cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Summertime ozone at Mount Washington: Meteorological controls at the highest peak in the northeast

[1] This study examined the synoptic and regional-scale meteorological controls on summertime O 3 at Mount Washington, the highest peak (1910 m) in the northeastern United States. Analysis of air mass transport to Mount Washington was conducted for the summers of 1998-2003 using backward trajectories. Distinct patterns in air mass history were revealed using this approach that helped explain extreme variations in O 3 mixing ratios. Most enhanced (≥90th percentile) and depleted (≤10th percentile) O 3 events were short-lived and spread out over the summer months. Enhanced O 3 events at Mount Washington were generally associated with westerly transport, while depleted events corresponded to northwesterly transport. Periods of O 3 greater than 80 ppbv during nighttime periods coincided with westerly (71%) and southwesterly (29%) transport. Periods of elevated O 3 commonly occurred during regional warm sector flow or on the western edge of a surface anticyclone. Our analysis also identified a stratospheric contribution to a small percentage (∼5%) of extreme O 3 events at the site, but more evidence is required to establish the significance of the contribution to background O 3 levels in this region.
The Impact of Individual Health Inspectors on the Results of Restaurant Sanitation Inspections: Empirical Evidence

This study investigated the impact of individual health inspectors on the results of restaurant sanitation inspections. A better understanding of inspectors' impact can help improve the objectivity of food sanitation assessments. This study involved a longitudinal comparison of inspection results using data from Tippecanoe County Health Department in the State of Indiana for all years from 1996 to 2004, except for 2003. A sample of 213 foodservice establishments and 2,818 routine inspections by 14 inspectors were evaluated. Establishments were assigned to 1 of 5 operation types: full-service, limited-service, fast-food, tavern, and schools. There was a statistically significant difference in average score by inspector, interaction effects between: inspector and year, inspector and operation type, and inspector and inspection format. The final model which included the inspector variable and all significant interactions helped explain 34.15% of the total variation in the inspection scores.
Nature's Bounty: Historical and Modern Environmental Perspectives

This timely work presents cutting-edge analysis of the problems of U.S. foreign assistance programs - why these problems have not been solved in the past, and how they might be solved in the future. The book focuses primarily on U.S. foreign assistance and foreign policy as they apply to nation building, governance, and democratization. The expert contributors examine issues currently in play, and also trace the history and evolution of many of these problems over the years. They address policy concerns as well as management and organizational factors as they affect programs and policies. "Foreign Aid and Foreign Policy" includes several chapter-length case studies (on Iraq, Pakistan, Ghana, Haiti, and various countries in Eastern Europe and Africa), but the bulk of the book presents broad coverage of general topics such as foreign aid and security, NGOs and foreign aid, capacity building, and building democracy abroad. Each chapter offers recommendations on how to improve the U.S. system of aid in the context of foreign policy.
Privatizing human rights initiatives: How Asian countries can avoid the flaws in the U.S. model

Abstract It is not an auspicious time for path-breaking human rights legislation in the United States. We indisputably reside in an era of increasing privatization. While the traditional source of human rights initiatives has been the public sector, in the U.S. political climate, the private sector may offer more promise for human rights entrepreneurship than the government. Nonetheless, privatization presents a seriously flawed model because it lacks the gravitas of a public sector model and because the privatization model is driven by an ideological perspective. A pragmatic multi-dimensional approach to developing human rights initiatives offers more promise of success.
Historical Development of Iron Screw-Pile Foundations: 1836–1900

AbstractBeginning around 1836 screw-pile and screw-cylinder elements were used successfully as helical foundations throughout the world to support a variety of large-scale civil engineering structures. Their development and use is largely attributed to engineers from the UK and the USA. The origins and rise of screw-pile and screw-cylinder foundations are reviewed from an historical perspective focusing on the period from 1836 to 1900. A summary of the use of screw-piles as successful foundations for lighthouses, bridges, and piers as well as their use for other engineering applications is given. A description of the common geometries of screw-piles and screw-cylinders during this period is also presented. The information illustrates that helical foundations have been in use for over 170 years throughout the world and can be considered perhaps the single most important development in geotechnical engineering foundation construction of the mid to late nineteenth century.
Alteration of intestinal microflora following preoperative mechanical preparation of the colon.

The effects of vigorous preoperative mechanical cleansing on the microflora of the ileum, intra-abdominal colon and stool were studied in 12 patients. Mechanical bowel preparation, with dietary restriction, cathartics, and enemas, significantly reduced the mean concentration of coliforms only. Obligate anaerobes, the major constituents of the colonic microflora, and other aerobic and microaerophilic intestinal bacteria were not significantly altered. Vigorous mechanical cleansing reduces the total fecal mass, but the residual bowel content harbors microflora which are a potential source of wound infection following colonic operations.
Thermal fatigue and waste heat recovery via thermoelectrics

Using thermoelectrics to directly convert heat energy into useful electricity faces a number of challenges. In addition to the optimized thermal and electrical transport parameters that are needed to boost energy conversion efficiency, thermoelectric (TE) materials must possess sufficient mechanical integrity to survive hundreds or thousands of in-service heating and cooling cycles (thermal fatigue). The nature of TE materials themselves makes it problematic for them to survive under thermal fatigue conditions since TE materials typically (1) are brittle semiconductors or ceramics and (2) have low thermal conductivity which acts to enhance the dimensionless figure of merit ZT but also leads to high stress in response to thermal transients. In addition, many TE materials, including chalcogenide compounds and intermetallic compounds, have relatively high thermal expansion coefficients which also generates high stresses when TE materials are exposed to thermal gradients and transients. The problem of thermal fatigue has been discussed (but not studied directly) in terms of thermal shock parameters, where thermal shock refers to a single thermal cycle and thermal fatigue refers to many thermal cycles. The differences between thermal shock and thermal fatigue are profound in part since the physical mechanisms that lead to good thermal shock resistance are defeated by thermal fatigue. This paper presents a description of (i) the inadequacies of both the thermoelastic model and the energy balance model in addressing thermal fatigue problems as well as (ii) strategies that have been successful in reducing thermal fatigue damage in brittle materials.
New forms of classroom assessment: Implications for staff development

EW APPROACHES TO ASSESSMENT are a prominent component of the current educational reform movement. The educational community is calling for assessments that better address educational goals such as higher order thinking, reasoning, problem solving, communication, and conceptual understanding of subject matter, and that are more closely linked with instruction (Wiggins, 1989). This demand is being felt at all levels of our educational system. Numerous states-for example, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Oregon, and Vermont-have new assessment systems in place. Others, such as Colorado and Washington, are in various stages of the development process. Typically, these assessment systems are connected to statewide standards or learning goals. Many include some form of classroom-based evidence such as portfolios and performance events, as well as (or in place of) more traditional paper and pencil tests.
A new kind of spectral analytical system for measuring time-resolved spectrum under shock

A new kind of spectral analytical system has been developed for taking time-resolved spectrum of transient emission. In this system, a special translator converts the time-distribution spectrum into the space-distribution spectrum, and the time-dependent spectrum is recorded by a 2-D CCD device, accompanied with a MCP intensifier. The time resolution of 20 ns and the recording time of 120 ns have been achieved in the experiment for Ar emission shocked to 12000 K.
Aspects of Functional Analysis of Mitigated Wetlands Receiving Highway Runoff

The wetland mitigation and storm water management provisions in the 1987 Clean Water Act significantly affect transportation agencies. A common requirement of these federal storm water management provisions and state storm water regulations is the use of best-management practices (BMPs). The Virginia Department of Transportation has constructed more than 200 wetlands and many storm water BMPs, such as detention basins. A potentially cost-effective approach to satisfying wetland mitigation requirements and storm water regulations is to use mitigated wetlands as storm water BMPs. A multifunctional evaluation of two mitigated wetlands receiving highway runoff is presented to examine the feasibility of using mitigated wetlands as storm water BMPs. Influent and effluent water quality and quantity were monitored at the sites during storm events. Vegetation density and diversity and wetland wildlife were examined as functional indicators because they were believed to be the most likely to be impaired by highway ...
Native structural propensity in cellular retinoic acid-binding protein I 64–88: the role of locally encoded structure in the folding of a β-barrel protein ☆

A central question in protein folding is the relative importance of locally encoded structure and cooperative interactions among residues distant in sequence. We have been exploring this question in a predominantly beta-sheet protein, since beta-structure formation clearly relies on both local and global sequence information. We present evidence that a 24-residue peptide corresponding to two linked hairpins of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein I (CRABP I) adopts significant native structure in aqueous solution. Prior work from our laboratory showed that the two turns contained in this fragment (turns III and IV) had the highest tendency of any of the eight turns in this anti-parallel beta-barrel to fold into native turns. In addition, the primary sequence of these two turns is well conserved throughout the structural family to which CRABP I belongs, and residues in the turns and their associated hairpins participate in a network of conserved long-range interactions. We propose that the strong local-sequence biases within the chain segment comprising turns III and IV favor longer-range interactions that are crucial to the folding and native-state stability of CRABP I, and may play a similar role in related intracellular lipid-binding proteins (iLBPs).
Tailoring the macroporosity and performance of sol-gel derived carbon composite glucose sensors

Control of the preparation conditions is used to enhance the performance of sol-gel derived carbon composite enzyme electrodes. In particular, changes in the water content during the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis strongly affect the macroporosity of the resulting biogel network. Hence, while for the low-water process the response is controlled by the enzyme kinetics, high-water preparations lead to mass-transport restrictions. Such diffusional limitations within the electrode interior result in an extended linear dynamic range (without the need for external membranes). Scanning electron microscopy provides images of biogel microstructures, accrued from the use of different water contents. The ceramic-carbon biosensors offer improved retention of artificial electron acceptors compared to conventional carbon composite bioelectrodes. The silica-containing surface also displays an intrinsic electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide response, and hence offers a low-potential monitoring of the glucose substrate.
Cytomegalovirus myocarditis as a cause of cardiac dysfunction in a heart transplant recipient.

On rapporte un cas de dysfonctionnement cardiaque chez un receveur d'un transplant cardiaque du a une myocardite a cytomegalovirus traite avec succes par le gonciclovir
THE PENETRATION OF BACTERIA THROUGH CAPILLARY SPACES : IV. A KINETIC MECHANISM IN INTERFACES.

The dark-field microscope may be used to observe directly the characteristics of composite films. The liquid phases, one or both of them containing suspended solid particles as test objects (in these experiments bacteria were used), are spread between slide and cover-glass and examined with any desired lenses. The liquid-liquid interfaces appear as bright lines and the solid particles as shining motes. An interfacial kinetic mechanism has been observed in films of all composition studied. The bacteria are transported along the phase boundary lines in a striking and characteristic manner and quite independently of movements in the adjoining organic or aqueous phases. These movements in the interface are interpreted as essentially due, according to the composition of the films, to local inequalities in interfacial surface tension, or to minute currents from mixing of the two phases across and along their boundary line, or to both forces acting together. The bacteria (non-motile in these experiments) reached the interface by brownian movement or currents or shifts in the position of the boundary line. Once in the interface they tended to remain, and accumulated there, in instances where the liquid-liquid interfacial tension was high at least, in higher concentration than in the contiguous phases. Bacteria could, however, escape from the interface in a variety of ways detailed above. With liquids which differ markedly in interfacial tension and miscibility with water, these properties may be correlated with the characteristics of the preparation. With cyclohexane-water films, for instance, (immiscible, interfacial tension high), the boundary was less readily drawn out into projections, the interfacial trapping mechanism was more efficient, and brownian movement of bacteria in the interface was less free than with cyclohexanol-water films (miscible, interfacial tension low). Analysis of the mechanism of the phenomena herein described will be given in the paper following.
The reaction of ozone with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Inactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) by ozone can be correlated with oxidation of the active-site -SH residue. Oxidation of peripheral -SH groups, and tryptophan, methionine, and histidine residues occurs concomitantly, but loss of activity depends solely on active-site oxidation. Inactivation is only slightly reversible by dithiothreitol. Kinetic studies show that inhibition of GPDH by ozone mimics noncompetitive inhibition and is characterized as irreversible enzyme inactivation. Analysis of products resulting from ozone oxidation of glutathione suggests that cysteic acid is the product of protein-SH oxidation. Despite oxidation of the active-site -SH, no significant decrease in the Racker band absorbance occurs. This is explained by the appearance of a new chromophore in this region of the absorbance spectrum. Increased absorbance at 322 nm following ozone treatment indicates that tryptophan is converted quantitatively to N-formylkynurenine. When the active-site -SH is reversibly blocked by tetrathionate, enzyme activity is completely recoverable following reaction of the derivatized enzyme with a 1.3X excess of ozone over enzyme monomer. Activity is fully recovered despite the oxidation of peripheral -SH, tryptophan, and histidine residues. Circular dichroism spectra of ozone-treated enzyme show that reaction of GPDH with up to a threefold excess of ozone over enzyme monomer results in nomore » significant disruption of protein secondary structure. Spectra in the near-uv show distinct changes that reflect tryptophan oxidation.« less
Atypical Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in a Child with Hyper-IgM Syndrome

Children with hyper-immunoglobulin M (hyper-IgM) syndrome are at increased risk for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), an opportunistic infection often found in immunodeficient hosts. PCP can present with increasing hypoxia, fever, cough, and respiratory distress. We describe a child with hyper-IgM syndrome in whom bronchoalveolar washings were negative for PCP. However, there was an atypical lung response in which caseating granulomas predominated. The histopathology, resembling that found in tuberculosis, stresses the importance of a high index of clinical suspicion and histologic confirmation for early intervention and treatment. Immunocompromised children with rapidly progressive pulmonary disease may require lung biopsy and stains such as GMS to identify PCP.
Gel permeation chromatography of asymmetric proteins.

Abstract The gel permeation chromatographic behavior of three asymmetric proteins—collagen, fibrinogen, and the prolate ellipsoid lysozyme—was investigated using a variety of gel and high-performance liquid chromatographic media of various pore sizes and a wide range of flow rates. The time dependency of the elution patterns for columns and the partitioning of proteins between solvent and gel phases in batch experiments show that the “anomalous” behavior of asymmetric proteins is explicable by the mechanism proposed by Y. Nozaki, N. M. Schechter, J. A. Reynolds, and C. Tanford (1976, Biochemistry 15 , 3884); i.e., that these proteins penetrate pores of a size comparable to the minor semiaxis of the protein by end-on insertion. Thus, native type I collagen behaves as if it were a spherical protein of radius 8.2 A, fibrinogen has an apparent radius of 32.4 A, and lysozyme has an apparent radius of 14.6 A. The rate at which asymmetric proteins penetrate the gel interior, however, is slow compared to the rate of gel penetration by globular proteins. The end-on insertion mechanism predicts that given infinite time, asymmetric proteins will be included into that portion of the internal volume of the gel which their smallest projectional cross sections allow them to penetrate. A method is presented for extrapolating the elution volume of asymmetric proteins to infinitely slow flow rate; from this extrapolation, one can calculate the minor semiaxis of the protein.
Transcriptomic analysis using SVD clustering and SVM classification

The classification performance using support vector machines (SVMs) for transcriptomic analysis can be limited due to the high dimensionality of the data. This limitation is most problematic in the case of small training sets. A general solution is to employ a dimension reduction method before SVM classification. In this paper, we propose a novel singular value decomposition (SVD) based method for dual purposes: firstly, to reduce the dimensionality, and secondly to cluster the transcriptional profiles. The kernel functions of SVM were modified based on the Riemannian geometrical structure which can achieve a better spatial resolution. The proposed approach was applied to the yeast time series microarray dataset and outperformed the traditional SVM kernels.
Construction, calibration, and application of a compact spectrophotometer for EUV (300-2500-A) plasma diagnostics.

A 400-mm normal incidence concave grating spectrophotometer, specifically designed for plasma diagnostics, is described. The wavelength drive, in which the grating is translated as well as rotated, is discussed in detail; the wavelength linearity of the sine drive and methods of improving it are analyzed. The instrument can be used in any orientation, is portable under vacuum, and quite rugged. The construction techniques utilized produce a high quality vacuum making the instrument compatible with both high purity plasma devices and synchrotron radiation sources. The photometric sensitivity calibration was found to be very stable during extended use on high temperature plasma devices. The applications of the instrument to diagnose plasmas in two tokamaks and a mirror device are described. A facility used for photometric calibration of extreme ultraviolet (λ > 300-A) spectrophotometers against NBS standard diodes is described. The instrumental calibration obtained using this facility was checked by using synchrotron radiation from SURF II; very good agreement was observed.
JOB DISSATISFACTION AS A POSSIBLE RISK FACTOR IN CORONARY HEART DISEASE

IN RECENT years, various investigations have attempted to elucidate the relationship between social status and risk of death due to coronary heart disease. In general, the data presented in these studies have shown no consistent pattern. In some investigations [l-6] a positive relationship has been reported between status and coronary disease. In other studies [7-lo] a negative relationship has been noted between these variables. In still other investigations a curvilinear relationship-either U-shaped [ll-131 or inverted-U-shaped [14]-has been observed. In further studies [15-171 a lack of any appreciable relationship has been reported. This variety of results has surely contributed to the general impression held by writers of review articles [18-191 that social status and coronary disease are essentially unrelated in the population at large. The present authors, like many others, believe that the social environment can exert an important influence upon an individual’s risk of coronary disease. However, we do not feel that social status per se plays this role. Rather, we believe that social factors which may be associated with status exert such influence. In an earlier paper [20], the senior author suggested that particular forms of social stress may contribute to heightened risk of coronary disease. In the present report, we shall attempt to demonstrate that an individual’s dissatisfaction with his job has similar etiologic implications. We shall describe here three separate investigations designed to test this general hypothesis. Each of these studies involves a different set of subjects and slightly different methods; however, the general procedure is similar from study to study. In each investigation, we select various occupational groups for whom (a) mortality ratios due to coronary heart disease and (b) average levels of job satisfaction are known. We then relate these two variables to each other. The design of these studies
When more data steer us wrong: replications with the wrong dependent measure perpetuate erroneous conclusions.

There is a replication crisis in science, to which psychological research has not been immune: Many effects have proven uncomfortably difficult to reproduce. Although the reli- ability of data is a serious concern, we argue that there is a deeper and more insidious problem in the field: the persistent and dramatic misinterpretation of empirical results that replicate eas- ily and consistently. Using a series of four highly studied "text- book" examples from different research domains (eyewitness memory, deductive reasoning, social psychology, and child wel- fare), we show how simple unrecognized incompatibilities among dependent measures, analysis tools, and the properties of data can lead to fundamental interpretive errors. These errors, which are not reduced by additional data collection, may lead to misguided research efforts and policy recommendations. We conclude with a set of recommended strategies and research tools to reduce the probability of these persistent and largely unrecog- nized errors. The use of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves is highlighted as one such recommendation.
Apple Phytochemical Extracts Inhibit Proliferation of Estrogen-Dependent and Estrogen-Independent Human Breast Cancer Cells through Cell Cycle Modulation

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States. Dietary modification, particularly increased intake of fruits and vegetables, has been consistently associated with a reduced risk of various cancers, including breast cancer. Apples are a major source of dietary phytochemicals and flavonoids and possess potent antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity in vitro. However, the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer properties of apple phytochemical extracts are not completely understood. In this study a possible mechanism by which apple extracts could inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro using estrogen-dependent MCF-7 and estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines was analyzed. The data showed that apple phytochemical extracts significantly inhibited human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation at concentrations of 10-80 mg/mL (p 20 mg/mL (p < 0.05). At concentrations of 15, 30, and 50 mg/mL, apple extracts caused a greater increase in the G1/S ratio in MDA-MB-231 cells when compared with MCF-7 cells (p < 0.05). Cyclin D1 and Cdk4 proteins, the two major G1/S transit regulators, decreased in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to apple extracts. These results suggest that the antiproliferative activities of apple phytochemical extracts toward human breast cancer cells might be due to the modulation effects on cell cycle machinery.
Dynamics and controls flight testing of the X-29A airplane

A brief description of the flight control system of the X-29A forward-swept-wing flight demonstrator is followed by a discussion of the flight test techniques and procedures in the area of flight dynamics and control. These techniques, which evolved during the initial few months of flight testing, are based on integrating flight testing with simulation and analysis on a flight-by-flight basis. A limited amount of flight test results in dynamic stability and handling qualities is also presented.
Progress in triboluminescence-based smart optical sensor system

Extensive research work has been done in recent times to apply the triboluminescence (TL) phenomenon for damage detection in engineering structures. Of particular note are the various attempts to apply it in the detection of impact damages in composites and aerospace structures. This is because TL-based sensor systems have a great potential for wireless, in-situ and distributed (WID) structural health monitoring when fully developed. This review article highlights development and the current state-of-the-art in the application of TL-based sensor systems. The underlying mechanisms believed to be responsible for triboluminescence, particularly in zinc sulfide manganese, a highly triboluminescent material, are discussed. The challenges militating against the full exploitation and field application of TL sensor systems are also identified. Finally, viable solutions and approaches to address these challenges are enumerated.
Influence of the B Blood Group-histo-compatibility Locus in Chickens on a Graft-versus-Host Reaction

PRODUCTION of nodular lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos after inoculation with adult fowl leucocytes has been described by Boyer1. These lesions, appearing as raised yellow or white foci, are considered to arise from the interaction of donor lymphocytes with foreign antigenic determinants present in the tissues of the embryonic host. The number of foci produced depends on the number of large lymphocytes in the inoculum2 although immunization of the donor with ombryonic tissue does not enhance the ability to produce foci3. Two independent experiments with inbred lines indicated that single gene differences between donor and host could account for chorioallantoic membrane foci production4 as well as splenomegaly5.
Impact fracture toughness and other properties of brazed metallic laminates.

One of the primary causes of failure in high-strength structures recently has been attributed to propagation of internal flaws at stresses considerably below the yield strength of the structural material. Since it is virtually impossible to build an engineering structure without defects, the material must be tough enough to tolerate imperfections. Other conditions remaining constant, the fracture toughness (ability to resist crack propagation) of a metal reaches an optimum at a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.2 in. and then decreases rapidly with further increase in thickness, approaching a minimum value asymptotically, representing 100% plane strain fracture. This behavior suggests that metallic laminates composed of brazed sheets near optimum thickness may exhibit higher toughness than a homogeneous specimen of the same thickness. Brazed laminates of maraging steels and also Ti5Al-2.5Sn have been investigated. Some of these exhibited fracture toughness values for throughthe-thickness cracks from 2 to 7 times that of unlaminated specimens of the same alloy and thickness. All of the laminates are extremely tough in a direction normal to the laminate surfaces; and since gross yielding is involved, fracture toughness criteria cannot be applied. Data are presented over a temperature range of —320° to 600°F. The laminates retain essentially the same tensile properties as the base metal, and preliminary fatigue tests appear promising.
Interactions of endogenous and exogenous estrogenic compounds with human placental microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450hpm).

Abstract Spectral analyses of human placental microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450 hpm ) revealed that estrone, β-estradiol, and estriol each interacted with the cytochrome to produce Type I difference spectra. β-Estradiol produced the most intense difference spectra and additional studies with this steroid suggested the existence of multiple sites for estrogen binding or of multiple cytochromes in placental microsomes. The magnitude of difference spectra produced by β-estradiol correlated ( r = 0.84) with concentrations of P-450 hpm as determined by CO-difference spectra as well as with the intensity of difference spectra produced by androstenedione ( r = 0.87). No statistically significant correlations between intensities of β-estradiol-induced binding spectra and placental aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities were observed. The ability of the naturally occurring estrogens to bind to cytochrome P-450 did not appear to be related to their capacity to inhibit the placental aromatization reaction. Diethylstilbestrol, ethinylestradiol, mestranol, progesterone, and pregnenolone all inhibited the placental conversion of androstenedione to estrogens, but these compounds did not produce observable Type I difference spectra. Of the estrogens studied, diethylstilbestrol proved to be the most effective inhibitor of aromatase in vitro causing 99% inhibition at concentrations of 10 −4 M. β-Estradiol and ethinylestradiol produced only 60.4 and 81.0% inhibition, respectively, at 10 −3 M. The results indicated that despite significant binding of endogenous estrogens to P-450 hpm , no evidence for a feedback inhibition of these estrogens on the placental aromatization reaction could be observed.
Sample Size Determination for Three-Level Randomized Clinical Trials with Randomization at the First or Second Level

Clinical trials in the context of comparative effectiveness research (CER) are often conducted to evaluate health outcomes under real-world conditions and standard health care settings. In such settings, three-level hierarchical study designs are increasingly common. For example, patients may be nested within treating physicians, who in turn are nested within an urgent care center or hospital. While many trials randomize the third-level units (e.g., centers) to intervention, in some cases randomization may occur at lower levels of the hierarchy, such as patients or physicians. In this article, we present and verify explicit closed-form sample size and power formulas for three-level designs assuming randomization is at the first or second level. The formulas are based on maximum likelihood estimates from mixed-effect linear models and verified by simulation studies. Results indicate that even with smaller sample sizes, theoretical power derived with known variances is nearly identical to empirically estimated power for the more realistic setting when variances are unknown. In addition, we show that randomization at the second or first level of the hierarchy provides an increasingly statistically efficient alternative to third-level randomization. Power to detect a treatment effect under second-level randomization approaches that of patient-level randomization when there are few patients within each randomized second-level cluster and, most importantly, when the correlation attributable to second-level variation is a small proportion of the overall correlation between patient outcomes.
Laparoscopic vesicovaginal fistula repair with robotic reconstruction

Abstract Introduction To describe, to our knowledge, the first case report of robotic-assisted laparoscopic repair of a vesicovaginal fistula. A 44-year-old woman presented with a vesicovaginal fistula after vaginal hysterectomy. She had been noted to have a bladder injury that was repaired at that time. A vesicovaginal fistula developed several weeks later, and she was referred for repair. The location of the fistula was deemed amenable to repair using a robot-assisted laparoscopic approach. Technical considerations The total operative time was 280 minutes, including placement of ureteral catheters and repositioning. The estimated blood loss was 50 mL. The fistula was repaired using robot-assisted laparoscopic techniques without complications, and the patient went home on the second postoperative day. The Foley catheter was removed 2 weeks postoperatively. The patient continued to void normally without recurrence at 16 weeks of follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistulas has not gained widespread acceptance owing to its technical difficulty. We describe a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach using the DaVinci robotic system to repair a vesicovaginal fistula.
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOMATIC MUSCLE OF THE CHICK EMBRYO.

Somites 16 through 18 were obtained from chick embryos from 36 hours to 15 days incubation, and prepared for both light and electron microscopy. It was found that the myoblasts in the early stages increase in size and become elongated. Myofilaments of two types are first discernible in the peripheral cytoplasm in the 32 somite stage. Those of one type are about 100 A in diameter and are probably myosin, while the others are approximately 70 A and are believed to be actin. These filaments are organized into bundles (myofibrils) which are from the first striated. Throughout later development recognizable myofibrils are present; alongside are found numerous myofilament bundles in all stages of development indicating continuous myofibril formation. Smooth-surfaced vesicles and tubules become the main constituent of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Free ribosomes numerous at first, take up positions around the developing filament bundles and decrease in number as the myofilaments are formed. At the time of appearance of the first myofilaments, glycogen granules become visible in the sarcoplasm and increase rapidly in number. The mitochondria become arranged between the developing myofibrils.
A Survey on Mix Networks and Their Secure Applications

Anonymity is a subdiscipline of information hiding, required in a number of applications, such as in electronic voting. For network communications, anonymity can be provided by a mix network (mixnet). A mixnet is a multistage system that uses cryptography and permutations to provide anonymity. The basic idea of a mixnet has evolved into a number of different classes. In addition to presenting the existing mixnet classifications, this paper classifies mixnets based on the verification mechanisms employed for robustness. The construction of mixnets is presented under a common framework to provide insight into both the design and weaknesses of existing solutions. Basic forms of attack on mixnets and the corresponding robustness solutions are reviewed. Comparison with other solutions for anonymity and suggestions for interesting future research in mix networks are also provided
Co-purely indecomposable modules over discrete valuation rings☆

Abstract A co-purely indecomposable module is a quasi-isomorphic dual of a pure finite rank submodule of the completion of a discrete valuation ring. Co-purely indecomposable modules are classified up to isomorphism.
Metabolic Restructuring during Energy-Limited States: Insights from Artemia franciscana Embryos and Other Animals

Many life history stages of animals that experience environmental insults enter developmental arrested states that are characterized by reduced cellular proliferation, with or without a concurrent reduction in overall metabolism. In the case of the most profound metabolic arrest reported in invertebrates, i.e., anaerobic quiescence in Artemia franciscana embryos, acidification of the intracellular milieu is a major factor governing catabolic and anabolic downregulation. Release of ions from intracellular compartments is the source for approximately 50% of the proton equivalents needed for the 1.5 unit acidification that is observed. Recovery from the metabolic arrest requires re-sequestration of the protons with a vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase). The remarkable facet of this mechanism is the ability of embryonic cells to survive the dissipation of intracellular ion gradients. Across many diapause-like states, the metabolic reduction and subsequent matching of energy demand is accomplished by shifting energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Molecular pathways that are activated to induce these resilient hypometabolic states include stimulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and insulin signaling via suite of daf (dauer formation) genes for diapause-like states in nematodes and insects. Contributing factors for other metabolically depressed states involve hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and downregulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Metabolic similarities between natural states of stasis and some cancer phenotypes are noteworthy. Reduction of flux through oxidative phosphorylation helps prevent cell death in certain cancer types, similar to the way it increases viability of dauer stages in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mechanisms that underlie natural stasis are being used to pre-condition mammalian cells prior to cell biostabilization and storage.
Phylogenetic study with nuclear and chloroplast data and ecological niche reveals Atacama (Brassicaceae), a new monotypic genus endemic from the Andes of the Atacama Desert, Chile

Phylogenetic analyses have suggested that Mathewsia is not monophyletic because of the exclusion of M. nivea from a well-supported clade comprising the remaining species of the genus. This result suggests that M. nivea should be recognized as a new taxon in Brassicaceae. Nevertheless, the lack of phylogenetic placement and limitations in morphological differentiation from other Mathewsia species preclude its practical recognition. Phylogenetic and hypothesis testing analyses were conducted to elucidate the possible tribal position of M. nivea in Brassicaceae. At the same time, ecological niche for M. nivea and Mathewsia species was modeled to evaluate a possible climatic and geographic circumscription for both taxa. Phylogenetic analyses supported a most likely tribal affinity, but not the inclusion, of M. nivea with Schizopetaleae, supporting previous molecular and morphological evidence. Ecological niche model analysis revealed non-overlapped areas of occurrence between M. nivea with M. auriculata and the remainder of the genus Mathewsia, implying that M. nivea occurrs in a different ecological niche than Mathewsia in the Andes. Therefore, the new monotypic genus Atacama and its species A. nivea are defined. This circumscription reveals important insights about the diversification of Schizopetaleae, as close relationship of A. nivea with Schizopetaleae could help the comparative analysis of biological adaptations to aridity. Likewise, the concomitant discovery of A. nivea with other monotypic taxa of Brassicaceae in the area might suggest possible areas of co-diversification in Andean-arid latitudes of South America.
Effect of Preeclampsia on Blood Pressure in Newborn Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Objective. To test the hypothesis that very low birth infants born to mothers with preeclampsia have higher blood pressure over the first week of life than infants whose mothers did not have preeclampsia. Method. Infants born at 90th percentile for gestational age stratum and day-specific range) was analyzed by binary logistic regression. Results. Infants ≥ 29 weeks gestational age born to mothers with preeclampsia had higher blood pressures than did controls. Infants ≤ 28 weeks gestational age born to preeclamptic and nonpreeclamptic mothers had similar blood p...
Assessment of in silico models for fraction of unbound drug in human liver microsomes.

Importance of the field: Fraction of unbound drug in human liver microsome (fumic) incubation media is an important parameter for accurate assessment of hepatic intrinsic clearance and drug–drug interactions. In recent years, there have been considerable advances in understanding structure–microsomal binding relationships.Areas covered in the review: This review highlights the in silico modeling techniques for fumic including physicochemical properties-based modeling, pharmacophore feature-based classification modeling and more complex statistical method-based modeling. The application of these modeling techniques to the understanding of the structure-binding relationships is also discussed.What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an understanding of the modeling techniques used for prediction of binding to human liver microsomes (fumic). The reader will also understand the molecular structure–microsomal protein binding relationships. In all of these models, lipophilicity is the most important mole...
The effects of topical thyrocalcitonin on the extraction sites in the jaws of dogs.

Abstract In this study, topically applied thyrocalcitonin was employed on the extraction sites in the jaws of four dogs. Prior to sacrifice of the animals at 30 and 60 days, oxytetracycline was injected into them intramuscularly. After sacrifice, both the control and experimental sockets were examined under ultraviolet light. These sections were then decalcified, and hematoxylin and eosin and trichrome stains were employed for histologic evaluation. The experimentally treated sockets had an increased rate of bone formation, with a resultant decrease in the maturity and density of the bone. The control sites contained more osteoid and less trabeculation and collagen, which indicated a slower growth rate of new bone. Clinical applications, based upon the results of this pilot study, would be premature until further investigations are carried out.
3D Orbital Tracking of a DNA Locus during the Process of Transcription

The temporal resolution currently achieved to track actively transcribing genes by means of fluorescence is of the order of 1-10s. We report on the application of 3D orbital tracking to a previously reported model system allowing to simultaneously label by means of fluorescence the genetic locus and the synthesized mRNA using the EGFP-labeled MS2 coat protein [1]. Our method, previously applied to the tracking of gene arrays in cultured cells [2], has a temporal resolution of 10-100ms, and additionally records the 3D position of the genetic locus by moving along a circular orbit the focused laser beam. Distinct regions of active transcription display a well defined spatial organization, corralling the denser part of the genetic locus. In most cases each region maintains a defined angle in the reference system of the orbit, and the transcriptional activities of different regions are not cross-correlated.The fluorescence time traces of each of these regions highlight the existence of slow (10-100s) transitions between distinct intensity values, corresponding to the timescale of a single mRNA dwell on the gene or to that of a transcription burst. We observe autocorrelation of the fluorescence intensity on timescales smaller than 1s. We relate these fast fluctuations to the faster kinetics of mRNA transcription, down to individual MS2-EGFP molecules binding to the newly transcribed mRNAs.Measurements of the size and shape of the genetic array by calculating the modulation of the first and second harmonic of the fluorescence along each orbit suggest that the gene's decondensation is not a necessary condition for transcription to occur.Work supported in part by NIH grants P50 GM076516 and P41 GM103540.[1] S. M. Janicki et al, Cell, 116, 683-698(2004).[2] V. Levi et al, Biophys. J., 89, 4275-4285(2005)
The microstructure of almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb cv. ‘Nonpareil’) cotyledon ☆

Abstract Microstructure of almond ( Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb cv. ‘Nonpareil’) cotyledon was observed with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The objective of this study was to characterise almond cotyledon surfaces as well as to describe internal and subcellular organisation. The testa has an outer epidermis, which consists of relatively large thin-walled cells, which range from 100 to 300 μm in width. The major portion of the testa consists of approximately 14–20 layers of flattened parenchymal cells with the total thickness of the layers ranging from 80 to 120 μm. The remainder of the testa was comprised of a small amount of vascular tissue. The embryo consisted primarily of parenchymal tissue with relatively thin cell walls (1–3 μm in thickness) and a small amount of provascular tissue. Protein bodies up to 12 μm in width and spaces once occupied by lipid bodies up to 3 μm in width were present in all cells of the embryo.
Interstitial deletion 13q33 resulting from maternal insertional translocation.

A 32-month-old female with a unique interstitial deletion of 13q is presented, including cytogenetic and gene marker studies. The deleted 13 in the patient is a result of malsegre-gation of a maternal insertional translocation involving chromosomes 7 and 13, 46, XX, ins (7;13)(q22;q32q34). The demonstration of two esterase D alleles in this patient excludes band 13q33 as the site of the ESD locus, previously assigned to the distal long arm of chromosome 13. The BUdR dye studies reveal that the replicative pattern for 13q31 and 13q21 is not altered by deletion of 13q33 and permit precise delineation of the breakpoints of the rearrangement.