cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The permeability to carbon of the sinusoidal lining cells of the embryonic rat liver and rat bone marrow.

This study is concerned with the passage of carbon particles through the sinusoidal lining cells of bone marrow and embryonic liver of the rat. A carbon suspension (Pelikan C11/1431A, Gunther Wagner, Hanover) diluted 1:1 with double strength Tyrode solution, was administered through the aorta for the bone marrow studies and through the umbilical vein for observations on the embryonic liver. The carbon particles have a diameter ranging from 220 to 380 A with a mean diameter of 280 A. Within three minutes after the injection, the particulate was present in the extravascular spaces. Neither the sinusoidal walls of the bone marrow nor of the embryonic rat liver prior to 16 days gestation have preformed apertures. In both cases, the carbon particles enter the extravascular space through fenestrae with diaphragms. No carbon particles occur in the junctional spaces between the lining cells. The temporary pores caused by diapedetic blood cells maintain a tight seal and no particulate was observed leaving the vascular space at these sites. At 17 days of gestation, open gaps develop in the endothelial lining of the embryonic rat liver and particulate material leaves the vascular lumen through these openings. The presence of bristle-coated vesicles containing particulate material at the abluminal side of the lining cells is interpreted as a retrograde uptake by these phagocytic cells rather than as evidence for vesicular transmural transport.
Radiative transport of Lorentz lines in nonisothermal gases

Abstract A modified Ladenburg-Reiche analysis is developed for predicting nonisothermal curves of growth for isolated, unshifted Lorentz lines. The superposition of Lorentz lines along nonisothermal paths is approximated by an equivalent Lorentz line, whose two fitting parameters are internally defined. The formulation is exact in the weak- and strong-line limits and is a valid approximation for all optical depths. Its accuracy is investigated for a family of linear variations in the line strength and half-half-width, for which exact results can be obtained analytically. The error in the nonisothermal equivalent width is strongly dependent on variations in the half-half-width and only weakly dependent on variations in the line strength. For a ten-fold change in the half-half-width over the optical path, a maximum error of only three per cent is observed for the equivalent width.
Liver-Specific Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α Deficiency: Greater Impact on Gene Expression in Male than in Female Mouse Liver

Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4alpha is a liver-enriched transcription factor that regulates numerous liver-expressed genes including several sex-specific cytochrome P450 genes. Presently, a liver-specific HNF4alpha-deficient mouse model was used to characterize the impact of liver HNF4alpha deficiency on a global scale using 41,174 feature microarrays. A total of 4994 HNF4alpha-dependent genes were identified, of which about 1000 fewer genes responded to the loss of HNF4alpha in female liver as compared with male liver. Sex differences in the impact of liver HNF4alpha deficiency were even more dramatic when genes showing sex-specific expression were examined. Thus, 372 of the 646 sex-specific genes characterized by a dependence on HNF4alpha responded to the loss of HNF4alpha in males only, as compared with only 61 genes that responded in females only. Moreover, in male liver, 78% of 508 male-specific genes were down-regulated and 42% of 356 female-specific genes were up-regulated in response to the loss of HNF4alpha, with sex specificity lost for 90% of sex-specific genes. This response to HNF4alpha deficiency is similar to the response of male mice deficient in the GH-activated transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b), where 90% of male-specific genes were down-regulated and 61% of female-specific genes were up-regulated, suggesting these two factors cooperatively regulate liver sex specificity by mechanisms that are primarily active in males. Finally, 203 of 648 genes previously shown to bind HNF4alpha near the transcription start site in mouse hepatocytes were affected by HNF4alpha deficiency in mouse liver, with the HNF4alpha-bound gene set showing a 5-fold enrichment for genes positively regulated by HNF4alpha. Thus, a substantial fraction of the HNF4alpha-dependent genes reported here are likely to be direct targets of HNF4alpha.
Investigation of Remedial Education Course Scores as a Predictor of Introduction-Level Course Performances: A Case Analysis at One For-Profit Institution.

This study explores whether performance in remedial English and remedial math is a predictor of success in a college-level introduction English or college-level math class; and whether demographic variables increase the likelihood of remedial English and remedial math as a predictor of success in a college-level introduction English or college-level introduction math course. Participants included two cohorts of students from a degree-granting, for-profit institution taking either face-to-face or online courses. There were 1,091 students for math and 1,297 students for English in the fall quarter of 2007 cohort and 1,098 students for math and 1,372 students for English in the fall quarter 2008 cohort. Analysis showed that remedial class performances for both math and English were weakly associated with college-level class performance. Additionally, results showed that family income and race/ethnicity appear to be significant predictors of performance in their corresponding college-level course.
Prolonged depolarization promotes fast gating kinetics of L‐type Ca2+ channels in mouse skeletal myotubes

1The effects of prolonged conditioning depolarizations on the activation kinetics of skeletal L-type calcium currents (L-currents) were characterized in mouse myotubes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. 2The sum of two exponentials was required to adequately fit L-current activation and enabled determination of both the amplitudes (Afast and Aslow) and time constants (τfast and τslow) of each component comprising the macroscopic current. Prepulses sufficient to activate (200 ms) or inactivate (10 s) L-channels did not alter τfast, τslow, or the fractional contribution of either the fast (Afast/(Afast+Aslow)) or slow (Aslow/(Afast+Aslow)) amplitudes of subsequently activated L-currents. 3Prolonged depolarizations (60 s to +40 mV) resulted in the conversion of skeletal L-current to a fast gating mode following brief repriming intervals (3-10 s at -80 mV). Longer repriming intervals (30-60 s at -80 mV) restored L-channels to a predominantly slow gating mode. Accelerated L-currents originated from L-type calcium channels since they were completely blocked by a dihydropyridine antagonist (3 μM nifedipine) and exhibited a voltage dependence of activation similar to that observed in the absence of conditioning prepulses. 4The degree of L-current acceleration produced following prolonged depolarization was voltage dependent. For test potentials between +10 and +50 mV, the fractional contribution of Afast to the total current decreased exponentially with the test voltage (e-fold ≈38 mV). Thus, L-current acceleration was most significant at more negative test potentials (e.g. +10 mV). 5Prolonged depolarization also accelerated L-currents recorded from myotubes derived from RyR1-knockout (dyspedic) mice. These results indicate that L-channel acceleration occurs even in the absence of RyR1, and is therefore likely to represent an intrinsic property of skeletal L-channels. 6The results describe a novel experimental protocol used to demonstrate that slowly activating mammalian skeletal muscle L-channels are capable of undergoing rapid, voltage-dependent transitions during channel activation. The transitions underlying rapid L-channel activation may reflect rapid transitions of the voltage sensor used to trigger the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum during excitation-contraction coupling.
Image information transfer properties of x-ray intensifying screens in the energy range from 17 to 320 keV.

The image information transfer properties of a number of x‐ray fluorescent screens have been measured for x‐ray energies from 17 to 320 keV. The detective quantum efficiency of the screens at each x‐ray energy has been determined by separate measurements of the x‐ray absorption efficiency and the statistical factor associated with the emission of optical photons upon absorption of an incident x ray. Data have been recorded for both rare‐earth phosphor screens and calcium tungstate screens. The value of the statistical factor for optical photon emission tends toward a constant value as the incident energy increases. Comparisons of the image information transfer properties are presented for several screens, which have been measured over a ten year interval. The utility of the screens for high‐energy radiography is discussed.
Studies on the cyclophorase system. XXI. Condensation reactions involving glycine.

Abstract The cyclophorase-mitochondrial system of rabbit liver contains an active hippuric-synthesizing enzyme. In p -aminohippurate formation, the aromatic component can be replaced by a wide variety of cyclic carboxylic acids, while only compounds giving rise to glycine such as sarcosine, glutathione, serine or guanidoacetic acid can substitute for the amino acid component. The incorporation of formate into serine has been shown by tracer experiments.
Asbestos Litigation: Procedural Innovations and Forum Shopping

Abstract This paper examines how forum shopping and procedural innovations affect the outcomes of asbestos trials using a new data set of all asbestos trials from 1987 to 2003. When lawsuits are filed in six particularly favorable jurisdictions, plaintiffs’ expected returns from trial are found to increase by $800,000 to nearly $4 million. The procedural innovations are bifurcated trials, bouquet trials, and consolidation of multiple plaintiffs’ claims for trial. Bifurcated and bouquet trials are found to increase plaintiffs’ expected returns from trial by $650,000 and $1.2 million, respectively. Small consolidations are found to increase plaintiffs’ probabilities of winning and receiving punitive damages, but larger consolidations are associated with lower damage awards.
Novel cellulose derivatives. I. Liquid crystal phase formation in tri‐O‐α‐naphthylmethyl cellulose solutions

Tri-O-α-naphthylmethyl cellulose was prepared by homogeneous phase reaction using SO2–diethylamine (DEA)–dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent system. Observations made by dynamic mechanical spectrometry and by cross-polarized optical microscopy revealed liquid crystalline behavior for the concentrated solutions of tri-O-α-naphthylmethyl cellulose in dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Experimental and calculated (predicted) critical volume fraction of the derivative, Vcp, did not show agreement. It is determined that Vcp is affected by bulky substituents on the cellulose backbone to some extent. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Verbal estimation of peak exertion intensity.

The objectives of this research were to investigate the accuracy and precision with which trained and untrained participants estimate the magnitude of forceful exertion and to evaluate the mathematical relationship between actual and estimated exertion. Three groups of participants estimated, as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC), the magnitude of submaximal exertion for 12 simulated tasks. In addition to the control group, one group was exposed to one physical benchmark (100% MVC) and another to three benchmarks (25%, 75%, and 100% MVC) prior to force estimation. Error (estimated minus actual) significantly decreased (p < .0001) from 14% MVC to 4% MVC with one benchmark and to -3% MVC with three benchmarks, as compared with the control group. Furthermore, the standard deviation decreased significantly (p < .0001) from the control group (16.6% MVC) to the one-benchmark group (13.8% MVC) to the three-benchmark group (11.6% MVC), indicating improved precision. Significant interaction effec...
Teach to reach: The effects of active vs. passive reaching experiences on action and perception

Reaching is an important and early emerging motor skill that allows infants to interact with the physical and social world. However, few studies have considered how reaching experiences shape infants' own motor development and their perception of actions performed by others. In the current study, two groups of infants received daily parent guided play sessions over a 2-weeks training period. Using "Sticky Mittens", one group was enabled to independently pick up objects whereas the other group only passively observed their parent's actions on objects. Following training, infants' manual and visual exploration of objects, agents, and actions in a live and a televised context were assessed. Our results showed that only infants who experienced independent object apprehension advanced in their reaching behavior, and showed changes in their visual exploration of agents and objects in a live setting. Passive observation was not sufficient to change infants' behavior. To our surprise, the effects of the training did not seem to generalize to a televised observation context. Together, our results suggest that early motor training can jump-start infants' transition into reaching and inform their perception of others' actions.
Modalities for reducing interleukin 1 activity in disease

The therapeutic advantage of reducing the activity of interleukin 1 (IL-1) resides in preventing its deleterious biological effects without interfering with homeostasis. As such, methods attempting to block the production or activity of IL-1 have now entered clinical trials. For example, IL-1 induction of prostaglandins is one target in treating disease, and drugs preventing the production of inhibiting cyclooxygenase have well-known toxicities because they block the normal synthesis of prostaglandins in many tissues. IL-1 blockading agents, in contrast, affect only that portion of prostaglandin synthesis due to elevated IL-1, sparing the synthesis of these molecules for homeostasis. Charles Dinarello reviews the unique pharmacological advantages of manipulating IL-1.
Postoperative infection risk after splenectomy: A prospective cohort study

Abstract Introduction Splenectomy is associated with a life-long risk for overwhelming infections. The risk for early post-operative infectious complications following traumatic and elective splenectomy is, however, understudied. This investigation aimed to determine if splenectomy increases the risk for post-operative infections. Methods This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) between 1/2011 and 7/2013 investigating the risk for infectious complications in patients undergoing a splenectomy compared with those undergoing any other abdominal surgery. Results During the 30-month study period, a total of 1884 patients were admitted to the SICU. Of those, 33 (2%) had a splenectomy and 493 (26%) had an abdominal surgery. The two groups were well balanced for age, APACHE IV score >20, and past medical history, including diabetes mellitus, cardiac history, renal failure or immunosuppression. Patients undergoing splenectomy were more likely to have sustained a traumatic injury (30% vs. 7%, p p = 0.01), including intra-abdominal abscess (9% vs. 3%, AOR [95% CI]: 4.3 [1.1, 16.2], p = 0.03). On a subgroup analysis, there were no differences between traumatic and elective splenectomy with regards to overall infectious complications (50% vs. 46%, p = 0.84), although, abdominal abscess developed only in those who had an elective splenectomy (0% vs. 12%, p = 0.55). Conclusion Splenectomy increases the risk for post-operative infectious complications. Further studies identifying strategies to decrease the associated morbidity are necessary.
Activity and ventilation-induced variations of postbranchial oxygen tensions in the isopod Saduria entomon

Variations in postbranchial oxygen tensions were studied in vivo in the brackish water isopod Saduria entomon collected from the Baltic Sea in 1992. Haemolymph oxygen tensions were highly influenced by activity. Resting isopods showed small and regular variations in haemolymph oxygen tensions, while a sudden burst of activity caused an immediate reduction in oxygen tension. Periods of no ventilation caused anoxic haemolymph in less than 3 to 4 min. Haemolymph oxygen tension responds rapidly, within seconds to minutes, to changes in isopod activity. Oxygen uptake rates calculated from oxygen tension difference, gill area and membrane thickness were compared with measured values. Permeability studies showed that only 30% of the gill area was effective in oxygen transfer. The present study has confirmed earlier measured oxygen uptake rates and reevaluated the role of the gills as respiratory organs. Postbranchial oxygen tension was established as a function of external steady state oxygen tensions and the intrinsic diffusive conductance was estimated.
Cervical Cancer Screening: Exploring Appalachian Patients’ Barriers to Follow-Up Care

This article describes a community-based Patient Navigation (PN) project conducted to identify potential barriers to seeking follow-up cervical cancer care in southeastern Kentucky. Patient navigators (PNs) were placed in cervical cancer programs within county public health departments where they interviewed patients about their perceived barriers to seeking follow-up care after receiving a positive Pap test result. Participants identified various potential barriers at three levels: the individual/personal level, the health care system level and the community/environmental level. One identified barrier that was unique to this study was a lack of consistency between follow-up recommendations and follow-up guidelines for patients under age 21. Implications are discussed.
corkscrew encodes a putative protein tyrosine phosphatase that functions to transduce the terminal signal from the receptor tyrosine kinase torso

We describe the characterization of the Drosophila gene, corkscrew (csw), which is maternally required for normal determination of cell fates at the termini of the embryo. Determination of terminal cell fates is mediated by a signal transduction pathway that involves a receptor tyrosine kinase, torso, a serine/threonine kinase, D-raf, and the transcription factors, tailless and huckebein. Double mutant and cellular analyses between csw, torso, D-raf, and tailless indicate that csw acts downstream of torso and in concert with D-raf to positively transduce the torso signal via tailless, to downstream terminal genes. The csw gene encodes a putative nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase covalently linked to two N-terminal SH2 domains, which is similar to the mammalian PTP1C protein.
A Stochastic Analysis of Performance Limits for Optical Microscopes

The optical microscope is a powerful instrument for observing cellular events. Recently, the increased use of microscopy in quantitative biological research, including single molecule microscopy, has generated significant interest in determining the performance limits of an optical microscope. Here, we formulate this problem in the context of a parameter estimation approach in which the acquired imaging data is modeled as a spatio-temporal stochastic process. We derive formulations of the Fisher information matrix for models that allow both stationary and moving objects. The effects of background signal, detector size, pixelation and noise sources are also considered. Further, formulations are given that allow the study of defocused objects. Applications are discussed for the special case of the estimation of the location of objects, especially single molecules. Specific emphasis is placed on the derivation of conditions that guarantee block diagonal or diagonal Fisher information matrices.
Polarization and Propagation Behavior of Cylindrical Vector Beams

Expressions for cylindrical vector beams, that also satisfy Maxwell equations are derived. Modified description of two cylindrically polarized beams Bessel-Gauss and Laguerre-Gauss are studied and their propagation and polarization properties are investigated.
A new Douglasia (Primulaceae) from Idaho

Douglasia idahoensis, a new species endemic to Idaho and Valley counties, Idaho, a close relative of D. montana, is characterized by its succulent foliage, several-flowered umbels, 5–9 lanceolate bracts, short peduncles, and allopatric distribution. Chromosome number is reported as n = 18. Previous taxonomic works have included this species either with D. montana or with D. laevigata.
The Impact of Product Complexity in Using Consumer Electronics

This is a ease study of users trying to carry out a task involving consumer electronics equipment. Many people blame themselves when they have difficulty using their VCRs or telephone answering machines. However, as this case study illustrates, the difficulty people experience in using such devices may be a natural consequence of the complexity of the task that the equipment poses for them. This study traces two users' decision processes in performing the task of connecting two VCRs. The sequence of decisions required by the task creates a search space equivalent to that involved in opening a combination lock with three dials without knowing the combination. The problems posed by consumer electronics are related to manufacturers' tendency to add features without considering the consequences that increased complexity has for the user. The article concludes by suggesting a number of performance aids that manufacturers might provide for users.
Tetracycline-inducible expression systems for the generation of transgenic animals: a comparison of various inducible systems carried in a single vector

The most often used tetracycline-regulated transgenic mice system requires the generation of two transgenic strains, one carrying an inducible promoter and the other a transactivator. In this study, we report the design of a universal and simplified regulatory gene delivery vector to facilitate the generation of conditional transgenic animals that integrate both the tetracycline regulatory and response elements in a single vector. The newly developed tetracycline reversed transactivator rtTA-M2 was used in all our constructs, based on its highly improved properties with respect to specificity, stability and inducibility. To minimize interference between the different tetracycline-inducible promoters used in this study (tetracycline-responsive element (TRE), TRE-tight, or Tk-tetO) and the rtTA-M2 transactivator, both elements were cloned in opposite directions and separated by a 5 kb human p53 intron. The functionality of this system was confirmed after in vitro transfection in a mammalian cell line. Overall induction by the tetracycline-responsive element promoter was significantly higher than that induced by the newly developed TRE-tight promoter. However, the TRE-tight promoter showed a significantly tighter expression with minimal background, and still maintained high induction levels. The minimal Tk-tetO promoter showed a very weak induction capacity. Our study demonstrates that this combination of elements, placed in a single vector is sufficient for delivering a functional tetracycline-inducible system to a mammalian cell line. Moreover, additional modifications to this regulatory gene delivery system, such as the introduction of specific cloning sites and selection markers, have been designed with the idea of creating a simplified and universal inducible system to facilitate the generation of conditional transgenic, knock-out, and knock-in animals.
Reduced radiation losses in a channeled-beam x-ray laser by Bragg reflection coupling.

The effects of radiation losses and atomic motion in a distributed feedback induced by Bragg reflections in an electron-beam-channeling x-ray laser are investigated. Standing-wave fields with nodes in the atomic sites are generated in this cavity-mirror structure in single crystals, thereby reducing the losses located close to the atomic sites. An explicit expression for the low-threshold gain is derived which depends on the absorption, temperature, and on the order of Bragg reflection. It is noted that diffraction from several sets of atomic planes which satisfy the Bragg condition simultaneously may further reduce the threshold gain. These distributed-feedback schemes have possible application in reducing beam high-current requirements by many orders of magnitude.
Perturbed angular distributions from 120, 122, 124Sn(40Ar, 4n)156, 158, 160Er reaction products recoiling in vacuum

Abstract Intensity ratios, W (0°)/ W (90°), have been measured for γ-rays emitted from products of 120, 122, 124 Sn( 40 Ar, 4n) 156, 158, 160 Er reactions recoiling into either vacuum or lead. The g -factors for levels in the ground bands (with spins up to 8) of the Er nuclei are evaluated. The perturbation of the angular distribution due to time-dependent hyperflne interactions in highly excited, free ions was found to be strongly dependent on the nuclear spin I and the atomic spin J . The average g -factor for the three Er nuclei ground bands was found to be between 0.34 and 0.40 depending on assumed models of the I and J dependence. No large difference in g -factors among the nuclei was found, although a small increase (≈ 20%) between 160 Er and 156 Er seems indicated.
Microwave absorption of a superconducting lead sphere

Microwave absorption spectra have been observed at 9.3 GHz from a superconducting lead sphere. The main signal, which moves to lower fields and decreases in width as the temperature is raised, is associated with the intermediate state. Changes in the position, shape, and reversibility of the spectrum with higher modulation fields indicate sample heating, while a spectrum of sharp spikes observed just below ${T}_{c}$ is associated with thermal instabilities. Some nonreversible features of the spectra are attributed to surface hysteresis.
Amplitude modulation theory and its application to two-mode buckling problems

This paper aims to review Koiter's theory of amplitude modulation of the local mode and present it in a form suitable for general application. Various features of this theory are compared with Koiter's general theory of 1945. The amplitude modulation theory is applied to two-mode buckling of stringer stiffened cylindrical shells under axial compression. New mode interaction results are reported involving the simultaneous local and overall buckling in which the local mode is postbuckling unstable.
Comparative study of density-functional theories of the exchange-correlation hole and energy in silicon

We present a detailed study of the exchange-correlation hole and exchange-correlation energy per particle in the Si crystal as calculated by the variational Monte Carlo method and predicted by various density-functional models. Nonlocal density-averaging methods prove to be successful in correcting severe errors in the local-density approximation (LDA) at low densities where the density changes dramatically over the correlation length of the LDA hole, but fail to provide systematic improvements at higher densities where the effects of density inhomogeneity are more subtle. Exchange and correlation considered separately show a sensitivity to the nonlocal semiconductor-crystal environment, particularly within the Si bond, which is not predicted by the nonlocal approaches based on density averaging. The exchange hole is well described by a bonding-orbital picture, while the correlation hole has a significant component due to the polarization of the nearby bonds, which partially screens out the anisotropy in the exchange hole.
Characterization, performance, and future advanced analysis of detectors in the cryogenic dark matter search (CDMS-II)

We present the techniques and results of the calibrations and surface-event rejection cut for the current CDMS-II data set, along with proposals for future analysis of CDMS-II data.
Magnon squeezing in antiferromagnetic MnF 2 and FeF 2

Quantum squeezing of a collective spin-wave excitation or magnon using femtosecond optical pulses has been used to generate correlated pairs of spins with equal and opposite wave vectors in antiferromagnetic ${\mathrm{MnF}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{FeF}}_{2}$. In the squeezed state, the fluctuations of the magnetization of a crystallographic unit cell vary periodically in time and are reduced below that of the ground state quantum noise. The results obtained, including their temperature dependence for ${\mathrm{FeF}}_{2}$, are compared with earlier spontaneous Raman scattering measurements. The squeezing effect is observed to be at least one order of magnitude stronger in ${\mathrm{FeF}}_{2}$ than in ${\mathrm{MnF}}_{2}$.
The Effect of Artificial Tears on Computer-assisted Corneal Topography in Normal Eyes and After Penetrating Keratoplasty

Purpose To examine the effect of adding artificial tears for one minute to normal eyes and eyes that have undergone keratoplasty by using computer-assisted videokeratography. Methods We prospectively analyzed 24 normal corneas (24 patients) chosen by random number table (reproducibility section [10 eyes], tear section [14 eyes]) as well as 14 postkeratoplasty corneas. The parametric descriptors analyzed statistically included the simulated keratometry value, surface asymmetry index, surface regularity index, power at the vertex normal, and the pupil offsets from the visual axis. Vectoral analysis was used to calculate the difference in power and axis between the simulated keratometry values before and after tear instillation. Results In normal eyes, tear instillation increased the surface asymmetry index (0.28 ± 0.34, P = .01), changed the simulated keratometry value (0.23 diopter by 27.8 degrees), and power (0.79 ± 0.82 diopters, P = .004) and location (0.91 ± 0.76 mm) of the steepest point of the cornea changed. In postkeratoplasty eyes, the surface regularity index decreased (0.49 ± 0.80, P = .04), surface asymmetry index decreased (0.37 ± 1.03, P = .21), mean simulated keratometry value changed (1.04 diopters by 1.01 degrees), and power (0.70 ± 2.34 diopters, P = .28) and location (1.04 ± 1.17 mm) of the steepest point of the cornea changed. Changes were greater than the variability of the surface regularity index (0.07 ± 0.05), surface asymmetry index (0.04 ± 0.03), simulated keratometry value power (0.08 ± 0.06 diopter), and axis (4.6 ± 5 degrees). Conclusions The addition of artificial tears to normal or regular and symmetric eyes that have undergone keratoplasty worsened symmetry and changed the power and location of the steepest point. However, the addition of artificial tears to irregular eyes that have undergone penetrating keratoplasty created a more regular and symmetric surface and significantly altered the simulated keratometry values. We recommend that corneal topography be performed before the application of artificial tears.
A wax barrier to simulate bone resorption for pre-clinical laboratory models of cemented total hip replacements.

Abstract Pre-clinical tests are often performed to screen new implant designs, surgical techniques, and cement formulations. In this work, we developed a technique to simulate the cement–bone morphology found with postmortem retrieved cemented hip replacements. With this technique, a soy wax barrier is created along the endosteal surface of the bone, prior to cementing of the femoral component. This approach was applied to six fresh frozen human cadaver femora and the resulting cement–bone morphology and micromotion following application of torsional loads were measured on a transverse section of each bone. The contact fraction between cement and bone for the wax barrier specimens (6.4±5.7%, range: 0.5–15%) was similar to that found in postmortem retrievals (10.5±10.3%, range: 0.4–32.5%). Micro-motions at the cement–bone interface for the wax barrier specimens (0.5±1.06 mm, range: 0.005–2.66) were similar, but on average larger than those found with postmortem retrievals (0.092±0.22 mm, range: 0.002–0.73). The use of a wax barrier coating technique could improve experimental pre-clinical tests because it produces a cement–bone interface similar to those of functioning cemented components obtained following in vivo service.
Intelligent optimal control system for ball mill grinding process

Operation aim of ball mill grinding process is to control grinding particle size and circulation load to ball mill into their objective limits respectively, while guaranteeing producing safely and stably. The grinding process is essentially a multi-input multi-output system (MIMO) with large inertia, strong coupling and uncertainty characteristics. Furthermore, being unable to monitor the particle size online in most of concentrator plants, it is difficult to realize the optimal control by adopting traditional control methods based on mathematical models. In this paper, an intelligent optimal control method with two-layer hierarchical construction is presented. Based on fuzzy and rule-based reasoning (RBR) algorithms, the intelligent optimal setting layer generates the loops setpoints of the basic control layer, and the latter can track their setpoints with decentralized PID algorithms. With the distributed control system (DCS) platform, the proposed control method has been built and implemented in a concentration plant in Gansu province, China. The industrial application indicates the validation and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Inactivation of WT1 in nephrogenic rests, genetic precursors to Wilms' tumour

Nephrogenic rests consist of foci of primitive renal cells, typically microscopic, that are found within the normal kidney tissue of children with Wilms' tumour. To study the relationship between nephrogenic rests and the associated tumours, we screened these lesions for mutations in the 11p13 Wilms' tumour suppressor gene, WT1. In two cases in which the Wilms' tumour contained a somatic WT1 mutation, the nephrogenic rest had the identical mutation. Nephrogenic rests and Wilms' tumours are therefore topographically distinct lesions that are clonally derived from an early renal stem cell. Inactivation of WT1 appears to be an early genetic event which can lead to the formation of nephrogenic rests, enhancing the probability that additional genetic hits will lead to Wilms' tumour.
Asymptomatic pericardial effusion in uremic patients: effect of long-term dialysis.

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic pericardial effusion in a population with end-stage renal failure just prior to the initiation of chronic dialysis, and to
Comprehensive stellar population models and the disentanglement of age and metallicity effects

The construction of detailed models for intermediate and old stellar populations is described. Input parameters include metallicity (-2 less than (Fe/H) less than 0.5), single-burst age (between 1.5 and 17 Gyr), and initial mass function (IMF) exponent. Quantities output include broadband magnitudes, spectral energy distributions, surface brightness fluctuation magnitudes, and a suite of 21 absorption feature indices. The models are checked against a wide variety of available observations. Examinations of model output yield the following conclusions. (1) If the percentage change delta age/delta Z approximately equals 3/2 for two populations, they will appear almost identical in most indices. A few indices break this degeneracy by being either more abundance sensitive (Fe4668, Fe5015, Fe5709, and Fe5782) or more age sensitive (G4300, H beta, and presumably higher order Balmer lines) than usual. (2) Present uncertainties in stellar evolution are of the same magnitude as the effects of IMF and Y in the indices studied. (3) Changes in abundance ratios (like (Mg/Fe)) are predicted to be readily apparent in the spectra of old stellar populations. (4) The I-band flux of a stellar population is predicted to be nearly independent of metallicity and only modestly sensitive to age. The I band is therefore recommended for standard candle work or studies of M/L in galaxies. Other conclusions stem from this work. (1) Intercomparison of models and observations of two TiO indices seem to indicate variation of the (V/Ti) ratio among galaxies, but it is not clear how this observation ties into the standard picture of chemical enrichment. (2) Current estimates of (Fe/H) for the most metal-rich globulars that are based on integrated indices are probably slightly too high. (3) Colors of population models from different authors exhibit a substantial range. At solar metallicity and 13 Gyr, this range corresponds to an age error of roughly +/- 7 Gyr. Model colors from different authors applied in a differential sense have smaller uncertainties. (4) In the present models the dominant error for colors is probably the transformation from stellar atmospheric parameters to stellar colors. (5) Stellar B - V is difficult to model, and current spreads among different authors can reach 0.2 mag. (6) If known defects in the stellar flux library are corrected, the population model colors of this work in passbands redder than U would be accurate to roughly 0.03 mag in an absolute sense. These corrections are not made in the tables of model output.
Prostate cancer metastasis to clivus causing cranial nerve VI palsy.

Abstract Background An abduction deficit can have many potential etiologies. Clinical testing can help distinguish a neurogenic from a restrictive process. For any patient with a current or past history of cancer, even in the setting of vasculopathic risk factors, a further workup is necessary to rule out a metastatic process. Case report A 66-year-old man reported sudden blurry vision but did not describe a definite diplopia. Clinical evaluation found left cranial nerve (CN) VI palsy. Although he did have vasculopathic risk factors, neuroimaging found prostate cancer metastasis to the mid to left clivus, extending to the left cavernous sinus region as well as a smaller metastasis to the left temporal lobe. The patient underwent radiation treatment with improvement in his clinical presentation and symptoms. His prostate cancer was subsequently treated more aggressively, and 2 years later, despite spinal metastases, he was doing relatively well. Conclusion Prostate cancer commonly metastasizes, with a high propensity to invade bone. CN VI runs along the midline-structured bony clivus, between the pons and the cavernous sinuses. Therefore, a metastatic lesion to the clivus can be responsible for unilateral or bilateral CN VI palsy. In men, a common primary site of cancer metastasis to the clivus is the prostate. Eye doctors must look closely for evidence of even subtle abduction deficits in all patients with a history of prostate cancer. Early detection can lead to improved medical treatment and extended life expectancy.
County seat wars: a preliminary analysis

More than three thousand times in US history the issue has been raised: where is the county seat to be located? Once located, the county seat has frequently still been sought by another community. The issues of county seat establishment and relocation have usually been settled peaceably through legally established channels. Sometimes, however, extra-legal means of influencing the decision have been applied; on some occasions there have even been pitched battles between rival aspirants for the county capital. County seat controversy is only one among many forms which domestic violence has taken in US history. From a scientific point of view, however, there are distinct advantages in studying county seat violence as compared with other forms of disorder. First, county seat fights have been over a discrete issue which has recurred in similar fashion on many occasions. While the forms of conflict may have been different, the focus of the issue has always been the same: which community is going to get the county seat? A second advantage of studying this over other forms of domestic discord is that county seat controversies and their results should be matters of public record. Not only can we locate instances of conflict from the records left, but we can also compare the cases of violent conflict to cases without conflict-
The Philosophical Foundation of Empowerment: Implications for Geriatric Health Care Programs and Practice

Empowerment of the elderly within the health care system is a concept increasingly discussed in clinical and policy-making contexts. An examination of its current expressions and underlying philosophical principles reveals four different interpretations: empowerment as political activism and social process, empowerment as effective deliberation and moral reflection, empowerment as personal process. and empowerment as balance and interdependence. How empowerment is defined and expressed has distinct implications for the practitioner. who must be sensitive to tile underlying value conflicts that are at the core of decision making in the clinical or the public policy setting.
Catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements of trace vanadium at bismuth film electrodes

Abstract Bismuth-coated glassy carbon electrodes have been successfully applied for catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements of low levels of vanadium(V) in the presence of chloranilic acid (CAA) and bromate ion. The new protocol is based on the accumulation of the vanadium-chloranilic acid complex from an acetate buffer (pH 5.5) solution at a preplated bismuth film electrode held at −0.35 V (versus Ag/AgCl), followed by a square-wave voltammetric scan. Factors influencing the adsorptive stripping performance, including the CAA and bromate concentrations, solution pH, and accumulation potential or time have been optimized. The response compares favorably with that observed at mercury film electrodes. A linear response is observed over the 5–25 μg/L concentration range (2 min accumulation), along with a detection limit of 0.20 μg/L vanadium (10 min accumulation). High stability is indicated from the reproducible response of a 50 μg/L vanadium solution (n = 25; R.S.D. = 3.1%). Applicability to a groundwater sample is illustrated.
Altering electrochromic properties through discrete electrochromes

A novel approach to tailor the electrochromic properties of polythiophenes utilizing a silyl bridge to form discrete electrochromes is described. The monomer bis[2-(5,2'- dithienyl)]dimethyl silane was chemically synthesized and electrochemically polymerized. Electrochromic properties of devices incorporating this polymer as active material were studied and analyzed following CIE L*a*b* formalism. This polymer exhibits a yellow to green electrochromism from neutral to oxidized state.
A family of path properties for graphs

Thus we see that ( 2 + , n 1 ) implies ( m + , n + l m -) for all 2 _ m _< n + 1. On the other hand, it is easy to see that G may be (n + 1 +, 0 ) connected, but not (n +, 1) connected. For example, let G be a path of length n. We shall be concerned with studying the implications which do or do not exist in general between the propert ies (m~, k~-) and (m~-, k2) for the var ious relat ionships a m o n g m 1, m 2, kl, and k 2. In this s tudy the reader will find it convenient to refer to arrays like Fig. 1 which summarizes Hal in 's theorem.
Dual excitation scheme for direct suppression of residual signal in fibre-optic magnetometers

A novel dual-excitation scheme capable of suppressing the residual signal responsible for up-converting low-frequency noise in a fibre-optic magnetometer is reported. This scheme provides a magnetic carrier with spatially varying strength and can reduce both the up-converted interferometer noise and the up-converted transducer noise. With a 5 cm long amorphous wire transducer, 30 dB of residual signal suppression resulting in a signal-to-noise ratio improvement of 25 dB has been obtained for a magnetic signal at 1 Hz when the response using dual excitation is compared with that using single excitation.
Beendigung antiepileptischer Therapie: Anthropologische Aspekte

The ultimate aim of a successful treatment of epilepsy is freedom from seizures, even after the discontinuation of medicinal treatment. Relapses can however not be excluded even under a favorable course of the disease. In the event of a good medical prognosis in respect of relapses, a recurrence of seizure can lead to a severe threat in the sphere of social and personal life of the individual. On the basis of specimen examples such situations in life are presented, wherein relapse of seizures resulted in serious psycho-social problems. From the unstable periods of life, special emphasis is placed on the second "social" phase of puberty. The complexity of situation in this period of life, together with its closely following transitory phases of one social structure into another (school, professional training, career) demands caution in planning the discontinuation of therapy, as relapses may lead to disturbing consequences on further plans of life. This applies even more to professional part of life, threatening the stability of employment with frequent change of jobs, resulting in a vulnerable area. The consequences of relapses can lead to regression of professional progress, the loss of external existence and lack of one's own self confidence. The significance of fear and anxiety as marked factors contributing for relapses will be emphasized. More over it is important to consider carefully the pathogenic family structure, in which relapse can break out concealed fears and rejections leading to serious disturbances in the private life of the subject. The discontinuation of antiepileptic medication under suitable circumstances is not basically disagreed upon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evolutionary trends in invertebrate ganglionic structure

Early Bilateria developed the basic characteristics of ganglionic organization. Features such as the divergence of longitudinal axon bundles into functionally unique tracts, the separation of centers for motor pattern generation and exteroceptive sensory integration, the segregation of limb motor centers to lateral neuropils, and the genesis of glomerular microarchitecture occur in representatives from many protostome phyla. Ancestors of the protostome and deuterostome lineages may have evolved these features of neuronal organization independently but parsimony would argue in favor of a conservative evolution, whereby phylogenetically early events formed the basis for the complex neural architectonics displayed by extant Chordata.
One-dimensional phase-field model for binary alloys

A phase-field model was developed that gives an accurate solution for the equilibrium partition of single-phase alloy. It also gives the correct volume fractions and compositions of a two-phase solid binary alloy at equilibrium. Application to oscillatory solidification produced solute striations in the resulting single-phase solid. This one-dimensional modeling was carried out as a test for our two-dimensional model of unsteady lamellar eutectic solidification.
Rational Hegemons, Excludable Goods, and Small Groups: An Epitaph for Hegemonic Stability Theory?

In defining international free trade as a public good, “hegemonic stability theory” posited early in the 1970s that its reliable supply depended upon a distribution of international power analogous to that within a privileged group. More recently, however, critics have challenged three assumptions fundamental to hegemonic theory: its premises of free trade, public goods, and privileged groups. They have concluded that hegemony is not necessary for, and indeed may be antithetical to, a stable world economy based on market exchange.The author argues that the critics overstate their case. The assumptions they attack allow hegemonic theory to represent analytically several critically important barriers to free trade among states. Among these are the existence of strategic interdependence among the actors and the prevalence of informational asymmetries. The most significant flaw in hegemonic theory is its neglect of the essence of the domain to which it applies: the politics of inter-state trade in an anarchic world.