cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gadoxetic acid: pearls and pitfalls

Gadoxetic acid is a hepatocyte-specific magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent with the ability to detect and characterize focal liver lesions and provide structural and functional information about the hepatobiliary system. Knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of gadoxetic acid is paramount to understanding imaging protocol and lesion appearance and facilitates identification and avoidance of undesired effects with use of this intravenous contrast agent. This article reviews the utility of gadoxetic acid in liver and biliary imaging, with emphasis on the hepatobiliary phase.
The topography of gangliosides in the membrane of the chromaffin granule of bovine adrenal medulla.

Abstract We have studied the topography of the gangliosides of the adrenal chromaffin granules by using neuraminidase to remove sialic acid from membrane gangliosides of intact and ruptured chromaffin granules. Residual sialic acid was then measured to compare the availability of gangliosides on the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane. Measurement of protein sialic acid served as a control since these residues are known to be on the inner surface of the membrane. Prolonged digestion of broken membranes showed that maximally 75% of both lipid and protein-bound sialic acid residues are available to neuraminidase. Prolonged digestion of intact granules produced no measureable loss of sialic acid from either protein or lipid fractions. Comparison of the thin-layer chromatograms of gangliosides extracted from digested and undigested membranes showed no preferential digestion of any component. We conclude that at least 75% of the gangliosides are on the inner leaflet of the membrane and suggest that all of the gangliosides are so located.
Intraflagellar transport protein 27 is a small G protein involved in cell-cycle control.

Summary Background Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is a motility process operating between the ciliary/flagellar (interchangeable terms) membrane and the microtubular axoneme of motile and sensory cilia. Multipolypeptide IFT particles, composed of complexes A and B, carry flagellar precursors to their assembly site at the flagellar tip (anterograde) powered by kinesin, and turnover products from the tip back to the cytoplasm (retrograde) driven by cytoplasmic dynein. IFT is essential for the assembly and maintenance of almost all eukaryotic cilia and flagella, and mutations affecting either the IFT motors or the IFT particle polypeptides result in the inability to assemble normal flagella or in defects in the sensory functions of cilia. Results We found that the IFT complex B polypeptide, IFT27, is a Rab-like small G protein. Reduction of the level of IFT27 by RNA interference reduces the levels of other complex A and B proteins, suggesting that this protein is instrumental in maintaining the stability of both IFT complexes. Furthermore, in addition to its role in flagellar assembly, IFT27 is unique among IFT polypeptides in that its partial knockdown results in defects in cytokinesis and elongation of the cell cycle and a more complete knockdown is lethal. Conclusion IFT27, a small G protein, is one of a growing number of flagellar proteins that are now known to have a role in cell-cycle control.
Some applications of symbolic functions on beam problems

Abstract This paper shows how symbolic functions are used to represent concentrated forces and moments as distributed loads. Applications of such representations are illustrated by two examples, a statically indeterminate problem and a vibration problem.
High-speed coherence processing using the sectionalized Fourier transform

The sectionalized Fourier transform of a band-limited signal (defined as a Fourier transform which is computed over incremented temporal sections of the function) is equivalent to basebanding, filtering, and sampling the signal in time domain. Spectral windowing is employed, through appropriately summing a sequence of the Fourier transform bins, to control the passband and leakage characteristics of the resulting filter. This in turn controls the distortion of the signal induced as a result of the transform process. The use of the sectionalized Fourier transform is exploited to conveniently and rapidly map the cross-correlation envelope of narrow-band signals over the time-register Doppler-ratio (ambiguity) plane. By using the ambiguity kernel \exp(i2\pi\alphaft) as an approximation of signal time compression (or expansion), the coherence between transformed signals (along the Doppler-ratio axis) may further be expedited through use of the discrete Fourier transform. The resulting error is negligible when the time-bandwidth product of the process is less than the inverse of the maximum Doppler ratio employed. The resulting algorithms have proved advantageous in underwater acoustic applications. It is concluded that the sectionalized Fourier Transform has many applications in time-domain signal processing using modern array digital computers.
Students' acceptability ratings of interventions for classroom misbehaviors: A study of well-behaving and misbehaving youth

Fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade students (N = 151) completed the Children's Intervention Rating Profile (CIRP) in response to four teacher-initiated intervention methods (home-based praise, home-based reprimand, public praise, and public reprimand) to correct classroom behavior problems. In addition, each student's teacher rated a student's general behavior. When examining the intervention preferences of students at each grade level, several trends in the acceptability of intervention methods were evident. Specifically, (1) fifth graders preferred positively oriented interventions more than negatively oriented interventions, (2) seventh and ninth graders preferred home-based interventions more than school-based interventions, and (3) only ninth graders indicated a sensitivity to selecting intervention methods based upon the problematic student's sex and the teachers' rating of the students' overall behaviors. The results are discussed within the context of previous treatment acceptabilty research and hi...
A computational evaluation of two subgradient search methods

Abstract The success of Lagrangean relaxation in discrete optimization is well documented. Part of this success is due to efficient procedures to find (near) optimal Lagrange multipliers, often by the use of subgradient search. This paper presents a comparison of the modified subgradient search technique of Camerini et al . and the most widely employed subgradient search procedure. Empirical results in different discrete optimization problems are given and discussed. Cases in which the modified subgradient search procedure is significantly superior and inferior are represented. Both procedures are easily implemented and thus should both be tested in special applications.
Effect of Completion Geometry and Phasing on Single-Phase Liquid Flow Behavior in Horizontal Wells

Horizontal wells can have very complex flow geometries, in part due to interaction between the main flow stream and the influxes along the wellbore, and also due to completion type. An experimental facility was used to investigate the effects of completion geometries and the density and phasing of injection openings in horizontal wells. Three test sections with perforation densities of 5, 10 and 20 shots per foot and phasings of 360°, 180° and 90° were. Four test sections were used for slotted liners, including one single slot case and three multiple slot cases. The numbers of slots for multiple slot cases were 18, 18 and 36 on 4-ft. long sections with slot phasings of 360°, 180° and 90°, respectively. A total of 1,257 tests were conducted for no fluid injection, no main flow at the test section inlet, and with fluid injection for Reynolds numbers ranging from 4,000 to 60,000 and for influx to main flow rate ratios ranging from 1/5 to 1/2000. Experimental results show that completion geometry, phasing and density in addition to Reynolds number and influx to main flow rate ratio have dramatic effects on the pressure behavior and therefore the production behavior of horizontal wells. A general friction factor expression for horizontal wells with multiple injection openings was developed based on the conservation of mass and momentum. A commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computer program was used to determine the length of the flow developing region in a horizontal well after the flow is disturbed due to radial influx. Applying experimental data and the result of CFD simulation to the general friction factor expression resulted in new simple correlations for horizontal well friction factors. Very good agreement was found between the friction factor correlations and experimental data. A field example is presented to show the importance of using a proper friction factor correlation to calculate the pressure drop in a horizontal well.
Quality of Amended Mine Soils After Sixteen Years

Soil quality research has focused on intensively managed agricultural and forest soils, but the concept and importance of soil quality is also pertinent to reclaimed mine soils and other disturbed ecosystems. Adding organic amendments has been used as a means for ameliorating mine soils and improving their quality, but the long-term effects of amendments on soil quality are not known. In 1982, a mined site was amended with seven different surface treatments: a control (nothing added), 30 cm of native soil, 112 Mg ha -1 sawdust, and municipal sewage sludge (SS) at rates of 22, 56, 112, and 224 Mg ha -1 . Four replicates of each treatment were installed as a randomized complete block design. Each plot was split and planted with pitch × loblolly pine hybrid (Pinus rigida x taeda) trees and Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). During the 16-yr period, organic matter content, total organic N, N mineralization potential, aggregate stability, and other physical and chemical properties were measured as mine soil quality indicators. The comparative ability of these organic amendments to positively affect organic matter content, total N, and other parameters was most apparent and pronounced after 5 yr. However, after 16 yr, soil organic matter (SOM) content and total N appeared to be equilibrating at 10 000 and 750 kg ha -1 , respectively. Organic matter inputs by vegetation alone across the 16-yr period in the control plots resulted in organic matter and N mineralization potential values comparable to levels in the organically-amended plots, indicating the overriding importance of vegetation in the soil recovery process. After 16 yr, there appears to be no lasting soil quality improvements due to addition of organic amendments to this mine soil. Amendments improved short-term production, but their cost of transport and application may be difficult to justify based on long-term soil quality improvement.
Newcomers to the U.S.: Developing Historical Thinking Among Latino Immigrant Students in a Central Texas High School

Newcomers are a special subgroup of the student population designated as English Language Learners (ELLs). The research project described in this article investigates how a teacher integrated language and content in a single subject area, social studies, in a high school newcomer classroom. Three extended lessons were presented to newcomer students in Central Texas who are native speakers of Spanish. The case study in the newcomer classroom documented immigrant students' use of digitized primary resources and document-based questions pertaining to the social crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957; the civil rights concerns of the Chicano Movimiento of the 1960s and 1970s; and the U.S. public's conflicting responses to immigration, particularly from Mexico, in the 21st century. Each extended lesson required that the students systematically understand sources; contexts; historical significance; and notions of agency, empathy, and moral judgment. Despite the challenge of specific concepts in the social stu...
Inhibition of Mycobacterial Infection by the Tumor Suppressor PTEN

The tumor suppressor PTEN is a lipid phosphatase that is frequently mutated in various human cancers. PTEN suppresses tumor cell proliferation, survival, and growth mainly by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway through dephosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate. In addition to it role in tumor suppression, the PTEN-PI3K pathway controls many cellular functions, some of which may be important for cellular resistance to infection. Currently, the intersection between tumorigenic signaling pathways and cellular susceptibility to infection is not well defined. In this study we report that PTEN signaling regulates infection of both noncancerous and cancerous cells by multiple intracellular mycobacterial pathogens and that pharmacological modulation of PTEN signaling can affect mycobacterial infection. We found that PTEN deficiency renders multiple types of cells hyper-susceptible to infection by Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN is required for attenuating infection. Furthermore, we found mycobacterial infection activates host cell Akt phosphorylation, and pharmacological inhibition of Akt or PI3K activity reduced levels of intracellular infection. Intriguingly, inhibition of mTOR, one of the downstream components of the Akt signaling and a promising cancer therapeutic target, also lowered intracellular Bacillus Calmette-Guerin levels in mammary epithelial cancer MCF-7 cells. These findings demonstrate a critical role of PTEN-regulated pathways in pathogen infection. The relationship of PTEN-PI3K-Akt mTOR status and susceptibility to mycobacterial infection suggests that the interaction of mycobacterial pathogens with cancer cells may be influenced by genetic alterations in the tumor cells.
A method to determine the isotopic ratio of thorium232 to Thorium230 in minerals

The isotopic ratio of Th232 to Th230 was determined in uranium minerals. The thorium was separated from the mineral. The amount of Th232 was determined by activation analysis and that of Th230 by counting its a particles. The ratio of the two isotopes was calculated by comparing the β and α activity of the two thorium isotopes in the sample to those of a standard of known Th232 to Th230 ratio.
Parent-Offspring Conflict in Budgerigars

Despite widespread theoretical interest in genetic conflict between parents and offspring, there is little empirical evidence that it exists in nature. Theoretical models suggest two outcomes of conflict not predicted by alternate theories: (1) offspring that control the allocation of parental investment might show escalated demand behaviours (e.g., begging) and demand more resources than they could efficiently use and (2) parents might evolve behavioural counterstrategies which prevented offspring from obtaining extra resources, but which were more costly than a "laissez-faire" parental strategy allowing offspring control. These predictions were tested in budgerigars, (Melopsittacus undulatus) in large flight cages at Davis, California. Budgerigar clutches hatch extremely asynchronously, yet all nestlings grew at similar rates and fledged at similar sizes and ages. This independence of hatch order and performance seemed due primarily to the mother budgerigar's allofeeding strategy: females allofed offspring mainly on the basis of size, and only secondarily attended to begging rate. Offspring of a given age and size were treated the same by their mothers regardless of hatch order, and offspring undersized for their age were fed as if they were younger. In contrast, male budgerigars attended to offspring begging rates. Males tended to initiate feeding bouts when offspring begged, and to allofeed vigorous beggers more often. Variance in male allofeeding behaviour allowed comparisons of size-matched families in which females performed nearly all of the allofeeds to nestlings (= female-fed families) with families in which males and females both allofed nestlings (= male-aided families). The parent controlled the allocation of food in female-fed families, while offspring had greater control over food allocation in male-fed families. As was predicted by conflict theory, the female counterstrategy was effective but potentially costly: the food delivery rate of females was only half as fast as males'. Conversely, offspring control resulted in an escalation of beg rate for the same degree of need (as measured by size and growth), and male-aided offspring obtained nearly three times more regurgitations than female-fed nestlings, yet grew at comparable rates and fledged at comparable sizes and ages. Hence, offspring demanded and obtained more food than they could effectively use. Other avian parents also seem to use effective but potentially costly counterstrategies, and other avian offspring may demand more food than they require. Even if initial hatch asynchronies functioned in brood reduction, the parental strategies described here would allow parents to retain control over the timing and conditions for offspring loss.
Effects of O2 Ion Bombardment of Y-Ba-Cu-Oxide during Thin Film Growth

Oxygen ion beam bombardment has been studied as a means for incorporating oxygen into thin films of Y-Ba-Cu-oxide either by enhancing the transport of oxygen to substrates during ion-beam sputtering, or by direct incorporation of oxygen with ion-assisted deposition. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to study the ion-beam bombardment of bulk superconducting targets as the oxygen content of the ion beam was varied. This study showed that oxygen did not directly combine with metallic elements in the target to increase the oxygen content of the stream of particles moving toward the substrate. Addition of a second ion beam directing oxygen ions toward the substrate during film growth caused large variations in the stoichiometry of the deposited films. At low oxygen ion currents, no increase in the oxygen content of the films was detected, while at relatively high currents, the oxygen incorporation increased. However, the sputtering of the metallic components of the film increased as the oxygen beam current increased, leading to very low growth rates.
Phenomenology as a critique of politics

Where empiricism was deficient was any internal connection between the object and the act which it triggers off. What intellectualism lacks is contingency in the occasions of thought for any phenomenon to appeal compellingly to it. ?Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Phenomenology of perception Common sense [sensus communis] is judgment without reflection, shared by an en? tire class, an entire people, an entire nation, or the entire human race. ?Giambattista Vico, The new science
Characterization of GaXIn1−XAs grown with TMIn

High quality GaxIn1−xAs, lattice matched to InP, has been reproducibly grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy using trimethylgallium (TMGa), trimethylindium (TMIn), and AsH3 in an atmospheric pressure reactor with no observable adduct formation. For the first time, using TMIn, room temperature electron mobilities of 104 cm2/Vs and 77 K mobilities greater than 4 × 104 cm2/Vs have beep obtained. Residual donor doping densities in the low 1015 cm−3 range have been routinely obtained. Material with excellent morphology has been grown from 540 to 670 C with the highest quality material being obtained near 650 C. The 4 K photoluminescence (PL) peak due to carbon is not seen in the material grown at higher temperatures; however, it increases dramatically as the growth temperature is lowered. This increased carbon incorporation leads to a sharp drop in the electron mobility, which exhibits a T−0.5 behavior between 77 and 300 K. With optimum growth conditions, 4 K PL halfwidths of 4–5 meV are commonly observed. This high quality material is characterized by x-ray diffraction, PL, and Hall mobility measurements. Carbon and other impurity incorporation as a function of the growth parameters will be described.
Understanding and modelling heterogeneity of human preferences for engineering design

In today's competitive market, it is essential for companies to provide products which not only achieve high performance, but also appeal to the tastes of consumers. Therefore, a key element of des...
Reflections on Religion and Health Research: An Interview with Dr. Harold G. Koenig

In this interview renowned researcher Harold G. Koenig, MD, MHSc shares his perspective on religion and health research, drawing from his experiences as a researcher, educator and practitioner. Throughout the interview, he highlights significant advances and discusses the gaps and potential weaknesses in the current body of religion and health literature. He also outlines recommendations for the continued advancement of religion and health research. Guidelines are given to guide new investigators interested in becoming religion and health researchers.
Scaling Challenges for the Cross-Point Resistive Memory Array to Sub-10nm Node - An Interconnect Perspective

The impact of Cu interconnect scaling on the write/read margin, energy dissipation, speed and reliability of resistive cross-point memory array are quantitatively examined for wire sizes down to the sub-10nm node. The impending resistivity increase due to wire scaling results in significantly degraded write and read windows, substantial interconnect energy, and increased wire latency. The growing current density required for programming exacerbates the Cu electromigration and is a reliability concern for deeply-scaled technology nodes. Performance degradations are strongly dependent on the memory device parameters and memory array sizes: ron below 100KΩ and array size > 1Mb lead to write margin 1pJ for wire size smaller than 20 nm. Also, a large ron value can tolerate a small roff/ron ratio, although a too high ron would result in a slow speed. This work points to the importance of a careful device and interconnect co-optimization to meet the performance specifications for cross- point memory arrays at sub-10nm nodes.
On the clustering of multidimensional pictorial data

Obvious approaches to reducing the cost (in computer resources) of applying current clustering techniques to the problem of remote sensing are discussed. The use of spatial information in finding fields and in classifying mixture pixels is examined, and the AMOEBA clustering program is described. Internally, a pattern recognition program, from without, AMOEBA appears to be an unsupervised clustering program. It is fast and automatic. No choices (such as arbitrary thresholds to set split/combine sequences) need be made. The problem of finding the number of clusters is solved automatically. At the conclusion of the program, all points in the scene are classified; however, a provision is included for a reject classification of some points which, within the theoretical framework, cannot rationally be assigned to any cluster.
Treatment of a Depressed Breast Cancer Patient With Problem-Solving Therapy

Problem-solving therapy (PST) has emerged as a promising treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The treatment, which is brief and easily accessible to a variety of health practitioners, has...
Macroscopic quantum jumps from a two-atom system.

We present an analysis of the macroscopic quantum jumps (MQJ) [1,2,4] that can be produced when two identical two-level atoms separated by a distance d are irradiated by a laser having wavelength λ0, with λ0 » d. The laser is resonant with the same ground to excited-state transition in each atom. The problem is conveniently described in terms of the eigenstates [5] of the two-atom system in the absence of any applied field (Fig.1). Denoting the ground and excited states of atom i(i = 1,2) by | gi > and | e i >, respectively, the appropriate eigenstates are given by | E >=| e 1 e 2 >, | S >= 1/\(\sqrt 2 \) (|e 1 g 2 > + | g 1 e 2 >), | G >=| g 1 g 2 > and | A> = 1\(\sqrt 2 \) (| e 1 g 2 > − | g 1 e 2 >); states | E >, | S > and | G > are symmetric and state | A > is antisymmetric on interchange of the atoms. Energy levels of states | S > and | A > are shifted from those of the non-interacting two-atom system by an amount V. For λ0 » d, the antisymmetric state has a small, but nonvanishing decay rate, Γ A ≅ (2πd/ λ0)2 Γ/5 while the symmetric state decays with a rate Γ S ≅ 2Γ (Γ = decay rate of a single atom). For the level scheme of Fig. 1, such decay rates lend themselves to the possibility of observing MQJ when the system is pumped by an external field.
Synthesis of starlike N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide copolymers : potential drug carriers.

Starlike HPMA copolymers were synthesized by conjugating semitelechelic poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide] macromolecules (ST-PHPMA, arm) with PAMAM dendrimers (core: G2, G3, G4). ST-PHPMA was synthesized by chain transfer free radical polymerization, and the terminal -COOH was activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide. Doxorubicin (DOX) was introduced into the starlike HPMA copolymer to evaluate its potential as a drug delivery system. The polymers were characterized with SEC, NMR, and UV. Cytotoxicity of the DOX containing starlike HPMA copolymer was determined on an A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cell line and compared with DOX-containing linear HPMA copolymers. The rate of in vitro DOX release from polymer--DOX conjugates in the presence of cathepsin B (CP-B, lysosomal cysteine proteinase) was determined and correlated with cytotoxicity results.
Amyloid Precursor Protein Expression Modulates Intestine Immune Phenotype

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is widely expressed across many tissue and cell types. Proteolytic processing of the protein gives rise to a plethora of protein fragments with varied biological activities. Although a large amount of data has been generated describing the metabolism of the protein in neurons, its role in regulating the phenotype of other cells remains unclear. Based upon prior work demonstrating that APP regulates the activation phenotype of monocytic lineage cells, we hypothesized that APP can regulate macrophage activation phenotype in tissues other than brain. Ileums of the small intestines from C57BL6/J wild type and APP−/− mice were compared as a representative tissue normally associated with abundant macrophage infiltration. APP−/− intestines demonstrated diminished CD68 immunoreactivity compared to wild type mice. This correlated with significantly less cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2), CD68, CD40, CD11c, and βIII-tubulin protein levels. Peritoneal macrophages from APP−/− mice demonstrated decreased in vitro migratory ability compared to wild type cells and diminished basal KC cytokine secretion. Whereas, APP−/− intestinal macrophages had an increase in basal KC cytokine secretion compared to wild type cells. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in multiple cytokine levels in APP−/− compared to wild type ileums. Finally, APP−/− mice demonstrated impaired absorption and increased motility compared to wild type mice. These data demonstrate the APP expression regulates immune cell secretions and phenotype and intestinal function. This data set describes a novel function for this protein or its metabolites that may be relevant not only for Alzheimer’s disease but a range of immune-related disorders.
Compound versus direct processes in the 12C(14N, d)24Mg∗ reaction

Abstract Angular correlations of deuterons and α-particles have been measured for the 12 C ( 14 N , d ) 24 Mg ∗ (α) 20 Ne ( g.s. ) reaction. No evidence is found for the direct transfer of a 12C nucleus populating the 13.45 MeV (6+) state of 24Mg. Angular correlations for this state and several others are relatively featureless. This result is in disagreement with a recently published measurement.
Simultaneous temperature and species measurements of the glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) propellant during laser-induced decomposition

Abstract Simultaneous temperature and species measurements were performed to experimentally investigate thermal decomposition of cured Glycidyl Azide Polymer (GAP). Experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure in argon with heat fluxes of 50, 100, and 200 W/cm 2 delivered by CO 2 laser. A micro-probe/triple quadrupole mass spectrometer system was used to analyze species products, and thermocouples were used to measure temperature. The burning behavior was monitored by a high-magnification video system. The following major species, in descending order of abundance, were detected: N 2 , HCN, CO, CH 2 O, NH 3 , CH 3 CHO, CH 2 CHCHNH, CH 3 CHNH, H 2 O, CH 4 , and C 2 H 4 . The mole fraction of hydrocarbons was about 0.02, while the mole fraction of imines was 0.09. The decomposition of GAP appeared to be dominated by the condensed phase chemistry and few reactions occurred in the gas phase. A significant amount of fine solid powder was observed in the gas phase, which was believed to be imines. It was found that the species and temperature were insensitive to the heat flux level. The mole fractions of the observed species at a heat flux 100 W/cm 2 were almost the same as those at a heat flux of 200 W/cm 2 , and the surface temperature was approximately 1050 K at both heat fluxes.
Clinical Pharmacy Involvement in a Geriatric Health Clinic at a High-Rise Apartment Center

ABSTRACT: During an initial 9-week period of involvement in the operation of a health clinic for ambulatory geriatric patients in three high-rise apartment complexes, the activities and opportunities for a pharmacist and pharmacy students were documented. For 120 of the 550 geriatric residents of the center, medication histories were completed during the study period. These 120 patients reported a total of 270 medical problems. They were taking 366 prescription drugs (average, 3.9 per patient). During the 9-week study, 43 drug interactions were documented, and about 25 percent of the patients interviewed complained of some untoward drug effect. The opportunities for pharmacist involvement and the educational opportunities for pharmacy students were demonstrated. The period since the initial 9-week study has shown even greater acceptance and utilization of the pharmacy services, with an increased number of visits by patients.
Reciprocating heat pipes and their applications

Based on the engine piston cooling application, reciprocating heat pipes and an engine piston incorporating reciprocating heat pipes have been proposed
Displacement of SERCA from SR lipid caveolae-related domains by Bcl-2: a possible mechanism for SERCA inactivation.

Bcl-2 exerts its anti-apoptotic effect in part through the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum. Earlier, we demonstrated that a truncated form of Bcl-2, Bcl-2Δ2...
Application of Systems Engineering Methodology to the Design of an Agricultural Research Program

In 1991, USDA and EPA agreed to a joint program in Integrated Farm Management Systems (IFMS). In 1992, the Agricultural Research Service of USDA assigned four Systems Engineers to develop concepts for a research program in IFMS. Customer groups representing farmers, researchers, environmentalists, agribusiness, and administrators were interviewed to determine the necessary inputs, outputs, and performance requirements of the system. The inputs were identified as resources and demands for service. The outputs included plans for farm management, research publications, and software. Performance criteria were grouped into three categories; SYSTEM OPERATION, QUALITY of FARM PLANS, and RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY. Four concepts were developed which met the I/O and performance requirements. The strengths and weaknesses of each concept were identified. The concepts were evaluated under three different hypothetical input scenarios. The CONTRACTS concept had the highest overall performance score across the three scenarios, but the PANELS concept had the highest performance per unit cost value. Sensitivity analyses identified the performance requirements contributing to the QUALITY of FARM PLANS as having the greatest overall impact on the system performance score.
Valproate embryopathy: clinical and cognitive profile in 5 siblings.

Valproate embryopathy is a well recognized syndrome caused by prenatal exposure to the anticonvulsant valproic acid (Depakote). We report five half-siblings with the same mother (four different fathers) who all have valproate embryopathy. Valproic acid was the sole anticonvulsant in all five pregnancies, with doses ranging from 500 to 2,000 mg per day. All children were examined by a clinical geneticist and developmental pediatrician, and had formal developmental testing. Mean birth weight at term was 2,900 g (range: 2,400–3,400 g). Common features in the five children included: flat, broad nasal bridge (5/5), hypoplastic midface (4/5), apparent hypertelorism/telecanthus (4/5), smooth philtrum (4/5), thin upper lip (5/5), long thin tapering fingers (4/5), hypoplastic 5th toenails (2/5), and irregularly placed toes (2/5). Less frequent features were micro/brachycephaly (2/5), cleft palate (1/5), duplication cyst of small intestine (1/5), and hemangioma (1/5). None had neural tube defect. Neuropsychologic testing of the three children older than 4 years of age showed cognitive ability in the low normal or borderline range (mean IQ = 83; range: 75–86), with significantly lower scores in adaptive behavior and motor skills. Study of this family offers insight into the potentially high risk of valproate embryopathy in exposed pregnancies, and affords a unique opportunity to study the variability of expression and cognitive profile of the syndrome within one family. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treatment of alcoholic liver disease

The treatment of alcoholic liver disease at present consists of abstinence from alcohol, bed rest, and dietary intake or administration of adequate amounts of calories and protein. Besides corticosteroids, which have been shown to improve hospital survival in severely ill patients with alcoholic hepatitis and liver transplantation in advanced cirrhosis, no successful specific therapy is available for alcoholic liver disease. Potential new therapeutic approaches include: (1) Treatment with specific dietary supplements such as polyunsaturated lecithin, which in baboons prevented the progression of the early stages of pericentral and interstitial fibrosis to septal fibrosis and cirrhosis; (2) antagonists to cytokines or antibodies to cytokine receptors for cytokines that have been shown to enhance hepatocellular necrosis or fibrosis; (3) substances that block pathways of oxygen radical formation or increase their metabolism or binding to form nonharmful compounds; (4) inhibition of collagen synthesis by proline analogues that increase intracellular collagen degradation or increase in collagen degradation by stimulation of collagenase or by insertion of exogenous DNA encoding amino or carboxyterminal peptides of procollagen into hepatocytes; and (5) stimulation of hepatic regeneration and recovery from alcohol-inducer liver injury.
Risks of parenteral deferoxamine for acute iron poisoning.

AbstractObjective: To review the adverse effects and risks of deferoxamine for the treatment of iron poisoning. Methods: A literature search of deferoxamine induced adverse effects was used to identify pertinent articles. The references of these articles served as the source of other references not previously identified. Results: Deferoxamine is a relatively safe antidote for iron intoxication, but adverse effects have been recognized with increased usage, particularly with prolonged intravenous dosing. This paper focuses on deferoxamine induced cardiovascular, pulmonary, ocular and auditory toxicity as well as its potential to increase the risk of infection. Information on iron's toxicology and toxicokinetics and deferoxamine's pharmacology and pharmacokinetics are reviewed. With this background information a hypothesis is generated to maximize deferoxamine benefit while minimizing deferoxamine induced pulmonary toxicity. The hypothesis is based upon a stoichiometric approach to maximal chelation during ...
Effect of microstructural evolution on wettability of laser coated calcium phosphate on titanium alloy

Abstract Surface engineering of synthetic implant materials provides an exciting opportunity to mimic natural biomaterials. Surface that are bioactive and textured at multi-scale have the potential for easier osseointegration. Ti alloy surfaces known for their biocompatibility are coated with bioactive calcium phosphate using a laser source at multiple processing speeds. The resulting surface has multi-scale morphology and multi-phase chemical nature. Faster processing speeds showed improved wettability to water along with higher degree of crystallinity in the phases present. Furthermore, decreased laser processing speeds induced formation of increased amount of glassy phases that are expected to provide increased biocompatibility. The combination of these opposing effects suggested that optimum crystallinity leading to optimum wettability can be produced at intermediate speeds for improved biocompatibility.
The use of freeze fracture, freeze etching and critical point drying for the study of enveloped viruses

Abstract The purpose of this review is to discuss the application of freeze-etching, freeze fracture, and critical point drying to the study of the morphology and morphogenesis of enveloped viruses. The techniques have been used to identify significant surface and membrane characteristics of the virions, and to detect alterations in the membranes of the host cell which occur during virus assembly. A major additional contribution of these techniques is a heightened awareness of the three dimensional structure of the virions and their host cells. To illustrate this, several stereo pairs are included.
Hypercholesterolemia and chronic ischemia alter myocardial responses to selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition

Objective Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have been implicated in adverse cardiac events. We hypothesize that hypercholesterolemia and ischemia may alter the myocardial response to the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Methods Yorkshire swine fed normal chow (CX, n = 6) or high-cholesterol diet (HCX, n = 6) underwent placement of an Ameroid constrictor on the left circumflex artery and were started on celecoxib (200 mg/day). After 7 weeks, ischemic and nonischemic myocardium was analyzed for thrombogenic ratio (thromboxane content divided by prostacyclin content), total protein oxidative stress, and expression of prostacyclin synthase, thromboxane synthase, myeloperoxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Cardiac function, tissue perfusion, and vessel density were measured. Results HCX animals were significantly hypercholesterolemic compared with CX animals. Thrombogenic ratio was significantly higher in the HCX group than in the CX group, but prostacyclin and thromboxane synthase expression was similar in all tissues. Myocardial perfusion was decreased in the HCX group compared with the CX group. Total oxidative stress, myeloperoxidase, and superoxide dismutase were increased in ischemic tissue compared with nonischemic tissues, but there was no diet-induced difference between groups. There was no difference in capillary or arteriolar density between groups. Left ventricular contractility was greater in the HCX group than in the CX group, but there was no significant difference in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, or left ventricular pressure. Conclusions Hypercholesterolemic patients using celecoxib may be at higher risk for thrombotic events than those with normal cholesterol, but the relationship between dyslipidemia, ischemia, and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition is likely much more complicated than originally thought.
Particle-Particle Correlations: Independent Particle Emission Versus Sequential Decay of Heavy Fragments

Particle-particle coincidence measurements for both large and small separation angles are reported for the reactions 140 MeV $^{16}\mathrm{O}$${+}^{27}$Al\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p-p, p-d, d-d, \ensuremath{\alpha}-\ensuremath{\alpha}, d-\ensuremath{\alpha}, and p-\ensuremath{\alpha}. Two clusters of seven detectors were used at \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}50\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, on both the right and left sides of the beam axis. Coincidence data were compared for nearest-neighbor and across-beam geometries. For p-p, p-d, and d-d pairs, the results of this symmetry test are consistent with independent particle evaporation. For the \ensuremath{\alpha}-\ensuremath{\alpha}, d-\ensuremath{\alpha}, p-\ensuremath{\alpha} pairs, the results indicate significant contributions from breakup of preformed fragments. These results suggest that small-angle correlations for the former pairs are useful as probes of the space-time extent of the emitters, but that the latter pairs are compromised for this task.
STUDIES ON THYMINE-DERIVED UV PHOTO-PRODUCTS IN DNA—II. A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY 254 NM IRRADIATION AND TRIPLET-STATE PHOTOSENSITIZATION

— From the rates of cyclobutyl dipyrimidine (Pyr Pyr) formation and the ratio of inactivation of transforming or phage DNA caused by direct (254 nm) or sensitized (1.0 M acetone, 313 nm; 0.02 M acetophenone, 334 nm) irradiation, we conclude that Thy Pyr and Cyt Pyr are equally lethal, and that they are repaired with equal efficiency by the host cell. Not all the damage formed by photosensitized irradlation can be photoenzymatically repaired, especially when acetone is the sensitizer. We found no compelling evidence for photosensitized interstrand cross-links or sensitizer-DNA addition products for the fluence range used in these studies ( Pyr isomers other than the cis, syn type usually formed in native DNA by far-UV light.
Stereometrics In Primate Taxonomy And Phylogeny

Studies of the systematic relationships within the primate taxa Homo, Hylobatidae (lesser apes), Hominoidea (apes and man) and Colobinae (Asian and African leaf monkeys) are described. All are based in large part on multivariate statistical analyses of cranial morphology. Adequate quantification of the frequently complex and subtle differences in the morphology of the animals being compared, as well as the inclusion of statistically adequate samples of as many presumed species or other groups of interest as possible, are essential to the success of such analyses. Two methods of stereometric measurement have been developed to make this possible. In initial studies of the Hylobatidae and the Hominoidea, a simple mechanical device was designed which determines the tri-dimensional coordinates of an anatomical point by measuring an angle and two distances. An improved version was used in an investigation of Subsaharan human crania. In a taxonomic revision of the Colobinae now in progress, crania are photographed in several views with a pair of metric cameras; point coordinates are then measured in a modified stereoplotter and the views rotated mathematically into a single coordinate system. Although stereometrics is only one component in a complex system of analysis, it is an extremely important one. Taxonomic revisions of the described scope and depth could not be carried out with conventional methods of measurement without a much greater commitment of resources, if at all.
AJCC melanoma staging update: impact on dermatopathology practice and patient management.

Changes in the 2010 American Joint Commission on Cancer melanoma staging guidelines include the evaluation of primary tumor mitotic index (mitogenicity) and the recognized prognostic significance of a single melanoma cell in a sentinel lymph node. These revised criteria have important practice implications for dermatopathologists as well as for dermatologists, oncologists and surgeons who treat patients with cutaneous melanoma. Piris A, Mihm MC Jr, Duncan LM. AJCC melanoma staging update: impact on dermatopathology practice and patient management.
Design of Single, Multiple, and Scaled Nonlinear Springs for Prescribed Nonlinear Responses

Nonlinear springs enhance the performance of many applications including prosthetics, microelectromechanical systems devices, and vibration absorption systems. This paper describes a comprehensive approach to developing compliant elements of prescribed nonlinear stiffness. It presents a generalized methodology for designing a single planar nonlinear spring for a prescribed load-displacement function. The spring’s load-range, displacement-range, and nonlinear behavior are matched using this methodology, while also addressing stress, material, stability, and space constraints. Scaling guidelines are included within the optimization to relax the constraints on the solution space. Given the nonlinear nature of the spring designs, this paper further investigates their function in new configurations. Compliant structures with customized elastic properties are constructed by exploiting symmetry and by arranging nonlinear springs in series and/or in parallel. Scaling guidelines are used to meet new design specifications. The guidelines allow adjustment of load-range, displacement-range, material, and the overall footprint while preserving the spring’s nonlinear behavior without violating stress constraints. Various examples are provided throughout the paper to demonstrate the implementation and merit of these design approaches.
Inhibition of Tomato Pectinesterase by Tannic Acid

THERE have been several reports of the effect of phenolic compounds on pectinesterase activity. Pollard et al.1 found apple and pear phenolics to be inhibitory to pectinesterase, and Ramaswamy and Lamb2 found that the activity of the enzyme was partially inhibited by tea polyphenols. Kew and Veldhuis3 found that citrus pectinesterase was inhibited by grape leaf extract. Porter and Schwartz4 consider the active principle of the extract to be a tannin, and Williams5 has reported this to be an extremely efficient inhibitor of pectic enzymes (macerating enzymes and polygalacturonase).
Rationality of indecisive choice functions on triadic choice domains

Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for weak order representations of indecisive choice functions on domains containing all triples of (possibly non-distinct) choice alternatives, i.e., triadic choice domains. These conditions are compared with Arrow's formulation of the Weak and Strong Axioms of Revealed Preference and with Richter's Congruence Axiom.
Single access variable block size motion estimation for multimedia SoC

To obtain an optimum rate-distortion characteristic, it is crucial to have accurate motion and residue information to guild the optimum block size selection process. In this paper, we first modified the full search block matching motion estimation (FBME) algorithm to accommodate the motion vector and sum of absolute different (SAD) calculation of each of the 7 modes when perform FBME on one macroblock without any substantial change in the original program. Then we transform the algorithm to reduce the excessive data access to reference frame. With the reduction of redundant data access and the accuracy of the FBME algorithm, the purpose algorithm provides the most accurate motion and residue information without substantially increasing the complexity and memory requirement of the variable block size motion estimation (VBME)
A Distributed Decision-Making Structure for Dynamic Resource Allocation Using Nonlinear Functional Approximations

This paper proposes a distributed solution approach to a certain class of dynamic resource allocation problems and develops a dynamic programming-based multiagent decision-making, learning, and communication mechanism. In the class of dynamic resource allocation problems we consider, a set of reusable resources of different types has to be assigned to tasks that arrive randomly over time. The assignment of a resource to a task removes the task from the system, modifies the state of the resource, and generates a contribution. We build a decision-making scheme where the decisions regarding the resources in different sets of states are made by different agents. We explain how to coordinate the actions of different agents using nonlinear functional approximations, and show that in a distributed setting, nonlinear approximations produce sequences of min-cost network flow problems that naturally yield integer solutions. We also experimentally compare the performances of the centralized and distributed solution strategies.