cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Withania somnifera: a pre-clinical study on neuroregenerative therapy for stroke.

Stroke management exerts insurmountable societal and economic burden on the patient as well as their caregivers. In the year 2010 alone, the direct and indirect costs of stroke care amounted to 36.5 billion dollars (Go et al., 2014). Despite concentrated efforts to develop a safe, effective drug for stroke, we have not discovered one since the introduction of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA)—the standalone FDA-approved therapy for stroke. While rtPA is highly effective, it needs to be given within 3–4.5 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms (Zivin, 2009). This is often complicated by the delay in the commencement of treatment due to preliminary inclusion parameters that are required to be ascertained before rtPA administration.
The Compounding Dilemma of Genetic Noise: Identification of the Genetic Noise Rate in Genes Associated with Cardiac Channelopathies

Background With advances in sequencing technology, many genetic testing companies are providing large gene test panels encompassing all genes associated with a particular disease. For example, there are currently 23 genes on panels for 4 cardiac channelopathies: long QT syndrome (LQTS), short QT syndrome (SQTS), Brugada syndrome (BrS), and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Although the background rate of rare nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) for many of these diseases has been assessed separately, the cumulative effect on the background rate has not been examined. Here we examine the background rate of nsSNVs in the 23 genes associated with 4 cardiac channelopathies. Methods nsSNVs from the 1000 Genomes Project (1kG, n = 1092) were genotyped in silico for 23 genes identified on genetic test panels for 4 channelopathic diseases (LQTS, SQTS, BrS, CPVT). The number of 1kG samples hosting a unique nsSNV within the 1kG exomes and absent from the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project were used to determine the background rate for each gene. Results Overall, 13.5% (147/1092) of the 1kG exomes hosted >1 rare nsSNV within the 23-gene panel (1.6% [17/1092] with >2 rare nsSNVs). The yield of rare nsSNVs for each individual gene ranged from 0% for KCNE3 to 3.3% (36/1092) for AKAP9. The background rate varied for each individual disease (LQTS: 9.9% [108/1092]; BrS: 4.5% [49/1092]; SQTS: 1.0% [11/1092]; CPVT: 4.5% [49/1092]) and correlated with the number of genes examined (R2 = 0.89). When limited to the major genes (accounting for >10%) of each disease (LQTS: KCNQ1, KCNH2; CPVT: RYR2; BrS: SCN5A), the background rate was only 3.9% (43/1092), with the remaining minor disease susceptibility genes hosting a rate of 10.3% (113/1092). Conclusions The observation that over 1 in 10 ostensibly healthy individuals host an ultrarare nsSNV in a gene associated with a primary cardiac channelopathy highlights a major issue associated with the development of large disease-associated gene panels. Extreme caution must be exercised when interpreting the pathogenicity of a rare nsSNV among this high level of background noise, especially when involving minor disease susceptibility genes, because improper interpretation may lead to misguided cascade screening.
Effect of diet-induced obesity on acute pancreatitis induced by administration of interleukin-12 plus interleukin-18 in mice.

Obesity is associated with increased severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). We recently developed a model of AP induced by administration of interleukin (IL)-12+IL-18, two cytokines that are elevated in patients with AP. In this model, severe AP develops in obese leptin-deficient ob/ob mice compared to lean littermates. In the present report, we evaluated the pancreatic response of diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice to IL-12+IL-18. Body weight loss and adipose tissue necrosis were more severe and prolonged in cytokine-injected DIO compared to lean mice. Edematous AP developed in lean mice, whereas DIO mice developed necrotizing AP. Obese DIO mice developed more severe hypocalcemia, increased liver damage and a heightened acute-phase response compared to lean mice, although leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were of comparable severity in lean and DIO mice. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-22 were significantly higher in DIO compared to lean mice, whereas interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, obesity induced by high-fat diet is associated with increased disease severity and duration in the model of AP induced by administration of IL-12+IL-18.
Career Mobility and Departure Intentions among School Principals in the United States: Incentives and Disincentives

Despite concerns about turnover among administrators, conditions that influence career longevity intentions of school principals are less known. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a three-level Generalized Multilevel Model to estimate variations in school and district characteristics impacting principals' career departure and mobility intentions, based on data from the School and Staffing Survey. Our findings indicate that job satisfaction, salary, autonomy, and individual characteristics impact intent to leave or move. Further, intentions to leave and move are not influenced by the same set of antecedents, suggesting that a different set of policy levers is needed to increase retention.
Approximate methods for simulation and verification of numerically controlled machining programs

Algorithms for simulation and verification of Numerically Controlled (NC) machining programs are presented. Compared to NC simulation based on conventional solid modeling systems, these models are designed to give approximate results, but with a substantial decrease in computer time. The surfaces of the part are discretized into a Surface Point Set (SPS) with a point spacing dependent on cutting tool size and shape local surface curvature and the desired accuracy of the approximate simulation. The surface-surface intersection calculations of the solid modeling approach are replaced by the intersection of the surface of the tool movement envelope with straight lines emanating from the surface points. The methods are applicable to both 3 and 5 axis machining. Samples test cases are presented, and implementation and efficiency issues are discussed.
Interleukin-10 stabilizes inhibitory kappaB-alpha in human monocytes.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) protects animals from lethal endotoxemia. This beneficial effect is mediated, in part, by inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Evidence suggests that IL-10 may inhibit activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) through an unknown mechanism. NF-kappaB activation in response to inflammatory signals is dependent upon degradation of its associated inhibitory peptide, inhibitory kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha). We hypothesized that IL-10 prevents human monocyte NF-kappaB activation and resultant TNF-alpha production by stabilization of IkappaB-alpha. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of IL-10 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human monocyte TNF-alpha production, NF-kappaB activation, and IkappaB-alpha degradation. Monocytes were isolated from human donors. Cells were stimulated with endotoxin (LPS, 100 ng/mL) with and without human IL-10 (10 ng/mL). Following stimulation, TNF-alpha was measured in cell supernatants by ELISA, NF-kappaB activity by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and IkappaB-alpha levels by Western blot. We observed that after LPS stimulation of human monocytes, TNF-alpha increased to 798+/-67 pg/mL (p < .001 versus control). IL-10 attenuated LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha production (297+/-54; p < .001 versus LPS alone). After LPS stimulation in human monocytes, IkappaB-alpha protein levels decreased, and NF-kappaB DNA binding increased. IL-10 pretreatment prevented LPS-induced decreases in IkappaB-alpha protein levels and attenuated NF-kappaB DNA binding. IL-10 appears to prevent activation of NF-kappaB by preserving IkappaB-alpha protein levels, leading to a reduction in TNF-alpha release.
Detection of Combustion Resonance Using an Ion Current Sensor in Diesel Engines

This paper discusses the use of an ion current sensor to detect combustion resonance in a heavy duty direct injection diesel engine. A modified glow plug is used to measure the ion current in addition to its main function in warming up the combustion chamber. A comparison is made between the combustion resonance determined from the signals of an ion current sensor, a cylinder pressure transducer and an engine vibration sensor. Experiments are conducted on a four cylinder, turbo-charged 4.5L diesel engine to determine the potential of using the ion current sensor to detect combustion resonance under different injection pressures and exhaust gas recirculation rates. It is concluded that the ion current signal can be used to determine the timing, amplitude, frequency and duration of the resonance. The sensor output has the potential to be used as a feedback signal to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to minimize engine vibration and noise.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
EFFECT OF CARRIER SOLVENT POLARITY ON SELECTIVE INCORPORATION OF EXOGENOUS δ‐TOCOPHEROL INTO MUSCLE MEMBRANES

Selective incorporation of lipid-soluble antioxidants into the oxidation-sensitive membrane lipids may improve the shelf life. The optimal dielectric constant for δ-tocopherol incorporation into a muscle membrane fraction when the tocopherol was added before the oil was approximately 21. This shifted to a value of about 27 when oil was present in the system before addition of the antioxidant. Tocopherol concentration in the oil fraction decreased continuously with an increase of dielectric constant from 17 to 32 when the antioxidant was added before the oil. When oil was present during antioxidant addition, no change in tocopherol concentration in the oil was observed except at the highest dielectric constant (32). The uptake of tocopherol was low in both the oil and membrane fractions when the carrier had a dielectric constant of 32 (propylene glycol). A higher concentration of δ-tocopherol was achieved in the membrane fraction when the antioxidant was added to the system prior to the oil.
The thermochemistry of TNAZ (1,3,3-trinitroazetidine) and related species: G3(MP2)//B3LYP heats of formation

The heats of formation of TNAZ(1,3,3-trinitroazetidine) and related compounds have been calculated with the G3(MP2)// B3LYP model to give a mean absolute error of 0.85 kcal/mol for 16 singlet species and 0.61 kcal/mol for 12 free radical intermediates. These uncorrected errors are better than our previous B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)-based scheme that employed seven auxiliary parameters. The mean absolute deviation of the G3(MP2)//B3LYP energies of the combined set of 28 singlet and radical species, 0.75 kcal/mol, can be reduced to 0.42 kcal/mol when supplemented with a minimal four-parameter atom-based correction scheme. It was found that the previous B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) energies when fitted to a combination of 39 experimental and G3(MP2)//B3LYP singlet and radical species gave a mean absolute deviation of 3.7 kcal/mol, but that the error is reduced to 1.52 kcal/mol when the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) energies are supplemented with a five parameter additive correction scheme. The results of these calculations are used to clarify the initial mechanistic steps in the decomposition of TNAZ. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Constructions in finite geometry using computer algebra systems

One way of using a computer algebra system to do research in finite geometry is to use the system to construct “small" order examples of various constructions, and then hope to recognize a pattern that can be generalized and eventually proven. Of course, initially one does not know if the “small" order examples exist. However, if one has sufficiently good insight concerning where to look and a reasonably good “starter", the computer algebra system will often find these examples quite expeditiously. Once found the system can then be used to analyze the constructs. Brute-force searching, on the other hand, is typically foolhardy with such general purpose systems. These ideas will be illustrated with two problems in finite geometry: (1) finding new translation planes by a technique called “nesting", and (2) finding large collections of pairwise disjoint projective bundles of conics.
Self-assemblage formation in a social insect: the protective curtain of a honey bee swarm

This paper considers a little-studied topic in the biology of social insects: the formation of self-assemblages. It focuses on the mechanisms whereby the outermost workers in a bivouacked swarm of honey bees, when rained upon, form a water repellent curtain of bees over the swarm cluster. Specifically, we analyzed how the worker bees in the mantle of a swarm cluster adjust their body orientation, wing spread, and inter-individual spacing to form a protective curtain when wetted. When warm and dry, the mantle bees orient their bodies weakly with respect to gravity, do not tuck their heads under adjacent bees, have high variability in wing spread, and space themselves widely. In contrast, when warm and wet, the mantle bees orient uniformly with head upward, tuck their heads beneath the abdomens of bees above, hold their wings together, and press tightly together. This produces a surface that closely resembles a tiled roof. When cool and dry, the mantle bees generally orient their bodies with head upward, press their heads into the interior of the cluster, hold their wings wide apart, and draw close together. We also examined the age distribution of the mantle bees. Older bees are more likely than younger bees to be found in the mantle of a swarm, perhaps because younger bees are more important than older bees to colony survival after swarming and so occupy a more sheltered position in a swarm. Finally, we tested whether swarm clusters that have formed a protective curtain shed water more effectively than ones that have not formed a curtain. We found that this is the case.
Template-directed patterning of polymers and biomaterials.

A novel method of patterning surfaces with synthetic or biological polymers is demonstrated. It consists of using microcontact printing to pattern a gold surface with an adsorbate that imparts hydrophilicity; the remainder of the surface is covered with one that imparts hydrophobicity. 16-Mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHDA) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol, respectively, have been used as the hydrophilic and hydrophobic adsorbates. This functionalized gold surface then serves as a template for patterning hydrophilic polymers and biomaterials, which are either spin-coated or drop-cast onto the surface. Using this methodology, it is shown by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fluorescence microscopy that micron-scale patterns of a poly(ethylene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer, poly-L-tryptophan, and bovine collagen can be fabricated, with these mimicking the MHDA patterns. For the block copolymer, it is found by atomic force microscopy that the heights of the polymer patterns decrease as their widths decrease. This is believed to be due to the inherent instability of tall, narrow polymer structures and the tendency of the polymer to minimize its exposed surface area. For poly-L-tryptophan, two different molecular weights of this polyamino acid have been studied, and different morphologies within the patterned regions are observed. While oligomeric poly-L-tryptophan (1,000–5,000 g/mol) gives smooth MHDA-covered patterns, the higher molecular weight (15,000–50,000 g/mol) yields fibrous ones. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Distal Radius Fractures: Emergency Department Evaluation and Management

Musculoskeletal injuries are the second most common cause of presentation to emergency departments. Distal radius fractures are an especially common injury pattern that often require evaluation and fracture management in an emergency department. This article reviews the evaluation of distal radius fractures including physical examination and radiographic review. Also discussed is management of distal radius fractures including splinting in the setting of an emergency department consultation.
Equivalence classes of matrices over finite fields

Abstract Let F=GF(q) denote the finite field of order q, and Fmn the ring of m×n matrices over F. Let Ω be a group of permutations of F. If A,B∈Fmn, then A is equivalent to B relative to Ω if there exists ∅∈Ω such that ∅(aij) = bij. Formulas are given for the number of equivalence classes of a given order and for the total number of classes induced by various permutation groups. In particular, formulas are given if Ω is the symmetric group on q letters, a cyclic group, or a direct sum of cyclic groups.
An Overview of Qualification of Equipment for Seismic and Dynamic Loads

This paper presents the regulatory review process for seismic and dynamic qualification of safety-related electrical and mechanical equipment in nuclear power plant design, and highlights those areas that need careful attention in a qualification program. Qualification requirements as embodied in the General Design Criterion 2, Appendix A to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 10 Part 50, VI(a) (1) and (2) of Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 100, and the Standard Review Plan Section 3.10 are reviewed. In addition, the review procedure of seismic qualification review team (SQRT) is described. In the past years of SORT review of near term operating license (NTOL) plants, some problem areas have been identified regarding applicant's equipment seismic and dynamic qualification programs. In this paper, the problem areas which are of generic nature are discussed. Among the areas covered are: shake-table input wave forms, consideration of hydrodynamic loads, sequential testing procedure, surveillance and maintenance program, fatigue cycling effects, qualification of mechanical equipment, site-specific earthquakes, auditability of qualification documents, update of final safety analysis report and documentation filing system.
Damage and Crack Analysis in a Li-Ion Battery Electrode Using Random Spring Model

Lithium-ion batteries (LiB) are widely used in the electronics industry (such as, cell phones and laptop computers) because of their very high energy density, which reduced the size and weight of the battery significantly. LiB also serves as a renewable energy source for the transportation industry (see Ref. [1,2]). Graphite and LiCoO2 are most frequently used as anode and cathode material inside LiB (see Ref. [2,3]). During the charging and discharging process, intercalation and de-intercalation of Li occur inside the LiB electrodes. Non-uniform distributions of Li induce stress inside the electrodes, also known as diffusion induced stress (DIS). Very high charge or discharge rate can lead to generation of significant amount of tensile or compressive stress inside the electrodes, which can cause damage initiation and accumulation (see Ref. [4]). Propagation of these micro-cracks can cause fracture in the electrode material, which impacts the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) (see Ref. [2,3,5]). Concurrent to the reduction of cyclable Li, resistance between the electrode and electrolyte also increases, which affects the performance and durability of the electrode and has a detrimental consequence on the LiB life (see Ref. [6]).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Targeted chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer: Analysis of 213 patients

Background To determine the survival results, patterns of relapse, and organ preservation effects of a targeted chemoradiation protocol for patients with advanced (stage III–IV) carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods Analysis of 213 patients with stage III–IV squamous cell carcinoma treated at UT Memphis between June 1993 and March 1998. Treatment included weekly intra-arterial infusions of cisplatin (150 mg/m2/ week × 4) rapidly delivered to the tumor bulk, simultaneous intravenous thiosulfate for systemic drug neutralization, and conventional external-beam irradiation (180–200 cGy/fraction) to a total dose of 68–72 Gy. Results Tumor response, toxicity, disease control above the clavicle, pattern of relapse, and survival. There were 89 events of grade III–IV toxicity and 6 treatment-related deaths (grade V). Complete response in the primary and regional sites was obtained in 171 of 213 (80%) and 92 of 151 (61%), respectively. The rate of clearance of regional disease after neck dissection was 98%. There were 51 of 195 recurrences (26%): 11 local (5.6%), 5 regional (2.6%), and 35 distant (17.9%). The Kaplan Meier plot projections for overall and cancer-related 5-year survival was 38.8% and 53.6%, respectively, whereas disease control above the clavicle was 74.3%. Conclusions We believe this chemoradiation protocol represents an effective management scheme for patients with advanced head and neck cancer with a high rate of organ preservation and possibly improved survival. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 687–693, 2000.
The synthesis and autoxidation of 8,8,11,11-tetradeutero-cis-9-octadecene

8,8,11,11-Tetradeutero-cis-9-octadecene andcis-9-octadecene have been synthesized and their autoxidation studied at 75°. The autoxidation of both compounds proceeded in a similar manner except that the rate of reaction for the deuterooctadecene was one-fifth that of the octadecene. This apparently indicates that the important sustaining reaction in autoxidation is oxidative attach at thea methylenic position. That only a very small amount of deuterium was found in the water from the autoxidation of the deuterooctadecene indicates that water does not come by direct decomposition of thea hydroperoxide.
Quantifying Complexity and Variability of Gait Phase Portraits

Injuries to the lower extremity can limit joint motion and alter movement patterns of the limb segments during gait. Researchers have also found changes in variability and complexity as a function of injury. Injury or joint pain appears to decrease gait cycle variability [1]; however, the results on complexity are less clear. While some researchers have found a decrease in complexity due to disease and aging, e.g., [2], others have found an increase in complexity [3]. One of the goals of the current work was to quantify changes in the variability and complexity of motion patterns as assessed using phase portraits.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Multistep Uncertainty Quantification Approach Applied to Hypersonic Reentry Flows

The objective of this study was to introduce and demonstrate a computationally efficient, multistep uncertainty quantification approach for high-fidelity, hypersonic reentry flow simulations, which may include large numbers of aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. The multistep uncertainty quantification approach included several key components, including a sensitivity-based dimension reduction process that used a local sensitivity analysis at selected sample locations to approximate global sensitivities. Other components included a method to update existing deterministic samples after dimension reduction and a modified point-collocation nonintrusive polynomial chaos method that incorporates existing local sensitivity information. The multistep uncertainty quantification approach was demonstrated on two model problems. The first was a model for stagnation point convective heat transfer in hypersonic flow. Mixed uncertainty quantification analysis results in reduced dimensions compared well with Monte Carl...
Photonic methods for RF phase shifting

This paper demonstrates a delay line capable of near-MHz switching of continuously-tunable, optical-domain RF TTD. The rapid tuning speed offers advantages for high-performance, agile photonic systems.
The Global Climate for September-November 1992: Weak Warm ENSO Episode Conditions Linger in the Tropical Pacific.

During the September-November (SON) 1992 transition season, the tropical Pacific initially featured a continuation of the normal conditions observed during July and August 1992 and then surprisingly late in the season, showed reemergence of weak warm El Nino-southern Oscillation (ENSO) eventlike conditions. The Tahiti-Darwin Southern Oscillation index, after having returned to zero in August and September, dropped to strong negative values during both October and November. During November, low-level equatorial easterliest remained anomalously weak throughout the tropical Pacific consistent with increased convective activity near the date line. Seasonal mean surface temperature over the northernmost latitudes of the Eurasian continent were much below normal in contrast to the positive anomalies generally experienced over the recent past summers. For the United States as a whole, during the SON 1992 season, the mean precipitation was near normal, however, there was considerable variability in the precipitation anomalies across the country.
Hydrogen bonding vs steric gearing in a hexasubstituted benzene.

Treatment of hexakis(bromomethyl)benzene with excess NaN3, followed by hydrogenation of the resultant polyazide, affords hexamine 3 in high yield. Coupling to six equivalents of nonanoic acid provides hexamide 5 without chromatographic purification. The NH resonance of 5 appears far downfield (∼9.7 ppm) in CDCl3 and is unaffected by changes in concentration or by addition of chloride or trifluoromethanesulfonate ions. DFT calculations predict that 5 exists as a bowl, with all six substituents intramolecularly H-bonded together on one side of the plane defined by the anchoring arene.
Effects of nonsurgical myocardial reperfusion on plasma creatine kinase kinetics in man

Abstract The rate and form of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) enzyme release following reflow to ischemic myocardium has not been specifically examined in man. In this investigation, we examined the combined CK-MB time-activity curves during acute transmural myocardial infarction (AMI) in a group of patients receiving conventional therapy (CAMI) (n = 109), and in a group of nine patients with successful reperfusion by fibrinolytic therapy (RAMI). The average time of reflow in the latter group was 4.2 ± 1.7 hours (mean ± SD) following the onset of symptoms. The average time-to-peak CK-MB for the CAMI group was 18.3 ± 5.5 hours and for RAMI it was 9.9 ± 1.1 p p
Vibration Analysis for Damage Detection in Metal-to-Metal Adhesive Joints

Vibration based non-destructive evaluation shows promise for damage detection in metal-to-metal adhesive joints. This research investigates an experimental technique to diagnose damage in single-lap adhesive joints subject to cyclical tensile loading. Vibration analysis reveals that damage can be correlated with changes in identified modal damping ratios. Constant amplitude forcing functions are employed to eliminate amplitude-dependent nonlinearities in the dynamic response profiles. Damping estimates obtained from time-domain analyses correlate well with damage magnitudes. Finite element modal analysis of the lap joints supports the experimental results.
Doing well by doing a body good: An evaluation of the industry-funded nutrition education program conducted by the Dairy Council of California

This article evaluates an industry-funded nutrition education program, Exercise Your Options, provided to junior high school children in California by the Dairy Council of California (DCC). The program consists of education materials provided to teachers to assist in teaching about nutritional topics. We make use of food records from before and after the program, along with records from a control group, to estimate the effects on consumption patterns of learning about nutrition. DCC's activities are funded through a per-unit assessment on California milk, making the returns to producers an interesting topic in light of recent controversy over marketing orders. This article compares the benefits to the dairy industry to the cost of the program to the dairy industry. Under a number of reasonable assumptions, the benefits to dairy producers from increased milk consumption outweigh the costs of the program. [Econ-Lit citations: D120, I120, Q130, Q180] © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Semigroup laws in varieties of solvable groups

Let be a variety of groups. We say that the variety (the group G) has a semigroup law if u(x1, …, xn) = ν(x1, …, xn) is a law in (in G), with u and ν different words in the free semigroup freely generated by x1,…,xn. It seems very difficult to determine under what conditions a variety has a semigroup law. All we can say in general is that if does have a semigroup law, then it is in fact characterized by its semigroup laws (Section III).
The Relationship of Swimming Exercise to Bone Mass in Men and Women

• Exercise appears to be capable of exerting a positive effect on bone mass, but how exercise can be used to best advantage in the prevention and therapy of osteopenia is unclear. Weight-bearing activity has been commonly considered to be essential for the beneficial effects of exercise on the skeleton, and, therefore, swimming has been considered valueless in the maintenance of bone mass. To examine this issue we measured radial and vertebral bone mineral density in a group of subjects aged 40 to 85 years who had been swimming regularly for at least 3 years as well as in a similar group of nonexercising control subjects. The swimmers engaged in no other forms of regular exercise, and no subject had other conditions known to affect bone or mineral metabolism. Dietary calcium and protein intakes were similar in the two groups. At both radial (0.84 ± 0.08 vs 0.81 ± 0.09 g/cm 2 ) and vertebral (123 ± 27 vs 108 ± 31 mg/cm 3 ) sites the male swimmers had significantly greater bone mineral density than did the nonexercisers. In women, however, no relationship of swimming to bone mineral density could be identified. These results suggest that swimming exercise may be beneficial in the prevention or therapy of osteopenia and that its usefulness in this regard should be further investigated. ( Arch Intern Med . 1989;149:2197-2200)
Interactions of vitamin D and the proximal tubule.

Severe vitamin D deficiency (reduction in serum 25(OH)D concentration) in infants and children can cause features of the Fanconi syndrome, including phosphaturia, glycosuria, aminoaciduria, and renal tubular acidosis. This indicates that vitamin D and its metabolites influence proximal tubule function. Filtered 25(OH)D bound to vitamin D binding protein (DBP) is endocytosed by megalin-cubilin in the apical membrane. Intracellular 25(OH)D is metabolized to 1,25(OH)2D or calcitroic acid by 1-α-hydroxylase or 24-hydroxylase in tubule cell mitochondria. Bone-produced fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) bound to Klotho in tubule cells and intracellular phosphate concentrations are regulators of 1-α-hydroxylase activity and cause proximal tubule phosphaturia. Aminoaciduria occurs when amino acid transporter synthesis is deficient, and 1,25(OH)2D along with retinoic acid up-regulate transporter synthesis by a vitamin D response element in the promoter region of the transporter gene. This review discusses evidence gained from studies in animals or cell lines, as well as from human disorders, that provide insight into vitamin D–proximal tubule interactions.
Effects of dl-, d-, and l-Amphetamine on Levarterenol Tachyphylaxis in the Isolated Heart of Venus mercenaria

The comparative potencies of dl -, d -, and l -amphetamine in completely blocking the onset of levarterenol tachyphylaxis (characterized by diminished negative inotropic responses) in the isolated heart of Venus mercenaria were as follows: d -amphetamine was the most potent; dl -amphetamine and l -amphetamine were equally active, and less potent than the d -isomer. The observance of positive inotropic responses, occurring with higher doses of amphetamine isomers, indicated that both agents may act at the same receptor site. Furthermore, it is speculated that amphetamine may possibly block the inhibitory cardiac sites upon which levarterenol acts, thereby allowing the latter agent to exert a stimulatory action.
Performance validation tests of the cathode strip chambers for CMS muon system

The CMS muon cathode strip chambers, comprising 2,000,000 anode wires and covering 6000 square meters of sensitive area, are the largest system of multi-wire proportional chambers ever built and by far exceed the preceding systems with precision digitization of cathode strip signals. The 468 CMS chambers reconstruct muons with a 100-micron spatial resolution (offline) and identify 6-hit muon track stubs (trigger primitives to be used by level-1 trigger) with 1-mm and 4-ns uncertainties. The chamber construction took 4 years and now is finished, with nearly all detectors having been installed and commissioned in CMS. The organization of various phases of detector performance validation tests from the moment of their assembly to the final commissioning in CMS. The experience and results obtained during these tests of more than 400 chambers are summarized at the end
Quantitation of human complement fragment C4ai in physiological fluids by competitive inhibition radioimmune assay

A method is described to quantitate complement fragment C4ai in human plasma, synovial fluid, and urine. Samples are first precipitated with 50% saturated (NH4)2SO4 to remove cross-reactive macromolecules C4 and pro-C4. Whereas greater than 97% of C4 is removed by this precipitation step, 88% of C4ai remains in solution. Second, the concentration of C4ai in supernatant fractions is determined by double antibody competitive inhibition radioimmunoassay. C4a was recently completely sequenced (Moon et al., 1981) and is readily available as a pure standard. Examination of the specificity of this method confirmed it was indeed specific for C4a antigenicity. Immunochemically depleted C4-deficient plasma and inulin-activated reconstituted C4-deficient plasma exhibited less than 0.1% of the immunoreactivity of untreated plasma. In addition, good agreement was observed in analyses of aggregated IgG activated serum between the experimentally determined concentration of C4ai and that expected from the initial concentration of C4. As a result, recovery and measurement of C4ai in physiological fluids with this method appear both quantitative and specific. Based on results from 17 adult volunteers, the average concentration of C4ai in normal plasma is 488 ng/ml. Interestingly, significant correlation could not be demonstrated between the levels of C4 and C4ai in normal plasma. The mean concentration of C4ai in human urine is 0.5 ng/ml.
Pedunculated uterine fibroid simulating an incarcerated inguinal hernia in pregnancy

Abstract A bulging 5 × 5 cm tender mass appearing intermittently in the left groin in association with vigorous physical activity between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation was thought clinically and ultrasonographically to represent an inguinal hernia. Surgery after acute continuous pain and concern for incarceration revealed a nonherniated pedunculated uterine fibroid. (A M J O BSTET G YNECOL 1994;170:724-5.)
Curriculum-based external exit exam systems: Do students learn more? How?

This article examines the effect of curriculum-based external exit examinations such as the French Baccalaureate, Canadian Diploma exams, and the Regents exams in New York State on student achievement. Students from countries with medium- and high-stakes exit exam systems outperform students from other countries at a comparable level of economic development. When student demography is held constant, New York State students do significantly better than students in other states on the Scholastic Assessment Test and on 8th-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress math assessments. Not only did 13-year-olds from Canadian provinces with such systems know more science and mathematics than students in other provinces, they watched less TV, did more homework, and talked with their parents more about schoolwork. Schools in provinces with external exams had better science labs, scheduled more time for teaching math and science, and hired more qualified teachers and had them specialize in teaching their subject.
How Adults With Late-Stage Cancer Experience Personal Control

Studies of people's experiences with personal control have been limited to anecdotal case histories or experimental stress research on healthy adults. The purpose of the study reported in this article was to determine, through interviews, the ways in which 57 adults with late-stage cancer described their noncontrollable situation and the things over which they maintained control despite their disease. Content analysis yielded four conceptual categories that emerged from the data. These categories characterized the patients' experience with cancer: monitoring progress, waiting it out, refocusing control, and turning it over. The authors delineate the meaning of these categories and discuss the implications of their findings for clinical practice.
DNA sequence analysis of SLC26A5, encoding prestin, in a patient-control cohort: identification of fourteen novel DNA sequence variations.

Background Prestin, encoded by the gene SLC26A5, is a transmembrane protein of the cochlear outer hair cell (OHC). Prestin is required for the somatic electromotile activity of OHCs, which is absent in OHCs and causes severe hearing impairment in mice lacking prestin. In humans, the role of sequence variations in SLC26A5 in hearing loss is less clear. Although prestin is expected to be required for functional human OHCs, the clinical significance of reported putative mutant alleles in humans is uncertain. Methodology/Principal Findings To explore the hypothesis that SLC26A5 may act as a modifier gene, affecting the severity of hearing loss caused by an independent etiology, a patient-control cohort was screened for DNA sequence variations in SLC26A5 using sequencing and allele specific methods. Patients in this study carried known pathogenic or controversial sequence variations in GJB2, encoding Connexin 26, or confirmed or suspected sequence variations in SLC26A5; controls included four ethnic populations. Twenty-three different DNA sequence variations in SLC26A5, 14 of which are novel, were observed: 4 novel sequence variations were found exclusively among patients; 7 novel sequence variations were found exclusively among controls; and, 12 sequence variations, 3 of which are novel, were found in both patients and controls. Twenty-one of the 23 DNA sequence variations were located in non-coding regions of SLC26A5. Two coding sequence variations, both novel, were observed only in patients and predict a silent change, p.S434S, and an amino acid substitution, p.I663V. In silico analysis of the p.I663V amino acid variation suggested this variant might be benign. Using Fisher's exact test, no statistically significant difference was observed between patients and controls in the frequency of the identified DNA sequence variations. Haplotype analysis using HaploView 4.0 software revealed the same predominant haplotype in patients and controls and derived haplotype blocks in the patient-control cohort similar to those generated from the International HapMap Project. Conclusions/Significance Although these data fail to support a hypothesis that SLC26A5 acts as a modifier gene of GJB2-related hearing loss, the sample size is small and investigation of a larger population might be more informative. The 14 novel DNA sequence variations in SLC26A5 reported here will serve as useful research tools for future studies of prestin.
Informative Stopping Rules and Inferences about Population Size

Abstract It is a consequence of the likelihood principle that identical likelihood functions imply identical inferences. If the rule by which sample size is determined—the stopping rule—is reflected in the likelihood function, as it should be, apparently identical likelihood functions (without allowance for stopping rule) may in fact be different. This can happen if the stopping rules are informative. If the stopping rule is informative, the analysis must take the rule into account, and additional information may be recovered by so doing. Examples of informative stopping rules are given for two simple problems in estimation of the size of finite populations, and an illustrative Bayesian analysis is shown in each problem. Other informative stopping rules are briefly discussed.
Efficient software model checking of data structure properties

This paper presents novel language and analysis techniques that significantly speed up software model checking of data structure properties. Consider checking a red-black tree implementation. Traditional software model checkers systematically generate all red-black tree states (within some given bounds) and check every red-black tree operation (such as insert, delete, or lookup) on every red-black tree state. Our key idea is as follows. As our checker checks a red-black tree operation o on a red-black tree state s, it uses program analysis techniques to identify other red-black tree states s'1, s'2, ..., s'k on which the operation o behaves similarly. Our analyses guarantee that if o executes correctly on s, then o will execute correctly on every s'i. Our checker therefore does not need to check o on any s'i once it checks o on s. It thus safely prunes those state transitions from its search space, while still achieving complete test coverage within the bounded domain. Our preliminary results show orders of magnitude improvement over previous approaches. We believe our techniques can make model checking significantly faster, and thus enable checking of much larger programs and complex program properties than currently possible.
The mandible injury severity score: development and validity.

Purpose To develop and validate a clinical method for characterizing and scoring mandible injury severity. Materials and Methods Constituent fracture variables (fracture type, location, occlusion, soft tissue involvement, infection, and interfragmentary displacement [FLOSID]) were used to develop the FLOSID taxonomy for characterizing injury. Each component was assigned an empirical weight to help derive a summary measure of injury severity called the UCLA Mandible Injury Severity Score (MISS). Subsequently, MISS values were calculated for a group of 336 patients treated for mandible fractures. The validity of the summary score was evaluated by relating the MISS measure to the treatment modality used and to various variables, related as well as unrelated to injury outcomes. Results Each of the FLOSID components correlated significantly with the MISS (P < .001). Unrelated variables, including ethnicity, education, and gender, had no correlation to the MISS. On average, patients treated with rigid internal fixation had a higher MISS than patients treated with maxillomandibular fixation (P < .001). The MISS had a statistically significant association with surrogate markers of injury severity such as sensory nerve deficit, need for hospitalization, and pain at 1-month follow-up (P < .001). However, there was no significant association between MISS and indicators of postoperative complications (infection, nonunion, malunion, malocclusion). Conclusions The FLOSID taxonomy offers a useful alternative to narrative summarization of mandible injury. The MISS is readily derived from clinical parameters obtained at the initial patient encounter and appears to be a valid index of mandible injury severity across important clinical domains.
The Difficult Transition? Teaching, Research, Service: Examining the Preparedness of Communication Faculty Entering the Academe.

This study, based on a survey of graduate students seeking employment, examines the categories and levels of preparedness of new professors/instructors as they enter academe. Preparedness was examined in several ways--specifically knowledge about higher education requirements and their preparation for teaching, advising, and service in the field of communication. In general, the future communication faculty reported that most had participated in teaching preparation activities. Few reported participating or having access to preparation in other academic areas. In hindsight, most respondents would have liked more preparation opportunities in all areas. Even though they did not have extensive preparation in any area, except for teaching, most reported they were confident in their ability to perform the skills of a future faculty member.
The induction of prophage expression in different Salmonella typhimurium strains by DNA cross-linking and monoadduct forming psoralens and longwave ultraviolet radiation

The cytotoxicity, and ability to induce the expression of prophage in Salmonella typhimurium LT2 strains has been examined for 4 furocoumarins, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CP), and 5-methylisopsoralen (5-MI) given with ultraviolet-A radiation (u.v.A). 8-MOP and 5-MOP have a linear tricyclic structure and possess two photoreactive sites, the 3,4 and 4',5' double bonds, enabling them to form both monoadducts and interstrand cross-links with DNA. The angular structure of 5-MI imposes steric constraints preventing it from forming interstrand cross-links with DNA although it possesses both of the photoreactive double bonds. The substituent group at position C-3 in 3-CP blocks the 3,4 reactive site and 3-CP is thus incapable of forming interstrand cross-links; 3-CP is reportedly, unlike the other three furocoumarins, non-carcinogenic in mice. 8-MOP, 5-MOP, and 5-MI were very cytotoxic to both the base-pair (TA1535) and frame-shift (TA1538) tester strains when given with u.v.A. Comparable amounts of 3-CP given with u.v.A were much less toxic. 8-MOP, 5-MOP, and 5-MI were potent inducers of prophage expression in both TA1535 and TA1538. 3-CP was a very poor inducer of prophage. The cytotoxicity and prophage inducing ability of 5-MI + u.v.A indicate that these actions are not necessarily restricted to the DNA crosslinking psoralens. The lower toxicity of 3-CP + u.v.A is not a simple function of the ability of 3-CP to form only monoadducts with DNA. The ability or inability to induce the expression of prophage in S. typhimurium may be a rapid and useful screen for the potential phototoxicity and carcinogenicity of novel psoralens.
Mycosis Fungoides: Pathophysiology and Emerging Therapies

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas characterized by skin infiltration of neoplastic T lymphocytes. Mycosis fungoides and its leukemic variant Sezary syndrome represent the most common CTCL subtypes. Current treatment for patients with mycosis fungoides involves topical and systemic therapies for the cutaneous manifestations. However, no therapy is curative and patients often progress to advanced extracutaneous CTCL with visceral organ complications or relapsed disease that is frequently refractory to most topical and aggressive systemic regimens. The emergence of novel targeted therapies such as biologic agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitors offers promise for more effective and safer treatment strategies for refractory CTCLs.