cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The QBO in two GISS global climate models: 1. Generation of the QBO

The adjustment of parameterized gravity waves associated with model convection and finer vertical resolution has made possible the generation of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in two Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) models, GISS Middle Atmosphere Global Climate Model III and a climate/middle atmosphere version of Model E2. Both extend from the surface to 0.002 hPa, with 2° × 2.5° resolution and 102 layers. Many realistic features of the QBO are simulated, including magnitude and variability of its period and amplitude. The period itself is affected by the magnitude of parameterized convective gravity wave momentum fluxes and interactive ozone (which also affects the QBO amplitude and variability), among other forcings. Although varying sea surface temperatures affect the parameterized momentum fluxes, neither aspect is responsible for the modeled variation in QBO period. Both the parameterized and resolved waves act to produce the respective easterly and westerly wind descent, although their effect is offset in altitude at each level. The modeled and observed QBO influences on tracers in the stratosphere, such as ozone, methane, and water vapor are also discussed. Due to the link between the gravity wave parameterization and the models' convection, and the dependence on the ozone field, the models may also be used to investigate how the QBO may vary with climate change.
Experimental intrauterine growth restriction induces alterations in DNA methylation and gene expression in pancreatic islets of rats.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases susceptibility to age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and is associated with permanent and progressive changes in gene expression. Our study was designed to test whether epigenomic dysregulation mediates the cellular memory of this intrauterine event. To test this hypothesis, we isolated pancreatic islets from control and IUGR (induced by bilateral uterine artery ligation at day 18 of fetal life) animals at 7 weeks of age. Using the HELP (HpaII tiny fragment enrichment by ligation-mediated PCR) assay, we generated the first DNA methylation map at almost 1 million unique sites throughout the rat genome in normal pancreatic islet cells, allowing us to identify the changes that occur as a consequence of IUGR. We validated candidate dysregulated loci with quantitative assays of cytosine methylation and gene expression. IUGR changes cytosine methylation at ∼1,400 loci (false discovery rate of 4.2%) in male rats at 7 weeks of age, preceding the development of diabetes and thus representing candidate loci for mediating the pathogenesis of metabolic disease that occurs later in life. Epigenetic dysregulation occurred preferentially at conserved intergenic sequences, frequently near genes regulating processes known to be abnormal in IUGR islets, such as vascularization, β-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, and cell death, associated with concordant changes in mRNA expression. These results demonstrate that epigenetic dysregulation is a strong candidate for propagating the cellular memory of intrauterine events, causing changes in expression of nearby genes and long term susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Malignant histiocytosis. Complete remission in two pediatric patients

The experience with the treatment of malignant histiocytosis has been disappointing. Despite modest treatment success with a combination of cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), vincristine and prednisone, the overall prognosis remains poor. There are only a few reports of prolonged complete remissions in pediatric patients. The following report describes two children who have had long-term remission with an aggressive combination chemotherapy program that included intrathecal prophylaxis. The chemotherapeutic regimen described merits further evaluation in a larger number of patients.
Elevated Circulating IGF-I Promotes Mammary Gland Development and Proliferation

Animal studies have shown that IGF-I is essential for mammary gland development. Previous studies have suggested that local IGF-I rather than circulating IGF-I is the major mediator of mammary gland development. In the present study we used the hepatic IGF-I transgenic (HIT) and IGF-I knockout/HIT (KO-HIT) mouse models to examine the effects of enhanced circulating IGF-I on mammary development in the presence and absence of local IGF-I. HIT mice express the rat IGF-I transgene under the transthyretin promoter in the liver and have elevated circulating IGF-I and normal tissue IGF-I levels. The KO-HIT mice have no tissue IGF-I and increased circulating IGF-I. Analysis of mammary gland development reveals a greater degree of complexity in HIT mice as compared to control and KO-HIT mice, which demonstrate similar degrees of mammary gland complexity. Immunohistochemical evaluation of glands of HIT mice also suggests an enhanced degree of proliferation of the mammary gland, whereas KO-HIT mice exhibit mammary gland proliferation similar to control mice. In addition, HIT mice have a higher percentage of proliferating myoepithelial and luminal cells than control mice, whereas KO-HIT mice have an equivalent percentage of proliferating myoepithelial and luminal cells as control mice. Thus, our findings show that elevated circulating IGF-I levels are sufficient to promote normal pubertal mammary epithelial development. However, HIT mice demonstrate more pronounced mammary gland development when compared to control and KO-HIT mice. This suggests that both local and endocrine IGF-I play roles in mammary gland development and that elevated circulating IGF-I accelerates mammary epithelial proliferation.
Robust Fingerprinting for Relocatable Code

Robust fingerprinting of executable code contained in a memory image is a prerequisite for a large number of security and forensic applications, especially in a cloud environment. Prior state of the art has focused specifically on identifying kernel versions by means of complex differential analysis of several aspects of the kernel code implementation.In this work, we present a novel technique that can identify any relocatable code, including the kernel, based on inherent patterns present in relocation tables. We show that such patterns are very distinct and can be used to accurately and efficiently identify known executables in a memory snapshot, including remnants of prior executions. We develop a research prototype, codeid, and evaluate its efficacy on more than 50,000 sample executables containing kernels, kernel modules, applications, dynamic link libraries, and malware. The empirical results show that our method achieves almost 100% accuracy with zero false negatives.
Safety of lovastatin/extended release niacin compared with lovastatin alone, atorvastatin alone, pravastatin alone, and simvastatin alone (from the United States Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system).

Recent national guidelines support combination drug therapy targeting multiple lipid abnormalities. Current drug labeling warns of an increased risk of adverse events with statin and niacin combinations. These recommendations have been based solely on case reports. We compared the rates of adverse event reports (AERs) received by the United States Food and Drug Administration (1999 to March 2005) associated with the combination of lovastatin/niacin-extended release (ER) with those of lovastatin or niacin-ER alone, and other commonly used statins. The following AERs were considered: events that were fatal, life-threatening, or resulted in hospitalization (serious AERs), hepatotoxicity (liver AERs), and rhabdomyolysis (rhabdomyolysis AERs). We also calculated the prevalence of concomitant niacin-ER therapy in statin-associated AERs. The rate of serious AERs associated with the combination lovastatin/niacin-ER was similar to that of lovastatin or niacin-ER alone, and significantly less than that of atorvastatin or simvastatin. Likewise, the rates of liver and rhabdomyolysis AERs associated with lovastatin/niacin-ER were similar to those of the other statins or niacin-ER alone and lower than those of simvastatin-associated rhabdomyolysis reports (p
Development and Validation of a Spectrofluorimetric Method for the Determination of Erlotinib in Spiked Human Plasma

A rapid and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed and validated for the determination of erlotinib (ETB), a potent anticancer drug, in spiked human plasma without any derivatization. The described method was validated and the analytical parameters of linearity, accuracy, precision (intra- and inter-day), limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) were evaluated. The relation between the fluorescence intensity and concentration was found to be linear (r2 0.9998) over the range 125 to 1000 ng/mL with the detection limit of 15 ng/mL. A simple liquid-liquid extraction method was followed in order to extract the drug from spiked plasma. The mean absolute recoveries of ETB were 85.59 % (±0.57), 86.91 % (±1.77) and 89.31 % (±3.01) at spiked plasma ETB concentration of 5000, 3750 and 2500 ng/mL, respectively. The spectrofluorimetric method presented here is a rapid, simple, specific, and reproducible method and can be used to characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics of ETB.
Do no harm — but first, do not hurt

As recently as 20 years ago, many health care professionals believed that young children did not experience pain and that the use of opiates for pain control was contraindicated because of a substantial risk of addiction.[1][1] A related misunderstanding was the belief that even if children
Cognition of being in the peak experiences.

(1959). Cognition of Being in the Peak Experiences. The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 94, No. 1, pp. 43-66.
Examination of the ionomer/electrode interface using the ferric/ferrous redox couple

Les voltamogrammes du couple redox Fe 2+/3+ dans une solution d'electrolyte contenant HClO 4 sur differentes electrodes (Pt, Au) modifiees ou non par un film de Nafion permettent d'etudier l'interface Nafion/Pt et Nafion/Au
Grading the Severity of Obstruction in the Presence of a Restrictive Ventilatory Defect

Study objectives No recommendation currently exists for grading the severity of airway obstruction in the presence of additional restriction. The grading of airway obstruction is currently based on the FEV 1 (American Thoracic Society [ATS] recommendations), while prior recommendations by the Intermountain Thoracic Society (ITS) graded the severity of obstruction based on the FEV 1 /FVC ratio. The objective was to compare the grading of airway obstruction using the percent predicted FEV 1 (ATS) with a confidence interval-based system (ITS), with particular focus on pulmonary functions in patients having both airway obstructions and restrictions. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting Tertiary medical center. Patients A retrospective analysis of 21,499 patient pulmonary function tests (PFTs) was performed. The predicted values of Crapo and coworkers were used. Measurements and results The distribution of the severity of the obstruction was compared using the ATS and ITS methods for PFTs with normal, increased, or decreased total lung capacity (TLC). Analysis was performed using the χ 2 method. Of the 21,499 PFTs that were analyzed, TLC was measured in 28% (5,962 PFTs). In this cohort, 44% (2,619 PFTs) gave evidence of obstruction. Of these, 147 PFTs demonstrated additional restriction. While the ATS criteria graded 133 of these PFTs (90%) as being severe, the ITS criteria graded only 4 PFTs (3%) as severe (the severity distribution between the methods was significantly different [p Conclusions In view of the possible overestimation of the severity of obstruction in PFTs with concurrent restriction using the percentage of predicted FEV 1 values, consideration should be given to grading the severity of obstruction on the basis of the FEV 1 /FVC ratio in this specific subset of PFTs.
Polarization alignment of polarization maintaining fiber using coherent detection

A new method of polarization alignment into PM fiber based on electronic coherent detection is presented. The electric field resulting from interference between the polarization eigenmodes of a PM fiber at a linear polarizer when the light coupled into the fiber is amplitude modulated is solved for. The results of polarization alignment experiments using a current modulated laser diode are compared with the theory. Even though current modulation of a laser diode produces a complicated electric field, it is shown that the measurements made in the experiments agree well with the simple model. The new method is used to align the input to a PM fiber coupler with a polarization extinction ratio (PER) of 25 dB (limited by coupler crosstalk) and to align into a 1 km long PM fiber with a PER of 20 dB (limited by fiber crosstalk).
In situ and suspension protocols for chemically-induced mutation at the tk locus in L5178Y MOLY cells: dose response and colony size distribution.

Abstract We used EMS up to concentrations of 0.25 μl/ml (292 μg/ml) to induce mutations at the tk locus in L5178Y MOLY cells, measured the cellular response by the in situ mutation assay protocol and compared these results to those obtained in a concomitant suspension assay. EMS induced mutagenic responses with both protocols. The mutant fraction for the solvent control was 89 mutants per million viable colonies for the suspension protocol and 426 mutations per million viable cells plated for the in situ protocol. These numbers increase to 447 and 2073 respectively, with 0.25 μl/ml EMS treatment. Sizing curves indicated that the in situ protocol detected a greater proportion of smaller colonies than did the suspension protocol. Not only were the number of small colonies greater than large colonies in the in situ protocol, but their rate of increase was also slightly higher than that of the large colonies. The in situ protocol also reduces the time and cost of experimentally performing the assay compared to the suspension protocol. In this paper we compare the use of the suspension and in situ protocols to measure chemically-induced mutations and demonstrate that the latter method detects a larger fraction of induced mutations at the tk locus in L5178Y MOLY cells.
A comparison of HAART outcomes between the US military HIV Natural History Study (NHS) and HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study (HAVACS).

Introduction The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide comprehensive HIV treatment and care to their beneficiaries with open access and few costs to the patient. Individuals who receive HIV care in the VA have higher rates of substance abuse, homelessness and unemployment than individuals who receive HIV care in the DoD. A comparison between individuals receiving HIV treatment and care from the DoD and the VA provides an opportunity to explore the impact of individual-level characteristics on clinical outcomes within two healthcare systems that are optimized for clinic retention and medication adherence. Methods Data were collected on 1065 patients from the HIV Atlanta VA Cohort Study (HAVACS) and 1199 patients from the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS). Patients were eligible if they had an HIV diagnosis and began HAART between January 1, 1996 and June 30, 2010. The analysis examined the survival from HAART initiation to all-cause mortality or an AIDS event. Results Although there was substantial between-cohort heterogeneity and the 12-year survival of participants in NHS was significantly higher than in HAVACS in crude analyses, this survival disparity was reduced from 21.5% to 1.6% (mortality only) and 26.8% to 4.1% (combined mortality or AIDS) when controlling for clinical and demographic variables. Conclusion We assessed the clinical outcomes for individuals with HIV from two very similar government-sponsored healthcare systems that reduced or eliminated many barriers associated with accessing treatment and care. After controlling for clinical and demographic variables, both 12-year survival and AIDS-free survival rates were similar for the two study cohorts who have open access to care and medication despite dramatic differences in socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics.
Globalization, Work Hours, And The Care Deficit Among Stockbrokers:

The authors study U.S. stockbrokers, workers directly affected by the technological and economic forces of globalization. Drawing on interviews with 61 brokers and managers in four firms, they find that competition from electronic communication networks and international markets has increased the pace of work for stockbrokers, spurred online and after-hours trading, and may prompt the major stock exchanges to establish later trading sessions known as extended-hours trading. These events are lengthening already long working days for brokers and contributing to a deficit of the time and energy they have to care for their families. These developments also reinforce gender inequality at home and in the workplace. The authors also find an alternative response to this globalization: The discount firm model, which creates the conditions for more gender balance in jobs and careers and thus the possibility for greater gender balance in the provision of care.
The role of intracisternal A-type particles in the evolution of factor-independent murine hematopoietic cell lines

Cocultivation of a clonal factor-dependent hematopoietic cell line (FDC-P1JL26) with an irradiated bone marrow stromal cell line (D2XRII) significantly increased the frequency of isolation of factor-independent subclones. Eight out of nine factor-independent subclonal lines showed expression of IL-3, GM-CSF or both cytokine mRNAs by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and seven of these expressed biologically active GM-CSF or IL-3. In three cell lines that synthesized biologically active IL-3 (FIJ1, FIJ4D and FIJ10D) insertion of an IAP sequence into the IL-3 gene was detected by PCR analysis and the insertions were confirmed by DNA sequence analysis of PCR or RT-PCR fragments. In the four cell lines in which no IL-3 expression was detected no IAP insertions were detected. Rearrangements of the GM-CSF gene were detected in three factor-independent cell lines and an insertion of an IAP into the GM-CSF gene was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis of PCR fragments. In contrast to results with IL-3, insertion of an IAP into the GM-CSF gene did not correlate with GM-CSF expression. In one cell line that contained an IAP insertion into the GM-CSF gene, no GM-CSF was detected by biological assay nor by RT-PCR. Retrotransposition of IAPs may be responsible for the emergence of factor-independent cells in our cocultivation system and other IAP insertions may prove to be responsible for the factor-independent phenotype seen in the non-autocrine factor-independent cell line, FI7CL2.
Irradiation hardening of ferritic steels: Effect of composition

Abstract Irradiation of ferritic steels with neutrons in the temperature range of room temperature to ~ 450°C results in lattice hardening, which causes an increase in strength and a decrease in ductility. Eight reduced-activation Cr-W-V steels with chromium concentration varying from 2.25 to 12% were irradiated at 365°C to $ 7 dpa in the Fast Flux Test Facility. A steel with 2.25% Cr and the combination of 2% W and 0.25% V hardened less than those containing vanadium or tungsten alone or a steel with 1% W and 0.25% V. The amount of hardening was similar for Cr-W-V steels with constant vanadium and tungsten concentrations and containing 2.25, 5, and 9% Cr; a steel with 12% Cr hardened considerably more. Specimens of two conventional Cr-Mo steels, 9Cr-1MoVNb and 12Cr-1MoVW, were also irradiated, and the hardening of these steels was similar to analogous reduced-activation steels.
The human commensal yeast, Candida albicans, has an ancient origin

Candida albicans, the primary causative agent of candidiasis, is a ubiquitous member of the human flora and is capable of causing severe invasive disease. Despite its importance as a human pathogen, little is known concerning those factors creating and maintaining genetic diversity within the species and how extant strains reflect their evolutionary history. Based on nucleotide polymorphism frequencies, we estimated the time to a most recent common ancestor for the species to be about 3-16 million years, with variation due to molecular clock calibration. As C. albicans genotypes have broad geographic associations, this suggests that the origins of DNA sequence variation in extant populations coincided with early hominid evolution. This is consistent with an emerging view of a genetically complex organism that is able to survive under host immunity as an obligate commensal species.
A planar integrated photometer/refractometer using an organic light emitting diode light source and an organic photovoltaic detector

A simple refractometer/photometer is described which uses a vacuum-deposited multilayer organic light emitting diode (OLED) light source and a vacuum-deposited planar heterojunction organic photovoltaic (OPV) detector, separated from each other on a thin glass attenuated total reflectance (ATR) element by 1-2 cm. A portion of the light output from the OLED light source is internally reflected in the ATR element, and the evanescent field from this internally reflected light interacts with solutions of variable refractive index in the region between the OLED and OPV. We document here the simple construction principles for devices of this type, and the characterization of the operation of this first-generation device in terms of i) photocurrent in the OPV detector versus light output from the OLED and ii) the response of the device to solutions of differing refractive index. In these first-generation devices we estimate a sensitivity to changes in refractive index of +/- of 10 -3 units.
Identifying the Features of Purine dNTPs that Allow Accurate and Efficient DNA Replication by Herpes Simplex Virus I DNA Polymerase

To accurately replicate its viral genome, the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) DNA polymerase usually polymerizes the correct natural 2′-deoxy-5′-triphosphate (dNTP) opposite the template base being replicated. We employed a series of purine−dNTP analogues to determine the chemical features of the base necessary for the herpes polymerase to avoid polymerizing incorrect dNTPs. The enzyme uses N-3 to prevent misincorporation of purine dNTPs but does not require N-3 for correct polymerization. A free pair of electrons on N-1 also helps prevent misincorporation opposite A, C, and G and strongly drives polymerization opposite T. N6 contributes a small amount both for preventing misincorporation and for correct polymerization. Within the context of guanine in either the incoming dNTP or the template base being replicated, N2 prevents misincorporation opposite adenine but plays at most a minor role for incorporation opposite C. In contrast, adding N2 to the dNTPs of either adenine, purine, 6-chloropurine, or 1-dea...
Using international children's literature in the content areas

This article presents ways in which the development of children's language arts skills, cognitive knowledge and emotional growth are fostered through the use of international children's literature to teach a content area. A unit of study is described, including activities and books that might be used as children do a study of nocturnal animals.
Digital image transformation and rectification of spacecraft and radar images

The application of digital processing techniques to spacecraft television pictures and radar images is discussed. The use of digital rectification to produce contour maps from spacecraft pictures is described; images with azimuth and elevation angles are converted into point-perspective frame pictures. The digital correction of the slant angle of radar images to ground scale is examined. The development of orthophoto and stereoscopic shaded relief maps from digital terrain and digital image data is analyzed. Digital image transformations and rectifications are utilized on Viking Orbiter and Lander pictures of Mars.
Displacements of Multiblock Geotechnical Structures Subjected to Seismic Excitation

A method is presented for calculations of irreversible displacements of multiblock structures subjected to seismic excitation. Use is made of the kinematic approach of limit analysis. To make the analysis tractable a hodograph representing distribution of accelerations in the structure is introduced. Distinction is made between soils conforming to the associative and nonassociative flow rules, and the importance of this distinction is demonstrated. The yield acceleration calculated for slopes comprised of soils conforming to the nonassociative flow rule is lower than that for a soil with the same strength parameters, but its deformation governed by the associative flow rule. Consequently, the displacements predicted for the former are larger. An example of a slope is demonstrated, but the method presented is applicable to other structures, such as retaining walls and embankments.
Point clouds can be represented as implicit surfaces for constraint-based haptic rendering

We present a constraint-based strategy for haptic rendering of arbitrary point cloud data. With the recent proliferation of low-cost range sensors, dense 3D point cloud data is readily available at high update rates. Taking a cue from the graphics literature, we propose that point data should be represented as an implicit surface, which can be formulated to be mathematically smooth and efficient for computing interaction forces, and for which haptic constraint algorithms are already well-known. This method is resistant to sensor noise, makes no assumptions about surface connectivity or orientation, and data pre-processing is fast enough for use with streaming data. We compare the performance of two different implicit representations and discuss our strategy for handling time-varying point clouds from a depth camera. Applications of haptic point cloud rendering to remote sensing, as in robot telemanipulation, are also discussed.
Preliminary Testing of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective:We describe development and preliminary testing of Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey—Recurrent/Metastatic (VHNSS-RM) to assess residual symptoms, tumor-related symptoms, and side effects from therapy.Methods:Items were identified through patient and provider interviews. Card sort selected high-yield and high-impact items. The VHNSS-RM was administered to 50 patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNC).Results:The VHNSS-RM includes 12 unique symptoms (diet change, tongue movement affecting speech/swallowing, face/neck swelling, neck/jaw cramping, bad breath, drooling, wound drainage/pain/odor, nasal congestion/drainage, eyes watering, face/tongue/ear/scalp numbness, headaches, and confusion) and 7 unique psychosocial issues (burden to family/friends, lost independence, fear, embarrassment, mood swings, stress, and boredom).Conclusions:The VHNSS-RM contains 35 physical and 12 psychosocial issues. The VHNSS-RM is feasible and not overly burdensome. Nineteen unique items may...
Cosmological Consequences of a Light Higgs Boson

The consequences for cosmology of a Coleman-E. Weinberg light Higgs boson are considered. If SU(2) × U(1) symmetry breaking is induced by such a boson, the early universe went far out of equilibrium at the time of the SU(2) × U(1) phase transition. The universe supercooled far below the equilibrium transition temperature. The decay of the unstable vacuum, when it finally occured, was induced by a process of “dynamical symmetry breaking” and increased the entropy to baryon ratio of the universe by a factor of 105 or 106. (Related matters have been treated in recent work by Guth and E. Weinberg.)
Colonoscopy is Associated with a Reduced Risk for Colon Cancer and Mortality in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background & Aims Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Surveillance colonoscopy is recommended at 2- to 3-year intervals beginning 8 years after diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there have been no reports of whether colonoscopy examination reduces the risk for CRC in patients with IBD. Methods In a retrospective study, we analyzed data from 6823 patients with IBD (2764 with a recent colonoscopy, 4059 without a recent colonoscopy) seen and followed up for at least 3 years at 2 tertiary referral hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts. The primary outcome was diagnosis of CRC. We examined the proportion of patients undergoing a colonoscopy within 36 months before a diagnosis of CRC or at the end of the follow-up period, excluding colonoscopies performed within 6 months before a diagnosis of CRC, to avoid inclusion of prevalent cancers. Multivariate logistic regression was performed, adjusting for plausible confounders. Results A total of 154 patients developed CRC. The incidence of CRC among patients without a recent colonoscopy (2.7%) was significantly higher than among patients with a recent colonoscopy (1.6%) (odds ratio [OR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39–0.80). This difference persisted in multivariate analysis (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45–0.93) and was robust when adjusted for a range of assumptions in sensitivity analyses. Among patients with CRC, a colonoscopy within 6 to 36 months before diagnosis was associated with a reduced mortality rate (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12–0.95). Conclusions Recent colonoscopy (within 36 months) is associated with a reduced incidence of CRC in patients with IBD, and lower mortality rates in those diagnosed with CRC.
Subchronic 10 Day Immunotoxicity of Polydimethylsiloxane (Silicone) Fluid, Gel and Elastomer and Polyurethane Disks in Female B6C3F1 Mice

Millions of people have been exposed to silicones because of the widespread use in consumer products such as cosmetics and toiletries, food products, household products and paints. Silicones have wide use in medical practice, including lubricants in tubing and syringes, and as implantable devices. The most prevalent silicone in medical use is polydimethylsiloxane. This study was undertaken to determine the subchronic immunotoxicologic potential of the principal constituents of breast implants: silicone fluid, silicone gel and silicone elastomer. An alternative covering for devices containing silicone gels, polyurethane, was also included in the study. Silicone fluid and gel were injected subcutaneously into female B6C3F1 mice (1 ml/mouse) and 6 mm disks of silicone elastomer or polyurethane were implanted subcutaneously. There were no treatment-related deaths or overt signs of toxicity. None of the tested materials had notable effects on body or organ weights, erythrocytes or leukocytes in the blood, blood chemistries such as alanine aminotransferase, urea nitrogen, glucose, albumin or total protein. The cellularity of the bone marrow and responses to CSF-GM and CSF-M were normal. The tested silicones did not alter the distribution of B cells and T cells in the spleen, but polyurethane perturbed the distribution of CD4+CD8+ and CD4-CD8- T cells. The antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was not markedly altered, nor were proliferative responses to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, lipopolysaccharide or allogeneic cells. Reticuloendothelial function was normal, but polyurethane evoked an enhanced phagocytosis of Covaspheres by adherent peritoneal cells. Natural killer cell activity and serum complement were not altered. All silicone materials afforded modest protection to a challenge with Listeria monocytogenes that killed 40 to 58% of control mice. Host resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae or the B16F10 tumor was not affected by any of the treatments. There is a pattern indicative of some perturbation of T cell differentiation in mice implanted with a polyurethane disk.
Activity of foreign proteins targeted within the bacteriophage T4 head and prohead: implications for packaged DNA structure

Abstract The phage-derived expression, packaging, and processing (PEPP) system was used to target foreign proteins into the bacteriophage capsid to probe the intracapsid environment and the structure of packaged DNA. Small proteins with minimal requirements for activity were selected, staphylococcal nuclease (SN) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). These proteins were targeted into the T4 head by means of IPIII (internal protein III) fusions or CTS (capsid targeting sequence) fusions. Additional evidence is provided that foreign proteins are targeted into T4 by the N-terminal ten amino acid residue consensus CTS of IPIII identified in previous work. Fusion proteins were produced within host bacteria by expression from plasmids or by produc tion from recombinant phage carrying the fusion genes. Packaged fusion proteins CTS▾IPIII▾SN, CTS▾IPIIITSN, CTS▾IPIII▾GFP, CTS▾IPIIITGFP, and CTS▾GFP, where ▾ indicates a linkage peptide sequence Leu(Ile)-N-Glu cleaved by the T4 head morphogenetic proteinase gp21 during head maturation, are observed to exhibit intracapsid activity. SN activity within the head is demonstrated by loss of phage viability and by digested genomic DNA patterns visualized by gel electrophoresis when viable phage are incubated in Ca2+. Green fluorescent phage result immediately after packaging GFP produced at 30°C and below, and continue to give green fluorescence under 470 nm light after CsCl purification. Non-fluorescent GFP-fusions are produced in bacteria at 37°C, and phage packaged with these proteins achieve a fluorescent state after incubation for several months at 4°C. GFP-packaged phage and proheads analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy show that the mature head and the DNA-empty prohead package identical numbers of GFP-fusion proteins. Encapsidated GFP and SN can be injected into bacteria and rapidly exhibit intracellular activity. In vivo SN digestion of encapsidated DNA gives an intriguing pattern of DNA fragments by gel analysis, predominantly a repeat pattern of 160 bp multiples, reminiscent of a nucleosome digestion ladder, This quasi-limit DNA digestion pattern, reached >100-fold more slowly than the loss of titer, is invariant over a range ≤10 to 200 molecules of SN packaged per head, and independent of proteolytic cleavage of SN from the IPIII portion of the fusion, favoring a discontinuous packaged DNA structure. Rods of B-form DNA could be envisioned as protected from digestion, whereas bent or kinked DNA would be more susceptible to the diffusible SN. Such discontinuous packaged DNA structures are favored for phage T4 by a number of lines of evidence.
Automatic parallelization of programming languages: past, present and future

Automatic parallelization of modern object-oriented languages, like Java, C#, Python or JavaScript, is considered to be a grand challenge. But what is the challenge exactly? Let us simplify the discussion by focusing on loop parallelization only. As usual loop parallelization requires answering two questions: (1) is it worthwhile to parallelize a loop? (2) is it safe to parallelize a loop?
Correlation of brain levels of 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA) with neurochemical and behavioral changes

9-Amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA) has been reported to cause improvement in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. We have examined some effects of THA in vitro and in vivo to define its mechanism of action. In vitro, THA inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (IC50 = 223 nM) and blocks [3H]AFDX-116 (M2) and [3H]telenzepine (M1) binding (IC50 s of 1.5 and 9.1 microM respectively). In vivo levels of THA were 10-fold higher in brain than plasma following 3.2 mg/kg i.p., a dose which was found to be active in reversing amnesia induced by scopolamine assessed in T-maze tests in rats and passive avoidance tests in mice. Additionally, these brain concentrations were above the IC50 of THA for AChE inhibition. THA (5.6-17.8 mg/kg i.p.) also elevated acetylcholine levels in the rat CNS. THA-induced side effects were blocked by the central muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, but not by the peripheral antagonists methscopolamine and glycopyrrolate, nor by nicotinic antagonists. We conclude that brain AChE inhibition by THA is sufficient to explain its purported therapeutic activity in Alzheimer's disease and that its favorable brain/plasma distribution in vivo may account for its central cholinergic action without inducing the severe peripheral cholinergic effects typically seen with other AChE inhibitors.
The role of phagocytosis in the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the rabbit.

Abstract An attempt was made to clarify the role of phagocytic cells in the formation of arterial lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits. No evidence was found for phagocytosis of either serum lipoproteins or emulsified lesion material (ELM) from cholesterol-fed animals by either granulocytes or macrophages in vitro although artificially prepared cholesterol particles and polystyrene latex particles appeared to be phagocytosed by both of these cell types. The uptake of ELM cholesterol was always less than that of cholesterol particles and was not accompanied by the usual metabolic responses to phagocytosis ( e.g. increased synthesis of phosphatidylinositol and increased production of 14 C0 2 from [1- 14 C]glucose). Peritoneal macrophages from cholesterol-fed rabbits do, however, accumulate cholesterol in some manner in vivo . The cholesterol content as well as the ratio of esterified to free cholesterol in these cells was comparable to that reported for foam cells obtained from arterial lesions. Only slight differences in cholesterol content of peritoneal granulocytes from control and cholesterol-fed rabbits were observed. It was concluded, therefore, that although the macrophage may be involved in lipid accumulation in the rabbit aorta, our data do not support the hypothesis that phagocytosis of lipids by foam cells in the aorta accounts for much of the aortic lipid accumulation.
Software Tools for New Product Development

Companies operating in today's competitive markets are compelled to develop new products that accomplish several objectives simultaneously. The products should be competitive in global markets, offer gwd value to customers, be environment friendly, enhance the strategic position of the company, and be introduced at the right time. To meet this formidable set of objectives, companies are embracing new concepts and techniques to support changes in the new product development (NPD) process. These new approaches include techniques such as quality function deployment and stage-gate reviews, measures such as cycle time, and organizational mechanisms such as cross-functional teams (see, for example, Griffin 1993; Zangwill 1993). An accompanying trend has been the growth of software tools to facilitate the new NPD processes. There is, however, little in the marketing literature that reports on the role and impact of these tools, with the exception of software for new product design trade-offs, such as conjoint analysis. We identify and classify the major categories of software tools that are available for supporting NPD. Then, we briefly explain their role in the NPD process and outline some research issues in evaluating these tools. Our objective is to highlight the goals. advantages, and disadvantages of these tools rather than to provide complete evaluations of the merits of specific software packages. Although we describe some individual packages, space does not permit us to compile a compendium of all the software available in this area. In selecting software for this review, we applied three criteria. The software should I. Support activities typically associated with marketing's role in the process. Thus, we exclude software twls that are used in physical product design such as computer-aided design (CAD) andlor computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). 2. Be commercially available for general purpose use rather than be proprietary or customized for a particular firm or indusuy. 3. Run on personal computers (PCs) and be available for our evaluation.
Longterm dark induced fine structural changes in crayfish photoreceptor membrane

1. Fine structural effects of longterm continuous darkness (2–16 weeks) have been quantitatively measured in five rhabdom parameters of adult crayfish (Procambarus) using transmission (Figs. 3–6) and freeze fracture (Figs. 13–15) electron micrographs. The most striking modifications took place during the first four weeks. 2. During the first two weeks in darkness four changes occurred: a) the diameter of rhabdom microvilli increased significantly (Figs. 9, 10), b) the diameter of particles (one or more rhodopsin molecules) visualized on the protoplasmic face of the receptor membrane by freeze fracture (Figs. 13–15) decreased significantly, whereas c) their number increased (Fig. 16) and d) lysosome related bodies near the rhabdom (Figs. 3, 4) in all five retinular regions studied strongly decreased in number (Fig. 12). 3. During weeks 3 and 4 in darkness two further changes occurred: a) the normally regular microvillus pattern of the photoreceptor membrane (Figs. 1, 2) was significantly disrupted and b) the number of membrane particles then fell to about half their initial count (Fig. 16) except in retinular cell eight where they maintained control levels for up to two months in the dark. 4. Most of these effects of prolonged darkness have clear functional implications. Disruption of microvillus pattern and sustained decrease in visual pigment concentration after more than two weeks without light reflect deterioration in vision. Alterations in microvillus diameters and lysosome density imply changes in the membrane turnover steady state resulting from protracted darkness. The data demonstrate that normal photoreceptor membrane could not be maintained in this eye for long in the absence of light. 5. The dark-induced disorganization of microvillus regularity confirms the earlier, disputed demonstration but also shows regional differences in susceptibility which might explain different conclusions drawn from local samples. 6. New distinctive features of retinular cell eight were found in its minimal sensitivity to microvillus disruption compared with the seven regular retinular cells and its maintenance of control densities of membrane particles despite two months continuous darkness.
Radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction in the complicated monochorionic gestation.

Objective This study was undertaken to describe the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction in the treatment of complicated monochorionic gestations. Study Design Case series of all consecutive patients treated at 1 institution. A 17-gauge radiofrequency needle was inserted under continuous ultrasound guidance into the fetal abdomen at the site of the umbilical cord insertion of the affected twin and radiofrequency energy delivered until cessation of vascular flow was documented with pulsed and color flow Doppler. Results Nine patients with monochorionic twin gestations (1 set was part of a triplet gestation) underwent the radiofrequency ablation procedure. Gestational age at the procedure ranged between 18.6-22 weeks. Liveborn infants resulted in two-thirds of cases. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes occurred in 2 of the 9 cases. All liveborn neonates were alive and well. Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation can be effectively used for selective reduction in complicated monochorionic gestations.
Hypogastric artery bypass to preserve pelvic circulation: improved outcome after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Abstract Objective This study was carried out to compare the functional outcomes after hypogastric artery bypass and coil embolization for management of common iliac artery aneurysms in the endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms (EVAR). Methods Between 1996 and 2002, 265 patients underwent elective or emergent EVAR. Data were retrospectively reviewed for 21 (8%) patients with iliac artery aneurysms 25 mm or larger that involved the iliac bifurcation. Patients underwent hypogastric artery bypass (n = 9) or coil embolization (n = 12). Interviews about past and current levels of activity were conducted. A disability score (DS) was quantitatively graded on a discrete scale ranging from 0 to 10, corresponding to "virtually bed-bound" to exercise tolerance "greater than a mile." Worsening or improvement of symptoms was expressed as a difference in DS between two time points (-, worsening; +, improvement). Results There was no difference in age (72.6 ± 7.3 years vs 73.1 ± 6.4 years), sex (male-female ratio, 8:1 vs 11:1), abdominal aortic aneurysm size (60.1 ± 5.9 mm vs 59.3 ± 7.0 mm), or number of preoperative comorbid conditions (1.9 ± 0.8 vs 2.1 ± 0.8) between hypogastric bypass and coil embolization groups, respectively. Mean follow-up was shorter after hypogastric bypass (14.8 vs 20.5 months; P P P P Conclusions Hypogastric artery bypass to preserve pelvic circulation is safe, and significantly decreases the risk for buttock claudication. Preservation of pelvic circulation results in significant improvement in the ambulatory status of patients with common iliac artery aneurysms, compared with coil embolization.
The influence of donor gender on allograft vasculopathy: Evidence from intravascular ultrasound

Abstract Background Allograft vasculopathy is a major risk factor for mortality following cardiac transplantation. Several immune and nonimmune factors have been evaluated as risk factors for the development of coronary vasculopathy. Objective We evaluated the influence of donor gender on the progression of coronary vasculopathy in heart transplant recipients. Methods Eighty-nine heart transplant recipients (67 men, 22 women of mean age: 56 ± 12 years) underwent serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis (IVUS) at baseline (within 1 month) and at 1 year after transplantation. Patients were divided into four groups in relation to the donor–recipient gender status: female–female, n = 17; female–male, n = 28; male–female, n = 5; male–male, n = 39. Ultrasound images were recorded during an automated pullback and with an equal number of slices (average = 22 per coronary vessel). The measured IVUS indices for the left anterior descending artery were: change in maximal intimal thickness, average intimal area, total plaque volume, and intimal index. Results Patients were similar in baseline characteristics. At 1 year after transplantation, IVUS indices of coronary vasculopathy were significantly increased among recipients of female allografts ( P Conclusion Heart transplant recipients of female allografts display increased coronary vasculopathy progression.
Optimizing renewable energy control for building using model predictive control

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is an intelligent control method in smart grid. In this paper, a model is built for energy usage control in one room with renewable energy. First, the energy for temperature control in the room can be predicted with lowest amount using MPC. Then simple load models for lights humidity, air condition and basic living appliances are added in the room in order to make a full load model for the room. At last, after adding the solar or wind devices in the system, the sizes for solar PV panel and wind turbine are chosen for the room. In this paper, Matlab is used to build the model with the weather data which is from the forecast. The simulation results show the indoor temperature using MPC and the optimal amount of power used in the system.
RAPID FLUCTUATIONS IN TRANSMITTER RELEASE FROM SINGLE VESICLES IN BOVINE ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS

Single-vesicle release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells can be detected in real time as current spikes by the electrochemical method of amperometry. About 70% of spikes are preceded by a small "foot," the trickle of transmitter out of the early fusion pore. In addition, 20–50% of foot signals exhibit rapid fluctuations that we interpret as flickering of the fusion pore. There are also "stand-alone" foot signals, which may reflect transient fusions, in which the vesicles do not collapse completely into the plasma membrane. The number and frequency of the foot flickering are affected by intracellular Ca2+ concentration.