cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
147 Persistence and Expansion of Seeded Marrow Cells in Dermal Substrate

Bone marrow cells have been used to potentiate wound healing in chronic wounds (Badiavas and Falanga, 2003). We postulate that the performance of these autografted cells may be enhanced by seeding them into scaffolding with normal skin architecture; indeed that the differentiation of the precursor cells may be determined by the juxtaposition of intact extracellular matrix. This might in turn lead to a prefabricated skin substitute capable of recapitulating fully functional skin. We are seeding murine gfp+ bone marrow cells, containing mixed mesenchymal and hematopoietic precursor cells into Alloderm®, a decellularized preserved skin graft. This seeding is potentiated by meshing the skin and gentle centrifugation of fresh marrow into the dermal aspect of the allograft. Other samples were merely co-cultured with the cells in Dexter’s media. Duplicate samples were fixed and stained with DAPI at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. Viewed under fluorescence, gfp+ cells are bright green.Comparing these images with DAPI-staining allows viable cells to be identified which are gfp+. H&E micrographs were used to ascertain cellular morphology. Results: Scant cells were observed in the allografts at the early time points. The cells were pleiomorphic with large nuclei, resembling hematopoietic precursors(Fig 1). Later, at days 7 and 14, more abundant cells were apparent, including some in the interior of the dermis. This signifies either migration or seeding via centrifugation. The morphology of these cells is significantly different; the spindle shape suggests a fibroblast (Fig 2). In addition, the population of gfp+ cells has markedly expanded by day 14, attaining near confluence in some sections (Fig 3). No cells were seen in controls (Fig 4). Conclusion: True skin replacement will only be possible when the panoply of skin appendages can be recapitulated. The experiments presented here are evidence that pluripotential precursor cells can be seeded into dermal matrices providing an optimal environment for regeneration. Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4.
Response to Comment on “Observational and Model Evidence for Positive Low-Level Cloud Feedback”

Broccoli and Klein argue for additional diagnostics to better assess the simulation of cloud feedbacks in climate models. We agree, and here provide additional analysis of two climate models that reveals where model deficiencies in cloud simulation in the Northeast Pacific may occur. Cloud diagnostics from the forthcoming Climate Model Intercomparison Project 5 should make such additional analyses possible for a large number of climate models.
Soliton dynamics, anti-Stokes generation, and diffraction in stimulated Raman scattering.

We have studied the diffractive coupling of Stokes, anti-Stokes, and pump fields in stimulated Raman scattering. We find that, depending on the strength of the anti-Stokes field relative to that of the Stokes, both soliton dynamics and beam-pointing fluctuations are affected for finite Fresnel numbers. The generation of the anti-Stokes waves can inhibit a gain-focusing mechanism that we predicted for the Stokes field, when a soliton propagates in the medium. Although no qualitative differences arise in the beam-pointing fluctuations of the Stokes field, we predict that the anti-Stokes beam may be much more stable than the Stokes counterpart. Our analysis shows that for a Fresnel number of 5, the difference can be as large as 70%, while for Fresnel numbers of order unity, it is nearly 10%.
Nitric Oxide and Atherosclerosis

Endothelial dysfunction has been shown in a wide range of vascular disorders including atherosclerosis and related diseases. Here, we examine and address the complex relationship among nitric oxide (NO)-mediated pathways and atherogenesis. In view of the numerous pathophysiological actions of NO, abnormalities could potentially occur at many sites: (a) impairment of membrane receptors in the arterial wall that interact with agonists or physiological stimuli capable of generating NO; (b) reduced concentrations or impaired utilization of l-arginine; (c) reduction in concentration or activity both of inducible and endothelial NO synthase; (d) impaired release of NO from the atherosclerotic damaged endothelium; (e) impaired NO diffusion from endothelium to vascular smooth muscle cells followed by decreased sensitivity to its vasodilator action; (f) local enhanced degradation of NO by increased generation of free radicals and/or oxidation-sensitive mechanisms; and (g) impaired interaction of NO with guanylate cyclase and consequent limitation of cyclic GMP production. Therefore, one target for new drugs should be the preservation or restoration of NO-mediated signaling pathways in arteries. Such novel therapeutic strategies may include administration of l-arginine/antioxidants and gene-transfer approaches.
Sintering of CoO: II, Intermediate Stage*

Dilatometry and stereology were used to study the intermediate-stage sintering of CoO as a function of O2 partial pressure and temperature. Volume-diffusion sintering kinetics were observed, but the diffusion coefficients calculated from the sintering data were between the values previously determined for Co and O using tracer techniques. The apparent diffusion coefficient is independent of po2 below 10−3 atm and increases with increasing po2 above this pressure. Carbon dioxide retards mass transport. Grain growth and sintering are correlated; the grain-growth rate constant is approximately proportional to the sintering volume-diffusion coefficient.
Photopolymerization of an expanding monomer with an aromatic dioxirane

The objective was to study the photocationic polymerization of an expanding monomer, 1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (TOSU), and an aromatic dioxirane, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). Both homopolymerizations and binary polymerizations were conducted. The homopolymer, poly(TOSU), was found to be a linear poly(carbonate), which was soluble in acetone. Poly(BADGE) products contained ether linkages in addition to primary and secondary alcohol functionalities. Binary polymerization products varied depending on the irradiation time and length of dark cure. 13C-NMR analysis of binary polymerizate products revealed peaks not seen in homopolymer spectra consistent with the formation of copolymer linkages. Mass spectrometry data revealed peaks consistent with oligomers that contained both TOSU and BADGE mer units. The structures of key reaction products were proposed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 62–71, 2004
Case report: Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx

A case of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx is presented. The case is unique for the extramedullary plasmacytoma's marked extension into the mediastinum. The computed tomography (CT) features are described.
Hyperbolic stress equations for compressible slabs

Abstract A constitutive law, chosen to model isotropic compressible slabs, is specialized for plane deformation and then substituted into the equations of motion. The resulting system is quasi-linear hyperbolic. Solutions depend on in situ measurements of a deformation-rate parameter, D . The characteristics of the hyperbolic system span a distance 2 DH , where H is the penetration of the characteristics into the slab.
Shiing-shen Chern: 1911–2004

Aquest article es un recull biografic de la vida i obra d'un dels mes grans geometres del segle xx.
Effect of Two Types of Hospital Feeding Gift Packs on Duration of Breast-Feeding Among Adolescent Mothers

Abstract Two hundred forty-four adolescent mothers under 18 years of age during a 15-month period, and 53% elected to breast-feed. A subset of 60 primiparous breast-feeding adolescents were enrolled in an investigator-blind, randomized; prospective study to compare the effects on breast-feeding duration of a standard hospital discharge feeding gift pack containing for mula and a specially designed study pack that was free of infant formula. Thirty-five percent of the 60 women breast-fed less than 1 month; 22% nursed longer than 1 month but less than 2 months; and 43% breast-fed more than 2 months. There was no significant difference in breast-feeding duration among mothers by gift pack group, although those who received the study gift pack rated it higher in usefulness ( p
Reproducible media in the early fifteenth century, mostly Italian

The fifteenth century embraced reproducible multiples with a concentrated zest and variety never before seen. The processes allowed for the production of objects, sometimes hundreds or thousands of them, that were largely indistinguishable from one another: plaquettes, portrait medals, engravings, printed book and type design; cartapesta and terracotta Madonna and Child sculptures, the re-emergence of small bronzes, or, slightly later, etchings, or glazed terracottas that could be assembled in any number of arrangements (not to mention earlier traditions in woodcut prints and coins). Many of the reproducible media types had proliferated for a decade or more before Gutenberg's successful machine was introduced around 1450. It would seem that some of these media, or more precisely the multiples milieu in which they emerged and thrived, facilitated the printing press's ultimate success. What do these objects reveal about the contemporaneous dynamic between art and the ‘market’ for art, between patron and artist, between the audience and the ‘aura’ of the original?
Implementing Intelligent Controls For A Multi-Sensor Equipped Robot (With Emphasis On Autonomous Hold-Site Analysis)

Our experience indicates that it is possible to implement a certain degree of intelligence in a robot using a hierarchical control architecture. The structure is that of a community of sensor expert systems modules coordinated and controlled by a higher-level expert system. Research in the optical module is discussed with emphasis on an expert system autonomous calculation of object holdsites and manupulator grip-vectors. Design of the expert sysem was validated through simulated tests.
Response time of thyristors: theoretical study and application to electronic switching networks

After restating the experimental definition of the response time of a low-power thyristor by assuming a well-defined dc triggering current, the authors show that the equivalent two-transistor representation of the thyristor leads to a theoretical interpretation of the triggering condition under certain simplifying assumptions. The accuracy of this theoretical model is shown to be satisfactory. A practical definition of the response time of a thyristor is proposed, and the literal expression of the response time as a function of the parameters of both constituent transistors is given. Examples of application are then given in the design of the switching networks of the IBM 2750, where thousands of thyristors are used as crosspoints arranged in matrices and connected in series.
Can we depend on investigators to identify and register randomized controlled trials

Purpose To reduce publication bias, systematic reviewers are advised to search conference abstracts to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in humans and not published in full. We assessed the information provided by authors to aid identification of RCTs for reviews.
Managing a front-line field hospital in Libya: Description of case mix and lessons learned for future humanitarian emergencies

Between June and August 2011, International Medical Corps deployed a field hospital near the front-line of the fighting between government troops and opposition fighters in Western Libya. The field hospital cared for over 1300 combatants and non-combatants from both sides of the conflict during that time period, the vast majority of them presenting with war-related inju- ries. Over 60% of battle-related injuries were due to shrapnel wounds and blast injuries from exploding small mortars, with smaller percentages due to battle-related motor vehicle accidents, gun shot wounds, burns, and other causes. The most pertinent lessons learned from our experience were the importance of dedicating significant resources to logistics and supply chain management,
Thinking politically: A framework for adult and continuing education

An analysis of the political aspects of adult education reveals multiple ways of examining the policies, programs, and practices that shape the roles of adult educators. This chapter presents a framework designed to encourage critical reflection about how the political landscape affects adult educators' work and lives, as well as ways that adult educators can affect change in that terrain.
Combined olecranon osteotomy and posterior triceps splitting approach for complex fractures of the distal humerus

Complex fractures involving the intercondylar/supracondylar distal humerus with extension into the mid to proximal humeral shaft are difficult to manage through a single standard surgical approach. We present and review a technique that combines an olecranon osteotomy with a posterior triceps splitting approach to the humerus. This technique was used in two patients who presented with severe intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus and extension proximally to the midshaft of the humerus. The technique allowed extensive distal humerus exposure, including the supracondylar/intercondylar region, and excellent exposure of the humeral shaft proximally to the surgical neck.
Some comments on flipped SU(5)×U(1) and flipped unification in general

A general group-theoretical discussion of flipped embeddings is given. In addition to the well-known flipped SU(5) and flipped SO(10), the existence of flipped ${\mathrm{E}}_{6}$ and ${\mathrm{E}}_{7}$ is shown, as well as several families and special cases of flipped embeddings. A possible physical reason, essentially based on the group theory of flipped embeddings, why nature prefers the low-energy group SU(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1) to alternatives such as SU(4)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1) and SU(5) is pointed out.
The IBM JBIG-ABIC verification suite

The IBM JBIG-ABIC Verification Suite is a newly designed verification suite that contains more than 5000 correctly encoded test images. Previously existing verification images in total and consolidated in an ad hoc suite tested only a small fraction of the algorithm and were inadequate. The IBM JBIG-ABIC Verification Suite provides compatibility testing reference data for the ITU-T/ISO JBIG sequential mode and IBM ABIC image compression standards. In this paper, the test images are described and related to the JBIG and ABIC compression standards and options. The verification suite was used to debug and verify the algorithms in the IBM JBIG-ABIC core that is integrated into the Xionics XipChip imaging microcontrollers.
A Three-Dimensional Foil Bearing Performance Map Applied to Oil-Free Turbomachinery

To effectively apply compliant foil gas bearings to increasingly larger and more challenging turbomachinery, a comprehensive method that compares a foil bearing's capabilities with the application's operating requirements is needed. Extensive laboratory and field experience suggests that foil bearing failure is generally due to thermal stress brought on by excessive viscous power loss; therefore, a map that graphically relates component- and system-level parameters (bearing size, applied loads, and shaft rotational speeds) directly to bearing power loss is more elucidating than a map based on a lumped speed/load parameter like the Sommerfeld number. In this article we describe a performance map featuring a three-dimensional contour plot that illustrates the expected power loss in a foil bearing as a function of applied load and shaft speed. Using this performance map, bearing capabilities can be examined at the anticipated system operating conditions and safety margins between an operating point and incip...
Non-Intellective Self-Report Variables As Predictors of Scholastic Achievement

AbstractA comparison of two studies in which the utility of two non-intellective variables, self-expectations and self concept of ability, as predictors of scholastic achievement was examined. Because of its established predictive potential, academic aptitude was included as an independent variable in the multiple regression equations. The results of the comparison show that no significant difference existed in the multiple correlation coefficients of the two female high school student samples. A significant difference was found in the coefficients of the two male samples. The sheer magnitude of the multiple R's was noteworthy. When the non-intellective variables were added to the regression equations, a sizeable gain in explaining variance in scholastic achievement was made over that usually reported.
Book Review Essayists: Andrew M. Isserman

Imagine a United States with no access to journals and other planning materials online, no use of photocopiers, the reading of journals restricted to certain rooms of libraries, and planners circul...
Genetics of allergen-induced asthma

Antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation are features of both human asthma and animal models of this disease. The genesis of these key asthma phenotypes represents the summation of a complex cascade of immune responses. It is hypothesized that multiple cell types are involved in the induction, propagation, and maintenance of these immune processes. Several molecules have been reported to be essential for cell-cell interactions, inflammatory cell recruitment, and effector functions leading to the overall expression of the asthmatic phenotype. This review summarizes the genetic evidence supporting a role for these molecules in antigen-driven airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.
Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for the treatment of steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent acute graft-versus-host disease of the skin

Background Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is a common complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. It is usually treated with high doses of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. When cutaneous features are predominant, narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy may be an attractive option for its steroid-sparing effect. Objective We sought to examine the clinical efficacy of NB-UVB in the treatment of steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent cutaneous aGvHD. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent aGvHD, who received NB-UVB between 2005 and 2009 at our institution. Results We identified 14 patients with aGvHD treated with NB-UVB between 2005 and 2009. The median number of treatments was 15, administered over a median of 43 days. Eight of 14 patients (57%) achieved a complete response at the end of treatment; an additional 3 patients (21%) achieved a partial response; and 3 patients (21%) showed no improvement at the time when phototherapy was discontinued (nonresponders). Four patients developed chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Three of the 8 complete responders remained free of GvHD at 6 months' follow-up. Limitations The rarity of steroid-refractory aGvHD limited the study to a small number of participants. Because GvHD is variable in its presentation and course, and life-threatening in many cases, large controlled prospective trials for potential therapies are difficult. Conclusions NB-UVB is a viable option for the treatment of steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent aGvHD of the skin.
The changing sex ratio of the navajo tribe

Abstract Data presented indicate that the sex ratio of the Navajo Tribe has shifted since the 1940's and now shows a preponderance of women rather than men. The reasons for this shift, which roughly parallel a similar shift in the general population of the United States, are : (1) a decline in maternal mortality rates; (2) an increase in male mortality rates, particularly from accidents; and (3) greater out‐migration of men than women. Some of the consequences of the changing ratio include: increasing proportion of young widows with dependent children; a growing desire for labor force participation on the part of women; out‐marriage of Navajo women; and, in the future, the probable isolation of elderly widows who may become the responsibility of social welfare agencies.
Technology and political advertising: The application of ethical standards to the 1992 spots

One of the major ethical concerns with political advertising is the use of video and computer technologies to alter and distort political messages. The project reported here uses content analysis to determine the frequency and types of technological distortions present in political spot advertising from the 1992 presidential campaign. Using a sample of 240 spots from primary and general election campaigns, the researcher found that 42 percent of the spots contained some type of technological distortion. Distortions were more likely to occur in negative spots than in positive ones.
Volumetric stereotaxy and the supratentorial occipitosubtemporal approach in the resection of posterior hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Resection of intracranial tumors in the posterior hippocampus and the parahippocampal gyrus can be associated with significant morbidity because of the parenchymal resection and the cortical retraction often required in gaining access to this infrequently explored region. With the use of image guidance, the occipitosubtemporal (OST) approach requires neither lateral cortical resection nor the placement of brain retractors to gain surgical access to the posterior hippocampus and the parahippocampal gyrus, and this approach is associated with a high rate of gross total tumor resection. METHODS: The computer-assisted volumetric stereotactic OST approach was used to resect 40 posterior hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus tumors in 34 consecutive patients during an 8-year period. Patient, radiographic, and surgical outcome data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The series included operations in 25 men and 15 women, and the patients' average age was 40.3 years (range, 15-69 yr). Twenty-five of the 40 procedures were performed to remove lesions in the dominant hemisphere, and previous craniotomies for resection had been performed in 12 of 40 cases. In 38 of 40 cases, histopathological analysis revealed a glial neoplasm, and 50% of these tumors were high-grade lesions. Preoperatively, 23 patients were neurologically intact before 40 procedures, whereas visual field deficits were noted in 7 patients, mild hemiparesis was documented in 4 patients, and other neurological deficits were present in 9 patients. An excellent outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale Grade 5) was noted after 38 (95%) of the 40 computer-assisted volumetric stereotactic OST procedures. Permanent postoperative hemiparesis (Glasgow Outcome Scale Grade 4) occurred after one procedure, and a second patient, despite being neurologically unchanged postoperatively and despite having had an optimal tumor resection, died on postoperative Day 33 (Glasgow Outcome Scale Grade 1). Complete resection of the preoperatively defined tumor volume was noted on postoperative gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging examinations after 39 (97.5%) of the 40 procedures. The average duration of clinical follow-up was 15.9 months (range, 0.5-67 mo). CONCLUSION: We think that the OST approach is well suited to the resection of tumors in the posterior hippocampus and the parahippocampal gyrus. By allowing the neurosurgeon to avoid unnecessary brain resection and retraction, this approach reduces the risk of injury to important lateral temporal and occipital lobe cortex and tracts. In addition, the resection of a posterior hippocampus or parahippocampal gyrus mass with the OST approach relieves temporal horn entrapment. Computer-assisted volumetric stereotaxy helps the neurosurgeon to maintain precise spatial and anatomic orientation and accurately delineates the margin between the tumor and the surrounding neural tissue.
Circuit Optimization and Vibration Analysis of Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting Systems

In this paper we investigate an electrical circuit and its optimization for vibration energy harvesting using electromagnetic transducer. A step-up DC-DC converter regulated by Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) is used to boost the voltage and control the power flow. An analytical expression for the optimal power flow from the rectified electromagnetic harvester is derived as a function of PWM duty cycle, vibration amplitude and frequency. Optimal duty cycles for both continuous and discontinuous modes are obtained analytically. The impedance of electromagnetic transducer and forward voltage drop of the diodes have been taken into account. It is also interesting to note that if a large inductor is adopted between the rectifier and step-up DC-DC converter, the energy harvesting system will exactly have the effect of Coulomb friction damper.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized by Highly Charged Polyelectrolyte-Grafted Silica Nanoparticles†

Fully sulfonated poly(styrenesulfonate) brushes were grown from the surface of colloidal silica particles and used to prepare stable trichloroethylene-in-water and heptane-in-water Pickering emulsions. These particles were highly charged and colloidally stable in water but could not be dispersed in trichloroethylene or heptane. Both two-phase (emulsion plus neat water) and three-phase (emulsion separating neat oil and water phases) systems were observed, with water-continuous emulsion phases in all cases. Emulsion phases containing as much as 83% (v/v) oil were stable for over six months. Poly(styrenesulfonate)-grafted particles were very efficient emulsifiers; stable emulsion phases were prepared when using as little as 0.04 wt% particles. The emulsifying effectiveness of the poly(styrenesulfonate)-grafted silica particles can be attributed to the hydrophobicity of the vinylic polymer backbone that makes this highly charged polyelectrolyte unusually surface active at the oil/water interface.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) inhibits in vivo iodide uptake and hormone synthesis in rat thyroid glands.

Decreased serum concentrations of T3 and T4 occur in patients treated with the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine (CBZ), but with rare exception, these patients remain euthyroid. The mechanism that accounts for diminished hormone levels is unknown, and our objective was to study the direct effect of CBZ on iodide uptake and hormone synthesis in thyroid glands of CBZ-treated and pair-fed control rats. Chronic ingestion (per os) of CBZ in male rats reduced the four hour thyroid 131I-iodide uptake by approximately 60%. This inhibition occured after the animals had received sufficient CBZ to attain plasma CBZ concentrations of 0.8 ug/ml. Continued treatment with CBZ ranging from 560 to 800 mg/kg/day for 14 days did not result in further inhibition of iodide uptake even though the plasma CBZ concentrations had increased 6–20 fold. No inhibition of iodide uptake was apparent when the animals initially received CBZ ranging from 40 to 152 mg/kg body weight for 22 days when there were no detectable levels of plasma...
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN BACTERIAL CULTURES ON THE MOVEMENT OF THE INTESTINES : I. THE EFFECT OF SOLUBLE TOXIC SUBSTANCES OF YOUNG CULTURES OF BACILLUS PARATYPHOSUS B.

Following intravenous injection, filtrates of young cultures of B. paratyphosus B often produce marked diarrhea in rabbits. A study was made of the effect of these toxic filtrates on the motility of the small intestines of the rabbit. The observations were made on a segment of the small intestines in situ, and in the living animal. It was found that an immediate slight rise of tone of the longitudinal muscles occurred following intravenous injection of sterile broth. The same rise was noted after the injection of the toxic filtrate; but with these it was followed later (10 minutes elapsing at least) by a very strong but gradual rise of the diastolic and systolic tone, i.e., by spasmodic contraction of the intestinal muscle, which persisted at times for as long as 2 hours. In order to record simultaneously the effect on the longitudinal and circular muscles, and the propulsive efficiency of the segment the Sollmann and Rademaekers modification of Baur's technique was employed. This arrangement showed that the stimulation of the longitudinal muscles is accompanied by a similarly strong stimulation of the circular muscles, by peristalsis, and therefore by a greatly increased propulsion of intestinal contents which was sufficient to overcome the inhibition that usually occurs after preparation of the animal. With this arrangement an instance of peristaltic spasm was also noted. Broth alone failed to produce the phenomenon. Isotonic magnesium chloride or sulfate added to the bath relaxed the muscles again. Animals under deep urethane anesthesia did not show the diarrhea occurring in the intact controls, but sometimes exhibited it after the effect of the anesthetic had disappeared. So far no effects have been observed on the isolated strip (Magnus method), and further studies are being made to localize the effect, to neutralize it with a specific antiserum, and to observe the effect of filtrates of other members of the bacterial group including the dysentery bacilli.
A theoretically sound and practicable equilibrium dialysis method for measuring percentage of free testosterone.

Abstract Free testosterone measured in serum equilibrated in vitro is considered a good index of biologically available testosterone even though a large part of free testosterone in vivo is derived locally from rapid dissociation of testosterone bound to albumin. The most accurate method for measuring free testosterone, however, is unsettled. The classical method—equilibrium dialysis—has been questioned because of the dilution of serum that it entails and the previous inability to achieve identical results with diulted and undiluted serum. Essentially identical measurements of free testosterone were achieved in diluted and undiluted charcoal-stripped serum by using the dialysis method and calculation reported here. The measured free testosterone in undiluted whole serum from women was only 4–6% lower than the estimated physiological values. These results were obtained using a validated calculation, controlling pH, using physiological bicarbonate buffer at 37°C, maintaining a constant free ligand concentration for dilutions, measuring the water gain by the dialysis bag, and using highly purified labeled testosterone. The mean free testosterone for normal women was 0.17 ng/dl (0.11–0.23) and for hirsute women was 0.49 ng/dl (0.27–0.71). The testosterone not bound to testosterone-estradiol binding globulin, calculated from free testosterone and albumin concentrations, was close to the production rate/min of testosterone. The method should be adaptable to other ligands.
Enhancement of BRCA1 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Activity through Direct Interaction with the BARD1 Protein

The breast and ovarian cancer-specific tumor suppressor RING finger protein BRCA1 has been identified as an E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase through in vitro studies, which demonstrated that its RING finger domain can autoubiquitylate and monoubiquitylate histone H2A when supplied with Ub, E1, and UBC4 (E2). Here we report that the E3 ligase activity of the N-terminal 110 amino acid residues of BRCA1, which encodes a stable domain containing the RING finger, as well as that of the full-length BRCA1, was significantly enhanced by the BARD1 protein (residues 8–142), whose RING finger domain itself lacked Ub ligase activity in vitro. The results of mutagenesis studies indicate that the enhancement of BRCA1 E3 ligase activity by BARD1 depends on direct interaction between the two proteins. Using K48A and K63A Ub mutants, we found that BARD1 stimulated the formation of both Lys48- and Lys63-linked poly-Ub chains. However, the enhancement of BRCA1 autoubiquitylation by BARD1 mostly resulted in poly-Ub chains linked through Lys63, which could potentially activate biological pathways other than BRCA1 degradation. We also found that co-expression of BRCA1 and BARD1 in living cells increased the abundance and stability of both proteins and that this depended on their ability to heterodimerize.
Are Moral Qualities Response-Dependent?

Some fifteen years ago, John McDowell suggested that moral realists ought to exploit the analogy between moral qualities and secondary qualities. Rather than think of moral qualities as brutely there without any internal relation to some exercise of human sensibility, McDowell proposed that moral realists should claim that moral qualities are dispositions of a sort-dispositions to elicit merited responses in appropriate agents. 1 In the intervening years, McDowell's suggestion has been widely discussed and criticized. 2 My aim in this essay is to consider afresh the claim that moral qualities are secondary qualities-or as I shall call them, response-dependent qualities.3 I will argue that some of the more prominent objections to this position are inconclusive, but that there are other good reasons for rejecting it. If the overall argument of this essay is correct, then we shall have further grounds for thinking that the moral realist ought to defend what I will call a primary account of moral qualities.
Cirrhosis associated with heterozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency preceded by a remote history of panniculitis.

TO THE EDITOR: A controversial yet increasingly reported association between cryptogenic cirrhosis and the heterozygous -1-antitrypsin deficiency state exists in the literature (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). We present the unusual case of a cirrhotic patient eventually diagnosed with heterozygous phenotype MZ -1-antitrypsin deficiency who had been diagnosed 34 yr prior with panniculitis.
Distribution of 13N in rat tissues following intravenous administration of nitroso-labeled BCNU

The concentrations of label in 16 major organs and tissues of pentobarbital-sedated normal male rats were measured at six time points ranging from 0.2 to 50 min after IV injection of the antitumor drug BCNU labeled in the nitroso position with cyclotron-produced nitrogen-13. Initial (12-s) concentrations in the lungs, kidneys, and heart were 41, 13, and 11 times the whole-body average, respectively. Time for clearance of the first 50% of the injected dose from the circulation was of the order of several seconds. Estimated first-pass extractions of 70% or more were noted in the heart, kidneys, brain, stomach, small intestine, muscle, fat, and bone. Washout of label from the heart and lungs was quite rapid, removing most of the initially extracted 13N from these organs by 2 min after injection. Label concentrations in the kidneys exceeded those in all other tissues studied between 2 and 50 min. Secondary accumulation of 13N were observed in muscle, skin, liver, small intestine, and fat. Label concentrations in a number of tissues closely paralleled the steadily decreasing concentration in blood for various intervals between 5 and 50 min. The results suggest that the toxic insult to lung tissue from IV administered BCNU is effected in a period of several minutes. They also suggest that intra-arterial administration of the drug would significantly raise the target/non-target dose ratio and lower the incidence of pulmonary toxicity.
Internal tidal bores and bottom nepheloid layers

Abstract During a littoral optical environment project field study in shallow water off Oceanside, California, large spikes in optical attenuation (dominated by suspended particles) were observed in a near-bottom mooring. Using moored current meters together with aircraft remote imaging overflights and profiling anchor stations, we established that the spikes were associated with the trailing edges of internal solitary waves of depression of tidal frequency. Each trailing edge had a bore-like face with strong convergent bottom currents followed by a rank-ordered packet of solitons. The near bottom optical attenuation spikes were correlated with these bottom convergent currents at the trailing edge and were not correlated with high bottom stress. Higher optical attenuation was also found near surface at the leading edge of the internal solitary wave of depression. We suggest that in a similar manner to the accumulation and shoreward transport of particles in a surface convergence area (e.g., slick lines), the bottom convergence area at the trailing edge also accumulates and transports particles shoreward. Bottom convergence must be associated with vertical motions which can help in lifting the nepheloid layer off the bottom. This scenario has implications for near bottom optical searches, for transport of non-buoyant zooplankton and for sediment redistribution.
Evaluation of Thermal Comfort in an Air Conditioning Room Using a CFD Model

In order to obtain the thermal comfort work environment, the distribution of temperature and airflow velocity in typical computer room of school building is discussed with different supply air angles and velocities of incidence by CFD model. The calculated temperature after cooling in the room has a good agreement with the measured value. Furthermore, the distribution of temperature and airflow is uniform and the environment is comfort for working with supply air angles and velocity of incidence 45° and 60° and supply air velocity of incidence 1m/s comparing with that of other parameters. Additionally, the change of temperature becomes slow down with the increment of time and the air-conditioning has less influence on the change of temperature after about 900s with supply air angle and velocity of incidence 45°and 1m/s, respectively. The research is of great significance both in theory and practice to design air conditioning systems and evaluate the thermal comfort conditions.
Facilitatory and inhibitory modulation of wide-field neuron activity in postcruciate cerebral cortex of the domestic cat.

Abstract A large sample of single neurons was gathered from the forepaw topographic focus in cytoarchitectonic field 4γ of the posterior sigmoid gyrus. Sufficient data were gathered on 596 m (wide-field) neurons to perform a quantitative analysis via the model of sa (small-field) neuron modulation of neighboring m neurons, with the aid of the property of coadunate behavior among the m neurons. A method is shown whereby the sign and magnitude of the net modulation can be calculated for each individual m neuron following stimulation of the contralateral forepaw. Using the coadunate property of m neurons to forecast an expected response latency for each individual m neuron following contralateral forepaw stimulation, the ratio of the observed to expected response latencies is then used to order the m neurons along an excitability modulation axis. This ordering is shown to impose a high degree of order onto all other measured neuron response properties, in a manner consistent with the idea of facilitatory and inhibitory modulation by local sa neurons. The tenability of the model is thereby enhanced.
Statistical Sampling to Instantiate Materialized View Selection Problems in Data Warehouses

In any online decision support system, the backbone is a data warehouse. In order to facilitate rapid response to complex business decision support queries, it is a common practice to materialize an appropriate set of the views at the data warehouse. However, it typically requires the solution of the Materialized View Selection (MVS) problem to select the right set of views to materialize in order to achieve a certain level of service given a limited amount of resource such as materialization time, storage space, or view maintenance time. Dynamic changes in the source data and the end users requirement necessitate rapid and repetitive instantiation and solution of the MVS problem. In an online decision support context, time is of the essence in finding acceptable solutions to this problem. In this chapter, we have used a novel approach to instantiate and solve four versions of the MVS problem using three sampling techniques and two databases. We compared these solutions with the optimal solutions corresponding to the actual problems. In our experimentation, we found that the sampling approach resulted in substantial savings in time while producing good solutions.
Significant evidence for a heritable contribution to cancer predisposition: a review of cancer familiality by site

Background/Aims Sound and rigorous well-established, and newly extended, methods for genetic epidemiological analysis were used to analyze population evidence for genetic contributions to risk for numerous common cancer sites in Utah. The Utah Population Database (UPDB) has provided important illumination of the familial contribution to cancer risk by cancer site.
P50 changes with visual interference in normal subjects: a sensory distraction model for schizophrenia.

Twenty-five normal subjects were tested in a Conditioning-Testing (S1-S2) auditory P50 study. Each subject was tested twice under two experimental conditions : distraction condition (with light interference) and control condition (without interference). Results showed that S1 P50 amplitude was significantly decreased with visual interference compared with that in the control condition, while the S2 response remained unchanged. Consequently, the S2/S1 gating ratio was also increased remarkably in the distraction condition. The auditory EP changes with the visual distraction in normals closely resembled the abnormal findings in schizophrenic subjects. These data may provide an alternative model to elucidate the psychophysiological mechanism that possibly rules the changes of attention in schizophrenia.
Phase Transformation of Nanosized ZrO2 upon Thermal Annealing and Intense Radiation

The phase stability and microstructure evolution of zirconia nanofilms on Si substrates prepared by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) upon thermal annealing and intensive radiation have been stud...
Caveats of balloon dilation of conduits and conduit valves

The results and complications of percutaneous balloon dilation involving 10 patients with a stenotic right ventricle to pulmonary artery prosthetic conduit and 1 patient with an obstructed right atrium to left pulmonary artery Dacron graft (modified Fontan) are reported. For the 10 patients (14.5 +/- 5 years) with a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit, the mean (+/- SD) predilation conduit valve gradient was 57 +/- 22 mm Hg, right ventricular pressure 104 +/- 21 mm Hg and right ventricle to pulmonary artery gradient 75 +/- 23 mm Hg; 2 of the patients had additional pulmonary artery stenosis requiring dilation. In one patient, the balloon could not be advanced across the conduit valve. In 9 of 10 patients in whom dilation was successfully performed, the conduit valve gradient decreased by 59 +/- 13%, right ventricle to pulmonary artery gradient by 43 +/- 22% and right ventricular pressure by 31 +/- 11%. After dilation, right ventricular pressure was less than 65% of systemic pressure in seven patients, although no pressure was less than 40%. In 8 of the 11 patients, surgery was avoided or postponed. Complications included loss of a balloon fragment after rupture during the unsuccessful dilation of the right atrium to left pulmonary artery graft and circumferential balloon rupture requiring catheter retrieval of the distal portion of the balloon from the femoral vein after successful dilation of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Conduit valve dilation by balloon can reduce but rarely eliminate conduit obstruction, and balloon rupture may occur and can result in fragment loss or embolization.
Family Factors in Child Care Research.

The purpose of this article is to review evidence concerning the joint impact of family characteristics and child care experiences in understanding children's development. Although child care experiences are related to children's development across a variety of domains, family characteristics, particularly socioeconomic status and parenting quality, are typically stronger predictors of children's outcomes. An important implication of these findings is that high-quality child care experiences are likely to have stronger effects on children who are at risk of poorer outcomes because of less optimal family environments; evidence from experimental and nonexperimental studies generally supports this conclusion. From a policy perspective, an important goal for future research is to identify subgroups of families within the heterogeneous low-income population that are in particular need of relatively more intensive services and to develop effective interventions that are tailored to their needs.
Memory‐related ERP components for experimentally learned faces and names: Characteristics and parallel‐test reliabilities

Previous research with preexperimentally familiar faces and names has identified several memory-related components in the event-related potential (ERP). Here we aimed to characterize these components while controlling the quality of long-term memory with a standardized learning procedure for unfamiliar faces and names. After 1 week, recognition was tested in a repetition priming paradigm. Both early repetition effects (ERE/N250r) and old/new effects had very similar time course and domain-related scalp topographies as has been reported for preexperimentally familiar stimuli. The late repetition effects (LRE/N400) showed domain-specific scalp topographies, possibly reflecting the greater ease of deriving semantic codes from faces. Importantly, parallel-test reliabilities of performance and memory-related ERP components were high, thus demonstrating the utility of face learning for formal assessment procedures in person recognition.
Perceptions of Quality of Life in Hispanic Patients with Cancer

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of quality of life (QOL) of Hispanic patients with cancer pain. Description of study This qualitative pilot study is guided by the conceptual framework of pain and QOL. From interviews with 17 Hispanic patients with cancer pain, data on perceptions of QOL were analyzed and are reported here. Results The study demonstrated the influence of culture on perceptions of QOL and the impact of pain on QOL. Several themes were identified for each domain of QOL, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. The role of the family and faith in God were important components of QOL for all patients. Clinical implications It is important for clinicians to devote greater attention to cultural assessment and to include cultural beliefs in cancer care to improve QOL for Hispanic patients. The role of the family and religious beliefs should be included in the planning and evaluation of each patient's care.
A Self-Compensating Temperature Indicator

The following paper describes a unique adaptation of the temperature sensitive magnetic alloys known as ``calmaloy'' to the cold junction compensation of thermocouple temperature indicators. It has been known for some time that certain specially prepared copper-nickel alloys possess the property of changing permeability linearly with temperature over very wide ranges. This peculiar function of permeability has been advantageously used for effecting temperature compensation on different devices, particularly watthour meters. The need has recently arisen of providing suitable compensation for millivolt meters used in connection with thermocouples for determining the temperatures of air cooled aircraft motors. It is shown that by employing the restoring torque on the instrument produced by a small vane of calmaloy in addition to the usual restoring torque of the spring, a very satisfactory compensation results. Curves are shown which illustrate the accuracy of compensation obtained and a detailed explanation of just how it is accomplished is also given.