cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone treatment in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Final adult height is often compromised in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This report examines the impact of growth hormone (GH) with or without LHRH analogue (LHRHa) on final adult height in patients with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Boys and girls with CAH who had a predicted final height of more than 2 SD below their mid-parental target height or more than 2 SD below the population mean were eligible for treatment with GH. Other inclusion criteria included open epiphyses (bone age <14 years for boys and bone age <13 years for girls) and bone age ≥1 standard deviation above the mean for chronological age. Subjects received GH (starting dose of 0.3 mg/kg/week) until final adult height was reached. Final adult height was defined as growth velocity ≤1.5 cm/year over a 6-month period and bone age ≥15 in girls or ≥17 in boys. Patients with early central puberty were also treated with an LHRHa. The primary outcome variable was final adult height. Secondary outcome variables were gain in height (final height minus initial predicted height) and height discrepancy (final height minus target height). We report the results of 31 GH-treated CAH patients who have reached final adult height. Mean duration of growth hormone treatment was 4.5 years for girls and 4.9 years for boys. Mean duration of LHRHa therapy was 4.2 years. Girls (n = 15) reached a mean final adult height of 162.1 cm, in contrast to a mean initial predicted height of 153.0 cm.
The Cultural Story in Multicultural Family Therapy

Cultural story assumes that a family brings to therapy not only a story of their idiosyncratic family problems, but that this story has been developed within the context of society's stories about ...
Immunosuppression and experimental virus infection of the nervous system.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the current views of the pathogenesis of virus infections of the nervous system, with particular attention to certain aspects of virus-host interactions. Following invasion of the central nervous system, infection can follow a variety of patterns, as to number and distribution of neuronal and non-neuronal cells involved. There is a corresponding diversity in the pathological lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) produced by acute virus infection. Infection can be pictured as a race between virus and host defenses, where many factors, acting through different mechanisms, can influence the outcome. Outcome is always determined by multiple virus and host variables, although single variables can be independently studied under experimentally controlled conditions in the laboratory. The chapter demonstrates that in many virus-host combinations, the immune response plays an important role in recovery from primary infections. It mentions that an immunopathological process mediates the disease which follows certain CNS virus infections.
Simplifying Game-Based Definitions

Often the simplest way of specifying game-based cryptographic definitions is apparently barred because the adversary would have some trivial win. Disallowing or invalidating these wins can lead to complex or unconvincing definitions. We suggest a generic way around this difficulty. We call it indistinguishability up to correctness, or IND\(\vert \)C. Given games \({{\text {G}}}\) and \({{\text {H}}}\) and a correctness condition \({{\text {C}}}\) we define an advantage measure \({\mathbf {Adv}_{{{\text {G}}},{{\text {H}}},{{\text {C}}}}^{{\text {indc}}}}\) wherein \({{{\text {G}}}}\)/\({{{\text {H}}}}\) distinguishing attacks are effaced to the extent that they are inevitable due to \({{\text {C}}}\). We formalize this in the language of oracle silencing, an alternative to exclusion-style and penalty-style definitions. We apply our ideas to a domain where game-based definitions have been cumbersome: stateful authenticated-encryption (sAE). We rework existing sAE notions and encompass new ones, like replay-free AE permitting a specified degree of out-of-order message delivery.
Energy-modulated x-ray fluorescence and luminescence emissions from therapeutic nanoparticles

In this study, we have investigated the possibility of modulating x-ray fluorescence (XF) and x-ray luminescence (XL) emissions from therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs) by fine-tuning the energy of incident x-rays from benchtop x-ray sources. We have carried out detailed experimental studies to determine the strength of XF and XL emissions from Y2O3:Eu3+ and LaF3:Tb3+ NPs being irradiated with x-rays from benchtop x-ray sources operated with different tube-voltages and coupled to various filter configurations. These studies demonstrated that low-energy x-rays with average energy at around 10-15 keV are the most efficient to stimulate XL emission from the Y2O3:Eu3+ and LaF3:Tb3+ NPs. The efficiency falls quickly when x-ray energies go above or below the optimum energy range. As one would expect, x-rays with average energy just above the corresponding absorption edge of the target metal would be the most efficient in inducing XF emission. In this study, we have also demonstrated that one could fine-tune the incident x-ray energy to modulate the XL and XF emissions, such as (a) selectively inducing either XL or XF emission from the same type of NPs, (b) inducing preferential XL activation of Y2O3:Eu3+ over LaF3:Eu3+ or controlling the ratio of XL activation of these two types of NPs, and (c) introducing preferential XF emission from one type of NPs over the other. As a potential application, one could optimize the energy-characteristics of the incident x-rays to facilitate multiplexed combinatorial delivery of photodynamic therapy (X-PDT), where different agents could be administrated and then selectively activated in user-defined spatial and temporal patterns to fulfill combinatorial therapeutic effects. The understanding gained through this study could prove critical for enhancing the therapeutic delivery in X-PDT, and for attaining high-quality x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) and x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) images while minimizing the x-ray dose to the sample.
Tackling signal electromigration with learning-based detection and multistage mitigation

With the continuous scaling of integrated circuit (IC) technologies, electromigration (EM) prevails as one of the major reliability challenges facing the design of robust circuits. With such aggressive scaling in advanced technology nodes, signal nets experience high switching frequency, which further exacerbates the signal EM effect. Traditionally, signal EM fixing approaches analyze EM violations after the routing stage and repair is attempted via iterative incremental routing or cell resizing techniques. However, these "EM-analysis-then fix" approaches are ill-equipped when faced with the ever-growing EM violations in advanced technology nodes. In this work, we propose a novel signal EM handling framework that (i) incorporates EM detection and fixing techniques into earlier stages of the physical design process, and (ii) integrates machine learning based detection alongside a multistage mitigation. Experimental results demonstrate that our framework can achieve 15x speedup when compared to the state-of-the-art EDA tool while achieving similar performance in terms of EM mitigation and overhead.
Homeownership and high-cost alternative borrowing

Homeowners are generally less likely to use short-term alternative loans such as payday loans, car title loans, and tax refund anticipation loans but this association has not been fully explored ac...
Scalable Bayesian variable selection regression models for count data

Abstract Variable selection, also known as feature selection in the machine learning literature, plays an indispensable role in scientific studies. In many research areas with massive data, finding a subset of representative features that best explain the outcome of interest has become a critical component in any researcher's workflow. In this chapter, we focus on Bayesian variable selection regression models for count data, and specifically on the negative binomial linear regression model and on the Dirichlet-multinomial regression model. We address the variable selection problem via spike-and-slab priors. For posterior inference, we review standard MCMC methods and also investigate computationally more efficient variational inference approaches that use data augmentation techniques and concrete relaxation methods. We investigate performance of the methods via simulation studies and benchmark data sets.
Chapter 13 – A Taphonomic Analysis of Human Cremains from the Fox Hollow Farm Serial Homicide Site

The Fox Hollow Farm assemblage presented numerous difficulties for the forensic anthropologists involved in the recovery and analysis. The study examined in this chapter is conducted to help shed light on the behavioural (assailant-induced) and environmental factors that altered the remains in the postmortem interval. The goal is to determine whether the physical characteristics of the cremains could indicate if at least some of the victims were burned in a fleshed or dry state even though the fragments had been transported and buried subsequent to burning. Fox Hollow remains are compared with five other samples of burned bones, at least four of which were known to have been burned or cremated in a fleshed state. These five samples experienced different postburning histories, including plowing, excavation, commercial pulverising and anatomical study. Some were collected quickly after death, while others had been buried. The Fox Hollow remains do display fractures that are associated with burning of fresh or fleshed remains, including deep transverse, longitudinal and curvilinear fractures, delamination and warping. However, the occurrence of the fracture types in the Fox Hollow sample is considerably lower than that displayed by most of the other samples. By itself, this evidence would seem to suggest that a larger number of Fox Hollow victims were burned in a dry state than in a fleshed state.
Vertical Distribution of Insect Pests Using Insect Towers Placed Near Potato Fields in the Lower Columbia Basin.

This study was conducted at the Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hermiston, Umatilla County, OR, during the 2016 and 2017 potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), growing seasons. The objective was to determine the vertical distribution of hemipteran (Bactericera cockerelli Sulc, Circulifer tenellus Baker, Myzus persicae Sulzer, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, and Lygus spp.) and thysanopteran (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande and Thrips tabaci Lindeman) potato pests using insect towers placed near potato fields. Towers were 8 m tall and secured to the ground with metal cables. In each tower, yellow sticky cards were mounted at 1.5 m intervals up to 7.6 m aboveground. Data were collected at 7-d intervals from mid-April until mid or end of August. This study showed that B. cockerelli, C. tenellus, M. persicae, Lygus spp., and both species of thrips were captured on sticky cards placed closest to the ground; in both years, as sticky card height increased, abundances decreased. In contrast, trapped M. euphorbiae numbers were not affected by sticky card height. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the lower Columbia Basin of Oregon that evaluated the vertical distribution of major potato pests.
Injectable nanofibrillar hydrogels based on charge-complementary peptide co-assemblies.

Injectable hydrogels are attractive for therapeutic delivery because they can be locally administered through minimally-invasive routes. Charge-complementary peptide nanofibers provide hydrogels that are suitable for encapsulation of biotherapeutics, such as cells and proteins, because they assemble under physiological temperature, pH, and ionic strength. However, relationships between the sequences of charge-complementary peptides and the physical properties of the hydrogels that they form are not well understood. Here we show that hydrogel viscoelasticity, pore size, and pore structure depend on the pairing of charge-complementary “CATCH(+/−)” peptides. Oscillatory rheology demonstrated that co-assemblies of CATCH(4+/4−), CATCH(4+/6−), CATCH(6+/4−), and CATCH(6+/6−) formed viscoelastic gels that can recover after high-shear and high-strain disruption, although the extent of recovery depends on the peptide pairing. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that hydrogel pore size and pore wall also depend on peptide pairing, and that these properties change to different extents after injection. In contrast, no obvious correlation was observed between nanofiber charge state, measured with ζ-potential, and hydrogel physical properties. CATCH(4+/6−) hydrogels injected into the subcutaneous space elicited weak, transient inflammation whereas CATCH(6+/4−) hydrogels induced stronger inflammation. No antibodies were raised against the CATCH(4+) or CATCH(6−) peptides following multiple challenges in vehicle or when co-administered with an adjuvant. These results demonstrate that CATCH(+/−) peptides form biocompatible injectable hydrogels with viscoelastic properties that can be tuned by varying peptide sequence, establishing their potential as carriers for localized delivery of therapeutic cargoes.
Review of Approaches for Increasing Ophthalmic Bioavailability for Eye Drop Formulations

Ophthalmic diseases represent a significant problem as over 2 billion people worldwide suffer from vison impairment and blindness. Eye drops account for around 90% of ophthalmic medications but are limited in success due to poor patient compliance and low bioavailability. Low bioavailability can be attributed to short retention times in the eye caused by rapid tear turnover and the difficulty of drug diffusion through the multi-layered structure of the eye that includes lipid-rich endothelial and epithelial layers as well as the stroma which is high in water content. In addition, there are barriers such as tight junctional complexes in the corneal epithelium, lacrimal turnover, nasolacrimal drainage, blinking reflexes, efflux transporters, drug metabolism by ocular enzymes, and drug binding to or repulsion from conjunctival mucins, tear proteins, and melanin. In order to maximize transport through the cornea while minimizing drug loss through other pathways, researchers have developed numerous methods to improve eye drop formulations including the addition of viscosity enhancers, permeability enhancers, mucoadhesives, and vasoconstrictors, or using formulations that include puncta occlusion, nanocarriers, or prodrugs. This review explains the mechanism behind each of these methods, examines their history, analyzes previous and current research, evaluates future applications, and discusses the pros and cons of each technique.
Banking Relationships and the Formation of Supply-Chain Relationships

I study the effect of banking relationships on the formation of new supply-chain relationships. I find that common banking relationships between a firm and a potential supplier increase the probability that the potential supplier will be selected to start a new supply-chain relationship. The effect is driven by firms in low-innovation industries. However, when accounting for the endogeneity of supply-chain and banking relationships, using bank branch location as an instrument for common banking relationships, the effect of common banks is negative, suggesting that supply-chain partners avoid common lenders for fear that sensitive information might leak through the bank to the supply-chain partner.
Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease Events in SWAN.

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women has unique features, including associations with reproductive factors that are incompletely understood. Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), the classic menopa...
Signaling Components and Pathways

The survival of a multicellular organism requires a carefully orchestrated net work of inter-cellular communications which regulate every aspect of growth, metabolic function, differentiation, development and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Cells of both unicellular and multicellular organisms respond to stimuli in their environments in intricately sensitive and selective manners. These responses are temporally ordered, varied and frequently complex, ranging in complexity from sensory signals such as photons of light, to proteins on adjacent cells. Analogously, cellular responses vary significantly from relatively simple modifications of metabolic pathways, to global structural rearrangements affecting the entire cell. In addition to the commonly recognized extracellular stimuli, cells may also respond to intracellular signals (inside-out signaling). Examples of inside-out signaling will be described in subsequent chapters. Chapter 2 will focus largely on the transduction of extracellular signals in the more classical outside-in mode and will describe in general terms the components and general molecular mechanisms for transduction of signals. The objective of this chapter is to acquaint the reader with the most basic aspects of this rapidly expanding field, the concepts, classes of components and molecular mechanisms important in the transduction of signals. Where appropriate, attention will be drawn to the signaling systems or components which have been shown to interact with the cytoskeleton or to regulate its organization. Of necessity, the descriptions will be cursory and review or overview articles will be cited prominently.
Strangulated Internal Hernia Behind the Common Iliac Artery Following Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection

We report a rare case of a strangulated internal hernia behind the common iliac artery after robot-assisted pelvic lymph node dissection. Internal hernias involving the retroperitoneal vascular axis have been reported four times in medical literature. This is the first time it has been seen after robotic surgery.
Factors Affecting the Implementability of Stock Market Trading Strategies

A substantial body of academic literature provides evidence of stock market trading strategies that generate appreciable abnormal returns. However, there are a number of factors that could partially or fully mitigate the ability of market participants to implement these trading strategies, such as price pressure, restrictions against short sales, and incentives to hold no more than 5% ownership in a firm. We investigate the extent to which these factors account for the evidence of abnormal returns found in seven trading strategies documented in prior research. We find that the size and return reversal trading strategies do not perform well in the presence of the various constraints, whereas the cash flow-to-price, return momentum, post-earnings announcement drift, and operating accrual strategies generally continue to generate significant positive abnormal returns. We find that the book-to-market strategy generates significant positive abnormal returns in about 50% of the scenarios we examine. We find that all of the strategies generate positive abnormal returns in the presence of the restriction against short sales, but that price impact adjustments and constraints on holding more than a 5% stake in any portfolio firm each have a large negative effect on portfolio returns. We also find that equally-weighted portfolio allocations generally perform better than value-weighted allocations and funds with a greater number of stocks and/or lower initial market capitalization also generally produce higher returns. Finally, we find that portfolios that engage in short positions perform worse than long-only portfolios due primarily to the sustained increase in stock prices during the sample period.
A Typed Interrupt Calculus

Most real-time systems require responsive interrupt handling. Programming of interrupt handlers is challenging: in order to ensure responsiveness, it is often necessary to have interrupt processing enabled in the body of lower priority handlers. It would be a programming error to allow the interrupt handlers to interrupt each other in a cyclic fashion; it could lead to an unbounded stack. Until now, static checking for such errors could only be done using model checking. However, the needed form of model checking requires a whole-program analysis that cannot check program fragments. In this paper, we present a calculus that contains essential constructs for programming interrupt-driven systems. The calculus has a static type system that guarantees stack boundedness and enables modular type checking. A number of common programming idioms have been type checked using our prototype implementation.
Enhanced production of neutron-rich rare isotopes in the reaction of 25 MeV/nucleon 86Kr on 64Ni

Abstract The cross sections and velocity distributions of projectile-like fragments from the reaction of 25 MeV/nucleon 86Kr+64Ni have been measured using the MARS recoil separator at Texas A&M, with special emphasis on the neutron rich isotopes. Proton-removal and neutron pick-up isotopes have been observed with large cross sections. A model of deep-inelastic transfer (DIT) for the primary interaction stage and the statistical evaporation code GEMINI for the deexcitation stage have been used to describe the properties of the product distributions. The results have also been compared with the EPAX parametrization of high-energy fragmentation yields. The experimental data show an enhancement in the production of neutron-rich isotopes close to the projectile, relative to the predictions of DIT/GEMINI and the expectations of the high-energy cross section parametrization EPAX. This enhancement is associated with peripheral interactions of the neutron rich 86Kr projectile with the neutron rich 64Ni target. The large cross sections of such reactions near the Fermi energy, involving peripheral nucleon exchange, suggest that both the N/Z of the projectile and the N/Z of the target may properly be exploited in the production of neutron-rich rare isotopes. This synthesis approach at this energy regime may offer a fruitful pathway to extremely neutron-rich nuclei, towards the neutron-drip line.
The auxiliary quasi-resonant DC link inverter

A quasi-resonant DC link converter topology is proposed. The basic topology of the auxiliary quasi-resonant DC link (AQRDCL) is derived from the auxiliary resonant commutated pole (ARCP) converter and is closely related to the active clamped resonant DC link (ACRDCL) circuit. The operation and gating control strategy of the AQRDCL converter, which ensures zero voltage switching of all inverter switches and zero current switching of the auxiliary switches, is presented. The proposed circuit utilizes auxiliary switches to trigger the LC resonance of the DC link to create a zero voltage switching opportunity for the inverter switches. The waveform quality and the performance of the AQRDCL inverter, which has PWM capability, is compared with the DPM strategy of the ACRDCL inverter. >
114 SURFACTANT PROTEIN A (SP-A) STIMULATES PROSTAGLANDIN E (PGE 2 ) PRODUCTION IN ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES

It has been proposed that signals for the onset of labor may be of fetal origin, but little evidence has been presented to support this possibility. The number of alveolar macrophages and the concentration of surfactant protein A (SP-A) in fetal lung fluid and in amniotic fluid increase markedly shortly before birth. Prostaglandins are of central importance in the initiation of labor. We studied the effect of SP-A and of surfactant lipids on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in alveolar macrophages. Alveolar macrophages were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of adult rabbits and incubated at a concentration of 5-7×106 cells/ml in RPMI with or without SP-A and/or surfactant lipids. After incubation for 16 h in an atmosphere of 5 % CO2 at 37°C the media were collected and PGE2 was measured by RIA. SP-A, at a concentration of 2, 6 and 10 μg/ml, increased the production of PGE2 in alveolar macrophages by 380, 930 and 1800 %, respectively. Surfactant lipids at concentrations of 50 to 1500 nmol/ml had no effect. SP-A supplemented with surfactant lipids gave similar results as SP-A alone. We propose that the interaction of SP-A with fetal alveolar macrophages is an important fetal signal for the initiation of labor.
Irradiation Response of Next Generation High Temperature Superconductors for Fusion Energy Applications

The latest generations of rare-earth substituted and nano-doped YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) high temperature superconductors (HTS) developed for applications in magnetic fields are being evaluated for poten...
Strawberry anthocyanin and its association with postprandial inflammation and insulin

The present study investigates the effect of strawberry antioxidants in beverage form on meal-induced postprandial inflammatory and insulin responses in human subjects. Overweight adults (n 24) consumed a high-carbohydrate, moderate-fat meal (HCFM) accompanied by either a strawberry or a placebo beverage in a cross-over design. Postprandial changes in plasma anthocyanins, their metabolites, insulin, glucose and inflammatory markers were assessed for 6 h. The postprandial concentrations of pelargonidin sulfate and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside were significantly increased when the strawberry beverage was consumed concurrently with the HCFM compared with the placebo beverage (P < 0·001). The strawberry beverage significantly attenuated the postprandial inflammatory response as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and IL-6 (P < 0·05) induced by the HCFM. It was also associated with a reduction in postprandial insulin response (P < 0·05). Collectively, these data provide evidence for favourable effects of strawberry antioxidants on postprandial inflammation and insulin sensitivity.
Transformation Superplasticity of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-4V/TiC Composites at High Stresses

Isothermal and thermal cycling tensile creep experiments are reported for Ti-6Al-4V and a Ti-6Al-4V/10 vol% TiC composite, in which the thermal cycles span a broad portion of the α/β phase transformation of Ti-6Al-4V. At low applied stresses, cyclic transformations give rise to transformation superplasticity, a deformation mechanism with higher rates of deformation and increased flow stability as compared to isothermal creep. At high stresses this flow stability is lost as a power-law regime is encountered. The experimental results are discussed in light of an analytical model, which considers creep of the weak β-phase under both the internal stresses caused by the transformation and the external stress produced by the applied load.
Diastolic Heart Sounds during Static (Handgrip) Exercise in Patients with Chest Pain

In order to determine the frequency of third and fourth heart sounds during cardiovascular stress, 61 patients with chest pain syndromes and normal resting phonocardiograms underwent phonocardiography both before and during submaximal handgrip exercise. Cardiac catheterization, selective coronary arteriography, and left ventriculography were performed in all patients. Twenty-nine had phonocardiograms simultaneous with hemodynamic studies. Twenty patients had normal coronary arteriograms; 41 had obstructive coronary artery disease. Fifteen percent of the subjects with normal coronary arteriograms and 54% of the patients with coronary artery disease developed diastolic heart sounds after handgrip exercise (P < 0.05). Conversely, 88% of the patients developing a diastolic heart sound had coronary artery disease. (If data from the present study are taken together with the previously reported prevalence of diastolic heart sounds at rest, it is estimated that these sounds can be readily demonstrated in approxim...
Targeting of drugs and drug carriers within the cardiovascular system

Abstract The targeting of pharmaceuticals within the cardiovascular system is reviewed. The delivery of both diagnostic and therapeutic agents is discussed with the use of different soluble and particulate carriers, including liposomes, microspheres, and cells. Targeting of pharmaceuticals to pathological areas of the vascular bed involves diagnostics and treatment of thromboses, atherosclerosis, and different malignancies. Special emphasis is put on the targeted diagnostics (visualization) of thromboses and targeted thrombolytic therapy. Antibody-mediated and magnetically driven delivery of thrombolytic enzymes is discussed. Targeting of atherosclerotic lesions with specific antibody-based diagnostic preparations is considered. The interaction of particulate carriers (liposomes) with endothelial cells is analyzed. Lung-targeted delivery can be performed via both respiratory and circulatory routes. A brief description of aerosolized preparations is presented. Drug and carrier targeting to lung-specific antigens is described with a special emphasis on lung malignancy targeting. Principal systems for drug targeting to compromised myocardium are reviewed, with a primary impact on those based on anti-cardiac myosin antibodies. Targeted visualization of myocardial infarction and myocarditis is discussed. Possible use of liposomes, immunoliposomes and long-circulating (immuno)liposomes for targeting of pharmaceuticals to the heart is also considered.
Signaling with Convertible Debt

We test whether the conversion price (ratio) is viewed by the stock market as a credible signal of the firm's future earnings prospects (Kim (1990)) and, subsequently, whether convertible debt serves as backdoor equity financing (Stein (1992)). Examining the conversion price in relation to current stock prices and a priori growth expectations produces an average expected time of less than 1.5 years for convertible bonds to be at-the-money. Thus, as Stein suggests, convertibles appear to be a method of drawing equity into a firm's capital structure. We also find that the size of the firm's announcement period abnormal returns is positively related to the expected time for the convertible to become at-the-money. Given these relationships, we conclude that convertible debt issue announcements, on average, send an equity-like signal to the market.
Generalization of Lambert's reflectance model

Lambert's model for body reflection is widely used in computer graphics. It is used extensively by rendering techniques such as radiosity and ray tracing. For several real-world objects, however, Lambert's model can prove to be a very inaccurate approximation to the body reflectance. While the brightness of a Lambertian surface is independent of viewing direction, that of a rough surface increases as the viewing direction approaches the light source direction. In this paper, a comprehensive model is developed that predicts body reflectance from rough surfaces. The surface is modeled as a collection of Lambertian facets. It is shown that such a surface is inherently non-Lambertian due to the foreshortening of the surface facets. Further, the model accounts for complex geometric and radiometric phenomena such as masking, shadowing, and interreflections between facets. Several experiments have been conducted on samples of rough diffuse surfaces, such as, plaster, sand, clay, and cloth. All these surface demonstrate significant deviation from Lambertian behavior. The reflectance measurements obtained are in strong agreement with the reflectance predicted by the model.
ROLE OF SMECTITES AND Al-SUBSTITUTED GOETHITES IN THE CATALYTIC CONDENSATION OF ARGININE AND GLUCOSE

The polyphenol theory of humic-substance formation has been studied extensively; however, an alternative theory, that humic substances are formed through the condensation of amino acids and reducing sugars (Maillard reaction), has not been explored to the same extent. The general objectives of this study were to determine whether smectites and goethites catalyze the abiotic polymerization of arginine and glucose to form humic-like compounds. The effects of smectite type, saturating cation, and the degree of Al substitution in goethites on the polymerization reaction were also studied. Four cation-saturated smectites and four Al-substituted goethites were incubated abiotically with solutions containing a mixture of arginine + glucose for 21 days at 37°C. After the incubations, total C recovered ranged from 80.6 to 123.8% and from 100.5 to 105.1% for the smectite and goethite systems, respectively. At the end of the incubations, 21.4–50.3% of the added C and 16.5–90% of the added N were sorbed on the various smectites, and 6.2–9.0% of the added C and 2.3–4.6% of added N was sorbed on the goethites in a form that could not be desorbed by washing with 100 mM CaCl2. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that some of the sorbed C was intercalated in the smectites and FTIR analysis provided evidence of new absorption bands at 1650 and 1668 cm−1, which are consistent with Maillard reaction products. Thus, it is concluded that smectites catalyze the condensation of arginine and glucose to form humic-like products. Goethites, however, have little or no ability to catalyze this reaction.
PAFAH Ib phospholipase A2 subunits have distinct roles in maintaining Golgi structure and function

Recent studies showed that the phospholipase subunits of Platelet Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase (PAFAH) Ib, α1 and α2 partially localize to the Golgi complex and regulate its structure and function. Using siRNA knockdown of individual subunits, we find that α1 and α2 perform overlapping and unique roles in regulating Golgi morphology, assembly, and secretory cargo trafficking. Knockdown of either α1 or α2 reduced secretion of soluble proteins, but neither single knockdown reduced secretion to the same degree as knockdown of both. Knockdown of α1 or α2 inhibited reassembly of an intact Golgi complex to the same extent as knockdown of both. Transport of VSV-G was slowed but at different steps in the secretory pathway: reduction of α1 slowed trans Golgi network to plasma membrane transport, whereas α2 loss reduced endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi trafficking. Similarly, knockdown of either subunit alone disrupted the Golgi complex but with markedly different morphologies. Finally, knockdown of α1, or double knockdown of α1 and α2, resulted in a significant redistribution of kinase dead protein kinase D from the Golgi to the plasma membrane, whereas loss of α2 alone had no such effect. These studies reveal an unexpected complexity in the regulation of Golgi structure and function by PAFAH Ib. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.
Trace Fossils of Middle Mississippian Carbonates, South-Central Indiana: ABSTRACT

Middle Mississippian (Meramecian) predominantly carbonate units of south-central Indiana, which include the Harrodsburg, Salem, St. Louis, and Ste. Genevieve Limestones, included the following environments: (1) sabkha (supratidal flats); (2) lagoons; (3) oolitic-and calcareous-sand bars and shoals; and (4) deeper shelf impure carbonates. Probably as functions of salinity and rate of deposition, these rocks range from being intensely bioturbated to a lack of recognizable bioturbation. Although several of the trace fossils cannot be currently assigned to recognized ichnogenera, the following forms have been recorded: Chondrites, Cylindrichnus(?), Planolites, Teichichnus, and a Rhizocorallium-type trace. Degree of weathering exerts a considerable control on field recognition of the various forms. Intense weathering obliterates the slight tonal differences that aid in identification of traces in the fine-grained carbonates. However, in some calcarenites, certain taxa are only recognizable in weathered material and are nearly impossible to discern in polished slabs. Factors related to episodic influx of fine-grained terrigenous detritus exert a considerable control on preservation of the various forms. Field exposures of carbonates that contain shale partings commonly exhibit abundant traces that are only apparent in polished slabs of more massive carbonates. The similarity of trace-fossil assemblages from these shallow-water carbonates with traces of deeper shelf Cretaceous chalks of the U.S. Western Interior further supports the contention of a high degree of preservational control. End_of_Article - Last_Page 413------------
Normal kinematics of carpal bones: A three-dimensional analysis of carpal bone motion relative to the radius

Normal carpal kinematics were studied in 22 cadaver specimens using a biplanar radiography method. The kinematics of the trapezium, capitate, hamate, scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum were determined during wrist motion in sagittal and coronal planes. The results were expressed using the concept of the screw displacement axis and converted to describe the magnitude of rotation about and translation along three axes (X-axis: pronation-supination axis, Y-axis: flexion-extension axis, and Z-axis: radial-ulnar deviation axis) commonly used for the wrist. The orientation of these axes is expressed relative to the radius. Within the proximal carpal row, considerable differences of carpal behavior around the Y-axis were observed during sagittal plane motion of the wrist. The scaphoid exhibited the greatest magnitude of rotation, and the lunate the least. The magnitude of rotation of the carpal bones around the X-axis during sagittal plane motion of the wrist was small. The proximal carpal bones exhibited some ulnar deviation in 60 degrees of wrist flexion. During coronal plane motion of the wrist, the magnitude of radial-ulnar deviation of the distal carpal bones was mutually similar and generally of a greater magnitude than that of the proximal carpal bones. The proximal carpal bones experienced some flexion during radial deviation of the wrist and extension during ulnar deviation of the wrist. Translation was generally minimal in all carpal bones throughout wrist motion. This study reports results from the largest cadaver wrist kinematics study completed to date. The accuracy of the current method was improved when compared to previous studies. A sufficient number of specimens to allow statistical comparison was used and minimal interspecimen variability was noted. This study enabled a precise description of quantitative analyses of normal carpal kinematics relative to the radius.
Role of specular reflection of electrons in the radio frequency surface magneto impedance of metals

The effect of a parallel magnetic field on the 10-mHz surface resistance of gallium single crystals is reported. We suggest that the observed structure can be interpreted in terms of an angular dependence of the probability of specular reflection of the electron at the crystal surface. This model allows a quantitative determination from the data of the temperature-dependent electron mean free path for electron wave vectors with a narrow range that is determined by the magnetic field and crystal orientation.
Transition boiling models in heat exchangers

Models are presented for the inclusion of transition boiling heat transfer in the thermal analysis of liquid-heated boiling water heat exchangers. A relation was developed from experimental data for the prediction of the quality change in the transition boiling region. This quality relation was used alone and in conjunction with a transition boiling heat transfer coefficient to formulate two successful models. Predictions of heat exchanger heat transfer, including the transition boiling models, were compared with experimental results for high-pressure water in the range 7--15.3 MPa over a mass flux of 0.7--3.2 Mg/m/sup 2/s.
EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy show inequivalent hemes in tryptophan dioxygenase.

Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is an essential enzyme in the pathway of NAD biosynthesis and important for all living organisms. TDO catalyzes oxidative cleavage of the indole ring of L-tryptopha...
Effect of panparnit on the oxygen uptake of rat brain

The effect of the anticonvulsant drug Panparnit on the in vitro oxygen consumption of slices ftom different areas of rat brain was studied. An inhibition resulted which was selective for the cortical slices in lower concentrations. The action of three convulsant drugs on the oxygen metabolism of brain slices was studied; these also produced an inhibition. Possible explanations of this inhibition are discussed.
A Test of a Mitochondrial Gene-Based Phylogeny of Woodpeckers (Genus Picoides) Using an Independent Nuclear Gene, β-Fibrinogen Intron 7

A conservative estimate of the species tree for the woodpecker genus Picoides based on two mitochondrial protein-coding genes is tested using sequences of an independently evolving nuclear intron, β-fibrinogen intron 7. The mitochondrial gene-based topology and the intron-based topology are concordant, and a partition-homogeneity statistical test did not detect phylogenetic heterogeneity. The intron evolves more slowly than the mitochondrial sequences and tends not to resolve relationships among recently evolved species. However, the intron is superior over mitochondrial genes in resolving older bifurcations in the phylogeny. The two data sets were combined resulting in a robust estimate of the Picoides species tree in which most every node is statistically supported by bootstrap proportions. The Picoides species tree clearly shows that many morphological and behavioral characters used to lump species into this single genus have evolved by convergent evolution. Picoides is considered the largest genus of woodpeckers, but the molecular-based species tree suggests that Picoides is actually a conglomerate of several smaller groups.
Predicting Risk in Space: Genetic Markers for Differential Vulnerability to Sleep Restriction.

Abstract Several laboratories have found large, highly reliable individual differences in the magnitude of cognitive performance, fatigue and sleepiness, and sleep homeostatic vulnerability to acute total sleep deprivation and to chronic sleep restriction in healthy adults. Such individual differences in neurobehavioral performance are also observed in space flight as a result of sleep loss. The reasons for these stable phenotypic differential vulnerabilities are unknown: such differences are not yet accounted for by demographic factors, IQ or sleep need, and moreover, psychometric scales do not predict those individuals cognitively vulnerable to sleep loss. The stable, trait-like (phenotypic) inter-individual differences observed in response to sleep loss—with intraclass correlation coefficients accounting for 58–92% of the variance in neurobehavioral measures—point to an underlying genetic component. To this end, we utilized multi-day highly controlled laboratory studies to investigate the role of various common candidate gene variants—each independently—in relation to cumulative neurobehavioral and sleep homeostatic responses to sleep restriction. These data suggest that common genetic variations (polymorphisms) involved in sleep–wake, circadian, and cognitive regulation may serve as markers for prediction of inter-individual differences in sleep homeostatic and neurobehavioral vulnerability to sleep restriction in healthy adults. Identification of genetic predictors of differential vulnerability to sleep restriction—as determined from candidate gene studies—will help identify astronauts most in need of fatigue countermeasures in space flight and inform medical standards for obtaining adequate sleep in space. This review summarizes individual differences in neurobehavioral vulnerability to sleep deprivation and ongoing genetic efforts to identify markers of such differences.
Immunology update symposium on antiphospholipid antibodies

Abstract The seventh international symposium on antiphospholipid antibodies was held in New Orleans, LA, USA. on October 9–13, 1996. The meeting was attended by over 230 people and was hosted by Azzudin E. Gharavi and Wendell A. Wilson. Workshops were also conducted on assays for lupus anticoagulant, antiphospholipid antibodies, and anti-endothelial cell antibodies.
The oath of Hippocrates: an historical review.

This presentation is designed to share with fellow neurosurgeons a topic, namely the oath of Hippocrates, that has been a subject of fascination to physicians, scholars, historians, and even the public for the past 2500 years. Its moral and ethical message has exhibited remarkable resiliency through the ages, in varied cultures. Although its language may appear odd, its precepts are as valid today as they were in Hippocrates' time. This can be best understood through an historical review of the oath's transmission and acceptance in different eras of western history. The longevity of the oath, however, is clearly attributable to its intrinsic merit, its high moral reverent tone, and a literary eloquence that placed Hippocrates among the best writers of antiquity. Despite the fame of its author, the oath has experienced a life of its own, from relative obscurity during the Dark Ages to reverential study since the Renaissance. Five aspects are considered in this discussion, i.e., 1) oaths in antiquity; 2) a biographical sketch of Hippocrates; 3) the chain of transmission from antiquity to modern times; 4) comments on other oaths, prayers, codes, and credos; and 5) an analysis and some personal views of the oath.
Modeling and simulation

By means of modeling and simulation, the systems engineer is able to produce results that are representative of system performance without going through the time-consuming and expensive steps of full construction and testing. Some of the various types of models and simulation techniques in common use are described
The gas phase “matrix isolation” spectroscopy of CH3F

We report infrared photodissociation spectra for Ne, Ar, Kr, N2 and CH4 clusters which contain CH3F chromophores. The CH3Fv 3 mode is excited with a line tunable CO2 laser. Mass spectrometer detection of changes in the cluster beam intensity serve to partially distinguish the spectra of different size neutral clusters. Many spectra consist of rather broad, inhomogeneous profiles. For intermediate size ArnCH3F clusters a sharp, narrow peak is observed in the spectrum. We assign this peak as due to a cluster in which a central CH3F molecule is surrounded by at least a full shell of Ar atoms packed in a contracted icosohedral geometry. Because the Ar atoms in a gas phase cluster are unconstrained by an extended crystalline structure, the CH3F dipole is more fully stabilized (and thus red-shifted) than in a solid matrix. The dependence of the observed spectrum on cluster size is discussed. For comparison, no comparable narrow spectral features are observed in ArnC2H4 cluster spectra. Clear evidence is also presented that the fragmentation of the neutral clusters upon electron impact ionization is fairly specific. Finally, we note that ionization of ArnCH3F clusters sometimes produces ArnF+ ions. This is a fragmentation process which does not occur in free CH3F.
The cellular Mre11 protein interferes with adenovirus E4 mutant DNA replication

Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) relocalizes and degrades the host DNA repair protein Mre11, and efficiently initiates viral DNA replication. Mre11 associates with Ad E4 mutant DNA replication centers and is important for concatenating viral genomes. We have investigated the role of Mre11 in the E4 mutant DNA replication defect. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Mre11 dramatically rescues E4 mutant DNA replication in cells that do or do not concatenate viral genomes, suggesting that Mre11 inhibits DNA replication independent of genome concatenation. The mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (Mdc1) protein is involved in recruiting and sustaining Mre11 at sites of DNA damage following ionizing radiation. We observe foci formation by Mdc1 in response to viral infection, indicating that this damage response protein is activated. However, knockdown of Mdc1 does not prevent Mre11 from localizing at viral DNA replication foci or rescue E4 mutant DNA replication. Our results are consistent with a model in which Mre11 interferes with DNA replication when it is localized at viral DNA replication foci.