cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-zone annealing of Tl0.5Pb0.5(Sr0.8Ba0.2)2Ca2Cu3Oy

Stable conditions have been identified for two-zone processing of the superconducting thallium cuprate Tl[sub 0.5]Pb[sub 0.5](Sr[sub 0.8]Ba[sub 0.2])[sub 2]Ca[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub [ital y]]. With [ital P](O[sub 2]) of 0.8 atm, [ital P](Tl[sub 2]O) of 4.4[times]10[sup [minus]3] atm, and a sample temperature of 920 [degree]C, single-phase Tl[sub 0.5]Pb[sub 0.5](Sr[sub 0.8]Ba[sub 0.2])[sub 2]Ca[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub [ital y]] is produced with a [ital T][sub [ital c]] of 115 K, complete diamagnetic shielding, and Meissner fraction greater than 70%. Although a small amount of melting occurs under these conditions, a comparison of the low-field diamagnetic shielding for these samples with samples of Pb- and Sr-free TlBa[sub 2]Ca[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub [ital y]] and Tl[sub 2]Ba[sub 2]Ca[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub [ital y]] suggests that such melting is not necessary to produce the triple-CuO[sub 2]-layer superconductors.
Transient chaotic distributions in dissipative systems

Abstract When certain near-integrable Hamiltonian systems are perturbed by weak dissipation, all persistent chaotic motion is destroyed. However, transiently chaotic motion appears before the trajectories enter underlying Hamiltonian islands and are attracted into sinks. We determine analytically such properties as the exponential decay rate of the chaotic transient, the quasistatic distribution for the transiently chaotic region of phase space, and the distribution of trajectories into the various sinks. The dissipative Fermi map is used as an illustrative example.
Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a fairly common disorder with significant adverse health consequences; however, the pathogenetic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Upper airway (UA) patency is determined by several neuromuscular and nonneuromuscular factors including the following: (1) UA-dilating muscle activity, (2) the collapsing transmural pressure generated during inspiration, (3) changes in caudal traction, (4) vasomotor tone, and (5) mucosal adhesive forces. This article addresses the effect of sleep on UA function and how these factors conspire to cause UA obstruction. The occurrence of UA obstruction during sleep and not wakefulness implicates the removal of the wakefulness stimulus to breathe as a key factor underlying UA obstruction during sleep. Most of the data on sleep effect are derived from studies during nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, given the difficulty in achieving REM during invasive studies in the laboratory environment.
Autism: A Systems Biology Disease

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the world today. People with autism present with stereotypy and with social and communication impairments. Research has shown that autism has roots in many systems in the body, including the metabolic, mitochondrial, immunological, gastrointestinal and the neurological. These systems interact in complex and highly interdependent ways. Autism poses a rich test bed for systems biology modeling techniques. This paper reviews some of the systems disturbed in autism and suggests several systems biology research areas.
Applying Orthogonal Arrays Method to Solve Fuzzy Interval for Fuzzy Weighted Average

Fuzzy weighted average, as functions of fuzzy numbers, happens with the problem of multiple occurrences of fuzzy parameters (weights). Additional fuzziness may be introduced in the cut arithmetic. This paper based on an improved algorithm, called IFWA, applies orthogonal arrays method that is a fractional factorial experiment, to analysis weights adjustment. We will show a numerical example and demonstrate the usefulness of the orthogonal arrays method.
Theory of Electromagnetic Field Measurement and Photoelectron Counting

A theory of electromagnetic field measurement by means of photoionization is developed and applied to photoelectron counting. A probability theory involving multitime joint probability functions for a sequence of photoionizations is formulated. A general quantum-theory definition is proposed for the nonexclusive probability function which occurs in the probability theory. Approximations are then introduced to derive expressions for this probability function which involve correlation functions of the photoionization detector and the electromagnetic field-plus-source. The general theory is used to derive quantities of interest in photo-ionization counting experiments. Expressions are derived for (1) the probability ${P}_{n}(t, t+T)$ that $n$ photo-ionizations are observed in the time interval $t$ to $t+T$, and (2) quantities related to ${P}_{n}(t, t+T)$, such as its generating function and various moments. ${P}_{n}(t, t+T)$ is found to be a compound Poisson distribution determined by the density operator of the field when the latter is expressed in Glauber's $P$ representation. Using this result, the character of ${P}_{n}(t, t+T)$ is examined for several specific density operators. These correspond to a coherent state, various fields with the mode phases distributed independently of the mode amplitudes, and a "spread-out" coherent state.
Elicited Imitation Ability of Children from Learning Disabled and Regular Classes

In this study 40 normal and 40 learning disabled children classified by age (5 and 6) and level of auditory discrimination (impaired and normal) were tested for language ability using an elicited imitation paradigm. Learning disabled children exhibited more errors, had more difficulty extracting the semantic componeant from the model sentence, and gave more reformulations than normal children. Results supported a deficit hypothesis in regard to the learning disabled child's language rather than a deviancy hypothesis. In addition, the elicited imitation technique was found to be inappropriate for children with impaired auditory discrimination ability.
The stressed female brain: neuronal activity in the prelimbic but not infralimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex suppresses learning after acute stress.

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), indicating that many females are especially vulnerable to stressful life experience. A profound sex difference in the response to stress is also observed in laboratory animals. Acute exposure to an uncontrollable stressful event disrupts associative learning during classical eyeblink conditioning in female rats but enhances this same type of learning process in males. These sex differences in response to stress are dependent on neuronal activity in similar but also different brain regions. Neuronal activity in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is necessary in both males and females. However, neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during the stressor is necessary to modify learning in females but not in males. The mPFC is often divided into its prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) subregions, which differ both in structure and function. Through its connections to the BLA, we hypothesized that neuronal activity within the PL, but not IL, during the stressor is necessary to suppress learning in females. To test this hypothesis, either the PL or IL of adult female rats was bilaterally inactivated with GABAA agonist muscimol during acute inescapable swim stress. 24h later, all subjects were trained with classical eyeblink conditioning. Though stressed, females without neuronal activity in the PL learned well. In contrast, females with IL inactivation during the stressor did not learn well, behaving similar to stressed vehicle-treated females. These data suggest that exposure to a stressful event critically engages the PL, but not IL, to disrupt associative learning in females. Together with previous studies, these data indicate that the PL communicates with the BLA to suppress learning after a stressful experience in females. This circuit may be similarly engaged in women who become cognitively impaired after stressful life events.
Biological Sciences: RNA-dependent DNA Polymerase from E. coli: an Effect produced by Traces of Added DNA

WITH an enzyme from Escherichia coli containing both DNA and RNA dependent DNA polymerase activities, we have found that RNA and DNA together have a synergistic effect on DNA synthesis.
Physiologic changes during colonoscopy

We prospectrvely evaluated multiple physiologic parameters in 104 consecutive unselected patients undergoing elective colonoscopy. Changes observed during colonoscopy were then correlated with the type of anesthesia and level of sedation, position of the endoscope and presence of looping, existence of comorbid medical conditions, concomitant medication usage, and the occurrence of endoscopy induced pain. Clinically important changes in O 2 saturation (54%) and in blood pressure (44%) were most frequently noted. Less frequent were changes in pulse (15%) or respiratory rate (4%). These clinically significant changes were associated with induction of anesthesia or endoscope looping and pain in 58 to 62% of the patients. In the remainder of patients, no obvious factor was associated with the observed alterations in physiologic parameters. There was no correlation with presence of comorbid medical conditions, use of concurrent medication, dose of anesthesia, level of sedation, and/or colon segment reached by the endoscope. Although there was no apparent morbidity associated with the induced changes in physiologic parameters, these data suggest that certain patients may be at increased risk of procedure-related morbidity and support the need for physiologic monitoring in high-risk patients.
A multistep mechanism of nucleophilic substitution of vitamin B1 in methanol

Abstract Thiamin (1) and an analog (2) having a pyridine ring in place of the thiazole portion react with amine nucleophiles in methanol at 71.5°C to give substitution products 3. The nucleophiles replace the thiazole and pyridine rings. The course of the substitution reactions which were followed by PMR are first order in substrate and zero order in amine. Proposed is a multistep mechanism analogous to that observed for second-order reactions between sulfite ion, for example, and thiamin, its derivatives, and analogs. The conjugate acid of the substrate forms a sigma adduct with methoxide ion. Following fragmentation to a resonance-stabilized cation the amine nucleophile becomes incorporated into this charged intermediate. Loss of methoxide ion generates the aromatic substitution product. Substrate protonation and methoxide ion addition are kinetically equivalent to the addition of solvent, a process that cannot be detected kinetically. Addition of the amine occurs in a fast step. Overall then, the scheme is only first order in substrate as required by the experimental observations.
In situ target strength measurements of the scyphomedusa Chrysaora melanaster

Abstract Large medusae can dominate the pelagic biomass in marine environments, but their contribution to acoustic scattering remains poorly characterized. Here we report on in situ target strength (TS) measurements of Chrysaora melanaster , a dominant species of scyphomedusa in the North Pacific and Arctic, made with 38 and 120 kHz split-beam echosounders in the Chukchi Sea. The average TS of a ∼25 cm bell diameter C. melanaster is estimated to be −60.1 dB re 1 m 2 at 38 kHz and −60.5 dB re 1 m 2 at 120 kHz. There was no evident relationship between mean jellyfish size and TS, which is likely attributable to a combination of a small range in average jellyfish size at the sampling sites and geographic variability in TS corresponding to factors other than size and/or errors in determining the size of the jellyfish. The TS of C. melanaster is similar to that of a small swimbladdered fish, but on a mass-specific basis, the TS of these jellyfish is substantially lower. These measurements will aid in acoustic estimates of jellyfish abundance and in partitioning the relative contribution of jellyfish to acoustic backscatter in mixed species assemblages.
A Thermally Induced Reversible Conformational Transition of the Tryptophan Synthase Subunit Probed by the Spectroscopic Properties of Pyridoxal Phosphate and by Enzymatic Activity

A reversible thermally induced conformational transition of the beta2 subunit of tryptophan synthase from Salmonella typhimurium has been detected by use of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate coenzyme as a spectroscopic probe. Increasing the temperature converts the major form of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate bound to the beta2 subunit from a ketoenamine species with lambdamax at 410 nm to a enolimine species with lambdamax at 336 nm (Tm = approximately 43 degrees C) and results in loss of the circular dichroism signal at 410 nm and of fluorescence emission at 510 nm. The results indicate that increasing the temperature favors a conformer of the enzyme that binds pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in a more nonpolar environment and leads to loss of asymmetric pyridoxal 5'-phosphate binding. The internal aldimine between pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and the epsilon-amino group of lysine 87 is not disrupted by increased temperature because sodium borohydride treatment of the enzyme at either 15 or 60 degrees C results in covalent attachment of [4'-3H]pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The thermal transition of the beta2 subunit below 60 degrees C produces reversible thermal inactivation (Ti = approximately 52 degrees C) and occurs at a much lower temperature than the major reversible unfolding at approximately 80 degrees C (Remeta, D. P., Miles, E. W., and Ginsburg, A. (1995) Pure Appl. Chem. 67, 1859-1866). Our new results indicate that the 410 nm absorbing species of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is the catalytically active form of the cofactor in the beta2 subunit and that the low temperature reversible conformational transition disturbs the active site and causes loss of catalytic activity.
Simulation of fish population responses to exploitation

Abstract A model that couples Larkin's predator-prey model, Ivlev's feeding model, Ursin's growth equation and the exponential mortality model was applied for simulation of the responses of fish populations to exploitation. Simulations were done without food-limited growth, with food-limited growth, with food limited growth and size-specific mortality, and with food-limited growth and age at maturity a function of size. Without food-limited growth there was no compensation for exploitation and the population became extinct with an increase in mortality. With food-limited growth the population compensated for fishing mortality; as abundance decreased, size increased, and production of eggs by the population increased. With either mortality or age at maturity a function of size, compensation was much higher than with food-limited growth alone. Recruitment decreased with increase in exploitation. There was an association between numbers of spawners and recruits, but both the number of spawners and the number of recruits were determined by food limited growth. If age at maturity is a function of size, there are fluctuations in population abundance when fishing mortality is low, but not when fishing mortality is high.
Medicalization and social justice

Most social justice critiques of medical care focus upon the allocation of extant, but scarce, resources. In contrast to that focus, this article explores the preallocative arena of factors which shape the supply and availability of medical care. We identify four such factors: (1)medicalization — the tendency to regard as biologically caused various human problems which were in earlier eras ignored or attributed to other causes; (2)social inclusion — the bringing of economically deprived and socially marginal groups into participation in the medical care system; (3)biomedical transcendence — the elevation of biomedically derived concepts of human function into a social and personal world view; and (4)health absolutism — the ideology which holds individuals accountable for their own health and which, contrary to the thrust of the other factors, deemphasizes access and social equity for professionally provided medical care. While these forces all enhance the place of health as a social value, it is by no means certain that they will lead to a society which is more medically just. The article concludes with an appeal for critical analysis of the processes which shape both the medical care system and the broad social concern with medical care.
Characteristics of black treatment seekers for eating disorders

Objective: This study sought to investigate differences in eating psychopathology between black and white treatment seekers at a specialty eating disorders (EDs) center. Method: Participants were drawn from 1680 individuals (n = 32 blacks; n = 1648 whites) who received treatment for an ED at a specialized center between 1979 and 1995, and had completed the EDs Questionnaire. The 32 black participants were matched to 153 white participants for ED diagnosis, year of presentation, and gender. Results: The majority of the participants were diagnosed with eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). No black participants met criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN). Black participants reported more body dissatisfaction and a higher percentage fulfilled the obesity criterion compared to white participants. There were few differences in reported history of previous treatment. Discussion: Black and white participants with EDs appeared similar in most respects, but AN was notably absent among black participants. In contrast to previous research, body dissatisfaction was surprisingly higher in black than in white participants. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Using entertainment media to inform student affairs teaching and practice related to counseling skills

Ways to use films, television programs, popular music, and popular books to teach counseling skills are described.
Community‐Focused Scholarship in Family and Consumer Sciences: Traditions and Opportunities

From its beginning, the field of family and consumer sciences has sought to be a major force for social reform. This article suggests that the field's rich legacy can be extended by devoting new energy to scholarship aimed at understanding the role of community in individual and family well-being and in examining the efficacy of research-based, community-level strategies aimed at enhancing well-being. Frameworks for conceptualizing future scholarship are presented, including specific theoretical and methodological perspectives that may help operationalize research in relation to ecological systems theory which has been highlighted as a key concept for the field.
Survival and the relationship between fecundity and longevity in Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

In a previous report (Jansson and Smilowitz 1985), several life statistics of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were compared on upper and lower leaves of three potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum tuberosum cvs. Katahdin, Norchip, and Superior). In general, life statistics were similar (p > 0.05) between cultivars. However, certain life statistics (fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase) consistently were greater (p < 0.05) on lower leaves than on upper leaves of each cultivar. In the previous study, we did not include data on age-specific survival or the relationship between fecundity and longevity to support the premise that the population dynamics of M. persicae on potato are related to the physiological age of leaves (i.e. nutritional quality of leaves) (see Jansson and Smilowitz 1985). This information would be useful for developing a model describing the population dynamics of M. persicae. For this reason, we present here data on age-specific survival and the relationship between fecundity and longevity of M. persicae on upper and lower leaves of three Dotato cultivars.
Documenting the Methods History Would It Improve the Interpretability of Studies

One of the problems we face in clinical research is the false-positive results that emerge from exploratory analyses, which occur in the midst of a multitude of comparisons. With increasing computational power and the availability of existing data, we have the potential to examine data until we find intriguing results. Such work can provide information for future studies and support the development of hypotheses or refine prior estimates. However, the potential weaknesses of the data may not be readily apparent to the reader unless the genesis of the results is properly disclosed. Was the research question fixed at the outset, or did it emerge from nonprotocolized analyses? Were the investigators surprised by the results, or did the findings confirm expectations they may have had from the outset? Most articles do not detail the history of the methods. Studies that appear to have been developed in a forward progression from idea to analytic plan to results may actually have been constructed backward, from results derived from undirected analyses …
Thrombosis and Infection: A Case of Transient Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody Associated with Pylephlebitis

Infections with Bacteroides species have been noted to occur in association with cases of thrombophlebitis. This association has led to the speculation that the microorganisms themselves may contribute to the pathogenesis of thrombus formation through elaborated enzymes, including heparinases, or by interactions between the clotting cascade and the unique structure of the Bacteroides lipopolysaccharide. Anti-phospholipid antibodies have been linked with hypercoagulable states and thrombus formation. Although a number of infections have been associated with the transient production of anti-cardiolipin antibodies, the effect the antibodies may have in contributing to thrombus formation is not well understood. The occurrence of Bacteroides species infection with transient anti-cardiolipin antibody has not been previously reported.
Electrophysiological properties and cholinergic responses in guinea-pig celiac ganglion neurons in primary culture.

Abstract Prevertebral neurons enzymatically dissociated from celiac ganglia of adult guinea-pigs were maintained in long-term primary culture. Cells were plated at a density of 95 ± 15 cm−2, and intracellular electrical activity was measured between 2 and 7 weeks after dissociation. Neurite outgrowth began within 24 h of enzymatic dissociation. Cell survival dropped below 50% after more than two weeks in culture. The resting potential (−53 mV ± 0.8), time constant (12 ms ± 1.3), input resistance ( 47 M Ω ± 8.6 ), rheobase (0.33 nA ± 0.02), degree of accommodation, spike amplitude (70 mV ± 3.0), after hyperpolarization amplitude (−9.5 mV ± 0.55), and after hyperpolarization duration (88 ms ± 7.6) in these cells were not different from those recorded from neurons in intact celiac ganglia. A larger proportion (> 90%) of cells exhibited fast accommodation (phasic) in response to depolarizing current pulses. Unevoked (spontaneous) depolarizations and action potentials were observed. The cells responded to pressure ejected acetylcholine. Two types of responses consisted of an early rapid depolarization which was attenuated by hexamethonium and a later slow depolarization which was attenuated by atropine. We conclude that prevertebral neurons from guinea-pigs can be maintained in long-term primary culture, that they retain electrophysiological properties similar to intact ganglia and exhibit complex responsivity to acetylcholine.
Characterization of a silicon-photonic multi-wavelength power monitor.

We describe the design and operation of a silicon-photonic device for monitoring power variations of individual channels in a multi-wavelength DWDM network. Amplitude variations of ~20 dB, for channels spaced by 100 GHz, are measured.
Teacher-determined and self-determined token reinforcement in a special education classroom

This study demonstrates the long term effectiveness of teacher-determined and self-determined (following a history of teacher-determined) token reinforcement in the control of disruptive and on-task behavior in a junior high school special education classroom. Contingent teacher-determined token reinforcement was successful in controlling both classes of behavior over 14 weeks. Subsequent contingent self-determined token reinforcement was also effective over 11 weeks. Self-assessments were highly correlated with teacher assessments, although the former tended to be more lenient.
The Stability and Growth Pact: A European Answer to the Political Budget Cycle?

The existing literature on political budget cycles (PBCs) looks at the temptation for incumbent governments to run a greater deficit before an election by considering the characteristics of the incumbent. We propose here to look at the signals the incumbent receives from the voters. For this purpose, we consider the votes from the previous national elections and see whether they may influence the incumbent government to run a sound fiscal policy or an expansionary fiscal policy. Since Europe has been equipped with two fiscal rules under the Stability and Growth Pact: a deficit and debt ceiling, the possibility of PBCs is particularly relevant. Can we find evidence of a ‘political budget cycle’ before 1993, and did the fiscal rules prevent the existence of a ‘political budget cycle’ afterwards? To address these questions, we use a cross-sectional time-series analysis of European countries from 1979 to 2005.
Dentists evaluate their patients: an empirical investigation of preferences.

Dental treatment is a dyadic encounter. Yet research on the dentist-patient dyad has tended to focus on patient perceptions of dentist, to the neglect of dentist perceptions of patient. Previous theoretic and qualitative work on caregiver perceptions of patients suggested three dimensions of evaluation. Dentists (N=618) rated their patients on items taken from two prior studies. Dentists' responses were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis substantiated the existence of three evaluative dimensions: compliance, tractability, and likability. Further analysis showed that the three dimensions formed a Guttman simplex, revealing a second-order factor of selectivity and allowing a classification of dentists on the basis of patient selectivity.
Correlation between circulating catecholamine levels and ventricular vulnerability during psychological stress in conscious dogs.

SummaryThe correlation between circulating catecholamines and ventricular vulnerability during psychologic stress was examined in conscious dogs. The repetitive extra-systole (RE) threshold was used to assess vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation. Exposure of the animals to a stressful sling environment compared to that of nonstressful cage setting resulted in a significant 41% (P < 0.01) reduction in the RE threshold. Plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine increased twofold (P < 0.05) and fourfold (P < 0.01), respectively. It is concluded that the elevation in circulating catecholamine levels correlates closely with enhanced ventricular vulnerability during psychologic stress and that the model for psychologic stress employed results in substantial increases in plasma catecholamine levels which is in large part due to release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla.
Adaptive penalized quantile regression for high dimensional data

Abstract We propose a new adaptive L1 penalized quantile regression estimator for high-dimensional sparse regression models with heterogeneous error sequences. We show that under weaker conditions compared with alternative procedures, the adaptive L1 quantile regression selects the true underlying model with probability converging to one, and the unique estimates of nonzero coefficients it provides have the same asymptotic normal distribution as the quantile estimator which uses only the covariates with non-zero impact on the response. Thus, the adaptive L1 quantile regression enjoys oracle properties. We propose a completely data driven choice of the penalty level λ n , which ensures good performance of the adaptive L1 quantile regression. Extensive Monte Carlo simulation studies have been conducted to demonstrate the finite sample performance of the proposed method.
Developmental Needs and Individualized Family Service Plans Among Infants and Toddlers in the Child Welfare System

This study examines levels of developmental need in young children investigated by child protective services, estimates early intervention service use, and examines need and service use variations during the 5-6 years after investigation on the basis of maltreatment substantiation status. Data were from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, the first nationally representative study of children investigated for maltreatment. The sample comprised 1,845 children aged 0 to 36 months at baseline. Logistic regression with covariate adjustment was used to examine the relationship between having an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP; a proxy and marker of early intervention services through Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act) and substantiation status. A high prevalence of developmental problems was found among children with substantiated cases and children with unsubstantiated cases. Few children with developmental needs had an IFSP. Substantiation status and level of child welfare system involvement were significantly associated with having an IFSP.
Does portal pressure influence direction of portal flow and encephalopathy rates after 10-mm portacaval shunts in man?

Abstract Direction of portal flow after small diameter portacaval H graft has been found to significantly correlate with postshunt portasystemic encephalopathy rates. While some patients maintaining prograde portal flow were found to have a lower incidence of portasystemic encephalopathy, it has been suggested that high portal pressures are responsible for minimizing this complication. If both statements are true, then postshunt pressures should be higher in patients with prograde flow and in encephalopathy. Portal pressure and portal flow patterns were determined by shunt cannulation and fluoroscopy in 16 patients fully recovered from operation. Patients were screened for portasystemic encephalopathy over a 6- to 24-month period (average 12 months) at which time shunt patency was documented. Portal pressures were similar in patients with and without portasystemic encephalopathy and in patients with and without prograde flow. These results do not support the concept that portal pressure is an important determinant of portasystemic encephalopathy rates or flow patterns after 10-mm portacaval H graft.
Hyaline cartilage cells outperform mandibular condylar cartilage cells in a TMJ fibrocartilage tissue engineering application

Summary Objective To compare temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condylar cartilage cells in vitro to hyaline cartilage cells cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) environment for tissue engineering of mandibular condylar cartilage. Design Mandibular condylar cartilage and hyaline cartilage cells were harvested from pigs and cultured for 6 weeks in polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds. Both types of cells were treated with glucosamine sulfate (0.4mM), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) (100ng/ml) and their combination. At weeks 0 and 6, cell number, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen content were determined, types I and II collagen were visualized by immunohistochemistry and GAGs were visualized by histology. Results Hyaline cartilage cells produced from half an order to a full order of magnitude more GAGs and collagen than mandibular condylar cartilage cells in 3D culture. IGF-I was a highly effective signal for biosynthesis with hyaline cartilage cells, while glucosamine sulfate decreased cell proliferation and biosynthesis with both types of cells. In vitro culture of TMJ condylar cartilage cells produced a fibrous tissue with predominantly type I collagen, while hyaline cartilage cells formed a fibrocartilage-like tissue with types I and II collagen. The combination of IGF and glucosamine had a synergistic effect on maintaining the phenotype of TMJ condylar cells to generate both types I and II collagen. Conclusion Given the superior biosynthetic activity by hyaline cartilage cells and the practical surgical limitations of harvesting cells from the TMJ of a patient requiring TMJ reconstruction, cartilage cells from elsewhere in the body may be a potentially better alternative to cells harvested from the TMJ for TMJ tissue engineering. This finding may also apply to other fibrocartilages such as the intervertebral disc and knee meniscus in applications where a mature cartilage cell source is desired.
CT findings for blebs and bullae in children with spontaneous pneumothorax and comparison with findings in normal age-matched controls

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SPTX) is a relatively common condition. In patients with SPTX, CT has been advocated to identify blebs and bullae (BB) to help in management planning. The study was designed to assess our experience with CT evaluation for underlying BB in children with SPTX as compared to normal controls. Forty-three children (mean age 16 years, range 13–19 years) with 50 SPTX events with both chest radiographs and CT scans were reviewed. CT findings were compared with those seen in 29 age- and gender-matched controls without SPTX. The parameters evaluated included size, number, location, and ipsi-/contralateral BB; apical lines; and surgical correlation. In the study group, BB were identified in 14 imaged events (28%) (size 2.5–45 mm, one to six BB) with contralateral BB in 11 of the 14 (78.6%). All BB were confined to the apices. BB were sometimes difficult to differentiate from “apical lines”—a suspected normal variant seen in 28 imaged events (56%). Of blebs seen at surgery, 59% were identified on CT, and there were no false-positive CT findings. In the control group, no BB were identified but “apical lines” were seen in eight children (28%). BB were seen by CT in 28% of imaged events in children with SPTX and were always confined to the apices. When present, BB were commonly bilateral (78.6%). BB should not be confused with “apical lines,” which were not only seen in 56% of imaged events in the SPTX group but also in 28% of the normal controls.
Miniature uncooled infrared sensitive detectors for in-vivo biomedical applications

Broadband IR radiation detectors have been developed using miniature, inexpensive, mass produced microcantilevers capable of detecting temperature differences as small as 10-6 K. Microcantilevers made out of semiconductor materials with dimensions of 50 to 200 micrometers long, 10 to 30 micrometers wide and 0.4 to 4 micrometers thick, undergo bending when exposed to IR radiation and can be used either as uncooled photon or thermal detectors. Mounted on a probe 1 mm in diameter a number of microcantilevers can be accommodated in the working channel of existing endoscopes for in vivo proximity focus measurements inside the human body.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Interpretation of English Reflexive Pronouns by Non-Native Speakers

Ninety-six second language learners of English responded to a 30-item multiple-choice questionnaire requiring them to identify the antecedent of a reflexive pronoun. Their judgments differ from those of a native-speaker control group in that they do not require that a reflexive take a clause mate antecedent, but both groups share a preference for subject over non-subject antecedents. The second language learners do not seem to transfer first language (L1) grammar into the second language (L2), nor do they recapitulate the course of L1 acquisition. An extension of Wexler and Manzini's (1987) parameter-setting model of L1 acquisition to L2 data may account for some of these results, but the high incidence of long-distance binding of reflexives remains problematic: these second language learners have set the governing category parameter too widely without positive evidence.
ON THE PEDOGENETIC ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN VOLCANIC ASH SOILS UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS

Abstract In the last few years the role of organic matter in the formation of tropical soils has been studied intensively in Indonesia. It was concluded in previous articles that the process of soil formation is to a large extent intimately related to the speed of decomposition and quantity of organic matter (16, 10, 11). In the lowlands the role of humic acids is of minor importance due to rapid mineralization processes. But at high altitudes, where the climate resembles a warm temperate climate, humic acids are supposed to be as important as carbon dioxide in soil formation.
The mass-specific energy cost of human walking is set by stature

The metabolic and mechanical requirements of walking are considered to be of fundamental importance to the health, physiological function and even the evolution of modern humans. Although walking energy expenditure and gait mechanics are clearly linked, a direct quantitative relationship has not emerged in more than a century of formal investigation. Here, on the basis of previous observations that children and smaller adult walkers expend more energy on a per kilogram basis than larger ones do, and the theory of dynamic similarity, we hypothesized that body length (or stature, L(b)) explains the apparent body-size dependency of human walking economy. We measured metabolic rates and gait mechanics at six speeds from 0.4 to 1.9 m s(-1) in 48 human subjects who varied by a factor of 1.5 in stature and approximately six in both age and body mass. In accordance with theoretical expectation, we found the most economical walking speeds measured (J kg(-1) m(-1)) to be dynamically equivalent (i.e. similar U, where U=velocity(2)/gravity · leg length) among smaller and larger individuals. At these speeds, stride lengths were directly proportional to stature whereas the metabolic cost per stride was largely invariant (2.74±0.12 J kg(-1) stride(-1)). The tight coupling of stature, gait mechanics and metabolic energy expenditure resulted in an inverse relationship between mass-specific transport costs and stature (E(trans)/M(b)∝L(b)(-0.95), J kg(-1) m(-1)). We conclude that humans spanning a broad range of ages, statures and masses incur the same mass-specific metabolic cost to walk a horizontal distance equal to their stature.
Nonlocality of the electron ionization coefficient in n-MOSFETs: an analytic approach

A theory of the electron ionization coefficient as a function of the spatially varying electric field in n-MOSFETs at 300 K is presented. Assuming an exponentially increasing longitudinal electric field, the spatial variation of the ionization coefficient has been calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation. It is found that, over a wide range of the length parameter which describes the electric field profile, the ionization coefficient scales linearly. The expression given for the electron ionization coefficient depends only on the local field and the length parameter and therefore can be used to incorporate nonlocal hot-electron effects in conventional drift-diffusion device simulators. >
Rescue of dystrophic skeletal muscle by PGC-1α involves restored expression of dystrophin-associated protein complex components and satellite cell signaling

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is typically diagnosed in the preschool years because of locomotor defects, indicative of muscle damage. Thus, effective therapies must be able to rescue muscle from fur...
Commentary: Opening Up Perspectives on Autonomy and Relatedness in Parent—Children Dynamics: Anthropological Insights:

Many studies have shown widely varying human child-rearing practices; no child is ever a tabula rasa in the eyes of the culture. The article by McShane et al. (2009) on parenting themes of autonomy and relatedness among Inuit migrants from the northern countryside to Ottawa, a medium-sized city and the capital of Canada, offers important findings on previously less-studied child-rearing among Inuit in that southern urban setting. More broadly, the article contributes insights into how child-rearing practices and beliefs reflect local conceptions of the person and the world, and how the child should be prepared to live in it. Issues raised here include the challenges of distinguishing among cultural, psychological, and political economic influences of migration, urbanization, and globalization, and delineating the ways in which intimate personal concepts interweave with wider forces in child-rearing. Also at issue are definitions of relatedness and autonomy, concepts which are widely deployed in cross-cult...
Role of Proline Residues in the Folding of Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase

Previous studies on the folding mechanism of Escherichia coli serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) showed that the final rate determining folding step was from an intermediate that contained two fully folded domains with N-terminal segments of approximately 55 residues and interdomain segments of approximately 50 residues that were still solvent exposed and subject to proteolysis. The interdomain segment contains 3 Pro residues near its N terminus and 2 Pro residues near its C terminus. The 5 Pro residues were each mutated to both a Gly and Ala residue, and each mutant SHMT was purified and characterized with respect to kinetic properties, stability, secondary structure, and folding mechanism. The results showed that Pro214 and Pro218 near the N terminus of the interdomain segment are not critical for folding, stability, or activity. The P216A mutant also retained most of the characteristics of the native enzyme, but its folding rate was altered. However, the P216G mutant was severely compromised in folding into a catalytically competent enzyme. Mutation of both Pro258 and Pro264 had altered folding kinetics and resulted in enzymes that expressed little catalytic activity. The Phe257–Pro258 bond is cis in its configuration, and the P258A mutant SHMT showed reduced thermal stability. Pro216, Pro258, and Pro264 are conserved in all 53 known sequences of this enzyme. The results are discussed in terms of the role of each Pro residue in maintaining the structure and function of SHMT and a possible role in pyridoxal 5′-phosphate addition to the apo-enzyme.
The use of Phosphorescence in Characterizing Components of the Cell Nucleus

Abstract Phosphorescence spectra were used in the identification and in the evaluation of relative homogeneity of some chromatin components of rat liver nuclei. In particular, histone proteins were distinguished from nonhistone proteins by their respective aromatic amino acid composition.
Patterns and correlates of drug-related ED visits: results from a national survey

Purpose: Drug treatment can be effective in community-based settings, but drug users tend to underuse these treatment options and instead seek services in emergency departments (EDs) and other acute care settings. The goals of this study were to describe prevalence and correlates of drug-related ED visits. Basic procedures: This study used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, which is a nationally representative survey of 43 093 US residents. Main findings: The overall prevalence of drug-related ED visits among lifetime drug users was 1.8%; for those with a lifetime drug use disorder, 3.7%. Persons with heroin dependence and inhalant dependence had the highest rates of ED visits, and marijuana dependence was associated with the lowest rates. Multivariate analyses revealed that being socially connected (ie, marital status) was a protective factor against ED visits, whereas psychopathology (ie, personality or mood disorders) was a risk factor. Conclusions: Significant variability exists for risk of ED use for different types of drugs. These findings can help inform where links between EDs with local treatment programs can be formed to provide preventive care and injury-prevention interventions to reduce the risk of subsequent ED visits. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Dynamic Foreground/Background Extraction from Images and Videos using Random Patches

In this paper, we propose a novel exemplar-based approach to extract dynamic foreground regions from a changing background within a collection of images or a video sequence. By using image segmentation as a pre-processing step, we convert this traditional pixel-wise labeling problem into a lower-dimensional supervised, binary labeling procedure on image segments. Our approach consists of three steps. First, a set of random image patches are spatially and adaptively sampled within each segment. Second, these sets of extracted samples are formed into two "bags of patches" to model the foreground/background appearance, respectively. We perform a novel bidirectional consistency check between new patches from incoming frames and current "bags of patches" to reject outliers, control model rigidity and make the model adaptive to new observations. Within each bag, image patches are further partitioned and resampled to create an evolving appearance model. Finally, the foreground/background decision over segments in an image is formulated using an aggregation function defined on the similarity measurements of sampled patches relative to the foreground and background models. The essence of the algorithm is conceptually simple and can be easily implemented within a few hundred lines of Matlab code. We evaluate and validate the proposed approach by extensive real examples of the object-level image mapping and tracking within a variety of challenging environments. We also show that it is straightforward to apply our problem formulation on non-rigid object tracking with difficult surveillance videos.
Supplementing retention through crown/preparation modification: an in vitro study.

Statement of problem The best treatment for a crown that has come loose but has appropriate marginal fit and form is not clear. Purpose This study was designed to determine whether the retention of such crowns can be increased without remaking the crown or by extensively modifying the tooth preparation. Material and methods Ninety cast metal complete crowns, divided into 9 groups of 10, were fabricated to be slightly loose in their internal adaptation to metal dies with an optimal tooth preparation. Horizontal grooves were formed around the circumference of the internal crown surface and the external surface of the metal die, the control being the unaltered crown and die. The crowns were cemented with resin-modified glass ionomer cement and then subjected to a tensile force until they were dislodged. The data were subjected to a 2-way ANOVA to determine the significance of the differences between crowns and dies, and 2 t tests were then used to compare each crown/die combination to the control (α=.05). Results The mean retention was significantly higher when 1 horizontal groove was placed inside the crowns ( P P Conclusions Placing 1 or 2 horizontal circumferential grooves into the internal surface increased the retention of metal complete crowns made for optimal tooth preparations. Grooves placed into the crown were as effective as or more effective than grooves placed into the tooth / die.
Nonlinear and Buckling Behavior of Curved Panels Subjected to Combined Loads

The results of an analytical study of the nonlinear and buckling response characteristics of curved panels subjected to combined loads are presented. Aluminum and laminated composite panels are considered in the study and a flat and shallow curved panel configurations are considered as well. The panels are subjected to combined axial compression and transverse tension or compression loads or combined axial compression and inplane shear loads. Results illustrating the effects of various combined load states on the buckling response of the panels are presented. In addition, results illustrating the effects of laminate orthotropy and anisotropy and panel curvature on the panel response are presented. The results indicate that panel curvature can have a significant effect on the nonlinear and buckling behavior of the panels subjected to combined loads. Results are included that show that geometrically perfect panels do not exhibit bifurcation points for some combined loads. Results are also presented that show the effects of laminate orthotropy and anisotropy on the interaction of combined loads.