cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal microdissection by laser. A cytochemical and functional analysis.

Abstract Chromosomes of salamander lung epithelium were irradiated in vitro using an argon laser microbeam. Functional analysis was performed by testing the ability to inactivate the nucleolar organizer. Cytochemical analysis was used to detect changes in either the chromosomal DNA or protein. Results indicated that by using low laser powers in conjunction with the dye acridine orange it is possible to functionally and structurally alter the DNA without affecting the histone protein, and by using high laser powers without a photosensitizing dye, it is possible to alter histone protein without affecting the DNA or non-histone protein.
Timed Petri nets and their application to communication protocol specification

A generalized timed Petri net representation is defined and several time Petri net models compared. By introducing a new way to include a time variable in the Petri net and the firing rules, the authors realized a new timed Petri net that includes the other two principal types of timed Petri nets. This new timed Petri net seems to take a more general form than other types of time Petri nets defined so far. Therefore, complex systems are expected to be modeled with it. The authors present a model to represent a timer in order to model real communication systems properly. An example is given in which the timed Petri net representation and the timer model are applied to a communication protocol. With the results provided, communication protocols involving timers and transmission errors can be modeled. >
The Relevance of Timely U.S. GAAP Information Provided by Foreign Firms

This study examines the relevancy of U.S. GAAP and non-U.S. GAAP financial data provided in Form 6-K by 80 foreign firms. The results are inconclusive. The results were not exchange related or report period related. Other tests were performed to determine whether there was a difference between the relevance of the information provided in Form 20-F for those companies not disclosing U.S. GAAP information prior to the Form 20-F filing date and those companies providing prior U.S. GAAP data in Form 6-K. The tests did not reveal a significant finding. Overall, results indicate that SEC Form 6-K rather than annual Form 20-F contains more timely, financial information for most foreign companies but the tests did not conclude that either SEC document contains relevant information to investors.
Respuesta físico-química de la bahía de Valparaíso a la surgencia generada en punta Curaumilla y al fenómeno El Niño

Physical and chemical oceanographic data measured at 2-3 day intervals during November-December 1996 and 1997 in Valparaiso Bay were aimed to study interdail...
Neutral red (NR) assay for cell viability and xenobiotic-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of human and rat hepatocytes.

Neutral red (NR) in medium was absorbed and concentrated in lysosomes of cultured rat and human hepatocytes. NR uptake increased with the time of incubation and reached a plateau in 2 hr. Uptake was proportional to the concentration of the NR solution and the numbers of viable liver cells. Prolonged culture of hepatocytes increased the numbers of lysosomes, and thus, the dye accumulation. The NR can be extracted from lysosomes for quantitative measurement of hepatocyte viability and cytotoxicity of xenobiotics. With this assay, several serum-free media (e.g., Waymouth's, MEM, LHC-8, etc.) were compared for the maintenance of viable hepatocytes in vitro. Interestingly, LHC-8 medium, which is used to grow human bronchial epithelial cells, best preserved viable rat hepatocytes. The cytotoxic effects of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were examined by NR assay on rat and human hepatocyte cultures and were found to be dependent on dose and time of the exposures. NR50 was 20 mM for DMN and 0.072 µM for AFB1 in rat hepatocytes with 24 hr of exposures and reduced to 12.5 mM for DMN and 0.053 µ uM for AFB1 with 48 fr exposures. Human hepatocytes were more resistant to the toxicity of both chemicals; NR50 values were 100 mM DMN and 1.8 µM AFB1 respectively, for 24 hr treatments. Compared with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage test, the NR assay was simpler and more sensitive in determining the viability and cytotoxicity of xenobiotics in primary cultures of hepatocytes.
A new route to grow single-crystal group III-V compound semiconductor nanostructures on non-single-crystal substrates

A new route to grow single-crystal semiconductor nanostructures is reviewed. Unlike conventional epitaxial growth of single-crystal semiconductor films, the proposed route for growing semiconductor nanostructures does not require a single-crystal semiconductor substrate. In the proposed route, instead of using single-crystal semiconductor substrates that are characterized by their long-range atomic order, a non-single-crystal template layer that possesses short-range atomic order prepared on a non-single-crystal substrate is employed, providing epitaxial information required for singlecrystal semiconductor nanostructures. On the template layer, epitaxial information associated with its short-range atomic order is available within the size of area that is comparable to that of a nanostructure in the early stage of evolution. In this particular demonstration, hydrogenated silicon was utilized to provide short-range atomic order required for epitaxial growth of indium phosphide nanowires. Indium phosphide nanowires were grown on the hydrogenated silicon surfaces by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition with the presence of colloidal gold nanoparticles. The hydrogenated silicon used as a template layer and the resulting indium phosphide nanowires were systematically studied.
The occurrence and possible significance of adenoma of the gall bladder

Abstract In a series of 9550 gall bladders removed surgically at The Mayo Clinic, 69 contained one or more adenomas. Forty-seven of the patients were women and 22 were men. Thirty-eight of the tumors occurred in gall bladders containing stones and 31 in gall bladders without stones. These adenomas as incidental findings may play a part in the production of pain in cholecystic disease; they may be a possible source of carcinoma.
Validity and Reliability of a Mainstreaming Attitude Inventory for Child-Care Providers

Preliminary estimates of reliability and validity for the Mainstreaming Attitude Inventory for Day Care Providers.
On the relation between absorption and emission spectra of molecules in solution

Abstract The universal relation between absorption and fluorescence spectra derived by Stepanov in 1957 is reexamined to assess the relative merits of two of the inferences usually drawn from its use in the analysis of data: elevated excited state temperatures (“warm fluorescence”) and inhomogeneous broadening of the molecular spectra. Of these, only the latter appears to give a satisfactory explanation of the anomalous temperatures derived using the Stepanov method in condensed media, and in particular, a purely “warm fluorescence” interpretation implies that a distinct curvature should appear in plots which experimentally appear to be straight lines.
Utilization of circulating carotenoids in the chick and rabbit.

Abstract Solubilized, aqueous β-carotene injected intravenously into vitamin A-deficient chicks was rapidly converted to vitamin A which appeared in the liver and serum. Injected cryptoxanthin did not form significant amounts of vitamin A but was about 50% as active as β-carotene in promoting growth. Rabbits injected with carotene formed appreciable amounts of vitamin A which was about equally distributed between the liver and kidneys.
Electromagnetic scattering from an extended laminar plasma column

This paper is concerned with examining in the laboratory the backscattering from a simplified ionized target in the form of an extended laminar plasma column. Measured results, compared with calculations based on a homogeneous model approximation that incorporates the measured electrical parameters of the column, show that the column scatters electromagnetic energy that is polarized with the electric vector along the axis of the column in the same manner as a homogeneous column of critical density with the column radius equal to that of the critical electron density contained within the column.
Lung Dose in Electron Beam Therapy of Chest Wall

The dose to lung tissue in patients whose chest walls are irradiated with 6 and 9 MeV electron beams was estimated. Thermoluminescent dosimetry measurements in thoracic Section 18 of Rando phantom were compared with calculations by two different methods, the effective depth method and the average absorption equivalent thickness (AET) method. The calculations were based on a density of 0.45 (relative to water) for lung tissue in the Rando phantom which was determined from CT scan. The measurements agreed with calculations by the effective depth method within 7 per cent for 9 MeV electron beam at locations where lung tissue thickness was less than 4.5 cm. Larger discrepancy between measurement and calculations was found at greater depths. The effective depth method gave better agreement with measurements (within 14 per cent) compared with the average AET method. The effective depth method was used, to calculate the lung tissue dose at different depths beneath the chest wall. A lung density of 0.25 was assumed to conform to real irradiation situation. The calculations show that for a 9 MeV electron beam dose to lung at 5 cm depth beyond a 2 cm thick chest wall could be as high as 72 per cent of the dose at the maximum buildup depth. It is recommended that post-mastectomy patients with chest wall thickness less than 2 cm should be irradiated with an electron energy of less than 9 MeV or that the chest wall thickness be artificially increased with tissue equivalent bolus.
Adsorption and penetration of hydrogen in W: A first principles study

Abstract In BCC crystals, such as Tungsten (W), slippage has been observed on the (1 1 0) and (1 1 2) planes. In this work, hydrogen diffusion paths from three different W surfaces ((1 0 0), (1 1 0) and (1 1 2)) have been calculated using first principles density functional theory. Equilibrium sites for H at the surfaces are identified. The energetics for H penetration from the surfaces to the solute site in the bulk is calculated. It is found that for our low surface coverage of H (3.4 × 10 14 H/cm 2 ), approximately 2 eV is required for an H atom to penetrate any of the W surfaces considered in this study.
The human metabolic response to chronic ketosis without caloric restriction: Physical and biochemical adaptation

To study the metabolic effects of ketosis without weight loss, nine lean men were fed a eucaloric balanced diet (EBD) for one week providing 35-50 kcal/kg/d, 1.75 g of protein per kilogram per day and the remaining kilocalories as two-thirds carbohydrate (CHO) and one-third fat. This was followed by four weeks of a eucaloric ketogenic diet (EKD)--isocaloric and isonitrogenous with the EBD but providing less than 20 g CHO daily. Both diets were appropriately supplemented with minerals and vitamins. Weight and whole-body potassium estimated by potassium-40 counting (40K) did not vary significantly during the five-week study. Nitrogen balance (N-Bal) was regained after one week of the EKD. The fasting blood glucose remained lower during the EKD than during the control diet (4.4 mmol/L at EBD, 4.1 mmol/L at EKD-4, P less than 0.01). The fasting whole-body glucose oxidation rate determined by a 13C-glucose primed constant infusion technique fell from 0.71 mg/kg/min during the control diet to 0.50 mg/kg/min (P less than 0.01) during the fourth week of the EKD. The mean serum cholesterol level rose (from 159 to 208 mg/dL) during the EKD, while triglycerides fell from 107 to 79 mg/dL. No disturbance of hepatic or renal function was noted at EKD-4. These findings indicate that the ketotic state induced by the EKD was well tolerated in lean subjects; nitrogen balance was regained after brief adaptation, serum lipids were not pathologically elevated, and blood glucose oxidation at rest was measurably reduced while the subjects remained euglycemic.
Walking speed influences on gait cycle variability.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of walking speed on the amount and structure of the stride-to-stride fluctuations of the gait cycle. Based on previous findings for both walking [Hausdorff JM, Purdon PL, Peng CK, Ladin Z, Wei JY, Goldberger AL. Fractal dynamics of human gait: stability of long-range correlations in stride interval fluctuations. J Appl Physiol 1996;80:1448–57], and running [Jordan K, Challis JH, Newell KM. Long range correlations in the stride interval of running. Gait Posture 2006;24:120–5] it was hypothesized that the fractal nature of human locomotion is a reflection of the attractor dynamics of human locomotion. Female participants walked for 12 min trials at 80%, 90%, 100%, 110% and 120% of their preferred walking speed. Eight gait cycle variables were investigated: stride interval and length, step interval and length, and from the vertical ground reaction force profile the impulse, first and second peak forces, and the trough force. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) revealed the presence of long range correlations in all gait cycle variables investigated. Speed related U-shaped functions occurred in five of the eight variables, with the minima of these curves falling between 100% and 110% of the preferred walking speed. These findings are consistent with those previously shown in running studies and support the hypothesis that reduced strength of long range correlations at preferred locomotion speeds is reflective of enhanced stability and adaptability at these speeds.
A formal approach to undo operations in programming languages

A framework is presented for adding a general Undo facility to programming languages. A discussion of relevant literature is provided to show that the idea of Undoing pervades several areas in computer science, and even other disciplines. A simple model of computation is introduced, and it is augmented with a minimal amount of additional structure needed for recovery and reversal. Two different interpretations of Undo are motivated with examples. Then, four primitives are defined in a language-independent manner; they are sufficient to support a wide range of Undo capability. Two of these primitives carry out state saving, and the others mirror the two versions of the Undo operation. Properties of and relationships between these primitives are explored, and there are some preliminary remarks on how one could implement a system based on this formalism. The main conclusion is that the notions of recovery and reversal of actions can become part of the programming process.
Electron Microscopy of Golden Nematode Cyst Wall

An exocuticle and an endocuticle are visible in electron micrographs of ultrathin sections of golden nematode cyst wall. More detail can be seen in the endocuticle than has been reported from light microscope studies. Details of the exocuticle described from light microscope observations, are not imaged in the electron microscope.
Metal- and Metallocycle-Binding Sites Engineered into Polyvalent Virus-Like Scaffolds

Metal-binding motifs appear on protein scaffolds throughout nature and are critical for a vast array of functions that span structure, electron transfer, and catalysis. In an effort to reproduce and exploit this activity in vitro, described herein are versatile bacteriophage Qβ particles bearing metal-binding motifs polyvalently. The three motifs, His6, His6-His6, and Cys-His6, were incorporated into the capsid via a coexpression methodology at ratios of 1.1:1, 1.1:1, and 2.3:1 for wild-type to modified coat protein. Size-exclusion chromatography yielded elution profiles identical to wild-type particles, while Ni-NTA affinity chromatography resulted in retention times that increase according to Qβ-His6 < Qβ-Cys-His6 < Qβ-His6-His6. In addition to interacting with metal-derivatized surfaces, Qβ-Cys-His6 and Qβ-His6-His6 bind heme as evidenced by the appearance of new absorbances at 416 and 418 nm, respectively, upon addition of hemin-Cl. The heme-bearing particles were also found to be electrochemically ac...
Rigidity in one-dimensional tiling spaces

Abstract Suppose T φ and T θ are tiling spaces arising from primitive nonperiodic substitutions φ and θ. Suppose F φ and F θ denote the corresponding inflation and substitution maps on the respective tiling spaces. We prove that T φ and T θ are homeomorphic if and only if there exist positive integers m and n such that F φ n and F θ m are topologically conjugate.
Unsuccessful unilateral bronchopulmonary lavage for a patient with severe cystic fibrosis.

U NILATERAL bronchopulrnonary lavage (BPL) has been successfully used to clear the conducting airways and alveoli in alveolar proteinosis 1-3 and after inhalation of radioactive particles.4 Although BPL has been recommended in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF), there have been few reports of its use in this condition, and the therapeutic benefits and the complications of the procedure are not well documented. This report describes the management of a patient with CF who underwent massive unilateral BPL as a treatment for end-stage respiratory failure.
Imaging unstained proteoglycan aggregates by soft X-ray contact microscopy

Soft X-ray contact microscopy is a relatively new form of ultrastructural imaging, having better than 6 nm resolution and being uniquely well suited for the examination of fragile, unstained biological specimens. The biological specimen placed on a layer of photoresist and exposed to soft X-rays (1-10 nm lambda) of a specific wavelength or broad band. After X-ray exposure, the specimen is removed from the photoresist and the latter chemically developed. When the developed replica is examined by high resolution scanning electron microscopy, the fine structure of the original biological specimen is faithfully reproduced. Since the soft X-ray replica is initially formed due to the differential absorption of the incident X-rays by the biological specimen, the resultant contact replica also reveals information about the elemental composition of the sample. This paper presents our application of this new technique for the study of the proteoglycans, the complex polyanionic macromolecules comprising the gel phase in the matrix of mammalian cartilage.
Function of the bacteriophage T4 transfer RNA's.

Abstract Maximum growth of bacteriophage T4 requires the phage complement of transfer RNA. tRNA-deficient T4 grown on laboratory strains of Escherichia coli showed a moderate decrease in burst size that correlated with a decrease in the rate of synthesis of the major structural proteins of the T4 tail fiber. Some tRNA-defieient T4 mutants showed a 20-fold reduction in burst size on one of a number of E. coli strains isolated from hospital patients. We consider it most likely that the T4 tRNA's function to ensure optimum rates of protein synthesis in the maximum number of hosts by supplementing the reading capacity for those codons used more commonly in the virus than in the host.
Eigenstructure of the Equilateral Triangle, Part I: The Dirichlet Problem

Lame's formulas for the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Laplacian with Dirichlet boundary conditions on an equilateral triangle are derived using direct elementary mathematical techniques. They are shown to form a complete orthonormal system. Various properties of the spectrum and nodal lines are explored. Implications for related geometries are considered.
Cleavage of chiral 4-phenyl-2-oxalidinones with TMSI: Application to the synthesis of carbacephems

Abstract A new technique for cleaving N-substituted 4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinones is described. Thus reaction of a 7-[4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone]-carbacephem with TMSI and HMDS in acetonitrile, followed by DABCO, then aqueous hydrochloric acid gives the carbacephem nucleus, carbon dioxide, and acetophenone. This method allows a more versatile use of 4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone as a chiral auxiliary and N-protective group in the synthesis of carbacephems.
The effect of isomerictrans-18∶1 acids on the desaturation of palmitic, linoleic and eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acids by rat liver microsomes

The inhibitory effects of the positional isomers of trans-18:1 acids on the desaturation of palmitic acid to palmitoleic (delta 9-desaturase), linoleic to gamma-linolenic (delta 6-desaturase) and eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic to arachidonic acid (delta 5-desaturase) were investigated. These trans-18:1 acids were found to be inhibitory for the microsomal delta 6-, delta 9- and delta 5-desaturases of rat liver. The position of the double bond in the trans-18:1 acids seems to be important in determining the degree of inhibition. At inhibitor/substrate ratio of 3:1, the delta 6-desaturase was most strongly inhibited by trans-delta 3, -delta 4, -delta 7 and -delta 15-18:1 isomers, whereas the delta 9-desaturase was most strongly inhibited by trans-delta3, -delta 5, -delta 7, -delta 10, -delta 12, -delta 13 and -delta 16 isomers. At inhibitor/substrate ratio of 6:1, the delta 5-desaturase was most strongly inhibited by delta 3-, delta 9-, delta 13- and delta 15-isomers. When 18:0 was added to the incubations of 16:0, 18:2 and 20:3 at the same I/S ratios used for the trans-18:1 acids, weak inhibition for delta 9- desaturase and no inhibition for delta 5- and delta 6-desaturases was observed.
Explaining high-frequency hearing.

Kirk and Gosselin-Ildari (2009) have documented a reliable correlation between the volume of the cochlear labyrinth and high-frequency hearing limit among those Primates for which data are available. Specifically, the correlation shows that primates with small cochleas have better high-frequency hearing than those with larger cochleas. In discussing the implications of their finding, they provide a quote from one of our articles (Heffner, 2004) that they claim states that the size of the cochlea and the length of the basilar membrane are not functionally related to high-frequency hearing limit. However, that is a mistaken interpretation. The paragraph from which the quote is taken is making the point that the relationship between functional head size and high-frequency hearing limit is not explained by the size of the middle and inner ear. Functional head size is defined as the maximum time it takes for a sound to travel in air or water from one ear to the other. This measure indicates how high a mammal must hear to use the two high-frequency cues for sound localization—the binaural frequency-intensity spectral cues and pinna cues. The smaller the functional head size, the higher a mammal must hear for its head and pinnae to generate the high-frequency cues needed to locate the source of a sound. Because both functional head size and the dimensions of the ear tend to increase with the size of the animal, it is necessary to perform a partial correlational analysis to determine how much of the variance in high-frequency hearing is accounted for by each factor. Restricting our analysis to those mammals that localize sound, there are 21 species for which we have data on functional interaural distance, basilar membrane length, and high-frequency hearing limit (Table 1). For these species, controlling for the length of the basilar membrane causes the correlation between functional head size and high-frequency hearing, r ¼ � 0.870 (P < 0.0001), to fall only slightly to r ¼� 0.814 (P < 0.0001). However, the correlation between highfrequency hearing and the length of the basilar membrane, r ¼� 0.578 (P ¼ 0.006), falls to chance, r ¼ þ0.269 (P ¼ 0.257), when controlling for functional head size. This is why we say that the relationship between functional head size and high-frequency hearing is not explained by the size of the inner ear. Kirk and Gosselin-Ildari have found that among
Discriminating power of the hachinski ischaemic score in a geriatric population with mild dementia

The Hachinski Ischaemic Score (HIS) is used to clinically discriminate multi-infarct dementia (MID) and primary degenerative dementia (PDD). The present study aims to evaluate the discriminating power of the individual HIS items in a geriatric population with mild dementia. The 13 HIS items were studied in 93 demented subjects with no evidence of infarction, a single cortical infarct or multiple cortical infarcts on CT brain scan. The item ‘hypertension’ was a poor discriminator between PDD and MID in this elderly population; however, the remaining unambiguous items ‘abrupt onset’, ‘neurological sings’, ‘neurological symptoms’, ‘history of stroke’ and ‘atherosclerosis’ were useful discriminators. We found that five of the least discriminating items diverged from the aspects of MID that they were originally intended to address and were, therefore, particularly ambiguous. In order to improve the discriminating power of these items and the HIS as a whole, we recommend dividing the 13 items into four categories, ‘evidence of delirium’, ‘evidence of focal deficits’, ‘evidence of vascular pathology’ and ‘abrupt onset’, to minimize any problems with interpretation of the more ambiguous items.
Evaluating small town policing: Methodological issues

This research provides helpful information for those who evaluate police performance. While researchers commonly espouse the merit of using more than one form of research police evaluation often involves citizen surveys exclusively. Demographic factors and the “halo effect” can influence police evaluations, particularly in rural communities which are especially vulnerable to political agendas and personal relationships that can skew survey data. Our research finds that while citizens generally evaluate police favorably, a high percentage of “don't know” responses suggest that citizens are not prepared to evaluate all aspects of police services. Furthermore, police evaluator observation reveals that police services were inadequate, both within the organization of the department and the patrol practices. Finally, some questions, not traditionally included in police evaluation surveys reveal high levels of fear among citizens. These inconsistencies question the exclusive use of citizen surveys and may indicate indirect evidence of a “halo effect”. A conscientious effort to combine quantitative and qualitative measures may better capture relevant information concerning the quality of police services.
Comment on Smith and Carter

The comment by Smith and Carter on Peneffs (1988) paper on research interviewing is an exellent example of what we can call the "burden of proof problem." This appears most explicitly when they say that "[Peneff] offers little or no evidence that respondents from different segments of society cannot understand the questions," although I think the problem arises in connection with most of their comments.
Prediction of the spin-rotation function Q(θ) using a dirac equation based optical model☆

Abstract High-quality fits to 497 MeV p− 40 Ca cross sections and analyzing powers are obtained using a Dirac equation optical model treatment. The predicted spin-rotation function Q ( θ ) agrees well with experiment. The spin rotation observable provides almost no new information about the real part of the Dirac optical potential but may provide some information about the imaginary part.
Where are the inverted multiplets of meson spectroscopy

Abstract The accurately measured masses of D ∗∗ (2459) and D ∗∗ (2428), which recently became available, are used to discuss the effective spin-dependent quark—antiquark forces. A fairly model independent analysis indicates that the reduced matrix element of the Thomas term for the D ∗∗ multiplet is v 2 (L=1)⋍0 within errors, which supports the accepted idea that the Thomas term is repulsive at long distances, and attractive at short distances. If inverted multiplets are to be observed, one must find q Q states with larger spatial size than that of the D ∗∗ multiplet. Plausible candidates would be orbital excitations ( L ⩾2) of the q Q mesons, where q (Q) is a light (heavy) quark.
State of the Art Reviews: Changing and Adhering to Lifestyle Changes: What Are the Keys?

Given the relationship between lifestyle and health, researchers have examined those factors that predict healthy lifestyle changes. Several key variables have emerged from the literature, and thes...
Hofmann Elimination with Diazomethane on Curare Bases and Selected Quaternary Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids

Use of a large excess of alkali-free diazomethane resulted in a Hofmann elimination with selected curare bases and some other quaternary tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. (+)-Tubocurarine chloride provided a monostilbene methine, O,O-dimethyltubocurinemethine, and a monostilbene-monostyrene compound, O,O-dimethyltubocurinedimethine. The major elimination products of (+)-isotubocurarine chloride and (+)-carnegine methiodide were monostyrene methines, O,O-dimethyltubocurineisomethine and carneginemethine, respectively. Treatment of (+)-laudanosine methiodide with potassium hydroxide, under the conditions of Hofmann degradation, or alkali-free diazomethane solution provided the same stilbene compound, laudano-sinemethine. The structures of the elimination compounds were further confirmed by catalytic reduction and quaternization with methyl iodide.
CORR Insights®: Is Synovial C-reactive Protein a Useful Marker for Periprosthetic Joint Infection?

This CORR Insights® is a commentary on the article “Is Synovial C-reactive Protein a Useful Marker for Periprosthetic Joint Infection? by Tetreault and colleagues available at: DOI: 10.1007/s11999-014-3828-y. The author certifies that he, or any member of his immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR ® or the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®. This CORR Insights® comment refers to the article available at DOI: 10.1007/s11999-014-3828-y.
Nondestructive Analysis of a Concrete Tunnel Model Using a Newly Proposed Combined Stress Wave Propagation Method

This paper summarizes the measured properties of a three-layer model concrete tunnel lining using a newly proposed combined stress wave propagation (CSWP) method. The spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) and impact echo (IE) methods were used in combination to determine the in-place dynamic properties of the tunnel lining and to locate embedded voids. Simultaneously, the free-free resonant column (FFRC) method was independently used to determine the dynamic properties of the materials used to construct the concrete tunnel lining. Finally, a direct P-wave (DPW) measurement was used to compare and verify measurements recorded using the CSWP method. Results indicate that the combination of the SASW and IE methods, along with FFRC measurements, provides a more efficient procedure that leads to the accurate determination of the P-wave and shear wave velocities, depths of layers, and locations of embedded voids without the need to make any assumptions of material properties. Thus, more physical properties can be found using this proposed procedure than by using the techniques independently, and the procedure is more efficient than performing each task separately.
A Dual-rate Property Tax: Exploring the Potential for Moderating the Effects of Sprawl on Development

This research evaluates the effectiveness of a dual-rate property tax on moderating sprawl, focusing particularly on how land-development decisions accumulate over space and affect changes in spatial patterns of development. A spatial process model of landowners’ conversion decisions links the effects of a dual-rate property tax on parcel-level land conversion through ex ante simulations. We conclude that the dual-property tax helps reduce the mean nearest neighbor of residential parcels and thus promotes the development of land around existing infrastructure more than land distant from existing infrastructure; however, the dual-property tax alone does not completely mitigate sprawl.
Histoplasmosis and asplenia

A 42-year-old asplenic woman was evaluated for a 2-week history of intermittent high-grade fevers and pleuritic chest pain and skin rash (figure 1). A CT scan of the chest showed multiple small nodules on both lungs (figure 2). Fungal serological studies were negative. A skin biopsy revealed palisading dermal granulomatous …
Three‐Point Association of HLA‐A,B,Bf Haplotypes Deduced in 200 Parents of 100 Families

The association of HLA-A and -B antigens with Bf alleles was investigated in 200 parents from 100 unrelated families. There were significant associations between HLA-A3 and Bf-F, B7 and Bf-S, B8 and Bf-S, B12 and Bf-F, and BW 35 and Bf-F. Three-point HLA-A,B,Bf haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium parameters, and chi-square values were determined both from the genotype and from the phenotype data. Although the HLA-B,Bf associations involve antigens that are also present in the highly associated A,B and B,D haplotypes of the Caucasian population, there was--with the possible exception of HLA-A3,B7,Bf-S--no significant three-point association for HLA-A,B,Bf.
Conserved Quantities for Equations with Infinite Group

We will discuss a method of finding essential conservation laws for equations possessing an infinite symmetry group whose generators contain arbitrary functions of time. We will show how to generate a finite number of conserved quantities corresponding to infinite symmetries for the equation of non-stationary transonic gas flows in two dimensions, and discuss a critical role of boundary conditions.
A bonus from van Wijngaarden's device

In [1] van Wijngaarden presented a rather remarkable technique for rewriting ALGOL 60 programs to eliminate all labels. The purpose of this note is to point out that the rewriting would also eliminate the use of array returning (procedure returning, label returning, etc.) procedures had they been legal constructs of ALGOL 60. Hence, the many languages which allow such things to be returned as procedure values are not such large extensions of ALGOL 60 as one might think [2, 3, 4, 5].
Worry and perceived threat of proximal and distal undesirable outcomes

Individuals who are prone to worry tend to overestimate the likelihoods and costs of future undesirable outcomes. However, it is unclear whether these relations vary as a function of the timeframe of the event in question. In the present study, 342 undergraduate students completed a self-report measure of worry and rated the perceived probabilities and costs of 40 undesirable outcomes. Specifically, each participant estimated the probability that each of these outcomes would occur within three different timeframes: the next month, the next year, and the next 10 years. We found that the strength of the association between worry and probability estimates was strongest for the most proximal timeframe. Probability estimates were more strongly associated with worry for participants with elevated cost estimates, and this interactive effect was strongest for the most distal timeframe. Implications of these findings for understanding the etiology and treatment of excessive worry are discussed.
Pharmacological and Anatomical Evidence for an Interaction Between mGluR5- and GABAA α1-Containing Receptors in the Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Ethanol

The discriminative stimulus properties of ethanol are mediated in part by positive modulation of GABAA receptors. Recent evidence indicates that metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) activity can influence GABAA receptor function. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to examine the potential involvement of mGluR5 in the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol. In rats trained to discriminate ethanol (1 g/kg, intragastric gavage (i.g.)) from water, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethyl)-pyridine (MPEP) (1–50 mg/kg, i.p.) a selective noncompetitive antagonist of the mGlu5 receptor did not produce ethanol-like stimulus properties. However, pretreatment with MPEP (30 mg/kg) reduced the stimulus properties of ethanol as indicated by significant reductions in ethanol-appropriate responding, specifically at 0.5 and 1 g/kg ethanol, and a failure of ethanol test doses (1 and 2 g/kg) to fully substitute for the ethanol training dose. To test whether mGluR5 antagonism altered the GABAA receptor component of the ethanol stimulus, the ability of MPEP to modulate pentobarbital and diazepam substitution for ethanol was assessed. Pentobarbital substitution (1–10 mg/kg, i.p.) for ethanol was not altered by MPEP pretreatment. However, MPEP pretreatment inhibited the ethanol-like stimulus properties of diazepam (5 mg/kg, i.p.). To examine a potential anatomical basis for these pharmacological findings, expression patterns of mGluR5- and benzodiazepine-sensitive GABAA α1-containing receptors were examined by dual-label fluorescent immunohistochemistry with visualization by confocal microscopy. Results indicated that mGluR5- and GABAA α1-containing receptors were both coexpressed in limbic brain regions and colocalized on the same cells in specific brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus, globus pallidus, and ventral pallidum. Together, these findings suggest an interaction between mGluR5- and benzodiazepine-sensitive GABAA receptors in mediating ethanol discrimination.
Prolactin: Is it an essential hormone for maternal behavior in the mammal?

Abstract Evidence is reviewed for the concept that prolactin is one of the essential hormones for maternal behavior in the rabbit, rat and mouse. Ergocornine hydrogen maleate prevents maternal nest building in the pregnant rabbit, but if prolactin is added to the treatment regimen, nest building occurs. In the rat, retrieval, crouching and licking of pups is obtained following treatment with estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. In the mouse, the evidence is not as strong but one laboratory has obtained retrieval following implantation of prolactin in the hypothalamus.
Issues in the pragmatics of qualitative modeling: lessons learned from a xerographics project

The photocopier is one of the most complex machines because xerography involves many types of physical phenomena. ARIA is a qualitative simulation of xerography that is intended to teach technicians the reasons behind some of the subtle problems that occur in copiers. This effort to model xerography exposed shortcomings in the techniques of qualitative modeling as applied to complex systems and helped to better understand the impact of certain basic modeling decisions.
A comparison of three numerical methods for solving differential equations on the sphere

Abstract We compare three numerical methods for solving vector differential equations on a sphere. A composite mesh finite-difference method using overlapping stereographic coordinate systems is compared to transform methods based on scalar and vector spherical harmonics. The methods are compared in terms of total computer time, memory requirements, and execution rates for relative accuracy requirements of two and four digits in a five-day forecast. The computational requirements of the three methods were well within an order of magnitude of one another. In most of the cases that are examined, the time step was limited by accuracy rather than stability. This problem can be overcome by the use of a higher order time integration scheme, but at the expense of an increase in the memory requirements.
Solar-wind interactions with the moon: Role of oxygen ions

The solar-wind interacts directly with the lunar surface due to tenuous atmosphere and magnetic field. The interaction results in an almost complete absorption of the solar-wind corpuscles producing no upstream bowshock but a cavity downstream. The solar-wind oxygen ionic species induce and undergo a complex set of reactions with the elements of the lunar minerals and the solar-wind derived trapped gases. The oxygen concentration indegeneous to the lunar surface material is about 60 at.%. Some of these oxygen are displaced from their crystal lattice locations by interactions of the solar-wind corpuscles. A small fraction of these displaced oxygen is in active state. The solar-wind oxygen species flux is about 6×104 cm−2 s−1. Besides inducing and undergoing various reactions these species become trapped as oxygen atoms in the lunar grains. Only a portion of these trapped oxygen atoms is in active state. For the contribution of oxygen atoms and molecules from the lunar surface grains to the atmosphere and their reactions with other species, the diffusion coefficients of oxygen atom and molecule should be known. However their values in the highly radiation-damaged lunar surface material are not known. The coefficients are calculated by using the apparent lifetimes of atomic and molecular oxygen in the lunar material. The atmospheric concentration of oxygen atoms and molecules near the lunar surface are found to be about 20 and 3 cm−3, respectively. These values appear to be very reasonable in comparison with the experimental data. The Apollo 17 lunar orbital UV spectrometer data indicate the atomic oxygen concentration is <8×101 cm−3. The Apollo 17 lunar surface mass spectrometer (sensitivity: 1 count=2×102 molecules cm−3) did not detect any oxygen molecules on the dayside of the Moon, but the sunrise concentration was reported to be 1±×103 cm−3. At the time of the sample collection on the Moon the oxygen content in the trapped gas layer was partly as oxygen atoms and partly as oxygen molecules. At the time of sample analysis on the Earth the concentrations of these two species did not change appreciably.
Systemic and cerebrospinal fluid T-helper cytokine responses in organ transplant recipients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection

Background The role of Th1 and Th2 mediated cytokine responses in the pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients has not been defined. Methods We assessed cytokine levels in the sera and CSF collected prospectively at the time of diagnosis of infection in 25 transplant recipients with cryptococcosis. Serum levels were compared with those in healthy individuals and transplant recipients without cryptococcosis. IFN-γ or IL-12 (Th1)/IL-10 (Th2) ratio < 1.0 was considered a dominant Th2 response. Results Cases had lower ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 (p = 0.03) and IL-12/IL-10 (p = 0.03) compared to healthy individuals. Cytokine responses, however, did not differ significantly for cases vs. transplant controls. Cases with fungemia compared to those without fungemia tended to have higher serum IL-10 levels (p = 0.07) and lower IL-12/IL-10 ratios (p = 0.06). CSF ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 (p = 0.04) and IL-12/IL-10 (p = 0.04) were lower in cases with cryptococcal meningitis compared to those without meningitis; 80% (8/10) of the cases with cryptococcal meningitis vs. 0% (4/4) of those without meningitis had CSF IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio of < 1.0 (p = 0.015). The levels of IL-10 (p = 0.04) and IFN-γ (p = 0.04) in the CSF in cases with cryptococcal meningitis were significantly higher than those in their serum, respectively. Conclusions High expression of Th2 phenotype in cryptococcal meningitis and in fungemia suggests that Th dysregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis in organ transplant recipients.
Evaluating willingness-to-pay thresholds for dementia caregiving interventions: Application to the tailored activity program

Abstract Objectives The study aims to apply willingness-to-pay (WTP) values derived from the literature to inform decision-makers of the cost-effectiveness of the Tailored Activity Program (TAP), an intervention proven to reduce caregiver burden. Methods TAP and other caregiver interventions employ an individual perspective and non–quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) outcome measure where the primary objective is to determine caregiver burden from an individual perspective. Therefore, standard cost/QALY thresholds are not appropriate. To identify relevant WTP values, we searched for studies that: 1) were published in the past 5 years and used contingent valuation methodology to identify WTP; 2) assessed WTP for a dementia-related intervention requiring out-of-pocket expenditure; and 3) asked caregivers their WTP for an outcome related to reducing caregiver burden. Three studies were identified utilizing four WTP values. We also assessed potential financial savings that caregivers could achieve from purchasing TAP. To assess the probability of TAP being cost-effective, we built a Monte Carlo simulation to test the four WTP values applied to two TAP outcome measures: reduction in caregiver hours "on duty;" and "doing things." Results For outcome measure "on duty," WTP varied between $1.06/hour and $4.58/hour. For outcome measure "doing things," WTP varied between $2.21/hour and $9.57/hour. Applying the four identified WTP values from the literature to TAP outcomes resulted in TAP cost-effectiveness varying between 50% and 80% for both outcome measures. Conclusions When WTP data are not collected prospectively or conventional metrics cannot be applied, retrospectively assessing literature-derived WTP may be acceptable for informing decision-makers of potential cost-effectiveness of a proven program. Application of WTP to TAP shows potential cost-effectiveness that can be expected under the tested WTP scenarios.
Treatment options for second-stage gambiense human African trypanosomiasis

Treatment of second-stage gambiense human African trypanosomiasis relied on toxic arsenic-based derivatives for over 50 years. The availability and subsequent use of eflornithine, initially in monotherapy and more recently in combination with nifurtimox (NECT), has drastically improved the prognosis of treated patients. However, NECT logistic and nursing requirements remain obstacles to its deployment and use in peripheral health structures in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Two oral compounds, fexinidazole and SCYX-7158, are currently in clinical development. The main scope of this article is to discuss the potential impact of new oral therapies to improve diagnosis-treatment algorithms and patients’ access to treatment, and to contribute to reach the objectives of the recently launched gambiense human African trypanosomiasis elimination program.
Novel technique for measuring the mechanochemical anodic dissolution of metallic electrodes in aqueous solutions

A fundamental investigation on the influence of deformation on the anodic dissolution behavior, i.e., corrosion, of metallic electrodes in aqueous solution has been conducted. The investigation was successful in developing a novel experimental method for studying the effects of deformation on corrosion. The development of the new method is established based on incorporating electrochemical techniques with those of holographic interferometry. In other words, the new method is capable of measuring microscopic deformation and the anodic dissolution current of the surface of metallic electrodes, simultaneously. Consequently, data on a stress corrosion test of Molybdenum in 0.75 N KCI is given in the present paper.
The Supreme Court on Governmental Liability The Nature and Origins of Sovereign and Official Immunity

This article argues that recent criticism of the Supreme Court rulings on the immunity of administrative officials and units of government from suits ignores the important background of the immunity controversy. Recent decisions limiting some forms of immunity are not radical new departures. They are contemporary steps in a long-standing effort by the Court to deal with the need to ensure administrative responsibility, while maintaining a sensitivity to administrative problems. Any efforts to alter the law in this area must be informed by an understanding of the foundations of sovereign and official immunity, in light of the problem of administrative responsibility.
Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Fish and Shellfish

(1990). Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Fish and Shellfish. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: Vol. 119, No. 3, pp. 562-566.