cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined Interpolation Scheme for Transition and Noble Metals

A combined interpolation scheme is presented for overlapping $s\ensuremath{-}p$ conduction and $d$ bands. The $d$ bands alone are treated by the tight-binding method. The $s\ensuremath{-}p$ conduction bands alone are treated by the pseudo-potential method. It is shown that there are two important interactions between the bands, which are called hybridization and orthogonalization; previous attempts to construct combined interpolation schemes included only the former interaction. By fitting the energy bands of Cu obtained by Segall and Burdick in first-principles calculations, we show that for the $d$ bands alone the two-center approximation is valid to high accuracy. The rms error in the interpolated energy values for the five $d$ bands and the lowest conduction band is less than 0.1 eV in both cases throughout the Brillouin zone. The relation of this scheme to resonance theories is indicated, and possible applications of the method are discussed.
Sulfated Proteoglycans Produced by Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells

Primary organotypic cultures of embryonic rat dorsal root ganglia, which contain sensory neurons, Schwann cells, and fibroblasts, produce an extensive extracellular matrix. These cultures actively incorporated 35SO4 into glycosaminoglycans, of which 30% were heparan sulfate, 65% chondroitin sulfate, and 5% dermatan sulfate. Sulfate-labeled proteoglycans made by these cells were extracted with 4 M guanidine-hydrochloride and purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation, gel filtration chromatography, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Eight individual species were resolved, of which five were subjected to further analysis. One low-density (less than 1.35 g/ml) proteoglycan, with a Kav on Sepharose Cl-4B = 0.34 contained heparan sulfate chains of Mr = 20,000. The other four proteoglycans, with Kav on Sepharose Cl-4B of 0.04, 0.35 (two), and 0.44, contained predominantly chondroitin sulfate chains with Mr ranging from 30,000 to 40,000. To determine possible functions of these proteoglycans, cultures were grown in medium containing 1 mM 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-beta-D-xyloside. The drug inhibited 35SO4 proteoglycan accumulation in the cell layer by approximately 90%. Drug-treated cultures exhibited several developmental abnormalities, including decreased migration of fibroblast-like cells, abnormal morphology of these cells, and decreased myelination of axons by Schwann cells.
On the MacWilliams identity

Abstract A generalization of the MacWilliams relation between the Hamming weight distributions in a linear subspace of a vector space over a finite field and its dual is deduced from an observation concerning the Fourier transforms of certain members of the group algebra of the additive group of the space.
Effects of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives on cartilage graft viability

Cartilage graft fixation using cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives has aided in the accuracy and stability of these grafts in facial reconstructive procedures. To objectively determine how these adhesives affect cartilage viability, freshly harvested cartilage from septoplasty procedures was bonded in vitro with one of four cyanoacrylate adhesives: Histoacryl, Bucrylate, Krazy Glue, or Eastman 910 monomer. Viable chondrocytes will incorporate the sulfur-35 (35S) isotope in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate, and is therefore a reliable test of cartilage viability. The bonded cartilage specimens were stored from 3 days to 4 weeks at 4 degrees C and then were incubated with the 35S isotope. Autoradiographs were made and the sections were counterstained. Throughout the study period, there was no statistical difference in the viability of Histoacryl-bonded specimens as compared to the controls. Specimens bonded with Bucrylate, Krazy Glue, and Eastman 910 monomer statistically demonstrated markedly less viability compared to those bonded with Histoacryl at the P = .01 level of significance. Further, the cartilage separated from these latter adhesives at the longer study times, most likely secondary to cartilage devitalization. Histoacryl optimizes graft viability as compared to these other available cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives in vitro.
Detection of adulterated and misbranded olive oil products

The Food and Drug Administration has been examining bulk and packaged olive oil products in a continuing program to detect adulteration of olive oil products. Thirteen of 20 products collected in 1983–84 labeled as olive oil contained undeclared esterified (synthetic) olive oil and four contained undeclared olive-residue oil (derived from olive pomace and pits). Seven of 13 brands of imported olive oil contained undeclared esterified oil, suggesting that considerable quantities of esterified oil have been shipped to the United States identified as olive oil.
Contraction operators and principal currents

We investigate the intersection geometry of currents associated with a maximal dissipative operator or the compression of a partial isometry to its initial space.
The Structure and Taxonomic Status of Toddia from the Cottonmouth Snake Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

SYNOPSIS. Of 163 cottonmouth snakes Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma from Louisiana, 4 (2.4%) were infected with Toddia Franca, 1911, an erythrocytic parasite said to be a protozoon. In the 4 blood films, Toddia had an average size of 1.65–1.98 μ with a total size range of 0.88–3.4 μ. In Giemsa-stained slides, the organisms were usually a round red-staining mass which was either homogeneous or sometimes contained granules. A pattern of growth was seen in which the organisms increased in size and in which there was development of an erythrocytic inclusion. The inclusion, which was not a part of the parasite, developed first as a spheroid and then became altered in shape to a crystalloid square, possibly a break-down product of the host cell hemoglobin. The first noticeable damage to the erythrocytes was to the nuclei, which became nearly round; later, when the crystalloid had formed, the host cell degenerated into a small mass containing a pycnotic nucleus, a remnant of cytoplasm and the Toddia. A review of the literature on Toddia and on Pirhemocyton Chatton & Blanc, 1914 leads to the conclusion that the organisms are closely related and that both are viruses of the DNA type.
Toward Accurate Simulations of Cu+ - Protein Binding: Computational Studies of Model Systems with a Polarizable Force Field

Cu+ binding and transport plays an important role in biological processes. It would be advantageous to have the ability to accurately determine their binding affinities via computational means. At the same time, simulation of ions presents a number of fundamental and practical difficulties. We have compared energetic and structural properties of the Cu+ ion complexes with small model molecules. While these simulations without explicit treatment of electrostatic polarization have in some cases lead to more than three-fold errors in the magnitudes of the binding energies, similar calculating with a polarizable force field produced results in good agreement with the available experimental and high-level quantum mechanical data. We believe that this work (a) demonstrates the importance of explicit treatment of the electrostatic polarization in ion-transport and binding simulations and (b) opens a road to accurate in silico determination of Cu+ and other ions binding affinities with proteins.
Bone marrow cells produce a novel TSHβ splice variant that is upregulated in the thyroid following systemic virus infection

Although cells of the immune system can produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the significance of that remains unclear. Using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), we show that mouse bone marrow (BM) cells produce a novel in-frame TSHbeta splice variant generated from a portion of intron 4 with all of the coding region of exon 5, but none of exon 4. The TSHbeta splice variant gene was expressed at low levels in the pituitary, but at high levels in the BM and the thyroid, and the protein was secreted from transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Immunoprecipitation identified an 8 kDa product in lysates of CHO cells transfected with the novel TSHbeta construct, and a 17 kDa product in lysates of CHO cells transfected with the native TSHbeta construct. The splice variant TSHbeta protein elicited a cAMP response from FRTL-5 thyroid follicular cells and a mouse alveolar macrophage (AM) cell line. Expression of the TSHbeta splice variant, but not the native form of TSHbeta, was significantly upregulated in the thyroid during systemic virus infection. These studies characterize the first functional splice variant of TSHbeta, which may contribute to the metabolic regulation during immunological stress, and may offer a new perspective for understanding autoimmune thyroiditis.
Cantoni's generalized transition probability

It is observed that Cantoni's generalized transition probability can be derived from certain physically motivated axioms.
Exploration of the outer planets

Automated mission requirements for outer planets, discussing flyby spacecraft, orbiters, atmospheric entry and grand tour missions
Taste aversions conditioned with partial body radiation exposures.

Abstract Radiation-induced taste aversion was compared in rats which received partial body exposure to the head or abdomen with rats receiving whole body irradiation. Exposure levels ranged from 25 to 300 roentgens (R). In additional groups, saccharin aversion to partial body gamma ray exposures of the abdomen were conditioned in animals which had prior experience with the saccharin solution. Aversion was measured with a single-bottle short-term test, a 23-hour preference test and by the number of days taken to recover from the aversion. Whole body exposure was most effective in conditioning the aversion, and exposure of the abdominal area was more effective than exposure of the head. Also, the higher the exposure, the stronger the aversion. Rats receiving prior experience with the saccharin did not condition as well as control rats with no prior saccharin experience. The possible role of radiation-induced taste aversion in human radiotherapy patients was discussed.
Effect of crystal size on the oxidative dehydrogenation of butane on V/MgO catalysts

Producing metal oxide catalysts with nanometer crystal sizes offers an attractive means of controlling catalytic behavior in selective oxidation reactions. In this work, the catalytic behavior of MgO nanocrystal-supported vanadium was compared to that of vanadium supported on conventionally prepared MgO. It was found that nanocrystals gave higher butene selectivity for weight loadings of 5, 15, and 25%, producing less CO, ethylene, and propylene. Both types of catalysts were characterized using nitrogen adsorption, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and XANES to determine the structure of vanadium on the magnesium oxide surface. The catalyst surface structure appears to be similar on both types of catalysts, with a magnesium orthovanadate phase supported on a MgO phase. It is hypothesized that the chemical nature of the support, specifically acid/base properties, was responsible for the differences noted in catalytic behavior, though differences in the domain size of Mg3(VO4)2 could also play a role.
Reduced weight in mice offspring after in utero exposure to 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves

Time-bred CD-1 mice (100) were sham-irradiated or irradiated with 2450-MHz (CW) microwaves at 28 mW/cm2 for 100 minutes daily from the 6th through 17th day of gestation. The offspring were examined either as fetuses after hysterotomy on the 18th day of gestation or as naturally born neonates on the 1st and 7th day of age. Fetuses of half of the dams were examined on the 18th day of gestation. The incidence of pregnancy and the numbers of live, dead, resorbed, and total fetuses were similar in both groups. The mean weight was significantly lower (10%) in live microwave-irradiated fetuses, and ossification of sternal centers was significantly delayed. In the offspring that were born naturally, the mean weight of microwave-irradiated 7-day-old suckling mice was significantly lower (10%) than that of the sham-irradiated group. Survival rates of neonates in these two groups were not different. These data demonstrate that the decreased fetal weight seen in microwave-irradiated mice is retained at least 7 days after birth. Evidence from other published studies is presented to show that the retarded growth is persistent and might be interpreted as permanent stunting.
Development of a nurse-instructor preparation program in China

Preparation of nurses to function as instructors in schools of nursing has proved a continuing problem in the effort to upgrade nursing and nursing education in third-world nations. Development of a nurse-instructor preparation program in China is discussed. Methods of adapting the program to local and national needs, abilities and resources are described along with the use of the counterpart concept to assure program continuation once foreign nurse-experts are no longer available. Use of a Phase Model program is seen as a method of maximizing use of nurse-consultants while alleviating their recruitment problems and preserving the continuity and integrity of the program.
Pyrolytic Carbon Formation from Carbon Suboxide

ALMOST all the extensive work done on the formation of pyrolytic carbon films has consisted of the decomposition of a hydrocarbon on non-metallic substrates like porcelain or artificial graphite. Work is in progress in our laboratory investigating the kinetics and mechanism of carbon film formation on glazed porcelain from carbon suboxide (C3O2)1. In the course of this work, it was of interest to look briefly, initially, at the effect of some different substrates on the qualitative rate of carbon formation and more particularly on the nature of the film formed.
Laminar Condensation on a Moving Drop. Part 2. Numerical Solutions

In this paper, we investigate the problem of transient laminar condensation on a moving drop by the semianalytical series-truncation method. The objectives are to assess the validity and the accuracy of the matched-asymptotic method employed in Part 1. The fluid flow and thermodynamic variables are expanded as complete series of Legendre polynomials. The resulting transient momentum, energy and species equations are integrated numerically. The numerical scheme basically involves a three-point central difference for the spatial derivatives and a backward difference expression for the temporal derivatives. The finite-difference equations have been solved by the strongly implicit procedure. Good agreement of the fully transient numerical results with the singular perturbation approximation results of Part 1 lends credibility to a quasi-steady treatment of the continuous phase. The computational time requirements for the fully numerical solutions increase with decreasing non-condensable gas mass fraction in the bulk environment.
The Corticospinal System: From Development to Motor Control

The corticospinal system is the principal motor system for controlling movements that require the greatest skill and flexibility. It is the last motor system to develop. The pattern of termination of corticospinal axons, as they grow into the spinal gray matter, bears little resemblance to the pattern later in development and in maturity. Refinement of corticospinal terminations occurs during a protracted postnatal period and includes both elimination of transient terminations and growth to new targets. This refinement is driven by neural activity in the motor cortical areas and by limb motor experience. Developing corticospinal terminals compete with each other for synaptic space on spinal neurons. More active terminals are more competitive and are able to secure more synaptic space than their less active counterparts. Corticospinal terminals can activate spinal neurons from very early in development. The importance of this early synaptic activity appears to be more for refining corticospinal connections...
Balloon angioplasty for coarctation of the aorta: Immediate and long-term results

Twenty-five infants and children with native coarctation of the aorta had percutaneous balloon angioplasty over a 28-month period ending in May, 1987. The mean systolic pressure gradient across the coarctation decreased from 47.6 +/- 20.9 mm Hg to 10.3 +/- 7.3 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) following angioplasty, and the diameter of the coarcted segment increased from 3.2 +/- 1.7 mm to 7.8 +/- 3.5 mm (p less than 0.001). Clinical and echo-Doppler follow-up indicated excellent results in 16 of the 18 patients in whom 3- to 22-month follow-up was available; two infants required additional treatment (repeat angioplasty in one and surgical resection in the other). Fourteen patients who underwent repeat cardiac catheterization remain improved with regard to pressure gradient across the dilated coarctation (9.5 +/- 9.6 mm Hg, p less than 0.001) and angiographically measured sizes of the coarcted segment (10.3 +/- 3.2 mm, p less than 0.001). No aneurysm was seen in any child. We recommend balloon angioplasty as the therapeutic procedure of choice for relief of severe, previously unoperated coarctation of the aorta in neonates and young infants. Routine use of balloon angioplasty for unoperated coarctation of the aorta in children appears indicated, but should await longer follow-up results and reports of follow-up on a larger number of patients; this caution is mainly based on reports from other workers of aneurysm formation at the site of balloon dilatation.
Design, fabrication, and characterization of a plasmonic upconversion enhancer and its prospects for photovoltaics

The design, fabrication, and characterization of an upconversion-luminescence enhancer based on a two-dimensional plasmonic crystal are described. Full-wave finite-differ- ence time domain analysis was used for optimizing the geometrical parameters of the plasmonic crystal for maximum plasmon activity, as signified by minimum light reflection. The optimum design produced >20× enhancement in the average electromagnetic field intensity within a one- micron-thick dielectric film over the plasmonic crystal. The optimized plasmonic upconverter was fabricated and used to enhance the upconversion efficiency of sodium yttrium fluoride: 3% erbium, 17% ytterbium nanocrystals dispersed in a poly(methylmethcrylate) matrix. A thin film of the upconversion layer, 105 nm in thickness, was spin-coated on the surface of the plasmonic crystal, as well as on the surfaces of planar gold and bare glass, which were used as reference samples. Compared to the sample with a planar gold back reflector, the plasmonic crystal showed an enhancement of 3.3× for upconversion of 980-nm photons to 655-nm photons. The upconversion enhancement was 25.9× compared to the same coating on bare glass. An absorption model was developed to assess the viability of plasmonically enhanced upconversion for photovoltaic applications. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI. (DOI: 10
Vascular Biology of the Placenta

Abstract The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, thereby allowing nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother’s blood supply. Proper vascular development in the placenta is fundamental to ensuring a healthy fetus and successful pregnancy. This book provides an up-to-date summary and synthesis of knowledge regarding placental vascular biology and discusses the relevance of this vascular bed to the functions of the human placenta. Table of Contents: Introduction / Placental Blood Circulation / Structure of the Placenta / Cell Types of the Placenta / Oxygen Tension and Placental Vascular Development / Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis of Human Placenta / Angiogenic Factors / Vasoactivators and Placental Vasoactivity / Lymphatic Phenotypic Characteristics of the Human Placenta / Placental Tissue and Cord Blood Stem Cells / Summary / Acknowledgment / References
Evolution of the iss gene in Escherichia coli

The increased serum survival gene iss has long been recognized for its role in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) virulence. iss has been identified as a distinguishing trait of avian ExPEC but not of human ExPEC. This gene has been localized to large virulence plasmids and shares strong similarities with the bor gene from bacteriophage λ. Here, we demonstrate that three alleles of iss occur among E. coli isolates that appear to have evolved from a common λ bor precursor. In addition to the occurrence of iss on the ColV/BM virulence plasmids, at least two iss alleles occur within the E. coli chromosome. One of these alleles (designated type 3) was found to occur in the genomes of all currently sequenced ExPEC strains on a similar prophage element that also harbors the Sit iron and manganese transport system. When the prevalence of the three iss types was examined among 487 E. coli isolates, the iss type 3 gene was found to occur at a high frequency among ExPEC isolates, irrespective of the host source. The plasmid-borne iss allele (designated type 1) was highly prevalent among avian pathogenic E. coli and neonatal meningitis-associated E. coli isolates but not among uropathogenic E. coli isolates. This study demonstrates the evolution of iss in E. coli and provides an additional tool for discriminating among E. coli pathotypes through the differentiation of the three iss allele types and bor.
Low-Molecular-Weight Sulfonates, a Major Substrate for Sulfate Reducers in Marine Microbial Mats

HS 2 h 21 in a stromatolite mat, 38 and 36 m MH S 2 h 21 in a salt pond mat, and 27 and 18 m MH S 2 h 21 in a salt marsh mat, respectively. The traditionally used substrates lactate and acetate stimulated the rate of sulfide production 3 to 10 times more than taurine and cysteate stimulated the rate of sulfide production in all mats, but when ethanol, glycolate, and glutamate were added to stromatolite mat slurries, the resulting increases were similar to the increases observed with taurine and cysteate. Isethionate, sulfosuccinate, and sulfobenzoate were tested only with the stromatolite mat slurry, and these compounds had much smaller effects on sulfide production. Addition of molybdate resulted in a greater inhibitory effect on acetate and lactate utilization than on sulfonate use, suggesting that different metabolic pathways were involved. In all of the mats tested taurine and cysteate were present in the pore water at nanomolar to micromolar concentrations. An enrichment culture from the stromatolite mat was obtained on cysteate in a medium lacking sulfate and incubated anaerobically. The rate of cysteate consumption by this enrichment culture was 1.6 pmol cell 21 h 21 . Compared to the results of slurry studies, this rate suggests that organisms with properties similar to the properties of this enrichment culture are a major constituent of the sulfidogenic population. In addition, taurine was consumed at some of highest dilutions obtained from most-probable-number enrichment cultures obtained from stromatolite samples. Based on our comparison of the sulfide production rates found in various mats, low-molecular-weight sulfonates are important sources of C and S in these ecosystems.
Foundational proof checkers with small witnesses

Proof checkers for proof-carrying code (and similar systems) can suffer from two problems: huge proof witnesses and untrustworthy proof rules. No previous design has addressed both of these problems simultaneously. We show the theory, design, and implementation of a proof-checker that permits small proof witnesses and machine-checkable proofs of the soundness of the system.
Integrated detectors for embedded optical interconnections on electrical boards, modules, and integrated circuits

Significant opportunities exist for optical interconnections at the board, module, and chip level if compact, low-loss, high-data-rate optical interconnections can be integrated into these electrical interconnection systems. To create such an integrated optoelectronic/electronic microsystem, mask-based alignment of the optical interconnection waveguide, optoelectronic active devices, and interface circuits is attractive from a packaging alignment standpoint. This paper describes an integration process for creating optical interconnections which can be integrated in a postprocessing format onto standard boards, modules, and integrated circuits. These optical interconnections utilize active thin-film optoelectronic components embedded in the waveguide/interconnection substrate, thus eliminating the need for optical beam turning elements and their alignment, and providing an electrical output on the substrate from an optical interconnection. These embedded optical interconnections are reported herein using BCB polymer optical waveguides with embedded InGaAs-based thin-film inverted metal-semiconductor-metal (I-MSM) photodetectors on an Si substrate. These interconnections have been fabricated and tested, and the coupled optical signal from the waveguide to the embedded photodetector was theoretically modeled at 56.4%, which was supported by an experimental estimate of 47.8%. The measured full-width at half maximum of the electrical pulse from the MSM photodetector embedded in the waveguide was 16.73 ps for an input 500-fs optical laser pulse.
The Nutrition Transition Is Underway in India

Nutrition research in India has previously focused on the serious problem of undernutrition related to nutrient deficit and high rates of infection. Recent data from the National Family Health Survey 1998199 (NFHS 2) however identified a significant proportion of Indian women as overweight coexisting with high rates of malnutrition. This paper examines the emerging nutrition transition for women living in rural and urban communities of Andhra Pradesh India. NFHS 2 provides nationally representative data on womens weight and height. In this paper we examine representative data from the state of Andhra Pradesh (n = 4032 women). Logistic regression analyses are applied to the data to identify socioeconomic regional and demographic determinants of overweight and thinness. The major nutrition problem facing women continues to be undernutrition with 37% having a low body mass index [(BMI) 25 kg/m2) and 2% are obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2). Furthermore in the large cities of the state in which 4% of the sample live 37% of women are overweight or obese whereas in the rural areas in which 74% reside 43% have a low BMI. Women from lower socioeconomic groups are also significantly more likely to have a low BMI. Findings from the logistic regression models reveal socioeconomic status to be a more important predictor of both over- and underweight than location of residence. (authors)
Liquid filled prismatic louver façade for enhanced daylighting in high-rise commercial buildings.

A liquid filled prismatic louver (LFPL) facade that can perform daylight and thermal energy harvesting with the potential to offer enhanced natural illumination levels to office spaces and thermally assist secondary thermal driven applications is proposed and analyzed. We focus the present simulation study on the evaluation of daylight enhancement in indoor space by redirecting light from a window opening to the ceiling of the room, and then-after a diffusive reflection from the ceiling-onward to the work plane of the room. Illumination simulations using LightTools, a forward ray tracing illumination simulation software, are performed for an office building space located in New York City. We show that the LFPL system achieves deeper natural light penetration, better uniformity and higher illuminance levels compared to an office space without the LFPL system. We further extend our study to a number of other representative cities in the continental US, covering different climatic zones. The LFPL system achieves good daylight harvesting performance. Finally, we discuss the potential of the LFPL system to capture solar infrared radiation heat within the liquid (e.g., water) volume and use it to assist in secondary thermal energy applications.
In Vitro Growth and Nutrition of Buergenerula spartinae, a Fungus Associated with Spartina alterniflora

The Ascomycete Buergenerula spartinae, occurs commonly on the leaves and culms of salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, and appears to be limited to this host in the USA. This fungus can be observed on the growing, senescing, and dead stages of the plant and appears to invade initially as a weak parasite. Laboratory studies were conducted on the effects of environmental and nutritional factors on growth of Buergenerula spartinae. Growth of the fungus increased with increasing salinity to 30%o and 30 C was the optimum temperature. The dry matter produced by the fungus decreased with increasing concentrations of mannitol and polyethylene glycol indicating that the growth response was due to an ionic rather than an osmotic effect with seawater. Greater mycelium production occurred in standing versus shake culture and when cultures were exposed to light. All of the 12 carbohydrates tested were utilized except galactose and mannitol. Ammonium salts were the most readily utilized nitrogen sources, followed by amino acids, and NaNO3. Growth was greatest at C: N ratios of 5:1 to 20:1. Thiamine, biotin, and pyridoxine were required and growth was reduced when iron and zinc were deleted from the culture medium.
Time course of gastrointestinal tract permeability to chromium 51-labeled ethylenediaminetetraacetate in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To establish values for gastrointestinal tract permeation by chromium 51-labeled ethylenediaminetetraacetate (51Cr-labeled EDTA) in healthy adult dogs, and to evaluate the time course for 51Cr-labeled EDTA absorption over a 24-hour period after its administration, in an effort to define a shorter, more practical collection method. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: After an 18-hour nonfeeding period, each dog was given a solution containing 50 microCi of 51Cr-labeled EDTA in deionized water (10 ml/kg of body weight) by stomach tube. Complete urine collection was done at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after 51Cr-labeled EDTA administration. Five-milliliter samples of urine were counted for 15 minutes in a gamma counter, and radioactivity in urine was expressed as a percentage of the orally administered dose. RESULTS: Median (range) 24-hour urinary recovery of 51Cr-labeled EDTA after 24 hours was 15.1 (12.7 to 20.3)%. Urine collected at 2, 4, and 6 hours contained 1.0 (0.2 to 3.5)%, 6.5 (2.2 to 8.7)%, and 10.0 (8.1 to 11.7)% of the administered 51Cr-labeled EDTA, respectively. Urine passed during the first 6 hours contained, on average, 67 (54 to 77)% of the total 24-hour urine recovery. CONCLUSIONS: 6-hour urinary recovery of 51Cr-EDTA provides a potential alternative to 24-hour recovery. This shorter collection period may more specifically reflect small intestinal permeability.
An Analysis of 100 Primary Cadaver Kidney Transplants

Abstract A multifactorial analysis of 100 consecutive first cadaver kidney transplants was done to document the current status of this treatment for end stage renal disease and to determine the influence of the following variables on kidney losses owing to rejection: splenectomy, pre-transplant transfusions, transfusion at the transplantation, recipient sex, pre-transplant nephrectomy, donor and recipient A, B or O blood group, human leukocyte A and B antigen mismatches, kidney preservation method, donor treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, recipient treatment with antilymphocyte serum or antilymphoblast globulin and a low dose of steroid treatment for rejection. Pretransplant splenectomy for leukopenia, 5 or more pre-transplant blood transfusions and pre-transplant transfusions without development of circulating cytotoxic antibodies significantly reduced kidney losses owing to rejection (p less than 0.05). A low dose of steroid treatment for rejection resulted in a trend towards improved patient survival without sacrificing kidney graft survival. Clinical studies demonstrating decreases in kidney graft rejection should be controlled for pretransplant blood transfusions and, possibly, for pre-transplant splenectomy for hypersplenism.
An unfolding view of imaging: when perception becomes unreal!

We see things not as they are, but as we are. —Source unknown [(1)][1]Over the past decade, private and public payers have used a barrage of programs and policies to restrain growth and excessive utilization patterns within cardiovascular imaging. Dramatic cuts in payments, prior authorization
Endoscopic Treatment of Simultaneous Malignant Biliary and Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Patients with advanced GI malignancies, most commonly pancreatic cancer, can develop combined biliary and gastric outlet obstruction. Formerly only treated by surgical gastric and biliary bypass, endoscopy with simultaneous endoscopic and biliary stenting is now the standard first-line approach. Several anatomic variants exist based on the location of the enteric obstruction relative to the Ampulla of Vater that has been shown to predict procedural success. In the event of failed biliary cannulation, alternative approaches including endoscopic ultrasound assisted biliary access and percutaneous approaches should be considered. This chapter covers the workup and therapeutic options to manage combined biliary and enteral obstruction.
This “rends in Pieces all the Barriers between Virtue and Vice”: Tennentists, Moravians, and the Antinomian Threat in the Delaware Valley

N THE SUMMER OF 1745, Gilbert Tennent, one of the middle colonies’ leading revivalist preachers, was preparing a sermon in his Philadelphia study during a fierce thunderstorm, when a bolt of lightning struck the house and sent a surge of electricity through his body, blowing out the soles of his shoes and melting the buckles. Although Tennent would later explain this frightening experience as a random act of God,Moravians in Philadelphia interpreted the lightning bolt as a specific demonstration of divine “warning” thrown down on one of their most vocal “enemies." In fact, according to a Reformed opponent of the Moravians, the leader of the whole Moravian enterprise, Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, had predicted as much three years earlier. Although coming after the fires of the Great Awakening had cooled, the Moravian interpretation of Tennent’s encounter with a bolt of lightning is testament to debates that surged to the fore during the Great Awakening and that revolved around Moravian activity in the Delaware Valley.
The Golden Prime of the ‘Abbāsids

The ‘Abbāsid dynasty, like others in Moslem history, attained its most brilliant period of political and intellectual life soon after its establishment. The Baghdād caliphate founded by al-Saffāḥ and al-Manṣūr reached its prime in the period between the reigns of the third caliph, al-Mandi, and the ninth, al-Wāthiq, more particularly in the days of Hārūn al-Rashīd and his son al-Ma’mūn. It was chiefly because of these two luminous caliphs that the ‘Abbāsid dynasty acquired a halo in popular imagination and became the most celebrated in the history of Islam. The dictum quoted by the anthologist al-Tha‘ālibi1 († 1038) that of the ‘Abbāsid caliphs “the opener” was al-Manṣūr, “the middler” was al-Ma‘mūn and “the closer” was al-Mu‘taḍid (892–902) is therefore not far from the historical truth. After al-Wāthiq the state starts on its downward course until under the Caliph al-Musta‘ṣim, the thirty-seventh of the line, it meets its final destruction at the hands of the Mongols in 1258. An idea of the degree of power and glory and progress attained by the ‘Abbāsid caliphate at its highest and best may be gained from a scrutiny of its foreign relations, a study of court and aristocratic life in its capital, Baghdād, and a survey of the unparalleled intellectual awakening that culminated under the patronage of al-Ma’mūn.
Transceivers, Packaging, and Photonic Integration

This chapter reviews electro-optical packaging and integration technologies for short distance optical communication. With increasing system performance and bandwidth requirements, optical communication is applied for ever shorter distances. Consequently, novel packaging strategies are required that enable a close integration of optical technology within the system. Today, pluggable transceivers are applied at the system edge and embedded optical modules for onboard assembly are emerging in bandwidth hungry applications. The first high-performance computing systems are now on the market in which optical transceivers are mounted onto the switch chip package. Still, cost and assembly efforts related to optics hinder a more widespread application of optical link technology. Integration strategies at all levels are required to enhance performance and functionality of optics, while reducing cost. Optical printed circuit board technology and integrated photonics offer tight integration between electrical and optical functions.
The Platelet as a Target for Damage

Multiple effectors are involved in reducing platelet survival. These include the spleen, liver, vascular endothelial system, elements of the adaptive and innate immune systems, and the coagulation system. These organs and circulating factors typically act in concert with one another – to varying degrees depending upon the etiology – in pathological platelet removal. Improved understanding of molecular mechanisms has led to increased recognition of complement as an etiologic agent in thrombocytopenia, leading to new therapeutic possibilities. The activated endothelial cell promotes platelet activation and enhanced consumption, particularly in the setting of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia where a significant prothrombotic state is promulgated despite varying degrees of thrombocytopenia. In other disorders, cofactors important in complement regulation (atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome) or cleavage of ultra large molecular multimers of von Willebrand factor (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) are reduced or absent leading to heightened platelet consumption and other defects. Depending upon their specificity, elaboration of autoantibodies (immune thrombocytopenia) or alloantibodies (human leukocyte antigen alloimmunization, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, and posttransfusion purpura) results in abnormal platelet clearance. Due to the presence of target antigens on donor platelets, transfusion of unselected platelets in these circumstances is associated with poor increments. A basic understanding of the pathobiology of these processes may therefore improve diagnostic and treatment decisions and open the doors to new research.
Effect of Dinotefuran on Bemisia tabaci and Amblyseius swirskii, 2016

With the overall goal to integrate predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in the management program of MED whitefly, the specific objective of this study was to evaluate dinotefuran, a neonicotinoid insecticide considered as a grower standard for whitefly control, and assess its compatibility with swirskii mite. The trial was conducted on an ornamental host, salvia under greenhouse condition at U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory. Salvia plants were grown from seed in Premier Pro-mix General Purpose Growing Medium in seedling trays, and placed into a plexiglass screened cage (61 × 91 × 61 cm) for ∼8 wks to prevent contamination prior to experimentation. Plants in seedling trays were then transplanted into one gallon plastic pots and placed in mesh screened cage (61 × 61 × 61 cm). Potted plants were irrigated as needed and fertilized with 50 ml/pot …
Profit, People, Planet, and Perversion: The Need for Attorney General Enforcement in Benefit Corporation Legislation

For-profit, social entrepreneurship is a growing movement. As a result, in recent years, legislation authorizing the incorporation of a new form of for-profit business corporation known as a “benefit corporation” has been signed into law in numerous states. In addition to generating profit for shareholders, benefit corporations must “create” a “public benefit.” The requirement that a corporation support a humanitarian cause in addition to turning a profit is a significant departure from shareholder primacy — the idea that the sole purpose of a corporation is to make money. While this legislation is a progressive and needed evolution in U.S. corporate law, the current benefit corporation form includes only limited, toothless accountability and enforcement mechanisms. The current legislation does little to deter bad actors from taking advantage of socially conscious consumers willing to pay a premium for ethically sourced goods and services. This Note argues for the addition of attorney general oversight and enforcement in benefit corporation legislation in order to root out and deter the incorporation and marketing of sham benefit corporations.
Lost in Degree

The following essay was written during my time as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. Upon writing this essay, I was not aware that I had sent it out for publication. The private pain I was experiencing, apparently somehow moved me to submit this to a journal. It was a couple months after I submitted this piece to the Journal of Latinos and Education (JLE) that I realized that my scholarship boy story was something that some readers could relate to. Upon its publication in JLE, I received dozens of emails from scholarship boys and girls from across the nation.
Cloud IaaS for Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics: On-Demand Coupling of Cloud Computing to Experimental Facilities

While many high performance and high throughput scientific computations have been successfully ported to the cloud, coupling data intensive instruments, experiments and sensors to IaaS remains a challenge. We walk through the process of cloud migrating computations on physical IT infrastructure that are integrated with mass spectrometry instruments. A spotlight is put on the challenges of on-demand coupling of cloud resources to a stochastic scheduled physical experiment sensitive to output IO stability. We also discuss scalability of the application with increasing vCPUs and scheduling multiple independent instances of the application to enable burst scientific capability not viable with limited on-site infrastructure. Finally, we overview planned future work to integrate with more complex cloud distributed resources.
Use of a novel sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm reduces the need for pelvic lymphadenectomy in low-grade endometrial cancer

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the capability of a novel sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping algorithm to reduce the need for pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) in patients with low-grade (G1–2) endometrial cancer (LGEC). Methods Patients with LGEC underwent evaluation according to a novel lymphatic assessment algorithm during hysterectomy with SLN biopsy at two academic gynecologic oncology programs. Side-specific PLND was only performed if ipsilateral SLN mapping failed and high-risk uterine features were identified on frozen section (FS). Side-specific and PLND rates were compared to theoretical PLND rates based on the NCCN EC SLN mapping algorithm. Results Since 11/2015, 113 LGEC patients have been managed according to the algorithm. SLN mapping was bilateral (81%), unilateral (12%), or neither (6%). Nine patients (8.0%) had LN metastases identified. Of the 21 patients requiring intraoperative FS due to failed SLN mapping, high-risk uterine features were identified in eight (38%). These patients underwent either bilateral (2) or unilateral (6) PLND. Side-specific and overall PLND rates were 5.3% and 7.1%, respectively. If all patients with failed mapping had undergone PLND according to the NCCN algorithm, side-specific and overall PLND rates would have been higher, 12.4% and 18.6%, respectively ( P =0.01). All patients who failed to map and did not undergo side-specific PLND had low-risk uterine features on final pathology. Conclusions Lymphatic assessment using SLN mapping followed by selective FS to determine need for PLND is feasible. When compared to the NCCN algorithm, this novel "Reflex Frozen Section" strategy eliminates PLND in patients at lowest risk for metastasis without compromising identification of metastatic nodal disease.
Mitigating the Detrimental Impact of Maximum Negative Affect on Team Cohesion and Performance Through Face-to-Face Communication:

Research on team affective composition has been limited by primarily focusing on the influence of the mean level of team affect despite suggestions that even one affectively negative member may hav...
Biomechanical Strength of Scaphoid Partial Unions.

Background It remains unknown how much force a partially united scaphoid can sustain without refracturing. This is critical in determining when to discontinue immobilization in active individuals. Purpose The purpose of this study was to test the biomechanical strength of simulated partially united scaphoids. We hypothesized that no difference would exist in load-to-failure or failure mechanism in scaphoids with 50% or more bone at the waist versus intact scaphoids. Materials and Methods Forty-one cadaver scaphoids were divided into four groups, three experimental osteotomy groups (25, 50, and 75% of the scaphoid waist) and one control group. Each was subjected to a physiologic cantilever force of 80 to 120 N for 4,000 cycles, followed by load to failure. Permanent deformation during physiologic testing and stiffness, max force, work-to-failure, and failure mechanism during load to failure were recorded. Results All scaphoids survived subfailure conditioning with no significant difference in permanent deformation. Intact scaphoids endured an average maximum load to failure of 334 versus 321, 297, and 342 N for 25, 50, and 75% groups, respectively, with no significant variance. There were no significant differences in stiffness or work to failure between intact, 25, 50, and 75% groups. One specimen from each osteotomy group failed by fracturing through the osteotomy; all others failed near the distal pole loading site. Conclusion All groups behaved similarly under physiologic and load-to-failure testing, suggesting that inherent stability is maintained with at least 25% of the scaphoid waist intact. Clinical Relevance The data provide valuable information regarding partial scaphoid union and supports mobilization once 25% union is achieved.
Extremal Quasiconformal Mappings in Plane Domains

This paper is an expanded version of the lecture given by the first author at the Ann Arbor conference celebrating Fred Gehring’s seventieth birthday and his many contributions to mathematics. Our primary purpose is to give an exposition of some of the main results of our joint paper [EL]. In view of the special occasion, we have devoted Sections 2 through 8 to a survey of some classical results about extremal quasiconformal mappings Sections 9 and 10 report some results from [EL], and Section 11 reports some results obtained by Nikola Lakic while this paper was in progress. The interested reader can learn more about extremal mappings from Kurt Strebel’s survey article [St3] and Edgar Reich’s paper [R3] in this volume, both of which we highly recommend.