cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep myocardial ablation lesions can be created with a retractable needle-tipped catheter.

SAPP, J.L., ET AL.: Deep Myocardial Ablation Lesions Can Be Created with a Retractable Needle-Tipped Catheter. RF catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia is sometimes limited by inadequate lesion depth. This study investigated the use of a retractable needle-tipped catheter to create deep RF lesions in vivo in porcine myocardium. An 8 Fr electrode catheter with an extendable 27-gauge needle at the tip was modified for RF ablation by embedding a thermocouple and attaching a pin connector. In three swine (32‐58 kg) the left ventricle was entered via the femoral artery and endocardial contact was made. The needle was advanced 10 mm and 13 RF applications were made under a controlled temperature (90 ◦ C × 120 s). Nine control lesions were made using a standard 4-mm tip catheter (60 ◦ C × 120 s). The lesions were fixed, serially sectioned from the endocardium, digitally imaged, and quantified. Needle ablation lesions were deeper (10.15 ± 0.77 vs 5.67 ± 0.37 mm, P 6 mm, the needle electrode lesions had a greater cross-sectional area (0.136 ± 0.01 vs 0.005 ± 0.004 cm 2 ,P < 0.001). Catheter-based needle ablation is feasible and allows creation of deeper lesions that can be transmural. Although deep, the lesions had a small cross-sectional area such that precise targeting would be required for success. (PACE 2004; 27:594‐599)
Endometriosis, need for a multidisciplinary clinical setting: the internist’s point of view

Endometriosis is a common condition characterized by proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, both in the pelvis and in other extra-pelvic sites. The clinical picture of endometriosis is widely heterogeneous. A correct diagnostic work-up of these patients can sometimes be very difficult, since there are a number of gynecological, intestinal and systemic diseases mimicking endometriosis, as well as other conditions that could be associated with or are a consequence of this disorder. Therefore, multidisciplinary care should be encouraged to ensure correct evaluation and improve the management of these patients.
Thirdhand cigarette smoke: factors affecting exposure and remediation

Thirdhand smoke (THS) refers to components of secondhand smoke that stick to indoor surfaces and persist in the environment. Little is known about exposure levels and possible remediation measures to reduce potential exposure in contaminated areas. This study deals with the effect of aging on THS components and evaluates possible exposure levels and remediation measures. We investigated the concentration of nicotine, five nicotine related alkaloids, and three tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in smoke exposed fabrics. Two different extraction methods were used. Cotton terry cloth and polyester fleece were exposed to smoke in controlled laboratory conditions and aged before extraction. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used for chemical analysis. Fabrics aged for 19 months after smoke exposure retained significant amounts of THS chemicals. During aqueous extraction, cotton cloth released about 41 times as much nicotine and about 78 times the amount of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) as polyester after one hour of aqueous extraction. Concentrations of nicotine and TSNAs in extracts of terry cloth exposed to smoke were used to estimate infant/toddler oral exposure and adult dermal exposure to THS. Nicotine exposure from THS residue can be 6.8 times higher in toddlers and 24 times higher in adults and TSNA exposure can be 16 times higher in toddlers and 56 times higher in adults than what would be inhaled by a passive smoker. In addition to providing exposure estimates, our data could be useful in developing remediation strategies and in framing public health policies for indoor environments with THS.
The BTeV vertex trigger

Abstract BTeV is a Fermilab beauty and charm colliding-beam physics experiment that is expected to become operational after 2007. It is unique in that tracking and vertexing are done in the Level 1 trigger in real time by large parallel processing farms. This article will detail the progress that has been made in designing and testing the trigger components needed to build such a system. The current trigger status and future research and development will also be presented.
Understanding individual human mobility patterns

The mapping of large-scale human movements is important for urban planning, traffic forecasting and epidemic prevention. Work in animals had suggested that their foraging might be explained in terms of a random walk, a mathematical rendition of a series of random steps, or a Levy flight, a random walk punctuated by occasional larger steps. The role of Levy statistics in animal behaviour is much debated — as explained in an accompanying News Feature — but the idea of extending it to human behaviour was boosted by a report in 2006 of Levy flight-like patterns in human movement tracked via dollar bills. A new human study, based on tracking the trajectory of 100,000 cell-phone users for six months, reveals behaviour close to a Levy pattern, but deviating from it as individual trajectories show a high degree of temporal and spatial regularity: work and other commitments mean we are not as free to roam as a foraging animal. But by correcting the data to accommodate individual variation, simple and predictable patterns in human travel begin to emerge. The cover photo (by Cesar Hidalgo) captures human mobility in New York's Grand Central Station. This study used a sample of 100,000 mobile phone users whose trajectory was tracked for six months to study human mobility patterns. Displacements across all users suggest behaviour close to the Levy-flight-like pattern observed previously based on the motion of marked dollar bills, but with a cutoff in the distribution. The origin of the Levy patterns observed in the aggregate data appears to be population heterogeneity and not Levy patterns at the level of the individual. Despite their importance for urban planning1, traffic forecasting2 and the spread of biological3,4,5 and mobile viruses6, our understanding of the basic laws governing human motion remains limited owing to the lack of tools to monitor the time-resolved location of individuals. Here we study the trajectory of 100,000 anonymized mobile phone users whose position is tracked for a six-month period. We find that, in contrast with the random trajectories predicted by the prevailing Levy flight and random walk models7, human trajectories show a high degree of temporal and spatial regularity, each individual being characterized by a time-independent characteristic travel distance and a significant probability to return to a few highly frequented locations. After correcting for differences in travel distances and the inherent anisotropy of each trajectory, the individual travel patterns collapse into a single spatial probability distribution, indicating that, despite the diversity of their travel history, humans follow simple reproducible patterns. This inherent similarity in travel patterns could impact all phenomena driven by human mobility, from epidemic prevention to emergency response, urban planning and agent-based modelling.
Nuclear localization of DEDD leads to caspase-6 activation through its death effector domain and inhibition of RNA polymerase I dependent transcription

Nuclear localization of DEDD leads to caspase-6 activation through its death effector domain and inhibition of RNA polymerase I dependent transcription
The Effects of Treatment on the Direct Costs of Diabetes

Treatment of diabetic complications consumes health care resources. Intensive therapy was shown by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) to avert complications. Economic analyses and models have been used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intensive therapy for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. An economic analysis of the DCCT estimated the cost of intensive therapy to be two to three times greater than that of conventional therapy. In contrast, an economic model predicts that intensive therapy, as compared with conventional therapy, could reduce blindness from 34 to 20% or by 41%, end-stage renal disease from 24 to 7% or by 71%, and lower-extremity amputations from 7 to 4% or by 43%. Although intensive therapy is more expensive, when the costs of complications are factored in, it becomes cost-effective for treatment of type 1 diabetes. Similarly, a model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intensive therapy for people with type 2 diabetes found that the lifetime costs of general and diabetes-related medical care would be approximately two times greater. However, the reduction in lifetime costs of complications, which would produce substantial reductions in costs of treatment, largely offsets the difference. Intensive therapy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be more expensive than conventional therapy, but from an economic perspective, it is comparable in cost to pharmacological therapies for people with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. From a health system viewpoint, intensive therapy represents a fruitful long-term financial investment.
Heat transfer from a simulated shuttle external tank in the naturally turbulent outdoor environment

To estimate the local heat-transfer coefficients around an external-tank (ET) surface, a 9.8-m-high by 8.4-m-diameter ET simulator is constructed, instrumented, and tested in the naturally turbulent outdoor environment. Two different configurations under which the testing is conducted are described. The time-average, local values of Nusselt number at time-average Reynolds numbers of 2.2 x 10 to the 6th, 2.6 x 10 to the 6th, and 4.5 x 10 to the 6th are presented. It is shown that, at the same Reynolds numbers, the heat transfer coefficients due to the atmospheric airflow are higher than those due to airflow in a low-turbulent-intensity wind tunnel.
Dris evaluation of n, p, k status of determinent soybeans in Brazil

Abstract The Diagnois and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has advantage over the critical value method to assess the state of nutrient balance of plants because it utilizes nutrient ratio relationships. The DRIS method was evaluated utilizing 3 data sets of N, P, and K foliar analyses of determinent soybeans from P‐response experiments in Brazil. Evaluation of data sets collected at growth stage R‐2 resulted in lowest calculated DRIS sum, an indication of highest degree of nutrient balance, to conform to highest yield. The DRIS method proved useful as a analytical tool to evaluate responsiveness of soybeans to phosphorus fertilizer materials. Foliar analyses of plants approaching maturity, R‐7, would indicate a different order of nutrient requirements than when collected at growth stages R‐2 or R‐5. This would suggest that DRIS, as a nutrient status evaluation instru‐ ment, also has limitations as to plant age. The order of requirement appears to account for judgement of high and low levels of nut...
Mid-IR nonlinear integrated silicon photonics

This tutorial will focus on the emerging technology area of nonlinear mid-IR Si photonics. This area offers many technical surprises and possibilities. Nonlinear optical waveguide phenomena have only recently been investigated for the standard telecommunications wavelength. This work has shown that the nonlinear propagation of the optical wave in Si wire waveguides allows them to be considered as a “Fiber on Chip”, that is their nonlinear functionality is close to that of an optical fiber but with microscopic dimensions and length-scales. Thus, central nonlinear effects such as pulse shortening, soliton generation, four-wave-mixing, and cross- or self-phase modulation have now been demonstrated in a fully integrated Si chip format and shown that they can be used for a series of important applications in high-speed measurements and data communications.
The Cenozoic and Late Cretaceous evolution of the Indian Ocean Basin: uncertainties in the reconstructed positions of the Indian, African and Antarctic plates

Reconstructions of the relative positions of the Indian, African, and Antarctic plates and their uncertainties are given for the times of selected magnetic anomalies that could be identified on adjacent pairs of these plates. Among the most certain reconstructions are those for the Antarctic and African plates, which can be determined directly from recently published magnetic anomalies from both sides of the Southwest Indian Ridge. As Patriat and his colleagues reported, there was an important change in direction and a decrease in rate of separation between Africa and Antarctica between the times of anomalies 33 and 20. India moved rapidly away from both Africa and Antarctica in the Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary periods, but slowed markedly near the time of anomaly 20 (≅ 45 Myr). The positions of the Indian plate with respect to the others are poorly constrained between the times of anomaly 5 (≅ 10 Myr) and anomaly 23 (≅ 54 Myr), but using the reconstructions of the African and Antarctic plates, the uncertainties can be reduced. Despite the relatively large uncertainties, the positions of anomalies 5, 6, and 13 on the Antarctic and Indian plates apparently cannot be described by the same parameters that describe the history of separation of Australia and Antarctica. Therefore, Stein and Okal's contention that Australia and India lie on separate plates appears to be valid not only for the present, but for the last 35 Myr.
A computer interfaced, programmed stimulator for intracranial self-stimulation

Abstract The design and performance characteristics of a computer interfaced, preprogrammed stimulator suitable for intracranial self-stimulation research are described. This low cost, multifunctional unit eliminates the necessity for external programming equipment and, when employed in conjunction with a computer, provides for direct, on line collection and storage of data.
Post-metaphysical and radical humanist thought in the writings of Machiavelli and Nietzsche

E sara mia colpa, se cosi e? —MACHIAVELLI 1 …siamo contenti? son dio, ho fatto questa caricatura. —NIETZSCHE2 1 “And will it be my fault if things are so?”—Stendhal [1, p. 35]. It is doubtful that...
A study of hydrogen adsorption on a (100) tungsten surface using a simple HEED system

Abstract The adsorption of hydrogen on tungsten (100) has been studied using HEED and flash desorption. A c(2 × 2) structure was observed. Microdensitometer traces of the diffraction patterns showed that with increasing hydrogen exposure the intensity of the extra beams increased, reached a maximum value and then the beams split and finally disappeared. All extra beams were broad, those viewed along the (100) azimuth broader than those in the (110). The extra beams can be attributed to scattering from hydrogen atoms adsorbed with a c(2 × 2) structure in very small square islands on the (100) surface.
Optimal inventory and disposal policies in response to a sale

Abstract We construct and analyze an EOQ-type model for a buyer who is just informed of a temporary sale. The buyer is assumed to have an option to place special orders and an option to dispose some of his on-hand inventory. The key feature differentiating our model from the extant literature on inventory models is that the optimal inventory and disposal policies are fully integrated and simultaneously determined. The optimal policies are fully integrated and simultaneously determined. The optimal policies are derived in closed form from comparing cost savings of various cases of strategies, and several interesting managerial insights are obtained by analyzing the closed-form optimal policies.
Improved comprehension of object names following voice output communication aid use: Two case studies

This paper describes two case studies of children learning to use voice output communication aids (VOCAs). Both children were under 6 years of age and had severe cognitive disabilities. Intervention consisted of teaching the children to use their VOCAs in joint activity routines to request items. We measured the participants' comprehension of targeted vocabulary before and during intervention. Both participants learned to request a total of six different objects using their VOCAs. In addition, they showed evidence of increased comprehension skills for the names of the objects requested. These results suggest the need for further research demonstrating a causal relationship between VOCA use and gains in speech comprehension.
Ab initio electronic structure of superionic conductor Li3P

Abstract Lithium phosphide (Li 3 P) has recently been introduced as a good lithium ion conductor. Results of ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations for the electronic structure and the optimized lattice parameters for the hexagonal P6/mmm space group are reported. The total energy, band structure, density of states and charge densities are obtained. The results demonstrate how the band structure of the insulator Li 3 P can be derived from the band structure of its metallic constituent Li 2 P and Li monolayers. The metal-insulator transition occurs if the inter-plane distance falls below 4.24 A.
TU‐G‐211‐07: Combined NaF PET and FDG PET Based Assesment of Bone Metastasis Response after Chemotherapy Using Kinetic Analysis

Purpose: The differentiation between the residual tumor activity and the osseous reaction to the tumor is essential for therapy assessment of bone metastases. The 18‐F‐Sodium Fluoride (NaF) uptake reflects the osteoblastic process, while the FDG uptake reflects the tumor metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the assessment of treatment response with the kinetic analysis of concurrent NaF/FDG PET/CT images for specific clinical cases. Methods: Three prostate adenocarcinomas were treated with chemotherapy and imaged twice with NaF/FDG PET/CT: a baseline scan and a second scan after four weeks of chemotherapy. The NaF/FDG PET/CT imaging started with NaF injection, followed by 100 min dynamic PETimaging. Next, FDG was injected and followed by an additional 45 min of dynamic PETimaging. Macroparameters K_NaF and K_FDG (defined as K=K1×k3/(k2+k3)) were obtained by compartmental kinetic analysis. The accuracy of the kinetic parameter estimations was evaluated with simulations. Bone metastases were segmented (29 total). The ratio of mid‐therapy to pre‐therapy mean K_FDG and K_NaF parameters, which measured the response to therapy, was calculated for each metastasis. Results: The simulations revealed that the K_NaF and K_FDG estimations are highly correlated to the simulated value (r=0.9) while an estimated error is 50%. The K_FDG response and the K_NaF response are moderately correlated (r=0.7), but the mean K_FDG response over all the metastases is 0.7 while the mean K_NaF response is 0.9. The patterns in K_FDG and K_NaF parametric images are similar, but displaced and slightly distorted. Conclusions: Tumor metabolism and bone repair process can be imaged separately at the same time point using the presented imaging protocol, which was validated with simulations. The addition of FDG PETimaging to the osseous NaF PETimaging provides additional information to treatment response and has the potential to improve the assessment of bone metastasis in therapy.
Understanding the "Family Gap" in Pay for Women with Children

As the gender gap in pay between women and men has been narrowing, the 'family gap' in pay between mothers and nonmothers has been widening. One reason may be the institutional structure in the United States, which has emphasized equal pay and opportunity policies but not family policies, in contrast to other countries that have implemented both. The authors now have evidence on the links between one such family policy and women's pay. Recent research suggests that maternity leave coverage, by raising women's retention after childbirth, also raises women's levels of work experience, job tenure, and pay.
The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility, Present and Future

The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility was developed to take advantage of an existing accelerator complex, and to provide the U.S. with an ISOL (isotope separation on-line) radioactive ion beam facility. In spite of the very modest initial investment, the HRIBF is now producing a steady stream of important scientific results. This paper briefly reviews the operation of the facility, outlines some recent developments, and discusses how these have been applied to our scientific program. Finally, a brief discussion is provided of our vision of the development of the HIRBF during the roughly ten-year period that separates us from the availability of RIA.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells regulate T cell and B cell responses during autoimmune disease.

MDSCs are a heterogeneous group of myeloid cells that suppress T cell activity in cancer and autoimmune disease. The effect of MDSCs on B cell function is not clear. Using the CIA model of autoimmune disease, we found an increase in M-MDSCs in the periphery of WT mice with CIA compared with naive mice. These MDSCs were absent from the periphery of CCR2(-/-) mice that developed exacerbated disease. M-MDSCs, isolated from immunized mice, inhibited autologous CD4(+) T cell proliferation. The M-MDSC-mediated suppression of T cell proliferation was NO and IFN-γ dependent but IL-17 independent. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that M-MDSCs from CIA mice also inhibited autologous B cell proliferation and antibody production. The suppression of B cells by M-MDSCs was dependent on the production of NO and PGE2 and required cell-cell contact. Administration of M-MDSCs rescued CCR2(-/-) mice from the exacerbated CIA phenotype and ameliorated disease in WT mice. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of M-MDSCs reduced autoantibody production by CCR2(-/-) and WT mice. In summary, M-MDSCs inhibit T cell and B cell function in CIA and may serve as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of autoimmune arthritis.
Noradrenergic innervation of rabbit pancreatic ganglia.

Abstract Sympathetic nerve stimulation indirectly regulates pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion, in part, through actions on the cholinergic parasympathetic innervation of the secretory tissues. Earlier work identified noradrenergic nerves in pancreatic ganglia and demonstrated the effects of exogenous norepinephrine (NE) on synaptic transmission but no quantitative studies of ganglionic NE content and release exist. Therefore, the distribution and density of catecholamine (CA)-containing nerves in rabbit pancreatic ganglia were studied using paraformaldehyde/glutaraldehyde (FAGLU) staining and HPLC analysis of CA concentrations. Neural release of [ 3 H]NE was measured in ganglia isolated from the head/neck or body regions of the pancreas. CA-containing nerves densely innervated most ganglia (86%) from both regions, while neural and non-neural CA-containing cell bodies were rarely found. Ganglia from the head/neck region contained significantly higher concentrations of NE. Both 40 mM K + and veratridine evoked Ca 2+ -dependent [ 3 H]NE release and tetrodotoxin inhibited 80% of veratridine-stimulated release. ω-Conotoxin GVIA alone antagonized veratridine-stimulated release by 40% but the addition of nifedipine or ω-agatoxin IVA caused no further inhibition. There were no apparent regional differences in the Ca 2+ -dependence or toxin-sensitivity of NE release. In conclusion, ganglia throughout the rabbit pancreas receive a dense, functional noradrenergic innervation and NE release is dependent upon N- but not P/Q- or L-type voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels. These noradrenergic nerves may indirectly regulate pancreatic secretion through actions on ganglionic transmission.
Development of a National Marine Oil Transportation System Model

Abstract This paper presents the development of a model of the marine oil transportation in the United States. NMOTSM, the National Marine Oil Transportation System Model, is a high-level strategic decision-making tool that will be used to systematically identify causes of oil spills and prioritize oil pollution R and D needs for prevention and response. Three distinct phases in the analysis are identified, namely the formulation of the oil transport model, the risk and safety performance assessment and the evaluation of potential prevention, and response measures and approaches.
Sex-role identity and Leadership style: Different labels for the same concept?

This study represents an attempt to show a relationship between leader behavior and sex-role identification. Leadership style is measured by the Leadership Behavior Description Questionnaire (Stogdill, Goode, & Day, 1962) and sex-role identification by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (Bem, 1974). Subjects register a strong preference for a “masculine team” manager. Results support a connection between masculine characteristics and structuring behavior as a leader, but do not uphold hypotheses for the relationship between sex-role identity and leadership style. It is suggested that research should attempt to study each of the four dimensions of sex-role identity and leadership style as independent concepts.
Pathogen impacts on plant diversity in variable environments

Environmental variability can promote species diversity when species respond differently to environmental conditions, via the storage effect. Pathogens, predators and other shared consumers can also facilitate coexistence when they differentially limit common species. However, it remains unclear how environmental variation and consumers interact to determine species diversity. Here, I use a model based on California annual grassland plants to show that a generalist pathogen with no host specificity can enhance the positive effect of environmental variability on diversity. The model predicts that pathogens can promote diversity by increasing the covariance between the environment and competition, enhancing the storage effect. However, pathogen impacts depend on life history. Pathogens that infect germinating seeds or plants tend to increase the storage effect, whereas those that infect dormant seeds can undermine the storage effect by eliminating population buffering during unfavorable years. These results suggest that pathogens may mediate plant responses to environmental variability and change, and in doing so may maintain diversity.
Receptors and Lipid Transfer Proteins in HDL Metabolism

It is believed that HDL exerts its anti-atherogenic effects through the process of delivering cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for removal from the body (i.e., reverse cholesterol transport). The metabolic life cycle of HDL lipid and apolipoproteins during reverse cholesterol transport involves both its modification in plasma by lipid transfer proteins and the clearance from plasma of HDL lipid and protein mediated by hepatic cell surface proteins. We review recent work from our laboratory that focuses on specific metabolic steps in reverse cholesterol transport and the results of altering these steps on plasma HDL levels and atherosclerosis. Recently, SR-BI was shown to be an authentic HDL receptor mediating the selective uptake of HDL lipids into cells without degradation of HDL proteins. We discuss the evidence for additional receptor activity mediating HDL protein catabolism in the liver from studies in obese (ob/ob) mice, which have markedly increased HDL due to a defect in hepatic catabolism of apoA-I and apoA-II. In addition, we review recent findings that phospholipid transfer protein deficiency in mice results in markedly reduced HDL levels. Lastly, we highlight our findings that overexpression of SR-BI in LDL receptor-deficient mice results in decreased atherosclerosis.
The dietary supplement ephedrine induces b-adrenergic mediated exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus in NZM391 mice:

The dietary supplement and adrenergic receptor agonist ephedrine has been a controversial topic as its safety has been questioned. Beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) activation causes immunomodulation, which may contribute to promotion of autoimmune pathology. This report investigated the ability of ephedrine to exacerbate processes associated with autoimmune disease in a lupus-prone mouse model. To mimic human supplementation, ephedrine was administered to NZM391 (lupus-prone) and BALB/c (nonlupus prone) mice orally twice a day for three months at a dose of 50 and 100 microg/day. Some ephedrine-treated NZM391 mice also were preadministered the beta-AR antagonist propranolol to investigate beta-AR involvement. Mice were bled monthly, and sera were assayed for a variety of lupus manifestations and immunological measurements. In NZM391 males and females, both doses of ephedrine significantly increased lupus manifestations, including IgG production and organ-directed autoantibody titers, and significantly lowered the ratio of IgG2a/IgG1 compared to controls. Ephedrine significantly decreased female lifespan and significantly increased circulating populations of plasma cells (CD38(hi) CD19(lo) cytoplasmic IgG+) and CD40+ B1a cells, while preventing an age-related decrease in the B1a cell population expressing a high level of CD5. While ephedrine induced gender-specific immunomodulation in BALB/c mice, increases in the lupus manifestations of anti-dsDNA titers and serum urea nitrogen were not detected. Preadministration of propranolol decreased lupus manifestations and serum levels of IgG and IgE in ephedrine-treated mice, but did not block the shift towards IgG1 production. These findings indicate that ephedrine via beta-AR can exacerbate lupus symptoms in NZM391 mice and that blockade of the beta-ARs on B cells, and not T cells, apparently was of greater importance as the inhibition of lupus symptoms corresponded to an inhibition of immunoglobulin levels, not a change of Th1/Th2 balance.
Identification of Genes Potentially Regulated by Human Polynucleotide Phosphorylase (hPNPaseold-35) Using Melanoma as a Model

Human Polynucleotide Phosphorylase (hPNPaseold-35 or PNPT1) is an evolutionarily conserved 3′→5′ exoribonuclease implicated in the regulation of numerous physiological processes including maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis, mtRNA import and aging-associated inflammation. From an RNase perspective, little is known about the RNA or miRNA species it targets for degradation or whose expression it regulates; except for c-myc and miR-221. To further elucidate the functional implications of hPNPaseold-35 in cellular physiology, we knocked-down and overexpressed hPNPaseold-35 in human melanoma cells and performed gene expression analyses to identify differentially expressed transcripts. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that knockdown of hPNPaseold-35 resulted in significant gene expression changes associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and cholesterol biosynthesis; whereas overexpression of hPNPaseold-35 caused global changes in cell-cycle related functions. Additionally, comparative gene expression analyses between our hPNPaseold-35 knockdown and overexpression datasets allowed us to identify 77 potential “direct” and 61 potential “indirect” targets of hPNPaseold-35 which formed correlated networks enriched for cell-cycle and wound healing functional association, respectively. These results provide a comprehensive database of genes responsive to hPNPaseold-35 expression levels; along with the identification new potential candidate genes offering fresh insight into cellular pathways regulated by PNPT1 and which may be used in the future for possible therapeutic intervention in mitochondrial- or inflammation-associated disease phenotypes.
Final precession angles for pulsed ferrite samples

A theoretical study has been made of the transient motion of the magnetization vector in isotropic ferrite spheres during the application of pulsed magnetic fields at an angle to the dc saturating field. Results are presented which permit the determination of the final precession angle for 1) arbitrary pulse-rise rates and pulsing angles when the pulse is linear, and 2) arbitrary pulsing angles when the pulse is slowly rising and nonlinear.
SU-E-T-344: Practicality of Pyroelectric X-Ray Sources for Grenz and Conventional Radiotherapy

Purpose:Pyroelectric crystals can be used as a compact and low cost source for electrons and high energy photons. Only periodic heating cycles are required for energy input. In this study we examine the performance of a simulated pyroelectric x‐ray source in delivering a single 2Gy dose fraction for soft x‐ray (Grenz) and dermatological conventional x‐ray radiotherapy. Grenz radiotherapy applications include the treatment of persistent dermatitis and psoriasis. Methods:Dosedelivery was calculated as the energy deposited per photon in soft tissue for a monoenergetic x‐ray source with a beam area of 1.0cm2. Monoenergetic x‐ray photon energies between 1 and 30keV were plotted for delivered tissue dose between 1 and 3 mm tissue depth in 100 micron volume recording elements. From prior experimentation 5×1013 electrons emitted are assumed to be converted to 5.84×1010 photons per pyroelectric crystal heating cycle. Absorbed photons are assumed to deliver full energy dose upon absorption.Delivered volume element dose, average dose, heating cycles per fractional dose, and energy absorption efficiency are used as metrics for application performance. Results:Deliveredphotons between 8−15KeV produced the lowest number of cycles for delivereddoses to 2 and 3mm tissue depth. At 10keV a 2Gy fractional dose can be delivered at 2mm depth in 11 heating cycles. At energies below 6keV, nearly 100% energy deposition occurs within 1 mm, and the dose is delivered to shallow to cover treatment volume depth. Above 15keV, dosedelivery efficiency decreases, requiring 106 cycles at 80keV to deliver 2Gy at 3mm. Conclusions: Further study in device design will seek to maximize pyroelectric output x‐ray flux, decrease cycle time, and increase treatment coverage area using tiled sources. With decreased cycle times and increased flux, pyroelectricsources can be practical for photonradiotherapy applications.
Interests and instrument: a micro-history of object Wh.3469 (X-ray powder diffraction camera, ca. 1940).

Abstract This paper presents a micro-history of an object in the collection of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science (accession no. Wh.3469), with an emphasis on how Wh.3469 reflects a hybrid of two different interwar British X-ray crystallographic communities, namely those based in WL Bragg’s physics laboratory at the Victoria University of Manchester and the Crystallographic Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. It explores connections between Wh.3469’s final design and construction and the different interests each community had in X-ray crystallography.
Work productivity loss from depression: evidence from an employer survey

National working groups identify the need for return on investment research conducted from the purchaser perspective; however, the field has not developed standardized methods for measuring the basic components of return on investment, including costing out the value of work productivity loss due to illness. Recent literature is divided on whether the most commonly used method underestimates or overestimates this loss. The goal of this manuscript is to characterize between and within variation in the cost of work productivity loss from illness estimated by the most commonly used method and its two refinements. One senior health benefit specialist from each of 325 companies employing 100+ workers completed a cross-sectional survey describing their company size, industry and policies/practices regarding work loss which allowed the research team to derive the variables needed to estimate work productivity loss from illness using three methods. Compensation estimates were derived by multiplying lost work hours from presenteeism and absenteeism by wage/fringe. Disruption correction adjusted this estimate to account for co-worker disruption, while friction correction accounted for labor substitution. The analysis compared bootstrapped means and medians between and within these three methods. The average company realized an annual $617 (SD = $75) per capita loss from depression by compensation methods and a $649 (SD = $78) loss by disruption correction, compared to a $316 (SD = $58) loss by friction correction (p < .0001). Agreement across estimates was 0.92 (95% CI 0.90, 0.93). Although the methods identify similar companies with high costs from lost productivity, friction correction reduces the size of compensation estimates of productivity loss by one half. In analyzing the potential consequences of method selection for the dissemination of interventions to employers, intervention developers are encouraged to include friction methods in their estimate of the economic value of interventions designed to improve absenteeism and presenteeism. Business leaders in industries where labor substitution is common are encouraged to seek friction corrected estimates of return on investment. Health policy analysts are encouraged to target the dissemination of productivity enhancing interventions to employers with high losses rather than all employers. Clinical trials registration number: NCT01013220 .
Analytical solutions for storm tide codes

A sequence of analytical solutions explore aspects of response patterns expected from numerical codes for storm tides in one- and two-dimensional basins. Complete analytical details of the solutions are provided, together with specific suggestions for an associated set of analytical benchmark tests. Illustrations of predicted response patterns provide the basis for a discussion of many significant physical aspects and their representation in discrete numerical codes.
High-methoxyl pectin has greater enhancing effect on glucose uptake in intestinal perfused rats.

Abstract Objective Pectins have been known to decrease blood glucose levels. However, the mechanism of this effect is unclear. The direct action of various pectins (high- or low-methoxyl pectins) on the intestinal absorption of glucose was investigated in gut-perfused rats. Methods After equilibrium, jejunal and ileal segments were simultaneously perfused with an isotonic electrolyte solution (pH 7.4) containing glucose (10 mM/L) and high- or low-methoxyl pectins (10 g/L). Each test or control solution was perfused in a random sequence, with perfusion times of 30 min. Changes in glucose concentration of perfusate solution reservoir were determined over the experimental period. Results High- and low-methoxyl pectins in the perfusate significantly inhibited jejunal uptake of glucose compared with the control ( P Conclusions These results suggest that the decrease in intestinal absorption of glucose observed after perfusion of high- or low-methoxyl pectins may be caused by viscosity-related increases in mucosal unstirred layer thickness.
Independent signal transduction pathways for IL-1 and TNF in LPS-tolerant macrophages

Macrophages rendered "tolerant" by pretreatment with low-dose endotoxin (LPSp) release less TNF and more IL-1 in response to a second activating endotoxin exposure (LPSa). We hypothesized that LPSp pretreatment alters signal transduction pathways for TNF and IL-1 independently. The effect of pretreatment with LPSp alone was compared to pretreatment with LPSp plus defined second-messenger pathway agonists or antagonists. Murine peritoneal macrophages were pretreated in vitro for 4 hr with LPSp or PMA or LPSp plus protein kinase C inhibitor (PKCi) or 8-bromo-cAMP. Cells were then washed and cultured with medium alone for 20 hr. Macrophages were also pretreated with LPSp plus indomethacin for the total 24-hr pretreatment interval. Cells were then stimulated for 24 hr with LPSa, after which supernatant TNF and IL-1 were measured by bioassay. In the absence of LPSp, mediators were increased by LPSa in a dose-dependent manner. LPSp pretreatment inhibited TNF and augmented IL-1 in response to LPSa. Pretreatment with PMA partially reproduced LPSp pretreatment. Pretreatment with PKCi alone increased both TNF and IL-1 release by LPSa. The combination of LPSp plus PKCi pretreatment further enhanced IL-1 release without affecting TNF inhibition. The addition of indomethacin had a similar effect. The combination of LPSp plus 8-bromo-cAMP blocked the augmentation of IL-1 without changing TNF inhibition. Macrophage endotoxin tolerance following LPSp pretreatment alters LPSa-triggered TNF and IL-1 release by independent signal transduction pathways.
Offset Slices for Multidirection Layered Deposition

Layered Manufacturing (LM) techniques build a part by adding thin layers of material. In this process, overhangs need to be supported by sacrificial supports, resulting in an increase in the build time, wastage of material, and costly post-processing. Metal-based LM machines with the capability to deposit material along multiple directions resolve most of the above problems. Importantly, these machines can deposit nonplanar slices. In this paper, we study such slices and present a task framework for their use with multidirectional layered deposition machines. The aim of the analysis is to identify part subvolumes that can be built using nonplanar slices for a process-dependent overhang angle. Solution methodologies for 2D, extruded parts, and general 3D parts are presented. Algorithms and illustrative example parts are included.
Fallout 137Cs: Direct aerial transfer as an important source of foliar deposition

Abstract A 4 acre stand of alfalfa was systematically sampled and analyzed for 137 Cs during the 1965 growing season. In addition, the deposition of fallout 137 Cs in rainfall and surface air concentrations were measured. A small section of the field was covered to exclude fallout deposition by rainfall. The 137 Cs in alfalfa in the open field increased during rainless periods, while during the rainy periods the alfalfa levels often decreased. While the levels in the open field were higher than under the shelter, the differences were not great enough to indicate that deposition from rainfall was a primary factor in the contamination of alfalfa in the normal environment. Overall deposition velocities for transfer of surface air 137 Cs to vegetation were calculated by neglecting the possibility of contamination for rain, but considering the exponential decay-rate of deposited 137 Cs. Overall deposition velocities were calculated for transfer of surface air 137 Cs to vegetation without regard for deposition from rain in the open field and compared with the deposition velocities calculated for the covered alfalfa. For a first cutting of alfalfa, which grew from late May through July, the deposition velocities were 920 and 690 m/day, for unsheltered and sheltered alfalfa, respectively. The equivalent deposition velocities for a second harvest were 260 and 310 m/day for unsheltered and sheltered alfalfa.
Attachment Relationships in Infant Twins: The Effect of Co-Twin Presence During Separation from Mother

In this study the roles of the mother and the co-twin in inhibiting emotional arousal and reducing manifest distress of a twin who had been isolated in a modified strange situation were compared. The subjects were 15 children, each a member of a twin pair. The subjects were placed in a playroom under three conditions in the following order: (a) mother and twins present; (b) twins together, mother absent; (c) subject isolated from both co-twin and mother. The episodes in which all partners were together were alternated with brief separations. The subjects' distress was minimal when they were separated from the mother with the co-twin present. Upon reunion, stable social behavior was quickly restored. However, separation from the mother and co-twin produced a high level of distress for the subjects. When reunited, the isolated twin initiated physical contact with the mother, soliciting and receiving comfort from her. Furthermore, the distress of the isolated twin was transmitted to the co-twin who had remained with the mother during the isolation period. The nonisolated twin also solicited comfort from the mother. The presence of the co-twin during the reunion following isolation had little effect in reducing the subject twin's distress.
Heterodyning of modulated pulses for fluorescence lifetime measurements in flow cytometry

Heterodyning of modulated pulses in flow cytometry in the PMT offers three major advantages over external homodyning techniques: first, intermodulation distortion is reduced; second, the ability to choose a lower intermediate frequency for evaluating phase affords the opportunity to use digital signal processing techniques to measure phase; third, the limiters we used previously in homodyning phase measurement circuitry may be removed, thereby reducing phase distortion. We constructed a heterodyning PMT base capable of providing an intermediate frequency of 1 MHz, and installed it on our phase flow cytometer (PFC). The fluorescence lifetime of 2 micrometers Fluoresbrite yellow beads was approximately 3 to 4 ns on the heterodyning system, which compares well to the 3.5 ns measured with the original homodyning PFC electronics. This lifetime parameter, when coupled with recently-developed lifetime-based probes for Ca2+ and pH, provides new opportunities in flow cytometry for study of intensity-independent intracellular physiology.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Study of Incentive Programs For Mathematics and Science Teachers in the Fifty States and District of Columbia 1983–1985

ABSTRACT A current shortage of mathematics and science teachers exists in the United States. In response to this shortage, several states established incentive programs to increase the number of students training in these shortage areas or to encourage current teachers to upgrade their preparation for teaching mathematics and science. This report reviews the findings of.a survey that was conducted of all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine the extent to which states are implementing incentive programs. A 100 percent return rate was achieved. Survey results are presented in table form. Responses from the questionnaires indicate that over 50 percent of the states and the District of Columbia have some form of incentive program as a response to the national shortage of science and math teachers. The most common form of incentive is a loan program with a forgiveness clause. The most common requirement for eligibility is preservice teacher preparation for mathematics and/or science teaching. Some states indicated that they would have had programs but a lack of legislation funding prevented it. Appendices include: (1) survey form; (2) listing of types of incentive programs; (3) funding allocation figures; and (4) discipline shortages of states with incentive programs. (ML)
Philosophy, activism, and computer and information specialists revisited

A number of themes have been on my mind in recent months, and I have made them centerpieces of a number of things I have written lately. In a Ubiquity essay Durbin (ACM Ubiquity 8(45):26, 2007a), I said that I am happy that there are computer professionals who are activists, joining with others to solve the technosocial problems that vex our society, including problems of the computer and information professions. I here moved beyond that to make a new claim about needed changes.