cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near-infrared fluorophore capped gold nanostars for enhanced detection of choroidal neovascularization in living rabbits using multimodal photoacoustic microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescence microscopy

Enhanced visualization of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is critical to the precise diagnosis and treatment for patients with neovascular eye diseases such as wet macular degeneration. Currently, eye clinics lack an imaging modality that can precisely detect and visualize the position and margins of CNV in three-dimensions. This study shows that a unique multimodal photoacoustic microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and florescence microscopy system can accurately identify CNV in living rabbits with high resolution and image contrast at a sub-10-micron scale. In addition, to better visualize CNV and distinguish it from normal blood vessels, the peptide RGD targeting neovascularization was conjugated with gold nanostars (GNS) capped with photostable near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore alexa fluor 790 (AF790). Four New Zealand white rabbits with laser-induced CNV were intravenously administered with 400µL of GNS at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. The accumulation of GNS at CNV was monitored by multimodal OCT, PAM, color fundus photographs, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) at various time points: 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, day 4, day 7, day 9, day 11, and day 14. The experimental results show that GNS accumulation occurs in the region of CNV. The GNS were detected by all three imaging modalities both in vitro and in living rabbits. The PA signal was increased 19-fold 24 h post-injection. In addition, fluorescence signal gradually decreased over time. Histological analysis and TUNEL assay show no toxicity in the rabbit at the administered concentrations. Therefore, GNS-assisted multimodal imaging has the possibility to improve microvasculature imaging.
29 – THE ENERGY MARKET

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the energy market across the world. Though energy may never again be cheap, and America may never produce enough of its own energy to be self-sufficient, a national energy policy can pave the way to a more secure and balanced energy future. The main goal is to reduce the United States' dependence on the imported oil, making the transition with minimum shock to the economy, the environment and American life by the late 1980s. The chapter presents a series of proposals that demand national consensus and immediate action. However, there is no one solution to the energy crisis, merely a chance to guarantee that national policy will provide for a more secure future. Decontrol of domestic oil, natural gas and gasoline prices, a course on which the Carter Administration has finally embarked, is absolutely necessary. By keeping a cap on prices and holding them below world market levels, the U.S. government has sought to protect American consumers. The cheapest source of energy is conservation—energy efficiency—so that vehicles, equipment, buildings and appliances to their work with a minimum of waste. Higher energy prices and limits on oil imports are sure to spur even more such conservation. However, national energy policy should make energy efficiency even more economically attractive than it already is.
THU0240 SELECTIVE DEPLETION OF AUTOREACTIVE B CELLS USING A PEPTIDE VACCINATION APPROACH

Background: B cell depletion is currently approved or being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of many autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, systemic sclerosis, and lupus. We previously demonstrated that the heavy chain variable regions (VH) of anti-DNA antibodies contain epitopes that can bind MHC class I molecules.1 Vaccination of autoimmune-prone NZB/NZWF1 mice with plasmid DNA vectors carrying minigenes that encode such epitopes induced CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that killed anti-DNA antibody-producing B cells, reduced serum anti-DNA antibody levels, retarded the development of nephritis, and improved survival.1 Treatment with peptides alone did not induce such CD8+ T-cells, as we and others have reported impaired CD8+ regulatory and CTL responses in mice and humans.2,3 Here, we asked if we could overcome such impairment using synthetic oligodeoxynuleotides containing unmethylated cytidine-phosphate-guanosine dinucletides (CpG-ODN) that can enhance innate and adaptive immunity. Objectives: To determine if peptides representing MHC class I binding epitopes in the autoantibody VH regions conjugated to CpG-ODN will elicit CD8+ CTLs that will ablate autoantibody-producing B cells, reduce serum autoantibody levels, and retard the development of autoimmune disease. Methods: We first sceeened VH regions of anti-dsDNA and other autoantibodies for MHC class I-binding epitopes uisng various bioinformatic approaches, and then verified the binding using cellular binding approaches. We immunized lupus-prone (NZB/NZW F1) mice that develop lupus that mimics human lupus with CpG-ODN or a control ODN, and assessed CTL responses. We then treated these mice with CpG-ODN conjugated to MHC class I-binding VH epitopes. We monitored lupus mice for proteinuria, serum anti-dsDNA antibodies, and survival. Results: Immunization with CpG-ODN corrected the impairment in peptide-specific CTL responses in lupus-prone mice. The CpG-ODN conjugated with MHC class I-binding, anti-dsDNA antibody VH-derived epitopes induced potent peptide-specific CTL responses against autoreactive B cells that expressed the respectie epitopes, and against B cells from diseased lupus-prone mice. The animals treated with CpG-ODN-peotde conjugates had reduced serum anti-DNA antibody levels and proteinuria, significantly delayed development of nephritis, and improved survival as compared to animals injected with a control ODN. Conclusion: Seletive ablation of autoreactive B cells by CTLs induced by peptide vaccines conjugated to CpG-ODN represents a novel approach to treat autoantibody-mediated diseases. References: [1]Fan G and Singh RR. J Exp Med 2002;196:731-741. [2]Singh RR. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2000;12:399-406. [3]Singh RR. Mol Immunol 2004;40:1137-1145. Disclosure of Interests: : None declared
Rethinking slums, cities, and urban planning: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to informal settlements and the planning and policy failures that they represent. In this think-piece, we reflect on the impacts of both the pand...
Coastal Impacts, Recovery, and Resilience Post-Hurricane Sandy in the Northeastern US

Post-Hurricane Sandy research has improved our understanding of coastal resilience during major storm events, accelerated sea level rise, and other climate-related factors, helping to enhance science-based decision-making, restoration, and management of coastal systems. The central question this special section examines is: “looking across the breadth of research, natural resource management actions and restoration projects post-Hurricane Sandy, what can we say about coastal impact, recovery, and resilience to prepare for increasing impacts of future storms?” These five studies, along with lessons from other published and unpublished research, advance our understanding beyond just the documentation of hurricane impacts but also highlights both natural and managed recovery, thereby advancing the developing field of coastal resilience.
Step Count Standardization: Validation of Step Counts from the Withings Activite using PiezoRxD and wGT3X-BT

Daily step counts from the Withings Activite were validated against those collected concurrently from the PiezoRxD Pedometer and the wGT3X-BT Actigraph worn on the waist and on the wrist in free-living conditions from 10 older adult volunteers. The Withings Activite underestimated step counts but showed good correlations with the other devices (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.850 – 0.891).Clinical Relevance — Although the Withings Activite underestimated steps, they may be used in studies to estimate relative level of physical activity in free-living conditions since they have good correlations with other well-validated devices. Underestimation of steps may be corrected using linear transformation.
Impaired driving among rural female drug-involved offenders.

Very little is known about rural female impaired drivers despite disproportionate rates of impaired driving arrests and associated traffic fatalities in rural areas. The present study examined past...
Design and Analysis of an Advanced Three-Point Bend Test Approach for Miniature Irradiated Disk Specimens

Candidate tungsten armor materials in a magnetic confinement fusion device must be able to withstand thermal variation that leads to internal stresses caused by the impinging heat load. In addition...
Improved Convergence Rates for the Orthogonal Greedy Algorithm.

We analyze the orthogonal greedy algorithm when applied to dictionaries $\mathbb{D}$ whose convex hull has small entropy. We show that if the metric entropy of the convex hull of $\mathbb{D}$ decays at a rate of $O(n^{-\frac{1}{2}-\alpha})$ for $\alpha > 0$, then the orthogonal greedy algorithm converges at the same rate. This improves upon the well-known $O(n^{-\frac{1}{2}})$ convergence rate of the orthogonal greedy algorithm in many cases, most notably for dictionaries corresponding to shallow neural networks. Finally, we show that these improved rates are sharp under the given entropy decay assumptions.
Surgical Correction of the Buried Penis: Description of a Classification System and a Technique to Correct the Disorder

AbstractThe concealed penis is a long-standing problem that only recently has begun to receive the attention it deserves. We offer a classification for this general disorder, which facilitates the selection of appropriate surgical procedures for these patients. To correct the most common problem, the buried penis, involves removal of localized deposits of fat from the hypogastrium with open surgical or closed suction techniques followed by anchoring of the skin of the base of the penis to the periosteum of the pubis. During the last year we have used this approach successfully in 7 boys with various forms of penile concealment with good results.
A MATLAB GUI for ocean acoustic propagation

A MATLAB-based MAP graphical user interface (GUI) is described for accessing bathymetry and sound speed databases and using them to predict ocean acoustic transmission and to display the results. MATLAB scripts have been developed to estimate a field of view from a single transducer and to compute transmission losses between a source and receiver using one of several standard propagation codes. The GUI called MAP is described and several test cases are presented. The MAP GUI supports three simple functions that display database information; an image of bathymetry for a user-specified area may be plotted, a sound speed profile (SSP) at a user-selected location may be plotted, and bathymetry and SSP along a geodesic between a transmitter and receiver may be plotted. The MAP GUI supports two types of algorithms modeling acoustic transmission loss. The first is computation of the acoustic field between two points. External propagation codes written by other agencies are used to do the basic simulation. MATLAB accesses database information, writes input files for the simulations, runs them, and plots results. Currently five external simulations are supported; (1) EIGENRAY, (2) RAY, (3) CASS, (4) UMPE, and (5) RAM. The first three simulations are ray-based models, and the last two are parabolic expansion models. The second type of algorithm is mapping a "field of view" for a transducer (a "shadow" plot). Horizontal rays are propagated from the instruments and the range at which acoustic propagation fails is displayed. Two algorithms are supported. One accesses a database of sound channel depths along with bathymetry information and uses heuristics to estimate propagation along the horizontal rays. The other accesses the Levitis SSP database and uses Weston's Ray Invariant to identify ray elevations "interrupted" by bathymetry or (if specified by the user) by the surface.
Obesity, Bariatric Surgery, and the Gut Microbiome

The long-term success of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery varies among patients; however, microbiota structure and how it affects success of the surgery in the long-term are unknown.We hypot...
Characterization of convective solvent flow during iontophoresis.

During iontophoresis under neutral pH conditions, there is a net convective flow of volume (elec-troosmosis) from anode to cathode leading to the enhanced transport of dissolved polar (but uncharged) solutes in the same direction. The objective of this study was to address the following unresolved questions with respect to electroosmotic transport: [1] Whether the efficiency of electroosmotic transport is solute size-dependent and, if so, how severe is this dependence? [2] Is electroosmosis linearly related to current density in the same way that the iontophoretic flux of charged species appears to be? [3] Are positively charged permeants able to influence their own electrotransport across the skin (by modifying the net charge on the membrane and altering, as a result, the permselectivity) and, if so, why and to what extent? Electroosmosis was assessed from the iontophoreically driven fluxes of mannitol, sucrose and lactose across hairless mouse skin in vitro. It was found that:- (a) The electroosmotic transport rate of mannitol is similar to that of the disaccharides, sucrose and lactose, when examined under identical conditions. The dependence of electroosmotic flux upon molecular size requires study of solutes having a wider range of MW than those considered here, (b) Electroosmotic flow from anode-to-cathode increases with applied current density; similarly, convective flow in the opposite direction diminishes with increasing current density. Apparently, there is correlation between the net movement of solvent and the total flux of ions across the skin, (c) The permselectivity of skin can be ‘neutralized’ by driving, iontophoretically, a cationic, lipophilic peptide (specifically the leutinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analog, Nafarelin) into the membrane. The apparently tight association of the peptide with the fixed, negatively-charged sites in the skin reduces significantly, in a concentration-dependent fashion, the anode-to-cathode electroosmotic flow across the barrier. Peptide lipophilicity appears to be necessary for this effect to be seen: the parent peptide, LHRH, does not exhibit this phenomenon.
Culture and Methodology in Personality Assessment

Publisher Summary Multicultural psychology deals with etics or manifestations of group differences that may be uniquely shaped by a variety of local or national conditions, including identity, oppression, and power. The legacy of human suffering attending these issues and their partisan nature has demanded a wider range of historic and contemporary methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. This chapter provides the examination of bias in research. Biased methodology has a history in any nation that applies a scientific model developed by the majority culture to all cultural elements within the society. This methodology has been focused on affirming prediction and control elements of a Euro-American worldview. Bias is omnipresent and has been found in the assumptions made for conventional statistical tests as well as their interpretation, in research designs used for group comparisons and in selection and sampling of research participants. Bias has also been demonstrated in the instruments used for personality assessment. The Rorschach Comprehensive System, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, and the Thematic Apperception Test are used to illustrate examples of methodology in test construction, interpretation, and use of normative data that can either exacerbate or reduce bias. The sources of bias can be remediated by both interim and long-range considerations of the role of culture in assessment research and practice. On an interim basis, research bias can be remediated by more ethical use of research design and statistical treatments of data as well as by the manner in which standard assessment instruments are used in practice. Finally, an assessment methodology is discussed that supplements test validation per se but can serve to reduce bias in describing or diagnosing persons within a multicultural society.
Shock-induced deformation features in terrestrial peridot and lunar dunite

Single crystals of terrestrial olivine (Fo90) were experimentally shock-loaded along [010] to peak pressures 280, 330, and 440 kbar and the resulting deformation features were compared to those present in olivine from lunar dunite 72415. Recovered fragments were examined on the Universal stage to determine the orientation of the planar fractures. With increasing pressure the percentage of pinacoids ({100}, {010}, and {001}) and prisms ({hkO}, {hOl}, and {Okl}), decreases (~40 to ~25%), whereas the percentage of bi pyramids {hkl} increases (~20-50% ). The complexity of the distribution of bipyramids also increases with increasing pressure. Other shock-induced deformation features, including varying degrees of recrystallization, are found to depend on pressure as observed by others. Lunar dunite 72415 was examined and found to contain olivine with well-developed shock deformation features. The relative proportion of pinacoid, prism, and bipyramid planar fractures measured for olivine from 72415 indicates that this rock appears to have undergone shock pressure in the range 330-440 kbar. It displays a preponderance of bipyramid fractures along (2 h = k) planes which have not previously been reported in laboratory or naturally shocked samples. If this dunite was brought to the surface of the moon as a result of excavation of an Imbrium event-sized impact crater, the shock-pressure range experienced by the sample and the results of cratering calculations suggest that it could have originated no deeper than 50-150 km.
Effect of ethanol on myocardial infarct size in a canine model of coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion

This study was conducted to determine if elevated blood alcohol prior to acute coronary artery occlusion affects myocardial infarct size in an in vivo canine model. Seven pentobarbital anesthetized open-chest dogs received 10 min iv infusion of ethanol (0.08 g/kg/min). Ten min after ethanol, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded distal to its first major branch for 60 min. The LAD was then reperfused for 5 h. Following electrically induced ventricular fibrillation, the area at risk of infarction was delineated with dye. The area of infarction was identified by staining with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. Eleven untreated control experiments were also conducted. Mean blood ethanol concentration was 155 ± 26 mg/dl just prior to LAD occlusion and 47 ± 3 mg/dl after 4 h reperfusion. Ethanol infusion had no effect on systemic hemodynamic variables during ischemia. In ethanol treated animals, the area at risk was 19.7 ± 3.0% of the left ventricle, and the infarct size was 20.9 ± 4.8% of the area at risk. In control experiments, the area at risk was 23.0 ± 4.1% of the left ventricle (p > 0.05), and the infarct size was 21.6 ± 3.8% of the area at risk (p > 0.05). Collateral blood flow to ischemic region did not differ between the two groups, and the relationships between infarct size and collateral flow were similar for control and untreated hearts. Acute ethanol exposure prior to coronary artery occlusion and subsequent reperfusion does not affect myocardial infarct size in the heart of the anesthetized dog. (Mol Cell Biochem 186: 35-41, 1998)
Improving robotic assembly performance through autonomous exploration

Robots performing assembly tasks have the opportunity to acquire extensive experience, which could be used to improve performance. This paper reports on a highly encouraging result in which a force-controlled robot exploits a form of genetic algorithm to discover program improvements for mechanical assemblies. In tests on assembly of industrial components, the parameters discovered autonomously by the robot resulted in performance levels significantly better than we were able to tune manually. The result was also significantly better than human performance with these parts.
“Evolving nanoparticle gene delivery vectors for the liver: What has been learned in 30 years”

Abstract Nonviral gene delivery to the liver has been under evolution for nearly 30 years. Early demonstrations established relatively simple nonviral vectors could mediate gene expression in HepG2 cells which understandably led to speculation that these same vectors would be immediately successful at transfecting primary hepatocytes in vivo. However, it was soon recognized that the properties of a nonviral vector resulting in efficient transfection in vitro were uncorrelated with those needed to achieve efficient nonviral transfection in vivo. The discovery of major barriers to liver gene transfer has set the field on a course to design biocompatible vectors that demonstrate increased DNA stability in the circulation with correlating expression in liver. The improved understanding of what limits nonviral vector gene transfer efficiency in vivo has resulted in more sophisticated, low molecular weight vectors that allow systematic optimization of nanoparticle size, charge and ligand presentation. While the field has evolved DNA nanoparticles that are stable in the circulation, target hepatocytes, and deliver DNA to the cytosol, breaching the nucleus remains the last major barrier to a fully successful nonviral gene transfer system for the liver. The lessons learned along the way are fundamentally important to the design of all systemically delivered nanoparticle nonviral gene delivery systems.
Crystallization kinetics of polymer brushes with poly(ethylene oxide) side chains

Isothermal crystallization rates of semicrystalline poly(methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) brushes on gold-coated substrates were measured by polarized optical microscopy. Growth rates for crystal radii, which were essentially constant for each film, initially increased with film thickness and then leveled off for film thicknesses >300 nm. Avrami-Evans theory suggests that the spherulites exhibit one-dimensional growth with heterogeneous nucleation. Compared with physisorbed analogs, polymer brushes crystallized slower due to the restriction of chain mobility.
Vestibular Influences on the Autonomic Nervous System

Considerable evidence exists to suggest that both sympathetic and respiratory outflow from the central nervous system are influenced by the vestibular system. Otolith organs that respond to pitch rotations seem to play a predominant role in producing vestibulo-sympathetic and vestibulo-respiratory responses in cats. Because postural changes involving nose-up pitch challenge the maintenance of stable blood pressure and blood oxygenation in this species, vestibular effects on the sympathetic and respiratory systems are appropriate to participate in maintaining homeostasis during movement. Vestibular influences on respiration and circulation are mediated by a relatively small portion of the vestibular nuclear complex comprising regions in the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei just caudal to Deiters' nucleus. Vestibular signals are transmitted to sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord through pathways that typically regulate the cardiovascular system. In contrast, vestibular effects on respiratory motoneurons are mediated in part by neural circuits that are not typically involved in the generation of breathing.
Electromagnetic linear actuators with inductive position sensing

Abstract Magnetically driven linear micro-actuators with 1 mN output force and hundreds of microns of total travel have been realized using LIGA-like processing techniques. These devices are driven at resonance frequencies of around 350 Hz and exhibit quality factors of about 300 in air. Exploiting wire-wound electromagnets, 300 μm resonant displacements have been demonstrated with drive signal currents of about 1 mA and power dissipation of less than 200 μW. In addition, the self inductance of the coils in these actuators varies linearly with plunger displacement. The inductance changes of about 1 μH μm−1 may be used for inductive position sensing and as a measure of output force.
Symmetry and degeneracy manifolds in Jahn-Teller molecules

We consider problems in dealing with molecular systems of n identical nuclei. One problem is that of finding suitable internal coordinates. For n ≤ 4, these can be simply the internuclear distances. For n > 4, it is shown that, with perhaps one exception, there is no internal coordinate system that treats all nuclei equivalently. We also consder the properties of conical intersections between two Born-Oppenheimer electronic energy surfaces, in particular the problem of identifying the two coordinates that remove the degeneracy to first order in the near neighborhoods of symmetry manifolds.
Finding Test Statistic Thresholds Using Simulation and Model Fitting with an Application to Radiation Detection

To evaluate the performance of the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) for radiation detection, we present an algorithm based on simulation and local regression smoothing to find thresholds that achieve specified false alarm probabilities.
Semiconductor microlasers with intracavity microfluidics for biomedical applications

Microfabricated electro-optical-mechanical systems are expected to play an important role in future biomedical, biochemical and environmental technologies. Semiconductor photonic materials and devices are attractive components of such systems because of their ability to generate, transmit, modulate, and detect light. In this paper the authors report investigations of light-emitting semiconductor/glass microcavities filled with simple fluids. They examine surface tension for transporting liquids into the intracavity space and study the influence of the liquid on the spectral emission of the microcavity.
Anomalous intrusion detection system for hostile Java applets

Abstract An intrusion detection system (IDS) aims to increase the security of a computer system by dynamically monitoring various features and parameters of the system so as to be able to detect intrusions at the earliest possible. IDS's have been developed for privileged UNIX programs like sendmail, lpr, and login. The IDS that we have built is for applets. It serves as a protection against malicious applets and warns the user when such applets are downloaded. Our system monitors applets using system call traces from the Java runtime environment. Feature vectors created from the system call traces are used to train a machine learning algorithm. The rule-set produced by the algorithm can then be used to distinguish hostile applets from good applets.
Thalassia testudinum, Habitat and Means of Dispersal for Shallow-Water Benthonic Foraminifera: ABSTRACT

The marine grass Thalassia testudinum Konig is distributed throughout the West Indian region and the island of Bermuda. Its distribution is controlled by temperature, salinity, turbulence, and depth. It supplies a substrate for many organisms including benthonic Foraminifera. Sixty-six benthonic foraminiferal species were found living on Thalassia in a relatively small area in the Florida Keys. Of these only 18 species were abundant and these same species were noted living on the marine grass wherever it was examined throughout the area of its distribution. The distribution and abundance of these Foraminifera are controlled by competition with other organisms living in the same environment as well as by interspecific competition. Tropical and subtropical shallow-water ben honic foraminiferal faunas are composed essentially of the same species throughout the West Indian region. The Thalassia blades provide a means of dispersal for the benthonic species. When the tops of the blades die, or when complete plants are broken off by storms or strong wave action, they float and can be transported great distances by currents. The organisms living on the grass blades are carried to different areas where they can survive and reproduce if environmental conditions are favorable. Even sediment-preferring species can be transported by this means, because juvenile specimens, and even some adult specimens, are usually of such low specific gravity that they can be thrown into suspension by storm waves and may settle onto blades of Thalassia. In this manner a fauna of organ sms as a minute as the Foraminifera, which otherwise might be restricted to microenvironments, can become cosmopolitan. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2033------------
Effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in third molar surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

Purpose We conducted a synthetic quantitative review of the published clinical trials on the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in third molar surgery. Materials and Methods Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome variables included alveolar osteitis (AO) and surgical wound infection. The extracted data were analyzed using a meta-analytical program with a random-effect model. Number needed to treat (NnT) was calculated. Results A total of 2,932 patients randomized in 16 clinical trials reported AO as an outcome. AO occurred in 84 of 1,350 patients in the treatment group, a frequency of 6.2%; and in 228 of 1,582 patients in the control group, a frequency of 14.4%. Systemic antibiotic therapy was effective in reducing the risk of AO (odds ratio [OR], 2.175) with an NnT of 13. A total of 2,396 patients randomized in 12 clinical trials reported wound infection as an outcome. Wound infection occurred in 44 of 1,110 patients in the treatment group, a frequency of 4%; and in 78 of 1,286 patients in the control group, a frequency of 6.1%. Systemic antibiotic therapy was effective in reducing the risk of wound infection (OR, 1.794) with an NnT of 25. Antibiotics reduced the risk of AO and wound infection only when first dose was given before surgery. Conclusions Systemic antibiotics given before the surgery were effective in reducing the frequencies of AO and wound infection after third molar surgery.
Direct pH Determination of Setting Cements 2. The Effects of Prolonged Storage Time, Powder/Liquid Ratio, Temperature, and Dentin

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUADETERMINATION DIRECTE DEL pH DE CEMENTOS IN PRISA.-Le resultatos del presente studio indica que le pH se stabilisava verso le fin de 48 horas. A generalmente parlar, plus basse proportiones de pulvere a liquido reduceva le lecturas initial de pH, durante que mixturas spisse exerceva un effecto minus pronunciate super le augmento del pH. Le duo mixturas plus spisse de cementos a phosphato de zinc, a silico-phosphato, e a cupro Typo II esseva proxime a pH 7, durante que cementos de silicato e a cupro Typo I, quando mixte in le mesme proportiones, esseva approximativemente 5,5 al fin de 1 mense. Augmentos del temperatura e contacto con structuras dental haheva solo modestissime influentias super le augmento del pH de varie cementos.
Overview of stimulated Brillouin scattering in microdroplets

This paper summarizes a recent theoretical study of stimulated Brillouin scattering, emphasizing the physical interpretation of the acoustic normal modes and the SBS gain formula.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Are output measurements always necessary after CT tube replacement

Purpose: TX regulations and the ACR require that CT radiation output be measured within 30 days of major service. The most common major service is tube replacement. We hypothesized that historical QC data could be used instead to determine if output measurements are necessary, reducing the need for costly output measurements. Methods : We reviewed 66 records of tube replacements to determine with what frequency output falls outside specifications. We also conducted an experiment to verify that clinically significant output changes could be identified by comparing image noise in historical QC data with the same data after tube replacement. We used 30 days of historical QC data to establish a baseline noise level and 95% confidence interval (CI) for individual noise measurements. To simulate output changes, we acquired phantom images with our QC protocol while manually changing output (mA). We acquired 10 images using the baseline output and 10 images at each different “output”. We evaluated individual images and subsets of images at each “output” to determine if the system was within the manufacturer’s specifications. Results: None of the 66 tube replacements resulted in an output change that exceeded specifications. Analysis of 30 days of historic QC data for our experimental system indicated a mean noise of 5.4 HU with 95% CI of 5.1 ‒ 5.7 HU. When using the mean noise of 10 images acquired at each of the varying outputs, we were able to identify, with 100% accuracy, images acquired at outputs outside manufacturer’s specifications. Conclusion : The results of our review of historical tube replacement data indicated the likelihood of output falling outside manufacturer’s specifications is low. Considering this, it is likely that by using QC data from programs required by regulation and the ACR physicists can reliably verify radiation output stability remotely instead of making physical measurements. -------------------- Cite this article as: P Stauduhar, A Jones. Are output measurements always necessary after CT tube replacement? Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020238. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.38
Sequence-specific DNA recognition by polyamides

Sequence-specific DNA-binding small molecules that can permeate cells could potentially regulate transcription of specific genes. Simple pairing rules for the minor groove of the double helix have been developed that allow the design of ligands for predetermined DNA sequences. Some of these polyamides have been shown to inhibit specific gene expression in mammalian cell culture.
Two models of glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow in the rat.

Two mathematical models of glomerular filtration and blood flow are derived. The first is based on principles of fluid and mass conservation in individual capillaries. The model explains why the filtration rate (GFR) is strongly dependent on local hydrostatic and protein oncotic pressures, and on plasma flow rate (GCPF), but only weakly dependent on exact numbers, lengths, radii, or filtration coefficient of glomerular capillaries. The model shows that much of the increased GFR in both isooncotic plasma loading and isotonic Ringer's loading is due to increased GCPF caused by diluting erythrocytes. The second model uses several approximations and reduces to a quadratic in afferent arteriolar blood flow. When arterial pressure, hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and afferent and efferent arteriolar resistances are specified, the model predicts GFR, afferent arteriolar blood flow, and filtration fraction. Alternatively, if any two of these three variables are known, the model predicts segmental arteriolar resistances. The model indicates that GFR and blood flow regulation must be located in the afferent arteriole, despite the strong dependence of GFR on GCPF.
Sleep disturbances in fibromyalgia syndrome: Relationship to pain and depression

Objective This study is an examination of sleep, pain, depression, and physical functioning at baseline and 1-year followup among patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Although it is clear that these symptoms are prevalent among FMS patients and that they are related, the direction of the relationship is unclear. We sought to identify and report sleep problems in this population and to examine their relationship to pain, depression, and physical functioning. Methods Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recruited from a Southern California health maintenance organization and evaluated according to American College of Rheumatology criteria in the research laboratory. Six hundred patients completed the baseline assessment and 492 completed the 1-year assessment. Measures included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Results The majority of the sample (96% at baseline and 94.7% at 1 year) scored within the range of problem sleepers. Path analyses examined the impact of baseline values on 1-year values for each of the 4 variables. No variable of interest predicted sleep, sleep predicted pain (β = 0.13), pain predicted physical functioning (β = −0.13), and physical functioning predicted depression (β = −0.10). Conclusion These findings highlight the high prevalence of sleep problems in this population and suggest that they play a critical role in exacerbating FMS symptoms. Furthermore, they support limited existing findings that sleep predicts subsequent pain in this population, but also extend the literature, suggesting that sleep may be related to depression through pain and physical functioning.
Cryogenic Fabry-Perot spectrometer for the near infrared

We have designed and built a high spectral resolution cryogenic double Fabry-Perot infrared spectrometer to survey the diffuse emission of ionized hydrogen (Br γ line) in the Galactic plane. In the initial survey, presented here, we employed the non-imaging mode of the spectrometer to achieve the best possible sensitivity for the faint diffuse emission. The emission measure detection limit was about 300 cm -6 pc . The resolving power of the instrument is 10 4 and the simultaneous velocity range is approximately 200 km s -1 . The spectrometer consists of a liquid nitrogen cryostat, which accommodates Fabry-Perot interferometers and a liquid helium cryostat for the InSb 256 x 256 detector. Each Fabry-Perot interferometer is located in a separate chamber in the cryostat. Tuning of the spectrometer is accomplished by varying the pressure of dry nitrogen gas in the chamber. The cold shields of the spectrometer and the detector cryostat are connected. Stray radiation is reduced by use of a cold stop, with the appropriate relay optics, located between the cryostats. This design limits stray background radiation and thermal radiation from the spectrometer itself, greatly improving the detection limit of the system. All of these design features maximize experiment sensitivity, which is limited by thermal emission from outside of the spectrometer, and by variation of the atmospheric emission lines.
‘Yo no estoy completo de la mente’: Ethics and Madness in Horacio Castellanos Moya's Insensatez

The present study examines Horacio Castellanos Moya's Insensatez in relation to recent criticism that has read the novel either as meta-testimonio or post-testimonio. This article challenges these positions through two strategies. First, the analysis relies on a theorem of ethics forwarded by Alain Badiou and Michel Foucault's notions of institutionality vis-a-vis biopolitics to establish that the narrative task at hand is a critique of structures of power extant in postwar Guatemala. This, in turn, permits a dialogue with Walter Mignolo's decolonial stance in regard to human rights, fueling a reading that suggests that the text is critical of measures of giving voice and remembering that conform to Western notions of rights and ethics.
Smashing Energetics: Prey Selection and Feeding Efficiency of the Stomatopod, Gonodactylus bredini

The simplest prey-selection model predicts that predators select prey to maximize energetic benefit and minimize handling time. We tested whether or not energetic indices predict stomatopod preference for prey. The energetic indices included: 1) the ratio of energetic return (mass of prey tissue, M) per unit handling time (feeding duration, T); 2) the ratio of energetic benefit (caloric value of prey tissue, E) to energetic cost (caloric value of energy expended, C); and 3) the ratio of net energetic benefit (caloric value of food minus the caloric value of energy expended, NE) to handling time. Stomatopods, characterized by highly specialized raptorial feeding appendages, strike and smash the shells of prey such as snails. The prey-capture strike is one of the fastest known animal movements. Stomatopods, presented with snail shells of three size classes (5–6, 8–9, 11–12 mm in length), preferred intermediate and small snails. Oxygen consumption increased an average 2.5-fold above resting rates during feeding and increased linearly with strike frequency. The energetic cost per strike was 1.6 ± 0.2 μl O2. Stomatopods obtained more snail tissue from smashing larger snail shells. However, longer handling times were required to open shells of greater size. To obtain snail tissue, stomatopods struck larger shells a greater number of times. Strike frequency (0.72 strikes/min) was independent of shell size. The amount of snail tissue obtained per strike (0.044 mg/strike), M/T, NE/T, and E/C were all independent of snail size. The mean energetic benefit per strike (0.23 calories/strike) was 13-fold greater than the energetic cost per strike (0.017 calories/strike). Energetic cost, energetic benefit and handling time appear not to be the sole variables that explain stomatopod prey selection.
IMMUNOLOGIC STUDIES OF WATER-SOLUBLE HUMAN AMYLOID FIBRILS : COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF EIGHT AMYLOID PREPARATIONS

Eight preparations of soluble amyloid and degraded amyloid (DAM) were compared immunologically. Unlike amyloid fibrils, six of eight preparations of DAM proved to be relatively strong immunogens. Antisera to DAM reacted weakly or not at all with normal human serum or extracts of normal tissues, but were specifically reactive with amyloid fibrils or DAM. Comparative studies of DAM'S from eight different subjects showed some degree of cross-reactivity among them, yet demonstrated that they were not identical. Similar conclusions were obtained by quantitative precipitin and complement fixation analyses. Comparison of the amyloid fibrils with the homologous DAM by complement fixation and absorption studies demonstrated the existence in DAM of antigenic determinants that were lacking or inaccessible in the native fibrils. A search for amyloid precursors and antibodies to amyloid in the sera of 12 patients proved unsuccessful.
Mechanism of eve stripe formation

In this paper we analyze the formation of stripes of expression of the pair-rule gene eve. We identify detailed mechanisms which control the formation of stripes 2–5. Each stripe is formed as a result of generalized activation by bcd and ubiquitous transcription factors combined with localized repression by gap genes. Each of the eight stripe borders of these four stripes is shown to be under the control of a particular gap gene expression domain. Protein synthesis from eve and its controlling gap genes begins at the same time, but localized eve expression is substantially delayed relative to localized expression of gap domains. We show that this delay results from a change in the spatial balance between activation and repression due to the intensification and refinement of gap domains during cleavage cycle 14. eve stripe formation is ordered in time; stripe 2 appears earlier than stripes 3–5. We show that this happens because the formation of stripe 2 is less dependent on gap domain refinement than is the case for stripes 3–5: Each of stripes 3–5 is controlled by a pair of overlapping gap domains, whereas stripe 2 is controlled by a disjoint pair of gap domains. Finally, we observe that eve stripes do not form unless Eve protein has an extremely small diffusivity, and argue that this low diffusivity is a result of the apical localization of pair-rule message. This implies that localization of pair-rule message is required for stripe formation. The essential tool used to obtain these results is the method of gene circuits, which is a new approach to the analysis of gene expression data. Its purpose is to provide a way to use this data to infer how concentrations of products of a given gene change with time and how these changes are influenced by the activating or repressing effects of the products of other genes. The gene circuit method is based on three main ideas, explained in the paper. First is the choice of protein concentrations as state variables for the description of gene regulation. Second is the summary of chemical reaction kinetics by coarse-grained rate equations for protein concentrations. Third is the use of least squares fits to gene expression data to measure phenomenological parameters occurring in the gene circuit.
Properties of a new vestibulospinal projection, the caudal vestibulospinal tract

Neurons in the caudal portions of the medial and descending vestibular nuclei and in vestibular cell group f that project to the cervical or lumbar spinal cord were located by antidromic spinal stimulation. These caudal Vestibulospinal tract (CVST) neurons have a median conduction velocity of 12 m/sec, which is well below the conduction velocities of typical lateral or medial Vestibulospinal tract (LVST, MVST) axons. The descending fiber trajectories of CVST neurons, determined by comparing thresholds for activation of each neuron from six points in the spinal white matter, were remarkably diverse. Unlike LVST and MVST axons, which are located in the ipsilateral ventral funiculi, CVST axons can be found in both the ventral and dorsolateral funiculi on both sides of the spinal cord. The CVST system is thus both anatomically and physiologically different from the LVST and MVST.
In vivo effect of naftidrofuryl on 5-hydroxytryptamine-mediated constriction in rat peripheral microcirculation

Naftidrofuryl is commonly used in treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Its vasodilator action has been partly explained by its inhibitory effect of 5-HT2 receptors on peripheral arteries in vitro. The purpose of this study was to test in vivo whether naftidrofuryl selectively inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-mediated constriction of large arterioles in the peripheral microcirculation. This constriction appears to be 5-HT2 receptor-mediated. Three separate protocols were used to test the effects of naftidrofuryl: chronic injection (15 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily for 5-6 days; n = 7), acute intravenous (i.v.) infusion (15 mg/kg over 30 min; n = 7), or topical application (5 x 10(-8) M, n = 6; 5 x 10(-7) M, n = 5; 5 x 10(-6) M, n = 5; 10(-5) M, n = 7). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (145-185 g body weight) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg) and the cremaster muscle was prepared for intravital video microscopy. Diameter response of arterioles (70-120 microns) to increasing concentrations of locally applied 5-HT (10(-8)-10(-4) M) was assessed. In rats receiving no drug treatment, 5-HT caused vasoconstriction of arterioles beginning at 10(-6) M and reaching approximately 40% constriction at 10(-4) M. These vasoactive responses were not altered by chronic daily doses or an acute infusion of naftidrofuryl. 5-HT responses obtained with and without naftidrofuryl applied directly into the cremaster-bath also had little effect on the arteriole response at each of the four concentrations tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effect of etching technique on the retention of adhesively cemented prefabricated dowels.

Purpose: To determine if etching technique influences the bond strength of resin cement to root canal dentin. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five extracted teeth were endodontically treated, dowel space prepared, and divided into five groups. Each group was treated with different etchant consistencies: acid gel, semi-gel, low-viscosity gel, liquid, and a self-etching primer. After dowel cementation, four sections were removed from each root and a push-out test was performed. Results: Significant effects were found for etching procedure and for location within the root canal. The apical segment produced the lowest bond strength. Self-etching primer showed the highest bond strength. Conclusions: The consistency of etchant material influenced the bond strength of a prefabricated dowel in the canal.