cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of DaTQUANT in diagnosis of DaTscan patients

2705 Objectives Retrospectively assess the quantitative benefit of DaTQUANT; a program that mathematically calculates the ratios of the basal ganglia in DaTscan studies. Methods 149 DaTscan patients from, July 2011-Sept 2012, were analyzed through DaTQUANT and evaluated to see how DaTQUANT ratios (DR) matched our physician readings. Ratios were statistically analyzed to determine if a correlation between the DR and interpretation exists. Studies where the physician9s reading differed from the DR were re-evaluated with the physician to determine if the DR would have impacted the interpretation. Results 45.6% of patients were read as normal, with an average DR of 2.06. These DRs were analyzed and found to be significant with a p-value of 0.0253. 51% of patients were read as abnormal, with an average DR of 0.85. These DRs were analyzed and found to be significant with a p-value of 0.00005. 3.4% were read as equivocal with an average DR of 1.5. These DRs were analyzed and found not to be significant with a p-value of 0.9865. Based on further review of the data, DRs between 1.05-2.04 had a low correlation to physician interpretation, 40.3% of patients fell in this range. Conclusions Analysis showed significant correlation of DRs in both the normal and abnormal patient populations. The DRs for patients with an equivocal read did not correlate. Patients with DRs between 1.05 - 2.04 had uncorrelated interpretations. 40.3% of DRs fell in this 1.05 - 2.04 range undermining the usefulness of DRs. History, age, and symmetrical uptake between basal ganglia were considered more useful to aid in the diagnosis of patients especially in the range described above. No patients’ interpretations were changed based on DRs.
Lig4 modulates p53-p21 checkpoints and inhibits A-EJ during end-joining repair phase of IgH class switching (LYM6P.770)

Mutations in the non-homologous end-joining DNA repair protein DNA Ligase IV (LIG4) causes a human syndrome of immunodeficiency and radiosensitivity. We previously described knock-in mice with a homozygous R278H mutation in Lig4 (Lig4R/R) that displayed severely leaky B lymphocyte development, resulting in near lack of mature B cells yet only a partial block in IgH class switch recombination (CSR). Here we show that diminished DNA ligase 4 activity, resulting in slower kinetics of DNA double strand break (DSB) repair and attenuation of p53-dependent DNA double strand break (DSB) response, to underlie the partial CSR block in the Lig4R/R activated B cells. Analysis of p53 levels in activated Lig4R/R B cells revealed increased proteosome mediated p53 decay and p21 activation, indicative of slower repair kinetics, effects mimicked in the human Lig4 R278H 180BR cell line. Concurrent p53 inactivation had little effect on the frequency of IgH breaks; but substantially slowed the cell cycle progression of activated Lig4R/Rp53-/- B cells, and failed to promote the development of B-lymphomas that recurrently developed in murine Lig4-/-p53-/- settings. Analysis Lig4R/R CSR junctions also revealed the predominance of NHEJ instead of NHEJ-independent A-EJ in their generation. Hence NHEJ maintains genomic stability by modulating the p53 DNA damage response and inhibiting A-EJ. These findings provide an explanation for the complex B-lymphoid phenotypes of the human Lig4 Syndrome.
Service-oriented computing in sensor networks

Consider the following scenario in an urban business district. A traffic engineer needs to gather vehicle statistics at major intersections for possible improvement to road layout. Police officers want to check out suspicious vehicles as soon as they enter the area. Environmental protection workers monitor smog level and must warn people when the public health is at risk. For economic reasons, these users may all tap into a common pool of sensing sources — a network of networks that connect to different sensors such as vehicle sensors, cameras, and smog detectors scattered across the city. The large-scale networked sensor system is likely to be deployed by multiple venders over time, so that the cost of construction and maintenance may be shared by the different user groups. Such a system may consist of both mobile and stationary nodes with a wide of range of processing and communication capabilities. It must be integrated seamlessly into the Internet and must provide intuitive interfaces for remote user interactions. There will be multiple, concurrent users exercising different functionalities of the system for different purposes. The system will have to be self-monitoring and resource-aware, and has a certain level of autonomy to decide on the best use of available resources to fulfill multiple users’ uncoordinated requests.
Renewable hydrogen by aqueous-phase reforming of glucose.

Hydrogen can be produced from aqueous solutions containing 10 wt% glucose with high selectivities through the combined use of a hydrogenation reactor for conversion of glucose to sorbitol, followed by a reforming reactor for conversion of sorbitol to H2 and CO2 and then a gas–liquid separator for the removal of high-pressure H2-rich reformate gas, ready for use in a fuel cell.
An ab initio study of geometries, polarizabilities, and rotation barriers of polyphenylsilane oligomers

Abstract MP2 optimizations with the 6-31G* basis set have been performed on Si3(C6H5)2H6 and Si3(C6H5)3H5. The resulting structural information has been employed in determinations of rotation barriers and static polarizabilities at the HF/3-21G* level. Potential energy profiles for rotation about the central Si–Si bond have been obtained for two structural isomers of Si4(C6H5)4H6. Trends in polarizabilities for isotactic and syndiotactic oligomers from N=4 to N=8 have been extrapolated to the infinite polymer limit and the results are consistent with calculations where N=10. Helical structures have been considered through calculations on the N=8 chain with varying dihedral angles in the Si backbone.
Non-native R1 substitution in the s4 domain uniquely alters Kv4.3 channel gating.

The S4 transmembrane domain in Shaker (Kv1) voltage-sensitive potassium channels has four basic residues (R1–R4) that are responsible for carrying the majority of gating charge. In Kv4 channels, however, R1 is replaced by a neutral valine at position 287. Among other differences, Kv4 channels display prominent closed state inactivation, a mechanism which is minimal in Shaker. To determine if the absence of R1 is responsible for important variation in gating characteristics between the two channel types, we introduced the V287R mutant into Kv4.3 and analyzed its effects on several voltage sensitive gating transitions. We found that the mutant increased the voltage sensitivity of steady-state activation and altered the kinetics of activation and deactivation processes. Although the kinetics of macroscopic inactivation were minimally affected, the characteristics of closed-state inactivation and recovery from open and closed inactivated states were significantly altered. The absence of R1 can only partially account for differences in the effective voltage sensitivity of gating between Shaker and Kv4.3. These results suggest that the S4 domain serves an important functional role in Kv4 channel activation and deactivation processes, and also those of closed-state inactivation and recovery.
Stark Shifting and Double Resonance Decomposition in IR MPD Pump‐and‐Probe Experiments

We report upon the dynamics of the IR MPD of perfluoroalkyl iodides using visible laser induced multiphoton ionization of free iodine atoms in their ground state (2P3/2) as the probe technique. Stark shifting of an atomic MPI line by an intense infrared field was observed for the first time. The importance of an IR/visible double resonance dissociation through an excited electronic state was demonstrated and monitored through MPI of the excited spin-orbit state (2P1/2) which is produced uniquely through this pathway. The consequences of the complications caused by these two effects for pump-and-probe experiments are discussed and methods to minimise their effect are suggested.
Altered radioprotective properties of interleukin Iα (IL-1) in non-hematologic tumor-bearing animals

Abstract The radioprotective properties of IL-1 were investigated in the respective murine hosts for the Lewis lung (LLca) and EMT-6 tumors. For these studies, doses of total body irradiation were selected for the C57B1/6 (9.5 Gy) and Balb/c (7.5 Gy) mice that resulted in a 60% mortality over a 30-day interval. When a "priming" dose of 2.5 × 10 5 U IL-1 was administered 24 hr prior to the radiation exposure, animal mortality was markedly reduced (60% vs 5–10%). Under identical experimental conditions, however, the presence of either the LLca or the EMT-6 tumors in their respective host strains was found to compromise the level of radioprotection conferred by this priming dose of IL-1. In Balb/c mice bearing the EMT-6 tumor, a priming dose of IL-1 resulted in only a modest level of radioprotection when compared to non-tumor-bearing control animals (median animal survival increased by 11.5 days). In C57B1/6 mice bearing the LLca tumor, IL-1 failed to demonstrate any evidence of radioprotection. Following a sublethal dose of total body irradiation, the appearance of an accelerated repopulation of the stem cell (8d CFUs and CFU-GEMM) and the myeloid progenitor (CFU-M) compartments in the marrow of the IL-1 primed EMT-6, but not the LLca, tumor-bearing animals was consistent with the hypothesis that the mechanism leading to radioprotection in IL-I primed rodents involves an accelerated recovery of hematopoietic activity. It was also noted that the presence of the EMT-6 tumor was associated with an increase in the "radiosensitivity" of the Balb/c mouse. Collectively, these data suggest that the use of biological modifiers should be examined under altered physiological conditions prior to attempting to translate them into the clinic.
Should antibiotics be discontinued at 48 hours for negative late-onset sepsis evaluations in the neonatal intensive care unit?

OBJECTIVE: To establish the appropriate length of antibiotic therapy for negative late-onset sepsis evaluations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), based on time to detection of positive bacterial cultures. STUDY DESIGN: Culture results from late-onset sepsis evaluations between January 1, 1994 and June 30, 1998 from outborn neonates at the Arkansas Children's Hospital NICU were retrospectively reviewed. The time period from specimen collection to notification of NICU personnel was calculated for positive cultures. RESULTS: There were 2783 blood, 724 urine, and 294 cerebrospinal fluid cultures obtained, of which 10.2%, 6.6%, and 5.4%, respectively, were positive for bacterial isolates. Of positive cultures, 98% had a time to detection ≤48 hours. Of cultures that became positive >48 hours, 7 of 8 grew coagulase-negative staphylococci; 4 were contaminants. CONCLUSION: Discontinuing antibiotic therapy for neonates with possible late-onset sepsis and negative cultures at 48 hours is appropriate and is now standard care in our NICU.
Alterations in the reproductive performance of Habrobracon females following combined treatments with ethylurea and sodium nitrate or nitrite

Ethylurea (EU) and NaNO2 fed simultaneously to female braconid wasps caused several types of changes in reproductive performance. Early effects included a decrease in (a) the number of vitellogenic oocytes developing into eggs, and in (b) the hatchability of the eggs laid. After a period of no damage to transitional cells there was a late effect expressed as a pronounced reduction in the number of eggs produced from the oogonia, although the hatchability was good. Dissection of the ovarioles revealed gaps in the oogenetic sequence. Most of the specimens showed resorption of the small oocytes and some specimens contained distal masses of undifferentiated cells resembling a tumerous condition. Neither EU nor NaNO2 alone caused the damage obtained from feeding them in combination, and EU injected along with NaNO2 was ineffective.
Automated reusability quality analysis of OO legacy software

Abstract Software reuse increases productivity, reduces costs, and improves quality. Object-oriented (OO) software has been shown to be inherently more reusable than functionally decomposed software; however, most OO software was not specifically designed for reuse [Software Reuse Guidelines and Methods, Plenum Press, New York, 1991]. This paper describes the analysis, in terms of quality factors related to reusability, contained in an approach that aids significantly in assessing existing OO software for reusability. An automated tool implementing the approach is validated by comparing the tool's quality determinations to that of human experts. This comparison provides insight into how OO software metrics should be interpreted in relation to the quality factors they purport to measure.
The dichroism of DNA in electric fields.

We have studied the dichroism of various samples of calf thymus DNA (of molecular weight from 3 × 105 to 7 × 106) in pulsed electric fields. The results may be summarized as follows: 1 We find that calf thymus DNA behaves in electrical orientation as if it possessed a large permanent dipole moment. This apparent moment is sensitive to such effects as Mg++ binding which lower the net charge on DNA. 2 The limiting dichroism at infinite field corresponds to an angle of at least 80% between the transition moments at 265 nm and the helix axis, and could be consistant with a number of known forms of DNA. This result is independent of DNA molecular weight. There is evidence that the conformation may be different in 80% ethanol. 3 The dichroism relaxation curves contain a component with a relaxation time of about 8 μsec, which is nearly independent of molecular weight, and a longest component which behaves either according to the Broersma theory for low-molecular-weight samples, or the Zimm-Rouse theory at high molecular weights.
Membrane and cytoplasmic changes in 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU)-sensitive and resistant human malignant glioma-derived cell lines.

Human glioma-derived cell lines previously determined by a microtiter chemotherapy assay to be either ‘sensitive’ or ‘resistant’ to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) were treated with BCNU (1–80 µg/ml) and observed using microcinematography, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Striking bleb formation and cell retraction were observed to occur in a dose-dependent relationship within minutes in the cells known to be BCNU-sensitive. At 15µg/ ml, 69% of cells showed blebs by 30 min, 87% by 90 min, and 100% by 4 hr. This activity was not seen in BCNU-resistant cells. These morphological changes occur at a time too early to be accounted for by the known BCNU mechanism of DNA alkylation and cross-link formation and suggest that cytoplasmic and/or membrane events may be significant initial events in the cytotoxic actions of BCNU.
Experimental Determination of Supermicrometer Particle Fate Subsequent to a Point Release within a Room under Natural and Forced Mixing

The fate of mono-dispersed fluorescein-tagged particles with nominal aerodynamic diameters 3 μ m and 14 μ m has been measured in a room-scale chamber under natural and forced mixing conditions. The mixing time scales were measured as the time to mixing of carbon monoxide tracer gas. In the forced mixing condition, 3-axis ultrasonic anemometry was used to determine the mean and fluctuating velocity for each vector component at 106 locations. Cumulative deposited fluorescein mass at 61 locations on the chamber floor showed size-dependent and mixing-dependent particle dispersion patterns. More uniform deposition was produced under conditions with relatively shorter mixing time scales, and longer particle settling time scales. A unique data set has been generated for the evaluation of particulate contaminant transport models.
Noninvasive imaging of oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in atherosclerotic plaques with tagged oxidation-specific antibodies

Abstract The lipid component of vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions strongly determines the propensity for plaque rupture. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) is a major component of the plaque lipid pool and contributes significantly to the inflammatory milieu. Because oxidation-specific antibodies (Ox-AB) have been shown to selectively immunostain human atherosclerotic lesions, we hypothesized that tagged Ox-AB may be useful for noninvasive imaging of atherosclerosis. Indeed, intravenously injected 125 I-MDA2, a prototype murine monoclonal Ox-AB, has strong selectivity for and accurately identifies lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions in their entirety. Plaque uptake of 125 I-MDA2 strongly correlates with extent of atherosclerosis, measured by percentage of surface area and aortic weight, and thus provides an accurate quantitative measure of atherosclerotic burden. Dietary regression studies in mice have shown that 125 I-MDA2 uptake is more sensitive to "regression," not measured by physical dimensions but by depletion of OxLDL, suggesting a novel mechanism of plaque stabilization. In vivo γ–camera scintigraphy with 99m Tc-MDA2 revealed that imaging of lipid and oxidation-rich atherosclerotic lesions is feasible with this technique. We have developed IK17, the first human Ox-AB, which recognizes a unique oxidation-specific epitope, and may have significant advantages over murine antibodies. Ox-AB may be tagged with appropriate labels for use in nuclear, magnetic resonance, or ultrasound imaging. Potential applications include early diagnosis of lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions, screening, and serial follow-up of high-risk individuals, identifying vulnerable plaques, and evaluating novel drug therapies on progression and regression of atherosclerosis.
Update on Behavioral and Physical Therapies for Incontinence and Overactive Bladder: The Role of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Behavioral and physical therapies have been used for many years to treat incontinence and overactive bladder (OAB). This paper focuses on programs that include pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as a component in treatment for women or men. PFMT was long used almost exclusively for treatment of stress incontinence. When it became evident that voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction can be used to control bladder function, PFMT was also integrated into the treatment of urge incontinence and OAB as part of a broader behavioral urge suppression strategy. PFMT has evolved over decades, both as a behavioral therapy and a physical therapy, combining principles from behavioral science, nursing, and muscle physiology into a widely recommended conservative treatment. The collective literature indicates that PFMT is effective for incontinence, as well as urgency, frequency, and nocturia. It can be combined with all other treatment modalities and holds potential for prevention of bladder symptoms.
Renal clearance of erythromycin.

SummaryThe renal clearance of erythromycin is slightly less than the glomerular filtration rate in dogs. Benemid appears to inhibit the reabsorption of erythromycin by the renal tubules.
Optimum Process Target for Two Quality Characteristics Using Regression Analysis

The selection of the optimum process target has become one of the key research areas for increasing productivity and improving product quality. Although the quality engineering literature contains a vast collection of work related to this issue, several questions still remain unanswered. First, a quality loss function approach using conventional quality loss functions, such as step loss and quadratic loss functions, has been extensively used to determine the optimum process target largely due to mathematical convenience. When historical data concerning customer loss associated with product performance are available, a quality loss function using a well-established statistical method, such as regression analysis, might be a more practical alternative procedure. Second, many researchers have carried out their studies based on a single quality characteristic. From the customer's viewpoint, however, products are often judged based on more than one characteristic. In this article, we consider two quality chara...
Studies of a Liquid Anode for Plutonium Electrorefining

Abstract We are developing a solvent anode as an alternate method for producing plutonium metal of high purity by an electrorefining process. Our goals are to produce metal of 99.98% purity with an anode residue containing less than 2% of the plutonium in the feed material. If we are successful, we will design and demonstrate a system utilizing semi-continuous and remotely controlled operations. Establishing a solvent anode method should lead to improved yields and a substantial reduction in the amount of residues generated by the electrorefining process. The new method should be a viable pyrochemical technique for recovering both plutonium and uranium from spent reactor fuel. Initially, the anode consists of a tantalum rod immersed in a pool of liquid cadmium at 740°C. Impure plutonium or a solid anode residue is in contact with the cadmium. As current passes through the anode, plutonium in the cadmium is oxidized and transfers into the molten salt as tripositive plutonium. More plutonium dissolves into ...
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum and mitral-valve prolapse.

PSEUDOXANTHOMA elasticum is an inherited disorder of connective tissue, with cutaneous, ophthalmologic, and systemic manifestations. The disease has an estimated prevalence of one in 160,000.1 Vari...
Quantum Statistical Metastability

Consider a system rendered unstable by both quantum tunneling and thermodynamic fluctuation. The tunneling rate $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, at temperature ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is related to the free energy $F$ by $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=(\frac{2}{\ensuremath{\hbar}})\mathrm{Im}F$. However, the classical escape rate is $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=(\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\beta}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})\mathrm{Im}F$, $\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}$ being the negative eigenvalue at the saddle point. A general theory of metastability is constructed in which these formulas are true for temperatures, respectively, below and above $\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}$ with a narrow transition region of $O({\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{\frac{3}{2}})$.
Experimental results of rover-based coring and caching

Experimental results are presented for experiments performed using a prototype rover-based sample coring and caching system. The system consists of a rotary percussive coring tool on a five degree-of-freedom manipulator arm mounted on a FIDO-class rover and a sample caching subsystem mounted on the rover. Coring and caching experiments were performed in a laboratory setting and in a field test at Mono Lake, California. Rock abrasion experiments using an abrading bit on the coring tool were also performed. The experiments indicate that the sample acquisition and caching architecture is viable for use in a 2018 timeframe Mars caching mission and that rock abrasion using an abrading bit may be feasible in place of a dedicated rock abrasion tool.1 2
Remote plasma etching of InP in Cl 2 and HCl

An attempt is made to add insight into the expectation that in the dry etching of InP, increased temperatures should assist etching even in ion enhanced systems, both in regard to rate and profile. Results for InP and GaAs are compared with each other and results in the literature. At >150 degrees C, the InP etch rate is approximately twice as fast with the plasma on as with the plasma off. The rapid etch rate in molecular Cl/sub 2/ alone, i.e. with the plasma off, confirms that plasma generated radicals are not necessary for etching to occur. This is also observed for GaAs etching in Cl/sub 2/. Thus, molecular Cl/sub 2/ can crack on the surface to form the etch products. At lower temperatures the etch rate enhancement with the plasma on is not as apparent, and a much larger scatter in the data is observed. >
Role of the CLOCK Protein in the Mammalian Circadian Mechanism

The mouse Clock gene encodes a bHLH-PAS protein that regulates circadian rhythms and is related to transcription factors that act as heterodimers. Potential partners of CLOCK were isolated in a two-hybrid screen, and one, BMAL1, was coexpressed with CLOCK and PER1 at known circadian clock sites in brain and retina. CLOCK-BMAL1 heterodimers activated transcription from E-box elements, a type of transcription factor-binding site, found adjacent to the mouse per1 gene and from an identical E-box known to be important for per gene expression in Drosophila. Mutant CLOCK from the dominant-negative Clock allele and BMAL1 formed heterodimers that bound DNA but failed to activate transcription. Thus, CLOCK-BMAL1 heterodimers appear to drive the positive component of per transcriptional oscillations, which are thought to underlie circadian rhythmicity.
An approach to the design of composites for service at elevated and nonsteady temperatures

The language and ideas developed in the continuum mechanics area of ratcheting and shakedown can be applied to the analysis and design of composites that are subjected to both external and thermal loading. Specifically, the diagrams first proposed by Bree and previously applied to composites by Jansson and Leckie can be of value in designing composites that will remain dimensionally stable under stress and temperature cycling. Three simple cases are analyzed analytically and from these, it seems apparent that the resulting composite behavior maps (CBMs) have a characteristic shape. This shape can be conservatively estimated by the linear connection of points that correspond to initial yield and interconnected plasticity under pure mechanical and pure thermal loading. Both experimental and analytical methods of determining these points are discussed. Finally, good agreement between a CBM produced by simplified analytical procedures and a full three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis is shown.
Searching for CP and CPT Violation in a Short Baseline Experiment: The BooNE Proposal at Fermilab

The proposal to move the MiniBooNE experiment to a near location at 200 meters is discussed. The resulting data would resolve whether the MiniBooNE low energy anomaly in neutrino mode was an oscillation effect. It would also provide a first measurement of ν¯μ disappearance in the 1 eV2 range of Δm2.
Interaction of excision repair gene products and mitotic recombination functions in yeast.

We have tested the ability of mutants of three additional genes in the excision repair pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to suppress the hyper-recombination and rad52 double-mutant lethality phenotypes of the rad3-102 (formerly rem1-2) mutation. Such suppression has previously been been observed with mutant alleles of RAD1 and RAD4. We had hypothesized that the rad3-102 mutation created elevated levels of DNA lesions which could be processed by the products of the RAD1 and RAD4 genes into recombinogenic double-strand breaks requiring the RAD52 product for repair. In this report, we show that the RAD2, RAD7, and RAD10 genes are also necessary for this processing. We discuss our observations of varying levels of mitotic crossingover in Rem-rad double-mutant strains.
Selecting DNA fragments for mutation detection by temperature gradient gel electrophoresis: Application to the p53 gene cDNA

Temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) and related methods are widely employed to detect mutations in DNA fragments. DNA melting map calculations and GC clamps have been used to enhance the detection of mutations. While generally successful, these methods have not always revealed base changes within a DNA fragment. Previous work suggested that mutations are detected if they are in a DNA's first melting domain, and the melting domain is well separated from final strand dissociation. Two criteria from the DNA melting theory were established to determine when both of these conditions are met. The criteria involve calculating the derivative melting curve as well as the melting map of a DNA sequence. The approach was applied to the cDNA sequence of the human p53 gene. Mutations in the p53 gene are common in human cancers and are generally located in four 'hot spot' regions. Calculations indicated that three DNA fragments are needed to detect base substitutions in the four hot-spot regions. Predicted melting behavior was experimentally tested with eight single base substitutions distributed among the four hot-spot regions. All mutations tested behaved as predicted and were detected by vertical TGGE. Heteroduplex DNAs formed by melting and reannealing various ratios of wild type and mutant DNA fragments were also examined. Results indicated that point mutations can be detected by ethidium bromide staining from samples containing 10% mutant and 90% wild-type sequences.
Cost effective environmental control technology for utilities

Abstract On September 24, 1998, new regulations announced by the US EPA require 22 eastern states plus the District of Columbia to develop state implementation plans to reduce ground-level ozone through the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions ( Cooper, 1998 ). This plan calls for a 28% NOx cut in the summer time (1.2 million tons) by 2007. This calls for utilities to develop new, efficient, and robust post-combustion NOx control technologies. A new environmental control technology called low temperature oxidation (LTO) system, which can reduce NOx emissions below measurable levels (i.e. 2 ppm using process analyzers) at low temperature (125–325 °F), was awarded the best available control technology and the lowest available emission reduction technology by the US EPA in April 1998. Ozone is employed to oxidize nitric oxide (NO) to dinitrogen pentoxide (N 2 O 5 ) at a low temperature in an oxidizer, which is then easily absorbed by water in a scrubber. Bench scale and pilot plant tests have shown that the LTO process can almost completely remove the NOx emissions (i.e. NOx emissions are below levels measurable using process analyzers). This proved that the LTO system is an attractive process to meet the stricter NOx regulations. There are multiple benefits of the LTO system besides removal of NOx emissions, includes reduction of SOx and CO emissions, and no secondary air emissions (NH 3 , N 2 O). In order to obtain minimum NOx emissions, extra ozone needs to be supplied. The cost of the process also increases nonlinearly as emissions decrease. This poses a challenging multiobjective optimization problem where emissions like NOx and SOx need to be minimized, while minimizing the system cost as well as extra ozone. This problem is addressed using a new and efficient multiobjective optimization framework. This framework will provide designs that are cost effective as well as environmentally friendly.
Slope ratio assays and confidence limits

As an application of the general theory of tests of linear hypotheses, estimates for, and confidence limits for, the ratio (= ϱ) of regression coefficients in slope ratio assays are given. These confidence limits happen to be the two real roots or zeros of a polynomial, usually of high order in ϱ. Conditions on these roots are stated, and also certain approximations to them are given in the case of combining a number of independent slope ratio assays as a generalization of Fieller’s theorem.
Effect of a high-flow open nasal cannula system on obstructive sleep apnea in children

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children is attributed to upper airway collapse1–3 that is associated with intermittent hypoxemia, neurocognitive dysfunction,4–8 and cardiovascular morbidity.9–12 Moreover, recent data suggest that milder degrees of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing are associated with neurobehavioral deficits,13,14 highlighting the social and medical burdens of sleep-disordered breathing in children. Treatment of sleep apnea in children includes both medical15 and surgical options.16 Adenotonsillectomy is the treatment of choice for the presence of adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy with OSA. For children who are not suitable candidates for surgery, refuse adenotonsillectomy, or have residual sleep apnea after surgical intervention, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)17 is the most effective treatment option. CPAP, however, is encumbered by suboptimal adherence,18 leaving a large number of children untreated. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies to CPAP are required to treat OSA in children more effectively. Recently, we demonstrated that air delivered at a high flow rate through a nasal cannula (treatment with nasal insufflation [TNI]) alleviated upper airway obstruction in adults with OSA.19 Children with upper airway obstruction during sleep, however, differ markedly with regard to the distribution of obstructive events. They have obstructive apneas predominantly during rapid eye movement (REM) compared with nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.20 In contrast to adults, children commonly exhibit periods of prolonged stable partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, including during NREM sleep.21 Thus, whereas the rate of obstructive events per hour of sleep (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]) allows for quantification of changes in upper airway obstruction for REM sleep, other measures are needed to assess upper airway obstruction during NREM sleep. It has been demonstrated previously that the inspiratory time relative to the duration of the respiratory cycle, the inspiratory duty cycle, increases linearly with the degree of upper airway obstruction.22–24 Therefore, we determined the effect of TNI on upper airway obstruction in children by assessing both the AHI and the inspiratory duty cycle. We hypothesized that TNI would alleviate upper airway obstruction during both REM and NREM sleep and that, in a significant proportion of children, improvements in the AHI would be similar to CPAP.
Triiodothyronine differentially regulates key metabolic factors in lean and obese cats.

Abstract The effect of a 2-week administration of 75 μg triiodothyronine (T3) on substrate oxidation, heat production, non-esterified fatty acids, and leptin was evaluated in eight lean (three females and five males) and eight obese (five females and three males) age-matched adult neutered cats. In addition, using real-time RT-PCR, expression of muscle and adipose tissue uncoupling proteins (UCP2 and UCP3), deiodinase 1 and 2 (D1; D2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and γ and peroxisome-proliferator-activator receptor-gamma co-activator 1α (PGC1) was examined. Compared to lean cats, obese cats had increased NEFA, leptin, UCP2, and D1mRNA in muscle and UCP3mRNA levels in fat, but lower heat production, and fat PPARs and PGC1. T3 administration increased thermogenesis and NEFA in lean and obese cats, and adipose tissue PPARγ in lean cats. It also increased muscle D1 in lean and D2 in obese cats. The increase in muscle D2 was interpreted to be reflective of the reduced serum total T4 concentration following T3 suppression of the pituitary. No effect was seen on leptin, or UCP2 and 3. This shows that T3 regulates thermogenesis but not through changes in uncoupling protein expression. It also indicates that PPARs have an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity in cats.
Hepatic Expression of the SPOT 14 (S14) Paralog S14-Related (Mid1 Interacting Protein) Is Regulated by Dietary Carbohydrate

The Spot 14 (S14) gene is rapidly up-regulated by signals that induce lipogenesis such as enhanced glucose metabolism and thyroid hormone administration. Previous studies in S14 null mice show that S14 is required for normal lipogenesis in the lactating mammary gland, but not the liver. We speculated that the lack of a hepatic phenotype was due to the expression of a compensatory gene. We recently reported that this gene is likely an S14 paralog that we named S14-Related (S14-R). S14-R is expressed in the liver, but not in the mammary gland. If S14-R compensates for the absence of S14 in the liver, we hypothesized that, like S14, S14-R expression should be glucose responsive. Here, we report that hepatic S14-R mRNA levels increase with high-carbohydrate feeding in mice or within 2 h of treating cultured hepatocytes with elevated glucose. A potential carbohydrate response element (ChoRE) was identified at position −458 of the S14-R promoter. Deletion of or point mutations within the putative S14-R ChoRE led to 50–95% inhibition of the glucose response. Gel-shift analysis revealed that the glucose-activated transcription complex carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein/Max-like protein X (Mlx) binds to the S14-R ChoRE. Finally, S14-R glucose induction is completely blocked when a dominant-negative form of Mlx is overexpressed in primary hepatocytes. In conclusion, our results indicate that the S14-R gene is a glucose-responsive target of carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein/Mlx and suggest that the S14-R protein is a compensatory factor, at least partially responsible for the normal liver lipogenesis observed in the S14 null mouse.
Conodont apatite δ18O values from a platform margin setting, Oklahoma, USA: Implications for initiation of Late Ordovician icehouse conditions

Abstract The uppermost Sandbian–lower Katian stratigraphic record documents a critical time period in Earth history. Lithological evidence and geochemical proxy records suggest that the uppermost Sandbian–lower Katian interval could represent a transitional phase from a long Cambrian–Ordovician greenhouse world to the Late Ordovician icehouse world. To examine this interval of Earth's history, oxygen isotopes of conodont apatite from the Bromide and Viola Springs Formations in southern Oklahoma were analyzed in order to provide sea-surface temperature estimates at a location that had little influence by terrigenous sedimentation. Our results are inconsistent with 1) previous suggestions that global cooling occurred across a prominent sequence boundary close to the Sandbian–Katian boundary across North America and 2) the hypothesis that there is a direct connection between volcanic mega eruption(s) and a significant long term impact on climate during the Sandbian–Katian of Laurentia. Furthermore, δ 18 O values spanning the Guttenberg Carbon Isotope Excursion (GICE), an interval that has been interpreted as evidence for an early onset of the Late Ordovician glaciation, are variable. A + 1.5‰ δ 18 O shift is observed in the lower GICE that is followed by a return to δ 18 O values that fluctuate around a mean of 19.0‰ in the upper GICE. Together, these observations suggest a short-lived cooling event within the lower GICE. This cooling event may represent enhanced carbon burial and drawdown of atmospheric p CO 2 followed by a return to more stable low-latitude temperatures in the upper GICE.
Effect of poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) as coating agent on the opsonization, phagocytosis, and pharmacokinetics of biodegradable nanoparticles.

The effect of the coating polymer poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone) (PVP) on the protein adsorption, phagocytosis, and pharmacokinetics of poly(D,L-lactide)-based nanoparticles was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Control poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated nanoparticles were included for comparison. While no difference between PEG- and PVP-decorated nanoparticles in terms of amount of adsorbed protein was evident upon incubation in single protein solutions (BSA, IgG), incubation in serum revealed a protein adsorption pattern both quantitatively and qualitatively distinct. Larger amounts of complement components and immunoglobulins were found to adhere to PVP-coated particles, whereas PEG particles showed preferential adsorption of apolipoproteins. Furthermore, preopsonization in fresh rather than heat-inactivated serum enhanced uptake of both types of particles by murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, when isolated rat Kupffer cells were employed, activation of the complement system significantly enhanced the upt...
Cytokinin signaling: two-components and more

The hormone cytokinin is perceived via a phosphorelay that is similar to the two-component systems with which bacteria sense and respond to environmental stimuli. Characterization of two-component elements in Arabidopsis, maize and rice shows that cytokinin responses are mediated via partially redundant two-component protein families: histidine kinases, histidine phosphotransfer proteins and response regulators, as well as by novel players, such as the cytokinin response factors. Recent studies in the model plant Arabidopsis have revealed that cytokinin regulates these signaling components through a variety of mechanisms, including modulating transcription, controlling phosphorelay and regulating protein localization and stability. Genetic analyses of cytokinin signaling components have clarified the roles of cytokinin signaling in development and revealed novel functions for this 'classic' phytohormone.
Prediction of energy expenditure in a whole body indirect calorimeter at both low and high levels of physical activity.

OBJECTIVES: In studies that involve the use of a room calorimeter, 24 h energy intake is often larger than 24 h energy expenditure (24 h EE) because of a decrease in activity energy expenditure due to the confined space. This positive energy balance can have large consequences for the interpretation of substrate balances. The objective of this study was to develop a method for predicting an individual's 24 h EE in a room calorimeter at both low (1.4×RMR) and high (1.8×RMR) levels of physical activity. METHODS: Two methods are presented that predict an individual's 24 h EE in a metabolic chamber. The first method was based on three components: (1) a 30 min measurement of resting metabolic rate (RMR) using a ventilated hood system; (2) measurement of exercise energy expenditure during 10 min of treadmill walking; and (3) estimation of free-living energy expenditure using a tri-axial motion sensor. Using these measurements we calculated the amount of treadmill time needed for each individual in order to obtain a total 24 h EE at either a low (1.4×RMR) or a high (1.8×RMR) level of physical activity. We also developed a method to predict total 24 h EE during the chamber stay by using the energy expenditure values for the different levels of activity as measured during the hours already spent in the chamber. This would provide us with a tool to adjust the exercise time and/or energy intake during the chamber stay. RESULTS: Method 1: there was no significant difference in expected and measured 24 h EE under either low (9.35±0.56 vs 9.51±0.47 MJ/day; measured vs predicted) or high activity conditions (13.41±0.74 vs 13.97±0.78 MJ/day; measured vs predicted). Method 2: the developed algorithm predicted 24 h EE for 97.6±4.0% of the final value at 3 h into the test day, and for 98.6±3.7% at 7 h into the test day. CONCLUSION: Both methods provide accurate prediction of energy expenditure in a room calorimeter at both high and low levels of physical activity. It equally shows that it is possible to accurately predict total 24 h EE from energy expenditure values obtained at 3 and 7 h into the study.
Predicting Graduate Academic Success from Undergraduate Academic Performance: A Canonical Correlation Study:

One of the major criteria employed in selecting graduate students is undergraduate GPA; generally, applicants with low GPAs will not be accepted at high quality graduate schools. This study, which uses a canonical correlation technique, examined the efficiency of the undergraduate GPA as a predictor of graduate academic success and compared it with other predictors. The results indicated that undergraduate GPA was not a good predictor of graduate academic success.
Population-based analysis of sudden death in children: The Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study

Background There is a lack of prospective population-based data regarding sudden death in children. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the burden of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the pediatric population in a 3-year community-wide study. Methods During 2002–2005, all residents of Multnomah County, Oregon (population 660,486) who underwent SCA were ascertained from emergency medical services, the medical examiner, and emergency rooms of 16 area hospitals. A comprehensive evaluation was performed, including analysis of circumstances of death, medical records, and available autopsy data. Annual incidence rates were calculated for all residents age Results A total of 33 children met the criteria for SCA (58% female, median age 0.37 years, range 0.03–12.3 years). The majority of SCAs (76%) occurred in children age Conclusions The burden of pediatric sudden death was low (3% of all sudden deaths), but 90% occurred before the age of 1 year, and the majority were diagnosed as SIDS (70% of overall sudden deaths in children). Population education to prevent SIDS and enhanced postnatal diagnosis of occult heart disease are likely to have the greatest impact on the prevention of pediatric sudden death.
Application of a stress sharing model to simulation of particle/fluid parallel flow

A set of linear partial differential equations governing particle/fluid two phase parallel flows is developed based on a stress sharing continuum model. The equations are solved in closed form for parallel plate and circular ducts. Some interesting features of the solutions are that the fluid phase leads the particle phase in an average sense for horizontal flows, the transition from upward average relative velocity to downward average relative velocity occurs at neutral buoyancy in vertical flows with no particle/wall interactions, the average relative velocity is downward for upward flows of negatively buoyant suspensions, and that wall boundary layers are produced by particle/wall interactions.
Radar determination of the surface properties of a randomly rough surface

This letter conveys a simple method for remote sensing of the surface properties, both physical and geometrical, of a randomly rough surface by means of a polychromatic bistatic radar. Difficulties in evaluating the properties of a randomly rough surface by the conventional method of calculating the scattering cross section or the average power are discussed.
Platelet-activating factor stimulates secretion of respiratory glycoconjugate from human airways in culture

Abstract Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a naturally occurring phospholipid that acts as a potent mediator of inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Since mucus secretion accompanies many pulmonary-allergic reactions, we examined the effect of PAF on respiratory glycoconjugate (RGC) release from human airways in vitro. PAF, in concentrations of 5 to 100 ng/ml, induced a specific, dose-dependent release of [ 3 H]RGC from human airways in vitro (range of 15% to 120% increase above control, p 4 -receptor antagonist, totally inhibited the release of RGC by PAF. Similar results were observed with FPL 55712. PAF-treated airways generated peptidoleukotrienes significantly above control airways in association with enhanced RGC secretion. This enhanced effect on RGC secretion was specifically and significantly blocked by LY 171883. Atropine (10 −5 mol/L) augmented the secretagogue activity of PAF, whereas dexamethasone (10 −5 mol/L) inhibited it. These data indicate that PAF is a significant RGC secretagogue that affects the RGC-secreting cells via the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism and the generation of leukotrienes in the airways, but not through the cholinergic receptors on the secretory cells.