cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Shale Oil Rocks Using Retort and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Summary Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for pore structure analysis and fluid identification in logging applications and core laboratory analysis. For example, T2 cut-off times are set to determine the effective porosity from total porosity in conventional sandstones and carbonates. The conventional knowledge is not directly applicable for unconventional reservoirs because of insufficient understanding of the NMR response for fluids in shale rocks. Therefore, it is desirable to investigate the NMR response of fluids in shale rocks to gain a better knowledge of the shale properties. Fourteen shale core plugs were examined using NMR and retort methods. T2, T1 spectra and T1- T2 plots and their physical properties were obtained for all the samples in the ‘as received’ state. Two-step retort experiments were performed on crushed samples, the weight changes recorded and the fluid produced during retort collected. After each retort step, NMR measurements were performed and the results were compared with the original spectra. The core samples were classified into two groups, Type I and Type II, after analyzing the NMR, density and porosity data. The NMR spectra of Type I samples had one major peak for T2 data in the fast relaxation regime, while Type II samples showed two or multiple peaks in T2 and T1 spectra. The T1/T2 ratio was as high as 20 for the Type I samples, which can be an indication of a larger amount of organic matter in rocks. Using NMR spectra obtained before and after retort, effective porosity of the shale samples was obtained by determining the T2 cut-off times for the two types of samples.
Clinical and lymphocyte responses to beta-carotene supplementation in 11 HIV-positive patients with chronic oral candidiasis

Eleven HIV-positive patients with chronic oral candidiasis were supplemented with 60 to 120 mg of beta-carotene daily for 3 to 7 months. Lymphocyte profiles were evaluated at intervals to help assess immune competence. Although there was a modest increase in some lymphocyte values at 2 months, there was a significant decrease in numbers of CD4 and CD8 cells and CD4 percentage of lymphocytes after 6 months of beta-carotene supplementation. Serum triglyceride and liver enzyme levels were not affected by the beta-carotene supplementation. No improvement was observed in the control of the oral candidiasis. Under the conditions of the study, there was no indication that daily beta-carotene supplements enhanced immune competence or was of benefit in managing oral candidiasis.
A Software Tool for Reliability Estimation

Over the years, several tools have been developed to estimate the reliability of hardware and software components. Typically, such tools are either for hardware or software. This paper presents the Software Tool for Reliability Estimation (STORE), which can be used for systems containing hardware and/or software components. For software components, exponential, Weibull, gamma, power, geometric, and inverse-linear models were implemented. Goodness of fit statistics are provided for each model. The user can select the most appropriate model for a given system configuration and failure data. The STORE program can analyze series, parallel, and complex systems. Tieset and cutset algorithm is utilized to determine the reliability of a complex system. The paper presents several examples to demonstrate the software tool.
Procedures developed for self-repair of polymer matrix composite materials

Abstract An investigation was made into the feasibility of developing polymer matrix composites which have the ability to self-repair internal cracks due to mechanical loading. It focused on the cracking of hollow repair fibers dispersed in a matrix and the subsequent timed release of repair chemicals which result in the sealing of matrix cracks, the restoration of strength in damaged areas and the ability to retard crack propagation. These materials, capable of passive, smart self-repair, consist of several parts: (1) an agent of internal deterioration such as dynamic loading which induces cracking; (2) a stimulus to release the repairing chemical such as the cracking of a fiber; (3) a fiber; (4) a repair chemical monomer carried inside the fiber either a part polymer or a monomer; and (5) a method of hardening the chemical in the matrix in the case of crosslinking polymers or a method of drying the matrix in the case of a monomer. It was found that cracking of the repair fiber and subsequent release of the repair chemicals could be achieved. Release of chemicals into cracks was observed using optical microscopy. Impact fracture and bend tests were performed and revealed the ability of this system to fill and repair cracks, restore strength and retard crack growth. This work was accomplished by Natural Process Design. These results were positive.
250 Long-term effects of exposures at oak ridge national laboratory

We examine mortality in a cohort of workers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a US Department of Energy research and development facility. The last mortality follow-up of this epidemiologically important cohort was conducted 18 years ago and included workers hired between 1943 and 1972. Analyses of these data revealed a positive association between occupational radiation dose and all cancer mortality under a 20-year lag assumption (1.73% increase in all cancer mortality per 10 mSv, standard error = 0.86). We have expanded this cohort to include 22,834 workers hired between 1943 and 1985, and updated mortality follow-up through 2008, yielding almost three times the number deaths observed in the last mortality follow-up of an ORNL cohort. Extending follow-up of this cohort is important not just for statistical power, but also because many important questions in radiation research concern the long term effects of irradiation, particularly on malignant diseases. These workers were individually badge-monitored for external exposure to ionising radiation, allowing evaluation of the effects of protracted radiation exposures accrued at work. We compared the observed deaths to expectations based upon US mortality rates, and evaluated radiation dose-mortality associations. Findings include excess deaths due to cancer of the pleura (SMR = 12.09 95%CI: 4.44, 26.32), cancer of the bladder (SMR = 1.89 95%CI: 1.26, 2.71), and leukaemia (SMR = 1.33 95%CI: 0.87, 1.93) among hourly-paid males, and excess deaths due to cancer of the bladder (SMR = 2.20 95%CI: 1.20, 3.69) and leukaemia (SMR = 1.64 95%CI: 1.09, 2.36) among females. Further results will be presented.
NEONATAL SEPTICEMIA AND PERINATAL RISK FACTORS

. Many methods for screening and prediction of neonatal septicemia have been tried. In this study a score, related to both perinatal risk factors and neonatal diseases, was tested upon healthy newborn infants, infants with septicemia and infants with other diseases. Statistical differences were found between infants with neonatal septicemia and infants with other neonatal diseases as well as normal newborns. It was also possible to find a relationship between certain predisposing factors and predominance of certain pathogens. Complications during pregnancy and delivery were most often found in the group B streptococcal, combinations of invasive procedures and neonatal diseases in the staphylococcal group and surgical procedures in the gram-negative group.
Changes in body composition following therapy of osteoporosis with methandrostenolone.

A two compartment, double-blind, randomized, parallel study was performed comparing methandrostenolone with placebo in the treatment of osteoporosis. The duration of the study was 24 mo. Dependent parameters included total body calcium (TBCa), measured by neutron activation analysis: bone mineral content of the radius (BMC), measured by photon absorptiometry; and total body potassium (TBK), measured by total body counting. A significant increase in TBK occurred in the treated group, primarily in the first 6 mo; thereafter the TBK remained fairly constant. No significant changes in bone mass occurred, except the 6 mo TBCa measurement increased by 11 grams for the methandrostenolone group and decreased by 6 grams for the placebo group (p = .05). Other evidence also suggests that anabolic steroids may not produce sustained uncoupling of bone formation and bone resorption in osteoporosis. If methandrostenolone is capable of producing an increment in bone mass in osteoporosis, it was not readily observable with the sensitivity of the techniques employed in this study
Expression pattern of two Frizzled-related genes, Frzb-1 and Sfrp-1, during mouse embryogenesis suggests a role for modulating action of Wnt family members

Wnt proteins have been implicated in regulating growth and pattern formation in a variety of tissues during embryonic development. We previously identified Frzb-1, a gene which encodes a secreted protein with homology in the ligand binding domain to the Wnt receptor Frizzled, but lacking the domain encoding the putative seven transmembrane segments. Frzb-1 has recently been shown to bind to Wnt proteins in vitro, and to inhibit the activity of Xenopus Wnt-8 in vivo. We report now that mFrzb-1 and Wnt transcripts display both complementary and overlapping expression patterns at multiple sites throughout embryonic development. By Northern analysis, the expression of mFrzb-1 in the developing mouse embryo is greatest from 10.5 to 12.5 days postcoitum (dpc). In the early embryo, mFrzb-1 is expressed in the primitive streak, presomitic mesoderm, somites, and brain. Later, mFrzb-1 exhibits sharp boundaries of expression in the limb bud, branchial arches, facial mesenchyme, and in cartilaginous elements of the appendicular skeleton. We conclude from these experiments that Frzb-1 is expressed at a time and location to modulate the action of Wnt family members during development of the limbs and central nervous system.
Light and scanning electron microscopy of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) during maturation in ICR mice.

Light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study the maturation ofEchinostoma caproni in 13 ICR mice, each of which was exposed to 50 encysted metacercariae and necropsied at 1–20 weeks postinfection (p.i.). All 13 mice were infected with 20–30 worms/host and half the worms were used for LM and the remainder, for SEM. Body area measurements showed that the worms grew rapidly from day zero (excysted metacercariae) to 4 weeks p.i. and less rapidly thereafter. Area measurements of organs showed that the growth of the acetabular area paralleled that of the body. Gonadal area growth was less rapid than acetabular growth, and the area of the posterior testis was always greater than that of the anterior testis. The most remarkable change in topography occurred by 5 weeks p.i. when some of the ventral tegumentary spines became multipointed with 2–5 points/spine. Spine division was associated with a decline in worm growth, but the significance of this finding is unclear. Spine division probably facilitates the feeding, abrasion, and migration of this echinostome in the mouse small intestine.
Distribution and characteristics of polysialosyl oligosaccharides in nervous tissue glycoproteins.

Large polysialosyl glycopeptides can be derived from the glycoproteins of both mature as well as early postnatal brain, although their concentration (in terms of sialic acid content) decreases by approximately 75 percent during the first month in rat brain. These glycopeptides were found to contain 0 -sulfate residues, and subcellular fractionation studies indicated that most of the glycoproteins having polysialosyl units are present in non-synaptic plasma membranes. Large polysialosyl glycopeptides can also be obtained from the membranes of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, demonstrating that this type of structure is not unique to brain.
Monoclonal Antibody C219 Immunohistochemistry Against P‐Glycoprotein: Sequential Analysis and Predictive Ability in Dogs With Lymphoma

In the present study, the prevalence of positive staining for P-glycoprotein using C219 monoclonal antibody was assessed in 58 tissue samples of high-grade lymphoma from dogs before initiation of chemotherapy. Samples were also evaluated at relapse in 22 dogs, at necropsy in 34 dogs, and at all 3 times in 15 dogs. The frequency of positive staining was significantly higher than that found prior to the initiation of chemotherapy at the following times: relapse (P = .0001), necropsy (P < .0001), and both relapse and necropsy (P < .001, sequential data). The frequency of positive staining prior to the initiation of chemotherapy was significantly inversely related to remission (P < .001) and survival times (P = .0012). Similarly, when populations below and above the median initial C219 score were compared with respect to remission and survival times, the population with scores greater than the median had significantly lower remission (P < .001) and survival (P = .008) times, respectively. The frequency of positive staining determined at relapse was significantly inversely related to the time from relapse to death (P = .0102). Similarly, when populations below and above the median relapse C219 score were compared with respect to the time from relapse to death, the population with C219 scores greater than the median had a significantly lower time from relapse to death (P = .006). It appears that this immunohistochemical methodology may be used as a predictor of remission time, survival time, and the time from relapse to death. Additional studies are required to confirm the usefulness of C219 as a true marker of P-glycoprotein and to evaluate P-glycoprotein as a useful prognostic factor in dogs with lymphoma.
Intestinal Infarction Resulting From Nonobstructive Mesenteric Arterial Insufficiency: With a Note on Hepatic Hypoglycemia as a Possible Aid in Diagnosis

GASTROINTESTINAL hemorrhage and necrosis may result from intestinal ischemia secondary to inadequate cardiac output and increased splanchnic vascular resistance.* A variety of conditions, including severe congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, shock, cardiac arrhythmias, and extensive operative procedures, may precipitate intestinal ischemia. The clinical manifestations which accompany this process are determined by the degree of mesenteric vascular insufficiency and range from transient abdominal angina, nausea, and diarrhea to signs of a perforated viscus. The abdominal symptoms and signs resulting from intestinal ischemia are, however, often obscured by the presence of serious disturbances of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Detailed descriptions of patients who have developed severe abdominal pain secondary to nonobstructive mesenteric arterial insufficiency are unusual. This report describes the clinical, operative, and pathologic findings in such a patient, who had rheumatic mitral stenosis and congestive heart failure. Report of Case Clinical Summary. —A 41-year-old woman, who had acute rheumatic
Fluorescence Immunophenotyping and Interphase Cytogenetics (FICTION) Detects BCL6 Abnormalities, Including Gene Amplification, in Most Cases of Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

Context.—BCL6 translocations are a frequent finding in B-cell lymphomas of diverse subtypes, including some cases of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). However, reliable analy...
A national follow-up study to evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse treatment: a report on cohort 1 of the DARP five years later.

Preliminary findings for the first cohort of a national follow-up study of drug users admitted to treatment in the Drug Abuse Reporting Program (DARP) during 1969–1971 are reported. From a sample of 1,853 selected for follow-up, 87% were located and interviews were completed for 77%. Gross tabulations are shown comparing several outcome measures based on pre-DARP treatment, the posttreatment period, and for the 2 months before interview. Sixty-one percent of all patients returned to treatment at some time after DARP termination. Decreases in drug use, expecially of opioids, were substantial and were generally accompanied by improvements in other outcome measures as well. Plans for more detailed and informative analysis of these and related DARP data are addressed.The work upon which this publication is based was performed under Contract H81 DA 01598–02S1 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Department of Health, Education
A method for computing active drug from plasma levels in cases of multiple binding.

Abstract This paper describes a computer program for estimating the amount of unbound or active drug from plasma values for cases in which there is multiple binding of a drug to a macromolecule such as serum albumin. The program is based upon the assumption that two sets of sites on the protein are involved in the binding and they have different binding affinities and capacities. The main input data consist of association constants and binding capacities which have been determined in separate studies such as equilibrium dialysis experiments. The output provides tables of estimates for values of bound and unbound drug in mg/l, μmole/l, as well as per cent values at various plasma levels. The binding of dicumarol by human serum albumin is used as an illustrative example.
Antagonism of cadmium cytotoxicity by differentiation inducers.

Studies on the antagonism of toxicity can provide information about toxic mechanisms and suggest chemotherapeutic strategies. A rapid cell growth assay that measures the effects of test agents on the accumulation of cell protein (Shopsis and Eng,Toxicol. Lett. 1985;26:1) has been applied to studies of the antagonism of the cytotoxicity of cadmium. Exposure of Balb/c mouse 3T3 cells to 15 μmol/L Cd2+ for 24 h or 7 μmol/L Cd2+ for 48 h caused a 50% decrease in total cell protein. Zn2+ and selenite ion, antagonists of Cd toxicityin vivo, antagonized Cd2+ cytotoxicity when added in micromolar concentrations at the initiation of exposure to Cd2+. A diverse group of chemicals that can induce differentiationin vitro in cultured erythroleukemia and other cells were also found to antagonize the cytotoxic effects of Cd2+ to 3T3 cells. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), hexamethylene bisacetamide,N,N-dimethyl formamide,N-methyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide, hypoxanthine, hemin, ouabain, and sodium butyrate, when added to cultures simultaneously with Cd2+, each antagonized Cd2+ toxicity. These agents were used at concentrations equal to or lower than the concentrations at which they induce cellular differentiation. Other cytotoxicity assays and morphological studies confirmed these observations. DMSO added as much as 6 h after the initiation of a 24-h exposure to Cd2+ still protected cells; conversely, pretreatment of cultures with butyrate or DMSO for 24 h followed by their removal did not confer protection against subsequent Cd2+ challenge. Ethanol and methanol (noninducers of differentiation) did not antagonize Cd2+ cytoxicity, and differentiation-inducing agents did not protect the cells from Zn2+-or Hg2+-induced cytotoxicity. DMSO treatment does not induce an increase in the concentrations of metallothionein or glutathione in these cells.
A Real-Time Wireless Channel Emulator for MIMO Systems

The improvement in channel capacity hailed by MIMO systems is directly related to intricate details of the wireless channel such as the degree of correlation between the multiple channels established due to a MIMO configuration. Capturing these details in real time emulation systems becomes absolutely essential to validate theoretical results in a controlled setting. This paper presents methods to achieve significant improvements in speed and complexity for real time channel emulation maintaining high resolutions in time and frequency. In particular, this paper presents a frequency domain emulation technique that reduces add/multiply operations by 54% compared to conventional FIR emulation. A comprehensive complexity analysis is performed to compare the complexity of different techniques.
Characteristics and influence of phosphorus accumulated in the bed sediments of a stream located in an agricultural watershed.

We investigated the accumulation and influence of bioavailable P (BAP) in sediments of a stream located in an agricultural area of the Lake Mendota watershed in Wisconsin, USA. During hydrologic events, the stream carried high concentrations of suspended sediment (up to 250 mg/l) and BAP (up to 2.5 mg/l). Bed sediments were highly enriched in BAP, as inventories of BAP in the top 10 cm of sediment ranged from 143 to 14,500 μg P/cm2. Space variations in BAP inventories were related to site-specific hydrodynamics and geochemical factors, including iron (Fe; r2 = 0.71) and aluminum (Al; r2 = 0.54) concentrations. Most sites behaved as potential sinks for dissolved reactive phosphate during hydrologic events and potential sources during base-flow periods. Through the combination of site-specific factors and geochemical controls, Dorn Creek modifies the amount, timing, and composition of P delivered from the watershed to downstream sites and water bodies.
Factors contributing to variability in larval ingress of Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus

Abstract Annual recruitment levels of age-0 juvenile Atlantic menhaden to Chesapeake Bay, which historically supported >65% of coastwide recruitment, have been consistently low since the 1980s. Diminished larval supply to the Bay is one hypothesized explanation. In a three-year ichthyoplankton survey at the Chesapeake Bay mouth, abundance of ingressing larvae varied nine-fold among years. Larvae were most abundant in 2007–2008 and less abundant in 2005–2006 and 2006–2007. High month-to-month variability in larval concentrations was attributable primarily to seasonality of occurrences. There was no defined spatial pattern in distribution of larvae across the 18-km-wide Bay mouth, but larvae at the south side were longer and older on average than larvae at the middle and north side. Environmental variables measured at the times of larval collections were not correlated consistently with temporal and spatial variability in abundance of larvae at ingress, highlighting complexity and suggesting that abundance may be controlled by processes occurring offshore during the pre-ingress phase. Moreover, the substantial differences in inter-annual abundances of larvae at the Bay mouth were not concordant with subsequent abundances of age-0 juveniles in the three survey years, indicating that important processes affecting recruitment of Atlantic menhaden operate after ingress, during the larval to juvenile transition stage.
Comparison of infrared and wet chemical analysis of urinary tract calculi.

Abstract Infrared analysis of urinary tract calculi using the system of interpretation of spectra of Oliver and Sweet [1] was compared with qualitative wet chemical analysis. This method of interpretation could be learned quickly and gave reproducible results, but had some limitations. Advantages of the infrared procedure include greater reproducibility, 1-mg sample size, greater sensitivity for oxalate and more uniform sensitivities. Minimum detectable amounts of reference standards varied roughly within 1 order of magnitude, compared with a range of 10 5 for wet chemical procedures. The comparable sensitivity for oxalate and phosphate permits a semi-quantitative approach for infrared. The main problems relate to the detection of magnesium ammonium phosphate and carbonate apatite, and wet chemical tests are recommended in addition, when these compounds are suggested. Calculi from 308 patients were analyzed by infrared. With this system of interpretation of spectra, infrared is considered to be a major advance in methodology for analysis of urinary tract calculi in the clinical laboratory, compared with qualitative wet chemical procedures.
Sensitivity Analysis of Gas Production from Class 2 and Class 3 Hydrate Deposits

Gas hydrates are solid crystalline compounds in which gas molecules are lodged within the lattices of an ice-like crystalline solid. The vast quantities of hydrocarbon gases trapped in hydrate formations in the permafrost and in deep ocean sediments may constitute a new and promising energy source. Class 2 hydrate deposits are characterized by a Hydrate-Bearing Layer (HBL) that is underlain by a saturated zone of mobile water. Class 3 hydrate deposits are characterized by an isolated Hydrate-Bearing Layer (HBL) that is not in contact with any hydrate-free zone of mobile fluids. Both classes of deposits have been shown to be good candidates for exploitation in earlier studies of gas production via vertical well designs - in this study we extend the analysis to include systems with varying porosity, anisotropy, well spacing, and the presence of permeable boundaries. For Class 2 deposits, the results show that production rate and efficiency depend strongly on formation porosity, have a mild dependence on formation anisotropy, and that tighter well spacing produces gas at higher rates over shorter time periods. For Class 3 deposits, production rates and efficiency also depend significantly on formation porosity, are impacted negatively by anisotropy, and production rates may be larger,more » over longer times, for well configurations that use a greater well spacing. Finally, we performed preliminary calculations to assess a worst-case scenario for permeable system boundaries, and found that the efficiency of depressurization-based production strategies are compromised by migration of fluids from outside the system.« less
Abstract 5628: Synthetic peptide mimics of LPS: Potential role as novel adjuvants

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the principal structural component of gram negative bacterial cell walls, is a potent activator of the immune system responsible for induction of septic shock or systemic inflammation in patients. This systemic inflammation mainly occurs through the interaction between LPS and toll like receptors (TLR-4 and TLR-2) present on antigen presenting cells (APC) thus leading to inflammatory cytokine (TNFα, IL-12, and IL-1β) secretion. Apart from the negative side effects associated with LPS, it mimics an essential and desirable property sought after in developing an optimal adjuvant, namely inducing inflammation and it is this inflammatory property which enables an adjuvant to act as a catalyst in initiating an optimal immune response. Therefore, development and or identification of a compound(s) which can act as an adjuvant by mimicking LPS but lack its harmful systemic side effects is very intriguing. As an initial approach to develop LPS mimics, we used Peptide Phage Display Technology. The peptide library which we used was composed of random linear 7-mer peptides and we identified several peptides which displayed high reactivity with LPS specific antibodies thus suggesting their capability to function as LPS specific peptide mimics. Upon interaction of LPS with TLR-4 and TLR-2 receptors, the one essential event which is at the core of APC activation and initiation of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). Thus, in order to determine if our peptides functionally mimic LPS, we assessed if they are capable of inducing NFκB nuclear translocation in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells which are stably transfected to express either TLR-4 or TLR-2. The LPS peptide mimics identified in our study were capable of activating both TLR-4 and TLR-2 thus not only validating the fact that they are LPS peptide mimics but that they are functional LPS mimics and are capable of inducing NFκB nuclear translocation just as efficient as LPS. Identification of LPS peptide mimics opens up a new area in the development of adjuvants which can not only induce localized inflammation but also abrogate the systemic effects of LPS. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5628.
Prognosis following interventional therapy for acute myocardial infarction: utility of dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy.

A variety of methods for risk stratification after acute myocardial infarction have been successfully employed, however, little attention has been focused on patients who have received reperfusion the
Treatment-related symptoms during the first year following transperineal 125I prostate implantation

Abstract Purpose: To summarize the urinary, rectal, and sexual symptoms occuring during the first 12 months following 125 I prostatic implantation. Methods and Materials: Thirty-one patients with Stage T 1 or T 2 prostatic carcinoma were evaluated for morbidity following computed tomography-guided transperineal 1251 implants from 1988 to 1991. The median total activity used was 47 mCi (range 35–73 mCi). Toxicity was evaluated using a modification of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grading system. Results: Nocturia was the most common treatment-related symptom, reported by 80% of patients within 2 months after implantation, and persisted at 12 months in 45% of the patients. Mild dysuria developed in 48% of patients within 2 months of implantation; two patients needed analgesics for their dysuria. Terazosin hydrochloride (2–10 mg qd) provided subjective improvement of urinary symptoms in seven of eight patients in whom it was tried. Rectal urgency, soft stools, and increased frequency of bowel movements was reported by 25% of the patients within 1–2 months after implantation. The incidence of assymptomatic rectal bleeding or ulceration occurring at any time after implantation was 47%, but resolved in all patients with expectant treatment. Self-limited ulceration of the rectal mucosal occurred in 16%, but only one patient developed a prostato-rectal fistula, managed with an ileal conduit. Five of the 18 potent patients experienced discomfort on erection or ejaculation, beginning within several weeks of their implant. The discomfort resolved within 6 months in three of the patients, but persisted for 18 and 24 months in the other two. Conclusion: 125 I implantation, as performed in this series, is generally associated with only mild-moderate genitourinary and rectal symptoms that may persist 6 months or more after implantation. Prostatic carcinoma, Brachytherapy, Morbidity.
High Expression of Survivin Is Prognostic of Shorter Survival but Not Predictive of Adjuvant Gemcitabine Benefit in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Overexpression of survivin has been associated with gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but previous studies have shown conflicting results. This study aims to determine its prognostic value in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma with or without adjuvant therapy and its predictive value in adjuvant gemcitabine benefit in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This study included 118 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodectomy from 1999 to 2007, with no neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Forty-five patients received adjuvant gemcitabine. Survivin expression was assessed immunohistochemically and was graded as low (≤10% positive cells) and high (>10% positive cells) by recursive partitioning analysis. Prognostic factors, including tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, perineural invasion, and stage, were identified for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using Cox proportional hazards models. Multivariable analysis of the entire cohort revealed that both high survivin expression and perineural invasion predict significantly shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0, p=0.01; HR 1.9, p=0.01, respectively) and shorter PFS (HR 1.9, p=0.04; HR 3.1, p=0.0006, respectively). Expression of survivin predicts neither OS nor PFS in patients treated with adjuvant gemcitabine. In summary, high expression of survivin is associated with shorter OS and PFS in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma after adjusting for other histopathological factors. However, survivin has no predictive value of adjuvant gemcitabine benefit.
Reporting Medical Information: Effects of Press Releases and Newsworthiness on Medical Journal Articles' Visibility in the News Media

Abstract Background. Characteristics defining newsworthiness of journal articles appearing in JAMA and NEJM were examined to determine if they affect visibility in the news media. It was also hypothesized that press releases affected the amount of news coverage of a journal article due to the fact that the most newsworthy journal articles are selected for press releases. Methods. Journal articles ( N = 95) were coded for characteristics believed to describe the “newsworthiness” of journal articles. Quantity of news coverage of the journal articles was estimated using the LEXIS-NEXIS database. Bivariate associations were examined using one-way analysis of variance, and multivariate analyses utilized OLS regression. Results. Characteristics of the newsworthiness of medical journal articles predicted their visibility in newspapers. The issuing of press releases also predicted newspaper coverage. However, press releases predicted newspaper coverage largely because more newsworthy journal articles had accompanying press releases rather than because the press release itself was influential. Conclusion. Journalists report on medical information that is topical, stratifies risk based on demographic and lifestyle variables, and has lifestyle rather than medical implications. Medical journals issue press releases for articles that possess the characteristics journalists are looking for, thereby further highlighting their importance.
Incubation Relative Humidity Effects on Allantoic Fluid Volume and Hatchability

Four incubation trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of incubation RH on hatchability, allantoic fluid volume, and embryo weight. In Trial 1, White Leghorn eggs were incubated at a RH of 55 or 69% and a dry bulb temperature of 37.8 C and hatchability was determined. In Trial 2, hatchability and allantoic fluid volume were determined (Day 14 of incubation) for eggs incubated at 43, 55, or 69% RH. In Trial 3, allantoic fluid volumes and embryo weights were determined on Days 10, 12, 14, and 16 of incubation for eggs incubated at 40, 55, or 70% RH. In Trial 4, hatchability, allantoic fluid volumes, and embryo weights were determined on Days 13, 14, and 15 of incubation for eggs incubated at 40, 55, or 70% RH from hens 34 and 49 wk of age. There were no differences (P > .05) in hatchability between eggs incubated at 55 or 69% RH in Trial 1, or among eggs incubated at 43, 55, or 69% RH in Trial 2. In Trial 4, hatchability was highest for eggs from 34-wk-old hens incubated at 55% RH. In Trial 2, percentage egg weight loss per day of incubation (.68, .55, and .40%) and projected 19-d weight loss (12.9, 10.45, and 7.6%) decreased significantly with increased incubation RH of 43, 55, and 69%, respectively. Allantoic fluid volume (as a percentage of initial egg weight) on Day 14 of incubation significantly increased with the increase in RH; 13.86, 15.45, and 17.93% for RH of 43, 55, and 69%, respectively. In Trial 3, allantoic fluid volume peaked on Day 14 of incubation and volume increased or decreased with corresponding incubation RH; 14.05, 16.25, and 19.44% for RH of 40, 55, and 70%. In Trial 4, allantoic fluid volume was greatest on Day 13 of incubation and volume increased or decreased with corresponding incubation RH 13.38, 16.91, and 18.68% for eggs from 34-wk-old hens and 11.12, 13.77, and 16.59% for eggs from 49-wk-old hens. Eggs from 49-wk-old hens had lower allantoic fluid volumes, but higher initial egg weights due to greater percentage egg weight loss during incubation. Incubation egg weight loss in different RH appears to result from the corresponding depletion of the allantoic fluid reservoir.
Integrating NanoOptical Biosensors into Nucleic Acid Testing Devices

Nano optical biosensors employ the interaction between biomolecules and light confined in nanometer scale structures to report the bio-recognition events. This small scale sensing area/volume can ensure that small amount of biorecognition events could be detected. The exceptional sensitivity and high spatial density of nano optical biosensors make them unique in practical applications in nucleic acid detection. Lab-on-a-Chip systems provide the capabilities of separation, cell lysing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allowing finishing bio agent detection processes on a chip. In this paper, we present our recent efforts on integrating some novel nanooptical biosensors into Lab-on-a-Chip systems and some preliminary test results.
Curvature in metabolic scaling: A reply to MacKay

The main thread of MacKay’s commentary consists of three points. First, he finds no physical rationale for the quadratic form of the relationship between the logarithms of basal metabolic rate (which he denotes P) and body mass (M) that we employ in our fit. Such an objection confuses statistical models aimed at characterizing properties of data with physical models aimed at explaining them. Second, he notes that a (mass) scale transformation of the data makes the linear term of the quadratic model disappear. While this is true, the quadratic term – capturing curvature in the data and therefore representing our primary interest in the fit – is unaffected by scale transformations. This makes the existence of a ‘‘natural’’ mass scale a moot point in assessing curvature. Third, MacKay proposes a two-step procedure that involves first fitting a linear function to the data and then fitting the resulting residuals to a pure quadratic of the ‘‘variation of logM about its mean.’’ This procedure will produce an inherently worse fit and, consequently, reduce the significance of curvature. We question the value of a statistical model that is sub-optimal by construction. We briefly expand our responses to each point below. 1. In our work (Kolokotrones et al., 2010), we analyzed an extensively curated data set on basal metabolic rates in mammals due to McNab (2008) by comparing the fit of a linear relationship between logP and logM to the fit of a quadratic function:
Where galaxies collide – I. NGC 3077 and star formation in the M81 system

We present and discuss deep B J (0.47 μm), R(0.65 μm), I(0.85 μm), and Hα images of the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 3077, which is suffering a period of enhanced star formation presumably as a result of its acquisition of gaseous material in an encounter with its neighbour, the giant spiral M81. There is a set of distinct partial shells in our R image, indicative of ingestion of matter by NGC 3077. We estimate a current star formation rate of about 0.1 M ⊙ yr −1 over a region about 700 pc across centred on the nucleus.
Investigation of Spiking in Electron Beam Welding Using Stationary Stochastic Models

Abstract : The spiking phenomenon in electron beam welding is characterized using the second order continuous autoregressive model. The model parameters are then physically interpreted in terms of the random fluctuation in the beam power and the diffusion of heat energy in the plates being welded; and a mechanistic model is proposed for the spiking phenomenon. Finally, regression models are obtained to relate the spiking behaviour to the accelerating voltage, the beam current and the welding speed.
Inflorescence hydrocarbons of some species of Solanum L., and their possible taxonomic significance

Abstract A study of the hydrocarbon content of inflorescences of twenty-two tuber-bearing Solanum species has yielded results applicable to the taxonomy of this group. The alkanes, which occur as a portion of the waxy coating on the surface of the plant parts, were purified and the relative amounts of the various components determined using gas-liquid chromatography. All species examined were found to contain both branched (C25C32) and normal (C25C31) components.
Visualizing the human, social, cultural and behavioral components of a complex conflict ecosystem

Creating meaningful visualizations of multi-dimensional human, social, cultural, and behavioral (HSCB) data will provide greater insights to operational decision makers across a large variety of problem domains. Developing and deploying visualization tools presents a variety of challenges to the analytic community, and these are further compounded when presenting information on the non-traditional dimensions of the battlefield encompassed by HSCB domain. Given that the center of gravity in Irregular Warfare is the population, the need for battlefield commanders to understand this information in operationally relevant ways is clear. Here we provide an overview of the challenges in providing visual displays of HSCB data for decision support, and the methods chosen for communicating the output of a social simulation. We use the Cultural Geography model as an example of a social simulation with accompanying visualizations, discuss the importance of display configurations, and propose several paths forward for future work in HSCB data visualization.
Distortion of neural data by “NOTCH” filters

Notch filters, ordinarily used in the physiology laboratory to remove power-frequency ripple from neural spike signals, may introduce unacceptable distortion into neural or other pulsed data. The commonplace parallel-T RC filter is much worse in this respect than bridged-T or active filters and should be avoided if possible.
Studies in man on testicular and adrenal response to adrenocorticotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin.

The present study compares, in the same 17 subjects with normal adrenocortical and testicular function, the response of the urinary total 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-ketosteroids to the slow intravenous administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). In addition, 6 patients with Addison’s disease, bilateral orchiectomy, bilateral orchiectomy and adrcnalectomy, and primary and secondary hypogonadism were studied in order to evaluate: 1) the effect of HCG on adrenocortical secretory activity, 2) the relative contributions to urinary steroid output made by the adrenal cortices and testes, 3) the possible usefulness of changes in urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion as a rapid test of testicular interstitial-cell function, 4) the dose-response effect of intravenously administered HCG, 5) the effect of estrogens and androgens on the excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-ketosteroids, and 6) the possible synergistic effect of ACTH and HCG on the excretion of these s...
Fuzzy finite-element approach for the vibration analysis of imprecisely-defined systems

Abstract Many engineering systems are ill-defined and imprecisely known, especially in the preliminary design phase. It becomes necessary to develop fuzzy finite-element approaches for the design analysis of systems involving vagueness. A methodology using the fuzzy finite-element method (FEM) is proposed for vibration analysis of imprecisely defined systems. Numerical procedures to implement the methodology are presented. Two numerical examples are considered to illustrate the computational effectiveness of the approach. This work represents the first attempt made in the field of fuzzy finite-element analysis involving dynamics.
Early establishment of the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on pepper seedlings in a Predator-in-First approach

The establishment of biocontrol agents is critical for success of biological control strategies. Predator-in-First (PIF) is a prophylactic control strategy that aims to establish predators before the appearance of pests in an agro-ecosystem. PIF uses the ability of generalist phytoseiid mites to survive, develop and reproduce on pollen and thus establish in the absence of prey. The early establishment of populations of natural enemies helps control the pests at their incipient stage of infestation. The current study was undertaken to screen pepper cultivars for their ability to support populations of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias–Henriot in the absence of prey. Twenty-nine pepper cultivars (11 hot and 18 sweet) were tested through a series of experiments, and four cultivars (7141, 992-7141, FPP7039 and FPP9048) were found to sustain A. swirskii populations throughout the study period. The initial application of pollen was important for establishment and maintenance of the predatory mites within the greenhouse system. Among the three screening experiments, high densities of mites were obtained in the experiment where 20 mites were released per plant, even reaching densities of >100 mites/plant. Recovery of predatory mites was significantly higher (ca. 2–3 fold) on the four pepper cultivars when predatory mites were mass released using an indirect method (banker plants) than when they were released directly on the seedlings, suggesting an advantage of passive continuous release. Future work will evaluate the selected pepper cultivars with the PIF strategy under greenhouse and field production conditions.
Cluster analysis of molecular conformations

We describe a method for locating clusters of geometrically similar conformers in ensembles of chemical conformations. We first calculate the pairwise interconformational distance matrix in either torsional or Cartesian space and then use an agglomerative, single-link clustering method to define a hierarchy of clusterings in the same space. Especially good clusterings are distinguished by high values of the separation ratio: the ratio of the shortest intercluster distance to the characteristic threshold distance defining the clustering. We also discuss other statistics. The method has been embodied in a program called XCluster, which can display the distance matrix, the hierarchy of clusterings, and the clustering statistics in a variety of formats. XCluster can also write out the clustered conformations for subsequent or simultaneous viewing with a molecular visualization program. We demonstrate the sorts of insight that this approach affords with examples obtained from conformational search and molecular dynamics procedures. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An experimental study of axial dispersion in a countercurrent magnetically stabilized fluidized bed

Abstract The Magnetically Stabilized Fluidized Bed (MSFB) represents the adaptation of continuous countercurrent separation technology to a fluidized gas—solid or liquid—solid adsorptive separation. The results of this experimental study demonstrate recent advances in the efficiency of this separation technology. This study focused on the axial dispersion in an MSFB and methods for its reduction; axial dispersion accounts for up to 95% of the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) of an MSFB. For uniform magnetic field operation, axial dispersion is minimized by operating at the minimum fluidizing flow rate with the magnetic field at the lowest strength that is capable of stabilizing the bed. The lowest dispersion, D = 0.0245 cm 2 /s, occurred at 20 G and minimum fluidization velocity. The use of a magnetic field that is applied intermittently instead of a continuous magnetic field to stabilize a magnetically susceptible fluidized bed has demonstrated an axial dispersion reduction of 79% relative to the optimum operation at a low stabilizing magnetic field strength of 40 G.
Absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide at 4.3 μm

Abstract The absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide has been recorded in the wavenumber region 2395-2216 cm −1 with a spectral resolution between 0.02 and 0.03 cm −1 . About twenty transitions have been identified and the molecular constants of the levels involved have been evaluated. In view of the interest of this region in atmospheric studies a map of the entire spectrum recorded by using a normal sample of carbon dioxide is presented including the identifications for the different bands. About 90% of the lines observed have been interpreted. Some of them have been assigned to transitions originating from higher excited states of 12 C 16 O 2 not considered before in interpreting this spectral region. For the first time, bands of 12 C 16 O 17 O have been identified in the 4.3-μm spectra obtained with the natural sample.