cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting Epigenetics in the Development of New Diagnostic Applications—Lessons from Autoimmune Diseases

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, account for a highly sophisticated regulatory system that is fundamental to the regulation of many cellular processes, including gene and microRNA expression, DNA–protein interactions, suppression of transposable element mobility, cellular differentiation, embryogenesis, X-chromosome inactivation, and genomic imprinting. Extensive data has shown that epigenetic changes are associated with multiple human diseases. In the context of autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS), evidence suggests that epigenetic changes may in fact play a causal role in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Understanding the epigenetics of autoimmune diseases may provide insights into clinical applications implicated in diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers and the prediction of drug responses, as well as new therapeutic interventions that may modulate disease-related epigenetic alterations and thereby improve patient outcomes.
Resilient Information Hiding for Abstract Semi-structures

Most work on watermarking has resulted in techniques for different types of data: image, audio, video, text/language, software, etc. In this paper we discuss the watermarking of abstract structured aggregates of multiple types of content, such as multi-type/media documents. These semi-structures can be usually represented as graphs and are characterized by value lying both in the structure and in the individual nodes. Example instances include XML documents, complex web content, workflow and planning descriptions, etc. We propose a scheme for watermarking abstract semi-structures and discuss its resilience with respect to attacks. While content specific watermarking deals with the issue of protecting the value in the structure’s nodes, protecting the value pertaining to the structure itself is a new, distinct challenge. Nodes in semi-structures are value-carrying, thus a watermarking algorithm could make use of their encoding capacity by using traditional watermarking. For example if a node contains an image then image watermarking algorithms can be deployed for that node to encode parts of the global watermark. But, given the intrinsic value attached to it, the graph that “glues” these nodes together is in itself a central element of the watermarking process we propose. We show how our approach makes use of these two value facets, structural and node-content.
Absolute Branching Ratio Normalization for Rare pi+ and mu+ Decays in the PIBETA Experiment

We have used the PIBETA detector at the PSI for a precise measurement of rare pion and muon weak decays. We have collected a large statistical sample of (1) pi+ -> e+ nu, (2) pi+ -> pi0 e+ nu, (3) pi+ -> e+ nu gamma, (4) mu+ -> e+ nu nu, and (5) mu+ -> e+ nu nu gamma decays. We have evaluated the absolute branching ratios for these processes by normalizing to the independently measured number of decaying pi+'s (or mu+'s). We discuss the mutual consistency of the preliminary results.
Successfully managing fast track engineering projects

The global economy is creating new pressures for technology and engineering organizations to deliver results more quickly than ever before. Unfortunately, being a technical expert is not equivalent to being an expert manager. Engineers are often poorly trained and equipped to become managers. The requirements of good management can often be diametrically opposed to the often linear, tightly focused demands of engineering. The new engineer-turned-manager needs a model that allows him to develop the new skills he needs while staying effective as an engineer. The PAM/Paradigm method discussed here provides that model. Engineers can appreciate and quickly implement this model, as it breaks down key management skills into a discrete set of problem solving solutions. This means that new managers can grow their management skills "on the job" without lengthy training periods. The PAM/Paradigm method is not a new management fad. It has been refined over many years at leading technical organizations. The focus on moving projects quickly to completion using these clearly defined processes has proven invaluable to organizations of all sizes.
Arthroscopic Treatments of Residual Pediatric Deformities

Advancements in hip arthroscopy and the recognition of the importance of early intervention in pediatric hip disorders have brought physicians a new surgical option for patients with residual hip deformity from pediatric diseases. Developmental dysplasia of the hip is the most common residual osseous morphology although there is a limited role of using hip arthroscopy. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Legg-Calve-Perthes lead to osseous morphologies that may be more amenable to arthroscopic intervention, although care must be taken to choose the appropriate patient.
Anti-TIM-4 mediates long-term engraftment of islet allografts by promoting IL-10 expression by TIM-1+ Bregs and inhibiting IFNγ expression by proinflammatory “Be1” B cells (IRC3P.464)

We previously defined TIM-1 as an inclusive marker for IL-10+ regulatory B cells (Bregs). Moreover, α-TIM-1 mAb prolongs islet allograft survival (GS) through induction of TIM-1+ Bregs. We recently noted that TIM-4, a TIM-1 ligand, identifies B cells enriched for IFNγ (Be1). We therefore hypothesized that TIM-4 blockade should also prolong GS and that this may involve B cells. In fact, α-TIM-4 (RMT4-53) treatment resulted in long-term GS in BALB/c recipients of B6 islets (MST >100d). Moreover, α-TIM-4 increases Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and Foxp3+Tregs, while reducing both Th1 cytokines (IFNγ) and CD4 proliferation. However, these α-TIM-4-mediated changes and long-term GS were B cell dependent, and did not occur in either B cell deficient (JHD) or depleted (α-CD20) recipients. To address whether α-TIM-4 directly targets (TIM-4+) Be1 cells, we showed that adoptive transfer of WT, but not TIM-4-/- B cells, into μMT recipients, reconstitutes long-term GS mediated by α-TIM-4. We also found that α-TIM-4 inhibits IFNγ expression by TIM-4+ B cells by 40%. Bregs were also required for α-TIM-4 induced transplant tolerance. Transfer of B cells from TIM-1Δmucin (mucin domain deletion) mice, which exhibit a defect in Bregs, is unable to prolong GS in B deficient mice. In wt mice, α-TIM-4 increases TIM-1+ IL-10+ Bregs by ~100%. Taken together, our data reveal that targeting TIM-4 enhances IL-10 expressing Bregs and also reduces inflammatory Be1 B cells to promote allograft tolerance.
SAP1 is a critical post-transcriptional regulator of infectivity in malaria parasite sporozoite stages

Plasmodium salivary gland sporozoites upregulate expression of a unique subset of genes, collectively called the UIS (upregulated in infectious sporozoites). Many UIS were shown to be essential for early liver stage development, although little is known about their regulation. We previously identified a conserved sporozoite-specific protein, SAP1, which has an essential role in Plasmodium liver infection. Targeted deletion of SAP1 in Plasmodium yoelii caused the depletion of a number of selectively tested UIS transcripts in sporozoites, resulting in a complete early liver stage arrest. Here, we use a global gene expression survey to more comprehensively identify transcripts that are affected by SAP1 deletion. We find an effect upon both the transcript abundance of UIS genes, as well as of select genes previously not grouped as UIS. Importantly, we show that the lack of SAP1 causes the specific degradation of these transcripts. Collectively, our data suggest that SAP1 is involved in a selective post-transcriptional mechanism to regulate the abundance of transcripts critical to the infectivity of sporozoites. Although Pysap1(-) sporozoites are depleted of many of these important transcripts, they confer long-lasting sterile protection against wild-type sporozoite challenge in mice. SAP1 is therefore an appealing candidate locus for attenuation of Plasmodium falciparum.
The Effect of Inmates' Self-Reported Childhood and Adolescent Animal Cruelty Motivations on the Number of Convictions for Adult Violent Interpersonal Crimes

Few researchers have investigated the potentially predictive power of motives for childhood and adolescent animal cruelty as it is associated with interpersonal violence in adulthood. Based on a sample of 261 inmates at medium- and maximum-security prisons in a southern state, the present study examines the relationship among several retrospectively reported motives (anger, fun, dislike, and imitation) for animal cruelty and violent crime convictions (assault, rape, and murder). Almost half reported abusing animals out of anger, whereas more than one third did so for fun. Dislike for the animal and imitation were less frequently occurring motives. Participants who abused animals at an earlier age and those who did so out of anger or for fun were more likely to repeat the offense. Regression analyses revealed that abusing an animal out of fun in their youth was the most statistically salient motive for predicting later interpersonal violence as adults.
Topological characterization of five C78 fullerene isomers

Abstract The characteristic polynomials of five preferable fullerene cages with isolated pentagons are computed and compared. It is shown that one needs at least the twelfth coefficient in the characteristic polynomial to discriminate the five isomers. Exact formulas are aslo provided for the first nine coefficients of fullerene cages with isolated pentagons.
Multigenerational Interactions in Black Middle Class Wealth and Asset Decision Making

Traditional comparisons of wealth and asset attainment between Blacks and Whites suggest disproportionate outcomes; yet are limited in capturing the intrinsic factors that influence the decision-making process. This study examines the multigenerational interactions and influences that shape Black middle-class wealth and asset decision-making. Twenty-nine in depth interviews with Black middle-class families from three metropolitan cities were completed to provide insight into the factors that influence their economic decision-making. Results indicate Black multigenerationalism plays a significant and unique role in the understanding of contemporary wealth and asset decision making for Black middle-class families, including: (a) the desire for “safe” economic decision-making by parents, (b) the absence of a formal, multigenerational discourse, and (c) the absence of early, alternative economic knowledge.
Studies on the fine structure of teleost blood cells. I. Peripheral Blood

The fine structure of goldfish peripheral blood cells was studied by electron microscopy correlated with light microscopy. Various methods of specimen preparation are described. Optimal preservation for electron micoscopy was attained with fixation in 1% OsO4 in acetate-veronal buffer (pH 7.3) and embedding in Epon. Electron micrographs of erythrocytes reveal division of nucleoplasm into chromatin and interchromatin material, and continuity between the latter and cytoplasm via nuclear pores. Erythrocyte mitochondria contain longitudinally oriented tubular internal structures. Variations in lymphocyte morphology are noted and the close association between membranes of the nuclear envelope, Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum is shown. Compound granules, the azure granules of stained blood smears, are described. A distinguishing feature of the granulocytes is their specific granulation. Neutrophilic granules appear to be membrane-enclosed and contain varying amounts of dense material, the amount depending upon maturation, physiological state or degree of preservation. Specific eosinophilic granules are characterized by a dense matrix enclosing one or more crystalloid bodies. The specific granules of the basophil are large, membrane-enclosed bodies, demonstrating different degrees of electron density. Similarities between thrombocytes and lymphocytes are evident from light and electron microscope studies. A phylogenetic relationship between vertebrate blood cells in indicated.
Interpreting the paleopathology of Darwinius masillae : A reply to Franzen et al. 2013

We thank Franzen et al. (2013) for their response to our paper (Sauther and Cuozzo 2012) in which we discuss the behavioral scenario leading to the ultimate demise of Darwinius massillae “Ida” as described in their previous publications (Franzen et al. 2011, 2012). However, we do take serious issue with several points in their response. We are currently preparing a full-length discussion on the use of data on pathology, injury and illness from living and extant primates when interpreting the palaeobiology of recent and more distant extinct primates, but we feel it is important to address several of their critiques immediately. Thus, we here expand on several main points in response to Franzen et al. (2013).
Emittance-Exchange-Based High Harmonic Generation Scheme for a Short-Wavelength Free Electron Laser

Generation of short-wavelength radiation by a free-electron laser using up-frequency conversion of an electron bunch density modulation is currently an area of active research. We propose a new scheme for producing the longitudinal electron bunch density modulation similar to the recently proposed echo-enabled harmonic generation but based on an emittance exchange beam line and a multislit mask. Beam line analysis and start-to-end simulation are presented.
Academic-Centered Peer Interactions and Retention in Undergraduate Mathematics Programs:

Peer interactions are a critical component of students' academic success and retention in undergraduate programs. Scholars argue that peer interactions influence students' cognitive development, identity development, self-confidence and self-efficacy, and social and academic integration into the university environment (Pascarella & Terenzini, 1980, 1991, 2005). Research shows that reasonable levels of social interactions along with interactions that are academically-centered support students' persistence in undergraduate study (Bank, Slavings, & Biddle, 1990; Liu & Liu, 2000; Loo & Rolison, 1986). While both social and academic interactions among students shape undergraduate learning experiences, these interactions can differentially influence students' academic success and retention in undergraduate education. This study examined the ways first-year students supported their academic success in undergraduate mathematics-based programs by exploring the types of academic-centered peer interactions (ACPIs) i...
Deviant Cases in Tests of the Status Integration Theory

Within each of seven age groups of black females, black males, white females, and white males, the correlations among marital statuses between 1990 integration measures and 1989 to 1991 suicide rates are predominantly negative and substantial. That finding is consistent with previous reports, but those reports did not examine deviant cases, meaning populations that appear to be extreme exceptions to the status integration theory. Such populations--particular age groups or particular marital statuses--are identified here, and they are especially likely when a marital status has few occupants. The interpretation: a small population size tends to result in unstable suicide rates, and that instability tends to reduce the correlation of the rates with status integration. There is no conventional methodology for analyzing deviant cases, and this paper does not offer one. Nonetheless, the findings are relevant for any theory pertaining to variation in rates. Language: en
A laser flash photolysis and quantum chemical study of the fluorinated derivatives of singlet phenylnitrene.

Laser flash photolysis (LFP, Nd:YAG laser, 35 ps, 266 nm, 10 mJ or KrF excimer laser, 10 ns, 249 nm, 50 mJ) of 2-fluoro, 4-fluoro, 3,5-difluoro, 2,6-difluoro, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl azides produces the corresponding singlet nitrenes. The singlet nitrenes were detected by transient absorption spectroscopy, and their spectra are characterized by sharp absorption bands with maxima in the range of 300-365 nm. The kinetics of their decay were analyzed as a function of temperature to yield observed decay rate constants, kOBS. The observed rate constant in inert solvents is the sum of kR + kISC where kR is the absolute rate constant of rearrangement of singlet nitrene to an azirine and kISC is the absolute rate constant of nitrene intersystem crossing (ISC). Values of kR and kISC were deduced after assuming that kISC is independent of temperature. Barriers to cyclization of 4-fluoro-, 3,5-difluoro-, 2-fluoro-, 2,6-difluoro-, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenylnitrene in inert solvents are 5.3 ( 0.3, 5.5 ( 0.3, 6.7 ( 0.3, 8.0 ( 1.5, and 8.8 ( 0.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The barrier to cyclization of parent singlet phenylnitrene is 5.6 ( 0.3 kcal/mol. All of these values are in good quantitative agreement with CASPT2 calculations of the relative barrier heights for the conversion of fluoro- substituted singlet aryl nitrenes to benzazirines (Karney, W. L. and Borden, W. T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 3347). A single ortho-fluorine substituent exerts a small but significant bystander effect on remote cyclization that is not steric in origin. The influence of two ortho-fluorine substituents on the cyclization is pronounced. In the case of the singlet 2-fluorophenylnitrene system, evidence is presented that the benzazirine is an intermediate and that the corresponding singlet nitrene and benzazirine interconvert. Ab initio calculations at different levels of theory on a series of benzazirines, their isomeric ketenimines, and the transition states converting the benzazirines to ketenimines were performed. The computational results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the experimental findings.
Robert Chambers: 1881–1957

person or persons who in our educational backgrounds at least, was to profoundly influence the course of our scientific ca? reers. Many can point to one, Robert Chambers, who by his enthusiasm, charisma, and dedication to science inspired a great number of students and young inves? tigators to pursue productive careers in biology and medicine. Robert Chambers was born of missionary parents in Erzerum, Turkey, and later lived in Bardizag. I had the good fortune to meet Robert Chambers as a teacher at New York
Arginine/2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid clusters: An experimental and computational study of the gas-phase and solid-state systems

The 1:1 adduct of arginine with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) has been studied in the gas phase and in the solid state. Experimentally, the ionization energy (IE) of the 1:1 cluster was determined by wavelength-dependent laser ionization of clusters formed by seeding DHB and arginine into a supersonic jet expansion. Ionization laser power studies performed at several discrete wavelengths established the upper and lower limits for the 1:1 cluster IE and dissociation energy. Subsequent one-color scanned-wavelength laser ionization studies allowed an experimental establishment of the 1:1 cluster IE of 7.193 eV. A combination of molecular dynamics/simulated annealing calculations on the 1:1 cluster followed by density functional theory geometry optimizations using reasonably large basis sets yielded 15 distinct minima on the potential energy surface, all within 5.2 kcal/mol in energy at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G** level. The Boltzmann-averaged IE at the same level is 7.11-7.14 eV, in excellent agreement with experiment. Cocrystals of arginine and DHB have been grown, and the crystal structure has been solved. The dominant intermolecular interaction in the cocrystal is a double hydrogen bond (salt bridge) between the guanidinium group of arginine and the (deprotonated) carboxylate group of DHB. This is exactly the same interaction that is found in the lowest-energy structure of the gas-phase 1:1 adduct. The electronic structure of the solid-state cocrystal has been modeled using a cluster approach.
Lipidomic Changes in Rat Liver after Long-Term Exposure to Ethanol

Abstract Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a serious health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. In this study we examined the progression of ALD along with lipidomic changes in rats fed ethanol for 2 and 3 months to understand the mechanism, and identify possible biomarkers. Male Fischer 344 rats were fed 5% ethanol or caloric equivalent of maltose–dextrin in a Lieber-DeCarli diet. Animals were killed at the end of 2 and 3 months and plasma and livers were collected. Portions of the liver were fixed for histological and immunohistological studies. Plasma and the liver lipids were extracted and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A time dependent fatty infiltration was observed in the livers of ethanol-fed rats. Mild inflammation and oxidative stress were observed in some ethanol-fed rats at 3 months. The multivariate and principal component analysis of proton and phosphorus NMR spectroscopy data of extracted lipids from the plasma and livers showed segregation of ethanol-fed groups from the pair-fed controls. Significant hepatic lipids that were increased by ethanol exposure included fatty acids and triglycerides, whereas phosphatidylcholine (PC) decreased. However, both free fatty acids and PC decreased in the plasma. In liver lipids unsaturation of fatty acyl chains increased, contrary to plasma, where it decreased. Our studies confirm that over-accumulation of lipids in ethanol-induced liver steatosis accompanied by mild inflammation on long duration of ethanol exposure. Identified metabolic profile using NMR lipidomics could be further explored to establish biomarker signatures representing the etiopathogenesis, progression and/or severity of ALD.
Simultaneous determination of tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and 4-epitetracycline in milk by high-performance liquid chromatography

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-PAD) was optimized and validated for the simultaneous determination of tetracycline (TC), 4-epitetracycline (4-epiTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) in milk. Milk samples were extracted and cleaned-up using solid-phase extraction Discovery SPE DSC-18 tubes. The separation were accomplished in less than 8 min in a Waters Symmetry C18 column at ambient temperature with a mobile phase consisted of 0.010 M aqueous oxalic acid:acetonitrile:methanol (150:20:20 by volume). Quantitation was carried out by the peak area method, with detection limits of 2.0 μg/l of each tetracycline. Average recoveries of TC, 4-epiTC and OTC from spiked samples at the four concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 μg/ml) were 91.5, 71.5 and 83.1, respectively, with their standard deviations less than 4% within a day and 7% between days. This method was applied for the simultaneous determination of TC, 4-epiTC and OTC in market milk samples purchased from local supermarkets. Oxytetracycline was found being present in all samples in a concentration range of 13-106 μg/l, 4-epiTC in most samples at 18-65 μg/l, TC in one sample at 44 μg/l.
The predicted ATP-binding domains in the hexose transporter GLUT1 critically affect transporter activity.

The glucose transporter GLUT1 has three short amino acid sequences (domains I−III) with homology to typical ATP-binding domains. GLUT1 is a facilitative transporter, however, and transports its sub...
The economic impact of electric saw injuries to the hand

PURPOSE: Injuries from electric saws cause considerable hand trauma. This study is designed to provide information detailing the costs of these injuries. METHODS: The study was performed in a tertiary referral academic medical center. The records of patients injured by electric table saws were reviewed. Information regarding demographics, injury severity, medical expense, and time lost from work was analyzed. The patients were stratified by injury severity for further analysis. The mean wage for the region was used to estimate costs of time away from work. The Consumer Protection Agency's review was used to estimate the nationwide burden of these injuries. RESULTS: The study group included 134 patients. Of these patients, 126 were male and 8 were female. The dominant hand was injured in 20; the nondominant, in 114. The mean age was 47.0 years. The mean time lost from work was 64 days. The mean cost of medical expenses for all patients was $22,086, with $8,668 in lost wages, for a total of $30,754 mean cost per injury. The total economic burden for the injuries in this study is $4,121,097. These injuries represent a spectrum of severity, with minor injuries incurring lower hospital fees and requiring less time off work as compared to more involved injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Electric saws cause a wide spectrum of injuries that result in not only tremendous physical and emotional pain but also substantial economic impact as well. Technologies that would prevent such injuries would be a socioeconomic advancement. Federal mandates to implement such technologies should be encouraged. Language: en
Polyethyleneimine-Mediated Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Toxicity Assay

Polymer-functionalized carbon nanotubes hold great promise for their use in environmental and biomedical applications. In this work, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was covalently bonded to acid-treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through amide bond formation. The amine groups of PEI on the surface of MWCNTs were then reacted with acetic anhydride or succinic anhydride to form MWCNTs with neutral or negative surface charges, respectively. The structural transformation, surface potential, and morphology of the functionalized MWCNTs were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy. The functionalized MWCNTs are water-soluble and stable. In vitro cytotoxicity assays using both FRO cells (a human thyroid cancer cell line) and KB cells (a human epithelial carcinoma cell line) reveal that the biocompatibility of these functionalized MWCNTs is largely dependent on their surface potential. Neutral and negatively charged MWCNTs are...
The governing self-discharge processes in activated carbon fabric-based supercapacitors with different organic electrolytes

Electrochemical power devices with a long lifespan, long-term energy retention and great cycle stability are extremely important for periodic energy store/supply, especially for solar energy storage for space equipment and for power electronics in integrated circuits. In this report, we have systematically investigated the effects of the charging current density and temperature over the self-discharge (SDC) process of activated carbon fabric-based (ACF) supercapacitors with 1 M LiPF6/EC–DEC (v/v = 1) and 1 M TEABF4/PC as electrolytes, respectively. The experimental results have shown that a different control mechanism governs the SDC process in each electrolyte system. Significant energy retention (in excess of 70%) was obtained in the ACF–TEABF4 system after 36 h. SDC at room temperature. A dual-mechanism control model is proposed for the first time which describes perfectly the SDC process of the supercapacitor using 1 M TEABF4/PC as the electrolyte over different charge current densities and at different SDC temperatures.
The Current State of Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy

Since its advent nearly 15 years ago, minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy has gradually increased in popularity. Numerous reports have now documented the safety and feasibility of the laparoscopic approach to left-sided pancreas resections, and large-scale comparisons have been made between the laparoscopic and open approaches regarding perioperative outcomes for both benign and malignant lesions. Furthermore, several high-volume centers have described their initial experiences with robotic distal pancreatectomy in comparison with laparoscopic and open resections. This review summarizes the literature for both laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy over the past year, highlighting novel advances. Although studies suggest that minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy is equivalent if not superior to the open approach in some respects, randomized studies are needed to best delineate the putative benefits.
Case studies in designing elastic applications

Clusters, clouds, and grids offer access to large scale computational resources at low cost. This is especially appealing to scientific applications that require a very large scale to compete in the research space. However, the resources available across these platforms differ significantly in their availability, hardware, environment, performance, cost of use, and more. This requires the use of elastic applications that can adapt to the resources available at run-time, transparently handling heterogeneity and failures. In this paper, we present case studies of several elastic applications built using the Work Queue programming framework. From this experience, we offer six general guidelines for the design and implementation of elastic applications that run on thousands of processors.
The knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis

In patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, the knee joint is affected in 90% of patients. 7 The disease tends to involve both knee joints symmetrically, and if it is progressive, will produce significant pain with impairment of ambulatory capacity, joint stiffness, and angular deformity. In the more advanced cases, not only is cartilage destruction severe, but bone loss and severe soft-tissue contractures may occur. The inflammatory component, with marked proliferative synovitis of the affected knee, may predominate, or in patients with chronic knee involvement, the disease may be less active and the joint destruction more mechanical in nature. Conservative measures tend to be ineffective once cartilage loss becomes severe. Arthroscopic synovectomy may be useful, such as in the patient with severe synovitis and preserved articular cartilage. 20 Total joint arthroplasty with resurfacing of all components of the knee joint remains the treatment of choice in patients with advanced knee joint destruction. Complications after joint replacement, particularly infection, tend to be catastrophic and jeopardize the survival of the arthroplasty.
Growth of tumour cell lines in polymer capsules : ultrastructure of encapsulated PC12 cells

Recent studies indicate that polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells release sufficient amounts of dopamine to significantly alter behavioural paradigms in animals with unilateral lesions of dopaminergic midbrain neurons. Because cell fine structure provides a useful measure for assessment of storage function, exocytosis, metabolism, cell activity and cell viability, we examined the ultrastructure of PC12 cells grown in semi-permeable polymer capsules maintained in vitro or implanted into the forebrain of rats or guinea pigs. Encapsulated PC12 cells remained viable and continued to divide for the entire evaluation period of six months. Overall morphologies of encapsulated PC12 cells were similar in both environments and they resembled PC12 cells grown in monolayer cultures. In short-term cultures, encapsulated PC12 cells typically contained abundant quantities of chromaffin cell-like granules. The encapsulated cells had initially abundant microvilli on their surfaces which decline in frequency over time. After long-term enclosure for ten weeks or more, fewer secretory granules were detected in the cytoplasm of cells in capsules cultured in vitro and in brain-implanted capsules. Some cells in implanted capsules had long slender filipodia that were not present on PC12 cells in cultured capsules. The morphological changes of PC12 cells may correlate with altered growth conditions such as serum and oxygen concentrations, the presence or absence of growth factors in different environments, and with changes of cell interactions related to cell densities and build up of debris within the capsules over time. Since dopaminergic PC12 pheochromocytoma cells remain viable in semi-permeable polymer capsules for at least six months, such 'cell-capsules' could provide an alternative to dopamine-secreting embryonic neural grafts in dopamine replacement therapies.
Complete transurethral bladder eversion 3 months after hemipelvectomy

A 46-year-old white female underwent a left hemipelvectomy for chondrosarcoma. She presented with total incontinence and a bulging vaginal mass. Exam confirmed complete transurethral bladder eversion that was addressed with transvaginal multilayer bladder neck closure and suprapubic tube placement. Eventually she underwent abdominal hysterectomy, mesh sacral colpopexy, and catheterizable stoma creation. Patient is continent of urine 3 months postoperatively. We present the first reported case of bladder eversion after hemipelvectomy and propose possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Female offenders: criminal behavior and gender-role identity.

Relationship between gender-role identity and criminal activities for 141 incarcerated adult female offenders was examined. Inmates were classified into three gender-role groups: masculine, feminine, and androgynous. Those with either masculine or feminine gender-role identities were more apt to be serving time for violent offenses such as murder than were the androgynous women. Relatively few feminine offenders serving time for murder had previously been convicted of a felony while the majority of the masculine offenders had. Differences were found in the number of prior felony convictions for the gender-role groups.
Structure Within Thin Epoxy Films Revealed by Solvent Swelling: A Neutron Reflectivity Study

Structure within thin epoxy films is investigated by neutron reflectivity (NR) as a function of resin/cross-linker composition and cure temperature. Variation in the cross-link density normal to the substrate surface is examined by swelling the films with the good solvent d-nitrobenzene (d-NB). The principal observation is a large excess of d-NB near the air surface. This is not a wetting layer, but rather indicates a lower cross-link density in the near-surface region. This effect is due to preferential segregation of the cross-linker to the air surface, driven by the lower surface tension of the cross-linker relative to the epoxide oligomers. The magnitude of the effect is a function of composition and cure temperature. Exclusion of d-NB from the region immediately adjacent to the substrate surface is also observed, possibly indicating a tightly bound layer of epoxy. Regarding swelling in the bulk of the films, the behavior is nonsymmetric with departure from the stoichiometric ratio. The films deficient in curing agent show greater equilibrium swelling and faster swelling kinetics than the films with an excess of curing agent.
Automatic Refinement of Foreground Regions for Robot Trail Following

Continuous trails are extended regions along the ground such as roads, hiking paths, rivers, and pipelines which can be navigationally useful for ground-based or aerial robots. Finding trails in an image and determining possible obstacles on them are important tasks for robot navigation systems. Assuming that a rough initial segmentation or outline of the region of interest is available, our goal is to refine the initial guess to obtain a more accurate and detail representation of the true trail borders. In this paper, we compare the suitability of several previously published segmentation algorithms both in terms of agreement with ground truth and speed on a range of trail images with diverse appearance characteristics. These algorithms include generic graph cut, a shape-based version of graph cut which employs a distance penalty, Grab Cut, and an iterative superpixel grouping method.
Flashover Test at Project UHV on Salt-Contaminated Insulators

The results of experimental studies on the contamination flashover strength of different shapes of transmission line insulators are presented. Insulators with mechanical strengths from 15 000 to 90 000 pounds and with disk diameters from 10 to 152/4 inches were used on these tests. New types of fog insulators with high creepage distance showed better performance than the others. Tests on long insulator strings also have been conducted for standard-type disk insulators. Nonlinearity of insulation strength with insulator length was indicated at voltage levels of 350 kV and above, i.e., 600-kV phase-to-phase voltage. These tests employed the steam- fog method used at General Electric's Project UHV since May 1968.
Community Needs Assessment to Reach Out to an Underserved Population

A community-based participatory research project was conducted to identify health information needs of clients (an underserved population) at a homeless shelter. Staff at the shelter, medical students, and public librarians were sought as outreach partners; their needs and challenges in accessing health information resources to serve underserved populations were also assessed. The community needs assessment yielded results that helped shape a medical library's efforts in supporting medical students' service-learning activities related to humanistic education. The resulting data also informed library decisions on health information education outreach programs tailored to vulnerable, underserved populations and community partners serving the specific populations in the communities.
Hedging jet fuel price risk: The case of U.S. passenger airlines

Jet fuel accounts for a large portion of passenger airlines' operating costs, and airlines' earnings are susceptible to swings in the price of jet fuel. This study uses daily data over the past two decades to determine the minimum variance hedge ratio for airlines wishing to hedge jet fuel price risk with futures, while also establishing the best cross hedging asset. Airlines hedging with futures would create the most effective hedge by using heating oil futures contracts with a 3-month maturity. We also find that beyond the 3-month veil, increased time to maturity makes heating oil less effective as a cross hedge proxy for jet fuel. However, both in-sample analysis and Monte Carlo simulation results with daily data show that none of the 4 cross hedge proxies, including heating oil, can be considered highly effective.
Toxicity of mixtures of parathion, toxaphene and/or 2,4-D in mice.

The toxicity of the mixtures of parathion (PA), toxaphene (TOX) and/or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was studied in ICR male mice (21–24 g) by oral intubation, in corn oil, daily for up to 14 days. On Day 15, the exposure was discontinued, and animals were monitored for an additional period of 7 days for the possible reversibility of the toxicity. The body weight gain decreased with the mixtures, as well as with the individual agricultural chemicals (ACs), during the 14-day period. The cholinesterase (ChE) activity in the serum and brain was inhibited in the animals of the groups of PA (1–10 mg kg−1) and PA (5 mg kg−1)-containing mixtures. TOX (50–200 mg kg−1) caused initial inhibitory effects of 20–65% on the serum ChE (Day 1) before producing increases of 53–64% in the enzyme activity by Day 15, with little effects on the brain ChE levels. 2,4-D (50–200 mg kg−1) resulted in significantly elevated levels of the serum ChE, with substantial decreases in the brain ChE activity. The serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level was up (38–630%) in TOX (50 mg kg−1), 2,4-D (50 mg kg−1) or their mixture group. No pathological changes at the light microscopic level in the brain and liver were noticed. TOX and TOX-containing mixtures significantly increased the liver/body weight ratio and decreased the pentobarbital (60 mg kg−1, i.p., in saline)-induced sleep. When TOX (50 mg kg−1) and PA (5 mg kg−1) + TOX (50 mg kg−1) groups were examined, the dilatation of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum was distinguished and the decrease in the level of pentobarbital in the serum, brain, liver and kidneys was noted. The effects produced by these chemicals singly, as well as by their mixtures, appeared to be reversible in nature. The toxic effects exhibited by the mixtures of PA (5 mg kg−1), TOX (50 mg kg−1) and/or 2,4-D (50 mg kg−1) were found to be the resultant of the effects showed by their components individually.
Hormonal Regulation of the Synthesis of Lamellar Body Phosphatidylglycerol and Phosphatidylinositol in Fetal Lung Tissue

The influence of hormones on the synthesis of phospholipids of lung lamellar bodies was studied using lung tissue explants from 16- to 22-week gestational age human abortuses. Lung explants were incubated in a defined medium containing either no hormonal additions or insulin (2.5 micrograms/ml), cortisol (0.2 microgram/ml), or PRL (2.5 micrograms/ml), added alone or in various combinations. After 7 days of incubation, a purified lamellar body fraction was isolated from the explants. The effects of various hormone combinations on the relative rates of synthesis of lamellar body anionic glycerophospholipids during the last 24 h of culture were analyzed and compared to that of control explants. In control explants, 7.1% of the glycerophospholipid was synthesized as phosphatidylinositol, and 2.2% was synthesized as phosphatidylglycerol. Phosphatidylinositol synthesis was decreased significantly in explants incubated with cortisol alone, insulin plus cortisol, or insulin plus cortisol plus PRL (to 4.4%, 4.3%, and 3.7%, respectively), while phosphatidylglycerol synthesis was increased significantly in lamellar bodies from explants incubated with insulin plus cortisol or insulin plus cortisol plus PRL (to 5.5% and 5.7%, respectively). Although the relative rates of synthesis of lamellar body phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol were significantly altered by hormones, the percentages of the total anionic glycerophospholipid were similar in all treatment groups (9.5%). The results of this study, therefore, are suggestive that lamellar body formation and glycerophospholipid composition are under hormonal control.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Krause JS, Saunders LL, Newman S. Posttraumatic stress disorder and spinal cord injury. Objectives To identify the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in a sample averaging over 2 decades postinjury at assessment. Related objectives are to confirm the factor structure, compare subscales with those reported in a nonclinical sample, and identify the relationship of PTSD with depression. Design Survey. Setting A medical university in the Southeastern United States. Participants Participants were initially identified through specialty hospitals in the Midwest and Southeastern United States. A cohort of adults (N=927) with traumatic SCI of at least 1 year duration at enrollment in 2002 to 2003 and a minimum of 7 years at the time of assessment completed the study materials. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcomes Measures PTSD was measured by the Purdue Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale-Revised, and depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item. Results PTSD was reported by less than 10% of the participants. Item endorsement decreased as a function of years postinjury, primarily because of low rates of endorsement among those 21 or more years postinjury. Confirmatory factor analysis did not result in an acceptable fit for subscales, item sets, or factors previously reported in the literature. Participants scored higher than a nonclinical sample (reported in the literature) on the arousal and avoidance subscales but lower on the re-experiencing subscale. Item endorsements were lower for the first set of items that relate directly to the SCI itself, with the highest item endorsement for "have difficulty remembering important aspects of event." PTSD rarely occurred in the absence of a depressive disorder. Conclusions PTSD does not appear to be highly prevalent in long-term SCI survivors, and endorsement of items related to re-experiencing and even recalling the injury are rare. Because SCI often is accompanied by mild traumatic brain injury, difficulty recalling the event may have an organic rather than psychologic component.
Explicit geometry dependence of MOS transistor parameters by the pseudoboundary method

The pseudoboundary method is an engineering technique to extend the use of a single parameter set over the entire geometric design space for VLSI circuits. The technique eliminates adverse effects, such as negative output conductance, by clamping the evaluation of geometric dependence terms at the systematically determined boundaries of a primary region. The use of this technique is essential for accurate simulation of analog and digital circuits as well as prediction of circuit performance using next-generation submicron VLSI fabrication technologies. Results demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique using the widely accepted Berkeley short-channel IGFET model (BSIM) are presented, with data from transistors of different geometries ranging from 0.5 to 70 μm.
Imide–aryl ether benzoxazole block copolymers

Preparation par reaction d'α,ω-diamino oligo(aryl ether benzoxazole) avec la 4,4'p-oxydianiline et un diester dichlorure de l'acide pyromellitique, puis imidation. Les films de copolymeres ont des proprietes mecaniques ductiles (150% d'allongement a la rupture), des temperatures de decomposition superieures a 450 o C et une bonne autoadhesivite lorsque leur proportion en motif aryl ether benzoxazole est elevee
[Comment on “Anonymous reviews: Self‐serving, counterproductive, and unacceptable”] Anecdotal information is insufficient to claim

I have read the recent Forum commentaries describing disgruntlement with particular anonymous reviews (1 July 2003 and 29 July 2003 issues), and nodded sympathetically. After all, who among us has not felt, at one time or another, that a reviewer badly misunderstood our contribution to the scientific literature or our grant proposal? But each of these recent Forum contributors in fact committed the elementary logical error of invoking anecdotal evidence to prove a point. I doubt that any of these correspondents would accept scientific claims based on anecdotes. Yet somehow they believe that anecdotes form a sufficient basis for claiming that anonymous reviewing is inherently a nasty business. These correspondents further employed the dubious rhetorical device of contrasting their own self-defined, high ethical standards with those of their adversaries, whom they variously described as rude, hostile, vindictive, lazy, cowardly, selfish, bigoted against women and minorities, and attired in “the costume of crooks.” The parallel with the discourse of political argument is hard to miss.