cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The growth process of tropical trees: A simulation with graphic output

Simulation is becoming an important tool of researchers studying the structure and adaptability of various botanical species. One goal of scientists is this field is the creation of models to explain global tree attributes, such as canopy shape, in terms of local growth behavior (the branching pattern). The validation and “tuning” of these models would be quite difficult without performing simulations based on the models constructed and then displaying the results of the simulation graphically. Models describing the structure and branching pattern of a species have incorporated both genetic factors and environmental influences on the species being analyzed. Simulation programs implementing models for three species of architecturally similar tropical canopy trees (Terminalia, Cameraria, and Tabernaemontana) have been created. These programs produce graphic output, as well as tabular information on the status of the tree at fixed time intervals. Examples are presented of a preliminary study of the effect of limiting branching density on tree structure.
Alterations in cyclin-dependent kinase 2 function during differentiation of primary human keratinocytes.

Terminal differentiation of epithelial cells is intimately linked to cell-cycle withdrawal. The tight coupling of these two processes is critical to maintenance of epidermal tissue homeostasis and is frequently disrupted in squamous cell carcinoma. To identify possible molecular targets of epithelial carcinogenesis, we investigated the regulatory pathways that couple cellular differentiation and proliferation in primary cultures of human keratinocytes and found that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) p21cip1/waf1 and p27kip1 were induced early during differentiation of human keratinocytes, whereas p15ink4B was induced later in differentiation. The induction of p21cip1/waf1 was mediated by both transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms, and the activities of cyclin A/cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 2 and cyclin E/cdk2 complexes were specifically inhibited during keratinocyte differentiation. In contrast, p21cip1/waf1 did not associate with cdk4, and the activities of cdk4 complexes remained unchanged. Hence, our results support the model that multiple CKIs participate in linking cellular proliferation and differentiation in human keratinocytes by specific modulation of cdk2 activity. Mol. Carcinog. 23:226–233, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste and agricultural waste and the effect of co-digestion with dairy cow manure.

Abstract Anaerobic digestion of dairy cow manure (CM), the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), and cotton gin waste (CGW) was investigated with a two-phase pilot-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) system. The OFMSW and CM were digested as single wastes and as combined wastes. The single waste digestion of CM resulted in 62 m3 methane/ton of CM on dry weight basis. The single waste digestion of OFMSW produced 37 m3 methane/ton of dry waste. Co-digestion of OFMSW and CM resulted in 172 m3 methane/ton of dry waste. Co-digestion of CGW and CM produced 87 m3 methane/ton of dry waste. Comparing the single waste digestions with co-digestion of combined wastes, it was shown that co-digestion resulted in higher methane gas yields. In addition, co-digestion of OFMSW and CM promotes synergistic effects resulting in higher mass conversion and lower weight and volume of digested residual.
An estuarine benthic index of biotic integrity for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. I. Classification of assemblages and habitat definition

An objective of the Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment Program (MAIA) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to develop an index for assessing benthic community condition in estuaries of the mid-Atlantic region of the United States (Delaware Bay through Pamlico Sound). To develop such an index, natural unimpaired communities must first be identified and variability related to natural factors accounted for. This study focused on these two objectives; Lnanso et al. (2002) describe the index. Using existing data sets from multiple years, classification analyses of species abundance and discriminant analysis were employed to identify major habitat types in the MAIA region and evaluate the physical characteristics that structure benthic infaunal assemblages. Sampling was restricted to soft bottoms and to the index development period, July through early October. The analyses revealed salinity and sediment composition as major factors structuring infaunal assemblages in mid-Atlantic estuaries. Geographical location was a secondary factor. Nine habitat classes were distinguished as a combination of 6 salinity classes, 2 sediment types, and the separation of North Carolina and Delaware-Chesapeake Bay polyhaline sites. The effect of sediment types on faunal assemblages was restricted to polyhaline sites, which were separated into two sediment groups above and below 90% sand content. Assemblages corresponding to each of these 9 habitats were identified in the context of widely recognized patterns of dominant taxa. Differences between North Carolina and Delaware-Chesapeake Bay polyhaline assemblages were attributed to the relative contributions of species and not to differences in species composition. No zoogeographic discontinuities could be identified. Our results reinforce the findings of recent studies which suggest that, with respect to estuarine benthic assemblages, the boundary between the Virginian and the Carolinian Provinces be moved to a new location south of Pamlico Sound.
Photon Shot Noise Dephasing in the Strong-Dispersive Limit of Circuit QED

We study the photon shot noise dephasing of a superconducting transmon qubit in the strong-dispersive limit, due to the coupling of the qubit to its readout cavity. As each random arrival or departure of a photon is expected to completely dephase the qubit, we can control the rate at which the qubit experiences dephasing events by varying in situ the cavity mode population and decay rate. This allows us to verify a pure dephasing mechanism that matches theoretical predictions, and in fact explains the increased dephasing seen in recent transmon experiments as a function of cryostat temperature. We observe large increases in coherence times as the cavity is decoupled from the environment, and after implementing filtering find that the intrinsic coherence of small Josephson junctions when corrected with a single Hahn echo is greater than several hundred microseconds. Similar filtering and thermalization may be important for other qubit designs in order to prevent photon shot noise from becoming the dominant source of dephasing.
Effect of Differential Temperature on a Curved Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridge

This paper presents the results of an experimental and analytical study of a continuous three-span curved post-tensioned concrete bridge. This bridge is being studied in a long-term project that involves the placement of continuous monitoring systems on a number of bridges that are critical to the bridge infrastructure in the State of Connecticut. The bridge has been monitored using tiltmeters, thermocouples and accelerometers. The experimental data has been used to develop a three-dimensional finite element analysis model to describe the overall behavior. The model has been used to explore the effect of the differential temperatures on the overall behavior.
The number of solutions of a system of congruences

For a fixed integer m≥4, we find the number of elements x in a complete residue system modulo m(m−1)(m−2) which simultaneously satisfy the three divisibility conditions (m−2) | (x−2), (m−1)(m−2) | (x−1)(x−2), and m(m−1)(m−2)| x(x−1)(x−2).
Facet violation with the placement of percutaneous pedicle screws.

Study design Independent review and classification of therapeutic procedures performed on cadavers by surgeons blinded to purpose of study. Objective The objective of this study is to determine the rate of facet violation with the placement of percutaneous pedicle screws. Summary of background data Improvements in percutaneous instrumentation and fluoroscopic imaging have led to a resurgence of percutaneous pedicle screw insertion in lumbar spine surgery in an attempt to minimize many of the complications associated with open techniques of pedicle screw placement. Rates of pedicle breech and neurologic injury resulting from percutaneous insertion are reportedly similar to those of open techniques. Postoperative pain because of impingement and instability is believed to result from violation of the facet capsule or facet joint. To the authors' knowledge, however, the rate of facet injury associated with the placement of percutaneous pedicle screws is unreported in the literature. Methods Percutaneous pedicle screw placement was performed on 4 cadaveric specimens by 4 certified orthopedic surgeons who had clinical experience in the procedure and who were blinded to the study's purpose. The surgeons were instructed to place pedicle screws from L1-S1 using their preferred clinical techniques and a 5.5-mm screw system with which they were all familiar. All surgeons utilized 1 OEC C-arm for fluoroscopic imaging. After insertion, 2 independent spine surgeons each reviewed and classified the placement of all facet screws. Results A total of 48 screws were inserted and classified. The placement of 28 screws (58%) resulted in violation of facet articulation, with 8 of these screws being intra-articular. Interobserver reliability of the classification system was 100%. Conclusion Percutaneous pedicle screw placement may result in a high rate of facet violation. Facet injury can be reliability classified and therefore, perhaps, easily prevented.
A Theoretical Study of Three-Dimensional Barotropic Instability with Applications to the Upper Stratosphere

A numerical method for tropospheric baroclinic instability is used to establish the structures, phase speeds and growth rates of the normal modes of a number of idealized barotropically unstable mean zonal wind fields in a quasi-geostrophic Boussinesq framework. The objective was to gain insight into the effects of vertical mean flow variation on barotropically unstable stratosphere. Both horizontally symmetric and asymmetric flows are considered, but in all cases the flows are vertically symmetric. Major findings show that (1) the wave growth rates associated with the strongest expected horizontal shears decrease with increasing vertical shear and are at least 28% smaller for the weakest expected vertical shear than with no shear; (2) differences in the form of either the vertical or the horizontal shear flow can affect this growth rate reduction by about 25%; and (3) the vertical scale of the barotropic unstable waves is of the order of the geometric mean of the vertical mean flow scale and the vertical penetrat
Magneto-optical-trap-based, high brightness ion source for use as a nanoscale probe.

We report on the demonstration of a low emittance, high brightness ion source based on magneto-optically trapped neutral atoms. Our source has ion optical properties comparable to or better than those of the commonly used liquid metal ion source. In addition, it has several advantages that offer new possibilities, including high resolution ion microscopy with ion species tailored for specific applications, contamination-free ion milling, and nanoscale implantation of a variety of elements, either in large quantities, or one at a time, deterministically. Using laser-cooled Cr atoms, we create an ion beam with a normalized rms (root-mean-square) emittance of 6.0 × 10−7 mm mrad MeV and approximately 0.25 pA of current, yielding a brightness as high as 2.25 A cm−2 sr−1 eV−1. These values of emittance and brightness show that, with suitable ion optics, an ion beam with a useful amount of current can be produced and focused to spot sizes of less than 1 nm.
Citizens' procedural expectations for an upcoming tax audit: Their nature and formation

Using qualitative interviews with citizens who will soon have a state tax audit, this study examines the nature and formation of procedural expectations. The findings show that the most prevalent concept was dignity which means the auditors' politeness and respect for the citizens' rights. Expectations about relationship concerns also were significantly more prevalent than expectations about instrumental concerns. These findings are consistent with the group value model's emphasis on relationship concerns. Contrary to the view that procedural expectations are developed during childhood, people who relied more on recent mass media reports and conversations with peers were more likely to think that the auditor favored the state and made less effort to be fair. Directions for future research are discussed.
Tissue Reaction to Porcine Intestinal Submucosa (CorMatrix) Implants in Pediatric Cardiac Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Background Decellularized porcine small intestine submucosa (CorMatrix, Atlanta, GA) patches have been used in the repair of congenital heart malformations. Tissue reaction to the material may create hemodynamic dysfunction and necessitate explantation. We reviewed our series of congenital cardiac patients who had a reoperation after the implantation of CorMatrix patches. Methods Medical records of pediatric cardiac patient who received CorMatrix patches and those of patients who underwent reoperation were reviewed. Routine histologic sections of explanted CorMatrix specimens were examined. Results Of 25 patients who had received CorMatrix patches during cardiac operations at our institution, 6 patients had undergone reoperations. All patients had hemodynamically significant lesions at the site of the CorMatrix implantation. Explanted specimens were associated with an intense inflammatory reaction consisting of numerous eosinophils, histiocytes, and plasma cells, with accompanying granulation tissue and fibrosis. Conclusions Reaction to implanted CorMatrix patches may cause hemodynamic dysfunction and produce an intense, predominantly eosinophilic inflammatory response with developing fibrosis. Although our report is limited to a small sample of congenital cardiac patients, one should take precautions in its use in pediatric cardiac patients, and long-term follow-up is warranted.
Constructing and Validating a Q-Matrix for Cognitive Diagnostic Analyses of a Reading Test

Cognitive diagnostic analyses have been advocated as methods that allow an assessment to function as a formative assessment to inform instruction. To use this approach, it is necessary to first identify the skills required for each item in the test, known as a Q-matrix. However, because the construct being tested and the underlying cognitive processes associated with it are usually not fully understood, establishing a Q-matrix, especially for an existing test, is a challenging task. This study reports the process of constructing and validating a Q-matrix for the reading comprehension section of the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). An initial Q-matrix was first generated based on evidence gathered from related literature, students' think-aloud protocols, and expert ratings. This initial Q-matrix was then validated empirically by applying the fusion model to a large MELAB data set. A well-supported Q-matrix was produced for potential future diagnostic applications.
The unaxiomatizability of a quantified intensional logic

In this paper we show that an intensional logic TP of [4], with quantification over "individual concepts", is not recursively enumerable, and that it has, in fact, the degree of unsolvability of second order logic. TP has predicate letters, individual variables ranging over functions on a domain of contexts, propositional variables, V, ~, 3, =, and a T-operator T, which takes an individual variable x, and a wff A into a new wff TxA. TxA may be read 'A is the case at (or as of) x'. The quantifier V binds individual variables introduced with the T-operator, as well as those that appear with predicate letters and identity. A more formal account of the syntax of TP can be reconstructed from the truth clauses for the semantics of TP given in Section 1.
X-Ray Signatures of an Ionized Reprocessor in the Seyfert Galaxy Ton S180

We discuss the hard X-ray properties of the Seyfert galaxy Ton S180 based on the analysis of ASCA data. We find the X-ray flux varied by a factor ~2 on a timescale of a few thousand seconds. The source showed a significantly higher amplitude of variability in the 0.5-2 keV band than in the 2-10 keV band. The continuum is adequately parameterized as a Γ ~ 2.5 power law across the 0.6-10 keV band. We confirm the recent discovery of an emission line of high equivalent width due to Fe K shell emission from highly ionized material. These ASCA data show the Fe line profile to be broad and asymmetric, and they tentatively suggest it is stronger during the X-ray flares, which is consistent with an origin from the inner parts of an accretion disk. The X-ray spectrum is complex below 2 keV, possibly because of emission from a blend of soft X-ray lines, which would support the existence of an ionized reprocessor most likely due to a relatively high accretion rate in this source.
Dimerization free energy of vancomycin-group antibiotics and the cooperative effect: A density functional approach

The cooperative effects between the binding of model bacterial cell wall termini and the dimer forms of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin and chloro-eremomycin were investigated with conventional and divide-and-conquer (DC) ab initio quantum chemistry simulations. This feature is potentially important for drug design and controlling molecular recognition phenomena in these and other biochemical systems. In terms of the calculation, the vibrational contributions to the dimerization free energies of both molecules found to be the most costly and necessitated the use of the DC method. We specifically focused on calculating the relative strength of the cooperative effect for the two antibiotics. In good agreement with experiments, we find that the cooperative effect is stronger for chloro-eremomycin by about 1.39 kcal/mol. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
The increasing frequency of heterosexually acquired AIDS in the United States, 1983-88.

Of 88,510 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported in adults in the United States from 1983 through 1988, the percentage attributed to reported heterosexual contact with persons known to be infected or at increased risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased steadily from 0.9 percent in the first quarter of 1983 to 4.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 1988, from 0.1 (in 1983) to 1.4 percent (in 1988) among men, and from 13 (in 1983) to 28 percent (in 1988) among women. Among women, the cumulative incidence of AIDS attributable to heterosexual contact per million population is over 11 times greater for Blacks and Hispanics than for Whites. Among men, this incidence is over 10 times greater for Blacks and four times greater for Hispanics than for Whites. The pattern of distribution of heterosexually acquired AIDS parallels the distribution of other heterosexually transmitted diseases, which are also more frequent in Black and Hispanic inner-city populations. Dr...
Stem cells: roadmap to the clinic

Over the last decade, a remarkable number of papers have been published in which the biology of stem cells is introduced with words and phrases such as "promise," "rapid progress," and "future therapies." To separate myth and hype from reality, the articles in this Stem Cells Review series comprise a rich resource on the state of this fast-paced field and provide a balanced perspective on some of the major advances. They recount what the field has achieved over the past decade and where the field is headed. They also highlight the challenges to be faced in translating what is indeed highly promising science into proven therapies that will regenerate and repair diseased tissues.
Hypnoss research: a methological critique of experiments generated by two alternative paradigms.

Abstract Two alternative paradigms in the area of experimental hypnosis are examined. One paradigm revolves around the hypothetical construct hypnotic state or trance. The other paradigm rejects the utility of this construct. The work of two investigators, Orne and Hilgard, is taken as representative of the hypnotic state paradigm. The work of a third investigator, Barber, is taken as representative of the alternative paradigm. Three methodological criteria for the evaluation of experiments deriving from any scientific paradigm are established. These criteria state that (a) antecedent variables must be clearly denoted, (b) antecedent variables must be independently manipulated, and (c) dependent variables must be clearly denoted. Although the work that revolves around the construct hypnotic state or trance sometimes fails to meet one or more of these criteria, work generated by the alternative paradigm consistently meets all three.
How Auditors Get Into Trouble—and How to Avoid It

The authors define some of the ways auditors get into trouble—both ethics violations and peer review issues—and explain how to avoid them. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NMR spin-echo responses in the ordered cubic phase of solid deuterium

NMR spin echoes stimulated in the ordered cubic phase of solid ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ by 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-$\ensuremath{\tau}$-${90\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}_{90\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}$ pulse sequences using nonrigid rotating 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} rf pulses are shown to be in quantitative agreement with the theoretical line shapes predicted from the intramolecular dipolar interaction between $I=1$ nuclei on a rigid lattice when spectral attenuation of the 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} rf pulse power profile is properly taken into account. A single-particle theoretical model for the $I=1$ component of cubic-${D}_{2}$ solid echo, which neglects effects due to intermolecular dipolar interactions, is developed for the general case where nonrigid rotation of the $I=1$ spin system is produced by both pulses in the echo creation sequence. The characteristic features of this model are demonstrated for the case of the solid-echo profile of 80% para-${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ at 0.94 K, with the predicted attenuation of the signal-amplitude maximum at $2\ensuremath{\tau}$ agreeing with the observed decrease within the precision measure of the experiment. In addition, the Fourier transform of the experimental echo profile of 80% para-${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ at 1.4 K is found to be in good agreement with the published cw spectrum of Maraviglia et al.
The relationship of birth weight and length of gestation to intellectual development at ages 8 to 10 years.

Longitudinal data from the Johns Hopkins Study of Premature Infants were analyzed to compare the postnatal mental development of small-for-dates infants with that of other low-birth-weight newborn infants. At ages 8 to 10 years the I.Q. scores in children of the two groups were not different. Infants who weighed more than 2,500 Gm. at birth and whose mothers reported a gestational period of less than 38 weeks had significantly lower I.Q. scores at ages 8 to 10 years than did the children who were reportedly born at term with birth weights exceeding 2,500 Gm.
Serial displacement chromatofocusing and its applications in multidimensional chromatography and gel electrophoresis: I. Theory and general considerations

The technique of "serial displacement chromatofocusing" (SDC) is investigated both theoretically and experimentally with model mixtures of proteins and peptides. The method employs a multistep, retained pH gradient formed using adsorbed buffering species to produce a series of discrete effluent fractions. Each of these fractions may contain several displaced protein bands under conditions of sufficient mass overloading, so that several displacement trains of adjoined bands can be produced in a single chromatographic run. Numerical simulations and experimental results showed selective concentration effects for minor components in a fraction when the feed amount was sufficient large. A computer-aided design method was developed to facilitate the use of the method and was applied to both anion- and cation-exchange column packings. Good agreement was achieved between the designed pH gradients and experimental results. The characteristics of SDC were also explored in terms of its loading capacity, scalability, repeatability, recovery, and differentiation of proteins between their true and apparent isoelectric point values.
Molecular configurations and orientations of hydrazine between structural layers of kaolinite.

Abstract Hydrazine is one of the most commonly used entraining agents to penetrate kaolinite, yet the mechanism of intercalation of kaolinite by hydrazine is still in debate. The objectives of this study are to investigate the possible molecular configurations and orientations of hydrazine in the interlayer of kaolinite and the configuration changes induced by water molecules. Water molecules increased the intercalation rate and caused the expansion of the intercalation complex from 0.96 to 1.03 nm. The kinetic effect was likely the result of breaking the self-associations of hydrazine molecules and releasing more “free” hydrazine molecules for the intercalation. H-bonding caused large red shifts of the inner surface OH stretching bands from 3695 to 3626 cm−1 in the 0.96-nm kaolinite hydrazine intercalation (KHI) complex and to 3570 and 3463 cm−1 in the 1.03-nm KHI complex. The NH stretching bands of the hydrazine molecules in the KHI complexes became sharper and blue-shifted more than 20 cm−1 compared with the free liquids. The symmetric NH vibrations at 3365 and 3310 cm−1, and the NN vibration at 1092 cm−1 became infrared inactive in the 0.96-nm KHI complex. The frequency of the SiO bands of the kaolinite in the 1.03-nm KHI complex was slightly lower than in the 0.96-nm KHI complex (5 cm−1 shift). These IR band changes implied that hydrazine molecules have different configurations in the complexes: hydrazine molecules had an eclipsed form in the interlayer of the 0.96-nm KHI complex. The eclipsed configuration has a dipole moment of 3.31 D, which is higher than the gauche form (1.83–1.90 D). The molecule was oriented with the NN bond parallel or nearly parallel to the (001) surface of the mineral and the four H atoms of each hydrazine molecule reacted with the basal siloxane surface. When a suitable amount of water was present, it promoted the configuration change of the hydrazine molecules from the eclipsed form to the common gauche form. This gauche form was stabilized by transforming to a more polarized NH3NH tautomer structure (5.4 D). To promote an optimal interaction between hydrazine and the mineral surface, the NN bond of the hydrazine was tilted about 30° from the (001) plane and caused the intercalation complex to expand from 0.96 to 1.03 nm. The eclipsed form and the tautomer were stabilized by the asymmetric interlayer environment of kaolinite. The two proposed models and reaction mechanisms match the high dipole moment requirement as found for other entraining agents. Further investigation is needed to confirm the exact configuration of hydrazine molecules and whether or not the tautomer exists.
Mobile user location-specific encryption (MULE): using your office as your password

Data breaches due to stolen laptops are a major problem. Solutions exist to secure sensitive files on laptops, but are rarely deployed because users view them as inconvenient. This work examines how to provide an unobtrusive system to securely encrypt files on laptops. We observe that only a fraction of users' files contain sensitive information. In addition, the majority of users' accesses to these sensitive files occur while in a trusted location that malicious parties are unable to access. Rather than protecting all of the user's files, we secure user designated sensitive files that are rarely accessed outside of specified trusted locations. Our approach is to use information and services available only in a trusted location to assist in key derivation without user involvement and without authenticating the laptop to any outside service. We study two settings: home use where zero management overhead is needed (i.e., a "plug-and-play" solution) and a corporate setting where staff management of a whitelist of acceptable devices allows a higher level of security. We have implemented both systems and found automatic key derivation introduces a five second delay during the initial access to sensitive files.
Chromodynamics and the experimental signatures of weak bosons

Abstract We discuss weak boson searches with pp and pp storage rings. Perturbative Q.C.D. provides us with the phenomenological tool to estimate the production cross sections of weak bosons, the transverse momentum signature of their various decay products as well as the competing backgrounds (e.g., direct leptons) in a single and definite framework. The results differ qualitatively from earlier calculations performed in the context of the scaling parton model.
Measurements of Turbulent Boundary Layer Prandtl Numbers and Space-time Temperature Correlations

Hot-wire anemometry measurements in an incompressible turbulent boundary-layer flow over a heated flat plate at zero pressure gradient were made using an x probe and a temperature fluctuation probe. The measurements were made for three different temperature difference cases between the wall and the freestream 10, 15, and 20 o C. Simultaneous measurements of the two components of the velocity and the temperature were made at the same point using an x probe and a temperature fluctuation probe
Effects of anti-oxidants on normal and leukemic hematopoiesis

Abstract Various compounds affecting oxidation status such as nitric oxide (NO), flavones, and flavonoids have been reported to have antiproliferative and specifically, antileukemic effects. We have examined the effects of NO donors and inhibitors as well as that of quercetin and flavopiridol on myeloid leukemic cells. The NO donor SNAP decreased both proliferation and viability of AML cell lines and primary blasts from AML patients. With leukemic cell lines KG1, KG1a, THP-1, and U937, quercetin decreased the growth and viability in a dose-dependent manner. As early as 4 to 6 hours, quercetin also increased expression on Annexin V in both these cell lines. Flavopiridol also decreased proliferation and viability of each of these cell lines. With fresh myeloid leukemic cells, quercetin and flavopiridol both decreased the viability and proliferation of blast cells in vitro. Wide sample to sample variation was noted, and the inhibitory effects were noted both in the presence and absence of exogenous growth factors. The percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis was higher in the absence of growth factor at all time points, and the effects of flavopiridol on apoptosis induction were more pronounced in the absence of growth factors. Apoptosis with flavopiridol was correlated with activated caspase-3 expression. In order to determine the effect of flavopiridol and quercetin on normal CD34+ cells, cells isolated from marrow of normal donors via a MiniMACS (Miltenyi) CD34+ cell isolation procedure were cultured in 1- to 100 μm flavopiridol or quercetin. Inhibitory effects of both quercetin and flavopiridol were seen at 48 to 72 hours of culture. While the flavonoids, quercetin and flavopiridol and the NO donor, SNAP, have anti-leukemic effects on leukemic cell lines and leukemic blasts and progenitors in culture, they also appear to be inhibitory to normal multipotential hematopoietic cells and clonogenic progenitors. Use of these agents either ex vivo or in future clinical trials would ideally require further exploitation of differential sensitivity of leukemic and normal progenitors to such agents.
Two Ears and Two (or More?) Devices: A Pediatric Case Study of Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss

Advances in technology and expanding candidacy guidelines have motivated many clinics to consider children with precipitously sloping high-frequency hearing loss as candidates for cochlear implants (CIs). A case study is presented of a pediatric CI patient whose hearing thresholds were preserved within 10 dB of preimplant levels (125-750 Hz) after receiving a fully inserted 31.5-mm electrode array at one ear. The primary goal of this study was to explore the possible benefit of using both a hearing aid (HA) and a CI at one ear while using a HA at the opposite ear. The authors find that although the use of bilateral hearing aids with a CI may only provide a slight benefit, careful attention must be paid to the coordinated fitting of devices, especially at the ear with two devices.
Effects of carrier transport on relative intensity noise and modulation response in quantum-well lasers

The maximum possible intrinsic modulation in semiconductor lasers is conventionally written in terms of the K factor. Although this is often sufficient in bulk lasers, it is usually not true in quantum well lasers where carrier transport can significantly affect the high speed properties. Here we present analytical expressions, which include the effects of carrier transport, for the modulation response and the relative intensity noise in quantum well lasers. We show that in the presence of significant transport effects, the K factor is not an accurate measure of the maximum possible intrinsic modulation bandwidth.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Timing of traumatic lumbar hernia repair: is delayed repair safe? Report of two cases and review of the literature

Fewer than 100 cases of traumatic lumbar hernias are described in the English literature. The herniation has been described as a consequence of a combination of local tangential shearing forces combined with an acute increase in intra-abdominal pressure secondary to sudden deceleration sustained during blunt abdominal trauma. Delayed diagnosis is not uncommon, as nearly a quarter of these are missed at initial presentation. These hernias are best managed by operative intervention; however, there is no well-defined treatment strategy regarding either the timing or the type of repair. Several approaches, including laparoscopy, have been described to repair these defects. Various techniques, including primary repair, musculoaponeurotic reconstruction, and prosthetic mesh repair, have been described. These repairs are usually complicated because of the lack of musculoaponeurotic tissue inferiorly near the iliac crest. We describe here two cases of traumatic lumbar hernia managed by initial watchful waiting and subsequent elective repair using a combined laparoscopic and open technique and one with and one without bone anchor fixation.
Endogenous thrombin potential in the assessment of hypercoagulability in systemic lupus erythematosus

Endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) is a measurement of thrombin formation capacity of plasma and may be increased in congenital and acquired hypercoagulable states. We assessed whether ETP was associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and with thrombosis history in SLE. ETP was performed in 130 SLE patients using a Siemens ETP Assay on BCS Coagulation System analyzer, that is equipped with software to analyze different components of the coagulation wave form, including lag-time (time to initiate thrombin generation), T-max (estimate of enzymatic rate), c-max (measurement of peak height), and area under the curve (total thrombin formation). Higher T-lag values were found with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (33.6 ± 15.9 vs. 22.9 ± 14.8, P = 0.0018), myocardial infarction (MI) (43.6 ± 36.4 vs. 24.6 ± 15.1, P = 0.0855) and stroke (27.5 ± 13.5 vs. 24.5 ± 15.8, P = 0.4883) than without. T-max was also higher in patients with DVT (68.4 ± 21.9 vs. 56.5 ± 24.4, P = 0.0300), and MI (123.8 ± 77.0 vs. 57.7 ± 22.1, P > 0.0001) compared to those without. ETP T-lag and T-max were higher for patients with aPL. ETP T-lag and T-max were associated with both venous (DVT) and arterial (stroke, MI) thrombosis in SLE and with aPL. This suggests that ETP measures should now be explored prospectively to determine their predictive value for future thrombosis in SLE.
Burning Birth Certificates and Atomic Tupperware Parties: Creating the Antiabortion Movement in the Shadow of the Vietnam War

(2006). Burning Birth Certificates and Atomic Tupperware Parties: Creating the Antiabortion Movement in the Shadow of the Vietnam War. The Historian: Vol. 68, No. 3, pp. 541-558.
On the capabilities of the double-layer representation for Stokes flows. Part I. Analytical solutions

Abstract Boundary-integral equations of the second kind for Stokes flows known as the completed-double-layer (CDL) representations are promising formulations for the solution of many-body problems in suspension mechanics. It is therefore important to analyze their numerical properties for geometries where accurate numerical results are not readily obtained. In this paper, several analytical and semi-analytical results are derived for the double-layer representation where particles are in close proximity to one another. In particular, the onset of spatial oscillation of the surface density is explored as a function of particle-particle separation. These oscillations are not spurious and pose a significant challenge for discretization schemes.
Treatment of aneurysms of the internal carotid artery by intravascular balloon occlusion: long-term follow-up of 58 patients.

Abstract Long-term evaluation of patients with aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) treated by intravascular balloon occlusion has not been reported. From 1977 to 1992, 58 patients (age 14 to 81 years) with ICA aneurysms were treated at our institution by this technique. The aneurysms included 40 intracavernous carotid, 5 petrous carotid, 3 cervical carotid, and 10 ophthalmic segment aneurysms. Presenting symptoms were caused by mass effect in 45 patients, transient ischemia or cerebral infarction as a result of emboli in 6, subarachnoid hemorrhage in 4, and epistaxis in 3. Preoperative temporary balloon occlusion of the ICA combined with cerebral blood flow monitoring and induced hypotension were used to determine tolerance for occlusion. Two patients not tolerating test occlusion required an extracranial-intracranial bypass procedure, and another patient underwent extracranial-intracranial bypass prior to test occlusion because of contralateral ICA stenosis. In 55 patients, aneurysms were excluded from the circulation by either occluding the proximal ICA or trapping the aneurysm neck. In three patients, the aneurysm was directly obliterated with intravascular balloons with preservation of the parent ICA. Three patients died during treatment, one from subarachnoid hemorrhage and two from cerebral infarction. Mean follow-up was 76 months (range, 6 months to 15 years). Six patients who developed transient ischemia caused by emboli responded to volume expansion and anticoagulation treatment. Two patients developed a delayed infarction, and one patient developed aneurysm enlargement that required surgical clipping and obliteration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Infection by agnoprotein-negative mutants of polyomavirus JC and SV40 results in the release of virions that are mostly deficient in DNA content

Background: Human polyomavirus JC (JCV) is the etiologic agent of a brain disease, known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The JCV genome encodes a small multifunctional phospho-protein, agnoprotein, from the late coding region of the virus, whose regulatory functions in viral replication cycle remain elusive. In this work, the functional role of JCV and SV40 agnoproteins in virion release was investigated using a point mutant (Pt) of each virus, where the ATG codon of agnoprotein was mutated to abrogate its expression. Results: Analysis of both viral protein expression and replication using Pt mutant of each virus revealed that both processes were substantially down-regulated in the absence of agnoprotein compared to wild-type (WT) virus. Complementation studies in cells, which are constitutively expressing JCV agnoprotein and transfected with the JCV Pt mutant genome, showed an elevation in the level of viral DNA replication near to that observed for WT. Constitutive expression of large T antigen was found to be not sufficient to compensate the loss of agnoprotein for efficient replication of neither JCV nor SV40 in vivo. Examination of the viral release process for both JCV and SV40 Pt mutants showed that viral particles are efficiently released from the infected cells in the absence of agnoprotein but were found to be mostly deficient in viral DNA content. Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence that agnoprotein plays an important role in the polyomavirus JC and SV40 life cycle. Infection by agnoprotein-negative mutants of both viruses results in the release of virions that are mostly deficient in DNA content.
Autologous transobturator urethral sling placement for female stress urinary incontinence.

Purpose: We describe and evaluate a transobturator approach to urethral sling placement using autologous rectus fascia for the management of female stress urinary incontinence.Materials and Methods: We performed a feasibility study of 10 cases of autologous transobturator mid urethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence. The procedure includes an anterior vaginal dissection performed in the standard fashion for a mid urethral sling and harvest of a strip of rectus fascia. A trocar is passed through each obturator foramen and the fascial stay sutures are retracted through the skin incisions. The sling is appropriately tensioned and the stay sutures are tied. Patient outcomes were measured by a 24-hour pad weight test and ICIQ-FLUTS score.Results: Median patient age was 57 years (IQR 48, 69.5) and median body mass index was 30.3 kg/m2 (IQR 25.2, 32.4). Median followup was 4 months (range 3 to 5). All patients demonstrated a reduction in leakage with 80% being completely dry (0 gm on 24-hour pad ...
Physical and Functional Conditions for Symbols, Codes, and Languages

All sciences have epistemic assumptions, a language for expressing their theories or models, and symbols that reference observables that can be measured. In most sciences the language in which their models are expressed are not the focus of their attention, although the choice of language is often crucial for the model. On the contrary, biosemiotics, by definition, cannot escape focusing on the symbol–matter relationship. Symbol systems first controlled material construction at the origin of life. At this molecular level it is only in the context of open-ended evolvability that symbol–matter systems and their functions can be objectively defined. Symbols are energy-degenerate structures not determined by laws that act locally as special boundary conditions or constraints on law-based energy-dependent matter in living systems. While this partial description holds for all symbol systems, cultural languages are much too complex to be adequately described only at the molecular level. Genetic language and cultural languages have common basic requirements, but there are many significant differences in their structures and functions.
The use of maximum curvature points for the recognition of partially occluded objects

Abstract A graph-theoretic optimization method is used to recognize partially occluded objects from a 2-D image through the use of maximal cliques and a weight matching algorithm. The vertices of an occluded object image with high curvature values are classified by the objects which are hypothesized to be involved in the occlusion. A heuristic method is also developed to further improve the computational speed. A few typical examples are given to illustrate the accuracy of the optimization model as well as the simplicity of the companion heuristic method.
Atmospheric effects on CO/sub 2/ differential absorption lidar performance

CO/sub 2/ differential absorption lidar (DIAL) performance can be adversely affected by the ambient atmosphere between the laser transmitter and the target through a number of different processes. This work addresses two sources of atmospheric interference with multi-spectral CO/sub 2/ DIAL measurements: effects due to beam propagation through atmospheric turbulence and extinction due to absorption by atmospheric gases. The authors compare the effective beam size after propagation to predictions from a beam propagation model that includes turbulence effects such as beam steering and beam spreading. They also compare the experimental measurements of atmospheric extinction to those predicted by both a standard atmospheric transmission model (FASCODE) and a chemometric analysis.
Design and methodology in a community, practice-based research network: A study of nurse-midwifery home-birth practice

Abstract Objective: to assess the feasibility, probable success, and inherent problems of conducting a multi-site, multi-year cohort study of planned home birth in the USA. Design: a prospective cohort study. Setting: 14 states across the USA, representing a variety of regions and settings. Participants: 29 home-birth midwifery practices, representing 44 individual midwives in both large and small, solo and group practices. Data collection: birth outcomes for all women initially enrolled in these home-birth practices. Key conclusion: multi-site studies of evaluating outcomes in small community-based practices are possible if several requirements are met. Implications for practice: understudied birth alternatives can be formally researched within a co-operative network of participating practitioners.
Intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA for overactive bladder.

Introduction: Overactive bladder is a life-compromising disease that affects approximately 11.8% of all men and women, with increasing rates in the elderly. The mainstay of pharmacotherapy for this disease, anticholinergics, has up to a 71% discontinuation rate at 6 months. The emerging data of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) use for treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder is showing to be an efficacious and well-tolerated alternative to the mainstay of therapy. Areas covered: This study covers the use of onabotA and its use for idiopathic overactive bladder, stemming from its use in neurogenic detrusor overactivity, by evaluating the conclusions of current studies. A literature search and review was carried out for onabotA in treatment of overactive bladder using PubMed. Expert opinion: Multiple randomized clinical trials have shown that intradetrusor injection with onabotA is effective in treating non-neurogenic bladder with promising efficacy in patients who have failed traditional pharma...