cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute and Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions

Publisher Summary Acute and delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions result from immune-mediated destruction of transfused incompatible packed red blood cells (PRBCs). Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions—although relatively rare—can be devastating. The initial symptoms of fever and chills are seen with both acute and delayed hemolytic as well as in febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and transfusion of bacterially contaminated blood. Early evaluation of any suspected reaction is necessary to determine the cause and ensure appropriate management. Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions are generally less severe and associated primarily with extravascular hemolysis. The volume of incompatible donor red blood cells (RBCs) in circulation in the recipient often determines the severity of the reaction. Other factors such the potency of the anti-A or anti-B in the recipient's plasma also influence the outcome following an incompatible PRBC transfusion. In general, immediate hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) from transfusion of incompatible PRBCs are because of the binding of naturally occurring IgM antibody to donor RBCs. Therapy should focus on management of hypotension or shock, prevention or therapy of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and maintenance of renal perfusion. Infusion of normal saline may be sufficient to manage simple hypotension, but more severe hypotension will require vasopressor therapy. Dopamine, at an infusion rate of 1 gkg of body weight per hour, is the agent of choice because it produces selective vasodilatation to the kidneys. The primary prevention of acute HTRs requires elimination of clerical errors in the process of blood administration Therefore, identifying the specific step in which an error occurred may help prevent future errors and accidents.
Dietary intake and the prevalence of gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans

Mexican Americans have a high prevalence of gallbladder disease. We examined the contribution of ethnic preferences in food intake to the risk of gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites. Participants in a population-based health survey were questioned about any history of gallbladder disease, and were interviewed to determine their dietary intake. After adjusting for age, body mass index, and ethnic group, we found that women with the highest intake of total fat and linoleic acid had reduced risks of gallbladder disease, although an opposite trend was observed in men. High levels of sucrose intake and low levels of cholesterol intake were associated with an increased risk for both sexes, but the odds ratios were not statistically significant. Although Mexican Americans and non-Hispanics differed in their intake of several nutrients, the elevated risk of gallbladder disease in Mexican American women was unchanged after ethnic differences in food intake were taken into account. Although the dietary preferences of Mexican Americans as reflected in 24-h diet recall interviews do not appear to explain their high prevalence of gallbladder disease, this finding should be interpreted with caution because of methodologic limitations in measuring habitual food intake.
Impact of secondary reactive species on the apparent decoupling of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel average mesh size and modulus

Abstract Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels are widely used in biotechnology due to their in situ crosslinking capacity and tunable physical properties. However, as with all single component hydrogels, the modulus of PEGDA networks cannot be tailored independently of mesh size. This interdependence places significant limitations on their use for defined, 3D cell-microenvironment studies and for certain controlled release applications. The incorporation of secondary reactive species (SRS) into PEGDA hydrogels has previously been shown to allow the identification of up to 6 PEGDA hydrogel formulations for which distinct moduli can be obtained at consistent average mesh size (or vice versa). However, the modulus and mesh size ranges which can be probed by these formulations are quite restricted. This work presents an in-depth study of SRS incorporation into PEGDA hydrogels, with the goal of expanding the space for which “decoupled” examination of modulus and mesh size effects is achievable. Towards this end, over 100 PEGDA hydrogels containing either N-vinyl pyrrolidone or star PEG-tetraacrylate as SRS were characterized. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that SRS incorporation allows for the identification of a number of modulus ranges that can be probed at consistent average mesh size (or vice versa).
Corneal crystallins and the development of cellular transparency

Past studies have established that the cornea like the lens abundantly expresses a few water-soluble enzyme/proteins in a taxon specific fashion. Based on these similarities it has been proposed that the lens and the cornea form a structural unit, the 'refracton', that has co-evolved through gene sharing to maximize light transmission and refraction to the retina. Thus far, the analogy between corneal crystallins and lens crystallins has been limited to similarities in the abundant expression, with few reports concerning their structural function. This review covers recent studies that establish a clear relationship between expression of corneal crystallins and light scattering from corneal stromal cells, i.e. keratocytes, that support a structural role for corneal crystallins in the development of transparency similar to that of lens crystallins that would be consistent with the 'refracton' hypothesis.
Pharmacokinetic studies of the pancreatic excretion of organic bases in the rat

Abstract An experimental system has been developed to study the pharmacokinetic patterns of the pancreatic excretion of five organic bases. This system is based on a perfusion of the common bile duct in the anesthetized rat, and permits collections of pancreatic exocrine secretions at intervals over a period from 0 to 90 min following the intravenous administration of a labeled drug. Amylase activity was measured as a reference control for pancreatic secretion and specific analytical procedures were used to differentiate authentic drug from metabolic product(s). d-Amphetamine, decamethonium, d-methadone and l-methadone demonstrated half-lives in pancreas and in pancreatic exocrine secretory fluids greater than their respective half-lives in plasma. Propranolol, on the other hand, revealed a half-life in the pancreas greater than in plasma; but the pancreatic excretion half-life was shorter than that in plasma. Propranolol was shown to significantly inhibit pancreatic secretion of amylase. Aside from decamethonium, the remaining four drugs demonstrated pancreas: plasma ratios greater than 8 at 90 min after administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters of these compounds in the pancreas and plasma and pancreatic secretions are proposed to be a measure of pancreatic retention of compounds.
Abdominally entrained periodicities of testis and vas deferens activity in the Mediterranean flour moth

Abstract In a light-dark (LD) regimen, sperm, first apyrene and then eupyrene, start moving out of the fused testes of the Mediterranean flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella , toward the beginning of the scotophase. At 27° ± 2°C, the sperm mass remains in the proximal part of the vasa deferentia for 10 to 12 hr and then passes rapidly into the seminal vesicles, remains in these organs for about 5 hr, and is then transported to the ductus ejaculatoris duplex where it becomes available for ejaculation. The phases of sperm movement appear to be closely related to sperm development, and the reproductive activity of the moths. In isolated abdomens there is a significant reduction in the amount of sperm released from the testes, but normal periodicity of sperm release and movement continues in either LD or continuous dark (DD) regimens, and rapid phase shifting occurs when a LD regimen is reversed. All stages of sperm movement are disrupted in continuous light (LL), but normal periodicity is usually resumed when isolated abdomens of the LL moths are placed in LD or DD regimens. Normal periodicity also occurs in moths paralyzed with tetrodotoxin or procaine. Removal of any one of the four abdominal ganglia from LL moths does not prevent increased sperm release when the moths are placed in LD, though with each ganglion there is some disruption of the normal pattern of movement down the vasa deferentia. It is thought that the testes and vasa deferentia down to at least the seminal vesicles represent a semiautonomous complex in which periodicity is maintained by endogenous circadian activity in cells of the testes (and possibly the vasa deferentia) or more probably in a peripheral control center.
Tectonic Significance of Depositional Patterns in Nonmarine North Horn Formation, Central Utah: ABSTRACT

The Maestrichtian through Paleocene(?) North Horn Formation is a nonmarine sequence of interbedded and intertonguing synorogenic conglomerate, sandstone, algal limestone, and claystone. Deposition occurred within an interior drainage system restricted by the Sevier highlands to the west and the San Rafael swell to the east. It extended south to at least Salina Canyon in central Utah and north to the southern margin of the Uinta basin. The base of the formation is diachronous, unconformably overlying Campanian rocks. Earliest deposition began along the eastern Wasatch Plateau, then shifted westward until late Paleocene beds onlapped deformed Mesozoic rocks associated with Sevier thrusting. Paleocurrent measurements indicate a general west to east transport direction. Four major depositional facies are recognized: alluvial fan, proximal braid plain, distal braid plain, and lacustrine. Work has been concentrated on the alluvial fan and braid plain facies west of the Wasatch Plateau. Massive clast-supported cobble to boulder conglomerate characterizes alluvial-fan facies. Deposition on fan surfaces was primarily by sheet-flood or braided stream processes. Conglomerate shows skewed clast populations. Northeast of Mt. Nebo, 60-70% of clasts are carbonate rocks. Clasts range up to 1 m (3 ft) in diameter. Thick Paleozoic carbonate beds associated with the Nebo fold nappe furnished most of them. Upward-fining sequences of massive to crudely stratified clast-supported conglomerate, conglomeratic sandstone, and sandstone characterize proximal and distal braid plain facies. During transport down the braid plain, mixing of Eocambrian and Cambrian quartzite, Paleozoic carbonate, and Mesozoic sandstone occurred. Conglomerate was deposited in bars within braided stream channels. It displays imbrication of flattened clasts with long axes transverse (^cong40-70°) and intermediate axes subparallel to flow direction. Sandstone displays poorly developed cross-stratification, planar stratification, and massive bedding. Rapidly fluctuating episodes of sedimentation with high sediment loads on the proximal braid plain, and extensive bioturbation by infauna on the distal braid plain, ar indicated. End_of_Article - Last_Page 953------------
SU-GG-T-315: Single Event Effects in Radiotherapy

Introduction A single event effect (SEE) is a change of state of a microelectronic device caused by a single energetic particle. Single event upsets (SEUs) is one kind of SEEs. A SEU on a Siemens Linac has been reported in a SRAM of PLC. With more and more integrated circuits in modern Linacs and treatment head, such as MLC, the probability of SEEs becomes larger. The consequences of the SEEs in radiotherapy, especially of safety functions and considerations, need further investigation. Method and materials A Linac with high energy (15MV) mode (Varian, Palo Alto, CA) was investigated. Integrated circuits used inside treatment room were identified. Of interest wert those CMOS and FPGA. The SEE rates were estimated based on published papers. Further estimation was made with Monte Carlo code and data from NASA's SEE test reports. SEEs in beam delivery and MLCcontrol were also scrutinized. Results SEU rate of 0.047 events⋅MiB−1⋅MU−1 for Varian 15 MV photons has been derived. If the response of the ICs is linear, a radiotherapy room with 32 patients/day, 1/8 patients treated with high energy, and 200 MU/patient, the SEUs will be 38 SEUs⋅MiB−1⋅day−1. If somewhat arbitrary one megabyte is taken for memory size in use, the SERs will be 38 events per day. Thus, there is a significant potential for quite a few SEEs in radiotherapy.Conclusion The SEE is well known phenomena of increased importance. SEE is a critical to electronic reliability in certain environment like radiotherapy. The SEE characteristics of electronics should be tested further and evaluated for clinical application. Further knowledge on their impact to radiotherapy, especially to under‐dose or over‐dose delivery, and control of parts like MLC, should be investigated. Care should be taken by the manufacturer to use ICs which are immune of SEEs.
Writing Neatness, Composition Errors, and Essay Grades Reexamined.

AbstractSixteen forms of an essay exam, identical in content but differing in writing neatness and numbers of composition errors, were graded by 480 classroom teachers. The two factors consisted of four writing treatments (typed, “neat” handwritten, “fair” handwritten, and “poor” handwritten) and four levels of composition errors (zero, six, twelve, and eighteen spelling errors). The data were analyzed using a 4×4 factorial design. No significant differences were found.
The Central outer tracker for Run II at CDF

Abstract This paper discusses the design, construction, and installation of the new open-cell drift chamber, the Central Outer Tracker (COT), for Run II operation at the Collider Detector at Fermilab. The COT improves upon the tracking performance of the Run I CTC drift chamber (e.g., increased stereo capability) while at the same time successfully accommodating the smaller bunch crossing and higher luminosity of Run II. The operation and performance of the COT since the Fall, 2000 commissioning run and the beginning of Run II in March, 2001 is presented, including chamber resolution, efficiency, and aging. Additionally, plans are discussed for modifying the COT and associated electronics and data acquisition in order to handle the higher luminosities expected for Run IIb.
Ecotourism: new partners, new relationships.

"Ecotourism" is the buzzword being used to describe a new partnership among the travel industry, tourists, and the conservation community to promote and enhance environmental sensitivity through responsible travel (Ehrenfeld 1992). Each of these partners brings to the arena their own hopes and aspirations for ecotourism. The travel industry, aided by the upsurge in nature travel, expects soon to become the largest industry in the world. Tourists, with leisure time and money to spend, want to escape from their urban existence into the beauty, simplicity, and adventure of nature. The conservation community hopes to promote their programs for the protection and maintenance of our dwindling natural areas. While each of these entities shares a concern for the environment, the stakes are particularly high for the conservation community. As shepherds of the world's parks and protected areas, the primary destination of most ecotravel, conservationists must be concerned about the impact of the burgeoning numbers of visitors to the wilderness. These visitors represent the potential to generate revenue for the support of protected areas, as well as to destroy them through overuse and abuse. It will be a major challenge to the conservation community to participate with the travel industry and the world's tourists to plan and control the growth and development of ecotourism in a manner that will conserve and protect the planet's natural assets. The size and strength of the travel industry insures its position as a powerful and influential partner in determining the direction of ecotourism. By any measure, the growth of this industry is staggering. At the Ecotourism
Prevalence of poor performance status in lung cancer patients: implications for research.

Introduction Performance status (PS) is a standard functional classification in oncology research and practice. However, despite its widespread use, little is known about the prevalence of poor PS in lung cancer patients, in relation to other cancers, based on the assessments of health care providers and patients. Methods Data from two quality of life studies were pooled for analysis. Analyses were performed on the subset of patients with lung cancer (n = 503) from the entire population of cancer patients (n = 2885). The prevalence of poor PS (defined as PS=2–4 on a 0–4 scale) was determined for lung cancer patients. Results Prevalence of poor PS among lung cancer patients was 34% when estimated by providers and 48% when estimated by patients themselves. Agreement between providers and patients was only fair (weighted [ kappa ] = 0.41). For both advanced and early stage disease, lung cancer patients were at the highest risk for poor PS compared with other common cancers. Conclusions The prevalence of poor PS is quite high in lung cancer patients. Providers tend to underestimate poor PS. Specific clinical trials and treatment guidelines for this patient population are urgently needed.
A valence bond model for aqueous Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions in the AMOEBA polarizable force field.

A general molecular mechanics (MM) model for treating aqueous Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions was developed based on valence bond (VB) theory and incorporated into the atomic multipole optimized energetics for biomolecular applications (AMOEBA) polarizable force field. Parameters were obtained by fitting MM energies to that computed by ab initio methods for gas-phase tetra- and hexa-aqua metal complexes. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the proposed AMOEBA-VB model were performed for each transition metal ion in aqueous solution, and solvent coordination was evaluated. Results show that the AMOEBA-VB model generates the correct square-planar geometry for gas-phase tetra-aqua Cu2+ complex and improves the accuracy of MM model energetics for a number of ligation geometries when compared to quantum mechanical (QM) computations. On the other hand, both AMOEBA and AMOEBA-VB generate results for Zn2+–water complexes in good agreement with QM calculations. Analyses of the MD trajectories revealed a six-coordination first solvation shell for both Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions in aqueous solution, with ligation geometries falling in the range reported by previous studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential intra-epithelial lymphocyte phenotypes following Cryptosporidium parvum challenge in susceptible and resistant athymic strains of mice.

Abstract The lack of immunocompetent laboratory animal models has limited our understanding of functional immune responses to Cryptosporidium parvum infection, but such responses have been studied in susceptible laboratory rodents with genetic, acquired, or induced immunodeficiencies. We previously observed that athymic C57BL/6J nude mice inoculated with C. parvum oocysts had lower or absent fecal oocyst excretion when compared to inoculated athymic BALB/cJ nude mice. This discrepancy prompted us to explore potential differences in intestinal immune responses in both strains. Prior to and after C. parvum challenge, BALB/cJ nude and C57BL/6J nude mice did not differ in either spleen cell numbers or in parasite-specific proliferation. However, both strains of mice exhibited a significant increase in intra-epithelial lymphocyte (IEL) numbers prior to and following C. parvum inoculation when compared to uninoculated controls (P
The role of hydrogels with tethered acetylcholine functionality on the adhesion and viability of hippocampal neurons and glial cells

In neural tissue engineering, designing materials with the right chemical cues is crucial in providing a permissive microenvironment to encourage and guide neuronal cell attachment and differentiation. Modifying synthetic hydrogels with biologically active molecules has become an increasingly important route in this field to provide a successful biomaterial and cell interaction. This study presents a strategy of using the monomer 2-methacryloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAETAC) to provide tethered neurotransmitter acetylcholine-like functionality with a complete 2-acetoxy-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium segment, thereby modifying the properties of commonly used, non-adhesive PEG-based hydrogels. The effect of the functional monomer concentration on the physical properties of the hydrogels was systematically studied, and the resulting hydrogels were also evaluated for mice hippocampal neural cell attachment and growth. Results from this study showed that MAETAC in the hydrogels promotes neuronal cell attachment and differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner, different proportions of MAETAC monomer in the reaction mixture produce hydrogels with different porous structures, swollen states, and mechanical strengths. Growth of mice hippocampal cells cultured on the hydrogels showed differences in number, length of processes and exhibited different survival rates. Our results indicate that chemical composition of the biomaterials is a key factor in neural cell attachment and growth, and integration of the appropriate amount of tethered neurotransmitter functionalities can be a simple and effective way to optimize existing biomaterials for neuronal tissue engineering applications.
Size-exclusion chromatography can identify faster-associating protein complexes and evaluate design strategies

We previously developed a set of rationally designed mutant MICA protein ligands for the NKG2D immunoreceptor in which MICA was mutated at residues that do not contact NKG2D. Some of these MICA mutants, predicted by RosettaDesign to be destabilized, bound NKG2D with affinities enhanced by more than an order of magnitude when evaluated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Small-zone size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) detected persistent high-affinity MICA mutant-NKG2D complexes in solution as early-eluting peaks. The SEC binding assay used standard protein purification instrumentation to evaluate complex stability, qualitatively paralleled the SPR results, and successfully discriminated among complexes that differed only in on-rates. We used the SEC binding assay, along with SPR, to assess the results of a follow-up design strategy targeting the non-interfacial redesigned region. Both SEC and SPR agreed that these mutations did not enhance affinity as much as previous mutants. When the SEC binding assay was run in 1 M urea, only the highest affinity complex was detected. This SEC binding assay provides a correlation with SPR results for protein complex affinities, detecting changes in complex on-rates, and tunable to lower sensitivity with 1 M urea. The SEC binding assay is complementary to other protein design evaluation methods, can be adapted to the undergraduate research laboratory, and may provide additional structural information about changes in hydrodynamic radii from elution times. Our assay allowed us to conclude that further alteration of MICA at non-contacting residues is unlikely to further enhance NKG2D affinity.
Determining Proton Diffusion in Polymer Films by Lifetimes of Luminescent Complexes Measured in the Frequency Domain

Polymer-supported luminescent metal complexes represent an important class of oxygen, pH, and ion sensors. The diffusion properties of the analyte into the sensing film are important for rational sensor and support design and development. We describe a technique using lifetime measurements in the frequency domain for determining the diffusion coefficient of hydrochloric acid through various polymeric pH sensor films. Two types of polymers are doped with [Ru(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)2(4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine)]Cl2. We monitor the phase shift of luminescence (from which we calculate the apparent lifetime, τapp) versus time after applying a step increase in the aqueous HCl concentration at the surfaces of the film. We model the decrease in τapp as a function of time using the diffusion coefficient of HCl in the polymer as the only adjustable parameter. The model accurately predicts the lifetime versus time curves, and the resulting diffusion coefficients are highly dependent on the polymer. Rel...
Photoinitiated reactions of (η-C5H5)2MH3 (M Nb, Ta) with Mn2(CO)10: structure of (η-C5H5)2(CO)Ta(μ-H)Mn2(CO)9

Abstract The photoreaction of (η-C5H5)2TaH3 with Mn2(CO)10 gives, inter alia, (η-C5H5)2(CO)Ta(μ-H)Mn2(CO)9, whose crystal structure reveals an open, bent trimetallic framework. Preliminary mechanistic studies show that this and the analogous niobium reaction proceed via a complex sequence of thermal steps following photoinitiation.
Indications for pedicled pectoralis major flap in a free tissue transfer practice

Background The pedicled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) was highly used over the last 3 decades. The current era of free tissue transfer has gradually relegated the PMMF to a secondary role. Methods In a retrospective review of all patients undergoing pedicled PMMF from 2002 to now, we sought to determine the current role and assess the outcomes of the PMMF in a primary microvascular head and neck reconstructive center. Results Fifty-five PMMFs were performed in 53 patients (24 myocutaneous and 31 myofascial); group 1 consisted of 20 patients (38%) who underwent a secondary PMMF after a free flap complication (flap failure 9/20, fistula 5/20, wound breakdown with great vessel exposure 3/20, loss of soft tissue skin paddle 2/20, and delayed hematoma in 1/20); group 2 included 18 patients (33%) who had a simultaneous free flap with a PMMF for dead space filler or cervical skin/great vessel coverage reconstruction, whereas the remaining 15 patients (29%) in group 3 underwent primary PMMF for reconstruction of cervical skin defect, great vessel coverage, pharyngocutaneous fistula, infection, and dead space filler. Complications of PMMF included 3 hematomas, 2 partial dehiscences, 1 chest wall abscess, and 1 case of mastitis. Because of cervical tethering, 14 of 53 patients underwent secondary pectoralis myectomy with cervical contracture release at a mean of 10.3 months after initial surgery. Conclusion The pedicled PMMF continues to serve an important role in head and neck reconstruction in the microvascular era with notable uses for free flap rescue, with simultaneous free flap reconstruction and for primary reconstruction in select circumstances with an overall acceptable short- and long-term morbidity profile. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Modification of Friedrich's micro-alkimide apparatus

The alkimide apparatus ofFriedrich is modified to shorten the path from the reaction flask to the receiver and to simplify the return of the condensate and the adding of fresh acid between distillations.
Precision measurement, scientific personalities and error budgets: the sine quibus non for big G determinations.

Determinations of the Newtonian constant of gravitation (big G ) fit into the oftentimes-unappreciated area of physics called precision measurement—an area which includes precision measurements, null experiments and determinations of the fundamental constants. The determination of big G —a measurement which on the surface appears deceptively simple—continues to be one of Nature's greatest challenges to the skills and cunning of experimental physicists. In spite of the fact that, on the scale of the Universe, big G 's effects are so large as to single-handedly hold everything together, on the scale of an individual research laboratory, big G 's effects are so small that they go unnoticed…hidden in a background of much larger forces and noise sources. It is this ‘smallness’ that makes determining the precise value of this (seemingly unrelated to the rest of physics) fundamental constant so difficult.
CT of blunt chest trauma.

Fig. 1.-Si-year-old patient who fell 40 ft (12.2 m). CT scan shows slightly displaced rib fracture (arrow) and associated hemopneumothorax. Thoracostomy tube passing through chest wall can simulate a rib fracture (arrowhead). Fig. 2.-33-year-old patient with anterior chest pain after hitting steering wheel. A, Radiograph shows asymmetry of medial ends of clavicles, suggesting sternoclavicular dislocation. Superior mediastinum is widened. B, CT scan shows asymmetry is due to displaced sternal fracture (arrow). A retrosternal hematoma is present (arrowhead). Aortography findings were normal.
Neck, trunk and limb muscle responses during postural perturbations in humans

This study examined the EMG onsets of leg, trunk, and neck muscles in 10 standing human subjects in response to support surface anterior and posterior translations, and to plantar and dorsiflexion rotations. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that the responses radiating upward from distal leg muscles represent part of a large ascending synergy encompassing axial muscles along the entire length of the body. If these responses are not ascending, then the muscles of the neck, and possibly the trunk, can be independently activated by vestibular, proprioceptive or visual inputs. We analysed the timing of postural muscle responses within and between body segments in order to determine whether they maintained a consistent temporal relationship under translational and rotational platform movement paradigms. Our results did not strongly support an ascending pattern of activation in all directions of platform perturbation. Temporal differences between activation patterns to platform perturbations in the forward or backward directions were revealed. In response to posterior platform translations we observed an ascending pattern of muscle responses along the extensor surface of the body. In addition, responses elicited in the neck flexor and abdominal muscles occurred as early as those of the stretched ankle muscles. This pattern of upward radiation from stretched ankle muscles was not as clear for anterior platform displacements, where early neck flexor muscle responses were observed during the ascending sequence on the flexor surface of the body. Platform rotations caused fewer responses in the neck and upper trunk muscles than translations, and all muscle responses occurred simultaneously rather than sequentially. Probable differences in the stimulation of vestibular and neck proprioceptive inputs and the mechanical demands of the rotation and translation paradigms are discussed.
Imaging of Incidental Findings on Thoracic Computed Tomography

With continued improvement of high-resolution multidetector computed tomography imaging, there is an increasing number of unsuspected thoracic findings. Although many of these findings are of little clinical significance, other findings such as small incidental lung nodules require additional imaging to exclude more worrisome causes, often resulting in greater exposure to ionizing radiation, increased cost, and patient anxiety. Although greater uniformity among radiologists regarding likely benign findings may help reduce unnecessary imaging studies, the lack of clear follow-up guidelines for many findings suggests that further investigation is needed in some areas.
EBaLM-THP : A neural network thermohydraulic prediction model of advanced nuclear system components

In lieu of the worldwide energy demand, economics and consensus concern regarding climate change, nuclear power – specifically near-term nuclear power plant designs are receiving increased engineering attention. However, as the nuclear industry is emerging from a lull in component modeling and analyses, optimization for example using ANN has received little research attention. This paper presents a neural network approach, EBaLM, based on a specific combination of two training algorithms, error-back propagation (EBP), and Levenberg–Marquardt (LM), applied to a problem of thermohydraulics predictions (THPs) of advanced nuclear heat exchangers (HXs). The suitability of the EBaLM-THP algorithm was tested on two different reference problems in thermohydraulic design analysis; that is, convective heat transfer of supercritical CO2 through a single tube, and convective heat transfer through a printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) using CO2. Further, comparison of EBaLM-THP and a polynomial fitting approach was considered. Within the defined reference problems, the neural network approach generated good results in both cases, in spite of highly fluctuating trends in the dataset used. In fact, the neural network approach demonstrated cumulative measure of the error one to three orders of magnitude smaller than that produce via polynomial fitting of 10th order.
Selective Loading of Rhod 2 into Mitochondria Shows Mitochondrial Ca2+Transients during the Contractile Cycle in Adult Rabbit Cardiac Myocytes

A strategy of cold loading of the Ca2+-indicating fluorophore Rhod 2-AM followed by warm incubation was developed to selectively label mitochondria of adult rabbit cardiac myocytes. After electrical stimulation, mitochondrial Rhod 2 fluorescence observed by confocal microscopy increased and then rapidly decayed to baseline. In regions between mitochondria, the fluorescent transients were small or absent. Subsequent addition of calcium ionophore increased mitochondrial but not cytosolic fluorescence, confirming the mitochondrial localization of Rhod 2. These experiments directly demonstrate rapid mitochondrial free Ca2+ transients during the contractile cycle in rabbit cardiac myocytes.
Observations on the Autonomic Nervous System and on Vertebral and Neural Segmentation in Monkeys.

SUMMARY. 1 Rhesus monkeys normally have 29 precaudal vertebra, comprising 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 7 lumbar, and 3 sacral segments. 2 In 15 per cent. of 241 specimens a pair of small rib-like processes articulated When the accessory thirteenth ribs are unequal with the first lumbar vertebra. in size, the right is usually larger than the left. 3 Variations in the total number of thoraco-lumbar vertebrae have been observed in only eight (3-3 per cent.) of 241 specimens. In two the number was reduced to 18, and in six it was increased to 20, 13 rib-bearing vertebrz being followed by seven non-rib-bearing lumbar vertebra 4 The number of sacral vertebra was abnormal in only two of 168 specimens. In one there were four sacral vertebrae, in the other two. 5 As a result of the attachment of the lumbo-costal arches to the second lumbar vertebra, the first lumbar (thirteenth postcervical) vertebra is invariably intrathoracic in position. 6 In the fully prefixed type of lumbo-sacral plexus the femoral and obturator nerves are formed by branches of the third, fourth, and fifth lumbar roots, and the most cranial root of the sciatic is the fifth lumbar. In the fully postfixed type of lumbo-sacral plexus the sixth lumbar root contributes to both the femoral and obturator nerves, and is also the most cranial root of origin of the sciatic. Intermediate arrangements occur in which the sixth lumbar root supplies the obturator and not the femoral nerve, and in which the uppermost root of origin of the sciatic is either the fifth or sixth lumbar. The prefixed type of plexus occurred in 59 (52.5 per cent.), the fully postfixed in 31 (28 per cent.), and intermediate arrangements in 22 (19.5 per cent.) of 112 dissections. 7 Specimens with 13 pairs of ribs usually have a postfixed lumbo-sacral plexus. Such a plexus also frequently occurs in animals with the more usual number of 12 pairs of ribs. 8 The arrangement of the lumbo-sacral plexus in anomalous specimens with an extra segment in the thoraco-lumbar series suggests that the extra vertebra is formed by the duplication of the normal seventh lumbar (nineteenth postcervical) vertebra. 9 A detailed description of the main sympathetic nerves in the rhesus monkey is provided. 10 The caudal limit of emergence of white rami communicantes was the third lumbar root in 51, the fourth lumbar in 57, and the fifth lumbar in three of 111 specimens. 11 There is a tendency for the caudal level to be the third lumbar root in a prefixed and to be the fourth lumbar in a postfixed plexus. 12 The sacral autonomic nerves usually spring from the first and second sacral There is a possibility that some (twentieth and twenty-first postcervical) roots. fibres of these nerves pass cranially in the hypogastric nerve-trunks. 13 The relations of vertebral levels to the levels of origin of the spinal nerves from the cord are described. 14 The anatomy of the lumbo-sacral plexus and of the sympathetic nerves in 12 other species of Primate is briefly stated.
PART 4: WHAT’S SHAKIN’, DUDE? EFFECTIVE USE OF MODAL SHAKERS

There are several significant modal testing challenges to overcome when striving for the goal of an “adequate linear estimate” of the structural dynamics model. Shaker excitation often has an advantage over impact excitation in meeting this goal. In many cases, shaker testing can reduce the effects of nonlinear response, provide better signal to noise ratio, eliminate overload problems associated with out-of-band force input, provide more consistent data, and provide faster testing by utilizing MIMO acquisition. There are tradeoffs between FRF linearization, FRF distortion, signal to noise ratio, and testing time depending on the shaker forcing function. Some of the major tradeoffs have been addressed for random, pseudorandom, periodic random, burst random, chirp, and stepped sine testing. Shaker mounting and fixturing requires special considerations to mitigate undesirable frequency and damping effects of the shaker and its hardware upon the test article and to minimize side loads and moments on the force gage. Certain steps can be taken to ensure the shaker fixturing is adequate, and many diagnostics are available to ensure the goal of obtaining an “adequate linear estimate” of the structural dynamics model.
Agents that act by different mechanisms modulate the activity of protein kinase CβII isozyme in the rat spinal cord during peripheral inflammation

Abstract Hyperalgesia following unilateral complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced inflammation was characterized by paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimulus. Paw withdrawal latencies were significantly shorter on the complete Freund’s adjuvant-treated paw than on the contralateral paw of the complete Freund’s adjuvant- and the sham-treated rats. Total cytosolic protein kinase C activity in the lumbar enlargement was unchanged on the sides of the spinal cord ipsi- and contra-lateral to the inflamed paw. Membrane-associated activities of protein kinase Cα, protein kinase CβI and protein kinase Cγ did not change significantly on the sides of the cord ipsi- and contra-lateral to the inflammation. However, membrane-associated activity of protein kinase CβII was increased in the cord section ipsilateral to the inflammation, suggesting that increased translocation/activation of protein kinase CβII is related to thermal hyperalgesia. Dextrorphan (an N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonist), L-703,606 (an NK-1 receptor antagonist) and an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for a selective knockdown of protein kinase Cβ, reduced complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced hyperalgesia, and reversed significant changes in the membrane activity of protein kinase CβII on the spinal cord section ipsilateral to the inflamed paw. Dextrorphan and protein kinase Cβ antisense oligodeoxynucleotide were effective in reversing complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced increase in the activity of protein kinase CβII ipsilateral to the inflammation at all the doses tested, but L-703,606 was effective only at the highest dose. Furthermore, in the presence of inflammatory stimulus, dextrorphan and L-703,606 did not alter the activities of membrane-associated protein kinase Cα, protein kinase CβI, and protein kinase Cγ in the section of the spinal cord ipsi- and contra-lateral to the inflammation. Protein kinase Cβ antisense oligodeoxynucleotide had no significant effect on the membrane-associated activities of protein kinase Cα and protein kinase Cγ, but decreased the activities of both protein kinase CβI and protein kinase CβII and the expression of protein kinase Cβ isozyme in the spinal cord. The data provide evidence that a common molecular event that converges to initiate and maintain hyperalgesia may include the translocation and activation of protein kinase CβII in the spinal dorsal horn.
Diffusion Theory and Macro-GRIN Material with Prescribable Index Profiles

Optical material that is described by a line on the glass map, as opposed to the point describing homogeneous material, promises new types of optical design applications of improved performance. These will incorporate lenses of gradient refractive material with either axial or radial profiles. These materials open up the designer's available parameter space to include a controlled gradient in both index and dispersion. The availability of prescribable GRIN material allows unusual lens geometries that will be introduced and illustrated. The range of applications for axial and radial GRIN lenses overlap but are not identical. Prescribable radial GRIN material has a much broader range of applications. The main subject of this talk will be the fusion/diffusion process used to produce macro radial and axial GRIN material. This process is simple, repeatable, and applicable to mass production for both geometries. The advantage of GRIN technology and its availability in commercial lens design programs provides the opportunity to push performance and reduce cost.
Biomass Production of ‘Alamo’ Switchgrass in Response to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Row Spacing

Management practices for biomass production of bioenergy grasses may differ from management for forage. Our objective was to determine the yield and stand responses of Alamo' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) to N and P fertilization as affected by row spacing. A combination of five rates each of N and P were applied to plots during 1992 to 1998 at Stephenville, TX and 1993 to 1995 at Beeville, TX. Three row-spacing treatments were applied as subplots. Biomass production was determined each year with a single harvest in late summer. Tiller density and tiller mass were measured during 1993 to 1996 at Stephenville. Biomass production was not influenced by the addition of P. Biomass production response to N at Beeville was greater in narrow rows than wide rows during the establishment year only. Biomass production responses to N were quadratic in 5 of 7 yr at Stephenville and linear at Beeville. A maximum yield of 22.5 Mg ha -1 occurred during 1995 at Stephenville at 168 kg N ha -1 . Lodging occurred at both locations but only at the 224 kg N ha -1 rate. Tiller density and mass increased as row width increased. Tiller mass also increased with increasing N fertility at Stephenville. This response was more important in determining biomass production than was tiller density. Average biomass production at 168 kg N ha -1 yr -1 was 14.5 and 10.7 Mg ha -1 yr -1 at Stephenville and Beeville, respectively. Biomass production without applied N tended to decline over the years. Our data indicated that switchgrass biomass production is sustainable at Stephenville only with the application of at least 168 kg N ha -1 yr -1 , but P application and row spacing are not crucial.
Assessment of US pathway for approving medical devices for rare conditions

An FDA program established in the 1990s made it easier for manufacturers to get devices for rare diseases into use. Thomas J Hwang and colleagues examine how the program has been used and what can be learnt for US and European device regulation
Overweight and obesity in bipolar disorders

a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Room 2117, Stanford, CA 94305-5723, United States b Massachusetts General Hospital, United States c National Institute of Mental Health, United States d Baylor College of Medicine, United States e Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, United States f Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, United States g University of Missouri, Kansas City, United States h Epidemiology Data Center, University of Pittsburgh, United States i Stanford University School of Medicine, United States
Outer Membrane Protein Changes and Efflux Pump Expression Together May Confer Resistance to Ertapenem in Enterobacter cloacae

We investigated ertapenem-susceptible and -resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae isolates obtained from the same patient. Gene transcription of OmpD and OmpF was diminished in the ertapenem-resistant isolate. An efflux pump inhibitor decreased the MICs of ertapenem in the resistant strain, suggesting a potential role of efflux pumps in ertapenem resistance.
The mechanism of φ′ precipitation on climbing dislocations in AlCu

Many examples of repeated precipitation on climbing dislocations have been reported since the original observations of NbC formation on climbing Frank partials in stainless steel. Striking precipitate arrays were observed in Cu-Ag (5), Si-Cu (6) and Al-Cu (7,8) but again the precise formation mechanisms have not been identified. The configurations of theta' in Al-4w/o Cu first described by Guyot and Wintenberger and studied in detail by Headley and Hren (8,9) can be produced by a direct quench from the solution treatment temperature to a high final aging temperature (> about 160/sup 0/C) circumventing the precursory GP zone and theta'' formation. While the overall nature of the precipitate arrays is now understood, the basic processes giving rise to the various, often complex, precipitate structures is not. Guyot and Wintenberger proposed that repeated nucleation of theta' occurred on (100) plane segments of the climbing edge dislocation, and described the slip and climb processes required to produce observed configurations.
Serum and plasma from patients with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome reduce depolarization-dependent uptake of 45Ca2+ into rat cortical synaptosomes.

The reduction in nerve-evoked release of transmitter at the neuromuscular jkunction of patients with Lamber-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) is thought to be caused by a circulating autoantibody to calcium channels of presynaptic motor nerve terminals. Studies were undertaken to determine whether acute application of plasma and serum from patients with LEMS or small cell carcinoma (SCC) would reduce depolarization-dependent uptake of 45Ca2+ into isolated nerve terminals of the central nervous system (CNS). Net potassium-stimulated influx was reduced by sera and plasma from patients with LEMS but not by sera from patients with SCC. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from synaptosome incubated with plasma or serum from patients with LEMS was not increased over control. These results are significant because: (1) they demonstrate that acute exposure to a circulating factor in sera/plasma from a patient with LEMS is sufficient to inhibit Ca2+ channel activity in isolated nerve terminals, as opposed to chronic regimens used on other models for the disease; (2) they indicate that the existence of SCC alone is insufficient to trigger a LEMS-like autoimmune response; (3) they suggest that Ca2+ channels of nerve terminals secreting different transmitters may share common epitopes recognized by the LEMS autoantibody; and (4) they suggest that synaptosomes will be useful determining the neurochemical site and specificity of the LEMS autoantibody.