cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Explanted CorMatrix Tyke Extracardiac Patches in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background Animal data demonstrate that intracardiac patches of decellularized porcine small intestine submucosa (CorMatrix; CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Atlanta, GA) become repopulated with native cells, suggesting the possibility of a substrate for regenerative tissue in humans. Although human studies have not demonstrated this regenerative property with intracardiac patches, it is possible that other environments may better promote native cell repopulation. We report a prospective series of explanted CorMatrix extracardiac patches placed in infants with congenital heart disease. Methods CorMatrix Tyke patches were used in pulmonary artery patch closure during the Norwood procedure. The patch material was explanted as part of the hemi-Fontan procedure. Specimens were analyzed with the use of hematoxylin and eosin, Movat pentachrome, and trichrome stains. Results Of the 11 implantations, 9 specimens were explanted. One patient did not survive to hemi-Fontan procedure. One patient’s patch was removed, but not analyzed. Acellular material, chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and foreign body giant cell reaction was seen in all explanted patches. No explanted CorMatrix Tyke material demonstrated evidence of ingrowth of native endothelial tissue at a median of 4.9 months in vivo. Conclusions CorMatrix Tyke patch material, placed as a pulmonary artery patch in an extracardiac position, remained pliable and mostly free of calcification. However, these patches did not show evidence of native endothelial tissue at a median of 4.9 months in vivo.
Fabrication of Polyurethane Based Fabric Composite Shaft and its Experimental Study Under Triple Point Bending

Semi-rigid urethane based fiber composite shafts are fabricated by high pressure injection molding process. The samples are made in Georgia Southern University’s laboratory where compressed air pressure is effectively used for this purpose. A special manufacturing process is suggested which can be used for mass production of these composites. This unique manufacturing technique creates a composite shaft with a core made of matrix material which is completely wrapped around by a woven fiber cloth with a very strong bonding between core and fibers. Three different types of woven fibers: fiber glass, Kevlar 49, and carbon fibers, are used. Triple point bending tests are carried out to test these three different types of composite samples and also samples made of only base or core material. During the test as the applied load is increased, a linear trend is observed between the load and mid-point deflection of the specimens up to a certain level. Higher load causes separation of fibers and core matrix and followed by local buckling of the separated fibers that are under compression region. This phenomenon brings down the bending stiffness of the composite significantly and it is quite pronounced in the load deflection curve diagram. Failure modes are observed to differ for each of these three types of composite and are discussed in details here. Composites with fiber glass wrapping are found to be the strongest among the three. Future work will involve determining the torsional and fatigue properties, and also the effect of fiber orientations on the mechanical properties of these composites.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Dosis de refuerzo de vacuna SARS CoV-2 para la prevención de COVID-19: Desafío en un escenario con incertezas

Al 16 de julio pasado existian 108 vacunas en etapa clinica de desarrollo, 28 de ellas con estudios en fase III y 6 autorizadas por la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS) segun datos publicados al 3 de junio (AstraZeneca/Oxford, Johnson and Johnson/Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer/BionTech, Sinopharm, Sinovac) (1,2). A la vez, las entidades regulatorias como la FDA ( Food and Drugs Agency ) y la EMA ( European Medicine Agency ) han autorizado para uso de emergencia las vacunas de los productores Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca y Janssen (3) y en Chile el Instituto de Salud Publica ha autorizado 6 vacunas (Pfizer, CoronaVac, Astrazeneca, CanSino, Janssen, Sputnik). En las ultimas semanas, en el contexto de la preocupante propagacion de la variante Delta (B.1.617.2) del SARS-CoV-2, la compania Pfizer solicito a la FDA la autorizacion para la administracion de una dosis de refuerzo ( booster ) con su vacuna BNT162b2 , luego de que el analisis interino de datos provenientes de la poblacion vacunada en Israel mostrara una reduccion significativa de los anticuerpos neutralizantes a los seis meses de completado el esquema primario, solicitud que genero debate en la comunidad cientifica. Hasta ahora los datos disponibles sobre eficacia de la vacuna BNT162b2 en escenario de circulacion de variantes sugieren que continua siendo altamente efectiva (4,5). Los estudios para definir la eventual necesidad de una dosis de refuerzo a diferentes esquemas primarios estan en etapas de reclutamiento inicial en varios paises.
Evaluation of TP53 mutations in Pap test and blood DNA as novel biomarkers of ovarian cancer risk

Objectives: The use of Pap tests as a molecular diagnostic for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is a promising concept, but studies to detect tumor DNA report limited sensitivity. ‘Cancer-like’ somatic mutations from clonal expansions in non-neoplastic tissue can be detected in Pap tests and blood, and could potentially be utilized for cancer risk-assessment. We aimed to determine whether TP53 somatic mutations in blood and Pap test DNA are associated with HGSC or with inherited ovarian cancer susceptibility. Methods: Peripheral blood and Pap samples were collected from 26 women with HGSC (10 with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 [BRCA] mutations) and 35 women without cancer (17 with germline BRCA mutations), all of whom underwent gynecologic surgery at a single academic institution. Blood samples alone were available for an additional four women. DNA was extracted from the blood buffy coat layer and Pap samples. The coding region of TP53 was deeply sequenced (mean depth ~3800x) using duplex sequencing, an ultra-accurate error-correction sequencing approach. Mutations frequently found in the UMD TP53 Cancer Database were termed ‘cancer-like’. Mutation frequencies (total coding mutations divided by nucleotides sequenced, MF) were compared between groups using t-tests, restricted to those between the ages of 40 and 60 for improved age-matching. Age-related trends were explored with fitted linear regression models. Results: 572 coding-region TP53 mutations were identified in DNA from Pap tests from 26 women with HGSC (300 mutations) and 35 women without cancer (272 mutations). 287 mutations were identified in the DNA from blood buffy coat from 29 women with HGSC (161 mutations) and 36 without cancer (226 mutations). DNA from Pap tests demonstrated a higher MF in patients with HGSC than those without cancer (2.5x10-6 vs. 1.6x10-6, p=0.03). Cancer-like MF was also significantly higher in patients with HGSC (8.8x10-7 vs. 5.0x10-7, p=0.01). There were no significant differences in MF amongst cases without cancer with or without germline BRCA mutations, or amongst cases without cancer in those with BRCA1 vs BRCA2 germline mutations. Cancer-like mutations increased with age in Pap test samples from women without cancer (p Download : Download high-res image (124KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Identifying the tumor-specific mutation in Pap tests, even with highly accurate DNA sequencing methods, does not reliably detect ovarian cancer. However, Pap tests carry abundant low frequency cancer-like TP53 mutations, which are found in higher rates in women with HGSC than without. In patients without cancer, these TP53 mutations increase linearly with age. Somatic TP53 mutation frequency using age-related thresholds should be further explored as a biomarker for ovarian cancer risk.
A fuzzy logic energy management system of on-grid electrical system for residential prosumers

Abstract The fast emergent of smart grid technologies in the last few decades has significantly altered the energy profiles of residential buildings by allowing them to resume an active role in generating energy in addition to consuming the energy delivered by the utility. This dual role has transformed residential buildings into prosumers (i.e., joint producer-consumers), imposing elevated energy management challenges as a result of the increased complexity in decision making. Considering the physical and time constraints of human residents, there is a need for automated intelligent energy management systems (EMSs) that achieve efficient decisions concerning power consumption needs and expenses. In the current literature, no widely accepted approach integrates all the power components of a modern prosumer aiming at reducing the electricity bill that is applicable in various climate conditions. To that end, this paper proposes a climate-independent fuzzy logic EMS that integrates solar and wind generators, battery energy system (BES), electric vehicle (EV) load, dynamic electricity pricing, and tariffs and has the goal of reducing the prosumer's electricity bill. To test the performance of the fuzzy management system, a residential prosumer simulation has been implemented with data (weather, prices) taken from three regions with different climate characteristics over a period of three years. Its performance is benchmarked against two different management systems – a simple rule-based system and a linear optimization approach – with results showing that the proposed method attained the lowest consumption cost.
Pathobiology of Vascular Disease

Knowledge of the structure and function of the circulatory system and the consequences of temporary or permanent disruption of regional blood flow is imperative in surgery because operative procedures by their very nature disrupt tissues and their blood supply. Moreover, reconstruction of blood vessels is often necessary as they fail from disease or trauma. Repair or replacement requires an understanding of vascular anatomy, vessel wall structure, hemodynamics, and the healing properties of vessels and grafts. This chapter focuses on the arterial system, providing an overview of its origin, structure, and function. The pathobiology of common artery wall diseases is then considered. Subsequent chapters focus on contemporary management of regional artery wall pathology.
Muscle sounds from evoked twitches in the hand

Skeletal muscle emits acoustic signals during voluntary contraction and during twitches produced by electric stimulation of peripheral nerves. Supramaximal, percutaneous electric stimulation was applied to the median or ulnar nerve, while electric and sound signals were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis or abductor digiti minimi muscles, respectively, in 27 volunteers without known disease. Reproducible waveforms were obtained with the following means and standard deviations: (1) latency from stimulus to onset of sound, median = 6.9 +/- 0.8msec, ulnar = 6.6 +/- 1.0msec; (2) latency from stimulus to peak of sound, median = 15.1 +/- 1.5msec, ulnar = 13.1 +/- 1.5msec; (3) latency from onset of surface electric to onset of sound, median = 3.6 +/- 1.0msec, ulnar = 3.9 +/- 1.1msec; (4) baseline-to-peak amplitude of sound, median = 860 +/- 270mV, ulnar = 640 +/- 230mV; and (5) baseline-to-peak amplitude of surface electric, median = 11.4 +/- 3.0mV, ulnar = 10.1 +/- 2.4mV. Stimulated muscle sounds are useful when artifacts, such as tremor, interfere with voluntary muscle sound recordings, or when quantitative information is needed to relate electric to contractile muscle activity.
The Limits of the New Deal Analogy

The past three years of the Obama Administration inevitably have elicited comparisons between the present day and the era of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. While frequently illuminating, such comparisons often overlook an important point that many may have forgotten: compared with the major reform initiatives undertaken during President Obama’s tenure, a review of the roll call votes reveals that the measures enacted by the New Deal Congresses enjoyed a remarkable degree of bipartisan support. In addition, the Democrats enjoyed large majorities in the House of Representatives from 1933 forward, and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate after 1934.These dual luxuries of bipartisan support and electoral dominance had two important implications for the durability of New Deal legislation. First, they guaranteed that in the near term there would be no significant movement within Congress to repeal that legislation. Second, they ensured that if the Supreme Court held such legislation unconstitutional, Congress would get a second bite at the apple. In several instances in which the Hughes Court held that a legislative attempt to address a particular problem did not pass constitutional muster, the New Deal Congresses would have, and would take, the opportunity to reformulate the program to achieve the desired end through means consistent with prevailing constitutional doctrine.Neither of these conditions obtains today. Congressional Republicans are committed to substantial modification or outright repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and if the Court were to declare all of portions of that Act unconstitutional, there is virtually no chance that it would be enacted in anything like its current form by the present Congress. Moreover, polling data suggest that popular support for the Act is not nearly as strong as it was for programs challenged before the Court in 1937. Court decisions invalidating either the minimum wage or the Social Security Act would have frustrated both the legislative and the popular will. By contrast, polls show the American people favoring repeal or judicial invalidation of all or part of the Affordable Care Act, and the Act as a whole does not enjoy the support of the present Congress. A Court decision striking down the individual mandate therefore would be flouting neither the current congressional will nor present popular preferences. We should bear such important differences in mind when contemplating the extent to which the 1930s provide an illuminating analogy to our present circumstances.
Nervous and Immune System Interactions

Several mechanisms by which the nervous and immune systems might interact have now been recognized. The nervous system may affect immune function via direct innervation of immune organs and by secretion of hormones from the pituitary and other endocrine organs. Conversely, cells of the immune system may influence nervous system function by secretion of a variety of chemical messengers, among which cytokines are the best recognized. Also, although classically the brain was considered ‘immunologically privileged’, it is now recognized that cells of the immune system may be active in the brain, and that this may be an important factor in many central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Keywords: immune system; nervous system; conditioning; stress; HPA axis; ACTH; CRF; corticosteroid; cytokines; behaviour; noradrenaline; serotonin; tryptophan
Control and Stability Analysis of Cooperating Robots

The work presented here is the description of the control strategy of two cooperating robots. A two-finger hand is an example of such a system. The control method allows for position control of the contact point by one of the robots while the other robot controls the contact force. The stability analysis of two robot manipulators has been investigated using unstructured models for dynamic behavior of robot manipulators. For the stability of two robots, there must be some initial compliancy in either robot. The initial compliancy in the robots can be obtained by a non-zero sensitivity function for the tracking controller or a passive compliant element such as an RCC.
JC virus T-antigen in colorectal cancer is associated with p53 expression and chromosomal instability, independent of CpG island methylator phenotype.

JC virus has a transforming gene encoding JC virus T-antigen (JCVT). JCVT may inactivate wild-type p53, cause chromosomal instability (CIN), and stabilize β-catenin. A link between JCVT and CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) has been suggested. However, no large-scale study has examined the relations of JCVT with molecular alterations, clinical outcome, or prognosis in colon cancer. We detected JCVT expression (by immunohistochemistry) in 271 (35%) of 766 colorectal cancers. We quantified DNA methylation in eight CIMP-specific promoters ( CACNA1G, CDKN2A, CRABP1, IGF2, MLH1, NEUROG1, RUNX3 , and SOCS1 ) and eight other loci ( CHFR, HIC1, IGFBP3, MGMT , MINT1, MINT31, p14, WRN ) by MethyLight. We examined loss of heterozygosity in 2p, 5q, 17q, and 18q. JCVT was significantly associated with p53 expression ( P P P P = .006), LINE-1 hypomethylation ( P = .002), and inversely with CIMP-high ( P = .0005) and microsatellite instability (MSI) ( P PIK3CA mutation. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the associations of JCVT with p53 [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 8.45; P P = .003), cyclin D1 (adjusted OR, 1.57; P = .02), LINE-1 hypomethylation (adjusted OR, 1.97 for a 30% decline as a unit; P = .03), BRAF mutation (adjusted OR, 2.20; P = .04), and family history of colorectal cancer (adjusted OR, 0.64; P = .04) remained statistically significant. However, JCVT was no longer significantly associated with CIMP, MSI, β-catenin, or cyclooxygenase-2 expression in multivariate analysis. JCVT was unrelated with patient survival. In conclusion, JCVT expression in colorectal cancer is independently associated with p53 expression and CIN, which may lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
Multi-level converter to interface low voltage DC to 3-phase high voltage grid with medium frequency transformer isolation

This paper presents a single stage, bi-directional multi-level converter topology with a multi-winding medium frequency transformer (MFT) isolation to interface a low voltage DC with a 3-phase high voltage grid. The proposed topology can be used for integrating 3-ph utility grid with various low voltage renewables like solar photovoltaic, fuel cells etc. The transformer secondary windings in each phase have unequal turns ratio. This asymmetry introduced in the transformer turns ratio allows to generate more output voltage levels, using less number of semiconductor switches leading to a reduced footprint. The transformer secondary side has AC-AC converter modules which are pulse width modulated. This results in the elimination of the harmonics at multiples of grid frequency, resulting in reduced size of filter inductance. The paper also shows the winding procedure to interleave the windings resulting in lower leakage inductance to minimize the problem of leakage commutation. The proposed topology is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink.
Realism, Anti-Realism, and Materialism: rereading the critical turn after meillassoux

Quentin Meillassoux has recently leveled a controversial attack on critical philosophy and the transcendental turn through his concept of correlationism. This critique is motivated by the attempt to move away from a philosophy of human finitude towards a speculative materialism. In this paper I argue that Meillassoux’s understanding of correlationism does not adequately depict the critical turn, especially in regards to the distinction between the epistemological problem of realism and the problem of materialism. I attempt to show that by reading the critical turn as anti-epistemological one can think of its turn away from things themselves towards relation and mediation in ways that are not necessarily against either science or materialism.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone: A review of 29 cases at a single center

Objectives/Hypothesis Evaluate presentation, management, and clinical outcomes of patients with temporal bone Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Reviewed all patients with temporal bone LCH at a tertiary academic referral center between 1978 and 2014. Presentation, disease course, intervention, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results Between 1978 and 2014, 29 temporal bones in 20 patients (12 males; median age 32 years, range 1.3–88 years) were diagnosed with temporal bone LCH, representing 4% of all patients diagnosed with LCH at our institution during that time. Twelve (60%) patients presented purely with head and neck disease, nine (45%) with bilateral temporal bone involvement, seven (35%) with intracranial spread, and eight (40%) with multisystem disease. The most common presenting symptoms were otorrhea (n = 11; 55%) and subjective hearing loss (n = 10; 50%). Treatment included primary chemotherapy or radiation alone(n = 7; 35%), local resection alone (n = 2; 10%), and chemotherapy or radiation with surgery(n = 11; 55%). Ten patients suffered local or systemic relapse (50%; median 12 months). Median follow-up for patients was 31 months. One patient died secondary to pulmonary complications of multisystem LCH. Conclusions LCH is an uncommon histiocytic disorder with a range of clinical manifestations and disease severity. Otologic involvement is rare, and frequently manifests with symptoms similar to otomastoiditis. Evaluation and close follow-up of both ears is important. Bilateral simultaneous or sequential LCH can be seen in up to 45% of cases. Patients with temporal bone LCH should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with treatment tailored to the patient. Relapse is more common in patients with multisystem involvement. Even in subjects with isolated otologic involvement, long-term follow-up is critical, with relapses occurring years beyond treatment. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2015
A Quantitative Approach to Assessing Sovereign Default Risk in Resource‐Rich Emerging Economies

The problem of sovereign default is a tricky one for bankers, policy makers, politicians and investors alike. Purely financial models are likely to miss nuance and cultural idiosyncrasies. Nonetheless, risk metrics must play a role. Using a stochastic growth model in an open economy, we propose a Kealhofer, McQuown and Vasicek (KMV)-style approach for assessing sovereign default risk in resource-rich emerging economies. As is well known, financial effects, specifically external debt, can make a country vulnerable to economic shocks. Excessive external debt is, thus, a prime indicator for financial health in both resource-poor and resource-rich countries; yet, safe ratios are difficult to determine. Using a straightforward and easily implementable methodology, we show how optimal debt ratios may be used to define a ‘distance from default’ indicator variable. Further, we demonstrate that this is a plausible risk metric for a number of different developing countries, including representatives from Latin America, Africa and Asia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A case study of the trade-offs in a parallel protocol processing architecture under transient link failures

Signaling Transfer Points (STPs) are large packet switches in the Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) network. They route signaling messages to set-up and tear-down calls and perform network management functions in the event of link and node failures and overload conditions. These functions are part of the Message Transfer Part (MTP) Layer 3 protocol functions in the SS7 protocol stack and require the support of routing tables that maintain the status of the routes in the network. One key factor in the design of the STP architecture is the parallelism used in performing MTP Layer 3 protocol functions. This paper attempts to quantify the effect of parallelism on call throughput when the network experiences multiple simultaneous link failures. Results show that centralized architectures tend to over-control processor congestion subsequent to link failures, resulting in a higher number of calls being throttled at the source. Architectures with multiple processors can perform better since the network management task is shared by multiple processors and any subsequent processor congestion impacts a fewer number of sources. However, when the parallelism is very high, the routing table synchronization cost becomes high resulting in delays in synchronizing the routing tables which causes large number of messages to be dropped in the STP. These and other architectural trade-offs are addressed in this paper based on a detailed simulation analysis.
Novel method of finding extreme edges in a convex set of N-dimension vectors

As we published in the last few years, for a binary neural network pattern recognition system to learn a given mapping {Um mapped to Vm, m=1 to M} where um is an N- dimension analog (pattern) vector, Vm is a P-bit binary (classification) vector, the if-and-only-if (IFF) condition that this network can learn this mapping is that each i-set in {Ymi, m=1 to M} (where Ymithere existsVmiUm and Vmi=+1 or -1, is the i-th bit of VR-m).)(i=1 to P and there are P sets included here.) Is POSITIVELY, LINEARLY, INDEPENDENT or PLI. We have shown that this PLI condition is MORE GENERAL than the convexity condition applied to a set of N-vectors. In the design of old learning machines, we know that if a set of N-dimension analog vectors form a convex set, and if the machine can learn the boundary vectors (or extreme edges) of this set, then it can definitely learn the inside vectors contained in this POLYHEDRON CONE. This paper reports a new method and new algorithm to find the boundary vectors of a convex set of ND analog vectors.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ferromagnetic and spin-glass ordering in Fe-doped Au x Pd 1 − x alloys

Ferromagnetic and spin-glass ordering has been studied in ${({\mathrm{Au}}_{x}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x})}_{1\ensuremath{-}c}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{c}$ alloys for $0l~xl~1$ and $0l~c\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.06$. Magnetic susceptibility, high-field magnetization, and M\"ossbauer measurements have been performed between liquid-helium and room temperature. For small $x$, the alloys are strongly exchange enhanced. Assuming that the local-moment-conduction-electron exchange coupling $J$ is independent of $x$, and employing the Takahashi-Shimizu-Doniach-Wohlfarth theory, we obtain $J=0.12$ eV from the saturation moment versus host susceptibility data. The theory, however, fails to describe the interimpurity coupling that leads to magnetic order in the Pd-rich alloys. A simple phenomenological model, based on the ferromagnetic coupling of all the giant polarization clouds except those that are "isolated," gives qualitative agreement with the ${T}_{c}(c)$ data, where ${T}_{c}$ is the ordering temperature. The magnetic ordering changes from ferromagnetic to spin glass or mictomagnetic as $x$ increases beyond about 0.5. This seems to be connected with the change at this composition in the character of the electronic states at the Fermi level from $d$-like to $s$-like. The Au-rich samples are spin glasses understandable in terms of the Sherrington-Southern theory which is based on fluctuations in the exchange couplings of the Fe spins. The magnitude of this coupling was estimated in two ways, employing the theories of Sherrington-Southern and Larkin, and the results were in reasonable agreement with each other.
Expression of a chimeric CaMV 35S Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein gene in transgenic tobacco.

Insecticidal transgenic tobacco plants containing a truncated Bacillus thuringiensis cryIA(b) crystal protein (ICP) gene expressed from the CaMV 35S promoter were analyzed for ICP gene expression under field and greenhouse conditions over the course of a growing season. We present new information on temporal and tissue-specific expression of a CaMV 35S/cryIA(b) gene. Levels of cryIA(b) protein and mRNA were compared in both homozygous and hemizygous lines throughout plant development. Levels of ICP mRNA and protein increased during plant development with a pronounced rise in expression at the time of flowering. Homozygous ICP lines produced higher levels of ICP than the corresponding hemizygous lines. ELISA analysis of different tissues in the tobacco plant showed ICP gene expression in most tissues with a predominance of ICP in older tissue. All transgenic ICP tobacco lines which were studied in the field and greenhouse contained 400 ng to 1 μg ICP per gram fresh weight in leaves from the mid-section of the plant at flowering. The amounts of ICP produced by field lines were directly comparable to levels observed in greenhouse-grown plants.
Experimental Study of High Reynolds Number (Re =23000) Two and Three-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layers

Abstract : Experimental data obtained in a two-dimensional turbulent boundary layer (TBL) flow and a three-dimensional (3D) pressure-driven TBL flow around a wing/body junction are presented. Reynolds number effects are investigated. Fine spatial resolution laser-Doppler velocimeter measurements of mean velocity and higher order statistics including the third order products measured for 9 stations are reported. Reynolds number based on momentum thickness (Re sub theta) of the developing 2-D boundary layer on the wall was Re sub theta = 232OO, and the approach nominal reference velocity of the undisturbed air flow was 32 m/sec. The wing shape used had a 3:2 elliptical nose, NACA 0020 profiled tail and it was mounted on a flat wall. Distribution of measured static pressure variation on the wall, turbulent kinetic energy and some derived quantities such as the flow angle, flow gradient angle, shear stress angle, and modeling parameters are also discussed.
Biomechanical Comparison of Krackow Locking Stitch Versus Nonlocking Loop Stitch With Varying Number of Throws

Background:Common suture configuration techniques used for ligament and tendon grafts and repair are the Krackow locking stitch and a nonlocking loop stitch, such as a whipstitch. Clinically, the preferences of orthopaedic surgeons vary.Hypothesis:The Krackow locking stitch and the nonlocking whipstitch, with varying suture loops, produce different biomechanical and physical effects on the tendon end.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:A total of 52 fresh-frozen porcine flexor digitorum tendons were used and assigned into 10 groups. Two stitch configurations (Krackow stitch [K] and whipstitch [W]) with varying number of loops (2 throws, n = 6; 4 throws, n = 5; 6 throws, n = 5; 8 throws, n = 5; 10 throws, n = 5) were tested. No. 2 FiberWire was used. Each sample was preloaded to 5 N and then cyclically loaded for 200 cycles to 200 N at 1 Hz, and then the tendon-suture construct was analyzed for gap formation, tendon elongation, and tendon end width. Next, each tendon was loaded to failure, and...
Evaluation of the impact of backscatter spectral characteristics on Chl retrievals in coastal waters

With the increasing recognition of the need for using the NIR bands for chlorophyll retrieval in coastal waters it is necessary to account not only for the spectral modulation of the total elastic backscatter by the chlorophyll absorption spectra, as it is normally done, but to also take into account the spectral signature of the backscatter itself, whether from mineral or organic particulates, including algae, and to assess how these factors effect retrieval algorithms. Based on our recent field measurements in coastal waters, we have undertaken a study to examine the spectral behavior of the backscatter to total scattering ratio as a function of suspended solids and chlorophyll loadings. The total scattering spectra is obtained using the WET Labs AC-S instrument which provides hyperspectral measurements of absorption and attenuation, in conjunction with the bb9 instrument which provides direct measurement of backscatter, as well fluorescence measurement of chlorophyll concentration [Chl]. The relevant WET Labs absorption and attenuation data were then used as input into Hydrolight radiative transfer simulations to obtain the backscattering ratio spectral distributions. Preliminary NIR algorithms, which were evolved for high [Chl] coastal waters and which focus on the contribution of spectral changes due to chlorophyll backscattering in the NIR, are presented. It is expected that these algorithms will ultimately prove to be less dependent on regional tuning.
Clinical Experience with Fludarabine in Leukaemia

Fludarabine (Fludara) is a new purine analogue that was first entered into clinical trials in 1982. Results of initial studies with high dosages (> 96 mg/m2/day for 5 to 7 days) of fludarabine in acute leukaemia showed significant cytoreductive activity but a high incidence of severe irreversible neurotoxicity. The results of subsequent studies with lower dosages of 25 to 30 mg/m2/day for 5 days in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and low grade lymphomas have shown this regimen to be effective and safe, with almost no significant neurotoxicity. At present, the major role of fludarabine in leukaemia is in the management of CLL. In previously treated patients with CLL, responses are obtained in more than 50% of patients, with two-thirds of those responses being complete remissions according to the National Cancer Institute Working Group (NCIWG) criteria for complete response and partial response. The major causes of morbidity associated with fludarabine in CLL are infections and febrile episodes. These occur more frequently in previously treated patients and those with advanced stage of disease. Myelosuppression is dose limiting and a small proportion of patients with CLL develop moderate to severe and sometimes protracted myelosuppression. Administration of combined fludarabine and cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside; ara-C) alone (FA regimen) or together with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (FLAG regimen) produced high response rates in previously treated refractory patients with acute leukaemia and previously untreated patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. The wide range of biochemical and biological activities of fludarabine suggests that it will have an expanding role in future combinations in the treatment of both acute and chronic leukaemias.
Comparative study of cephalexin hydrochloride and cephalexin monohydrate in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.

In two prospective, randomized multicenter double-blind studies with a dosage of either 250 mg given four times a day (study A) or 500 mg given two times a day (study B), the comparative efficacy and safety of cephalexin hydrochloride (LY061188; Keftab) and cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex) for treatment of skin and soft tissue infections were determined. In study A, 97 patients received cephalexin hydrochloride and 101 patients received cephalexin monohydrate. In study B, 75 patients received cephalexin hydrochloride and 70 patients received cephalexin monohydrate. Diagnoses included abscesses, cellulitis, wound infections, and infected dermatitis, and were comparable in the different treatment groups. Pathogens were isolated from 82% of patients enrolled; the majority of isolates were of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, other staphylococcal species, and a few gram-negative bacteria. In study A, 68 of 71 (95.7%) evaluable patients who received cephalexin hydrochloride responded satisfactorily; 73 of 81 (90%) patients who received cephalexin monohydrate also responded satisfactorily. In study B, 56 of 58 (96.5%) evaluable patients who received cephalexin hydrochloride responded satisfactorily; 47 of 50 (94%) patients who received cephalexin monohydrate also responded satisfactorily. An adverse clinical event leading to discontinuation of the treatment drug developed in 17 of 343 (4.95%) patients in both studies. No differences were noted between the two drugs. Skin eruptions, pruritis, and mild gastrointestinal symptoms were the common adverse effects. These data suggest that cephalexin hydrochloride, a new formulation of cephalexin, is a safe and effective antimicrobial agent for treatment of a variety of skin and subcutaneous infections in a dosage of either 250 mg four times a day or 500 mg twice a day.
Some Expected Values for Probabilities of Correct Classification in Discriminant Analysis

Monte Carlo estimates have been obtained for two quantities of interest in a discriminant analysis involving the usual linear discriminant function. The first is the unconditional probability of correct classification; the second is the expected value of its estimate based on the calculated Mahalanobis distance. These two quantities are shown in tables and graphs versus the population Mahalanobis distance. Equal sample sizes of 25, 50, and 100 have been used in forming the discriminant functions; 2, 6, 10, 15, 20, and 30 variates have been used. A comparison is made between the Monte Carlo estimates of the unconditional probability of correct classification and an approximation suggested by Lachenbruch [41].
The bHLH transcription factor SPATULA is a key regulator of organ size in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant organ size and thus plant size is determined by both cell proliferation and cell expansion. The bHLH transcription factor SPATULA (SPT) was originally identified as a regulator of carpel patterning. It has subsequently been found to control growth of the organs of the shoot. It does this at least in part by controlling the size of meristematic regions of organs in parallel to gibberellic acid (GA). It also acts downstream of several environmental signals, influencing growth in response to light and temperature. We have recently demonstrated that SPT functions to repress the size of the root meristem and thus root growth and size. It appears to do this using a similar mechanism to its control of leaf size. Based on the recent work on SPT, we propose that it is a growth repressor that acts to limit the size of meristems in response to environmental signals, perhaps by regulating auxin transport.
In vitro studies on the nature of vinblastine inhibition of thyroid secretion.

The effects of vinblastine on thyroid secretion have been studied in mouse thyroid glands in vitro. Inhibition of the secretory response to TSH was observed within the first 30 min of exposure to vinblastine and was largely complete after 1 h. Inhibition of colloid droplet formation and hormonal radioiodine release was comparable for both TSH and cyclic AMP stimulation. No reversal of inhibition was seen when thyroids exposed to vinblastine were subsequently washed 2 or 4 h in vinblastine free medium, nor could previous vinblastine inhibition be overcome by high levels of TSH or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Ultrastructural effects of vinblastine (1 x 10−5M) were studied under conditions similar to those used to demonstrate inhibition of secretion. Microtubules present in thyroids incubated in control medium were reduced after 30 min and almost completely abolished after 1 or 2 h exposure to vinblastine. No other reproducible structural changes were seen. A higher concentration of vinblastine (5 × 10−5M), however...
Engaging Early Childhood Teachers in the Thinking and Practice of Inquiry: Collaborative Research Mentorship as a Tool for Shifting Teacher Identity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of participation in a research mentorship team (RMT) on early childhood teachers' professional identities. The participants were seven early childhood teachers engaged in preservice teacher supervision at a university-affiliated child care center who volunteered to be members of the RMT facilitated by two teacher educators. This process involved informal monthly meetings and activities over the course of 2 years intended to engage teachers more directly and intentionally in inquiry. The teachers' perspectives regarding the benefits and the challenges they faced in the RMT were explored. The findings of this study, derived from interviews, meeting transcripts, and supporting documents, offer insight into: (1) early childhood teachers' changing paradigms regarding the research process, (2) the role of participation in research on teachers' engagement in the intellectual/theoretical elements of teaching, and (3) the impact of changing teacher identities...
A Complication of Direct Right Atrial Catheterization for Total Parenteral Nutrition

A markedly malnourished man with Crohn's disease and superior vena cava thrombosis required direct right atrial catheterization for total parenteral nutrition. After 3 wk the catheter had migrated to the right pleural space, necessitating removal. An inferior vena cava line via the left saphenous vein was then utilized until the patient's death 10 wk later from pneumonitis. Technical suggestions for avoiding this complication and alternative venous access sites are discussed.
Impurity magnetic moments in unconventional superconductors

An impurity in an unconventional superconductor strongly perturbs the order parameter out to distances of order \ensuremath{\xi}(T); when the order parameter breaks time-reversal symmetry, a pattern of supercurrents J(R) is set up in the vicinity of the impurity. In this paper we address the question of whether J(R) integrates up to produce a net magnetic moment. In a wide variety of situations the moment vanishes, if the perturbation in the order parameter goes to zero rapidly enough at large distances from the impurity.
Functional lung imaging using hyperpolarized gas MRI

The noninvasive assessment of lung function using imaging is increasingly of interest for the study of lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Hyperpolarized gas MRI (HP MRI) has demonstrated the ability to detect changes in ventilation, perfusion, and lung microstructure that appear to be associated with both normal lung development and disease progression. The physical characteristics of HP gases and their application to MRI are presented with an emphasis on current applications. Clinical investigations using HP MRI to study asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pediatric chronic lung disease, and lung transplant are reviewed. Recent advances in polarization, pulse sequence development for imaging with Xe-129, and prototype low magnetic field systems dedicated to lung imaging are highlighted as areas of future development for this rapidly evolving technology.
Rapid detection of HSV with an enzyme-linked virus inducible system (ELVIS) employing a genetically modified cell line.

Abstract Background: Infections with herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are common and may cause severe disease in immunocompromised hosts and in neonates. Isolation of infectious HSV in tissue culture is the most sensitive method of detection, but is not the most rapid. Recently, however, an Enzyme-Linked Virus Inducible System™ (ELVIS™) for rapid detection of HSV in culture has been developed. The system employs genetically engineered baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells (ELVIS™ cells) whose DNA bears and HSV inducible promoter gene chimerically linked to an E. coli LacZ “reporter” gene. Induction of the promoter by HSV leads to the production of LacZ product, β-galactosidase, which is readily detected histochemically. Objective: To evaluate these ELVIS™ cells, as a test for HSV, in comparison with HSV detection in MRC-5 cells in shell vial cultures confirmed by staining with fluorescent antibodies. Study design: Over a period of one month, 167 specimens submitted to the laboratory for detection of HSV were evaluated. Specimens were inoculated onto MRC-5 cells growing on glass coverslips in each of two shell vials and into two wells of a 24-well cluster plate containing ELVIS™ cells. MRC-5 shell vial cultures were observed daily for cpe for up to 7 days. With the appearance of cpe, the coverslips were fixed and the cells were typed for HSV-1 and HSV-2 with monoclonal antibodies. Specimens inoculated onto ELVIS™ cells were incubated for 16–24 h, then substrate was added to stain for β-galactosidase. ELVIS™ cells, induced by HSV infection to express β-galactosidase, stained blue upon reaction with substrate. Results: Of 167 specimens inoculated onto MRC-5 cells, 13 were excluded because of contamination or toxicity. Among the remaining 154 specimens, 24 were positive for HSV in the MRC-5 shell vials. Of 166 specimens inoculated into the ELVIS™ cell, all were completed within 24 h. Twenty-three (23) of the 24 shell-vial-positive cultures also were positive on the ELVIS™ cells. All 23 specimens detected in the ELVIS™ cells were positive within 24 h, whereas only nine were positive within 24 hours in MRC-5 shell vial cultures. The remaining 15 became positive after 24 h. Specimens positive for viruses other than HSV-1 or HSV-2 were not positive on the ELVIS™ cells. Conclusions: The ELVIS™ assay for HSV is simple to perform, is rapid, sensitive, and specific. The assay detects both HSV-1 and HSV-2. No antibodies are required unless typing, which can be done on the ELVIS™ cells, is necessary.
Investigation of HOXA9 promoter methylation as a biomarker to distinguish oral cancer patients at low risk of neck metastasis

Background: Metastasis to the cervical (neck) lymph nodes is one of the most significant clinical factors responsible for death from oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Therefore, the lymph nodes are frequently removed when the tumor is excised (neck dissection), even though the majority of patients will not benefit from the extra surgery. Two subtypes of oral SCC distinguished by the presence of tumor genomic aberrations +3q, �8p, +8q and/or +20 differ in risk for metastasis – high for the 3q8pq20 subtype, harboring one or more of the aberrations and low for the non-3q8pq20 subtype, lacking these alterations. A prior analysis of the literature suggested genes differentially methylated in the two subtypes. Therefore, the goal of this study was to further investigate the methylation status of candidate biomarkers of the non-3q8pq20 subtype, and evaluate their utility for identifying patients at low risk for metastasis. Methods: Methylation status of genes in a cohort of 52 oral SCC patients with at least five year follow up was determined by pyrosequencing. Gene expression levels were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Growth following re-expression of HOXA9 in cultured oral SCC cells was assessed by proliferation and colony formation assays. Results: A pilot study evaluating methylation levels of HOXA9, MT1A and HOXA11 promoters in DNA from 12 tumors (six each of the 3q8pq20 and non-3q8pq20 subtypes) revealed that only HOXA9 was differentially methylated. Significant differences in methylation levels of HOXA9 were observed amongst the 52 oral SCCs with respect to genomic subtype and nodal status (p=0.014, and p =0.024, respectively, Wilcoxon rank sum test). High levels of HOXA9 methylation and low levels of expression in oral SCC cell lines were observed compared to HaCaT, a non-tumorigenic keratinocyte cell line. Re-expression of HOXA9 in the SCC4 oral cancer cell line resulted in diminished proliferation and colony formation. Conclusions: HOXA9 methylation is frequent in oral cancers and levels are higher in tumors with greater risk of metastasis. Expression of HOXA9 is low in cells with high levels of methylation and reduced expression appears to confer a growth advantage.