cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TYPE-III HYPERLIPOPROTEINÆMIA ("REMNANT REMOVAL DISEASE"): Insight into the Pathogenetic Mechanism

Abstract The metabolism of very-low-density lipoprotein (V.L.D.L.) was studied in a patient with type-III hyperlipoproteinaemia. After injection of radioiodinated V.L.D.L. from a donor with endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia (in a type-IV pattern), clearance of radioactivity from the apoprotein-B moiety of V.L.D.L. was slow and appearance in low-density lipoprotein (L.D.L.) was delayed, suggesting defective catabolism of V.L.D.L. in type-III hyperlipoproteinaemia. Despite a 60% increase in the rate of V.L.D.L. production, therapy with œstrogen (ethinylœstradiol 1 μg/kg/day) resulted in a decrease in plasma-lipid concentrations, normalisation of lipoprotein composition, and correction of the defect in V.L.D.L. catabolism with increased conversion to L.D.L. Thus, in type-III hyperlipoproteinaemia, the primary defect seems to be impaired catabolism of V.L.D.L., which is corrected with œstrogen therapy.
A replaceable microreactor for on-line protein digestion in a two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis system with tandem mass spectrometry detection

We describe a two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis system that incorporates a replaceable enzymatic microreactor for on-line protein digestion. In this system, trypsin is immobilized on magnetic beads. At the start of each experiment, old beads are flushed to waste and replaced with a fresh plug of beads, which is captured by a pair of magnets at the distal tip of the first capillary. For analysis, proteins are separated in the first capillary. A fraction is then parked in the reactor to create peptides. Digested peptides are periodically transferred to the second capillary for separation; a fresh protein fraction is simultaneously moved to the reactor for digestion. An electrospray interface is used to introduce peptides into a mass spectrometer for analysis. This procedure is repeated for several dozen fractions under computer control. The system was demonstrated by the separation and digestion of insulin chain b oxidized and β-casein as model proteins.
Urinary infection in kidney transplantation

Abstract Urinary tract infection is the most frequent complication following renal transplantation and is important in the etiology of post-transplantation sepsis. The 87 renal homografts done in 1974 at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively, with at least one year follow-up, in all cases, with particular attention to factors relating urinary tract infection to ultimate success or failure of the renal graft. The over-all incidence of urinary tract infection was 61 per cent. Early infection was associated with a particularly poor prognosis for graft survival. Most patients with urinary infections after successful transplantation experience a combination of both early and late infections. Anatomic factors constitute a remediable cause of urinary infections after transplantation and should be searched for in cases of multiple, recurrent infections, de novo hypertension, or deterioration of previously stable graft function. There were significant differences in the bacteriologic spectrum of urinary tract infections associated with successful transplants as opposed to unsuccessful transplants.
Patterns and Pitfalls in the Ultrasonic Diagnosis of Molar Pregnancy

SUMMARY A retrospective review of 7,800 obstetric ultrasound examinations is presented. It revealed 30 examinations, representing 26 different pregnancies, in which trophoblastic disease was suspected. There were 17 true positive (13 pregnancies), 13 false positive, and two false negative examinations indicating a greater uncertainty in the ultrasonic diagnosis of trophoblastic disease than is generally thought. The most commonly encountered patterns are an enlarged uterus filled with what looks like a porous placenta, enhanced through sound transmission, and larger irregularly shaped cystic spaces. The entities most likely to cause confusion include multiple fibroids (with or without intrauterine conceptual products), missed or incomplete abortions, and blighted ova. Less common causes of misdiagnosis such as a Braxton-Hicks contraction, and choriodecidual sinuses with prominent draining veins are also described.
Imaging of atypical lipomas of the extremities: Report of three cases

Atypical lipomas are soft tissue neoplasms which differ from simple lipomas in that they consist of mature fat cells interspersed with occasional areas containing a variable admixture of multinucleated cells, collagen bundles, and adipocytes with large, hyperchromic nuclei. Although these histopathologic features resemble those of liposarcoma, atypical lipomas occuring in the extremities differ from liposarcoma because they have no tendency for distant metastases. Three patients with atypical lipomas involving the posterior compartment of the thigh are presented. The lipomas were imaged with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using a 0.15-T whole body imager. Although all lesions appeared largely lipomatous, the three lesions simulated liposarcoma on both CT and MRI. On CT, each lesion demonstrated small areas of confluent soft tissue density; these areas were hyperintense with adipose tissue on strongly T2-weighted MRI. We conclude that atypical lipoma of the extremities may not be distinguishable from liposarcoma on imaging and that biopsy is necessary for differentiation.
Effect of intracellular potassium upon the electrogenic pump of frog retinal pigment epithelium.

We have studied the hyperpolarizing, electrogenic pump located on the apical membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in anin vitro preparation of bullfrog RPE-choroid. Changes in RPE [K+]i alter the current produced by this pump. Increasing [K+]o in the solution perfusing thebasal membrane increases RPE [K+]i (measured with a K+-specific microelectrode), and also depolarizes theapical membrane. This depolarization is due to a decrease in electrogenic pump current flowing across the apical membrane resistance, since it is abolished when the pump is inhibited by apical ouabain, by cooling the tissue, or by 0mm [K+]o outside the apical membrane. Removal of Cl− from the solution perfusing the basal membrane abolishes the K+-evoked apical depolarization by preventing the entry of K+ (as KCl) into the cell. We conclude that the increase in [K+]i causes the decrease in pump current. This result is consistent with the finding that [K+]i is a competitive inhibitor of the Na+−K+ pump in red blood cells.
Toward practical mutation analysis for evaluating the quality of student-written software tests

Software testing is being added to programming courses at many schools, but current assessment techniques for evaluating student-written tests are imperfect. Code coverage measures are typically used in practice, but they have limitations and sometimes overestimate the true quality of tests. Others have proposed using mutation analysis instead, but mutation analysis poses a number of practical obstacles to classroom use. This paper describes a new approach to mutation analysis of student-written tests that is more practical for educational use, especially in an automated grading context. This approach combines several techniques to produce a novel solution that addresses the shortcomings raised by more traditional mutation analysis. An evaluation of this approach in the context of both CS1 and CS2 courses illustrates how it differs from code coverage analysis. At the same time, however, the evaluation results also raise questions of concern for CS educators regarding the relative value of more comprehensive assessment of test quality, the value of more open-ended assignments that offer significant design freedom for students, the cost of providing higher-quality reference solutions in order to support better quality assessment, and the cost of supporting assignments that require more intensive testing, such as GUI assignments.
Generation and consistency checking of design and program structures

The author describes a mini methodology for generation and representation of design and program structures and for structural consistency checking between two successive designs or between a design and a program. This methodology comprises a tool (Program Design Language), a representation, and consistency criteria. The Program Design Language (PDL) extracts structure information, in a controlled way, from the top level program design, through layers of detailed designs, down to the source code itself. It generates an actual, complete, concise, and easily comparable structure representation. Structural consistency between levels can be checked, both at the development phase and at the operation and maintenance phase, ensuring continued structural consistency between the design(s) and the program.
Cross-cultural applicability of contextual family therapy: Iranian and American college students' perceptions of familial and peer relationships.

To examine the applicability of Contextual Family Therapy to non-western populations, a measure of the theory's central constructs of Trust/Justice, Loyalty, and Entitlement (the Relational Ethics Scale), was administered to a sample of 50 Iranian and 51 American college students studying in the same U.S. schools. The Iranian students reported significantly more vertical constructs (Familial) Trust/Justice and Entitlement, while the American students reported more horizontal (Closest Friend) Trust/Justice and Loyalty constructs in relationships. Finally, the women (25 of each nationality) in the sample, regardless of nationality, reported significantly greater Loyalty in their horizontal relationships than did men.
Electron Energy-Loss and Ultraviolet-Reflectivity Spectra of Crystalline ZnO

A comparison between the ultraviolet-reflectivity spectrum and the characteristic energy-loss spectrum of ZnO has been carried out. Reflectivity measurements made over an energy range of band gap to 22 eV yielded a spectrum with structure at 3.34, 5.0, 7.3, and 8.4 eV, and in the region 11-15 eV. Energy-loss measurements made over the energy range of band gap to 50 eV using 10-keV electrons exhibited peaks at 3.82, 5.47, 9.56, 13.5, 18.8, and 35.5 eV. The dominant peak in this spectrum is that at 18.8 eV and has been associated with a plasmon excitation. The samples in both cases were hexagonal ZnO platelets at room temperature. A dispersion analysis has been performed on the reflectivity data yielding the optical constants $n$, $k$, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}$, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$, the effective number of free electrons ${n}_{\mathrm{eff}}$, the effective dielectric constant ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{0\mathrm{eff}}$, and the imaginary part of ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The energy-loss function has been calculated and found to compare well with the energy-loss spectrum obtained from the electron-transmission measurements.
HDAC Inhibitor, Valproic Acid, Induces p53-Dependent Radiosensitization of Colon Cancer Cells

Abstract Agents that inhibit histone deacetylases (HDAC inhibitors) have been shown to enhance radiation response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low, minimally cytotoxic concentrations of the HDAC inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA), on radiation response of colorectal cancer cells. Cell lines LS174T and an isogenic pair of HCT116, which differed only for the presence of wild-type p53, were exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) alone, VPA alone, or the combination. Clonogenic survival, γ-H2AX induction, apoptosis, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial levels of p53 and Bcl-2 family proteins were assessed. In vivo studies monitored tumor growth suppression after therapy in mice bearing HCT116/p53+/+ and HCT116/p53−/− tumor xenografts. VPA led to radiosensitization, which was dependent on p53 status. A decrease in clonogenic survival, an increase in apoptosis, and an increase in levels of γ-H2AX were observed after VPA+IR, compared to IR alone, in wild-type p53 cells ...
Estimation of optical turbulence structure in the unstable surface boundary

In the atmospheric surface boundary layer, traditional optical turbulence models fail to provide environment-specific information. Moreover, new forms proposed for the turbulence spectrum depend on the turbulent inner and outer scales, as well as the refractive index structure parameter profile. Use of these turbulence spectrums to estimate propagation statistics for general linear propagation paths requires knowledge of all three profiles. These profiles exhibit a definite, interrelated vertical structure in the atmospheric surface boundary. Evidence suggests the actual turbulence spectrum should exhibit a "bump" in the region near frequencies associated with the inner scale. Therefore, propagation statistics are likely more sensitive to inner scale than previously expected. Consequently, reasonable estimates of inner scale become necessary to ensure accuracy of models predicting optical turbulence effects on propagation. The optical turbulence model contained in the Electro-Optical Systems Atmospheric Effects Library module IMTURB (imaging through optical turbulence) has been extended to calculate the profile for inner scale. Obukhov similarity is used to predict surface fluxes and gradients, and the Kolmogorov principle of universal equilibrium is employed to estimate dissipation. From dissipation profiles, consistent profiles of turbulent inner and outer scale are predicted, as well as the refractive index structure parameter profile. This comprehensive description of optical turbulence structure, when used with one of the new forms for the turbulence spectrum, will result in more realistic linear propagation statistics for the dry unstable surface boundary.
Posttranslational modification of ornithine decarboxylase by its product putrescine.

Abstract Putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, as well as other primary amine substances, when added exogenously to growth-stimulated systems, inhibit ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Evidence is presented to support a direct posttranslational modification of ODC by transglutaminase-mediated putrescine incorporation. Purified ODC serves as an acceptor protein for putrescine in the presence of transglutaminase purified from guinea pig liver. The transamidation of putrescine to ODC results in a linear decrease in activity. The Km for putrescine is 0.4 mM and the Ki for putrescine inhibition of ODC activity by transglutaminase is 0.4 mM. The kinetics are identical to those reported for physiological systems. In regenerating rat liver, protein conjugated putrescine parallels increased transglutaminase activity and the rapid disappearance of ODC activity at 8 h. These data strongly suggest that posttranslational modification of ODC by putrescine may be an important regulatory step in the trophic cascade.
Darwin was a Teleologist

It is often claimed that one of Darwin's chief accomplishments was to provide biology with a non-teleological explanation of adaptation. A number of Darwin's closest associates, however, and Darwin himself, did not see it that way. In order to assess whether Darwin's version of evolutionary theory does or does not employ teleological explanation, two of his botanical studies are examined. The result of this examination is that Darwin sees selection explanations of adaptations as teleological explanations. The confusion in the nineteenth century about Darwin's attitude to teleology is argued to be a result of Darwin's teleological explanations not conforming to either of the dominant philosophical justifications of teleology at that time. Darwin's explanatory practices conform well, however, to recent defenses of the teleological character of selection explanations.
Abnormal preponderance of sialylated apolipoprotein CIII in triglyceride rich lipoproteins in type V hyperlipoproteinemia

Abstract Triglyceride rich lipoproteins contain apolipoproteins (apo) CII and CIII. Apo CII and CIII activate and inhibit tissue lipoprotein lipase, respectively. Apo CIII is a glycoprotein containing 0, 1 or 2 moles of sialic acid (designated apo CIII0, CIII1 and CIII2, respectively). This study was designed to determine whether an abnormal distribution of these biologically active apoproteins occurred in triglyceride rich lipoproteins isolated from hypertriglyceridemic individuals. Triglyceride rich lipoproteins were isolated by preparative ultracentrifugation from 10 patients with primary type V hyperlipoproteinemia, eight patients with primary type IV hyperlipoproteinemia, and 11 normal healthy normolipidemic matched control subjects. After delipidation with tetramethyl urea, apo CII and CIII subspecies were separated by analytical isoelectric focussing with a pl range between 3.5 and 5.0. This technique allows a clear separation of apo CIII0 from its sialylated subspecies and also from apo CII. The ratios of the individual apo CIII subspecies to each other and to apo CII were calculated from densitometric scanning of the stained gels. Desialylated apo CIII0 comprised 3.3 ± 1.9% (M ± SD.) of total apo CIII in patients with type V hyperlipoproteinemia and was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) than the proportion found in normal subjects (14.3 ± 5.9%) and patients with primary type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (16.7 ± 6.2%). Apo CIII1 comprised 62.4 ± 5.9% of total apo CIII in type V patients being significantly higher than that in normal subjects (52.6 ± 6.9%; p = 0.003) and patients with primary type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (47.1 ± 3.7%; p = 0.0001). Apo CIII2 as percent of total apo CIII was similar in the three groups. The distribution of the apo CIII subspecies in patients with primary type IV hyperlipoproteinemia was similar to control subjects. In patients with type V hyperlipoproteinemia, the ratio of apo CIII0; CII (0.11 ± 0.05) was significantly lower than normal (0.47 ± 0.26; p = 0.002), and also lower than the mean ratio observed in patients with primary type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (0.60 ± 0.25; p = 0.0001). Apo CIII1;CII ratio in type V hyperlipoproteinemia (2.24 ± 0.58) was significantly higher than normal (1.64 ± 0.41; p = 0.02) and type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (1.67 ± 0.32; p = 0.047). Apo CIII2:CII ratio was similar in the three groups. Total apo CIII:CII ratio in types IV and V (3.5 ± 0.86 and 3.55 ± 0.66, respectively) was higher than normal (3.15 ± 0.83), but the differences were not statistically significant. These data indicate that type V hyperlipoproteinemia is associated with an abnormal preponderance of sialylated to the desialylated apo CIII in triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Further work is needed to define the precise mechanism(s) responsible for this abnormality.
Slotted parallel-plate waveguide coupled to a conducting cylinder

The problem of electromagnetic scattering from a perfectly electrically conducting cylinder in the presence of a slot in a parallel-plate waveguide is considered. A two-dimensional slot in one of the walls of the parallel-plate guide opens into a half-space in which the twodimensional conducting cylinder resides. The excitation for this structure is an incident TEM wave from within the waveguide, and/or a magnetic line source which produces an incident TEy wave in the exterior half-space. Coupled integral equations for the aperture electric field and the cylinder current are derived from first principles and are solved numerically for cylinders of various cross-section, size, and location relative to that of the slot aperture. From knowledge of the aperture electric field and cylinder current, all other quantities of interest may be determined. For TEM excitation from within the guide, the reflection coefficient and radiation pattern data are presented along with the aperture electric field and cylinder current. For external excitation, data are presented that illustrate how the cylinder serves as a shield for the aperture. From this data one can assess the effectiveness of a conducting shield placed over, but not in contact with, the guide aperture.
Calm Minima in Parameterized Finite-Dimensional Optimization

Calmness is a restricted form of local Lipschitz continuity where one point of comparison is fixed. We study the calmness of solutions to parameterized optimization problems of the form $$ \min \{f(x,w)\} \hbox{ over all } x \in\reals^{n}, $$ where the extended real-valued objective function f is continuously prox-regular in x with compatible parameterization in w. This model covers most finite-dimensional optimization problems, though we focus particular attention here on the case of parameterized nonlinear programming. We give a second-order sufficient condition for there to exist unique optimal solutions that are calm with respect to the parameter. We also characterize a slightly stronger stability property in terms of the same second-order condition, thus clarifying the gap between our sufficient condition and the calmness property. In the case of nonlinear programming, our results complement a long study of the stability properties of optimal solutions: for instance, one consequence of our results is that the Mangasarian--Fromovitz constraint qualification when paired with a new (and relatively weak) second-order condition ensures the calmness of solutions to parameterized nonlinear programs.
Chemical characteristics and origin of H chondrite regolith breccias

Petrologic data and contents of Ag, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl and Zn-trace elements spanning the volatility/mobility range-in light and dark portions of H chondrite regolith breccias and L chondrite fragmental breccias are reported. The chemical/petrologic characteristics of H chondrite regolith breccias differ from those of nonbrecciated chondrites or fragmental breccias. Petrologic characteristics and at least some trace element contents of H chondrite regolith breccias reflect primary processes; contents of the most volatile/mobile elements may reflect either primary or secondary processing, possibly within layered H chondrite parent object(s). Chemical/petrologic differences existed in different regions of the parent(s). Regoligh formation and gardening and meteoroid compaction were not so severe as to alter compositions markedly.
A VIDICON DEVICE FOR IONIZATION MEASUREMENTS

Abstract A vidicon device which measures the relative ionization of tracks on bubble chamber film has been constructed and used at the University of Wisconsin. It is mounted on a manual film-plane measuring machine on-line with a CDC 924 computer. The section of film being scanned is displayed on a TV monitor along with a digital representation of the track being measured. Ionization reproductibility gives a standard deviation less than 3%. In actual experimental measurements the agreement with the ionization calculated from the kinematics is limited by the number of gaps measured being typically within 10%.
The Objective Severity Assessment of Atopic Dermatitis (OSAAD) score : validity, reliability and sensitivity in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

Summary Background The Objective Severity Assessment of Atopic Dermatitis (OSAAD) score is a recently developed scale for evaluation of severity of atopic dermatitis, constructed from the assessment of epidermal barrier function, and properties using noninvasive bioengineering methods and computer-assisted estimates of disease extent. The method has been validated for use in infants and children with atopic dermatitis and compared with a referent scoring system. Objectives The aim of the present study was to test the validity, reliability and sensitivity of the OSAAD score as an objective tool for the assessment of the severity of atopic dermatitis in adult patients. Methods Thirty-two adult patients with atopic dermatitis were included in the study. To assess the validity of the OSAAD score we tested it against the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index of the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis as a referent clinical severity scale, and the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-16 as a laboratory variable for monitoring the activity of atopic dermatitis. Responsiveness to change was assessed in a longitudinal study comparing OSAAD, SCORAD and serum levels of IL-16 before and after treatment. To test the reliability of the OSAAD score we studied the interobserver variability of the score recorded by three independent board-certified dermatologists in 16 patients and compared it with SCORAD. Results We report a significant correlation between the OSAAD and the SCORAD index as an acknowledged referent severity scale. The OSAAD score correlated significantly with the serum levels of IL-16 in the acute stage of atopic dermatitis. In a longitudinal study, the OSAAD score decreased significantly, parallel with improvement of the skin findings and a significant decrease in the SCORAD score and IL-16 serum levels. We report improved interobserver variability for the OSAAD score compared with SCORAD. Conclusions This is the first study validating the OSAAD score as a sensitive and reliable tool for the assessment of the severity of atopic dermatitis in adult patients.
Comparison of Latex Agglutination, Indirect Hemagglutination, and ELISA Techniques for the Detection of Toxoplasma gondii-specific Antibodies in the Serum of Cats

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether commercially available latex agglutination and indirect hemagglutination kits for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii-specific antibodies were capable of detecting T. gondii-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the serum of cats. Serum samples from 35 cats containing either T. gondii-specific IgM, T. gondii-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), or both were collected. Each serum sample was assayed using a latex agglutination kit, an indirect hemagglutination kit, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of T. gondii-specific IgG, and an ELISA for the detection of T. gondii-specific IgM. When serum samples containing only T. gondii-specific IgM as determined by ELISA were assayed, the latex agglutination kit and the indirect hemagglutination kit detected antibodies in 33.3% and 13.3%, respectively. When T. gondii-specific IgG was present in a serum sample, the results from the latex agglutination kit, the indirect hemagglutination kit, and the IgG-ELISA were similar; however, there was a wide variation in titer magnitude results between the three assays. It was concluded that the latex agglutination kit and the indirect hemagglutination kit did not adequately detect T. gondii-specific IgM in feline serum.
Synthesis and characterization of highly functionalized polymers based on N,N,N′,N′-tetraalkyl-4,4′-diaminostilbene and maleic anhydride

Abstract Novel, highly functionalized rod-like copolymers have been synthesized by alternating copolymerization of N,N,N′,N′-tetraalkyl-4,4′-diaminostilbenes (TDASs) with maleic anhydride. These unique copolymers have been characterized by SEC, DSC and TGA. The solubility of these copolymers in organic solvents is strongly dependent on the length of the alkyl chains on the amino groups and the solubility in aqueous media is pH dependent. Light scattering studies indicate that the conformation of the polymer backbone does not change upon increasing temperature or introducing charges to the amino groups. High chain rigidity is further corroborated by the high Tg of the polymers. There is no observed glass transition below 280 °C. The light scattering and thermal results are indicative of a rod-like backbone structure.
Optical Polynomial Vector Processing

Polynomial processing can be applied to a number of potential applications, including general nonlinear operations using the Volterra series, eigenvalue computations via solutions to polynomial characteristic equations, pattern recognition, and polynomial neural networks[1]. Since most of these applications use vector-valued inputs (i.e., multiple-variable inputs), an optical polynomial vector processor is investigated and implemented here.
Mutual exclusion versus coexistence for discrete competitive systems

Using discrete competition models where the density dependent growth functions are either all exponential or all rational, notwithstanding the complex interactions of the species, we establish an exclusion principle. Moreover, in a 2-species discrete competition model where the growth functions are exponential and rational, an example is given illustrating coexistence when our conditions are satisfied. We obtain an exclusion principle for this 2-species model for some choice of parameters.
Applications of neutron induced particle tracks for materials analysis

Thermal neutrons are captured by several elements which emit charged particles as reaction products. These particles leave etchable damage tracks in detector materials placed against a sample, creating a map of the distribution and concentration of the target element. The most common applications are for U using fission tracks and B using alpha tracks. Distributions of Li, N and possibly S and O can also be mapped. Applications discussed here include B in metals and coatings, Li in Al, N in polymers and nitrided glasses and U in contact with O-ring seals. Detection limits are better than 1·10−11 g/g U, 1·10−9 g/g for B, 1·10−6 g/g for Li and 0.1 wt.% for N. Spatial resolution for mapping is about 25 μm.
Cellular response to prosthetic wear debris differs in patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To examine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) demonstrate patterns of prosthetic wear or cellular responses to implant wear debris different from those demonstrated by patients without inflammatory joint disease. Methods Thirty-eight patients who had undergone a primary revision of a total elbow arthroplasty for aseptic loosening between 1996 and 2008 were identified. Twenty-five of these patients had RA, and 13 did not have inflammatory arthritis. Clinical data, gross wear patterns of the removed prostheses, and histopathologic analyses of peri-implant tissue were compared between the patients with RA and those without RA. Results Evaluation of the retrieved prostheses showed that conformational change of the humeral polyethylene bushing was associated with the generation of polyethylene and metal particles. The amount and type of wear debris in periprosthetic tissues were similar in patients with and those without RA. Patients with RA who were not receiving anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy exhibited a histologic pattern of interstitial and sheet-like lymphocytic infiltrates associated with a high plasma cell composition, which was different from the predominantly perivascular infiltrates with few plasma cells seen in non-RA patients (P = 0.04). Patients with RA who were receiving anti-TNF therapy showed a mixed perivascular and interstitial pattern of infiltrates with variable cell composition. Conclusion Patients with RA exhibited a distinct cellular response to implant wear debris compared with patients without RA. This reaction was unrelated to differences in the type or amount of wear debris and was mitigated by anti-TNF therapy. These results suggest an intrinsic alteration in immunoregulation in RA and have implications for potential immunologic treatment of osteolysis in these patients.
Lack of screening in the continuous dipole systems

We study continuous statistical systems interacting via a regularized dipole potential in the grand canonical ensemble. In the explicitly given region of high temperature (or low density) we show that the effective potential between two parallel dipoles isnot absolutely integrable (it is, however, square integrable), which implies that the effective potential does not fall off faster than |x|−3 in some directions.
Assertations about past and future in Highways : Global flush broadcast and flush-vector-time

Abstract Highways is a high-performance distributed-programming toolkit. The suite of broadcast primitives implemented in Highways, called Global-Flush Broadcast Primitives (GFBCASTs), is an alternative to the CBCAST primitive of ISIS. GFBCASTs permit making an assertion about messages broadcasted in the past of broadcasting m, in the future of broadcasting m, about both, or neither. In this paper, we define GFBCASTs. We also define flush-vector time, which is preferable to vector time because it has additional applications, e.g. in implementing GFBCASTs. Using flush-vector time, we give a simple implementation of GFBCASTs at costs comparable to the most lightweight implementation of CBCAST.
Genetic dissection of antigen receptor induced-NF-κB activation

NF-kappaB is a master transcription factor in the immune system. It regulates various aspects of immune cell development, homeostasis, survival and function. It is in these contexts that the signaling pathways leading to NF-kappaB activation are best understood. This review addresses the cell signaling from antigen receptors as well as Toll-like receptors to NF-kappaB in both innate and adaptive immunity as revealed by the analysis of mice lacking specific signaling intermediates.
Cranial Morphology, Systematics and Succession of Beavers from the Middle Miocene Valentine Formation of Nebraska, USA

Previously, it was believed that there was a dramatic turn-over in the fauna of beavers (Rodentia, Castoridae) from the Barstovian to the Clarendonian from Nebraska. Stratigraphically controlled collections of fossil castorids from the Valentine Formation, which cross this boundary, now indicate that a complete change in the castorid fauna did not occur, but instead a more gradual change and replacement of earlier taxa with more advanced taxa occurred. The range of Eucastor tortus and Monosaulax skinneri is extended from late Barstovian into the latest Barstovian Devil's Gulch Member and the range of the otherwise Clarendonian species of Prodipoides is extended downward into the late Barstovian Crookston Bridge Member. The skulls of Monosaulax skinneri and Eucastor valentinensis are described in detail for the first time. The cranial morphology of M. skinneri is primitive for Castoroidini and that of E. valentinensis is specialized for tooth-digging behavior as in the Nothodipoidini. A new genus, Temperocastor, is proposed for E. valentinensis based on its primitive morphology of the cheek teeth and derived cranial morphology. Temperocastor represents the most primitive nothodipoidine.
Where does solar-aided seawater desalination make sense? A method for identifying sustainable sites

Abstract Global water planners are increasingly considering seawater desalination as an alternative to traditional freshwater supplies. Since desalination is both expensive and energy intensive, taking advantage of favorable natural and societal conditions while siting desalination facilities can provide significant financial and environmental returns. Currently, policy makers do not use a location-specific integrated analytical framework to determine where natural and societal conditions are conducive to desalination. This analysis seeks to fill that gap by demonstrating a multi-criteria, geographically-resolved methodology for identifying suitable regions for desalination infrastructure where 1) available renewable resources can offset part of the fossil energy load; 2) feedwater characteristics reduce the total energy needed for desalination; and 3) human populations have capacity and willingness to pay for desalinated water. This work demonstrates the method with a quantitative global analysis that identifies favorable sites for solar-aided seawater reverse osmosis desalination (SWRO) based on specific target criteria. Location-based data about natural conditions (solar insolation, ocean salinity, and ocean temperature) are integrated and mapped with social indicators (water stress, prevailing water prices, and population) to identify regions where solar-aided SWRO has the highest potential. This work concludes that water-stressed tropical and subtropical cities show the highest potential for economically sustainable solar-aided SWRO.
CANINE MODEL OF INFERTILITY AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY: TIME COURSE OF ACUTE CHANGES IN SEMEN QUALITY AND SPERMATOGENESIS

Purpose: We established a canine model of subfertility after spinal cord injury and examined the time course of acute changes in semen quality and spermatogenesis after spinal cord injury.Materials and Methods: Seven dogs underwent surgical T7 spinal cord injury. Six dogs were used as controls. Electroejaculation and testicular fine needle aspiration were performed at baseline and twice weekly for 3 weeks after spinal cord injury. Semen quality change was examined by standard semen analysis. Spermatogenesis was assessed by flow cytometry of testicular fine needle aspiration in all dogs as well as by testicular histology at study conclusion in 4 controls and 4 spinal cord injured dogs.Results: No significant changes in spinal cord injured dogs were noted before 3 weeks after injury. From baseline to 3 weeks after injury certain changes were evident in spinal cord injured dogs. Mean antegrade sperm motility decreased from 62.9% to 20.1% (p = 0.008), mean total sperm (antegrade plus retrograde total sperm) d...
Geochemistry and petrology of listvenite in the Samail ophiolite, Sultanate of Oman: Complete carbonation of peridotite during ophiolite emplacement

Abstract Extensive outcrops of listvenite—fully carbonated peridotite, with all Mg in carbonate minerals and all Si in quartz—occur along the basal thrust of the Samail ophiolite in Oman. These rocks can provide insight into processes including (a) carbon fluxes at the “leading edge of the mantle wedge” in subduction zones and (b) enhanced mineral carbonation of peridotite as a means of carbon storage. Here we examine mineralogical, chemical and isotopic evidence on the temperatures, timing, and fluid compositions involved in the formation of this listvenite. The listvenites are composed primarily of magnesite and/or dolomite + quartz + relict Cr-spinel. In some instances the conversion of peridotite to listvenite is nearly isochemical except for the addition of CO2, while other samples have also seen significant calcium addition and/or variable, minor addition of K and Mn. Along margins where listvenite bodies are in contact with serpentinized peridotite, talc and antigorite are present in addition to carbonate and quartz. The presence of antigorite + quartz + talc in these samples implies temperatures of 80–130 °C. This range of temperature is consistent with dolomite and magnesite clumped isotope thermometry in listvenite (average T = 90 ± 15 °C) and with conventional mineral-water oxygen isotope exchange thermometry (assuming fluid δ18O near zero). CO2-bearing fluids responsible for the formation of listvenite were likely derived from underlying calcite-bearing metasediment during emplacement of the ophiolite. An internal Rb–Sr isochron from one listvenite sample yields an age of 97 ± 29 Ma, consistent with the timing of emplacement of the ophiolite over allochthonous sediments of the Hawasina group, and autochthonous sediments of the Arabian continental margin. Most of the initial 87Sr/86Sr values in the listvenite, ranging from 0.7085 to 0.7135, are significantly higher than seawater values and consistent with values measured in the underlying metasediments. While constraints on the pressure of listvenite formation are lacking, the moderate temperatures suggest that listvenites formed at relatively shallow depths in the subduction zone, making release of carbonate-saturated pore-water due to compaction of subducted sediment or low-pressure phase transitions of hydrous minerals, such as clays, probable sources of the CO2-bearing fluid. Carbonate dissolution from subducted sediments and transfer of CO2 to the mantle wedge to form listvenites may be an important process in forearc hydrothermal systems. Additionally, the presence of listvenites demonstrate that peridotite carbonation reactions can proceed to completion on large scales, suggesting that in situ mineral carbonation of peridotite may offer a viable solution for carbon storage.
Optical Turing Machines

The architecture for two classes of optical Turing machines based on optoelectronic programmable logic arrays and on reconfigurable optoelectronic programmable logic arrays is presented. The potential capabilities of the optical machines are compared to those of existing electronic logic.
Modeling and analysis of transport in the mammary glands

The transport of three toxins moving from the blood stream into the ducts of the mammary glands is analyzed in this work. The model predictions are compared with experimental data from the literature. The utility of the model lies in its potential to improve our understanding of toxin transport as a pre-disposing factor to breast cancer. This work is based on a multi-layer transport model to analyze the toxins present in the breast milk. The breast milk in comparison with other sampling strategies allows us to understand the mass transport of toxins once inside the bloodstream of breastfeeding women. The multi-layer model presented describes the transport of caffeine, DDT and cimetidine. The analysis performed takes into account the unique transport mechanisms for each of the toxins. Our model predicts the movement of toxins and/or drugs within the mammary glands as well as their bioaccumulation in the tissues.
ISMA MPEG-4 video quality analysis

Transporting MPEG-4 video over the Internet is expected to be an important component of many multimedia applications. The ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance) has defied two hierarchical profiles to stream video content on wireless and narrow band networks, and over broadband quality networks. The evaluation mechanisms to assess the quality of video will play a major role in the overall design of video communication. However, the ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance) MPEG-4 video quality analysis has not been reported. This paper presents statistical video quality analysis for the ISMA MPEG-4 video clips. Shannon entropies and principle components are used to interpret the degraded video quality in video sequences. Moreover, the current trends in error resilient video coding techniques and the error control/resilience solutions will be discussed.
Free-space folded-path optical programmable logic array.

A new method to realize a medium-scale, free-space optical programmable logic array is proposed. By using either a two-dimensional optical spatial light modulator or an array of one-dimensional spatial light modulators inside a lens-based multiple-beam-path cavity, an array of optical multiple-variable logic product terms is generated. This device, together with a programmable multiple-variable or matrix, can be used to implement any Boolean combinatorial logic operations. For an optical binary combinatorial logic computation, the proposed method efficiently uses three-dimensional space and optical elements. Preliminary experimental results obtained using an inexpensive liquid-crystal television are included.
Secretion of exo- and endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidases by insect cell lines

Abstract Investigations have been carried out to determine the properties of β-N-acetylhexosaminidases associated with cultured insect cell lines. Media from Culex quinquefaciatus and Drosphila melanogaster but not from Trichoplusia ni and Aedes pseudoscutellaris exhibited hydrolytic activity toward p- nitrophenyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy -β- d - glucopyranoside and p- nitrophenyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy -β- d - galactopyranoside . Cell homogenates were not enzymatically active. Both endo- and exo- chitinase activities were also present in the medium. No changes in enzyme activity levels were observed when the C. quinquefaciatus cell line was incubated with 10 μM ecdysterone and/or 0.1 μM juvenile hormone. One enzyme fraction obtained after ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration had an apparent molecular weight of 6.8 × 104, a pH optimum of 5.5–6.0 and Km values of 70 and 353 μM for p- nitrophenyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy -β- d - glucopyranoside and p- nitrophenyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy -β- d - galactopyranoside , respectively.
The behaviour of aerosol optical depth during clear summer days in Athens, Greece

The integral aerosol optical depths (k α) at the hour of 08:20 Local Standard Time (LST), are compared with those calculated previously at 11:20 and 14:20 LST, for clear days during summer in Athens over the period 1962–1988. The mean values at 08:20 LST were consistently lower than the values at 11:20 and 14:20 LST. The influence of the vertical wind profile on the values ofk α was also investigated. A comparison was made of the wind profiles at 02:00 and 14:00 LST, for days in which the 11:20 and 14:20 LST values ofk α were ⩽ 0.200 andk α ⩾ 0.350, respectively. The corresponding bulk wind shear 〈s〉 was also found for the period 1980–1988. The most significant results occurred with the first category of days. The resultant wind velocities from the surface to the 900 hPa level, in each hour were higher by 2–4 m·s−1 with respect to the corresponding values for the second category. At 02:00 LST the bulk wind shear showed a considerable difference (1.8) between the two categories of days in the surface to 700 hPa layer at 02:00 LST. Finally, the associated weather conditions that appear to initiate a period of low values ofk α (k α ⩽ 0.200) at 11:20 and 14:20 LST were examined for the period 1980–1988. Fifteen such cases were identified and it was found that they all occurred after the passage of weak cold fronts.
Callus formation and plantlet development from axillary buds of taro.

Excised lateral buds of taro [Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta (L.) A.F. Hill] developed into plantlets and formed callus if cultured on media containing taro extract. α-Naphthaleneacetic acid enhanced the process but only if taro extract was also present. The tissue requirements for this variety of taro are different from those of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) A.F. Hill.
Negative P − T slopes characterize phase change processes: Case of the Ge 1 Sb 2 Te 4 phase change alloy

The crystalline, liquid and amorphous phase stabilities and transformations of the Ge${}_{1}$Sb${}_{2}$Te${}_{4}$ (GST124) alloy are investigated as a function of pressure and temperature using synchrotron diffraction experiments in a diamond anvil cell. The results indicate that the solid-state amorphization of the cubic GST124 phase under high pressure may correspond to a metastable extension of the stability field of the GST124 liquid along a hexagonal crystal-liquid phase boundary with a negative P-T slope. The internal pressures generated during phase change are shown to be too small to affect phase stability. However, they may be important in understanding reliability issues related to thermomechanical stress development in phase change random access memory structures.
Dangling-bond resonances and intrinsic Schottky barriers

Abstract Experimental studies indicate that an intrinsic mechanism of Schottky barrier formation dominates when the concentration of defects is very small. Here we address this intrinsic mechanism by considering a one-dimensional model with one s orbital and one p orbital per semiconductor atom and one s orbital per metal atom. Our results suggest that intrinsic Schottky barriers are usually due to dangling-bond resonances , in agreement with the recent work of Lefebvre et al . Even when the resonances are broadened so much that they are unobservable in the density of states, they are still effective in pinning the Fermi energy.
Semipermeability of the nuclear membrane.

PREVIOUS studies on the osmotic properties of isolated nuclei indicated that ions or molecules of low molecular weight readily penetrate the nuclear membrane. Of the components tested, only protein and certain other substances of high molecular weight were found to exert an osmotic effect1,2. The process of isolation may have marked effects on the properties of the nucleus and its membrane. In the present studies, osmotic properties of the nucleus were studied by micro-injection of certain solutions into the cytoplasm. Relatively small, unpigmented oocytes of Rana pipiens were used. Photographic records were obtained and all measurements were made from these. No harmful effects were observed within the cells following injection.