cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia in metastatic malignancy.

In May 1998, a middle-aged woman with a history of breast cancer, diagnosed and treated with a right-sided mastectomy 9 years previously, presented to the Duke University Medical Center with intermittent headaches, slurred speech, left arm numbness and a right facial droop.
Applications of phototransformable fluorescent proteins for tracking the dynamics of cellular components

In the past few decades, fluorescent proteins have revolutionized the field of cell biology. Phototransformable fluorescent proteins are capable of changing their excitation and emission spectra after being exposed to specific wavelength(s) of light. The majority of phototransformable fluorescent proteins have originated from marine organisms. Genetic engineering of these proteins has made available many choices for different colors, modes of conversion, and other biophysical properties. Their phototransformative property has allowed the highlighting and tracking of subpopulations of cells, organelles, and proteins in living systems. Furthermore, phototransformable fluorescent proteins have offered new methods for superresolution fluorescence microscopy and optogenetics manipulation of proteins. One of the major advantages of phototransformable fluorescent proteins is their applicability for visualizing newly synthesized proteins that are en route to their final destinations. In this paper, we will discuss the biological applications of phototransformable fluorescent proteins with special emphasis on the application of tracking membrane proteins in vertebrate photoreceptor cells.
Retinol measurements and retinoid receptor gene expression in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Treatment with interferon (IFN)-β1a has been associated with decreased disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In several biological systems, type I IFNs and retinoids have been demonstrated to have synergistic effects. In these studies, we measured blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) retinol levels and naive and memory T-helper cell subset percentages in samples from a group of patients with MS. We also examined retinol receptor expression in peripheral blood cells from MS patients with or without a history of prior treatment with IFN-β1a. The mean plasma retinol level for untreated relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients was lower than for patients with noninflammatory neurological disease. Among IFN-β1a-treated RR patients, mean levels were slightly higher than for RR patients not on treatment. Lower plasma retinol levels among the MS patients studied were associated with higher CSF retinol index measurements - a measure that was calculated to correct for nonspecific leakage of retinol ...
Evidence for non-identity of t killer and t helper cells sensitised to allogeneic cell antigens.

BONE marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells) can be triggered for antibody synthesis by a stimulus from immunocompentent allogeneic1 or xenogeneic2 lymphoid cells. The stimulus was shown to act directly on the B cell, since a response may occur in the absence of syngeneic thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells)1 and is possible even to a hapten2. This observation has led to the hypothesis that cooperating T cells (T-helper) are identical to cytotoxic T cells (T-killer) and act on B cells by surveying them for immunogen bound to their cell surface3. The T cells recognise the cell-bound immunogen and emit a sublethal signal to the B cells, triggering them to produce antibody. But the question arises, whether this is the way triggering of B cells usually occurs in the immune response. Recent experiments have shown that T cells sensitised to foreign erythrocyte antigens are able to cooperate with B cells to induce humoral antibody synthesis, but are not able to perform cytotoxic lysis of erythrocyte target cells4,5. T helper cells therefore need not be cytotoxic to the sensitising antigen to trigger B cells. This finding led to more extensive experiments concerning the question of whether T killer and T helper functions are performed by the same cell or not.
Alteration of ventricular fibrillation by propranolol and isoproterenol detected by epicardial mapping with 506 electrodes.

Adrenergic Effects on VF. Introduction: We hypothesized that drugs which alter ventricular refractoriness or excitability produce quantifiable changes in ventricular fibrillation. Methods and Results: We used a 528-channel mapping system to quantify the effects of the beta-antagonist, propranolol, and the beta-agonist, isoproterenol, on activation patterns in ventricular fibrillation. A plaque of 506 (22 × 23) electrodes spaced 1.12 mm apart and covering about 5% of the ventricular epicardium was sewn to the anterior right ventricle in 18 pigs (30 kg). Propranolol (0.25 to 0.4 mg/kg) increased the refractory period at a right ventricular epicardial site while isoproterenol (3 to 5 μg/min) shortened it. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by programmed stimulation, and unipolar electrograms were recorded from the 506 plaque electrodes for 2 seconds beginning 1, 15, and 30 seconds after the onset of fibrillation. Active epicardial recording sites were identified from the first derivative of the unipolar potentials (dV/dt) detected at each electrode. Then, neighboring active sites were grouped into activation fronts by computer analysis. In six pigs the effect of repeated inductions of ventricular fibrillation was assessed by comparing ventricular fibrillation after saline with a preceding control episode of fibrillation. Each activation front excited 40%± 46% of the mapped region before blocking. No changes were observed with saline and multiple inductions of fibrillation. In another six pigs, ventricular fibrillation after propranolol was compared with a preceding control episode of fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation alter propranolol exhibited a decreased activation rate per epicardial recording site and fewer activation fronts per second. There was no change in the amount of tissue excited by each activation front or the number of reentry cycles per activation front compared with control. In addition, there was no change in the maximum negative dV/dt detected per activation at an epicardial site. In six pigs ventricular fibrillation during isoproterenol was compared with control episodes of ventricular fibrillation before and 45 minutes after washout of the drug. The control episodes of fibrillation were not different from each other. Compared with control, ventricular fibrillation during isoproterenol exhibited an increased activation rate per epicardial site, an increased amount of tissue excited by each activation front, and an increased maximum negative dV/dt for each activation. There was no change in the number of activation fronts per second or the number of reentry cycles per activation front compared with control. Conclusions: Quantitative analysis revealed that propranolol and isoproterenol do not have symmetrically opposite effects on ventricular fibrillation. Propranolol decreased the number of activation fronts while isoproterenol increased the amount of tissue excited by each activation front. Thus, drugs that alter ventricular refractoriness or excitability alter ventricular fibrillation.
Social Ties and Health Status: An Examination of Moderating Factors

The goals of the study are to assess the relationship between social ties and health status and to determine if factors that may inhibit or enhance the mobilization of resources available in social ties specify this relationship. Two factors which may influence the effective use of social network resources perceived control and trusting others, are examined as possible moderating factors. The study population includes 2,603 adults, who were randomly selected from among the enrollees of a large health maintenance organization. The subjects were part of a large household interview survey. Medical record data covering seven years of outpatient services were linked with the survey data on the respondents. The findings indicate that having more social ties, being more trustful of others and perceiving more control are all related to having better health. Perceived control does specify the relationship between social ties and health status. The findings suggest that a larger social network is more important for those less able to utilize the resources available in their networks effectively, while among those more able to mobilize support from their networks, size is less important. The implications for health education research and practice are discussed.
Macromolecular synthesis and stability in growth-arrested BALB/C-3T3 cells

Concentrations of methylglyoxal bis-(guanylhydrazone) (mGBG) that inhibited serum-stimulated BALB/c-3T3 cells in late G1 caused a marked inhibition of 3H-leucine incorporation during a 20-min incubation. No decrease was observed in the incorporation of 3H-uridine during a 20-min incubation; however, the amount of acid-insoluble 3H-uridine in mGBG-treated cultures was decreased when the incubation period was longer than 20 min. The amount of the decrease in the accumulation of incorporated 3H-uridine was directly proportional to the length of the incorporation time. Between 10 and 12 h after quiescent BALB/C-3T3 cells were serum-stimulated in mGBG no additional 3H-uridine was accumulated. The stability of the incorporated 3H-uridine, as determined by acid-insoluble radioactivity remaining after the addition of actinomycin D, was less in cells cultured in mGBG. Exogenous spermine or spermidine reversed the inhibition of 3H-uridine accumulation in acid-insoluble material produced by mGBG as well as the decrease in stability of the incorporated 3H-uridine in acid-insoluble material. The effects of mGBG on both the incorporation of 3H-uridine and the stability of the incorporated 3H-uridine can apparently be accounted for by an effect on ribosomal RNA.
Atomistic simulation of stability properties and growth of strained layer structures

Monte Carlo based microscopic techniques were used to study the stability and metastability of thin coherently strained layers of mismatched silicon-like semi-conductor material grown on the (111) silicon surface. The structural energy was calculated using three-body empirical potentials. For layers greater than roughly 20 A in thickness, the critical layer thickness associated with thermodynamic stability agrees quantitatively with continuum theory. For thinner layers, however, considerable variations from the continuum theory are found. For a strained layer six monolayers thick, the test system is found to be metastable against the nucleation of misfit dislocations to a lattice mismatch of approximately 11%, compared to the 4% equilibrium stability limit. Additionally, simulation of strained layer growth of two-dimensional Lennard-Jones crystal lattices has been performed using x.)lecular dynamics. In particular, we have studied the influences of lattice mismatch and substrate temperature on the growth, from the vapor phase, of overlayer material possessing a different bulk lattice constant than that of the substrate material. Simulation results predict that at substrate temperatures less than 50% of melting, epitaxial growth occurs for mismatch values less than 14% whereas above this value, defective growth is observed. At temperatures above 50% of the melt temperature, mass transport occurs across the layer interface and rapid diffusion is observed in the top-most atomic layers, resulting in liquid-like behavior in a thin layer over ordered strained layer crystal.
Risk-based Failure Mode and Effect Analysis for wind turbines (RB-FMEA)

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) has already been used as a qualitative measure for identifying failure modes and causes, in order to mitigate the effects of failure in different sectors of power systems. This paper presents a quantitative approach called Risk-Based-FMEA, based on the failure probabilities and incurred failure costs instead of rating scales. As a case study, this approach has been applied to a direct drive wind turbine. The results show that the definition of failure modes priorities based on their contribution to the total failure cost of the wind turbine is more realistic and practical than the common FMEA approach. Using MS Excel spreadsheet platform, the proposed method can be generalized for different types of wind turbines. In addition, the effective failure cost factors are investigated through sensitivity analysis, by which the wind turbine owner can determine the suitable approach to reduce the total failure cost.
Supervisor Personality and Task Preference

The purpose of the study was to determine what relationships existed among the personality of instructional supervisors as reflected in a disbelief-belief system and measured by the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale and the tasks they performed and preferred to perform. A survey questionnaire was employed as the research method and included a sample of 274 instructional supervisors. Data were analyzed through the use of one-way analysis of variance which yielded F statistics and t-tests which yielded t values in order to test the null hypotheses at the .05 level of confidence. The study revealed a significant difference with respect to the performance and preference of certain supervisory tasks by open and closed-minded supervisors.
Preeclampsia in high risk women is characterized by risk group-specific abnormalities in serum biomarkers.

Objective To determine if early pregnancy serum biomarkers in high-risk women who develop preeclampsia vary according to risk factor. Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network randomized controlled trial of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk women. Serum biomarker levels at enrollment (before initiation of aspirin or placebo) were compared between women who did and did not develop preeclampsia, both for the group as a whole and within each of 4 high-risk groups (insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, multiple gestation, and previous preeclampsia) using a regression model adjusting for gestational age at collection and prepregnancy body mass index. Results 1258 women were included (233 with insulin-dependent diabetes, 387 with chronic hypertension, 315 with a multiple gestation, 323 with previous preeclampsia). Multiple early pregnancy serum biomarkers differed between women who did and did not develop preeclampsia. Each high-risk group had a unique and largely nonoverlapping pattern of biomarker abnormality. Differences between those who did and did not develop preeclampsia were noted in vascular cell adhesion molecule in the diabetes group; human chorionic gonadotropin, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, selectin and angiogenin in the chronic hypertension group; interleukin-6, placental growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase plus endoglin to placental growth factor ratio in the multiple gestation group; and angiogenin in the previous preeclampsia group. Conclusion Patterns of serum biomarkers vary by high-risk group. These data support the hypothesis that multiple pathogenic pathways lead to the disease recognized clinically as preeclampsia.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome—Bench to Bedside: LXVII Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture

Purpose To update information on cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to integrate information on its pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. Design Literature review. Methods Selected articles from the medical literature, particularly large epidemiologic studies, including the Johns Hopkins Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Cohort Study, the Longitudinal Study of the Ocular Complications of AIDS, and the Cytomegalovirus Retinitis and Viral Resistance Study, were reviewed. Clinical information is discussed in light of knowledge on CMV, its pathogenesis, and its interactions with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Results Cytomegalovirus uses several mechanisms to evade the immune system and establish latent infection in immunologically normal hosts. With immune deficiency, such as late-stage AIDS, CMV reactivates, is disseminated to the eye, and establishes a productive infection, resulting in retinal necrosis. HIV and CMV potentiate each other: CMV accelerates HIV disease, and CMV retinitis is associated with increased mortality. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of treatments for CMV retinitis. Systemically administered treatment for CMV retinitis decreases AIDS mortality. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) effectively suppresses HIV replication, resulting in immune recovery, which, if sufficient, controls retinitis without anti-CMV therapy. Resistant CMV, detected in the blood, correlates with resistant virus in the eye and is associated with worse clinical outcomes, including mortality. Host factors, including host genetics and access to care, play a role in the development of CMV retinitis. Conclusions Clinical outcomes of CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS are dependent on characteristics of the virus and host and on HIV-CMV interactions.
The nonhuman primate as a model of growth hormone physiology in the human being

OVER the last three decades investigators have provided an exponential increase in our knowledge of the mechanisms controlling primate GH secretion and action. Starting from (1) the first demonstration of the efficacy of primate GH in promoting growth in GHdeficient human beings, continuing through (2) the advent of RIAs that greatly simplified the measurement of GH and (3) allowed a profusion of physiological studies of GH secretion, proceeding to (4) the realization of the importance of intermediary growth factors in accomplishing the ultimate effects of GH, and arriving at (5) the isolation of the hypothalamic factors regulating GH secretion and (6) the cloning of the genes for GH and its regulators, this field of study has matured at a rapid rate. Much of the information has been obtained from clinical studies in human beings, but animal studies have been instrumental in many areas where human studies are ethically or practically impossible.
Systemic effects of acute terminal ileitis on uninflamed gut aggravate bile acid malabsorption.

Abstract Background. Some patients with terminal ileitis suffer from significant bile acid malabsorption even if the inflammation is locally limited. We hypothesized that inflammation in the terminal ileum may lead to changes in mucosal absorption in more proximal intestinal segments and aggravate bile acid malabsorption. Methods. Five hamsters underwent laparotomy and localized instillation of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in 10% ethanol into the last 4 cm of ileum to create terminal ileitis. A control group (n = 5) underwent instillation of saline. Animals were sacrificed after 24 h. Active and passive transport of radiolabeled bile acids was measured in the proximal and terminal ileum and glucose absorption in the jejunum using an everted sleeve technique. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histomorphology were examined by standard methods. Results. In animals with ileitis, active bile acid uptake decreased by 84% in the terminal ileum (t test, P Conclusion. These data suggest that limited acute ileitis impairs active bile acid uptake in the terminal ileum. It also diminishes active bile acid and glucose absorption in more proximal segments of the small intestine, likely by a systemic effect. This systemic effect may aggravate bile acid malabsorption in patients with limited ileitis.
Intravenous chemotherapy with concurrent peritoneal dialysis: Continued treatment of ovarian carcinoma after drug toxicity

Abstract Despite the frequent response of disseminated ovarian carcinoma to chemotherapy, toxicity to other organs, especially bone marrow, limits the potential for remission and survival in these patients. An attempt has been made to extend survival in those patients with ovarian carcinoma in whom a remission had been achieved, but depressed bone marrow limited conventional administration of antitumor drugs. Seventeen patients with disseminated ovarian carcinoma and toxicity to prior treatment with thio-tepa have received further intensive intravenous chemotherapy with concurrent peritoneal dialysis. Tolerance to the technique has been good with low toxicity. Further intravenous chemotherapy with concurrent peritoneal dialysis is recommended in responding cases when toxicity would otherwise curtail administration of the active drug, thio-tepa.
Peritoneal and hemodialysis: I. Differences in patient characteristics at initiation

Peritoneal and hemodialysis: I. Differences in patient characteristics at initiation. Background Comparisons of mortality outcomes between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients have shown varying results, which may be caused by the unequally distributed clinical conditions of patients at initiation. To address this issue, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of 105,954 patients at the initiation of PD and HD, using the U.S. national incidence data on treated end-stage renal disease from the Medical Evidence Form, 1995 to 1997. Methods A general linear model was used to analyze differences of age, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and hematocrit; categorical data analysis to evaluate body mass index (BMI), grouped into four categories: !19, 19–25 (!25), 25–30 (!30), and 30+; and logistic regression to assess the likelihood of initiating PD versus HD. Diabetics (DM) were analyzed separately from non-diabetics (NDM). Explanatory variables in the logistic regression included incidence year, race, gender, age, BMI, albumin, creatinine, BUN, and hematocrit. Race included white and black. Age was categorized into four groups: 20–44, 45–64, 65–74, and 75+. Results At the initiation of dialysis PD patients were approximately 6 years younger ( P ! 0.0001) than HD patients. PD patients also had higher ( P ! 0.0001) albumin (+0.35 g/dL for DM and +0.23 g/dL for NDM) and hematocrit (+1.64% for DM and +1.71% for NDM) levels, and lower ( P ! 0.04) BUN (-8.75 mg/dL for DM and -5.24 mg/dL for NDM) and creatinine (-0.51 mg/dL for DM and -0.23 mg/dL for NDM) levels than HD patients. Whites had a higher ( P ! 0.0001) likelihood of starting PD than blacks, and patients with BMI !19 had a lower ( P ! 0.0001) chance of beginning on PD. Conclusion PD patients had favorable clinical conditions at the initiation of dialysis, which should be taken into consideration when comparing dialysis outcomes between the two modalities.
Saccade correlated potentials in optic tectum and cerebellum of Carassius auratus

Summary o (1) In the encephale isole goldfish, Carassius auratus , when recording in the dark adapted state, 50–200 msec after the onset of a conjugate eye saccade, a predominately negative potential, 150–200 msec in duration, with peak amplitudes ranging from 100 to 500 μV, appears over the lateral two-thirds of the optic tectum. (2) Recording at successive depths, the negative wave decreases in amplitude, disappearing at a depth of ∼500–750 μm. A positive going potential emerges at depths of 1000–1250 μm, whose peak corresponds in time to the superficial negative wave peak; it originates in the valvula. (3) Potentials in the optic tectum evoked by saccadic eye movement in the light show shorter latency, more uniform, multiphasic waveform and absence of detectable potentials in the surface to ∼300 μm levels of the tectal layers. (4) Stretch of the abducens eye muscle can produce a 5–10 msec latency, negative going wave in the contralateral tectum. Transection of all eye muscles of the globe reduces the amplitude of TSEP largely in the ipsilateral tectum, without change in waveform or timing. Also, saccadic movements of the opposite eye increase in amplitude. (5) The midline valvula of the cerebellum exhibits a pre-saccadic, positive going 200–600 μV slow wave. High amplitude slow potentials, starting before the saccade, occur 1200 μm beneath the valvula surface. (6) Mechanical distortion of the globe failed to produce any of these phenomena.
Interrelationships Between Headspace Volatile Concentration, Selected Seed-Size Categories and Flavor in Large-Seeded Virginia-Type Peanuts1

Abstract During the 1987 crop year a quality survey using the organic volatile meter (OVM) was conducted at six (A-E) peanut buying stations located throughout Northampton County, NC. Three different frequency distribution patterns were observed for sample headspace volatile concentration (HSVC) levels. At locations A and B about 66% of the samples analyzed had an HSVC of 8.8 mg/kg air or less. An HSVC of 8.8 mg/kg air is considered to be a volatile concentration at which peanut samples are marginally acceptable. Locations C, D, and F had about 58% of the samples with an HSVC of 8.8 mg/kg air or less while Location E had approximately 45%. At an HSVC level of 24.8 mg/kg air or less the percentages were approximately 88, 87, and 69%, respectively. Most of the difference in frequency distribution patterns is thought to result from environmental factors which influenced the average maturity of the crop at harvest. Trained taste panel profiling of a roasted peanut paste made from selected screen-sized seed fr...
Random vibrations of cantilevered composite beams with torsion-bending coupling

Abstract The forced-vibration problem of a layered composite cantilevered beam which includes the effects of torsion and warping is solved using a third-order shear deformation theory. The solution of the free-vibration problem in conjunction with the solution of its adjoint is used to solve for the forced response of the beam. This forced-vibration solution is used to calculate the displacements, zero-crossing rates and normal and transverse shear stress responses for beams subjected to temporally and spatially varying random transverse loads. The effect of including or excluding the effects of shear deformation on the calculated response quantities is examined for beams with different configurations. The results clearly show that the shear deformation effects cannot be ignored in the calculation of response and reliability of composite beams. Although the results are presented only for beams of uniform cross-section, the eigenfunctions developed here can be effectively used as comparison functions in a Rayleigh-Ritz type analysis of nonuniform beams.
Biomediator data integration and inference for functional annotation of anonymous sequences.

Scientists working on genomics projects are often faced with the difficult task of sifting through large amounts of biological information dispersed across various online data sources that are relevant to their area or organism of research. Gene annotation, the process of identifying the functional role of a possible gene, in particular has become increasingly more time-consuming and laborious to conduct as more genomes are sequenced and the number of candidate genes continues to increase at near-exponential pace; genes are left un-annotated, or worse, incorrectly annotated. Many groups have attempted to address the annotation backlog through automated annotation systems that are geared toward specific organisms, and which may thus not possess the necessary flexibility and scalability to annotate other genomes. In this paper, we present a method and framework which attempts to address problems inherent in manual and automatic annotation by coupling a data integration system, BioMediator, to an inference engine with the aim of elucidating functional annotations. The framework and heuristics developed are not specific to any particular genome. We validated the method with a set of randomly-selected annotated sequences from a variety of organisms. Preliminary results show that the hybrid data integration and inference approach generates functional annotations that are as good as or better than “gold standard” annotations ~80% of the time.
IL-17-producing B cells combat parasites

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) confers protection against Trypanosoma cruzi. Surprisingly, B cells are the relevant source, producing IL-17 via a unique pathway independent of the transcription factor RORγt, induced by T. cruzi trans-sialidase.
Separation of spatial effects in frequency-domain subcriticality measurements☆

Abstract This paper documents a technique to isolate modal or spatial effects from frequency-domain quantities that are used for subcriticality measurements. This technique is an enhancement of the 252 Cf-source-driven noise analysis method for subcriticality measurements. A physical model was developed to account for the space-dependence of those frequency-domain quantities. The model has been implemented in a computer code to aid in interpretation of subcriticality experiments where spatial effects are diagnosed or suspected. The concept of fundamental-mode ratio is introduced, and the ratio is shown to be real and independent of frequency. Previously developed analysis techniques to obtain a value for the system's reactivity can be applied directly to the fitted fundamental ratio. Using data from previous experiments, several examples are presented to illustrate the applicability of this technique.
Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of SiC/Al2O3 particulate-reinforced spray-deposited metal-matrix composites

In this study, aluminium-copper-based metal-matrix composites were synthesized utilizing the spray atomization and co-deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies were carried out with an emphasis on understanding the effects associated with the co-injection of silicon carbide and aluminium oxide particulates. The results demonstrate the ageing kinetics of the spray-deposited and hot-extruded metal-matrix composites to be the same as those of the monolithic aluminium-copper material. Results of ambient temperature mechanical tests demonstrate that the presence of particulate reinforcement in the metal matrix does little to improve strength, and degrades the ductility of the matrix material. A model is formulated to compute the critical volume fraction of reinforcement. The results obtained using this model suggest that an optimum volume fraction of silicon carbide is essential in order to realize a strength improvement in the metal-matrix composite, relative to their monolithic counterpart.
Droplet Burning and Evaporation Times for Distillate and Residual Fuel Oils

Estimates are given of the burning and evaporation times of No. 2 distillate and No. 6 residual oil droplets, under conditions typical of industrial gas turbine combustors. Account is taken of the temperature dependence of the specific heat, the diffusion constant, and the thermal conductivity of the gas mixture surrounding the droplet. Detailed calculations are presented of the factor by which the droplet lifetime is reduced as a result of convection, for the case that the droplet is released in a gas moving at constant velocity. This factor is on the order of four for the conditions of interest. Using estimates of initial droplet diameter based on data reported by Jasuja, it is found that the ratio of characteristic droplet burning time to characteristic droplet residence time in a typical industrial gas turbine combustor is much smaller than 1 for distillate oil, but may be on the order of 1 for residual oil.Copyright © 1980 by ASME
Teaching Theological Reflection Well, Reflecting on Writing as a Theological Practice

Abstract. In order to teach theological reflection well, it is necessary to teach students how to write it well. This paper probes the writing of theological reflection as a rhetorical process and a theological practice by (1) situating theological reflection broadly within a “correlation” model, adapted for theological writers; (2) identifying two “generic” styles of theological reflection papers, the pastoral reflection paper and the systematic reflection paper; (3) following a writer's progress as she writes a one-page pastoral reflection paper and constructs a working theology in the process of writing it. In conclusion, the correlation-based “Reflecting on Paper” process provides a pedagogical bridge between the writing and teaching of “pastoral” and “systematic” theological reflection, and exemplifies the dynamic interplay between teaching theological reflection and reflecting on writing as a theological practice.
Complete Sequence of Conjugative IncA/C Plasmid Encoding CMY-2 β-Lactamase and RmtE 16S rRNA Methyltransferase

RmtE is a rare 16S-RMTase which was first reported in an aminoglycoside-resistant Escherichia coli strain of calf origin ([1][1]). Subsequently, we reported the first human case of infection caused by RmtE-producing E. coli ([2][2]). The rmtE gene is carried on a self-conjugative plasmid (pYDC637)
The tallest column—optimality revisited

Abstract The problem of the optimal design of the tallest unloaded column under selfweight is revisited with a view towards clarifying the optimality of the design proposed by Keller and Niordson (The Tallest Column, J. Math. Mech. 16 (1966), pp. 433–446). The height of the tallest column is related to the first eigenvalue of a Sturm-Liouville operator. Since the operator associated with the Keller-Niordson design does not possess a discrete spectrum, nonsmooth analysis is used to establish necessary conditions of optimality of the design. Upon solving the optimality conditions of an appropriately tapered design for the design variable, an iterative numerical scheme is developed for the optimal first eigenvalue. The scheme is then modified since it contains divergent integrals, and used to find the optimal design and height of the tallest column. The heights associated with various materials are evaluated for comparision.
REINFORCEMENT OF DISTRESS VOCALIZATION BY PRESENTATION OF AN IMPRINTED STIMULUS

For one group of ducklings distress calls were reinforced using brief presentation of an imprinted stimulus as the response contingent (reinforcing) event. For a second group of ducklings presentation of an imprinted stimulus was contingent upon a more traditional operant (the pecking response). Regardless of which response was being reinforced, the same pattern ensued. Bursts of responding were separated by periods of little or no responding. When subsequently subjected to repeated presentation and withdrawal of the imprinted stimulus under conditions in which neither response was being reinforced, ducklings with a history of reinforcement for distress calls emitted many more calls than ducklings with a history of reinforcement for pole pecks.
Quantitative In Vivo HR-pQCT Imaging of 3D Wrist and Metacarpophalangeal Joint Space Width in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In this technique development study, high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) was applied to non-invasively image and quantify 3D joint space morphology of the wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). HR-pQCT imaging (82 μm voxel-size) of the dominant hand was performed in patients with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA, N = 16, age: 52.6 ± 12.8) and healthy controls (CTRL, N = 7, age: 50.1 ± 15.0). An automated computer algorithm was developed to segment wrist and MCP joint spaces. The 3D distance transformation method was applied to spatially map joint space width, and summarized by the mean joint space width (JSW), minimal and maximal JSW (JSW.MIN, JSW.MAX), asymmetry (JSW.AS), and distribution (JSW.SD)—a measure of joint space heterogeneity. In vivo precision was determined for each measure by calculating the smallest detectable difference (SDD) and root mean square coefficient of variation (RMSCV%) of repeat scans. Qualitatively, HR-pQCT images and pseudo-color JSW maps showed global joint space narrowing, as well as regional and focal abnormalities in RA patients. In patients with radiographic JSN at an MCP, JSW.SD was two-fold greater vs. CTRL (p < 0.01), and JSW.MIN was more than two-fold lower (p < 0.001). Similarly, JSW.SD was significantly greater in the wrist of RA patients vs. CTRL (p < 0.05). In vivo precision was highest for JSW (SDD: 100 μm, RMSCV: 2.1%) while the SDD for JSW.MIN and JSW.SD were 370 and 110 μm, respectively. This study suggests that in vivo quantification of 3D joint space morphology from HR-pQCT, could improve early detection of joint damage in rheumatological diseases.
With or without you: The countervailing forces and effects of process standardization

Process standardization is defining a new era of business process revolution across many industries and contexts in electronic commerce in which the impetus for cooperation is greater than the drivers of competition. As industries consolidate and competition rises, firms are increasingly pursuing process standardization to further enhance process management and reap the benefits of standards. The current literature explores and analyzes standards and standardization at the IT, firm, and industry levels. The complex nature of process standardization requires a reorientation of the existing approaches to analysis to understand the countervailing forces and effects. This article introduces a robust framework that captures the dynamics of process standardization across four levels of analysis: IT innovation, firm, industry, and economy. It also presents the cascading effects that occur as we traverse through the different levels. We use this framework to draw conclusions for appropriate directions in research that will enable greater theoretical and managerial understanding of the related issues.
Active learning and cooperative learning: understanding the difference and using both styles effectively

Abstract Active learning is any teaching method that gets students actively involved; cooperative learning is one variety of active learning which structures students into groups with defined roles for each student and a task for the group to accomplish. Lecture-based library instruction is often unsuccessful for many reasons, including poor student attention, simplified examples, and too much material presented at one time. Active and/or cooperative teaching techniques involve the students in the class and increase retention of information following the class period. Active learning techniques are easier to apply and take less class time, while cooperative learning techniques require more advance planning and may take an entire class period. Choosing a teaching technique must be done carefully, with an understanding of the goals of the class session. Several possible goals are detailed, along with suggested techniques for meeting each one.
pH-Dependent Fluoride Inhibition of Peroxidase Activity

Fluoride was found to be a potent inhibitor of bovine lactoperoxidase and of salivary peroxidase at acid pH values. Inhibition was reversible at neutral pH, and appeared to involve HF binding by the enzyme. Fluoride inhibition of lactoperoxidase occurred with all reductants tested, including thiocyanate, iodide, and guaiacol. Fluoride concentrations for 50% inhibition of enzymatic activity with iodide as reductant were: less than 0.05 mM at a pH value of 4.0, 0.3 mM at 5.0, 4.0 mM at pH 6.0, and more than 10.0 mM at pH 7.0. Salivary peroxidases were found to have lower pH optima but to be approximately as sensitive to acid-dependent fluoride inhibition as was purified bovine lactoperoxidase. The findings suggest that the fluoride in dental plaque may be inhibitory to the antimicrobial peroxidase system.
Evidence of neuronal plasticity within the inferior colliculus after noise exposure: a study of evoked potentials in the rat.

Abstract Recent investigations have implicated that the central nervous system has a role in the changes that occur in auditory function following acoustic trauma caused by noise exposure. These investigations indicate that the inferior colliculus may be the primary anatomical location in the ascending auditory pathway where noise-induced neuronal plasticity occurs, thereby resulting in changes in the neuronal processing of auditory information. In the present investigation, we show that the amplitudes of all peaks in the click-evoked response from the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus decrease during a 30 min exposure to a tone (104 dB sound pressure level (SPL) at 4 kHz and 8 kHz). After tone exposure, the amplitudes of two of the peaks of the response from the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus that reflect the input from more caudal structures slowly returned to baseline levels, whereas the amplitudes of the two peaks reflecting neuronal activity in the inferior colliculus increased above baseline levels and remained at the increased levels for at least 90 min following exposure to the tone. We also show that exposure to a 4 kHz tone at 104 dB SPL causes changes in the neuronal processing of tonebursts in the form of changes in the temporal integration function for one of the peaks of the response from the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus that originates in the inferior colliculus. Before tone exposure the amplitude of this peak decreased with increasing stimulus duration, but after tone exposure the amplitude of this peak was independent of the duration of the toneburst stimulus. We interpret these changes as evidence that noise exposure (tone exposure) causes changes in the excitability of the inferior colliculus that are not seen in more caudal structures, and these changes are probably a result of a change in the balance between inhibition and excitation in the inferior colliculus.
MVP sensor planning and modeling system for machine vision

In this paper we present an overview of the MVP sensor planning and modeling system that we have developed. MVP automatically determines camera viewpoints and settings so that object features of interest are simultaneously visible, inside the field-of-view, in-focus and magnified as required. We have analytically characterized the domain of admissible camera locations, orientations and optical settings for each of the above feature detectability requirements. In addition, we have posed the problem in an optimization setting in order to determine viewpoints that simultaneously satisfy all previous requirements. The location, orientation and optical settings of the computer viewpoint are achieved in the employed sensor setup by using sensor calibration models. For this purpose, calibration techniques have been developed that determine the mapping between the parameters that are planned and the parameters that can be controlled in a sensor setup which consists of a camera in a hand-eye arrangement equipped with a lens that has zoom, focus and aperture control. Experimental results are shown of these techniques when all the above feature detectability constraints are included. In order to verify satisfaction of these constraints, camera views are taken from the computed viewpoints by a robot vision system that is positioned and its lens is set according to the results of this method.
The control of liver regeneration by calcitonin, parathyroid hormone and 1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

Removal of the thyroid in normocalcemic rats with functional parathyroid transplants was found to reduce the hepatocyte DNA synthetic activity which normally follows partial hepatectomy. This proliferative incapacitation of hepatocytes appeared to be due specifically to a calcitonin deficiency since it was overcome by a single injection of pure synthetic salmon calcitonin shortly after partial hepatectomy. Salmon calcitonin and bovine parathyroid hormone were equally able to reverse the similar proliferative incapacitation of hepatocytes in hypocalcemic rats which had both their parathyroid and thyroid glands removed one day before partial hepatectomy. However, these two hormones (individually or together) could not reverse the proliferative incapacity resulting from a more prolonged (3-day) exposure to the hypocalcemic conditions in thyroparathyroidectomized rats, but the proliferative incapacity could be reversed by simultaneous treatment with the vitamin D3 metabolite, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. We suggest that extracellular calcium ions are the actual regulators of this hormonally-controlled hepatocyte proliferative development and that parathyroid hormone and the vitamin D3 metabolite affect proliferation indirectly by determining the extracellular calcium concentration, while calcitonin directly, or indirectly, sensitizes hepatocytes to the action of calcium.
Selenium accumulation and elimination in mallards

Selenium accumulation and loss were measured in adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) fed selenomethionine during two experiments. In Experiment 1, both sexes were fed a diet containing 10 ppm selenium for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks on untreated feed. Selenium accumulation in liver and muscle of females was described by C=A(1−e−bt). Concentrations of selenium were predicted to reach 95% of equilibrium faster in liver (7.8 days) than in muscle (81 days). The loss of selenium from liver and muscle of females was described by the exponential loss rate equation: C=Ae−bt, with half-times of 18.7 and 30.1 days, respectively. Males reached similar levels of selenium in liver and breast muscle as females and declined to similar levels once selenium treatment ended. In Experiment 2, females were fed increasing levels of selenium until some died. Survivors were switched to an untreated diet and selenium was measured in blood, liver, and breast muscle over 64 days. The same equation as in Experiment 1, C=Ae−bt, was used to describe the loss of selenium from blood and muscle. Halftimes were 9.8 and 23.9 days, respectively. For liver, the equation $$C = A_1 e^{ - b_1 t} + A_2 e^{ - b_2 t} $$ was used. Selenium initially decreased in liver by one-half in 3.3 days, with subsequent half-times of 3.9, 6.0, and 45.1 days.
NCX and NCKX Operation in Ischemic Neurons

Within the first 2 min of global brain ischemia, extracellular [K+] ([K+]o) increases above 60 mM and [Na+](o) drops to about 50 mM, indicating a massive K+ efflux and Na+ influx, a phenomenon known as anoxic depolarization (AD). Similar ionic shifts take place during repetitive peri-infarct depolarizations (PID) in the area penumbra in focal brain ischemia. The size of ischemic infarct is determined by the duration of AD and PID. However, the mechanism of cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]c) elevation during AD or PID is poorly understood. Our data show that the exposure of cultured rat hippocampal CA1 neurons to AD-like conditions promptly elevates [Ca2+]c to about 30 microM. These high [Ca2+]c elevations depend on external Ca2+ and can be prevented by removing Na+ or by simultaneously inhibiting NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors. These data indicate that [Ca2+]c elevations during AD result from Na+ influx via either NMDA or AMPA/kainate channels. The mechanism of the Na-dependent [Ca2+]c elevations may involve a reversal of plasmalemmal Na+/Ca2+ (NCX) and/or Na+/Ca2+ + K+ (NCKX) exchangers. KB-R7943, an NCX inhibitor, suppresses a fraction of the Na-dependent Ca2+ influx during AD. Therefore, Ca2+ influx via NCX and a KB-R7943-resistant pathway (possibly NCKX) is involved. Inhibition of the Na-dependent Ca2+ influx is likely to decrease ischemic brain damage. No drugs are known that are able to inhibit the KB-R7943-resistant component of Na-dependent Ca2+ influx during AD. The present data encourage development of such agents as potential therapeutic means to limit ischemic brain damage after stroke or heart attack.
JAK2 V617F down-modulates MPL

Decreased expression of the thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR or MPL) on the cell surface of platelets and megakaryocytes is an established feature of and myelofibrosis; however, the exact mechanism responsible for this phenomenon has gone largely unexplained. In this issue of Blood, Pecquet and colleagues publish an excellent study revealing that MPL expression is downregulated in the context of the mutant protein, JAK2V617F.