cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Combustion of Propane Using Transitional Metal Oxides

Abstract The oxides of chromium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt and iron in single or in binary mixtures were used for the catalytic combustion of propane/air in an adiabatic tubular reactor. Each of the catalysts was deposited on an alumina coated honeycomb ceramic substrate. The effect of inlet temperature and equivalence ratio on the combustion efficiency, temperature and emission levels were investigated. Among the catalysts examined, the most suitable was the binary mixture of cobalt oxide and chromium oxide. Complete combustion started at an equivalence ratio of 0.196 and an inlet temperature of 580°K. The residence time was 19 ms and the NOx emission index for these conditions was 0.03 g/kg fuel. Chromium oxide alone gives a maximum of 89 percent conversion at inlet temperatures slightly higher than those used with cobalt oxide-chromium oxide catalysts.
The distribution of CO2 on Mars: A spectroscopic determination of surface topography

Abstract A map of the distribution of CO 2 over the surface of Mars has been prepared from spectrophotometric observations of the ν 1 + 2 ν 2 + 3 ν 3 band of CO 2 at 1.05μ. The map covers the equatorial of the planet between latitudes −20° and +40°, stretches from 240°W through the meridian to 160°W and has a nominal precision of ±1 mb. Emphasis is placed on the details of the experimental method and reduction procedure. The pressure map is interpreted in terms of large-scale surface topography (resolution 800–1500 km). The dominance of the second harmonic in zonal topography is clearly evident by the existence of two broad (4000 km), high (12 km) ridges running approximately north-south across the planet seperated by about 180° in longitude. With one minor exception, all bright areas are high, although low areas can be both dark and bright. Syrtis Major is associated with a strong slope but the signiificance of this is doubtful because of the presence of a similar slope in a light area. The spectroscopic map is compared with data from other sources. Good agreement is found with the infrared spectrometer results of Herr et al . (1970), and the radio occultation data, both from Mariners 6 and 7. Comparison with ground-based radar data show good agreemenr at most longitudes but there is a considerable discrepancy between 80°W and 160°W. The most probable cause is found to be a systematic calibration error, incurred in normalizing spectroscopc data from different nughts to a common standard. (The problem is a closure error which can be avoided in the future.) A second map, normalized against radar data, is presented; it does not agree as well with the Mariner results. The physical bases of the radar and spectroscopic methods are compared, and the possibility is discussed of using the discrepancies to provide further inforation. The most promising prospects are the oblateness of the planet, gravitational anomalies, and violent Maatian weather.
Distribution, inheritance and linkage relationships of ribosomal DNA spacer length variants in pea

DNA restriction endonuclease fragment analysis is used to examine the genetic organization, inheritance and linkage associations of the ribosomal DNA in pea. The substantial variation observed in the length of the intergenic spacer region is shown to segregate in Mendelian fashion involving two independent genetic loci, designated Rrn1 and Rrn2. Linkage between Rrn1 and two marker loci on chromosome 4 establishes the approximate location of this tandem array. Rrn2 shows linkage with a set of isozyme loci which assort independently of other markers on all seven chromosomes. Combining these observations with previous cytological data, we suggest that Rrn2 and the isozyme loci linked to it constitute a new linkage group on chromosome 7. The general absence of spacer length classes common to both rRNA loci in any of the lines we examined indicates that little or no genetic exchange occurs between the nonhomologous nucleolar organizer regions.
Outcomes of a Neonatal Golden Hour Implementation Project

The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a quality improvement project (the golden hour pathway [GHP]) aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of care delivered to extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants <28 weeks gestation and/or <1000 g birth weight during the first hour of life. Process improvement and patient data collected during the quality improvement cycles were compared with retrospective data for ELBW infants admitted to the study neonatal intensive care unit during the 2 years prior to GHP implementation. GHP implementation resulted in improvements compared with past internal performance in time to surfactant administration, time to administration of dextrose and amino acids, body temperature at admission, odds of developing chronic lung disease, and odds of developing retinopathy of prematurity. A standardized interdisciplinary approach to the care of ELBW infants in the first hour of life can lead to more efficient care delivery and contribute to improved outcomes.
Baby Boomers’ Adoption of Consumer Health Technologies: Survey on Readiness and Barriers

Background: As they age, baby boomers (born 1946-1964) will have increasing medical needs and are likely to place large demand on health care resources. Consumer health technologies may help stem rising health care needs and costs by improving provider-to-patient communication, health monitoring, and information access and enabling self-care. Research has not explored the degree to which baby boomers are ready for, or are currently embracing, specific consumer health technologies This study explores how baby boomers’ readiness to use various technologies for health purposes compares to other segments of the adult population. Objective: The goals of the study are to (1) examine what technologies baby boomers are ready to use for health purposes, (2) investigate barriers to baby boomers’ use of technology for health purposes, and (3) understand whether readiness for and barriers to baby boomers’ use of consumer health technologies differ from those of other younger and older consumers. Methods: Data were collected via a survey offered to a random sample of 3000 subscribers to a large pharmacy benefit management company. Respondents had the option to complete the survey online or by completing a paper-based version of the survey. Results: Data from 469 respondents (response rate 15.63%) were analyzed, including 258 baby boomers (aged 46-64 years), 72 younger (aged 18-45 years), and 139 older (age >64 years) participants. Baby boomers were found to be similar to the younger age group, but significantly more likely than the older age group to be ready to use 5 technologies for health purposes (health information websites, email, automated call centers, medical video conferencing, and texting). Baby boomers were less ready than the younger age group to adopt podcasts, kiosks, smartphones, blogs, and wikis for health care purposes. However, baby boomers were more likely than older adults to use smartphones and podcasts for health care purposes. Specific adoption barriers vary according to the technology. Conclusions: Baby boomers have commonalities with and distinctions from both younger and older adults in their readiness to adopt specific consumer health technologies and the barriers they experience to adoption. Baby boomers’ nuances regarding readiness to adopt and the barriers associated with the various forms of consumer health technology should be taken into account by those interested in promoting consumer health technologies use among baby boomers when developing applications, choosing technologies, preparing users for use, and in promotional tactics. [J Med Internet Res 2014;16(9):e200]
Anticipated Ongoing Interaction Versus Channel Effects on Relational Communication in Computer-Mediated Interaction

Previous research on the interpersonal tone of computer-mediated communication shows different effects using longitudinal computer-mediated groups than are found in research using one-shot groups, even before the developmental aspects associated with time can accrue. One factor distinguishing these approaches is the anticipation of future interaction experienced by longitudinal groups. This research reports an experiment assessing the relative effects of anticipated future interaction and different communication media (computer-mediated versus face-to-face communication) on the communication of relational intimacy and composure. Asynchronous and synchronous computer conferencing and face-to-face groups were examined. Results show that the assignment of long-term versus short-term partnerships has a larger impact on anticipated future interaction reported by computer-mediated, rather than face-to-face, partners. Evidence also shows that anticipation is a more potent predictor of several relational communication dimensions than is communication condition. Implications for theory and practice are identified.
Enhancement of adhesive joint strength by surface texturing

Proper substrate preparation is an indispensible step for achieving strong adhesive joints. One consequence of such surface treatment is the enhancement of degree of mechanical interlocking between polymers and substrates, which, according to the literature, seems to increase the strength of the joint. A novel method based on photolithography is developed to texture aluminum oxide surface by controlling the pit size and its spatial distribution. Surface profile, surface physical chemical properties of this sample, and the lap shear strength of epoxy adhesive joints are compared with those of the phosphoric acid anodized (PAA) sample. It is shown that the lap shear strength of the textured sample is superior to that of the PAA sample. Surface profile data and mathematical analysis suggest that the inferiority of the PAA sample is probably due to the trapped air in the large pit in the surface resisting the penetration of adhesives. It also concludes that the high surface area provided by the multitude small pits in PAA sample is far from being fully utilized. This study opens up a new avenue to rationally improve the strength of adhesive joint by controlling the surface profile, the surface chemical properties, and the pressure during bond formation.
SALMONELLA SIRA IS A GLOBAL REGULATOR OF GENES MEDIATING ENTEROPATHOGENESIS

SirA of Salmonella typhimurium is known to regulate the hilA and prgH genes within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1). To identify more members of the SirA regulon, we screened 10,000 random lacZY fusions (chromosomal MudJ insertions) for regulation by SirA and identified 10 positively regulated fusions. Three fusions were within the SPI1 genes hilA (an SPI1 transcriptional regulator), spaS (a component of the SPI1 type III export apparatus) and sipB (a substrate of the SPI1 export apparatus). Two fusions were within the sopB gene (also known as sigD). sopB is located within SPI5, but encodes a protein that is exported via the SPI1 export apparatus. In addition, five fusions were within genes of unknown function that are located in SPI4. As spaS and sipB were likely to be hilA dependent, we tested all of the fusions (except hilA) for hilA dependence. Surprisingly, we found that all of the fusions require hilA for expression and that plasmid-encoded SirA cannot bypass this requirement. Therefore, SirA regulates hilA, the product of which regulates genes within SPI1, SPI4 and SPI5. Both sirA and hilA mutants are dramatically attenuated in a bovine model of gastroenteritis, but have little or no effect in the mouse model of typhoid fever. This study establishes the SirA/HilA regulatory cascade as the primary regulon controlling enteropathogenic virulence functions in S. typhimurium. Because S. typhimurium causes gastroenteritis in both cattle and humans, we believe that this information may be directly applicable to the human disease.
Immunohistochemical mapping of angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptors in rat brain.

Recently developed antisera selective for angiotensin Type 2 (AT2) receptors were use to localize AT2 receptors in rat brain by immunohistochemistry. While the results from these experiments were largely consistent with previous autoradiographic and radioligand binding analyses of AT2 receptor populations in brain, there were also some notable differences in the distribution of immunoreactivity. More specifically, in agreement with previous studies, AT2 antisera detected apparent receptor populations in the locus coeruleus and the bed nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract, whereas AT2 receptor-immunoreactivity in the cerebellum was primarily associated with the Purkinje cell layer and the deep cerebellar nuclei rather than the molecular layer as has been previously reported in autoradiographic studies. Other regions with prominent immune-staining included all subfields of the hippocampus, which had been previously reported to contain exclusively AT1 receptors. Limbic structures such as the amygdala, thalamic areas such as the rhomboid thalamic nucleus, the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, hypothalamic areas such as the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, and the supraoptic nucleus also exhibited prominent AT2-immunoreactivity. In the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, AT2 receptor staining appeared to be associated primarily with the magnocellular neurons. In all regions examined, AT2 receptor immunoreactivity was associated with the cytoplasm and cell membrane and was not localized within the nucleus. Collectively, these results confirm and extend the neuroanatomical resolution of previous autoradiographic studies as well as identify new AT2 receptor populations in rat brain.
Experimental evidence for asymmetric mate preference and aggression: behavioral interactions in a woodrat (Neotoma) hybrid zone

Background Female mate preferences may be under strong selection in zones of contact between closely related species because of greater variation in available mates and the potential costs of hybridization. We studied female mate preferences experimentally in a zone of secondary contact between Desert and Bryant’s Woodrat (Neotoma lepida and N. bryanti) in the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada of California. We tested female preference for conspecific versus heterospecific males in paired choice trials in which females could interact freely with males, but males could not interact directly with each other. We compared preferences of females from both allopatric and sympatric sites.
Trends in vascular ring surgery.

Objective We sought to review our experience with infants and children with anatomically complete vascular rings (ie, double aortic arch and right aortic arch with left ligamentum) and define perioperative trends in diagnostic imaging, operative techniques, and clinical outcomes. Methods From 1946 through 2003, 209 patients (113 with double aortic arch and 96 with right aortic arch) underwent surgical repair. Mean and median ages at the time of the operation were as follows: double aortic arch, 1.4 ± 2.4 years and 0.75 years, respectively; right aortic arch, 2.7 ± 3.9 years and 0.9 years, respectively. Fourteen (14.6%) patients with right aortic arch had an associated Kommerell diverticulum. Cardiac diagnoses were present in 26 (12.4%) of 209 patients. Results There has been no operative mortality since 1959. In the past 30 years, mean hospital stay decreased from 8 to 3 days. Primary means of diagnosis has shifted from barium swallow and angiography to computed tomographic scanning or magnetic resonance imaging. In the past 10 years, 73% of patients had preoperative or intraoperative bronchoscopy. The technique of operation has shifted to a muscle-sparing left thoracotomy without routine chest drainage. In 7 recent patients with right aortic arch and a Kommerell diverticulum, the diverticulum was resected, and the left subclavian artery was transferred to the left carotid artery as a primary procedure. Conclusions At our institution, computed tomographic scanning has replaced barium swallow as the diagnostic procedure of choice for vascular ring evaluation. We recommend both preoperative bronchoscopy and echocardiography. Use of a muscle-sparing thoracotomy without routine chest drainage has decreased mean hospital stay. For patients with a right aortic arch and associated Kommerell diverticulum, we recommend diverticulum resection with left subclavian artery transfer to the left carotid artery.
Behavior of a flexible controllable micropump

This study presents a theoretical investigation of a flexible, electromagnetically controlled microchannel transport system (i.e., controllable micropump) utilizing a soft magnetorheological elastomer. A two-dimensional time-dependent model using a coupled fluid-solid-magnetic analysis is developed to conduct a parametric study on a system which consists of a flexible channel and valves. Effect of different geometric, magnetic and mechanical properties on the performance of the system is investigated through the net generated flow. It is demonstrated that the microchannel diameter, elastic foundation constant, elastic modulus of the microchannel and the valves, fluid viscosity, and the applied magnetic field have significant effect on the net generated flow.
A computational method for multi-channel scattering calculations. Applications to rotational excitation and long-lived states of He-N2

Abstract A computational scheme is reported which uses a reference potential approximation to provide an efficient numerical solution of the multi-channel Volterra integral equation. Applications to rotational inelastic scattering and quasi-bound states of the He-N 2 system are presented, together with a discussion of the effects of varying the number of closed channels.
Temporal Properties of Diagnosis Code Time Series in Aggregate

Time series are essential to health data research and data mining. We aim to study the properties of one of the more commonly available but historically unreliable types of data: administrative diagnoses in the form of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD9) codes. We use differential entropy of ICD9 code time series as a surrogate measure for disease time course and also explore Gaussian kernel smoothing to characterize the time course of diseases in a more fine-grained way. Compared to a gold standard created by a panel of clinicians, the first model classified diseases into acute and chronic groups with a receiver operating characteristic area under curve of 0.83. In the second model, several characteristic temporal profiles were observed including permanent, chronic, and acute. In addition, condition dynamics such as the refractory period for giving birth following childbirth were observed. These models demonstrate that ICD9 codes, despite well-documented concerns, contain valid and potentially valuable temporal information.
Analysis of Pulse Heating on a Fluid-Cooled Surface for Fluid Shear Stress

This paper is a report of an improved heat transfer model for rapid temperature variations caused by pulse heating of fluid-cooled surfaces, with application to fluid shear-stress measurement. The key improvement is the use of a fully-transient treatment of the heat transfer in the fluid flow as part of a combined convection-conduction model. Surface-temperature results are presented for several fluid/solid combinations for a two-dimensional heater located on the fluid-solid interface. A sensitivity study suggests that pulse heating may be better than steady heating for measurement of fluid shear stress, and that measurements downstream of the heater may also be important.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Crossover designs based on type I orthogonal arrays for a self and simple mixed carryover effects model with correlated errors

We investigate the performance of crossover designs based on type I orthogonal arrays for a self and simple mixed carryover effects model in the presence of correlated errors. Assuming that between-subject errors are independent while within-subject errors behave according to the stationary first-order autoregressive and moving average processes, analytical optimality results for 3-period designs are established and, as an illustration, numerical details for a number of 4-period cases are tabulated.
Interventions for Deep Vein Thrombosis: Reemergence of a Promising Therapy

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a highly prevalent disorder with an incidence of nearly 1 million cases per year in the United States. In recent years, endovascular techniques that enable rapid venous thrombus removal or inferior vena cava (IVC) interruption have undergone major refinements, yet have not been readily welcomed by the physician community. Clinical reports and publications by different subspecialists and their professional societies reflect wide inconsistencies in the use of endovascular procedures and fail to reflect a contemporary understanding of the health consequences of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This article updates physicians on key treatment considerations, including the use of endovascular interventions, that should influence clinical decision-making for acute DVT. Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) occurs in 25% to 50% of patients with proximal DVT receiving standard anticoagulant therapy. PTS often leads to chronic lifestyle-limiting symptoms, work disability, major quality of life impairment, and high costs to patients and society. Although evidence from observational and randomized control studies has shown that early thrombus removal is likely to prevent PTS, bleeding complications remain a significant concern with thrombolytic therapy. For these reasons, the use of adjunctive endovascular thrombolysis should be accepted as appropriate for patients with life-threatening, limb-threatening, or organ-threatening complications of DVT, as well as for patients who fail to exhibit an acceptable response to initial anticoagulant therapy if they do not have additional risk factors for bleeding and such an approach is consistent with their preferences. Based on available evidence, the first-line use of endovascular thrombolysis should routinely be offered to patients with acute iliofemoral DVT who do not have risk factors for bleeding. A randomized controlled trial of permanent IVC filters added to the information available about these devices, but the data from this study have been susceptible to widely varying interpretations. The advent of retrievable IVC filters has resulted in greater utilization, but better studies are needed to determine the proper indications for their use. Endovascular therapy shows great promise for improving DVT outcomes, but its proper utilization remains uncertain. This uncertainty may be rooted in the absence of a US-based randomized controlled trial that challenges existing paradigms of DVT treatment. To reinvent and reorient DVT clinical practice patterns, physicians should (1) include PTS prevention as a key goal of initial DVT therapy; (2) recognize that iliofemoral DVT is a distinct clinical entity; (3) recognize the health significance of PTS in interpreting DVT trial results; and (4) embrace a new concept of health impairment caused by DVT with recognition of a broad range of DVT treatments and treatment outcomes.
Interspecific population regulation and the stability of mutualism: fruit abortion and density‐dependent mortality of pollinating seed‐eating insects

Two questions central to the population ecology of mutualism include: (1) what mechanisms prevent the inherent positive feedback of mutualism from leading to unbounded population growth; and (2) what mechanisms prevent instability from arising due to overexploitation. Theory and empiricism suggest that preventing such instability requires density-dependent processes. A recent theory proposes that if benefits and costs to a mutualist vary with the density of its partner, then instability can be prevented if the former species can control demographic rates and regulate (or limit) the population density of its partner. The ecological and evolutionary feasibility of this theory of interspecific population regulation has been demonstrated using quantitative models of mutualism between plants and pollinating seed-consuming insects. In these models, resource-limited fruit set and ensuing fruit abortion are mechanisms that can lead to density-dependent recruitment and population regulation of the insects. Yet, there has been little interplay between these theoretical results and empirical research. A recent study empirically examined the density-dependent effects of resource-limited fruit set and fruit abortion in the Yucca/moth mutualism. An analysis of the study led to the conclusion that, even though fruit abortion can account for >95% of moth mortality, it is largely a density-independent source of mortality that cannot regulate moth population density. Here, we re-analyze those empirical data and conduct further theoretical analyses to examine the nature of fruit abortion on moth recruitment. We conclude that resource-limited fruit set and fruit abortion can effectively regulate and limit moth populations, due to its density-dependent feedback on moth recruitment. Nonetheless, in any given interaction, multiple sources of mortality may contribute to the regulation and limitation of populations, and hence the stability of mutualism, including, larval competition and mortality due to locule damage in the Yucca/moth mutualism.
Protein kinase C-dependent effects of 12(S)-HETE on endothelial cell vitronectin receptor and fibronectin receptor.

12(S)-HETE, a lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid induced a nondestructive and reversible endothelial cell (EC) retraction. 12(S)-HETE induced EC retraction was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors calphostin C and staurosporine but not by the protein kinase A inhibitor H8. The role of EC integrins alpha v beta 3 and alpha 5 beta 1 in 12(S)-HETE induced EC retraction was investigated. In confluent EC cultures, alpha v beta 3 is localized to focal adhesions at both the cell body and cell-cell borders and is colocalized with vinculin-containing focal adhesions. In contrast, alpha 5 beta 1 is primarily enriched at the cell-cell borders, demonstrating codistribution with cell cortical microfilaments and extracellular fibronectin. Both receptors were functional in mediating cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions based on the observations that specific antibodies inhibited EC adhesion to intact subendothelial matrix and disrupted the monolayer integrity. 12(S)-HETE induced a multistep, temporally defined redistribution of the alpha v beta 3-containing focal adhesions, leading to an eventual decrease in alpha v beta 3 plaques in the retracted ECs. This effect of 12(S)-HETE was inhibited by calphostin C but not by H8. The alterations of alpha v beta 3-containing focal adhesions preceded the development of EC retraction. 12(S)-HETE also enhanced EC alpha v beta 3 surface expression as revealed by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and digitized image analysis. 12(S)-HETE-induced alpha v beta 3 rearrangement (i.e., decreased focal adhesion localization and enhanced surface expression) did not result from altered mRNA transcription (as revealed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis) or protein translation (as revealed by Western blotting). In contrast to its effect on alpha v beta 3, 12(S)-HETE did not demonstrate a temporally related, well-defined effect on the distribution pattern and the surface expression of alpha 5 beta 1, although the cell-cell border staining pattern of alpha 5 beta 1 was disrupted due to EC retraction. It is concluded that 12(S)-HETE-induced decrease of alpha v beta 3 localization to focal adhesions may contribute to the development of EC retraction and that 12(S)-HETE induced increase in alpha v beta 3 surface expression may promote adhesion of inflammatory leukocytes as well as tumor cells to endothelium.
Electromagnetic modeling of 2D electronic mode-stirred reverberating chambers for electromagnetic compatibility and interference analysis and design

This research concentrates on developing a complete theoretical tool to analyze the electronic mode-stirred reverberating chamber. A 2D modeling of the EM fields is performed, which can then readily be extended to a 3D analysis of the cavity. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is implemented to discretize the Maxwell's equations. With our newly proposed method, the electromagnetic-field characteristics can be easily studied inside the reverberating chamber under a realistic circumstance, thus opening doors to the analysis of a large spectrum of problems related to both commercial and military applications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2005.
Supervised learning based on “neurons” sensitive to similarities and dissimilarities in the stimulus features

Abstract An abstract model of a neuron is introduced that can compare stimuli by detecting similarities (S) and dissimilarities (D) in synaptic inputs. Using SD neurons in a traditional error backpropagation (BP) neural networks improves categorization and learning capability. The nonlinear combination of similar and dissimilar input features captures more extensive information about input stimuli. This guarantees more effective convergence properties when tested with XOR problems.
Transient analysis of nearly degenerate four-wave mixing.

Exact solutions for the impulse responses of the phase-conjugate backward wave and of the transmitted forward wave in a nonlinear four-wave mixing medium with a cw undepleted pump are derived from an earlier analysis of active contraflow systems by Bobroff and Haus [J. Appl. Phys. 38, 390 (1967)].
An Examination of the Reliability of the “What If” Situations Test: A Brief Report

ABSTRACT One of the primary barriers to evaluating child sexual abuse prevention programs is the limited availability of measurement tools with demonstrated psychometric properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the internal and test-retest reliability of the “What If” Situations Test (WIST) to determine its utility as an evaluation tool for young children. The WIST contains six scales designed to assess children's abilities to recognize, resist, and report inappropriate touching. The WIST was administered to 406 preschoolers involved in five previous studies. Internal and test-retest reliabilities of the six scales met research standards, supporting the internal consistency and temporal stability of the WIST. Advantages and limitations of the measure are presented and validation issues are then discussed.
The AML14 and AML14.3D10 cell lines: a long-overdue model for the study of eosinophils and more

Over the past three decades, a number of myeloid cell lines have been established and have proven useful for the study of various aspects of normal and disordered hematopoiesis. However, one myeloid lineage for which a useful cell line model has been sorely lacking is the eosinophil. We review the characteristics of the recently developed AML14 and AML14.3D10 cell lines and summarize how they have been used to obtain important new information relevant to eosinophil biology. Observations regarding the apparent ability of the AML14.3D10 cell line to "switch" lineages and to produce and use GM-CSF in an autocrine fashion are also reviewed.
Formulation and in vitro evaluation of 17-allyamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) loaded polymeric mixed micelles for glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in human. 17-Allylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin (17-AAG) is an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). The highly lipophilic nature and selective targeting of tumor cells makes 17-AAG a promising candidate for therapy of GBMs but poor water solubility, short biological half-life and hepatotoxicity limited its clinical use. Polymeric mixed micelles composed of Pluronic® P-123 and F-127 (2:1 (w/w)) containing 17-AAG were prepared and characterized. Cellular uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity of the prepared micelles were determined in U87MG human glioblastoma cells. The particle size of 17-AAG loaded Pluronic® P-123 and F-127 mixed micelles was 22.2 ± 0.1 nm; drug loading was about 4.0 ± 0.5% (w/w) with 88.2 ± 3.1% (w/w) encapsulation efficiency. About 90% of drug was released from the nanoparticles over 8 days. Cellular uptake studies showed intracellular uptake of mixed micelles. Cytotoxicity study showed 5-fold increase (P < 0.05, n = 3) in the cytotoxicity of 17-AAG-loaded mixed micelles to free 17-AAG. Due to their targeting ability, size, high drug loading and controlled release behavior, 17-AAG loaded Pluronic® P-123 and F-127 mixed micelles might be developed as a delivery system for GBM treatment.
Pulmonary embolism in end stage renal disease

Clinically significant pulmonary embolism is considered to be rare in patients with end stage renal disease. Two cases with long standing renal disease on dialysis, are reported where pulmonary embolism contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality. One patient had hypotension during dialysis. The differential diagnosis of sustained hypotension during dialysis or in the ICU should include pulmonary embolism. Establishing the diagnosis may require pulmonary angiography.
Histological evaluation of the testicular nubbin in the vanishing testis syndrome.

AbstractPurpose: We reviewed histopathological studies of the testicular nubbins associated with the vanishing testis syndrome, and determined whether surgical removal is indicated based on the histological findings.Materials and Methods: Between 1983 and 1997 a unilateral testicular nubbin consistent with a vanishing testis was excised in 29 patients an average of 28.6 months old. We retrospectively reviewed the gross pathology reports and microscopic slides, and prospectively performed histochemical stain analysis.Results: Gross evaluation of the specimens revealed an identifiable cord structure in the majority of cases with the vas deferens most commonly identified in 72.4%. No recognizable testicular elements were present in any nubbin. In 3 cases the original pathology report identified cells with features consistent with Leydig cells, which immunohistochemical staining revealed to be atrophied cremasteric muscle fibers.Conclusions: In this series testicular nubbins in vanishing testes contained no v...
Fluid shear stress stimulates big mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (BMK1) activity in endothelial cells. Dependence on tyrosine kinases and intracellular calcium

Abstract Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases including ERK1/2 and JNK play an important role in shear stress-mediated gene expression in endothelial cells (EC). A new MAP kinase termed big MAP kinase 1 (BMK1/ERK5) has been shown to phosphorylate and activate the transcription factor MEF2C, which is highly expressed in EC. To determine the effects of shear stress on BMK1, bovine aortic EC were exposed to steady laminar flow (shear stress = 12 dynes/cm2). Flow activated BMK1 within 10 min with peak activation at 60 min (7.1 ± 0.6-fold) in a force-dependent manner. Flow was the most powerful activator of BMK1, significantly greater than H2O2 or sorbitol. An important role for non-Src tyrosine kinases in flow-mediated BMK1 activation was demonstrated by inhibition with herbimycin A, but not with the Src inhibitor PP1 or overexpression of kinase-inactive c-Src. BMK1 activation was calcium-dependent as shown by inhibition with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid/acetoxymethyl ester or thapsigargin. As shown by specific inhibitors or activators, flow-mediated BMK1 activation was not regulated by the following: intracellular redox state; intracellular NO; protein kinase A, C, or G; calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; or arachidonic acid metabolism. In summary, flow potently stimulates BMK1 in EC by a mechanism dependent on a tyrosine kinase(s) and calcium mobilization, but not on c-Src, redox state, or NO production.
Uptake and transport of 3H-GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) injected into the cat dentate nucleus

Abstract The uptake and transport of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by neurons in the cat dentate nucleus were studied using light microscopy autoradiography after injections of 3 H-GABA into the nucleus. Injections of 3 H-GABA were also made into the overlying cerebellar cortex to provide positive evidence for uptake of the label in each experiment. In autoradiographs where labeled neurons were observed in the cortex, 3 H-GABA was also observed to be incorporated by some dentate neurons. Along the periphery of the injection sites in the dentate nucleus, some neuronal soma and their processes were very heavily labeled as indicated by the dense accumulation of autoradiographic silver grains overlying those neuronal elements. Immediately adjacent there were nonlabeled neurons which were quite conspicuous due to the paucity of silver grains overlying their cell bodies and processes. Labeled axons were also observed leaving the injected regions of the dentate nucleus. Some labeled fibers coursed from the lateral and ventrolateral edge of the nucleus into the corpus medullare and the white matter of individual cerebellar folia. These axons could not, however, be traced into the cortex. Other labeled axons projected from the ventromedial hilus of the dentate into the brachium conjunctivum. These results demonstrate an uptake and intraaxonal transport system for 3 H-GABA within the cat dentate nucleus.
Some determinants of intake and patterns of feeding in the guinea pig.

Abstract Regulation of food and water intake was studied in young and adult Guinea pigs by continuously monitoring ad lib feeding and drinking patterns and by examining the response to levels of celluflour dilution that ranged from 20–75%. Meal size and the duration of the intermeal interval were not systematically related to the sizes of preceding meals or interval lengths. Variations in food intake were mediated almost entirely by changes in meal size. This parameter increased during growth, was elevated in the first meal following food deprivation, decreased when water was withheld and increased when water was returned. The probability of drinking within 20 min of eating was 0.80. Celluflour dilution led to a decrease in apparent caloric intake without a proportional decrease in body weight. Regulation of energy balance and meal to meal control of feeding in this monogastric, herbivorous rodent is discussed in relation to the Guinea pig's digestive physiology and ecological niche.
Information- And Image-Processing Of Scanning-Tunneling-Microscope Data

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) gives information on the topography, chemical composition and electronic structure of metal and semiconductor surfaces down to the atomic scale. The experimental data can be filtered using a Wiener-type or least-square filter to eliminate blurring, to suppress noise, and, in addition, to correct spatial distortions by correlating typical picture elements. The three-dimensional profile of the processed surface picture can then be represented according to techniques developed by map-makers.
Gastric H+, K+-ATPase as a therapeutic target in peptic ulcer disease

The presence of unbuffered acid appears to be an essential contributory factor in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. Treatment has concentrated therefore on the reduction of acidity, and the last decade has seen the widespread and effective use of H2 antagonists. They are, at low doses, more successful in improving the natural history of duodenal ulcer disease than of gastric or esophageal ulceration. The H2 receptor plays a central role in activation of parietal cell acid secretion, and antagonists at this receptor block most (but not all) of the acid secretion due to even gastrinergic or muscarinic (vagal) stimulation. In hypergastrinemic states such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, or where acid secretion has to be inhibited by more than 20% over a 24-hr period, such as for treatment of esophagitis, NSAID damage, or gastric ulcers, the dose and frequency of administration of the currently available antagonists must be increased to achieve reliable therapy. This has led to a search for an alternative target for acid inhibitory drugs, such as the gastric acid pump, the H+,K+-ATPase. This article focuses on the function of this ATPase and suggests that inhibition of this pump will provide a more efficacious means of reduction of acid secretion by the stomach, hence improving and simplifying therapy of acid related diseases.
Determination of the Amount of trans‐Octadecenoate and trans‐9,trans‐12‐Octadecadienoate in Fresh Lean and Fatty Tissues of Pork and Beef

Longissimus muscle and subcutaneous fat from 17 pork and 6 beef carcasses were analyzed for trans-octadecenoates and trans-9,trans-12-octadecadienoate (linolelaidate) content by argentation thin layer chromatography and/or glass capillary gas liquid chromatography. No detectable amount of trans-9,trans-12-octadecadienoate was found in pork or beef. In pork the amount of trans-octadecenoates ranged from 0.0074 – 0.0077 g/100g of fresh Longissimus muscle and 0.1453 – 0.1549 of fresh subcutaneous fat. The content of trans-octadecenoates in beef ranged from 0.0782 – 0.0839 g/100g of fresh Longissimus muscle and 2.4280 – 2.7368 g/100g of fresh subcutaneous fat. The content of trans fatty acids contributed by pork and beef to the human diet is negligible relative to that derived from other dietary sources.
Properties of New Scintillation Glasses and Scintillating Fibers

We present data on the light output and optical properties of new scintillation glasses. Data on light (? ? 2.6g/cm3) and heavy (? > 3.4g/cm3) glasses are presented. In addition, the performance of scintillating glass fibers fabricated using a new light glass is discussed.
Clients' and therapists' perspectives on reasons for seeking therapy.

Summary This study examined whether therapists and clients view clients' motives for seeking therapy differently, as predicted by the divergent perspectives hypothesis which states that actors have a tendency to see their own behavior as being caused by external factors, whereas observers may perceive the causes to be internal. Participants were divided into three groups: 21 clients who gave their motives in seeking therapy, 28 therapists who gave the reasons why they felt clients sought therapy, and 15 therapists who responded to the hypothetical situation of why they themselves would seek counseling if the need arose. Direction was given to orient responses to the dimension of internal–external forces for all groups. Contrary to expectations, the results indicate that therapists and clients did not view clients' motives for seeking therapy from different perspectives.
Accounting for meteorological effects in measuring urban ozone levels and trends

Abstract Observed ozone concentrations are valuable indicators of possible health and environmental impacts. However, they are also used to monitor changes and trends in the sources of ozone and of its precursors, and for this purpose the influence of meteorological variables is a confounding factor. This paper examines ozone concentrations and meteorology in the Chicago area. The data are described using least absolute deviations and local regression. The key relationships observed in these analyses are then used to construct a nonlinear regression model relating ozone to meteorology. The model can be used to estimate that part of the trend in ozone levels that cannot be accounted for by trends in meteorology, and to ‘adjust’ observed ozone concentrations for anomalous weather conditions.
Contribution of Boussinesq pressure and bottom roughness terms for open channel flows with shocks

For high-velocity flows accompanied with hydraulic jump, this paper attempts to evaluate the contribution of non-hydrostatic (i.e., Boussinesq) pressure term and the bottom roughness coefficient. To perform this analysis, we have solved the one-dimensional Boussinesq equations using a high-resolution scheme. As a critical flow case, the test problem had an upstream Froude number of 6.00. The results indicate that while the contribution of Boussinesq term is minimal, the effect of roughness coefficient on the location of stationary wave profile is significant.
The effects of evaluation, activity, and potency on frequency estimates

This study examined the influence of semantic factors on frequency estimates for English words. Words varying in either evaluation, activity, or potency appeared on a sheet of paper 0, 1, 4, or 8 times. Subjects estimated how many times they had seen each individual word and then estimated the total number of times they had seen words which were high, medium, or low on the relevant semantic dimensions. Results showed that: (1) Individual word estimates are significantly higher for words that are positive (word frequency of 8 only); (2) Individual word estimates are significantly higher for words that are active and soft; (3) Total word estimates are significantly higher for words that are active.
Conjugated polyelectrolyte and zinc oxide stacked structure as an interlayer in highly efficient and stable organic photovoltaic cells

A highly efficient and stable inverted organic photovoltaic cell has been demonstrated by incorporating a zinc oxide (ZnO)/conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) stacked structure as an electron-transporting layer. The CPE not only improved the electron collection efficiency in inverted devices but also smoothened the ZnO surfaces, thereby reducing the leakage current and improving the device reliability. In this work, two CPEs, poly[(9,9-bis(3′-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)] (PFN) and poly[3-(6-trimethylammoniumhexyl)thiophene] (PTMAHT), are used, and three different interlayers, ZnO, ZnO/PFN, and ZnO/PTMAHT, are systematically studied. By coating PFN onto the ZnO surface, a high power conversion efficiency of 8.54% (with a fill factor of 73%) and ∼17% efficiency improvement are achieved in thieno[3,4-b]-thiophene/benzodithiophene copolymer, PTB7, and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction solar cells, along with excellent stability.
The factor structure of major depression symptoms: A test of four competing models using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Little research has examined the underlying symptom structure of major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms based on DSM-IV criteria. Our aim was to analyze the symptom structure of major depression, using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 was administered to a sample of 2615 Army National Guard soldiers from Ohio. A one-factor model of depression and three separate two-factor models previously established in the literature were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Results demonstrated greater support for the two-factor models of depression than for the one-factor model. The best fitting model was the two-factor model of somatic and non-somatic symptoms supported previously by Krause et al. (2010) and Richardson and Richards (2008). Implications for understanding the components and mechanisms of MDD are discussed.