cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Relationships among Endogenous Testosterone, Estradiol, and Quetelet Index with High and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterols in Adolescent Boys

In a 1-year longitudinal study of 19 adolescent boys, our major aim was to assess whether, and to what degree, testosterone, estradiol, Quetelet index, and their interactions related to concentrations of high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC, LDLC). During the 1-year followup, mean HDLC and estradiol levels fell and triglycerides, LDLC, Quetelet index, and testosterone levels rose. For large decreases in estradiol, increases in testosterone were associated with decreases in HDLC. These decreases in HDLC were moderated by small decreases in Quetelet index. For boys with small decreases in estradiol, as the changes in testosterone increased, the change in HDLC varied from an increase to a decrease, except in those boys who also had a small decrease in Quetelet index, for whom the change in HDLC was positive. The greatest increases in LDLC were observed in boys having the largest increase in Quetelet index and a small decrease in estradiol; however, as the decrease in estradiol became large, the positive association of Quetelet with LDLC was moderated or nullified. For boys having large decreases in estradiol, the LDLC/HDLC ratio changed from small increments to substantial decrements as testosterone increased. As the decreases in estradiol became smaller, increases in the change of testosterone moderated the decreases in the LDLC/HDLC ratio, and large increases in Quetelet index tended to diminish this moderation. As the change in testosterone increased, the change in triglyceride increased, unless the decrease in estradiol was small. The overall pattern of change of HDLC and LDLC during sexual maturation in boys can be associated with changes in testosterone, estradiol, and Quetelet index.
Fungal symbiosis unearthed

Associations between plant roots and fungi are a feature of many terrestrial ecosystems. The genome sequence of a prominent fungal partner opens new avenues for studying such mycorrhizal interactions.
Aerosol Delivery of Antibiotics to the Lower Airways of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Aerosolized tobramycin is well tolerated in children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). It represents a potential alternative to intravenous administration of antibiotics to control respiratory infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although its exact role in acute therapy for a CF exacerbation is not known, it has been shown to improve lung function and reduce the frequency of exacerbations in the chronic stable outpatient.
Experimental Investigation of Viscous Roll Damping on the DTMB Model 5617 Hull Form

A systematic series of model tests have been performed at NSWCCD to explore the mechanisms of roll damping around a conventional combatant hull form (DTMB model #5617) and an advanced tumble-home hull form (DTMB model #5613-1). Both free roll decay and forced oscillation experiments were carried out in calm water and in waves, over a range of forward speeds. These experimental investigations were performed within the overall context of continuing efforts to advance the capability to assess seakeeping, maneuvering, and dynamic stability characteristics of a surface combatant. Data gathered in these experiments are currently being utilized to develop empirical and analytical roll damping models and to validate the accuracy of simulation programs in the calculation of various components of hydrodynamic forces. This paper will specifically discuss a single-degree-of-freedom free roll decay experiment, with measurements of the appendage lateral force and the associated flow field generated during ship roll motion on the DTMB #5617 model. Using particle-image velocimetry (PIV) measurements, two-dimensional unsteady flow patterns around the bilge keels were performed to study the mechanisms of viscous roll damping due to bilge keels. In addition, lateral forces and moments on the bilge keels, rudders, and propellers have been measured to provide a direct assessment of component roll damping. Analysis for appendage forces and correlation with the measured flow field yield several new important insights into the physical mechanisms of bilge keel roll damping. Flow field observation reveals complex phenomena of viscous flow separations and vortex formation around the bilge keel during different phases of the roll motion cycle. The lateral force on the bilge keels was modeled as the sum of an added mass component and a viscous drag component. The viscous drag coefficients are found to depend strongly on ship forward speed and roll amplitude, but the added mass coefficients are relatively constant for the range of forward speed and roll amplitude investigated.
Computer-assisted, Le Fort-based, face–jaw–teeth transplantation: a pilot study on system feasiblity and translational assessment

Le Fort-based face–jaw–teeth transplantation (FJTT) attempts to marry bone and teeth geometry of size-mismatched face–jaw–teeth segments to restore function and form due to severe mid-facial trauma. Recent development of a computer-assisted planning and execution (CAPE) system for Le Fort-based FJTT in a pre-clinical swine model offers preoperative planning, and intraoperative navigation. This paper addresses the translation of the CAPE system to human anatomy and presents accuracy results. Single-jaw, Le Fort-based FJTTs were performed on plastic models, one swine and one human, and on a human cadaver. Preoperative planning defined the goal placement of the donor’s Le Fort-based FJTT segment on the recipient. Patient-specific navigated cutting guides helped achieve planned osteotomies. Intraoperative cutting guide and donor fragment placement were compared with postoperative computed tomography (CT) data and the preoperative plan. Intraoperative measurement error with respect to postoperative CT was less than 1.25 mm for both mock transplants and 3.59 mm for the human cadaver scenario. Donor fragment placement (as compared to the planned position) was less accurate for the human model test case (2.91 mm) compared with the swine test (2.25 mm) and human cadaver (2.26 mm). The results indicate the viability of the CAPE system for assisting with Le Fort-based FJTT and demonstrate the potential in human surgery. This system offers a new path forward to achieving improved outcomes in Le Fort-based FJTT and can be modified to assist with a variety of other surgeries involving the head, neck, face, jaws and teeth.
Enhancement of breathing signal using delayless subband adaptive filter with HPF

The paper involves implementation of adaptive noise cancellation using a closed loop delayless subband adaptive filter (SAF) with a high pass filter in the primary microphone path. Adaptive algorithms such as Least Mean Squares (LMS) and Normalized Least Mean Squares (NLMS) have many practical applications since they are simple and less complex. These gradient algorithms such as LMS and NLMS suffer from slow convergence. Recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm is computationally very complex algorithm. Therefore, there is a trade off between complexity and convergence speed. This paper utilizes an algorithm named closed loop delayless SAF with which the computational complexity is reduced and convergence performance is improved. Experimental results show that the utilized algorithm works really well in cancelling the low frequency band noise signal from a wideband signal corrupted with the low frequency noise.
Cosmetic and reconstructive medical tattooing.

Purpose of review Tattooing or dermatography for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes continues to grow in popularity because of its ability to easily alter appearance. Though licensed professionals perform some procedures, amateurs lacking formal training still place many tattoos. There is a multitude of unforeseen complications resulting from tattooing, which have been detailed in the medical literature for a number of years. Despite awareness of adverse reactions, there is a lack of basic science research with respect to tattooing. Medical practitioners are faced with diagnosing and treating complications of tattooing. A review of recent tattooing literature is useful, although most of it exists as case reports. Recent findings Recent findings focus on the adverse outcomes of tattooing and their management. Methods of tattoo removal and resultant complications along with patient disease resulting from tattoo placement continue to be well published topics. Summary A review of the recent literature pertaining to cosmetic and reconstructive tattooing results in an emphasis on complications and management. Despite the number of published case reports detailing the adverse outcomes of tattoos, there continues to be a lack of fundamental research about the topic.
Absence of distal to proximal intercalary regeneration in imaginal wing discs of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The fate of an imaginal disc cell of Drosophila can be affected by the associations and interactions that it has with other cells in the disc. A fragment of an imaginal disc, not regenerating under conditions allowing a complementary fragment to do so, can be stimulated to regenerate by interactions with cells of the complementary fragment [Haynie, J. L., and Bryant, P. J. (1976) Nature (London) 259, 659–662]. We report here that one nonregenerating fragment of an imaginal wing disc cannot be stimulated to regenerate by interactions with cells from other parts of the disc. This fragment, containing the anlagen of the distal wing, fails to regenerate proximally when combined with a proximal fragment even though this association stimulates some proximal fragments to regenerate distally. We suggest that this may be a phenomenon similar to that observed in cockroach legs by H. Bohn (1970, Wilhelm Roux Arch. Entwicklungsmech. Organismen 165, 303–341), in which proximal regeneration from grafted distal leg segments proceeds only to a limited extent. We consider the possibility that there exist reiterated sets of positional information arranged concentrically in the wing disc.
THE SCENARIO: BRINGING MATHEMATICS INTO THE MAINSTREAM

ABSTRACT In order for students to develop quantitative problem solving skills and the ability to apply those skills they must be engaged in instructional activities which provide opportunities for them to learn and apply those skills. This paper describes one such vehicle, the SCENARIO, which provides a framework in which contemporary problems and issues can be blended with elementary, as well as advanced, mathematical problem solving and model building.
Coxibs and Cardiovascular Disease

The coxibs are a subclass of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) designed to inhibit selectively cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).1 Their development was based on the hypothesis that COX-2 was the source of prostaglandins E2 and I2, which mediate inflammation, and that cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) was the source of the same prostaglandins in gastric epithelium, where they afford cytoprotection. Three coxibs — celecoxib, rofecoxib, and valdecoxib — have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); a fourth, etoricoxib, has been approved by the European regulatory authority, and it and a fifth, lumiracoxib, are currently under consideration for FDA . . .
Femtosecond microscopy of radial energy transport in a micrometer-scale aluminum plasma excited at relativistic intensity.

Using femtosecond microscopy, we observe subpicosecond transport of thermal energy radially outward from a micrometer-sized spot of an aluminum target following P-polarized excitation at >1018 W/cm2 with a 24 fs pulse. The rapid expansion coincides with the onset of nonlocal energy transport dominated by radiation and hot electrons.
The human oncoprotein MDM2 arrests the cell cycle: elimination of its cell-cycle-inhibitory function induces tumorigenesis

The human oncoprotein MDM2 (hMDM2) overexpresses in various human tumors. If amplified, the mdm2 gene can enhance the tumorigenic potential of murine cells. Here, we present evidence to show that the full‐length human or mouse MDM2 expressed from their respective cDNA can inhibit the G 0 /G 1 –S phase transition of NIH 3T3 and normal human diploid cells. The protein harbors more than one cell‐cycle‐inhibitory domain that does not overlap with the p53‐interaction domain. Deletion mutants of hMDM2 that lack the cell‐cycle‐inhibitory domains can be stably expressed in NIH 3T3 cells, enhancing their tumorigenic potential. The tumorigenic domain of hMDM2 overlaps with the p53‐interaction domain. Some tumor‐derived cells, such as Saos‐2, H1299 or U‐2OS, are relatively insensitive to the growth‐inhibitory effects of hMDM2. These observations suggest that hMDM2 overexpression in response to oncogenic stimuli would induce growth arrest in normal cells. Elimination or inactivation of the hMDM2‐induced G 0 /G 1 arrest may contribute to one of the steps of tumorigenesis.
Locus of Control and Career Self-Management among Nonsupervisory Employees in Industrial Settings.

Abstract The effects of locus of control on career self-management and career experiences of nonsupervisory workers were examined in different organizational environments. In organizational settings which encouraged personal initiative in career development through personnel policies and promotion practices. Internals played a more active role in their career progress than Externals by initiating their own job searches, and they had more favorable career experiences. In situations which hampered self-initiative, locus of control had little effect on career self-management and subsequent job experiences.
Creating a Bridge of Understanding between Two Worlds: Community‐Based Collaborative‐Action Research with Sudanese Refugee Women

Objective To explore the process of partnership between university researchers, students, and South Sudanese refugee women to address the health challenges associated with their resettlement transition to the United States. Design and Sample This qualitative study used a community-based collaborative action research (CBCAR) framework in the design, collection, and analysis of the qualitative data. Twenty refugee women participated in this study. Intervention Five health education seminars followed by an audio-recorded focus group were held over 9 months. A final focus group was held to confirm derived themes and develop an action plan. Results The partnership between the refugee women and researchers resulted in awareness of how power structures and differing expectations affected the process. The dialog in the focus groups provided an opportunity for refugee women to voice challenges to their health in resettlement. A pattern was recognized about how political and sociocultural events affected the process of CBCAR. Dialog and sharing differing worldviews and perspectives led to insights about ways to improve the health of the South Sudanese refugee community. Conclusions CBCAR is a useful framework to address health concerns of a refugee community. Insights from this study provided a foundation for a future intervention research project with the refugee women.
Antegrade Scrotal Sclerotherapy for Treating Primary Varicocele in Children - Single Center Experience

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of antegrade sclerotherapy (AS) for the treatment of primary varicocele in children. Material and Methods Retrospective study of the charts of 30 boys who underwent AS between 7/2005 and 6/2009 at our institution. Indication for treatment was grade II and III varicocele (Tauber classification), confirmed by clinical and ultrasound (US) examination. Three per cent ethoxy sclerol was the sclerosing agent. Follow up included clinical examination and Doppler US 3 months after the procedure and then yearly for at least 2 years. Results 30 boys (mean age 14 years, range 12 – 17 years) with 31 primary varicoceles underwent AS as an outpatient procedure. In 28 boys, varicocele was on the left side, and one patient each demonstrated bilateral and right sided varicocele, respectively. Varicocele was grade II in 13 patients and grade III in 17 patients. Follow-up including Doppler US was 26 months (range 4-51 months). AS was successful in 28 patients resp. 29 varicoceles (93.5%). 2 patients had a persistent varicocele, and they had repeat AS successfully (no recurrence at follow-up). There were complications after surgery in 2 (6.6%) patients (1 superficial wound infection, 1 scrotal haematoma). No hydrocele and no testicular necrosis was observed. Conclusions AS is an efficient minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of varicocele in adolescent boys. Surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure. During a follow-up of more than 2 years, we observed no serious side effects.
Topological switching of the COOH-terminal domain of peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase by alternative RNA splicing

Abstract Proteins encompassing the two catalytic domains (monooxygenase and lyase) and the COOH-terminal domain of rat peptidyiglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (rPAM)3 were purified from recombinant Escherichia coli overexpressing each domain and used to raise domain-specific polyclonal antibodies. Four alternatively spliced forms of PAM RNA (PAM-1, -2, -3, and -4) were transcribed in vitro and used to synthesize PAM proteins in a cell-free translation system. The orientation of the proteins in microsomal membrane vesicles was analyzed using trypsin protection assays and immunoprecipitation with the domain-specific antibodies. Only one of the two potential N-glycosylation sites (Asn765-Phe-Ser) in PAM-1 was efficiently utilized by microsomal membranes. PAM-1 and PAM-2 were shown to be type Ia membrane proteins with their two catalytic domains residing within microsomal vesicles and their COOH-terminal domains exposed to the cytosol. In contrast, PAM-3 and PAM-4 were shown to be soluble proteins contained entirely within vesicles. Thus, the COOH-terminal domain underwent topological switching between the cytosolic (PAM-1 and -2) and luminal (PAM-3) compartments as a function of alternative splicing of exons Ba/Bb. Computer analyses of the PAM protein sequence correlated the exons encoding PAM-1 with a model for the structural and functional domains of the PAM protein. The dual topologies of the PAM proteins confer an important means of functional regulation to this secretory granule associated neuropeptide processing enzyme.
Nocturia in the Elderly

Nocturia within the elderly is a highly prevalent and underdiagnosed condition that significantly affects quality of life. The pathophysiology is multifactorial and may manifest from one or a combination of nonurologic, intrinsic renal, and/or bladder outlet/storage problems. A thorough history, physical examination, and frequency-volume chart are essential to determining etiology and treatment decisions in this vulnerable patient population. Nocturia may represent a primary disease process and/or a secondary effect of undiagnosed maladies that afflict the elderly, such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Management considerations beyond conservative measures for this frail patient population must take into consideration adverse drug events and the effects of polypharmacy.
Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy induced by methamphetamine

This brief report details the case of a woman who was thought, after extensive evaluation, to have idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy. It was subsequently found that systolic ventricular dysfunction was due to amphetamine abuse, and that ventricular function normalized after discontinuation of this drug.
Abiotic condensation synthesis of glyceride lipids and wax esters under simulated hydrothermal conditions.

Precursor compounds for abiotic proto cellular membranes are necessary for the origin of life. Amphipathic compounds such as fatty acids and acyl glycerols are important candidates for micelle/bilayer/vesicle formation. Two sets of experiments were conducted to study dehydration reactions of model lipid precursors in aqueous media to form acyl polyols and wax esters, and to evaluate the stability and reactions of the products at elevated temperatures. In the first set, mixtures of n-nonadecanoic acid and ethylene glycol in water, with and without oxalic acid, were heated at discrete temperatures from 150 ∘C to 300 ∘C for 72 h. The products were typically alkyl alkanoates, ethylene glycolyl alkanoates, ethylene glycolyl bis-alkanoates and alkanols. The condensation products had maximum yields between 150 ∘C and 250 ∘C, and were detectable and thus stable under hydrothermal conditions to temperatures < 300 ∘C. In the second set of experiments, mixtures of n-heptanoic acid and glycerol were heated using the same experimental conditions, with and without oxalic acid, between 100 ∘C and 250 ∘C. The main condensation products were two isomers each of monoacylglycerols and diacylglycerols at all temperatures, as well as minor amounts of the fatty acid anhydride and methyl ester. The yield of glyceryl monoheptanoates generally increased with increasing temperature and glyceryl diheptanoates decreased noticeably with increasing temperature. The results indicate that condensation reactions and abiotic synthesis of organic lipid compounds under hydrothermal conditions occur easily, provided precursor concentrations are sufficiently high.
Predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing cardiopulmonary stress testing and echocardiography.

Background Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have exercise intolerance due to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, mitral regurgitation, and left ventricular dysfunction. We sought to study predictors of outcomes in HCM patients undergoing cardiopulmonary stress testing (CPT). Methods We studied 1,005 HCM patients (50 ± 14 years, 64% men, 77% on β-blockers) who underwent CPT with echocardiography. Clinical, echocardiographic, and exercise variables (peak oxygen consumption [VO 2 ] and heart rate recovery [HRR] at first minute postexercise) were recorded. End point was a composite of death, appropriate defibrillator discharges, resuscitated sudden death, stroke, and heart failure admission. Results Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), postexercise LVOT gradient, and peak VO 2 were 62% ± 6%, 92 ± 51 mm Hg, and 21 ± 6 mL kg −1 min −1 , respectively. Despite 789 patients (78%) being in New York Heart Association classes I to II, only 8% achieved >100% age-gender predicted peak VO 2 , whereas 77% and 15% achieved 50% to 100% and 2 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.96 [0.93-0.98]), normal vs abnormal HRR (HR 0.48 [0.32-0.73]), higher LVEF (HR 0.96 [0.93-0.98]), surgery (0.53 [0.33-0.83]), and atrial fibrillation (HR 1.65 [1.04-2.60]) were associated with outcomes (all P Conclusions In HCM patients undergoing CPT, a higher % of achieved age-gender predicted VO 2 and surgical relief of LVOT obstruction were associated with better outcomes, whereas abnormal HRR, atrial fibrillation, and lower LVEF were associated with worse outcomes.
Atomic oxygen erosion of a graphite coating on a TQCM onboard the Return Flux Experiment (REFLEX)

A TQCM coated with graphite was flown aboard a Spartan carrier in January 1996. During a flight of about 46 hours at an altitude of 305 km, the graphite reacted with the atomic oxygen (AO) in the environment and was eroded away. The 15-MHz TQCM's frequency dropped from 6800 to 4000 Hz in about 15 hours of exposure and was shown to be a strong function of the TQCM's orientation to the ram direction. The erosion rates for four different ram angels was measured and found to be both consistent and repeatable. The average graphite volume loss for the 61 degree and -62 degree ram angles was calculated to be about 2 X E-08 cm3/hr and for the 18 degrees and 19 degrees angles to be about 8.5 X E-08 cm3/hr, which is slightly less than previous flight data. The erosion data was then correlated with AO density numbers for the particular times and positions of the spacecraft in orbit. From this analysis, an equation was derived that shoed the carbon volume loss as a function of both atomic oxygen density and ram angle. For example, 1.59 E-07 cm3/hr would be the calculated carbon volume loss for a ram angle of 0- degrees and an AO fluence of 3.52 E+17 atoms/hr. The results of this data and analysis may lead to the development of a sensor capable of monitoring the AO fluence on a spacecraft.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Retrograde suppression of GABAergic currents in a subset of SCN neurons.

Many postsynaptic neurons release a retrograde transmitter that modulates presynaptic neurotransmitter release. In the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), retrograde signaling is suggested by the presence of dendritic dense-core vesicles. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made from rat SCN neurons to determine whether a retrograde messenger could modulate the activity of afferent γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inputs. The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous GABAergic currents was significantly reduced in a subpopulation of SCN neurons (eight out of 13) following a postsynaptic depolarization. Similarly, a postsynaptic depolarization significantly reduced the amplitude of evoked GABAergic currents during both day and night recordings. A postsynaptic depolarizing pulse eliminated paired-pulse inhibition of GABAergic currents consistent with a presynaptic mechanism. Muscimol-activated currents were not altered by postsynaptic depolarization, demonstrating that the activity of GABA A receptors was not altered. Depolarization-induced inhibition of the GABAergic currents was not observed when a Ca 2+ chelator was included in the microelectrode. Postsynaptic depolarization significantly increased the Ca 2+ concentration in both the soma and dendrites. The dendritic Ca 2+ levels increased faster, to a higher concentration and decayed faster than in the soma. The depolarization-induced inhibition of the evoked GABAergic current was blocked by the G-protein uncoupling agent N-ethylmaleimide, suggesting that the retrograde messenger acts on a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptor. Because the majority of SCN neurons receive GABAergic input from neighboring cells, these results describe a retrograde signaling mechanism by which SCN neurons can modulate GABAergic synaptic input.
Low cost silicon for solar energy conversion applications

Economically viable means of producing silicon solar cells for the conversion of solar energy into electric power are discussed. Emphasis is given to the discussion of crystal growth techniques capable of growing single-crystal silicon ribbons directly and inexpensively from molten silicon. The capillary action shaping technique (CAST) recently developed by IBM has a good potential for producing low cost silicon sheets suitable for solar cells. This technique has produced ribbon 100 mm wide and 0.3 mm thick. Problems that CAST must overcome in order to supply material for low cost solar cells are discussed. Economic and technological computer-modeled comparisons indicate that continuously grown CAST ribbons of these dimensions can meet a cost objective below $50/m2 of sheet material. The results require that it be possible to fabricate a twelve-percent-efficient solar cell from CAST ribbon 100 mm wide and 0.3 mm thick at a polycrystalline silicon cost of $10/kg.
PERMANENT LOCAL MODIFICATION OF THE MAGNETIC BUBBLE PROPERTIES OF EPITAXIAL GARNET FILMS BY LASER ANNEALING

Ga‐substituted magnetic garnet films are laser annealed with annealing times of several milliseconds by scanning a cw argon laser beam across the film. Locally the bubble collapse field and the saturation magnetization increase, and the domain width decreases permanently unless conventional furnace annealing is used to restore the material to its initial state. We attribute the observed effects to a crystallographic site redistribution of the Ga and the Fe atoms in annealed regions which support mobile bubbles. The site distribution is changed from a state quenched in from the growth temperature to a higher‐temperature state representative of the laser‐annealing treatment. The effect does not involve melting.
Bone-titanium implant response to mechanical stress.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and strength of any bond which may develop between alveolar bone and titanium allow implants. Implants were placed in a previously prepared edentulous region in the mandibles of dogs. The implants were conical in shape with circumferential grooves to provide axial retention. Five months later the implants were rotated. No indication was found of an adhesive bond being broken.
Micromechanics of human mitotic chromosomes

Eukaryote cells dramatically reorganize their long chromosomal DNAs to facilitate their physical segregation during mitosis. The internal organization of folded mitotic chromosomes remains a basic mystery of cell biology; its understanding would likely shed light on how chromosomes are separated from one another as well as into chromosome structure between cell divisions. We report biophysical experiments on single mitotic chromosomes from human cells, where we combine micromanipulation, nano-Newton-scale force measurement and biochemical treatments to study chromosome connectivity and topology. Results are in accord with previous experiments on amphibian chromosomes and support the 'chromatin network' model of mitotic chromosome structure. Prospects for studies of chromosome-organizing proteins using siRNA expression knockdowns, as well as for differential studies of chromosomes with and without mutations associated with genetic diseases, are also discussed.
Cosmetic Customization of Mobile Phones: Cultural Antecedents, Psychological Correlates

Mobile phones are seen as extensions of the self, with users individualizing their phones via customized accessories and features. A Korea–U.S. comparison survey (N = 551) examines the degree to which aspects of cultural psychology predict aesthetic motivations for mobile-phone customization, including the possibility that repression of self-expression in predominantly collectivistic Eastern cultures may be fueling the need to publicly express oneself through visible accessories. Furthermore, it explores psychological correlates of the tendency for cosmetic customization. Analyses using structural equation modeling show that culture predicts other-directedness, which is associated with aesthetic motivations for cosmetic customization of mobile phones, which in turn is related to product attachment—a relationship that is mediated by the degree to which users perceive their phones as reflecting their self. Theoretical contributions include an empirically based explication of the social psychology underlying...
Stability of Organically Modified Montmorillonites and Their Polystyrene Nanocomposites After Prolonged Thermal Treatment

Melt intercalation of montmorillonite (MMT) into polymeric matrices to improve the mechanical properties of polymers has evolved into a subject of tremendous fundamental and technological interest....
Microleakage and enamel finish.

The relationship between marginal leakage in restorations and the type of restorative materials used has been extensively studied both in clinical and laboratory experiments1-"; marginal leakage occurs with all dental materials. Studies have also been reported on the instruments used for cavity preparation and their effect on the cavity walls'~"5; smoother walls in cavity preparations have been obtained with hand instruments. Burs and other rotarylinstruments, with the exception of sandpaper disks, produce rough cavity walls that may or may not have small or large effects at the enamel margins occurring in the form of a chip. 9' 10 Hand cutting instruments, such as Wedelstaedt and binangle clfisels, Produce irregular surfaces of various widths, is Some of these surfaces are similar in roughness to those produced by rough-cutting rotary stones. Rotary instruments at different speeds and under different conditions produce different types of enamel margins? ~ Generally, scratches on enamel surfaces are shallower and less in number when highspeed cutting and water are used to cut the enamel as compared to when dry and slow-speed cutting are used. In a recent study investigators found that the depth of surface irregularities produced by rotary instruments was reduced by just five strokes through use of a chisel. This depth became even less when acid was used to etch the enamel surface? 5 Black, ~ in describing and explaining the principles of cavity preparation, listed finishing the enamel wall as the sixth principle or step in cavity preparation. For obtaining smoother cavity walls he emph~isized the importance of proper use of hand instruments to remove loose enamel rods that might fall away and render the margin imperfect. Since then, many dentists have emphasized the finishing of the enamel walls of a cavity preparation
The up side of downsizing

Abstract Libraries throughout the U.S. are choosing to deal with severe budget constraints over the past few years by placing a freeze on hiring and, subsequently, downsizing staff. The Acquisitions Department at University of California, San Diego is no exception; however, the downsizing has had a definite up side. During this period, we have seen increases in productivity and decreases in throughput time for materials in technical services. Individual jobs are now more diverse; there is more cross-training among units; automated methods to assist processing are being more fully explored in order to make better use of the resources available; there is even a blurring between the duties of the Cataloging Department and the Acquisitions Department. Additionally, increased job responsibility has already resulted in upward reclassification of a few positions, and other positions are emerging as candidates for reclassification review.
Baroreceptor Reflex Control of Heart Rate during Isoflurane Anesthesia in Humans

The effect of isoflurane alone (Group 1) and isoflurane following thiopental (Groups 2 and 3) on baroreflex control of heart rate in humans was investigated in this study. Phenylephrine (the pressor test) and sodium nitroprusside (the depressor test) were used to induce moderate changes in arterial
Classical Enhancement of Quantum Error-Correcting Codes

We present a general formalism for quantum error-correcting codes that encode both classical and quantum information (the EACQ formalism). This formalism unifies the entanglement-assisted formalism and classical error correction, and includes encoding, error correction, and decoding steps such that the encoded quantum and classical information can be correctly recovered by the receiver. We formally define this kind of quantum code using both stabilizer and symplectic language, and derive the appropriate error-correcting conditions. We give several examples to demonstrate the construction of such codes.
Comparison of penetration and metabolism of [3H]diacetoxyscirpenol, [3H]verrucarin a and [3H]T-2 toxin in skin

The purpose of this research was to determine the rate of cutaneous penetration and metabolism of [3H]diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) and [3H]verrucarin A (VCA) and compare these values to previously determined values for [3H]T-2 toxin (T-2), to compare the cutaneous penetration and metabolism of DAS in human and guinea-pig skin, and to compare the effects of dose and of two vehicles, methanol and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), on penetration rates. DAS or VCA was applied to the epidermal surface of excised skin, and the receptor fluid bathing the dermal surface was sampled periodically for 48 hr. Whether the applied dose (581 ng/cm2) was dissolved in methanol or DMSO, the rate of penetration through human skin was lower for VCA than for DAS or T-2, the rates for the two latter compounds being similar at this dose. Metabolism of DAS occurred during penetration through excised human skin and did not occur in the receptor fluid as a result of enzymes leaching out of the skin. VCA appeared to be metabolized by human skin, but this conclusion is tentative because of the relative instability of this compound. DAS penetrated significantly (P less than 0.05) faster through excised guinea-pig skin than through human skin. Metabolism of DAS was greater in human skin than in guinea-pig skin. When compared with methanol, DMSO increased the penetration of DAS and VCA by factors of between 7 and 52. At the low dose (79 ng/cm2) DAS penetrated human and guinea-pig skin significantly (P less than 0.05) faster than T-2 using either vehicle.
Development of a longitudinal integrated clerkship at an academic medical center

In 2005, medical educators at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), began developing the Parnassus Integrated Student Clinical Experiences (PISCES) program, a year-long longitudinal integrated clerkship at its academic medical center. The principles guiding this new clerkship were continuity with faculty preceptors, patients, and peers; a developmentally progressive curriculum with an emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching; and exposure to undiagnosed illness in acute and chronic care settings. Innovative elements included quarterly student evaluation sessions with all preceptors together, peer-to-peer evaluation, and oversight advising with an assigned faculty member. PISCES launched with eight medical students for the 2007/2008 academic year and expanded to 15 students for 2008/2009. Compared to UCSF’s traditional core clerkships, evaluations from PISCES indicated significantly higher student satisfaction with faculty teaching, formal didactics, direct observation of clinical skills, and feedback. Student performance on discipline-specific examinations and United States Medical Licensing Examination step 2 CKwas equivalent to and on standardized patient examinations was slightly superior to that of traditional peers. Participants’ career interests ranged from primary care to surgical subspecialties. These results demonstrate that a longitudinal integrated clerkship can be implemented successfully at a tertiary care academic medical center. Keywords: education; medical; undergraduate; clinical education; curriculum; continuity; longitudinal integrated clerkship; academic medical center (Published: 4 April 2011) Citation: Medical Education Online 2011, 16 : 5939 - DOI: 10.3402/meo.v16i0.5939
Optimum invariant tests for random manova models

Consider the canonical-form MANOVA setup with X: n × p = (+ E, Xi ni × p, i = 1, 2, 3, Mi: ni × p, i = 1, 2, n1 + n2 + n3) p, where E is a normally distributed error matrix with mean zero and dispersion In (> 0 (positive definite). Assume (in contrast with the usual case) that M1i is normal with mean zero and dispersion In1) and M22 is either fixed or random normal with mean zero and different dispersion matrix In2 (being unknown. It is also assumed that M1E, and M2 (if random) are all independent. For testing H0) = 0 versus H1: (> 0, it is shown that when either n2 = 0 or M2 is fixed if n2 > 0, the trace test of Pillai (1955) is uniformly most powerful invariant (UMPI) if min(n1, p)= 1 and locally best invariant (LBI) if min(n1p) > 1 underthe action of the full linear group Gl (p). When p > 1, the LBI test is also derived under a somewhat smaller group GT(p) of p × p lower triangular matrices with positive diagonal elements. However, such results do not hold if n2 > 0 and M2 is random. The null, nonnull, and optimality robustness of Pillai's trace test under Gl(p) for suitable deviations from normality is pointed out. Considerons la forme canonique du modele d'analyse de variance multivariee ou X: n × p = (E, Xi × ni × p, i = 1, 2, 3, Mi: ni × p, i = 1, 2, n1 + n2 + n3) p, ou E est une matrice de termes d'erreur de loi multinormale avec moyenne nulle et dispersion In (> 0 (definie positive). Contrairement au cas classique, supposons que M1 admette une loi multinormale de moyenne nulle et dispersion In1) que M2 soit, ou bien fixe, ou bien de loi multinormale avec moyenne nulle et dispersion In2 (et) etant inconnues. Supposons egalement que M1M2 (si aleatoire) et E soient mutuellement independantes. Nous desirons confronter les hypotheses H0: (= 0 et H1) 0. Nous montrons que, lorsque n2 = 0 ou lorsque M2 est fixe si n2 > 0, le test de la trace de Pillai (1955) est le test invariant uniformement le plus puissant (IUPP) si min (n1 p)= 1 et localement le plus puissant (ILPP) si min (n1p) > 1 sous ľaction du groupe lineaire complet Gl(p). Lorsque p > 1, nous construisons egalement le test ILPP mais sous l'action d'un groupe plus restreint, a savoir, le groupe Gr(p) des matrices triangulaires inferieures p × p ne comportant que des elements positifs sur la diagonale. Toutefois, de tels resultats ne tiennent plus lorsque n2 > 0 et M2 est aleatoire. Enfin, nous faisons etat de la robustesse du test de la trace de Pillai sous Gl(p) quant a ses lois de probabilite sous les deux hypotheses et quant a son optimalite lorsque la loi qui regit les observations s'ecarte de la normale.
Resolve, revise, and relax: The 3 Rs of B cell repertoire adjustment

Competition for limited, cell extrinsic survival factors is a general feature of peripheral selection checkpoints involved in B lymphocyte maturation and activation. Perhaps the best-characterized example involves BLyS (B lymphocyte stimulator), which modulates the size and composition of mature naive B cell pools, but evidence for analogous competitive checkpoints is emerging for both germinal center B cells and plasma cells. Here we discuss how deliberate alteration of BLyS levels might be used to manipulate B cell repertoire selection in order to restore self-tolerance in autoimmunity, remodel the repertoire to accommodate neo-self antigens introduced through transplantation and gene therapy, or expand repertoire diversity to reveal novel, therapeutically useful specificities.
Observation of radio-frequency field induced plasma loss in a simple mirror

High‐frequency parallel electric fields applied to plasmas confined in a simple magnetic mirror cause enhanced plasma loss. The plasma potential rises because of a population of electrons in the magnetic loss cone that are accelerated to parallel energies significantly higher than the bulk electron temperature. The radio‐frequency induced plasma loss has a nonambipolar component, with ions lost predominantly in the radial direction.
Specification of a computer aided design system

The results are presented of an investigation of the characteristics and various philosophies of computer-aided engineering, computer-aided design/drafting, and computer-aided manufacturing (CAE/CAD/CAM) systems and the associated networking environment. The study is an initial attempt to meet an increase in the productivity of the engineering/design/drafting/assembly operation to reduce future/current operating costs through the utilization of a design automation environment. Some network concepts and a drawing management system are also discussed. >
Cokriging estimation of daily suspended sediment loads

Daily suspended sediment loads (S) were estimated using cokriging (CK) of S with daily river discharge based on weekly, biweekly, or monthly sampled sediment data. They were also estimated with ordinary kriging (OK) and a rating curve method. The estimated daily loads were compared with the daily measured values over a nine-year-period. The results show that the estimated daily sediment loads with the CK using the weekly measured data best matched the measured daily values. The rating curve method based on the same data provides a fairly good match but it tends to underestimate the peak and overestimate the low values. The CK estimation was better than the rating curve because CK considers the temporal correlation among the data values and honors the measured points whereas the rating curve method does not. For the site studied, weekly sampling may be frequent enough for estimating daily sediment loads with CK when daily discharge data is available. The estimated daily loads with CK were less reliable when the sediment samples were taken less frequently, i.e., biweekly or monthly. The OK estimates using the weekly measured data significantly underestimates the daily S because unlike CK and the rating curve, OK makes no use of the correlation of sediment loads with frequently measured river discharge.
B-type natriuretic peptide and clinical judgment in emergency diagnosis of heart failure: analysis from Breathing Not Properly (BNP) Multinational Study.

Background— We sought to determine the degree to which B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) adds to clinical judgment in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results— The Breathing Not Properly Multinational Study was a prospective diagnostic test evaluation study conducted in 7 centers. Of 1586 participants who presented with acute dyspnea, 1538 (97%) had clinical certainty of CHF determined by the attending physician in the emergency department. Participants underwent routine care and had BNP measured in a blinded fashion. The reference standard for CHF was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists, also blinded to BNP results. The final diagnosis was CHF in 722 (47%) participants. At an 80% cutoff level of certainty of CHF, clinical judgment had a sensitivity of 49% and specificity of 96%. At 100 pg/mL, BNP had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 73%. In determining the correct diagnosis (CHF versus no CHF), adding BNP to clinical judgment would have enhanced diagnostic accurac...
Pre-enrollment Diets of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Trial Participants

Abstract A large body of evidence suggests that several nutrients are related to blood pressure. Less is known about the eating patterns of special populations, such as those at risk for hypertension, or how demographic factors affect the diets of these populations. This article characterizes the usual diets of participants before they enrolled in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial. During screening for DASH, 380 participants completed the National Cancer Institute food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient and food group intake, the Keys score (a measure of a diet's atherogenicity), and the Diet Quality Index were estimated from the food frequency questionnaire. The effects of age, sex, race, baseline weight, and education on these dietary factors were assessed among DASH participants and compared with similar data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and other published reports. Among DASH participants, African-Americans reported lower intakes of dairy products ( P P P P P P P P P J Am Diet Assoc . 1999;99 (suppl):S28–S34 .
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

The metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) system is by far the most important device structure used in both large scale integration (LSI) and very large scale integration (VLSI) technologies. The present LSI and VLSI digital circuits are based almost entirely on n-channel MOSFETs and complementary MOSFETs (CMOSFETs). The MOS structure is a basic building block for several key integrated-circuit active components, namely, MOS field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated-gate field-effect transistors (IGFETs), and charge-coupled devices (CCDs). Most commerically available MOSFETs and CCDs are fabricated from the Si-SiO2 system. Therefore, it is pertinent to devote this chapter to discussing silicon-based MOS capacitors, MOSFETs and CCDs. The FETs fabricated from III–V compound semiconductors will be depicted in Chapter 15.
TEM8 specific T cells target the tumor cells and tumor-associated vasculature in triple negative breast cancer

Meeting abstracts Tumor endothelium marker 8 (TEM8) was discovered by St Croix, et. al. as one of nine gene products preferentially upregulated in the tumor-associated vs. normal endothelium [[1][1]]. Interestingly, TEM8 has also been identified as a tumor restricted antigen in triple negative