cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Epidemiology of Pediatric Chronic Pain

Chronic pain has a substantial adverse impact on the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents, resulting in significantly worse physical functioning, psychological functioning, social functioning, lower satisfaction with life, and poorer self-perceived health status (Merlijn et al. 2006; Palermo 2000; Palermo et al. 2008). The current Pediatric Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (PedIMMPACT) has accordingly recommended that investigators conducting pediatric clinical trials in chronic and recurrent pain consider assessing not only pain intensity but also physical function, emotional function, role function, other condition-related symptoms and adverse events, global judgment of satisfaction with treatment, sleep, and economic factors (www.immpact.org) (McGrath et al. 2008).
MR Imaging in Patients with Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers unparalleled soft tissue contrast resolution, direct multiplanar imaging capabilities, and high-spatial resolution, allowing for reproducible, accurate preoperative diagnosis of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) abnormalities. The UCL of the elbow may be injured acutely or as a result of chronic repetitive valgus stress. MRI of the injured and the reconstructed UCL is discussed, with reference to associated findings in the setting of acute UCL injury and chronic valgus extension overload.
Variations on Quantum Ergodic Theorems

We derive some quantum ergodic theorems, related to microlocal behavior of eigenfunctions of a positive, self-adjoint, elliptic pseudodifferential operator Λ on a compact Riemannian manifold M, emphasizing results that hold without the hypothesis that the Hamiltonian flow generated by the symbol of Λ be ergodic. Cases treated include both integrable Hamiltonians and some associated with “soft chaos.”
The Upward Migration of Self-Convecting Magma Bodies

A magma body existing in an upper mantle containing a small percentage of partial melt should be subject to internal convection. The presence of partial melt means that the matrix follows closely the temperature gradient versus pressure, or depth, of the mantle solidus. This gradient is several times the adiabatic gradient of a mixed magma body, and the difference is available to drive convection. A magma body rising by Stokes drift in a viscous upper mantle at 0.1 m y-1 would contain 11 km3. If thermal convection were dominant, the body would elongate vertically and migrate upward at 18 m y-1 by melting material off the top and crystallising it at the bottom. However, in a chemically inhomogeneous system, the process of dissolving an unlike solid off the top is limited by chemical diffusion and the convection behaves as chemically driven. For olivine dissolving into dry basalt the upward velocity drops to 0.16 m y-1, taking 0.7 My to traverse 100 km.
HUMAN RIGHTS IN LIGHT OF CHILDREN: A CHRISTIAN CHILDIST PERSPECTIVE

(2007). HUMAN RIGHTS IN LIGHT OF CHILDREN: A CHRISTIAN CHILDIST PERSPECTIVE. Journal of Pastoral Theology: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 54-67.
Colonoscopy screening among US adults aged 40 or older with a family history of colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION Colonoscopy screening reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. CRC screening is recommended at age 50 for average-risk people. Screening of first-degree relatives of CRC patients is recommended to begin at age 40 or 10 years before the age at diagnosis of the youngest relative diagnosed with CRC. CRC incidence has increased recently among younger Americans while it has declined among older Americans. The objective of this study was to determine whether first-degree relatives of CRC patients are being screened according to recommended guidelines. METHODS We studied colonoscopy screening rates among the US population reporting a CRC family history using 2005 and 2010 National Health Interview Survey data. RESULTS Of 26,064 study-eligible respondents, 2,470 reported a CRC family history; of those with a family history, 45.6% had a colonoscopy (25.2% in 2005 and 65.8% 2010). The colonoscopy rate among first-degree relatives aged 40 to 49 in 2010 (38.3%) was about half that of first-degree relatives aged 50 or older (69.7%). First-degree relatives were nearly twice as likely as nonfirst-degree relatives to have a colonoscopy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-1.9), but those aged 40 to 49 were less likely to have a colonoscopy than those in older age groups (AOR, 2.6 for age 50-64; AOR, 3.6 for age ≥65). Interactions with age, insurance, and race/ethnicity were not significant. Having health insurance tripled the likelihood of screening. CONCLUSION Despite a 5-fold increase in colonoscopy screening rates since 2005, rates among first-degree relatives younger than the conventional screening age have lagged. Screening promotion targeted to this group may halt the recent rising trend of CRC among younger Americans.
Formation of recurring slope lineae by liquid brines on present‐day Mars

[1] Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) are small scale seasonal flow features identified by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter that present several interesting characteristics such as an albedo contrast, seasonal dependence, and a strong preference for equator-facing slopes. All of these characteristics strongly suggest a thermally driven mechanism such as a liquid triggered or dominated flow. Here we investigate the possibility that these features are formed by melting of brines of various compositions via a combination of thermodynamic and kinetic numerical models. Results suggest that a solution with a freezing temperature of ∼223 K can best reproduce the observed seasonality. Relatively high surface evaporation rates at the RSL locations make the flows quickly disappear over a single season. Our model reproduces well the seasonality of RSL and can explain the preference for equator-facing slopes suggesting that brine flows, and therefore liquids, are possible on a small time and space scale today on Mars. However, if the RSL are indeed formed by brines, it may indicate that a recharge mechanism is active in order to maintain a source of brine over even short geological timescales, which would have important implications for the Martian water cycle.
Welfare, Low-Income Women and Access to Higher Education: The State of Policy in the States

In advance of hearings on the renewal of Welfare Reform legislation scheduled for the fall of 2001, welfare and higher education advocates from around the country gathered data, drafted proposals and prepared to make the case for maintaining or even increasing access to college for women on welfare. Welfare Reform and access to higher education has yet to be fully debated before Congress during the Bush Administration, however, groups at the local level continue to organize and advocate and programs continue to be developed and implemented. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that completing a degree has a long-term, positive effect on the economic well-being of low income women and their families and virtually assures that she will never require public assistance again. Reflecting their role as “laboratories of democracy,” welfare and higher education programs at the state level varied from the gold standard of permissiveness in Maine under the Parents as Scholars program, to other states which denied virtually any access to higher education for public assistance recipients. Welfare and higher education advocates in New York City fought with only limited success to convince the administration to allow class and study time to count as required participation in work under Welfare to Work programs. Currently at least two years of higher education is permissible while receiving public assistance, although the Welfare Rights Initiative organization at City University’s Hunter College helps students learn to navigate the City’s compliance rules and proceedings should students wish to continue beyond an associate’s degree. This paper examines the status of Welfare Reform and higher education policy in the states and explores the extent to which innovation has continued at the state level and local level in the wake of recent changes in Federal rules.
Evaluation of sinus node automaticity and sinoatrial conduction in children with normal and abnormal sinus node function

Sinus node recovery time (SNRT) and sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) were determined in each of 28 children. Eighteen children (ages 2 to 14 years) had electrocardiographically normal sinus node function and served as controls. Ten children (ages 4 to 13 years) had electrocardiographic evidence of sinus node dysfunction, consisting of inappropriate sinus bradycardia, periods of sinus arrest or sinoatrial exit block. Mean control SNRT was 133% of the sinus cycle length with an upper normal limit of 151% (mean + 2 SD). Control SACTs ranged from 45-105 ms with mean and mean + 2 SD values of 71 ms und 105 ms. In the patients with SND, SNRTs averaged 168% and five patients had abnormally prolonged values of 158 to 256%. Mean SACT was 101 ms with four children having values greater than 105 ms. Seven of the 10 patients with SND had at least one electrophysiologic abnormality. This study defines normal sinoatrial conduction in children and validates the data by demonstrating a close correlation with similar data obtained from adult populations. Although abnormal electrophysiologic data confirms the presence of sinus node dysfunction, normal values for SNRT and SACT do not insure normal sinus node function.
Management of the parents of the chronically ill child.

With advances in modern medicine, changes occurred in pediatric practice which placed broadened responsibilities on the pediatrician. Parents turn increasingly to the child's doctor for guidance concerning the physical and emotional aspects of development. Hospitals function as diagnostic and surgical centers and the medical wards become populated with chronically and lethally ill children, while the child who is admitted for acute illness is usually severely sick. All these changes brought the pediatrician into more intimate contact with the parents. Now he is faced not only with the recognition of the parent's emotional reactions to the child's illness but with the realization of his own important role in helping the family. This understanding exerts pressure on him to re-examine his own reactions to parents and to illness and death.
Modeling and simulation of inverter-fed induction motors using the natural ABC frame of reference

A time-domain equivalent network model is presented, in the natural ABC frame of reference, for computer-aided prediction of the performance of DC source-inverter fed induction motor systems and verified experimentally. The choice of this frame of reference for stator representation facilitates the integration of the machine and the electronic DC source-inverter models into one global equivalent network for the entire system. This model is most suited for the propulsion and actuation class of drives in which induction motors may substitute for brushless DC motors as prime movers. The model was used to simulate the performance of a 204 V, 1/3 hp, 60 Hz, 8-pole induction motor-inverter system, and the results were verified by test results obtained in the laboratory. The model was applied to a 440 V, 15 hp, 60 Hz, 8-pole induction motor-inverter system for purposes of evaluating the effects of 180 degrees e and 120 degrees e inverter conduction periods on the currents and torque profiles of the drive system. >
A Hybrid Approach to Efficiency Measurement with Empirical Illustrations from Education and Health

Inefficiency is commonplace, yet exercises aimed at improving provider performance efforts to date to measure inefficiency and use it in benchmarking exercises have not been altogether satisfactory. This paper proposes a new approach that blends the themes of Data Envelopment Analysis and the Stochastic Frontier Approach to measure overall efficiency. The hybrid approach nonparametrically estimates inefficiency by comparing actual performance with comparable real-life "best practice" on the frontier and could be useful in exercises aimed at improving providerperformance. Four applications in the education and health sectors are used to illustrate the features and strengths of this hybrid approach.
A bilinear stress–strain relationship for arteries

A comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of blood vessels is essential for vascular physiology, pathophysiology and tissue engineering. A well-known approach to study the elasticity of blood vessels is to postulate a strain energy function such as the exponential or polynomial forms. It is typically difficult to fit experimental data to derive material parameters for blood vessels, however, due to the highly nonlinear nature of the stress-strain relation. In this work, we generalize the strain definition to absorb the elastic nonlinearity and then propose a two-dimensional bilinear stress-strain relation between second Piola-Kirchhoff stress and the new strain measure. The model is found to represent the Fung's exponential model very well. The novel linearized constitutive relation simplifies the determination of material constants by reducing the nonlinearity and provides a clearer physical interpretation of the model parameters. The limitations of the constitutive model and its implications for vascular mechanics are discussed.
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER IN THE PARENTS OF HYPERACTIVE BOYS AND THOSE WITH CONDUCT DISORDER

SUMMARY Psychiatric diagnoses were made on parents of 126 boys attending a child psychiatric clink with information from structured interviews. Antisocial personality and alcoholism were commoner in natural fathers of aggressive, antisocial boys than in fathers of the remaining boys but the prevalence of these disorders did not distinguish fathers of hyperactive boys from fathers of those who were not hyperactive. The failure to find any association between parental disorder and hyperactivity argues against the specificity of the relationships between hyperactivity in children and alcoholism, antisocial personality and hysteria in their relatives which were discovered in earlier family studies.
The tradition of advocacy in the Yoruba courts

Studies in African styles of advocacy are difficult to find although Africa maintains the longest history of such traditions dating from the writings of Khun‐anup and Ptahhotep. The Yoruba of Nigeria have developed an extensive system of advocacy based on the idea of group consensus. This paper explores how Yoruba people argue their cases and find harmony out of a context of disputations.
Iron deficiency in female athletes: its prevalence and impact on performance.

The prevalence of iron deficiency and its impact on performance have not been adequately investigated in non-endurance athletes. This study evaluated these factors in 100 female intercollegiate athletes in various sports, and in 66 non-athletes. All subjects had determinations of hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation. Athletes reported on diet, menses, and symptoms. Athletes and coaches described mood and performance. Iron-deficient athletes were treated with iron; others received placebo. The same data were collected at season's end. Initially 31/100 (31%) athletes had iron deficiency (ferritin less than 12 ng.ml-1; transferrin saturation less than 16%, or both) compared to 30/66 (45.5%) controls (not statistically significant). Compared to normal athletes, iron-deficient athletes did not have more symptoms of iron deficiency or differences in mood state, but they considered their performance to be worse (P less than 0.05). Their total iron intakes were similar, as were menstrual blood losses. At re-evaluation, 7/45 (15.6%) initially normal athletes were iron-deficient; 14/22 (63.6%) initially iron-deficient athletes were normal. Athletes receiving an iron supplement and their coaches did not report a greater improvement in performance or mood than athletes receiving a placebo. Female college athletes frequently had iron deficiency that could be successfully treated during the season, while some untreated normal athletes became iron-deficient. Iron deficiency and its treatment had no significant impact on symptoms or mood, but affected subjective assessment of performance.
Staining reactions of protoplasm and its formed components. A cytological and biochemical study

Chemical analyses of the lipoids in fresh and autolyzed pancreas of the cat have been correlated with the staining reactions of sections of this organ preserved by three cytological methods. Quantities of total fats and of phospholipins, the iodine numbers of total fats and of phospholipins, and the free fatty acid numbers were determined. None of the methods of fixation used reveals the total fat content of the tissue. The intensity of staining of material fixed by Helly's method and stained with acid fuchsin is dependent on the phospholipins of the tissue, but the exact nature of the relationship is not certain. The intensity of staining of material preserved by Champy's method and stained with acid fuchsin can be correlated with the iodine number of the phospholipins of the cells. The degree of blackness of sections preserved by the Kolatchev-Nassonov method can be correlated with the iodine number of the phospholipins of the cells. The free fatty acid content is probably also a significant factor. The methods demonstrate lipoids qualitatively rather than quantitatively. Only physiologically similar cells may justifiably be compared by the cytological methods studied.
Cloning and characterization of complementary DNA encoding human N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase protein

Abstract Endothelial cells express erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) and are responsive to erythropoietin (Epo). Upon ligand binding, EpoR activates multiple signaling cascades. Identification of genes expressed in response to Epo is important for understanding the molecular nature of the signals. Applying the differential display approach, an effective method for analysis of gene expression, we identified five differentially expressed mRNAs. In this study, we cloned human N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase from a human microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC ) cDNA library using one of the differentially expressed fragments as a probe. The nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis of the longest clone displayed a 2 kb cDNA fragment and encodes a protein of ∼542 amino acids with a predicted MW of ∼60 kDa. Northern blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed an upregulation of the N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase mRNA after 2 h of stimulation of cells with Epo. This gene was shown to be variably expressed in human tissues and is located on chromosome 6. These studies demonstrate that the expression of N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase mRNA responds to cytokines, and the presence of a 10 aa motif similar to the putative active site of several hexose-phosphate mutases provides a basis for future studies of the role of this gene in the regulation of Epo-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation.
(11SR,13RS)‐12‐Oxa‐9‐azatetracyclo[7.4.1.02,7.011,13]tetradeca‐2(7),3,5‐trien‐8‐one

The title compound, C13H13NO2, was prepared by the epoxidation of its racemic precursor. Its structure was determined in order to establish which of two diastereomers would be favored in that reaction and in other reactions of inter­est. The presence of inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions was considered probable, although H-atom positions were not refined. These inter­actions link the mol­ecules into a two-dimensional network.
WE‐C‐AUD A‐04: Beyond FMEA: Summary and Future Developments

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a useful tool for deepening understanding of the radiation therapy (RT) delivery process flow and for identifying specific process steps that are likely to result in patient harm in the event of errors. Developing an RT process tree can in itself can lead to improved efficiency and safety. FMEA encourages the treatment delivery team to view RT delivery holistically, as it requires the team not only to catalogue possible errors at each process tree step, but to assess their frequency, clinical impact, and potential for propagation without detection into downstream processes. Thus, an FMEA helps focus physics attention on relatively low probability process errors with potential for inflicting catastrophic harm on patients. The AAPM FMEA IMRT analysis raises many questions and issues: 1. How much benefit can a clinic derive from a model FMEA developed for a generic process tree compared to taking their own treatment delivery team through FMEA of their specific process? 2. FMEA gives limited insight into causes of errors; correlation or propagation of errors into other steps; or how to modify a process in order to mitigate errors. 3. FMEA ranks possible errors in order of risk (RPN) to the patient under the artificial assumption that no QA is being performed. The impact of QA tests chosen to address a high RPN error mechanism on remaining risk rankings is not accounted for. A number of other risk assessment strategies for improving QA cost-effectiveness and robustness should be investigated. (a) Formal engineering tools such as fault-tree analysis, probabilistic risk assessment, and human error classification schemes all start with observed treatment delivery errors or near misses. Such techniques seek uncover the detailed mechanism of the event, its causal relationships to other events, and seek to assign root causes. (b) Sensitivity of the process outcome (e.g., dose delivery accuracy) to system parameters (e.g., MLC leaf-gap calibration) monitored by QC tests. Such analyses may provide a rational basis for assigning tolerances and action levels to device QC test outcomes. (c) Statistical process control techniques for identifying optimal QC test frequencies and action levels. (d) Multidisciplinary forums for developing QA guidance that bring together representatives of all constituencies impacted by RT QA and delivery errors, including radiation oncologists, vendors, and therapists as well as physicists. Educational Objectives: 1. To understand the potential clinical applications and value of FMEA in designing safe and robust RT processes. 2. To appreciate the limitations of FMEA especially an analysis developed by a consensus panel using a generic process tree. 3. To assess audience feedback on possible future directions of the TG-100 work. 4. To review the potential costs and benefits of additional industrial engineering QM tools for more detailed and specific followup analysis of FMEA findings.
Entry mode research: Past and future

Abstract What has been done in the entry mode literature to date and where should future research in this field proceed? To answer this question, we review empirical studies in international entry mode research between the years 1980 and 2006. We identify key publication outlets and articles, leading researchers, major theoretical and methodological approaches, sample characteristics, and primary variables of interest that exist in the entry mode literature. We also highlight gaps in the literature and provide guidance for future research efforts. While entry mode research has advanced significantly over the past few decades, numerous questions remain unexplained. For example, our review suggests that researchers should begin to concentrate on the other side of the equation, that is, what happens once entry mode choice has been made. This provides fertile ground for continued development in entry mode research.
forestSV: structural variant discovery through statistical learning

A machine learning–based structural-variant discovery approach that incorporates prior knowledge shows high sensitivity and specificity even on single genomes. Detecting genomic structural variants from high-throughput sequencing data is a complex and unresolved challenge. We have developed a statistical learning approach, based on Random Forests, that integrates prior knowledge about the characteristics of structural variants and leads to improved discovery in high-throughput sequencing data. The implementation of this technique, forestSV, offers high sensitivity and specificity coupled with the flexibility of a data-driven approach.
Effect of membrane tension on the physical properties of DOPC lipid bilayer membrane

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations of a dioleoylphosphocholine (DOPC) lipid bilayer were performed to explore its mechanosensitivity. Variations in the bilayer properties, such as area per lipid, volume, thickness, hydration depth (HD), hydration thickness (HT), lateral diffusion coefficient, and changes in lipid structural order were computed in the membrane tension range 0 to 15 dyn/cm. We determined that an increase in membrane tension results in a decrease in the bilayer thickness and HD of ~ 5% and ~ 5.7% respectively, whereas area per lipid, volume, and HT/HD increased by 6.8%, 2.4%, and 5% respectively. The changes in lipid conformation and orientation were characterized using orientational (S2) and deuterium (SCD) order parameters. Upon increase of membrane tension both order parameters indicated an increase in lipid disorder by 10–20%, mostly in the tail end region of the hydrophobic chains. The effect of membrane tension on lipid lateral diffusion in the DOPC bilayer was analyzed on three different time scales corresponding to inertial motion, anomalous diffusion and normal diffusion. The results showed that lateral diffusion of lipid molecules is anomalous in nature due to the non-exponential distribution of waiting times. The anomalous and normal diffusion coefficients increased by 20% and 52% when the membrane tension changed from 0 to 15 dyn/cm, respectively. In conclusion, our studies showed that membrane tension causes relatively significant changes in the area per lipid, volume, polarity, membrane thickness, and fluidity of the membrane suggesting multiple mechanisms by which mechanical perturbation of the membrane could trigger mechanosensitive response in cells.
National Geographic: The Rooting of Peoples and the Territorialization of National Identity among Scholars and Refugees

In this new theoretical crossroads, examining the place of refugees in the national order of things becomes a clarifying exercise. On the one hand, trying to understand the circumstances of particular groups of refugees illuminates the complexity of the ways in which people construct, remember, and lay claim to particular places as “homelands” or “nations.” On the other, examining how refugees become an object of knowledge and management suggests that the displacement of refugees is constituted differently from other kinds of deterritorialization by those states, organizations, and scholars who are concerned with refugees. Here, the contemporary category of refugees is a particularly informative one in the study of the sociopolitical construction of space and place.
Complex transcriptional regulation by glucocorticoids and corticotropin-releasing hormone of proopiomelanocortin gene expression in rat pituitary cultures.

ABSTRACT Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) peptide secretion from rat anterior pituitary corticotrophs and intermediate pituitary melanotrophs is stimulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH-s...
A Familial Syndrome of Decrease in Sensitivity to 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D*

Typical features of hereditary vitamin D-dependent (pseudovitamin D-deficient) rickets were observed beginning at ages 20 and 5 months in a brother and sister. Both had calcium malabsorption correctable with high doses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. During periods of hypocalcemia they both manifested secondary hyperparathyroidism with hypophosphatemia and high serum concentrations of endogenously produced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. In each, normalization of serum calcium concentration and resolution of osteomalacia were obtained with continuous administration of high doses of ergocalciferol or high doses of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Chemical features of vitamin D deficiency were corrected in the presence of high circulating concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2, produced endogenously, or of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, administered by mouth. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were normal in five first degree relatives. We...
Stress-induced gastric lesions and the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes

Abstract Prostaglandin E2 renders the mucosa of the GI tract more resistant to acute injury by aspirin, acid, bile salts, and stress, whereas leukotrienes promote inflammation and retard healing of ulcers. The relationship of stress ulcer formation to changes in the activities of prostaglandin synthetase and lipoxygenase was evaluated in this study. After a 24 hr fast, 10 rats were stressed by the cold-restraint method for 4 hr and 10 rats were not stressed. Rats were terminated, stomachs were excised, the number of lesions were counted, and the nonulcerated mucosa was assayed for prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene synthesis. The mucosa was minced, washed in buffered saline, and then incubated for 10 min in a 1.3 mM sodium arachidonate solution containing a nonionic detergent (poloxamer 188), NaCl, KCI, KPO4, glutathione, hemin, MgSO4 and Hepes at pH 8.0. An ANOVA was used to compare the groups. Following stress the number of gastric lesions increased from 0.7 ± 0.6 to 13.5 ± 2.6, while leukotriene synthesis increased from 173 ± 20 to 2170 ± 187 pg/mg/min. A shift in synthesis from prostaglandins to leukotrienes in the mucosa appears to be detrimental to cytoprotection.
Polymers and random graphs: Asymptotic equivalence to branching processes

In 1974, Falk and Thomas did a computer simulation of Flory's Equireactive RAf Polymer model, rings forbidden and rings allowed. Asymptotically, the Rings Forbidden model tended to Stockmayer's RAf distribution (in which the sol distribution “sticks” after gelation), while the Rings Allowed model tended to the Flory version of the RAf distribution. In 1965, Whittle introduced the Tree and Pseudomultigraph models. We show that these random graphs generalize the Falk and Thomas models by incorporating first-shell substitution effects. Moreover, asymptotically the Tree model displays postgelation “sticking.” Hence this phenomenon results from the absence of rings and occurs independently of equireactivity. We also show that the Pseudomultigraph model is asymptotically identical to the Branching Process model introduced by Gordon in 1962. This provides a possible basis for the Branching Process model in standard statistical mechanics.
Core-binding factor β (CBFβ), but not CBFβ-smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, rescues definitive hematopoiesis in CBFβ-deficient embryonic stem cells

Core-binding factor beta (CBFbeta) is the non-DNA-binding subunit of the heterodimeric CBFs. Genes encoding CBFbeta (CBFB), and one of the DNA-binding CBFalpha subunits, Runx1 (also known as CBFalpha2, AML1, and PEBP2alphaB), are required for normal hematopoiesis and are also frequent targets of chromosomal translocations in acute leukemias in humans. Homozygous disruption of either the Runx1 or Cbfb gene in mice results in embryonic lethality at midgestation due to hemorrhaging in the central nervous system, and severely impairs fetal liver hematopoiesis. Results of this study show that Cbfb-deficient mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into primitive erythroid colonies in vitro, but are impaired in their ability to produce definitive erythroid and myeloid colonies, mimicking the in vivo defect. Definitive hematopoiesis is restored by ectopic expression of full-length Cbfb transgenes, as well as by a transgene encoding only the heterodimerization domain of CBFbeta. In contrast, the CBFbeta-smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) fusion protein generated by the inv(16) associated with acute myeloid leukemias (M4Eo) cannot rescue definitive hematopoiesis by Cbfb-deficient ES cells. Sequences responsible for the inability of CBFbeta-SMMHC to rescue definitive hematopoiesis reside in the SMMHC portion of the fusion protein. Results also show that the CBFbeta-SMMHC fusion protein transdominantly inhibits definitive hematopoiesis, but not to the same extent as homozygous loss of Runx1 or Cbfb. CBFbeta-SMMHC preferentially inhibits the differentiation of myeloid lineage cells, while increasing the number of blastlike cells in culture.
Alterations in Rat Renal Glucose Transport following in Vivo use of Freund's Adjuvant

ABSTRACT. Alterations in rat renal glucose transport following in vivo use of Freund's adjuvant were examined. Lewis-Brown Norway rats were placed in four separate injection groups. 1) tubular basement membrane plus adjuvant [complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) plus pertussis]; 2) adjuvant (CFA plus pertussis); 3) CFA only; or 4) pertussis only. Renal handling of glucose was assessed 14 days after a single injection. No in vivo changes were noted. No histologic differences among groups were noted. However, brush border membrane vesicles prepared from animals in groups 1, 2, and 3 showed a marked decrease in glucose uptake. Further, Michaelis-Menten kinetics demonstrated a decrease in apparent Km and Vmax for glucose in groups 1, 2, and 3. CFA alone can cause a change in brush border membrane vesicle uptake of glucose. The pathogenic mechanism behind CFA-induced transport changes remains unclear. However, studies employing CFA cannot dismiss Freund's adjuvant as “inert” and must take into account functional changes created by CFA alone.
Assaying proline hydroxylation in recombinant collagen variants by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Background: The fabrication of recombinant collagen and its prescribed variants has enormous potential in tissue regeneration, cell-matrix interaction investigations, and fundamental biochemical and biophysical studies of the extracellular matrix. Recombinant expression requires proline hydroxylation, a post-translational modification which is critical for imparting stability and structure. However, these modifications are not native to typical bacterial or yeast expression systems. Furthermore, detection of low levels of 4-hydroxyproline is challenging with respect to selectivity and sensitivity. Results: We have developed a new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method to evaluate proline hydroxylation in recombinant collagen. This assay was tested in different Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression systems to evaluate the effect of gene ratio between prolyl-4-hydroxylase and collagen on the extent of hydroxylation. These systems used a human collagen III gene that was synthesized de novo from oligonucleotides. The LC-MS assay does not require derivatization, uses only picomoles of sample, and can measure proline hydroxylation levels in recombinant and native collagen ranging from approximately 0% to 40%. The hydroxylation values obtained by LC-MS are as accurate and as precise as those obtained with the conventional method of amino acid analysis. Conclusions: A facile, derivatization-free LC-MS method was developed that accurately determines the percentage of proline hydroxylation in different yeast expression systems. Using this assay, we determined that systems with a higher collagen-to-hydroxylase gene copy ratio yielded a lower percentage of hydroxylation, suggesting that a specifically balanced gene ratio is required to obtain higher hydroxylation levels.
Single molecule diffusion of membrane-bound proteins: window into lipid contacts and bilayer dynamics.

Membrane targeting proteins are recruited to specific membranes during cell signaling events, including signals at the leading edge of chemotaxing cells. Recognition and binding to specific lipids play a central role in targeting reactions, but it remains difficult to analyze the molecular features of such protein-lipid interactions. We propose that the surface diffusion constant of peripheral membrane-bound proteins contains useful information about protein-lipid contacts and membrane dynamics. To test this hypothesis, we use single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to probe the effects of lipid binding stoichiometry on the diffusion constants of engineered proteins containing one to three pleckstrin homology domains coupled by flexible linkers. Within error, the lateral diffusion constants of these engineered constructs are inversely proportional to the number of tightly bound phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate lipids. The same trend is observed in coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and hydrodynamic bead calculations of lipid multimers connected by model tethers. Overall, single molecule diffusion measurements are found to provide molecular information about protein-lipid interactions. Moreover, the experimental and computational results independently indicate that the frictional contributions of multiple, coupled but well-separated lipids are additive, analogous to the free-draining limit for isotropic fluids—an insight with significant implications for theoretical description of bilayer lipid dynamics.
Functional Heartburn: What It Is and How to Treat It

Functional heartburn is considered one of the most common functional esophageal disorders. The disorder is more common in young women and is associated with other functional bowel disorders and sychological co-morbidity, primarily somatization. The etiology of functional heartburn remains unknown. Most patients, however, demonstrate esophageal hypersensitivity. Functional heartburn has been identified as the main cause for proton pump inhibitor (PPI) failure in patients with heartburn. Treatment is still a challenge, and patients should be started with PPI treatment. In non-responders, escalation of the PPI dose could be attempted and, if unsuccessful, pain modulators should be prescribed.
Serine metabolism in the culture form of Trypanosoma cruzi: distribution of 14C from serine into metabolic fractions.

Abstract 1. 1. The incorporation of 14C from uniformly labeled, 1-14C labeled and 3-14C labeled serine into various metabolic fractions in Trypanosoma cruzi has been studied. 2. 2. 14C from serine is incorporated into all major metabolic fractions, except the nucleic acid-containing fraction. 3. 3. The results suggest that T. cruzi is not extremely restricted with regard to the types of compounds it can produce with serine as a precursor.
Isolation and developmental expression analysis of Tbx22, the mouse homolog of the human X-linked cleft palate gene.

Mutations in the TBX22 gene have been identified recently in patients with the X-linked cleft palate and ankyloglossia syndrome, suggesting that the TBX22 transcription factor plays an important role in palate development. However, because ankyloglossia has been reported in the majority of patients with TBX22 mutations, it has been speculated that the cleft palate phenotype is secondary to defective fetal tongue movement. To understand the role of TBX22 in disease pathogenesis and in normal development, it is necessary to carry out a detailed temporal and spatial gene expression analysis. We report here the isolation and developmental expression analysis of the mouse homolog Tbx22. The mouse Tbx22 gene encodes a putative protein of 517 amino acid residues, which shares 72% overall amino acid sequence identity with the human TBX22 protein. By using interspecific backcross analysis, we have localized the Tbx22 gene to mouse chromosome X, in a region syntenic to human chromosome Xq21, where the TBX22 gene resides, indicating that Tbx22 is the ortholog of human TBX22. Our in situ hybridization analysis shows that Tbx22 is expressed in a temporally and spatially highly restricted pattern during mouse palate and tongue development. Together with the mutant phenotypes in human patients, our data indicate a primary role for Tbx22 in both palate and tongue development. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Three-dimensional dual-potential procedure for inlets and indraft wind tunnels

A dual potential decomposition of the velocity field into a scalar and a vector potential function is extended to three dimensions and used in the finite-difference simulation of steady three-dimensional inviscid rotational flow through ducts and inlets. The procedure has been used to simulate the flow through the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. Vanes and screens located at the entrance of the inlet are modeled using actuator disk theory. The numerical predictions are in good agreement with experimental data.
Assessing risk/benefit of lumbar drain use for endoscopic skull-base surgery.

Background Lumbar drains (LD) are frequently employed with the goal of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak prevention. LD placement is not without risk, however, and complications can significantly increase patient discomfort and resource utilization. The objective of this work was to characterize the risks, benefits, and resource utilization associated with LD use in endoscopic anterior skull-base surgery. Methods A retrospective review of endoscopic anterior skull-base surgeries performed by the senior authors over the past 5 years was done. Cases with prospective LD were selected using anesthesia and billing records. Analysis was done of indications, LD duration, complications, revisions, and additional care required. Results A total of 65 patients had LD placed prospectively at the time of surgery. LD were in place for an average of 63 ± 38 hours. Four cases (6.2%) required revision surgery for postoperative CSF leak. Leak rates did not differ between patients with neoplasm (7.7%) and without neoplasm (5.8%; p = 0.80). One readmission was attributable to a recurrent leak. Nine LD complications occurred in 8 patients (12.3%). Overall, 6 blood patches, 3 head computed tomography (CT) scans, 1 open removal of retained catheter fragments, 1 spine CT, and an infectious disease workup were required. Three readmissions and 10 additional hospital days were attributable to LD complications. No relationship was found between patient demographics or comorbidities and LD complications. Regression analysis showed no significant effect of body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–1.14; p = 0.87) or duration of LD (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98–1.02; p = 0.85) on complication risk. Diagnosis of neoplasm was associated with a significant increase in likelihood of complication (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.11–25.64; p < 0.04). Conclusion Complications of LD may be more frequent than postoperative CSF leaks, adding significantly to health care resource utilization. It is difficult to predict which patients will suffer LD complications. Reduction of prospective LD use may avoid unnecessary morbidity and resource utilization. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
EFFECTS OF A DECLINING MINING ECONOMY ON THE PENNSYLVANIA ANTHRACITE REGION1

ABSTRACT The Pennsylvania anthracite region is experiencing increasing economic and social dislocations as a result of continuing decline of its coal mining industry. These dislocations differ greatly in severity among individual communities, but areal patterns are discernible in their local intensities. Moreover, there is a high degree of spatial correlation between the areal patterns of individual types of dislocations, which permits subdivision of the anthracite region into discrete units of major and lesser overall impact. The present extent and status of these areal units is closely associated with the earlier occupational structures of their component towns. Specifically, dislocational impact is in major part a function of the degree of initial dependence on mining, and an inverse function of initial dependence on service and trade occupations. These facts and conclusions not only contribute to corpus geographiae but also have important ramifications for area redevelopers concerned with revitalizing...
On the current dependence of low-frequency noise in bipolar transistors

The bias dependent characteristics of the base input flicker noise or 1/f noise current generator in bipolar transistors is examined. A simple technique is presented for the determination of the flicker noise magnitude at selected low frequencies with varying collector bias current. The results indicate that the bias dependence of the flicker noise is intimately rated to that of the input conductance parameter g π in the common-emitter configuration. Practical methods are given for the determination of the bias-independent noise parameter ρ 0 , which, in conjunction with the small-signal network parameters, fully characterize the device noise performance at low frequencies, ρ 0 , is an equivalent noise resistance representing the open-circuit flicker noise voltage at the base terminal at 1 Hz. Results of noise figure measurements on several representative commercially available devices are compared with those calculated with a knowledge of ρ 0 .
Effect of chymosin action on the hydrodynamic diameter of casein micelles

Abstract Quasi-elastic light scattering shows an initial decrease of about 5 nm in the hydrodynamic radius of casein micelles after adding chymosin, assuming the decrease to be equal for all micelles. This is consistent with the hypothesis that casein micelles have a hairy outer layer that is partly made up of the caseino-macropeptide part of κ casein.
Purification of neuraminidases from Vibrio Cholerae, Clostridium Perfringens and influenza virus by affinity chromatography.

Summary A selective adsorbent for neuraminidase was prepared by attaching through azo linkage an inhibitor of this enzyme, N-(p-aminophenyl) oxamic acid, to agarose beads containing the tripeptide, glycyl-glycyl-tyrosine. Columns containing this adsorbent can completely extract the enzymatic activity present in extracts of Clostridium perfringens and Vibrio cholerae , and quantitative elution is readily achieved by modifying the pH and ionic strength of the buffer. Intact influenza virus particles are also reversibly adsorbed by these columns, indicating the superficial location of neuraminidase in this virus and emphasizing the feasibility of using functional purification procedures for resolving complex and particulate biological structures.
Tryptophanase in sRNA control of the Escherichia coli cell cycle.

Summary The field of gene regulation underwent a major revolution with the discovery of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) and the various roles they play in organisms from bacteria to man. Escherichia coli has more than 60 sRNAs that are transcribed primarily from intergenic regions. They usually target the leader region of mRNAs and prevent their translation. Protein targets are relatively rare. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Chant and Summers provide an example of a totally unexpected protein target. They show that dimers of plasmid ColE1 make an sRNA that interacts directly with the enzyme tryptophanase and enhances its affinity for its substrate, tryptophan. A breakdown product, indole, then arrests cell division until the dimers are resolved to monomers. The monomerization helps to prevent plasmid loss. Targeting a catabolic enzyme to buy time for recombination is an amazing example of adaptation, which illustrates the power of a selfish element (a plasmid in this case) to exploit the host cell machinery to its advantage.
The histochemical architecture of the Ammon's horn as related to its selective vulnerability.

Histochemical studies of lactate dehydrogenase, NAD-diaphorase, acetyl cholinesterase, acid phosphatase, and zine show that the sectors of the human Ammon's horn differ in their chemical composition; in particular, a sharp chemical border exists between H1 (Sommer's sector) and H2. The mutual relations of the various chemical patterns are described in greater detail. Studies in selected cases of senile dementia and juvenile amaurotic idiocy show that the normal chemical borders coincide with the borders of selective damage in pathological material. Comparative studies of the Ammon's horn of the rhesus monkey, cat, and rabbit demonstrate greater differences between the zinc content of the sectors in the lower species than in man, whereas the enzymatic patterns show smaller differences between the sectors than in man.