cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alteration of systemic and uterine endometrial immune populations in patients with endometriosis

PROBLEM Endometriosis is defined as growth of endometrial tissue in ectopic locations; it is associated with infertility and chronic pain and affects ~12% of reproductive-aged women. Although inflammation is known to play a key role in endometriosis, knowledge related to immune phenotypes associated with this disease is lacking. This study aimed to characterize immune profiles in patients with endometriosis, to assess inflammatory mediators, to and determine if surgical and/or hormonal therapies restore immune homeostasis. METHODS OF STUDY Samples from nine controls and 20 histologically confirmed endometriosis patients were collected upon surgery and ~1-3 weeks post-surgical intervention. Subjects were either not utilizing hormonal suppression or were currently on monophasic hormonal therapy. Tolerant regulatory T cells (Tregs = natural [nTregs] +inducible [iTregs]) and inflammatory T helper 17 (Th17) cells were identified in peripheral blood via flow cytometry and within the eutopic/ectopic endometrial tissues via immunohistochemistry and real-time-qPCR. Cytokines were assessed via 10-plex-ELISA. RESULTS Patients with endometriosis not utilizing hormonal therapy exhibited lower iTregs (tolerant), greater Th17 (inflammatory), and a reduction in Treg/Th17 ratio (P < .05), indicative of systemic inflammation. Treg and Th17 localizations were enhanced within the ectopic endometrial implant, which promotes lesion development. Hormonal therapy decreased systemic and local inflammation (eutopic/ectopic endometrium) via decreased iTregs and Th17 cells in patients with endometriosis (P < .05). Thus, imbalance within immune populations correlated with increased inflammation in patients with endometriosis, which was mitigated by hormonal therapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients with endometriosis exhibited systemic and localized inflammation within ectopic and endometrial tissues. Hormonal therapy dampened inflammation caused by disease.
Inertial Navigation Sensors

An inertial navigation system (INS) typically consists of an inertial measurement unit with two or three accelerometers and three gyroscopes, a computational system to perform the calculations indicated, and additional sensors to improve long‐term navigation performance. This chapter reviews the principles of operation and typical characteristics of accelerometers and gyroscopes commonly used in INSs. It begins with an overview of INS error characteristics and performance classes. The chapter then presents an overview of inertial technology advances over the last 60 years to provide context for the instrument technology discussion. It also presents a brief introduction to some of the techniques most relevant to inertial sensors. In addition, the chapter discusses emerging technologies that have the promise of providing even higher‐performance instruments for the next generations of inertial systems.
Transmission Routes of the Microbiome and Resistome from Manure to Soil and Lettuce.

The land application of animal manure can introduce manure microbiome and resistome to croplands where food crops are grown. The objective of this study was to characterize the microbiome and resistome on and in the leaves of lettuce grown in manured soil and identify the main transmission routes of microbes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from soil to the episphere and endosphere of lettuce. Shotgun metagenomic results show that manure application significantly altered the composition of the microbiome and resistome of surface soil. SourceTracker analyses indicate that manure and original soil were the main source of the microbiome and resistome of the surface soil and rhizosphere soil, respectively. Manure application altered the microbiome and resistome in the episphere of lettuce (ADONIS p 0.05). Our results show that manure-borne microbes and ARGs reached the episphere primarily through surface soil and some epiphytic microbes and ARGs further entered the endosphere. Our findings can inform the development of pre- and postharvest practices to minimize the transmission of manure-borne resistome from food crops to consumers.
Grandparent(s) coresidence and physical activity/screen time among Latino children in the United States.

Introduction: Latino Americans tend to have a familismo cultural value, in which grandparents often live with grandchildren and are involved in grandchildren rearing. The purpose of this study was to examine how grandparent(s) coresidence is associated with Latino American children's physical activity and screen time. Methods: This study used 2009-2010 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Survey data that consisted of 2,608 Latino students from 5th to 10th grade. Associations between grandparent(s) coresidence and Latino children's physical activity/screen time were examined using logistic regression and generalized ordered logistic regression while controlling for children's sociodemographic variables, health-related variables, and family composition and relationship variables. Results: Grandparent(s) coresidence was associated with higher odds of being physically active for at least 60 min daily in the past 7 days but was not significantly associated with frequency/time of vigorous intensity physical activity. In addition, grandparent(s) coresidence was associated with higher odds of exceeding 2 hr of daily screen time during weekdays and weekend days. Discussion: Interventions aimed at promoting Latino children's physical activity should pay particular attention to use of screen-based media among children living with grandparents. In addition, it may be promising to involve Latino grandparents in promotion of Latino children's physical activity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
An analog optical computational approach to RF image formation

RF image formation is a computationally expensive process due to the excessive amount of instantaneous RF bandwidth required to form imagery for high resolution. As a result the size weight and power of traditional devices designed to compute imagery in RF apertures is quite high. We therefore propose a method that allows us to compute RF imagery using an analog fiber diffraction grating in conjunction with electro-optical modulators, traditional analog RF phase shifters and a spatial light modulator.
Creating Musical Variation

Inspiration for composition may come from natural sounds, chance, and methods based on chaos theory.
Physical Fitness: A Vital Component of the School Health Education Curriculum

(1988). Physical Fitness: A Vital Component of the School Health Education Curriculum. Health Education: Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 4-7.
Multilevel database security using information clouding

The author employs fuzzy sets in a multilevel model for general-purpose database security. Sensitive information in database relations is meaningfully clouded by fuzzy sets. This is accomplished by broadening the possibility distributions constraining the values of sensitive attributes. The technique promotes the use of data and also maintains database security. Clouding with fuzzy sets is the middle ground between information release and information hiding/falsification. It nicely supplements the two security techniques and helps strike the right balance between user convenience and database security. >
Highly Excited States of Helium and Neon

For the past two years we have been studying the microwave spectra of the high states of singly excited helium1,2,3 and very recently have observed microwave resonances in highly excited neon as well.4 The story of how we got into this field, more or less by accident, has been given in Ref. 2, along with a survey of highly excited state phenomena.
Clinical trials using novel molecular imaging cancer biomarkers: Current status and future directions

The ability to assay cancer biologic features is key to advances in the both the basic biomedical science and clinical patient care. Advances in our ability to assay molecular processes including gene expression, protein expression, and molecular and cellular biochemistry have fueled recent advances in our understanding of many diseases and our ability to treat them. Most assays require sampling of cells or tissue to perform the measurements. Thus the cell culture system, animal model, or patient must be perturbed in order to perform the assay. This requirement makes serial assays over time more difficult and leaves open the possibility that the assay itself may change the state of the system being measured. The ability to measure biologic processes without perturbing them would be highly desirable and would offer complementary information to that obtained by most traditional assay methods. The ability to image regional biochemistry and molecular biology, termed molecular imaging [1,2] offers great promise in using molecular imaging as a cancer biomarker. Quantitative capability is an important feature of molecular imaging, for example, the ability to measure regional tumor receptor expression. The quantitative and non-invasive nature of molecular imaging makes it a potentially very powerful tool for cancer drug development and testing and for translational science [3]. This talk will review the use of molecular imaging as a biomarker, particular positron emission tomography (PET). Examples will be shown using PET imaging to (1) provide prognostic information based upon in vivo measures of cancer differentiation and aggressiveness, (2) measure the regional expression of possible therapeutic targets, (3) provide early assessment of response to therapy. Current clinical trials involving PET as a cancer biomarker will be reviewed, including those using PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond 18F-fluoridexoyglucose (FDG) [3, 4]. The spectrum of current trials will be discussed, with an emphasis on current NCI and ACRIN clinical trials of novel imaging probes, and an eye towards matching future trials of targeted cancer therapy with companion molecular imaging trials.
Distributed and control theoretic approach to intrusion detection

Ad hoc wireless networks are more vulnerable to malicious attacks than traditional wired networks due to the silent nature of these attacks and the inability of the conventional intrusion detection systems (IDS) to detect them. These attacks operate under the threshold boundaries during an intrusion attempt and can only be identified by profiling the complete system activity in relation to a normal behavior. In this paper we discuss a control-theoretic Hidden Markov Model (HMM) strategy for intrusion detection using distributed observations across multiple nodes. This model consists of a distributed HMM engine that executes in a randomly selected monitor node and functions as a part of the feedback control engine. This drives the defensive response based on hysteresis to reduce the frequency of false positives, thereby avoiding inappropriate ad hoc responses.
Effectiveness of an Early Intervention Program as Indexed by Measures of Child Change

The Preschool Program at the Center on Human Development provided enrolled children a daily program of cohesive, structured activities that were conducted in integrated classroom settings that included nonhandicapped children. Necessary support services, such as physical therapy and language therapy, were provided. An active program of parental involvement was conducted to meet the diverse needs of families. Child progress data collected over 2 years were analyzed. Two standardized instruments and two programmatically oriented instruments were employed to measure the programmatic impact on the enrolled children. These measures were administered in fall and again in the spring for two consecutive years. The children included in the analyses ranged in age from 6 months to 5 years and spanned the developmental continuum from normal to severely impaired. In general, analysis of the pre- and posttest group performance data indicated reliable differences on all tests. Analysis on subgroups of normal, at-risk, m...
The imaging of wetting front instabilities in porous media using neutron radioscopy

The remediation of soil contaminated with organic substances such as gasoline products is a subject of growing concern. One method often employed is flooding the soil with water or a water-surfactant mixture to wash the contaminant down to the water table. The organics are then pumped out of the subsurface with the ground water for treatment. This procedure has produced only limited results. It has been speculated that this lack of success is due in part to what is known as wetting front instability. Wetting front instability can occur during infiltration of a liquid into porous media, particularly when a fine soil layer is overlying a coarse layer. Instability of the wetting front implies that the interface between the advancing fluid and the portion of the porous media still at initial conditions does not advance as a flat front, but rather it breaks up into finger-like flow paths. Through the use of neutron radioscopy and three-dimensional, computer reconstruction, three dimensional infiltration experi...
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Nitroalkane Chains Using Electron Autodetachment and Ar Predissociation

If the binding energy of an excess electron is lower than some of the vibrational levels of its host anion, vibrational excitation can lead to autodetachment. We use excitation of CH stretching mod...
Publicly accessible software for groundwater modelling and analysis

Abstract Practitioners of hydrogeology and groundwater engineering have access to a range of topical software that may be freely used, modified and redistributed. Many of these software may be obtained at no cost using the Internet. Implementing publicly accessible software achieves software reuse and rapid prototyping, may reduce the cost of software acquisition and development, and provides authors with increased flexibility in the distribution of their products. Software that are useful within groundwater studies include operating systems, editors, language compilers, models and components such as mathematical subroutines and routines for discretization and plotting and visualization. Public distribution of software may achieve personal and corporate objectives and should be undertaken with due regard for issues such as the potential impact on subsequent commercial deployment of the software.
Deficient High-Affinity Binding of Pittsburgh Compound B in a Case of Alzheimer’s Disease

Radiolabeled Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) is a benzothiazole imaging agent that usually binds with high affinity, specificity, and stoichiometry to cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Among a cohort of ten AD subjects examined postmortem, we describe a case of idiopathic, end-stage Alzheimer’s disease with heavy Aβ deposition yet substantially diminished high-affinity binding of 3H-PIB to cortical homogenates and unfixed cryosections. Cortical tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, ELISA, immunoblotting, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, in vitro 3H-PIB binding and 3H-PIB autoradiography. The PIB-refractory subject met the histopathological criteria for AD. However, cortical tissue from this case contained more vascular β-amyloidosis, higher levels of insoluble Aβ40 and Aβ42, and a higher ratio of Aβ40:Aβ42 than did tissue from the nine comparison AD cases. Furthermore, cerebral Aβ from the PIB-refractory subject displayed an unusual distribution of low- and high-molecular weight Aβ oligomers, as well as a distinct pattern of N- and C-terminally truncated Aβ peptides in both the soluble and insoluble cortical extracts. Genetically, the patient was apolipoprotein-E3/4 heterozygous, and exhibited no known AD-associated mutations in the genes for the β-amyloid precursor protein, presenilin1 or presenilin2. Our findings suggest that PIB may differentially recognize polymorphic forms of multimeric Aβ in humans with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, while the prevalence of PIB-refractory cases in the general AD population remains to be determined, the paucity of high-affinity binding sites in this AD case cautions that minimal PIB retention in positron-emission tomography scans of demented patients may not always rule out the presence of Alzheimer-type Aβ pathology.
Effect of Herring Oil on Body Weight, Comb Size and Gonadal Development in the Chick

A diet with 20% herring oil (0.55% linoleate) gave comparable growth responses to a diet containing 20% corn oil (12.07% linoleate) in 4-week-old male and female White Leghorn chicks. No additive or synergistic growth responses were noted in female chicks fed a mixture of herring oil and corn oil. Decreased testes size and changes in testicular histology occurred in young cockerels fed herring oil. Comb responses were dissimilar in male and female chicks fed fish oil.
Using portfolios to evaluate service courses as part of an engineering writing program

Assessing the efficacy of technical communication service courses is a complex task, yet it is a task that service course providers should embrace as an opportunity to learn more about student and faculty needs and to update and improve curricula. This assessment has become more immediate for many educators because of ABET 2000 (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), a comprehensive revamping of the way engineering programs are accredited. ABET 2000 criteria require that engineering programs provide evidence of the efficacy of all instruction, including communication. When the new ABET criteria were released, we had already begun a comprehensive evaluation of not only our service courses but also the total writing experience of engineering students at the University of Washington. This paper gives a theoretical rationale for a portfolio evaluation project and describes a directly applicable structure and procedure for such a project.
IR and visible light face recognition

This paper presents the results of several large-scale studies of face recognition employing visible-light and infrared (IR) imagery in the context of principal component analysis. We find that in a scenario involving time lapse between gallery and probe, and relatively controlled lighting, (1) PCA-based recognition using visible-light images outperforms PCA-based recognition using infrared images, (2) the combination of PCA-based recognition using visible-light and infrared imagery substantially outperforms either one individually. In a same-session scenario (i.e., near-simultaneous acquisition of gallery and probe images) neither modality is significantly better than the other. These experimental results reinforce prior research that employed a smaller data set, presenting a convincing argument that, even across a broad experimental spectrum, the behaviors enumerated above are valid and consistent.
Abiotic guanidinium containing receptors for anionic species

Abstract In the field of molecular recognition, the guanidinium group has been established as a highly effective functional group in the binding of anionic guests. This moiety has been proven to form a strong interaction with anions through charge pairing and hydrogen bonding in competitive solvent systems. The group also features a high p K a value, allowing for its utility over an expansive pH range. As a result of these qualities, the guanidinium group has become ubiquitous in literature involving the design and synthesis of receptor molecules for small target anions. An overview of the inclusion of the guanidinium group within synthetic receptor molecules is presented in this review article.
Alternative wages and teacher mobility: A human capital approach

Abstract This study empirically investigates, via an occupational mobility model, the effect of a wage differential between a teacher's actual or current wage and the wage that could be earned in alternative occupations upon the decision of primary and secondary school teachers to leave the teaching profession. As extensions to previous studies, a different specification of the alternative wage variable is integrated into the mobility model. Additionally, the empirical specification includes an income variable to partially capture family decision-making effects on the mobility decision.
Leisure Activity, Ethnic Preservation, and Cultural Integration of Older Korean Americans

SUMMARY. For immigrant groups, leisure activity has the potential both to increase familiarity with a new culture and to preserve cultural history and identity. Using a qualitative case study design, this research analyzed leisure activities of six older Korean Americans to determine both personal and cultural meanings of leisure. From a personal perspective, leisure was used to create two effects for the older adults: Ki-Bun-Chun-Whan, which is the experience of a shift in emotional atmosphere as a result of engaging in activities; and self-development activities, which provide the older adults with opportunities for learning or growth. Cultural meanings of leisure activities included the re-creation of Koreanness and the reliance on familiar patterns to create a sense of security in a still-strange land. Thus, with the individuals studied in this investigation, leisure activities were used more often for continuity and ethnic preservation than for cultural integration. Social workers can use
Effects of Water Table and Tide Cycle on Swash-Backwash Sediment Distribution and Beach Profile Development: ABSTRACT

A study of deposition in the swash-backwash zone along a sandy beach indicates that fluctuations in sea-level relative to beach water-table level, resulting from the semi-diurnal tide cycle, show appreciable effects on sediment distribution. In the swash-backwash zone, sediment distribution is dependent on the interaction of swash deposition, swash erosion, backwash deposition and backwash erosion. When the tide level is high and the beach water-table is low, swash deposition and swash erosion predominate; this results in the formation of a thick lens of sediment on the shoreward side of the swash-backwash zone and a scoured area on the surf side of the zone. In contrast, a relatively high water-table results in maximum back-wash erosion and backwash deposition; thick len es of sediment form near the surf boundary. Therefore, as sea-level fluctuates above and below the general water-table level with the tide, the zone of deposition correspondingly shifts its position within the swash-backwash zone and either increases or decreases the gradient of the beach slope. As the tide rises, sediments, deposited by previous swashes are redistributed by the encroaching surf. Above the limit of surf encroachment and in the highest swash-mark area, a berm forms, which displays an onlap-offlap series of End_Page 1759------------------------------ laminae; also, portions of it are cross-laminated. This berm and its internal structure are a result of sedimentation during the flood- to ebb-tide period. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1760------------
TGF-β REPRESSION OF ID2 INDUCES APOPTOSIS IN GUT EPITHELIAL CELLS

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates epithelial tissue homeostasis by activating processes that control cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. Disruption of the TGF-β signaling pathway often occurs in colorectal cancers. Earlier, we have shown that TGF-β induces apoptosis through the transcription factor Smad3. Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays were used to identify TGF-β/Smad3 target genes that regulate apoptosis in rat intestinal epithelial cells (RIE-1). We found that TGF-β repressed the expression of the inhibitor of differentiation (Id) gene family. Knockdown of Id1 and Id2 gene expression induced apoptosis in RIE-1 cells, whereas overexpression of Id2 attenuated TGF-β-induced apoptosis. TranSignal Protein/DNA arrays were used to identify the hypoxia-inducing factor-1 (HIF-1) as a downstream target of TGF-β. HIF-1 is a basic helix-loop-helix protein, and overexpression of Id2 blocked HIF-1 activation by TGF-β. Furthermore, knockdown of HIF-1 blocked TGF-β-induced apoptosis. Thus, we have identified HIF-1 as a novel mediator downstream of Id2 in the pathway of TGF-β-induced apoptosis.
Three-valued digital systems

A survey is presented of the developments in algebras and techniques for the realisation of 3-valued switching functions. Digital arithmetic, ternary codes, composition algebras, minimisation, circuits and sequential circuit design are discussed. The feasibility of 3-valued digital systems is demonstrated
Simon Magus and Priscillian in the Commonitorium of Vincent of Lérins

Au IV e siecle, l'heresie priscillianiste occupe les esprits en France et en Espagne. Priscillien est un des nombreux ascetes qui attirent hommes et femmes a sa suite. Sa mort n'a pas marque la fin de ses idees; au contraire, en France au VI e siecle ou le priscillianisme est present, Vincent de Lerins tourne son attention vers Priscillien a l'interieur d'un ouvrage plus large sur l'heresie: le Commonitorium. Pour s'y opposer, Vincent invoque des arguments theologiques et la typologie de Simon Magus. L'A. analyse les sources patristiques qui ont permis a la typologie de Simon Magus de s'imposer a Vincent de Lerins
Patterning of the minority's responses and their influence on the majority

In reaction to the decades of research that tended to assume that social influence is synonymous with conformity, recent work has concentrated on the ability of a minority, by having a system of answers of its own, to influence the majority in the direction of their judgments. A study by Moscovici, Lage and Naffrechoux (1969) demonstrated this phenomenon but found that consistency of response, in the sense of repetition, was necessary for minority influence to be effected. They assumed that repetition was necessary to give the minority judgment the same value as that of the majority and to intensify the conflict that was engendered by the differences in opinion. Our position is that the lack of repetition in that study was construed to mean that the minority did not really have a position in which they were confident. As such, they were discounted. Thus, it is the attribution of consistency and confidence that leads to minority influence, not intensification of the conflict. The present study found that non-repetitious behavior by a minority could be seen as reflecting consistency and confidence and could lead to minority influence provided the inconsistency was patterned with some property of the stimulus. Such ‘inconsistency’ was perceived as favorable and as effective as any other condition and even more effective than one of the repetitious conditions.
A STUDY OF EXTRACELLULAR SPACE IN CENTRAL NERVOUS TISSUE BY FREEZE-SUBSTITUTION.

It was attempted to preserve the water distribution in central nervous tissue by rapid freezing followed by substitution fixation at low temperature. The vermis of the cerebellum of white mice was frozen by bringing it into contact with a polished silver mirror maintained at a temperature of about -207°C. The tissue was subjected to substitution fixation in acetone containing 2 per cent OsO4 at -85°C for 2 days, and then prepared for electron microscopy by embedding in Maraglas, sectioning, and staining with lead citrate or uranyl acetate and lead. Cerebellum frozen within 30 seconds of circulatory arrest was compared with cerebellum frozen after 8 minutes' asphyxiation. From impedance measurements under these conditions, it could be expected that in the former tissue the electrolyte and water distribution is similar to that in the normal, oxygenated cerebellum, whereas in the asphyxiated tissue a transport of water and electrolytes into the intracellular compartment has taken place. Electron micrographs of tissue frozen shortly after circulatory arrest revealed the presence of an appreciable extracellular space between the axons of granular layer cells. Between glia, dendrites, and presynaptic endings the usual narrow clefts and even tight junctions were found. Also the synaptic cleft was of the usual width (250 to 300 A). In asphyxiated tissue, the extracellular space between the axons is either completely obliterated (tight junctions) or reduced to narrow clefts between apposing cell surfaces.
Ambulatory oximetry monitoring in patients with severe COPD: a preliminary study.

Background: The benefits of long-term oxygen supplementation in COPD patients with hypoxemia are well established. The standard approach to prescribing oxygen uses a static assessment of oxygen requirements in a hospital or clinic setting. The assumption behind this approach is that patients will maintain a “therapeutic” hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the outpatient setting. We questioned the validity of this assumption, and hypothesized that many patients may demonstrate significant oxygen desaturation during normal activities of daily living. Study design, methods, and measurements: We determined if oxygen supplementation maintained a therapeutic SpO2 level in patients with COPD (n 5 27), using the technique of ambulatory oximetry monitoring (AOM). AOM consisted of using a portable oximeter to monitor SpO2, pulse rate, and patient activity while patients were engaged in normal activities of daily living over an extended time period (;18 h). The portable oximeter collected and stored these data every 15 s over the monitored time period. Each AOM recording was manually scored for desaturation events and other key variables, including average SpO2 over the monitoring period, the average number of desaturation events per hour, and the percentage of monitored time deleted secondary to artifacts. Setting: University-affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients: All subjects were patients with stable COPD with no recent history of hospitalization or exacerbation of their lung disease. Results: This cohort of patients demonstrated a surprising frequency of desaturation below the recommended target SpO2 value (90%), which averaged approximately 25% of AOM recording time. There was wide variability among patients in the percentage of time SpO2 was below the target value (range, 3 to 67% of AOM recording time). Motion artifact on the AOM recordings was not a major problem; an average of 8% of the recording time was deleted secondary to artifacts in this patient cohort. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that AOM is feasible and accurate with an acceptable level of motion artifact. These results also suggest that the standard approach for prescribing oxygen may lead to subtherapeutic SpO2 values in the outpatient setting. AOM holds promise as a tool to monitor the adequacy of oxygen prescriptions in the outpatient setting in patients with lung disease. (CHEST 1999; 116:314‐321)
Human antibody Fc deamidation in vivo

Protein and peptide deamidation occurs spontaneously in vitro under relatively mild conditions. For antibodies and other therapeutic proteins, great effort is placed in manufacturing and storage to minimize this form of degradation. Concern has been especially great in cases where deamidation has been shown to impact protein activity. Here we monitored asparagine deamidation from a recombinant human antibody in humans and found that among the conserved sites, only Asn 384 deamidated at an appreciable rate. Under physiological temperature and pH conditions, in vitro antibody deamidation followed similar kinetics, indicating that simple incubation reactions may be used to model in vivo behavior. Endogenous IgG isolated from human serum possessed 23% deamidation at this site, further demonstrating that this modification is naturally occurring. Thus, deamidation generated in manufacturing and storage does not fully determine the patient exposure to the attribute. Instead, pharmacokinetic data along with the deamidation kinetics are combined to predict patient exposure. The deamidation rate can also be used to estimate the serum lifetime of antibodies. This approach could potentially be used to estimate turnover for other cellular or extracellular proteins.
Use of B-Mode, Linear Array Ultrasonography for Evaluating the Technique of Bovine Artificial Insemination

B-Mode, linear array ultrasonography was used to evaluate the site of semen deposition in live cows. The insemination sheath was modified to hold a brass bead that was deposited at the simulated site of semen deposition. The position of the bead was identified by ultrasonography and the bead was recovered by pulling a nylon line that was attached to the bead. An ultrasound technician identified placement of the bead in the site designated for semen deposition by a skilled inseminator in 24 of 25 cases. This procedure improves methods for inseminator training by providing a method of evaluating insemination technique using live animals rather than excised reproductive tracts. The ultrasound equipment used for inseminator evaluation is affordable, portable, and does not pose a human health risk.
The Saha Theory and the Conductivity of Flames Containing Alkali Metal Vapours

It was shown by A. A. Noyes and the writer that the equilibrium constants for the reactions M = M+ + e , where M denotes an atom of an alkali metal and e an electron, can be deduced from measurements of the electrical conductivity of flames, at 2000° K., containing the metal, and that the values so obtained agree approximately with those calculated by means of Saha’s well-known theory. This conclusion has since been fully confirmed by B. T. Barnes and by J. A. J. Bennett. Bennett found that the equilibrium constants deduced from his measurements agreed with Saha’s theory at temperatures near 2000° K., but that at lower temperatures the theoretical values were smaller than those given by the experiments.
Affinities of tight-binding lactose repressors for wild-type and pseudo-operators

Five tight-binding (Itb) mutants of the Escherichia coli lactose (lac) repressor have been characterized with regard to their non-specific affinity for DNA and their specific affinity for the wild-type operator and several sequence-altered (pseudo-) operators. Repressor-operator association rates were determined in the presence or absence of competitor DNA, dissociation rates of repressor from various DNA fragments were measured, and equilibrium competition for repressor binding was examined for several pseudo-operator DNAs. The mutant repressors exhibited increased non-specific affinity for DNA, and variable increases in affinity for sequence-altered operators. The known positions of amino acid substitutions for three of these Itb repressors support suggestions that residues 51 to 64 are important for operator recognition in addition to residues 1 to 50.
Repeat bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is a safe procedure.

Objective Previous tracheostomy has been considered a relative contraindication for percutaneous dilational tracheostomy. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of percutaneous dilational tracheostomy in critically ill patients with a history of previous tracheostomy. Design Retrospective, single-center case series of all consecutive patients requiring repeat tracheostomy for continued mechanical ventilatory support. Setting Intensive care unit of a tertiary-care referral center. Subjects Fourteen patients (eight female, six male) with a median age of 70 yrs (range, 33–94). All patients had previously undergone tracheostomy. Intervention Bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy. Measurement and Main Results Subjects’ previous tracheostomies dated back between 10 days and 8 yrs. Present intubation time before percutaneous dilational tracheostomy varied between 4 and 30 days. Bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy was performed successfully in all 14 patients by trained pulmonologists and surgeons. Eleven patients received an 8-mm and three received a 7-mm tracheostomy tube. There were no significant periprocedural complications, and no patient required surgical revision. The only postprocedural complication was accidental decannulation in one patient, which was managed with repeat percutaneous dilational tracheostomy. Conclusions Trained physicians can safely perform bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy after previous tracheostomy. Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy offers an alternative to surgical tracheostomy in this particular patient population and should not be considered contraindicated.
The formation of inorganic particulates by homogeneous nucleation in gases produced by the combustion of coal

Abstract The results of a theoretical study of the homogeneous nucleation of submicron inorganic particles in gases formed by the combustion of coal are reported. Because the general physicochemical aspects of classical nucleation are considered, the present treatment can be applied to a variety of combustion processes and conditions. To be specific, examples are presented that are typical of the conditions encountered in pulverized coal combustors. The conditions are assessed for which supersaturation of the combustion gases by an inorganic vapor species above the critical level for homogeneous nucleation of a condensed phase may occur when the gases contain a large number of preexisting particles. The results indicate that homogeneous nucleation of fine particles of silica may occur at temperatures above approximately 1700°K in spite of the presence in the gases of preexisting particles with a diameter of 8 μm at a mass loading of 1 gm/m3 when the gases are cooled at a rate in excess of 600°K/sec. Homogeneous nucleation of particles of sodium sulfate below 1500°K may also occur with about the same cooling rate. However, if the gases are burdened with very fine particles of silica that resulted from homogeneous nucleation at higher temperatures, the number desity of particles in the gases would be so high that the sodium sulfate would condense on these particles and homogeneous nucleation of sodium sulfate would be very unlikely. The analysis indicates that the concentrations of the heavy metals, such as lead, in most coals are sufficiently low that homogeneous nucleation of particles of the metal oxides, e.g., PbO, is highly unlikely. Instead, these vapor species may condense from the gases to form a layer of the oxide(s) on the preexisting particles, or they may condense simultaneously with other substances, such as silica, to form a slag layer. Further work is necessary before it will be possible to establish in detail the conditions that determine which of the above two possibilities may occur.
A systematic study of the Toda lattice

Abstract We apply the results of our recent investigation of integrable models to the particular case of the Toda lattice. We obtain the conserved quantities in closed form and derive the recursion relation which leads to their involution. We compare our Lax equation with the conventional and present the higher order Lax equations also in a closed form.
Synovial sarcoma mimicking desmoplastic small round-cell tumor: critical role for molecular diagnosis.

Background The identification of recently described nonrandom chromosomal defects specific for various small round-cell and spindle-cell sarcomas can eliminate diagnostic uncertainty arising from the clinical and histopathologic overlap of soft tissue neoplasms. Methods A 26-year-old man presented with bulky abdominal-pelvic disease. Immunohistochemical and molecular studies on tumor were performed. Treatment was instituted using cycles of high-dose cyclophosphamide (4,200 mg/m2) with doxorubicin (75 mg/m2). Results Clinical findings pointed to desmoplastic small round-cell tumor. The tumor was histologically undifferentiated and immunoreactive for vimentin but negative for other markers. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed the SYT/SSX2 fusion transcript of the synovial sarcoma t(X;18) chromosomal rearrangement. The high-dose chemotherapy, plus surgery, achieved a complete remission, but recurrent disease emerged 13 months from diagnosis. Conclusions This clinically unique case of synovial sarcoma highlights how the use of now readily available molecular techniques will allow more accurate appraisals of the incidence and anatomic distribution of soft tissue neoplasms—information that bears upon pathogenesis and treatment. This case confirms the utility of high-dose alkylator-based therapy for synovial sarcoma. It also demonstrates that with nonlocalized solid tumors, the eradication of minimal residual disease remains an elusive goal. One alternative involves immunologic attack against markers derived from tumor-specific chromosomal defects such as those found in our patient. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 32:97–101, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of vasopressin on myocardial capillary recruitment and coronary blood flow in the anesthetized rabbit.

The effects of infusion of arginine vasopressin (20 mU.kg-1.min-1) on coronary blood flow and the proportion of the coronary microvasculature perfused was studied in rabbit myocardium. Fluorescein isothiocyanate--dextran was injected into anesthetized open-chest rabbits to identify the perfused vessels and an alkaline phosphatase stain was employed to locate the total microvasculature. Coronary blood flow (radioactive microspheres) was studied in separate groups of rabbits. Vasopressin infusion caused bradycardia (243 +/- 19 to 165 +/- 22 beats/min, mean +/- SD) and an increase in mean blood pressure (92 +/- 18 to 104 +/- 12 mmHg) (1 mmHg = 133.32 Pa). Coronary blood flow decreased significantly with vasopressin from 209 +/- 68 to 97 +/- 36 mL.min-1.100 g-1. The proportion of the arteriolar bed per millimeter squared perfused decreased significantly after vasopressin from 54 +/- 13 to 44 +/- 21%, while the percentage of capillaries per millimeter squared increased significantly from 57 +/- 6 to 67 +/- 11%. There were no subepicardial versus subendocardial differences in any measured parameter. Thus, both coronary blood flow and the proportion of the arteriolar bed perfused decreased with vasopressin. However, compensation occurred in that the proportion of capillaries perfused increased. This indicated an independent level of control of the coronary arteriolar and capillary beds. These microvascular changes may help to maintain oxygen supply-demand balance with vasopressin in the heart.
MONEY-WAGE DYNAMICS AND LABOR-MARKET EQUILIBRIUM

This chapter discusses money-wage dynamics and labor-market equilibrium. A generalized excess-demand theory of the rate of change of the average money-wage rate has been developed for frictional labor markets that allocate heterogeneous jobs and workers without having perfect information and market clearance by auction. There are two explanatory variables: the vacancy rate and the unemployment rate. The unemployment rate and the rate of change of employment are shown to be joint proxies for the vacancy rate. Hence, generalized excess demand can be regarded as a derived function of the unemployment rate and the rate of change of employment. This relationship is the augmented Phillips curve. Some of its properties are deduced. Equilibrium entails equality between the actual and expected rates of wage change. The steady-state equilibrium locus is implied to be a vertical line at a unique steady-state equilibrium unemployment rate. This is consistent with the usual theory of anticipated inflation. But if there are downward money-wage rigidities, then, up to a point, every one percentage point increase of the expected rate of wage change produces less than a one percentage point increase of the actual rate of wage change. The steady-state equilibrium locus will then have the characteristic negative slope of the Phillips curve in the range of large unemployment rates. But at sufficiently small unemployment rates, equilibrium is impossible and under the adaptive expectations theory, an explosive hyperinflation will result.
Nanometer-scale resonant cavities

Cavity enhanced directional resonance has been experimentally observed in single optically-trapped polystyrene particles, which have a size range from 9 μm down to several hundred nm. The higher resonance peaks correspond to longitudinal modes of the directional laser oscillation in a deformed spherical resonator. The lower peaks are attributed to whispering-gallery modes. For a particle with a diameter of approximately 9 μm, the longitudinal mode numbers of the resonator that is responsible for the observed sharp emission peaks are identified using a ray optics model. It is suggested that both directional and whispering-gallery modes can exist in nanometer-scale size resonators. The potential use of such resonant optical cavities in fiber-based optical sensors for chemical diagnostics is suggested. Considerable additional work is required to completely model and measure the observation of effects briefly summarized here.
Towards an understanding of amyloidogenesis

Two studies in this issue provide further insight into the structural continuum associated with the process of amyloidosis.
Fossil-Fuel Futurity: Oil in Giant

DANIEL WORDEN Journal of American Studies / Volume 46 / Special Issue 02 / May 2012, pp 441 ­ 460 DOI: 10.1017/S002187581200014X, Published online: 30 May 2012 Link to this article: http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S002187581200014X How to cite this article: DANIEL WORDEN (2012). Fossil­Fuel Futurity: Oil in Giant. Journal of American Studies, 46, pp 441­460 doi:10.1017/S002187581200014X Request Permissions : Click here
DIFFERENTIAL TESTOSTERONE SENSITIVITY OF FORELIMB MUSCLES OF MALE LEOPARD FROGS, RANA PIPIENS : TEST OF A MODEL SYSTEM

Certain forelimb muscles of anurans exhibit sexual dimorphism in mass and fiber composition, offering potential for studies of the effects of hormones on muscle characteristics. Androgen-responsiveness of major forelimb muscles of male leopard frogs, Rana pipiens, was evaluated by quantifying the effects of testosterone cypionate administration and castration on lyophilized muscle mass. The coracoradialis, pectoralis epicoracoideus, and pectoralis sternalis muscles were highly-responsive to testosterone treatment, showing a mean dry mass increase of approximately 50% over control values. However, the pectoralis abdominis muscle was unaffected by testosterone administration, and castration had no effect on any of the muscles. Testosterone sensitivity reflects both the degree of sexual dimorphism and the inferred functional roles of the muscles. Because their forelimb muscles vary markedly in androgen-sensitivity, leopard frogs show considerable promise as a model system for clarifying hormonal regulation of muscle characteristics.
The C-terminal lysine of Ogg2 DNA glycosylases is a major molecular determinant for guanine/8-oxoguanine distinction

7,8-Dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is a major oxidative lesion found in DNA. The 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylases (Ogg) responsible for the removal of 8-oxoG are divided into three families Ogg1, Ogg2 and AGOG. The Ogg2 members are devoid of the recognition loop used by Ogg1 to discriminate between 8-oxoG and guanine and it was unclear until recently how Ogg2 enzymes recognize the oxidized base. We present here the first crystallographic structure of an Ogg2 member, Methanocaldococcus janischii Ogg, in complex with a DNA duplex containing the 8-oxoG lesion. This structure highlights the crucial role of the C-terminal lysine, strictly conserved in Ogg2, in the recognition of 8-oxoG. The structure also reveals that Ogg2 undergoes a conformational change upon DNA binding similar to that observed in Ogg1 glycosylases. Furthermore, this work provides a structural rationale for the lack of opposite base specificity in this family of enzymes.