cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TREATMENT OF MARROW CELLS WITH ANTI-NK CELL ANTISERUM INCREASES CLONAL GROWTH OR ERYTHROID AND MYELOID COLONIES

To test the hypothesis that NK cells have a role in clonal stem cell growth we performed clonal stem cell assays on normal bone marrow cells (cells obtained from 4 leukemic children in remission and off treatment for at least 6 months). Ficoll-Hypaque separated bone marrow cells (1×105 or 2×105) were incubated in rabbit C' alone (control) or in rabbit C' plus monoclonal anti-human NK cell antiserum HNK-1 (Leu-7) for 60 min. After one wash in alpha medium, control and antiserum-treated cells were resuspended to an identical volume and plated in 1% methylcellulose with 2 I.U. of sheep erythropoietin. Erythroid and myeloid colonies were scored after 6-7 days culture.
Redistributive Fee Increases, Net Attendance Costs, and the Distribution of Students at the Public University.

Abstract This paper examines the effect of policies that increase tuition at public four-year colleges while returning a substantial portion of the revenue to economically disadvantaged students in the form of increased financial aid awards. Such “redistributive fee increases” are demonstrated to have potentially important effects on the distribution of students choosing to attend in-state public four-year colleges. Specifically, if in-state public four-year net attendance costs increase by themselves high-test students are far more likely than low-test students to choose alternative paths while if the net attendance costs of alternative paths also increase Black and Hispanic students are most likely to choose alternative paths.
238U−230Th−226Ra disequilibrium in young Mt. Shasta andesites and dacites

The paper describes 238U-series nuclides and 230Th/232Th ratios measured by mass spectrometry in mineral separates of young Mt. Shasta andesites and dacites. The results constrain the timing of recent calc-alkaline magma fractionation at this volcano. Hotlum, Misery Hill and Black Butte rocks show small, < 13% 230Th-238U and < 6% 226Ra-230Th, disequilibria. Plagioclase have 7–26% 226Ra excesses, magnetite and groundmass have 4–5% 226Ra deficits, and pyroxenes have equilibrium (226Ra/230Th) activity ratios. Internal (230Th)-(238U)and Ba-normalized (226Ra)-(230Th) isotope diagrams for Hotlum and Black Butte dacites suggest that closed-system Th-U and Ra-Th fractionation occurred less than 10,000 years ago. Significant 226Ra-230Th disequilibria in the Black Butte dacite strongly suggests that this rock erupted more recently than 9400 years ago. Results for Hotlum andesites suggest a longer pre-eruption crystal residence time compared to the dacites. There may also have been recent open Ra-Th system changes in the melt composition. Initial Th/U ratios for the rocks are low (2.43–2.57), similar to those in mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), and preclude significant assimilation of crust with markedly different Th-U composition.
The growth and structure of oxide films on Fe. II. Oxidation of polycrystalline Fe at 240–320°C

The influence of surface pretreatment and metal orientation on the oxidation of coarse-grained polycrystalline Fe has been studied at 240 to 320°C in 5×10−3 Torr O2 using electron diffraction, electron microscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy to complement kinetic data. Consistent with previous studies on Fe single crystals, differences in oxidation kinetics for surfaces covered with an electropolish film from those with a similar thickness prior oxide formed by dry oxidation at room temperature are interpreted in terms of differing densities of leakage paths in the oxide layers. The more complex kinetics for electropolished polycrystalline Fe are a result of the leakage path density, the degree of oxide separation, and the extent of α-Fe2O3 formation varying with substrate orientation. Where adherent Fe3O4 layers are formed on polycrystalline and single-crystal Fe surfaces, the parabolic rate constants give an activation energy which is consistent with a previous value of 32 kcal · mole−1, suggesting that at these low temperatures the transport mechanism for magnetite growth is cation diffusion via easy diffusion paths in the oxide.
Detection of Y chromosome sequences in Turner's syndrome by Southern blot analysis of amplified DNA

Only about half of all patients with Turner's syndrome are monosomy 45,X on karyotyping and there are grounds for supposing that cryptic mosaicism for at least part of the Y chromosome may be present in some patients. If so this would be clinically important because of the risk to patients of gonadal neoplasms and virilisation. We have used a very sensitive method to detect Y chromosomal segments in eighteen patients with Turner's syndrome, none of whom had evidence of Y chromosomal material by cytogenetic analysis. In DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes and/or fibroblasts we looked for specific nucleotide sequences from the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY gene) and repetitive sequences located at the centromeric region (DYZ3). By polymerase chain amplification (PCR) one patient had a definite positive signal and two patients had faintly positive signals for the SRY gene. Southern blot analysis of PCR material with a SRY-specific probe confirmed that these patients were positive for SRY and revealed another three. No patient was positive for DYZ3, suggesting that only a small portion of Y was present. These results suggest that "pure" 45,X monosomy is less frequent than previously supposed. Long-term follow-up of patients with Y sequences is needed to determine their risk for subsequent gonadal neoplasms and virilisation.
Amine modulation of electrical coupling in the pyloric network of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion.

1. The neurons of the pyloric network of the lobster (Panulirus interruptus) stomatogastric ganglion organize their rhythmic motor output using both chemical and electrical synapses. The 6 electrical synapses within this network help set the firing phases of the pyloric neurons during each rhythmic cycle. We examined the modulatory effects of the amines dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT) and octopamine (Oct) on coupling at all the electrical synapses of the pyloric network. 2. Electrical coupling within the pacemaker group [anterior burster (AB) to pyloric dilator (PD), and PD- 3. Dopamine decreased or increased the coupling strength of all the pyloric electrical synapses: the sign of the effect depended upon which neuron was the target of current injection. For example, DA decreased AB→ PD coupling (i.e., when current was injected into the AB) but increased coupling in the other direction, PD→ AB. Dopamine decreased AB to VD coupling when current was injected into either neuron. Serotonin also had mixed effects; it enhanced PD→AB coupling but decreased AB to VD and PD to VD coupling in both directions. Octopamine's only effect was to reduce PD→ VD coupling. li]4. 5. The characteristic modulation of electrical coupling by each amine may contribute to the unique motor pattern that DA, 5HT and Oct each elicit from the pyloric motor network.
The morphology of the Martian surface

Most of the southern hemisphere of Mars is densely cratered and stands 1–3 km above the topographic datum. The northern hemisphere is more sparsely cratered and elevations are generally below the datum. A broad rise, the Tharsis bulge, centered at 14° S, 101° W, is 8000 km across and 10 km above the datum at its summit. The densely cratered terrain has two main components; very ancient crust, nearly saturated with large craters, and younger intercrater plains. In many areas the older unit is fractured and extensively dissected by small channels. The younger intercrater plains are distinctly layered in places and less dissected, less fractured, and less cratered. Both units probably date from very early in the planet's history. Cratered plains cover much of the northern hemisphere and are highly variegated. Those around the large volcanoes are covered with numerous volcanic flows whereas in other areas the plains are featureless except for craters and lunar mare-like ridges. Between 40° N and 60° N the plains are complex with various kinds of striped and patterned ground, low escarpments, and isolated irregularly shaped mesas. Their peculiar morphology has been attributed, in part, to the repeated deposition and removal of volatile-rich debris layers. Along the boundary between the northern plains and the densely cratered terrain to the south, the plains and cratered terrain complexly inter-finger. The old terrain forms the high ground and appears to have undergone mass wasting on a large scale. In several areas, particularly south of Chryse Planitia, the old, cratered surface has collapsed to form chaotic terrain. Large channels, tens of kilometers wide and hundreds of kilometers long, with numerous characteristics suggestive of catastrophic flooding, commonly emerge from the chaotic areas. Much of the area between 50° W and 180° W and 50° N and 50° S is cut by fractures radial to the center of the Tharsis bulge. The equatorial canyon system, Valles Marineris, is radial to the bulge and appears to have formed largely by faulting along the radial fractures, although it has also been extensively modified by various mass wasting and fluvial processes. Most but not all volcanoes are in the Tharsis and Elysium regions. The largest resemble terrestrial shield volcanoes except for scale; the edifices, flow features and calderas are all far larger than their terrestrial counterparts. Most impact craters on Mars are surrounded by layers of ejecta, each with a distil ridge. This unique morphology coupled with other surface characteristics suggests large amounts of ground ice. Layered deposits at both poles appear to be relatively young, volatile-rich, aeolian deposits. The north pole is also surrounded by a continuous belt of dunes several tens of kilometers across. In most other places, aeolian modification of the surface at a scale of several tens of meters appears slight despite annual global dust storms.
Comment on “Growth uncertainty, generalized disappointment aversion and production-based asset pricing”

A model that jointly explains aggregate asset price and macroeconomic dynamics has been elusive. The literature in macrofinance has evolved significantly since the early efforts of, e.g., Jermann (1998), Tallarini (2000), and Boldrin et al. (2001), but we still have not arrived at an agreed uponworkhorse macro-finance model: fitting onemoment better often leads to fitting other moments worse, calibrations are typically quite aggressive in order to quantitatively account for the data, and parsimony is increasingly giving way to parameter proliferation and ‘black-box’ models where it is harder to fully understand all the mechanisms at play. Relative to this, Liu and Miao (2015) take a more classic, parsimonious approach. They consider a standard real business cycle model with a representative firm and a representative agent, where the technology process is estimated in a straightforward way from the data. While the firm has a standard Cobb–Douglas production function with convex capital adjustment costs, the agent is endowed with generalized disappointment aversion (GDA) preferences and the exogenous technology growth process has timevarying mean and volatility. Introducing GDA preferences into a standard production-based model is the marginal contribution of the paper. Like Epstein and Zin (1989) preferences, GDA preferences allow for a preference for early resolution of uncertainty, and so endogenous long-run consumption risks are priced (see Kaltenbrunner and Lochstoer 2010). Time-varying mean and volatility in the technology process under Epstein–Zin (EZ) utility has been considered in prior literature (e.g., Croce 2014, Malkhozov 2014), as has disappointment aversion (DA) preferences (Campanale et al., 2010). Relative to the latter, which also features first-order risk aversion, GDA preferences can generate endogenously counter-cyclical risk aversion (Routledge and Zin 2010), which typically generates counter-cyclical risk premiums. Time-varying discount rates can in turn help to increase the volatility of the aggregate dividend claim, which is a sticking point in the literature. Liu and Miao have three main results. The first mirrors that of Tallarini (2000) and subsequent studies using EZ or DA preferences: increasing agents' sensitivity to risk (through higher firstand/or second-order risk aversion) has quantitatively
Stage-based outcomes of 682 consecutive cases of twin–twin transfusion syndrome treated with laser surgery: the USFetus experience

Objective We sought to describe stage-specific perinatal outcomes after selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Study design Patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome underwent SLPCV preferentially using sequential vs standard laser technique. Patient characteristics and outcome data were examined by Quintero stage. Results Of 682 consecutive women studied, the Quintero stage distribution was: 114 stage I (17%), 177 stage II (26%), 328 stage III (48%), and 63 stage IV (9%). Perinatal survival of at least 1 twin did not differ according to stage (I-92%, II-93%, III-88%, IV-92%; P = .30). However, dual twin survival differed by stage (I-79%, II-76%, III-59%, IV-68%; P P P Conclusion Stage-specific perinatal outcomes after laser therapy may assist physicians in patient counseling and in planning future studies.
a Class of Linear Magnetohydrodynamic Flows

The continuity, momentum, Maxwell, current conservaLon, and Ohm's Law equations are given for the steady laminar flow of a conducting fluid of constant properties. Equations are derived which involve V (velocity vector), B (magnetic flux density vector), and P (pressure) only. Two cases are discussed in which the nonlinear differential terms become linear. (D.L.C.)
Unlocking the Mysteries of Virus-Host Interactions

: The interactions between viruses and the cells they infect are complex and multifaceted. While viruses strive to usurp cellular functions to their advantage, the cell strives to thwart these efforts by mounting a variety of defensive responses. These responses may include the induction of interferon, stress response, or apoptotic pathways, all of which are accompanied by changes in gene expression. Some viruses consistently win this tug of war, whereas others succumb to cellular defense mechanisms. The viral and cellular factors that determine the outcome are for the most part still unknown. With the advent of functional genomics, potent new technologies are now available to probe the complexities of virus-host interactions in ever increasing depth and detail. We describe here our efforts to use microarrays, proteomics, and bioinformatics to focus in on the changes in gene expression and protein production that occur in a virus-infected cell and to use these technologies to unlock the mysteries of virus-host interactions.
Abstract 5590: Role of estrogen receptor-beta in colitis-associated cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease has been strongly correlated with colitis-associated cancer (CAC) cases, a subtype of colorectal cancer. Previously, we demonstrated that estrogen receptor-beta (ERβ) exerted protective effects against the development of colonic precancerous lesions in the azoxymethane-induced spontaneous colon cancer in vivo model. In the present study, we investigated whether ERβ could also be protective against CAC. Estrogen receptor-β knockout (βERKO) and wild type (WT) mice were exposed to azoxymethane, followed by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment. Three days after the DSS treatment two βERKO mice died, suggesting that these mice might be more susceptible to inflammatory inducers than WT mice. Furthermore, six weeks after DSS exposure five mice from each group were sacrificed and morphology and RNA analyses of inflammation markers were performed. All βERKO mice presented polyp-like structures in the colon (3.60 ± 0.81) and greater number of cellular infiltration areas (9.00 ± 1.50), whereas only two WT mice presented polyp-like structures (2.40 ± 1.47) and fewer number of cellular infiltration areas (4.00 ± 2.02). βERKO mice showed 9.8 and 5.6 fold increase in mRNA expression of inducible-nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), respectively, when compared to WT mice. In both βERKO and WT mice a 2.1 fold increase in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression was observed compared to the respective negative control groups. All together these results suggest that ERβ might be protective against CAC. These data will be compared to the group of mice that will be sacrificed 15 weeks post DSS treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5590. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5590
Speed vs. thoroughness in infant visual information processing

The relation between speed and cognition is assuming an increasingly prominent position in infant research. The current study examined the potential trade-off between speed of processing, as measured by learning rate and the duration of individual looks, and thoroughness of processing, as measured by the extraction of stimulus detail. Six and one-half month old infants learned to distinguish a familiar face from a series of faces with novel features and were then shown faces which probed their knowledge of the familiar features, in particular their ability to discern subtle changes in these features. Learning rate showed a clear relation to performance on the probe task, but duration of looks showed none. Infants who took longer to learn discriminated between faces with the familiar features and variants with only one or two novel features, whereas those who learned quickly did not. The findings suggest that, at least in some situations, infants who process information slowly may actually extract more detail.
The Effect of Soft Tissue on the Biomechanics of Skull Fracture due to Blunt Ballistic Impact: Preliminary Analysis and Findings

The majority of engineering studies that quantify the biomechanical response of the human head to blunt impacts have been focused primarily on replicating automotive-related trauma [1]. Relatively little biomechanical data exists on head response and skull fracture tolerance due to impacts with small surface area objects moving at high velocity, as can occur with the deployment of less-lethal kinetic energy munitions that are now available to police and military personnel. Law enforcement are trained to direct such munitions away from the head and at body regions least likely to sustain serious to life-threatening injury, such as the legs, however impacts to vital regions such as the head have occurred [2]. Previous research efforts have investigated facial impact response to blunt ballistic impacts however data regarding the temporo-parietal region are lacking and require study under these unique loading conditions [3]. Prior research has indicated that the scalp and soft tissue covering the skull are important factors to consider when studying impact response and skull fracture tolerance [4]. These data however have been limited primarily to impact velocities typical of the automotive crash environment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of soft tissue to the biomechanical response and tolerance of the temporo-parietal region under blunt ballistic impact conditions.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Uncertainty Principle for Generalized Diffusions

It is shown that with any generalized diffusion a complementary variable, theprobabilistic group velocity (PGV), can be associated, such that the uncertainties in the position (diffusion) and its complementary PGV (like momentum) satisfy a Heisenberg-type uncertainty relation. It is shown that the bound is achieved in the linear Gaussian case. In the statistical steady state, the PGV vanishes identically. The uncertainty in the PGV is an achievable upper bound to the rate of the RMS value of the diffusion. The PGV is further related to the entropy rate of the diffusion process.
Evaluation of filter inefficiencies for particulate collection under low loading conditions

Abstract Membrane filters (Millipore type HA) have been compared with graphite filters as media for collection of atmospheric particulates. Results show that the graphite filters are consistently more efficient for the collection of particulates in the size ranges approximating those where inertial impingement collection processes are operative. Studies concentrating on the membrane filters utilizing low face velocities have indicated that smaller particle sizes are collected quite inefficiently under conditions of low filter loading (clogging) and that this may present a serious problem for sampling atmospheres with low total particulate concentrations and/or sampling at low rates. Field measurement results have been used to fit an empirical equation indicative of the functional relation between mass collection efficiency for elements with mass median equivalent diameters in the inertial impingement size range and the extent of filter loading. The equation is used as an approximate means of assessing the inefficiency problem.
Shredded Reputation: The Cost of Audit Failure

In this article we investigate the impact of the Enron audit failure on auditor reputation. Specifically, we examine Arthur Andersen’s clients’ stock market impact surrounding various dates on which Andersen’s audit procedures and independence were under severe scrutiny. On the three days following Andersen’s admission that a significant number of documents had been shredded, we find that Andersen’s other clients experienced a statistically negative market reaction, suggesting that investors downgraded the quality of the audits performed by Andersen. We also find that audits performed by Andersen’s Houston office suffered a more severe decline in abnormal returns on this date. We are not able to show that Andersen’s independence was questioned by the amount of non–audit fees charged to its clients.
An audio-tactile display

Several devices have been developed enabling the blind to adapt to digital and visual displays. Most require extensive training and are relatively expensive. The audio-tactile display described in this paper requires very little training and promises to be inexpensive. Prototypes of the display have been developed for a digital stopwatch, a digital clock, and several electronic calculators. Because the device makes use of electrical impulses to communicate with the blind, it also has numerous potential capabilities as a research tool. The device is based on a panel containing columns of braille digits that are made active through a logic circuit interfacing the braille display with a calculator or other device. The subject scans the braille columns and discovers the digits active in each column when a tone is produced simultaneously with the finger contacting the braille digit.
Managing weeds with a dualistic approach of prevention and control. A review

Scientists have theorized that weed management would be more efficient if prevention tactics were integrated with control tactics. The goals of prevention are to reduce weed community density and improve crop tolerance to weeds. Here we describe the impact of this approach in the semiarid steppe of the United States. As a result, producers have reduced herbicide inputs and costs by 50% compared to conventional practices. Critical factors for success with this approach are rotation design and no-till practices. Rotations comprised of two cool-season crops followed by two warm-season crops are the most disruptive of weed population growth. The impact of rotation design on weed community density is enhanced by no-till. Crop tolerance to weeds is improved by systems of cultural tactics. The tolerance is greatest when three tactics are combined together. This dualistic approach of prevention and control effectively controls weeds with four-crop rotations such that herbicides are not needed in some crops of the rotation. Weed density is so low that crop yield is not affected by weed interference. With this approach, herbicides are a choice rather than a requirement for cropping success in the semiarid steppe of the United States.
Crimpy Enables Discrimination of Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Pools of a BMP at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

Distinct pools of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) Glass bottom boat (Gbb) control structure and function of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Specifically, motoneuron-derived Gbb regulates baseline neurotransmitter release, whereas muscle-derived Gbb regulates neuromuscular junction growth. Yet how cells differentiate between these ligand pools is not known. Here we present evidence that the neuronal Gbb-binding protein Crimpy (Cmpy) permits discrimination of pre- and postsynaptic ligand by serving sequential functions in Gbb signaling. Cmpy first delivers Gbb to dense core vesicles (DCVs) for activity-dependent release from presynaptic terminals. In the absence of Cmpy, Gbb is no longer associated with DCVs and is not released by activity. Electrophysiological analyses demonstrate that Cmpy promotes Gbb's proneurotransmission function. Surprisingly, the Cmpy ectodomain is itself released upon DCV exocytosis, arguing that Cmpy serves a second function in BMP signaling. In addition to trafficking Gbb to DCVs, we propose that Gbb/Cmpy corelease from presynaptic terminals defines a neuronal protransmission signal.
Decidual Cell Regulation of Hemostasis during Implantation and Menstruation

Progesterone stimulation of the estradiol (E2)-primed human endometrium initiates DZ of the stromal cells around the spiral arterioles. Under continued steroid stimulation, DZ spreads wave-like to establish the decidual cell as a major cell type of the luteal phase and pregnant endometrium. Because of their widespread distribution throughout the endometrium and concentration at perivascular sites, decidual cells are spatially and temporally positioned to mediate the opposing requirements of maintaining hemostasis during endovascular trophoblast invasion, yet promoting menstrual hemorrhage in the absence of implantation. The experimental results summarized in this review indicate that the paradoxical properties manifested by endometrial stromal/decidual cells are controlled by several proteins with either hemostatic or ECM-degrading or vasoactive activity, and that their expression is altered in response to changes in levels of circulating ovarian steroids during the menstrual cycle. These conclusions are drawn primarily from studies with a well-characterized in vitro model of DZ using monolayers of stromal cells derived from specimens of predecidualized endometrium. Thus, progestins modify the expression of several DZ-related markers in the cultured stromal cells, and E2 enhances these effects despite the lack of response to E2 alone. These responses are consistent with the differential actions displayed by E2 and progesterone in vivo, by which E2 primes the endometrium for the decidualizing effects of progesterone by elevating progesterone receptor levels. Accordingly, during steroid-induced in vitro DZ, a marked increase in the expression of stromal cell TF and PAI-1 and reciprocal inhibition of tPA activity suggest mechanisms to account for the absence of hemorrhage during invasion of the endometrial vasculature by implanting trophoblasts. In contrast to steroid-induced DZ, the events of menstruation are initiated in response to a decline in circulating levels of ovarian steroids. Accordingly, subjecting in vitro decidualized stromal cells to steroid withdrawal results in pronounced reversal in the expression of all of the end points listed above. Consequently, the local hemostatic environment is transformed into a hemorrhage-promoting milieu. Taken together with vascular injury resulting from ischemia induced by spiral artery vasoconstriction, the net effect is attainment of two prerequisites for menstrual hemorrhage, vascular injury and inadequate hemostasis.
Workflow automation for processing plasma fusion simulation data

The Center for Plasma Edge Simulation project aims to automate the tedious tasks of monitoring the simulation, archiving and post-processing the output. This paper describes the tasks and requirements, the several components developed within the Kepler workflow system to provide the required functionality and the automated workflow solution. Besides functionality, the focus is on the robust execution of the workflow. A user-level checkpoint/restart model has been developed that allows the workflow to restart, moreover, it also performs operations that failed during the previous run.
Mode-coupling Characteristics and efficiency of quantum-dot electrically injected photonic Crystal waveguide-coupled light-emitting diodes

We have studied the transverse coupling of optical modes between a quantum-dot photonic crystal microcavity light-emitting diode and a photonic crystal missing-defect waveguide. From the emission spectra, it is evident that higher order anticrossings participate in the output coupling process. A 3% coupling efficiency between cavity and waveguide modes is estimated.
The Role of Cardiac Support Devices in the Treatment of Patients with Heart Failure

Natural history studies have shown that progressive left ventricular (LV) remodeling is directly related to future deterioration in LV performance and a less favorable clinical course in patients with heart failure.1,2 These studies have led to the hypothesis that the mechanical burdens engendered by left ventricular remodeling - increased wall stress, decreased cardiac output, increased mitral regurgitation with increased hemodynamic overloading - may contribute to disease progression independently of the patient's neurohormonal status (reviewed in 3). Accordingly, several innovative approaches have been evaluated to address LV remodeling, including cardiomyoplasty, partial left ventriculectomy ("Batista procedure") and the endoventricular circular patch plasty (the "Dor procedure").4-7 The suggestion that passive containment of the ventricle might prevent and/or reverse LV remodeling arose from studies in patients who underwent the cardiomyoplasty procedure and found the external girdling provided by the skeletal muscle wrap more beneficial than the systolic assistance provided by the skeletal muscle contraction.4 This review examines the role of cardiac support devices (CSD), specifically the CorCap™ CSD (Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc.™, St. Paul, MN) currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
Chain elongation of fatty acid in brain: a comparison of mitochondrial and microsomal enzyme activities.

Abstract The activities of mitochondrial and microsomal fatty acid-elongating enzymes have been measured in rat brain during postnatal development and in brains of jimpy, msd, and quaking mice. The microsomal enzyme activity rose from a low in the immature brain to a maximum at 21 days of age and then declined to low levels in the mature brain. The developmental patterns were similar for all acyl-CoAs tested. The maximum activity fell sharply from C16 to C18 and then fell gradually with increase in fatty acid chain length up to C24. The activities for monounsaturated acyl-CoAs were slightly higher than for corresponding saturated esters. The mitochondrial enzyme activity was high in the immature brain and remained virtually unchanged during further brain development. This activity steadily decreased with increasing chain length from C16 to C24. The microsomal enzyme activity was reduced in myelin-deficient mutants compared to their controls. The extent of reduction was most severe for C20- to C24-CoAs followed by C18-CoA and then C16-CoA, for which the activity was reduced only in the jimpy mouse. The activities for C20- to C24-CoAs in jimpy, msd, and quaking mice were 12, 38, and 52% of the control, respectively. The mitochondrial enzyme activity was not affected by these mutations. Fatty acid synthetase activity was similar in the mutant and control mice. These results suggest that the deficiency of long-chain fatty acids in the central nervous system of myelin-deficient mouse mutants is due to reduced synthesis by the microsomal enzyme, which is directly related to myelination. The brain mitochondrial enzyme appears to be unrelated to myelination.
Modifying Aluminum Reactivity with Poly(Carbon Monofluoride) via Mechanical Activation

Modification of the reactivity of micrometer-sized aluminum through inclusion of low levels of poly(carbon monofluoride) (PMF) using mechanical activation (MA) is reported. Resulting composite particle combustion enthalpy, average particle size, and specific surface area depend on MA intensity, duration, and inclusion level, and range from 18.9 to 28.5 kJ g−1, 23.0 to 67.5 μm, and 5.3 to 34.8 m2 g−1, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments in O2/Ar indicate that MA reduces the exotherm onset from 555 to 480 °C (70/30 wt-%). Particles are sensitive to electrostatic discharge stimulus (11.5–47.5 mJ) but not to impact (>213 cm) or friction (>360 N) and some low energy MA particles are ignitable by optical flash. With their altered reactivity and high combustion enthalpy, these nanofeatured, micrometer-sized particles may have use as replacements for aluminum in energetic applications.
Precipitation induced voids in quenched and tempered steel

Abstract Numerous submicron voids have been found at the ends of the grain boundary carbides formed in 2 1 4 Cr-1 Mo steel during tempering at 680–690°C. These voids subsequently grow into the bubbles that give rise to the hydrogen attack found in such a steel. They could also be the origin of the grain boundary voids that develop to limit creep ductility in quenched and tempered steel, or give rise to the voids that grow into the stress relief cracks sometimes found in welds. It is proposed that the voids are nucleated and grow as a result of the plastic strain and long range tensile stresses that develop as the carbides grow and expand faster than matrix atoms can diffuse away to accommodate the volume increase.
Formal analysis of dysmorphism: Objective methods of syndrome definition

A set of descriptors was developed and used to code patients with 4p or 9p monosomy or trisomy, "blind" as to their karyotype. Techniques of numerical taxonomy were used to classify the patients on the basis of their phenotypic resemblance. As expected, the results confirm strong phenotype-karyotype correlations. When cytogenetic interpretations are uncertain, the phenotypic findings may confirm or refute the interpretations. The approach has practical implications, providing further knowledge of phenotypic effects of specific chromosomal segments, which will aid cytogeneticists in their search for karyotypic defects. More important, the results also serve as an excellent model for developing strategies for the classification of syndromes of unknown etiology.
Cell cycle checkpoints: Arresting progress in mitosis

Cell cycle arrest in M phase can be induced by the failure of a single chromosome to attach properly to the mitotic spindle. The same cell cycle checkpoint mediates M phase arrest when cells are treated with drugs that either disrupt or hyperstabilize spindle microtubules. Study of yeast mutants that fail to arrest in the presence of microtubule disruptors identified a set of genes important in this checkpoint pathway. Two recent papers report the cloning of human and Xenopus homologues of one of these yeast genes, called MAD2 (for mitotic arrest deficient-2)(1,2). Introduction of antibodies to the MAD2 protein into living mammalian cells or Xenopus egg extracts abrogates the M phase arrest induced by microtubule inhibitors. This and other recent developments suggest a model for the M phase checkpoint in which unattached kinetochores inhibit the ubiquitination of proteins whose proteolysis is necessary for chromatid separation and exit from mitosis.
Having been bullied in childhood: Relationship to aggressive behaviour in adulthood

AIMS: Victimization through being bullied in childhood is traditionally associated with subsequent internalizing symptoms, but some literature suggests otherwise. In this study, we examined a history of being bullied in relationship to 21 externalized aggressive behaviours in adulthood. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional approach and a self-report survey methodology, we examined a history of being bullied in childhood in relation to 21 aggression variables in a consecutive sample of 342 internal medicine outpatients. RESULTS: In comparison with the not bullied, participants who reported having been bullied in childhood had a statistically significantly greater overall number of self-reported aggressive behaviours. Longer duration of being bullied was statistically significantly correlated with a greater number of reported aggressive behaviours. With regard to individual behaviours, four were statistically significantly associated with being bullied: hitting walls; intentionally breaking things; getting into fist fights; and pushing/shoving a partner. CONCLUSIONS: While relationships between bullying in childhood and subsequent internalizing symptoms have been well established, the present study indicates that bullying in childhood is also associated with externalizing/aggressive behaviours in adulthood. Language: en
Quantitative and qualitative comparison of SAR images from incomplete measurements using compressed sensing and nonuniform FFT

In this paper the performance of two wideband synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging methods from incomplete data sets are compared quantitatively and qualitatively. The first approach uses nonuniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) SAR to form images from nonuniform spatial and frequency data points. The second approach benefits from the emerging compressed sensing (CS) methodology to recover raw data from undersampled measurements. The results of our experimental tests show that CS has a better performance in terms of error and image contrast while NUFFT SAR has lower computational complexity.
Presidential Report to the Congress: Net Benefit Analysis of US/Soviet Arms Control

A net assessment of the benefits/losses of arms control treaties in terms of military significance was required in response to the START Resolution of Ratification. The response by the Executive Branch belabored smaller issues, avoided accomplishments and didn't carry out the net assessment.
Ceria-based catalysts for the recovery of elemental sulfur from SO2-laden gas streams

Abstract The catalytic reduction of SO2 to elemental sulfur by CO or CH4 over ceria-based catalysts under demanding operating conditions is reported in this paper. Cu- or Ni-containing ceria catalysts have been shown before to be highly active and selective for SO2 reduction by CO in dry gas streams or in the presence of low amounts of H2O. In this work, the activity/selectivity of 10 at.%La-doped ceria, Ce(La)Ox, and Cu- or Ni-containing Ce(La)Ox for the (SO2+CO) reaction was tested in gas streams containing 10–45 mol%H2O at high space velocities (>80,000 h−1). The addition of 5 at.% (∼2.5 wt.%) copper or nickel significantly improved the low-temperature (
Immunophenotypic analysis of the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV; HHV-8)-infected B cells in HIV+ multicentric Castleman disease (MCD).

Aims: Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is aetiologically related to Kaposi sarcoma, classical and extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma (PEL; EC-PEL) and multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), entities preferentially occurring in HIV-infected individuals. Characterization of HIV-associated PELs/EC-PELs suggests that the KSHV-infected malignant cells originate from a pre-terminal stage of B-cell differentiation. However, only limited phenotypic studies have been performed on HIV+ MCD, including for PR domain containing 1 with zinc finger domain/B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (PRDM1/BLIMP1), a key regulator of terminal B-cell differentiation. The aim was to characterize KSHV-infected cells in 17 cases of HIV+ MCD. Methods and results: Double immunohistochemistry and immunohistochemistry–in situ hybridization were used to characterize the KSHV-infected cells in MCD; the results were compared with the phenotypic profiles of 39 PELs/EC-PELs and seven PEL cell lines. Whereas the immunophenotype of KSHV-infected cells in MCD and malignant KSHV+ PEL cells was similar (PAX5, Bcl-6−; PRDM1/BLIMP1, IRF4/MUM1+; Ki67+), the MCD KSHV-infected cells differed, as they expressed OCT2, cytoplasmic λ immunoglobulin; variably expressed CD27; lacked CD138; and were Epstein–Barr virus negative. Conclusions: Although both PEL and MCD originate from KSHV-infected pre-terminally differentiated B cells, these findings, with previously reported genetic studies, indicate HIV+ MCD may arise from extrafollicular B cells, whereas PELs may originate from cells that have traversed the germinal centre.
Membranes of animal cells. V. Biosynthesis of the surface membrane during the cell cycle.

KB cells grown in suspension culture were synchronized by using a double thymidine block. At various times throughout the life cycle aliquots of cells were pulsed with 14C-L-leucine, 14C-D-glucosamine and 14C-choline for one hour periods. Surface membranes, cell particulates and soluble proteins were isolated and their 14C specific activities were determined. It was found that there was a marked increase in the rate of incorporation into surface membrane just after division. The pattern of incorporation was the same for all three isotopic precursors. The rate of incorporation of isotopic precursors into soluble proteins was constant throughout the cycle. Some increase in rate of incorporation of isotope into the particulate fraction was observed during division.
Suicide Ideation and Attempts among Inhalant Users: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

Few studies have examined associations of inhalant use and inhalant use disorders (IUDs) to suicide ideation and attempts. We investigated these relationships in the largest comorbidity survey conducted in the United States. Suicidal ideation was significantly more prevalent among inhalant users than nonusers and severity of inhalant use problems was positively related to suicidal ideation. Among persons with IUDs, 67.4% had thought about committing suicide and 20.2% had attempted suicide. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that respondents with IUDs reported significantly higher levels of suicide ideation than inhalant nonusers. Inhalant use is associated with significantly increased risk for suicide ideation, especially among women and persons with DSM-IV IUDs.
Facilitating Between Gang Members and Police

Confrontations between youths and the police are increasingly frequent in the United States as police lead the effort to reduce youth gangs, crime, and violence. As a result, police-youth relations are characterized by hostility, mistrust, misunderstandings and stereotypes. This article outlines a ten-stage dialogue process to improve relations between police and gang-related youths in a suburb near Washington, D.C. In addition to describing techniques used in this case, the authors offer advice on how such efforts could be improved.
Effect of dosing interval on efficacy of maropitant for prevention of hydromorphone-induced vomiting and signs of nausea in dogs

Objective—To evaluate the effect of dosing interval on the efficacy of maropitant for prevention of opioid-induced vomiting and signs of nausea in dogs. Design—Randomized prospective clinical study. Animals—50 client-owned dogs that underwent an elective surgical procedure. Procedures—Dogs were randomly assigned to receive maropitant (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], SC), then hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], IM) at 0 (simultaneously; group 0; n = 10), 15 (group 15; 10), 30 (group 30; 10), 45 (group 45; 10), or 60 (group 60; 10) minutes later. Dogs were monitored for vomiting and signs of nausea for 30 minutes after hydromorphone administration. A historical control group of similar dogs (n = 9) that were administered hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg, IM) but not maropitant served as the referent for comparison purposes. Results—Vomiting was recorded for 6 dogs in group 0 and 2 dogs in group 15. Signs of nausea were recorded for 10 dogs in group 0, 9 dogs in group 15, 8 dogs in group 30, 6 dogs in group 45, and 1 dog...
A micro camera utilizing a microlens array for multiple viewpoint imaging

We present the concept and realization of a micro plenoptic camera to achieve multiple viewpoint imaging with one single image capture and without moving the camera. The micro plenoptic camera is based on lightfield photography where the camera captures the 4- dimensional lightfield and images it onto a 2- dimensional CCD sensor through the use of a microlens array. The microlens array was fabricated using the photoresist reflow process. We realized both a simulated micro camera with a 2mm aperture, a 69×69 microlens array of 50µm pitch size and a 5 megapixel CCD, as well as an experimental camera with a 15.2mm aperture, a 97×97 microlens array of 240µm pitch size and a 1 megapixel CCD.
Small Vibrations of Flexible Bars by Using the Finite Element Method with Equivalent Uniform Stiffness and Mass Methodology

Abstract The object of this research is to calculate natural frequencies and mode shapes of a small oscillation vibration, superimposed on large static displacement, by using the finite element method in conjunction with the equivalent uniform stiffness and mass method. The equivalent uniform stiffness and mass matrices are determined from the differential equation by using Galerkin's method. The analysis herein is three-fold. Firstly, the large static equilibrium configuration of the deformed flexible beam is established. This is achieved by using the Euler-Bernoulli equation in conjunction with equivalent pseudo-linear and/or equivalent non-linear systems of constant stiffness. This concept and methodology were used quite extensively by the authors to study large deformation characteristics of various flexible beam problems of uniform and variable stiffness and of arbitrary loading conditions (see, for example, the work of Fertis and Afonta [1, 2], and Fertis and Lee [3, 4]). Secondly, the differential equation of motion for small amplitude vibrations from the large static equilibrium configuration is derived. Galerkin's technique is used to approximate the differential equation of motion. Finally, the natural frequencies of vibration and the associated mode shapes are determined by solving the resulting eigenvalue problem. A canned eigensolver from the University of Akron IMSL is used to extract the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The concept of equivalent pseudo-linear systems of constant stiffness is used extensively in this research, in order to simplify the solution of these complex non-linear problems.