cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of hammer mill screen size on ground corn particle size pellet durability and broiler performance

Abstract Corn ground by a hammer mill, with screens ranging from 3.18 mm (.125 in) to 9.53 mm (.375 in), was used to formulate pelleted broiler diets that were fed to broilers grown in a moderate (21- to 24-C) environment. Corn ground with either a 3.18-mm or a 9.53-mm mill screen produced significantly better weight gains and feed conversions than corn ground with a 6.35-mm screen. Geometric mean diameter of the ground corn was found to vary linearly with the diameter of the opening in the hammer mill screen used for grinding. Pellets made from corn ground with the 9.5 3-mm screen were significantly more durable than those made from the finer ground corn. These results indicate, contrary to popular beliefs, that grinding corn to the same fineness as the other ingredients in a diet to be pelleted does not result in improved broiler performance or improved pellet durability. Substantial reduction in energy for grinding would result from using a mill screen with larger openings than commonly used.
Steroidogenesis by Equine Preovulatory Follicles: Relative Roles of Theca Interna and Granulosa Cells*

Estrous cycles in mares have several unique characteristics, including the presence of a long period of estrus and the absence of a typical LH surge. Like follicles of other species, equine preovulatory follicles are characterized by their ability to secrete large amounts of 17β-estradiol, but it is not clear which follicular cell type is responsible for estradiol synthesis in mares. To better understand the relative roles of theca interna and granulosa cells in follicular steroidogenesis, presumptive ovulatory follicles were obtained from mares during early estrus (first or second day of estrus; n = 4) and during late estrus (fourth or fifth day of estrus; n = 4). Preparations of theca interna and granulosa cells were cultured for 3 days in medium with or without equine LH, FSH, LH plus FSH, or CG (100 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of 0.5 pM testosterone, and culture media were assayed for progesterone, androstenedione, and 17β- estradiol. Progesterone was the predominant steroid secreted by granulos...
The Nuclear Receptor Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) Promotes Oncogene-induced Cellular Senescence through Repression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ER stress-associated unfolded protein response (UPR) can promote cancer cell survival, but it remains unclear whether they can influence oncogene-induced senescence. The present study examined the role of ER stress in senescence using oncogene-dependent models. Increased ER stress attenuated senescence in part by up-regulating phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and decreasing phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK). A positive feed forward loop between p-AKT, ER stress, and UPR was discovered whereby a transient increase of ER stress caused reduced senescence and promotion of tumorigenesis. Decreased ER stress was further correlated with increased senescence in both mouse and human tumors. Interestingly, H-RAS-expressing Pparβ/δ null cells and tumors having increased cell proliferation exhibited enhanced ER stress, decreased cellular senescence, and/or enhanced tumorigenicity. Collectively, these results demonstrate a new role for ER stress and UPR that attenuates H-RAS-induced senescence and suggest that PPARβ/δ can repress this oncogene-induced ER stress to promote senescence in accordance with its role as a tumor modifier that suppresses carcinogenesis.
Characterization of thermally-damaged LX-17

Thermal damage was applied to LX-17 at 190°C for several hours. The damaged LX-17 samples, after cooled down to room temperature, were characterized for their material properties, safety and performance. Mass losses upon thermal exposure were insignificant (<0.1 mass%). The damaged LX-17 samples expanded, resulting in a bulk density reduction of 4.3%. Subsequent detonation measurements (cylinder tests) were conducted on the thermally-damaged LX-17 samples. The results showed that the fractions of damaged LX-17 reacted were slightly lower than those of pristine LX-17. The thermally damaged LX-17 samples had average detonation velocity of 7.341 mm μs−1, lower than that (7.638 mm μs−1) of pristine LX-17. The average detonation energy density for the damaged LX-17 was 5.18 kJ cm−3, about 6.0% lower than the detonation energy density of 5.51 kJ cm−3 for the pristine LX-17. The break-out curves showed reaction zone lengths for pristine LX-17 and damaged LX-17 were similar but the damaged samples had ragged detonation fronts. DSC curves showed no significant difference between pristine LX-17 and damaged LX-17 with a peak temperature of 381°C observed.
Modulation of the packaging reaction of bacteriophage T4 terminase by DNA structure

Bacteriophage terminases package DNA through the portal ring of a procapsid during phage maturation. We have probed the mechanism of the phage T4 large terminase subunit gp17 by analyzing linear DNAs that are translocated in vitro. Duplex DNAs of random sequence from 20 to 500 bp were efficiently packaged. Dye and short, single-stranded end extensions were tolerated, whereas 20-base extensions, hairpin ends, 20-bp DNA-RNA hybrid, and 4-kb dsRNA substrates were not packaged. Molecules 60 bp long with 10 mismatched bases were translocated; substrates with 20 mismatched bases, a related D-loop structure, or ones with 20-base single-strand regions were not. A single nick in 100- or 200-bp duplexes, irrespective of location, reduced translocation efficiency, but a singly nicked 500-bp molecule was packaged as effectively as an unnicked control. A fluorescence-correlation-spectroscopy-based assay further showed that a 100-bp nicked substrate did not remain stably bound by the terminase-prohead. Taken together, two unbroken DNA strands seem important for packaging, consistent with a proposed torsional compression translocation mechanism.
Gene-expression profiling in lung cancer: still early days.

“Gene-expression profiling is reproducible, may be applied in molecular classification of new subtypes, and is promising for setting new disease staging groups.” High-throughput genomic technologies and sophisticated bioinformatics tools provide an unprecedented opportunity to search for solutions in personalized medicine and optimal patient care. Gene-expression profiling as one of the technologies has been rapidly applied to lung cancer research in recent years, with many successes and excitement, as well as much dissatisfaction in translating findings into clinical practice. These studies cover broad objectives from carcinogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis to treatment response, and use cell lines, animal models and mostly human tumor tissues. Our focus will be on those conducted in human tumors, with high potential to be translated into improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. We summarized the current status of these efforts into three critical words: harvests, hypes and hopes.
Dispositional Approach to Customer Satisfaction and Behavior

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between affective dispositions, positive and negative affectivity, and consumer attitudes and behaviors. The data were collected from University students regarding perceptions of the University bookstore, dining services, and housing (n = 160). Positive affectivity, but not negative affectivity, was generally associated with customer satisfaction and perceptions of service quality. Results also indicated that affectivity was indirectly related to self-reported consumer behaviors, impacting them through their relationship with perceptions of service quality and customer satisfaction. The current study suggests that perceptions of service quality do not act in a vacuum in determining customer satisfaction and consumer behaviors. Specifically, affective dispositions accounted for variance above and beyond that explained by perceptions of service quality. Researchers examining customer satisfaction and/or consumer behaviors should take relevant individual difference variables into account. This is one of the first studies to examine the role of affective dispositions in the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction, and consumer behaviors. Future research should continue to examine the role of individual differences in this line of research.
Recent evidence on the impact of government budget deficits on the ex ante real interest rate yield on Moody’s Baa-rated corporate bonds

This study provides recent empirical evidence on the impact of the federal budget deficit on the ex ante real interest rate yield on Moody’s Baa-rated corporate bonds. The study is couched within an open loanable funds model that includes the ex ante real short term real interest rate, the M1 money supply, net international capital inflows, and the unemployment rate. Using quarterly data for the period 1973.1–2007.4, two-stage least squares estimation reveals that the federal budget deficit, expressed as a percent of GDP, exercised a positive and statistically significant impact on the ex ante real interest rate yield on these corporate issues.
SU-E-T-598: Clinical Experience of Configuration, Commission and Implementation for SmartArc with MOSAIQ R&V System.

Purpose: Clinical experience for configuration, commission and implementation of SmartArc with MOSAIQ RV Varian Trilogy driven by 4DiTC and Varian 21ex driven by sequencer. Some key physics parameters have been studied: machine dose rate; MLC leaf speed; Leaf motion per gantry rotation. Tabletop was created by user to improve the dose accuracy for planning. In‐house sandwich phantom was used with MapCheck for planner dose verification. A PTW 0.6cc ion chamber was included for absolute dose comparison. Results: A copy of current machine data with default highest dose rate is recommended. It is due to after 10th iteration of optimization, the default dose rate will kick in. 2.5cm/s is the constraint for Varian Millennium 120 MLC; a buffer zone of 10% is suggested to reduce the MLC error on treatment. 2.25cm/s is used in our configuration. This results in MLC interlock if not configured correct. Maximum leaf motion per gantry rotation of 0.46cm/degree has to be checked for planning with Mosaiq RV we created a ROI template based on the matched tabletop.QA using in‐house phantom for different sites were tested. Results for both planner dose and absolute chamber measurement are satisfactory. Conclusions: Special attentions need to be paid for dose rate, MLC leaf speed, leaf motion per gantry rotation when configuring SmartArc. Varian 21ex is supported but is slow for clinical delivery. Users need to create your own tabletop to improve planning accuracy. Conventional commission procedures for RapidArc also apply for SmartArc.
Clearance and killing of Candida albicans in the perfused mouse liver.

Hepatic interactions of C. albicans with perfused mouse livers were characterized and compared in normal and glucan-treated mice. Normal livers, in the absence of serum, trapped greater than 90% and killed greater than 20% of the infused yeast. Phenylbutazone had no effect. Silica treatment abolished killing and decreased trapping suggesting that candidicidal activity of the liver is mediated by Kupffer cells. Immune serum, but not normal serum, enhanced trapping and killing in normal livers. Liver hypertrophy was evident in mice treated with glucan, but no enhanced candidicidal activity was observed in the absence of humoral factors. Specific immune serum and normal serum increased killing of C. albicans in glucan stimulated livers, suggesting a requirement for serum opsonin in facilitating glucan enhanced killing. Specific immune serum potentiated the greatest increase in killing. Glucan treatment in conjunction with immune serum increased killing to approximately 40%. D-mannose, but not D-glucose or D-mannitol impaired trapping of the yeast in livers of normal mice. Together, the data suggest that hepatic trapping of C. albicans involves phagocytic events as well as interactions of the yeast with surface receptors on sinusoidal cells and support the role for the liver in restricting hematogenous dissemination of C. albicans in the infected host.
Light-difference threshold and subjective brightness in the periphery of the visual field

Light-difference thresholds were measured in the center and periphery of the visual field at photopic and scotopic levels. Under photopic conditions the fovea has the lowest light-difference threshold. From the fovea to 10 degrees eccentricity threshold gradually increases. It remains constant up to approximately 35 degrees eccentricity in the temporal visual field (nasal retina). Beyond the edge of this plateau of constant light-difference threshold, it again increases to the limit of the visual field. Under scotopic conditions the extent of the plateau of constant light-difference threshold remains the same as under photopic conditions. The fovea itself, however, and its immediate environment are less sensitive than the plateau area. Subjective brightness of a supra-threshold target is not dependent on its position in the visual field. A target with a given luminance will elicit the same brightness sensation at all retinal positions. As a consequence of this brightness constancy throughout the visual field, peripheral targets at threshold appear brighter than foveal targets at threshold because a peripheral target at threshold has more luminance than a foveal target at threshold.
Evaluation of an educational video for cardiac patients.

Prehospital delay is a major problem in the management of patients with acute cardiac ischemia. The authors created a patient teaching program consisting of an educational video and written instructions designed to reduce prehospital delays in patients with chest pain. Patients who received standard discharge instructions served as the control group, whereas those who received the new patient teaching in addition to standard discharge instructions served as the intervention group. Of the 500 enrolled, 19% were rehospitalized within 1 year. Analysis of rehospitalizations showed no significant difference between the two groups on the three outcome variables: percentage who presented within thefirst hour of pain, use of ambulance, and time from anginal onset to emergency department arrival. In a comparison of the index hospitalization to the rehospitalization, there was a significant increase in the use of ambulances for the intervention group, p = .03, but not for the control group.
The undecidability of the ambiguity problem for minimal linear grammars

The ambiguity problem for general context-free phrase structure grammars has been shown undecidable. This paper proves the undecidability of a new form of Post's correspondence problem. Using this result, the undecidability of the ambiguity problem for minimal linear grammars is obtained.
On Partial Downloading for Wireless Distributed Storage Networks

We consider a distributed storage system employing some existing regenerate codes where the storage nodes are scattered in a wireless network. The data collector connects to the storage nodes via orthogonal channels and downloads data symbols from these nodes. In the existing data reconstruction schemes for distributed storage systems, the data collector downloads all symbols from a subset of the storage nodes. Such a full-downloading approach becomes inefficient in wireless networks since due to fading, the wireless channels may not offer sufficient bandwidths for full downloading. Moreover, full-downloading is also less power efficient than partial downloading. In this paper, given a coding scheme employed by the wireless distributed storage system, we propose a partial downloading scheme that allows downloading a portion of the symbols from any storage node. We formulate a cross-layer wireless resource allocation problem for data reconstruction in distributed storage systems employing such partial downloading. To derive the fundamental properties of partial downloading as well as to reduce the complexity of wireless resource allocation, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for data reconstructability for partial downloading, in terms of the numbers of downloaded symbols from the storage nodes. We also propose channel and power allocation schemes for partial downloading in wireless distributed storage systems. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the significant power savings by the proposed partial downloading scheme compared to the full-downloading methods for distributed storage.
Regulation of Cell Motility by Cyclic AMP

FIBROBLASTS exhibit a locomotory behaviour in cultures on a plane surface. An undulating membrane or leading lamella forms at the frontal edge and may be the locomotory organ of the cell. When the leading lamellae of two cells collide, several events occur. The forward motion of the cells is stopped, the cells contract, the undulations of the membrane cease, and movement proceeds in a different direction. This has been termed contact inhibition of movement1. When cells become confluent, movement is considerably decreased, presumably due to contact on all surfaces, and at confluency there are restrictions on cell growth which are apparently related to the population density of the cells. This has been termed contact or density-dependent inhibition of growth2–4. At present, no strong evidence connects contact inhibition of movement and growth, but as transformation often disturbs both properties a connexion between them may exist3,5.
AN EXPLORATORY DIRECT-ESTIMATION APPROACH TO LOCATION OF OBSERVERS IN PERCEPT SPACE'

Summary.-A least squares technique for estimating the loadings that additional/new variab!es might receive on factors derived in an analysis of a different set of variables was adopted for use with a recently proposed methodological revision of Ekman's "content" model of multidimensional similarity analysis. An experiment was then conducted in which psychologist-judges directly estimated the degree of perceived similarity between their particular viewpoints with respect to "personaliry" and 15 well-known personality theories. The procedure was used to locate the psychologists in the four-dimensional space previously constructed to account for the rated similarities among the same theories.
An investigation of a minimal contact brand fading program for smoking treatment

Abstract Self-help methods are preferred by smokers over clinic-based treatments providing more traditional services. Unfortunately, these more popular methods have not been extremely successful in getting smokers to quit. The poor success rates may be partially related to the lack of structure inherent in these treatment approaches. The present study examined a self-help program delivered to smokers via a written manual and limited duration phone calls — the latter to add structure to the treatment procedures. The results, a 23% abstinent rate, indicate that this approach has some promise for treating chronic smokers.
Visualization of optical pulse filamentation by femtosecond time-resolved optical polarigraphy

We have observed the filamentation of optical pulses in carbon disulfide(CS2) using femtosecond time-resolved optical polarigraphy(FTOP)1. A pump-probe setup is used to capture the propagation of a 150 femtosecond laser pulse in CS2. The probe pulse propagates in a direction perpendicular to the pump. The high intensity of the pump pulse causes a transient index change in the material through the Kerr effect. The induced birefringence is proportional to the intensity of the pump and can be captured by monitoring the polarization of the probe. The probe pulse is imaged on a CCD camera to recover the intensity profile of the pump pulse. We have used this technique to observe the spatial evolution of the pulse as a function of power and propagation distance. Initially, the pulse propagation causes a coarse redistribution of the intensity. The beam then breaks up into stable light filaments which propagate for several millimeters, and finally the beam profile becomes unstable to small fluctuations in the input power.
Interface biquadratic coupling and magnon scattering in exchange-biased ferromagnetic thin films grown on epitaxial FeF2

The magnetic anisotropy of ferromagnetic (FM) Ni, Co, and Fe polycrystalline thin films grown on antiferromagnetic (AF) FeF2(110) epitaxial layers was studied, as a function of temperature, using ferromagnetic resonance. In addition to an in-plane anisotropy in the FM induced by fluctuations in the AF short-range order, a perpendicular (biquadratic) magnetic anisotropy, with an out-of-plane component, was found which increased with decreasing temperature above the AF Ne?l temperature (TN?=?78.4?K). This is a surprising result given that the AF?s uniaxial anisotropy axis was in the plane of the sample, but is consistent with prior experimental and theoretical work. The resonance linewidth had a strong dependence on the direction of the external magnetic field with respect to in-plane FeF2 crystallographic directions, consistent with interface magnon scattering due to defect-induced demagnetizing fields. Below TN, the exchange bias field HE measured via FMR for the Ni sample was in good agreement with HE determined from magnetization measurements if the perpendicular out-of-plane anisotropy was taken into account. A low field resonance line normally observed at H???0, associated with domain formation during magnetization in ferromagnets, coincided with the exchange bias field for T?<?TN, indicating domain formation with the in-plane FM magnetization perpendicular to the AF easy axis. Thus, biquadratic FM?AF coupling is important at temperatures below and above TN.
Study of Mixing Enhancement Observed with a Co-Annular Nozzle Configuration

Jet spreading enhancement with a certain coannular nozzle configuration has been explored. When the outer nozzle is flaired (i.e., made convergent-divergent) the ensuing jet spreads faster than the case where the outer nozzle is convergent. The spreading enhancement is most pronounced when the outer flow is run near 'transonic' condition, in an overexpanded state. Under this condition, the increased spreading takes place regardless of the operating conditions of the inner jet. This observation, first made in a small scale facility, has been confirmed and studied in some detail in a larger-scale facility. Results of the latter experiment are presented in this paper. The spreading increase is shown to be substantial and comparable to or better than that achieved by a lobed nozzle. Estimates based on idealized flow indicate that there is an accompanying thrust penalty - the actual penalty is expected to be less than the estimate but remains undetermined at this time. In both the earlier and the present experiments, the spreading increase has often been found to accompany a flow resonance. The nature of this resonance is addressed in this paper. It is shown that the spreading increase takes place even if the resonance is absent. Thus, flow excitation due to the resonance is ruled out as the underlying mechanism. While the complete mechanism remains unclear, it is conjectured that pressure gradients near the nozzle, characteristic of overexpanded flow, are at the root of the phenomenon.
Paradoxical coronary artery embolism - A rare cause of myocardial infarction

Paradoxical coronary artery embolism is a rare, but often an underdiagnosed cause of acute myocardial infarction. It should be considered in patient who presents with chest pain and otherwise having a low risk profile for atherosclerosis coronary artery disease. We describe a case of paradoxical coronary artery embolism causing ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with upper extremity venous thrombosis. Echocardiography demonstrated a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with bidirectional shunt. In addition to treatment of acute coronary event closure of the PFO should be considered to prevent a recurrence.
Dynamics of femtosecond laser nanostructuring of metals

We perform a systematic study on femtosecond laser-induced nanostructures on noble metals. Our study reveals the ultrafast dynamics of nanostructural formation on metals following femtosecond laser irradiation.
Wavelength-specific ERG characteristics of pigmented- and white-eyed strains ofDrosophila

Previous electroretinographic (ERG) studies of white-eyed and red-eyed (wild-type)Drosophila melanogaster (Stark and Wasserman, 1972a) yielded results that were in agreement with Goldsmith's (1965) hypothesis that eye-color pigment absorption decreases the recruitment of contributions from peripheral ommatidia into the ERG. These screening pigments therefore produce wavelength-specific differences between these two strains (as well as within the red-eyed strain) in three ERG parameters, namely the magnitudes of the on- and off-transients and the slopes of the receptor potential energy-response functions. In the present study these three ERG parameters were each measured for constant receptor potential magnitudes (to remove the contribution of spectral sensitivityper se) at 13 wavelengths from 350 nm to 650 nm in the following strains:cn (having only pterins),bw (having only ommatins), wild (having both pigment classes), and two white-eyed strains,cn bw andw. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out in order to determine the relationships between the foregoing three ERG parameters and parameters related to spectral sensitivity. These data lead us to the following conclusions: 1. Unexpected wavelength-dependent parameter differences exist in white-eyed flies. The slopes of the energy-response functions and the magnitudes of the transients all systematically vary and all correlate highly with the spectral sensitivity and with each other. This result implicates another spectrally selective factor other than pigment-determined recruitment in the ERG ofDrosophila. Several hypotheses about the nature of this factor are discussed. 2. Parameter differences attributable strictly to eye-color pigments were found when wild,cn, andbw strains were compared with white-eyed strains. These parameter differences varied linearly with screening pigment density, and multiple linear regression analyses accurately predicted the differences in spectral sensitivity produced by the eye-color pigments from the parameter differences of transient sizes and energy-response function slopes.
Propagation of scalars in nonextremal black hole and black p -brane geometries

We discuss the propagation of scalars in a large class of nonextremal black hole and black $p$-brane geometries in generic dimensions. We show that the radial wave equation near the horizon possesses the SL$(2,R)$ structure in every case; approximately it takes the form of the wave equation in the SL$(2,R)({\mathrm{AdS}}_{3})$ background and has a symmetry related to the $T$ duality of the string model in that geometry. We see a close connection to two- and three-dimensional black holes. We also find that, in some parameter region, the absorption cross sections by the black objects take the form expected from a conformal field theory. Our results indicate that some of the properties known about a certain class of four- and five-dimensional black holes hold more generally.
An almost completely shielded microelectrode

We present a new method of shielding microelectrodes to within 20 micron of the tip. Stray capacity is reduced to less than 50 fF. Ordinary microelectrodes are covered with silver in a vacuum evaporator. Silver is removed from the tip by contact with a ball of mercury. The microelectrode is then insulated with a glass barrel which is sealed by dipping the tip in diluted polystyrene in amyl acetate, or by dipping the electrode in melted wax. The latter method is quick, easy and reliable.
In vivo neurochemical analysis, by push-pull perfusion, of the mesocortical dopaminergic system of the rat during self-stimulation

Abstract The region immediately adjacent to a self-stimulation site in the medial prefrontal cortex of the unanesthetized rat was prelabeled with 0.5 μCi 14 C-dopamine (DA) injected through an indwelling guide cannula. Then successive 5 min push-pull perfusions of the site with an artificial CSF were carried out at a rate of 25 μl/min so that a washout curve of declining radioactivity was generated under control conditions. When square wave 100 Hz pulses were delivered to the contiguous self-stimulation site, the release of 14 C-DA was enhanced either during the actual interval of electrical stimulation or in the perfusion sample collected immediately thereafter. In parallel experiments, however, self-stimulation by the rat of its ventral tegmental area failed to alter the kinetics of 14 C-DA release from the cortex when homologous loci were perfused. Analyses by thin-layer chromatography of the perfusates for their content of catechol metabolities revealed that the homovanillic acid fraction declined during stimulation, whereas the level of DOPAC remained relatively elevated. Evidence was also obtained for the new synthesis and subsequent release of norepinephrine during the stimulation of the cortex of the rat. These results suggest that endogenous dopamine, because of the notable alterations in its release and metabolism, plays an important synaptic role in the mediation of self-stimulation behavior at the level of the cerebral cortex.
Assessing the Electoral Connection: Evidence from the Early United States

Students of legislative behavior are divided over the extent to which an electoral connection existed in the early United States. In this article, we offer a test of the electoral connection in early American politics by investigating the electoral aftershocks of the disputed presidential election of 1824. Using newly available county-level presidential voting data, along with the unique circumstances associated with the presidential contest, we examine the connection between representative behavior, district public opinion, and electoral outcomes. We find that representatives who voted for John Quincy Adams in the House contest, yet were from districts supporting Andrew Jackson, were targeted for ouster and suffered a substantial vote-loss in the subsequent midterm election. We also find that the entry of a quality challenger had a sizeable impact on the fortunes of incumbent legislators. These results serve to confirm that representatives could be held accountable for their behavior in office during the antebellum era.
CD74 deficiency ameliorates Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced ocular infection

Eye trauma and contact lens wear are the main factors that predispose to the development of infectious keratitis. The existing therapies fail to control the inflammation-driven tissue damage that occurs during Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Antibiotic treatment reduces bacterial burdens, but better interventions are needed to alleviate tissue damage resulting from local inflammation. We have previously documented that inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) reduces the bacterial levels and the inflammatory damage during keratitis. Here, we report that mice deficient for CD74, the putative MIF receptor, developed milder Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced disease, characterized by decreased proinflammatory mediators and reduced bacterial presence in the cornea. However, topical inhibition of MIF using antibodies applied to the cornea further promoted recovery from disease, suggesting that in addition to MIF-dependent signaling events, MIF-triggered CD74-independent signaling pathways regulate sensitization to P. aeruginosa-induced infection.
Conceptual design of the surface water component of the national water quality assessment (NAWQA) program

The U.S. Geological Survey started, in a pilot phase, a program to provide nationally consistant information on the status and trends in the quality of the Nation's fresh water and to identify and describe the relationships between both the status and trends in water quality as they relate to natural factors and the history of land-use and land- and waste-management practices. The program is organized into hydrologically based study units and, for the study of surface water, involves a combination of fixed-station, synoptic and intensive study approaches.
Age and Dark Rearing Bidirectionally Regulate the Level and Laminar Pattern of Expression of Abelson Interacting Protein 2 (Abi-2): a Novel Candidate Visual Cortical Plasticity Gene

Electrophysiological studies indicate that cat visual cortical critical period neuronal plasticity peaks around 5 weeks and largely disappears by 20 weeks. Dark rearing slows this time course. Normal cats are more plastic than dark-reared cats at 5 weeks, but the opposite is true at 20 weeks. Thus, a stringent criterion for identifying genes controlling neuronal plasticity is that normal and dark rearing produce opposite direction differences in expression between young and older animals. Differential display polymerase chain reaction identified Abelson interacting protein 2 (Abi-2) as a candidate plasticity gene regulated according to this criterion. Western blotting showed bidirectional regulation of Abi-2 protein levels in cats and mice that was specific to visual cortex and did not occur in frontal cortex. Immunohistochemistry indicated developmental changes in Abi-2 laminar expression in cat visual cortex. Dark rearing altered laminar expression such that at 5 weeks, dark-reared cats were similar to 1-week normally reared cats, and at 20 weeks, dark-reared cats were similar to 5–10-week normally reared animals. The effect of dark rearing on both Abi-2 expression levels and laminar expression patterns was to slow the normal developmental process, the same effect seen on physiologically assessed plasticity in visual cortex.
Early use of contrast in cardiac magnetic resonance.

Computed tomography (CT) was developed for medical diagnosis more than a decade before the introduction of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Contrast media for CT and MR imaging have identical tissue distribution and plasma kinetics. So the story of the early history of contrast media for cardiac
Factors affecting visual outcomes after small-incision phacoemulsification in diabetic patients.

Abstract Purpose To examine the factors affecting visual outcome after phacoemulsification and evaluate the use of preoperative visual potential in assessing the visual prognosis in diabetic patients. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. Methods In a retrospective chart review of 1345 consecutive patients who had uneventful small-incision phacoemulsification, operated eyes from 106 diabetic and 55 nondiabetic control patients were selected. Data on demographics, level of retinopathy, perioperative glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA Ic ), surgical duration, preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and visual potential were collected. Results The age, sex, preoperative BCVA, and visual potential in the diabetic and control eyes were comparable. Throughout the postoperative period, BCVA was worse of the diabetic group. At 1 year, BCVA was 20/40 in 82.1% of the diabetic group and 94.7% of the control group ( P = .01). The most important factors affecting postoperative BCVA included coexisting diabetes and preoperative level of retinopathy. No correlation was found between perioperative and postoperative BCVA. Diabetic patients were less likely than control patients to achieve a BCVA better than or equal to the preoperative visual potential at 4 years (hazard ratio 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.9; P = .011). Patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were nearly 5 times less likely ( P = .023) and patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy 30 times less likely ( P Conclusions Although uneventful small-incision phacoemulsification improved visual acuity in diabetic patients, this group had an overall worse visual outcome than nondiabetic patients. The most important predictors of visual outcome were coexisting diabetes and the extent of preoperative retinopathy. Methods used to assess preoperative visual potential provided a reasonable estimate of postoperative BCVA in diabetic patients. Given the inverse association between the level of retinopathy and visual outcome, it may be better to perform cataract extraction in diabetic patients during earlier stages of retinopathy.
A method of controlling sudden, profuse hemorrhage from the spleen

Abstract An effective method for controlling bleeding from the splenic artery has been described. It is particularly valuable in severe hemorrhage from the spleen. Two illustrative cases are reported.
The Auroral Oval Boundaries on January 10, 1997: A Comparison of Global Magnetospheric Simulations with UVI Images

We present the results of a global magnetospheric simulation of the initial period of the January 10 - 11, 1997 magnetic cloud event. Distinct magnetospheric boundaries derived from the model are mapped down to the ionosphere and compared to UVI images of the auroral oval from 1:00 to 4:30 UT. The convection reversal boundary, which coincides with the maximum Region I currents, tends to generally match the UVI equatorward boundary. This boundary is almost always poleward of the boundary separating Region 1 and Region 2 currents. The separatrix between open and closed magnetic field lines as mapped in the model matches the poleward boundary of the UVI images very well during quiet periods. During dynamic periods, however, when the separatrix can move several degrees in latitude in some sectors, the poleward boundary of the Region 1 currents matches the UVI images better.
Characterization of the Residual Kraft Pulp Lignin In Situ by Sulfite Treatments

Abstract The O2 delignification of kraft pulps from Norway spruce was shown having a significant impact on the reactivity of the residual pulp lignin as revealed from their responses to sulfite treatments at pH 7.5. A substantial higher ratio of lignin sulfonation to the phenolic hydroxyl group content of residual pulp lignin was observed for the O2 -delignified kraft pulps (∼ 0.8) as compared to a value of ∼ 0.3 for the unbleached samples and ∼ 1 for the spruce wood lignin. Under the prevailing sulfite treatment conditions, the sulfonation would be largely attributed to the phenolic lignin component and the etherified structures containing an α -carbonyl or -unsaturated group. The contribution from the latter units, evaluated by a borohydride pretreatment of pulps prior to the sulfite treatment, can only account for approximately 15% of the sulfonation observed for the O2 -delignified sample. Thus, the nature of phenolic structures in the O2 -delignified pulps was more similar to that of the wood lignin ...
Mitogenicity of thrombin and surface alterations on mouse splenocytes.

Abstract Splenocyte cultures prepared from BALB/c mice can be stimulated to DNA synthesis by thrombin and trypsin but not by bovine serum. The stimulation by thrombin as a function of concentration of the enzyme is the same in the presence or absence of serum, whereas lower concentrations of trypsin are not mitogenic if combined with serum. These observations indicate that the inactivating or neutralizing proteins for thrombin have been substantially reduced during the clotting process but that inhibitors of trypsin still remain. The stimulation of splenocytes to DNA synthesis is accompanied by a loss of a lactoperoxidase-iodinatable protein on the splenocyte cell surface. This protein is 45 000 D and corresponds in size to a group of lymphocyte surface proteins including H-2 antigen. We have proposed that thrombin may play a role in wound healing by stimulating proliferation of not only fibroblasts but also B lymphocytes, a process of possible physiological significance in defending the host against pathogens and during inflammations.
Using latent semantic analysis to assess knowledge: Some technical considerations

In another article (Wolfe et al., 1998/this issue) we showed how Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) can be used to assess student knowledge—how essays can be graded by LSA and how LSA can match students with appropriate instructional texts. We did this by comparing an essay written by a student with one or more target instructional texts in terms of the cosine between the vector representation of the student's essay and the instructional text in question. This simple method was effective for the purpose, but questions remain about how LSA achieves its results and how the results might be improved. Here, we address four such questions: (a) What role does the use of technical vocabulary play? (b) how long should the student essays be? (c) is the cosine the optimal measure of semantic relatedness? and (d) how does one deal with the directionality of knowledge in the high‐dimensional space?
Analysis of hABC1 gene 5' end: additional peptide sequence, promoter region, and four polymorphisms.

Abstract Evidence linking mutations in ATP-binding-cassette transporter gene 1 (ABC1) to Tangier disease suggests it functions in the active transport of free cholesterol out of cells. Since its mRNA level is regulated in response to cellular cholesterol stores it is of interest to explore its promoter response elements, and to investigate polymorphisms for their contributions to the prevalence of low levels of HDL in the population that promotes premature coronary heart disease. Investigation of the 5′ end of the gene by 5′ RACE analysis revealed 455 nucleotides additional to published sequences, and predicts another 60 amino acid N-terminal residues, resulting in a 2261-residue protein. Protein sequence analysis predicts a membrane-spanning region and possible signal peptide. The 5′ flanking region was located by a Human Research Project BLAST search. This region contains regulatory elements that potentially control ABC1 gene expression. In addition to numerous SP1 binding sites there are four putative sterol regulatory elements (SREs). Our studies uncovered three single nucleotide substitution polymorphisms, one in the promoter region and two in the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR), plus an insertion/deletion polymorphism.
Factors affecting proliferation and differentiation of lepidopteran midgut stem cells

Midgut stem cells of last instar larvae and pupae of Heliothis virescens, Lymantria dispar and several other Lepidopteran species have been cultured in vitro and have been induced to proliferate using low titers of ecdysteroids and the 77-Kda peptide fragment, alpha-arylphorin, isolated and identified from pupal fat body tissue. The insulin-related hormone, Bombyxin, also induced mitosis in cultured midgut stem cells; it appeared to be fast-acting and quickly inactivated, while alpha-arylphorin was slower to act and had a longer lasting effect in vitro, indicating different functions for these proliferation agents. Changes in Calcium ion concentration within or outside the cells discretely affected stem cell differentiation, indicating a role for second messenger participation in peptide regulation of this process. Four different peptides (MDFs 1-4) that induced midgut stem cells to differentiate to mature midgut cell types in vitro were isolated and characterized from conditioned media and hemolymph of H. virescens and L. dispar. However, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and all-trans retinoic acid (RA) from vertebrate sources induced differentiation to non-midgut cell types as well. MDF1 was located in basal areas of columnar cells of midgut epithelium, although MDF2 was observed in all of the cytoplasm of columnar cells and in droplets of antibody positive material in the midgut lumen, suggesting a digestive function as well for this peptide. Anti-MDF-3 stained the central areas of cultured midgut columnar cells and the bases of columnar cells of midgut epithelium in vivo. Midgut secretory cells stained with anti-MDF-4; streams of MFD-4-positive material were observed extending from secretory cells facing the epithelial lumen, and as a layer on the hemolymph-facing side, suggesting an endocrine or paracrine function for this or an immunologically similar peptide.
The role of Bayesian bounds in comparing SLAM algorithms performance

It is certainly hard to establish performance metrics for intelligent systems. Thankfully, no intelligence is needed to solve SLAM at all. Actually, when we cast the SLAM problem in the Bayesian framework, we already have a formula for the solution --- SLAM research is essentially about finding good approximations to this computationally monstrous formula. Still, SLAM algorithms are difficult to analyze formally, partly because of such out-of-model ad hoc approximations. This paper explains the role of Bayesian bounds in the analysis of such algorithms, according to the principle that sometimes it is better to analyze the problem than the solutions. The theme is explored with particular regard to the problem of comparing algorithms using different representations and different prior information.
Classification of chemoresponsive tongue units of the cat geniculate ganglion

Abstract Single unit recordings were taken from neurons in the geniculate ganglion of the anesthetized cat. Three groups of chemoresponsive tongue units were identified on the basis of spontaneous activity measures and response to chemical and electrical stimulation of the tongue. Electrical stimulation of the sites of excised fungiform papillae to which tongue units project elicited spikes with latencies of 7–9 msec from group I units, 10–13 msec from group II units and 14 msec or greater from group III units, with little overlap among the groups. The intact tongue was stimulated with different chemical substances. Group I units were preferentially discharged by certain substances such as citric and malic acid, group II units by cysteine and proline. Group III units were affected by fewer substances although some group III units were among those maximally sensitive to mononucleotide salts. Spontaneous activity measures were also utilized to classify the 3 groups, at least in part. The units in the 3 groups innervated fungiform papillae located in different but overlapping regions of the tongue.
C-Arm Assisted Zygoma Fracture Repair: A Critical Analysis of the First 20 Cases

Purpose Currently used open reduction and internal fixation techniques of zygoma fracture repair are not optimal. Surgical exposure of those sites needed to allow for accurate reduction and for rigid fixation has a high possibility of negative consequences. The objective of the present study was to present a single-incision, single-fixation site zygoma fracture repair technique using a single zygoma c-arm view to quantitatively determine its accuracy, complication rate, and practical aspects in a clinical series. Materials and Methods In a prospective study, consecutive patients with isolated, unilateral, displaced zygoma fractures not requiring orbital floor exploration treated using a c-arm–assisted repair technique at the author's institution from 2009 to 2011 were included. Objective outcomes assessed included accuracy of zygoma realignment (on postoperative computed tomogram), ocular globe projection symmetry (using a Naugle exophthalmometer), complication rate, and operative duration. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test. Results Twenty patients were included. Differences in zygoma projection, width, and height between the uninjured and repaired sides of the face were clinically noteworthy (>3 mm) in the first patient only. Average differences of these parameters for all 20 patients were clinically and statistically insignificant. Differences in ocular globe projection between the uninjured and repaired sides of the face for each patient were no greater than 2 mm. The average difference in globe projection for all 20 patients was also clinically and statistically insignificant. No major complications occurred, and the average operative duration was 76 minutes. Conclusions The present study shows that the c-arm–assisted zygoma fracture repair technique is accurate, has a low complication rate, can be performed quickly, and has a relatively low level of difficulty.