cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Nodules as an Extra-intestinal Manifestation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibits a wide spectrum of pulmonary manifestations [1]. Pulmonary nodules, however, are an uncommon extra-intestinal manifestation (EIM) of IBD with only a few cases documented in the literature (Table 1). A review of the case reports reveal that the pulmonary nodules linked to IBD exhibit a variety of histological patterns. The pulmonary nodules and respiratory symptoms relating to the lung pathology respond favorably to systemic or oral corticosteroid therapy and all patients show resolution or substantial improvement of pulmonary nodules on follow-up radiographs (Table 1). We present a case series of three patients who presented with pulmonary nodules as an EIM of IBD. The English-language literature is reviewed and we will highlight the clinical as well as histological importance of pulmonary nodules in IBD.
Electrostatic screening near semiconductor surfaces

We have developed a semimicroscopic theory for the electrostatic potential due to an isolated charge near a semiconductor surface whose surface states do not contribute free carriers. It employs the linearized version of the Debye-Hueckel (or, equivalently, the Thomas-Fermi) approximation. This includes the screening effects both of the plasma of free carriers due to bulk donors or acceptors, and of the bound polarizable charge associated with the bulk dielectric, but does not include free charge from intrinsic or extrinsic surface states. Results are obtained for a source charge above the semiconductor, within the semiconductor, and on the semiconductor surface, but we emphasize the last case. Although there is a dipole moment associated with source charge on the surface, the surface potential at long distances is quadrupolar; at intermediate distances greater than a characteristic atomic dimension it is a screened exponential, with screening length equal to the bulk value. The case of intermediate distance provides a rigorous basis for the exponentially screened surface potential commonly employed to analyze scanning tunneling microscopy images of the depletion or accumulation regions surrounding isolated charges on III-V(110) cleavage surfaces. Certain of these results also apply to colloids. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
A Caffeinated Boost on UV Spectrophotometry: A Lab for High School Chemistry or an Introductory University Chemistry Course

This laboratory experiment challenges students to identify the country of origin of raw coffee beans from around the world by calculating the percent caffeine and percent water in the supplied samples. The implementation of this experiment enables students in introductory chemistry classes to gain greater understanding of the chemical analysis process and the Beer–Lambert law. Using commercially available raw (green) coffee samples, students extract caffeine from the grounds as an aqueous solution and determine the percent caffeine using UV–vis spectrophotometry. In a second portion of the experiment, raw beans are roasted to determine the percent water content. Using both pieces of data, students are asked to identify the country of origin of given coffee samples in which the percent caffeine ranged from 1.14 to 1.80% (w/w) and the percent water loss ranged from 3.27 to 10.8% (w/w).
Automatic photobook: focusing on image selection and image layout based on content and composition

In this paper, we present improvements to image selection and image layout for automatic photobook generating algorithms. These improvements are designed to help the user easily create a photo album, which matches the user preferences and strengthens the aesthetic quality of the photobook. Image content, composition, and metadata are utilized to determine the set of images being selected, and to suggest the layout of each page.
Cognitive computing with spin-based neural networks

We model a step transfer function neuron with lateral spin valve (LSV) and propose its application in low power neural network hardware. The computational task in such a network is performed by nano-magnets, metal channels and programmable conductive elements, that constitute the neuron-synapse units and operate at a terminal voltage of ~20 mV. CMOS transistors provide peripheral support in the form of clocking, power gating and inter-neuron signaling. Simulations for cognitive as well as Boolean computation applications show more than 94% improvement in power consumption as compared to a conventional CMOS design at the same technology node.
A note on workload control for an under-utilized server of M/G/1 system

In this note, we study the issue of adjusting the workload of an under-utilized server in a queueing system. Using an M/G/1 model with server vacations of two types, we can effectively control the workload level of the server. The server vacations are time periods that the server does not serve the queue. Type 1 vacations represent durations of supplementary non-queue jobs assigned to the server. Type 2 vacations represent the non-productive period for the server such as idle time. With a two threshold policy, we demonstrated that the server's workload can be effectively controlled. A simple procedure for determining the conditionally optimal policy is proposed. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the use of the procedure.
Real-time reconstruction of depth sequences using signed distance functions

With the recent influx of inexpensive depth sensors such as the Microsoft Kinect, systems for 3D reconstruction and visual odometry utilizing depth information have garnered new interest. Often these processes are highly parallel and can be realized in real-time through parallel computing architectures for the GPU. We represent fused depth maps as a Truncated Signed Distance Function (TSDF) which is a grid of voxels that contain the distance to the nearest surface. Point clouds of subsequent captures are aligned to the TSDF volume through error minimization, taking advantage of the fact that surfaces are implicitly defined where the distance is zero. We present a new method for minimizing the error based on absolute orientation that does not require linearization or a weighting function. To evaluate the proposed method we compare the number of iterations required for convergence, time per iteration, and final alignment error with existing Gauss-Newton nonlinear minimization methods. While we use the Microsoft Kinect due to its fused depth and color capabilities, the alignment only requires depth and is applicable to current active fused lidar systems with VNIR, SWIR, MWIR or LWIR sensors.
Histochemical mapping of succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase in the spinal cord, medulla oblongata and cerebellum of squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

The distribution of succinic dehydrogenase (SDA) and cytochrome oxidase (Cy. O) in serial sections of the cervical region of the spinal cord and the medulla oblongata, arranged caudo-cranially, has been described. The motor cranial nerve nuclei exhibit strong SDA and Cy. O activity in the neurons and neuropil. The nuclei gracilis, cuneatus, olivaris inferior, cochlearis and vestibularis likewise show strong enzyme activity. Nucleus intercalatus and nucleus tractus solitarius, however, show weak and moderate enzyme activity respectively. The lateral part of formatio reticularis myelencephali shows less SDA and Cy. O compared to the medial part, which shows some accumulation of these enzymes in the neuropil. The neuropil of the molecular layer of cerebellar cortex and the perikarya and dendrites of the Purkinje cells show strong SDA and Cy. O activity. The granular layer exhibits stronger SDA and Cy. O in the synaptic glomeruli. The cerebellar nuclei possess stronger enzyme activity in the neurons and dendritic branches, compared to mild activity in the neuropil.
An adoption study of DSM-IIIR alcohol and drug dependence severity.

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of genetic factors in alcohol and drug dependence at various levels of DSM-IIIR psychoactive substance dependence severity. Method: One-hundred-and-ninety-seven adoptees (95 case adoptees with biological parental alcoholism, drug dependence or antisocial personality disorder and 102 control adoptees) were interviewed for the presence of alcohol abuse or dependence and drug abuse or dependence using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule-DIS IIIR. Results: Adoptees with five or more DSM-IIIR criteria for alcohol dependence demonstrated evidence of a genetic effect using this adoption paradigm (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% C.I. (1.1, 4.9)). Adoptees with one or more DSM-IIIR criteria for drug dependence demonstrated a genetic effect (odds ratio = 2.4, 95% C.I. (1.3, 4.4)). Conclusions: This study suggests genetic factors influence the risk for alcohol and drug dependence at different thresholds of severity as determined by DSM-IIIR symptom severity count.
Role of oxygen radicals in the chromosomal loss and breakage induced by the quinone-forming compounds, hydroquinone and tert-butylhydroquinone.

The mechanisms by which two quinone-forming compounds, hydroquinone (HQ) and tert-butyl-hydroquinone (tBHQ), induce chromosomal loss and breakage in a prostaglandin H synthase-containing V79 cell line have been investigated using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay with CREST antibody staining. Increased frequencies of CREST-positive micronuclei (indicating chromosome loss) and CREST-negative micronuclei (indicating chromosome breakage) were observed following exposure of cells to HQ and tBHQ. The formation of micronuclei by HQ, but not tBHQ, was dependent on arachi-donic acid supplementation, indicating activation by prostaglandin H synthase. Since the oxidation of hydroquinones can result in the generation of oxygen radicals, the contribution of oxygen radicals to the formation of chromosomal alterations induced by HQ and tBHQ was investigated. In the presence of a superoxide-generating system consisting of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase, a significant increase in micronucleated cells was observed. These induced micronuclei consisted exclusively of CREST-negative micronuclei and their formation was completely inhibited by pretreatment with catalase. Catalase also significantly inhibited the CREST-negative micronuclei induced by HQ and tBHQ. In addition, glutathione treatment inhibited both CREST-positive and negative micro-nuclei induced by these phenolic compounds. These results indicate that both chromosome loss and breakage are induced by these two quinone-forming agents. Reactive oxygen species contribute to the chromosomal breakage induced by HQ and tBHQ but the observed chromosomal loss appears to result from other mechanisms such as an interference of quinone metabolites with spindle formation. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Branch and bound algorithm for code spread OFDM

In this paper we introduce Integer Quadratic Programming approach based on the Branch and Bound (BB) algorithm to Code Spread OFDM (CSOFDM) system. Moreover, we propose three simple modifications to the BB algorithm based on the initial Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) solution that greatly reduce the complexity of BB and help realizing the near optimal detection of CSOFDM with large number of subcarriers.
Effects of Molecular Crowding on the Binding Affinity of Dihydrofolate for Dihydrofolate Reductase

The reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), using NADPH as a cofactor, is an essential part of the folate cycle. The inhibition of DHFR leads to interruption of DNA synthesis and consequently cell death, making this enzyme a crucial target in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Previous studies examined the effects of small molecule osmolytes on the substrate interactions with two non-homologous DHFRs, E. coli chromosomal DHFR (EcDHFR) and R67 DHFR, with vastly different active site structures. The results indicated that DHF weakly interacts with the osmolytes in solution, shifting the binding equilibrium from DHF bound to DHFR to unbound DHF. It is hypothesized that similar weak, nonspecific interactions may also occur between cellular proteins and DHF. Weak interactions between cellular proteins and DHF would have consequences in vivo, where the concentration of the cellular milieu is approximately 300 g/L. Under the crowded conditions in the cell, there is a higher propensity for intermolecular interaction.Crowding effects of macromolecules in concentrations similar to those in vivo were examined. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and enzyme kinetic assays were used to detect effects of molecular crowders by monitoring activity of the (DHFR)-NADPH or DHF complex and the ternary DHFR-DHF-NADPH complex in the presence of these crowders. To recreate the conditions of molecular crowding in vivo, the binding of the enzyme-ligand complexes in the presence of molecular weight crowding agents (lysozyme or casein) was examined. Analysis of the Kd's and Km's indicated a correlation between increased molecular crowding in the solution and weakened binding of the DHFR-substrate complexes. These findings indicate an importance of molecular crowding on EcDHFR activity in vivo.
Universal enveloping conformal algebras

The main objective of this paper is to study embeddings of Lie conformal algebras into associative conformal algebras. We prove that not all Lie conformal algebras admit such embeddings. However, in many important cases, including semisimple Lie conformal algebras of finite type, embeddings of this form exist and sometimes we can even describe universal enveloping associative conformal algebras of Lie conformal algebras and prove an analogue of the classical Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt theorem.
Cerebral inflammatory response and predictors of admission clinical grade after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Poor admission clinical grade is the most important determinant of outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH); however, little attention has been focused on independent predictors of poor admission clinical grade. We hypothesized that the cerebral inflammatory response initiated at the time of aneurysm rupture contributes to ultra-early brain injury and poor admission clinical grade. We sought to identify factors known to contribute to cerebral inflammation as well as markers of cerebral dysfunction that were associated with poor admission clinical grade. Between 1997 and 2008, 850 consecutive SAH patients were enrolled in our prospective database. Demographic data, physiological parameters, and location and volume of blood were recorded. After univariate analysis, significant variables were entered into a logistic regression model to identify significant associations with poor admission clinical grade (Hunt-Hess grade 4-5). Independent predictors of poor admission grade included a SAH sum score >15/30 (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-3.6), an intraventricular hemorrhage sum score >1/12 (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.1-4.8), aneurysm size >10mm (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6), body temperature 38.3 degrees C (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.4), and hyperglycemia >200mg/dL (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.5). In a large, consecutive series of prospectively enrolled patients with SAH, the inflammatory response at the time of aneurysm rupture, as reflected by the volume and location of the hemoglobin burden, hyperthermia, and perturbed glucose metabolism, independently predicts poor admission Hunt-Hess grade. Strategies for mitigating the inflammatory response to aneurysmal rupture in the hyper-acute setting may improve the admission clinical grade, which may in turn improve outcomes.
Orbital plane change maneuver with aerocruise

The synergistic plane change problem connected with orbital transfer employing aeroassist technology, is addressed. The mission involves transfer from high earth orbit to low earth orbit with plane change being performed within the atmosphere. The complete mission consists of a deorbit phase, atmospheric phase, and finally reorbit phase. The atmospheric maneuver is composed of an entry mode, a cruise mode, and finally an exit mode. During the cruise mode, constant altitude and velocity are maintained by means of bank angle control with constant thrust or thrust control with constant bank angle. Comparisons between these two control strategies bring out some interesting features.
A rare case of a bisphosphonate-induced peri-prosthetic femoral fracture

An 81-year-old woman presented with a fracture in the left femur. She had well-fixed bilateral hip replacements and had received long-term bisphosphonate treatment. Prolonged bisphosphonate use has been recently linked with atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures. While the current definition of an atypical fracture of the femur excludes peri-prosthetic fractures, this case suggests that they do occur and should be considered in patients with severe osteopenia. Union of the fracture followed cessation of bisphosphonates and treatment with teriparatide. Thus, this case calls into question whether prophylactic intramedullary nailing is sufficient alone to treat early or completed atypical femoral fractures.
A large‐scale test of the biorhythm‐shoplifting connection hypothesis

The impact of shoplifting on retailers and on the public in general is significant. Stores lose revenue, local governments lose tax monies, and the public pays higher prices at the checkout counter, all because of the actions of individuals who shoplift. Because a large percentage of shoplifting is due to the actions of retail employees, an effort that would reduce losses due to employee theft could have a significant impact on the problem. Biorhythmic charting was hypothesized as providing a potential avenue through which the problem could be addressed. This study provides a large-scale test of the relationship between biorhythm criticality and shoplifting. A managerially useful relationship was not discerned. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The turbulent radial jet

A hot-film anemometer has been used to investigate the mean velocity and turbulence intensity distributions in turbulent radial jets. A geometric parameter termed the constraint ratio, defined as the ratio of nozzle diameter to separation distance, is shown to characterize radial-jet behaviour. Large values of the constraint ratio typify ‘constrained’ radial jets, for which the nozzle walls constrain the flow leaving the orifice to be parallel; a small constraint ratio is representative of two opposing free axisymmetric jets, the collision of which produces an ‘impinged’ radial jet. It is found that the well-behaved constrained radial jet spreads at the same rate as does the familiar plane jet, whereas the impinged radial jet spreads at a rate more than three times as fast. Neither type of radial jet is amenable to a self-similar analytic solution; however, while the impinged jet is shown to require numerical solution techniques, an empirical solution for the constrained jet is demonstrated.
Chronic anemia progressing to Auer rod-positive and TdT-positive acute leukemia with 5q− chromosomal anomaly

The 5q- syndrome is a recently described entity characterized by partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome No. 5 and by hematologic findings of chronic anemia with reticulocytopenia, nonlobulated megakaryocytes, and megathrombocytes. We report on a patient with the hematologic features of the 5q- syndrome who progressed to acute leukemia and whose uniqueness consisted of 1) lack of additional cytogenetic abnormalities, 2) presence of blasts with Auer rods, and 3) bone marrow cells positive for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. His leukemia was refractory to conventional chemotherapy.
A new and versatile method for determination of thiolamines of biological importance

Abstract A method for the separation and quantitation of several important biological thiolamines is described. The procedure employs a C18 reversed-phase HPLC system to separate the dinitrophenyl derivatives of reduced and oxidized glutathione and cysteine and relies on an internal standard, Nϵ-methyllysine, to minimize experimental error. The method was validated in three matrices (water, HepG2 cell lysates, and mouse liver homogenates) using several criteria. The detector response was linear for the dinitrophenyl derivatives of glutathione, glutathione disulfide, cysteine, and cystine in the concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 nmol/ml. Inter- and intra-day variation, percent recovery in the biological matrices, and limits of detection and quantitation were determined. For the most accurate determination, it is essential that standard curves be produced daily and in the same matrix as that being analyzed.
Reviving a mechanistic view of CPM schedules in the age of information technology

This paper argues for reviving a more mechanistic view of CPM (critical-path-method) scheduling. It first reviews the clarity of displaying both the time and logic information of schedules in the graphics outputs of scheduling software used in construction practice. While such software offers an abundance of features, the true nature of schedules may remain hidden behind graphics defaults. Two methods introduced in the literature, fenced bar charts and a mechanical model, are then brought forth as examples of techniques supporting an intuitive structural understanding of schedules. Both stress the equal importance of activities and logic links for displaying schedules. Comparisons between these mechanistic methods and scheduling software are drawn and recommendations for achieving optimum graphical representations of schedules are provided. Eventually, a revised approach that acknowledges the complexity of schedules and the need for their unambiguous display can contribute to reducing errors and to an overall improved use of CPM scheduling
Some Effects of 8–12 µm Radiant Energy Transfer on the Mass and Heat Budgets of Cloud Droplets

In standard treatments of the mass and energy budget of cloud droplets, radiant energy transfer is neglected on the grounds that the temperature difference between the droplet and its surroundings is small. This paper includes the effect of radiant heating and cooling of droplets by using the Eddington approximation for the solution of the radiative transfer equation. Although the calculation assumes that the cloud is isothermal and has a constant size spectrum with altitude, the heating or cooling of droplets by radiation changes the growth rate of the droplets very significantly. At the top of a cloud with a base at 2500 m and a top at 3000 m, a droplet will grow from 9.5 to 10.5 microns in about 4 min, assuming a supersaturation ratio of 1.0013. Such a growth rate is more than 20 times the growth rate for condensation alone, and may be expected to have a significant impact on estimates of precipitation formation as well as on droplet spectrum calculations.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 20 million adults in the United States. Patients with CKD have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides superior BP measurements when compared to office BP measurements in normotensive, hypertensive and CKD patients. ABPM measurements are often abnormal in CKD, with CKD patients frequently showing an altered circadian rhythm with an increased rate of non-dipping and reverse dipping. The prevalence of non-dippers and reverse-dippers increases progressively as stage of CKD progresses. ABPM has been shown to be a better tool for predicting CV risk, CKD progression, end stage renal disease (ESRD) or death than office-based pressures. ABPM is also additive and adds prognostic value for predicting CKD and CV outcomes when added to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Although ABPM is time consuming, it is worth considering, as the data demonstrates that information from ABPM can potentially impact future CV and renal outcomes in patients with CKD.
Monotone empirical Bayes tests for a discrete normal distribution

Abstract We study the two-action problem in a discrete normal distribution via the empirical Bayes approach. An empirical Bayes test δ n ∗ is constructed based on an estimator a n ∗ of the critical point aG of the Bayes test. The empirical Bayes test δ n ∗ possesses the monotonicity and the asymptotic optimality, and its regret converges to zero at an exponential-type rate of order O(exp(−nτG)), where τG is a positive number, depending on the unknown prior distribution G.
Intraseptal microinjection of β-funaltrexamine blocked a microwave-induced decrease of hippocampal cholinergic activity in the rat

Abstract Acute (45 min) exposure to pulsed (2 μs pulse width, 500 pulses per second) 2450-MHz microwaves at a power density of 1 mW/cm 2 (whole body specific absorption rate 0.6 W/kg) microwaves caused a decrease in cholinergic activity in the hippocampus of the rat as measured by the sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake. Microinjection of β-funaltrexamine (1 μg) into the septum before microwave exposure blocked this effect. These data indicate that μ-opioid receptors in the septum mediate a microwave-induced decrease in cholinergic activity in the hippocampus and support our hypothesis that microwaves at a whole body SAR of 0.6 W/kg can activate endogenous opioids in the brain.
Surface Self-Concentrating Amphiphilic Quaternary Ammonium Biocides as Coating Additives

A variety of amphiphilic quaternary dimethylammonium compounds bearing n-alkyl and oxyethylene groups have been designed and synthesized as antimicrobial additives for use in self-decontaminating surfaces. The effectiveness of these additives stems from a unique ability to self-concentrate at the air−polymer interface without the incorporation of exotic perfluorinated or polymeric functionalities. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals surface enrichment as high as 18-fold, providing a 7-log reduction of both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The migration to the surface is a consequence of the hydrophobicity of the additive within the hydrophilic polyurethane resin, over which an unprecedented level of control can be exerted by altering the lengths of the n-alkyl and oxyethylene groups. Thus, for the first time, specific surface and bulk coating concentrations can be achieved as desired using a single class of antimicrobial additives.
Rose Blanche in Translation

This comparative study focuses on three editions of Rose Blanche, Roberto Innocenti's picturebook portrayal of a young girl who discovers a Nazi concentration camp on the outskirts of her German city. The original text, written in French by Christophe Gallaz to accompany Innocenti's illustrations, was translated into English and published in the United States; this text is compared with the British text, rewritten by Ian McEwan, and the German text, translated by Abraham Teuter. An examination of differences in the three texts demonstrates some of the ways in which cultural, aesthetic, national, ideological, pedagogical, and economic issues influence the translation of a children's book.
Full-Term Low Birth Weight Infants:

The major purpose of this article is to review literature relating to the risk factors for low birth weight (LBW), and the subsequent impact LBW will have on the child. Since children with dificits related to LBW may be referred to occupational and physical therapist, this overview should assist them in knowing what to expect from this population. In addition, suggestions for assessment of the child of LBW throughout infancy and early childhood is presented along with a brief discussion of appropriate program planning recommendations. In reviewing the literature on this subject, an attempt has been made to include literature which differentiates between LBW alone, and LBW complicated by prematurity. In some instances this was not feasible, but the information warranted inclusion. In these cases the possible confound of prematurity on the developmental impact of LBW has been noted.
Effects of L-arginine on the proliferation of T lymphocyte subpopulations.

Background: Dietary supplementation of L-arginine as a mechanism to enhance cellular immune response (T lymphocytes), has slowly gained approval, and appears especially important during critical illness. Despite its clinical use, little is known as to the direct effects of L-arginine on the different T lymphocyte subpopulations. Methods: Lymphocytes were harvested from spleens of C57 Bl/6 mice, and proliferation was induced with anti-CD3 in the presence of different concentrations of L-arginine ranging from 0 to 1000 μmol/L. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effect of L-arginine on T lymphocyte subpopulations. Interleukin-2 production was measured by ELISA and gene expression by RT-PCR. Results: L-Arginine at or greater than 100 μmol/L significantly enhanced anti-CD3 stimulated T lymphocyte proliferation (p =.01). L-Arginine was essential for adequate T lymphocyte (CD3+) cellular maturation (p =.01). Proliferation of Helper T cells (CD4+) was not dependent on L-arginine. In contrast, Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) showed a dose dependent proliferation in response to L-arginine (p =.01). Of the CD8+ cells, an increase in the CD45RA negative CD8 positive (memory) T cell subpopulation was observed with the addition of L-arginine. In addition, the number of cell surface CD8 receptors (CD8R) and CD3 receptors (CD3R) increased in the presence of L-arginine (p =.01, p =.04). Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression was not up-regulated by L-arginine. L-Arginine modestly increased IL-2 production and had pronounced effects on its disappearance from the culture media (p <.0001). Interleukin-2 mRNA expression was not dependent on L-arginine. Conclusions: The requirements for L-arginine for the proliferation of CD3 stimulated T lymphocytes vary widely, and have to be taken into account when studying the mechanism of how L-arginine enhances cellular proliferation. L-Arginine may increase cellular proliferation by increasing specific receptor expression and the utilization of interleukin-2.
Quality Control-Quality Assurance Sampling Strategies for Hot-Mix Asphalt Construction

The effects of sampling strategies and size on statistically based decision making in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) construction are presented. For sample sizes agreed on by the agency and the contractor, an acceptable level for an HMA mix parameter is determined with risk balanced between the two organizations. With increased emphasis on specific performance requirements, the use of performance tests on HMA specimens prepared from in situ samples is developing. Examples include direct measures of mix stiffness and permanent deformation characteristics. A measure of rutting resistance, the stabilometer S-value, is used by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for quality control—quality assurance (QC/QA) projects. Although the S-value was used for this simulation because extensive tests were available, this approach is applicable to any performance measures already in use, such as HMA thickness or compacted air void content. A sampling scheme and sampling size through statistical simulation of a ...
Combining isoelectric point-based fractionation, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to improve peptide detection and protein identification

The off-line coupling of an isoelectric trapping device termed membrane separated wells for isoelectric focusing and trapping (MSWIFT) to mass spectrometry-based proteomic studies is described. The MSWIFT is a high capacity, high-throughput, mass spectrometry-compatible isoelectric trapping device that provides isoelectric point (pI)-based separations of complex mixtures of peptides. In MSWIFT, separation and analyte trapping are achieved by migrating the peptide ions through membranes having fixed pH values until the peptide pI is bracketed by the pH values of adjacent membranes. The pH values of the membranes can be tuned, thus affording a high degree of experimental flexibility. Specific advantages of using MSWIFT for sample prefractionation include: (1) small sample volumes (∼200 μL), (2) customized membranes over a large pH range, (3) flexibility in the number of desired fractions, (4) membrane compatibility with a variety of solvents systems, and (5) resulting fractions do not require sample cleanup before MS analysis. Here, we demonstrate the utility of MSWIFT for mass spectrometry-based detection of peptides in improving dynamic range and the reduction of ion suppression effects for high-throughput separations of tryptic peptides.
Marriage, Motherhood and Welfare Reform

In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) was passed in the US, ushering in a series of reforms to the cash assistance programme previously available to poor families. ‘Welfare reform’ included a number of efforts to encourage work among unemployed single parents. More important, the law extended the government's interest in regulating social behaviours such as marriage and reproduction. This paper reviews states' efforts at developing programmes that encourage marriage and discourage child-bearing, then offers a review of the empirical evidence on the effectiveness of these approaches to date. Implications for the future of welfare reform are provided.
Immunologic approaches to inhibiting cell-surface-residing oncoproteins in human tumors.

The erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases are growth factor receptors that are overexpressed or mutated in a large variety of human cancers. Studies of erbB-mediated signal transduction will lead to an understanding of the role played by this family of receptors in normal and transformed cells. In this article, we discuss the contemporary understanding of the structure and function of these receptors, and how these features might be exploited in immunologie strategies of receptor-based growth inhibition. The first part of this article details the structure of erbB receptors as it relates to the process of transformation of cells and the malignant phenotype in human tumors. In the second part of this article, we discuss immunologie approaches to therapy for cancers in which surface-residing erbB receptors are overexpressed or mutated, with an emphasis on studies targeting the pl85neu/c-erbB2 oncoprotein. The potential for antireceptor immunity and the evolution of small molecules for receptor-based immunotherapy are discussed. These studies provide a basis for the application of receptor-based strategies of growth inhibition in erbB-expressing human cancers.
Cluster particle number and granular temperature for cork particles at the wall in the riser of a CFB

Operating conditions within a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) many times results in the grouping of circulating particles into clusters. Because of their different relative motion with respect to the balance of the flow, these clusters are believed to demonstrate different transport properties when compared to the balance of the particles. To investigate these differences, it is first necessary to have an objective means of identifying those particles that are within a cluster and those that are not. The concept of granular temperature is used to make this distinction. Using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) data for 800-μm cork particles, it has been found that groupings of six or more particles demonstrate a different distribution of granular temperatures than groupings with fewer particles. Based on this fact, it is concluded that groups of six particles as measured in the axial flow direction are the fewest number which can be still considered to be in a cluster for this bed material. Additionally, particles considered to be in the dispersed phase have granular temperatures which are low at low solids concentrations, again low at very high solids concentrations and pass through a maximum at intermediate values of solids flow and gas flow.
Cerebral activation during the test of spinal cord injury severity in children: an FMRI methodological study.

Background: The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) are internationally accepted to determine and classify the extent of motor and sensory impairment along with severity (ASIA Impairment Scale [AIS]) following spinal cord injury (SCI). The anorectal examination is a component of the ISNCSCI that determines injury severity. There is a void in the health care literature on the validity of the anorectal examination as an indication of SCI severity. Objective: To validate the use of functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI) for the purpose of classifying the severity of SCI in children. Methods: Seventeen patients, with the average age of 14.3 years, underwent 1 complete ISNCSCI examination. Subjects also underwent the anorectal portion of this exam while fMRI data were collected using a 3.0 Tesla Siemens Verio Scanner. Cortical areas of activation were analyzed for possible differences of cortical involvement between complete (AIS A) and incomplete (AI...
The chemisorption of O2, CO, D2 and C2H4 over epitaxially grown rhenium crystalline films

Abstract The adsorption and desorption of oxygen, carbon monoxide, deuterium and ethylene has been studied over rhenium films using thermal desorption spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy. The films, obtained by evaporating rhenium onto a platinum (111) single crystal, grow over the substrate forming (0001) basal plane rhenium surfaces. Oxygen chemisorbs on this film, forming an ordered structure, consisting of three (2 × 1) overlayer domains and giving a saturation coverage of half a monolayer of atomic oxygen. CO chemisorption is mainly molecular, although some dissociation occurs at temperatures above about 700 K. A complicated LEED pattern is obtained when saturating the surface at 150 K with CO, but it changes to a (2 × 2) or (2 × 1) structure upon heating. Also, CO chemisorption can be modified by predissociated CO or preadsorbed oxygen on the rhenium surface. Deuterium desorbs in three peaks, starting at temperatures as low as 150 K. Ethylene desorbs partially intact at around 250 K, the rest decomposing and yielding hydrogen, that appears as two main peaks at 357 K and 460 K during thermal desorption. We conclude that epitaxially grown films may be an alternative to single crystals for studying chemisorption over well ordered surfaces.
DATA CALIBRATION AND ANALYSIS FOR He I 1083 nm IMAGING SPECTROSCOPY

Imaging spectroscopy in the He i 1083 nm lines is a powerful tool for probing the top of the chromosphere and bottom of the transition region, but simple techniques for spectral calibration and analysis often fail for this line. A method for spectral flat-fielding using a uniform solar exposure with spectral lines in place is presented and illustrated with 1083 nm data obtained at the National Solar Observatory (NSO) Kitt Peak Vacuum Telescope with the NASA/NSO Spectromagnetograph. An efficient method for analysis of the data producing images in continuum intensity, line-of-sight velocity, equivalent width, central line depth, Doppler width, and line asymmetry is also presented and illustrated.
Lung injury biomechanics: an in vitro model and clinical implications

These experimental findings using a cell culture model for ventilator-induced lung injury confirm the hypothesis that cellular deformations corresponding to high lung volumes result in alveolar epithelial injury, and yield important insight into injury mechanisms and preventive measures.
Does “Local” Mean Ethical? The U.S. “Buy Local” Movement and CSR in SMEs

“Buy Local” campaigns argue that consumers who patronize local firms instead of national chains reap broad economic, social, and ecological benefits for their home communities. These campaigns, which seek to create social change through market forces, imply that “local” means ethical. What ethical claims do localism advocates make for the benefits of local consumption, and how do they verify those claims? And how does the buy-local case inform broader debates on ethical markets? We find that U.S. buy-local organizations routinely focused on marketing concerns and failed to police members’ socially responsible bona fides. We also find that prolocal organizations promoted community cohesion and served an important role in disseminating sustainability information through new networks. We suggest that small- and medium-sized enterprises, which face particular challenges in authenticating claims for their economic and ecological impact, should consider restricting claims to their more specific and more easily ...
Evaluation of Hepatotoxicity with Off-Label Oral-Treatment Doses of Voriconazole for Invasive Fungal Infections

The approved treatment dose of intravenous voriconazole is a weight-based dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight twice daily; the approved oral dosing is fixed at 200 mg twice daily. In our institution, patients frequently receive oral high-dose voriconazole at 4 mg/kg twice daily. It is unknown if higher doses are associated with increased hepatotoxicity. A retrospective cohort study of patients treated with oral voriconazole for presumed invasive fungal infection for ≥7 days was completed. Patients receiving a fixed dose (i.e., labeled dose) were frequency matched and compared to those receiving a weight-based dose (i.e., high dose). The primary endpoint of hepatotoxicity was evaluated by using NCI Common Terminology Criteria (CTC) and components of liver enzymes measuring >3× the upper limit of normal (ULN) and >5× baseline measurements. Secondary endpoints included an incidence of other adverse drug events. Twenty-five labeled-dose and 84 high-dose voriconazole patients were studied. Liver enzyme abnormalities were similar between groups, with the exception of labeled-dose patients experiencing more alkaline phosphatase (ALP) CTC >2× the baseline (P = 0.02) and ALP levels >3× the ULN (P = 0.02). Treatment with high dose was associated with the discontinuation of voriconazole for practitioner attribution of adverse drug events (P = 0.03), although reasons varied and no commonality of biomarker abnormality was identified. Multivariate analysis revealed that the duration of therapy and higher mg/kg total daily doses as interval variables were predictive of some hepatotoxicity outcomes. No difference existed in liver abnormalities for high-dose voriconazole; however, higher mg/kg doses and a longer duration of therapy may be associated with hepatotoxicity.
Interactive proofs and approximation: reductions from two provers in one round

The author presents hard to approximate problems in the following areas: systems of representatives, network flow, and longest paths in graphs. In each case he shows that there exists some delta >0 such that polynomial time approximation to within a factor of 2/sup log delta n/ of the optimal implies that NP has quasi polynomial time deterministic simulations. The results are derived by reduction from two prover, one round proof systems, and exemplify the ability of such reductions to yield hardness of approximations results for many different kinds of problems. >
Role of p38 MAPK and MAPKAPK-2 in angiotensin II-induced Akt activation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II activates a variety of signaling pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), including the MAPKs and Akt, both of which are required for hypertrophy. However, little is known a...
Quantum Efficiency Measurements of Windowless Electron Multipliers to Heavy High Energy Particles

Measurements of quantum efficiency to heavy charged particles, in particular to the proton, in the range of 5 to 2 MeV were made with windowless electron multipliers Qn cathodes of beryllium oxide and aluminum oxide. The effects of oxide thickness on quantum efficiency were determined and some qualitative explanations have been made based on the simple ionization process and escape probability of produced electrons. Using a Van de Graaff accelerator at beam currents of lnA to 5nA, precisions of measurement of better than 10% were obtainable with six different cathodes: three different thicknesses of BeO and three of Al2O3 respectively.
Spontaneous colitis occurrence in transgenic mice with altered B7-mediated costimulation.

The B7 costimulatory molecules govern many aspects of T cell immune responses by interacting with CD28 for costimulation, but also with CTLA-4 for immune suppression. Although blockade of CTLA-4 with Ab in humans undergoing cancer immune therapy has led to some cases of inflammatory bowel disease, spontaneous animal models of colitis that depend upon modulation of B7 interactions have not been previously described. In this study, we demonstrate that mice expressing a soluble B7-2 Ig Fc chimeric protein spontaneously develop colitis that is dependent on CD28-mediated costimulation of CD4+ T cells. We show that the chimeric protein has mixed agonistic/antagonist properties, and that it acts in part by blocking the cell intrinsic effects on T cell activation of engagement of CTLA-4. Disease occurred in transgenic mice that lack expression of the endogenous B7 molecules (B7 double knock-out mice), because of the relatively weak costimulatory delivered by the chimeric protein. Surprisingly, colitis was more severe in this context, which was associated with the decreased number of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in transgenic B7 double knock-out mice. This model provides an important tool for examining how B7 molecules and their effects on CTLA-4 modulate T cell function and the development of inflammatory diseases.
Effects of Cardiac Anisotropy on Three-Dimensional Inverse Activation Time Imaging: a Cellular-Automaton-Based Model Study

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of cardiac anisotropy on the ECG activation time imaging solutions using a cellular-automaton-heart-model-based approach. The anisotropic heart model was used in forward pacing simulation while anisotropic and isotropic heart models were used in inverse procedures, respectively. Twenty-four sites throughout the ventricles were paced and the corresponding cardiac activation sequences were inversely estimated. The inverse solutions of activation time using anisotropic or isotropic heart model were compared. The computer simulation results suggest that the cardiac anisotropy does not seem to have significant influence on the inverse estimation of activation time using the present 3D heart-model-based inverse imaging approach during single paced activation
A Medium-Term Framework for Analyzing the Real Exchange Rate, with Applications to the Philippines and Tanzania

A competitive official real exchange rate is important to external balance and sustainable medium-term growth in developing countries. This article presents a methodology for estimating appropriate real rate and provides a basis for evaluating the extent to which the prevailing rate is misaligned. In particular, the medium-term equilibrium real exchange rate is evaluated by estimating the effects of structural factors on the trend observed for a country's real rate compared with the rates of its major trading partners, taking into account the effects of macroeconomic policy. Structural factors include terms of trade, external capital flows, and trade policy, plus other factors relevant to the circumstance of individual countries. The implied change in the medium-term equilibrium real rate is compared with that of a historical reference period. The application of this methodology to two developing countries, the Philippines and Tanzania, illustrates how it can complement and improve upon other analytic approaches, such as those using purchasing power parity and analysis of parallel rates. This approach is complemented by an analysis of the relation between a country's real exchange rate and those of its major competitors.