cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Hensen's node and retinoic acid in secondary axis induction in the early chick embryo

Retinoic acid (RA) and Hensen's node, the organizer center in the chick embryo, have been shown to have polarizing activity when applied or grafted into the chick limb bud. Here we investigate and compare the effects of RA and grafted Hensen's node on the early chick embryo. Anion exchange beads soaked with RA at concentrations ranging from 5 to 100 ng/ml and implanted on the anterior side or on the left side of the host anteroposterior axis of a stage 4 chick embryo in ovo have the ability to induce secondary axis formation, while beads soaked with RA of the same concentration and implanted on the right side or on the posterior side of the host axis are unable to induce the secondary axis. All of the induced axes contain trunk-tail structures. Hensen's node from quail embryos implanted into the early chick blastoderm could also cause the formation of secondary axes in addition to self-differentiation of the graft into a secondary axis. Both RA and grafted Hensen's node caused the inhibition of forebrain development with an increase in hindbrain development and the host heart to loop in an abnormal direction. The results support the hypothesis that Hensen's node is a source of RA which is involved in early embryo-genesis. Alternatively, RA might stimulate the formation of Hensen's nodal properties in adjacent tissue. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Making the diagnosis with only two levels of nongynecologic cell blocks as opposed to three is more cost effective

Two hundred forty-three of 246 cases in phase I (98.8%) and 246 of 247 cases in phase II (99.6%) had adequate or the same material present on the level two cell blocks. Sixty-nine cases were malignant (28.1%), 20 were atypical (8.1%), 157 were benign (63.8), and 16 were signed out on the cell block only (6.5%) in phase I. In phase II, 69 (27.9%) cases were malignant, 22 (8.9%) were atypical, 156 (63.2%) were benign, and 18 (7.3%) were signed out based on material present in the cell block. Fifteen cases in phase I (6.1%) and 17 (6.9%) in phase II needed immunohistochemical staining for further evaluation. Twenty-four upper urinary tract (UUT) cases were signed out as malignant (49.0%), 10 were atypical (20.4%), and 15 were benign (30.6%) in phase I. In phase II, 18 (56.3%) UUT were malignant, 8 (25.0%) were atypical, and 6 (18.7%) were benign. In phase I, 13 (26.5%) and in phase II, 18 (56.3%) were graded on the cell block only. On comparing the two phases, there was no significant difference in the amount of diagnostic material present between the level three and level two cell blocks (98.8% and 99.6%, respectively) or the number of cases diagnosed based on the cell block (6.5% and 7.3%, respectively). Cases signed out as malignant, atypical, and benign were similar in both phases. Likewise, the cases that required immunohistochemical staining to aid in the diagnosis between phase one and phase two were similar (6.1% and 6.9%, respectively). respectively). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
IONIC REGULATION AND TRANSPORT ATPASE ACTIVITIES DURING THE MOLT CYCLE IN THE BLUE CRAB CALLINECTES SAPIDUS

ABSTRACT No significant changes in hemolymph Na+ and K+ concentrations occurred during molt stages of Callinectes sapidus acclimated to high salinity, despite uptake of large amounts of water at molt. Free Mg+2 concentrations increased in the hemolymph of late premolt and early postmolt crabs, and free Ca+2 levels decreased as calcification of the cuticle progressed in postmolt animals. Significant increases in branchial and epidermal Na+ + K+-ATPase activities in late premolt and postmolt animals suggested that this enzyme might play an important role in establishing local osmotic gradients to support water influx across these epithelia, and in producing transmembrane Na+ gradients which would drive epidermal Ca+2 efflux during postmolt calcification.
Gait Analysis in a Challenging Environment Differentiates Between Fallers and Nonfallers Among Older Patients With Peripheral Neuropathy

Objective: To identify differences in gait based on fall history among a group of older subjects with peripheral neuropathy (PN) in 2 environments: standard (SE) (smooth surface, normal lighting) and challenging (CE) (irregular surface, low lighting). Design: Observational, case-control study of PN subjects with and without a history of falling in the previous year. Setting: A biomechanical laboratory. Participants: Forty-two subjects (mean age, 64.7�9.8y; 20 [47.6%] women), including 22 (52.4%) with a history of at least 1 fall in the previous year. Intervention: Subjects walked in the SE and CE while kinematic data were obtained. Main Outcome Measures: Step width variability, step time variability, step width–to–step length ratio, step length, and step time and speed (with step length and speed normalized for height) in the SE and CE. Results: In the SE, gait parameters of subjects with and without a history of falls did not differ significantly. However, in the CE, subjects with a history of falls had increased step time variability (P�.001). Moreover, significant interactions between environment and fall status were identified: in the CE, subjects with a history of falls had greater increases in step time variability (P�.010) and step width–to–step length ratio (P�.009) and greater decreases in step length (P�.007) and speed (P�.045) than did subjects with no fall history. Conclusions: Analysis of gait in the CE and adjustment to the CE from the SE effectively identified gait characteristics associated with falls in an older PN population, whereas analysis of gait in the SE did not. PN-associated gait dysfunction is more sensitively detected on an irregular rather than on a flat surface.
Commentary: Unintended consequences of health information technology: A need for biomedical informatics

Professor and Chair Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh School ofMedicine, Pittsburgh, PAIn all science, error precedes the truth, and it is better it should go first than last.-- Sir Hugh Walpole (English novelist, 1884–1941)Health information technology (HIT) can address important problems in clinical care andbiomedical research. These problems include lack of compliance with clinical practiceguidelines [1], insufficient use of preventative medicine services [2] and numerousimpediments to clinical/translational research [ 3]. However, front-line patient care informationsystems that can influence care may worsen outcomes as well as improve them. Increasingly,there is evidence of significant, unintended and deleterious effects of well-meaning HIT efforts[4]. In this paper we present examples of such deleterious effects and argue that: 1) HIT is atool that can influence health care and biomedicine (for good or ill) and 2) biomedicalinformatics efforts are needed to ensure that HIT fulfills its promise in biomedicine.
Calcium phosphate ceramic systems in growth factor and drug delivery for bone tissue engineering: A review

Calcium phosphates (CaPs) are the most widely used bone substitutes in bone tissue engineering due to their compositional similarities to bone mineral and excellent biocompatibility. In recent years, CaPs, especially hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, have attracted significant interest in simultaneous use as bone substitute and drug delivery vehicle, adding a new dimension to their application. CaPs are more biocompatible than many other ceramic and inorganic nanoparticles. Their biocompatibility and variable stoichiometry, thus surface charge density, functionality, and dissolution properties, make them suitable for both drug and growth factor delivery. CaP matrices and scaffolds have been reported to act as delivery vehicles for growth factors and drugs in bone tissue engineering. Local drug delivery in musculoskeletal disorder treatments can address some of the critical issues more effectively and efficiently than the systemic delivery. CaPs are used as coatings on metallic implants, CaP cements, and custom designed scaffolds to treat musculoskeletal disorders. This review highlights some of the current drug and growth factor delivery approaches and critical issues using CaP particles, coatings, cements, and scaffolds towards orthopedic and dental applications.
Detection of serum antibodies to sarcoptic mange mite antigens by the passive hemagglutination assay in pigs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis.

Abstract Development and remission of the clinical signs of sarcoptic mange in pigs experimentally infested once and twice with Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis were described. Encrusted lesions in the ears of pigs and a general dermatitis were observed 3 weeks after infestation, but subsided gradually. Specific antibody activity, in titers averaging 1:16 000 in sera from rabbits immunized with mite extracts and 1:512 in the serum from a pig artificially infested with sarcoptic mange and then twice immunized with mite extract, was detected with the passive hemagglutination assay with tanned bovine red blood cells. Titers ranging from 1:40 to 1:160 were detected in sera from experimentally-infested animals. Only 3 of 75 sera from chronically naturally-infested pigs exhibited antibody titers of 1:40 to the mite extract.
Stochastic groundwater flow analysis in the presence of trends in heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity fields

Due to changes in lithostatic pressure, differential fracturing across bedding planes and irregularities in depositional environments, hydraulic conductivity exhibits heterogeneities and trends at various spatial scales. Using spectral theory, we have examined the effect of trends in hydraulic conductivity on (1) the solution of the mean equation for hydraulic head, (2) the covariance of hydraulic head, (3) the cross-covariances of hydraulic head and log-hydraulic conductivity perturbations and their gradients, and (4) the effective hydraulic conductivity. It is shown that the field of hydraulic head is sensitive to the presence of trends in ways that cannot be predicted by the classical analysis based on stationary hydraulic conductivity fields. The controlling variables for the second moments of hydraulic head are the mean hydraulic gradient, the correlation scale of log-hydraulic conductivity and its variance, and the slope of the trend in log-hydraulic conductivity. The mean hydraulic gradient introduces complications in the analysis since it is, in general, spatially variable. In this respect, our results are approximate, yet indicative of the true role of spatially variable patterns of log-hydraulic conductivity on groundwater flow systems.
In Situ Characterization of Photopolymerizable Systems Using a Thin-Film Calorimeter

A thin-film calorimeter (TFC) was used to provide quantitative characterization of photopolymerizable systems. Photopolymerization exotherms measured using the TFC are compared with real-time infrared (RTIR) spectroscopic results. The TFC successfully monitored the in-situ polymerization kinetics of thin/thick films because of its increased sensitivity/resolution over traditional calorimetric instrumentation. Reproducible polymerization exotherms of trimethylolpropane triacrylate were measured on films as thin as 163 nm. Flexibility in the sample cell construction enables the characterization of both volatile reactants (closed cell) and the effect of oxygen inhibition (open cell). Several molecular systems were evaluated. First, exotherms for the reaction of a series of volatile hexene monomers with monofunctional thiol illustrate the effect of ene location on alkene reactivity. Second, vinyl acrylate, a volatile difunctional monomer with a unique polymerization mechanism, was shown to homopolymerize sign...
Bride Abduction in Post-Soviet Central Asia: Marking a Shift Towards Patriarchy through Local Discourses of Shame and Tradition

The apparent revival of non-consensual bride abduction in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is somewhat surprising seventy years after the Soviet state banned the practice and introduced sweeping legislation to emancipate women. This article relies on local discourses of shame and tradition to explain changing marriage practices and to mark a shift towards greater patriarchy in post-Soviet Central Asia. Discourses of shame are mobilized by local actors in support of the popular view that a woman should 'stay' after being abducted. Women can and do resist abductions, but they risk dealing with the burden of shame. Further, in Kyrgyzstan, where bride abduction is increasingly re-imagined as a national tradition, women and activists who challenge this practice can be viewed as traitors to their ethnicity. In post-Soviet society, these discourses of shame and tradition have helped men assert further control over female mobility and female sexuality.
Ammonia borane at low temperature down to 90 K and high pressure up to 15 GPa

Abstract We have studied the phase transformation behavior of the potential hydrogen storage compound ammonia borane at low temperature (from room temperature down to 90 K) and high pressure (from ambient pressure to 9.5 GPa at room temperature and up to 15 GPa at 90 K) region using the diamond anvil cell. This material shows four new phase transitions in this pressure and temperature region. The phase transition phenomenon is evidenced by the splitting of the peak and/or the appearance of the new peak in the Raman spectra as well as by the change of the pressure coefficient of the Raman modes. The phase boundaries between these phases are also established from the data collected during different cooling cycles. These results provide the information about the stability of the bonding characteristics of this potential hydrogen storage material at low temperature and high pressure region.
Comparison of action levels for patient-specific quality assurance of intensity modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy treatments

Purpose: To perform a comprehensive and systematic comparison of fixed-beam IMRT and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) patient-specific QA measurements for a common set of geometries using typical measurement methods. Methods: Fixed-beam IMRT and VMAT plans were constructed for structure set geometries provided by AAPM Task Group 119. The plans were repeatedly delivered across multiple measurement sessions, and the resulting dose distributions were measured with (1) radiochromic film and ionization chamber and (2) a commercial two-dimensional diode array. The resulting QA measurements from each delivery technique were then analyzed, compared, and tested for statistically significant differences. Results: Although differences were noted between QA results for some plans, neither modality showed consistently better agreement of measured and planned doses: of the 22 comparisons, IMRT showed better QA results in 11 cases, and VMAT showed better QA results in 11 cases. No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between IMRT and VMAT QA results were found for point dosesmeasured with an ionization chamber, planar dosesmeasured with radiochromic film, or planar dosesmeasured with a two-dimensional diode array. Conclusions: These results suggest that it is appropriate to apply patient-specific QA action levels derived from fixed-beam IMRT to VMAT.
Spatial, temporal, and socioeconomic patterns in the use of Twitter and Flickr

Online social networking and information sharing services have generated large volumes of spatio-temporal footprints, which are potentially a valuable source of knowledge about the physical environment and social phenomena. However, it is critical to take into consideration the uneven distribution of the data generated in social media in order to understand the nature of such data and to use them appropriately. The distribution of footprints and the characteristics of contributors indicate the quantity, quality, and type of the data. Using georeferenced tweets and photos collected from Twitter and Flickr, this research presents the spatial and temporal patterns of such crowd-sourced geographic data in the contiguous United States and explores the socioeconomic characteristics of geographic data creators by investigating the relationships between tweet and photo densities and the characteristics of local people using California as a case study. Correlations between dependent and independent variables in pa...
Disorders of Fatty Acid Oxidation in the Era of Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Newborn Screening

With recent advances in laboratory technology with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), the number of infants identified with a fatty acid oxidation disorder has increased dramatically. Disorders of fatty acid oxidation comprise one of the most rapidly growing groups within the field of errors of metabolism. This review will explore the recent developments in newborn screening related to the use of tandem mass spectrometry and disorders of fatty acid oxidation.
A finite element method and variable transformations for a forward-backward heat equation

The Galerkin finite element method for the forward-backward heat equation is generalized to a wider class of equations with the use of a result on the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution to the problems. First, the theory for the Galerkin method is extended to forward-backward heat equations which contain additional convection and mass terms on an irregular domain. Second, variable transformations are constructed and applied to solve a wide class of forward-backward heat equations that leads to a substantial improvement. Third, Error estimates are presented. Finally, conducted numerical tests corroborate the obtained results.
Transdermal lontophoretic delivery of colchicine encapsulated in liposomes

AbstractIontophoresis is useful for the transdermal delivery of charged drugs. However, nonionized drugs either have a low flux (due to electro-osmosis) or cannot be delivered using this technique. Because ionized or nonionized drugs can be encapsulated in charged liposomes, it was hypothesized that charged liposomes can deliver neutral or nonionized drug efficiently by iontophoresis. Colchicine, a neutral drug, was encapsulated in large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), prepared with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) along with cholesterol (1:0.5 mole ratio). Multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) were prepared by the thin-film hydration method and LUVs were obtained by extruding MLVs through polycarbonate filters of 200 nm pore size. Positive charge was induced in the liposomes by adding stearylamine and negative charge by adding dicetyl phosphate. Nonencapsulated drug was separated from LUVs by...
A Landfill Site Evaluation Model That Includes Public Preferences Regarding Natural Resources And Nearby Communities

This paper develops a model that provides an objective framework for evaluating the concerns often cited by members of nearby communities and other state residents when potential sites for solid waste landfills are evaluated. An empirical version of the model is estimated using preference data collected in a paired comparison survey of Rhode Island residents, in which participants identify a preferred site and location for a landfill among two alternatives. The estimated model is used to assign scores to each characteristic describing the natural resources present at a site and the characteristics of the nearby community. The model estimates the proportion of voters who would choose each candidate site in a referendum that includes the complete set of alternatives. This simulated voting mechanism can be used to reduce a long list of technically desirable sites to a shorter list of sites that rank highly according to public preferences regarding natural resources and local community impacts.
The correlation of lung structure with function.

When considering the results of structure-function correlative studies, the purpose of lung function testing should be kept in mind. Firstly, lung function testing should provide information about the development, progression or regression of lung disease, and secondly, ideally it should serve as a relatively noninvasive technique for estimating the pathological changes within the lungs. There is little doubt that lung function tests can fulfill the first of these aims. The second aim is considerably more difficult to establish. This review illustrates that to some extent the second aim has been fulfilled for emphysema and small airway disease. However, in interstitial lung disease a great deal more needs to be done. In this group of disorders even lung biopsy is unreliable because of the great inhomogeneity of the lesions. Perhaps lung function testing can never accurately predict the stage of the disease but fortunately other techniques such as lavage [25, 93, 26] and gallium scanning [25] are showing promise in providing supplementary information.
Interpersonal Dominance of Type As and Bs During Involved Group Discussions1

This study further explores the relationship between interpersonal dominance and Type A behavior. Nine groups–each consisting of 2 male undergraduates of each A/B Type (extreme Types as assessed using the short student Jenkins Activity Survey)–partiapated in leaderless 15-minute discussions. All subjects were highly interested in and knowledgeable about the discussion topic and all members of each group were in moderate conflict regarding it. Protocol analysis of the transcribed discussions provided 6 measures of interpersonal dominance (3 measuring “pro-self,” self-enhancing behaviors and 3 measuring “anti-other,” other-disenhancing behaviors), and 1 measure of acquiescence. As hypothesized, the results revealed that Type A behavior is positively related to pro-self and anti-other behavior. Differences between the results of this and an earlier study are discussed in the context of observational method (i.e., live ratings versus content analysis of transcriptions) and implications of these studies for Glass’ (1977) control theory of Pattern A responding are considered.
Serum albumin: its relationship to marrow and renal toxicity from platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

Abstract One hundred and three patients treated with CAP chemotherapy were evaluated to determine the relationship between low prechemotherapy serum albumin ( 3 ). Additionally, the relationship of serum albumin to renal toxicity (Δ serum creatinine) was examined. Low prechemotherapy serum albumin appears to be a marker for advanced disease, but does not appear to predict marrow or renal toxicity.
Evaluation and management of traumatic posterior urethral disruption with flexible cystourethroscopy

Background: We sought to consolidate evaluation and management of traumatic urethral disruption using cystourethroscopic evaluation without retrograde urethrogram or suprapubic cystostomy placement. Methods: We review our experience with initial flexible cystourethroscopic evaluation of suspected urethral injury from blunt trauma with placement of a Council urethral catheter to provide primary endoscopic realignment of the urethra. Results: Access into the bladder was achieved in 8 of 10 patients. After a mean follow-up of 18 months (range, 9-27 months) in the six living patients, only three have required treatment for urethral stricture-direct vision internal urethrotomy in two, and open perineal urethroplasty in one. Urinary continence has been achieved in five of six patients. Conclusion: Primary flexible cystourethroscopy with placement of a urethral catheter streamlines evaluation and management of traumatic posterior urethral injury. In the presence of partial disruption it provided stricture-free outcomes in three of three surviving patients.
STRATEGIES FOR QUANTIFYING PET IMAGING DATA FROM TRACER STUDIES OF BRAIN RECEPTORS AND ENZYMES.

A description of some of the methods used in neuroreceptor imaging to distinguish changes in receptor availability has been presented in this chapter. It is necessary to look beyond regional uptake of the tracer since uptake generally is affected by factors other than the number of receptors for which the tracer has affinity. An exception is the infusion method producing an equilibrium state. The techniques vary in complexity some requiring arterial blood measurements of unmetabolized tracer and multiple time uptake data. Others require only a few plasma and uptake measurements and those based on a reference region require no plasma measurements. We have outlined some of the limitations of the different methods. Laruelle (1999) has pointed out that test/retest studies to which various methods can be applied are crucial in determining the optimal method for a particular study. The choice of method will also depend upon the application. In a clinical setting, methods not involving arterial blood sampling are generally preferred. In the future techniques for externally measuring arterial plasma radioactivity with only a few blood samples for metabolite correction will extend the modeling options of clinical PET. Also since parametric images can provide information beyond that of ROI analysis, improved techniques for generating such images will be important, particularly for ligands requiring more than a one-compartment model. Techniques such as the wavelet transform proposed by Turkheimer et al. (2000) may prove to be important in reducing noise and improving quantitation.
Pleural effusion: unusual presentation of prostatic cancer.

Pleural effusion complicating pleural metastases from prostatic carcinoma occurred in a patient and is a feature of this disease not previously reported. The possible pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion in general and the patient presented specifically are discussed.
Bandwidth of theta graphs with short paths

Abstract The bandwidth problem for a graph is that of labelling its vertices with distinct integers so that the maximum difference across an edge is minimized. We here solve this problem for all theta graphs. These are graphs which consist of two terminal vertices and a number of paths of possibly varying length between these. Chvatalova and Opatrny (1988) resolved this question when each path has (edge) length at least 4 or all paths have length 3.
Liquid-Liquid Phase Equilibrium in Binary Mixtures of the Nonionic Amphiphile CH3(CH2)5(OCH2CH2)2OH and Water

Abstract The coexistence curves of binary mixtures of the nonionic amphiphile CH3(CH2)5(OCH2CH2)2OH with water or with aqueous 10 mM NaCl electrolyte were determined around the lower consolute solution temperature, Tc, by phase volume measurements. From these data Tc = 284 K and the critical composition (weight fraction of the amphiphile = 0.130) were determined by critical-scaling equations.
The Decline of Orthodoxy among the Amish

Since Weber and particularly Troelsch (1932),1 sociologists have been interested in the utility of the church-sect typology for studying religious phenomena. When this typology, developed against the backdrop of European Christian History up to the 19th century, was applied to developments in 19th and 20th century America, certain problems and inconsistencies became apparent. Nevertheless, empirical studies (cf. Pope, 1942; Dynes, 1955) indicated it retained considerable merit. There have been a number of efforts to refine and extend the original typology with a view toward increasing its utility for research (Niehbuhr, 1929; Pope, 1942; Wilson, 1959; Yinger, 1946 and 1957; Berger, 1954; Johnson, 1957). The original?and amended-typologies do not fit well the pattern of beliefs and practices in America, partly because of the disestablish ment of religion after the revolution and because of the variety of sectarian phenomena which took root here. American religion has been characterized as an "ecclesiastical zoo exhibiting all manner of religious wild life."2 One of the troublesome sects is the Old Order Amish. While Niehbuhr (1929) suggested that sects were characterized by an inherent instability and thus tended to change inevitably toward the churchly type after the first generation, this sect has been in continuous existence for over 250 years. It retains to this day many features normally attributed to the sectarian end of the continuum. Pope's study (1942) demonstrated that sectarian patterns may not last through the first generation yet here is a sect which has persisted for more than 10 generations.3 Failure to complete the sect cycle, i.e., transition to a churchly type, is not the only reason for the interest of sociologists. There is also the resistance to assimilation or acculturation. Most immigrant groups assimilated rather rapidly (1-3 generations).4 Yet the Amish continue, obviously unassimilated, in the last half of the 20th century. Attempts to apply the church-sect typology to American religious groups have produced a better understanding of the nature and process of sectarian development. For one thing the conception of a fairly uniform sect cycle has been considerably revised. We are aware that sects have all sorts of origins and, though classifiable in
Effect of alternate-day prednisone on plasma lipids in renal transplant recipients

Effect of alternate-day prednisone on plasma lipids in renal transplant recipients. While numerous groups have reported high prevalences of plasma lipid abnormalities in their renal transplant recipients, we have been unable to confirm this finding. We have suggested that the routine use of alternate-day steroids (ADS) in our patients may be responsible. To test that hypothesis, a prospective controlled trial of equal total dose ADS versus daily steroids (DS) was conducted. Four months after transplant and before entering the trial, transplant study patients had significantly higher serum cholesterol (243 ± 9 mg/dl) than either normal controls (cholesterol 200 ± 7 mg/dl, α = 0.01) or hemodialysis patients (cholesterol 211 ± 9 mg/dl, α = 0.01). They also had higher serum triglyceride than controls (129 ± 7 mg/dl vs. 98 ± 8 mg/dl, α = 0.01). After randomization to DS or ADS and 1 year of further followup study, the ADS group had a significant decrease in both serum triglyceride (139 ± 9 to 100 ± 7 mg/dl, P Effet de la prednisone un jour sur deux sur les lipides plasmatiques de transplantes renaux. Bien que de nombreux groupes aient reporte une prevalence elevee d'anomalies plasmatiques lipidiques chez leurs transplantes renaux, nous n'avons pas pu confirmer ces resultats. Nous avons suggere que l'administration habituelle des steroides un jour sur deux chez nos malades pourrait en etre responsable. Pour tester cette hypothese, un essai controle prospectif des deux doses identiques totales de steroides a doses alternees (SDA), contre des steroides donnes chaque jour (SD) a ete entrepris. Quatre mois apres transplantation, et avant d'entrer dans l'essai, les transplantes de l'etude avaient un cholesterol serique significativement plus eleve (243 ± 9 mg/dl) que leurs controles normaux (cholesterol 200 ± 7 mg/dl, α = 0,01) ou que les malades hemodialyses (cholesterol 211 ± 9 mg/dl, α = 0,01). Ils avaient egalement des triglycerides seriques significativement plus eleves que les controles (129 ± 7 mg/dl, contre 98 ± 8 mg/dl, α = 0,01). Apres tirage au sort entre ADS ou DS et apres un an de suivi, le groupe ADS avait une diminution significative des triglycerides seriques (139 ± 9 a 100 ± 7 mg/dl, P
Analysis of Ephedra-Free Labeled Dietary Supplements Sold in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2003

Objective: To sample dietary supplements (DS) labeled as ephedra-free to evaluate whether products met their labeling claim.Methods: One control DS product containing ephedra alkaloids and 29 DS labeled as ephedra-free were purchased from various retail locations in San Francisco. All products were sent to the California Department of Health Services (CDHS), Food and Drug Laboratory for content and quantity analysis. All laboratory personnel were blinded to product names and labeled contents. All DS products were screened for the presence of undeclared drugs, ephedra alkaloids, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. All products were also evaluated for compliance with the labeling requirements of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.Results: None of the DS labeled as ephedra-free tested positive for the presence of ephedra alkaloids; as expected, the control product did test positive. Heavy metals were detected in three ephedra-free labeled DS products. A...
ACTIONS AND EXPRESSION OF RAB-GDP DISSOCIATION INHIBITOR IN DISPERSED CHIEF CELLS FROM GUINEA PIG STOMACH

Abstract Rab proteins are a family of ras-like proteins that are involved in intracellular membrane trafficking. Rab-GDP dissociation inhibitor prevents dissociation of GDP from Rab proteins and extracts Rab proteins from cell membranes in vitro. In the present study, we examined the effects of recombinant rab-GDI on Rab proteins in gastric chief cells. Rab-GDI extracted GTP-binding proteins, including Rab3 and Rab5, from chief cell membranes in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal concentrations of rab-GDI (≥50 μg/ml) removed approx. 40% of membrane-associated Rab3. Moreover, preincubation of permeabilized chief cells with rab-GDI resulted in a 35% decrease in GTPγS(100 μM)-induced pepsinogen secretion, suggesting that membrane-associated Rab proteins are involved in the final stages of secretion. Immunostaining of chief cell cytosolic and membrane fractions with GDI-specific antisera revealed bands at 56 and 48 kDa, respectively, indicating that chief cells express two isoforms of rab-GDI. In gastric chief cells, regulation of Rab proteins by rab-GDI plays an important role in mediating exocytosis.
MITRE initiative for Departure Clearance (DCL)

Presents the following slides covering the following topics: MITRE Initiative, Departure Clearance (DCL), DCL pilot response time measurement, IDEA Lab, avionics implementation, communication network latency measurement, RCAT Lab, latency measurement procedure, and overall communication performance results.
On generating state space equations of a linear constant coefficient system

The details of the linear algebra which must be performed in order to generate state space equations from primitive equations of the linear constant coefficient ordinary differential mathematical model are presented. The applicability of the procedure is not dependent on any modeling philosophy and/or regimen. In addition to generating the state variable representation of the system, the procedure also generates equations which relate all other system internal variables to the system states and the system input variables. The treatment is complete and identifies all the operations which must be done in implementing a digital computer automation of the process. Some useful insights into the effects of ill-posed mathematical models and of modeling errors result from the treatment.
Face and politeness in pharmacist-physician interaction.

This study used Brown and Levinson's theory of politeness to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence pharmacists' messages to physicians. Specifically, perceived differences in power and social distance between pharmacist and physician were expected to influence the amount of politeness observed in pharmacists' messages. The effects of age, sex, and practice context were also examined. Written messages were gathered from 210 community pharmacists and 112 hospital pharmacists in response to a hypothetical drug allergy scenario. Messages were segmented into independent clauses, and independent clauses were classified according to the politeness strategy used to make allergy reports and alternative drug recommendations respectively. Content analysis of the messages in relation to demographic variables revealed that age and practice context were significantly associated with the overall level of politeness of alternative drug recommendations, but not with overall politeness of allergy reports. Demographic factors were significantly related to perceptions of power and social distance, but, contrary to Brown and Levinson's prediction, these perceptions were not associated with variation in politeness. Regardless of other factors, recommendations were made more politely than reports. Implications for pharmacists' professional roles and identities are discussed.
An estimation of the performance limits and improvement of dry cooling on trough solar thermal plants

A study is reported of the potential performance of dry cooling on power generation. This is done in the context of a generic trough solar thermal power plant. The commercial power plant analysis code GateCycle is applied for this purpose. This code is used to estimate typical performance of both wet and dry cooling options. Then it is configured to estimate the performance of ideal wet and dry cooling options. The latter are defined as the condenser temperature being at the ambient wet bulb temperature or dry bulb temperature, respectively. Yearly power production of a solar power plant located in Las Vegas is presented for each of the cooling options. To move further toward approaching the possible improvement in dry cooling, the impact of a high-performance heat exchanger surface is evaluated. It is found that higher efficiency generation compared to current dry cooling designs is definitely possible. In fact the performance of these types of systems can approach that of wet cooling system units.
Stereoselective total synthesis of (.+-.)-isocelorbicol

Abstract A completely stereoselective total synthesis of the naturally occurring polyhydroxyagarofuran, (±)-isocelorbicol ( 1 ) is described. The readily available α-agarofuran derivative 3 was converted to 3β-hydroxy-9-keto-β-agarofuran ( 6 ) by epoxidation followed by rearrangement with strong base. Diimide reduction gave exclusively the required 4α-methyldihydroagarofuran ( 7 ), which was converted to the 2-dehydroagarofuran ( 8 ). Stereoselective LAH reduction and protection of the 9β-ol followed by epoxidation afforded 2β,3β-oxide 11 . This epoxide was converted to allylic alcohol 12 via reaction with phenylselenide and selenoxide elimination. Osmium tetraoxide oxidation of alcohol 12 gave exclusively the 1α,2α,3β-triol ( 13 ), which after protection as the acetonide, Barton deoxygenation and hydrolysis of the protecting groups afforded (±)-isocelorbicol. The overall yield for the 15 steps was 3.2%.
Territorial and mating success of dragonflies that vary in muscle power output and presence of gregarine gut parasites

Competition for mating territories in libellulid dragonflies involves aerial contests that require high levels of exertion and locomotor performance. Here we test the hypothesis that success of male Libellula pulchella dragonflies in territoriality and mating is affected by muscle contractile performance, and we examine how gregarine gut parasites affect muscle performance, energy reserves and territorial behaviour of their hosts. At a pond where gregarine parasites are rare, long-term territorial and mating success of males showed a significant positive association with muscle power output. At a nearby pond that had a much higher incidence and intensity of gregarine parasitism, there was no relationship between muscle performance and short-term territorial success. Instead, males assorted themselves into aggressive territory holders and submissive satellites, with the large majority of territory holders having no parasites and nearly all of the satellites parasitized. Unparasitized males showed a tight positive relationship between muscle power and fat content, which suggests that they use a known phenotypic adjustment in muscle contractile performance to allow the energy consumption rate of the flight muscles to match the rate at which energy can be mobilized from storage pools. Parasitized dragonflies showed a small decrease in average fat content and a marked change in the relationship between fat content and muscle power output. The apparent loss of the ability to match muscle contractility to the size of the energy storage pool in parasitized dragonflies suggests that gregarines may have systemic effects on signalling pathways and energy homeostasis. By indirectly choosing males that had successfully competed for territories, females consistently mated with physiologically or immunologically superior males despite large between-pond differences in male behaviour and the incidence and intensity of parasitic infection.
Effect of subtherapeutic antimicrobials on genetic diversity of Enterococcus faecium from chickens

SUMMARY. The effect of growth promotants (bacitracin, virginiamycin, and flavomycin) on the genetic population of Enterococcus faecium isolated from a commercially integrated poultry farm was examined. A total of 551 E. faecium were isolated from chick boxliners (n ¼16), litter (n ¼334), feed (n ¼67), and carcass rinse (n ¼134) samples from four chicken houses. Two houses on the farm were control houses and did not use any antimicrobials while two other houses on the farm used flavomycin, virginiamycin, and bacitracin during six different chicken grow outs. BOX-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results indicated that E. faecium strains had a high degree of genetic diversity as overall clustering was independent of source, house, or grow out. Similarity of � 60% for the majority of BOX-PCR genogroups and � 80% for the majority of PFGE genogroups was observed for a subset of carcass rinse samples (n ¼45) examined. Seventy-nine percent (19/24) of isolates in BOX-PCR genogroup 2 also clustered in PFGE genogroup 2, although no association between the isolates and house or grow out was observed. These results suggest that E. faecium from chicken are genetically diverse and that growth-promoting antimicrobials do not affect the genetic population of E. faecium.
Interactive State-Space Analysis of Concurrent Systems

The introduction of concurrency into programs has added to the complexity of the software design process. This is most evident in the design of communications protocols where concurrency is inherent to the behavior of the system. The complexity exhibited by such software systems makes more evident the need for computer-aided tools for automatically analyzing behavior.
The economic burden of community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA)

The economic impact of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) remains unclear. We developed an economic simulation model to quantify the costs associated with CA-MRSA infection from the societal and third-party payer perspectives. A single CA-MRSA case costs third-party payers $2277-$3200 and society $7070-$20 489, depending on patient age. In the United States (US), CA-MRSA imposes an annual burden of $478 million to 2.2 billion on third-party payers and $1.4-13.8 billion on society, depending on the CA-MRSA definitions and incidences. The US jail system and Army may be experiencing annual total costs of $7-11 million ($6-10 million direct medical costs) and $15-36 million ($14-32 million direct costs), respectively. Hospitalization rates and mortality are important cost drivers. CA-MRSA confers a substantial economic burden on third-party payers and society, with CA-MRSA-attributable productivity losses being major contributors to the total societal economic burden. Although decreasing transmission and infection incidence would decrease costs, even if transmission were to continue at present levels, early identification and appropriate treatment of CA-MRSA infections before they progress could save considerable costs.
Wave Forcing of the Tropical Upwelling in the Lower Stratosphere under Increasing Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases

Two simulations from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, covering the periods 1950‐2003 and 1980‐2050, are used to investigate the nature of the waves that force the increase of the tropical upwelling in the lower stratosphere as the concentration of greenhouse gases increases. Decomposition of the wave field resolved by the model into stationary and transient wavenumber spectra allows attribution of trends in the Eliassen‐Palm (EP) flux and its divergence to specific wave components. This analysis reveals that enhanced dissipation of stationary planetary waves is the main driver of trends in the tropical upwelling in the lower stratosphere. The contribution of transient waves is smaller and is responsible mainly for trends in wave forcing in the subtropics and middle latitudes, which, however, provide only minor contributions to the mean tropical upwelling. Examination of individual wave structures shows that the stationary waves are tropical Rossby waves trapped in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, whereas the transient components are synoptic waves present in the subtropics and middle latitudes. The authors also present evidence that trends in resolved wave forcing in the lower stratosphere are due to both changes in wave transmissivity and changes in wave excitation, with the first mechanism dominating the behavior of the simulation during the last half of the twentieth century, while the second is clearly more important in the simulation during the first half of the twenty-first century.
Hybrid Controllers for Path Planning: A Temporal Logic Approach

Robot motion planning algorithms have focused on low-level reachability goals taking into account robot kinematics, or on high level task planning while ignoring low-level dynamics. In this paper, we present an integrated approach to the design of closed–loop hybrid controllers that guarantee by construction that the resulting continuous robot trajectories satisfy sophisticated specifications expressed in the so–called Linear Temporal Logic. In addition, our framework ensures that the temporal logic specification is satisfied even in the presence of an adversary that may instantaneously reposition the robot within the environment a finite number of times. This is achieved by obtaining a Buchi automaton realization of the temporal logic specification, which supervises a finite family of continuous feedback controllers, ensuring consistency between the discrete plan and the continuous execution.
Host-parasite interactions: resist or tolerate but never stop running.

A conference exploring ‘The impact of the environment on innate immunity: the threat of diseases’ was held on 4–9 May 2009 in Obergurgl, Austria, thanks to the support from the European Science Foundation, Innsbruck University and the Austrian Science Foundation. The goals of the conference were to explore how the outcomes of host–parasite interactions depend on variation across individuals, their parasites and the environment in which they both find themselves. Central themes were the inherent costs of mounting an immune response, the ability of some organisms to pre-empt infection by ‘priming’ their immune systems, the fact that parasites learn to evade immune responses over time and the use of theory to predict when diseases will get out of hand. Many of the systems presented had clear impacts on human health, agriculture or the maintenance of complex ecosystems. There was common ground throughout in developing methodologies and embracing what one of the organizers termed the ‘interactome’ between hosts and those which would exploit them.
Becoming-Rhythm: A Rhizomatics of the Girl

I appropriate Deleuze and Guattari's concept of the refrain for a feminist analysis of the girl because it offers more insight into the ways girls construct themselves as performative networks than the death-by-culture or at-risk model preferred by such feminists as Jean Kilbourne, Carol Gilligan, and even Susan Bordo. I proffer that it costs women everything to practise a politics of difference that is by definition reactionary, a reaction to the cultural refusal of leaky gendered bodies that must be overcome. Girl is mapped through such alternations as powerful aggregates of the tremulous, roaming emissions of monstrous particles most desired and desirous.