cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-GG-T-04: Dosimetry of Curvilinear Brachytherapy Sources Using TG-43U1 Formalism

Purpose: TG‐43U1 recommendation for dosimetric characteristics of brachytherapy sources with active length of 1 cm) sources. In this project, the impact of the source curvature on its dose distribution will be evaluated for elongated Pd‐103 sources. Method and Materials: The MCNP5 Monte Carlo simulation code has been used to calculate the dose profiles around for Pd‐103 sources with active length >1 cm. The calculated dose profiles for various curvatures have been compared to the values from a straight line source with the same active length. The dose calculation points are considered every 0.5 cm from each other and 0.5 cm away from the inner surface of the curvilinear source. Results: The results of the dose rates inside and outside of a 5 cm long RadioCoil™ Pd‐103 source as a function of distance from the center of the source have been compared with line source of same length. It is found that, at the mid level of the source, the dose rate is 50% higher in inner dose calculation points and 10 % less in outer points as compared to dose rate from a line source geometry. However, at 2.5 cm distance from the middle of the source, dose rate for inner point is only about 30% of the straight line source. Conclusion:Dose calculations for elongated curvilinear sources have been evaluated which was not introduced in TG‐43 dose calculation algorithms. The results of these investigations indicate that the degree of the curvature should be considered to achieve accurate dose calculations in a clinical practice.
Poster 1013: IL-4R alpha antibody inhibits IgE production and airway remodeling in mouse model of house dust mite-induced eosinophilic asthma

Background Allergic asthma is associated with T helper 2 (Th2) immune response to an allergen. IL-4 and IL-13, key cytokines involved in Th2 immunity, promote eosinophilic inflammation and B cell isotype switching to IgE. House Dust Mite (HDM) allergen has been shown to induce allergic asthma in a mouse model via Th2 immune response that drives eosinophilia and influx of effector T cells into lung. An IL-4Raplha antibody that blocks signaling of IL-4 and IL-13 through both Type I (IL-4Ralpha/ IL-2Rgamma) and Type II (IL-4Ralpha/IL-13R) receptors, and an IL-13Ra2-Fc fusion protein that prevents binding and signaling of IL-13 via Type II receptor, were both tested in the HDM-induced mouse model of asthma. Methods Mice were sensitized daily for 10 days with HDM, rested for 2 weeks, followed by challenge with HDM three times weekly for 8 weeks. Both anti-mouse IL-4Ralpha; antibody (Ab) and fully human anti-human IL-4Raplha Ab (dupilumab) were tested in wild type mice and mice humanized for IL-4 and IL-4Ralpha, respectively. Mice were treated with 50 mg/kg of either Ab twice weekly, starting at week 7 of the experiment. A separate group received mouse IL-13Raplha2-Fc protein using the same dose and regimen. At the end of the experiment, cells obtained by left lung lobe tissue digest were analyzed by flow cytometry. Lung collagen indicative of an airway remodeling was quantified using a Sircol Dye assay, and cardiac lung lobe was used for microarray analysis of gene signature. Levels of HDM-specific IgG1 and total IgE in serum were analyzed by ELISA. Results HDM sensitization and challenge resulted in increased levels of IgE and HDM-specific IgG1. IgE increase was blocked by IL-4Ra Ab but not by IL-13Ralpha2-Fc treatment; HDM-specific IgG1 levels were not affected by either treatment. Collagen content in lung of mice treated with IL-4Ralpha mAb was similar to that observed in mock sensitized and challenged mice. Dupilumab treatment also prevented the influx of eosinophils and inflammatory dendritic cells into lung. HDM-induced changes in gene expression were largely normalized upon dupilumab treatment, as compared to mock treated and sensitized mice.
Laboratory Wet‐Milling of Grain Sorghum With Abbreviated Steeping to Give Two Products

Short-time and no-time steeping were used in the wet-milling of grain sorghum to give two products, starch in over 78% recovery (starch basis) plus the remaining grain solids. In the wet-milling process 1.5 parts of fresh water were used per part of grain to compensate for drying and transfer losses. Starting with 100 g (dry solids) of commercial No. 2 grain sorghum, steep time (1-3 h), steep temperature (25-60 °C), and coarse-grinding speed (7,500-12,500 rpm with tip speed of 90.4-150.7 km/h) were varied in a model study; starch recovery, starch lightness (L * ), and damaged starch were the responses. Grain sorghum was steeped with twice its weight of process water containing 0.2% sulfur dioxide and the steeped kernels were added to an equal volume of process water and the mixture was ground for 6 min in a Waring blender with blunt blades (d = 3.2 cm). The course-ground material was sieved (opening 1190 μm) to collect the bran/germ, and the throughs were allowed to stand. The sedimented phase was finely ground by one pass through a plate mill, and the fine fiber removed by sieving (opening 73 μm). The slurry was adjusted to a specific gravity of 1.04, and the starch was separated from the protein fraction on a starch table. The protein fraction was combined with the steep-liquor concentrate (54% solids) plus the bran/fiber and the fine-fiber fractions to give the co-product, which contained 70% moisture (wet basis, wb) and 27% protein (dry basis, db). In the surface response study, recovery of starch ranged from 57 to 89%, starch protein content from 0.4 to 0.5%, and lightness (L * ) from 90 to 93. Damaged starch content was constant at around 0.4%. Commercial grain sorghum gave the highest starch recovery (90%) after steeping 2 h at 55 °C and coarse-grinding at 10,500 rpm; whereas a food-grade, a white and a red sorghum gave 85, 84, and 80% recoveries, respectively. The four starches had lightness (L * ) values of 93-94 and damaged starch contents of 0.4-0.6%. When the commercial grain sorghum was wet-ground without steeping in 2 parts of water containing 0.2% sulfur dioxide, a 78% recovery of starch was obtained with L * 93.7 and starch damage 0.5%.
Anabolic actions of PTH (1-34): Use of a novel tissue engineering model to investigate temporal effects on bone

PTH is in clinical use for the treatment of osteoporosis and is under intensive investigation for its potential in applications of tissue engineering, fracture healing, and implant integration. However, the mechanisms of its action to stimulate bone formation are still unclear. A novel bone tissue engineering model was used to elucidate basic mechanisms of PTH anabolic actions. Ectopic ossicles containing cortical bone, trabecular bone, and a hematopoietic marrow were generated from implanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). One week after implantation, nude mice were administered PTH or vehicle for 1 week (group 1), 3 weeks (group 2), or 7 weeks (group 3). Another group was also treated for 3 weeks, initiated 12 weeks after implantation (group 4). Micro-radiography and histomorphometry revealed increased marrow cellularity in group 1 PTH-treated ossicles, increased bone in group 2 PTH-treated ossicles, and similar amounts of bone in both group 3 and 4 ossicles regardless of treatment. Incidence of phosphate mineral and phosphate mineral to hydroxyproline ratio via Raman spectroscopy were significantly higher after 3 weeks versus 1 week of PTH treatment, but there was no difference between PTH- and vehicle-treated ossicles. Early events of PTH action in group 1 ossicles and the effects of a single injection of PTH on 1- and 2-week-old ossicles were evaluated by Northern blot analysis. Osteocalcin (OC) mRNA was increased after 1 week of intermittent PTH treatment in ossicles and calvaria but an acute injection did not alter OC mRNA. In contrast, a single injection of PTH increased matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic acid protein (MGP) mRNA in 2-week-old ossicles. Differential and temporal-dependent effects of PTH on OC and MGP suggest at the molecular level, that PTH acts to inhibit osteoblast mineralization. However, this does not translate into tissue level alterations. These data indicate that anabolic actions of PTH in ectopic ossicles are temporally dependent on the BMSC implanted and suggest that cell implantation strategies are particularly responsive to PTH.
Metastatic carcinoma to penis: When is total penectomy indicated?

We report on 7 patients with metastatic carcinoma to the penis: 3 had carcinoma of the prostate and 2 had transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder; renal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum were found in 1 patient each. Five patients died within six months; 2 patients are alive three and seven months following diagnosis. One of these patients underwent total penectomy for intractable penile pain. The indications and outcome of this surgical procedure are presented and discussed.
A reexamination of the acceleration of worldwide inflation in the early 1970s

Abstract The major theme of this article is that many economists misdiagnosed the causal mechanism of the rapid worldwide inflation of the early 1970s because of their rigid adherence to the strong version of the monetary approach to the balance of payments (MABP). More specifically, the fashionable monetarist theory of worldwide inflation overlooks an important channel of the transmission and generation of inflation. This neglected channel is discussed in this article.
Thin film flowing down a curved surface

The film flow down a curved surface is analysed by an orthogonal curvilinear system and a perturbation in the small ratio of film thickness to minimum radius of curvature. General solutions are obtained to second order. The results are applied to plates with exponential curvature and sinusoidal curvature. Separation is most likely to occur on the upstream sides of a wavy plate.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE EQUINE METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT: THREE‐DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AND ANATOMIC ANALYSIS

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. Thirty-two saggital images generated by partial volume imaging were transferred to a computer for three dimensional reconstruction and analysis. All the tissues constituting the metacarpophalangeal joint were readily identified. The most significant increase finding regarded the soft tissues on the palmar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint and their interactions with the proximal sesamoid bones. the equine metacarpophalangeal joint has not previously been evaluated using 3-dimensional imaging software.
The physics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a methodology for detecting dynamic patterns of activity in the working human brain. Although the initial discoveries that led to fMRI are only about 20 years old, this new field has revolutionized the study of brain function. The ability to detect changes in brain activity has a biophysical basis in the magnetic properties of deoxyhemoglobin, and a physiological basis in the way blood flow increases more than oxygen metabolism when local neural activity increases. These effects translate to a subtle increase in the local magnetic resonance signal, the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) effect, when neural activity increases. With current techniques, this pattern of activation can be measured with resolution approaching 1 mm3 spatially and 1 s temporally. This review focuses on the physical basis of the BOLD effect, the imaging methods used to measure it, the possible origins of the physiological effects that produce a mismatch of blood flow and oxygen metabolism during neural activation, and the mathematical models that have been developed to understand the measured signals. An overarching theme is the growing field of quantitative fMRI, in which other MRI methods are combined with BOLD methods and analyzed within a theoretical modeling framework to derive quantitative estimates of oxygen metabolism and other physiological variables. That goal is the current challenge for fMRI: to move fMRI from a mapping tool to a quantitative probe of brain physiology.
Essential fatty acid deficiency and mitochondrial function.

Abstract Some biochemical and ultrastructural properties of liver mitochondria from rats fed diets deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) are described. Within 2 weeks, the proportions of arachidonic and linoleic acids showed marked decreases, and large changes in the fatty acid composition of cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholine, but not phosphatidylethanolamine, occurred. In general, the activites of inner membrane functions, such as respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and the capacity for energized translocation of mono- and divalent cations, were largely unchanged by EFA deficiency. Ion transport-induced mitochondrial swelling was also unaltered, but mitochondria from EFA-deficient animals were more resistent to lipid peroxidation, and hence to peroxidative swelling. Oscillations of mitochondrial volume in response to ion transport in EFA-deficient preparations were slower, and the amplitude of the oscillatory response upon repeated O 2 pulses was diminished to a greater extent, in mitochondria from EFA-deficient animals. An electron microscope study of rat liver mitochondria revealed the following ultra-structural differences due to EFA deficiency: (1) inner membranes were more irregularly organized in vitro , and (2) the mitochondria were larger in situ , and enlarged more upon isolation than did mitochondria from rats on EFA-supplemented diets. These changes occurred within 4 weeks.
Conflict and socioeconomic structure--A factor analysis study

This paper relates the indices of conflict to the development of socioeconomic structure. The data banks for six countries have been used for factor analyzing. The factor scores have been used as a regression on the indices of conflict. If a good relationship is established, then it can be used for predicting conflict situations on the basis of a given level of socio-economic development.
The Effect of Film Cooling on Nozzle Guide Vane Deposition

An accelerated deposition test facility was used to study the relationship between film cooling, surface temperature, and particle temperature on deposit formation. Tests were run at gas turbine representative inlet Mach numbers (0.1) and temperatures (1090°C). Deposits were created from lignite coal fly ash with mass median diameters of 1.3 and 8.8μm. Two CFM56-5B nozzle guide vane doublets, comprising three full passages and two half passages of flow, were utilized as the test articles. Tests were run with different levels of film cooling back flow margin and coolant temperature. Particle temperature upon impact with the vane surface was shown to be the leading factor in deposition. Since the particle must traverse the boundary layer of the cooled vane before impact, deposition is directly affected by the film and metal surface temperature as well. Film coolant jet strength showed only minor effect on deposit patterns on the leading edge. However, larger Stokes number (resulting in higher particle impact temperature) corresponded with increased deposit coverage area on the showerhead region. Additionally, infrared measurements showed a strong correlation between regions of greater deposits and elevated surface temperature on the pressure surface. Thickness distribution measurements also highlighted the effect of film cooling by showing reduced deposition immediately downstream of cooling holes. Implications for engine operation in particulate-laden environments are discussed.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The quantum skills model in management: a new paradigm to enhance effective leadership

The traditional management skills of planning, organizing, directing and controlling are inadequate in the fast‐paced, constantly changing, highly complex world of twenty‐first century organizations. This article uses concepts from quantum mechanics and chaos theory as metaphors for a new management skill set that can enable managers to actualize more of their leadership potential. The seven quantum skills are ancient and futuristic, scientific and spiritual, simple and complex. Together they form a model that balances the traditional left‐brain management skills with new skills that more fully utilize both hemispheres of the brain. As managers master these skills, they transcend the limitations of mechanistic, deterministic, reductionistic thinking and become authentic change masters, changing themselves and their organizations at depth.
Early postnatal ethanol administration does not affect prepulse inhibition in rats

Human prenatal ethanol exposure is associated with relatively widespread cognitive deficits but it is unclear whether general deficits in responsivity to sensory stimuli contribute to or underlie the deficits in later or more complex stages of information processing. The present experiment assessed the effects of early postnatal ethanol administration in rats on prepulse inhibition, with animals tested in adolescence (postnatal day (PD) 35) and early adulthood (PD 70). Animals were assigned to receive ethanol (5.25 g/kg) via intragastric intubation on PD 4-9, sham-intubation, or to a naive control group. Pre-exposure to ethanol did not differentially affect the magnitude of the response to the startle stimulus alone nor did it affect the percent inhibition of the startle response on trials with a prepulse stimulus. Male rats exhibited a greater percent inhibition than female rats on PD 35 at all interstimulus intervals (ISIs) except the shortest, 4 ms. Female rats exhibited a greater percent inhibition than male rats at all ISIs on PD 70. Collectively, these data demonstrate that cognitive deficits associated with early exposure to ethanol may not be attributable to deficits in sensorimotor gating, at least to the extent this construct is measured by prepulse inhibition.
Alcohol-induced performance impairment in heavy episodic and light social drinkers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine performance effects of alcohol in young adult heavy drinkers (HDs) and light drinkers (LDs). Prior research has shown that HDs have alterations in subjective alcohol response in comparison with LDs, with greater reported stimulant-like effects and reduced sedative-like effects. It is unclear whether these quantitative differences extend to performance and objective effects. Method: Thirty-four subjects participated (20 HDs and 14 LDs) in three early evening individual alcohol challenge sessions. Subjects were examined on eye movement and psychomotor performance tasks before and several times after consuming either 0.8 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg ethanol or placebo beverage. Results: Alcohol produced similar impairment for the groups in psychomotor performance and saccadic velocity measures, with blood alcohol concentration dependent group differences on the smooth pursuit task and a marginally lower threshold for impairment for HDs on the saccadic latency task. Cov...
MICROPRINT: A REVOLUTION IN PRINTING

To date three processes of micro‐reproduction have been established by common usage: they are microfilm, microcard, and microprint. Because of its primacy in the field and its extensive use, the merits of microfilm are well known and will be dealt with in this discussion only incidentally by way of comparison.
Detecting foreground disambiguation of depth images using fuzzy logic

We present a unique occlusion and foreground overlap detection technique from depth sensor data using a fuzzy rule-based system. Features such as bounding box parameters and skeletonization were extracted from the foreground images and then input to the Fuzzy Inference System. Overlap and occlusion confidence measures were taken for each frame in the image sequence and compared against the extracted ground truth. This technique can help filter out occluded regions in the image sequence which, in an Eldercare environment, can then be used to compute accurate estimates of fall risk parameters such as stride time, stride length, and walking speed on a daily basis in in order to monitor the well-being of older adults in an ambient assisted living facility.
Quantization of Prior Probabilities for Collaborative Distributed Hypothesis Testing

This paper studies the quantization of prior probabilities, drawn from an ensemble, in distributed detection with data fusion by combination of binary local decisions. Design and performance equivalences between a team of N agents and a more powerful single agent are obtained. Effects of identical quantization and diverse quantization on mean Bayes risk are compared. It is shown that when agents using diverse quantizers interact to agree on a perceived common risk, the effective number quantization levels is increased. With this collaboration, optimal diverse regular quantization with K cells per quantizer performs as well as optimal identical quantization with N(K-1)+1 cells per quantizer. Similar results are obtained for the maximum Bayes risk error criterion.
Obstructive sleep apnea and dyslipidemia: pathophysiological mechanisms

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the letter to the editor entitled “Obstructive sleep apnea and dyslipidemia: importance of the liver axis” [1] in response to our recent paper addressing dyslipidemia in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) [2]. The authors emphasized the importance of the liver axis in the pathogenesis of OSA-induced dyslipidemia and referenced the theoretical possibility of the liver as a potential target for intervention. We are grateful for their interest in this topic which further underscores its importance. We summarized the data on the liver pathways in the section on pathophysiological mechanisms and Fig. 1 of our paper [2]. However, the point is noted that OSA may be independently associated with insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes as well. Although it has been proposed that induction of phospholipids and triglyceride production by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in the liver is due to sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) independent of SREBP-2 which is responsible for cholesterol production via the 3hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase [3]. However, the mechanisms of HIF and SREBP-1 activation in the liver by chronic intermittent hypoxia from OSA are not completely understood. While we also discussed the role of OSA-induced sympathetic activation in the development of dyslipidemia, we acknowledge that the role of hormone-sensitive lipase is central to peripheral lipolysis from adipose tissue which is responsible for most of the free fatty acid presented to the liver for lipoprotein generation [4]. Of note, we discussed multiple pathways including activation of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system that have been proposed for OSA-induced dyslipidemia [2], but most importantly, we emphasized that a direct cause and effect relationship is yet to be established. Therefore, there is a need for more studies to precisely define the relationship between OSA and dyslipidemia and determine potential targets for intervention.
A study of nanoparticles in Sn-Ag based lead free solders

Tin–lead (Sn-Pb) solder alloy has been widely used as an interconnection material in electronic packaging due to its low melting temperatures and good wetting behavior on several substrate platings such as Cu, Ag, Pd, and Au. Recently, because of environmental and health concerns, a variety of new lead-free solders have been developed. Lead-free solders lack the toxicity problems associated with lead-containing solders. However, unlike lead solders, the recently employed lead-free solders do not have a long history and manufacturing process, and also board level reliability has not been established well. Especially, drop test performance is a serious concern for mobile products such as cellular phones, cameras, video, and so on. Sn–Ag–Cu alloys are leading candidates for lead-free solders.
Correlates of Restrained and Disordered Eating among Young Dancers

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine two intervention measures for disordered eating among young dancers. Affirmation of the predominant societal thinness ideal as well as restrained eating are risk factors for disordered eating among adolescent females. The purpose of this study was to examine how perceived opinions of significant others towards dieting would influence levels of restrained eating. Theory of Reasoned Action was utilized to identify those variables most predictive of restrained eating. Self-reported and actual height and weight were collected from 66 females dancers attending a dance workshop. In addition, the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire and measures subjective norms influencing dieting and items based upon the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia and bulimia were administered. 28.8% of subjects had a BMI at or below suggested DSM-IV cut-off for anorexia nervosa. High scores for restrained eating were significantly related to heavier weights regardless of age. Multiple regression analysis supported a two-variable model of subjective norms and BMI accounting for 32.8% of the variance. Intervention measures should focus on cognitive restructuring of body appearance goals and altering dieting messages from parents, teachers, and friends of dancers. The contribution of BMI to the prediction of restrained eating indicates that the opinions of others regarding dieting becomes increasingly important for subjects with higher BMI's due to a greater discrepancy from the cultural ideal.
The attributional response of males and females to noncontingent feedback

The attributions of male and female college student subjects following exposure to noncontingent, contingent, and no-feedback conditions were analyzed in a 2×3 multivariate analysis of variance. The experimental hypothesis was that exposure to noncontingent feedback would result in more depressive attributions than exposure to contingent feedback or to no feedback, and that this effect would be moderated by gender. The hypothesis was partially supported in that females receiving noncontingent feedback on a concept discrimination problem subsequently made more internal attributions for negative events than male subjects receiving noncontingent feedback and female subjects receiving contingent feedback or no feedback.
Prevalence of increased arterial pulse pressure among children and adolescents

Purpose Arterial pulse pressure (APP) is used as a noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness (AS). Most AS studies were conducted in adult populations as it is often considered a phenomenon of aging. The objective of this study is to assess the longitudinal change in prevalence of AS among children and adolescents. Methods The Minneapolis Children's Blood Pressure Study (MCBPS) is a prospective cohort study and the initial (1978) and multiple timed measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and fourth phase diastolic blood pressure (DBP4) were made semiannually or annually. Visit 16 was completed in 1987. Black and white subjects who participated in all 16 visits were included in the analysis (n = 487). APP, a surrogate measure of AS, is derived mathematically as the difference between SBP and DBP4. The level of 60 mmHg or higher of APP was defined as presence of AS. Results There were 218 females, 269 males, 114 blacks and 373 whites. The mean ages of children in visits 1 and 16 were 7.7 (SD = 0.7) and 16.6 (SD = 0.7) years, respectively. Similarly, the mean APP levels at these two visits were 36.3 (SD = 12.0), and 43.6 (SD = 11.5) mmHg, respectively. Prevalence of increased APP varied at each timed point. At the beginning of the study (1978), prevalence was 3.9%. In 1987, prevalence increased to 10.1%. Proportions of those with increased APP ranged from 3.3% to 21.4% during 8 years of follow-up. Conclusion Our results indicate that AS, as defined by APP, exists even during childhood and adolescence. These results should be confirmed by using a more accurate measure of AS that can be used in population studies.
Games viruses play: a strategic initiative against the interferon-induced dsRNA activated 68,000 Mr protein kinase

Abstract A number of eukaryotic viruses have devised strategies to down-regulate activity of the interferon induced, double-stranded RNA activated protein kinase, referred to as p68. This control is essential to prevent decreases in protein synthetic rates and possibly to avoid the antiviral effects of interferon. In this review, I will describe primarily the progress made in understanding how influenza virus and poliovirus take advantage of cellular gene products to repress p68 kinase activity. In addition, studies on the inactivation of p68 by viral protein products in the reovirus and vaccinia virus systems will be discussed as will recent structure-function studies aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms of kinase activation and repression.
Principle of corresponding states and thermal conductivity data for noble gases

Abstract The principle of corresponding states has been applied to experimental thermal conductivity data of noble gases determined in this laboratory, to establish a correlation for predicting their values over a wider temperature range. In terms of the reduced temperature range the correlation extends from 1.89 to 203.7.
A Single Exposure to Acrolein Desensitizes Baroreflex Responsiveness and Increases Cardiac Arrhythmias in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats

Short-term exposure to air pollutants has been linked to acute cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Even in the absence of overt signs or symptoms, pollutants can cause subtle disruptions to internal compensatory mechanisms, which maintain homeostatic balance in response to various environmental and physiological stressors. We hypothesized that a single exposure to acrolein, a ubiquitous gaseous air pollutant, would decrease the sensitivity of baroreflex (BRS), which maintains blood pressure by altering heart rate (HR), modify cardiac electrophysiological properties and increase arrhythmia in rats. Wistar–Kyoto normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats implanted with radiotelemeters and a chronic jugular vein catheter were tested for BRS using phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside 2 days before and 1 h after whole-body exposure to 3 ppm acrolein (3 h). HR and electrocardiogram (ECG) were continuously monitored for the detection of arrhythmia in the pre-exposure, exposure and post-exposure periods. Whole-body plethysmography was used to continuously monitor ventilation in conscious animals. SH rats had higher blood pressure, lower BRS and increased frequency of AV block as evidence by non-conducted p-waves when compared with WKY rats. A single exposure to acrolein caused a decrease in BRS and increased incidence of arrhythmia in both WKY and SH rats. There were minimal ECG differences between the strains, whereas only SH rats experienced irregular breathing during acrolein. These results demonstrate that acrolein causes immediate cardiovascular reflexive dysfunction and persistent arrhythmia in both normal and hypertensive animals. As such, homeostatic imbalance may be one mechanism by which air pollution increases risk 24 h after exposure, particularly in people with underlying cardiovascular disease.
Imposition of liability and allocation of damages for defective seed.

Federal and state seed laws have been enacted to encourage the sale of quality seed, and buyers of defective seed may resort to state liability provisions to recover damages from sellers. This article analyzes the imposition of liability and allocation of damages for defective seed between buyers and sellers. Strict liability with opportunity damages is advanced as a preferred liability solution for defective seed, to the exclusion of causes of action in negligence.
Inhibition of cytokine release by and cardiac effects of type IV phosphodiesterase inhibition in early, profound endotoxaemia in vivo.

1. In rats, inhibition of type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE4) attenuates acute renal failure and early (hours) mortality induced by high-dose endotoxin. Because it is unlikely that protection of renal function accounts for improved early survivability, most likely PDE4 inhibition exerts multiple beneficial effects in endotoxaemia and the purpose of the present study was to test this hypothesis. 2. In study 1, we determined, in anaesthetized rats, the effects of endotoxin (30 mg/kg, i.v.) on cardiac performance parameters (heart rate (HR), ventricular peak systolic pressure (VPSP), maximum positive change in left ventricular pressure with respect to time (+dP/dt), maximum negative change in left ventricular pressure with respect to time (-dP/dtmax), ventricular end-diastolic pressure (VEDP), ventricular minimum diastolic pressure (VMDP) and HR-pressure product), plasma catecholamine levels, plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-lbeta). 3. In study 2, we determined, in anaesthetized rats, whether inhibition of PDE4 attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in the aforementioned parameters of heart performance and neurohumoral status. We compared the changes in these parameters induced by endotoxaemia in animals treated with either RO 20-1724 (10 microg/kg per min; a selective PDE4 inhibitor) or its vehicle (DMSO; 1.35 microL/min). 4. At 90 min postadministration, endotoxin significantly increased HR and reduced -dP/dtmax and VEDP and caused a several-fold increase in plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, noradrenaline, adrenaline and PRA. RO20-1724 significantly blunted the endotoxin-induced reduction in -dP/dtmax and decreased endotoxin-induced increases in TNF-alpha and IL-1beta without significantly altering endotoxin-induced changes in HR, VEDP, catecholamine levels and PRA. 5. Results from these studies indicate that, in addition to preserving renal function, PDE4 inhibition attenuates inflammatory cytokine release caused by high-dose endotoxin and may have protective effects on diastolic function in early profound endotoxaemia.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in cosmological spacetimes

Abstract A spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism is investigated in a conformally coupled massless, γσ 4 model in a spatially flat Robertson-Walker univrse by relaxing the requirement of conformal time translation invariance on the ground state and the one-loop effective action is conputed for the appropriate time-dependent background field. The infrared behavior of the model requires a modification of the propagator. A finite renormalized trace anomaly is isolated which yields a dynamical equation for the expansion scale factor.
Discharge oscillation mode transition of a Hall thruster

The discharge plasma of Hall thrusters exhibits either a stable or oscillatory mode depending on operation conditions such as mass flow rate, magnetic field, discharge voltage, and wall materials. A one-dimensional hybrid-direct kinetic solver is used to model the axial transport of the Hall thruster discharge plasma.[1] The predicted results including mean discharge current, discharge current oscillation, and breathing mode frequency show good agreement with experimental data.[2] As the magnetic field strength decreases, the azimuthal and axial electron drift velocities increase. The increase in axial electron drift results in larger Joule heating that triggers an ionization instability and causes the breathing mode oscillation. The electron thermal energy decreases due to the increase in electron kinetic energy, and thus the effect of plasma-wall interaction that stabilizes the ionization instability becomes smaller at low magnetic fields. It is suggested that the occurrence of a space charge limited sheath is not the direct mechanism of stable discharge mode but is the mechanism that generates the stable mode in a wide range of magnetic fields. The numerical results support the experimental observation that axial discharge oscillations are dominant over azimuthal rotating structure in the oscillatory breathing mode. The present investigation suggests that the electron current must be optimal to achieve a stable discharge mode.
The interrelationships of various temporomandibular joint examination data in an initial survey population

Abstract Some initial data from routine occlusal and TMJ examinations of a limited study population have been evaluated concerning the incidence and interrelationships of mandibular deflection on opening the jaws, TMJ pain or soreness on palpation, TMJ noise, and various TMJ radiographic discrepancies. A further study of these and other factors is indicated and anticipated.
TRAF-3 mRNA splice-deletion variants encode isoforms that induce NF-κB activation

Abstract Although TRAF-3 gene products are required for signaling in T-B cell collaboration, full-length TRAF-3 appears to lack signaling function in transient transfection assays that measure NF-κB activation. However, the TRAF-3 gene also encodes at least three mRNA splice-deletion variants that predict protein isoforms (Δ25aa, Δ52aa and Δ56aa) with altered zinc (Zn) finger domains and unknown functional capacities. To determine whether TRAF-3 splice-deletion variants may transmit activating receptor signals to the nucleus, cDNAs for five additional splice-variant isoforms (Δ27aa, Δ83aa, Δ103aa, Δ130aa and Δ221aa) were cloned from a TRAF-3 + lymphoma and the expression and function of each of the eight TRAF-3 splice-deletion variants was analyzed. Among the splice-deletion variants, TRAF-3 Δ130 mRNA is expressed by tonsillar B cells and by each of a panel of B and T cell lines. TRAF-3 Δ221 protein is expressed by tonsillar B cells and by each of the lymphocytic lines. The functional effect of over-expressing each TRAF-3 splice-deletion variant on NF-κB activation was studied in 293 T cells. Seven of the TRAF-3 splice-deletion variants, such as TRAF-3 Δ130, induce substantial NF-κB-driven luciferase activity (80–500 fold). In contrast, TRAF-3 Δ221 (in which the complete Zn finger domain is absent) fails to induce NF-κB activation. Although full-length TRAF-3 alone is inactive, it augments the functional effects of the seven activating TRAF-3 splice-deletion variants (1.4–5 fold). These data indicate that alterations of the Zn finger domains render the TRAF-3 splice-deletion variants capable of inducing NF-κB activation and that full-length TRAF-3 augments their signaling.
Clinical methods for evaluating implant framework fit

Abstract Statement of problem. Passive fit of implant-supported–prosthesis frameworks has been suggested as a prerequisite for successful long-term osseointegration. However, there are no scientific guidelines as to what is passive fit and how to achieve and measure it. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to discuss passive fit and to review the various clinical methods that have been suggested for evaluating implant framework fit. Methods. The dental literature was reviewed to identify the clinical methods that have been used to evaluate implant framework fit. Conclusions. The suggested levels of passive fit are empirical. Numerous techniques have been advocated to evaluate the prosthesis-implant interface, but none individually provides objective results. It is suggested that clinicians use a combination of the available methods to minimize misfits. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;81:7-13.)
Moral Hazards, Negative Externalities, and the Surveillance Economy

Modern economics includes the art of making common sense abstruse. Terms like moral hazard and negative externality both describe states of transactional imbalance. And this imbalance isn't limited to economics. When governments are involved, even digital technology can be threatening.
Management of intraductal papillomas of the breast: an analysis of 129 cases and their outcome.

Introduction The management of intraductal papillomas of the breast has been controversial; some advocate surgical excision of all lesions despite benign pathologic features, whereas others excise only those specimens with atypia.
The synthesis and enzyme-catalyzed one-step cis-trans double isomerization of monomethyl 5-oxo-1,3-hexadien-1-ylphosphonate, an analogue of maleylacetone

Abstract Phosphonate substrate analogues for maleylacetoacetate cis-trans -isomerase have been synthesized and shown to be processed by the enzyme. Thus the 1( Z ),3( E )-, 1( E ),3( Z )-, and 1( E ),3( E )-isomers of monomethyl 5-oxo-1,3-hexadien-1-ylphosphonate monoanion have been prepared and characterized. The enzyme together with the coenzyme glutathione catalyzes one-step double cis-trans isomerization between the 1( E ),3( Z )- and the 1( Z ),3( E )-isomers in either direction in addition to catalyzing isomerization about one double bond in these substrates.
Genomics: when the smoke clears ...

Three studies identify an association between genetic variation at a location on chromosome 15 and risk of lung cancer. But they disagree on whether the link is direct or mediated through nicotine dependence.
Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings distinguish eosinophilic esophagitis from gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background & Aims Features of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) overlap; because they cannot be differentiated on the basis of eosinophil counts alone, it can be a challenge to distinguish these disorders. We aimed to characterize the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features of EoE and GERD and to identify factors that might be used to differentiate them. Methods We performed a retrospective case-control study on data collected from 2000 to 2007. Cases were patients of any age with EoE, as defined by recent consensus guidelines; controls were patients of any age with GERD. Clinical and endoscopic data were collected, and all esophageal biopsy specimens were reassessed by gastrointestinal pathologists. Cases and controls were compared, unconditional logistic regression was performed to develop a model to predict EoE, and receiver operator characteristic curves were constructed. Results Data from 151 patients with EoE and 226 with GERD were analyzed. Compared with GERD, features that independently predicted EoE included younger age; symptoms of dysphagia; documented food allergies; observations of esophageal rings, linear furrows, white plaques, or exudates by upper endoscopy; an absence of a hiatal hernia, observed by upper endoscopy; a higher maximum eosinophil count; and the presence of eosinophil degranulation observed in biopsy specimens. The area under the curve for this model was 0.934. Conclusions We identified a set of readily available and routinely measured variables that differentiate EoE from GERD. Use of this type of analysis with patients suspected to have EoE might lead to more accurate diagnoses.
The threshold stress and departure side pinning of dislocations by dispersoids

Abstract It has been established that dislocation creep results in a threshold stress for oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys. However, the physical origin of this stress is still a matter of debate. Microstructural observations will be presented of the ODS alloy Inconel MA 754, showing dislocations pinned on the departure side of the dispersoids. This departure side pinning is proposed to occur because dislocation/particle association leads to a lower energy configuration relative to the case when the dislocation and dispersoid are not in contact. It will be shown that the observed threshold stress value can be that of the applied stress necessary to overcome departure side pinning. In addition, the concept of an effective stress for creep is shown to explain the extremely large stress exponents generally observed for ODS alloys.
Cognitive deficits in Huntington's disease on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status

Huntington's disease (HD) is associated with a variety of cognitive deficits, as well as motor and psychiatric disturbances. As clinical trials for HD evolve, briefer screening instruments will be needed to determine cognitive effects of interventions. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) may fill this gap. A total of 75 participants diagnosed with HD were evaluated with the RBANS, as well as several other scales typically used in HD. RBANS performances for these participants fell significantly below expectations for the Total Scale score, all five Indexes, and 11 of the 12 individual subtests. Cognitive scores on the RBANS were also significantly related to other markers of HD, including motor abnormalities, functional abilities, and other cognitive scores. Although additional research is needed, the current study supports the clinical applicability of the RBANS in patients with HD.
Role of protein kinase C in cholinergic stimulation of lacrimal gland protein secretion.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in carbachol-induced protein secretion in the lacrimal gland. Three isoforms of PKC are present in rat lacrimal gland: PKC-α, -δ and -g3. Carbachol translocated PKC-e during 5 s incubation. Pretreatment with PdBu for 0 to 4 h down-regulated PKC-α by 31% at 20 min, PKC-e by 36% at 2 h, and PKC-δ by 37% at 4 h. A 2 h phorbol ester treatment inhibited carbachol-induced secretion completely at 1 min and partially at 5, and 20 min, but did not alter the carbachol-induced increase in the intracellular [Ca2+]. We conclude that PKC-α and -g3, but not PKC-δ, are implicated in cholinergic agonist-induced protein secretion in rat lacrimal gland.
Automated analysis of corneal endothelial cell morphology

Specular microscopy permits in vivo quantitative morphometric analysis of the corneal endothelium. Cell density and shape correlate closely with the ability of the corneal endothelium to dehydrate the corneal stroma and maintain the clarity of the cornea. Most investigators use manual cell tracing to obtain cell boundaries. The tedious tracing process may be facilitated using a planimeter and digitizer but it is quite subjective. Several papers have reported successful automation of corneal endothelial cell morphometric analysis using contact specular microscopy1'2'3'4. Non—contact specular microscopy has been more difficult to automate because of tear-film and epithelial cell reflections5. The non-contact specular image has a strong background gray scale gradient, low contrast, thick boundaries, and considerable extraneous nonboundary structure. The objective of this research was to develop an automated corneal endothelial cell morphometric analysis of images obtained by non-contact specular microscopy, and to compare the results obtained by the automated technique with manual cell tracing for speed and accuracy.
Release of Fission Gas During Fissioning of UO2

Equilibrium fission-gas release rates from single crystal U02 specimens were studied at temperatures from 400° to 13OO°C and with neutron fluxes from 1 × 1013 to 4 × 1013 neutrons per cm2.second. The behavior of the fission-gas release for different neutron flux levels and temperatures indicates that two processes are occurring. One release method appears to be caused by a disturbance of the specimen surface by fission recoils. A temperature-dependent process dominates the gas release above about 7OOOC. This high-temperature release, once thought to be by diffusion, is now postulated to be controlled by a trapping process. A first-approach mathematical model is given in which a concentration of traps is assumed to be controlled by fission density, temperature, burnup, and initial structure of the specimen. It is also assumed that the trapped gas has an escape probability which increases with temperature.
Alterations of ingestive behavior following trigeminal lemniscus lesions in rats

Previous research has suggested that inadvertent damage to the trigeminal lemniscus may account for some impairments of feeding behavior attributed to lateral hypothalamic lesions. In the present study, rostrally placed trigeminal lemniscus lesions produced no greater impairments in feeding or drinking behavior than observed in surgical control animals. Earlier reports of disturbed feeding following trigeminal lemniscus lesions may reflect damage to adjacent structures, particularly at caudal lesion sites.