cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental and aging changes in somatosensory, auditory and visual evoked potentials.

Abstract To assess developmental and aging changes in human sensory systems, components of short-latency somatosensory, brain-stem auditory and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials, thought to originate in specific structures of these systems, were recorded in 286 normal subjects ranging in age from 4 to 95 years. Analysis was primarily restricted to peak and interpeak latencies; visual evoked potential amplitudes were also analyzed. Major results and conclusions are: (1) ‘Developmental’ changes (that is, decreases in latency attributable to decreased conduction time in younger subjects) were not seen in the median nerve, in brain-stem auditory pathways, or in some portions of visual cortex. Small developmental changes were seen in the somatosensory afferent pathway from the cervical spinal cord to thalamus, and large changes were seen in somatosensory and visual cortex. Cortical developmental changes appeared not to be complete until 17 years of age or later. (2) ‘Aging’ changes (that is, increases in latency attributable to increased conduction time in older subjects) were observed in the median nerve, cervical spinal cord, brain-stem auditory pathways, and somatosensory and visual cortex. (3) Visual evoked potential amplitudes tended to decrease with age, particularly during development; amplitude and latency effects were dissimilar for most components. (4) Males tended to show larger aging effects than females. (5) The results suggest that age-related changes in human sensory systems are not uniform, but rather are different in specific portions of these systems, different at particular epochs of the life span, and stronger in males than in females.
Inter‐study differences: How should they influence the interpretation and analysis of results?

In determining the role inter-study variation should play in an overview analysis, it is important to consider three factors: (1) which question one is trying to answer; (2) the degree of similarity or dissimilarity of design, and (3) the degree to which heterogeneity of outcomes can be explained. Three questions one might be interested in are: (1) whether treatment can be effective in some circumstances; (2) whether treatment is effective on average, and (3) whether treatment was effective on average in the trials at hand. Under the assumption of no qualitative interaction, the answers to these questions coincide. The O – E analysis most directly answers the third question. Other analyses are suggested when the first question is of interest, using the aspirin post-MI studies as an example.
Automated greenhouse spray system for increased safety and flexibility.

Under EPA's Workers Protection Standard Act of 1992, persons applying pesticide in a greenhouse are usually required to wear protective clothing and a face mask and to breath filtered air. The impervious clothing is usually uncomfortable and may be a health risk via overheating and potential for dehydration. The objective of this research was to devise an automated greenhouse spray system to eliminate hand application. Using off-the-shelf components, pesticides are applied at a predetermined time through mist nozzles suspended in greenhouse bays. The automated spray system reduces pesticide exposure to the applicator and others and thus reduces potential liability for the employer, facilitates better control on application rates, is more repeatable than hand application, reduces costs of hazardous waste disposal, and reduces disruption of other greenhouse operations.
Bacterial Community Variation in Human Body Habitats Across Space and Time

Elucidating the biogeography of bacterial communities on the human body is critical for establishing healthy baselines from which to detect differences associated with diseases. To obtain an integrated view of the spatial and temporal distribution of the human microbiota, we surveyed bacteria from up to 27 sites in seven to nine healthy adults on four occasions. We found that community composition was determined primarily by body habitat. Within habitats, interpersonal variability was high, whereas individuals exhibited minimal temporal variability. Several skin locations harbored more diverse communities than the gut and mouth, and skin locations differed in their community assembly patterns. These results indicate that our microbiota, although personalized, varies systematically across body habitats and time; such trends may ultimately reveal how microbiome changes cause or prevent disease.
Small Town Growth and Development Policy in Pakistan

The urbanization process incorporates a complex interplay of socio-economic, political, technological, geographical and cultural factors. Although they are all mediated through the social organization of production, variations in the levels of urbanization and economic development are strongly related to historical variations in the social and economic develop- ment of a nation. In the area that now constitutes Pakistan, development began within a system created and controlled by a colonial power; Pakistan is now developing within the structural constraints of a previous socio-economic system.
On empirical Bayes simultaneous selection procedures for comparing normal populations with a standard

Abstract In this paper, we derive statistical selection procedures to partition k normal populations into ‘good’ or ‘bad’ ones, respectively, using the nonparametric empirical Bayes approach. The relative regret risk of a selection procedure is used as a measure of its performance. We establish the asymptotic optimality of the proposed empirical Bayes selection procedures and investigate the associated rates of convergence. Under a very mild condition, the proposed empirical Bayes selection procedures are shown to have rates of convergence of order close to O(k−1/2) where k is the number of populations involved in the selection problem. With further strong assumptions, the empirical Bayes selection procedures have rates of convergence of order O(k−α(r−1)/(2r+1)), where 1
Inhibition of nemin-induced trap formation in a predaceous fungus by 6-methyl purine

Abstract The RNA synthesis inhibitor 6-methyl purine (5 × 10−3M) completely suppressed nemin-induced trap formation in the predaceous fungus Monacrosporium doedycoides . Lower concentrations of the inhibitor resulted in proportional inhibitions of trap formation. Traps were also inhibited by compounds affecting protein synthesis i.e. 5-fluorouracil and p-flurophenylalanine. The kinetics of 6-methyl purine inhibitions suggested that the nemin had an immediate effect on RNA synthesis in this predaceous fungus. Such initial data provide indirect evidence that the action of nemin in the induction of fungal traps may reside at the level of transcription.
Colorectal polyps in children: a retrospective study of clinical features and the value of ultrasonography in their diagnosis

Abstract Background Colorectal polyps are common in children. The purpose of this report was to describe a clinical experience with colorectal polyps at the Beijing Children's Hospital and to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in screening colorectal polyps in children. Method This was a retrospective medical record review of 487 children with colorectal polyps managed at the Beijing Children's Hospital between August 2003 and April 2010. Results The mean age at presentation was 4.7 ± 2.5 years, with a male predominance (M/F ratio, 1.9:1). Most children (n = 458, 94%) presented with hematochezia associated with other symptoms, such as recurrent abdominal pain (n = 42, 8.6%), prolapse of the polyp from the anus (n = 43, 8.8%), and diarrhea (n = 10, 2.1%). Anemia was observed in 33 (6.8%) children, 4 of whom required a blood transfusion before the colonoscopy. Among the 487 patients, 352 (72.3%) patients underwent ultrasonography before the colonoscopy. Polyps were detected on 345 of 352 ultrasonographic examinations in which patients subsequently underwent colonoscopy and were found to have colonic polyps. The most common polyp locations were the sigmoid colon (n = 212, 46.1%) and the rectum (n = 174, 37.8%). Solitary polyps were identified in 421 patients (88.4%), and multiple polyps were identified in 55 (11.6%) patients. Colonoscopy complications were rare, with colonic perforation observed in 2 patients and postcolonoscopy hemorrhage observed in 1 patient. The available pathology records showed that the most frequent histological type was juvenile polyps (n = 435, 91.8%), followed by Peutz-Jeghers polyps (n = 17, 3.6%), juvenile polyposis (n = 14, 3.0%), hamartomas (n = 6, 1.3%), familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 1, 0.2%), and inflammatory polyps (n = 1, 0.2%). Conclusion Ultrasonic examination is a valid, accurate, and safe technique for screening colorectal polyps in children; and a full colonoscopy should be performed to remove the polyp(s) as soon as possible.
Procaine-induced seizures in epileptic monkeys with bilateral hippocampal foci

Abstract Intravenous procaine HC1 given at low doses (0.5–2.5 mg/kg) to two monkeys with bilateral alumina hippocampal foci depressed interictal spiking or had little effect. At 5.0 mg/kg unilateral limbic activation occurred. At 10.0 mg/kg unilateral or bilateral limbic activation and generalized seizures could be evoked within 3–10 min. At higher doses (15 and 20 mg/kg) bilateral limbic activation or brief (one min) generalized seizures occurred. The unilateral-onset psychomotor seizures were not identical to spontaneous psychomotor seizures, and the generalized seizures never occurred spontaneously in these monkeys. However, these results do indicate that procaine challenges may selectively activate limbic epileptogenic areas without activation of debilitating generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Regulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression and Growth by Protein Kinase C and Retinoic Acid in LLC-PK1 Cells

The importance of receptor expression and protein kinase C to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced cell proliferation was studied in LLC-PK1 kidney cells. These cells have both high- and low-affinity binding sites for EGF. Neither transforming growth factor-beta nor tumor necrosis factor altered EGF receptor expression. On the other hand, retinoic acid induced a concentration-dependent increase in EGF binding that was maximal at 1 mumol/L. One micromolar of retinoic acid increased EGF binding from 0.38 +/- 0.01 fmol/10(6) cells in controls to 1.10 +/- 0.03 fmol/10(6) in treated cells at 18 hours (n = 8, P < 0.001). The increase in binding was the result of an increase in the Bmax of the high-affinity receptor. The upregulation of the EGF receptor induced by retinoic acid was associated with enhanced EGF-induced growth promotion. A 45-minute incubation of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate caused a concentration-dependent decrease in EGF binding that was prevented by a 40-hour, 2 mumol/L pre-exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; 10(-8) mol/L EGF also caused a downregulation of the EGF receptor that was not prevented by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or retinoic acid. Downregulation of protein kinase C did not interfere in the capacity of EGF to induce growth in these cells. These studies demonstrate that EGF receptor upregulation plays an important role in the control of EGF-induced cell growth. Protein kinase C regulates EGF binding in these cells; however, it is not necessary for EGF-induced growth promotion or receptor downregulation.
Unlubricated sliding wear of ceramic materials

Abstract The potential use of thermal insulating ceramic coatings on the cylinder walls of diesel engines at elevated temperatures requires that an understanding of the operative friction and wear mechanisms be gained. An investigation was carried out to determine the unlubricated sliding wear behavior of a thermal insulating oxide coating in combination with a number of carbide, boride, and mixed oxide coatings at room and elevated temperatures to 730 °C. The coatings were applied up to several hundred micrometers thick by plasma spray and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes on flat washers and discs and tested at contact pressures up to 6.9 MPa to steady state wear conditions in a rotational reversing motion. Wear rates, coefficients of friction and wear surface compositions and morphologies were determined. It was found that the binder metal in sprayed metalcarbide composites had a dominant influence on the wear, more so than the composition of the carbide. Different wear surface morphologies and attendant wear rates occurred at each of the test temperatures. The shape of the deposited grains in the CVD coatings had a major effect on the wear rates; rounded grains being better than angular grains of the same material. A film formed on the TiB 2 -mixed oxide wear pairs that could have a significant effect on their wear behavior.
Radiation transfer of emitting clouds that can scatter within the atmosphere for near-horizontal paths

A model is developed which consists of a horizontal atmospheric path divided into N +2 regions. The observer (sensor) is located in region 0, the cloud in an arbitrary region labeled l , and the terminating object in region N +1. A simple expression is obtained for the cloud transmittance in a region labeled lwhich requires two observations: the radiance with no cloud present (background) and the radiance in region l (some distance from the sensor). The analysis is then extended to a situation where two clouds (vapor or aerosol) are present. The scatter properties of the aerosol cloud must now be considered. The two clouds are now located in sections labeled l and k . In order to determine the transmittance of each cloud, we shall show that three measurements are required. The resulting model enables one to determine the transmittance through each cloud from measured radiances.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The 1991 Madrid environmental protection protocol. Contributions to marine pollution law

Abstract The 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and its annexes contribute substantially to contemporary international law prohibiting marine pollution. As the Protocol approaches obtaining the number of ratifications necessary for entry into force, its relevance for international ocean law accordingly becomes more salient. Thus, measures in the Protocol and its annexes take on particular importance, as they are made to apply to all sources of pollution affecting the Southern Ocean ecosystem (i.e., sources from land, dumping, vessels, the atmosphere and the seabed). Such an all-encompassing approach well serves to bolster both the normative and policy framework for effecting anti-pollution marine law in the region.
Experience with Pericardiectomy

Abstract A series of 102 therapeutic pericardiectomies is presented. Although the majority were performed for tuberculosis, those performed in the most recent decade have mainly been for effusion due to a variety of causes. Because of the lower operative mortality (11 vs. 18%) and relative ease of the procedure, operation during the effusion stage is encouraged. Wide pericardiectomy for effusion pericarditis is recommended to decrease the likelihood of the patient's developing delayed chronic constrictive pericarditis.
Monazite paragenesis and U-Pb systematics in rocks of the eastern Mojave Desert, California, U.S.A.: implications for thermochronometry

Abstract Studies of the paragenesis and U-Pb systematics of monazite in rocks from the eastern Mojave Desert, California, corroborate its potential usefulness as a prograde thermochronometer and in dating granite inheritance. Unmetamorphosed Latham Shale and its equivalents at grades ranging from greenschist to upper amphibolite facies are virtually identical in composition. Monazite is absent in the shale and low-grade schists, but it is abundant in schists at staurolite and higher grades. Lower-grade schists instead include minute Th- and Ce-oxides and unidentified Ce-poor LREE-phosphates that apparently are lower-temperature precursors to monazite. Thus monazite originates when the pelite passes through lower-amphibolite-facies conditions. Monazites from three Upper Cretaceous granites yield ages that are strongly discordant. Upper intercepts of 1.6–1.7 Ga are similar to those defined by U-Pb data for coexisting zircons and coincide with a period of copious magmatism in the Mojave crust. As the host Upper Cretaceous granitic magmas were all above 700°C, effective closure of the restitic monazites to Pb loss must be well in excess of this temperature. U-Pb compositions of monazite from Proterozoic granitoids and schist also indicate high Pb retentivity. Taken together, these studies support the suggestion that monazite can be an effective prograde thermochronometer. At least in pelites, it is not usually retained as a detrital mineral, but rather forms during moderate-temperature metamorphism. Its U-Pb system should not be reset by subsequent higher-grade metamorphism.
High rates of Photosystem II electron flow occur in maize thylakoids when the high-affinity binding site for bicarbonate is empty of all monovalent anions or has bicarbonate bound

Monovalent anions, such as formate and particularly bicarbonate, can control the rate of electron flow between Photosystem I and II. There are two explanations for this effect that differ in the residency state of a high-affinity binding site for bicarbonate when normal (rapid) electron flow occurs. One explanation, the 'bound-bicarbonate' hypothesis, requires that the site be filled with bicarbonate for high rates of electron flow. A second explanation, the ‘inhibitory-anion’ hypothesis, requires that the site either be filled with bicarbonate or be entirely free of any inhibitory monovalent anion. Electron flow in maize thylakoids was monitored by rates of oxygen evolution with dichlorobenzoquinone as an electron acceptor. The amount of bicarbonate bound to the high-affinity site in maize thylakoids was determined by measuring, the amount of bicarbonate displaced by injection of formate. The following results were obtained. Thylakoids with high-affinity binding sites devoid of bicarbonate and other monovalent anions have high rates of electron flow. The dissociation constant for bicarbonate at the high-affinity site is 40 ± 11 μ M; there are 2.4 ± 0.6 bicarbonate bound and 1.8 ± 0.3 atrazine bound per Photosystem II reaction center active in charge separation; in maize thylakoids 94% of separated charge in Photosystem II is used in oxygen evolution. Uncharacterized respiratory processes occur in spinach and pea thylakoid preparations. It is concluded that the inhibitory-anion hypothesis is correct. Also, bicarbonate might be present for high rates of electron flow in vivo, in which case it binds to its high-affinity site and excludes other monovalent anions that are inhibitory.
Alteration of voluntary ethanol and saccharin consumption by the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in mice.

Rationale. The neurosteroid 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone, ALLOP) is a positive modulator of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Recent findings indicate that ethanol (EtOH) and ALLOP share common mechanisms of action and that ALLOP may modulate some of EtOH's abuse-related effects.
Total angular momentum representation for atom-molecule collisions in electric fields

It is shown that the atom-molecule collision problem in the presence of an external electric field can be solved using the total angular momentum representation in the body-fixed coordinated frame, leading to a computationally efficient method for ab initio modeling of low-temperature scattering phenomena. Our calculations demonstrate rapid convergence of the cross sections for vibrational and Stark relaxation in HeCaD collisions with the number of total angular momentum states in the basis set, leading to a 5-100 fold increase in computational efficiency over the previously us ed methods based on the fully uncoupled spacefixed representation. These results open up the possibility of carrying out numerically converged quantum scattering calculations on a wide array of atom-molecule collisions and chemical reactions in the presence of electric fields.
A generalized Langevin equation approach to molecular collision dynamics

Abstract We develop a generalized Langevin equation approach for treating gas phase molecular collisions. First, the exact classical equations of motion for the “slow” degrees of freedom (say translation and rotation) in a collision are rewritten in a generalized Langevin form in which the influence of “fast” (internal) degrees of freedom is isolated explicitly in random force and friction terms. Approximations to the friction terms are then introduced to take advantage of weak correlations between fast and slow variables so that a purely markovian nonlinear Langevin equation is obtained. These approximations utilize a reference friction term (which is generated by integrating a single fully correlated trajectory corresponding to zero initial vibrational energy) to treat non-markovian effects, and a markovian correction factor to account for fluctuations about the reference. Applications to vibrationally inelastic scattering in colinear models of He + H2 and Kr + CO2 are presented which indicate that this approach is capable of a quantitative description of the collision dynamics as long as good time scale separations between slow and fast variables exist. Indeed, accurate results (often
Retrofit SO2 and NOx control technologies for coal‐fired power plants

The United States currently depends on coal for over half of its electric power generation. Current legislative and regulatory initiatives related to acid rain and other environmental concerns have focused on retrofit controls on existing plants and increasingly stringent requirements for new plants. This paper focuses on some of the technological approaches United States utilities are using and could be using in the future to generate electric power cleanly and reliably. Those technologies discussed include precombustion controls (physical coal cleaning and coal switching/blending), combustion controls (low NOx combustion, furnace sorbent injection, and fluidized bed combustion), and postcombustion controls (flue gas NOx control, wet and dry flue gas desulfurization, and post-furnace dry sorbent injection) The commercial status, economics, and critical issues for retrofit and new commercial application of these technologies to utility systems are discussed.
Universals and Specifics of Math Self-Concept, Math Self-Efficacy, and Math Anxiety across 41 PISA 2003 Participating Countries.

Abstract The overarching goal of the present study is to investigate the factorial structure of three closely related constructs: math self-concept, math self-efficacy, and math anxiety. The factorial structure consisting of three factors, each representing math self-concept, math self-efficacy, and math anxiety, is supported in all 41 countries employed in this study. This same factorial structure is achieved at both between- and within-country levels. This study also reveals some country specific information, including country-level mean differences and within-country importance of these three math self-constructs in predicting math performance. For instance, Asian countries such as Korea, and Japan, demonstrate low math self-concept and math self-efficacy and high math anxiety in spite of their high scores on math performance. On the other hand, some of the Western European countries such as Finland, Netherlands, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland show “balanced” outcomes, with high math performance and low levels of math anxiety.
Circulating IL-8 and anti-IL-8 autoantibody in patients with ovarian cancer

Abstract Objectives In an ongoing effort to identify diagnostic ovarian cancer biomarkers, SEREX (serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries) technique was employed resulting in detection of 20 known genes, nine ESTs and one novel sequence. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) was one of ovarian cancer-associated antigens identified by SEREX screening. The objective of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the potential importance of circulating anti-IL-8 antibody as ovarian cancer biomarker. Methods We developed and optimized a new immunofluorescent bead-based assay for detection of anti-IL-8 antibody in blood serum. Circulating IL-8 and anti-IL-8 IgG concentrations were measured in blood sera from 44 patients with early stage (I–II) ovarian cancer, 50 patients with late stage (III–IV) ovarian cancer, 37 patients with benign pelvic masses, and 80 healthy women using the bead-based assay. Results Our data indicate that serum contains IL-8 cytokine, anti-IL-8 antibody, and IL-8:anti-IL-8 complexes. We found that concentrations of IL-8 and anti-IL-8 antibody were elevated in sera of patients with ovarian cancer as compared with healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis of circulating concentrations of anti-IL-8 IgG in patients with stages I–II ovarian cancer versus healthy controls allowed for prediction of early ovarian cancer with 98% specificity, 65.5% sensitivity, 80.3% of patients correctly classified. Combining IL-8 and anti-IL-8 IgG with CA 125 resulted in increased classification power as compared to individual markers analyzed separately. Conclusion Thus, IL-8 and anti-IL-8 autoantibody might potentially serve as additional biomarkers for ovarian cancer.
Mu opioid receptors are in somatodendritic and axonal compartments of GABAergic neurons in rat hippocampal formation

Abstract Activation of mu opioid receptors (MORs) has a net excitatory effect in the hippocampal formation through inhibition of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-containing interneurons. To determine the precise subcellular targets of MOR agonists, immunoreactivity against MOR1 and GABA was examined in single sections of the hippocampal formation prepared for dual-labeling electron microscopy. In both the CA1 region of hippocampus and the dentate gyrus, MOR-like immunoreactivity (-li) was present in neuronal somata, dendrites, axons, and axon terminals, as well as a very few glial processes. Axon terminals with MOR-li formed symmetric synapses with principal cell dendrites and somata. Many MOR-labeled profiles of all types also contained GABA-li, and the vast majority possessed the ultrastructural characteristics of interneurons. Additionally, in the dentate gyrus a very small proportion of granule cell dendrites contained MOR-li. MOR-li, identified using immunogold-silver particles, was often affiliated with the extrasynaptic regions of neuronal plasma membranes, consistent with responsiveness to diffusing endogenous neuropeptide ligands. Semiquantitative analysis of the distribution of MOR-li revealed significantly more “presynaptic” (axons and terminals) than “postsynaptic” (somata and dendrites) labeled profiles in most laminae. We conclude that in addition to previously described somatodendritic MOR-li, a substantial amount of MOR-li in hippocampal formation is presynaptic. Furthermore, MORs are almost exclusively in GABAergic interneurons.
Matrix elements of representations of non-compact groups in a continuous basis

Explicit formulas are obtained by a simple algebraic method for the representations of the finite group transformations ofO(2,1) in a continuous basis when a non-compact generator is diagonalized. Compact and non-compact cases are treated in a unified form and the nature of analytic continuation is determined. The transformation function between the discrete and the continuous bases is also given. These explicit formulas have not been obtained in the literature before.
Effect of different external labels on the metabolism of doubly labeled heterologous proteins

Abstract Rats and rabbits were injected with heterologous proteins doubly labeled with S 35 amino acids and either diazotized anthranilic acid-C 14 or I 131 . The elimination rate of the isotopes from the plasma proteins and their incorporation into the tissue proteins was measured. Our analyses reveal ( a ) that the elimination rate of the injected proteins from the circulation is higher for proteins heavily substituted by the external labels (I 131 or azobenzoate-C 14 ) than for the lightly substituted proteins; ( b ) that a large portion of the S 35 amino acids is reutilized for the formation of tissue proteins, and ( c ) that the amount of I 131 bound to the tissue proteins is negligibly small whereas the fraction of protein-bound C 14 , 9 days after injection, varies from about 8 to 70% of the fraction of protein-bound S 35 amino acids. The protein-bound C 14 is not present in the form of amino acids but as a derivative of anthranilic acid. Reasons for the different metabolic behavior of the two external labels, I 131 and o -azobenzoate-C 14 , are discussed.
Parametric oscillations and phase noise of an optomechanical air-slot photonic crystal cavity

We demonstrated the above-threshold regenerative optomechanical behavior of an airslot photonic crystal cavity. The experimental optomechanical coupling rate g om /2π is ∼154 GHz/nm. The parametric oscillations and phase noise are shown.
Resident and Counselor Relationships in a Court-Affiliated Residential Treatment Setting for Adolescents: Role of Attachment

The current study examined if and to what extent adolescents in a residential treatment facility might use their focal counselor as a secure base and how counselors' attachment security plays a role in whether and to what extent secure base behavior is present. Three counselors and eight residents participated in the mixed-methods study. Findings indicated that counselors' own attachment security was related to whether residents used them as a resource, or “secure base,” during times of need.
Review of Nostalgia for the Future

Charles Piot. 2010 Review of Nostalgia for the Future Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 216 pp. USD $60. ISBN: 9780226669649 There is a brief but wonderfully illustrative story at the end of Ch...
Dorsal root projections to dorsal horn neurons in the cat spinal cord.

The projection of dorsal root fibers to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord of the cat has been studied by electron microscopy. Two distinct types of synaptic degeneration are seen with the electron microscope: small knobs which exhibit a marked increase in electron density, and large knobs which fill with neurofilaments. Variations in the distribution of degenerating knobs to the six laminae of the dorsal horn are observed: dense degenerating knobs are found throughout the horn, but are quite rare in laminae I and II. Lamina III exhibits the most dense knobs, and a great many are also present in laminae IV and VI with a somewhat lesser number seen in lamina V. Knobs undergoing neurofilamentous degeneration are found only in laminae V and VI, and are much Jess frequently seen than are dense knobs. The types of synaptic contacts made by degenerating dorsal root fibers also vary from one region of the dorsal horn to another. Dense degenerating knobs synapse primarily with small dendrites in laminae I, II and III, but not at all with large dendrites or nerve cell bodies. In lamina III, dense knobs are seen in axoaxonal synapses, and are always the pre-synaptic component of the synapse. In laminae IV, V and VI dark knobs are commonly seen to synapse upon cell bodies of large and medium sized neurons and their proximal dendrites, but not upon small cell bodies Dense knobs upon small dendrites are common. In degenerating axoaxonal synapses, the dense knob is always the post-synaptic component. Degenerating neurofibrillar knobs are only seen to synapse with cell bodies or larger dendrites in V and VI and not at all other synaptic knobs. The results are correlated with findings by light microscopy. Comparisons are made with some of the known physiological properties of dorsal horn neurons.
A step-by-step solution for embedding user-controlled cines into educational Web pages.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this article is to introduce a simple method for embedding user-controlled cines into a Web page using a simple JavaScript. Step-by-step instructions are included and the source code is made available. This technique allows the creation of portable Web pages that allow the user to scroll through cases as if seated at a PACS workstation.CONCLUSION. A simple JavaScript allows scrollable image stacks to be included on Web pages. With this technique, you can quickly and easily incorporate entire stacks of CT or MR images into online teaching files. This technique has the potential for use in case presentations, online didactics, teaching archives, and resident testing.
Integrative cartilage repair: adhesive strength is correlated with collagen deposition

Procedures to repair focal articular cartilage defects often result in poor integration between the host cartilage and the graft tissue, and this may be related to the lack of matrix deposition and the death of chondrocytes near a cut cartilage surface. The objective of this study was to determine if cartilage repair was related to deposition of newly synthesized collagen. The mechanical integration that occurred between two live adult bovine cartilage blocks cultured in partial apposition for two weeks was correlated with [3H]proline incorporation, a measure of protein synthesis, of which more than 66% was accounted for by collagen. A similar level of mechanical integration occurred in sample pairs consisting of a live and killed cartilage block, and this adhesive strength was also correlated with [3H]proline deposition into both the live and the killed blocks. In these samples, the [3H]proline deposited into the killed cartilage appeared to originate from chondrocytes in the live cartilage, since live cells were not detected in the killed cartilage block by either viability staining or [35S]sulfate incorporation. These results suggest a mechanism of integrative cartilage repair in which live chondrocytes within cartilage secrete matrix molecules that are components of a collagen network, and subsequent deposition of these molecules near the repair interface contributes to functional integration.
State Policy, Rent Seeking, and the Electoral Success of a Religious Party in Algeria

The decline of the dominant party, the Front de la Liberation Nationale (FLN), in Algeria has been accompanied by the electoral success of a religious party, the Front Islamique du Salut (FIS). The argument developed in this article attributes the success of the FIS to the political economy of dominant party rule in postcolonial Algeria. Rent-seeking coalitions embedded within the FLN constrained the policy options available to the FLN in a fiscal crisis. FLN response to the fiscal crisis, especially changes in the distributive and regulatory policies, led to middle-class exit from the FLN. These groups then extended their support to the FIS. Evidence for middle-class exit from FLN will be provided through an analysis of census data and election returns for 216 communes from the 1990 local elections.
A model for unsteady state drainage of a static foam

Abstract A model for the unsteady state drainage of a standing foam has been proposed. This model accounted for (i) the liquid drainage from plateau borders due to gravity as well as the gradient of plateau border suction and (ii) the movement of the foam-liquid interface due to the accumulation of drained liquid, and assumed that the foam bed consisted of dodecahedral bubbles of the same size. The simplifying assumption of a negligible fraction of liquid in thin films, employed in the present model, was justified through the comparison of the timescales of film and plateau border drainage. Typical evolutions of a liquid holdup profile as well as a foam-liquid interface are reported for foam generated by bubbling inert gas through a liquid pool at a constant gas flow rate in the form of bubbles of the same size. The predicted equilibrium liquid holdup profile has been shown to depend only on the density difference, bubble size and surface tension but not on viscosity and surface viscosity, and compared well with experimental data. Asymptotic expression for the equilibrium disjoining pressure indicated that larger density difference, larger bubble sizes and smaller surface tensions would tend to make the standing foam less stable.
Deregulated stress system in non-obese diabetic lymphocyte.

Lymphopenia-induced homeostatic expansion in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice may lead to autoimmunity. We demonstrated that NOD lymphocytes are more susceptible to apoptosis than those of non-diabetic C57BL/6 or NOD.H2h4 mice in vivo and in vitro, which may be an underlying mechanism causing lymphopenia in NOD mice. Gene expression profiling identified a set of genes that are differentially expressed between NOD and B6 mice. Identity of these genes suggested that NOD T cells have a deregulated stress response system, especially heat-shock protein family, making them overly sensitive to apoptosis. Thus, we hypothesize that this strain-specific gene expression profile may confer a liability upon NOD T cells making them more susceptible to apoptosis that may lead to lymphopenia in NOD mice and contribute to development of autoimmunity.
Realizable high-order finite-volume schemes for quadrature-based moment methods applied to diffusion population balance equations

Population balance equations with advection and diffusion terms can be solved using quadrature-based moment methods. Recently, high-order realizable finite-volume schemes with appropriate realizability criteria have been derived for the advection term. However, hitherto no work has been reported with respect to realizability problems for the diffusion term. The current work focuses on developing high-order realizable finite-volume schemes for diffusion. The pitfalls of existing finite-volume schemes for the diffusion term based on the reconstruction of moments are discussed, and it is shown that realizability can be guaranteed only with the 2 nd -order scheme and that the realizability criterion for the 2 nd -order scheme is the same as the stability criterion. However, realizability of moments cannot be guaranteed when higher-order moment-based reconstruction schemes are used. To overcome this problem, realizable high-order finite-volume schemes based on the reconstruction of weights and abscissas are proposed and suitable realizability criteria are derived. The realizable schemes can achieve higher than 2 nd -order accuracy for problems with smoothly varying abscissas. In the worst-case scenario of highly nonlinear abscissas, the realizable schemes are 2 nd -order accurate but have lower error magnitudes compared to existing schemes. The results obtained using the realizable high-order schemes are shown to be consistent with those obtained using the 2 nd -order moment-based reconstruction scheme.
The impact of surgical guidelines and periodic quality assessment on the staging of endometrial cancer.

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of surgical guidelines and transparent periodic assessment of surgical quality on endometrial cancer (EC) staging by gynecologic oncologists in a single institution and to identify process-of-care, patient-specific, and disease-specific risk factors that influence surgical quality. Methods In January 2004, a prospective treatment algorithm was implemented for EC at our institution. The number of nodes harvested was a surrogate, and staging quality from 2004 to 2008 (quality assessment [QA] interval) was compared with the previous 5years (pre-QA interval). Since 2004, low-risk cases based on frozen section examination had not undergone lymphadenectomy and were excluded. Independent patient-specific, disease-specific, and surgery-related risk factors influencing lymphadenectomy quality during both intervals were identified with multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection (LND) in surgical EC management before QA (n=420) were 77.9% and 48.8% vs 89.3% and 83.4% during the QA (n=561) ( P P P P P Conclusion Inclusion of detailed surgical guidelines and transparent periodic assessment of surgical quality translated to dramatic improvement in quality of surgical EC staging. This implementation was associated with a transition to more patient-specific risk factors influencing systematic LND. Although surgical quality metrics were markedly enhanced during QA, persistent variability observed among surgeons and the change in surgical approach render continuous QA and improvement obligatory.
A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Petroleum and Soybean-Based Lubricants

A comparative life cycle assessment examining soybean and petroleum-based lubricants is compiled using Monte Carlo analysis to assess system variability. Experimental data obtained from an aluminum manufacturing facility indicate significantly less soybean lubricant is required to achieve similar or superior performance. With improved performance and a lower use rate, a transition to soybean oil results in lower aggregate impacts of acidification, smog formation, and human health from criteria pollutants. Regardless of quantity consumed, soybean-based lubricants exhibit significant climate change and fossil fuel use benefits; however, eutrophication impacts are much greater due to non-point nutrient emissions. Fundamental tradeoffs in the carbon and nitrogen cycles are addressed in the analysis, demonstrating that a transition to soybean oil may result in climate change benefits at the expense of regional water quality.
Plasma-particle interactions in plasma spraying systems

A mathematical formulation is presented to represent the interactions between the plasma jet exiting a nontransferred arc plasma torch and injected solid particles. This is a generic problem in plasma spraying operations. The calculations are based on the solution of the two-dimensional equation of motion and the thermal energy balance for the particles. Additionally, the plasma temperatures and velocities in the torch and plume are calculated using a mathematical model based on a simplified set of conservation equations. In the formulation, we allow for departure from continuum conditions, particle vaporization, and temperature gradients within the particles. The calculations are compared with previously published experimental measurements of alumina particles injected into a room-temperature, turbulent air jet and into the plume of a commercial plasma torch operating in a turbulent mode. The second set of experiments provides simultaneous measurement of particle temperature, size, and velocity and so form an excellent basis for testing our model. The comparison of the model and the measurements brings new insight into the behavior of particles in plasma jets.
The hamster cheek pouch as a convenient ectopic site for studies of uterine morphogenesis and endocrine responsiveness.

Abstract The Syrian hamster cheek pouch was evaluated as a convenient transplantation site for studies of estrogen-dependent uterine growth and morphogenesis. At one month of age, hosts were either ovariectomized (Ovex) or ovariectomized and estrogen implanted (Ovex + E 2 ), and at the same time the uterus from a 7-day old untreated donor was transplanted into the host's right cheek pouch. Periodic inspection (by simple eversion of the pouch) revealed viable transplants in the majority of hosts for both groups, and clear evidence of estrogen-dependent transplant growth that continued for at least 9 months. At that time, weight of the transplanted uterus was comparable to that of a given host's own in situ uterus, but uteri at both sites weighed six to eightfold more in Ovex + E 2 hosts than in Ovex hosts. Histological analysis also revealed similar degrees of en-dometrial atrophy in Ovex hosts and hypertrophy/hy-perplasia in Ovex + E 2 hosts for both in situ and transplanted uteri. Furthermore, while only scant and rudimentary endometrial glands developed in both in situ and transplanted uteri within Ovex hosts, uteri at both sites within the Ovex + E 2 hosts were riddled with cystic glandular structures and exhibited marked leukocytic infiltration. These data demonstrate that neonatal uteri transplanted to the hamster cheek pouch will grow, differentiate and follow an endocrine-responsive morpho-genetic program that is quantitatively and qualitatively consistent with that of the host's in situ uterus. Lastly, we were able to cleanly separate epithelium from the stroma of 5-day old hamster uteri, reassociate the two tissues in vitro, transplant the recombinants into cheek pouches of adult female hamsters and subsequently observe growth and maintenance of a generally normal uterine morphology and differentiated function.
Immune Responsiveness of Lymphotoxin-α-Deficient Mice: Two Reconstitution Models

Abstract The effects of lymphotoxin-α (LT-α) deficiency on mucosal immune status has not been defined. We utilized severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mice as recipients of both mutant and wild-type whole splenocytes to determine whether lymphocytes from mutant mice had impaired homing ability. We also utilized irradiated mutant mice as recipients of wild-type whole splenocytes to determine whether lymphoid tissue anlages had, indeed, failed to develop as a consequence of LT-α deficiency. Subsequently, all mice were immunized orally with an attenuated strain ofSalmonella typhimuriumand mucosal IgA responses were monitored. The data presented here demonstrate thatscidrecipients generate mucosal responses equally well when reconstituted with mutant or wild-type lymphocytes. In contrast, reconstitution of mutant mice with wild-type cells failed to affect the efficiency of their mucosal immunity. The mutant phenotype, therefore, appears to involve neither impaired lymphocyte homing nor function in the generation of mucosal immunity. However, the mutant phenotype and immune responsiveness cannot be transformed merely by the provision of LT-α-expressing donor cell populations. The consequence of LT-α deficiency on mucosal immune responsiveness appears to be due to the lack of gut-associated lymphoid tissues, which may include the spleen, in mutant mice.
Signaling via Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase (MEK1) Is Required for Golgi Fragmentation during Mitosis

We have developed an assay using permeabilized cells to monitor fragmentation of the Golgi complex that occurs during mitosis. Golgi stacks, in permeabilized interphase normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, upon incubation with mitotic extracts undergo extensive fragmentation, and the fragmented Golgi membranes are dispersed throughout the cytoplasm. We find that the continued presence of p34cdc2, the mitosis initiation kinase, is not necessary for Golgi fragmentation. Instead, fragmentation depends on cytosolic mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1 or MAPKK1). However, the known cytoplasmic substrates for MEK1, ERK1, and ERK2 are not required for this process. Interestingly, we find a Golgi-associated ERK, which we propose as the likely target for MEK1 in Golgi fragmentation.