cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying Children at Very Low Risk of Clinically Important Blunt Abdominal Injuries

Study objective We derive a prediction rule to identify children at very low risk for intra-abdominal injuries undergoing acute intervention and for whom computed tomography (CT) could be obviated. Methods We prospectively enrolled children with blunt torso trauma in 20 emergency departments. We used binary recursive partitioning to create a prediction rule to identify children at very low risk of intra-abdominal injuries undergoing acute intervention (therapeutic laparotomy, angiographic embolization, blood transfusion for abdominal hemorrhage, or intravenous fluid for ≥2 nights for pancreatic/gastrointestinal injuries). We considered only historical and physical examination variables with acceptable interrater reliability. Results We enrolled 12,044 children with a median age of 11.1 years (interquartile range 5.8, 15.1 years). Of the 761 (6.3%) children with intra-abdominal injuries, 203 (26.7%) received acute interventions. The prediction rule consisted of (in descending order of importance) no evidence of abdominal wall trauma or seat belt sign, Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 13, no abdominal tenderness, no evidence of thoracic wall trauma, no complaints of abdominal pain, no decreased breath sounds, and no vomiting. The rule had a negative predictive value of 5,028 of 5,034 (99.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 99.7% to 100%), sensitivity of 197 of 203 (97%; 95% CI 94% to 99%), specificity of 5,028 of 11,841 (42.5%; 95% CI 41.6% to 43.4%), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.07 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.15). Conclusion A prediction rule consisting of 7 patient history and physical examination findings, and without laboratory or ultrasonographic information, identifies children with blunt torso trauma who are at very low risk for intra-abdominal injury undergoing acute intervention. These findings require external validation before implementation.
Movement trajectory smoothness is not associated with the endpoint accuracy of rapid multi-joint arm movements in young and older adults

The minimum variance theory proposes that motor commands are corrupted by signal-dependent noise and smooth trajectories with low noise levels are selected to minimize endpoint error and endpoint variability. The purpose of the study was to determine the contribution of trajectory smoothness to the endpoint accuracy and endpoint variability of rapid multi-joint arm movements. Young and older adults performed arm movements (4 blocks of 25 trials) as fast and as accurately as possible to a target with the right (dominant) arm. Endpoint accuracy and endpoint variability along with trajectory smoothness and error were quantified for each block of trials. Endpoint error and endpoint variance were greater in older adults compared with young adults, but decreased at a similar rate with practice for the two age groups. The greater endpoint error and endpoint variance exhibited by older adults were primarily due to impairments in movement extent control and not movement direction control. The normalized jerk was similar for the two age groups, but was not strongly associated with endpoint error or endpoint variance for either group. However, endpoint variance was strongly associated with endpoint error for both the young and older adults. Finally, trajectory error was similar for both groups and was weakly associated with endpoint error for the older adults. The findings are not consistent with the predictions of the minimum variance theory, but support and extend previous observations that movement trajectories and endpoints are planned independently.
Effects of early transition metal solutes on the D03-B2 critical temperature of Fe3Al

The effects of dilute concentrations of the ternary solutes Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W on the critical temperature of the D0{sub 3}-B2 transformation in Fe{sub 3}Al were measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Additional studies by X-ray diffractometry showed that Mo, Ta, and W atoms occupied predominantly the 4(b) Wyckoff sites in D0{sub 3}-ordered Fe{sub 3}Al. Most solutes caused an increase in the D0{sub 3}-B2 transformation temperature, which was approximately linear in the limit of dilute solute concentrations. The efficacy of a particular ternary element in raising the D0{sub 3}-B2 transformation temperature was shown to be related to its metallic radius. The authors argue that the energetics of atom size mismatch are the major cause of the effects of ternary solutes on the D0{sub 3}-B2 transformation temperature of Fe{sub 3}Al.
Ultrastructure of the ventral horn cell in the albino rat.

The ventral horn cell of the lumbar cord of the albino rat was examined with the electron microscope. The tissue was fixed with osmium tetroxide or a formalinosmium tetroxide sequence, dehydrated and embedded in Epon 812. The nuclear envelope contains numerous pores which are spanned by diaphragms. Nuclear indentations or crypts are seen often, and are considered normal structures. Mitochondria with various arrangements of cristae are described. These include tubular cristae, simple dilated cristae, dilated cristae enclosing vesicles, and sacs which partially contain double membrane limited bodies. The Golgi apparatus is scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The apparatus is seen near the nucleus more frequently than peripherally. Single membrane limited bodies such as multivesicular bodies and electron dense bodies are described. Granular endoplasmic reticulum exists as orderly stacks and as haphazardly scattered cisterns. Serial sections demonstrate that the haphazardly scattered cisterns are extensively interconnected.
Host Defense Mechanisms against Herpes Simplex Virus. II. Protection Conferred by Sensitized Spleen Cells

The role of cell-mediated protection against infection with herpes simplex virus was studied by adoptive immunity. Sensitized spleen cells, obtained from syngeneic mice immunized with herpes simplex virus, protected recipient mice against lethal challenge with herpes simplex virus. Survival was significantly greater in challenged mice that had received washed spleen cells from donor animals immunized with herpes simplex than from control donors. This increase in survival after challenge was associated with a significant decrease in titers of virus in the brains of mice that had received specifically sensitized cells. The decrease in viral titers was evident during the period after challenge when titers of virus peak and most deaths occur. There was no obvious association between increased survival and the levels of antibody and interferon in serum of the challenged animals, but these serum factors still must be considered as possible mediators of the protection conferred by sensitized spleen cells.
New thallium-lead based layered cuprates and their superconductivity

A new series of 1222-type (Tl,Pb)-based layered cuprate compounds (Tl,Pb)Sr2(Nd,Ce)2Cu2Oz have been successfully synthesized in the pure form and identified by powder X-ray diffraction analyses. The structure of the compounds is directly related to that of Nb-1222 NbSr2(Nd,Ce)2Cu2Oz with tetragonal body-center lattice. The lattice parameters are a = 3.855 Ac = 29.47 A for (Tl0.7Pb0.3)Sr2(Nd0.5Ce0.5)2Cu2Oz, and a = 3.853 A, c = 29.61 A for (Tl0.7Pb0.3)Sr2(Nd0.75Ce0.25)2Cu2Oz. Resistance measurements showed that (Tl1−xPbx)Sr2(Nd0.75Ce0.25)2Cu2Oz (x ≤ 0.6) prepared by the typical procedure exhibit superconductivity with Tc(onset) in the range 30–40 K.
Treatment and outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction treated with acute β-blocker therapy: results from the American College of Cardiology's NCDR(®).

Background Although β-blockers (BBs) reduce long-term mortality in patients after myocardial infarction (MI), data regarding acute usage are conflicting. Methods We examined acute (≤24 hours) BB use in 34,661 patients with ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non–ST-segment MI (NSTEMI) included in the NCDR® ACTION Registry®-GWTG™ (291 US hospitals) between January 2007 and June 2008. Patients with contraindications or did not receive BBs or with missing data were excluded. We analyzed the use and impact of BB stratified by variables associated with increased risk for shock specified in the recent guidelines: age >70 years, symptoms >12 hours (STEMI patients), systolic blood pressure 110 beat/min on presentation. Results Among patients without contraindications, at least 1 high-risk variable was found in 45% of STEMI and 63% of NSTEMI patients. In-hospital complications including cardiogenic shock, mortality, and the composite outcome of shock or mortality were significantly increased with more shock risk factors in both STEMI and NSTEMI patients. Very early use in the emergency department was associated with a significantly increased risk of shock for both STEMI and NSTEMI patients compared to patients treated later but within 24 hours. Conclusions Risk factors for shock are common in STEMI and NSTEMI patients treated with early BBs. Increasing numbers of risk factors were associated with increased risk for shock or death in patients treated with BBs. These results are consistent with current recommendations for avoiding early BB treatment for patients with acute MI.
Measurement of serum albumin by the haba-dye technique : A study of the effect of free and conjugated bilirubin, of bile acids and of certain drugs☆

Abstract Albumin was measured by the automated HABA-dye technique using sera containing increasing quantities of either free or conjugated bilirubin and the results were compared with those obtained by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. It was found that : 1. Albumin measurement by electrophoresis was unaffected by either type of bilirubin. 2. Free bilirubin had little effect on albumin measurement by the HABA-dye technique. 3. Conjugated bilirubin was responsible for low albumin values by the same technique. 4. The latter effect was concentration-dependent and resulted primarily from the shift in the absorption maximum of the HABA-albumin-bilirubin complex. 5. Blank corrections were adequate only in normal samples or those containing unconjugated bilirubin. 6. Salicylates, sulfonamides and penicillin interfered whereas bile acids did not and free fatty acids interfered only at high concentrations.
Memory Awareness Influences Everyday Decision Making Capacity about Medication Management in Alzheimer's Disease

Memory awareness in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) influences capacity to provide informed consent for a memory treatment. This study investigated the extent to which aspects of memory awareness influence everyday decision-making capacity about medication management in AD. 42 participants with mild AD and 50 healthy elders underwent clinical ratings of memory awareness, metamemory testing, and an interview of everyday decision-making capacity regarding medication management. 45% of AD subjects were classified as aware (AAD) and 55% as unaware (UAD) based on clinical ratings and supported by metamemory testing (P = .015). Capacity was impaired in each of the AD groups as compared to the healthy elders F(2, 67) = 17.63, UAD, P < .01; AAD, P = .01). Within the AD group, capacity correlated selectively with awareness as measured with clinical ratings (r = -.41, P = .007) but not objective metamemory testing (r = -.10, P = .60 ). Appreciation scores were lower in UAD as compared with AAD F(1,35) = 8.36, P = .007. Unawareness of memory loss should heighten clinicians' concern about everyday decision-making capacity in AD.
Subcellular distribution of acetylcholinesterase asymmetric forms during postnatal development of mammalian skeletal muscle

This study describes the changes which occur in intra- and extracellular asymmetric acetylcholinesterase (AChE) forms in rat gracilis muscle during postnatal development. Initially (day 7) these forms (12.5 S and 16 S AChE) were evenly distributed along the muscle and only present intracellularly. With advancing age (days 7–28) they gradually became concentrated in endplate (vs non-endplate) muscle regions where a certain proportion of them was subsequently externalized. In contrast, no externalization was observed in the non-endplate regions. Our results support the view that AChE asymmetric forms are assembled within the muscle cell prior to their deposition on the extracellular synaptic compartment.
Democratic Vistas: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Parks as Spatial Mediation of Urban Diversity:

This article examines how Frederick Law Olmsted’s parks, especially Prospect Park in Brooklyn, can be thought of as spatial technologies that mediate between individuals and their urban environment to foster an open, creative, and democratic relationship with the differences of their fellow city dwellers. The park accomplishes this spatially by encouraging citizens to journey through distinct geographies that enable associational styles Olmsted calls the “neighborly” and the “gregarious.” Through alternating between environments conducive to intimate, reassuring neighborly groupings and exciting, superficial, gregarious interaction, the park user encounters others within distinct spatial and temporal qualities that allow them to appreciate otherness without being overwhelmed by it. The spatial techniques derived from Olmsted’s work challenge accounts in political theory and urban planning that contend free movement through cities encourages tolerance and fluid identities and instead contends that structur...
Asymptotic behavior of solutions of linear ordinary differential equations

Abstract We present some conditions which ensure that the solution Y(x) of the ordinary differential equation Y′(x) = A(x) Y(x), Y(x0) = I, where x0 ⩽ x
Plasma 5α-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana: Stimulation by bullfrog LH

Effects of purified bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) LH and FSH on plasma levels of the androgens, testosterone (T), and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), were studied using adult male bullfrogs. Rana LH was considerably more potent than Rana FSH in stimulating increased plasma androgen levels in hypophysectomized and intact animals. Simultaneous injection of Rana FSH or ovine PRL with Rana LH, over a 10-day period, did not alter the LH-induced increase in plasma androgens. More DHT than T was present in plasma after LH injection. Castration abolished plasma DHT and greatly reduced plasma T. Results indicate that DHT is a major testicular steroid, and that testicular androgen secretion is stimulated primarily by LH in the bullfrog.
Myeloid sarcoma occurring concurrently with drug-induced gingival enlargement.

Background: Myeloid sarcoma is an extramedullary malignancy of myeloblasts. An unusual case of myeloid sarcoma presenting in the gingiva and affected by drug-induced gingival enlargement is presented.Methods: A 63-year-old male taking amlodipine for his hypertension presented with a 3-week gingival enlargement. Although the obvious clinical impression was that of drug-induced gingival enlargement, an incisional biopsy was performed to corroborate chemical enlargement while ruling out diseases such as lymphoma and leukemia.Results: Microscopic examination of the thickened gingiva revealed surface stratified squamous epithelium having needle-like rete pegs characteristic of drug-induced gingival enlargement. Beneath the surface epithelium, the fibrous tissue was virtually replaced by a dense infiltrate of malignant cells. Immunohistochemical studies were performed with CD117 and myeloperoxidase identifying the malignant cell population as myeloblasts, leading to a diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma.Conclusion: My...
Primary balloon angioplasty plus balloon angioplasty maturation to upgrade small-caliber veins (<3 mm) for arteriovenous fistulas.

Objective Small-diameter veins are often a limiting factor for the successful creation of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). This study evaluated the use of intraoperative primary balloon angioplasty (PBA) as a technique to upgrade small-diameter veins during AVF creation. Sequential balloon angioplasty maturation (BAM) was evaluated as a technique to salvage failed fistulas, expedite maturation, and improve the patency of AVFs after PBA. Methods Sixty-two PBAs were performed in 55 patients with an intent-to-treat using an all-autologous policy. PBAs of veins were performed just before AVF creation using 2.5- to 4-mm angioplasty balloons (1- to 1.5-mm larger than the nominal vein diameter). PBAs were performed through the spatulated end of the vein for a length of up to 8 cm using hydrophilic guidewires and hand inflations without fluoroscopy. BAM was performed in 53 of the 62 PBAs at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the PBA. Successful outcome was determined as the functional ability to use the fistula for hemodialysis without surgical revision. Results Of the 62 PBAs, 53 (85.4%), comprising 47 of the original AVFs and 6 new site AVFs created at other sites, remained patent and subsequently underwent BAM with a resulting functional AVF. Fifteen of the 47 original AVFs: 14 due to occlusion; one AVF with a steal was ligated. Seven of the 14 fistulas that occluded were salvaged using recanalization techniques during sequential BAMs. Two of the seven fistulas that were not salvaged required AVGs (3%), and five patients underwent redo AVFs using alternative veins. These five cases were also performed using PBAs and BAMs technique. One patient with a functioning fistula underwent intentional ligation for steal syndrome and also underwent an alternative site AVF, PBA, and BAM. At 3 months, 53 AVFs were functional and successfully used for dialysis. Overall, a working AVF was obtained at the initial site in 47 of 55 patients (85.4%), and 53 (96.3%) received working AVFs that were functioning for dialysis access. Conclusions Small or suboptimal veins can undergo PBA and then be matured to create functioning AVFs ≤2 months. Overall, >90% autogenous AVF rates can be achieved using PBA and BAM. BAM can be successfully used to mature AVFs created from small veins and salvage thrombosed AVFs in many cases. The use of these techniques may decrease the number of patients requiring AVGs and indwelling catheters.
Resonance Raman spectra and normal mode descriptions of a bacteriochlorophyll a model complex.

— Resonance Raman (RR) spectra are reported for the bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) model complex, copper methylbacteriopheophorbide a (CuBPheo a). The spectra are acquired at a number of excitation wavelengths in the Qy+ Qx and B regions of the absorption spectrum. The RR data obtained for CuBPheo a are correlated to those previously reported for BChl a. The normal modes of the BChl structure are calculated by using the semiempirical quantum chemistry force field (QCFF/ PI) method of Warshel and Karplus [J. Am. Chem. Soc.94,5612–5625 (1972)]. The vibrational data are used in conjunction with the calculations to obtain a cohesive assignment for the normal modes of BChl a with frequencies between 1100 and 1700 cm-1. The forms of the normal modes of BChl a are predicted to be different both from those of chlorophyll a and from those of porphyrins.
ConMem: Detecting Crash-Triggering Concurrency Bugs through an Effect-Oriented Approach

Multicore technology is making concurrent programs increasingly pervasive. Unfortunately, it is difficult to deliver reliable concurrent programs, because of the huge and nondeterministic interleaving space. In reality, without the resources to thoroughly check the interleaving space, critical concurrency bugs can slip into production versions and cause failures in the field. Approaches to making the best use of the limited resources and exposing severe concurrency bugs before software release would be desirable.Unlike previous work that focuses on bugs caused by specific interleavings (e.g., races and atomicity violations), this article targets concurrency bugs that result in one type of severe effect: program crashes. Our study of the error-propagation process of real-world concurrency bugs reveals a common pattern (50p in our nondeadlock concurrency bug set) that is highly correlated with program crashes. We call this pattern concurrency-memory bugs: buggy interleavings directly cause memory bugs (NULL-pointer-dereferences, dangling-pointers, buffer-overflows, uninitialized-reads) on shared memory objects.Guided by this study, we built ConMem to monitor program execution, analyze memory accesses and synchronizations, and predictively detect these common and severe concurrency-memory bugs. We also built a validator,ConMem-v, to automatically prune false positives by enforcing potential bug-triggering interleavings.We evaluated ConMem using 7 open-source programs with 10 real-world concurrency bugs. ConMem detects more tested bugs (9 out of 10 bugs) than a lock-set-based race detector and an unserializable-interleaving detector, which detect 4 and 6 bugs, respectively, with a false-positive rate about one tenth of the compared tools. ConMem-v further prunes out all the false positives. ConMem has reasonable overhead suitable for development usage.
THE EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF LIFE HISTORY VARIATION IN THE GARTER SNAKE THAMNOPHIS ELEGANS

The purpose of this study was to document the extent of variation in indi- vidual growth rates and its fitness consequences among several populations of an indeter- minate grower, the western terrestrial garter snake Thamnophis elegans. Twenty years of mark-recapture data and six years of laboratory breeding data provided evidence of large differences among six populations in individual growth rates and subsequent reproductive maturation, fecundity, and survival. Weather, diet composition, and prey availability were examined for their effects on individual growth. Two ecotypes were revealed whose dis- tribution coincided with differences in prey availability. Individuals from populations that had continuous access to prey and water across years exhibited fast growth, early maturation, high fecundity, and low adult survival. In contrast, individuals from populations that ex- perienced variable prey availability exhibited slow growth, late maturation, low fecundity, and high adult survival. This growth rate variation was examined in the context of two competing explanations: the maximization and optimization hypotheses. Food availability may be a primary limiting factor to growth and subsequent life history traits, which is consistent with the maximization hypothesis. However, negative phenotypic correlations between growth and survival and between growth and reproduction may indicate an un- derlying negative genetic correlation, consistent with the trade-off hypothesis. Field studies such as this one are useful for documenting the patterns of life history variation that occur in nature, identifying possible causes of such variation, and generating testable hypotheses for controlled experiments.
Tumor Seeding in Ocular Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of tumor cell seeding in needle tracks following fine needle aspiration biopsy of intraocular tumors. Sixteen biopsies were performed in four enucleated globes (3 with retinoblastoma and 1 with choroidal melanoma). The biopsies were done immediately after surgery and the needle tracks from the pars plana region were serially sectioned for histological examination. Clusters of tumor cells were seen within six of the 11 needle tracks that could be histologically identified.
Whole-painting canvas analysis using high- and low-level features

Weave analysis of artist canvas examines x-ray images taken of the paintings. Algorithms assume an underlying regularity of the canvas weave over short distances and exploits shortspace spectral analysis to determine the fundamental frequency of the horizontal and vertical thread regularity. However, many paintings are too large to be covered by a single x-ray. Feature point analysis exploits brushstrokes and composition to merge several x-ray images into a single one, taking into account and removing both spatial and amplitude distortions. Certain master artists used low-quality canvas that is more irregular than the norm. A theoretical study of quasiperiodic signals shows that while the expected spectrum is a peak that broadens as period irregularity increases, sample function spectra have distinct peaks having an envelope equal to the expected spectrum.
Zebrafish etv7 regulates red blood cell development through the cholesterol synthesis pathway

ETV7 is a human oncoprotein that cooperates with Eμ-MYC to promote pre-B-cell leukemia in mice. It is normally expressed in the bone marrow and fetal liver and is upregulated in primary leukemia, suggesting that it is involved in proper hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. ETV7 has been deleted in most rodents, but is conserved in all other vertebrates, including the zebrafish, Danio rerio. In this report, we characterize the function of the zebrafish etv7 gene during erythropoiesis. Our results demonstrate that etv7 regulates the expression of the zebrafish lanosterol synthase (lss) gene, an essential gene in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Furthermore, morpholino knockdown of etv7 leads to loss of hemoglobin-containing red blood cells, a phenotype that can be rescued by injection of exogenous cholesterol. We conclude that etv7 is essential for normal red blood cell development through regulation of the lss gene and the cholesterol synthesis pathway.
The sounds of silence: synonymous mutations affect function.

‘Cumulative evidence from many different fields has emerged over the last several decades to suggest that it is time to substantively revise the dogma that synonymous mutations are unimportant.’ The genetic code is degenerate and most amino acids are represented by more than one triplet of nucleotide bases. These alternative codes for the same amino acid are called synonymous (or silent) codons and the reasonable inference was that synonymous mutations are ‘neutral’ and thus of little consequence. The basis of this idea is Anfinsen’s principle [1] that the native conformation of a protein corresponds to that of the global free energy minima. In practical terms this means that the amino-acid sequence of a protein alone determines the 3D structure of a protein, and hence its function. Early work by the so-called ‘neutralists’ rationalized that synonymous nucleotide changes are invisible to selection and pointed to the higher rates of synonymous over nonsynonymous mutations [2].
Actions to enhance the use of commercial information technology (IT) in Department of Defense (DoD) systems

In 2004, Congress directed the Center for Technology and National Security Policy (CTNSP) to develop a pilot program "to find practical ways in which the defense IT community can gain a mutual understanding of defense needs and industry capabilities and identify opportunities to integrate IT innovations in the U.S. military strategy." As context, this paper summarizes the nature of the problem, current Department of Defense (DoD) guidance on the issue, and current DoD methods to capture commercial IT. Subsequently, the paper identifies and discusses the major obstacles that impede DoD's use of commercial IT: non-attractiveness; non-transparency; non-agility; non-dominance; an isolating market; and attitudes of primes. In order to ameliorate these obstacles, a balanced mix of initiatives is recommended: 1) Enhance communications/organization (e.g., create a new organization at JFCOM to coordinate DoD's use of commercial IT); 2) Increase resource flexibility(e.g., provide combatant commands appropriate limited acquisition authority); 3) Decrease barriers (e.g., change DoD rules on intellectual property rights); 4) Stimulate cultural change(e.g., increase DoD education and training for commercial IT procurement); 5) Review testing (e.g., evaluate expanding "underwriter lab " testbeds); 6) Adapt requirements for specific missions(e.g.,undertake studies on the use of commercial IT in stabilization and reconstruction operations).
The effect of temperature on the radiative performance of Ho-YAG thin film selective emitters

In this paper, the authors present the thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter emitter efficiency results for a thin film 25% Ho YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet, Y/sub 3/Al/sub 5/O/sub 12/) selective emitter from 1000-1700 K with a platinum substrate. Spectral emittance and emissive power measurements were made (1.2</spl lambda/<3.2 /spl mu/m) and used to calculate the radiative efficiency. The radiative efficiency and power density of rare earth doped selective emitters are strongly dependent on temperature and experimental results indicate an optimum temperature (1650 K for Ho YAG) for TPV applications.
Cortical reaction in inseminated eggs of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus L☆

Abstract The egg cortical reaction in Limulus polyphemus is described in four events. Approximately 10 min after insemination, small “pits” are visible in the cortex of the inseminated Limulus egg. These pits progressively enlarge, eventually coalesce, and finally disappear, leaving a smooth-appearing surface approximately 60–90 min after insemination. Based on these visible changes, the following four events comprise the cortical reaction: (I) uninseminated egg—smooth surface, (II) inseminated egg—appearance and growth of pits, (III) inseminated egg—coalescence of pits, and (IV) inseminated egg—appearance of smooth surface. Preparation of these events for SEM studies demonstrated morphological characteristics and sequential development of the pits. Also numerous microvilli are found on the surface of uninseminated and inseminated eggs during the cortical reaction. An increase in their diameter during the reaction is particularly unique.
Differential Contributions of Language Skills to Children's Episodic Recall

Theorists have identified language as a critical contributor to children's episodic memory development, yet studies linking language and memory have had mixed results. The present study aimed to clarify the mechanisms linking language and memory and to explain the previous mixed results. Sixty-four preschool children's receptive and productive language abilities were assessed as were their accuracy and completeness when answering an open-ended prompt, direct questions, and misleading questions about scripted laboratory tasks. Results indicated strong relations between language skills and recall even when controlling for initial encoding of the to-be-remembered events and memory for a separate event. Importantly, these relations varied by the type of language skill assessed and by the type of recall. Productive language skills were primarily associated with accurate free recall, whereas receptive language skills best predicted children's resistance to misleading questions. Implications are discussed for th...
Microtissue Elasticity: Measurements by Atomic Force Microscopy and Its Influence on Cell Differentiation

It is increasingly appreciated that the mechanical properties of the microenvironment around cells exerts a significant influence on cell behavior, but careful consideration of what is the physiologically relevant elasticity for specific cell types is required to produce results that meaningfully recapitulate in vivo development. Here we outline methodologies for excising and characterizing the effective microelasticity of tissues; but first we describe and validate an atomic force microscopy (AFM) method as applied to two comparatively simple hydrogel systems. With tissues and gels sufficiently understood, the latter can be appropriately tuned to mimic the desired tissue microenvironment for a given cell type. The approach is briefly illustrated with lineage commitment of stem cells due to matrix elasticity.
Ovarian cancer: genomic analysis

Objectives Despite improvements in the management of ovarian cancer patients over the last 30 years, there has been only a minimal improvement in overall survival. While targeted therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer have evolved, major challenges in ovarian cancer research persist, including the identification of predictive biomarkers with clinical relevance, so that empirical drug selection can be avoided. In this article, we review published genomic analysis studies including data generated in our laboratory and how they have been incorporated into modern clinical trials in a rational and effective way.
Aortic Valve Bypass Surgery Midterm Clinical Outcomes in a High-Risk Aortic Stenosis Population

Background— Aortic valve bypass (AVB; apicoaortic conduit) surgery relieves aortic stenosis (AS) by shunting blood from the apex of the left ventricle to the descending thoracic aorta through a valved conduit. We have performed AVB surgery as an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement for high-risk AS patients. Methods and Results— Between 2003 and 2007, 31 high-risk AS patients were treated with AVB surgery. Twenty-two patients (71%) were undergoing reoperation with patent coronary bypass grafts, and 5 (16%) had a porcelain ascending aorta. The average age was 81 years. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used for 19 of 31 patients (61%); the median duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 19 minutes. Cross-clamp time for all patients was 0 minutes. Perioperative mortality was 13% (4 of 31 patients); no perioperative deaths occurred in the last 16 consecutive patients. One patient experienced a stroke related to intraoperative hypotension. No strokes have occurred during follow-up. Renal function was u...
LOW SURVIVAL OF PARASITE CHICKS MAY RESULT FROM THEIR IMPERFECT ADAPTATION TO HOSTS RATHER THAN EXPRESSION OF DEFENSES AGAINST PARASITISM

Host parents exhibit a variety of behaviors toward avian brood parasites, but not all of their actions have necessarily evolved in response to costs imposed by parasites. To investigate whether common waxbills (Estrilda astrild) have evolved defenses specifically against parasitic pin-tailed whydahs (Vidua macroura), I studied the specificity and flexibility of host behaviors toward nestlings at two sites that differed significantly in parasitism rates and intensities. I focused on documenting nestling survival because V. macroura young match the elaborate gape morphology of E. astrild nestlings, a pattern that suggests hosts may possess unique defenses against parasite chicks. Parasite young survived significantly worse than host young in mixed broods. However, this apparent discrimination was not associated with parasitism risk as would be expected if defenses had evolved specifically to counter parasitism. Parasite young may have survived poorly compared to host young because individual chicks were less able to stimulate sufficient care from foster parents or because they were more susceptible to nestling competition, disease, or reduced provisioning by hosts. Mortality may have also been exacerbated by poor timing of parasite egg laying. In nonparasitized and parasitized nests, rates of nestling survival were similar, further suggesting that parenting behaviors that result in chick mortality did not evolve solely in response to parasite young. In addition, orange-breasted waxbills (Amandava subflava) and zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), rarely parasitized and nonparasitized relatives of E. astrild, experience similar levels of nestling mortality presumably as a result of phylogenetically widespread parenting strategies. Despite the similarity of parasitic V. macroura nestlings and E. astrild nestlings, I found no evidence that E. astrild parents possess defenses that allow for specific discrimination against parasite chicks during the nestling period. Rather than being subject to host defenses evolved in an arms race, Vidua chicks may simply be imperfectly adapted to life in the nests of their hosts.
Accuracy of Aerial Surveys of Waterbird Colonies

Abstract Ground-truthing surveys were conducted in conjunction with a statewide aerial survey of Florida wading bird colonies to evaluate the efficacy of the aerial technique. Five species, Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), and Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), were most often detected during the aerial survey. Most of these species are large birds that tend to nest higher in the canopy or are white-plumaged, and therefore would be expected to be more visible from the air. Five other species, Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), Reddish Egret (E. rufescens), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violaceus), and Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), were not detected during the aerial survey, presumably because these dark-plumaged species typically nest beneath the tree canopy. Disagreement between aerial and ground survey results also was caused ...
Influence of intercellular tissue connections on airway muscle mechanics

Contraction of smooth muscle in visceral organs is modified by structures external to the muscle. Within muscle tissue itself, connective tissue plays an important role in force transference among the contractile cells. Connections arranged radially can affect contractile mechanics by limiting tissue expansion at short lengths. Previous work suggests that increased stiffness at extreme shortening is due to such radial constraints. Two approaches to further study of these effects are reported. To increase radial constraints, very thin Silastic bands were placed loosely about strips of canine trachealis muscle at rest length. The strips were allowed to shorten under light afterloads, expanding until restrained by the bands. Subsequent removal of the bands allowed increased shortening, with less increase in stiffness at short lengths. Related isometric effects were observed. To reduce constraints, muscle strips were partially digested with collagenase. Compared with control conditions, this treatment permitted further shortening, with less increase in stiffness at short lengths. These results emphasize the role of extracellular structures in determining mechanical function of smooth muscle.
Chronic Salt Loading and the Expression of Adenosine Receptor Subtypes

To the Editor: We read with great interest the paper by Zou et al1 entitled “Effect on Chronic Salt Loading on Adenosine Metabolism and Receptor Expression in Renal Cortex and Medulla in Rats” in the January 1999 issue of Hypertension regarding the effect of chronic salt loading on adenosine metabolism and receptor expression in renal cortex and medulla in rats. It was reported in this article that chronic salt loading influences the expression of adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) in the renal cortex and medulla. The authors report that an immunoreactive band of 39 kDa was identified when the membranes were probed with anti-A1 receptor antibody. Further, bands of 45 (A2AR), 50 (A2BR), and 52 kDa (A3R) were detected when membranes were probed with anti-A2A, A2B, and A3 receptor antibodies, respectively. We believe that the molecular masses of A2BR and A3R are totally incorrect and that the molecular mass of A1R …
Equivalent dynamic fuzzy controllers and their application to engine control

In this paper a fuzzy logic control scheme that combines the power of linear dynamic controllers with fuzzy set theory is developed. Theoretical analysis of the technique is presented to illustrate the benefits of this particular scheme. This technique uses a linear dynamic compensator designed for a specific operating condition as the inferencing engine. The ability of this hybrid controller in maintaining robust operation of an aircraft engine model has been investigated. The results of this study reveal that the controller maintains plant stability even when the plant open-loop model is varied substantially. Also, performance to sensor noise shows the superior ability of the controller to accommodate noise. Introduction Fuzzy Logic controllers have been successfully used in several applications in the past few years [1-4]. However, synthesis of FL controllers to a large extent does not rely on sound mathematical principles. It is entirely based on the nature of problem in hand and the ability of the engineer to translate his experience into meaningful rules and fuzzy sets. Although this approach works well for simple problems or problems with single input and single output, it is almost impossible to manually arrive at fuzzy controllers for more complex problems. Several approaches based on parameter optimization, neural networks, clustering, etc [5-7] have been proposed to solve this problem. All of these methods require a good model of the system and a great deal of computing power to realize the controller. Also, proving stability becomes difficult if not an impossible task using the above techniques. One of the benefits of fuzzy logic is the fuzzy granularization that is obtained by defining fuzzy sets for the inputs and outputs. It could be claimed that this is the most important contribution of fuzzy logic to the control community rather than the logic (inferencing) part of fuzzy controllers. Towards this appreciation, we have approached to combine this granularization advantage with the power of linear dynamic controllers to arrive at a powerful hybrid technique. In this technique, we start with a linear dynamic controller that has been designed to meet certain specifications (stability and performance). We then fuzzify the inputs and use the dynamics of the controller as the inferencing engine. This results in a fuzzy output that is defuzzified to arrive at a crisp control. In the following pages, we first present the equivalency between a linear dynamic controller and a fuzzified dynamic controller. Then, we show that by manipulating the membership function (or granularization) definition one can achieve better controller robustness. We end the paper by presenting results of the hybrid controller for an engine control problem. Equivalent Fuzzy Dynamic Controller For the present problem we consider the control architecture presented in Figure 1. For this architecture we have the closed-loop transfer function as, //„•> X*) y(s)«(s) d(s) u(s) d(s) Now, and d(s~) implying,
Behavioral responses of the German cockroach, Blatella germanica (L.) (Orthoptera: Blatellidae), to a propoxur formulation.

Exposure to vapors from a formulation of 1% propoxur in oil caused an increase in movement and antennal and tarsal grooming in adult male German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). Increased movement was the most immediate response, followed by increased antennal grooming. Increased tarsal grooming was the last response and was most likely a secondary response to other factors. Adult males of a resistant field strain were more active than those of a susceptible laboratory strain in control studies. However, susceptible males displayed greater responses to the controls than did resistant males after exposure to the insecticide.
197 AGING-RELATED ACCUMULATION OF O-GLCNACYLATED PROTEINS IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.

Background Excessive post-translational modification of nucleocytoplasmic proteins by the addition of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to Ser and Thr residues by the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is a proposed mechanism for diabetogenic injury to the cardiovascular system. The current study tested the hypothesis that O-GlcNAcylation exhibits aging-related alterations in the cardiovascular system in normal aging rats. Methods Young (10 weeks old) and aged (22 months old) female Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed, serum was collected, and tissues (carotid artery, heart, liver, and brain) were harvested for assessment of serum glucose, insulin, estradiol, and lipid profiles and for quantification of tissue OGT and O-GlcNAc levels by Western blot analysis. Results Serum glucose and tissue OGT expression were not significantly different in young and aged animals. Aged animals demonstrated significantly greater O-GlcNAcylated protein expression compared with young rats in carotid arteries and heart but not in liver and brain. Conclusions There are tissue-specific, aging-related accumulations of O-GlcNAcylated proteins in cardiovascular tissues that are not accounted for by changes in glucose or OGT expression. The chronic accumulation of O-GlcNAcylated intracellular proteins may contribute to the adverse effects of age in the cardiovascular system.
Chemical Investigations of the GaAs to Borosilicate Glass Wafer Bonded Interface

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2000 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
Regulation of Viral Transcription Units by SV40 T-Antigen

We have investigated the ability of SV40 T-antigen to trans-activate the SV40 late and the Adenovirus E2 promoters. Transcriptional control signals required for T-antigen trans-activation of the SV40 late promoter include T-antigen binding site II and the SV40 72-bp repeats. In vivo competition with recombinant plasmids containing the entire SV40 late regulatory region and promoter sequences (mp 5171–272) results in quantitative removal of limiting trans-acting factors required for late gene expression in COS-1 cells. Insertion of increasing lengths of DNA sequences between the T-antigen binding sites and the 72-bp repeats dramatically reduces the competition efficiency, suggesting a physical interaction between proteins binding to the separate regulatory domains. Transfection experiments have been performed in ts2 COS cells, which express the ts 1609 SV40 T-antigen. Transfection at the non-permissive temperature (40°C) resulted in a 5- to 10-fold reduction in SV40 late promoter activity compared to the permissive temperature (33°C), suggesting that trans-activation of the SV40 late promoter requires continued expression of T-antigen.
Statewide Change in Teacher Preparation: An Inside Job

ABSTRACTThis article describes the applicability of the statewide professional development model for higher education implemented by the Illinois IHE Partnership designed to support teacher educators in integrating the key principles of a multitiered system of supports (MTSS) in teacher-education program coursework and field experiences. The process included identifying technical assistance coordinators at each partner institution, facilitating faculty workgroups, providing ongoing coaching about the key principles of MTSS, and providing access to resources and sample materials that supported teacher educators’ integration of MTSS in teacher preparation. The critical elements of MTSS identified by the project staff included universal core instruction, evidence-based practices, problem-solving process, formal and informal assessment, data-based decision making, positive behavior interventions and supports, parent involvement and collaboration, and integrity of implementation. Implications and recommendatio...
The Raisins of Wrath: The Constitutionality of Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts Following Horne v. USDA

Interest on lawyers' trust accounts (IOLTA) are programs that require lawyers to remit their some of their clients' interest to the state. This money is used to fund legal aid programs. The Supreme Court, in a five-to-four 2003 decision in Brown v. Legal Foundation of Washington, upheld such a program against a Fifth Amendment takings challenge. This note argues that in light of subsequent Supreme Court jurisprudence, the Court’s reasoning in Brown is no longer tenable. The culmination of the post-Brown jurisprudence is Horne v. United States Department of Agriculture. Although the accounts are creations of the state, the benefits that flow from them cannot be unconstitutionally conditioned. Because no linkage can be drawn between providing free legal aid and the provision of IOLTA accounts, the interest remission requirement is unconstitutional.