cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Full noncontact laser ultrasound: first human data.

Full noncontact laser ultrasound (LUS) imaging has several distinct advantages over current medical ultrasound (US) technologies: elimination of the coupling mediums (gel/water), operator-independent image quality, improved repeatability, and volumetric imaging. Current light-based ultrasound utilizing tissue-penetrating photoacoustics (PA) generally uses traditional piezoelectric transducers in contact with the imaged tissue or carries an optical fiber detector close to the imaging site. Unlike PA, the LUS design presented here minimizes the optical penetration and specifically restricts optical-to-acoustic energy transduction at the tissue surface, maximizing the generated acoustic source amplitude. With an appropriate optical design and interferometry, any exposed tissue surfaces can become viable acoustic sources and detectors. LUS operates analogously to conventional ultrasound but uses light instead of piezoelectric elements. Here, we present full noncontact LUS results, imaging targets at ~5 cm depths and at a meter-scale standoff from the target surface. Experimental results demonstrating volumetric imaging and the first LUS images on humans are presented, all at eye- and skin-safe optical exposure levels. The progression of LUS imaging from tissue-mimicking phantoms, to excised animal tissue, to humans in vivo is shown, with validation from conventional ultrasound images. The LUS system design insights and results presented here inspire further LUS development and are a significant step toward the clinical implementation of LUS. A technology that delivers ultrasound images of living tissue without directly touching the target has undergone successful human testing for the first time. The need to contact a patient’s skin with conventional sound-sensitive piezoelectric devices can cause errors in ultrasound imaging when operators apply different amounts of pressure. Xiang Zhang and Brian Anthony from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, United States, and colleagues have designed a system that overcomes these limitations by using lasers to create and listen to ultrasound. The new method uses pulsed light to excite a thin upper portion of skin, producing acoustic waves that penetrates deeply into tissue. The ultrasound that scatters back to the surface is then detected with a laser interferometer. Noncontact imaging of 3D objects, animal tissue, and human volunteers detected features comparable to conventional ultrasound.
Adaptive Beamformers for High-Speed Mobile Communication

In this work, we propose a fast conjugate gradient method (CGM) for beamforming, after thoroughly analyzing the performances of the least mean square (LMS), the recursive least square (RLS), and the sample matrix inversion (SMI) adaptive beamforming algorithms. Various experiments are carried out to analyze the performances of each beamformer in detail. The proposed conjugate gradient method does not use the Eigen spread of the signal correlation matrix as in the case of the LMS and the RLS methods. It computes antenna array weights orthogonally for each iteration. Hence the convergence rate and the null depths of the proposed method are much better than the LMS, the SMI the RLS and the classical CGM. Also, the simulation results confirm that this method has a speed improvement of about 60% over the classical conjugate gradient method. This aspect significantly reduces the processor burden and saves a lot of power during the beamforming process. Hence the proposed method is superior compared to the LMS, the RLS, the SMI, and classical CGM and most suitable for high-speed mobile communication.
CHAPTER 6 – Angles and Triangles

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the angles and triangles in applied mathematics. An angle is the result of rotating a half line about its end point. It is said to be positive if the rotation is counterclockwise and negative if the rotation is clockwise. Angles are measured in two basic ways: (1) in degrees, a degree being of a complete revolution; and (2) in radians, a radian being of a complete revolution. The circumference of a unit circle is 2π, so it can be seen that the radian measure is a measure of the arc an angle intercepts. The reference angle θ' of an angle θ is the acute angle formed by the terminal side of θ and the x-axis. If an angle θ subtends an arc of length s in a circle of radius r, then the radian measure of θ = s/r. The reference angle concept allows the application of only acute angles when finding the trigonometric values of any angle. The trigonometric functions of acute angles can be defined in terms of the sides of a right triangle. Right triangle trigonometry can be used to solve many practical problems in areas as diverse as carpentry and navigation.
The Institutional Design of Community Control

A growing set of social movements has in recent years revived interest in “community control,” the idea that local residents should exercise power over services like the police, infrastructure, and schools. These range from a call from the Partnership for Working Families, a grassroots coalition, to build community control through the direct democratic governance of local infrastructure, to the push from the Movement for Black Lives, a racial justice coalition, to institute community control of law enforcement agencies. For these movement reformers, community control grants local communities greater power over both the levers of urban policymaking and the direction of local services and resources. These social movement visions of community control offer a real-time exploration of potentially transformative institutional designs to shift power in a more equitable direction. This Article uses two current movement governance proposals — community control of the police and community control of local economic development — to develop a broader, transsubstantive framework for analyzing how local governance institutions might shift power and attempt to redress inequality. We identify three key dimensions along which to analyze the potential for power-shifting and contestation in local governance: the nature of authority, the composition of the governing body, and the moment of authority. Community control may or may not be part of the answer to longstanding structural inequality. But it is still worth exploring the dynamics of local governance that can (or cannot) facilitate contestation, build power, and push back on the antidemocratic structures of law themselves. This Article begins to take on that task.
Steady-state off-design modeling of the supercritical carbon dioxide recompression cycle for concentrating solar power applications with two-tank sensible-heat storage

Abstract Concentrating solar power researchers are evaluating the potential of the supercritical carbon dioxide recompression cycle to improve the thermal efficiency and decrease the capital costs of next-generation systems. This analysis investigates the steady-state off-design performance of a recompression cycle integrated with two-tank sensible-heat thermal energy storage as the ambient temperature and heat-transfer fluid (HTF) inlet conditions to the cycle change. This paper presents off-design component models and then cycle convergence and control models to maximize net cycle power output while constraining the high-side pressure and air-cooler fan power to their respective design values and fixing the cycle HTF outlet temperature to its design value. Results show that inventory control and air-cooler fan power are important control parameters that can be optimized to maximize off-design power output as the ambient temperature and HTF mass flow rate diverge from design. The high-side pressure and fan power constraints cause the cycle net power to degrade when the ambient temperature is warmer than the design value, and this study calculates a maximum mass flow rate for hot days above which the cycle cannot achieve the design HTF outlet temperature. Finally, the analysis shows that optimizing compressor shaft speeds can improve cold-day performance by around 1.5 percentage points and part-load performance by up to 2.5 percentage points versus a baseline case with no active compressor control.
Bridging academic open-source EDA to real-world usability

Several academic EDA tools have been released; however, few are used in real tapeouts, even by other academics. Robust open-source tools require feedback and direction from users. To this end, Open-ROAD employs end-users as internal design advisors who bring with them the experience of multiple tapeouts and EDA tool flow development. This paper discusses the OpenROAD design advisors' ongoing work to bring OpenROAD from a collection of tools to an end-to-end autonomous design flow. We discuss our work to fill in the gaps for a full RTL-to-GDS design flow, assemble a full-flow test suite reflective of real tapeouts, debug flow-level issues between tools, and bridge the gap between OpenROAD developers and others in the open-source community. Lastly, we discuss OpenROAD's long-term goal to become fully autonomous, and what that means from a user's perspective.
How Maintaining Variables Are Defined and Established in Functional Assessment

In functional assessment, challenging behavior is categorized by the purpose that it serves for the individual. This is accomplished by assessing the environmental variables that precede (antecedents) and follow (consequences) the occurrence of challenging behavior. Functions are then established by identifying systematic behavior-environment relations. The purpose of the current chapter is to describe the ways in which functions of challenging behavior are identified during the assessment process. We begin by providing a brief overview of various functional-assessment strategies. Next, we describe common functions of challenging behavior and present them according to their corresponding category of reinforcement (i.e., social-positive, social-negative, and automatic reinforcement). Finally, we discuss the clinical implications of functional assessment in terms of treatment utility.
A Pilot Study to Evaluate Plasma Substance P and Cortisol Concentrations Following Castration in Beef Calves

Pain inflicted by castration is a major animal welfare concern in beef production. Plasma cortisol is commonly assessed in animal welfare research; however a more robust measurement of pain is needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma substance P (SP) and cortisol response following castration.
Risk Factors for Injury in Rural Iowa: Preliminary Data from the Keokuk County Rural Health Study

Preliminary analyses of data from one third of the Keokuk County Rural Health Study cohort suggest that risk factors for injury among rural populations are not uniformly distributed and 296that the pattern varies with the risk factor. For some, such as exposure to all-terrain vehicles, the occupation of farmer determines the degree of exposure to the risk factor. Similarly, farmers seem less likely than other rural people to wear their seat belts. Although farmers are not more likely than rural nonfarmers to have firearms in their homes, they are more likely to have used them in the last year. However, for other injury risk factors such as alcohol consumption, there do not appear to be differences among farmers, rural nonfarmers, and townspeople. These early results suggest that the Keokuk County Rural Health Study will yield important information for targeting specific rural injury prevention interventions. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworth.com]
Physical and chemical evaluation and efficiency of Hilla water purification station, Iraq

This study aimed to study the physical and chemical qualities of Al-Hilla water net by choosing eleven stations, three inside the water station in the successive precipitation, filtration and chlorination processes and eight are chosen according to its distance to Al-Hilla water station during December 2017. The parameters measured were temperature pH, total solids, dissolve solids, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, residual chlorine, chloride, sulfates, total phosphates and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ). The study presents pH tends to balance in the river and the water station and network. The total solids, dissolve solids, turbidity and electrical conductivity decrease clearly in the water station and network in comparison with the river. The magnesium, residual chlorines, chloride, calcium and sulfates do not change clearly in the water station and network. The pH, total solids, turbidity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium chloride and sulfates were within the standard measures of WHO. The values of residual chlorines and BOD 5 are a little more than that and in spite of this it is regarded as drinking water. The BOD 5 falls within the well classification of drinking water and domestic usage based on Iraqi qualities. Finally, no total coliform or fecal coliform found in Al-Hilla water station after its treatment with chloride.
Multi‐pronged analysis of degradation rates of photovoltaic modules and arrays deployed in Florida

The long-term performance and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules and systems are critical metrics for the economic viability of PV as a power source. In this study, the power degradation rates of two identical PV systems deployed in Florida are quantified using the Performance Ratio analytical technique and the translation of power output to an alternative reporting condition of 1000 W m−2 irradiance and cell temperature of 50 °C. We introduce a multi-pronged strategy for quantifying the degradation rates of PV modules and arrays using archived data. This multi-pronged approach utilizes nearby weather stations to validate and, if needed, correct suspect environmental data that can be a problem when sensor calibrations may have drifted. Recent field measurements, including I-V curve measurements of the arrays, visual inspection, and infrared imaging, are then used to further investigate the performance of these systems. Finally, the degradation rates and calculated uncertainties are reported for both systems using the methods described previously. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress and the Brain: A Paradoxical Role for Adrenal Steroids

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses paradoxical effects of adrenal steroids in the hippocampus. Stress is common in everyday life and is blamed for many problems. There is mounting evidence that stressful experiences exacerbate disease processes. Adrenal steroids represent only one of several neurochemical systems that mediate the delicate balance between hippocampal function and dysfunction. To explore the role of endogenous corticosterone (CORT) release in dendritic atrophy evoked by stress, the steroid synthesis inhibitor cyanoketone was used to reduce the magnitude of CORT secretion in response to restraint stress. Another important issue is the relationship between the atrophy of CA3c neurons induced by repeated CORT treatment or repeated restraint stress and the loss of pyramidal neurons that has been reported after both 12 weeks of CORT treatment and severe social stress. Repeated restraint stress in rats for 3 weeks causes changes in the hippocampal formation, including atrophy of the dendrites of CA3c pyramidal neurons, as well as suppression of serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor binding.
Extending the Frontier: A Structural Model of Investment and Technological Competition in the Supercomputer Industry

This paper proposes and estimates a dynamic structural model of innovation in the super- computer industry to evaluate the dependence of technological innovation on market structure. The model has two key features. First, it allows for technological leapfrogging while controlling for multiproduct ?rm pro?ts. Second, it uses the inclusive value of Nevo and Rossi (2007) to de- ?ne quality adjustment, which controls for ?rm entry, exit, product introduction and scrappage without modeling these decisions explicitly. Model estimates facilitate counterfactual compar- isons of how the maximal computing speed evolution di?ers under di?erent market structures. Consistent with the importance of a "selection e?ect" (Aghion et al, 2001, 2005), increased levels of competition are associated with a higher rates of innovation and increased welfare. However, the marginal increase in welfare is decreasing in the number of competitors.
Mental Incapacity and Liability Insurance Exclusionary Clauses: The Effect of Insanity upon Intent

Insurance coverage is usually denied where an individual intentionally causes damage to persons or property. The analysis becomes more complicated, however, where the mental capacity of the insured is in question. Courts have used a number of tests to examine the mental state of an insured in order to determine whether she could form the requisite intent. This Comment begins by examining the judicial confusion and inconsistency in applying these tests. The author argues that the existing tests are unsatisfactory, both in their formulation and in their application. The author proposes a new test for ascertaining mental capacity of an insured, one that will provide consistency, avoid confusion, and accord with the public policy of insurance.
On Building Testable Software Components

Component engineering is gaining substantial interest in the software engineering community. A lot of research efforts have been devoted to the analysis and design methods for component-based software. However, only few papers address the testing of software components and component-based software. This paper focuses on how to build testable software components by increasing the testability of software components. The paper introduces the concept of testable bean, and proposes a new way to construct a testable bean based on a testable architecture and well-defined built-in interfaces. In addition, the paper also reports our efforts on developing a test bed to achieve automation for test beans.
Parameter-Invariant Design of Medical Alarms

In this tutorial, we present a design methodology for medical parameter-invariant monitors. We begin by providing a motivational review of currently employed medical alarm techniques, followed by the introduction of the parameter-invariant design approach. Finally, we present a case study example to demonstrate the design of a parameter-invariant alarm for critical shunt detection in infants during surgical procedures.
Fibronectin production by human mammary cells

Human mammary cells were examined for the presence of the high-molecular-weight surface glycoprotein fibronectin. Early passage mammary epithelial cell and fibroblast cultures from both carcinomas and normal tissues were tested for the presence of cell-associated fibronectin by immunofluorescence microscopy and for the synthesis and secretion of fibronectin by specific immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled protein. In vivo frozen sections of primary carcinomas and normal tissues were tested for the localization of fibronectin by immunofluorescence microscopy. In contrast to the extensive fibrillar networks of fibronectin found in the fibroblast cultures, the epithelial cell cultures from both tissue sources displayed a pattern of cell-associated fibronectin characterizd by powdery, punctate staining. However, the cultured epithelial cells, as well as the fibroblasts, secreted large quantities of fibronectin into the medium. Putative myoepithelial cells also displayed extensive fibrillar networks of fibronectin. The difference in cell-associated fibronectin distribution between the epithelial cells and the fibroblasts and putative myoepithelial cells provided a simple means of quantitating stromal and myoepithelial cell contamination of the mammary epithelial cells in culture. In vivo, normal tissues showed fibronectin primarily localized in the basement membrane surrounding the epithelial cells and in the stroma. Most primary carcinomas displayed powdery, punctate staining on the epithelialmore » cells in addition to the fibronectin present in the surrounding stroma.« less
The Effects of Middle School Teachers' Beliefs on Classroom Practices

The students in 21st-century public middle schools are increasingly diverse in terms of language proficiency, cultural and ethnic representation, and varied levels of poverty; and, yet, they are being educated in a political climate that encourages mainstreaming special education and gifted services in the regular classroom. Given this context, this study sought to examine 48 middle school content-area teachers’ beliefs about teaching in diverse classrooms to determine how these beliefs affected their willingness and capacity to differentiate their instruction and assessment. A qualitative study design incorporating grounded theory methodology (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Strauss & Corbin, 1990) was employed. Four teacher beliefs emerged from interview, observation, and document data that conflict with the philosophy undergirding differentiation. Each belief is presented with supporting evidence from the data and discussed in terms of its relationship to effective differentiated classroom practices.
Temporal and spatial variability in nearshore bacterioplankton communities of Lake Michigan

The spatial and temporal variability of bacterial communities were determined for the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan, an oligotrophic freshwater inland sea. A freshwater estuary and nearshore sites were compared six times during 2006 using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bacterial composition clustered by individual site and date rather than by depth. Seven 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed, yielding 2717 bacterial sequences. Spatial variability was detected among the DGGE banding patterns and supported by clone library composition. The clone libraries from deep waters and the estuary environment revealed highest overall bacterial diversity. Betaproteobacteria sequence types were the most dominant taxa, comprising 40.2-67.7% of the clone libraries. BAL 47 was the most abundant freshwater cluster of Betaproteobacteria, indicating widespread distribution of this cluster in the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. Incertae sedis 5 and Oxalobacteraceae sequence types were prevalent in each clone library, displaying more diversity than previously described in other freshwater environments. Among the Oxalobacteraceae sequences, a globally distributed freshwater cluster was determined. The nearshore waters of Lake Michigan are a dynamic environment that experience forces similar to the coastal ocean environment and share common bacterial diversity with other freshwater habitats.
Biomass production of short-rotation bioenergy hardwood plantations affected by cover crops

Abstract Effects of varying strip widths of four species of cover crops on the growth of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) seedlings planted as a short-rotation bioenergy woody crop were studied. Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L. a winter annual grass); tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb a cool-season perennial grass); crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L. a winter annual legume); and Interstate sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don. a summer growing perennial legume), were planted using two different strip widths (1.22 and 2.44 m ) between trees on a 1.5×3 m spacing. The control had no competition. Height, ground-line diameter and volume index of trees were determined on a monthly basis. Lespedeza and tall fescue significantly reduced ground line diameter, height and volume index compared to ryegrass and the control. Crimson clover significantly reduced ground line diameter compared to the control and volume index more than ryegrass and the control. During first two growing seasons, there was no benefit from legumes as a cover crop over grasses. All cover crops except rye grass significantly reduced sweetgum biomass compared to control. The results indicate that cover crops lespedeza, tall fescue, crimson clover and ryegrass reduced biomass by approximately 41%, 37%, 27% and 15%, respectively, compared to the control. The 2.44 m strip width reduced sweetgum growth 40% relative to the control vs. 20% with the 1.22 m strip width. Strip width had a greater impact on diameter and volume index than height.
Mutational events in the etiology of arteriosclerotic plaques

The arteriosclerotic plaque is the lesion most often associated with cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in North America and Western Europe. Plaques are composed of cells (mostly smooth muscle cells but also macrophages and some lymphocytes) and formed elements (cellular debris, collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, lipid droplets, cholesterol crystals and sometimes calcium deposits). Proliferation of smooth muscle cells is essential to plaque formation and development. Most theories of plaque development have viewed this proliferation as a secondary event following an initiating stimulus (e.g., endothelial injury). According to this view, the proliferating smooth muscle cells are otherwise identical to the large number of non-proliferating smooth muscle cells in the artery wall. The 'monoclonal' hypothesis of plaque formation presents a fundamentally different view; namely, that the cell proliferation critical to plaque development follows the stable transformation of smooth muscle cells and that the plaques can therefore be viewed as benign smooth muscle cell tumors of the artery wall. Environmental agents, including viruses and chemicals that have been previously associated with cell transformation and tumorigenesis may therefore also contribute directly to plaque development. Data are provided from in vivo and in vitro studies in support of this proposition. Evidence is also presented that in standardized assays human and animal plaque DNAs elicit responses similar to those elicited by tumor DNAs. Thus, both plaque formation and tumorigenesis may share common mechanisms.
Selectivity of Potato Tuber Lipid Acyl Hydrolase Toward Long-Chain Unsaturated FA in Esterification Reactions with Glycerol Analogs in Organic Media

FA selectivity of a Celite-immobilized potato lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) in esterification reactions with long-chain FA, including stearic acid (18∶0), oleic acid (18∶1), linoleic acid (18∶2), α-linolenic acid (18∶3), EPA (20∶5), and DHA (22∶6), and alcohol co-substrates (n-propanol, isopropanol, 1,3-propanediol, and glycerol) was studied in isooctane. Immobilized LAH was selective for FA of greater degrees of unsaturation (18∶3>18∶2>18∶1>18∶0) for all alcohol acceptors evaluated. Selectivity of LAH toward unsaturated C18 FA increased with an increase in water activity (a w ) from 0.19 to 0.90 for n-propanol, isopropanol, and 1,3-propanediol as alcohol co-substrates. In contrast, with glycerol as the alcohol cosubstrate, selectivity of LAH toward these unsaturated C18 FA increased with a decrease in a w from 0.90 to 0.19. In addition, immobilized LAH strongly discriminated against EPA and DHA for both 1,3-propanediol and glycerol as alcohol co-substrates.
Analysis of thermal well storage for solar collector—heat pump systems

Abstract The storage of solar heat in the earth beneath a building, using closed circuit heat storage wells with a solar collector and water-to-air heat pump, is analyzed. ‘Closed circuit’ means that the water is circulated only between the collector, well, and heat pump, not between the well and the soil. An iterative steady state simulation of annual performance is demonstrated, using equations which were developed for the heat flow rates to and from the well and for the heat storage in the soil surrounding the well. Design and cost analysis examples are solved. Thermal wells are one means to provide large (seasonal) heat storage capacity for retrofit solar installations at relatively low cost and without added space requirements.
Fish and Invertebrate Sensitivity to the Aquatic Herbicide Aquakleen

ABSTRACT Aquakleen® is a common herbicide used to control invasive aquatic plants, and its active ingredient is the butoxyethyl ester of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D). The effects of 2, 4-D on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), walleye (Sander vitreus), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and the amphipod Hyallela azteca were observed in static acute toxicity tests in the laboratory. The 96-hr LC5Os for brook trout, walleye, and fathead minnow were respectively 0.76, 0.66, and 2.22 mg/L. The 48-hr LC50 for H. azteca was 0.60 mg/L. During three summers in two different lakes, juvenile walleye, brook trout, and/or fathead minnow held in screened enclosures were exposed to 2, 4-D in a controlled manner when the lakes were selectively treated with the herbicide for routine plant control. Reference fishes held in untreated areas of the lakes were also monitored. Mortalities offish of all species after one week were variable but were not significantly different between reference and treated fish ...
Multiway Trees of Maximum and Minimum Probability under the Random Permutation Model

Multiway trees, also known as m–ary search trees, are data structures generalising binary search trees. A common probability model for analysing the behaviour of these structures is the random permutation model. The probability mass function Q on the set of m–ary search trees under the random permutation model is the distribution induced by sequentially inserting the records of a uniformly random permutation into an initially empty m–ary search tree. We study some basic properties of the functional Q, which serves as a measure of the ‘shape’ of the tree. In particular, we determine exact and asymptotic expressions for the maximum and minimum values of Q and identify and count the trees achieving those values.
Aberrant Effects of Treatment

Often, the protocol for a randomized controlled trial states that if a patient's health deteriorates substantially in certain specific ways, then the study treatments will no longer be considered adequate medical care, and the patient will be taken off the study treatments and given the needed care. Aberrant responses of this sort present special problems of interpretation. The few such patients may have received only limited exposure to the study treatments, but also may have experienced some of the worst outcomes observed in the trial. The most basic question is whether one of the treatments tends to cause such aberrant responses, quite apart from any other beneficial or harmful effects that treatment may have. Common practice is to reduce aberrant responses to binary events and apply Fisher's exact test for a 2 × 2 table, but this approach discards the available information about the magnitude of the aberration. We propose a new randomization test for this problem that uses information about both the n...
Maintaining a happy face: stable colour polymorphism in the spider Theiridion grallator (Araneae, Theridiidae)

Maintaining a happy face: stable colour polymorphism in the spider Theiridion grallator (Araneae, Theridiidae)
Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Gene Therapy Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer in Vitro

Background. Most human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells do not express somatostatin receptors and somatostatin does not inhibit the growth of these cancers. We have demonstrated previously that somatostatin inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancers expressing somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSR2) but not receptor-negative cancers. SSR2 expression may be an important tumor suppressor pathway that is lost in human pancreatic cancer. We hypothesized that SSR2 gene transfer would restore the growth inhibitory response of human pancreatic cancer to somatostatin. Methods. We created adenoviral constructs containing the SSR2 or Lac-Z gene and transfected somatostatin receptor-negative human pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1). Presence of functional cell surface SSR2 protein was assessed by whole-cell competitive binding assays. Parental cells, Lac-Z-transfected, and SSR2-transfected cells were cultured in the presence and absence of somatostatin. The rate of cell growth was determined by direct cell counting using a hemacytometer (n = 8 wells/group). Cells were analyzed for expression of tumor suppressor proteins by Western blot. Results. Panc-1 cells transfected with the SSR2 transgene demonstrated high-affinity specific binding of 125I-somatostatin at physiologic concentrations. Expression of somatostatin receptors caused 60% inhibition of cell growth compared with the Lac-Z virus-treated controls (P < 0.05 by Kruskal–Wallis/Bonferroni). There was no additional inhibition of cell proliferation with exogenous somatostatin. Furthermore, addition of somatostatin ligand antibody did not diminish the effect of SSR2 expression on cell proliferation. Western blot analysis revealed an upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 in the SSR2-transfected cells. Conclusions. Expression of SSR2 by human pancreatic cancer causes significant slowing of cell division by a mechanism independent of somatostatin. The mechanism may involve upregulation of known tumor suppressor proteins. Restoration of SSR2 gene expression deserves further study as a potential gene therapy strategy in human pancreatic cancer.
Early loss of deleted in colorectal carcinoma gene transcript detected in a group of benign colon adenomas.

We examined the expression of the putative tumor suppressor gene deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) in human colon adenoma tissues and cell lines. One allele of DCC is deleted in 70% of human colon carcinomas, and DCC expression is undetectable in 90% of colon carcinoma cell lines. One DCC allele is also deleted in 50% of human colon adenomas, but results from protein expression studies have differed as to whether complete loss of DCC expression could occur in colon adenomas, or instead correlates with progression of colon adenoma to carcinoma. To further examine the timing of DCC expression loss in colon adenomas, we assayed DCC transcript levels in adenoma cell lines and tissues. We measured DCC expression by a sensitive assay using Southern blot detection of the RT-PCR-amplified DCC transcript. DCC expression was negligible or greatly reduced in 4 of 14 colon adenomas, including 2 of 2 adenoma cell lines and 2 of 12 adenoma tissue samples. These data are the first evidence that expression of DCC transcript can be silenced in colon adenoma cell lines and tissues. These data indicate that loss of DCC expression occurs in some colon adenomas, but is insufficient to drive the adenoma to carcinoma progression.
Impaired 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone elimination in patients with kidney disease: Implication for cytochrome P450 2E1 pharmacogenetic studies.

Objective The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the disposition of chlorzoxazone and 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone in patients with kidney disease, (2) to develop a population pharmacokinetic model including covariates that may influence the pharmacokinetic variability of both compounds, and (3) to examine the effect of covariates on the chlorzoxazone metabolic ratio. Methods Twenty-one subjects received a single oral dose of chlorzoxazone, 250 mg, and plasma andurine samples were collected for up to 120 hours. The impact of creatinine clearance (CLcr), age, and weight on chlorzoxazone and 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone clearance terms was assessed with NONMEM software (v.5, level 1.1; Globomax LLC, Hanover, Md) by use of a stepwise backward-elimination technique and the likelihood ratio test. Results A linear model with first-order absorption for chlorzoxazone and first-order formation for 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone simultaneously described the disposition of both compounds. Weight was a significant predictor of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone formation clearance and other, unaccounted for clearance of chlorzoxazone, whereas CLcr was a significant predictor of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone renal clearance. No relationship between CLcr and formation clearance was observed. The 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone area under the plasma concentration–time curve was inversely related to CLcr, even within the range of normal renal function, resulting in chlorzoxazone metabolic ratio values that were substantially higher in subjects with kidney disease. Both the experimental data and model-based Monte Carlo simulations revealed greatly increased chlorzoxazone metabolic ratio values when CLcr was low and weight was high. Conclusions Although cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 activity, as estimated by 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone formation clearance, was not affected by kidney disease, the chlorzoxazone metabolic ratio was substantially elevated in these subjects. The results of this study show that the commonly used plasma-based chlorzoxazone metabolic ratio is dependent on renal function and, therefore, does not provide a reliable index of CYP2E1-mediated metabolism. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 74, 555–568; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.09.003
Effect of Actinomycin D and Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid on the Multiplication of a Plant Virus in Etiolated Soybean Hypocotyls

THE recent demonstrations that actinomycin D which inhibits DNA dependent RNA synthesis1,2 does not inhibit the multiplication of RNA containing animal2 and bacterial viruses3 led us to attempt to extend such observations to plant viruses.
Transcription of True Late (γ2) Cytomegalovirus Genes Requires UL92 Function That Is Conserved among Beta- and Gammaherpesviruses

Human cytomegalovirus-encoded UL92 plays an essential role in viral replication that has not been resolved. We show here that this gene controls the accumulation of true late (γ2) viral transcripts, a property shared with several other recently evaluated genes (UL79, UL87, UL91, and UL95) conserved among beta- and gammaherpesviruses. When the UL92 mutant virus was evaluated, function was fully complemented by either the natural protein or the homologous Rh127 protein from rhesus cytomegalovirus. N-terminal epitope-tagged UL92 protein is functional, follows complex early-late expression kinetics, and localizes in the nucleus within viral replication compartments. UL92 severely impacts the late (72-h postinfection) expression of nine genes encoding virion proteins (UL32, UL55, UL73, UL75, UL80, UL86, UL99, and UL115), as well as UL91 and itself, but does not influence the levels of UL44, UL82, or UL83 accumulation. Although viral DNA is made at normal levels, viral capsid accumulation in the nucleus is severely compromised in UL92 mutant virus-infected cells, and mature virions are not observed in the cytoplasm. Taken together, UL92 is a key regulator of late viral gene expression, apparently functioning with four other beta- or gammaherpesvirus gene products in a pattern that appears reminiscent of gene regulation in T4 DNA bacteriophage.
Heterogeneity of Nuclear Populations in Root Meristems

SUMMARY1. Several methods for relating the volumes of individual nuclei to their relative interphase stage have been applied to rapidly proliferating cells of the cortex in root tips of broad bean (Vicia faba). The methods are based upon analysis of the frequency with which particular volume classes appear within a population of nuclei. Presuming random sampling of a particular homogeneous population, it is possible and convenient to relate the volume of an individual nucleus to its age in relative interphase time by using the geometric mean volume and standard deviation of the sampled population to locate a straight line on probability paper. This graph can then be used to estimate the relative interphase time for any given nuclear volume in the population.2. In cases of heterogeneous populations of nuclei, as found for cells of bean root meristems, synthetically active cells can be distinguished from inactive or quiescent cells by means of isotopic labeling. The individual quiescent cells which occur sp...
Use of a 90° drill and screwdriver for rib fracture stabilization.

Background Rib fracture stabilization has become a more accepted practice although stabilization of the most cephalad ribs presents a unique challenge. We present our experience with use of a 90° drill and screwdriver to bridge these difficult rib fractures.
Studies on a Medium Yielding the Filtrable Phase of the Tubercle Bacillus

SummaryHuman brian from which the lipoids have been partially extracted with alcohol and benzol has, in our hands, been successful in yielding the filtrable and non-acid-fast cyclostages of the avian S tubercle bacillus. This appears to be due to two chief factors: (1) the lipoids functioning possibly in a metabolic way; (2) a reducing substance which provides an oxidation-reduction potential of suitable range.
Implementation of global memory models with software that does symbolic computation

A number of software tools are available that do symbolic computation that can facilitate the theoretical analysis of a mathematical model. We made use of one these tools, Mathematica (Wolfram, 1988), to implement the global familiarity memory models of Gillund and Shiffrin (1984) and Murdock (1982, 1983). We describe our implementation, and illustrate the flexibility and efficiency of use that these tools allow.
Opposed flow oxy-flame synthesis of carbon and oxide nanostructures on molybdenum probes

The formation of carbon and metal-oxide nanostructures on molybdenum probes inserted in a counter-flow oxy-fuel flame is studied experimentally. Flame position and probe diameter were varied to achieve a controlled growth of carbon and metal-oxide nanostructures at fuel and oxygen-rich flame zones. Mo probes of 1-mm diameter were introduced in the flame at various heights, starting from the upper hydrocarbon-rich zone on the fuel side of the flame to the oxygen-rich zone on the oxidizer side. High density layers of carbon nanocoils (CNCs) and filamentous structures containing ribbon shapes and straight nanofibers were formed in the upper hydrocarbon-rich flame zone. The formation of carbon micro-trees was observed on the fuel side closer to the flame front. The structures formed in the oxidizer part of the flame were composed of molybdenum-oxides. MoO2 micron-sized channel structures were formed on the oxidizer side in the vicinity of the flame front. The micro-channels had rectangular and square-framed shapes; they were completely hollow, closed, and semi-open with a small circular cavity at their tips. The application of probes with diameters of 0.75 and 0.25 mm resulted in the formation of spectacular 3-D structures with unique and distinct morphologies.
Prehospital predictors of risk for pelvic fractures in pediatric trauma patients.

Pelvic fractures are uncommon in children, but can occur as a result of high-energy impact injuries to the lower torso in association with blunt trauma. Pelvic fractures can be associated with significant morbidity while the work-up and treatment for these injuries is costly. The aim was to identify risk factors that help determine which pediatric trauma patients are at highest risk of sustaining a pelvic fracture to aid in the development of criteria for the targeted use of pelvic radiographic imaging. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the only pediatric trauma registry in the state of Maryland, located at The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. All blunt trauma patients who were younger than 15 years of age from 1990 to 2005 were included in the analysis (n = 13,360) with a final diagnosis of pelvic fracture as the primary outcome of interest. Comparisons were made using Pearson’s chi-square for categorical and the Mann–Whitney rank sum test for non-normally distributed variables. Pelvic fractures following blunt trauma in children are associated with age, race, place and mechanism of injury. Compared to children 4 years and younger, pelvic fractures were more likely to occur in children aged 5–9 years (OR = 3; P = 0.000), as well as 10–14 years (OR = 5; P = 0.000). Compared to blunt trauma injuries from falls, children who were struck by vehicles or who were occupants in motor vehicle crashes (MVC) were six times (P = 0.000) and twice (P = 0.02) as likely to sustain a pelvic fracture, respectively. Four factors were demonstrated by this study to be significantly associated with pediatric pelvic fractures: being Caucasian, age between 5 and 14 years, being struck as a pedestrian or a motor vehicle crash occupant. Identification of these factors may aid clinicians in selecting patients who are at highest risk for pelvic fracture and may benefit most from pelvic radiography.
A microfabricated, biohybrid, soft robotics flagellum

We present a microfabricated soft robotics flagellum powered by living cells that can generate propulsion at low Reynolds number (Re). The swimmer utilizes contractile cardiomyocytes to provide on-board actuation to a thin, deformable, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) filament. To enable propulsion at low Re, the filament is designed such that it deforms passively in response to fluid drag, producing a time irreversible cyclical deformation and a net propulsive force. This work provides a new paradigm by integrating microfabrication and biological cells to enable the realization of an independent, soft robotics actuator with micron-scale dimensions.
Gender Issues in Juvenile Justice

The federal JJDP legislation has had a differential impact on the pattern of admission of females and males to detention facilities and training schools, and also on the rate of admission relative to the total available youth population. These findings suggest a differential societal response, and also variable incidence of delinquency among females and males. Data from a self-report survey of high school youth corroborate the latter assumption and also findings that have been noted by others. Attachment to parents and normative institutions is an important constraint on delinquent behavior, but this bonding interacts differently for females and males. Thus, both explanatory and intervention theories of delinquency need to consider gender as a critical variable.
From Social Hygiene to Consumer Health: Libraries, Health Information, and the American Public from the Late Nineteenth Century to the 1980s

The evolution of health information services in American libraries has been interwoven with public health concerns and library social missions since the late 1800s. While libraries have always engaged in disseminating health and medical information, priorities have shifted and expanded over time in response to public demands and expectations, as well as libraries’ own perceptions of their responsibilities to their constituencies. Based on a review of all issues of Library Journal published since 1876 and of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association since 1911, this article addresses the challenges and tensions libraries of all types have encountered, as well as the successes they have implemented, from the late nineteenth century into the 1980s, before digital resources became widely available to the everyday consumer.
New evidence on the history of the St. Francis Sunk Lands, northeastern Arkansas

A radiocarbon-dated pollen diagram from Big Lake, a complex of relict braided channels on the Little River and part of the St. Francis Sunk Lands in northeastern Arkansas, indicates that the basal lake sediments are less than 180 yr old. This date approximates the time of the New Madrid earthquake of 1811–1812. The formation of the St. Francis Sunk Lands has been attributed to mid-Holocene alluvial drowning, and effects of the New Madrid earthquake upon the Sunk Lands have recently been considered minimal. However, this new evidence suggests that Big Lake was either altered or formed in recent times, possibly by this seismic event.