cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lancelot's skin: A foundation for typological interpretation

In the Lancelot of the Old French Vulgate Cycle and the Prosa-Lancelot of the Middle High German Lancelot-Gral-Zyklus, the here stands in a typological triangle between Virgil's Aeneas and Christ. Aeneas, founder of Rome, foreshadows Lancelot, protector of King Arthur's realm, who foreshadows Christ, the Savior. Aeneas's descent into Hades compared with Lancelot's journey into the Dolorous Garde and that in turn to Christ's descent into hell illustrates this point. Comparing the portrait of Lancelot to a period portrait of Christ and to a description of Aeneas's lion skin further strengthens this contention. “Good” characters normally are described as having white skin and “evil” characters with black skin, but extremely rarely do characters have brown skin. The color of Aeneas's lion skin is light brown to reddish, Lancelot's skin is a little more intense than the color of the lion skin with an admixture of black in the German, while the skin of Christ is light brown mixed with red and deepened with black, darker still and more intense than the lion skin of Aeneas and the brown skin of Lancelot. The lion as a symbol of Christ and the unusual brown skin link the triad Aeneas-Lancelot-Christ typologically.
Chronic relapsing pancreatitis in childhood

We report 10 children with chronic relapsing pancreatitis. These patients can be divided into threegroups, based on their clinical history, manifestations, and radiographic findings. Group 1 includes four patients with hereditary pancreatitis; these patients have had recurrent abdominal pain since early childhood, and have a positive family history for pancreatitis. Group 2 includes two patients with clinical and radiographic findings similar to those in patients with hereditary pancreatitis but without a family history of pancreatilis. Group 3 includes four patients with fibrosing pancreatitis who had symptoms and signs of obstructive jaundice. Our report emphaiszes three points: (1) that chronic pancreatitis does occur in young children and is most commonly caused by hereditary pancreatitis or fibrosing pancreatitis; (2) that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography is a safe and valuable tool for the study of pancreatic and common bile ducts: and (3) that surgical intervention is indicated to drain the pancreatic duct in patients with hereditary pancreatitis, and sphincterotomy is an effective therapy for patients with fibrosing pancreatitis. (J Pediatr 102:514, 1983)
Characterization of recrystallization and grain growth in Ti-7.4 At. Pct Al (cph) and Ti-15.2 At. Pct Mo (bcc) alloys

Quantitative microscopy, texture and grain growth kinetic studies were made on swaged and recrystallized Ti-7.4 at. pct Al and Ti-15.2 at. pct Mo alloys. The quantitative microscopy studies indicated that the grain size distribution in both alloys is a constant for a given grain size, independent of annealing time and temperature and follows a log normal distribution. Moreover, there exists a range of grain sizes in space; the relative quantities of each size in the range varies with average grain size. Also, the grain shape factor decreases with increase in annealing time (grain size) at a constant temperature and with decrease in temperature for a constant grain size. The values of the shape factor for a given grain size and temperature were approximately the same for the two alloys. The quantitative microscopy features were essentially the same as those observed by Okazaki and Conrad for unalloyed titanium. The texture of the as-swaged Ti-7.4 at. pct Al wire specimens and the changes in this texture during grain growth were in accord with those previously reported for deformed and recrystallized titanium. The Ti-15.2 at. pct Mo alloy retained the deformation texture even after recrystallization. At 1/3 time law was found to hold for the grain growth over most of the grain sizevs time curve. The values of the activation energy for grain boundary migration were 25.2 Kcal/mole for the Ti-7.4 at. pct Al alloy and 29 Kcal/mole for the Ti-15.2 at. pct Mo alloy. These are similar to those for diffusion of Al and Mo in titanium, indicating that the diffusion of these substitutional elements controls the rate of boundary migration in these alloys.
Funicular location of ascending axons of lamina I cells in the cat spinal cord

Abstract The laminar distribution of spinal cord neurons projecting suprasegmentally through different funiculi was determined in the cat using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injections combined with selective spinal cord lesions. The lesions were designed to limit the caudal transport of HRP to either the ventral funiculi or the dorsolateral funiculus. HRP injections in the ventromedial or ventrolateral funiculi resulted in labeling primarily within laminae IV–VIII and a virtual lack of labeling within lamina I. When the dorsolateral funiculus was injected, 20–25% of all labeled cells were located in lamina I, bilaterally. These results demonstrate that the ascending lamina I projections are through the dorsolateral funiculus.
Areas and Centroids for Triangles within Triangles

Certain results about the ratios of areas of these three triangles are known. In this note, we use vector algebra to derive them. We also obtain some new results concerning the relative positions of the centroids of the triangles. A line segment joining a vertex of a triangle and a point on the side opposite that vertex is called a cevian. The cevians AA', BB', and CC' are determined by specifying certain ratios on the sides, namely a triple (tl, t2, t3) such that
In situ immunocytochemical detection of altered membrane composition induced by cell-cell contact in cultured mammalian cells.

In cultured mammalian cells, both normal and transformed, cell–cell contact was shown to alter the detergent extractability of nuclear and plasma membranes detected using immunocytochemistry of fixed cells. This alteration occurred in each cell individually, occurred in less than 1 hour after altered cell–cell contact, and did not involve new protein or mRNA synthesis. These results indicate that composition of cellular membranes is highly affected by cell–cell contact and culture density. This suggests a possible role for alterations in membrane composition in the regulation of normal cell behavior, including signaling of contact inhibition of growth and movement, behaviors that are not effectively regulated by cell–cell contact in malignantly transformed cells. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Distributional Uptake of γ-Globulin in Small Intestine of Neonatal Calves

Abstract Newborn calves deprived of colostrum were used to determine distribution of uptake of γ-globulin labeled with iodine-125 in small intestine. Ten calves less than 12.5 h of age (average 7 h) were anesthetized, and intestines were exteriorized through an abdominal incision. Intestine was ligated into 10-cm segments, 70 cm apart, beginning at the ileocecal junction and progressing anteriorally, then each segment injected with 100 mg (∿ 1 µCi) labeled γ-globulin in 5 ml electrolyte solution, and incubated for 1.5 h. One additional segment was formed adjacent to segments 1,5, and 10 to assess uptake after .5 h incubation with [iodine-125] γ-globulin. After prescribed γ-globulin exposure, segments were excised; then volume of lumen contents, segment weight, and tissue activity were measured. The location of each segment was the percentage of distance from cecum to abomasum. Uptake was milligrams γ-globulin per gram of segment tissue. Distribution of γ-globulin uptake after 1.5 h incubation was a cubic function of segment position. Uptake was greatest in a region 15% of the cecum-abomasum distance and declined progressively toward the abomasum. After .5-h incubation with γ-globulin, regression of uptake on segment position was a quadratic function with greatest uptake at 30% of cecumabomasum distance. Uptake was greater in segments exposed to γ-globulin for 1.5 h than .5 h.
Effects of oxazolidines derived from (−) ephedrine in the rat

Abstract 1. 1. Five oxazolidines were synthesized by reaction of (−) ephedrine with aliphatic aldehydes. The aldehydes used were formaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isobutyraldehyde and trimethylacetaldehyde. 2. 2. These five oxazolidines were tested in rats for ephedrine-like pharmacological activity using the hyperthermia and anorexia models. 3. 3. All five oxazolidines caused significant elevation of body temperature in the hyperthermia model. The oxazolidine synthesized from (−) ephedrine and butyraldehyde caused greatest hyperthermia. 4. 4. Four oxazolidines caused significant anorectic responses. The oxazolidine synthesized from (−) ephedrine and isobutyraldehyde caused greatest anorexia. 5. 5. A possible tolerance to the anorectic effects of some of the compounds was observed.
AN ATTENUATED LIVE VIRUS VACCINE FOR MYXOMATOSIS.

MYXOMATOSIS has been recognized as a virus disease since 18981. Although the disease is uniformly fatal, efforts to develop an effective, practical method of prevention have met with indifferent success.
Beyond Homeostasis: Toward a Concept of Coherence

The concept of homeostasis has served as a major building block, if not the cornerstone, of family theory and family therapy. Designed to account for the perceived stability of systems (and symptoms), homeostasis is an epistemologically flawed concept that has repetitively been used in the service of dualistic, animistic, and vitalistic interpretations of systems. Accordingly, homeostasis has led to quirky clinical formulations and a great deal of fuzzy theorizing. This paper contends that the notion of homeostasis is fundamentally inconsistent with systemic epistemology and should be replaced with the more compatible concept of coherence. Whereas homeostasis is a heuristic concept that is not part of a more encompassing theory, the concept of coherence is inseparable from the epistemology in which it is embedded.
The In Vitro and In Vivo Effect of Chemotherapeutic Agents on the Marek’s Disease Herpesvirus of Chickens

Abstract Virazole (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1, 2, 4-triazole-3-carboxamide) has activity against a number of DNA and RNA viruses and AUS (P-amino-P′-ureidodiphyenyl sulfone) has been used for the prophylaxis of Marek’s disease (MD). This report presents in vitro and in vivo data on the antiviral activity of virazole and AUS against the Marek’s disease herpesvirus (MDV). In laboratory studies using 18-hour primary chick embryo fibroblasts, concentrations of Virazole and AUS ranging from 10 to 100 μg./ml. were added to monolayers infected with the MDV. Concentrations of virazole as low as 10 μg./ml. had in vitro activity against the MDV; whereas, concentrations of AUS as high as 100 μg./ml. had no activity. White Leghorn chicks inoculated with MDV at 2 weeks of age were treated subcutaneously with 500 or 1000 μg. of virazole twice daily for 14 days beginning 24 hour post-virus exposure. The 500 μg., 1000 μg. and untreated groups had 14%, 10% and 40% MD lesions respectively at 8 weeks of age. Virazole (0.002% in the feed) was ineffective in preventing the development of MD tumors; whereas, AUS (0.002% in the feed) was very effective in the reduction of MD lesions. Although this study indicates that virazole and AUS have activity against the MDV, neither appear to be as effective in preventing the development of MD tumors as the turkey herpesvirus vaccine.
On the depolarization energy of ferroelectrics

This paper examines the depolarization energy of ferroelectrics arising from the polarization distribution, which is nonlocal and involves long range interaction between dipoles. By introducing new testing fields, the depolarization energy can be reformulated into variational frameworks where only local variables are involved, from which the upper and lower bounds on the depolarization energy can be established, and more efficient numerical algorithm can be developed. The concept has been demonstrated in two-dimensional and one-dimensional ferroelectrics where the variational principles are considerably simplified. Ferroelectrics with ellipsoidal symmetry are also discussed and explicit expressions of the depolarization energy are obtained.
Tuning gene expression with synthetic upstream open reading frames

We engineered short ORFs and used them to control the expression level of recombinant proteins. These short ORFs, encoding a two-amino acid peptide, were placed upstream of an ORF encoding a protein of interest. Insertion of these upstream ORFs (uORFs) resulted in suppression of protein expression. By varying the base sequence preceding the uORF, we sought to vary the translation initiation rate of the uORF and subsequently control the degree of this suppression. Using this strategy, we generated a library of RNA sequence elements that can specify protein expression over a broad range of levels. By also using multiple uORFs in series and non-AUG start codons, we were able to generate particularly low expression levels, allowing us to achieve expression levels spanning three orders of magnitude. Modeling supported a mechanism where uORFs shunt the flow of ribosomes away from the downstream protein-coding ORF. With a lower translation initiation rate at the uORF, more ribosomes “leak” past the uORF; consequently, more ribosomes are able to reach and translate the downstream ORF. We report expression control by engineering uORFs and translation initiation to be robust, predictable, and reproducible across all cell types tested. We propose control of translation initiation as a primary method of choice for tuning expression in mammalian systems.
Carnitine for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objective To determine the effect of oral carnitine supplementation on the semen parameters of men with idiopathic asthenospermia. Design Prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Setting Academic tertiary referral centers. Patient(s) Male patients presenting with infertility and with sperm motility of 10%–50% were selected. Intervention(s) Patients were randomized to 24-week treatment arms of oral carnitine (2,000 mg L-carnitine and 1,000 mg L-acetyl-carnitine per day) or placebo. Main Outcome Measure(s) Sperm motility and total motile sperm counts at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Seminal plasma and sperm free, acetyl, and total L-carnitine levels at baseline and at week 24. Result(s) Twenty-one patients entered the study, with 12 patients in the carnitine arm and 9 in the placebo arm. There were no significant differences in baseline semen parameters between the carnitine and placebo arms. There was no statistically significant or clinically significant increase in motility or total motile sperm counts between baseline, 12 week, or 24 weeks in the carnitine or placebo arms. Conclusion(s) Carnitine supplementation demonstrated no clinically or statistically significant effect on sperm motility or total motile sperm counts in men with idiopathic asthenospermia.
Release of amylase from zymogen granules and microsomes.

Abstract The effects of osmotic shock, Triton X-100, and pH on morphologically clean mouse pancreatic zymogen granules and microsomes were compared. In zymogen granules, part of the enzyme is contained in an osmotic bag and part is attached to the internal structure of the granules. The latter fraction can be released by Triton X-100 or by basic pH. In contrast, the enzyme is much more intimately attached to the microsomes, for it could not be released by either osmotic shock or by concentration of detergents that release the enzymes quantitatively from zymogen granules.
Theory for the nucleation of a crystalline droplet from the melt

An expression is derived for the nucleation rate of a crystalline solid from its melt. In particular, the dynamical prefactor for the nucleation rate is obtained, using Langer's field theory of nucleation. The analysis makes use of the formalism of Ramakrishnan and Yussouff, as extended to solid-melt interfaces by Oxtoby, Haymet, and Harrowell. The theoretical result can be tested experimentally.
Rebuttal to “ezetimibe treatment should be considered for patients with sitosterolemia”

We have presented an adolescent of Amish descent with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis as a cause for hypertension. He was subsequently diagnosed with sitosterolemia, a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by the retention of both plant sterols and cholesterol in affected individuals. Determination of his serum sterol profile by gas chromatography revealed 91.2 % cholesterol (normal >99 %), with elevated plant sterol levels (normal <1 %) at 2.7 % campesterol, 5.6 % beta-sitosterol and 0.5 % stigmasterol; these findings were consistent with sitosterolemia [1]. His genetic testing has not yet been completed, but the clinical picture of the patient and elevated serum plant sterols support the diagnosis of sitosterolemia. The patient was initially placed on atorvastatin. After he was diagnosed with sitosterolemia he was started on ezetimibe and resin colestid. We agree with Hu et al. that ezetimibe is the drug of choice for sitosterolemia [2]. Ezetimibe binds directly to Niemen Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and inhibits absorption of sitosterols from the intestinal epithelium. In a multicenter study 37 patients were randomized to receive placebo (n=10) versus ezetimibe (n=30) for 8 weeks. Ezetimibe treatment resulted in a significant reduction in sitosterol and campesterol levels [3]. We believe a multidrug approach is warranted to treat sitosterolemia in order to prevent premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although there is no doubt that ezetimibe is beneficial for patients with sitosterolemia, close monitoring for future side effects is warranted particularly in children, considering their longer life span.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor cell lines: chromosomal analysis of five cases

A cytogenetic analysis of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) cell lines was undertaken. PNET are presumed to be embryologically related to, but clinically and histologically distinct from, other tumors of neuroectodermal origin, including neuroblastoma and retinoblastoma. No single chromosome abnormality was found in all five of the tumors studied. In three of the five cases, however, additional 1q material [either as extra chromosome #1 or i(1q)] was found in all cells, and in two of the five, monosomy 13 was noted in all cells; the possible significance of these findings is discussed.
Follicle boundary cells in the adenohypophysis of the chondrostean and holostean fishes: An ultrastructural study of their relationship to the follicular lumen, to endocrine cells, and to the hypophysial cleft

Abstract A specialized class of nonendocrine epithelial cell borders both the follicles of the partes distalis and intermedia and the hypophysial cleft of the chrondrostean fishes Polyodon and Acipenser , and the rostal pars distalis follicles of the holostean Amia . Follicle boundary cells in these fishes appear to be homologous with the similar follicular and stellate cells of mammalian pars distalis, and the bordering cells of the hypophysial cavity in tetrapods. They form a complete barrier in the chondrostean follicles and in the hypophysial cavities of these fishes and tetrapods, and are a conspicuous feature of the follicular lumina in Amia but intercalate with endocrine cells about the luminal surface. Small numbers are reported in the rostral pars distalis follicles of the primitive teleost Anguilla but could not be demonstrated in typical percomorphs. Follicle boundary cells share many characteristics of organization and ultrastructure with gut-derived follicular cells described for some ultimobranchial and pancreatic tissues. The elaborate glycocalyx, microvilli, tripartite junctional complexes, and particularly the colloid dropletlike, bristle and smooth-coated endocytic vesicles characteristics of follicle boundary cell luminal surface in these fishes are reminiscent of specializations seen in absorptive epithelia and suggest a role for active exchange between the cells and the follicular content, as has been demonstrated for their mammalian counterparts. The close anatomical relationship and contact between follicle boundary and endocrine cells suggests a supportive function for the follicle boundary cells.
Outcome Assessments in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Increasing evidence suggests low disease activity or remission is achievable in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using a treat to target strategy (T2T) has been shown to achieve these targets of remission or low disease activity in RA. In order to successfully treat to target, rheumatologists need reliable measures of disease activity to switch and/or escalate therapy to achieve or maintain therapeutic targets. Multiple disease-activity measures have been developed for both research and clinical practice. For clinical practice, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has recommended the PAS, PAS II, RAPID 3, CDAI, DAS 28, and SDAI for measuring disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Each of these measures has strengths and limitations, but they all accurately reflect disease activity, discriminate well between disease states, and are feasible to perform in the clinical setting. Implementation in the clinical setting can be optimized through leveraging technology and systems redesign. Tools such as web-based and smartphone applications have been developed to increase the ease with which these measures can be deployed. Disease-activity measurement in rheumatoid arthritis is included in the rheumatoid arthritis quality measures group in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' incentive-based Physician Quality Reporting System.
Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV): construction of a RRV-GFP recombinant virus and development of assays to assess viral replication

Abstract Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) is a γ-2-herpesvirus that is closely related to Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8). Lack of an efficient culture system to grow high titers of virus, and the lack of an in vivo animal model system, has hampered the study of KSHV replication and pathogenesis. RRV is capable of replicating to high titers on fibroblasts, thus facilitating the construction of recombinant rhadinoviruses. In addition, the ability to experimentally infect naive rhesus macaques with RRV makes it an excellent model system to study γ-herpesvirus replication. Our study describes, for the first time, the construction of a GFP-expressing RRV recombinant virus using a traditional homologous recombination strategy. We have also developed two new methods for determining viral titers of RRV including a traditional viral plaque assay and a quantitative real-time PCR assay. We have compared the replication of wild-type RRV with that of the RRV-GFP recombinant virus in one-step growth curves. We have also measured the sensitivity of RRV to a small panel of antiviral drugs. The development of both the recombination strategy and the viral quantitation assays for RRV will lay the foundation for future studies to evaluate the contribution of individual genes to viral replication both in vitro and in vivo.
Through-Flow Analysis for Axial-Stage Design Including Streamline-Slope Effects

This paper presents a new method to design (or analyze) subsonic or supersonic axial compressor and turbine stages and their three-dimensional velocity diagrams from hub to tip by solving the three-dimensional radial-momentum equation. Some previous methods (matrix through-flow based on the streamfunction approach) can not handle locally supersonic flows, and they are computationally intensive when they require the inversion of large matrices. Other previous methods (streamline curvature) require two nested iteration loops to provide a converged solution: an outside iteration loop for the mass-flow balance; and an inside iteration loop to solve the radial momentum equation at each flow station. The present method is of the streamline-curvature category. It still requires the iteration loop for the mass-flow balance, but the radial momentum equation at each flow station is solved using a one-pass numerical predictor-corrector technique, thus reducing the computational effort substantially. The method takes into account the axial slope of the streamlines. Main design characteristics such as the mass-flow rate, total properties at component inlet, hub-to-tip ratio at component inlet, total enthalpy change for each stage, and the expected efficiency of each streamline at each stage are inputs to the method. Other inputs are the radial position and axial velocity component at one surface of revolution through the axial stages. These can be provided for either the hub, or the mean, or the tip location of the blading. In addition the user specifies the azimuthal deflection of the flow from the axial direction at each radius (or as a function of radius) at each blade row inlet and outlet. By construction the method eliminates radial variations of total enthalpy (work) and entropy at each blade row inlet and outlet. In an alternative formulation enthalpy variations across radial positions at each axial station are included in the analysis. The remaining three-dimensional velocity diagrams from hub to tip, and the radial location of the remaining streamlines, are obtained by solving the momentum equation using a predictor-corrector method. Examples for one turbine and one compressor design are included.Copyright © 1993 by ASME
A Methodology for Extracting Standing Human Bodies From Single Images

Segmentation of human bodies in images is a challenging task that can facilitate numerous applications, like scene understanding and activity recognition. In order to cope with the highly dimensional pose space, scene complexity, and various human appearances, the majority of existing works require computationally complex training and template matching processes. We propose a bottom-up methodology for automatic extraction of human bodies from single images, in the case of almost upright poses in cluttered environments. The position, dimensions, and color of the face are used for the localization of the human body, construction of the models for the upper and lower body according to anthropometric constraints, and estimation of the skin color. Different levels of segmentation granularity are combined to extract the pose with highest potential. The segments that belong to the human body arise through the joint estimation of the foreground and background during the body part search phases, which alleviates the need for exact shape matching. The performance of our algorithm is measured using 40 images (43 persons) from the INRIA person dataset and 163 images from the “lab1” dataset, where the measured accuracies are 89.53% and 97.68%, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative experimental results demonstrate that our methodology outperforms state-of-the-art interactive and hybrid top-down/bottom-up approaches.
RF MEMS technologies fabricated using low-temperature processing

Radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) is an enabling technology for the miniaturization of future radar and communication systems. RF MEMS ohmic and capacitive switch performance and fabrication are discussed. Sandia National Laboratories’ program in RF MEMS is motivated by defense and national security applications not currently being met by the private sector. Examples of fabricated switches and switched circuits under investigation at Sandia are presented.
“Pokey”: A sex-linked recessive semi-lethal gene in Tribolium castaneum which greatly prolongs the larval stage of development

1. Pokey (pok), a sex-linked recessive semi-lethal gene inTribolium castaneum has been described. This gene, which is located about 2 units to the left of divergent elytra (dve) on the X chromosome, is epistatic todve and resembles it somewhat in phenotypic expression. 2. Data were presented which show that thepok gene greatly delays development of both hemizygous males and homozygous females in late larval stages. Most of the juvenile lethality associated withpok also occurs in late larval stages. This mutant will be made available to persons interested in studying the developmental processes underlying these observations. 3. The presence of thepok gene in some previously reported experiments led to an erroneous conclusion that meiotic drive or gametic selection was operating in certain matings. These problems are discussed and resolved. Certain other aberrant segregations cannot, however, be explained by the presence ofpok in the experimental material.
Microstrip conductor losses calculated by full wave and perturbational approaches

Les pertes dues aux mecanismes de diffusion par le conducteur ohmique sont incorporees dans deux approches differentes, l'une suivant une methode de perturbation par l'effet de peau et l'autre par une technique de modification dyadique de l'onde totale. Les resultats numeriques sont compares entre 1 et 20 GHz
CYCLOSPORINE A INDUCED REMISSION OF RELAPSING NEPHROTIC SYNDROME IN CHILDREN

Cyclosporine A induced remission of relapsing nephrotic syndrome in children. We treated 20, steroid resistant or steroid dependent and cyclophosphamide or chlorambucil treated, relapsing nephrotic patients with oral cyclosporine A for eight weeks. Cyclosporine A was started at 7 mg/kg/day and titrated to maintain HPLC level of 100 to 200 ng/ml. Of 20 patients, 14 had a complete remission and the remaining 6 had a reduction in their proteinuria. The mean serum albumin of the 14 responders rose from 2.1 g/dl to 4.1 g/dl (P
Effects of chemical clogging on drip-tape irrigation uniformity

ABSTRACT The following four management schemes were evaluated for lessening the chemical clogging effects of high calcium content water in drip-tape: 1) above ground day-time water application, 2) above ground night-time water application, 3) subsurface placement of drip-tape, and 4) lowering the pH of the irrigation water. Calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate ions were injected into the water source to evaluate water qualities with electrical conductivities of 0.59, 1.12, and 2.02 dS/m. Irrigation duration for each management scheme was four hours daily over the 100-day investigation. Volumetric flow rate and emission uniformity were monitored. Partial and full clogging due to chemical precipitation occurred in all management schemes for the water with the highest salt content. By the end of the study, daily flow values in the laterals had decreased between 20 and 40% for this water. Corresponding flow reductions for the lowest salt content water varied between 3 and 15%. Of the management modes evaluated, reduction of water pH from 7.6 to 6.8, by sulfuric acid injection, provided the least clogging for all three water qualities.
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria

We evaluated short-term systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis for catheter-associated bacteriuria in women undergoing elective gynecological operations in a prospective, controlled, double-masked study. Nine of 100 placebo-treated patients acquired bacteriuria during catheterization compared with 3 of 96 of the drug-treated group. However, at the time of hospital discharge, clean-voided urine specimens were positive as frequently in the drug-treated group (8 of 82 patients cultured) as in the placebo group (8 of 75 patients cultured). No difference in febrile morbidity due to bacteriuria was noted between the prophylaxis and placebo groups. The incidence of catheter-associated bacteriuria may be reduced by antimicrobial prophylaxis. However, because the protective effect is transient and is associated with the selection of resistant organisms, prophylaxis is not indicated for patients at low risk for acquired bacteriuria and in whom the sequelae of catheter-associated infections are infrequent.
Using Blackboard to Increase Student Learning and Assessment Outcomes in a Congressional Simulation

This article explores the integration of a multiweek legislative simulation with the Blackboard (9.1) Platform in an effort to understand how technology may increase student engagement, collaborative learning, and assessment. We consider the ways in which classroom technologies—blogs and online peer and self assessment tools, in particular—can encourage student-to-student collaboration, student-to-faculty collaboration, student-learning outcomes, peer and self assessment, and overall evaluation of the simulation itself.
Functionalized Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofibers as Scaffolds for Immobilization and Electrochemical Detection of Redox-Active Proteins

We have investigated the functionalization of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers with the redox-active protein cytochrome c and have characterized the resulting chemical and electrochemical activity. A comparison of monolayers with different terminal groups shows that those exposing carboxylic acid groups are most effective at binding active cytochrome c to carbon nanofibers. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements reveal redox peaks due to electrochemical activity of the nanofiber-bound protein. CV and chemical measurements of enzymatic activity both show that nanofibers modified with cytochrome c yield approximately 10 times more activity than similarly modified surfaces of glassy carbon and gold. However, cytochrome c-modified nanofibers yield a high capacitive background, reducing the signal-to-noise ratio of the electrical measurements. We attribute this in part to inhomogeneous functionalization of the nanofibers at edge-plane versus basal-plane sites on the nanofiber surface, leading to leaky monola...
Infant temperament: Implications for parenting from birth through 1 year

Individual differences in behavioral style are seen readily in the first hours of life of the normal newborn. The intent of this overview is to delineate some specific issues of infant temperament that nurses will find beneficial in their endeavor to facilitate positive parent-infant relationships. Topics include a brief overview of infant temperament research, instruments and methods of measuring temperament, the relationship of temperament to postpartum depression, and colic. Clinical advice on day-to-day living experiences with difficult infant will be offered.
Analysis of data from complex samples

Oversampling and cluster sampling must be addressed when analyzing complex sample data. This study: (a) compares parameter estimates when applying weights versus not applying weights; (b) examines subset selection issues; (c) compares results when using standard statistical software (SPSS) versus specialized software (AM); and (d) offers recommendations for analyzing complex sample data. Underestimated standard errors and overestimated test statistics were produced when both the oversampled and cluster sample characteristics of the data were ignored. Regarding subset analysis, marked differences were not evident in SPSS results, but the standard errors of the weighted versus unweighted models became more similar as smaller subsets of the data were extracted using AM. Recommendations to researchers are provided including accommodating both oversampling and cluster sampling.
Interstellar Extinction in the Ultraviolet from Emission Stars

Since many of the analyses of interstellar extinction in the ultraviolet depend on observations of stars with emission lines, it is important to know whether the slope of the reddening line is on the average the same for normal stars and for emission stars. An investigation of normal and emission stars ranging in spectral class from O5 to O9 (as observed by the Celescope experiment on board OAO 2) indicates that normal and emission O stars do not have the same average color-excess ratio and that this characteristic is particularly prominent at 2300 A. This implies that interstellar extinction in the ultraviolet cannot be mapped unambiguously by using O stars unless all those in the sample are known not to be emission-line objects.
A family of conservative codes with block delimiters for decoding without a phase-locked loop

The family of conservative codes is a new scheme for encoding and decoding digital data for very high speed serial communication. These codes are characterized by having a constant number of transitions in each codeword and a known delimiting transition (rising or falling edge) at the end of each codeword. The conservative encoding scheme is primarily intended for binary data transmission in a single mode fiber optic network.Additional constraints imposed on the encoding are balancing each codeword, i.e., making the number of zeros and ones equal, and limiting the maximum run-lengths of the high and low level. The purpose of these is to limit the DC shift of AC-coupled receivers and thereby increase the decoding reliability and decrease the optical receiver complexity. It is shown that both constraints can be imposed simultaneously without a significant degradation in encoding efficiency.The decoding and serial-to-parallel conversion are achieved by directly using the serial signal transitions without recovering the receiving clock explicitly with a phase-locked loop. It is possible to record information from multiple asynchronous sources without a training period.
Two Solutions to Chisholm's Paradox

(1) In the original version, Chisholm formulated his paradox in the language of Kripke semantics for first-order modal logic, the language of possible worlds and transworld identity (see [3]). Thus Quine's concise statement of the paradox ( [18], p. 861): '...you can change anything to anything by easy stages through some connecting series of possible worlds'. But if the paradox does not arise in first-order modal language itself (which could only be because some sentence in its possible-worlds formulation lacks a reverse translation into modal language) this would suggest merely that the concepts of Kripke semantics are in some way incoherent in the part where they exceed the expressive power of modal language, and not that there is a problem with any logic used in the interference. However, the paradox does arise in modal language, a fact which, granted that we are not to deny any of its premissses, means that we have to look more closely at the logic involved. To fix ideas, here is one instance of the reasoning, in which a is a table, h, is the Goodmanian sum of wood from which the table is actually made, and for any hi, hi+, is a sum of wood which is almost but not wholly coextensive with hi; finally, hn is a sum of wood which has no part in common with hl. Then if 'M-, -' is read 'is constituted of exactly the sum of wood -', we have this first version of Chisholm's Paradox:
Compact Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope mirrors for imaging laser-plasma x-ray emission.

Compact Kirkpatrick–Baez microscope mirror components for use in imaging laser-plasma x-ray emission have been manufactured, coated, and tested. A single mirror pair has dimensions of 14 × 7 × 9 mm and a best resolution of ∼5 μm. The mirrors are coated with Ir providing a useful energy range of 2–8 keV when operated at a grazing angle of 0.7°. The mirrors can be circularly arranged to provide 16 images of the target emission a configuration best suited for use in combination with a custom framing camera [F. J. Marshall, J. A. Oertel, and P. J. Walsh, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 4045 (2004)]10.1063/1.1789258. An alternative arrangement of the mirrors would allow alignment of the images with a four-strip framing camera such as described in D. K. Bradley et al. [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 66, 716 (1995)]10.1063/1.1146268.
Applying mu -synthesis to missile autopilot design

mu -synthesis combines the structured singular value and H/sub infinity / control to design compensators for plants with structured uncertainty. The application of mu -synthesis to the design of a flight control system for a highly maneuverable tail controlled missile is discussed. Performance goals are given in the time and frequency domains and include time constant, overshoot, stability margins, and high-frequency attenuation. The resulting control law desensitizes the system's performance to structured variations in the missile's aerodynamic properties and provides some robustness, in both a single-loop and a multiloop sense, to variations and/or perturbations not included in the uncertainty model. >
Potential high‐latitude vegetation feedbacks on CO2‐induced climate change

We use a fully coupled climate-vegetation model to examine the potential effects of changes in vegetation cover on simulations of CO2-induced climate change. We find that vegetation feedbacks, acting mainly through changes in surface albedo, enhance greenhouse warming in the northern high latitudes during spring and summer months. In spring and summer, land surfaces north of 45°N are warmed by 3.3 and 1.7°C by a doubling of CO2 alone; vegetation feedbacks produce an additional warming of between 1.1–1.6 and 0.4–0.5°C, respectively. In winter, however, vegetation feedbacks appear to oppose the 5.6°C radiative warming, particularly over Eurasia. These results demonstrate that vegetation feedbacks are potentially significant and must be included in assessments of anthropogenic climate change.
Ultra-targeted APBI using TARGIT--a cautionary note.

One of the seven ongoing trials of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) has concluded that single-dose intraoperative radiotherapy should be considered as an alternative to protracted whole-breast irradiation. With a median follow up of 2 years, such conclusions seem premature. Until the risk and pattern of breast recurrence is reported at longer follow up, TARGIT APBI should remain an experimental approach.
Classification and Regression Trees Versus Nomograms: A Bone Scan Positivity Example

In the current issue of European Urology, Briganti et al [1] examine the external validity of three sets of guidelines for the use of bone scan in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients who are candidates for radical prostatectomy. The guidelines were those of the European Association of Urology, the American Urological Association/American Joint Committee on Cancer, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. As guidelines, they are not really prediction tools in the sense that they do not provide predicted probabilities. Rather, they make a recommendation of whom to scan and whom not to scan. Thus the calibration of the guidelines cannot be assessed because there is no predicted probability to compare with the observed proportion. Nonetheless, Briganti et al were able to report the sensitivities and specificities of these guidelines, which is a major contribution, given this was an external data set. Because this was apparently the first external validation of the guidelines, it would seem that they are not in widespread use. Two types of analyses, in particular, would seem to improve the adoption of the guidelines. First, the guidelines could be compared with clinical judgment. Similar comparisons suggest that prediction tools tend to outperform human experts [2,3]. Further evidence of this phenomenon in the bone scan determination setting would be useful. The other type of analysis that would fit well here is decision curve analysis. This type of an analysis would help define which, if any, guideline is best for clinical use, relative to ordering a bone scan on no patients or all patients. In addition to assessing the external validity of the bone scan guidelines, Briganti et al used a classification and
Accounting for human resource development in the public sector

This article evaluates the merits of utilizing human resource accounting (HRA) concepts to account for human resource development (HRD) in the public sector. It describes the development of the economic theory of human capital and the increasing recognition of human resources as human assets of public organizations to be managed and accounted for in a manner similar to capital assets. The development of HRA concepts concerning human resource value and cost is discussed. These HRA concepts are applied to HRD and to current and potential uses in external financial reporting and internal managerial accounting in public organizations. This article concludes that the application of HRA concepts to HRD would have significant benefit for the operational and strategic management of human resources in public organizations. Using HRA information in internal managerial decision making would demonstrate the value gained in excess of costs incurred for such activities. The application of HRA concepts in pubic organiza...
Acute renal failure associated with polycythemia in a neonate

The results of the tests for clastogenic activity in the cell-free amniotic fluid were obtained within one week after obtaining the amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid cells from both amniocenteses grew poorly, and cells for chromosome analysis were only obtained seven weeks after the second tap. Apparently, amniotic fluid cells from the AT fetus, like skin fibroblasts from AT patients, grow slowly and poorly in culture. Thus, testing for the clastogenic activity of the cell-free amniotic fluid considerably shortens the time needed for prenatal diagnosis of AT. ADDENDUM After this manuscript was submitted for publication, the mother became pregnant again. Amniocentesis was performed in the sixteenth week of gestation. The cell-free amniotic fluid was tested for the presence of the clastogenic factor, and cultured cells from the amniotic fluid were analyzed for spontaneous chromosome breakage. No clastogenic activity above control values could be observed, and the breakage rate in the cells was found to be normal (0.02 breaks per cell). The karyotype of this fetus is 46,XY. These results indicated a normal fetus and the pregnancy was allowed to continue.
Outpatient Microthoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Background Sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis has been performed for more than 80 years with excellent long-term results. However, several issues are still unresolved: best surgical approach, which level and the number of levels of the sympathetic chain should be divided and the safety of an outpatient procedure. Methods We reviewed the records of 205 patients who underwent sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis at our institution from April 2002 through March 2005. Fifty consecutive patients (24%) underwent an outpatient microthoracoscopic sympathectomy of a single level (T2) for palmar hyperhidrosis. Operative reports, medical records, and clinical charts were reviewed to determine the success of a single level sympathectomy, the incidence of postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis, and the safety of an outpatient sympathectomy procedure. Results There were 41 women (82%) and 9 men. Median age was 22 years (range, 14 to 62). The surgical technique consisted of single-lumen endotracheal tube general anesthesia, single bilateral access incisions (4 mm), 3-mm, 30-degree thoracoscope, temporary CO 2 insufflation, electrocautery nerve division, and no chest drainage. Median operating time was 22 minutes (range, 14 to 50). Sympathectomy consisted of dividing the sympathetic chain at the T2 level and any accessory nerves present. Anatomically, 19 patients (38%) had accessory nerves, right sided in 11, left sided in 5, and bilateral in 3. Two patients (4%) had a chest tube (10F) placed at the time of sympathectomy because of required lysis of apical pleural adhesions. No patient had postoperative bleeding or a wound infection. All patients were discharged the day of surgery. Median follow-up was 15 months (range, 1 to 36). Compensatory hyperhidrosis developed in 6 patients (12%), in 4 with rest and in 2 during exercise, all within 4 weeks. Successful sympathectomy was achieved in 99% of palmar surfaces without recurrence. A single patient experienced persistent sweating of the left hand. Reoperation was successful by dividing level T3. Conclusions Single level (T2) microthoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis has a high success rate with a low incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis. This minimally invasive procedure can be performed safely as an outpatient and should be the preferred treatment for medical refractory palmar hyperhidrosis.