cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
O-033 Radiation savings in pediatric angiographic procedures by incorporation of extra-low dose settings into procedure time-out

Background With the introduction of the Artis Zee Siemens biplane neuroangiographic suite into our department, radiation exposure and skin-dose estimates were collected prospectively on all pediatric procedures using ultra-low exposure settings beyond those recommended by the manufacturer. Pediatric “Minus” settings for fluoroscopy were set at 3 fps and 18 nGy/p (default 7.5–10 fps and 23 nGy/p). Setting this low-dose protocol was incorporated into our pre-procedure “Timeout” to assure compliance. Methods Estimates of radiation dose were reviewed for 10 consecutive diagnostic and 10 interventional pediatric procedures. These results were compared with exposure parameters recorded using fluoroscopy and DSA with an adult size phantom using our pediatric low dose, the manufacturer9s recommended pediatric settings, our adult low dose protocol, and the manufacturer9s default adult settings. Results Estimated skin dose per case varied from 45.1 to 1888 mGy and Dose-Area-Product (DAP) varied from 27.2 to 5426 microGym 2 . The lower tier of exposures were all diagnostic procedures. For diagnostic procedures fluoroscopy related DAP readings accounted for 1.7–11.5% of the total DAP reading, and fluoroscopy accounted for 1–17% of the total estimated skin dose. For embolization procedures fluoroscopy accounted for 19–55.6% of DAP readings, and for 20–58% of estimated skin dose. Phantom DAP readings and estimated skin dose using a gamut of protocols suggest that fluoroscopy radiation readings using our pediatric minus protocol represent a dose savings of up to 88% compared with using an adult manufacturer9s default setting at 7.5 fps at similar magnification. Phantom runs of DSA using Pediatric and Adult settings estimated a radiation dose reduction of at least 75% in DAP readings and 65% in skin dose compared with manufacturer adult default settings. Conclusion Physician compliance with use of lower-dose pediatric radiation protocols for neuroangiographic procedures has the potential to result in substantial reduction of patient dose compared with likely doses accrued through inadvertent conduct of the case in default or adult settings. Fluorocopy settings are proportionately a larger component of the total dose during interventional procedures, underscoring the importance of compliance with manual fixing of protocol settings at the beginning of each case.
Disease modifying therapies use associated with comorbid autoimmune diseases in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract Background The relation between the use of disease modifying therapies (DMT׳s) and the occurrence of comorbid autoimmune diseases (AID׳s) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is still unclear. Objective To investigate the difference in duration from MS symptom onset to first reported AID in subjects using DMT׳s vs. DMT naive. Type and prevalence of comorbid AID׳s was also investigated. Methods Data was extracted from the New York State MS Consortium (NYSMSC) registry and comprised of MS patients with a minimum of 5 years follow-up. After exclusion, 1792 patients were enrolled in the study, 1478 had no AID, and 314 patients had comorbid AID׳s that developed after the initial enrollment. Patients who had an AID were divided into two groups: those with an AID after DMT initiation ( n =281) and patients with an AID who were DMT naive ( n =33). Logistic regression analysis was used to test differences in duration between MS symptom onset and the development of AID between the two groups while adjusting for confounders Results DMT use did not change the frequency of self-reported AID (17.2 vs. 20.4%). However, the duration between first MS symptom onset and the initial reported occurrence of a comorbid AID was significantly shorter in the DMT user group (192 months±115) compared to the DMT naive group (262 months±107, p =.002). Conclusion There were no group differences between DMT users vs. DMT naive subjects with regards to AID frequency. The DMT user group reported the development of an AID earlier than the DMT naive group. Further studies that can identify patients with higher risk for developing AID׳s is warranted.
Person-first labeling and stuttering

Abstract Four groups of subjects, speech-language-hearing impaired clients, parents of clients, speech-language pathology students, and the general public, reacted to 28 words used to label individuals. Twelve words were either person-first (e.g., “Stutterer”) or direct labels (e.g., “Person who stutters”) and 16 were identical anchor labels in alternate forms of questionnaires. Nine labels identified speech, language, or hearing disorders. Highly variable subjects groups were surprisingly similar in judgments about their own personal impressions and experiences as well as the appropriateness of use by others for all the labels. Person-first labeling was regarded as significantly more positive in only 2% of the comparisons, and all of these in favor of “Person with leprosy” or “Person with psychosis” over “Leper” or “Psychotic.” Person-first labeling did not make a difference in any of the speech-language terms, including variants for “stuttering” or “stammering.” Overall, person-first terminology did little to lessen negative beliefs and attitudes for the speech-language pathology labels assessed. This study draws into question recent policies promoting person-first labeling.
355: Gastroschisis: a new fetal weight formula to predict birthweight

formula to predict birthweight Kiran Tam Tam, Laura Bufkin, James Bofill University of Mississippi Medical Center, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Jackson, MS OBJECTIVE: To derive a sonographic fetal weight formula for fetuses with gastroschisis and evaluate it against the Shepards (1982) formula in the prediction of birth weight (BW). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 115 cases of gastroschisis after 2000. A fetal weight formula was derived by multiple linear regression analysis using BW and sonographic fetal biometry (obtained within 7 days of birth) of 41 infants with gastroschisis. This formula and the Shepard (1982) formula were then used to calculate the estimated fetal weight (EFW) of 25 other infants with gastroschisis that were delivered within 2 weeks of fetal biometry measurements. The accuracy of the two formulas to predict the actual birth weight (ABW) in these 25 infants was evaluated. RESULTS: Head circumference (HC; P 0.001) and abdominal circumference (AC; P 0.001) measured in centimeters were significant predictors of BW in grams (BW 4079.683 (134.430 * HC) (80.717 * AC). The correlation coefficient and the standard error of estimate was 0.8 and 247 grams respectively. The mean difference in EFW and ABW ( / standard error of the mean) for this and Shepards formula was 212 / 56 grams and 392 / 54 grams respectively (P 0.025). CONCLUSION: The sonographic fetal weight formula derived from the biometry of fetuses with gastroschisis is more accurate in the prediction of BW of infants with this anomaly than the Shepards (1982) formula.
SEQUENCE SPECIFICITY OF A GROUP II INTRON RIBOZYME : MULTIPLE MECHANISMS FOR PROMOTING UNUSUALLY HIGH DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MISMATCHED TARGETS

Group II intron ai5 gamma was reconstructed into a multiple-turnover ribozyme that efficiently cleaves small oligonucleotide substrates in-trans. This construct makes it possible to investigate sequence specificity, since second-order rate constants (kcat/K(m), or the specificity constant) can be obtained and compared with values for mutant substrates and with other ribozymes. The ribozyme used in this study consists of intron domains 1 and 3 connected in-cis, together with domain 5 as a separate catalytic cofactor. This ribozyme has mechanistic features similar to the first step of reverse-splicing, in which a lariat intron attacks exogenous RNA and DNA substrates, and it therefore serves as a model for the sequence specificity of group II intron mobility. To quantitatively evaluate the sequence specificity of this ribozyme, the WT kcat/Km value was compared to individual kcat/Km values for a series of mutant substrates and ribozymes containing single base changes, which were designed to create mismatches at varying positions along the two ribozyme-substrate recognition helices. These mismatches had remarkably large effects on the discrimination index (1/relative kcat/K(m)), resulting in values > 10,000 in several cases. The delta delta G++ for mismatches ranged from 2 to 6 kcal/mol depending on the mismatch and its position. The high specificity of the ribozyme is attributable to effects on duplex stabilization (1-3 kcal/mol) and unexpectedly large effects on the chemical step of reaction (0.5-2.5 kcal/mol). In addition, substrate association is accompanied by an energetic penalty that lowers the overall binding energy between ribozyme and substrate, thereby causing the off-rate to be faster than the rate of catalysis and resulting in high specificity for the cleavage of long target sequences (> or = 13 nucleotides).
A stochastic approach to optimum decomposition of cyclic patterns in sedimentary processes

This paper examines the issues of sedimentary cycles by means of reversible Markov chains. Two types of cyclic patterns in sedimentary processes are considered in terms of symmetric cycles (ABCDCBA) and asymmetric cycles (ABCDABCD). By introducing concepts of reversibility and unidirectionality, a general solution is given for decomposing all possible cyclic patterns of these two types existing in a sedimentary sequence. On the basis of two new measures fR and fU, the most probable trends in a sequence can be identified in an optimum way. Effective and reliable use of the technique proposed here is demonstrated by a case study.
A Flexible Approach to Intrusion Alert Anonymization and Correlation

Intrusion alert data sets are critical for security research such as alert correlation. However, privacy concerns about the data sets from different data owners may prevent data sharing and investigation. It is always desirable and sometimes mandatory to anonymize sensitive data in alert sets before they are shared and analyzed. To address privacy concerns, in this paper we propose three schemes to flexibly perform alert anonymization. These schemes are closely related but can also be applied independently. In Scheme I, we generate artificial alerts and mix them with original alerts to help hide original attribute values. In Scheme II, we further map sensitive attributes to random values based on concept hierarchies. In Scheme III, we propose to partition an alert set into multiple subsets and apply Scheme II in each subset independently. To evaluate privacy protection and guide alert anonymization, we define local privacy and global privacy, and use entropy to compute their values. Though we emphasize alert anonymization techniques in this paper, to examine the utility of data, we further perform correlation analysis for anonymized data sets. We focus on estimating similarity values between anonymized attributes and building attack scenarios from anonymized data sets. Our experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of our techniques.
Endogenous leukosis viruses in the avian family phasianidae

Abstract Helper virus. activity for the defective Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) has been found in normal embryo fibroblast cultures of Ghighi, green, Mongolian, silver, and Swinhoe pheasants, and of Chinese quail and chukar. The helper viruses from Chinese quail and from Swinhoe pheasant were isolated from their respective RSV pseudotypes. Chinese quail, Ghighi, and golden pheasant cultures were also found to synthesize endogenous virus spontaneously. No such spontaneous production was seen with the other avian species investigated. The helper activity demonstrated in Chinese quail, chukar, Mongolian pheasant, and Swinhoe pheasant appears to specify envelope determinants which are different from those previously described. Viruses from Ghighi and silver pheasant have the G envelope, and those from green pheasant the F envelope specificity. The RSV pseudotype formed with Chinese quail virus shows a high plating efficiency on fibroblasts from mouse and European field vole. Chinese quail virus and Swinhoe pheasant virus also form plaques in chicken cells. Whether these pheasant viruses belong to established avian oncovirus groups, or whether they represent new ones, will have to be decided by immunological and biochemical studies now in progress.
Characterization of the Blast Simulator elastomer material using a pseudo-elastic rubber model

To investigate the response of large scale structures to blast loading in laboratory conditions it is important to design and verify the performance of mechanical devices that are able to produce such impulsive loading on structures. An important component of the UCSD Blast Simulator is the hydraulic rams, which incorporate an Adiprene L-100 elastomer at the front in order to apply tailored impulsive loads similar to those observed in explosive events. The material behavior of this elastomer needs to be characterized for the purpose of performing LS-DYNA simulations. Since the range of strains and strain rates experienced during Blast Simulator testing is relatively narrow, and computational cost is a priority, a pseudo-elastic, tabulated, LS-DYNA rubber model was chosen. This model incorporates a particular formulation of Ogden hyperelasticity, where rate effects on the loading response are handled in a simplified manner, and unloading is considered separately through a damage function. This rubber model is characterized using quasi-static and Drop Tower tests, and then validated by performing LS-DYNA simulations of an actual Blast Simulator test series.
Rauscher “mink cell focus-inducing” (MCF) virus causes erythroleukemia in mice: Its isolation and properties

Abstract A mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) virus has been isolated from the serum of SJL/J mice which had been infected with the Rauscher murine leukemia virus (R-MuLV) complex. This virus causes specific cytopathic effects in mink lung fibroblasts, is XC negative, nondefective, plates with equal efficiency on mink lung and wild mouse SC-I fibroblasts, and is not interfered with by amphotropic MuLV. It has, therefore, the properties of AKR- and Mo-MCF viruses. The analysis of the Rauscher-MuLV complex from which this R-MCF virus was isolated showed the presence of at least four viruses: (1) an ecotropic XC-positive R-MuLV with a genomic RNA of 2.95 × 106 daltons molecular weight (d MW); (2) an ecotropic XC-negative virus with a genomic RNA of 2.85 × 106 d MW; (3) a dual-tropic XC-negative MCF virus with a genomic RNA of 2.95 × 106 d MW; and (4) a defective virus whose presence is inferred from the synthesis of a deleted, gp70-related glycoprotein of approximately 54,000 daltons. This protein is probably analogous to the gp55 encoded by the defective Friend spleen focus-forming virus (F-SFFV). R-MCF virus induces a slow erythroleukemia in NIH Swiss mice in the absence of any detectable ecotropic MuLV. It has no spleen focus-forming activity by itself. However, it is able to induce macroscopic spleen foci within 9 days after the injection into adult mice if injected together with ecotropic R-MuLV.
Autocrine activation of ecdysteroidogenesis in the prothoracic glands of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Ecdysteroidogenesis in the prothoracic glands is activated by the neuropeptide, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). The present study demonstrates autocrine activation of ecdysteroidogenesis in prothoracic glands of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Using both a long-term in vitro organ culture system and an ecdysteroid radioimmunoassay, it was found that either decreasing the incubation volume, from 100 to 5 μl, or increasing the number of glands incubated per drop (50 μl) from 1 to 5 significantly increased ecdysteroid secretion. Prothoracic gland-conditioned medium was used to clarify the autocrine factor. The results showed that activation of ecdysteroidogenesis by the prothoracic gland-conditioned medium appeared to be dose dependent and a dramatic increase in ecdysteroid secretion was observed after 6 h of incubation in the conditioned medium. Moreover, it appeared that autocrine activation occurred when glands were incubated in large volumes of incubation medium and during a short incubation period, indicating that the factor may exert its action in situ at some specific developmental stages. This tropic factor was further characterized, and it was found that the factor seemed to be heat-stable, with a molecular weight estimated to be between 1000 and 3000 Da. Injection of the concentrated putative autocrine factor into day 5 last instar larvae greatly increased ecdysteroidogenic activity of the prothoracic glands compared to those injected with saline, indicating the possible in vivo function of the present factor.
Insulin sensitivity is inversely correlated with plasma intact parathyroid hormone level.

Abnormal glucose metabolism and a high prevalence of diabetes have been reported in patients with primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. We hypothesize that plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level is a determinant of either insulin sensitivity or beta-cell function. The study included 52 normotensive, healthy subjects with glucose tolerance. Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function were assessed using a hyperglycemic clamp. Fasting plasma iPTH was determined. The relationships between its level and insulin sensitivity index and beta-cell function were examined. Insulin sensitivity index was inversely correlated with plasma iPTH level (r2 = .104, P = .020). The first phase insulin response was positively correlated with plasma iPTH level (r2 = .098, P = .023), but no correlation existed with the second phase insulin response. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, and waist-to-hip ratio, plasma iPTH level was an independent determinant of insulin sensitivity index (P = .019). However, no independent relationship between plasma iPTH level and beta-cell function (the first phase and second phase insulin response) was found. In normotensive, glucose-tolerant, and healthy subjects, plasma iPTH level accounts for 10.4% of the variation in insulin sensitivity index. For each pg/mL increment in plasma iPTH level, there is a decrease of 0.247 micromol/L/m2/min/pmol/L in insulin sensitivity index. Although the molecular basis of this relationship is not clear, our results indicate that plasma iPTH level is inversely correlated with insulin sensitivity index.
EPR determination of the nuclear spins and magnetic moments of 243Cm and 247Cm

Abstract EPR spectroscopy has been employed in making the first direct measurements of the nuclear spins of 243 Cm and 247 Cm ( I = 5 2 and I = 9 2 respectively). Estimated nuclear moments are |0.4μ N | for 243 Cm and |0.36 μ N | for 247 Cm.
Canine cyclic hematopoiesis: Alterations in T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and thymus of gray collie dogs

Abstract Cyclic hematopoiesis (CH), also called cyclic neutropenia, is an inherited disorder known to occur in both humans and gray collie dogs. Previous reports have provided ample evidence to suggest that lymphocyte activity and regulatory mechanisms may be abnormal in CH. The present study examined the lymphocyte populations of several lymphoid compartments of gray collie dogs. The percentage of B lymphocytes in the lymph nodes of CH dogs was significantly increased whereas that of null lymphocytes was decreased. The percentage of T lymphocytes did not differ between CH and normal dogs, however, the proportions of T lymphocyte subpopulations were significantly different. The levels of T lymphocytes expressing IgGFc receptors (Tγ) in the thymus, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood were significantly increased; whereas the levels of T lymphocytes expressing IgMFc receptors (Tμ) were significantly decreased. The percentage and absolute numbers of Tγ and Tμ lymphocytes cycled in CH dogs. The percentage and absolute numbers of neutrophils were greatest when that of Tγ lymphocytes was reduced. The cycles of monocytes and Tγ lymphocytes occurred in close association and a linear relationship between the levels of these cells was observed both in terms of percentage (r = 0.62; P
RF Photoelectric injectors using needle cathodes

Abstract Photocathode RF guns, in various configurations, are the injectors of choice for both current and future applications requiring high-brightness electron beams. Many of these applications, such as single-pass free-electron lasers, require beams with high brilliance but not necessarily high charge per bunch. Field-enhanced photoelectric emission has demonstrated electron-beam current density as high as 1010 A/m2, with a quantum efficiency in the UV that approaches 10% at fields on the order of 1010 V/m. Thus, the use of even a blunt needle holds promise for increasing cathode quantum efficiency without sacrificing robustness. We present an initial study on the use of needle cathodes in photoinjectors to enhance beam brightness while reducing beam charge. Benefits include lower drive-laser power requirements, easier multibunch operation, lower emittance, and lower beam degradation due to charge-dependent effects in the postinjector accelerator. These benefits result from a combination of a smaller cathode emission area, greatly enhanced RF field strength at the cathode, and the charge scaling of detrimental postinjector linac effects, e.g., transverse wakefields and CSR.
DNA synthesis in rat aortic endothelium: Effect of bacterial endotoxin and trauma

Abstract In an autoradiographic study the number of DNA-synthetizing aortic endothelial cells was compared at various intervals after an intravenous injection of bacterial endotoxin or saline in rats. In control animals approximately 0.5 per mill of endothelial cells were engaged in DNA synthesis, and only small variations were observed during the experiment. Bacterial endotoxin in doses of 5–500 μg produced a five- to ten fold increase in the number of labeled endothelial cells, reaching a maximum 48 h after the injection. Endotoxin also acted as a mitogen on mononuclear cells that infiltrated the strip of endothelial monolayer. Thorium dioxide and serotonin had no effect. Endotoxin did not stimulate DNA synthesis in endothelial cells of aortic segments incubated in vitro, but along the traumatized edges of the segments DNA-synthetizing endothelial cells were regularly found.
040 mTOR inhibition reverses alveolar epithelial neoplasia induced by oncogenic K-ras

Introduction Lung adenocarcinomas (ADCs) with k-ras mutation are reported to be resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Alternative therapies are needed for these specific ADCs. The serine/threonine kinase AKT and its downstream mediator mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are activated in human lung ADC and clinical trials are underway to test whether mTOR inhibition is useful in treating lung cancer. The goal of this study is to treat the K-ras LAI mice, which undergo somatic activation of the K-ras oncogene and recapitulate morphologic changes of alveolar epithelial cells that precede human lung ADC with an mTOR inhibitor (CCI-779). Methods K-ras LA1 mice were treated for 1 month with CCI-779 at high dose (20 mg/kg/day), low dose (0.1 mg/kg/day) and vehicle. Micro-CT scan was performed before and after completion of treatment. Tumor numbers and volume were evaluated at micro-CT scan and autopsy exam. Expression of downstream mediators of mTOR was studied by immunohistochemistry and western blot on lung tissue. Mechanistic studies were performed on LKR-13, a lung ADC cell line derived from K-ras LA1 mice. The results were extrapolated to human ADC based on samples from a cohort of 400 patients. Results The levels of phosphorylated AKTSer473 (p-AKT) and S6Ser236/235 (p-S6), a downstream mediator of mTOR, increased with malignant progression (normal alveolar epithelial cells to ADC) in K-ras LAI mice and patients with lung ADC. Macrophages were prominently associated with atypical alveolar hyper-plasia (AAH), an early neoplastic change, and expressed high levels of p-S6. mTOR inhibition in K-ras LAI mice inhibited the progression of AAH to adenoma, decreased the size of adenomas, and induced apoptosis of intra-epithelial macrophages. LKR-13 was resistant to treatment with CCI-779 in vitro . However, as syngeneic tumors in wild type littermates LKR-13 cells recruited intra-epithelial macrophages and regressed in response to treatment with CCI-779. Conclusions These findings provide evidence that the expansion of lung ADC precursors induced by oncogenic k-ras requires mTOR-dependent signaling and suggest that host factors derived from macrophages may contribute to ADC progression [1].
Availability and diversity of training programs for responders to international disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies.

INTRODUCTION: Volunteers and members of relief organizations increasingly seek formal training prior to international field deployment. This paper identifies training programs for personnel responding to international disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies, and provides concise information - if available- regarding the founding organization, year established, location, cost, duration of training, participants targeted, and the content of each program. METHODS: An environmental scan was conducted through a combination of a peer-reviewed literature search and an open Internet search for the training programs. Literature search engines included EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science databases using the search terms "international," "disaster," "complex humanitarian emergencies," "training," and "humanitarian response". Both searches were conducted between January 2, 2013 and September 12, 2013. RESULTS: 14 peer-reviewed articles mentioned or described eight training programs, while open Internet search revealed 13 additional programs. In total, twenty-one training programs were identified as currently available for responders to international disasters and CHE. Each of the programs identified has different goals and objectives, duration, expenses, targeted trainees and modules. Each of the programs identified has different goals and objectives, duration, expenses, targeted trainees and modules. Seven programs (33%) are free of charge and four programs (19%) focus on the mental aspects of disasters. The mean duration for each training program is 5 to 7 days. Fourteen of the trainings are conducted in multiple locations (66%), two in Cuba (9%) and two in Australia (9%). The cost-reported in US dollars- ranges from $100 to $2,400 with a mean cost of $480 and a median cost of $135. Most of the programs are open to the public, but some are only available by invitation only, such as the International Mobilization Preparation for Action (IMPACT) and the United Nations Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Field Course. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of training programs are available for responders to disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies. These programs vary in their objectives, audiences, modules, geographical locations, eligibility and financial cost. This paper presents an overview of available programs and serves as a resource for potential responders interested in capacity-building training prior to deployment. Language: en
Teaching Social Skills to Persons with Severe Handicaps in Community Settings: A Review

Research involving teaching social skills to persons with severe handicaps in community settings is reviewed Critical issues in the research are discussed, which include training procedures, domain, generalization, maintenance, cost-effeciency, reliability, social interaction partner, type of social interaction, social validation, research design, and simulation. Nine studies are identified and evaluated. The findings of the review indicated that persons with severe handicaps can learn to interact with nonhandicapped people in a wide variety of community settings. Implications for future research are discussed.
Overexpression of protein kinase A – RIα reduces lipofection efficiency of cisplatin-resistant human tumor cells

Abstract Cisplatin-resistant variant A2780CP/vector cells were 4.0–5.3-fold more transfectable and 7.6-fold more resistant to cisplatin than their parent cisplatin-sensitive human ovarian carcinoma A2780/vector cells. Overexpression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase Type I regulatory α subunit (PKA-RIα) gene in A2780CP cells significantly reduced (maximum 47.0%) the transfection activity, with a slight reduction (maximum 27.3%) of cisplatin resistance, of A2780CP cells. However, RIα-overexpressing A2780CP (A2780CP/RIα) cells were still 2.5-to 3.0-fold more transfectable and 5.5-fold more resistant to cisplatin than A2780 cells. This results suggest that gene transfer efficiency is associated with cisplatin resistance, in part, through the PKA-mediated cAMP signal transduction pathway.
Observations on the stabilization region of lifted non-premixed methane transverse jet flames

Several experiments are conducted to investigate the structure of the stabilization region of lifted nonpremixed methane jet flames at high jet-to-crossflow velocity ratio. Visible emission and CH chemiluminescence from coannular-piloted flames show that the crossflow sweeps the pilot flame around to the lee side of the jet, where it ignites methane along the lee side. OH planar laser-induced fluorescence images show both diffuse and sheetlike reaction zones at the flame base and show that OH radicals reach the jet centerline often, at times spanning the entire jet width. This presents a view of the flame base as a partially premixed flame propagating through a fluctuating velocity field. The velocity field is measured in the lee and windward flame-base regions and is conditionally sampled at the instantaneous location of the fluctuating flame base. In both regions, the mean conditional velocity component normal to the mean flame base is three times the laminar flame speed, S L . This result is in general agreement with recent measurements in coflowing jet flames but is somewhat surprising because the crossflow velocity is 4.8 S L . On the lee side, the velocity component in the crosswind direction is distributed between −3 S L and 4 S L , with a mean of only 0.37 S L , clearly demonstrating that the flame front lies in a recirculation zone. Thus, it appears that low-velocity regions created by jet-crossflow interaction play a key role in flame stabilization.
Distributed equivalent sources for the analysis of multiconductor transmission lines excited by an electromagnetic field

The interaction of multiconductor lines with electromagnetic radiation is commonly studied in terms of field-induced voltage and current sources distributed along the line. The author presents the relationships between these sources and the incident fields for the general case of a transmission line with its conductors embedded in different dielectric volumes of arbitrary shape. It is shown that the sources can be expressed directly in terms of the incident fields and some vector parameters which are determined from the solution of a series of electrostatic problems with appropriate boundary conditions independent of the incident electric fields. It is noted that the multiconductor lines are suitable for direct applications in microwave transmission lines with rather arbitrary configurations. >
A NRC-BNL benchmark evaluation of seismic analysis methods for non-classically damped coupled systems ☆

Under the auspices of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) developed a comprehensive program to evaluate state-of-the-art methods and computer programs for seismic analysis of typical coupled nuclear power plant (NPP) systems with non-classical damping. In this program, four benchmark models of coupled building-piping/equipment systems with different damping characteristics were developed and analyzed by BNL for a suite of earthquakes. The BNL analysis was carried out by the Wilson-θ time domain integration method with the system-damping matrix computed using a synthesis formulation as presented in a companion paper [Nucl. Eng. Des. (2002)]. These benchmark problems were subsequently distributed to and analyzed by program participants applying their uniquely developed methods and computer programs. This paper is intended to offer a glimpse at the program, and provide a summary of major findings and principle conclusions with some representative results. The participant’s analysis results established using complex modal time history methods showed good comparison with the BNL solutions, while the analyses produced with either complex-mode response spectrum methods or classical normal-mode response spectrum method, in general, produced more conservative results, when averaged over a suite of earthquakes. However, when coupling due to damping is significant, complex-mode response spectrum methods performed better than the classical normal-mode response spectrum method. Furthermore, as part of the program objectives, a parametric assessment is also presented in this paper, aimed at evaluation of the applicability of various analysis methods to problems with different dynamic characteristics unique to coupled NPP systems. It is believed that the findings and insights learned from this program will be useful in developing new acceptance criteria and providing guidance for future regulatory activities involving license applications of these alternate methods to coupled systems.
Effects of calcium silicate slag application on radium-226 concentrations in plant tissues

Abstract Calcium silicate slag is a by‐product of the electric furnace reduction process for producing phosphoric acid from phosphate rock (PR). Since slag contains trace amounts of radium (Ra), and uranium (U) as contaminants from the PR, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to determine if plants absorb Ra from slag applied to soil. Slag at rates equivalent to 0 and 22 mt/ha was mixed with Mountview silt loam (Typic Paleudults) limed to pH 5.8 and 7.2. Three clippings each of fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.), and one harvest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for grain and straw were grown on separate series of treated soil, and plant samples were analyzed for radioactivity due to Ra uptake. Samples of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) forage and extracted juice from field experiments in Florida testing this slag as a Si source also were analyzed for radioactivity. Dry forage yields of fescue and wheat were not affected by slag applications, but those of Swis...
Long-term outcomes in extremity soft tissue sarcoma after a pathologically negative re-resection and without radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND. The purpose was to define the rate of local recurrence (LR) and identify prognostic factors for LR in patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) treated with limb-sparing surgery and a pathologically negative re-resection specimen without radiotherapy (RT). METHODS. A review of the prospective sarcoma database identified 200 patients with primary, nonmetastatic, extremity STS treated with limb-sparing surgery between June 1982 and December 2002 who had a pathologically confirmed negative re-resection. None of the patients had adjuvant RT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine clinicopathologic factors associated with LR. RESULTS. With a median follow-up of 82 months the 5-year actuarial LR rate was 9%. Factors associated with higher LR rates on univariate and multivariate analysis were older age, stage III presentation, and histology. The 5-year LR rate was 5% for those <50 compared with 15% for those ≥50 (P = .001). For patients with stage III the LR rate was 26% versus 7% for those with stage I/II (P < .001). On multivariate analysis only age ≥50 (relative risk [RR] 3.3; P = .02) and stage III disease (RR 3.4; P = .01) remained significant predictors for LR. When the cohort of patients was divided into 3 groups based on the number of risk factors present, the 5-year LRs were as follows: no risk factors (stage I/II and <50 years old) 4%, 1 risk factor (stage III or ≥50) 12%, and 2 risk factors (stage III and ≥50) 31% (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS. Patients with a pathologically negative re-excision represent a heterogeneous group. Whereas the overall rate of local recurrence at 5 years was 9% for the entire cohort, patients with older age and/or stage III disease had a higher rate of LR. Therefore, treatment decisions especially with regard to adjuvant RT should be individualized and not be based solely on the finding of a negative re-resection. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Women's views of second-stage labor as assessed by interviews and videotapes.

: Twenty women were selected from public and private maternity services and interviewed by nurses and nurse-midwives on a research team. The women were shown videotapes of their second-stage labors that for 15 of them had been recorded by 2 other members of the research team. Four videos were provided by mothers who had had home births and one from a mother whose birth was filmed at a birth center. The interviews were analyzed for major themes; the theme reported here is women's experiences of pushing. Women reported wide variations in sensations during the second stage. Whereas 9 of 16 women expressed feelings of relief or pressure and stretching, 7 described pushing as painful, miserable, or horrible. Thirteen of 19 women had well defined urges to push, 1 had an intermittent urge, and 5 had no urge. Women often felt unprepared for the sensations and work of second-stage labor, and caregivers' instructions commonly did not seem to be in synchrony with physiological responses. We conclude that childbirth educators and caregivers must prepare women more realistically for the second stage. They would be more effective if they responded to maternal behavior, rather than giving arbitrary instructions about pushing.
Sparse recovery and resolution of pulse-Doppler radar

The resolution of a pulse Doppler radar using matched filter banks is known to be constrained by the radar uncertainty principle. Recently, it has been proposed that sparse recovery techniques [4], [5], [10], [14] can be used to achieve high resolution in point target environments. These techniques assume the time-frequency dictionary of the radar signal satisfies certain incoherence requirements. In this paper, we relate the incoherence requirement to the ambiguity function and show that the resolution of common sparse recovery algorithms is also constrained by the uncertainty principle. Furthermore, using recovery bounds in [13], it is shown that even radar signals not meeting the incoherence requirement can be used for reconstructing certain target scenes. This is used to define a resolution plot for comparing the resolution of sparse recovery algorithms with different transmit signals.
Behavioral responses to short periods of lowered gravitational force in blind goldfish.

Blind goldfish behavioral responses to short lowered gravitational force cycles during vertical flight classified as vestibular reflexes resulting from otolith displacement
Disease and Demographic Characteristics Associated with Unemployment Among Working-Age Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Previous studies of employment in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been inconsistent in identifying associated factors, and few have examined the role of secondary health conditions. The goal of this study was to examine the association of these health conditions, including pain, fatigue, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and incontinence, with employment status in individuals with MS. Data were collected using a cross-sectional self-report survey of 1271 people with MS, of whom 1124 were between the ages of 18 and 65 years and provided employment information. Self-report of employment status was used as an outcome variable for multivariate logistic regression. In total, 40.4% (n = 454) of surveyed individuals were employed half-time or more. Variables significantly associated with unemployment in the multivariate model were severity of disease (as measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale score), difficulties in thinking, female sex, increased age, and increased duration of MS. The symptoms...
Some Effects of Subcutaneous Tocopherols in Normal and Tocopherol-Deficient Mice

Summary and Conclusions1. Pellets of crystalline tocopherol esters (d-alpha-tocopheryl palmitate, phosphate, or succinate and d-delta-tocopheryl phosphate) were implanted into the subcutaneous tissue over the dorsal shoulder region of male and female mice. A solution of mixed natural tocopherols was injected into the same region in other animals.2. All the tocopherol preparations produced local tissue changes resembling a foreign body reaction. Qualitatively, alpha-tocopheryl palmitate and mixed natural tocopherol concentrate produced slight local reaction, The reaction to alpha-tocopheryl succinate and delta-tocopheryl phosphate was greater, and that to alpha-tocopheryl phosphate the most pronounced.3. All the tocopherol preparations maintained gestation in tocopherol-deficient mice.4. Two of the alpha-tocopheryl succinate and the alpha-tocopheryl palmitate preparations produced intermittent or continuous vaginal cornification.
The digital television transition, consumer power and the limits of cultural citizenship

The transition from analog to digital television [DTV] in the United States occurred in 2009, and according to press reports, the transition proceeded smoothly. Despite the fact that the government seemingly avoided disaster, the narrative of the successful digital transition overlooks the larger complexities of the shift to DTV. This article presents a ‘policy from below’ analysis of the DTV transition, examining consumer commentary documenting the transition on such sites as ConsumerReports.org, amazon.com, and AARP.org. Juxtaposing government anxieties about the preparedness of the American public with a portrait of technologically savvy consumers, this article qualifies the seeming success of the DTV conversion by questioning the government's equation of consumption with citizenship and by exposing the inadequacies of the neoliberal logics guiding government policymakers. As demonstrated by the DTV transition, the commitment of the government to protect consumer access to the information conveyed by a...
Congenital orbital varices causing extreme neonatal proptosis

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a 6-week-old male with extreme proptosis caused by thrombosed orbital varices. METHODS: A 6-week-old male presented with advanced proptosis of his left eye. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies of the orbits revealed a heterogeneous cystic mass that filled the entire left orbit. Extreme proptosis and corneal exposure prompted urgent surgical excision of the mass. Histopathologic review of the lesion was consistent with orbital varices. CONCLUSIONS: Although orbital varices usually are found in adults, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital lesions in children. Observation is usually warranted, but surgical intervention may be necessary in advanced cases.
The midline pineal “eye”: MR and CT characteristics of the pineal gland with and without benign cyst formation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of pineal cysts and pineal calcifications and to determine the incidence of benign pineal cysts. Two-hundred-fifty magnetic resonance examinations were retrospectively examined for the incidence of pineal cysts. In addition, 60 collected cases of pineal cysts were evaluated with regard to cross sectional diameter and magnetic resonance signal characteristics. Finally, the magnetic resonance signal characteristics of pineal tissue in 50 patients were compared to companion computed tomographic scans that were scrutinized for the presence or absence of calcification. The incidence of pineal cysts as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging in this study was 10.8%. The minimal and maximal measurements ranged from a low of 2 x 2 x 2 mm to a high of 10 x 12 x 10 mm. The magnetic resonance signal intensities of pineal cyst as compared to cerebrospinal fluid were iso- or hyperintense on all magnetic resonance sequences in the majority of cases. Calcifications of the pineal gland as revealed by computed tomography tended to be isointense to gray matter if the calcifications were small and hypointense to gray matter if large on all magnetic resonance acquisitions. A careful analysis of the magnetic resonance signal characteristics enables the recognition of moderate- to large-sized pineal calcifications and their differentiation from large pineal cysts. However, small cysts of the pineal gland can be difficult or impossible to distinguish on magnetic resonance imaging from calcifications without comparison with computed tomography.
Law and Custom in the Popular Legal Culture of North Africa

Focusing on a series of instances from the Islamic courts of North Africa, the present article argues that custom does not stand apart from the sacred law but is seen by its adherents as itself Islamic and hence indissolubly linked to Islamic law. Local practice and universalizing principles of the sharīʿa thus merge in popular conceptualizations. Legal officials also share in the recognition of custom as part of the shariʾa, thus contributing to the overall legitimacy of the sharīʿa and to its capacity to respond to changing circumstances.
Why Structure Matters – Controlling the Properties of Nanoparticle Hybrid Materials

The complementary physical properties of the distinct constituents render polymer-grafted nanocrystals (PGNPs) intriguing materials systems in which property characteristics can be tuned over a wide range from hard particulate to soft polymer-type. Here we demonstrate that dependent on the molecular weight and the graft density of the grafted polymer chains, three characteristic regimes of PGNPs are observed: (1) hard-sphere type colloidal crystalline with the formation of cracks driven by short-range interactions, (2) plastic mesocrystalline with the crazing behaviors by chain entanglement, or (3) disordered structure with soft-polymer type interactions. In addition to controlling the mechanical properties of PGNPs, grafted chains can have a key role in mediating their gradual transformation into more ordered microstructures from nanoparticles with energetically unfavorable property (i.e., activation barrier for crystallization induced by polydisperse nanoparticles [1, 2]).