cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dorsal medullary inspiratory neurons: effects of superior laryngeal afferent stimulation

Abstract In decerebrate paralyzed cats ventilated with a cycle-triggered pump, we examined the responses of inspiratory (I) neurons in the region of the ventrolateral nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) to single electrical stimuli delivered to the ipsilateral superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Sixty-five I neurons were classified as: I(−), I(0), I(+,early), I(+,late) or I(other) on the basis of responses to lung inflation, and as I(bulbophrenic) or I(non-bulbophrenic) on the basis of evidence of an excitatory projection to the contralateral phrenic motoneuron pool. The peristimulus histograms of contralateral phrenic activity showed an early peak of excitation with average latency of4.9 ± 0.1ms(mean±S.E.M.), followed by depression at7.3 ± 0.2ms, start of recovery from depression at22.7 ± 1.0ms, and recovery to control levels at28.4 ± 1.1.ms. The peristimulus histograms of ipsilateral I unit activity showed an initial excitation (latency2.9 ± 0.3ms), followed by spiking silence (latency6.0 ± 0.6ms) and recovery to control discharge frequency at38.8 ± 3.6ms. This time of inhibition was significantly longer than the time of phrenic depression, suggesting that other bulbophrenic excitatory projections are able to rapidly compensate for decreased NTS output. Subgroups of I neurons, as classified by lung inflation tests, did not differe significantly with respect to these timing variables. In contrast, latencies of excitation for I(bulbophrenic) neurons were significantly less than for I(non-bulbophrenic) neurons.
The stereospecific preparation of (E)-1,2-difluoro-1,2-disubstituted alkenes

Abstract ( Z )-1,2-difluoro-2-substituted vinyl silanes were prepared stereospecifically from chlorotrifluoroethene, chlorotrimethylsilane and alkyl or aryllithium reagents. Subsequent exchange of the trimethylsilyl group via reaction of the vinylsilane with KF/ n -Bu 3 SnCl/DMF stereospecifically afforded the corresponding ( Z )-1,2-difluoro-2-substituted vinyl stannanes. Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 /Cu(I)I/DMF coupling of the vinyl stannanes with substituted aromatic iodides stereospecifically provided the ( E )-1,2-difluoro-1-substituted aryl-alkenes in excellent yield.
Effect of strain amplitude on tension–compression fatigue behavior of extruded Mg6Al1ZnA magnesium alloy

Fully reversed strain-controlled tension–compression fatigue experiments were conducted on extruded Mg6Al1ZnA (AZ61A) magnesium alloy by employing thin-walled tubular specimens in ambient air. The strain–life fatigue curve displayed a detectable transition from lower cycle fatigue region to higher cycle fatigue region in the vicinity corresponding to a strain amplitude of 0.5%. When the strain amplitude was higher than 0.5%, shear cracking and significant twinning were observed. When the strain amplitude was lower than 0.5%, tensile cracking and little twinning were observed.
Modification of creatine kinase by S-nitrosothiols: S-nitrosation vs. S-thiolation.

Abstract Creatine kinase is reversibly inhibited by incubation with S-nitrosothiols. Loss of enzyme activity is associated with the depletion of 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid)-accessible thiol groups, and is not due to nitric oxide release from RSNO. Full enzymatic activity and protein thiol content are restored by incubation of the S-nitrosothiol-modified protein with glutathione. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, which contains a more sterically hindered S-nitroso group than S-nitrosoglutathione, predominantly modifies the protein thiol to an S-nitrosothiol via a transnitrosation reaction. In contrast, S-nitrosoglutathione modifies creatine kinase predominantly by S-thiolation. Both S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and S-nitrosoglutathione modify bovine serum albumin to an S-nitroso derivative. This indicates that S-thiolation and S-nitrosation are both relevant reactions for S-nitrosothiols, and the relative importance of these reactions in biological systems depends on both the environment of the protein thiol and on the chemical nature of the S-nitrosothiol.
High Levels of Persistent Expression of α1-Antitrypsin Mediated by the Nonhuman Primate Serotype rh.10 Adeno-associated Virus Despite Preexisting Immunity to Common Human Adeno-associated Viruses

Alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) deficiency is a genetic disorder causing emphysema if serum alpha1AT levels are <570 microg/ml. We have shown that intrapleural administration of an AAV5alpha1AT vector yielded persistent therapeutic alpha1AT serum levels. Since anti-AAV2 and -AAV5 antibodies prevalent in humans may limit the use of these common serotypes in gene therapy, we screened 25 AAV vectors derived from humans and nonhuman primates for alpha1AT expression following intrapleural administration to mice. The rhesus AAVrh.10 serotype yielded the highest levels and was chosen for further study. Following intrapleural administration, 77% of total body transgene expression was in the chest wall, diaphragm, lung, and heart. Intrapleural administration of AAVrh.10alpha1AT provided long-term, therapeutic alpha1AT expression in mice, although higher doses were required to achieve therapeutic levels in female mice than in male mice. Intrapleural administration of AAVrh.10alpha1AT produced the same levels in AAV2/AAV5-preimmune and naive mice. In mice administered with AAV5alpha1AT and subsequently "boosted" with the AAVrh.10alpha1AT vector, serum levels were increased by 300%. These data indicate that AAVrh.10 is the most effective known AAV vector for intrapleural gene delivery and has the advantage of circumventing human immunity to AAV.
How well can satellite data characterize the water cycle of the Madden-Julian Oscillation?

[1] Most characterizations of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) have focused on its convection and circulation features, ocean interactions, and weather and climate impacts. The water cycle of the MJO has yet to be examined or quantified despite it offering an additional constraint on model representations of the MJO, which are still woefully poor. Recent satellite products now make it possible to characterize the MJO water cycle from observations. These include water vapor profiles, column water vapor, cloud ice profiles, total cloud liquid, rainfall, surface evaporation and column moisture convergence. From these, we quantify the water budget for disturbed and suppressed phases of the MJO. The column-integrated results indicate that precipitation is nearly balanced with moisture convergence, with variations in surface evaporation being an order of magnitude smaller. However, residuals in the column-integrated budget are relatively large, indicating the need for improved satellite retrievals and/or the necessity of using model-based assimilation products.
Reduction of membrane fouling in the presence of high polarization resistance

Abstract The effect of transmembrane pressure pulsing on membrane fouling and concentration-polarization resistance in crossflow ultrafiltration have been recently presented. It has been shown that transmembrane pressure pulsing could reduce membrane fouling and increasing solute flux by as much as two orders of magnitude in crossflow ultrafiltration [Rodgers and Sparks, AIChE J., 37 (1991) 1517]. The effect of pulsing on the concentration-polarization resistance in this study was determined to be small and it was concluded that the concentration-polarization boundary layer was slightly altered by translation of body forces through the membrane by minute membrane motion [Rodgers and Sparks, J. Membrane Sci., 68 (1992) 149]. The results imply that transmembrane pressure pulsing may alter membrane fouling even under very high concentration-polarization resistance. This study analyzed the effect of transmembrane pressure pulsing on binary and single solute protein ultrafiltration in a batch cell apparatus. A 1% BSA/0.1% IgG solution, and single solute solution of 1% BSA and 0.1% IgG, all prepared in 0.15 M NaCl at pH 7.4, were used in this study. The pulse frequency was set at 0.2 Hz and the operating pressure and pulse amplitude were both set at 70 kPa. It was concluded that pulsing under conditions of high polarization resistance was effective in reducing membrane fouling.
Prospective Clinical Trial of Preoperative Sunitinib in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Sunitinib is an approved treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We performed a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the safety and clinical response to sunitinib administered before nephrectomy in patients with localized or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: Patients with biopsy proven clear cell renal cell carcinoma were enrolled in the study and treated with 37.5 mg sunitinib malate daily for 3 months before nephrectomy. The primary end point was safety.Results: In an 18-month period 20 patients were enrolled. The most common toxicities were gastrointestinal symptoms and hematological effects. Grade 3 toxicity developed in 6 patients (30%). No surgical complications were attributable to sunitinib treatment. Of the 20 patients 17 (85%) experienced reduced tumor diameter (mean change −11.8%, range −27% to 11%) and cross-sectional area (mean change −27.9%, range −43% to 23%). Enhancement on contrast enhanced computerized tomography decreased in 15 patients ...
Effects of interferon‐gamma and its interaction with retinoic acid on human neuroblastoma differentiation

Differentiation-promoting effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), both alone and in combination with retinoic acid (RA), were studied on the human neuroblastoma cell line, LA-N-5. The results show that IFN-gamma inhibited the growth and induced morphological differentiation in a dose- and time-dependent manner with measurable effects appearing at 20-40 IU/ml after 3 to 4 days of treatment in vitro. Acetylcholinesterase activity, used as a biochemical index of neuroblastoma differentiation, increased up to 2.5-fold in the presence of IFN-gamma with a half maximal concentration of approximately 100 IU/ml. Concomitantly, modest IFN-induced increases (less than or equal to 2-fold) in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activities were seen. Combination treatment of cells with IFN-gamma and RA resulted in synergistic effects on morphological differentiation, growth inhibition and induction of ChAT. Reversal of IFN-gamma's ability to influence neuroblastoma cell growth as well as potentiate the anti-tumor effects of RA was obtained in the presence of an antibody against the IFN-gamma receptor, implying receptor-mediated physiological events. Taken together, these data confirm the differentiating effects of IFN-gamma on human neuroblastoma cells and suggest that combination therapy with RA may be beneficial in the treatment of this disease.
TUNNELING WITHOUT BARRIERS

Abstract The evolution of quantum fields in theories with relatively flat potentials is considered. It is shown that bubble nucleation, a quantum mechanical tunneling process, may occur even if V(φ) has no barrier. Some implications for inflationary universe scenarios are discussed.
Full process control strategy of fuel based on water-coal ratio of ultra supercritical units

In order to realize the full process control of fuel in ultra supercritical units, fuel control strategy of feeders in startup stage to guarantee the stability of coal-burning is proposed firstly. The control strategy of coal feeder which can make the bias trend to zero automatically is discussed. Control strategy of base amount of fuel is presented. The base amount of fuel in start-up phase is determined by states of units: cold state, warm state, hot state and extreme hot state. Water-coal ratio controls separator inlet temperature, outlet flue temperature, main steam pressure or separator inlet superheat in different start-up stages. The control strategy has been successfully applied to 1036MW ultra-supercritical units. It is a valuable reference for the design of similar control system.
Preventing Autoimmunity Protects Against the Development of Hypertension and Renal Injury

Several studies suggest a link between autoimmunity and essential hypertension in humans. However, whether autoimmunity can drive the development of hypertension remains unclear. The autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by autoantibody production, and the prevalence of hypertension is increased markedly in this patient population compared with normal healthy women. We hypothesized that preventing the development of autoimmunity would prevent the development of hypertension in a mouse model of lupus. Female lupus (NZBWF1) and control mice (NZW) were treated weekly with anti-CD20 or immunoglobulin G antibodies (both 10 mg/kg, IV) starting at 20 weeks of age for 14 weeks. Anti-CD20 therapy markedly attenuated lupus disease progression as evidenced by reduced CD45R+ B cells and lower double-stranded DNA autoantibody activity. In addition, renal injury in the form of urinary albumin, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, as well as tubular injury (indicated by renal cortical expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) was prevented by anti-CD20 therapy in lupus mice. Finally, lupus mice treated with anti-CD20 antibody did not develop hypertension. The protection against the development of hypertension was associated with lower renal cortical tumor necrosis factor-α expression, a cytokine that has been previously reported by us to contribute to the hypertension in this model, as well as renal cortical monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and circulating T cells. These data suggest that the development of autoimmunity and the resultant increase in renal inflammation are an important underlying factor in the prevalent hypertension that occurs during systemic lupus erythematosus.
A symplectic algorithm for wave equations

Abstract Numerical schemes for finite-dimensional Hamiltonian system which preserve the symplectic structure are generalized to infinite-dimensional Hamiltonian systems and applied to construct finite difference schemes for the nonlinear wave equation. The numerical results show that these schemes compare favorably with conventional difference methods. Furthermore, the successful long-term tracking capability for these Hamiltonian schemes is remarkable and striking.
Hardware accelerator for linguistic data processing

A hardware accelerator that performs fuzzy learning, fuzzy inference, and defuzzification strategy computations is presented in this paper. The hardware is based on two-valued logic. A universal space of 25 elements with five levels each is supported. To achieve a high processing rate for real-time applications, the basic units of the accelerator are connected in a four-level pipeline. The accelerator can receive two parallel fuzzy data as inputs. At a clock rate of 20 MHz, the accelerator can perform 800,000 fuzzy logic inferences per second on multidimensional fuzzy data.
Letting the Sea In: Commentary on Paper by Nina Farhi

This discussion places Nina Farhi's paper in the broader context of Marion Milner's seminal contribution. It aims to honor Farhi's engagement with the rhythm of oscillation between fusion and differentiation by highlighting how Milner's signature concerns reverberate in Farhi's text even as Farhi stakes a claim of her own. The author raises questions about the degree of psychic organization necessary for the inscription of unconscious experience.
Atmosphere tolerant acquisition, tracking, and pointing subsystem

For high rate communications such as optical communications, tracking loss can result in substantial reduction of average data rate and the total data volume of the transmitted data. For optical communications, which transmits laser beam through atmosphere, atmospheric induced fades of the beacon signal can vary significantly as observed in ground-to-ground optical experiments. In this paper, we propose a new scheme of compensating the atmospheric induced fading effects using inertial sensors. By measuring the platform vibrations, the beacon movements on the Focal Plane Array can be deduced even if the beacon is lost due to fading. By avoiding the new cycle of reacquisition and tracking, high rate communication can be maintained. The allowable period of beacon fade depends on the inertial sensor noise characteristics and acquisition and tracking Field-Of-View. We will present the results of our analysis for the planned Altair UAV-to-Ground optical communications demonstrations using an accelerometer.
Flow cytometric assay of lung macrophage uptake of environmental particulates.

We sought to establish a quantitative method using flow cytometry to study uptake of environmental particulates by alveolar macrophages (AMs). We used right angle light scatter (RAS) to measure uptake of titanium dioxide, quartz, and diesel particulates. After incubation with TiO{sub 2} in vitro, AMs showed dose-dependent increases in both cell-associated particles visualized by microscopy and RAS measured by flow cytometry (e.g., fold increase RAS at 4, 8, 16, 32, and 80 {mu}g/ml, respectively, = 2 {plus_minus} 0.1, 4.0 {plus_minus} 0.5, 5.5 {plus_minus} 0.5, 9.1 {plus_minus} 2.5, 14.3 {plus_minus} 0.9; mean {plus_minus} SEM). Similar results were obtained with quartz and diesel particles. A strong correlation was observed between particle load per cell and AM RAS after uptake of fluorescent latex beads of fluorescent TiO{sub 2} (coated with BODIPY-BSA) (R{sup 2} = 0.984, 0.997, respectively). Using this technique, we found AM uptake of environmental particulates to be substantially greater than that of a panel of myelomonocytic and epithelial cell lines, consistent with their physiologic role in pulmonary defenses. RAS measurements have also identified both calcium-dependent and calcium-independent components in AM interactions with inert particles. Although this technique does not allow precise quantitation of particle number or mass per cell, flow cytometricmore » analysis of relative increases in RAS is a useful tool to study AM interactions with a variety of environmental particulates. 22 refs., 8 figs.« less
Anti-Smoking Media Campaign Messages: Theory and Practice

This study examined televised anti-smoking advertisements that were designed to discourage adult and teen smoking. A content analysis of 399 television advertisements catalogued in the Media Campaign Resource Center (MCRC) database were evaluated to determine (a) whether the advertising content reflected core health communication theories used in the design of health campaign messages to change behavior and (b) the affective presentation of tobacco-control advertisements aimed to decrease smoking. The results revealed that anti-smoking advertising relied overwhelmingly on appeals to attitudes. Although the benefits of not smoking were mentioned in 61% of advertisements, barriers were mentioned in only 17% of advertisements. Advertisements emphasized the consequences of smoking more than the viewer's self-efficacy. Finally, advertisements were more likely to use informational and humor appeals, rather than sadness, fear, or anger appeals. The research identifies the types of advertisements that are most likely to be utilized and underutilized in national and statewide anti-smoking advertising campaigns catalogued in the MCRC database.
Remote Sensing Using an Airborne Biosensor

There is no current method for remote identification of aerosolized bacteria. In particular, such a capability is required to warn of a biological warfare attack prior to human exposure. A fiber optic biosensor, capable of running four simultaneous immunoassays, was integrated with an automated fluidics unit, a cyclone-type air sampler, a radio transceiver, and batteries on a small, remotely piloted airplane capable of carrying a 4.5-kg payload. The biosensor system was able to collect aerosolized bacteria in flight, identify them, and transmit the data to the operator on the ground. The results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating a biosensor into a portable, remotely operated system for environmental analysis.
Planar terahertz waveguides based on complementary split ring resonators

We experimentally demonstrate planar plasmonic THz waveguides using metal films that are periodically perforated with complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs). The waveguide transmission spectra exhibit numerous transmission resonances. While the geometry is commonly used in developing negative index materials, the excitation geometry used here does not allow for conventional metamaterial response. Instead, we show that all of the observed resonances can be determined from the geometrical properties of the CSRR apertures. Surprisingly, the Bragg condition does not appear to limit the frequency extent of the observed resonances. The results suggest that metamaterial-inspired geometries may be useful for developing THz guided-wave devices.
ANALYSIS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL LESION OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE PRODUCED BY A COMPLEX OF C POLYSACCHARIDE FROM GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI I. IN VIVO REACTION BETWEEN TISSUE AND TOXIN

Specific antibody and a glucosaminidase enzyme react with the serologically active sites on C polysaccharide, and local injection of these reagents will neutralize the toxic effect of C polysaccharide complexes even after an interval of 24 to 72 hours. The cell wall lysins in S. albus filtrate and from phage-lysed Group C streptococci, break down the cell wall structure of Group A streptococci but leave the serological reactive sites of the C polysaccharide intact. These reagents lose much of their ability to neutralize the C polysaccharide toxin when superinjected after an interval of 4 hours following toxin injections. Toxic C polysaccharide cannot be recovered from an injection site by intercellular perfusion of the excised skin area after an interval of 1 to 4 hours following toxin injection. It is concluded that toxic particles of C polysaccharide complexes combine firmly with the dermal tissue of rabbits within 1 to 4 hours following intracutaneous injection. The cell wall lysins neutralize the toxin by reducing the particle size of C polysaccharide complexes. This minimum particle size is required for the initial reaction with tissue and when this has occurred these reagents are no longer able to influence the development of the lesion.
Spectroscopy using laser‐pumped laser oscillators

Transition cross-sections were measured independent of active atom concentration and extrinsic loss using a laser-pumped CW laser oscillator. Extrapolation of the linear input–output characteristic of a CW oscillator to null pumping rate determined the saturation power from which is determined the laser cross-section. Laser cross-sections were measured for Nd3+ in YAG and YVO4.
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 rapidly alters the morphology of the duodenal mucosa of rachitic chicks: Evidence for novel effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

When rachitic chicks are given 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in amounts as low as 50 ng/bird, the appearance of the duodenal mucosa is altered within 2 h of the administration of the hormone. The changes are most readily apparent on scanning electron microscopy and include: a more plump appearance of villi with loss of furrows and pits on their surfaces, elongation of villi and a smoother, more uniform microvillus surface. These changes occur within 2 h of the administration of the hormone and persist for as long as 24 h. The morphological change precedes the increase in calcium absorption induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the intestine. These observations suggest that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may play an important part in maintenance of the structure of the duodenal mucosa.
Detection of Errors by Attending Physicians on a General Medicine Service

BACKGROUND: Attending physicians are well positioned to identify medical errors and understand their consequences. The spectrum of errors that can be detected by attending physicians in the course of their usual practice is currently unknown.
The Nature of Winter Clouds and Precipitation in the Cascade Mountains and their Modification by Artificial Seeding. Part III: Case Studies of the Effects of Seeding

Abstract Three case studies are described in which detailed airborne and ground observations were made in order to evaluate the effects of artificial seeding from the air on cloud structure and snowfall on the ground in a small predetermined target area in the Cascade Mountains. On 31 January 1972, stratocumulus clouds just west of the Cascade crest were heavily seeded with silver iodide for 72 min. Airborne observations showed that the clouds were glaciated by the artificial seeding, new crystal types appeared, and there was an increase in convective activity. Particle trajectory analysis showed that snowfall in the target area should have been affected by the seeding. On the ground in the target area near the Cascade crest new snow crystal types appeared, riming decreased, freezing nuclei in the snowfall increased, and the snowfall rate decreased during the predicted period-of-effect (PPE) of seeding. Further east in the target area, new crystal types appeared, freezing nuclei in the snowfall increased,...
Lattice RSA and the Gaussian-mean spherical strategy

Abstract Random sequential adsorption on a lattice with next neighbor exclusion but nonuniform flux is mapped onto a class of non-repeating random walks. Several special cases are worked out in detail, and a number of reduction formulae derived for both coverage and occupation-occupation correlations. Representation of Bethe lattice 2-point correlations by a Gaussian model permits approximate reduction to a regular lattice to be carried out, and preliminary results are obtained.
PCR primers for polymorphic microsatellite loci in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Nine pairs of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers that amplify polymorphic microsatellite loci in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal), were developed using a magnetic bead-based enrichment protocol. A sample of 48 locusts collected during the 1993 and 1995 upsurge periods in Eritrea, East Africa, were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six to 20; the average was 12.67. Allelic distributions were significantly different between samples from different localities.
COULOMB EFFECTS IN RELATIVISTIC NUCLEAR COLLISIONS

Abstract We derive simple analytical formulas for Coulomb final-state interactions and apply them to the analysis of recent data on nuclear collisions. The π − / π + ratio, the π + inclusive cross section, and the n/p ratio are studied. A relativistic field theoretic model is used to derive the formulas to first order in Zα. Using well-known non-perturbative results, we recast those formulas into an approximate non-perturbative form valid when finite-size effects are negligible. This allows us to calculate the important k → 0 limit. The final formulas are covariant and take into account multiple independently moving charged fragments of finite size and finite thermal expansion velocities. Our studies demonstrate analytically the complexity and importance of Coulomb distortions in nuclear collisions.
High rate of pathologic upgrading at nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objective To determine the association between endoscopic biopsy grade and the final pathologic characteristics at nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Endoscopic biopsy is an important tool for patients with UTUC because the results can influence the management decisions. Methods We identified 481 patients who had undergone nephroureterectomy for UTUC at the Mayo Clinic from 1995 to 2008. Of these patients, 184 underwent endoscopic cup or brush biopsy before nephroureterectomy. The biopsy tumor grade was then compared with the tumor grade and stage obtained at nephroureterectomy. Results Of the 184 patients, 27 (15%) had nondiagnostic biopsy results and 21 (11%) had positive biopsy results with no histologic grade. Of the 24 patients with grade 1 tumors on biopsy, 23 (96%) had the tumor upgraded on the final pathologic examination: 16 (67%) to grade 2 and 7 (29%) to grade 3. Similarly, 23 (40%) of 57 grade 2 tumors on biopsy were upgraded to grade 3 after nephrouretecomy. Only a few patients, 7 (4%) of 184, were found to have a lower histologic grade on the final pathologic examination. The number of patients with invasive UTUC for endoscopic grade 1, 2, and 3 tumors was 9 (38%) of 24, 31 (54%) of 57, and 47 (85%) of 55, respectively. Conclusion In the context of patients selected for nephroureterectomy, we observed a greater than expected rate of tumor upgrading and invasive disease, particularly in those with low-grade tumors at biopsy. These findings should be considered when electing to use conservative or endoscopic management of low-grade UTUC.
Spatial Variations in the Sintering Rate of Ordered and Disordered Particle Structures

Local sintering rates were measured in two-dimensional, ordered and disordered structures constructed from glass spheres. In ordered arrays, made from monosized spheres, the local sintering rates varied from 1/2 to 2 times the average sintering rate. In contrast, disordered arrays, made from bimodal particle sizes, sintered more homogeneously, the local sintering rate deviating less than 15% from the average. The total average densification strain was also greater for the disordered structures. As a result, for the same time and temperature cycle, the disordered structures sintered to near full density while the ordered structures did not. Poor densification in the ordered structure was attributed to packing defects such as domain walls and dislocations. Some evidence was obtained for a correlation between densification and the average coordination number of particles.
External Limits and Internal Determinants of State Public Policy

choose among local jurisdictions in a Tiebout-like process. As a truly seminal work, Peterson's book has generated extensive commentary, rebuttal, and reexamination by leading scholars of local politics (e.g., Stone and Sanders 1987). Almost entirely overlooked is the book's potential significance for the study of state politics.' Surely the logic of Peterson's thesis extends to any set of subnational units in competition with one another. Indeed, much of Peterson's empirical analysis relies upon state or state-local data rather than city data. Thus, it would seem that Peterson himself recognized the theory's applicability to states. Utilization of Peterson's developmental-allocational-redistributive schema at the state level might provide a way to reinterpret existing analyses of state policy outputs. Peterson's typology, after all, focuses upon some of the standard policy categories so often analyzed in the policy determinants literature (e.g., education, welfare, and highways). Thus, an empirical analysis embedded in Peterson's framework might shed new light on old debates, for example the relative power of economic and political factors in determining state policy. In the following sections we undertake such an analysis, explicitly structured so as to provide comparison with the Dye (1966), Sharkansky (1968), and Jennings (1979) tradition. At the same time, there have been significant methodological advances in the decade since the policy determinants literature flourished. In our analysis we will utilize different kinds of significance
Color Image Formation for Multiscale Gigapixel Imaging

We present the current development of the image formation pipeline for color gigapixel images obtained by the AWARE-10 multiscale camera. We introduce a camera simulator, the modifications to the scalable pipeline, and the challenges for creating seamless color gigapixel panoramas.
Visual and Instrumental Colorimetric Assessments of Small Color Differences on Translucent Dental Porcelain

The CIELAB colorimetric system was used for the study of the relationship between measured color difference values and human observer responses. This study verified that a specific, visually meaningful and precise relationship exists between the magnitude and direction of the measurements and the average dental-observer responses. The results support the use of this system in dentistry as a means of evaluating color by differences. The further development of such systems for clinical use would be warranted and could serve as a valuable tool for material selection and restoration design, particularly in the area of aesthetic restorative dentistry.
Theory of the scattering of pions from nuclei

Abstract A nonrelativistic quantum field theoretic formulation of pion-nucleus scattering is presented. A nonrelativistic boson-complex-target Low equation is developed, in which the coupling between the incident boson and target constituent particles is completely general. This development is then particularized to the case where the bosons are pions and the target is a nucleus of A nucleons. Special detailed attention is paid to the case where the pion-nucleon coupling is linear. The pion-nucleus Low equation is decomposed into a finite series of A terms, referred to as a spectator expansion, of which the first term involves one active particle and ( A -1) spectators and the higher terms involve an increasingly larger number of active target particles. Within the framework of the nonrelativistic pion-nucleus Low equation, a formal definition of the pion-nucleus optical potential is also given.
Anatomical Patterning of Visceral Adipose Tissue: Race, Sex, and Age Variation

Objective: We tested sex, race, and age differences in the patterning of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Research Methods and Procedures: Contiguous 1-cm-thick magnetic resonance (MR) images of the abdomen were collected from 820 African-American and white adults. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to examine the effects of image location, sex, race, and age (≥50 vs. <50 years) on adipose tissue areas. Maximum VAT area was identified for each subject from the raw data. Results: Compared to women, men had greater total VAT volume (p < 0.0001), and their maximum VAT area occurred higher in the abdomen (p < 0.0001). Among white men, maximim VAT area most frequently occurred 5 to 10 cm above L4-L5, whereas in the other groups, maximim VAT area most frequently occurred 1 to 4 cm above L4-L5 (p < 0.0001). African-American men had greater total VAT volume than African-American women (p < 0.01), but this sex difference was only significant using single images cranial to L4-L5 + 2 cm. Age-related increases in VAT tended to be greatest 5 to 10 cm above L4-L5 in men and near L4-L5 in women. Discussion: A single MR image 5 to 10 cm above L4-L5 may allow more accurate conclusions than the L4-L5 image regarding group differences in visceral adiposity.
K-Vacancy Sharing in Near-Symmetric Heavy-Ion Collisions

Relative production cross sections for beam (${Z}_{1}$) and target (${Z}_{2}$) $K$ vacancies in heavyion collisions are explained for situations where ${Z}_{1}\ensuremath{\simeq}{Z}_{2}$. Electron promotion creates a vacancy in the $2p\ensuremath{\sigma}$ molecular orbital. As the collision partners retreat, the vacancy has a probability $w({v}_{1}, {Z}_{1}, {Z}_{2})l~\frac{1}{2}$ to be transferred to the $1s$ level of the higher-$Z$ collision partner. With a charge-transfer theory of Demkov, a universal form for $w$ is obtained, which is in excellent agreement with all available data for Ni, Br, and I beams over extended target and energy ranges.
Why all those spines?: Anachronistic defences in the Didiereoideae against now extinct lemurs

Plants evolve physical defences, such as spines, against browsing herbivores. However, in some cases, these defences may be anachronistic because the principal consumers of protected parts of the plant are extinct. In such cases, there may be few extant species consuming heavily defended resources. Here we examine the spiny defences of Madagascarâ€™s endemic Didiereoideae, and ask whether they may be anachronistic. To accomplish this aim, we reviewed the literature to determine which species consume these plants today, and then used stable isotope biogeochemistry to determine who may have exploited Didiereoideae in the recent past. There are four major groups of browsers that are now extinct in Madagascar: giant lemurs, elephant birds (Aepyornis and Mullerornis: Aepyornithidae), pygmy hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus) and giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys: Testudinidae). Each group was evaluated for isotopic evidence of didiereoid plant consumption. Given the structure of members of this plant clade (especially Alluaudia), we predicted that lemurs would be their most important consumers. Three extant lemur species consume Didiereoideae. Several of the extinct lemurs, particularly Hadropithecus stenognathus, may have relied heavily on these spiny plants. None of the non-lemur megafaunal browsers (elephant birds, hippopotamuses and giant tortoises) were important consumers of Didiereoideae.
Activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways in human renal allografts after ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion injury in cadaveric (CAD) kidney allografts is associated with tubular cell injury, delayed graft function, and an increased incidence of acute and chronic rejection. We tested the hypothesis that activation of specific apoptotic pathways represents a mechanism for tubular cell death after CAD kidney transplantation. METHODS Serial tissue sections from paraffin-embedded needle biopsy specimens obtained at approximately 1 hr of reperfusion after transplantation of 13 CAD and 12 living-related donor (LRD) renal allografts were examined by using the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay to detect apoptosis and by immunohistochemistry for expression of key pro-apoptotic molecules (Bax, Bak, tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR]-1, Fas, and cytochrome c). RESULTS Apoptosis was detected primarily in tubular cells, with a mean+/-standard deviation of 6.8+/-2.2 apoptotic cells per 100 cells examined in CAD renal allografts compared with 1.8+/-2.7 cells per 100 in LRD (P<0.001) renal allografts. There was a significant correlation between apoptosis rate and cold ischemia time in CAD (r=0.86, P<0.001) renal allografts. Bax was expressed in 100% of CAD versus 17% of LRD renal allografts (P<0.001), Bak in 92% of CAD versus 17% of LRD renal allografts (P<0.001), and TNFR-1 in 100% of CAD versus 58% of LRD renal allografts (P<0.05). Fas was expressed in only a small number of samples (23% of CAD and 17% of LRD renal allografts, P=not significant). Bax and Bak were expressed predominantly in apoptotic cells. Cytochrome c was detected as a mitochondrial pattern in LRD renal allografts, but in a diffuse cytosolic distribution in CAD renal allografts. CONCLUSIONS Ischemia-reperfusion injury in CAD kidney transplants is associated with a duration-dependent increase in tubular cell apoptosis, mediated at least in part by activation of mitochondrial pathways.
The chemistry of the genus Cnidoscolus—I. the fatty acid components of the seed oil

Abstract The fatty acids of the seed oil of Cnidoscolus texanus (Muell. Arg.) Small were found to be 71% linoleic acid, 15·5 % oleic acid, 10 % palmitic acid, 3 % stearic acid, and smaller amounts of other components as determined by gas chromatography of their methyl esters.
Pre-intervention triage incorporating perfusion imaging improves outcomes in patients undergoing endovascular stroke therapy: a comparison with the device trials

Objectives Endovascular therapy of acute ischemic stroke is evolving towards thrombectomy devices for vessel recanalization. High rates of revascularization have been reported in stroke device trials. However, the discrepancy between recanalization and outcomes raises the question whether patients with irreversible ischemic injury are being exposed to these interventions. This study evaluated a triage methodology that incorporates perfusion imaging against previous device trials that treated all patients within a certain time frame. Methods 99 consecutive patients were identified with anterior circulation strokes who had undergone endovascular therapy. All patients had a baseline NIHSS score ≥8 and had undergone pre-intervention CT perfusion. Rates of recanalization and functional outcomes were compared with the MERCI, Multi-MERCI and Penumbra trials. Results This study9s recanalization rate of 55.6% is not significantly different from the 46% for MERCI (p=0.15) and 68% for Multi-MERCI (p=0.08) but was significantly lower than the 82% for the Penumbra trial (p Conclusion Despite similar or lower recanalization rates, there was a significantly higher rate of good outcomes in the recanalized population and thus a significantly lower rate of futile recanalization in this study versus the device trials, suggesting a role for pre-intervention perfusion imaging for patient selection.
Transmission line response to independent distributed sources

A novel approach for calculating transmission line response to independent distributed sources is introduced, and the results tabulated.
Automatic beam steering in the NSLS storage rings using closed orbit feedback

Abstract This paper describes recent work on beam stabilization systems for the NSLS electron storage rings. It also reviews several types of detectors presently available for monitoring beam motion and describes possible schemes for stabilizing photon beams in a storage ring. Finally, it briefly discusses plans for simultaneous stabilization of many beam lines in the storage rings.
SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CEBUS CAPUCINA (THE SOUTH AMERICAN RINGTAIL MONKEY) AND CERCOPITHECUS CEPHUS (THE AFRICAN MUSTACHE MONKEY) TO POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS

1. The South American ringtail monkey, Cebus capucina, has been infected with the virus of poliomyelitis as found in ultracentrifuged concentrates from poliomyelitic human stools. 2. This species was also found susceptible to poliomyelitis virus found in rhesus and cynomolgus monkey cords, representing early generations of virus derived from two different human sources and from flies trapped in an epidemic area. 3. The Hartford strain of poliomyelitis has been successfully established in different generations in Cebus capucina monkeys. 4. The African mustache monkey, Cerocopithecus cephus, has been infected with poliomyelitis virus by the intra- and subcutaneous routes as readily as the green African monkey, Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus, and the rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta.
Estimating oil concentration and flow rate with calibrated vessel-mounted acoustic echo sounders

As part of a larger program aimed at evaluating acoustic techniques for mapping the distribution of subsurface oil and gas associated with the Deepwater Horizon-Macondo oil spill, observations were made on June 24 and 25, 2010 using vessel-mounted calibrated single-beam echo sounders on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship Thomas Jefferson. Coincident with visual observations of oil at the sea surface, the 200-kHz echo sounder showed anomalously high-volume scattering strength in the upper 200 m on the western side of the wellhead, more than 100 times higher than the surrounding waters at 1,800-m distance from the wellhead, and weakening with increasing distance out to 5,000 m. Similar high-volume scattering anomalies were not observed at 12 or 38 kHz, although observations of anomalously low-volume scattering strength were made in the deep scattering layer at these frequencies at approximately the same locations. Together with observations of ocean currents, the acoustic observations are consistent with a rising plume of small (< 1-mm radius) oil droplets. Using simplistic but reasonable assumptions about the properties of the oil droplets, an estimate of the flow rate was made that is remarkably consistent with those made at the wellhead by other means. The uncertainty in this acoustically derived estimate is high due to lack of knowledge of the size distribution and rise speed of the oil droplets. If properly constrained, these types of acoustic measurements can be used to rapidly estimate the flow rate of oil reaching the surface over large temporal and spatial scales.
Stochastic feedback and the regulation of biological rhythms

We propose a general approach to the question of how biological rhythms spontaneously self-regulate, based on the concept of "stochastic feedback". We illustrate this approach by considering at a coarse-grained level the neuroautonomic regulation of the heart rate. The model generates complex dynamics and successfully acounts for key characteristics of cardiac variability, including the l/f power spectrum, the functional form and scaling of the distribution of variations, and correlations in the Fourier phases indicating nonlinear dynamics.
Low-risk criteria for cervical-spine radiography in blunt trauma: a prospective study.

Study hypothesis: Cervical-spine radiography does not need to be performed on selected blunt trauma patients who are awake, alert, nonintoxicated, do not complain of midline neck pain, and have no tenderness over the bony cervical spine. Study population: One thousand consecutive patients seen in the UCLA Emergency Medicine Center with a chief complaint of blunt trauma, for whom cervical-spine films were ordered and for whom prospective data questionnaires were completed. Methods: Clinicians completed data forms for each patient before radiograph results were known. Data items included mechanism of injury, evidence of intoxication, presence of cervical-spine pain and/or tenderness, level of alertness, presence of focal neurologic deficits, and presence of other severely painful injuries unrelated to the cervical spine. Physicians were also asked to estimate likelihood of significant cervical-spine injury. Results: Twenty-seven patients with cervical-spine fracture were among the 974 patients for whom data forms were completed. A number of findings were statistically more common in the group of patients with fracture than without, but no single or paired findings identified all patients with fracture. All 27 patients with fracture had at least one of the following four characteristics: midline neck tenderness, evidence of intoxication, altered level of alertness, or a severely painful injury elsewhere. Three hundred fifty-three of 947 (37.3%) patients without cervical-spine fracture had none of these findings. Conclusion: Cervical-spine radiology may not be necessary in patients without spinous tenderness in the neck, intoxication, altered level of alertness, or other severely painful injury. A policy to limit films in such patients would have decreased film ordering by more than one third in this series, while identifying all patients with fracture.