cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of radiation effects by pXLG-mEndo in a lung carcinoma model

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 4140 The efficacy of radiotherapy for lung cancer is limited by normal tissue damage, including pulmonary, cardiac, esophageal, and spinal cord, that can lead to acute and late effects. Recent evidence indicates that the tumoricidal effects of radiation may be increased through the use of anti-angiogenic factors. The major goal of this study was to determine whether endostatin gene therapy has potential to augment radiation-mediated control of lung tumors. Plasmid pXLG-mEndo, constructed in our laboratories, consists of the mouse endostatin gene cloned into the pWS4 vector. Functionality of the expressed endostatin was tested using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells in culture. The kinetics and dose-dependence of endostatin expression, as well as anti-tumor efficacy of combining pXLG-mEndo with 60Co irradiation were evaluated in the C57BL/6 mouse - LLC model. LLC cells were implanted subcutaneously and different doses of pXLG-mEndo were injected intratumorally 14 days later; a dose of 10 gray (Gy) radiation was applied 16 hr thereafter. Some of the groups received the treatments a second time one week later. Immunohistochemistry with anti-CD31 antibody was used to evaluate the effects of therapy on tumor vasculature. Based on 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA, the endostatin gene alone resulted in highly significant depression in HUVEC and LLC cell growth compared to pWS4 vector and control with no plasmids (p< 0.005). In addition, radiation increased the inhibitory effects of endostatin on both HUVEC and LLC cells over a 3-day period after irradiation (p<0.05 or less). The time course study of endostatin expression within LLC tumor revealed that the expression peak was on day 7 after pXLG-mEndo injection. In the dose-dependence study we found that intratumoral injection of 100 μg pXLG-mEndo significantly increased expression of both endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) locally. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited in mice receiving pXLG-mEndo plus radiation compared with no treatment (p<0.005), radiation only (p<0.05) and plasmid only (p<0.05). The number of LLC tumor vessels per high-power field was reduced following exposure to combined treatment compared with exposure to all other treatments (P<0.05). These data demonstrate that delivery of endostatin via pXLG-mEndo as an adjuvant to radiation can significantly enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of radiation therapy in the LLC mouse tumor model. Further investigation of this unique combination therapy appears warranted. [The view, opinion, and/or findings contained in this report are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as a position, policy, decision or endorsement of the federal government or the National Medical Technology Testbed, Inc. Supported in part by an award from the U.S. Army and NMTB.]
2-Amino-1,4-naphthoquinone-N4, 2-naphthylimine. A photo-oxidation product of 2-aminonaphthalene.

Es wurde gezeigt, dass das Chinonimin 2-Amino-1,4-naphtochinon-N4-2-naphtylamin die Farbe von gealtertem O1 in der 2-Aminonaphtalinlosung verursacht. Diese farbige Verbindung entsteht durch die Photooxydation des Amins und scheint eine wichtige Rolle fur die erhohte krebserzeugende Wirksamkeit des alten Ols zu spielen.
Charcoal root dip and controlled release carrier effects on hexazinone selectivity with sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) seedlings

Hexazinone, premixed with controlled release carriers, was applied to charcoal root-dipped, sycamore seedlings in field studies conducted in 1997 and 1998. The objective was to determine the combined effects of the carriers and root dips on herbaceous weed control and seedling growth and survival. Two controlled release carriers, methylated seed oil and recycled newspaper fluff, were compared with the standard water carrier. The root dip consisted of activated charcoal combined with a synthetic water thickener. Weed control using the oil and newspaper carriers was less than or equal to weed control using the standard water carrier. Weed control increased with increasing hexazinone rate. Groundline diameter growth for root-dipped seedlings increased by four-fold in 1997, but had both negative and positive results in 1998. Survival for root-dipped seedlings increased by three-fold in 1997, but had mixed results in 1998, depending on the carrier. Accidental uptake of herbicides by sycamore foliage after bud break in 1998 may have lead to the inconsistent seedling responses to charcoal root dips.
Boundary value problems in generalized biaxially symmetric potential theory

Abstract Interior boundary value problems are solved for the operator of generalized biaxially symmetric potential theory. The boundary conditions consist of Dirichlet data on the nonsingular part of the boundary and Dirichlet data or growth restrictions on the singular hyperplanes, depending on the values of parameters of the operator. Continuation of solutions beyond the singular hyperplanes is considered, yielding an improvement of a result of Huber. Potential theoretic methods are used for the investigation.
The utility of ERG/P63 double immunohistochemical staining in the diagnosis of limited cancer in prostate needle biopsies.

Diagnosis of limited cancer can be challenging in prostate needle biopsies, and immunohistochemistry is commonly used in such settings. Recently, TMPRSS2:ERG gene rearrangement was found to be highly specific for and detected in approximately 50% of prostate cancer. Positive immunohistochemical staining with a novel anti-ERG antibody highly correlated with TMPRSS2:ERG gene rearrangement status. We developed a double immunohistochemical staining containing both erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogen (ERG) and basal cell marker P63 antibodies and evaluated its use in the diagnosis of limited cancer in prostate needle biopsies. A total of 77 prostate needle biopsies containing cancer occupying 10% of cancerous cells. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was present in 17 cases, and in 5 (29%) cases ERG was positive in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia glands, which were all immediately adjacent to or intermingled with ERG-positive cancerous glands. In 4 additional cases, positive ERG staining was found in morphologically benign glands, which were also immediately adjacent to or intermingled with ERG-positive cancerous glands. All other benign lesions distant from cancerous glands, including simple and partial atrophy, were negative for ERG. P63 was negative in all cancerous glands and positive in noncancerous lesions. The P63/ERG double immunostain combines the high sensitivity of P63 and the high specificity of ERG and may be potentially useful in the work-up of difficult prostate biopsies. The high specificity of ERG for the presence of cancer may have important implications for prostate biopsy interpretation and needs to be further validated in larger prospective studies.
Activation requirements of donor T cells and host T cell recruitment in adoptive transfer of M urine experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO)

The relative roles of donor and host T lymphocytes and the T cell activation requirements in adoptive transfer of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) in (C57BL/6 x A/J)F1 mice were investigated in order to gain an understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. Depletion of T cell subsets in recipients by adult thymectomy and treatment with monoclonal antibodies against CD4 or CD8 had no effect on the incidence of EAO following adoptive transfer of activated T cells from donors immunized with testis homogenate (TH) and adjuvants. In contrast, such depletion of CD4+ T cells inhibited development of EAO in actively immunized mice. Thus, CD4+ cells are required for induction of EAO, but donor CD4+ cells are sufficient by themselves without a comparable contribution from the recipient. Adoptive transfer of EAO required that donor splenic and lymph node T cells be activated in vitro before transfer. We found that exposure to antigen (TH) for as little as 4 hr allowed EAO to occur in 25% of recipients, and by 24 hr the cells were fully competent to induce disease. Proliferation of the cells could not be measured until 2 days later. In serial double-transfer experiments, it was found that the cells must be cultured with TH before each transfer in order for the secondary recipients to develop EAO. However, it was not necessary for the transferred T cells to "see" antigen in vivo in the primary recipients, since transfer to castrated primary recipients had no effect on EAO incidence in secondary recipients. Lymphocytes isolated from diseased testes of immunized donors were competent to transfer EAO without activation in vitro, suggesting that, unlike spleen and lymph node cells, these orchitic lymphocytes were already capable of trafficking to the testis.
Modelling cationic dyeing‐consideration of ionic and hydrophobic interactions in a modified Donnan approach

A modified Donnan model has been derived, based on hydrophobic and ionic interactions between dyes and fibres. This model gives a good prediction of a cationic dye equilibrium sorption on an acrylic fibre under different dyeing conditions. The decrease in dye sorption with increasing salt concentration, followed by an increase in the dye sorption following further increase in the concentration of some salts (such as sulphates and phosphates), can be interpreted by this model. The study provides a quantitative approach to the dual functions of simple electrolytes during cationic dyeing, i.e. the competition of sorption sites with dyes through ionic interactions and the promotion of the dye sorption through hydrophobic interactions.
Historical Evaluation and Future Prediction of Eastern North American and Western Atlantic Extratropical Cyclones in the CMIP5 Models during the Cool Season

AbstractExtratropical cyclone track density, genesis frequency, deepening rate, and maximum intensity distributions over eastern North America and the western North Atlantic were analyzed for 15 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) for the historical period (1979–2004) and three future periods (2009–38, 2039–68, and 2069–98). The cyclones were identified using an automated tracking algorithm applied to sea level pressure every 6 h. The CMIP5 results for the historical period were evaluated using the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). The CMIP5 models were ranked given their track density, intensity, and overall performance for the historical period. It was found that six of the top seven CMIP5 models with the highest spatial resolution were ranked the best overall. These models had less underprediction of cyclone track density, more realistic distribution of intense cyclones along the U.S. East Coast, and more realistic cyclogenesis and deepening rates. The best...
IC-P2-150: Comparing rates of change versus cross-sectional hippocampal measure in early DAT

Background: In cross-sectional studies comparing subjects with and without very mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), we showed that deformities of hippocampal surface shape and volume could discriminate groups. While this suggests that irregularities of hippocampal structure are a feature of early AD, they could represent an early form of neurodegeneration or a long-standing “anatomic” vulnerability to disease. In this study, we compared the volume and shape of the hippocampus over time in very mildly demented and nondemented subjects, and determined whether the rate of changes in structural measures would improve the discrimination of subject groups based on cross-sectional (baseline) measures. Methods: MR scans were collected from 54 CDR 0.5 subjects and 69 CDR 0 subjects on multiple occasions (Table 1). Large-deformation high-dimensional brain mapping was applied to all scans to generate hippocampal surfaces in each subject scan. An average hippocampal surface constructed from 86 healthy subjects from a previous study was used as a reference to compute displacements from this reference for all surfaces. Mean displacements for hippocampal surface zones corresponding to the CA1, subiculum and remainder subfields were computed for each subject as shape measures. Mixed models with baseline CDR status as fixed factor and between-scan interval as random factor were used to test for group differences in rates of change in the hippocampal variables. Gender was used as a covariate. Results: At baseline, CDR 0.5 subjects had smaller volumes and more inwardly deformed hippocampal surfaces as compared with CDR 0 subjects. In particular, the surface zone associated with the CA1 hippocampal subfield deformed inwardly at a faster rate in the CDR 0.5 subjects than in the CDR 0 subjects. However, the effect size of the longitudinal comparison was smaller than the effect size of the cross-sectional comparison at baseline. See Table 2. Conclusions: These results suggest that while very mild DAT subjects show a more rapid rate of hippocampal volume loss and shape deformation than nondemented subjects, the degree of hippocampal deformation at the onset of dementia is already substantial and is as good or better than measures of changes in structure for group discrimination. P01-AG026276,P01-AG03991, P50-AG05681,R01-MH60883, R01-MH56584,P41-RR15241.
ATP and NO Dually Control Migration of Microglia to Nerve Lesions

Microglia migrate rapidly to lesions in the central nervous system (CNS), presumably in response to chemoattractants including ATP released directly or indirectly by the injury. Previous work on the leech has shown that nitric oxide (NO), generated at the lesion, is both a stop signal for microglia at the lesion and crucial for their directed migration from hundreds of micrometers away within the nerve cord, perhaps mediated by a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). In the present study, application of 100 μM ATP caused maximal movement of microglia in leech nerve cords. The nucleotides ADP, UTP, and the non-hydrolyzable ATP analog AMP-PNP (adenyl-5′-yl imidodiphosphate) also caused movement, whereas AMP, cAMP and adenosine were without effect. Both movement in ATP and migration after injury were slowed by 50 μM reactive blue 2 (RB2), an antagonist of purinergic receptors, without influencing the direction of movement. This contrasted with the effect of the NO scavenger cPTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-teramethylimidazoline-oxyl-3-oxide), which misdirected movement when applied at 1 mM. The cPTIO reduced cGMP immunoreactivity without changing immunoreactivity of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), which accompanies increased NOS activity after nerve cord injury, consistent with involvement of sGC. Moreover, the sGC-specific inhibitor LY83583 applied at 50 μM had a similar effect, in agreement with previous results with methylene blue. Taken together, the experiments support the hypothesis that ATP released directly or indirectly by injury activates microglia to move, while NO which activates sGC directs migration of microglia to CNS lesions.
The Effect of Pressure on Polymorphic Transitions of Solids

This note presents in a compact form by means of diagrams many of the essential facts concerning the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the polymorphic transitions of 30 substances. Five of these diagrams have been previously published,l eleven are to be published with greater detail in a forthcoming number of the Proceedings of the American Academy, and the rest await detailed publication. The experimental methods have been fully described previously. The investigation has been assisted in great measure by generous grants from the Bache Fund of the National Academy of Sciences and from the Rumford Fund of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The diagrams show the transition curves on the pressure-temperature plane of the several solid phases, which are indicated by Roman numerals. The liquid phase, where it occurs, is denoted by an L. Notice that the temperature scale is changed in the diagrams for KHS04 and H20. NH4NO3 has one transition line not shown, of the ice type, beginning at -16?, and RbNO3 has one at 219?, probably of normal type. The arrows on the transition lines indicate the directions in which the difference of volume of the two phases decreases numerically. An a, f or Cp placed on one side of a curve indicates that the phase on that side of the curve has the larger compressibility, thermal expansion, or specific heat. In the detailed presentation of data, the numerical values of all these factors, as well as of the latent heat of transition and change of energy are given. The number of substances is perhaps sufficient to justify an enumeration of the relative frequency of different types of behavior. The first impression is one of bewildering complexity, it is obvious that the phenomena of polymorphism, even under high pressures, do not tend to any simple type. The apparent complexity is rather increased when one considers the diagrams of chemically related substances, such as the six nitrates, the four iodides, the two sulfocyanides, and acid sulfates. It is possible, however, to detect traces of regularity among the nitrates and sulfocyanides by putting into correspondence the phases which belong to the same crystalline system. The variety of shapes possible for the individual curves is in striking contrast with the case for melting curves. Every rising melting curve
Photorefractive Materials for Optical Storage and Display

Real-time data storage and processing using optical techniques have been considered in recent years. Of particular interest are photosensitive electro-optic crystals which permit volume storage in the form of phase holograms, by means of a charge transfer process. A survey of the state of the art of such holographic memories is presented. The physical mechanism responsible for the formation of phase holograms in such crystals is discussed. Attention is focused on various aspects of materials characterization, development and utilization. Experimental reversible holographic read-write memory systems with fast random access and high storage capacity employing this new class of photosensiitive materials have already been demonstrated.
Picosecond Dynamics Evolution During Function For Photoactive Yellow Protein

Picosecond protein dynamics refer to both diffusive motion at the protein surface and adjacent solvent as well as possible underdamped structural vibrational modes. Functional protein structure changes result in possible changes in both these diffusive and collective dynamics which can lead to either an increase or decrease in flexibility in the active state. In the case of photoactive yellow protein (PYP), a large conformational change occurs as one proceeds from the resting pG state to the active pB state with partial molten globule formation. Previous terahertz dielectric response has been used to monitor changes in picosecond dynamics for the photoactive protein PYP with opposing results [1, 2]. While in one set of measurements, hydrated films were used and the pG/pB relative state population was monitored, in another set of measurements low conc PYP solution was used without monitoring of the conversion. In this paper we present THz dielectric response as a function of photocycle state for fully solvated PYP with in situ monitoring of the conversion using UV/Vis absorbance, both at room temperature and below freezing. Freezing reduces the background relaxational absorption of bulk water, and increases conversion to pB by slowing the photocycling time.
Reversible osmium(VI) nitrido to osmium(II) ammine interconversion in complexes containing polypyrazolyl ligands.

This paper describes the 4e-/3H+ interconversion between NH3 and N3-, which is reversible in the coordination spheres of Os complexes containing either tpm (tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane) or Tp (Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate anion) ligands. Electrochemical or chemical reduction of the nitrido complexes [OsVI(tpm)(Cl)2(N)]+ (1) and OsVI(Tp)(Cl)2(N) (2) in acidic aqueous solution gives the corresponding OsII−ammine complexes, which, after air oxidation and workup, are isolated and structurally characterized as [OsIII(tpm)(Cl)2(NH3)](PF6) (3) and OsIII(Tp)(Cl)2(NH3) (4). The OsIII−ammine complexes are reoxidized electrochemically to the nitrido complexes by stepwise mechanisms involving the loss of both electrons and protons and sequential Os(III→IV) and Os(IV→VI) oxidations.
Synthesis of Free and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen-bound Polyubiquitin Chains by the RING E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Rad5

In replicating yeast, lysine 63-linked polyubiquitin (polyUb) chains are extended from the ubiquitin moiety of monoubiquitinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (monoUb-PCNA) by the E2-E3 complex of (Ubc13-Mms2)-Rad5. This promotes error-free bypass of DNA damage lesions. The unusual ability of Ubc13-Mms2 to synthesize unanchored Lys(63)-linked polyUb chains in vitro allowed us to resolve the individual roles that it and Rad5 play in the catalysis and specificity of PCNA polyubiquitination. We found that Rad5 stimulates the synthesis of free polyUb chains by Ubc13-Mms2 in part by enhancing the reactivity of the Ubc13 approximately Ub thiolester bond. Polyubiquitination of monoUb-PCNA was further enhanced by interactions between the N-terminal domain of Rad5 and PCNA. Thus, Rad5 acts both to align monoUb-PCNA with Ub-charged Ubc13 and to stimulate Ub transfer onto Lys(63) of a Ub acceptor. We also found that Rad5 interacts with PCNA independently of the number of monoubiquitinated subunits in the trimer and that it binds to both unmodified and monoUb-PCNA with similar affinities. These findings indicate that Rad5-mediated recognition of monoUb-PCNA in vivo is likely to depend upon interactions with additional factors at stalled replication forks.
Cobalt‐induced oxidant stress in cultured endothelial cells: Prevention by ascorbate in relation to HIF‐1α

Endothelial cells respond to hypoxia by decreased degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha), accumulation of which leads to increased transcription of numerous proteins involved in cell growth and survival. Ascorbic acid prevents HIF-1alpha stabilization in many cell types, but the physiologic relevance of such effects is uncertain. Given their relevance for angiogenesis, endothelial cells in culture were used to evaluate the effects of ascorbate on HIF-1alpha expression induced by hypoxia and the hypoxia mimic cobalt. Although EA.hy926 cells in culture under oxygenated conditions did not contain ascorbate, HIF-1alpha expression was very low, showing that the vitamin is not necessary to suppress HIF-1alpha. On the other hand, hypoxia- or cobalt-induced HIF-1alpha expression/stabilization was almost completely suppressed by what are likely physiologic intracellular ascorbate concentrations. Increased HIF-1alpha expression was not associated with significant changes in expression of the SVCT2, the major transporter for ascorbate in these cells. Cobalt at concentrations sufficient to stabilize HIF-1alpha both oxidized intracellular ascorbate and induced an oxidant stress in the cells that was prevented by ascorbate. Whereas the interaction of ascorbate and cobalt is complex, the presence of physiologic low millimolar concentrations of ascorbate in endothelial cells effectively decreases HIF-1alpha expression and protects against cobalt-induced oxidant stress.
Laparoscopic approach to open gastric bypass.

Abstract Background: Gastric bypass is a successful tool in the treatment of morbid obesity. In recent years, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has gained popularity. However, open bypass is sometimes more suitable for patients who are “superobese.” Laparoscopic instrumentation can be used during an open gastric bypass to facilitate dissection, formation of the gastric pouch, and creation of the gastrojejunostomy. Methods: We describe the use of laparoscopic ultrasonic coagulating shears for dissection during open gastric bypass. Additionally, laparoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis and end-to-end anastomosis staplers are used for creating bowel anastomoses. Conclusions: Laparoscopic instrumentation can be useful in the setting of open procedures. Their long handles and jaw design make them ideal for working in the depths of a superobese abdomen.
Maintenance of mouse hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo by reprogramming cellular metabolism

The difficulty in maintaining the reconstituting capabilities of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in culture outside of the bone marrow microenvironment has severely limited their utilization for clinical therapy. This hurdle is largely due to the differentiation of long-term stem cells. Emerging evidence suggests that energy metabolism plays an important role in coordinating HSC self-renewal and differentiation. Here, we show that treatment with alexidine dihydrochloride, an antibiotic and a selective inhibitor of the mitochondrial phosphatase Ptpmt1, which is crucial for the differentiation of HSCs, reprogrammed cellular metabolism from mitochondrial aerobic metabolism to glycolysis, resulting in a remarkable preservation of long-term HSCs ex vivo in part through hyperactivation of adenosine 5′-monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK). In addition, inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism and activation of AMPK by metformin, a diabetes drug, also decreased differentiation and helped maintain stem cells in culture. Thus, manipulating metabolic pathways represents an effective new strategy for ex vivo maintenance of HSCs.
Extended line assignments for the ν3 + ν4 band of 12CH4

Abstract The ν 3 + ν 4 absorption band of 12 CH 4 at 2.3 μm has been re-examined at 0.01-cm −1 resolution with a Fourier transform spectrometer in order to extend and review the line assignments of Bobin and Guelachvili. More than 300 new or revised excited-state energy levels have been determined by means of combination differences in ν 3 + ν 4 and corroborating lines in the spectrum of ν 3 + ν 4 − ν 4 at 3.3 μm.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: Reliable or risky?

In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the discovery of information related to the genetic risk of disease, as well as in the technical ability to accurately measure an individual's genotype. These advances underlie the promise of personalized medicine, in which a patient's genotype informs the medical care they receive. Private companies are attempting to capitalize on these advances by providing direct-to-consumer (DTC)6 genetic testing that estimates the risk of disease for a customer, given their genotype. Because these tests make claims about medical conditions, they have come under scrutiny by regulatory agencies. We ask experts in the field to comment on several issues relevant to DTC genetic testing. DTC genetic testing is based primarily on associations between common genetic variants and disease. Do we have enough evidence about these associations to use them as genetic tests? Eric Topol: Yes, without question, in select circumstances. For several pharmacogenomic interactions, the information can be especially valuable for an individual to avoid a major adverse side effect (as with carbamazepine) or to ensure efficacy (clopidogrel). Also, when there is clear evidence of heightened risk (e.g., 2-fold or greater) for a common disease, such as diabetes, heart attack, colon, melanoma, or other cancers, there can be actionable information to get appropriate screening (e.g., colonoscopy) or potential preventive steps (e.g., protection from the sun). As we move toward sequencing and identification of rare or low-frequency variants that have high penetrance, it is unlikely that the heightened risk from the previously identified common variants will go away. James Evans: We clearly do not. This is best demonstrated by several straightforward studies in which the same sample was sent to leading DTC companies for analysis. The results included wildly divergent risk estimates, with companies reporting “above average,” “below average,” and “average” risks …
Electron microscopy of endothelial cells in culture. I: Transmission electron microscopy

Endothelial cells in culture can be identified by structural and functional characteristics. To examine the ultrastructure of the undisturbed endothelial cell monolayer, methods are described for in situ fixation and embedment in the tissue culture flask. Subsequent sectioning and staining for electron microscopy are carried out without detachment of the cell layer from the flask.
Computed tomography of pyonephrosis

Computed tomographic (CT) findings of 17 pyonephrotic and 20 uninfected hydronephrotic kidneys were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included: renal pelvic wall thickness (none; grade 1, 5 mm), renal pelvic contents, parenchymal, and perirenal findings. All patients underwent subsequent percutaneous nephrostomy within 1 week of CT. Common CT findings suggesting pyonephrosis include increased pelvic wall thickness and more severe perirenal fat changes than are seen in uninfected hydronephrosis. However, for any one patient, these findings are often not diagnostic. The presence of clinical signs of infection with hydronephrosis on CT is a more sensitive indicator of pyonephrosis than most CT findings.
Effect of chlorhexidine on human polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Abstract Chlorhexidine in 0.2 per cent and 2 per cent aqueous solutions was applied for two minutes to leucocytes isolated from dental plaque and blood. The effects were studied using light microscopy with Wright-stained smears and unstained samples viewed under phase microscopy. Both chlorhexidine solutions caused polymorphonuclear leucocytes to undergo disruption of the cell membrane and fixation of the cytoplasmic contents while the nuclei remained intact but were shrunken. These effects were much more severe at the 2 per cent concentration. Controls treated with distilled water showed no significant changes.
Model Integration Using Metagraphs

The availability of a large and diverse collection of stored modules such as data relations and decision models is a desirable feature in a decision support system DSS. However, it is usually infeasible to design a DSS in which every problem instance can be solved using a single module. Instead, it may be necessary to combine several stored modules into an integrated model that is sufficient to solve the given problem. We show that modules such as data files and decision models in a DSS can be usefully represented by a metagraph, a graph-theoretic construct that captures relationships between pairs of sets of elements. In addition to the visualization benefits that graphical representation offers, we show that many useful questions faced by the designers and users of DSS can be addressed by exploiting analytical properties of metagraphs. In particular, we show that the process of model integration can be significantly facilitated by exploiting certain connectivity properties in metagraphs.
Mystery ship detected in SAR image

Ships and their wakes can often be detected in the high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery provided by satellites. Image processing techniques can be used to enhance extremely weak ship wake patterns, but occasionally, the ship in the SAR image remains invisible. In the SAR image below (Figure 1), two trailing, dark, turbulent wakes are seen. In addition to the dark, turbulent wakes, one side of a ship's Kelvin wake can sometimes be seen as a bright line. One of the ships is seen as a bright spot caused by backscattering at the end of the trail above A in Figure 1. The other ship remains hidden, however.
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON TRIASSIC SPORES AND POLLEN OF THE DOCKUM GROUP, TEXAS PANHANDLE

A clay deposit in the Tecovas formation, an Upper Triassic unit in the Texas panhandle, has yielded abundant pollen of gymnospermous affinity. Most abundant is the bisaccate form Vitreisporites (Caytonipollenites). The remainder of the assemblage is comprised mostly of other bisaccate genera. In contrast to most other Triassic assemblages, striate grains have not been found. Another anomaly exists in that spores and asaccate grains constitute a relatively minor percentage of the microflora. Such an assemblage is most indicative of an offshore environment of deposition. The probably allocthonous nature of some lignite associated with the clay, as well as the presence of fresh water pelecypod remains throughout the formation, tend to corroborate this conclusion.
Low-&#x043A; - package integration challenges and options for reliability qualification

Traditional packaging materials and reliability standards are evolving as low-к die - package integration challenges increase. The dielectric constants of low-к die interlayer dielectric (ILD) materials are expected to continue to reduce to manage Resistance/Capacitance, RC, delay as interconnect and cell geometries are reduced. Mechanical strength is also reduced with the improvement in dielectric constant. The scaling of mechanical strength properties must be considered when designing packaging and selecting materials for packaging and assembly. Die-package integration challenges are most often observed when placing large die on flipchip packages where the differences of the coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, between the package and die become more pronounced. In particular the underfill material and Si backend must be designed to mitigate the CTE difference by having adequate strength to carry or buffer the interfacial loads without exerting enough force to pull off the die stack films, bump interconnect or package films while at use temperatures. Properties like viscosity must also be managed for successful assembly processing. Underfill materials properties are typically coupled with the glass transition temperature, Tg, which means that the CTE and modulus properties that are required for successful assembly, use performance and reliability of the die-package system are fixed to narrow ranges. Traditional reliability standard testing and requirements do no comprehend the new reality where the Tg often falls below the traditional reliability stress test temperature. New stress test standards released by JEDEC show that lower reliability test levels with longer durations can be used to insure end user reliability in the customer use conditions. New standards have not yet been adopted by many parts of the industry, resulting in false failures and inaccurate risk assessments when the accelerated reliability test temperature ranges cause constituent materials to be artificially tested at conditions where materials properties are non-linear. Fortunately, there are many reliability characterization, analysis and reliability estimation methods that can be used to protect the end user. This paper summarizes the die-package integration challenges and trends that the industry is starting to experience along with options to select, evaluate and qualify reliable products.
INTESTINAL LACTASE DEFICIENCY AND DIARRHEA IN ADULTS.

Two cases of adult lactose intolerance are reported. The absence and severe deficiency of the enzyme B-galactosidase resulting in the syndrome was confirmed by both histochemical staining and paper chromatography. Methods to determine intestinal enzyme activity by peroral biopsy open a new avenue of investigation of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and of patients with unexplained diarrhea. Such cases narrow the concept of food “allergies” often loosely employed for conditions unrelated to immune phenomena.
Prolonged reinstatement of sexual behavior in castrated male rats with an ether of testosterone, SC-16148

Abstract Castrated rats given a single large injection of an ether of testosterone, SC-16148, copulated more frequently and for a longer period of time than rats administered an equivalent amount of testosterone propionate. Latency to first ejaculation following treatment was shortest in the testosterone propionate treated animals. The maximal behavioral response to each steroid was similar in time to peak responses of androgen sensitive tissue as measured in a separate study.
The surface layer for free-surface turbulent flows

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to examine low Froude number free-surface turbulence (FST) over a two-dimensional mean shear flow. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a finite-difference scheme with a grid resolution of 1283. Twenty separate simulations are conducted to calculate the statistics of the flow. Based on the velocity deficit and the vertical extent of the shear of the mean flow, the Reynolds number is 1000 and the Froude number is 0.7. We identify conceptually and numerically the surface layer, which is a thin region adjacent to the free surface characterized by fast variations of the horizontal vorticity components. This surface layer is caused by the dynamic zero-stress boundary conditions at the free surface and lies inside a thicker blockage (or ‘source’) layer, which is due to the kinematic boundary condition at the free surface. The importance of the outer blockage layer is manifested mainly in the redistribution of the turbulence intensity, i.e. in the increase of the horizontal velocity fluctuations at the expense of the vertical velocity fluctuation. A prominent feature of FST is vortex connections to the free surface which occur inside the surface layer. It is found that as hairpin-shaped vortex structures approach the free surface, their ‘head’ part is dissipated quickly in the surface layer, while the two ‘legs’ connect almost perpendicularly to the free surface. Analysis of the evolution of surface-normal vorticity based on vortex surface-inclination angle shows that both dissipation and stretching decrease dramatically after connection. As a result, vortex structures connected to the free surface are persistent and decay slowly relative to non-connected vorticities. The effects of surface and blockage layers on the turbulence statistics of length scales, Reynolds-stress balance, and enstrophy dynamics are examined, which elucidate clearly the different turbulence mechanisms operating in the respective near-surface scales. Finally we investigate the effect of non-zero Froude number on the turbulence statistics. We show that the most significant effect of the presence of the free surface is a considerable reduction of the pressure–strain correlation at this surface, compared to that at a free-slip at plate. This reduction is finite even for very low values of the Froude number.
A novel role of ultrasonography in identification of the tract of abdominal stab injury

Background Abdominal stab injury is potential life-threatening injuries. Operation should be considered if wound violate the peritoneal layer and/or complicated with hemodynamic compromise, peritonitis, impalement, or evisceration. It is well known there are several diagnostic tools to evaluate the necessity of operation for a patient with abdominal stab injury. Despite numerous diagnostic tools, including local wound exploration, CT, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, or FAST, were currently performed in emergent department neither of them has satisfying sensitivity and specificity. Abdominal wall ultrasonography has been used many abdominal wall disease, like hernia, abdominal wall hematoma. We used abdominal wall ultrasonography for diagnosis of abdominal wall stabbing injury
The Language Environment of Autistic and Dysphasic Children

Abstract This paper examines the language of mothers of language-impaired children. Ten male children with a receptive language impairment, a nonverbal IQ of at least 70, and no overt signs of neurological disorder or peripheral deafness were chosen for study. The children were divided into two groups according to their total expressive language: a “high” language group which could form phrases and simple sentences and a “low” language group which had only one-word utterances. The language of the mothers of the two groups of children was compared for grammatical complexity (mean sentence length, mean preverb length, percentage of one-word or phrase-only utterances, and percentage of self-repetitions) and for the amount of “teaching devices” (imitations, expansions, corrections, and prompts) and encouragements to speak. It was found that the mothers of the “high” language children had more grammatical complexity, more orientation to the children's speech than the mothers of the “low” language children.
The role of stereotypical beliefs in gender-based activation of the Proteus effect

Informed by the Proteus effect, the current study examined the moderating effect of belief in stereotypes on the relationship between avatar appearance and user behavior, via an interactive fiction. The results of a one-factor (avatar gender: male vs. female), between-subjects experiment revealed that female avatars elicited more frequent masculine behaviors (particularly among individuals high in feminine gender stereotypes) and that male avatars elicited more frequent feminine behaviors. Conversely, self-reported gender led to stereotypic behaviors as expected. A moderating effect of awareness of the avatar's influence on stereotypically gender-based decisions on frequency of gender-typed behavior was not found, suggesting individuals are not aware of the influence of avatars on their subsequent decisions.
Structural Conservation Practices in US Wheat Production: A Cost-Function Technology Adoption Approach 1

Abstract Based on 2004 CEAP-ARMS Phase II data, higher-sales farms not participating in a conservation programme adopted farmland conservation structures much more intensively on wheat fields than did any other farm-size type among conservation programme participants or non-participants. Survey results suggest that wheat farms not participating in a conservation programme more frequently adopted infield conservation structures, while conservation programme participants more often installed field perimeter conservation structures. Wheat producers, particularly those not participating in a conservation programme, recognize productivity and profitability benefits of infield structures as sufficient to promote their adoption without programme incentives. However, for field perimeter structures, programme incentives may be needed to encourage their adoption because benefits are more commonly off-site. To supplement univariate comparisons between conservation programme participants and non-participants, we used...
Hintikka, deductive chains, and the consequences of knowing

L'A. souleve les problemes epistemologiques inherents a l'oeuvre de J. Hintikka intitulee «Knowledge and Belief», qui ne parvient pas a expliquer l'importance de l'etendue des chaines deductives qui menent a la connaissance des consequences de ce qu'un agent connaissant connait, ni a affirmer de facon satisfaisante la vraisemblance et le caractere defendable de l'expression -Kap
The Boeing 777 fuel system

Explains the fuel system of the Boeing 777‐200 aircraft. Looks at the system’s features, the fuel feed, the fuel jettison and the flight deck displays in terms of the fuel system.
Superabsorbent polymers--media for the enzymatic detection of ethyl alcohol in urine.

Abstract Superabsorbent polymers are shown to be an excellent medium for the detection of enzymes used in enzyme assays. They offer increased sensitivity of 2–10 times over conventional blotter medium. Their usefulness is demonstrated with a quick, inexpensive, visual test for alcohol in urine with sensitivity approaching 0.001% ( w v ). Alcohol levels in 500 random urine samples were determined and the levels ranged from 0.06 to
Go protein-dependent survival of primary accessory olfactory neurons

Extensive G protein-coupled receptor families in both the main and accessory olfactory systems have been implicated in axonal targeting, sensory function, and cell survival. Although sensory function seems to be mediated by G proteins, axonal guidance and cell survival may be G protein-independent processes. In the accessory olfactory system, the Go-containing neurons in the basal vomeronasal organ (VNO) project to the posterior accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), whereas more apically located VNO neurons contain Gi2 and project to the anterior AOB. Herein, we investigate the organization of the accessory olfactory system in mice with a targeted deletion in the Goα gene. The accessory olfactory system seems normal at birth; however, postnatally, the number of Go-receptor-containing VNO neurons decreases by half, and apoptotic neurons are detected. The axons of VNO neurons remain restricted to the posterior AOB. The posterior AOB is reduced in size but contains a synaptophysin-positive layer with the normal number of glomeruli. The posterior AOB has reduced mitral cell c-Fos immunoreactivity, consistent with decreased sensory activation of Go protein-coupled VNO receptor neurons. Thus, in the accessory olfactory system, receptor-coupled G proteins are required for cell survival.
A Protocol for Minimizing Contamination in the Analysis of Trace Metals in Great Lakes Waters

The precautions and procedures aimed at minimizing contamination artifacts during the collection, filtration, and analysis of trace metals in fresh water are described. The techniques for proper decontamination of sample containers and labware and for field blanks are also presented. Samples are obtained using a portable clean laboratory and analyzed in a Class 100 pressurized room. Preliminary results obtained using the protocols described cast doubt on most of the published data on trace metal concentrations in the Great Lakes. The profiles of dissolved metal concentrations in the water column of Lake Ontario show very distinctive source-dependent features obfuscated in earlier studies by poor data quality.
Bone marrow, thymus and blood: changes across the lifespan

The aim of this review is to present age-related changes in the bone marrow and thymus and their effects in later life. Age-related hematologic changes are marked by a decline in marrow cellularity, an increased risk of myeloproliferative disorders and anemia, and a decline in adaptive immunity. The exact mechanisms that produce these changes remain undefined. For the most part, the changes in function that are a consequence of aging alone rarely have meaningful clinical consequences. However, in the face of the stresses induced by other illnesses, the decreased physiologic reserve can slow or prevent an appropriate response to the stressors.
Income Inequality and Policy Representation in the American States

Government representation of public opinion is a central component of democracy. Previous studies have documented a robust congruence between aggregated public opinion and public policies in the American states. However, an equally important question for evaluating the quality of democracy is “Who does government respond to when formulating public policies?” I investigate differential policy representation based on citizens’ household incomes and find that citizens with low incomes receive little substantive political representation (compared with more affluent citizens) in the policy decisions made by their state governments. This unequal policy representation occurs for both the general liberalism of state policies and on specific social issues like the death penalty and abortion. These findings suggest that examining the variation in political inequality across the 50 states can help scholars to better understand and explain “unequal democracy” in the United States.
Experimental RunTime System: Software for developing and running reaction time experiments on IBM-compatible PCs

The Experimental RunTime System (ERTS) is a recent addition to the small collection of commercial software packages available for writing and running reaction time experiments on IBM-compatible PCs. Experiments are written using any text editor and a relatively small set of ERTS commands. Millisecond timing is provided by a software timer with no additional hardware requirements. All displays are in high-resolution VGA graphics. The Creative Labs Soundblaster card is supported in 16-bit mode, but is not required for simple tone generation. Voice-key support is available via the Soundblaster card. Keyboard, mouse, and external keys may be used as reaction keys, and the mouse or a joystick may be used as a tracking device. The stimulus-centered design and powerful display control commands of ERTS make it appropriate for developing a wide range of trial-based experiments.