cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tyrosine phosphorylation provides an early and requisite signal for the activation of natural killer cell cytotoxic function

Natural killer (NK) cells are a unique subpopulation of lymphocytes with the capability to kill malignant cells via one of two alternative mechanisms: (i) Fc receptor-dependent cytotoxicity against antibody-coated targets or (ii) direct cell-mediated cytotoxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms that trigger and subsequently regulate NK cell cytotoxicity are incompletely understood. We have therefore investigated the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the transmembrane signaling initiated after Fc receptor stimulation or direct tumor cell contact in clonal CD16+/CD3- human NK cells. We report that stimulation of the Fc receptor rapidly induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of NK cell proteins. These effects occurred within 2 min, were maximal at 10 min, and declined toward baseline after 60 min. In addition, Fc receptor ligation increased the in vitro protein kinase activity of NK cell phosphotyrosyl proteins. We have also demonstrated that direct contact of NK cells with K562 tumor cells induced the rapid phosphorylation of distinct NK cell phosphotyrosyl proteins. Furthermore, the protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A blocked NK cell cytotoxic function in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results suggest that protein tyrosine phosphorylation is an obligatory early proximal signal in activating the cytotoxic function of NK cells.
Fractionation of bovine thyrotrophin and luteinizing hormone on cellulose ion exchange columns.

Abstract Chromatographic studies of the behavior of TSH on DEAE-C and on CM-C have shown that crude TSH can be purified approximately 20 to 40 times with recovery of 30 to 50% of the starting activity. The potency of the most active fractions is 20 to 50 U.S.P. units/mg. LH can be separated from TSH by chromatography on DEAE-C at pH 9.5. The TSH is retarded on the column while the LH passes through unadsorbed.
Origin of Bends in Unperturbed Vinyl Polymers: An Illustration with Polystyrene

Previous experimental works have shown that dendronized vinyl polymers exhibit bends when adsorbed onto a surface. Two different mechanisms are believed to be responsible for the formation of these bends. These mechanisms are the temperature dependent random fluctuations of torsional bond states on one hand, and the intramolecular interactions due to the randomness in the stereochemical sequence of side chains on the other hand. Investigation of the amplitude and scope of the above mechanisms has been made by studying the conformational space of PS chains via RIS based Monte Carlo sampling. It was found that at low temperature bend formation is due to tacticity, whereas it was thermally driven at high temperature. The existence of a transition temperature between these two bend formation modes was demonstrated. It was also shown that for atactic chains, the maximum of bend formation occurs at P m ≈ 0.7.
Restructuring of the UN security council

The UN Security Council is under pressure to reform. Japan and Germany seek permanent membership as new ‘Big Powers’. The ‘Third World’ demands more representation because its ranks have grown. With respect to the Security Council the reform procedure favours claims based on equity rather than on power. A more ‘democratic’ Council will likely be a less effective one. The analysis of 77 reform proposals submitted by the UN members confirms that expectation. Countries least able to contribute to collective security are for the most radical ‘democratization’. The current permanent members resist change, the UK taking the firmest stand. They are against inviting gridlock in the sole UN body able to act with reasonable effectiveness. But with the United States talking about compromise, reform seems unavoidable, and in order to admit Germany and Japan to permanent membership, the smaller countries' demands will have to be accommodated.
Supraclavicular nerve entrapment and clavicular fracture

Because the supraclavicular nerve lies in close proximity to the clavicle, it is particularly vulnerable to injury in cases of clavicle fracture and in the surgical treatment of these fractures. The development of painful neuromas after iatrogenic transsection and symptomatic nerve entrapment in fracture callus after healing have previously been described. Reported here is a case of acute supraclavicular nerve entrapment and tension after fracture of the clavicle with significant pain relief after fracture fixation and nerve decompression.
Three Thousand Tests on the Dielectric Strength of Oil

Three thousand successive disruptive strength tests are herewith shown. These were made in six groups with 500 tests in each group under constant conditions of test. Three groups of tests were taken of standard insulating oil with three different shapes of the electrostatic field; small sphere gap, large sphere gap, and sphere-needle gap. One group of tests was made with commercial and another with chemically pure benzol. The last group was made with air as a dielectric. A brief review of results and conclusions follows. In measuring the voltage by a single sphere gap, set in air with reasonable care, the maximum error of test does not exceed 4 per cent and the average error is 1 per cent. In the average of six successive tests the maximum error decreases from 4 per cent to 2.9 per cent and the average error decreases from 1 per cent to 0.6 of 1 per cent. In contrast to air, the behavior of oil is very erratic. Successive observations of its disruptive voltage, made under most carefully controlled conditions, differed by a percentage many times greater than the accuracy of the test,?the minimum value was as low as 49 per cent of the maximum. This inconstancy of the disruptive strength of oil appears inherent to the material. Little of the variation is dependent on the shape and size of the electrostatic field. Much of the variation is due probably to the complex chemical and physical nature of the oil.
Synthesis of Microporous Transition Metal Oxide Molecular Sieves with Bifunctional Templating Molecules.

Systematic tuning of the micropore size in microporous transition metal oxide molecular sieves can be achieved by varying the length of the hydrocarbon chain of the diamine molecules used as templating agents. The large bifunctional molecules self-assemble with much smaller cross-sectional micellar dimensions than their monofunctional counterparts. The resulting family of porous materials offers exciting new flexibility in designing molecular sieves targeted for size selectivity and chemical functionality.
Analytic Continuation in Complex Angular Momentum and Integral Equations

An attack is made on the problem of the analytic continuation in the angular momentum variable $l$ of amplitudes defined by integral equations beyond the value of $\mathrm{Re}l$ at which the kernel ceases to be of the Schmidt type and the Fredholm theory cannot be applied. A general technique is developed and applied to the Yukawa potential case and to the ladder graph series in the ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{3}$ theory. In both cases meromorphy is established for $\mathrm{Re}lg\ensuremath{-}\frac{5}{2}$ and a procedure is indicated for a stepwise continuation to the entire $l$ plane.
Asymptotic expansion homogenization for heterogeneous media: computational issues and applications

Developments in asymptotic expansion homogenization (AEH) are overviewed in the context of engineering multi-scale problems. The problems of multi-scales presently considered are those linking continuum level descriptions at two different length scales. Concurrent research in the literature is first described. A recipe of the AEH approach is then presented that can be used for future developments in many areas of material and geometric non-linear continuum mechanics. Then, a derivation is outlined using the finite element method that is useful for engineering applications that leads to coupled hierarchical partial differential equations in elasticity. The approach provides causal relationships between macro and micro scales wherein procedures for homogenization of properties and localization of small-scale response are built-in. A brief discussion of a physical paradox is introduced in the estimation of micro-stresses that tends to be a barrier in the understanding of the method. Computational issues are highlighted and illustrative applications in linear elasticity are then presented for composites containing microstructures with complex geometries.
Modification of the gene 5 DNA unwinding protein with ruthenium

A chemical modification of the gene 5 DNA binding protein (G5BP) from bacteriophage fd was investigated using X-ray diffraction and difference Fourier analysis. The crystalline protein was reacted with pentaammineruthenium (III) trichloride, Ru(NH3)5Cl3, a reagent believed specific for histidine residues and useful in NMR and chemical modification studies of proteins. The major ruthenium site was found by difference Fourier analysis to be 4 A from histidine 64, the only histidine residue in the molecule. A second bipartite site, believed to be a ruthenium-anion pair, appeared to be salt-bridged to glutamic acid 40 and arginine 16. Indications were present in the difference Fourier results to suggest that the β loop containing tyrosine 41 had undergone a slight conformational rearrangement to accommodate this interaction.
A general weight vs. length relationship for insects

A generalized regression equation was developed for insects, permitting an estimate of dry wt (mg) based on length (mm). Independent data indicate that this relationship may hold for insects in general.
Synthesis of Na8Si46 and Na24Si136 by oxidation of Na4Si4 from ionic liquid decomposition

Abstract The synthesis of Na 8 Si 46 and Na 24 Si 136 without clathrate impurity phases and in relatively high yield was achieved by oxidation of Na 4 Si 4 from the byproduct of the decomposition of the ionic liquid (IL) n -dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) combined with AlCl 3 . Maintaining separation of the IL from the precursor together with careful control of the synthetic parameters, temperature and time in particular, allowed for the synthesis of both clathrate structure types without need for further annealing. Refinement of the microcrystalline products indicated that both clathrate-I and II phases possess full Na and Si occupancies.
A survey of the elastic properties of some semiconducting glasses under pressure

Abstract We have measured both shear and longitudinal velocities for 10 MHz sound in amorphous As 2 S 3 , As 2 Se 3 , As 2 Ge 2 SeTe, As 2 Ge 3 Te 15 and Cd 6 GeTe and Cd 6 Ge 3 As 11 over the pressure range 0–8 kbar and the temperature range 25–100°C. A variety of elastic constants has been computed. Those glasses with larger values of the connectedness were stiffer and showed less pressure effect.
Circadian rhythms of self-selected lighting in hamsters

Hamsters maintained in isolation boxes for 4–7 weeks were allowed to select their own lighting regimens by pressing levers, and to be active in running wheels. Three hamsters expressed circadian rhythms of light preference and of wheel-running activity (Figs. 1–3). Light tended to be selected during the inactive phase, and darkness was selected during wheel-running activity. By such a circadian rhythm of self-selected lighting, these hamsters are behaving in a way which may maintain those metabolic cycles that depend upon a 24-hour oscillation of light and darkness.
Schedule dependency of a cadmium-complexing dithiocarbamate analog in mice.

Abstract A number of dosing regimens was assessed to determine the optimum schedule of administration of N -(4-methoxybenzyl)- N -dithiocarboxy- d -glucamine (MeOBDCG) in depleting whole-body, renal and hepatic levels of metallothionein-bound cadmium (Cd) in mice. A comparison of 4.0 mmol/kg given as a single injection versus 0.5 mmol/kg given as 8 hourly injections revealed the latter regimen to be superior in reducing renal Cd levels, but less effective than a bolus dose in lowering hepatic Cd concentrations. Administration of 1.33 mmol/kg for 3 consecutive days or 0.8 mmol/kg for 5 days effected a more extensive depletion of renal Cd concentrations than did a single injection of 4.0 mmol/kg. Three injections of 1.0 mmol/kg given at 4- to 7-day intervals were generally more effective in reducing renal Cd concentrations than were 3 consecutive daily injections in mice which had low or moderately high total Cd burdens. The lowest effective dose of MeOBDCG in lowering whole-body, liver and kidney Cd levels when given repetitively was about 0.2 mmol/kg. While schedule variations did not alter appreciably the whole-body Cd reductions at any given total dose of MeOBDCG, repetitive dosing schedules in which injections were given at intervals of several days rather than daily were typically more effective in reducing renal Cd levels. Based upon consideration of pharmacological response as influenced by body surface area, it was calculated that doses of MeOBDCG of the order of 2.0 g/d may be effective in reducing renal Cd levels in individuals with chronic renal dysfunction secondary to chronic Cd intoxication.
Cellular mechanism of calcification and its prevention in glutaraldehyde treated vascular tissue.

Objectives. Prevention of calcification in glutaraldehyde (GA) treated porcine aortic valve fibroblasts and rat aorta with Ca2+ channel blockers (Ca2+-CBs). Background. GA causes a massive increase in [Ca2+]i and a many fold increase in [Pi]i followed by calcification of porcine aortic valve fibroblasts. The influx of extracellular Ca2+ into[Pi]i rich cells apparently underlies the mechanism of calcification. Inhibition of Ca2+ influx is likely to prevent calcification in GA-treated cells. Methods. [Ca2+]i in GA-treated cells was measured by fluorescence image analysis. [Ca2+]i increase in fibroblasts treated with various Ca2+-CBs was compared with the untreated control. To study the role of Ca2+ influx in calcification and to find out the portals of Ca2+ entry, porcine aortic valve fibroblasts and freshly removed rat aorta were treated with verapamil + ryanodine, or verapamil + econazole, fixed with GA and incubated in Hank's balanced salt solution with 2.5 mmol/L calcium. The progress of calcification was monitored by the rate of Ca and Pi depletions from the supernatant. Calcified cells and tissues were identified by calcein fluorescence. Results. Verapamil + ryanodine or econazole inhibited the GA-induced Ca2+ influx and prevented calcification of the cells and rat aorta. The effect of verapamil was additive to that of ryanodine and econazole. Conclusions. Findings further support the influx theory of calcification. Ca2+ enters GA-treated cells mainly through the store operated and the L-type Ca2+ channels. Ca2+-CBs may be useful for prevention of calcification in GA-treated vascular bioprostheses. Cell culture serves as a convenient model for screening drug effects on calcification.
Sensitization experiments in guinea pigs following injection with simian or rodent poliomyelitis virus

Abstract Previous contact with simian or rodent poliomyelitis virus fails to induce in the guinea pig a state of hypersensitivity which can be demonstrated by the classical anaphylactic test upon reintroduction of homologous or heterologous virus.
Simulation-Based Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Crisis Training for Thoracic Surgery Residents

Background We developed and tested a clinical simulation program in the principles and conduct of postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with the aim of improving confidence, proficiency, and crisis management. Methods Twenty-three thoracic surgery residents from unique residency programs participated in an ECMO course involving didactic lectures and hands-on simulation. A current postcardiotomy ECMO circuit was used in a simulation center to give residents training with basic operations and crisis management. Pretraining and posttraining assessments concerning confidence and knowledge were administered. Before and after the training, residents were asked to identify components of the ECMO circuit and manage crisis scenarios, including venous line collapse, arterial hypertension, and arterial desaturation. Results In the hands-on portion, residents had difficulty identifying the gas source and flow rate, centrifugal pump head inlet, and oxygenator outflow line. Timely and accurate ECMO component identification improved significantly after training. The arterial desaturation crisis scenario gave the residents difficulty, with only 22% providing the appropriate treatment recommendations in a timely and accurate fashion. At the end of the simulation training, most residents were able to manage the crises correctly in a timely manner. Posttraining confidence-related scores increased significantly. Most of the residents strongly recommended the course to their peers and reported simulation-based training was helpful in their postcardiotomy ECMO education. Conclusions We developed a simulation-based postcardiotomy ECMO training program that resulted in improved ECMO confidence in thoracic surgery residents. Crisis management in a simulated environment enabled residents to acquire technical and behavioral skills that are important in managing critical ECMO-related problems.
Increased Resolution 3D Face Modeling and Recognition From Multiple Low Resolution Structure From Motion Models

We present an approach to combine multiple noisy low density 3D face models obtained from uncalibrated video into a higher resolution 3D model. The approach first generates ten 3D face models (containing a few hundred vertices each) of each subject using 136 frames of video data in which the subject face moves in a range of approximately 15 degrees from frontal. By aligning, resampling, and merging these models, we produce a new improved 3D face model containing over 50,000 points. An ICP face matcher employing the entire face achieved a 75% rank one recognition rate, which falls within the documented range of performance similar to whole-face 3D matcher results [2] that use more advanced laser scanners for data acquisition. The simplicity of our hardware requirements reduces cost, complexity, and may enable the use of "other people's video" for 3D face modeling and recognition.
The Efficacy of Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate and Zinc Bacitracin in Turkey Nutrition

Abstract Three experiments are reported which utilized a total of 2856 male and female Large White Turkeys to evaluate bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) and zinc bacitracin (ZB) as growth promotants. Using graded levels of antibiotics in Experiment 1, the 55 ppm level of BMD or ZB yielded significant growth responses, and 110 ppm of ZB showed responses significantly greater than that shown by 55 ppm. In Experiment 2, 55 ppm of either antibiotic from 0 to 8 weeks of age followed by 22 ppm from 8 weeks to market age yielded 9.9 to 11.8 and 3.7 to 3.8% growth responses at 8 weeks and market age, respectively; these values represented averages of males and females of both Nicholas and British United Turkeys (BUT) turkeys. Throughout this study the Nicholas turkeys were heavier than the BUT turkeys; however, at the end of the experiment feed efficiency was better for the BUT turkeys. In Experiment 3, growth responses of 10 to 12% were obtained by feeding 55 ppm of ZB or BMD to male turkeys from day old to 8 weeks of age. Continued feeding of 22 ppm of these antibiotics from 8 to 20 weeks of age supported an increasing body weight response from .25 to .64 kg in the cooler environment (7 C). In a warm environment (27 C), the same antibiotic supplements only maintained the .25 kg body weight response from 8 to 20 weeks. When BMD was withdrawn at 8 weeks of age, the response, averaging all four environments, diminished from .25 kg at 8 weeks to .10 kg at 20 weeks of age.
Redesign of the ECT Test for Mode III Delamination Testing. Part I: Finite Element Analysis

A series of finite element analyses (Part I) and tests (Part II) on various modifications of the edge crack torsion (ECT) test have been conducted in an effort to render the test more suitable for characterizing mode III delamination in laminated composites. To this end, two ECT specimen configurations were considered. The first configuration involves loading the specimen at a single location, and the second configuration involves a symmetric double load point application. Investigations were conducted on the effect of specimen overhang, along the length and width direction, on the inferred strain energy release rate distributions across the delamination front. Stress distributions in the vicinity of the delamination front were used to infer the corresponding modes I, II, and III strain energy release rate distributions. Results indicate the single and double loading configurations exhibiting similar stress distributions along the delamination front. Specimens with short crack lengths and small amounts of...
Adaptive mesh refinement of the boundary element method for potential problems by using mesh sensitivities as error indicators

This paper presents a novel method for error estimation and h-version adaptive mesh refinement for potential problems which are solved by the boundary element method (BEM). Special sensitivities, denoted as mesh sensitivities, are used to evaluate a posteriori error indicators for each element, and a global error estimator. A mesh sensitivity is the sensitivity of a physical quantity at a boundary node with respect to perturbation of the mesh. The element error indicators for all the elements can be evaluated from these mesh sensitivities. Mesh refinement can then be performed by using these element error indicators as guides. The method presented here is suitable for both potential and elastostatics problems, and can be applied for adaptive mesh refinement with either linear or quadratic boundary elements. For potential problems, the physical quantities are potential and/or flux; for elastostatics problems, the physical quantities are tractions/displacements (or tangential derivatives of displacements). In this paper, the focus is on potential problems with linear elements, and the proposed method is validated with two illustrative examples. However, it is easy to extend these ideas to elastostatics problems and to quadratic elements.
Undergraduate students' perceptions of child sexual abuse: The impact of victim sex, perpetrator sex, respondent sex, and victim response

Written descriptions of sexual interaction between an adult and. a 15-year-old were utilized to study the impact of victim sex, perpetrator sex, respondent sex, and victim response (i.e., encouraging, passive, resisting) on labeling of child sexual abuse, perception of realistic victim behavior, and effect on the child. Results of responses collected from 180 male and 180 female undergraduate students revealed that participants tended to view the interaction of a male victim with a female perpetrator as less representative of child sexual abuse. Respondents also thought that male victims of this interactional pattern would experience less harm than would victims of other interactional types (e.g., female victim-male perpetrator). Findings are discussed with regard to their generalizability and the need for child sexual abuse education programs.
A Myc-Slug (Snail2)/Twist regulatory circuit directs vascular development

Myc-deficient mice fail to develop normal vascular networks and Myc-deficient embryonic stem cells fail to provoke a tumor angiogenic response when injected into immune compromised mice. However, the molecular underpinnings of these defects are poorly understood. To assess whether Myc indeed contributes to embryonic vasculogenesis we evaluated Myc function in Xenopus laevis embryogenesis. Here, we report that Xc-Myc is required for the normal assembly of endothelial cells into patent vessels during both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Accordingly, the specific knockdown of Xc-Myc provokes massive embryonic edema and hemorrhage. Conversely, Xc-Myc overexpression triggers the formation of ectopic vascular beds in embryos. Myc is required for normal expression of Slug/Snail2 and Twist, and either XSlug/Snail2 or XTwist could compensate for defects manifest by Xc-Myc knockdown. Importantly, knockdown of Xc-Myc, XSlug/Snail2 or XTwist within the lateral plate mesoderm, but not the neural crest, provoked embryonic edema and hemorrhage. Collectively, these findings support a model in which Myc, Twist and Slug/Snail2 function in a regulatory circuit within lateral plate mesoderm that directs normal vessel formation in both the vascular and lymphatic systems.
Computationally efficient algorithms for control of ultrasound phased-array hyperthermia applicators based on a pseudoinverse method

Computationally efficient incremental algorithms for application of the pseudoinverse method for ultrasound phased-array field pattern synthesis are discussed and shown to significantly reduce computing effort when more control points should be added to existing subsets of points previously manipulated. These algorithms avoid calculation of inverse matrices, a time-consuming job for microcomputers when the dimensions of the matrices are large. This technique can be used to recursively modify the heating patterns of a phased-array hyperthermia applicator in the clinic. >
The dimeric mixed-ligand titanacarborane sandwich [1-(Cp)-1-Ti-2-(Me)-3-(SiMe3)-2,3-C2B4H4]2

The title dimer, bis­[1-cyclo­penta­dienyl-2-methyl-1-titana-3-tri­methylsilyl-2,3-dicarba-closo-hexaborane(6)], [Ti(C5H5)(C6­H16­B4Si)]2, reveals that the centrosymmetric mol­ecule consists of two bent-sandwich titanacarboranes bridged by the B—H—Ti bonds. The average bond distances are Ti—B 2.445 (3), Ti—C(cage) 2.334 (2) and Ti—C(Cp) 2.376 (3) A, and the corresponding bond angles are Cp—Ti—Cp 163.2 (1) and Cp—Ti—Cb (Cb = C2B3 face) 139.9 (1)°; the Ti—H separations are 2.10 (2) and 2.19 (2) A.
Aortic flux of radiopharmaceuticals in atherosclerotic rabbits

Abstract To externally measure the extent of atherosclerosis in cholesterol fed rabbits, we catheterized the femoral artery during stop flow and injected the aorta with 99mTc sodium pertechnetate as a reference agent and 125I albumin, 1251 digitonin, or 125I fibrinogen as test agents; another phase involved 125I sodium iodide and 99mTc albumin minispheres (particles) respectively as reference and test agents. Two simultaneous radioisotope washout curves were recorded at the abdominal wall after tourniquet release. Reliability of the washout curve method was confirmed in a separate experiment by assay of segments excised at various intervals after tourniquet release. Macromolecules penetrated the diseased wall more, but washed out more rapidly, than in normal aortic wall. The diseased endothelium most likely permitted penetration, and cholesterol-impaired cell membrane function in this deeper layers very likely reduced binding of these macromolecules. The minispheres displayed greater adherence to atherosclerotic than to normal walls, presumably to roughened endothelial surfaces.
The Radon‐Nikodým Property for the Space of Operators, I

Some necessary and some sufficient conditions for the space of all bounded linear operators between two BANACH spaces to have the RADON-NIKODÝM property are given.
Direct zigzag search for discrete multi-objective optimization

Multiple objective optimization (MOO) models and solution methods are commonly used for multi-criteria decision making in real-life engineering and management applications. Much research has been conducted for continuous MOO problems, but MOO problems with discrete or mixed integer variables and black-box objective functions arise frequently in practice. For example, in energy industry, optimal development problems of oil gas fields, shale gas hydraulic fracturing, and carbon dioxide geologic storage and enhanced oil recovery, may consider integer variables (number of wells, well drilling blocks), continuous variables (e.g. bottom hole pressures, production rates), and the field performance is typically evaluated by black-box reservoir simulation. These discrete or mixed integer MOO (DMOO) problems with black-box objective functions are more challenging and require new MOO solution techniques. We develop a direct zigzag (DZZ) search method by effectively integrating gradient-free direct search and zigzag search for such DMOO problems. Based on three numerical example problems including a mixed integer MOO problem associated with the optimal development of a carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) project, DZZ is demonstrated to be computationally efficient. The numerical results also suggest that DZZ significantly outperforms NSGA-II, a widely used genetic algorithms (GA) method.
A Deadtimeless Shift Register Style Readout Scheme for Multiwire Proportional Chambers

A proportional chamber readout scheme has been developed which stores each-wire's data in a 40 MHz "shift register" while a decision to retain an event is made. System delay, resolving time and storage time are adjustable parameters and multiple hits on a wire, within the storage time, are retained.
The oxidation of 5-methyl-14C-tetrahydrofolate and histidine-2-14C to 14CO2 in vitamin B12-deficient rats.

SummaryWhen rats were fed a diet deficient in vitamin B12 and limiting in methionine, the 14CO2 production from L-histidine-2-14C was reduced in comparison with rats fed diets supplementd with vitamin B12 and/or methionine. In contrast, the production of 14CO2 from 5-14CH3-tetrahydrofolic acid was not altered by vitamin B12 deficiency or the level of dietary methionine. The Tmax for the oxidation of 5-14CH3-tetrahydrofolic acid to 14CO2 was delayed in vitamin B12 deficiency in comparison with normals, indicating that either an enzymatic reaction or transport into tissues becomes rate-limiting in the deficient state.
THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF A ROTATING-DISK PARTIALLY CONFOCAL SCANNING MICROSCOPE

Confocal scanning microscopy is widely used for three-dimensional (3-D) visualization of fixed specimens but has found only a limited 3-D reconstruction application for living specimens because the high intensity of the excitation often damages the specimen or causes the fluorescent dye to bleach. Computational optical-sectioning microscopy also suffers from drawbacks because nonconfocal 3-D imaging is fundamentally constrained by an artifactual elongation in the optical axis imposed by the so-called missing cone. We investigate the imaging properties of a new rotating-disk partially confocal scanning microscope (PCSM) that greatly reduces collection time by using multiple apertures for both excitation and detection, effectively working as many confocal microscopes in parallel. We show that this PCSM behaves as a hybrid microscope; near the in-focus plane it behaves near the theoretical optimum for confocal microscopy, and away from this plane its behavior approaches that of a nonconfocal microscope. We also show that the rotating-disk PCSM does not suffer from a missing cone. In fact, the optical transfer function of the theoretically optimal confocal microscope and the rotating-disk PCSM have practically the same bandpass in the spatial-frequency domain.
Mortality among survivors of the Sept 11, 2001, World Trade Center disaster: results from the World Trade Center Health Registry cohort

Summary Background The Sept 11, 2001 (9/11) World Trade Center (WTC) disaster has been associated with several subacute and chronic health effects, but whether excess mortality after 9/11 has occurred is unknown. We tested whether excess mortality has occurred in people exposed to the WTC disaster. Methods In this observational cohort study, deaths occurring in 2003–09 in WTC Health Registry participants residing in New York City were identified through linkage to New York City vital records and the National Death Index. Eligible participants were rescue and recovery workers and volunteers; lower Manhattan area residents, workers, school staff and students; and commuters and passers-by on 9/11. Study participants were categorised as rescue and recovery workers (including volunteers), or non-rescue and non-recovery participants. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated with New York City rates from 2000–09 as the reference. Within the cohort, proportional hazards were used to examine the relation between a three-tiered WTC-related exposure level (high, intermediate, or low) and total mortality. Findings We identified 156 deaths in 13 337 rescue and recovery workers and 634 deaths in 28 593 non-rescue and non-recovery participants. All-cause SMRs were significantly lower than that expected for rescue and recovery participants (SMR 0·45, 95% CI 0·38–0·53) and non-rescue and non-recovery participants (0·61, 0·56–0·66). No significantly increased SMRs for diseases of the respiratory system or heart, or for haematological malignancies were found. In non-rescue and non-recovery participants, both intermediate and high levels of WTC-related exposure were significantly associated with mortality when compared with low exposure (adjusted hazard ratio 1·22, 95% CI 1·01–1·48, for intermediate exposure and 1·56, 1·15–2·12, for high exposure). High levels of exposure in non-rescue and non-recovery individuals, when compared with low exposed non-rescue and non-recovery individuals, were associated with heart-disease-related mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2·06, 1·10–3·86). In rescue and recovery participants, level of WTC-related exposure was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1·25, 95% CI 0·56–2·78, for high exposure and 1·03, 0·52–2·06, for intermediate exposure when compared with low exposure). Interpretation This exploratory study of mortality in a well defined cohort of 9/11 survivors provides a baseline for continued surveillance. Additional follow-up is needed to establish whether these associations persist and whether a similar association over time will occur in rescue and recovery participants. Funding US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and National Center for Environmental Health); New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Completely integrable coupled KdV and coupled KP systems

Abstract In this work we study two completely integrable coupled KdV and coupled KP systems. The Hirota’s bilinear method is employed to formally derive multiple soliton solutions and multiple singular soliton solutions for each system. The resonance phenomenon will be examined.
Ultrasound radiation force noninvasive bone assessment

In this work, a novel ultrasound-guided remote measurement technique is proposed for bone quality assessment. The technique utilizes an acoustic radiation force (ARF) excitation source to generate vibrational waves from the bone, and the ensuing radiating acoustic pressure is captured for analysis. Of particular interest, are extracting acoustic features related to the bone mechanical properties. Ex-vivo experiments of demineralized and intact (non-demineralized) bones are conducted, in order to determine the best acoustic features delineating the effects of demineralization. Mechanical tests demonstrate a reduction in the bone elastic modulus with demineralization. The acoustic waves from the intact bones travel faster than the demineralized bones. The spectra of the acoustic response of the demineralized bones exhibit higher attenuation for frequencies below 200 kHz in comparison to the intact bones. A time-frequency analysis exhibits a frequency shift with demineralization. Acoustic features related to these observations are extracted from the acoustic response of the bare bone experiments. Thereafter, attempts are made to recover these features from bone phantom experiments with overlaying tissue-like material. The results are summarized and discussed.
The use of troponin measurements in patients with unstable angina.

Appreciation of the reasons why elevations of tissue is damaged [8–10]. This issue in regard to cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) provide cTnT is more complex. It appears that at least some important prognostic information can only be underof the cardiac isoforms that are expressed in the heart stood if one understands the basis for the use of these are expressed in skeletal muscle during development markers. Thus, it is important to briefly recount some [11,12]. Whether these are the isoforms that are basic information. detected by the antibodies currently used for assays is more controversial and some have argued that they may well be undetected fetal forms that are present in 1. Basic biology both skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle [13]. Nonetheless, these facts have led to some concern that The troponins are part of a trimolecular complex some of the elevations of cTnT in patients with renal that are responsible for regulating the calcium mefailure and skeletal muscle injury may be due to diated interaction of actin and myosin [1,2]. From the coexpression of this marker in skeletal muscle [14– perspective of being highly specific biomarkers, cTnT 18]. This has led to the contention that cTnT may and cTnI are the products of unique genes and their have less robust specificity for cardiac injury than cardiac isoforms are substantially different from their cTnI. Definitive studies in this regard have yet to be skeletal muscle isoforms [3–5]. This is not the case published. for troponin C where the cardiac form is the same as the form found in vascular smooth muscle [6]. Thus, both cTnI and cTnT have the potential for having 2. Clinical specificity of the troponins unique specificity for cardiac injury. The data in regard to specificity are more fully developed for Multiple studies have confirmed that the troponins cTnI and suggest that the cardiac isoform is not are more specific for cardiac injury than MBCK [19]. expressed outside of the heart at any time during Increases are far less common in patients with acute neonatal development [7]. For this reason, not only or chronic skeletal muscle injury, marathon runners, would cTnI not be expected to exist in skeletal and the like. In studies where cardiac injury is muscle as has been shown by several investigations, diagnosed independently, cTnI is not found to be but it also should not be reexpressed in response to elevated in patients with acute or chronic skeletal tissue injury where fetal forms are often found when muscle injury, marathon runners or patients with renal failure in the absence of evidence of myocardial
Imaging triiodothyronine binding kinetics in rat brain: A model for studies in human subjects

Many lines of evidence indicate a role for thyroid hormones in the expression of cognitive and affective disorders. These conditions constitute a large proportion of the illness burden in the general population. Unfortunately, presently available diagnostic procedures cannot adequately identify these problems. To determine whether imaging studies of thyroid hormone kinetics in brain might be feasible in patients with these disorders, an autoradiographic method for measuring thyroid hormone kinetics was developed. Twenty-five awake adult rats received high specific activity [125I]-triiodothyronine (T3*). Brains were obtained at intervals from 5 through 300 min after i.v. hormone administration. Every 5th frozen section was thaw mounted and exposed to film. To determine whether T3 was responsible for the autoradiographic images, the intervening sections were assembled while frozen in regional tissue pools and were extracted and then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results demonstrated that radioactivity was almost entirely due to T3*(∼90%) while small amounts of hormone metabolites, including [125I]iodine accounted for the remainder. Regional concentrations of label in autoradiograms were measured by densitometry in hippocampus (CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus), cerebellum (molecular and granular cell layers), caudate nucleus, and amygdala. Unexpectedly and interestingly, the results demonstrated that binding through 5 h was mainly irreversible. Regional values of the net uptake rate constant of T3* or influx constant, Ki, were determined from the time course of the T3* data, showing significant differences among regions. These results suggest that imaging of labeled thyroid hormone ligands by positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography may be feasible and would potentially provide useful information relevant to T3 processing in the brain during a variety of drug and disease-induced conditions. Synapse 60:212–222, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reliable Express-Virtual-Channel-based network-on-chip under the impact of technology scaling

Packet-switched on-chip interconnection networks are emerging as pervasive communication fabrics to connect different processing elements in multi/many-core chips. As a preferred NoC flow-control mechanism, Express Virtual Channel (EVC) allows packets to virtually bypass intermediate nodes to minimize communication delay. Technology scaling results in process variation and Negative Biased Temperature Instability (NBTI) which can significantly affect the reliability and lifetime of NoC fabricated using nano-meter transistors. In this paper, we propose a technique that significantly improves the reliability of EVC-based NoCs by reducing the simultaneous impact of process variation and NBTI. Our evaluation results using a detailed cycle-accurate simulator on a wide range of synthetic traffics and parallel benchmark traces show up to 75.5% guardband improvement over the conventional EVC-based NoCs.
A Solution Procedure for Laplace’s Equation on Multiply Connected Circular Domains

A solution procedure is presented for the two-dimensional Laplace’s equation on circular domains with circular holes and arbitrary boundary conditions. The shape functions use the traditional trigonometric Fourier series on the boundaries with a power series decay into the domain thereby satisfying the governing equation exactly. The interaction of the boundaries is expressed simply and exactly resulting in quick processing time. The only simplification made is the use of a finite number of terms in the boundary conditions. The results are compared with a Green’s function method due to Naghdi (1991) and a Mobius transformation method due to Honein et al. (1991).
Evaluating Effects of Volumetric and Mechanistic Test Variability on Predicted Performance of Asphalt Pavement: Applying the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide

The objective of this study is to evaluate, with the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), the effects of volumetric and mechanistic variability on predicted performance of asphalt pavements. In addition, the effect of volumetric variability on predicted mechanistic properties of asphalt mixtures, as determined with the Fonseca-Witczak predictive model, was quantified with the use of a Monte Carlo simulation. Data collected from NCHRP Project 9-48, Field Versus Laboratory Volumetric and Mechanical Properties, were used to quantify the variability in volumetric and mechanistic properties. The effects of mechanistic variability on the design outcomes were evaluated with a sensitivity analysis of the MEPDG. According to the results, the average coefficient of variation (CV) in the dynamic complex modulus calculated from the Fonseca-Witczak model was 8.1%, which was less than the CV of 13.9% determined from the dynamic modulus test data presented in NCHRP Project 9-48. Predicted pavement distre...
Work Rehabilitation in Schizophrenia: Does Cognitive Impairment Limit Improvement?

Cognitive impairments may be an important contributor to disability in schizophrenia and may limit the rate of improvement in work rehabilitation. Thirty-three outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who participated in a 6-month work rehabilitation program were assessed for symptom severity and administered neuropsychological testing at intake. Their work performance was evaluated biweekly using the Work Behavior Inventory. On each of five domains of work performance, 76 to 91 percent of subjects reached proficiency or improved significantly over 26 weeks. Individual differences in rate of improvement were robustly predicted by neuropsychological variables: Work Habits, r2 = 0.79; Personal Presentation, r2 = 0.73; Cooperativeness, r2 = 0.67; Work Quality, r2 = 0.56; Social Skills, r 2 = 0.27; Total, r 2 = 0.44. Neuropsychological measures had differential relationships to work domains. Individual differences in improvement were not predicted by symptom measures. These findings link cognitive impairment to disability and suggest that remediating or accommodating such deficits may be necessary for successful rehabilitation.
High-resolution thermal imaging methodology for non-destructive evaluation of historic structures

Abstract This paper presents a methodology for automated, portable thermography, for the acquisition of high-resolution thermal image mosaics supporting the non-destructive evaluation of historic structures. The presented approach increases the spatial resolution of thermal surveys to a level of detail needed for building scale analysis. The integration of a robotic camera platform enables automated alignment of multiple images into a high-resolution thermal image mosaic giving a holistic view of the structure while maintaining a level of detail equaling or exceeding that of traditional spot surveys using existing cameras. Providing a digital workflow for automated data and metadata recording increases the consistency and accuracy of surveys regardless of the location or operator. An imaging workflow and instrumentation are shown for a case-study on buildings in Florence, Italy demonstrating the effectiveness of this methodology for structural diagnostics.
Potential effects of the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii on zooplankton community abundance

In the autumn of 2006, the freshwater hydrozoan jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii was observed for the first time in a small lake in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Medusae were collected for two experiments involving the prey items Bosmina longirostris, Daphnia magna and Daphnia lumholtzi, and for a third experiment in unfiltered pond water containing natural densities of in situ fauna. Medusa presence significantly increased prey mortality for all three species in the first two experiments. We found that B. longirostris and D. lumholtzi were significantly more likely to be consumed once killed, compared to D. magna. Daphnia magna was killed at a high rate, but was not consumed. When placed in whole pond water containing a natural complement of zooplankton, medusae were found to significantly alter community abundance by reducing the population abundance of many of the common zooplankton species present, including the rotifer Ascomorpha spp., copepod adults and nauplii, and B. ongirostris. We argue that C. sowerbii presence has the potential to significantly alter zooplankton communities and, therefore, aquatic food webs, via both direct predation (rotifers, small cladocera, copepods) and incidental mortality (larger zooplankton and small/larval fish).
The process and microstructure modeling of long-fiber thermoplastic composites

Interest in thermoplastic matrix composites has increased in recent years due to several advantages of these materials, including high volume process ability, recyclability, superior damage tolerance and fracture toughness, and ability to produce complex shapes. Among thermoplastic composites, long-fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) are finding increased use in the automotive and transportation sector. Predictive process and material characterization tools are much needed in industry to minimize expensive tooling/process trials and to improve the design avenues for parts produced using LFTs. The current work focuses on finite element simulation of LFT materials for two scenarios: first, process modeling of LFTs to evaluate the flow of fiber-filled viscous charge during compression molding and the resulting fiber orientation prediction and, second, modulus prediction of LFT materials accounting for fiber orientation and distribution. Together these tools provide insight into the process and performance characteristics of LFT materials.