cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Analytical Evaluation of Buckling Forces of a Spiral Wound Flexible Gasket

Inward buckling forces of spiral wound flexible gaskets is studied experimentally and analytically using the finite element method. A series of experiments was conducted utilizing an NPS 16 Class 300 weld-neck pipe and flange conforming to specification ASME B16.5. Strain gauges were mounted on the inner and outer metallic rings of the spiral wound sealing gasket and strain data was recorded during initial bolt pre-loading. Using this particular experiment as a pattern, a finite element model was developed to simulate the flange, bolt, and nonlinear gasket response under identical loading conditions. The computer-generated solid model consists of a quarter-symmetry, three-dimensional assembly constructed to the specifications of the pipe, flange, bolts, and gaskets used in the hardware trials. The finite element model was loaded to simulate the initial bolt pre-loading through the same range as in the original experiment. Solutions obtained from the finite element model are compared with the experimental results, and conclusions are drawn.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Impact structures in Canada, by Richard A. F. Grieve

Book Review: Impact Structures in Canada, Richard A. F. Grieve. Geological Association of Canada (2006).
Purification of resveratrol, arachidin-1, and arachidin-3 from hairy root cultures of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and determination of their antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity

Antioxidant stilbenoids, such as resveratrol, arachidin-1, and arachidin-3, have demonstrated beneficial effects on human health. Although resveratrol is commercially available, arachidin-1 and arachidin-3 are not, resulting in an opportunity to explore purification methods and to confirm biological activity. Recently, Arachis hypogaea hairy root cultures (produced via Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation) were reported to secrete stilbenoids into liquid growth media upon elicitation in quantities sufficient for commercial production. The purpose of this study was to purify substantial quantities of resveratrol, arachidin-1, and arachidin-3 from A. hypogaea hairy root cultures using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), determine the antioxidant activity of these compounds using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, and determine the cytotoxicity of the compounds using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In a single run of CPC, resveratrol, arachidin-1, and arachidin-3 were separated to a purity of 97.1%, 97.0%, and 91.8%, respectively. Lipid oxidation was inhibited by a 27 and 7 μM dose for reference standards of resveratrol and arachidin-1, respectively, while oxidation was not inhibited up to a 27 μM dose for reference standard of arachidin-3. Oxidation was inhibited at a 14, 7, and 14 μM doses for CPC-purified resveratrol, arachidin-1, and arachidin-3, respectively. Arachidin-1 and arachidin-3 demonstrated cytotoxicity at 27 and 55 μM in RAW 264.7 and HeLa cell lines, respectively; while resveratrol exhibited no cytotoxicity to either cell line. These results demonstrate the integration of a production and purification system for the manufacturing of A. hypogaea-derived stilbenoids.
Immune Reconstitution after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Is Associated with Selective Control of JC Virus Reactivation

Abstract JC virus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in immunocompromised patients. The mechanism of JCV reactivation and immunity in a transplanted immune system remains unclear. We prospectively studied 30 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and collected blood and urine samples before HSCT and 3, 6, and 12 to 18 months after HSCT. Before HSCT, JCV DNA was detected in 7 of 30 urine, 5 of 30 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and 6 of 30 plasma samples. Although JC viruria remained stable after HSCT with detection in 5 of 21 samples, viremia was detected in only 1 of 22 plasma and none of 22 PBMC samples 12 to 18 months after HSCT. Prevalence of anti-JCV IgG was 83% before HSCT and decreased to 72% at 12 to 18 months. Anti-JCV IgM was rarely detected. JCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses increased 12 to 18 months after HSCT. Although JC viruria correlated directly with detection of anti-JCV IgG, the cellular immune response to JCV measured by ELISpot was inversely correlated with anti-JCV IgG response. The diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia and age group were 2 independent patient factors associated with significantly reduced cellular immune responses to JCV. This prospective study in HSCT patients provides a model of interactions between the host immune response and viral activation in multiple compartments during the recovery of the immune system.
Description of a serological reaction characteristic of polymyositis.

Abstract Numerous polymyositis sera were found to give complement fixation reactions with an antigen in calf thymus extract. Because of the weak and inconstant precipitin reactions characteristic of this system, the specificity of the reaction could not be classified by the Ouchterlony method of double diffusion in agar gel. To identify the specificity of this reaction, the following method was developed. Papain digestion of any of the polymyositis sera converted the complement fixing capacities of the sera to potent and specific inhibitors of the reaction characteristic of these polymyositis sera. Papain digestion of sera from patients with a variety of connective tissue diseases containing a multiplicity of antibodies to antigens in calf thymus extract failed to inhibit the complement fixation reaction characteristic of the polymyositis sera. Thus far, therefore, antibodies to this antigen in calf thymus extract appear most specific for patients with polymyositis syndromes, particularly those with dermatomyositis.
The equivalence of two conditions for weight functions for martingales

Abstract We give a martingale analogue of Muckenhoupt's A ∞ condition for weights and show a martingale version of his theorem relating this to the A p condition for weights.
Critical currents in

The temperature and magnetic field dependences of the critical-current density of superconducting Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ films have been determined from transport measurements across individual [001] tilt boundaries and within single [001] grains. The results provide evidence that the basal-plane ${J}_{f}$ is limited by flux creep. In contrast, the $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristics and the temperature magnetic field dependences of the grain-boundary ${J}_{c}$ are consistent with a superconductor-normal-superconductor-type weak-link behavior. These results imply that the transport properties of these materials can be treated within a BCS framework.
THE BINDING OF KIDNEY-BEAN PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ BY EHRLICH ASCITES CARCINOMA.

Abstract 1. 1. The phytohemagglutinin of the red kidney bean agglutinates 3 types of erythrocytes, 4 reticuloendothelial cell types, and 3 mouse tumors with different avidity. Evidence is provided that these cell types have surface receptors in common which are responsible for their agglutination. 2. 2. The reaction of the phytohemagglutinin with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells was examined in detail. It was shown that the agglutination of this tumor is not a simple function of phytohemagglutinin binding, but depends upon the state of the cell surface. The affinity constant for the reaction of phytohemagglutinin with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells was found to be 1.8·10 7 at 1°. The binding affinity was maximal at 18° and diminished at higher temperatures. The 6.6·10 7 receptor sites per Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell appeared to be located at the cell surface. 0.3% of the receptor sites had to be occupied before agglutination was observed. The velocity of phytohemagglutinin binding increased with temperature and concentration. The rate constant was observed to diminish as the reaction progressed; thus at 1°, it decreased from 2·10 3 to 0.5·10 3 l·moles −1 ·sec −1 during the first 30 min. 3. 3. The affinity constant for the reaction of phytomegglutinin with human erythrocytes was found to be 8.4·10 7 ·4% of the 5·10 5 binding sites per erythrocyte must be occupied for agglutination to be detectable. Erythrocytes treated with trypsin and neuraminidase showed increased agglutinability.
Lower male genitourinary trauma: a pictorial review

Blunt and penetrating trauma to the male pelvis and external genitalia may result in significant injury to the lower genitourinary system including the bladder, urethra, penis, and scrotum. Emergent imaging plays an important role in identifying these injuries and directing appropriate, timely management. In this article, we review indications for dedicated genitourinary system imaging in trauma and illustrate the imaging features of injuries to the lower male genitourinary system in order to facilitate accurate and rapid diagnosis.
Gene silencing through RNA interference: Potential for therapeutics and functional genomics

A major focus of biology is determining the role that specific genes play within a cell. The ability to control gene expression is a powerful tool for biologists, and methods that facilitate the expression of genes in trans have been very useful in delineating gene function. However, methods that enable researchers to decease or inhibit gene expression in a controlled and specific manner have been lacking. A significant advancement in the field of gene silencing is the recent discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), a post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism first described in C. elegansand Drosophilaand more recently shown to occur in mammals, including mouse and human cells. This chapter will examine several aspects of RNAi and its related gene silencing mechanisms and will discuss the impact that technologies based on these endogenous cellular processes have had on studies of gene function and on new approaches to the treatment of disease.
Improvement in high-rate dischargeability, activation, and low-temperature performance in multi-phase AB2 alloys by partial substitution of Zr with Y

Abstract The changes in structure, gaseous phase hydrogen storage, and electrochemical properties due to the incorporation of Y in the alloy formula have been studied on two series of AB 2 alloys, with an originally C14- (relatively higher Cr-content) and a C15- (relatively higher Co-content) predominated microstructure, respectively. In each series, 1–4 at.% of Y was added to the designed formula and partially replaced Zr. A majority of the added Y went into the secondary phases, such as YNi, (Y, Sn)-rich, and Y 2 O 3 , and only a small amount being found in the main AB 2 phase. The lattice constants and the unit cell volume decreased due to the reduction in Zr-content. The C15 phase abundances of the Y-containing alloys were higher than those of the Y-free alloys in both series. As the Y-content increased, the gaseous phase hydrogen storage capacity measured at 30 °C decreased in the high-Cr series and increased in the high-Co series. Both the hydrogen mid-point pressures and the electrochemical discharge capacities of the Y-containing alloys were lower than those in the Y-free alloys in both series. Both the activation and high-rate dischargeability (HRD) improved with the increase in Y-content. The −40 °C resistance was substantially reduced with the incorporation of Y in both series.
Chemosensors for Lead(II) and Alkali Metal Ions Based on Self-Assembling Fluorescence Enhancement (SAFE)

A class of bis-crown ether fluorescent chemosensors for detection of trace amounts of Na+, K+, and Cs+ and Pb2+ was investigated. A distyrylbenzene derivative with crown ether rings of varying size attached to each benzene (12-crown-4 (1), 15-crown-5 (2), and 18-crown-6 (3)) can form intermolecular sandwich structures with Na+, K+, and Cs+ ions, respectively. In addition, bis-crown 2 forms unique sandwich complexes with Pb2+; the stoichiometry depends on the counterion present. Crystal structure data for the complex of Pb(CF3COO)2 with 2 indicate a unique sandwich structure having dilead tetrakis(trifluoroacetate) bridging two crowns on separate ligands. The bis-crown/alkali metal ion complexes have 1:1 stoichiometry in each case. 1H NMR spectra and MALDI-TOF mass spectra clearly demonstrate that formation of the self-assembled sandwich structure is associated with the fluorescence enhancement for sensor molecules 2 and 3 with K+ and Cs+, respectively. Sensor molecule 1, however, has an additional fluores...
Accuracy and reliability of a new sliding caliper

Abstract There are several types of sliding calipers, but most are expensive and not capable of measuring large body dimensions such as arm length or knee height in older children and adults. A new sliding caliper from Mediform can accurately measure lengths from 0.0 to 80.0 cm. This caliper is slightly more accurate than a Holtain sliding caliper, and its cost is low.
Secondary Traumatization: A Reflection of Family Environment

Paralleling reports of the effects of passive smoke exposure in medicaljournals, the term "secondary traumatization "is receiving increasing attention in the mental health literature. Implications of this forfamily counselors are considered.
Flow physics and RANS modelling of oblique shock/turbulent boundary layer interaction

Large-eddy simulation (LES) is utilized to investigate flow physics and lower-fidelity modelling assumptions in the simulation of an oblique shock impinging on a supersonic turbulent boundary layer (OSTBLI). A database of LES solutions is presented, covering a range of shock strengths and Reynolds numbers, that is utilized as a surrogate-truth model to explore three topics. First, detailed conservation budgets are extracted within the framework of parametric investigation to identify trends that might be used to mitigate statistical (aleatory) uncertainties in inflow conditions. It is found, for instance, that an increase in Reynolds number does not significantly affect length of separation. Additionally, it is found that variation in the shock-generating wedge angle has the effect of increasing the intensity of low-frequency oscillations and moving these motions towards longer time scales, even when scaled by interaction length. Next, utilizing the LES database, a detailed analysis is performed of several existing models describing the low-frequency unsteady motion of the OSTBLI system. Most significantly, it is observed that the length scale of streamwise coherent structures appears to be dependent on Reynolds number, and at the Reynolds number of the present simulations, these structures do not exist on time scales long enough to be the primary cause of low-frequency unsteadiness. Finally, modelling errors associated with turbulence closures using eddy-viscosity and stress-transport-based Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations are investigated. It is found that while the stress-transport models offer improved predictions, inadequacies in modelling the turbulence transport terms and the isotropic treatment of the dissipation is seen to limit their accuracy.
Povidone-Iodine Soaks for Hand Abscesses: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Purpose To determine the effect of povidone-iodine soaks on outcomes of hand infections after operative drainage. Methods We performed a single-center, prospective, randomized trial to evaluate 100 consecutive hand infections. Forty-nine patients received povidone-iodine soaks 3 times daily, and 51 patients received only daily dressing changes. Outcome measures were the number of operations, readmissions, reoperations for wound complications, and days spent in the hospital. Results Patients treated with povidone soaks averaged 1.6 operations, and patients treated with daily dressing changes averaged 1.4 operations, a statistically insignificant difference. The mean number of operations was also not different between groups for the dorsal hand or dorsal finger abscess subcategories. No significant differences were found in length of stay, number of readmissions, or number of reoperations for wound complications. Conclusions Povidone-iodine soaks are not helpful in the postoperative management of hand infections Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.
Human eosinophils migrate across an intestinal epithelium in response to platelet-activating factor

Abstract Background/Aims: Transmigration of eosinophils across intestinal epithelia occurs in a variety of mucosal inflammatory disorders and results in the formation of crypt abscesses containing eosinophils. However, the conditions required to drive transepithelial migration of eosinophils are not understood. Methods: This study investigated eosinophil migration across intestinal epithelia using purified eosinophils and confluent monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84. Results: Unactivated eosinophils (i.e., no granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF] preexposure) did not migrate across T84 monolayers in the presence of transepithelial gradients of C5a, n -formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), or platelet-activating factor (PAF). In contrast, activation of eosinophils by coincubation or pretreatment with GM-CSF enabled transepithelial migration in response to PAF but not to C5a or fMLP gradients in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Specificity was confirmed by both the PAF receptor antagonist WEB-2086 and the PAF enantiomer 2-lyso-β-acetyl-γ-O-hexadecyl. Finally, addition of functionally inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to CD11b but not CD11a, very late activation antigen (VLA-4), or intracellular adhesion molecule 1 inhibited eosinophil migration. Conclusions: These studies establish that physiologically directed migration of eosinophils across model epithelia occurs but that this process is governed by the state of eosinophil activation, the specific chemotactic gradient imposed, and the availability of specific surface integrins to participate in putative eosinophil-epithelial adhesion steps.
In vivo microdialysis for determination of nasal liquid ion composition

Airway surface liquid (ASL) contains substances important in mucociliary clearance and airway defense. Little is known about substance concentrations in ASL because of its small volume and sampling difficulties. We used in vivo microdialysis (IVMD) to sample liquid lining the nasal cavity without net volume removal and incorporated into IVMD a potential difference (PD) electrode to assess airway integrity. The cystic fibrosis (CF) mouse nasal epithelia exhibit ion transport defects identical to those in CF human airways and, thus, are a good model for CF disease. We determined that nasal liquid [Na+] (107 +/- 4 mM normal; 111 +/- 9 mM CF) and [Cl-] (120 +/- 6 mM normal; 122 +/- 4 mM CF) did not differ between genotypes. The nasal liquid [K+] (8.7 +/- 0.4 mM) was significantly less in normal than in CF mice (16.6 +/- 4 mM). IVMD accurately samples nasal liquid for ionic composition. The ionic composition of nasal liquid in the normal and CF mice is similar.
Semiparametric inference based on a class of zero-altered distributions

Abstract In modeling count data collected from manufacturing processes, economic series, disease outbreaks and ecological surveys, there are usually a relatively large or small number of zeros compared to positive counts. Such low or high frequencies of zero counts often require the use of underdispersed or overdispersed probability models for the underlying data generating mechanism. The commonly used models such as generalized or zero-inflated Poisson distributions are parametric and can usually account for only the overdispersion, but such distributions are often found to be inadequate in modeling underdispersion because of the need for awkward parameter or support restrictions. This article introduces a flexible class of semiparametric zero-altered models which account for both underdispersion and overdispersion and includes other familiar models such as those mentioned above as special cases. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimator of the dispersion parameter are derived under general conditions. Numerical support for the performance of the proposed method of inference is presented for the case of common discrete distributions.
Experimental studies of 90 deg corner cascades in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex

Two 90 deg, fixed geometry, turning vane cascades were replaced in the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex as a part of a major facility upgrade. Prior to the replacement of these vanes, small-scale, two-dimensional tests were conducted to assess the aerodynamic performance of the original, 1930's technology vane geometry and a new vane geometry which was developed using a modern cascade design code. The small scale tests were conducted in the 1/10th-Scale Cascade Test Facility and included measurements of total pressure, static pressure, and flow angularity distributions in the wake of the cascade and static pressure distributions along the vane profiles. Test results and a detailed comparison of the two vanes designs are presented. Based on these results, the new design was chosen and subsequently installed in the wind tunnel. During the integrated systems test of the upgraded facility, two of the 52 vanes in the first cascade were instrumented near midspan. The full-scale test results are presented, these show the cascade pressure loss coefficient to be slightly larger than obtained in the small-scale tests. Elements of the three-dimensional flow field upstream of the cascade, which effect can impact cascade performance, are discussed and recommendations for future research are given.
Novel memory ideas using floating body effects

• Floating body effect provide unique sensing scheme • Small capacitance degrades retention characteristics • Cache replacement or logic compatible memory is not feasible • DRAM replacement memory with dedicated process flow is promising
Single-dose aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity and lethality in rainbow trout☆

Abstract The nephrotoxicities of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, tobramycin (TBM) and netilmicin (NTM), were studied in rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) to determine the usefulness of salmonids as a sensitive model for investigating the nephrotoxic potential of these agents. Logit analysis revealed that 8 to 12-day ip LD50s in rainbow trout for TBM and NTM were 53 ± 1 and 55 ± 1 mg/kg, respectively (95% c.i.), a nonobserved effect dose in rats. Kidney sections from treated animals showed moderate to severe dose-dependent proximal tubular necrosis in both groups, suggesting that lethality was a consequence of renal failure. NTM caused a greater incidence of glomerular lesions than did TBM. Kidney sections taken 1 month after a single injection of TBM showed active necrosis of proximal tubules suggesting a high affinity of these agents for trout renal tissue. Investigations with spinally transected, catheterized trout given single ip injections of 15 or 30 mg/kg TBM or NTM revealed that the earliest and most sensitive indicators of nephrotoxicity were decrease in clearance of [ 3 H]methoxyinulin and p -[ 14 C]p-aminohippuric acid. This finding was followed by decreased urine flow, increased urine osmolality, and proteinuria. Renal function indices showed the greatest difference from controls at 30 hr, while morphologic damage was greatest between Days 5 and 10. Physiological and histopathological data indicate that NTM is less toxic than TBM in rainbow trout. Results from this study suggest that the rainbow trout is a sensitive animal model in which to study the nephrotoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Development and viability of pig oocytes matured in a protein-free medium containing epidermal growth factor.

Abstract This study examined the ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to improve the developmental competence of pig oocytes matured in a protein-free (PF) in vitro maturation (IVM) system. Oocyte maturation was done in one of three media: 1. PF-TCM: tissue culture medium (TCM) 199 + 0.1% polyvinylalcohol (PVA); 2. PF-TCM+EGF: PF-TCM + 10 ng/ml EGF; and 3. +ve CONT: North Carolina State University (NCSU) 23 medium + 10% porcine follicular fluid. All media contained 0.57 mM cysteine. Hormonal supplements, 0.5 μg/mL LH and 0.5 μg/mL FSH, were present only for the first half (20 to 22 h) of the culture period. After maturation, ocytes were co-incubated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa for 5 to 6 h and transferred to embryo culture medium, NCSU 23 containing 0.4% BSA, for 144 h. In Experiment 1, differences in cumulus expansion were observed for oocytes matured in +ve CONT (Category 4), PF-TCM (Category 2) and PF-TCM+EGF (Category 3). However, no significant differences in nuclear maturation to metaphase II stage were observed. In Experiment 2, no differences in fertilization parameters were observed. Significant (P
Persons as mediators: A three-stage paradigm

In the process of socialization the individual learns various responses from others. It is suggested that the socializing agent can serve as a mediator for learning in accordance with a mediated generalization analysis. The experimental analysis required Ss to learn nonsense syllables in connection with doll s representing different nations. Pairs of these syllables which previously were associated with the same doll were learned more readily than pairs associated with different dolls. The results demonstrate that persons can serve as mediators for learning.
Equivalency of Crushed Rock and Three Industrial By-Products Used for Working Platforms During Pavement Construction

A study was conducted to define an equivalency criterion for five materials used for working platforms during pavement construction on a poor subgrade: conventional crushed rock (referred to as breaker run) and four alternatives (Grade 2 gravel, foundry slag, bottom ash, and foundry sand). A layer of alternative material was considered equivalent if the total deflection of the alternative material was equal to that of breaker run under the same construction loading. Total deflection data for the equivalency assessment were obtained from a large-scale model experiment (LSME) simulating a prototype-scale pavement structure. Total deflections obtained from the LSME were checked against deflections measured in the field with a rolling wheel deflectometer and with an analytical method developed for unpaved roads. Design charts were developed for selecting the equivalent thickness of alternative working platform materials so that the alternative and a layer of breaker run provided equal deflection.
Gliosis in human brain: relationship to size but not other properties of astrocytes

Gliosis is the most frequent and therefore important neurocellular reaction to brain insult occurring in diseases ranging from AIDS to infarction. Neuropathological diagnosis of gliosis is based on morphological changes of brain glial cells. Changes commonly agreed to reflect gliosis are qualitative increases in size, number and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity of astrocytes. These parameters were morphometrically quantified in brain tissues of 22 individuals who died with 7 diseases and statistically compared to the extent of gliosis independently determined by 3 qualified observers. The data indicate that the extent of gliosis correlated with the increase in size of astrocytes in white matter (p = 0.67) and this relationship was statistically significant (P = 0.0006). In contrast, the extent of gliosis was not correlated with the density of astrocytes nor the intensity of GFAP staining.
Ray Tracing In Tilted Transversely Isotropic Media: a Group Velocity Approach

Efficient computation of traveltimes in anisotropic media has become increasingly important given the wide use of anisotropic Kirchhoff prestack depth migration. Several methods have been presented for computing traveltime maps yielding first-arrival times for anisotropic media, based on finite-difference eikonal solutions or the direct-mapping Fermat’s principle (FP) approach. While the first-arrival techniques are useful for computing traveltime maps in areas where multipathing is not important, e. g. in sedimentary basins, or for performing velocity updates in such areas, accurate migrations in complex areas require ray-trace solutions. This abstract presents an approach to qP-wave ray tracing in tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media that is based upon the same group velocity approximation used in the Fermat’s principle algorithms. The method is simple to implement and accurate for the range of anisotropy values encountered in practice. Its use of a slowness parameterization identical to that of the FP method implies that it can be employed to calculate traveltime maps in areas where the faster FP technique has been used to perform velocity analysis; the two techniques provide consistent traveltimes, independent of anisotropy strength.
Peptides related to the antigenic determinant block T cell recognition of the native protein as processed by antigen-presenting cells.

A mouse T cell hybrid specific for pigeon cytochrome c in the context of I-Ekresponds by secreting interleukin 2 when co-cultured with the native antigen and the B cell lymphoma, LK-35.2, or naive splenic B cells as antigen-presenting cells (APC). Cytochromes c and their corresponding C-terminal fragments which are not capable of stimulating the TPc9.1 cells, including the autologous mouse cytochrome c, block the T cells' response to pigeon cytochrome c. In contrast, nonstimulatory N-terminal peptides of cytochrome c, which share no homology with the antigenic peptide, do not block. Blocking is observed when the nonstimulatory cytochromes c or peptides are present in culture with the live APC and nonsaturating concentrations of pigeon cytochrome c. it can be overcome with supraoptimal concentrations of pigeon cytochrome c. With tobacco hornworm moth cytochrome c as antigen, a protein for which the T cell has a higher functional affinity, the response of TPc9.1 cannot be blocked by the nonstimulatory cytochromes c or by peptides, even when limiting concentrations of the tobacco hornworm moth cytochrome c are used. When paraformal-dehyde-fixed APC are employed, no native cytochrome c can stimulate the T cells, including the tobacco hornworm moth protein which with the live APC is effective at 50 to 100-fold lower concentrations than pigeon cytochrome c. However, with fixed APC the T cells are stimulated by the C-terminal fragments containing residues 81- 104 of the pigeon protein or residues 81-103 of the tobacco hornworm moth protein as readily and with the same relative efficiencies as the native protein, presented by live APC. The nonstimulatory peptides, but not the native cytochromes c, block T cell activation by pigeon cytochrome c pulsed-fixed APC, indicating that the nonstimulatory peptides compete with the stimulatory pigeon cytochrome c peptides produced by the APC. This competition appears to be due to nonstimulatory peptides which associate at the APC surface and not to those acting from solution because the APC which have been incubated with pigeon cytochrome c and nonstimulatory peptides and washed free of excess antigen and peptides are not stimulatory to the T cell hybrid. It was concluded that the activation of a pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell, which recognizes a peptide fragment of the native protein on the surface of an APC, can be blocked by an excess of nonstimulatory homologous peptides when these are also associated on the surface of the APC. The ability to block T cell activation does not appear to be competition for processing of the native molecule but may represent a competition for specific peptide binding sites on the APC or on the T cell receptor.
Blueschists of the Kodiak Islands, Alaska: An extension of the Seldovia schist terrane

The Kodiak Islands are composed of a series of northeast-trending belts of schists and deep-sea rock types that are interpreted as having been accreted to the continental margin during several discrete phases of subduction since early Mesozoic time. The Kodiak Islands schist terrane is the oldest of these accretionary belts and crops out discontinuously along the northwest side of the islands. Metamorphic rocks in this belt include quartz-mica schist, marble, metachert, greenschist, blueschist, and epidote amphibolite; the rocks yield Early Jurassic K-Ar mineral ages. These ages apparently provide a measure for the age of emplacement of the Kodiak Islands schists and are consistent with independently determined age estimates based on (1) biostratigraphy of the associated forearc basin deposits and (2) K-Ar ages from the associated plutonic arc on the Alaska Peninsula. Similarities in rock types, mineral ages, and tectonic setting indicate that the Kodiak Islands schist terrane is the southwestern extension of the Seldovia blueschists of the Kenai Peninsula.
Materials design analysis of the prosthetic anterior cruciate ligament

Repair or replacement of the damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a significant clinical problem. A design utilizing ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was developed and marketed by an orthopaedic device manufacturer. Mechanical failure rates of greater than 10%/year postoperatively raised the issue of the adequacy of UHMWPE in that design. A study has been made to estimate the forces in the human anterior cruciate ligament for young, middle age, and older patients and to thus derive the minimum materials requirements for a now withdrawn prosthetic anterior cruciate ligament (PACL) design. It is concluded that UHMWPE does not possess adequate yield, creep, or fatigue properties to meet the design. Furthermore, consideration of the varying requirements on the PACL, due to differences in age and activity levels of patients, suggest that a band-type design offers a better possibility of achieving adequate materials performance in the ACL prosthetic replacement.
Thickest recorded Holocene reef section, Isla Pérez core hole, Alacran Reef, Mexico

The Isla Perez core hole (Alacran Reef, Mexico) records the thickest Holocene section (33.5 m) known from either Atlantic or Indo-Pacific reefs. The high rate of deposition of reef material—a maximum of 12m/l,000 yr—is attributed to accumulation of the open framework constructed by the rapidly growing coral Acropora cervicornis . Mineralogic and radiocarbon analyses indicate that in areas protected from frequent high-energy agitation, this fragile branching coral, which thrives in moderate to shallow water depths, is capable of constructing extensive Holocene biohermal structures having more than 15m relief.
On Testing Competitive Market Structures

A recent paper by Novak and Stangor Marketing Science, Winter 1987 on testing competitive market structures involves testing a two-sided hypothesis to determine the nature of the competitive market structure. In this paper we provide an improvement to the Novak and Stangor procedure by considering a one-sided multivariate hypothesis and suggest methods for testing such hypotheses.
Selectable frequency CMUT with membrane stand-off structures

A capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) capable of selectable-frequency operation through membrane stand-off-controlled collapse-mode operation is presented using verified finite element analysis models. One method for fabricating stand-off structures is presented. Finite element analysis (FEA) simulations were verified with respect to a CMUT fabricated at the University of Virginia Microfabrication Laboratory (UVML) with a correlation coefficient of 0.92 and an amplitude error of 4.1% when comparing the time-domain pressure output signals. Stand-off geometry was optimized using an iterative FEA approach. The optimum spans for each of the four sub-membranes as a percent of the total membrane span are 32% for the central sub-membranes and 18% for the lateral sub-membranes. The stand-off CMUT device designed to operate at both 1.5MHz and 40MHz has been shown in simulation to posses comparable bandwidth to each of two conventional, single-frequency CMUTs operating at 1.5MHz and 40MHz, respectively with comparable bandwidth and a reduction in output intensity of 4.0dB and 4.5dB, respectively.
Contribution of spherical aberrations to the vestige structure induced by laser damage

The contribution made to the propagation of a Gaussian beam by the spherical aberrations introduced by the lens used to focus the beam into the test sample is considered as a possible explanation of the multivestige structure observed in laser-induced damage of transparent materials. The paraxial approximation for the wave equation is used to determine the intensity of the beam on the beam axis when the aberrations are present. The inclusion of spherical aberrations modifies the form expected for a diffraction-limited Gaussian beam, shifting the main peak in intensity away from the focus and suppressing it. More importantly, oscillations are introduced in the intensity prior to (past) the focus when the spherical aberrations focus off-axis rays prior to (past) the geometrical focus. Although the spatial arrangement of the peaks in the intensity appears consistent with some of the experimental results for the vestige structure, the spacing between peaks does not correspond to the observed spacing between damage sites. These findings and other possible explanations of the vestige structure are considered critically.
Americans' Social Policy Preferences in the Era of Rising Inequality

Rising income inequality has been a defining trend of the past generation, yet we know little about its impact on social policy formation. We evaluate two dominant views about public opinion on rising inequality: that Americans do not care much about inequality of outcomes, and that a rise in inequality will lead to an increase in demand for government redistribution. Using time series data on views about income inequality and social policy preferences in the 1980s and 1990s from the General Social Survey, we find little support for these views. Instead, Americans do tend to object to inequality and increasingly believe government should act to redress it, but not via traditional redistributive programs. We examine several alternative possibilities and provide a broad analytical framework for reinterpreting social policy preferences in the era of rising inequality. Our evidence suggests that Americans may be unsure or uninformed about how to address rising inequality and thus swayed by contemporaneous debates. However, we also find that Americans favor expanding education spending in response to their increasing concerns about inequality. This suggests that equal opportunity may be more germane than income redistribution to our understanding of the politics of inequality.
Beyond the Contract: The Scope and Nature of Informal Government–Nonprofit Partnerships

Privatization research lacks an understanding of the scope and nature of informal service delivery relationships between nonprofits and local government. This article reports on a study of local service delivery partnerships in Georgia using survey and interview data. In addition to assessing the frequency of noncontractual partnerships, this study builds on B. Guy Peters’s definition of public–private partnerships to delineate the control–formality dimensions of these partnerships more clearly. The agency theory notion that a trade-off occurs between formality and control is also tested. The findings show that most public–private partnerships involving nonprofits are led by government agencies, and they are only weakly collaborative in the sense of shared authority or resources. Often, community norms substitute for formal service agreements. The study concludes with suggestions for further research regarding trust and behavioral norms in public–private partnerships.
Age criteria in medicine. Are the medical justifications ethical

• Age criteria are increasingly being advocated as means of determining who should receive treatment. Four types of medical justification have been proposed. Three of these, namely, length of medical benefit, quality of medical benefit, and likelihood of medical benefit, entail comparisons of patients. The fourth, medical benefit, involves identifying for each patient whether or not a significant benefit is likely to result from treatment. I contend that the three types of comparative justification are questionable. For example, they rest on statistical generalities that are misleading in particular situations, and they value characteristics of persons (such as life-years) more than they respect persons themselves. I also contend that the fourth type of medical justification, rooted as it is in response to human need, is ethically sound, but that it warrants a medical-benefit criterion rather than an age criterion. ( Arch Intern Med . 1989;149:2343-2346)
Effects of HZSM-5 crystallite size on stability and alkyl-aromatics product distribution from conversion of propanal

article i nfo The conversion of propanal on large (2-5 µm) and small (0.2-0.5 µm) crystallite HZSM-5 at 400 °C and atmospheric pressure has been studied. Improved catalyst stability was observed on small crystallites due to faster removal of products with the shorter diffusion path length, reducing the formation of coke precursors. As previously shown, C9 aromatics are the initial aromatics produced from propanal via aldol condensation followed by cyclization and these have less opportunity to crack to lighter aromatics on the small crystallites. Thus, a higher ratio of C9/(C8+C7) aromatics was observed on the small crystallites. The main isomer of the C8 aromatic products observed on small crystallites was the initial cracking product of the C9 aromatics, and thermodynamically preferred, meta-xylene, while the shape-selective preferred para-xylene was the predominant product on large crystallites. The higher internal diffusion rate of the para isomer results in greater shape selectivity with the longer path of the large crystallite zeolite. It is concluded that the use of smaller crystallite HZSM-5 improves results for production of alkyl aromatics from light oxygenates at mild conditions that may prove useful for bio-oil upgrading.
Comparative analytical costs of central laboratory glucose and bedside glucose testing: a College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study.

Abstract Context.—One of the major attributes of laboratory testing is cost. Although fully automated central laboratory glucose testing and semiautomated bedside glucose testing (BGT) are performed at most institutions, rigorous determinations of interinstitutional comparative costs have not been performed. Objectives.—To compare interinstitutional analytical costs of central laboratory glucose testing and BGT and to provide suggestions for improvement. Design.—Participants completed a demographic form about their institutional glucose monitoring practices. They also collected information about the costs of central laboratory glucose testing, BGT at a high-volume testing site, and BGT at a low-volume testing site, including specified cost variables for labor, reagents, and instruments. Participants.—A total of 445 institutions enrolled in the College of American Pathologists Q-Probes program. Main Outcome Measure.—Median cost per glucose test at 3 testing sites. Results.—The median (10th–90th percentile ...
Quantification of behavior

In what languages can scientific results best be expressed? Since the days of Isaac Newton in the 17th century, scientists, to avoid “the artifice of words,” have chosen the language of mathematics. Quoting Galileo, Fitzgerald and James (1) talk about being able to understand nature only when one has learned mathematics. In his essay “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences,” Eugene Wigner (2) celebrates the beauty of mathematics for its own sake, and discusses how “mathematical concepts turn up in entirely unexpected connections” as they are used to express regularities discovered in scientific results. He also points out, however, that a mathematician is limited to the exploration of a logical world permitted by his axiomatic system. As we shall see, behavioral scientists historically also have been limited to experimental systems constrained by the requirement for studies simple enough to use reliable methodology and to yield clean, replicable results. In the distant past, it might have been said that the complexity of behavior, the difficulty of behavioral methods, and the shakiness of behavioral results would defy quantification. However, decades of intense work with a variety of organisms, including humans, have created islands of knowledge upon which behavioral scientific methods are reliable and results are replicable. Results are precise—they are grouped tightly around measures of central tendency or are correlated tightly to defined mathematical curves—and they are accurate, meaning that, when a true value is known, they achieve that true value. In some fields within the behavioral and social sciences, the use of mathematical methods would be quite irrelevant. Important advances and significant understanding are reached, nonetheless. We are not addressing those subjects. The purpose of this Sackler Colloquium was narrower: to examine some areas of experimentation in which mathematics is used routinely. The achievements of this field of … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: pfaff{at}rockefeller.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Sensitivity of metal oxide memristors to radiation-induced displacement damage

Over the last several years, various research groups have shown that metal oxide-based memristors or resistive random access memory (RRAM) components are tolerant to high levels of both displacement damage and ionizing dose. However, above certain thresholds of either the deposited displacement damage dose or the deposited ionizing dose, devices do respond to radiation. In this paper, the sensitivity of metal oxide memristor materials to radiation damage from various types of incident energetic ions is assessed.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy in connective tissue diseases.

Objectives To describe a case of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (RPLS) involving a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to review the medical literature to define the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and therapeutic aspects of this syndrome in various connective tissue diseases. Methods Report of 1 case and review of the English literature using Medline search from 1967 to 2005. Results Including our reported case, RPLS has been identified in 13 patients with connective tissue disease. In separate case reports, 9 SLE patients, 2 Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) patients, and 1 patient with SLE and systemic sclerosis presented with RPLS. Associated risk factors included malignant hypertension, acute renal failure, and recent treatment with cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, or methylprednisolone. Patients were treated with blood pressure control, hemodialysis, or withdrawal of the offending drug. In our patient, plasmapheresis and high-dose methylprednisolone resulted in a full recovery. In most cases, complete resolution of neurological symptoms occur within 2 weeks of presentation, along with improvement or resolution of imaging abnormalities. Conclusion RPLS is a clinicoradiological entity, associated with reversible white matter edema involving most commonly the posterior central nervous system circulation. Seizures and altered mental status in patients with SLE or WG can pose difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes infection, uremia, hypertension, infarction, thrombosis, demyelinating disorders, and vasculitis. Accurate diagnosis of RPLS and its differentiation from other, more common causes of the central nervous system is essential to ensure the best possible outcome in this rare but life-threatening neurological disorder.