cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructural Aspects of Creep Deformation in Two Phase Ceramics

Two phase ceramics in which one phase is crystalline and the other non-crystalline constitute an important class of high temperature structural materials. They are of interest not only because they include the silicon nitride based alloys and certain glass-ceramics but because their behavior is expected to simulate that of the multi-phase refractories containing an intergranular phase. The creep behavior of these two phase ceramics is already known to be complex involving homogeneous phenomena such as diffusional flow and inhomogeneous phenomena such as cavitation and sub-critical crack growth. In order to gain an insight into the mechanisms occurring the microstructures of two types of ceramic alloy deformed in compressional creep have been examined for characteristic features. The two ceramics are silicon nitride alloys hot pressed with MgO and an alumina/glass material. The first is an example of a material containing a very thin intergranular glass phase, typically 8–15 A thick at the two grain interfaces, whereas the second contains a relatively thicker, 50–300A, intergranular phase. Also, the volume fraction and composition of the glass in the silicon nitride alloys is unknown whereas both are known for the alumina/glass ceramic.
Hardware Patching with Field-Repairable Control Logic

This chapter describes in detail field-repairable control logic (FRCL), a solution that we recently developed [WBA06]. FRCL is a patching-based runtime verification technique that relies on an on-die programmable matcher. The matcher compares the state of the processor to patterns describing known bugs. In particular, FRCL targets control bugs in microprocessor cores, which, as our analysis in Section 6.1 shows, dominate the landscape of escaped errors in commercial products. To detect such control bugs, the matcher is engineered to monitor multiple critical signals in a core’s control logic block. The patterns stored in the matcher are developed by the manufacturer after an escaped error is detected and diagnosed; patterns are then distributed to end-users via patches, such as BIOS updates. When a buggy situation is detected, the matcher recovers from it with a pipeline flush and invokes a degradedmode of operation. In this mode, the complexity of the processor is greatly reduced, sacrificing some performance features, but allowing to formally prove the complete functional correctness of the system. Once the buggy situation is bypassed, the processor resumes normal high-performance operation.We analyze different aspects of FRCL operation and describe a methodology for automatic selection of signals to be monitored by the matcher. Finally, we extend the field-repairable control logic framework with semantic guardians - hardware circuits encoding all control states of the design that have been verified prior to its release. With the help of the guardians the processor can be guaranteed to always operate in a verified state (in either normal or degraded mode), thus enabling trusted computation.
Case-based Review of Endovascular Renal Interventions: Primer for Radiology Residents and Fellows RadioGraphics Fundamentals | Online Presentation.

The authors present an image-rich case-based review of common endovascular renal interventions, with emphasis on technical aspects and teaching points.
An Exploratory Approach for Modeling Image-Enabled Discourse

A proposed methodology for the study of image-enabled discourse is introduced, focusing on a conceptual framework that builds on theoretical contributions of related research and provides working definitions for key concepts,and a brief description of future empirical research. The goal of this methodology is to produce an analytic model of image-enabled conversations that could be applied to a range of multimodal information problems including system building for information access and extraction. Drawing is used as an example of an imagecentered discourse practice.
Gene Therapy for Neoplastic Hematology in Transplant Setting

Traditionally, the transfer of allogeneic cells and the replacement of the immune system using allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) has been the only therapy that has proven to be curative for hematological malignancies. The search for a more specific and, hopefully, less toxic therapeutic approach using immune system cells that are redirected toward the target of interest is needed and ongoing. This could be potentially accomplished by harnessing modern molecular biology, gene therapy, and cellular engineering techniques. Gene therapy for hematologic malignancies and other diseases is rapidly becoming one of the most actively studied and awaited treatment alternatives. A range of therapeutic strategies have shown significant progress over the past few years; these include approaches based on immune genes, suppressor genes, or gene replacements, gene-directed enzyme-prodrug/suicide gene therapies, gene suppression, or oncolytic viral and non-viral therapies. In this chapter, we will review the historical context of gene therapy and cellular engineering development for the treatment of hematological malignancies and, particularly, in the setting of hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Modeling analysis of the swell and wind-sea climate in the Salish Sea

Abstract Accurate model hindcast of wave climate in complex estuarine systems is challenging because high-resolution wave models and wind forcing are required. In this study, a modeling approach using the unstructured-grid Simulating WAves Nearshore and a wind product from a high-resolution regional Weather Research and Forecasting hindcast was used to simulate the swell and wind-sea climate in the Salish Sea, a large estuary with many interconnected waterways on the Pacific Northwest coast of North America. The model hindcast was validated with observed data at five wave buoys. Spatial distribution and seasonal variations in wave climate in the Salish Sea were analyzed. Of the three major basins in the Salish Sea, the Strait of Juan de Fuca has the largest waves and is dominated by swells propagated from the Pacific Ocean. Significant wave heights in the Strait of Georgia have spatial and seasonal distribution patterns similar to those found in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Waves in Puget Sound are small and primarily dominated by the wind-sea climate. Strong seasonal variations are observed in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia, but there is little seasonality of wave climate in Puget Sound. The high-resolution wave hindcast conducted in this study provides a comprehensive and important data set for better understanding the role of wave climate in coastal processes and natural hazards assessment in the Salish Sea.
A Centralized Network Management Application for Academia and Small Business Networks

Software-defined networking (SDN) is reshaping the networking paradigm. Previous research shows that SDN has advantages over traditional networks because it separates the control and data plane, leading to greater flexibility through network automation and programmability. Small business and academia networks require flexibility, like service provider networks, to scale, deploy, and self-heal network infrastructure that comprises of cloud operating systems, virtual machines, containers, vendor networking equipment, and virtual network functions (VNFs); however, as SDN evolves in industry, there has been limited research to develop an SDN architecture to fulfil the requirements of small business and academia networks. This research proposes a network architecture that can abstract, orchestrate, and scale configurations based on academia and small business network requirements. Our results show that the proposed architecture provides enhanced network management and operations when combined with the network orcestration application (NetO-App) developed in this research. The NetO-App orchestrates network policies, automates configuration changes, secures container infrastructure, and manages internal and external communication between the campus networking infrastructure.
Effects of Short-Time Tempering on Impact Toughness, Strength, and Phase Evolution of 4340 Steel Within the Tempered Martensite Embrittlement Regime

While tempering reactions under furnace conditions have been extensively studied, short-time tempering at higher temperatures, as might apply to induction tempering, has not been thoroughly explored. The mechanical behavior and phase development of short-time (1, 10, and 100 seconds) and conventionally (3600 seconds) tempered 4340 steel are compared at an equivalent degree of tempering defined by the Hollomon–Jaffe tempering parameter. The tempering parameter accurately predicts hardness values across short-time and conventional tempering conditions, but is less able to describe phase evolution associated with short-time tempering. Room temperature Charpy impact toughness and ductile-to-brittle transition temperature systematically improve with shorter tempering times at an equivalent tempering parameter. In particular, rapid tempering significantly increases toughness within the tempered martensite embrittlement regime. Relative to conventional tempering, shorter tempering times exhibit higher retained austenite content for a given tempering parameter, although no systematic or significant difference in cementite or transition carbide content is observed between time conditions. The retained austenite decomposition behavior indicates that the relationship between the classical tempering stages is altered at short tempering times, where increased overlap and/or “re-ordering” of stage II and III tempering are observed.
Asian Fish Tapeworm (Schyzocotyle acheilognathi) Found in New York State for the First Time After a Long-Term Fish-Parasite Survey

The first report of Asian fish tapeworm (AFT), Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (Yamaguti, 1934) Brabec, Waeschenbach, Scholz, Littlewood and Kuchta, 2015, is provided for New York State. This finding resulted from a long-term fish parasite survey in various water bodies in Otsego County in central-east New York that took place during 2008–2018. In total, 1,637 individual fish representing 44 species were examined for AFT, with 4 (9%) of the 44 species of fish infected with S. acheilognathi. These 4 species were all cyprinids: Notemigonus crysoleucas (golden shiner), Notropis heterodon (blackchin shiner), Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow), and Semotilus atromaculatus (creek chub). Among these host species, the prevalence of Schyzocotyle acheilognathi was highest in Notemigonus crysoleucas, with 19 (15.7%) of 121 fishes infected. The infection in Notropis heterodon constitutes a new host record for S. acheilognathi. The observed occurrence of S. acheilognathi only in cyprinid species was generally consistent with previously reported infection patterns for this cestode, but we note that AFT was absent from multiple fish species in our survey that had elsewhere been reported as hosts. The source of AFT for water bodies in Otsego County, New York is unknown, but bait-bucket introduction of infected Notemigonus crysoleucas is considered a possible explanation. This study contributes to a growing body of molecular data for this highly invasive tapeworm by providing sequence data for 2 markers (large ribosomal subunit, 28S, and cytochrome c oxidase I) for 6 specimens.
Land Use and Environment in a Zone of Uncertainty: A Case of the Sasanian Expansion in Eastern Iraq – Western Iran

This paper explores diverse patterns of settlement and land use across an environmentally transitional area in eastern Iraq and western Iran during the Sasanian period. Historical and modern high-r...
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy for Treatment of Biofilm-Based Infections

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the combination of light-absorbing chemicals, light and oxygen leading to the production of reactive oxygen species resulting in the destruction or catastrophic damage to adjacent cells. Antimicrobial PDT (aPDT) is the use of PDT to eradicate pathogenic bacteria, fungus, virus or protozoa. aPDT can be deployed for water purification, air purification and human antimicrobial applications. Antimicrobial PDT has been demonstrated in multiple human case series to be a promising clinical treatment of various bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoan diseases. Although there are to date relatively few regulatory approvals for aPDT treatment of human diseases, a number of controlled multi-institutional clinical trials are underway to assess the effectiveness of aPDT as compared to standard of care therapies of various bacterial biofilm related diseases.
Entrepreneurship and the Economic Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in US Cities

Recent research on the geography of intergenerational economic mobility shows that young people born in some US cities demonstrate greater probability of moving up along the income ladder than those born in others. Cities with a higher level of economic mobility benefit from being perceived as “lands of opportunity” and accordingly attract young people and families with kids. In this research, we examine factors that predict regional variations in intergenerational mobility. In particular, we are interested in whether entrepreneurship is associated with economic mobility in US cities. We use the business startup rate as a measure of entrepreneurship, analyze its relationship with three proxies for intergenerational mobility, and control for other regional factors based on the literature. Our regression analysis shows a positive and significant association between entrepreneurship and upward mobility. Implications for intergenerational mobility in cities are discussed.
The Body of Art

As part of a larger study on the mainstreaming of pornography in contemporary film and television, this essay attempts to examine and extend our vocabulary for discussing visual representations of the human body by revisiting Kenneth Clark’s important study The Nude from 1972. Clark’s book provides a history of the male and female nude in two- and three-dimensional art from Ancient Egypt and Greece to the Renaissance and beyond. This essay focuses on places within his analysis that are especially generative for understanding pornography such as the importance of placing the nude form within a narrative (Venus is emerging from her bath, for example) or attempts by artists to suggest movement within static forms. The essay places Clark’s rich typology in conversation with other thinkers, such as Fredric Jameson, Erwin Panofsky, E. H. Gombrich, and Michel Foucault. The piece ends with a discussion of androgyny and hermaphroditism as they relate to the expression of gender in plastic art, especially the notion that all representations of the body necessarily include a gender spectrum within one figure. Artists whose work is looked at in some detail include Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Donatello.
Learning from Others, but with What Confidence?

A recent study by Zhang and Glascher (2020) in humans examines learning from one's own versus others' actions under reward uncertainty. Comparing findings from this and non-human studies on learning under perceptual uncertainty suggests a unified role for confidence in learning under different types of uncertainty across mammalian brains.
Hot Electrons in Si O 2

The experimentally determined drift velocity of excess electrons in $a$-Si${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ as a function of field is reported. Saturation of the velocity-field curve above ${10}^{7}$ cm/sec provides evidence for phonon emission by significantly heated electrons. The data provide the first test of, and good agreement with, the Thornber and Feynman theory of electron energy loss in polar materials at high applied fields.
Insights from a faculty learning community on translingual community-engaged pedagogy at a Hispanic serving institution

Despite emerging scholarship on translanguaging pedagogies and the potential Faculty Learning Communities (FLC) have on shifting pedagogical beliefs, there are limited studies that explore the impa...
Circadian rhythms in neurodegenerative disorders.

Endogenous biological clocks, orchestrated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, time the circadian rhythms that synchronize physiological and behavioural functions in humans. The circadian system influences most physiological processes, including sleep, alertness and cognitive performance. Disruption of circadian homeostasis has deleterious effects on human health. Neurodegenerative disorders involve a wide range of symptoms, many of which exhibit diurnal variations in frequency and intensity. These disorders also disrupt circadian homeostasis, which in turn has negative effects on symptoms and quality of life. Emerging evidence points to a bidirectional relationship between circadian homeostasis and neurodegeneration, suggesting that circadian function might have an important role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the circadian system has become an attractive target for research and clinical care innovations. Studying circadian disruption in neurodegenerative disorders could expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration and facilitate the development of novel, circadian-based interventions for these disabling disorders. In this Review, we discuss the alterations to the circadian system that occur in movement (Parkinson disease and Huntington disease) and cognitive (Alzheimer disease and frontotemporal dementia) neurodegenerative disorders and provide directions for future investigations in this field. In this Review, Nassan and Videnovic discuss the alterations to the circadian system that occur in neurodegenerative disorders and highlight future directions for research in the field, including opportunities for the development of circadian-based therapeutic interventions.
AFM and XPS studies of thiophene and 1-butanethiol deactivation of Pd/Al2O3 model catalysts during 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation

AFM and XPS data for model Pd supported catalysts show that the morphology of these catalysts is greatly affected by reduction in hydrogen and by addition of sulfur compounds to the surface before reaction. It was found that reduction of the catalyst before thiophene addition decreases the S/Pd ratio at which complete deactivation occurs. It was found that both the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor are quasi linear functions of sulfur coverage. Kinetic results after 1-butanethiol addition reveal a decreasing activation energy and pre-exponential parameter with increasing S/Pd ratio. Sulfur adsorption not only reduces the number of active sites but also weakens the adsorption strength of the remaining sites. It is demonstrated that physico-chemical information from AFM & XPS combined with kinetic data enables prediction of conversion at other conditions based on the S/Pd ratio.
A spacecraft fiber optic data system-radiation effects

A MIL-STD-1773 Fiber Optic Multiplex Data Bus System is being developed for space flight usage. The system includes integrated optoelectronics, optical fibers, couplers, and diodes. A summary of radiation test data on these components is presented. The SMall EXplorer (SMEX) program will be flying this system in June 1991. Application of radiation test data during the systems design process increases probability of mission success. >
Low-Frequency Depression of the Monosynaptic Reflex Is Not Altered by Tetrodotoxin-Induced Nerve Conduction Blockade

Seburn, Kevin L. and Timothy C. Cope. Low-frequency depression of the monosynaptic reflex is not altered by tetrodotoxin-induced nerve conduction blockade. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 19–23, 1997. The pre...
Role of dielectric material and geometry on the thermo-mechanical reliability of microvias

A comprehensive experimental and theoretical program is underway at the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop microvia substrate technology. The experimental aspect of this program involves fabrication in a class 1000 clean room facility to understand the effect of process parameters on yield and reliability of the microvia and high density wiring (HDW) structures. The theoretical program aims to understand the mechanics of deformation and thus predict and enhance the reliability of the HDW structures. The focus of this paper is to understand the effect of processing parameters on yield, to characterize the effect of microvia geometry parameters on the evolution of strain, and to determine the effect of dielectric material properties on the thermo-mechanical reliability of the microvias. Finite element simulations were carried out with different microvia diameters to understand the failure mechanisms of these structures. The reliability predictions are compared with thermal cycling test data of the test vehicles.
Avoiding underdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, and misdiagnosis of lung carcinoma.

Abstract Context.—Given the magnitude of the therapeutic and prognostic implications, it is critical that pathologists diagnose lung cancer accurately. This can sometimes be a formidable challenge, as a number of benign entities mimic lung carcinoma and vice versa. Objective.—To present strategies for recognizing benign entities likely to be confused with lung carcinoma, malignancies of the lung prone to misinterpretation as benign, and commonly misclassified pulmonary neoplasms. Data Sources.—The medical literature and experience from consultative and surgical practice. Conclusions.—In addition to understanding the clinical context in which a lung biopsy is procured and the radiographic findings, appreciating the histologic distribution of disease and what, if any, pathologic features are present in the background can go a long way toward averting a misdiagnosis of lung cancer. Recognizing the limitations posed by small samples and communicating clearly to clinicians the level of diagnostic uncertainty a...
Linear and Nonlinear Programming

Linear programs (LPs) and nonlinear programs (NLPs) are mathematical problems in which data are used to find the values of variables that minimize or maximize an objective function while simultaneously satisfying several imposed constraints on the values of the variables. Such problems arise frequently in computer science, mathematics, business, economics, statistics, engineering, operations research, and the sciences. An overview of the similarities and differences between LPs and NLPs is presented here. For example, although the art of building LP and NLP models involves identifying the variables, objective function, and constraints, methods for solving such problems differ greatly. A finite procedure has been developed to solve all LPs; however, no such procedure is available for solving NLPs. Keywords: linear programming; nonlinear programming; optimization; linear optimization; nonlinear optimization; mathematical models; operations research
Accumulation of Toxic Concentrations of Methylglyoxal by Wild-Type Escherichia coli K-12

Wild-type strains of Escherichia coli K-12 accumulate toxic concentrations of methylglyoxal when grown in medium containing adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and either d-xylose, l-arabinose, or d-glucose-6-phosphate, independent of the presence of other carbon sources. Mutations at a locus called cxm specifically block methylglyoxal formation from xylose in the presence of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate. Accumulation in medium containing xylose, studied in some detail, is dependent on the ability to utilize xylose and is associated with an increased rate of xylose utilization without changes in levels of xylose isomerase. These results suggest that adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate results in induction of excessively high levels of an early rate-limiting step in xylose metabolism. This step may be the transport of xylose into the cell. The resulting excessive rates of xylose catabolism could stimulate methylglyoxal formation by overburdening late steps in glycolysis.
Short range lower VHF channel study using full-wave simulations and measurements

In complex propagation environments such as urban canyons, tunnels, and indoor environments, achieving a reliable communications link is very challenging at conventional microwave frequencies. However, the lower VHF band has significant potential to support low complexity, low power, and reliable one-hop communications, because obstacles are much smaller relative to wavelength at this frequency (Dagefu et. al, Trans. Ant. Prop., vol. 61, no. 6, 2252).
Anionic Graft Polymerization of Acrylonitrile on Cellulose

The anionic graft polymerization of acrylonitrile on cellulose was studied with sodium cellulosate as initiator and rayon yarns as substrate. Products containing up to 22% grafted polyacrylonitrile were obtained. The graft polymerization reaction was always accompanied by homopotymer formation. Graft polymers with low molecular-weight side chains (up to 15,000) and relatively high degrees of substitution were achieved. The reaction was studied as a function of the ratio of monomer/initiator concentration, and it was observed that graft polymerization yield decreased, molecular weight in creased, and the polyacrylonitrile content in the products increased with increase in this ratio. The mechanical properties of the rayon yarns under standard conditions were not adversely affected by the grafting, but strength and extensibility were decreased under wet conditions.
Construction of a parsimonious kinetic model to capture microbial dynamics via parameter estimation

Understanding microbial kinetic behaviour is important for bioprocessing engineering, such as chemical synthesis and bioremediation. However, development of proper models to capture complicated microbial kinetics is a challenging task. In this study, we demonstrate a comparative analysis of the complexity and accuracy tradeoff for modelling the growth of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in a batch culture. Based on a series of analyses, including residual analysis, scaled sensitivity coefficient analysis, parameter correlation analysis and the F-test, we estimated model parameters to construct a parsimonious Monod-based model that used the fewest parameters for best simulation of Shewanella growth using different carbon substrates. Sequential analysis was also applied to identify the time window for estimating each parameter in the kinetic model. This study shows that statistics-based parameter estimation is an efficient method to successively reconstruct and fine tune kinetic models for complex biological systems.
Effects of low-dose aspirin on in vitro platelet aggregation in the early minutes after ingestion in normal subjects.

Aspirin interferes with platelet aggregation by inhibiting the metabolism of arachidonic acid to thromboxane A2. Although both high- and low-dose aspirin therapies are effective for secondary prophylaxis in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease, the acute response to low-dose aspirin therapy is controversial. Eighteen volunteer subjects ingested 81, 162, or 324 mg of aspirin in a longitudinal crossover study design. Initial doses were randomly assigned and dosing intervals were separated by 2 weeks. Platelet aggregation in response to 0.9 mM arachidonic acid was measured at baseline, 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after ingestion. Thromboxane B2 production was assayed on simultaneously obtained samples after stimulation with arachidonic acid. The median inhibition of aggregation was 97%, 97%, and 97% 15 minutes after ingestion of 81, 162, and 324 mg, respectively. Four subjects had 90% inhibition after 30 minutes. Thromboxane B2 production declined by > 93% in all subjects at each dose. There was no difference between doses in inhibition of thromboxane B2 production.
A FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM ON ONE-PARAMETER CONTINUOUS GROUPS OF PROJECTIVE FUNCTIONAL TRANSFORMATIONS.

Let Lx, Lxs, Lx1, L1s be real bounded integrable functions of the real variables x and s as indicated (a ≤ x, s ≤ b) and let us denote Riemann integration on (a, b) by the repetition of a superscript and subscript in the same term unless one of them is enclosed in a parenthesis.
Pressure and Flux Profiles in Bead‐Filled Ultrafiltration/Microfiltration Hollow Fiber Membrane Modules

A general mathematical model for the prediction of pressure, flow rate, and flux profiles in an ultrafiltration/microfiltration hollow fiber membrane module whose shell side is filled with beads has been developed. The model was studied for a variety of operational modes in such modules, e.g., ultrafiltration/microfiltration, permeate flow rate control, Starling flow (encountered in hollow fiber bioreactors), and tube-side elution (encountered in filtration-cum-chromatography processes), etc., with or without a bead-filled extended section at the permeate outlet. An algorithm is provided to determine the model parameters from experimental data using the model equations. The solutions developed have been used to study the uniformity of transmembrane pressure profile along the module length using a quantity called the uniformity factor α. This factor shows that the model can be a useful tool for achieving the desired module performance in a number of quite different applications. The model predicts successfully the nature of the transmembrane pressure profile and the solvent flux profile in situations that are quite different, namely, conventional ultrafiltration and Starling flow. The approach used in this study can also be adopted to develop a model for description of other operational modes such as backflushing and shell-side elution used in the processes of filtration-cum-chromatography. Those applications employing similar device configurations may also use this model to predict the pressure and flux profiles to facilitate the design of the process and the operation conditions.
Impact of gene patents and licensing practices on access to genetic testing for Alzheimer disease

Genetic testing for Alzheimer disease includes genotyping for apolipoprotein E, for late-onset Alzheimer disease, and three rare autosomal dominant, early-onset forms of Alzheimer disease associated with different genes (APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2). According to researchers, patents have not impeded research in the field, nor were patents an important consideration in the quest for the genetic risk factors. Athena Diagnostics holds exclusive licenses from Duke University for three "method" patents covering apolipoprotein E genetic testing. Athena offers tests for apolipoprotein E and genes associated with early-onset, autosomal-dominant Alzheimer disease. One of those presenilin genes is patented and exclusively licensed to Athena; the other presenilin gene was patented but the patent was allowed to lapse; and one (amyloid precursor protein) is patented as a research tool. Direct-to-consumer testing is available for some Alzheimer disease-related genes, apparently without a license. Athena Diagnostics consolidated its position in the market for Alzheimer disease genetic testing by collecting exclusive rights to patents arising from university research. Duke University also used its licenses to Athena to enforce adherence to clinical guidelines, including elimination of the service from Smart Genetics, which was offering direct-to-consumer risk assessment based on apolipoprotein E genotyping.
Parkinson Disease: A Role for Autophagy?:

Autophagy is a term used to describe the process by which lysosomes degrade intracellular components. Known originally as an adaptive response to nutrient deprivation, autophagy has now been recognized to play important roles in several human disorders including neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental results from genetic, cellular, and toxicological studies indicate that many of the etiological factors associated with Parkinson disease (PD) can perturb the autophagic process in various model systems. Thus, the emerging data support the view that dysregulation of autophagy may play a critical role in the pathogenic process of PD.
Coexistence of functioning beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors in single myocytes from human ventricle.

BACKGROUNDBoth beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors (beta 1 AR and beta 2 AR) are present in human ventricle. This study was designed to determine whether the two subtypes contribute to contraction in single myocytes from human heart.METHODS AND RESULTS(-)-Epinephrine increased the contraction amplitude and velocity of single myocytes isolated from the ventricles of failing and nonfailing human hearts. Concentration-response curves to (-)-epinephrine were constructed in the presence and absence of selective antagonists for beta 1 AR (CGP 20712A) and beta 2 AR (ICI 118,551). Responses to (-)-epinephrine were antagonized to a variable degree by the blockers, suggesting heterogeneous contribution of beta 1AR and beta 2AR among cells. The most common response in single myocytes was that ICI 118,551 (50 nmol/L) shifted the concentration-response curve less than 10-fold: this was lower than the 100-fold shift expected for a pure beta 2AR effect. Inclusion of CGP 20712A (300 nmol/L) with ICI 118,551 shifted the (-)-...
Immunologic survey of the factor IX molecule in hemophilia B+ patients, carriers and cord blood

Abstract Crossed antigen-antibody electrophoresis was performed on 62 hemophilia B+ (CRM+) patients and 10 obligatory carriers. The assays were performed in TRIS buffer, or in buffer with the addition of either 2.0 mM EDTA to bind calcium, or 2.2 mM calcium lactate, to provide excess calcium. The results revealed migrational differences among normal individuals. To standardize the assay an internal reference (anti prealbumin) was used. A range of normal migrational distance in relation to the reference was established using 30 normal individuals. When comparing patient migration to the normal migrational range (± 2 S.D.) abnormalities were documented in only four patients and in none of the carriers. Even in these cases, mixtures of normal with each patient's from one hemophilia B+ patient revealed a biphasic arc in the presence of EDTA. When mixed with normal plasma, the pattern normalized. Six cord bloods examined were normal. We conclude that crossed antigen-antibody electrophoresis requires stringent quality control for valid conclusions, that the method detects very few cases with anomalous migration and that in general, it is not useful for predicting the carriership of hemophilia B.
Interferon-γ reduces tumor-induced Ia− macrophage-mediated suppression: role of prostaglandin E2, Ia, and tumor necrosis factor-α

Tumor growth enhances macrophage (M phi) suppressor activity by causing M phi to increase synthesis of inhibitory molecules such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or decreasing their expression of up-regulatory molecules such as the class II MHC protein Ia. Although these tumor-induced changes are correlated, it is unknown whether tumor-bearing host (TBH) Ia- M phi become more suppressive by increasing their PGE2 synthesis. To assess the role of PGE2 in tumor-induced Ia- M phi-mediated suppression of CD4+ T-cell alloreactivity, unseparated (Ia(+)-enriched) or Ia(+)-depleted (Ia-) populations of murine normal host (NH) or TBH splenic M phi were added to mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) cultures. NH or TBH Ia- M phi were significantly more suppressive than their respective unseparated populations, and TBH Ia- M phi were more suppressive than their NH counterparts. When PGE2 production was blocked with indomethacin, TBH Ia- M phi-mediated suppression was reduced more than suppression mediated by all other M phi populations. A PGE2-specific ELISA showed more PGE2 in Ia- M phi-containing cultures than in those with whole M phi and more in cultures containing TBH Ia- M phi than in their NH counterparts. Because interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a potent M phi activation molecule that regulates both Ia expression and PGE2 production, the effects of IFN-gamma on tumor-induced Ia- M phi-mediated suppression were investigated. Exogenous IFN-gamma reduced suppression mediated by all M phi populations except NH unseparated M phi. IFN-gamma suppressed alloreactivity without M phi or with NH unseparated M phi. Suppression mediated by NH or TBH Ia-, and TBH unseparated M phi was also reduced when M phi were pre-incubated with IFN-gamma before their addition to MLR cultures. IFN-gamma addition did not block Ia- M phi-mediated suppression by decreasing M phi PGE2 production. In fact, IFN-gamma addition increased PGE2 production two-fold in MLR cultures. However, IFN-gamma partly reduced suppression mediated by exogenous PGE2 added to M phi-depleted cultures. Cytofluorometric analysis showed that IFN-gamma increased the percentage of Ia+ M phi in NH and TBH Ia- M phi populations. Blocking TNF-alpha activity with anti-TNF-alpha antibodies caused IFN-gamma to suppress alloreactivity in all M phi-added cultures. Collectively, these data show that tumor-induced suppression mediated by Ia- M phi is caused by increased PGE2 synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
On graphs with a constant link, II

We study the following problem: For which finite graphs L do there exist graphs G such that the link (i.e., the neighborhood subgraph) of each vertex of G is isomorphic to L? We give a complete solution for the cases (i) L is a disjoint union of arcs, (ii) L is a tree with only one vertex of degree greater than two, (iii) L is a circle of prescribed length. Some other cases are also discussed. An interesting case is whether the situation is changed if we require G also to be finite. It transpires (see for example, Corollaries VII.3 and VII.4) that this is indeed the case. Part I of this paper will appear in [3]. It provides the basic definitions used in both part I and part II. Section III provides the basic tool, an identification procedure, that is used throughout the rest of the paper. Section IV sets up the basic building technique for the construction of more complicated graphs. It is shown how to build graphs such that the link of each vertex is an arc (of non-constant length), and how to control the proportional number of vertices with links of various lengths.
On the shape of protective capacity in a simple line

The design of a simple production line in which serially arranged workers can work independently of one another assuming inventory is presented. Traditional thought indicates that the output of such a line is determined by the slowest station. Traditional thought maintains that a balanced line is best, Goldratt (1984) says that a balanced line is inefficient because of statistical fluctuations and dependent resources. The present study presents a simulation of a 10-station line in which the capacity of station 10 is held constant while additional capacity is gradually added to stations 1–9. Station 10 is thus called the constraint, while stations 1–9 are non-constraints. The shape of the extra (or protective) capacity at non-constraints was varied from a flat pattern to patterns that increased from 1 to 9 and decreased from 1 to 9. Four random patterns were also tested. It was found that increasing non-constraint capacity increased the output of the line, and that the flat protective capacity pattern slig...
Prenatal and postnatal effects of low-level lead exposure: integrated summary of a report to the U.S. Congress on childhood lead poisoning.

This article provides an integrated summary of a report to Congress from the Federal government (ATSDR) on childhood lead poisoning in the United States, with particular reference to low-level lead exposure and its effects on the fetus and the preschool child. As mandated by Section 118(f)(1)(C) of the 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), ATSDR has examined the full spectrum of human in utero and postnatal lead toxicity, with emphasis on low-level neurotoxicity and adverse impacts on growth indices in risk populations. Especially important has been assessment of the relative persistence of these effects in later life as discernible from a number of longitudinal studies now under way around the world. Included in the Congressional report were discussions of dose-effect and dose-response relationships using blood lead levels as the indicator of lead dose.
Cymbal array: a broad band sound projector.

Abstract A prototype 3×3 planar cymbal transducer array was built and tested. The array has a radiating area of 5.5 cm×5.5 cm and a thickness of less than 8 mm. The measured transmitting voltage response was above 134 dB re 1 μPa/V @ 1 m and flat over the frequency range of 16 and 100 kHz. Array interaction was analyzed using an equivalent circuit model. The array interaction leads to variations in radiation resistance and velocity of the transducers in the array according to their surroundings in the array. The effect is enhanced overall efficiency and a flat response.
Inversion of multiple thermal indicators: Quantitative methods of determining paleoheat flux and geological parameters. III. Stratigraphic age determination from inversion of vitrinite reflectance data and sterane isomerization data

Thermal indicator data are used in an inverse mode to determine ages of stratigraphic horizons simultaneously with paleoheat flux. Results from “blind” tests on wells with horizon ages ranging from Ordovician through Carboniferous and Jurassic to Miocene indicate that thermal indicator inversions are capable of resolving such ages to within about 10% uncertainty. Results using the inversion procedure with one thermal indicator (vitrinite reflectance) were comparable to the results using another independent thermal indicator (sterane isomerization) in the same well. The activation energy for sterane isomerization was determined to be 30±15 kJ mol−1. In addition: (a) the age of a stratigraphic horizon, the thickness of eroded sediments at an unconformity, and the variation of paleoheat flux with time were determined simultaneously by thermal indicator inversion in a single well; (b) two neighboring wells, less than 10 km apart, provided essentially identical ages for the same formation when tested using the inversion procedure. The ability to determine stratigraphic horizon ages from inversion of thermal indicator data implies that sedimentation rates can be determined; thus, basinal evolution can be inferred to a degree of resolution not previously obtainable from assumed interpolation methods applied to determine the age of horizons between a limited set of stratigraphic horizons of known ages.
Influence of pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders on grip force timing.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective repeated-measures design. Introduction Pain is a common symptom associated with musculoskeletal conditions. Purpose This study examined if pain resulting from a unilateral upper extremity musculoskeletal injury compromises the person's ability to rapidly initiate and release handgrip. Methods Delays in initiating and releasing a handgrip were determined for 28 individuals with “low pain” and 12 individuals with “high pain” in the injured upper extremity. All participants had no pain in the uninjured upper extremity. Results The high-pain group was 10% slower in initiating and releasing a grip than the low-pain group, in both injured and uninjured upper extremities, for both maximal and submaximal grips. In addition, delay in grip initiation was, on average, 8% longer for the injured than for the uninjured upper extremity. Conclusions Unilateral musculoskeletal pain appears to delay grip initiation and relaxation bilaterally, perhaps due to a centrally mediated mechanism. Level of Evidence n/a.
Variational Calculations of Energy and Fine Structure for the 2 P 3 State of Helium

Using an 18-parameter Hylleraas-type wave function containing only positive powers, a calculation has been carried out for the $2^{3}P$ state of helium by the Ritz variational principle. Breit's reduction was used to convert the problem from six to three variables. The energy was minimized by the approximate solution of an eigenvalue problem. With this wave function the fine structure splitting was calculated. Our best wave function yields an energy 15.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ above the experimental value while the corresponding fine structure splitting is in error by about 1 part in ${10}^{2}$. All computation was carried out on an IBM-650 computer.
Dielectronic recombination of heliumlike nickel.

The dielectronic recombination excitation function for He-like ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{26+}$ ions has been measured. The ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{26+}$ ions were created and held in an electron beam ion trap, and K x rays were detected. Several features were observed, including resonant excitation of ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{26+}$ x rays and the transition from dielectronic recombination to direct excitation at threshold. The cross section for the KLL dielectronic recombination resonances relative to radiative recombination has been measured, and agrees with theoretical cross sections calculated using the multiconfiguration Dirac-fock model.
Fatigue Severity among African Americans: Gender and Age Interactions

The present study investigated the relationship between fatigue, age, and gender in a multiculturally and socioeconomically diverse community-based urban sample. The impact of age and gender on fatigue severity was examined in a group of 3,692 African Americans and then compared to results from 9,717 Caucasians and 3,450 Latinos. Findings indicated that for African Americans, there was a significant gender by age interaction. African American women had significantly higher rates of fatigue when compared to African American men. Older African American men had significantly higher rates of fatigue than younger African American men. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of fatigue reported by younger and older African American women. An age and gender interaction was also present for the Caucasian sample but not for the Latino sample. Findings suggest that age and gender are important in predicting the severity of fatigue in an African American sample.
Capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

Abstract New developments are described in the area of capillary electrophoresis combined with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (CE—ESI-MSD), a promising new method for the separation and mass spectrometric characterization of labile, polar or ionic constituents of biological mixtures. the varous experimental modes of capillary electrophoresis are reviewed. The ESI-MS technique is described and the significance of its combination with capillary electrophoresis is illustrated by MS analysis of large biomelecules. The design and performance optimization of a new ESI interface are discussed, including the influence of electrophoretic and MS operating parameters. Various examples from our laboratory illustrating the range of present application of this interface and direction of future development are presented. These include negative iion electrospray mass spectra of nucleotide co-enzymes, nucleotide mono-, di- and triphosphates and positive ion spectra of biologically important oligopeptides and proteins of Mr > 75 kilodaltons.
Overlapping and independent contributions of MMP2 and MMP9 to lung allergic inflammatory cell egression through decreased CC chemokines

The mechanisms that initiate allergic lung inflammation are relevant to expression of diseases such as asthma, but the factors underlying resolution of inflammation are equally important. Previously, we demonstrated the importance of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) for airway egression of lung eosinophils, a critical anti-inflammatory mechanism without which mice are rendered highly susceptible to lethal asphyxiation. Here we show that leukocyte MMP9 is the dominant airway MMP controlling inflammatory cell egression. The allergic lung phenotype of MMP9-/- mice was similar to WT and was not altered by concomitant deletion of the MMP2 gene (double knockout; dko). However, inflammatory cells accumulated aberrantly in the lungs of allergen-challenged MMP9-/- and dko mice and fewer eosinophils and neutrophils were present in bronchoalveolar lavage. These aberrant cellular trafficking patterns were explained by disruption of transepithelial chemokine gradients, in MMP2-/- mice affecting only eotaxin (CCL11), but in MMP9-/- and dko mice involving eotaxin, MARC (CCL7), and TARC (CCL17). Thus, by establishing multiple transepithelial chemokine gradients, MMP9 is broadly implicated in the resolution of allergic inflammation, an essential protective mechanism that overlaps with a more limited role played by MMP2.