cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of urban refuse magnetic fractions for steelmaking

Abstract A study was conducted by the Bureau of Mines to determine problems associated with the use of magnetic fractions from urban refuse as melting stock for steelmaking and to evaluate the resulting steel products. The study involved 50-pound (22.7 kg) ingots from laboratory melts and 50-pound ingots from 1-ton (907 kg) electric-arc-furnace melts. The 50-pound ingots from the laboratory melts and the arc-furnace melts were hot-rolled to provide material for mechanical and corrosion testing. Results obtained in the study include the following: Most steels rolled successfully and exhibited acceptable surface and edge conditions. Tensile strengths of the plain carbon steels were not significantly affected by copper up to concentrations of 0.65 percent and were not affected by tin content up to 0.16 percent. Yield strength increased with increasing copper and tin contents and impact strength decreased with increasing tin content. Hardness increased slightly with increasing copper content. In general, properties of the steel produced were not measurably affected by charge composition (that is, melting stock), melting practice, or method of scrap preparation.
Magnetism and microstructure of YBa2Cu3O7-x superconductors produced by rapid solidification.

The superconducting $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}x}$ phase has been produced through a novel rapid solidification processing route yielding a high-quality granular superconducting phase. A detailed study of the magnetic properties indicates important features relevant to current carrying capacity. Low-field magnetization data reveal that weakly coupled superconducting grains decouple at fields of approximately 20 Oe so that the magnetization measurements at higher fields are reflective of intragranular processes exclusively. The high-field data reveal significant irreversibility as well as nonergodic susceptibility behavior consistent with the recently proposed superconducting glass state.
Titin Isoform Transitions and Passive Stiffness During Skeletal Muscle Development

During postnatal striated muscle development, multiple changes in active and passive properties occur, reflecting an altered mechanical demand. For instance, during postnatal cardiac development titin isoform expression switches from large isoforms to small stiffer isoforms, likely affecting diastolic filling behavior. In the present study, we investigated whether titin isoform transitions also take place during skeletal muscle development. We used gel-electrophoresis to determine changes in titin isoform size in mice and rabbits of various ages. A titin exon microarray was used to evaluate transcript expression of all of titin's exons. To investigate the mechanical effect of titin isoform transitions, passive properties of neonatal and adult skeletal muscles were determined.Neonatal mice were found to express large titin isoforms, which are gradually replaced by smaller isoforms during skeletal muscle development. The half transition time of the isoform for tibialis cranialis (TC), soleus, extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius and diaphragm were 6, 17, 17, 12, and 10 days, respectively. Essentially similar findings were obtained from NZW rabbits, with the exception that the half-life of the isoform transitions was slightly longer compared to murine skeletal muscles. Titin exon analysis in neonatal murine gastrocnemius muscle revealed increased expression of a large group of exons when compared to adult muscle transcripts, with all upregulated exons coding for exons of the elastic PEVK region of titin. In line with these observations, we found ∼50% lower titin-based passive stiffness of murine neonatal soleus and TC when compared to adult muscle.These data demonstrate that during skeletal muscle development titin isoform transitions occur from large compliant isoforms to smaller and stiffer isoforms in adult muscle, likely due to changed expression of PEVK exons.
Interplay between soil drying and root exudation in rhizosheath development

Background and Aims Wetting-drying cycles are important environmental processes known to enhance aggregation. However, very little attention has been given to drying as a process that transports mucilage to inter-particle contacts where it is deposited and serves as binding glue. The objective of this study was to formulate and test conceptual and mathematical models that describe the role of drying in soil aggregation through transportation and deposition of binding agents. Methods We used an ESEM to visualize aggregate formation of pair of glass beads. To test our model, we subjected three different sizes of sand to multiple wetting-drying cycles of PGA solution as a mimic of root exudates to form artificial aggregates. Water stable aggregate was determined using wet sieving apparatus. Results A model to predict aggregate stability in presence of organic matter was developed, where aggregate stability depends on soil texture as well
RAPID DETECTION OF SELECTED GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA BY AMINOPEPTIDASE PROFILES

Selected gram-negative bacteria were differentiated by comparing profiles of their intracellular aminopeptidase activities. Aeromonas liquefaciens plus 14 species and serotypes of Enterobacteriaceae were used in the study. Substrates for the bacterial enzymes were 19 L-amino acid beta-naphthylamides. The beta-naphthylamines released by enzyme hydrolysis were determined for each amino acid by fluorometric analysis, and a profile for each culture was obtained in 4–6 hr. The technique appears to be useful for differentiation of bacteria and for demonstrating relatedness.
Exposures and health effects: an evaluation of workers at a sodium azide production plant.

Sodium azide is the principal gas-generating agent used to inflate automobile supplemental restraint systems, more commonly called airbags. Although sodium azide is known to affect the cardiovascular system by causing peripheral vasodilation, there is no published literature describing occupational exposures to sodium azide in the rapidly growing automobile airbag industry. In 1994–1995, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a cross-sectional study of health complaints reported by sodium azide production workers at the only continuous sodium azide production facility in the United States. The NIOSH evaluation consisted of a plant industrial hygiene survey, a symptom questionnaire, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and blood azide analysis. Personal breathing zone air monitoring revealed exposures to sodium azide and hydrazoic acid (a reactant product) at levels greater than the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs). In some cases, exposures exceeded the REL despite the use of air-supplied respirators. The questionnaire revealed that most workers reported headache (10 of 11 [91%]), episodes of low blood pressure (9 of 11 [82%]), and palpitations (8 of 11 [73%]) occurring in the production areas within the 6 months preceding the study. Mild headache (4 of 11 [36%]) was the only symptom reported during our 24-hr medical survey. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring revealed one asymptomatic employee with a drop in blood pressure (defined as a drop in systolic [at least 20 mm Hg] and diastolic [at least 10 mm Hg] blood pressure) during a period of exposure to sodium azide at a level five times the NIOSH REL. Improvements in plant engineering controls, increased attention to employee hygiene practices, and a more comprehensive respiratory protection program were recommendations made by NIOSH to reduce exposures at the plant. All facilities handling sodium aside should be aware of the potential toxicity of sodium azide and hydrazoic acid. (This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.) © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The study of change as a concept—In research utilization

(1966). The study of change as a concept—In research utilization. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 5, Planning for Educational Change, pp. 25-29.
Osteoblastic chondrosarcoma with cardiac and pulmonary arterial extension.

1010-7940/$ see front matter q 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ejcts.2004.01.020 Fig. 2. (a) Right atrial exposure of the tumor (white arrow) showing its direct attachment to the IVC. (b) Another intraoperative view shows the right atrial and the pulmonary arterial extensions of the tumor (white arrows). The pulmonary arterial extension was removed through a longitudinal pulmonary arteriotomy after obtaining distal control of the right and left pulmonary arteries to avoid distal dislodgment while cannulating the IVC. The tumor was mobile and not adherent to the cardiac chambers or the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary and tricuspid valves were preserved. Grossly, the tumor was multi-lobulated with firm glistening white cartilaginous consistency. Fig. 1. CT scan of the chest with contrast demonstrates the radiolucent right atrial (a) and pulmonary arterial extensions (b) of the tumor (black arrows).
An improved and modular helium-jet recoil-transport system for the study of short-lived nuclei

Abstract An improved, modular helium-jet-recoil-transport system for the study of short-lived (t 1 2 ⪅ 0.2 s ) is described. Its target irradiation assembly consists of modular pieces, allowing the interchanging of different target holders, different recoil-thermalizing chambers, etc., for economical and convenient setting up of each experiment. A remote-control degrader package allows rapid control of accelerator beam energies. Improved target-preparation techniques are described, including compacting oxides onto foils with a hydraulic press. Auxilliary equipment such as gas supplies, capillaries, pumping equipment, and a stepping tape drive for the counting chamber are described. Different detector arrays and assemblies are used for different kinds of nuclear spectroscopy, and data are presented for some of these, including γ-ray, γ-γ megachannel (multiparameter) coincidence, and β-delayed proton spectroscopy.
Evaluation of preoperative cardiac risk index values in patients undergoing vaginal surgery

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the Goldman and the New York Heart Association cardiac risk index values in a female surgical population and evaluate age, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, glucose intolerance, cardiac arrhythmia, and estrogen replacement therapy as risk factors for perioperative cardiac morbidity in older women undergoing major vaginal surgery. STUDY DESIGN : A retrospective analysis was performed of perioperative cardiac morbidity in consecutive patients undergoing elective vaginal surgery between August 1987 and October 1993. RESULTS: Four hundred six patients were entered in the study. Eight patients had perioperative cardiac morbidity. The Goldman cardiac risk index and the New York Heart Association functional classification of heart disease were not significant indicators of perioperative cardiac morbidity in this group of patients. In the postmenopausal subgroup of 168 patients hypertension ( p = 0.033) and ischemic heart disease ( p = 0.004) were statistically significant risk factors for perioperative cardiac morbidity. Glucose intolerance, cardiac arrhythmia, and estrogen replacement therapy were not significant predictors. CONCLUSION: The Goldman cardiac risk index and the New York Heart Association functional classification of heart disease are of questionable utility in a female surgical population undergoing elective vaginal surgical procedures. Hypertension and ischemic heart disease are risk factors for perioperative cardiac morbidity in a postmenopausal subgroup of these patients.
Permeability and vascularity of the developing brain: cerebellum vs cerebral cortex

Rats of various postnatal ages were utilized to investigate developmental changes in the short-term distribution of [3H]mannitol, [3H]inulin and [51Cr]-tagged erythrocytes in both the cerebellum (CER) and cerebral cortex (CC). As the CNS undergoes maturation the most precipitous decrease in the 1-h radiomannitol (and inulin) space in the CER takes place during the second postnatal week whereas the greatest reduction in the spaces for both radioisotopes in the CC occurs during the earlier period between 0.5 and 1 week. The volume of distribution in immature brain tissue (1 week) into which [3H]mannitol penetrates in 1 h is substantially less (by 75--90%) than that into which this tracer permeates in non-neural tissue such as heart and liver; thus, even prior to the proliferation of glial elements, there is a limited barrier effect. At 3 weeks the permeability of the blood--brain barrier in the CER to mannitol is comparable to that in the CC. The vascularity of the CER (as estimated by residual [51Cr]erythrocyte-volume) is greater than that of the CC at each postnatal age investigated. The uptake of radiomannitol by the choroid plexus (blood--CSF barrier) in immature animals is a reflection primarily of developmental changes in volume of extracellular fluid rather than in permeability of the basolateral face of the choroidal epithelium. Qualitative differences, neonates vs adults, in the distribution of [3H]mannitol between CSF and brain tissue are attributable to maturational changes in secretory and permeability phenomena associated with the blood--CSF and blood--brain barriers.
Climate versus Man and his Animals

If livestock productivity is to be improved the relationships between the animals and the environment will have to be better understood.
Time-dependent close-coupling calculations of correlated photoionization processes in helium

Various correlated photoionization processes in helium are calculated by direct solution of the time- dependent Schrodinger equation. An inhomogeneous set of time-dependent close-coupled partial differential equations are partitioned on a numerical lattice for easy implementation on massively parallel computers. Projection of the time evolved wave function onto lattice eigenstates for He 1 yields cross sections for photo- ionization with excitation and double photoionization. The computational results are compared with recent experimental measurements. @S1050-2947~98!07701-4# PACS number~s!: 32.80.Fb I. INTRODUCTION An accurate description of the correlation between two electrons moving in the long-range Coulomb field of a third body, as found in the double photoionization of helium, re- mains a challenging theoretical problem. However, the diffi- culties are somewhat mitigated if examined in the time do- main. As pointed out by Bottcher @1#, the time evolution of a wave function localized in space, as found in the ground state of helium, obviates the need for answers to questions about the asymptotic form of the wave function in coordinate space or its singularities in momentum space. In this paper a time-dependent close-coupling method @2,3# developed to study the electron-impact ionization of atomic ions @4# has been extended to include radiative dipole coupling. This larger set of coupled partial differential equations may then be time propagated on a lattice to yield accurate cross sec- tions for a variety of correlated photoionization processes in two-electron atomic systems. We begin with test calculations for the photoionization of ground-state helium above the complete fragmentation threshold. Recent synchrotron light experiments have nar- rowed the measurement uncertainties both for photoioniza- tion with excitation @5# and double photoionization @6-8# of ground-state helium so as to provide benchmarks for the de- velopment of new theoretical methods. Additional compari- sons may be made with the vast number of time-independent computational theories developed to understand correlated processes in the photoionization of helium. The most popular methods for photoionization with excitation are based on many-body perturbation theory @9,10# and standard R-matrix theory @11,12#. Recent calculations for double photoioniza-
MEMS-IDT-based microaccelerometers and gyroscopes

The integration of MEMS, IDTs and required microelectronics and conformal antenna to realize a hybrid accelerometer and gyroscope device is presented in this paper. The inertial navigation system uses both gyroscopes and accelerometers to measure the state of motion of a target or a missile by sensing the changes in that state caused by accelerations. This unique combination of technologies results in conformal sensors that can be remotely sensed by a RF system with the advantage of no power requirements at the sensor site. The device presented here possess typical advantages of MEM sensors including the additional benefits of robustness, excellent sensitivity, surface conformability, durability and applicability to wireless antenna systems. Compared to conventional ones, these new sensor have no moving mechanical parts ultimately giving rise to inherent robustness and durability. Consequently, there is no electronics to balance or measure the movement of moving structures, which leads to even smaller micro device.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polymorphism and mapping of the IGF1 gene, and absence of association with stature among African Pygmies.

Probes detecting restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the insulinlike growth factor (IGF1) gene were isolated and allele frequencies in different human populations determined. No difference was detected between the distribution of IGF1 alleles in Pygmies versus non-Pygmy black Africans, despite the proposal that a defect in the IGF1 gene might be responsible for Pygmy short stature. This was supported by the absence of a correlation of IGF1 genotype with height in the C.A.R. Pygmies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing failed to demonstrate an alteration in the region upstream the IGF1 start site in Pygmies. Linkage analysis demonstrated that IGF1 is tightly linked to the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene on chromosome 12q22–24.1.
Performance of a desiccant dehumidifier bed with mixed inert and desiccant materials

Abstract We present a study of the performance of desiccant felt with inert materials. An effective thermal conductivity model that accounts for the inert materials, the moisture sorbed in pores, and the effect of porosity and water content is incorporated into a heat- and mass-transfer model to study the sorption processes of water vapor in a desiccant dehumidifier. The dehumidifier consists of parallel flow channels. Results are presented for different fractions and different ratios of thermal conductivities and capacitances of inert and desiccant materials.
Distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes within architectonic subregions of the primate cerebral cortex

The regional distributions of muscarinic receptor subtypes (M1 and M2) in the macaque brain were investigated by in vitro receptor autoradiography. Putative muscarinic receptor subtypes were distinguished by their differential affinities for pirenzepine and carbachol in competition with [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate. Autoradiographic visualization of muscarinic receptor subtypes demonstrated marked regional and laminar variations that respected architectonic boundaries. The M1 receptor subtype was widely distributed throughout most cortical areas and was most intense over the superficial layers. Almost all limbic and paralimbic regions including the amygdala, hippocampus, orbitofrontal, temporopolar, parahippocampal, cingulate, and parolfactory areas displayed peak densities of the M1 receptor subtype. The M2 receptor subtype was selectively elevated in the primary sensory areas of all five sensory modalities, including the visual (area 17, V1), auditory (A1), and somatosensory (3b, S1) koniocortices, the anterior olfactory nucleus, and the gustatory area. The primary motor area also displayed a relative peak of M2 receptor subtype labeling. In the hippocampal formation, M1, M2, and nicotine receptors were distributed differentially, with each subdivision having a specific complement of cholinergic receptor subtype. The M1 receptor subtype was prevalent in the dentate gyrus, the CA4-CA3 region, and the CA1 ammonic sector. The M2 receptor subtype was concentrated in the CA2 sector, the subiculum, the rhinal cortices, and the parasubiculum. Putative neural nicotinic receptors, tagged with L-[3H]-nicotine, were most concentrated within the presubiculum.
The Business Optimization Analysis of the Virtual Power Plant Based on the Large-Scale BESS System

In the new energy power generation process, because it’s difficult to balance the dynamic energy and the system operation cost is high, the paper puts forward the basic structure of the commercial virtual power plant based on BESS system, then discuss the proper run mode of the virtual power plant to maximize the total revenue. On the basis of the electricity price of the Chinese typical areas and the cost of the BESS system, the paper builds the mathematical model of the economic benefits of the virtual power plant based on BESS system. This paper also builds the regulation optimization simulation model of the virtual power plant based on the aim of maximizing the overall profit of the energy supply and demand sides, and calculates the dynamic balance elements and optimization optimal power output value based on optimization algorithm. The simulation results show that using the virtual power plant based on BESS system to peak load shifting and control frequency is feasible in the economy.
An apparently new syndrome of microcephalic primordial dwarfism and cataracts

We describe two sibs with prenatal-onset growth deficiency, microcephaly, cataracts, mental retardation, enamel hypoplasia, immune deficiency, and generalized delay of ossification. The combination appears to constitute a previously undescribed autosomal recessive syndrome.
The relation between ionization yields, cross sections and loss functions

Three energy dependent quantities examined for gases, describing relation between ionization yields, cross section and loss functions
Endoscopic medial maxillectomy

Historically, neoplastic processes of the lateral nasal wall and maxillary sinus have been treated with external procedures. Advances in endoscopic sinus surgery have enabled some of these same disease processes to be treated using endoscopic techniques. Endoscopic medial maxillectomy may be used as an alternative to more invasive external approaches while maintaining similar cure rates. In this article, the authors describe the endoscopic medial maxillectomy for neoplastic diseases involving the maxillary sinus.
Chronic D-serine reverses arc expression and partially rescues dendritic abnormalities in a mouse model of NMDA receptor hypofunction.

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene that is expressed almost exclusively in glutamatergic neurons. Arc protein is enriched in the postsynaptic density (PSD) and colocalizes with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) complex. Arc transcription is positively modulated by NMDAR activity and is important for dendritic spine plasticity. Genetic ablation of serine racemase (SR−/−), the enzyme that converts L-serine to D-serine, a coagonist at the NMDAR, reduces dendritic spine density in the hippocampus. Here we demonstrate that SR deficient (SR−/−) mice also have reduced Arc protein expression in the hippocampus that can be reversed with chronic D-serine administration in adulthood. Furthermore, D-serine treatment partially rescues the hippocampal spine deficit in SR−/− mice. These results demonstrate the importance of D-serine in regulating the hippocampal expression of Arc in vivo. In addition, our findings underscore the potential utility of using the glycine modulatory site agonist D-serine to treat disorders that exhibit Arc and dendritic spine dysregulation as a consequence of NMDAR hypofunction, such as schizophrenia.
Polyphenolic compounds for treating neurodegenerative disorders involving protein misfolding

A diverse group of neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive, age-dependent intracellular formation of misfolded protein aggregates. These include Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and a number of tau-mediated disorders. There is no effective treatment for any of these disorders; currently approved interventions are designed to treat disease symptoms and generally lead to modest modulation of clinical symptoms. None are known to mitigate underlying neuropathologic mechanisms and, thus, it is not unexpected that existing treatments appear ineffective in modulating disease progression. We note that these neurodegenerative disorders all share a common mechanistic theme in that depositions of misfolded protein in the brain is a key molecular feature underlying disease onset and/or progression. While previous studies have identified a number of drugs and nutraceuticals capable of interfering with the formation and/or stability of misfolded protein aggregates, none have been demonstrated to be effective in vivo for treating any of the neurodegenerative disorders. We hereby review accumulating evidence that a select nutraceutical grape-seed polyphenolic extract (GSPE) is effective in vitro and in vivo in mitigating certain misfolded protein-mediated neuropathologic and clinical phenotypes. We will also review evidence implicating bioavailability of GSPE components in the brain and the tolerability as well as safety of GSPE in animal models and in humans. Collectively, available information supports continued development of the GSPE for treating a variety of neurodegenerative disorders involving misfolded protein-mediated neuropathologic mechanisms.
On the consistency of preferences in allais' paradox

The problem to be studied in this paper is the consistency of a subject's choice when making a decision in two different situations. If he is placed in one set of circumstances, he must choose between two highly desirable lotteries. If the other situation prevails, he must make a similar type of decision between two much less desirable lotteries. Conditions for consistency in the two preferences are developed. It is then shown that the typical subject violates at least one of these conditions. The problem is then examined from a somewhat different point of view, and this new formulation shows that the typical response that subjects make can indeed be “consistent.” The “solution” to the paradox is based on the consideration of the subject's initial asset position.
How to Manage Antiplatelet Therapy for Stenting in a Patient Requiring Oral Anticoagulants

The optimal antiplatelet regimen for patients on oral anticoagulants undergoing coronary stenting continues to be controversial. It is not an insignificant problem, as 5–7 % of patients undergoing stenting are on oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, a prosthetic valve, a recent left ventricular thrombus and recent pulmonary embolus. When given in combination with dual antiplatelet therapy, major bleeding is significantly increased, which is associated with an increased mortality. The balance between a reduction in stroke, stent thrombosis and myocardial infarction without a significant increase in major bleeding requires choosing therapy based upon the estimation of the risks of each adverse event. In patients with a low risk of stroke, such as those with atrial fibrillation and a CHADS2 score of 0–1, dual antiplatelet therapy alone is sufficient. In those at moderate to high risk of stroke, dose-adjusted oral anticoagulation is needed. In those with the highest bleeding risk, use of a bare metal stent is strongly advised. In addition to bare metal stent use, the use of proton pump inhibitors, tight control of the international normalized ratio (INR) and only one month of dual antiplatelet therapy can reduce the bleeding risk without an increase in stroke or stent thrombosis. When a drug eluting stent (DES) is needed, a second generation DES should be used and triple therapy continued for 6 months (12 months if stent thrombosis risk is very high), followed by a single antiplatelet therapy and an oral anticoagulant. Since the newer antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants have not been studied in this setting, clopidogrel and warfarin should be used. Recently, the WOEST trial suggested that clopidogrel alone plus an oral anticoagulant resulted in an equal outcome with a significantly lower bleeding risk when compared to triple therapy. If confirmed, this regimen may become the standard of care. Presently, however, limiting the duration of triple therapy followed by clopidogrel and an oral anticoagulant seems the best option for the majority of patients to minimize bleeding risk without an increase in other adverse events.
Consequences of scalar loops on gauge symmetry hierarchies

Abstract We explicitly verify, by calculating the one-loop scalar and vector contributions, the assertion by Gildener, for the case he considered, that there is a bound on the gauge symmetry hierarchy, but the bound is O( α −2 ). We consider other possible ways of achieving an unbounded hierarchy and find that it is not possible.
The Business Case for Magnet

The author describes the role of the chief nurse executive in delivering a business case for the Journey to Magnet Excellence. Calculating a return on investment provides clear measurement of benefits of the credential and can be used to evaluate upfront resources that result in a longer-term gain. The range of cost savings that can possibly be achieved for a typical 500-bed hospital is presented. Although not every hospital will achieve the level of performance implied by the national assumptions, securing only a modicum of the potential level of cost improvement will ensure a multifold return on the investment required.
Phase II trial of carboplatin and paclitaxel in papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Background Cytotoxic chemotherapy has not been well investigated in non-clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A phase II study was thus conducted to assess the efficacy of carboplatin and paclitaxel in such patients. Patients and methods Patients were treated with carboplatin (area under the curve of 6) and paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 every 21 days and assessed for measurable disease response every 2 cycles. An initial 20 patients were planned to be enrolled to rule out a null hypothesized 15% response rate. Results Seventeen patients were enrolled, of which 16 patients had papillary and 1 had collecting duct histology. The patient with collecting duct histology had a complete response, but no responses were observed in patients with papillary histology and the trial was thus terminated early. Toxicities were as expected for the carboplatin and paclitaxel regimen. Conclusion Carboplatin and paclitaxel is not an active regimen in patients with metastatic papillary RCC. Future studies should explore the role of this or similar regimens in collecting duct carcinoma.
Field Observations of In-Cloud Nucleation and the Modification of Atmospheric Aerosol Size Distributions after Cloud Evaporation

Abstract The authors measured aerosol and droplet size distributions in the range from 0.1 to 50 µm, concentrations and sizes of precipitation particles, concentrations of condensation nuclei, and state parameters in and in the vicinity of a towering summer cumulus cloud. The measurements show that the liquid water content, droplet concentration, and vertical velocity all peaked in the upper half of the cloud, but the droplet mean diameter increased with altitude. A large fraction of the aerosols (0.13.0 µm) remains in the haze state. The vertical profiles of aerosols and condensation nuclei showed peaks between 5.0 and 7.0 km. The normalized aerosol size distribution shows a shift toward large aerosols. The peaks and the shift in the distribution were explained by chemical conversion of SO2 to sulfate in-cloud droplets.
Temperature Coefficients of the Electrical Thresholds of Taste Sensations

Each papilla in an enlarged photograph of the tip of the tongue was identified electrically as belonging to one of the four basic taste sensations. The temperature coefficient of the threshold for electrical stimulation was observed for single papillae. The results seem to divide the four basic taste sensations into two different groups: sour-salty and sweet-bitter. This is the same division that has been reported with other methods.
Explosive desensitization studies via chemical group modification II. 3,5-diamino- and 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(1)

Abstract TNT molecule is significantly desensitized by substitution of ring hydrogens by -NH2 and -Cl functions. Calculated CJ pressures and detonation velocities for mono- and diamino-TNT show that their performance would be better than that of -TNT.
The growth of the tearing mode: Boundary and scaling effects

The linear development of the resistive tearing instability in a sheet pinch is investigated numerically. Particular emphasis is placed on effects which differentiate magnetic tearing in astrophysical situations from that in laboratory devices. These include extreme values of the parameters determining the mode growth and a variety of boundary conditions. Eigenfunction profiles for long and short wavelengths are computed and the applicability of the ‘‘constant Ψ’’ approximation is investigated. Nearby conducting walls tend to validate this condition and reduce the growth rate, especially for the long wavelength modes which, otherwise, disturb a larger region of the plasma than do short wavelength modes. Finally, the growth rate p is computed for values of the magnetic Reynolds number S up to 1012 and of the dimensionless wavelength parameter α down to 10−3. The results demonstrate, without approximation, the S2/5 scaling of p at large α (constant Ψ) and the S2/3 scaling at small α (nonconstant‐Ψ). The α and S variation of the growth maximum, which would provide the dominant excitation in the absence of nearby boundaries, is specified for both single‐ and multiple‐tearing layers. The growth maximum is shown to occur in a parametric regime where the constant Ψ approximation is not valid.
Induction of avian cardiac myogenesis by anterior endoderm.

An experimental system was devised to study the mechanisms by which cells become committed to the cardiac myocyte lineage during avian development. Chick tissues from outside the fate map of the heart (in the posterior primitive streak {PPS} of a Hamburger & Hamilton stage 4 embryo) were combined with potential inducing tissues from quail embryos and cultured in vitro. Species-specific RT-PCR was employed to detect the appearance of the cardiac muscle markers chick Nkx-2.5 (cNkx-2.5), cardiac troponin C and ventricular myosin heavy chain in the chick responder tissues. Using this procedure, we found that stage 4-5 anterior lateral (AL) endoderm and anterior central (AC) mesendoderm, but not AL mesoderm or posterior lateral mesendoderm, induced cells of the PPS to differentiate as cardiac myocytes. Induction of cardiogenesis was accompanied by a marked decrease in the expression of ρ-globin, implying that PPS cells were being induced by anterior endoderm to become cardiac myocytes instead of blood-forming tissue. These results suggest that anterior endoderm contains signaling molecules that can induce cardiac myocyte specification of early primitive streak cells. One of the cardiac muscle markers induced by anterior endoderm, cNkx-2.5, is here described for the first time. cNkx-2.5 is a chick homeobox-containing gene that shares extensive sequence similarity with the Drosophila gene tinman, which is required for Drosophila heart formation. The mesodermal component of cNkx-2.5 expression from stage 5 onward, as determined by in situ hybridization, is strikingly in accord with the fate map of the avian heart. By the time the myocardium and endocardium form distinct layers, cNkx-2.5 is found only in the myocardium. cNkx-2.5 thus appears to be the earliest described marker of avian mesoderm fated to give rise to cardiac muscle. SUMMARY
Neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria in the ocean : their habitats, diversity and roles in mineral deposition, rock alteration, and biomass production in the deep-sea

The importance of metals to life has long been appreciated. Iron (Fe) is the fourth most abundant element overall, and the second most abundant element that is redox-active in near-surface aqueous habitats, rendering it the most important environmental metal. While it has long been recognized that microorganisms participate in the global iron cycle, appreciation for the pivotal role that redox cycling of iron plays in energy conservation among diverse prokaryotes has grown substantially in the past decade. In addition, redox reactions involving Fe are linked to several other biogeochemical cycles (e.g., carbon), with significant ecological ramifications. The increasing appreciation for the role of microbes in redox transformations of Fe is reflected in a recent surge in biological and environmental studies of microorganisms that conserve energy for growth from redox cycling of Fe compounds, particularly in the deep ocean. Here we highlight some of the key habitats where microbial Fe-oxidation plays signif...
Estriol Generates Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells In Vivo That Protect against Autoimmunity

Chronic inflammation contributes to numerous diseases, and regulation of inflammation is crucial for disease control and resolution. Sex hormones have potent immunoregulatory abilities. Specifically, estrogen influences immune cells and inflammation, which contributes to the sexual dimorphism of autoimmunity and protection against disease seen during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Although long thought to act primarily on T cells, recent evidence demonstrated that myeloid cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), are essential in mediating estrogen's protective effects. Estriol (E3), a pregnancy-specific estrogen, has therapeutic efficacy in MS and EAE, and we evaluated whether E3 could act exclusively through DCs to protect against the inflammatory autoimmune disease EAE. Levels of activation markers (CD80 and CD86) and inhibitory costimulatory markers (PD-L1, PD-L2, B7-H3, and B7-H4) were increased in E3 DCs. E3 DCs had decreased proinflammatory IL-12, IL-23, and IL-6 mRNA expression, increased immunoregulatory IL-10 and TGF-β mRNA expression, and a decreased ratio of IL-12/IL-10 protein production. Importantly, transfer of E3 DCs to mice prior to active induction of EAE protected them from developing EAE through immune deviation to a Th2 response. This protection was apparent, even in the face of in vitro and in vivo inflammatory challenge. In summary, our results showed that E3 generates tolerogenic DCs, which protect against the inflammatory autoimmune disease EAE. Targeted generation of tolerogenic DCs with immunomodulatory therapeutics, such as E3, has potential applications in the treatment of numerous autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Conservative parallel simulation of continuous time Markov chains using uniformization

The authors describe parallel algorithms for simulating certain continuous time Markov chains, such as those arising in queueing network models of distributed computing systems or communications systems. The algorithms are based on the technique of uniformization. Two variations of a conservative parallel simulation algorithm are presented. In each algorithm, a relatively short presimulation is performed to identify those times, and only those times, at which the simulation algorithm requires processor pairs to synchronize. Speedup studies of the algorithms, performed on a 16-node Intel iPSC/2 hypercube, are presented and discussed. >
Psychosocial Intimacy and Identity: From Early Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Age and gender differences in patterns of behavior and experience, cognitive beliefs, affective involvement, and psychosocial functioning in romantic relationships were observed in 473 adolescents ...
Reinfection in Patients with Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in the United States and Europe. A surprising number of patients experience a subsequent episode of Lyme disease after the first episode has resolved. Reinfection has been well-documented only after successfully treated early infection (nearly always erythema migrans) and can often be recognized clinically by the development of a repeat episode of erythema migrans occurring at a different location on the skin during months when the principal tick vectors are abundant in the environment. Limited data suggest that the clinical and laboratory manifestations of reinfection in patients with Lyme disease with erythema migrans are not very different from those of initial infection. Patients with recurrent infections afford an opportunity to study the role of the immune response in this illness. Because patients with early Lyme disease continue to remain at high risk for reinfection, this population should be targeted for education about prevention of Lyme disease.
Vaginal Dryness and Beyond: The Sexual Health Needs of Women Diagnosed With Metastatic Breast Cancer.

While research on the sexual health of women with early stage cancer has grown extensively over the past decade, markedly less information is available to support the sexual health needs of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (ages 35 to 77) about questions they had concerning their sexual health and intimate relationships. All participants were recruited from a comprehensive cancer center at a large Midwestern university. Three themes were examined: the role of sexual activity and intimate touch in participants' lives, unmet information needs about sexual health, and communication with medical providers about sexual concerns. Findings indicated that sexual activities with partners were important; however, participants worried about their own physical limitations and reported frequent physical (e.g., bone pains) and vaginal pain associated with intercourse. When women raised concerns about these issues ...
Prevention of early hypotony associated with Molteno implants by a new occluding stent technique.

Background: A major complication of unvalved drainage tube implants is hypotony. Occluding stents to internally block the tube, but which lie exposed in the inferior fornix, have been described. The authors report modifications of this technique. Methods: A nonexposed 3-0 Supramid suture is used to internally block the tube, with the end placed subconjunctivally. Small venting slits are made in the extrascleral portion of the tube to provide early control of intraocular pressure. Molteno implants were placed in 32 eyes of 29 patients using these modifications. Results: Mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 30.3 mmHg on an average of 2.6 medications. The stent was pulled without difficulty in the office treatment room a mean of 26 days postoperatively. Intraocular pressure from postoperative day 2 until the day of stent removal ranged from 2 to 26 mmHg, with 72% of eyes having intraocular pressure between 5 and 19 mmHg. There were 3 (9.4%) minor complications in the 32 eyes, with 1 case of early anterior chamber shallowing and 2 cases of moderate choroidal detachments, which settled spontaneously. With an average follow-up of 10.2 months, mean intraocular pressure at the final visit was 13.4 mmHg on an average of 1 medication. Conclusion: The "occluding stent" described here can be a helpful adjunct to unvalved drainage tube surgery in preventing early postoperative hypotony.
Does Teacher Preparation Matter for Beginning Teachers in Either Special or General Education

The current U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) emphasis on the preparation of teachers in content knowledge, and de-emphasis on pedagogy and teaching practicums, constitutes a major issue concerning how best to prepare a sufficient supply of highly qualified teachers. By contrast, federal policy represented by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) emphasizes both full certification and content knowledge. Our research was based on data from the Schools and Staffing Survey for beginning teachers in both special and general education (separately). Results showed that extensive preparation in pedagogy and practice teaching was more effective than was only some or no preparation in producing beginning teachers who (a) were fully certified, (b) secured in-field teaching assignments, and (c) reported being well prepared to teach subject matter and well prepared with respect to pedagogical skills. Thus, contrary to the USDOE perspective emphasizing preparation in content knowledge, extensive preparation in p...
Two Projection Methods for Regularized Total Least Squares Approximation

Abstract Regularized Total Least Squares is a useful approach for solving ill-posed overdetermined systems of equations when both the model matrix and the observed data are contaminated by noise. A Newton-based Regularized Total Least Squares method was proposed by Lee et al. (2013) [16] , but may not be efficient for large scale problems. Here we consider two projection-based algorithms applied to this method for the solution of the large scale problem. The first fixes the underlying subspace dimension, while the second expands the subspace dynamically during the iterations by employing a generalized Krylov subspace expansion. Experimental results demonstrate that the two projection-based algorithms can be successfully applied for the solution of the large scale Regularized Total Least Squares problems.
A new implementation for simplified adaptive control

The command generator tracker (CGT) approach to model reference adaptive control of linear time-invariant multi-input, multi-output plants is considered. An algorithm is presented for controllable and observable non-ASPR (almost strictly positive real) plants. This algorithm is characterized by the presence of supplementary dynamics in a feedback path inside the adaptive mechanism. These additional dynamics process the output error to form a signal which is multiplied by a new adaptive gain. Therefore, the algorithm differs from other CGT adaptive control algorithms for non-ASPR plants, which require supplementary dynamics to be inserted in parallel with the plant. A generalized metastate representation of the closed-loop adaptive system is proposed. This representation is utilized together with Lyapunov's second method to prove the boundedness of the true error between the plant and model outputs in the presence of bounded plant input and output disturbances. >
Analysis of recently identified dyslipidemia alleles reveals two loci that contribute to risk for carotid artery disease

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting high density lipoprotein (HDL) or low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels; these SNPs may contribute to the genetic basis of vascular diseases. Results: We assessed the impact of 34 SNPs at 23 loci on dyslipidemia, key lipid sub-phenotypes, and severe carotid artery disease (CAAD) in a case-control cohort. The effects of these SNPs on HDL and LDL were consistent with those previously reported, and we provide unbiased estimates of the percent variance in HDL (3.9%) and LDL (3.3%) explained by genetic risk scores. We assessed the effects of these SNPs on HDL subfractions, apolipoprotein A-1, LDL buoyancy, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a) and found that rs646776 predicts apolipoprotein B level while rs2075650 predicts LDL buoyancy. Finally, we tested the role of these SNPs in conferring risk for ultrasonographically documented CAAD stenosis status. We found that two loci, chromosome 1p13.3 near CELSR2 and PSRC1 which contains rs646776, and 19q13.2 near TOMM40 and APOE which contains rs2075650, harbor risk alleles for CAAD. Conclusion: Our analysis of 34 SNPs contributing to dyslipidemia at 23 loci suggests that genetic variation in the 1p13.3 region may increase risk of CAAD by increasing LDL particle number, whereas variation in the 19q13.2 region may increase CAAD risk by promoting formation of smaller, denser LDL particles.