cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Perforators for Preoperative Evaluation of Anterolateral Thigh Flaps.

Background The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a commonly utilized perforator-based flap in reconstructive surgery. Although previous studies have used various angiographic techniques to preoperatively image ALT perforators, none have investigated the efficacy of noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our study investigates the efficacy of our institutional fat suppression noncontrast MRI sequence to characterize the number, location, and course of dominant skin perforators in the ALT for preoperative planning. Methods We queried our institutional database for 100 noncontrast thigh MRIs from July 2013 to July 2018 that included an axial fat suppression sequence with visualization from the lesser trochanter to the distal musculotendinous junction of the rectus femoris. Perforator course, size, and location relative to bony landmarks were determined. Results Of the 100 examinations, 70 included bilateral thighs for a total of 170 thighs for perforator analysis. An estimated 277 perforators were identified, of which 101 were septocutaneous (36.5%) and 176 were musculocutaneous (63.5%). An average of 1.63 perforators were visualized in each thigh (min, 1; max, 4). The average perforator diameter at exit from the anterior thigh compartment fascia was 2.5 mm (SD, 0.5). Perforator exit location along the anterior superior iliac spine- or lesser trochanter-patella line could be determined for n = 57 perforators and mapped into 3 predictable clusters. Conclusions At least 1 perforator was found in each of 170 thighs imaged. Perforator course, size, and location measured with noncontrast MRI are consistent with prior literature. Noncontrast MRI is a low-morbidity imaging modality that may serve as an effective tool in preoperative planning of the ALT flap.
A dynamic load distribution model of planetary gear sets

Abstract This study presents, a three-dimensional dynamic load distribution model of planetary gear sets, which can capture the influence of several component and system level design variations. A numerical integration scheme is used in conjunction with an iterative elastic contact algorithm to solve the multibody dynamics problem. This approach inherently captures the mesh stiffness fluctuation, without the need for an empirical mesh stiffness formulation or transmission error excitation of the system. The unique dynamic response of the parametrically excited system under various gear mesh phasing conditions is studied using the proposed model. Influence of gear tooth modifications and carrier pin position errors on the dynamics of the gearset is explored, also a brief study to demonstrate the model's capability to capture contact non-linearities in the case of low contact ratio gear sets is included. Discussed results not only illustrate the validity and potential of the proposed dynamic model but also reinforce the need for such computationally efficient models for design purposes.
The Impact of Astrocytes and Endothelial Cells on Glioblastoma Stemness Marker Expression in Multicellular Spheroids

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common primary brain tumor in adults, is extremely malignant and lethal. GBM tumors are highly heterogenous, being comprised of cellular and matrix components, which contribute to tumor cell invasion, cancer stem cell maintenance, and drug resistance. Here, we developed a heterotypic 3D spheroid model integrating GBM cells with astrocytes and endothelial cells (ECs) to better simulate the cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and investigate their impact on the stemness marker expression of GBM cells, which has not been previously investigated. We used U87 GBM cells, C8-D1A mouse astrocytes, and human umbilical vein ECs to construct co- and tri-culture spheroid models in low-attachment U-well plates. We characterized the expression of known stemness markers NESTIN, SOX2, CD133, NANOG, and OCT4 in these models and compared it to respective mixed monoculture spheroids (control) using qRT-PCR and immunostaining. We incorporated GBM cells and astrocytes/ECs in 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:9 ratio and observed spontaneous self-assembled spheroids in all coculture conditions. We observed changing spheroid size dynamics over 7 days and an increased expression in stemness markers in GBM-astrocyte and GBM-EC coculture spheroids in 1:4 and 1:9 coculture conditions, respectively. In a triculture model employing GBM cells, astrocytes, and ECs in a 1:4:9 ratio, we found an increased expression of all the stemness markers. We elucidated the impact of astrocytes and ECs on GBM stemness marker expression. This multicellular spheroid model may provide an important tool for investigating the crosstalk between cell types in GBM.
A Human Resources Administration Document Analysis of the State of the States (2013–2019)

P–12 and higher education finance policies and resources impact human resources administration. By examining education finance policy analyses covering 50 states written from 2013 to 2019, we illum...
Scalar wave theory

We want to discuss the propagation and scattering of sound. This is a small amplitude disturbance in a compressible fluid. To begin then, we first derive the conservation laws applicable to a fluid, and from these the differential equations governing the sound field.
A Review of The Murderer and His Victim

According to the dust jacket, this book is intended “for everyone professionally involved with these criminal offenders,” and indeed it is. The dust jacket also indicates the book “answers just about any question that may arise concerning murderers and their victims:” It doesn't tell whodunit! It does, however, include a somewhat rambling section by Dr. Boyd, “Homicide in Fiction.” Dr. Macdonald trained in New Zealand and Great Britain. He has practiced psychiatry in Colorado for more than 35 years. He has interviewed more than 400 murderers, and he offers may vignettes about the murderers he interviewed and others.
Metallic Carbon Nanotubes for Current Transport

The unique band structure of metallic carbon nanotubes, which is partly responsible for their superb current carrying capacity, differs from the electronic band structure of conventional metals. The band structure shows various subbands arising from quantization of the wave vector around the circumference of the nanotube. The total transmission at a given electron energy is equal to the electron transmission probability times the number of channels, and for perfect transmission without scattering (i.e. transmission probability equal to 1), it is simply equal to the number of channels. Thus, the total transmission shows the steps when a subband opens or closes. The magnitude of the change in a transmission at these steps corresponds to the subband degeneracy. The total number of subbands increases with increasing nanotube diameter because the number of quantum numbers arising from quantization of the electron wavefunction around the nanotube circumference becomes larger. From a basic Physics perspective, metallic nanotubes have been of immense interest to researchers studying electron–electron interactions in condensed matter systems because they exhibit the Physics of Luttinger liquid behavior.
Constructing an ideal hash function from weak ideal compression functions

We introduce the notion of a weak ideal compression function, which is vulnerable to strong forms of attack, but is otherwise random. We show that such weak ideal compression functions can be used to create secure hash functions, thereby giving a design that can be used to eliminate attacks caused by undesirable properties of compression functions. We prove that the construction we give, which we call the "zipper hash," is ideal in the sense that the overall hash function is indistinguishable from a random oracle when implemented with these weak ideal building blocks. The zipper hash function is relatively simple, requiring two compression function evaluations per block of input, but it is not streamable. We also show how to create an ideal (strong) compression function from ideal weak compression functions, which can be used in the standard iterated way to make a streamable hash function.
Efficient Computation of Equilibrium Prices for Markets with Leontief Utilities

We present a polynomial time algorithm for the computation of the market equilibrium in a version of Fisher’s model, where the traders have Leontief utility functions. These functions describe a market characterized by strict complementarity. Our algorithm follows from a representation of the equilibrium problem as a concave maximization problem, which is of independent interest. Our approach extends to a more general market setting, where the traders have utility functions from a wide family which includes CES utilities.
La Revolución Dentro De La Revolución: Una Mirada a La Situación De La Mujer En La Cuba Socialista (the Revolution within the Revolution: A Perspective on the Condition of Women in the Socialist Cuba). 75 Rev. Jur. Upr 731 (2006).

This article assesses the state of affairs in post-revolutionary Cuba of one of the highest ideals of the contemporary Western society, equality between the sexes. The paper first discusses socialism and its relationship with the feminist movement as well as the role of the law within the Marxist-Leninist thought, which is the basis of the Cuban government. In addition, the paper offers a short historical account of the situation of Cuban women before the Revolution. Then an analysis of the situation of women during the forty-five years following the Revolution is proffered. The inquiry is divided by examining the situation in both the public and the private sphere. The paper utilizes as a theoretical framework for its analysis Christine A. Littleton’s theory of symmetrical and asymmetrical systems of equality. The paper concludes that the struggle for gender equality after the revolution in Cuba allowed Cuban women to achieve a high degree of equality when compared with their counterparts in the rest of the world. However, inequality still persists in the island; quite often because of attitudes and policies that are inconsistent with the principles of socialism. This gap is evident in Cuban legislation aimed to tend to equality between men and women. The paper argues that the problem lies, as with most social changes promulgated through the law, in an inconsistency between the ideals supposedly embodied in the legislation and the prevailing social attitudes. This is especially true in a society like Cuba in which sexism is deeply rooted and which political system is based on Marxist-Leninist thought which focus on creating parity in the means of production rather that in dismantling patriarchal relationships. Moreover, the problem worsens since in Cuba the family is taken to be the central entity for social change even though this institution is structured to perpetuate patriarchal disparities that delay the advancement of sex equality.
Does Anglophone Chinese Diasporic Avant-Garde Writing Exist?

[Opening Paragraph] This essay joins two active interests of mine: Anglophone writing by writers of Chinese descent in the diaspora and avant-garde literary writing. In my forthcoming book, Thinking Its Presence: Form, Race and Subjectivity in Contemporary Asian American Poetry (Stanford UP, 2013), I argue against the prevailing critical practice in the States of reading minority literature, including Asian American literature, for content—ethnic, ethnographic, sociological, autobiographical, and so on—with virtually no attention paid to the form, especially the literary aspects, of this body of literature. Indeed, judging from the criticism, one could almost say that “minority” and “the literary” are mutually exclusive categories for most literary critics, even those of the highest caliber. This mode of apprehending Asian American literary writing as extended Chinatown tour or as the rendered truths of a native informant is particularly problematic when one is reading minority experimental writing—writing, for example, that has no visible markers of ethnicity or a stable autobiographical “I” or other recognizable signs of ethnic writing.
"Venom" of the slow loris: sequence similarity of prosimian skin gland protein and Fel d 1 cat allergen.

Bites inflicted on humans by the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), a prosimian from Indonesia, are painful and elicit anaphylaxis. Toxins from N. coucang are thought to originate in the brachial organ, a naked, gland-laden area of skin situated on the flexor surface of the arm that is licked during grooming. We isolated a major component of the brachial organ secretions from N. coucang, an approximately 18 kDa protein composed of two 70-90 amino-acid chains linked by one or more disulfide bonds. The N-termini of these peptide chains exhibit nearly 70% sequence similarity (37% identity, chain 1; 54% identity, chain 2) with the two chains of Fel d 1, the major allergen from the domestic cat (Felis catus). The extensive sequence similarity between the brachial organ component of N. coucang and the cat allergen suggests that they exhibit immunogenic cross-reactivity. This work clarifies the chemical nature of the brachial organ exudate and suggests a possible mode of action underlying the noxious effects of slow loris bites.
Fluidigm Dynamic Arrays provide a platform for single-cell gene expression analysis

Historically, single-cell gene expression experiments have been difficult and expensive to perform. Now, however, single-cell gene expression results from single-cell samples can be inexpensive and easily reproducible using Fluidigm's Dynamic Array™ integrated fluidic circuits and BioMark™ system for genetic analysis. This method is ideally suited for high-throughput cell-line studies to determine individual cell behavior in a homozygous population. To demonstrate this capability, we chose single human cells from eight-cell-stage embryos, collected and analyzed for expression of 46 developmental genes.
Antagonist treatment of opioid withdrawal translational low dose approach.

Although antagonist drugs are receiving increasing attention in the treatment of opioid withdrawal, the mechanisms of interaction of opiate agonists and antagonists remain largely to be investigated. We focused on the effects of very low quantities of opiate antagonists, for their potential utility in detoxification. Upon reviewing the evidence on the administration of small doses of naloxone and naltrexone in the presence of agonist drugs, the effects of low-dose naltrexone during opiate administration and withdrawal are described. The application of a translational methodology allowed completing the clinical design with behavioral and cellular information obtained from a specifically developed animal model. The initial results indicate that low doses of naltrexone may help to reduce the manifestation of opioid withdrawal. They also offer suggestions for further investigations and confirm the utility of a translational research approach to the clinical neurobiology of drug addiction.
Diffuse Cloud Chemistry

The current status of models of diffuse interstellar clouds is reviewed. A detailed comparison of recent gas-phase steady-state models shows that both the physical conditions and the molecular abundances in diffuse clouds are still not fully understood. Alternative mechanisms are discussed and observational tests which may discriminate between the various models are suggested. Recent developments regarding the velocity structure of diffuse clouds are mentioned. Similarities and differences between the chemistries in diffuse clouds and those in translucent and high latitude clouds are pointed out.
Bladder dysfunction after Schauta hysterectomy. One-year follow-up.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effect of Schauta hysterectomy on bladder function as determined by serial cystometric studies. The maximum bladder capacity, resting pressure at maximum capacity, and volume of residual urine were determined preoperatively, postoperatively, at time of final catheter removal, and one or more years after surgery. A prior report showing that the bladder decreased in capacity, increased in tone, and emptied poorly if at all postoperatively was confirmed. The mean duration of postoperative catheter drainage in 68 patients was 33 days. One year or more after surgery the mean maximum bladder capacity had returned to the preoperative volume; persistent elevation of the mean resting pressure was significant in the pooled but not in the paired data; the mean residual urine volume of 25 ml. was significantly elevated. The assumption was that maintenance of intrinsic detrusor muscle tone by prevention of overdistention preserved balanced bladder function. Many patients initiated and maintained micturition by voluntary straining or by use of Crede's maneuver although others voided relatively normally. Presumably these bladders are denervated to varying degrees, producing a spectrum of functional disturbance. The “bladder-conscious” patient can protect and preserve bladder function but these bladders appear to remain vulnerable to infection and overdistention, perhaps permanently.
The mass-mobility distributions of ions produced by a Po-210 source in air

Abstract We utilized a differential mobility analyzer–mass spectrometer (DMA–MS) with a high resolving power (~45) parallel plate DMA to measure the masses and mobilities of positive and negative ions generated in dry, particle free air with a 10 mCi Po-210 α-irradiation source. We are able to chemically identify 6 positive ions and 25 negative ions in spectra. The positive ions detected were generated by protonation, and included protonated acetone (59 Da), protonated bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (391 Da), and protonated cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes. The negative ions detected were all deprotonated, and included Teflon-derived perfluoralkanoate ions, long chain alcohol derived alkoxide ions, and the nitrate ion, which, despite its low mass and high mobility was the most abundant ion in negative spectra. Most detected ions can be traced back to system components or to compounds used in the manufacture of system components. Though clearly the detected ions are system specific, the conditions employed were similar to those used in many laboratory scale aerosol measurement systems. The mobility–mass relationship for measured ions was compared to prior mass-mobility measurements of ions produced via α-irradiation, as well as to the predictions of gas molecule scattering calculations, which took as inputs semi-emipirical AM1 based structural models. Through this comparison we show that (1) a universal mobility–mass relationship cannot be applied to all ions and (2) for most ions, gas molecule scattering with diffuse scattering rules can be used to accurately predict ion mobilities. Ion spectra collected with the same system but several months apart were also compared, demonstrating that although similar species are detected, the generated ion spectrum can vary over time. Finally, Brownian dynamics simulations with measured polydisperse ion properties were utilized to determine the expected steady-state charge distribution for particles exposed to the measured ions. Via simulations, we find that the presence or absence of the negative nitrate ion has a strong effect on the steady-state charge distribution and that in most systems it is high concentrations of this ion (relative to others) which can bias charge distributions to negative polarity. Conversely, absence of the nitrate ion shifts charge distributions towards the positive mode.
An Arthropod Muscle Innervated by Nine Excitatory Motor Neurones

The anatomical and physiological organization of the locust metathoracic flexor tibiae was examined by a combination of intracellular recording and electron microscopy. Nine excitatory motor neurones, three fast, three intermediate and three slow innervate the muscle; each is uniquely identifiable using a combination of physiological response and soma location. A simple spatial distribution of inputs to the muscle from the individual motor neurones was not found. Individual muscle fibres responded to as many as seven of the motor neurones in various combinations. The muscle fibres are heterogeneous, ranging from slow (tonic) to fast (phasic) in a continuum from predominantly phasic proximally to tonicdistally. This is demonstrated by contraction and relaxation rates to directand indirect stimulation, as well as contraction elicited by action potentials in a single flexor motor neurone. The fast and slow contractile properties of the muscle fibres are matched by appropriate ultrastructures. Such a high degree of complexity of neuromuscular innervation as that found in the metathoracic flexor tibiae has not previously been described for an arthropod muscle.
Celebrity Endorsements and Beyond: New Avenues for Celebrity Branding

The authors assess the extant research in the area of celebrity endorsement and point out the need for continuing research in celebrity marketing. Suggestions for future research are made in a wide breadth of areas, spanning from celebrity endorsements to novel areas of celebrity branding. The authors propose three celebrity-branding strategies and discuss the factors that may influence their effectiveness. Other areas for future research in celebrity marketing that are discussed include ethical marketing to vulnerable consumers and social marketing. The authors conclude with suggestions regarding theories and methods that can be used for future research in celebrity marketing.
Antiobesity Pharmacotherapy: Current Treatment Options and Future Perspectives

This chapter provides a summary of historic perspectives and currently available pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of obesity. An overview is provided on the pipeline of anti-obesity drugs currently in development; with emphasis on the central mechanisms of these drug candidates. The obesity drug market has encountered frequent problems in the past with limited efficacy, toxicity, and strong resistance of the system to perturbation. These hurdles can be overcome in the future with progress in our understanding of the complicated and often redundant pathways that safeguards the energy metabolism for survival under both feast and famine conditions. To be ultimately successful, obesity treatments may require combination therapies that target both central and peripheral mechanisms as well as behavior modifications to achieve sustained weight loss effect. Keywords: adipokines; agonist; anorectic; appetite; antagonist; body mass index; energy expenditure; fat content; homeostasis; hyperglycemia; hypophagia; incretins; inverse agonist; metabolism; morbid obesity; orexigenic peptide; satiety
The Fuel Mix Limits and Efficiency of a Stoichiometric, Ammonia, and Gasoline Dual Fueled Spark Ignition Engine

An overall stoichiometric mixture of air, gaseous ammonia, and gasoline was metered into a single cylinder, variable compression ratio, supercharged cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine at varying ratios of gasoline to ammonia. The engine was operated such that the combustion was knock-free with minimal roughness for all loads ranging from idle up to a maximum load in the supercharge regime. For a given load, speed, and compression ratio, there was a range of ratios of gasoline to ammonia for which knockfree, smooth firing was obtained. This range was investigated at its rough limit and also at its maximum brake torque (MBT) knock limit. If too much ammonia was used, then the engine fired with an excessive roughness. If too much gasoline was used, then knock-free combustion could not be obtained while the maximum brake torque spark timing was maintained. Stoichiometric operation on gasoline alone is also presented, for comparison. It was found that a significant fraction of the gasoline used in spark ignition engines could be replaced with ammonia. Operation on about 100% gasoline was required at idle. However, a fuel mix comprising 70% ammonia/30% gasoline on an energy basis could be used at normally aspirated, wide open throttle. Even greater ammonia to gasoline ratios were permitted for supercharged operation. The use of ammonia with gasoline allowed knock-free operation with MBT spark timing at higher compression ratios and higher loads than could be obtained with the use of gasoline alone. DOI: 10.1115/1.2898837
Non-ossifying fibroma, fibrous cortical defect and Jaffe–Campanacci syndrome: a biologic and clinical review

Non-ossifying fibroma of bone (NOF) is a common entity, more frequently found in male children and consisting of a solitary eccentric, lytic expanded lesion in the metaphysis of a long bone. The disorder is benign and most often asymptomatic but may result in a fracture requiring therapy. Of some importance is to distinguish NOF from another very similar but smaller lesion, fibrous cortical defect, which is almost always asymptomatic and eccentrically located. Even more striking is a very rarely encountered lesion known as Jaffe–Campanacci syndrome, which also occurs in children who present with typical non-ossifying fibromatous tumors but in multiple sites. In addition, these patients have some systemic and dermal findings resembling those seen in patients with Type 1 neurofibromatosis.
Tangled: Learning to untangle ropes with RGB-D perception

In this paper, we address the problem of manipulating deformable objects such as ropes. Starting with an RGB-D view of a tangled rope, our goal is to infer its knot structure and then choose appropriate manipulation actions that result in the rope getting untangled. We design appropriate features and present an inference algorithm based on particle filters to infer the rope's structure. Our learning algorithm is based on max-margin learning. We then choose an appropriate manipulation action based on the current knot structure and other properties such as slack in the rope. We then repeatedly perform perception and manipulation until the rope is untangled. We evaluate our algorithm extensively on a dataset having five different types of ropes and 10 different types of knots. We then perform robotic experiments, in which our bimanual manipulator (PR2) untangles ropes successfully 76.9% of the time.
Modelling urban air pollution.

Abstract For the usual case of receptors within a city, the area source component of urban air pollution is strongly dominated by the source strength pattern and by transport by the mean wind. Urban area source patterns tend to be fairly uniform and atmospheric diffusion conditions in cities tend to be of the near-neutral type, without the strong diurnal variations found elsewhere. For these reasons a simple area source formula X = c Q/u where X is air pollution concentration, Q is source strength per unit area, and u is average wind speed, is studied. The parameter c is, according to the authors' urban diffusion model, a weak function of city size and should be approximately constant. This formula is compared with means derived from a large quantity of air pollution data, average annual emissions and concentrations of particles for 44 U.S. Cities and SO2 data for 20 cities, in order to calibrate the constant, c . The constant c is found to equal about 225 for particles, and 50 for SO2. Standard deviations of c are roughly half their magnitude. The value c = 225 for particles is most representative of the purely meteorological processes governing urban diffusion, since c is low for SO2 because of the greater influence of strong elevated point sources and of SO2 decay. It is suggested that this simple formula has wide applicability in air pollution investigations.
Evolution and Personality: What Should a Comprehensive Theory Address and How?

Personality is arguably the most integrative area of psychology; yet, it is an area about which evolutionary psychologists have had comparatively little to say. This is unfortunate because evolutionary theory holds great potential as a framework that can link together the disparate aspects that make up a person. We suggest that progress in evolutionary personality psychology will be helped by clarification of precisely what an evolutionary theory of personality would need to address. To this end, we first describe and assess some extant contributions by theorists attempting to understand personality from an evolutionary perspective. Next, we endorse a working definition of what personality entails and outline three types of personality differences – character traits, goals/motives, and selves/identities – that any comprehensive evolutionary theory of personality should address. Finally, we suggest an approach forward, one where evolved species-typical motives orient people toward adaptive ends and result in the differentiation of individuals’ unique selves.
An error analysis of the measurement of horizontal divergence in the wind field of a small, heated orchard

Abstract During the springs of 1970 through 1972, an attempt to observe the net heat advected out of a 0.57-ha sour cherry orchard heated with 120 large cone heaters was made. An important part of this effort was the estimation of w (the spatial mean vertical component of the wind at the orchard's top surface) by first measuring the horizontal component of the wind normal to each of the orchard's four vertical faces, and then employing the equation of continuity. The above mentioned measurements are subject to several anemometer errors. Among these are the u -error, imperfect cosine response, stalling, and spatial sampling errors. The effect of each of these on the eventual w estimate was calculated. It was found that while the u and stalling errors were negligible, the cosine response and spatial sampling errors were significant (each ±0.2 cm sec −1 ). Of the latter two, the first can be easily calculated and its effect on the estimation of w removed. However, spatial sampling error cannot be reduced without employing more instruments.
Nonarthroplasty Hip Surgery for Early Osteoarthritis

Subtle anatomic abnormalities of the hip, such as acetabular retroversion, acetabular overcoverage, and decreased head-neck offset of the femoral head-neck junction, are important anatomic variants that may lead to pain and osteoarthritis in the young adult population. Advances in surgical techniques, such as the periacetabular osteotomy, safe surgical dislocation of the hip, and hip arthroscopy, are providing us with more effective and safer tools to correct these anatomic problems. The limiting factor in treatment outcome in many mechanically compromised hips is the amount of cartilage damage that has occurred before treatment. This article is a guide to these subtle anatomic abnormalities and the options for treatment.
The response of the oral mucosa and periodontium to simultaneous administration of cortisone and somatotropic hormone in young adult male rats.

Abstract Long-Evans strain, male rats weighing an average of 302 g at the beginning of the experiment, were divided into three groups. Animals in Group 1 received an injection of 5 mg of cortisone three times weekly for a total of 4 weeks. Animals in Group 2 received simultaneous injections of 5 mg of cortisone and 0.5 mg of somatotropic hormone (STH) three times weekly for a total of 6 weeks. Animals in Group 3 were kept as untreated controls. It was noted that the cortisone-injected animals died earlier and lost more weight than did the STH-cortisone-treated animals. Histologically, STH appeared capable of compensating for the cortisone-induced reduction in the cellularity of the periodontal membrane and alveolar osteoporosis. Cortisone, on the other hand, appeared to reduce the previously noted oral epithelial response to STH administration. This apparent counteraction by cortisone of the STH effect on oral epithelium was also noted in preliminary tissue-culture studies.
Activity-dependent switch from synapse formation to synapse elimination during development of neuromuscular junctions

The embryonic development of neuromuscular junctions consists of two successive epochs, an early period marked by exuberant synapse formation and a later period marked by synapse elimination. In the frog muscles we have studied, myogenesis is protracted and overlaps the periods of synapse formation and elimination. Thus, the formative and regressive events of synaptic development do not occur in synchrony across different fibers in the muscle. We propose that local activity orchestrates a shift from synaptogenesis to synapse elimination at the level of single muscle fibers. We also present evidence that perisynaptic Schwann cells and the expression of ion channels in the sarcolemma play important roles in the development of neuromuscular junctions. Questions for future study are outlined.
A Theoretical and Empirical Evaluation of the Functional Forms Used to Estimate the Food Expenditure Equation of Food Stamp Recipients

The food expenditure equation of food stamp recipients is obtained as a generalization of Roy's identity. This equation rationalizes a larger marginal propensity to spend on food out of food stamps than out of income, and is an alternative to the traditional Southworth formulation. The only previously estimated functional form found to be flexible is due to Senauer and Young. Estimates of this specification using data from the San Diego Cash-Out Demonstration illustrates that flexibility is important. An example of welfare reform demonstrates that substantial errors can occur if flexibility is ignored.
INTERPOLATION PROBLEMS AND TOEPLITZ OPERATORS ON MULTIPLY CONNECTED DOMAINS

LetR be a bounded domain in the complex plane bounded by n + 1 nonintersecting analytic Jordan curves, letE, F, andG be flat unitary vector bundles (in the sense of Abrahamse and Douglas) and let Θ:F → G and ψ:E → G be bounded analytic bundle maps. A condition is given for the existence of a bounded analytic map D:E → F such that ΘD = ψ, together with an estimate for ∥D∥∞. An interesting special case is the case whereE = G and ψ = I E , for which the condition involves a uniform lower bound for a class of Toeplitz operators overR, all of which are induced (formally) by the bundle map\(\begin{array}{*{20}c} N \\ \oplus \\ l \\ \end{array} \) Θ (N = rankE). When interpreted for a finite column of analytic scalar functions, this special case gives quantitative information on the corona theorem forR. The main tool is the Sz.Nagy-Foias commutant lifting theorem for regionsR recently obtained by the author.
Non-parametric inference for balanced randomization designs

Abstract This paper compares the properties of two balanced randomization schemes which allocate the known number n of subjects among several treatments. According to the first procedure, the so-called truncated multinomial randomization design, the allocation process starts with the uniform distribution, until a treatment receives the prescribed number of subjects, after which this uniform distribution switches to the remaining treatments, and so on. The second scheme, the random allocation rule, selects at random any assignment of the given number of subjects per treatment. The limiting behavior of these two procedures is shown to be quite different in the sense that for the random allocation rule the instant, at which a treatment gets its prescribed number of subjects, comes much later (after n - O ( 1 ) rather than n - O ( n ) subject assignments.) The large sample distribution of standard permutation tests is obtained, and formulas for the accidental bias and for the selection bias of both procedures are derived.
USING A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY TO QUANTIFY CORTICOSTERONE IN AVIAN PLASMA

Abstract Using a commercially available corticosterone I125 double-antibody radioimmunoassay, we developed and validated an assay procedure for determining corticosterone levels in small-volume (≤30 μL) avian plasma samples. We evaluated this procedure's utility by measuring plasma corticosterone levels in Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis), Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus), and Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura). Standard biochemical validations (e.g., parallelism, recovery of exogenous corticosterone) demonstrated that the assay accurately and precisely measured corticosterone in avian plasma. We used a stress capture protocol to physiologically validate the assay's ability to determine biologically important changes in corticosterone levels. Males and females from four bird species exhibited a significant increase in plasma corticosterone in response to capture, handling, and restraint. Baseline and stress-induced corticosterone levels in our study were similar...
Laser and suture anastomosis: Passive compliance and active force production

One carotid from each dog underwent a laser anastomosis and the other carotid an interrupted suture repair. One or eight weeks later (n greater than or equal to 4 dogs/time period); four rings (1 mm in length) containing the laser or suture anastomosis or the normal artery (two/dog) were removed. Using a photoelectric force transducer and lever system, the ring was stretched in increments and passive force measured. At each length, the arterial muscle was stimulated and active force measured. The mean laser and control passive length/tension (L/T) curves were not different (P greater than 0.05), but the suture curve was shifted downward (P less than 0.05). The mean laser and suture active L/T curves were similar at 1 week (greater than 0.05) and lower than the control curve (P less than 0.04). At 8 weeks, the laser-repaired vessels produced an active force similar to control muscle (P greater than 0.05) but the suture repairs could not generate this active force (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that the laser repair and normal artery are more mechanically compatible than the suture repair as studied by this method.
Context-based synchronization: an approach beyond semantics for concurrency control

The expressiveness of various object-oriented languages is investigated with respect to their ability to create new objects. We focus on database method schemas (dms), a model capturing the data manipulation capabilities of a large class of deterministic methods in object-oriented databases. The results clarify the impact of various language constructs on object creation. Several new constructs based on expanded notions of deep equality are introduced. In particular, we provide a tractable construct which yields a language complete with respect to object creation. The new construct is also relevant to query complexity. For example, it allows expressing in polynomial time some queries, like counting, requiring exponential space in dms alone.
Insights into the regulatory mechanism controlling the inhibition of vaccine-induced seroconversion by maternal antibodies

The inhibition of vaccination by maternal antibodies is a widely observed phenomenon in human and veterinary medicine. Maternal antibodies are known to suppress the B-cell response. This is similar to antibody feedback mechanism studies where passively transferred antibody inhibits the B-cell response against particulate antigens because of epitope masking. In the absence of experimental data addressing the mechanism underlying inhibition by maternal antibodies, it has been suggested that epitope masking explains the inhibition by maternal antibodies, too. Here we report that in the cotton rat model of measles virus (MV) vaccination passively transferred MV-specific immunoglobulin G inhibit B-cell responses through cross-linking of the B-cell receptor with FcγRIIB. The extent of inhibition increases with the number of antibodies engaging FcγRIIB and depends on the Fc region of antibody and its isotype. This inhibition can be partially overcome by injection of MV-specific monoclonal IgM antibody. IgM stimulates the B-cell directly through cross-linking the B-cell receptor via complement protein 3d and antigen to the complement receptor 2 signaling complex. These data demonstrate that maternal antibodies inhibit B-cell responses by interaction with the inhibitory/regulatory FcγRIIB receptor and not through epitope masking.
Investigation of glass thickness effect on thermal slumping by experimental and numerical methods

Abstract Thermal slumping process is a high volume and low cost manufacturing method for fabricating aspherical and freeform glass mirrors with large dimensions. It has been aggressively tested for X-ray mirrors for space-based telescopes and for solar panels as well. In case a concave mold is used, the relationship between the upper surface contour of a slumped mirror and that of the mold becomes non-linear. On the other hand, the final surface contour of the slumped glass is a very important parameter which directly affects the optical performance of the mirror. In this research, experiments of thermal slumping glass plates on a parabolic concave mold were performed to study the thickness effect on the slumping process and the final surface contour of the upper surface of the glass plate. In addition, numerical simulation was conducted to ensure the internal stresses were removed at selected cooling rate and predict the corresponding surface contour. A comparison between simulation and experiments showed that the finite element method (FEM) simulation is adequate for predicting the surface contour if the glass was fully slumped. It was also discovered that under certain process conditions, thinner glass plates may not be fully slumped therefore proper remedies to the manufacturing process are necessary.
[Me4N](NiII(BEAAM)): A Synthetic Model for Nickel Superoxide Dismutase That Contains Ni in a Mixed Amine/Amide Coordination Environment

Nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) is a metalloenzyme that converts O2*- into H2O2 and O2 by cycling between Ni(II) and Ni(III) oxidation states. Reduced NiSOD contains Ni(II) in a square-planar N2S2 coordination environment formed by two cysteinate S atoms, an amide N, and an amine N to Ni(II). [Me4N](Ni(II)(BEAAM)) represents the first NiN2S2 complex containing Ni in a mixed amine/amide environment. [Me4](Ni(II)(BEAAM)) contains Ni-S bonds at 2.177(2) and 2.137(2) A and Ni-N bonds at 1.989(7) and 1.858(6) A, which compare well with the metalloenzyme. Orange solutions of [Me(4)N](Ni(II)(BEAAM)) in MeCN are diamagnetic and stable toward O2 for weeks. A quasireversible Ni(II/III) redox couple is observed for [Ni(II)(BEAAM)](NMe4) at 0.12(1) V vs Ag/AgCl. These data suggest that NiSOD utilizes the mixed amine/amide ligands to modulate the Ni(II/III) redox couple to best match the O2*- reduction/oxidation couples while maintaining O2 stability.
Robotic approaches to prolapse surgery

Purpose of review Pelvic reconstructive surgeons in the fields of urology, gynecology and urogynecology have continually adapted new techniques in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair in order to improve both anatomic and subjective outcomes. In the last 5 years, robotic surgery has gained a strong foothold in urologic oncology, gynecologic oncology, cardiothoracic surgery and now in female pelvic medicine. Robotic surgery has made its way into the armamentarium of POP treatment and has allowed pelvic surgeons to adapt the 'gold standard' technique of abdominal sacrocolpopexy to a minimally invasive approach with improved intraoperative morbidity and decreased convalescence. This review article aims to discuss the techniques of robotic prolapse repair as well as morbidity, cost and clinical outcomes. Recent findings The adaptation of minimally invasive approaches to the treatment of POP initially began with laparoscopy, something only those surgeons with extensive and advanced laparoscopic skills are able to accomplish. Access to robotic technology makes conversion from open or laparoscopic to robotic surgery much more feasible for most pelvic floor surgeons. There are currently no published randomized, controlled trials comparing robotic with open or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, however, there are several publications reporting both retrospective and prospective series of women undergoing robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy. Summary Robotic-assisted pelvic floor surgery has become an important component of the pelvic surgeon's armamentarium in the treatment of symptomatic POP. Those pelvic surgeons without significant expertise in laparoscopy required for sacral dissection and intracorporeal suturing can readily learn the necessary techniques required for robotic surgery.
Mutator genes—pacemakers of evolution

Initially a genetic oddity, male recombination in Drosophila melanogaster is now being viewed as a means of detecting mutator activity and chromosome breakage in hybridising populations and is causing us to reconsider the source and rate at which genetic variability may be generated in nature.
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON OBESITY

Severely obese children are even more likely to have mutations in obesity genes than are severely obese adults. Thus, investigators searching for obesity genes commonly focus on children, with the result that many human obesity genes were first identified in studies of children. Although the development of obesity depends on living in an obesity-promoting environment, it also is influenced strongly by individual genetic composition. Thus, the discovery of new obesity genes provides new opportunities to identify causes of severe obesity. Finally, identification of individual causes of obesity may, in the future, provide for a safe, effective, and individualized treatment recommendation for each obese person.
The PMR and 13CH satellite spectra of acrolein and its methyl derivatives

Abstract Proton magnetic resonance (PMR) and 13 CH satellite spectra have been obtained and analyzed for acrolein, crotonaldehyde, α-methacrolein, and tiglaldehyde. The aldehyde proton spectrum exhibits an interesting concentration dependence which is accounted for in the analysis. The β-proton shifts are also sensitive to concentration, probably reflecting a tendency toward dipolar association. 13 CH coupling constants have been evaluated for every position in the series studied and, in addition, some long-range 13 CH couplings are essential to account for the spectra. The chemical shifts of acrolein have been compared with those in ethylene and butadiene. The effects of methyl substitution upon the various chemical shifts in acrolein show little regularity, possibly because of cross-conjugation in the substituted systems.
Respiratory and cardiac function in children after acute hypoxemic respiratory failure

ObjectiveTo examine the pulmonary and cardiac function of children who survived an episode of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.DesignDescriptive cohort analysis.SettingPediatric clinical research center of a university hospital.PatientsUtilizing the criteria of PaO2 less than 75 torr (less than 1
Kinetic Analysis of the Mitotic Cycle of Living Vertebrate Cells by Atomic Force Microscopy

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is becoming an important tool for qualitative and quantitative analyses of biological material. However, the difficulties involved in maintaining long-term, steady-state physiologic conditions and the problems associated with analyzing force curves generated from highly viscoelastic biological structures impede the use of the AFM for studies of kinetic processes in living vertebrate cells. In this report, we describe a simple method to track reproducibly kinetic changes in the localized stiffness of vertebrate cells. We tested our method on a study of vertebrate cells in mitosis and found a marked but transient decrease in stiffness occurs in the mitotic spindle region during anaphase. We propose that physical-chemical changes in the mitotic apparatus, most probably, changes in the state of polymerization of interzonal spindle fibers which also have been reported to undergo a marked reduction in birefringence during anaphase, are responsible for the observed decrease in stiffness. Our methodology affords a new approach to studying mitotic events and should be applicable to studies of a variety of viscoelastic properties of living cells.