cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fiber-reinforced composite foam from expandable PVC microspheres

Abstract The properties of composite foam based on PVC expandable microspheres reinforced with continuous aramid fibers are described. The foam was fabricated by infiltrating low-density non-woven fiber webbing with PVC microspheres. The assembly was subsequently heated to expand the foam. The resulting composite foam consisted of 10 wt% aramid fibers and had a density of 100 kg/m3. Mechanical properties, crack propagation, and microstructure of composite foams were evaluated and compared with properties of similar unreinforced foam and with commercial PVC foam of comparable density. The influence of fiber concentration, fiber architecture and bonding was investigated also. Properties were measured in tension, shear, compression, and flexure using standard ASTM test methods. The composite foam performance equaled or surpassed the performance of most thermoplastic foams commercially available. The tensile strength and modulus of the composite foam increased by factors of 6 and 8, respectively, and the shear strength and modulus increased by factors of 1.8 and 2.4. The composite foam also exhibited improved strain energy density and damage tolerance, and reduced notch sensitivity.
Leukemia inhibitory factor inhibits neuronal development and disrupts synaptic organization in the mouse retina

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) belongs to the interleukin-6 cytokine family, all members of which signal through the common gp130 receptor. Neurotrophic members of this cytokine family are known to arrest photoreceptor maturation and are likely to regulate maturation of other retinal neurons as well. We have used transgenic mice that constitutively express LIF beginning in embryonic development to determine its effects on synaptic organization and molecular maturation of all classes of retinal neurons. LIF reduced the numbers of cells showing markers characteristic of mature cells of all neuronal classes and caused synaptic ectopia. The net effect was disrupted morphological development and disturbed synaptic organization. Our study suggests that cytokines signaling through gp130 are capable of regulating many aspects of neuronal differentiation in the retina, including synaptic targeting.
Administration of either anti-CD40 or interleukin-12 following lethal total body irradiation induces acute lethal toxicity affecting the gut

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-12 and antibodies against CD40 have demonstrated antitumor effects in a variety of in vivo model systems. However, both agents can also mediate significant toxicities either when used following lethal TBI or when administered in combination with other agents such as IL-2. In this study, we assessed the effects of anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and IL-12 in lethally irradiated mice. Acute lethal toxicity was observed following the administration of either 10 microg anti-CD40 MoAb (FGK45) or 0.5 microg of recombinant murine (rm)IL-12 that resulted in 100% mortality of all mice within 4 to 6 days. Histological evaluation revealed destruction of the normal gut architecture in both anti-CD40 MoAb- and rmIL-12-treated mice. Analysis of serum cytokine levels in the lethally irradiated mice receiving anti-CD40 MoAb demonstrated a marked increase of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-12 p40, whereas mice receiving rmIL-12 demonstrated a marked increase of IFN-gamma. Lethally irradiated IL-12 p40 knock-out mice were resistant to anti-CD40-induced toxicity, suggesting that the lack of IL-12 p40 with no possibility of making functional IL- 12 p70 is key for this toxic reaction. Similarly, lethally irradiated IFN-gamma knock-out mice were completely resistant to rmIL-12-induced toxicity, suggesting that IFN-gamma is a major player in IL-12-mediated toxicity. These results suggest that both anti-CD40 MoAb and rmIL-12 induce an acute fatal toxicity characterized by similar intestinal pathology and mediated in part by IFN-gamma. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2002;8(6):316-25.
Effect of perinatal monosodium glutamate administration on visual evoked potentials of juvenile and adult rats

Administration of high doses of monosodium glutamate (MSG) to rats during the first postnatal week results in severe losses of retinal ganglion cells and interneurons in the retina. This study was conducted to determine what effect severe retinal damage would have upon the ontogeny of rat flash evoked potentials (FEPs) and the adult pattern reversal evoked potential (PREP). MSG (4 mg/g) or isotonic saline was administered to rat pups daily from postnatal day (PND) 2 until PND 9. FEPs were recorded following 2 stimulation frequencies from unanesthetized, unrestrained MSG treated and control rats on PND 15, PND 22, and PND 60 or older. PREPs were recorded from unanesthetized, restrained rats older than PND 60 from each treatment group. On PND 15, 9 of 12 control animals exhibited responses to light flashes, while only 4 of 13 MSG treated animals did so. All animals from both treatment groups exhibited FEPs on PND 22 and beyond. All FEP peak latencies were significantly increased in MSG treated animals with the magnitude of the effect being greater during development. Peak N1 amplitude was reduced in MSG treated animals by 50% or more at each age. Frequency x treatment interactions were observed on peak P2 and peak N3 latency, and a frequency x age x treatment interaction was observed on peak N3 amplitude. MSG treatment severely impaired the ability to generate PREPS. Only small responses to the pattern reversal stimulus could be detected and the normal PREP peaks could not be identified with confidence. Perinatal MSG treatment results in profound alterations in FEP ontogeny and the generation of PREPs.
Enhancing research capacity for global health: evaluation of a distance-based program for international study coordinators.

Introduction: Due to the increasing number of clinical trials conducted globally, there is a need for quality continuing education for health professionals in clinical research manager (CRM) roles. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a distance-based continuing education program for CRMs working outside the United States. Methods: A total of 692 applications were received from CRMs in 50 countries. Of these, 166 were admitted to the program in two cohorts. The program, taught online and in English, included 4 required and 1 optional course. Course materials were also provided as hard copies and on CDs. A pretest/posttest design was used to evaluate the outcome of the program in terms of changes in knowledge, participants' capacity-building activities at their research sites; and participant and supervisor perceptions of program impact. Results: Participants demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge about clinical research, rated course content and teaching strategies positively, and identified the opportunity for interactions with international peers as a major program strength. Challenges for participants were limited time to complete assignments and erratic Internet access. Participants offered capacity-building programs to 5061 individuals at their research sites. Supervisors indicated that they would recommend the program and perceived the program improved CRM effectiveness and site research capacity. Discussion: Results suggest that this type of continuing education program addresses a growing need for education of CRMs working in countries that have previously had limited involvement with global clinical trials.
0++-2++ glueball mass ratio in non-Abelian gauge theories.

By means of a high-statistics Monte Carlo simulation, Fisher scaling is studied for pure SU(2) and SU(3) lattice gauge theory. In both cases ${2}^{++}$ is found to be the lowest state above the vacuum, and the $\frac{m({0}^{++})}{m({2}^{++})}$ glueball mass ratio is slightly larger than 1. For SU(2), Monte Carlo data smoothly continue the analytic $\frac{m({0}^{++})}{m({2}^{++})}$ small-volume calculation towards the infinite-volume continuum limit. New results for the ratio between the square root of the string tension and the mass gap are also reported.
Chromatograms of Biological Stains on Acid and Basic Adsorbents

A simple method of preparing chromatograms of mixtures of various biological stains on common acid and basic adsorbents is described. From the study of such chromatograms, three kinds of preferential adsorption can be recognized. (1) Due to the preferential adsorption of acid stains on basic adsorbent, a mixture of stains will separate itself into successive color bands on the chromatogram according to their individual acidity or basicity. The chromatogram, therefore, of a mixture of three stains—acid, neutral and basic—will appear on basic adsorbent according to the above order. The reverse order results if the acid adsorbent is used. The stains can be taken off from the adsorbents by shaking with proper solvents. (2) The components of some neutral stains or a mixture of some similarly charged stains can also be separated in a chromatogram. The order of appearance seems to be independent of the acid or basic nature of the adsorbents. This is similar to the chromatogram of leaf extract of plant pigments. ...
Ground State Conformations and Entropic and Enthalpic Factors in the Efficiency of Intramolecular and Enzymatic Reactions. 1. Cyclic Anhydride Formation by Substituted Glutarates, Succinate, and 3,6-Endoxo-Δ4-tetrahydrophthalate Monophenyl Esters

Intramolecular and enzymatic reactions require conformations in which the orbitals of reactants are properly aligned and van der Waals surfaces are in a near-attack conformation (NAC). Much of the changes in steric and electrostatic energies that take place in moving from the favored ground state conformation (FGSC) to the transition state are accounted for when the NAC has been assumed. Upon assessing the steric, electrostatic, and zero point energies, one is in position to calculate the probability of NAC formation. Using a series of monoesters of dicarboxylic acids, we have (i) created, via stochastic search, 10 000−40 000 minimized conformations per ester; (ii) chosen only the unique local minima conformations for each ester; (iii) determined the energies of each minimum conformation using MM3(92); (iv) identified the geometry of the NACs where the van der Waals overlap has not begun for the approach of carboxyl anion and ester carbonyl; and (v) calculated the mole fraction (probability, P) of each es...
Network-wide energy profiling of CTP

We present our experiences evaluating the power-performance tradeoffs of a sensornet network protocol on a power-aware testbed. We characterize the power draw of the entire network while running the Collection Tree Protocol (CTP), as a function of low-power-listening interval. We find that message transmission counts are poor predictors for energy consumption on the CC2420 radio, that CTP routinely creates energy hotspots in the routing tree, and that conclusions based on protocol evaluation performed without low-power listening enabled provide little insight about the same protocol performance using low-power listening.
Flavonoids protect retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress-induced death.

PURPOSE. Mounting evidence suggests that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of many ocular diseases, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. No treatments are available to prevent the neuronal degeneration that occurs in these disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether flavonoids, natural products that are abundant in fruits and vegetables, can protect retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress‐induced death. METHODS. The ability of flavonoids to protect an immortalized retinal ganglion cell line, RGC-5 cells, was tested using three model systems of oxidative stress‐induced cell death: glutathione (GSH) depletion, t-butyl peroxide (t-BOOH) treatment, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment. RESULTS. GSH depletion causes retinal ganglion cell death by a pathway involving the production of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas the other two treatments use exogenous sources of ROS. It was found that specific flavonoids could protect retinal ganglion cells from cell death initiated by all three of the inducers of oxidative stress with high levels of potency and low toxicity. In the case of GSH depletion, different flavonoids could be shown to act at distinct steps in the cell death pathway. Several of the protective flavonoids also induced the synthesis of the transcription factor NF-E2‐related factor 2 and phase 2 antioxidant enzymes such as heme oxygenase 1, markers for the activation of the antioxidant response element. CONCLUSIONS. These results suggest that certain flavonoids can function as potent and effective neuroprotective agents for retinal ganglion cells. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46: 4796‐4803) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-0397
Estimates of the Tropospheric Vertical Structure of Neptune Based on Microwave Radiative Transfer Studies

A radiative transfer model incorporating, among other things, the recently measured centimeter wavelength opacity of H2S, the full line catalog of PH3, and absorption due to CO has been developed to study the tropospheric vertical structure of Neptune. To match radio-telescope observations, subsolar amounts of NH3 and supersolar amounts of H2S are found to be needed, as has been previously noted. To match both the measured microwave emission and the measured opacity at 13 cm and 6.3 bars by Voyager 2, an H2S dominant atmosphere (H2S/NH3 approximately equals 40) with enhanced PH3 (15 x solar) or NH3 supersaturation with respect to the putative NH4SH cloud (400 ppbv) seems to be indicated. Due to the possible importance of PH3 opacity, it is suggested that measurements of its opacity could aid in resolving some of the outstanding ambiguities concerning Neptune's tropospheric structure.
Analysis of thyroid hormone effects on myosin heavy chain gene expression in cardiac and soleus muscles using a novel dot-blot mRNA assay.

Effects of thyroid hormone on myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene expression were compared in ventricle and soleus muscle of hypothyroid rats, since in this condition, both muscle types express predominately β-MHC mRNA. Changes in MHC mRNAs were analyzed using synthetic oligonucleotide probes complementary to the 3′ untranslated region of the MHC mRNAs. The results indicated that daily treatment with 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) at a dose of 2 μg/100 g body weight increased α-MHC mRNA content in heart muscle by 600% and decreased β-MHC mRNA by 70% within 48 h. In soleus muscle, β-MHC mRNA levels were not affected by 9 wks of treatment, however, Fast IIa-MHC mRNA was increased by 150% at 7 wks and 300% after 9 wks of T3 administration. Thus, regulation of MHC gene expression by thyroid hormone is both gene and tissue specific.
Modifying Softball for Maximizing Learning Outcomes in Physical Education

Softball is taught in many physical education programs throughout the United States. This article describes modifications that maximize learning outcomes and that address the National Standards and safety recommendations. The modifications focus on tasks and equipment, developmentally appropriate motor-skill acquisition, increasing number of trials, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Readers are provided with a continuum of choices for equipment and activity types, as well as a 10-day sample unit for middle school.
Food refusal after an incident of choking: a posttraumatic eating disorder.

ABSTRACT Food refusal presented as the leading symptom in five children who had experienced an episode of choking. Reactions were similar to those seen in children with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Before the incident of choking, the children had struggled with developmental conflicts concerning separation and individuation. After the choking episode, they regressed to an overly dependent relationship with their parents. Their fear of choking and subsequent food refusal appeared to represent a fear of dying and being separated from their parents. The severity of the preexisting psychopathology and the subsequent reaction of the parents were critical factors that influenced the development and course of the disorder. Treatment of these children involved several components. In the initial part of the treatment, the child's nutritional needs were addressed. The child's anticipatory anxiety about eating and choking was then treated through an in vitro and in vivo desensitization procedure. Concurrently, the patient and family were seen in family therapy to address the familial context in which the disorder developed.
Thermodynamic characterization of interactions of native bovine serum albumin with highly excluded (glycine betaine) and moderately accumulated (urea) solutes by a novel application of vapor pressure osmometry.

The thermodynamic consequences of interactions of native bovine serum albumin (BSA) with two smaller solutes (glycine betaine or urea) in aqueous solution are characterized by a novel application of vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), which demonstrates the utility of this method of investigating preferential interactions involving solutes that are either accumulated or excluded near the surface of a protein. From VPO measurements of osmolality (water activity) as a function of the solute concentration in the presence and absence of BSA, we determine the dependence of the solute molarity (C3) on that of BSA (C2) at fixed temperature (37 degrees C), pressure (approximately 1 atm), and osmolality (over the range 0-1.6 molal). After some thermodynamic transformations, these results yield values of [formula: see text] which characterizes the interdependence of solute molalities when temperature, pressure, and the chemical potential of solute 3 are fixed. This form of the preferential interaction coefficient can be interpreted directly in terms of the molecular exclusion or accumulation of the solute (relative to water) near the protein surface. Within experimental uncertainty, [formula: see text] is proportional to m3 both for glycine betaine (0-0.9 m) and for urea (0-1.6 m). For glycine betaine [formula: see text] = -49 +/- 4, a value consistent with the interpretation that this solute is completely excluded from the hydrated surface of BSA, whereas for urea [formula: see text] = 6 +/- 1, which indicates a moderate extent of accumulation at the surface of native BSA. The preferential accumulation of solutes (e.g., urea) that have some binding affinity for a protein can be quantified and interpreted using the two-domain model if the extent of hydration of the protein has been determined using a completely excluded solute (e.g., glycine betaine). Complete exclusion from the local hydration domain surrounding proteins, if general, justifies the use of glycine betaine as a thermodynamic probe of the changes in hydration that accompany protein folding, protein association, and protein-ligand binding interactions.
Eligibility of patients in routine care for major clinical trials of anti–tumor necrosis factor α agents in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To identify the proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2 cohorts from Nashville, Tennessee, who met basic criteria for inclusion in 2 important recent clinical trials of anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) agents, the early RA (ERA) trial of etanercept versus methotrexate, and the anti-TNFα trial in RA with concomitant therapy (ATTRACT) study of infliximab plus methotrexate versus methotrexate. Methods Two cohorts of patients, all of whom had met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA at some time, were studied. Cohort E (early) comprised 232 patients who were under the care of 5 private practice rheumatologists, whose duration of RA was fewer than 3 years, and who were reviewed for basic inclusion criteria for the ERA clinical trial. Cohort L (long-term) comprised 152 consecutive patients who had been under care at a weekly academic rheumatology clinic for a mean of 4.5 years, and were reviewed for basic inclusion criteria for the ATTRACT study. Results In cohort E, basic inclusion criteria for the ERA trial were met by 11 of 36 patients (31%) who had not taken methotrexate, 8 of 19 patients (42%) who were at their first visit and had not taken methotrexate, and 37 of all 232 patients (16%). In cohort L, 5% of patients met the basic inclusion criteria for the ATTRACT study. Conclusion Most patients who were seen in routine care in these 2 cohorts did not meet the criteria for inclusion in these 2 important recent clinical trials. The conclusion that anti-TNFα therapy has greater efficacy than methotrexate may be valid only in a limited number of patients with the most severe RA. Anti-TNFα therapy may be desirable in most patients with RA, but this possibility has not been studied formally. Criteria for inclusion in RA clinical trials might be modified for greater generalizability of results.
Equalization of QPSK Data Transmission in Specular Multipath

This paper gives performance results for transversal-filter equalization of quadriphase phase-shift-keyed (QPSK) signals with two-component multipath and demodulator phase error. An analytical expression for optimum, minimum mean-square-error tap weights in terms of the multipath and signal parameters is given. Probability of error results for no equalization and equalization with adaptive decision-feedback tap-weight adjustment are compared. The results show that significant improvement can be obtained with relatively simple equalizer structures.
Pulmonary vasoregulation by arginine vasopressin in conscious, halothane-anesthetized, and pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs with increased vasomotor tone.

BACKGROUND Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is an important "stress" hormone that is known to play a key role in cardiovascular homeostasis of the systemic circulation. In contrast, the effects of AVP on the pulmonary circulation have not been extensively investigated, and the extent to which general anesthesia alters the pulmonary vascular response to AVP is entirely unknown. Our first objective was to assess the effects of AVP on the pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relation in chronically instrumented conscious dogs in the setting of an acute elevation in pulmonary vasomotor tone. Our second objective was to investigate the effects of halothane and pentobarbital anesthesia on the pulmonary vascular response to AVP after inducing the same degree of pulmonary preconstriction achieved in the conscious state. METHODS Conditioned, mongrel dogs were chronically instrumented to measure the left pulmonary vascular pressure-flow (LPQ) relation. LPQ plots were generated by continuously measuring the pulmonary vascular pressure gradient (pulmonary arterial pressure minus left atrial pressure) and left pulmonary blood flow during gradual (approximately 1 min) inflation of a hydraulic occluder around the right pulmonary artery, which directed total pulmonary blood flow through the left pulmonary circulation. LPQ plots were generated in conscious (n = 10), halothane-anesthetized (n = 9) and pentobarbital-anesthetized (n = 7) dogs. In each condition, LPQ plots were measured at baseline, during the intravenous administration of the thromboxane analog U46619 and during the cumulative administration of AVP (2-19 ng.kg-1.min-1, intravenous) in the presence of U46619 preconstriction. RESULTS U46619 caused acute pulmonary vasoconstriction (P < 0.01) in conscious dogs. In this setting of U46619 preconstriction, AVP caused pulmonary vasodilation (P < 0.05) in the conscious state. In contrast, despite identical levels of U46619 preconstriction, the pulmonary vasodilator response to AVP was either reversed to vasoconstriction (P < 0.05) or abolished during halothane and pentobarbital anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that AVP exerts a significant pulmonary vasodilator response in the setting of acute pulmonary vasoconstriction in conscious dogs. However, the pulmonary vascular response to this stress hormone is markedly altered during halothane and pentobarbital anesthesia.
Measured statistics of retroreflected 1064 nm laser light in atmospheric turbulence

Detection of optical targets using laser illumination has become an increasingly valuable military tool. In order to better understand typical detection scenarios for a laser illumination system and to improve target detection performance, intensity probability density functions of retroreflected near-infrared laser light were experimentally measured over a near-ground line-of-sight optical path. Returns from a corner cube and a simple lens–mirror system were recorded under a variety of atmospheric conditions, as measured by changes in the refractive-index structure parameter . In addition to its applicability to target detection, this work is relevant to atmospheric propagation research and to free-space laser communication studies.
An Examination of the Covariates of Female Homicide Victimization and Offending

This study examines and compares the covariates of female homicide offending and victimization in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Newark, New Jersey. Four research questions are examined: (a) What individual and structural factors differentiate female and male victimization? (b) Are there individual and structural factors that differentiate female and male offending? (c) Do the covariates of female involvement in lethal acts differ by location as compared to male offending and victimization? and (d) Do the covariates of female offending and victimization differ? Similar to previous research, the findings suggest that female homicide offending and victimization have similar covariates, although some distinct patterns emerged pertaining to the social structural covariates of offending and victimization. Specifically, homicides involving female actors were more likely to occur in Indianapolis than in Newark. The implications of these findings for policy and research are discussed.
Tracking the processing of damaged DNA double-strand break ends by ligation-mediated PCR: increased persistence of 3′-phosphoglycolate termini in SCAN1 cells

To track the processing of damaged DNA double-strand break (DSB) ends in vivo, a method was devised for quantitative measurement of 3′-phosphoglycolate (PG) termini on DSBs induced by the non-protein chromophore of neocarzinostatin (NCS-C) in the human Alu repeat. Following exposure of cells to NCS-C, DNA was isolated, and labile lesions were chemically stabilized. All 3′-phosphate and 3′-hydroxyl ends were enzymatically capped with dideoxy termini, whereas 3′-PG ends were rendered ligatable, linked to an anchor, and quantified by real-time Taqman polymerase chain reaction. Using this assay and variations thereof, 3′-PG and 3′-phosphate termini on 1-base 3′ overhangs of NCS-C-induced DSBs were readily detected in DNA from the treated lymphoblastoid cells, and both were largely eliminated from cellular DNA within 1 h. However, the 3′-PG termini were processed more slowly than 3′-phosphate termini, and were more persistent in tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1-mutant SCAN1 than in normal cells, suggesting a significant role for tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 in removing 3′-PG blocking groups for DSB repair. DSBs with 3′-hydroxyl termini, which are not directly induced by NCS-C, were formed rapidly in cells, and largely eliminated by further processing within 1 h, both in Alu repeats and in heterochromatic α-satellite DNA. Moreover, absence of DNA-PK in M059J cells appeared to accelerate resolution of 3′-PG ends.
Ultrasonic measurements of surface roughness.

Ultrasonic reflectance/scattering measurements have been made on metal samples possessing a large range of surface roughness values. The root-mean-square roughnesses Rq ranged from 0.3 to nearly 40 μm on the mostly periodic surfaces. The echo amplitude from short incident pulses of ultrasound in the frequency range of 1 to 30 MHz was used, in the manner of a comparator, to measure relative roughnesses with an area-averaging approach defined by the ultrasonic beam spot size. Ultrasonic wavelengths ranged from about 50 to 300 μm at these frequencies, and the beam spot sized varied from 0.2 to 5 mm in diameter. Both air and fluid coupling techniques were used between the sensor (transducer) and surface, on both static and rapidly (in excess of 5 m/sec surface speed) moving parts. On static surfaces, a resolution of better than 1.0 μm Rq was achieved at the higher ultrasonic frequencies. By focusing the ultrasonic beam at 30 MHz, a profilometry capability was demonstrated on a 1 μm Rq sinusoidal specimen of 800 μm wavelength.
Photostimulated field emission — triangular barrier model

Abstract Photostimulated field emission (PSE) should prove to be an extremely useful probe of electronic states. We report on a generalization and extension of a previous theory to the case of a simple triangular barrier model of the surface potential. Results for both dj/dϵ, the differential current per unit energy, and j/F2 are presented, where F is the applied electric field. These differ from the approximate results of Bagchi which are not valid at high field. The dependence of j on the transmission coefficient is shown to arise in a natural way.
An exact test for all-way interaction in a 2M contingency table: application to interval capture-recapture estimation of population size.

Summary. An exact conditional test for an M-way log-linear interaction in a fully observed 2M contingency table is formulated. Prom this is derived a procedure for interval estimation of the total count N in a 2 M contingency table, one of whose entries is unobserved. This procedure has an immediate application to interval estimation of the size of a closed population from incomplete, overlapping lists of records, as in capture-recapture analysis of epidemiological data. Data on the prevalence of spina bifida in live births in upstate New York in 1969–1974 illustrate this application.
High Resolution Digital Radiography Utilizing CCD Planar Array

Two different prototype high resolution digital x-ray radiographic imaging systems employing planar array charge-coupled device detectors have been constructed. Both proto-type imaging units have an ultimate resolution capability of at least 10 line pairs/mm. Each system employs a standard 20 x 30 cm x-ray intensifying phosphor screen as the input receptor. One unit operates as a scanning system utilizing a specially manufactured planar array (244 x 380 elements) operating in a time delay and integration mode (TDI). The other system employs a static array (640 x 1024 15 micron square pixels) operating in "snapshot" read out mode. Our studies utilizing these devices with standard clinical radiation exposures have shown a significant improvement in the visualization of low contrast objects in radiographic phantoms and both units have an ultimate resolution capability of at least 10 line pairs/mm.
Morphological and Mechanical Property Correlations in Rabbit Tibial Plateau Cartilage Using a Fibril-Reinforced Biphasic Model

The rabbit knee joint has frequently been used to study the mechanical properties of articular cartilage using various computational models. These models, however, vary in their ability to extract comparable material properties of cartilage from experimental data, resulting in inconsistencies in the data from various laboratories. A more complex, fibril-reinforced biphasic model more accurately fits the response of the cartilage by incorporating a collagen fibre network within the matrix. Indentation-relaxation tests were conducted on the medial and lateral facets in areas covered and uncovered by the meniscus on the rabbit tibial plateau. Gross and histological data were analysed and correlated with the mechanical properties. The fibril-reinforced biphasic model accurately fit the entire experimental curve extracting both the instantaneous (fibre modulus) and equilibrium (matrix modulus) responses and tissue permeability. The data was found significant at all sites. Significant correlations were also documented between the mechanical and the histological and morphological data.
Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: New Insights

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited disorder in which defects in the ABCC6 gene lead to calcification of connective tissue of the skin, eyes (Bruch's membrane of the retina), and blood vessels (Neldner and Struk, 2002). Although the exact mechanism of how ABCC6 causes disease is not known, several hypotheses have been generated (Pfendner et al., 2008). The “metabolic hypothesis” suggests that gene defects lead to the absence of circulating factors normally needed to prevent mineralization in various tissues (Jiang et al., 2007), whereas the “PXE cell hypothesis” proposes that resident cells are altered by the genetic abnormality, leading to disease manifestations (Quaglino et al., 2000).
Cultured Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells Show Increased N-Linked α2,6-Sialytransferase Activity

Abstract Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EAT cells) are routinely grown in the peritoneal cavity of mice. These cells, EAT-wt, grow in suspension and exhibit a high level of α-2,3-O-linked sialyltransferase activity with benzyl-T-antigen (Galβ1,3Ga1NAc-α-O-CH 2 C 6 H 5 ) as acceptor. These cells also contain a very low level of α-2,6-O-linked and α-2,6-N-linked sialyltransferase activity. A variant of these cells, EAT-c, has been selected to grow in cell culture, attached to the surface of culture flasks. EAT-c cells exhibit a selective increase of two- to fivefold in the activity of α-2,6-N-linked sialyltransferase activity, using asialo-α 1 -acid glycoprotein as acceptor. Since a similar selective increase has been previously observed in metastatic human colorectal cancer tissues, the EAT-wt/EAT-c cell system may serve as a good experimental model for the investigation of sialyltransferases and their cell surface sialylated products in relation to cancer, metastasis, and cell-cell interaction.
Cottonseed flour production: Economic evaluation

Estimating methods are described and results are presented on economic evaluation of processing glandless cottonseed into flour with by-products of oil, hulls, and fine meats. Processing was assumed to be conducted in three sizes of mills processing 100, 200, and 400 tons per day of seed for 300 days per year. Estimates were made of the prices of flour required to give discounted cash flow rates of return ranging from 0 to 25%. At 25% return the estimated prices of flour were 36 cents, 28 cents, and 25 cents per pound for the three sizes of mills
High temperature, high strain forging behaviour of binary Al-2Li alloy

AbstractThis investigation has demonstrated the utility of coupled computer simulation and constant strain rate, isothermal compression of double cone wedge tests within the dynamic recrystallisation regime, for predicting the influence of strain, strain rate and temperature on the high temperature, high strain forging behaviour of an annealed binary Al–2 wt-%Li alloy. Initially, experimentally determined true stress–true strain compression data were used to simulate isothermal forging of double cone compression specimens. At intermediate temperatures (673–773 K) and strain rates (0.01–0.001 s-1), simulations predicted large gradients in strain across the specimen, the microstructural features in this case corresponding to both dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallisation (DRX) within the specimen. At higher temperatures (773–823 K) and lower strain rates (0.0005–0.001 s-1), simulations predicted a uniform strain distribution over the cross-section of the specimen, the microstructural observations corre...
Abstract A50: Epstein-Barr virus in the putative stem cell fraction of some multiple myeloma cell lines.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated cancers have traditionally been thought to harbor the viral genomes as nuclear plasmids in all or nearly all of a patient9s tumor cells as determined by in situ hybridization (ISH). We discovered EBV in 4 out of 7 standard multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines. In these positive cell lines, EBV was found in only a subpopulation of cells. For example, in MM.1S (a MM cell line) less than 1% of the cells harbored viral DNA as determined by limiting dilution PCR. These rare infected cells carried approximately 20 EBV copies. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the presence of multiple copies of the EBV genome in rare cells. Immunofluorescence similarly detected the presence of viral genomes expressing EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) - 1 and 2 in rare cells. Reverse transcriptase PCR confirmed EBNA1 and EBNA2 viral RNA expression. The cells that harbor virus are phenotypically distinct CD19+CD138− B cells. The phenotype overlaps with that identified as a MM cancer stem cell population. Viral genomes were not detected in the plasma cell-like population (CD19−CD138+). The results are consistent with the possibility that EBV is present in MM cancer stem cells in some MM cell lines and that virus is lost as these MM cancer stem cells with a B cell-like phenotype differentiate into plasma cells. Introduction of a dominant negative shRNA of the EBV EBNA-1, a protein essential for viral replication, decreased the proliferation of only the MM cell lines which were positive for EBV. Insertion of the dominant negative EBNA-1 shRNA had no effect on EBV negative MM cell lines, suggesting that EBV plays a role in the growth kinetics of cell lines even when present in a tiny percentage of cells. These results suggest that in some MM lines, EBV is harbored in a B cell-like progenitor population that overlaps with the putative cancer stem cell fraction. The loss of EBV inhibits cell proliferation and that EBV is lost during the B-cell to plasma cell differentiation process. The results presented here suggest that identifying the EBV status of MM patients prior to treatment might lead to a more efficient course of therapy. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):A50. Citation Format: Sunetra Biswas, Meir Shamay, Courtney M. Shirley, Raluca Yonescu, William H. Matsui, Ivan Borrello, Richard J. Jones, Richard F. Ambinder. Epstein-Barr virus in the putative stem cell fraction of some multiple myeloma cell lines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A50.
Relationship between sense of belonging as connectedness and suicide in American Indians.

The incidence of suicide in American Indians is highest of all ethnic populations. M. Naegle and C. D'Avanzo (2001) assert that suicide is often correlated with primary depression and substance dependence. Prevalence rate for suicide within the American Indian population was 1.5 times the national rate in 2001. The sociohistorical impact of sense of belonging to suicide within this population has not been explored in previous research (C. Strickland, E. Walsh, & M. Cooper, 2006). The findings support that sense of belonging has a negative association with suicidal ideation (r = −.203, P ≤ .01) and may buffer the development of depressive symptoms.
Tryptophan content for monitoring breast cancer cell aggressiveness by native fluorescence spectroscopy

This study shows tryptophan as the key native marker in cells to determine the level of aggressive cancer in breast cell lines using native fluorescence spectroscopy. An algorithm based on the ratio of tryptophan fluorescence intensity at 340 nm to intensity at 460 nm is associated with aggressiveness of the cancer cells. The higher the ratio is, the more aggressive the tumor towards metastasis.
Applications of Multivalent Ionic Conductors to Polymeric Electrolyte Batteries.

The feasibility of solid state cells based upon lithium ion conducting polymer electrolytes has been demonstrated. In the present paper a preliminary investigation of sodium and magnesium ion conductors in polymer electrolyte cells is summarized. Cell types were Li|V 6 O 13 , Na|V 6 O 13 , and Mg|V 6 O 13 with polymer electrolytes based on polyethylene oxide and salts of the anode element.
The Use of Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction in Pediatric Head CT: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Iterative reconstruction techniques facilitate CT dose reduction; though to our knowledge, no group has explored using iterative reconstruction with pediatric head CT. Our purpose was to perform a feasibility study to assess the use of ASIR in a small group of pediatric patients undergoing head CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Alderson-Rando head phantom was scanned at decreasing 10% mA intervals relative to our standard protocol, and each study was then reconstructed at 10% ASIR intervals. An intracranial region of interest was consistently placed to estimate noise. Our ventriculoperitoneal shunt CT protocol was subsequently modified, and patients were scanned at 20% ASIR with approximately 20% mA reductions. ASIR studies were anonymously compared with older non-ASIR studies from the same patients by 2 attending pediatric neuroradiologists for diagnostic utility, sharpness, noise, and artifacts. RESULTS: The phantom study demonstrated similar noise at 100% mA/0% ASIR (3.9) and 80% mA/20% ASIR (3.7). Twelve pediatric patients were scanned at reduced dose at 20% ASIR. The average CTDI vol and DLP values of the 20% ASIR studies were 22.4 mGy and 338.4 mGy-cm, and for the non-ASIR studies, they were 28.8 mGy and 444.5 mGy-cm, representing statistically significant decreases in the CTDI vol (22.1%, P = .00007) and DLP (23.9%, P = .0005) values. There were no significant differences between the ASIR studies and non-ASIR studies with respect to diagnostic acceptability, sharpness, noise, or artifacts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that 20% ASIR can provide approximately 22% dose reduction in pediatric head CT without affecting image quality.
Adaptive clutter filtering for ultrasound color flow imaging

In this article, we present an adaptive clutter rejection method for selecting different clutter filters in ultrasound color flow imaging. A single clutter filter is typically used to reject the clutter. Because the clutter characteristics vary in both space and time, the single clutter filter approach has difficulty in providing optimum clutter rejection in ultrasound images. To achieve more accurate velocity estimation, we have developed a method to select a clutter filter adaptively at each location in an image from a set of predefined filters. Selection criteria have been developed based on the underlying clutter characteristics and the properties of various filters (e.g., minimum-phase finite impulse response, projection-initialized infinite impulse response and polynomial regression). We have incorporated our adaptive clutter rejection method in an ultrasound system. We have found that our adaptive method can reduce the mean absolute error between the estimated and true flow velocities significantly compared with the conventional methods, in which a single clutter filter is used throughout the entire image. With in vivo abdominal data, we obtained an average gain of 5.0 dB in signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR), compared with the conventional method. These preliminary results indicate that the proposed adaptive method could improve the accuracy of flow velocity estimation in ultrasound color flow imaging through the improvement in SCR and the reduction in bias.
Multiuser Scheduling in the 3GPP LTE Cellular Uplink

In this paper, we consider resource allocation in the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular uplink (UL), which will be the most widely deployed next generation cellular uplink. The key features of the 3GPP LTE uplink are that it is based on a modified form of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-based multiple access (OFDMA), which enables channel dependent frequency selective scheduling, and that it allows for multiuser (MU) scheduling wherein multiple users can be assigned the same time-frequency resource. In addition to the considerable spectral efficiency improvements that are possible by exploiting these two features, the LTE UL allows for transmit antenna selection together with the possibility to employ advanced receivers at the base-station, which promise further gains. However, several practical constraints that seek to maintain a low signaling overhead are also imposed. In this paper, we show that the resulting resource allocation problem is APX-hard and then propose a local ratio test (LRT)-based constant-factor polynomial-time approximation algorithm. We then propose two enhancements to this algorithm as well as a sequential LRT-based MU scheduling algorithm that offers a constant-factor approximation and is another useful choice in the complexity versus performance tradeoff. Further, user preselection, wherein a smaller pool of good users is preselected and a sophisticated scheduling algorithm is then employed on the selected pool, is also examined. We suggest several such user preselection algorithms, some of which are shown to offer constant-factor approximations to the preselection problem. Detailed evaluations reveal that the proposed algorithms and their enhancements offer significant gains.
Toward the development of integrative risk-adjusted measures of quality using large clinical data bases. The case of anesthesia services.

This article describes a process to risk-adjust multiple outcomes of care and aggregate them into integrative measures ofquality. A methodology is outlined for anesthesia services which is designed to use the new data base that is being constructed by the American Association for Nurse Anesthetists. Most of the methods should apply to otherhealthprofessions as well if outcomes of care and risk factors can be identified. The basic approach is to choose either exemplary or adverse outcomes of care which are under the control of the provider and to standardize these outcomes to take into consideration multiple risk factors.
Enhanced Neutrophil Stimulation by Phorbol Ester Encapsulated in pH-Sensitive Liposomes

AbstractPhorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are both hydrophobic stimulators for superoxide release by guinea pig neutrophils. However AA incorporated into liposomes is no longer an effective stimulator. In contrast, PMA incorporated into liposomes is more effective in neutrophil stimulation than free PMA. the ED50 of superoxide release was 3.1 × 10−8M, and 4.0 × 10−10 M for free PMA and liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) /AA/ PMA (molar ratio 7:2:1), respectively. PMA incorporated into PE/AA liposomes could also shorten the lag period of superoxide release in a concentration-dependent fashion. the enhanced stimulation activity of PMA in liposomes was correlated with the enhanced liposome uptake by neutrophils, probably via phagocytosis. Weak bases and a proton ionophore inhibited superoxide release by cells stimulated with either free or liposomal PMA. these results suggested that free PMA attached to cell membranes might be endocytosed and stimulate the s...
GROWTH FACTOR ACTION ON OVARIAN FUNCTION IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Insulin-like growth factors, their receptors, binding proteins, and binding protein proteases are important in normal and abnormal ovarian follicle development. IGFs stimulate ovarian cellular mitosis and steroidogenesis and inhibit apoptosis. Patterns of expression of IGF family members are characteristic of whether follicles are estrogen- or androgen-dominant. The PCOS follicle is androgen-dominant but does not appear to be atretic and has characteristic IGF family expression. Available data strongly support an intraovarian, as opposed to endocrine, role for this growth factor family in ovarian follicle growth, steroidogenesis, and atresia.