cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibronectin and proteoglycan synthesis in long term cultures of cartilage explants in Ham's F12 supplemented with insulin and calcium: Effects of the addition of TGF-β

Abstract Canine cartilage explants were maintained in a basal medium supplemented with a commercially available supplement (ITSCR + ) which includes insulin for up to 12 days in culture. During this time it was found that proteoglycan synthesis, as measured by 35 SO 4 incorporation into high molecular weight proteoglycans, was maintained at levels comparable to those at Day 0. This is in substantial agreement with the results of McQuillan et al. (1) for bovine cartilage explants. Since the basal medium which we used, Ham's F 12 , is low in calcium, we found that supplementation with additional calcium also was needed for maintenance of proteoglycan synthesis. This defined medium was not adequate to prevent a decrease in fibronectin, total protein, and collagen synthesis relative to Day 0 levels. The addition of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) at 2 and 10 ng/ml to the defined medium not only prevented the decline in fibronectin synthesis but progressively increased the rate of fibronectin synthesis until the Day 0 levels were exceeded by an average of fourfold. This TGF-β-induced increase in fibronectin synthesis was contrasted with the increase in fibronectin synthesis previously reported for degenerated cartilage of osteoarthritic joints (2, 3), and possible implications for understanding the disease were discussed.
Kinetic analysis of plasmepsins I and II, aspartic proteases of the Plasmodium falciparum digestive vacuole

Plasmepsins I and II are Plasmodium falciparum aspartic proteases implicated in hemoglobin degradation. Using a synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrate based on the initial hemoglobin cleavage site, we have analyzed kinetic parameters of the two enzymes in native and recombinant forms. Both native plasmepsins cleave the model substrate well. Recombinant plasmepsin II behaves similarly to native enzyme, substantiating its usefulness for inhibition and structural studies. In contrast, recombinant plasmepsin I does not resemble its native homolog kinetically. A hybrid molecule, in which the polyproline loop of plasmepsin I has been replaced by the homologous sequence from plasmepsin II, still maintains the specificity/kinetics of plasmepsin II. This suggests that the polyproline loop, important for substrate recognition in the mammalian aspartic protease renin, does not play a similar role in the plasmepsins.
Hormone replacement therapy in epidemiologic studies and randomized clinical trials - are we checkmate?

To take it or not to take it?that is the question for millions of postmenopausal women around the globe with respect to hormone replacement "therapy" (HRT). The question has become particularly tantalizing since the recent premature halting of a federally funded randomized mega trial, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), which indicated that a com? bined regimen of estrogen and progesterone increases the risk not only of breast cancer but also of cardiovas? cular disease.1,2 These findings, on first examination, appear to contradict the results of epidemiologic studies, which over the past decade seem to have indicated that HRT is "good for you."3'4 Epidemiologists and clinical trialists alike have rarely been confronted with a question of greater public health importance: Does HRT decrease or increase the risk of heart disease? At least every woman, every gynecologist and every primary care physician want to know the "correct" answer. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are considered the "gold standard" in medical research. If epidemiologic studies and RCTs produce discrepant results, doubts are generally east over the epidemiologic studies, and epi? demiologists are put on the defensive and challenged to come up with an explanation for the differences. Surely it is our responsibility as public health profes? sionals to make sense of the data. The question is: Have the epidemiologic studies failed and thus misled clini-
Repeated Profiling of Microstructure Lenses with a Midwater Float

Abstract A freely drifting, midwater float equipped with a buoyancy controller has been developed and used to obtain 20 m profiles of temperature gradient (∼0.02 m resolution) and temperature (∼0.5 m resolution) at ∼6 min intervals. Thermal structure and internal wave motions from a 20 h record obtained at 550 m depth and 500 km offshore from Southern California are analyzed. Intense microstructure activity is episodic and concentrated into microstructure “lenses.” Two of three lenses of increased microstructure activity found were associated with intrusions of ∼5 m vertical and ∼100 m horizontal scale. A third, much smaller and weaker lens was associated with a temperature step. A hint that microstructure intensity was modulated by low-frequency internal wave shear is also found.
Analogue speech security systems

Speech is probably the most fundamental form of communication available to us and our society has become highly dependent on our modern, fast and accurate means of transmitting spoken messages. Usually the main aim of communicants is merely to trasmit a message as quickly, accurately and cheaply as possible. There are, however, a number of situations where the information is confidential and where an interceptor might be able to benefit immensely fromt he knowledge gained by monitoring the information circuit. In such situations the communicants must take steps to conceal and protect the content of their spoken message. Of course, the amount of protection will vary. On occasions it is sufficient to prevent a casual ‘listener’ from understanding the message but there are other times when it is crucial that even a determined interceptor must not be able to deduce ti.
Performance and orientation structures of research scientists

Abstract Previous conceptualizations of the cosmopolitan-local distinction ( Merton, 1957 ) are explored in regard to the behavioral orientations of 178 research scientists in six of the Navy's largest R & D laboratories. Orientations were measured through variables indicative of the scientist's productive output, the quality and characteristics of his research, and the length and quality of his relationship with his organization. A principle components analysis of 13 variables revealed three orientation factors: research, professional, and local. Scientists in six disciplines (engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, physiology, and psychology) were then compared on each of the three orientations, and significant differences were found among these six in both research and professional orientation, but not in local orientation. Finally, significant differences in orientation were found between those scientists who left their organization and those who remained.
4-(Aminomethyl)-1-Aryl-2-Pyrrolidinones, A New Class of Monoamine Oxidase B Inactivators

AbstractBoth 4-(aminomethyl)-l-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone (4a) and 4-(aminomethyl)-1-(methoxyphenyl)-2-pyr-rolidinone (4b) hydrochlorides were synthesized via a six-step sequence, which represents a general approach to 1,4-disubstituted 2-pyrrolidinones. Both of these compounds inactivated monoamine oxidase B and represent the first in a new class of monomamine oxidase inactivators.
A salt on the land: A narrative analysis of the controversy over irrigation-related salinity and toxicity in California's San Joaquin Valley

A narrative ‘network’ analysis of the seeming paralysis of efforts to deal with the problem of toxic elements in agricultural drainage in California's San Joaquin Valley shows irrigation agencies to be caught in a dilemma. Despite pressures to reduce uncertainty about treatment methods, reducing this uncertainty risks increased political polarization over agricultural subsidies. As a result, policy-makers are reluctant to move in any action-forcing direction, and continue to order further studies. We sketch out those areas of contention that must be addressed if real progress is to be made, demonstrating that the issues are primarily organizational and political rather than technical. We also discuss our experience in presenting these findings, along with our recommendations for structural separation of drainage functions from present irrigation agencies, to the relevant policy audience.
PCBM Disperse-Red Ester with Strong Visible-Light Absorption: Implication of Molecular Design and Morphological Control for Organic Solar Cells

A new dyad of fullerene/disperse-red, denoted as PCBDR, strongly absorbs visible light in the range of 400–600 nm. PCBDR showed advantages over PCBM in several aspects such as enhanced visible-light absorption, improved solubility, and the possibility to facilitate cascaded electron transfer. P3HT:PCBDR bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells, nevertheless, so far have not outperformed P3HT:PCBM BHJ solar cells under similar conditions. Among factors that affect the efficiency of P3HT:PCBDR BHJ solar cells, the suppression of the interchain interaction of P3HT in the P3HT:PCBDR blend played a major role, presumably due to better interfacial miscibility between P3HT and PCBDR than that in blends of P3HT:PCBM. In contrast, benzoporphyrin (BP), due to its unique crystallinity, morphology, and nonsolubility, afforded a better control of the morphology and the interface of the p/n junctions. As a consequence, the performance of solar cells with BP/PCBDR as the active layer was comparable to that of BP/PCBM solar...
Bandlimiting Considerations In Geometrical Distortion Systems

A scheme for realizing certain geometrical distortions in a coherent optical system has been proposed and demonstrated by Bryngdahl. This technique is described as being applicable when the object functions exhibit "relatively slow spatial variations." In this paper the notion of slowly varying object functions is examined in terms of the spatial bandwidth of these functions, thus providing a means for examining the merit of such a distortion technique. It is shown that the technique may be expected to work well at low spatial frequencies, worsening with quadratic spatial frequency dependence. The spatial frequencies at which the distortion technique fails may be readily estimated. In general, these limiting spatial frequencies depend on wavelength, separation between input and output planes, posi-tion in the output or input plane, and the particular distortion one wishes to realize.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A reassessment of the phosphoglycerate bypass enzymes in human erythrocytes.

Abstract Dissociation of the human erythrocyte into cytoplasmic and membranous components, shows that all of the cell's intrinsic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase activity is associated with the soluble component. Further fractionaction of the cytoplasm on DEAE cellulose illustrates that both 1,3-diphosphoglycerate mutase and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase activities occur coincidently within one peak. Thermal denaturation of the peak proteins at 60° results in a parallel loss in phosphatase and mutase activity. The identical phenomenon is observed in the presence of the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase activator, 2-phosphoglycolate. Homogeneous 1,3-diphosphoglycerate mutase, which quantitatively accounts for all of the intrinsic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase within the red cell, also exhibits thermal instability at 60°. These findings suggest that the phosphoglycerate bypass in erythrocytes is under the control of a single, bifunctional enzyme.
EFFECT OF A REPAIR STEP ON THE RECOVERY OF COLIFORMS FROM FROZEN BLANCHED VEGETABLES

The incubation of vegetable homogenates in water or trypticase soy broth for 1 h at 30°C resulted in a 5 to 10-fold increase in the recovery of coliforms when subsequently cultured in lauryl sulfate tryptose broth or on violet red bile agar.
Effects of prostaglandin F2α, cloprostenol and fenprostalene on uterine clearance of radiocolloid in the mare

Uterine clearance of radiocolloid was measured by scintigraphy in 5 reproductively normal mares and in 4 mares exhibiting a delay in uterine clearance (DUC) after administration of PGF2α, cloprostenol or fenprostalene. Scintigraphy studies were performed on the second or third day of estrus during 3 consecutive estrous cycles. Drugs, PGF2α (5 mg IM), cloprostenol (CLO; 2mg IM) or fenprostalene (FEN; 250 μg subcutaneously) were given in random order, with only 1 drug given each estrus. Treatment response curves were generated, and the effect of each drug on uterine clearance of radiocolloid was compared to the clearance of radiocolloid when no drug was given and between treatments. In reproductively normal mares, CLO and PGF caused a rapid clearance of radiocolloid within 60 min (P 85% and 2 mares clearing <35%. In mares exhibiting DUC, all 3 drugs (CLO, PGF and FEN) caused rapid clearance of radiocolloid from the uterus by 60 min (P < 0.0001). Mares cleared significantly more colloid after treatment with CLO at 60 and 120 min than after PGF (P < 0.001). In conclusion, CLO appears to be the best drug of the 3 tested for stimulating clearance of intrauterine fluid since variation in response was observed following treatment with PGF and FEN.
Control of supplementary feedback cue properties by differentiation and extinction procedures

If classically predifferentiated supplementary feedback cues promote psychomotor learning through the operation of conditional properties, as prior studies have suggested, one should be able to nullify such effects by conventional extinction procedures. The present study examined this implication. After preliminary tracking practice under common conditions, 88 Ss were assigned in equal numbers to (l)aversive differentiation of to-become supplementary error (CS+) and targeting (CS−) cues, (2) differentiation followed immediately by extinction trials, (3) CS-only controls, and (4) neutral controls. Subsequently, all groups tracked under common conditions of cue availability and withdrawal. Once again, predifferentiation transformed otherwise ineffective cues into significant learning supports. Contrary to expectation, however, extinction trials failed to nullify their effects on performance. This failure was rationalized in terms of the known resistance of aversive CRs to extinction and/or possible reconditioning of the cues during the tracking trials.
Lack of Elevation of Stress-Inducible Heat-Shock Protein 70 in the Ferret Lung After Chronic Cigarette Smoke Inhalation

AbstractFew investigations have examined in vivo expression of lung heat-shock proteins (HSPs) following environmental stress. This study was performed to ascertain if stress-inducible HSP 70 in the ferret lung is elevated following inhalant exposure to 2 high concentrations of a mixture of mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke: (a) 381 ± 97 (SD) mg/m3 and (b) 38.2 ± 13.3 (SD) mg/m3. Ferrets (n = 5 for each concentration) starting at 5 wk of age were exposed head-only to cigarette smoke for 2 h/day, 5 days/wk for a total of 15 wk; control ferrets (n = 4) were exposed to filtered air. Samples of the peripheral lung from the right apical lobe were obtained for analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), protein immunoblotting, and subsequent chemiluminescent detection. Results revealed that stress-inducible HSP 70 is present constitutively in the control ferret lung and is not elevated significantly (p = .7758) in lungs from both groups of smoke-exposed ferrets.
Appropriateness of Age Thresholds for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunoprophylaxis in Moderate-Preterm Infants: A Cohort Study

Importance Recommendations concerning the appropriate age threshold for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis in moderate-preterm infants are highly debated. Objective To determine the age at which moderate-preterm infants’ risk of RSV hospitalization has decreased to the risk observed in low-risk term infants. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of Florida and Texas Medicaid fee-for-service billing records matched to birth certificates from Medicaid beneficiaries aged 0 to 12 months with a sibling younger than 5 years and without other indications for RSV prophylaxis between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2004. Exposures For each state, we used discrete time survival analysis to develop age trend models for RSV hospitalizations for 2 groups: moderate-preterm infants (32-34 weeks’ gestational age) and term infants (37-41 weeks’ gestational age). Main Outcomes and Measures Age at which preterm infants’ risk of RSV hospitalization equaled the risk for term infants at age 1 month. Results Our cohort included 247 566 eligible infants with 5322 RSV hospitalizations. Preterm status doubled the risk for RSV hospitalization in both Florida (odds ratio = 2.41; 95% CI, 1.85-3.12) and Texas (odds ratio = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.64-2.30). Preterm infants’ risk of RSV hospitalization was similar to that for 1-month-old term infants at ages 4.2 months (95% CI, 2.5-5.7) in Florida and 4.5 months (95% CI, 2.8-6.4) in Texas. Conclusions and Relevance The age at which moderate-preterm infants showed RSV hospitalization risk similar to their healthy term counterparts supports the more restrictive age thresholds in RSV immunoprophylaxis recommendations. Further studies are warranted to investigate the age-dependent risk of RSV hospitalization in other RSV risk groups.
Injury Patterns in Division I Collegiate Swimming

BackgroundIn the last 25 years, it is estimated that over 42,000 male and female swimmers have competed at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A level. Despite the magnitude of these numbers, little is known about the epidemiology of collegiate swimming injuries.PurposeTo describe the pattern of injuries incurred for one NCAA Division I collegiate men’s and women’s swimming team over 5 seasons.Study DesignDescriptive epidemiology study.MethodsMusculoskeletal and head injuries reported in the Sports Injury Management System for a Division I swimming team from 2002–2007 were identified. Gender, body part, year of eligibility, position, stroke specialty, scholarship status, and team activity during which the injury occurred and lost time were recorded. Risk of injury was assessed relative to gender, stroke specialty, and year of eligibility.ResultsFrom 2002–2007, 44 male and 50 female athletes competed for the University of Iowa swimming and diving team. The overall injury rates we...
Measuring the Reliability of Qualitative Text Analysis Data

This paper reports a new tool for assessing thereliability of text interpretationsheretofore unavailable to qualitative research.It responds to a combination of twochallenges, the problem of assessing the reliabilityof multiple interpretations – asolution to this problem was anticipated earlier(Krippendorff, 1992) but not fullydeveloped – and the problem of identifying unitsof analysis within a continuum of textand similar representations (Krippendorff, 1995).The paper sketches the family ofα-coefficients, which this paper extends, andthen describes its new arrival.A computational example is included in the Appendix.
Using cognitive referents in making sense of teaching: A chemistry teacher's struggle to change assessment practices

This qualitative case study focused on the role of cognitive referents in the sense-making process of one teacher as he attempted to change his classroom science assessment. The interpretations identify cultural myths, conceptual metonymys, as well as personally constructed beliefs as referents that constrained change. The teacher's cognitive struggle to make sense of assessment and his role as assessor are linked to conflicting referents he used in varying contexts including day-to-day assessment and summative assessment settings. The results of the study suggest that cognitive referents are important influences in driving how a teacher thinks about assessment and may constrain an individual teacher's implementation of innovative practices. Accordingly, identification of referents such as myths, their associated beliefs, and metonymic conceptual models that teachers use to make sense of their actions is an important first step in developing an understanding of constraints to educational change.
Psychiatric symptoms among juveniles incarcerated in adult prison.

Objective: Although studies reveal substantial mental health treatment needs among youths in the juvenile justice system, far less is known about young offenders transferred to adult criminal court. This statewide study examined the mental health needs of young offenders who committed serious crimes and were transferred to adult court and subsequently incarcerated in a prison for adults. Methods: Sixty-four boys aged 16 and 17 years who were incarcerated in the Texas adult correctional system completed the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2 (MAYSI-2), a mental health screening measure widely used in the juvenile justice system. Scores from the youths in adult prison were compared with those of a matched sample of youths in juvenile correctional facilities, drawn from the MAYSI-2 normative data. Results: Youths in adult prison reported substantial symptoms of mental health problems. Most youths surveyed (51%) scored above the highest clinical cutoff (the “warning” range) on at least one MAYSI-2 subscale. For every clinical subscale except suicide ideation, the majority of youths (54% to 70%, depending on the subscale) scored above the “caution” range. Juveniles in adult prison reported higher rates of symptoms than did those in juvenile correctional facilities (effect sizes ranged from d=.18 to d=.65, depending on the subscale). Conclusions: Although the mental health needs of youths in the juvenile justice system are well documented, this study reveals that mental health treatment needs appear to be even more pronounced in the small subgroup of youths transferred to the adult criminal justice system and incarcerated in adult prison. (Psychiatric Services 60:1092–1097, 2009)
Basis selection in LOBPCG

The purpose of our paper is to discuss basis selection for Knyazev's locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient (LOBPCG) method. An inappropriate choice of basis can lead to ill-conditioned Gram matrices in the Rayleigh-Ritz analysis that can delay convergence or produce inaccurate eigenpairs. We demonstrate that the choice of basis is not merely related to computing in finite precision arithmetic. We propose a representation that maintains orthogonality of the basis vectors and so has excellent numerical properties.
Maternal expectations of postpartum social support: validation of the postpartum social support questionnaire during pregnancy

Thirteen percent of women experience postpartum depression. Prenatal screening for anticipated postpartum social support, a postpartum depression risk factor, may allow for early intervention. We sought to validate use of a modified version of the Postpartum Social Support Questionnaire (PSSQ) in pregnant women at increased risk for postpartum depression. Factor analysis using orthogonal varimax rotation was used. The modified PSSQ, administered during pregnancy, yields similar loading patterns as observed in postpartum administration of the original PSSQ.
Terameprocol, a methylated derivative of nordihydroguaiaretic acid, inhibits production of prostaglandins and several key inflammatory cytokines and chemokines

Background Extracts of the creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, have been used for centuries by natives of western American and Mexican deserts to treat a variety of infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders. The beneficial activity of this plant has been linked to the compound nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its various substituted derivatives. Recently, tetra-O-methyl NDGA or terameprocol (TMP) has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain tumor-derived cell lines and is now in clinical trials for the treatment of human cancer. In this report, we ask whether TMP also displays anti-inflammatory activity. TMP was tested for its ability to inhibit the LPS-induced production of inflammatory lipids and cytokines in vitro. We also examined the effects of TMP on production of TNF-α in C57BL6/J mice following a sublethal challenge with LPS. Finally, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects we observed.
Quantity of allergen per unit area is more important than concentration for effective patch testing

Background: Concentration of a material in a patch test vehicle such as petrolatum has generally been considered of prime importance in obtaining successful patch test results. With the advent of newer patch test methods that allow strict control of both concentration and total quantity of an allergen in a patch, it has become possible to study the importance of total allergen quantity presented to the skin. Objective: This study was undertaken to determine if different quantities of allergen presented on patches at the same concentration would produce different patch test results. Methods: Nine individuals known to be allergic to potassium dichromate were retested with two patches, both containing a concentration of 175 ppm of potassium dichromate. The standard patch was seven times thicker than the “thin” patch and contained .88 μg/cm2 versus .13 μg/cm2 of potassium dichromate. Results: Six of the 9 patients reacted to the standard patch, whereas none reacted to the thin patch. Conclusion: Total allergen quantity in a patch available to the skin surface is more important than concentration of allergen in the patch test vehicle.
HIGH-RESOLUTION (113)CD NMR OF SOLIDS. CORRELATION OF SPECTRA WITH THE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF A DECANUCLEAR CADMIUM(II) COMPLEX(I)

The usefulness of /sup 113/Cd NMR in solution as a structural and dynamic probe of macromolecular systems is hampered by fast exchange of Cd/sup 2 +/ with ligands and solvent. This paper demonstrates that recently developed techniques for attainment of high-resoluion NMR spectra in solids can overcome this problem. These spectra provide information about Cd/sup 2 +/ coordination environments which is unavailable in solution and which can be used to interpret NMR spectra in solution. By a combination of /sup 113/Cd-/sup 1/H cross polarization and spinning either at the magic angle or slightly off magic angle, the following solid-state /sup 113/Cd NMR data for each cadmium site in the decanuclear cation Cd/sub 10/(SCH/sub 2/CH/sub 2/OH)/sub 16//sup 4 +/ have been obtained: sigma, the isotropic value of the chemical shift; ..delta..sigma, the shielding anisotropy; and S, a symmetry factor which characterizes the uniformity of shielding with respect to an axially symmetric tensor. The values of sigma and ..delta..sigma are shown to accurately reproduce the static (nonspinning) NMR spectrum of the solid.
Elucidating xylose metabolism of scheffersomyces stipitis by integrating principal component analysis with flux balance analysis

The conversion of pentose to ethanol is one of the major barriers of industrializing lignocellulosic ethanol processes. As the most promising native strain for pentose fermentation, Scheffersomyces stipitis (formerly known as Pichia stipitis) has been widely studied for its xylose fermentation. In spite of the abundant experimental evidence regarding ethanol and by-products production under various aeration conditions, the mathematical descriptions of the processes are rare. In this work, the constraint-based metabolic network model for the central carbon metabolism of S. stipitis was reconstructed by integrating genomic (P. stipitis v2.0, KEGG), biochemical (ChEBI, KEGG) and physiological information available for this microorganisms and other related yeast. The model consists of the stoichiometry of metabolic reactions, the biosynthetic requirements for growth and other constraints. Flux Balance Analysis is applied to characterize the phenotypic behavior of S. stipitis grown on xylose. The model predictions are in good agreement with published experimental results. In addition, a series of specially designed in silico experiments are performed, and PCA has been applied to analyze the results to elucidate the redox balance of S. stipitis for xylose fermentation. The analysis revealed key metabolic reactions related to redox homeostasis and could provide important insights on cofactor engineering of xylose metabolism.
Use of decision-based simulations to assess resident readiness for operative independence

Abstract Background Recent literature has called into question resident readiness for operative independence at the end of general surgery training. Methods We used a simulation-based exit examination to assess resident readiness. Six chief residents performed 3 simulated procedures: bowel anastomosis, laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair, and pancreaticojejunostomy. Faculty assessed resident performance using task-specific checklists, Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), and final product analysis. Results Residents' individual task-specific checklist scores ranged from 25% to 100% across all 3 procedures. Mean OSATS scores ranged from 4.06 to 4.23/5.0. Residents scored significantly higher on "instrument knowledge" (mean = 4.78, standard deviation [SD] = 23) than "time and motion" (mean = 3.94, SD=.48, P = .025) and "ability to adapt to individual pathologic circumstances" (mean = 4.06, SD=.12, P = .002). Final product analysis revealed a range of errors, including incorrect technique and poor intraoperative planning. Conclusions Despite relatively high OSATS ratings, residents had a wide range of errors and procedure outcomes. Exit assessments using multiple evaluation metrics may improve awareness of residents' learning needs.
Equine thyroid dysfunction

Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid gland dysfunction reported in horses. Primary, secondary, and tertiary causes of hypothyroidism are discussed. Equine hypothyroidism remains a controversial endocrine disorder because extrathyroidal factors, including the administration of drugs and systemic diseases, affect serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T3) concentrations in horses. Accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism therefore requires assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Diagnostic procedures for evaluating thyroid gland function are outlined and results of studies utilizing experimental models are discussed.
Peptide conjugated cellulose nanocrystals with sensitive human neutrophil elastase sensor activity

In chronic wounds, elevated human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a destructive protease that has been proposed as a biomarker. Numerous wound dressing designs have been introduced in an effort to lower HNE levels. The clinical detection of HNE as a point of care biomarker or an in situ colorimetric adjuvant to chronic wound dressings presents potential advantages in the management of chronic wounds. A colorimetric approach to the detection of HNE using peptide conjugated cotton cellulose nanocrystals (CCN) is reported here. For this purpose a HNE tripeptide substrate, n-Succinyl-Alanine–Alanine-Valine-para-nitroanilide (Suc-Ala–Ala-Val-pNA), was covalently attached to glycine esterified CCN and compared with a similar tetrapeptide analog for colorimetric HNE sensor activity. Visible HNE activity was significantly higher on CCN tripeptide conjugates when compared with similar analogs synthesized on paper. Upon enzymatic release of para-nitroaniline (pNA) from the Glycine-CCN conjugate of succinyl-Ala–Ala-Val-pNA, amplification of the colorimetric response from pNA with reactive dyes enhanced visible absorption of the chromogen. Two color amplifying dyes that react with pNA were compared for their ability to enhance the visual sensor response to HNE activity. The colorimetric detection of HNE with CCN tripeptide conjugates was sensitive at HNE levels previously reported in chronic wound fluid (0.05 U/mL HNE). The HNE sensor and the chromogen amplifying dyes were interfaced with 50 and 10 kD dialysis cellulose membranes (DCM) to model filtration of HNE and chromogen (pNA) from a model wound dressing surface before and after sensor reactivity. The detection sensitivity to HNE activity was assessed with the CCN-tripeptide conjugate interfaced at the DCM surface distal and proximal to a dressing surface. The HNE sensor interfaced proximal to the dressing surface was most efficient with 10 kD membrane filtration of pNA and subsequent reaction with amplifying dyes. When interfaced with the 10 kD cellulose membrane, elastase sensor activity remained sensitive to 0.05 U/mL HNE. The nanocellulose surface properties, performance and design issues of the biosensor approach are discussed.
Collimation of Raman scattering with plasmonic structures

We demonstrate the collimation of Raman scattering by a SERS substrate consisting of optical antennas, a metallic reflector and a 1D grating of metal strips. A ∼6.1° FWHM angle perpendicular to the strips is measured.
Precipitation of iron oxide filler particles into an elastomer

Samples of peroxide-cured butyl rubber were impregnated with anhydrous FeCl3, which was then hydrolyzed in a magnetic field to give ferric hydrous oxide particles. The filler thus formed in-situ was found to give good reinforcement of the elastomer. A relatively small but significant anisotropy was found for both the elongation modulus and the equilibrium degree of swelling.
Ultrasound transmission measurements through the os calcis.

A method of measuring ultrasonic propagation in the os calcis was devised for assessing bone properties in humans, Speed-of-sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were measured using broadband acoustic pulses transmitted and received by a pair of focused transducers. The transducers are mounted coaxially in a water tank with the subject's heel in between. Reproducibility of results in an adult male was 10% for the BUA and 1.2% for the SOS. Both SOS and BUA changed when the transmission path through the os calcis was varied. For a population of normal male subjects, SOS and BUA were correlated with densitometry results on the os calcis, but less well correlated to area density at remote sites.
Vortex dynamics and superfluid relaxation at the4He λ-transition

Abstract The superfluid relaxation time near the 4 He λ-transition is calculated using a vortex-ring theory of the phase transition. The diffusive response of the vortices is found by solving a Fokker-Planck equation in which the perimeter of the rings is obtained from Flory scaling of the self-avoiding random walk. The resulting superfluid relaxation time at low frequency is found to vary with reduced temperature t as (t) -1.0 , in agreement with Landau-Khalatnikov theory and with dynamic scaling. At higher frequencies ( ωτ > 1) there is a deviation from the Landau-Khalatnikov form, and the finite-frequency dissipation tends to a constant at T λ , as observed in the attenuation of first sound. The superfluid density also remains finite at T λ as the transition broadens at finite frequency.
Inhibition of enzymatic synthesis of pantothenate by 2,3-dichloroisobutyrate.

The investigations reported here have shown that 2,3-dichloroisobuty-rate is uncompetitive with β-alanine and competitive with pantoate for a site on the enzyme of pantothenate synthesis. The enzyme dissociation constant of the inhibitor was comparable to that of the competitive substrate.
Pendulum-like motion of straight electrified jets

Abstract A novel phenomenon, a pendulum-like motion of the usually straight electrified jet was observed experimentally and theoretically modeled. Pendulum-like motion arises due to repulsive Coulomb force between the straight electrified jet and the charges accumulated on the collector. This electrical force repels the similarly charged landing jet segment in the collector plane. The motion is transferred to the whole jet via elastic stress sustained by the jet. The initially straight segment of the jet is arched. The pendulum-like motion has frequencies of the order of 10–10 2 Hz. The pendulum-like jets were collected onto grounded horizontal electrodes moving laterally at a constant velocity or being at rest. Different two-dimensional patterns were produced by varying the applied voltage, the separation between the tip and collector and the velocity vector of the collector.
Improved retention of precipitates in stainless steels during jet thinning for TEM

Abstract Difficulties are often encountered in the use of electrolytic jet polishing to produce TEM specimens from sensitized stainless steels because conventional electrolytes tend to preferentially attack the precipitate-laden grain boundaries. Some modified solutions have been developed which sucessfully solve the various thinning problems encountered with these materials.
Improvements to single-objective constrained predator–prey evolutionary optimization algorithm

In predator–prey algorithm, a relatively small number of predators (“lions”) and a much larger number of prey (“antelopes”) are randomly placed on a two dimensional lattice with connected ends representing an unfolded surface of a torus. The predators are partially or completely biased towards one or more objectives, based on which each predator kills the weakest prey in its neighborhood. A stronger prey created through evolution replaces this prey. In case of constrained problems, the sum of constraint violations serves as an additional objective. Modifications of the basic predator–prey algorithm have been implemented in this paper regarding the selection procedure, apparent movement of the predators, and mutation strategy. Further modifications have been made making the algorithm capable of handling multiple equality and inequality constraints. The final modified algorithm was tested on standard linear/nonlinear and constrained/unconstrained single-objective optimization problems.
Meningioma associated with abscess formation--a case report

A rare case of meningioma associated with both intratumoral and peritumoral abscess formation occurred in a 38-year-old man presenting with signs and symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure, intracranial infection, and right temporal pole mass lesion. The mass lesion was totally removed, revealing a meningioma. Group B streptococcus and peptostreptococcus were cultured from both the tumor and peritumoral white matter. Hematogenous spread of the organisms related to recent dental work was the likely mechanism.
A Search for Element 87 by Analysis of Positive Rays

The methods used in previous attempts to discover eka-caesium are briefly examined and their limitations pointed out. Estimates are given for the sensitivity of detection and identification of element 87 by atomic weight determinations, radioactive means, physiological effects, x-ray and optical spectrum analysis. Predictions of spectral values by Moseley's Law and an empirical relation give: ${V}_{i}=4.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ volts, $7^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}=21340\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}200$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, $7^{2}P_{\frac{3}{2}}=19670\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}200$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}$ separately determined 1675\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}50 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, principal series resonance lines 8720\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}200A and 7600\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}200A. The large uncertainty is due to uncertainty in the iso-electronic Ra II spectrum. No absorption lines were found in the sun's spot spectrum, although possible, as element 87 should be less highly ionized than Cs. A tungsten filament heated to 1200\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-1300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K converts into ions all caesium atoms which strike the tungsten surface and ekacaesium should behave the same way. By this means, first investigated by Langmuir and Kingdon, and Ives, an intense homogeneous source of positive ions is secured. This positive ion source was incorporated into a tube similar to Dempster's mass spectrograph in method of focussing and ray analysis, and positive ions were looked for of mass number 223 or 224. Chemical separation of caesium and any admixed ekacaesium was made from pollucite and lepidolite ores from Oxford Country, Maine. Eka-caesium was not existent to an extent greater than 3.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ part of the caesium from pollucite or greater than 7.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ part of the caesium from lepidolite.
Interconvertibility of induced morphogenetic responses of mouse embryonic somites to notochord and ventral spinal cord

Abstract Nine-day mouse somitic mesenchyme normally responds trans-filter to 9-day ventral spinal cord by forming a perichondrium-limited “whole” nodule at a distance from the tissue-filter interface. Chick notochord usually induces a “partial” nodule in which cells in association with the filter are oriented to it. Under proper experimental conditions interconversion of nodule responses is possible—ventral spinal cord yielding “partial” nodules; notochord, “whole” nodules. Conversion of the notochord response occurs under conditions attenuating its inductive effect, while ventral spinal cord induces “partial” nodules under conditions presumably enhancing the availability of inductive substance(s). The notochord does not require a surface for induction of chondrogenesis in vitro, although in vivo the presence of a surface may play a significant morphogenetic role. Notochord appears to be a more “active” inducer than ventral spinal cord.
Supraumbilical pyloromyotomy: comparison between intracorporeal and extracorporeal approaches.

We evaluated intracorporeal pyloromyotomy (ICP) as an alternative to extracorporeal pyloromyotomy (ECP) in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. From July 1994 to June 2002, 75 patients underwent ICP, and 29 patients underwent ECP through supraumbilical incisions. The medical charts were reviewed retrospectively with regard to operating time, time to return to full feeding, complications, and outcome. The average operating time in the ICP group was significantly longer than in the ECP group (56.4±13.6 vs. 48.7±16.3 min; p=.004). However, the average time to return to full feeding in the ICP group was significantly shorter than in the ECP group (2.1±1.6 vs. 2.9±1.9 days; p=.002). Extension of the skin and/or fascial incision was necessary in two of 75 patients in the ICP group, compared with 11 of 29 patients in the ECP group (p<.0001). There were four (5.3%) wound infections and one (1.3%) mucosal perforation in the ICP group, compared with two (6.9%) wound infections in the ECP group. ICP allows patients to return to full feeding earlier than ECP does, resulting in a shorter hospital stay. ICP through a supraumbilical incision is superior to the ECP technique.
Optimal loading conditions for non-linear deflections

Some mechanical systems, such as compliant mechanisms, require large deflections to perform their function, and it is important to obtain these deflections as efficiently as possible. The purpose of this work is to determine the optimal angle of an applied end load on a cantilever beam to maximize large, non-linear elastic deflections. Elliptic integral equations for large deflection are used to determine the optimal angle for angular, vertical, and total deflection. A simplified model (the pseudo-rigid-body model) is introduced for quick but accurate approximations. This approximation method complements the analytical solution by providing a physical model that is useful in both easily predicting the deflection and in visualizing it.
Developmental roles of Drosophila tRNA processing endonuclease RNase ZL as revealed with a conditional rescue system.

Abstract Drosophila RNase ZL (dRNaseZ) belongs to a family of endoribonucleases with a major role in tRNA 3′-end processing. The biochemical function of RNase ZL is conserved from yeast to human. Here we present a study of its biological function during Drosophila development. In flies, dRNaseZ provides a non-redundant function, as the RNZED24 knockout (KO) mutation causes early larval lethality. Mosaic and conditional rescue techniques were employed to determine dRNaseZ requirements at later stages. We found that dRNaseZ activity is essential for all phases of fly development that involve cell division, including growth of adult tissue progenitors during larval and metamorphic stages, and gametogenesis in adults. At the cellular level, two major phenotypes were identified—cell growth deficiency in endoreplicating tissues and cell cycle arrest in mitotic tissues. While cell growth and proliferation are both dependant on protein synthesis, the two phenotypes displayed reliance on different dRNaseZ functions. We found that dRNaseZ KO completely blocks tRNA maturation without diminishing the abundance of mature tRNA molecules. Our data indicate that growth arrest of endoreplicating cells is primarily attributed to the relocation of the pool of mature tRNAs into the nuclei causing a decrease in translation efficiency. Mitotically dividing cells appear to be less dependent on translation machinery as they maintain their normal size when deprived of dRNaseZ activity, but rather display a cell cycle arrest at the G2–M transition.
Fisher's theory of the sex ratio applied to the social hymenoptera

Abstract Fisher's theory of the sex ratio may be extended to the social Hymenoptera; this extension must consider the unusual genetic structure of the Hymenoptera. Queens, workers, and laying workers generally have different equilibrial sex ratios of offspring and different equilibrial ratios of investment in offspring of the two sexes; these differences are the consequence of asymmetries in the degrees of relatedness between the queen, a worker, and a laying worker to male and female offspring. The equilibrial ratios of investment for the queen, a worker, and a laying worker are derived by finding the relative expected reproductive successes of genes in males and in reproductive females.
Autonomic Multi-target Deployment of Science and Engineering HPC Applications

Switching between computational resources in order to select the most suitable computational environment for application execution is a desirable component of utility like computing. As IaaS clouds offer bare-bones computational platforms, they seem to be perfect choice for any application, however, heterogeneity in operating systems and vendors' policies wrt system images hamper use of runtime environments from different providers. In the context of scientific and engineering applications, flexible execution is further obstructed by hardware incompatibility and inability to use automating provisioning tools as this software should be tuned for specific targets to achieve high performance and usually is distributed in sources with atypical requirements. We offer ADAPT, a novel tool that concentrates on provisioning of scientific and engineering software and addresses its extraordinary needs. Our method is an autonomic execution monitor that exploits feedback from the runtime and resolves missing dependencies. ADAPT investigates dynamic self deployment of applications in science and engineering and this automation facilitates migration between unspecialized resources such as IaaS clouds, clusters, and workstations. As a result, improved flexibility in software execution makes utility-like computing pragmatic even for hard-to-deploy applications.
Some empirical Bayes techniques in point estimation

In point estimation with a squared-error loss function the Bayes estimator is the posterior mean. In the empirical Bayes approach we must construct a consistent sequence of estimators for this posterior mean using past experience. This construction is done here for four general families of conditional distributions which include as special cases: the Poisson, the gamma, the normal and the uniform.