cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscle fiber composition and length-tension relationships in rats chronically exposed to alcohol.

Abstract Adult Fischer 344 rats were fed an alcohol diet (7–9 g/kg/day) for 12 weeks and were compared to pair-fed controls with regard to the contraction and fiber characteristics of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles of the leg. Muscles were isolated in situ with blood and nerve supplies intact. The muscles were stretched by 1 mm increments and were stimulated at each muscle length with a voltage (1 msec pulse) that had been observed to produce maximal twitch force at the initial muscle length. Maximal twitch tension was found to be only 10% less in alcohol than pair-fed rats and the increase in force resulting from stretching was approximately 15% less in alcohol than pair-fed rats. No significant changes in sciatic nerve conduction velocities were produced by alcohol exposure. Moreover, no significant differences in muscle weight or the number and size of Type I, Type IIa or Type IIb muscle fibers were observed. Although the 12 weeks of alcohol exposure affected muscle physiology and histology in the direction of increased impairment, the differences were not large enough to be statistically significant.
Testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and prolactin response to unilateral castration in prepubertal Holstein bulls

Hemicastration of Holstein bulls at 3 months of age resulted in increased (P 0.1) basal levels or GnRH response profiles of either LH or testosterone compared to intact bulls. Hemicastration caused FSH to be elevated (P<0.01) compared to intact bulls at all sampling periods in both unstimulated and GnRH stimulated bulls. Prolactin varied with season and was greater (P<0.001) in hemicastrated bulls than in intact bulls at 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. Results indicate that unilateral castration at 3 months of age caused testicular hypertrophy of both steroidogenic and gametogenic function and this phenomena may be triggered by increased FSH or prolactin secretion, or both. Further, results indicate different testicular regulation mechanisms exist for pituitary LH and FSH release in bulls.
The role of HLA-DR-DQ haplotypes in variable antibody responses to anthrax vaccine adsorbed.

Host genetic variation, particularly within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci, reportedly mediates heterogeneity in immune response to certain vaccines; however, no large study of genetic determinants of anthrax vaccine response has been described. We searched for associations between the immunoglobulin G antibody to protective antigen (AbPA) response to Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA) in humans, and polymorphisms at HLA class I (HLA-A, -B, and -C) and class II (HLA–DRB1, –DQA1, –DQB1, –DPB1) loci. The study included 794 European-Americans and 200 African-Americans participating in a 43-month, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial of AVA (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00119067). Among European-Americans, genes from tightly linked HLA–DRB1, –DQA1, –DQB1 haplotypes displayed significant overall associations with longitudinal variation in AbPA levels at 4, 8, 26 and 30 weeks from baseline in response to vaccination with three or four doses of AVA (global P=6.53 × 10−4). In particular, carriage of the DRB1–DQA1–DQB1 haplotypes *1501–*0102–*0602 (P=1.17 × 10−5), *0101–*0101–*0501 (P=0.009) and *0102–*0101–*0501 (P=0.006) was associated with significantly lower AbPA levels. In carriers of two copies of these haplotypes, lower AbPA levels persisted following subsequent vaccinations. No significant associations were observed amongst African-Americans or for any HLA class I allele/haplotype. Further studies will be required to replicate these findings and to explore the role of host genetic variation outside of the HLA region.
Cranial Sartorius Muscle Flap in the Dog

An anatomic study was performed on canine cadavers to define the blood supply to the cranial sartorius muscle. The vascular supply to this muscle was found to be a single dominant pedicle branching from the femoral artery at the proximal portion of the muscle. This anatomic information was applied in designing a study to determine the feasibility of performing a cranial sartorius muscle flap in the dog. The cranial sartorius muscle was transposed to the caudal abdominal region in four dogs. The muscle flap was based on the singular vascular pedicle defined in the anatomic study. All muscle transpositions were successful on day 19 as evidenced by gross appearance and histologic examination. Grossly, the muscles were well adhered to the recipient sites and were covered by connective tissue. Histologically, the specimens were characterized by viable skeletal muscle fibers, proliferative and maturing granulation and fibrous connective tissue, and mild to moderate mononuclear inflammation. Seroma formation and infection were the two postoperative complications noted. The cranial sartorius muscle flap has potential clinical application for repair of traumatic caudal abdominal hernias and large inguinal hernias in the dog.
Forty-eight New Rotation Lightcurves of 12 Koronis Family Asteroids

Abstract An observational survey of rotation lightcurves for 12 members of the Koronis asteroid family was conducted during the period 1987–1994, with the goal of establishing a sufficient data set to allow analysis of the distribution of their spin-axis orientations. A total of 137 individual lightcurves were obtained using photoelectric and CCD photometry techniques for asteroids 158, 167, 208, 243, 263, 277, 311, 321, 462, 534, 720, and 1223. All these data have been calibrated to the JohnsonVmagnitude system. Forty-eight new composite lightcurves for the 12 target asteroids are presented, and new or refined rotation periods for 11 of them are reported.
Latex Allergy: A Life-Threatening Epidemic for Scientists, Healthcare Personnel, and Their Patients

Latex allergy has become a global epidemic, affecting patients, healthcare workers, and scientific personnel. Today, the incidence of latex allergy in healthcare and scientific personnel varies from 17-36%, costing billions of dollars annually to treat. Consequently, it is the purpose of this special report to describe the etiology, immunology, diagnosis, management, prevention, and litigation of cases of latex allergy. The latex allergy epidemic has been attributed to the dramatic increase in glove usage following the establishment of Universal Precautions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because of the latex allergy epidemic, every hospital and scientific research facility should institute a comprehensive emergency treatment program for latex allergic patients, latex-safe areas in their facilities, and a prevention program that includes the wide use of latex-free gloves and the absence of powdered gloves throughout these facilities.
A quantitative model of thermal injury-induced acute inflammation

Severe burns are among the most common causes of death from unintentional injury. The induction and resolution of the burn-induced systemic inflammatory response are mediated by a network of factors and regulatory proteins. Numerous mechanisms operate simultaneously, thus requiring a systems level approach to characterize their overall impact. Towards this goal, we propose an in silico semi-mechanistic model of burn-induced systemic inflammation using liver-specific gene expression from a rat burn model. Transcriptional responses are coupled with extracellular signals through a receptor mediated indirect response (IDR) and transit compartment model. The activation of the innate immune system in response to the burn stimulus involves the interaction between extracellular signals and critical receptors which triggers downstream signal transduction cascades leading to transcriptional changes. The resulting model consists of fifteen (15) coupled ordinary differential equations capturing key aspects of inflammation such as pro-inflammation, anti-inflammation and hypermetabolism. The model was then evaluated through a series of biologically relevant scenarios aiming at revealing the non-linear behavior of acute inflammation including: investigating the implication of effect of different severity of thermal injury; examining possible mechanistic dysregulation of IKK-NF-κB system which may reflect secondary effects that lead to potential malfunction of the response; and exploring the outcome of administration of receptor antagonist or anti-body to significant cytokines.
Interaction between gemcitabine and mitomycin-C in vitro.

Both gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine; dFdCyd) and mitomycin-C (MMC) are active against several solid malignancies. dFdCyd is an attractive agent for use in combination with drugs which damage DNA and with radiation therapy because of its ability to inhibit DNA replication and repair as well as its radiosensitizing effect. We hypothesized that the repair of MMC adducts in DNA might be inhibited by dFdCyd leading to a synergistic effect. To test this possibility, we studied the effect of combining dFdCyd and MMC in HT29 human colon carcinoma cells in vitro. The cells were exposed to a variety of drug concentration ratios and schedules, then assessed for clonogenic survival. D50 values (drug concentration at which clonogenicity is inhibited by 50%) were calculated, and the interactive effects of the two drugs were evaluated using median effect analysis. In this approach, if the calculated combination index (CI) is 1, it indicates synergism, additivity, or antagonism, respectively (Chou and Talalay 1984). We found that marked synergy (CI of 0.5-0.7) was produced by concurrent exposure to mitomycin and gemcitabine. In contrast, sequential treatment led only to additivity. These findings suggest that, when combined in an appropriate schedule, the chemosensitizing effect of gemcitabine may be beneficial in the treatment of malignancies which are sensitive to MMC.
Mapping single molecular binding kinetics of carbohydrate-binding module with crystalline cellulose by atomic force microscopy recognition imaging.

We studied the binding kinetics of family 3 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM3a) molecules to crystalline cellulose fibrils extracted from the poplar cell wall by atomic force microscopy (AFM) recognition imaging. The free CBM3a molecules of different concentrations were added to the buffer solution to bind to the crystalline cellulose sample immobilized on the AFM substrate. During in-situ AFM imaging, the CBM molecules were observed to bind to cellulose efficiently and regularly, especially in the first 60–120 min. A 1:1 single-molecule binding model was used to study the kinetics of the CBM3a–cellulose interaction. The saturation time when the concentration of occupied binding sites is 99% of the maximum bound CBM3a concentration at the end of reaction, t(0.99), was determined by fitting different concentrations of CBM3a against reaction time using the high resolution AFM images and the single-molecule kinetics equations. Based on the experimental data and kinetics calculations, the minimal effective in...
Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous delivery of M-ANP: an innovative designer anp-based guanylyl cyclase activating peptide for hypertension

Background: M-ANP is a novel natriuretic peptide designed at the Mayo Clinic, which activates the guanylyl cyclase A receptor (GC-A) and possesses greater and more long-lasting natriuretic, aldosterone suppressing, and blood pressure (BP) lowering properties compared with native ANP. M-ANP possesses 12 additional amino acid to its C-terminus rendering M-ANP more resistant to degradation and at highest concentrations more potent in activating the natriuretic peptide second messenger cGMP. The current preclinical study in normal conscious canines was to determine the acute pharmacokinetics (PK) of both M-ANP compared to ANP including activation of cGMP when administered subcutaneously. Methods: SQ M-ANP (10 ug/kg) or equimolar SQ ANP was administered to conscious canines (n1⁄45) in a randomized design with a 2-week interval between dosings. BP measurements and blood samples for plasma peptide and cGMP were colllected before (baseline) and at timed points for 5 hours after peptide administration. Results: See table. SQ M-ANP and ANP had similar CMax peptide while AUC for peptide was 5 fold greater for M-ANP. Half life was 4 fold greater for M-ANP. Importantly, MANP is markedly more cGMP activating with 5-fold greater cMAXcGMP and 10-fold great AUCcGMP compared to ANP. M-ANP produced a greater and more sustained reduction in BP. *p<0.05 vs ANP as measured by unpaired t-test. Discussion: These first PK studies of M-ANP, a novel enhanced ANPbased/GC-A activating peptide has superior PK especially in activating cGMP which is associated with greater BP lowering actions than native ANP. These studies support the clinical development plan of a FIH Phase 1 trial in human hypertensive subjects in 2014.
Negative Feedback Speeds Transcriptional Response-Time In Human Cytomegalovirus

Upon infection of a cell, viruses initiate a complex gene-expression cascade that may result in productive/lytic infection, abortive infection, persistence, or latency depending on the state, cell-type, and environment of that particular cell. However, the regulatory networks underlying these diverse viral lifecycle fates are typically studied using experiments that are averaged over cell populations, potentially masking the dynamic behavior in individual cells. To understand how these diverse viral lifecycle fates are regulated at the single-cell level, we present a framework for quantitatively determining viral expression dynamics and regulatory circuit architectures in individual living cells using a simplified model of a herpesvirus signal transduction module: the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Major Immediate Early (MIE) circuit. The system utilizes time-lapse fluorescence video-microscopy of cells infected with recombinant viruses expressing fluorescent gene-products and quantitative modeling to analyze the resulting single-cell data. The combined computational-experimental approach revealed two previously unseen transient signal-processing characteristics of the MIE circuit: (i) negative feedback within the MIE circuit, counter-intuitively, speeds the gene-expression response-time of the essential viral transactivator gene-product IE2-86 (ii) transcriptional activators implicated in reactivation from latency (e.g. trichostatin A) generate a pulse in IE2-86 gene-expression in single-cells. As predicted by the model, mutational deletion of the MIE negative-feedback loop eliminated both the IE2-86 pulse and the accelerated response-time during viral infection. We propose that the negative-feedback architecture of the HCMV MIE circuit may allow the virus to respond quickly to external signals and outpace cellular innate defenses at the single-cell level.
The Congruence Myth: An Analysis of the Efficacy of the Person-Environment Fit Model.

Abstract The idea that person–environment (P–E) fit is an important moderator of outcomes is a central theoretical construct and the subject of empirical scrutiny in vocational, counseling, educational, social, industrial/organizational, and management psychology. For the most part the research reveals that the P–E fit model is valid. Indeed, the research evidence may understate the efficacy of P–E fit models because of sampling inadequacies, the use of fit indices to evaluate the models, and the lack of commensurate measurement, but these design flaws are offset to some extent by the confirmatory bias that has characterized P–E fit research. The literature also demonstrates that hexagonal congruence is not related to satisfaction or other important vocational outcomes and that Holland's (1997) circumplex hypothesis lacks validity. The lack of support for Holland's theory is not due to design flaws involving the sample size, the validity of the instruments used in the research, nor the validity of the fit indices used, but the lack of commensurate measurement in research investigating Holland's theory may be a contributing factor. The needs for further conceptual development, research using longitudinal designs, and the use of conceptually sound approaches to data analysis are discussed.
The replication band of Euplotes is enriched with phosphoproteins

Abstract Employing several antibodies to phosphorylated protein epitopes, we demonstrate by immunostaining that the macronuclear replication band (RB) of the ciliated protozoan Euplotes eurystomus contains a high concentration of phosphoproteins. Enrichment is principally within the rear zone of the RB, the region of DNA synthesis and chromatin assembly. By immunoblot analysis, the various antibodies reacted with a diversity of macronuclear phosphoproteins, one of which was phosphorylated histone Hl. This diversity of phosphoproteins was also supported by examination of the macronuclear matrix generated by high NaCl extraction. Available evidence clearly indicates that the ultrastructural wave of chromatin modulation accompanying DNA replication is spatially correlated with a wave of localized nuclear protein phosphorylation.
A brief review of cryptic duplications of 21q as an emerging cause of Down syndrome: practical considerations for accurate detection

We review five cryptic duplications of 21q in patients with Down syndrome (DS) that were inherited from parental balanced translocations. All cases were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or DNA diagnosis because the phenotype was inconsistent with the initial cytogenetic studies. These rearrangements seem to escape detection without expanded testing and are probably more frequent than expected. For this reason we propose a series of steps combining objective clinical diagnostic criteria, FISH and DNA methods to achieve an accurate ascertainment.
Genetic correlates of autoreactivity and autoreactive potential in human Ig heavy chains

Background: Immature bone marrow B cells are known to have longer CDR3 than mature peripheral B cells, and this genetic characteristic has been shown to correlate with autoreactivity in these early cells. B-cell Central tolerance eliminates these cells, but it is known that autoreactive B cells nevertheless appear commonly in healthy human blood. We examined over 7,300 Ig genes from Genbank, including those annotated by their discoverers as associated with autoreactivity, to determine the genetic correlates of autoreactivity in mature B cells. Results: We find differential biases in gene segment usage and higher mutation frequency in autoreactivity-associated Ig genes, but the CDR3 lengths do not differ between autoreactive and non-autoreactive Ig genes. The most striking genetic signature of autoreactivity is an increase in the proportion of N-nucleotides relative to germline-encoded nucleotides in CDR3 from autoreactive genes. Conclusion: We hypothesize that peripheral autoreactivity results primarily from somatic mutation, and that the genetic correlates of autoreactivity in mature B-cells are not the same as those for autoreactivity in immature B cells. What is seen in mature autoreactive B cells are the correlates of autoreactive potential, not of autoreactivity per se. The autoreactive potential is higher for V(D)J rearrangements encoded to a large extent by N-nucleotides rather than by the gene segments that, we posit, have been selected in germline evolution for their suppression of autoreactive potential.
Searching for foldable protein structures using optimized energy functions

During evolution, the effective interactions between residues in a protein can be adjusted through mutations to allow the protein to fold to its native structure on an adequate time scale. We seek to address the question: Are there some structures that can be better optimized than others? Using exhaustive enumeration of the compact conformations of short proteins confined to simple lattices, we find that the best structures are those that contain contacts rare in random structures, indicating the importance of nonlocal contacts for assisting the folding process. Certain structural motifs such as long β-hairpins, Greek-key motifs, and jelly rolls, commonly found in proteins of known structure, have a high degree of optimizability. Contrary to what might be expected, positive correlations between the various interactions reduce optimizability. The optimization procedure produces a correlated energy landscape, which might assist folding. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Carl Hempel's Philosophy of Science: How to Avoid Epistemic Discontinuity and Pedagogical Pitfalls

Mathematical theories are essential for explanations in physics, chemistry andengineering. These theories often incorporate functions that are defined by theirrelation to other variables in the theory but not with reference to experimentalobservations. The wave function in quantum mechanics is perhaps one of thebest known example of such function, even though classical theories also providemany examples of such functions. These functions, which seem to hang in thin airdisconnected to experimental data, offer a daunting challenge to the instructor. Inthis article we consider the epistemic status of such functions and a method ofintroducing them to the students, a method that does not distort the original theory.We build our model for explanation on Hempel's analysis of relation between theoryand experiment and refine it further to show their roles in concept formation.
The pigmentary response in Phoxinus laevis The effect of blood from a patient with melanosarcoma

Introduction The mechanism controlling the color changes which take place in a large variety of cold-blooded animals has been a subject of investigation for years, but only recently has the dominance of the pituitary in regulating these changes been recognized. Smith (1) in 1916 and Allen (2) in 1917 showed that the removal of the pituitaries of tadpoles resulted in a permanent state of contraction of the melanophores so that “albino” animals were produced. The dark coloration of these animals could be restored by the implantation of pituitary glands. Swingle (3) in 1921 found that similar darkening could be produced by implanting only the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. Hogben and Winton (4) observed marked melanophore expansion following the injection of posterior pituitary extracts in frogs and claimed that this was a specific response to a pituitary substance. They showed that the active substance was not identical with the pressor factor but that it resembled the oxytocic principle. Subsequent work by Fenn (5), Dreyer and Clark (6), Hogben and Gordon (7), Rowe (8), and Stehle (9) has shown that the melanophore-expanding substance is a specific one differing from both oxytocic and pressor factors. This substance produces darkening in reptiles and amphibia by expansion of the melanophores. In fish this is not the case. Spaeth (10) has shown that in the fish studied by him the action was one of melanophore contraction. The response of melanophores in frogs has been shown to be non-specific since substances other than pituitary extracts will cause melanophore expansion. Spaeth found, in the study of isolated fish scales, that changes in the pH of the medium and alterations in the concentrations of certain ions have a decided influence on the melanophores. It has been found, also, that such drugs as quinine, yohimbin, curare, and choline are very active in causing melanophore expansion. In view of the limitations of the melanophore response, Zondek and Krohn (11) proposed employing the nuptial coloration of the minnow Phoxinus laevis as a test for the pituitary substance. This species of minnow presents a very distinct seasonal variation in color. During the spawning season (May and June) there develops a striking color change, the so-called “wedding dress”; the dorsal surface of the fish, usually a dark green marked with black bands, becomes perceptibly paler, while the abdomen changes from a pearly white into a crimson red. This red coloration begins at the bases of the ventral and pectoral fins and spreads so as to cover the whole abdomen, extending into the fins themselves and to parts of the head. Zondek and Krohn (11) showed that this red coloration could be promptly produced by pituitary extracts, and they named the active pituitary substance intermedin. They stated that it could be found in the pituitary gland and the wall of the third ventricle but nowhere else in the body, and that it was present in highest concentration in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. No other susbtance was found which would give this reaction.
Cholesterin‐[24‐14C]

Die Δ5-3β-Acetoxy-norcholensaure (III) wurde in das Δ5-3β-Acetoxy-norcholensaurechlorid (IV) ubergefuhrt, das mit Diisobutyl-[1-14C]-cadmium unter Bildung von Δ5-3β-Acetoxy-23-keto-cholesten-[24-14C] (V) reagierte. Diese Verbindung verseifte man zum Δ5-3β-Hydroxy-23-keto-cholesten-[24-14C] (VI), dass bei der Reduktion ein Cholesterin-[24-14C] (VII) mit einer Radioaktivitat von 30,9 μc/mMol ergab.
A Bipolar, High Precision, Low Ripple Power Supply

A ±600 V, ±50 Amp high precision SCR power supply has been developed for use in the Energy Doubler Correction system. The bipolar output is accomplished by means of a dual converter with circulating current for smooth zero-crossing current transitions. Absolute accuracy better than ±.025% is achieved with a high precision transductor, current reference, and other high quality components. Stability is better than 2.5 ppm/°C and voltage ripple is less than 30 mV peak to peak. Low ripple is achieved through the use of bipolar series-pass transistor bank. The dual converter (plus a passive filter) acts as a pre-regulator for the transistor bank, which has a dynamic range of 30 volts. Ripple attenuation of the transistor bank is a minimum of 60 dB from DC to 2 kHz. Microvolt level noise and pickup in the power supply regulator ultimately set the ripple level in the power supply output. A special "active ground" circuit is included to filter the common mode ripple which is inherent in SCR supplies.
Cardiovascular responses to exercise following adolescent hypertensive pregnancy.

With the establishment of hypertension as a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, more attention is being given to hypertension in youth. Hypertension during pregnancy has been associated with an increased incidence of hypertension in later years. To determine if this could be identified early, a group of adolescents who had been hypertensive during pregnancy and a control group who had normotensive pregnancies were studied by stress exercise testing and compared 4–6 years post partum. At rest, during each phase of graded exercise, and during the postexercise observation period, mean heart rate was significantly higher in the previously hypertensive group. Double product (heart rate × blood pressure), an index of myocardial oxygen consumption, was also significantly greater in the previously hypertensive group. When corrected for body weight and race, the amplitude of the R wave in lead V 5 as well as a change in R-wave height with exercise were significantly greater in the group of adolescents who had been hypertensive during pregnancy. The observation of group differences 4–6 years post partum suggests a continuing abnormality that may predispose this group to develop early hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
The S matrix for absorptive Hamiltonians

Abstract The existence of a matrix S such that S S = 1 in the presence of absorption is demonstrated. In the limit of a hermitian Hamiltonian the unitarity condition SSdg = 1 is recovered. A dispersion relation for forward seattering is derived and the properties of the reactance matrices K and K are obtained. It is shown that K = K .
A study of combustion and engine performance using electronic hydrogen fuel injection

Abstract An experimental study was conducted using electronic hydrogen fuel injection in the intake manifold of a single cylinder spark-ignition engine. The purpose of the study was to investigate cyclic variations and backfiring and to determine if timed manifold injection provides any advantages over hydrogen carburation. It was found that injection improved cyclic pressure variations and practical lean operating range. A small improvement in thermal efficiency was also observed in the lean region. Based on limited work using timed port injection it seemed that backfiring could be controlled.
Relationship between circulating thyroid hormones and humoral immunity in immature male chickens

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to examine the relationship between levels of circulating T3, T4, and humoral immunity in immature male chickens. Three week old Single Comb White Leghorn male chicks were used as the experimental animals. In order to produce a wide range of circulating thyroid hormone concentrations, birds were divided into groups and received one of nine treatments including surgical thyroidectomy; 0.1% propylthiouracil (PTU) in the feed; 1 ppm T3 and 10 ppm T4 in the feed. Antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) (thymus-dependent antigen) and Brucella abortus (BA) (thymus-independent antigen) was tested at 6 weeks of age. Concentrations of T3 and T4 were measured in birds from each treatment group at 7 and 11 weeks of age. At 11 weeks of age, birds were weighed, sacrificed and lymphoid organs removed and weighed. There were positive correlations between circulating thyroid hormones and weights of bursa of Fabricius and spleens. There were no significant correlations between circulating thyroid hormones and antibody production. It was concluded that physiological levels of thyroid hormones are needed to maintain normal weights of bursa and spleen. Furthermore, we conclude that lower than physiological levels might be sufficient for normal antibody production. Finally, stimulation of antibody production using thyroid hormones may require different doses than what were utilized in this study.
Nature of Adherence of Porcelain Enamels to Metals

An investigation of the fundamentals of the adherence of porcelain enamels to metals indicated that good adherence is the result of metal-to-metal bonds between the atoms in the base metal and the proper metallic ions in the enamel. To accomplish this type of bond, the enamel must meet certain chemical and thermodynamic requirements: (1) The enamel at the interface must be saturated with an oxide of the metal and (2) this oxide must be one which, when in solution in the glass, will not be reduced by the metal. In the case of iron, the oxide is FeO. Many of the phenomena observed in commercial enameling were investigated and found to be related to adherence, but not essential for its development. An example is the precipitation of metallic particles in the enamel. Much of the complexity in commercial enameling arises from the limitations imposed by practical considerations. For example, because enamels usually are fired in air, the heavy scale developed during the early stages of firing must be removed before adherence can be developed. Likewise, as the conditions of the enamel-metal interface change rapidly during firing, “adherence-promoting oxides” are used to help maintain the necessary conditions for the time required in commercial enameling. Surface roughness, although not necessary for excellent adherence, was found to improve the apparent adherence when the bond between the enamel and the metal was relatively weak.
Physics in strong magnetic fields near neutron stars.

Electromagnetic phenomena occurring in the strong magnetic fields of neutron stars are currently of great interest in high-energy astrophysics. Observations of rotation rate changes and cyclotron lines in pulsars and gamma-ray bursts indicate that surface magnetic fields of neutron stars often exceed a trillion gauss. In fields this strong, where electrons behave much as if they were in bound atomic states, familiar processes undergo profound changes, and exotic processes become important. Strong magnetic fields affect the physics in several fundamental ways: energies perpendicular to the field are quantized, transverse momentum is not conserved, and electron-positron spin is important. Neutron stars therefore provide a unique laboratory for the study of physics in extremely high fields that cannot be generated on earth.
Bladder neck contracture after retropubic radical prostatectomy: Incidence and risk factors from a large single-surgeon experience

OBJECTIVE To examine a large, single-surgeon series of patients with prostate cancer who underwent retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for men with postoperative bladder neck contractures (BNCs). PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1983 to 2007, 4132 men underwent RRP for prostate cancer by one surgeon. All patients had BN reconstruction with mucosal eversion. The bladder to membranous urethral anastomosis was made using six 2/0 chromic catgut sutures over an 18 F Foley catheter. The catheter was left in place for 10 days. Data from these men is stored in a prospective database, which was reviewed in this study for men with BNCs after RRP. Men with BNCs were compared with all other men in the series to determine risk factors for BNC development. RESULTS Overall, BNCs developed in 110 patients (2.5%). Examining our last 500 patients there was a contemporary BNC rate of <1%. The median (range) follow-up was 44 (12–233) months. Tumour characteristics were similar in the men with BNCs and those with no BNCs, and the rates of organ-confined disease were also similar (65% vs 70%, P = 0.27). Men with BNCs had higher median preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (6.7 vs 5.7 mg/dL; P = 0.009) and were more likely to have PSA failure after RRP (30% vs 16%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, non-nerve sparing (P = 0.003) and a surgical date before 1992 (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of BNC. Patients with BNCs had lower potency rates (49% vs 63%, P < 0.003) and continence rates (88% vs 94%, P = 0.07) at the 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS BNCs are rare, occurring in <1% in our modern series. The important surgical factors in preventing BNCs are to avoid closing the BN too tightly and attaining good apposition of the BN with the urethral stump with a watertight closure. BNCs are more common with non-nerve-sparing surgery and early in a surgeon’s experience.
Keynote address—Working Toward Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for HD

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) implanted into the brain have shown strong neurorestorative effects in animal models of Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. In the brain tissue, MSC reduce inflammation, neutralize reactive oxygen species, and diminish apoptosis to delay the loss of neurons. For the past 20-plus years, our group has studied the biosafety of human MSC engineered to produce cytokines and other factors in vivo, and we have shown sustained expression in many tissues for at least 18 months. However, low numbers of MSC cross the blood-brain barrier in our chronic disease models. Intracranial (IC) implantation of MSC and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)–modified MSC have been shown to be safe and effective in rodent HD models. Clinical trials of MSC infusion into the brains of humans with ALS and traumatic brain injury have been done without adverse events, but therapies using this IC delivery route for MSC have not yet been initiated in the U.S.A. through FDA-approved trials. Our ongoing studies are evaluating the biosafety of MSC and then inducible BDNF-modified MSC implantation into the brains of rodents and non-human primates to generate data for the FDA in support of an initial planned phase 1 clinical trial to treat HD. We will next validate the biosafety of our patented approach to use MSC to directly deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) into damaged and at-risk neurons for the second planned trial. SiRNA directed against mutant huntingtin mRNA are effective at ameliorating the neurodegenerative effects seen in HD and other disorders, since the mutant protein is no longer made. But it is very difficult to get siRNA across the blood-brain barrier in human patients, which has thwarted effective clincial use. We have shown that MSC can move nimbly through tissues and deliver their contents directly into target cells. Thus, for the second planned trial, we will use MSC to continually deliver anti-mutant htt siRNA directly into damaged striatal neurons, to reduce levels of mutant htt RNA and protein. Since there are currently no cures or highly effective treatments for HD, there is a high potential benefit-to-risk ratio for these studies.
A Near-Wall Model for Separated Turbulent Flows

A near-wall model for separated turbulent flows is presented and evaluated. The model is bases on experimental obsevations, in particular, the wake-like behavior of turbulence away from walls, the influence of walls on this behavior, the diffusion/dissipation energy balance observed in the backflow portion of detached flow regions, and the near-wall behavior of eddy-viscosity. These lead to two analytically solvable ODE's for the normal-to-wall behavior of turbulence kinetic energy and eddy-viscosity
Large granular lymphocytic proliferation-associated cyclic thrombocytopenia.

Cyclic thrombocytopenia is a rare condition characterized by regular fluctuations in the platelet count, resulting in bleeding at the time of platelet count nadir. We evaluated a male patient whose platelet count cycled between 1300x10(9)/L over a median of every 42 days (range, 28-57 days). Antiplatelet antibodies were present at highest titer just prior to platelet nadirs. A pathologic expansion of CD3+CD57+ large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) along with a clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene in circulating T cells was detected. LGLs decreased in response to treatment with cyclosporine-A (CsA), but the cycling of the platelet count continued. This is the first report of cyclic thrombocytopenia associated with a T-LGL lymphoproliferative disorder.
Emission spectrum of 9,10-anthraquinone vapor

Abstract Emission and excitation spectra of 9,10-anthraquinone in the vapor phase have been measured and compared with those in the condensed phases. It is shown that the emission of 9,10-anthraquinone vapor consists of the S 1 ( n ,π*) → S 0 fluorescence and T 1 ( n ,π*) → S 0 phosphorescence, with the origins at 23 700 and 22 030 cm −1 , respectively. The present study presents new measurements that substantially clarify the emission behavior of this molecule in the vapor phase.
Estimates of the service lifetime of 304 stainless steel for use in the blanket region of the LANL ABC system

The corrosion and fluence limits of stainless steel were evaluated to determine if it could be used as a blanket material in the accelerator-based conversion of plutonium (ABC) system at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Data from the Molten Salt Breeder Reactor program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the redox potential of the ABC system indicated that, from a corrosion perspective, 304L stainless steel might be useful for system components having lifetimes of up to 2 years. To determine the applicability of 304 stainless steel, its service lifetime was estimated from fluence-limit data used in the design of the Fast Flux Test Facility. The fluxes for components of the system were calculated with the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code. After fluence limits of the stainless steel components were calculated for various temperatures, the expected lifetimes of the components were established for various fluxes and temperatures, based on 5 and 10% residual ductility criteria. The results showed that expected lifetimes for the components would be less than 1.6 years, and therefore, they do not meet the present goal of replacing the components every 2 years. However, it should be noted that the data obtained in this research are tentative and are likely to change as the LANL ABC system design moves forward.
Stochastic sequential machine synthesis targeting constrained sequence generation

The problem of stochastic sequential machines (SSM) synthesis is addressed and its relationship with the constrained sequence generation problem which arises during power estimation is discussed. In power estimation, one has to generate input vector sequences that satisfy a given statistical behavior (in terms of transition probabilities and correlations among bits) and/or to make these sequences as short as possible so as to improve the efficiency of power simulators, SSMs can be used to solve both problems. Based on Moore-type machines, a general procedure for SSM synthesis is revealed and a new framework for sequence characterization is built to match designer's needs for sequence generation or compaction. As results demonstrate, compaction ratios of 1-2 orders of magnitude can be obtained without much loss in accuracy of total power estimates.
Open Bankart Repair in Contact Athletes: Why and How

Anterior shoulder instability is a common problem in athletes. The risk factors for recurrent instability include young age, male gender, number of previous instability events, and contact or collision sport participation. Owing to the high rate of recurrent instability in the young athlete, surgical management is often indicated. Although arthroscopic Bankart repair has grown in popularity over the last several years, we still consider the open Bankart repair with capsular shift a superior form of treatment in the highest-risk patient (ie, the young male collision athlete). Arthroscopy followed by open repair allows the surgeon the opportunity to address all critical aspects at once—Bankart repair, capsular tensioning, rotator interval closure, bony defects, and any humeral avulsion glenohumeral ligament lesions. In this report, we review the indications for open Bankart repair in athletes and describe in detail our particular surgical approach and rehabilitation protocol.
Cultural and Sex Differences in the Sex Distribution of Dream Characters

The validity of previous reports regarding sex differences in ratio of male characters in dreams was investigated. Eight dreams were obtained for each of 192 college students in Lima, Peru, and New York City. Odd-even reliabilities for male dream characters ranged from .36 to .72. U.S. subjects had a higher percentage of male dream characters than Peruvians (p <.01). U.S. males had a greater percentage of men in their dreams than U.S. females; in Peru the sex difference was reversed (p < .01). These findings contradict previous reports of males universally dreaming more about men than do females, attributed by Hall to Oedipal conflicts. Present results allow the conclusion that sex differences in the percentage of male characters in dreams are not universal. Differences in the sex ratio of dream characters more likely reflect sociocultural differences in contact between the sexes.
Photopigment transmittance imaging of the primate photoreceptor mosaic

We introduce a new technique for classifying many photoreceptors simultaneously in fresh, excised primate retina on the basis of their absorptance spectra. Primate retina is removed from the pigment epithelium and illuminated under a microscope from the same direction as in the intact eye. To facilitate the guiding of light into the receptor outer segments, the optical axes of the photoreceptors are oriented parallel to the optical axis of the microscope. Photoreceptor outer-segment tips are imaged on a charge-coupled device array, which provides radiometric measurements of the light passing through each photoreceptor. These images are acquired sequentially at three wavelengths chosen to maximize the absorptance differences among the three cone photopigments. After the photopigment is bleached, a second set of three images is acquired. The ratios of the images before and after bleaching at each wavelength are photopigment transmittance maps of the retina. These are combined into a single trichromatic image showing the distribution of photopigment if the retina could be viewed directly in white light without bleaching. We have found patches of receptors in peripheral macaque retina where the measured absorptance at the wavelength of maximum absorptance is consistent with the predicted axial absorptance of th photopigment. The cones in these patches cluster into two groups corresponding to the middle wavelength- sensitive (n = 53, mean absorptance = 0.28) and the long wavelength- sensitive (n = 63, mean absorptance = 0.30) cones. The mean absorptances of 273 macaque and 183 human rods were 0.51 and 0.41, respectively.
It's Not Easy Being Green: the Viridans Group Streptococci, with a Focus on Pediatric Clinical Manifestations

The viridans group streptococci (VGS) are a heterogeneous group of organisms that can be human commensals, colonizing the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts in addition to the oral mucosa. VGS are generally considered to be of low pathogenic potential in immunocompetent individuals. However, in certain patient populations, VGS can cause invasive disease, such as endocarditis, intra-abdominal infection, and shock. Within the VGS, the rates and patterns of antimicrobial resistance vary greatly depending upon the species identification and the patient population. In general, Streptococcus mitis group organisms are resistant to more antimicrobial agents than the other VGS species. This review addresses current VGS taxonomy, in addition to the current methodologies being used in clinical microbiology laboratories for identification of VGS. Automated systems struggle overall with species level identification and susceptibility testing for VGS. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) identification is emerging as a potential alternative for organism identification. A review of recent pediatric-specific data regarding the clinical manifestations of VGS revealed that the Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) organisms may be important pathogens in pediatric patients and that the VGS may contribute to disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. It also appears that rates of antimicrobial resistance in VGS in pediatric patients are surpassing those of the adult population.
Special session on security verification

Alongside functionality, performance, and power, security is a critical aspect of any system. All software or hardware systems, web applications, and engineered systems built today must comply with stringent requirements in each of these aspects. Security requirements might include that a server must withstand malicious attacks such as stealing or damaging the data or even denial of service. Each of these attacks can have disastrous effects. During the last year alone we saw several examples of such attacks in the media, including: stealing money from bank accounts and ATM machines, bringing down websites, and even breaking into a car computer system while it is driving. In this session we address the challenges of verifying and validating that a system being built fulfills its security requirements. This year is the centennial year for Alan Turing. There are many events taking place throughout the world to celebrate Turing's life and his scientific impact. HVC, and this session in particular, is part of these world-wide events. During his relatively brief life, Turing had an enormous impact on many different fields within computer science: theory of computability, artificial intelligence, and of course cryptography and security. During World War II, Turing worked at the British codebreaking center at Bletchley Park. He stood at the head of the section responsible for decoding German naval ciphers. He also invented several methods for breaking codes, with the most famous associated with deciphering the Enigma machine. We devote this session to honoring Alan Turing's leadership in breaking German ciphers during WorldWar II and his contribution to cryptography in general. We would like to thank several people who made this session possible: Hana Chockler, Ronny Morad, and Amir Nahir.