cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Valmar: High-bandwidth real-time streaming data management

In applications ranging from radio telescopes to Internet traffic monitoring, our ability to generate data has outpaced our ability to effectively capture, mine, and manage it. These ultra-high-bandwidth data streams typically contain little useful information and most of the data can be safely discarded. Periodically, however, an event of interest is observed and a large segment of the data must be preserved, including data preceding detection of the event. Doing so requires guaranteed data capture at source rates, line speed filtering to detect events and data points of interest, and TiVo-like ability to save past data once an event has been detected. We present Valmar, a system for guaranteed capture, indexing, and storage of ultra-high-bandwidth data streams. Our results show that Valmar performs at nearly full disk bandwidth, up to several orders of magnitude faster than flat file and database systems, works well with both small and large data elements, and allows concurrent read and search access without compromising data capture guarantees.
A re-examination of the role of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in spatial working memory

The basal forebrain cholinergic system, which innervates widespread cortical and limbic structures, has traditionally been considered important for learning and memory. The use of an immunotoxin, 192 IgG-saporin, has brought this functional designation into question; selective immunolesions of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons have failed to reproduce a number of behavioral deficits that were observed with less selective lesion methods. Recent reports, however, have indicated that a mild impairment is observed in rats on a spatial working memory task after 192 IgG-saporin lesions of the rostral groups of cholinergic neurons located in the medial septal area (MSA). Those studies used a lesion protocol in which a single large volume injection of the immunotoxin was made into the MSA. In the current study, multiple small injections were made at the locations of cholinergic neurons in the MSA, producing a cholinergic depletion comparable to that reported in the earlier studies where deficits were observed. In the current study, however, rats with cholinergic lesions had no impairment in the spatial working memory task, even when delays ranging from 60 s to 8 h were imposed within a trial. The current report indicates that selective removal of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain may not be sufficient to produce a deficit in spatial working memory.
Aryl ring twists in tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-z tripod ethers: X-ray analysis of an isostructural series of triarylpropellers

Tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)amine has been synthesized and its molecular and crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. This structure completes the series of isosteric compounds Ar3Z, where Z=B, C., N, and Ar=2,6-dimethoxyphenyl. Structures for the tris(2-methoxy-6-methylphenyl) borane and tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl cation triiodide (Ar3C+I3−) are also reported. The Ar3B and Ar3N structures are isomorphous. The triiodide and the earlier reported tetrafluoroborate salt (Ar3C+BF4−) are also quite similar, as are the two boranes above and the known trimesitylborane, which all tend toward D3 symmetric conformations. In contrast, the radical Ar3C., intermediate between Ar3B and Ar3N, is markedly unsymmetrical. Taken together, these findings support an earlier conjecture that the solid-state conformation of Ar3C. does not represent a minimum energy structure for the free radical in solution. Crystal seeding by radical oxidation products is offered as an explanation for the radical's markedly unsymmetrical crystal geometry.
Protein synthesis in rat pancreas. I. Intracellular distribution of amylase.

Abstract The intracellular distribution of amylase in rat pancreas has been studied by differential centrifugation of pancreas homogenates. Although the secretory granules showed high activity, at least half the amylase activity was recovered in the microsome and supernatant fluid fractions. In the latter fractions, the proportion of the total enzyme activity and the concentration of amylase activity relative to protein-nitrogen showed consistent variations with changes in the secretory state of the gland. Apparently some of the amylase is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum in the living pancreas cell, and during homogenization in 0.88 M sucrose.the endoplasmic reticulum is broken into pieces resembling one another in composition but differing in size. During exposure to 0.25 M sucrose some dissociation of the components of this material takes place, but when such dissociation occurs the amylase protein is not preferentially associated with either the ribonucleoprotein granules or the lipoprotein reticulum of the microsome fraction.
Blocking of interferon action by a component of normal serum.

Normal fetal calf serum and sera from a variety of other animal species have been found to suppress the antiviral action of interferon in chick embryo cells. The amount of suppression of interferon action was dependent on the concentration of the serum and the concentration of interferon; the effect increased with the concentration of serum and decreased with the concentration of interferon. The active component is of macromolecular nature, it is trypsin-resistant and inactivated by extraction with organic solvents. It is found mainly in Color's Fractions III and IV. Certain properties of the active component in fetal calf serum suggested that it may be associated with a lipoprotein.
Pediatric diastology: use and limitations of Doppler echocardiography in the evaluation of ventricular diastolic function in children

Abstract Diastole has often been the forgotten portion of the cardiac cycle, especially in pediatrics. Recent advances in the understanding of heart failure and its etiologies point out that the impact of diastolic dysfunction can no longer be ignored. Doppler echocardiography has provided many insights into diastole and disturbances of diastolic function in adults and children. Doppler techniques, their use and limitations in the non-invasive assessment of pediatric ventricular diastolic function are reviewed. A grading scheme is presented that allows a semi-quantitative classification of the degree of diastolic dysfunction present. Traditional analysis of isolated atrioventricular valve flow patterns does not provide adequate information regarding diastolic ventricular performance. Atrioventricular valve flow signals must be interpreted in conjunction with the flow patterns seen in the proximal venous system in order to provide a complete Doppler assessment of diastolic function.
Molecular change signal-to-noise criteria for interpreting experiments involving exposure of biological systems to weakly interacting electromagnetic fields.

We describe an approach to aiding the design and interpretation of experiments involving biological effects of weakly interacting electromagnetic fields that range from steady (dc) to microwave frequencies. We propose that if known biophysical mechanisms cannot account for an inferred, underlying molecular change signal-to-noise ratio, (S/N)gen, of a observed result, then there are two interpretation choices: (1) there is an unknown biophysical mechanism with stronger coupling between the field exposure and the ongoing biochemical process, or (2) the experiment is responding to something other than the field exposure. Our approach is based on classical detection theory, the recognition that weakly interacting fields cannot break chemical bonds, and the consequence that such fields can only alter rates of ongoing, metabolically driven biochemical reactions, and transport processes. The approach includes both fundamental chemical noise (molecular shot noise) and other sources of competing chemical change, to be compared quantitatively to the field induced change for the basic case that the field alters a single step in a biochemical network. Consistent with pharmacology and toxicology, we estimate the molecular dose (mass associated with field induced molecular change per mass tissue) resulting from illustrative low frequency field exposures for the biophysical mechanism of voltage gated channels. For perspective, we then consider electric field-mediated delivery of small molecules across human skin and into individual cells. Specifically, we consider the examples of iontophoretic and electroporative delivery of fentanyl through skin and electroporative delivery of bleomycin into individual cells. The total delivered amount corresponds to a molecular change signal and the delivery variability corresponds to generalized chemical noise. Viewed broadly, biological effects due to nonionizing fields may include animal navigation, medical applications, and environmental hazards. Understanding necessary conditions for such effects can be based on a unified approach: quantitative comparison of the estimated chemical change due to a particular electromagnetic field exposure to that due to competing influences, with both estimates based on a biophysical mechanism model within the context of a model of a biological system. Bioelectromagnetics 26:305–322, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Rapid isolation of microsomes for studies of lipid peroxidation

Conventional isolation of microsomes by high-speed centrifugation from isotonic sucrose requires exposure to air for several hours, leading to the formation of low levels of lipid peroxidation products. Sucrose interferes in protein and malondialdehyde assays and provides no protection against lipid peroxidation during workup. A new procedure for the purification of microsomes from rat liver substitutes mannitol (a hydroxyl radical scavenger) for sucrose and takes advantage of the properties of morpholinopropane sulfonic acid (MOPS) buffer and triethylenetetramine to provide protection against lipid peroxidation during the rapid (less than one hour) workup and subsequent low-temperature storage. The microsomal fractions prepared by the proposed method are free of detectable mitochondrial contamination and at least as pure overall as those prepared by the conventional method, but they have higher glucose-6-phosphatase and laurate hydroxylase activities and significantly less malondialdehyde than conventional microsomes at the time isolation is complete. Laurate hydroxylase activity is more stable during frozen storage in mannitol medium. The kinetics of lipid peroxidation in vitro are quite different for microsomes prepared by the two methods.
Saccharin ingestion, weight loss, and mortality in rats

Rats maintained on 10 g of food and saccharin solutions suffered weight loss and mortality compared with controls maintained on 10 g food and water. Frequency of death was related to amount and concentration of the ingested solution, while weight loss was related only to concentration and absolute amount of saccharin intake.
Flow properties of various irradiated resins of PTFE (teflon)

Changes in the melt viscosity of PTFE exposed to various radiation doses in air were measured using a capillary rheometer. The melt viscosity decreased dramatically after exposure to 2.5 MRad, but between 2.5 and 5 MRad there is an increase in viscosity which is attributed to the formation of branches and crosslinks. Above 5 MRad, the melt viscosity decreases with dose. Plots of log apparent melt viscosity vs. log apparent shear rate are given for PTFE exposed to various radiation doses. The data in each of these plots can be fit by a straight line (power law), and changes in the slopes of these lines are interpreted to indicate changes in the molecular weight distribution. It is postulated that the observed decrease in the slopes of these lines after irradiation is caused by a narrowing of the molecular weight distribution because of the decrease in the number of molecules at the high molecular weight end of the distribution. The melt viscosity of a PTFE sample irradiated to a given dose was less for a sample of low preirradiation crystallinity than for an otherwise identical sample of higher crystallinity. This crystallinity dependence of viscosity is related to differences in oxygen diffusionmore » properties of crystalline and amorphous PTFE.« less
Pattern formation by dynamically interacting network motifs

Systematic validation of pattern formation mechanisms revealed by molecular studies of development is essentially impossible without mathematical models. Models can provide a compact summary of a large number of experiments that led to mechanism formulation and guide future studies of pattern formation. Here, we realize this program by analyzing a mathematical model of epithelial patterning by the highly conserved EGFR and BMP signaling pathways in Drosophila oogenesis. The model accounts for the dynamic interaction of the feedforward and feedback network motifs that control the expression of Broad, a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in the cells that form the upper part of the respiratory eggshell appendages. Based on the combination of computational analysis and genetic experiments, we show that the model accounts for the key features of wild-type pattern formation, correctly predicts patterning defects in multiple mutants, and guides the identification of additional regulatory links in a complex pattern formation mechanism.
Simultaneous Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium: The Use of Magnetic Beads Conjugated with Multiple Capture Antibodies

Streptavidin-coated magnetic beads were conjugated with biotinylated capture antibodies to both Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium to form multi-pathogen capture immunomagnetic beads (IMB-M). The efficacy of these beads was investigated in both pure and mixed culture suspensions, as well as in inoculated spinach and ground beef. Using dual-label time-resolved fluorescence, a sandwich immunoassay consisting of europium- and samarium-labeled detection antibodies was used to measure the capture of E. coli and Salmonella, respectively. IMB-M was just as effective as the mixture of IMB against E. coli and Salmonella in capturing both organisms in pure culture and E. coli in mixed culture. Capture of Salmonella in mixed culture by IMB-M resulted in lower fluorescent signals, but comparable detection limit. In inoculated food samples, IMB-M was just as effective as the mixture of IMB specific for both target organisms in detecting 1 cfu/g of E. coli and 100 cfu/g of Salmonella after a 6-h enrichment at 37 °C. Multi-pathogen capture IMB have the potential to be convenient and important tools for multi-pathogen detection.
Microsatellite instability and its relevance to cutaneous tumorigenesis.

Increasing evidence suggests that human tumors sequentially accumulate multiple mutations that cannot be explained by the low rates of spontaneous mutations in normal cells (2–3 mutations/cell). The mathematical models estimate that for the solid tumors to develop, as many as 6–12 mutations are required in each tumor cell. Therefore, to account for such high mutation rates, it is proposed that tumor cells are genetically unstable, i.e. they have genome-wide mutations at short repetitive DNA sequences called microsatellites. Microsatellite repeats are scattered throughout the human genome, primarily in the non-coding regions, and can give rise to variants with increased or reduced lengths, i.e. microsatellite instability (MSI). This instability has been reported in an increasing number of cutaneous tumors including: melanocytic tumors, basal cell carcinomas and primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Moreover, MSI has been observed in skin tumors arising in the context of some hereditary disorders such as Muir–Torre syndrome, Von Recklinghausen's disease and disseminated superficial porokeratosis. While MSI in some of these disorders reflects underlying DNA replication errors, the mechanism of instability in others is still unknown. Thus far, MSI is considered to be a distinct tumorigenic pathway that reveals surprising versatility. The ramifications for cutaneous neoplasms warrant further investigation.
Complete cancellation of noise by means of color-locking in nearly degenerate, four-wave mixing of noisy light

A nearly degenerate, four-wave mixing (ND4WM) setup with noisy light called I^(2)ND4WM(-) is investigated both experimentally and theoretically through factorized-time-correlation (FTC) diagram analysis. This third order nonlinear signal is of interest because the phenomenon of color-locking appears very directly in the measured signal. Color locking is a fundamental aspect of noisy-light spectroscopies that often plays a critical but subtle role in production of the signal. For I^(2)ND4WM(-), color-locking results in complete cancellation of the spectrally broad noise carried by the noisy light used to create it. When combined with FTC diagram analysis the qualitative features of the I^(2)ND4WM(-) can be understood. In addition to the striking noise cancellation, the qualitative features addressed in this work include the time profile, dynamic range, and polarization dependence of the signal. For comparison the spectrally broad I^(2)ND4WM(+) signal is presented.
Adjuvant 32P in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant 32P for patients with high-risk, early-stage ovarian carcinoma. Twenty-five patients underwent apparent complete resection followed by 32P (15 mCi) at the University of Florida between 1976 and 1993. Minimum and median follow-up times were 3 and 8 years, respectively. The rate of local control at 10 years was 83%. Four of the 5 patients who experienced recurrent disease had a component of intra-abdominal disease at the time of relapse. The absolute and cause-specific survival rates at 10 years were 68% and 82%, respectively. There were no severe acute complications. Five patients experienced significant late complications, including chronic abdominal cramping that was treated conservatively (3 patients) and small bowel obstruction necessitating surgical intervention (2 patients). Adjuvant 32P results in disease control and survival rates that are similar to those observed after adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the risk of late complications, particularly small bowel obstruction, is higher. Radiat. Oncol. Invest. 5:300–304, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hormones and chemotherapy in breast cancer.

The use of hormones and chemotherapy in treating breast cancer are discussed. 40-50% of patients treated for breast cancer (in addition to those with disseminated disease at the time of initial presentation) eventually require palliative therapy for recurrent disease. These patients are candidates for hormonal therapy chemotherapy or a combination of the 2. Ideally therapy should not be initiated until clinical evidence of progression or compelling symptoms are evident but before masses of tumor are present. Choice of the hormone depends on menopausal status and on location of recurrence. A brief resume of indications and new developments is given. Generally additive hormonal therapy is most effective in local soft tissue recurrence effusions pulmonary parenchymal nodular disease and osseous metastases. For those patients who fail on or do not meet criteria for hormonal therapy chemotherapy is increasingly important. Individual agent responses are described.
Environmental and engineering problems of an agro-industrial complex for the north-eastern region of the Mediterranean

Abstract Economical and technological decision-making problems facing the realization of agro-industrial complexes are analyzed with a critical assessment of earlier studies and of current recommendations. A typical complex is suggested for unpopulated desert region with the objective of providing a worldwide free enterprise, of solving some of the current global problems including food shortage, and of establishing an industrial base to serve as a realistic medium for transfer of technology in a practical form. Taking into account the present state of affairs in the area and the strategic importance of the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean the north-eastern coastal region of the Mediterranean is chosen as a possible site for the complex. Site selection is based on several factors; such as accessibility; availability of transportation routes, coolant charges, and potential markets for the products; and suitability of climate and meteorological conditions. The availability Of easy to acquire raw material and strategic resources are included in the site selection considerations. This is based on current data and projected future plans. Problems associated with the implementation of the project in the selected site are discussed in details. These involve agricultural problems, financing, ownership, control, communication, geopolitical problems, expatriates, management, and organization. Safety problems typical of an area vulnerable to war is considered as well as the environmental effects of the industrial and agricultural activities. The impact of the realization of the complex on the people and the economy of the region is also analyzed.
Asymmetry of the “Strongest” OHO Hydrogen Bond, in the Monoanion of (±)-α,α′-Di-tert-butylsuccinate

The large pK(a) difference between first and second deprotonations of (+/-)-alpha,alpha'-di-tert-butylsuccinic acid has been interpreted as evidence for a short, strong intramolecular hydrogen bond in the monoanion. Incorporation of (18)O into one carboxyl group allows investigation of the symmetry of the H-bond in solution by the method of isotopic perturbation. Relative to the intrinsic (18)O-induced isotope shift at the carboxyl carbon, as measured in the diacid, an additional isotope shift of 8 ppb in methanol, 14 ppb in acetone, and 5 ppb in THF is observed for potassium hydrogen (+/-)-alpha,alpha'-di-tert-butylsuccinate-(18)O. This increase indicates that the ion exists as an equilibrating pair of interconverting tautomers and not as a single symmetric resonance hybrid. The X-ray crystal structures of the tetrapropylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, tetrabutylphosphonium, magnesium, and calcium hydrogen (+/-)-alpha,alpha'-di-tert-butylsuccinate salts show a remarkably short O-O distance of 2.41 A, consistent with a strong hydrogen bond. However, the dicesium salt of the (+/-)-alpha,alpha'-di-tert-butylsuccinate dianion also shows the short O-O distance of 2.41 A, so this cannot be taken as evidence for a strong hydrogen bond in the monoanion. Moreover, the two O-H distances in the monoanions are unequal, and the hydrogen bond is asymmetric in these crystals. It is concluded that there is no evidence for any special stabilization associated with symmetric H-bonds. The large Delta pK(a) difference is therefore not due to any feature of the H-bond itself but is attributed to the electrostatic repulsion between the carboxylates in the dianion, which is relieved in the monoanion by inserting a proton between the carboxylates.
Bridging the Gap between the Technical Communication Classroom and the Internship: Teaching Social Consciousness and Real-World Writing.

Service-learning projects and traditional internships both prepare the student of technical communication for the workforce in many ways. What is lacking in the scholarship is a discussion of how t...
Natural killer activity: Effector cells in purified human T or null cells have different phenotypes defined by monoclonal antibodies

Abstract The present report demonstrates that NK effector cells present in the T-cell population and the null cell population of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) possess distinct phenotypes as defined by monoclonal antibodies. All the E − null cell-type effectors are OKM1 + OKT3 − . Conversely the E + T-cell-type effectors are OKM1 − OKT3 − . These results were obtained by fractionation of PBMC by means of anti-F(ab′) 2 immunoabsorbent combined with E-rosette sedimentation. Each cell subset obtained was then treated with monoclonal antibody OKT3 or OKM1, and C. The NK activity of each cell population was quantitatively titrated against 51 Cr-labeled JM target cells.
An active MEMS probe for fine position and force measurements

Abstract This paper deals with the development and calibration of a single degree-of-freedom probe that is capable of regulating an input position and measuring force or applying a constant input force and measuring deflection. Such a probe is useful in making sensitive measurements on thin films, nano- and microstructures, and fluids. The probe is actuated by an electrostatic comb drive with an integrated capacitive sensor. COTS electronics and a capacitance-to-voltage IC are used to develop a closed-loop controller for the system, capable of regulating position over a range of about 40 μm to within a 5 nm resolution and controlling forces up to 300 μN with a resolution of 25 nN. The design and fabrication of the probe are discussed. The calibration of the device is performed using multiple methods to cross check each other. The use of the probe is demonstrated in the measurement of surface tension and probing the response of a soft polymer to small forces.
Comparison of two groups in a Southern state women's prison: homosexual behavior versus non-homosexual behavior.

The incidence of homosexual behavior among 376 female inmates in a southern state women's prison was explored, with homosexual behavior being viewed as a normal reaction to a situation where isolation from the opposite sex occurs. The method of determining membership in the homosexual (Group I) and the non-homosexual (Group II) groups was survey with 52% of the prison population being assigned to Group I and 48% to Group II. Comparison of the groups showed: (a) no significant difference in racial distribution, length of sentence, or IQ, (b) Group I had a higher percentage of recidivists than Group II, (c) Group I was 9.5 yr. younger than Group II (p = .01), (d) Group I mean grade level attained was 1.23 yr. higher than Group II (p = .01), and (e) there was a higher percentage of single women and fewer widows in Group I.
Azo group-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitutions in haloarene derivatives: preparation of substituted 1-iodo-2,6-bispropylthiobenzenes.

Aryldiazo substituents were used in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions of halogens. The Ph-NN− group activates ortho fluorine atoms toward alkylthiolation under mild conditions. In contra...
The pairwise correlated generalized valence bond model of electronic structure. II. A simple physical model for electron correlation

When electron pair correlations are incorporated into generalized valence bond wave functions, the necessary and sufficient wave functions for the quantitative description of chemical reactions are achieved. The resulting electron pair correlation functions are shown to be invariant; hence the generalized valence bond orbitals contain all the information in the correlated wave functions. In the case of pair correlation energies, this information is expressed through a simple function of the orbital overlaps. The resulting overlap approximation is applied to ground states, excited states, and transition states for chemical reactions. In all cases the exact energy is reproduced to within 0.5 kcal/mol (0.001 hartree). The pairwise correlated generalized valence bond method provides an opportunity to accurately predict reaction pathways for system of chemical interest.
Women as agents of ethnic reconciliation? women's ngos and international intervention in postwar bosnia–herzegovina

Abstract This article examines how women are represented by women's nongovernmental organization (NGO) activists and their foreign donors in postwar reconstruction initiatives in Bosnia–Herzegovina. I argue that dominant donor representations of women as peacemakers and natural agents of ethnic reconciliation present a paradox for the women they target. Women are charged with achieving the very political goals of ethnic reconciliation and refugee return, yet the essentialist constructions used to encourage women's peacemaking roles effectively marginalize them from formal political power. When local women activists use similar “affirmative” gender essentialisms, they risk closing off women's potential for influence in the formal (male) political sphere. However, I argue, given the moral and political climate of postwar Bosnia, in which politics is perceived as a corrupt, male sphere, this strategy allows women to gain moral authority and real, though indirect, power with which to achieve their often very political goals.
Vent fluid chemistry of the Rainbow hydrothermal system (36°N, MAR): Phase equilibria and in situ pH controls on subseafloor alteration processes

Abstract The Rainbow hydrothermal field is located at 36°13.8′N–33°54.15′W at 2300 m depth on the western flank of a non-volcanic ridge between the South AMAR and AMAR segments of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The hydrothermal field consists of 10–15 active chimneys that emit high-temperature (∼365 °C) fluid. In July 2008, vent fluids were sampled during cruise KNOX18RR, providing a rich dataset that extends in time information on subseafloor chemical and physical processes controlling vent fluid chemistry at Rainbow. Data suggest that the Mg concentration of the hydrothermal end-member is not zero, but rather 1.5–2 mmol/kg. This surprising result may be caused by a combination of factors including moderately low dissolved silica, low pH, and elevated chloride of the hydrothermal fluid. Combining end-member Mg data with analogous data for dissolved Fe, Si, Al, Ca, and H2, permits calculation of mineral saturation states for minerals thought appropriate for ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems at temperatures and pressures in keeping with constraints imposed by field observations. These data indicate that chlorite solid solution, talc, and magnetite achieve saturation in Rainbow vent fluid at a similar pH(T,P) (400 °C, 500 bar) of approximately 4.95, while higher pH values are indicated for serpentine, suggesting that serpentine may not coexist with the former assemblage at depth at Rainbow. The high Fe/Mg ratio of the Rainbow vent fluid notwithstanding, the mole fraction of clinochlore and chamosite components of chlorite solid solution at depth are predicted to be 0.78 and 0.22, respectively. In situ pH measurements made at Rainbow vents are in good agreement with pH(T,P) values estimated from mineral solubility calculations, when the in situ pH data are adjusted for temperature and pressure. Calculations further indicate that pH(T,P) and dissolved H2 are extremely sensitive to changes in dissolved silica owing to constraints imposed by chlorite solid solution-fluid equilibria. Indeed, the predicted correlation between dissolved silica and H2 defines a trend that is in good agreement with vent fluid data from Rainbow and other high-temperature ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems. We speculate that the moderate concentrations of dissolved silica in vent fluids from these systems result from hydrothermal alteration of plagioclase and olivine in the form of subsurface gabbroic intrusions, which, in turn are variably replaced by chlorite + magnetite + talc ± tremolite, with important implications for pH lowering, dissolved sulfide concentrations, and metal mobility.
Disclosing subclinical thyroid disease. An approach to mild laboratory abnormalities and vague or absent symptoms.

PREVIEWAs noted by Drs Argueta and Whitaker in the first article of this symposium, modern “ultrasensitive” thyrotropin (TSH) assays can detect early, even subclinical, thyroid disease with a high degree of accuracy. Clearly, serum TSH testing is indicated in patients who have risk factors for or symptoms related to thyroid disease or who are taking exogenous thyroid hormone. However, other issues about testing and treatment are not as clear-cut. In this article, Dr Smallridge explains how to go about answering these and other important questions: Is subclinical thyroid disease the source of a given patient's symptoms? Even if there are no obvious symptoms, could mild thyroid disease be causing adverse consequences? Which patients should be tested? Which patients should be treated, and when?
Simulating the worn surface in a wear process

The mathematical expression of surface geometry and topography is the first step towards modeling the performance of tribological elements with rough surfaces. The recent trend of tribological simulations, as well as failure prediction, demands the description of surface changes in a wear process. Reported in this paper is a method developed to simulate surfaces in a wear process through connecting wear tests with statistical and artificial-intelligent analyses. The simulation method consists of four components: (1) wear tests for the pivot information of surface variation in wear, (2) statistical analyses for surface feature extraction, (3) artificial neural network (ANN) processing for test result generalization, and (4) surface synthesis for worn surface regeneration. Selected wear tests are performed to lay the ground for the simulation. The simulation method is used to generate the worn surfaces, based on the original statistical parameters and the prediction of their variations due to wear, for a group of engineered surfaces of the same nature and subjected to the same wear process.
Selective role for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in abdominal trauma

Background: Emergency endsocopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is rarely indicated in trauma patients; however, in cases of suspected pancreatic or bile duct injury or bile leak, it may be useful. The purpose of this paper is to review our ERCP experience in trauma patients. Our Level I Trauma Center admits 1800 patients annually.
Microscopic and Spectroscopic Evaluation of Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by Pulsed UV Light and Infrared Heating

Pulsed UV light and infrared heat-treated Staphylococcus aureus cells were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy to identify the cell damage due to the treatment process. A 5-s treatment with pulsed UV light resulted in complete inactivation of S. aureus even after enrichment. The temperature increase during the pulsed UV light treatment was insignificant, which suggested a nonthermal treatment. S. aureus was also infrared heat treated using an infrared heating system with six infrared lamps. Five milliliters of S. aureus cells in phosphate buffer was treated at 700°C lamp temperature for 20 min. The microscopic observation clearly indicated that there was cell wall damage, cytoplasmic membrane shrinkage, cellular content leakage, and mesosome disintegration after both pulsed UV light and infrared treatments. Fourier transform infrared microspectrometry was successfully used to classify the pulsed UV light and infrared heat-treated S. aureus by discriminant analysis.
Characterization of the plasma lipids and lipoproteins of the polar bear

Abstract 1. 1. The blood plasma of polar bears living in their natural habitat is hyperlipidemic relative to normal human plasma. 2. 2. High density lipoproteins contained 80% of the phospholipid and 50% of the cholesterol of the plasma. 3. 3. Low density lipoproteins, which contained only a single high molecular weight apoprotein, accounted for 80% of the plasma triglyceride. 4. 4. The plasma phospholipids contained 49% saturated fatty acids, whereas 45% of the triglyceride fatty acids were polyunsaturated. 5. 5. Eicosapentaenoate (20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoate (22:6, n-3) were the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids in the plasma.
Platelets and fibrinolysis.

Thrombolytic therapy has galned increasing acceptance in the clinical arena in recent years, but is fraught with three primary problems: delays in time to lysis, reocclusion, and haemorrhage. Inasmuch as the platelet is a critical determinant of thrombosis and, at the same time, interacts with molecular elements important in fibrinolysis, this anuclear cell plays a central role in the outcome of thrombolytic therapy. Platelet-rich thrombi are less sensitive to thrombolysis than platelet-poor thrombi, and reocclusive thrombi are richer in platelets than are thrombi that form de novo. Moreover, upon exposure to the fibrinolytic milieu, the platelet becomes transiently activated and, consequently, retards the progress of the lytic process; with continued exposure, however, the platelet becomes progressively inhibited and, as a result, bleeding times prolong and haemorrhagic risk increases. The molecular events that lead to these changes in platelet function during thrombolysis are, indeed, complex, and serve...
A test of the odor hypothesis using Mongolian gerbils and a random trials procedure

In a test of the odor hypothesis, two groups of Mongolian gerbils were given straight-alley trials, with a 50% schedule of reinforcement For the experimental group, all Ss received the same goal treatment, either reinforcement (R) or nonreinforcement (N), on a given trial For the control group, Ss were given either R or N treatments randomly within a given trial To eliminate intertrial carry-over of odor cues, the alley was cleaned with a damp sponge each time allSs in the experimental or control group completed a trial With this procedure, odor cues were informative only for the experimental group. Results substantiated the odor hypothesis in that experimental Ss ran relatively slower in the goal section on N than on R trials, whereas control Ss did not When the wipe-out procedure was discontinued, thereby confusing odor cues for the experimental group, differential goal latencies on R andN trials disappeared.
Principal trabecular structural orientation predicted by quantitative ultrasound is strongly correlated with $$\upmu $$ μ FEA determined anisotropic apparent stiffness

The microarchitecture and alignment of trabecular bone adapts to the particular mechanical milieu applied to it. Due to this anisotropic mechanical property, measurement orientation has to be taken into consideration when assessing trabecular bone quality and fracture risk prediction. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has demonstrated the ability in predicting the principal structural orientation (PSO) of trabecular bone. Although the QUS prediction for PSO is very close to that of $$\upmu $$ CT, certain angle differences still exist. It remains unknown whether this angle difference can induce significant differences in mechanical properties or not. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties in different PSOs predicted using different methods, QUS and $$\upmu $$ CT, thus to investigate the ability of QUS as a means to predict the PSO of trabecular bone noninvasively. By validating the ability of QUS to predict the PSO of trabecular bone, it is beneficial for future QUS applications because QUS measurements in the PSO can provide information more correlated with the mechanical properties than with other orientations. In this study, seven trabecular bone balls from distal bovine femurs were used to generate finite element models based on the 3-dimensional $$\upmu $$ CT images. Uniaxial compressive loading was performed on the bone ball models in the finite element analysis (FEA) in six different orientations (three anatomical orientations, two PSOs predicted by QUS and the longest vector of mean intercept length (MIL) tensor calculated by $$\upmu $$ CT). The stiffness was calculated based on the reaction force of the bone balls under loading, and the von Mises stress results showed that both the mechanical properties in the PSOs predicted by QUS are significantly higher than the anatomical orientations and comparatively close to the longest vector of MIL tensor. The stiffness in the PSOs predicted by QUS is also highly correlated with the stiffness in the MIL tensor orientation (ATTmax vs. MIL, $$R^{2}$$ = 0.98, $$p<001$$ ; UVmax vs. MIL, $$R^{2}$$ = 0.92, $$p<001$$ ). These results were validated by in vitro mechanical testing on the bone ball samples. This study demonstrates that the PSO of trabecular bone predicted by QUS has an equally strong apparent stiffness with the orientation predicted by $$\upmu $$ CT.
A Study of the Oxidative Metabolism of Acetylsalicylic, Salicylic, and Gentisic Acid in Fevered Animals*

Labeled compounds were used to study the metabolism of salicylates in rats. A method, electrophoretic separation, was developed to identify the oxidative metabolites. Analysis of tissue extracts by this method generally revealed only the administered compounds. However, gentisic acid was found in the pituitary region of fevered rats administered either acetylsalicylic or salicylic acid. It was not found in the pituitary after administration of these compounds to nonfevered rats or after administration of gentisic acid to fevered rats.
Faster SAT and smaller BDDs via common function structure

The increasing popularity of SAT and BDD techniques in verification and synthesis encourages the search for additional speed-ups. Since typical SAT and BDD algorithms are exponential in the worst-case, the structure of real-world instances is a natural source of improvements. While SAT and BDD techniques are often presented as mutually exclusive alternatives, our work points out that both can be improved via the use of the same structural properties of instances. Our proposed methods are based on efficient problem partitioning and can be easily applied as pre-processing with arbitrary SAT solvers and BDD packages without source code modifications.Finding a better variable-ordering is a well recognized problem for both SAT solvers and BDD packages. Currently, all leading edge variable-ordering algorithms are dynamic, in the sense that they are invoked many times in the course of the "host" algorithm that solves SAT or manipulates BDDs. Examples include the DLCS ordering for SAT solvers and variable-sifting during BDD manipulations. In this work we propose a universal variable-ordering MINCE (MIN Cut Etc.) that pre-processes a given Boolean formula in CNF. MINCE is completely independent from target algorithms and outperforms both DLCS for SAT and variable sifting for BDDs. We argue that MINCE tends to capture structural properties of Boolean functions arising from real-world applications. Our contribution is validated on the ISCAS circuits and the DIMACS benchmarks. Empirically, our technique often outperforms existing techniques by a factor of two or more. Our results motivate search for stronger dynamic ordering heuristics and combined static/dynamic techniques.
Regularized iterative reconstruction in tensor tomography using gradient constraints

This paper investigates the iterative reconstruction of tensor fields in diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The gradient constraints on eigenvalue and tensor component images of the diffusion tensor were exploited. A computer-generated phantom was used in order to simulate the diffusion tensor in a cardiac MRI study with a diffusion model that depends on the fiber structure of the myocardium. Computer simulations verify that the regularized methods provide an improved reconstruction of the tensor principal directions. The reconstruction from experimentally acquired data is also presented.
Tough shape-memory polymer—fiber composites

This study describes a multi-faceted materials selection problem that ultimately produces a new class of polymer—fiber composites with failure strains of near 400% and ultimate tensile strengths (U...
Thyrotropin-Induced Elevation of 1,2-Diacylglycerol and Stimulation of Growth of FRTL-5 Cells Are Not Dependent on Inositol Lipid Hydrolysis

We reported that TSH, which stimulates cAMP accumulation and proliferation of FRTL-5 thyroid cells, chronically increases the 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DG) content of FRTL-5 cells. Because activation of inositol lipid hydrolysis by a phospholipase-C enzyme would generate 1,2-DG, we compared the effects of TSH on inositol lipid metabolism to TSH-induced increases in 1,2-DG content and stimulation of cAMP accumulation and cell growth. Acute stimulation of inositol lipid hydrolysis did not occur with doses of 1000 microU/ml or lower, but did occur with TSH doses of 3000 microU/ml and higher, with rates between 1-4%/h. More importantly, in cells chronically exposed to TSH, the rate of inositol lipid hydrolysis was increased only at TSH doses of 10,000 microU/ml or greater, and the maximum rate was 4-5%/h. When cells were growth arrested by TSH deprivation, there was no change in the content of inositol phosphates or polyphosphoinositides. In contrast to the high doses of TSH required to stimulate inositol lipid hydrolysis, TSH-induced elevation of 1,2-DG content and stimulation of cAMP accumulation and growth occurred at physiological TSH concentrations, with minimal effective doses in the range of 1-10 microU TSH/ml, and half-maximally effective doses between 50-200 microU TSH/ml. These data suggest that inositol lipid hydrolysis does not mediate the proliferative response to TSH in FRTL-5 cells and is not the mechanism by which increases in 1,2-DG content occur at physiological TSH concentrations.
Integrating the chronic care model into a novel medical student course

Objective: To determine whether integration of the Chronic Care Model into undergraduate medical education is associated with anticipated use of the Model and whether student perceptions match actu...
Danger signal adenosine via adenosine 2a receptor stimulates growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis in primary gingival epithelial cells.

Summary Extracellular signaling during inflammation and chronic diseases involves molecules referred to as ‘Danger Signals’ (DS), including the small molecule adenosine. We demonstrate that primary gingival epithelial cells (GEC) express a family of G-protein coupled receptors known as adenosine receptors, including the high-affinity receptors A1 and A2a and low-affinity receptors A2b and A3. Treatment of Porphyromonas gingivalis-infected GEC with the A2a receptor-specific agonist CGS-21680 resulted in elevated intracellular bacterial replication as determined by fluorescence microscopy and antibiotic protection assay. Additionally, A2a receptor antagonism and knockdown via RNA interference significantly reduced metabolically active intracellular P. gingivalis. Furthermore, analysis of anti-inflammatory mediator cyclic AMP (cAMP) following A2a receptor selective agonist CGS-21680 stimulation induced significantly higher levels of cAMP during P. gingivalis infection, indicating that adenosine signaling may attenuate inflammatory processes associated with bacterial infection. This study reveals that the GEC express functional A2a receptor and P. gingivalis may use the A2a receptor coupled DS adenosine signaling as a means to establish successful persistence in the oral mucosa, possibly via downregulation of the pro-inflammatory response.
Reflection and transmission of polymer liquid‐crystal coatings and their application to decorative arts and stained glass

Polymer liquid crystals produce color by light interference from their molecular layers. The colors show additive properties, are highly saturated, have an expanded color gamut, and change with angle of viewing. They produce more stable and durable coatings than most other liquid crystals and they adhere well to the substrate. Experimental work was carried out confirming the above properties. It has been also demonstrated that the spectral reflectance of colored substrates can be modified by coating them with polymer liquid crystals. In addition to painting and sculpture they are also of interest in a wide variety of decorative uses and in light transmission applications such as in stained glass. Examples using these materials are shown and discussed.
Epidemiology and Management of Infectious Diseases in International Adoptees

International adoptees represent a group of children with unique health care needs. Data from published studies, along with the recent experience of the Yale International Adoption Clinic, suggest that the risk of serious infections in adoptees is low, although infections associated with institutionalization still occur commonly. Interpretation of these data must be undertaken with caution, however, since many, if not most, international adoptees are not evaluated in specialty clinics. Thus, prospective studies designed to minimize selection and referral bias are needed in order to accurately define the risk of infectious and noninfectious diseases in all international adoptees.