cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting the risk of retained fetal membranes and metritis in dairy cows according to prepartum hemogram and immune and metabolic status.

Abstract Uterine diseases affect a significant proportion of dairy cows, causing significant economic losses. Immune and metabolic statuses are associated with the risk of retained fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis. The hypothesis of this study was that it is possible to use such responses to predict the risk of RFM and metritis. Data from cows (Jersey = 143, Holstein = 116) previously used in four experiments were used. Cow factors [parity, BCS change from −28 to 0 d relative to calving, calf sex, calving problems (twins, stillbirth, dystocia)] were evaluated for their association with the risk of RFM and metritis. Blood samples collected in the last week of gestation were used to measure polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and expression of CD18 and CD62L, total blood count, haptoglobin optical density, and concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate. Cows were treated with egg ovalbumin at −21, −7, and 7 d relative to calving and blood samples were used to determine the anti-ovalbumin IgG optical density. Univariable analyses were carried out to identify variables associated with the risk of RFM and metritis. The significant (P ≤ 0.15) variables were included in multivariable models from which variables with P > 0.15 were removed in a backward stepwise fashion. Risk of RFM was reduced in the absence of calving problems [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.13 (0.02, 0.86)], when intensity of phagocytosis [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.50 (0.25, 1.04)] and expression of CD62L [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.71 (0.46, 1.09)] by polymorphonuclear leukocyte were greater, and when prepartum non-esterified fatty acid concentration was lower [AOR (95 % CI) = 8.71 (0.49, 153.84)]. Calf sex [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.35 (0.10, 1.25)], calving problem [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.14 (0.02, 1.08)], PMNL phagocytosis intensity [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.72 (0.47, 1.11)], polymorphonuclear leukocyte intensity of expression CD18 [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.78 (0.60, 1.00)] and CD62L [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.77 (0.60, 0.98)], and haptoglobin optical density [AOR (95 % CI) = 1.16 (0.97, 1.39)] were associated with metritis. Indexes generated from the estimates of the multivariable analyses to predict the risk of RFM [area under the curve = 0.77 (95 % CI = 0.70 to 0.84)] and metritis [area under the curve = 0.76 (95 % CI = 0.70, 0.81)] demonstrated that polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, non-esterified fatty acid concentration, and haptoglobin optical density prepartum may be used as predictors of uterine diseases.
High current density 2D/3D MoS2/GaN Esaki tunnel diodes

The integration of two-dimensional materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides with bulk semiconductors offer interesting opportunities for 2D/3D heterojunction-based device structures without any constraints of lattice matching. By exploiting the favorable band alignment at the GaN/MoS2 heterojunction, an Esaki interband tunnel diode is demonstrated by transferring large area Nb-doped, p-type MoS2 onto heavily n-doped GaN. A peak current density of 446 A/cm2 with repeatable room temperature negative differential resistance, peak to valley current ratio of 1.2, and minimal hysteresis was measured in the MoS2/GaN non-epitaxial tunnel diode. A high current density of 1 kA/cm2 was measured in the Zener mode (reverse bias) at −1 V bias. The GaN/MoS2 tunnel junction was also modeled by treating MoS2 as a bulk semiconductor, and the electrostatics at the 2D/3D interface was found to be crucial in explaining the experimentally observed device characteristics.
Bill Text and Agenda Control in the US Congress

The study of agenda power has largely been the study of negative agenda power. But standard measures of negative agenda power are insufficient to measure the majority’s agenda choices: they only co...
Basics of Voltage Stability Assessment

In this chapter, the fundamentals of long-term voltage stability and short-term voltage stability phenomenon in power systems are described by studying the various parametric dependencies along with the respective assessment methods. Numerical techniques that enable scalable assessment of voltage stability in practical systems are described along with examples. The continuation power flow and Thevenin methods are used for assessing long-term voltage stability. For assessing short-term voltage stability, the composite load model with induction motor dynamics is analyzed and the phenomenon is monitored using Lyapunov exponents and load admittances. Thevenin methods, load admittances, and Lyapunov exponents are model-free techniques that can be applied on Synchrophasor measurements (online) or simulation data (offline) for voltage stability assessment. This chapter demonstrates that accounting for detailed transmission and distribution (T&D) system models are important to capture the true behavior of the overall system under various operating conditions. T&D co-simulation is introduced as an effective method to capture the T&D interactions through examples showcasing the impact of distributed energy resources on voltage stability that will be critical in the grid of the future.
Bioremediation of contaminated soils

Abstract This chapter introduces the concept of using microorganisms, plants, and their enzymatic processes to break down contaminants in soil. It addresses the complexity of contaminated soils due to heterogeneity of the soil system, problems related to contaminant distribution, toxicity, and concentration, and issues due to multiple contaminants being present. An understanding of the biodegradation pathways is paramount for implementation of effective bioremediation strategies. Presented are examples of the range of bioremediation strategies developed in the laboratory and subsequently used at the field scale. Practical considerations include criteria for the selection of appropriate bioremediation strategies as well effective means of monitoring the effectiveness of the strategy employed.
Development of intractable ascites due to thoracic duct hypertension.

Abstract We describe a 69-year-old dialysis-dependent patient who developed intractable ascites after zone 2 aortic reconstruction for a type IA thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair endoleak. Investigation as to the cause of ascites revealed a unique set of clinical circumstances leading to intractable bloody ascites. Investigation included imaging and invasive testing to diagnose the culprit mechanism. Ultimately, interventional catherization of the left subclavian vein illustrated an abnormally elevated pressure in the left subclavian vein. It was thus determined that, owing to the combination of a left brachiocephalic (innominate) vein occlusion after surgical ligation and in situ left brachiobasilic arteriovenous dialysis graft, there was overcirculation through the thoracic duct. Retrograde flow through the pop-off thoracic duct led to hematogenous ascites. Ligation of the left brachiobasilic arteriovenous dialysis graft resulted in near instantaneous and complete resolution of the ascites.
Glucose Catabolism of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

datashowed that 96%oftheglucose catabolism was viatheEmbden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway withtheremaining 4% dissimilated bythehexose monophosphate pathway. The products oftheanaerobic dissimilation ofglucose weredetermined. Lactic acid was themajorproduct; ethyl alcohol, acetic acid, formic acid, andcarbon dioxide were formed insmaller amounts. Thepathways ofglucose catabolism havebeen identified innumerous genera ofmicroorganisms (4),anddifferences havebeenfoundamong species within agenus(9,16). Nevertheless, few studies havebeenconcerned withpathogenic bacteria. Thepathways ofglucose catabolism inErysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (insidiosa), thecausative agentofswineerysipelas, havenotbeenascertained. Studies ofthecarbohydrate metabolism ofE.rhusiopathiae havebeenrestricted tothe determination ofthefermentative capacity (15). Tiffany (10)described asuitable basal medium tostudy thefermentation ofvarious carbohydrates. WhiteandShuman(13) found that sugar utilization (asdetermined byacidproduction) varied according tothemediumandthemethod ofmeasuring theacidproduction. Thisworkwasinitiated toidentify thepathwaysofglucose catabolism inE.rhusiopathiae. Theradiorespirometric technique (12) wasused toidentify andquantitatively determine the relative importance ofthepathways ofglucose catabolism inE.rhusiopathiae, andtheproducts oftheanaerobic dissimilation ofglucose were determined.
Preparation of YVO4 thin films by metal organic chemical vapor deposition

YVO4 films were reproducibly prepared on (0001) and (11{bar 2}0) sapphire ({alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) substrates using metal organic chemical vapor deposition. X-Ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to characterize the deposited films. It was found that under most growth conditions the films deposited on (0001) sapphire consisted of two layers, i.e. a stoichiometric bottom layer of YVO{sub 4} which was epitaxially grown on the substrate and a polycrystalline top layer of Y{sub 8}V{sub 2}O{sub 17}. The effect of growth parameters, in particular the growth temperature, on the stability of the dual layer structured films was studied and a working model explaining the origin of dual layer structure was suggested. Based on these observations the method for the preparation of stoichiometric epitaxial one layer-structured YVO{sub 4} films with either an in-plane variant or a single crystal structure on (0001) and (11{bar 2}0) sapphire ({alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) substrates, respectively, was presented.
Pairing in dense lithium

The light alkali metals have played an important role in the developing understanding of the electronic structure of simple metals. These systems are commonly viewed in terms of an underlying interacting electron gas permeated by periodic arrays of ions normally occupying only a small fraction of the crystal volume. The electron–ion interaction, or equivalently the pseudopotential, has been argued to be weak in such systems, reflecting the partial cancellation of nuclear attraction by the largely repulsive effects of Pauli exclusion by the core electrons. Current experiments can now achieve densities at which the core electrons substantially overlap, significantly reducing the fractional volume available to fixed numbers of valence electrons. Here we report the results of first-principles calculations1,2 indicating that lithium, the band structure of which is largely free-electron-like at ordinary densities, does not follow the intuitive expectations of quantum mechanics by becoming even more free-electron-like at higher densities. Instead, at high pressure its electronic structure departs radically from nearly free-electron behaviour, and its common symmetric structure (body-centred cubic, b.c.c.) becomes unstable to a pairing of the ions. Once paired, lithium possesses an even number of electrons per primitive cell which, although not sufficient, is at least necessary for insulating (or semiconducting) behaviour within one-electron band theory.
Personal reflections on PSI in engineering mechanics [personalised system of instruction]

There seems to be little argument that students need to be encouraged toward educational self-directedness. Yet self-direction must be based on past learning success and present learning readiness. There is at least a potential conflict here: students needs to assume responsibility for their own education, directing it to topics of their own choosing, but their learning most also at least occasionally be directed along a hierarchical path of sequentially dependent learning objectives (which path may not be so obvious to the uninitiated). The personalized system of instruction (PSI) seems to enable both of these not-always-compatible goals. PSI allows the instructor to specify not only content but absolute mastery of that content At the same time, PSI allows the student to control the tempo of mastery. This paper is a qualitative discussion of the evolving PSI instructional design used to reach courses in engineering mechanics and structural analysis over a period of six semesters at the University of Southern Mississippi, and at Boise State University in the US.
Schwann cells seeded in acellular nerve grafts improve functional recovery.

Introduction: This study evaluated whether Schwann cells (SCs) from different nerve sources transplanted into cold-preserved acellular nerve grafts (CP-ANGs) would improve functional regeneration compared with nerve isografts. Methods: SCs isolated and expanded from motor and sensory branches of rat femoral and sciatic nerves were seeded into 14mm CP-ANGs. Growth factor expression, axonal regenera- tion, and functional recovery were evaluated in a 14-mm rat sci- atic injury model and compared with isografts. Results: At 14 days, motor or sensory-derived SCs increased expression of growth factors in CP-ANGs versus isografts. After 42 days, his- tomorphometric analysis found CP-ANGs with SCs and iso- grafts had similar numbers of regenerating nerve fibers. At 84 days, muscle force generation was similar for CP-ANGs with SCs and isografts. SC source did not affect nerve fiber counts or muscle force generation. Conclusions: SCs transplanted into CP-ANGs increase functional regeneration to isograft levels; however SC nerve source did not have an effect. Muscle Nerve 000:000-000, 2013
Case Report: An ultrasound‐assisted diagnosis of a coxofemoral luxation in a yearling

Case Report: An ultrasound-assisted diagnosis of a coxofemoral luxation in a yearling. Diagnosing coxofemoral luxations in the horse can be challenging. The presenting signs and physical examination may arouse suspicion of a luxated hip joint. Traditional methods of achieving a definitive diagnosis have relied upon taking a radiographic projection of the pelvis. Most mobile radiographic equipment have insufficient power to penetrate the deep pelvic musculature. This case report describes how the use of ultrasonography can be used to assist the diagnosis of such a condition in suitable patients, avoiding the necessity of transportation to a centre with suitable radiographic capabilities.
Seifert fibered spaces in 3-manifolds

Publisher Summary This chapter describes Seifert Fibered Spaces in 3-Manifolds. There exist finitely many disjoint, non-contractible, pairwise non-parallel, embedded 2-spheres in M, whose homotopy classes generate π2 (M) as a π2 (M)-module; and modulo the Poincare conjecture, these 2-spheres are unique up to ambient homeomorphism. Thus, all singular 2-spheres in M, that is, maps of S2 into M, may be described, up to homotopy, in terms of a geometric picture in M. The strong version of the sphere theorem presented in the chapter gives a great deal of information about fundamental groups of compact 3-manifolds, for example that they are finite free products of torsion-free groups and finite groups. It also provides in a slightly refined version a reduction of the classification problem for compact, oriented 3-manifolds to the classification problem for compact, irreducible, 3-manifolds.
Allan N. Epstein award: Intracellular signaling and ingestive behaviors

Understanding the role of intracellular signaling pathways in ingestive behavior is a challenging problem in behavioral neuroscience. This review summarizes work conducted on two systems with the aim of identifying intracellular events that relate to food and fluid intake. The first set of experiments focused on melanocortin receptors and their ability to signal through members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. The second set of experiments focused on the role of intracellular signaling pathways in water and saline intakes that are stimulated by angiotensin II (AngII). The initial findings in each line of research have been extended by subsequent research that is discussed in turn.
Towards feature attachment

Abstract Feature attachment in generative, constraint-based cad systems requires unambiguous semantics that are easy for users to grasp and can reasonably be implemented in cad systems. A procedural semantics for attaching protrusions and cuts is proposed that addresses the problems found in generative, constraint-based cad systems. The solution also takes into consideration the legacies of cad architectures that have evolved from the paradigm of creating geometry using regularized Boolean operations.
Interorganizational disparities in foster care service provision

Abstract Performance contracting and managed care have recently migrated from the behavioral and physical health care sector into child welfare, and are being introduced under the premise that the financial incentives embedded in market-based models will motivate agencies and their workers to improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of care to children and families. These models, however, have been associated with disparities in service provision and client outcomes. This paper reports new findings from a longitudinal natural experiment that examined the effects of a performance-based, managed care contracting mechanism on service provision to 243 foster children and families served by nine nonprofit agencies. It finds dramatic differences in the intensity of agencies' foster care service provision, both between agencies in different financial environments and among agencies within similar contracting regimes. While the finding of service disparities between contracting environments is similar to results from studies of the effects of market-based models in the health care sector, the identification of considerable interorganizational service disparities within the same contracting environment is novel in child welfare. This paper thus provides the first estimates of distributive inequities in foster care service provision both within and across contracting environments, and introduces questions of equity and fairness in how child welfare agencies organize services to foster children and families in market-based contracting environments.
Three-year developmental outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol and drug exposure.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the performance of children whose mothers abused alcohol and drugs heavily during pregnancy, using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Second Edition (BSID-II) at three years, and to examine the effects of study group, prenatal binge alcohol exposure, and prematurity on developmental outcome. Methods: Children were born to mothers recruited from two large hospitals or through community referral. Hospital recruits were randomly assigned to either a three-year paraprofessional home visitation intervention program (n 30) or a control group (n 31). Community recruits were enrolled in the intervention program (n 35). Results: Among all children the mean BSID-II Mental Developmental Index (MDI) was 84.4 (SD 14.4) and mean Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) was 84.1 (SD 16.9). Box plots of the MDI and PDI scores by study group, maternal prenatal binge alcohol status, and a binary indicator of prematurity suggested an effect of maternal binge drinking on MDI and PDI scores: children of mothers with a history of binge alcohol consumption have, on average, slightly lower scores. We saw no evidence of a systematic effect of the maternal intervention. Conclusions: Developmental performance of preschool children exposed to alcohol and drugs prenatally was, on average, substantially lower than expected for age regardless of study group. Although this home visitation intervention has been shown to be effective in helping mothers address a wide spectrum of needs, it is unlikely sufficient to overcome complex developmental risks of children exposed to alcohol and drugs prenatally. The effect of more comprehensive, multidimensional services specifically designed for the children should be investigated within this context. (Pediatr Phys Ther 2002;14:145–153) Key words: prenatal exposure/delayed effects, infant, psychomotor performance, alcohol-related disorders, substance-related disorders, child development, cocaine/ adverse effects, alcohol/adverse effects
Aflatoxin and dimethyl sulfoxide influence on radiomanganese distribution and retention in neonate mice

The LD50 (7 d) for aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) in CD‐1 neonate mice (3.7 g; 5 d of age) was determined to be 13.3 mg/kg. The vehicle was dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), given intra‐peritoneally, at 0.01 ml/animal (7 mg/kg). The solvent was nontoxic and caused no significant change in body weight in animals during an 11‐d experimental period (17 d of age). Aflatoxin B 1 at 5.0 mg/kg and above caused reduced body weight gain. DMSO animals had a mean loss of more than 17% of the radiolabel over a 9‐d period. Aflatoxin treatments reversed the DMSO loss of 54 Mn in a concentration‐related fashion, and generally, AFB 1 caused a conservation of the radioisotope. The radiolabel was redistributed into the following organs/tissues: liver > brain > bone > muscle = lungs > blood. Aflatoxin‐treated animals showed a twofold increase of radiolabel in the liver as compared to controls. The DMSO itself failed to influence 54 Mn influx into the liver. In general, control neonate mice, by 17 d of age, were retaining and redistributin...
Management of swallowing in supraglottic and extended supraglottic laryngectomy patients.

Background Aspiration of food and liquid following supraglottic and supracricoid laryngectomy has been documented and found to be the most frequent major postoperative complication that extends hospitalization. The advantages as well as disadvantages of discharging a patient with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement and home therapy versus an aggressive in-hospital dysphagia management program remain controversial. The present investigation examines an aggressive in-patient postoperative dysphagia management program following decannulation. Methods Twenty-one patients participated in a four-part dysphagia management program following decannulation: patient education, indirect therapy, swallowing evaluation, and nutrition education. Results Eleven patients achieved functional swallowing goals prior to discharge with no reports of pneumonia or rehospitalization over a 3-month follow-up period. Six patients were discharged with a tracheostomy and duo tube; five of these patients were started on an oral diet the same day of decannulation. Four patients decannulated prior to discharge did not achieve functional swallowing. Conclusion Certain patients can achieve functional swallowing goals prior to discharge and avoid the cost and surgical placement of a PEG. This group required an additional 2 to 3 days of hospitalization; however, the usual and customary charges for aggressive dysphagia management in this group were exceeded by charges for PEG placement and in-home therapy according to pricing guidelines for the hospital where these patients were treated. Specific patient profiles of those who were unsuccessful relate to extent of surgery, ie, supraglottic + base of tongue (SUPRA + BOT) and supraglottic + vocal fold (SUPRA + VF) resection, and non-compliance. Complicated patients often require longer rehabilitation and may benefit from a PEG at the time of surgery. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 1043–1048, 2001.
Regulation of intestinal peptidases by nutrients in human fetuses and children.

Abstract Nutrient interactions during intestinal digestion has been established in animals. The present study investigated the effect of different nutrients on intestinal dipeptidase, tripeptidase, carboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.12.–) and aminopeptidase N (ApN) (EC 3.4.11.2) activities in human fetuses and children. The effect of nutrients on isolated porcine kidney ApN was also studied. Sucrose, lactose and tributyrin had no effect on di-, tri-, and carboxypeptidase activities of mucosal homogenates, but tributyrin significantly (20–50%) inhibited both fetal and postnatal ApN activity in the small intestine and colon. The pH-independent inhibition of ApN is specific for tributyrin and to the product of its hydrolysis, butyric acid. Glycerol, triolein, and natural oils did not affect ApN activity. The inhibition of ApN by tributyrin was dose and time dependent and occurred in enterocyte brush border membranes as well as in the purified enzyme from porcine kidney. The kinetics of the purified ApN showed that the tributyrin effect is primarily competitive and associated mainly with an increase in Km. These observations demonstrate the possibility of intestinal and kidney ApN regulation by lipids and products of their hydrolysis. We speculate that nutrient interactions arose quite early in the evolution and represent a mechanism for the regulation of food digestion.
History of Anesthesia

The desire to relieve pain has been a never-ending quest for humans and is, therefore, responsible for the birth of the specialty “anesthesiology.” From the earliest records when opium sponges were used to relieve pain until today, the desire to relieve human pain and suffering has been second to none.
Calculation of Residual Resistivity in Aluminum and Lead Alloys: The Effect of Multiple Plane-Wave Character on The Residual Resistivity in Polyvalent Metals

The residual resistivity in some aluminum and lead alloys has been calculated taking account of the mixing of plane waves near Brillouin-zone boundaries which intersect the Fermi surface in the extended-zone scheme. This effect was found to enhance the resistivity by a factor of 2 in Al and 3 in Pb over estimates by the free-electron theory, and to remove the systematic discrepancy existing heretofore between theory and experiment. Pseudopotentials of Ashcroft's form have been adopted, and impurity potentials are constructed by using the core radii determined in their pure metallic states and the dielectric function appropriate to the host metal. Various problems in the resistivity calculation, including the reliability of impurity potentials, have been examined in some detail.
Studies on the nature of the subcellular localization of lactate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in chicken skeletal muscle†

The elucidation of the subcellular localization of enzymes by the classical technique of homogenization followed by differential centrifugation is limited in that it is difficult to determine the effect of the severe disruptive procedures on the normal relationship of the enzymes to their subcellular environment. Attempts have been made to study this problem under less severe limitations; one of the approaches used has been the use of pressure on whole muscle tissue to extract the cellular fluids. In this report we introduce the concept of “comparative extraction” for evaluation of results obtained by this procedure. By comparing the efflux of enzymes of similar solubility and similar size and shape, it is possible to determine the minimal amount of the less easily extractable enzyme which cannot be removed due to compartmentation or binding to cellular particulate structures. Using this concept of “comparative extraction,” we show in this report that at least 35% of the lactate dehydrogenase of chicken breast muscle is restricted in its removal. The data do not definitely resolve the problem of whether the restriction is due to compartmentation of the enzyme within subcellular organelles or binding to subcellular structures.
An Accurate Mass Tag Strategy for Quantitative and High Throughput Proteome Measurements

ABSTRACT We review a global strategy aimed at extending the breadth and throughput of proteomic measurements based on utilizing polypeptide “accurate mass tags” produced by global protein enzymatic digestion. The two-stage strategy described employs conventional mass spectrometric techniques to provide initial putative identifications of peptides based on searching genome databases using the partial sequence information gleaned from tandem mass spectrometric data. The second stage of the strategy utilizes advanced mass spectrometric instrumentation to “validate” those putative identifications initially made using conventional tandem mass spectrometric data. Specifically, the high mass accuracy provided by more advanced instrumentation is utilized and ultimately correlated with the conventional tandem mass spectrometric data (along with each of the peptides' liquid chromatographic elution time) to validate the putative identifications. The strategy described provides greater confidence in the assignment of...
Polyhydramnios: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Understand the various causes of polyhydramnios. 2. Describe the pathways of amniotic fluid production and removal. 3. Appreciate the reason for preterm delivery following the diagnosis of polyhydramnios. 4. Recognize the treatment methods for polyhydramnios. 5. Explain the importance of sudden changes in fundal size during pregnancy. Polyhydramnios, sometimes referred to as hydramnios, is a relatively uncommon complication affecting pregnancy that refers to the presence of an excessive amount of amniotic fluid relative to gestational age. Onset may be gradual or sudden, based on the cause. Gradual onset may be largely asymptomatic. In this situation, the diagnosis is suspected when fundal height exceeds that expected for gestational age. In contrast, sudden onset of polyhydramnios often is symptomatic, characterized by contractions and significant abdominal discomfort. Polyhydramnios has potential serious consequences, primarily related to the cause, but also due to the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, such as preterm labor (PTL) or preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM). The exact incidence of polyhydramnios is unknown because mild, asymptomatic cases may be discovered only at the time of delivery and are underreported. Several series have suggested that the incidence may range up to 1.6% in a low-risk population. Most cases are mild and often not associated with any significant sequelae. Approximately 35% of cases could be classified as moderate or severe, requiring further diagnostic or therapeutic measures. Prior to the routine use of diagnostic ultrasonography, the incidence of polyhydramnios seemed much lower. Today, though, ultrasonography studies may reveal an abnormal increase in amniotic fluid volume earlier in pregnancy, resulting in more cases being reported. Intuitively, it seems that earlier diagnosis via ultrasonography could improve outcome, but that has not yet been proven conclusively. The clinical suspicion of abnormally large fundal size remains critical to the diagnosis …
Sex responses of the female hamster: Effects on male performance

Abstract During copulation the female hamster adjusts the position of the perineal region in response to tactile stimulation from the male. Anaesthetization of the perineal region of the female eliminates these adjustment responses and reduces the probability that the male will ejaculate in a five-minute mating test. Anaesthetization also increases the variability of male performance. However, sexually aroused males were not affected.
Making it big in allergy.

Historically, clinical care and scientific approaches have focused on individual components. However, this strategy has limitations, such as the inability to identify the interconnecting pathways that control immune responses, and does not reveal how the immune system works across multiple biological systems and scales. Today, modern technologies can be used to measure thousands of parameters of the immune system at a genome-wide scale. These system-wide surveys yield massive amounts of quantitative data that provide a means to monitor and probe immune system function. Although the term causes some established systems biologists to cringe, ‘‘big data’’ creates new challenges and opportunities for the study of allergic disease. Approaches that aim to integrate different quantitative and qualitative measurements into a holistic model that can be applied prospectively to predict phenotypic outcomes and the effect of various perturbations on a system of interest can be broadly classified within the field of systems biology. Using an iterative process of quantitative sampling, computational modeling, and experimental testing of proposed hypotheses, systems biology– based analysis has the potential to transform our understanding of the complexity of the immune system. Innovators established the field of systems biology as we know it today by developing the necessary ‘‘-omics’’ technologies, sequencing the first genomes, and developing the first mathematic models of gene regulation and other processes. Many of these same leaders presently direct teams that push the boundaries of systems biology in the study of many organisms, biological processes, and clinical phenotypes. Although still in its nascent stages, the application of systems biology to allergic diseases is a highly encouraging pursuit. An auspicious direction is offered by the integration of genomeand immunome-wide data sets from sources such as ENCODE, Roadmap Epigenomics, the Human
Production of monoclonal antibodies in serum free medium

We have succeeded in growing several established hybridoma cell lines (1116NS-19; 116NS-33a; 1116NS-52a; 1083-17-1A; 691-19-19) in a serum free medium supplemented with physiological concentrations of insulin (5 microgram/ml) and transferrin (5 microgram/ml). The hybridoma cells replicate in this medium and will secrete monoclonal antibodies in quantities comparable to those produced in the presence of serum. Adapted hybridoma cultures have been secreting antibodies in the supplemented serum free (SSF) medium for more than 3 months. Parental mouse myeloma P3x63Ag8 cells and non-secreting subclone 653 cells cannot survive longer than 6 days under the same conditions. Both insulin and transferrin are necessary for hybridoma cells to grow in serum free medium and omission of either one will not permit cell multiplication.
Optimality conditions and duality models for a class of nonsmooth constrained fractional variational problems

Parametric and nonparametric necessary and sufficient optimality conditions are established for a class of constrained variational problems containing arbitary norms.Subsequently, the forms and contents of these optimality results are utilized as a basis for constructing two parametric and eight parameter-free duality models and proving appropriate duality theroems. As special cases of these optimality and duality results, similar results are obtained for a related category of variational problems involving square roots of positive semidefinite quadratic forms. The results presented in this paper contain the variational analogues of a fairly large number of cognate results developed previously for various types of smooth and nonsmooth finitedimensional nonlinear programming problems.
Telecommunications alternatives in accessing image intensive digital libraries

Digital libraries are becoming vital in basic research and general surfing of the Internet and the Web. Unlike text‐based digital libraries, image intensive digital libraries have inherent problems of slow downloading and uploading. These bottlenecks are caused by low bandwidth at the “last mile”, the distance between the telecommunications carriers’ distribution center – or central office and the user premises. Telecommunications technologies which are commonly used to alleviate this problem are: high end analog modems, T… series, frame relay, ISDN, cable modems, digital subscriber line and satellites. The article summarizes the latest developments of these technologies and how they can be used by various types of information professionals and end‐users in accessing digital libraries.
Advanced signal processing of magnetic flux leakage data obtained from seamless gas pipeline

Natural gas is normally transported through a vast network of pipelines. A major segment of this network employs seamless pipes. The manufacturing processes associated with the production of seamless pipes contribute to a helical variation in the grain properties of the pipe. This introduces an artifact, known as the seamless pipe noise (SPN), in the data obtained from magnetic flux leakage (MFL) inspection of these pipelines. SPN can overwhelm the signals generated by defects and other elements in pipelines, and can therefore, mask their indications in the MFL data. This paper presents a new technique for detecting signals in MFL data obtained from seamless pipes. The overall approach employs an adaptive filter and a wavelet based de-noising technique. The algorithm is computationally efficient and data independent. Results from application of the approach to data from field tests are presented.
Second thoughts on “Law as an instrument of social change”

In a diverse and thought-provoking series of papers, the contributors to this issue seem to agree on at least one point: a significant change has occurred in the role of the judicial process in our society. Courts now take a leading part in the design or administration of many state services-including services for the mentally ill and the retarded, for prison populations, for public welfare recipients, and for abused children, adjudicated incompetents, and other dependent persons. One could ask if this is merely some faddish or eccentric episode in our legal culture. To the contributors writing above, clearly, the trend is now well enough established to warrant careful documentation and analysis. This is also an excellent occasion to make a more general assessment of the judicial process and to ask what contributions it can make to the solution of social problems. Of course, change may lead in any direction. In contrast to the celebratory spirit of the papers by David Rothman and Owen Fiss, I will argue that we are witnessing the end of an era rather than the beginning. The current trend toward court management of some state services is not, in my view, the dawn of a new period of judicial ascendancy but rather the awkward collapse of a period in our history when judicial processes were viewed, at least by some, as the dominant force for progressive social change. That period began with the 1954 Supreme Court school desegregation decision, an event that captured the imagination of liberal thinkers and brought forth the somewhat grandiose vision of "law [i.e., the judicial process] as an instrument of social change." Although this phrase may now sound dated, during the early 1960s it was a sober manifestation of the movement for social reform based on progressive values-social meliorism, optimism, and confidence in the efficacy of change introduced from the top of the social structure. As we know, much of this movement came under heavy attack during the
Changes and consistencies in the epidemiology of pediatric adenotonsillar surgery, 1996–2006:

OBJECTIVEDetermine changes in rates for pediatric adenotonsillar procedures over time with attention to infectious indications.STUDY DESIGNHistorical cohort study.SETTINGAcademic medical center.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery and the National Hospital Discharge Survey 1996 and 2006 releases were examined, extracting all cases of pediatric tonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy. The aggregate numbers and rates of adenotonsillar procedures performed overall and specifically for chronic infectious etiologies were determined. These procedure rates were then compared to determine differences in performance rates between 1996 and 2006.RESULTSIn 1996, an estimated 441,870 ± 23,315 children underwent some form of adenotonsillar surgery in the ambulatory and inpatient settings (60,034 ± 6994 tonsillectomies, 255,217 ± 18,960 adenotonsillectomies, and 126,619 ± 11,627 adenoidectomies), while in 2006, the total rose to 695,029 ± 36,979 children (58,111 ± 9645 tonsillectomi...
Induction of expression of human immunodeficiency virus in a chronically infected promonocytic cell line by ultraviolet irradiation

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often followed by a prolonged latent state, and mechanisms of maintaining latency or inducing expression from latency are active areas in AIDS research. It has been previously shown using a variety of viruses and cell systems that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is capable of inducing the expression of latent viruses as well as augmenting the effects of acute viral infection. The ability of UV irradiation to affect HIV latency was investigated using a chronically HIV-infected, virus nonexpressing promonocytic cell line termed U1. After exposure to UV-C in doses ranging from 0.75 to 2.0 mJ/cm2, U1 cells were induced to express virus as assessed by detection of elevated reverse transcriptase activity and p24 antigen levels in culture supernatants of treated cells compared with unstimulated controls. In addition, immunofluorescence of cytospin preparations of UV-irradiated cells revealed a time-dependent increase in viral antigen production after UV stimu...
Teaching a pedagogy of peace: a study of peace educators in United States schools in the aftermath of September 11

This qualitative study, based on in‐depth semi‐structured interviews, depicts practices of seven peace educators in public elementary and secondary classrooms in the United States during the time of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 through the US engagement in war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Focusing on individual perceptions of practice and classroom experiences, the participants described how, despite teaching at a time in which terrorism and war had become national preoccupations, they taught a pedagogy of peace that included recognition and rejection of violence, understanding of differences through dialogue, critical awareness of injustice and social justice, and imaginative understanding of peace. The study discloses a multitude of examples of both peacemaking and peacebuilding in their teaching and development of classroom cultures but a lack of emphasis on anti‐war curriculum. It also reveals the teachers’ motivations for teaching peace education, theoretical influences on their practice, t...
The effects of the administration of sodium benzoate and diethylstilbestrol disulfate on the hepatic levels of several glucocorticoid-sensitive enzymes in adrenalectomized rats

Abstract 1. 1.|In a previous study the administration of benzoate, α-naphthoate, diethyl-stilbestrol disulfate and various aromatic carboxylic acids to adrenalectomized rats was shown to increase hepatic tyrosine transaminase ( l -tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) levels several fold. The action of benzoate was strongly inhibited by the concurrent administration of puromycine or actinomcine D. In the present study, the administration of actinomycin D strongly inhibited the increase in tyrosine transminase activity caused by the administration of diethylstilbestrol disulfate or α-naphthoate to adrenalectomized rats. In this respect the effect of these aromatic acids resembles that of the glucocorticoids. 2. 2.|To further compare the effects of cortisol and the aromatic acids in vivo , several other systems known to be sensitive to the glucocorticoids were examined. Cortisol adminisration, under the indicated conditions, significantly increased the hepatic levels of glycogen, tryptophan oxygenase ( l -tryptophan:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.13.1.12), d -amino acid oxidate ( d -amino acid:oxygen oxidoreductase (deaminating), EC 1.4.3.3), and l -threonine dehydratase ( l -threonine hydro-lyase (deaminating), EC 4.2.1.16). Under equivalent conditions doses of diethylstilbestrol disulfate and benzoate that increased hepatic tyrosine transminase levels had no effect on hepatic glycogen and tryptophan oxygenase levels. Benzoate had no effect on hepatic d -amino acid oxidase levels, but increase l -threonine dehydratase levels.
A distal element in the HPV-11 upstream regulatory region contributes to promoter repression in basal keratinocytes in squamous epithelium.

Abstract In benign squamous lesions and in organotypic epithelial cultures, the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 genes are transcriptionally up-regulated in differentiated, spinous keratinocytes. We previously identified sequence elements in the enhancer-promoter regions of HPV types 18 and 11 important for this promoter regulation by using the bacterial LacZ reporter gene in stratified raft cultures of primary human keratinocytes (PHKs) or in submerged, proliferating cultures acutely transduced with recombinant retroviruses. Notably, mutations in the promoter-proximal Sp1, Oct1, and AP1 sites each significantly reduce reporter activity in differentiated cells, indicating that the bound factors are transcription transactivators. In the present study, we performed further mutagenesis on distal motifs in the HPV-11 regulatory region in PHKs in submerged and raft cultures. Mutations in an AP2-like site, three individual NF-1 sites, or five NF-1 sites collectively reduced promoter activity slightly in differentiated cells. A mutation in a putative glucocorticoid response element had no discernable effect in the presence or the absence of dexamethasone. However, mutations in a C/EBP binding site, especially the distal site, strikingly up-regulated reporter gene expression, particularly in basal and lower spinous cells, implicating bound protein as a transcription repressor. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the overall differentiation-dependent papillomaviral gene expression observed in vivo and in vitro involves promoter repression in the lower strata and activation in the upper, differentiated strata.
Teaching Writing and Civic Literacy

Writing pedagogy and civic literacy can form an interactive, interdisciplinary partnership beneficial to students. Students learn to compare the classical rhetorical genres of epideictic, forensic, and deliberative rhetoric to modern ceremonial, judicial, and legislative rhetorical genres. Elements essential to writing pedagogy – ethos, logos, pathos, claims, warrants, and enthymemes – become meaningful as students engage in civic-themed reading and writing assignments designed for first-year composition. Writing pedagogy enriched with a civic literacy motif encourages students to practice writing to authentic audiences for genuine civic purposes.
Adrenal epinephrine secretion is not regulated by sympathoinhibitory neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla

By providing the principal inhibitory regulation of the discharge of sympathetic premotor neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) play a major role in regulating the level of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) to cardiovascular targets. To determine whether adrenal medullary secretion of epinephrine (EPI) is also regulated by sympathoinhibitory inputs from the CVLM to the RVLM, we compared levels of plasma EPI obtained after disinhibition of RVLM neurons with levels obtained after inhibition of CVLM neurons, both of which result in sustained elevations in arterial blood pressure (AP), SNA, and heart rate (HR). Plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations were significantly elevated following bilateral microinjection either of bicuculline (BIC) into the RVLM or of muscimol into the CVLM of urethane/chloralose-anesthetized, artificially-ventilated rats. In sharp contrast, although plasma EPI concentrations were significantly elevated following disinhibition of neurons in the RVLM, they were unchanged by inhibition of neurons in the CVLM. These results demonstrate that the discharge of sympathetic premotor neurons in the RVLM regulating adrenal secretion of EPI is modulated by a tonic, GABA-ergic inhibition that arises from a source that is different from the sympathoinhibitory neurons in the CVLM that project to RVLM sympathetic premotor neurons controlling vasoconstrictor and cardiac targets.