cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of preoperative inferior petrosal vein sampling in cushing's disease

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels from the inferior petrosal sinuses and peripheral veins were measured in 10 patients with Cushing's disease. All patients had normal or indeterminate computed tomography scans. In 9 of the 10 patients the petrosal vein sampling showed a gradient between pituitary ACTH and peripheral ACTH verifying the supposition of pituitary dependent hypercortisolism. In seven cases preoperative ACTH levels lateralized tumor to one side of the gland. In six of these cases tumor was found at that location at surgery. In the seventh case, no tumor was identified at surgery and that half of the gland was resected. Nine patients were cured following transsphenoidal excision of tumor.
Lysosomal acid hydrolase activities in the aging heart.

Abstract Total activities of four lysosomal acid hydrolases in the hearts of aging mice have been studied. Hydrolase activities were assayed in whole hearts of male C57B1/6J mice at 2.5, 5, 11, 17, 21 and 27 months of age and were expressed as μmoles substrate hydrolyzed/h/mg protein. β-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase (A & B) activities increased linearly with age. Maximum activities of β-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase were observed at 27 months of age and were 35 and 38% higher respectively compared to activities at 2.5 months. N -acetyl- β -D-glucosaminidase activities changed with age in quadratic fashion. Activities at 2.5 months of age declined 20% by 5 months and then increased by 45% to a maximum by 27 months. Acid phosphatase activities did not change significantly through the age span studied. These results are correlated with electron microscopic observations on the accumulation of lipofuscin pigment granules with age in the myocardium. These observations suggest that the increased activities of certain lysosomal hydrolases during the life span and the accumulation of lipofuscin are positively correlated and that they may play an important role in the aging heart.
Radiation Hardness Assurance Testing of Microelectronic Devices and Integrated Circuits: Radiation Environments, Physical Mechanisms, and Foundations for Hardness Assurance

This document describes the radiation environments, physical mechanisms, and test philosophies that underpin radiation hardness assurance test methodologies. The natural space radiation environment is presented, including the contributions of both trapped and transient particles. The effects of shielding on radiation environments are briefly discussed. Laboratory radiation sources used to simulate radiation environments are covered, including how to choose appropriate sources to mimic environments of interest. The fundamental interactions of radiation with materials via direct and indirect ionization are summarized. Some general test considerations are covered, followed by in-depth discussions of physical mechanisms and issues for total dose and single-event effects testing. The purpose of this document is to describe why the test protocols we use are constructed the way they are. In other words, to answer the question: “Why do we test it that way”?
Rapid, high-accuracy electromagnetic soundings using a novel four-axis coil to measure magnetic field ellipticity

Abstract A unique high-resolution electromagnetic sounding system, utilizing a four-axis coil and a new calibration technique, has been designed, constructed, and tested. The resulting measurements have an accuracy of approximately ±0.1%. The four-axis coil, which includes three approximately orthogonal coils and a calibration coil, is designed to automatically collect ellipticity data at 20 discrete frequencies in the range 30 Hz–30 kHz. The approximately orthogonal coils detect three components of the magnetic field and the calibration coil injects a calibration signal into the receiving system at the same time that the data are being recorded. A three-dimensional mathematical rotation program was developed to calculate ellipticity, removing the need to know the absolute coil orientation. Equations were formulated for the angular relationships between the approximately orthogonal coils. The actual intercoil angles were computed using a nonlinear optimization analysis applied to the measured data. The system was tested by measuring the ellipticity at one point on the earth's surface for various orientations of the coil. In addition, a close match between calculated and measured ellipticity profiles was obtained in a field test over a known target.
Topology optimization in B-spline space

Abstract In this paper, we present a new form of density based topology optimization where the design space is restricted to the B-spline space. An arbitrarily shaped design domain is embedded into a rectangular domain in which tensor-product B-splines are used to represent the density field. We show that, with proper choice of B-spline degrees and knot spans, the B-spline design space is free from checkerboards without extraneous filtering or penalty. We further reveal that the B-spline representation provides an intrinsic filter for topology optimization where the filter size is controlled by B-spline degrees and knot spans. This B-spline filter is effective in removing numerical artifacts and controlling minimal feature length in optimized structures when the B-spline basis functions span multiple analysis elements. We demonstrate that the B-spline filter is linear in storage cost and does not require neighboring element information. Further, this B-spline based density representation decouples the design representation of density distribution from the finite element mesh thus multi-resolution designs can be obtained without re-meshing the design domain. In particular, successive optimization with respect to design resolutions leads to topologically simple features obtainable in either coarse or fine design resolutions, thus achieving a form of mesh independency with respect to design representation. This approach is versatile in the sense a variety of finite element and isogeometric analysis techniques can be used for solution of equilibrium equations and a variety of projection methods can be used to approximate B-spline density in analysis. Numerical studies have been conducted over several representative topology optimization problems, including minimal compliance of MBB beams, compliant mechanism inverters, and heat conductions.
Evaluating work distribution patterns for parallel bitmap compression over SMPs

Bitmap indices are popular in managing large-scale data, but their size quickly grows out-of-core without compression. At the same time, Moore's enables a proliferation of machines with parallel architectures, letting users exploit symmetric multiprocessors (SMP) for common tasks. In this poster, we evaluate two widely used parallel work distribution models for parallelizing bitmap compression.
Influence of post-exercise activity on plasma catecholamines, blood pressure and heart rate in normal subjects.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not the type of activity performed during recovery might influence the magnitude of catecholamine outflow following exercise. Six active, male volunteers between 40–52 years recovered from strenuous treadmill exercise in three different ways; standing, supine rest and walking (2 mph, 0% grade). Measurements of noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A), heart rate and blood pressure were made at rest, peak exercise, and at 30 s intervals through 5-min of recovery. Peak exercise NA concentrations were approximately 1000% above those recorded as rest. Early recovery was marked by a continued increase in NA from peak exercise concentrations (4614 ± 548vs. 3264 ± 485 pg/ml) which did not return to peak exercise levels until approximately 90 s of recovery. Adrenaline responses followed similar trends; however, the changes were not as sizable. Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were significantly affected by the post-exercise condition; supine recovery produced significantly lower mean heart rates and mean diastolic blood pressures in comparison to standing or continued walking recovery conditions. Thus, these data indicate no specific recovery strategy will stem the rise in exercise-induced plasma catecholamines. Clinically, a strategy of continued walking, or better, supine recovery will best meet special clinical requirements, as well as limit the magnitude of the peak catecholamine increases.
Regional Vulnerability to Endogenous and Exogenous Oxidative Stress in Organotypic Hippocampal Culture

Abstract Organotypic cultures of the brain provide a unique opportunity to directly examine the regional vulnerability of specific brain regions like the hippocampus. Two well-characterized models of oxidative stress were used to examine the regional vulnerability of the hippocampus. Endogenous oxidative stress was induced by blocking synthesis of the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Exogenous oxidative stress was induced with paraquat, an intracellular generator of superoxide. Injury was measured by quantitative fluorescence microscopy using the vital dye propidium iodide. BSO caused dose- and time-dependent injury that took at more than 24 h to develop. Injury began in discrete patches in the culture. In any given culture, each patch increased in size and intensity as incubation continued. The pattern was not clearly correlated with neuronal anatomy and may demonstrate glial vulnerability. Injury caused by BSO could be prevented with the antioxidants trolox or the 21-aminosteroid U-83836E, both of which are vitamin E derivatives. Paraquat also caused dose- and time-dependent injury, but the CA1 region of the hippocampus was most vulnerable. The same pattern of selective CA1 injury was caused by brief exposures to high concentrations and by prolonged exposures to much lower concentrations. Under some conditions, paraquat injury was prevented by iron chelation with deferoxamine or by blockade of either NMDA or AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors. During paraquat exposure, glutathione concentration in the cultures was reduced prior to onset of propidium staining. The observation that the hippocampus has a similar selective regional pattern of vulnerability to paraquat and ischemia suggests that their mechanisms of injury may be related.
Interaction between SNPs in the RXRA and near ANGPTL3 gene region inhibits apoB reduction after statin-fenofibric acid therapy in individuals with mixed dyslipidemia

The mixed dyslipidemia phenotype is characterized by elevated triglycerides (TG), low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), increased ApoB levels, and premature coronary atherosclerosis. Fibrate-statin combination therapy reduces ApoB levels and coronary events in the mixed dyslipidemia population. We sought to identify gene-gene interactions that affect ApoB response to statin-fenofibric acid therapy in the mixed dyslipidemia population. Using a predefined subset of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were previously associated with TG, VLDL, or HDL-C, we applied gene-gene interaction testing in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial examining the response to fenofibric acid (FNA) and its combination with statin in 1,865 individuals with mixed dyslipidemia. Of 11,783 possible SNP pairs examined, we detected a single significant interaction between rs12130333, located within the ANGPTL3 gene region, and rs4240705, within the RXRA gene, on ApoB reduction after statin-FNA therapy (P = 4.0 × 10−6). ApoB response to therapy gradually reduced with the increasing number of T alleles in the rs12130333 but only in the presence of the GG genotype of rs4240705. Individuals doubly homozygous for the minor alleles at rs12130333 and rs4240705 showed a paradoxical increase of 1.8% in ApoB levels after FNA-statin combination therapy. No gene-gene interaction was identified other than an interaction between SNPs in the ANGPTL3 and RXRA regions, which results in the inhibition of ApoB reduction in response to statin-FNA therapy. Further study is required to examine the clinical applicability of this genetic interaction and its effect on coronary events.
Birth of Mice after Intracytoplasmic Injection of Single Purified Sperm Nuclei and Detection of Messenger RNAs and MicroRNAs in the Sperm Nuclei

We have developed a method that effectively removes all of the perinuclear materials of a mouse sperm head, including the acrosome, plasma membrane, perinuclear theca, and nuclear envelope. By injection of a single purified sperm head into a metaphase II mouse oocyte followed by activation with strontium chloride, 93% of the zygotes developed into two-cell embryos. Although only approximately 17% of the transferred two-cell embryos were born alive, all live pups developed into adults, and they appeared to be normal in reproduction and behavior. We detected RNA species, including mRNAs and miRNAs from the purified sperm heads. Our data demonstrate that pure membrane-free sperm heads are sufficient to produce normal offspring through intracytoplasmic sperm injection and that at least part of the RNA molecules are deeply embedded in the sperm nucleus.
Dynamic modeling and simulation of nitric oxide gas delivery to pulmonary arterioles.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an effective dilator of the pulmonary arterial circulation for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. A wide range of inhalation breathing patterns and concentrations have proven effective, but the mechanisms underlying this variability are not known. We have developed a dynamic model of NO gas inhalation, which considers inhalation, diffusion, and reaction of NO in the pulmonary arteriolar region, and also considers disease progression. The response of the system (mean concentration of NO in the smooth muscle, \(\overline c _{{\text{sm}}}\)) is characterized using an overall transfer function. The model is used to simulate previously published experimental NO gas inhalation patterns in which a short pulse of 100 ppm of NO gas was applied at the start of inhalation. Our model predicts the clinically effective \(\overline c _{{\text{sm}}}\) to be 0.22–0.41 nM, which is far smaller than the equilibrium dissociation constant of soluble guanylyl cyclase previously estimated in vitro (<250 nM) and theoretically (23 nM). We conclude that the clinically effective \(\overline c _{{\text{sm}}}\), and the overall transfer function may be useful in the design of new NO-delivery strategies for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Mapping between quantum dot and quantum well lasers: From conventional to spin lasers

We explore similarities between the quantum wells and quantum dots used as optical gain media in semiconductor lasers. We formulate a mapping procedure which allows a simpler, often analytical, description of quantum well lasers to study more complex lasers based on quantum dots. The key observation in relating the two classes of laser is that the influence of a finite capture time on the operation of quantum dot lasers can be approximated well by a suitable choice of the gain compression factor in quantum well lasers. Our findings are applied to the rate equations for both conventional (spin-unpolarized) and spin lasers in which spin-polarized carriers are injected optically or electrically. We distinguish two types of mapping that pertain to the steady-state and dynamical operation respectively and elucidate their limitations.
Police GPS Surveillance on Vehicles and the Warrant Requirement: “For a While I’ve Been Watching You Steady”

The global positioning system (GPS) has become ubiquitous to modern American life. The system supplies direction for travel through navigation systems as well as employee monitoring capabilities (Rosenberg Washington Journal of Law, Technology, and Arts 6:143–154, 2010). Law Enforcement has also found GPS to be a valuable tool. The technology provides a relatively cheap and highly effective way to monitor a suspect’s movement. Depending on the device, travel data can be reported in real time or be retrieved from the implanted device at intervals (Shah Journal of Law, Technology, and Policy 2009:281–294, 2009). This paper will first explore the core foundational Fourth Amendment cases that shape the use of GPS devices by law enforcement. Next, the federal circuits and state supreme courts’ decisions that have addressed the use of GPS will be reviewed. Third, the case of U.S. v. Jones (2012), which was recently decided by the United States Supreme Court, will be examined. Last, the policy implications of the current legal landscape regarding the use of GPS by police will be discussed.
Reversible reaction of ϵ-amino groups of cytochrome c with salicylaldehyde to produce cytochrome c polymers

Abstract 1. 1.Cytochrome c has been shown to react with salicylaldehyde at room temperature and pH 9.6 to give a cytochrome c-salicylaldehyde complex which is probably the azomethine derivative of the lysine ϵ-amino groups and the aldehyde. 2. 2.The reaction goes to completion, i.e., all 19 lysine residues react, when the ratio of aldehyde to cytochrome c in the reaction mixture is 19 to 1 or greater. 3. 3.The fully reacted product is insoluble and completely unreactive in the NADH-cytochrome c reductase system from rat heart. 4. 4.Dialysis of the reaction product removes the methinyl phenol groups completely. The cytochrome c product becomes soluble but is only 20% active in the NADH-cytochrome c reductase system. 5. 5.Momentary treatment of the modified cytochrome (dialyzed reaction product) at pH 3 or 11 completely restores its enzymatic activity. 6. 6.Passage of the modified cytochrome through Amberlite CG-50 (Na+) indicated that at least 8 fractions were present. Further studies using Sephadex G-100 columns standardized for determining molecular weights indicated that the monomer through hexadecamer polymers of cytochrome c were present.
Modeling single arm electron scattering and nucleon production from nuclei by GeV electrons

Nuclear reaction data for the doubly differential cross sections of inelastic electron scattering and of electronucleon and electropion production are parametrized by analytic models of the major reaction mechanisms. Predictive FORTRAN codes for the yields of reaction products have been developed for all nuclei interacting with electrons and bremsstrahlung beams in the energy range 0.5–5 GeV. Comparison with a variety of electromagnetic reaction data is shown.
Selective mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel activation is sufficient to precondition human myocardium.

Abstract Objectives: Recently, the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel has been suggested to be the final common effector of myocardial preconditioning. The purpose of this study is to determine whether selective mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel activation alone can precondition human myocardium from an ischemia/reperfusion insult. Methods: Isolated human right atrial trabeculae were placed in tissue baths, paced, and subjected to 30 minutes of normothermic hypoxia (ischemia) followed by 45 minutes of reoxygenation (reperfusion). Trabeculae were preconditioned with a selective mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel opener (diazoxide 30 μmol/L) or a nonselective purinergic agonist, adenosine (125 μmol/L), for 5 minutes (adenosine) followed by a 10-minute washout period. Developed force at end reperfusion (mean ± standard error) was compared with baseline, and tissue creatine kinase and adenosine triphosphate levels were measured after ischemia/reperfusion. Results: Trabeculae subjected to ischemia/reperfusion exhibited 30% ± 2% of baseline developed force, whereas trabeculae subjected to selective adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel opening (diazoxide) and nonselective purinergic agonist (adenosine) recovered to 55% ± 7% and 46% ± 3% of baseline developed force, respectively. Tissue creatine kinase activity was preserved in both the diazoxide- and adenosine-treated trabeculae (5.4 ± 12 and 5.4 ± 14 μmol/L per gram wet tissue) compared with ischemia/reperfusion (1.8 ± 0.2 U/mg wet tissue). Adenosine triphosphate levels at end reperfusion were also increased in the trabeculae treated with selective (diazoxide) and nonselective (adenosine) adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel opener (4.1 ± 0.01 and 4.4 ± 0.2 μmol/L per gram wet tissue) compared with trabeculae subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (1.5 ± 0.1 μmol/L per gram wet tissue). Conclusions: These results suggest that selective mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel activation preconditions human myocardium and the protection conferred is equal to that of adenosine preconditioning. Targeted openers of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate– sensitive potassium channels promote constructive protection of myocellular energy levels, contractile function, and cellular viability in human myocardium after ischemia/reperfusion. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;120:387-92)
A sensor conditioning principle for odor identification

Abstract This work formulates a sensor array optimization scheme for odor identification. It hinges on a performance index widely used in the signal theory, namely the Mahalanobis distance, which gives a solid quantification of the separability among odor classes. Optimizing this index over the controllable operating parameters of the sensor array minimizes the response variability within each class and simultaneously maximizes the spread of the class prototypes (i.e., the class centers) in the feature space. The evaluation of the empirical measure is data-driven, yet simple enough to be performed on-the-fly, provided that a representative set of labelled measurements from each class is available. We finally demonstrate on a sample dataset that tuning the temperature of a metal-oxide sensor array based on the suggested criterion yields a substantial improvement in the classification performance.
Combining two reform curricula: An example from a course with well-prepared students

Many studies have separately documented the benefits of research-based curricula and pedagogical methods. Here, we report on the effects of adopting a reform curriculum (Matter and Interactions) in conjunction with a pedagogical tool designed and validated in the context of a traditional treatment of mechanics (Tutorials in Introductory Physics). We document the need for targeted interactive engagement materials (such as the tutorials) even in a course with a population of students who are extremely well-prepared in physics. We describe the modifications necessary to successfully incorporate Tutorials in Introductory Physics into a course using Matter and Interactions, and we present data documenting the success of this approach.
Role of Toll-Like Receptor 9 in Legionella pneumophila-Induced Interleukin-12 p40 Production in Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from Permissive and Nonpermissive Mice

The progression of Legionella pneumophila infection in macrophages is controlled by the Lgn1 gene locus, which expresses the nonpermissive phenotype in cells from BALB/c mice but the permissive phenotype in cells from A/J mice. Activation of dendritic cells and macrophages by L. pneumophila is mediated by the pathogen recognition receptor Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2); furthermore, Legionella induces innate and adaptive immune cytokines by the MyD88-dependent pathway. TLR9 is coupled to MyD88 and mediates the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in dendritic cells infected with other facultatively intracellular pathogens. In the current study, L. pneumophila growth in dendritic cells from BALB/c and A/J mice was examined along with the role of TLR9 in the induction of IL-12 in these cells. Dendritic cells from both strains were nonpermissive for L. pneumophila intracellular growth, suggesting that the products of the Lgn1 gene locus that control intracellular growth in macrophages do not control the growth of Legionella in dendritic cells. In addition, chloroquine treatment suppressed IL-12 p40 production in response to Legionella treatment in dendritic cells and macrophages from BALB/c and A/J mice. Furthermore, the TLR9 inhibitor ODN2088 suppressed the Legionella-induced IL-12 production in dendritic cells from both mouse strains. These results suggest that L. pneumophila is similar to other intracellular bacteria in that it stimulates the production of immune-transitioning cytokines, such as IL-12, through activation of TLR9 and that this receptor provides a common mechanism for sensing these types of microbes and inducing innate and adaptive immunity.
Extending Pummerer reaction chemistry. Examination of the prospects for forming vicinal quaternary carbon centers

Pummerer chemistry applied to 2-sulfinyl indoles promotes oxidative cyclization of pendant nucleophiles to furnish C(3) spirocyclic indolenine products. Use of tetrasubstituted silyl enol ether nucleophiles in this transform yields spirocycles featuring vicinal all-carbon quaternary centers in two cases, but fails when a nearby amine can intervene.
Molecular order in finite two-dimensional crystals of lipid at the air-water interface

The symmetrical twinning of solid domains of racemic mixtures of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine at the air-water interface is evidence that the solid domains are 2-dimensional crystals; there are two equivalent axes in each domain that subtend an angle of approx. 120°. Fluorescence anisotropy shows that each domain has long-range molecular orientation order with ferroelectric symmetry. Experimental and theoretical evidence is presented to show that features of crystal structure such as molecular tilt depend on size and shape of these 2-dimensional crystals
Presence of multiple bile ducts in the liver graft increases the incidence of biliary complications in pediatric liver transplantation

We studied the impact of multiple bile duct anastomosis on the development of biliary complications after liver transplantation in children. A total of 101 patients received a primary liver transplant and were divided into 2 groups: those with a single bile duct (n = 77) and those with multiple bile ducts (n = 24). Mean follow-up was 39.8 +/- 20.8 months. A total of 27 patients presented with biliary complications (26.7%), 18 patients (18.7%) presented with early complications (12 leaks and 6 strictures), and 9 patients (8.9%) had late strictures. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and multiple bile ducts were significant risk factors for the development of biliary complications, and the presence of multiple bile ducts was an independent risk factor. Patients with multiple bile ducts had a significantly greater incidence of total biliary complications compared to those with single ducts. Patients with multiple ducts had a higher incidence of leaks when compared to those in the single duct group, but the incidence of strictures, both early and late, was similar in both groups. One-year patient and graft survivals were not statistically different in the 2 groups. In conclusion, the presence of more than one bile duct in the graft is an independent risk factor for the development of biliary complications after pediatric liver transplantation.
X-Rays and Temperature: Combined Effects on Mortality and Growth of Salmon Embryos

Abstract Four embryonic stages of chinook embryos were irradiated with graded, acute doses of X-rays (15 to 1530 r), in duplicate experiments, one at ambient temperature, the other at 2 C above ambient. The effects of temperature, irradiation and handling were evaluated in terms of growth and mortality. Growth stimulation attributable to low dose irradiation was observed at both temperatures but was more apparent at the ambient temperature.
The Impact of Sunspots on the Interpretation of Coronal Observations of the O VI Doublet

Due to their high intensity of emission in the O VI λλ1031.9 and 1037.6 lines, even small sunspots on the solar disk can strongly influence the intensity of the radiative scattering component of O VI lines in the corona. Observations of O VI disk spectra show a λ1032/λ1038 line intensity ratio of >2.6 in a sunspot, compared to quiet-disk values of ~2. The enhancement of the λ1032 line in comparison to the λ1038 line is likely due to interaction between molecular hydrogen emission from the sunspot and the chromospheric O5+. Modeling shows that a contribution from sunspots increases the coronal O VI λ1032/λ1038 intensity ratio to values considerably higher than those achieved with a quiet-disk or coronal hole spectrum. Therefore a reexamination of flow velocities derived from SOHO UVCS streamer observations must be made. This modeling demonstrates that the inclusion of sunspots, when present, may lead to nonzero outflow velocities at lower heights in streamer cores, in contrast to some existing model results.
Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) biodosimetry

Abstract Radiation-induced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals were first reported by Gordy et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 41 (1955) 983]. The application of EPR spectroscopy to ionizing radiation dosimetry was later proposed by Brady et al. [Health Phys. 15 (1968) 43]. Since that time EPR dosimetry has been applied to accident and epidemiologic dose reconstruction, radiation therapy, food irradiation, quality assurance programs and archaeological dating. Materials that have been studied include bone, tooth enamel, alanine and quartz. This review paper presents the fundamentals and applications of EPR biodosimetry. Detailed information regarding sample collection and preparation, EPR measurements, dose reconstruction, and data analysis and interpretation will be reviewed for tooth enamel. Examples of EPR biodosimetry application in accidental overexposures, radiopharmaceutical dose assessment and retrospective epidemiologic studies will also be presented.
Regulation of Medical Devices in the United States and European Union

As compared with Europe, the United States generally requires more rigorous clinical testing of high-risk devices, which delays patients' access to new devices but may provide better assurance of device safety.
Interpreting the Delta in a Regional Museum

I have long maintained that anthropologists have a significant advantage over humanists competing for jobs in museums. Historians and educators, whom we normally associate with museum education, collections, programing, management, and exhibit design, are traditionally not trained to use objects as a primary means of interpretation. Anthropologists are. Museums need anthropologists.
Effects of recombinant modulation of the phbCAB operon copy number on PHB synthesis rates in Ralstonia eutropha

Abstract We have increased the gene dosage of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) biosynthesis operon in Ralstonia eutropha (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus ) to test whether PHB synthesis rates may be increased by recombinant methods. The native R. eutropha phb CAB operon was inserted into the broad-host-range vector pKT230. This PHB operon-containing plasmid, and a control plasmid containing the identical broad-host-range replicon but not the PHB genes, were transferred to R. eutropha H16. Analysis of whole-cell lysates indicated that the strain harboring the operon-containing plasmid possessed β -ketothiolase and acetoacetyl-CoA reductase specific activities that were 6.0 and 6.2 times elevated, respectively, as compared to the control strain with a single operon. After growth on fructose, PHB synthesis rates were sharply dependent on the type of carbon source offered during the PHB accumulation phase under nitrogen limitation. In the case of the strain harboring the control plasmid, and in comparison to fructose as carbon source, PHB accumulation was 2.15, 2.83, and 2.60 times faster when resuspended in nitrogen-free medium with lactate, acetate, or 3-hydroxybutyrate, respectively. The strain harboring the PHB operon-containing plasmid synthesized PHB at a lower specific rate in each case. During exponential growth on fructose, the strain harboring the control plasmid was again more efficient at forming PHB. These results suggest that increasing the intracellular concentration of PHB precursors may be a superior alternative to raising the levels of PHB enzymes for enhancing PHB productivity in R. eutropha .
An Oxidized Lipid–Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ–Chemokine Pathway in the Regulation of Macrophage-Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Adhesion

Recent genetic studies have implicated pro-inflammatory chemokines and chemokine receptors in atherogenesis. Studies at the molecular and cellular levels have suggested specific atherogenic mechanisms for two chemokine-chemokine receptor pairs, CCL2-CCR2 and CX3CL1-CX3CR1, involving differential receptor regulation by the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ . This pathway is triggered by oxidized proatherogenic lipids, such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein and linoleic acid derivatives, which promote differentiation of CCR2 hi CX3CR1 lo human monocytes to CCR2 lo CX3CR1 hi macrophages that adhere to coronary artery smooth muscle cells in a CX3CR1- and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ -dependent manner. Switching CX3CR1 on and CCR2 off in vivo may result in cessation of CCR2-dependent migration and activation of CX3CR1-dependent retention that together may promote foam cell accumulation in the vessel wall.
Former ENSO events probed at International Symposium

From March 4–7, 1992, over 120 scientists from North and South America and Europe met in Lima, Peru, to discuss evidence of past El Nino occurrences. The International Symposium on Former ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) Phenomena in Western South America was organized by J. Machare of the Instituto Geofisico del Peru and Institut Francais d'Etudes Andines, and L. Ortlieb of ORSTOM, Institut Francais de Recherche Scientifique pour le Developpement en Cooperation, and was supported by numerous French, Peruvian, and U.S. agencies.
Substrate coherency driven octahedral rotations in perovskite oxide films

We perform first-principles density-functional calculations to explore the role of substrate proximity effects on the octahedral rotation patterns in perovskite oxide superlattices. With cubic perovskite ${\text{SrFeO}}_{3}$ as our model film and tetragonal ${\text{SrTiO}}_{3}$ as the substrate, we show that in most cases the substrate octahedral rotation patterns propagate into the film across the heterointerface. We also identify elastic boundary conditions for which the enforced structural coherence induces atomic displacement patterns that are not found in the bulk phase diagram of either individual constituent. We suggest that such substrate coherency-induced octahedral texturing of thin film oxides is a promising approach for tuning the electronic structure of functional oxide thin films.
Kinematic evaluation of cruciate-retaining total knee replacement patients during level walking: A comparison with the displacement-controlled ISO standard

Differences between wear-scar features of simulator-tested and retrieved tibial total knee replacement (TKR) liners have been reported. This disagreement may result from differences between in vivo kinematic profiles and those defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The purpose of this study was to determine the knee kinematics of a TKR subject group during level walking and compare them with the motion profiles defined by the ISO standard for a displacement-controlled knee wear testing simulator. Twenty-nine patients with a posterior cruciate ligament-retaining TKR design were gait tested using the point cluster technique to obtain flexion-extension (FE) rotation, anterior-posterior (AP) translation and internal-external (IE) rotation knee motions during a complete cycle of level walking. Relative ranges of motion and timing of key points within the in vivo motion data were compared against the same ranges and same key points from the input profiles of the displacement-controlled wear testing standard ISO14243-3. The subjects exhibited a FE pattern similar to ISO, with an insignificant difference in range of FE rotation from midstance to terminal stance. However, the subjects had a significantly higher range of knee flexion from terminal stance into swing. The subjects also exhibited a phase delay for the entire gait cycle. For AP translation, the standard profile had statistically significant lower magnitudes than seen in vivo. Opposite pattern of AP motion was also apparent from midstance and swing. Similarly, ISO specified a smaller IE total range of rotation with a motion pattern in complete opposition to that seen in vivo. In conclusion, significant differences were found in both the magnitudes and pattern of in vivo motion compared with ISO.
The Play Community: A Student-Centered Model for Physical Education

As a result of their participation in K–12 physical education, students should obtain high levels of physical activity and learn motor and/or sport skills. How to accomplish these outcomes in the context of K–12 physical education is a continuous challenge for teachers. The purpose of this article is to introduce the play community model, which addresses how to proceed in the current climate of public health demands and a continuing commitment to educational outcomes like skill/knowledge attainment. First, a theoretical foundation for the play community model is delineated. Second, practical suggestions for implementing the play community model in physical education are offered. An underlying assumption of the play community model is that students will develop skills and knowledge, and increase their activity levels and/or fitness when their aspirations to participate in an activity or sport are sufficiently strong. Under this model, a physical education teacher's primary responsibility is to create speci...
A Graphical Approach to Teaching Amplifier Design at the Undergraduate Level

Current methods of teaching basic amplifier design at the undergraduate level need further development to match today's technological advances. The general class approach to amplifier design is analytical and heavily based on mathematical manipulations. However, the students mathematical abilities are generally modest, creating a void in which basic design issues are lost. As a result, students are often puzzled when faced with advanced circuit design classes or design challenges presented by the industry. This paper recognizes the existence of such a void in the teaching of amplifier design at the undergraduate level, and proposes a novel graphical approach which presents the complete amplifier design in a visual form that is easy for the students to understand. Moreover, with the aid of computer-aided design (CAD) tools such as PSpice, this graphical approach promotes the students' mastery of the subject. The design of a bipolar junction transistor common-emitter (BJT-CE) amplifier is used here as an illustration of this approach.
New seed dormancy loci detected from weedy rice-derived advanced populations with major QTL alleles removed from the background

Domestication of cereal crops from wild relatives tended to eliminate seed dormancy. Our objective was to identify all the detectable seed dormancy loci that differentiated between a weedy and a cultivated line of rice to understand the impact of domestication on distribution of dormancy genes. Three additional dormancy quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified from two BC1F1 plant-derived F2 populations, in which the five previously known QTL-containing segments from the weedy rice donor were substituted by the genome of the recurrent parent. The three new QTLs that accounted for 8-11% phenotypic variance in the F2s were confirmed with three BC1F2 plant-derived F3 populations. Counting the seven previously identified QTLs, the parental lines differentiate at a total of ten dormancy loci that vary in dominance from dominant, partially dominant, co-dominant, to recessive types. The weedy and cultivated parents contribute dormancy alleles to eight and two of the ten loci, respectively. The two loci were newly detected. We concluded that a large proportion (8/10) of seed dormancy genes have been eliminated during domestication. The minor proportion (2/10) of dormancy genes retained in cultivars could be masked by those with a relatively large effect in a primary segregating population. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Gait of stance control orthosis users : The Dynamic Knee Brace System

Individuals with weak or absent quadriceps who wish to walk independently are prescribed knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs). New stance control orthosis (SCO) designs automatically release the knee t...
Biochemical and Metabolic Abnormalities in Articular Cartilage from Osteo-Arthritic Human Hips

Articular cartilage of the proximal end of the femur from twenty-four patients with osteo-arthritis and twenty "normal" controls with fractures of neck of the femur was obtained at the time of surgical replacement of the femoral head and studied by histologic, histochemical, biochemical, and metabol
Primary Socialization Theory and a Bio/Psycho/Social/Spiritual Practice Model for Substance Use

This article supports primary socialization theory as a theory for practitioners to use in drug-user treatment and prevention interventions. Primary socialization theory is compatible with the bio/psycho/social/spiritual practice model and targeting the individual within his or her etiological domains/situation to initiate specific interventions. Governmental institutions are posited as an additional secondary socialization factor for primary socialization theory. Gender is stressed as important for primary socialization theory and is emphasized for carrying out interventions.
Applied Active Control for a Nonlinear Aeroelastic Structure

Linear and nonlinear aeroelasticresponseisexamined using a uniquetest apparatusthat allowsforexperiments of plunge and pitch motion of a wing with prescribed stiffness characteristics. The addition of a control surface, combined with an active control system, extends the stable e ight region. Unsteady aerodynamics are modeled with an approximation to Theodorsen’ s theory appropriate for the low reduced frequencies associated with the experiment. Incorporated with a full-state feedback control law, an optimal observer is utilized to stabilize the system above the open-loop e utter velocity. Coulomb damping and hardening of the pitch stiffness are included to examine nonlinear control behavior. The nonlinear model is tested using the control laws developed from an extensionoflineartheory.EachmodelissimulatedusingMATLAB ® andcomparedwithexperimentalresultsofthe active control system. Excellent correlation between theory and experiment isachieved. Using an optimal observer and full-state feedback, the linear and nonlinear systems are stabilized at velocities that exceed the open-loop e utter velocity. Limited control is achieved when the system is undergoing limit cycle oscillations.
Observations on the Behavior of Rain Forest Peccaries in Perú: Why do White‐lipped Peccaries Form Herds?

and Summary The ecology and behavior of Tayassu tajacu and T. pecari were studied for a total period of 16 months in the years 1975–1978 in the Manu National Park in southeastern Peru. It appears from 132 sightings of T. tajacu at the study site, and from reports from other regions, that groups of this species in rain forest usually contain fewer than 12 individuals. The more observers were at the study site, the more frequently this species was encountered. T. tajacu also repeatedly used wallows in the forest. These observations suggested that individuals of this species were relatively sedentary. Herds of T. pecari were encountered on 60 occasions. Five counts indicated that there were over 100 individuals in the herds. This species was encountered at practically random intervals, independent of number of observers at the site, but more frequently in the dry season than in the rainy season. Adults of both species are prey primarily of large cats and humans. Both species feed on green plant parts, fruits, nuts and seeds, but T. pecari feeds on more resistant seeds and nuts than T. tajacu. The hardest palm nuts that only T. pecari can consume are distributed in a patchy manner. Cracking these nuts between the teeth causes the animals to be heard more than 50 m away. The patchy distribution of the hard nuts and seeds prevents T. pecari from being sedentary, and group formation likely has several individual benefits for foraging efficiency and defense against predators. These may include (1) avoidance of searching for food in places recently visited by others, (2) benefitting from the knowledge of experienced foragers, (3) reducing the per capita probability of detection by predators, (4) reducing the probability of being captured after group detection by predators, (5) increasing the ability to counterattack as a group, (6) increasing the probability of detecting the predator before it can attack, and (7) “confusing” the predator through escape behavior. T. tajacu seems to live in small groups because its typical foods are distributed more evenly and because consumption of these foods does not cause individuals to be so noticeable to predators.
Distributed Transmission Scheduling Using Code-Division Channelization

We present the Hybrid Activation Multiple Access scheduling protocol (HAMA) for wireless ad hoc networks. Unlike previous channel access scheduling protocols that activate either nodes or links only, HAMA is a node-activation oriented channel access scheduling protocol that also maximizes the chance of link activations. According to HAMA, the only required information for scheduling channel access at each node is the identifiers of neighbors within two hops. Using this neighborhood information, multiple winners for channel access are elected in each contention context, such as a time slot in a frequency band or a spreading code. Except for time slot synchronization and neighbor updates on the two-hop neighborhood changes, HAMA dedicates the bandwidth completely to data communication. The delay and throughput characteristics of HAMA are analyzed, and its performance is compared with pure node activation based scheduling protocols by simulations.
Career intentions of medical students in the setting of Nepal’s rapidly expanding private medical education system

The number of medical students trained in Nepal each year has increased nearly fifty-fold in the last 15 years, primarily through the creation of private medical schools. It is unknown where this expanding cohort of new physicians will ultimately practice. We distributed an anonymous survey to students in their last 2 years of medical school at four medical schools in Nepal to examine two dimensions of career intention: the intention to practice in Nepal and the intention to practice in rural areas. Eighty-five per cent of the eligible study population participated, for a total of 469 medical students. Of these, 88% thought it was likely they would practice in Nepal and 88% thought it likely they would practice in urban areas. Those students who indicated a greater likelihood of practicing abroad came from families with higher incomes, were more likely to think earning a good salary was very important to their decision to become a physician, and were less likely to think they could earn a good salary in Nepal. Students whose tuition was paid by the government were no more likely to indicate an intention to practice in Nepal than students paying their own tuition at private medical schools. Students who indicated a greater likelihood of practicing in rural areas were more likely to be male, to have gone to a government secondary school, to have been born in a village, or to have received a scholarship from the Ministry of Education that requires rural service. Based on our findings, we suggest the following policy changes: (1) medical schools consider selecting for students from rural backgrounds or government secondary schools who are more likely to intend to practice in rural areas, and (2) increase the number of post-graduate positions--weighted toward rural health needs--to retain students in Nepal.