cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Material Transfer Devices on Flexible Pavement Smoothness

The initial smoothness of a pavement is linked to both future pavement smoothness and pavement life. Research was conducted to study the effects of adding a material transfer device to the paving train. The focus was to determine if the use of a material transfer device improved flexible pavement smoothness. An automated data collection van was used to collect pavement profile data, and smoothness was quantified with the international roughness index in inches per mile. An infrared camera and a rolling wheel were used to detect and locate portions of the mat with temperature differences of more than 10°C (19°F). It was found that a material transfer device significantly improved flexible pavement smoothness. Fewer areas with temperature differences of more than 10°C were noted when a material transfer device was used, and areas with these temperature differences were found to be significantly rougher than locations that had more uniform temperatures. In an additional finding, unrelated to the use of a mat...
The HeartLander: A novel epicardial crawling robot for myocardial injections

Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of congestive heart failure and death in the industrialized world. Stem cell transplantation to failing myocardium appears to improve heart function following myocardial infarction, but further refinement of the delivery methodology is required. The HeartLander miniature mobile robot has the ability to adhere to the epicardium, travel to the operative site, and perform intramyocardial injections under direct control of the surgeon. This paradigm obviates sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, mechanical stabilization and lung deflation, while granting improved access. To facilitate movement under the pericardium, a small prototype with a tapered front has been constructed that is 11 mm tall and fits through a 15-mm cannula. This prototype was tested in beating-heart porcine trials via median sternotomy, but with the pericardium intact (N=2). The HeartLander was able to maintain prehension and travel without being displaced by the overhead motion of the pericardium. Myocardial injections of tissue dye were performed successfully at several locations. These experiments show the feasibility of navigating under the pericardium and performing needle injections into the myocardium using video feedback. Future research will move toward minimally invasive testing without sternotomy, including both locomotion and therapy. D 2005 CARS & Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
‘Of a nation which the others do not understand’: Bambara slaves and African ethnicity in colonial Louisiana, 1718–60

The French North American colony of Louisiana, parts of which were first settled in 1698, is an interesting and unique example of early eighteenthcentury life in a non-English North American colony, especially as it was lived by the several thousand African slaves imported in the 1720s. Comprising fewer than a dozen isolated settlements along the Gulf Coast and on the banks of the Mississippi River, Louisiana experienced a sharp increase in immigration of West Africans which only lasted thirteen years from 1718 yet had a profound affect on the social and economic development of the colony.2 By the end of the African slave trade to the colony in the early 1730s, Africans made up over half of the total population of the colony's largest settlement and capital, New Orleans.3 Between 1719 and 1731, the Louisiana colony was the final destination for just over 5,000 Africans. Captives arrived from various points along the West Africa coast including Cabinda, Whydah, Cape Lahou, Cape Apollonia, Bissau, Albreda, Goree and Saint Louis.4 Many were sold to plantations along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Natchez. Thorough and detailed examinations of contemporary events at and near these ports may eventually make it possible to offer more specific conclusions about the geographic origins and cultural backgrounds of Louisiana's African slaves than has been possible in other New World slave societies. As a result, Louisiana may provide for historians a rare opportunity to explore the complexities of African political and social structures in the New World as well as the African contribution to the social and economic development of a part of North America that is often neglected. As an example of an approach which stresses the value of wedding local histories in Africa and in the New World, this essay will focus upon Senegambia since that region accounted for roughly one-half of all the African captives brought to French Louisiana between 1719 and 1731.5The Atlantic slave trade brought together Africans of distinct and varied religious, social and linguistic backgrounds in the hostile and oppressive environment of New World slavery. Louisiana was no exception and the colony had an ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse African population. Numerous ethnic groups lived in areas that fed the transatlantic slave trade, and individuals from many of these ethnic groups were brought to Louisiana. Approximately 2,000 were shipped from ports along the West Africa coast from Portentic in northern Senegal to Cape Appolonia several hundred kilometres to the south. An additional 2,000 came via the port of Whydah on the Slave Coast, and approximately 300 more departed from Cabinda. We have only a small number of observations relating to the ethnicity of slaves in Louisiana in 1720-50. Despite the geographic diversity of Africans arriving in the colony, a disproportionate number of those to whom an ethnic label is attached were described as Bambara or belonging to the Bambara nation.6
Yoshida lifts and the Bloch-Kato conjecture for the convolution L-function

Abstract Let f 1 (resp. f 2 ) denote two (elliptic) newforms of prime level N, trivial character and weight 2 (resp. k + 2 , where k ∈ { 8 , 12 } ). We provide evidence for the Bloch–Kato conjecture for the motive M = ρ f 1 ⊗ ρ f 2 ( − k / 2 − 1 ) by proving that under some assumptions the l-valuation of the order of the Bloch–Kato Selmer group of M is bounded from below by the l-valuation of the relevant L-value (a special value of the convolution L-function of f 1 and f 2 ). We achieve this by constructing congruences between the Yoshida lift Y ( f 1 ⊗ f 2 ) of f 1 and f 2 and Siegel modular forms whose l-adic Galois representations are irreducible. Our result is conditional upon a conjectural formula for the Petersson norm of Y ( f 1 ⊗ f 2 ) .
Power generation and environment: Choices and economic trade-offs

Abstract On October 1–2, 2012, a conference was convened in Teton Village Hole, Wyoming. The purpose of the conference was to examine the technological and policy options available to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from traditional power generation. Several of the papers presented from that conference are contained in this special issue. This article summarizes these papers.
Kinesin Motor Enzymology: Chemistry, Structure, and Physics of Nanoscale Molecular Machines

Molecular motors are enzymes that convert chemical potential energy into controlled kinetic energy for mechanical work inside cells. Understanding the biophysics of these motors is essential for appreciating life as well as apprehending diseases that arise from motor malfunction. This review focuses on kinesin motor enzymology with special emphasis on the literature that reports the chemistry, structure and physics of several different kinesin superfamily members.
Simultaneous parameter compensation in the replication of programmed temperature gas chromatographic retention measurements.

Abstract Tables of relative retention times, retention indices or emergence temperature obtained under one set of chromatographic conditions can be used for the tentative identification of unknowns determined under an entirely different set of conditions. This can be accomplished for a particular liquid phase if the emergence temperature of a reference compound is maintained while one or more chromatographic parameters are changed to compensate for the changes in other parameters. The advantage of using proximal standards for the determination of both relative retention times and emergence temperatures is demonstrated in this report.
Deception in Honeynets: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

Recently, honeynets became one of the main tools for understanding the characteristics of malicious attacks and the behavior of the attackers. However the attackers may identify the honeypots and avoid attacking them. Thus the honeynet administrators must be able to deceive the attackers and induce them to attack the honeypots. In this paper we propose a game theoretic framework for modeling deception in honeynets. The framework is based on extensive games of imperfect information. We study the equilibrium solutions of these games and show how they are used to determine the strategies of the attacker and the honeynet system.
High-Performance Teams for Current and Future Physician Leaders: An Introduction

The scope of patient management increasingly crosses the defined lines of multiple medical specialties and services to meet patient needs. Concurrently, many hospitals and health-care systems have adapted new multidisciplinary team structures that provide patient-centric care as opposed to the more traditional discipline-centered delivery of care. As health care continues to evolve, the use of teams becomes even more critical in allowing interdependence between multiple disciplines to provide excellent care delivery and ongoing patient management. The use of teams permeates the health-care industry (and has done so for many years), but confusion about the structure, role, and use of teams contributes to limited effectiveness. The health-care industry's underuse of the fundamentals of corporate teamwork has, in part, created ineffective team leadership at the physician level. As the first in a series of documents on teamwork, this article is intended to introduce the reader to the rudiments of team theory and to present an introduction to a model of teamwork. The role of current and future physician leaders in ensuring team effectiveness is emphasized in this discussion. By educating health-care professionals on the foundations of high-performance teamwork, we hope to accomplish two main goals. The first goal is to help create a common and systematic taxonomy that physician leaders and institutional management can agree on and refer to concerning the development of high-performance health-care teams. The second goal is to stimulate the development of future physician leaders who use proven teamwork principles as a powerful modality to achieve efficient and optimal patient care. Most importantly, we wish to emphasize that health care, both philosophically and practically, is delivered best through high-performance teams. For such teams to perform properly, the organizational environment must support the team concept tangibly. In concert, we believe the best manner in which to cultivate knowledge and performance of the health-care organizational mission and goals is by using such teams.
Novel fragments of the Sjögren's syndrome autoantigens α‐fodrin and type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor generated during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule–induced cell death

Objective To determine whether the Sjogren's syndrome autoantigens alpha-fodrin and the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) are cleaved during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule-induced death, to yield novel fragments. Methods Primary salivary gland epithelial cells, human salivary gland cells, and HeLa cells were incubated with granule contents. The susceptibility to cleavage and the generation of novel fragments of Sjogren's syndrome autoantigens in this form of apoptosis was assessed by immunoblotting. Cleavage of M3R was further characterized by assays performed on the M3R molecule generated by in vitro translation. Results This study demonstrated that alpha-fodrin was uniquely cleaved during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule-induced cell death, generating a 155-kd fragment distinct from those generated by caspase 3 in other forms of apoptosis. The study also demonstrates that M3R (which is restricted in expression to the peripheral autonomic organs) was efficiently cleaved by granzyme B (but not by caspases) at several sites, both in vitro and in intact cells. This is the first description of cleavage of a transmembrane autoantigen by granzyme B. Conclusion The observation that both ubiquitously expressed autoantigens (e.g., alpha-fodrin, La, and nuclear mitotic apparatus protein) and tissue-restricted autoantigens (e.g., M3R) targeted in Sjogren's syndrome are specifically cleaved by granzyme B, generating unique fragments, strongly suggests that a common biochemical event (novel autoantigen cleavage during granule-induced epithelial cell death) is responsible for selecting this apparently unconnected group of molecules for a high-titer autoantibody response. The data focus attention on the role of cytotoxic lymphocytes in the initiation and propagation of Sjogren's syndrome.
GROUND‐WATER UNIT STEP AND RECTANGULAR PULSE RESPONSES WITH A PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATOR

A programmable calculator program is given along with examples for a general impulse response function for calculating step and rectangular pulse response for stream-aquifer interaction, pumping in leaky and nonleaky artesian aquifers, and two-dimensional dispersion.
Protein synthesis elongation factor 1 from rat liver: a zinc metalloenzyme.

Abstract Highly purified elongation factor 1 (light form, EF1L) from rat liver contains zinc as determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Analysis has been performed on the most active protein fraction from DEAE-Sephadex chromatography (estimated purity: 90%) and on the main band obtained from this fraction by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The data are consistent with a stoichiometry of approximately one g-atom of zinc per 54,000 daltons of EF1L protein. A functional role for Zn2+ is suggested by the fact that 0.3 mM 1,10-phenanthroline completely abolishes GTP binding by EF1L (measured by the nitrocellulose filter retention assay), while the isomeric non-chelator 1,7-phenanthroline has no effect. This inhibition can be overcome by the addition of excess zinc ion.
THE MOULT OF REMIGES AND RECTRICES IN GREAT BLACK‐BACKED GULLS LARUS MARZNUS AND GLAUCOUS GULLS L. HYPERBOREUS IN ICELAND

Summary The moult of primaries, secondaries, and rectrices in two closely-related gulls, the Great Black-backed Gull Larus mavinus and the Glaucous Gull L. hyperboreus, was studied in Iceland. Both gulls moult their primaries in an extremely regular sequence, starting with the 1st (innermost) and ending with the 10th (oiltermost) feather. Usually two, less often one or three, primaries are growing per wing during the primary moult, which lasts for about six or seven months. Growlng primaries were estimated to lengthen on the average by 8.7 mm per day in marinus and 7.8 mm per day in hyperboreus. The secondaries, usually 24 in number, are shed in two moult waves, one starting with the innermost feather soon after the start of the primary moult and then progressing slowly outwards, the other beginning with the outermost secondary after the primary moult is about half completed and then progressing rapidly inwards. The moult is completed just before the end of the primary moult as the two moult waves meet at about the 16th secondary. There are no marked differences between the two gulls in the moult of secondaries. The moult of rectrices shows large variations in both species, some feathers being much more irregular than others in their time of shedding. In both species, indications of an obscured centrifugal pattern of replacement are seen, although the 5th (next to the outermost) rectrix is usually the last one to be shed. Significant differences were observed between the two species in the degree of regularity of shedding of some feathers and in the average position in the moulting sequence of others. The moult of rectrices starts soon after the moult of primaries is half completed. The feathers are then shed in rapid succession, and the moult is completed some time before the end of the primary moult. The need for good powers of flight at all times is undoubtedly the reason for the protracted primary moult. This in turn causes the moult to start early, in adults sotnetimes before the eggs are laid; immatures moult even earlier than this. The rectrix moult and the main part of the secondary moult do not begin in adults until the young have fledged, but then progress very rapidly. Presumably, the loss of some of these feathers would impair the flying ability to an extent sufficient to make it difficult for the gulls to care for their young, while the rapid moult is necessary in order for the replacement of these feathers to be completed by the time the primary moult is over.
Discharge against medical advice: Ethical considerations and professional obligations

Discharges against medical advice (AMA) account for approximately 1% of discharges for general medical patients. Patients discharged AMA have longer eventual hospital stays and worse health outcomes. These patients are also less likely to have an established relationship with a physician, tend to have poorer social supports, and are more likely to abuse alcohol and other substances. These discharges are also distressing for physicians and other health professionals. How should physicians manage their conflicted obligations to respect patients' choices and to prevent harms from befalling their patients? What are physicians' obligations to their patients who leave accepting only partial or inadequate treatment plans or no treatment at all? When should physicians question the decision-making capacity of patients who make dangerous judgments to leave the hospital? This article examines the ethical and professional implications of discharge AMA.
Interactive story: project management from inception to testing

"Getting a Job at Nikki's Place," an interactive mobile story, uses the ARIS platform to tell the history of the Parramore neighborhood of Orlando, Florida through the eyes of the restaurant's owner, Nick Aiken. In April 2015, the project team tested a prototype of the application with ten fourth and fifth graders from Nap Ford Community School. This presentation discusses the prototype's testing and development from a project management perspective, and incorporates observations from the testing into a case study that explains how the team used the experience to write a handbook for creating mobile stories in the classroom.
Theoretical vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy of water near lipid and surfactant monolayer interfaces. II. Two-dimensional spectra

The structural stability and function of biomolecules is strongly influenced by the dynamics and hydrogen bonding of interfacial water. Understanding and characterizing the dynamics of these water molecules require a surface-sensitive technique such as two-dimensional vibrational sum-frequency generation (2DSFG) spectroscopy. We have combined theoretical 2DSFG calculations with molecular dynamics simulations in order to investigate the dynamics of water near different lipid and surfactant monolayer surfaces. We show that 2DSFG can distinguish the dynamics of interfacial water as a function of the lipid charge and headgroup chemistry. The dynamics of water is slow compared to the bulk near water-zwitterionic and water-anionic interfaces due to conformational constraints on interfacial water imposed by strong phosphate-water hydrogen bonding. The dynamics of water is somewhat faster near water-cationic lipid interfaces as no such constraint is present. Using hydrogen bonding and rotational correlation functions, we characterize the dynamics of water as a function of the distance from the interface between water and zwitterionic lipids. We find that there is a transition from bulk-like to interface-like dynamics approximately 7 A away from a zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine monolayer surface.
Cross-linkage of a receptor on nonspecific cytotoxic cells or treatment with calcium ionophore triggers increased phosphorylation of serine residues

Cross-linkage of a putative receptor protein on nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) with monoclonal antibody (mab) 5C6 produces: activation of cytotoxicity; increased release of free cytosolic calcium; increased levels of IP3 and IP4; and increased DNA synthesis. Mab-binding also caused increased expression of various proto-oncogene kinases and increased expression of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. In the present study NCC triggering by mab 5C6 was linked to serine specific kinase/phosphatase action. Concomitant with mab 5C6 activation, two proteins of 55-60 and 25-30 kDa were hyperphosphorylated on serine residues (15-30 min post-activation) determined by immunoprecipitation with an anti-phosphoserine specific mab. These proteins appeared to be components of a large macromolecular protein complex (> 170 kDa) determined by resolution in reducing and non-reducing SDS-PAGE. Sequential immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that these proteins were not PKC or p56lck. Activation of NCC with the calcium ionophore A23187 caused the expression of this same complex of serine phosphorylated proteins. These data indicate that hyperphosphorylation of serine residues is associated with increased NCC cytotoxicity. Activation may be associated with receptor cross-linkage or calcium ionophore treatment, both events producing the phosphorylation of the same substrates.
Influence of antibiotics on the growth and protein metabolism of young dairy calves.

Summary Twenty-one two-day-old calves were used to evaluate the effect of aureomycin and bacitracin on growth and protein metabolism. Calves fed rations containing either antibiotic tended to gain at a faster rate, consumed more calf starter and total feed, and made better utilization of their feed (feed per pound of gain) than did the control calves. None of these differences was statistically significant. Neither antibiotic appeared to reduce the incidence of scours. Both antibiotics significantly lowered the coefficients of dry matter and crude fiber digestibility, but neither antibiotic appeared to have any great effect on the digestibility of other nutrients or on nitrogen retention. Aureomycin significantly increased blood serum levels of total protein, while bacitracin significantly decreased them; but neither had an appreciable effect on blood levels of urea or non-protein nitrogen. Both antibiotics significantly increased the relative serum concentration of albumin and lowered the concentration of' alpha-globulin, but had little effect on beta-globulin concentration. Calves fed both antibiotics tended to have lower levels of serum gamma-globulin than did the control calves. The results indicate that these antibiotics had little effect on over-all digestion and protein metabolism of the calf, suggesting that the mode of action in stimulating the growth of calves does not appear to be through an effect on protein metabolism or on digestibility.
Characteristics of Residential Tracker Accuracy in Quantified Direct Beam Irradiance and Global Horizontal Irradiance

An accurate solar tracker matches array angles with solar angles throughout the day. Many studies have used the power produced by a tracked PV array as a proxy to characterize a trackerâ€™s accuracy. However, it is difficult to decouple the effects of tracker performance from other effects on power output. It was not found in the literature reviewed that there are studies that determine the accuracy of solar trackers by directly measuring the tracker angles. This study was an experiment to determine the accuracy of two small commercially available non-algorithm based solar trackers: the Zomeworks UTR-020 passive one axis solar tracker, and the Wattsun AZ-225 active electro-optical two axis solar tracker. Accuracy of the trackers was determined by measuring the tracking angles under varying conditions including direct beam irradiation (DBI) and global horizontal irradiance (GHI), and comparing to calculated sun angles. The results showed that the average azimuth angle accuracy of the Zomeworks UTR-020 is 75%, the average azimuth angle accuracy of the Wattsun AZ-225 is 88%, and the average elevation angle accuracy of the Wattsun is 89%. In addition, the results showed a weak correlation between the azimuth accuracy of the Zomeworks and DBF, a strong correlation between the azimuth accuracy of the Wattsun and DBF, and a moderate correlation between the elevation accuracy of the Wattsun and DBF. Moreover, the azimuth accuracy of the Wattsun was always higher than that of the Zomeworks under all DBF and GHI conditions.
The Role of a High Fat Diet in the Rerepression1 of Two Rat Liver Enzymes

SummaryThe results of the experiments described herein suggest that the role of a high fat diet in the rerepression of the genes which code for G6PD and ME is to provide either the corepressor(s) or a precursor of the corepressor(s). It appears that this substance is not normally present in rat liver, despite the large accumulation of fat which occurs after starvation and refeeding an inducer diet. Synthesis of the aporepressor(s) or an enzyme system necessary for the formation of the corepressor(s), or both, requires dietary protein but not carbohydrate.
Global Stability Analysis and Calculation of Liquid−Liquid Equilibrium in Multicomponent Mixtures†

A global algorithm for implementing the Gibbs tangent plane stability test in multicomponent, multiphase liquid mixtures is described. The algorithm is self-starting and significantly improves the reliability and robustness of multiphase equilibrium calculations. The main improvement is a result of a new approach for locating the stationary points of the tangent plane distance function. This relies on the geometric properties of the tangent plane distance function but is independent of the specific fluid model. For ternary mixtures, it is shown that stationary points in the tangent plane distance function satisfy a global topological constraint Nmax + Nmin − Nsad = 1 where Nmax is the number of maxima, Nmin is the number of minima, and Nsad is the number of saddles. This provides a global consistency check on the numerical results that is independent of the specific model or parameters used to describe the mixture. The method has been implemented and tested on a variety of problems with three and four com...
Advanced pathology under squamous epithelium on initial EMR specimens in patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma: implications for surveillance and endotherapy management

Background Prior studies report the presence of buried Barrett's epithelium under squamous mucosa after endoscopic ablative therapies for Barrett's esophagus (BE) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or intramucosal carcinoma (IMC). However, there still exists significant controversy about whether these glands represent a neoablative phenomenon or predate endoscopic therapy. Objective To determine the prevalence of buried BE underneath squamous epithelium on initial mucosectomy specimens for complete Barrett's eradication EMR (CBE-EMR) for BE with HGD or IMC. Design Retrospective double-blinded review. Setting A tertiary-care academic referral center. Patients and Methods Histopathology slides of all initial mucosectomy specimens for all patients who underwent CBE-EMR for BE with HGD or IMC at our center between August 2003 and February 2008 were reviewed retrospectively in a double-blinded fashion by 2 expert GI pathologists. None of the patients had undergone prior endoscopic ablative therapy for dysplastic BE. Main Outcome Measurements The prevalence of buried BE underneath squamous epithelium in initial mucosectomy specimens from CBE-EMR for BE with HGD or IMC. Results A total of 47 patients' initial mucosectomy slides were reviewed. The presence of Barrett's epithelium underneath the squamous resection margin (Z line) was identified in 13 of 47 patients (28%) at initial mucosectomy. The linear distance of the Barrett's epithelium from the resection's squamous margin ranged from 0.8 to 5.6 mm (mean 2.3 mm and median 1.9 mm). Histopathology revealed nondysplastic buried BE in 3 patients, HGD in 9 patients, and IMC in 1 patient. Thus, 10 of 13 patients (21% of 47 total) had buried glands with advanced pathology (HGD or IMC), whereas 3 of 13 (6% of 47 total) had specialized intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia. Limitations A single-center, modest study population size. Conclusions Our results revealed a significant prevalence of buried Barrett's epithelium with or without dysplasia under squamous mucosa (squamocolumnar junction) on initial mucosectomy specimens. Given the neoplastic potential of BE, the presence of these subsquamous BE glands may affect the extent and adequacy of mucosal resection margins. Based on these findings, surveillance biopsies and ablative therapy should extend to 1 cm proximal to the endoscopically determined squamocolumnar junction.
The isolation and characterization of a macromolecular ribonucleoprotein from yeast

Abstract Studies have been conducted on the isolation and stability of large particles, with a sedimentation coefficient of 80 S , observed in extracts from yeast. With knowledge of some of the factors which cause the decomposition and aggregation of these particles, it was possible to obtain a solvent mixture in which the particles were stable. Isolation of the 80 S particles showed that they composed at least 1.5% of the wet weight of the cells and about 50% of the ribonucleic acid (RNA). Analyses indicated that the 80 S particles were a ribonucleoprotein containing about 42% RNA and 58% protein. Ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy showed that the particles were almost uniform in size with a diameter of about 21 mμ.
Renal afferent denervation prevents the progression of renal disease in the renal ablation model of chronic renal failure in the rat

Rats with 5/6 nephrectomy develop hypertension and progressive deterioration in renal function. Several mechanisms may contribute to hypertension and to progressive renal disease in these rats. We have shown that increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system may contribute to hypertension in rats we chronic renal failure. However, the role of the sympathetic nervous system activity in the progression of renal disease has not been investigated. We have evaluated whether neurogenic factors contribute to the progression of renal disease in the renal ablation model of chronic renal failure in the rat. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy and dorsal rhizotomy or sham rhizotomy (CRF). Age-matched normal rats were used as controls. Six weeks after surgery, rats with chronic renal failure and dorsal rhizotomy had lower blood pressure and serum creatinine than rats with sham rhizotomy. In addition, kidneys from rats with 5/6 nephrectomy and rhizotomy manifested less severe glomerulosclerosis than kidneys from rats without dorsal rhizotomy. These studies have demonstrated in rats with renal ablation. Although normalization of blood pressure may definitely play a role, the data raise the possibility that neurogenic impulses to the kidneys may contribute to the progression of renal disease.
A meta‐analysis of the relationship between social skills and sexual offenders

A meta‐analysis examined eleven studies examining the relationship between social skills (communication competence) and whether the person was a sexual offender (rapist, molester, incest offender, pedophile, exhibitionist). After the removal of one study due to methodological reasons, the remaining ten studies provide a homogeneous set of effects demonstrating that sexual offenders possess fewer social skills than nonoffenders (r = .334). Results of the meta‐analysis offer insight into the role communication skills plays in understanding the nature of sexual offenders.
Applying forensic techniques to interpret cranial fracture patterns in an archaeological specimen

This paper presents some of the basic principles of bone fracture physics and outlines characteristics used by forensic anthropologists to distinguish gunshot trauma from blunt trauma. The fracture pattern of a cranium from a historic cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee provides an example of how the mechanism of trauma could be misinterpreted. The pattern of the perimortem fractures is indicative of gunshot trauma with a bullet entering one side of the vault and impacting the opposite side. Identification of radiating fractures, concentric heaving fractures, and observation of the direction of bevel on the fractured surfaces are essential for interpretation of the mechanism that produced the injury.
Total Synthesis of Brevetoxin A

A total synthesis of brevetoxin A is reported. Two tetracyclic coupling partners, prepared from previously reported advanced fragments, were effectively united via a Horner-Wittig olefination. The resulting octacycle was progressed to substrates that were explored for reductive etherification, the success of which led to a penultimate tetraol intermediate. The tetraol was converted to the natural product through an expeditious selective oxidative process followed by methylenation.
The influence of diagnosis, intra- and inter-person variability on serum and plasma Aβ levels

Abstract Evidence suggests that high peripheral beta-amyloid (Aβ)1–40 levels and low ratios of Aβ1–42/Aβ1–40 are associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this cross-sectional design, serum and plasma samples from 67 AD patients and 146 controls (similar in age and gender) were evaluated using Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42 ELISA. Coefficient of variance was calculated for intra- and inter-person variability of Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42. Aβ1–40 correlated with age, MMSE and their Aβ1–42/Aβ1–40 ratios (p 0.05). Serum Aβ1–42/Aβ1–40 ratios were also significantly lower in AD patients than controls (p
Transluminal endosurgery: novel use of endoscopic tacks for the closure of access sites in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (with videos)

Background Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a novel and potentially less-invasive alternative to laparoscopic surgery. Successful reproducible secure closure of the transluminal access site represents one of the largest obstacles in the evolution of this discipline. Aim To study the feasibility and efficacy of a novel transluminal closure device in a live porcine model. Design Experimental endoscopic study of transgastric incision and closure with a novel device in a porcine survival model. Six survival experiments were conducted on Yorkshire pigs that weighed 22 to 25 kg. Interventions After general anesthesia was administered, a therapeutic endoscope was inserted into the stomach. Two gastrotomies were made in each pig by using a needle-knife with blended current, a guidewire, and an 18-mm through-the-scope dilating balloon. The peritoneum was easily accessed in all pigs without complications. One gastrotomy was closed with T-tag fasteners and the other one with endoscopic tacks. Two different closure methods were used with the tacks: the anchor-and-loop technique (ALT) and the serosa-to-serosa closure (SSC). All closures were immediately completely sealed, with no carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) leak detected at 25 cm of water pressure. After recovery from anesthesia, all the animals resumed feeding and returned to preprocedure activities on the same day as the procedure. The animals were monitored daily for signs of peritonitis and sepsis. Preplanned euthanasia of the animals was performed after 7 to 14 days. The peritoneal cavity was studied at necropsy for evidence of wound dehiscence, abscess formation, and gross adhesions. Main Outcome Measurements Full-thickness healing of the gastric-wall incisions without intraperitoneal complications on postmortem examination. Results All animals survived without complications. Transgastric closure was successful in all the animals by using both study techniques (ALT and SSC) and the T-tag closure. The deployment device performed well, and accurate closure was rapid and reproducible. Conclusions This prototype closure device holds promise in solving some of the problems of closure for transluminal access for NOTES. Both the ALT and the SSC technique hold promise for threadless closure and for simplifying endoscopic techniques. The SSC technique holds promise to maintain surgical principles of serosa-to-serosa apposition. Further studies are recommended before in vivo human use.
Dielectric behaviors of Nb2O5(0.95): 0.05TiO2 ceramic and single crystal

Abstract In order to investigate the dielectric properties of the system Nb 2 O 5 (0.95):0.05TiO 2 , single crystal fibers were grown using the laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) technique. Ceramic rods, prepared by conventional solid solution reaction method, were used as seed and feed material. The dielectric constants ( K ) of the single crystals along the perpendicular and parallel plane to the growth direction have been measured over the temperature range from −180 to 180 °C in the frequency range 1 kHz–1 MHz. Comparative studies of the physical characteristics were also carried out on ceramic samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was also performed to verify the structure and prefer orientation of the samples.
Noniterative subspace updating

In this paper, we introduce a rank-one spherical subspace update that is appropriate for tracking the dominant (signal) and/or subdominant (noise) subspaces associated with a slowly time-varying correlation matrix. This non-iterative, highly parallel, numerically stabilized, subspace update is closely related to rank-one eigenstructure updating. However, a rank-one subspace update involves less computation than simple rank-one correlation accumulation. Moreover, the frequency tracking capabilities of the non-iterative subspace update are virtually identical to and in some cases more robust than the more computationally expensive eigen- based methods.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The synthesis and reactions of fulvalenedithallium

Abstract The reaction of dihydrofulvalene with TlOEt in Et 2 O/hexane has given n fulvalenedithallium as an air-sensitive but thermally stable solid. This has been used in preparations of fulvalene complexes of Co, Rh, Ir, Ti, Mn and Re.
Dissolution Rates of Prednisolone Triturations Using Porous and Non-Porous Silicas. I. Pilot Oral Absorption Study in Dogs

AbstractPrednisolonei:Silica triturations were prepared with 5 grades of silicas by ball-milling and solvent deposition. Drug:Silica ratios ranged from 1:0.11 to 1:19. Dissolution rates in simulated intestinal juice were greatest for the l:0.11 triturations prepared by solvent-deposition. Oral absorption efficiency of prednisolone in dogs was similar whether administered as porous or non-porous silica triturations.
Coughing Precipitated by Bordetella pertussis Infection

Infections with the gram-negative bacteria Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) have long been recognized as a significant threat to children and are increasingly recognized as a cause of cough in adolescents and adults. Antibiotic therapy, when administered during the virulent stages of the disease, can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments for the persistent coughing that accompanies and follows the infection. The pathogenesis of B. pertussis infection is briefly reviewed. Also discussed is the evidence supporting the hypothesis that the inflammatory peptide bradykinin may be responsible for the persistent, paroxysmal coughing associated with B. pertussis-initiated illness.
The problem of definition expansion and contraction

This article is the fourth of a series of articles discussing various open research problems in automated reasoning. The problem proposed for research focuses on finding criteria that would enable an automated reasoning program to expand or contract definitions wisely. For evaluating a proposed solution to this research problem, we include suggestions concerning possible test problems.
Risk stratification of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy at initial presentation: a dobutamine stress echocardiography study.

Objectives We sought to determine the prognostic use of inotropic contractile reserve on risk stratification and prognostication of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy. Background Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare disorder effecting women in their prime years of life. There appears to be an initial high-risk period with 25% to 50% of women dying within the first 3 months postpartum. Early risk stratification and prognostication are, thus, crucial. However, only limited data are available. Methods In all, 7 women (mean age 31.8 years) with peripartum cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (mean LV ejection fraction [LVEF] 25.3 ± 9.5%) were studied. Of these, 6 underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography at baseline and a follow-up resting echocardiogram at a mean of 4.7 ± 0.9 months after initial presentation. Resting and peak inotropic contractile reserve, and follow-up LVEF, were computed. Results The mean LVEF improved significantly from baseline (25.3 ± 9.5%) to maximal inotropic contractile reserve (53.8 ± 12.6%) ( P = .0004) and at follow-up (53.0 ± 16.4%) ( P = .006). Importantly, LVEF at maximal inotropic contractile reserve and at follow-up (5.6 months) did not differ significantly ( P = .5). The mean LVEF at maximal inotropic contractile reserve correlated well with the follow-up (LVEF R = 0.79). However, the baseline LVEF did not correlate with follow-up LVEF ( P = not significant). Conclusions In patients presenting with peripartum cardiomyopathy, inotropic contractile reserve during dobutamine stress echocardiography accurately correlates with subsequent recovery of LV function and confers a benign prognosis.
Calculation of required radioactivity for two-dimensional radionuclide transmission sources

Abstract An arithmetic procedure was developed to determine the radioactivity required for an attenuation-correction transmission source for the delivery of a predetermined patient radiation dose for various patient-source configurations. The procedure determines the absorbed energy per incident photon from a chosen transmission radionuclide, based on Monte Carlo data. Results were verified using TLD and ionization chamber measurements. The method is useful in calculating the transmission source radioactivity for transmission computed tomography using a two-dimensional transmission source.
Morphological segmentation of multiprobe fluorescence images for immunophenotyping in melanoma tissue sections

A fundamental task in studying the action of cancer chemotherapy is to determine the quantity and spatial relationship of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte populations. Classically this is performed by staining thin tissue sections with antibodies by immunoperoxidase amplification. The staining technique is practically limited to locating a single cell type per tissue section. Full immunophenotyping requires successive staining of serial sections, using statistical analysis to correlate the results. This paper describes a system that brings together multi- parameter fluorescence imaging and morphological segmentation techniques to provide a fast, accurate, and automatic analysis of the lymphocyte infiltrate in tissue sections. With fluorescence techniques a single section can be stained with up to four distinct fluorescently labelled antibodies to determine cell phenotypes. To harness this potential computer vision techniques are required to analyze the images. A routine based on the water shed algorithm has been developed that segments the nuclei image with an accuracy of greater than 90%. By matching the nuclei boundaries to the local peak fluorescence, cell boundary estimates are obtained in the antigen images. By then extracting two measurements from the boundary signal the cells can be classified according to their antigen expression. Determining cell expression of multiple antigens simultaneously provides a more detailed and accurate picture of the tumor infiltrate than single parameter analysis, and increases understanding of the immune response associated with the chemotherapy.
Regional brain glucose metabolism after acute α2‐blockade by idazoxan

Background Several classes of antidepressant drugs act on α2-adrenergic receptors. Studies of patients with disorders responsive to treatment with these drugs report group differences in ex vivo measures of α2-binding and in vivo responses mediated by α2-receptors. Measurement of regional brain metabolic response to an α2-antagonist may be a useful method for further definition of the role α2-receptor regulation plays in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Methods Regional brain glucose metabolism was measured before and after infusion with 200 μg/kg idazoxan with use of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography in 13 healthy men. Arterial drug concentration, behavioral responses, and cardiovascular responses were also measured. Results The absolute and normalized glucose metabolic rate significantly increased in primary visual cortex. Significant increases and decreases occurred in normalized metabolic rates in prefrontal cortical regions. Measurement of metabolic effects occurred during the peak cardiovascular response. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with regionally specific effects of α2-blockade. This method may be useful for the study of α2-receptor function in humans. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1995) 57, 684–695; doi:
Use of urinary cotinine and questionnaires in the evaluation of infant exposure to tobacco smoke in epidemiologic studies

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is an important variable in many pediatric epidemiologic studies. We measured urinary cotinine, a specific metabolite of nicotine, in a population-based cohort of children every other month from birth through two years of age. Extensive data regarding exposure to smokers (people in the home, in home and away from home day care, home visitors, visits to smokers) were collected monthly by way of home interviews. We evaluated, with multiple cotinine measurements as the gold standard, other measures of exposure that are more feasible to obtain in large-scale studies. Comparing one cotinine to the average of multiple measurements, we found that 33.7% were in error in excess of 100 ng/mg, but 84% of the infants could be correctly classified into categories of low versus high. Parental smoking patterns had the highest predictive accuracy (fathers 67.0% and mothers 64.1%). Combining selected smoker categories (either parent, other home residents, outside day care workers) resulted in improved accuracy of 79.3%.
Transmission of Spin Waves through Domain Walls

The transmission coefficient of spin waves incident perpendicularly on 180°-Bloch walls are calculated. A standard semiclassical continuum approximation is used and the results show typical wave interference effects. In particular the transmission coefficient is unity when twice the wall thickness equals an integral number of wave lengths. Der Transmissionskoeffizient von Spinwellen, die senkrecht auf 180°-Blochwande einfallen, wird berechnet. Eine halbklassische Standard-Kontinuumsnaherung wird benutzt, und die Ergebnisse zeigen typische Welleninterferenzeffekte. Insbesondere ist der Transmissionskoeffizient eins, wenn die doppelte Wanddicke gleich einem ganzzahligen Vielfachen der Wellenlange ist.
Fact or Fiction? General Chemistry Helps Students Determine the Legitimacy of Television Program Situations

A large number of students in chemistry courses are thinking about pursuing careers in the health professions. We used a segment from the popular TV show, Bones, to illustrate how basic chemical concepts can help them solve complex physiological and medical problems. Many students have found the use of the Bones video clip engaging, and appreciated seeing the connection of chemistry to “real-world” situations. This presentation is intended to take chemistry out of the mundane classroom setting and present it in the context of a thrilling (albeit highly improbable) life-or-death scenario.