cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary cardiac tumors in infants and children : Immediate and long-term operative results

Background. The literature contains few large or long-term series involving infants and children with primary cardiac tumors. This article summarizes our 35-year experience with such lesions. Methods. Between January 1961 and January 1996, 40 infants and children (mean age, 3.3 years; range, 2 days to 17 years; 65% female) were diagnosed at our institution with primary cardiac tumors. Of these tumors, 37 (92%) were benign and 3 (8%) were malignant. Tumors were resected in 38 patients (95%). In 2 patients (5%), biopsy confirmed rhabdomyoma; however, presenting symptoms spontaneously resolved, so these patients did not undergo tumor resection. Follow-up echocardiographic studies showed a diminishing tumor mass in each of these patients. Results. Immediate, symptom-free status was achieved in all patients. There were two early deaths, for an operative mortality of 5%. Three late postoperative deaths (7.5%) occurred as follows: 1 patient with a myocardial hamartoma died at 3 months of congestive heart failure. Another patient with a recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma died at 6 months, and a third patient with a recurrent fibrosarcoma died at 28 months. Long-term follow-up was available for 34 survivors (97% complete) and totaled 240.2 patient-years (mean, 7.1 years/patient). All remaining survivors were without evidence of presenting symptoms and tumor recurrence or progression. Conclusions. The data suggest that an aggressive operative approach is warranted for benign symptomatic and malignant tumors. This aggressive approach has resulted in extended symptom-free status in patients with benign lesions, and significant palliation and longer survival in patients with malignant lesions, with acceptably low operative risk.
Responsible technoscience: the haunting reality of Auschwitz and Hiroshima.

Auschwitz and Hiroshima stand out as two realities whose uniqueness must be reconciled with their inevitability as outcomes of highly rationalized processes of technoscientific progress. Contrary to Michael Walzer’s notion of “double effect”, whereby unintended consequences and the particular uses to which warfare may lead remain outside the moral purview of scientists, this paper endorses the commitment of the Society for Social Responsibility in Science to argue that members of the technoscientific community are always responsible for their work and the eventual uses made of it. In what follows four related views are outlined pertaining to modern situations within which the technoscientific community operates, so as to highlight the urgency of infusing a sense of responsibility for the products of their activities into this community. A provisional “code” is suggested that may serve as a guide for increased personal responsibility of individual technoscientists (academic scientists and industrial engineers).
ACT Test Scores— What's Behind the Decline?:

Declining test scores have been a major cause for concern in the past year. Speaking to that concern, Ferguson describes the decline and explores some possible causes.
An Efficient Method for Flanking Sequence Isolation in Barley

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based adapter ligation method was developed to determine native barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) sequences flanking Dissociation (Ds) insertions and barley expressed sequence tags (ESTs). This method is simple and efficient, with the majority (∼70%) of queries returning valid sequence information. The success of this method can be traced to experimental protocols that control sample cross contamination and that segregate specific products from nonspecific products. This report describes the protocol in detail, quantifies its efficiency to enable comparisons to future modifications, and discusses specific problems that may be addressed to enable further improvements to this method.
Broad influenza-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in humanized mice vaccinated with influenza virus vaccines

The development of novel human vaccines would be greatly facilitated by the development of in vivo models that permit preclinical analysis of human immune responses. Here, we show that nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) β2 microglobulin−/− mice, engrafted with human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors and further reconstituted with T cells, can mount specific immune responses against influenza virus vaccines. Live attenuated trivalent influenza virus vaccine induces expansion of CD8+ T cells specific to influenza matrix protein (FluM1) and nonstructural protein 1 in blood, spleen, and lungs. On ex vivo exposure to influenza antigens, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells produce IFN-γ and express cell-surface CD107a. FluM1-specific CD8+ T cells can be also expanded in mice vaccinated with inactivated trivalent influenza virus vaccine. Expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is dependent on reconstitution of the human myeloid compartment. Thus, this humanized mouse model permits preclinical testing of vaccines designed to induce cellular immunity, including those against influenza virus. Furthermore, this work sets the stage for systematic analysis of the in vivo functions of human DCs. This, in turn, will allow a new approach to the rational design and preclinical testing of vaccines that cannot be tested in human volunteers.
The peritoneal fluid cytology of adult female dogs.

The percent distribution of peritoneal fluid cellular content of adult female dogs was recorded and found to be dissimilar to all other species examined, especially in regard to mesothelial cell, polymorphonuclear leukocyte and lymphocyte proportions.
Dynamic Fracture Initiation Toughness of a Gamma (Met-PX) Titanium Aluminide at Elevated Temperatures

Recently, a new generation of titanium aluminide alloy named Gamma-Met PX (GKSS, Geesthacht, Germany) has been developed with better rolling and postrolling characteristics. Previous work on this alloy has shown the material to have higher strengths at room and elevated temperatures when compared with other gamma titanium aluminides. In particular, this new alloy has shown increased ductility at elevated temperatures under both quasistatic and high-strain-rate uniaxial compressive loading. However, its high-strain-rate tensile ductility at room and elevated temperatures is limited to ~1 pct. In the present article, the results of a study investigating the effects of the loading rate and test temperature on the dynamic fracture initiation toughness in Gamma-Met PX are presented. A modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (MSHPB) was used along with high-speed photography, to determine the dynamic fracture initiation toughness. Three-point-bend fracture tests were conducted at impact speeds in the range 1 to 3.6 m/s and at test temperatures up to 1200 °C. Furthermore, the effect of long-time high-temperature air exposure on the fracture toughness was investigated. The results show that the dynamic fracture initiation toughness decreases at test temperatures beyond 600 °C. Moreover, the dynamic fracture initiation toughness was found to decrease with increasing exposure time. The reasons behind this drop are analyzed and discussed.
Tumor-altered dendritic cell function: implications for anti-tumor immunity

Dendritic cells (DC) are key regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity, and the array of immunoregulatory functions exhibited by these cells is dictated by their differentiation, maturation, and activation status. Although a major role for these cells in the induction of immunity to pathogens has long been appreciated, data accumulated over the last several years has demonstrated that DC are also critical regulators of anti-tumor immune responses. However, despite the potential for stimulation of robust anti-tumor immunity by DC, tumor-altered DC function has been observed in many cancer patients and tumor-bearing animals and is often associated with tumor immune escape. Such dysfunction has significant implications for both the induction of natural anti-tumor immune responses as well as the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies that target endogenous DC in situ or that employ exogenous DC as part of anti-cancer immunization maneuvers. In this review, the major types of tumor-altered DC function will be described, with emphasis on recent insights into the mechanistic bases for the inhibition of DC differentiation from hematopoietic precursors, the altered programing of DC precursors to differentiate into myeloid-derived suppressor cells or tumor-associated macrophages, the suppression of DC maturation and activation, and the induction of immunoregulatory DC by tumors, tumor-derived factors, and tumor-associated cells within the milieu of the tumor microenvironment. The impact of these tumor-altered cells on the quality of the overall anti-tumor immune response will also be discussed. Finally, this review will also highlight questions concerning tumor-altered DC function that remain unanswered, and it will address factors that have limited advances in the study of this phenomenon in order to focus future research efforts in the field on identifying strategies for interfering with tumor-associated DC dysfunction and improving DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity.
In Vitro Efficacy, Resistance Selection, and Structural Modeling Studies Implicate the Malarial Parasite Apicoplast as the Target of Azithromycin

Azithromycin (AZ), a broad-spectrum antibacterial macrolide that inhibits protein synthesis, also manifests reasonable efficacy as an antimalarial. Its mode of action against malarial parasites, however, has remained undefined. Our in vitro investigations with the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum document a remarkable increase in AZ potency when exposure is prolonged from one to two generations of intraerythrocytic growth, with AZ producing 50% inhibition of parasite growth at concentrations in the mid to low nanomolar range. In our culture-adapted lines, AZ displayed no synergy with chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine, or artesunate. AZ activity was also unaffected by mutations in the pfcrt (P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter) or pfmdr1 (P. falciparum multidrug resistance-1) drug resistance loci, as determined using transgenic lines. We have selected mutant, AZ-resistant 7G8 and Dd2 parasite lines. In the AZ-resistant 7G8 line, the bacterial-like apicoplast large subunit ribosomal RNA harbored a U438C mutation in domain I. Both AZ-resistant lines revealed a G76V mutation in a conserved region of the apicoplast-encoded P. falciparum ribosomal protein L4 (PfRpl4). This protein is predicted to associate with the nuclear genome-encoded P. falciparum ribosomal protein L22 (PfRpl22) and the large subunit rRNA to form the 50 S ribosome polypeptide exit tunnel that can be occupied by AZ. The PfRpl22 sequence remained unchanged. Molecular modeling of mutant PfRpl4 with AZ suggests an altered orientation of the L75 side chain that could preclude AZ binding. These data imply that AZ acts on the apicoplast bacterial-like translation machinery and identify Pfrpl4 as a potential marker of resistance.
Sustainable Futures for Linden Village: A model for increasing social capital and the quality of life in an urban neighborhood

Abstract This paper presents a case study of urban neighborhood redevelopment facilitated by an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort between university faculty/students, community partners, and local organizations/agencies. The target area is Linden Village, a Columbus neighborhood experiencing the same sprawl-driven population loss and economic decline facing many inner city communities in the United States. In this case, local redevelopment is hampered by the deteriorating environment. Moreover, old houses without proper maintenance, repairs, and upgrades are subjected to elevated energy use, high utility costs, and poor environmental quality, placing a burden on remaining residents. The project seeks to increase community awareness of and involvement in sustainable housing and neighborhood development. Activities include identifying community development priorities, conducting a neighborhood health assessment, providing technical assistance and on-the-job training for local residents in green home rehabilitation and new construction, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based mapping for neighborhood development and economic growth. Findings from this project provide baseline results for more wide-ranging studies and facilitate informed decision making for the creation of healthy and sustainable urban environments.
Paradoxical Results after Inadvertent Use of Cosyntropin [Adrenocorticotropin Hormone (1-24)] Rather than Acthrel (Ovine Corticotropin Releasing Hormone) during Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling.

ABSTRACT Objective The use of ovine corticotropin releasing hormone (oCRH) maximizes the diagnostic accuracy of inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) in patients with adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS). oCRH is marketed as ACTHrel and, understandably, may be confused with cosyntropin [ACTH (1-24)]. The inadvertent substitution of synthetic ACTH(1-24) for oCRH (ACTHrel) during IPSS may cause unexpected and misleading results. The aim of this report is to raise awareness of the potential confounding results created when synthetic ACTH(1-24) is mistakenly used during IPSS. Methods We present 3 patients treated at 3 different centers with ACTH-dependent CS in whom ACTH(1-24) was mistakenly substituted for oCRH (ACTHrel) during IPSS. Results In all patients, there was an abrupt and unexpected decrease in plasma ACTH in the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) samples after presumptive stimulation with oCRH. Re-evaluation of the patients’ pharmacy records confirmed that synthetic ACTH(1-24) had been used rather than oCRH during each procedure. Because “sandwich” immunometric assays for ACTH measure the entire pool of endogenous ACTH, the administration of synthetic ACTH(1-24) artifactually decreases the endogenous plasma ACTH(1-39) measurement by binding only to the N-terminal antibody raised against ACTH(1-17) and not to the C-terminal antibody raised against ACTH(34-39). This results in a lack of a detectable sandwich complex and explains the apparent reduction in ACTH concentration. Conclusion An abrupt decrease in ACTH during IPSS suggests that synthetic ACTH(1-24) rather than oCRH (ACTHrel) has been administered. The labeling of oCRH as ACTHrel poses a potential patient safety problem about which endocrinologists, interventional radiologists, and pharmacists should be aware. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20: 646-649)
817 DIENTAMOEBA FRAGILIS, PATHOGEN OR NONPATHOGEN IN CHILDREN

Chronic abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and anorexia are often difficult symptoms for a pediatrician to evaluate. These children are often thought to have psychosomatic complaints. It has been noted that stools for ova and parasites obtained on some of these children have demonstrated parasites often thought to be nonpathogenic. Thus, a retrospective evaluation was performed of children seen at UCLA during the time period from June 1976 through November 1977 in whom the parasite Dientamoeba fragilis (DF) was isolated from stool specimens. DF was present in 14% of 350 children who had stools analyzed for ova and parasites. DF was the only parasite obtained in 9% of the 350 children. History was available from 28 of these 37 patients in whom DF was the only pathogen. Children were aged 10 months to 17 years; males predominated 1.6 to 1. Forty-eight percent of children had been born in the U.S. and had no history to foreign travel; 39% were from Mexico or South America. Ninety-three percent (26/28) had gastrointestinal symptomatology (abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia or constipation); 2 (7%) were asymptomatic. The most common symptom in these children was diarrhea (57%) which was often intermittent. Abdominal pain, often vague and localized to the lower abdominal quadrants was present in 54%; anorexia and fever were present in 39% and 29% respectively. Children were treated with either diiodyhydroxyquin, metronidazole or tetracycline and all but one were asymptomatic on followup evaluation.
Occurrence, distribution, and composition of sulfide minerals, Boulder batholith, montana

Sulfide minerals in the Boulder batholith occur 1. as disseminated grains, visible in hand specimens; 2. in aplitic-pegmatitic pods and masses; 3. along joint and shear surfaces; 4. in hydrothermal veins; and 5. as minute masses within pyrite and silicate minerals and along intergranular sites. Hydrothermally altered rocks have an average sulfide content of 0.8 weight per cent, compared to an average of 0.01 per cent for unaltered rocks. Unaltered rock of the batholith may contain as much as 0.7 weight per cent sulfide. Sulfide inclusions in pyrite, the most abundant sulfide of the batholith, are common and represent a captured iss-phase which later changed to chalcopyrite plus pyrrhotite or mackinawite. Inclusions are most abundant, and more complex, in pyrites of hydrothermally altered and ore rocks. Electron-probe analyses show that pyrites of the Boulder batholith have very similar compositions to those found for pyrites from other ore deposits around the world.
Evidence to correct misperceptions about Rorschach norms.

Possible factors affecting normative shifts in Rorschach data are considered, including (a) genuine changes in mental health over time, (b) alterations in the type of target sample under consideration, (c) evolving scoring rules, and (d) variations in test administration skills or context. I show that the Comprehensive System (CS) criteria for coding form quality have changed substantially over time. Building on the extensive research of others, I also show that CS data collected around the world from people tested outside of a clinical context look somewhat less healthy than Exner's reference sample of socially/vocationally functioning nonpatients but somewhat more healthy than Exner's reference sample of people starting outpatient psychotherapy. Furthermore, preliminary results from Exner's new non-patient sample recruited using the same procedures as before reveals scores that are generally quite similar to the existing reference values. The assertion that CS norms overpathologize people is not supported.
Treatment-competing events in dynamic regimes.

A dynamic treatment regime is a sequence of decision rules for assigning treatment based on a patient’s current need for treatment. Dynamic regimes are viewed, by many, as a natural way of treating patients with chronic diseases; that is, treating patients with adaptive, complex, longitudinal treatment regimens. In developing dynamic treatment strategies, treatment-competing events may play an important role in the overall treatment strategy, and their effects on subsequent treatment decisions and eventual outcome should be considered. Treatment-competing events may be defined generally as patient-specific, random events which interrupt the ongoing treatment decision process in a dynamic regime. Treatment-competing events censor later treatment decisions that would otherwise be made on a particular dynamic treatment regime had the competing events not occurred. For example, in therapeutic studies of HIV, physicians may assign treatment based on a patient’s current level HIV1-RNA; this defines a treatment assignment rule. However, the presence of opportunistic infections or severe adverse events may preclude a strict adherence of the treatment assignment rule. In other contexts, the “censoring”-by-death phenomenon may be viewed as an example of a treatment-competing event for a particular dynamic treatment regime. Treatment-competing events can be built into the dynamic treatment regime framework and counting processes are a natural mechanism to facilitate this development. In this paper, we develop treatment-competing events in a dynamic infusion policy, a random dynamic treatment regime where multiple infusion treatments are initiated simultaneously and given continuously over time subject to the presence/absence of a treatment-competing event. We illustrate how our methodology may be used to suggest an estimator for a particular causal estimand of recent interest. Finally, we exemplify our methods in a recent study of patients undergoing coronary stent implantation.
Using the ACG® casemix system in population health management programs at Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins HealthCare contracts with the US Department of Defense (DOD) to provide fully capitated healthcare services to 28,000 DOD beneficiaries. The health plan is known as the US Family Health Plan (USFHP). In order to understand and meet the healthcare needs of the USFHP population, Johns Hopkins HealthCare uses The ACG® (Adjusted Clinical Group) Casemix System to perform a population health analysis. It then targets patients for a variety of population health-management interventions. Programs such as Health Coaching, Disease Management and Case Management have been developed and implemented to help this population improve health, and reduce healthcare expenditures. The purpose of this presentation is to: 1) Present the results of the population analyses 2) Review the process for identifying and stratifying appropriate patients for interventions 3) Describe the management programs employed at Johns Hopkins HealthCare 4) Review the results of an intensive case-management program, Guided Care (GC), for patients with multi-morbidity
The Isomerization of Methoxy Radical: Intramolecular Hydrogen Atom Transfer Mediated through Acid Catalysis

The catalytic ability of water, formic acid, and sulfuric acid to facilitate the isomerization of the CH3O radical to CH2OH has been studied. It is shown that the activation energies for isomerization are 30.2, 25.7, 4.2, and 2.3 kcal mol−1, respectively, when the reaction is carried out in isolation and with water, formic acid, or sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The formation of a doubly hydrogen bonded transition state is central to lowering the activation energy and facilitating the intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer that is required for isomerization. The changes in the rate constant for the CH3O-to-CH2OH isomerization with acid catalysis have also been calculated at 298 K. The largest enhancement in the rate, by over 12 orders of magnitude, is with sulfuric acid. The results of the present study demonstrate the feasibility of acid catalysis of a gas-phase radical isomerization reaction that would otherwise be forbidden.
Machine Vision for Robotics

This paper examines robotic vision and its relation to computer vision. The role of vision as a robotic sensory process is discussed and compared with the other robotic sensory processes. Some fundamentals of machine vision processing are discussed for the binary, gray-scale, and three-dimensional cases. The paper stresses the need for three-dimensional vision processing for robotic tasks. Architectures and control structures for several different vision processing approaches are explored.
Chromatographic Separation of Growth Hormone and Other Peptides.

SummaryA chromatographic system of high resolving power was devised for the purification of growth hormone and was adapted for use in the separation of other peptides.
Trypanosoma lewisi: accumulation of antigen-specific host IgG as a component of the surface coat during the course of infection in the rat.

Abstract Naturally acquired host IgG, adsorbed to the surface of Trypanosoma lewisi during the course of infection in the rat, was labeled with fluorescein-conjugated rabbit IgG, or Fab fragments of this IgG, directed against rat IgG. The intensity of fluorescent labeling increases with time, concomitant with the increase in anti- T. lewisi activity of host plasma. Trypanosomes harvested from immunosuppressed hosts lack detectable surface IgG. Trypanosomes having little or no detectable surface IgG (harvested from immunosuppressed hosts or early in the infection from immunocompetent hosts) can adsorb IgG from serum with ablastic activity only (obtained from other infected rats between the first and second crises and adsorbed to remove trypanocidal antibodies), but not from normal serum. Therefore, the absence of detectable surface IgG on such cells is not caused by the parasites' inability to adsorb host IgG, but rather results from the immune state of the host. Hence surface IgG on T. lewisi is specific antibody. Host albumin is nonspecifically adsorbed, in contrast to IgG. Trypanosomes from immuno-suppressed and immunocompetent rats were positive and visually indistinguishable from each other when labeled with anti-rat albumin, and were equally agglutinable with anti-rat albumin serum.
Current status and further improvements of a multi-phase transport (AMPT) model

The AMPT model is a multi-phase transport model that is constructed specifically for the study of the quark-gluon plasma created in high energy heavy ion collisions such as those at RHIC and LHC. It contains the initial conditions, an explicit partonic phase, descriptions of the bulk hadronization of a partonic matter into a hadronic matter, and a hadronic phase. The AMPT model has been applied to study many observables at RHIC. The current status of the AMPT model is reviewed first. Then we discuss areas for further improvements, including updating parton distribution functions for heavy nuclei and improving the bulk hadronization of partonic matter.
Influence of hydrogen chemisorption kinetics on the interpretation of hydrogen transport through iron membranes

The influence of a specific surface reaction on the transport of gas-phase hydrogen through iron membranes has been investigated on the basis of model calculations. The surface reaction involves an adsorbed molecular hydrogen precursor between the gas phase and the dissociated chemisorbed state. The calculations demonstrate that the surface reaction for the H2/Fe system makes significant contributions to the time delay associated with the transient hydrogen transport through iron membranes, even under conditions where the steady-state hydrogen transport is independent of the surface reaction. These contributions to the time delay are interpreted in terms of an effective diffusivity, which is a function of the pressure on the entrance side and the thickness of the membrane.
A structure-sensitive continuum model of arterial drug deposition

The successful function of drug-eluting devices used in the treatment of atherosclerosis relies on the concentration and retention of the drug in the vessel wall. While drug deposition necessarily depends on the underlying tissue structure, conventional models do not account for the intrinsic structural complexity of arterial tissue and its impact on deposition. By employing only average bulk material properties, the capability to predict the potential for local toxicity or therapeutic failure is limited. To address these limitations, we have developed a model that accounts explicitly for variations in the tissue structure. The approach uses a laminate approximation of the underlying microscopic structure to specify an expression for the continuous spatial dependence of the effective macroscopic material properties. Based on this continuum description, we derive an analytic expression for drug uptake into arterial tissue under typical ex vivo experimental conditions. This expression is used to extract relevant material properties for paclitaxel in bovine arteries based on available literature data. The best fit parameters are then used as the basis for numerical simulations of long-term deposition behavior from a stent with a pure paclitaxel coating. The results of these simulations are quantitatively consistent with previously reported in vivo observations. We also demonstrate that significant errors can arise in both the interpretation of experimental data and the prediction of drug deposition when structural heterogeneities are ignored. Establishing a robust deposition model can ultimately reduce empiricism in the design of drug-eluting devices, providing a facile means to guide the development and refinement of these technologies.
Insoluble sediment formation in middle distillate diesel fuel: further evidence concerning the role of in situ fuel acidity

Abstract This work focusses on efforts made to clarify links between acidic fuel components and insoluble sediment production during oxidative ageing of middle distillate diesel fuel. Acids present in fuels or produced during accelerated ageing do not appear to be limiting reagents for reactions leading to insolubles in the fuels used in this work. The effect on insolubles production when excess organic base was added to fuels before stressing was investigated. The possibility of using the rate of change in fuel acidity before and after accelerated ageing in conjunction with insolubles formation after ageing is suggested as a fuel procurement specification for long term storage.
Patterns of tongue movement

Abstract This study investigates tongue dynamics during speech production. The focus is on the deformation of the whole midsagittal edge of the tongue in transitions between lingual segments, rather than the movement of individual points of the tongue, which is the traditional focus of tongue dynamics research. Based on the analysis of 600 lingual transitions from an X-ray database of speech, it is shown that there are only two basic patterns of tongue movement, the pivot and the arch, which are independent of the starting and ending segments of a transition. It is then argued that the acoustic effect of these patterns of tongue deformation is to make the acoustic signal as articulatorily-transparent as possible.
Comparison between MR Imaging and 99mTc MIBI Scintigraphy in the Evaluation of Recurrent or Persistent Hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity and positive predictive value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and technetium 99m 2-methoxyisobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy for the detection of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue when used alone and in combination in a large patient population with recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism (HPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 98 consecutive patients with biochemically proved recurrent or persistent HPT after surgery, MR imaging and 99mTc MIBI study findings were retrospectively reviewed and compared with surgical and histopathologic findings. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of MR imaging and 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy were compared with each other and in combination. RESULTS: In these patients, 130 abnormal parathyroid glands were identified at surgery. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of MR imaging were 82% (95% CI: 75%, 89%) and 89%, respectively; those for 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy were 85% (95% CI: 79%, 91%) and 89%. No significant dif...
Optimum Curve Matching Between Two Free-Form Curves for Modeling and Manufacturing

A new curve matching method is proposed to generate non-self-intersecting and non-twisted ruled surfaces for application in diverse fields such as heterogeneous object modeling, layered manufacturing, offsetting and multi-axis NC machining. The method establishes point-to-point correspondence represented by a set of ruling lines between two directrices of the ruled surface. The directrices are given as non-self-intersecting, closed, at least C1 continuous, planar, B-spline curves. To match the points on the directrices, a heuristic optimization method developed with the objective is to maximize the sum of the inner products of the unit normals at the end points of the ruling lines and minimize the sum of the lengths of connecting ruling lines. The generated ruling lines can be used as cutter location data for multi-axis NC machining of ruled surfaces. Moreover, by subdividing the ruling lines into equal number of segments, one can construct a series of intermediate piecewise linear curves that represent the metamorphosis between the directrices. Implementation and examples are also presented.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Speciation in the Central American Seaway: the importance of taxon sampling in the identification of trans‐isthmian geminate pairs

Aim To create a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the closely related serranid genera Alphestes Bloch and Schneider and Dermatolepis Gill and assess the role of the Panamanian Isthmus in speciation within these reef fishes. Location Tropical eastern Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Oceans. Methods Sequence data from one nuclear (TMO-4C4) and three mitochondrial genes (16S, 12S, and cytochrome b) were used in maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses. Results Here we show that previously hypothesized trans-isthmian geminate species are not each other's closest living relatives. Species of Alphestes Bloch and Schneider in the eastern Pacific are sister taxa indicating post-closure speciation. Within Dermatolepis Gill, we identify a sister group relationship between the Caribbean and western Indian Ocean species, a rarely reported biogeographic pattern. Based on sequence divergence, speciation among the three species of Dermatolepis was, however, nearly simultaneous around the time of the isthmian closure event. Main conclusions Our molecular phylogenetic analysis of two closely related genera of reef fishes, each with presumed trans-isthmian geminates, cautions against the uncritical use of morphological similarity in identification of geminates, as well as the assumption that trans-isthmian sister groups date to the isthmian closure event. These findings suggest that in some instances incomplete sampling of species within a clade including putative geminates may lead to improper conclusions regarding the pattern and timing of speciation, as well as incorrect estimation of the rate at which evolution has proceeded.
Altered prefrontal cortical MARCKS and PPP1R9A mRNA expression in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Background We previously observed dendritic spine loss in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder subjects. In the current study, we sought to determine if the mRNA expression of genes known to regulate the actin cytoskeleton and spines correlated with spine loss.
Potassium Effects on Canopy Light Interception and Earliness of No-Tillage Cotton

Earliness of maturity is essential for adaptation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to regions with short growing seasons, and it may be influenced by potassium nutrition. Our objectives were to determine effects of K fertilization on interception of photosynthetically active radiation and earliness, and to describe the relationship between earliness and light interception at different in-canopy heights. Research was conducted with no tillage on a Memphis silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Typic Hapludalf) with low extractable K. Using a split-plot randomized complete block design, 0 and 112 kg K ha -1 were soil-applied before planting each year as mainplot treatments, and 0 and 4.1 kg K ha -1 were foliar applied four times per season as subplot treatments. Canopy interception of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was measured at 23-cm vertical increments in 1993 and 1994. Plots were spindle-picked twice each year. Earliness was measured as the percent of total yield picked at first harvest. Relative to no fertilizer K, soil-applied K increased canopy PPFD interception at all heights measured. Neither soil-applied nor foliar K affected earliness in 1993, a drought year, but soil-applied K decreased percent first harvest from 78 to 65% in 1994. Foliar K did not affect canopy light interception in 1993, and it increased interception in 1994 only with no soil-applied K. At 111 d after planting, percent first harvest was negatively correlated with PPFD interception at all measured heights in the canopy, suggesting that higher K fertility delayed maturity as it increased upper-canopy light interception. In shortseason environments, optimum K fertilization needs to be accompanied by cultivar selection and management that promote earliness of maturity.
Investigation of Spectral Sensitization V. A Study of the Visible and Infrared Spectra of Some Very Pure 2-bis-Benzoxazolyl, 2-bis-Indolinyl, and 2-bis-Quinolyl Cyanine Iodides

A detailed study of the visible spectra in solution and the infrared spectra in the solid state has been made for the following vinylogous series of cyanine dyes: [2-bis (3-ethylbenzoxazolyl)] cyanine iodides, [2-bis-(1-ethyl-3,3-dimethylindolinyl)] cyanine iodides, and [2-bis-(1-ethylquinolyl)] cyanine iodides. Each dye, to be acceptable for study, had to be chromatographically pure, give a correct microchemical elemental analysis, and be free of electron-spin-resonance (free-radical) signals. The characteristic red shift of the principal absorption maxima was observed for these dyes in the visible range as the number of methine linkages increased. A careful comparison of the visible spectral data of the [2-bis (3-ethylbenzoxazolyl)] cyanine iodides with those of the corresponding [2-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolyl)] and [2-bis (3-ethylbenzoselenazolyl)] cyanine iodides, [Leifer et al., Appl. Spectry. 20, 289 (1966)] indicates that the electronegativity of the atom S, Se, or O in the heterocyclic rings probably affects the wavelength of the principal absorption maximum. As the electronegativity of the Group VI.A atom increases, the principal absorption maximum shifts slightly toward the blue. Assignments of vibrational modes to separate absorption regions have been made for these vinylogous series of dyes. Each vinylog has a characteristic pattern of resonant-conjugated stretching modes in the region 1600–1400 cm−1. Some of these modes exhibit a low frequency shift as the resonant-conjugated chain increases. Comparison of the benzoxazolyl modes with those of the corresponding benzothiazolyl and benzoselenazolyl modes indicates that they are probably a function of the electronegativity of S, Se, or O in the heterocyclic rings. As the electronegativity of the VI.A atom increases, the resonant-conjugated stretching modes shift to higher frequencies. There are also characteristic bands in the 1600–1400 cm−1 region which are present in all the vinylogs of each series of these dyes. These bands have been assigned to the stretching modes of the fused phenyl rings present in these dyes. It appears that the fused phenyl stretching modes are a function of the groupings C(CH3)2, O, S, Se present in the indolinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, and benzoselenazolyl heterocyclic rings, respectively. The sulfur and selenium atoms affect these modes the least while the oxygen atom affects these modes the most. Assignments have been made for the aromatic CH out-of-plane bending modes in the region 800–700 cm−1 for these vinylogous series of cyanine dyes. In the spectra of the 2-bis-indolinyl and 2-bis-quinolyl cyanine iodides, there is a band appearing in the region 1000–900 cm−1 which changes systematically with an increase in the number of hydrogens on the bridge. This band has been assigned to the out-of-plane bending vibrations of the hydrogens in a trans configuration on the bridge. No evidence of a cis isomer was observed in the spectra.
Localization and Transport of N-Acetylaspartylglutamate in Cells of Whole Murine Brain in Primary Culture

N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is the most abundant neuropeptide in the mammalian nervous system. Considerable data support the hypothesis that NAAG is synaptically released in a manner consistent with neurotransmission. Primary murine brain cultures containing neurons and glia expressed 1.2-3.5 nmol of NAAG/mg of protein. In contrast to conclusions drawn from immunohistochemistry, pure glial cultures also expressed high levels of NAAG (0.6-2.11 nmol/mg of protein). These data suggest that although a subpopulation of neurons contains very high NAAG levels, micromolar concentrations of the peptide also are present in glia. Both culture types demonstrated robust extracellular peptidase activity when incubated with NAAG, as well as peptide transport. Uptake of [3H]NAAG was both temperature and sodium dependent, yet relatively insensitive to the presence of extracellular glutamate. These results indicate that synaptically released NAAG, as well as that which may be released from glia, is removed from the extracellular space by direct uptake as well as the robust enzymatic degradation of the peptide. A kinetic analysis of this NAAG transport (estimated Km = 1.8 microM) suggests a high-affinity NAAG transport system. The balance of the two processes of direct peptide uptake and peptide hydrolysis would markedly influence the sequence of receptor-mediated events that follow NAAG release.
Telmisartan provides better renal protection than valsartan in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND Angiotension receptor blockers (ARB), telmisartan and valsartan were compared for renal protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed high fat diet. We hypothesized that in cardiometabolic syndrome, telmisartan an ARB with PPAR-γ activity will offer better renal protection.
Improvement in segregational stability of recombinant plasmids by retransformation of E. coli host cells

Strains of E. coli JM103 harboring recombinant pUC8 plasmids were found to exhibit severe segregational instability in the absence of antibiotic selection. This was reversed by retransformation into fresh JM103. pUC8 was considerably more stable than its recombinant derivatives.
Academic Delay of Gratification and Academic Achievement.

This chapter reviews the association between academic delay of gratification and students' motivational beliefs and use of self-regulated learning strategies.
Development of an Internal Model Sliding Mode Controller

This paper shows the synthesis of a robust predictive controller from a process model that represents a good approximation for nonlinear chemical processes. The controller is designed using the internal model and sliding mode control concepts. This approach results in a fixed controller structure that depends on the characteristic parameters of the model. The controller performance is compared with internal model control and sliding mode control for different linear examples. All linear models present a controllability relationship (t0/U) of greater than 1. Simulation results indicate that the proposed controller can work for processes with elevated deadtime, despite modeling errors.
Spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid

Abstract A spectrophotometric method for determining ascorbic acid based on the redox reaction between a copper (II)-2,2′-biquinoline solution and ascorbic acid was developed. The purple color of the copper (I)-2,2′-biquinoline complex formed in a buffered acetone-water solution was measured at 540 nm. Minerals, sugars, and other vitamins do not interfere when present in quantities usually found in pharmaceutical preparations. Ferrous interference was eliminated by treating the sample solution with the cation-exchange resin Dowex 50W-X12. Several single component and multivitamin formulations were satisfactorily analyzed by this method. Its high sensitivity permits measurements of quantities of ascorbic acid to 3.4 μg/ml of sample solution. The procedure is simple, rapid, and suitable for routine control.
Dealing with Disruptive Behavior of Adult Learners

The adult education literature on disruptive behavior of adult learners was reviewed and a survey on disruptive behavior of adult learners was conducted with adult educators. The findings are synthesized in a conceptual framework for understanding the types and causes of disruptive behavior, which fall into the categories of inattention, acting-out, and threatening/harmful/violent. Factors that may contribute to disruptive behavior are the presence of a disability; history of an impoverished social background and/or of exposure to personal violence; personal stressors such as child care and job demands; and, in the learning environment, inadequate instruction, disconnection with the instructor and/or other learners, and ineffective intervention by the instructor. A set of guidelines is offered for preventing and managing disruptive behavior. It is further recommended that research be directed toward identifying interventions that are effective with specific adult education populations and how to train adult educators to deal with disruptive behavior.
Mainstream ingress suppression in gas turbine disk cavities

The sealing characteristics of an air-cooled gas turbine disk cavity have been studied using laser sheet flow visualization. Experiments were performed on a simplified half-scale model of an actual gas turbine disk cavity. This type of rotor-stator geometry with a double-toothed-rim (DTR) seal at the outer periphery and a labyrinth seal at the inner periphery of the cavity has been tested for its ability in preventing ingress of hot mainstream gases. The results show good agreement with previously estimated design data. Experiments were conducted for various labyrinth seal flow rates and rotational Reynolds numbers up to 1.52 [times] 10[sup 6]. The effects of rotor eccentricity on minimum purge flows have also been discussed.
Extended tracking of the microbial community structure and dynamics in an industrial synthetic metalworking fluid system.

Understanding of the occupational exposure risk scenario and disease etiology associated with industrial metalworking fluids (MWFs) requires knowledge of the development and composition of their microbial diversity in relation to the underlying fluid management factors. In this study, a managed synthetic MWF operation freshly recharged following the dumping, cleaning, and recharge (DCR) process was tracked in real time for microbial community changes over a period of 1.25 years (65 weeks). The recharged fluid developed very high bacterial counts (viable and nonviable) fairly quickly after the DCR process, indicating its inadequacy. Genus-/group-specific real-time qPCR confirmed the prevalence of six potentially pathogenic/immunogenic microbial genera/groups, viz . pseudomonads, enterics, mycobacteria, legionellae, actinomycetes, and fungi. Selective culturing revealed Acinetobacter and Bacillus as the most frequently isolated Gram-negative and Gram-positive genera, respectively, in addition to the presence of fungi and actinomycetes. Endotoxin perturbations ( 100 000 EU mL−1) coincided with temporal increases in Gram-negative bacteria and/or periodic biocide additions. PCR-DGGE-sequencing revealed an expanded estimated bacterial richness (up to 23 bands per sample). Of the 16 dominant bacterial phylotypes identified, the majority were detected for the first time in MWF. Interestingly, the study revealed a crucial role for MWF brand, among other fluid factors, in modulating the community structure and dynamics.
Quantifying the Performance of Individual Players in a Team Activity

Background Teamwork is a fundamental aspect of many human activities, from business to art and from sports to science. Recent research suggest that team work is of crucial importance to cutting-edge scientific research, but little is known about how teamwork leads to greater creativity. Indeed, for many team activities, it is not even clear how to assign credit to individual team members. Remarkably, at least in the context of sports, there is usually a broad consensus on who are the top performers and on what qualifies as an outstanding performance. Methodology/Principal Findings In order to determine how individual features can be quantified, and as a test bed for other team-based human activities, we analyze the performance of players in the European Cup 2008 soccer tournament. We develop a network approach that provides a powerful quantification of the contributions of individual players and of overall team performance. Conclusions/Significance We hypothesize that generalizations of our approach could be useful in other contexts where quantification of the contributions of individual team members is important.