cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor-associated antigen TA-90 immune complex assay predicts subclinical metastasis and survival for patients with early stage melanoma

BACKGROUND TA-90 is a tumor-associated antigen first identified in the urine and sera of patients with metastatic melanoma. In the early stages of disease, TA-90 is present in circulating immune complexes (ICs) that may be detected with an antigen specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy of the TA-90 IC assay in detecting subclinical metastasis of early stage melanoma and predicting the survival of patients with this disease. METHODS Archival sera were collected preoperatively from 114 patients who underwent wide excision with or without regional lymphadenectomy in the treatment of clinical Stage I melanoma. Sera were analyzed for TA-90 IC in a blinded fashion, and results were correlated with the patient's clinical course as determined by database and chart review. Subclinical metastases were considered present at the time of surgery if the lymphadenectomy specimen was pathologically positive and/or the patient subsequently developed recurrence. RESULTS The TA-90 IC assay predicted subclinical metastasis in 43 of 56 patients (P < 0.0001), with 14 false-positive and 13 false-negative results. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of occult metastasis were 77% and 76%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 75% and 77%, respectively. Fifteen of 18 tumor positive regional lymph node basins (83%) and 34 of 46 recurrences (74%) were accurately predicted when considered independently (P < 0.004). Preoperative TA-90 IC status was also highly correlated with survival: 5-year overall and disease free survival rates were 63% and 46%, respectively, for the TA-90 IC positive group, compared with 88% and 82%, respectively, for the TA-90 IC negative group (P = 0.0001). A multivariate analysis with standard prognostic variables identified preoperative TA-90 IC status as a strong, independent prognostic factor for both overall and disease free survival. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, TA-90 is the first tumor marker that accurately predicts subclinical metastatic disease and survival for patients with early stage melanoma. For this reason, the TA-90 IC assay has the potential to improve dramatically the prognostic evaluation of patients with this disease. Its role in postoperative risk stratification and early detection of recurrence is being evaluated in a prospective study. Cancer 1998;83:1355-1361. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Ultrastructural studies of newborn rat epidermis after trypsinization

Ultrastructural changes observed in newborn rat epidermal cells after trypsinization were studied. Trypsin separated epidermis from dermis by dissolving the electron dense basement lamina and caused the separation of the desmosomes at their intercellular junctions by dissolving the interdesmosomal structure. Separated epidermal cells rounded up and exhibited numerous cytoplasmic processes as a result of retraction of semidesmosomes toward the center of cells. Cytoplasmic organelles, such as mitochondria, microtubules, endoplasmic reticulum, and tonofilaments, were situated near the nucleus and the cytoplasm between the retracted tonofilaments and the plasma membrane contained mostly ribosomes. The altered morphology of epidermal cells resembles that found in pathological skin conditions such as pemphigus, malignancy, and wound healing. After trypsinization a fine periodicity 300 A became apparent in tonofilaments. This finding should be taken into account in physicochemical studies concerned with the characterization of tonofilaments.
Low-Dimensional Modeling for Spatially Developing Free Shear Layers

The aim of this work is to develop nonlinear low-dimensional models to describe vortex dynamics in spatial shear layers under periodic excitations. By allowing a free variable g(x) to dynamically describe downstream thickness spreading, we are able to obtain base functions in a scaled reference frame and construct effective models with only a few modes in the new space. To apply this modified version of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)/Galerkin projection, we first scale the flow along x direction (downstream) to match a template function. In the scaled space, the first POD mode can capture more than 80% energy for each frequency. However, to construct Galerkin models carrying most basic dynamics, the second POD mode plays a critical role and needs to be included. Finally, a reconstruction equation for the scaling variable g is derived to relate the scaled space and physical space and to incorporate the physical effects from downstream spreading.
Does Aerobic Exercise and the FITT Principle Fit into Stroke Recovery

Sedentary lifestyle after stroke is common which results in poor cardiovascular health. Aerobic exercise has the potential to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and improve functional capacity and quality of life in people after stroke. However, aerobic exercise is a therapeutic intervention that is underutilized by healthcare professionals after stroke. The purpose of this review paper is to provide information on exercise prescription using the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, type) for people after stroke and to guide healthcare professionals to incorporate aerobic exercise into the plan of care. This article discusses the current literature outlining the evidence base for incorporating aerobic exercise into stroke rehabilitation. Recently, high-intensity interval training has been used with people following stroke. Information is provided regarding the early but promising results for reaching higher target heart rates.
Ultrasonographic findings of the normal ulnar nerve in adults.

Abstract Cartwright MS, Shin HW, Passmore LV, Walker FO. Ultrasonographic findings of the normal ulnar nerve in adults. Objective To provide a detailed description of the ultrasonographic findings along the entire length of the normative ulnar nerve. Design Volunteers were recruited to undergo ultrasonography of both upper extremities. Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, arm length, and hand length were recorded, and cross-sectional measurements of the ulnar nerve were obtained at 7 predetermined sites. Setting The diagnostic neurology laboratory of a referral medical center. Participants Thirty volunteers (60 arms) were recruited. Volunteers were screened by history and physical examination, and those with evidence of peripheral nervous system disease were excluded. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure The average cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve at 7 predetermined sites along the entire course of the nerve. Results The following average ulnar nerve CSAs were obtained: distal wrist crease, 5.9mm2; arterial split, 6.3mm2; 2cm distal to tip of the medial epicondyle, 6.4mm2; tip of the medial epicondyle, 6.5mm2; 2cm proximal to tip of the medial epicondyle, 6.7mm2; mid-humerus, 6.1mm2; and axilla, 6.2mm2. There was no statistical difference in nerve size when dominant and nondominant arms were compared, but women did have smaller nerves than men. Of all the variables measured, nerve size correlated most closely with weight, with a correlation coefficient of .59. Conclusions The ulnar nerve was easily visualized and measured along its entire course, and the CSA of the nerve was consistent at multiple sites. The reference values obtained in this study will facilitate the analysis of abnormal nerve conditions, and the information on side-to-side variation and sex-specific differences should be particularly helpful.
Ethics and Human Experimentation

TWENTY-ONE years ago, in June 1966, Henry Beecher, Dorr Professor of Research in Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, published in these pages an analysis of "Ethics and Clinical Research" and thereby accelerated the movement that brought human experimentation under rigorous federal and institutional control.1 Although Beecher was not the first to direct attention to abuses in human experimentation, and the National Institutes of Health was already formulating stricter rules, his presentation of 22 examples of investigators who endangered "the health or the life of their subjects" without informing them of the risks or obtaining their permission was a critical element . . .
Strong-coupling analysis of the lattice CP N-1 models in the presence of a θ term

A {theta} term, which couples to topological charge, is added to the lattice CP{sup N{minus}1} model. The strong-coupling character expansion is developed. The series for the free energy and mass gap are, respectively, computed to tenth order and fourth order. Several features of the strong-coupling analysis emerge. One is the loss of superconfinement. Another is that, in the intermediate coupling constant region, there are indications of a transition to a deconfining phase when {theta} is sufficiently large. The transition is like the one which has been observed in Monte Carlo simulations of a similar lattice CP{sup N{minus}1} action. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
A geometric Buchberger algorithm for integer programming

Let IP{A, c} denote the family of integer programs of the form Min cx: Ax = b, x ∈ Nn obtained by varying the right-hand side vector b but keeping A and c fixed. A test set for IPA, c is a set of vectors in Zn such that for each nonoptimal solution α to a program in this family, there is at least one element g in this set such that α-g has an improved cost value as compared to α. We describe a unique minimal test set for this family called the reduced Grobner basis of IP{A, c}. An algorithm for its construction is presented which we call a geometric Buchberger algorithm for integer programming and we show how an integer program may be solved using this test set. The reduced Grobner basis is then compared with some other known test sets from the literature. We also indicate an easy procedure to construct test sets with respect to all cost functions for a matrix A ∈ Zn-2×n of full row rank.
Effect of a 6-cyano substituent in 14-oxygenated N-methylmorphinans on opioid receptor binding and antinociceptive potency.

In a continued effort to find new substitution patterns in morphinans that would produce strong antinociception while inducing lesser side effects, 4,5-oxygen bridge-opened 6-cyano-substituted N-methylmorphinans (1−3) were synthesized. All compounds showed high affinities in the low nanomolar range to the μ opioid receptor and decreased interaction with δ and κ receptors, thus being μ selective. When tested in vivo, the 6-cyanomorphinanas acted as potent antinociceptive agents which were either more active or equipotent to their 6-keto analogues 4−6.
Gas-phase photoacoustic sensor at 8.41 μm using quartz tuning forks and amplitude-modulated quantum cascade lasers

We demonstrate the performance of a novel infrared photoacoustic laser absorbance sensor for gas-phase species using an amplitude-modulated quantum cascade (QC) laser and a quartz tuning fork microphone. The photoacoustic signal was generated by focusing 5.3 mW of a Fabry–Perot QC laser operating at 8.41 μm between the tines of a quartz tuning fork which served as a transducer for the transient acoustic pressure wave. The sensitivity of this sensor was calibrated using the infrared absorber Freon 134a by performing a simultaneous absorption measurement using a 31-cm absorption cell. The power and bandwidth normalized noise equivalent absorption sensitivity (NEAS) of this sensor was determined to be D=2.0×10-8 W cm-1/Hz1/2. A corresponding theoretical analysis of the instrument sensitivity is presented and is capable of quantitatively reproducing the experimental NEAS, indicating that the fundamental sensitivity of this technique is limited by the noise floor of the tuning fork itself.
Systemic Deficiency of the First Component of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex

ABSTRACT: An infant with lactic acidosis and developmental delay had neuropathological changes consistent with Leigh's necrotizing encephalomyelopathy. Total pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) activity was low relative to controls in lymphocytes (0.2 versus 1.9 ± 0.6 SD nmol/min/mg protein) and cultured skin fibroblasts (0.9 versus 2.7 ± 1.0). Liver, muscle, heart, and kidney mitochondria oxidized several substrates normally, but did not oxidize pyruvate. PDC activity was absent in these mitochondria (0.1 versus 9.8 ± 4.2 in liver and 0.7 versus 75 ± 26 in muscle) and was very low in all tissue homogenates. Activity of the first component was low in liver mitochondria, whereas activities of the second and third components were normal. Western blot analysis of tissue proteins showed normal amounts of second and third component of PDC but undetectable to trace amounts of both a and B subunits of the first component of PDC in liver, brain, kidney, heart, and skin fibroblasts. Thus, profound systemic deficiency of PDC was due to lack of both subunit proteins of the first component of PDC.
Noncircular pores in model membranes: A calculation of the effect of pore geometry on the partition of a solute

Abstract The partition of a solute between a bulk phase and the rhomboidal pores of tracketched membranes is studied theoretically. The partition coefficient is concentration dependent and is reported (to first order in the bulk phase concentration) for varying solute sizes. A generalization to the case of pores of general polygonal cross section shows that narrow pore corners greatly enhance the partition coefficient due to the accumulation of solute in them. The use of an equivalent circular pore underestimates the equilibrium partition coefficient because it neglects the presence of corners.
Object and method in rhetorical criticism: From Wichelns to Leff and McGee

T ESSAYS by Michael Leff (coauthored with Andrew Sachs) and Michael McGee offered in this volume, ostensibly as illustrations of two competing approaches to rhetorical criticism, display greater anxiety about the critical object than about the critical method. This is somewhat perplexing, because the names of Leff and McGee are associated with two different ways of conducting practical criticism: textual and ideological. In this special issue devoted to the interplay of those two methods, we find their chief proponents less concerned with rearticulating their methodological commitments and strategies than with totalizing the critical object as "iconic" or as "fragmentary." Our perplexity is also heightened by the fact that since the publication of Edwin Black's Rhetorical Criticism: A Study in Method (1965) there has been greater excitement and anxiety, partly intensified by the innovations of Leff and McGee, over the preferred "method" than over the privileged "object."
Comparison of the moorfields classification using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and subjective optic disc classification in detecting glaucoma in blacks and whites

Objective To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Moorfields regression classification (MRC) and subjective optic disc evaluation in discriminating early to moderate glaucomatous from nonglaucomatous eyes. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Participants Two hundred thirty-three patients with glaucoma and 216 normal subjects were included in the analysis. Racial groups were defined by self-description. Methods All subjects underwent confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, stereophotography, and standard perimetry. Glaucoma was defined by visual field defect alone and confirmed with a second visual field test. Stereo photographs were graded as either normal or glaucomatous appearing in a masked fashion by 2 independent graders and adjudicated by a third grader in cases of disagreement. Mean disc area was compared between patients correctly and incorrectly diagnosed with either technique. Main Outcome Measures Sensitivity and specificity of MRC and subjective evaluation of stereophotographs in the detection of glaucomatous visual field loss. Results With the MRC, the sensitivity and specificity were higher using the 95% cutoff than using the 99.9% cutoff. Classification based on subjective photo assessment had a greater agreement with the diagnosis of glaucoma than the MRC for blacks (MRC, sensitivity=62.5%, specificity=93.2%; Photo, sensitivity=76.5%, specificity=91.5%) and whites (MRC, sensitivity=67.0%, specificity=92.2%; photo, sensitivity=78.4%, specificity=91.9%). Disc area was significantly larger in patients incorrectly diagnosed with the MRC ( P = 0.0289). Conclusions Subjective optic disc grading by glaucoma specialists outperformed the MRC with the HRT II in both black and white subjects. Both subjective and objective diagnostic methods were associated with similar sensitivity and specificity between racial groups. The MRC was more likely to provide an incorrect diagnosis in subjects with larger optic discs.
Intelligibility of 4-Year-Old Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy

Purpose The authors examined speech intelligibility in typically developing (TD) children and 3 groups of children with cerebral palsy (CP) who were classified into speech/language profile groups following Hustad, Gorton, and Lee (2010). Questions addressed differences in transcription intelligibility scores among groups, the effects of utterance length on intelligibility, the relationship between ordinal ratings of intelligibility and orthographic transcription intelligibility scores, and the difference between parent and naive listener ordinal ratings. Method Speech samples varying in length from 1 to 7 words were elicited from 23 children with CP (Mage = 54.3 months) and 20 TD children (Mage = 55.1 months). Two hundred fifteen naive listeners made orthographic transcriptions and ordinal ratings of intelligibility. Parent ordinal ratings of intelligibility were obtained from a previous study (Hustad et al., 2010). Results Intelligibility varied with speech/language profile group and utterance length, wi...
Phosphodiesterase inhibition attenuates alterations to the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in immunostimulated Caco-2 intestinal monolayers.

Abstract Aims Under normal conditions, the intestinal mucosa acts as a local barrier to prevent the influx of luminal contents. The intestinal epithelial tight junction is comprised of several membrane associated proteins, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Disruption of this barrier can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and ultimately multiple organ failure. We have previously shown that Pentoxifylline (PTX) decreases histologic gut injury and pro-inflammatory mediator synthesis. We hypothesize that PTX prevents the breakdown of ZO-1 and occludin in an in vitro model of immunostimulated intestinal cell monolayers. Main methods Caco-2 human enterocytes were grown as confluent monolayers and incubated under control conditions, or with PTX (2 mM), Cytomix (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1), or Cytomix + PTX for 24 h. Occludin and ZO-1 protein levels were analyzed by Western blot. Confocal microscopy was used to assess the cytoplasmic localization of ZO-1 and occludin. Key findings Cytomix stimulation of Caco-2 cells resulted in a 50% decrease in both occludin and ZO-1 protein. Treatment with Cytomix + PTX restored both occludin and ZO-1 protein to control levels. Confocal microscopy images show that Cytomix caused an irregular, undulating appearance of ZO-1 and occludin at the cell junctions. Treatment with PTX prevented the Cytomix-induced changes in ZO-1 and occludin localization. Significance Treatment with PTX decreases the pro-inflammatory cytokine induced changes in the intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1. Pentoxifylline may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of sepsis and shock by attenuating intestinal barrier breakdown.
Evolution of the conceptual model of unsaturated zone hydrology at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Abstract Yucca Mountain is an arid site proposed for consideration as the United States’ first underground high-level radioactive waste repository. Low rainfall (approximately 170 mm/yr) and a thick unsaturated zone (500–1000 m) are important physical attributes of the site because the quantity of water likely to reach the waste and the paths and rates of movement of the water to the saturated zone under future climates would be major factors in controlling the concentrations and times of arrival of radionuclides at the surrounding accessible environment. The framework for understanding the hydrologic processes that occur at this site and that control how quickly water will penetrate through the unsaturated zone to the water table has evolved during the past 15 yr. Early conceptual models assumed that very small volumes of water infiltrated into the bedrock (0.5–4.5 mm/yr, or 2–3 percent of rainfall), that much of the infiltrated water flowed laterally within the upper nonwelded units because of capillary barrier effects, and that the remaining water flowed down faults with a small amount flowing through the matrix of the lower welded, fractured rocks. It was believed that the matrix had to be saturated for fractures to flow. However, accumulating evidence indicated that infiltration rates were higher than initially estimated, such as infiltration modeling based on neutron borehole data, bomb-pulse isotopes deep in the mountain, perched water analyses and thermal analyses. Mechanisms supporting lateral diversion did not apply at these higher fluxes, and the flux calculated in the lower welded unit exceeded the conductivity of the matrix, implying vertical flow of water in the high permeability fractures of the potential repository host rock, and disequilibrium between matrix and fracture water potentials. The development of numerical modeling methods and parameter values evolved concurrently with the conceptual model in order to account for the observed field data, particularly fracture flow deep in the unsaturated zone. This paper presents the history of the evolution of conceptual models of hydrology and numerical models of unsaturated zone flow at Yucca Mountain, Nevada ( Flint, A.L., Flint, L.E., Kwicklis, E.M., Bodvarsson, G.S., Fabryka-Martin, J.M., 2001. Hydrology of Yucca Mountain. Reviews of Geophysics in press ). This retrospective is the basis for recommendations for optimizing the efficiency with which a viable and robust conceptual model can be developed for a complex site.
New scheme for electromagnetic simulations

A new explicit time stepping scheme for electromagnetic simulations is described, the neo-finite-difference method. This numerical method which describes the time derivative as an arc instead of a straight line is more accurate. Thus, larger time steps can be used than with the standard leapfrog method. We start by Fourier analyzing the electromagnetic field in space. The Fourier amplitudes obey harmonic oscillator equations in time. The method involves approximating the time advance of a mode's amplitude from oscillator solutions for its estimated frequencies. From a computational point of view this involves replacing Δt by 2sin[ωE(k)Δt/2]/ωE(k) in the finite difference equations, where ωE(k) is the estimated frequency of mode k; that is, Δt is multiplied by a k-dependent correction constant. The method not only improves the accuracy of the time stepping algorithm, but it increases the size of Δt for which it is stable. The ion-ripple laser is used as an example of a neo-finite difference electromagnetic simulation application to illustrate the new scheme. The size of the time step in the new scheme may be chosen one order of magnitude larger than for the standard method, The new scheme does not change the computation time per time step end only requires slight changes to the original code.
On-line telemetry: prospective assessment of accuracy in an all-volunteer emergency medical service system.

Objective: To evaluate the need for on-line telemetry control in an all-volunteer, predominantly advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT) ambulance system. Methods: Emergency medical service (EMS) advanced life support (ALS) providers were asked to transmit the ECG rhythms of monitored patients over a six-month period in 1993. The ECG rhythm interpretations of volunteer EMS personnel were compared with those of the on-line medical control physician. All discordant readings were reviewed by a panel of physicians to decide whether the misdiagnosis would have resulted in treatment aberrations had transmission been unavailable. Results: Patients were monitored and rhythms were transmitted in 1,825 cases. 1,642 of 1,825 rhythms were correctly interpreted by the EMS providers (90%; 95% CI 89–91%). The accuracy of the EMS providers was dependent on the patient's rhythm (chi-square, p < 0.00001), the chief complaint (chi-square, p = 0.0001), and the provider's level of training (chi-square, p = 0.02). Correct ECG rhythm interpretations were more common when the out-of-hospital interpretation was sinus rhythm (95%), ventricular fibrillation (87%), paced rhythm (94%), or agonal rhythm (96%). The EMS providers were frequently incorrect when the out-of-hospital rhythm interpretation was atrial fibrillation/flutter (71%), supraventricular tachycardia (46%), ventricular tachycardia (59%), or atrioventricular block (50%). Of the 183 discordant cases, 124 (68%) involved missing a diagnosis of, or incorrectly diagnosing, atrial fibrillation/flutter. Review of the discordant readings identified 11 cases that could have resulted in treatment errors had the rhythms not been transmitted, one of which might have resulted in an adverse outcome. Conclusions: In this all-volunteer, predominantly A-EMT ALS system, patients with a field interpretation of a sinus rhythm do not require ECG rhythm transmission. Field interpretations of atrial fibrillation/flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and atrioventricular blocks are frequently incorrect and should continue to be transmitted.
ENSO-correlated fluctuations in ocean bottom pressure and wind-stress curl in the North Pacific

Abstract. We examine the output of an ocean model forced by ECMWF winds to study the theoretical relationship between wind-induced changes in ocean bottom pressure in the North Pacific between 1992 until 2010 and ENSO. Our analysis indicates that while there are significant fluctuations correlated with some El Nino and La Nina events, the correlation is still relatively low. Moreover, the ENSO-correlated variability explains only 50 % of the non-seasonal, low-frequency variance. There are significant residual fluctuations in both wind-stress curl and ocean bottom pressure in the region with periods of 4-years and longer. One such fluctuation began in late 2002 and has been observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). Even after accounting for possible ENSO-correlated variations, there is a significant trend in ocean bottom pressure in the region, equivalent to 0.7 ± 0.3 cm yr−1 of sea level from January 2003 until December 2008, which is confirmed with steric-corrected altimetry. Although this low-frequency fluctuation does not appear in the ocean model, we show that ECMWF winds have a significantly reduced trend that is inconsistent with satellite observations over the same time period, and so it appears that the difference is due to a forcing error in the model and not an intrinsic error.
Dissociated changes of somatosensory evoked low-frequency scalp responses and 600 Hz bursts after single-dose administration of lorazepam

Electrical stimulation of upper limb nerves allows one to record two types of scalp responses, that is conventional low-frequency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), and bursts of high-frequency (about 600 Hz) wavelets. To further clarify the functional meaning of both types of responses, we investigated whether changes of GABAergic drive could cause significant modifications of conventional as well as high-frequency SEPs. We recorded median nerve SEPs from six healthy volunteers before and after a single oral administration of lorazepam. In order to explain scalp SEP distribution before and after lorazepam administration, we performed the brain electrical source analysis of raw data. After lorazepam administration, conventional scalp SEPs showed a significant amplitude decrease of all cortical components including the primary N20/P20 response, while the subcortical P14 response remained substantially unchanged. Similarly, dipolar analysis showed a significant strength decrease of all cortical dipoles, whereas the strength of both subcortical dipoles (possibly located at the level of the brainstem and thalamus, respectively) remained unchanged. By contrast, no significant changes of high-frequency SEPs were induced by drug intake. Therefore, our findings suggest that the inhibitory effect induced by lorazepam mainly affects intracortical circuitry. Tonic increase of the inhibitory drive, possibly mediated by GABAA receptors, can account for the reduced activity of first order deep spiny neurons generating the primary N20/P20. Conversely, intrinsic firing properties of the cell population generating high-frequency SEP responses are unaffected by the increase of GABAergic drive. This finding lends further substance to the hypothesis that conventional and high-frequency SEPs are generated by different cell populations.
Influence of several perturbants on the rate of autoxidation of horse heart ferrocytochrome c.

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of several different types of perturbants and pH on the rate of autoxidation of horse heart ferrocytochrome c was investigated. The kinetic behavior is unique to each perturbant used. 2. 2. Rates of autoxidation followed first-order kinetics over the time span (0–180 min) studied. 3. 3. The Cl − and Br − anions exhibit an initial increase in the rate of autoxidation up to 100 mM, followed by a decrease in kinetics at 500 mM anion concentration. 4. 4. The ClO − 4 anion exhibits only an increase in the rate of autoxidation with increasing ionic strength, where as, propylurea, a hydrophobic perturbant, is not effective in altering the rate of autoxidation at equivalent concentrations. 5. 5. These studies suggest that the perturbations of the reduced form of cytochrome c in solution involve mainly non-specific solvent effects.
A preliminary study of one year of pedometer self-monitoring.

Background: Long-term pedometer monitoring has not been attempted.Purpose: The purpose of this project was to collect 365 days of continuous self-monitored pedometer data to explore the natural variability of physical activity.Methods: Twenty-three participants (7 men, 16 women; M age = 38 ± 9.9 years; M body mass index = 27.7± 6.2 kg/m2) were recruited by word of mouth at two southern U.S. universities. Participants were asked to wear pedometers at their waist during waking hours and record steps per day and daily behaviors (e.g., sport/exercise, work or not) on a simple calendar. In total, participants wore pedometers and recorded 8,197 person-days of data (of a possible 8,395 person-days, or 98%) for a mean of 10,090± 3,389 steps/day. Missing values were estimated using the Missing Values Analysis EM function in SPSS, Version 11.0.1.Results: A mean of 10,082± 3,319 steps/day was computed. Using the corrected data, differences in steps/day were significant for season (summer > winter, F = 7.57, p = .001), day of the week (weekday > weekend, F = 3.97, p = .011), type of day (workday vs. nonworkday, F = 9.467, p = .008), and participation in sport/exercise (day with sport/exercise > day without sport/exercise, F = 102.5, p < .0001).Conclusions: These data suggest that surveillance should be conducted in the spring/fall or that an appropriate correction factor should be considered if the intent is to capture values resembling the year-round average.
A study of the effectiveness of xylocaine as a local anesthetic agent in dentistry.

Abstract The effectiveness of Xylocaine as a local anesthetic agent has been studied (1) by measuring tooth response to graded electrical stimulation. and (2) by observing clinical effectiveness in dental surgical procedures. From these studies, the following conclusions are justified: 1. 1. Xylocaine produces a more profound anesthesia than does procaine. Since rapidity of action, spread, and duration of anesthesia may be a function of depth of anesthesia, any conclusions concerning these factors are limited to the volumes and concentrations used in this particular study. 2. 2. The onset of anesthesia is more rapid with Xylocaine than with procaine. 3. 3. The spread of anesthesia is greater with Xylocaine. 4. 4. Duration of anesthesia is longer with Xylocaine. 5. 5. No differences were noted in blood pressures, pulse, amount of pain, bleeding, and the number of untoward incidents at operation, nor in the amount of postoperative pain.
Microgram determination of tellurium by an induced reaction with ferric phenanthroline

Abstract An indirect photometric method for the determination of microgram quantities of tellurium(IV) can be based on the reduction, through an intermediate oxidation state of chromium (presumably +4), of ferric 1,10-phenanthroline to strongly colored ferrous phenanthroline. The net reaction is Te(IV) + 2 Fe(C 12 H 8 N 2 ) 3 +++ → Te(VI) + Fe(C 12 H 8 N 2 ) 3 ++ Mn(II), Cu(II), and Ce(III) strongly inhibit the reaction. Other interfering elements include Au, Pd, Rh, Ir, Sn, W, and V. Selenium does not interfere.
Accounting for informative non-compliance with a bivariate exponential model in the design of endpoint trials

Failure to adjust for informative non-compliance, a common phenomenon in endpoint trials, can lead to a considerably underpowered study. However, standard methods for sample size calculation assume that non-compliance is non-informative. One existing method to account for informative non-compliance, based on a two-subpopulation model, is limited with respect to the degree of association between the risk of non-compliance and the risk of a study endpoint that can be modelled, and with respect to the maximum allowable rates of non-compliance and endpoints. In this paper, we introduce a new method that largely overcomes these limitations. This method is based on a model in which time to non-compliance and time to endpoint are assumed to follow a bivariate exponential distribution. Parameters of the distribution are obtained by equating them with the study design parameters. The impact of informative non-compliance is investigated across a wide range of conditions, and the method is illustrated by recalculating the sample size of a published clinical trial. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electro-osmosis in a nanometer-scale channel studied by atomistic simulation

An atomistic simulation of an electro-osmotic flow in a 65.3 A-wide channel is performed to study its physical details and evaluate continuum models. The working fluid is a 0.01 M solution (at midchannel) of Cl− in water. For simplicity and computational efficiency, only negatively charged ions are included. The water is modeled by the SPC/E potential and the Cl− are modeled as point charges plus an established Lennard-Jones potential. The channel walls are fixed lattices of positively charged Lennard-Jones atoms. In one case an appropriate fraction of the wall atoms is given elementary charges; for comparison, another case is simulated with uniformly distributed partial charges on the wall atoms. For the distributed elementary charge case the Cl− concentration at the wall is 80 percent higher than predicted by the Poisson–Boltzmann theory. It is over 100 percent higher for the uniformly charged wall case. In both cases, the waters in the 10 A closest to the walls are preferentially oriented. Their respec...
The Blessing of Israel and “the Curse of the Law” : A Study of Galatians 3:10-14

By the time he wrote Galatians, Paul was convinced that conservative Jewish-Christians were not the primary problem in the difficult debate they occasioned by their opposition to his gospel; the main problem was the Law itself and its power to require obedience to its own prescriptions. In Galatians, therefore, he turned his attack on the Law, portraying it as a “curse” on both Jews and Gentiles, the obedient and the disobedient. Paul’s critique of the Law has convinced some that Paul rejected the Jewish covenant, but the letters do not sustain that view. Paul separated the Law from the covenant, and though he abrogated the former, he never abandoned the ongoing value of the latter for both Gentiles and Jews.
Determining fiber strength vs. gage length

This paper concerns the gage length dependence of fiber strength as established by measuring the fiber fracture stress vs. fragment length in the succession of fragments, which occur in tension testing of a single-fiber composite (s.f.c.). For fibers with a strength distribution described by a Weibull modulus m, a plot of in (fragment fracture stress) us. In(actual fragment length) leads to the deduction of an apparent Weibull modulus m(app) congruent to 0.63 m, whereas the apparently less rigorous procedure of plotting In (fragment fracture stress) vs. Ln (average fragment length) allows for accurate assessment of the true Weibull modulus. The m(app) textless m behavior arising from the use of actual fragment lengths occurs because fragments in the s.f.c. are not random sections of the fiber, but rather sections which have effectively been proof-tested at a stress corresponding to the strength of last fiber breaking stress occurring in the entire sample length. Hence, the individual fragments appear stronger than random fiber sections, leading to an apparently smaller Weibull modulus. Such complications do not arise if only the average fragment length, or equivalently the location-independent total number of breaks, is considered. Computer simulations of the fragmentation process verify analytic estimates of the ratio of m(app)/m, and demonstrate the accuracy of using the average fragment length to assess fiber Weibull modulus.
The stability of accumulated anthocyanin in suspension cultures of the parental line and high and low accumulating subclones of wild carrot

Abhibition of the accumulation of anthocyanin but not of growth in wild carrot cultures was achieved using 2-amino-oxyphenylpropionic acid or phenylpropiolic acid. The concentration of inhibitor required to achieve this differential effect increased with increased culture density. By several additions of inhibitor at differential times, anthocyanin accumulation in the parental culture and in high-and low-acculmulating subclones could be completely inhibited. Under these conditions the level of anthocyanin in the cultures remained unchanged. These data show that the accumulated anthocyanin is not metabolized and that differences in the rate of degradation of anthocyanin does not account for the differences in anthocyanin accumulation by the subclones examined.
Pharmacologic Advances in the Treatment and Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Currently, only 2 drugs have been approved for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody for the prevention of RSV in high-risk children. Ribavirin is approved for treatment of severe RSV disease; however, its effectiveness in improving outcomes is questionable. During the past 40 years, many obstacles have delayed the development of safe and effective vaccines and treatment regimens. This article reviews these obstacles and presents the novel development strategies used to overcome many of them. Also discussed are promising new antiviral treatment candidates and their associated mechanism of action, the significant advances made in vaccine development, and exciting, new studies directed at improving outcomes through pharmacologic manipulation of the host response to RSV disease.
Tumor Metabolism of Malignant Gliomas

Constitutively activated oncogenic signaling via genetic mutations such as in the EGFR/PI3K/Akt and Ras/RAF/MEK pathways has been recognized as a major driver for tumorigenesis in most cancers. Recent insights into tumor metabolism have further revealed that oncogenic signaling pathways directly promote metabolic reprogramming to upregulate biosynthesis of lipids, carbohydrates, protein, DNA and RNA, leading to enhanced growth of human tumors. Therefore, targeting cell metabolism has become a novel direction for drug development in oncology. In malignant gliomas, metabolism pathways of glucose, glutamine and lipid are significantly reprogrammed. Moreover, molecular mechanisms causing these metabolic changes are just starting to be unraveled. In this review, we will summarize recent studies revealing critical gene alterations that lead to metabolic changes in malignant gliomas, and also discuss promising therapeutic strategies via targeting the key players in metabolic regulation.
Progressive wavelet correlation using Fourier methods

This paper derives a multiresolution analysis technique for performing correlations on wavelet representations of images. The technique maps the images into the wavelet-frequency domain to take advantage of high-speed correlation in the frequency domain. It builds on Vaidyanathan's (1993) wavelet correlation theorem, which shows that subsamples of correlations of two signals can be obtained from a sum of correlations of subbands of wavelet representations of those signals. Our algorithm produces the correlations at lowest resolution by applying the convolution theorem to subband correlations. A new multiresolution technique fills in the missing correlation data by incrementally inverting the wavelet transform and refining the Fourier transform. When applied to JPEG representations of data, the lowest resolution correlations can he performed directly on the JPEG images to produce 1/64th of the correlation points. Each of three incremental steps quadruple the number of correlation points, and the process can be halted at any point if the intermediate results indicate that the correlation will not find a match.
Effect of Repeated Inseminations with Egg Yolk Semen Extender on Fertility in Cattle

Abstract Experiments were designed to determine if repeated inseminations of egg yolk diluent containing no semen would induce antibodies against egg yolk and would have an adverse effect on subsequent fertility under routine conditions of artificial insemination. Extender containing antibiotics polymyxin, dihydro-streptomycin, and penicillin and the enzyme beta amylase, with or without hen's egg yolk, was inseminated three to four times into virgin dairy heifers. The heifers subsequently were bred with bovine semen suspended in the extender containing egg yolk. Antibodies against antigens in the egg yolk extenders were not detected by complement fixation and agar gel immuno-diffusion, either in blood serum or in whole and homogenized cervical mucus taken before and after the repeat inseminations. Allergic reactions to the semen extender were not observed in any of the heifers. Calving rate from one service was 63.6% (7/11) for controls, 68.2% (15/22) after prior inseminations with egg yolk extender, and 69.2% (9/13) after prior inseminations with extender minus egg yolk. Under routine conditions of artificial insemination three to four exposures to extenders with or without egg yolk did not affect subsequent fertility adversely.
Field experience with high-frequency ballasts

The Energy Conservation Office of the University of California at Berkeley has installed over 35000 high-frequency ballasts, produced by three manufacturers, in the period from 1986 to the present. The quantities of defective ballasts that are returned to manufacturers for replacement are used to estimate the failure rate of these ballasts under field conditions. It is concluded that careful selection of high-frequency ballasts will result in 20-30% energy savings and reliable quiet flicker-free operation. They provide a rapid payback when specified for new construction or when used as the replacement for failed magnetic ballasts. Depending on operating hours and the cost of electricity, the payback may be acceptable even when high-frequency ballasts are used to replace operating energy-efficient magnetic ballasts (in conjunction with cleaning and lamp replacement). The availability of partial light-output ballasts makes it feasible to fine-tune light levels in spaces that are overlit, gaining a proportional decrease in energy use. >
Two-dimensional endoscopic MEMS scanner for high resolution optical coherence tomography

High resolution OCT is demonstrated with a novel two-dimensional MEMS scanner employing comb-drive actuation. Imaging is demonstrated with a Cr/sup 4+/:forsterite laser and high-speed scanning to achieve /spl sim/5 /spl mu/m axial resolution at up to 20 frames/sec.
EVALUATION OF REDUCED MECHANISM FOR MODELING COMBUSTION OF PYROLYSIS GAS IN WILDLAND FIRE

ABSTRACT Fuel supply to the largely gaseous flames in an intense wildland fire is primarily a result of pyrolysis of cellulose present in live wood. Gaseous fuel released from high temperature pyrolysis of ground fuel is a complex and highly variable mixture, which includes four main gases (CO, H2, CH4, and CO2) and other aromatics. Although a detailed reaction mechanism (over a hundred reactions and around 50 species) is possible for an accurate description of the chemistry, it is currently impractical for predicting fire behavior under adverse conditions. Therefore, the idea of reducing the detailed mechanism to a few steps has always been attractive. We have developed a reduced four-step mechanism for combustion of gaseous fuel released from high temperature pyrolysis of wood using steady state assumptions for minor species. Three test environments composed of a perfectly stirred reactor, premixed flame, and opposed diffusion flame are used to validate this mechanism by comparing calculations performed...
PROTANDRY: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMERGENCE TIME AND MALE FITNESS IN THE PITCHER‐PLANT MOSQUITO

Protandry is the emergence or arrival into a seasonal population of males before females and is widespread among both plants and animals. Conceptually, protandry should be subject to stabilizing selection because early emerging males risk death before mating and late-emerging males miss opportunities to mate. However, for any given male, the optimal emergence time may depend upon the mean and distribution of emergence of other males in the population. Using lifetime offspring sired as our criterion of reproductive success, we found that, in laboratory populations of the pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, there is, indeed, stabilizing selection acting on the optimal time for male emergence, and that the specific optimum does depend upon emergence time of other males in the population. In addition, male cohorts achieved greater reproductive success when their emergence was spread over several days rather than occurring in a single day. However, reproductive success did not differ between normal and superdispersed emergence distri- butions, suggesting that, under more variable, natural conditions, the specific pattern of male emergence may be far less important than variation in emergence time, per se.