cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Slow Strain Rate Testing for Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of Alloy 718 in Substitute Ocean Water

The hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of near-peak-aged UNS N07718 (Alloy 718) was evaluated by performing slow strain rate tests at room temperature in air and substitute ocean water. Tests in substitute ocean water were accomplished in an environmental cell that enabled in situ cathodic charging under an applied potential of −1.1 V versus SCE. Some specimens were cathodically precharged for 4 or 16 weeks at the same potential in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl-distilled water solution at 50 °C. Unprecharged specimens tested in substitute ocean water exhibited only moderate embrittlement with plastic strain to failure decreasing by about 20% compared to unprecharged specimens tested in air. However, precharged specimens exhibited significant embrittlement with plastic strain to failure decreasing by about 70%. Test environment (air or substitute ocean water with in situ charging) and precharge time (4 or 16 weeks) had little effect on the results of the precharged specimens. Fracture surfaces of precharged specimens were typical of hydrogen embrittlement and consisted of an outer brittle ring related to the region in which hydrogen infused during precharging, a finely dimpled transition zone probably related to the region where hydrogen was drawn in by dislocation transport, and a central highly dimpled ductile region. Fracture surfaces of unprecharged specimens tested in substitute ocean water consisted of a finely dimpled outer ring and heavily dimpled central region typical of ductile fracture.
Investigation of Residual Contamination Inside Storage Cabinets: Collection Care Benefits from an Industrial Hygiene Study

Closed storage cabinets become the repository for hazardous vapors emitted by collections, deteriorating cabinet construction materials, and/or collection storage materials, especially wood products and many plastics. Cabinet replacement has been a major goal in the collection care program at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. The museum has targeted over 5000 old storage cabinets with interior wood framing and wooden drawers for disposal or surplus as funding permits. These cabinets had housed, or continued to house, anthropology and vertebrate zoology collections as well as papers, books, and photographic materials. The cabinets and their past or present contents were known to have been subjected to various pesticide treatments, many of which were presumed to have adsorbed onto or absorbed into cabinet interior materials. In order to understand the risk and to best sequence a staged replacement of old cabinets, the museum administration sought the expertise of occupational health and ...
Prevalence of mutant ATTR cardiac amyloidosis in elderly African Americans with heart failure

A valine to isoleucine amino acid substitution at position 122 (V122I or p.V142I) of the transthyretin (TTR) gene induces misfolding of this hepatic transport protein, conferring a clinical phenoty...
Cellular kinetics, dosimetry, and radiobiology of α-particle radioimmunotherapy: Induction of apoptosis

Though clinical results for radioimmunoconjugate therapy of most common epithelial tumors have been disappointing, dramatic responses have been observed repeatedly in the treatment of high- and low-grade malignant lymphomas. This high clinical responsiveness after radioimmunoconjugate therapy sometimes appears to be out of proportion to the calculated radiation dose absorbed by the lymphoma tissue. Here we describe some key aspects of the kinetics, dosimetry, and cellular radiobiology of murine lymphoma cells exposed to 212Bi-radiolabeled alpha-particle-emitting immunoconjugates specific for the differentiation antigen Thy 1.2. Approximately 25 cell-bound alpha-particle-emitting immunoconjugates per target cell were required to reduce clonogenic survival by 90% (the radiobiological D10). Serial kinetic analyses of the antibody and radioisotope components of the immunoconjugates revealed significant levels of dechelation and up to 7.5% cellular internalization of the isotope. Cellular radiation dosimetry performed by Monte Carlo computer simulation of alpha-particle energy deposition patterns based on the observed radiopharmacokinetics showed that the D10 resulted from approximately four alpha-particle traversals through the nucleus, corresponding to an absorbed radiation dose of approximately 0.95 Gy to the cell nucleus. Electron micrographs and DNA gel studies of murine lymphoma cells undergoing radioimmunoconjugate therapy in vivo and in vitro demonstrated bizarre blebbing patterns, condensation of chromosomal material, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation patterns characteristic of programmed cell death (apoptosis). We conjecture that the efficacy of radioimmunoconjugates against responsive cell types may be the result of passive DNA damage by ionizing radiation and the initiation of apoptosis in response to radioimmunotherapy.
Müller glia as a source of neuronal progenitor cells to regenerate the damaged zebrafish retina.

In humans, a wide variety of either genetic diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, or environmentally induced damage, such as diabetic retinopathy, rob large numbers of individuals their sight every year. Recently, research in primarily the damaged zebrafish and postnatal chick retinas have highlighted the potential of the Muller glia to serve as an adult stem cell source to regenerate the lost neurons. This work has expanded to study the adult stem cell potential of the rodent and human Muller glia in both the intact retina and cell culture. Unfortunately, mammalian Muller glia appear to have very limited potential to proliferate and differentiate into specific retinal neuronal cell types. This may be due to the mammalian Muller glia either lacking positive regulatory factors to carry out a regenerative response or possessing negative regulatory factors that block regeneration. To better understand what is required for the Muller glia to regenerate damaged retinal neurons, extensive work in the zebrafish retina, which exhibits a robust and highly specific regenerative response, holds much promise at providing the necessary information. In this review, we will explore the current state of knowledge of damage-induced retinal regeneration in zebrafish.
Baylor Research Institute: 2003 update.

The research being conducted through Baylor Research Institute (BRI) is one of Dallas' best-kept secrets. Few people know that physicians and scientists in Baylor Health Care System have almost 500 active protocols. The focus is to move advances from the bench to the bedside, with programs in basic science, mechanisms of disease, clinical effectiveness, clinical efficacy, and health care quality improvement. The 2 basic science programs are in immunology-which relates to the clinical areas of cancer, infectious diseases, allergy, transplantation, and autoimmune diseases-and metabolic disease, which relates to the diagnosis and treatment of inherited errors of metabolism. Other major clinical research concentrations include asthma, gastroenterology, diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, orthopaedics, and dermatology. BRI exists to improve the medical care and well-being of our community-nationally and internationally-through innovative, clinically relevant research that is consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Baylor Health Care System. The institute provides administrative support to investigators in areas such as education, finances, and quality assurance and en-sures compliance with federal and state regulations. It has divisions devoted to research quality and safety, sponsored research, research subject protection, clinical trials, financial management, and the BioScience Center (Figure ​(Figure11). In this article, I review BRI's activities in 2002 and outline goals for 2003. Figure 1 Current organizational structure of Baylor Research Institute.
Residual Normality Assumption and the Estimation of Multiple Membership Random Effects Models

While conventional hierarchical linear modeling is applicable to purely hierarchical data, a multiple membership random effects model (MMrem) is appropriate for nonpurely nested data wherein some lower-level units manifest mobility across higher-level units. Although a few recent studies have investigated the influence of cluster-level residual nonnormality on hierarchical linear modeling estimation for purely hierarchical data, no research has examined the statistical performance of an MMrem given residual non-normality. The purpose of the present study was to extend prior research on the influence of residual non-normality from purely nested data structures to multiple membership data structures. Employing a Monte Carlo simulation study, this research inquiry examined two-level MMrem parameter estimate biases and inferential errors. Simulation factors included the level-two residual distribution, sample sizes, intracluster correlation coefficient, and mobility rate. Results showed that estimates of fixed effect parameters and the level-one variance component were robust to level-two residual non-normality. The level-two variance component, however, was sensitive to level-two residual non-normality and sample size. Coverage rates of the 95% credible intervals deviated from the nominal value assumed when level-two residuals were non-normal. These findings can be useful in the application of an MMrem to account for the contextual effects of multiple higher-level units.
Orthographic Fast-Mapping Across Time in 5- and 6-Year-Old Children.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the orthographic fast-mapping abilities of 5- and 6-year-old children across time to determine (a) growth in the ability to quickly acquire mental i...
Abstract TP321: Role of PGE 2 EP1 Receptor Antagonist on Stroke Outcomes in Alzheimer Disease Mouse Models

Background: AD is the most common memory disorder and its prevalence is expected to triple by the year 2050. Neuroinflammation is recognized as an important player in the pathogenesis of AD. One of...
On Disruption and Construction, Reflection and Reorganization in Psychotherapist Development: A Taxonomy of Transformative Learning Outcomes:

The beginning period of psychotherapist development has been conceptually and empirically identified as the most difficult and potentially problematic. The budding therapist is struggling to define...
Extensional rheology of highly-entangled α-olefin molecular bottlebrushes

The transient uniaxial extensional response of a series of ultrahigh molecular weight poly(α-olefins) (PαO) with densely grafted bottlebrush architectures was measured as a function of side chain length, N sc. The PαO bottlebrushes studied here have N sc values ranging from 6 carbons [poly(1-octene)] to 16 carbons [poly(1-octadecene)] (POD). To understand the effect of bottlebrush architecture on the nonlinear response, a linear polyolefin (polypropylene), with N sc = 1, was included in this study. All the PαO bottlebrushes show strong extensional strain hardening (SH) at Weissenberg numbers, W i R, greater than 1. Strain-hardening ratios, S H R = η E + ( t ) / η E , LVE +, show increasing dependence on the rate of extension, described by power laws, with exponents dependent on the N s c values. Moreover, the maximum SHR values, S H R max, are increasing function of the side chain length, reaching values more than one order of magnitude larger for the POD, compared to atactic polypropylene (aPP, e.g., at W i R ∼ 200, S H R max = 3.5 and 75 for PP and POD, respectively). Another remarkable feature of these PαO bottlebrushes is their large extensibility, which is also an increasing function of both the extension rate and the side chain length. For instance, the maximum macroscopic stretch ratio values (before breakup), λ max, reach values of ∼400 (for POD), which is more than an order of magnitude larger than that for aPP ( λ max ∼ 25 ). A mechanism to explain the strong SH and stretchability in the PαO bottlebrushes, based on flow-induced side chain reorientation and interdigitation, is discussed.
Control of E-S Potentiation at two different sites in the dendro-somatic axis

EPSP-Spike (E-S) Potentiation occurs alongside synaptic Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), both triggered by high-frequency synaptic stimulation (HFS). In this study, we confirm the earlier findings that E-S potentiation appears to be prevented by prior reduction of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission. However, we demonstrate that this is a result of an occlusion of E-S potentiation, not a block. E-S potentiation and GABAA antagonism each saturate postsynaptic action potential discharge, but E-S potentiation can still be induced by high frequency activation of synapses, even in the presence of pharmacological GABAA blockade. These results suggest that GABAA blockers/antagonists and E-S potentiation share an expression mechanism, namely the reduction of GABAA-mediated synaptic inhibition. We also assayed changes in the electrical coupling between dendrite and soma, and were surprised to find that this coupling is decreased following HFS, a change that would oppose E-S potentiation. This decrease in dendritic-soma electrical coupling (D-S coupling) was induced through the action of GABAB receptors, but not maintained or expressed via the activity of these receptors. These data all together suggest that there are two distinct and opposing changes that occur as a result of HFS: 1) A decrease in passive dendro-somatic electrical coupling, and 2), an increase in coupling between the somatic EPSP and action potential generation. These two opposing influences may function as a homeostatic mechanism to balance the excitatory/inhibitory relationship between primary neurons and interneurons, and may represent a separate mechanism by which feedback and feed-forward synaptic inhibition can influence E-S coupling in opposite directions.
Lung Cancer Screening: Characteristics of Nonparticipants and Potential Screening Barriers

Abstract Background Patients eligible and referred for lung cancer screening (LCS) may not complete the visit. We aimed to identify differences in demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic characteristics between LCS participants and LCS-eligible nonparticipants and determine potential reasons for nonparticipation. Materials and Methods LCS-eligible patients referred between April 2015 and August 2016 were divided into participants and nonparticipants. Retrospective data were collected. A telephone survey was conducted in a subset of nonparticipants to identify reasons for not participating and assess their understanding of the benefits and harms of LCS. Results We identified 542 participants and 276 LCS-eligible nonparticipants. Female sex, lower pack-years, active smoking, the absence of a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, or liver disease, and chronic kidney disease or a history of malignancy were associated with not participating. One hundred nonparticipants completed the telephone survey—29% were unaware of the appointment; 19% had concerns about the distance from the screening site and 14% with insurance coverage; 10% had fear of the imaging result; and 10% felt the computed tomography scan was unnecessary. Eighteen percent knew the benefit of LCS, and 69% were not aware of any screening harms. Conclusions LCS-eligible nonparticipants are more likely to be female, active smokers, have fewer total pack-years of smoking, chronic kidney disease, a history of prior malignancy, and not have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, or liver disease. Targeted education about the benefits and harms of LCS, verification of insurance coverage, and providing convenient screening locations may improve participation.
The Imperfect Cytokine Storm: Severe COVID-19 With ARDS in a Patient on Durable LVAD Support

As health systems worldwide grapple with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients with durable LVAD support represent a unique population at risk for the disease. This paper outlines the case of such a patient who developed COVID-19 complicated by a "cytokine storm" with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and myocardial injury and describes the challenges that arose during management.
Characterizing Variability in Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Review

Feedstock variability is a significant barrier to the scale-up and commercialization of lignocellulosic biofuel technologies. Variability in feedstock characteristics and behavior creates numerous ...
From the pages of AllergyWatch®: September 2020

For the September edition of From the Pages of AllergyWatch, I have chosen reviews of articles focusing on topics that affect shared decision making. The first study examines the fact that perceived triggers of asthma can affect the quality of life (QoL). The next report studied the importance of school experience, particularly the interaction with teachers and staff to help children manage their asthma. The last summary reviews a study analyzing the influence of socioeconomic differences affecting the higher prevalence and exacerbation rate for asthma in African American patients (Stanley Fineman, MD, Editor in Chief, Allergy Watch.).
Implementation of a High-Flow Nasal Cannula Management Protocol in the Pediatric ICU.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is a respiratory modality that has been adopted to support pediatric patients with bronchiolitis. There is no standardized protocol for initiation, escalation, or weaning of HFNC in the pediatric ICU. The aim of this respiratory therapist (RT)-driven quality improvement management protocol was to decrease duration of HFNC. METHODS: An RT-driven HFNC management protocol based on an objective respiratory score was implemented in 2017 at a quaternary care children’s hospital. Subjects included children less than 2 y old admitted to the pediatric ICU with bronchiolitis. All subjects needing HFNC were scored and placed within the protocol as appropriate for age, then weaned or escalated per the scoring tool. Comparison to a pre-intervention control group was performed. Average HFNC duration per subject was used as the primary outcome measure. Protocol compliance was used as a process measure. Noninvasive ventilation use, intubation rate, and 30-d pediatric ICU readmission rate were used as balancing measures. RT satisfaction with HFNC management before and after protocol implementation were measured. RESULTS: Protocol compliance was sustainable and above the goal of 80% after 4 months of protocol implementation. HFNC duration decreased from 2.5 d to 2 days for each subject during planning and then to 1.8 d after protocol implementation. Length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric ICU and hospital LOS decreased from 2.6 d to 2.1 d and from 5.7 d to 4.7 d after protocol implementation, respectively. The use of noninvasive ventilation and the rate of intubation did not change significantly. RTs reported increased involvement in HFNC management decisions and appropriateness on how quickly the team weaned HFNC. CONCLUSIONS: An RT-driven HFNC management protocol was safely implemented in a pediatric ICU and decreased HFNC duration, pediatric ICU LOS, and hospital LOS. It allows the RT to work independently to the highest extent of their scope of practice, leading to improvement in RT job satisfaction.
Metabolomics in chronic pain research

Background and objective Metabolomics deals with the identification and quantification of small molecules (metabolites) in biological samples. As metabolite levels can reflect normal or altered metabolic pathways, their measurement provides information to improve the understanding, diagnosis and management of diseases. Despite its immense potential, metabolomics applications to pain research have been sparse. This paper describes current metabolomics techniques, reviews published human metabolomics pain research and compares successful metabolomics research in other areas of medicine with the goal of highlighting opportunities offered by metabolomics to advance pain medicine. Databases and data treatment Non-systematic review. Results Our search identified 19 studies that adopted a metabolomics approach in: fibromyalgia (7), chronic widespread pain (4), other musculoskeletal pain conditions (5), neuropathic pain (1), complex regional pain syndrome (1) and pelvic pain (1). The studies used either mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance. Most are characterized by small sample sizes. Some consistency has been found for alterations in glutamate and testosterone metabolism, and metabolic imbalances caused by the gut microbiome. Conclusions Metabolomics research in chronic pain is in its infancy. Most studies are at the pilot stage. Metabolomics research has been successful in other areas of medicine. These achievements should motivate investigators to expand metabolomics research to improve the understanding of the basic mechanisms of human pain, as well as provide tools to diagnose, predict and monitor chronic pain conditions. Metabolomics research can lead to the identification of biomarkers to support the development and testing of treatments, thereby facilitating personalized pain medicine.
Keeping It Relevant: Student-Centered Reflections, Choices, and Actions of Critical Race Womanist Pedagogues:

This article examines how three Black women educators disrupt oppressive norms in urban schooling through their applications of critical race womanist pedagogy (CRWP). Using narrative excerpts form...
Can scientists communicate interpersonal warmth? Testing warmth messages in the context of science communication

Warmth and competence are two fundamental dimensions of social judgments that shape stereotypes of social groups/professions. In perceiving others, people assess their intentions (warmth) and their...
Detecting Changed-Hands Online Review Accounts.

A reputable social media or review account can be a good cover for spamming activities. It has become prevalent that spammers buy/sell such accounts openly on the Web. We call these sold/bought accounts the changed-hands (CH) accounts. They are hard to detect by existing spam detection algorithms as their spamming activities are under the disguise of clean histories. In this paper, we first propose the problem of detecting CH accounts, and then design an effective detection algorithm which exploits changes in content and writing styles of individual accounts, and a proposed novel feature selection method that works at a fine-grained level within each individual account. The proposed method not only determines if an account has changed hands, but also pinpoints the change point. Experimental results with online review accounts demonstrate the high effectiveness of our approach.
Electrification of airport taxiway operations: A simulation framework for analyzing congestion and cost

Abstract Aircraft taxiing with external electric towing could significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ground operations. We develop a discrete event simulation and cost model to investigate taxiway congestion and develop a comprehensive equivalent annual cost (EAC) estimate from using electric towing tractors (e-tractors). The model incorporates collision and conflict avoidance and towing service interruptions. Experiments identify the number of e-tractors generating the lowest EAC. A case study considers three electric taxi scenarios at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Our findings suggest significant potential for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with limited impact on taxi time when e-tractor capacity is aligned with demand. However, high uncertainty prevents definitive conclusions about cost effectiveness. The modeling approach can be updated based on ongoing field test data and input from airlines, airports, and handling agents and used to test novel taxi strategies, develop e-tractor implementation plans, and inform the capital budgeting process.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Males of Color and School Counseling:

The sense of urgency for addressing the concerns of males of color cannot be overstated. The reality of racial discrimination and trauma is present for males of color in urban, suburban, and rural ...
IFNα, but not IFNβ, acts early to control chronic chikungunya virus pathogenesis.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthritogenic alphavirus that causes both debilitating acute and chronic disease. Previous work has shown that type I IFNs play a critical role in limiting CHIKV pathogenesis and that IFNα and IFNβ control acute CHIKV infection by distinct mechanisms. However, the role of type I IFNs, especially specific subtypes, during chronic CHIKV disease is unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, we evaluated chronic CHIKV pathogenesis in mice lacking IFNα or IFNβ. We found that the IFNαs were the dominant subtype that controls chronic disease. Despite detecting a varying type I IFN response throughout the course of disease, IFNα acts within the first few days of infection to control the levels of persistent CHIKV RNA. In addition, using a novel CHIKV-3'-Cre tdTomato reporter system that fate maps CHIKV-infected cells, we showed that IFNα limits the number of cells that survive CHIKV at sites of dissemination, particularly dermal fibroblasts and immune cells. Though myofibers play a significant role in CHIKV disease, they were not impacted by the loss of IFNα. Our studies highlight that IFNα and IFNβ play divergent roles during chronic CHIKV disease through events that occur early in infection and that not all cell types are equally dependent on type I IFNs for restricting viral persistence. Importance Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging global pathogen with no effective vaccine or antiviral treatment for acute or chronic disease, and the mechanisms underlying chronic disease manifestations remain poorly defined. The significance of our research is in defining IFNα, but not IFNβ, as an important host regulator of chronic CHIKV pathogenesis that acts within the first 48 hours of infection to limit persistent viral RNA and the number of cells that survive CHIKV infection one month post infection. Loss of IFNα had a greater impact on immune cells and dermal fibroblasts than myofibers, highlighting the need to delineate cell-specific responses to type I IFNs. Altogether, our work demonstrates that very early events of acute CHIKV infection influence chronic disease. Continued efforts to delineate early host-pathogen interactions may help stratify patients who are at risk for developing chronic CHIKV symptoms and identify therapeutics that may prevent progression to chronic disease altogether.
Prolonged Duration Local Anesthesia

Acute and chronic pain are often treated with local anesthetic agents, whether by injection or topical application. “Conventional” agents (amino-ester and amino-amide local anesthetics) are limited by systemic and local toxicity as well as their short durations of action. For more than 30 years, prolonged duration local anesthesia (PDLA) has been the focus of intense scientific investigation with the goal of enhanced anesthetic duration following a single application. To this end, a broad array of methods has been employed, including the use of nonconventional agents with local anesthetic properties, addition of adjuvants, and controlled release delivery systems. This chapter reviews selected developments in the very extensive field of PDLA.
A Linear Time Algorithm for Visualizing Knotted Structures in 3 Pages

We introduce simple codes and fast visualization tools for knotted structures in molecules and neural networks. Knots, links and more general knotted graphs are studied up to an ambient isotopy in Euclidean 3-space. A knotted graph can be represented by a plane diagram or by an abstract Gauss code. First we recognize in linear time if an abstract Gauss code represents an actual graph embedded in 3-space. Second we design a fast algorithm for drawing any knotted graph in the 3-page book, which is a union of 3 half-planes along their common boundary line. The running time of our drawing algorithm is linear in the length of a Gauss code of a given graph. Three-page embeddings provide simple linear codes of knotted graphs so that the isotopy problem for all graphs in 3-space completely reduces to a word problem in finitely presented semigroups.
The problem with postulate 5

For 2100 years after the appearance of the Elements, a steady trickle of subtle thinkers were disturbed by Postulate 5. It wasn’t as simple as the other axioms. No one doubted it was true, but it seemed out of place as a basic assumption.
Iron Chlorosis in Plants

Publisher Summary A continuing supply of iron is essential to the welfare of the green plant. Any factor that interferes with absorption or utilization of iron may cause the plant to become iron deficient and chlorosis to develop. Iron chlorosis refers to the yellowing of plants, which can be alleviated by suitable iron compounds. Any factor that decreases the availability of iron in a soil or competes in the absorption process contributes to iron chlorosis. Thus, phosphate, bicarbonate, and calcium salts in growth media have often been mentioned as contributing to some type of chlorosis. The iron compounds in soils of humid regions come from the weathering of many iron-containing minerals of the parent material. Two extremes are represented by podzolic and lateritic soils.
Alternate path routing algorithm for traffic engineering in the Internet

In this paper, a new algorithm to route traffic efficiently is proposed. The proposed algorithm finds additional routes to the destination and identifies the critical links in the network that are responsible for congestion. The traffic in the network is routed through the paths that have no or least number of critical links. This avoids congestion in the critical links and increases the performance of the network. The performance of the algorithm is compared with the shortest path (Dijkstra's) algorithm.
Biosynthesis of monoterpenes. Stereochemistry of the enzymatic cyclizations of geranyl pyrophosphate to (+)-alpha-pinene and (-)-beta-pinene.

The conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to (+)-α-pinene and to (-)-β-pinene is considered to proceed by the initial isomerization of the substrate to (-)-(3R)- and to (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate, respectively, and the subsequent cyclization of the anti, endo-conformer of these bound intermediates by mirror-image sequences which should result in the net retention of configuration at C1 of the geranyl precursor. Incubation of (1R)-[2-14C,1-3H]- and (1S)-[2-14C,1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate with (+)-pinene cyclase and with (-)-pinene cyclase from common sage (Salvia officinalis) gave labeled (+)-α- and (-)-β-pinene of unchanged 3H/14C ratio in all cases, and the (+)- and (-)-olefins were stereoselectively converted to (+)- and (-)-borneol, respectively, which were oxidized to the corresponding (+)- and (-)-isomers of camphor, again without change in isotope ratio. The location of the tritium was determined in each case by stereoselective, base-catalyzed exchange of the exo-α-hydrogens of these derived ketones. The results indicated that the configuration at C1 of the substrate was retained in the enzymatic transformations to the (+)- and (-)-pinenes, which is entirely consistent with the syn-isomerization of geranyl pyrophosphate to linalyl pyrophosphate, transoid to cisoid rotation, and anti, endo-cyclization of the latter. The absolute stereochemical elements of the antipodal reaction sequences were confirmed by the selective enzymatic conversions of (3R)- and (3S)-1Z-[1-3H]linalyl pyrophosphate to (+)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene, respectively, and by the location of the tritium in the derived camphors as before. The summation of the results fully defines the overall stereochemistry of the coupled isomerization and cyclization of geranyl pyrophosphate to the antipodal pinenes.
Some symmetric, invariant measures of multivariate association

A distinction is drawn between redundancy measurement and the measurement of multivariate association for two sets of variables. Several measures of multivariate association between two sets of variables are examined. It is shown that all of these measures are generalizations of the (univariate) squared-multiple correlation; all are functions of the canonical correlations, and all are invariant under linear transformations of the original sets of variables. It is further shown that the measures can be considered to be symmetric and are strictly ordered for any two sets of observed variables. It is suggested that measures of multivariate relationship may be used to generalize the concept of test reliability to the case of vector random variables.
Can donors with high donor risk indices be used cost-effectively in liver transplantation in US Transplant Centers?

Summary In an effort to quantify the impact of donor risk factors on recipient outcomes, the donor risk index (DRI) was developed. A high DRI correlates with poorer post-transplant survival. In this study, high-DRI donors are classified as those having DRIs >2.0, while low-DRI donors have DRIs <2.0. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of high-DRI donor use in US Transplant Centers. A Markov-based decision analytic model was created to simulate outcomes for an allocation scheme using only low-DRI donors versus a scheme using both low- and high-DRI donors. Baseline values and ranges were determined from published data and Medicare cost data. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test model strength and parameter variability. An allocation scheme in which only low-DRI donors were used generated 5.2 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a cost of $83 000/QALY. An allocation scheme using both low- and high-DRI donors generated 5.9 QALYs at a cost of $66 000/QALY. Sensitivity analyses supported the use of an allocation scheme using both low- and high-DRI donors. The overall contribution of high-DRI grafts to the donor pool and the resultant reduction in wait-list mortality make them cost-effective.
Cytotoxicity of circulating leukocytes in cytomegalovirus mononucleosis.

Abstract Leukocyte cytotoxicity was studied in a patient with cytomegalovirus (CMV) mononucleosis. Circulating leukocytes demonstrated marked cytotoxicity for Raji cells, an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-containing cell line which is free of detectable amounts of CMV DNA. Cytotoxicity correlated directly with the percentage of atypical lymphocytes. Similar cytotoxic responses occur in patients with EBV mononucleosis and may represent a specific response to a common cellular antigen. Alternatively we suggest that there is activation of a common cytotoxic effector cell evidenced by the atypical lymphocytosis. The similarity of monoucleosis caused by EBV or CMV may then result from broad tissue-damaging effects of such activated cells.
PROGONADOTROPIC AND ASPECIFIC EFFECTS OF THE SERUM OF A HORSE IMMUNIZED WITH EXTRACTS OF SHEEP PITUITARY GLANDS1

IN ORDER to obtain adequate amounts of antigonadotropic serum for use in physiologic studies, it was decided to use the horse as a source of this aterial. Soon after the beginning of the experiments to be reported here, Thompson (1937) reported that repeated injections of sheep pituitary extracts for long periods of time resulted in the production in the horse, first, of a gonadotropic-augmenting substance, then a gonadotropic-inhibiting substance. Collip (1937), Rowlands (1938, a, b), and Katsman, Wade, and Doisy (1937, 1939) have shown that injections of homologous pituitary material produce augmenting substances in recipient animals and that inhibitory substances do not appear even after long periods of time. These augmenting substances enhance the gonadotropic activity of concomitantly administered gonadotropins. The above results are of particular immunologic interest since Collip (1937) and Selye, Collip, and Thomson (1934b) had reported that injections of animals with homologous gonadotropins-would...
Evaluation of procedural skills of internal medicine residents.

In 1983 the American Board of Internal Medicine mandated that training programs assess residents in procedural skills prior to board certification. Beginning in 1984, the University of Hawaii developed an assessment and testing program that consists of a three-phase evaluation process for qualifying internal medicine residents in basic procedural skills: an observation period spanning the three-year residency, a 100-question multiple-choice examination, and a slide-identification examination involving simple identification of body fluid elements. From 1984 through 1987 the mean scores of both examinations were analyzed for each level of residency and for each year of testing to assess whether curriculum changes were effective. There was a statistically significant improvement (p less than .005) in performance on both the multiple-choice and the slide-identification examinations as the residents progressed through the program. No difference in performance was found for the multiple-choice examination between calendar years, but a significant difference (p less than .01) was found for the slide-identification examination between calendar years. Despite perceptions by the faculty that their increased emphasis on the learning of procedural skills has been successful, the multiple-choice examination results over time do not support this belief. These findings suggest that residents need more structured curriculum guidelines to aid their learning and faculty members require better direction in the educational goals for procedural skills training.
Lectotypification of two African species of Commelina (Commelinaceae) with the description of new taxa from Madagascar and Tanzania

Commelina scandens C.B. Clarke and Commelinapurpurea C.B. Clarke were typified by syntypes that belong to different species. Accordingly, each species is lectotypified, and the taxonomic consequences of the lectotypifications are discussed. Commelina scandens is lectotypified by a specimen from Angola, with the result that the species is confined to continental Africa. A new subspecies, Commelina diffusa Burm.f. subsp. violacea Faden, is described for the Madagascan element in Clarke's C. scandens. Commelina purpurea is lectotypified by the syntype from Kenya, resulting in C. lugardii Bullock and C. kabarensis De Wild. being placed in synonymy under C. purpurea. The other element in Clarke's C. purpurea is described as a new species C. pseudopurpurea Faden.
The investigation of linkage between a quantitative trait and a marker locus

Procedures are given, using sib pairs, for estimating linkage between a knownm-allele locus and a hypothesized two-allele locus that governs a quantitative trait. Random mating and linkage equilibrium are assumed. Also given are parametric and nonparametric methods for detecting linkage when the trait in question is governed by several two-allele loci, provided there is no epistasis.
1H, 13C, and 15N backbone resonance assignments of the 37 kDa voltage-gated Ca2+ channel β4 subunit core SH3-GK domains

The β subunit of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (α1, α2δ, and β subunits) is a member of the MAGUK family of proteins and plays an essential role in regulating Ca2+ channel trafficking and gating. It also serves as a central interaction partner for various Ca2+ channel regulatory proteins. We report here the nearly complete 1H, 13C, and 15N backbone resonance assignments of the 37 kDa core SH3-GK domains of the β4 subunit. This is the first report of solution assignments for β subunits, and as such will lay the foundation for future investigations of interaction site mapping, functional dynamics, and protein complex structure determination.
Nanomagnetic route to bias-magnet-free, on-chip Faraday rotators

The miniaturization of Faraday rotator elements is of interest in optical telecommunications for the production of small isolator components. Here we discuss the fabrication of bias-magnet-free-waveguide Faraday rotators for ultrasmall planar device applications. Photonic-crystal structures on magnetic films can yield a significant enhancement in magneto-optic rotation efficiency and an overall reduction in device dimensions. By introducing single-domain magnetic nanoparticles as defects in the photonic bandgap, we show that one can maintain a high degree of coercivity in the Faraday rotator, thus obviating the need for external magnets. We present a theoretical discussion of the formation of single-domain particles in magnetic garnet films, their reversal field characteristics, and the waveguide properties and magneto-optic response of photonic crystals with single-domain defects.
The permanent-transitory decomposition of the stock markets of the G7 countries: A multivariate approach

Abstract This paper tests for the presence of common stochastic trends and cycles in the stock prices of the G7 countries. It further uses the existing common trends and cycles to provide a parsimonious decomposition of the stock prices into their permanent and transitory components, using the method of (Proetti, T. (1997). Short-run dynamics in cointegrated systems. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 59 , 405–422) and (Hecq, A., Palm, F.C., & Urbain, P. (2000). Permanent-transitory decomposition in VAR models with cointegration and common cycles. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 62.4 , 511–532). Finally, we offer some tentative evidence on the determinants of the permanent and transitory components of the G7 stock prices. Our evidence explains the trends in terms of fundamentals and cycles in terms of psychological factors, with interesting possible implications for international portfolio management.
Sjögren's syndrome plasma cell panniculitis and hidradenitis.

We present a 42-year-old woman with primary Sjogren's syndrome and a polyclonal gammopathy who presented with pretibial petechiae, purpura, and tender indurated plaques. The indurated plaques revealed a lobular plasma cell panniculitis, and thus Sjogren's syndrome should be added to the short list of collagen vascular diseases that can present as plasma cell panniculitis. Her biopsies also demonstrated intense perieccrine plasma cell infiltrates that may account for Sjogren's syndrome-associated hypohidrosis. We also observed occasional vascular occlusion of vessels with an amorphous, eosinophilic material possibly related to her hypergammaglobulinemic purpura.
Remember That? Or Does it Just Seem Familiar? A Sophisticated Test for Assessing Memory in Humans and Animals Reveals a Specific Cognitive Impairment Following General Anesthesia in Infancy

A decade ago, controversy raged over whether animals provided a valid model of the memory loss that is observed in humans following damage to the hippocampus. Whereas human amnesic patients are typically quite deficient in tests of recognition for recently seen words or pictures, monkeys and rats with selective hippocampal damage were hardly impaired in a standard recognition test where identified novel objects against familiar ones (Eichenbaum et al, 2007). However, this puzzle was resolved when Fortin et al (2004) used a sophisticated test that distinguished two cognitive processes that can support recognition in animals. The test had a history in studies of human memory that distinguished the ability to recollect a previous experience with a stimulus or simply feel that the stimulus is familiar as a result of exposure—think of the last time you saw a familiar face on the street, but could not remember who he was or why you knew him. Fortin et al applied this test to rats and found that, although overall recognition performance was not impaired after hippocampal damage, recollection was severely affected while familiarity was spared. Thus, a test that separates these two cognitive processes aligned the human and animal performance capacities. This approach has proven useful in detecting selective recollection impairments in humans with hippocampal pathology and mild cognitive impairment (Aggleton et al, 2005; Ally et al, 2009). Now, Stratmann et al have successfully used this test to reveal a selective recollection impairment following general anesthesia in infancy in humans and in a rodent model. Notably, the current literature is mixed on whether there are negative effects of general anesthesia in infancy, so a sensitive measure will surely be required to detect and characterize any impairment, and a test that separates components of memory may be just what is needed.
Rare earth silicate environmental barrier coatings for SiC/SiC composites and Si3N4 ceramics

Abstract Rare earth silicates have been investigated to evaluate their potential as an advanced environmental barrier coating (EBC) having higher temperature capability than current EBCs. Volatility data in high steam environments indicate that rare earth monosilicates (RE 2 SiO 5 ; RE: rare earth element) have lower volatility than the current barium strontium aluminum silicate (BSAS) EBC top coat in combustion environments. Rare earth silicates also exhibit superior chemical compatibility compared to BSAS. The superior chemical compatibility and low volatility are key attributes to achieve higher temperature capability. The chemical compatibility is especially critical for EBCs on Si 3 N 4 because of the high chemical reactivity of some of the oxide additives in Si 3 N 4 . In simulated combustion environments, EBCs with a rare earth monosilicate top coat exhibit superior temperature capability and durability compared to the current state-of-the art EBCs with a BSAS top coat.
HEAO A-2 observations of the X-ray spectra of the Centaurus and A1060 clusters of galaxies

X-ray spectral observations of two nearby low-luminosity clusters of galaxies are presented. For the Centaurus cluster an emission feature at 7.9 keV is detected at about one-third of the strength of the 6.7 keV line. This higher energy line represents K-beta emission from highly ionized iron. In addition, it is demonstrated that for neither the Centaurus nor the A1060 cluster can an isothermal model with an Fe emission line adequately fit the data. Instead, the simplest models which provide acceptable fits include a second, harder component which may be either a second exponential or a power law. The implications of the two-component nature of the continuum on the Fe abundance and the X-ray surface-brightness distribution are discussed.
Effects of a diblock copolymer on adhesion between immiscible polymers. 1. Polystyrene (PS)-PMMA copolymer between PS and PMMA

We would like to acknowledge the kind donation of materials for this work by Professor Robert JBr6me and Professor Matt Tirrell.
Three-dimensional endoscopic pituitary surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a novel 3-dimensional (3-D) stereoendoscope and discuss our early experience using it to provide improved depth perception during transsphe- noidal pituitary surgery. METHODS: Thirteen patients underwent endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. A 6.5-, 4.9-, or 4.0-mm, 0- and 30-degree rigid 3-D stereoendoscope (Visionsense, Ltd., Petach Tikva, Israel) was used in all cases. The endoscope is based on "compound eye" technology, incorporating a microarray of lenses. Patients were followed prospectively and compared with a matched group of patients who underwent endoscopic surgery with a 2-dimensional (2-D) endoscope. Surgeon comfort and/or complaints regarding the endoscope were recorded. RESULTS: The 3-D endoscope was used as the sole method of visualization to remove 10 pituitary adenomas, 1 cystic xanthogranuloma, 1 metastasis, and 1 cavernous sinus hemangioma. Improved depth perception without eye strain or headache was noted by the surgeons. There were no intraoperative complications. All patients without cav- ernous sinus extension (7of 9 patients) had gross tumor removal. There were no sig- nificant differences in operative time, length of stay, or extent of resection compared with cases in which a 2-D endoscope was used. Subjective depth perception was improved compared with standard 2-D scopes. CONCLUSION: In this first reported series of purely 3-D endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, we demonstrate subjectively improved depth perception and excellent outcomes with no increase in operative time. Three-dimensional endoscopes may become the standard tool for minimal access neurosurgery.