cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of cesium 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate — a very short hydrogen bond

Abstract The crystal structure of cesium 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate has been determined by X-ray diffraction and refined by least-squares methods to R = 0.057 and Rw = 0.067 using 708 reflections. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with one anion in the unit cell. The lattice parameters are a = 6.8827(6), b = 7.9480(5), c = 5.1033(6) A, α = 92.260(7), β = 104.782(7), γ = 90.970(5)° and V = 269.61 A3. There is a very short hydrogen bond with an O…O distance of 2.42 A. The cesium ion is ten-coordinate with a distorted bicapped square antiprism geometry of oxygens about the cesium.
Alteration of antigenic components of rat parotid gland following denervation.

Alteration des caracteres de la glande parotide du rat par denervation selective ou apres diete liquide. A la suite de l'ablation unilaterale du ganglion cervical superieur, une augmentation marquante de la cocentration des composants antigeniques solubles dans le salin se produisit aussi bien dans la glande parotide denervee que dans la glande intacte. Par ailleurs, apres l'ablation partielle du nerf auriculotemporal, les composants antigeniques de la glande parotide denervee diminuerent. La correlation possible entre ces changements et le developpement de la glande parotide est discutee.
Stress intensity factor for a three-layered plate with a crack in the center layer

Abstract The objective of this study is to model the laminated composite as a multilayered plate each layer being made of a different material. With a crack in the mid-layer of the laminate, the stresses can vary in all three space coordinate directions and the problem is recognized as a three-dimensional one. A laminate plate theory is developed by application of the minimum complementary energy theorem in variational calculus such that the qualitative three-dimensional character of the crack edge stresses is retained while approximations are made in a quantitative sense on the stress intensity factor. Numerical values of the stress intensity factors for different construction of the laminate are reported and compared with the same size plate made of a single homogeneous material. When the modulus of elasticity of the middle layer which contains the crack is lower than that of the outer layers, the load transmission to the crack site as measured by the stress intensity factor can be reduced significantly. The present model assumes failure by crack propagation in only one layer of the laminate. Other possible modes of failure such as cohesive and/or adhesive fracture in laminated structures have yet to be explored.
Beating synthetic cilia enhance heat transport in microfluidic channels

Using computational modeling, we probed the utility of actuated synthetic cilia for enhancing heat transport in microfluidic channels. Cilia are elastic filaments that are attached to the bottom channel wall with a constant tilt and actuated by a periodical vertical force applied to their free ends. We show that periodical oscillations of elastic cilia mix the heated fluid and create secondary flows in the microchannel that facilitate heat transport between channel walls. The magnitude of the secondary flows and the cilium deformation pattern are controlled by the frequency and amplitude of the periodic driving force. Thus, by varying the force parameters one can effectively regulate the local heat transport in ciliated microchannels.
Pattern of bacterial colonization in a new neonatal intensive care unit and its association with infections in infants

Background There is paucity of information on the pattern of bacterial colonization of a new neonatal intensive care unit. Objective To study the pattern of bacterial colonization on the environmental surfaces in a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and correlate it with infections in the infants. Methods Environmental cultures from the faucets and computer keyboards in the NICU were obtained prospectively every 2 weeks for 1 year. Positive blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and respiratory cultures from the infants in the NICU were also obtained. Results A total of 175 swab cultures was collected, which were sterile for initial 6-week period. Subsequently, 31 cultures grew microbes: 26 (83.8%) from the faucets and 5 (16.2%) from the computers keyboard ( P P = .076). None of the 31 positive respiratory cultures and 1 positive cerebrospinal fluid culture correlated to the organisms grown from the NICU environment. Conclusion The environment was colonized after an initial period of sterile cultures in a new NICU. Once colonized, they can persist, increasing the risk of developing resistance to antibiotics. They did not correlate with the positive cultures from the infants admitted to the NICU during the study period.
Cosmetic orchiectomy. Surgical technique that meets medical and psychologic needs of patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma.

We report our experience using a surgical technique that preserves the cosmetic testic while achieving the goal of androgen deprivation
Concentric octagonal CMOS photodiodes for direct detection of spatially multiplexed optical fiber channels

Standard CMOS technology based array of octagonal concentric photodiodes is developed to serve as de-multiplexer for spatially multiplexed fiber optic communication channels. The unique structure of these photodiodes and their responsivity is presented.
Damage formation associated with bending under a constant moment

Abstract Deformation within the Earth's lithosphere is largely controlled by the rheology of the rock. Fracture and faulting are characterized by elastic rheologies with brittle mechanisms, while folding and flow are characterized by plastic and/or viscous rheologies due to ductile mechanisms. However, it has been recognized that deformation that resembles ductile behavior can be produced within the confines of the brittle lithosphere. Specific examples are folds that form in the shallow crust, steep hinges at subduction zones that are accompanied by seismicity, and large-scale deformation at plate boundaries. In these cases, the brittle lithosphere behaves elastically with fracture and faulting yet produces ductile behavior. In this paper, we attempt to simulate such ductile behavior in elastic materials using continuum damage mechanics. Engineers utilize damage mechanics to model the continuum deformation of brittle materials. We utilize a modified form of damage mechanics that represents a reduction in frictional strength of preexisting fractures and faults. We use this empirical approach to simulate the bending of the lithosphere under the application of a constant moment. We use numerical simulations to obtain elastostatic solutions for plate bending and where the longitudinal stress at a particular node exceeds a yield stress, we apply damage to reduce Young's modulus at the node. Damage is calculated at each time step by a power-law relationship of the ratio of the yield stress to the longitudinal stress and the yield strain to the longitudinal strain. This results in the relaxation of the material due to increasing damage. To test our method, we apply our damage rheology to an infinite plate deforming under a constant bending moment. We simulate a wide range of behaviors from slow relaxation to instantaneous failure, over timescales that span six orders of magnitude. Using this method, stress relaxation produces elastic-perfectly plastic behavior in cases where failure does not occur. For cases of failure, we observe a rapid increase in damage leading to failure, analogous to the acceleration of microcrack formation and acoustic emissions prior to failure. The changes in the rate of damage accumulation in failure cases are similar to the changes in b-values of acoustic emissions observed in triaxial compression tests of fractured rock and b-value changes prior to some large earthquakes. Thus continuum damage mechanics can simulate the phenomenon of ductile behavior due to brittle mechanisms as well as observations of laboratory experiments and seismicity.
Molecular sorting of proteins into the cisternal secretory pathway

Cotranslational translocation of exportable proteins across the RER membrane prior to their release into the extracellular space has been essentially described by use of canine pancreatic microsomal membranes. Intracisternal segregation of nascent secretory proteins was observed to be irreversible and proteolytic removal of signal sequences resulted in conformationally mature and stable proteins. Structural studies on various translocation peptides from both eukaryotic and prokaryotic preparations showed that many of them have a comparable three-domain organization. A hydrophilic amino-terminal domain is followed by a core region of hydrophobic amino acids and by the region in which the proteolytic cleavage occurs. Membrane components involved in the translocation process namely the signal recognition particle and the SRP receptor as well as the way the vectorial transport mechanism of nascent secretory proteins occurs are also discussed.
Histology of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ challenged by Thielaviopsis basicola

(1984). Histology of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ challenged by Thielaviopsis basicola. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 146-150.
A comparison of the pharmacological activities of tertiary bases and their quaternary ammonium derivatives.

Abstract A study has been made of some pharmacological actions of tertiary amine analogues of drugs known to be active in the quaternary salt form. Tertiary amine analogues of acetylcholine, carbachol,m-bromophenyl-2-dimethylaminoethyl ether methobromide, neostigmine, hexamethonium and 4-dimethylamino-methyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane methiodide were prepared and tested pharmacologically. It was found that the presence of a quaternary ammonium group was essential for high muscarinic activity in acetylcholine, carbachol and the dioxolane and also for cholinesterase inhibiting activity in neostigmine. Tertiary amine analogues of acetylcholine retained some nicotinic activity at the neuromuscular junction and also some cholinesterase substrate activity. Nicotinic activity at the neuromuscular junction or at autonomie ganglia was not retained by the pyrrolidine analogue ofm-bromophenyl-2-dimethylamino ether methobromide. The pyrrolidine analogue of carbachol was similarly inactive at the neuromuscular junction but showed weak ganglion-stimulating activity. In the hexamethonium series quaternary salts and tertiary bases did not differ greatly in ganglion-blocking potency. The active tertiary amines were tested for behavioural effects in the open-field test but no evidence for appreciable central activity was found.
From Single- to Multiple-Photon Decoherence in an Atom Interferometer

We measure the decoherence of a spatially separated atomic superposition due to spontaneous photon scattering. We observe a qualitative change in decoherence versus separation as the number of scattered photons increases, and verify quantitatively the decoherence rate constant in the many-photon limit. Our results illustrate an evolution of decoherence consistent with general models developed for a broad class of decoherence phenomena.
Kinetics of Substitution of Weakly Coordinating Nitrate by Chloride in (η5-Cp)Ru(CO)(ER3)ONO2 (ER3 = AsPh3, PPh3, P(p-anisyl)3, PPh2(o-anisyl), P(OPh)3) in Dichloromethane.

The d6 complexes of formula (η5-Cp)Ru(CO)(ER3)ONO2, where ER3 = AsPh3, PPh3, P(p-anisyl)3, PPh2(o-anisyl), and P(OPh)3, were prepared by reaction of their chloro analogues with AgNO3 in CH2Cl2. They underwent moderately slow substitution of the relatively weakly coordinating nitrate by chloride in dry CH2Cl2 in the presence of excess [N(PPh3)2+]Cl-. A kinetics study showed the reaction to be first order in nitrato complex and independent of chloride salt concentration under pseudo-first-order conditions. First-order rate constants for nitrate metathesis follow the trend P(OPh)3 < PPh3 < P(p-anisyl)3 < AsPh3 ≪ PPh2(o-anisyl), with k1 at 25 °C for the first four in the series from 1.4 to 4.4 × 10-5 s-1. Activation parameters for conversion of (η5-Cp)Ru(CO)(AsPh3)ONO2 to its chloride are ΔH‡ = 17(2) kcal/mol and ΔS‡ = −21(5) eu. Even use of a slightly moist solvent increased the rate of nitrate metathesis by 20−30% without changing the form of the rate law. The complex containing PPh2(o-anisyl) was approxima...
Production of exophthalmos in Fundulus heteroclitus (var. Bermudae) by triiodothyronine and desiccated thyroid.

THE usual clinical and experimental presumption has been that exophthalmos is due to an excess of a pituitary substance. Exophthalmos has been produced repeatedly in the thyroidectomized guinea pig by pituitary preparations (1 and 2). Desiccated thyroid (2) and thyroxine (1) are reported not to produce exophthalmos in this animal. Exophthalmos has also been produced b}’ pituitary extract in Fundulus heteroclitus (3). The present studies were designed with the above background to test the clinical assumption that additional thyroid would antagonize the exophthalmos which occurred during treatment of thyrotoxicosis. However, the results were at variance with the above work.
ROLE OF STIMULATION AND TIME IN THE EFFECTS OF SPACED OCCIPITAL ABLATIONS

42 albino rats were trained preoperatively to make an avoidance response to a change in illumination. The occipital lobes were serially ablated. The interval between ablations and the sensory stimulation conditions during the interoperative interval were varied. Following the second operation retention of the original response was measured. Performance was found to be related to both the length of the interoperative interval and the existing stimulus conditions during the interval.
Linear Conditional Expectation for Discretized Distributions

Many statistical methods for continuous distributions assume a linear conditional expectation. Components of multivariate distributions are often measured on a discrete ordinal scale based on a discretization of an underlying continuous latent variable. The results in this paper show that common examples of discretized bivariate and trivariate distributions will have a linear conditional expectation. Examples and simulations are provided to illustrate the results.
Close linkage of a transgene insertion site to the steel (Sl) locus on mouse chromosome 10.

Abstract The characterization of the insertion sites of exogenous sequences in transgenic mice can identify loci that are potentially useful for the genetic analysis of the mammalian genome. We have found that the transgene insertion site in the transgenic line TG.EB is tightly linked with the Steel (Sl) locus on mouse chromosome 10. In a backcross between doubly heterozygous transgenic Sl (Tg.EB +/+ Sl) mice and wild-type mice, only one recombinant was found in 135 progeny (recombination percentage = 0.7 ± 0.7). The recombination frequency of the transgene with marker loci known to flank Sl was consistent with a map position close to Sl. Genomic sequences that are adjacent to the transgene insertion site were cloned and found to be tightly linked with the Sl locus in interspecific crosses using nontransgenic mice. Recombination analysis utilizing the transgene insertion site locus was used to show that a recently identified hematopoietic growth factor is encoded at Sl. The cloned sequences from the transgene insertion site are polymorphic in inbred strains of mice and can be utilized to determine the genotype at Sl during early embryonic development. Further, they may be useful in characterizing the genomic region near Sl that is affected in Sl deletion mutants.
Experimental skin lesions in mice resembling systemic lupus erythematosus.

An experimental model in mice was investigated to test the hypothesis that the immunohistochemical findings in skin lesions of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) might be due to circulating antibody reacting with nuclear antigens. Mice were immunized with ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated DNA to produce high titers of circulating antibody to a DNA photoproduct, thymine dimer. These immunized mice were then whole-body irradiated with UV, a procedure which caused thymine dimer formation in DNA of skin cells and subsequent release of thymine dimers extracellularly during spontaneous repair of the photochemically damaged DNA. In immunized irradiated mice, immunofluorescent studies showed fixation of mouse Ig and complement in the form of finely stippled and large lumpy deposits in the dermal—epidermal areas and in nuclei of epidermal cells. These findings were morphologically quite similar to those seen in human SLE skin lesions. These immunohistochemical lesions in mice were not observed in mice receiving only immunization or only irradiation. These and other data lend support to the immune complex theory of pathogenesis of SLE skin lesions.
Performance comparison of a novel hybrid smart antenna system versus the fully adaptive and switched beam antenna arrays

In this letter, we investigate and compare the performance of a newly proposed hybrid smart antenna system with the fully adaptive and switched beam smart antenna arrays. Simulation results show that the adaptive and the proposed hybrid systems have nearly the same performance accuracy, with the hybrid system offering faster tracking time, improved computational efficiency, and a possible reduction in the implementation cost. The comparative study also included measured radiation pattern from a recently developed coplanar waveguide continuous transverse stub (CPW-CTS) antenna.
Optical Propagation Modeling for the National Ignition Facility

Optical propagation modeling of the National Ignition Facility has been utilized extensively from conceptual design several years ago through to early operations today. In practice we routinely (for every shot) model beam propagation starting from the waveform generator through to the target. This includes the regenerative amplifier, the 4-pass rod amplifier, and the large slab amplifiers. Such models have been improved over time to include details such as distances between components, gain profiles in the laser slabs and rods, transient optical distortions due to the flashlamp heating of laser slabs, measured transmitted and reflected wavefronts for all large optics, the adaptive optic feedback loop, and the frequency converter. These calculations allow nearfield and farfield predictions in good agreement with measurements.
Microwave absorption measurements of the electrical conductivity of small particles

A microwave absorption technique based on cavity perturbation theory is shown to be applicable for electrical conductivity measurements of both a small, single-crystal particle and finely divided powder samples whenσ values fall in either the low (σ<0.1 Ω−1 cm−1) or the intermediate (0.1 ≤σ≤ 100 Ω−1 cm−1) conductivity region. The results here pertain to semiconductors in the latter region. If the skin depth of the material becomes significantly smaller than the sample dimension parallel to theE-field, an appreciable error can be introduced into the calculated conductivity values; however, this discrepancy is eliminated by correcting for the field attenuation associated with the penetration depth of the microwaves. A modification of this approach utilizing the skin depth allows a first-order correction to be applied to powder samples which results in the accurate measurement of absoluteσ values, and results with doped Si powders are compared toσ values obtained from one small single particle using this microwave technique as well as reported DCσ values determined with single crystals. The use of this microwave absorption technique with small particles having high surface/volume ratios, such as catalyst supports and oxide catalysts, under controlled environments can provide fundamental information about adsorption and catalytic processes on such semiconductor surfaces. An application to a ZnO powder demonstrates this capability.
Electrostatic quadrupole plasma mass spectrometer and Langmuir probe measurements of mid-frequency pulsed DC magnetron discharges

Abstract Time-averaged ion energy distributions (IEDs) and time-resolved floating potentials were measured for a range of reverse times at electrodes immersed in a 60 kHz pulsed magnetron discharge, and compared to the DC condition. The time-averaged IEDs correlate well to the time-resolved target voltage waveforms. From the measured data, electron temperatures for both pulsed and DC discharges were calculated to be approximately 2.5–3.0 eV, even at the ‘positive spike’ on the cathode voltage waveform observed during pulsing. Titanium oxide thin films were deposited in pulsed and DC discharges. Structure and properties of the deposited films were measured using glancing incidence X-ray diffraction and nanoindentation. Changes in crystallographic texture and hardness were observed as pulsing conditions were varied.
Public opinion about gun policies.

IC ER SPTIVES On contentious issues such as gun control, where advocacy groups on both sides claim to have the weight of public opinion behind them, polling can help clarify what Americans really think. Three decades of polling have painted a clear picture of public opinion about gun control. These polls show that public support for the regulation of firearms is strong, deep, and widespread. Large majorities back most policies to control the manufacture and sale of guns, increase gun safety, and restrict criminals from acquiring firearms. This general support for gun control extends to policies specifically intended to prevent children’s access to guns and reduce youth gun violence.
Screw-fastened joints for thermal contact at low temperatures.

Electrical resistance measurements at 4.2 K on simple screw‐fastened joints between two pieces of bare copper, between two pieces of gold‐plated copper, and between two pieces of silver indicate the potential usefulness of such joints for thermal contact down to millikelvin temperatures.
Feed Efficiency and Mitochondrial Function

Studies have been conducted in our laboratory to assess differences in mitochondrial function and biochemistry in male broilers with high and low feed efficiency (FE) from the same genetic line and fed the same diet. Mitochondria obtained from broilers with low FE exhibited greater uncoupling of the electron transport chain (ETC) that was apparently due to site-specific defects in electron transport resulting in higher amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared with high FE mitochondria. Higher amounts of ROS production in Low FE mitochondria were likely responsible for higher protein carbonyl levels, indicative of higher protein oxidation compared with High FE mitochondria and tissue. In turn, higher protein damage in Low FE mitochondria may have contributed to lower activity of electron transport chain complexes relative to values observed in high FE mitochondria. Low FE mitochondria did not exhibit a compromised ability to carryout oxidative phosphorylation, and although there were differences in expression of certain electron transport chain proteins, there was nothing that would indicate that differences in coupling and respiratory chain activity could be due to a general decrease in protein expression between low and high FE mitochondria. The results of these studies provide insight into understanding cellular mechanisms associated with the phenotypic expression of feed efficiency in broilers.
HE4 expression is associated with hormonal elements and mediated by importin-dependent nuclear translocation

Antiestrogens including tamoxifen and fulvestrant have been evaluated as chemotherapeutics for ovarian cancer, particularly in cases of platinum resistant disease. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is highly overexpressed in women with ovarian cancer and overexpression of HE4 has been found to correlate with platinum resistance. However, the role of HE4 in modulating responses to hormones and hormonal therapy has not been characterized in ovarian cancer. Here we demonstrate that 17β-estradiol, tamoxifen, and fulvestrant induce nuclear and nucleolar translocation of HE4 and that HE4 overexpression induces resistance to antiestrogens. HE4 was found to interact with estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), and HE4 overexpression resulted in ER-α downregulation in vitro and in human ovarian cancers. We identified a novel role for importin-4 in governing the nuclear transport of HE4. Treatment with ivermectin, an importin inhibitor, blocked HE4/importin-4 nuclear accumulation and sensitized HE4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells to fulvestrant and tamoxifen.
Heparin functionalized PEG gels that modulate protein adsorption for hMSC adhesion and differentiation

Heparin was modified with methacrylate groups, copolymerized with dimethacrylated poly(ethylene glycol), and analyzed as a localized delivery vehicle for bFGF and synthetic extracellular matrix for the differentiation of hMSCs. By deriving cues from molecules normally present in the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of collagens, laminin, fibronectin, glycosaminoglycans, and growth factors, synthetic cell scaffolds can be designed that actively sequester important bioactive signals. Among the glycosaminoglycans, heparin binds reversibly with many proteins, therefore, poly(ethylene glycol) based biomaterials, normally resistant to cell adhesion, functionalized with heparin in order to sequester important proteins, can actively and selectively stimulate desired cell functions. Results demonstrate that methacrylate-modified heparin retained its ability to bind heparin-binding proteins both in solution and when copolymerized with dimethacrylated PEG in a hydrogel. In addition, the heparin functionalized gels can deliver biologically active bFGF for up to 5 weeks. Finally, the gels were examined as a potential scaffold for hMSC culture and were found to promote adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.
Lessons learned from IFES, a full-scale diagnostic in-flight expert system demonstration

Summary form only given. The in-flight expert system (IFES) demonstration is a research and development project in the area of vehicle health monitoring (VHM). The overall objective of this continuing project is to develop a complete inflight fault detection, identification and reconfiguration expert system demonstration using real-time data and hardware. IFES was implemented, using the OPS83 production system, as a distributed system of IBM 286 and 386 PCs. A few lessons learned were that the production system's CPU performance timing and memory use are adequate for real-time VHM systems; noisy data can increase RETE algorithm processing time by 20%; system reconfiguration input-output timing dominates CPU execution timing during fault identification 90% of the time; and OPS83, although excellent for failure detection applications, was not as well suited as Ada for the procedural nature of fault identification applications. >
Irreducibility of the Igusa tower

We shall give a simple (basically) purely in characteristic p proof of the irreducibility of the Igusa tower over Shimura varieties of PEL type. Our result covers Shimura variety of type A and type C classical groups, in particular, the Siegel modular varieties, the Hilbert-Siegel modular varieties, Picard surfaces and Shimura varieties of inner forms of unitary and symplectic groups over totally real fields.
Studies on the metabolic fate of ( 14 C)-labelled ( )-2,3-dehydroemetine in the rat.

Abstract1. After intravenous injection of (14C)-labelled (±)-2,3-dehydroemetine into bile-cannulated rats, 25% of the dose of radioactivity is excreted in bile and urine in the first 24 h after dosage. The cumulative percentage excreted 72 h after dosage is approx. 35%, and the radioactivity in the facces in 72 h accounts for 1% dose.2. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of radioactive bile samples revealed only a trace of unchanged 2,3-dehydroemetine in the bile. Hydrolysis of bile samples with β-glucuronidase or with 1 M-HCl released free 2,3-dehydroemetine from its conjugated form. A number of polar metabolites were also released by β-glucuronidase treatment. There did not appear to be any sulphate conjugates in the bile.3. Corresponding analysis of the radioactive constituents of urine samples showed that free 2,3-dehydroemetine accounts for 30–40% of the urinary radioactivity. There are also a number of polar metabolites. On hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase or sulphatase the chromatographic profiles ...
Phase Equilibria of the Zinc Oxide–Cobalt Oxide System in Air

Phase equilibria of the zinc oxide–cobalt oxide system were studied by a combination of X-ray diffraction and in situ electrical conductivity and thermopower measurements of bulk ceramic specimens up to 1000°C in air. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated increasing solubility of Co in ZnO with increasing temperature, which is supported by the slight increase in wurtzite (Zn1−xCoxO) cell volume and lattice parameter a versus temperature determined for the phase boundary compositions. Similarly, the solubility of Zn in CoO increased with increasing temperature. In contrast, the spinel phase (ZnzCo3−zO4) exhibited retrograde solubility for Zn. Electrical measurements showed that the eutectoid temperature for transformation of rocksalt Co1−yZnyO into wurtzite and spinel is 894 ± 3°C, and the upper temperature limit of the stability of the spinel phase is 894°C–898°C for the compositions Co/(Zn+Co) = 0.82–1. The resulting composition-temperature phase diagram is presented and compared to the earlier (1955) diagram by Robin.
Aerosol delivery of recombinant human DNase I: in vitro comparison of a vibrating-mesh nebulizer with a jet nebulizer.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled recombinant human DNase I (rhDNase) improves clearance of viscoelastic secretions in patients with cystic fibrosis. Because of their portability, newer-generation vibrating-mesh nebulizers offer greater convenience for the patient, but their efficiency in delivering rhDNase has not been determined. METHODS: We compared a newer-generation vibratingmesh nebulizer (Omron MicroAir) to a Pari LC+ with the Pari ProNeb Ultra compressor (a commonly employed rhDNase administration system). With the Next Generation Pharmaceutical Impactor, we determined aerosol particle distribution. We also measured mass output efficiency, nebulization time, and mass of rhDNase that deposited on a filter during simulated breathing. METHODS: The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of aerosol from the MicroAir (MMAD 4.3 m, GSD 2.8 m) was equivalent to that from the Pari LC+ (MMAD 4.2 m, GSD 2.7 μm). During simulated breathing the MicroAir had a higher total mass output efficiency (88%) than the Pari LC+ (68%) (P CONCLUSIONS: The MicroAir could be employed as a portable nebulizer for rhDNase therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Natural killer cell differentiation : insights from knockout and transgenic mouse models and in vitro systems

In the last few years, the routine development of knockout and transgenic mice and the ease with which rare progenitor populations can be isolated from hematopoietic organs and cultured in vitro has facilitated significant advances in understanding the lineage and development of natural killer (NK) cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses have identified a common lymphoid progenitor capable of giving rise to NK, T, and B cells, confirming the lymphoid origin of NK cells. Knockout and transgenic mouse models have pointed to an absolutely critical role for signals sent through the interleukin (IL)-2/15 receptor beta (CD122) chain and common gamma (gamma c) chain for NK development. Such signals are likely relayed inside the cell by the tyrosine kinase Jak3, which associates with gamma c. Recently developed IL-15 and IL-15 receptor alpha knockout mice have pinpointed IL-15 as the mediator of this signal. Other mouse models have indicated an unexpected role for flt3 ligand in early NK-cell development as well as minor roles for stem cell factor and IL-7 in expanding NK-cell progenitor numbers. Finally, in vitro culture systems have proven useful in identifying the point in NK development at which each of these signals is critical.
Induction of Adenosine Deaminase and 5′ Nucleotidase Activity in Cultured Human Blood Monocytes and Monocytic Leukemia (THP‐1) Cells by Differentiating Agents

The in vitro effect of short-term culture as well as the effect of retinol (ROH), retinoic acid (RA), muramyl dipeptide ([Abu’ IMDP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and gamma interferon (IFN-’y) on the induction of the purine metabolic enzymes, adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and 5’nucleotidase (5NT) in human peripheral blood monocytes (HPBM) was examined. HPBM isolated by centrifugal elutriation were cultured for up to 96 h. Following an initial time lag of 24 h, mean ADA activity from seven separate experiments as measured in nmolesllO6 cells/h increased from a baseline of 31.3 ± 9.3 to 57.8 ± 16.4 (P < 0.005) at 72 h and to 72 ± 21.5 (P < .025) by 96 h. 5NT activity Increased from a baseline of 2.2 ± 0.9 to a maximum of 44 ± 10.1 by 72 h and then declined to 29 ± 18 (P < 0.005) by 96 h, while no significant change in PNP activity was observed. HPBM incubated for 3 d with optimal concentrations of LPS, RA, and lFN-�yhad increases in ADA and 5NT activity ranging from three- to 10-fold compared to HPBM cultured In media alone, whereas no effect was observed with ROH and [Abu’ IMDP. RA, but not ROH, signIficantly enhanced ADA activity in a monocytic leukemia cell (THP-1) line. Addition of RA or the tumor promoter, phorbol 12-myristic 13-acetate (PMA), to HPBM or THP-1 cells resulted in significant increases in 5NT activity with opposite effects on ADA activity. These findings suggest that the biological mechanisms associated with differentiation In normal and malignant monocytes seem to be related and that the sequence and degree to which the various differentiation agents induce the enzyme elevations are also related to the mechanisms of activation/differentiation.
On the equivalence of some medical cost estimators with censored data.

In clinical trials comparing different treatments and in health economics and outcomes research, medical costs are frequently analysed to evaluate the economical impacts of new treatment options and economic values of health-care utilization. Since Lin et al.'s first finding in the problem of applying the survival analysis techniques to the cost data, many new methods have been proposed. In this report, we establish analytic relationships among several widely adopted medical cost estimators that are seemingly different. Specifically, we report the equivalence among various estimators that were introduced by Lin et al., Bang and Tsiatis, and Zhao and Tian. Lin's estimators are formerly known to be asymptotically unbiased in some discrete censoring situations and biased otherwise, whereas all other estimators discussed here are consistent for the expected medical cost. Thus, we identify conditions under which these estimators become identical and, consequently, the biased estimators achieve consistency. We illustrate these relationships using an example from a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of implantable cardiac defibrillators in preventing death among people who had prior myocardial infarctions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dexmedetomidine as a Total Intravenous Anesthetic Agent

DEXMEDETOMIDINE is a highly selective α 2 adrenoceptor agonist that has sedative and analgesic properties with associated reduction in opioid and anesthetic requirements. 1-11 One significant advantage of dexmedetomidine is that in the clinical dose range there is no respiratory depression. 12-14 The agonistic action on the α 2 adrenoceptors in the sympathetic ganglia modulates the release of catecholamines, resulting in a sympatholytic effect and reports of bradycardia and hypotension. 15-19 As the dose of dexmedetomidine is increased, there is a direct action on the blood vessels causing vasoconstriction and a possible increase in blood pressure. 3,18 This report describes three patients who presented for surgery with potential airway management challenges. Dexmedetomidine was administered to these patients in increasing doses until general anesthesia was attained. The effects of these high doses of dexmedetomidine on respiratory function and hemodynamics are described. The rate of dexmedetomidine infusion was administered based on actual patient body weights.
Persistent abnormal left ventricular systolic torsion in dilated cardiomyopathy after partial left ventriculectomy

Abstract Objective Rotation of the left ventricular apex relative to the base, or left ventricular torsion, is related to myocardial contractility and structure and is a sensitive indicator of cardiac dysfunction. We have quantified left ventricular systolic rotation and torsion in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy before and after partial left ventriculectomy in an attempt to characterize the effects of this surgical procedure on ventricular ejection mechanics. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging with tissue tagging was performed before partial left ventriculectomy in 24 patients, 9 of whom underwent repeat imaging 3 months after surgery. Left ventricular rotation was quantified in each patient at three short-axis levels: apex, midventricle, and base. Torsion was defined as the difference between basal and apical rotation at any time. Results were subdivided for regional analysis at each level and related to cardiac function (ejection fraction, cardiac index, and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening). Results Before surgery, left ventricular rotation was regionally heterogeneous and abnormal in magnitude and pattern, and increased end-systolic torsion was associated with better cardiac function. After surgery, clinical indices of cardiac function showed improvement; however, rotation magnitude was unchanged at the apex and reduced at the base and midventricle, particularly in the anterior wall and septum. Conclusions The pattern and magnitude of ventricular rotation were impaired by dilated cardiomyopathy. Left ventricular rotation and torsion were further diminished after partial left ventriculectomy, indicating that improvement in clinical indices of cardiac function was not reflective of an improvement in this measure of myocardial mechanics.
QSIM: quantitative structured illumination microscopy image processing in ImageJ

Structured illumination microscopy has been extensively used in biological imaging due to its low cost and easy implementation. However, the lack of quantitative imaging capability limits its application in absolute irradiance measurements. We have developed a quantitative structured illumination microscopy image processing algorithm (QSIM) as a plugin for the widely used ImageJ software. QSIM can work with the raw images acquired by a traditional structured illumination microscope and can quantitatively measure photon numbers, with noise estimates for both wide-field images and sectioned images. We demonstrated the quantitative image processing capability of QSIM by imaging a mouse kidney section in 3D. The results show that QSIM can transform structured illumination microscopy from qualitative to quantitative, which is essential for demanding fluorescence imaging applications.
Cognitive performance in a high-functioning community-dwelling elderly population.

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the role of demographic factors as predictors of cognitive performance in a high-functioning, community-dwelling elderly population. Methods The study cohort consisted of 1,192 community-dwelling subjects, who were selected to represent the highest third of an elderly population with respect to physical and cognitive functioning. A neuropsychological battery, including 5 cognitive performance subtests (confrontation naming, delayed recognition span, similarities, figure-copying, and incidental delayed recall) was administered to the subjects in their homes. Results A summary measure of the 5 neuropsychological subtest scores, the total cognitive score, arrayed the study group across a broad range of difficulty, creating a near-normal distribution. Education, income, and race had statistically significant associations with the total score and the individual subtests. The effect of education was the most striking finding, explaining 30% of the variance in the total score. Education was most strongly related to the abstraction (partial R2 = .11) subtest, and least related to the memory subtests, delayed recognition (R2 = .02) and delayed recall (R2 = .01). Conclusions Demographic factors are important predictors of cognitive performance in this high-functioning cohort. Education had the strongest influence on overall cognitive performance, and particularly notable associations with subtests that depended upon the use of previously learned materials. Longitudinal follow-up, now underway, will help to determine whether high levels of education help to maintain cognitive performance with age.
Molecular systematics of the caracaras and allies (Falconidae: Polyborinae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data

The Polyborinae is the most diverse subfamily of the Falconidae in terms of both morphology and behaviour, and includes falconet-shaped birds (Spiziapteryx), arboreal omnivores (Daptrius, Ibycter), as well as terrestrial generalists and scavengers (Caracara, Milvago and Phalcoboenus). The Polyborinae are endemic to the New World, with all but one species (Caracara cheriway) being restricted to Central and South America. Using over 7300 bp of mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data, we aim to clarify the taxonomy and biogeography of the Polyborinae. The genus Milvago was unexpectedly found to be polyphyletic, with Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango being related to the genus Phalcoboenus and Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima being sister to Daptrius. Furthermore, very low genetic divergence was found among the four species of the genus Phalcoboenus, with the lowest divergence being between White-throated Caracara Phalcoboenus albogularis and Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus. Our divergence time analyses revealed that the Polyborinae started to diversify in the Miocene, at about 14 Ma, and that the generalist ⁄scavenger behaviour in the Falconidae appeared between 14 and 6.6 Ma. All speciation events within the caracaras occurred during the Pleistocene. This situation differs from the general pattern described for forest birds, in which most diversification events are older, occurring primarily in the Pliocene and Miocene.
A Parameterized Analysis of Public-Key Protocols: Needham-Schroeder and Kerberos-5

The need for providing assurance in parameter matching in authentication protocols is emphasized by analyzing well-known Needham-Schroeder public-key protocol as well as the public-key extension of widely deployed network authentication protocol Kerberos-5. Authentication protocols achieve their goals when a participant guarantees its set of parameters to be in accordance with that of the rest of the participants of the protocol. On the other hand, the lack of guarantee suggests possible venues for attacks by a saboteur. The above mentioned protocols exhibit this lack of assurance in parameter matching among participants and hence are succumbed to subtle attacks presented in this paper. We further elaborate the commonalities in the vulnerability of both the protocols.
A Multialgorithm Analysis of Three Iris Biometric Sensors

The issue of interoperability between iris sensors is an important topic in large-scale and long-term applications of iris biometric systems. This work compares three commercially available iris sensors and three iris matching systems and investigates the impact of cross-sensor matching on system performance in comparison to single-sensor performance. Several factors which may impact single-sensor and cross-sensor performance are analyzed, including changes in the acquisition environment and differences in dilation ratio between iris images. The sensors are evaluated using three different iris matching algorithms, and conclusions are drawn regarding the interaction between the sensors and the matching algorithm in both the cross-sensor and single-sensor scenarios. Finally, the relative performances of the three sensors are compared.
Blood Glucose Symptom Recognition Perspectives of Older Rural Adults

Purpose—Blood glucose symptom recognition and the interpretation of how one feels with regard to low or high glucose can impact how diabetes is self-managed. Understanding interpretation of symptoms related to diabetes and ultimate glucose regulation can be challenging. Healthcare providers can develop strategies to improve care by listening to individuals describe their symptoms in the context of everyday life. Methods—The perspectives of older rural adults were assessed through individual in-depth interviews conducted among 75 African American, American Indian, and white individuals. The study design included a sample balanced with regard to sex, ethnicity, and educational attainment. The Self-Regulatory Model of Illness and the concept that people construct their own Common Sense Models of health were utilized in this study. Results—There were four dominant themes of symptoms described that were related to blood glucose. These categories included sensations, lightheadedness, energy level, and eyesight changes. Participants described symptoms they experienced at perceived levels of both high and low blood glucose. Results suggest that older adults were unable to distinguish whether their symptoms occurred because of high or low blood glucose. Conclusions—Education that incorporates methods to help older individuals differentiate blood glucose levels related to diabetes symptoms could help improve self-management. Individuals experience diabetes in differing ways and their responses can vary depending on their understanding and interpretation of their symptoms. The “Self Regulatory Model of Illness” represents a tool for understanding self-management behavior and is based on the premise that individuals can problem-solve and monitor symptoms based on daily experiences of their health. 1 Common Sense Models of chronic disease states such as diabetes incorporate beliefs and knowledge across a spectrum of self-care activities. 2 Basic
Self-Evaluation Information Seeking Strategies for Interethnic Social Comparisons

Ethnic minority and majority students in the United States were given the opportunity to receive score information about their own and about the other ethnic group, after they themselves had taken a test. Young majority white children generally chose to look at other whites' scores. A large portion of young Chicanos also -sought white score information, or sought Chicanos who had performed better and whites who had performed worse than they. This group-enhancement strategy was also prevalent among college blacks. Ethnic information seeking was discussed in terms of three strategies-seeking in-group information, seeking out-group information, and seeking group-enhancement information-and the differential use of these strategies by minority and majority students.
Clinical activity of farnesyl transferase inhibitors in hematologic malignancies: possible mechanisms of action.

Farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) are a novel class of anti-cancer agents that competitively inhibit farnesyl protein transferase (FTase). Initially developed to inhibit the prenylation necessary for Ras activation, their mechanism of action seems to be more complex, involving other proteins unrelated to Ras. FTIs have been developed and tested across a wide range of human cancers. At least 3 agents within this family have been investigated in hematologic malignancies. These are tipifarnib (R115777, Zarnestra®), lonafarnib (SCH66336, SarasarTM), both of which are orally administered, and BMS-214662, which is given intravenously. Preliminary results from clinical trials demonstrate enzyme target inhibition, a favorable toxicity profile and promising efficacy. Ongoing studies will better determine their mechanism of action and the role of combination with other agents, defining their place in the therapeutic arsenal of hematologic disorders.