cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic leak after left pancreatectomy is reduced following main pancreatic duct ligation

Background: Although much is known about the long-term outcome of patients undergoing left (distal) pancreatectomy for malignancy, comparatively little is known about the optimal management strategy for the residual transected pancreatic parenchyma and the divided pancreatic duct. Clinicopathological and operative factors that may contribute to postoperative pancreatic leak were evaluated. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 126 patients who underwent left pancreatectomy between June 1990 and December 1999 at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was performed. Results: Indications for left pancreatectomy included pancreatic neoplasms (n = 42; 33·3 per cent), en bloc resection for management of retroperitoneal sarcoma (n = 21; 16·7 per cent), gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 14; 11·1 per cent), renal cell carcinoma (n = 11; 8·7 per cent) and other tumours or benign conditions (n = 38; 30·2 per cent). Pancreatic parenchymal closure was accomplished by a hand-sewn technique, mechanical stapling, or a combination of the two in 83, 20 and 15 patients respectively. No form of parenchymal closure was used in eight patients. Identification of the pancreatic duct and suture ligation was performed in 73 patients (57·9 per cent). Twenty-five patients (19·8 per cent) developed a pancreatic leak. For subgroups having duct ligation or no duct ligation, pancreatic leak rates were 9·6 per cent (seven of 73 patients) and 34·0 per cent (18 of 53 patients) respectively (P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis including clinicopathological and operative factors indicated that failure to ligate the pancreatic duct was the only feature associated with an increased risk for pancreatic leak (odds ratio 5·0 (95 per cent confidence interval 2·0 to 10·0); P = 0·001). Conclusion: Pancreatic leak remains a common complication after left pancreatectomy. The incidence of leak is reduced significantly when the pancreatic duct is identified and directly ligated during left pancreatectomy. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ORAL TOLERIZATION AS A TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The basic science immunology community is quite accepting of the phenomenon of oral tolerance induction in animals; however, in contradistinction, the clinical community is somewhat agnostic regarding oral tolerance. Progress in multiple sclerosis has not been definitive and outcomes in RA have been modest at best. Recent reports in animal models have suggested that oral ingestion of autoantigen can have deleterious effects on the host. Although those experiments have had a highly artificial framework, they are consistent with the possibility that oral antigen therapy in human disease may be: (1) beneficial; (2) of no consequence; or (3) detrimental. An extremely open mind will hopefully be applied to future research efforts.
Interannual variability of regional climate and its change due to the greenhouse effect

Abstract Interannual variability of regional climate was investigated on a seasonal basis. Observations and two global climate model (GCM) simulations were intercompared to identify model biases and climate change signals due to the enhanced greenhouse effect. Observed record length varies from 40 to 100 years, while the model output comes from two 100-year equilibrium climate simulations corresponding to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at observed 1990 and projected 2050 levels. The GCM includes an atmosphere based on the NCAR CCM1 with the addition of the radiative effects of CH 4 , N 2 O and CFCs, a bulk layer land surface and a mixed-layer ocean with thermodynamic sea-ice and fixed meridional oceanic heat transport. Because comparisons of interannual variability are sensitive to the time period chosen, a climate ensemble technique has been developed. This technique provides comparisons between variance ratios of two time series for all possible contiguous sub-periods of a fixed length. The time autocorrelation is thus preserved within each sub-period. The optimal sub-period length was found to be 30 years, based on which robust statistics of the ensemble were obtained to identify substantial differences in interannual variability that are both physically important and statistically significant. Several aspects of observed interannual variability were reproduced by the GCM. These include: global surface air temperature; Arctic sea-ice extent; and regional variability of surface air temperature, sea level pressure and 500 mb height over about one quarter of the observed data domains. Substantial biases, however, exist over broad regions, where strong seasonality and systematic links between variables were identified. For instance, during summer substantially greater model variability was found for both surface air temperature and sea-level pressure over land areas between 20–50°N, while this tendency was confined to 20–30°N in other seasons. When greenhouse gas concentrations increase, atmospheric moisture variability is substantially larger over areas that experience the greatest surface warming. This corresponds to an intensified hydrologic cycle and, hence, regional increases in precipitation variability. Surface air temperature variability increases where hydrologic processes vary greatly or where mean soil moisture is much reduced. In contrast, temperature variability decreases substantially where sea-ice melts completely. These results indicate that regional changes in interannual variability due to the enhanced greenhouse effect are associated with mechanisms that depend on the variable and season.
Peek-a-boo: membrane hijacking and the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis

Historically, animal viruses have been classified on the basis of the presence or absence of an envelope – an external lipid bilayer membrane typically carrying one or more viral glycoproteins. However, growing evidence indicates that some ‘non-enveloped' viruses circulate in the blood of infected individuals enveloped in host-derived membranes that provide protection from neutralizing antibodies. In this opinion article, we discuss this novel strategy for virus survival and consider how it contributes to the pathogenesis of acute viral hepatitis. The acquisition of an envelope by non-enveloped viruses profoundly influences their interaction with the host at both the cellular and system level and challenges how we think about vaccine protection against these infections.
Rates of flocculation and deflocculation in dispersions of carbon black in hydrocarbons

Abstract The optical density of carbon black suspensions in heptane, toluene, and solutions of polystyrene in toluene and in cyclohexane, decreases with time and ultimately reaches a steady-state value. This is interpreted in terms of the simultaneous occurrence of flocculation and deflocculation following, respectively, second- and first-order kinetic rate laws. A method is developed for obtaining an absolute value of β, the rate constant for deflocculation, from the time dependence of the optical density, assuming that optical density is proportional to floc concentration. The rate constants for both flocculation and deflocculation increase with increasing initial average size of the flocs. The specific rate of redispersion, β, increases with increasing polystyrene concentration in cyclohexane, the effect being explicable in terms of decrease of attraction between carbon particles due to the presence of tightly adsorbed polymer on the surface. In toluene, β passes through a minimum with increasing polystyrene concentration, attributable to decreased redispersion resulting from bridging of particles by extended loops of adsorbed polymer.
Origin, development and chemistry of silica-alumina rock coatings from the semi-arid regions of the island of Hawaii

Abstract Exposed rock surfaces in the semi-arid regions of the Island of Hawaii are characterized by an x-ray amorphous silica-alumina surface coating, ranging in thickness from a few to several hundred micrometers. These coatings are composed of clear to translucent white lamellae of amorphous silica with a minor component of some amorphous aluminum phase, and in some cases, interlayered fine-grained clastic material. The coatings are derived from exogenous material. Both the amorphous silica-alumina component and the clastic component of the coating are derived locally. Description of the chemical composition, mineralogy and the morphology of the coating, along with an evaluation of possible sources, enables formulation of a model which describes their development. Because the composition and mineralogy of the coatings is dissimilar from all likely source materials, direct incorporation of the source material could not account for the coating. Instead fine-grained clastic material, locally derived from the soil, is blown onto the rock surface; during a later non-violent wetting event, such as fog or dew, some of this material goes into solution. As this solution is evaporated poorly ordered mineral phases precipitate onto the rock surface forming the coating. Some of the clastic material is incorporated into the coating during the precipitation. Late stage precipitates are removed during later more dynamic wetting events, such as a heavy rainfall, which wash across the rock surface.
Lymphomas: Long-term sequelae and survivorship issues

Objectives To provide a review of long-term sequelae of lymphoma and its treatment, with emphasis on second malignancies, survivorship issues, rehabilitation, and quality of life. Data Sources Review articles, research studies, and book chapters pertaining to late effects of treatment of lymphomas and to rehabilitation and quality of life for survivors of Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Conclusions Overall, the outlook for survivors of the lymphomas is positive. The risk of developing second malignancies as long-term sequelae, although relatively low, and the need for physical and psychological health maintenance, warrant lifetime follow-up and support. Implications for Nursing Practice Nurses have a key role in preparing patients for survivorship. By fostering a philosophy and program of rehabilitation that begins at the time of diagnosis, nurses can assist survivors of lymphoma to achieve quality of life.
Schistosoma mansoni Enhances Host Susceptibility to Mucosal but Not Intravenous Challenge by R5 Clade C SHIV

Background The high prevalence of HIV-1/AIDS in areas endemic for schistosomiasis and other helminthic infections has led to the hypothesis that parasites increase host susceptibility to immunodeficiency virus infection. We previously showed that rhesus macaques (RM) with active schistosomiasis were significantly more likely to become systemically infected after intrarectal (i.r.) exposure to an R5-tropic clade C simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV-C) than were parasite-free controls. However, we could not address whether this was due to systemic or mucosal effects. If systemic immunoactivation resulted in increased susceptibility to SHIV-C acquisition, a similarly large difference in host susceptibility would be seen after intravenous (i.v.) SHIV-C challenge. Conversely, if increased host susceptibility was due to parasite-induced immunoactivation at the mucosal level, i.v. SHIV-C challenge would not result in significant differences between parasitized and parasite-free monkeys. Methods and Findings We enrolled two groups of RM and infected one group with Schistosoma mansoni; the other group was left parasite-free. Both groups were challenged i.v. with decreasing doses of SHIV-C. No statistically significant differences in 50% animal infectious doses (AID50) or peak viremia were seen between the two groups. These data strongly contrast the earlier i.r. SHIV-C challenge (using the same virus stock) in the presence/absence of parasites, where we noted a 17-fold difference in AID50 and one log higher peak viremia in parasitized monkeys (P<0.001 for both). The lack of significant differences after the i.v. challenge implies that the increased host susceptibility is predominantly due to parasite-mediated mucosal upregulation of virus replication and spread, rather than systemic effects. Conclusions The major impact of schistosome-induced increased host susceptibility is at the mucosal level. Given that >90% of all new HIV-1 infections worldwide are acquired through mucosal contact, parasitic infections that inflame mucosae may play an important role in the spread of HIV-1.
Tracer microstructure in the large-eddy dominated regime

Abstract We have re-examined the inertial range behavior of a passive scalar which is advected by a large-scale velocity field causing a cascade of tracer variance to small scales, where it is dissipated by diffusion. This has been done within the context of an idealized model based on mixing by a 2D area-preserving map alternating with a weak diffusion step; the model is a special case of the general advection-diffusion problem. Both freely decaying and forced equilibrium systems were considered. Our main interest in this concerns the validity of Batchelor's theory predicting a k-1 tracer variance spectrum, but the tracer microstructure has been diagnosed in terms of concentration probability distribution functions, generalized dimensions of the dissipation field, structure functions, and cancellation exponents. 2D simulations carried out at 10242 resolution show that in the decaying case the evolution settles into a ‘fractal eigenmode’ in which the variance decays exponentially with time at a rate dependent on the Lyapunov exponent but independent of the diffusion coefficient. Although the concentration pattern is self-similar with time, the power spectrum is not algebraic. Concentration PDFs have exponential tails. The dissipation field is not multifractal, and formally has Dq=2 for all q. The convergence of the squared-gradient PDFs under coarse-graining indicates some underlying fractal behavior, however, and we have introduced the notion of ‘fractal degree of freedom’ systems to describe such entities. Cancellation exponents and structure functions were also considered, and have a self-similarity which is compatible with a non-intermittent behavior of the dissipation field. These matters have also been addressed for the equilibrium case. The main difference is that the power spectrum of concentration variance in equilibrium exhibits a power-law inertial range, though it is steeper than k-1, but not as steep as k-2. Other features are similar to the decaying case. Very high resolution simulations of the undiffused problem indicate that a k-1 spectrum is approached asymptotically, but only at resolutions corresponding to 106 x 106. The passive scalar behavior is compared and contrasted with the behavior of scalar pseudo-vorticity (an ‘active scalar’) in the family of generalized 2D turbulence models introduced elsewhere in this issue.
Joint time-frequency domain identification of nonlinearly controlled structures

This paper introduces a 3-step approach for the identification of a linear structure that is controlled by nonlinear damping devices. First, the structure with the integrated nonlinear damper is subjected to random vibration test and the frequency response function (FRF) of the structure is calculated from the input-output data of the physical system. Based on the frequency domain data, a state space model is then estimated using a recently developed FRF curve-fitting technique that is designed especially for lightly damped structures with control inputs. Finally an iterative process is used to optimize the model performance in the time domain and an integrated model of the nonlinearly controlled structure is derived by interconnecting the structure model with that of the nonlinear damper. The complete approach is illustrated by the modeling of a base-isolated structure controlled by a magnetorheological (MR) fluid damper.
Gene Expression and Collagen Fiber Micromechanical Interactions of the Semilunar Heart Valve Interstitial Cell

The semilunar (aortic and pulmonary) heart valves function under dramatically different hemodynamic environments, and have been shown to exhibit differences in mechanical properties, extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, and valve interstitial cell (VIC) biosynthetic activity. However, the relationship between VIC function and the unique micromechanical environment in each semilunar heart valve remains unclear. In the present study, we quantitatively compared porcine semilunar mRNA expression of primary ECM constituents, and layer- and valve-specific VIC–collagen mechanical interactions under increasing transvalvular pressure (TVP). Results indicated that the aortic valve (AV) had a higher fibrillar collagen mRNA expression level compared to the pulmonary valve (PV). We further noted that VICs exhibited larger deformations with increasing TVP in the collagen rich fibrosa layer, with substantially smaller changes in the spongiosa and ventricularis layers. While the VIC–collagen micromechanical coupling varied considerably between the semilunar valves, we observed that the VIC deformations in the fibrosa layer were similar at each valve’s respective peak TVP. This result suggests that each semilunar heart valve’s collagen fiber microstructure is organized to induce a consistent VIC deformation under its respective diastolic TVP. Collectively, our results are consistent with higher collagen biosynthetic demands for the AV compared to the PV, and that the valvular collagen microenvironment may play a significant role in regulating VIC function.
Differential distribution of voltage-gated channels in myelinated and unmyelinated baroreceptor afferents.

Abstract Voltage gated ion channels (VGC) make possible the frequency coding of arterial pressure and the neurotransmission of this information along myelinated and unmyelinated fiber pathways. Although many of the same VGC isoforms are expressed in both fiber types, it is the relative expression of each that defines the unique discharge properties of myelinated A-type and unmyelinated C-type baroreceptors. For example, the fast inward Na+ current is a major determinant of the action potential threshold and the regenerative transmembrane current needed to sustain repetitive discharge. In A-type baroreceptors the TTX-sensitive Nav1.7 VGC contributes to the whole cell Na+ current. Nav1.7 is expressed at a lower density in C-type neurons and in conjunction with TTX-insensitive Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 VGC. As a result, action potentials of A-type neurons have firing thresholds that are 15–20 mV more negative and upstroke velocities that are 5–10 times faster than unmyelinated C-type neurons. A more depolarized threshold in conjunction with a broader complement of non-inactivating KV VGC subtypes produces C-type action potentials that are 3–4 times longer in duration than A-type neurons and at markedly lower levels of cell excitability. Unmyelinated baroreceptors also express KCa1.1 which provides approximately 25% of the total outward K+ current. KCa1.1 plays a critically important role in shaping the action potential profile of C-type neurons and strongly impacts neuronal excitability. A-type neurons do not functionally express the KCa1.1 channel despite having a whole cell CaV current quite similar to that of C-type neurons. As a result, A-type neurons do not have the frequency-dependent braking forces of KCa1.1. Lack of a KCa current and only a limited complement of non-inactivating KV VGC in addition to a hyperpolarization activated HCN1 current that is nearly 10 times larger than in C-type neurons leads to elevated levels of discharge in A-type neurons, a hallmark of myelinated baroreceptors. Interestingly, HCN2 and HCN4 expression levels are comparable in both fiber types. Collectively, such apportion of VGC constrains the neural coding of myelinated A-type baroreceptors to low threshold, high frequency, high fidelity discharge but with a limited capacity for neuromodulation of afferent bandwidth. Unmyelinated C-type baroreceptors require greater depolarizing forces for spike initiation and have a low frequency discharge profile that is often poorly correlated with the physiological stimulus. But the complement of VGC in C-type neurons provides far greater capacity for neuromodulation of cell excitability than can be obtained from A-type baroreceptors.
Mechanism and Modeling of a Thiol−Ene Photopolymerization

Thiol−ene photopolymerizations proceed via a sequential radical propagation/chain transfer mechanism that leads to polymer and network formation much like a step growth polymerization. Here, the chain transfer step in this sequential reaction series is shown to be the rate-limiting step. A model has been developed that accurately predicts the observed polymerization kinetic behavior under a variety of circumstances. Chain transfer is modeled as a rate-limiting step with the rate parameter (kp) for the propagation reaction being a factor of 10 greater than that for the chain transfer process (kCT) (kp/kCT = 10). The polymerization rate is first-order overall with first-order dependence on thiol functional group concentration and independent of the ene functional group concentration; Rp ∝ [SH]1[CC]0. Polymerization rate behavior vs functional group concentration change is shown to be only a function of the ratio of propagation to chain transfer kinetic parameters.
Schema-Based Strategy Instruction in Mathematics and the Word Problem-Solving Performance of a Student with Autism.

The purpose of this study was to provide preliminary results on the use of schema-based strategy instruction to teach addition and subtraction word problem solving to a fourth grade student with autism. The student was taught to use schematic diagrams to solve three types of addition and subtraction word problems. A multiple probes across behaviors single-case design was used, with solving each of the three problem types treated as a separate behavior. Interpretation of results indicated that the participant’s ability to solve all types of one-step addition and subtraction word problems improved following instruction. Improvement also generalized to problems with unknowns in the initial and medial position and was maintained over time.
Chronic right-lower-quadrant abdominal pain: Is there a role for elective appendectomy?☆

Abstract Background/Purpose: Chronic right-lower-quadrant abdominal pain is a frequent problem in the pediatric population. The purpose of this report is to detail the outcome of management of these patients with appendectomy. Methods: Appendiceal colic was judged to be present if the history showed cramping abdominal pain in association with McBurney's point tenderness. This is a retrospective review of 50 consecutive pediatric patients experiencing pain for greater than 1 year. All patients were evaluated at a single institution by one surgeon and underwent elective appendectomies from April 1985 through April 1997. Results: Seventy-five percent of the patients were girls. One hundred forty-nine imaging and endoscopic studies were performed with 135 negative findings. Twenty-three patients had a minimum of one previous emergency room visit or hospitalization for the same abdominal complaints. The pathological findings were distinctly different from those of incidental appendectomies. Three patients had undergone previous diagnostic explorations for abdominal pain, the appendix was not removed, and a subsequent appendectomy relieved the discomfort. Forty-nine of the 50 patients were pain free at 1 year. Conclusions: Appendiceal colic is a clinical diagnosis. It is anticipated that patients with cramping abdominal pain associated with McBurney's point tenderness could undergo less preoperative workup and expedited resolution of the problem in the future.
Spectrally selective black tungsten films

Abstract Black tungsten thin films, combining significant solar absorptance with a high IR reflectance, were produced by the thermal decomposition of W(CO)6 onto silicon substrates in the presence of an oxygen bleed. The effect of annealing treatments on the reflectance was investigated for annealing conducted in a reducing atmosphere at temperatures up to 1000°C.
Evidence for gas accumulation associated with diapirism and gas hydrates at the head of the Cape Fear Slide

Single-channel seismic reflection profiles show evidence for areas of significant gas accumulation at the head of the Cape Fear Slide on the continental rise off North Carolina. Gas accumulation appears to occur beneath a gas hydrate seal in landward-dipping strata and in domed strata associated with diapirism. In addition, gas venting may have occurred near diapirs located at the head of the slide.
Use of weighted reference panels based on empirical estimates of ancestry for capturing untyped variation.

Many association methods use a subset of genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to capture or infer genotypes at other untyped SNPs. We and others previously showed that tag SNPs selected to capture common variation using data from The International HapMap Consortium (Nature 437:1299–1320, 2005), The International HapMap Consortium (Nature 449:851–861, 2007) could also capture variation in populations of similar ancestry to HapMap reference populations (de Bakker et al. in Nat Genet 38:1298–1303, 2006; Gonzalez-Neira et al. in Genome Res 16:323–330, 2006; Montpetit et al. in PLoS Genet 2:282–290, 2006; Mueller et al. in Am J Hum Genet 76:387–398, 2005). To capture variation in admixed populations or populations less similar to HapMap panels, a “cosmopolitan approach,” in which all samples from HapMap are used as a single reference panel, was proposed. Here we refine this suggestion and show that use of a “weighted reference panel,” constructed based on empirical estimates of ancestry in the target population (relative to available reference panels), is more efficient than the cosmopolitan approach. Weighted reference panels capture, on average, only slightly fewer common variants (minor allele frequency > 5%) than the cosmopolitan approach (mean r2 = 0.977 vs. 0.989, 94.5% variation captured vs. 96.8% at r2 > 0.8), across the five populations of the Multiethnic Cohort, but entail approximately 25% fewer tag SNPs per panel (average 538 vs. 718). These results extend a recent study in two Indian populations (Pemberton et al. in Ann Hum Genet 72:535–546, 2008). Weighted reference panels are potentially useful for both the selection of tag SNPs in diverse populations and perhaps in the design of reference panels for imputation of untyped genotypes in genome-wide association studies in admixed populations.
Optimization-based strategies for the operation of low-density polyethylene tubular reactors: Moving horizon estimation

Abstract We present a moving horizon estimation (MHE) application for multi-zone low-density (LDPE) polyethylene tubular reactors. The strategy incorporates a first-principles dynamic model comprised of large sets of nonlinear partial, differential and algebraic equations (PDAEs). It was found that limited temperature measurements distributed along the reactor are sufficient to infer all the model states in space and time and to track uncertain time-varying phenomena such as fouling. A full discretization strategy and a state-of-the-art nonlinear programming (NLP) solver are used to enable the computational feasibility of the approach. It is demonstrated that the MHE estimator exhibits fast performance and is well suited for applications of industrial interest.
Material-Insensitive Feature Depth Control and Machining Force Reduction by Ultrasonic Vibration in AFM-Based Nanomachining

This paper investigates the effect of ultrasonic tip-sample vibration in regulating the fabricated feature depth and reducing machining force in ultrasonic vibration-assisted nanomachining with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Nanopatterns on aluminum and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrates are fabricated by the ultrasonic vibration-assisted nanomachining approach. It is demonstrated that using a small set-point force and the same vibration amplitude for machining PMMA and aluminum, nearly the same feature depth is achieved. The fabrication depth is mainly controlled by the amplitude of the tip-sample z-vibration, and is insensitive to sample materials. A theoretical analysis of the sample contact stiffness and dynamic stiffness of the cantilever is used to explain the observed material-insensitive depth regulation by ultrasonic tip-sample vibration. The ultrasonic vibration also effectively reduces the normal force and friction during nanomachining. On both PMMA and aluminum samples, experimental results demonstrate significant reduction in set-point force and lateral friction force in ultrasonic vibration-assisted nanomachining compared with nanomachining without ultrasonic z-vibration. Smaller tip wear is observed in ultrasonic vibration-assisted nanomachining for the fabrication of PMMA samples.
Short note on the stabilty of a dilatonic wall

A nontopological soliton solution of dilaton–Maxwell theory describes a domain wall-like solution which confines magnetic flux in its core (Gibbons and Wells, Class Quant Grav 11:2499, 1994). Since the solution is not stabilized by a nontrivial topology of the vacuum manifold, it is interesting to see if the static solution is stable against small fluctuations. We consider the stability of the solution in response to small fluctuations in the scalar and magnetic fields. It is determined that the ansatz solution does indeed exhibits stability.
Metabolism and subcellular localization of angiotensin converting enzyme in cultured human monocytes.

Abstract The enhancement of monocyte ACE activity during culture by autologous T-lymphocytes was shown to be due to a stimulation of the rate of ACE synthesis. The rate of synthesis increased from 0.020 mU/10 6 monocytes/hr in monocytes cultured alone to 0.063 mU/10 6 monocytes/hr in monocytes co-cultured with T-lymphocytes. The presence of T-lymphocytes during culture did not alter the rate of ACE degradation observed in monocytes cultured alone. The ACE induced in monocytes by T-lymphocytes appears to be an ecto-enzyme. Brief exposure to diazosulfanilic acid (10 −3 M) and papain (250 ug/ml) reduced ACE activity 89% and 66%, respectively, without appreciably altering the activity of the cytosolic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase.
Neighbor designs and m-wheel systems

Abstract In this paper we find the values of n for which there exists a regular decomposition of K n and of 2 K n into edge disjoint copies of the wheel W m, m odd, with some exceptions for each value of m .
Pressure and field dependence of the magnetic transition in GdBa2Cu3O7−x

Abstract The influence of hydrostatic pressure and of magnetic field strenght is presented for the low temperature antiferromagnetic ordering temperature ( T N =2.3 K) of GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7- x . Data are presented for both superconducting and normal samples, the superconducting sample having a sharp 95 K transition and the oxygen-depleted normal sample being a semiconductor. For both systems the Neel temperatures, extrapolated to zero measuring field, are identical: T N = (2.33±0.03) K. The effect of pressure is to raise the transition temperature slightly for both samples, d T N /d P =+0.03 K/kbar for the superconducting sample and +0.04 K/kbar for the normal sample. The temperature dependence of the heat capacity made in several fixed external magnetic fields and the isothermal magnetization for T T N provide a measure of the antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase boundary, which shows T N approaching T =0 K at about 2.5 T.
A high performance separator with improved thermal stability for Li-ion batteries

A thermally stable separator based on a poly(phenylene oxide)/SiO2 composite is prepared using a dry phase inversion method. The separator endures up to 250 °C without obvious thermal deformation. A LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2/graphite cell using the composite separator showed excellent cycling performance, especially at high C-rates.
Effect of various methionine analogues on bacteriostatic action of methionine sulfoximine.

SummaryA number of methionine analogs were studied for their ability to replace methionine and reverse methionine sulfoximine induced growth inhibition. Relative activity in replacing methionine and reversing methionine sulfoximine toxicity are not necessarily correlated. Some compounds which counteract methionine sulfoximine toxicity have no meth-ionine-like activity
Coherent Brillouin spectroscopy in a strongly scattering liquid by picosecond ultrasonics.

In a modification of a picosecond ultrasonic technique, a short acoustic pulse is launched into a liquid sample by a laser pulse absorbed in a semitransparent transducer film and is detected via coherent Brillouin scattering of a time-delayed probe pulse. With both excitation and probing performed from the transducer side, the arrangement is suitable for in vivo study of biological tissues. The signal is collected from a micrometer-thick layer next to the transducer and is not affected by the diffuse scattering of probe light deeper in the sample. The setup, utilizing a 33 nm thick single crystal SrRuO3 transducer film, is tested on a full fat milk sample, with 11 GHz acoustic frequency recorded.
Polarization Sensitive Subcutaneous and Muscular Imaging Based on Common Path Optical Coherence Tomography Using Near Infrared Source

In this paper, we describe a polarization sensitive (PS) subcutaneous and muscular imaging system based on common path optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) using a near infrared source. The axial and lateral resolutions of the PS-OCT system are 9 and 6 μm, respectively. The main goal of this work is to build a high-resolution and minimally invasive optical imager for examining various kinds of cutaneous substructures with intrinsic or form birefringence. The internal structural information is extracted by the real-time signal analysis (Fourier Transform) of the modulated spectral intensity depending on the beam and tissue birefringence. The preliminary results using fresh beef longissimus muscle and in vivo Rattus norvegicus (rat) show that it is possible to visualize the birefringence effect of the tissue collagen fibers in the samples in order to achieve superior image contrast and sensitivity for the detection of hidden dermal structures. Compared to conventional CP-OCT, the proposed PS-OCT system provides depth-resolved images, which reflect the tissue birefringence.
An assay of the toxicity of the Atlantic puffer fish, Spheroides maculatus

Abstract Skin, muscle, liver, and gonadal extracts of the Atlantic puffer, Spheroides maculatus were assayed for toxicity in white mice. Extracts were injected intraperitoneally and were administered in the amounts of 1 ml per 20 g of body weight. The LD50 of a composite skin extract, administered intraperitoneally in progressive doses per 20 g of body weight, was determined for white rats, white mice, chicks and frogs (Rana pipiens), while a LD50 of a composite muscle extract was determined for the pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides.
Determination of the liquidus-solidus curves for the system PbTe-GeTe

The liquidus and solidus curves for the PbTe-GeTe system were determined by DTA over the entire compositional range. The samples were annealed for one month at 600° C and rapidly quenched. X-ray data for the annealed-quenched samples indicated that solid solution exists across the entire compositional range. Unannealed samples indicated the presence of different phases.
Customer expectations in online auction environments: An exploratory study of customer feedback and risk

Abstract The importance of understanding the needs of the customer is a widely-accepted pre-requisite to providing quality products and services. For product purchases through traditional channels, customers are known to have expectations for the product they are buying as well as for the services associated with its purchase. Online transactions, in which the buyer has no prior knowledge of the seller, are becoming increasingly common and are fraught with risks not present in traditional channels. Feedback about sellers in these risky markets contains a mix of product-related and service-related comments. This exploratory study identifies preliminary relationships between customers’ emphases on product or service dimensions of quality in their feedback and the risks to which the customer is exposed.
Vertical Integration, Market Foreclosure, and Consumer Welfare in the Cable Television Industry

I examine the effects of vertical integration between programming and distribution in the cable television industry. I assess the effects of ownership structure on program offerings, prices, and subscriptions, and I compare consumer welfare across integrated and unintegrated markets. The results of this analysis suggest two general conclusions. First, integrated operators tend to exclude rival program services, suggesting that certain program services cannot gain access to the distribution networks of vertically integrated cable system operators. Second, vertical integration does not harm, and may actually benefit, consumers because of the associated efficiency gains.
Comparison of Neuroprotective Effects Induced by α-Phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) and N-tert-Butyl-α-(2 sulfophenyl) nitrone (S-PBN) in Lithium-Pilocarpine Status Epilepticus

The status epilepticus (SE) induced in rats by lithium-pilocarpine (Li-pilo) shares many common features with soman-induced SE including extensive limbic neuropathology. Reactive oxygen species are hypothesized to play a role in the SE induced neuropathology and we propose that the free radical scavengers alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) and N-tert-butyl-alpha-(2 sulfophenyl) nitrone (S-PBN) may be neuroprotective. PBN or S-PBN were administered either immediately following pilocarpine (exposure treatment) or 5 min after the onset of SE as determined by ECoG activity. SE was allowed to continue for 3 h before termination with propofol. The rats were sacrified 24 h following pilocarpine administration. S-PBN induced minor effects to reduce SE duration and improve neurological deficit 24 h following pilocarpine administration. One hundred and fifty milligrams per kilograms PBN administered 5 min after SE onset produced significant neuroprotection in the parietal, occipital, perirhinal and piriform cortices as well as the lateral amygdala. One hundred and fifty milligrams per kilograms S-PBN was neuroprotective only in the occipital and perirhinal cortex while 300 mg/kg S-PBN exacerbated cortical neuropathology. S-PBN administered 5 min after SE onset exacerbated neuropathology in thalamic regions. In contrast, PBN and S-PBN administered as exposure treatment exacerbated neuropathology in thalamic and CA3 regions. The differential neuroprotective effects of PBN and S-PBN may be the result of the poor brain penetration by S-PBN. The results suggest that free radical scavenger activity is neuroprotective in cortical regions during cholinergic convulsions. Regional variations in drug-induced neuroprotectant activity in Li-pilo SE are common and suggest multiple mechanisms of neuropathology.
Exploring Multiracial Individuals’ Comfort with Intimate Interracial Relationships

This article explores the relationship between a heightened awareness of race as a social construct and comfort in interracial relationships across varying levels of intimacy among multiracial and monoracial individuals. Study 1 finds that multiracial individuals express higher levels of comfort in intimate interracial relationships than monoracial White and minority individuals. Study 2 finds that belief in race as a social construction mediates the differences between monoracial and multiracial individuals in their comfort in intimate interracial relationships. Implications of these findings for interracial relationships are discussed.
DEER EPR Measurements for Membrane Protein Structures via Bifunctional Spin Labels and Lipodisq Nanoparticles

Pulsed EPR DEER structural studies of membrane proteins in a lipid bilayer have often been hindered by difficulties in extracting accurate distances when compared to those of globular proteins. In this study, we employed a combination of three recently developed methodologies, (1) bifunctional spin labels (BSL), (2) SMA-Lipodisq nanoparticles, and (3) Q band pulsed EPR measurements, to obtain improved signal sensitivity, increased transverse relaxation time, and more accurate and precise distances in DEER measurements on the integral membrane protein KCNE1. The KCNE1 EPR data indicated an ∼2-fold increase in the transverse relaxation time for the SMA-Lipodisq nanoparticles when compared to those of proteoliposomes and narrower distance distributions for the BSL when compared to those of the standard MTSL. The certainty of information content in DEER data obtained for KCNE1 in SMA-Lipodisq nanoparticles is comparable to that in micelles. The combination of techniques will enable researchers to potentially ...
Children's Morphological Knowledge: Links to Literacy

Using a reliable and broad-based measure of morphological awareness, which tapped knowledge of relational, syntactic, and distributional morphology, we examined the development of morphological knowledge among older elementary students and the relationship of their morphological knowledge to a range of literacy measures. We found that morphological awareness continued to develop from fourth to sixth grade and development was most pronounced when derivational forms required phonological changes to their base words (i.e., phonologically opaque items such as signature/sign). Furthermore, children's skill with phonologically opaque items on our morphological assessment made a unique contribution to real-word and non-word reading, beyond phonological awareness and vocabulary. In the case of comprehension, neither morphological nor phonological awareness accounted for unique variance once vocabulary was considered as a factor.
Increased chromosomal radiosensitivity of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line that inducibly expresses the Eco RI restriction endonuclease.

We have transfected a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO 6) with a plasmid that inducibly expresses the Eco RI restriction endonuclease gene in the presence of cadmium sulfate (CdSO{sub 4}). Expression of Eco RI results in DNA double-strand breaks, which can lead to chromosome aberrations. The new line, designated CHO 10, also has a low level of constitutive expression of Eco RI in the absence of CdSO{sub 4} without any cytogenetic effect. This suggested that these cells may be efficient at repairing low levels of DNA double-strand breaks. To test this, both cell lines were exposed to ionizing radiation, and aberration yields were analyzed with or without induction of Eco RI. CHO 10 cells showed increased radiosensitivity after G1 irradiation, but after G2 exposure, only doses greater than or equal to 0.4 Gy caused more damage in CHO 10 cells. We conclude that CHO 10 cells can tolerate constitutive expression of Eco RI, but that when the cells are subjected to additional stress, in this case ionizing radiation, they become very sensitive to DNA double-strand breaks.
Influence of lure (food/sex pheromone) on young mated cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne (F.)) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) flight initiation

Abstract Pheromone traps have been used successfully for monitoring of stored-product insects in the facilities but factors that could influence accuracy have not been fully examined. In this study, we examined the influence of lure (food for females and sex pheromone for males) on minimum flight initiation temperature (MFIT 1 ) and percentage of 6–9 d-old mated cigarette beetles, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) that initiate flight. Temperature had a greater influence on minimum flight initiation temperature compared to food lure for young mated females or sex pheromone lure for young mated males. There was no significant effect of sex pheromone lure on the MFIT of 6–9 d-old mated male cigarette beetles nor was there a significant effect of food lure on the MFIT of 6–9 d-old mated females.
Future of Healthcare Technology. Renata G. Bushko, ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: OM Press, 298 pp., $80.00, hardcover. ISBN 1-58603-091-4. [From Studies in Healthcare Technology and Informatics, J.P. Christensen et al., eds. Vol. 80. Vol. 1 in the subseries.]

In the foreword to this book, the reader is introduced to a virtual, or imaginary, physician in the year 2057. This physician, Dr. Zuzu, has almost unlimited clinical expertise and the ability to interact and communicate with sources of information on a world-wide basis. Dr. Zuzu has multiple personalities, sex, age, and cognitive styles adaptable to all situations and has the ability to initiate self-treatment if ever he/she (it) gets sick. This somewhat provocative introduction to the book sets the scene for a highly “futuristic” voyage into healthcare technology. The book has 22 chapters presented by the editor and …
Al, Automation And The Flight Telerobotic Servicer

A NASA study for the preliminary definition of a teleoperated robotic device has been recently completed. The Fligt Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) will be used to assist astronauts in many of the on-board tasks of assembly, maintenance, servicing, and inspection of the Space Station. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in furthering the FTS automation capabilities and, hence, extending its capacity for growth and evolution is discussed. Relevant system engineering issues are identified, and an approach for insertion of AI technology is presented in terms of the NASA/NBS Standard Reference Model control architecture NASREM.
Reduced blood and marrow neutrophils and granulocytic colony-forming cells in S1/S1d mice.

SummaryThe Sl/Sld mouse has been shown to have anemia and reduced megakaryocytes, but neutrophil levels in blood and marrow have not been studied previously to our knowledge. It proved to be neutropenic with reduced neutrophils and neutrophil precursors in marrow. The concentration of marrow cells forming granulocytic colonies in semisolid media was normal in young mice, but the total number per humerus was reduced. In vitro growth appeared normal in both semisolid and liquid culture, and peritoneal cells produced colony-stimulating activity normally. These results are compatible with previous studies indicating the Sl/Sld defect lies in the hematopoietic microenvironment rather than being a primary cellular defect, and suggest feedout from the pluripotent stem cell compartment may be reduced.
Unusual hemodynamic findings in a patient with obstruction of the pulmonary vein by tumor.

A 63-year-old woman with chronic obstructive airway disease presented with progressive dyspnea, episodic chest pain, a left lower lobe infiltrate and a pleural transudate. Right-heart catheterization showed pulmonary arterial diastolic and capillary wedge pressures elevated on the left side. At autopsy, she had an anaplastic carcinoma encasing and invaginating the left pulmonary vein. The pleural transudate probably resulted from a combination of unilateral pulmonary venous hypertension, and local changes in the systemic pleural capillaries and subpleural lymphatics. Invasion of pulmonary veins by tumor is observed frequently at autopsy, but is infrequently diagnosed during life.