cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An In Vitro Procedure for Estimation of Lead Relative Bioavailability: With Validation

ABSTRACT The relative bioaccessibility leaching procedure (RBALP) is a simple, reproducible, and rapid in vitro procedure for estimating the in vivo (juvenile swine) relative bioavailability (RBA) of lead in solid media. Control of pH, temperature, and agitation are the most critical parameters of this in vitro procedure. The performance of the method was evaluated by triplicate analyses of each of 19 different test substances by the author and three independent laboratories, and comparison of the results to relative bioavailability (RBA) values measured in vivo. The results indicate that the RBALP measurements are strongly correlated with the in vivo RBA values (r2 = 0.924, p < 0.0001), with an average absolute error of 10% and an average predictive error of 20%. Comparison of results within and between laboratories indicates that the procedure is highly reproducible, with inter-and intra-laboratory coefficients of variation of 4% and 6%, respectively, and within-sample precision of approximately 7%. Bas...
Can vitamin E protect humans against the pathological effects of ozone in smog

Ozone reacts with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in vitro to form free radicals, and vitamin E slows or prevents this reaction. Consistent with this, dietary vitamin E significantly protects animals against the deleterious effects of ozone and the absence of vitamin E potentiates damage by ozone. Thus, chemical and animal studies as well as the opposite effects of ozone and vitamin E on the immune system suggest the hypothesis that vitamin E can protect humans against the harmful effects of chronic exposures to ozone. However, because most humans are not vitamin E deficient, the more relevant question is whether amounts of vitamin E above the minimum of dietary requirement provide increased protection. The need for and design of further studies to answer this question are discussed. 161 refs.
Review of statistical approaches to tolerance analysis

The review paper describes the technique of applying statistical methods to tolerance analysis of mechanical assemblies. It states the problem, and reviews the various approaches proposed for statistical tolerance analysis. It also considers the important case of a nonideal probability distribution of component tolerances. Lastly, it reviews and assesses the application of these methods to solid modelling systems and to the geometric tolerancing standard, and makes recommendations about possible directions to be taken in future research on the subject.
β-Glucan plus ascorbic acid in neonatal calves modulates immune functions with and without Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin.

Abstract To determine if β-glucan plus ascorbic acid affects adherence and pathogenicity of Salmonella Dublin and innate immune response in neonatal calves, 20 calves were fed control or supplemented diets (β-glucan, 0.9 g/d, plus ascorbic acid, 500 mg/d) until d 23. On d 21, 5 calves per treatment received 2.4 × 10 8 CFU of S . Dublin orally. S . Dublin spread through intestinal tissues into mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen, and lung tissues within 48 h. All supplemented calves had less mRNA expression of IL-1 receptor antagonist in liver. Leukocyte cell surface markers changed in lung cells, but not in blood, MLN, or spleen. CD14 in lungs was greatest for calves receiving supplement and challenge, but CD18 in lungs was greater for challenged than control calves. Lung DEC205 was greatest for challenged calves with and without supplement compared to controls, but more lung cells expressed CD14 for all treated groups compared to controls. These data show that S . Dublin briefly inhabited the intestinal tract, moving quickly to spleen, MLN, and lung tissues. Lung tissue was modulated by S . Dublin, but supplement alone increased CD14 expressing cells. The supplement appears not to attenuate invasiness but modified some lung cell populations by 48 h.
Post-prostatectomy bleeding managed by endovascular embolization.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related mortality in males in the United States. Radical prostatectomy is a common treatment for localized prostate cancer. Significant post-prostatectomy hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication, occurring in less than 0.5% of cases.1 Treatment options include surgical exploration with ligation of bleeding sites, observation with ultimate tamponade and endovascular control. Intraoperative internal iliac artery ligation has previously been recommended to decrease blood loss.2 However, postoperative endovascular control is another option.3 We report the results of this approach in a patient with postoperative bleeding from the artery to the seminal vesicle. CASE REPORT A 70-year-old man with Gleason score 4 3, prostate specific antigen 4.7 ng./ml., T2a prostate cancer underwent uneventful nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Estimated blood loss was 900 cc. The following morning the patient complained of pelvic pain, and hemoglobin and hematocrit were 7.4 gm./dl. (normal 13.5 to 17.5) and 21.5% (normal 41% to 53%), respectively. There was minimal output from the pelvic drain. Two units of blood were transfused, and computerized tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large
Hyperbolic frequency modulation for multiple users in underwater acoustic communications

Nonlinear frequency-modulated signals have been effectively applied in multiple-user communication schemes. In this paper, we propose to implement a multiple-user communication scheme using hyperbolic frequency-modulated(HFM) signals for underwater acoustic communications. We derive constraints on the HFM parameters to optimally reduce multiple access interference (MAI) at the transmission side. Additional constraints on the frequency-modulation (FM) rate reduce the underwater channel effects of multipath and scaling. The proposed signaling scheme is compared to an HFM-based code-division multiple-access (HFM-CDMA) scheme to demonstrate improved error performance.
Quark-model calculation of the weak electric coupling in semileptonic baryon decay

The weak electric form factor g/sub 2/ is calculated in the nonrelativistic quark model (NRQM) and the MIT bag model for weak ..delta..S = 1 semileptonic transitions. The bag-model result is g/sub 2//g/sub 1/ = 0.03 with the NRQM result roughly twice this. Other weak transition form factors are tabulated, including expected SU(3)-breaking effects.
Cocaine exposure at a sublethal concentration downregulates CREB functions in cultured neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract Previous studies showed that prenatal cocaine in an animal model decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activity in offspring's brain. Since BDNF is one of target genes of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), this study examined effects of cocaine on CREB activities in a human neuroblastoma (SK-N-AS) cell line. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazodium bromide) assay indicated that cocaine exposure at 5 μM for 24 h had no significant influences on cell viability. However, a 24-h exposure to cocaine at the same concentration significantly decreased the level of phosphorylated CREB, although no significant changes in total CREB proteins were observed. Consistent with reduced CREB phosphorylation, the electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that exposure to 5 μM of cocaine for 24 h also inhibited CREB binding activity and significantly decreased BDNF mRNA expression. In addition, exposure to 5 μM cocaine for 24 h attenuated the glutamic acid-evoked increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Taken together, these findings suggest that cocaine exposure at the sublethal concentration downregulates CREB functions in the cultured SK-N-AS cell line, and that diminished intracellular Ca2+ responses may be associated in part with cocaine-induced downregulation of CREB activity.
A charge-transfer-induced spin transition in a discrete complex : The role of extrinsic factors in stabilizing three electronic isomeric forms of a cyanide-bridged Co/Fe cluster

A series of bimetallic, trigonal bipyramidal clusters of type {[Co(N-N)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)} are reported. The reaction of {Co(tmphen)(2)}(2+) with [Fe(CN)(6)](3)(-) in MeCN affords {[Co(tmphen)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)} (1). The cluster can exist in three different solid-state phases: a red crystalline phase, a blue solid phase obtained by exposure of the red crystals to moisture, and a red solid phase obtained by desolvation of the blue solid phase in vacuo. The properties of cluster 1 are extremely sensitive to both temperature and solvent content in each of these phases. Variable-temperature X-ray crystallography; (57)Fe Mossbauer, vibrational, and optical spectroscopies; and magnetochemical studies were used to study the three phases of 1 and related compounds, Na{[Co(tmphen)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)}(ClO(4))(2) (2), {[Co(bpy)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)}[Fe(CN)(6)](1/3) (3), and {[Ni(tmphen)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)} (4). The combined structural and spectroscopic investigation of 1-4 leads to the unambiguous conclusion that 1 can exist in different electronic isomeric forms, {Co(III)(2)Co(II)Fe(II)(2)} (1A), {Co(III)Co(II)(2)Fe(III)Fe(II)} (1B), and {Co(II)(3)Fe(III)(2)} (1C), and that it can undergo a charge-transfer-induced spin transition (CTIST). This is the first time that such a phenomenon has been observed for a Co/Fe molecule.
A BLAST from the past: Ancient origin of human Sm proteins

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Zhang et al. and Moller et al. independently report studies of the E. coli Hfq protein, revealing significant sequence similarities with human Sm proteins. Their findings suggest that Hfq, and the Sm and Sm-like (Lsm) proteins, may function in stabilizing interactions between RNA molecules.
Low temperature non-ohmic transport in InSb

Abstract A different interpretation from that of Miyazawa and Ikoma is given for their measurements of low temperature non-ohmic Hall effect. The conclusion is drawn that their measurements are not evidence of donor freeze out in InSb. Their results are analyzed in terms of a hot electron theory that shows that the features that they attributed to two band conduction (impurity and conduction band) are due to conduction band electrons.
THE EFFECTS OF SEQUENTIALLY SWITCHING FOODPLANTS UPON BIOMASS AND NITROGEN UTILIZATION BY POLYPHAGOUS AND STENOPHAGOUS PAPILIO LARVAE

The eastern swallowtail butterfly, Papilio glaucus, is often classified as a polyphagous species but growth of individuals is hindered rather than aided by feeding on a sequence of plants in no-choice situations. The spicebush swallowtail, Papilio troilus, is a close relative of P. glaucus. P. troilus has restricted its feeding primarily to the Lauraceae and the efficiency of P. troilus larvae in utilizing foodplants in this family is 2 × — 3 × that of the generalized P. glaucus larvae. Again, however, a sequence of acceptable foods reduces rather than favors larval growth rate. RESUME LES EFFETS DU CHANGEMENT PERIODIQUE DES PLANTES-HOTES SUR LA BIOMASSE ET L'UTILISATION D'AZOTE PAR DES CHENILLES POLYPHAGES ET STENOPHAGES DE PAPILIO Les taux de consommation, les rendements de transformation, les bilans de biomasse et d'azote, et la croissance de chenilles herbivores de Papilio glaucus et Papilio troilus ont ete determines sur les planteshotes naturelles dans des conditions ecologiques controlees. Les effets d'une alternance periodique des plantes-hotes tous les 2 jours ont ete determines dans des experiences supplementaires. Sur Sassafras (Lauraceae), Papilio troilus, plus specialiste, croit plus vite et avec un meilleur rendement que Papilio glaucus, espece generaliste. La croissance des 2 especes de Papilio est supprimee quand on les oblige a changer d'aliments. Les gains en poids des larves et les poids finaux des chrysalides dans des series alternantes sont intermediaires, atteignant les moyennes observees entre les meilleures et pires alimentations avec une espece vegetale unique. Bien que l'on puisse conclure que l'alternance des plantes consommees reduit generalement la consommation et la conversion de la biomasse vegetale des plantes-hotes, Papilio glaucus est capable de survivre sur Lindera benzoin (Lauraceae) alternant avec cerisier et frene, alors que toutes les chenilles meurent sur L. benzoin seul. D'autres faits montrent que cette Lauraceae ne peut etre qu'occasionnellement acceptable comme plante-hote naturelle par Papilio glaucus, tandis qu'elle est essentielle pour les populations plus specialisees de P. troilus. Ceci suggere que toute classification en generaliste, ou polyphage, doit etre accompagnee d'une discussion se referant a l'espece, la population ou aux larves elles-memes. Des informations quantitatives sur des plantes supplementaires seraient utiles pour distinguer entre l'aptitude des especes et celle des individus a consommer des plantes-hotes fournies alternativement ou simultanement.
Novel Delivery of Antiarrhythmic Agents

Conventional antiarrhythmia therapy by oral or intravenous routes of administration is often ineffective and results in drug-associated complications and toxicity. In addition, poor bioavailability and a high first-pass effect limit therapeutic applications of several investigational antiarrhythmic compounds, which are otherwise more potent and less toxic than available agents. The regional nature of the several cardiac diseases, such as ischaemia, restenosis or heart valve calcification, may require a high concentration of drug at the location of the disease, which by conventional routes may not be attainable due to systemic toxicity of the drug. Localised cardiac delivery of antiarrhythmic agents, based on drug-polymer implants, may have several advantages, including enhanced drug effects and reduced systemic drug toxicity. Computer-assisted automated feedback systems may further enhance the usefulness of this therapy in the clinical setting. Before clinical application of this method of drug delivery further study will be required, but it is hypothesised that pharmacokinetic variability for drugs delivered in this manner will be reduced and therefore efficacy and toxicity will be more predictable.
Mortality patterns of Army Chemical Corps veterans who were occupationally exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.

Purpose This research examined the risk of disease-related mortality of the Army Chemical Corps (ACC) veterans who handled/sprayed herbicides in Vietnam in comparison with their non-Vietnam veteran peers or U.S. men. Methods Vital status was determined through December 31, 2005. All-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality were compared for individuals who served in Vietnam (n = 2872) versus those who did not (n = 2737). Similar analyses were completed on a subset of the original Vietnam cohort that consisted of individuals who either reported spraying herbicide (n = 662) or not (n = 811). The observed deaths for each of the two base cohorts were also compared with expected deaths for U.S. men. Results Statistically significant excess mortality was found for ACC Vietnam veterans for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 4.82; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.10–21.18). When examining patterns for veterans in the Vietnam veteran subset, we found nonsignificant elevated ARRs among herbicide sprayers for all-cause, respiratory system disease, and respiratory system cancer mortality. Compared with U.S. men, the Vietnam veteran cohort had significant excess mortality for all-causes (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04–1.23), respiratory system cancer (SMR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03–1.73), nonmalignant respiratory system disease (SMR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.08–2.23), and miscellaneous malignant cancers (SMR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.03–2.84). Conclusions The risk of mortality from respiratory disease (malignant or nonmalignant) was significantly greater for ACC Vietnam veterans in comparison with their non-Vietnam veteran peers and U.S. men. Herbicide exposure could be contributing to the patterns observed. Because of the unique nature of their military duties and study limitations, findings may not be generalizeable to Vietnam veterans as a whole.
Effects of plasmid copy number and runaway plasmid replication on overproduction and excretion of .beta.-lactamase from Escherichia coli

Runaway plasmid replication can be used to increase target gene dosage and thereby overproduce proteins within the bacterium Escherichia coli. However, the presence of excessive plasmid DNA often alters normal cell functions. High copy number plasmids with strong promoters place a severe metabolic burden on the cell, causing a decreased specific growth rate and changes in cell physiology. Induction of beta-lactamase synthesis from the tac promoter on plasmid pKN causes runaway plasmid replication and excretion of beta-lactamase. Runaway plasmid replication results from readthrough of tac promoter transcripts into the replication region of the plasmid. Both high plasmid copy numbers and a strong promoter (tac) are necessary to achieve the level of overproduction necessary for excretion of beta-lactamase, but high-level target protein synthesis is detrimental to the cell. A derivative of pKN which is more easily regulated was constructed by adding the lacI gene to the plasmid.
Deterrence and Coercive Diplomacy: The Contributions of Alexander George

Alexander George was a towering figure who made path breaking and enduring contribu tions to political psychology, international relations, and social science methodology. I focus on George's closely related research programs on deterrence and coercive diplomacy, with special attention to the importance of the asymmetry of motivation, strategies for "designing around" a deterrent threat, the controllability of risks, images of the adversary, signaling, the sequential failure of deterrence, the role of positive inducements along with coercive threats, and the need for actor-specific models of the adversary. In the process, I highlight other elements of George's theoretically and methodologically integrated research program: his conceptions of the proper role of theory; his emphasis on the infeasibility of a universal theory and the need for conditional generalizations that are historically grounded, sensitive to context, bounded by scope conditions, and useful for policy makers; and the indispensability of process tracing in theoretically driven case
By-Person Factor Analysis in Clinical Ethical Decision Making: Q Methodology in End-of-Life Care Decisions

Objective: To determine the usefulness of Q methodology to locate and describe shared subjective influences on clinical decision making among participant physicians using hypothetical cases containing common ethical issues. Design: Qualitative study using by-person factor analysis of subjective Q sort data matrix. Setting: University medical center. Participants: Convenience sample of internal medicine attending physicians and house staff (n = 35) at one midwestern academic health sciences center. Interventions: Presented with four hypothetical cases involving urgent decision making near the end of life, participants selected one of three specific clinical actions offered for each case. Immediately afterward and while considering their decision, each respondent sorted twenty-five subjective self-referent items in terms of the influence of each statement on their decision-making process. By-person factor analysis, where participants are defined as variates, yielded information about the attitudinal backgro...
Differential effects of plantar desensitization on locomotion dynamics.

Abstract Reduced plantar sensation secondary to chronic diffuse polyneuropathy (PN) is believed to reduce locomotor stability, especially when walking at non-preferred speeds. However, the contribution of plantar sensation to the maintenance of locomotor stability is not entirely clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute loss of plantar sensation on the stability-related kinematic properties of walking at different speeds. Lower-extremity joint kinematics were acquired as healthy young adults walked on a treadmill at their preferred walking speed (PWS) and three predetermined speeds (0.8, 1.0, and 1.2m/s) under both normal and desensitized conditions. Desensitization of the foot soles was induced by ice-exposure, and plantar pressure sensation was assessed by a 5.07 monofilament. The average magnitude of stride duration variability (SDvar) and lower-extremity joint angle variability (JTvar), as well as short- and long-term "finite-time" Lyapunov exponents ( λ ST ∗ , λ LT ∗ ) associated with lower-extremity joint angles were computed. Ice-induced plantar desensitization led to increased λ ST ∗ (∼40%) and λ LT ∗ (∼8%) values but did not affect SDvar or JTvar. Higher treadmill speed led to greater λ ST ∗ and λ LT ∗ values, but the speed effects were not influenced by plantar desensitization.While acute loss of plantar sensation does not appear to influence the magnitude of spatial or temporal variability, it did attenuate the state-space trajectory divergence caused by stride-to-stride variability (i.e., λ ST ∗ and λ LT ∗ ). However, as opposed to walking at PWS, otherwise healthy locomotor systems do not appear to place increased reliance on plantar sensation when walking at non-preferred treadmill speeds.
Targeting CreER T2 expression to keratin 8-expressing murine simple epithelia using bacterial artificial chromosome transgenesis

Keratin 8 (K8) is a type II keratin that is associated with the type I keratins K18 or K19 in single layered epithelia. We generated a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse line that expresses the tamoxifen inducible CreERT2 inserted into the endogenous murine K8 gene. The transgenic mouse line contains two copies of the BAC transgene. To determine the expression specificity and inducibility of CreERT2, the K8–CreERT2 mice were bred with a Gt(ROSA26)ACTB–tdTomato–EGFP fluorescent protein-based reporter transgenic mouse line. We demonstrated that CreERT2 and the endogenous K8 gene share the same patterns of expression and that the enzymatic activity of CreERT2 can be efficiently induced by tamoxifen in all K8-expressing tissues. This mouse line will be useful for studying gene function in development and homeostasis of simple epithelia, and investigating both tissue lineage hierarchy and the identity of the cells of origin for epithelial cancers.
Activities of cellulase and other extracellular enzymes during lignin solubilization by Streptomyces viridosporus

Two mutant strains of the lignin degrading bacterium Streptomyces viridosporus strain T7A with enhanced abilities to produce a soluble lignin degradation intermediate, acid-precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL) and several mutants derepressed for cellulase production were compared with the wild type to examine the roles of cellulase and selected other extracellular enzymes in lignin solubilization by S. viridosporus. The two APPL-overproducing mutants, T-81 and T-138, had higher cellulase activities than the wild type. Mutants specifically derepressed for cellulase were also isolated and were found to produce more APPL than the wild type. The results are indicative of some involvement of cellulase in the lignin solubilization process. The lignin solubilized from corn (Zea mays) lignocellulose by the mutants was slightly different chemically as compared to wild type solubilized lignin in that it had a higher coumaric acid ester content. The production of extracellular coumarate ester esterase, aromatic aldehyde oxidase, and xylanase was also examined in the mutants. Xylanase and aromatic aldehyde oxidase production did not differ significantly between the mutants and the wild type. Mutant T-81 was found to have a slightly lower activity for esterase as compared with the wild type. It was concluded that xylanase, oxidase and esterase are not the enzymes directly responsible for enhanced lignin solubilization. The results, however, do implicate cellulase in the process.
A Comparison of Alternative Matching Strategies for DIF Detection in Tests That Are Multidimensional

unidimensional, matching using the total test score may result in an inflated Type I error rate. This study compares the results of differential item functioning (DIF) analysis with matching based on the total test score, matching based on subtest scores, or multivariate matching using multiple subtest scores. Analysis of both actual and simulated data indicate that for the dimensionally complex test examined in this study, using the total test score as the matching criterion is inappropriate. The results suggest that matching on multiple subtest scores simultaneously may be superior to using either the total test score or individual relevant subtest scores.
Cyclic Breathing Simulations in Large Scale Models of the Lung Airway From the Oronasal Opening to the Terminal Bronchioles

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed for unsteady periodic breathing conditions, using large-scale models of the human lung airway. The computational domain included fully coupled representations of the orotracheal region and large conducting zone up to generation four (G4) obtained from patient-specific CT data, and the small conducting zone (to G16) obtained from a stochastically generated airway tree with statistically realistic geometrical characteristics. A reduced-order geometry was used, in which several airway branches in each generation were truncated, and only select flow paths were retained to G16. The inlet and outlet flow boundaries corresponded to the oronasal opening (superior), the inlet/outlet planes in terminal bronchioles (distal), and the unresolved airway boundaries arising from the truncation procedure (intermediate). The cyclic flow was specified according to the predicted ventilation patterns for a healthy adult male at three different activity levels, supplied by the whole-body modeling software HumMod. The CFD simulations were performed using Ansys FLUENT. The mass flow distribution at the distal boundaries was prescribed using a previously documented methodology, in which the percentage of the total flow for each boundary was first determined from a steady-state simulation with an applied flow rate equal to the average during the inhalation phase of the breathing cycle. The distal pressure boundary conditions for the steady-state simulation were set using a stochastic coupling procedure to ensure physiologically realistic flow conditions. The results show that: 1) physiologically realistic flow is obtained in the model, in terms of cyclic mass conservation and approximately uniform pressure distribution in the distal airways; 2) the predicted alveolar pressure is in good agreement with previously documented values; and 3) the use of reduced-order geometry modeling allows accurate and efficient simulation of large-scale breathing lung flow, provided care is taken to use a physiologically realistic geometry and to properly address the unsteady boundary conditions.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Manifest dream content as a possible predictor of suicidality.

Abstract The prediction of suicidal intent remains a clinical problem. This presentation illustrates that a distinction may be made between the manifest dream reports of patients who are potentially or acutely suicidal and those who are not. A review of the literature reveals that the manifest dream reports of clinically depressed, non-suicidal individuals differ from those who are depressed and acutely suicidal. The former contain themes of loss, disappointment, rejection, helplessness, hopelessness, failure, and death. The latter contain themes of dying, death, destruction, and violence directed toward the dreamer or others, as well as hopelessness and helplessness. The author collected manifest dream reports from three clinically depressed, non-suicidal patients and three clinically depressed, potentially or acutely suicidal patients. There are apparent differences between the themes of manifest dream reports in the clinically depressed, non-suicidal patients and the clinically depressed, potentially o...
Postischemic extremities exhibit immediate release of tumor necrosis factor

Abstract Purpose: Although reperfusion of acutely ischemic extremities can cause cardiopulmonary collapse and death, the humoral agent(s) released from limbs promoting this distant organ injury are not well characterized. We hypothesized that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a cytokine that causes cardiopulmonary dysfunction in septic shock, may be released from postischemic extremities. Methods: Isolated rat hindlimbs were perfused at constant pressure with a nonrecirculating crystalloid-based buffer. After 60 or 120 minutes of normothermic ischemia, TNF activity was measured in sequential samples of venous effluent by L929 bioassay. Associated limb injury was assessed by the extent of no-reflow after reperfusion, changes in endothelial permeability to iodine 125 - labeled albumin and skeletal muscle injury by uptake of technetium 99 pyrophosphate. Results: After 120 minutes of normothermic ischemia ( n = 10), a 15-fold increase in TNF-α activity in venous effluent occurred, with peak activity at 1.5 minutes of reperfusion (30.6 ± 8.7 U/ml) falling to near control levels by 5 minutes. This group had a 3.3-fold increase in vascular permeability, a 2.2-fold increase in the muscle injury index and a 71.2% decline in reperfusion flow (all p n = 10) decreased TNF activity to levels not significantly different from the nonischemic control group ( n = 12). The extent of no-reflow in limbs treated with antibodies was significantly attenuated (flow 44.9% of control vs 29.8% [untreated], p Conclusions: Postischemic extremities exhibited a transient, early burst of TNF release on reperfusion, which likely represented washout of TNF produced during ischemia. Suppression of TNF activity with an antibody to TNF-α resulted in a salutary increase in postischemic flow rates, suggesting that TNF may play a role in the no-reflow phenomenon. (J VASC SURG 1994;20:474-81.)
On VA's, VAR's, and Other Traditions in Electric Power Engineering

The author presents a commentary on traditionally accepted power concepts in classical electric power engineering. A revision of traditional terminology is proposed.
Effects of Nitrate on Fermentation of Xylose and Glucose by Pachysolen Tannophilus

Xylose is a major constituent of hardwood and agricultural residues. Its effective utilization is essential to the economic practicability of any process seeking to use these materials for chemical production. A yeast, Pachysolen tannophilus, has been shown to ferment xylose to ethanol, acetic acid and xylitol, but the rate is slow and yields of ethanol are low. Growth on NO3− is known to stimulate synthesis of pentosephosphate pathway enzymes, and these studies showed that NO3− stimulates the aerobic production of ethanol from xylose by Pachysolen. Anaerobic production of ethanol, however, was inhibited by NO3−. Inhibition required induction by growth on NO3−, and inhibition was repressed by NH4+, indicating that nitrate reductase might be involved. Growth rates and product ratios were affected significantly by the nitrogen source used. These results suggest that selection for NO3− utilization could be a useful screen in the development of yeast strains with improved ability to ferment xylose. *Maintained in cooperation with the University of Wiscosin, Madison, Wis.
Adaptive stochastic disturbance accommodating control

This article presents a Kalman filter based adaptive disturbance accommodating stochastic control scheme for linear uncertain systems to minimise the adverse effects of both model uncertainties and external disturbances. Instead of dealing with system uncertainties and external disturbances separately, the disturbance accommodating control scheme lumps the overall effects of these errors in a to-be-determined model-error vector and then utilises a Kalman filter in the feedback loop for simultaneously estimating the system states and the model-error vector from noisy measurements. Since the model-error dynamics is unknown, the process noise covariance associated with the model-error dynamics is used to empirically tune the Kalman filter to yield accurate estimates. A rigorous stochastic stability analysis reveals a lower bound requirement on the assumed system process noise covariance to ensure the stability of the controlled system when the nominal control action on the true plant is unstable. An adaptive...
Does working memory change with age? The interactions of concurrent articulation with the effects of word length and acoustic confusion.

ABSTRACT The effects of acoustic confusion (phonological similarity), word length, and concurrent articulation (articulatory suppression) are cited as support for Working Memory's phonological loop component (e.g., Baddeley, 2000, Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 7, 544). Research has focused on younger adults, with no studies examining whether concurrent articulation reduces the word length and acoustic confusion effects among older adults. In the current study, younger and older adults were given lists of similar and dissimilar letters (Experiment 1) or long and short words (Experiment 2) for immediate serial reconstruction of order. Items were presented visually or auditorily, with or without concurrent articulation. As expected, younger and older adults demonstrated effects of acoustic confusion, word length, and concurrent articulation. Further, concurrent articulation reduced the effects of acoustic confusion and word length equally for younger and older adults. This suggests that age-related differ...
Photoelectrons in the upper atmosphere: A formulation incorporating effects of transport

A technique for solving the problem of photoelectron spatial transport and spectral degradation is presented. The developed model, which allows for a relatively complete description of the relevant transport and collisional physics, can be applied to study processes at either low or high altitude, and may be used to investigate interhemispheric transport. The technique involves dividing the spatial dimension into a set of discrete ordinates and calculating the photoelectron intensity for a specific energy at each point in space and at a set of angle points. The selected range of the energy spectrum was covered completely by a set of energy bins, and the photoelectron intensity in the highest energy bin was calculated first by assuming that the only source term was derived from photoionization. The method is similar to a method used in radiative transfer theory. Spatial and angular redistribution of electrons play a dominant role at heights above 400 km.
Alterations in macrophages and monocytes from tumor-bearing mice: evidence of local and systemic immune impairment

Macrophages are cells of the innate immune system involved in critical activities such as maintaining tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance. Pro-inflammatory macrophages M1 are responsible for the inflammatory response, while M2 macrophages are associated with the immunosuppressive repair phase of tissue remodeling. Most cancers are associated with chronic inflammation, and a high number of macrophages in tumors have been associated with tumor progression. Much effort has been made in elucidating the mechanisms through which macrophages contribute to tumor development, yet much less is known about the initial mechanisms by which tumors modify macrophages. Our work has focused on identifying the mechanisms by which macrophages from tumor hosts are modified by tumors. We have shown that peritoneal macrophages are significantly altered in mice bearing advanced mammary tumors and are not M1 or M2 polarized, but express a mixture of both transcriptional programs. These macrophages are less differentiated and more prone to apoptosis, resulting in increased myelopoiesis as a compensation to regenerate macrophage progenitors in the marrow. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment are also neither M1 nor M2 cells and through a display of different mechanisms are even more impaired than their peripheral counterparts. Finally, systemic blood monocytes, precursors of tissue macrophages, are also altered in tumor bearers and show a mixed program of pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. We conclude that there is evidence for local and systemic immune impairment in tumor hosts.
Infant-Mother Attachment in Patients with Nonorganic Failure to Thrive Syndrome

Abstract Patterns of attachment were explored in a group of infants diagnosed as nonorganic failure to thrive (FTT). Twelve infants 12 to 19 months of age and hospitalized during the first year of life with a diagnosis of nonorganic FTT were compared with matched controls and observed in a modification of the Ainsworth Strange Situation. Six of the 12 nonorganic FTT patients and 2 of the 12 controls were classified as insecurely attached. In addition, nonorganic FTT patients showed a marked inhibition of affect during separation from the mother.
Cylindrical transient inverse heat conduction

Abstract A numerical method is presented for solving a transient inverse heat conduction problem. First, the non-linear problem is reduced to an equivalent linear problem. Next, an adjoint solution technique is used to solve the equivalent linear problem for either the surface temperature of heat flux.
Zinc concentration and distribution in mammary secretions of peripartum cows.

Abstract Mammary secretions were sampled from peripartum cows and analyzed for Zn concentrations. Subsamples of these secretions were fractionated into casein and whey, and the distribution of Zn was determined. Concentration of Zn was greater in the colostrum than in either prepartum mammary secretions or in milk. The high colostral Zn was reflected by high concentrations of Zn in both casein and whey fractions. Approximately 60% of the colostral Zn was in the casein fraction compared with nearly 90% in milk. Calcium, P, Fe, and Cu concentrations, but not Mn, also were elevated in colostrum. When milk was augmented with Zn, the added Zn was associated largely with casein. Although casein has a very large capacity for binding Zn, about half of the extra Zn in colostrum is found in the whey fraction.
Redox Molecules for a Resonant Tunneling Barrier in Nonvolatile Memory

To attain better program/erase (P/E) efficiency while maintaining retention, durable redox molecules were integrated into the flash memory gate stack to form resonant tunneling barrier by either a hybrid organic/inorganic deposition or a simple solution-based layer-by-layer (LBL) method. Compared with fullerene molecules, the proposed porphyrin has high number density and a wafer-ready LBL process. Improvement in electron retention of approximately six orders of magnitude to programming time (tR/tPE) was observed for Au nanocrystal memory with a hybrid organic-inorganic tunnel barrier. With the LBL method, the tR/tPE improved by at least two orders of magnitude for both electron and hole carriers, with the P/E cycling endurance larger than 104 cycles. Furthermore, the gate current is used to characterize the transport mechanism and study the electrical reliability of the organic layers. A better understanding of the charge storage and insulation properties of these organic barriers can improve future design integration on all-organic or hybrid molecular electronics.
Fast PCA computation in a DBMS with aggregate UDFs and LAPACK

Efficient and scalable execution of numerical methods inside a DBMS is difficult as its architecture is not suited for intense numerical computations. We study computing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on large data sets via Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Given the difficulty to program and optimize numerical methods on an existing DBMS, we explore an alternative reusability approach: calling the well-known numerical library LAPACK. Thus we study several alternatives to summarize the data set with aggregate User-Defined Functions (UDFs) and how to efficiently call SVD numerical methods available in LAPACK via Stored Procedures (SPs). We propose algorithmic and system optimizations to enhance scalability and to push processing into RAM. We show it is feasible to efficiently solve PCA by first summarizing the data set with arrays incrementally updated with aggregate UDFs and then pushing heavy matrix processing in SVD to RAM calling LAPACK via SPs. We benchmark our solution on a modern DBMS. Our solution requires only one pass on the data set and it exhibits linear scalability.
Paradox Lost: Order and Progress in Evangelical Thought of Mid-Nineteenth-Century America

The concept of a cultural whole is a very fruitful idea for the cultural historian. Involved in it is the assumption that a unity of form pervades the entire culture and that each significant part of the culture-religious, political, social, literary, and so forth-participates in and gives expression to this pervasive form. The assumption is clearly one of great practical importance, for it invites the historian to believe that a close study of one part will throw light upon all others.' Accordingly, the present study seeks, by special focus on one aspect of evangelical thought, to help elucidate the pervasive liberal outlook of midnineteenth-century America.
Characteristics of Surface Airflow and Pressure Patterns over the Island of Taiwan during TAMEX

Abstract Principal component (PC) analysis was used to study the wind and sea level pressure patterns over the island of Taiwan during the early summer rainy season. An eight-point, running-mean, low-pass filter was applied to the 3-h surface winds and sea level pressure deviations from its areal average to remove signals with a time scale of 1 day or less. The first and the second PC modes of the low-pass-filtered wind data account for 66% and 13% of the total variance, respectively. The first, the second, and the third PC modes of the low-pass-filtered pressure deviations account for 63%, 22%, and 10% of the total variance, respectively. Composite analysis of low-pass-filtered surface variables was made during a 3-day period for each TAMEX (Taiwan Area Mesoscale Experiment) frontal passage episode, using the timing of the maximum PC scores of the dominant PC modes to arrive at a general picture of the evolution of surface airflow and pressure patterns. The prefrontal southwesterly flow reached the maxim...
Furosemide-induced recurrent syncope in myxedema.

It is important to assess the appropriate use of diuretics in lower extremity edema, especially to distinguish cases where the use of diuretics may precipitate syncope secondary to volume depletion [1,2]. A 46-year-old male nursing home resident with Down syndrome, hypertensive heart disease and hypothyroidism presented with recurrent episodes of syncope. He was on thyroid replacement therapy and a beta-blocker. Three weeks prior to the first episode of syncope, he had developed bilateral lower extremity edema. The patient was started on intravenous furosemide with presumptive diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Physical examination revealed 2/6 systolic ejection murmur at the left upper sternal border. The murmur increased with Valsalva maneuver. Electrocardiogram showed low voltage and sinus bradycardia. The echocardiogram showed left ventricular ejection fraction 65%, moderate pericardial effusion, concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient of 29 mm Hg. There were no physical or echocardiographic signs of cardiac tamponade. Discontinuation of intravenous furosemide was recommended along with follow-up echocardiography in a week. During the course of a week, the patient developed another syncopal episode while still using furosemide. The repeat echocardiography remained unchanged. Review of patient’s records revealed that the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone was 20.9 and 13.6 IU/L during the previous admission. His levothyroxine dose was increased only 1 week before.
Right-sided cardiac transplantation: Importance of functional valves

Abstract An original surgical procedure had been developed entailing the implantation of a right-sided heterotrophic cardiac graft in 14 dogs. The benchwork preparation included creation of both atrial and ventricular septal defects which allowed transplantation with the avoidance of extracorporeal circulation and the utilization of all transplanted myocardium and parts. The structure and function of this graft were sequentially evaluated using rapid cine-computed tomograms which permitted assessment of forward graft flow, ventricular wall contraction, and diastolic thickness for both the native and grafted hearts. These parameters were followed during the early (E) ( 21 days) postoperative periods. Forward flow (E: 3.0, I: 1.5, L: 2.6) through the transplant was maintained by the competence of the implanted valves despite a progressive decrease in the contraction (E: 3.0, I: 1.3, L: 1.0) and associated decrease in the wall thickness (E: 3.0, I: 2.6, L: 2.4). These findings were consistent with severe cardiac graft rejection without immunosuppression. In summary, long-term structural and functional forward flow of this configurated right-sided transplantation had been maintained by the competent valves on both sides of the graft despite severe rejection without immunosuppression as documented by rapid cine-computed tomograms.
Application of Ostwald's rule to amorphous materials☆

Abstract The application of Ostwald's rule to an amorphous material leads to the concept of different amorphous structures. Experimental results are discussed in connection with this rule.
Carburization of high chromium alloys

Iron-nickel-chromium based heat resistant alloys are designed to operate at high temperatures in corrosive gaseous environments. Under mixed oxidizing-carburizing conditions, the microstructure of such materials changes progressively during service and the physical and mechanical properties are altered. One instance where such microstructural changes are encountered is in furnace tubes for pyrolysis applications. In the present study, kinetic experiments in the laboratory are combined with microstructural observations on alloys which have undergone long service times to develop an understanding of the fundamental processes that induce property changes in the material. Based on this study, four distinct stages are identified. These include: Initial oxidation, Oxidation in a carburizing environment, Direct carburization and Internal oxidation. Each of these stages is described. Questions are posed with respect to the sudden alteration in process stream chemistry or temperature. For instance, how does a drop in the oxygen partial pressure to levels where a chromium oxide film is unstable affect a preformed film? What beneficial effects are provided by inhibitors such as H2S especially under conditions where an oxide film cannot form?