cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redefining Normal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Strategy to Unseat Coronary Disease as the Nation's Leading Killer

The new Adult Treatment Panel guidelines will be published in 2011. This paper suggests the consideration of major changes in the existing management guidelines for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol management based on 2 fundamental principles: return the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level to the normal range and begin treatment closer to disease onset. These principles suggest the value of rethinking all 3 of the principal features of the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol management: the initiation criteria, the use of variable targets, and the level of the treatment target. Because the principal issue surrounding guideline change is likely to be uncertainty concerning cost and toxicity, the text of new guidelines would have to completely satisfy this concern by strong emphasis on a prudent conservative approach to implementation and would include both cautionary data and caveats concerning the tradeoffs between the potency, cost, and toxicity of statins. The proposed changes in the guidelines, if combined with effective implementation, would likely lead to the displacement of atherosclerotic disease as the nation's number 1 killer. This review provides a logical rationale and discusses the pros and cons for each of the proposed changes.
GaAs Bipolar Digital Integrated Circuits

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the rapid progress of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). It discusses the general properties of GaAs bipolar transistors as applied to integrated circuit (IC) design. The chapter highlights the development of a heterojunction bipolar 1 K gate array at the Central Research Laboratories of Texas Instruments. Although GaAs bipolar integrated circuits in I 2 L-like and ECL configurations have been demonstrated in recent years, the activities have been limited to a small number of researchers who had access to a molecular beam epitaxy facility. The investigations have been largely guided by experimental procedures in which it must be learnt to adjust the process steps to minimize the expected or unexpected changes in material properties prepared by the MBE technique. The progress made so far in this area, developing not only discrete heterojunction bipolar transistors but also integrated circuits, is impressive. As the MBE material preparation technique becomes more mature and widespread, there is no doubt that the activities in GaAs bipolar integrated circuits will accelerate.
Greenways as safe routes to school in a Latino community in East Los Angeles

The school setting and proximal neighborhoods have recently been the focus of policies and infrastructure investments aimed at creating more child-friendly cities that encourage youth physical acti...
Loratadine self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) in combination with sulforaphane for the synergistic chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC), currently the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the USA, is projected to become the second leading cause, behind lung cancer, by 2020. The increasing incidence, low survival rate, and limited treatment opportunities necessitate the use of alternative approaches such as chemoprevention, to tackle PC. In this study, we report significant synergistic chemoprevention efficacy for the first time from a low-dose combination of a classical antihistaminic drug, Loratadine (LOR) and a neutraceutical compound, Sulforaphane (SFN) using a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) formulation. The formulation was developed using Quality by Design approach (globule size, 95.13 ± 7.9 nm; PDI, 0.17 ± 0.04) and revealed significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in the in vitro dissolution profile confirming the enhanced solubility of BCS class II drug LOR with SMEDDS formulation. The LOR-SFN combination revealed ~ 40-fold reduction in IC50 concentration compared to LOR alone in MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1 cell lines respectively, confirming the synergistic enhancement in chemoprevention. Further, the nanoformulation resulted in ~ 7-fold and ~ 11-fold reduction in IC50 values compared to LOR-SFN combination. Hence, our studies successfully demonstrate that a unique low-dose combination of LOR encapsulated within SMEDDs with SFN shows significantly enhanced chemopreventive efficacy of PC.
Adolescents and Drug Abuse: 21st Century Synthetic Substances

Abstract Illicit drug use by adolescents is an old problem with new clinical challenges, as teens access synthetic drugs in schools, on the street, and through internet purchase. Detection of synthetic drugs and unknown adulterants is often impossible using standard drug screens, but may be identified with the assistance of regional poison centers and the forensic laboratories of local universities and law enforcement, including the Drug Enforcement Agency. While clinical care for most intoxication and overdose cases is still largely supportive, critical interventions may be necessary for some. Toxicology experts at poison centers not only provide management advice contemporaneous to care, but compile data to identify local dangerous drug activity. This article reviews current knowledge of synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamines, and opioids, as well as the increasing teen use of “vaping” devices for delivery of tobacco and other substances.
First Results from the Submillimeter Polarimeter for Antarctic Remote Observations: Evidence of Large-Scale Toroidal Magnetic Fields in the Galactic Center

We have observed the linear polarization of 450 µm continuum emission from the Galactic center, using a new polarimetric detector system that is operated on a 2 m telescope at the South Pole. The resulting polarization map extends � 170 pc along the Galactic plane and � 30 pc in Galactic latitude, and thus covers a significant fraction of the central molecular zone. Our map shows that this region is permeated by large-scale toroidal magnetic fields. We consider our results together with radio observations that show evidence for poloidal fields in the Galactic center, and with Faraday rotation observations. We compare all of these observations with the predictions of a magnetodynamic model for the Galactic center that was proposed in order to explain the Galactic Center Radio Lobe as a magnetically driven gas outflow. We conclude that the observations are basically consistent with the model.
Penetration and intracellular growth of Brucella spp in Vero cells

Brucella abortus penetrates and replicates within the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of non-phagocytic cells. In this study, Vero cells were infected with abortus to investigate bacterial translocation to the RER. Studies using double fluorescence staining procedures and quantitative bacteriological culture of disrupted hostcells, showed that various B. abortus strains replicate within Vero cells, including smooth virulent (2308S, 544), smooth attenuated (19) and rough (45/20, 2308R) strains. Rough brucellae, were more adherent and invaded a greater number of Vero cells. Intracellular replication occurred in a larger percentage of cells with smooth virulent (2308S, 544) than with smooth attenuated (19) or rough strain (45/20, 2308R). Differences in adhesiveness and invasiveness were correlated to hydrophobicity of the organism, as measured by hydrocarbon adherence. B. abortus 2308S infected other established cell lines (MDBK, ROS, Pk-15 and Jeg-3) but failed to invade MDCK cells. Ultrastructurally, Intracellular smooth (2308S) and rough (45/20) brucellae were consistently within cisternae of the RER and nuclear envelope. The results suggest that transfer to the RER is the limiting step in the infection of non-phagocytic cells by B. abortus.
Allosteric kidney-type glutaminase (GLS) inhibitors with a mercaptoethyl linker.

Abstract A series of allosteric kidney-type glutaminase (GLS) inhibitors possessing a mercaptoethyl ( SCH2CH2 ) linker were synthesized in an effort to further expand the structural diversity of chemotypes derived from bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide (BPTES), a prototype allosteric inhibitor of GLS. BPTES analog 3a with a mercaptoethyl linker between the two thiadiazole rings was found to potently inhibit GLS with an IC50 value of 50 nM. Interestingly, the corresponding derivative with an n-propyl ( CH2CH2CH2 ) linker showed substantially lower inhibitory potency (IC50 = 2.3 μM) while the derivative with a dimethylsulfide ( CH2SCH2 ) linker showed no inhibitory activity at concentrations up to 100 μM, underscoring the critical role played by the mercaptoethyl linker in the high affinity binding to the allosteric site of GLS. Additional mercaptoethyl-linked compounds were synthesized and tested as GLS inhibitors to further explore SAR within this scaffold including derivatives possessing a pyridazine as a replacement for one of the two thiadiazole moiety.
An Exploratory Examination of a Prison Disciplinary Process: Assessing Staff and Prisoner’ Perceptions of Fairness

There has been scant research on how prison disciplinary processes work in comparison to the myriad of studies on individual, situational, and prison-level factors associated with prison misbehavior. This exploratory research delved into staff and prisoners’ perceptions of a prison system’s disciplinary process. Using in-depth interviews with 25 staff and 25 prisoners as well as direct observation of classification and disciplinary hearings, this research primarily focused on perceptions of fairness. It uncovered those features of the disciplinary process that prisoners and some staff assessed as problematic and unfair. These included: the nature, consistency, and investigation of disciplinary reports, the use of confidential informants, the staffing of disciplinary boards, the use of segregation time for non-serious offenses, and the long-term segregation of some offenders. Ideas for future research were explored and prison administrators were encouraged to focus on fairness as a key component to containing prison violence and serious misbehavior.
Foam Fractionation Technology for Enrichment and Recovery of Cheese Whey Proteins

Background: Foam fractionation technology works on the adsorptive bubble separation principle. This technique involves adsorption of the surface-active substances on to a gas-liquid interface and separation of these components from the liquid along with bubbles as foam. The foam separation technology has been successfully utilized in the recovery of proteins from solutions containing either a single protein or binary mixtures. To develop a foam fractionation technology for selective enrichment and recovery of whey proteins, it is essential to investigate the effect of different feed and process variables that affect the foam fractionation process. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of two important feed variables, such as pH and initial protein concentration on recovery and enrichment of total whey proteins as well as α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin.Methods: All the experiments were conducted in Agriculture and biosystems engineering lab and Alfred Dairy Science lab at South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota during 2011-2013. The experiments used four levels of initial protein concentration and five levels of feed pH. Yield and enrichment ratios were determined for total whey proteins, α-Lactalbumin (α-La) and β-Lactoglobulin (β-Lg).Result: Whey protein yields ranged from 51.58 to 90.92%, while the enrichment ratios were between 1.2 to 5. The yield of α-La varied from 59 to 94% and the highest enrichment ratio of 8.45 was obtained with the treatment combination of initial protein concentration of 109 mg/L and pH of 5.1. Selective enrichment of α-La over β-Lg was observed at a pH of 4.65 with α-La to β-Lg ratio of 0.49. These findings will be helpful in selective enrichment and recovery of valuable proteins from Cheddar cheese whey using the foam fractionation process.
Third-Generation Cephalosporin- and Tetracycline-Resistant Escherichia coli and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes from Metagenomes of Mink Feces and Feed.

American mink (Neovison vison) is a significant source of global fur production. Except for a few studies from Denmark and Canada reporting antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from clinic...
Vegetation management and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in urban stormwater ponds: implications for regional biodiversity

Designed ecosystems (e.g., gardens or engineered ponds) are increasingly common components of urban landscapes and contribute valuable ecosystem services. However, management of designed ecosystems is typically vegetation-centric and often does not consider associated fauna. Urban ponds typify this relationship as their vegetation is managed to improve ecosystem services, such as aesthetics and stormwater runoff mitigation, but it is unclear how pond management affects associated organisms. Here, we used urban stormwater ponds as a study system to determine how vegetation management related to benthic macroinvertebrate communities in these systems. We compared macroinvertebrates across a range of actively managed to unmanaged stormwater ponds and differentiated direct relationships with vegetation structure from indirect relationships of vegetation modulating pond chemistry. Pond vegetation and chemistry had little influence on macroinvertebrate abundance or diversity but did explain substantial variability in community composition (34%). Actively managed stormwater ponds with simpler vegetation structure were dominated by Amphipoda (scuds) and Diptera (primarily midges), unmanaged ponds with more complex structure were dominated by Oligochaeta (worms), and ponds with intermediate structure were dominated by a variety of macroinvertebrates. These community associations with vegetation management primarily occurred indirectly via changes in pond chemistry, such as unmanaged ponds with higher tree and shrub cover harboring macroinvertebrates characteristic of low oxygen environments. Additionally, variation in management maximized community differences because different macroinvertebrate orders dominated at different management intensities. Variability in the management intensity of plant communities in stormwater ponds may therefore be a feasible strategy to enhance regional benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity in urban landscapes.
Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Biscayne Bay surface waters and tap waters from South Florida.

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent anthropogenic pollutants present in many environmental media worldwide due to their extensive uses in many industrial and commercial products combined with their high thermal and chemical stabilities. Its ubiquitous presence in surface and drinking water supply and significant adverse health effects observed in wildlife and humans, associated with its bioaccumulation potential, pose big concerns. In this study, we have developed and validated a semi-automated solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of legacy and emerging short-chain PFAS substitutes in surface and tap water at low parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels in South Florida environments. Surface waters from Biscayne Bay and adjacent canals (n = 15) and tap waters from different counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County) (n = 21) were collected between October 2020 (wet season) and February 2021 (dry season). Total PFAS concentrations up to 242 ng L-1 (average of 168 ng L-1) were found in tap water from Grapeland Heights, which is the closest location to the Miami international airport that was sampled. The highest average total PFAS level of 106 ng L-1 was observed in surface water from the Biscayne Canal C-8 for the wet and dry season. In general, average total PFAS was higher in tap water (86.3 ng L-1) than in surface waters (46.3 ng L-1), whereas the most predominant and frequently detected PFAS were PFBA, PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA and PFOS. PFAS levels found could represent a high human health risk, and ecological risk based on PFOS levels above recommended thresholds are also noted. Such knowledge on PFAS occurrence, distribution and sources in South Florida will provide essential information for local and regional regulatory agencies related to water quality, further facilitating the development of guidelines and procedures for PFAS pollution control and reduction in Florida.
Intellectual Property and John Locke’s Theory of Labor

Recent hermeneutical scholarship on John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government has reinterpreted Locke’s justification for property rights. In this reinterpretation, (called here “productive labor theory”), labor is conceived as a moral interest in the production of new goods, previously unavailable to the political community, but likely to enlarge the advantages of members of that community. This paper uses productive labor theory to justify several basic features of existing American intellectual property law more convincingly than other Lockean theories of intellectual property. Productive labor theory justifies property only in intellectual works minimally novel or distinct from existing common knowledge. Presumptively, productive labor theory justifies only the limited use rights associated with trade secrets, but it can justify the rights of exclusive control associated with patent or copyright if a given intellectual work is novel or original enough. Yet productive labor theory also justifies imposing on copyrights and patents duration limits not imposed on property in land or chattels.
Chapter 1 Mitogens and Ion Fluxes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanisms of the transport of Na + , K + , Cl – , Ca 2+ , and H + by cell membranes and the mechanisms of the maintenance and regulation of cell volume, intracellular pH, and intracellular Ca 2+ activity. The action of mitogens in controlling these processes is reviewed, and the transport across intracellular membranes and the interrelationships between the transport of different substrates is also discussed. Inhibitors are powerful experimental tools in the study of membrane transport processes. However, two kinds of problems are frequently faced when employing these agents. The first problem is related to the lack of specificity of some of these agents and the second problem is related to the lack of consideration of secondary effects. Mitogen-cell interactions are highly complex and subject to both positive and negative regulation. Mitogens alter the rate of various ionic fluxes into cells. For example, Ca 2+ entry increases as a result of the addition of mitogens to cells.
Nanodevices for DNA Analysis

In this chapter, we review some of the most promising technologies in the fields of microfluidics and nanotechnology. Although our focus is on DNA analytical devices for microbial diagnostics and disease detection, many of the technologies also have applications for protein detection, cancer diagnostics and imaging, flow cytometry, and immunoassays. Applications and advances in the areas of nanopore technology, nanoparticle-based assays, cantilever arrays, and other biosensors are covered.
Reactions in Zeolites

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Reactions of Olefins 3 Reactions of Alcohols 4 Coking 5 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Nutritional Supplements for Endurance Athletes

Endurance athletes often seek nutritional strategies inclusive of dietary supplements to maximize their performance. Effective supplement routines, however, are only beneficial when built on a sound training diet, training regimen, and an appreciation of dietary needs relative to their training schema. While traditional dietary interventions are based on the glycemic index of carbohydrate, coupled with the addition of protein quality and quantity, recent innovations have introduced the potential utility of long chain glucose polymers and dietary nitrates, such as beetroot juice. Consideration is also given to the utility of supplement strategies aimed at attenuating immune responses accompanying training and competition. A key to implementing successful supplementation routines is the appreciation that athletes should be considered on an individual basis and training volume and intensity must be taken into account.
Modeling the wave normal distribution of chorus waves

[1] The propagation and attenuation characteristics of lower band and upper band chorus waves are investigated by ray tracing, and the evaluation of Landau damping based on an empirical suprathermal electron model derived from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) data. The rate of Landau damping is found to increase at larger L-shell, for more oblique wave normal angles, and for higher geomagnetic activity. Damping is also larger on the nightside than on the dayside and is more pronounced in the upper band than in the lower band. These features can account for the statistical pattern of chorus waves observed away from the equatorial source region. A physical model of the wave normal angle distribution along a field line is presented, which provides insight on how the wave normal angle distribution varies as chorus waves propagate away from the equatorial source region. Our modeling shows that wave emissions at low latitudes (λ ≲ 30°) come predominately from the equatorial source at the same L-shell and that their wave normal angles increase with increasing latitude due to wave refraction caused by magnetic gradients and curvature. However, at high latitudes (λ ≳ 30°), the wave normal angle distribution along a particular field line is affected by chorus waves that arrive from an equatorial source at lower L because of significant cross-L propagation. As a consequence, the lower band wave normal angle tends to decrease with increasing latitudes, while the upper band wave normal angle can either increase or decrease depending on the equatorial source at lower L. The effect of cross-L propagation might also explain why observed wave normal angle distribution tends to become more field-aligned at high latitudes. Interestingly, the upper band chorus at such high latitudes originates from lower band waves originating near the equator at lower L. A global model of wave normal variation along a field line constructed in this study is not currently available from observations but is nonetheless critically important for evaluating bounce-averaged diffusion coefficients for future radiation belt modeling.
Regulatory Elements in Low-Methylated Regions Predict Directional Change of Gene Expression

Recent studies on methylomes obtained from the whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) indicate that low-methylated regions (LMRs) are related to potential active distal regulatory regions such as enhancers in mammalian genomes. To investigate the potential effect of regulatory elements in LMRs on gene expression, we proposed penalized logistic regression models to predict the directional change of differentially expressed genes using predicted transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in LMRs that are distinctive between two cell types. We evaluated our models on four cell types where the WGBS and RNA-seq data were available. The average area under the ROC curve (AUC) from the tenfold cross validation was computed over the six pairs of cell types in each model. The models using TFBSs in LMRs in intergenic or genebody region are more predictive (AUC 0.71 and 0.66, respectively) compared with the one using TFBSs from promoter regions alone (AUC 0.62). When using a model that combines TFBSs in LMRs from both intergenic and genebody regions, the best prediction was obtained (AUC 0.78). Our models are capable of identifying subsets of LMRs that are significantly enriched for the ChIP-seq binding sites of the insulator protein CTCF and p300 co-activator and other transcription factors. Our framework provides further evidence of putative distal regulatory elements from LMRs located in intergenic and genebody regions.
Decentralized H ∞ norm bounding control for discrete-time systems

This paper presents the design of a decentralized control scheme, which not only stabilizes the system, but also guarantees disturbince attenuation as measured by the H∞ norm. The results rely on the existence of the solution to the state-feedback H∞ norm bounding problem, as well as a solution of a certain modified discrete algebraic Riccati equation.
Feasibility of three wearable sensors for 24 hour monitoring in middle-aged women

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of three widely used wearable sensors in research settings for 24 h monitoring of sleep, sedentary, and active behaviors in middle-aged women. Participants were 21 inactive, overweight (M Body Mass Index (BMI) = 29.27 ± 7.43) women, 30 to 64 years (M = 45.31 ± 9.67). Women were instructed to wear each sensor on the non-dominant hip (ActiGraph GT3X+), wrist (GENEActiv), or upper arm (BodyMedia SenseWear Mini) for 24 h/day and record daily wake and bed times for one week over the course of three consecutive weeks. Women received feedback about their daily physical activity and sleep behaviors. Feasibility (i.e., acceptability and demand) was measured using surveys, interviews, and wear time. Women felt the GENEActiv (94.7 %) and SenseWear Mini (90.0 %) were easier to wear and preferred the placement (68.4, 80 % respectively) as compared to the ActiGraph (42.9, 47.6 % respectively). Mean wear time on valid days was similar across sensors (ActiGraph: M = 918.8 ± 115.0 min; GENEActiv: M = 949.3 ± 86.6; SenseWear: M = 928.0 ± 101.8) and well above other studies using wake time only protocols. Informational feedback was the biggest motivator, while appearance, comfort, and inconvenience were the biggest barriers to wearing sensors. Wear time was valid on 93.9 % (ActiGraph), 100 % (GENEActiv), and 95.2 % (SenseWear) of eligible days. 61.9, 95.2, and 71.4 % of participants had seven valid days of data for the ActiGraph, GENEActiv, and SenseWear, respectively. Twenty-four hour monitoring over seven consecutive days is a feasible approach in middle-aged women. Researchers should consider participant acceptability and demand, in addition to validity and reliability, when choosing a wearable sensor. More research is needed across populations and study designs.
Expected time-invariant effects of biological traits on mammal species duration

Determining which biological traits influence differences in extinction risk is vital for understanding the differential diversification of life and for making predictions about species’ vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. Here I present a hierarchical Bayesian survival model of North American Cenozoic mammal species durations in relation to species-level ecological factors, time of origination, and phylogenetic relationships. I find support for the survival of the unspecialized as a time-invariant generalization of trait-based extinction risk. Furthermore, I find that phylogenetic and temporal effects are both substantial factors associated with differences in species durations. Finally, I find that the estimated effects of these factors are partially incongruous with how these factors are correlated with extinction risk of the extant species. These findings parallel previous observations that background extinction is a poor predictor of mass extinction events and suggest that attention should be focused on mass extinctions to gain insight into modern species loss.
Evaluation of rat insulin messenger RNA in pancreatic and extrapancreatic tissues

The purpose of these studies was to determine whether insulin detected immunochemically in extrapancreatic tissues of the adult rat is synthesized in situ by quantitating mRNA in these tissues. A blot hybridization assay was utilized with cloned 32P-proinsulin cDNA. The lower limit of detection was estimated to be 3pg. Proinsulin mRNA concentration was found to be 1000–1500 μg in isolated pancreatic islets and was easily detected in total pancreatic RNA at 10–15 pg/ μg. Proinsulin mRNA was quantitated in rat insulinoma cells adapted to culture at levels 1∶50 those in normal islets. Samples of RNA (20–50 μg) enriched about 50-fold for mRNA sequences by repeated oligo-deoxythymidylate chromatography were assayed. No insulin mRNA was detected in 50 μg samples of RNA from brain or in 20 μg samples from subsections of brain or other extrapancreatic tissues. RNA samples were undegraded as assessed by ability to stimulate protein synthesis in a cell-free system. Proinsulin mRNA from pancreas was added to brain homogenates and recovered intact. Brain RNA samples with insulin mRNA levels 1:1000 that of pancreas would be predicted to have 50–75 pg proinsulin mRNA/50 μg sample assayed if present. Because none was found, brain must have a concentration <1:6,000 that of pancreas. These findings suggest that immunoassayable insulin detected in extrapancreatic tissues of the adult rat is synthesized by the pancreas.
The Incorporation of Allogeneic and Autogenous Bone Graft in Healing of Lateral Column Lengthening of the Calcaneus

Lateral column calcaneal lengthening as described by Mosca is a widely accepted technique for the correction of hindfoot valgus and pes planus. It is performed with both allogeneic and autogenous bone graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incorporation of these 2 types of bone graft in this procedure. A retrospective review of all lateral calcaneal lengthenings performed by 4 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons over a 10-year period was conducted. Radiographs at the last follow-up visit were independently examined by 3 reviewers. Incorporation of the bone graft was determined by 2 criteria: (1) presence of continuity of trabecular lines between graft and native bone, and (2) inability to distinguish the boundary between bone graft and native bone. A consensus or majority opinion (2 out of 3 reviewers) was considered positive for graft incorporation. Thirty-five lateral column lengthenings in 26 patients were reviewed, 30 of which used allograft bone and 5 autograft. Ninety-seven percent of the allograft cases and 80% of the autograft cases were incorporated at final follow-up. There was 1 case of graft failure in each of the 2 groups. Follow-up in the allograft failure was 6 weeks; the autogenous failure 7.2 years. Interrater reliability was good (kappa=0.61, P Allogeneic bone graft is rapidly integrated into native bone and is a desirable substitute to autogenous bone for use in lateral column lengthenings, avoiding any patient morbidity from graft harvesting. Level of Clinical Evidence: 2.
The Rate of Convergence of Finite-Difference Approximations for Parabolic Bellman Equations with Lipschitz Coefficients in Cylindrical Domains ∗

We consider degenerate parabolic and elliptic fully nonlinear Bellman equations with Lipschitz coefficients in domains. Error bounds of order h1/2 in the sup norm for certain types of finite-difference schemes are obtained.
First Report of Septoria Leaf Spot of Pistachio in New Mexico

In September of 2008, a Septoria sp., the causal agent of Septoria leaf spot of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) was isolated from leaf lesions in an orchard in southern New Mexico. Tree fruit and nut crops including pistachios are becoming an increasingly important part of New Mexico's agricultural industry with total cash receipts of $103 million in 2007 (3). This preliminary positive for Septoria prompted a survey of pistachio-growing counties in the state. The surveyed orchards accounted for approximately 30% of the pistachio acreage in New Mexico. Results indicated that all five pistachio-growing counties had orchards infected with a Septoria sp. Isolates of Septoria from leaf lesions were identified as Septoria pistaciarum Caracc. based on the following symptoms and morphological characteristics of the fungus: leaf lesions were usually circular, 0.5 to 3 mm in diameter, and contained many pycnidia per lesion; pycnidia were dark, ostiolate, and measured 101 to 255 × 69 to 133 μm; and conidia were hyaline...
Switch-Level Simulation of VLSI Using a Special-Purpose Data-Driven Computer

In this paper I present the algorithms, architecture, and performance of the FAST-1, a special-purpose data-driven computer for switch-level simulation of VLSI circuits. The FAST-1 algorithm computes the same steady state as Bryant's Mossimil algorithm, using a similar network model. The architecture of the simulation machine follows directly from the simulation algorithm and, like the algorithm, is very simple. While the machine has not yet been implemented in hardware, a software-implementation of the proposed architecture has allowed the architecture's performance to be measured in terms of the number of Read-Modify-Write memory cycles required to perform a given simulation. Measurements of circuits ranging in size from a hundred to over 20K transistors indicate that a hardware implementation of the simulation machine will run orders of magnitude faster than software-implemented simulators running on general-purpose computers built using similar technology.
Reliable stochastic sequential switching circuits

A procedure based upon probabilistic logics is developed for the analysis and synthesis of reliable asynchronous relay sequential switching circuits, subject to a set of statistical postulates. The reliability of a sequential circuit is measured as proportional to a logarithm of the probability of error for certain state transitions of the circuit involved. The ?ces? as a unit of reliability is proposed by the author. An example of the analysis and synthesis procedure is given.
Carbon sequestration efforts receive international boost

More than a dozen nations have signed a charter to support international cooperation in the research and development of non-biological sequestration of carbon that otherwise would be emitted into the atmosphere. The 25 June agreement promises to facilitate technological advances as well as commercial viability for capture and storage of carbon in geological formations such as oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, and deep saline reservoirs. Some experts also are examining the possibility of storing carbon in the world's oceans.
Aciduric, pH‐Elevating Bacillus which Cause Noneffervescent Spoilage of Underprocessed Tomatoes

In the preliminary phase of this study, a selective isolation medium was developed. Using the new medium, 24 strains of Bacillus Spp. that elevate tomato juice pH were isolated from garden soil or natural vegetative materials. Two jars of home-canned, water-bathed tomatoes contained sporeformers which produced noneffervescent spoilage. All strains were morphologically and physiologically different from 2 flat-sour strains of B. coagulans and B. licheniformis strains, but similar to a previous isolate from home-canned, spoiled green beans that elevated pH. The new medium may have future applications in isolation and enumeration of other acidurics including yeast-like microorganisms.
Civic Discourse Amid Cultural Transformation

We live in an age of cultural transformation. The industrial age has finally surrendered to the information-based service economy. The era of the printed word is edging into history, ever more rapidly replaced by graphic imagery, whether the still photo, the staccato pulse of television, or the interactive imagery of the Web. Popular culture a localized culture of public participation, whether through town meetings, county fairs, the community picnic on the Fourth of July, attending the high school football game, or something else has largely passed away, replaced by a culture of mass entertainment Disney World, MTV, Hollywood productions, the Super Bowl, or anything skillfully packaged for mass consumption. Authentic experience has begun to be replaced by ersatz experience. No longer does one have to visit Paris or New York; now Las Vegas will do almost as well. Who needs to visit Tierra del Fuego to see penguins when their brightly defined and highly resolved images cavort on large illuminated screens in your home? These and other alterations of culture have produced, and will continue to produce, a distinct and discernible effect on civic discourse. In as few words as possible I hope to outline some of the major cultural transformations that recently have occurred or now are occurring, to relate those events to discernible changes in the nature of civic discourse, and to hazard some guesses about the future direction of our culture and our public discourse.
Surface controlled crystallization of poly(tetramethylene terephthalate)

Epitaxial crystallization of poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) from dimethyl phthalate solution on alkali halide crystals has been studied using electron microscopy and electron diffraction techniques. Rod-like crystals oriented in the 〈110〉 directions of the substrate were found to form at short crystallization times. At longer times, however, lamella-like crystals, which were nucleated at the sides of the rod-like crystals, grew in directions dictated by the substrate. Besides the normal bidirectional orientations induced by the substrate, the polymer crystals showed twinning which was found to be due to the triclinic lattice structure of the polymer.
Cadaverine and aminoguanidine potentiate the uptake of histamine in vitro in perfused intestinal segments of rats

Examination of the serosal fluid following in vitro luminal perfusion of rat intestinal segments with 1 mg/ml [3H]histamine for 2 hr showed that histamine constituted only 22.1% of the total serosal radioactivity. The remainder of the radioactivity was comprised of histamine metabolites. When equimolar amounts of either aminoguanidine and cadaverine were added to the luminal perfusate, the percentage of the serosal radioactivity as histamine increased to 67.0 and 60.4%, respectively. However, when equal amounts of histamine and anserine were added to the luminal perfusate, only 30.6% of the 3H translocated within 2 hr was [3H]histamine. In all cases, the gross translocation rate based on the percentage of total serosal radioactivity for total radioisotope ([3H]histamine plus [3H]histamine metabolites) was unchanged by the addition of these substances to the luminal perfusate. The results indicate that the potentiation of histamine toxicity by putrefactive amines, such as cadaverine, results from the inhibition of histamine metabolism which leads to increased uptake of unmetabolized histamine. The results do not support the hypothesis that potentiation occurs via an overall increase in the absorption of histamine and its metabolites due to some disruption in the barrier function of the intestine.
UNDERSTANDING OF FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS RESULTS UNDER THE FRAMEWORK OF OXLEY'S MACHINING MODEL

ABSTRACT We introduce an accurate coupled thermo-mechanical finite element analysis (FEA) of machining using the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) analysis capability of ABAQUS/Explicit. This analysis provides detailed information about the cutting forces, chip thickness, contact length, the extent of the primary and secondary shear zones as well as the distribution of strain, strain rate and temperature in the deformation zones. This information has to be viewed under the framework of an analytical model for it to lead to better understanding of the physics of machining. We use the best available analytical model, namely, Oxley's machining model, for this purpose and the FEA results are compared with the assumptions and predictions of Oxley's analysis. The strain rate in the primary shear zone, the hydrostatic pressure variation along the shear plane, the distribution of normal and shear stresses along the tool-chip interface and the shape of the secondary shear zone are the quantities compared. Due to...
Neuroendocrine aspects of primary endogenous depression—XIV. Gonadotropin secretion in female patients and their matched controls

To determine the extent of dysregulation of gonadotropin secretion in depressed women, we measured nocturnal and diurnal serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations and the responses of these hormones to gonadotropin releasing hormone (LHRH) in 20 Research Diagnostic Criteria primary, definite endogenous female depressives and in 20 individually matched female normal controls. Fourteen patients and 14 controls were premenopausal, and six patients and six controls were peri/postmenopausal or panhysterectomized. None of the latter was receiving estrogen replacement therapy. The premenopausal patients showed no significant differences in basal nocturnal or diurnal gonadotropin concentrations and no significant differences in hormone concentrations post-LHRH compared to their premenopausal matched controls. In contrast, in the postmenopausal subjects there were (1) significantly increased diurnal vs. nocturnal serum FSH concentrations in the depressives; (2) marginally increased nocturnal, diurnal, and LHRH-stimulated LH concentrations and highly significantly increased LHRH-stimulated FSH concentrations in the depressives compared to their controls; and (3) positive correlations between the LH measures and ratings of depression severity in the patients. These results suggest a dysregulation of the HPG axis in peri/postmenopausal and panhysterectomized female endogenous depressives.
Case studies in modeling aqueous electrolyte solutions

Abstract Modeling of chemical systems containing electrolytes has become an important part of steady-state process simulation. Monsanto has been modeling aqueous electrolyte systems since 1980 using a set of computer programs developed by OLI Systems, Inc. The ECES and FRACHEM programs involve a two-step procedure in which the user first defines the chemistry and physical properties of the chemical system. With that information, the basic program, ECES, generates a set of algebraic equations describing the equilibrium conditions of the system. The user then defines the known values of the system and the program solves the equations simultaneously for the unknown values. The electrolyte capability may be accessed either through stand-alone programs or as an integral part of FLOWTRAN ™ . In this paper, the development of the chemical model is described briefly, followed by four case studies in which the capabilities are employed.
Quantitative assessment of mRNA cap analogues as inhibitors of in vitro translation.

Fifty-eight analogues of the 5‘-terminal 7-methylguanosine-containing cap of eukaryotic messenger RNA were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit in vitro protein synthesis. A new algo...
Susceptibility of root knot and cyst nematodes to the nematode-trapping fungi Monacrosporium ellipsosporum and M. cionopagum

Abstract We compared the susceptibility of Meloidogyne javanica and Heterodera schachtii to the nematode-trapping fungi Monacrosporium ellipsosporum and M. cionopagum . The fungi were added in the form of fungal-colonized nematodes or hyphae pelletized in alginate to field soil in small vials. Suppression by the fungi was measured by comparing nematode invasion of roots in fungal treated and untreated soil. Meloidogyne javanica was much more susceptible than H. schachtii to both fungi, regardless of the form of fungal inoculum. Thus, when colonized nematodes were used as fungal inoculum, suppression of M. javanica and H. schachtii was 92 and 6% by M. ellipsosporum and 54 and 0% by M. cionopagum . Similarly, when pelletized hyphae were used, suppression of M. javanica and H. schachtii was 80 and 10% by M. ellipsosporum and 98 and 24% by M. cionopagum . In other tests, two additional populations of H. schachtii were relatively resistant and two additional species of root-knot nematode, M. incognita and M. chitwoodi , were relatively susceptible to these fungi. The results indicate that Meloidogyne spp in general are more susceptible than H. schachtii to M. ellipsosporum and M. cionopagum .
Overuse of short-interval bone densitometry: assessing rates of low-value care

We evaluated the prevalence and geographic variation of short-interval (repeated in under 2 years) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry tests (DXAs) among Medicare beneficiaries. Short-interval DXA use varied across regions (coefficient of variation = 0.64), and unlike other DXAs, rates decreased with payment cuts. The American College of Rheumatology, through the Choosing Wisely initiative, identified measuring bone density more often than every 2 years as care “physicians and patients should question.” We measured the prevalence and described the geographic variation of short-interval (repeated in under 2 years) DXAs among Medicare beneficiaries and estimated the cost of this testing and its responsiveness to payment change. Using 100 % Medicare claims data, 2006–2011, we identified DXAs and short-interval DXAs for female Medicare beneficiaries over age 66. We determined the population rate of DXAs and short-interval DXAs, as well as Medicare spending on short-interval DXAs, nationally and by hospital referral region (HRR). DXA use was stable 2008–2011 (12.4 to 11.5 DXAs per 100 women). DXA use varied across HRRs: in 2011, overall DXA use ranged from 6.3 to 23.0 per 100 women (coefficient of variation = 0.18), and short-interval DXAs ranged from 0.3 to 8.0 per 100 women (coefficient of variation = 0.64). Short-interval DXA use fluctuated substantially with payment changes; other DXAs did not. Short-interval DXAs, which represented 10.1 % of all DXAs, cost Medicare approximately US$16 million in 2011. One out of ten DXAs was administered in a time frame shorter than recommended and at a substantial cost to Medicare. DXA use varied across regions. Short-interval DXA use was responsive to reimbursement changes, suggesting carefully designed policy and payment reform may reduce this care identified by rheumatologists as low value.