cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy and irradiation in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A review

This article describes the potential role of chemotherapy combined with irradiation in the management of patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A review of a Medline literature search and preliminary data from a nonrandomized study comparing irradiation alone with irradiation plus chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) in the management of patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated at Washington University between 1984 and 1992 are presented. Except for one report, there is currently no conclusive evidence that chemotherapy plus irradiation significantly improves tumor control or survival in these patients. Nevertheless, chemotherapy may have a potential role in managing carcinoma of the uterine cervix as an adjuvant to irradiation in patients with pelvic or para-aortic lymph nodes or recurrent tumor after surgery or radiation therapy. Treatment morbidity has been acceptable. Based on available data, chemotherapy should not be advocated in the standardmanagement of carcinoma of the uterine cervix, and patients and physicians should be strongly encouraged to participate in properly designed prospective clinical trials.
Book Review Essays

The Ark of the Covenant in Africa: The Beta Israel (Falasha) in Ethiopia: From Earliest Times to the Twentieth Century. Steven Kaplan. The Ark of the Covenant in Africa: The Evolution of the Ethiopian Jews: A History of the Beta Israel (Falasha) to 1920. James Quirin.
Occipitocervical fusion in an infant with atlantooccipital dislocation.

Background For children who survive traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation (AOD), early surgical stabilization and arthrodesis of the occipitoatlantoaxial complex is typically performed. Because of the unique and crowded anatomy of the occipitocervical junction, the creation of a fusion construct that is both safe and biomechanically sound is extremely challenging, especially in infants. We present a technical report of a patient with infantile type I AOD with gross instability, who underwent surgical stabilization consisting of occiput to C2 arthrodesis using autologous rib, augmented with bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2), Mersilene suture, and Ethibond suture as “cross-connectors.” Case Description The patient is a 12-month-old female infant who was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident and sustained a type I AOD. Definitive surgical stabilization consisting of arthrodesis from the occiput to C2 using autologous rib augmented with BMP-2, Mersilene suture, and Ethibond suture as cross-connectors was performed. There were no intraoperative complications. A follow-up cervical spine computed tomography obtained 12 weeks postoperatively demonstrated excellent occipitocervical alignment, with evidence of modest bony fusion from the occiput to C2. Neurologic examination demonstrated modest, but progressive, improvement, with partial resolution of bilateral sixth nerve palsies, and improvement in upper- and lower-extremity muscle strength and tone. Conclusion Significant surgical challenges exist regarding occipitocervical fusion in infants with AOD and gross instability. This case report illustrates the successful application of BMP-2-augmented occipitocervical fusion using autologous rib, in combination with Mersilene and Ethibond suture, in the treatment of an infant with type I AOD with gross instability.
Criterion Validity for Ellis' Irrational Beliefs: Dogmatism and Uncritical Inferences.

Tested the validity of Ellis' contention that irrational beliefs (1) are held dogmatically and (2) interfere with logical inference making. Ninty-two introductory psychology students completed an Irrational Belief Scale (based on Ellis' Irrational Beliefs), a Dogmatism Scale, and an Uncritical Inference Test. As hypothesized, significant correlations were obtained that showed that greater endorsement of irrational beliefs on the Irrational Belief Scale was associated with (1) greater dogmatism, as assessed by the Dogmatism Scale, and (2) less critical inference making, as assessed by the Uncritical Inference Test. These findings support Ellis' contention that holding irrational beliefs can have deleterious implications for cognitive functioning such as greater dogmatism and less critical inference making.
The biosynthesis of D-amino acids in Bacillus licheniformis.

Abstract D -Amino acids can be synthesized in Bacillus licheniformis by a mechanism involving two reactions: (a) the formation of D -alanine from L -alanine catalyzed by an alanine racemase; and (b) transaminations between D -alanine and α-keto acids to form other D -amino acids. Cell-free extracts of B. licheniformis were shown to possess an active alanine racemase. Futhermore the extracts catalyze the transaminations of D -alanine with the appropriate α-keto acids to form D -glutamic acid, D -aspartic acid, D -asparagine, and D -ornithine. Transaminations between D -glutamic acid and the appropriate α-keto acids to form D -ornithine, D -aspartic acid, D -asparagine, and D -phenylalanine have also been demonstrated. The transminations involving the D -isomers of ornithine and asparagine have been demonstrated for the first time. Evidence is also presented which suggests that the D -glutamic-pyruvic and D -aspartic-pyruvic transaminations are both catalyzed by the same enzyme.
Comparing nonparallel regression lines.

Presents a comprehensive strategy for the statistical comparison of within-group regressions that is suitable for both parallel and nonparallel regression lines. New results are obtained from 2 groups of Ss, and new interpretations are formulated for standard statistical procedures such as analysis
A Study of Residual Stresses and Microstructure in 2024-T3 Aluminum Friction Stir Butt Welds

Three-dimensional residual stress mapping of an aluminum 2024-T3 arcan specimen, butt-welded by the friction stir technique, was performed by neutron diffraction. Results indicate that the residual stress distribution profiles across the weld region are asymmetric with respect to the weld centerline, with the largest gradients in the measured residual stress components occurring on the advancing side of the weld, with the longitudinal stress, σ L , oriented along the weld line, as the largest stress. Within the region inside the shoulder diameter, the through-thickness stress, σ Z , is entirely compressive, with large gradients occurring along the transverse direction just beyond the shoulder region. In addition, results indicate a significant reduction in the observed residual stresses for a transverse section that was somewhat closer to the free edge of an Arcan specimen. Microstructural studies indicate that the grain size in the weld nugget, is approximately 6.4 microns, with the maximum extent of the recrystallized zone extending to 6 mm on each side of the weld centerline. Outside of this region, the plate material has an unrecrystallized grain structure that consists of pancake shaped grains ranging up to several mm in size in two dimensions and 10 microns in through-thickness dimension.
Nitrosation and hydrolysis studies of some thiazole‐4‐acetic esters

Nitrosation of hydrazino substituted thiazole-4-acetates has been shown to occur on the ring, rather than the α-methylene carbon, as previously reported. Thus nitrosation of ethyl 2-isopropylidenehydrazono-, 2-benzylidenehydrazono-, 2-(2-benzoylhydrazino)-, and 2-(2-acetylhydrazino)thiazole-4-acetates yielded the corresponding 2-hydrazino-4-carbethoxymethylidene-4,5-dihydrothiazoline-5-oximes. Basic hydrolysis of the thiazoline-5-oxime esters, followed by decarboxylation gave tautomeric mixtures of the 2-hydrazino-4-methyl-2,5-dihydrothiazoline-5-oxime and 2-hydrazino-4-methyl-5-nitrosothiazol derivatives. These tautomeric mixtures were also prepared by nitrosating the 2-hydrazino-4-methylthiazoles. The α,β-unsaturated acids, 2-isopropylidenehydrazono-, 2-benzylidenehydrazono-, and 2-(2-benzoyl-hydrazino)-4-carboxymethylidene-4,5-dihydrothiazoline, were isolated after basic hydrolysis of the corresponding 2-hydrazinothiazole-4-acetic esters. Dinitrosation of the 2-isopropylidenehydrazono-4-carboxy-methylidene-4,5-dihydrothiazoline, followed by decarboxylation, generated 2-isopropylidenehydrazono-5-nitrosothiazole-4-formyloxime.
USGS collects ice core through Alpine glacier

On August 24, 1991, a U.S. Geological Survey study team from Wyoming completed a core hole to bedrock underlying Upper Fremont Glacier in the Wind River Range of central Wyoming. During the month of core drilling, the team collected a 160-m ice core from the glacier at an elevation of 4000 m above sea level using a solar-powered thermal drill (See photo). The drill was constructed and operated by personnel from the Polar Ice Coring Office (PICO) in Fairbanks, Alaska. The 1991 drilling project is part of ongoing research conducted by the USGS since 1988 on temperate glaciers in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. The objective of the project is to use variations in concentrations of chemical and isotopic constituents in samples of ice cores to reconstruct records of the chemical quality of atmospheric deposition and to extend long-term climatic records. A maximum of 300–500 years of record is estimated to be available in upper accumulation zones of the Wind River Range glaciers. The proximity of the Wind River Range glaciers to atmospheric pollution sources in the western United States makes them unique environmental records. Cooperating in the project were the Shoshone and Arapaho Indian tribes, Wyoming Water Development Commission, PICO, Wyoming State Engineer, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Mean free path of protons and neutrons in isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter

We calculate the mean free path of neutrons and protons in symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter, based on microscopic in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross sections. The latter are obtained from calculations of the $G$ matrix including relativistic ``Dirac'' effects. The dependence of the mean free path on energy and isospin asymmetry is discussed. We conclude by suggesting possible ways our microscopic predictions might be helpful in conjunction with studies of rare isotopes.
Identification of ClC-2 and CIC-K2 chloride channels in cultured rat type IV spiral ligament fibrocytes.

Voltage-gated chloride channels (ClCs) are important mediators of cellular ion homeostasis and volume regulation. In an earlier study, we used immunohistochemical, Western blot, and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) approaches to identify ClC-K variants in types II, IV, and V fibrocytes of the rodent spiral ligament. We have now confirmed the expression of ClC-K2 in these cells by in situ hybridization. All three of these fibrocyte subtypes are thought to be involved in cochlear K+ recycling; thus, it is important to understand the precise mechanisms regulating their membrane conductance and the role played by ClCs in this process. In this study, we report the characterization of a secondary cell line derived from explants from the region of the rat spiral ligament underlying and inferior to the spiral prominence. The cultured cells were immunopositive for vimentin, Na,K/ATPase, Na,K,Cl-cotransporter, carbonic anhydrase isozyme II, and creatine kinase isozyme BB, but not for cytokeratins or Ca/ATPase, an immunostaining profile indicative of the type IV subtype. Evaluation of the cultures by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of both ClC-2 and -K2. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings identified two biophysically distinct Cl− currents in the cultured cells. One, an inwardly rectifying Cl− current activated by hyperpolarization or decreasing extracellular pH corresponded with the properties of ClC-2. The other, a weak outwardly rectifying Cl− current regulated by extracellular pH, Cl−, and Ca2+ resembled the channel characteristics of ClC-K2 when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. These findings suggest that at least two functionally different chloride channels are involved in regulating membrane anion conductance in cultured type IV spiral ligament fibrocytes.
Reference values of MRI measurements of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct in children

Background Magnetic resonance imaging/cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) is now an essential imaging modality for the evaluation of biliary and pancreatic pathology in children, but there are no data depicting the normal diameters of the common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatic duct. Recognition of abnormal duct size is important and the increasing use of MRCP necessitates normal MRI measurements.
An Infusion and Pressure System to Measure Hydraulic Conductivity at a Microscale Level

In studies on nervous tissues, researchers have investigated the relationship between tracer distributions, infusion pressure, flow rate, and tissue properties to optimize and implement infusion techniques [1]. Intratumoral infusion studies have also measured pressure gradients in vitro and determined how drug delivery depends on intrinsic tissue structures [2]. Measuring pressure gradients allows for the calculation of tissue transport properties such as hydraulic conductivity. This property is necessary for modeling extracellular flow and convective transport through tissues. However, it remains a challenge to measure in vivo pressure gradients due to difficulties in measuring small changes in pressure over short distances and the invasive nature of these experiments. Porous media models of infusion predict exponential decay of the pressure profile in tissues [3], but experimental studies to validate these results in biological tissue or hydrogels are lacking. In this study, we measured the pressure within a hydrogel at different distances from an infusion source. The measured pressure gradient was used to estimate hydraulic conductivity of the hydrogel. Eventually, the developed infusion-pressure testing system may be used to characterize hydraulic conductivity of biological tissues.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Infections in spinal instrumentation.

Surgical-site infection (SSI ) in the spine is a serious postoperative complication. Factors such as posterior surgical approach, arthrodesis, use of spinal instrumentation, age, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, operating-room environment and estimated blood loss are well established in the literature to affect the risk of infection. Infection after spine surgery with instrumentation is becoming a common pathology. The reported infection rates range from 0.7% to 11.9%, depending on the diagnosis and complexity of the procedure. Besides operative factors, patient characteristics could also account for increased infection rates. These infections after instrumented spinal fusion are particularly difficult to manage due to the implanted, and possibly infected, instrumentation. Because the medical, economic and social costs of SSI after spinal instrumentation are enormous, any significant reduction in risks will pay dividends. The goal of this literature review was to analyse risk factors, causative organisms, diagnostic elements (both clinical and biological), different treatment options and their efficiency and consequences and the means of SSI prevention.
Synthesis and Structure Determination of ETS-4 Single Crystals

We report the hydrothermal synthesis of 10 μm × 100 μm × 10 μm single crystals of the microporous titanosilicate sodium-ETS-4. The crystallization of large needle-shaped Na-ETS-4 crystals is preceded by the formation and subsequent dissolution of the titanosilicate GTS-1. Large Na-ETS-4 crystals are obtained with purity higher than 97%. The structures of Na-ETS-4 and its Sr ion-exchanged form are solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is suggested from the structure solution and further supported by the results of the empirical bond valence model that the bridging unit of ETS-4 contains five-coordinate titanium(IV). Infrared spectroscopy is also used to support the crystallographic results, with regard to the presence of charge-balancing protons and five-coordinate titanium. ETS-4 is, thus, one of only two synthetic titanosilicate materials containing five-coordinate titanium. We also discuss some structural differences between ETS-4 and its natural analogue, zorite.
Increased plasma catecholamines in high renin hypertension.

Plasma Catecholamines, indexes of sympathetic nervous tonicity, were measured simultaneously with renin both supine and after standing plus furosemide In patients with primary hypertension and normotensive volunteers. Seventy percent of hypertensive patients with high renin levels had increased Catecholamines compared with a 14 percent incidence in the combined group with low and normal renin (P < 0.001). Basal Catecholamines were related directly to renin in the hypertensive patients and to blood pressure in the normal (P < 0.05), but not in the high and low renin subgroups, and inversely to percent increase of catecholamines after standing plus furosemide in hypertensive and normotensive patients (P < 0.01). Sympathetic nervous hypertonicity may be responsible for the elevation of blood pressure and for the activation of the renin-angiotensin system in patients with high renin hypertension.
WARM-UP EFFECTS IN THE LEARNING OF DISCRETE MOTOR SKILLS'

Three experiments were conducted to determine the influence of warming-up activities on performance and on learning in two discrete motor tasks. During initial trials on the criterion task, Ss were given various types of warming-up activities having an activity-set that was either the same as or different from the criterion task. Test trials followed in which all groups practiced the criterion task only. No significant differences in performance on the criterion task were found regardless of the appropriateness of the warming-up activity during initial trials. The results suggested that warming-up properties are not a factor in original learning of discrete motor skills.
Neutron interferometry in a rotating frame of reference.

The physical basis for the description of phenomena by a rotating observer is investigated. A simple, yet tentative, extension of the hypothesis of locality is used to determine the interference phase shift induced by the rotation of a neutron interferometer. The result consists of the Sagnac term, which is due to the coupling of the orbital angular momentum of the neutron with the rotation of the frame, and a new term which arises from a similar coupling because of the neutron spin. The latter effect is generally smaller than the Sagnac phase shift by the ratio of de Broglie wavelength of the neutron to the dimension of the interferometer. The possibility of detecting the new effect is briefly discussed.
Dislocation free epitaxial GaAs

Abstract Completely dislocation free vapour grown layers (typical surface area 1 cm 2 , thickness 30–60μ) can be grown on oriented dislocation free single crystal GaAs substrates. In not completely dislocation free layers, the freshly created dislocations usually start at the interface bulk-epitaxial layer. Pyramidal growth is only observed if dislocations and/or stacking faults are present in the layer.
The carcinogenicity of discontinuous inhaled benzene exposures in CD-1 and C57Bl/6 mice.

Groups of male C57Bl and CD-1 mice were exposed to benzene via inhalation using two different exposure protocols. One protocol consisted of repetitive week-long exposures to 300 ppm benzene (6 h/d×5 d/wk) interrupted by 2 weeks of non-exposure. The exposure pattern (1 week of exposure followed by 2 weeks of non-exposure) was continued until the death of the last exposed animal. The second protocol consisted of exposures to 1200 ppm benzene (6 h/d×5 d/wk) for 10 weeks. Exposures were then terminated and the animals allowed to live out their lives. For each protocol, appropriate age-matched control mice received comparable exposures to filtered, conditioned air. The discontinuous exposure patterns mimic the patterns of exposure often encountered in the workplace and, in addition, prolong the survival of exposed animals so as to maximize potential tumorigenic responses. Both exposure protocols were markedly hematotoxic to both mouse strains as measured by peripheral blood counts. Both strains of mice responded to the intermittent 300 ppm benzene exposures with elevated incidences of malignant tumors. Particularly noteworthy was a 35% incidence of zymbal gland tumors in the C57Bl mice. In contrast, only the CD−1 mice responded to the 1200 ppm benzene exposures delivered over 10 weeks with elevated tumor incidences. A 46% incidence of lung adenoma was particularly striking in these mice. Neither of the benzene exposure protocols induced elevated incidences of leukemia/lymphoma in either strain. These studies demonstrate that discontinuous exposures to benzene are tumorigenic and that a lifetime exposure to benzene, even if delivered at a lower concentration and in an intermittent exposure pattern, is more tumorigenic than a short-term exposure to benzene.
Loss of N-Myc interactor promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition by activation of TGF- β /SMAD signaling

Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition (EMT) is one of the critical cellular programs that facilitate the progression of breast cancer to an invasive disease. We have observed that the expression of N-myc interactor (NMI) decreases significantly during progression of breast cancer, specifically in invasive and metastatic stages. Recapitulation of this loss in breast cell lines with epithelial morphology [MCF10A (non-tumorigenic) and T47D (tumorigenic)] by silencing NMI expression causes mesenchymal-like morphological changes in 3-D growth, accompanied by up-regulation of SLUG and ZEB2 and increased invasive properties. Conversely, we found that restoring NMI expression attenuated mesenchymal attributes of metastatic breast cancer cells accompanied by distinctly circumscribed 3-D growth with basement membrane deposition and decreased invasion. Further investigations into the downstream signaling modulated by NMI revealed that NMI expression negatively regulates SMAD signaling, which is a key regulator of cellular plasticity. We demonstrate that NMI blocks TGF-β/SMAD signaling via up-regulation of SMAD7, a negative feedback regulator of the pathway. We also provide evidence that NMI activates STAT signaling which negatively modulates TGF-β/SMAD signaling. Taken together, our findings suggest that loss of NMI during breast cancer progression could be one of the driving factors that enhance invasive ability of breast cancer by aberrant activation of TGF-β/SMAD signaling.
Isolation and Characterization of an in Vitro DNA Replication System from Maize Mitochondria

An in vitro DNA replication system from maize mitochondria has been isolated and characterized. Maize mtDNA polymerase activity was purified about 1100-fold through DEAE cellulose and Heparin-Sepharose columns. In addition to the DNA polymerase activity, this in vitro replication system also contained topoisomerase I, DNA primase and RNA polymerase activities. Optimal conditions for enzyme activity, preferred templates and inhibitors were determined in order to further characterize this in vitro replication system; this system was devoid of any detectable extramitochondrial activity as determined by: a) the mt origin of the DNA polymerase activity as evidenced by studies using different templates and inhibitors, b) absence of chloroplast or nuclear DNA, glucose -6-P-dehydrogenase (known to be present only in the cytosol and chloroplasts) and photosynthetic pigments in the mitochondrial fraction and c) the ability of maize mt topoisomerase I to relax positively supercoiled DNA.
Option parameter analysis and market efficiency tests: a simultaneous solution approach

This paper examines the Black–Scholes option pricing model, dividend adjusted, utilizing the Newton–Raphson numerical technique to generate simultaneously implied variances and interest rates fo 1800 options. Although prior studies have found some profit potential in hedging tests, our tests find that none is available if unbiased, model-implied variance and interest rate variables are used properly in the valuation function.
Macrophages and Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer

How neoplastic cells respond to therapy is not solely dependent on the complexity of the genomic aberrations they harbor but is also regulated by numerous dynamic properties of the tumor microenvironment. Identifying and targeting critical pathways that improve therapeutic efficacy by bolstering anti-tumor immune responses holds great potential for improving outcomes and impacting long-term patient survival. Macrophages are key regulators of homeostatic tissue and tumor microenvironments. Therefore, therapeutics impacting macrophage presence and/or bioactivity have shown promise in preclinical models and are now being evaluated in the clinic. This review discusses the molecular/cellular pathways identified so far whereby macrophages mediate therapeutic responses.
Antibiotic prophylaxis in shunt surgery.

UMMARY A system of antibiotic prophylaxis has recently been described which is said to lower the incidence of wound infection in various surgical procedures, and which also evades the problem of increase in resistant bacteria. In the investigation reported here, this system was applied to the prevention of colonisation following shunt surgery and was found to have no beneficial effect. It is suggested that this finding may be peculiar to operations involving the implantation of hollow devices. RESUME Prophylaxie antibiotique dans les shunts ehirurgicaux Un systeme de prophylaxie antibiotique a ete recemment decrit pour abaisser la frequence de l'infection des plaies dans differents procedes ehirurgicaux et solutionnant le probleme des resistances bacteriennes croissantes. Dans la recherche effectuee par les auteurs, ce systeme a ete appliquea la prevention de la colonisation faisant suite a une chirurgie de shunts et s'est revele sans effet benefique. Il est suggere que cet echec peut etre specifique aux interventions utilisant l'implantation de materiel creux. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Antibiotische Prophylaxe bei Ventiloperationen Kurzlich wurde ein Schema zur antibiotischen Prophylaxe beschrieben, das angeblich die Wundinfektionsrate bei unterschiedlichen chirurgischen Eingriffen senken sollte und das gleichzeitig das Problem der zunehmenden resistenten Bakterien ausweitet. Bei der Untersuchung, uber die hier berichtet wird, wurde dieses Schema angewandt, um die Keimbesiedelung nach Ventiloperation zu verhindern, es konnte jedoch kein therapeutisch gunstiger Effekt damit erzielt werden. Es ist anzunehmen, das dieser Befund fur alle Operationen zutrifft, die sich mit der Implantation von Hohlraumsystemen beschaftigen. RESUMEN Profilaxis antibiotica en la cirugia de la derivacion Recientemente se ha descrito un sistema de profilaxia antibiotica, que se dice que disminuye la incidencia de la infeccion de las heridas en diversas intervenciones quirurgicas. y que evita ademas el problema del aumento de resistencia de las bacterias. En la investigacion comunicada aqui, este sistema se aplico en la prevencion de la colonizacion post-quirurgica en las derivaciones y se vio que no tenia ningun efecto beneficioso. Se sugiere que este hallazgo puede ser especifico de las operaciones en que se implantan artificios huecos.
ELEMENTS OF PROMISING PRACTICES IN FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS: EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH FINDINGS ON INTERVENTIONS FOR FATHERS

Over the last two decades there has been an increased societal and academic interest in the role of fathers, as well as promoting responsible fatherhood in families and communities. In turn, this interest has given rise to an increasing number of fatherhood interventions. Although many programs to support fatherhood exist, they often differ in terms of their goals, target populations, designs, methods of implementation and assessment. This article reviews key evaluation findings from fatherhood programs that have been rigorously evaluated (i.e., used random assignment design) in order to answer questions about “what works” in fatherhood programs. In so doing, it identifies elements of promising practice in programs considered effective. Conclusions about the state of research on the effectiveness of fatherhood interventions are also presented.
Sensor Fault Diagnosis in Smart Structures

This paper proposes a novel principal component analysis (PCA)-based sensor fault detection methodology for smart structures employing magnetorheological (MR) dampers. The MR damper is operated by a semiactive nonlinear fuzzy controller (SNFC) that is developed by integration of a set of Lyapunov optimal controllers, Kalman filters, and a semiactive converter with the fuzzy interpolation method. A numeric residual generator is found using the PCA analysis of ten measurements obtained from the structure-MR damper system for sensor fault detection. Using the matrix of this residual generator, the detectability and isolability of each sensor has been analyzed and the detection and isolation algorithm is applied to the smart structural system with different levels of artificially added faults. The simulation demonstrated that the proposed PCA-based sensor fault detection approach is effective in identifying the sensor faults of large smart structures employing MR dampers.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Long‐acting contraceptive agents: X‐Ray study of levonorgestrel esters

The X-ray crystal structure determinations of levonorgestrel (1) and its esters (2) to (7) have been performed in order to assign the molecular features and attempt to correlate the conformation of the molecules with their long-acting contraceptive activity. In the most active compounds, i.e., levonorgestrel butyrate (4), cyclopropylcarboxylate (6), and cyclobutylcarboxylate (7), the unusual orientation of the ester chains seems to affect the entire steroid framework. The stereochemistry of ring A is only slightly modified while the tetracyclic skeleton exhibits a more planar conformation than that of levonorgestrel (1) or the other esters (2), (3), and (5), and the ester grouping shields the 0 (17) ester position much more in esters (4), (6), and (7). Since levonorgestrel (1) and norethisterone (8) have very similar conformations, additional factors, different from the molecular geometry, seem to be responsible for the dramatic long-acting contraceptive properties associated with these esters.
SU-E-I-55: An Automated Technique to Determine Patient Size for Obtaining Size Specific Dose Estimates From System Reported CT Dose Index

Purpose: Size‐Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) uses patient size to produce an estimate of the radiation dose to the patient resulting from a CT scan. The purpose of this work was to develop an automated technique to determine patient size based on localizer radiograph and the center slice of the scanned volume for SSDE calculations. Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Abdominal CT studies of 38 patients (age range:12−86 years) were evaluated. An automated software algorithm was developed in Matlab (The Mathworks Inc.). Using information from the dose report images, series that resulted in radiation dose to the patient and the central slice of each series were identified. The lateral dimensions for the patient size were obtained from the localizer radiograph and the central transaxial slice by calculating the FWHM of the Gaussian function fit using a linear least squares estimation to the central row profile in each image. Similarly the anterior posterior (AP) patient dimensions were calculated from the central column profile of the central transaxial slice. These dimensions were compared with manual measurements performed by a radiology resident blinded to the algorithm results. Results: A significant difference was observed between manual size measurements (range:27.1–49.9cm) and automated measurements (range:24.2–45.5cm) techniques (p 0.821) for the AP dimension. Conclusion: This automated algorithm may be used to obtain patient dimensions from CT images for calculation of the size specific dose estimate, and may eliminate the need to perform these measurements manually.
Binge drinking and health-related quality of life: Do popular perceptions match reality?

Abstract Background Popular culture (movies, television shows, advertising) often portrays drinking to the point of intoxication as either humorous or associated with enjoyable social activities that enhance quality of life. This study examined the association between binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among U.S. adults. Methods Data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a continuous random-digit-dial telephone survey of adults aged ≥18 years conducted in all states. This survey included questions about alcohol consumption and HRQOL. Results In 2001, 52% of U.S. adults were current drinkers (one or more drinks in the past 30 days). Of current drinkers, 11% were frequent binge drinkers (three or more episodes in past month) and 14% were infrequent binge drinkers (one to two episodes in past month). After adjusting for confounding factors, frequent binge drinkers were more likely than non-binge drinkers to experience ≥14 unhealthy days (physical or mental) in the past month (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24–1.56), primarily because they had more mentally unhealthy days than non-binge drinkers (AOR=1.52, 95% CI=1.32–1.75). Conclusions Frequent binge drinking is associated with significantly worse HRQOL and mental distress, including stress, depression, and emotional problems. Effective interventions to prevent binge drinking should be widely adopted and may help improve quality of life.
Late corneal opacities in the syndrome of interstitial keratitis and vestibulo-auditory symptoms

Abstract Progressive clouding of the cornea may be a delayed complication of the interstitial keratitis-vestibu-loauditory syndrome. Two illustrative cases are presented. The first case illustrates progressive opacification about aberrant vessels in the deep stroma presenting a characteristic dendritiform pattern. The second case shows that the opacification is due, in this case at least, to formation of connective tissue with inclusion of lipid crystals and fat along with the blood vessels. Descemet's membrane is also thickened several fold.
Early arterial differentiation and patterning in the avian embryo model

Of the many models to study vascular biology the avian embryo remains an informative and powerful model system that has provided important insights into endothelial cell recruitment, assembly and remodeling during development of the circulatory system. This review highlights several discoveries in the avian system that show how arterial patterning is regulated using the model of dorsal aortae development along the embryo midline during gastrulation and neurulation. These discoveries were made possible through spatially and temporally controlled gain-of-function experiments that provided direct evidence that BMP signaling plays a pivotal role in vascular recruitment, patterning and remodeling and that Notch-signaling recruits vascular precursor cells to the dorsal aortae. Importantly, BMP ligands are broadly expressed throughout embryos but BMP signaling activation region is spatially defined by precisely regulated expression of BMP antagonists. These discoveries provide insight into how signaling, both positive and negative, regulate vascular patterning. This review also illustrates similarities of early arterial patterning along the embryonic midline in amniotes both avian and mammalians including human, evolutionarily specialized from non-amniotes such as fish and frog.
PGE restores the immune response in chemotherapy-treated, tumor-bearing mice

Abstract Two hundred seventy-one B-16 melanoma-bearing mice were randomized and treated for 4 days with either control diluent, 10 μg of 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2-methyl-ester (di-M-PGE2), chemotherapy, or chemotherapy plus di-M-PGE2. The chemotherapeutic regimens included adriamycin (7.5 mg/kg), 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/kg), nitrogen mustard (5 mg/kg), and vincristine (0.5 mg/kg). The number of plaque-forming cells and hemagglutinin titers in response to sheep erythrocytes were used as measures of humoral immunity while cellular immunity was assessed by evaluation of delayed hypersensitivity. As we previously reported, the presence of subcutaneous B-16 tumors induced substantial immunosuppression and this suppression was reversed by treatment with di-M-PGE2. Treatment with all four chemotherapeutic agents induced profound immunosuppression. Similarly, the addition of di-M-PGE2 to the chemotherapy protocols resulted in significant augmentation of cellular and humoral immunity.
Rebound Following Hemodialysis of Cimetidine and Its Metabolites

The effect of hemodialysis on the pharmacokinetics of cimetidine and its metabolites was studied after the intravenous administration of a 300-mg dose of cimetidine. Serum concentrations were monitored before, during, and after hemodialysis. Cimetidine pharmacokinetics were similar to those in patients with end-stage renal failure, with a total body clearance of 3.3 ± 1.0 mL/min/kg and a half-life of 4.1 hours. Dialysis caused an initial decrease in serum concentrations for cimetidine, hydroxymethyl cimetidine, and cimetidine sulfoxide, followed by a rebound in serum concentrations immediately after treatment. Dialysis clearances, as calculated from extraction ratios, were 83 ± 15, 90 ± 16, 93 ± 24, and 126 ± 23 mL/min for cimetidine, hydroxymethyl, sulfoxide, and creatinine, respectively. After four hours of dialysis, 10% ± 3.2% of the cimetidine dose was recovered in the dialysate. The sulfoxide and hydroxymethyl metabolites demonstrated relatively constant serum concentrations for up to 24 hours postdosing, and therefore, estimates of their terminal half-lives were not possible. In one patient, accumulation of both metabolites occurred during multiple dosing. Hemodialysis is an ineffective means of decreasing the total body load of cimetidine and its metabolites. Presumably, sequestration of the drug in body tissues decreases the amount of drug present in the blood available for dialysis removal, with rebound occurring due to postdialysis re-equilibriation between blood and extravascular fluids.
Menopausal Symptoms and Psychological Distress in Women With and Without Tubal Sterilization

Data from self-administered mailed questionnaires were used to examine the relationship between menopausal and psychological/psychiatric factors in women age 45-50 years with and without tubal sterilization. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, tubal sterilization was associated with current flushing (odds ratio = 8.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58-48.67) and current symptoms of psychological distress (odds ratio = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.27-8.95); psychological distress was associated with tubal sterilization (odds ratio = 3.28, 95% CI = 1.28-8.42) and with being perimenopausal (odds ratio = 3.93, 95% CI = 1.08-14.34). Sterilization was marginally associated with a history of physician-diagnosed depression (univariate age-adjusted odds ratio = 2.24, 95% CI = 0.90-5.60). The menopausal and psychological symptoms of women with tubal sterilization should be taken seriously and treated appropriately.
Opposing inputs by Hedgehog and Brinker define a stripe of hairy expression in the Drosophila leg imaginal disc

The sensory organs of the Drosophila adult leg provide a simple model system with which to investigate pattern-forming mechanisms. In the leg, a group of small mechanosensory bristles is organized into a series of longitudinal rows, a pattern that depends on periodic expression of the hairy gene ( h ) and the proneural genes achaete ( ac ) and scute ( sc ). Expression of ac in longitudinal stripes in prepupal leg discs defines the positions of the mechanosensory bristle rows. The ac / sc expression domains are delimited by the Hairy repressor, which is itself periodically expressed. In order to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in leg sensory organ patterning, we have analyzed a Hedgehog (Hh)- and Decapentaplegic (Dpp)-responsive enhancer of the h gene, which directs expression of h in a narrow stripe in the dorsal leg imaginal disc (the D- h stripe). Our studies suggest that the domain of D- h expression is defined by the overlap of Hh and high-level Dpp signaling. We find that the D- h enhancer consists of a Hh-responsive activation element (HHRE) and a repression element (REPE), which responds to the transcriptional repressor Brinker (Brk). The HHRE directs expression of h in a broad stripe along the anteroposterior (AP) compartment boundary. HHRE-directed expression is refined along the AP and dorsoventral axes by Brk1, acting through the REPE. In D- h- expressing cells, Dpp signaling is required to block Brk-mediated repression. This study elucidates a molecular mechanism for integration of the Hh and Dpp signals, and identifies a novel function for Brk as a repressor of Hh-target genes.
Advanced Electrical Materials and Component Development

The primary means to develop advanced electrical components is to develop new and improved materials for magnetic components (transformers, inductors, etc.), capacitors, and semiconductor switches and diodes. This paper will give a description and status of the internal and external research sponsored by NASA Glenn Research Center on soft magnetic materials, dielectric materials and capacitors, and high quality silicon carbide (SiC) atomically smooth substrates. The rationale for and the benefits of developing advanced electrical materials and components for the PMAD subsystem and also for the total power system will be briefly discussed.
AMPA receptor subunit expression in trigeminal neurons during postnatal development

Trigeminal motoneurons (Mo5) and mesencephalic trigeminal neurons (Me5) are important constituents of the neural circuitry responsible for jaw movements. Non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors are a critical component of the brainstem circuitry responsible for reflex and centrally activated jaw movements; however, little is known about the expression of these receptors in neonatal oral-motor circuitry. Receptor immunohistochemistry using affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies directed against GluR1, GluR2/3/4c, and GluR4, respectively, and a monoclonal antibody directed against the GluR2 subunit, were used in rats at postnatal day (P)1, P3, P5, P10, P19-21, P32-35, and P60 to describe the expression of the alpha-amino-d-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor in Mo5 and Me5 neurons. In Mo5, immunoreactivity was noted for all antibodies throughout the time frame sampled. Neurons in caudal portions of Me5 displayed immunoreactivity to each antibody except at P60 when GluR2 immunoreactivity was absent. Neurons located in rostral Me5 displayed GluR2/3/4c and GluR4 immunoreactivity throughout the time frame, GluR1 immunoreactivity emerged at P3 and a transient expression of GluR2 expression was observed between P10 and P32-35. The lack of labeling of some neurons in both regions, coupled with differences in temporal expression, suggests that there are differences in the AMPA receptor phenotype within and between Mo5 and Me5 during postnatal development. Differences in AMPA subunit composition suggest a complex role for AMPA-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission in brainstem circuits controlling jaw movements.
Methotrexate and histologic hepatic abnormalities: a meta-analysis.

Abstract study objective: To determine the risk of liver toxicity from the long-term administration of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. design: A meta-analysis of 15 studies examining the relationship between long-term, low-dose methotrexate administration and biopsy evidence of liver fibrosis. patients: A total of 636 patients from 15 studies. results: The incidence of progression of liver disease (defined as worsening of at least one grade on the histologic classification of Roenigk) among 636 patients was 27.9% (95% confidence intervals 24.3 to 31.6). The rate of progression of liver disease in the 15 studies was associated with the cumulative dose of methotrexate (p = 0.01). Patients on average had a 6.7% (95% confidence intervals 2.1 to 11.4) chance of progressing at least one histologic grade on liver biopsy for each gram of methotrexate taken. The overall incidence of advanced pathologic changes on liver biopsy (grades IIIB or IV) among 636 patients was 5.0% (95% confidence intervals 3.5 to 7.0). The development of advanced histologic changes was not associated with the cumulative dose of methotrexate (p = 0.08). Patients who according to their history were heavy drinkers (at least 100 g of alcohol per week) were more likely to have advanced changes on liver biopsy (17.8% versus 4.5%, p=0.0003) and to show histologic progression (73.3% versus 25.9%, p=0.0002). Patients with psoriasis were more likely than patients with rheumatoid arthritis to have advanced changes (7.7% versus 2.7%, p=0.003) and histologic progression (33.1% versus 24.3 %, p=0.02). conclusions: The risk of liver toxicity in patients undergoing long-term, low-dose methotrexate therapy is substantial, and that risk increases with the total cumulative dose and with heavy consumption of alcohol. Heavy users of alcohol should not receive long-term methotrexate therapy. For most patients who are not heavy users of alcohol, liver biopsies should be done periodically to monitor for the occurrence of liver toxicity.
Discussion on: “UDU Factored Discrete-Time Lyapunov Recursions and Optimal Reduced-Order LQG Problems”

A method has been proposed for designing both finitehorizon and infinite-horizon discrete-time reduced order LQG controls. The method solves the two recursive Lyapunov equations by UDU factorization, which is assumed to be more efficient than homotopy and other methods previously proposed. This method can be computationally attractive; however, its presentation also can make it inaccessible to many readers. The purpose of this note is to present a summary of these results in a reader friendly form so that the material can be accessed by many readers.
A Critique of Baker’s Constitution View

The paper presents, motivates, critiques, and proposes revisions to Baker’s Constitution View, which includes her definitions of constitution, derivative features, and numerical sameness. The paper argues that Baker should add a mereological clause to her definition of constitution in order to avoid various counterexamples.
Monolithic Silicon Waveguides in Standard Silicon

A methodology allows fabrication of silicon-photonic devices in standard silicon wafers, eliminating the need for silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. Using this technology, the authors demonstrate low-loss silicon waveguides (2.34 dB/cm), comparable to conventional SOI channel waveguides. The ease and flexibility of this fabrication method simplify integration of electronics and photonics and make it a possible alternative to SOI-based technology for implementation of silicon-photonic devices and systems.
Evaluation of miniature rock prism test for determining the potential alkali-expansivity of aggregates

Abstract Expansion of miniature rock prisms sawn normal to the layering of the rock and stored in 2N NaOH was monitored with a Huggenberger gauge or a linear voltage differential transformer (LVDT). Owing to their thinness (3 mm) the samples become saturated quickly and expansion usually commences within the first week, compared with the long initiation period typical of the rock cylinder method ASTM C586. The miniature rock prism test was evaluated for alkali-carbonate, slowly expanding siliceous aggregates and classical alkali-silica reactive rocks. Rates of expansion generally correlated well with those of corresponding concrete prisms tested according to CSA A23.2 - 14A.