cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
With a mere nod, uveitis enters a new era.

Abstract Purpose To advance the knowledge of the ophthalmologist with regard to new developments in the genetics and pathologic mechanisms of uveitis. Design A review of recently published literature exploring the relationship between the nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD2) gene and uveitis. Results Mutations in the nucleotide-binding region of NOD2 were found to be responsible for familial juvenile systemic granulomatosis (Blau syndrome or Jabs disease), a rare form of uveitis, arthritis, and dermatitis. The NOD2 gene is thought to be involved in the innate immune response to pathogens. Currently, the pathologic mechanisms behind Blau syndrome in familial juvenile systemic granulomatosis are unknown, but the interactions of NOD2 with caspases, nuclear factor κB, and other pathways are slowly being revealed. Conclusions A single amino acid change in NOD2 can lead to a chronic granulomatous uveitis. By studying NOD2 and the proteins that interact with NOD2, we should gain a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of uveitis and identify novel ways to halt its destructive consequences.
The Effect of Walking With Poles on the Distribution of Plantar Pressures in Normal Subjects

Background Elevated pressures on the plantar surface of the foot increases the potential of developing foot ulcers in patients who are at risk. Walking with poles has been shown to reduce ground reaction and joint forces; however, the effect on plantar pressures is unknown. Objective To determine the effectiveness of walking with poles on reducing plantar pressure on the foot after brief instructions and 1 week of self-guided practice. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant reduction in pressure in the foot when walking with poles. Design This was a nonblinded, randomized, crossover study. Setting This study took place in a motion analysis laboratory located at an academic institution. Methods Thirty-five healthy subjects were instructed on 2 gait patterns when using walking poles. When walking with the 2-point pattern, the subjects placed the poles of the opposite side with the foot in stance. The 3-point pattern required the subjects to place both poles with the right foot. After 1 week of unsupervised practice, plantar pressures under the metatarsal heads and hallux of the right foot were measured by using a pedobarograph mat while walking with and without the poles. Main Outcome Measurements Mean plantar pressures and impulses were recorded from 5 trials for each walking condition: no poles, 2-point, and 3-point styles. Results Walking with the poles resulted in significant reductions ( P ≤ .01) in mean and impulse of pressure under the metatarsal heads region of up to 24%; no significant changes were seen under the heel or hallux. The 3-point style resulted in a significantly greater reduction of pressure compared with the 2-point style ( P = .002) in the metatarsal region but not the hallux. Conclusions Walking with poles was easy to learn and may be a useful part of the management of persons at risk for developing plantar foot ulcers.
The minimal non-Cohen-Macaulay monomial ideals

Abstract Let I ⊂ R n = k [ X 1 ,…, X n ] ( X 1 ,…, X n ) be a radical ideal generated by monomials in X 1 ,…, X n ( k is a field). One calls I minimal non-Cohen-Macaulay if R n / I is not Cohen- Macaulay, while R n / I s is Cohen-Macaulay for every proper subset S ⊂{ X 1 ,…, X n } where I s is the (suitably defined) restriction of I to S . A complete list of minimal non-Cohen-Macaulay ideals of pure height t would produce a simple Cohen-Macaulayness criterion for ideals of pure height t . This paper gives a complete list of minimal non-Cohen-Macaulay monomial ideals of pure height 2. In particular, it turns out there exists exactly one such ideal for every fixed n ≥4. As an immediate application one obtains a new Cohen-Macaulayness criterion for monomial ideals of pure height 2, which is simpler than Reisner's topological criterion.
Autographa californica M nuclear polyhedrosis virus and cytochalasin D: antagonists in the regulation of protein synthesis

During infection by the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), synthesis of host proteins in IPLB-Sf-21 cells is inhibited. We report here that cytochalasin D (CD), a drug that specifically interacts with actin, behaved as an antagonist in the virus-mediated shutdown of host proteins actin and tubulin. In uninfected cells, CD caused an increase in actin synthesis but had no apparent effect on tubulin synthesis. In infected cells, CD similarly enhanced actin synthesis early in infection and delayed the virus shutoff of actin synthesis by 14 hr. The shutoff of tubulin synthesis was delayed by 8 hr. Addition of CD to infected cells after host protein synthesis ceased resulted in an induction of actin synthesis reversing viral inhibitory effects. Similarly, the removal of CD resulted in virus-induced inhibition of actin synthesis. Treatment of infected cells with CD caused a delay in the onset and/or shutoff of at least five viral proteins and inhibited the amplification of polyhedrin synthesis by at least 8 hr.
Early nodal and extra‐nodal non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas

There were 54 Stage I and 38 Stage II patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas treated with curative radiotherapy between 1964 and 1975. The initial biopsy material was reclassified according to the criteria of Rappaport et al.10 The frequency of nodular vs diffuse histological pattern was 26% vs 74%. The survival and recurrence free survival were significantly superior for the nodular pattern as compared with diffuse in both Stages I and II. The sites of first recurrence were evaluated. Fourteen out of 20 Stage I and 18 out of 26 Stage II patients recurred in one of the nodal areas only as their first site of recurrence. In 50%, this was in contiguous lymph node areas only. Extra-nodal non-Hodgkins's lymphomas survival and recurrence-free survival rates at five years were identical. Cancer 40:98–104,1977.
INTRACRANIAL EXTENSION IN NON-PARAMENINGEAL HEAD AND NECK RHABDOMYOSARCOMA. A REPORT FROM THE INTERGROUP RHABDOMYOSARCOMA STUDY (IRS)

Intracranial extension of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has been identified as a major cause of failure in parameningeal sites. Fifteen of 214 (7%) patients with nonparameningeal RMS had intracranial extension threatened or proven at diagnosis. The primary sites included: orbit (8), neck (2), cheek (2), parotid (1), oropharynx (1), and temporalis (1). Computerized tomographic scans in 13 cases were helpful in detecting the intracranial extension and defining the anatomical extent of the primary. One or more patterns of CNS extension were seen in the 15 patients: parameningeal extension (8), bony erosion of the orbit (7), infraorbital fissure involvement (4), brain metastases (3), meningeal metastases (2), cavernous sinus extension (2) and invasion of the optic nerve (1). Five of 6 cases receiving intrathecal chemotherapy and cranial radiotherapy according to guidelines for parameningeal sites survived. Metastases to the meninges and brain carried the gravest prognosis with no survivors. In the remaining patients 10/11 are alive at a median of 11 months from diagnosis. Careful evaluation of all patients with head and neck RMS may reveal threatened or proven intracranial extension. In these cases management according to guidelines for parameningeal head and neck sites is recommended.
Throughput of a constant work in process manufacturing line subject to failures

We consider a production line consisting of several machines in tandem operating under a constant work in process (CONWIP) control strategy. We assume that processing times are deterministic but machines are subject to exponential failures and repairs. We model this system as a closed queueing network and develop an approximate regenerative model (ARM) for estimating throughput and average cycle time as a function of WIP level. We compare ARM with mean value analysis (MVA) and develop readily computable tests of the suitability of the two approaches to a given production system. Through comparison with simulations, we show that ARM gives better predictions than MVA in a range of realistic situations.
Chloroplastic responses of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings to ozone exposure.

Integrity of chloroplast membranes is essential to photosynthesis. Loss of thylakoid membrane integrity has been proposed as a consequence of ozone (O3) exposure and therefore may be a mechanistic basis for decreased photosynthetic rates commonly associated with ozone exposure. To investigate this hypothesis, Pinus ponderosa seedlings were exposed to ambient air or ozone concentrations maintained at 0.15 or 0.30 μl l−1 for 10 h day−1 for 51 days during their second growing season. Over the course of the study, foliage samples were periodically collected for thylakoid membrane, chlorophyll and protein analyses. Additionally, gas-exchange measurements were made in conjunction with foliage sampling to verify that observed chloroplastic responses were associated with ozone-induced changes in photosynthesis. Needles exposed to elevated ozone exhibited decreases in chlorophyll a and b content. The decreases were dependent on the duration and intensity of ozone exposure. When based on equal amounts of chlorophyll, ozone-exposed sample tissue exhibited an increase in total protein. When based on equal amounts of protein, ozone-exposed samples exhibited an increase in 37 kDa proteins, possibly consisting of breakdown products, and a possible decrease in 68 kDa proteins, Rubisco small subunit. There was also a change in the ratio of Photosystem I protein complexes CPI and CPII that may have contributed to decreased photosynthesis. Net photosynthetic rates were decreased in the high ozone treatment suggesting that observed structural and biochemical changes in the chloroplast were associated with alterations of the photosynthetic process.
Edgar Allan Poe: The romantic as classicist

Edgar Allan Poe’s affinity with classical values has not been properly noted by critics and other readers who have interpreted the romantic and Gothic elements in his fiction and poetry as proof of Poe's predilection for the subjective, macabre, and fantastic, as well as the transcendental. A careful examination of Poe's use of seemingly romantic materials, however, reveals that he measured the romantic stance detrimentally against the objectivity and rationality of the classical. Poe drew allusion and structure from his reading of classical literature to inform his own works with a classical worldview he sought in both life and art.
Tympanal hearing in tachinid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae, Ormiini): the comparative morphology of an innovation

Tympanal hearing organs have been reported only recently for Diptera. All the cases documented so far relate to parasitoid tachinid flies of the ormiine tribe. In the ormiine flies, the presence of tympanal hearing is functionally linked to their reproductive behavior. Indeed, female ormiine flies detect and localize their host, typically singing orthopterans, by hearing their calling songs. The three ormiine fly species investigated here at the comparative level share the key morphological features associated with tympanal hearing. The extent of these structural modifications becomes evident in the light of comparison with the closely related atympanate tachinid Myiopharus doryphorae. We document a series of eight characters that constitute specialized modifications of the ventral prothorax: (1) an inflation of the probasisternum, providing a rigid frame to span the large tympanal membranes; (2) an increased surface area of the prosternal membranes that constitute very thin, corrugated tympanal membranes; (3) a forked, broad presternum with tympanal pits to which the sensory organs directly attach; (4) several modifications of the tracheal system comprising the enlargement of the prosternal air sac, a supplementary tracheal tube to the prosternal air sac accompanied by a subpartioning of the spiracular atrium, and larger mesothoracic spiracles; (5) the presence of two scolopophorous chordotonal organs in the unpartitioned prosternal air sac; (6) stiff cuticular apodemes linking the chordotonal organs to the presternum; (7) reduction in size of the cervical sclerites; and (8) several structural modifications of the prosternal apophyses, creating new attachment sites for neck muscles. This comparative approach brings out differences and similarities of the homologous cuticular structures found on the ventral prothorax of both tympanate and atympanate tachinids. It is proposed that, given the degree of similarity between the ormiine hearing organs, the ormiine tribe is monophyletic, whereby all members of this tribe evolved from a common ancestor, an acoustic parasitoid of a singing orthopteran insect.
DiGeorge and velocardiofacial syndromes: The 22q11 deletion syndrome

DiGeorge syndrome and velocardiofacial syndrome are developmental disorders characterized by a wide range of congenital malformations, facial dysmorphia, endocrine and immune disorders, cognitive impairment, and neurologic and psychiatric abnormalities. Cytogenetic and molecular studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of the genetic basis of these disorders. Deletions of chromosomal region 22q11 appear to be the leading cause of DiGeorge and velocardiofacial syndrome. These studies suggest that one or more genes in this region of chromosome 22 play a major role in cardiac and craniofacial development and other derivatives of the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches, including the thymus and parathyroid glands. During the past several years there has been a tremendous effort by several groups of investigators to construct physical and transcription maps of this region to identify candidate genes. Within the next several years, we can expect that additional genes within 22q11 will be identified and that we will have a better understanding of their function and role in the development of the complex and variable phenotype of the 22q11 deletion syndrome. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reduction of Cr, Mo, Se and U by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans immobilized in polyacrylamide gels.

Intact cells of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, immobilized in polyacrylamide gel, removed Cr, Mo, Se and U from solution by enzymatic-mediated reduction reactions. Lactate or H2 served as the electron donor and the oxidized Cr(VI), Mo(VI), Se(VI) and U(VI) served as electron acceptors. Reduction of the oxidized metal species resulted in the precipitation of solid phases of the metals. Metal removal efficiencies of 86–96% were achieved for initial concentrations of 1 mM Mo, Se, and U and 0.5 mM Cr. Insoluble metal phases accumulated on both the surface and the interior of the polyacrylamide gel. In column tests conducted for U removal, effluent concentrations less than 20 μg L−1 were achieved with initial concentrations of 5 mg L−1 and 20 mg L−1 U and residence times from 25–37 h. The enzymatic reduction of Cr, Mo, Se, and U by immobilized cells of D. desulfuricans may be a practical method for removing these metals from solution in a biological reactor.
BOUSSINESQ MODELING OF WAVE TRANSFORMATION, BREAKING, AND RUNUP. II: 2D

In this paper, we focus on the implementation and verification of an extended Boussinesq model for surf zone hydrodynamics in two horizontal dimensions. The time-domain numerical model is based on the fully nonlinear Boussinesq equations. As described in Part I of this two-part paper, the energy dissipation due to wave breaking is modeled by introducing an eddy viscosity term into the momentum equations, with the viscosity strongly localized on the front face of the breaking waves. Wave runup on the beach is simulated using a permeable-seabed technique. We apply the model to simulate two laboratory experiments in large wave basins. They are wave transformation and breaking over a submerged circular shoal and solitary wave runup on a conical island. Satisfactory agreement is found between the numerical results and the laboratory measurements.
The tail of neuroendocrine tumors from lung to pancreas: Two rare case reports

INTRODUCTION Primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a well-established disease entity, however, neuroendocrine metastases to the pancreas from other sites have been scarcely documented. Specifically, pancreatic metastases from a pulmonary carcinoid tumor have only previously been described in a single case report.
A new mathematical treatment of spectrophotometric data for differentiating mononuclear and polynuclear complexes

Abstract A new mathematical approach to the treatment of spectrophotometric data for differentiation between mononuclear and polynuclear metal complexes in solution is presented. The slope of a straight line yields the total number of units in the complex, from which the true molecular formula can be obtained if the empirical formula is known. The formation constant is also given by the slope of a straight line. The method can be applied to complexes with any number of different ligands. Solutions are prepared in which the ratio of total concentrations of the reacting species is equal to the combining ratio. Spectrophotometric data must be obtained under conditions where only one complex is formed and the degree of dissociation is significant. The molar absorptivity must be obtained by direct measurement.
Adult-onset foveomacular pigment epithelial dystrophy: Clinicopathologic correlation of three cases

Purpose The authors describe the clinicopathologic features of three patients with adult onset foveomacular pigment epithelial dystrophy (AOFPED). Methods The eyes of three patients were studied ophthalmoscopically and by fluorescein angiography, and obtained postmortem and studied by light and electron microscopy. Results Histopathologic study of the three patient's eyes disclosed central loss of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cell layer with a moderate number of pigment-containing macrophages present in the subretinal space and outer retina. To either side, the retinal pigment epithelium was distended with much lipofuscin. Basal laminar and basal linear deposits were present throughout the central area. No discontinuities of Bruch membrane were present. Conclusion The findings in the eyes of three patients with AOFPED included marked aging changes that are similar to those seen in age-related macular degeneration. Pigmented cells with lipofuscin in the subretinal space account for the vitelliform appearance.
Optical Properties of Cs for Photons of Energy 3.6–9.6 eV*

The optical and dielectric constants of Cs have been obtained above the plasma frequency. The measurements were made on Cs films evaporated on a plane surface of quartz and CaF2 semicylindrical substrates, at 10−6 torr. The refractive index n is determined from the critical angle for total internal reflection at the Cs–substrate interface. The absorption coefficient k is determined from the slope of the curve at the critical angle. The real part of the complex dielectric constant ∊1 differs from the value predicted by the nearly free-electron model. The effect is attributed to the existence of transitions from inner shells at higher photon energies and to interband transitions and plasmon-assisted transitions at lower energies. The derived parameters in this energy region are 4πnoα = 0.37±0.01, meff = 1.05±0.05 m, and ℏωp = 2.87±0.07 eV.
Synthesis of Al2O3–CeO2 Mixed Oxide Nano-Powders

Ceria (CeO2)-doped alumina (Al2O3) composite nano-particles were synthesized using sucrose as a chelating agent and template material. As-synthesized powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction technique for their phase analysis, BET surface area analyzer for specific average surface area, and transmission electron microscope for particle size and morphology. Both CeO2 and Al2O3 delayed the amorphous to crystalline phase transformation for each other. These composite nano-powders had particle size in the range of 20–50 nm with an aspect ratio of 1.5 with platelet morphology and surface area between 100 and 300 m2/g. Synthesis parameters were optimized varying the sucrose to metal ion ratio, calcinations time and temperature. This method can be applied to synthesize various monolithic and mixed metal oxide based ceramic nano-particles.
Development of a routine newborn screening protocol for severe combined immunodeficiency

Background Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is characterized by the absence of functional T cells and B cells. Without early diagnosis and treatment, infants with SCID die from severe infections within the first year of life. Objective To determined the feasibility of detecting SCID in newborns by quantitating T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) from dried blood spots (DBSs) on newborn screening (NBS) cards. Methods DNA was extracted from DBSs on deidentified NBS cards, and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the number of TRECs. Positive controls consisted of DBS from a 1-week-old T − B − NK + patient with SCID and whole blood specimens selectively depleted of naive T cells. Results The mean and median numbers of TRECs from 5766 deidentified DBSs were 827 and 708, respectively, per 3.2-mm punch (∼3 μL whole blood). Ten samples failed to amplify TRECs on initial analysis; all but 1 demonstrated normal TRECs and β-actin amplification on retesting. No TRECs were detected in either the SCID or naive T-cell–depleted samples, despite the presence of normal levels of β-actin. Conclusions The use of RT-qPCR to quantitate TRECs from DNA extracted from newborn DBSs is a highly sensitive and specific screening test for SCID. This assay is currently being used in Wisconsin for routine screening infants for SCID.
Particle-Scale Investigation of PAH Desorption Kinetics and Thermodynamics from Sediment

Dredged sediment from Milwaukee Harbor showed two primary classes of particles in the <2 mm size range: a lighter-density coal- and wood-derived fraction with 62% of total PAHs and a heavier-density sand, silt, and clay fraction containing the remaining 38% of the PAHs. Room-temperature PAH desorption kinetic studies on separated sediment fractions revealed slow desorption rates for the coal-derived particles and fast desorption rates for the clay/silt particles. The effect of temperature on PAH release was measured by thermal program desorption mass spectrometry to investigate the desorption activation energies for PAHs on the different sediment particles. Three activated diffusion-based models and an activated first-order rate model were used to describe the thermal desorption of PAHs for four molecular weight classes. PAH binding with the coal-derived particles was associated with high activation energies, typically in the range of 115-139 kJ/mol. PAHs bound to the clay/silt material had much lower activation energy, i.e., in the range of 37-41 kJ/ mol for molecular weight 202. Among the desorption models tested, a spherical diffusion model with PAHs located like a rind on the outer 1-3 microm region best described the PAH thermal desorption response for coal-derived particles. This internal PAH distribution pattern on coalderived particles is based on prior direct measurement of PAH locations at the subparticle scale. These studies reveal that heterogeneous particle types in sediment exhibit much different amounts and binding of PAHs. PAHs associated with coal-derived particles aged over several decades in the field appear to be far from reaching an equilibrium sorption state due to the extremely slow diffusivities through the polymer-like coal matrix. These results provide an improved mechanistic perspective for the understanding of PAH mobility and bioavailability in sediments.
Nicotinic Acid Requirements of Insects: a Biological Test for Nicotinic Acid

THE importance of vitamin B for the growth and development of insects has been stressed by several investigators. But very little is known of the ingredients of the vitamin B complex which are actually required by the insects.
Consumption of krill protein concentrate prevents early renal injury and nephrocalcinosis in female Sprague–Dawley rats

Female Sprague-Dawley rats provide an animal model for studying the role of nutrition in renal health due to their sensitivity to diet-induced alterations in kidney function. Nephrocalcinosis, a common renal abnormality found in rats, has been implicated in subsequent renal failure. Simple dietary manipulations, such as changing the source of dietary protein, may influence nephrocalcinosis. This study evaluates the consumption of krill protein concentrate (KPC), a novel and high-quality protein, on renal and bone health. Young female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10/group) were individually housed in metabolic cages and fed ad libitum diets consisting of 10% crude protein supplied as KPC or casein for 4 weeks. Diets were isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and matched for calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Urinary n-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) was measured and kidney histology performed to assess kidney damage. Biomarkers of kidney function were determined by calorimetric assays. Ca and P balance and bone concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Femoral strength was determined by three-point bend testing. Rats fed KPC had lower (P = 0.005) urinary NAG levels and minimal microtubular Ca deposition compared to rats fed casein. There was a tendency (P < 0.06) for higher glomerular filtration rates and lower proteinuria, and higher (P = 0.03) urinary output in rats fed KPC compared to casein. There were no differences in Ca and P balance or bone measurements of total bone mineral content, Ca, P or strength between rats fed KPC and casein. Based on the study results, KPC prevented early renal injury leading to nephrocalcinosis and potential bone loss.
Comment on letters by T Wilkin, and D Boniface and J Wardle concerning school-based physical activity.

Comment on letters by T Wilkin, and D Boniface and J Wardle concerning school-based physical activity
Effects of Group B Streptococci on Cord and Adult Mononuclear Cell Transcription and Translation of IL-12 and IFN-gamma

Effects of Group B Streptococci on Cord and Adult Mononuclear Cell Transcription and Translation of IL-12 and IFN-gamma
Altered myocardial fatty acid and glucose metabolism in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) exhibit alterations in myocardial fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Background Alterations in myocardial metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF); however, studies of myocardial metabolic function in human HF have yielded conflicting results. Animal models of HF have shown a downregulation of the expression of enzymes of fatty acid beta-oxidation that recapitulates the fetal energy metabolic program, in which fatty acid metabolism is decreased and glucose metabolism is increased. Methods Seven patients with IDCM (mean left ventricular ejection fraction 27 ± 8%) and 12 normal controls underwent positron emission tomography for measurements of myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), myocardial glucose utilization (MGU), myocardial fatty acid utilization (MFAU) and myocardial fatty acid oxidation (MFAO). Results The systolic and diastolic blood pressures, plasma substrates and insulin levels, MBF and MVO2, were similar between groups. The rates of MFAU and MFAO were significantly lower in IDCM than in the normal control group (MFAU: 134 ± 44 vs. 213 ± 49 nmol/g/min, p = 0.003; and MFAO: 113 ± 50 vs. 205 ± 49 nmol/g/min, p = 0.001) and the rates of MGU were significantly higher in IDCM than the normal control group (MGU: 247 ± 63 vs. 125 ± 64 nmol/g/min, p Conclusions Patients with IDCM exhibit alterations in myocardial metabolism characterized by decreased fatty acid metabolism and increased myocardial glucose metabolism, a pattern similar to that shown in animal models of HF. Whether alterations in myocardial metabolism constitute an adaptive response or mediate the development of HF remains to be determined.
A generalized cycle counting criterion for arbitrary multi-axial fatigue loading conditions

In this article, a generalized cycle counting criterion applicable for both uniaxial and arbitrary multi-axial loading conditions is presented. This criterion consists of two parts: (1) an effective fatigue damage parameter definition in either stress or strain space and (2) a fatigue cycle definition corresponding to maximum damage possibly attained by the fatigue damage parameter within a given loading history. After discussing its mathematical and mechanics basis, we first provide a rigorous proof that the proposed generalized cycle counting criterion yields exactly the same results as the rainflow counting method under uniaxial variable amplitude loading conditions. Then, its applications in multi-axial fatigue are demonstrated by presenting a series of closed-form solutions of both the fatigue damage parameter and number of cycles for a general harmonic loading history of three independent traction stress components on a crack plane. The validity of the new generalized cycle counting criterion is dem...
The syndrome of the fixed omentum

Abstract 1. 1. The syndrome of omental attachment-fixation has been presented. 2. 2. The production of the symptoms of this entity have been explained. 3. 3. A division into clinical groups has been advocated and methods of management presented. 4. 4. A method of amputating the omentum is presented. 5. 5. The differential diagnosis of this syndrome from other lesions is discussed. 6. 6. Case reports are presented to illustrate various types of the clinical manifestations of the syndrome. 7. 7. Further conclusions follow these facts: (1) The syndrome is a very common one. (2) More discreet closure of abdominal incisions is necessary, to prevent attachment-fixation of the omentum, as is also the discreet re-peritonization of raw intraabdominal surfaces. (3) The unwarranted usage of intra-abdominal drains, unnecessary suture material or other foreign bodies must be sharply delimited. (4) The differential diagnosis of this syndrome from other intra-abdominal lesions makes the proper diagnosis of intra-abdominal pathological conditions more accurate and more inclusive, and provides assurance of surgical relief to a new and considerable group of patients. (5) Distinction should be made as to whether or not this syndrome complicates other intra-abdominal lesions; for example, when fixation-attachment of the omentum accompanies an intra-abdominal lesion, such as hernia. (6) In the preoperative analysis of these cases full consideration must be given to the estimation of bowel segment fixation and to eschar compression of the ureter.
The girth of a thin distance-regular graph

Let Γ be a distance-regular graph of diameterd?3. For each vertexx of Γ, letT(x) denote the Terwilliger algebra for Γ with respect tox. An irreducibleT(x)-moduleW is said to bethin if dimE i * (x)W≤1 for 0≤i≤d, whereE i * (x) is theith dual idempotent for Γ with respect tox. The graph Γ isthin if for each vertexx of Γ, every irreducibleT(x)-module is thin. Aregular generalized quadrangle is a bipartite distance-regular graph with girth 8 and diameter 4. Our main results are as follows: Theorem. Let Γ=(X,R) be a distance-regular graph with diameter d?3 and valency k?3. Then the following are equivalent: Corollary. Let Γ=(X,R) be a thin distance-regular graph with diameter d?3 and valency k?3. Then Γ has girth 3, 4, 6, or 8. Then girth of Γ is 8 exactly when Γ is a regular generalized quadrangle.
Serum glycoproteins in hyperlipoproteinemic patients with and without clinical vascular disease.

Abstract Total serum protein-bound carbohydrate levels were determined in 126 patients with either hyperbetalipoproteinemia or hyperprebetalipoproteinemia or with both. Forty-one % of these had clinically manifested vascular disease. Twenty-six normals were similarly studied. Serum glycoproteins were then analyzed in 11 normal controls, II hyperlipoproteinemic patients, and 11 hyperlipoproteinemic patients with vascular disease. Elevations of protein-bound carbohydrate were found in patients with and without vascular disease, when compared to healthy, normolipemic controls. Specific elevation of four glycoproteins: α 1 -acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and hemopexin were found to account for this rise in serum carbohydrate. The profile of response observed in these patients differs from those described previously for other disease states.
The stress fields of dislocation tilt boundaries in anisotropic cubic and diamond-type crystals†

The shear stresses due to finite and infinite tilt boundaries consisting of {111},1/2〈110〉 dislocations, – naming slip plane and Burgers vector in order, – have been determined for the case of cubic anisotropy. These are the boundaries which in f.c.c. metals and diamond-type crystals form due to polygonization. Their short-range as well as long-range stresses are discussed and compared to similar boundaries formed from {010} 〈100〉 edge dislocations and also from edge dislocations in the isotropic case. Quantitative curves are presented for a number of important f.c.c. metals and for germanium, silicon and diamond. Die Schubspannungen, durch begrenzte und unbegrenzte Korngrenzen (tilt boundaries) von {111},1/2〈110〉 Versetzungen – Bezeichnung in der Reihenfolge Gleitebene und Burgersvektor – hervorgerufen, werden fur den Fall kubischer Anisotropie bestimmt. Dies sind die Korngrenzen, die sich in den k.f.z.-Metallen und Kristallen vom Diamant-Typ durch Polygonisierung bilden. Ihre nahreichenden und die weitreichenden Spannungen werden diskutiert und mit denen ahnlicher Grenzen von {010} (100) Stufenversetzungen und von Stufenversetzungen im isotropen Fall verglichen. Fur eine Anzahl wichtiger k.f.z.-Metalle, fur Germanium, Silizium und Diamant werden quantitative Kurven angegeben.
The Gender Gap in Citations: Does It Persist?

Abstract In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several researchers showed the importance, in the United States, of the number of times scholars' publications are cited for determining their bargaining power in academia. Not surprisingly, the question was soon raised whether citations are a good measure of scholarly merit. Are women at a disadvantage in male-dominated fields, such as economics? Studies had shown that authors tended to cite a larger proportion of publications by authors of the same gender. This paper examines whether women's disadvantage in garnering citations has been reduced by the increasing representation of women in economics and finds that this has been the case in both labor economics and economics in general, albeit not to the same degree.
A New Direction for Sublanguage N. L. P.

There have been a number of theoretical studies devoted to the notion of sublanguage. Furthermore, there are some successful natural language processing systemswhich have explicitly or implicitly utilized sublanguage restrictions. However, two big problems are still unsolved to utilize the sublanguage notion: 1) automatic definition and dynamic identification of a text to sublanguage, and 2) automatic linguistic knowledge acquisition for sublanguage. There are now new opportunities to address these problems owing to the appearance of large machine-readable corpora. Although there have been several experiments to try to solve the second problem listed above, the first problem has not received so much attention. In the previous sublanguage N. L. P. systems, the domain the system is dealing with was defined by a human. This is actually one method to define the sublanguage of a text, and, in a sense, it seems to work well. However, it is not always possible and sometimes it may be wrong. In order to maximize the benefit of the sublanguage notion, we need automatic definition and dynamic sublanguage identification. We will report preliminary experiments on sublanguage definition and identification based on lexical appearance. The results of the experiments show that the methods proposed can be useful in processing a new text. In particular, the fact that the first two sentences can reliably identify a text's sublanguage encourages us in further investigation of this line of research. In conclusion, it appears that the inductive definition of sublanguage and sublanguage identification would be beneficial for natural language processing.
Establishing a model for assessing DNA damage in murine brain cells as a molecular marker of chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment

Abstract Aims Chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment often follows cancer chemotherapy. We explored chemotherapy-induced DNA damage in the brain cells of mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), an antineoplastic agent, to correlate the extent of DNA damage to behavioral functioning in an autoshaping-operant mouse model of chemotherapy-induced learning and memory deficits ( Foley et al., 2008 ). Main methods Male, Swiss-Webster mice were injected once with saline or 75 mg/kg 5FU at 0, 12, and 24 h and weighed every 24 h. Twenty-four h after the last injection, the mice were tested in a two-day acquisition and the retention of a novel response task for food reinforcement. Murine brain cells were analyzed for the presence of single- and double-strand DNA breaks by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay (the Comet assay). Key findings We detected significant differences ( p r = 0.52, p r = 0.51, p r = − 0.75, p Significance Our results indicate that chemotherapy-induced DNA damage changes the physiological status of the brain cells and may provide insights to the mechanisms for cognitive impairment after cancer chemotherapy.
Stochastic progressive photon mapping

This paper presents a simple extension of progressive photon mapping for simulating global illumination with effects such as depth-of-field, motion blur, and glossy reflections. Progressive photon mapping is a robust global illumination algorithm that can handle complex illumination settings including specular-diffuse-specular paths. The algorithm can compute the correct radiance value at a point in the limit. However, progressive photon mapping is not effective at rendering distributed ray tracing effects, such as depth-of-field, that requires multiple pixel samples in order to compute the correct average radiance value over a region. In this paper, we introduce a new formulation of progressive photon mapping, called stochastic progressive photon mapping, which makes it possible to compute the correct average radiance value for a region. The key idea is to use shared photon statistics within the region rather than isolated photon statistics at a point. The algorithm is easy to implement, and our results demonstrate how it efficiently handles scenes with distributed ray tracing effects, while maintaining the robustness of progressive photon mapping in scenes with complex lighting.
Epinephrine Use in Positive Oral Food Challenges Performed as a Screening Test for Food Allergy Therapy Trials

Background Previous studies report epinephrine use for positive oral food challenges (OFCs) to be 9-11% when generally performed to determine outgrowth of food allergies. Epinephrine use for positive OFCs performed as screening criteria for enrollment in therapeutic trials for food allergy has not been reported. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the characteristics and treatment for positive OFCs performed for screening subjects for food therapeutic trials. Methods Retrospective review of positive screening OFCs from 2 treatment trials, food allergy herbal formula-2 (n = 45) and milk oral immunotherapy (n = 29), conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was performed. Results The most common initial symptom elicited was oral pruritus, reported for 81% (n = 60) of subjects. Overall, subjective gastrointestinal symptoms (oral pruritus, throat pruritus, nausea, abdominal pain) were most common (97.3% subjects), followed by cutaneous symptoms (48.7%). Of the 74 positive double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge, 29 (39.2%) were treated with epinephrine; 2 of these subjects received 2 doses of epinephrine (6.9% of the reactions treated with epinephrine or 2.7% of all reactions). Biphasic reactions were infrequent, which occurred in 3 subjects (4%). Conclusions Screening OFCs to confirm food allergies can be performed safely, but there was a higher rate of epinephrine use compared with OFCs used for assessing food allergy outgrowth. Therefore, personnel skilled and experienced in the recognition of early signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis who can promptly initiate treatment are required.
Preadolescent children of substance-dependent fathers with antisocial personality disorder: Psychiatric disorders and problem behaviors.

We compared psychiatric disorders and problem behavior scores in pre-adolescent children of fathers with alcohol or other drug dependence and ASP (SD+/ASP+), children whose fathers had substance dependence without ASP (SD+/ASP-), and children whose fathers were without either disorder (SD-/ASP-). SD+/ASP+ children showed elevated rates of major depression, conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and separation anxiety disorder when compared to SD+/ASP- and SD-/ASP children. SD+/ASP+ children had higher internalizing and externalizing problem behavior scores than the other two groups of children. The results suggest that SD+/ASP+ children are at significant risk for internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. (Am J Addict 2001;10:269-278)
Glycosidically Bound Volatile Aroma Compounds in Grapes and Wine: A Review

Volatile aroma compounds in plants are typically found both as “free” and “bound” to a sugar moiety. When bound, these compounds are not odor active; however, upon hydrolysis of the glycoside, these compounds may then be volatilized. In grapes and wine, a large proportion of volatile aroma compounds are found in the bound form. A review of glycosides in grapes and in wine is presented with a focus on identified glycoside structures, their biosynthesis, their potential roles in the plant, and methods for their analysis. Studies of these compounds and their concentration changes during the winemaking process are discussed.
A 15 b 5 MSample/s low-spurious CMOS ADC

A 5-5-5-6-b pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture alleviates the requirements for initial capacitor matching and residue amplifier settling accuracy. The two 5-b most significant bit (MSB) stages are digitally calibrated to implement a 15-b, 5-Msample/s low-spurious ADC using 1.4-/spl mu/m CMOS. A skip-and-fill algorithm with nonlinear interpolation also opens up the possibility of calibrating ADC's in the background synchronously with their normal operation. Interpolation results for the background calibration are compared with the foreground calibration results. The prototype ADC exhibits a differential nonlinearity (DNL) of +0.75/-0.6 least significant bit (LSB), an integral nonlinearity (INL) of +1.77/-1.58 LSB, and all spurious components are suppressed to below -93 dB when sampled at 5 MHz. The chip occupies 27 mm/sup 2/, and the analog part consumes 60 mW at 5 V. Memory and arithmetic units for calibration are supplied externally in testing.
Reflexes and preflexes: on the role of sensory feedback on rhythmic patterns in insect locomotion

Neuromuscular systems are stabilized and controlled by both feedforward and feedback signals. Feedforward pathways driven by central pattern generators (CPGs), in conjunction with preflexive mechanical reaction forces and nonlinear muscle properties, can produce stable stereotypical gaits. Feedback is nonetheless present in both slow and rapid running, and preflexive mechanisms can join with neural reflexes originating in proprioceptive sensors to yield robust behavior in uncertain environments. Here, we develop a single degree-of-freedom neuromechanical model representing a joint actuated by an agonist/antagonist muscle pair driven by motoneurons and a CPG in a periodic rhythm characteristic of locomotion. We consider two characteristic feedback modes: phasic and tonic. The former encodes states such as position in the timing of individual spikes, while the latter can transmit graded measures of force and other continuous variables as spike rates. We use results from phase reduction and averaging theory to predict phase relationships between CPG and motoneurons in the presence of feedback and compare them with simulations of the neuromechanical model, showing that both phasic and tonic feedback can shift motoneuronal timing and thereby affect joint motions. We find that phase changes in neural activation can cooperate with preflexive displacement and velocity effects on muscle force to compensate for externally applied forces, and that these effects qualitatively match experimental observations in the cockroach.
Effect of substituting amino acids in extracellular disulfide loop on GABA ρ1 subunit function

Common features of GABA receptor/channels include a large extracellular NH2-terminal region that is the receptor domain, and four putative transmembrane segments that contribute to form the channel. A conserved Cys-Cys loop of the NH2-terminal domain in GABA receptor/channels is essential for maintaining the receptor and channel function. It has been suggested by other investigators that alteration of amino acids between these two cystines may affect the channel open kinetics. To investigate the mechanism underlying ligand binding and channel open, we have substituted several amino acids in the Cys-Cys loop of the GABA ρ1 subunit and for the first time demonstrated the effect of mutations in the Cys-Cys loop on the single-channel kinetics of the ρ1 subunit. For example, a single substitution of Arg198 in the extracellular Cys-Cys loop with Ala or Lys significantly reduced both the maximal amplitude of the whole-cell current and the single-channel open probability (Po). Single channel kinetics of mutants revealed no long open state, without changes in the short open state. There was a shift of apparent half-activation concentration (EC50) between the control and mutants in response to GABA. Our data further suggest that the Cys-Cys loop in the GABA ρ1 subunit plays an important role in the receptor/channel function.
Estrogen replacement reverses ovariectomy-induced vaginal hyperalgesia in the rat

Objecties: The loss of ovarian function in women through aging or oophorectomy is often associated with the development of vaginal hyperalgesia that can be alleviated with estrogen replacement. This study examined if ovariectomy in rats would similarly give rise to vaginal hyperalgesia, and, if so, whether estrogen replacement would alleviate it. Methods: Female rats were trained to perform an operant response to escape vaginal distention delivered by inflating a balloon located in mid-vaginal canal. Percent escape responses to eight different volumes of distention measured in normally cycling rats were compared with measures made in the same rats following ovariectomy (OVX) or sham ovariectomy (shamOVX), and then, in the OVX group, estrogen replacement (OVX + E2). Pressures exerted by the eight volumes on the vaginal wall were also measured, thereby permitting assessment of vaginal tone. Results: Whereas overall escape response percentages after OVX, but not shamOVX, were significantly higher to the largest six distention volumes compared with responses during cycling, there were individual differences in the amount of hyperalgesia. Following OVX +E2, escape response percentages decreased in all but one rat. Vaginal tone after OVX, shamOVX or OVX+E2 did not differ from overall vaginal tone in cycling rats. Conclusions: Ovariectomy in rats evokes a variable amount of vaginal hyperalgesia that can be alleviated by estrogen replacement in most cases. Thus, the ovariectomized rat appears to provide a useful model for the study of mechanisms underlying the dyspareunia that is associated with loss of ovarian function in women. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.