cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linking AM-PAC Mobility and Daily Activity to the PROMIS Physical Function Metric

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to link Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) Mobility and Daily Activity scales to the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) allowing for a common metric across scales. METHODS Cross-sectional study of patients 18 years and older presenting to 1 of 8 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in southwestern Pennsylvania. Patients completed one survey with questions from the AM-PAC Daily Activity and Mobility short forms, and the PROMIS PF item bank. Using item response theory, 2 rounds of fixed-parameter calibration were performed. In the first, the AM-PAC Daily Activity and Mobility items were calibrated with 27 fixed item parameters from the PROMIS PF. Second, the AM-PAC Daily Activity items were calibrated with 11 PROMIS Upper Extremity fixed item parameters. This process uses the construct of physical function and equates AM-PAC items on the same underlying measurement scale for the PROMIS PF. RESULTS Both scales measured a wide range of functioning and demonstrated good calibration. Data were appropriate for a fixed-parameter item response theory-based crosswalk. AM-PAC Daily Activity and Mobility raw scores were mapped onto the PROMIS PF metric. AM-PAC Daily Activity scores were also mapped onto the PROMIS PF Upper Extremity metric. CONCLUSION Question items from the AM-PAC Daily Activity, AM-PAC Mobility, and PROMIS PF similarly measure the construct of physical function. This consistency allows for a crosswalk of AM-PAC scores onto the PROMIS PF metric. IMPACT Crosswalk tables developed in this study allow for converting scores from the AM-PAC Daily Activity and Mobility scales to the PROMIS PF metric. This will facilitate monitoring of longitudinal change in function over time and across settings.
Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) binds and stabilizes cytochromes P450 through a heme-independent mechanism.

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a heme-binding protein implicated in a wide range of cellular functions. We previously showed that PGRMC1 binds to cytochromes P450 in yeast and mammalian cells and supports their activity. Recently, the paralog PGRMC2 was shown to function as a heme chaperone. The extent of PGRMC1 function in cytochrome P450 biology and whether PGRMC1 is also a heme chaperone are unknown. Here, we examined the function of Pgrmc1 in mouse liver using a knockout model and found that Pgrmc1 binds and stabilizes a broad range of cytochromes P450 in a heme-independent manner. Proteomic and transcriptomic studies demonstrated that Pgrmc1 binds more than 13 cytochromes P450 and supports maintenance of cytochrome P450 protein levels posttranscriptionally. In vitro assays confirmed that Pgrmc1 KO livers exhibit reduced cytochrome P450 activity consistent with reduced enzyme levels. Mechanistic studies in cultured cells demonstrated that PGRMC1 stabilizes cytochromes P450 and that binding and stabilization do not require PGRMC1 binding to heme. Importantly, Pgrmc1-dependent stabilization of cytochromes P450 is physiologically relevant, as Pgrmc1 deletion protected mice from acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Finally, evaluation of Y113F mutant Pgrmc1, which lacks the axial heme iron-coordinating hydroxyl group, revealed that proper iron coordination is not required for heme binding, but is required for binding to ferrochelatase, the final enzyme in heme biosynthesis. PGRMC1 was recently identified as the causative mutation in X-linked isolated pediatric cataract formation. Together, these results demonstrate a heme-independent function for PGRMC1 in cytochrome P450 stability that may underlie clinical phenotypes.
Language Acquisition and the 'Dative Alternation'

What do give and tell have that donate and say haven't got? The former verbs to dativize, i.e., take the structure S V IO O, while the latter verbs do not. Most attempts to discover the qualities that set dativizing verbs apart from other verbs assume that there is a special link between the dative structure and the prepositional structure S V O PREP IO; that the dative structure is acquired separately from other structures; and that, given the right framework and sufficient granularity, it is possible to describe the set of semantic characteristics uniquely characterizing dative verbs. This paper uses child language data to show that there is no need to posit special dative rules or a special semantic class of dative verbs and that the dative structure is acquired in the same way as other syntactic structures.
Subcycle Waveform Modeling of Traffic Intersections Using Recurrent Attention Networks

Traffic flow dynamics in the vicinity of urban arterial intersections is a complex and nonlinear phenomenon, influenced by factors such as signal timing plan, road geometry, driver behaviors, etc. Predicting such flow dynamics is an important task for urban traffic signal control and planning. Current methods use microscopic simulation for studying the impact of a large number of signal timing plans at each of the intersections. A major drawback of microscopic simulation is that they are they are based on source destination traffic generation models and cannot incorporate the high resolution loop detector data such as that are provided by automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPM) based systems. The arrival (or departure) information of each vehicle on a detector can be thought of as a time series waveform. Given the high granularity of ATSPM data, this waveform can be used to several interesting analyses. The waveforms can be used to derive information on platoon dispersion as vehicles progress across the corridor. Also, these waveforms can be modelled to understand how the vehicles progress across the corridor for a variety of signal timing plans. In this paper, we show that deep neural networks based machine learning systems can be used to effectively leverage the waveforms collected at multiple sensors (stopbar and advanced) on the intersection to model the traffic dynamics both at an intersection and across intersections. We show that modelling of these waveforms can be useful to understand traffic flow dynamics under different signal timing plans and can be potentially integrated into signal timing optimization software. Further, these methods are three to four orders of magnitudes faster than using microscopic simulations.
Effect of dexmedetomidine, an α2‐adrenoceptor agonist, on human pupillary reflexes during general anaesthesia

Aims To test the hypothesis that the α2-adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, dilates the pupil and does not alter the pupillary light reflex of anaesthetized patients. Methods Eight volunteers were administered general anaesthesia with propofol, nitrous oxide and alfentanil. One hour and 25 min after induction of anaesthesia, a 45 min infusion of dexmedetomidine was begun, targeting a plasma concentration of 0.6 ng ml−1. Pupil size, pupillary light reflex amplitude, light reflex recovery time, and reflex dilation were measured before and during dexmedetomidine infusion. Results Dexmedetomidine produced no change in pupil size and light reflex recovery time, increased the light reflex from 0.30 ± 0.14 to 0.37 ± 0.12 mm and significantly reduced pupillary reflex dilation by 72 ± 62%. Conclusions These pupillary effects of dexmedetomidine in humans are difficult to reconcile with the findings obtained in cats and rats that have demonstrated a direct inhibitory effect of α2-adrenergic agonists on the pupilloconstrictor nucleus. The increase in the magnitude of the light reflex in response to dexmedetomidine does not necessarily involve an anxiolytic mechanism.
Hemagglutination-Inhibition: Rapid Assay for Neuraminic Acid-Containing Viruses

Influenza virus particles bind rapidly to vesicular stomatitis, Sindbis, or Rauscher murine leukemia virus particles, forming mixed aggregates demonstrable by electron microscopy. The normal hemagglutinating property of influenza virus is inhibited by these viruses, providing a rapid quantitative assay. Prior treatment with neuraminidase blocks the ability of other viruses to inhibit influenza virus hemagglutination.
Crisis on the Immigration Bench: An Ethical Perspective

The troubled status of the immigration court system has garnered much attention from scholars, appellate judges, and even the United States Attorney General. This article suggests a new lens through which to examine the acknowledged crisis in immigration courts: judicial ethics. Because the term judicial ethics encompasses a broad array of principles, the article narrows its focus to bias and incompetence on the part of immigration judges in the courtroom. Immigration judges operate as a unique judiciary under the Executive Branch of government. An examination of the modern immigration court system, including inadequate disciplinary procedures for immigration judges, reveals that the existing structural crisis has substantial implications for judicial ethics. Evidence of biased and incompetent judicial conduct has been found in statistics showing inconsistent decisions and cases reviewed by circuit courts. Recognizing the breadth and severity of the problem, the Attorney General proposed new ethical Codes of Conduct for immigration judges in June 2007. However, the proposed Codes are weakened by their lack of specificity and enforceability. Accordingly, the article recommends reforms designed to encourage unbiased and competent judicial behavior. Implementation of these reforms will initiate the process of restoring the ethical integrity of the immigration bench.
A cleavage-associated neoantigenic marker for a gamma chain site in the NH2-terminal aspect of the fibrinogen molecule.

The E fragment, derived from the NH2-terminal aspect of fibrinogen by plasmin cleavage (fg-E), possesses two generically distinct sets of antigenic expressions. The major set of antigens is expressed by the parent molecule as indicated by the capacity of a major subpopulation of antibodies present in antiserum to fg-E and reactive with fg-E to: (a) react with fibrinogen, and (b) be specifically absorbed by fibrinogen but appears following proteolysis with plasmin. These cleavage associated neoantigens (fg-E-neo) specifically react with a minor subpopulation of antibodies present in antiserum to fg-E.E fragments isolated after varying exposures to plasmin all expressed fg-E-neo, but early E fragments exhibited quantitatively less neoantigenic expression than more extensively degraded E fragments. The entire fg-E-neo expression is recovered on a single isolated constituent chain of the E fragment, and immunochemical analysis with antiserum to the isolated constituent chain-bearing fg-E-neo identifies it as a derivative of the gamma chain constituent, exhibits marked stability to physicochemical denaturation and enzymatic degradation. These properties suggest that the neoantigen may be associated with a specific amino acid sequence which is exposed by the cleavage process. The identification and localization of fg-E-neo provides a specific molecular marker site for the characterization of structural and conformational changes associated with catabolism and function of fibrinogen.
Intravital imaging of hair follicle regeneration in the mouse

Hair follicles are mammalian skin organs that periodically and stereotypically regenerate from a small pool of stem cells. Hence, hair follicles are a widely studied model for stem cell biology and regeneration. This protocol describes the use of two-photon laser-scanning microscopy (TPLSM) to study hair regeneration within a living, uninjured mouse. TPLSM provides advantages over conventional approaches, including enabling time-resolved imaging of single hair follicle stem cells. Thus, it is possible to capture behaviors including apoptosis, proliferation and migration, and to revisit the same cells for in vivo lineage tracing. In addition, a wide range of fluorescent reporter mouse lines facilitates TPLSM in the skin. This protocol also describes TPLSM laser ablation, which can spatiotemporally manipulate specific cellular populations of the hair follicle or microenvironment to test their regenerative contributions. The preparation time is variable depending on the goals of the experiment, but it generally takes 30-60 min. Imaging time is dependent on the goals of the experiment. Together, these components of TPLSM can be used to develop a comprehensive understanding of hair regeneration during homeostasis and injury.
Cranial Nerve I

This unit presents the basic protocol for imaging cranial nerve I. The olfactory bulbs and tracts mediate the sense of smell from the nasal cavity to the brain. Unfortunately they are located in a precarious position for MR imaging, above the air-filled nasal cavity and ethmoid sinuses at a bone-air-soft tissue interface. This creates problems with susceptibility artifact. This issue, plus the very small size of the structures to be studied and the superimposed eye motion artifact makes imaging of the olfactory system a technical challenge.
Differentiation of Klebsiella-Enterobacter (Aerobacter)-Serratia by Biochemical Tests and Antibiotic Susceptibility

Studies were undertaken for the differentiation of members of the Klebsiella-Enterobacter (Aerobacter)-Serratia division by biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility. A total of 67 cultures were tested. Strain identification was readily accomplished with the use of motility tests and arabinose fermentation. In addition, a practical schema, based on sensitivity pattern, proved valuable in the classification of the different strains. Most (if not all) Klebsiella strains were susceptible to cephalothin, and all were sensitive to colistin. Enterobacter strains were resistant to cephalothin but susceptible to colistin. In contrast to those other members of the group, all Serratia strains were resistant to both cephalothin and colistin. The combination of a limited number of biochemical reactions and single-disc sensitivity tests appears to be a logical approach for the tentative identification of Klebsiella-Enterobacter (Aerobacter)-Serratia strains.
Smart antennas for wireless communications

Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in improving system capacity and increasing coverage area in wireless communications using smart antennas. Smart antenna technology is being considered for mobile platforms such as automobiles, cellular telephones (mobile unit), and laptops. This paper presents the design of a smart antenna along with the associated signal processing algorithms for use in the next generation 20 GHz wireless communications systems. The results presented here are part of a broader project that considers this antenna system in the context of reconfigurable broadband (high-speed) networks. This paper concentrates only on the antenna design and on the development of efficient adaptive algorithms for beamforming and direction-of-arrival (DOA). The objective is to design an adaptive antenna that directs the maximum radiation of the antenna pattern toward the signal-of-interest (SOI), and places nulls toward the signal-not-of-interest (SNOI). The proposed antenna design and associated beamforming algorithms take into account mutual coupling for greater accuracy.
Out-of-plane reflection and refraction of light by plasmonic interfaces with phase discontinuities

Three-dimensional laws of reflection and refraction are derived and demonstrated for optically thin interfaces that impart to the incident wavefront a phase gradient. The tangential wavevector provided by the interface creates out-of-plane reflection and refraction.
Repeated big bangs and the expanding universe: Directionality in plant genome size evolution

Abstract The lack of correlation between genome size and organismal complexity has long been a topic of great interest. Over the last decade it has become clear that transposable elements play a dominant role in genome size growth, and that most of the observed genome size variation in plants can be ascribed to differential accumulation of transposable elements, particularly long terminal repeat retrotransposons, which often massively proliferate over exceptionally short evolutionary time-scales. In the absence of one or more counterbalancing forces, Bennetzen and Kellogg previously suggested that growth via transposable element accumulation would create a “one-way ticket to genomic obesity”. Phylogenetic evidence, however, indicates that lineages may experience genomic downsizing, notwithstanding the relative paucity of experimental evidence on mechanisms capable of eliminating massive amounts of DNA. Thus, genome size evolution in plants may involve both feast and famine. Here we review recent insights into the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of genome size evolution in plants. These include mechanisms that contribute to genome size expansion, i.e. polyploidy and transposable element proliferation, in addition to the counteracting forces that act to remove DNA, particularly intra-strand homologous recombination and illegitimate recombination. We argue that extant genome sizes reflect myriad competing forces of genomic expansion and contraction, but that current evidence pertaining to rates and amounts of DNA loss prove insufficient to overcome transposable element proliferation in most lineages. Accordingly, the directionality of plant genome size evolution in most cases is biased toward growth, with mechanisms of DNA loss acting to attenuate (but not reverse) the march toward obesity.
Developmental and adult acclimation effects of ambient temperature on temperature regulation of mice selected for high and low levels of nest-building

Genetic and environmental components of adaptation to cold inMus musculus were assessed in a study of the effects of selective breeding for behavioral temperature regulation (indexed by high and low levels of nest-building), rearing mice from birth in the cold, and cold acclimation of adult animals, on thermoregulatory traits. Mice from the eleventh selected generation of a high-nesting line maintained higher resting metabolic rates and body temperatures, while at the same time consuming less food when compared with mice from the low-nesting line (Table 1). High-nesting mice were also more discriminating in their temperature preference when placed on a thermal gradient. Thus, common genetic loci must influence a variety of energy conservation measures important for survival in the cold, including insulative nest-building, metabolic efficiency, and optimum microhabitat selection.
Navigation Efficiency of Two Dimensional Auditory Menus Using Spearcon Enhancements

A total of 28 undergraduates navigated to specific items in a two dimensional menu that was displayed using only sound. The auditory menu consisted of either text-to-speech (TTS) only, or TTS enhanced with spearcons. Spearcons are brief sound cues created by compressing the original TTS sound file. Speed of navigation to target items in the auditory menu was found to be significantly faster in the spearcon condition than in the condition using only TTS. There was also a smaller per-item cost in terms of speed for the spearcon-enhanced menu, leading to increasingly better performance as menu length increased. These results provide further evidence that spearcon enhancements can lead to faster navigational performance in auditory menus, when compared to text-to-speech alone.
Hyperfine Field Distributions in Ferromagnetic amorphous Fe(x)B(1-x) Thin Films,

Sputtered films of amorphous FexB1−x (0.40?x?0.50) were studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The films were characterized for composition and homogeneity by secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and for lack of crystallinity by X‐ray diffraction. Below the magnetic ordering temperature Tc, the hyperfine spectra consist of a large amplitude quadrupole doublet superimposed on a broad magnetic hyperfine field distribution. The spectra of these alloys are remarkably different from that of polycrystalline FeB and from those of liquid‐quenched alloys which are restricted to compositions near the eutectic at x≊0.8. Comparison with the polycrystalline FeB spectrum clearly shows that for a significant fraction of the Fe atoms in the amorphous alloys, the local environment is substantially different from the Fe environment in FeB.
Brainstem reticular formation lesions: Amnestic effects on learned habits in the rat

Adult albino rats, previously overtrained on a brightness and a pattern discrimination habit, sustained bilateral lesions to the brainstem reticular formation and were subsequently tested for retention. Those groups receiving lesions to the basolateral mesencephalic reticular formation or to the paramedial portion of the reticular formation at either the dimesencephalic juncture, mes-metencephalic juncture, or rostral pontine levels exhibited significant losses in retention of the pattern habit. Lesions destroying either the dorsomedial mesencephalic reticular formation or brainstem areas dorsal, lateral, or ventral to the reticular formation failed to produce significant retention deficits on either habit. Similar findings were obtained in connection with the retention of a nonvisual (kinesthetic) discrimination habit.
Corporate social responsibility and organizational effectiveness: A multivariate approach

In this paper, three major themes in research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) are identified. Of particular interest, however, is the potential link between CSR and organizational effectiveness (OE). Data collected from 410 college graduate and undergraduate students were used to examine this relationship. Using factor analysis, eight dimensions of CSR and three components of OE were extracted. Canonical analysis was then performed. The result supports the proposition that specific CSR practices affect select OE outcomes. In addition, the method employed here provides a parsimonious approach to give priority to social claims.
Standard and enhanced cognitive-behavior therapy for late-life generalized anxiety disorder: two pilot investigations.

OBJECTIVE Although cognitive–behavior therapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in younger adults, little is known about its efficacy in older patients. Investigations to date have tested group-format or otherwise nonstandard versions of CBT. The studies described here are, to our knowledge, the first to test the efficacy of individual-format CBT administered in a mental health clinic for treatment of late-life GAD. METHODS Study 1 tested a standard version, and Study 2 tested an enhanced version (ECBT) that included learning and memory aids designed to make the therapy more effective with elderly patients (e.g., homework reminder and troubleshooting calls, weekly review of all concepts and techniques). RESULTS Study 1 CBT participants showed significant improvement on GAD severity ratings. Study 2 ECBT participants showed significant improvement on two self-report measures, rates of posttreatment GAD, and GAD severity ratings. ECBT resulted in improvement on more measures and yielded larger effect sizes than standard CBT, when each was compared against a wait-list control group. CONCLUSION Results of these pilot studies suggest that standard individual-format CBT may not be optimally effective for treating late-life GAD; thus, ECBT should be tested further in randomized trials.
Bitoric rigid and soft contact lenses prescribed in tandem for keratoconus: Preliminary results

Use of spherical rigid and spherical soft contact lenses prescribed in a “piggyback” modality has generally failed in the past. A new technique uses a back surface toric soft contact lens, which becomes bitoric when placed on the highly astigmatic keratoconus cornea, and a bitoric rigid gas-permeable contact lens worn in tandem. The lessening of rubbing and the good contact lens centration appear to be an improvement over the rigid contact lens alone.
The proving grounds: Combat nursing in Vietnam

Abstract Purpose: The profession of nursing has been greatly influenced by war, and the heroic nature of the work of nursing is often emphasized during war. The purpose of this research was to examine the stories of nurses' experiences during combat in Vietnam and identify themes that would corroborate, refute, or expand prior historical research. Organizing construct and methods: A content analysis to determine recurrent themes was performed on 18 oral histories of military nurses who served in Vietnam that were previously collected and published. Analysis of these collections of oral histories was conducted, and thick quotes contextualize and substantiate the thematic claims. Findings and conclusions: This research confirms the analysis of prior historical research on nursing in Vietnam by finding similar experiences recorded in oral histories and further claims that an authentic professional identity is often forged during the hardships and heroic opportunities of war. Nurs Outlook 2003;51:31-36.
Occupant seating anthropometry: body ellipses and contact zones for side-impact protection research

Abstract The study has developed an anthropometric description of seated occupants and determined body regions representing major paths in side-impact crashes. The study has identified five major body ellipses defining the head, shoulder, chest, abdomen and pelvis of seated occupants of various sizes, including the six-year-old child. Body contact zones have been determined for front-seated occupants. These templates provide information for the design of side interiors to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes by load-transfer and energy-absorption characteristics of biocompatible interiors.
Transient reflectivity measurements and heat transfer modeling in laser annealing of semiconductor films

Abstract Melting and solidification of a silicon film by continuous wave laser beam irradiation has been studied. The silicon film melting and recrystallization is controlled by the temperature distribution in the semiconductor. Numerical calculations have been carried out for a range of laser beam parameters and material translational speeds. The results for the melt pool size have been compared with experimental data. The temperature field development has also been monitored with localized reflectivity measurements. Experimental and predicted transient reflectivity distributions have been compared.
Tissue‐Carbon Incorporation Rates in Lizards: Implications for Ecological Studies Using Stable Isotopes in Terrestrial Ectotherms

Abstract Carbon stable isotope (δ13C) analysis can be used to infer the origin and to estimate the flow of nutrient resources through animals and across ecological compartments. These applications require knowledge of the rates at which carbon is incorporated into animal tissues and diet‐to‐tissue discrimination factors (Δ13C). Studies of carbon dynamics in terrestrial vertebrates to date have focused almost solely on endothermic animals; ectotherms such as reptiles have received little attention. Here we determined carbon incorporation rates and Δ13C in tissues of prairie lizards (Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus) and collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris). The smaller lizard, S. undulatus, had carbon retention times of 25 and 61 d in plasma and red blood cells (RBC), respectively, compared with 44 and 311 d for the larger C. collaris. Liver, muscle, and skin carbon retention times for S. undulatus were 21, 81, and 94 d. Growth contributed 9%–19% of the carbon incorporated into these tissues. This contr...
A theoretical study of the isomerization pathways for HBrO2 isomers

Abstract The geometries, vibrational spectra, and relative energetics of the HBrO2 isomers and their transition states have been examined using the quadratic configuration interaction method in conjunction with various basis sets. From the energetics of the dissociation and isomerization pathways of the HBrO2 isomers, it is found that the energy barrier for the isomerization of HOOBr to form HOBrO is high enough (67.2 kcal mol−1) to not allow the interconversion of HOOBr to HOBrO (and vice versa). Thus, HOOBr and HOBrO are the intermediates that can be formed during the HO+BrO reaction.
The effect of pulpal tissues on microleakage around dental restorations.

Abstract The testing of marginal microleakage should be done under rigidly defined and controlled conditions. While marked differences in results can be shown in various testing conditions, it is becoming apparent that standard conditions are not easily established.
Experimental occular infections

Summary I have attempted in this overview to outline some experimental models of bacterial ocular infection. These models have been used to study the pathogenesis of ocular infections in particular and infectious diseases in general. They have also been useful in studying practical therapeutic issues such as the relative merits of topical and subconjunctival routes of treatment of bacterial keratitis and of intravitreal injections in the treatment of endophthalmitis.
Properties of Latin-American White Cheese as Influenced by Glacial Acetic Acid

Abstract Factors affecting the properties and composition of Latin American white cheese, or Queso Blanco, were studied, using concentrations of glacial acetic acid of from 50 to 200ml per 45.5kg milk. This native cheese, made without starter cultures, results from the acid precipitation of milk at high temperatures. Latin-American white cheese made from cows' milk containing 3% fat, showed best flavor and texture qualities and highest yields when a glacial acetic acid concentration of 110 to 130ml per 45.5kg milk was used. The average composition at this optimum range was 50% moisture, 24.9% total protein, and 19% fat. Lower and higher concentrations of acetic acid led to inferior cheese with greater fat losses to the whey. Excessive time taken to stir curds also resulted in higher fat losses. Homogenization of cheese milk decreased whey fat losses, but the resulting cheese was soft and lacked the most desirable slicing properties.
Crossbridge activity monitored from the state of polarization of light diffracted by activated frog muscle fibres.

The polarization properties of the first diffraction order have been measured when single frog fibres are illuminated by laser light. The relative difference in the amplitudes of the orthogonal electric field polarization components (differential field ratio) as well as their phase shift normalized by the pathlength (birefringence) have been obtained from fibres at rest and during fixedend twitches and tetani. The differential field ratio decreased during contraction and the change during a single twitch averaged 69% of that during a companion tetanus. The birefringence of the first order averaged 2.80±0.59×10−3 (mean±SD) at rest and the average decrease during a tetanus was 8.4%±6.4%. The decrease in the differential field ratio upon activation was a decreasing function of sarcomere length, maximum at rest length and falling to zero at about 3.7μm. Differences between the two first diffraction orders were observed for both the differential field ratio and the birefringence. At the time when force had risen to half the value reached at the end of the fast rise of tension, the change in the the differential field ratio lead the tension by about 10–15 ms. The differential field ratio returned to its resting value after the fall of tension. The above results suggest that the differential field ratio is a sensitive indicator of intact fibre structure. The temporal lead in the differential field ratio with respect to tension rise supports models in which crossbridges initially attach in a non-force-producing state.
Ras signaling in prostate cancer progression

When prostate cancer is first detected it generally is dependent on the presence of androgens for growth, and responds to androgen ablation therapies. However, the disease often recurs in a disseminated and apparently androgen independent (AI) form, and in this state is almost invariably fatal. Considerable evidence indicates that the Androgen receptor (AR) continues to be required even in androgen independent (AI) disease. Thus, a key to understanding hormone independent prostate cancer is to determine the mechanism(s) by which the AR can function even in the absence of physiologic levels of androgen. In this article, we argue that growth factors and receptors that utilize Ras family members drive prostate cancer progression to a state of androgen hypersensitivity; and that post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylations) of transcriptional cofactors might be responsible for modulating the function of the AR so that it is active even at low concentrations of androgen.
The surgical treatment of hallux limitus/rigidus: a critical review of the literature

Abstract This paper presents the findings of recent clinical research in hallux limitus/rigidus surgery. Much of the research in this area is particularly descriptive and lacks critique and evaluation. It is paramount that future work should involve randomised multicentre collaborative research projects. These should include a specific standardised protocol with between-centre standardisation of treatment and evaluation of outcome using validated tools. Furthermore, this research should include patient-focused outcomes, standardised assessment criteria and longer surveillance periods.
Synthesis of Trifunctional Bis-azide Photoaffinity Probe

Methyl 3-azidomethyl-5-azido-benzoate (1b) and its corresponding hydroxymethyl reduction product (1a) have been utilized for the synthesis of valuable nonradioactive photoaffinity probes. Previous ...
Deformation of axisymmetrically loaded cylindrical shells at incipient plastic collapse

Abstract A method is presented whereby the deflexions of axisymmetrically loaded cylindrical shells at incipient collapse may be determined by a conjugate segment analogy which is an extension of the well-known conjugate beam method. A square approximation to the exact Tresca yield curve is utilized, and the method is illustrated by examples of cylindrical shells with simply supported and fixed ends, loaded with uniform internal pressure. Comparison is made with results from an exact analysis.
Saturated absorption line shape: Calculation of the transit-time broadening by a perturbation approach

We present a third-order perturbation calculation of line shapes in laser spectroscopy based on the density-matrix formalism. The new feature of this theory is the inclusion of the Gaussian spatial structure of the laser beams. We study the linewidth as a function of relaxation and transit times. A shift is found when the wave fronts are not flat. General line-shape formulas are given as well as approximate formulas valid in various domains.
Factors affecting chemical transformations of nitrite in soils

Abstract Tracer studies using 15N-enriched nitrite showed that soil pH and organic matter content are the key factors in nitrite decomposition and fixation of nitrite N in soils. The extent of nitrite decomposition and fixation of nitrite N was inversely related to soil pH. With soils having pH values between 5 and 7, the amount of nitrite N fixed and the amount volatilized at a given pH increased with increase in soil organic matter content; with soils having pH values less than 5, the amount of nitrite N fixed increased, and the amount of nitrite N volatilized decreased, with increase in soil organic matter content. Air-drying of soils treated with nitrite promoted nitrite decomposition, but did not markedly affect fixation of nitrite nitrogen. The amount of nitrite decomposed and the amount of nitrite N fixed on incubation of soils treated with nitrite increased with increase in nitrite level and in time and temperature of incubation. Increase in soil moisture content above a certain level decreased the amount of nitrite N volatilized during incubation of nitrite-treated soils, but did not markedly affect the amount of nitrite N fixed. Sterilization of soil before treatment with nitrite had little effect on nitrite decomposition or fixation of nitrite nitrogen. Nitrite decomposition and fixation of nitrite N occurred readily under conditions commonly encountered in the field.
Coordination of Fe3+ by “alizarin complexone” adsorbed on graphite electrodes to produce electrocatalysts for the reduction of O2 and H2O2

Abstract The electroactive, chelating ligand, alizarin complexone was irreversibly adsorbed on graphite electrodes and used to sequester Fe 3+ and Fe 2+ cations on the electrode surfaces. The voltammetric responses from the quinone group of the ligand and from the sequestered centers were used to determine the stoichiometric compositions of the adsorbed complexes by means of coulometric assays. Only one iron cation was complexed by each adsorbed ligand. Reaction of the dissolved ligand with Fe 2+ in solution produced a soluble complex with the same 1 : 1 stoichiometry. The adsorbed iron complex is an electrocatalyst for the reduction to both O 2 and H 2 O 2 . Comparisons with other ligands showed that to obtain active catalysts the combination of a methylamino(N,N-diacetate) chelating group adjacent to a phenolic hydroxyl group is essential. The pH dependences of the Fe III -Fe II couple of the adsorbed complex and of the potential where the catalysed reduction of O 2 proceeds were compared and utilized to suggest possible catalytic mechanisms.
Outcomes after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair requiring a suprarenal cross-clamp

Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the early and late outcomes of patients who require a suprarenal aortic cross-clamp during elective open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods Patients from 1998 to 2012 who required a suprarenal aortic cross-clamp during elective open AAA repair were reviewed. Data abstracted included demographics and comorbidities; preoperative, perioperative, and late renal function; late interventions related to AAA repair; and late mortality. A decrease in renal function was defined as a >30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared with the preoperative value. Primary outcomes included renal function, intervention-free survival, and overall survival. Results During the study period, 211 patients underwent open elective or urgent AAA repair; 69 required a suprarenal cross-clamp. The mean age was 71 years, and 80% were men. The mean preoperative creatinine concentration was 1.2 mg/dL, and the mean preoperative eGFR was 66 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Location of the aortic cross-clamp was suprarenal (37), supramesenteric (21), and supraceliac (11). Perioperatively, 21 patients (30%) experienced a significant decrease in eGFR; four patients required hemodialysis. Six patients had full recovery of renal function by discharge. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were 35% and 4%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 3 years, seven patients had an eGFR significantly less than the preoperative value. Late interventions related to the AAA repair were required in eight patients. Indications included wound complication (3), anastomotic aneurysm (2), incisional hernia (1), anastomotic graft stenosis (1), and proximal aortic dilation (1). Overall 5-year intervention-free survival was 62% and overall survival 77%. Intervention-free survival was enhanced by antiplatelet use ( P = .04), whereas overall survival was decreased by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( P = .003) and perioperative pneumonia ( P = .001). Conclusions More than a quarter of patients requiring a suprarenal cross-clamp during open AAA repair experience renal dysfunction. Late graft-related complications are few, with preoperative and perioperative pulmonary function negatively affecting overall patient survival.
Survival of White-Tailed Deer Fawns in the Grasslands of the Northern Great Plains

Environmental factors, such as forest characteristics, have been linked to fawn survival in eastern and southern white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. In the Great Plains, less is known about how intrinsic and habitat factors influence fawn survival. During 2007-2009, we captured and radiocollared 81 fawns in north-central South Dakota and recorded 23 mortalities, of which 18 died before 1 September. Predation accounted for 52.2% of mortality; remaining mortality included human (hunting, vehicle, and farm accident; 26.1%) and hypothermia (21.7%). Coyotes (Canis latrans) accounted for 83.3% of predation on fawns. We used known-fate analysis in Program MARK to estimate summer (15 May-31 Aug) survival rates and investigated the influence of intrinsic and habitat variables on survival. We developed 2 a priori model sets, including intrinsic variables and a test of annual variation in survival (model set 1) and habitat variables (model set 2). Model set 1 indicated that summer survival varied among years (2007-2009); annual survival rates were 0.94 (SE ¼ 0.06, n ¼ 22), 0.78 (SE ¼ 0.09, n ¼ 27), and 0.54 (SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 32), respectively. Model set 2 indicated that survival was further influenced by patch density of cover habitats (Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)-grasslands, forested cover, and wetlands). Mean CRP- grassland and wetland patch density (no. patches/100 ha) were greater (P < 0.001) in home-range areas of surviving fawns (xCRPPD ¼ 1.81, SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 63; xWetPD ¼ 1.75, SE ¼ 0.14, n ¼ 63, respectively) than in home-range areas of fawns that died (xCRPPD ¼ 0.16, SE ¼ 0.04, n ¼ 18; xWetPD ¼ 1.28, SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 18, respectively). Mean forested cover patch density was less (P < 0.001) in home-range areas of surviving fawns (xFCPD ¼ 0.77, SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 63) than in home-range areas of fawns that died (xFCPD ¼ 1.49, SE ¼ 0.21, n ¼ 18). Our results indicate that management activities should focus on CRP-grassland and wetland habitats in order to maintain or improve fawn survival in the northern Great Plains, rather than forested cover composed primarily of tree plantings and shelterbelts. 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Occasional notes. What's behind those block grants in health?

The Reagan administration's budget proposals for the 1983 fiscal year include further cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and many other health programs. Probably the best preparation for the forthcoming debates is a review of what happened in Congress last year and of the changes that physicians and other health professionals and their patients must cope with in the current fiscal year. While public attention was riveted last year to the Reagan administration's sweeping budget and tax changes, health programs provided the battleground for an old-fashioned political showdown between the President and Congress. At stake were dozens of specific but overlapping health . . .
Estimating the contributions of mobile sources of PAH to urban air using real-time PAH monitoring.

Abstract Motor vehicles are a significant source of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in many urban areas. Traditional approaches used in determining the relative contributions of individual vehicle types to the total amount of PAH in air have been based on the analysis of integrated samples of airborne particles and gases for the presence of chemical tracers indicative of the vehicles from which the chemicals derived. As an alternative, we have used a photoelectric aerosol sensor (PAS) capable of measuring PAH levels in real-time in the emissions plumes from motor vehicles. We placed the PAS near a traffic-light in Kenmore Square, a busy crossroads in downtown Boston (MA, USA). A video camera co-located at the site recorded the vehicles passing the sensor, and this record was correlated with the PAS data. During a 5-day monitoring period (∼59 h) in the summer of 1998, over 34 000 motor vehicles were counted and classified and over 24 000 PAS readings were recorded (frequency=1/8.6 s). The composition of the vehicle population was 94% passenger vehicles, 1.4% buses, 2.6% small trucks, 1.3% medium trucks, 0.35% large trucks, and 0.45% garbage and construction trucks. In analyzing the PAS data, it was assumed that the highest PAS measurements — those that exceeded the 95% critical level of the 5-min moving average of all the PAS measurements — were indicative of primary vehicular emissions. We found that ∼46% of the mass of particle-bound PAH (i.e. ∼46% of the integrated area under the PAS signal vs. time plots) was attributable to primary emissions from motor vehicles passing the sensor. Of this, 35–61% was attributable to passenger vehicles (cars, pickup trucks, and sports utility vehicles) and 39–65% was attributable to non-passenger vehicles [buses (14–23%), small trucks (12–20%), medium trucks (8.4–14%), large trucks (2.9–4.8%) and garbage and construction trucks (1.9–3.2%)]. Our results suggest that on a per vehicle basis, buses and trucks — the majority of which run on diesel fuel — emitted greater amounts of particle-bound PAH than passenger vehicles. Overall, we found that real-time photoelectric aerosol sensing (in combination with video photography) is useful for estimating the contributions of airborne PAH from different vehicle types. Due to the physical constraints of our monitoring site and the high volumes of traffic, however, it was not possible to uniquely attribute PAS signals to individual vehicles.
Vacancy concentration in Al–Mg solid solutions

The thermodynamically stable vacancy concentration is evaluated in Al–Mg solid solutions by means of atomistic simulations. The results are compared with data inferred from experiments based on various models. It is shown that, in the presence of solute clustering, the stable vacancy concentration within the cluster may be orders of magnitude larger than the mean concentration in the absence of clusters. This assists local solute diffusion. The result is relevant for the mechanism of dynamic strain aging in solid solutions.
Effects of octopamine on transmission at the first synapse of the crayfish lateral giant escape reaction pathway

The mechanisms responsible for octopaminecaused increases of excitability of interneuron A of the lateral giant escape reaction circuit of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, were investigated. 1. Octopamine increases the amplitude of compound and unitary EPSPs. Neither resting potential, input impedance, nor critical firing level appear to be altered. 2. Increases of unitary EPSP amplitude are accompanied by increases in coefficient of variation as well as by increases in rise and fall times. 3. The above changes suggest that transmission from single afferents to interneuron A occurs at more than one type of synapse or ‘transmission site’. Under control conditions the EPSP is generated largely by sites producing EPSPs having little trial-to-trial variability, while octopamine activates sites having high variability of release. Though the coefficient of variation of EPSP amplitude falls (or remains unchanged) at each type of site individually, the addition of a variable contribution to the relatively non-variable EPSPs of control conditions causes a rise in the coefficient of variation of total amplitude in octopamine. It is also suggested that the less variable sites produce fast EPSPs while the more variable sites produce slow ones.
MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NORMAL TERM HUMAN TROPHOBLAST MAINTAINED IN PROLONGED IN VITRO CULTURES

The development of a new technique for prolonged in vitro culture of normal human term trophoblast without stromal growth has facilitated the study of the morphologic characteristics of trophoblast in culture. Cytotrophoblast (epithelioid) cells were observed along with subsequent formation of syncytiotrophoblast in vitro. Hormonal assessment of hPL production has confirmed the viability and biologic specificity of the tissue. The morphologic characteristics of normal human term trophoblast maintained in vitro include projections, circular growths and syncytial sprouts. Growth patterns of trophoblast in vitro were similar to those described in vivo.