cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
4730 Antibiotic prophylaxis in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with malignant tumors.

The use of ABP in reducing local wound infection rates after PEG insertion is controversial. Previous observations suggested that patients with malignant tumors are at high risk of developing local infections after receiving a PEG. Aim of this study was to test if patients with malignant tumors benefit from an ABP prior to PEG insertion. Methods: Prospective randomized study with 25 patients with malignant tumors receiving their first PEG (thread pull method). Group 1 received an ABP with 2g cefotiam i.v. prior to PEG insertion, group 2 received no ABP. The rate and severity of local infections in the 4 days after PEG insertion were estimated by a score (value 0-21) consisting of the following parameters: Signs of infection at the site of insertion (0-4), local pain (0-3), systemic complications (0-2), body temperature (0-4) and rise in blood leucocytes (0-4) and CRP (0-4) between day 0 and 4 after PEG insertion. Results: Local infections occurred in 11/25 pts (44%): in group 1 in 4/14 pts (29%) and in group 2 in 7/11 pts (63%). Severe local infections were not observed in group 1, but occurred in 5 pts in group 2 (3 purulent secretions, 2 erythemata with secretion). The mean score value in group 1 (2.5±0.8) was significantly lower (p=0.019, Mann-Whitney test) than in group 2 (5.9±1.1)(Fig). The PEG had to be removed due to local infection in 2 pts in group 2, but in none of group 1. Conclusion: Patients with malignant tumors have a high risk of developing local infections after PEG insertion. An antibiotic propylaxis with cefotiam is able to lower the rate and particularly the severity of local infections. It should be recommended in all patients with malignant tumors.
A DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF A CAPACITIVELY COUPLED ELECTRICAL FIELD ON BONE INGROWTH INTO POROUS-SURFACED CANINE TOTAL HIP PROSTHESES

The effect of a capacitively coupled electrical field on bone ingrowth into titanium fiber mesh porous-surfaced canine total hip arthroplasties (THAs) was investigated in a double-blind experiment. The electrical field was induced by an external source delivering a 60-kHz 5-6-V peak-to-peak sinusoid voltage through skin electrodes. No significant increase in the ingrowth of bone into the porous coating occurred at the end of six weeks of electrical stimulation. The amount of bone that grew into the porous surface, the areal density of bone within the available pore space, and the extent of the prosthesis surface area with bone ingrowth or apposition were not significantly different in the control and stimulated groups. This particular form of electrical stimulation does not improve bone ingrowth into porous-surfaced canine THAs by six weeks.
Regulated Ethylene Insensitivity through the Inducible Expression of the Arabidopsis etr1-1 Mutant Ethylene Receptor in Tomato

Ethylene serves as an important hormone controlling several aspects of plant growth and development, including fruit ripening and leaf and petal senescence. Ethylene is perceived following its binding to membrane-localized receptors, resulting in their inactivation and the induction of ethylene responses. Five distinct types of receptors are expressed in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and mutant receptors have been described that repress ethylene signaling in a dominant negative manner. One such mutant, ethylene resistant1-1 (etr1-1), results in a strong ethylene-insensitive phenotype in Arabidopsis. In this study, regulated expression of the Arabidopsis etr1-1 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was achieved using an inducible promoter. In the absence of the inducer, transgenic seedlings remained sensitive to ethylene, but in its presence, a state of ethylene insensitivity was induced, resulting in the elongation of the hypocotyl and root in dark-grown seedlings in the presence of ethylene, a reduction or absence of an apical hook, and repression of ethylene-inducible E4 expression. The level of ethylene sensitivity could be controlled by the amount of inducer used, demonstrating a linear relationship between the degree of insensitivity and etr1-1 expression. Induction of etr1-1 expression also repressed the epinastic response to ethylene as well as delayed fruit ripening. Restoration of ethylene sensitivity was achieved following the cessation of the induction. These results demonstrate the ability to control ethylene responses temporally and in amount through the control of mutant receptor expression.
The electronic and geometric structures of the early transition metal cations MCH+, MCH2+ and MCH3+

Abstract The electronic and geometric structures of several transition metal cations MCH 3 + , MCH 2 + and MCH + , where M is Sc, Ti, V and Cr, have been studied by ab initio methods (MCSCF and MCSCF+1+2). The calculated lengths of the metal-carbon single, double and triple bonds are somewhat insensitive to the metal, having average values of 2.19±0.06 A, 1.96±0.04 A and 1.76±0.01 A respectively. This is to be contrasted with the calculated bond strengths which vary from 46-18 kcal mol − in the MCH 3 + series; from 68-39 kcal mol −1 in the MCH 2 + series; and from 96-71 kcal mol −1 in the MCH + series. In all cases the bond energy decreases as one goes from Sc + to Cr + . The trend in the calculated bond strengths/calculated bond lengths for this series of molecules is interesting in that the Sc compounds always have the larger bond length as well as the larger bond energy, a situation not normally found in molecules composed entirely of main group elements.
Vector Random Fields with Second-Order Moments or Second-Order Increments

This article is concerned with vector (multivariate, or multidimensional) random fields with second-order moments or second-order increments. Two crucial questions for such a random field are what kind of the square matrix function can be employed as its covariance matrix or variogram matrix, and, in particular, what type of the functions can be employed as its cross covariances or cross variograms. We attempt to explore the relationships between the direct covariance and the cross covariance in a covariance matrix and the relationships between the direct variogram and the cross variogram in a variogram matrix. Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for a given square matrix function to be the covariance matrix or variogram matrix of a vector Gaussian or elliptically contoured random field, and some parametric or nonparametric examples are given for stationary and nonstationary cases in a temporal, spatial, or spatio-temporal domain.
Ultra-low voltage high-speed Schmitt trigger circuit in SOI MOSFET technology

This paper proposes a novel ultra-low voltage and high speed Schmitt trigger circuit designed in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The proposed circuit is designed using dynamic threshold MOS (DTMOS) technique and multi-threshold voltage CMOS (MT-CMOS) technique to reduce power consumption and accomplish high speed operation. The experiment shows the proposed Schmitt trigger circuit consumes 4.68µW at 0.7V power supply voltage and the circuit demonstrates the maximum switching speed of 170psec.
1580 EFFECT OF PROTEIN INTAKE ON RENAL FUNCTION IN THE DIABETIC MOUSE

Increased protein intake may have a deleterious effect on progressive renal disease. To ascertain whether chronic protein-loading would adversely affect diabetic nephropathy, genetic diabetic mice (db/db) were fed normal (27%) and high(50%) protein diets. Every 2 weeks after the start of the diets urine was collected for creatinine and albumin and blood was drawn for glucose and creatinine. Creatinine clearance (Ccr, ml/min) and albumin excretion (Ualb, mg/24 hr) were calculated (x±SEM):
Methionine enkephalin as a possible neuromodulator of regional cerebral blood flow

In swine, cerebral blood flow was documented by a left ventricular injection of radiolabeled 15-micron spheres. Utilizing this procedure, the effect of the putative neurotransmitter methionine-enkephalin on regional cerebral blood flow was systemically evaluated. Our results revealed that a peripheral infusion of methionine enkephalin into miniature swine significantly increased cerebral blood flow in the basal ganglia, cerebellum, pons, inferior parietal cortex and frontal cortex. Non-significant increases were observed in the hippocampus, occipital cortex and medulla oblongata while no effect on blood flow was observed in the pituitary gland. Significance of these results in the potential role of methionine enkephalin as a modulator of blood flow to the brain.
Low-dose contraceptive estrogen-progestin and coronary artery atherosclerosis of monkeys.

Abstract Objective: To determine the separate and combined effects of the estrogen and progestin components of a modern triphasic oral contraceptive (OC) formulation on extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Methods: Female cynomolgus monkeys (n = 81) were fed atherogenic diets for 32 months. After the first 7 months, they were randomized to four groups and treated triphasically for 21 of each 28 days with ethinyl estradiol (E2) (monkey equivalent of 30–40 μg), levonorgestrel (monkey equivalent of 50–125 μg), a combination of the two steroids, or placebo. Results: Treatment with estrogen alone reduced coronary artery atherosclerosis extent 67% compared with untreated controls (P .20). While atherosclerosis extent in monkeys treated with the combined OC was reduced 28%, this did not differ statistically from the other groups (P > .20). Conclusion: In doses used for oral contraception, E2, like all other estrogens studied to date, has a marked inhibitory effect on atherosclerosis progression. Levonorgestrel, at doses used in modern OC formulations, antagonizes this effect. When considered with other experimental evidence, these findings support the concept that progestins used in OCs and hormone replacement therapy can antagonize estrogen’s atheroinhibitory effects. Whether this occurs seems to depend on a relative balance between estrogen and progestin with respect to dose, potency, route, and pattern of administration. However, when considered with evidence from previous studies, the findings also indicate a modest atheroinhibitory influence of combination (estrogen-progestin) OCs.
Significant Linkage Evidence for a Predisposition Gene for Pelvic Floor Disorders on Chromosome 9q21

Predisposition factors for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and hernias, are not well understood. We assessed linkage evidence for PFDs in mostly sister pairs who received treatment for moderate-to-severe POP. We genotyped 70 affected women of European descent from 32 eligible families with at least two affected cases by using the Illumina 1 million single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker set. Parametric linkage analysis with general dominant and recessive models was performed by the Markov chain Monte Carlo linkage analysis method, MCLINK, and a set of SNPs was formed, from which those in high linkage disequilibrium were eliminated. Significant genome-wide evidence for linkage was identified on chromosome 9q21 with a HLOD score of 3.41 under a recessive model. Seventeen pedigrees (53%) had at least nominal evidence for linkage on a by-pedigree basis at this region. These results provide evidence for a predisposition gene for PFDs on chromosome 9q.
Isotopic studies of fixation by rhizobia in presence of hemoprotein.

SummaryWhen tested by the sensitive isotopic method, neither an aqueous extract of nodules nor a purified preparation of hemoprotein could induce fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by free-living Rhizobium.Cultures of the root nodule bacteria taken directly from the nodules and tested prior to cultivation on laboratory media did not fix nitrogen even though hemoprotein was present.In a few experiments, fixation of molecular nitrogen was obtained, but the nodular preparations were shown to contain nitrogen-fixing Clostridia.
Teaching about Property Rights and the Environment

Property rights are integral to the professions involving planning, development, and environmental issues. A theoretical and historical framework on land and property rights gives students preparing for these professions a deeper understanding of the concepts underlying current practice. Without this background, practitioners are relatively ignorant about the rich history that is involved in how we perceive and govern property. This article reviews how such a course was developed for undergraduates in these programs, including the selection of the substantive issues covered; the problems in teaching about property rights to students who have not yet had experience with the concepts; and the various assignments used to transmit a relevance that students otherwise might think missing.
Probing the Interactions of Transition-Metal Complexes Bound at the Ortho Position of Substituted Biphenyls

(4,4‘-dimethylbipyridyl)NiMe2 was found to react thermally with 2-iodo-2‘,4‘,6‘-trimethylbiphenyl (6) to produce a C−I insertion that is extremely distorted from square planarity, with the C−Ni−I p...
Functional enhancement of chitosan and nanoparticles in cell culture, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical applications

As a biomaterial, chitosan has been widely used in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and other biomedical applications. It can be formulated in a variety of forms, such as powder, film, sphere, gel, and fiber. These features make chitosan an almost ideal biomaterial in cell culture applications, and cell cultures arguably constitute the most practical way to evaluate biocompatibility and biotoxicity. The advantages of cell cultures are that they can be performed under totally controlled environments, allow high throughput functional screening, and are less costly, as compared to other assessment methods. Chitosan can also be modified into multilayer composite by combining with other polymers and moieties to alter the properties of chitosan for particular biomedical applications. This review briefly depicts and discusses applications of chitosan and nanoparticles in cell culture, in particular, the effects of chitosan and nanoparticles on cell adhesion, cell survival, and the underlying molecular mechanisms: both stimulatory and inhibitory influences are discussed. Our aim is to update the current status of how nanoparticles can be utilized to modify the properties of chitosan to advance the art of tissue engineering by using cell cultures.
On the coding of spatial information

Two experiments studied recall of objects and their locations in an intentional-incidental learning paradigm. When studying spatial information, the usual incidental condition is not truly incidental, because subjects often deliberately use locations to help organize objects for recall. Therefore, a true incidental task was devised in which neither objects nor locations were expected to be recalled and for which explicit encoding of locations was irrelevant. There was only a small loss in recall of objects or their locations in a true incidental condition. It was concluded that a great deal of location information is automatically coded into long-term memory storage in the sense that active processing is not required. The data were contrasted with incidental processing of other attributes, such as color. Although adults performed better than children, there were no age-related interactions, indicating similarity of functioning at all ages studied.
Symmetry, Rational Abilities, and the Ought-Implies-Can Principle

In Making Sense of Free Will and Moral Responsibility Dana Nelkin defends the “rational abilities view.” According to this view, agents are responsible for their behavior if and only if they act with the ability to recognize and act for good reasons. It follows that agents who act well are open to praise regardless of whether they could have acted differently, but agents who act badly are open to blame only if they could have acted on the moral reasons that counted against their behavior. I summarize the main themes of Nelkin’s theory of responsibility and offer reasons for rejecting the claim that agents are blameworthy only if they could have responded to moral considerations. It is true that wrongdoers who could not have responded appropriately to moral considerations are often excused from blame, but I argue that not all the forms that such incapacity can take will furnish grounds for excuse. In other words, some circumstances that entail that a wrongdoer cannot respond to moral considerations are compatible with that agent fulfilling conditions that are sufficient for moral responsibility.
The ultraviolet spectra of size‐resolved (benzene)N, N=2–60

Photoabsorption spectra of benzene clusters BN containing up to N=60 molecules have been obtained on an N‐resolved basis over the B2u region of the spectrum (λ=265–245 nm). The resonant enhanced two‐photon ionization of a supercooled cluster beam yields distinctive spectra for each value of N. The energy of the 610 resonance is found to decrease monotonically with increasing N, but at N=50 is still far from condensed‐phase values.
CANNABIS: Ethnobotany and Evolution

CANNABIS: Ethnobotany and Evolution. By Robert A. Clarke and Mark D. Merlin. xviii and 434 pp.; maps, ills., bibliog., index. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2013. $95.00 (cloth), ISBN 97...
Dialysis: Does daily haemodialysis reduce survival?

A new multinational cohort study reports that patients receiving daily haemodialysis had a significantly higher mortality rate than those receiving conventional thrice-weekly treatments. Other studies have suggested that daily haemodialysis has beneficial effects. What are patients and nephrologists to make of these conflicting findings?
Superstructure ordering in lanthanum-doped lead magnesium niobate

Superstructure reflections of lead magnesium niobate (PMN), Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3, were measured with synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction. Our data conclusively demonstrate that the (h+12,k+12,l+12)-type reflections are the result of chemical ordering between the Mg and Nb ions in domains of 50 A. Structure factor analysis of these peaks reveals an oxygen displacement within the ordered regions of 0.044(3) A along a 〈100〉 direction towards the Nb ion. Single crystals of La-doped PMN (La–PMN) exhibit much larger chemically ordered regions (up to 900 A for 10% La–PMN). Structural analysis of the La–PMN suggests that as the ordered region increases in size, the ordering changes from complete Nb:Mg ordering and approaches Nb:(Mg2/3Nb1/3) ordering. Although anticipated from electrostatic energy arguments, our conclusions are based on a clear trend in the bond length of the mixed site as a function of La doping.
Patterns of Change in Prisonization A Longitudinal Analysis

Research on prisonization has traditionally analyzed cross-sectional data testing either the importation or deprivation model. This investigation incorporates a longitudinal research design to anal...
Comparison of 2-D Quantum and Thermal Critical Fluctuations of Underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ with Ultrathin YBa2Cu3O7−δ

This paper addresses two issues. Underdoped Bi-2212 has been shown to exhibit two-dimensional quantum fluctuations, with Tc vs. Ns(0) scaling qualitatively similar to ultrathin YBCO films that are 2-D by construction. The present paper shows that the quantitative difference in scaling is resolved by growing Bi-2212 films that are much smoother than previously used. Also, the absence of 2-D thermal critical behavior from the superfluid density of Bi-2212 films that exhibit 2-D quantum scaling is not likely due to an inhomogeneous Tc smearing out the 2-D thermal transition. Finally, we emphasize that there is as yet no consensus on the physics that drives the T-dependence of Ns at low to intermediate temperatures.
The Relationship between Moral Thought and Moral Action: Implications for Social Studies Education

This article focuses upon the question “Does level of moral reasoning increase the likelihood of moral behavior occurring?” Through a review of the literature on this subject, the author draws thes...
Structure of the Ionomer Film in Catalyst Layers of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The nanoscale structure of the ionomer film located in the catalyst layer of polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is of vital importance to proton transport and catalyst utilization. Classical molecular dynamic simulations are conducted to explore the molecular-level structure as well as the structure–property relationships in the ionomer film. Twenty-four systems are simulated to investigate the effect of (i) hydration, (ii) ionomer film thickness, (iii) oxidation of the carbon support surface, and (iv) the presence of catalyst nanoparticles on film adhesion and morphology. The ionomer does not form a continuous film on the carbon surface; rather, the ionomer forms irregular patches through which proton transport from the catalyst to the membrane must occur. These ionomer films are not able to retain water to the same extent as bulk ionomer membranes. However, thicker films retain proportionally more water than thinner films, allowing for a larger and better connected aqueous domain required for...
Physicochemical Properties of 8-2 Fluorinated Telomer B Alcohol

Physicochemical properties (vapor pressure, water solubility, gas-phase nuclear magnetic resonance) of 8-2 Telomer B alcohol, CF3(CF2)7CH2CH2OH, were measured. Vapor pressures were measured in the temperature range from (21 to 200) °C by three different methods, including a novel method based on gas-phase NMR that requires only milligram quantities of substance. At 21 °C, the vapor pressure was 3 Pa; at 201.3 °C, the vapor pressure was 101.325 kPa (1 atm). Water solubility was measured at (12, 25, 37, and 60) °C in pure water. Solubility ranged from (134 to 318) μg/L.
Age-and Site-Specific Decline in Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor Expression Is Correlated with Differential Growth Plate Activity in The Mouse Hindlimb

The proximal and distal growth plates of the principal long bones do not contribute equally to longitudinal growth. Most forelimb elongation occurs at the shoulder and wrist, while most hindlimb growth occurs at the knee. This study examined whether insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a potent growth regulator, could underlie this variation via differential receptor expression. The spatiotemporal distribution of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) was mapped in hindlimb growth plates (overall and within regional zones) from immature mice using immunohistochemistry. Growth activity was assessed by size/morphology of the growth plate and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Both IGF-IR and PCNA staining declined considerably with age in the proximal femur and distal tibia (hip and ankle), but expression remained high in the more active distal femur and proximal tibia (knee) throughout growth. Growth plate size decreased with age in all sites, but the absolute and relative decline in IGF-IR in the hips and ankles of older mice indicated a site-specific loss of IGF-I sensitivity in these less active regions. These results suggest that regulation of the IGF-IR may at least partially mediate differential long bone growth, thereby providing a local mechanism for altering skeletal proportions absent modification of systemic hormone levels.
Preparation of high-performance membrane adsorbers by surface-initiated AGET ATRP in the presence of dissolved oxygen and low catalyst concentration

Abstract This contribution describes the first use of surface-initiated AGET (activators generated by electron transfer) ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) to prepare high-capacity adsorptive membranes for bioseparations. The present advancement greatly simplifies membrane development by overcoming the need for specialized catalyst handling and solution de-oxygenation steps that are required for standard ATRP methods. Furthermore, it enables modification to be done with ppm-level catalyst concentrations. Surface-initiated AGET ATRP from base cellulose membranes was used to prepare amine-based anion-exchange membranes. No precautions were taken to remove oxygen from the system, and catalyst concentrations were 50–200 ppm. A set of experiments was carried out to optimize the molar amount of reducing agent used in formulation. Catalyst concentration and polymerization time were used as independent variables to study the effects on protein binding capacity of the surface-modified membranes. Bind-and-elute measurements were done with an adsorptive membrane bed to measure dynamic protein binding capacities and to demonstrate the highly favorable transport properties of the membrane bed.
Improvements in a competition assay to detect scrapie prion protein by capillary electrophoresis

Scrapie in sheep and goats is the prototype of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies found in humans and animals. A feature of these diseases is the accumulation of rod-shaped fibrils in the brain that form from an aggregated protein. This protein is a protease-resistant form of a normal host cell protein. When the aggregated protein is denatured in SDS and beta-mercaptoethanol, a monomer form (prion protein) with a molecular mass of 27 kDa is observed. Free zone capillary electrophoresis and peptides labeled with fluorescein were used to detect the prion protein through competition for a labeled peptide in immune complex formation. The separation of the immune complexes from the unbound peptide using 200 mM Tricine (pH 8.0) was faster and was better resolved than that obtained with phosphate or borate buffer systems. The amount of immune complex formation was dependent on the amount of antibody in the assay. The amount of bound labeled peptide and unbound labeled peptide could be measured directly by calculating the area of each respective peak. As increasing amounts of unlabeled peptide were added to the assay, a concentration dependent reduction in the immune complex peak was observed. The assay could detect less than 10.0 fmol of unlabeled peptide. There was a quantitative difference in the competition of preparations from scrapie infected sheep brain and normal sheep brain.
Synthesis and pyrolysis of fluorosulfates

Abstract Peroxydisulfuryl difluoride has been found to substitute a fluorosulfato group for isolated hydrogen in a fluorinated chain. The reaction is initiated by FSO 2 O• radicals and proceeds under mild conditions. Some pyrolyses of fluorosulfates are also described.
An Active-Learning Laboratory on Immunizations

Objective. To implement and evaluate an active-learning laboratory activity to teach pharmacy students about influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines. Design. The laboratory session was divided into 6 immunization stations: 3 stations on influenza including a pediatrics station, and 1 station each for pneumococcal, shingles, and anaphylaxis. Assessment. Although 118 of 123 (95.9%) students had completed an immunization training certificate prior to attending the laboratory, the average score on a pre-assessment to measure immunization knowledge and confidence was 56%. The post-assessment score was 87.4%. Students’ confidence improved by 18.7% to 51.2% in each of the 5 areas assessed. Most respondents rated the activity overall as good or excellent on a post-activity evaluation. Conclusion. An active-learning approach to teaching immunizations allowed students to gain knowledge in simulated real-world experiences and reinforced key concepts on influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines.
Comparison of ENDF/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VII.0 Results for the Expanded Criticality Validation Suite for MCNP and for Selected Additional Criticality Benchmarks

Abstract Results obtained with the MCNP5 Monte Carlo code and the ENDF/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear data libraries have been compared for the 119 benchmarks in the expanded criticality validation suite for MCNP and for 23 additional benchmarks. ENDF/B-VII.1 was found to produce improvements relative to ENDF/B-VII.0 for benchmarks that contain significant amounts of tungsten, zirconium, cadmium, or beryllium, although the results for the benchmarks with beryllium suggest that further improvement still may be needed. In addition, a number of deficiencies previously identified for ENDF/B-VII.0 still remain in ENDF/B-VII.1.
THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN GEOGRAPHY: THINGS CHANGE, THINGS REMAIN THE SAME

Numbers of women in permanent academic ranks in US geography departments have increased since the 1970s but still constitute only eight percent of geography faculty. Women comprise a quarter of the new doctorates and low-ranking professors, but only 10% of the associate and three percent of full professors, both in large and small departments. One female faculty member in five holds a temporary line. Causes of and solutions to this imbalance are addressed.
Extremal case of Frankl–Ray-Chaudhuri–Wilson Inequality

Abstract In their 1981 paper, Frankl and Wilson gave a non-uniform analog of Ray-Chaudhuri–Wilson Inequality called Frankl–Ray-Chaudhuri–Wilson Inequality. In this paper, we give a complete classification of the extremal case of their theorem. Our presentation is in the context of quasi-polynomial semi-lattice which includes the finite set case as a special case.
Lumbar Disc Replacement Failures: Review of 29 Patients and Rationale for Revision

The Charite III artificial disc replacement was approved for use in the United States in October of 2004 by the FDA. Another similarly designed lumbar disc replacement called the ProDisc II was also approved by the FDA a year later in January of 2006. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review 29 patients with either the Charite III or the Prodisc II disc replacement surgery and complications.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Oncogene-Induced Senescence and its Role in Tumor Suppression

While senescence has been known for some time as an inevitable result of repeated DNA replication, oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) represents a relatively new phenomenon. OIS, like apoptosis, has emerged to represent a putative barrier to tumorigenesis in many tissues, including the breast. Here we discuss signals that initiate OIS, evidence for its role in tumor suppression, and mechanisms for its evasion in tumorigenesis.
P2-P3 conformationally constrained ketoamide-based inhibitors of cathepsin K.

Abstract An orally bioavailable series of ketoamide-based cathepsin K inhibitors with good pharmacokinetic properties has been identified. Starting from a potent inhibitor endowed with poor drug properties, conformational constraint of the P2-P3 linker and modifications to P 1 ′ elements led to an enhancement in potency, solubility, clearance, and bioavailability. These optimized inhibitors attenuated bone resorption in a rat TPTX hypocalcemic bone resorption model.
Burning in Sodom: Sodomy as the Moral State of Damnation in John Bale's The Image of both Churches

AbstractIn this essay I re-examine the significance that sodomy plays in the work of John Bale by focusing in particular on his influential Reformation work, The Image of both Churches. Sodomy conceptually lies at the heart of The Image, yet it is defined in figurative and moral terms rather than in the sexual terms dominant in contemporary understandings of sodomy. Bale's understanding of sodomy comes from his figurative interpretation of 'fire' and 'burning' _in a number of biblical passages, but especially the three examined here: Isaiah 66:24, Romans 1:18-31 and Revelation 20:9-10. The persecuted faithful Christians are assured that their sodomite persecutors are already damned to hell, a damnation only further confirmed and even aggravated by sodomitical behaviour. In taking a vow to 'sodomitical chastity' and therefore renouncing what Bale sees as the fundamental biblical injunction to marry or 'burn', to paraphrase I Corinthians 7:9, the sodomite-papists find themselves burning in their increasingl...
Neurohypophysial hormones and water and sodium excretion in the African lungfish

Abstract Arginine vasotocin (AVT) is an antidiuretic hormone in nonmammalian tetrapods but is diuretic in freshwater fishes. In the African lungfish AVT increases glomerular filtration rate and urine flow at low doses, as it does in actinopterygian fishes. At higher doses it is also strongly natriuretic. Several mechanisms could explain this diuretic-natriuretic response. It appears likely that it derives from a vasoconstriction by AVT of efferent glomerular arterioles. Relations between the diuretic response of fishes and the antidiuretic responses of tetrapods are also considered. It is suggested that both are at least partly due to the constrictor effects of AVT at specific sites in the renal circulation.
Magnetoelastic interactions in a soft ferromagnetic body with a nonlinear law of magnetization: Some applications

Abstract Linearized equations and boundary conditions of a magnetoelastic ferromagnetic body are obtained with the nonlinear law of magnetization. Magnetoelastic interactions in a multi-domain ferromagnetic materials are considered for magneto soft materials, i.e. the case when the magnetic field intensity vector and magnetization vector are parallel. As a special case, the following two problems are considered: (1) the magnetoelastic stability of a ferromagnetic plate-strip in a homogeneous transverse magnetic field; (2) the stress–strain state of a ferromagnetic plane with a moving crack in a transverse magnetic field. It is shown that the modeling of magnetoelastic equations with a nonlinear law of magnetization provides qualitative and quantitative predictions on physical quantities including critical loads and stresses. In particular, it is shown that the critical magnetic field in plate stability problems found with the nonlinear law of magnetization is in better agreement with the experimental finding than the one found with a linear law. Furthermore, it is also shown that the stress concentration factor around a crack predicted with the nonlinear law of magnetization is more accurate than the one obtained with a linear counterpart. Numerical results are presented for above mentioned two problems and for various forms of nonlinear laws of magnetization.
Factors controlling the bifurcation structure of sea ice retreat

The contrast in surface albedo between sea ice and open ocean suggests the possibility of an unstable climate state flanked by two separate stable climate states. Previous studies using idealized single-column models and comprehensive climate models have considered the possibility of abrupt thresholds during sea ice retreat associated with such multiple states, and they have produced a wide range of results. When the climate is warmed such that the summer minimum Arctic sea ice cover reaches zero, some models smoothly transition to seasonally ice-free conditions, others discontinuously transition to seasonally ice-free conditions, and others discontinuously transition to annually ice-free conditions. Among the models that simulate a continuous transition to seasonally ice-free conditions, further warming causes some to smoothly lose the remaining wintertime-only sea ice cover and others to discontinuously lose it. Here, we use a toy model representing the essential physics of thermodynamic sea ice in a single column to investigate the factors controlling which of these scenarios occurs. All of the scenarios are shown to be possible in the toy model when the parameters are varied, and physical mechanisms giving rise to each scenario are investigated. We find that parameter shifts that make ice thicker or open ocean warmer under a given climate forcing make models less prone to stable seasonally ice-free conditions and more prone to bistability and hence bifurcations. The results are used to interpret differences in simulated sea ice stability in comprehensive climate models.
Frequency and mechanisms of 2n egg formation in haploid tuberosum-wild species F1 hybrids

The frequency of 2n egg formation in 15 haploid Tuberosum-wild species F1 hybrids was determined by seed/fruit (S/F) following 2x × 4x crosses and cytological analyses; the mechanisms of 2n megaspore formation were detected by microscopic observations of megasporogenesis using a stainclearing technique for whole ovules. The variability among clones was from 0–102 in S/F, from 1.3 to 56.9 in percent 2n eggs, and from 2.7 to 38.3 in percent aborted ovules. There was a statistically significant correlation between S/F and cytologically determined frequency of 2n eggs. Both S/F and percent 2n eggs in particular clones varied significantly, and appeared to be affected by environment. The modifications of the meiotic process that resulted in 2n egg formation were: 1) omission of the 2nd meiotic division after a normal 1st division, 2) failure of cytokinesis at Telo II followed by nuclear restitution, and 3) synaptic abnormalities followed by nuclear restitution and a normal 2nd division. Modifications 1 and 2 are genetically equivalent to second division restitution and 3 to first division restitution. Some clones producing 2n eggs also formed a small percentage of 4n megaspores from aberrations during both meiotic divisions. The diverse mechanisms of 2n egg formation suggest the presence of independent genetic control.
Finite deformation of a polymer: experiments and modeling

Abstract The response of a polymer (polytetrafluoroethylene) to quasi-static and dynamic loading is determined and modeled. The polytetrafluoroethylene is extremely ductile and highly nonlinear in elastic as well as plastic behaviors including elastic unloading. Constitutive model developed earlier by Khan, Huang and Liang (KHL) is extended to include the responses of polymeric materials. The strain rate hardening, creep, and relaxation behaviors of polytetrafluoroethylene were determined through extensive experimental study. Based on the observation that both viscoelastic and viscoplastic deformation of polytetrafluoroethylene are time dependent and nonlinear, a phenomenalogical viscoelasto–plastic constitutive model is presented by a series connection of a viscoelastic deformation module (represented by three elements standard solid spring dashpot model), and a viscoplastic deformation module represented by KHL model. The KHL module is affected only when the stress exceeds the initial yield stress. The comparison between the predictions from the extended model and experimental data for uniaxial static and dynamic compression, creep and relaxation demonstrate that the proposed constitutive model is able to represent the observed time dependent mechanical behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene polytetrafluoroethylene qualitatively and quantitatively.
Dominant-hand to Nondominant-hand Grip-strength Ratios of College Baseball Players

Abstract The purpose of this study was to observe whether the normal grip-strength ratio of the dominant hand to the non-dominant hand in college baseball players was significantly greater than that in a control group of college students. A control group ( n = 44) of nonintercollegiate athletes and an experimental group ( n = 44) of college baseball players, all attending college in Indianapolis, Indiana, participated in this study. The Jamar dynamometer was used to test for maximal isometric grip strength of both the dominant and the nondominant hands. The procedure followed was that recommended by the Clinical Assessment Committee of the American Society of Hand Therapists. There was no significant difference (p
Modulation of airway smooth muscle β-adrenoceptor function by a muscarinic agonist

Abstract We have investigated the effect of a muscarinic agonist and protein kinase C (PKC) activation on β-adrenoceptors and their coupling to adenylyl cyclase in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. There was a significant reduction in maximum binding capacity of [ 125 I]iodocyanopindolol ([ 125 I]ICYP) after exposure to carbachol and 4β-phorbol 12β-myristate 13α-acetate (PMA). Similarly both carbachol and PMA inhibited the 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate-induced shift in [ 125 I]ICYP binding by isoproterenol and significantly decreased isoproterenol-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. A phorbol ester, 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate which does not activate PKC had no effect on β-receptor binding or coupling. These results suggest that PKC activation directly via a phorbol ester and indirectly via muscarinic receptor stimulation may lead to reduction and uncoupling of β-receptors in airway smooth muscle. We suggest that this mechanism may be relevant to the reduction in β-receptor coupling in asthmatic airways as an effect of PKC activation by inflammatory mediators and neurotransmitters.
Multicystic pancreatic hamartoma: A distinctive lesion with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

A multicystic pancreatic hamartoma is reported in a 20-month-old female who presented with abdominal pain and distention. This appears to be a distinctive lesion not previously characterized in the English language literature. The 9-cm mass consisted of large, irregular lobules of well-formed pancreatic acini admixed with fibrous tissue and fat. Cystically dilated ducts of variable caliber lined by benign epithelium were present. Endocrine cell islets were not evident. Immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural examination illustrated insulin-producing cells diffusely throughout the exocrine tissue as single cells or in small groups. Cells producing other pancreatic hormones were markedly decreased when compared with an age-matched control pancreas and were similarly dispersed. The patient was alive and well without tumor 9 months later. This entity may provide an unusual opportunity for insight into pancreatic organogenesis and pancreatic cellular differentiation.
Expression and functional characterization of recombinant human vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) synthesized by baculovirus-infected insect cells.

Abstract Vascular cell adhesion molecule-i (VCAM1) is a cell surface glycoprotein produced by the vascular endothelium, as well as on macrophage-like and dendritic cell types, in response to certain inflammatory stimuli. VCAM1 interacts with the integrin VLA4 present on mononuclear leukocytes. We have isolated the cDNA for VCAM1 using RT-PCR by screening a cDNA library from IL-1β-activated human endothelial cells. To obtain large quantities of VCAM1 for structural and functional studies, we have produced this protein in insect cells using a baculovirus expression system. Insect cells infected with recombinant virus synthesized human VCAM1 at levels exceeding 3% of total cellular protein following 72 h postinfection. VCAM1-expressing insect cells were shown to bind specifically to a variety of VLA4 expressing cell lines (Jurkat, THP-1, U937). Thus, recombinant VCAM1 protein produced in the baculovirus expression system was localized to the cell surface and was biologically active. Large-scale availability of this adhesion protein should enhance efforts toward the discovery of new antiadhesive (anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic) therapeutics.
The Synthesis of Cyclic Dependencies with Boolean Satisfiability

The accepted wisdom is that combinational circuits must have acyclic (i.e., feed-forward) topologies. Yet simple examples suggest that this is incorrect. In fact, introducing cycles (i.e., feedback) into combinational designs can lead to significant savings in area and in delay. Prior work described methodologies for synthesizing cyclic circuits with Sum-Of-Product (SOP) and Binary-Decision Diagram (BDD)-based formulations. Recently, techniques for analyzing and mapping cyclic circuits based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT) were proposed. This article presents a SAT-based methodology for synthesizing cyclic dependencies. The strategy is to generate cyclic functional dependencies through a technique called Craig interpolation. Given a choice of different functional dependencies, a branch-and-bound search is performed to pick the best one. Experiments on benchmark circuits demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Resistivity and T c in disordered superconductors

The universal depression of the superconducting transition temperature T cin disordered A-15 compounds is examined. It is found that their anomalous behavior can be explained by a simple model for the density of states, which is enhanced by disorder in some cases. The dramatic drop in T cin constant-density-of-states A-15 compounds like Nb3Ge or Nb3Al at a critical value of the resistivity can be attributed to overdamping of acoustic plasmons, which decreases the electron pairing interaction despite relatively small changes in the density of states. Agreement for T cand susceptibility χ with previous calculations is found if the position of the Fermi energy is near a peak. Possible experiments are proposed to check the above models.
A digital phase lock loop for VLSI telecommunication applications

The authors describe the design and simulation results for two versions of a digital phase lock loop (DPLL). One version uses a simple random walk filter, whereas the second version uses a simple adaptive scheme to extend the lock frequency range without degrading the phase resolution. Both versions of the DPLL have been successfully simulated using the logic simulator SILOS. The architecture for the adaptive version of the DPLL is shown together with a portion of the simulation timing diagram for the adaptive DPLL just prior to and after lock-in. >
Effects of dietary methylmercury on reproductive behavior of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

We examined the effects of dietary methylmercury on the production of testosterone in and the reproductive behavior of male fish. Juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were fed one of three diets contaminated with methylmercury at concentrations of 0.06 (control), 0.87 (low), and 3.93 (medium) μg Hg/g dry weight. After attaining sexual maturity, fish were paired for mating, and male behaviors were recorded. Carcass mercury and plasma testosterone concentrations also were measured. No significant differences were found in the amount of time spent by male fish in nest preparation or courtship activities, but dietary methylmercury suppressed mating behavior. Fish that were fed control diets spent approximately 5% of their time spawning; fish that were fed methylmercury-contaminated diets spent approximately 0.5% of their time spawning. Total mercury concentration in the carcass was not correlated with any individual reproductive behavior but was correlated with hypoactivity. Fish that were fed the low- and medium-methylmercury diets and with mean carcass concentrations of 0.71 to 4.2 μg Hg/g dry weight spent an average of 19 to 26% of their time being inactive; control fish with an average of 0.07 μg Hg/g dry weight spent only 8% of their time being inactive. No significant difference was found in testosterone concentrations among dietary treatments; however, testosterone was positively correlated with individual nest preparatory, courtship, and spawning behaviors and negatively correlated with the total amount of time spent in all nonreproductive behaviors. The relation between testosterone, reproductive behavior, and spawning success suggests that altered behavior is, in part, responsible for suppression of reproduction in methylmercury-exposed fish. Moreover, reproductive behavior may be more sensitive than steroid hormones to alteration by dietary methylmercury.
Officer retention patterns: an affirmative action concern for police agencies?

Studies agency compliance with affirmative action mandate on black and/or female personnel. Examines turnover in sworn personnel in a municipal police department at Tallahassee, Florida. Looks at characteristics of “stayers” and “quitters” in the context of race and gender. Discusses possible ramifications of differential turnover. Notes pronounced attrition rate for black females. Suggests that female turnover may be due to their having a higher educational level than male officers, since college‐educated personnel are more likely to grow disenchanted with routine beat duties.