cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Platelet products prepared by different methods of sedimentation undergo platelet activation differently during storage.

BACKGROUND: The activation marker CD40 ligand (CD40L) has recently been demonstrated to be released from the cytoplasm of platelets (PLTs) during storage. CD40L may be associated with some adverse transfusion reactions including febrile responses and transfusion-related acute lung injury. CD62P has been traditionally measured to assess PLT activation. This study compares the surface levels of CD40L and CD62P and accumulation of the soluble forms of these activation markers in the plasma of stored PLTs, prepared by PLT-rich plasma (PRP) or buffy coat (BC) methods and with two apheresis instruments. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Individual PLT concentrates (PCs) were prepared in 100 percent plasma from a pool of two ABO-identical whole-blood units. Apheresis PLTs (APs) were prepared in 100 percent plasma using one of two commercially available cell separators (Amicus, Baxter Healthcare; and Trima, Gambro BCT). Surface expression of CD40L and CD62P was measured by flow cytometry, and secretion of soluble CD40L (sCD40L) and soluble CD62 (sCD62) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during 7 days of PLT storage. RESULTS: Secretion of sCD40L was greater in Amicus APs than in Trima APs during the first 3 days of storage. It was also greater in the PRP-PC preparations than in BC-PC preparations through the first day of storage. Surface expression of CD40L was low in all PLT preparations. Secretion of sCD62P was greater in Amicus APs than in Trima APs during the entire storage period and greater in PRP-PC than in BC during the first 5 days of storage. The percentage of CD62P-positive PLTs was greater in Amicus units than Trima units and greater in PRP-PC than BC-PC preparations during the first 5 and 3 days of storage, respectively. CONCLUSION: The kinetics of the secretion of CD40L are influenced by the method used to prepare PLTs for storage. The patterns for CD40L membrane association and secretion are different than those observed for CD62P during storage.
Electroanalysis of copper species at polypyrrole-modified electrodes bearing alizarin red S ligands

Abstract Conducting polymer modified electrodes based on the incorporation of the anionic complexing ligand alizarin red S into polypyrrole (Ppy) film during electropolymerization were applied to the electroanalysis of metal species including Cu + and Cu 2+ . The copper species were readily extracted into the Ppy film electrode containing the complexing ligands and were determined electrochemically. The sensitivity for determination of Cu 2+ species was significantly better than that for Cu + species at much lower concentrations despite a smaller complex stability, but suffered from a very limited linear region. The results also showed that the ligand-to-metal ratios for complex formation at the Ppy film were concentration dependent.
Effect of extracellular calcium and calcium‐blocking agents on detrusor contractility: An in vitro study

The effects of varying concentrations of calcium in the bathing solution and the effects of varying doses of the calcium-blocking agents verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine on baseline tension, magnitude, and frequency of spontaneous contractions and on the contractile responses to acetylcholine, bethanechol, and electrical stimulation were tested on guinea pig bladder muscle strips suspended in a muscle bath. Over a wide range of calcium concentration (10−6 −4.8 × 10−3 M) no significant changes were noted in the aforementioned spontaneous and induced contractile activity. All parameters were, however, significantly depressed in a calcium-free bathing solution. At doses of 1.0 and 2.0 μg/ml bath each of the calcium-blocking agents significantly depressed the aforementioned spontaneous and induced smooth muscle contractile activity.
Sound waves in two‐dimensional ducts with sinusoidal walls

The method of multiple scales is used to analyze the wave propagation in two-dimensional hard-walled ducts with sinusoidal walls. For traveling waves, resonance occurs whenever the wall wavenumber is equal to the difference of the wavenumbers of any two duct acoustic modes. The results show that neither of these resonating modes could occur without strongly generating the other.
Modulation of apoptosis signaling for cancer therapy

Apoptosis, the cell's intrinsic death program, plays a central role in regulating tissue homeostasis. Also, most cytotoxic therapies used for cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, gamma-irradiation, suicide genes, or immunotherapy, predominantly act by triggering apoptosis in target cells. Thus, understanding the molecular events that regulate apoptosis and how tumor cells evade apoptotic deletion have provided a paradigm to link cancer genetics and response to cancer therapy. Therefore, insights into the mechanisms regulating drug-induced apoptosis provide rational targets for novel therapeutic interventions.
H-H interaction in Ti lattice: Pseudopotential density-functional total-energy approach

The interaction of two H atoms in bulk Ti is investigated in a hydride limit (TiH or TiH{sub 2}) for several atomic geometries by carrying out first-principles total-energy calculations based on the pseudopotential density-functional formalism. The H-H interaction in Ti is so repulsive that two H atoms can hardly coexist at the same interstitial site. Even in the most highly confined atomic configuration, which turned out to be an unstable saddle point, the equilibrium H-H separation (0.95 A) is larger than that of a free H{sub 2} molecule (0.74 A).
Chattering Women: From the Evangiles des quenouilles to the Caquets de l'accouchée

(2006). Chattering Women: From the Evangiles des quenouilles to the Caquets de l'accouchee. Seventeenth-Century French Studies: Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 21-31.
Controlling deterioration of high-moisture maize with ozone treatment.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of ozone treatment on controlling deterioration of high-moisture maize under extreme and moderate environmental conditions experienced during harvest. In the first experiment, 0.77-kg maize samples held at 22% moisture content were treated with ozone at 0.08, 0.16, 0.31, 0.62, 0.94, 1.25 and 1.56 mg kg maize −1 min −1 (60–1120 ppm ozone in air during application) for periods of 5 or 24 h, with an additional treatment of 1.56 mg min −1 repeated every 3 d, and stored at 32 °C for 9 d under continuous aeration. Ozone treatment decreased dry matter loss compared to the control, but not to a level that would likely justify ozone treatment at the rates and treatment times used. In the second experiment, 2.43-kg maize samples held at 26% moisture content were treated with ozonation rates of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg kg maize −1 min −1 (1090–8680 ppm ozone during application) for 24 h, stored at 15.5 °C for 30 d and passively aerated every 3 d. Additional ozone treatments at the 2 mg kg maize −1 min −1 rate were applied for 1 h on 3-, 6-, and 12-d intervals throughout the experiment. Single ozone treatments of 1 and 2 mg kg maize −1 min −1 were equally effective, reducing dry matter loss by 1.3 percentage points compared to the control after 30 d of storage. Repeat treatments at 2 mg kg maize −1 min −1 did not reduce dry matter loss compared to the single treatment.
Sesquiterpene lactones of Piptothrix pubens

Abstract Eleven sesquiterpene lactones, six of which are new, were identified from Piptothrix pubens . All but one of the compounds contained a C 10 -diester attached at C-8. The taxonomic implications of these results are discussed.
Electrical Resistance of Single Carbon Fibres

SINGLE carbon fibres 25 cm long have been strained at a rate of 0.1 cm/h and their electrical resistance monitored continuously. Three different grades of fibre, each from a different source, have been studied (Table 1); values of Young's modulus were determined from tensile tests on individual fibres. The electrical resistance of the unstrained fibres varied from fibre to fibre even among fibres of the same grade. The variations within the grades appeared to be due to variations in the diameter of the fibres; mean values of resistance and diameter are given in Table 1.
Grade control for urban flood channel design

Abstract Grade control by drop structure is a common practice to design a steep channel. For a given design discharge, the drop height is determined by the pre-selected permissible flow Froude number or flow velocity. Design parameters for the energy dissipation over a drop include channel lining roughness, approach flow Froude number, drop number, and downstream jump in the stilling basin. All these design parameters shall be collectively optimized to provide a safe and functional structure. This paper reviews the current design procedure and then presents a methodology to determine the drop height by maximizing the energy dissipation. Design parameters include the limiting Froude number and channel roughness. The sensitivity test conducted in this study suggests that the limiting Froude number for drop structure designs be between 0.6 and 0.8. The optimal dissipation rate can be 80–85% of the specific energy associated with the approach flow.
Nonlinear Electrokinetic Transport Under Combined ac and dc Fields in Micro/Nanofluidic Interface Devices

The integration of micro/nanofluidic devices led to many interesting phenomena and one of the most important and complex phenomenon among them is concentration polarization. In this paper, we report new physical insights in micro/nanofluidic interface devices on the application of ac and dc electric fields. By performing detailed numerical simulations based on the coupled Poisson, Nernst–Planck, and incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, we discuss electrokinetic transport and other hydrodynamic effects under the application of combined ac and dc electric fields for different nondimensional electrical double layer (EDL) thicknesses and nanochannel wall surface charge densities. We show that for a highly ion-selective nanochannel, the application of the combined ac/dc electric field, at amplitudes greater than the dc voltage and at a low Strouhal number, results in large dual concentration polarization regions (with unequal lengths) at both the micro/nanofluidic interfaces due to large and unequal voltage drops at these junctions. The highly nonlinear potential distribution gives rise to an electric field and body force that changes the electrokinetic fluid velocity from that obtained on the application of only a dc source. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4023442]
PaLRaP, Act II

And they said it could not be done! Welcome to Volume 1, Number 2, of Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice (PaLRaP).
Miniaturized fiber-optic chemical sensors with fluorescent dye-doped polymers

Miniaturization of optical-fiber chemical sensors has been achieved by near-field optics and photochemical synthesis. We have generalized this novel nanofabrication technique by using polymers doped with fluorescent dye or fluorescent dextran through photopolymerization. These doped polymers have been successfully used in chemical-sensor fabrication. The new methodologies make it possible to miniaturize further optical-fiber sensors with multiple chemical sensitivities by a multiple-step nanofabrication process.
Empirical Data for Modeling: Methodological Aspects in Experimentation Involving Hygromechanical Characteristics of Wood

Realistic modeling of hygromechanical behavior of wood and wood-based composites undergoing moisture changes is an essential for optimization of drying processes as well as fordevelopment of design code provisions that account for long-term deformations in structures exposed to climate variations. Accurate prediction of such behavior requires not only mathematical models capable of describing multi-physics phenomena of transfer of heat and moisture, hygro-expansion, creep as well as thermo-mechanical and mechano-sorptive effects as they develop in time under changing external conditions, but also, clearly defined, meaningful, and reliable material data. Although numerous mathematical models and detailed theoretical descriptions have been proposed over time, the advance was not matched by development of adequate empirical procedures to determine the necessary material-level characteristics. It is clear that the experimental determination of basic hygromechanical characteristics of wood on a material level remains a serious challenge. Progress in this area requires better understanding and cooperation between the communities of modelers and experimentalists. New quality may be achieved when development of advanced modeling techniques, which are better suited to deal with heterogeneous and anisotropic nature of wood and wood-based materials, is combined with experimental techniques utilizing advanced full-field imaging measurement techniques (e.g., optical techniques for measurement of deformations and stains based on digital image correlation; high-resolution x-ray tomography) and inverse problem methodology.
Influence of Ionic Strength on the Adsorption of a Model Peptide on Hydrophilic Silica and Hydrophobic Polystyrene Surfaces: Insight from SFG Vibrational Spectroscopy †

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy has been used to study the influence of the ionic strength of a solution on the interfacial structure of a model amphiphilic peptide. The ion...
A robust fringe-adjusted joint transform correlator for efficient object detection

The fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation (FJTC) technique has been widely used for real-time optical pattern recognition applications. However, the classical FJTC technique suffers from target distortions due to noise, scale, rotation and illumination variations of the targets in input scenes. Several improvements of the FJTC have been proposed in the literature to accommodate these problems. Some popular techniques such as synthetic discriminant function (SDF) based FJTC was designed to alleviate the problems of scale and rotation variations of the target, whereas wavelet based FJTC has been found to yield better performance for noisy targets in the input scenes. While these techniques integrated with specific features to improve performance of the FJTC, a unified and synergistic approach to equip the FJTC with robust features is yet to be done. Thus, in this paper, a robust FJTC technique based on sequential filtering approach is proposed. The proposed method is developed in such a way that it is insensitive to rotation, scale, noise and illumination variations of the targets. Specifically, local phase (LP) features from monogenic signal is utilized to reduce the effect of background illumination thereby achieving illumination invariance. The SDF is implemented to achieve rotation and scale invariance, whereas the logarithmic fringe-adjusted filter (LFAF) is employed to reduce the noise effect. The proposed technique can be used as a real-time region-of-interest detector in wide-area surveillance for automatic object detection. The feasibility of the proposed technique has been tested on aerial imagery and has observed promising performance in detection accuracy.
Fisher Transformations for Correlations Corrected for Selection and Missing Data.

The validity of a test is often estimated in a nonrandom sample of selected individuals. To accurately estimate the relation between the predictor and the criterion we correct this correlation for range restriction. Unfortunately, this corrected correlation cannot be transformed using Fisher'sZ transformation, and asymptotic tests of hypotheses based on small or moderate samples are not accurate. We developed a Fisherr toZ transformation for the corrected correlation for each of two conditions: (a) the criterion data were missing due to selection on the predictor (the missing data were MAR); and (b) the criterion was missing at random, not due to selection (the missing data were MCAR). The twoZ transformations were evaluated in a computer simulation. The transformations were accurate, and tests of hypotheses and confidence intervals based on the transformations were superior to those that were not based on the transformations.
Reconsidering Institutional Change: Property Rights in Northern Spain

For about fifty years, from the turn of the twentieth century until the 1950s, farmers in the region of the Orbigo River in northwestern Spain lifted groundwater for irrigation. Two quite different forms of property rights emerged during this period. In the Orbigo valley, small groups of farmers held the majority of water-lifting devices and groundwater as common property. Water was divided into timeshares and shares were taken in rotation. On a high plain above, farmers held waterlifting devices and groundwater as private property. Why did two different forms of property rights emerge in this place at this time? In addressing this question, a new approach to understanding institutional change is proposed, based on a synthesis of schema theory and the economics of institutions, [institutional change, property rights, schema theory, transaction costs, Spain]
Oak mortality associated with crown dieback and oak borer attack in the Ozark Highlands

Oak decline and related mortality have periodically plagued upland oak-hickory forests, particularly oak species in the red oak group, across the Ozark Highlands of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma since the late 1970s. Advanced tree age and periodic drought, as well as Armillaria root fungi and oak borer attack are believed to contribute to oak decline and mortality. Declining trees first show foliage wilt and browning, followed by progressive branch dieback in the middle and/or upper crown. Many trees eventually die if severe crown dieback continues. In 2002, more than 4000 living oak trees !Y11 cm dbh in the relatively undisturbed mature oak forests of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) were randomly selected and inventoried for tree species, dbh, crown class, crown width, crown dieback condition (healthy: 5-33%, moderate: 33-66%, and severe: >66%) and number of emergence holes created by oak borers on the lower 2.4 m of the tree bole. The same trees were remeasured in 2006 to determine their status (live or dead). In 2002, about 10% of the red oak trees showed moderate or severe crown dieback; this was twice the percentage observed for white oak species. Over 70% of trees in the red oak group had evidence of oak borer damage compared to 35% of trees in the white oak group. There was significant positive correlation between crown dieback and the number of borer emergence holes (p < 0.01). Logistic regression showed oak mortality was mainly related to crown width and dieback, and failed to detect any significant link with the number of oak borer emergence holes. Declining red oak group trees had higher mortality (3 or 4 times) than white oaks. The odds ratios of mortality of slightly, moderately, and severely declining trees versus healthy trees were, respectively, 2.0,6.5, and 29,7 for black oak; 1.8, 3.8, and 8.3 for scarlet oak; and 2.6, 6.5 and 7.1 for white oaks.
A solution space principal component based adaptive filter

This paper introduces a new type of adaptive filter called PCP, principal component proportionate normalized least mean squares. It is an extension of PNLMS (proportionate normalized least mean squares), an adaptive filter that has been shown to provide exceptionally fast convergence and tracking when the underlying system parameters are sparse (as in network echo cancellation). PCP extends the application of PNLMS to certain nonsparse systems by applying it while using the principal components of the underlying system as basis vectors. Room acoustic echo systems are possible examples of such nonsparse systems. Simulations of acoustic echo paths and cancellers indicate that PCP converges and tracks much faster than the classical normalized least mean squares (NLMS) and fast recursive least squares (FRLS) adaptive filters.
Accelerating scientific applications with the SRC-6 reconfigurable computer: methodologies and analysis

Reconfigurable computing offers the promise of performing computations in hardware to increase performance and efficiency while retaining much of the flexibility of a software solution. Recently, the capacities of reconfigurable computing devices, like field programmable gate arrays, have risen to levels that make it possible to execute 64b floating-point operations. SRC Computers has designed the SRC-6 MAPstation to blend the benefits of commodity processors with the benefits of reconfigurable computing. In this paper, we describe our effort to accelerate the performance of several scientific applications on the SRC-6. We describe our methodology, analysis, and results. Our early evaluation demonstrates that the SRC-6 provides a unique software stack that is applicable to many scientific solutions and our experiments reveal the performance benefits of the system.
Silver Impregnation of Ciliated Protozoa by the Chatton-Lwoff Technic

The ciliates are manipulated at all stages by means of micropipettes and fine needles, proceeding by the following steps: Fix the material in a small receptacle with Champy's fluid 1–3 minutes following with Da Fano's solution for several hours. Transfer the specimens to a slide, withdraw excess fluid and embed them in warm (35°–45°C.) gelatin containing 0.05% sodium chloride. Refrigerate in a moist chamber until the gelatin has set, and then immerse 10–20 minutes in 3% silver nitrate (aqueous) at 5–10°C. Wash with cold distilled water, submerge the preparation in cold water to a depth of several centimeters and expose to a strong light for 10–30 minutes. Silver is deposited on various pellicular structures which then appear black in the dehydrated and mounted specimens. Neatly revealed are the many longitudinal and transverse fibrils of the “silverline system”, basal granules of the cilia, bases of buccal ciliary organelles, contractile vacuole pores and the cytoproct. None of these structures, which tod...
Sexual and Physical Assault History and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Substance-Dependent Individuals

The authors explored the relationship between sexual and physical assault and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders by giving 100 substance-dependent inpatients (50 men, 50 women) a structured interview on traumatic life events and lifetime histories of sexual and physical assault. Sixty-six percent of individuals had a history of sexual or physical assault. Half of the assault victims met DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD, whereas no one in the non-assault group met criteria for PTSD. Type of assault and specific characteristics of victims were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders. Women bad higher rates of sexual assault history, serial assault, and familial assault than men. Individuals who bad experienced childhood assault bad earlier age at onset of substance dependence than those who had not experienced childhood assault. Sexual and physical assault histories and psychopathology should be assessed in all substance-dependent individ...
Change detection using the synchronous impulse reconstruction (SIRE) radar

Change detection provides a powerful tool for detecting the introduction of weapons or hazardous materials into an area under surveillance, as demonstrated in past work carried out at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). This earlier work demonstrated the potential for detecting recently emplaced surface landmines using an X-Band, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor. Recent experiments conducted at ARL have extended these change detection results to imagery collected by the synthetic impulse reconstruction (SIRE) radar - a lower-frequency system developed at ARL. In this paper we describe the algorithms adopted for this change detection experiment and present results obtained by applying these algorithms to the SIRE data set. Results indicate the potential for utilizing systems such as the SIRE as surveillance tools.
GENERAL INCONSISTENCY CONDITIONS FOR MAXIMUM PARSIMONY: EFFECTS OF BRANCH LENGTHS AND INCREASING NUMBERS OF TAXA

Inconsistency of phylogenetic estimations refers to the property of certain estimation methods to converge on the positively wrong estimate with increasing amounts of data. This property, at least with respect to the maximum parsimony method, has been given the catch phrase "long branches attract." It has also been suggested that this problem can be alleviated by inclusion of more taxa to break up the long branches. Unfortunately, these observations have been based on computations for trees with small numbers of taxa. Here, I present a decomposition equation that allows determination of inconsistency conditions for large numbers of taxa. I show by counterexamples that long branches are a poor predictor of inconsistent conditions and that even trees with equal branch lengths can produce inconsistent estimates. I also tested the idea of breaking up long branches with additional taxa. The addition of taxa alleviates the inconsistency problem only if the average rate of change in the added taxa is low. If the rate is high, the inconsistency problem can become worse. Sampling of random tree models indicates that the inconsistency problem becomes increasingly acute as the number of taxa becomes larger. Conclu- sions: (1) low rates of change are of paramount importance if the inconsistency problem is to be avoided, (2) if the evolutionary question of interest does not require large numbers of taxa, it seems best to use fewer taxa because larger trees are more likely to contain inconsistent branches, and (3) if taxa are added to counter inconsistency problems, the added taxa should have low rates of change and be close to the common ancestor of the clade (which may be measured by com- parison with the outgroup taxa). Longer branches require large numbers of added taxa, but such additions should only be used to resolve the particular branch of interest. Other parts of the tree, especially the branches within the added taxa, may still be inconsistently estimated. (Maximum parsimony; inconsistency; large phylogenies; long branches.)
HF communications applications using new broadband architecture

Various applications made possible or enhanced by broadband architecture are described. A key feature is the ability to simultaneously transmit on many frequencies with only one antenna. In shipboard operation, the broadband architecture allows full duplex operation with closely spaced frequencies and with small physical spacing between the transmitting and the receiving antennas. Similarly, embassy-type systems can be designed using broadband architecture. The ease with which frequency diversity can be done with this type of system makes it attractive to HF users (in the 2-30 MHz band) with two or more assigned frequencies. Automatic link establishment (ALE) is a means by which an HF communications system can automatically determine the best frequency or frequencies for sensing information. The broadband architecture allows a fully automatic and unattended system to be designed. Broadband architecture makes it possible to design a diversity-hopping system for which effective countermeasures are difficult. >
Nutrient Retention and the Problem of Hydrologic Disconnection in Streams and Wetlands

Some aquatic systems have disproportionately high nutrient processing rates, and may be important to nutrient retention within river networks. However, the contribution of such biogeochemical hot spots also depends on water residence time and hydrologic connections within the system. We examined the balance of these factors in a comparative study of nitrate (NO3−) uptake across stream and flow-through wetland reaches of northern Wisconsin, USA. The experimental design compared NO3− uptake at different levels: the ecosystem level, for reaches (n = 9) consisting of morphologically contrasting subreaches (SLOW, low mean water velocity; REF, reference, or higher mean water velocity); the sub-ecosystem level, for subreaches consisting of morphologically contrasting zones (TS, transient storage zone; MC, main channel zone). SLOW subreaches had 45% lower ecosystem-level uptake rate (K, t−1) on average, indicating reduced uptake efficiency in flow-through wetlands relative to streams. The four largest K values (total n = 24) also occurred in REF subreaches. TS:MC uptake rate varied (range 0.1–6.0), but MC zones consistently accounted for most NO3− uptake by the ecosystem. In turn, TS influence was limited by a tradeoff between TS zone uptake rate and the strength of TS–MC hydrologic connection (α or Fmed). Additional modeling of published hydrologic parameter sets showed that strong MC dominance of uptake (>75% of total uptake), at the scale of solute release methods (meters to kilometers, hours to days), is common among streams and rivers. Our results emphasize that aquatic nutrient retention is the outcome of a balance involving nutrient uptake efficiency, water residence time, and the strength of hydrologic connections between nutrient sources and sinks. This balance restricts the influence of hydrologically disconnected biota on nutrient transport, and could apply to diverse ecosystem types and sizes.
Natural history of Type A Niemann-Pick disease: possible endpoints for therapeutic trials.

Objective: To describe the disease course and natural history of Type A Niemann-Pick disease (NPD). Methods: Ten patients with NPD-A (six male, four female; age range at entry: 3 to 6 months) were serially evaluated including clinical neurologic, ophthalmologic, and physical examinations, and assessment of development. Laboratory analyses, abdominal and brain ultrasounds, and chest radiographs also were obtained and information on intercurrent illnesses and cause of mortality was collected. Results: All affected infants had a normal neonatal course and early development. The first symptom detected in all patients was hepatosplenomegaly. Developmental age did not progress beyond 10 months for adaptive behavior, 12 months for expressive language, 9 months for gross motor skills, and 10 months for fine motor skills. Non-neurologic symptoms included frequent vomiting, failure to thrive, respiratory infections, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Neurologic examination at the time of presentation was normal in most patients. Later neurologic examinations revealed progressive hypotonia with loss of the deep tendon reflexes. All patients had cherry red spots by 12 months. The median time from diagnosis to death was 21 months. The cause of death was respiratory failure in nine patients and complications from bleeding in the tenth. Conclusions: The clinical course in Type A Niemann-Pick disease is similar among affected patients and is characterized by a relentless neurodegenerative course that leads to death, usually within 3 years.
Eye Color Pigment Granules in Drosophila mauritiana: Mosaics Produced by Excision of a Transposable Element

Compound eyes of the white-peach (wpch) mutant strain of Drosophila mauritiana have some pigment and receptor cells with wild-type eye color pigmentation. These eyes are mosaic, because excision of a transposable element reverts wpch to wild type during the development of somatic cells. Wild-type patches have three types of pigment granule residing in three respective cell types: primary pigment cells, secondary pigment cells, and retinula (visual receptor) cells. Most aspects of these granules, as well as all other aspects of compound eye ultrastructure, are exactly as in the better studied sibling species D. melanogaster. In the wpch parts of the eye, small and giant unpigmented "pigment granules" reside in secondary pigment cells. These white granules are just like the corresponding granules of w mutant D. melanogaster. Small vs. large patches of pigmented cells likely represent excision events occurring late vs. early respectively during development. Mosaics of eye color markers have been important in developmental analyses; the ease of constructing mosaics of D. mauritiana gives this preparation advantages for mosaic analyses.
Immunization with a DNA Plasmid Encoding the SAG1 (P30) Protein of Toxoplasma gondii Is Immunogenic and Protective in Rodents

Immunization with DNA can induce humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, both of which are important in conferring immunity to Toxoplasma gondii. The efficacy of genetic vaccination with a cDNA encoding the T. gondii SAG1 (P30) surface antigen was evaluated. Sera of immunized mice showed recognition of T. gondii tachyzoites by immunofluorescence and exhibited high titers of antibody to SAG1 by ELISA. SAG1-stimulated splenocytes from vaccinated mice produced primarily interferon-g and interleukin-2. Vaccinated mice survived challenge with 80 tissue cysts of ME49 strain, whereas all control mice died; challenge with 20 tissue cysts resulted in fewer brain cysts, compared with controls. Challenge of vaccinated rats with VEG strain oocysts resulted in a reduction in brain cysts. No protection was observed when mice were challenged with the highly virulent RH strain tachyzoites. These results suggest that nucleic acid vaccination can provide protection against T. gondii infection in mice. Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite capable of infecting a variety of mammals and birds [1]. Although infection of immunocompetent humans is usually asymptomatic, toxoplasmosis still presents serious medical problems. Infection during pregnancy can result in neurologic and ocular complications in the fetus. Of even greater significance since the emergence of the AIDS pandemic is toxoplasmosis in the immunocompromised host. The most serious problem in these persons is
The Effects of Appointment Delay and Reminders on Appointment-Keeping Behavior

Two experiments investigated the effects of appointment delay and phone reminders on college students’ appointment-keeping behavior. A significantly higher percentage of students kept their appointments in the 1-day appointment delay condition than in the 15-day delay condition with no reminders in both experiments. Phone reminders provided 1 day prior to the appointment dates increased the percentage of appointments kept in the 15-day delay condition in Experiment 2. In order to assess the shape of the effect of appointment delay, future research should increase the number of values in appointment delay.
Influenza vaccines: crossing the translational gap to improve outcomes in the elderly

A decline in immune function is a hallmark of aging and influenza is foremost amongst all infectious diseases in the age-related increase in risk for serious complications and death. While epidemiologic studies have demonstrated the benefit of influenza vaccination in older adults, substantial numbers of hospitalizations and deaths attributable to influenza continue to occur, suggesting the need for even more effective vaccines. Clinical trials of new vaccines in older adults that rely on antibody responses as a sole measure of vaccine efficacy cannot evaluate components of the cellular immune response that are critical for protection against influenza in this population. This article will review recent publications that have helped us to understand the spectrum of illnesses caused by influenza and the potential benefits of vaccination, identify key components of the immune response that decline with aging, and describe how new vaccine technologies may reverse these changes to prevent complicated influenz...
Tensile fatigue of glass fibers and composites with conventional and surface compressed fibers

The mechanism of tensile cyclic fatigue failure in conventional glass fiber dominated composites has been investigated using single fibers, strands, and composites. Surface damage to the fibers resulting from a fretting type of contact is identified as the dominant mechanism. Macrofibers of glass or glassceramic with residual surface compression have been developed to overcome the sensitivity both to cyclic and static fatigue. The macrofibers and their composites with several different matrices show greatly improved tensile fatigue resistance.
Median filter and 1024 2 2D FFT with an FPS AP-120B array processor

Array processors are special purpose computers attached to mini or mainframe computing systems to perform repetitive calculations at rates often ten times faster than their host. Images with their large array dimensions are particularly appropriate for processing with array processors. The utility of the Floating Point Systems product AP-120B is demonstrated through a comparison of total processing time for the fast median filter algorithm recently published [1]. FORTRAN calls and data transfer times are included for completeness of the example. Typical calculation times and a means of performing large 2DFFT's are also presented.
Familial Hodgkin's disease and the major histocompatibility complex.

Two sisters who developed nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's disease (H.D., N.S.) within 3 months of their 25th birthdays were HLA and MLC identical. All family members possessed the HLA-B7 antigen. The propositi, a third HLA/MLC identical sister, and the mother, shared the maternal B7 and lacked Dw2. The father and a fourth sibling with the paternal B7 were heterozygous for Dw2. In six unrelated patients with H.D., N.S., the presence of B7 and Dw2 correlated precisely. In 69 consecutive patients with H.D., N.S., the frequencies of 23 HLA antigens did not differ significantly from the frequencies in 245 control subjects.
Molecular Pathways: Increased Susceptibility to Infection Is a Complication of mTOR Inhibitor Use in Cancer Therapy

As one of the earliest examples of “chemical biology,” the M echanistic T arget of R apamycin (mTOR) protein and its chemical inhibitors have been extensively studied across a spectrum of physiologic and pathologic processes at the molecular, organismal, and patient population levels. There are several FDA-approved mTOR inhibitors (sirolimus, everolimus, and temsirolimus) with indications for cancer treatment and for prevention of solid organ rejection. Dozens of mTOR inhibitors are currently being evaluated in hundreds of ongoing clinical trials across a spectrum of diseases, including numerous cancer indications, autoimmune diseases, and a number of congenital disorders. As many of the approved and investigational indications for mTOR inhibitors require long-term treatment, the magnitude and incidence of particular side effects differ from those observed in shorter-term treatments. Here, we focus on the increased risk of infections in patients being treated with mTOR inhibitors. While increased infection rates might be expected from a class of drugs approved as posttransplant immunosuppressants, we review reports from clinical, mechanistic, and genetically engineered mouse model studies detailing a much more nuanced view of mTOR inhibitor drug action and target biology. Clin Cancer Res; 22(2); 277–83. ©2015 AACR .
Patent Foramen Ovale Closure for Migraine Prevention: The Subject Is Still Open⁎

Migraine is a common, disabling, largely inherited neurological disorder with a prevalence of 8% to 13% in the population of the Western hemisphere ([1,2][1]). The prevailing hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of migraine is an inherited excitability of certain brain networks that, when triggered
In-vivo intravascular intervention with parylene micro-electrode to diagnose rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaque using electrical impedance spectroscopy

It is of great clinical interest to have easy and reliable diagnostic techniques to localize and identify vulnerable plaques. Here, an in-vivo, catheter-integrated and balloon-mounted Parylene-C micro electrode impedance sensor was developed for intra-vascular interrogation of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques using Electrical Impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Successful in vivo experiments of the EIS device were demonstrated using high-fat-dieted New Zealand rabbits. The results showed that electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with micro parylene electrodes is promising to distinguish unstable plaques.
Pseudobulbar Affect in Stroke in Statesmen: The Peculiar Case of Winston Spencer Churchill (P04.003)

Objective: To review the evidence that Winston Spencer Churchill had pseudobulbar affect as a consequence of his stroke in 1953. Background Few statesmen have had as open a review of his medical condition as Winston Spencer Churchill who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He had a possible stroke in 1949. The stroke that was associated with emotional lability occurred in 1953 with clinical details related in 1] W. Russell Brain, "Encounters with Winston Churchill," Medical History, vol. 44, 2000, 3-20, 2) Richard Gordon, An Alarming History of Famous and Difficult Patients. New York: St. Martin9s Press, 1997, 3) Richard Lovell, Churchill9s Doctor: A Biography of Lord Moran, New York: Parthenon, 1993 and 4) Lord Moran, Churchill: The Struggle for Survival 1945-60. Design/Methods: Churchill was examined 9 times by Lord Brain following his stroke in 1953. By one month after the stroke his dysarthria and dysphagia had improved but Churchill had loss of emotional control which had worsened as other deficits improved. Churchill noticed that he was "always rather blubbery". Multiple sources identified this clinical change and felt that Churchill could not attend upcoming government and political events lest the public learn of his stroke. The only treatment mentioned for this condition and Churchill9s fatigue was repeated doses of benzedrine. Results: Descriptions of emotionality and its potential political consequences were found 9 times in Lord Moran9s accounts and 4 times in Lord Brain9s account. Other sources alluded to these changes but only the neurologist and treating physician accounts gave appropriate descriptive elements to establish the diagnosis based on historical records. Conclusions: Churchill9s stroke related pseudobulbar affect was described in several medical and non-medical sources. It9s late onset post stroke and resolution remains the best studied example of pseudobulbar affect in a public statesman to date. Disclosure: Dr. Brooks has received personal compensation for activities with Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Biogen Idec, Genentech, Inc., and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Brooks has received research support from Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Biogen Idec, NINDS, Novartis, and Teva Neuroscience.
Aldrin epoxidation, dihydroisodrin hydroxylation, and p-chloro-N-methylaniline demethylation in six species of saturniid larvae.

Aldrin epoxidation, dihydroisodrin hydroxylation, and p -chloro- N -methylaniline demethylation were measured in cell-free tissue preparations of Saturnia pyri (Schiffenmuller) Hyalophora cecropia (L.), Telea Polyphemus Cramer, Philosamia cynthia (Drury), Callosamia promethea (Drury), and Antheraea pernyi (Guerin). Mid gut microsomal fractions had higher monooxygenase activities and cytochrome P-450 levels than other tissues. Activity was neither sex-linked nor affected by feeding larvae 4 different foodplants. Activity was highest in preparations from ultimate-stage larvae; after cessation of feeding, activity dropped sharply. These studies revealed a close association among the 3 monooxygenase systems.
From faux-social to pro-social: The mediating role of copresence in developing expectations of social support in a game

Social network games-games that incorporate network data from social network sites-heavily rely on helping behavior between players as a central mechanism of play. Does this "faux social" behavior still generate expectations of social support among players? An experiment N = 88 was conducted to examine the effect of helping on copresence and perceived social support between strangers playing the Facebook game Cityville. Three types of social support were examined: instrumental support within the game, instrumental support outside of the game, and emotional support. Findings indicate that the simple action of being helped in a game generates copresence, the feeling of proximity in a virtual environment. Copresence was a positive predictor of all three types of perceived social support but had highest explanatory power for instrumental support within the game.
Differential effect in vitro of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) on normal and virus-infected erythroid progenitors from Friend virus (FVA)-infected mice

In vivo administration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) suppresses both normal and Friend virus (FVA)-infected erythroid progenitor cells (CFU-E). To examine the mechanism of erythroid suppression by TNF, we examined TNF's direct effect on normal and virus-infected cells in vitro. Productively infected fibroblast cell lines, fresh acute virus-infected spleen cells, and virus-infected CFU-E were sensitive, whereas uninfected CFU-E were resistant to TNF cytotoxicity in vitro. When FVA-infected erythroblasts were depleted from the spleen cell population in vitro with antivirus antibodies, TNF suppression of the remaining (uninfected) cells was abrogated. In contrast, both normal and virus-infected macrophage progenitor cells and immature erythroid progenitor cells were equally sensitive to TNF cytotoxicity in vitro. Normal erythroblasts had significantly fewer TNF receptors than FVA-infected erythroblasts, which also were morphologically less mature. These results suggest that TNF can differentially suppress late-stage virus-infected erythroid progenitors in vitro.
Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review - A New Era for NOAC Antidotes.

Reviewing recent literature of advances in arrhythmia therapy, I have found most interesting the emergence of antidotes, both general and specific, for the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). NOACs offer a relative 50 % reduction in the risk of intracranial haemorrhage and haemorrhagic stroke compared with warfarin that is also maintained in the elderly. There are no clear interactions with food, and no need for frequent laboratory monitoring and dose adjustments.1–3 Their main problems so far have been the lack of antidotes and specific assays to measure anticoagulant effect, and considerably higher cost than warfarin.4 It is, therefore, of major clinical importance to see specific antidotes emerging in phase 1 and 2 trials. Non-specific procoagulant agents such as 3- or 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) and activated factor VIIa can be used as antidotes for dabigatran.5–7 Specific antidotes are also under study. Idarucizumab, a fully humanised antibody fragment, or Fab, is investigated as a specific antidote of dabigatran, and also reversed its effects and, unlike PCCs, was not associated with over-correction of thrombin generation.7 Four-factor PCCs are also general antidotes for Xa inhibitors such as apixaban, rivaroxaban and endoxaban.6 Specific antidotes such as aripazine (PER977, 100-200 mg), a synthetic molecule that binds specifically to unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin, and the recombinant factor Xa andexanet have been successfully used for edoxaban and rivaroxaban. Aripazine also binds in a similar way to dabigatran, but further clinical experience is needed in this setting. Clinical experience with the NOACs compared with warfarin is too limited to unequivocally pronounce dead this useful old drug. Nevertheless, a new era has begun, and the results of clinical trials and 'real-life' registries are eagerly awaited in this respect. Dr Demosthenes Katritsis, Editor-in-Chief