cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cervical Disc Replacement: Trends, Costs, and Complications.

Study design Retrospective review of insurance database. Purpose To investigate national trends, complications, and costs after cervical disc replacement (CDR) using an administrative insurance database representative of the United States population. Overview of literature As CDR continues to be used to treat patients with cervical stenosis, it is important to gain a better understanding of its use on a national level, potential complications, and cost. This information will allow for optimal patient counseling, risk stratification, and healthcare cost assessments. Several prior studies have investigated complications associated with CDR, but they have been limited by small sample size, single institution experiences, limited follow-up, and potential conflicts of interest. Methods Patients who underwent single or multilevel CDR between 2007 and 2015 were identified using an insurance database. We collected data on annual trends, reimbursement costs, patient demographic information, hospital information, and information on complications from the time of operation to 1 year postoperative. Results Total of 293 patients underwent either single or multilevel CDR. The number of procedures increased nonlinearly over time at an average of 17% per year, with a greater increase seen in the outpatient setting. Less than 3.7% of patients had new onset pain within 1 year after CDR. Within 1 year, 12.3% of patients reported a mechanical and/or bone-related complication. There were no patients who indicated a new nerve injury within 6 months of follow-up. Less than 3.7% of patients presented with dysphagia or dysphonia within 6 months, infection within 3 months, or a revision or reoperation within 1 year. Average reimbursement for single-level inpatient versus outpatient CDR was US $33,696.28 and US $34,675.12, respectively (p=0.29). Conclusions This study demonstrated that the use of CDR continued to increase. The most common complication was mechanical and/or bone-related, and cost analysis demonstrated no significant difference between inpatient and outpatient CDR.
Template-assisted, seed-mediated synthesis of hierarchically mesoporous core-shell UiO-66: enhancing adsorption capacity and catalytic activity through iterative growth

A hierarchically mesoporous (HM) UiO-66-F4 shell with ∼8 nm mesopores can be iteratively grown on top of UiO-66 nanoparticle (NP) seeds over several cycles templated by Pluronic F-127 micelles. Pre...
Regular Tur\'an numbers of complete bipartite graphs

Let $\mathrm{rex}(n, F)$ denote the maximum number of edges in an $n$-vertex graph that is regular and does not contain $F$ as a subgraph. We give lower bounds on $\mathrm{rex}(n, F)$, that are best possible up to a constant factor, when $F$ is one of $C_4$, $K_{2,t}$, $K_{3,3}$ or $K_{s,t}$ when $t>s!$.
Patient-controlled epidural analgesia for labor pain in primipara

Objective To explore the effects of patient-controlled epidural anesthesia (PCEA) on labor pain,birth process,and newborns.Methods 1200 puerperas were randomly divided into analgesia group and control group (n =600).The analgesia group received PC EA with sufentanil and ropivacaine; the control group re ceived conventional childbirth care.The degree of labor pain,duration of labor process,rate of oxytocin uses,postpartum hemorrhage volumn,rate of Cesarean section,and newborn states were noted.Results The degree of labor painin analgesiagroup(VAS scores were 43.1 ± 112,33.2± 13.7,13.6±6.7,and 10.3±4.1,respectively after analgesia.) was significantly lower than that in the control group (VAS scores were 82.9 ± 18.5,83.7 ± 18.1,and 80.3 ±17.3,respectively after analgesia) (P ＜ 0.05).The active period of first stage of labor (157.7 ± 31.9)min in analgesia group was evidently shorter than that in the control group (P＜ 0.05).Rate of Cesarean section was significantly lower in analgesia group than in the control group(43％ vs.53％,P ＜ 0.05).Rate of oxytocin uses was obviously greater in analgesia group than in control group (61％ vs.31％,P＜ 0.05).Postpartum hemorrhage volumn and Apgar score did not differ significantly between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions Patient-controlled epidural anesthesia is safe and effective in relieving labor pain.It can meet the needs for maternal analgesia and has no adverse effects on mothers and babies. Key words: Patient-controlled epidural anesthesia; Labor analgesia
Adaptations to light predict the foraging niche and disassembly of avian communities in tropical countrysides.

The role of light in partitioning ecological niche space remains a frontier in understanding the assembly of terrestrial vertebrate communities and their response to global change. Leveraging recent advances in biologging technology and intensive field surveys of cloud forest bird communities across an agricultural land use gradient in the Peruvian Andes, we demonstrate that eye size predicts (1) the ambient light microenvironment used by free-ranging birds, (2) their foraging niche, and (3) species-specific sensitivity to agricultural land use change. For 15 species carrying light sensors (N = 71 individuals), light intensity levels were best explained by eye size and foraging behavior, with larger-eyed species using darker microenvironments. Across the cloud forest bird community (N = 240 species), hyperopic ("far-sighted") foragers, (e.g., flycatchers), had larger eyes compared to myopic ("near-sighted") species (e.g., gleaners and frugivores); eye size was also larger for myopic insectivores that foraged in the forest understory. Eye size strongly predicted sensitivity to brightly lit habitats across an agricultural land use gradient. Species that increased in abundance in mixed intensity agriculture, including fencerows, silvopasture, and pasture, had smaller eyes, suggesting that light acts as an environmental filter when communities disassemble in a human-disturbed landscape. We suggest that eye size represents a novel functional trait contributing to terrestrial vertebrate community assembly and sensitivity to habitat disturbance.
What Happens After a Positive Primary Care Autism Screen Among Historically Underserved Families? Predictors of Evaluation and Autism Diagnosis.

Objective Families, pediatric providers, and service systems would benefit from expanded knowledge regarding (1) who is most likely to receive a recommended diagnostic evaluation after a positive primary care-administered autism screen and (2) of those who screen positive, who is most likely to be diagnosed with autism? Method Participants included 309 predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic minority parents and their child, aged 15 to 27 months, who screened positive on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F). Generalized estimating equations were used to fit models of predictors for each binary outcome: receiving a diagnostic evaluation and receiving an autism diagnosis on evaluation. Results Significant predictors of diagnostic evaluation receipt included the parent being older or non-Hispanic and the child having private insurance, lower child communication functioning, or receiving Early Intervention services. Significant predictors of an autism diagnosis on evaluation included male child, lower child communication functioning, screening directly in the parent's preferred language, White/non-Hispanic parent, and no parent history of mood disorder. Conclusion Children with younger parents, Hispanic ethnicity, relatively higher communication skills, public insurance, and no Early Intervention services were less likely to receive recommended diagnostic care. Reduced likelihood of autism diagnosis after a positive screen in non-White/non-Hispanic subgroups supports previous research indicating issues with M-CHAT-R/F positive predictive power for racial/ethnic minorities. The use of telephonic interpreters to administer screens, as opposed to directly screening in families' preferred languages, may lead to identification of fewer true autism cases. Thus, multilingual clinical staff capacity may improve positive predictive power of autism screening.
Two-component electronic phase separation in the doped Mott insulator Y 1 − x Ca x TiO 3

The Mott insulator-metal transition has been the subject of intense research in condensed matter physics. Here, the authors study this transition in the prototypical perovskite oxide Y(Ca)TiO${}_{3}$, using a combination of x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations. They uncover electronic phase separation into hole-poor Mott-insulating and hole-rich metallic regions, i.e., an inherent first-order and percolative nature of the transition that occurs at nonzero hole doping.
Mitigation Paradigms: What Reduces Criminal Sentences, Explanation or Excuse?

The power of mitigating evidence is to explain the biopsychosocial influences that reduce moral culpability, not to ask that moral culpability be excused based on mercy.
Artificial intelligence in the endocrine clinic: automated bone age analysis in arabic children from UAE

Objective: Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasing role in patient assessment. AI bone age analysis is such a tool, but its value in Arabic children presenting to an endocrine clinic has not been explored. We compared results from an experienced pediatric radiologist and the AI bone age system, BoneXpert (BX), (Visiana, Denmark) to assess its utility in a cohort of children presenting to the Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital endocrine service. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 47 children with growth disorders, initially assessed by a single experienced radiologist and subsequently by BX, to confirm the usefulness of the BX system in our population. The results of the analyses were analysed using a Bland-Altman plot constructed to compare differences between the radiologist’s interpretation and BX across the available range of bone age. Results: Forty-four of the patient x-ray images were analysed by BX. Three X-ray images were rejected by BX due to post-processing artifacts, which prevented computer interpretation. For the remaining 44 X-rays, there was a close correlation between radiologist and BX results (r=0.93; p <0.00001). Two radiographs were identified with a large discrepancy in the reported bone ages. Blinded, independent re-evaluation of the radiographs showed the original manually interpreted bone age to have been erroneous, with the BX results corresponding closely to the amended bone age. A small positive bias was noted in bone age (+0.39 years) in the BX analyses, relative to manual interpretation. Conclusions: AI bone age analysis was of high utility in Arabic children from UAE presenting to an endocrine clinic, with results highly comparable to an experienced radiologist. In the two cases where a large discrepancy was found, independent re-evaluation showed AI analysis was correct.
Revealing Sex Differences During Upper and Lower Extremity Neuromuscular Fatigue in Older Adults Through a Neuroergonomics Approach

Background: Sex differences in neuromuscular fatigue is well documented, however the underlying mechanisms remain understudied, particularly for the aging population. Objective: This study investigated sex differences in fatigability of the upper and lower extremity of older adults using a neuroergonomics approach. Methods: Thirty community-dwelling older adults (65 years or older; 15 M, 15 F) performed intermittent submaximal fatiguing handgrip and knee extension exercises until voluntary exhaustion on separate days. Muscle activity from prime muscles of the hand/arm and knee extensors were monitored using electromyography, neural activity from the frontal, motor, and sensory areas were monitored using functional near infrared spectroscopy, and force output were obtained. Results: While older males were stronger than females across both muscle groups, they exhibited longer endurance times and greater strength loss during knee extension exercises. These lower extremity findings were associated with greater force complexity over time and concomitant increase in left motor and right sensory motor regions. While fatigability during handgrip exercises was comparable across sexes, older females exhibited concurrent increases in the activation of the ipsilateral motor regions over time. Discussion: We identified differences in the underlying central neural strategies adopted by males and females in maintaining downstream motor outputs during handgrip fatigue that were not evident with traditional ergonomics measures. Additionally, enhanced neural activation in males during knee exercises that accompanied longer time to exhaustion point to potential rehabilitation/exercise strategies to improve neuromotor outcomes in more fatigable older adults.
Deixis and Information Packaging in Russian Discourse

The role deixis plays in structuring language and its relation to the context of utterance provides the focus for an examination of information packaging in Russian discourse. The analysis is based on a model which interprets discourse as constituted by four interrelated frameworks — the linguistic text, the text setting, the text content, and the participant framework. Deixis is divided into three primary dimensions of time, space, and person, which are metaphorically extended to secondary dimensions of information status (knowledge, focus, and theme). The linguistic devices which function in these dimensions encode information status by serving one or more communicative functions, including the presentative, directive, identifying, informing, acknowledging, and expressive functions. Discourse markers and deictics provide links between the content of the message, the linguistic text itself, and the context in which the message is produced. They introduce new participants, signal changes in thematic structure, bracket topical units, and mark the relative status of information. The book is written with both descriptive and theoretical goals. It aims to synthesize and revise current approaches to deixis and information packaging to account for the Russian data. The analysis extends beyond primary deixis to include knowledge structures and sources of knowledge, as well as the metalinguistic devices which signal changes in information flow, and grounding and saliency relations.
The Algebras R^{\mathfrak{f}}, \ R^{\mathfrak{u}}

36.1.1. In this chapter we assume that the Cartan datum is simply laced. As in the previous chapter, we fix an integer l ≥ 1. We preserve the assumptions of 35.1.1-35.1.3. Note that in this case, 35.1.2(a) is automatically satisfied. Note also that in this case, we have l = l and v i = v for all i.
Modified dextromethorphan displays antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test

Dextromethorphan (DM) may serve as a safer alternative to ketamine as a fast acting antidepressant due to overlapping pharmacology. Our lab has previously shown DM produces antidepressant-like effects through sigma-1 (σ1) receptors in the forced swim test (FST) in male Swiss, Webster mice. However DM's rapid metabolism poses a challenge in its use as a routine clinical drug. Two approaches to inhibit its metabolism are 1) addition of the CYP2D6 inhibitor, quinidine, and 2) chemically modifying DM. The present study aimed to determine if modified DM (MDM) by itself and in the presence of quinidine elicits antidepressant-like effects and if σ1 receptors are involved. Our results showed MDM (3-30 mg/kg, i.p.) produces a dose-dependent decrease in immobility time in the FST, indicative of antidepressant-like effects. MDM also had stimulatory effects, but they cannot account for its antidepressant-like effects because there was no correlation between the two measures. Pretreatment with BD1063 (σ1 receptor anta...
Cobalt silicide re-deposition during batch spray strip process resulting in open contacts

Functional fails due to open contacts were determined to be the main cause of systematic yield loss. Electrical analysis correlated the yield loss to single bit fails (SBIT) in the SRAM cell. Physical analysis on several SBIT fails showed blocked contacts due to titanium (Ti) defects in the silicide loop. Several partition experiments in the silicide loop pointed to the batch spray strip process as the main contributor to Ti defects. This paper describes the methodology used to isolate the open contacts to defects in the cobalt silicide (CoSi) loop starting at Co sputter and ending with Co anneal. It identifies the sources of Ti defects and determines the role of the batch spray strip process in forming these defects and blocking the contacts. Corrective actions put in place to reduce Ti, including the elimination of bare Si surfaces from the spray processor during Co strip.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Joint Disease

Mesenchymal stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of connective tissue cells including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle and adipose tissue. These multipotent cells have been isolated from bone marrow and from other adult tissues including skeletal muscle, fat and synovium. Because of their multipotentiality and capacity for self renewal adult stem cells may represent units of active regeneration of tissues damaged as a result of trauma or disease. In certain degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) stem cells are depleted, and have reduced proliferative capacity and reduced ability to differentiate. The delivery of stem cells to these individuals may therefore enhance repair or inhibit the progressive destruction of the joint. We have developed methods for the delivery of mesenchymal stem cell preparations taken from bone marrow to the injured knee joint. This treatment has the potential to stimulate regeneration of cartilage and retard the progressive destruction of the joint that typically occurs following injury.
Evolution to plasmablastic lymphoma evades CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cells.

Summary A patient with relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with Richter transformation was treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells targeted for CD19 but later relapsed with a clonally related plasmablastic lymphoma. The loss of most routine markers of pre-plasma cell or B lymphoid differentiation (including CD19) highlights the ability of such mature lymphomas to evade lineage-specific targeted immunotherapy by differentiating along pathways comparable to their normal cellular counterparts. Molecular genetic evaluation demonstrated multiple independent lines of CD19-negative disease that eventually evolved in this single patient. Such plasticity represents potential challenges for antigen-directed CAR-T cell therapy, while serving as a testament to the selective pressure exerted by these engineered T cells over time.
Calculating Probabilities and Measures

In this chapter, after looking at several ways in which an event A can be defined in terms of other events A 1,A 2 ,…, we will develop methods for calculating P(A) in terms of the quantities P(A 1), P(A 2),… These methods include the Kochen-Stone and Borel-Cantelli Lemmas, the inclusion-exclusion formula, and some convergence theorems. Also, in the last section of this chapter, we will discuss measures other than probability measures.
The Male Role and Mastectomy

To explore the psychosocial aspects of men's reactions and adjustments to mastectomy, this study used in-depth interviews with 24 husbands and clinical observations of a multisession men's support group as well as a test and retest analysis of questionnaire data. Sex role theory was used to explain how factors related to the male role complicate men's adjustment. Husbands placed a high priority on their wives' adjustment but kept their own feelings at bay. Men's adoption of a "protective guardian" role during their wives' hospitalization fostered denial and later blocked communication between spouses. Repeated-measures analysis of the questionnaire data indicated that support group members became significantly more communicative with spouses about mastectomy issues than did control group members. These quantitative findings parallel clinical observations.
Greater than the sum: Synergy and emergent properties in nanoparticle–polymer composites

The ongoing pursuit of multifunctional soft materials that can impact a wide range of technological challenges, ranging from information processing to energy storage and transducing devices, has resulted in the development of hybrid materials composed of nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed in polymers. Beyond the simple preparation of composites that have the additive value of the individual components, this review discusses recent work and trends in composites that exhibit novel synergistic or emergent properties arising from combining the components. In particular, we highlight recent examples of composites in which NP assembly within polymers leads to enhancement or changes of the NP properties and how introducing NPs into a polymer can cause significant changes in the polymer’s intrinsic properties.
Surprise, defence, or making sense: What removes hindsight bias?

This paper examines predictions concerning the absence of hindsight bias. Some hypothesise that because hindsight bias increases with outcome "surprisingness", only unsurprising outcomes will remove it. Others suggest the opposite-that very surprising outcomes will reduce or reverse the bias. A proposed sense-making model suggests that unexpected outcomes (i.e., initially surprising) invoke greater sensemaking, which typically produces greater hindsight bias. If the process is not successful, however, the bias may be reduced or reversed. Expected outcomes will also produce little hindsight bias, but only because they invoke relatively little sensemaking in the first place. Feelings of surprise arising from sensemaking (i.e., resultant surprise) should be inversely related to hindsight bias. Results of four experiments provide support for the model. A secondary goal was to determine the boundaries of a defensive-processing mechanism also thought to reduce hindsight bias for negative, self-relevant outcomes. Results suggest that a sense of responsibility for the outcome may be necessary for defensive processing to be activated.
Improved yields and assay of simian varicella virus, and a comparison of certain biological properties of simian and human varicella viruses

Studies were performed to define conditions under which propagation, assay and stabilization of the Delta herpesvirus (DHV) strain of simian varicella virus might be improved, and to compare biological properties of DHV with those of human varicella zoster virus (VZV). A mycoplasma contaminant was successfully eliminated from the DHV seed virus by treatment with a specific anti-serum. DHV was found to replicate more efficiently in the BS-C-1 line of African green monkey kidney cells than in Vero cells, and seed virus preparations in the form of virus-infected cells were produced which had infectivity titers greater than or equal to 1 X 10(6) p.f.u./ml. Greater yields of virus were produced in cultures infected as dispersed cells than as preformed monolayers. Infectious DHV could be released from host cells by sonic treatment of heavily infected cultures at 48 h post infection. Certain agents reported to enhance replication of herpes viruses (caffeine, carbaryl, the tumor promoter 12-0-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, and DEAE-dextran) had no enhancing effect on replication of DHV. However, DEAE-dextran in the maintenance medium enhanced spontaneous release of DHV into culture fluids. Plaquing efficiency and plaque size of DHV were greater in BS-C-1 than in Vero cells, and plaque assays and plaque reduction neutralization tests were developed in this cell system using a solid overlay medium with neutral red vital stain. Neutralization of DHV was markedly enhanced by fresh guinea pig complement. The newly developed neutralization test demonstrated more vigorous antibody responses to DHV in active and latent VZV infections than were demonstrated with previous procedures. In addition to their preferential growth in monkey and human cells respectively, DHV and VZV were found to differ markedly in their rates of attachment to host cells, with DHV requiring over 6 h of adsorption, while VZV adsorption was essentially complete at 1 h. Also, cell-free DHV was much more resistant than cell-free VZV to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing.
Bilirubin and heme as growth inhibitors of chicken embryos in ovo.

ABSTRACT: The increased morbidity during pregnancies complicated by hematologic or liver disease has generally been attributed to the metabolic abnormalities of the illness itself. Because tetrapyrrole concentrations are elevated in these conditions, we introduced bilirubin or heme (prepared as 10 mM solutions) into the air sac of fertilized chicken eggs to study their effect on the growth of normal chicken embryos. In 9-d eggs, the injection of 0.06 mL heme resulted in significant embryo growth inhibition as indicated by overall wt (91 ± 3% versus control), tibia length (84 ± 2%), tibia wt (81 ± 3%), femur length (88 ± 1%), and femur wt (78 ± 3%); doses greater than 0.10 mL resulted in substantial fetal losses. The injection of 0.06 mL bilirubin into the same-age eggs also resulted in less than normal tibia length (87 ± 2% versus control), tibia wt (75 ± 4%), femur length (91 ± 2%), and femur wt (81 ± 3%); larger doses resulted in more pronounced growth inhibition, but fetal losses were less common than with heme. Older chick embryos (12-d) appeared more resistant to the effects of bilirubin: 0.15 mL bilirubin inhibited only tibia and femur wt; larger doses were required to significantly suppress the other growth parameters. The sameage chicken embryos, however, remained exquisitely sensitive to heme; 0.05 mL resulted in less than normal whole embryo wt (88 ± 2% versus control), tibia length (80 ± 1%), tibia wt (76 ± 1%), femur length (78 ± 1%), and femur wt (77 ± 1%). Substantial fetal loss occurred with heme doses above 0.10 mL as well as among the less mature chicks. Significant inhibition of the growth of long bones (tibia and femur) also occurred when we added 0.05 mM bilirubin or 0.025 mM Hb to bones maintained in organ culture in vitro for 5 d. We conclude that several heme compounds and bilirubin inhibit the growth and survival of normal chick embryos in ovo and in vitro.We suggest that prenatal exposure to high levels of these compounds may have a previously underestimated negative influence on fetal development.
Model simulation and analysis of surface diffusion of liquids in porous solids

Abstract A general mathematical model for the rates of adsorption of solutes from a liquid by porous solids in a batch system has been derived. The model includes external mass transfer, pore volume accumulation and diffusion, adsorption using nonlinear isotherms, and surface diffusion. Numerical solutions and parametric plots were obtained. The presence of surface diffusion has a large effect on increasing rates of adsorption for slightly and highly adsorbing solutes. External mass transfer controls the rate for small values of the mass transfer coefficient. Appreciable errors can occur if pore diffusion is neglected for the slightly adsorbing case with little error for the highly adsorbing case. Internal concentration profiles show marked differences for slightly and highly adsorbing solutes.
Identification of amino acid residues associated with the [2Fe-2S] cluster of the 25 kDa (NQO2) subunit of the proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase of Paracoccus denitrificans

In order to identify the ligand residues of the [2Fe-2S] cluster of the 25 kDa (NQO2) subunit of the proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase of Paracoccus denitrificans, we mutated individually all seven cysteine residues (C61, C96, C101, C104, C113, C137, and C141) and one conserved histidine residue (H92) to Ser or Ala and expressed them in E. coli. After purification of the mutated 25 kDa subunits, the effect of mutations on the iron-sulfur cluster were characterized by chemical analyses and UV-visible and EPR spectroscopy. All mutated subunits, especially mutants of conserved cysteines, contained lower amounts of non-heme iron than wild-type. The subunits of three non-conserved cysteine residues (C61, C104, and C113) mutated to Ser and a histidine residue (H92) mutated to Ala exhibited essentially the same spectroscopic properties as those of the wild-type subunit. In contrast, mutation of the four conserved cysteine residues (C96, C101, C137, and C141) to Ser or Ala considerably altered the UV-visible and EPR spectra from the wild-type subunit. These results indicate that the four conserved cysteine residues coordinate the [2Fe-2S] cluster in the P. denitrificans 25 kDa subunit.
pp120, a Substrate of the Insulin Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, Is Associated with Phosphatase Activity

pp120, a plasma membrane glycoprotein, is phosphorylated on Tyr488 by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. This requires basal phosphorylation on Ser503 by cAMP-dependent serine kinase. Phe513, the other tyrosine residue in the intracellular domain, does not undergo insulin-stimulated phosphorylation. Phe488 mutation abolished basal and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation, whereas, Phe513 plus Phe488 mutation markedly decreased the effect of insulin on pp120 phosphorylation without altering basal phosphorylation in intact cells. To investigate whether basal phosphorylation of pp120 is regulated by a phosphatase activity that requires Tyr513, in vitro phosphorylation assays using partially purified glycoproteins from stably transfected NIH 3T3 cells were performed in the absence of phosphatase inhibitors. Wild-type pp120 was promptly dephosphorylated, whereas, Y513F pp120 was not. Decreasing pp120 expression by antisense cDNA transfection proportionally decreased phosphatase activity in H4-II-E hepatoma cells measured by the p-nitrophenyl phosphate assay. This suggests that pp120 is associated with phosphatase activity that requires an intact Tyr513 residue.
Astrometric Telescope Facility - Status report

The advent of the Space Station Program has provided an unexpected opportunity for the Astrometric Telescope Facility (ATF) study program by providing a potential long-duration on-orbit serviceable platform. It required a concept change for ATF from a free-flyer observatory to a Space-Station-based Observatory. The program was sent in this new direction at the start of fiscal year 1985, and program plans including study schedules and science and technical requirements are being revised and defined. The facility is designed to be versatile and capable of fulfilling the primary goal of planet detection, and to be highly useful for other astrophysics observations. Basically the ATF observing program is a long-duration plan requiring repetitive observations of single stars over a one to two decade period. These repetitive observations are needed to provide data necessary to conclusively determine the existence (or nonexistence) of planets of the Uranus and Neptune class in extrasolar planetary systems.
Intravenous Use of Diazoxide in the Treatment of Severe Hypertension

Thirty-three patients with severe hypertension were treated with rapidly injected intravenous diazoxide. Renal function was measured in nine patients and four underwent cardiac catheterization during renal function studies. Diazoxide had a rapid, profound hypotensive effect. Average decrease in mean arterial pressure was 26%, with an average duration of 16 hours. Drug resistance was not observed. Renal function was not impaired despite maintenance of arterial pressure at or near normal levels. Decreased mean arterial pressure was associated with a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure while an increase in cardiac index and heart rate occurred. Urine volume was unchanged, whereas the glomerular filtration rate and the effective renal plasma flow increased but urinary sodium excretion decreased markedly. Intravenous diazoxide is a practical effective agent for treatment of all forms of severe hypertension.
Theory of nonlinear oscillating dipolar excitations in one-dimensional condensates

We find that for a one-dimensional condensate in the presence of an applied ac field, a significant absorption peak should occur for values of the external frequency just below the pinning frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{F}$. This power absorption is due to those nonlinear normal modes of the condensate known as "breathers," which are shown to phase lock with the applied field.
Challenges in Designing and Manufacturing Fully Optimized Functional Gradient Material Objects

Functionally Gradient Materials (FGM) smoothly transition from one material to another within a single object, allowing engineers to customize the physical response of different regions of the object by modifying the material composition at each region. New FGM research makes design, manufacturing, and use of FGM objects a promising alternative to homogeneous objects or composites with one direction of gradation. Heterogeneous anisotropic artifacts can be manufactured with specific 3D printing processes and potentially bring significant increases in functionalities. However, many challenges exist while designing and manufacturing these objects. This paper explores these challenges and suggests needed research. In particular the ability to model FGM objects, setup and run optimization algorithms, create manufacturing process plans, and control the manufacturing process all need more research and better software tools. In addition, researchers must rigorously test optimally designed FGM objects in order to validate the FGM object properties and the FGM design process before adoption of FGM objects by industry is likely to occur.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
S100-protein-containing dendritic cells in fetal and newborn epidermis and thymus.

: Skin and thymus were obtained from abortuses of varying ages and from neonatal autopsies to determine if SlOO-protein-containing dendritic cells were present. Using an unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, we could not detect these dendritic cells in epidermis prior to live birth, but did detect them at all fetal ages in thymus. Within 24 hours of live, full-term delivery, dendritic cells containing SI00 protein were identified in epidermis.
Propagation of p-polarized surface plasmon polaritons circumferentially around a locally cylindrical surface

Abstract We study properties of a p-polarized surface plasmon polariton propagating circumferentially around a portion of a cylindrical interface between a vacuum and a metal, a situation investigated earlier by Berry (J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 8 (1975) 1952). When the metal is convex toward the vacuum this mode is radiative and consequently is attenuated as it propagates on the cylindrical surface. An approximate analytic solution of the dispersion relation for this wave is obtained by an approach different from the one used by Berry, and plots of the real and imaginary parts of its wave number are presented. When the metal is concave to the vacuum, the resulting dispersion relation possesses a multiplicity of solutions that have the nature of waveguide modes that owe their existence to the curvature of the interface.
UAF radiorespirometric protocol for assessing hydrocarbon mineralization potential in environmental samples.

Following the EXXOn Valdez oil spill, a radiorespirometric protocol was developed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) to assess the potential for microorganisms in coastal waters and sediments to degrade hydrocarbons. The use of bioremediation to assist in oil spill cleanup operations required microbial bioassays to establish that addition of nitrogen and phosphorus would enhance biodegradation. A technique assessing 1-14C-n-hexadecane mineralization in seawater or nutrient rich sediment suspensions was used for both of these measurements. Hydrocarbon-degradation potentials were determined by measuring mineralization associated with sediment microorganisms in sediment suspended in sterilized seawater and/or marine Bushnell-Haas broth. Production of 14CO2 and CO2 was easily detectable during the first 48 hours with added hexadecane levels ranging from 10 to 500 mg/l of suspension and dependent on the biomass of hydrocarbon degraders, the hydrocarbon-oxidation potential of the biomass and nutrient availability. In addition to assessment of the hydrocarbon-degrading potential of environmental samples, the radiorespirometric procedure, and concomitant measurement of microbial biomass, has utility as an indicator of hydrocarbon contamination of soils, aqueous sediments and water, and can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of bioremediation treatments.
Conceptual framework for indexing visual information at multiple levels

In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for indexing different aspects of visual information. Our framework unifies concepts from this literature in diverse fields such as cognitive psychology, library sciences, art, and the more recent content-based retrieval. We present multiple level structures for visual and non-visual and non- visual information. The ten-level visual structure presented provides a systematic way of indexing images based on syntax and semantics, and includes distinctions between general concept and visual concept. We define different types of relations at different levels of the visual structure, and also use a semantic information table to summarize important aspects related to an image. While the focus is on the development of a conceptual indexing structure, our aim is also to bring together the knowledge from various fields, unifying the issues that should be considered when building a digital image library. Our analysis stresses the limitations of state of the art content-based retrieval systems and suggests areas in which improvements are necessary.
Connective Tissue Neoplasms Produced in Dogs by Methylcholanthrene

SummaryConnective tissue neoplasms with the histologic characteristics of fibrosarcoma were produced in 2 dogs by the subfascial injection of methylcholanthrene.
Comparison of nonhomogeneous and homogeneous mass transfer in reverse osmosis membrane processes

AbstractReverse osmosis (RO) membranes are pressure driven, diffusion controlled processes. Current diffusion controlled solute mass transfer models assume a homogeneous membrane surface. This study evaluated mass transfer processes assuming mass transport is not a homogeneous process, which is dependent on the thickness variation of the membrane’s active layer. Three-dimensional ridge and valley active layer morphologies were created numerically using Gaussian random vectors. A nonhomogeneous solution diffusion model (NHDM) was then developed to account for surface variation through the active layer. NHDM was further modified by incorporating concentration polarization (CP) effects. A comparison of the NHDM and the NHDMCP with the commonly accepted homogeneous solution diffusion model (HSDM) using pilot-scale brackish water RO operating data indicated that the NHDM is more accurate, when the solute concentration in the feed stream is low, while NHDMCP appears to predict better with a high solute feed con...
Vertical Transmission of West Nile Virus by Three California Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) Species

Three California Culex species previously identified as efficient laboratory vectors of West Nile (WN) virus were tested for their capability to vertically transmit WN virus. Wild-caught Culex pipiens pipiens L., Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say, and two populations of Culex tarsalis Coquillett females were inoculated intrathoracically with 10(2.7 +/- 0.1) plaque-forming units of WN virus. F1 progeny were reared at 18 degrees C and subsequently tested as adults for infectious virus on Vero cell culture. Virus was not detected in 197 pools comprising 4,884 Cx. p. pipiens. The minimum filial infection rate (MFIR) for Cx. p. quinquefasciatus was approximately 3.0/1,000 for 665 progeny tested in 28 pools. There was no virus detected in 102 pools of 2,453 progeny from Cx. tarsalis collected in Riverside County. The MFIR for Cx. tarsalis collected in Yolo County was approximately 6.9/1,000 for 2,165 progeny tested in 86 pools. Mosquito progeny infected vertically during the fall could potentially serve as a mechanism for WN virus to overwinter and initiate horizontal transmission the following spring.
A theoretical investigation of the sound radiation fields associated with a Bellmouth inlet

Analytical results are obtained by numerical integration of a cylindrically symmetric integral representation of the external solutions of the Helmholtz equation. The accuracy of this method is checked by comparisons of computed results with 'exact' solutions generated by the point source method. In all cases, the average error for the amplitude and phase of the points calculated in the field is found to be less than ten percent. Theoretical studies which model experiments run for the NASA Langely Bellmouth inlet configuration are presented and comparisons are made with the experimental results. In all cases very good agreement is obtained between the experimental and theoretically calculated values.
Central nervous system, uterus, heart, and leukocyte expression of the LOXL3 gene, encoding a novel lysyl oxidase-like protein.

A BLASTN search using the mouse lor-2 cDNA identified three overlapping ESTs (AI752772, AA852888, and R55706) in the GenBank database. These expressed sequence tags were assembled into a contig of 3121 nucleotides with an open reading frame of 2262 bp. The encoded putative polypeptide of 754 amino acids presented all structural characteristics of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) enzyme family, a copper-binding site with four histidyl residues, the lysyl and tyrosyl residues known to be involved in LOX enzyme in the formation of the quinone cofactor and surrounding sequences, and the cytokine receptor-like domain. In addition, four scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains were found in the N-terminal region of the protein. The gene encoding this new cDNA, which we have referred to as human lysyl oxidase-like 3 (humanLOXL3), has been mapped to chromosome 2p13.3, overlapping at its 3' end the HtrA2 serine protease gene. The structure of the humanLOXL3 gene was deduced from the BAC clone bac91a19 sequence and contained 14 exons. The expression pattern of this new member of the LOX gene family appears to be different from that of the LOX and LOX-like genes, as the central nervous system, neurons, and also leukocytes expressed humanLOXL3. A BLASTN search of the human EST database indicated the presence of ESTs, corresponding to alternative splice variants of LOXL3, that lacked exon 5 and exon 8. The putative resulting protein retained the region encoding the structural and functional elements of the amine oxidase but the second and fourth SRCR domains were truncated and the potential BMP-1 cleavage site was not present. The presence of domains unrelated to the traditional amine oxidase activity is a strong indication that humanLOXL3 might fulfill other functions in addition to intrinsic enzyme activity.
The involvement of polynucleotide ligase in the repair of UV-induced DNA damage in Escherichia coli K-12 cells.

The effect of the ligts-7 mutation on cell survival and the extent of DNA repair after UV (254 nm) irradiation was determined for wild-type and uvrB5 cells of E. coli K-12 at 30° and 42°C. At the restrictive temperature (42°C) the ligts-7 mutation resulted in (i) a decrease in the extent of repair of DNA incision breaks arising during the excision repair process, and (ii) a decrease in the extent of post-replicational repair of gaps in newly-synthesized DNA. These deficiencies in DNA repair correlated with increases in cellular sensitivity to killing by UV radiation. Thus, DNA ligase plays an important role in vivo in both the excision and post-replicational repair processes.
The effect of head and neck radiation therapy on voice quality.

Twenty-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who received radiation therapy as their only form of treatment underwent a computer-assisted voice analysis before, and 6 months following treatment. Those with early laryngeal tumors had a significant improvement in intelligibility (P = .07), percent of sound voiced (P = .04), and sound perturbation. Those with nonlaryngeal tumors had no change in any measured parameters. Head and neck radiation therapy can significantly improve the voice quality of patients with laryngeal tumors, while having a minimal effect on the voice quality of those with nonlaryngeal tumors.
In-vivo and in-vitro determination of components of rabbit early pregnancy factors

Two types of rabbit early pregnancy factor (EPF) components, prepared from the in-vitro perfused ovary and oviduct and from serum ammonium sulphate fractions, were investigated to elucidate the source of EPF production. The state of the animals, i.e. pregnant, pseudopregnant, unstimulated or platelet activating factor (PAF)-treated, and order of addition of the components to the assay lymphocytes were varied to characterize conditions of production and expression of EPF activity. Although each component alone had no EPF activity, combination of two components, i.e. ovary and oviduct components, or serum precipitate and supernatant components, expressed EPF activity. The oviduct and serum supernatant components were produced in pregnancy and pseudopregnancy but the ovary and serum precipitate components were produced only in pregnancy. The similarity of the production pattern and ability of the perfusate and serum components to yield EPF activity when combined suggests that they are similar or the same. The sources of stimulation of EPF production did not appear to affect component production because the activity produced by the perfused ovary and oviduct in pregnancy or in response to PAF stimulation appeared similar. Oviduct and supernatant components apparently bound directly to lymphocytes. These results suggest that EPF components are produced in the ovary and oviduct individually and that the combination of the two components expresses EPF activity in the rabbit.
In vitro studies of local blood flow disturbance in a region of separation

Summary Studies in vitro of the pulsatile flow of human whole blood through branched tubes indicates the presence of boundary layer separation at the point of bifurcation. Comparison of boundary layer flow in a non-separated region with that in the region of separation shows that there is a considerable degree of localized flow disturbance at the branch. Disturbances in boundary layer flow are found to increase with increasing Reynolds number. Implications of the relevance of velocity fluctuations in the region of separation are discussed in relation to the localization of atheromatous plaques.
Revisiting nations not obsessed with crime

This paper reanalyzes the ten low-crime countries featured in Freda Adler’s 1983 publication, Nations Not Obsesses with Crime. It uses currently available quantitative data to present an updated statistical portrait of these countries. It aims to critically evaluate the criteria that have been and should be used to designate countries as low-crime. It also investigates whether these countries have been able to maintain this status over the past three decades. Finally, it discusses the theoretical implications of this updated statistical portrait for cross-national criminology.