cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Gut Microbiome of Patients With Cirrhosis.

Abstract Background and aims Cirrhosis is associated with changes in intestinal microbiota that can lead to hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and infections, especially with antibiotic-resistant organisms. However, the impact of gut microbial antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) burden on clinical outcomes is unclear. The aims of the study were to determine the impact of ARGs in cirrhosis-related gut metagenome on outcomes and disease progression, study the effect of rifaximin on ARG burden, and compare ARGs in cirrhosis with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes. Methods In outpatients with cirrhosis who underwent metagenomics, we evaluated change in ARG abundances with progression and their multivariable impact on 90-day hospitalizations and deaths over 1 year. We also studied ARGs pre- and 8 weeks post-rifaximin in patients with compensated cirrhosis in an open-label trial. Finally, ARGs from CKD and diabetes studies were compared with cirrhosis on machine learning. Results A total of 163 patients with cirrhosis (43 compensated, 20 ascites-only, 30 HE-only, 70 both) and 40 controls were included. ARG abundances were higher in cirrhosis versus controls and worsened with advancing cirrhosis severity; 44 patients were hospitalized and 14 died. ARG abundances were associated with hospitalizations and mortality while controlling for cirrhosis complications, medications, and demographics. Rifaximin trial: ARG abundance patterns were minimally affected in 19 patients post-rifaximin. CKD/diabetes comparison: ARG abundance patterns in cirrhosis are distinguishable on machine learning and include more gram-positive ARGs. Conclusions Cirrhosis is associated with high gut microbial ARG gene burden compared with controls, which worsens with disease progression and may be different from CKD and diabetes. ARGs are not affected by rifaximin and are associated with hospitalizations and death.
Modification in induction immunosuppression regimens to safely perform kidney transplants amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a single center retrospective study.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted organ donation and transplantation across the globe. Methods This study analyzed transplant outcomes during the pre-pandemic [PPE, 1/2019-2/2020] and pandemic era [PE, 3/2020-8/2020] based on changes in induction immunosuppression. During PPE, high immunological risk patients received 4-6 mg/kg, moderate risk 2-4 mg/kg, and low risk 1-2 mg/kg of ATG. During PE, ATG doses were reduced to 3-4 mg/kg for high risk, 1-2 mg/kg for moderate, and low changed to basiliximab. Primary outcomes are as follows: biopsy-proven rejection [BPAR], de-novo donor-specific antibody [DSA], delayed graft function [DGF], infection rates, graft loss, and all-cause of mortality. Results During PPE, 224 kidney transplants [KTx] and 14 kidney/pancreas transplants [KP] were included, while 180 KTx and 5 KP were included for PE. Basiliximab use increased by 30% in the PE. The odds of DGF were statistically significant between PE vs PPE, OR 1.7 [1.05, 2.8, p-value = .042]. The odds of developing DSAs and BPAR during the PE vs. PPE were 0.34 [0.16, 0.71, p-value = .004] and OR 0.34 (0.1 to 1.1, p-value, .104)], respectively. Cytomegalovirus [19% in PE, 37% in PPE] and BK virus [5.4% PE vs. 16% PPE] incidence reduced during PE vs. PPE. COVID-19, graft loss, and mortality were comparable between groups. Conclusion KTx and KP transplants were performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic with a reduction of induction immunosuppression.
Embracing Uncertainty: The Value of Partial Identification in Public Health and Clinical Research.

Introduction This paper describes the methodology of partial identification and its applicability to empirical research in preventive medicine and public health. Methods The authors summarize findings from the methodologic literature on partial identification. The analysis was conducted in 2020–2021. Results The applicability of partial identification methods is demonstrated using 3 empirical examples drawn from published literature. Conclusions Partial identification methods are likely to be of considerable interest to clinicians and others engaged in preventive medicine and public health research.
Program, cultural and neighbourhood factors related to attrition from a community-based enriched medical home program in the United States

Attrition from clinical interventions targeting underserved populations is a substantive challenge to achieving optimal health outcomes. Our nationally recognised enriched medical home intervention (EMHI) utilised community health worker home visitation to improve health outcomes of children by engaging the entire family and removing barriers to care-seeking. Families were enrolled into the program between 2013 and 2016, and, as part of the evaluation of the program's success, we identified predictors of program completion by conducting a secondary analysis of 304 families participating in the EMHI evaluation research. Program completers finished participation in the EMHI with mutual agreement that the family can independently follow recommended care. Program non-completers were either lost to follow-up or dropped out before reaching this milestone. Data were collected using electronic medical records and validated self-report surveys to assess constructs such as social support, mental health difficulties and neighbourhood characteristics. The EMHI participants were primarily families with infants <24 months old, Medicaid-insured and Latino. In the multivariable logistic regression model, EMHI program factors as well as community factors independently predicted program continuation and retention. Specifically, families learning about newborn care or with preferred spoken language Spanish were more likely to complete the program. Participants reporting neighbourhood distrust had a greater likelihood of non-completion than others. Results underscore the importance of cultural competency and community involvement in program design and dissemination. Our findings are applicable to other home-based interventions with the goal of supporting underserved families in following recommended clinical care.
Factors Influencing Sex Ratios

Sperm samples collected from 500 normal men were used to identify mo rphologic types and to determine the influence of certain factors on sex ratio. 2 types have been distinguished: a small roundheaded sperm which probably carries the Y chromosome (producing a male offspring) and a large ovalheaded sperm which carries the X chromosome (producing a female). Factors which influence the sex of offspring include speed (sm allheaded sperm are faster than ovalheaded) continence or lack thereof (oligospermia is associated with female offspring) and longevity (flavored by X-bearing sperm). Also interrelated is differential enviro nment with the cervix before and at ovulation; the cyclic variation in physical and chemical characteristics of the reproductive fluids influences behavior and longevity of X and Y sperm. Trials in animals and man have suggested that the easier the conditions for conception the greater the chances for males whereas the more difficult the conditions the greated the possibilities for females.
Modeling the Behavior of Materials

A first requirement in the calculation of problems in mechanics is a formulation of the material behavior. The material description should include elastic, and elastic-plastic flow. Appropriate yield criteria must be employed. The literature includes many complicated forms to describe material behavior, some of which have been developed to aid the mathematics in the analytic solution of the equation of motion. Numerical techniques can solve the equation of continuum mechanics in two or three dimensions and time with second order accuracy. With these techniques the equations of motion are completely independent of equations that describe material behavior and any mathematical form may be used. The objective of the material models is to provide a theoretical description applicable to a wide class of practical problems, but using simple idealizations of the outstanding features of the real phenomena.
Body composition and functional limitation in COPD

Low body mass index has been associated with increased mortality in severe COPD. The impact of body composition earlier in the disease remains unclear. We studied the impact of body composition on the risk of functional limitation in COPD. We used bioelectrical impedance to estimate body composition in a cohort of 355 younger adults with COPD who had a broad spectrum of severity. Among women, a higher lean-to-fat ratio was associated with a lower risk of self-reported functional limitation after controlling for age, height, pulmonary function impairment, race, education, and smoking history (OR 0.45 per 0.50 increment in lean-to-fat ratio; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.74). Among men, a higher lean-to-fat ratio was associated with a greater distance walked in 6 minutes (mean difference 40 meters per 0.50 ratio increment; 95% CI 9 to 71 meters). In women, the lean-to-fat ratio was associated with an even greater distance walked (mean difference 162 meters per 0.50 increment; 95% CI 97 to 228 meters). In women, higher lean-to-fat ratio was also associated with better Short Physical Performance Battery Scores. In further analysis, the accumulation of greater fat mass, and not the loss of lean mass, was most strongly associated with functional limitation among both sexes. Body composition is an important non-pulmonary impairment that modulates the risk of functional limitation in COPD, even after taking pulmonary function into account. Body composition abnormalities may represent an important area for screening and preventive intervention in COPD.
Lifelong learning and the virtual campus-a proposal for asynchronous learning

Lifelong learning has traditionally been a challenge for highly specialized professions such as engineering, where the central core of knowledge tends to change continuously. Emerging technologies such as the Internet multimedia-based training, computer-based videoconferencing and others will facilitate the access to critical, data rich information by professionals all over the world increasing demand for this kind of learning will pose new challenges for learning institutions that are not prepared to serve this potential audience. This paper describes the state-of-the-art in distance learning technologies and the implications for both students and learning institutions interested in creating the "virtual campuses" of the future.
Reconstruction of the urethra and vesical sphincter by employing the levator ani muscles

Abstract These patients have been followed for periods ranging from six months to four years, and we find that they are completely continent except for the very occasional loss of a few drops of urine. They do not find it necessary to wear pads. Firm pressure in the midpoint of the vaginal floor opens the urethra permitting the escape of urine. The attachment of each sphincter end across under the urethra to the opposite side of the vaginal roof gives a constriction of the urethra by scissor-like mechanism of fibromuscular tissue. The method may be useful if any similar cases are encountered. We believe it would be advisable not to suture the perineal muscles too tightly following transplantation, as any pull on the perineal floor seems to pull down on the urethral floor which favors leakage. Two of our patients are able to produce visible voluntary contractions of the synthetic sphincter. We believe that transplantation of the levator muscles may be used with profit in the repair of certain vesical sphincter defects in the female.
Roger L. Fosdick

This volume in honor of Professor R.L. Fosdick’s sixtieth birthday is a fitting tribute to his wide ranging contributions to continuum mechanics. In addition to his research in various aspects of continuum mechanics, Prof. Fosdick has had a strong influence in shaping the direction that the field has taken in the past few decades through the numerous students who have learnt continuum mechanics from him, both at the Illinois Institute of Technology and at the University of Minnesota. Many are the students who decided to pursue their doctoral work in mechanics after having taken his meticulously prepared courses delivered with pellucid clarity.
Evaluation of energies of isomeric SO2 complexes

SO2 binds to MHCl(CO)L2 (M = Ru, Os; L = PiPr3) to give a product in which SO2 binds trans to hydride, and with an η1-SO2 binding mode, planar around sulfur, as shown in part by an X-ray diffraction study for M = Ru. We have investigated the structures and energies of various isomers and insertion (of SO2 into the Ru–H bond) products of the observed product to evaluate, in a fixed molecular environment, their stabilities relative to the observed product, in which SO2 functions as a Lewis base. In contrast to CH2 insertion into the analogous Os–H bond, insertion of SO2 into Ru–H here is not strongly favored. A search of the potential energy surface shows that η1-SO2 with pyramidal sulfur is not a stationary state.
Women's Return to School Following the Transition to Motherhood

Les AA. etudient les donnees biographiques et utilisent une approche historique dans le but d'isoler les facteurs qui induisent les femmes a reintegrer une formation apres leur mariage ou apres une maternite. Ils utilisent un certain nombre de donnees obtenues a partir d'une enquete par panel concernant un echantillon de femmes, nees entre 1905 et 1933, et qui furent interrogees en 1956 et en 1986. Les resultats montrent, pour les Etats-Unis, un accroissement du nombre de femmes reintegrant une formation. Ceci mettrait en avant une conception des roles sexuels qui est en contradiction avec les vues traditionnnelles. L'enquete semble montrer que les femmes tendent a etre confrontees a un certain nombre d'experiences telles que le divorce, le travail a temps partiel mais elle montre aussi que les femmes, de plus en plus, cherchent a rebeneficier du systeme educatif au cours de leur vie
Nonparametric Missing Sample Spectral Analysis and Its Applications to Interrupted SAR

We consider nonparametric adaptive spectral analysis of complex-valued data sequences with missing samples occurring in arbitrary patterns. We first present two high-resolution missing-data spectral estimation algorithms: the Iterative Adaptive Approach (IAA) and the Sparse Learning via Iterative Minimization (SLIM) method. Both algorithms can significantly improve the spectral estimation performance, including enhanced resolution and reduced sidelobe levels. Moreover, we consider fast implementations of these algorithms using the Conjugate Gradient (CG) technique and the Gohberg-Semencul-type (GS) formula. Our proposed implementations fully exploit the structure of the steering matrices and maximize the usage of the fast Fourier transform (FFT), resulting in much lower computational complexities as well as much reduced memory requirements. The effectiveness of the adaptive spectral estimation algorithms is demonstrated via several numerical examples including both 1-D spectral estimation and 2-D interrupted synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging examples.
Effect of laser parameters on the exposure and selective etch rate in photostructurable glass

Photostructurable glass-ceramic materials have received significant attention due to their utility in aerospace engineering and micro technology. For example, the ability to fabricate structures in glass is important in the design and integration of micro scale electronic, optical and fluidic devices. Direct-write pulsed UV laser processing techniques have been utilized recently to create patterned 3D microstructures in a lithium-aluminosilicate glass. The direct-write microfabrication process involves the formation of an initial latent image in the glass via UV laser radiation. Thermal-induced ceramization is utilized to develop the latent image into a permanent image. Material removal and microstructure fabrication are then accomplished by preferential isotropic etching of the developed regions.
Are There Commission Cost Side-Effects from Portfolio Management Decisions?

An examination of approximately 28,000 institutional trades over five post-Mayday quarters indicates that security price and liquidity are important determinants of commissions. High priced stocks, being more liquid, are generally less costly to trade than low priced stocks. Possible inventory risks, as measured by the standard deviation of returns, are positively related to commissions, but the explanatory power of this variable is not as great as that of liquidity or price and its practical importance is minimal.
Intravenous administration of the endothelin-1 antagonist BQ-123 does not ameliorate myocardial ischaemic injury following acute coronary artery occlusion in the dog.

Objective: It has been proposed that myocardial ischaemic injury is modulated in part by the release of endothelin-1 from the coronary endothelium either during ischaemia or following reperfusion. Release of sufficient amounts of endothelin-1 would result in coronary vasoconstriction and could potentiate ischaemic damage. An endothelin-1 antagonist. BQ-123, was given intravenously to evaluate the role of endothelin-1 in postischaemic injury and determine whether blockade of the ETA receptor would afford protection from ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Myocardial injury was induced in anaesthetised dogs using 90 min of left circumflex coronary artery occlusion followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Animals treated with a continuous intravenous infusion of BQ-123 (0.1 mg·kg−1·min−1). begun 10 min before ischaemia and continued throughout ischaemia and reperfusion, were compared to saline treated animals. Results: After 4 h of reperfusion the myocardial infarct size measured by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was not different between the two groups. Infarct size in the control group was 25.7(SEM 5.4)% of the area at risk while BQ-123 treatment resulted in an infarct size of 29.2(7.1)% of the area at risk (p = 0.70). Plasma endothelin-1 concentration measured at the coronary sinus was only significantly increased following 5 min of reperfusion. Conclusions: The intravenous administration of a specific ETA receptor antagonist does not protect against ischaemia/reperfusion injury. These results suggest that endothelin-1 receptor antagonists require access to the area at risk during occlusion to protect the myocardium from ischaemic injury. Cardiovascular Research 1994; 28 :1672-1678
The α/β ratio for prostate cancer: What is it, really?

Two recent studies of fractionated external beam radiotherapy in early prostate cancer provide outcome data that allow a statistical estimation of the alpha/beta-ratio of the linear-quadratic model when combined with clinical data on the steepness of the dose-response curve. Results of the large randomized PR5 trial by the Ontario Clinical Oncology Group/National Cancer Institute of Canada yield an estimate of alpha/beta at 1.12 Gy with 95% confidence interval (-3.3, 5.6) Gy. A non-randomized study by Valdagni and colleagues of hyper-fractionation delivered BID versus conventional fractionation yields an alpha/beta-estimate of 8.3 Gy with 95% confidence interval (0.7, 16) Gy. Thus, the confidence interval of this latter study cannot exclude even very low values of alpha/beta. Furthermore, this point estimate may be an over-estimate if incomplete repair plays a role in the BID group of the Italian study. Taken together, the outcomes of these two studies still favor a high fractionation sensitivity of prostate cancer.
NEOADJUVANT ANDROGEN ABLATION FOR LOCALIZED PROSTATIC CANCER: PATHOLOGY METHODS, SURGICAL END POINTS AND META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED TRIALS

AbstractPurpose: At least 7 centers or collaborative groups have performed randomized clinical trials of neoadjuvant androgen ablation and radical prostatectomy versus radical prostatectomy alone for localized prostatic cancer. Our objectives were to analyze treatment results in terms of 2 standard outcome measures, to identify patient characteristics and other factors that explain outcome differences between trials, and to use pooled data to test the hypothesis that neoadjuvant treatment alters outcomes.Materials and Methods: Trials were identified by MEDLINE search and review of published bibliographies, and examined for pathological techniques used to assign surgical end points. An attempt was made to contact trial group members for clarification and updated information. The resulting data were transformed as needed into standardized end points of pT stage and negative surgical margin. A series of contingency tables were used to study relationships between treatment outcomes and various risk factors.Re...
Unconventional superconductivity in CeIrIn5 and CeCoIn5

Abstract Following our recent discovery of superconductivity at ambient pressure in heavy fermion CeIrIn 5 and CeCoIn 5 , we studied the nature of the superconducting states in these compounds with specific heat, thermal conductivity, and NMR measurements. The low temperature specific heat in both CeIrIn 5 and CeCoIn 5 includes T 2 terms, consistent with the presence of nodes in the superconducting energy gap, indicating spin-singlet pairing. The thermal conductivity data present a T -linear term consistent with the universal limit (CeIrIn 5 ) and a low temperature T 3 variation in the clean limit (CeCoIn 5 ), also in accord with predictions for an unconventional superconductor with lines of nodes. An NMR study of CeCoIn 5 reveals suppressed spin susceptibility in the superconducting state, and the low temperature H c2 in CeCoIn 5 is Pauli limited, both indicating spin-singlet pairing. Taken together, our measurements point to d-wave superconductivity in this family of compounds.
The solubility of tantalum in eight liquid rare-earth metals

Abstract The solubilities of tantalum in liquid gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium and thulium have been determined from the melting point of the rare-earth metal to ~ 1800°C, to ~ 1900°C for scandium, and to ~ 2000°C for lutetium. The change of the transition and melting points by tantalum has been measured, and the partial molal heats of solution of tantalum in the rare-earth metals calculated from these data. The liquid solubility of tantalum was found to depend upon the atomic size difference between the rare-earth solvent and the tantalum solute, i.e. the smaller the size difference the greater the solubility at a given common temperature (e.g. 1700°C). These results also suggest that the atomic size factor curves presented by Strauss , White and Brown for liquid alloys should be modified.
Absorption of Phenobarbital from Tablets and Elixir

A three-way crossover study was conducted with 24 healthy male volunteers to determine the relative bioavailability of four different 100-mg phenobarbital tablets compared with a reference elixir. Each subject received two of the tablets and the elixir at 30-d intervals. Blood samples were collected daily for 19 d after each dose. Plasma phenobarbital concentrations achieved with the five dosage forms differed by <20% within 2–3 h after dosing. The extent of absorption for all dosage forms, as determined from area under the plasma concentration-time profiles, were within 10% of each other. The peak plasma concentration was the greatest and the time to peak concentration was the shortest for the elixir. One of the tablets exhibited a time to peak concentration of 8.6 h, which was significantly longer than any of the other dosage forms. The time to peak concentration correlated with the percent of drug dissolved in 60 min, as determined in 0.1 M HCl, using the USP XX paddle method at 50 rpm.
Self-organization in bacterial swarming: lessons from myxobacteria

When colonizing surfaces, many bacteria are able to self-organize into an actively expanding biofilm, in which millions of cells move smoothly and orderly at high densities. This phenomenon is known as bacterial swarming. Despite the apparent resemblance to patterns seen in liquid crystals, the dynamics of bacterial swarming cannot be explained by theories derived from equilibrium statistical mechanics. To understand how bacteria swarm, a central question is how order emerges in dense and initially disorganized populations of bacterial cells. Here we briefly review recent efforts, with integrated computational and experimental approaches, in addressing this question.
More evidence for a relational shift in the development of analogy: Children's performance on a causal-mapping task

Abstract Gentner (1988) has proposed a relational shift whereby children interpret analogy and metaphor first in terms of object similarity and then in terms of relational similarity. Goswami (1996) argues against the relational shift hypothesis, citing as evidence a study performed by Goswami and Brown (1989) in which 3-, 4-, and 6-year-old children were able to correctly complete pictorial A:B::C:? analogies based on familiar causal relations, and, contrary to the predictions of the relational shift hypothesis, made very few object-similarity errors despite the presence of an object-similarity choice. In the present experiment we obtained similarity ratings of Goswami and Brown's stimuli and found that the materials did not contain a true object similarity choice and therefore that study was not an adequate test of the relational shift hypothesis. After appropriate modifications to their methodology, we found that 4- and 5-year-old children's performance was consistent with the relational shift hypothesis: First, object-similarity errors were highly frequent initially and decreased with age; second, the rate of relational (correct) responding increased with age; and third, performance on the analogues was positively related to children's knowledge about the participating causal relations. We conclude by proposing an explanation for the relational shift based on an alignment view of similarity comparison and, further, suggest a new role for object similarity in children's analogical development.
Computer modeling of a ventilated Trombe Wall—With actual performance results

Abstract A mathematical simulation procedure developed for use with a digital computer to predict the daily performance of a ventilated Trombe Wall is described and documented with actual measured performance results. The solar collector-storage system is used to preheat the ventilating air required by animal confinement structures, and thus reduce their demand for fossil fuel energy. In this system, all collected energy is delivered to the heated space in the ventilating air. This air is drawn continuously through the concrete wall on its way to the building. Given hourly or daily total solar insolation on a horizontal surface and hourly or daily average ambient temperature, we first calculate the available energy at the vertical collector, and the amount transmitted through the transparent covers. Then the collection process is simulated, and we predict the total collected energy, the amount supplied to the building, and the portion retained in storage for each day. During the 1977–1978 heating season we analyzed performance data for 7 periods of approximately one month each. We also simulated system performance for these periods, and relative error between measured and simulated performance ranged from 0 to 12 per cent with all but one month within 6 per cent.
The intellectual adolescence of organizational justice: You've come a long way, maybe.

To highlight the advances and limitations in the study of organizational justice as reflected by the articles in this issue, the field is characterized as being in its intellectual adolescence. Following this analogy, some signs of scientific maturity are noted. Among these are (a) increased attention to the connections between organizational justice and various organizational processes, (b) expanded efforts toward conceptual refinement, and (c) greater reliance on research conducted in natural settings. At the same time, the adolescent state of the field is also marked by its intellectual awkwardness and immaturity. Indications of this include (a) the absence of guiding theory, (b) an underdeveloped research agenda, and (c) an overreliance on the use of ad hoc measurements. Based on these limitations, suggestions are made for ways of nurturing the field's development. The article concludes with an optimistic vision of tomorrow's field of organizational justice.
The Histogenesis of Lymphosarcomatosis

Introduction: Over one hundred years ago, Thomas Hodgkin (1) described a clinical and anatomical condition characterized by “morbid appearances of the absorbent glands and spleen.” In the years that followed it became evident that Hodgkin had grouped together a number of different diseases on the basis of mere gross morphologic similarities. Numerous investigations since his report have served, from time to time, to delimit distinct entities having in common the characteristic of progressive lymphadenopathy, with or without hepatosplenomegaly. Leukemia was first described in 1845 by Virchow (2) and pseudoleukemia (aleukemic leukemia) in 1865 by Cohnheim (3). Lymphosarcoma, recognized since 1863 (Virchow, 4), was first clearly defined by Dreschfeld (5) in 1891, and by Kundrat (6) in 1893. Following this, lymphogranulomatosis (Sternberg, 1898) and leukosarcomatosis (Sternberg, 1904, 1908) were established as anatomical entities (7–9). More recently Brill, Baehr, and Rosenthal (1925), and Baehr, Klemperer and Rosenthal (1931) described follicular lymphoblastoma (10, 11). Finally, during the past decade, the terms reticulosis, reticulosarcomatosis and similar designations have appeared in the literature, referring also to cases of lymphadenopathy with or without hepatosplenomegaly, but characterized histologically by the presence of cells in reticular arrangement. The earliest efforts at classification of these diseases were limited to gross morphologic considerations. With increasing use of the microscope and the study of the blood, new data became available as an aid in their clearer delineation. Many of the early difficulties of anatomical differential diagnosis have been overcome by the introduction of these cytologic criteria.
The effect of prefreeze in vitro culturing on the success of embryo freezing in mice.

There is currently a controversy as to whether the prolonged in vitro culturing of embryos before freezing has a deleterious effect on their ability to survive freezing and thawing. We compared the survival rate of frozen/thawed mouse embryos after in vitro culturing, from the two-cell stage through the eight-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages, with the survival of embryos developed in vivo to the same stages. Following induced superovulation and mating, embryos in the desired cleavage stage were flushed from the oviducts andlor uterus and either cultured in vitro or frozen immediately in sterile glass ampoules to −40°C and plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Dimethyl sulfoxide (1.5M) was used as cryoprotectant. After thawing, the survival rate (determined by the morphological appearance of the embryos) was significantly lower in the eight-cell stage embryos in the group grown in vivo (P<0.05). The number of embryos developing into expanded and hatched blastocysts was not significantly different when the in vivo vs in vitro cultures were compared over each of the three cleavage stages: eight cells (82 vs 83%), morula (92 vs 87%), and blastocyst (33 vs 51%), respectively. There was a significant decrease in the development rate of blastocyststage embryos when compared with earlier stages under both culture conditions (P<0.001). It is concluded that, compared to in vivo-grown embryos frozen at the same stages, prolonged in vitro culture does not reduce the embryos' ability to develop normally.
Functional palaeoecology of the Hahnenmoor raised bog ecosystem. A study of vegetation history, production and decomposition by means of pollen density dating

Abstract The present study yielded the construction of a detailed time scale, based on pollen densities from peat deposits from the Hahnenmoor (W. Germany). To this end the pollen concentrations are represented cumulatively, starting from the lowermost sample of the continuous sample column. The increase in cumulative numbers can be considered to be a function of time. This relation between the increase in pollen quantities (regional tree pollen) and the lapse of time has been established as a function, by means of which every sample was dated. In this way a detailed time scale could be drawn up and this scale was used in turn for the construction of a pollen influx diagram. The developments within the raised bog ecosystem have been followed in detail and the average amounts of organic material, fungal hyphae, mites, and nitrogen preserved per annum were quantified. The pollen influx diagram yielded new insights into the forest history, because, in contrast with the percentage diagram, the separate curves show their own, independent characteristics. The influx diagram shows a decrease of the area covered with forests attributable to an extending boggy area and to an increasing influence of Man by exploiting its surroundings. It emphasizes the increasing importance of the beech since the beginning of the Bronze Age. Its extension could not be counter-acted by oak, not even during periods with a decreasing influence of Man upon the vegetation (0–1000 A.D.). These regional developments are not evidenced by the percentage diagrams. The raised bog itself was locally dominated by relatively “dry” types of bog vegetation, with interruptions by some wet periods during the Subboreal-Subatlantic transition. The in-situ developments within the bog are quantified. It seems as if hummocks produce more peat per annum than do the wetter types of peat bog vegetation. For every phase in the local vegetational development, decomposition curves have been constructed. It may be concluded that there are differences in the rates of decomposition between the different vegetation types in the bog. The quantities of primary production calculated from these curves come close to the ones measured in recent bogs. The nitrogen contents of the peat samples was determined. The concentrations are correlated with the time of decomposition and with the composition of the peat samples. This part of the study throws some light on the differences in nitrogen cycling among the different vegetational units.
The 9-hole PEG test of upper extremity function: average values, test-retest reliability, and factors contributing to performance in people with Parkinson disease.

Background and purpose Pegboard tests of hand dexterity are commonly used in clinical settings to assess upper extremity function in various populations. For individuals with Parkinson disease (PD), the clinical utility of pegboard tests has not been fully evaluated. Our purpose was to examine the commercially available 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) using a large sample of individuals with PD to determine average values, test-retest reliability, and factors predictive of 9HPT performance. Methods A total of 262 participants with PD (67% men, Hoehn & Yahr stage = 2.3 ± 0.7) completed the 9HPT along with a battery of other tests including the Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale-Motor Subscale III and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire. Results Average time to complete the 9HPT was 31.4 ± 15.7 s with the dominant and 32.2 ± 12.4 s with the nondominant hand. Test-retest reliability of 2 trials performed with the same hand was high (dominant ICC2,1 = 0.88, nondominant ICC2,1 = 0.91). Women performed the test significantly faster than men, and nonfreezers significantly faster than freezers. For either hand, age, bradykinesia, and freezing of gait scores individually predicted significant portions of the variance in 9HPT time. Sex also was a significant predictor, but for the nondominant hand only. Tremor and rigidity did not predict performance. Discussion and conclusions The 9HPT appears to be a clinically useful measure for assessing upper extremity function in individuals with PD. The 9HPT has advantages over previously used methods including standardization, known normative values for healthy controls, commercial availability, transportability, and ease of administration.
Stress Modulates Illness-Course of Substance Use Disorders: A Translational Review

Childhood trauma and post-childhood chronic/repeated stress could increase the risk of a substance use disorder by affecting five stages of addiction illness-course: (a) initial experimentation with substances; (b) shifting from experimental to regular use; (c) escalation from regular use to abuse or dependence; (d) motivation to quit; and (e) risk of (re-)lapse. We reviewed the human literature on relationships between stress and addiction illness-course. We explored per illness-course stage: (i) whether childhood trauma and post-childhood chronic/repeated stress have comparable effects and (ii) whether effects cut across classes of substances of abuse. We further discuss potential underlying mechanisms by which stressors may affect illness-course stages for which we relied on evidence from studies in animals and humans. Stress and substances of abuse both activate stress and dopaminergic motivation systems, and childhood trauma and post-childhood stressful events are more chronic and occur more frequently in people who use substances. Stressors increase risk to initiate early use potentially by affecting trait-like factors of risk-taking, decision making, and behavioral control. Stressors also accelerate transition to regular use potentially due to prior effects of stress on sensitization of dopaminergic motivation systems, cross-sensitizing with substances of abuse, especially in people with high trait impulsivity who are more prone to sensitization. Finally, stressors increase risk for abuse and dependence, attenuate motivation to quit, and increase relapse risk potentially by intensified sensitization of motivational systems, by a shift from positive to negative reinforcement due to sensitization of the amygdala by corticotropin releasing factor, and by increased sensitization of noradrenergic systems. Stress generally affects addiction illness-course across stressor types and across classes of substances of abuse.
Flow cytometry analysis of T cells and continuous T-cell lines from autoimmune MRL/l mice

The study of spontaneous autoimmunity in mouse models affords an opportunity to determine the cellular basis of the immune dysregulation observed in this disease. Recently, a new mouse strain, MRL/Mp-Ipr/Ipr (MRL/l) has been developed which carries an autosomal recessive gene (lpr) that results in massive lymph node enlargement concomitant with the development of several autoantibodies. The interest in this strain lies in the possibility that the defect in T-cell regulation of the immune response is manifested at a different level from that in the NZB mouse. It has been reported that the proliferating population of lymphoid cells in the nodes of these mice are T cells, but that many of them are devoid of Lyt surface antigens. We have accordingly initiated several lines of research with these mice, including quantitative flow cytometry characterization of Lyt antigen expression of cells in the lymph nodes of the mice. In an approach to isolate and study the properties of these cells, we have also established continuous cell lines from the lymph node cells of MRL/l mice, using techniques similar to those used to establish continuous lines of antigen-activated cytotoxic T cells and helper T-cell populations.
A Geometrical Approach to Polygonal Dissimilarity and Shape Matching

Two geometrical measures have been proposed to quantify the dissimilarity between two irregular polygons. These measures capture the intuitive notion of the dissimilarity between shapes and are related to the minimum value of the intersecting area of the polygons on superposing one on the other in various configurations. A more easily computable measure of dissimilarity, referred to as the minimum integral square error between the polygons, has also been proposed, and using the latter measure pattern classification, has been performed. Experimental results involving the classification of the noisy boundaries of the four Great Lakes, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, using this measure, have been presented.
Th1 and Th2 CD4+ Cells in the Pathogenesis of Allergic Diseases

Our understanding of the molecular and genetic etiologies of allergic disorders, which affect 20%-30% of the general population, has greatly improved over the past several years. Previously, research focused on examination of immediate hypersensitivity reactions, initiated by the cross-linking of IgE molecules on the surface of mast cells/basophils, resulting in the release of a host of mediators, which cause symptoms typified by acute anaphylaxis. Although there has been substantial progress in understanding the molecular biology of mast cell and basophil activation and of the regulation of IgE synthesis, recent studies have shifted attention to the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause a broader allergic inflammatory response and underlie the more chronic and severe symptoms of allergy and asthma. In this report, we will review a substantial body of recent experimental work that has provided the basis for our new understanding of the allergic inflammatory response and the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. We will describe the recent progress in defining the immunological basis for allergic disease, and how subsets of helper CD4+ T cells secreting a specific array of cytokines (Th2 cytokines) regulate/cause allergic inflammation. We will review the cell biology of Th2 cells, the role of Th2 cells in allergic disease, and biological, genetic, and therapeutic mechanisms that influence the differentiation of CD4+ T cells and enhance or suppress cytokine synthesis in Th2 cells. These mechanisms control the expression of allergic diseases, which occur in some but not all individuals following environmental exposure to allergens.
Mechanics and fracture of crack tip deformable bi-material interface

Abstract Novel interface deformable bi-layer beam theory is developed to account for local effects at crack tip of bi-material interface by modeling a bi-layer composite beam as two separate shear deformable sub-layers with consideration of crack tip deformation. Unlike the sub-layer model in the literature in which the crack tip deformations under the interface peel and shear stresses are ignored and thus a “rigid” joint is used, the present study introduces two interface compliances to account for the effect of interface stresses on the crack tip deformation which is referred to as the elastic foundation effect; thus a flexible condition along the interface is considered. Closed-form solutions of resultant forces, deformations, and interface stresses are obtained for each sub-layer in the bi-layer beam, of which the local effects at the crack tip are demonstrated. In this study, an elastic deformable crack tip model is presented for the first time which can improve the split beam solution. The present model is in excellent agreements with analytical 2-D continuum solutions and finite element analyses. The resulting crack tip rotation is then used to calculate the energy release rate (ERR) and stress intensity factor (SIF) of interface fracture in bi-layer materials. Explicit closed-form solutions for ERR and SIF are obtained for which both the transverse shear and crack tip deformation effects are accounted. Compared to the full continuum elasticity analysis, such as finite element analysis, the present solutions are much explicit, more applicable, while comparable in accuracy. Further, the concept of deformable crack tip model can be applied to other bi-layer beam analyses (e.g., delamination buckling and vibration, etc.).
Approximate system inverses

Approximate system inverses are constructed in terms of truncated Laguerre series for lumped and distributed parameter systems. Two examples are presented: in the first, the approximate inverse of a scalar lumped system is compared to an approximate inverse obtained from the classical von Neumann series for the inverse; in the second, a system with a delay is inverted and compared to the von Neumann inverse. In both cases, the Laguerre approximate inverse was far superior.
A rapid, inexpensive, quantitative technique for the analysis of two-dimensional electrophoretograms

Abstract We describe a rapid, reproducible, and relatively inexpensive method for quantitative analysis of two-dimensional gel radiofluorograms. The equipment required includes a mediumresolution black and white video camera for data acquisition, a video digitizing circuit for data translation, and a microcomputer for data analysis. The system described can also be used to quantitate protein- or DNA-stained one- or two-dimensional gels or chromatograms.
Potentiation of ribavirin-induced teratogenesis by natural purines.

Abstract Ribavirin, a nucleoside analog, has been shown to possess much promise as an effective antiviral and antitumor agent. In addition, ribavirin has been reported to have significant, reproducible teratogenic activity (Kilham and Ferm, 1977) . As the teratogenic effects of certain nucleoside analogs have been found to be altered by natural nucleic acid bases, it was of interest to investigate ribavirin's teratogenic properties in this light. The experiments reported here evaluated the effects of simultaneous administrations of ribavirin and purine nucleic acid bases on developing hamster embryos. The injection of ribavirin-adenine and/or ribavirin-guanine on Day 8 of gestation was observed to significantly increase the percentage of resorbed implantation sites and the percentage of malformed hamster fetuses as compared with the administration of an equivalent dose of ribavirin alone. The anomalies in the hamster fetuses produced by the administration of ribavirin-purine combinations were observed to be generally more severe than anomalies in those fetuses exposed to an equivalent amount of ribavirin alone.
Classical statistical analysis based on a certain hypercomplex multivariate normal distribution

Goodman [1963] generalized the real normal multivariate model to the complex case.Goodman [1963], andKhatri [1965] derived the sampling distribution theory underlying this model. The present paper generalizes the complex multivariate normal theory to the hypercomplex case. The hypercomplex case studied here includes Hamilton's quaternions, biquaternions, octonions, and bioctonions. It is shown that the complex case results straightforwardly generalize to the hypercomplex case.
Penalties and premiums: The impact of gender, marriage, and parenthood on faculty salaries in science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) and non-SEM fields

The prevalence of gender wage gaps in academic work is well documented, but patterns of advantage or disadvantage linked to marital, motherhood, and fatherhood statuses have been less explored amon...
Finding the Right Partner in a 3D Genome

DNA integrity is frequently compromised as a result of exposure to cytotoxic agents, as well as the normal wear and tear of cellular processes like transcription and replication. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are arguably the most dangerous type of DNA damage as they can lead to chromosomal translocations when their repair joins noncontiguous genomic regions together. Indeed, numerous malignancies have been associated with signature translocations in which an oncogene becomes deregulated through joining with another gene that exerts control over its expression.