cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunological responses to bone soluble proteins in recipients of bone allografts

The significance of an immune response in complications of bone allograft procedures is not well understood. This study evaluates the immunological reaction to bone allografts in either cortical or cancellous form. Serological responses from osteoarthritis (OA) patients and normal individuals to soluble proteins extracted from allografts were assessed using Western blotting and ELISA techniques. A large number of patients expressed antibodies to bone proteins extracted from the washed bone as compared with normal controls. Antibodies were present in patients without the use of bone allografts, indicating that OA patients develop antibodies to bone soluble proteins. However, patients receiving allografts exhibited an increased immune reactivity against multiple bone proteins when compared with non-grafted patients. Protein characterization of the immunoreactive proteins revealed that the majority of antigenic targets were fragments of various collagen molecules. The data suggests that OA patients develop antibodies to bone soluble proteins prior to surgery, and these antibodies increase after revision surgery utilizing bone allografts. These findings support the implications that various collagen molecules as well as their degraded fragments represent potential immunogenic proteins within bone allografts. The removal of these antigenic proteins from the allografts prior to surgery may alleviate this immunological reactivity and improve graft outcome.
A Finite-Memory Adaptive Pattern Recognizer

This paper gives an adaptive procedure for selecting a discriminant for a pattern recognizer. The optimum discriminant is selected from a given finite set of discriminants. The selection of this set itself is not considered here. At any stage the optimum discriminant is selected on the basis of the past observations. Since the storage space for these observations is assumed to be limited, and hence the qualifier finite memory, the information stored about these past observations is judiciously selected. No other a priori knowledge is assumed. A mathematical model of the problem of pattern recognition is constructed and several theorems are proved. With the help of these theorems, the adaptive procedure is developed. This adaptive procedure is, in effect, a method of using the finite memory efficiently in "training" the pattern recognizer.
Age and sex are independent predictors of 5-fluorouracil toxicity. Analysis of a large scale phase III trial

Background. Cancer is most common in older age groups, but little information is available with regard to the impact of age on chemotherapy toxicity. This study was undertaken to determine if age is an independent risk factor for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) toxicity. Methods. Toxicity data from a prospective, randomized, multiinstitution trial of 5-FU-based treatment for advanced colorectal cancer were analyzed. Toxicity for each organ system was graded. Individual organ toxicity proportions were compared using chi-square analysis. A logistic regression was performed using age (younger than 70 years vs. 70 years or older), sex, treatment arm, performance status, and length of therapy as model parameters to predict severe toxicity. Toxicity in 331 patients was analyzed. Results. Advanced age was significantly associated with the occurrence of any severe toxicity (58 vs. 36%, P < 0.001), leukopenia (24 vs. 10%, P < 0.005), diarrhea (24 vs. 14%, P = 0.01), vomiting (15 vs. 5%, P = 0.01), severe toxicity in more than 2 organ systems (10 vs. 3%, P = 0.02), and treatment mortality (9 vs. 2%, P = 0.01). By univariate analysis, age (P < 0.001) and sex (P < 0.0001) were independent predictors of severe toxicity. Twenty-two of 27 women age 70 years or older had severe toxicity. Conclusions. Age 70 years or older and sex are risk factors for severe toxicity from 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Advanced age does not contraindicate the use of this type of chemotherapy, but close monitoring for multiple organ toxicities and vigorous supportive care of those with toxicity are required. Dosing decisions in older patients are difficult and must integrate assessments of organ function, comorbidities, overall physical status, and goals of treatment, in an effort to ensure the best possible outcome for these patients.
FK506 and cyclosporin, molecular probes for studying intracellular signal transduction

The immunosuppressants cyclosporin and FK506 block the calcium-dependent signal-transduction pathway emanating from the T-cell receptor, thereby inhibiting the activation of helper T cells. Using these drugs as probes, chemists and biologists have uncovered several intracellular signaling molecules bridging the generation of second-messenger Ca2+ ion and the transcriptional activation of IL-2, among which are calmodulin, calcineurin and the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT). Hence, Ca2+ binds to calmodulin, leading to the binding of calmodulin to calcineurin; the activated calcineurin, in turn, may dephosphorylate the cytoplasmic subunit of NF-AT, resulting in its translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus to form a competent transcriptional activator. As described by Jun Liu these drugs manifest their effects in an unprecedented fashion. They do not directly intercept intracellular signaling molecules. Instead, they form tight complexes with two different classes of abundant cytosolic receptors called immunophilins upon entering the cell, and consequently inhibit their peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase activities. The two structurally distinct immunophilin-drug complexes bind to, and inhibit, the phosphatase activity of calcineurin.
A note on bimatrix games with an unknown payoff matrix

Abstract We show that, using a simple decision rule, two players repeatedly playing the same zero-sum game without the direct knowledge of the payoff matrix will ultimately achieve the Nash Equilibrium if the game possesses a unique pure strategy Nash Equilibrium. For other bimatrix games, the simple decision rule does not suffice to generate the nice convergence property.
Transtheoretical principles and processes for quitting smoking: A 24-month comparison of a representative sample of quitters, relapsers, and non-quitters

This longitudinal study compared 14 principles and processes of change applied by successful quitters, relapsers and non-quitters over 24 months in a representative sample of 4144 smokers in intervention and control groups. The successful quitters showed a decrease in the use of experiential processes (cognitive, affective and effective) and an increase in behavioral processes (e.g., counter-conditioning and stimulus control). The non-quitters showed little change in their use of almost all of the processes. The relapsers' use of the processes tended to initially parallel the successful quitters, but over time, their use ended up between the quitters and the non-quitters. In general, the relapsers ended up working harder but not smarter than the successful quitters. The pattern of use of change processes in the treatment and control groups were remarkably similar, suggesting common pathways to change.
Ferroelectric domain scaling and switching in ultrathin BiFeO3 films deposited on vicinal substrates

We report on electrically switchable polarization and ferroelectric domain scaling over a thickness range of 5-100nm in BiFeO3 films deposited on (110) vicinal substrates. The BiFeO3 films of variable thickness were deposited with SrRuO3 bottom layer using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The domains are engineered into preferentially oriented patterns due to substrate vicinality along the (110) direction. The domain width scales closely with the square root of film thickness, in agreement with the Landau-Lifschitz-Kittel (LLK) law. Switching spectroscopy piezo-response force microscopy provides clear evidence for the ferroelectric switching behavior in all the films.
"Who's on first?" - medical discoveries and scientific priority

Dr. Howard Markel writes that as a profession, doctors are not only determined, but also somewhat obsessed with primacy and quite comfortable with intense competition.
Pathways to Burnout: Case Studies in Teacher Isolation and Alienation

The attrition rate of 1st-year special education teachers is a mounting concern. Researchers have identified several factors that contribute to the stress that many novice teachers experience and their subsequent attrition. If necessary support from mentors, colleagues, and administrators is not in place, many 1st-year teachers opt to leave the profession. In this study, the authors interviewed 5 novice teachers about their 1st-year experience to determine whether there were any protective factors that might reverse attrition. A common thread in these teachers' stories was the powerful impact of relationships.
Del.icio.us development tools

Developers need better knowledge tools to answer their information needs, rather than continuing to rely so heavily on communication with coworkers. Web sites, like the social bookmarking site Del.icio.us, might provide a way forward. They are designed to provide each user an individual incentive for entering data, but provide even more value by combining data from different users into collective knowledge. Several research projects hint that designing knowledge tools for developers using this principle would be more cost effective and provide better incentive structures for capturing knowledge.
Hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels for fuel cells

Abstract Hydrogen for use in fuel cells is typically generated in a fuel processor from available fuels (CnHmOp) by means of the reforming reaction. In this article, we describe the reforming process, discuss the three principal pathways (steam reforming, partial oxidation, and autothermal reforming), and demonstrate that the process is most efficient when conducted under conditions of thermoneutrality (ΔHr=0). The reforming efficiency is correlated with the fuel properties to show that it depends on the values of n and m, and on the heat of formation of the fuel. Steam reforming is known to produce high concentrations of hydrogen in the product. The partial oxidation and autothermal reforming processes are more attractive for practical applications; contrary to widely held beliefs, they are also capable of higher reforming efficiencies than are steam reformers.
Evaluation of hard direct reline resins

Peak curing temperatures of hard, direct, autopolymerizing reline resin materials tested were all within ADA specification guidelines. A temperature range of 10 degrees C was demonstrated among materials, with the highest polymerization temperatures recorded for Perm and Lang's Self-Curing Rebase Acrylic, and the lowest for KOOLiner, Flexacryl, and COE-Rect. This temperature difference is probably clinically detectable. However, intraoral testing of polymerization temperatures yielded lower peak values than those observed with specification testing, and the temperature peaks occurred earlier with intraoral conditions. There were significant color changes with simulated aging for three of the products tested: Flexacryl, COE-Rect, and Lang's Self-Curing Rebase Acrylic. The color changes occurred after only 24 hours of accelerated aging. Although there was only a small change in color with aging for Perm and KOOLiner, there was a moderate shift in the color of KOOLiner (delta E = 2.2) before aging. Thus only Perm demonstrated little color change with simulated aging. Of the reline products, one material, KOOLiner, demonstrated lower bond tensile strengths to denture base materials. However, the clinical significance of this was not known. One denture base material (Astron) recorded significantly higher bond strength values for all reline products and failure always took place within the denture base.
Design and synthesis of 4-(α-hydroxymalonyl)phenylalanine as a new phosphotyrosyl mimetic and its use in growth factor receptor bound 2 Src-homology 2 (Grb2 SH2) domain-binding peptides

A new phosphotyrosyl mimetic 4-(α-hydroxymalonyl)phenylalanine and its incorporation into a Grb2 SH2 domain-binding tripeptide are presented. In whole-cell studies using malonyl ethyl ester prodrug...
A substratum of bone matrix for differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondro-osseous tissues in vitro

Abstract Differentiation of cartilage and chondro-osseous tissue occurs from a mesenchymal cell outgrowth in 88.4% of cultures of muscle tissue from near term rat fetuses when the following physico-chemical and nutritional conditions are present. The muscle is placed in a vessel made from demineralized rat bone matrix wetted with a plasma, which serves as a bridge between the explant and the substratum. The matrix serves as both a substratum and the delimiting area of the proliferating edge of the culture. When contact is made with the substratum, a chondroosseous morphogenetic pattern is imposed upon mesenchymal cells and their progeny. The chemically-defined medium 199 is used for the first 5 days to produce abundant outgrowth of mesenchyma which precedes all skeletal tissue differentiation. Medium 199 is replaced with the modified BGJ medium for 6 to 30 days to provide aeration, amino acids and vitamins in optimum quantities for synthesis of new cartilage matrix. High oxygen tension in the atmosphere surrounding the culture media is toxic to young mesenchymal cells and must be avoided during the initial phases of skeletal tissue development.
Inventory policies with quantized ordering

This article studies (nQ, r) inventory policies, under which the order quantity is restricted to be an integer multiple of a base lot size Q. Both Q and r are decision variables. Assuming the one-period expected holding and backorder cost function is unimodal, we develop an efficient algorithm to compute the optimal Q and r. The algorithm is facilitated by simple observations about the cost function and by tight upper bounds on the optimal Q. The total number of elementary operations required by the algorithm is linear in these upper bounds. By using the algorithm, we compare the performance of the optimal (nQ, r) policy with that of the optimal (s, S) policy through a numerical study, and our results show that the difference between them is small. Further analysis of the model shows that the cost performance of an (nQ, r) policy is insensitive to the choice of Q. These results establish that (nQ, r) models are potentially useful in many settings where quantized ordering is beneficial.
On the Presence of Rotational Ewald Artifacts in the Equilibrium and Dynamical Properties of a Zwitterionic Tetrapeptide in Aqueous Solution

The presence of Ewald artifacts in a molecular dynamics simulation of a zwitterionic tetrapeptide in aqueous solution has been investigated. Both equilibrium and dynamical aspects of the rotational behavior of the peptide were examined. The equilibrium distribution of rotational states obtained from a 10 ns simulation were consistent, within statistical errors, with a random distribution free from Ewald artifacts. The rotational dynamics of the peptide was observed to obey simple Debye diffusion with a rotational diffusion rate in agreement with that predicted by a simple rotational diffusion model assuming no substantial long-lived water hydration shell. These results suggest that rotational Ewald artifacts will be negligible for small biomolecular simulations in solvents with high relative permittivities. The data support the results obtained from a previous study of simpler model systems.
Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in patients with difficult to treat Takayasu arteritis.

Objective Granulomatous inflammation is a typical feature of Takayasu arteritis (TA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is important in the formation of granulomas. In this study, we assessed therapy with anti-TNF agents in patients with TA that was not controlled by glucocorticoid therapy or other immunosuppressants. Methods We conducted an open-label trial of anti-TNF therapy at 3 academic medical centers over a period of 4.25 years. Fifteen patients with active, relapsing TA (median 6 years) were selected. Seven received etanercept (later changed to infliximab in 3 patients), and 8 received infliximab. Relapses had occurred in all patients while they were receiving glucocorticoids and, in 13 patients, additional immunosuppressive drugs. No other agents were added to the treatment regimen concurrently with anti-TNF. If patients were receiving cytotoxic agents, the dosage was not increased. Clinical symptoms were recorded, and physical examinations, laboratory studies, and serial magnetic resonance imaging were performed. Results The median daily dose of prednisone required to maintain remission prior to anti-TNF therapy was 20 mg. Ten of the 15 patients achieved complete remission that was sustained for 1–3.3 years without glucocorticoid therapy. Four patients achieved partial remission, with a >50% reduction in the glucocorticoid requirement. At a median of 12 months of followup, the median dose of prednisone was 0. Therapy failed in 1 patient. In 9 of the 14 responders, an increase in the anti-TNF dosage was required to sustain remission. Two relapses occurred during periods when anti-TNF therapy (etanercept) was interrupted, but remission was reestablished upon reinstitution of therapy. Conclusion In this pilot study of relapsing TA, addition of anti-TNF therapy resulted in improvement in 14 of 15 patients and sustained remission in 10 of 15 patients, who were able to discontinue glucocorticoid therapy. Anti-TNF may be a useful adjunct to glucocorticoids in the treatment of TA. Our results justify a randomized, controlled clinical trial of anti-TNF therapy for TA.
Immunologic Diagnosis and Monitoring of Cervical Cancers Using in Vitro Translated HPV Proteins

E6 and E7 proteins, the transforming proteins of oncogenic HPVs, are known to be associated with the occurrence of cervical cancer. In radioimmunoprecipitation assays in which in vitro-transcripted and translated HPV-16 E6 and E7 proteins were used, patients with HPV-16-associated invasive cervical cancer (group I) had greater seroreactivity than patients in most of the other groups, including patients with invasive cervical cancer who were infected with other types of HPVs (group II), cervical cancer patients with nondetectable HPVs (group III), patients with HPV-16-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (group IV), and unaffected normal controls with noncervical lesions (group V) (P < 0.05). The sera of patients in group I, when compared with the sera of other groups, were significantly reactive with one and/or two proteins (P < 0.05). Antibodies to HPV-16 E6 and E7 proteins were detected in patients with invasive cancer more than in those with CIN. The positive rates for E6 protein were 4.2% (1/24), 43.8% (7/16), 57.1% (8/14), 100% (5/5), and 100% (1/1), and the positive rates of E7 protein were 4.2% (1/24), 12.5% (2/16), 35.7% (5/14), 60% (3/5), and 100% (1/1) from CINs through stages I, IIa, IIb, and III of HPV-16-associated cervical cancers, respectively. The positive rates for E6 and E7 proteins were significantly increased with the advancing of the clinical stages of cervical cancer (P < 0.05 for E6 and E7). To examine the change in antibody titers of HPV-16 E7 protein during diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, we tested serial serum samples from 14 patients of group I. The antibody titers were correlated to the clinical course of disease in some cases. The positive levels of E7 antibody were decreased when the treatment was effective, but in 1 patient who had shown recurrence or progression, positive seroreactivity was maintained. Antibodies to HPV-16 E6 and E7 proteins might be effective virus-specific and disease state-specific markers of HPV-16-associated cervical cancer.
The mismatch problem for GABAergic amacrine cells in goldfish retina: resolution and other issues.

GABAergic neurons in the vertebrate retina have received intensive study. Yet there are several notable examples of a “mismatch” among the cytochemical markers used to identify GABAergic neurons. The mismatch between [3H]GABA uptake autoradiography and all other indicators of GABAergic neurons as they pertain to amacrine cells in goldfish retina is examined in this overview. The discrepancies can be accounted for largely by barriers to diffusion presented by significant GABA uptake sinks at the inner and outer margins of the retina and by the differential subcellular distribution of the various markers for GABAergic neurons. Also, conditions producing a redistribution of [3H]-GABA and endogenous GABA stores within the retina are described and discussed.
Anger and the Desire for Retribution among Bereaved Parents

The process of adapting to the death of one's child includes behaviors and emotions that are powerful and frequently misunderstood by nonprofessionals. Anger and the assignment of blame are natural...
The Determination of Moisture in Dry Skim Milk by the Bidwell Sterling Toluene-Distillation Method

Summary Comparisons are made between the vacuum-oven method and the Bidwell-Sterling toluene-distillation method for the determination of moisture in dry skim milk. The use of the toluene-distillation method, modified to use a 50-gram charge and a two-hour distillation time, is recommended.
Estimating human cognitive capacities: A response to Landauer

Thomas K. Landauer’s (1986) estimate of the capacity of normal human memory is deeply flawed. His estimate neither reflects the quantity of computational resources necessary for supporting a human-like memory, nor provides any constraint on a theory of such a memory. The roots of the problem lie in a m isunderstanding of the relationship of previous experience to intelligent behavior and therefore a failure to provide the kind of estimate that could be useful for constructing an AI or psychological theory of remembering. The word memory has two quite distinct meanings. One refers to the accumulated experience of a human being; it is the difference between a naive youth and a wise elder. Human memory is not confined to the ability to recognize previously seen objects or accurately reproduce previously seen texts. It is our memories that allow us to recognize and refine categories of objects or events, to-generate reasonable expectations and plans, or to focus attention on salient aspects of the environment, to name but a few of the tasks memory subserves. In short, human memory is the ability to bring previous experiences to bear on new situations. The other meaning of memory is the specifically defined term of information theorists, most commonly encountered in discussions of computers; that is, a device that can maintain one of several possible states as a result of past action, thereby preserving information over time. The smallest unit of memory is the smallest unit of information, or a bit. Any system whose state depends on some past event can be characterized in information theoretic terms, and the amount of information it can transfer from past events to current state can be measured in bits. Landauer’s goal seems to be to estimate the number of bits it would take to duplicate the store of experiences of a human being in a way that subserves the same functions as human memory. As Landauer acknowledges, the relationship between human-like memory and the underlying computer-memory requirements necessary to support it
A Criterion-Based Model for the Formulation of Curricular Rationales

Abstract Pre-occupation with a search for instructional strategies which will guarantee classroom success has clouded the issue for many teachers as to just why they are teaching their selected material. This article proposes a rationale for curriculum selection which incorporates the components of Desired Outcome Validity, Student Related Validity and Intellectual Support Validity and a syllogistic reasoning sequence. The utilization of the format, it is argued, will assist the teacher in making well-grounded curricular decisions that can be both applied and defended.
Food Consumption Patterns and Factors Affecting Food Choices, and Their Relationship to Vegetarianism, Dieting Status, and Body Mass Index in Female College Students

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To relate the consumption pattern for 35 foods to taste, perceived healthfulness and perceived "fatteningness,", and the relation of consumption patterns and qualities of these foods to vegetarianism, dieting status and body mass index. A self administered questionnaire concerning 35 frequently consumed foods, chosen from 24-hour recall data, was completed by 267 female college students. The data on consumption frequency for these foods were subjected to principal component analysis and orthogonal rotation, which yielded three food frequency consumption patterns. Foods which loaded significantly on the first pattern (Factor 1) were those relatively high in calories and fats (e.g. Beef, sweet rolls/doughnuts, pizza, regular soda). Foods which loaded significantly on the second pattern (Factor 2) included "neutral" foods (e.g. green vegetables, tomatoes, rice, apples). Foods which loaded significantly on the third pattern (Factor 3) included "slimming" foods (e.g. skim milk, frozen yogurt, and diet soda). For each subject and food pattern, a score for each attribute - frequency, taste, healthfulness and perceived "fatteningness" - was calculated. Subjects who consumed Factor 1 foods more frequently were more likely to think those foods were tasty, healthy and less fattening. Subjects who consumed Factor 3 foods more frequently were more likely to think those foods were tasty, healthy and less fattening. Model analysis using multiple regression with the Factors as dependent variables showed that the perceived taste of foods was the predominant determinant of frequency of consumption. Vegetarians and dieters consumed Factor 1 foods less frequently, and were less likely to think those foods were tasty or healthy. They consumed foods from Factor 3 more frequently, and thought those foods were more healthy. Dieters also thought Factor 3 foods were less fattening. In addition, heavier subjects thought Factor 1 foods were tastier but they also thought these foods were less healthy and more fattening. Based on these results, the implications for nutrition education are that it may be necessary to convince individuals of the good taste of "healthier" foods, or to create foods which imitate the taste of "unhealthy" foods.
Valosin-Containing Protein Gene Mutations: Cellular Phenotypes Relevant to Neurodegeneration

Previously, we identified valosin-containing protein (VCP) as a mediator of ER stress-induced cell death. Mutations in the VCP gene including R93, R155, and R191 have been described that manifest clinically as hereditary inclusion body myopathy with Paget’s disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia. In addition, other studies have demonstrated that as a consequence of a mutation generated in the second ATP binding domain of VCP (K524A), cells accumulated large cytoplasmic vacuoles and underwent programmed cell death. In order to better understand the biochemical and molecular consequences of the clinically relevant VCP mutations as well as the genetically engineered ATPase-inactive mutant K524A and any relationship these may have to ER stress-induced cell death, we introduced analogous mutations separately and together into the human VCP gene and evaluated their effect on proteasome activity, Huntingtin protein aggregation and ER stress-induced cell death. Our results indicate that the VCP K524A mutant and the triple mutant VCP R93C-R155C-K524A block protein degradation, trigger Huntingtin aggregate formation, and render cells highly susceptible to ER stress-induced cell death as compared to VCPWT or other VCP mutants.
The Lysis Protein E of φX174 Is a Specific Inhibitor of the MraY-catalyzed Step in Peptidoglycan Synthesis

Coliphage φX174 encodes a single lysis protein, E, a 91-amino acid membrane protein. Dominant mutations have been isolated in the host gene mraY that confer E resistance.mraY encodes translocase I, which catalyzes the formation of the first lipid intermediate in bacterial cell wall synthesis, suggesting a model in which E inhibits MraY and promotes cell lysis in a manner analogous to cell wall synthesis inhibitors like penicillin. To test this model biochemically, we monitored the effect of E on cell wall synthesis in vivo and in vitro. We find that expression of Emyc, encoding an epitope-tagged E protein, from a multicopy plasmid inhibits the incorporation of [3H]diaminopimelic acid into cell wall and leads to a profile of labeled precursors consistent with MraY inhibition. Moreover, we find that membranes isolated after Emycexpression are drastically reduced in MraY activity, whereas the activity of Rfe, an enzyme in the same superfamily, was unaffected. We therefore conclude that E is indeed a cell wall synthesis inhibitor and that this inhibition results from a specific block at the MraY-catalyzed step in the pathway.
Generic Tobramycin Elutes From Bone Cement Faster Than Proprietary Tobramycin

Elution of antibiotics from antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (AL-PMMA) increases when soluble particulate filler is added to increase the permeability of the PMMA. Antibiotic powder is in itself soluble particulate filler. For greater volume fractions of filler, greater elution occurs. The volume of generic tobramycin powder is more than 3.5 times the volume of proprietary tobramycin powder for a 1.2 g dose leading to the question: Does generic tobramycin elute from AL-PMMA faster than proprietary tobramycin? We performed elution studies on AL-PMMA beads made with 1.2 g of either generic tobramycin or proprietary tobramycin per batch of PMMA. Generic tobramycin eluted more than two times faster than proprietary tobramycin. The release mechanism started as dissolution-driven zero-order release for the generic bead set but for the proprietary bead set the released mechanism started as anomalous diffusion. The release mechanism progressed to diffusion-driven first-order release in both. The increased volume of the generic tobramycin caused more tobramycin to be available for release. The increased elution of tobramycin associated with the greater volume of generic tobramycin powder could lead to clinically higher levels of tobramycin in wound fluid and local tissues; however, the higher volume of powder could potentially cause greater mechanical compromise of the PMMA.
Monoclonal antibodies derived during graft-versus-host reaction II. Antibodies detect unique determinants common to many MCF viruses

Abstract Hybridoma cell lines were recovered from the spleens of 6-week-old (B6 × D2)F 1 mice undergoing graft-versus-host reaction induced by the transfer of 5-week-old B6 parental spleen cells. These cell lines produced antibodies reactive with envelope polypeptides of a variety of MuLV. The viral specificity assessed by membrane immunofluorescence and virus-binding radioimmunoassay indicated that the reactivity of these antibodies was distinctly different from monoclonal antibodies recovered from (B6 × D2)F 1 recipients of D2 spleen cells reported previously (Portis et al., Virology 118 , 181–190, 1982) . Ten out of 17 monoclonal antibodies in the current study reacted exclusively with MCF viruses and three of these antibodies detected envelope determinants which were shared by a broad panel of MCF viruses of diverse origin. These common MCF determinants were expressed by the gp70 molecule as determined by Western blot analysis. The production of these antibodies by young mice in the absence of exogenous virus inoculation suggests that these antigens may be encoded by endogenous MCF-like sequences.
Tumor volume does not predict for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy in patients with surgical Gleason score 6 or less prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES No consensus exists regarding the prognostic value of tumor volume (TV) in predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer, especially late in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era. We assessed this relationship in a large cohort of patients treated at one institution with standardized pathologic assessment from 1998 to 2005. METHODS Data were collected for 1833 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer since 1998. Patients receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy or with node-positive disease were excluded. Along with the routine pathologic assessment, TV was prospectively assessed in all specimens. BCR was defined as two consecutive PSA levels of 0.2 ng/mL or one PSA level of greater than 0.2 ng/mL. RESULTS Although a larger TV correlated with lower rates of biochemical relapse-free survival in patients with a surgical Gleason score of 7 (P <0.0001) and surgical Gleason score of 8 or greater (P = 0.0459), the biochemical relapse-free survival rate at 4 years for low, medium, and extensive surgical Gleason score 6 or less tumors was 95%, 96%, and 97%, respectively (P = 0.65). In a multivariate model, including TV, initial PSA, EPE, seminal vesicle invasion, and surgical Gleason score, the TV predicted for BCR (P = 0.0176). CONCLUSIONS The results of this large study suggest that a large TV is an independent predictor of BCR in patients with tumors of specimen Gleason score 7 or higher. In contrast, most grade 6 tumors will be organ confined, even if of high volume, and TV will not predict for BCR in these patients.
Chronic nitrogen deposition reduces the abundance of dominant forest understory and groundcover species

Abstract Humans have altered the global nitrogen (N) cycle, greatly increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition in industrialized regions of the world. Groundcover plants can be sensitive indicators of nitrogen deposition impacts. Here, we report results from repeated measurements over a 7 year period of groundcover (plants 50% (P
The Relationship between Height and Self-Esteem and the Mediating Effect of Self-Consciousness

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between height and self-esteem and examined the mediating effect of self-consciousness. Four hundred seventy-nine college students (143 male and 336 female; 75% under the age of 21) were administered the Personal Opinion Survey, which consisted of demographic information, the Rosenberg (1965) Self-Esteem Scale, and the Elkind and Bowen (1979) Imaginary Audience Scale. Findings indicated a nonlinear relationship between height and self-esteem. Further, self-consciousness emerged as a significant mediator of the relationship between height and self-esteem, accounting for the bulk of the difference in male and female self-esteem scores.
Experience with a combination of scopolamine and alpha chloralose (S.A.C.) in activating normal EEG of epileptics

Abstract 1. 1. Scopolamine hydrobromide and alpha chloralose in a 1:1000 ratio conbiantion was administered to 30 epileptics with normal EEG. Activtion was effective in 22 and worthless in 8. 2. 2. When given to 22 epileptics with abnormal (specific and non-specific records, in some cases the abnormalities beconme aggravated. 3. 3. Focal, petit mal and psychomotor seizures took place during the test in 6 instances. 4. 4. The occurrence of transient toxic psychotic episoded in 3 psychomotor epileptics necessitates caution when dealing with this particualr seizure type. 5. 5. Of 19 controls, none displayed any seizure discharges. Sixteen records remained completely unaffected, while in 2 cases of migraine and in one case showing slight slowing after a series of ECT, temporal advancement of their non-speficif build-up was noted. 6. 6. The activating mechanism and the enhancing role of overventilation is discussed.
A novel application of propensity score matching to estimate Alcoholics Anonymous' effect on drinking outcomes.

Background Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mutual aid, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), are notoriously difficult to conduct and correlational studies are problematic to interpret due to potential confounds.
On relative equilibria and integrable dynamics of point vortices in periodic domains

The motion of two point vortices defines an integrable Hamiltonian dynamical system in either singly or doubly periodic domains. The motion of three point vortices in these domains is also integrable when the net circulation is zero. The relative vortex motion in both domains can be reduced to advection of a passive particle by fixed vortices in an equivalent Hamiltonian system. A survey of the solutions for vortex motion in these systems is discussed. Some initial conditions lead to relative equilibria, or vortex configurations that move without change of shape or size. These configurations can be determined as stagnation points in the reduced problem or through explicit solution of the governing equations. These periodic point-vortex systems present a rich collection of interesting solutions despite the few degrees of freedom, and several questions on this subject remain open.
Non-Geo systems—where have all the satellites gone?

Abstract Non-GEO satellites were being hailed as the means that would bring connectivity to the masses. Anyone, it was said, would be able to buy a portable telephone that would allow them, no matter where they might be, to call or be called by anyone else in the world. In the early 1990s, there were predictions that, by now, literally many hundreds of new non-geostationary communications satellites would be in orbit. Furthermore, people all over the world would also be able to buy an inexpensive satellite terminal that would allow them to access the Internet with a broadband connection, at prices on par with or even far below what the terrestrial competition would be able to offer. Many companies were set up to compete to establish this “Nirvana of Communications.” To do so, however, the companies in question would have to attract sufficient financial backing from investors to actually begin such an undertaking. Surprisingly, at least in retrospect, a tremendous amount of investment capital was forthcoming, and a number of contracts were awarded to manufacturers to develop the requisite satellite systems. Today, almost a decade later, satellite manufacturers and their suppliers have been subjected to a massive belt-tightening exercise as contracts were cancelled and expected future orders were not forthcoming. The launch vehicle industry, which had geared up to meet the bonanza of expected launch orders, is also going hungry. Where are all the proposed systems? This paper will attempt to answer this question, as well as to provide some insight into why the systems that are no longer with us fell by the wayside. Finally, it will look into the future and try to predict what the long-term prospects might be for non-GEO communication satellites in general.
Evidence for maternal inheritance of the chloroplast genome in cultivated carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus)

The incidence and inheritance of a chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) mutation/marker, BP10U, was studied in crosses among cultivated carrots (Daucus carota ssp. sativus). BP10U is about 400 bp larger than the more common BP10L allele. The occurrence of BP10U among carrot inbreds was widespread. Individual plants exhibited only one form of BP10, and cpDNA inheritance was strictly maternal. BP10U only occurred in male-fertile plants. Some male-fertile inbreds and all cytoplasmically male-sterile (petaloid) carrots had the BP10L allele. Alloplasmic cpDNA variation has been reported previously in Daucus, but this is the first report of variation and inheritance of cpDNA within cultivated carrot.
DISPOSITIONAL ESSENTIALISM: ALIVE AND WELL

Soulevant la question du critere de verite de la loi naturelle dans le cadre du debat opposant les partisans de la theorie de Dretske, Tooley et Armstrong (DTA), d'une part, et l'analyse conceptuelle de S. Mumford, d'autre part, l'A. defend la these selon laquelle le concept de loi de la nature est une verite ultime et inexplicable, contrairement a la notion de disposition qui repond a mecanisme explicatif. Examinant la distinction entre loi derivee et loi elementaire, l'A. developpe un nouvel argument en faveur de l'essentialisme dispositionnel
Semantic representation of Kinship systems

Four representational systems are examined with respect to their adequacy for representing reasoning processes within kinship systems; the systems are associative, semantic feature, logical predicate, and an “algebraic” one based on set mappings. The associative and semantic feature systems are shown to be inadequate, and the logical predicate system is shown to be somewhat clumsy and unintuitive. The algebraic is proposed as the correct representation of kinship terms. It is suggested that certain other conceptual domains can also be best represented by an algebraic system.
On path integral Monte Carlo simulations

A Monte Carlo procedure based on a discrete point representation of the path integral for the density matrix is explored. It is found that the variance of the estimator used to evaluate the energy grows as the square root of the number of discrete points used, and is therefore to be avoided in highly quantum mechanical systems, where the number of discrete points must be large. A new energy estimator based on the virial theorem is proposed and shown to be well behaved. The main points of the paper are illustrated, using the harmonic oscillator as an example.
Promotion of porphyrin cytotoxicity by ultrasound (Invited Paper)

We examined the effect of ultrasound on the murine leukemia L1210 cell line in culture, in the presence of different photosensitizing agents: mesoporphyrin and tetraphenylporphines bearing 1 - 4 sulfonate groups. These agents could enhance ultrasound-induced cell damage when added to the incubation medium; sensitizers present only in the intracellular space were inactive in this regard. All of the porphine sulfonates were equally effective sensitizers to ultrasound but the product with 2 adjacent-SO3H groups was the most effective photodynamic sensitizer. Ultrasound-induced cytotoxicity was associated with outer membrane damage and could be detected by measuring hydrophobic- or charge-associated whole-cell partitioning or by measurement of inhibition of active transport of a non-metabolized amino acid.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Maternal employment and adolescent sexual behavior.

This study investigated whether maternal employment would be associated with teenage sexual attitudes and behaviors likely to increase the probability of teenage pregnancy. Female subjects whose mothers were employed outside the home during the high school years (a) had a greater tendency to begin sexual relations before age 19, (b) expressed less concern regarding the risk of unintended pregnancy, and (c) scored lower on an objective test of their practical knowledge about contraception.
Use of the laparoscopic pomeroy tubal ligation in a residency training program

To evaluate the efficacy of the laparoscopic Pomeroy method of tubal ligation as a method for the initial acquisition of advanced laparoscopic skills, a y prospective, non-randomized study was done on 57 consecutive patients undergoing permanent sterilization using the Pomeroy technique involving videolaparoscopy, a three puncture approach, and plain catgut endoloops. Fifty-three of 56 patients completed the study. Two patients with previous multiple Cesarean sections required minilaparotomies and one patient's hospital data could not be located. Fourteen residents in a 28 person program were evaluated; 5 were first year residents, 2 were second year, 3 were third year, and 4 were fourth year. The average operative time for the PGY-1, PGY-2, PGY3 and PGY4 residents were 18.6, 15.4, 21.7, and 14.8 minutes respectively. No significant difference in operating time between residents within years (p=.54) or at differing PGY levels (p=.64) were noted. The time required to do each subsequent case diminished with experience. There were two minor complications. We conclude that the application of the laparoscopic Pomeroy tubal ligation as a method to begin educating residents in advanced operative video laparoscopy has great potential.
Issue spotting in CHASER

For any system that uses previous experience to solve problems in new situations, it is necessary to identify the features in the situation that should match features in the previous cases through some process ofsituation analysis. In this paper, we examine this problem in the legal domain, where lawyers know it asissue spotting. In particular, we present an implementation of issue spotting in CHASER, a legal reasoning system that works in the domain of tort law. This approach is a compromise between generality and efficiency, and is applicable to a range of problems and domains besides legal reasoning. In particular, it presents a principled way to use multiple cases for a single problem by exploiting the inherent structure present in many domains.
Accurate Localization of Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm by Real-time Two-dimensional Doppler Flow Imaging

The surgical approach to the repair of a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm can depend on the cardiac chamber into which rupture occurs. This report details the color flow Doppler images in two patients who developed a right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrial fistula owing to bacterial endocarditis. In both cases, the color flow Doppler image was superior to contrast aortography in identifying the chamber into which rupture had occurred. The early experience with real-time two-dimensional Doppler flow imaging suggests that this noninvasive technique is valuable in the management of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms. (Chest 1988; 94:462-65)
CD8α+ Dendritic cells prime TCR-peptide-reactive regulatory CD4+FOXP3− T cells

CD4+ T cells with immune regulatory function can be either FOXP3+ or FOXP3−. We have previously shown that priming of naturally occurring TCR-peptide-reactive regulatory CD4+FOXP3− T cells (Treg) specifically controls Vβ8.2+CD4+ T cells mediating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, the mechanism by which these Treg are primed to recognize their cognate antigenic determinant, which is derived from the TCRVβ8.2-chain, is not known. In this study we show that antigen presenting cells (APC) derived from splenocytes of naive mice are able to stimulate cloned CD4+ Treg in the absence of exogenous antigen, and their stimulation capacity is augmented during EAE. Among the APC populations DC were the most efficient in stimulating the Treg. Stimulation of CD4+ Treg was dependent upon processing and presentation of TCR peptides from ingested Vβ8.2TCR+ CD4+ T cells. Additionally, dendritic cells pulsed with TCR peptide or apoptotic Vβ8.2+ T cells are able to prime Treg in vivo and mediate protection from disease in a CD8-dependent fashion. These data highlight a novel mechanism for the priming of CD4+ Treg by CD8α+ DC, and suggest a pathway that can be exploited to prime antigen-specific regulation of T cell-mediated inflammatory disease.