cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anterior and Posterior Fusion for Large, Rigid Idiopathic Scoliosis: Does Implant Density Matter?

Background Despite advancements in surgical techniques, controversy remains regarding the optimal implant density for the correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Recent evidence has suggested that equivalent radiographic and clinical outcomes can be achieved with lower implant densities for those with moderate curves and good flexibility. Among the experts, the consensus has continued that higher implant densities should be used for larger, stiffer curves. The purpose of the present study was to compare the radiographic results between high-implant density (HID) and low-implant density (LID) constructs in patients with large (>65°), rigid ( Methods We reviewed the idiopathic scoliosis cases performed at a single institution from 2006 to 2014. Only those meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. The patients were divided into HID and LID groups. The postoperative radiographs were compared for coronal correction, thoracic kyphosis, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and sagittal vertical axis. Results A statistically significant improvement in coronal correction was detected in the HID group at all follow-up points (final follow-up: HID, 81.1% vs. LID, 70.4%; P = 0.01). When preoperative thoracic kyphosis was considered, no differences were found between the 2 groups. No differences were found in the other sagittal parameters. Conclusion In patients with large, rigid idiopathic scoliosis undergoing anterior release and posterior spinal fusion, a small, but statistically, significant improvement in the coronal Cobb angle was seen. It remains to be determined whether this small difference in radiographic correction will have any influence on the clinical outcome.
Wikitheoria: A Computational Framework for Parsimonious Sociology Theory Construction

In the social sciences, theory construction refers to the research process of building testable scientific theories to explain and predict observed phenomena in the natural world. Terms represent the theories' concepts or ideas and their meanings are explicated in their definitions. The principle of parsimony, an important criterion for evaluating the quality of theories (e.g., as exemplified by Occam's Razor) mandates that we minimize the number of definitions (terms) used in a given theory. Conventional methods for parsimony analysis in theory construction are based on the heuristic approaches. However, it is not always easy for young researchers to understand the theoretical work in a given area because of the problem of "tacit knowledge", which often makes results lack coherence and logical integrity. Therefore, we propose a generic knowledge aggregation framework to facilitate the parsimonious approach of theory construction with a cloud-based theory modularization platform and semantic-based algorithms to minimize the number of definitions. The proposed approach is demonstrated and evaluated using the modularized theories from the database and sociological definitions retrieved from the system lexicon and sociological literature. The experiment results showed that the proposed approach achieves the precision of 82%, recall of 82% and accuracy of 81.69%. This study proves the effectiveness of using cloud-based knowledge aggregation system and semantic analysis models for promoting the parsimonious sociology theory construction.
Decomposition of ammonia on ZrB2(0001)

Abstract Zirconium diboride has been recently identified as a promising substrate for the growth of Group-III nitride semiconductors using reactive vapors that include ammonia as the nitrogen source. Adsorption energies and dissociation pathways of NH3 on the (0001) surface of ZrB2 were investigated using density functional theory calculations. Our results indicate that NH3 readily adsorbs onto the ZrB2 surface terminated with Zr and decomposes to atomic N and H with relatively small activation barriers. The resulting atomic species are found to be mobile with the computed diffusion barriers between 0.11 and 0.78 eV.
ETCNet: Encrypted Traffic Classification using Siamese Convolutional Networks

As more and more Internet traffic is encrypted, classifying their flows for the usage in application-aware networking (AAN) and application-network integration (ANI) becomes increasingly important and challenging. Traditional deep packet inspection approaches are no longer capable of identifying the encrypted packet streams, and hence new traffic classification methods based on machine learning have recently been explored by several researchers. One major challenge of using machine learning to classify encrypted traffic is lacking real datasets. Collecting Internet traffic may leak users' sensitive information, which prohibits the network community from sharing the datasets they collected. In this poster, we propose ETCNet which is a model based on Siamese convolutional network to solve this issue. Our evaluation for the ETCNet shows that it can achieve high accuracy by only using 40 flows of each application to train it.
25-hydroxyvitamin D, Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, and Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Over 20 Years of Follow-Up.

Abstract Background Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels have been identified as a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) among critically ill patients. Whether low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with long-term incidence of hospitalization with AKI in the general population is unknown. Methods Among 12,380 participants (mean age, 57 years and 24% black) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who attended visit 2 (1990-1992), we explored the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with incident hospitalization with AKI. Multivariable Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). We also examined the association of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) with AKI. Results During a median follow-up of 24.3 years, 2,145 participants had incident hospitalization with AKI (crude incidence rate, 8.3 [95%CI, 8.0-8.7] per 1,000 person-years). In multivariable Cox models (including adjustment for kidney function), lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D and higher FGF23 levels were each significantly associated with an increased risk of AKI (HR, 1.35 [95%CI,1.17-1.54] for lowest vs. highest quartile for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1.19 [1.05-1.36] for highest vs. lowest quartile for FGF23). The association was consistent across demographic and clinical subgroups, regardless of whether AKI was the primary diagnosis for hospitalization, and when adjusting for incident chronic kidney disease or cardiovascular disease as a time-varying covariate. Conclusion Among middle to older age adults in the community, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and high FGF23 levels were independently associated with an increased risk of AKI. Future studies should explore underlying mechanisms linking these bone mineral metabolism markers with kidney injury.
Single Cell T Cell Receptor Repertoire Profiling for Dogs

Background: Spontaneous cancers in companion dogs are increasingly recognized as robust models of human disease. This recognition has led to translational clinical trials in companion dogs with osteosarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma. The ability to precisely track tumor-specific immune responses in such clinical trials would benefit from reagents to perform species-specific single cell T cell receptor sequencing (scTCRseq). This technology defines clones of T cells reacting to immune interventions and can help identify the specific epitope of response. Single cell gene expression data give insights into the activity and polarization of the T cell. To date, scTCRseq has not been demonstrated for canine samples. Methods: Samples from two responding dogs in a trial of an autologous deglycosylated melanoma vaccine were selected to demonstrate applicability of scTCRseq in a cancer immunotherapy setting. A single-cell suspension of cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was prepared for 10X single cell sequencing. Full length 10X cDNA was amplified using a custom-designed nested PCR of the alpha/beta V(D)J region. A library made from this enriched product (scTCRseq) and a 10X gene expression (GEX) library (scRNAseq) were sequenced on the NovaSeq 6000. Results: 1,850-2,172 estimated V(D)J-expressing cells yielded 87-103.7 million reads with 73.8%-75.8% mapped to a V(D)J gene (beta/alpha chains ratio 1.5:1). 43 TRAJ, 29 TRAV, 12 TRBJ, and 22 TRBV gene segments were observed representing 72.9%, 51.8%, 100%, and 62.9% of all known V and J gene segments respectively. A large diversity of clonotypes was captured with 966-1,253 TRA/TRB clonotypes identified. Both dogs also exhibited a small number of highly abundant T cell clonotypes suggesting the presence of an anti-tumor T cell population. GEX enriched libraries successfully defined large clusters of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells that overlapped with V(D)J-expressing cells. Discussion: The developed reagents successfully generated scTCRseq data, for the first time, which allowed the T cell repertoire to be surveyed in dogs responding to anti-tumor immunotherapy. These reagents will allow longitudinal tracking of anti-tumor T cell dynamics in canine cancer immunotherapy trials.
Diagnosis of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Population

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) and its risk factors among the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population from 2009 to 2018 in the Pediatric ...
Changes in the productive efficiency of U.S. flour mills in the late nineteenth century: an input-distance-function approach

The productive efficiency of the U.S. flour milling industry increased substantially between 1850 and 1880. Specifically, a typical flour mill in 1880 was able to produce the same value of output as a mill in 1850 with 25 percent fewer factor inputs. We use the concept of the cone technology, combined with an input-distance-function approach, to decompose this increase in productive efficiency into changes in technical efficiency, technological progress, and changes in scale efficiency, assuming unchanged allocative efficiency in combining inputs. We find that the average technical efficiency of flour mills was essentially constant throughout the period, implying that almost all the gains in productive efficiency were due to improvements in scale efficiency occasioned by more fully exploiting increasing returns. Furthermore, productive efficiency was positively related to mill size as larger mills were better able to take advantage of both economies of scale and technological progress. These results provide evidence in support of an important role for the increased scale of production in providing the preconditions for the emergence in the early twentieth century of an oligopolistic market structure in the U.S. flour milling industry.
INTERPRETATION OF MULTISPECTRAL REMOTE SENSOR DATA

The United States Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station is engaged in a study to detect from ERTS-1 satellite data alterations to the absorption and scattering properties caused by the movement of suspended particles and solutes in selected areas of the Chesapeake Bay and to correlate the data to determine the feasibility of delineating flow patterns, flushing action of the estuary, and sediment and pollutant dispersion. Data processing techniques have been developed that permit automatic interpretation of data from any multispectral remote sensor with computer systems which have limited memory capacity and computing speed. The multispectral remote sensor is considered as a reflectance spectrophotometer. The data that define the spectral reflectance characteristics of a scene are scanned pixel by pixel. Each pixel whose spectral reflectance matches a reference spectrum is identified and the results are shown in a map. This paper describes the interpretation technique and presents as an example interpreted data from the ERTS-1.
Non-linear stability and remote unconnected equilibria of shallow arches with asymmetric geometric imperfections

Abstract This paper presents an analytical method to study the non-linear stability and remote unconnected equilibria of shallow arches with non-symmetric geometric imperfections. The exact solutions of the equilibria and critical loads are obtained. Unlike many previous studies, these solutions can be applied to arbitrary shallow arches with arbitrary geometric imperfections. It is found that slightly imperfect arches have multiple remote unconnected equilibria that cannot be obtained in experiments or using finite element simulations if a proper perturbation is not performed. The formulas to directly calculate the critical loads, including those of the remote unconnected equilibria, are also derived. The effect of asymmetric geometric imperfections on the equilibria and critical loads is revealed by applying the derived formulas to half-sine arches with different geometric imperfections.
Perspectives from the Peripheries

Authors of local histories composed in Persia during the 10th-15th centuries deftly wove their lands and their communities into Islamic narratives rooted in the Islamic heartlands of Iraq, Syria, and Arabia. They positioned their communities to better fit into the scope of Islamic history and claimed privileged connections to Mohammad and divine or prophetic authority in various ways. City and regional histories from Persia challenge and reconfigure notions of what constitutes “central” or “peripheral” in the medieval Islamic world and articulate identities that are simultaneously deeply local yet enmeshed within the broader Muslim omma. Authors and compilers used several literary strategies that, amongst other things, “centered” their cities and regions by including narratives about the sayyedsand sharifsassociated with the region; incorporating narratives of legitimating dreams and visions; associating sahābawith the land; highlighting sites of pious visitation ( ziārat) and other sources of blessing or sacred power ( baraka); and incorporating sacralizing etymologies.
Walking Our Talk: The Imperative of Teacher Educator Modeling

Abstract If teacher educators are to be effective, they must be sure that their own professional house is in order. To that end, effective teacher educators must be absolutely clear about their professional mission. In addition, they must also have the appropriate background and training to be effective in their mission. Further, they must bridge the chasm between theory and practice as they prepare teacher candidates by keeping current in K–12 contemporary classroom practice. Finally, they must model what it means to be an accomplished classroom teacher for their pre-service teachers including the professional option of earning National Board certification. Only when teacher educators meet these four demanding criteria can we feel with reasonable certainty that they are living up to their job.
IGF-I attenuates FFA-induced activation of JNK1 phosphorylation and TNFα expression in human subcutaneous preadipocytes.

Objective Free fatty acids (FFAs) are increased in visceral fat and contribute to insulin resistance through multiple mechanisms, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and expression of TNFα. Given that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-mediated proliferation is impaired in omental compared to subcutaneous (SC) preadipocytes, we investigated IGF-I anti-inflammatory action in preadipocytes from SC and omental adipose tissue. Design and Methods Preadipocytes isolated from abdominal SC and omental fat of obese subjects were studied in primary culture. Cells were exposed to FFAs with or without IGF-I pretreatment followed by analysis of cytokine expression and JNK phosphorylation. Lentivirus infection was used to express a constitutively active AKT (myr-AKT) in omental preadipocytes. Results FFAs increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin (IL)-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 in SC and omental preadipocytes. IGF-I pretreatment reduced FFA-induced JNK1 phosphorylation and TNFα expression in SC but not omental preadipocytes. Treatment with the JNK1/2 inhibitor SP600125 reduced FFA-induced expression of TNFα. FFAs and MALP-2, a specific TLR2/6 ligand, but not specific ligands for TLR4 and TLR1/2, increased JNK1 phosphorylation. IGF-I completely inhibited MALP-2-stimulated phosphorylation of JNK1. Expression of myr-AKT in omental preadipocytes inhibited FFA-stimulated JNK1 phosphorylation. Conclusions IGF-I attenuated FFA-induced JNK1 phosphorylation and TNFα expression through activation of AKT in human subcutaneous but not omental preadipocytes.
An evaluation of the properties of Cr3Si alloyed with Mo

Abstract The properties of a Cr 3 Si alloy designed for the high temperature, high velocity gas flow conditions typical of the operating environment within an aircraft engine are discussed. The alloy composition was obtained by macroalloying Cr 3 Si with Mo to improve its high temperature oxidation resistance. Detailed cyclic, isothermal and low temperature “pest” oxidation studies conducted between 773 and 1673 K revealed that the alloy has excellent oxidation properties due to the formation of dual protective oxides scales of Cr 2 O 3 at low temperatures and SiO 2 at high temperatures. Preliminary burner rig tests conducted at 1473 K in a 0.3 mach combustion flame indicated that the alloy life is expected to exceed 100 cycles. The alloy exhibits a compressive brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of about 1500 K. The compression strengths vary between 650 MPa at 1500 K and 50 MPa at 1700 K. Preliminary results suggest that the compressive creep strength of the as-cast alloy is equal to or better than MoSi 2 -reinforced with either SiC p or SiC w , while that of the powder metallurgically-processed alloy is comparable only to the unreinforced MoSi 2 . The room temperature fracture toughness of the alloy was determined to be between 2.0 and 3.0 MPa m 1 2 .
Determinants of organizational commitment in a health care setting

Employee commitment and loyalty have a profound impact on organizational effectiveness. [1] Research suggests that highly committed employees perform better than other members of the organization. (Angle and Perry, 1981) It has also been proposed that organizational commitment is a strong predictor of employee turnover. For example, in a longitudinal study among health care employees, it was found that commitment was a more effective predictor of turnover than job satisfaction. (Porter, Mowday, and Boulian, 1974) In another study, Koch and Steers (1978) validated this proposition and found a significant inverse relationship between commitment and turnover. As such, organizational commitment is a major indicator of organizational effectiveness in retention of employees. This commitment is of crucial importance in the health care industry to ensure the quality of service and cope with the low supply of certain specialties. It has also been noted that organizational commitment is an important correlate of certain employee behaviors such as attendance (Steers, 1977) and conflict resolution styles (London and Howat, 1978). It is important therefore that hospital administrators understand the nature and determinants of organizational commitment. Organizational commitment has often been viewed as an end result of a complex social exchange process, the purpose of which is to enhance the match between the goals and values of
A clinically focused discussion of luting materials

A luting agent’s primary function is to fill the minute void between an indirect restoration (definitive or provisional) and tooth (or implant abutment) and mechanically lock the restoration in place to prevent dislodgement during function. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clinically focused discussion on the broad spectrum of luting materials currently available to help the general practitioner make appropriate choices. Resins are typically formulated for a specific function or restoration and offer strength, aesthetics, flexible working times, and very low solubility yet are technique sensitive, expensive and often hard to clean-up. Glass-ionomers offer good strength and optical properties plus the potential for fluoride release/recharge but may have short working times, are sensitive to moisture or dehydration early on, and take time to fully set. Resin-modified glass-ionomers are hybrid, dual-phase materials which are manipulated like glass-ionomer but set quicker and are stronger. Zinc phosphate cement, used successfully for over a century to lute well-fitting metal and metal-ceramic definitive restorations, is a very inexpensive, rigid material which displays very high early compressive strength yet acidity and solubility can be problems. Polycarboxylate cement (a hybrid of zinc phosphate) has lower compressive strength but high tensile strength and may be less injurious to the pulp. Zinc oxide eugenol and zinc oxide non-eugenol cements typically have good sealing abilities but their relatively low compressive and tensile strengths, inherent brittleness, and high solubility limit usage to provisional restorations or implant supported crowns. Claims for multi-purpose or universal use by manufacturers can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming. Even so, the busy general practitioner must have sufficient knowledge to help choose an appropriate luting agent for each unique clinical situation.
"The Patient Is Dying, Please Call the Chaplain": The Activities of Chaplains in One Medical Center's Intensive Care Units.

Abstract Context Patients and families commonly experience spiritual stress during an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Although most patients report that they want spiritual support, little is known about how these issues are addressed by hospital chaplains. Objectives To describe the prevalence, timing, and nature of hospital chaplain encounters in ICUs. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of adult ICUs at an academic medical center. Measures included days from ICU admission to initial chaplain visit, days from chaplain visit to ICU death or discharge, hospital and ICU lengths of stay, severity of illness at ICU admission and chaplain visit, and chart documentation of chaplain communication with the ICU team. Results Of a total of 4169 ICU admissions over six months, 248 (5.9%) patients were seen by chaplains. Of the 246 patients who died in an ICU, 197 (80%) were seen by a chaplain. There was a median of two days from ICU admission to chaplain encounter and a median of one day from chaplain encounter to ICU discharge or death. Chaplains communicated with nurses after 141 encounters (56.9%) but with physicians after only 14 encounters (5.6%); there was no documented communication in 55 encounters (22%). Conclusion In the ICUs at this tertiary medical center, chaplain visits are uncommon and generally occur just before death among ICU patients. Communication between chaplains and physicians is rare. Chaplaincy service is primarily reserved for dying patients and their family members rather than providing proactive spiritual support. These observations highlight the need to better understand challenges and barriers to optimal chaplain involvement in ICU patient care.
A METHOD FOR DETECTING AND MEASURING CONCEALED VARIABILITY IN THE MOSQUITO, CULEX TRITAENIORHYNCHUS

A natural population of Culex tritaeniorhynchus was sampled to test the efficacy of a proposed method to detect and measure concealed variability. Thirty-nine lethals and ten recessive visible mutations were uncovered out of a total of 125 chromosomes tested.
Histochemical detection and differentiation of free and esterified cholesterol in swine atherosclerosis using filipin

The fluorescent probe, filipin, and the lipid-soluble dye, oil red O, have been used to simultaneously detect and differentiate free and esterified cholesterol, respectively, in tissue sections prepared from spontaneous atherosclerotic lesions of swine. This was possible because filipin stains free cholesterol but does not stain cholesteryl ester and because oil red O stains cholesteryl ester but does not stain free cholesterol. Oil red O-stained lipid accumulated intra- and extracellularly but separate from filipin-stained lipid. Spherical filipin-stained particles and elongated filipin-stained crystals accumulated in the extracellular space. Interestingly, some cells appeared to accumulate these filipin-stained particles exclusively. The spherical filipin-stained particles have not been previously recognized because they are not stained by oil red O. This and the fact that extensive compartmentalization of filipin and oil red O-stained lipid occurs in atherosclerotic lesions are new observations to be considered in the pathogenesis of vascular cholesterol accumulation.
Oceanographic characteristics of the habitat of benthic fish and invertebrates in the Beaufort Sea

We relate the spatial variability in the distribution of benthic taxa of the Beaufort Sea to oceanographic characteristics of their habitat with the goal of illustrating potential mechanisms linking climate change to Arctic marine communities. Offshore fish of the Beaufort Sea have not been surveyed since 1977 and no synchronous measures of fish distribution and the oceanographic characteristics of their habitat have been made previously. A survey was conducted during August 2008 in the western Beaufort Sea, Alaska. The distribution and abundance of benthic fish and invertebrates were assessed with standard bottom trawl survey methods. Oceanographic data were collected at each trawl station and at several locations between stations. The dominant benthic taxa, Polar cod (Boreogadus saida), eelpouts (Lycodes sp.), and snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) were associated with cold ( 33) water found offshore of the shelf break, derived from the Chukchi Sea. These waters are expected to be high in secondary productivity, such that we hypothesize that the distribution of fish and crab was driven by conditions favorable for successful foraging. Predictions of the impacts of climate change require an understanding of the mechanisms linking the distribution and abundance of marine organisms to their oceanographic habitat. Our study documents the association of dominant benthic fish and invertebrates of the Beaufort Sea with specific water mass types and is thus a step toward this understanding.
Sulfide Mineralogy and Geochemistry

Sulfide minerals as a class represent important minor rock-forming minerals, but they are generally known as the chief sources of many economic metallic ores. In the past two decades, sulfide research has been extended to include important roles in environmental geology of sulfide weathering and resultant acid mine drainage, as well as in geomicrobiology in which bacteria make use of sulfides for metabolic energy sources. In the latter respect, sulfides played an important role in early evolution of life on Earth and in geochemical cycling of elements in the Earth's crust and hydrosphere. This long-awaited volume represents a modern and thorough treatment of sulfide minerals. The Mineralogical Society of America published the first volume of this review series as Sulfide Mineralogy, in 1974, and two other books of sulfide mineralogy appeared in 1978 and 1981. The popular and affordable Reviews series is softbound and represents the reference of choice for professional mineralogists and geochemists as well as students of Earth sciences. The present volume includes numerous illustrations of high quality and is accurately typeset with a small but very readable font.
Determining pressing rates for refractory semidry bodies

An inverse relationship was established for the permitted pressing rate and the ratio between the volume of the products and its double perimeter in plan. With an increase in the dimensions of the article it is necessary to reduce the pressing rate to exclude the formation of pressing cracks.
On marriage-specific human capital: its role as a determinant of remarriage.

This paper develops a model of remarriage for women with particular emphasis on the role of investments in marriage-specific human capital. A distinction is made between marriage-specific skills that are transferable across marriages and those that are specific to a particular spouse. It is hypothesized that transferable marriage-specific skills constitute an asset and a major component of gains from marriage for previously married women. A high level of such skills is expected to be associated with fast remarriage. The presence of children is expected to delay remarriage, because it indicates lower levels of past and future investments that would be relevant to a new partnership. These hypotheses are examined using Cox-regression techniques with data on white and black women from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth. The empirical results are consistent with the hypotheses. A systematic pattern of race differentials is uncovered, which can be interpreted within the context of the model.
Least Squares Datuming With the Wave Equation

The limited recording aperture of a surface seismic experiment promotes artifacts in extrapolated wavefields. To mitigate these errors, we introduce least squares datuming (LSD). Numerical results with synthetic data show that LSD significantly reduces the artifacts in datuming wavefields recorded by narrow aperture arrays. Only inexpensive dot products of computed Green’s functions with the data are required so this procedure is efficient for targetoriented reverse-time migration.
Pathogenesis and treatment of canine rhinitis

Unless a systematic approach is used, evaluation of a patient with rhinitis can be frustrating to the veterinary practitioner. A complete differential list for canine rhinitis should include infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, and traumatic causes. Other causes of rhinitis include dental disease, parasitic infestation, and ciliary dyskinesia. Diagnostic techniques that should be considered when evaluating a patient with rhinitis include obtaining a complete history, performing a thorough physical and oral examination, evaluating the patient's coagulation abilities, cytology and culture of exudate, nasal radiographs, and rhinoscopy. This article describes the pathogenesis and treatment of the various causes of canine rhinitis.
Plasmanate as a medium supplement for in vitro fertilization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Plasmanate, a protein preparation containing human serum albumin and mixed globulins to autologous preovulatory maternal serum, as an in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium supplement. Plasmanate was used most often in cases involving unexplained infertility, sperm antibodies, and endometriosis or when serum was unavailable.
Chemistry of the alumina column

Abstract The formation and some properties of activated alumina are reviewed. It is concluded that the molybdate on alumina is probably in a polymerized form, and that pertechnetate (like perrhenate) is readily displaced by electrolyte solutions. The loss of elution efficiency is ascribed mainly to the strong absorption of technetate formed near the alumina surface, and secondarily to the formation of a reducing environment near the alumina surface. Increased loss of elution caused by high concentrations of (inactive) molybdate is caused by the semi-conductor behavior of MoO 3 in the presence of ionizing radiation. Various remedies are discussed.
Applying Capital Market Theory to Investing

In 1970 Wells Fargo Bank began the development of an investment management process utilizing the new insights of Capital Market Theory but retaining workable elements of Classical Financial Theory. Two years later, by the end of 1972, the new system had taken sufficient form to be introduced as the process to manage the $1.58 billion of assets entrusted to the Investment Advisors Division, the money management arm of the Trust Division. At the end of 1977, the sharpened management system calls the shots on the investment of $2.1 billion of institutional assets and another $1.7 billion of personal trust assets, and is subscribed to by nearly 100 other money managers throughout the world. The annual net profit to Wells Fargo is currently about $3.5 million and growing rapidly. A major underpinning of the process comes from a highly systematic approach to understanding the structure of equity prices. Using the oldest available theory, the discounting of future cash flows to present value, in combination with a modern definition of risk, the “Security Market Line” of the Capital Asset Pricing Model is derived. The Security Market Line description of the equity market, along with a similar description of the fixed income market, in combination with the clients' ability to bear risk, are inputs to the asset allocation model which determines the optimal mix of equity and fixed income investments. Within the equity market a quadratic programming model structures a “value added” risk-controlled optimal portfolio. In addition, index funds, pioneered by Wells Fargo, are used in a growing number of accounts. In some cases index funds are used in conjunction with the “value added” strategies.
Recurrence of idiopathic membranous nephropathy in a renal allograft.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy, also termed "membranous glomerulonephritis," "extramembranous glomerulonephritis," "Ellis type 2 nephritis," and "epimembranous nephropathy,"1,2is a well-recognized cause of nephrotic syndrome. Its clinical course and pathologic features are thoroughly verified. The presence of immunoglobulin-containing deposits in a subepithelial distribution along glomerular capillary loops and the formation of projections or spikes of basememt membrane between these deposits are commonly accepted pathologic criteria for the diagnosis.3,4The disease is more common in adults than children and in men than women.2,4-6Though the clinical course is variable, a certain percentage of patients progress to end-stage renal disease.3,6Some of these patients will be treated by renal transplantation. The clinical course, however, of such patients after transplantation has yet to be thoroughly documented. This report describes the recurrence of idiopathic membranous nephropathy in a 47-year-old man several months after receiving a cadaver renal allograft. PATIENT SUMMARY This man
Bouncers and barroom aggression: A review of the research

Abstract Bouncers (also referred to as “doormen,” “door staff,” “security personnel,” etc.) have received a great deal of attention in the available research on barroom aggression. All too often, researchers blame bouncers for provoking and escalating aggressive episodes in bars rather than functioning in a capacity that controls or prevents such incidents. The primary aim of this review paper is to provide an overview of the available research on bouncers and barroom aggression. Specifically, research on barroom aggression that implicates bouncers as one of possibly several environmental predictors of such incidents, as well as a growing body of research that provides a more focused exploration of the role of bouncers in barrooms and their impact on aggression, is examined and evaluated. Attempts to address problem bouncers and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Ginkgolic acid inhibits HIV protease activity and HIV infection in vitro.

Background Several HIV protease mutations, which are resistant to clinical HIV protease inhibitors (PIs), have been identified. There is a great need for second-generation PIs with different chemical structures and/or with an alternative mode of inhibition. Ginkgolic acid is a natural herbal substance and a major component of the lipid fraction in the nutshells of the Ginkgo biloba tree. The objective of this study was to determine whether ginkgolic acid could inhibit HIV protease activity in a cell free system and HIV infection in human cells. Material/methods Purified ginkgolic acid and recombinant HIV-1 HXB2 KIIA protease were used for the HIV protease activity assay. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used for HIV infection (HIV-1SF162 virus), determined by a p24gag ELISA. Cytotoxicity was also determined. Results Ginkgolic acid (31.2 µg/ml) inhibited HIV protease activity by 60%, compared with the negative control, and the effect was concentration-dependent. In addition, ginkgolic acid treatment (50 and 100 µg/ml) effectively inhibited the HIV infection at day 7 in a concentration-dependent manner. Ginkgolic acid at a concentration of up to 150 µg/ml demonstrated very limited cytotoxicity. Conclusions Ginkgolic acid effectively inhibits HIV protease activity in a cell free system and HIV infection in PBMCs without significant cytotoxicity. Ginkgolic acid may inhibit HIV protease through different mechanisms than current FDA-approved HIV PI drugs. These properties of ginkgolic acid make it a promising therapy for HIV infection, especially as the clinical problem of viral resistance to HIV PIs continues to grow.
The Sustainable Newsroom of the Future: Can Media Newsrooms Become Sustainable and Still Break the News?

This article is a case study examining the media's commitment to sustainability in one southern state. The researchers surveyed both broadcast and print newsroom managers in South Carolina and observed student run newsrooms within the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. Interestingly, both print and broadcast news managers indicated that their organizations were committed to sustainability in the workplace. However, data suggest that sustainability appears to be basically disregarded in South Carolina newsrooms both professionally and student driven. However, the data did reveal results that could aid in the implementation of environmental friendly practices in a newsroom environment. Based upon their findings, researchers suggest a basic ten point plan for newsroom sustainability.
Effects of Bloom-Thinning Chemicals on Apple Fruit Set

Abstract When applied in either single or multiple airblast treatments in bloom, Endothall, pelargonic acid, YI-1066, WilthinTM, and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) inhibited fruit set. Treatments made in the later stages of bloom (90% open flowers) caused more fruit russetting or marking, but were more effective than those applied at earlier stages. Chemicals that caused more injury to petals, leaves, and new shoots (ATS > YI-1066 > WilthinTM > Endothall > pelargonic acid) were not necessarily correlated with more fruit injury (pelargonic acid = YI-1066 = WilthinTM > Endothall > ATS). Some of the chemicals used in these experiments were more injurious to fruit finish than others, and injury varied with time of application and rate. Even though a small percentage of fruit were marred by some of the chemicals, the resulting benefit of increased fruit size and return bloom may offset these negative effects. All of the fruit from these plots were considered satisfactory for the processing market regardless of the...
Collection-Level Surveys for Special Collections: Coalescing Descriptors across Standards.

Abstract Developing collection-level surveys to expose hidden collections in special collections and archives departments within ARL libraries has received a great deal of scholarly attention in the recent years. Numerous standards have been explored, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. This paper summarizes some of the major initiatives in collection-level surveys, descriptions, and preliminary records. A comparison of metadata structures is used to build a preliminary record model that provides a standard description that is easily adapted to various institutions and all formats. This preliminary record model is applied to special collections materials at the University of Colorado at Boulder as a test case, and further areas of research are discussed.
Evidence for participation of cytochrome b5 in microsomal Δ-6 desaturation of fatty acids

Abstract The Δ-6 desaturation of linoleic acid to γ-linolenic acid and oleic acid to 6,9-octadecadienoic acid by rat liver microsomes was investigated. Using a specific antibody prepared against purified rat liver cytochrome b5, we demonstrated that cytochrome b5 participated in Δ-6 desaturation of both fatty acids. The reaction products were identified as their methyl ester derivatives by argentation thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and reductive ozonolysis followed by gas-liquid chromatography.
The Rhetoric of Evolutionary Theory

I argue that Darwinian evolutionary theory has a rhetorical dimension and that rhetorical criticism plays a role in how evolutionary science acquires knowledge. I define what I mean by rhetoric by considering Darwin’s Origin. I use the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis to show how rhetoric conceived as situated and addressed argumentation enters into evolutionary theorizing. Finally, I argue that rhetorical criticism helps judge the success, limits, and failures of these theories.
The hypernetted chain (HNC) equation for higher valence electrolytes

Abstract The HNC equation is solved for 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 and 2-2 model electrolytes of charged hard spheres of radii 2.1 A. The thermodynamic properties are presented, the anomalous behaviour of the osmotic coefficients and heats of dilution of 2-2 electrolytes, and oscillations in the charge density about a given ion for different charge types are discussed.
The Helium Isotopic Chemistry of Lake Bonney, Taylor Valley, Antarctica: Timing of Late Holocene Climate Change in Antarctica

To better understand the long-term climate history of Antarctica, we studied Lake Bonney in Taylor Valley, Southern Victoria Land (78°S). Helium isotope ratios and He, Ne, Ar and N2 concentration data, obtained from hydrocasts in the East (ELB) and West (WLB) Lobes of Lake Bonney, provided important constraints on the lake’s Holocene evolution. Based on very low concentrations of Ar and N2 in the ELB bottom waters, ELB was free of ice until 200 ± 50 years ago. After which, low salinity water flowing over the sill from WLB to ELB, covered ELB and formed a perennial ice cover, inhibiting the exchange of gases with the atmosphere. In contrast to the ELB, the WLB retained an ice cover through the Holocene. The brine in the WLB bottom waters has meteoric N2 and Ar gas concentrations indicating that it has not been significantly modified by atmospheric exchange or ice formation. The helium concentrations in the deep water of WLB are the highest measured in non-thermal surface water. By fitting a diffusional loss to the 3He/4He, helium, and Cl profiles, we calculate a time of ∼3000 years for the initiation of flow over the sill separating the East and West Lobes. To supply this flux of helium to the lake, a helium-rich sediment beneath the lake must be providing the helium by diffusion. If at any time during the last million years the ice cover left WLB, there would be insufficient helium available to provide the current flux to WLB. The variations in water levels in Lake Bonney can be related to climatic events that have been documented within the Southern Victoria Land region and indicate that the lakes respond significantly to regional and, perhaps, global climate forcing.
Nano-scale and multi-functional Bragg-grating structures for photonic device applications

The applications of Bragg-grating concepts in a multitude of photonic device functionalities are well established, in particular, in the design of planar and chip-based miniature device components for dense photonic integrated circuits. In many situations, the Bragg-grating structures are designed to function as a broad or narrow band-pass filter, as a multichannel coupled defects filter, an optical waveguide and an optical sensor. In this work, Bragg-grating concepts are applied in several different scenarios with applications ranging from Bragg-grating optical microcavity filter, Bragg-grating optical waveguide and a Bragg-slot waveguide. The Bragg-grating structures integrated with slot waveguide are shown to be very promising candidates for label-free optical sensing applications with sensitivity as high as 500nm/RIU. This work demonstrates the versatility of Bragg-grating structures for multiple device functionalities through design for a wide range of devices applications in several scientific and technological areas.
221 PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME ACTIVITY IN RAT LUNGS

Angiotensin I (AI) is rapidly converted to angiotensin II (AII) during a single transpulmonary passage. The enzyme responsible for this hydrolysis, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), is present in small amounts in lungs of newborn animals. Inasmuch as ACE is the final catalytic component of the renin-angiotensin system, and since fetal plasma renin activity increases with advancing gestational age, it was of interest to determine the prenatal development of converting enzyme activity in lungs of fetal rats. ACE activity was measured in vitro by virtue of its ability to generate hippuric acid by hydrolysis of the AI-homologue hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL). Hippuric acid was extracted from the reaction mixture and quantitated spectrophoto-metrically. ACE activity was first detectable in fetal lungs at 18 days of gestation and increased thereafter until birth (day 21 of gestation). The in utero development of ACE activity was paralleled by increases in fetal lung weight and protein content. The affinity of converting enzyme from fetal lung for HHL (Km = 2.0 mM) was similar to that of the adult enzyme, suggesting that the increase in ACE activity was due to increased enzyme content rather than further activation of pre-existing enzyme. This antenatal increase in ACE activity may play an important role in the maturation of the renin-angiotensin system which has been implicated in the regulation of body fluid homeostasis during the perinatal period.
V Genes Encoding Autoantibodies: Molecular and Phenotypic Characteristics

The immune repertoire generated by rearrangement of discrete DNA segments, the genes encoding the specificity of lymphocyte receptors, is composed of clones able to recognize both foreign and self antigens. Starting with Paul Ehrlich, immunologists held for a long time that auto­ reactive clones are harmful (horror autotoxicus). Indeed, strong evidence suggests that some autoantibodies have deleterious effects and are respon­ sible for pathogenic tissue-damaging reactions in autoimmune diseases. When antibodies from patients with autoimmune diseases (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune thyroiditis, type I diabetes, pemphigus vulgaris, my­ eloma polyneuropathy) are injected into animals, they induce symptoms observed in the corresponding human diseases. To explain tolerance to self antigens, Burnet (1) proposed that auto­ reactive clones are deleted during ontogeny. Enthusiasm for this expla­ nation waned during the last decades due to findings demonstrating that precursors of autoreactive clones are present in normal individuals in both B and T cell compartments. Surveys of healthy human populations showed the appearance of autoantibodies, especially with aging (2), and cells binding to labeled self-antigens were detected in the blood of healthy human subjects (3). Similarly, subsequent to stimulation with B cell poly­ clonal activators, hybridomas producing autoantibodies can be easily
Why are women underrepresented in public school administration? An empirical test of promotion discrimination

Abstract In this paper, promotions into school administration are considered as the joint occurrence of two sequential events, teacher preference for promotion and school board selection of administrators. Data from the national 1987/1988 Schools and Staffing Surveys of the National Center for Education Statistics are used to test the hypothesis that women face discrimination in promotions into school administration. Key results show that when proxy controls for teachers' desire for promotions and credentials are in place, men are more likely than women to be selected for promotion during the school year. [JEL I21]
PTPases: "Eph" ective arbitrators of attraction.

In this issue of Blood , Wimmer-Kleikamp and colleagues report that high levels of cellular PTPases hold activities of EphA3 kinase in check and support stable cell-cell adhesion, rather than default repulsion. Intense studies on Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their membrane-anchored ligands,