cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting Functional Outcomes Following Fracture Nonunion Repair-Development and Validation of a Risk Profiling Tool.

OBJECTIVES To develop a tool that can be used preoperatively to identify patients at risk of poor functional outcome following operative repair of fracture nonunion. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Three hundred twenty-eight patients who underwent operative repair of a fracture nonunion were prospectively followed for a minimum of 12 months post-operatively. INTERVENTION After randomization, 223 (68%) patients comprised an experimental cohort and 105 (32%) patients comprised a separate validation cohort. Within the experimental cohort, forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression was applied to 17 independent variables to generate a predictive model identifying patients at risk of having a poor functional outcome [Predicting Risk of Function in Trauma-Nonunion (PRoFiT-NU) Score]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Functional outcomes were assessed using the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA). Poor outcome was defined as an SMFA function index greater than 10 points above the mean at 12 months post-operatively. RESULTS Significant predictors of poor outcome were lower extremity nonunion [odds ratio (OR) = 3.082; P = 0.021], tobacco use (OR = 2.994; P = 0.009), worker's compensation insurance (OR = 3.986; P = 0.005), radiographic bone loss (OR = 2.397; P = 0.040), and preoperative SMFA function index (OR = 1.027; P = 0.001). The PRoFiT-NU model was significant and a good predictor of poor functional outcome (χ(5) = 51.98, P < 0.0005; area under the receiver operating curve = 0.79). Within the separate validation cohort, 16% of patients had a poor outcome at a PRoFiT-NU score below 25% (low risk), 39% of patients had a poor outcome at a PRoFiT-NU score between 25% and 50% (intermediate risk), and 63% of patients had a poor outcome at a PRoFiT-NU score above 50% (high risk). CONCLUSIONS The PRoFiT-NU score is an accurate predictor of poor functional outcome following fracture nonunion repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence description of levels of evidence.
Correction: Transfer hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from glycerol under aqueous conditions.

Correction for ‘Transfer hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from glycerol under aqueous conditions’ by Jacob M. Heltzel et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 6184–6187.
6 – Hydrodynamics and Mass Transport

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the hydrodynamic aspects of organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy (OMVPE). The flow dynamics in typical reactors are so complex that an intuitive “feel” for the process eludes the typical crystal grower.. In fact, much of the understanding comes from complex computer calculations that take years to develop and consume considerable time on largest supercomputers. Such calculations border on the realm of dedicated hydrodynamic researchers.. This chapter introduces the fundamental concepts on which the calculations are based. Other approaches discussed in the chapter contribute to the goal of developing an improved working understanding of the OMVPE process applicable to everyday laboratory problems. This chapter also discusses the growth rate that is assumed to be limited by mass transport and it is applied over a certain temperature range where growth rate is observed to be nearly temperature-independent.
On-Demand Generation and Use in Continuous Synthesis of the Ambiphilic Nitrogen Source Chloramine

Herein, we demonstrate the on-demand synthesis of chloramine from aqueous ammonia and sodium hypochlorite solutions, and its subsequent utilization as an ambiphilic nitrogen source in continuous-fl...
Electrodynamics of Superconductors

We shall begin with the three basic facts concerning the electrodynamics of superconductors: (A) Persistent currents—Flow of currents in certain metals in the superconducting phase seemed to indicate that these metals behave like perfect conductors. (B) The Meissner effect—However, the expulsion of magnetic field from the bulk of superconductor clearly indicated that a superconductor is a good diamagnet. (C) Flux quantization—If a multiply connected superconductor, say, a ring, is in a magnetic field and later cooled below the transition temperature, the expelled flux trapped inside the hole does not have arbitrary values but assumes values which are multiples of a unit quantity. This phenomenon throws great light on the microscopic theory of superconductivity. Flux quantization has been anticipated by London and Onsager.
An empirical study of emoji usage on Twitter in linguistic and national contexts

Abstract Emojis or ‘picture characters’ have become ubiquitous in modern-day digital communication, including social media sharing and smartphone texting. Despite this ubiquity, many questions remain about their usage, especially with respect to global variations in language and country. These questions are important, in part because they reveal how people communicate digitally on social platforms, but also because they provide a lens through which different regions and cultures can be studied. In this paper, we conduct a principled, quantitative study to understand emoji usage in terms of linguistic and country correlates. Our study involves 30 languages and countries each, and is conducted over tens of millions of tweets collected from the Twitter decahose over an entire month. Drawing on both statistical measures and information theory, our results reveal that, not only does emoji usage have strong dependencies at both the language and country level, but that some languages and countries are much more constrained in the diversity of their emoji usage. However, we also discover that the ‘popularity’ of emojis, both globally and within the context of a given language, follows a robust and invariant trend that emerges fairly quickly (over just a day’s worth of data) and cannot be explained either by a power-law or Heap’s law-like distribution.
The role of leiomodin in actin dynamics: a new road or a secret gate

Leiomodin is an important emerging regulator of thin filaments. As novel molecular, cellular, animal model, and human data accumulate, the mechanisms of its action become clearer. Structural studies played a significant part in understanding the functional significance of leiomodin's interacting partners and functional domains. In this review, we present the current state of knowledge on the structural and cellular properties of leiomodin which has led to two proposed mechanisms of its function. Although it is known that leiomodin is essential for life, numerous domains within leiomodin remain unstudied and as such, we outline future directions for investigations that we predict will provide evidence that leiomodin is a multifunctional protein.
L-asparaginase from Escherichia coli B. Chemical modifications of tyrosyl residues.

Abstract l-Asparaginase from Escherichia coli B was treated with tetranitromethane in amounts ranging from equimolar to 10 molar excess. At low ratios of the reagent the tetrameric enzyme aggregates to larger molecular weight species in the absence of any detectable nitrotyrosine formation. At the higher ratios of the reagent the enzyme first polymerizes and the resulting polymers are subsequently nitrated. Although the covalent bonds joining the subunits together in the aggregate are unaffected by 8 m urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate, fluorescence and difference spectroscopy indicate that the microenvironment surrounding the aromatic amino acid side chains in the aggregates is perturbed in the presence of these denaturants. In addition, the polymeric forms still retain a portion of their catalytic function. The similarity in titration behavior of the phenolic hydroxyl groups in the tetranitromethane-induced polymers and in the unmodified enzyme suggests that the subunits are not exclusively crosslinked through the phenolic side chains of tyrosine. The tyrosyl residues of asparaginase could be modified by iodination without the formation of large molecular weight aggregates and without causing dissociation into subunits.
Comparison of Incoherent and Coherent Wave Field Measurements Using Dual-Polarized Pulse-Doppler X-Band Radar

Radar-based remote sensing for measurement of ocean surface waves presents advantages over conventional point sensors such as wave buoys. As its use becomes more widespread, it is important to understand the sensitivity of the extracted wave parameters to the characteristics of the radar and the scatterers. To examine such issues, experiments were performed offshore of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier in July 2010. Radar measurements in low wind speeds were performed with a dual-polarized high-resolution X-band pulse-Doppler radar at low grazing angles along with two independent measurements of the surface waves using conventional sensors, a GPS-based buoy, and an ultrasonic array. Comparison between radar cross section (RCS) and Doppler modulations shows peak values occurring nearly in-phase, in contrast with tilt modulation theory. Spectral comparisons between Doppler-based and RCS-based spectra show that Doppler-based spectra demonstrate greater sensitivity to swell-induced modulations, whereas RCS-based spectra show greater sensitivity to small-scale modulations (or generally have more noise at high frequency), and they equally capture energy at the wind wave peak. Doppler estimates of peak period were consistent with the conventional sensors, whereas the RCS differed in assignment of peak period to wind seas rather than swell in a couple of cases. Higher order period statistics of both RCS and Doppler were consistent with the conventional sensors. Radar-based significant wave heights are lower than buoy-based values and contain nontrivial variability of ∼33%. Comparisons between HH and VV polarization data show that VV data more accurately represent the wave field, particularly as the wind speeds decrease.
Anti-nuclear antibody positivity and the use of certolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease patients who have had arthralgias or lupus-like reactions from infliximab or adalimumab.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but may lead to anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity and lupus-like reactions. Because of its unique structure, certolizumab has lower rates of these complications. We sought to investigate whether patients who have had lupus-like reactions to infliximab or adalimumab would be able to tolerate certolizumab. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis on the 23 patients at the Roberts Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center who received certolizumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease from March 2008 to June 2009. We identified 6 patients who were switched to this drug because of lupus-like reactions from prior anti-TNF therapy and had documented ANA after the reaction and prior to certolizumab initiation. We then rechecked the ANA status after certolizumab initiation. RESULTS: Five out of 6 patients had a resolution of their arthralgias or lupus-like symptoms after being switched to certolizumab (P < 0.001). Of the 4 patients who were ANA positive after receiving infliximab or adalimumab, 2 became ANA negative after induction with certolizumab (P = 0.17). There was no difference in Harvey Bradshaw index scores (10.3 vs. 9.8) pre-certolizumab and post-certolizumab (P = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Nearly all patients experienced relief from their lupus-like symptoms with certolizumab and 2 out of 4 patients reversed their ANA positivity. While future investigation is warranted, patients who have lupus-like reactions from infliximab or adalimumab may benefit from switching to certolizumab.
The growth of Rauscher erythroleukemia cells is mediated by autocrine production of a factor with biological activity similar to interleukin- 3

Under serum-deprived and chemically defined culture conditions, the growth of Rauscher erythroleukemia cells is mediated by an autocrine mechanism. The growth-promoting activity is produced by fresh or irradiated cells and resembles the activity of interleukin-3 (IL-3) in its ability to sustain colony formation from three of four IL-3-dependent cell lines and to induce formation of granulocyte/macrophage (GM) colonies and, in the presence of erythropoietin (Ep), of erythroid bursts and mixed erythroid colonies. IL-3, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, GM colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), G-CSF, M-CSF, Ep, and media conditioned by concanavalin A-stimulated mouse spleen cells or phytohemagglutinin-stimulated LBRM 33 cells were unable to induce proliferation of the Rauscher erythroleukemia cells. Northern analysis of total and polyA-selected RNA extracted from untreated Rauscher cells or from cells 24 hours after irradiation showed the presence of message for M-CSF but not for IL-3, IL-1, GM-CSF, or G-CSF. The production of IL-6 was excluded by a sensitive bioassay. These results indicate that the autocrine growth of the Rauscher cell line is mediated by a growth factor different from IL-3, but with similar biological activity. Activation of the expression of such a growth factor during viral infection may contribute to the generation of leukemic cells that have the property to grow in vitro and generate Rauscher erythroleukemia cell lines.
Moloney leukemia virus immortalizes B lymphocytes in vitro.

Abstract An in vitro culture system in which Moloney murine leukemia virus induces immortalization of mature B lymphocytes has been developed. The cell lines derived in this way are nontumorigenic, and virus production is not required to sustain them. This system provides a new in vitro model with which to study the stepwise process of transformation by retroviruses lacking oncogenes.
A new hydrogen equation of state for low mass stars

We have developed a new EOS for hydrogen in a temperature and density domain relevant to low mass stars, giant planets, and the outer layers of DA white dwarfs, using the most sophisticated tools presently available in statistical physics. We believe that this EOS incorporates significant improvements over existing equations of state, especially in the intermediate density regime (-3 < log p < 0) and the partial ionization zone (Saumon, Chabrier and Van Horn 1988). Using two sophisticated free energy models, we calculated a critical transition line and a critical point and found that a plasma phase transition might occur in the interior of giant planets (Saumon and Chabrier 1988).
Structure, Expression, and Regulation of the IGF-I Gene

The insulin-like growth factors, IGF-I and IGF-II, are important regulators of growth, differentiation and maintenance of differentiated function (Daughaday and Rotwein, 1989), primarily through activation of the IGF-I receptor, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase (Ullrich et al., 1986). In addition to these typical growth factor-like effects, the IGFs, by virtue of their homology to insulin, and the similarity of the insulin and IGF-I receptors, can also elicit insulin-like metabolic effects. The latter effects are presumably the result of “heterologous” activation of the insulin receptor by the IGFs. As described elsewhere in this volume, the bioavailability and action of the IGFs are modulated by a family of IGF-binding proteins.
A unique graph of minimal elastic energy

Nonlinear functionals that appear as a product of two integrals are considered in the context of elastic curves of variable length. A technique is introduced that exploits the fact that one of the integrals has an integrand independent of the derivative of the unknown. Both the linear and the nonlinear cases are illustrated. By lengthening parameterized curves it is possible to reduce the elastic energy to zero. It is shown here that for graphs this is not the case. Specifically, there is a unique graph of minimal elastic energy among all graphs that have turned 90 degrees after traversing one unit.
Exploring link correlation for efficient flooding in wireless sensor networks

Existing flooding algorithms have demonstrated their effectiveness in achieving communication efficiency and reliability in wireless sensor networks. However, further performance improvement has been hampered by the assumption of link independence, a design premise imposing the need for costly acknowledgements (ACKs) from every receiver. In this paper, we present Collective Flooding (CF), which exploits the link correlation to achieve flooding reliability using the concept of collective ACKs. CF requires only 1-hop information from a sender, making the design highly distributed and scalable with low complexity. We evaluate CF extensively in real-world settings, using three different types of testbeds: a single hop network with 20 MICAz nodes, a multihop network with 37 nodes, and a linear outdoor network with 48 nodes along a 326-meter-long bridge. System evaluation and extensive simulation show that CF achieves the same reliability as the state-of-the art solutions, while reducing the total number of packet transmission and dissemination delay by 30 - 50% and 35 - 50%, respectively.
The cell biology and development of vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cell biology and development of vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons. The most effective neuronal model systems for the study of the cell biology of neuropeptide precursor processing are the magnocellular neurons in the hypothalamo–neurohypophysial system (HNS). The genes that encode the oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) peptides and their associated neurophysin carrier proteins are essentially identical in structure. The chapter discusses the biological value of a localization of peptide precursor processing. Instead of having separate concentrating and packaging mechanisms for each peptide in a precursor, only one mechanism for the precursor would be necessary. The low permeability of the vesicle membrane to H + allows the ATPase in the membrane to generate a pH gradient and an acidic intravesicular environment, which is necessary for the proteolytic processing enzymes. The post-translational modifications of the two peptides are being differentially regulated during development.
Performance evaluation of energy efficient intelligent elevator controllers

Recently, several measures are being taken to conserve energy without degradation in performance. To achieve notable energy savings in elevator systems, in this paper we develop and experimentally test an algorithm. Operation of an elevator can be classified into two modes: running mode and stand-by mode. We design an elevator system capable of energy-saving by manipulating its speed in running mode. Speed is varied based on the difference of load carried and the counter weight. A miniature elevator model is used to carry out the experiments and to collect energy data. The algorithm is tested on different traffic patterns: 1) pre-determined pattern, and 2) random pattern. Voltage and current samples are collected from the miniature elevator model, The final energy data of variable speed system are calculated and compared with energy data of constant speed system. This proposed method results in a 3.715% energy savings for pre-determined traffic pattern and 8.7612% energy savings for random traffic patterns.
Estimating the Thermal Dose From Backscattered RF Echoes

Over the years many different investigators have attempted to estimate the temperature rise resulting from ultrasound exposure in therapy applications. The developed methods typically rely on thermal expansion or temperature related sound speed variations both of which are dependent on tissue type and cannot be known a priori on a patient‐specific basis. We have developed a method to estimate the thermal dose (temperature over time) from the backscattered RF echoes. RF echoes from within the same tissue type can be used to estimate the in vivo local attenuation (assumed to be the same as tissue absorption) as has been shown by other investigators. Similarly, the RF echoes can be compared to reference echoes while assuming a model for the scattering structures to estimate the total attenuation along the propagation path (i.e., the in vivo power spectrum). Hence, the temperature over time can be estimated from the measured in vivo power spectrum and the measured tissue absorption by solving the bioheat equation directly. The estimated thermal dose can then be used to monitor or plan ultrasound therapy on a patient‐specific basis.
Manganese protects against heart mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in rats fed high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

We demonstrated previously that dietary manganese (Mn) deficiency depressed Mn concentrations in most tissues and consistently depressed Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) levels in heart. To examine the functional consequences of these effects, we fed weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12/diet) diets containing 20% (wt/wt) corn oil or 19% menhaden oil + 1% corn oil by weight and 0.75 or 82 mg Mn/kg diet for 2 mo (the fish oil mixture was supplemented with +-(mixed)-α-tocopherol to the level in corn oil). Heart and liver Mn concentrations in the Mn-deficient rats were 56% of those in Mn-adequate rats (P < 0.0001), confirming Mn deficiency. The Mn-deficient rats had more conjugated dienes in heart mitochondria than Mn-adequate rats (P < 0.001) ; rats fed fish oil had more conjugated dienes than those fed corn oil (P < 0.001). The MnSOD activity was inversely correlated with conjugated dienes (r = -0.71, P < 0.005), and Mn-deficient rats had 37% less MnSOD activity in the heart than did Mn-adequate rats (P < 0.0001). The dietary treatments did not affect heart microsomal conjugated diene formation, possibly because of compensation by copper-zinc (CuZn) SOD activity ; CuZnSOD activities were 35% greater in the hearts of Mn-deficient animals (P < 0.01). Liver was less sensitive to Mn deficiency than was the heart as judged by MnSOD activity and conjugated diene formation. This work is the first to demonstrate that dietary Mn protects against in vivo oxidation of heart mitochondrial membranes.
Developing Leadership and Global Professional Engineer Competences in Our Students

In order to properly address the issues of today’s global world, the importance of engineering students acquiring leadership and professional skills has increased tremendously. In fact, leadership is one of the basic pillars for global economic development. By immersing oneself in an engineering organization or honor society, one learns to cultivate a team-work mentality that will be invaluable in the future society. Global engineering organizations, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, have student chapters that offer opportunities to develop those critical leadership skills needed to become an essential asset in the problem solving required to keep the world progressing to its full potential. Throughout this paper, engineering students give the first-person accounts of how becoming a leader within their respective organizations has transformed their undergraduate degree experience. These students have gone on to establish other organizations at Florida Atlantic University that have also enhanced the educational experience of other students and illustrate the importance of emphasizing leadership skills in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics fields.
Dynamic stability of double-curvature composite shells under external blast

Abstract Dynamic pulse buckling of a fully clamped, double-curvature composite shell was examined using Novozhilov non-linear shell theory and Lagrange׳s equations of motion. Predictions of the shell׳s stable transient response were shown to compare well with finite element analysis using ABAQUS Explicit. Critical buckling curves were then computed for a given shell geometry using the Budiansky–Roth criterion. It was shown that the dynamic pulse buckling strength of a shell may be increased by decreasing the radius of curvature of the shell, thereby increasing its angular extent or making it deeper. Higher buckling modes are induced by making the shell deeper, and these are responsible for the increased buckling strength.
A Technique to Predict the Effects of Wear in Keyed Connections

A methodology for predicting the effects of wear on the rotation of a keyed connection subjected to reversing loads is presented. The approach couples an empirical relationship for wear with a finite-element analysis of the connection. Predictions of overall connection rotations as a function of the number of load cycles agreed well with the results obtained from experiments.
OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ATHEROGENESIS AND ARTERIAL THROMBOSIS: THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN CELLULAR STUDIES AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES

Summary. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease for which the molecular etiology of many of the risk factors is still unknown. As no single genetic marker or test accurately predicts cardiovascular death, phenotyping for markers of inflammation may identify the individuals at risk for vascular diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key mediators of signaling pathways that underlie vascular inflammation in atherogenesis, starting from the initiation of fatty streak development through lesion progression to ultimate plaque rupture. Various animal models of atherosclerosis support the notion that ROS released from NAD(P)H oxidases, xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenases, and enhanced ROS production from dysfunctional mitochondrial respiratory chain indeed have a causatory role in atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases. Human investigations also support the oxidative stress hypothesis of atherogenesis. This is further supported by the observed impairment of vascular function and enhanced atherogenesis in animal models that have deficiencies in antioxidant enzymes. The importance of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis is further emphasized because of its role as a unifying mechanism across many vascular diseases. The main contraindicator for the role oxidative stress plays in atherosclerosis is the lack of effectiveness of antioxidants in reducing primary endpoints of cardiovascular death and morbidity. However, this lack of effectiveness by itself does not negate the existence or causatory role of oxidative stress in vascular disease. Lack of proven markers of oxidative stress, which could help to identify a subset of population that can benefit from antioxidant supplementation, and the complexity and subcellular localization of redox reactions, are among the factors responsible for the mixed outcomes in the use of antioxidants for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. To better understand the role of oxidative stress in vascular diseases, future studies should be aimed at using advances in mouse and human genetics to define oxidative stress phenotypes and link phenotype with genotype.
Expanding identifiers to normalize source code vocabulary

Maintaining modern software requires significant tool support. Effective tools exploit a variety of information and techniques to aid a software maintainer. One area of recent interest in tool development exploits the natural language information found in source code. Such Information Retrieval (IR) based tools compliment traditional static analysis tools and have tackled problems, such as feature location, that otherwise require considerable human effort. To reap the full benefit of IR-based techniques, the language used across all software artifacts (e.g., requirements, design, change requests, tests, and source code) must be consistent. Unfortunately, there is a significant proportion of invented vocabulary in source code. Vocabulary normalization aligns the vocabulary found in the source code with that found in other software artifacts. Most existing work related to normalization has focused on splitting an identifier into its constituent parts. The next step is to expand each part into a (dictionary) word that matches the vocabulary used in other software artifacts. Building on a successful approach to splitting identifiers, an implementation of an expansion algorithm is presented. Experiments on two systems find that up to 66% of identifiers are correctly expanded, which is within about 20% of the current system's best-case performance. Not only is this performance comparable to previous techniques, but the result is achieved in the absence of special purpose rules and not limited to restricted syntactic contexts. Results from these experiments also show the impact that varying levels of documentation (including both internal documentation such as the requirements and design, and external, or user-level, documentation) have on the algorithm's performance.
CAD OF A SOLAR ABSORPTION AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

This paper describes a pilot interactive computer program used by midshipmen in the early phases of design of a solar absorption air conditioning system. The model has been made as simple as possible without losing the fundamental relationships of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer theories. The interactive program provides enough information to allow users to evaluate and design their own solar absorption air conditioning units.
Characterization of the Xenopus Hox 2.4 gene and identification of control elements in its intron.

We report on the Xenopus ho- molog of the Hox 2.4 gene. This gene occupies the next to 5'-most position in the Xenopus Hox 2 com- plex. Hox 2.4 RNA is first detected at the early neurula stage, reaching a peak at the early tailbud stage, and is localized in the middle and posterior portions of the embryos. Antibodies raised against a fusion protein show expression of Hox 2.4 protein in Xenopus embryos in a band located in the mid spinal cord. Thus, the protein is ex- pressed in a narrower domain than that of Hox 2.4 mRNA. The Xenopus Hox 2.4 antibody cross-re- acts readily with mouse embryonic tissue, where the protein is detected in migrating neural crest cells, the dorsal portion of the spinal cord, somites, lateral plate mesoderm, and in the fore- limb bud. The Xenopus Hox 2.4 intron shares con- siderable sequence identity with the intron in the mouse homolog. A reporter gene containing an el- ement from this intron which can bind homeo- domain proteins is activated following microinjec- tion into Xenopus embryos. The short distance between the end of the Hox 2.4 cDNA and the start site of the neighboring gene in the complex raises the possibility that this transcriptional element might be shared by two Hox genes. 0 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Expression of P-glycoprotein, encoded by MDR 1 gene, a metabolically active efflux pump in murine mast cells

Mast cell line (MC/9) derived from normal murine liver was examined for the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the level of protein with C-219 and JSB-1 monoclonal antibodies, using flow cytometry and Western blot, and at the level of mRNA by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The function of P-gp was analyzed by the accumulation and efflux of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) in the presence or absence of cyclosporin A (CSA) and a non-immunosuppressive analog of CSA (CSA-1). P-gp both at the protein and mRNA levels was expressed in mast cells. Intracellular accumulation of Rh123, in the presence of CSA and CSA-1 was significantly greater than in their absence. Furthermore, both CSA and CSA-1 inhibited Rh123 efflux from mast cells. These data suggest the presence of a functionally active P-gp in mast cells. A possible physiologic role for P-gp in the secretion of certain mediators/cytokines from mast cells is suggested.
Isolation and characterization of a gene encoding DNA topoisomerase I in Drosophila melanogaster

We synthesized a DNA probe specific for the gene encoding eucaryotic DNA topoisomerase I by the polymerase chain reaction. The sequences of the primers for this reaction were deduced from the regions with extensive homology among the enzymes from the fission and budding yeasts, and the human. From the clones isolated by screening a Drosophila cDNA library with this DNA probe, two cDNA clones of 3.8 and 5.2 kb were characterized and completely sequenced. Both cDNA sequences contain an identical open reading frame for 972 amino acid residues. The 3.8 kb messenger RNA is likely generated by using a polyadenylation site 5' upstream to that used in generating the 5.2 kb mRNA. The predicted amino acid sequence shows that a segment of 420 amino acid residues at the amino terminus is hydrophilic, similar to the amino terminal 200 residues in the yeast and human enzymes. Furthermore, the Drosophila enzyme is unique in that the amino terminal 200 residues are enriched in serine and histidine residues; most of them are present in clusters. The rest of the Drosophila sequence is highly homologous to those from yeast and human enzymes. The evolutionarily conserved residues are identified and are likely the critical elements for the structure and function of this enzyme. A plasmid vector containing the cloned cDNA was constructed for the expression of Drosophila protein in Escherichia coli. The enzymatic and immunochemical analysis of the polypeptide produced in this heterologous expression system demonstrated that the expressed protein shares similar enzymatic properties and antigenic epitopes with DNA topoisomerase I purified from Drosophila embryos or tissue culture cells, thus establishing the bacterial expression system being useful for the future structure/function analysis of the Drosophila enzyme.
Assessment of the quality of as-is building information models generated from point clouds using deviation analysis

Three dimensional (3D) imaging sensors, such as laser scanners, are being used to create building information models (BIMs) of the as-is conditions of buildings and other facilities. Quality assurance (QA) needs to be conducted to ensure that the models accurately depict the as-is conditions. We propose a new approach for QA that analyzes patterns in the raw 3D data and compares the 3D data with the as-is BIM geometry to identify potential errors in the model. This "deviation analysis" approach to QA enables users to analyze the regions with significant differences between the 3D data and the reconstructed model or between the 3D data of individual laser scans. This method can help identify the sources of errors and does not require additional physical access to the facility. To show the approach's potential effectiveness, we conducted case studies of several professionally conducted as-is BIM projects. We compared the deviation analysis method to an alternative method - the physical measurement approach - in terms of errors detected and coverage. We also conducted a survey and evaluation of commercial software with relevant capabilities and identified technology gaps that need to be addressed to fully exploit the deviation analysis approach.
Engineering product storage under the advanced fuel cycle initiative. Part I: An iterative thermal transport modeling scheme for high-heat-generating radioactive storage forms

The US Department of Energy is developing an integrated nuclear fuel cycle technology under its Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI). Under the AFCI, waste minimization is stressed. Engineered product storage materials will be required to store concentrated radioactive cesium, strontium, americium, and curium for periods of tens to hundreds of years. The fabrication of such engineered products has some precedence but the concept is largely novel. We thus present a theoretical model used to calculate the maximum radial dimensions of right cylinder storage forms under several scenarios. Maximum dimensions are small, comparable to nuclear fuel pins in some cases, to avoid centerline melting temperatures; this highlights the need for a careful strategy for engineered product storage fabrication and storage.
Dynamic Process of Generator Self-Excitation Considering the Load in Power Grid

The dynamic process analysis of the generator self-excitation was proposed in this paper, considering the effect of the active power load in the isolated system. Firstly, generator self-excitation generation mechanism was introduced in this paper. Then, with a simple analysis system, two situations, which include the undercompensation system and the over compensation system, are discussed to analyze the dynamic process of the generator self-excitation phenomenon. Analysis results show that when there is the active power load in the isolated power system, the rotate speed of the generator in this system can be limited after the load rejection faults occurrence in system. Therefore, the overvoltage of the system caused by self-excitation can be limited obviously. Hence, the equipment in the system can be protected.
Delay time between onset of ischemic stroke and hospital arrival

Some current experimental protocols for acute ischemic stroke require the initiation of treatment within hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. We prospectively evaluated 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke based on clinical and computed tomography findings. The time between the onset of stroke symptoms and arrival in the emergency room and subsequently on the stroke service was determined. Within 3, 6,12, and 24 h of the onset of stroke symptoms, 16 (53%), 19 (63%), 22 (73%), and 25 (83%) patients had arrived at the emergency room and 0 (0%), 4 (13%), 14 (47%), and 22 (73%) of them on the stroke service, respectively. From the onset of stroke symptoms, the mean arrival time to the emergency room was 24 h (range, 30 min to 144 h) and to the stroke service was 61 h (range, 4–150 h). The mean time between arrival in the emergency room and stroke service was 8.6 h (range, 0–47 h). Even though 53% and 63% of our patients arrived at the emergency room within 3 and 6 h of the onset of stroke symptoms, only 0% and 13% of them arrived on the stroke service within the same time period for the initiation of treatment, respectively. Thus, in order for more patients to qualify for current experimental protocols, they must arrive on the stroke service more quickly or treatment must be initiated in the emergency room.
Decennial Life Tables for the White Population of the United States, 1790–1900

This article constructs new life tables for the white population of the United States in each decade between 1790 and 1900. Drawing from several recent studies, it suggests best estimates of life expectancy at age 20 for each decade. These estimates are fitted to new standards derived from the 1900-02 rural and 1900-02 overall DRA life tables using a two-parameter logit model with fixed slope. The resulting decennial life tables more accurately represent sex-and age-specific mortality rates while capturing known mortality trends.
Inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene-induced bone marrow micronuclei formation by diallyl thioethers in mice.

Diallyl thioethers (DATEs), naturally occurring compounds present in garlic, were investigated for their putative ability to inhibit benzo[a]pyrene‐induced genotoxicity in ICR and C3H strains of mice. The mouse bone marrow micronudeus assay was used as an indicator of in vivo genotoxicity. A dose of 0.67 mmol total DATEs/kg body weight inhibited formation of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCEs) by 24%, and 0.33 mmol DATEs inhibited formation of MPCEs by 45%. Possibly the toxicity of DATEs accounted for less inhibition with the higher dose. Formation of MPCEs were inhibited only slightly by DATEs in C3H mice. These results indicate that the mouse bone marrow micronudeus assay can be used to identify organosulfur components of garlic that inhibit genotoxicity.
A simple model for high fluence ultra-short pulsed laser metal ablation

The ultra-short laser metal ablation is a very complex process, the complete simulation of which requires applications of complicated hydrodynamics or molecular dynamics models, which, however, are often time-consuming and difficult to apply. For many practical applications, where the laser ablation depth is the main concern, a simplified model that is easy to apply but at the same time can also provide reasonably accurate predictions of ablation depth is very desirable. Such a model has been developed and presented in this paper, which has been found to be applicable for laser pulse duration up to 10 ps based on comparisons of model predictions with experimental measurements.
Adapting existing grammars: the XLE experience

We report on the XLE parser and grammar development platform (Maxwell and Kaplan, 1993) and describe how a basic Lexical Functional Grammar for English has been adapted to two different corpora (newspaper text and copier repair tips).
Large scale isolation of genes as DNA fragment lengths by continuous elution electrophoresis through an agarose matrix.

A simple procedure for the isolation of genes as DNA fragment lengths is described. By using a commercial continuous elution protein electrophoresis apparatus and incorporating an agarose matrix, preparative scale amounts (300 μg) of DNA can be purified by fragment lengths from a mixture of genomic fragment lengths with high recovery yields. Fractions corresponding to unique fragment length ranges are screened for individual genes by dot-blot analysis. Using this technique, we have isolated two genes: PGK1, a single copy housekeeping gene; and p53 (exons 3–11), a tumor suppressor gene, whose DNA fragment lengths elute at 4 and 7.5 kbp, respectively, from a single preparative run. As an example of the utility of the technique, we applied it to improving the sensitivity of the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LMPCR) — a nucleic acid amplification technique used for the detection and mapping of DNA damage along genes. By eliminating excess nontargeted genomic DNA, the agarose matrix continuous elution electrophoresis (CEE) procedure provided a 24-fold increase in signal strength attributable to base damage caused by exposing DNA to reactive oxygen species. Genomic DNA fragment length purification by agarose matrix CEE should also prove useful in other research areas requiring gene isolation, such as genomics and molecular biology.
Regulation of tryptophan hydroxylase expression by a retinal circadian oscillator in vitro

Many aspects of retinal physiology are controlled by a circadian clock including at least two steps in the melatonin synthetic pathway: the activity of the enzyme, N-acetyltransferase (NAT), and mRNA levels of the rate-limiting enzyme trytophan hydroxylase (TPH). Light and dopamine (through D2-like dopamine receptors) can phase shift the clock, and can also acutely inhibit NAT activity, resulting in supressed melatonin synthesis. In this paper, we show that eyecups cultured in constant darkness maintain a clock-controlled rhythm in TPH mRNA, with low levels in early day, rising to a peak in early night. Both eyecups and isolated retinas, cultured in light during the day, also exhibit a similar increase in TPH mRNA levels, indicating that this expression is not acutely inhibited by light. Treatment with light or quinpirole (D2 dopamine receptor agonist) in early night, at a time and dose that acutely inhibits NAT activity, does not change levels of TPH mRNA. Addition of eticlopride (D2 dopamine receptor antagonist) during the day, also has no effect on the normal daytime increase in TPH message levels. Therefore, TPH mRNA level is controlled by a circadian clock located within the eye, but acute effects of light or dopamine are not detected.
The personalities of short people.

Pilot studies indicated that taller females obtained higher scores on a measure of the Type A personality found in those prone to heart attacks and that both males and females showed an association between height and ectomorph~ scores, with taller subjects being more ectomorphi~.~ The present study was designed to replicate these pilot data and to see whether self-esteem mediated the relationship between height and ectomorphy. With ages of 18 and 22 yr. 36 males and 62 females in an introductory psychology course were given a measure of Type A personality (Goldberg, 1978) and a measure of self-esteem (Rosenbaum, 1966). Ectomorphy scores were calculated for each subject by dividing their self-reported height by the cube root of their self-reported s eight.^ Type A personality was not related to height in the males ( r = 0.09, n = 36) or the females ( r = -0.10, n = 62). Although height was related to ectomorphy scores in the hypothesized direction ( r = 0.24, one-tailed p = 0.08 for males; s = 0.33, p = 0.004 for females), partial correlation coefficients between height and ectomorphy conuolling for self-esteem did not change the pattern of the associations. Dividing the subjects into those with high and those with low self-esteem by means of a median split .did not change the nature of the associations. It appears that taller subjects in general have higher ectomorphy scores. There was no evidence that shorter people tend to put on excessive weight in order to compensate for feelings of low self-esteem.
Release of endogenous GABA can occur through Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent processes

Release of ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can be elicited by electrical field stimulation even in the absence of external Ca(2+). Indeed, the release of GABA under such conditions is even higher than in the presence of Ca(2+). To investigate the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, the release of endogenous GABA from rat striatal slices was measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electro- chemical detection. Electrical stimulation at 2 Hz for 3 min elevated GABA efflux by 4.5-fold. Withdrawing external Ca(2+) and adding 1 mM EGTA produced a small, transient increase in the basal efflux of GABA and increased electrically-evoked overflow 3-fold. Tetrodotoxin (5 ?M) did not affect basal efflux in either normal or Ca(2+)-free conditions, but abolished electrically-evoked release. In the presence of normal Ca(2+), nipecotic acid (1 mM) enhanced both spontaneous efflux and evoked overflow. Nipecotic acid also increased spontaneous release when external Ca(2+) was removed. However, in the absence of Ca(2+), nipecotic acid failed to increase electrically evoked GABA overflow. These results suggest that there exists a Ca(2+)-independent process for GABA release via the same carrier system that is utilized for high affinity GABA uptake.
Chrysomya megacephala (F.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) collected in North America and notes on Chrysomya species present in the New World.

Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) were collected in La Paz, Baja California in February 1987. This is the first record for the former species in North America and for the latter species in that state of Mexico. The status of Chrysomya spp. in the New World is discussed.
The Physiology of Gastrocystoplasty: Once a Stomach, Always a Stomach

AbstractTo determine the physiology of acid secretion after gastrocystoplasty with the body of the stomach we performed a prospective standardized 3-day study in 13 children (median age 12.5 years) who had undergone bladder augmentation/replacement (median postoperative period 2 years). Urinary pH and titratable acid, and serum gastrin levels were measured after gastric distention with a meal and bladder distention with urethral filling at baseline and after medication with a histamine-2 receptor antagonist or an anticholinergic agent. Five children underwent cystoscopy and biopsy of the gastric and native segments of the gastrocystoplasty.In the fasting state pH was neutral, there was no titratable acid in the urine and serum gastrin level was normal in all cases. After a meal urinary acid secretion and serum gastrin level increased markedly. After each medication half of the patients demonstrated marked inhibition of urinary acid secretion after a meal while response was partial in the remainder. In non...