cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
pHEMA-nHA Encapsulation and Delivery of Vancomycin and rhBMP-2 Enhances its Role as a Bone Graft Substitute

Bone grafts are widely used in orthopaedic procedures. Autografts are limited by donor site morbidity while allografts are known for considerable infection and failure rates. A synthetic composite bone graft substitute poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (pHEMA-nHA) was previously developed to stably press-fit in and functionally repair critical-sized rat femoral segmental defects when it was preabsorbed with a single low dose of 300 ng recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/7 (rhBMP-2/7). To facilitate clinical translation of pHEMA-nHA as a synthetic structural bone graft substitute, we examined its ability to encapsulate and release rhBMP-2 and the antibiotic vancomycin. We analyzed the compressive behavior and microstructure of pHEMA-nHA as a function of vancomycin incorporation doses using a dynamic mechanical analyzer and a scanning electron microscope. In vitro release of vancomycin was monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Release of rhBMP-2 from pHEMA-nHA-vancomycin was determined by ELISA. Bioactivity of the released vancomycin and rhBMP-2 was examined by bacterial inhibition and osteogenic transdifferentiation capabilities in cell culture, respectively. Up to 4.8 wt% of vancomycin was incorporated into pHEMA-nHA without compromising its structural integrity and compressive modulus. Encapsulated vancomycin was released in a dose-dependent and sustained manner in phosphate-buffered saline over 2 weeks, and the released vancomycin inhibited Escherichia coli culture. The pHEMA-nHA-vancomycin composite released preabsorbed rhBMP-2 in a sustained manner over 8 days and locally induced osteogenic transdifferentiation of C2C12 cells in culture. pHEMA-nHA can encapsulate and deliver vancomycin and rhBMP-2 in a sustained and localized manner with reduced loading doses. The elasticity, osteoconductivity, and rhBMP-2/vancomycin delivery characteristics of pHEMA-nHA may benefit orthopaedic reconstructions or fusions with enhanced safety and efficiency and reduced infection risk.
Copper facilitated chemiluminescence from the sulfhydryl proteins: Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, spinach ferredoxin and metallothionein

Summary This paper describes a copper mediated formation of active oxygen, presumably 0 2 . , from the sulfhydryl proteins, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase spinach ferredoxin and rabbit liver metallothionein which, on the addition of cyanide in the presence of acetaldehyde, displays as a chemiluminescence. These studies may provide some insights into the mechanisms of copper toxicity and provide a sensitive assay for monitoring the presence of sulfhydryl groups.
Stress fields in composites reinforced by coated cylindrically orthotropic fibers

Abstract Local fields and effective thermoelastic properties are derived for coated fiber composites with cylindrically orthotropic fibers and transversely isotropic coating and matrix phases. Thermomechanical loading situations are considered in which a uniform stress and a uniform temperature change are applied to the boundary of the composite aggregate. A micromechanical model, based on the Mori and Tanaka's concept of average stress in the matrix, is used to account for phase interaction. It is found that a special treatment is needed in formulation of effective properties of composites reinforced by constituents which are curvilinearly anisotropic. Results are presented for a pitch precursor carbon fiber, carbon coating and titanium aluminate matrix system.
Diurnal variation in the dopamine level of rat brain areas: effect of sodium phenobarbital.

Abstract The levels of dopamine in the caudate nucleus, cerebellum, cortex and midbrain were determined every three hours in control rats nd in rats pretreated with sodium phenobarbital over a twenty-four hour period. All animals were adapted for a minimum period of three weeks to an environmental room equipped with a programmed 12 hour dark — 12 hour light illumination cycle. The level of dopamine was highest during the dark phase and lowest during the light phase of the photoperiod in all the brain areas studied. Sodium phenobarbital pretreatment increased dopamine level in all the brain areas studied at most times, particularly during the dark phase and enhanced the circadian rhythmicity of dopamine levels in the cortex, cerebellum and midbrain.
Materials degradation in fission reactors: Lessons learned of relevance to fusion reactor systems

Abstract The management of materials in power reactor systems has become a critically important activity in assuring the safe, reliable and economical operation of these facilities. Over the years, the commercial nuclear power reactor industry has faced numerous ‘surprises’ and unexpected occurrences in materials. Mitigation strategies have sometimes solved one problem at the expense of creating another. Other problems have been solved successfully and have motivated the development of techniques to foresee problems before they occur. This paper focuses on three aspects of fission reactor experience that may benefit future fusion systems. The first is identification of parameters and processes that have had a large impact on the behavior of materials in fission systems such as temperature, dose rate, surface condition, gradients, metallurgical variability and effects of the environment. The second is the development of materials performance and failure models to provide a basis for assuring component integrity. Last is the development of proactive materials management programs that identify and pre-empt degradation processes before they can become problems. These aspects of LWR experience along with the growing experience with materials in the more demanding advanced fission reactor systems form the basis for a set of ‘lessons learned’ to aid in the successful management of materials in fusion reactor systems.
All-cause mortality after tracheostomy at a tertiary care hospital over a 10-month period.

Objective. To evaluate perioperative mortality after tracheostomy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing routine tracheostomy over a 10-month period.Study Design. Case series with planned data collection.Setting. Tertiary care hospital.Subjects. Mechanically ventilated patients.Methods. Prospective analysis of ICU patients undergoing tracheostomy placement over 10 months was performed. Variables evaluated were demographics, pretracheostomy length of stay, time on ventilator, time to death, preoperative comorbidities, and cause of death.Results. There were 129 consultations resulting in 115 tracheostomies, of which 100 were included for study. The overall 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 25%, including palliative care deaths. Cause of death in all cases was due to a preexisting condition and not from tracheostomy. Patients who died within the 30-day postoperative period were found to have significant differences in age, pretracheostomy length of stay, location of tracheostomy, and preopera...
Design and characterization of electronic sensing system for a 13 × 13 biomechanical ground reaction sensor array

This paper presents the design and characterization of an electronic sensing system interfaced with a high-density flexible biomechanical ground reaction sensor array (GRSA). The prototype system can be incorporated into a personal boot heel to measure real-time ground force shear strain and sole deformation associated with a human bipedal locomotion thus providing zero-velocity correction to an inertial measurement unit placed in a close proximity. This approach can greatly reduce inertial error accumulation over time and improve positioning accuracy. The electronic sensing system consists of a front-end multiplexer that can sequentially connect individual capacitive sensing nodes from a 13 × 13 GRSA to a capacitance-to-voltage converter followed by a 12-bit ADC sampled at 66.7 k-samples/sec a digital timing & control unit and a driving circuitry. The electronics were fabricated in XFAB 0.35 μm CMOS process and can achieve a gait ground velocity sensing resolution of 40 μm/sec while dissipating 3mW power.
Feeding tubes, slippery slopes, and physician-assisted suicide.

In the past few years, articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, 1 the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2 and the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 3 have suggested that...
A Standard Pattern for Sequential File Maintenance

The author explores the possibilities of ready-made logic in developing programs and, as an illustration, proposes a standard or prototype approach to file maintenance. The approach illustrated is defined by an annotated program logic chard and a series of checklists, cross-referenced to each other.
Designing experiments for precise estimation of all or some of the constants in a mechanistic model

An important experimental problem in chemical engineering is to collect data in order to estimate constants such as rate constants and activation energies which are needed, for example, in equipment and plant design. For a given amount of experimental effort, the engineer wants these constants to be estimated as precisely as possible. In this paper, we discuss statistical design procedures that might be used to accomplish this goal. Available procedures are reviewed for estimating precisely all the constants in a mechanistically based mathematical model. In addition, a new procedure is illustrated for precisely estimating only some of the constants which may be of more interest than the others. Un important probleme experimental, dans le domaine du genie chimique, est de recueillir des donnees pour estimer les constantes (comme celles qui ont trait a la vitesse et aux energies d'activation) qui sont necessaires, par exemple, lors de la conception de l'outillage et de l'usine. Pour un certain degre de travail experimental, l'ingenieur desire determiner ces constantes avec autant de precision que possible; on traite, dans le present travail, des procedes de calcul statistique qu'on peut utiliser pour atteindre ce but. On examine les procedes disponibles pour determiner avec precision toutes les constantes dans un modele mathematique du genre mecanistique On illustre egalement un nouveau procede pour estimer avec precision quelques constantes seulement qui peuvent presenter un interet parti-culier.
In situ forming physical hydrogels for three-dimensional tissue morphogenesis

In situ forming physical hydrogels are formed through a biologically benign reaction between two multi-arm macromers, one containing terminal thiol and the other containing terminal vinyl sulfone groups. One macromer is self-assembled through a coiled-coil domain; and the physical junction of this macromer confers the physical nature to the whole network. Unlike covalently cross-linked hydrogels in which material degradation is a prerequisite for three-dimensional cell movement, these physical hydrogels have junctions that undergo reversible dissociation and re-association, constitutively opening paths for cell movement. Epithelial cells encapsulated in these hydrogels can form hollow spherical cysts without the need for material degradation.
Power spectra of large scintillation signals

Abstract Scintillation spectra using radio stellar sources at the time of large scintillation levels show a monotonically decreasing spectral density with increasing frequency in contrast to a spectral flatness for v v f previously reported for small levels.
Complexes containing bridging tin- and germanium-substituted metallocarboxylate ligands from the reactions of Ph3SnOH and Ph3GeOH with Os3(CO)12 in the presence of base

Abstract The first examples of bridging tin- and germanium-substituted metallocarboxylate ligands have been obtained from the reactions of Ph3SnOH and Ph3GeOH with Os3(CO)12 under basic conditions. Two products: Os3(CO)10(μ-η2-O=COSnPh3)(μ-OMe), 1 (18% yield) and Os3(CO)10(μ-OMe)(μ-OH), 2 (6.9% yield) were obtained from the reaction of Ph3SnOH with Os3(CO)12 in the presence of [Bu4N]OH in methanol solvent. The compound Os3(CO)10(μ-η2-O=COGePh3)(μ-OMe), 3 (7.3% yield) was prepared similarly by using Ph3GeOH in place of Ph3SnOH. Each of the products 1–3 were characterized structurally by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 3 each contain an μ-η2-O=COMPh3, M = Sn or Ge ligand bridging a pair of osmium atoms in a triosmium carbonyl cluster complex.
Recycling Is Not Always Good

Discusses the ethical, legal, economic, and academic implications of plagiarism with a special emplhasis on the ramifications for IEEE Proceedings and other IEEE publications. Reports on rules the IEEE imposes on authors and identifies the steps the IEEE is taking to ensure copyright protection of intellectual property.
The music information retrieval evaluation exchange (2005-2007): A window into music information retrieval research

The Music Information Retrieval Evaluation eXchange (MIREX) is the community-based framework for the formal evaluation of Music Information Retrieval (MIR) systems and algorithms. By looking at the background, structure, challenges, and contributions of MIREX this paper provides some insights into the world of MIR research. Because MIREX tasks are defined by the community they reflect the interests, techniques, and research paradigms of the community as a whole. Both MIREX and MIR have a strong bias toward audio-based approaches as most MIR researchers have strengths in signal processing. Spectral-based approaches to MIR tasks have led to advancements in the MIR field but they now appear to be reaching their limits of effectiveness. This limitation is called the “glass ceiling” problem and the MIREX results data support its existence. The post-hoc analyses of MIREX results data indicate that there are groups of systems that perform equally well within various MIR tasks. There are many challenges facing MIREX and MIR research most of which have their root causes in the intellectual property issues surrounding music. The current inability of researchers to test their approaches against the MIREX test collections outside the annual MIREX cycle is hindering the rapid development of improved MIR systems.
The role of feed composition on the composting process. I. Effect on composting activity

Abstract In this study the influence of four feed augmentations on a commercial composting mixture have been investigated in a systematic manner using controlled laboratory experiments. The four feed augmentations studied were: grass clippings, leaves, cabbage and soya bean meal. Based upon the analysis of temperature/time data for the various composting systems, measurement of respiration rates, and physical and chemical characterization of the various materials, some scientific conclusions can be drawn. The addition of grass up to levels of about 30% can be tolerated. However, due to high moisture levels associated with grass, additional bulking agents may be required to accommodate higher grass loadings. The presence of high loadings of leaves in autumn may cause some retardation of the composting activity necessitating longer composting times. High moisture vegetables, such as cabbage, can pose processing problems when present in high loadings. Although these vegetables are easily compostable, the rel...
Dual-channel, single-photon upconversion detector at 1.3 μm

We demonstrate a two-channel, upconversion detector for counting 1300-nm-wavelength photons. By using two pumps near 1550 nm, photons near 1300 nm are converted to two spectrally distinct channels near 710 nm using sum-frequency generation (SFG) in a periodically poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) waveguide. We used spectral-conversion engineering to design the phase-modulated PPLN waveguide for simultaneous quasi-phasematching of two SFG processes. The two channels exhibit 31% and 25% full-system photon detection efficiency, and very low dark count rates (650 and 550 counts per second at a peak external conversion efficiency of 70%) through filtering using a volume Bragg grating. We investigate applications of the dual-channel upconversion detector as a frequency-shifting beamsplitter, and as a time-to-frequency converter to enable higher-data-rate quantum communications.
THE STOKES HYDRODYNAMIC RESISTANCE OF NONSPHERICAL PARTICLES

A review is presented of the motion of an isolated, nonspherical particle of general shape settling at small Reynolds numbers through an unbounded quiescent fluid—with a view towards establishing whether or not all particles ultimately attain a unique, time-independent terminal state, independently of their initial orientation and state of motion. Effects of inhomogeneities in internal mass distribution are incorporated into the analysis. Differences are pointed out between gravity and centrifugal settling rates for nonspherical particles. These arise from the tendency of such particles to adopt preferential orientations in a centrifugal field of force owing to variations in field strength over the length of the particle, ft is pointed out that Coriolis forces acting on both the fluid and particle in a centrifuge cause the particles to settle more slowly. Moreover, in the case of spherical particles, the particle path deviates from a purely radial trajectory. Effects of both translational and rotational B...
Signal transducing membrane complexes of photoreceptor outer segments.

Abstract Signal transduction in outer segments of vertebrate photoreceptors is mediated by a series of reactions among multiple polypeptides that form protein–protein complexes within or on the surface of the disk and plasma membranes. The individual components in the activation reactions include the photon receptor rhodopsin and the products of its absorption of light, the three subunits of the G protein, transducin, the four subunits of the cGMP phosphodiesterase, PDE6 and the four subunits of the cGMP-gated cation channel. Recovery involves membrane complexes with additional polypeptides including the Na + /Ca 2+ , K + exchanger, NCKX2, rhodopsin kinases RK1 and RK7, arrestin, guanylate cyclases, guanylate cyclase activating proteins, GCAP1 and GCAP2, and the GTPase accelerating complex of RGS9-1, G β5L , and membrane anchor R9AP. Modes of membrane binding by these polypeptides include transmembrane helices, fatty acyl or isoprenyl modifications, polar interactions with lipid head groups, non-polar interactions of hydrophobic side chains with lipid hydrocarbon phase, and both polar and non-polar protein–protein interactions. In the course of signal transduction, complexes among these polypeptides form and dissociate, and undergo structural rearrangements that are coupled to their interactions with and catalysis of reactions by small molecules and ions, including guanine nucleotides, ATP, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and lipids. The substantial progress that has been made in understanding the composition and function of these complexes is reviewed, along with the more preliminary state of our understanding of the structures of these complexes and the challenges and opportunities that present themselves for deepening our understanding of these complexes, and how they work together to convert a light signal into an electrical signal.
Silver(I) 3-Aminomethylpyridine Complexes, Part 2: Effect of Ligand Ratio, Hydrogen Bonding, and π-Stacking with an Interacting Anion

Reaction of 3-aminomethylpyridine (3-amp) with silver(I) salts of triflate (OTf-) and trifluoroacetate (tfa-) produce a variety of multidimensional coordination networks whose structures depend on the stoichiometry of the components present. A 1:1 ratio of 3-amp to AgX produces a linear polymer, 1, when X = tfa- and a planar sheet, 2, when X = OTf-. Addition of a second equivalent of ligand increases the dimensionality of both structures by one to form a two-dimensional sheet, 3, and a three-dimensional system, 4, for their respective anions. Addition of 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) to solutions of any of the previous compounds produces the fixed-ratio complexes 5 (tfa- salt) and 6 (OTf- salt). The bipyridyl ligand halts the polymerization of compounds 1-4 by cutting the chain after each silver(I) link and forcing a 1:2:2 ratio of 3-amp to AgX to bipy. Compound 5, however, remains polymeric in nature due to the closed-shell Ag-Ag interactions of the planar metals holding the monomers together. Differences between structures of each ratio stem from the differences in basicity and in the extra degree of H-bonding ability that the OTf- anion has over tfa-.
An experimental approach to estimate damage and remaining life of metals under uniaxial fatigue loading

Abstract An experimental procedure to estimate damage evolution and remaining fatigue life of metals associated with fatigue loading is presented. Experimental phase involves uniaxial tension–compression fatigue tests performed with solid API 5L X52 and tubular carbon steel 1018 specimens subjected to both constant and variable amplitude loading. A correlation between the so-called damage parameter and the thermal response of a material at different damage levels is proposed. Results demonstrate that the correlation can estimate damage evolution with reasonable accuracy in both constant and variable amplitude fatigue processes. It is shown that under the conditions tested the evolution of damage parameter with respect to the normalized fatigue life is independent of the load amplitude, load ratio, loading sequence, material properties, and specimen geometry. The proposed correlation and the relationship between the damage parameter and the normalized fatigue life are employed to develop a non-destructive method to predict the remaining fatigue life of metallic specimens with prior fatigue damage. The method is applied to both constant and variable amplitude loading and the predicted results are found to be in good agreement with those obtained from the experiments.
Decision style and its impact on managers and management

Abstract Decision styles, defined by the primary and secondary considerations in choice making and the implementation tactics preferred by managers, are used to explain the ways in which managers with a given style take action. Examples are used to illustrate the unique approaches taken by managers with each style in their decisions concerning leadership, team building, strategic management, control, and related issues that managers grapple with to fashion a desired future. The basis for shifts in style and the potential for conflict or collaboration between individuals with particular styles is discussed.
Is Bacterial Fatty Acid Synthesis a Valid Target for Antibacterial Drug Discovery

The emergence of resistance against most current drugs emphasizes the need to develop new approaches to control bacterial pathogens, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial fatty acid synthesis is one such target that is being actively pursued by several research groups to develop anti-Staphylococcal agents. Recently, the wisdom of this approach has been challenged based on the ability of a Gram-positive bacterium to incorporate extracellular fatty acids and thus circumvent the inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis. The generality of this conclusion has been challenged, and there is enough diversity in the enzymes and regulation of fatty acid synthesis in bacteria to conclude that there is not a single organism that can be considered typical and representative of bacteria as a whole. We are left without a clear resolution to this ongoing debate and await new basic research to define the pathways for fatty acid uptake and that determine the biochemical and genetic mechanisms for the regulation of fatty acid synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria. These crucial experiments will determine whether diversity in the control of this important pathway accounts for the apparently different responses of Gram-positive bacteria to the inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis in presence of extracellular fatty acid supplements.
On Occupational Performance

Occupational therapists use many complex and dynamic techniques and approaches in their interventions. The notion of occupational performance is emerging within our profession as one such approach that is unique to occupational therapy and that has great promise for our clients. The thesis of this article is that for occupational performance to be therapeutic, it must meet certain necessary conditions. In this article the author offers a definition of occupational performance, explores the three conditions of occupational performance, and explores the application of occupational performance in therapy.
A Meta-Analysis of Infant Habituation and Recognition Memory Performance as Predictors of Later IQ

A meta-analytic review of the literature on infant habituation and recognition memory performance as predictors of later IQ suggests several conclusions: (1) Habituation and recognition memory assessments made on a variety of risk and nonrisk samples in the first year of life predict later IQ assessed between 1 and 8 years of age with a weighted (for N) average of normalized correlations of .36 or a raw median correlation of .45. (2) The size of the predictive correlation is essentially the same for habituation and for recognition memory paradigms. (3) This prediction phenomenon is not obviously associated solely with one laboratory, one particular infant response measure, or a few extremely disordered infants. (4) The level of prediction to childhood IQ is substantial given the reliability of the infant measures. (5) Predictions are somewhat higher for risk than for nonrisk samples. (6) Predictions are consistently higher than for standardized infant tests of general development for nonrisk but not for risk samples, and they are not consistently higher than predicting from parental education and socioeconomic status or a few other infant behaviours for nonrisk samples. (8) Coefficients may be higher when the predicting assessments are made between 2 and 8 months of age than earlier or later, but prediction coefficients are remarkably consistent across the observed outcome age period of 2-8 years.
Synthesis and Ring-Opening Polymerization of 5-Azepane-2-one Ethylene Ketal: A New Route to Functional Aliphatic Polyamides

A functional derivative of e-caprolactam, 5-azepane-2-one ethylene ketal or γ-ethylene ketal e-caprolactam, has been synthesized by a very straightforward and highly efficient Beckmann rearrangement reaction. Homopolymers of this new monomer and its copolymers with e-caprolactam have been synthesized by anionic ring-opening polymerization using N-acetyl-e-caprolactam and NaH. The ketone groups can be easily released by deacetalyzation, and subsequent reaction leads to complete reduction to hydroxyl pendant groups. The ketone-containing (co)polymers respond sensitively to both thermal and photo-cross-linking in this novel class of materials. These new aliphatic polyamides bearing either ketone or hydroxyl pendant groups provide entries into a large number of application areas.
An information theoretic measure for the evaluation of ordinal scale data

This article describes a new measure of dispersion as an indication of consensus and dissention. Building on the generally accepted Shannon entropy, this measure utilizes a probability distribution and the ordered ranking of categories in an ordinal scale distribution to yield a value confined to the unit interval. Unlike other measures that need to be normalized, this measure is always in the interval 0 to 1. The measure is typically applied to the Likert scale to determine degrees of agreement among ordinal-ranked categories when one is dealing with data collection and analysis, although other scales are possible. Using this measure, investigators can easily determine the proximity of ordinal data to consensus (agreement) or dissention. Consensus and dissention are defined relative to the degree of proximity of values constituting a frequency distribution on the ordinal scale measure. The authors identify a set of criteria that a measure must satisfy in order to be an acceptable indicator of consensus and show how the consensus measure satisfies all the criteria.
A polynomial time algorithm for testing implications of a join dependency and embodied functional dependencies

The problem of deciding whether a full join dependency (JD) b [R] and a set of functional dependencies (FDs) F imply an embedded join dependency (EJD) b [S] is known to be NP-complete. We show that the problem can be decided in polynomial time if S ⊆ R and F is embedded in R. Our work uses arguments based on an extension of complete intersection graphs rather than tableaus. This approach has facilitated our results and should prove useful for future research.
Flow conductivity of retina and its role in retinal adhesion.

Abstract The flow conductivity of the rabbit retina has been measured and found to be 9·4 × 10 −9 cm 4 dyn −1 sec −1 at 37°. The measured density of the retina was found to be 1·0174 g/cm 3 . These properties of the retina are used to explain the adhesion of the retina to the underlying tissue. The major conclusion is that the retina cannot detach unless a tear or hole develops.
Maturational changes in glutamine transport by rat jejunal brush border membrane vesicles.

ABSTRACT: The ontogeny of glutamine uptake by jejunal brush border membrane vesicles was studied in suckling and weanling rats and compared with the data obtained from previous studies done on adult rats in our laboratory. Glutamine uptake represented transport into the intravesicular space rather than mere binding into the membrane as evident by osmolality study. The process of glutamine uptake was temperature dependent suggesting a carriermediated process with a pH optimum at 7.0. Glutamine uptake was driven by Na+ and K+ gradient in both suckling and weanling rats. Both processes exhibited saturation kinetics and were inhibited by other neutral amino acids suggesting the presence of Na+-dependent neutral brush border system and Na+-independent (L)-like system. The Vmaxof Na+-dependent and Na+-independent processes were significantly greater in suckling rats with Vmax of 4.9 ± 0.36 nmol·mg protein-1.7 s-1 compared to weanling rats with Vmax of 2.4 ± 0.2 nmol·mg protein-1. 7 s-1 and adult rats with Vmax of 0.70 nmol·mg protein-1 -7 s-1. The greater Vmax in suckling rats is also evident when the kinetic parameters are analyzed by subtracting the sodium-dependent uptake values from the sodium-independent values. Vmax of 1.59 ±0.3 and 0.76 ± 0.01 nmol·mg protein-17 s-1 in suckling and weanling rats, respectively, p < 0.01. Km values were not different at 2.5 ± 0.6 and 3.5 ± 0.6 mM, respectively). The data suggest that the activity and/or the number of transporters are greater during the period of active growth and development. We conclude that glutamine transport in brush border membrane vesicles undergoes age-dependent changes with greater maximal capacity to transport glutamine in the suckling period.
Evaluation of kiosk-based tailoring to promote household safety behaviors in an urban pediatric primary care practice

We tested a kiosk-based tailoring intervention with a sample of 144 parents of young children using a two-group randomized controlled design to evaluate the kiosk. Intervention group parents (n = 70) answered 50 questions at a practice-based kiosk and they and their child's physician received immediate feedback reports of their injury prevention needs. Four weeks later, both control (n = 74) and intervention parents completed a telephone interview. Safety knowledge, beliefs, and practices were compared at follow-up. Compared to control group parents, intervention group parents were more knowledgeable about the inappropriateness of young children riding in the front seat of a car (16% versus 5%, p < 0.05), less likely to believe that teaching a child to mind you is the best way to prevent injuries (64% versus 86%, p < 0.05), and more likely to report that they "have syrup of ipecac" (34% versus 9%, p < 0.001) and "know how to use" it (24% versus 4%, p < 0.002). This study provides further support for the use of tailored communication to address the prevention of injuries to young children but calls for continued investigation in the area.
Characterization of a salt-tolerant extracellular a-amylase from Bacillus dipsosauri

Aims: The aims of this study were to purify and characterize an extracellular α-amylase from the salt-tolerant bacterium Bacillus dipsosauri . Methods and Results: An extracellular α-amylase from B. dipsosauri strain DD1 was studied using the synthetic substrate 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-α- D -maltotrioside. Formation of the enzyme was induced by starch, repressed by D -glucose and highest after growth in medium containing 1·0 mol l −1 KCl. The α-amylase activity increased with KCl concentration, showed a pH optimum of 6·5, was stable up to 60 °C and was stimulated by 1·0 mol l −1 Na 2SO4. The enzyme was purified from spent culture medium to apparent homogeneity by precipitation with ethanol, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, centrifugal membrane filtration and gel-filtration chromatography on BioGel P-100. The purified enzyme had a denatured molecular mass of about 80 kDa but behaved on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels as if it had a mass of about 30 kDa. The enzyme was partially inhibited by glucose-containing oligosaccharides of increasing length and strongly inhibited by the divalent cations Cd2+ and Zn2+. Conclusions: The extracellular α-amylase from B. dipsosauri strain DD1 was purified to homogeneity and found to exhibit an unusually high degree of salt tolerance. Significance and Impact of the Study: The α-amylase from B. dipsosauri differs from previously described enzymes and may be useful for the processing of starches under high-salt conditions.
Prosopis glandulosa and the nitrogen balance of rangelands: extent and occurrence of nodulation.

We report the recovery of root nodules from P. glandulosa var. glandulosa in the eastern portion of its range, where the species reaches its greatest vegetational development. Single cores 4.7 cm in diameter and up to 250 cm deep yielded from 0 to over 250 nodules. Nodules were found at all depths below 10 cm, with the highest concentration often around 100 cm. Detailed studies of three trees revealed relatively small volume densities of about 0.02 nodules cm-3, high surface area densities of 2-4 nodules cm-2, and high nodule biomass of 8-23 g m-2, when compared to cultivated legumes. Nodules are small, weakly attached to roots that are seldom over 0.5 mm in diameter, and not easily observed under field conditions. No nodules were recovered from cores from the more arid western portion of P.glandulosa's range, although seedlings nodulated readily in these soils in the glasshouse as well as in most unamended soils from throughout mesquite's geographical range. Local differences in nodulating potential of soils included a negative association with mesquite canopies and a positive association with depth. These results suggest a significant role for biological fixation in the nitrogen regime and vegetation dynamics of Prosopis-dominated ecosystems.
MULTIPLE CLASS MULTIPLE-INSTANCE LEARNING AND ITS APPLICATION TO IMAGE CATEGORIZATION

We propose a Multiple Class Multiple-Instance (MCMI) learning approach and demonstrate its application to the problem of image categorization. Our method extends the binary Multiple-Instance learning approach for image categorization. Instead of constructing a set of binary classifiers (each trained to separate one category from the rest) and then making the final decision based on the winner of all the binary classifiers, our method directly allows the computation of a multi-class classifier by first projecting each training image onto a multi-class feature space and then simultaneously minimizing the multi-class objective function in a Support Vector Machine framework. The multi-class feature space is constructed based on the instance prototypes obtained by Multiple-Instance learning which treats an image as a set of instances with training labels being associated with images rather than instances. The experiment results on two challenging data sets demonstrate that our method achieved better classification accuracy and is less sensitive to the training sample size compared with traditional one-versus-the-rest binary MI classification methods.
Spontaneous Supersymmetric Generation of an Indeterminate Mass Scale and a Possible Light Sterile Neutrino

If a global continuous symmetry of a supersymmetric field theory is spontaneously broken while preserving the supersymmetry, the resulting theory has a massless superfield. One of its two bosonic degrees of freedom is the familiar phase rotation of the usual massless Nambu-Goldstone boson, but the other is a scale transformation. An indeterminate mass scale is thus generated. In the fermion sector, a seesaw texture appears which may be suitable for a possible light sterile neutrino. This feature persists even after the gauging of the continuous symmetry or the breaking of the supersymmetry to resolve the aforementioned mass-scale ambiguity.
Acute changes in lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein particle size after an endurance triathlon.

The effect of an endurance triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride, 26.2-mile run, in succession) on plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and B levels, and LDL particle size was determined in 34 male and six female participants 6 to 12 hours before and immediately after the completion of the triathlon. Plasma TG decreased significantly (70% decrease) in both men and women. In men the change in plasma TG was inversely associated with baseline TG values (P less than .0001). Plasma TC and LDL cholesterol did not change significantly in male athletes but decreased significantly in women. A significant increase in HDL cholesterol was observed in both men (18% increase, P less than .0001) and women (5% increase, P less than .01). In men the increase in HDL cholesterol was inversely correlated with the decrease in triglycerides (P less than .0002). Plasma apo A-I levels increased significantly only in the male group (P less than .005), whereas plasma apo B levels decreased significantly in both men and women (P less than .0005). LDL particle size increased in seven males, whereas in the remaining males and all females no change in LDL size was observed. The increase in LDL particle size in these seven subjects was associated with a greater decline in plasma TG compared with the remaining men (P less than .005) and women (P less than .03). These results indicate that prolonged strenuous physical exercise can induce acute modifications of plasma lipoproteins, which may in part be related to enhanced lipolysis.
Sonic Millip3De: A massively parallel 3D-stacked accelerator for 3D ultrasound

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is becoming common for non-invasive medical imaging because of its high accuracy, safety, and ease of use. Unlike other modalities, ultrasound transducers require little power, which makes hand-held imaging platforms possible, and several low-resolution 2D devices are commercially available today. However, the extreme computational requirements (and associated power requirements) of 3D ultrasound image formation has, to date, precluded hand-held 3D capable devices. We describe the Sonic Millip3De, a new system architecture and accelerator for 3D ultrasound beamformation-the most computationally intensive aspect of image formation. Our three-layer die-stacked design features a custom beamsum accelerator that employs massive data parallelism and a streaming transform-select-reduce pipeline architecture enabled by our new iterative beamsum delay calculation algorithm. Based on RTL-level design and floorplanning for an industrial 45nm process, we show Sonic Millip3De can enable 3D ultrasound with a fully sampled 128×96 transducer array within a 16W full-system power budget (400× less than a conventional DSP solution) and will meet a 5W safe power target by the 11nm node.
Chemical lasers: A survey of current research

A brief summary is presented of recent chemical laser research. The principal emphasis is on current device performance, particularly those areas where promising new work is being done. Chemical kinetics and theoretical modeling are not discussed in detail, but extensive references are provided for the reader who wishes to pursue these subjects in greater depth. The literature citations have been updated as of November 24, 1972.
Camitz palmaris longus abductorplasty for severe thenar atrophy secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome

This is a retrospective review of 29 patients (33 hands) who underwent a palmaris longus transfer because of severe thenar atrophy secondary to median nerve entrapment at the wrist. The mean follow-up was 17 months. Ninety-four percent of our patients were satisfied because their thumb function improved. Twenty-six of the patients had the transfer at the time of initial release of the carpal tunnel, and three patients had the transfer when the carpal tunnel was released a second time. The transfer helps with thumb palmar abduction, and the palmaris longus is an expendable muscle for transfer.
Midterm outcomes using the physio ring in mitral valve reconstruction: experience in 492 patients.

Background Mitral valve reconstruction using standardized Carpentier techniques is the treatment of choice for most patients with regurgitant lesions. Demonstrated predictability and stability make it an attractive alternative to valve replacement. The Physio Ring's inherent flexibility provides a viable alternative in the application of remodeling techniques and appears to be physiologically superior to traditional approaches. Methods Between April 1994 and October 2000, 492 consecutive patients underwent mitral valve reconstruction using standardized Carpentier techniques with the Carpentier-Edwards Physio Ring (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA). There were 267 men (54.3%) and 225 women (45.7%). Mean age was 64.2 years (range, 18 to 86). Almost one-half (44.3%) were 70 years of age or over. The mitral valve etiology was congenital in 7 patients (1.4%), myxomatous in 351 patients (71.3%), ischemic in 88 (17.9%), rheumatic in 26 (5.3%), endocarditis in 9 (1.8%), calcific in 8 (1.6%), and other abnormalities in 3 (0.6%). Results Isolated mitral valve reconstruction was performed in 282 patients (57.3%), with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 182 (37.0%), with valve replacement in 11 (2.2%), and with CABG and valve replacement in 17 (3.5%). All patients (100.0%) had ring annuloplasty, 263 (53.5%) leaflet resection, 140 (28.5%) chordal resection, 55 (11.2%) chordal transposition, 48 (9.8%) chordal shortening, and 15 (3.0%) commissurotomy. Overall hospital mortality was 3.5% (17 of 492). Postoperative complications included respiratory insufficiency in 55 patients (11.2%), low cardiac output in 13 (2.6%), stroke in 14 (2.8%), reoperation for bleeding in 13 (2.6%), renal insufficiency in 21 (4.3%), and myocardial infarction in 5 (1.0%), and new onset of atrial fibrillation in 74 patients (15.0%). The cumulative follow-up for the series was 1,522.9 patient years and ranged from 1 to 101.0 months (mean, 38.5 months). There were 11 reconstruction failures (2.3%) requiring ring explant. Actuarial survival was 81.5% ± 2.1% at 4 years and 67.9% ± 4.6% at 7 years. Freedom from reoperation at 4 years was 81.5% ± 2.1% and 67.9% ± 4.6% at 7 years. Conclusions Mitral valve reconstruction with the Physio Ring can be accomplished with low hospital mortality and morbidity even in combined procedures. Moreover, the low incidence of reoperation and late cardiac events suggests that the Physio Ring, with its inherent flexibility, offers a definite advantage in the application of remodeling techniques in mitral valve reconstruction.
An Integrated Computer Model for Simulating Oil Spills in the Upper St. Lawrence River

Abstract An integrated oil spill model MICROSS2 has been developed for simulating the fate and transport of spilled oil in rivers and is applied to the upper St. Lawrence river bordering the United States and Canada. This model considers the physico-chemical mechanisms of advection, horizontal diffusion, mechanical spreading, evaporation, dissolution, vertical mixing, and shoreline deposition in simulating the oil slick transformation. It can simulate the oil slick transformation on the water surface and in the water column, in transient flow conditions with varying wind and air temperature. The integrated model consists of the following modules: a) a menu based interface for interactive data preparation, and execution of other modules; b) flow model to compute the velocity distribution in the river; c) a two-dimensional two layer oil spill model; d) a graphics interface for visualizing the results from the flow model and the oil spill model. The integrated model is operational on a micro-computer, and can be used as a part of an oil spill response program to assist cleanup, environmental impact assessment, and contingency planning.
Women and Power in Native North America

Women and Power in Native North America. LAURA F. KLEIN and LILLIAN A. ACKERMAN, eds. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1995. x + 294 pp., map, tables, notes, references, contributors, index.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids of aquatic fungi: Possible phylogenetic significance

Abstract 1. 1. Fatty acids of four marine fungi Thraustochytrium roseum, T. aureum, Schizochytrium aggregatum and Dermocystidium sp. and one fresh-water fungus Phlyctochytrium punctatum were determined. 2. 2. These fungi synthesized ω 3 and ω 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. They contained large quantities of C20 and C22 polyenes; three of the marine fungi contained unusually large amounts of 22:6 fatty acid. 3. 3. Major fatty acids for T. roseum and S. aggregatum were palmitic, oleic and docosahexaenoic acids; for T. aureum, palmitic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids; for Dermocystidium, palmitic, palmitoleic and eicosadienoic acids; for P. punctatum, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids. 4. 4. The pattern of biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids by these aquatic fungi as well as their morphology supports the hypothesis that they evolved from a primitive phytoflagellate (monad) ancestor.
In vitro percutaneous absorption enhancement of propranolol hydrochloride through porcine epidermis by terpenes/ethanol.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism(s) of percutaneous absorption enhancement of propranolol hydrochloride (PHCL) across porcine epidermis by terpenes (e.g. menthone and limonene) in combination with ethanol. The in vitro percutaneous absorption experiments were performed using Franz diffusion cells. The solubility of PHCL in control and enhancer solutions was determined through high-performance liquid chromatography. Partitioning of PHCL to powdered SC from control or enhancer solutions was also determined in order to investigate the binding of PHCL to the SC from the SC/enhancer system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to study the biophysical changes in stratum corneum (SC) lipids. The in vitro macroscopic barrier properties were investigated by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) using Tewameter. Five percent menthone or limonene in combination with ethanol (EtOH) (menthone/EtOH or limonene/EtOH) significantly increased (P<0.05) the flux of PHCL through porcine epidermis in comparison to the control (EtOH). The partitioning of PHCL to the SC from the SC/enhancer system was also significantly greater than the SC/control system. The above enhancers showed a decrease in the peak heights and areas for both asymmetric and symmetric C-H stretching absorbances in comparison with the untreated SC, indicating the SC lipids extraction. Menthone/EtOH and limonene/EtOH enhanced (P<0.05) the in vitro TEWL through the epidermis in comparison to the control. Thus, an enhancement in the flux of PHCL by menthone/EtOH and limonene/EtOH is due to SC lipid extraction, macroscopic barrier perturbation, and improvement in the partitioning of the drug to the SC.