cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated Creatine Kinase in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy (P3.4-021)

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and etiology of elevated creatine kinase (CK) in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Background: CK catalyzes the conversion of creatinine to phosphocreatine and plays a pivotal role in providing ATP needed for muscle contraction. CK is a nonspecific marker for muscle damage and commonly elevated in muscle and motor neuron disorders. CK elevation in peripheral neuropathy is less well described but has been reported in chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy and anecdotally in inherited neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This prior work suggests elevated CK could also be associated with other neuropathies, a finding not yet shown in the literature. Design/Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of clinically confirmed peripheral neuropathies evaluated in the Ohio State University’s neuromuscular clinic over a 5-year period. Patient’s 18 and older were included in the study. Demographic data, clinical history, physical examination, EMG, and laboratory data were analyzed. Elevated CK was defined as > 184U/L in females, and >220U/L in males. Results: A total of 497 patients (253 men, 244 women, mean age 58 years ± 14) with peripheral neuropathy and CK drawn were identified, and 85 (17.1%) had elevated CK. A total of 53 patients were found to have concomitant etiology, including myopathy, motor neuron disease, statin use, African race, or chronic kidney disease but 30 patients, representing 6.0% of our total peripheral neuropathy cohort, had no other identifiable etiology. The majority of cases without an identified concomitant etiology had hereditary and idiopathic neuropathies. Median CK elevation in this group was 293. Conclusions: Modest CK elevation can be found in a significant percentage of peripheral neuropathy patients without another identifiable etiology. Recognition of such a finding can help guide evaluation and management decisions. Disclosure: Dr. Macke has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nagaraj has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hoyle has received research support from RETA, TAKEDA. Dr. Arnold has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Roche. Dr. Arnold has received research support from Principal investigator of a clinical study funded by Gilead Sciences. Dr. Elsheikh has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Stealth Bio-therapeutics, Biogen. Dr. Elsheikh has received research support from Cure SMA, Biogen.
Students of Revolution: Youth, Protest, and Coalition Building in Somoza-Era Nicaragua: by Claudia Rueda, Austin, TX, University of Texas Press, 2019, 291 pp., $45.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-14-7731-930-7

When international media attention turned suddenly to Nicaragua in April 2018, university students were some of the most visible political actors in the country. Students had voiced their dissatisf...
Thompson-Sampling-Based Wireless Transmission for Panoramic Video Streaming

Panoramic video streaming has received great attention recently due to its immersive experience. Different from traditional video streaming, it typically consumes $4 \approx$ 6× larger bandwidth with the same resolution. Fortunately, users can only see a portion (roughly 20%) of 360° scenes at each time and thus it is sufficient to deliver such a portion, namely Field of View (FoV), if we can accurately predict user’s motion. In practice, we usually deliver a portion larger than FoV to tolerate inaccurate prediction. Intuitively, the larger the delivered portion, the higher the prediction accuracy. This however leads to a lower transmission success probability. The goal is to select an appropriate delivered portion to maximize system throughput, which can be formulated as a multi-armedbandit problem, where each arm represents the delivered portion. Different from traditional bandit problems with single feedback information, we have two-level feedback information (i.e., both prediction and transmission outcomes) after each decision on the selected portion. As such, we propose a Thompson Sampling algorithm based on two-level feedback information, and demonstrate its superior performance than its traditional counterpart via simulations.
A Computer Program for Decision Rules

In order to understand optimal decision-making about saving, credit use, investing, insurance, and other financial decisions, it is useful to understand decision rules, such as choosing the action with the highest expected value or utility. To understand why people might decisions inconsistent with rational rules, it is useful to consider sub-optimal rules, such as the MaxiMin, MaxiMax, and MiniMax Regret rules (Maurice & Thomas, 1999, pp. 686-689). A decision can be expressed in terms of actions, states of the world, and wealth levels in each action-state combination, as well as probabilities of each state of the world. We have developed a computer program that calculates the best action based on the MaxiMax, Best of the Most Probable, MaxiMin, MiniMax Regret and Laplace decision rules. The program also calculates the best action for the highest expected utility and expected value decision rules for a range of levels of risk aversion (Hanna & Chen, 1997). At the handout at the poster session, will explain each decision rule and give some financial decision examples. A laptop computer is available so that people can try out this program.
Abnormal development of cerebral arteries and veins in offspring of experimentally preeclamptic rats: Potential role in perinatal stroke

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, complicates up to 10 % of all pregnancies and increases the risk for perinatal stroke in offspring. The mechanism of this increase is unknown, but may involve vascular dysfunction. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of experimental preeclampsia (ePE) on cerebrovascular function in offspring to eludciate a possible mechanism for this association. Dams were fed a high cholesterol diet beginning on day 7 of gestation to induce experimental preeclampsia. Middle cerebral arteries (MCA) and the Vein of Galen (VoG) were isolated from pups from ePE dams and compared to pups from normal pregnant (NP) dams at postnatal days 16, 23, and 30 and studied pressurized in an arteriograph chamber. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured in serum. Our results suggest altered structure and function in both MCA and VoG of ePE pups. We also found evidence of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in ePE pups. These findings provide a potential link between preeclampsia and the occurrence or severity of perinatal stroke.
Evaluation of College Students’ Implicit Biases Toward Believability of Claims of Sexual Harassment Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP)

The present study sought to measure potential implicit biases regarding modest and revealing clothing worn by college-age females reporting sexual harassment in terms of the believability of the claim using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure. In addition, participants’ responding in public and private experimental conditions was compared. Results were analyzed to determine if implicit biases regarding the believability of sexual harassment complainants related to their clothing were observed. No significant difference was found between the private and public contexts, F(1, 46) = 0.7780, p = 0.3824. A significant bias in favor of women dressed in modest clothing was observed in the overall scores for the public context, t(23) = 5.272, p < 0.0001; additional analyses for individual trial types are included. These results may suggest that, although participants did not demonstrate significant bias against women dressed in revealing clothes, a bias in favor of women dressed modestly was present. This study produced preliminary data that may be indicative of an increased likelihood of a claim of sexual harassment/assault being observed as “believable” when the claimant’s clothes are of a more modest fashion.
Perspectives about Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure from Mothers of Premature Infants.

Objective The study aimed to better understand the perceptions of mothers of preterm infants regarding smoking behaviors and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure using qualitative methodology. Study Design Using a Grounded Theory approach, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with mothers of preterm infants, both smokers and nonsmokers. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a conceptual framework for our questions, we conducted and analyzed interviews until theoretical saturation was reached. Analysis included an iterative coding process resulting in theme development. Results Our key themes aligned with the TPB domains of attitudes, perceived control, and social norms. Regarding attitudes, mothers expressed that smoking was bad for their infants and that preterm infants were more vulnerable than term infants. Regarding perceived control, mothers commented on their perceived ability to avoid ETS exposure with subthemes including strategies utilized to mitigate ETS exposure risk. Some mothers expressed difficulty avoiding ETS exposure, for example, when residing in high-density housing. Regarding perceived social norms, mothers whose family and friends were nonsmokers expressed ease avoiding ETS, while mothers whose family and friends were smokers expressed more difficulty avoiding ETS. Conclusion Mothers used a variety of behaviors within the domains of the TPB to reduce ETS exposures in their preterm infants which can inform future neonatal intensive care unit-based interventional strategies. Key Points
U.S. 10,960,070: The U.S. Government’s Important New Coronavirus Vaccine Patent

This report presents an analysis of U.S. Patent No. 10,960,070 (the “’070 patent”), an important and new coronavirus vaccine patent owned by the U.S. government, along with two of the government’s academic partners. The report concludes that the ’070 patent appears to be valid, enforceable by the U.S. government, and infringed by Moderna, Inc. (Moderna), because Moderna is currently making and selling a COVID-19 vaccine — mRNA-1273 — that incorporates and relies on technology described and claimed by the ’070 patent. Moderna does not appear to have the U.S. government’s permission to use this patented technology. Because Moderna lacks permission to use the technology, because the technology is essential to mRNA-1273’s function and value as a vaccine, and because mRNA-1273 has been a financial blockbuster for Moderna, the ’070 patent provides the U.S. government significant leverage over Moderna. The U.S. government could assert the ’070 patent against Moderna in court and could (assuming Moderna’s continued financial success) demand hundreds of millions or even over a billion dollars in compensation. The U.S. government could alternatively use the threat of litigation of the ’070 patent to bring Moderna back to the negotiation table and convince Moderna to share its own patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property on mRNA-1273 with the U.S. government and with vaccine manufacturers around the world. The latter option is the better one, to accelerate scale-up of global mRNA vaccine manufacturing, vaccinate the world, and bring the COVID-19 pandemic to a conclusive end.
Patient-Centered Care for Sarcoidosis

Caring for patients with sarcoidosis is a challenge. As a relatively rare disorder of unknown etiology, with the potential to affect multiple organ systems in an unpredictable fashion, a patient-centered rather than disease centered approach is very important. Some of the keys to a patient-centered approach include health literacy, patient education, shared decision-making, patient-centered outcomes, and a multidisciplinary team approach which actively involves the patient. These components for a patient-centered approach will be discussed in this chapter.
EGFR inhibitors in combination with cyclopamine as chemotherapeutic strategy for treating breast cancer

Abstract Purpose To determine whether combination therapy targeting sonic hedgehog (HH) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways can inhibit breast cancer growth. Methods Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, apoptosis assessed using flow cytometry and endogenous expression of Gli-1, SHH and SMO determined by real time RT-PCR. Results Higher endogenous expression of the hedgehog signaling genes Gli-1, SHH and SMO was observed in MCF-7 cells compared to MDA-MB-231 cells. In contrast, MDA-MB-231 cells have higher endogenous expression of EGFR. Among the two EGFR inhibitors studied, afatinib was more potent than gefitinib regardless of cell line and exposure time and cyclopamine more potently inhibited breast cancer cells than vismodegib. As determined using combination index analysis and three-dimensional response surface methodology, simultaneous combination of cyclopamine and afatinib or gefitinib was synergistic at selected concentrations and mixing ratios. Regarding exposure schedules, only sequential treatment of afatinib followed by cyclopamine exhibited a synergistic effect (CI = 0.24) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, combination of cyclopamine and afatinib or gefitinib was more potent in inducing apoptosis compared to monotherapy in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, combination of cyclopamine and gefitinib more effectively downregulated Gli-1 expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells compared to monotherapy. Conclusions Combination of cyclopamine and afatinib or gefitinib leads to a supra-additive inhibition of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell proliferation and was found to be dose, time, cell line and schedule dependent. Also, combination therapy more effectively induced apoptosis, inhibited cell migration and downregulated Gli-1 expression compared to monotherapy in breast cancer cells.
Language constrained graph problems: a microcosm of engineering research and development

This paper starts by discussing an algorithmic view of labeled path problems. In particular, we apply Seidel's all-pairs shortest-path algorithm for undirected and unweighted graphs to a basic problem in labeled paths. Seidel's algorithm is applied to find unlabeled paths between any pairs of nodes in a labeled graph whose associated context-free grammar G can generate the empty string e. Our result is a corollary of Seidel's algorithm. Then we mention a number of diverse labeled path applications. Labeled path problems are then used to demonstrate some concepts and insights about research and development. We briefly discuss their place in building our intellectual infrastructure as well as their potential contributions to modern business and entrepreneurship. We attempt to give a broad perspective to research and development from their intellectual foundations to their place in modern business and entrepreneurship. It serves as a high-level sketch rather than a comprehensive discussion.
Control of Dimorphism in Mucor rouxii

Haidle, C. W. (The University of Texas, Austin), and R. Storck. Control of dimorphism in Mucor rouxii. J. Bacteriol. 92:1236-1244. 1966.-Yeastlike cells of Mucor rouxii NRRL 1894 were converted to filaments in a medium containing glucose, mineral salts, casein hydrolysate, nicotinic acid, and thiamine when the gas phase was changed from CO(2)-N(2) or N(2) alone to air. Germ tubes began to appear 3 to 4 hr after exposure to air. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) precursors were incorporated into RNA in a discontinuous fashion during this conversion, but the incorporation was continuous during the anaerobic growth of yeastlike cells and during the aerobic germination of sporangiospores. The incorporation of labeled amino acids during the conversion was exponential. Labeling of ribosomal RNA occurred as shortly as 5 min after replacement of CO(2)-N(2) with air. However, P(32)-labeled RNA isolated 20 min after exposure to air had a guanine plus cytosine (GC) content of 41% (mole%) as compared with the 47% found for labeled and unlabeled RNA isolated at other stages of the life cycle of this organism or later during the conversion. In addition, the overall base composition of this 20-min pulse-labeled RNA resembled that of deoxyribonucleic acid (GC = 39%), suggesting that a significant proportion of this RNA is of the messenger type. Furthermore, the synthesis of cytochrome oxidase was induced upon exposure of yeastlike cells to air. Cyanide, acriflavine, and cycloheximide, which inhibited the action or synthesis of cytochrome oxidase, also inhibited the yeast to filament transition.
The Heart of the Matter: From guided microtools to 3-D printing and precision genome editing, promising research could lead to new advances in pediatric cardiology.

The smooth, powerful muscles of a newborn baby?s heart are pulsing normally, squeezing in and letting go rhythmically as a 3-mm-wide catheter-like tube snakes its way through, entering via an artery and being guided slowly by a surgeon. When it reaches its target?a protruding knot of malformed muscle tissue within a ventricle that has been partly blocking the valve?the tip of the precisely controlled tube whirs into action, with tiny scissor-like rotating blades gently grinding up the excess tissue as those pieces are sucked back into the device, leaving no floating particles that could lead to a blockage elsewhere. The defect is fully removed, and the heart?s function is restored to normal, leaving the child with the prospect of a normal life. The whole minimally invasive process takes place inside a beating heart and would otherwise have required open-heart surgery, with the heart stopped for a cardiopulmonary bypass.
The Case Law on Aversive Interventions for Students with Disabilities

Parents and professionals have increasingly rejected aversive intervention strategies that rely on their punishing effect to decrease occurrences of challenging behavior. As a result, positive behavioral intervention strategies have emerged as a viable alternative. Students with disabilities, however, continue to be at risk for exposure to aversive interventions. This article identifies legal boundaries and protections for students through a review of the case law on aversive interventions in five categories: electric shock, noxious substances, corporal punishment, restraints, and timeout. Despite the emergence of positive interventions, qualified support for the use of aversive interventions continues to exist. The article discusses IDEA amendment language supporting positive behavioral interventions and makes recommendations for continued advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities.
Multiple-sensor distributed detection systems with data fusion

This short paper presents a more general formulation to evaluate the global performance improvement in decentralized multiple-sensor distributed detection systems with data fusion. Furthermore, a comparative study of the global performance improvement in centralized and decentralized approaches is discussed in case of Gaussian distributed observations. The performance loss due to the decentralized approach is also discussed. The needed number of sensors, in the decentralized approach to achieve a performance non inferior to the centralized approach, is also obtained. We consider more complicated examples by considering a large number of sensors to characterize the performance trade-off between the centralized and decentralized approaches. Then the communications requirements can be compared to choose a preferred architecture.
Feeding performance and blood parameters of male goat kids fed EasiFlo® cottonseed

Abstract Twelve Nubian male goat kids (25.2 ± 1.02 kg BW and 6–8 months of age) were randomly assigned to diets that contained about 49% bermudagrass hay (BGH) plus 0, 15.7, or 32.7% whole cottonseed (EasiFlo® cottonseed; ECS), with the ECS replacing corn and soybean meal in the concentrate portion of the diet. Over the 20-week feeding period, intake was monitored and BW was recorded every 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected every 4 weeks for analysis of gossypol concentration, erythrocyte fragility, and other blood constituents. Reproductive performance was recorded every 4 weeks. Average daily gain and average daily feed intake were higher for goats consuming 15.7% ECS (quadratic; P = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively), with no treatment effect on gain efficiency. Dry matter, ether extract, and fibrous and non-fiber carbohydrate intakes were higher for goats on the diet containing 15.7% ECS (quadratic; P 0.05) by ECS levels in the diet; however, serum total protein and creatinine levels increased linearly (P
The Householder's World: Purity, Power, and Dominance in a Nepali Village

The Householder's World: Purity, Power, and Dominance in a Nepali Village. John N. Gray. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1995. xvi + 302 pp., figure, maps, tables, appendix, glossary, references, indexes.
The regulation of protein synthesis by translational control RNA

Abstract The mechanism by which translational control RNA (tcRNA) inhibits protein synthesis was investigated. In the presence of heme the inhibitory role of muscle tcRNA on hemoglobin synthesis was confirmed. Upon the addition of muscle tcRNA to a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system the binding of [ 32 P]-globin mRNA to 40S ribosomal subunits and its subsequent incorporation into polysomes was inhibited. Furthermore, muscle tcRNA inhibits met-tRNA binding to polysomes and yet stimulates the formation of methionine-puromycin. These results suggest that muscle tcRNA blocks the binding of globin mRNA to ribosomes resulting in an abortive initiation complex that is, however, still capable of the methionine-puromycin reaction.
Part I- Alternative approaches to psychological services An alternative to traditional mental health services and consultation in schools: A social systems and group process approach

Abstract This paper proposes a model for psychological work in schools, based on the primary task of helping the school accomplish its educational mission. Psychology as currently practiced in schools is thought to be of little value by many educators. Mental health services are typically contracted for, but the effectiveness of psychologists is implicitly judged by educational criteria. Focusing on individual psychopathology, a mental health approach to educational problems is inadequate and frequently prevents identification of salient issues. The use of group process and social systems theory as powerful tools for understanding constraints on educational effectiveness and planning corrective interventions is described.
Tourette's medications: effect on minor oxidative and reductive pathways of biogenic amines.

The effect of acute treatment of two major Tourette's drugs, haloperidol and pimozide given 60 mg/kg. IP over 48 hr, on hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (L-ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase was studied in the female mouse. The effect of these drugs on heart cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase (H-LDH) isoenzyme LDH 1 (M) and LDH 2 (H) was also measured. Both haloperidol and pimozide significantly inhibited cytoplasmic L-ADH and L-ALDH from controls. Conversely, the haloperidol treatment was associated with induction of both H-LDH isoenzymes studied. Injection of pimozide, 25 mg/kg, IP, to rats with preference to ethanol drinking, caused aversion to voluntary intake of 5% ethanol consumption. This suggests that pimozide produced inhibition of L-ADH in another species and thereby causing aversion to ethanol drinking or may be related to dopaminergic antagonist property. This inhibition of these drugs on the oxidative and reductive pathways of biogenic amine aldehydes may be implicated in and/or associated with the underlying mechanism(s) of action.
Turbulent Radiation Statistics of Exhaust Plumes Exiting from a Subsonic Axisymmetric Nozzle

near the tip of the potential core and downstream. Axial and radial variation in radiation intensity fluctuations is similar to those reported for flames. Autocorrelation coefficients of the radiation intensity are approximated reasonably well by exponential curves. Integral time and length scales increase monotonically downstream of the core region and are consistent with Taylor’s hypothesis. The break frequency and slope of the normalized power spectral density function are comparable to those reported for turbulent jet flames. These findings suggest that reacting flows can be used to predict trends in turbulent radiation properties of exhaust plumes.
On asymptotic power and efficiency of tests of independence in contingency tables with ordered classifications

Abstract Asymptotic power formulas for tests of independence against simple association models in I × J contingency tables with ordered categories are presented. Yates's score correlation test and Spearman's tied rank correlation test are compared with a likelihood ratio test proposed by S. J. Haberman for testing independence in log-linear models with ordered classifications. Asymptotic power and relative efficiencies are derived under local alternatives that need not be included in the likelihood model assumed by Haberman's procedure. Some computations for real and fictitious data are presented.
Dental management of patients after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation over the past 10 years has become a nonexperimental therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease and offers hope to many for whom no treatment was previously available. As more patients undergo liver transplantation and survival rates continue to improve, the dental profession must adopt a protocol for dealing with these patients. With this in mind, a protocol for dental management of the patient who has had a liver transplant is presented. Two cases are presented to illustrate the importance of dental intervention.
Preparation and characterization of heat-sensitive immunoliposomes.

Immunoliposomes able to bind specifically to target cells and to release their encapsulated contents upon brief heating were prepared. Monoclonal anti-H2Kk was covalently derivatized with palmitic acid by the method of Huang, A. et al. (Huang, A., Tsao, Y.S., Kennel, S.J. and Huang, L. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 716, 140–150). The palmitoyl antibody was injected at a controlled rate into a suspension of fused unilamellar dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes maintained at a constant temperature. The final protein-to-lipid ratio of the resultant liposomes with incorporated antibody (immunoliposomes) was dependent upon the rate of antibody injection and the lipid concentration. Injection of palmitoyl antibody into a liposome suspension containing 50 mM carboxyfluorescein at 41°C resulted in simultaneous antibody incorporation and entrapment of dye. Immunoliposomes were able to release the entrapped carboxyfluorescein upon heating. The release of dye at temperatures between the pre- and main-transition temperatures of DPPC was abolished by the addition of calf serum (5%). Furthermore, the presence of serum resulted in an increase in the temperature of the maximal release rate and also in the rate of release at that temperature. Retention of antigen-binding capacity was demonstrated by the ability of the immunoliposomes to bind specifically to the target cells. Rapid release of entrapped carboxyfluorescein from immunoliposomes bound to target cells at 4°C was achieved upon brief exposure (less than 3 min) at 41°C. These heat-sensitive immunoliposomes may be useful in enhancing drug delivery to target cells.
Ignition tuning for the National Ignition Campaign

The overall goal of the indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (1) tuning campaigns (2 )i s to maximize the probability of ignition by experimentally correcting for likely residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics (3) used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models, and by checking for and resolving unexpected shot-to-shot variability in performance (4). This has been started successfully using a variety of surrogate capsules that set key laser, hohlraum and capsule parameters to maximize ignition capsule implosion velocity, while minimizing fuel adiabat, core shape asymmetry and ablator-fuel mix.
Duplex ultrasonography to diagnose failing arterial prosthetic grafts.

Background. Although several reports have documented the usefulness of a surveillance program with duplex ultrasonography (DU) to diagnose failing autologous vein bypasses, the effectiveness of DU to detect failing arterial prosthetic grafts has not been confirmed. We attempted to determine whether our program, which included DU and other noninvasive, techniques (NonDU), was useful for this purpose. Methods. Between July, 1, 1991, and September 30, 1994, 85 prosthetic bypasses in 59 patients performed for lower extremity ischemia were entered into a graft surveillance protocol. There were 35 femoropopliteal, 16 femorotibial, 15 iliofemoral, 13 axillofemoral, and 6 femorofemoral bypasses. Both DU and NonDU were performed 1 week and every 3 months after the initial bypass or after graft revision. NonDU criteria of a failing graft included changes in symptoms or pulses, decreased ankle/brachial index greater than 0.15, or diminution of ankle pulse volume recordings greater than 50%. Normal grafts were bypasses that had less than 50% stenosis documented by arteriography or remained patent. Problem grafts were those that required revision or thrombosed before intervention. Follow-up of patent grafts ranged between 3 and 36 months (mean, 11 months). Results. DU predicted 17 (81%) of 21 problem grafts versus only 5 (24%) diagnosed by NonDU (p=0.001). Lesions associated with these 21 grafts were perianastomotic in 10 cases, in adjacent inflow or outflow arteries in 8 cases, and intrinsic to the graft in 3 cases. The likelihood of a graft thrombosing in the presence of a normal test was 7% (4 of 58) for DU compared with 21% (16 of 76) for NonDU (p=0.04). Conclusions. DU is more sensitive than NonDU in predicting failure of prosthetic grafts. This study suggests that DU should routinely be performed as part of a surveillance program for peripheral arterial prosthetic bypasses.
Sequential binding of actin monomers to plasma gelsolin and its inhibition by vitamin D-binding protein.

Abstract Functional studies that distinguish free from actin-bound gelsolin based on the ability of the former to sever actin filaments reveal that the binding of actin monomers to gelsolin is highly cooperative and can be prevented by prior incubation of actin with vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), even though the apparent affinity of gelsolin for actin is 50-fold greater than that of DBP. Measurements of actin binding by immunoprecipitation and pyrene-actin fluorescence establish that DBP-actin complexes do not bind to gelsolin and that DBP removes one of the actin monomers in a 2:1 actin-gelsolin complex. These studies may explain why DBP-actin complexes exist in blood plasma in vivo in the presence of free gelsolin and suggest that the interaction of gelsolin with actin in cells and plasma may be regulated in part by actin monomer binding proteins.
Synthesis, Morphology, and Viscoelastic Properties of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Nanocomposites with Epoxy and Cyanate Ester Matrices

Octaaminophenyl(T8)POSS [1, (C6H4NH2)8(SiO1.5)8] and dodecaaminophenyl(T12)POSS [2, (C6H4NH2)12(SiO1.5)12] were synthesized, characterized and then incorporated into two types of thermoset resins: (1) the bisphenol-F-based cyanate ester resin, PT-15, and (2) epoxy (Epon 828, Shell Chemical Corp.)/4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) resin, respectively, to make two series of nanocomposites. The sum of amino groups in both DDM and POSS were held in a 1:1 mole ratio to the epoxy groups. EPON-828/1/DDM and EPON-828/2/DDM composites (78.63/0/21.37, 77.48/5/17.52, 76.34/10/13.66, 74.05/20/5.95 and 72.28/27.72/0 wt/wt/wt compositions for both series) were prepared. PT-15/1 and PT-15/2 composites (99/1, 97/3 and 95/5 wt/wt compositions for both types) were also prepared. These nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), solvent extraction and FT-IR. In all systems, POSS 1 and 2 were chemically bound into the resin matrix and phase-separated POSS particle domains were not observed. Incorporation of both 1 and 2 can dramatically elevate the high temperature bending storage moduli, E′, of epoxy resins.
Epidemiology of hospitalization for achalasia in the United States

Achalasia is an uncommon esophageal motility disorder of unknown etiology. To gain insights into possible etiologic risk factors, demographic and comorbidity data were obtained from Medicare hospital discharge data files from 1986-1989 on patients aged 65 and older. Age-adjusted sex- and race-specific occurrence rates were calculated for each US state. The rate of comorbid illness occurrence in achalasia patients was compared to that of the entire hospitalized Medicare population. Records of 15,000 achalasia discharges were available for analysis. Achalasia discharge rates increased linearly from age 65 to 94 years. They were similar in males and females as well as whites and nonwhites. High rates were observed in the South and low rates in most states of the East North Central region around the Great Lakes and in the Pacific region. The same geographic pattern was observed in men and women as well as in the two separate subsets of data representing the periods 1986-1987 and 1988-1989. Achalasia was associated with a significantly increased risk for pulmonary complications, malnutrition, and gastroesophageal cancer. The concordant occurrence of achalasia in patients with Parkinson's disease, depressive disorder, and various other myoneural disorders indicated a possible etiologic relationship. Achalasia appears to represent the clinical end point of several different pathways. Besides aging, different neurologic diseases may contribute to a loss in control of esophageal motility. The geographic pattern could suggest the influence of environmental factors.
Dark-field microscopy analysis of the magnetic deposition of bacteria on a glass surface

Abstract Suspensions of bacteria, Escherichia coli, in 0.9% saline were treated by addition of a paramagnetic lanthanide, salt, erbium chloride (ErCl3, and concentrated on a microscope slide using a magnetic field. The final concentration of Er3+ in solution was kept constant at 5 mM, and the concentration of bacteria, c, varied from 1O4 colony forming units (CFU)ml−1 to 108 CFU ml−1. The magnetic deposition of bacterial cells on the microscopic slide was examined using dark-field microscopy. The sections of the magnetic deposition were scanned using the scattered light. The average intensity of the scattered light ASL was correlated with the initial concentration of bacterial cells in suspension, c. The data distribution was characterized by the regression line, log ASL = 0.3157 log c—0.6388 number of slides N =14, correlation coefficient R=0.8881. The analysis of bacterial deposition from suspension using a paramagnetic reagent, magnetic field and scattered-light scanning may provide a quick means of testing for the presence of bacteria in biological fluids or in environmental waters.
Low energy crossed beam study of the endothermic charge transfer reaction H+2(Ar , H2)Ar+

Abstract A crossed beam study of the title reaction if reported, from 0.45 to 7.8 eV. The reaction is predominantly translationally endothermic. At the lowest energy, there is evidence for two reaction paths: a long-range electron transfer and an intimate collision with electron transfer. Branching ratios for the competitive proton transfer reaction are presented.
Studies on iron-sulfur proteins in the site I region of the respiratory chain in pigeon heart mitochondria and submitochondrial particles.

Abstract Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals due to four iron-sulfur centers (Center 1 to Center 4) on the substrate side of rotenone inhibition site of the respiratory chain in pigeon heart mitochondria and submitochondrial particles (SMP) were detected at temperatures below 77° K. Another component, tentatively called Center 5 was detected at g 2.08 and g 1.89. The half-reduction potentials of Centers 1 and 2 are approximately −305 mV and −20 mV, respectively. The half-reduction potentials of Centers 3 and 4 are too similar for them to be measured separately, but the value for the combined absorbance is −245 mV. The half-reduction potential of Center 5 is approximately +40 mV. A large potential gap between Centers 3 plus 4 and 2 suggests the occurrence of Site I phosphorylation between these iron-sulfur proteins of the respiratory chain, both of which are located on the substrate side of rotenone inhibition site.
Stereochemical effects in the reactions of n-alkyl-4-substituted azetidine 2-carboxylic acids with oxalyl chloride. Rearrangement to chloro-γ-lactams.

Abstract Treatment of N-alkylazetidine 2-carboxylates with oxalyl chloride may yield acid chlorides, iminium salts or chloro-γ-lactams depending on the stereochemistry and nature of the substituents on the azetidine ring.
Micro-Teaching in Teacher Preparation

(1975). Micro-Teaching in Teacher Preparation. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 73-75.
GeoSTAR: developing a new payload for GOES satellites

The geostationary synthetic thinned aperture radiometer (GeoSTAR) is a new concept for a microwave sounder, intended to be deployed on NOAA's next generation of geostationary weather satellites, the GOES-R series - due to first launch in 2012. This will fill a serious gap in our remote sensing capabilities of long standing - a key capability that NOAA is book keeping at the top of its list of "pre-planned product improvements" for GOES-R - i.e. the most urgently needed additional payload, which will be added as soon as funding has been allocated and programmatic issues resolved. A ground based prototype has been developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, under NASA Instrument Incubator Program sponsorship, and is currently undergoing tests and performance characterization. GeoSTAR is expected to go forward as a space mission within the next decade.
Ignition and burning of single liquid droplets

Abstract The spherically symmetrical combustion of a fuel droplet in an oxidizing atmosphere is considered. Theoretical results are given concerning the ignition, gas-phase unsteadiness, liquid-phase unsteadiness, quasisteady burning, disruptive burning and extinction phenomena encountered. Experimental methods for testing theoretical predictions are presented.
Dynamic Perturbations within the Ubiquitin Proteasome System in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Associated with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) typically have Diabetic Cardiomyopathy (DCM) characterized by diastolic dysfunction and cardiac remodeling. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is the primary proteolytic system active in cardiac muscle protein degradation and has been shown to be activated by hypoinsulinemia. The Akita mouse model offers a whole organism model of T1DM which develops hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia in a timeline that is analogous to the human disease. Cardiac tissue from mice that were pre-diabetic (2 weeks old), recently diabetic (5 weeks old) and diabetic (12 weeks old) was analyzed. At two weeks of age, with no hyperglycemia or cardiac atrophy, proteasome caspase-like, trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities were not altered. At five weeks of age, mice were hyperglycemic with decreased cardiac mass and had caspase-like and trypsin-like 26S activities that were both suppressed approximately 15%. Interestingly, protein levels of the RPT1 19S proteasome subunit were also decreased. At 12 weeks of age, the 20S caspase-like and trypsin-like activities were both increased by over 20%. Lysosomal proteases showed a marked attenuation of activity at this time point. Caspase-3 and calpain activity levels were not altered at any time. Immunoblotting of the 20S subunit PSMA6 suggests an increase in the amount of 20S proteasomes in diabetic hearts at this age. The inducible proteasome subunit, MECL-1 also increased at this time point (P<0.06). RT-PCR showed that the mRNA levels of the proteasome activator, PA28 alpha, and one 20S catalytic subunit, PSMB5, were not changed at 12 weeks. These results suggest that perturbations within cardiac proteolytic systems during T1DM are dynamic with disease progression and the status of the UPS in this disease is complex, likely involving multiple levels of regulation.
The effect of a magnetic field on Stokes flow in a conducting fluid

Low Reynolds number flow of a conducting fluid past a sphere is considered. The classical Stokes solution is modified by a magnetic field which, at infinity, is uniform and in the direction of flow of the fluid.The formula for the drag is found to be Where DS is the Stokes drag and M is the Hartmann number.
Nuclear magnetic shielding of hydrated alkali and halide ions in aqueous solution

Various methods for the determination of the paramagnetic term of the shielding constant of alkali and halide ions in dilute aqueous solution are discussed. Values of the chemical shift of the hydrated ions, σp Maq+ and σp Xaq− , are obtained from solvent isotope chemical shifts of halide ions; spin relaxation rates of quadrupolar nuclei in dilute aqueous solution and from the concentration dependence of the chemical shift and relaxation rates of alkali and halogen nuclei in aqueous solutions of alkali halides.
Defining the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents: will the real definition please stand up?

Objectives To review the use of definitions of the metabolic syndrome in studies of children and adolescents and to review results from studies that used factor analysis to examine structure among cardiometabolic variables. Study design Literature review. Results In 27 publications, authors used 40 unique definitions of the metabolic syndrome. Most of these definitions were adaptations of the adult definition developed by the National Cholesterol Education Program. In 11 studies that used exploratory factor analysis, the number of components ranged from 5 to 19, and the number of factors identified ranged from 1 to 5. Conclusions The use of multiple definitions of the metabolic syndrome argues strongly for the development of a standard pediatric definition.
Double photoionization and doubly charged ions in the thermosphere

It is shown that a plausible cross section for the double photoionization of oxygen at wavelengths less than 254 A accounts for the observed concentration of O(2+) ions in the thermosphere. Due to the lack of laboratory measurements, double ionization cross sections for atomic oxygen were estimated from laboratory measurements of the ionization cross sections of other species. For altitudes between 150 and 400 km, where O(2+) is assumed to be in photochemical equilibrium, calculations reveal a significantly greater contribution to O(2+) production by double ionization of O atoms than by single ionization of O(+) ions. The concentration of O(2+) ions, assuming a double photoionization creation mechanism and a large sink by charge exchange with molecular nitrogen, is calculated to agree with that measured by AE-C down to altitudes of 250 km.
A Low Walk, High Resolution Timing System for Silicon Detectors

Utilizing times of flight on the order of a nanosecond for heavy particle identification with silicon detectors, it is desirable to reliably distinguish time differences of approximately 100 picoseconds or less. In addition, the required timing circuitry must not substantially deteriorate amplitude resolution capability. In the system designed for this purpose the detector charge is first collected on the capacitance of the detector and fast, low noise, preamplifier and is later transferred to the charge sensitive preamplifier. The fast signal is processed to obtain good time resolution and low walk. The system has a FWHM time resolution of 40 picoseconds, referred to 5.8 MeV deposited in a 100 pF silicon detector. An actual peak width from 3 MeV deposited in an 80 pF silicon by He3 particles was 165 psec FWHM, which is about twice that expected if more optimum pulse shaping had been employed. The instrumental walk for a 100 to 1 amplitude range is less than 150 picoseconds, and is approximately 100 picoseconds for a 30 to 1 range. The noise added to the slow system is equal to that caused by an additional 17 pF of capacitance at its input, plus an overall increase of 5% or less for commonly used slow pulse shaping.
Effects of pH, temperature, and aqueous organic material on the dissolution kinetics of meta-autunite minerals, (Na, Ca)2-1[(UO2)(PO4)]2.3H2O

Autunite minerals have been frequently identified in contaminated sediments as the long-term controlling phase of uranium. Under these conditions the mobility of uranium in subsurface pore waters is limited by the rate of dissolution of autunite and meta-autunite group minerals, [(UO2)(PO4)]2 ? xH2O. Single-pass flow-through (SPFT) tests were conducted to quantify the dissolution kinetics of natural calcium meta-autunite, Ca[(UO2)2(PO4)2]2 ? 3H2O, and synthetic sodium meta-autunite, Na2[(UO2)(PO4)]2 ? 3H2O, as a function of pH (7 -10) and temperature (5 ? 70 C) in the presence and absence of aqueous organic material. The data indicate that release of uranium and phosphorus are non-stoichiometric over the range of experimental conditions investigated. In a 0.1 M NH4OH buffer solution, acquisition of valid dissolution rate data was limited by uramphite solubility, NH4[(UO2)(PO4)]2 ? xH2O. Dissolution rates obtained in a 0.01 M TRIS [tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane] buffered solution increased by a factor of {approx}100X over the pH interval of 7 to 10 (? = 0.90?0.08), irrespective of temperature. At constant pH the rate data showed a minor increase with temperature. Data from experiments using a more concentrated 0.05 M TRIS buffer exhibited a {approx}35-fold increase in rates compared to those in a 0.01 M TRIS buffermore » at constant temperature and pH. The difference in rate between interlayer cation (Na+ or Ca2+) and uranium release is {approx}10,000 in neutral solutions; however, the difference diminishes to {approx}10 at higher pH values. The combination of structural dissolution and ion exchange explain these trends in interlayer cation behavior. Data presented here illustrate the significance of pH and dissolved organic material on the dissolution of autunite minerals.« less
Pontigny en Amérique

The annual “entretiens de Pontigny,” renewed at Mount Holyoke College, strengthen international understanding and contribute to maintaining free and constructive intellectual discussion in a world at war.
Integration and Xenophobia:: An Inherent Conflict in International Migration

This paper addresses issues in the settlement of immigrant and refugee groups and discusses the concept of xenophobia (fear of foreigners) as a key factor in inhibiting integration of the newcomers with the dominant host society. A paradigm is proposed for the analysis and assessment of the type and level of integration achieved by various incoming groups. The model looks at immigrants on two dimensions of integration: economic and cultural, and provides four cells for classification: Assimilation, Accomodation, Adaptation and Alienation. The paper argues that economic variables are a primary influence in facilitating integration and reducing xenophobia.