cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Normal Adults Fed Meals with Added Monosodium L-Glutamate and Aspartame

Aspartame is a dipeptide sweetener containing aspartate. It has been suggested that aspartame addition to meals containing large amounts of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) would result in a rapid rise in plasma glutamate and/or aspartate concentrations and increase the potential for dicarboxylic amino acid--induced toxicity. Sic normal adult subjects were fed three hamburger and milk shake meals providing protein at 1 g/kg body weight in a Latin square design. One meal had no additions, the second provided MSG at 150 mg/kg body weight, and the third provided MSG at 150 mg/kg body weight and aspartame at 23 mg/kg body weight. The addition of MSG alone significantly increased plasma glutamate + aspartate concentration above values noted after ingestion of the meal alone. Aspartame addition to meals already containing MSG did not further significantly increase plasma glutamate + aspartate concentration above values noted when only MSG was added. However, aspartame addition did significantly increase the mean plasma phenylalanine concentration above values noted after ingestion of the meal alone or the meal with added MSG, reflecting aspartame's phenylalanine content. The data do not support the suggestion that aspartame addition to high protein meals already containing large amounts of MSG, will promote a rapid and dangerous rise in plasma glutamate and aspartate concentrations.
Antigens from the yeast phase of Histoplasma capsulatum: I. Morphology of the cell as revealed by the electron microscope☆

Abstract Comparative studies with the electron microscope were made of the yeastlike cells of Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans, grown in liquid medium. A capsule or slime layer could not be demonstrated on cells of H. capsulatum. C. neoformans, which had a distinct capsule, was used to indicate the sensitivity of the method for detection of extremely thin capsular layers. The importance of the technique used in the preparation of specimens for study of capsular substances was demonstrated.
On parallel processing approach to adaptive stochastic estimations

With the main motivation of improving asymptotic properties, and with reference to the recent developments on parallel stochastic approximation methods, a novel approach to adaptive Robbins-Monro stochastic approximation algorithms (1951) is developed. The authors take a previously developed algorithm as their point of departure and suggest a convex combination approach. The essence of this approach is that in lieu of using a single observer, a collection of observers which operate in parallel is used to estimate the same system. At any time, all observers take the same point of observation with possibly different noise processes. An approximation sequence Z/sub n/ is formed by taking convex combination of all the processors. A consistent procedure for constructing the best convex combination sequences is given. The proposed algorithm is proved to be asymptotically more efficient than previous approaches. >
Statistical Reasoning Strategies in the Pursuit and Evasion Domain

Isaacs' treatise on differential games was a break-through for the analysis of the pursuit-and-evasion (PE) domain within the context of strategies representable by differential equations. Current experimental work in Artificial Life steps outside of the formalism of differential games, but the formalism it steps into is yet to be identified. We introduce a formulation of PE that allows a formalism to be developed. Our game minimizes kinematic factors and instead emphasizes the informational aspect of the domain. We use information-theoretic tools to describe agent behavior and implement a pursuit strategy based on statistical decision making; evaders evolved against this pursuit strategy exhibit a wide range of sophisticated behavior that can be quantitatively described. Agent performance is related to these quantifiables.
Alpha-synuclein has an altered conformation and shows a tight intermolecular interaction with ubiquitin in Lewy bodies

α-Synuclein, a protein in which two mutations have been identified that cause autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease, is thought to serve as a nidus for the development of a Lewy body. We hypothesized that α-synuclein would display different intra- and intermolecular associations in Lewy bodies than it does in its normal intracellular compartments. Using sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques, we found evidence that α-synuclein is more compact and in closer association with other α-synuclein molecules in Lewy bodies than it is in the neuropil. In addition, we found evidence of a close, direct intermolecular interaction between the N terminus of α-synuclein and ubiquitin. These observations provide support for the hypothesis that in Lewy bodies α-synuclein adopts an altered three-dimensional structure and undergoes N-terminal ubiquitination.
Factors of importance in breast milk.

Summary A review of the recent literature in regard to the composition of breast milk has been presented. The chief constituents, minerals, vitamins, antibodies, and the breast cancer milk factor, have been discussed. The mammary transfer of various drugs and toxins has been reviewed. From this it appears that a number of drugs are to be avoided by nursing mothers. It would be well to limit phenobarbital administration to sedative 1/2 grain doses rather than hypnotic 1 1/2 grain doses. Bromides should be avoided. If a laxative is indicated, it would be advisable to select one other than cascara. The heavy metals, lead, mercury, and arsenic, should be avoided by a nursing mother.
Eastern District Association News

(1945). Eastern District Association News. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 202-203.
Adaptive soft limiter bootstrap separator for one-shot asynchronous CDMA channel with singular partial cross-correlation matrix

The adaptive bootstrap separator has been shown to perform better than the conventional decorrelation detector when used for synchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) channels, or with a one-shot matched filter bank for asynchronous channels when the cross-correlation of the partial sequences is nonsingular. In the later case, however, when the "partial cross-correlation" is singular, the separator weights fail to converge. We propose the use of a soft-limiting decision instead of a hard limiter for controlling the adaptive weights of the separator. We show that the algorithm weights converge, provided that the limiting threshold is not zero or not very large. Due to analytical difficulties, the actual steady state weights are not found, but are shown to exist. Simulation results support these claims. The bit error rate (BER) performance of the adaptive soft limiter bootstrap separator are also found by simulation and compared to the performance of the conventional decorrelator that uses the pseudoinverse of the cross-correlation matrix.
Case 18: An Offer of Employment: What to Look For

You have just finished your residency and have been active with clinical research. You have completed two abstracts and one paper is in press. You are excited about clinical research and decide to pursue an academic career. As luck would have it, three university departments want you to join them as a junior faculty. One of the departments that offer you a job is the one you trained in.
Abstract 442: Down-regulation of MET/RON receptor tyrosine kinases in colon cancer cells under chronic hypoxia as a mechanism for resistance towards targeted therapy

Hypoxia is a pathogenic factor observed in solid tumors, which plays a critical role in tumor malignancy and drug resistance. The MET and RON receptor tyrosine kinases belong to a unique proto-oncogene family and contribute to tumorigenic progression and malignant phenotypes in various epithelial cancers. To address their pathogenic significance under chronic hypoxic condition (1% O 2 , 5% CO 2 for 5 days), functional analysis of MET and RON were conducted using colon cancer HCT116 and HT29 cells as models. Contrary to previous reports, we consistently observed that levels of MET and RON were significantly decreased over a period of 5 days under chronic hypoxic condition as documented by Western blot and cell-surface fluorescent analysis. The reduction was also accompanied with decreased in both spontaneous and ligand (HGF/MSP)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation manners, which affected the downstream signaling cascades. Moreover, we observed that hypoxia-induced HIF-1α expression (known as a positive regulator for both receptors) is unable to sustain MET or RON expression, suggesting that the receptor down-regulation is mediated through a HIF-1α-independent mechanism. RT-PCR analysis revealed that diminished MET and RON expression occurs at the mRNA transcription level. However, increase in protein degradation also contributed to the observed reduction. Functional studies further demonstrated that chronic hypoxia facilitates colon cancer cells to develop a unique pathogenic phenotype. This phenotype was featured by reduced cell migration, decreased cell proliferation, and lack of S phase in cell cycle profile. Tumor cells were also insensitive in response towards HGF or MSP-induced cell movement and replication. These cancer cells were resistant to cytotoxic effects induced by MET-RON duel small molecule inhibitors such as PHA665752 and compound I. As shown by cytotoxicity assay, the IC 50 values of these inhibitors in cell survival were significantly increased in cancer cells under chronic hypoxic treatment compared to normoxic cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that under chronic hypoxia colon cancer cells developed a pathogenic phenotype characterized by diminished expression of MET and RON. Such a change contributes to the insensitivity of tumor cells towards cytotoxic activities of specifically targeted drugs. Thus, diminished expression of MET and RON under chronic hypoxia is a potential mechanism that affects the effectiveness of targeted therapy in the treatment colon cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 442.
Residential PTSD Treatment for Female Veterans With Military Sexual Trauma Does a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse Influence Outcome

This study examined whether a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) influenced treatment outcome among female veterans with an index trauma of military sexual trauma (MST) receiving residential treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One hundred and ten female veterans, 61 with a history of CSA and 49 without, were compared on pre-treatment demographic and symptom measures, as well as treatment outcome, which were assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), PTSD Checklist-Stressor Specific Version (PCL-S), and Depression Inventory-Second edition (BDI-II). Veterans received cognitive processing therapy (CPT) as the primary trauma-focused treatment. Study findings showed that these two groups did not significantly differ on pre-treatment variables or treatment outcome. Results suggest that CPT delivered in a residential treatment program was effective for female veterans with PTSD related to MST, with and without a history of CSA.
Post-thaw suspension of red cells cryopreserved with hydroxyethyl starch

Abstract Post-thaw suspension of red cells cryopreserved with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) gives rise to an increase in the quantity of supernatant hemoglobin and a reduction in cell recovery. This occurs regardless of the suspension media used but may be delayed by some solutions. Extended suspension with most solutions results in loss of intracellular contents from a number of cells. The resulting ghosts account for 12–14% of the total cell population. In the presence of 14% HES, deposits on the surface of damaged cells indicate that cellular contents are adherent to the cell membrane and therefore do not contribute to the free hemoglobin in the external solution. The result is a misleading high cell recovery value and suggests that this test does not accurately describe true cell damage in the presence of HES. Since the saline stability of suspended cells changes very little from that prior to suspension (at thaw), its value is a more accurate assessment of cell damage.
An automated method for pattern recognition using linear mixing model and vertex component analysis

Detection of man-made or natural object using hyperspectral sensor has attracted great research interest recently, because it can detect both the full pixel and subpixel objects by analyzing the fine details of the object as well as the background signatures. Several algorithms have been proposed in the literature to detect hyperspectral full pixel object and subpixel object. The objective of this paper is to develop an automated method to detect hyperspectral objects using the linear mixing model (LMM). Here the background is estimated from the endmember signatures using the principal component analysis (PCA) and the vertex component analysis (VCA), which is a fast algorithm to unmix hyperspectral data. Sensor noise is modeled as a Gaussian random vector with uncorrelated components of equal variance. A detail theoretical analysis of the proposed subpixel object detection algorithm has been provided using the generalized likelihood ratio test and the LMM approaches. For multipixel or resolved objects, the detection can exploit both the spatial and spectral properties. But the detection of subpixel objects can only be achieved by exploiting the spectral properties. Since the spectrum of a subpixel object is mixed with that of the background, the resultant pixel contains a combined spectral signature and hence requires some kind of (linear or nonlinear) separation of the constituent elements called the unmixing process. This paper focuses on the algorithms for detection of low probability objects, both with full pixel and subpixel. The endmembers have been evaluated assuming that only the data cube and the object signature are given. To estimate the background subspace, we have applied the PCA algorithm to the data cube and finally applied the VCA algorithm in order to estimate the background subspace signatures.
A Transition Strategy for Becoming a Baby-Friendly Hospital: Exploring the Costs, Benefits, and Challenges

Abstract The objectives of this study were to provide an economic assessment as well as a calculated projection of the costs that typical U.S. tertiary-care hospitals would incur through policy reconfiguration and implementation to achieve the UNICEF/World Health Organization Baby-Friendly® Hospital designation and to examine the associated challenges and benefits of becoming a Baby-Friendly Hospital. We analyzed hospital resource utilization, focusing on formula use and staffing profiles at one U.S. urban tertiary-care teaching hospital, as well as conducted an online survey and telephone interviews with a selection of Baby-Friendly Hospitals to obtain their perspective on costs, challenges, and benefits. Findings indicate that added costs for a new Baby-Friendly Hospital will approximate $148 per birth, but these costs sharply decrease over time as breastfeeding rates increase in a Baby-Friendly environment.
Feasibility of solid oxide fuel cell dynamic hydrogen coproduction to meet building demand

Abstract A dynamic internal reforming-solid oxide fuel cell system model is developed and used to simulate the coproduction of electricity and hydrogen while meeting the measured dynamic load of a typical southern California commercial building. The simulated direct internal reforming-solid oxide fuel cell (DIR-SOFC) system is controlled to become an electrical load following device that well follows the measured building load data (3-s resolution). The feasibility of the DIR-SOFC system to meet the dynamic building demand while co-producing hydrogen is demonstrated. The resulting thermal responses of the system to the electrical load dynamics as well as those dynamics associated with the filling of a hydrogen collection tank are investigated. The DIR-SOFC system model also allows for resolution of the fuel cell species and temperature distributions during these dynamics since thermal gradients are a concern for DIR-SOFC.
Screening for phenylketonuria mutations by DNA amplification with the polymerase chain reaction

Single base substitutions have been identified in two mutant phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) alleles that cause phenylketonuria (PKU). The two mutant alleles are common among caucasians of northern European ancestry; detection in genomic DNA samples of patients and carriers by hybridisation with oligonucleotides specific for the respective mutant alleles requires fractionation of restriction-enzyme-digested genomic DNA samples by gel electrophoresis. This method is too cumbersome for mass screening of PKU carriers. Identification of carriers of the mutant alleles was achieved by direct analysis of their genomic DNA samples after specific amplification of a sub-genomic DNA fragment containing both mutation sites by polymerase chain reaction. The results suggest that it is technically feasible to develop a programme for carrier detection of the genetic trait in the population for individuals without a family history of PKU.
Rejection Reversibly Alters Enteroendocrine Cell Renewal in the Transplanted Small Intestine

Acute small intestinal allograft rejection presents clinically as an abrupt increase in ileal fluid output in the absence of extensive inflammation. We questioned whether acute intestinal rejection might be accompanied by a disturbance of normal intestinal stem cell differentiation. We examined the intestinal epithelial secretory cell lineage among patients experiencing early rejection before and during rejection as well as following corrective therapy. Lineage-specific progenitors were identified by their expression of stage-specific transcription factors. Progenitors of the enteroendocrine cell (EEC) expressing neurogenin-3 (NEUROG3) were found to be disproportionately reduced in numbers, along with their more mature EEC derivatives expressing neuro D; the enteric hormone PYY was the most profoundly depleted of all the EEC products evaluated. No change in the numbers of goblet or Paneth cells was observed. Steroid treatment resulted in resolution of clinical symptoms, restoration of normal patterns of EEC differentiation and recovery of normal levels of enteric hormones. Acute intestinal rejection is associated with a loss of certain subtypes of EEC, most profoundly, those expressing PYY. Deficiency of the mature EECs appears to occur as a consequence of a mechanism that depletes NEUROG3 EEC progenitors. Our study highlights the dynamics of the EEC lineage during acute intestinal rejection.
Global Caccioppoli-type and Poincaré inequalities with Orlicz norms

We obtain global weighted Caccioppoli-type and Poincare inequalities in terms of Orlicz norms for solutions to the nonhomogeneous -harmonic equation .
Finding latent variable models in large databases

Structural equation models with latent variables are used widely in psychometrics, econometrics, and sociology to explore the causal relations among latent variables. Since such models often involve dozens of variables, the number of theoretically feasible alternatives can be astronomical. Without computational aids with which to search such a space, researchers can only explore a handful of alternative models. We describe a procedure that can find information about the causal structure among latent, or unmeasured variables. the procedure is asymptotically reliable, feasible on data sets with as many as a hundred variables, and has already proved useful in modeling an empirical data set collected by the U.S. Navy. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis and Solid State Characterization of a Meridional Triphos Iridium Metallacycle−Carbene Complex: [{PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2} Ir(CRCRCRCR){=C(CH2)3O}][BF4] (R = Co2Me)

The five-coordinate iridium metallacycle [(PPh3)2Ir(CRCRCRCR)(Cl)] (5, R = CO2CH3) and trisphosphine [PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2] are readily converted in refluxing toluene to the fac- and mer-triphos metall...
Piezoelectric Detectors for Specific Detection of Environmental Pollutants

With the recognition that noxious gases, even at low concentrations, have a deleterious effect on the environment and industrial safety, the need for the development of sensitive devices for the detection of these gases has arisen. The resonance frequency of a piezoelectric crystal is greatly changed by the adsorption of a very small weight of material on its surface. Therefore, by coating the crystal surface with a substance which will induce the adsorption of a particular gas, a very sensitive detector for that gas can be developed. Piezoelectric devices for the detection of NH3, H2S, SO2 and CO in the parts per milliard range have been developed. If a suitable membrane is used to control humidity, these devices can also be used for the detection of pollutants in water, and detectors for the measurement of NH3 and H2S are being developed.
Regulation of PHO4 nuclear localization by the PHO80-PHO85 cyclin-CDK complex

PHO4, a transcription factor required for induction of the PHO5 gene in response to phosphate starvation, is phosphorylated by the PHO80-PHO85 cyclin-CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) complex when yeast are grown in phosphate-rich medium. PHO4 was shown to be concentrated in the nucleus when yeast were starved for phosphate and was predominantly cytoplasmic when yeast were grown in phosphate-rich medium. The sites of phosphorylation on PHO4 were identified, and phosphorylation was shown to be required for full repression of PHO5 transcription when yeast were grown in high phosphate. Thus, phosphorylation of PHO4 by PHO80-PHO85 turns off PHO5 transcription by regulating the nuclear localization of PHO4.
The Private Company Discount

When appraisers or investment bankers value a private company by reference to an otherwise similar but public company, they typically apply a discount. Most practitioners hold the view that this discount reflects the reduced value due to the relative illiquidity of private companies. They use estimates of this discount based on two types of empirical studies. One set of studies compares the prices at which publicly traded companies issue restricted shares in private placements to the publicly traded stock price. The argument is that the restricted shares are identical to the publicly traded shares but for trading restrictions and, therefore, the private placement discount must reflect their lack of liquidity. This technique to estimate the private company discount is flawed for at least two reasons. First, the private placement discount could be associated with a variety of factors, of which illiquidity is only one. Second, the private companies may be valued differently because of factors other than liquidity that have caused the firm to continue to stay private rather than choosing to list on an exchange. The other set of studies compares the prices at which companies go public with the prices at which shares were sold prior to the IPO. These studies suffer from some serious biases. For one thing, most of these private transactions are with insiders. Most importantly, we only observe these pre-IPO discounts for companies that are successful enough to go public. Unsuccessful firms never enter the sample. We present an alternative framework to estimate this discount. We compute four valuation multiples for a set of private transactions and a comparable set of public transactions. We then compare these two sets of multiples for both domestic and foreign firms and use the differences between the two as our measure of the private company discount. We find that for both the domestic transactions and foreign transactions, the discount for earnings multiples is statistically and economically significant. The discount using the book value multiples is significant only for domestic transactions and the discount using the revenue multiples is not significant for either the domestic or foreign transactions. We also estimated cross-sectional regressions to account for differences in size and historical growth rates between the private and public companies in our sample. Even after including these other explanatory variables, our results continue to indicate a statistically and economically significant private company discount.
An empirical investigation of technology strategy in computer software initial public offering firms

Abstract Strategic management of technological resources plays a significant role in the success of firms in computer-related industries. To expand the literature on technology management in growing organizations, this paper presents a study of the relationships among select technology strategy dimensions and perceived performance of initial public offering (IPOs) computer software firms. Using content analysis, technology strategy data were collected from the prospectus of 31 computer software firms who committed IPOs in 1996. Empirical analysis shows support for propositions that a firm's technology posture and executive level technology experience influence investor reactions to IPOs.
Exosomes: Mediators of Neurodegeneration, Neuroprotection and Therapeutics

Exosomes have emerged as prominent mediators of neurodegenerative diseases where they have been shown to carry disease particles such as beta amyloid and prions from their cells of origin to other cells. Their simple structure and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier allow great opportunity to design a "makeup" with drugs and genetic elements, such as siRNA or miRNA, and use them as delivery vehicles for neurotherapeutics. Their role in neuroprotection is evident by the fact that they are involved in the regeneration of peripheral nerves and repair of neuronal injuries. This review is focused on the role of exosomes in mediating neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.
Examining Features of Teacher Education in Norway

Drawing upon recent research in the United States, this paper proposes that there are three key features undergirding powerful teacher education programs. The research suggests that in order to be powerful and effective, teacher education programs need to have a vision, be coherent, and provide opportunities to learn that are grounded in teaching practice. The author uses these features as a lens to examine programs in Norway – a country in which teacher education has been relatively under-examined. The analysis reveals several challenges for the Norwegian teacher education programs examined, such as a lack of shared vision among faculty responsible for teaching subject content and those teaching pedagogy, as well as few opportunities for student teachers to learn in the context of practice. Implications for strengthening programs are discussed.
Redox behavior of phenyl-terpyridine-substituted artificial oligopeptides cross-linked by Co and Fe.

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of metalated oligopeptide duplex assemblies composed of artificial oligopeptides bearing tethered phenyl terpyridine ligands that are coordinated to Co(II) and Fe(II) ions. The metals cross-link the oligopeptide strands, forming duplex structures. UV−vis spectrophotometric titrations that monitor the absorbance of the metal complexes' characteristic MLCT bands demonstrate stoichiometric metal chelation. Anodic peaks in the cyclic voltammograms of these molecules are consistent with one-electron oxidative reactions without strong coupling between the metal complexes. In separate chronocoulometry measurements, the diffusion coefficients of the metal complexes decrease with increasing oligopeptide length, suggesting the primary products are metal-linked oligopeptide duplex assemblies. Larger metalated oligopeptides adsorb to electrode surfaces during cyclic voltammetry and yield irreversibly adsorbed electroactive films with thicknesses that depend on the...
On Paradoxes in Foreign Language Teaching.

main two categories (those ending in -o and -a, barring exceptions) can be learned inductively by just about any class in a few minutes, given the right exercises, without the need to offer any rules for analysis or memorization. On the other hand, it would be nonsensical and useless to try to teach the differences in usage between ser and estar via the same approach; in the case of this grammatical point, the learning of rules consonant with a deductive approach has been found to produce better results.17 As noted near the beginning of this article, there is a middle ground in the deduction/ induction controversy. This is to present inductively those grammatical points that the students can learn without an overt rule and deductively, with rules, those grammatical points that require such an approach. It has been my experience that approximately 80 percent of the basic grammatical points of a language like Spanish or French can be learned without overt explanations or discussion. On the other hand, the 20 percent that need to be approached deductively can seldom be learned well without explanations. The grammatical points that benefit from a deductive approach are generally points based on concepts lacking in the native language and which annot be made readily clear by a limited number of xamples or practiced in relatively simple exercises. In addition to ser and estar in Spanish, other grammatical points that fit this category are the following: the distinction betwe n the passe compose and the imparfait in French (pr terite and imperfect in Spanish), the subjunctive, the function of the various cases in those languages that have case endings (like German and Russian), etc. In the case of the grammatical points that can be taught inductively, a further advantage is that this approach allows the learners to "discover" by themselves how a part of the language works. This makes the learning process more interesting and, according to psychologists, such "learning by discovery" is better retained.18
Fluid Flow and Weld Pool Dynamics in Dual-Beam Laser Keyhole Welding

The use of dual or multiple laser beams is necessary for welding thick-section metals, especially for Nd:Yag lasers which are limited to relatively low power as compared to CO2 lasers. It was also reported that the use of dual laser beams for welding can increase keyhole stability leading to a better weld quality. So far, the development of dual-beam laser welding technologies has been in the experimental stage. The objective of this paper is to develop mathematical models and the associated numerical techniques to calculate the transient heat transfer and fluid flow in the weld pool and to study weld pool dynamics during the dual-beam laser welding process. The simulation was conducted for a three-dimensional stationary dual-beam laser welding. A very interesting change of the top-surface view of the weld pool was predicted. During the welding process, the top-view shape of the weld pool changes, starting from an oval-shape with the long-axis connecting the centers of the two laser beams, to a circle, and finally to an oval-shape with the short-axis connecting the centers of the two laser beams. Although a direct comparison with published experimental observation is impossible (due to the lack of detailed experimental data), the predicted weld pool shape is similar to that observed from experiments. The dynamical change of the weld pool shape can be well explained by the predicted fluid flow field.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Glomerular hypertrophy in minimal change disease predicts subsequent progression to focal glomerular sclerosis.

Glomerular hypertrophy in minimal change disease predicts subsequent progression to focal glomerular sclerosis. The study sought a diagnostic clue to identify the group of pediatric patients with apparent minimal change disease who subsequently develop focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS). Review of all renal biopsy material at our institutions identified 42 pediatric patients who met the standard criteria for minimal change disease (MCD) on initial biopsies. Of those, 10 deteriorated clinically and on rebiopsy showed focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS). The initial renal biopsies of these 10 patients were analyzed morphometrically to determine the mean glomerular tuft area (GA). The results were compared to those of the remaining 32 patients whose subsequent benign clinical course was consistent with MCD, and to randomly selected, age-matched autopsy controls without renal disease (CONT, N=10). The mean age was comparable among the three groups studied. Separate groups of adult (N = 12) and pediatric (N = 18) patients with initial biopsies with FGS were also studied. The initial biopsy of pediatric patients who subsequently showed FGS (rebiopsy performed on average 3.3 years later) had an average GA of 13.5 × 10 -3 mm 2 , 76% larger than glomeruli from children with MCD (7.7 × 10 -3 mm 2 , P -3 mm 2 , P 1.75× the CONT average at the initial biopsy, all of whom (100%) were found to have FGS at the rebiopsy. The presence of glomerular hypertrophy in biopsies of apparent MCD, therefore, appears to be a highly specific indicator of increased risk for progression to FGS. The data are supportive of the view that the subset of MCD which develops FGS represents a distinctive entity in which pathophysiologic mechanism(s) promoting glomerular hypertrophy are imposed.
THE ABSORPTION OF P,P′‐DDE BY LARVAE OF AGLAIS URTICAE (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE)

Fifth instar larvae of Aglais urticae L. absorb single and double doses of 27.5 μg of p,p′-DDE at a constant rate 8–72 hours after dosing. There is little difference between the rates of absorption by the blood of larvae given doses on two sites, and the sum of the rates of absorption by the blood of larvae given single doses, so that the blood does not limit the rate at which apolar substances pass through the cuticle. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG DIE ABSORPTION VON P,P′-DDE DURCH RAUPEN VON AGLAIS URTICAE (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) Die Rate, mit welcher p,p′-DDE durch die Kutikula des 5. Larvenstadiums von A. urticae eindringt, wurde durch direkte Messung der absorbierten Menge bestimmt: Verluste durch Stoffwechsel und Exkretion waren zu vernachlassigen. Die Raupen erhielten entweder einzelne Dosen von 27,5 μg DDE in 1 μl 1,4-Dioxan auf den Thorax oder das Abdomen, oder zwei Dosen, eine auf den Thorax und eine auf das Abdomen. Die Larven wurden 8, 24 und 72 Stunden nach der Applikation auf DDE untersucht. Die Aufnahmerate durch die Larven, die zwei Dosen erhalten hatten, war mit 0,6–1,1 ppm/Std ahnlich der Summe der Aufnahmeraten durch die Larven, denen einzelne Dosen auf Thorax oder Abdomen verabreicht worden waren, so das die Aufnahmerate wahrscheinlich vollig durch Faktoren innerhalb der Kutikula begrenzt wird und die Absorptionskapazitat des Blutes fur diese apolare Substanz keinen entscheidenden Faktor darstellt.
Heat Pump Experiment With a Computer Interface for Control, Data Acquisition, and Analysis

This paper describes an effective, but simple, technique using a computer interface for control, data acquisition, and processing of a heat pump laboratory experiment. A water-to-air heat pump that allows comfort cooling and heating from a single source is used as an experiment and will be incorporated in a Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Course. Presently, the source is the city water. Plans are in place to use a ground source that provides a relatively constant temperature water supply, as low as 45°F. This well-instrumented laboratory teaching equipment allows students to measure temperatures, pressures, flow rate, and power input and then calculate the coefficient of performance of the system and the efficiency of the compressor both manually and automatically. A self-contained Windows-based data collection and analysis system has been developed for automating all the manual functions of a WPH-J Series Water-to-Air Heat Pump from Heat Controller, Inc. This system uses a data acquisition board to read the voltage signals corresponding to 9 T-type thermocouples, three pressure gauges, and compressor supplied power. The data acquisition and control software written in Visual Basic 6 uses 32-bit libraries to control the operation mode, read the thermocouples’ voltages, water flow rate, compressor’s input and output pressure, and supplied power.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Turning Characteristics and Control of Submerged and Floating Vehicles

A nonlinear model that permits determination of both the coursekeeping and turning qualities of a submerged or floating vehicle is developed. Under conditions consistent with observed behavior, vehicle performance is shown to be dominated by a relatively small number of characteristic constants. This simplification permits a tradeoff relation to be developed between turning behavior and the required value of maximum rudder-rate. A velocity-adaptive control law is derived that provides optimal response to step changes in yaw angle for both large and small heading commands.
Time course of repeated intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière's disease.

Objectives/Hypothesis: With low-dose and titration protocols, subsequent intratympanic (IT) gentamicin injections are frequently necessary for vertigo control in Meniere's disease. To date, studies have not provided detailed descriptions of the time course of recurrent vertigo and repeated injections. Our objective is to provide such a description with a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, which may enable accurate predictions of the probability of recurrent vertigo after a given time or number of injections. Study Design: Injections of IT gentamicin were administered for unilateral definite Meniere's disease. One injection (or rarely more) in a 6-week period constituted a “round.” Repeat rounds were given when needed for control of recurrent vertigo. Methods: We used a Kaplan-Meier method to quantify percentages of patients with control of vertigo over an 8-year period. A separate curve was created for each number of rounds, and failure for each was defined as the need for an additional round. Results: Of 78 patients, 75 (96%) achieved sufficient vertigo control to avoid ablative surgery, and 42 (54%) required only one round. Thirty-six (46%) required multiple rounds. The probability of needing another round increased with each subsequent one, through four rounds. The median times to the next round after one, two, or three rounds were 148, 118, and 124 days, respectively. Conclusions: More than half of patients need only one round of IT gentamicin injections. With each additional round through the fourth one, the probability of additional rounds increases. Nevertheless, the majority (96%) of patients do not need ablative surgery after IT gentamicin. Laryngoscope, 2009
Controlled Aggregation of Ferritin to Modulate MRI Relaxivity

Ferritin is an iron storage protein expressed in varying concentrations in mammalian cells. The deposition of ferric iron in the core of ferritin makes it a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, and ferritin has recently been proposed as a gene expression reporter protein for magnetic resonance imaging. To date, ferritin has been overexpressed in vivo and has been coexpressed with transferrin receptor to increase iron loading in cells. However, ferritin has a relatively low T(2) relaxivity (R(2) approximately 1 mM(-1)s(-1)) at typical magnetic field strengths and so requires high levels of expression to be detected. One way to modulate the transverse relaxivity of a superparamagnetic agent is to cause it to aggregate, thereby manipulating the magnetic field gradients through which water diffuses. In this work, it is demonstrated by computer simulation and in vitro that aggregation of ferritin can alter relaxivity. The effects of aggregate size and intraaggregate perturber spacing on R(2) are studied. Computer modeling indicates that the optimal spacing of the ferritin molecules in aggregate for increasing R(2) is 100-200 nm for a typical range of water diffusion rates. Chemical cross-linking of ferritin at 12 A spacing led to a 70% increase in R(2) compared to uncross-linked ferritin controls. To modulate ferritin aggregation in a potentially biologically relevant manner, ferritin was attached to actin and polymerized in vitro. The polymerization of ferritin-F-actin caused a 20% increase in R(2) compared to unpolymerized ferritin-G-actin. The R(2)-value was increased by another 10% by spacing the ferritin farther apart on the actin filaments. The modulation of ferritin aggregation by binding to cytoskeletal elements may be a useful strategy to make a functional reporter gene for magnetic resonance imaging.
Quality of Life and Risk for Malnutrition in a Group of Older Adults

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To describe associations between quality of life and factors associated with risk of malnutrition in adult meal program participants. Quality of life is an important outcomes measure for health care. There has been little empirical research to characterize relationships between quality of life and factors associated with malnutrition in older adults. To investigate such relationships, all participants in the Title III-C meals programs age 60 and over in Pepin County, Wisconsin, were asked to complete a questionnaire during a 1-month period in the spring of 1996. The instrument included the Nutrition Screening Initiative Determine Checklist, quality of life (QOL) and quality of health (QOH) scales, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and scales to evaluate functional status, food security, social satisfaction, and food satisfaction. Sociodemographic data were also obtained. The response rate was 86%, with 155 usable questionnaires; n=108 and 47 for congregate (C) and home-delivered meal (HD) participants, respectively. Ages (x±SD) for C were 78.1±7.3 and for HD 81.4±7.5, P P P P P P
Total Synthesis of Lepadiformine Alkaloids using N-Boc α-Amino Nitriles as Trianion Synthons

Lepadiformine A, B, and C were synthesized in an enantiomerically pure form using a reductive cyclization strategy. N-Boc α-amino nitriles were deprotonated and alkylated with enantiomerically pure dibromides to afford the first ring. The products were manipulated to introduce phosphate leaving groups, and subsequent reductive lithiation followed by intramolecular alkylation formed the second ring with high stereoselectivity. The third ring was formed by intramolecular displacement of a mesylate by the deprotected amine. Lepadiformine A and B contain a hydroxymethyl group adjacent to the amine. This appendage was introduced in a sequence using a Polonovski–Potier reaction as the key step. The synthetic strategy is stereoselective and convergent and demonstrates the utility of N-Boc α-amino nitriles as linchpins for alkaloid synthesis.
The misuses and effective uses of constructivist teaching

Constructivism has emerged as a very powerful model for explaining how knowledge is produced in the world as well as how students learn. Moreover, constructivist teaching practices are becoming more prevalent in teacher education programs and public schools across the nation, while demonstrating significant success in promoting student learning. In this essay, the author takes a serious look at constructivist teaching practices highlighting both the promises and potential problems of these practices. The author argues that constructivist teaching has often been misinterpreted and misused, resulting in learning practices that neither challenge students nor address their needs. He outlines some of the ways in which constructivism has been misconstrued and analyzes several ways in which constructivist teaching has been misused. The author also presents two examples that illustrate the effective use of constructivist teaching and explains what makes them successful.
Axonal transport of tubulin in tit pioneer neurons in situ

Abstract In neurons, tubulin is synthesized only in the cell body or dendrites, yet the growing axon requires a steady supply of this protein at the growth cone. Hence, some mechanism must exist to move tubulin from the cell body to the growth cone. Transport could conceivably occur by simple diffusion, translocation of polymer, or some form of monomer or oligomer transport. Evidence for all these has been presented in a variety of experimental systems. We have directly studied the movement of microtubules in 12 growing axons in live grasshopper Till neurons in their natural environment by labeling the polymer with a caged fluorophore, biscaged fluorescein. No evidence of polymer transport was found. Hence, tubulin movement in these neurons must occur by movement of monomeric tubulin, either by transport or diffusion. To resolve these conflicting views, we discuss the conditions under which diffusion is feasible as a transport mechanism.
Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina: deficiency of ornithine aminotransferase in transformed lymphocytes

Abstract Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina is an inherited form of chorioretinal degeneration associated with hyperornithinemia. We measured the activity of ornithine aminotransferase (L-ornithine:2-oxo-acid aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.13) in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes of a patient with gyrate atrophy and her daughter. The patient's cells had no detectable ornithine aminotransferase activity, and the activity in the heterozygote's cells was 44% of normal values. Measurements of [3H]thymidine incorporation and other transformation-affected enzymes verified that the patient's cells were transformed. These results demonstrate an enzyme deficiency in gyrate atrophy.
The Early Work-Up for Isolated Ligamentous Injury of the Cervical Spine: Does Computed Tomography Scan Have a Role?

Background: Helical computed tomography (HCT) scan is the preferred modality for diagnosing fractures of the cervical spine in blunt trauma. We hypothesize that HCT can be used as a screening tool for isolated ligamentous injury (LI) in blunt trauma. Methods: A prospective, consecutive series study design was used to include patients that could not have their cervical spine cleared clinically. All patients underwent HCT (occiput-T1) and plain radiographs (PR) with five views of the cervical spine. Patients with clinical or radiographic abnormalities without fracture underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Demographic and outcome data were collected. The attending radiologist's interpretation was used for clinical management. Three neuroradiologists in a blinded fashion re-reviewed the studies (HCT, PR, and MRI) of the MRI subgroup. Results: One thousand five hundred seventy-seven patients met the study criteria. Two hundred seventy-eight had 416 cervical spine fractures. PR failed to identify 299 of 416 (72%) cervical spine fractures in 208 of 278 (74.8%) patients. Of the 1,299 (82%) patients who had no fracture, 85 (6.5%) required an MRI. The mean time from admission to MRI was 3 days for the LI subgroup. Of these, 21 of 85 (25%) had LI by MRI. Seven of 21 (33.3%) patients had an abnormal HCT versus 3 of 21 (14.3%) patients who had an abnormal PR. Four of 85 (4.7%) patients had spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality. One (1.2%) patient required surgical stabilization of LI, as seen on all studies performed (PR, HCT, and MRI). Sensitivities for PR and HCT for LI were 16% and 32%, respectively. Negative predictive values for PR and HCT for LI were 74% and 78%, respectively. Measurements of interrater reliability for MRI, HCT, and PR had kappa values of 0.60, 0.14, and 0.41, respectively. Conclusion: HCT is the most sensitive, specific, and cost-effective modality for screening the cervical spine bony injuries, but it is not an effective modality for screening for cervical LI. MRI is clearly superior to HCT for LI. The indications for MRI include abnormalities on HCT, neurologic deficits, cervical pain or tenderness on examination, or the inability to clear the cervical spine in the obtunded patient. With the current state of the art technology, we have redefined the definition of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality to include spinal cord injuries without boney injuries or LI.