cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation as a Two Stage Approach (MACI)

Full thickness chondral defects can be debilitating for athletes. Due to the low potential for intrinsic healing of articular cartilage, surgical intervention is often considered when patients continue to experience functionally limiting symptoms despite an adequate trial of nonoperative management. Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is a 2-stage procedure used to treat chondral lesions with minimal subchondral bone involvement. MACI has significant advantages over previous generations of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), including a simplified surgical technique and accelerated postoperative rehabilitation protocol. MACI has been shown to result in good clinical outcomes, with several studies showing high success rates. Additionally, MACI has a low rate of complications specific to the procedure.
Innovative methodological approaches for data integration to derive patterns across diverse, large-scale biomedical datasets.

The following sections are included:IntroductionUnderstanding Biology by Modeling Structure and Processes with Machine LearningData Integration with Applications to CancerDiscussionReferences.
Design and Synthesis of Quinolizidine Derivatives as Influenza Virus and HIV-1 Inhibitors

BACKGROUND We have previously reported that a quinolizidine natural product, aloperine, and its analogs can inhibit influenza virus and/or HIV-1 at low μM concentrations. OBJECTIVE The main goal of this study was to further optimize aloperine for improved anti-influenza virus activity. METHODS Structural modifications have been focused on the N12 position of aloperine scaffold. Conventional chemical synthesis was used to obtain derivatives with improved antiviral activities. The anti-HIV and anti-influenza virus activities of the synthesized compounds were determined using an MT4 cell-based HIV-1 replication assay and an anti- influenza virus infection of MDCK cell assay, respectively. RESULTS Aloperine derivatives can be classified into three activity groups: those that exhibit anti-HIV activity only, anti-influenza virus only, or activity against both viruses. Aloperine optimized for potent anti-influenza activity often lost anti-HIV-1 activity, and vice versa. Compound 19 inhibited influenza virus PR8 replication with an IC50 of 0.091 μM, which is approximately 160- and 60-fold more potent than aloperine and the previously reported aloperine derivative compound 3, respectively. CONCLUSION The data suggest that aloperine is a privileged scaffold that can be modified to become a selective antiviral compound with markedly improved potency against influenza virus or HIV-1.
Increased Incidence of Giant Cell Arteritis After Introduction of a Live Varicella Zoster Virus Vaccine.

Background Varicella zoster virus (VZV) has been associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA). The introduction of a live attenuated vaccine against this virus (ZVL) might have changed the incidence of GCA. Methods The incidence of GCA was retrospectively measured using 2 matched cohorts seen in a regional health system located in the Midwestern United States: ZVL recipients from the years 2007 through 2015 following the introduction of the vaccine and nonrecipients from the years 2000 through 2015. Results In the ZVL cohort, a significant increase of GCA was associated with clinical criteria alone for the diagnosis of GCA (hazard ratio [HR], 2.70; 95% CI, 1.48-4.45; P = .004). In addition, using only pathologically confirmed GCA, the same matched cohort comparison analysis also found that ZVL recipients were at significantly higher risk than those who did not receive ZVL (HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.48-4.95; P = .001). Conclusion Using a matched cohort, retrospective comparison, ZVL was associated with an increased incidence of GCA.
Long-Term Outcomes Comparing Medical Therapy versus Revascularization for Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

Abstract The ideal management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has yet to be clearly defined. We conducted a comprehensive search of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception from 1966 through September 2020 for all original studies (randomized controlled trials and observational studies) that evaluated patients with SCAD. Study groups were defined by allocation to medical therapy (medical therapy) versus invasive therapy (invasive therapy) (ie, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting). The risk of death (risk ratio [RR] = 0.753; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-2.73; I2 = 21.1%; P = 0.61), recurrence of SCAD (RR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.61-1.93; I2 = 0.0%; P = 0.74), and repeat revascularization (RR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.21-1.94; I2 = 57.6%; P = 0.38) were not statistically different between medical therapy and invasive therapy for a follow-up ranging from 4 months to 3 years. In conclusion, in this meta-analysis of observational studies, the long-term risk of death, recurrent SCAD, and repeat revascularization did not significantly differ among patients with SCAD treated with medical therapy compared with those treated with invasive therapy. These findings support the current expert consensus that patients should be treated with medical therapy when clinically stable and no high-risk features are present. Further large-scale studies including randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Gynaecological perivascular epithelioid cell tumour (PEComa): comparative analysis of proposed algorithms for prediction of clinical outcome.

Aims Perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal tumours that coexpress smooth muscle and melanocytic markers. They have a predilection for gynaecological organs, where they present a unique diagnostic challenge, because of morphological and immunohistochemical overlap with more common smooth muscle and stromal tumours. Limited information regarding the natural history, owing to the rarity of this tumour, makes accurate risk stratification difficult. We aimed to review clinicopathological features of gynaecological PEComa and compare accuracy of five different classification systems for prediction of prognosis. Methods and results We have described the clinicopathological features of 13 new cases and tested five prognostic algorithms in a total of 67 cases of gynaecological PEComa. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed and areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated to evaluate predictive accuracy. The modified gynaecological-specific algorithm showed high sensitivity and specificity and yielded the highest AUC (0.864). It's earlier version, the gynaecological-specific algorithm, suffered from lower specificity (AUC = 0.843). The post-hoc McNemar test confirmed significant differences between the performances of the modified gynaecological-specific algorithm and the gynaecological-specific algorithm (P = 0.008). The original Folpe algorithm for PEComas of all sites showed low specificity, had a lower AUC (0.591), and was inapplicable in 18% of cases. Its two later versions (the revised Folpe algorithm and the modified Folpe algorithm) also yielded lower AUCs (0.690 and 0.591, respectively). Conclusion We have shown that the modified gynaecological-specific algorithm predicts the clinical outcome of gynaecological PEComa with high accuracy, and have validated its use for prognostic stratification of gynaecological PEComa.
An Anthropometric Study of Lung Donors.

Purpose:A difference in the lower body to upper body ratio between similarly heighted individuals could lead to inadequately matched transplants. There has been a perception in clinical circles tha...
Why are Pollution Damages Lower in Developed Countries? Insights from High-Income, High-Particulate Matter Hong Kong

Conventional wisdom suggests that marginal damages from particulate matter pollution are high in less-developed countries because they are highly polluted. Using administrative data on the universe of births and deaths, we explore birthweight and mortality effects of gestational particulate matter exposure in high-pollution yet high-income Hong Kong. The marginal effects of particulates on birthweight are large but we fail to detect an effect on neonatal mortality. We interpret our stark mortality results in a comparative analysis of pollution-mortality relationships across studies. We provide early evidence that marginal mortality damages from pollution are high in less-developed countries because they are less developed, not because they are more polluted.
Introduction to Macromolecular Binding Equilibria

BINDING SITES The Importance and Complexity of Macromolecular Binding Generating Affinity and Specificity with Weak Interactions Size, Shape, and Functional Complementarity Determine Recognition Binding Sites on Proteins Binding Sites on Nucleic Acids BINDING ISOTHERMS Some Definitions and Conventions on Notation Connecting the Binding Density
Metabolism, plasma transport and biliary excretion of radioactive vitamin A and its metabolites as a function of liver reserves of vitamin A in the rat

Groups of 7-12 weanling Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed graded daily doses of vitamin A (5-176 micrograms retinol) for 7 or 12 weeks. Final mean liver concentrations of vitamin A, which ranged from 0.4 to 331 micrograms retinol per gram, depended both on the daily dose given and on the length of the feeding period. The mean serum retinol concentration was 24 micrograms/dl at the lowest liver vitamin A concentration, approached a plateau of 40 micrograms/dl at a liver concentration of 5-10 micrograms/g, and then very slowly increased with higher levels of vitamin A in the liver. Seven days after the oral administration of a standard dose (4.6 microCi) of 11,12-[3H2]retinyl acetate, during which period rats were fed the customary vitamin A-containing diet, bile was collected via bile duct cannulae for 1-4 hours, and then the livers and serum were extracted and analyzed. The key relationships defined were: 1) that the mean ratio of specific activities of retinol in serum to that in liver was 0.65 +/- 0.05 (SEM) (range: 0.46-0.81) at daily retinol intakes of 8-176 micrograms/day, 2) that the ratio did not vary systematically with vitamin A intake or liver reserves and 3) that the mean excretion rate of vitamin A metabolites in the bile was invariant at 0.28 microgram retinol metabolites per milliliter of bile up to a liver vitamin A concentration of 32 micrograms retinol per gram, but then increased rapidly by eightfold to a maximal rate of 2.4 micrograms retinol metabolites per milliliter of bile at a liver vitamin A value of 140 micrograms retinol per gram.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Measurement of Blood Cholinesterase

(1963). Measurement of Blood Cholinesterase. Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal: Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 537-563.
GATEKEEPING: A MODEL FOR SCREENING BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS FOR FIELD EDUCATION

Abstract Historically, social work educators have been gatekeepers for the profession; they have been responsible for determining whether students will become social workers. Given the current issues facing the profession, a need exists to continue emphasizing the gatekeeping role. This article presents an evaluation model that assesses readiness and potential of undergraduate students to enter field education. In addition, the article identifies issues to consider in implementing such a model, including faculty and university support of and student response to the gatekeeping process. Moreover, it evaluates the experiences of one university that has used the model since 1980.
Effects of Twin-Screw Extrusion of Peanut Flour on In Vitro Digestion of Potentially Allergenic Peanut Proteins

Partially defatted peanut flour was processed in a twin-screw extruder. Resulting extrudates were dried, ground, and incubated with simulated gastric fluid for various time periods. Soluble protein content of the resulting digesta was measured after 10% trichloroacetic acid treatment to evaluate the digestibility. In vitro digestion using pepsin increased the solubility of peanut protein in 10% trichloroacetic acid solution from 2 to 6% to 65 to 75%. Four strong IgE-binding subunits (65, 22, 17, and 14 kDa) were found with immunoblotting in peanut proteins extracted from unextruded peanut flour; no IgE-binding bands were observed in extrudates. The 65-kDa (putative Ara h 1) subunit was insolubilized during extrusion, and its IgE-binding property was susceptible to in vitro digestion. Following extrusion cooking, no IgE-binding bands were detected by immunoblotting, including the strongly IgE-binding 14-kDa fraction, a strong IgE-binding band from native peanut protein that is stable in pepsin. The 22- and 17-kDa (putative Ara h 2) subunits retained a small amount of IgE-binding potential and became susceptible to pepsin hydrolysis after extrusion.
A woman leader's experience in Korea

Dr Sue Abbey is the director of human resources for OnStar by General Motors (GM). She has 20 years of experience in the human resource management (HRM)/human resource development (HRD) field and c...
Influence of serotype of group B streptococci on C3 degradation.

Abstract Serotype III strains of group B streptococci (GBS) are isolated from the majority of young infants with bacteremia or meningitis. We hypothesized that serotype-associated differences in structure of the type-specific capsular polysaccharide or the presence of c protein would influence the extent to which C3 degradation occurs on GBS and that type-specific antibody would alter C3 deposition or degradation patterns. When clinical isolates of GBS representing serotypes Ia, Ib/c, II (with or without c protein) and III were employed with hypogammaglobulinemic serum as an opsonic source, a remarkable similarity was observed in patterns of C3 deposition and degradation for each of the four GBS serotypes and between strains with or without c protein. Both C3b and iC3b were detected by 5 min and throughout a 90-min opsonization interval. Less deposition occurred at 5 min on serotypes Ia and Ib/c than on types II and III GBS. Minimal degradation to C3d or smaller fragments was observed. Type-specific antibody facilitated C3b deposition on GBS and C3b degradation to iC3b early in opsonization. Possibly, accessibility of C3 fragments to neutrophil receptors, rather than the extent to which the surface permits C3 degradation, accounts for differential virulence among GBS serotypes.
A Review of “The American Indian Intellectual Tradition: An Anthology of Writings from 1772 to 1972”

In The American Indian Intellectual Tradition, David Martinez, assistant professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University, has compiled an anthology to bring American Indians into t...
Hypersaline “wet patches” in Taylor Valley, Antarctica

[1] Spatially isolated patches of soil located in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, are sites of elevated salt content and soil moisture. During Antarctic spring, in the absence of snow melt, visibly wet (reduced albedo) patches of soil are present at the surface. The soil pore fluids are hypersaline and have average water activity of 0.74 (the water activity of a solution determines the equilibrium vapor pressure of that solution), and are an order of magnitude more saline than average soils in the Dry Valleys. These salty soils are 3–5 times more water rich than average soils. Geochemical and meteorological analyses show that these wet patches are sites of direct vapor emplacement into soil pore fluids that may ultimately be sourced by the deliquescence of soil salts. These wet patches represent a non-precipitation, non-groundwater source for water into Antarctic permafrost.
Role of glucoregulatory hormones in potassium homeostasis

An incompletely defined interregulatory balance exists between potassium, insulin, and aldosterone. That potassium administration enhances and hypokalemia depresses aldoterone production is well known. It is not as well known that the same relationship exists between potassium and insulin. In a normal subject, acute hyperkalemia stimulates release of insulin from the pancreas. Potassium deficiency, on the other hand, may depress production of insulin. Both insulin and aldosterone, under appropriate conditions, may indirectly promote transfer of potassium ions from extracellular to intracellular fluid. In contrast, deficiency of either insulin or aldosterone, and expecially both, may favor development of hyperkalemia. Pharmacologically, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and somatotropin may also influence transfer of potassium between extracellular and intracellular fluid. Their precise physiological roles in potassium homeostasis, however, are much less evident than that for insulin and aldosterone. It is the intention of this brief review to point out the salient effects and mechanisms whereby the foregoing substances affect potassium homeostasis and to point out physiologically important interrelationships wherever possible.
Self-referencing Mach-Zehnder interferometer as a laser system diagnostic

We are incorporating a novel self-referencing Mach-Zehnder interferometer into a large scale laser system as a real time, interactive diagnostic tool for wavefront measurement. The instrument is capable of absolute wavefront measurements accurate to better than XIlOpv over a wavelength range > 300 nm without readjustment of the optical components. This performance is achieved through the design of both refractive optics and a catadioptric collimator to achromatize the Mach-Zehnder reference arm. Other features include polarization insensitivity through the use of low angles of incidence on all beamsplitters as well as an equal path length configuration that allows measurement of either broad-band or closely spaced laser-line sources. Instrument accuracy is periodically monitored in place by means of a thermally and mechanically stable wavefront reference source that is calibrated off-line with a phase conjugate interferometer. Video interferograms are analyzed using Fourier transform techniques on a computer that includes a dedicated array processor. Computer and video networks maintain distributed interferometers under the control of a single analysis computer with multiple user access.
IBM zEnterprise 196 microprocessor and cache subsystem

The IBM zEnterprise® 196 (z196) system, announced in the second quarter of 2010, is the latest generation of the IBM System z® mainframe. The system is designed with a new microprocessor and memory subsystems, which distinguishes it from its z10® predecessor. The system has up to 40% improvement in performance for traditional z/OS® workloads and carries up to 60% more capacity when compared with its z10 predecessor. The memory subsystem has four levels of cache hierarchy (L1 through L4) and constructs the L3 and L4 caches with embedded DRAM silicon technology, which achieves approximately three times the cache density over traditional static RAM technology. The microprocessor has 50% more decode and dispatch bandwidth when compared with the z10 microprocessor, as well as an out-of-order design that can issue and execute up to five instructions every single cycle. The microprocessor has an advanced branch prediction structure and employs enhanced store queue management algorithms. At the date of product announcement, the microprocessor was the fastest complex-instruction-set computing processor in the industry, running at a sustained 5.2 GHz, executing approximately 1,100 instructions, 220 of which are cracked into reduced-instruction-set computing-type operations, to achieve large performance gains in legacy online transaction processing and compute-intensive workloads.
The Number and Organization of Ca2+ Channels in the Active Zone Shapes Neurotransmitter Release from Schaffer Collateral Synapses

Fast synaptic transmission requires tight colocalization of Ca(2+) channels and neurotransmitter vesicles. It is generally thought that Ca(2+) channels are expressed abundantly in presynaptic active zones, that vesicles within the same active zone have similar release properties, and that significant vesicle depletion only occurs at synapses with high release probability. Here we show, at excitatory CA3→CA1 synapses in mouse hippocampus, that release from individual vesicles is generally triggered by only one Ca(2+) channel and that only few functional Ca(2+) channels may be spread in the active zone at variable distances to neighboring neurotransmitter vesicles. Using morphologically realistic Monte Carlo simulations, we show that this arrangement leads to a widely heterogeneous distribution of release probability across the vesicles docked at the active zone, and that depletion of the vesicles closest to Ca(2+) channels can account for the Ca(2+) dependence of short-term plasticity at these synapses. These findings challenge the prevailing view that efficient synaptic transmission requires numerous presynaptic Ca(2+) channels in the active zone, and indicate that the relative arrangement of Ca(2+) channels and vesicles contributes to the heterogeneity of release probability within and across synapses and to vesicle depletion at small central synapses with low average release probability.
The Second Person

The concept of triangulation. The myth of the subjective and the source of objectivity in intersubjectivity. The essential role of language
Autonomic fault-handling and refurbishment using throughput-driven assessment

An evolvable hardware paradigm for autonomic regeneration called Competitive Runtime Reconfiguration (CRR) is developed whereby an individual's performance is assessed using the dynamic properties of the population rather than a static fitness function. CRR employs a Sliding Evaluation Window of recent throughput data and a periodically updated Outlier Threshold which avoids the extensive downtime associated with exhaustive Genetic Algorithm (GA) based evaluation. The relative fitness measure favors graceful degradation by leveraging the behavioral diversity among the individuals in the population. Throughput-driven assessment identifies configurations whose discrepancy values violate the Outlier Threshold and are thus selected for modification using Genetic Operators. Application of CRR to FPGA-based logic circuits demonstrates the identification of configurations impacted by a set of randomly injected stuck-at faults. Furthermore, regeneration of functionality can be observed within a few hundred repair iterations. The viable throughput of the CRR system during the repair process was maintained at greater than 91.7% of the fault-free throughput rate under a number of circuit scenarios. CRR results are also compared with alternative soft computing approaches for autonomous refurbishment using the MCNC-91 benchmarks.
Synthesis of a model depsipeptide segment of Luzopeptins (BBM 928), potent antitumor and antiretroviral antibiotics

Abstract A modified Rapoport procedure was used to synthesize a tripeptide containing N-methyl-3-hydroxyvaline, an unusual aminoacid found in Luzopeptins.
Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase controls basal gene activity and steroidogenesis in Y1 adrenal tumor cells

Transfection of mouse Y1 adrenal tumor cells with DNA encoding mutant type I regulatory subunit generated stable transformants in which the basal activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was repressed. As expected, steroidogenesis in these kinase-deficient cells was no longer stimulated by corticotropin or cAMP analogues, and the expression of three cAMP-regulated genes (ornithine decarboxylase, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and P450 side-chain cleavage) could no longer be induced. However, in addition to the loss of hormone responsiveness, the basal level of steroidogenesis and the constitutive expression of these cAMP-inducible genes was also repressed in kinase-defective mutant clones. To verify that functional cA-PK would revert this repressed phenotype, we transfected a cA-PK defective subclone of Y1 cells, Kin 8, with DNA encoding the C alpha and C beta subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Basal levels of steroid production were restored to normal in stable transformants, and the elevation of kinase activity following induction of the C-subunit expression vectors elicited a steroidogenic response. Gene transcription was also shown to be regulated by either C alpha or C beta as measured by the induction of plasminogen activator and ornithine decarboxylase mRNA levels and transcription rates. The dominant role played by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in these adrenal cells was demonstrated by experiments showing the regulation of ornithine decarboxylase gene expression by protein kinase C requires basal cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity.
Planar decomposition for quadtree data structure

Abstract The quadtree data structure is extensively used in representing 2-dimensional data in many applications like image processing, cartographic data processing. VLSL embedding, graphics, computer animation, computer-aided architecture, etc. The data structure employs the divide-and-conquer technique to recursively decompose the planar region. This paper addresses the problem of planar tessellation which yields the quadtree data structure. Arbitrary triangles and parallelograms have been used as basic cells and hyper-cellular structures corresponding to lower order k-gons have been shown to represent such data structures. Different tessellation schemes have been discussed using the notion of tessellation matrix. The performances of different tessellation schemes have been compared, introducing the concept of the neighborhood graph.
Role of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Agents in the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Pain

Purpose To provide an overview of rehabilitation medicine– and physical modality–based approaches to cancer pain management, and to highlight the fact that these approaches are generally used in conjunction and that a majority are focused on minimizing pain during periods of mobility and the performance of activities of daily living. Methods We performed a nonsystematic literature review and provide a description of the current standard of care. Results Rehabilitative and physical modalities used to manage pain can be grouped into four categories: those that modulate nociception, stabilize or unload painful structures, influence physiological processes that indirectly influence nociception, or alleviate pain arising from the overloading of muscles and connective tissues that often occurs after surgery or with sarcopenia in late-stage cancer. Most modalities have been pragmatically refined over the years, and many have an evidence base, although few have been explicitly validated in the oncologic setting. ...
Dioxin risks in perspective: past, present, and future

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and other U.S. and international agencies have focused extensive efforts on the evaluation of the potential health risks of exposures to chlorinated dioxins (PCDDs), furans (PCDFs), and related dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Extensive regulatory efforts over the past 20 years have also been made to control emissions of these compounds and thus to reduce exposures in the general population. This paper reviews the available information on temporal trends in emissions, environmental levels, intake levels through foods, and human body burdens of dioxins. This paper also provides an overview and comparison of recent hazard assessments for dioxins from U.S. and international agencies. Available data on emissions, environmental and food levels, and human body burdens of dioxins in the general population indicate a several-fold reduction in exposures and body burdens in the general population over the three decades from 1970 to 2000. U.S. and international hazard assessments concur on certain aspects, but disagree on fundamental issues including the likelihood of a threshold for carcinogenic dose-response and the degree of safety factors needed in deriving a protective exposure limit. These disagreements have significant consequences for interpreting the potential health risks of current background dioxin exposure levels. However, whatever the degree of health risk that may be associated with current background exposures, the general population is experiencing several-fold lower exposures, and, therefore, lower health risks, currently compared to 30 years ago. In light of the dramatic declines in exposure already observed, further efforts to reduce exposures through attempts to control emissions or food levels should be carefully evaluated to understand the likely efficacy of the efforts and the relative costs and benefits.
Recent Advances in Techniques for Characterizing Zeolite Structures

In developing new zeolites for catalysis and separations, the characterization of structure is an important step in the identification of possible applications. By analogy with the properties of zeolites for which structures are known (of which there is a large and growing data base), possible applications for a new zeolite can be identified once its essential structural features are known. Structural details at several degrees of precision and over a range of length scales are usually sought. These range from local active site geometries or framework cation orderings, through descriptions of the framework structure and pore architecture, to questions of crystal perfection, homogeneity and mesoporosity. Frequently the most time-consuming step is the initial definition of the framework topology. The unavailability of large single crystals of practically all synthetic zeolites, the relative complexities of zeolite structures, and a series of materials-related difficulties combine to limit the usefulness of conventional structure determination methods.
Transhemispheric cortical plasticity following contralateral C7 nerve transfer: a rat functional magnetic resonance imaging survival study.

Purpose To perform contralateral C7 nerve transfer in a controlled, survival rat functional magnetic resonance imaging model, so as to understand the extent of cortical plasticity after brachial plexus injury and surgical manipulation with this procedure. Methods A total of 24 rats divided into 3 groups underwent surgery followed by functional magnetic resonance imaging in this study. Group I rats served as sham controls. Group II injury rats underwent complete right brachial plexus root avulsion. Group III repair rats underwent complete right brachial plexus root avulsion and then contralateral C7 nerve transfer to the right median nerve. We assessed cortical response to median nerve stimulation at 0, 3, and 5 months after injury using functional magnetic resonance imaging at 9.4 T. We concurrently performed sensory and motor functional testing. Results We noted a progression in cortical activation in the repair rats over 0, 3, and 5 months. Initially, right median nerve stimulation in the repair group showed complete loss of activation in the contralateral somatosensory cortex. Nerve stimulation at 3 months produced primarily ipsilateral cortical activation; at 5 months, 3 patterns of cortical activation emerged: ipsilateral, bilateral, and contralateral activation. After right median nerve stimulation, injury rats maintained a lack of cortical activation and control rats maintained exclusive contralateral activation throughout all time points. Functional testing revealed a degree of return of sensory and motor function over time in the repair group compared with the injured group. Conclusions A high degree of transhemispheric cortical plasticity occurred after contralateral C7 nerve transfer. There appears to be a predilection for the rat brain to restore the preinjury somatotopic representation of the brain. Clinical relevance Understanding the cortical changes after nerve injury and repair may lead to specific pharmacologic or behavioral interventions that can improve functional outcomes.
Characterization of Signals From Multiscale Edges

A multiscale Canny edge detection is equivalent to finding the local maxima of a wavelet transform. The authors study the properties of multiscale edges through the wavelet theory. For pattern recognition, one often needs to discriminate different types of edges. They show that the evolution of wavelet local maxima across scales characterize the local shape of irregular structures. Numerical descriptors of edge types are derived. The completeness of a multiscale edge representation is also studied. The authors describe an algorithm that reconstructs a close approximation of 1-D and 2-D signals from their multiscale edges. For images, the reconstruction errors are below visual sensitivity. As an application, a compact image coding algorithm that selects important edges and compresses the image data by factors over 30 has been implemented. >
Recovery of a coral reef keystone predator, Balistapus undulatus, in East African marine parks

The red-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) is a major predator of sea urchins and the loss of this species, along with other less influential sea urchin predators, has resulted in the proliferation of sea urchin populations on the coral reefs of East Africa. I studied the recovery of B. undulatus and the associated demise in their sea urchin prey in five Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) which differed in their age, such that the data collected spanned a 30-year range in the age of protection. Results suggest that predation on sea urchins and B. undulatus dominance recovered on a time scale of 5–10 years, but sea urchin populations were not reduced below 1000 kg/ha for more than 10 years, and B. undulatus populations may require > 30 years to recover. In a new MPA, B. undulatus competitively excluded a subordinate wrasse predator, Cheilinus trilobatus, at baited sites in < 8 years. A second triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens, was the competitive dominant to B. undulatus in direct interference interactions, but B. viridescens was not found in 2.7 ha of sampling and rarely seen eating sea urchins at baited sites. An even longer estimate of top predator recovery would occur if B. viridescens is the dominant sea urchin predator. This study suggests that short and temporary closures of <10 years will not fully restore reef ecology, and that fully protected and permanent MPAs are a necessary part of coral reef conservation programs.
Weapons in an Affluent Suburban School

This is an exploratory study designed to describe the self-reported violence and weapon carrying behaviors of suburban teenagers from a largely affluent community in the San Francisco Bay area. The paucity of research on the weapon carrying behaviors of suburban adolescents suggests this is a population for which issues related to violence have been ignored. However, the school shootings that have occurred across the United States in recent years have forced a shift in attention to this population. The results of this investigation indicate the weapon carrying behaviors of suburban and urban adolescents are similar with distinct profiles emerging for males and females.
ESTIMATING THE ASYMPTOTIC VARIANCE OF GENERALIZED L-STATISTICS

ABSTRACT Strong convergence of the estimated asymptotic variance of generalized L-statistics is demonstrated for smooth and discrete weighting functions. For smooth weighting functions that are trimmed, such as the 25%-trimmed mean, and for discrete functions, such as the median, minimal conditions are required for strong convergence of In a simulation study, for the trimmed mean, but not the median, appeared to converge to the sample variance of the statistic for samples from three distributions (normal, contaminated normal and Cauchy). For the smallest sample in the study tended to underestimate the sample variance of the GL-statistics.
A transistorized stereo preamplifier and tone control for magnetic cartridges

RIAA equalization with ± 4 db bass control and ± 8 db treble control have been achieved, along with negligible hum, noise and distortion, in a transistorized stereo preamplifier developed for use with magnetic cartridges. Simple circuit modifications adapt this preamplifier for use with most magnetic cartridges.
Analyzing mechanism(s) of hallucinogenic drug action with drug discrimination procedures

Some of the advantages of using drug discrimination (DD) procedure to analyze the mechanisms of action of hallucinogenic and related drugs were illustrated by reviewing research with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Because they ensure that drug-induced alterations in interoceptive "state" become biologically meaningful "cues," these procedures are reliable, robust, sensitive and specific. With reference to LSD, many DD experiments suggest: (1) that while hallucinogens substitute for (mimic) LSD (in rats), such substitution does not predict hallucinogenic potency (in humans) but does predict similarities in mechanism(s) of action; (2) the behavioral (in vivo) effects of LSD, unlike those of some of its congeners, are mediated primarily by central, serotonergic (5-HT) neuronal mechanism although LSD may also have (secondary) dopamine (DA) agonist properties; (3) both the locus and the nature of these LSD-5-HT interactions are unclear: cells arising from B-7, B-8 and B-9 regions of the dorsal-medial raphe may be involved; pretreatment with agents that deplete 5-HT and increase the stereospecific binding of 3H-LSD in vitro (p-chlorophenylalanine; 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine) enhance sensitivity to LSD in vivo.
Octahedral Ru(II) amido complexes TpRu(L)(L')(NHR) (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate; L = L' = P(OMe)3 or PMe3 or L = CO and L' = PPh3; R = H, Ph, or tBu): synthesis, characterization, and reactions with weakly acidic C-H bonds.

The octahedral Ru(II) amine complexes [TpRu(L)(L‘)(NH2R)][OTf] (L = L‘ = PMe3, P(OMe)3 or L = CO and L‘ = PPh3; R = H or tBu) have been synthesized and characterized. Deprotonation of the amine com...
Effects of Physiological Aging on Selected Acoustic Characteristics of Voice

The relationship between age-related changes in body physiology and certain acoustic characteristics of voice was studied in a sample of 48 men representing three chronological age grouping (25–35,...
Wildland fire emissions, carbon, and climate: Emission factors

Abstract While the vast majority of carbon emitted by wildland fires is released as CO2, CO, and CH4, wildland fire smoke is nonetheless a rich and complex mixture of gases and aerosols. Primary emissions include significant amounts of CH4 and aerosol (organic aerosol and black carbon), which are short-lived climate forcers. In addition to CO2 and short-lived climate forcers, wildland fires release CO, non-methane organic compounds (NMOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2), NH3, and SO2. These species play a role in radiative forcing through their photochemical processing, which impacts atmospheric levels of CO2, CH4, tropospheric O3, and aerosol. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the chemical composition of emissions and emission factors for fires in United States vegetation types as pertinent to radiative forcing and climate. Emission factors are critical input for the models used to estimate wildland fire greenhouse gas and aerosol emission inventories.
On the Nature of Public and Private Self‐Consciousness

ABSTRACT Wicklund and Gollwitzer raise a number of questions concerning the explanatory value of self-consciousness as a trait and the validity of the distinction between public and private self-consciousness These questions are based on strawperson arguments, the issues they attack are largely of their own creation and bear little relation to the original authors' own positions My response attempts to point out their false assumptions concerning the nature of self-attentional traits, to examine some of the research, much of which they have ignored or misrepresented, which supports the public-private self-consciousness distinction, and to question Wicklund and Gollwitzer's tendency to regard their own theory as some sort of standard against which others must be judged, apparently unaware of the possibility that their own conceptions may be flawed
Colonization of growing radish plants by clinical and nonclinical isolates ofKlebsiella inoculated onto seeds

Klebsiella was found to multiply and colonize growing radish root bulb surfaces following the inoculation of seeds with 101–104 cells. All 29 cultures ofKlebsiella originally isolated from 5 different sources were capable of growth to 106–107 colony-forming units/g of root bulb within 1 week after seed germination. Linear regression analysis illustrated differences inKlebsiella survival rates over 4 weeks of radish plant development. Analysis of covariance showed the survival ability wasKlebsiella from vegetables>mastitis>human, water, and pulp mill isolates. It was also shown thatKlebsiella species 2 had a significantly higher survival rate than the otherKlebsiella species. This finding correlates well with the observation thatKlebsiella species 2 is the most commonKlebsiella species isolated from vegetables. Average densities for allKlebsiella groups at plant harvest (5 weeks) ranged from 103–105 colony-forming units/g of radish plant. The possible health significance of these densities ofKlebsiella on vegetables consumed raw by humans is discussed.
Coherence estimation for repeat-pass interferometry

Repeat-pass interferometry is an extension of Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) that exploits the temporal characteristics of seafloor reverberation by coherently combining echoes from multiple passes of the sonar platform. In order to achieve pass-to-pass coherence, the spatial separation between passes must be less than a value known as the critical baseline, which depends on the sonar parameters and the range-dependent imaging geometry. The temporal separation between passes must also be less than the coherence time of the seabed, which is highly environmentally dependent and which defines the maximum time interval between passes. It is also necessary to coregister the complex seabed images to within a fraction of a pixel (usually on the order of several millimeters for the centimeter resolution SAS used in mine countermeasures). This imposes strict requirements on the navigation accuracy of the sonar platform that cannot be met using inertial or underwater positioning sensors alone. This paper presents a data-driven method for estimating the repeat-pass coherence map using local coregistration of the complex SAS images from each pass. The method can be applied to any SAS without requiring access to raw acoustic data or post-processing of data from a high grade inertial navigation system. Experimental results are presented for a repeat-pass survey using AquaPix, a wideband 300 kHz interferometric SAS, installed on an ISE Arctic Explorer AUV during recent sea trials with Defence Research and Development Canada.
Bone effects of space flight analysis by quantum concept of bone remodelling

During the manned Skylab flights mineral losses from the calcaneum and changes in external calcium balance were in the ranges found for healthy subjects at bedrest. Calcium balance reached a nadir of -200 mg/day by two months with no change thereafter; the negative balance was due to increased urinary excretion with no change in net absorption. The total calcium loss averaged 18 g in the longest flight of 84 days; the densitiometric data suggested that about two-thirds of this came from trabecular bone and about one-third from cortical bone. These data could represent reversible bone loss due to increased birth rate of normal osteoclasts and osteoblasts and consequent increase in bone turnover and in reversible mineral deficit, or irreversible bone loss due to overactive osteoclasts and/or underactive osteoblasts. If the former explanation is correct, significant bone loss is unlikely whatever the duration of future flights, except in older persons already losing bone; if the latter explanation is correct, space flights longer than six months may lead to a significant increase in fracture risk in later life. Neither terrestrial immobilization nor unwilling animals in orbit are ideal models for the effects of space flight on human bone. To choose between reversible and irreversible mechanisms of bone loss, and to determine the effects of space flight on lifelong fracture risk, future astronauts and cosmonauts must undergo adequate histologic study of bone after in vivo tetracycline labeling.
Linear Invariant Multiclass Component Spaces For Optical Pattern Recognition

Optical processing systems which perform linear transformations on image data at high rates are ideal for image pattern recognition systems. As a result of this processing capability, the linear opera-tion of matched spatial filtering has been explored extensively for pattern recognition. For many practical pattern recognition problems, however, multiclass filtering must be used to overcome the variations of input objects due to image scale changes, image rotations, object aspect differences and sensor differences. Hester and Casasent have shown that a linear mapping can be constructed which images all the class elements of a multiclass set into one out-put element or value. This special multi-class filter concept is extended in this paper to show that a subspace of the multi-class set exists that is invariant with respect to the multiclass mapping under linear operations. The concept of this in-variant space and its generation is detailed and a single example given. A typical optical processing architecture using these invariant elements as filters in an associative pattern recognition system is also presented.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A construction for Steiner 3-designs

Abstract Let q be a prime power. For every ν satisfying necessary arithmetic conditions we construct a Steiner 3-design S (3, q + 1; ν · q n + 1) for every n sufficiently large. Starting with a Steiner 2-design S (2, q ; ν ), this is extended to a 3-design S λ (3, q + 1; ν + 1), with index λ = q d for some d , such that the derived design is λ copies of the Steiner 2-design. The 3-design is used, by a generalization of a construction of Wilson, to form a group-divisible 3-design GD(3, { q, q + 1}, ν p d ) with index one. The structure of the derived design allows a circle geometry S (3, q + 1; q d + 1) to be combined with the group-divisible design to form, via a method of Hanani, the desired Steiner 3-design S (3, q + 1; νq n + 1), for all n ⩾ n 0 .
Essential postmitochondrial function of p53 uncovered in DNA damage-induced apoptosis in neurons

In postmitotic sympathetic neurons, unlike most mitotic cells, death by apoptosis requires not only the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, but also an additional step to relieve X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)'s inhibition of caspases. Here, we examined the mechanism by which XIAP is inactivated following DNA damage and found that it is achieved by a mechanism completely different from that following apoptosis by nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. NGF deprivation relieves XIAP by selectively degrading it, whereas DNA damage overcomes XIAP via a p53-mediated induction of Apaf-1. Unlike wild-type neurons, p53-deficient neurons fail to overcome XIAP and remain resistant to cytochrome c after DNA damage. Restoring Apaf-1 induction in p53-deficient neurons is sufficient to overcome XIAP and sensitize cells to cytochrome c. Although a role for p53 in apoptosis upstream of cytochrome c release has been well established, this study uncovers an additional, essential role for p53 in regulating caspase activation downstream of mitochondria following DNA damage in neurons.