cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of the FDG-PET imaging results in patients with possible recurrent ovarian cancer

1709 Objectives: Management of patients with ovarian cancer posses a challenge to attending oncologist. Many factors can influence the patient survival and outcome. This investigation was undertaken to assess whether a positive FDG PET finding which is suggestive of possible recurrent ovarian cancer may be of prognostic value in this setting. Methods: FDG-PET scans were negative for recurrent or metastatic ovarian cancers in 40 and positive in 42 patients. Fifty-four patients died during the follow-up period while 28 are still alive at the time of analysis. Incidence of death was significantly higher (p Results: FDG-PET scans were negative for recurrent or metastatic ovarian cancers in 40 and positive in 42 patients. Fifty-four patients died during the follow-up period while 28 are still alive at the time of analysis. Incidence of death was significantly higher (p Conclusions: Evidence for tumor recurrence detected by FDG-PET has high prognostic value in patients who are examined for possible recurrent ovarian cancer. A positive FDG-PET finding in such setting correlates inversely with the length of survival.
Effects of Diesel Engine Emission Controls on Environmental Equity and Justice

The air quality and environmental equity benefits for the accelerated use of diesel particle filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems on heavy-duty diesel trucks are assessed in...
Organic liquid and nanocomposite scintillators for gamma spectroscopic detections

Scintillation materials for the spectroscopic detection of gamma photons have been made of inorganic crystals, organic liquid and plastic scintillators. These scintillators are either expensive for large-area detection or incapable of gamma spectroscopy. We have reported the syntheses of transparent liquids and plastic nanocomposites comprising high loading of high-Z nanoparticles for gamma photoelectric generation and conjugated organic luminescent systems for visible photon generation. Hafnium oxide nanoparticles and cadmium zinc sulfide quantum dots were loaded into the organics up to 60 wt% via methacrylate-terminated surface functionalization. The liquid scintillator loaded with 40 wt% hafnium oxide nanoparticles demonstrated a light yield of 11699 photons/MeV with an energy resolution of 14.8% for 662 keV gamma. The 60 wt% CZS QD loaded plastic nanocomposite exhibited an optimized light yield of 9275 photons/MeV and produced a gamma photopeak. A radiation hardness study indicates that the loaded liquids and nanocomposites exhibits comparable hardness to the unloaded scintillators.
Accounting for misclassified and unknown cause of death data in vital registration systems for estimating trends in HIV mortality.

INTRODUCTION Misclassification of HIV deaths can substantially diminish the usefulness of cause of death data for decision-making. In this study, we describe the methods developed by the Global Burden of Disease Study to account for the misclassified cause of death data from vital registration systems for estimating HIV mortality in 132 countries and territories. METHODS The cause of death data were obtained from the World Health Organization Mortality Database and official country-specific mortality databases. We implemented two steps to adjust the raw cause of death data: (1) redistributing garbage codes to underlying causes of death, including HIV/AIDS by applying methods, such as analysis of multiple cause data and proportional redistribution, and (2) reassigning HIV deaths misclassified as other causes to HIV/AIDS by examining the age patterns of underlying causes in location and years with and without HIV epidemics. RESULTS In 132 countries, during the period from 1990 to 2018, 1,848,761 deaths were reported as caused by HIV/AIDS. After garbage code redistribution in these 132 countries, this number increased to 4,165,015 deaths. An additional 1,944,291 deaths were added through correction of HIV deaths misclassified as other causes in 44 countries. The proportion of HIV deaths derived from garbage code redistribution decreased over time, from 0.4 in 1990 to 0.1 in 2018. The proportion of deaths derived from HIV misclassification correction peaked at 0.4 in 2006 and declined afterwards to 0.08 in 2018. The greatest contributors to garbage code redistribution were "immunodeficiency antibody" (ICD 9: 279-279.1; ICD 10: D80-D80.9) and "immunodeficiency other" (ICD 9: 279, 279.5-279.9; ICD 10: D83-D84.9, D89, D89.8-D89.9), which together contributed 77% of all redistributed deaths at their peak in 1995. Respiratory tuberculosis (ICD 9: 010-012.9; ICD 10: A10-A14, A15-A16.9) contributed the greatest proportion of all HIV misclassified deaths (25-62% per year) over the most years. CONCLUSIONS Correcting for miscoding and misclassification of cause of death data can enhance the utility of the data for analyzing trends in HIV mortality and tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal targets.
Evaluation of Thermal Stresses During a Glass Pour

The objectives of this research were: 1. To determine the temperature history during the filling and cooling of the “can-in-canister” structure; 2. To determine the thermal stress history of the can-in-canister using a sequentially coupled thermal stress analysis; and 3. To assess the potential for crack formation in the can-in-canister structure.
Pharmacokinetic Modulation of Irinotecan and Metabolites by Cyclosporin A

The focus of this investigation was to modulate the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and its metabolites, SN-38 and SN-38G, by possibly reducing biliary excretion, which in turn could lower irinotecan toxicity. We determined the effect of a known cholestatic agent, cyclosporin A (CsA), which is transported across the bile canalicular membrane by P-glycoprotein, on the biliary excretion of irinotecan and its metabolites. Wistar rats were pretreated with 60 mg/kg CsA 5 min before an i.v. dose of irinotecan at dose levels of 6, 10, and 20 mg/kg. The control groups received irinotecan only. CsA pretreatment resulted in an average increase of 339, 361, and 192% in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38G, respectively. Analysis of clearance (CL) of irinotecan indicated a 55 and 81% reduction in the average renal and nonrenal CLs, respectively, in the pretreated groups. The nonrenal CL, which is the primary component of irinotecan CL, includes protein and tissue binding as well as the metabolic and biliary CL of irinotecan. There was no change in the volume of distribution at steady state (indicative of unchanged binding) and in the metabolic conversion of irinotecan to SN-38 due to pretreatment. Therefore, the significant reduction in the systemic CL of irinotecan due to CsA pretreatment was primarily due to lowered biliary excretion. Studies using a photoaffinity analogue of verapamil, [125I]NAS-VP, and membrane vesicles from the multidrug-resistant cell line, MCF-7/Adr, revealed that irinotecan and metabolites had moderate interaction with P-glycoprotein. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of CsA on the biliary excretion of irinotecan and its metabolites.
ELASTIC SCATTERING OF HIGH ENERGY BEAMS: REPULSIVE FORCES,

Abstract : The elastic scattering of high velocity neutral beams has proven to be a useful method for determining interaction potentials at small internuclear separations. This report critically discusses the experimental and theoretical aspects of such scattering and the reliability of the derived potentials. It also discusses applications to specific problems where it is necessary to have a quantitative description of the intermolecular potential. (Author)
Intervening in Markets on the Basis of Imperfect Information: A Legal and Economic Analysis

A common justification for recent interventions in consumer markets which ban or require particular contract terms or require firms to disclose information is that consumers are imperfectly informed respecting the transactions they make. It is generally recognized, however, that information is never perfect, and that the decision-maker's task is therefore to characterize, in terms of the need for intervention, real world states intermediate between perfect information and perfect ignorance. These decisions are now made in what can politely be described as an impressionistic fashion because lawyers have no rigorous tools for responding to information problems. In recent years, economists have developed a variety of models that begin to explain the behavior of markets characterized by imperfect information. These models, however, have been almost inaccessible to lawyers because of their mathematical complexity. It is our aim in this paper to communicate to lawyers the insights relevant to law reform provided by the new "economics of information."
Determinants of the Relative Advantage of a Structured SDM During the Adoption Stage of Implementation

This research investigates a new theoretical model for examining the relationships between user perceptions during innovation adoption. We have taken several innovation-related variables and constructed a framework for assessing the ability of a technology to improve worker performance. Prior research has not addressed the appropriate relationship between innovation adoption-related variables as applied to information systems development methodologies (SDM). This study attempts to use innovation-related variables created by Moore and Benbasat (Information Systems Research 2(3) (1991) 192–222) and Davis (MIS Quarterly 13(3) (1989) 319–340) to propose a framework useful by project managers in designing innovations that will successfully support the efforts of technology users. A framework is proposed, tested, and modified in the context of using an SDM to govern large systems development operation. Forty-seven users within a military software development organization were surveyed about their perceptions of a recently implemented structured SDM. A proposed model of innovation adoption perceptions was tested using correlation and partial least squares regression. Findings suggest a model for predicting the perceived relative advantage of SDMs in the adoption stage of their implementation which is useful in designing techniques in the IS development organizational function.
Modeling partial attacks with ALLOY

The automated and formal analysis of cryptographic primitives, security protocols and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) up to date has been focused on discovering attacks that completely break the security of a system. However, there are attacks that do not immediately break a system but weaken the security sufficiently for the adversary. We term these attacks partial attacks and present the first methodology for the modeling and automated analysis of this genre of attacks by describing two approaches. The first approach reasons about entropy and was used to simulate and verify an attack on the ECB|ECB|OFB triple-mode DES block-cipher. The second approach reasons about possibility sets and was used to simulate and verify an attack on the personal identification number (PIN) derivation algorithm used in the IBM 4758 Common Cryptographic Architecture.
Some factors affecting the permeability of guinea pig placenta.

Abstract The technique of in situ perfusion of guinea pig placenta was used to investigate certain factors affecting placental transfer. 1. 1. Increases in pressure in the umbilical vein produced increased permeability of the placenta to water, protein, and red blood cells. This was reversible and did not appear to involve rupture of the vessels. This may have application in explaining certain clinical situations. 2. 2. The use of a perfusate containing iso-osmolar concentrations of KCl also dramatically increased the permeability of the placenta. This was reversible. Neither lithium nor choline affected the permeability. 3. 3. Histamine increased placental permeability but methacholine did not. 4. 4. There was no detectable relation between glucose transfer and sodium exchange.
Penicillin-sensitive transpeptidation during peptidoglycan biosynthesis in cell-free preparations from Bacillus megaterium. II. Effect of penicillins and cephalosporins on bacterial growth and in vitro transpeptidation.

Abstract The effect of penicillins and cephalosporins on the various transpeptidation reactions presented in the preceding paper is discussed. Inhibition by cloxacillin and penicillin G of [14C]diaminopimelic acid incorporation during peptidoglycan synthesis appeared to be partially reversible after the antibiotic was destroyed by treatment with penicillinase. Inhibition of the cross-linking reaction by cloxacillin appeared to be fully reversible. These and other results suggested the presence of more than one transpeptidase. In addition, a d-alanine carboxypeptidase activity present in the particulate enzyme preparation was examined and found to be irreversibly inhibited by penicillin G and relatively insensitive to cloxacillin. It is suggested that the transpeptidases(s) and the d-alanine carboxypeptidase are separate enzymes.
Singular singular-perturbation problems

Abstract : Consider initial problems for nonlinear singularly perturbed systems of the form epsilon sub z dot = f(z,t,epsilon) in the singular situation that f sub z(z,t,0) has a nontrivial null space. Under appropriate hypotheses, such problems have asymptotic solutions as epsilon approaches 0 for t or = 0 consisting of the sum of a function of t and a function of tau = t/epsilon. These problems arise in a number of situations in fluid dynamics and optimal control.
Autoacylation of G Protein α Subunits

The palmitoylation or S-acylation of at least some G protein alpha subunits is a dynamic process that is regulated in vivo by the activation of associated receptors. Highly purified, myristoylated Gialpha1 and other G protein alpha subunits react spontaneously with palmitoyl-CoA in vitro to form thioesterified proteins. This reaction requires native Gialpha1 and occurs exclusively at Cys3, the same residue that is palmitoylated in vivo. The reaction proceeds to completion, and its rate is roughly equal to the rate of loss of palmitate observed in pulse-chase experiments in vivo. The rate of autoacylation is significantly enhanced by the G protein betagamma subunit complex. Autoacylation may play a role in the dynamic thioesterification of some cellular proteins.
Anthropology‐Led Community‐Engagement Programs

ABSTRACT In this review essay, the merit of three community-engagement programs directed by anthropologists—the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC), the University of Maryland-College Park's Cultural Systems Analysis Group, and the University of Texas at Austin's Division of Diversity and Community Engagement—are explored. I consider the intellectual and practical lineages from which these programs draw and their impacts on community-service provision.
SEROLOGICAL TYPING OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS II. Typing by Slide Agglutination and Comparison With Phage Typing

Cohen, Jay O. (Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Ga.), and P. B. Smith. Serological typing of Staphylococcus aureus. II. Typing by slide agglutination and comparison with phage typing. J. Bacteriol 88:1364-1371. 1964.-Over 700 cultures were typed by both antisera and phages; 15 serotypes accounted for 481 of the cultures. The i factor was found predominantly in phage group II strains, and the n factor was found in group III, whereas the c(1) factor was found in both groups II and III. Factors h, k, and m were found predominantly in groups I and II. Strains of phage type 80/81 were somewhat heterogeneous serologically. When cultures were typed by both phages and antisera, more definitive characterization was possible than with either method alone. Closely related cultures usually exhibited the same serotype and phage type. Phage-nontypable strains were usually typable by serology. A total of 60 different serotypes were observed among 183 phage-nontypable strains.
Lanthanides: Sensors for Lanthanides and Actinides

In this chapter, recent advances in the area of chemical-based lanthanide and actinide sensing are summarized, and several representative examples of molecules that have been employed as sensors for the lanthanide and actinide ions using either optical or electrochemical monitoring (“read out”) techniques have been detailed. Because it represents an area where specific receptor design has played an instrumental role, the authors focus on detection strategies based on ion-selective electrodes, as well as those that give rise to an easy-to-monitor optical response (so-called optodes). Keywords: lanthanides; actinides; sensors; optical response; detection; electrochemical monitoring; ion-selective electrodes; optodes
Measurement of Cell Death in Mammalian Cells

Methods for assessing mammalian cell death are presented in this unit. The unit is divided into six sections: (1) a brief overview of cytotoxicity and pathways of cell death, (2) a method to measure cell death using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as a marker of membrane integrity, (3) a flow cytometry method that simultaneously measures two types of cell death, necrosis, and apoptosis, (4) use of fluorescence microscopy and nuclear morphology to assess apoptosis and necrosis, (5) the use of multi-well plates and high-content analysis imaging systems to assess nuclear morphology, and (6) a discussion of the use of cytotoxicity assays to determine the mechanisms of cell death.
Perceptions of Depression and Access to Mental Health Care Among Latino Immigrants Looking Beyond One Size Fits All

Compared with non-Latino Whites, Latino immigrants have a lower prevalence of depression. However, they are also less likely to seek professional mental health services. Our objective was to compare and contrast perceptions of depression and access to mental health care among four of the largest Latino immigrant subgroups in Florida (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, and Colombian). We conducted a total of 120 interviews (30 men and women from each subgroup). Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed that participants across the four groups were aware of the signs and symptoms of depression and had similar perceptions of depression. However, notable differences by subgroup emerged with regard to perceptions of access to mental health care. We suggest that the variation stems from differences in life experiences and the immigration context. Understanding the variances and nuances of Latino immigrants’ cultural construction of depression and immigration experience will enable practitioners to better serve ...
Have we made progress in the treatment of GVHD

One reason for the lack of progress in the treatment of acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the lack of reliable biomarkers. GVHD of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is closely associated with non-relapse mortality (NRM) following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Using an unbiased, large-scale, quantitative proteomic discovery approach, we identified candidate biomarkers that were increased in plasma from HCT patients with GI GVHD. We then validated the lead candidate, REG3α, by ELISA in samples from more than 1000 HCT patients from three transplant centers. Plasma REG3α concentrations were 3-fold higher in patients at GI GVHD onset than in all other patients. REG3α concentrations correlated most closely with lower GI GVHD at GVHD onset and predicted response to therapy at 4 weeks, 1-year NRM, and 1-year survival ( P ≤ 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that advanced clinical stage, severe histologic damage, and high REG3α concentrations at the diagnosis of GVHD independently predicted 1-year NRM, which progressively increased with higher numbers of onset risk factors present. We conclude that REG3α is a plasma biomarker of GI GVHD that can be combined with clinical stage and histologic grade to improve risk stratification of patients, perhaps providing a platform for advances in the treatment of high-risk GVHD.
Fast-storing cells in liver: A re-evaluation of their fine structure using scanning electron microscopy

Abstract Three-dimensional ultrastructural features of intrahepatic perisinusoidal fat-storing cells in rabbits, rats, hamsters, and mice were evaluated by SEM using both secondary electron and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging modes. The fat-storing cells of the four species were similar in morphology and cytoplasmic content. Intracellular osmiophilic lipid inclusions were observed in these cells and were readily indentified by BSE. The number of fat-storing cells in rabbits was significantly higher than that of rats, hamsters, and mice.
Management games and computers

Management games, although a relatively new educational technique, are being widely utilized, and much discussed. They are primarily of concern to the educator and to the research scientist, but since many of these games are played with the aid of an electronic computer, they should be of interest to computer people in general. In addition to the use of a computer for existing games, new games are being developed and will require programming. Many papers have been published on the educational aspects of management games; this paper has been written primarily to arouse interest in them as a computer application.
Interoception in anxiety and depression

We review the literature on interoception as it relates to depression and anxiety, with a focus on belief, and alliesthesia. The connection between increased but noisy afferent interoceptive input, self-referential and belief-based states, and top-down modulation of poorly predictive signals is integrated into a neuroanatomical and processing model for depression and anxiety. The advantage of this conceptualization is the ability to specifically examine the interface between basic interoception, self-referential belief-based states, and enhanced top-down modulation to attenuate poor predictability. We conclude that depression and anxiety are not simply interoceptive disorders but are altered interoceptive states as a consequence of noisily amplified self-referential interoceptive predictive belief states.
Processing of Alzheimer beta/A4 amyloid precursor protein: modulation by agents that regulate protein phosphorylation.

Abstract The turnover and processing of the Alzheimer beta/A4 amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) has been studied in PC12 cells after treatment with agents that regulate protein phosphorylation. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, an agent that stimulates protein kinase C, decreased the levels of mature beta APP and increased the levels of 15- and 19-kDa peptides. These peptides appeared to be COOH-terminal fragments of beta APP, which arose when phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate increased the rate of proteolytic processing of mature forms of beta APP. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, also led to decreased levels of mature beta APP and increased levels of the 15- and 19-kDa peptides. H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C and of several other protein kinases, apparently decreased the rate of proteolytic processing of mature beta APP. The sizes of the putative COOH-terminal fragments observed after treatment with either phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate or okadaic acid suggest that one or both may contain the entire beta/A4 region of beta APP and thus be amyloidogenic. Our results support the hypothesis that abnormal protein phosphorylation may play a role in the development of the cerebral amyloidosis that accompanies Alzheimer disease.
General approximation algorithms for some arithmetical combinatorial problems

Abstract A general approximation technique for a large class of NP-hard optimization problems which involve arithmetic calculations is given. This technique guarantees a worst case relative error smaller than e in time which is polynomial both in the size of the problem instance and 1/e. It is also shown that problems in that class which are not approximable by this technique are not approximable in polynomial time at all, provided P ≠ NP, and hence this technique is the most general approximation technique applicable to this class.
Alternative Model for Path Analysis of Small-Grain Yield

The model most widely used for path analysis of grain yield in small grains assumes bidirectional causal pathways between yield components; however, because yield components develop sequentially, it is questionable from a biological standpoint whether a yield component could influence others that develop earlier. The purpose of this research is to describe the theory and application of an alternative model for path analysis of grain yield that takes into account the sequential development of yield components(.)
Chiral asymmetry and the Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index for the Dirac operator on a four-dimensional ball.

We consider the problem of determining the zero modes for the massless Dirac operator in a background Abelian gauge field F on a four-dimensional Euclidean manifold M with a boundary partialM. We solve exactly the case when F is constant self-dual or anti-self-dual and M is B/sup 4/, a four-dimensional ball, so that partialM is S/sup 3/, a three-dimensional sphere. The analysis employs the Atiyah-Patodi-Singer index theorem for manifolds with boundaries.
On the irreversible thermodynamics of electrophoretic tube flow

Abstract Electrophoretic flow in tubes is analyzed as a problem in irreversible thermodynamics. For the restricted case of small particles traveling only on the tube center line, the complete set of coupling equations between the associated dissipative processes are established. Application of the theory is made to the problem of filtration, and an illustrative numerical example is worked out and discussed.
Improving planning through interactive methodological research

The Hawaii Environmental Simulation Laboratory (HESL) was a three year experiment in improving governmental decision making by developing better research methodologies for use by public decision making bodies and community organizations. Funded through the University of Hawaii by the Ford Foundation (FF) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), HESL conducted its researchinteractively with the intended users of its products. This paper sets the HESL experiment in the context of recent trends in applying better methodology to environmental decision making and involving citizens in these decisions. It describes the HESL effort, and then draws conclusions about both the effectiveness of the experiment and the way it was conducted, providing information that may be useful in guiding university groups, public agencies, and community organizations pursuing similar objectives.
Three-dimensional visualization for large models

High-resolution (0.3-1 m) digital-elevation data is widely available from commercial sources. Whereas the production of two-dimensional (2D) mapping products from such data is standard practice, the visualization of such three-dimensional (3D) data has been problematic. The basis for this problem is the same as that for the large-model problem in computer graphics-- large amounts of geometry are difficult for current rendering algorithms and hardware. This paper describes a cost-effective solution to this problem that has two parts. First is the employment of the latest in cost-effective 3D chips and video boards that have recently emerged. The second part is the employment of quad-tree data structures for efficient data storage and retrieval during rendering. The result is the capability for real-time display of large (over tens of millions of samples) digital elevation models on modest PC-based systems. This paper shows several demonstrations of this approach using airborne lidar data. The implication of this work is a paradigm shift for geo-spatial information systems--3D data can now be as easy to use as 2D data.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vitamin E Content of Margarine and Reduced Fat Products Using a Simplified Extraction Procedure and HPLC Determination

Abstract A liquid chromatographic method is described for the analysis of vitamin E in margarine and vegetable oil products (spreads). The tocopherol homologs (α, γ, δ-tocopherol) are extracted in hexane with anhydrous MgSO4 added to remove water. Complete resolution of the homologs is achieved on a normal phase column and a mobile phase of 0.9% isopropanol in hexane with fluorescence detection. Based on five repetitive assays the mean recoveries were 99.0±1.4, 97.4±2.2%, and 99.5±2.6% for α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol, respectively. The method is rapid, specific, and accurate for the measurement of vitamin E in margarine and vegetable oil spreads. Further, the method avoids: (1) saponification techniques (2) emulsion forming organic solvent extractions and (3) the use of chlorinated solvents. The limit of detection for α-, γ-, and δ- tocopherol were 23.2, 2.96, and 1.98 μg/100g, respectively. The limit of quantitation for α-, γ, and δ- tocopherol were 39.8, 5.00, and 3.02 μg/100g, respectively. The vitamin E ...
Effects of a sour bolus on oropharyngeal swallowing measures in patients with neurogenic dysphagia

This study examines the effects of a sour bolus (50% lemon juice, 50% barium liquid) on pharyngeal swallow measures in two groups of patients with neurogenic dysphagia. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients who had suffered at least one stroke. Group 2 consisted of 8 patients with dysphagia related to other neurogenic etiologies. All patients were selected because they exhibited delays in the onset of the oral swallow and delays in triggering the pharyngeal swallow on boluses of 1 ml and 3 ml liquid barium during videofluoroscopy. Results showed significant improvement in oral onset of the swallow in both groups of patients and a significant reduction in pharyngeal swallow delay in Group 1 patients and in frequency of aspiration in Group 2 patients with the sour as compared to the non-sour boluses. Other selected swallow measures in both subject groups also improved with the sour bolus. Volume effects were present but not as consistently as in prior studies. Implications for swallow therapy are discussed.
Magnetic resonance imaging and deep brain stimulation

OBJECTIVETo determine whether cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead displacement or program interference.METHODSIn vitro and in vivo studies were performed with the Itrel II implantable pulse generator (IPG) (Model 7424; Medtronic, Minneapolis,
Arterial plaque dome model exhibits wall vibrations

Data was obtained from latex tube models, which replicated both healthy and diseased vessels with a plaque dome. The fluid mechanics model was used to develop code comprised of hemodynamic equations. The mechanics of the vessels were analyzed via their pressure — area relationship. The pressure area relation was determined for both a normal and plaque dome model. This relationship was applied to the hemodynamic model to compute pressure and flow. The model results showed large and low frequency wall vibrations occur. This was consistent with observations of sound generation in diseased blood vessels such as the carotid artery.
Update in type 1 diabetes.

Context: Type 1 diabetes is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by severe β-cell loss. The great majority of patients have type 1A or immune-mediated diabetes. Synthesis: There has been recent progress in defining the genetics, pathogenesis, and natural history of the disease. In addition, there is a major effort to develop immunotherapies to prevent the disorder and to cure the disease with islet transplantation, and there is potential for dramatic improvement in care with introduction of continuous glucose monitoring devices. The discovery of “metabolic memory” underscores the importance of excellent metabolic control. With comprehensive care, major microvascular complications (e.g. blindness and renal failure) are preventable for most patients. Conclusion: The existence of multiple “competing” technologies to deal with this devastating disorder holds promise of improved outcomes.
Chemical reactions involved in the catalytic hydrogenation of oils. I. Characteristics of the volatile by‐products

The gas chromatogram of the isolated volatile by-products I, which were produced during catalytic hydrogenation of soybean oil is quite different from that of the isolated volatile byproducts II, which were produced by a duplicate sample of the same oil subjected to the same conditions of hydrogenation with no nickel catalyst. Many of the peaks on these two gas chromatograms had different retention times. Furthermore, catalytic hydrogenation of I did not alter its gas chromatogram to equal that of II. The side reactions which may take place when an oil is treated under hydrogenation conditions are, therefore, affected by the presence of nickel catalys.
Total amino acids in developing worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Glutaminsaure, Aspartinsaure und Prolin wurden in Eihomogenaten und Haemolymphe der Honigbiene (Apis mellifera L.) gefunden.
X-Ray Crystallographic and Kinetic Studies of Human Sorbitol Dehydrogenase

Sorbitol dehydrogenase (hSDH) and aldose reductase form the polyol pathway that interconverts glucose and fructose. Redox changes from overproduction of the coenzyme NADH by SDH may play a role in diabetes-induced dysfunction in sensitive tissues, making SDH a therapeutic target for diabetic complications. We have purified and determined the crystal structures of human SDH alone, SDH with NAD(+), and SDH with NADH and an inhibitor that is competitive with fructose. hSDH is a tetramer of identical, catalytically active subunits. In the apo and NAD(+) complex, the catalytic zinc is coordinated by His69, Cys44, Glu70, and a water molecule. The inhibitor coordinates the zinc through an oxygen and a nitrogen atom with the concomitant dissociation of Glu70. The inhibitor forms hydrophobic interactions to NADH and likely sterically occludes substrate binding. The structure of the inhibitor complex provides a framework for developing more potent inhibitors of hSDH.
Temperature-dependent X-ray dynamical diffraction: Darwin theory simulations.

Thermal vibrations destroy the perfect crystalline periodicity generally assumed by dynamical diffraction theories. This can lead to some difficulty in deriving the temperature dependence of X-ray reflectivity from otherwise perfect crystals. This difficulty is overcome here in numerical simulations based on the extended Darwin theory, which does not require periodicity. Using Si and Ge as model materials, it is shown how to map the lattice vibrations derived from measured phonon dispersion curves onto a suitable Darwin model. Good agreement is observed with the usual Debye–Waller behavior predicted by standard theories, except at high temperatures for high-order reflections. These deviations are discussed in terms of a possible breakdown of the ergodic hypothesis for X-ray diffraction.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF 129I AROUND WEST VALLEY, AN INACTIVE NUCLEAR FUEL REPROCESSING FACILITY IN WESTERN NEW YORK

Abstract A study of 129I levels in surface waters around an inactive nuclear fuel reprocessing facility at West Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York shows a strong presence of this long-lived radoiisotope ( T 1 2 = 15.7 Ma ) of iodine around the facility. The signal is strong in creeks which drain the facility as well as those in the general vicinity over two decades after reprocessing activities at the site ceased in 1972. Highest 129I levels (1.36 × 1011 atoms/L) are observed at the site boundary in Buttermilk Creek which drains the site, and the resulting plume can be tracked into Lake Erie via Cattaraugus Creek. Other creeks in the West Valley area which do not receive drainage from the site have 129I concentrations on the order of 109–1010 atoms/L, indicating that atmospheric transport of the radionuclide is significant. 129I levels in surface waters around West Valley are 10–1000 times higher than background lelels in western New York, including 129I levels around active nuclear power plants (reported in Rao and Fehn, in preparation), and 100–10000 times higher than levels of 129I in areas outside western New York. However, 36 Cl Cl and 3H measurements in Buttermilk Creek at the site boundary are consistent with present day rainwater values for the region.
A Holocene climatic record for the Sonoran Desert from pollen analysis of Montezuma Well, Arizona, USA

Abstract Pollen and macrofossil analyses of a radiocarbon-dated core, 1125 cm long, from Montezuma Well, elev. 1125 m, Yavapai County, Arizona, provide a record of summer precipitation similar to that of other monsoonal regions of the world. Precipitation was least from 4000 to 5000 yr B.P., and generally was greater than today before 8400 yr B.P. During the early-Holocene moist period, oak and grass pollen are abundant, and the best modern analogs are within the Arizona Monsoon boundary, so increased summer precipitation is indicated. Climatic parameters are estimated with the technique of best modern analogs for fossil samples. Temperature was highest ca. 3400 and 5700 yr B.P., and generally was cooler than today before 6800 yr B.P. Brief cold intervals in the Holocene match periods of global cooling and of positive 14 C and 10 Be anomalies.
Coadunation of Technologies: Cogeneration and Thermal Energy Storage

Thermal energy storage can help cogeneration meet the energy generation challenges of the 21st century by increasing the flexibility and performance of cogeneration facilities. Thermal energy storage (TES) allows a cogeneration facility to: (1) provide dispatchable electric power while providing a constant thermal load, and (2) increase peak capacity by providing economical cooling of the combustion turbine inlet air. The particular systems that are considered in this paper are high-temperature diurnal TES, and TES for cooling the combustion turbine inlet air. The paper provides a complete assessment of the design, engineering, and economic benefits of combining TES technology with new or existing cogeneration systems, while also addressing some of the issues involved.
Puromycin does not inactivate the galactosyltransferase of golgi membranes

Abstract The effects of puromycin on galactosyltransferase from four sources, rat liver and lactating sheep mammary Golgi membranes, bovine colostrum and human serum have been investigated. We do not find that the synthesis of N-acetyllactosamine is much inhibited, even in the presence of 3mM puromycin. This is in contrast to previously reported results for rat liver Golgi membranes. We interpret the low level of inhibition observed in terms of pH effects.
Aflatoxin Resistance in Maize: What Have We Learned Lately?

Aflatoxin contamination of maize grain is a huge economic and health problem, causing death and increased disease burden in much of the developing world and income loss in the developed world. Despite the gravity of the problem, deployable solutions are still being sought. In the past 15 years, much progress has been made in creating resistant maize inbred lines; mapping of genetic factors associated with resistance; and identifying possible resistance mechanisms. This review highlights this progress, most of which has occurred since the last time a review was published on this topic. Many of the needs highlighted in the last reviews have been addressed, and several solutions, taken together, can now greatly reduce the aflatoxin problem in maize grain. Continued research will soon lead to further solutions, which promise to further reduce and even eliminate the problem completely.
Behavioral evaluation of the anti-excitotoxic properties of MK-801: Comparison with neurochemical measurements

Abstract The ability of MK-801 to protect striatal neurons from the excitotoxic action of quinolinic acid was evaluated by means of apomorphine-induced rotational behavior and by measurement of striatal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity, neurochemical markers for cholinergic and GABAergic neurons, respectively. Animals with a unilateral quinolinic acid lesion of the striatum exhibited a vigorous rotational response when challenged with apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) 6 days later and were found to have an 88–90% depletion of striatal ChAT and GAD activity. Treatment with a high dose of MK-801 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid eliminated the subsequent rotational response to apomorphine and resulted in complete protection of striatal ChAT and GAD activity. Lower doses of MK-801 (1, 3 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to significantly reduce the rotational response to apomorphine but provided partial, dose-dependent protection of both ChAT and GAD activity. The rotational response to apomorphine correlated with the percent reduction in both ChAT activity ( r = 0.57, P r = 0.49, P
Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and carbon isotope discrimination of 14 barley genetic lines in response to salinity

Abstract Barley is one of the most salt tolerant crop species, and differences between barley genotypes for salinity tolerance have been previously documented. Greenhouse experiments were conducted with barley seedlings (up to fourth leaf) from 14 genetic lines grown in control and saline (EC = 20 dS m−1) conditions. Some of these barley genotypes are parental lines to diverse mapping populations. Others have been bred and released for their tolerance to salinity. Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, above ground dry matter and carbon isotope discrimination were measured to determine salinity tolerance. Two-week exposure to saline conditions decreased above-ground dry mass (AGDM), net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), efficiency of light harvesting of photosystem II ( F ′ v / F ′ m ) , photochemical quenching (qP), and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) relative to control plants. Measurement of gs provided the best information to assess genetic differences in barley for absolute performance when subjected to salinity stress. Lines with the highest gs values under control conditions also showed some of the highest absolute values for A and F ′ v / F ′ m under saline conditions. All lines were enriched in 13C (lower Δ) with salinity, but Δ was of limited value to assess differences between lines. Salinity susceptibility indexes (SSI) were used to estimate the relative tolerance of lines to salinity. They varied considerably between parameters and provide only relative information that can be difficult to reconcile with above absolute values of performance under saline conditions.
Symmetry, texture and the recoverable strain of shape-memory polycrystals

Shape-memory behavior is the ability of certain materials to recover, on heating, apparently plastic deformation sustained below a critical temperature. Some materials have good shape-memory behavior as single crystals but little or none as polycrystals, while others display good shape-memory behavior even as polycrystals. In this paper, we propose a theoretical explanation for this difference: we show that the recoverable strain in a polycrystal depends on the texture of the polycrystal, the transformation strain of the underlying martensitic transformation and especially on the change of symmetry during the underlying transformation. Roughly, we find that the greater the change in symmetry during transformation, the greater the recoverable strain. We include an extensive survey of the experimental literature and show that our results agree with these observations. We make recommendations for improved shape-memory effect in polycrystals.
The IgG molecule as a biological immune response modifier: Mechanisms of action of intravenous immune serum globulin in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is an important treatment modality in patients with humoral or B-cell immune deficiency as replacement therapy. Soon after its introduction in the early 1980s for the treatment of patients with immune deficiency, IVIG was used in the treatment of children with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. Presently, more commercial IVIG is used for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders than as replacement therapy in patients with immune deficiency. Understanding the mechanisms of action of IVIG in these autoimmune and inflammatory disorders has occupied investigators over the past 3 decades. A number of mechanisms for the immune modulation and anti-inflammatory actions of IVIG have been described, including Fc receptor blockade, inhibition of complement deposition, enhancement of regulatory T cells, inhibition or neutralization of cytokines and growth factors, accelerated clearance of autoantibodies, modulation of adhesion molecules and cell receptors, and activation of regulatory macrophages through the FcγRIIb receptor. It can now be appreciated that IVIG affects many different pathways to modulate the immune and inflammatory response. Further delineation of these pathways might lead to new treatment strategies.
Using a simulation to teach food web dynamics

R ecent improvements in educational technology have provided us with a wide range of tools to enhance student learning. However, the impact of educational technology on students' performance in class still needs to be researched. This paper explores the effectiveness of dynamic computer simulation models for helping students understand ecological interrelationships and students' attitudes toward technology. Students' attitudes and accessibility of computers are important components to expanded use of educational technology. Simulations are a powerful form of student-computer interaction that can be used as an adjunct to lecture and text materials to address different student learning styles. Many computer simulations are engaging because they force the student to choose input or starting conditions and then provide the student with tools to view and analyze the results. Students can perform experiments, refine their hypotheses, and then try redesigned experiments over again many times. Having the students go through the process of hypothesis testing and refinement is very easy to do with a computer exercise (such as described here) but may be much more difficult to accomplish with more traditional laboratory projects used in introductory biology courses. Thus this is one major benefit of including computer tools in introductory courses. The construction of simulation models can be used to address higher-order learning objectives from Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive levels (Bloom et al. 1956), such as predicting and testing hypotheses (Steed 1992). Some empirical studies have shown that students do better when simulations are included in the repertoire of methods used in class. For example, the use of simulations along with lectures on thermodynamics increased the precentage of students who successfully distinguished between key concepts (Lewis et al. 1993). These students also did better when explaining the concepts to other students and in generalizing from the specific simulation to other situations. Atkinson and Burton (1991) found that students who used
Winter Pond Fertilization Can Increase Phytoplankton Density in Aquaculture Ponds

AbstractEffective winter fertilization would be beneficial under certain production systems in the southeastern USA. Maintaining a phytoplankton bloom during the winter has the potential to shade macrophytes, discourage filamentous algae, and provide natural foraging opportunities for fish during warmer days; this would be advantageous. An additional benefit of a winter bloom would be to produce turbidity, thereby possibly reducing bird predation. The objective of this study was to determine if winter fertilization could increase phytoplankton to greater biomass than in nonfertilized control ponds. Six ponds served as controls and six ponds received an initial dose of nitrogen at 20 kg/ha and phosphorus at 2 kg/ha in mid-November. Over the following five weeks, treatment ponds received one-half the initial dose once per week, and then continued to receive the half dose once per month in January, February, and March. Fertilization led to increases in total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, and nitrate. The water ...