cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GENSAT BAC Cre-Recombinase Driver Lines to Study the Functional Organization of Cerebral Cortical and Basal Ganglia Circuits

Recent development of molecular genetic techniques are rapidly advancing understanding of the functional role of brain circuits in behavior. Critical to this approach is the ability to target specific neuron populations and circuits. The collection of over 250 BAC Cre-recombinase driver lines produced by the GENSAT project provides a resource for such studies. Here we provide characterization of GENSAT BAC-Cre driver lines with expression in specific neuroanatomical pathways within the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.
Photomodulated Chiral Induction in Helical Azobenzene Oligomers

Appending l-alanine to the terminal positions of a helical azobenzene oligomer produced a P helical bias, which increased with oligomer length. Irradiation gave rise to E → Z isomerization of the terminal azo linkages, which displaced the stereogenic center of l-Ala from the helix backbone and suppressed chiral induction. Theoretical simulations of the CD spectrum of the P helical conformation are in qualitative agreement with the experimental spectra.
Visual journaling: An intervention to influence stress, anxiety and affect levels in medical students

Abstract Research has shown that medical students have higher levels of stress and anxiety than the general population, increasing their risk of health problems, mental illness, and suicide. This study looked at the effects of visual journaling as a possible stress-reduction technique. Research took place with students and staff of Eastern Virginia Medical School, with data collected over two sessions consisting of inventory scores of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X), artwork in their visual journals, and a questionnaire. While the number of participants was not large enough to show statistical significance, there was a general decrease in anxiety and negative affect levels among nearly all participants from the pretest to the posttest. This study showed that visual journaling was a promising intervention for stress reduction in a medical environment; however, more research is needed to justify its implementation.
The separation of salivary proteins by paper electrophoresis under various conditions.

Abstract Whole human saliva was collected by paraffin stimulation. The samples were either dialysed, electrodialysed or used directly for paper electrophoretic studies. From the results obtained it is concluded that in the presence of ions, electrophoretic separation of salivary proteins is inhibited. Amylase activity is distributed among the other salivary proteins and migrates with them. The greatest activity is associated with globulin. Prolonged dialysis removes the free metallic ions and saliva can be separated into nine to ten fractions, two of which migrate faster than albumin. No change in amylatic activity was observed. Upon removal of the ions by electrodialysis, saliva can be resolved into thirteen individual fractions but the amylatic activity is greatly reduced. The possibility arises that electrodialysis disrupts the metallo-enzyme complex of amylase thus inactivating it, and/or detaching it from other salivary proteins. This allows for an even better separation of the saliva constituents. The findings suggest that salivary protein separation is inhibited by the presence of ions and amylase.
Temozolomide for treating brain metastases

Abstract The metastasis of solid tumors to the brain is associated with a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. Available treatment options are limited, as many chemotherapeutic agents do not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Temozolomide (Temodar in the United States, Temodal globally; Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ) is a novel chemotherapeutic agent with a good safety profile that crosses the blood-brain barrier and has shown activity against many human solid tumors. In two phase II trials of temozolomide in heavily pretreated patients with various solid tumor brain metastases, temozolomide was safe and generally well tolerated and showed clinical activity, with three partial responses and 19 disease stabilizations. Results of a third randomized phase II trial of concurrent administration of temozolomide and radiation therapy followed by adjuvant temozolomide therapy compared with radiation alone showed a higher rate of complete and partial responses (objective response of 96% v 67%) and significantly more complete responses (38% v 33%, P = .017), primarily in patients with newly diagnosed brain and lung metastases.
Selectivity enhancement for high-speed GC analysis of volatile organic compounds with portable instruments designed for vacuum-outlet and atmospheric-pressure inlet operation using air as the carrier gas.

A tandem ensemble of two 4.5-m-long × 0.25-mm-i.d. capillary columns with the first using a 0.50-μm film of nonpolar dimethyl polysiloxane and the second using a 0.25-μm film of polar trifluoropropylmethyl polysiloxane is operated with atmospheric pressure air as the carrier gas and an outlet pressure of 50.5 kPa established using a small vacuum pump. A thicker stationary-phase film is used in the first column to increase retention for very volatile compounds. This significantly increases the resolution of these compounds. The thicker film in the first (nonpolar) column decreases the polarity of the tandem column ensemble and, thus, changes its selectivity. A low-dead-volume valve, connected between the column junction point and a source of atmospheric pressure air, is used to obtain pulsed modulation of the carrier gas flow through the column ensemble. When the valve is open, the ensemble inlet pressure and the junction-point pressure are nearly the same, and carrier gas flow nearly stops in the first co...
"Radical" abdominal cancer surgery: current state and future course.

Biologically driven cancer surgery is essential for the best care of the cancer patient. Modern technology and support have improved the safety and operative results of radical surgery. Better understanding of tumor biology with technical advances permit rational,en bloc resection of the primary cancer and regional lymphatic drainage with better cure rates. The author has operated on 1103 patients with liver tumors since 1970. The liver tumors were resected in 415 patients, with major hepatic resections being done in 359. Since 1979, the author carried out 62 regional pancreatectomies. Thirty-three were for stage 1 or 2 adenocarcinomas of the head of the pancreas. The 5-year actual survival was 31 per cent. There has been similar improvement in treating ampullary and periampullary cancer, gallbladder cancer, or extrahepatic bile duct cancer. These data show significant improvement in the results of treating cancer by radical or biologically driven surgery. Abdominal cancer is not a generalized disease until late in its course.
A Generalized Clutter Computation Procedure for Airborne Pulse Doppler Radars

A general procedure for analyzing ground clutter effects in airborne pulse Doppler radars is described. The quantity computed is the expected clutter power at the output of any specified range gate/ Doppler filter processing cell. The procedure has been computerized and is quite general with respect to antenna gain pattern, clutter cross section variation, PRF, pulse and range gate shapes, and the various receiver processing functions. It is applicable only to distributed ground clutter and linear processing, and excludes the dynamic effects of continuous antenna scanning. To exemplify the use of the procedure, two studies conducted for a postulated high PRF radar are described, and the results are presented.
Inherited predisposition to breast cancer among African American women

African Americans have a disproportionate burden of aggressive young-onset breast cancer. Genomic testing for inherited predisposition to breast cancer is increasingly common in clinical practice, but comprehensive mutation profiles remain unknown for most minority populations. We evaluated 289 patients who self-identified as African American with primary invasive breast cancer and with personal or family cancer history or tumor characteristics associated with high genetic risk for all classes of germline mutations in known breast cancer susceptibility genes using a validated targeted capture and multiplex sequencing approach. Sixty-eight damaging germline mutations were identified in 65 (22 %, 95 % CI 18–28 %) of the 289 subjects. Proportions of patients with unequivocally damaging mutations in a breast cancer gene were 26 % (47/180; 95 % confident interval [CI] 20–33 %) of those with breast cancer diagnosis before age 45; 25 % (26/103; 95 % CI 17–35 %) of those with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); 29 % (45/156; 95 % CI 22–37 %) of those with a first or second degree relative with breast cancer before age 60 or with ovarian cancer; and 57 % (4/7; 95 % CI 18–90 %) of those with both breast and ovarian cancer. Of patients with mutations, 80 % (52/65) carried mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and 20 % (13/65) carried mutations in PALB2, CHEK2, BARD1, ATM, PTEN, or TP53. The mutational allelic spectrum was highly heterogeneous, with 57 different mutations in 65 patients. Of patients meeting selection criteria other than family history (i.e., with young age at diagnosis or TNBC), 48 % (64/133) had very limited information about the history of cancer in previous generations of their families. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 or another breast cancer gene occur in one in four African American breast cancer patients with early onset disease, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or TNBC. Each of these criteria defines patients who would benefit from genomic testing and novel therapies targeting DNA repair pathways.
Preovipository migration flights in the green lacewing, Chrysopa carnea (Planipennia, Chrysopidae)

1. The temporal and spatial characteristics of the first dispersal flights of Chrysopa carnea Stephens adults have been investigated in laboratory and field experiments. 2. Emergence from the cocoon occurs mainly at night, with a prominent peak in the first hour of the scotophase. Emergence follows an endogenous circadian rhythm. 3. Takeoff behavior is elicited by a decrease in light intensity. No endogenous rhythm for takeoff was found. The first flight occurs shortly after the first sunset (light-off) after emergence. The timing of the first flight is not influenced by wind, scent, or availability of food. 4. The dispersal flights of females in the first 2–3 nights are ‘obligatory migration flights’ because neither takeoff nor flight duration is influenced by ‘vegetative’ stimuli. The estimated average height of flight is 6–12 m, whereas the average for females in the ovipository stage is around 3 m. 5. In the first two nights after emergence, both females without food and well-fed females were able to fly a nightly average of 4 h on a flight mill (with uninterrupted flights averaging about 2 h). 6. The average flight distance was estimated as a function of wind velocity, flight direction and velocity, and duration of flight. Average migration distance is 40 km per night. Even without wind a newly emerged female is likely to migrate several kilometers prior to oviposition. 7. It is suggested that the strategy of ‘obligatory preovipository migration’ enables Chrysopa carnea to thrive in environments, where changes in the quality of the habitat are unpredictable and drastic.
Infantile cardiomyopathy: a previously unrecognized type with histiocytoid reaction.

Two cases of a previously undescribed type of cardiomyopathy in infants are reported.The lesions were characterized by collections of large pale cells among the muscle fibers. The origin and nature of these have not been determined, but various possibilities are discussed.
The influence of the variation of the coefficient of thermal expansion with temperature on the microcracking behavior of K3B/IM7 and X5260/G40-800 composites

Abstract The effects of the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of K3B/IM7 and X5260/G40-800 cross-ply laminates on matrix cracking are investigated. The composite CTEs are measured in the temperature range -50°C to 175°C. Based on this measured CTE as a function of temperature, the thermal residual stresses and energy release rates at the crack tip are calculated using the finite element method and compared to those results computed under the assumption of a constant CTE value. The residual stresses in the laminates will have the potential to reduce the mechanical properties of the composites. This paper clarifies the thermal energy release rate change in a temperature range and predicts the critical applied matrix cracking load of the laminates.
Closed Depression Topography Harps Soil, Revisited

Accumulation of carbonates around depressions indicates past or present water and solute flow paths out and up from the depressions. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of surface carbonates in relation to landscape parameters, depressions, and original Harps map units for 93° 69'W longitude and 41° 59'N latitude. Surface carbonates were determined around each depression or Harps map unit in adjacent field areas (~1650 m wide and 2475 m long) by violent effervescence with 10% HCl. Elevation information for these fields was used to determine slope as well as profile, and plan curvatures for neighborhood points at a 10-m analysis scale, although data were retained for all 1-m elevation points. A 50-m buffer (divided into 10-m-wide strips) around each depression was overlaid with zones that either had or did not have surface carbonates, and the two zones were compared for differences in slope or profile curvature. One-third of the Harps map units overlapped the newly mapped carbonate areas. The newly mapped surface carbonates were located in low-slope regions at “inlet” areas around depressions. Low slope from 10 to 50 m around depressions was associated with surface carbonate zones. Convex areas 10 to 20 m beyond the depression edge were associated with surface carbonates. Redefining “neighborhood” points for 1-m elevation data and evaluating buffers around true depressions were useful tools to define zones with surface carbonates.
Nuclear structure and pairing correlations for the heavy elements

Abstract The advent of BCS calculations for deformed nuclei has brought extensive progress in understanding many nuclear properties. With the aid of fast and versatile computer facilities a number of previously-made simplifying assumptions have been tested. (1) By use of delta- force matrix elements between Nilsson eigenfunctions, instead of a constant-G pairing force, some feeling for the nature of fluctuations in δν values and their variation as the systems are filled is gained. (2) By carrying the usually-neglected G vv′ matrix elements of Belyaev a generally uniform lowering of Nilsson levels is observed as the system is filled. (3) The systematic effects on variational energies and average configuration mixing caused by projecting fixed-particle terms from BCS wave functions (PBCS) is studied. (4) The variation has been performed on the fixed-particle expression (FBCS). The FBCS method gives the lowest possible energies for a variational solution of the projected BCS form. The FBCS method is found always to lead to non-trivial solutions no matter how weak the residual force strength; the abrupt transition between superfluid and normal states of the nuclear fluid, predicted by the BCS method, is thus found to be a spurious result. The FBCS method always gives more configuration mixing than PBCS. The PBCS energies are close to FBCS in the region of high pairing correlation but are worse where pairing correlation is lower. This tendency is reflected strikingly in the odd-even mass differences, where the PBCS method gives differences much too large in the region of low pairing correlation. Most of the simpler methods are found to predict too-high level densities for odd-proton systems, relative to the FBCS method.
Optimal Hunting and Pleistocene Extinction

A basic assumption of the Pleistocene extinction, or “overkill” hypothesis, is that rates of human predation on numerous genera of megafauna exceeded prey replacement rates. Previous assessments of this hypothesis have often stressed the technological or organizational capabilities of Paleolithic hunters to harvest prey in sufficient numbers to threaten extinction. Optimal foraging models and ethnographic observations of modern hunters-gatherers provide a logical basis for assessing the feasibility of alternative reconstructions of Paleolithic hunting strategies as well as their compatibility with the concept of critically high rates of predation sufficient to cause extinction.
UNPHYSICAL REGION IN HEAVY-MESON-NUCLEON DISPERSION RELATIONS

The contribution to $K$-meson-nucleon dispersion relations from the unphysical region due to absorption is examined in perturbation theory; it is found that the contribution need not be negligible for scalar $K$ mesons or the case where $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ has opposite relative parity from ($K, \ensuremath{\Sigma}$). The influence this has on a dispersion-theoretic analysis of $K$-meson scattering is noted. In the Appendix the mass relationships for a rigorous derivation of the dispersion relations are discussed.
Insig-mediated degradation of HMG CoA reductase stimulated by lanosterol, an intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol

Feedback control of cholesterol synthesis is mediated in part by sterol-induced binding of HMG CoA reductase to Insig proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Binding leads to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of reductase, a rate-controlling enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that lanosterol, the first sterol intermediate in cholesterol synthesis, potently stimulates ubiquitination of reductase, whereas cholesterol has no effect at 10-fold higher concentrations. Lanosterol is not effective in mediating the other action of Insigs, namely to promote ER retention of SCAP-SREBP complexes, a reaction that is mediated directly by cholesterol. A pair of methyl groups located in the C4 position of lanosterol confers this differential response. These data indicate that buildup of cholesterol synthesis intermediates represses the pathway selectively at reductase and reveal a previously unappreciated link between feedback inhibition of reductase and carbon flow through the cholesterol synthetic pathway.
Witt groups and hyperexponential groups

In a recent paper [4], I introduced the notion of recursive formal Lie groups (of infinite dimension) over a field of characteristic p > 0, and studied a particular class of such groups, the groups of hyperexponential type ; these can be characterized either as being (recursively) isomorphic to a special group of that class, the hyperexponential group , or by simple conditions on their Lie hyperalgebra. An interesting example of a group of that class is the additive Witt group W , whose “infinitesimal” structure can therefore be considered as known, at least “up to an isomorphism”. However, the intrinsic importance of the Witt group (which, as well known, is the “formalization”, so to speak, of the additive group of a p-adic field) leads one to think that it may be worth while to study in greater detail that group itself, instead of being content with the mere existence of an unspecified isomorphism with the hyperexponential group. This is what we intend to do here; it turns out that, although it seems hopeless to write down explicitly the group law of the Witt group, the multiplication table of its hyperalgebra is, on the contrary, as simple as one could hope, and is, in fact, identical to that of the hyperalgebra of the hyperexponential group (although the two groups are distinct). Moreover, this leads to a new and quite unexpected definition of the Witt group, which links it still closer to the hyperexponential group, and provides a well-determined isomorphism between the two groups.
Understanding and Using the Implicit Association Test: II. Method Variables and Construct Validity

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) assesses relative strengths of four associations involving two pairs of contrasted concepts (e.g., male-female and family-career). In four studies, analyses of data from 11 Web IATs, averaging 12,000 respondents per data set, supported the following conclusions: (a) sorting IAT trials into subsets does not yield conceptually distinct measures; (b) valid IAT measures can be produced using as few as two items to represent each concept; (c) there are conditions for which the administration order of IAT and self-report measures does not alter psychometric properties of either measure; and (d) a known extraneous effect of IAT task block order was sharply reduced by using extra practice trials. Together, these analyses provide additional construct validation for the IAT and suggest practical guidelines to users of the IAT.
Results from magnetospheric Gedanken experiments using the LFM

Abstract The Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry global magnetospheric model couples a magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the solar wind magnetosphere interaction to a 2D simulation of the ionosphere. Event studies driven by solar wind observations made by WIND and ACE have proved the utility and accuracy of the model. Recently we have begun conducting a series of Gedanken experiments using the LFM as our testbed. By creating idealized solar wind conditions we are able to explore a portion of solar wind parameter space and determine the response of the coupled magnetosphere–ionosphere system. This paper will summarize results from two of these thought experiments. In the first experiment we used an abrupt transition from northward to southward interplanetary magnetic field to examine the development of polar cap convection in ionosphere and how the dayside magnetopause erodes under south-ward IMF. Next we use solar wind conditions which contained ultra low frequency (ULF) waves in the plasma density and show that it is possible to drive ULF waves in the magnetosphere with this direct driving from the solar wind. Using these computer assisted thought experiments we are able to move beyond the typical cartoon picture of the magnetosphere and probe its fundamental physics.
Rank tests for patterned alternatives in two-way non-parametric analysis of variance

Abstract We consider the problem of testing against trend and umbrella alternatives, with known and unknown peak, in two-way layouts with fixed effects. We consider the non-parametric two-way layout ANOVA model of Akritas and Arnold (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 89 (1994) 336), and use the non-parametric formulation of patterned alternatives introduced by Akritas and Brunner (Research Developments in Probability and Statistics: Festschrift in honor of Madan L. Puri, VSP, Zeist, The Netherlands, 1996, pp. 277–288). The hypotheses of no main effects and of no simple effects are both considered. New rank test statistics are developed to specifically detect these types of alternatives. For main effects, we consider two types of statistics, one using weights similar to Hettmansperger and Norton (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 82 (1987) 292) and one with weights which maximize the asymptotic efficacy. For simple effects, we consider in detail only statistics to detect trend or umbrella patterns with known peaks, and refer to Callegari (Ph.D. Thesis, University of Padova, Italy) for a discussion about possible statistics for umbrella alternatives with unknown peaks. The null asymptotic distributions of the new statistics are derived. A number of simulation studies investigate their finite sample behaviors and compare the achieved alpha levels and power with some alternative procedures. An application to data used in a clinical study is presented to illustrate how to utilize some of the proposed tests for main effects.
Preoperative evaluation of patients with liver disease

Patients with end-stage liver disease often undergo surgery for indications other than liver transplantation. These patients have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality that is related to their underlying liver disease. Assessments of surgical risk provide a basis for discussion of risks and benefits, treatment decision making, and for optimal management of patients for whom surgery is planned. The most useful indicators of surgical risk are indices that predict advanced disease, such as the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, or those that predict prognosis, such as the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score. Careful preoperative risk assessment, patient selection, and management of various manifestations of advanced disease might decrease morbidity and mortality from nontransplant surgery in patients with liver disease.
Issues of autonomy in the psychotherapy of children with learning problems

For certain children, learning and performance represent a major battleground in their struggles for autonomy. In treatment these children try to get the therapist to “do” something to them. This poses serious clinical problems since interpretations may be perceived as an attempt at control by the therapist. Such children can use interpretations only after treatment has proceeded in such a way that they have come to feel more autonomous. The psychotherapy of a latency-aged girl with severe learning problems is described and discussed. The authors' approach suggests implications for educational practice.
Aerosol dynamics in the equatorial Pacific marine boundary layer: Microphysics, diurnal cycles and entrainment

During July–August of 1994 we measured the size-resolved physicochemical properties of aerosol particles at Christmas Island in the equatorial Pacific. In spite of rapid diurnal conversion of dimethylsulfide (DMS) to sulfur dioxide (SO2) we found no evidence for new particle production in the marine boundary layer (MBL) and more than 95% of all particles were consistently larger than 0.02µm diameter, indicating an aged aerosol. The submicrometer aerosol number (size-distribution) was bimodal with peaks near 0.05µm and 0.2µm particle diameter (Dp) and had a cloud-processed intermode minimum at about 0.09µm that varied in phase with diurnal changes in ozone concentration. This suggests that the number distribution for condensation nuclei (CN) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) was maintained by a quasi-equilibrium between entrainment (estimated to be 0.6+/−0.2 cm s−1) from sources aloft and processes in the MBL. This implies a replenishment timescale for nuclei of about 2 and 4 days for this region. The stability of the distribution and the 0.09 µm cloud processed minima suggests trade wind cumulus supersaturations near 0.35% and updrafts near 1 ms −1.
SAR and Mode of Action of Novel Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of Hepatitis C NS5b RNA Polymerase

Novel non-nucleoside inhibitors of the HCV RNA polymerase (NS5b) with sub-micromolar biochemical potency have been identified which are selective for the inhibition of HCV NS5b over other polymerases. The structures of the complexes formed between several of these inhibitors and HCV NS5b were determined by X-ray crystallography, and the inhibitors were found to bind in an allosteric binding site separate from the active site. Structure-activity relationships and structural studies have identified the mechanism of action for compounds in this series, several of which possess drug-like properties, as unique, reversible, covalent inhibitors of HCV NS5b.
Nonlinear model for MODFET parasitic resistances

Abstract An analytical nonlinear model for the parasitic resistances of modulation doped field effect transistors (MODFETs) has been developed. In this model, the effect of electron velocity saturation, surface potential and gate voltage on the nonlinearity of the resistances is investigated. The MODFET I – V characteristics obtained when this nonlinear parasitic model is used are found to be in a good agreement with the experimental data. This study shows that this model can be valid for all common MODFET structures. The study shows also that using this model may be essential for achieving accurate noise figure evaluation and small and large signal analysis simulation, for high-power devices. Because the model is simple, it can be easily implemented in a circuit simulator such as SPICE.
Piecing together multicultural community : cultural differences in community building among grass-roots environmentalists

This paper draws on a participant-observation study of two grass-roots environmental movements to illuminate difficulties in multicultural alliance building between activists. It focuses on different, taken-forgranted cultural patterns in the ways grass-roots movements create group bonds, and it conceptualizes these patterns as different forms of “movement community.” A “personalized” form of movement community in local U.S. Green movement groups contributed to difficulties in multicultural alliance building. These difficulties arose despite the U.S. Greens' explicit multiculturalist ideology and their validation of the “environmental justice” ideology upheld by some activists of color. The paper suggests that U.S. Greens share with other contemporary activists a way of building movement community that places cultural barriers in the path of multicultural alliances. It also suggests that the personalized form of community may be a reasonable, if problematic, response by activists like Greens to difficult cultural predicaments in multicultural alliance building.
Millipore Filtration of Conjugating Bacterial Cells, with Epoxy Embedding for Electron Microscopy

Broth cultures of Escherichia coli, strains Hfr G6 and F− 464 grown separately, were mixed (2 ml of each) and the mixture filtered through a 0.45 μ pore size, 25 mm diameter, MF-Millipore membrane. The membrane was placed, cell side up, on a nutrient agar plate and incubated 15 min at 37 C. Processing in the customary manner to include fixation, staining and epoxy embedding for electron microscopy followed. The technique provides greater concentration of cells, allows less opportunity for separation of conjugating cells and is less time consuming than procedures involving concentration by centrifugation and enclosure in agar as prerequisities to resin embedding.
The Power-Recovery System of Testing Aircraft Engines

FOR its part in the development of the power-recovery system of testing aircraft engines the electrical industry may properly take pride. It has aided the war effort by helping to give to the aircraft-engine industry a testing technique that contains advantages not previously available. In this system of testing worth-while energy can be saved — more than half that required to operate an aircraft-engine manufacturing plant — and power demand can be reduced to the extent that power-demand costs and the capacities of power-supplying apparatus are materially reduced, engines can be tested with the ease and the quietness typical of electric machinery, testing can be carried on in buildings of simplified design, accurate electric load readings can be obtained to check and substantiate readings taken by conventional engine-testing methods, and, as reported by an aircraft engine builder, testing may be accomplished more quickly than with other systems. All of this can be done too on a basis that is economically sound.
The effects of trans trans methyl linoleate on the concentration of prostaglandins and their precursors in rat.

Abstract Four groups of weanling male rats were fed a diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil (Treatment A); 9-trans, 12-trans linoleate (trans linoleate, Treatment B); an equal mixture of 9-cis, 12-cis linoleate (cis linoleate) and trans linoleate (Treatment C); and cis linoleate (Treatment D); respectively for 12 weeks. The level of dietary fat was 11% of calories. Only trace amount of eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3w6) was detected in tissues, (liver, platelets) of rats in Treatments A and B. The level of C20:3w6 in platelet lipids of Treatments C and D was 0.1 and 0.33% respectively. The level of arachidonic acid in rats on Treatments A, B, C and D was 2.0, 1.4, 14.1 and 17.6% for platelet lipids, respectively. The serum levels of prostaglandin PGE1 for Treatments A, B, C and D were 1.10 ± 0.24, 0.22 ± 0.02, 3.51 ± 0.58 and 5.69 ± 0.59 ng/ml, respectively and 2.19 ± 0.85, 0.15 ± 0.03, 11.64 ± 2.63 and 24.89 ± 4.35 ng/ml for PGE2, respectively. Thus feeding trans linoleate to rats apparently caused decreased biosynthesis of PGs resulting from decreased levels of precursor acids. This was apparently due to the inhibition of conversion of cis linoleate to longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The results indicate that the availability of precursor acids is one limiting factor in PG biosynthesis in rats, and small differences in the level of precursor acids, affected by dietary trans fatty acids may cause large variations in amounts of PGs synthesized.
Structure-function relationships of various steroids relative to induction of nuclear breakdown and ovulation in isolated amphibian oocytes.

Abstract Progesterone and certain other steroids induce the resumption of meiotic division in amphibian oocytes in vitro . This system permits the examination of structure-function relationships of various steroids relative to their capacity to induce two specific physiological responses, nuclear breakdown and ovulation. The results indicate that the spatial arrangement of substituents on the upper, β surface of the steroid molecule is of critical importance in the induction of nuclear breakdown; the 3, 20-dione, 21-ol configuration being the most active. This must include an angular methyl group at carbon 19. The most potent inducers have an unsubstituted a surface, and any introduction of a polar group diminishes or abolishes biological activity. Ovulation demonstrates similar α and β surface requirements, but ovulation is much more sensitive to substitution in the β surface at carbon 11. The results suggest that progesterone interacts with a receptor in such a way that the β surface is specifically bound to a protein and the α surface exibits non-specific binding to an adjacent hydrophobic region.
Uranium series dating of human skeletal remains from the Del Mar and Sunnyvale sites, California

Uranium series analyses of human bone samples from the Del Mar and Sunnyvale sites indicate ages of 11,000 and 8,300 years, respectively. The dates are supported by internal concordancy between thorium-230 and protactinium-231 decay systems. These ages are significantly younger than the estimates of 48,000 and 70,000 years based on amino acid racemization, and indicate that the individuals could derive from the population waves that came across the Bering Strait during the last sea-level low.
Three-dimensional thermomechanical deformations of functionally graded rectangular plates

Abstract Three-dimensional thermomechanical deformations of simply supported, functionally graded rectangular plates are studied by using an asymptotic method. The locally effective material properties are estimated by the Mori–Tanaka scheme. The temperature, displacements and stresses of the plate are computed for different volume fractions of the ceramic and metallic constituents, and they could serve as benchmark results to assess two-dimensional approximate plate theories.
Argon Laser Photocoagulation of Proliferative Sickle Retinopathy

Retinal neovascular proliferations in 21 eyes of patients with sickling disorders were treated by argon laser photocoagulation. Nineteen eyes (90.5%) were free of perfused neovascular tissue at the time of follow-up, and 73 of 75 discrete neovascular patches (97%) were obliterated or non-perfused. The most effective technique of photocoagulation involved closure of feeder arterioles as they entered the neovascular patches. Vitreous hemorrhage occurred immediately or within the first week after photocoagulation in 14% of treatment sessions. All hemorrhages were minimal in amount and apparently inconsequential. Only one eye had a late, spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage. Induced field defects were clinically insignificant. Evidence suggests that argon laser photocoagulation is an effective treatment for proliferative sickle retinopathy. Whether or not it is more effective and less dangerous than xenon arc photocoagulation requires further evaluation.
Analysis of the positive DC corona between coaxial cylinders

An asymptotic method for analysing steady corona discharges is described. Formulae are obtained for curves of current versus voltage for the discharge between coaxial concentric and accentric cylinders.
Tensile and fatigue properties of a thermomechanically treated 7475 aluminium alloy

High-purity Al-Zn-Mg alloy was thermomechanically treated. The process included solution treatment, pre-ageing, cold-working by rolling and final ageing. Pre-ageing was carried out at 100°C (TAHA1) and room temperature (TAHA2). Experimental results indicated that the TAHA1 process improved the tensile strength significantly while the TAHA2 process improved the fatigue life more substantially. Fatigue crack initiation sites were examined carefully by scanning electron microscopy. A correlation between fatigue crack initiation, fatigue striation, tearing ridge, dimple distribution and fatigue life was observed. The experimental results are discussed in terms of substructure and are also compared with the tensile and fatigue properties of a thermomechanically treated 7075 Al-Zn-Mg alloy which were previously reported by one of the authors.
Experimental Behavior of Connections to Concrete-filled Steel Tubes

Abstract Six large-scale connections were tested to failure using the quasi-static test method. All details consisted of a connection-stub which was shop fabricated and field bolted for construction. Experimental results indicated that welding the connection-stub directly to the skin of the steel tube resulted in a large deformation demand on the tube wall. Large tube wall distortions made the girder flange, the flange weld, and the tube wall highly susceptible to fracture. Inelastic cyclic behavior improved when external diaphragms were used to distribute the flange forces around the tube, and the connection was able to develop the bending strength of the girder. Using embedded elements to distribute the girder flange force to the concrete core was very efficient in alleviating the stress concentration on the tube wall, however, the connection performance was sensitive to the type of embedded elements. Deformed bars welded to the girder flange and embedded into the concrete core developed a connection strength of more than 1.5 times the plastic bending strength of the connected girder, and exhibited stable hysteretic behavior up to failure. Connections with continuous flange plates showed less promise without additional detailing to anchor the flange plate into the concrete core. Extending the girder connection-stub through the entire CFT column was sufficient to develop the full plastic bending strength of the connected girder, and exhibited favorable inelastic cyclic performance.
Aortic distensibility and its relationship to coronary and thoracic atherosclerosis plaque and morphology by MDCT: insights from the ROMICAT Trial.

Background Multi-detector cardiac computed tomography (CT) allows for simultaneous assessment of aortic distensibility (AD), coronary atherosclerosis, and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.
Office-based methadone prescribing: Acceptance by inner-city practitioners in New York

In the US, methadone maintenance is restricted by federal and state regulations to large specialized clinics that serve fewer than 20% of the heroin-dependent population. In Europe, Canada, and Australia, primary health care providers already are utilized widely as methadone prescribers. In preparation for a limited study of office-based methadone treatment in New York City, 71 providers from 11 sites were surveyed about their willingness to prescribes methadone in their office-based pratices. Of the 71, 85% had methadone-maintained patients who came to their practice for other care. One-third felt knowledgeable enough to prescribes methadone, and 66% said they would if given proper training and support (88% among AIDS care providers). Half expressed concern that they might be unable to meet the multiple needs of these patients. With additional training and ancillary support, the 47 providers willing to become methadone providers could serve, at 10–20 patients each, 470–940 patients, a population the size of 3–5 average methadone clinics.
MO-F-BRA-05: Real-Time 3D Tumor Localization for Lung IGRT Using a Single X-Ray Projection.

Purpose: To study the feasibility of a novel 2D/3D image registration method, called Projection Metric Learning for Shape Kernel Regression (PML‐SKR), in supporting on‐board x‐ray imaging systems to perform real‐time image‐guidedradiation therapy in the lung.Methods: PML‐SKR works in two stages: planning and treatment. At planning stage, firstly it parameterizes the patient's respiratory deformation from the patient's treatment‐planning Respiratory‐Correlated CTs (RCCTs) by doing PCA analysis on the inter‐phase respiratory deformations. Secondly, it simulates a set of training projection images from a set of deformed CTs where their associated deformation parameters are sampled within 3 standard deviations of the parameter's values observed in the RCCTs. Finally, it learns a Riemannian distance metric on projection intensity for each deformation parameter. The learned distance metric forms a Gaussian kernel of a kernel regression that minimizes the leave‐one‐out regression residual of the corresponding deformation parameter. At treatment stage, PML‐SKR interpolates the patient's 3D deformation parameters from the parameter's values in the training cases using the kernel regression with the learned distance metrics. Results: We tested PML‐SKR on the NST (Nanotube Stationary Tomosynthesis) x‐ray imaging system. In each test case, a DRR (dimension: 64×64) of an x‐ray source in the NST was simulated from a target CT for registration. The target CTs were deformed by normally distributed random samples of the first three deformation parameters. We generated 300 synthetic test cases from 3 lung datasets and measured the registration quality by the mTRE (mean Target Registration Error) over all cases and all voxels at tumor sites. With PML‐SKR's registrations, the average mTRE and its standard deviation are down from 10.89±4.44 to 0.67±0.46 mm using 125 training projection images. The computation time for each registration is 12.71±0.70 ms. Conclusion: The synthetic results have shown PML‐SKR's promise in supporting real‐time, accurate, and low‐dose lungIGRT. This work was partially supported by Siemens Medical Solutions.
Spontaneous recanalization of complete internal carotid artery: a clinical reminder.

Spontaneous recanalization of atherothrombotic extracranial cerebral arteries is rare vis-a-vis recanalization of intracranial vessels. The time course is unknown. The question is the advisability and timing of surgery in a recanalized vessel. We describe a patient with spontaneous recanalization of a totally occluded left Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) who was monitored with periodic imaging and in time had partial recanalization of the ICA. We believe patients with total ICA occlusion with return of function should be followed up with periodic carotid ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) or CT angiography, and when appropriate, be candidates for carotid vascular interventions.
The Relationship between Genus Richness and Geographic Area in Late Cretaceous Marine Biotas: Epicontinental Sea versus Open-Ocean-Facing Settings

For present-day biotas, close relationships have been documented between the number of species in a given region and the area of the region. To date, however, there have been only limited studies of these relationships in the geologic record, particularly for ancient marine biotas. The recent development of large-scale marine paleontological databases, in conjunction with enhanced geographical mapping tools, now allow for their investigation. At the same time, there has been renewed interest in comparing the environmental and paleobiological properties of two broad-scale marine settings: epicontinental seas, broad expanses of shallow water covering continental areas, and open-ocean-facing settings, shallow shelves and coastlines that rim ocean basins. Recent studies indicate that spatial distributions of taxa and the kinetics of taxon origination and extinction may have differed in these two settings. Against this backdrop, we analyze regional Genus-Area Relationships (GARs) of Late Cretaceous marine invertebrates in epicontinental sea and open-ocean settings using data from the Paleobiology Database. We present a new method for assessing GARs that is particularly appropriate for fossil data when the geographic distribution of these data is patchy and uneven. Results demonstrate clear relationships between genus richness and area for regions worldwide, but indicate that as area increases, genus richness increases more per unit area in epicontinental seas than in open-ocean settings. This difference implies a greater degree of compositional heterogeneity as a function of geographic area in epicontinental sea settings, a finding that is consistent with the emerging understanding of physical differences in the nature of water masses between the two marine settings.
Modeling noise in thermal imaging systems

Noise must always be considered in predicting the performance of a thermal imaging system. The optimum sensitivity of such a system is achieved when the system is `background noise limited' -- that is, when the predominant source of noise is that associated with the random arrival of photons onto the infrared detector. In the absence of other noise sources, the fluctuation in the detector output has a white noise spectrum which is then modified by sampling, filtering, digitizing, or whatever other signal processing is applied. When other significant noise sources exist, their effect on the output noise spectrum must be properly analyzed if sensor performance is to be adequately estimated. This paper discusses several excess noise sources and explains how to combine these sources with background noise. The principal emphasis is on scanning sensors using second-generation detector arrays, commonly referred to as `focal plane arrays.' Excess noise sources considered include 1/f noise, digitization noise and several types of fixed pattern noise as well as white noise associated with signal amplification. The effects of the resultant total noise spectrum on both NETD and MRTD are analyzed.
Effects of monoamines and monoaminergic agents on migration of the red pigment in chromatophores of the shrimp, Macrobrachium ohione

Abstract 1. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the 5-hydroxytryptaminergic agents fenfluramine, fluoxetine and 5-MeODMT, and of dopamine (DA) and the dopaminergic agents ADTN, apor-morphine and piribedil on the disposition and translocation of the red pigment in chromatophores of the shrimp, Macrobrachium ohione, were determined. 2. 5-HT evoked dose-dependent red pigment dispersion whereas DA produced dose-related concentration of the red pigment, but only in intact shrimp. Neither of these monoamines affected red pigment migration in vitro. 3. The data obtained using drugs known to act selectively in mammals via 5-hydroxytryptaminergic and dopaminergic mechanisms on the translocation of the red pigment from the chromatophores both in vitro and in vitro lead to the hypothesis that 5-HT and DA serve as neurotransmitters triggering release of red pigment-dispersing hormone and red pigment-concentrating hormone, respectively, in the shrimp, Macrobrachium ohione.