cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Powell-Comparator Method for Determining Thermal Conductivities – A Discussion

ABSTRACT An analysis has been made of the heat transfer in the Powell Comparator used for measuring relative thermal conductivities of solids. In this instrument, two metal spheres are brought next to a colder specimen with one sphere in contact. The initial differential cooling rate between the two spheres is used as a measure of the relative thermal conductivity of the specimen. When the dimensions of the specimen are large compared to the radius a of contact of the sphere with the specimen, the error due to the contribution of the specimen thermal diffusivity a is less than 1 % if the Fourier Number at/a 2 is approximately 10,000 or greater. Heat transfer by gaseous conduction from the spheres to the specimen has been shown to be predominant with low-conductivity specimens. Using an idealized model which is believed to be representative of most experiments, the initial differential cooling rate is shown to be directly proportional to [A + k x /( Bk x + 1)]. Here k x is the thermal conductivity of the specimen; A is a constant determined by the contact radius and the differential heat transfer other than through the solid contact; and B is another constant determined by the contact radius, the contact film resistance, and the thermal conductivity of the sphere material.
Emotional Interference in Early Adolescence: Positive Reinforcement Modulates the Behavioral and Neural Effects of Negative Emotional Distracters

Limited research has examined functioning within fronto-limbic systems subserving the resistance to emotional interference in adolescence despite evidence indicating that alterations in these systems are implicated in the developmental trajectories of affective disorders. This study examined the functioning of fronto-limbic systems subserving emotional interference in early adolescence and whether positive reinforcement could modulate these systems to promote resistance to emotional distraction. Fifty healthy early adolescents (10-13 years old) completed an emotional delayed working memory (WM) paradigm in which no distractors (fixation crosshair) and emotional distracters (neutral and negative images) were presented with and without positive reinforcement for correct responses. WM accuracy decreased with negative distracters relative to neutral distracters and no distracters, and activation increased in amygdala and prefrontal cortical (PFC) regions (ventrolateral, dorsomedial, ventromedial, and subgenual anterior cingulate) with negative distracters compared with those with no distracters. Reinforcement improved performance and reduced activation in the amygdala, dorsomedial PFC, and ventrolateral PFC. Decreases in amygdala activation to negative distracters due to reinforcement mediated observed decreases in reaction times. These findings demonstrate that healthy adolescents recruit similar fronto-limbic systems subserving emotional interference as adults and that positive reinforcement can modulate fronto-limbic systems to promote resistance to emotional distraction.
Mixed Serous and Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Ovary Presenting with Symptomatic Hypercalcemia: A Case Report and Clinical Considerations.

INTRODUCTION Hypercalcemia is a common phenomenon in patients with cancer but is more common among certain cancer types. Hypercalcemia in ovarian cancer is the common presenting sign in small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type; however, there are no known documented cases of hypercalcemia as the presenting sign for mixed serous and clear cell adenocarcinoma. This case report describes symptomatic hypercalcemia as the presenting sign of mixed serous and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. CASE PRESENTATION A 60-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the outpatient clinic with weakness, nausea, emesis, constipation, and an unintended 9-kg (20-lb) weight loss. Her calcium level was elevated at 15.7 mg/dL (reference range = 8.5-10.3 mg/dL). She was treated for hypercalcemia and subsequently admitted to the hospital 4 times because of recurrence of symptoms. On outpatient workup, she was noted to have an abnormal positron emission tomography scan showing intense activity in the uterus consistent with malignancy. An exploratory laparotomy with total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymph node staging was performed, and pathologic findings demonstrated high-grade ovarian carcinoma with serous and clear cell features. DISCUSSION Hypercalcemia is a rare but possible primary presenting symptom of ovarian cancer. In these patients, serum calcium measurements could possibly serve as a tumor marker for disease.
An investigation into the robustness of dynamically collimated proton therapy treatments

Purpose To investigate the dosimetric robustness of dynamically collimated proton therapy (DCPT) treatment plans delivered using a dynamic collimation system (DCS) with respect to random uncertainties in beam spot and collimator position as well as systematic offsets in the DCS mounting alignment. This work also demonstrates a technique that can increase plan robustness while preserving target conformity. Methods Variability in beam spot and collimator positioning can result in changes to a beamlet's dose distribution and incident fluence. The robustness of the DCPT treatment plans was evaluated for three intracranial treatment sites by modeling treatment variability as normally distributed random variables with standard deviations reflecting a clinical system. The simulated treatment plans were then recalculated and compared against their nominal, idealized dose distribution among several trials. It was hypothesized that a plan's robustness to these delivery variables could be reduced by restricting a trimmer's placement toward a beamlet's central axis during collimation. Results By introducing a minimum trimmer offset of 1.5 mm, the variation of the planning target volume (PTV) D95% coverage was reduced to within 2% of the prescribed dose. The treatment plans with trimmers that were placed within 0.5 mm of a collimated beamlet's central axis resulted in the greatest healthy tissue sparing but deviations as high as 11.4% to the PTV D95% were observed. The nominal conformity of these treatment plans utilizing the 1.5 mm trimmer offset was also well maintained. For each treatment plan studied, the 90% conformity index remained within 6.25% of the conformity index achieved without a minimum trimmer offset, and the D50% of surrounding healthy tissue increased by no more than 3.1 Gy relative to a plan without a trimmer offset. Conclusions While DCPT can offer a significant reduction in healthy tissue irradiation, the results from this work indicate that special care must be taken to ensure proper PTV coverage amid uncertainties associated with this new treatment modality. A simple approach utilizing a minimum trimmer offset was able to preserve the majority of the target conformity and healthy tissue sparing the DCS technology affords while minimizing the uncertainties in this treatment approach.
AIDA and UCP1 snuggle up to prevent hypothermia.

In response to cold stress, mammals release norepinephrine from the sympathetic nervous system to elevate thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in order to maintain body temperature. This study reveals that the protein AIDA connects sympathetic input, reactive oxygen species, and uncoupling protein 1-mediated adaptive thermogenesis in BAT.
A wire-length minimization algorithm for single-layer layouts

The authors consider a Steiner tree S interconnecting a set N of terminals. The minimizing length of S can be shown to be equivalent to the traditional (NP-hard) Steiner tree problem. An exact polynomial-time algorithm for minimizing the length of S when operations on S are limited is presented. These operations are called topology preserving transformations (TPTs). Based on the notion of TPT, an exact algorithm for minimizing the total length of a single-layer layout involving a set of multi-terminal nets and a collection of obstacles is proposed. The algorithm has been used to find a minimum length single-layer layout. The algorithm was also applied to find a Steiner tree interconnecting a net N of terminals. The idea is to find a minimum spanning tree T of N. Then, generate K Steiner trees by randomly flipping edges of T to both its upper- and lower-L-shaped configurations. Then, a topology preserving transformation is applied to each Steiner tree. The best of them is selected as the final Steiner tree. On the average, 9.4% improvement over the MST length has been reported. >
Immediate Postnatal Microbial Colonization in Sick Term Neonates Admitted to NICU: Prevalence, Microbiota, and Associated Characteristics

Objective The immediate postnatal rectal (RC) and nasopharyngeal colonization (NPC), their prevalence, taxa, and associated characteristics were investigated in sick term infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Study design In a retrospective cohort single center study, nasopharyngeal (NPCx) and rectal (RCx) microbial cultures were obtained within 20 minutes of birth in mild-to- moderate sick term infants. Associations between the colonization and maternal-neonatal variables, including early neonatal course, were analyzed via logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 154 term infants were admitted for respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, maternal chorioamnionitis (CHO), and suspected neonatal sepsis; out of which, 80 (52%) were NPCx-positive (+) infants. The duration of rupture of membrane (ROM) was higher (15.5 ± 10.0 vs. 11.3 ± 11.0 hours, p = 0.02), while the respiratory support requirement (16.3 vs. 29.7%, p = 0.04) and occurrence of maternal group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization lower (15.0 vs. 35.1%, p = 0.01) in NPCx+ infants. ROM increased (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.07), and maternal GBS colonization decreased the odds of positive nasopharyngeal cultures (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.72). The major microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus epidermidis (41%), α hemolytic Streptococcus (AHS; 16%), Escherichia coli (13%), and GBS (1.06%). Among the enrolled infants, 44 (28.5%) were RCx positive. The need for (11.4 vs. 27.3%, p = 0.03) and days on respiratory support (0.2 ± 0.6 vs. 0.8 ± 2.5, p = 0.03) were lower and the occurrence of CHO higher (41.0 vs. 23.2%, p = 0.04) in the RCx positive infants. Cesarean section (CS) was performed less frequently (18.2 vs. 55.5%, p = 0.001) and decreased the odds of having positive rectal cultures (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08-0.51). In total, 80% of the RCx positive infants isolated E. coli, and 6.8% Klebsiella. Conclusion In sick term neonates, early NPC is dominated by SE and RC by E. coli. NPC is supported by ROM and declines by maternal GBS colonization, whereas RC decreases with CS. NPC is more common than RC in this population. Key points · Early neonatal nasopharyngeal microbial colonization in sick term neonates, dominated by Staphylococcus epidermidis, is enhanced by the rupture of membrane and diminishes by maternal GBS colonization.. · Cesarean section decreases the rectal colonization, which is composed of E. coli as the predominant microorganism.. · The microbiota of early postnatal colonization in sick term neonates differs from that reported in healthy term infants..
Design Essential #3: Mindset Cultivation

When incorporating the entrepreneurial mindset into existing courses throughout the university, there are four curriculum design essentials. The previous two chapters introduced Entrepreneurial Integration and Professional Skill Development. Yet while both are necessary, they still are not sufficient on their own. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the third design essential, Mindset Cultivation. The entrepreneurial mindset focuses on one’s mental attitude and belief system, which is acquired and nurtured over time with continued practice, feedback, and reflection. Practice, also known as repetition, is a key component within the learning process. Lessons and concepts learned in the classroom become much more effective when backed up by repetition. Feedback can be obtained by acquiring knowledge from a learning experience or through information provided by an instructor, peer, or even artificial intelligence. Feedback is beneficial in that it allows the learner to confirm or modify his/her knowledge structure and organization related to existing knowledge and beliefs. Reflection helps students convert learning into meaningful knowledge. During the reflection process, learners engage critical senses and become empowered to create a greater understanding of the topic areas and cultivate connections. This chapter expresses how mindset cultivation connects to and supports development of the entrepreneurial mindset, explain the three major considerations for optimizing learning curve efficiency, differentiate between formative feedback and summative feedback, and describe the cycle of self-regulated learning. This chapter concludes with pedagogical recommendations for applying mindset cultivation within the classroom.
Simultaneous PRES and TMA secondary to tacrolimus after allogeneic bone marrow transplant.

![Figure][1] A 25-year-old woman with FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia underwent cord blood transplantation with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and total body irradiation conditioning. Despite prophylaxis with mycophenolate and tacrolimus, she suffered from grade 4 gastrointestinal
Volumetric quantification of coronary arteries reconstructed by fusion between intravascular ultrasound and biplane angiography

Fusion of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and biplane X-ray angiography leads to a geometrically correct representation of coronary vessels. A comparison of three volume quantification methods - polytope, Watanabe, and Simpson-based - is reported. The three methods allow local estimation of plaque accumulation. To determine volumetric indices, space between the lumen and adventitia surfaces is subdivided and each of the volume elements considered separately to achieve volume quantification. Polyhedral volume elements are employed and their volumes estimated by each of the proposed approaches. The volume quantification methods were validated in 92 computer-generated shapes and tested on routine patient data. All three methods were found highly accurate. By comparing the volume quantification errors, the polytope and Watanabe methods were found statistically significantly more accurate than the Simpson-based approach.
Managing Fat – The Future of the Beef Industry

A normal growth curve for beef cattle is shown in Figure 1. This particular curve could represent a feedlot steer that would be expected to grade Choice at 1,250 lbs. Cattle grow rather slowly initially, then grow most rapidly during the phase when they are depositing muscle. The rate of gain normally declines during the fattening process. Fat deposition can be divided into four common depots: 1. Internal fat – surrounds the organs (WASTE FAT). 2. Seam fat – between the muscles (WASTE FAT). 3. Subcutaneous fat – on the surface of the animal under the hide (WASTE FAT). 4. Intramuscular fat – within the muscle, between the muscle fiber bundles, referred to as marbling (TASTE FAT).
Bovine P2 Protein: Sequence at the NH2-Terminal of the Protein

Sequence data from key fragments of the P2 protein established the order of cyanogen bromide (CNBr) peptides in the structure of the protein and the primary structure for approximately one-half of the molecule. Data were obtained from the three tryptic peptides of blocked NH2-terminal CNBr peptide (CN3), the large CNBr peptide of P, protein (CN1), and a fragment obtained from P2 by cleavage at tryptophan with 2-(2-nitrophenylsulfenyl)-3-methyl-3′-bromoindolenine. This last fragment was found to contain an overlapping sequence that proved the juxtaposition of CN 1 and CN3 in P2 protein. Thus, based on this fact and the characteristics of the CNBr peptides, the P2 structure is composed of CNBr peptides in the order: CN3-CN1-CN2(Va1)-CN2(Lys). A comparison was made between the partial sequence of P2 protein and the equivalent portion of the structure of bovine myelin basic protein. The structures of these two proteins were found to be distinctly different although certain similarities are found.
Media and Cognitive Development

By the time children reach adulthood, they will have spent more time using electronic screen media than learning in formal school settings. Thus screen media have enormous potential to influence cognitive development—for good or ill. This chapter describes popular concerns about media impact, using Sesame Street as a case study. Current estimates of children's use of media and engagement in multitasking behavior are presented. Empirical research is summarized with respect to children's cognition during use of media and implications for media effects on children are noted. Possible direct and indirect pathways of media influence on cognitive development are outlined, followed by a summary of research on media effects on cognitive skills and academic achievement. The chapter concludes with a critical analysis of research to date, including areas in need of future study. Keywords: academic achievement; attention; children; cognition; cognitive development; early learning; educational media; informal education; interactive media; media effects; television; video games
Introduction to Plasma Astrophysics and Cosmology

The year 1996 marks the Centennial Celebration of the founding of Plasma Astrophysics and Cosmology; its origins may be traced to the seminal research first published by Kristian Birkeland in 1896. This special workshop issue reports on advances in issues of importance to the plasma universe; topics as timely as when first raised a century ago.
Intoxicación por plomo en humanos

El plomo es un metal que se ha usado extensamente desde la antiguedad, por lo que se le puede demostrar en la mayoria de personas. Este metal afecta sistemas, organos y tejidos y su efecto puede ser proporcional a la cantidad presente en el organismo. Pero los umbrales de sus efectos toxicos varian en diferentes individuos. Los ninos generalmente absorben una mayor proporcion del plomo y con un efecto mas severo que los adultos, porque estan en un proceso activo de desarrollo y por ciertas caracteristicas fisiologicas, patologicas y de conducta. Los servicios de salud publica pueden identificar areas en que la poblacion tiene un riesgo mayor de intoxicacion con plomo y establecer condiciones para el despistaje, identificacion temprana y tratamiento de las personas afectadas. La determinacion de plomo en sangre venosa es la prueba mas sensible de exposicion al plomo. Se recomienda que los niveles en sangre se mantengan debajo de 10 μg/dL. Este articulo revisa las fuentes de contaminacion, efectos, diagnostico y tratamiento del plomo.
Atrial, SA nodal, and AV nodal electrophysiology in standing horses: normal findings and electrophysiologic effects of quinidine and diltiazem.

Background: Although atrial arrhythmias are clinically important in horses, atrial electrophysiology has been incompletely studied. Hypotheses: Standard electrophysiologic methods can be used to study drug effects in horses. Specifically, the effects of diltiazem on atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction are rate-dependent and allow control of ventricular response rate during rapid atrial pacing in horses undergoing quinidine treatment. Animals: Fourteen healthy horses. Methods: Arterial blood pressure, surface electrocardiogram, and right atrial electrogram were recorded during sinus rhythm and during programmed electrical stimulation at baseline, after administration of quinidine gluconate (10 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes, n = 7; and 12 mg/kg IV over 5 minutes followed by 5 mg/kg/h constant rate infusion for the remaining duration of the study, n = 7), and after coadministration of diltiazem (0.125 mg/kg IV over 2 minutes repeated every 12 minutes to effect). Results: Quinidine significantly prolonged the atrial effective refractory period, shortened the functional refractory period (FRP) of the AV node, and increased the ventricular response rate during atrial pacing. Diltiazem increased the FRP, controlled ventricular rate in a rate-dependent manner, caused dose-dependent suppression of the sinoatrial node and produced a significant, but well tolerated decrease in blood pressure. Effective doses of diltiazem ranged from 0.125 to 1.125 mg/kg. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Standard electrophysiologic techniques allow characterization of drug effects in standing horses. Diltiazem is effective for ventricular rate control in this pacing model of supraventricular tachycardia. The use of diltiazem for rate control in horses with atrial fibrillation merits further investigation.
Direct contact between enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and osteoblasts is not required for EMD-induced cell proliferation

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the effect of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on osteoblast proliferation is dependent on direct contact between EMD and the cells. Study design MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded onto 6-well culture plates at an initial density of 5000/cm2 in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Serum was removed from the culture medium after 24 hours with or without the addition of EMD. Four groups were evaluated: group 1, DMEM only; group 2, DMEM with 100 μg/mL EMD directly added to the culture medium; group 3, DMEM with a culture plate insert (30-mm diameter; 0.4-μm pore size) only; group 4, DMEM with 100 μg/mL EMD added onto a culture plate insert. The porous membrane of the insert prevented direct contact between EMD and the cells. After 3-day incubation, cell morphology was examined and the total cell number per well was counted and analyzed using 1-way ANOVA. Results EMD formed precipitated aggregates on the membrane of the culture insert with the same appearance as when it was added directly to the medium. The culture plate insert alone did not cause any changes in cell morphology or proliferation. The addition of EMD significantly increased cell number regardless the presence of the culture plate insert. Conclusion This study suggests that direct contact between EMD and osteoblasts is not required to induce cell proliferation. Soluble peptides released from EMD may contribute to the stimulating effects of EMD on cell proliferation.
Worsening Renal Function in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Treated With Ultrafiltration: Predictors and Outcomes

Abstract Background Ultrafiltration (UF) is used to treat patients with diuretic-resistant acute decompensated heart failure. The aim of this study was to identify predictors and the effect of worsening renal failure (WRF) on mortality in patients treated with UF. Methods and Results Based on changes in serum creatinine, 99 patients treated with UF were divided into WRF and control groups. Overall creatinine increased from 1.9 ± 9.7 to 2.2 ± 2.0 mg/dL ( P P = .03). Based on multivariate analysis, aldosterone antagonist treatment (odds ratio [OR] 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–13.46, P = .04), heart rate ≤65 beats/min (OR 6.03, 95% CI 1.48–48.42; P = .03), and E/E′ ≥15 (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.26–17.55; P = .04) at hospital admission were associated with WRF. Patients with baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≤60 mg/dL who developed WRF during UF had a 75% 1-year mortality rate. Conclusions WRF occurred frequently during UF. Increased LV filling pressures, lower heart rate, and treatment with aldosterone antagonist at hospital admission can identify patients at increased risk for WRF. Patients with baseline GFR ≤60 mg/dL and WRF during UF have an extremely high 1-year mortality rate.
Midwave Barrier Infrared Detector with Quantum Dot Enhancement

Multiple layers of self-assembled InSb quantum dots are inserted into a standard InAsSb/AlAsSb midwave infrared nBn detector to extend the photo-response wavelength range while maintaining excellent dark current performance.
The stability of the collagen phenotype during stimulated collagen, glycosaminoglycan, and DNA synthesis by articular cartilage organ cultures

Abstract Rabbit articular cartilage slices were grown in organ culture for 9 weeks. Eightfold increases in the synthesis of both glycosaminoglycan and collagen were observed at 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. These levels of synthesis gradually declined in parallel to fourfold at 9 weeks. DNA synthesis was stimulated more than 30-fold at 3 weeks and then declined to sevenfold at 9 weeks. In contrast, the content of glycosaminoglycans and collagen per milligram of original wet slices did not vary significantly, while the number of cells increased 1.7-fold by the end of the study. The collagen phenotype of these cultures was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis of recently synthesized, [ 3 H]proline-labeled intact collagen chains and CNBr peptides. Throughout the study the major collagen synthesized was type II, ranging from 95 to 68% of the collagen synthesized at 0 and 5 weeks, respectively. Increases in the proportions of X 2 Y and type III collagen were first observed at 3 weeks in culture. The synthesis of type I collagen was detected only after 5 weeks in culture and never represented more than 11% of the total collagen synthesized. The synthesis of type I trimer could not be verified at any time. This study demonstrates that in vitro organ culture of articular cartilage slices allows chondrocytes to maintain the normal chondrocyte collagen phenotype of predominantly type II synthesis while stimulating their proliferation and matrix synthesis.
The EEG in intrinsic supratentorial brain tumors: A comparative evaluation

Abstract EEG data on 149 patients with proven supratentorial brain tumors were reviewed in order to reassess the value of EEG as a localizing procedure. All of the EEGs were those recorded at the time the patient first appeared for neurological diagnosis, and were not limited to records secured just prior to surgical exploration. The various electrographic features seen are discussed in relation to tumor location. Among the most reliable predictors of tumor, regardless of location, are the presence of focal delta and/or theta activity. EEG appears to be more useful in lateralizing a space-occupying lesion than in precisely localizing the lesion, which probably reflects the fact that EEG is a physiological and not an anatomical method. In 119 of the cases reviewed, brain scan was available for comparison with the EEG data. Some tumors are not detected with as high an accuracy by scan as by EEG, so that the two methods should be regarded as complementary, not competitive. In the presence of a normal scan and a normal EEG, the probability of a patient harboring a brain tumor is less than 5%.
Interhemispheric Integration: II. Symmetry and Convergence of the Corticostriatal Projections of the Left and the Right Principal Sulcus (PS) and the Left and the Right Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) of the Rhesus Monkey

The relationship between the termination zones of projections from paired homotopic areas of the frontal lobes was examined in the caudate nucleus and the putamen of the macaque monkey. Injections of WGA-HRP and tritiated amino acids were made in topographically matched regions of the principal sulcus (PS) or of the supplementary motor area (SMA) in each hemisphere, such that the projections from the same area on each side were differentially labeled in the same animal. Adjacent sections through the neostriatum were processed for the respective tracers, permitting the relationship between the converging projections to be defined. The topographic distribution and strength of ipsilateral corticostriatal projections observed for separately labeled left and right hemispheres were strikingly similar. Projections from the left and the right PS terminated preferentially in central parts of the left and right neostriata, respectively, while projections of the left and right SMAs terminated preferentially in dorsolateral parts of respective left and right neostriata. Therefore, little evidence for asymmetry of corticostriatal projections was found. The projections of the left and the right PS to the same neostriatum were also compared. Remarkably, whether in the left or right hemisphere, projections from the left and the right PS were in precise register in topographically specific territories of the caudate and putamen. Likewise, projections of the left and right SMAs converged in both the left and right neostriata. Such convergence allows for a remarkable degree of interhemispheric integration in the descending corticostriatal networks.
Increased Cortical Bone Density in Adults with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) - Type 1 Compared to their Affected Children

INCREASED CORTICAL BONE DENSITY IN ADULTS WITH OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA [OI]- TYPE 1 COMPARED TO THEIR AFFECTED CHILDREN. 867
Elevated Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase in Aqueous Humor in An Eye Without Retinoblastoma

A 14-month-old boy had a microphthalmic left eye. An anterior chamber paracentesis was performed six days after examination under anesthesia. Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) level in the aqueous humor was 1,158 mu and was 202 mu in the serum. The aqueous humor/serum LDH ratio was 5.73. This eye was eventually enucleated and found to have retinal dysplasia and diffuse hemorrhagic necrosis. There was no eividence of retinoblastoma. The elevated LDH level in aqueous humor was probably secondary to the ocular tissue necrosis and hemorrhage. This false-positive result emphasizes the limitation of using the aqueous humor/serum LDH ratio to distinguish eyes with retinoblastoma from those without retinoblastoma.
Regulated Expression of a Calmodulin Isoform Alters Growth and Development in Potato

A transgene approach was taken to study the consequences of altered expression of a calmodutin iso-form on plant growth and development. Eight genomic clones of potato calmodulin (PCM 1 to 8) have been isolated and characterized. Among the potato calmodulin isoforms studied, PCM 1 differs from the other isoforms because of its unique amino acid substitutions. Transgenic potato plants were produced carrying sense construct of PCM 1 fused to the CAMV 35S promoter. Transgenic plants showing a moderate increase in PCM 1 MRNA exhibited strong apical dominance, produced elongated tubers, and were taller than the controls. Interestingly, the plants expressing the highest level of PCM 1 MRNA did not form underground tubers. Instead, these transgenic plants produced aerial tubers when allowed to grow for longer periods. The expression of different calmodulin isoforms (PCM 1, 5, 6, and 8) was studied in transgenic plants. Among the four potato calmodulin isoforms, only the expression of PCM 1 MRNA was altered in transgenic plants, while the expression of other isoforms was not significantly altered. Western analysis revealed increased PCM 1 protein in transgenic plants, indicating that the expression of both MRNA and protein are altered in transgenic plants. These results suggest that increasing the expression of PCM 1 alters growth and development in potato plants.
Firing changes in cells of the nucleus medialis dorsalis associated with delayed response behavior.

Abstract Monkeys were trained to perform a delayed response (DR) task. A visual cue—placement of food under one of two test objects—was succeded by a delay of 18 sec, during which the test objects were concealed and out of reach. At the end of the delay, the objects were made accessible for choice and, if the choice was correct, for reward. Single unit activity was recorded from thalamic nuclei during DR performance. The parvo- and magnocelularis portions of the nucleus medialis dorsalis (MD) were principally explored. Units spontaneously exhibiting rhytmic firing were commonly observed, particularly in MD pars magnocellularis. According to temporal patterns of firing frequency changes during DR trials, 6 different types of units were distinguished. Approximately one-half of all the units sampled in MD, pars parvocellularis, showed sustained elevations of discharge during the delay. These findings are comparable to those made in a separate study of the prefrontal cortical area to which MD, pars parvocellularis, is connected. The firing changes correlated with the behavioral task are interpreted as manifestations of a functional involvement of MD, together with the prefrontal cortex, in DR performance. The possible nature of this involvement is discussed in relation to the available evidence from anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral research.
cGMP-induced differentiation of the promyelocytic cell line HL-60

Abstract cGMP is a second messenger that mediates numerous metabolic events; in the present work a role in myeloid cell differentiation was demonstrated. Nitroprusside and NaNO2, which activate cytosolic guanylate cyclase and increase the intracellular cGMP concentration, induced granulocytic differentiation of the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60; differentiation was measured by acquisition of the OKM1 antigen, morphological changes, and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction. When theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which by itself induced modest differentiation, was added to nitroprusside or NaNO2, differentiation increased in an additive fashion. The degree of differentiation correlated with the increase in the intracellular cGMP concentration. 8-Bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, a membrane-permeable cGMP analogue, also induced differentiation of HL-60 cells but was much more effective in the presence of theophylline, with the two agents interacting synergistically. The effect of theophylline in these studies could not be attributed to increasing the intracellular cAMP concentration. Dimethyl sulfoxide, and established inducer of differentiation of HL-60 cells, markedly enhanced the differentiation induced by nitroprusside and NaNO2.
Quantitative trait locus analysis for next-generation sequencing with the functional linear models

Background Although in the past few years we have witnessed the rapid development of novel statistical methods for association studies of qualitative traits using next generation sequencing (NGS) data, only a few statistics are proposed for testing the association of rare variants with quantitative traits. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of rare variants remains challenging. Analysis from low dimensional data to high dimensional genomic data demands changes in statistical methods from multivariate data analysis to functional data analysis. Methods We propose a functional linear model (FLM) as a general principle for developing novel and powerful QTL analysis methods designed for resequencing data. By simulations we calculated the type I error rates and evaluated the power of the FLM and other eight existing statistical methods, even in the presence of both positive and negative signs of effects. Results Since the FLM retains all of the genetic information in the data and explores the merits of both variant-by-variant and collective analysis and overcomes their limitation, the FLM has a much higher power than other existing statistics in all the scenarios considered. To evaluate its performance further, the FLM was applied to association analysis of six quantitative traits in the Dallas Heart Study, and RNA-seq eQTL analysis with genetic variation in the low coverage resequencing data of the 1000 Genomes Project. Real data analysis showed that the FLM had much smaller p values to identify significantly associated variants than other existing methods. Conclusions The FLM is expected to open a new route for QTL analysis.
An analysis of shock wave disturbances observed at 1 AU from 1971 through 1978

IMP 6, 7, and 8 data from 104 shock wave disturbances were employed to document the occurrence frequency and properties of the solar wind shock which produce He ion abundance enhancements. The shocks were identified over the 1971-1978 time period and were characterized by a preshock flow with lower than usual average bulk density, a shocked gas layer 12 hr thick, and a postshocked gas layer 1.5 days thick with a high He abundance. A high-temperature peak was found to occur in the first 12 hrs after a He-enriched shock and was not seen when He-enhancement was absent. The total pressure was also three times higher with He-shocks, and speed jumps were greater than 50 km/sec in 56% of the He events. It is concluded that all shock waves in the solar wind at 1 AU originate in coronal mass ejection events, and the presence of He-enrichment is attributable to the geometry of the area that produced the event.
Dynamic Simulation and Optimization for the Start-up Operation of An Ethylene Oxide Plant

Ethylene oxide (EO) is an important chemical intermediate for the production of various chemical products. The manufacturing of EO involves critical exothermic reactions at high temperature and high pressure, whose failure may cause catastrophic personal injury, severe air pollution, and tremendous economic loss. Thus, an EO plant must be well controlled under various situations, especially during its start-up operations. In this paper, a general methodology for improving chemical plant start-up operations through plant-wide dynamic simulation has been developed. It undergoes modeling and validations for steady-state, dynamic, and historian start-up operations. On the basis of the validated dynamic simulation model, the original plant start-up strategy is further examined and optimized to speed-up the plant start-up operation with enhanced safety considerations. A case study on an EO plant start-up has demonstrated the significant operational and economic benefits of the proposed methodology.
Toward the Rational Control of Nanoscale Structures Using Chiral Self-Assembly: Diacetylenic Phosphocholines†

Results reported in this study provide, for the first time, a simple approach to tune the diameter of nanoscale diacetylenic phospholipid-based tubules. We have found a clear correlation between the n segments of the acyl chains in diacetylenic phosphocholines and the diameter of nanotubules formed from lipid mixtures containing diacetylenic phosphocholine and a short-chain “spacer” lipid. Microscopic structures in the aqueous dispersions of equimolar mixtures of diacetylenic phospholipid, DCm,nPCs, and saturated spacer lipids (DCm‘PCs) were studied to understand and formulate the basis for developing the “design” rules for the formation of stable nanoscale structures. An increase in the number of n resulted in an increase in the diameter of the tubules produced by the mixtures. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of these mixtures were analyzed and the very complex CD spectra clearly confirmed the chiral nature of the nanotubule architecture. Tubules from most of the mixtures demonstrated long-term storage s...
Doing Dialogue Interreligiously

Abstract: The essay explores the motives for dialogue, the conditions for a meaningful dialogue, and the benefits of a successful dialogue in order to understand the significance of doing interreligious dialogue interreligiously.
Zn+ Cations, Probable Tl4Zn12 and Tl6 Clusters, and Zeolite Desilication (Less Likely Dealumination): Crystallographic Study of the Incomplete Reaction of Zn Vapor with Tl+-Exchanged Zeolite X

The products of the reaction of Zn vapor with fully dehydrated fully Tl+-exchanged zeolite X (Tl92Si100Al92O384 per unit cell) at 450 °C (crystal 1, a0 = 24.825(3) A, Tl+62Zn+30Si100Al92O384·2Tl0,15Zn0) and 500 °C (crystal 2, a0 = 24.950(4) A, Tl+18Zn2+46Si98Al94O384·4SiO44-) have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the cubic space groups Fd3m and Fd3, respectively. In crystal 1, 30 Tl+ ions were reduced by Zn(g) and replaced by Zn+ ions (18 are found at site I‘ and 12 at site II‘). This is the first report of the monatomic cation Zn+. Some of the product Tl atoms and additional Zn(g) atoms were captured by some of the remaining site-II Tl+ ions possibly to form (sparsely) Tl+4Zn012Tl04 clusters of symmetry 43m at supercage centers. This cluster has a central Tl4 tetrahedron surrounded by 12 Zn atoms, surrounded by four Tl+ ions (a third shell), all in a cubic closest-packed arrangement. Other Tl+ ions have captured Zn atoms, perhaps to form smaller clusters. The Tl+ populations at the ...
Behavioral studies of inhibition and integration in the mosquito Culiseta inornata (Williston).

A study was made of the interaction in the central nervous system of sensory input arising from the simulatneous application of opposing stimuli to receptors on the tarsi and labella of the mosquito. Stimulating chemosensory hairs on the tarsi with 5 M NaCl failed to inhibit the labeller response to sucrose at concentrations above 0.125 M. At lower sucrose concentrations there was a decrease in the number of mosquitoes responding. The application of 5 M NaCl to the tarsal receptors elevated the labellar threshold for sucrose in all subjects tested. This influence of the salt was expressed whether acting on the tarsi in an ipsilateral or contralateral manner. Stimulating the tarsal hairs with 2 M sucrose resulted in a labellar response to NaCl at concentrations of 0.50 M and lower. Ordinarily NaCl is rejected at all concentrations by this mosquito. Evidence was obtained which indicated that the labellar response to NaCl was mediated by the water receptor rather than by the salt receptor.
The politics of foreign labor policy in Korea and Japan

Abstract We test the comparative foreign labor policies of Korea and Japan within a vein of international relations literature addressing the effects of international norms on changes in state policies. Building on the efforts to emphasize a state's domestic structure as a source of variations in the impact of international norms, this study enriches this debate further by demonstrating the role of the Korean state in developing international human rights norms domestically. In contrast to the previous studies that tend to dichotomize between states and human rights activists, which result in focusing their empirical studies on the question of whether states are constrained in developing immigration policies under the influence of international human rights norms, we demonstrate that state actors in coalition with human rights activists were actively involved in the process of enacting the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (EFWA) in Korea. More precisely, by offering a detailed account of how Korea finall...
A measurement of the pp total cross section at √s = 1800GeV

The pp differential elastic scattering cross section was measured at √s=1800 GeV, using an improved accelerator luminosity determination and CDF small angle data in the range of 0.05 ≤ t ≤ 0.2(GeV/c)2. By extrapolating the differential cross sections to t=0 and using the optical theorem we obtain a total cross section of σtot(pp) = 72.0±3.6 mb. This result is preliminary in the sense that we expect to further reduce the systematic error on the optical point.
Molecular Mechanism of HCl Acid Ionization in Water: Ab Initio Potential Energy Surfaces and Monte Carlo Simulations

The acid ionization of HCl in water is examined via a combination of electronic structure calculations with ab initio molecular orbital methods and Monte Carlo computer simulations. The following key features are taken into account in the modeling: the polarization of the electronic structure of the solute reaction system by the solvent, the quantum character of the proton nuclear motion, the solvent fluctuation and reorganization along with the solvent polarization effects on the proton potential, and a Grotthuss mechanism of the aqueous proton transfer. The mechanism is found to involve the following: first, a nearly activationless motion in a solvent coordinate, which is adiabatically followed by the quantum proton rather than tunneling, to produce a contact ion pair Cl-−H3O+, which is stabilized by ∼7 kcal/mol; second, motion in the solvent with a small activation barrier, as a second adiabatic proton transfer produces a solvent-separated ion pair from the contact ion pair in a nearly thermoneutral ...
Elevated temperature nitrogen ion implantation of incoloy alloys 908 and 909 using the plasma source ion implantation process

Abstract The plasma source ion implantation process has been applied to two FeNi-based superalloys, Incoloy ∗ alloys 908 and 909. Nitrogen was implanted at 53 keV to a dose of 3 x 10 18 atoms cm −2 and the sample temperature was intentionally raised to approximately 550 °C to promote thermal diffusion. Auger analysis for nitrogen concentration indicated a subsurface maximum, then a somewhat lower but constant value up to about 5 μm, followed by a decrease that was more characteristic of thermal diffusion. The matrix lattice parameter at the surface increased owing to nitrogen implantation, and both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicated the formation of nitrides at the surface. Cyclic potertiodynamic corrposion tests in 0.01N NaCl solution showed that the resistance to localized corrosion, after implantation, increased for alloy 908, but for alloy 909 only somne aspects of corrosion showed improvement. Significant improvements in hardness and wear resistance were achieved at the surface as a result of the implantation process. Possible strengthening mechanisms are discussed.
Another Version of “Sweetness and Light”: White on Cultural and Legal Criticism

When James Boyd White describes the practice of cultural criticism as a conversation with texts, he also provides an apt account of the reviewer's task. She must judge the text under review in terms of its contribution to contemporary critical conversations, situating both text and context in relation to the past. White's contribution to the law and literature movement is extensive, beginning with The Legal Imagination (1973). His work has consistently investigated both the ethical dimensions of language use, specifically legal language, and the place of language in the construction of culture. Justice as Translation: An Essay in Cultural and Legal Criticism continues this work, placing White in what may be broadly defined as the moderate, humanist tradition (as distinguished from the poststructuralist, hermeneutical, and feminist traditions) of the law and literature movement. The book consists of essays written between 1974 and 1989; its aim is "to work out a way of examining texts and languages (including legal ones) as forms of life, not merely as systems or instances of communication: to see discourses, that is, as ethical and political systems, as cultures in fact, and to see individual acts of expression as having meaning of these kinds as well" (at xiv).