AKT and MAPKs and increased AP-1 DNA binding in a redox-sensitive manner. Ang II stimulated DNA synthesis, cell migration, procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA expression, and secretion of TGF-beta1 and inflammatory cytokines. These effects were attenuated by N-acetylcysteine and diphenylene iodonium, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Moreover, Ang II induced upregulation of genes potentially involved in hepatic wound-healing response in a redox-sensitive manner, as assessed by microarray analysis. HSCs isolated from p47phox-/- mice displayed a blunted response to Ang II compared with WT cells. We also assessed the role of NADPH oxidase in experimental liver fibrosis. After bile duct ligation, p47phox-/- mice showed attenuated liver injury and fibrosis compared with WT counterparts. Moreover, expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin and expression of TGF-beta1 were reduced in p47phox-/- mice. Thus, NADPH oxidase mediates the actions of Ang II on HSCs and plays a critical role in liver fibrogenesis.
Performance modeling of distributed database

This paper describes a simple yet effective distributed database model that simulates database utilization in the distributed data processing environment. The model is table driven such that database access requirements, file location, and other information necessary for defining the database environment are set up internally in several tables. Each database transaction is defined and represented by a transaction flow diagram (TFD) and a sequence of TFDs representing a operational scenario is input to the model. The model "executes" input TFDs by looking up tables that specify their data file access requirements. While executing TFDs, the history of database usage is logged and various statistics are gathered. The performance data are used to measure database access overhead, characterize database workload, and fine-tune performance by reallocating files. The model has been implemented in Fortran on the VAX 11/780 and has been used for both measuring the given database performance and analyzing sensitivity to design changes. It has proven to be an effective tool for analyzing design effectiveness of distributed databases.
Relative calibration of grazing incidence spectrometers from charge-exchange excitation of hydrogenic ions.

Charge transfer from hydrogen atoms having energies below 35 keV to fully ionized low-Z impurities takes place predominantly in two excited levels. It is shown that the subsequent radiative cascades from C5+, N6+; and O7+ can be used to obtain the relative response of grazing incidence spectrometer systems in the region between 102 and 1164 A. In principle, the technique can be extended to 19 A. The method is useful in plasma devices employing neutral beams for heating or for diagnostic probing. The absolute sensitivity of a system is then established by normalizing to only one branching ratio measurement from a pair of lines having accurately known transition probabilities. Results from the Impurity Studies Experiment-B (ISX-B) tokamak are presented.
Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with a single rubber-nylon balloon (Inoue balloon): Long-term results in 71 patients

Abstract The first 71 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who successfully underwent single rubber-nylon balloon (Inoue balloon) percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) from November 1985 to August 1988 had a mean follow-up period of 27.1 ± 11.6 months (range, 14 to 48 months). Functional status before PMV was New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV in two, class III in 38, and class II in 31. Pre and post PMV and follow-up mean diastolic mitral gradient by catheter method was 17.5 ± 6.9, 2.7 ± 3.5, and 3.3 ± 3.4 mm Hg ( p p > 0.05 post PMV versus follow-up). By Doppler method the mean diastolic gradient was 17.4 ± 5.5, 8.5 ± 4.7, and 9.2 ± 4.1 mm Hg, respectively ( p p > 0.05 post PMV versus follow-up). Mitral valve area was 1.12 ± 0.26, 2.04 ± 0.41, and 1.92 ± 0.45 cm 2 , respectively ( p > 0.001 pre versus post PMV and pre PMV versus follow-up; and p > 0.05 post PMV versus follow-up). The phonocardiographic and vectorcardiographic studies and cardiopulmonary exercise testing showed significant improvement after PMV and at follow-up. At follow-up the NYHA functional class was I in 57 patients, class II in 13, and class III in one patient with severe mitral valve calcification and subvalvular fusion, in whom restenosis occurred 18 months after PMV. Thus single rubber-nylon balloon PMV can achieve very good short-term and long-term results in relieving symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis. Patients with severe mitral calcification and subvalvular fusion do not appear to be good candidates for PMV.
On violence as the negativity of the Durkheimian: between anomie, sacrifice and effervescence

In this introductory article I contextualise, historically and theoretically, the rapport between Durkheimianism and violence. Telescoping Durkheimian theories of anomie, sacrifice and effervescence, I demonstrate how both Durkheim and Mauss, arguably the most prominent members of the French School of Sociology, found themselves constantly reflecting on violence in all its forms while never outlining an explicit theory of violence. Violence was thus the dark spot of their enterprises, at once omnipresent but disavowed. I weave together the various fragments of their oeuvres that illuminate the ground of the Durkheimian theory of violence and also examine the precise reasons for its lack of clear theorisation. I conclude with some remarks on Durkheim and fascism. Therefore, this article serves to supplement and set the stage for the articles that appear in this volume, pieces that in their own ways grapple with similar problematics while also moving beyond them and charting new directions in Durkheimian studies.
Association between secure patient–clinician email and clinical services utilisation in a US integrated health system: a retrospective cohort study

Objective To assess associations between secure patient–clinician email use and clinical services utilisation over time. Design Retrospective cohort study between July 2010 and December 2013. Controlling for a utilisation surge around first secure email use, we analysed difference of differences between propensity score-matched groups of secure patient–clinician email users and non-users for utilisation 1–12 months before and 7–18 months after first email (users) or a randomly assigned index date (non-users). Setting US integrated healthcare delivery system. Participants 9345 adults with first secure email use between July 2011 and July 2012 and continuous enrolment for ≥30 months and 9345 adults without secure email use between July 2010 and July 2012 matched to users on demographics, health status, and baseline utilisation. Primary Outcome Measures Rates of office visits, patient-initiated phone calls, scheduled telephone visits, after-hours clinic visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalisations. Results After controlling for multiple factors, no statistically significant differences in utilisation between secure email users and non-users occurred. Utilisation transiently increased by 88–237% around first email use. Annual rates of patient-initiated phone calls decreased among secure email users, 0.2 fewer calls per person (95% CI −0.3 to −0.1), from a mean of 4.1 calls per person 1–12 months before first use to a mean of 3.8 calls per person 7–18 months after first use. Rates of patient-initiated phone calls also decreased among non-users, 0.1 fewer calls per person (95% CI −0.2 to 0.0), from a mean of 4.2 calls per person 1–12 months before the index date to mean of 4.1 calls per person 7–18 months after the index date. Conclusions Compared with non-users, patient use of secure email with clinicians was not associated with statistically significant differences in clinical services utilisation 7–18 months after first use.
Epitaxial Growth of AlN Thin Films on Silicon and Sapphire by Pulsed Laser Deposition

AIN thin films have been grown epitaxially on Si(111) and Al2O3(0001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. These films were characterized by FTIR and UV-Visible, x-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy, and electrical resistivity. The films deposited on silicon and sapphire at 750-800°C and laser energy density of ∼ 2 to 3J/cm2 are epitaxial with an orientational relationship of AIN[0001]║ Si[111], AIN[2 1 10]║Si[011] and AlN[0001]║Al2O3[0001], AIN[1 2 1 0]║ Al2O3[0110] and AIN[1010] ║ Al2O3[2110]. The both AIN/Si and AIN/Al2O3 interfaces were found to be quite sharp without any indication of interfacial reactions. The absorption edge measured by UV-Visible spectroscopy for the epitaxial AIN film grown on sapphire was sharp and the band gap was found to be 6.1eV. The electrical resistivity of the films was about 5-6×l013Ω-cm with a breakdown field of 5×106V/cm. We also found that the films deposited at higher laser energy densities ≥10J/cm2 and lower temperatures ≤650°C were nitrogen deficient and containing free metallic aluminum which degrade the microstructural, electrical and optical properties of the AIN films
Influence of rocky landscape features and fire regime on vegetation dynamics in Appalachian Quercus forests

Abstract Question: How do interactions between rocky landscape features and fire regime influence vegetation dynamics? Location: Continental Eastern USA. Methods: We measured vegetation, disturbance and site characteristics in 40 pairs of rocky and non-rocky plots: 20 in recently burned stands, and 20 in stands with no evidence of recent fire (‘unburned’ stands). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the main and interaction effects of fire and rock cover on plant community composition. Results: In burned stands, rock cover had a strong influence on vegetation. Non-rocky ‘matrix’ forests were dominated by Quercus, and had abundant ground cover and advance regeneration of early and mid-successional tree species. Burned rocky patches supported greater density of fire-sensitive species such as Acer rubrum, Sassafras albidum and Nyssa sylvatica and had little advance regeneration or ground cover. Quercus had fewer fire scars and catfaces (open, basal wounds) on rocky patches, suggesting that...
Talectomy in patients with recurrent deformity in club foot

We reviewed 24 feet in 15 patients who had undergone talectomy for recurrent equinovarus deformity; 21 were associated with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, two with myelomeningocele and one with idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus. The mean follow-up was 20 years. Good results were achieved in eight feet (33%) in which further surgery was not needed and walking was painless; a fair result was obtained in ten feet (42%) in which further surgery for recurrence of a hindfoot deformity had been necessary but walking was painless; the remaining six feet (25%) were poor, with pain on walking. All patients wore normal shoes and could walk independently, except one who was wheelchair-bound because of other joint problems. Recurrent deformity, the development of tibiocalcaneal arthritis and spontaneous fusion of the tibia to the calcaneum were all seen in these patients.