cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of several common anthropogenic contaminants on proliferation of the parasitic oyster pathogen Perkinsus marinus.

Abstract Estuarine contaminants have varying effects on estuarine inhabitants and host-parasite interactions. Some field collected contaminant mixtures have been shown to increase oyster susceptibility to parasitism by Perkinsus marinus , but little is known about contaminant effects on the parasite itself. This study examined the effects of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, fluoranthene, phenanthrene and a common herbicide mixture (Weed-B-Gone ® ) on in vitro proliferation of P. marinus . Only the herbicide had a significant effect, but not at or below the manufacture’s recommended application rate (7.81 μl ml −1 ). The herbicide’s active ingredients (3.1% 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 10.6% mecoprop and 1.3% dicamba) mimic growth hormones of broadleaf plants; over stimulation of growth results in death. The mode of action of these compounds on P. marinus warrants further investigation which may provide insight towards the identification of biocides to control P. marinus .
The Emerging Philadelphia African American Class Structure

In The Philadelphia Negro, W.E.B. Du Bois presented a four-class typology of the black community. Today the situation has changed greatly. The enormous social changes of the twentieth century, culminating in the civil rights movement and followed by civil disorders occurring on a wide scale in urban America, resulted in attempts by the wider society to incorporate black Americans through federally mandated social programs such as affirmative action, fair housing legislation, set-asides, and major civil rights legislation. These initiatives helped to defuse much of the tension of the 1960s, but they also set the stage for much greater black participation in American society, leading to tremendous growth in the black middle class. At the same time, these measures of black incorporation, as realized over the past 30 years, have greatly changed the traditional castelike system of race relations. In conjunction with deindustrialization and the simultaneous growth of the global economy, these changes have contr...
Apolipoprotein E4 polymorphism as a genetic predisposition to delirium in critically ill patients

Objective:To test for an association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes and duration of intensive care unit delirium.Design:Prospective, observational cohort study.Setting:A 541-bed, community-based teaching hospital.Patients:Fifty-three mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.In
Identification and genetic characterization of Clostridium botulinum serotype A strains from commercially pasteurized carrot juice

Clostridium botulinum is an important foodborne pathogen capable of forming heat resistant endospores and producing deadly botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). In 2006, C. botulinum was responsible for an international outbreak of botulism attributed to the consumption of commercially pasteurized carrot juice. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize strains of C. botulinum from the adulterated product. Carrot juice bottles retrieved from the manufacturing facility were analyzed for the presence of BoNT and BoNT-producing isolates using DIG-ELISA. Toxigenic isolates from the carrot juice were analyzed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and DNA microarray analysis to determine their genetic relatedness to the original outbreak strains CDC51348 and CDC51303. PFGE revealed that isolates CJ4-1 and CJ10-1 shared an identical pulsotype with strain CDC51303, whereas isolate CJ5-1 displayed a unique restriction banding pattern. DNA microarray analysis identified several phage related genes unique to strain CJ5-1, and Southern hybridization analysis of XhoI digested and nondigested DNA showed their chromosomal location, while a homolog to pCLI_A009 of plasmid pCLI of C. botulinum serotype Langeland F, was located on a small plasmid. The acquisition or loss of bacteriophages and other mobile genetic elements among C. botulinum strains has epidemiological and evolutionary implications.
The effects of high fat diets on the blood–brain barrier transport of leptin: Failure or adaptation?

Leptin is a pluripotent regulatory protein secreted by fat and exerts many effects through the CNS. Interpretation of the characteristics by which it crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) supports the view that leptin most potently signals the brain at serum levels well below those associated with the current definition of ideal body weight. This fits with the perspective that low serum levels of leptin are a signal to brain that a sufficient store of calories are available for the organism to expend energy for efforts unrelated to acquisition of calories. This would explain why low serum levels of leptin are permissive in many of the non-feeding actions of leptin, such as enhancing CNS-mediated immune function, memory, bone growth, reproduction, breathing, and neurogenesis. Triglycerides inhibit the transport of leptin across the BBB and so could be key in the onset of the peripheral leptin resistance, which is a hallmark of obesity. These results explain the paradox of why obesity should induce resistance to an anorectic: hypertriglyceridemia also occurs with starvation and we postulate that triglyceride-induced resistance to leptin transport across the BBB initially evolved to limit the signal of an anorectic to the brain during starvation.
Prognostic utility of predischarge dipyridamole-thallium imaging compared to predischarge submaximal exercise electrocardiography and maximal exercise thallium imaging after uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction.

The prognostic value of predischarge dipyridamolethallium scanning after uncomplicated myocardial infarction was determined by comparison with submaximal exercise electrocardiography and 6-week maximal exercise thallium imaging and by correlation with clinical events. Two endpoints were defined: cardiac events and severe ischemic potential. Of the 40 patients studied, 8 had cardiac events within 6 months (1 died, 3 had myocardial infarction and 4 had unstable angina requiring hospitalization). The finding of any redistribution on dipyridamole-thallium scanning was common (77%) in these patients and had poor specificity (29%). Redistribution outside of the infarct zone, however, had equivalent sensitivity (63%) and better specificity (75%) for events (p < 0.05). Both predischarge dipyridamole-thallium and submaximal exercise electrocardiography identified 5 of the 8 events (p = 0.04 and 0.07, respectively). The negative predictive accuracy for events for both dipyridamole-thallium and submaximal exercise electrocardiography was 88%. In addition to the 8 patients with events, 16 other patients had severe ischemic potential (6 had coronary bypass surgery, 1 had inoperable 3-vessel disease and 9 had markedly abnormal 6-week maximal exercise tests). Predischarge dipyridamole-thallium and submaximal exercise testing also identified 8 and 7 of these 16 patients with severe ischemic potential, respectively. Six of the 8 cardiac events occurred before 6-week follow-up. A maximal exercise thallium test at 6 weeks identifed 1 of the 2 additional events within 6 months correctly. Thallium redistribution after dipyridamole in coronary territories outside the infarct zone is a sensitive and specific predictor of subsequent cardiac events and identifies patients with severe ischemic potential. Because events recur early after uncomplicated myocardial infarction, predischarge testing is recommended. Dipyridamole-thallium scanning is an acceptable alternative to submaximal exercise testing for risk stratification in patients who are unable to exercise.
Short-Term Transient Variations of Limnological Parameters in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan

Throughout the period 30 July - 3 August, 1973 measurements of primary production, chlorophyll a, dissolved and particulate nutrients, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature, alkalinity, light penetration, and zooplankton biomass were taken at 2 to 4 hour intervals at an anchor station in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. Determinations were made at the water surface, and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 35, and 50 meters. Diurnal changes were observed in temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, primary production, and zooplankton in the top 2 meters. Storm-induced changes were found for temperature, dissolved oxygen, silica, dissolved phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and primary production. The storm-induced changes were considerably greater than the diurnal changes for those parameters that responded to both causal agents. No significant changes were found for conductivity, pH, total phosphorus or nitrate. Ammonia concentrations were too low to permit statistical analysis.
Infrared and Raman spectra of some diazanaphthalenes

Abstract The infrared and Raman spectra of 1,4-diazanaphthalene (quinoxaline), 2,3-diazanaphthalene (phthalazine), 1,3-diazanaphthalene (quinazoline), and 1,2-diazanaphthalene (cinnoline) have been obtained. Vibrational fundamentals for these molecules have been assigned from the Raman polarization data, vapor phase band contours (quinoxaline) and by comparison of the observed frequencies with the vibrational assignments for naphthalene.
Chest Pain in the Emergency Department: The Case Against Our Current Practice of Routine Noninvasive Testing

Current clinical practice for patients presenting to the emergency department with a resolved episode of chest pain and no electrographic or biomarker abnormalities is to conduct routine noninvasive testing, in accordance with American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines. The rationale is to further reduce the risk of missing a myocardial infarction, a major source of suits filed against emergency department physicians. Patients with negative stress test results may be reassured, with low event rates in the subsequent 30 days. Patients with positive stress test results have higher 30-day event rates, and a small fraction undergo revascularization procedures. Despite this endorsement, open questions remain. Does our current practice lead to the stenting of asymptomatic patients in the inevitable cases where the inciting pain was noncardiac? And, most importantly, does our practice improve outcomes? Randomized trials evaluating routine stress testing in other contexts have yielded negative results, despite diagnosing significant coronary artery disease. Population data suggest that our current practice may be increasing the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and the rate of intervention while failing to decrease rates of myocardial infarction. We propose that randomized trials be conducted to evaluate whether any testing is better than no further intervention. Data from such an evidence-based approach has the potential to reverse our current practice.
A multi-target detector using mutual information for noise radar systems in low SNR regimes

Target detection is one of important roles of radar systems. In this paper, we present a detection method using total correlation based on information theory for noise radar systems which enables a system detects multiple targets at low signal to noise ratio regimes. The proposed method utilizes the largest eigenvalue of the sample covariance matrix to extract information from replica of the transmitted signal, and can perform better than the conventional total correlation detector when reflected signals have intermediate or low signal to noise ratio. In addition, in order to avoid ambiguous target detection, we find thresholds to guarantee the detection performance with the same receiving antenna elements for a given false alarm probability. The threshold is computed from the largest and smallest eigenvalue distributions based on random matrix theory. Simulations show the proposed detection method can be used for intermediate and low signal to noise ratio environments, and the thresholds provides exact target detection.
Determination of Folate in Cereal-Grain Food Products Using Trienzyme Extraction and Combined Affinity and Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography

A trienzyme treatment (employing rat plasma folate conjugase, α-amylase, and protease), followed by affinity chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC, was evaluated for quantification of folates in u...
Collective Witnessing Performance, Drama, and Circulation of Valuables in the Rural Auction and Antiques Trade

Rural American estate auctions represent a compelling interplay of market capitalism and local ceremonies of entrepreneurship. Auctions operate to move used goods, converting them into commodities....
Truth in mutual fund advertising: Evidence on future performance and fund flows

We examine a sample of 294 mutual funds that are advertised in Barron's or Money magazine. The preadvertisement performance of these funds is significantly higher than that of the benchmarks. We test whether the sponsors select funds to signal continued superior performance or they use the past superior performance to attract more money into the funds. Our analysis shows that there is no superior performance in the postadvertisement period. Thus, the results do not support the signaling hypothesis. On the other hand, we find that the advertised funds attract significantly more money in comparison with a group of control funds.
Social support and stress: Influences on lipid reactivity

Social support protects individuals from cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, possibly by attenuating physiological stress responses. The presence of supportive individuals during acute psychological stress has been shown to influence cardiovascular functioning, but in inconsistent directions. The purpose of this study was to test the notion that the presence of a supportive friend during an acute stressor would influence lipid reactivity. Forty healthy women participated in the study. One half engaged in a speech task while a friend was present; the other half participated in a speech task without a friend present. The speech stressor elicited elevations in total cholesterol and triglycerides under both conditions. Those with a friend present had greater total cholesterol reactivity to stress, relative to those without a friend present. These findings are similar to some studies in the cardiovascular literature, and may be due to increased threat appraisal among those with a friend present.
Temperature dependence of the Ti-site electric-field gradient in titanite, CaTiSiO5.

Using perturbed-angular-correlation (PAC) spectroscopy, we have measured nuclear-electric-quadrupole interactions at the Ti sites in ceramic samples of titanite that were doped with the $^{181}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{181}$Ta PAC probe. Measurements were made over a temperature range from 10 to 980 K to investigate the effects of the antiferroelectric-to-paraelectric transition at approximately 500 K on the electric-field gradients (EFG's) at the Ti site. Near the transition temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, the magnitude ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{z}\mathit{z}}$ of the EFG shows no significant inflections. Over the entire temperature range, ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{z}\mathit{z}}$ decreases approximately linearly with increasing temperature, whereas \ensuremath{\eta} remains relatively constant. The line-shape parameter \ensuremath{\delta} decreases slowly with increasing temperature from 10 K to approximately ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$; at temperatures above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, \ensuremath{\delta} remains relatively constant. Using a point-charge model, we attribute the absence of any discernible effects of the transition on the measured values of ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{z}\mathit{z}}$ and \ensuremath{\eta} to the direction and symmetry of the Ti-ion displacement relative to the Ti-site EFG axes.
Detection of guanyl cyclase in mammalian tissues.

Abstract Guanyl cyclase was assayed by determining the rate of conversion of [ α - 32 P ]GTP to cyclic 3′,5′-[ 32 P]GMP. A two-step chromatographic procedure was developed for isolating the product. The enzyme was found in the soluble fraction after homogenizing tissues in 0.3 M sucrose. The reaction showed a pH optimum near 7.6 and was dependent on Mn 2+ . The relative enzymatic activity for tissues of the rat was lung >> brain = spleen > kidney = liver = heart.
Signal stabilization and noise suppression in neural systems

Neural activity is viewed as a stochastic point process, in which information resides in the modulation of a background of spontaneous activity. Characteristic features of the spatial and temporal mapping of sensory signals are discussed. One of the puzzling aspects of neural functioning is the integrity of the signal in its passage toward higher brain centers, in view of the fundamentally noisy response of the individual neuron. It is shown, that a process, we call image stabilization, is a direct consequence of the particular mapping function exemplified by lateral inhibition and adaptation.
Secondary Students' Quantification of Ratio and Rate: A Framework for Reasoning about Change in Covarying Quantities.

Contributing to a growing body of research addressing secondary students’ quantitative and covariational reasoning, the multiple case study reported in this article investigated secondary students’ quantification of ratio and rate. This article reports results from a study investigating students’ quantification of rate and ratio as relationships between quantities and presents the Change in Covarying Quantities Framework, which builds from Carlson, Jacobs, Coe, Larsen, and Hsu’s (2002) Covariation Framework. Each of the students in this study was consistent in terms of the quantitative operation he or she used (comparison or coordination) when quantifying both ratio and rate. Illustrating how students can engage in different quantitative operations when quantifying rate, the Change in Covarying Quantities Framework helps to explain why students classified as operating at a particular level of covariational reasoning appear to be using different mental actions. Implications of this research include recomme...
Effects of jet pattern on single-phase cooling performance of hybrid micro-channel/micro-circular-jet-impingement thermal management scheme

Abstract This study explores the single-phase cooling performance of a hybrid cooling module in which a series of micro-jets deposit coolant into each channel of a micro-channel heat sink. This creates symmetrical flow in each micro-channel, and the coolant is expelled through both ends of the micro-channel. Three micro-jet patterns are examined, decreasing-jet-size (relative to center of channel), equal-jet-size and increasing-jet-size. The performance of each pattern is examined experimentally and numerically using HFE 7100 as working fluid. Indirect refrigeration cooling is used to reduce the coolant’s temperature in order to produce low wall temperatures during high-flux heat dissipation. A single heat transfer coefficient correlation is found equally effective at correlating experimental data for all three jet patterns. Three-dimensional numerical simulation using the standard k–e model shows excellent accuracy in predicting wall temperatures. Numerical results show the hybrid cooling module involves complex interactions of impinging jets and micro-channel flow. Increasing the coolant’s flow rate strengthens the contribution of jet impingement to the overall cooling performance, and decreases wall temperature. However, this advantage is realized at the expense of greater wall temperature gradients. The decreasing-jet-size pattern yields the highest convective heat transfer coefficients and lowest wall temperatures, while the equal-jet-size pattern provides the greatest uniformity in wall temperature. The increasing-jet-size pattern produces complex flow patterns and greater wall temperature gradients, which are caused by blockage of spent fluid flow due to the impingement from larger jets near the channel outlets.
A practical characterization of a NASA SpaceCube application through fault emulation and laser testing

Historically, space-based processing systems have lagged behind their terrestrial counterparts by several processor generations due, in part, to the cost and complexity of implementing radiation-hardened processor designs. Efforts such as NASA's SpaceCube seek to change this paradigm, using higher performance commercial hardware wherever possible. This has the potential to revolutionize onboard data processing, but it cannot happen unless the soft error reliability can be characterized and deemed sufficient. A variety of fault injection techniques are used to evaluate system reliability, most commonly fault emulation, fault simulation, laser testing, and particle beam testing. Combining multiple techniques is more complex and less common. In this study we characterize a real-world application that leverages a radiation-hardening by software (RHBSW) solution for the SpaceCube platform, using two fault injection strategies: laser testing and fault emulation. We describe several valuable lessons learned, and show how both validation techniques can be combined to greater effect.
Potential for treatment of severe autism in tuberous sclerosis complex

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two mechanism-based treatments for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-everolimus and vigabatrin. However, these treatments have not been systematically studied in individuals with TSC and severe autism. The aim of this review is to identify the clinical features of severe autism in TSC, applicable preclinical models, and potential barriers that may warrant strategic planning in the design phase of clinical trial development. A comprehensive search strategy was formed and searched across PubMed, Embase and SCOPUS from their inception to 2/21/12, 3/16/12, and 3/12/12 respectively. After the final search date, relevant, updated articles were selected from PubMed abstracts generated electronically and emailed daily from PubMed. The references of selected articles were searched, and relevant articles were selected. A search of clinicaltrials.gov was completed using the search term “TSC” and “tuberous sclerosis complex”. Autism has been reported in as many as 60% of individuals with TSC; however, review of the literature revealed few data to support clear classification of the severity of autism in TSC. Variability was identified in the diagnostic approach, assessment of cognition, and functional outcome among the reviewed studies and case reports. Objective outcome measures were not used in many early studies; however, diffusion tensor imaging of white matter, neurophysiologic variability in infantile spasms, and cortical tuber subcategories were examined in recent studies and may be useful for objective classification of TSC in future studies. Mechanism-based treatments for TSC are currently available. However, this literature review revealed two potential barriers to successful design and implementation of clinical trials in individuals with severe autism-an unclear definition of the population and lack of validated outcome measures. Recent studies of objective outcome measures in TSC and further study of applicable preclinical models present an opportunity to overcome these barriers.
On optimum disposal of waste heat

Abstract The irreversibility associated with waste heat disposal across an exchanger represents an inherent trade-off point in the design of power plants. On the one hand, a large degree of irreversibility from a large temperature drop across the heat-transfer surface is detrimental to the thermodynamic efficiency of a cycle that produces waste heat. On the other hand, reduction of irreversibility can be achieved only by employing a larger heat transfer area. Therefore, one expects that there must be an optimum design that maximizes the work output per unit of heat transfer area for a given cycle. The efficiency at this optimum condition should be much closer to efficiencies in comparable cases of “good” design, and it must serve as a much more reasonable yardstick in assesing engineering merit. To exemplify this type of optimization, a Carnot engine cycle with a finite heat transfer coefficient during its heat rejecting process is analyzed in detail. An optimizing temperature drop accompanying the transfer of waste heat is displayed, and the maximum efficiency is calcuated. Influences of the heat transfer at the high-temperature side and the entropy produced during (real) adiabatic processes are also assessed to show the realistic potential of this simple design technique.
Experimental Confirmation of the Oscillating Bubble Technique with Comparison to the Pendant Bubble Method: The Adsorption Dynamics of 1-Decanol

Abstract A new oscillating bubble method is used to measure surfactant mass transfer kinetics at liquid–gas interfaces. A spherical bubble is formed, equilibrated, and oscillated radially with a small amplitude. The radial oscillations cause the gas-phase pressure to cycle about its equilibrium because of the periodic changes in bubble curvature and surface tension. The phase angle θ between the radial and the pressure oscillations and the amplitude ratio of these two quantities are measured as a function of forcing frequency ω′ and concentrationC′(0). These data are analyzed according to a linear analysis presented in part I of this research (J. Colloid Interface Sci.168,21, 1994) to find surfactant diffusivities and adsorption/desorption coefficients. The required input data are the equilibrium adsorption isotherm and the corresponding surface equation of state. For 1-decanol at the air–aqueous interface, equilibrium surface tension data are obtained by video-enhanced pendant bubble tensiometry and fitted to the generalized Frumkin model. The oscillating bubble method is then used to determine the mass transfer kinetics of 1-decanol. For ω′ ≤ 1 rad/s, the mass transfer is diffusion-controlled. Diffusivities found from the oscillating bubble data are in agreement with those obtained from pendant bubble relaxation data. For elevatedC′(0)and ω′ ≥ 1.0 rad/s, the mass transfer is controlled by both diffusion and the kinetics of adsorption–desorption. A mixed diffusion–kinetic model applied to these data yields a value for the desorption kinetic constant of α = 2.7 s−1. These results are consistent with the shift in controlling mechanism from pure diffusion control at dilute concentrations to mixed diffusion–kinetic control at elevated concentrations.
Enhancement of 13C NMR signals in solid C60 and C70 using laser-polarized xenon

Abstract NMR signals emanating from surface nuclei of solids may be enhanced by the transfer of spin polarization from laser-polarized noble gases via SPINOE (spin polarization induced nuclear Overhauser effect). The present contribution describes experiments in which the spin polarization is transferred under magic angle spinning (MAS) from laser-polarized 129 Xe to 13 C , a nuclear spin with a low gyromagnetic ratio in the fullerenes C60 and C70, polycrystalline materials with a low surface area. In C70, differential enhancement of the NMR is observed for the different atomic sites in the molecule.
Hardware Trojans: The defense and attack of integrated circuits

Despite the increasing threat of hardware Trojans in modern circuits, there is currently a lack of Trojans available with which to test anti-Trojan techniques. This paper presents both a defensive technique designed to aid in the detection of Trojans in integrated circuits, as well as a design ideology to confound similar defensive techniques. The defense structure was awarded 2nd place in the 2009 Embedded Systems Challenge (ESC) competition, and Trojans following the attack ideology were submitted to the same competition the following year.
Advances in the generalized entropy theory of glass-formation in polymer melts

The generalized entropy theory (GET) of polymeric glass-forming liquids is reformulated into a computationally simpler and more natural formalism than the original version of this theory. The new theoretical framework greatly facilitates establishing essential trends in the dependence of the segmental relaxation time τ, fragility, characteristic temperatures of glass-formation, etc., on the combined influences of monomer molecular structure, chain rigidity, and cohesive interaction strength. Special attention is placed on the estimating the parameters of the phenomenological Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann relations for describing segmental relaxation in diverse liquids in the low temperature range of glass-formation, Tg > T > Tc (or Tg < T < Tg + 100 K), where Tg and Tc are, respectively, the glass transition temperature and the crossover temperature separating the high and low temperature regimes of glass-formation. Finally, we discuss how the molecular energetic interaction parameters of the GET can be estimated from experimental data. Illustrative calculations are performed for the stiffness factor σ and the cohesive energy density u as a first step in this direction.
Modeling and interpretation of Q logs in carbonate rock using a double porosity model and well logs

Abstract Attenuation data extracted from full waveform sonic logs is sensitive to vuggy and matrix porosities in a carbonate aquifer. This is consistent with the synthetic attenuation (1 / Q) as a function of depth at the borehole-sonic source-peak frequency of 10 kHz. We use velocity and densities versus porosity relationships based on core and well log data to determine the matrix, secondary, and effective bulk moduli. The attenuation model requires the bulk modulus of the primary and secondary porosities. We use a double porosity model that allows us to investigate attenuation at the mesoscopic scale. Thus, the secondary and primary porosities in the aquifer should respond with different changes in fluid pressure. The results show a high permeability region with a Q that varies from 25 to 50 and correlates with the stiffer part of the carbonate formation. This pore structure permits water to flow between the interconnected vugs and the matrix. In this region the double porosity model predicts a decrease in the attenuation at lower frequencies that is associated with fluid flowing from the more compliant high-pressure regions (interconnected vug space) to the relatively stiff, low-pressure regions (matrix). The chalky limestone with a low Q of 17 is formed by a muddy porous matrix with soft pores. This low permeability region correlates with the low matrix bulk modulus. A low Q of 18 characterizes the soft sandy carbonate rock above the vuggy carbonate. This paper demonstrates the use of attenuation logs for discriminating between lithology and provides information on the pore structure when integrated with cores and other well logs. In addition, the paper demonstrates the practical application of a new double porosity model to interpret the attenuation at sonic frequencies by achieving a good match between measured and modeled attenuation.
Lumbar Decompression Using a Tubular Retractor System

Spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation can often cause nerve root compression and radiculopathy in the lumbar region. The resulting symptoms can vary widely from absent to severe and may include debilitating back and leg pain. Studies have shown that surgical decompression can be effective when nonoperative treatments have been exhausted. In contrast to traditional open lumbar decompression, minimally invasive techniques have been shown to decrease certain perioperative complications and shorten patient recovery time. This chapter will review the technique of lumbar decompressive surgery using a minimally invasive tubular retractor system.
Tumor thrombus as a rare presentation of lymphoma: a case series of 14 patients.

OBJECTIVE. We present a case series of 14 patients with lymphoma presenting with tumor thrombus to highlight this rare but important manifestation of lymphoma. CONCLUSION. The dominant mass leading to tumor thrombus formation was nodal disease in nine patients and extranodal disease in five patients. Lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the setting of tumor thrombus with solid organ involvement when there are other imaging features suggestive of lymphoma.
THE ACTIVATING EFFECT OF CALCIUM ON A BACTERICIDAL SUBSTANCE FOR BACILLUS SUBTILIS IN HUMAN SERUM

An enhanced bactericidal activity of human serum for B. subtilis develops during many different forms of illness, e.g. carcinoma, virus and bacterial infections, and during acute coronary occlusion. This increased bactericidal effect cannot be related to leucocytosis, fever, serum complement, C-reactive protein, or a specific antibody reaction. The serum bactericidal factor becomes inactive in decalcified serum, but active again when optimal concentrations of calcium are added. Magnesium does not cause reactivation.
Carbohydrate metabolism of Hymenolepis diminuta.

Abstract 1. 1. The endogenous respiratory quotient of Hymenolepis diminuta averages 0.51. In the presence of glucose the average respiratory quotient is 1.02. Aerobic respiration is stimulated by glucose. Succinate, malate, glycerophosphate, and malonate stimulated or supported respiration while citrate, α-ketoglutarate, β-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate, and acetate were without effect on the endogenous rate. 2. 2. The rate of aerobic respiration is sharply dependent on oxygen tension between 2.1 and 5.0 volumes % in the atmosphere and less so between 5.0 and 21.0 volumes %. H. diminuta shows an oxygen debt when returned to air after periods of 1 to 3 hours of anaerobiasis. 3. 3. Polysaccharide content was found to be sharply different under two different laboratory situations. In vivo the worm uses about 5.04 g glycogen per 100 g tissue in a 20-hour period. In vitro the worm used about 4.41 g in a similar period. Differences in polysaccharide content of linear quarters of H. diminuta was demonstrated. 4. 4. Anaerobically, no metabolic gas was produced by H. diminuta and the major acid product excreted was lactic. The acid was also found to be a major product of Oochoristica symmetrica . Acid production of H. diminuta was enhanced by addition of glucose, independent of concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.066 M . Galactose is utilized at a somewhat lower rate than glucose. Maltose, trehalose, lactose, and fructose are not utilized to a significant extent. Sharp differences were found in rates of acid production and glucose utilization by portions of worms divided linearly into sixths. The linear differences are altered by washing the worms for various periods in Ringer's solution. The worms produce 31 % more lactate under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions. 5. 5. The data are compared with similar data on other cestodes. The possible significance of aerobic metabolism to cestodes is discussed in terms of energy yield vs. molecular configuration of products and in relation to the morphological and ecological peculiarities of cestodes.
Validity of Self-Reported Home Availability of Fruit, Juice, and Vegetables

Abstract Higher fruit (F), 100% juice (J), and vegetable (V) intakes are associated with decreased cancer risk. Children's FJV consumption has been related to availability (AV) of FJV in the home. This study investigated the validity of a home FJV AV questionnaire (as determined by the presence or absence of 3 J, 13 F, and 18 V over the past seven days) among 48 parents of 4th-6th grade students. Parents completed the AV questionnaire during an in-home interview conducted on a weekend by indicating whether a FJV (from a list of 3 J, 13 F, and 18V) had been present in their home within the last 7 days. After the questionnaire was completed, the interviewer conducted a visual inspection of FJV AV in the home (with parent permission). Self- and interviewer-reported FJV AV were paired. Responses for each food item were scored a one for present or a zero for absent. Sensitivity (the proportion of foods present that were accurately reported as present in the questionnaire) and specificity (the proportion of foods not present that were accurately reported as not present in the questionnaire) were calculated (using the visual inspection data as gold standard) along with Cohen's Kappa (K) measure of agreement. Overall sensitivity (0.37) and specificity (0.39) indicated fair agreement. Sensitivity and specificity by food group were similar for J (0.33 and 0.40, respectively), F (0.30 and 0.45, respectively) and V (0.42 and 0.34, respectively) groups. Cohen's Kappa indicated significant (p
Generated regressors in linear and nonlinear models

Abstract The need to use estimates from separate studies as regressors often arises. Such regressors need to be modelled as variables measured with error. We demonstrate the use of generated regressors in linear and nonlinear models that arise from the predictions in Grossman and Helpman (American Economic Review, 1994, 84 (4), 833–850) and Grossman and Helpman (Journal of Political Economy, 1995, 103, 675–708).
Trapping of deuterium in beryllium

The thermal release of deuterium (D) implanted into beryllium and the internal redistribution between traps at different depths was studied using ion-beam analysis methods. These methods allow surface effects and trapping to be characterized independently which is difficult from measurements of thermal release alone. At low concentrations D is trapped at lattice damage and is thermally detrapped around 450°C. Transport simulations indicate that the energy barrier for detraping is about 2.3 eV. At high concentrations D precipitates into gas bubbles. Release of D from the bubbles occurs by permeation from high pressure D 2 gas inside the bubbles through the Be lattice to the surface. The permeability of D through Be determined from these experiments was about 2×10 5 D/(cm s atm 1/2 ) at 600°C, seven orders of magnitude smaller than the value calculated from published solubility and diffusivity data. The oxidized Be surface did not limit the D release.
Aza-annulation as a route to hydroxylated alkaloid lipids. The synthesis of (±)-prosopinine

Abstract The total synthesis of (±)-prosopinine is described. Aza-annulation was used to generate the six-membered nitrogen heterocycle, stereochemical control was achieved through the use of the δ-lactam template, and homologation of the lactam introduced the alkyl chain substituent on the piperidine ring.
Hamiltonian Ray-tracing with Wigner Distribution Function for Wave Propagation in Inhomogeneous Media

We present a novel method for simulating wave optics phenomena in an inhomogeneous medium simply through ray-tracing. We accomplish this by adapting Hamiltonian ray-tracing method to use the Wigner distribution function as its initial condition.
Heterochromatic flicker photometry

Measurement of the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) by heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) is accomplished by viewing a small circular stimulus that alternates between a test wavelength that is absorbed by the MP (typically--blue, 460 nm) and a reference wavelength that is not absorbed (typically-green, 540 nm). Flicker observed by the subject is reduced to a null point by adjusting the intensity of the former while viewing the stimulus centrally, and then peripherally. A higher intensity, I, of the blue component of the stimulus is needed under central viewing conditions owing to attenuation by the MP. The MPOD at the test wavelength is given by log (Icentral/Iperipheral). Variation of the test wavelength has been used to measure the MPOD spectrum. This in vitro MPOD spectrum matches that of the carotenoids present in the macular region of the retina and demonstrates the validity and specificity of this methodology. The distribution of MPOD in the retina can be determined with HFP using a series of annular stimuli of different diameters.
A Bootstrap for Theil’s Best Linear Index Numbers

If the prices and the corresponding quantities of K commodities are observed in a cross section of R regions, the data may be arrayed in two matrices, P and Q respectively, each having R rows and K columns. Theil [Econometrica, 1960] defines the cross-value matrix C = PQ as a positive-valued array whose typical element crt measures the aggregate monetary value of the quantities in region t at the prices in region r. While the rank of C is usually the smaller of R and K, Theil proposes to approximate C by a matrix of rank one in the orthogonal regression model C 1⁄4 pq0 þ E; ð1Þ
Fault-tolerant action selection for planetary rover control

The ability of a small rover to operate semi-autonomously in a hazardous planetary environment was recently demonstrated by the Sojourner mission to Mars in July of 1997. Sojourner stayed within a 50 meter radius of the Pathfinder lander. Current NASA plans call for extended year-long, multikilometer treks for the 2003 and 2005 missions. A greater deal of rover autonomy is required for such missions. We have recently developed a hybrid wavelet/neural network based system called BISMARC (Biologically Inspired System for Map-based Autonomous Rover Control), that is capable of such autonomy. Simulations reported at this meeting last year demonstrated that the system is capable of control for multiple rovers involved in a multiple cache recovery scenario. This robust behavior was obtained through the use of a free-flow hierarchy as an action selection mechanism. This paper extends BISMARC to include fault tolerance in the sensing and mechanical rover subsystems. The results of simulation studies in a Mars environment are also reported.
A TLR4 agonist synergizes with dendritic cell-directed lentiviral vectors for inducing antigen-specific immune responses.

TLR4 agonists can be used as adjuvants to trigger innate immune responses of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells (DCs) to enhance vaccine-specific immunity. Adjuvant effects of TLR4 agonists are mediated by downstream signaling controlled by both MyD88 and TRIF adapter proteins. In this study, we investigated the adjuvanting capacity of glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA), a chemically synthesized TLR4 agonist, to boost antigen-specific immunity elicited by DC-directed lentiviral vectors (DC-LV). We found that stimulation by this agonist in vitro can activate DCs in a TLR4-dependent manner. The agonist can significantly boost DC-LV-induced humoral and cellular immune responses, resulting in better antitumor reactions in response to tumor challenges. We observed that the adjuvant-mediated enhancement of cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses is CD4+ T cell-dependent and determined that in vitro the agonist stimulation involves the participation of both MyD88 and TRIF pathways to activate DCs. In vivo immunization study however revealed that adjuvant effects depend more on the MyD88 signaling as TRIF^(−/−) mice but not MyD88^(−/−) mice were able to maintain the enhanced CD8+ T cell responses upon DC-LV immunization. Thus, our study supports the use of this TLR4 agonist as a potent adjuvant candidate for boosting DC-LV immunization.
The HCMV gH/gL/UL128-131 Complex Triggers the Specific Cellular Activation Required for Efficient Viral Internalization into Target Monocytes

We have established that HCMV acts as a specific ligand engaging and activating cellular integrins on monocytes. As a result, integrin signaling via Src activation leads to the functional activation of paxillin required for efficient viral entry and for the biological changes in monocytes needed for viral dissemination. These biological/molecular changes allow HCMV to use monocytes as “vehicles” for systemic spread and the establishment of lifelong persistence. However, it remains unresolved how HCMV specifically induces this observed monocyte activation. It was previously demonstrated that the HCMV gH/gL/UL128-131 glycoprotein complex facilitates viral entry into biologically relevant cell types. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex promotes this process is unknown. We now show that only HCMV virions possessing the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex are capable of activating integrin/Src/paxillin-signaling in monocytes. In fibroblasts, this signaling is reversed, such that virus lacking the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex is the only virus able to induce the paxillin activation cascade. The presence of the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex also may have an inhibitory effect on integrin-mediated signaling pathway in fibroblasts. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the presence of the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex on the viral envelope, through its activation of the integrin/Src/paxillin pathway, is necessary for efficient HCMV internalization into monocytes and that appropriate actin and dynamin regulation is critical for this entry process. Importantly, productive infection in monocyte-derived macrophages was seen only in cells exposed to HCMV expressing the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex. From our data, the HCMV gH/gL/U128-131 complex emerges as the specific ligand driving the activation of the receptor-mediated signaling required for the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and, consequently, for efficient and productive internalization of HCMV into monocytes. To our knowledge, our studies demonstrate a possible molecular mechanism for why the gH/gL/UL128-131 complex dictates HCMV tropism and why the complex is lost as clinical isolates are passaged in the laboratory.
Statistical analysis of dose heterogeneity in circulating blood: Implications for sequential methods of total body irradiation

Purpose: Improvements in delivery techniques for total body irradiation (TBI) using Tomotherapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy have been proven feasible. Despite the promise of improved dose conformality, the application of these ''sequential'' techniques has been hampered by concerns over dose heterogeneity to circulating blood. The present study was conducted to provide quantitative evidence regarding the potential clinical impact of this heterogeneity. Methods: Blood perfusion was modeled analytically as possessing linear, sinusoidal motion in the craniocaudal dimension. The average perfusion period for human circulation was estimated to be approximately 78 s. Sequential treatment delivery was modeled as a Gaussian-shaped dose cloud with a 10 cm length that traversed a 183 cm patient length at a uniform speed. Total dose to circulating blood voxels was calculated via numerical integration and normalized to 2 Gy per fraction. Dose statistics and equivalent uniform dose (EUD) were calculated for relevant treatment times, radiobiological parameters, blood perfusion rates, and fractionation schemes. The model was then refined to account for random dispersion superimposed onto the underlying periodic blood flow. Finally, a fully stochastic model was developed using binomial and trinomial probability distributions. These models allowed for the analysis of nonlinear sequential treatment modalities and treatment designsmore » that incorporate deliberate organ sparing. Results: The dose received by individual blood voxels exhibited asymmetric behavior that depended on the coherence among the blood velocity, circulation phase, and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the irradiation beam. Heterogeneity increased with the perfusion period and decreased with the treatment time. Notwithstanding, heterogeneity was less than {+-}10% for perfusion periods less than 150 s. The EUD was compromised for radiosensitive cells, long perfusion periods, and short treatment times. However, the EUD was unaffected (within 10%) for perfusion periods of less than 150 s or treatment times of 20 min or greater. Treatment over six fractions improved the EUD per fraction such that all parametric combinations resulted in unaffected EUD. The stochastic models confirmed these results. Conclusions: Dose heterogeneity in circulating blood cells is clinically acceptable for typical treatment times, perfusion rates, and cell types. Development of conformal, sequential TBI treatment techniques should not be withheld based on concerns over circulating blood dose heterogeneity.« less