cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant mutations by rat-liver homogenate (S9)-activated promutagens in human embryonic skin fibroblasts.

Abstract Most normal human fibroblasts grown in culture do not metabolize promutagens/procarcinogens. Thus screening assays employing normal human fibroblasts have only been successful for direct-acting chemical mutagens and various radiations. In this report we describe a mutation assay (HGPRT locus) employing a normal human embryonic skin fibroblast and a rat-liver homogenate (S9) mixture. 3 model promutagens, benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) have been utilized in these studies. In addition to discussing conditions for optimizing the response of this assay, our results indicate that at constant amount of S9 protein concentration, there exists a linear correlation between mutagenicity and dose. At 50% survival, the mutant frequencies induced by B[ a ]P and 3MC (5 μg/ml) are 60 and 30 times the background mutant frequency, respectively. Similarly, at 50% survival, DMN (5 mg/ml) induced 6-TG r mutant frequencies are 25-fold over the background frequency. The increase in cytotoxicity resulting from exposure of cells to these ‘activated’ chemicals is also a linear dose response. At high S9 concentrations a deactivation or detoxification phenomenon occurs. However, the mutagenic efficiency of S9-activated chemicals when plotted as the number of induced mutations versus log survival is unaffected by the deactivating capacity of S9 proteins. This study demonstrates a quantitative mutation assay using an early passage human culture with an exogenous rat-liver musomal preparation providing activating enzymes.
Structural and Functional Disruption of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Amyloid Angiopathy

The deposition of amyloid Aβ peptide in the wall of cerebral vessels (cerebral amyloid angiopathy), can lead to weakness and rupture of the vessel wall, resulting in hemorrhagic stroke. The Tg2576 transgenic mouse line, overexpressing mutant amyloid precursor protein in an age-dependent manner, forms amyloid angiopathy morphologically similar to that seen in the human. We report here the structural and functional disruption of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the walls of pial vessels affected by amyloid deposition in the Tg2576 mouse. We demonstrate, using multiphoton imaging, that the arrangement of SMCs becomes disorganized before the onset of cell death, and that these disorganized SMCs are unable to respond appropriately to application of endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vasodilators in a closed-cranial window preparation.
Relationship among socialization, attitude, and placement with participation in physical activity of students with emotional disorders.

Summary.-206 students, with emotional disorders, ages 14 to 21 years in mainstreamed and adapted physical education classes, were surveyed concerning their participation in physical activity, attirude toward physical activity, and the influence of significant others in their participation. Significant relations were found between participation in and attitude toward physical activity, influence of social systems, and physical education placement. Subjects showed activity preferences and rates of participation in physical activity similar to those of nondisabled peers. Subjects expressed positive attitudes toward physical activity and indicated that encouragement from parents, siblings, peers, reachers, and coaches was important in their participation.
Amnesty: Functional modifications of a congressional mandate

National policymakers with little or no workable knowledge of borderlands society have, once again, designed legislation to control illegal immigration on our southern border. But policies created by the judiciary realities of Washington D.C. bureaucracies are quite unrealistic and dysfunctional when implemented along the U.S.-Mexico border. This essay focuses on some of the changes which were necessary to convert amnesty provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (hereafter called IRCA) to a realistic and operational program. This analysis shows how political ideology which reflects only the concerns of centralized national issues are dysfunctional to areas of the nation's periphery and to the total American society as well. If such be the case, our national policy makers might wish to reconceptualize border policies within a more realistic functional framework or to follow the pattern of our southern neighbor, Mexico, and operate with two national policies--one suitable for relationships with our land neighbors to the north and south and the other continuing the nationalistic centrist viewpoint.
Properties of graphical regression models for multidimensional categorical data

Abstract We propose a two-component graphical chain model, the discrete regression distribution, where a set of discrete random variables is modeled as a response to a set of categorical and continuous covariates. The proposed model is useful for modeling a set of discrete variables measured at multiple sites along with a set of continuous and/or discrete covariates. The proposed model allows for joint examination of the dependence structure of the discrete response and observed covariates and also accommodates site-to-site variability. We develop the graphical model properties and theoretical justifications of this model. Our model has several advantages over the traditional logistic normal model used to analyze similar compositional data, including site-specific random effect terms and the incorporation of discrete and continuous covariates.
The effect of statin use on embolic potential during carotid angioplasty and stenting.

Background Statin use results in atherosclerotic plaque stabilization. We sought to determine the effects of statins on the size and number of embolic particles generated during carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods Embolic debris from carotid filters following CAS was analyzed using photomicroscopy and imaging software. Patient comorbidities, pre-operative cerebrovascular symptoms, statin use, and outcomes (peri-operative major adverse events, MAE) were reviewed. Results Carotid filters from 62 consecutive CAS procedures were examined. The mean age is 68.7 ± 9.8 years, 64% were men, 41 (66%) were on statins at the time of CAS, and 27 (43.5%) had neurological symptoms pre-procedurally. The mean intra-procedural stenosis was similar between groups (statin: 89.4 ± 7.4% vs. no statin: 88.4 ± 5.9%, P = NS). There was no significant difference in overall pre-operative symptoms between the two groups. Statin users were more likely to have coronary artery disease (CAD, P = 0.02), hyperlipidemia (HL, P = 0.047), or have undergone coronary artery bypass (CABG, P = 0.01). Statin use was associated with significantly less embolic particles (statin: 16.4 ± 2.1 vs. no statin: 42.4 ± 9.5, P = 0.001) during CAS. Further, multivariate analysis controlling for CAD, HL, and CABG confirmed that statin use was independently associated with less captured debris (P = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the mean particle size (statin: 326.2 μm ± 31.1 vs. no statin 310.5 μm ± 41.8), peri-procedural stroke, and MAE between the two groups (P = NS). Conclusions Statin use is associated with less embolic debris during CAS. Further investigation utilizing a larger study group is necessary to assess the impact of statin use on peri-procedural outcomes.
Evidence for Changes in Southern Oscillation Relationships during the Last 100 Years

Abstract Relationships are examined among records of atmospheric pressure at Darwin, Tahiti and Santiago and indices of the Southern Oscillation (SO) formed from these pressures for the period 1883–1984, and the sea surface temperature in the eastern equatorial Pacific (SST*) as well as Indian summer-monsoon rainfall and continental and marine hemispheric temperatures. In general, the correlations of pressures and SO indices with SST* have been greatest since World War II, but were also relatively high prior to World War I. An exception is Tahiti pressure which is poorly correlated with SST* until about 1940. The correlations have tended to be higher when moderate or strong El Nino were most frequent. The question is discussed whether the decrease in correlations among the various datasets that is apparent in the middle third of the time period in question, roughly from 1920 to 1950, reflects a real change in atmospheric processes or is due to data problems. It is suggested that prior to World War I the p...
The process associated with motivation of a home-based Wii Fit exercise program among sedentary African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective To explore the process associated with the motivation for playing Wii Fit among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
A model for surface diffusion of trans-membrane proteins on lipid bilayers

The equilibrium theory of lipid membranes is modified to include the effects of a continuous distribution of trans-membrane proteins. These influence membrane shape and evolve in accordance with a diffusive balance law. The model is purely mechanical in the absence of the proteins. Conditions ensuring energy dissipation in the presence of diffusion are given and an example constitutive function is used to simulate the coupled inertia-less interplay between membrane shape and protein distribution. The work extends an earlier continuum theory of equilibrium configurations of composite lipid-protein membranes to accommodate surface diffusion.
Determination of the Nicotine Content in Solanaceae Vegetables by Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A validated method based on solid-phase extraction and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, with electrospray ionization operated in the positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring, was developed for the determination of nicotine in Solanaceae vegetables. Sample preparation involved liquid–solid extraction, centrifugation, filtration, and solid-phase extraction. Two kinds of solid-phase extraction adsorbents, based on different retention mechanisms, were investigated. Relatively higher recoveries were obtained with a hydrophilic–lipophilic-balanced cartridge. A deuterated internal standard was used for quantification. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of nicotine in different vegetables was found to be between 0.07 and 0.5 μg/kg. The nicotine levels in the vegetable samples were above the LOQs. The method described here is thus suitable for the analysis of large sample batches, because it provides accurate quantification, high sensitivity and rapid chromatographic separation with facile preparation. The solid-phase extraction cartridges and organic solvents used in this work are easy to obtain, enabling the application of this method in most analytical laboratories.
Statistical Approach to Mitigating 3G Interference to GPS in 3G Handset

In this paper, we show how statistical decision theory can be used to solve real life product problems. Global Positioning System (GPS) Performance in a mobile handset is degraded whenever it is simultaneously used with a 3G data or voice call. This degradation is due to the 3G transmitter interference. Mitigation methods to interference in GPS have been pro-posed. However, most of these methods depend on hardware and signal processing or just hardware solutions. In some cases, it maybe difficult to implement these hardware methods, especially, in mobile handsets due to the small size of the handset, printed circuit board (PCB) layout issues and the added cost. In this paper, a novel signal processing statistical algorithm approach is proposed to mitigate the 3G interference to GPS. This statistical approach utilizes the knowledge of the statistical characteristics and distributions of both, the GPS signal and noise. Then the method utilizes the probabilities to make a statistical decision to remove the effect of noise. This method does not require room on the PCB of the mobile handset and therefore no layout challenges arise. In addition, cost is minimized and the product turn in cycle is shortened. This paper offers theoretical as well as practical insight to the GPS operation during 3G call inside the mobile phone.
Properties of ventromedial hypothalamic neurons with axons to midbrain central gray.

In female rats anesthetized with urethane, 151 neurons in and around the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus were identified by antidromic activation as having axonal projection to the mesencephalic central gray at the midcollicular level. Identified neurons were most numerous in the rostral part and at the borders of the nucleus. Antidromic spike latencies, constant for a given cell to stimulation with fixed intensity at a low repetition rate, had a wide range across cells (1.4–41.5 ms). In 37 cells, gradual increases in stimulus intensity allowed sudden discrete latency decreases as large as 9.8 ms. These may reflect activation of separate axonal branches of terminal arborizations. Eleven among 43 tested cells were antidromically driven from the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus (DLF) at the diencephalic-mesencephalic junction as well as from the central gray. Latencies of DLF responses were always shorter than those from central gray. From this and collision experiments between central gray-evoked and DLF-evoked antidromic spikes, it was concluded that at least one quarter of mesencephalic projections from the ventromedial nucleus descend through DLF. The mean conduction velocity of these axons was 0.8 m/s, indicating that they belong to thin unmyelinated C-group fibers. Thirty percent of the cell population studied received excitatory input from the cortical or medial nucleus of the amygdala. Four cells were identified as having projections both to the central gray and the amygdala. Estrogen treatment of ovariectomized female rats caused no major changes in antidromic latency, absolute refractory period or resting activity of these identified hypothalamic neurons. However, the stimulation threshold for antidromic activation was significantly lower in the estrogen-treated animals. Axons to the central gray from ventromedial hypothalamic neurons provide for hypothalamic bias on brain stem reflex paths, for reproductive and other behaviors.
Determination of fumonisins B1, B2, B3 and B4 by high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection

Abstract Fumonisins B1, B2, B3 and B4 (FB1-FB4), a group of mycotoxins produced by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme, were separated by HPLC using an analytical-scale, base-deactivated C8 column and a gradient of trifluoroacetic acid buffer (pH 2.7) and acetonitrile. An evaporative light-scattering detector was used to detect the fumonisin peaks. A semi-preparative-scale, base-deactivated C8 column with a 1:14 mobile phase split facilitated the purification of analytical standards of FB1.
Drug Hepatotoxicity from a Regulatory Perspective

This article summarizes problems of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), as seen from the perspective of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After brief consideration of the scope of FDA activities and processes of new drug development and review for possible approval of products for clinical use and marketing, some of the perceived current problems in detection, confirmation, close observation, differential diagnosis, and follow-up of cases of possible DILI in controlled clinical trials are described. Readers are invited to consider possible solutions to the many problems of DILI, propose ways to support research in the field, and keep abreast of progress by visiting the web site at www.fda.gov/cder/livertox.
A Newton-type method for solving an inverse Sturm-Liouville problem

A Newton-type method is proposed for the recovery of the unknown coefficient function in the canonical Sturm-Liouville differential equation from two spectral data. Specifically, the two spectral data will be used to produce two Cauchy data, which in turn will serve as the input in a non-linear equation whose unknown is the coefficient function in the canonical Sturm-Liouville differential equation. This non-linear equation is to be solved numerically by the Newton method. Each Newton iterate requires that a Goursat-Cauchy boundary value problem be solved numerically. The Frechet differentiability of the non-linear map is also discussed in the present paper. The numerical implementation of the Newton method for this inverse Sturm-Liouville problem is illustrated with examples, and it will be compared with a quasi-Newton method, and with a variational method discussed in previous literature. The numerical examples show that the Newton method needs fewer iterates to recover the true coefficient function tha...
MCM layer assignment using genetic search

A genetic algorithm for the MCM (multichip module) layer assignment problem is presented. A problem-specific genetic encoding scheme is used. Experimental results show that the proposed genetic algorithm consistently produced the same or better results than the simulated anneallng algorithm and the best deterministic layer assignment algorithm known.
Species invasions on islands: searching for general patterns and principles

Numerous islands worldwide are being increasingly invaded by exotic species. However, the effects of invading species on native floras remain underexplored, particularly whether island biogeography theory is applicable to native, exotic, and the newly assembled floras. Inter-group comparisons across different regions or island groups through a collection of individual studies have the potential of offering additional insights. Here, I comparatively analyze 10 datasets involving bird and plant invasions on nine island groups around the world and make detailed comparisons between two sets. I show that, although similarities exist, different taxonomic groups and different geographic settings exhibit drastically different invasion patterns on islands. Island biogeography theory still better explains native and overall (natives plus exotics) diversity patterns, such as the species-area-isolation relationships. In contrast, the corresponding patterns for exotic species are highly variable. The varying degrees of human intervention in species invasion relative to natural dispersal on different islands, along with differences between taxonomic groups, highlight the challenges of searching general patterns and applying island biogeography theories to island invasion and conservation.
The Moment Bound is Tighter than Chernoff's Bound for Positive Tail Probabilities

Abstract Chernoff's bound on P[X ⩾ t] is used almost universally when a tight bound on tail probabilities is required. In this article we show that for all positive t and for all distributions, the moment bound is tighter than Chernoff's bound. By way of example, we demonstrate that the improvement is often substantial.
A metric for analyzing effective on-chip inductive coupling

In this paper, we propose a metric for effective inductive coupling: the matrix (R + j/spl omega/L)/sup -1/, where R and L are the resistance and inductance matrices. We use this metric to analyze the effectiveness of shields on reducing inductive coupling. Our analysis shows how the resistances of shields affect the effective inductive coupling between signal nets. SPICE simulations are carried out to validate the proposed metric.
Photo-induced self-organized pattern formation in bio-synthesized nanomaterials

We have observed a dynamic self-organization of laser scattering from the biosynthesized nanofluids with silver and gold nanoparticles. Various procedures for nanofluid synthesis suitable for different applications are under constant investigation. In our present research the green biosynthesis process has been used for noble nanoparticles production. The aqueous solution of Magnolia Grandiflora leaves has been used as a reductant for silver and gold nanofluids.. We have applied the UV-visible spectroscopy method to control reaction process, fluorescent spectroscopy and nonlinear interferometric imaging experiments for characterization of nanofluids. From the number of laser-induced photothermal interferometric fringes it is possible to estimate the nonlinear refractive index coefficient changes. The kinetics observed in the pump-probe experiments with blue and red CW laser allowed us to estimate a timescale (~1s) of photothermal lens formation and dissipation. Moreover, we have observed the very exciting and unusual phenomena of self-organization of the laser scattering reflected from the fluid's surface. The diverse regular diffraction patterns (hexagons, rolls, squares etc), resembling diffraction of X-rays on crystal structures, were self-organized in biosynthesized solutions of nanoparticles. From the angular size of the observed hexagonal diffraction patterns it was possible to estimate the diameter of diffracting nanoclusters as 18 microns for silver and gold nanofluids and 9 microns for the Magnolia broth. The kinetics of the hexagonal scattering shows a quasiperiodic pattern, with a period of about 12 seconds with the slow build-up and sharp disappearance of scattering.
Plain Comma Sense

There is nothing mysterious about punctuation. It is based upon simple principles. The “rules” which one can find in all sorts of books are usually true enough, but they tend to make the matter see...
Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in the new world monkey (Cebus apella) and human cerebellum.

The present study used the NGFR-5 monoclonal antibody raised against human nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) to determine the extent of NGFR immunoreactivity within the embryonic and young adult Cebus apella cerebellum as well as the human cerebellum. Immunohistochemically processed tissue revealed NGFR expressing Purkinje cell somata, axons, and dendrites, the latter being observed within the molecular layer of both adult species. Within all regions of the cerebellum we observed both darkly and lightly immunostained Purkinje cells. The proximal axons of these cells, which were visualized for short distances within the granular cell layer, appeared to contain bulbous aggregates of reaction product. In sagittal sections, the full extent of the Purkinje cell dendritic tree was observed in the more lightly stained portions of the cerebellum. In situ hybridization experiments revealed NGFR mRNA within Purkinje cells in a pattern similar to that seen with immunohistochemistry. The distribution of NGFR immunoreactivity within the cerebellum exhibits a general topographic organization with the heaviest and most consistent staining occurring within the archi- and neocerebellum and weaker staining within the paleocerebellum. In fetal Cebus monkey cerebellum obtained at gestational day 50 and 70, NGFR immunoreactivity was observed as a band composed of developing Purkinje cell neurites. These profiles were seen in the paleo- and neocerebellum, but not the archicerebellum. The present investigation is the first demonstration of NGFR immunoreactive profiles in the adult monkey and human cerebellum. These findings suggest that nerve growth factor may influence locomotor and vestibular behaviors that are mediated by cerebellar circuitry. The precise mode of action for the NGF/NGFR system within the cerebellum remains to be determined.
CodeShield: towards personalized application whitelisting

Malware has been a major security problem both in organizations and homes for more than a decade. One common feature of most malware attacks is that at a certain point early in the attack, an executable is dropped on the system which, when executed, enables the attacker to achieve their goals and maintain control of the compromised machine. In this paper we propose the concept of Personalized Application Whitelisting (PAW) to block all unsolicited foreign code from executing on a system. We introduce CodeShield, an approach to implement PAW on Windows hosts. CodeShield uses a simple and novel security model, and a new user interaction approach for obtaining security-critical decisions from users. We have implemented CodeShield, demonstrated its security effectiveness, and conducted a user study, having 38 participants run CodeShield on their laptops for 6 weeks. Results from the data demonstrate the usability and promises of our design.
Anxiety and anxiety disorder in childhood.

The study of anxiety disorders in children is of interest both in its own right and for what it may reveal about the origins of anxiety disorders at any age.
Evidence for an Active Inflammatory Process in the Hibernating Human Myocardium

Myocardial hibernation refers to a state of prolonged impairment of left ventricular function in the presence of coronary artery disease, which may be reversed by revascularization. In this study we present evidence for a local inflammatory reaction in hibernating myocardial segments from patients undergoing coronary revascularization. We obtained transmural myocardial biopsies guided by transesophageal echocardiography from patients with ischemic ventricular dysfunction undergoing bypass surgery. Among the 28 biopsied segments included in the study, 23 showed evidence of systolic dysfunction. The majority of dysfunctional segments (85.7%) were viable (201Tl uptake ≥ 60%). The samples were stained with markers for mast cells, mature resident macrophages, and the monoclonal antibody Mac387 that labels newly recruited myeloid cells. Dysfunctional segments showed more extensive fibrosis and higher macrophage density than normal segments. Among the 23 dysfunctional segments, 12 recovered function as assessed with echocardiograms 3 months after revascularization. Segments with postoperative functional recovery had comparable macrophage and mast cell density with those showing persistent dysfunction. However, biopsied segments that subsequently recovered function contained significantly higher numbers of newly recruited Mac387-positive leukocytes (18.7 ± 3.1 cells/mm2, n = 12 versus 8.6 ± 0.9 cells/mm2, n = 11; P = 0.009). In addition, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, a potent mononuclear cell chemoattractant, was predominantly expressed in segments with recovery of function. Myocardial hibernation is associated with an inflammatory response leading to active leukocyte recruitment. Dysfunctional myocardial segments that show an active inflammatory reaction have a greater potential for recovery of function after revascularization. We postulate that revascularization may promote resolution of the ongoing inflammation, preventing further tissue injury and fibrosis.
Effect of Perceptual Style Strength on Acquisition of a Novel Motor Task

Summary.-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the strength of perceptual style preference on the acquisition of a novel motor task. The Physical Needs element of the Learning Style Inventory was administered to 98 students, 14 to 15 yr. old, to determine the strength of their perceptual preferences for processing auditory, visual, and kinesthetic/tactile information. Subjects practiced the tennis-ball basket-bounce test as a novel task 8 times (3 pcaccice 2nd 5 test trials) per day for 9 days. Subjects were grouped according to the strength of their perceptual preferences: Group 1 (n = 15) in the top quartile on all perceptual modes; Group 2 (n = 16) at the median on all modes; and Group 3 (n = 14) in the bottom quarrile on 211 modes. Scores on the ball-bounce task were compared across grcups using a 3 (groups) x 9 (days) analysis of variance. There were over-all significant differences between perceprual-preference groups and across days, but no significant interaction was detected. The composite strength of perceptualstyle preference as measured is potentially important in acquisition of this motor skill. Although learning is the primary goal of education, information about how students learn often has been speculative. Recent efforts to improve both teaching and learning have begun to focus on students' preferences during learning, specifically on their learning styles (Keefe, 1982), for which measures have been developed. Most of the research has focused on academic achievement in reading and mathematics (Price, 1978). Advocates for the study and use of learning styles stress the value of accommodating individual learning characteristics by matching specific instructional strategies with those individual characteristics (Canfield, 1980; Dunn & Dunn, 1975; Gregorc & Ward, 1977). Some studies have indicated that significant achievement gains by students were noted when learning and instructional styles were consonant (Dunn, Dunn, & Price, 1978; Marcus, 1979; Murray, 1979; Petreshene, 1982). Further study of the efficacy of this approach is needed. Within physical education, few studies have investigated the importance of learning styles on motor performance or the relationship between teaching and learning styles. Murray (1979) studied the match between preferred cognitive style and methods of learning to juggle in undergraduate students.
Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Tissue Distribution and Cellular Localization in Mice: Implications for Its Biological Functions:

Earlier studies have suggested that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) has a wide tissue distribution in mammals. However, detailed information on its cellular localization and also the levels of expression in various tissues is still scarce. In the present study, we sought to determine the cellular localization of IDO and also to quantify the level of its expression in various mouse tissues by using the branched DNA signal amplification assay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. The highest levels of constitutive IDO expression were found to be selectively present in the caput of epididymis, except for its initial segment. IDO expression was also detected inside the luminal compartment and even in the stereocilia within this region. In the prostate, high levels of IDO were selectively expressed in the capsular cells. In addition, high levels of IDO expression were also selectively detected in certain types of cells in the placenta, spleen, thymus, lung, and digestive tract. Notably, the morphological features of most of the positively stained cells in these organs closely resembled those of antigen-presenting cells. Based on the tissue distribution and cellular localization characteristics of IDO, it is hypothesized that its expression may serve two main functions: one is to deplete tryptophan in an enclosed microenvironment (such as in the epididymal duct lumen) to prevent bacterial or viral infection, and the other is to produce bioactive tryptophan catabolites that would serve to suppress T-cell–mediated immune responses against self-antigens, fetal antigens, or allogeneic antigens, in different situations. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:17–28, 2010)
Turbulent Boundary-Layer Characteristics of Compliant Surfaces

A hot-wire anemometer study was made of the turbulent boundary layer on a compliant coating. A compliant coated flat plate was made by covering a y^-in.-deep reservoir of fluid with a thin sheet of poly vinyl chloride. This compliant test plate which measured 26^ in. X 8^ in. was inserted flush in the floor of a low-speed wind tunnel. The hot-wire anemometer was used to measure velocity profiles, Reynolds stresses and turbulence intensity in the boundary layer. All tests were run at 38 fps and the skin tension, skin thickness, and reservoir fluid properties were varied during the tests. The universal velocity profile of the compliant coating indicated no change in mixing length from that of a hard plate but seemed to indicate a thicker laminar sublayer. The Reynolds stress and turbulence intensity were smaller for the compliant coating than for the hard plate and they seemed to correlate with previously measured skin-friction reductions.
Core structure of S2 from the human coronavirus NL63 spike glycoprotein

Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) has recently been identified as a causative agent of acute respiratory tract illnesses in infants and young children. The HCoV-NL63 spike (S) protein mediates virion attachment to cells and subsequent fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. This viral entry process is a primary target for vaccine and drug development. HCoV-NL63 S is expressed as a single-chain glycoprotein and consists of an N-terminal receptor-binding domain (S1) and a C-terminal transmembrane fusion domain (S2). The latter contains two highly conserved heptad-repeat (HR) sequences that are each extended by 14 amino acids relative to those of the SARS coronavirus or the prototypic murine coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus. Limited proteolysis studies of the HCoV-NL63 S2 fusion core identify an α-helical domain composed of a trimer of the HR segments N57 and C42. The crystal structure of this complex reveals three C42 helices entwined in an oblique and antiparallel manner around a central triple-stra...
Courtship behavior and evidence for a sex pheromone in the gypsy moth parasitoid Brachymeria intermedia Nees (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae)

The male Brachymeria intermedia becomes responsive to females or their excised abdomens after 2–4 d from emergence. Courtship lasts for 2–4.5 min and includes rapid zig-zag walking, wing vibrations, carrying the antennae forward and repeated touching of the vial floor by moving the head up and down close to the dorsal posterior part of the female abdomen. Copulation takes 15–30 s and is achieved by male mounting the female and bending its abdomen in an about 90° angle. Responsiveness of males to excised female abdomens was taken as evidence for existence of a sex pheromone. Zusammenfassung Werbungsverhalten und Nachweis eines Sexualpheromons bei dem Schwammspinner-Parasiten Brachymeria intermedia Nees (Hym., Chalcididae) Die Mannchen von Brachymeria intermedia werden von den Weibchen oder deren abgeschnittenem Abdomen 2 bis 4 d nach dem Schlupfen des Weibchens angelockt. Die Werbung dauerte 2 bis 4,5 min und bestand aus raschem Zickzack-Laufen, Flugelschwirren, Vorwartsstellen der Fuhler und wiederholtem Beruhren der Drusengegend, indem der Kopf auf und ab in Richtung zum dorsalen Ende des weiblichen Abdomens bewegt wurde. Die Kopulation dauerte 15 bis 30 s, nachdem das Mannchen das Weibchen bestiegen und sein Abdomen in etwa 90°-Winkel mit dem Abdomen des Weibchens verankert hatte. Die Attraktivitat von abgeschnittenen Weibchen-Abdomen fur die Mannchen wird als Nachweis der Existenz eines Sexualpheromons gewertet.
Standardization in Abnormal Hemoglobin Detection. An Evaluation of Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Kits

Three widely used commercial hemoglobin electrophoresis kits were studied to ascertain specificity, accuracy, precision, and characteristics of product information. Two hundred and ninety-six hemoglobin samples were used to evaluate each kit. Except for poor separation of hemoglobin F by one kit, all three kits gave generally satisfactory results. We give specific recommendations for improving these kits and for laboratory quality-control practices.
Topic identification based extrinsic evaluation of summarization techniques applied to conversational speech

Document summarization algorithms are most commonly evaluated according to the intrinsic quality of the summaries they produce. An alternate approach is to examine the extrinsic utility of a summary, measured by the ability of the summary to aid a human in the completion of a specific task. In this paper, we use topic identification as a proxy for relevancy determination in the context of an information retrieval task, and a summary is deemed effective if it enables a user to determine the topical content of a retrieved document. We utilize Amazon's Mechanical Turk service to perform a large-scale human study contrasting four different summarization systems applied to conversational speech from the Fisher Corpus. We show that these results appear to be correlated with the performance of an automated topic identification system, and argue that this automated system can act as a low-cost proxy for a human evaluation during the development stages of a summarization system.
Solvent extraction of plutonium(IV) polymer by dihexyl-N, N-diethyl-carbamoylmethylphosphonate (DHDECMP)

Abstract The bifunctional organophosphorus compound DHDECMP (dihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate) is effective in the extraction of hydrolytic plutonium (IV) polymer from both 0.04 and 7.0M nitric acid. Stripping the polymer- is difficult, even with hydrofluoric acid. However, 1.0M sodium carbonate is a very effective stripping agent. The extracted complex contains one to two molecules of DHDECMP per plutonium ion and the plutonium (IV) maintains a polymeric structure.
A comparison of ligase chain reaction to polymerase chain reaction in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis endocervical infections

OBJECTIVE: To compare the reliability of ligase chain reaction (LCR) to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting Chlamydia trachomatis endocervical infections. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 486 patients at risk for chlamydial infection of the endocervix. We obtained two endocervical specimens from each patient and used LCR and PCR to detect C. trachomatis. Discrepant results between the two techniques were resolved by repeat testing and by testing for the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene, if necessary. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for each test, using concordant results or MOMP gene results as the "gold standard". RESULTS: Of the 486 patients, 42 (8.6%) had evidence of C. trachomatis infection after resolution of discrepant results. Of the 42 true positive specimens, 41 were positive by initial LCR and 38 were positive by initial PCR. Of the 444 true negative specimens, none had a positive initial LCR result, while 2 had a positive initial PCR test. Therefore, compared to the gold standard, LCR had a sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 100%, while PCR had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 99.5%. The positive and negative predictive values of LCR were 100% and 99.8%, respectively. PCR had a positive predictive value of 95% and a negative predictive value of 99.1%. The difference in sensitivity of LCR versus PCR was not statistically significant (P = .125). CONCLUSION: LCR and PCR perform equally well in detecting C. trachomatis endocervical infections.
Verification of Monte Carlo calculations around a Fletcher Suit Delclos ovoid with normoxic polymer gel dosimetry

The goal of this work is to calculate the effect of including the anterior and posterior ovoid shields on the dose distribution around a Fletcher Suit Delclos (FSD) ovoid (Nucletron Trading BV, Leersum, Netherlands) and verify these calculations with normoxic polymer gel dosimetry. To date, no Monte Carlo results verified with dosimetry have been published for this ovoid.
Pediatric Residency Duty Hours Before and After Limitations

OBJECTIVES. The goals were to examine pediatric resident and program director experiences implementing the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work hour limits and to compare duty hours, moonlighting, and fatigue before and after the limits became effective. METHODS. National random samples of 500 pediatric residents who graduated in 2002 and in 2004 were surveyed to compare resident duty hours and fatigue before and after the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education limits were implemented. In addition, all US pediatric residency program directors were surveyed at the end of the 2003/2004 academic year, to provide a complementary retrospective examination of limit implementation. RESULTS. Totals of 65%, 61%, and 83% of 2002 residents, 2004 residents, and program directors, respectively, responded. The proportion of residents who reported working >80 hours per week declined from 49% for NICU/PICU rotations before the limits to 18% after limit implementation. Resident well-being was the factor identified most often by both residents and program directors as being improved since the limitations. Multivariate modeling also showed reductions in the proportions of residents who reported falling asleep while driving from work or making errors in patient care because of fatigue. Overall, 89% of pediatric residents and program directors reported that the current system is effective in ensuring appropriate working hours. CONCLUSIONS. Since the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour limits went into effect, pediatric residents report working fewer hours and making fewer patient care errors because of fatigue. Although room for additional improvement remains, the experiences of residents and program directors suggest that implementation of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education limits in pediatric residency programs is improving resident well-being.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and endothelial cells promote self-renewal of rabbit germ cells with spermatogonial stem cell properties

Previous studies suggest that exogenous factors crucial for spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) self-renewal are conserved among several mammalian species. Since glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) are critical for rodent SSC self-renewal, we hypothesized that they might promote self-renewal of nonrodent SSCs. Therefore, we cultured testicular germ cells from prepubertal rabbits in the presence of GDNF and FGF2 and found they proliferated indefinitely as cellular clumps that displayed characteristics previously identified for rodent SSCs. The rabbit germ cells could not be maintained on mouse embryonic fibroblast (STO) feeders that support rodent SSC self-renewal in vitro but were rather supported on mouse yolk sac-derived endothelial cell (C166) feeder layers. Proliferation of rabbit germ cells was dependent on GDNF. Of critical importance was that clump-forming rabbit germ cells colonized seminiferous tubules of immunodeficient mice, proliferated for at least 6 mo, while retaining an SSC phenotype in the testes of recipient mice, indicating that they were rabbit SSCs. This study demonstrates that GDNF is a mitogenic factor promoting self-renewal that is conserved between rodent and rabbit SSCs; with an evolutionary separation of ∼ 60 million years. These findings provide a foundation to study the mechanisms governing SSC self-renewal in nonrodent species.
Transurethral ureteroscopy in women: A ready addition to the urological armamentarium

AbstractUreteroscopy via the transurethral route and limited to the terminal ureter in women lends itself to inclusion in the urological armamentarium. The technique requires no equipment other than routine urological instruments and makes endoscopic inspection, biopsy and resection within the distal ureter possible.
Cold and Warm Blood Cardioplegia

The present review concerns modern operative myocardial management strategies utilizing cold and warm blood cardioplegia. Both biological and surgical rationales toward providing optimal operative conditions in which to conduct complicated procedures are discussed. An alternative technique employing both cold and warm blood cardioplegia, as well as a cardioplegic formulary are proposed.
Catecholamine Surge during Image-Guided Ablation of Adrenal Gland Metastases: Predictors, Consequences, and Recommendations for Management.

Abstract Purpose To identify retrospectively predictors of catecholamine surge during image-guided ablation of metastases to the adrenal gland. Materials and Methods Between 2001 and 2014, 57 patients (39 men, 18 women; mean age, 65 y ± 10; age range, 41–81 y) at two academic medical centers underwent ablation of 64 metastatic adrenal tumors from renal cell carcinoma (n = 27), lung cancer (n = 23), melanoma (n = 4), colorectal cancer (n = 3), and other tumors (n = 7). Tumors measured 0.7–11.3 cm (mean, 4 cm ± 2.5). Modalities included cryoablation (n = 38), radiofrequency (RF) ablation (n = 20), RF ablation with injection of dehydrated ethanol (n = 10), and microwave ablation (n = 4). Fisher exact test, univariate, and multivariate logistical regression analysis was used to evaluate factors predicting hypertensive crisis (HC). Results HC occurred in 31 sessions (43%). Ventricular tachycardia (n = 1), atrial fibrillation (n = 2), and troponin leak (n = 4) developed during HC episodes. HC was significantly associated with maximum tumor diameter ≤ 4.5 cm (odds ratio [OR], 26.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.26–131.99; P P Conclusions Patients at high risk of catecholamine surge during ablation of non–hormonally active adrenal metastases can be identified by the presence of normal adrenal tissue and tumor diameter ≤ 4.5 cm on pre-procedure CT or MR imaging.
Critical Care Resuscitation Unit: An Innovative Solution to Expedite Transfer of Patients with Time-Sensitive Critical Illness.

Background Time-sensitive, critical surgical illnesses require care at specialized centers. Trauma systems facilitate patient transport to designated trauma centers, but formal systems for nontraumatic critical illness do not exist. We created the critical care resuscitation unit to expedite transfers of adult critically ill patients with time-sensitive conditions to a quaternary academic medical center, hypothesizing that this would decrease time to transfer, increase transfer volume, and improve outcomes. Study Design Critical care transfers to the University of Maryland Medical Center during the first year of the critical care resuscitation unit (July 2013 to June 2014) were compared with a previous year (July 2011 to June 2012). Times from transfer request to arrival and operating room and hospital mortality were compared. Results There was a 64.5% increase in transfers with a 93.6% increase in critically ill surgical patients. For patients requiring operation, median time to arrival and operating room (118 vs 223 minutes and 1,113 vs 3,424 minutes, respectively; p Conclusions The critical care resuscitation unit dramatically increased the volume of critically ill surgical patients. It decreased transfer times, increased volume, and, for those who required urgent operation, decreased time from initial referral to operating room. This benefit seems to be most marked in patients needing urgent operation. This might be a paradigm shift expediting the transfer of patients with time-sensitive critical illness to an appropriately resourced specialty center.
Production of NaCa + molecular ions in the ground state from cold atom-ion mixtures by photoassociation via an intermediate state

We present a theoretical analysis of optical pathways for formation of cold ground-state ${(\mathrm{NaCa})}^{+}$ molecular ions via an intermediate state. The formation schemes are based on ab initio potential energy curves and transition dipole moments calculated using effective-core-potential methods of quantum chemistry. In the proposed approach, starting from a mixture of cold trapped ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{+}$ ions immersed into an ultracold gas of Na atoms, ${(\mathrm{NaCa})}^{+}$ molecular ions are photoassociated in the excited $E^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ electronic state and allowed to spontaneously decay either to the ground electronic state or an intermediate state from which the population is transferred to the ground state via an additional optical excitation. By analyzing all possible pathways, we find that the efficiency of a two-photon scheme, via either the $B^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ or $C^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ potential, is sufficient to produce significant quantities of ground-state ${(\mathrm{NaCa})}^{+}$ molecular ions. A single-step process results in lower formation rates that would require either a high-density sample or a very intense photoassociation laser to be viable.